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An enzyme or other organic molecule that can counteract the damaging effects of oxygen in tissues. Although the term technically applies to molecules reacting with oxygen, it is often applied to molecules that protect from any free radical (molecule with unpaired electron).

Antioxidants are an important supplement to anyone's diet because they prevent the bodily damage caused by free radicals. Fortunately, antioxidants protect against free radical damage. They offer a powerful nutritional tool to prevent illness and even slow down aging.

Antioxidants prevent injury to blood vessel membranes, helping to optimize blood flow to the heart and brain, defend against cancer-causing DNA damage, and help lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and dementia, including Alzheimer's disease.

Natural Sources of Antioxidants

Antioxidants are found in cereals, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fish or they can be taken in the form of dietary supplements. There is some research suggesting that a diet rich in fruit, vegetables, and cereals has additional benefits, because of lesser-known but potent antioxidants in food that may have a combined effect greater than that of any single nutrient or individual antioxidant supplement

In addition to enzymes, many vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, Vitamin E, beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene, vitamin B2, CoQ10, and cysteine (an amino acid) act as natural antioxidants. Herbs, such as milk thistle, aloe vera, cascara sagrada, bilberry, turmeric (curcumin), grape seed or pine bark extracts, and ginkgo can also provide powerful antioxidant protection for the body and help inhibit many of the health problems associated with free radicals.

Vitamin C Antioxidant Vitamin

Also called ascorbic acid, vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin found in all body fluids, so it may be one of our first lines of defense. It works along with vitamin E, a fat-soluble natural antioxidant, and the enzyme glutathione peroxidase to stop free radical chain reactions. Vitamin C can enhance the body's resistance to an assortment of diseases, including infectious disorders and many types of cancer. It strengthens and protects the immune system by stimulating the activity of antibodies and immune system cells. Vitamin C powerful antioxidant cannot be stored by the body, so it's important to get some regularly not a difficult task if you eat fruits and vegetables. Important sources include citrus fruits, green peppers, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, strawberries, raw cabbage and potatoes.

Vitamin E Antioxidant Vitamin

A fat-soluble vitamin that can be stored with fat in the liver and other tissues, vitamin E is promoted for a range of purposes from delaying aging to healing sunburn. Vitamin E exists in eight different forms. Each form has its own biological activity, the measure of potency or functional use in the body. Alpha-tocopherol is the most active form of vitamin E in humans, and is a powerful biological antioxidant. Antioxidants vitamins such as vitamin E act to protect your cells against the effects of free radicals, which are potentially damaging by-products of the body's metabolism. Free radicals can cause cell damage that may contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Antioxidant benefits from vitamin e have been touted for centuries. Vitamin E is found in many oils including wheat germ, corn, safflower and soybean oils, and is also found in mangos, nuts (almonds), broccoli vegetable oil, fish-liver oil and other antioxidant foods.

Selenium Antioxidant Vitamin

Selenium is an essential trace mineral in the human body. This nutrient is an important part of antioxidant enzymes and antioxidant vitamins that protect cells against the effects of free radicals that are produced during normal oxygen metabolism. The body has developed defenses such as antioxidants to control levels of free radicals because they can damage cells and contribute to the development of some chronic diseases. Selenium is also essential for normal functioning of the immune system and thyroid gland. It is best to get selenium through foods, as large doses of the supplement form can be toxic. Good food sources include fish, shellfish, red meat, grains, eggs, chicken and garlic. Vegetables can also be a good source if grown in selenium-rich soils.

Beta-carotene Antioxidant Vitamin

The most studied of more than 600 different carotenoids that have been discovered, beta-carotene protects dark green, yellow and orange vegetables and fruits from solar radiation damage. It is thought that it plays a similar role in the body. Carrots, squash, broccoli, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, kale, collards, cantaloupe, peaches and apricots are particularly rich sources of beta-carotene.

Studies have found grape seed to be one of the best antioxidant, which may help prevent or relieve symptoms of certain conditions, such as vision problems associated with diabetes and wound healing. The safety of long-term use of grape seed is unknown, and more studies are needed to provide definitive answers.

Grape seed may help improve blood circulation, prevent atherosclerosis, lower blood pressure and improve blood cholesterol levels. Some research shows that consumption of grape seed and grape skin in combination, such as in red wine, grape juice or a commercially available vitamin supplement products, may be more beneficial than grape seed alone.

There a few key roles that antioxidants supplements can help you with if you increase them. These include protecting your body cells from damage. Often there can be a vitamin shortage in your body that is causing you maybe to not recover they way you should be. With the help of vitamins and antioxidant food you can make up the difference that you need. Often you will be able to use the powerful selection of herbal or natural products to help put your body in greater functioning capacity. Other benefits include normalizing blood clotting, restoring libido and even helping preventing other diseases. Fitness and nutrition are a big part of many peoples lives and it is important to take your health seriously.

source: www.herbs-wholesale.com/article/antioxidant.asp

CANCER DIETARY ADVICE

The human body is made up of cells. In a healthy body these cells divide at a certain rate so that they can replace dying cells and aid in the repair of damaged tissues. If these cells divide at a rate which is too fast, a mass of tissue called a growth or tumor is formed. It is not known what causes the body’s cells to become damaged. However, there seems to be mounting evidence that oxidation or free radical damage seems to damage the cell’s membrane. This damage can initiate the cancer process. The possible causative factors to the development and growth of cancer can be divided into three categories – internal, external and lifestyle. • Internal factors may include genetic composition and infections. • External factors may include exposure to water and air pollution, unhealthy work environments, chemicals, pesticides and herbicides. • Lifestyle factors may include poor diet, stress, high alcohol consumption, smoking and too much sun exposure. Dietary Advice: • Reduce consumption of foods that contain natural carcinogens, as they may increase the risk of cancer, e.g., smoked, pickled or barbequed food. • Reduce the intake of fat or deep-fried foods. Cancers associated with high fat foods are breast, colon and prostrate cancer. • Eat fish at least 3 times per week. Including salmon, cod, mackerel, sardines and tuna. • Increase consumption of green vegetables and complex carbohydrates e.g. whole grain cereals and organic fruit and vegetables that are in season. • Garlic, shiitake mushrooms, champignons and ginseng contain Germanium, which seems to have a positive effect on cancer cells. • Check for food sensitivities. Many cancer patients are allergic or intolerant to milk and wheat. • Avoid smoking, tea, coffee, sugar and alcohol. • Increase foods high in zinc. These include pumpkin seeds, oysters, sunflower seeds, ginger and whole grains. • Increase foods high in selenium. These include oysters, mackerel, cashews, whole grain cereals, garlic and alfalfa. • Increase foods high in Vitamin A and Beta-carotene. These include apricots, mint, carrots, green leafy vegetables, spinach, dandelion greens, sweet potato and parsley. • Increase foods high in magnesium. These include almonds, cashews, soy beans, parsnips and wholegrain cereals. • Increase food high in Vitamin E includes wheat germ and its oils, sunflower seeds and its oils, almonds, sweet potato and leafy vegetables. • Do not eat poultry or beef that has come from hormonally treated animals. It is best to eliminate meat if possible and instead obtain moderate protein from plant sources such as green leafy vegetables, potatoes, sprouted seeds, grains, nuts and tofu. • Increase foods high in vitamin D, these include tuna, cod, herring and sprouted seeds. • Avoid any fruit that has been sprayed or treated with pesticides. Organic is best if possible. • Avoid saturated, cholesterol-rich animal fats including butter. These should be replaced with a moderate use of genuine cold pressed vegetable oils including sunflower seed oil, flaxseed oil, soybean oil or safflower oil. Try to avoid heating oils, as they can become rancid and damage cells. • Eat foods that have been found to be cancer protective. These include cabbage, broccoli, green pepper, eggplant, shallots, pineapple, apples, ginger, mint leaf, wheat, sprouts, lettuce, spinach and mustard greens. Most of these vegetables should be eaten raw or lightly steamed. • Do not eat any food that is contaminated with mould. Avoid all yeast foods including Vegemite, Promite, Bonox and Yeast powder. • It is best if possible to aim for an 80 per cent raw food diet. • Increase consumption of fibre rich foods and whole grain cereals, as they promote the production of butyric acid in the intestine. Reduce salt intake and increase potassium rich foods. These include all vegetables, citrus fruit, apricots, banana, potato, nuts, sardines, herring, avocado, sunflower seeds. • Include garlic in the diet due to its natural anti-biotic properties. • Nuts that are beneficial include almonds and walnuts. Peanuts should be avoided. • Include fermented foods such as Pawpaw leaf extract, sour kraut and apple vinegar. Juicing: The purpose of juicing is to normalize all the vital body processes, revitalize the liver and other digestive organs, cleanse the whole body of accumulated toxins, restore the digestive and assimilative functions of the stomach, intestinal tract , and in general, increase the body’s protective and healing capacity.
Short bursts of cleansing fasts on raw vegetable and fruit juices are recommended. Beetroot juice 100ml should be consumed daily. Other good juices include carrot, celery, leafy green vegetables, lemon and all dark coloured juices. Good fruit juices include apple and pineapple particularly. Of the fresh fruit and vegetable juices, approximately 6 cups should be consumed daily. The peel of oranges and celery seed oil contains limonene, which may be beneficial. Other Useful Tips: Meditation Visualisation Relaxation Affirmations 2 Natural Health – S.A.F.E products which may be useful to support the body through cancer. Green Barley Powder or Green Barley Plus – These products contain many high quality nutrients that are required by the body for correct cell division and function. Green Barley is a complete grown living food that has a comprehensive range of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and enzymes. Take up to 10-12 teaspoons per day. Start with one teaspoon per day and slowly build up. Paw Paw Leaf Extract – Contains a range of vitamins and minerals. It also has natural antibiotic properties, improves digestion and has anti-cancer properties. Start on 30ml 3 times per day. Oxygen-8 – Replenishes oxygen levels in the body. Healthy cells are rich in oxygen, cancerous cells cannot grow or thrive in an oxygen rich environment. Take 5 drops in 250ml water 3 times a day. Olive Leaf Extract- Used over many years and is renown for its anti-viral, anti- bacterial, anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties. It also aids to strengthen the immune system. Take 20mls 3 times per day. Citramin – Citramin is a liquid product that contains many minerals that the body requires for healing, promoting growth and assisting the chemical pathways in the body. Take 10ml 2 times per day. Coral Calcium- Alkalises the body. Cancer cannot thrive in an alkaline environment. Take 2 capsules or half teaspoon 2 times per day. Other 2 Natural Health SAFE products that may be of benefit include: Shark Cartilage, Co-Enzyme Q10, Vitamin C and Mineral Powder, Supa-C, Microfoods and Omega Complex.

Reference: Cancer Information and Support Society – Sydney Australia. SAFE Naturopath – Leonie Shrimpton, BHSc. Adv. Dip.Naturopathy

dipetik dari : herbaltraining.blogspot.com

WASHINGTON (AFP) - - People who eat more red or processed meat have a higher risk of death from all causes including cancer, while a higher consumption of white meat reduces such risks, a decade-long US study released Monday found.

The joint study begun in 1995 by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and seniors group AARP followed more than half a million men and women between age 50 and 71, who filled out a food frequency questionnaire estimating their intake of red and processed meats as well as white meats such as pork, chicken and turkey.

Over the study period, 47,976 men and 23,276 women died. The one fifth of men and women who ate the most red meat -- a median of 62.5 grams per 1,000 calories per day -- had a higher mortality rate than the one fifth who consumed the least -- 9.8 grams per thousand calories, according to the report.

A similar rate held true for consumers of processed meat.

Comparatively, the top fifth of white meat consumers had a slightly lower risk for death than those who ate the least white meat.

"For overall mortality, 11 percent of deaths in men and 16 percent of deaths in women could be prevented if people decreased their red meat consumption to the level of intake in the first quintile," wrote the authors led by Rashmi Sinha of NIH's National Cancer Institute.

"The impact on cardiovascular disease mortality was an 11 percent decrease in men and a 21 percent decrease in women if the red meat consumption was decreased to the amount consumed by individuals in the first quintile."

Cancer-causing compounds are know to form during high-temperature cooking of meat, the report stated, and meat is a major source of saturated fat, which has been linked to certain cancers.

Lower meat consumption has been linked to reductions in risk factors for heart disease, including lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure.

"These results complement the recommendations by the American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Fund to reduce red and processed meat intake to decrease cancer incidence," the authors wrote.

Source: malaysia.news.yahoo.com

By MIKE STOBBE,AP Medical Writer AP - Wednesday, December 10

ATLANTA - Cancer will overtake heart disease as the world's top killer by 2010, part of a trend that should more than double global cancer cases and deaths by 2030, international health experts said in a report released Tuesday. Rising tobacco use in developing countries is believed to be a huge reason for the shift, particularly in China and India, where 40 percent of the world's smokers now live.

So is better diagnosing of cancer, along with the downward trend in infectious diseases that used to be the world's leading killers.

Cancer diagnoses around the world have steadily been rising and are expected to hit 12 million this year. Global cancer deaths are expected to reach 7 million, according to the new report by the World Health Organization.

An annual rise of 1 percent in cases and deaths is expected _ with even larger increases in China, Russia and India. That means new cancer cases will likely mushroom to 27 million annually by 2030, with deaths hitting 17 million.

Underlying all this is an expected expansion of the world's population _ there will be more people around to get cancer.

By 2030, there could be 75 million people living with cancer around the world, a number that many health care systems are not equipped to handle.

"This is going to present an amazing problem at every level in every society worldwide," said Peter Boyle, director of the WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Boyle spoke at a news conference with officials from the American Cancer Society, the Lance Armstrong Foundation, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Cancer Institute of Mexico.

The "unprecedented" gathering of organizations is an attempt to draw attention to the global threat of cancer, which isn't recognized as a major, growing health problem in some developing countries.

"Where you live shouldn't determine whether you live," said Hala Moddelmog, Komen's chief executive.

The organizations are calling on governments to act, asking the U.S. to help fund cervical cancer vaccinations and to ratify an international tobacco control treaty.

Concerned about smoking's impact on cancer rates in developing countries in the decades to come, the American Cancer Society also announced it will provide a smoking cessation counseling service in India.

"If we take action, we can keep the numbers from going where they would otherwise go," said John Seffrin, the cancer society's chief executive officer.

Other groups are also voicing support for more action.

"Cancer is one of the greatest untold health crises of the developing world," said Dr. Douglas Blayney, president-elect of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

"Few are aware that cancer already kills more people in poor countries than HIV, malaria and tuberculosis combined. And if current smoking trends continue, the problem will get significantly worse," he said in a written statement.

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On the Net:

The WHO's IARC

The American Cancer Society