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Prepare For Menopause

Do You Need To Prepare For Menopause?

You’re probably asking, "Is there really a way to prepare for menopause?" The answer is yes and no. It’s not like you can go to your calendar and write "menopause" on September 22, 2025. It’s not that easy, although most women sure wished it was; however, although we may not know the exact date that menopause will begin, we can prepare for it by being informed and learning as much as possible about the subject.

From the time of your first period until your 40’s, your ovaries produce estrogen in response to monthly follicle maturation. Both estrogen and progesterone are responsible for the monthly menstrual cycle and both are produced using male hormones. During her reproductive years, a woman’s ovaries produce more estrogen than testosterone. As menopause nears, the estrogen level declines while the male hormone levels stay about the same. Lacking former levels of estrogen to counteract them, hair growth on the face and oily skin may begin to crop up during the years right before menopause in some women.

As Age Reach 40, Changes Happen

A woman is born with approximately one half million eggs. Over time, that number decreases as some are reabsorbed back into the ovarian lining. As a woman ages get older, the number of eggs available for release also diminishes. As a result, from about age 40, a woman’s period will begin to change.

In her mid-40s a woman becomes perimenopausal. The period of time from perimenopause to postmenopause can take 5 to 10 years. A full decade before you become menopausal, changes are happening in your body that begins to set the stage for the transition from reproductive to nonreproductive states. Up to 50% of women are beginning to experience hot flashes in the two-year period before cessation of menstruation. Menstruation at this time is also likely to be erratic. During this period a woman is considered to be perimenopausal.

As soon as you begin noticing changes in your menstrual cycle, especially if you’re in your 40’s, you should consult with your gynecologist, who will probably want to run a battery of tests. One of the tests your doctor should perform is a blood test that will check your hormone levels.

But change is certain. There is no predicting your own passage through menopause; it may be long or short, bumpy or smooth. Nor can you foresee the time when you will begin it.

Whenever and however menopausal changes appear, it can be valuable to have information beforehand and while you’re experiencing menopause. Studies have shown that women who are prepared to take charge of their own health care tend to do best through the menopausal passage. Information can function as your survival kit as you negotiate your way through this very important change in your life.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alicia Simpson is a mother and housewife who experience menopause. Her new guide book: "Menopause without Stress" is to tell women that menopause is part of life you cannot avoid. Visit her Website MenopauseWithoutStress.com at http://www.menopausewithoutstress.com
posted @, 11:07 AM | link

Healthy Reproductive System

Vitamins and Minerals for a Healthy Reproductive System

Vitamins, minerals and other nutrients are essential to the development and proper performance of the reproductive system. Nutrition plays a vital role in the development and maturity of the reproductive system through childhood and adolescence and can even affect the endocrine system which regulates the hormones that rule the functions of the reproductive system.

Nutrition can affect fertility and fetal development as well. Striving each day to consume the standard recommended daily intake levels of the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that the body needs is an important part of the good health and proper functioning of the reproductive system. The nutrients that a child consumes while growing up can greatly affect the developing reproductive system. Zinc for example is essential to the development of the reproductive organs themselves. A deficiency in zinc can result in significantly delayed sexual maturity. Zinc also serves in the regulation of male hormones and has a role in prostate functions and sperm production. Iodine helps to regulate thyroid function which in turn helps to regulate growth and body weight.

Body weight has to do with the onset of puberty which will not begin until the appropriate threshold of body weight and fat has been crossed. The endocrine glands secrete hormones and hormones are essential to the ptoper functioning of the reproductive system. Thus the wellness of the endocrine gland is a precursor to mature reproductive functioning and health. While several nutrients are directly associated with the production of hormones like manganese which serves to maintain the production of sex hormones many other vitamins and nutrients act as cofactors to a variety of complicated chemical reactions that carry out the tasks for the benefit of the reproductive system.

Proper nutrition is essential in fetal development as well. Folic acid for example can serve as a way to prevent serious birth defects by reducing the incidence of neural tube defects such as the type that causes spinal bifida. However, this defect occurs so early in fetal development that at the point at which it occurs when the woman has yet to find out that she is actually pregnant. Therefore it is best for any woman of childbearing age to be especially careful to get enough folic acid each day.

The vitamins that make up the Vitamin B complex have a primary role in red blood cell production. The developing fetus gets all nourishment and oxygen via the mother’s blood stream. Therefore, making sure to keep red blood cell production up to par is important to the reproductive system, particularly during pregnancy. The nutrients received by the developing fetus will affect every aspect of his or her being. Proper nutrition is essential to each part and every stage of the reproductive system from development to maturation to the creation and nurturing of new life. It can be difficult particularly at the rapid pace of life today to get the full amount of each and every vitamin, mineral and other nutrient that serves to support the reproductive system.

However, nutritional supplements can offer a safe and reliable way to achieve your dietary needs for you to be able to meet your dietary goals, when used with care and attention to standard dosage amounts. It is important to take note that moderation is key to everything.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Charlene J. Nuble 2005. For up to date links and information about Vitamins, please go to: http://vitamins.besthealthlink.net/ or for updated links and information on all health related topics, go to: http://www.besthealthlink.net/
posted @, 10:43 AM | link

4 Must-Know Ovarian Cancer Facts

This disease kills more than half the women who get it. Here is what you need to know to beat the odds

Eight years ago, amateur rock climber Sean Patrick had indigestion so severe it was waking her up at 3 am. Her doctors advice, Find a new hobby. A year later, she was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer.

Although the disease kills more than half the women who get it, she has survived seven surgeries. "My doctors have no idea why I am still here, but that is okay with me," says Patrick, now 53, who founded the HERA (Health, Empowerment, Research, and Advocacy) Womens Cancer Foundation to raise awareness about ovarian cancer.

Here's what you need to know.

Ovarian cancer is not silent.
Symptoms include nausea, bloating, indigestion, constipation, diarrhea, more frequent urination, abnormal vaginal bleeding, unusual fatigue, and unexplained weight changes. "Doctors often dismiss it as irritable bowel or acid reflux," she says. That's a fatal error: Survival odds are four times higher with early diagnosis.

Got symptoms? Get tested.
Ask for a pelvic/rectal exam, a transvaginal ultrasound, and a CA125 test. (Your Pap test doesn't screen for ovarian cancer.)

Birth control pills high in progestin may cut risk up to 60 percent.
Doctors suggest that women at high risk due to family history consider taking the Pill.

Breast cancer raises your risk.
Researchers suspect that these cancers share common pathways in the body.


by Caroline Bollinger, Prevention's fitness editor
posted @, 9:47 AM | link

Silicone Breast Implants

First used in the 1960s, silicone breast implants provide what millions of women have desired throughout history, a fuller and shapelier chest. Prior attempts to change the size of breasts included fat transplants, paraffin implants and even direct injection of silicone. All of those attempts had fairly predictable results, but the new surgical silicone implant offered both safety (relative) and acceptable results.

Silicone is made by man and has had many uses including lubricants, adhesive sealants, silly putty and gaskets. When used in a breast implant silicone resembles the natural look and feel of real breast tissue. It was an obvious choice when the first breast implants were created.

However, problems with silicone breast implants began to appear in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Thousands of lawsuits left several chemical companies bankrupt and left millions of women reeling from debilitating conditions caused by the silicone. Even though studies failed to show a link between silicone implants and negative health conditions, the FDA banned the use of silicone implants.

Today the United States only allows silicone implants as part of a breast reconstruction or replacement procedure. The FDA is currently testing a new wave of silicone implants but results of the test are still years away. Outside of the US 90% of all breast augmentation surgeries performed still use silicone implants.


Author Info:
T.Going To learn more about breast implants and reconstructive breast surgery please visit Dr. William Adams at http://texas.resource4cosmeticsurgery.com/dallas.html This article may be freely reprinted as long as this resource box is included and all links stay intact as hyperlinks.
posted @, 10:26 AM | link

Breast Enhancements

Breast Enhancements – Different Ways To Increase Your Breast Size

Most women would like to change the size and the shape of their breasts. And while the cosmetic changes are easy to achieve and reverse, if needed, breast augmentation surgery is not for everyone.

Surgical breast augmentation is a substantial investment of time and money, it has a lot of health consequences and the results can never be fully predictable. All together, these factors can make breast augmentation a last resort for those who want to change the size and shape of their breasts.

There are several alternatives that women can try to improve the shape of their breasts before resorting to surgery. These breast enhancement techniques range from breast enhancement creams and pills to easy breast enhancement exercises that tone all of your upper body.

Breast Enhancement Pills

Breast enhancement pills usually offer a combination of several herbal ingredients. Most often, the formula includes fenugreek, saw palmetto, Mexican wild yam, fennel, Dong Quai, damiana, and blessed thistle.

The herbal components of breast enhancement pills start a reaction similar to those that occur during puberty, when women’s breast tissue starts to grow. These herbs deliver plant estrogen, which stimulates the growth of the delicate breast tissue from inside by causing hormonal changes. Plant estrogen, as scary and medicinal as it sounds, is a natural product derived from plants and is quite mild.

It may take time to achieve the desired results with breast enhancement pills. Women with small to medium cup size when taking breast enhancement pills usually achieve their optimum results within two months. Some women continue to take breast enhancement pills on an ongoing basis because they notice other positive changes in health.

Herbal remedies, including breast enhancement pills, have many advantages over surgical breast augmentation, due to lower costs, less health risks and fewer side effects.

Breast Enhancement Creams and Lotions

This type of breast enhancement is not the most effective when used on its own. When combined with pills and exercises, breast enhancement creams can yield substantial breast size increase.

Breast enhancement creams act in pretty much the same way that the breast enhancement pills do. Typically breast enhancement cream contains a mix of herbs along with mild chemicals that stimulate the growth of fat cells in the breast without growing fat cells on other parts of the body.

Breast enhancement creams have other cosmetic effects, as they make the breasts firmer and more smooth, enhancing the total look and feel of the breasts.

Breast Enhancement Exercises

Breast enhancement exercises are perhaps the cheapest and most natural method for promoting breast growth although they require a dedicated approach to make them work.

The most popular breast enhancement exercise is a push-up. Here’s the right way to do push-ups:

1) Lie facing down on your stomach on a flat surface

2) Bend your knees and cross your ankles.

3) Now start bending your elbows while keeping your palms in line with your shoulders.

4) Remaining balanced on your palms and elbows raise your body - keeping your ankles crossed. This way, you don't raise too much weight. Don't straighten your elbows when raising the body - it may cause damage to your joints.

5) Slowly lower your entire body, but don't lie down. You should decrease the angle only until your arms become in line with the floor.

You should try to repeat push-ups ten times, gradually increasing the repetitions as you get stronger.

Breast enhancement exercises, like any form of exercise, should be performed in sportswear, on a comfortable flat surface. If done without caution, these exercises can strain the muscles, so speak to your doctor first if you have any concerns. Don't push yourself too hard, and stop immediately if you feel unwell, be it pain or tension. Performing these breast enhancement exercises daily, or at least two to three times a week should help you achieve more round "perky" breasts. Plus, it has the added benefit of strengthening your back muscles to help improve your posture, too.

Following an exercise regime that includes push-ups you can also use breast enhancement creams and pills. When all the breast enhancement techniques are used in conjunction with each other, you can achieve optimal results.


Author Info:
Kathryn Whittaker: Kathryn writes articles on a number of different topics. For more information on Breast Enhancements please visit http://www.breastenhancementsguide.info and for additional articles on Breast Enhancements

posted @, 5:04 AM | link

Menopause Symptoms

34 Menopause Symptoms - Are You Suffering From One Or More Of These?

34 menopause symptoms? Really? It is a logical question to ask. After all, millions of women are experiencing one or more of the 34 menopause symptoms right now! What is going on? We all remember a grandmother or older aunt, how they made the transition into menopause. The so-called change will happen, but something tells us that experiencing many of the symptoms of menopause as early as ages thirties or forties is not normal.

First, here is a list of the most common 34 menopause symptoms. Take a moment to consider each one, as some are subtle and at first glance may appear to have no relation to being menopause symptoms:

1 - Aching joints and muscles

2 - Allergy symptoms

3 - Breast tenderness

4 - Chronic fatigue and morning sluggishness

5 - Cold or tingling hands or feet

6 - Craving sweets, caffeine, carbohydrates and unstable blood sugar levels

7 - Depression, anxiety and mood swings

8 - Dizziness, lightheadedness

9 - Dry, thin or wrinkly skin

10 - Endometriosis

11 - Facial hair growth

12 - Fibrocystic breasts

13 - Hair loss, thinning hair

14 - Headaches, migraines

15 - Heart palpitations

16 - Heavy or light periods

17 - Hot flashes

18 - Incontinence

19 - Irregular periods

20 - Irritatibility, inability to handle stress

21 - Lack of concentration, foggy fuzzy thinking, memory lapses

22 - Leg cramps

23 - Low metabolism

24 - Lower sex drive, loss of sex drive

25 - PMS and menstrual cramping

26 - Night sweats

27 - Osteoporosis

28 - Ringing or buzzing in ears (tinnitus)

29 - Sleep disturbances, insomnia

30 - Spotting, light bleeding

31 - Symptoms of hypothyroidism with normal T3 and T4 levels

32 - Uninary tract and yeast infections

33 - Uterine fibroids

34 - Water retention and unexplained weight gain, especially in hips, waist and stomach

Menopause is a natural process for a woman, not an illness. As a woman ages, there will be an expected slowing and ultimately shutdown in the reproductive cycle and system. This is normal. However, most of the 34 menopause symptoms are indications of underlying hormonal imbalance or damage to the body from poor eating habits, stress, obesity and other factors. Millions of women in the industrialized countries experience one or more of these 34 menopause symptoms many years before the normal age of menopause, which is about 51 years of age.

Why? There are several reasons. Women often put tremendous demands on their bodies, much more stress than it was designed to handle, and then do not give it the support it needs. Women have demanding and stressful careers. There are family responsibilities. The relationship with the spouse or partner may not be the best. Aging parents can add to the burden. All of these and other responsibilities are cumulative in the toll they take on the body and health of a woman.

And at the same time, the womans body may not be receiving the support it needs to function as it was designed to do. Poor eating habits, lack of exercise, obesity, excess caffeine and alcohol add to the problem instead of helping the body cope with the demands placed on it. This lack of balance between the demands made versus support given contributes to many of the 34 menopause symptoms.

Then there is the issue of the menstrual cycle and hormone production in the body. In the normal menstrual cycle and a healthy woman, estrogen is the dominant hormone that is produced for the first 10-12 days following the previous menstrual flow. If ovulation occurs, ovulation then signals the female body to produce progesterone, which happens for the next 12 days or so. If pregnancy does not occur during ovulation, progesterone and estrogen levels will drop at around day 28, allowing menstruation to begin. However, if you do not ovulate, you will not produce progesterone that month. This event, called an annovulatory cycle, is a typical occurance today for women even 10 to 20 years before the normal age of menopause. This leaves the woman with an excess of estrogen and a deficiency of the vital hormone progesterone which can only be produced if ovulation occurs.

Many women in their thirties or forties are actually having fewer ovulations, creating hormone imbalance, resulting in many of the 34 menopause symptoms. And once ovulation ceases at menopause, progesterone levels fall to virtually zero. At the same time, estrogen is still being produced, again leading to hormone imbalance and the resulting symptoms. If a hysterectomy has happened, surgical menopause means the woman no longer produces progesterone.

Besides the problems created by missed ovulations or hysterectomy, excess estrogen is regularly obtained from other sources. Birth control pills, household chemicals and pesticides, certain foods that have been sprayed or given chemicals and many construction materials used in homes are all sources of unhealthy estrogen. Doctors call this hormone imbalance condition where excess estrogen exists - estrogen dominance. What are the symptoms of estrogen dominance? The symptoms are nearly the same as the 34 menopause symptoms!

When your estrogen and progesterone hormones are balanced, you feel more alert and energetic. And balancing family, career, stress and your own needs becomes much easier to do, like it was when you were younger.

How can a woman tell if the symptoms being experienced are because of hormone imbalance? One easy and effective way is to take an online test for early signs of menopause and the 34 menopause symptoms. Used daily in their practice by a leading womens health clinic, the health test takes just a few minutes online and the test is free. By taking the clinic health test, you can find out more about your health, symptoms you have, what the symptoms are telling you and what to do about it. Take the online hormone health test and read more about hormone imbalance, estrogen dominance symptoms, hysterectomy side effects and physician-recommended treatments for premenopause symptoms and the 34 menopause symptoms.

Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing
Author Info:

Olinda Rola: Olinda Rola is President of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com where you will find physician-recommended natural treatments for premenopause and menopause symptoms. Visit the website and learn more about ways that really work for improving health.
posted @, 7:08 AM | link

Prevent Premature Aging

Help Prevent Premature Aging With Nutrition-Science

Aging occurs when the body’s cells die at faster rates than new cells are generated. People age prematurely because inadequate nutrition resulting from poor diet stimulates cellular destruction and increases the potential for obesity, diabetes, cancer and other chronic diseases.

With improper diet, the body produces vast quantities of highly reactive oxygen molecules, known as free radicals. Free radicals attack healthy cells and accelerate the aging process. This occurs especially when we eat high-fat foods.. but also occurs when we are exposed to environmental pollutants, such as pesticides and ultraviolet radiation...or consume too many calories in the diet.

Simple Steps to Help Prevent Premature Aging:

1. Take a high-potency MULTIVITAMIN/MINERAL SUPPLEMENT DAILY... to provide valuable nutritional protection against free radicals and help eliminate toxins.

2. Eat Plenty of BERRIES . . . Strawberries, raspberries and blueberries..as well as grapes and cherries all contain valuable phytonutrients called flavonoids, which have potent antioxidant activity that can fight heart disease. The naturally-occurring Ellagic Acid from these berries, also promote excretion of carcinogenic chemicals.

3. Drink GREEN TEA . . . Green tea comes from the leaves of Camellia sinensis, the same plant used to make black tea....but it has more of the potent antioxidants called polyphenols than black tea.

Green Tea helps protect the liver and fight cancer. One recent study examined Japanese women with breast cancer. Increased green tea consumption was associated with a decreased risk of lymph node metastasis. Researches also found that when women with breast cancer drank five cups of green tea a day, they were more likely to be in remission six months later.

Green tea also has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels, fight tooth decay and aid in weight loss.

Drink two or more cups of green tea daily or take at least 1,500 mg daily of Green tea extract in capsule or tablet form.

4. Reduce Dairy Food Intake...No more than 3 - 4 servings of dairy per week.

Milk, cheese and other dairy foods contain Casein, one of the most common food allergens. It can deplete immune cells. Milk also contains xanthine oxidase, an enzyme that may increase plague buildup in the arteries.

Adults don’t need dairy to get adequate Calcium. Increase daily intake of Calcium-enriched foods, such as juice and soy, rice and almond milk. Broccoli, collard greens, sardines and canned salmon also are rich in Calcium.

5. Supplement with FISH OIL, PRIMROSE OIL AND FLAXSEED OIL . . . These oils contain essential fatty acids...fish oil is a source of eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA)...evening primrose oil is a source of GLA. These beneficial fatty acids are involved in proper functioning of the brain and immune system. They also reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer...and help relieve pain and inflamation.

Take 3,000 mg to 5,000 mg of fish oil and 1,000 mg of evening primrose oil daily. If you are on blood-thinning medications such as warfarin (Coumadin), check with your doctor first. Vegetarians can substitute Flaxseed oil for fish oil, if so desired.

6. Increase GARLIC Intake . . . Garlic contains allicin, a sulfur compound that builds immunity and prevents infections. It reduces risk of colon, esophageal and stomach cancers. One study of 41,000 American women found that one or more servings of garlic a week decreased colon cancer risk by 35%. It also lowers cholesterol and has valuable blood pressure-lowering effects.

One-half to one whole raw clove daily (cooking reduces its benefits), or an odor-free Garlic supplement with 4,000 micrograms (mcg) to 5,000 mcg of allicin.

7. Supplement with SPIRULINA 2,000 mg to 3,000 mg per day . . . Spirulina is a nutritive blue-green algae that grows in warm waters around the world including Africa, Central America and Hawaii. It has become a staple for knowledgeable health practitioners because it contains all the essential amino acids in a highly absorbable form and is a rich source of protein. It also contains carotenoids, fat-soluble pigments that act as antioxidants . . . gamma-linoleic acid (GLA), an essential fatty acid . . . chlorophyll, a pigment that has potent antioxidant and anti-cancer properties...and phytocyanins, which stimulate red blood cell production. Several studies have shown that spirulina improves immune system activity. Spirulina also has been shown to have antiviral effects and a mild cholesterol-reducing benefit.


Author Info:
Steve Stanley is a Nutrition Sciences Writer and a Distributor of Vitamin Power Poducts. You will find a world of health at: http://www.supervitaminpower.com
posted @, 6:55 AM | link

Calcium: For Every Stage of a Woman's Life

Vitamin sources of this crucial mineral vastly improve the quality of life

ARA – Calcium has become a buzzword of late. We hear about it in our doctor's office, in advertisements and on food labels. We often associate calcium with our childhood years, when we were told to "drink your milk" for strong teeth and bones; or it is considered important during our older years when we become concerned with maintaining strong bones. The reality is that women, whose need for calcium is far greater than their male counterparts, often have not been told how crucial calcium is during every stage of their lives.

Calcium is a mineral that, even before birth, plays a significant role in almost all our body functions, including the development and health of our teeth and bones, and ultimately in protecting the body against debilitating bone loss as we age. The National Institute of Health recommends that, in addition to a healthy diet, adult women have a daily supplemental calcium intake of 1000 to 1200 mg before menopause and 1300 to 1500 mg after menopause.

Although it would be ideal if these recommended amounts could be obtained through the nutrients in the foods we eat, the fact is that most women lead a fast-paced, pressure-packed life that makes this difficult. Women today are choosing multi-vitamin and mineral supplements more than ever before to ensure they get adequate calcium.

SuperNutrition, a scientifically-based vitamin company founded in 1977, tracks research advances in nutritional biochemistry to ensure that their multivitamins contain the highest quality and optimum amounts of vitamins and minerals, including calcium. SuperNutrition's "Women's Blend," a daily multi-vitamin created to meet a woman's unique nutritional requirements, offers a wide array of high potency vital nutrients, including 1,000 mg of calcium.

Michael Mooney, one of SuperNutrition's founders, explained his company's philosophy about recommended daily allowances. "At SuperNutrition, we believe that the RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) of vitamins and minerals is no longer adequate for today's busy world, in part because our nutritional needs vary, depending on such things as our weight, age, lifestyle, environmental stresses such as pollution, and our individual genetics. Our multi-vitamin blends deliver the modern optimum dosages. These are the dosages which have been shown in scientific studies to be more effective at promoting overall health than the somewhat antiquated 'just barely enough' amounts in the RDA's."

By way of example, a child's need for calcium begins while still in the womb, so SuperNutrition's "Prenatal Blend," a vitamin for moms-to-be, is enriched with a full 1200 mg of calcium, a dosage shown in scientific studies to improve bone density in newborns by 15 percent. This type of optimum dosage is crucial in getting an infant off to a good start.

According to a statement issued by the National Institutes of Health in December 2001, a "calcium crisis" is affecting American youth. "Only 13.5 percent of girls and 36.3 percent of boys ages 12 to 19 in the United States get the RDA of calcium from their diets." This places them at serious risk for osteoporosis, other bone diseases and stunted growth. Further, research has recently shown that a woman's midlife bones are much stronger if she had adequate calcium intake during her teen years. Because nearly 90 percent of adult bone mass is established by the end of this age range, the nation's youth do indeed stand in the midst of a calcium crisis. There is no doubt that teens need optimum calcium intakes just like adults, and with their busy lives today, a strong calcium-containing multi- vitamin provides easy, fast nutritional protection.

As a woman ages, her need for calcium continues to be in the forefront of her health concerns. Women generally start to experience an increase in the rate of bone loss at around age 30. Experts now agree that to protect against this trend, whatever else she is doing, a woman must pay close attention to her diet, especially her calcium intake, and at least three times a week perform regular weight- bearing and resistance exercises, such as swimming and weight lifting, both of which improve calcium absorption and bone mass.

After menopause, when the body produces less estrogen than it did during the reproductive years, women lose between 2 to 5 percent of bone mass per year for about five years, after which the bone loss continues but at a somewhat slower rate that is still more rapid than during the premenopausal years. When the loss of bone density becomes serious, bones become brittle, fragile and are more likely to break during even a minor fall.

According to Dr. Robert Heaney, who has been involved in publishing more than 500 calcium studies since 1962, "the calcium requirement for skeletal maintenance is said to rise with age." Dr. Heaney further states that "supplemented intakes of 1300 to 1700 mg per day have been shown to arrest age-related bone loss and to reduce fracture risk in people 65 and older."

In addition, recent scientific research and government recommendations have raised questions about the effectiveness and potential risks of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), causing many women to look for safe, natural alternatives. SuperNutrition's "Menopause Multiple Blend" is such a safe, natural alternative designed specifically for peri through postmenopausal women. It features all the essential multivitamins and minerals but with the new higher recommended potencies of the key nutrients, like 1500 mg of calcium, that help keep bones strong.

For additional information, visit www.supernutritionusa.com to view "Fact vs. Fiction: The Truth About Calcium," and suggestions about safe alternatives to HRT. Or call (800) 262-2116 to receive these reports free in the mail. SuperNutrition's multi- vitamin blends are available where natural products are sold
posted @, 10:33 AM | link

Things You Should Avoid During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a time where you have to be careful with yourself. Many factors affect the development of a fetus into a healthy child. Whether you like it or not there some activities you should avoid for the sake of your healthy baby. There are pregnancy risks that you have to aware of.

To help you knowing what they are, here is some checklist you might want to consider:

• Don’t drink alcohol! You going to jeopardise your baby’s development. If you don’t want to have low birth weight baby, and having medical problems, better stop drinking once you know that you are pregnant.

• Don’t smoke! Chemical inhaled while smoking may cause premature birth, miscarriage, bleeding, etc. Also it reduced the amount of oxygen that baby receives. What ever you are, don’t smoke and avoid second hand smoke.

• Don’t drink coffee. Caffeine in the coffee has been shown to affect fetal heart rates. Caffeine can also increase risk of stretch marks. If you can’t stop immediately, try to stop gradually.

• Don’t do too much exercise! No doubt if moderate exercise is helpful for mother's mental state and can increase oxygen flow to the fetus. However, too much exercise can be dangerous. Better you do activities like walking, swimming, and yoga.

• Don’t get near to chemicals substance! Be careful with unnatural chemicals, such as pesticides. If you consume vegetables or fruits, don’t forget to wash them. Or remove the outer surface of vegetables or fruit so pesticides which rest on the outside of the vegetable or fruit will be thrown away.

• Don’t consume drugs or herbal remedies that are not prescribed by doctors. What you consume might affect your unborn baby.

• Don’t forget to eat nutritious foods. Good nutrition is crucial to a developing child. At least you consume 400-1000 micrograms of B vitamin (folic acid) which can be taken from leafy vegetables, orange juice, and beans.

• Don’t have multiple sex partners which may lead to birth and pregnancy complications cause by STD's risk. Once you infected by STD, you may have premature baby or low birth baby.

Preventing is better than curing. If you can prevent yourself by not doing those kinds of activities, hopefully you going to have a healthy and normal baby. Try to acknowledge this on your first month of pregnant.
Author Info:

Sara Jameson: Sara Jameson writes her experiences in "The Very Happy Pregnancy: Avoiding Stress and Depression." Check this out http://www.stage-of-pregnancy.info and http://www.earlysign-of-pregnancy.info
posted @, 10:44 AM | link

Five Ways To Have A Healthy Pregnancy and Baby

The recent report from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) suggests that more and more women deliver babies without receiving adequate medical attention or prenatal care during their pregnancy. This obviously will severely heart the baby's health and weight. The report says that the babies will be born with a low birth weight and are likely to die.

Pregnant women should know that there is plenty of help available. There are various state programs that help pregnant women with medical care, offer support, information with health insurance and pregnancy related advice.

Rips from MCHB on Healthy Pregnancy
1. See a doctor or other health care provider from the start of your pregnancy.

2. Don't drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes or take drugs.

3. Eat healthy foods, including fruits, vegetables, low-fat milk, eggs, cheese, and grains.

4. Take good care of your health and exercise sensibly.

5. Have your baby checked by a doctor or health care provider right after birth and throughout childhood.

Questions and Answers

What is prenatal care?

Prenatal care is medical attention given to the expectant mother and her developing baby. It also involves the mother's caring for herself by following her health care provider's advice, practicing good nutrition, getting plenty of rest, exercising sensibly, and avoiding things that could harm her or her baby.

Why is prenatal care important?

Habits that may not harm an adult may still harm your baby's development. Remember that your child's health begins long before it is born. Through proper prenatal care, you can reduce your baby's risk for health problems.

Is smoking bad for my baby?

A pregnant smoker is at a higher risk for problems in her pregnancy. Babies born to mothers who smoke have a lower average birthweight, an increased rate of premature birth, and are at greater risk of death from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), than babies of nonsmokers.

Studies show that women who quit smoking early in their pregnancies can reduce the risk of damage to their babies. Even quitting in the last month of pregnancy can help your baby by increasing the amount of oxygen available to him/her during delivery.

Will alcohol harm my baby?

There is no guaranteed safe level of alcohol consumption if you are pregnant. Any alcohol you drink enters both yours and your baby's bloodstream. Alcohol use during pregnancy may cause fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). FAS babies may suffer from physical, behavioral, and mental problems.

Should I avoid taking medicine?

Don't take any medication without first consulting your health care provider. Even over-the-counter medication—for example, antihistamines or pain medications that contain aspirin or ibuprofen—can be harmful to a developing baby.

Be careful about vitamins. Take the prenatal vitamins prescribed or recommended by your health care provider, but don't take any additional vitamins on your own. Although you need more of some things, like iron, calcium, and folate, too much of other nutrients can harm your baby.

What foods should I eat?

A healthy baby starts with healthy food. When you are pregnant, everything you eat or drink nourishes your baby, too. That's why it's important to eat healthy foods. A pregnant woman only needs about 300 extra calories a day to meet her needs and give her baby the necessary nutrients. Therefore, your goal should be to eat highly nutritious foods while avoiding excessive calories, fat, sugar, and sodium.

Do I need to see a health care provider before pregnancy?

All women of childbearing age are encouraged to visit a health care provider annually. See your health care provider immediately if you suspect you are pregnant.

Do my baby and I need to see a health care provider after delivery?

Yes, following your pregnancy, it's important to make and keep your health care appointments for both you and your baby.

Where can I find health care and social services?

There are many free or low-cost services for pregnant women and their babies. For more information, call 1-800-311-BABY (1-800-311-2229). For information in Spanish, call 1-800-504-7081.

You also may find services through the following places:

• Hospitals

• Churches

• Doctors' offices

• Other human service programs

• State or local Health Departments

__________________
eMaxHealth with http://www.hrsa.gov
posted @, 8:49 AM | link

Obesity and Diabetes Carry Risks for Pregnant Women

Pregnancy

The risks that obesity and diabetes carry for adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as cesarean section and low birth weight, vary among racial and ethnic groups, yet both conditions are bad news for all women hoping for a healthy pregnancy.

Researchers collected data from the 1999, 2000 and 2001 New York City birth files for 329,988 singleton births that included information on the mother's pre pregnancy weight and weight gain during pregnancy. They found that chronic and gestational diabetes were significant risks for a primary cesarean and for preterm birth in all women. Diabetes as a risk for low birth weight varied by group. For example, whereas chronic diabetes increased the risk for low birth weight among Asians, Hispanics, and whites, it was not a significant predictor of low birth weight among blacks.

The bottom line, say the study's authors: "In this large, population-based study, obesity and diabetes were independently associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, highlighting the need for women to undergo lifestyle changes to help them control their weight during the childbearing years and beyond.”

[From: "Maternal Obesity and Diabetes as Risk Factors for Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes: Differences Among 4 Racial/Ethnic Groups."]

The American Journal of Public Health is the monthly journal of the American Public Health Association, the oldest organization of public health professionals in the world. APHA is a leading publisher of public health-related books and periodicals promoting high scientific standards, action programs and policy for good health. More information is available at www.apha.org
posted @, 8:40 AM | link

The Surgeon General's Tips for Mothers and Mothers-To-Be

U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona, M.D., M.P.H., today gave a Mother's Day gift to mothers and mothers-to-be (and dads, too) - an even dozen tips for keeping their babies healthy and safe. This is the first in a series of "Healthy Dozen Tips" that Dr. Carmona will release as part of "The Year of the Healthy Child" agenda.

1. Eat Healthy. It's good for you and your baby. Follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Also, every woman of childbearing age should consume at least 400 micrograms of folic acid each day. Folic acid can prevent neural tube defects (including spina bifida) and congenital malformations, which are the leading cause of infant mortality.

2. Don't drink alcohol when you are pregnant or might become pregnant. There is no known safe level of alcohol consumption for pregnant women. Alcohol can affect an unborn baby even before a woman knows that she is pregnant, and the problems caused by prenatal alcohol exposure are lifelong. Alcohol-related birth defects are completely preventable, and eliminating alcohol will prevent all alcohol-related birth defects, including growth deficiencies, facial abnormalities, central nervous system impairment, behavioral disorders, and intellectual development.

3. Get prenatal care early. As soon as you think you may be pregnant, see a health care professional for prenatal care. And continue going for prenatal care during your pregnancy. Immediate and consistent prenatal care can prevent preterm delivery, and improve pregnancy and childbirth.

4. Don't smoke. And don't allow anyone else to smoke around your baby. Smoking during pregnancy can lead to a low birthweight baby and can reduce your baby's lung function. Even second-hand smoke can have a harmful effect on your baby's breathing and can have long-term respiratory consequences like impaired lung growth, chronic coughing, and wheezing. In addition, disorders related to preterm birth and low birthweight are the second-leading cause of infant death. Diseases of the respiratory system (aggravated by second hand smoke) are one of the leading causes of infant hospitalization and infant doctor visits.

5. Breastfeed your baby. Breastfeeding for at least the first six months of life has significant health benefits, and maintain a healthy diet after that. Babies who are exclusively breastfed for six months are less likely to develop ear infections, diarrhea, and respiratory illnesses. Mother's milk has just the right amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein that is needed for a baby's growth and development. Breast milk has agents called antibodies to help protect infants from bacteria and viruses and to help them fight off infection and disease.

6. Place your baby "back to sleep." A baby should sleep on a firm mattress, on his or her back, with no fluffy pillows or stuffed animals. Following these simple steps can lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), the third-leading cause of infant death in the United States.

7. Always use a car safety seat. Be sure your baby rides in an age-and weight-appropriate child safety seat, correctly installed, on every trip. If you have any questions about how to install your child safety seat, many local fire and police departments will help you. And children should always ride in the back seat.

8. Never leave your baby unattended. To prevent unintentional injuries, the sixth-leading cause of infant death, never leave a baby unattended on a bed or changing table, always use the harness on a stroller or high chair, and use baby gates and window guards. Never leave a baby unattended in a bath or near a pool.

9. Safety-proof your house. To prevent accidental poisoning, move all medications and cleaning products to high shelves. To prevent burns, set the temperature of your hot water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, and never leave cups of hot liquid on tables or counter edges and never carry hot liquids or food while holding your child. To prevent choking, be sure that any toys your child plays with do not have parts that are small enough to choke on. You can test any toy part by simply dropping it through a paper-towel roll. If it goes through, the piece is too small and could become a choking hazard. Never allow infants to play with balloons or plastic bags. To prevent drowning, install a toilet lid lock on every toilet in the home. Drowning can happen in less than a couple of inches of water.

10. Never, ever shake your baby. Shaking a baby, even a little, may lead to severe brain damage and death.

11. Fully immunize your baby. Be sure your baby gets all immunizations on time. Immunizations have prevented death and disease for millions of children throughout the United States and the rest of the world. Talk with your child's pediatrician about keeping up to date on all vaccinations.

12. Learn infant first aid and CPR. Be prepared. Know how to call for help and learn infant first aid and CPR. We hope you will never have to use this skill. But if you do, the life you save could be your child's.

"Being a mom is the toughest job in the world, and I'm proud to be able to give you these tips as a gift on this Mother's Day. May you and your family have a safe and healthy year," Dr. Carmona said.

_________________________
HHS - http://www.hhs.gov
posted @, 8:30 AM | link

Ovarian Cancer Still a Silent Killer

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), ovarian cancer accounts for 4 percent of all cancers among women and ranks fifth among all female cancer deaths. And while mortality rates for other cancers have declined over time, the death rate for this disease has not changed much in the last 50 years.

"The real problem with ovarian cancer is screening for it because the incidence is so low," says David Mutch, MD, chief of gynecologic oncology at the Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine.

"It's not like breast cancer where it shows up in one in eight women, with ovarian cancer it's more like one in a hundred."

With awareness of the disease so important, the Siteman Cancer Center helps the ACS raise awareness of the disease during Ovarian Cancer Awareness month in September.

Education about ovarian cancer is essential, as almost 70 percent of women with the common epithelial ovarian cancer are not diagnosed until the disease is advanced in stage.

That's why when word of a new test to detect ovarian cancer makes headlines, it grabs people's attention. "The reason that screening tests don't work is that the prevalence of the disease is so low that tests must be very sensitive and specific to reliably detect the disease," says Dr. Mutch.

Many news reports hailed CA-125 as the holy grail of ovarian cancer detection – a simple blood test that could detect ovarian cancer. However, Dr. Mutch says that while CA-125 is a marker for ovarian cancer it is not very sensitive or specific, and the test can do psychologically do more harm than good as it turns up more false positives than anyone would like.

Dr. Mutch says a new "proteomic test" has strong potential. In a recent study, protein signatures were generated by comparing blood serum samples from 50 women with ovarian cancer and 50 women without ovarian cancer. The patterns were then used to classify another 116 samples. Of those, all 50 cases of cancer --including 32 in stage I -- were correctly diagnosed. Dr. Mutch feels this "proteomic test" needs to be researched further in the general population before it can be deemed a standard test.

"While we have made progress with this disease in that median survival is increasing rapidly, we still aren't able to detect it early," says Dr, Mutch. "At this point, what's more important is for women to get yearly examinations from their OB/GYN and they need to be aware of their symptoms."

He says the symptoms of ovarian cancer are very non-specific, for example bloating, abdominal pain or feeling full early after eating. "These symptoms are common when you have the flu or other problems, but the thing to remember is that if these symptoms persist or get worse they need to seek the care of their physician," says Dr. Mutch.

______________________

The source of this news article is http://barnesjewish.org
posted @, 2:16 PM | link

Early Clinical Signs of Ovarian Cancer

Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

Many women diagnosed with ovarian cancer actually complained of symptoms of the disease at least four months before they were diagnosed, according to a new study to be published in the October 1, 2005 issue of CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society. Although patient complaints of abdominal pain and swelling are not specific for ovarian cancer, the researchers found that only about one quarter of women with these symptoms underwent pelvic imaging, or other tests to diagnose ovarian cancer, in a timely manner.

Ovarian cancer has been thought of as a silent killer, coming to the attention of physicians only at its late stages when prognosis is poor. Adding to ovarian cancer’s deadly pattern is that it is a fast growing tumor, progressing from early to advanced disease in as little time as a year. There has been increasing evidence for this poorly studied disease to indicate patients may exhibit symptoms many months before advanced disease and diagnosis occurs.

Lloyd H. Smith, M.D., Ph.D. from the University of California, Davis Medical Center in Sacramento and colleagues compared diagnosis codes and claims for diagnostic procedures among 1,985 elderly women with ovarian cancer, 6,024 elderly women with localized breast cancer, and 10,941 age-matched Medicare-enrolled women without cancer.

As early as 12 months before diagnosis, women with ovarian cancer were at least twice as likely to present to a physician with abdominal swelling or pelvic pain. As early as nine months before diagnosis, women with ovarian cancer were also more likely to complain of abdominal pain. Overall, about 40 percent of these women had physician claims indicating one or more visits for abdominal or pelvic symptoms between 36 and 4 months before their ovarian cancer was diagnosed.

Only 25 percent of ovarian cancer patients had diagnostic pelvic imaging or CA125 serum tests during the period from 36 to 4 months before diagnosis. Most received abdominal imaging or diagnostic gastrointestinal studies, which would be less likely to help establish the correct diagnosis. By contrast, 54 percent of ovarian cancer patients received pelvic imaging or CA125 serum testing within 3 months before their ovarian cancer was diagnosed.

"Our findings suggest that ovarian cancer could be diagnosed earlier in some patients whose diagnosis is currently delayed by at least 4 months because physicians order abdominal imaging or perform gastrointestinal procedures before they order a test more likely to diagnose ovarian cancer, such as pelvic imaging and/or CA125," conclude the authors.

"While increasing 'lead time' is the manner in which a successful screening test can find cancer at a more favorable stage, the value of increasing lead time can only be determined if it is associated with a reduced death rate," said Ted Gansler, MD, the American Cancer Society's director of medical content. "In and of itself, demonstrating longer survival is not the outcome of importance for making decisions about screening or diagnostic testing. Unless earlier detection measurably increases survival, reduces mortality, or improves quality of life, its relevance to real medical practice remains uncertain. The dilemma we often face in thinking about early detection is: 'Are you detecting cancers early enough to make a difference in clinical outcomes, or are you just giving someone bad news a few months earlier (hence, the appearance of a longer survival time)?' Of course, it's always important for clinicians to keep ovarian cancer in mind when women mention symptoms, but that situation is far different than offering screening tests to an asymptomatic, average risk woman."

Article: "Ovarian Cancer: Can We Make the Clinical Diagnosis Earlier?" Lloyd H. Smith, Cyllene R. Morris, Shagufta Yasmeen, Arti Parikh-Patel, Rosemary D. Cress, Patrick Romano, CANCER; Published Online: August 22, 2005 (DOI: 10.1002/cncr.21310); Print Issue Date: October 1, 2005. - ATLANTA 2005/08/22
posted @, 2:14 PM | link

Physical Activity Associated With Improved Survival For Women With Breast Cancer

Breast Cacner Treatment and Exercise
Women with breast cancer who engaged in an amount of physical activity equivalent to walking 1 or more hours per week had better survival compared with those who exercised less than that or not at all, according to a study in the May 25 issue of JAMA.

There is reason to believe that physical activity might extend survival in women with breast cancer, according to background information in the article. Physical activity has been linked to lower levels of circulating ovarian hormones, which may explain the relationship between physical activity and breast cancer. Lower estrogen levels among physically active women with breast cancer could potentially improve survival, although few data exist to support this hypothesis.

Michelle D. Holmes, M.D., Dr.P.H., of Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, and colleagues conducted a study to examine whether higher levels of physical activity after a breast cancer diagnosis would be associated with longer survival. The study was based on responses from 2,987 female registered nurses in the Nurses' Health Study who were diagnosed with stage I, II, or III breast cancer between 1984 and 1998 and who were followed up until death or June 2002, whichever came first. Physical activity was measured as metabolic equivalent task (MET) hours. Three MET-hours is equivalent to walking at average pace of 2 to 2.9 mph for 1 hour.

The researchers found that compared with women who engaged in less than 3 MET-hours per week of physical activity, the adjusted relative risk of death from breast cancer was 20 percent lower for 3 to 8.9 MET-hours per week; 50 percent lower for 9 to 14.9 MET-hours per week; 44 percent lower for 15 to 23.9 MET-hours per week; and 40 percent lower for 24 or more MET-hours per week. The benefit of physical activity was particularly apparent among women with hormone-responsive tumors. The risk of breast cancer death was 50 percent lower for women with hormone-responsive tumors who engaged in 9 or more MET-hours per week of activity compared with women with hormone-responsive tumors who engaged in less than 9 MET-hours per week. Compared with women who engaged in less than 3 MET-hours per week of activity, the absolute unadjusted risk of death reduction was 6 percent at 10 years for women who engaged in 9 or more MET-hours per week.

"It has been estimated that women decrease their levels of physical activity by 2 hours per week after a breast cancer diagnosis, with greater decreases among obese women, and that less than one third of breast cancer survivors participate in levels of activity recommended by government agencies. Women with breast cancer who follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for all individuals in the United States to exercise at moderate intensity for 30 or more minutes per day for 5 or more days per week may survive longer," the authors conclude.

(JAMA. 2005;293:2479-2486) - Chicago
posted @, 2:11 PM | link

Understanding Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer

In the US, breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women between the ages of 30 and 50. Rarely diagnosed before a woman reaches 25, the number of incidents rises with age, peaking at menopause and decreasing once menopause had passed. About 182,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year and about 40% of those diagnosed die within 10 years. Scientists believe these numbers are increasing.

Overwhelming evidence into the cause of breast cancer suggests the female hormone estrogen plays a central role in this disease. Studies indicate that estrogen stimulates the cells of the breast to form cancerous cells. Thus a prolonged uninterrupted presence of high estrogen levels in the body may predispose a woman to breast cancer.

These studies also indicate the less time a woman is exposed to her own reproductive hormones, the lower her risk of developing breast cancer is. This includes women who enter menses at a later age as well as women who enter menopause, both naturally and artificially, before the age of 45. Pregnancy, breast feeding, physical activity, a low fat, high fiber diet also helps to reduce the amount of estrogen flowing through the body.

Additional risk factors for developing breast cancer include a family history of breast cancer. If your mother, sister or aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer, it may indicate a genetic predisposition to this disease. Women who have not had children or women who did not have their first child until after the age of 30 have been identified as having a two to five times greater risk. Women who take birth control pill or utilize estrogen replacement therapy after menopause are also at a greater risk. Other factors that can increase your chances of getting breast cancer include: weight, dietary fat intake, alcohol consumption, dietary deficiencies and certain types of fibrocystic breast disease.

Recommendations For Wellness For Breast Cancer
Do monthly breast self-examination. If you don't know how, ask your gynecologist. I am sure he or she will be happy to show you how. If you are over 40, it is recommended that you get a mammogram and begin a regular screening program.

Get rid of your under wire bras. Under wire bras don't cause breast cancer, however, they do restrict the flow of lymph in the breast tissue thus allowing toxins and waste products to build up.

If it is possible, have your babies earlier than later. Having your first child before the age of 30 will help reduce your risk. Breast feeding your child for 6-8 months will reduce your risk even further.

Think twice before taking birth control pills as a form of contraception or for menstrual irregularities.

Reduce your fat intake. Studies have shown that women who eat a low-fat, high fiber diet have lower estrogen levels than women that don't.

Eat soy. Soy has been shown to block the type of estrogen involved in the formation of breast cancer. Note: If you suffer from hypothyroidism, soy may reduce thyroid hormone levels.

Nutritional deficiencies weaken the bodies systems. Begin a diet filled with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. In addition, make sure you take a high quality vitamin and mineral supplement to ensure your body is getting all of the nutrition it needs.

Barley Greens and Nature's Sunshine's Immune Stimulator can be used to strengthen the body and support the immune system.

Do a liver cleanse! The liver is responsible for breaking down hormones that have served their function and eliminate them from the body. Use herbs such as milk thistle, dandelion root, burdock to keep your liver healthy.

Indole-3 carbinol is found in cruciferous vegetables (cauliflower, broccoli, brussel sprouts). It has been shown to reduce the amount of the carcinogenetic forms of estrogen and increase the good kinds of estrogen in the body.

Essiac Tea is popularly used as an additional supplement to support the immune system of individuals suffering from cancer.

In preliminary studies paw paw twig extracts have be used to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. In one study, some breast cancer patients experienced partial or complete tumor reduction. Talk to your health care provider before taking this supplement. It should not be taken with a number of other supplements such as antioxidant products and Co-Q10. If you have Parkinson's Disease you should not take this substance.


© Copyright Body, Mind & SoulHealer 2005. All rights reserved.
Naturopathic Physician, Dr. Rita Louise, Ph.D. is the author of the books "Avoiding the Cosmic 2x4" and "The Power Within." It is it is her unique gift as a medical intuitive and clairvoyant that illuminates and enlivens her work. Let Dr. Louise help you bring health healing and wholeness back into your life. Medical Intuition & Energy Medicine Certification training classes are now forming. Visit http://www.soulhealer.com or call (972) 475-3393 for more information.
posted @, 2:08 PM | link

Menopause and Hair Loss

The onset of menopause can often lead to hair loss and has long been a part of aging that many women fear the most. These days many more women are also experiencing thinning and bald spots as they mature, and both men and women are reaching out for new solutions. Even though there is no real ‘cure', there are many things that can be done to help.

Both hormones and genes are to blame for menopause causing acute hair loss, as is the aging process. Confirming the causes of your loss with a competent and experienced dermatologist is the first step in determining your best treatment options.
It’s possible to have temporary loss of hair caused by physical stress, emotional stress, thyroid abnormalities, medications and hormonal changes (such as androgens and estrogens during menopause) normally associated with females. Tension on the hair by prolonged use of hair weaving or corn rows can also cause permanent loss.
There are autoimmune disorders such as Alopecia Areata that cause patchy loss of hair often in small circular areas in different areas of the scalp. Alopecia Totalis is a total loss of hair on the scalp and is considered an advanced form of Areata. Alopecia Universalis is total hair loss of the entire body. People with diseases such as diabetes and lupus have also reported losing hair as a result.

It’s normal to shed some hair each day as about 90 percent of the hair on your scalp is growing at any one time during a normal phase that lasts for 2 to 6 years at one time. Some women notice they are losing hair about 3 months after delivering a child. This is related to a hormone loss and is usually temporary.

Several medicines have been known to cause hair loss such as blood thinners (anticoagulants), medicines used for gout and in chemotherapy to treat cancer. Also, the use of vitamin A, birth control pills and antidepressants has been known to cause hair loss.

Male pattern baldness is usually inherited from your genes. An over abundance of the male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is an active form of testosterone, within the hair follicle can create this type of hair loss. Current medications are aimed at slowing this common type of baldness including Minoxidil which is commonly called Rogaine and is available without a prescription. Both men and women can apply this product to the scalp. Another medicine, Finasteride, and called Propecia is available in pill form without prescription but is meant only for men. It can take up to 6 months in order to tell if these medications are helping.

Remember, the onset of menopause can often lead to hair loss and has long been a part of aging that many women and men fear the most. Even though there is no real cute, there are many things that can be done to help. Select the Hair Loss Doc Shop to locate a doctor near you.


Cathy Taylor
E-mail:creative-com(at)cox.net
For more articles on this topic and others visit http://www.article-directory.net
posted @, 2:04 PM | link

Menopause and Osteoporosis

We know that our bodies require calcium and vitamin D in order to build and maintain powerful bones. According to his recent book entitled, “Preventing and Reversing Osteoporosis,” by Dr. Alan Gaby, it takes more vitamins than we think to prevent brittle bones including Vitamins K and B; as well as minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus, fluorine, silica and boron.

The idea is to provide enough combined supplementation for our bodies to make an abundance of healthy collagen which is the connective tissue used to create cartilage and bones. Collagen also ‘binds’ our cells together and as a result, someone with good collagen has healthy looking skin whereas another will have thin and wrinkled skin.

A healthy bone cut in half looks similar to a sponge. The body deposits calcium, phosphorus and other minerals onto all of those connective fibers and you get healthy bones! The holes give the bone its flexibility, and you won’t have healthy bones if you don’t have plenty of collagen on which to deposit the minerals.

Collagen is primarily a protein which is made from amino acids. Our bodies can create some of our requirements but we also need additional amounts from our foods and supplements including lysine and praline. Vitamin C is also required to create collagen.

Now we know how bones can be made stronger, but how is this process affected by menopause? The loss of estrogen due to menopause or possibly surgical removal of the ovaries can accelerate bone loss for a period of up to 8 years. It is well established that replacing that estrogen helps protect against the risk of osteoporosis.

More often, women’s bones become fragile as we age and it’s not uncommon to break bones in the wrist, spine and hip due to osteoporosis. Unfortunately, a fracture such as in the hip, can even shorten our life span so it is important to pay attention to our bone health.

What should be done to prevent osteoporosis from happening after menopause?

First of all, eat the foods that are calcium-rich (about 1,000 mg per day) and can enhance bone growth including: sardines, salmon, seafood, and green leafy vegetables such as swiss chard, beet tops, kale, mustard greens, collards, spinach, dandelion greens, watercress, parsley, chicory, turnip greens, broccoli leaves, almonds, asparagus, blackstrap molasses, broccoli, cabbage, carob, figs, filberts, oats, prunes, sesame seeds, tofu and other soy products.

Vitamin D-rich foods include fish oils such as found in salmon, mackerel, sardines), eggs (including the yolks), sweet potatoes, tuna, vegetable oils and cod liver oil. Getting 15-20 minutes of sunlight exposure daily can also boost production of vitamin D.

Exercise is crucial; in particular, you need weight-bearing exercise such as walking, Tai chi, dancing and weight training to reduce the chances of brittle bones at least two times a week. Include 15 to 60 minutes of aerobic activity two to three times a week. Avoid high-impact activities and include stretching exercises.

Finally, use high-quality supplements prescribed by your doctor or health-care provider, and oh yeah, don’t forget to have fun.


Cathy Taylor
E-mail:creative-com(at)cox.net
For more articles on this topic and others visit http://www.article-directory.net
posted @, 2:00 PM | link

4 Ways to Prevent the Number One Women's Health Problem

1. Get your cholesterol tested every year. Many women don't know they have high cholesterol. They assume that heart disease is a man's problem. Even many doctors don't realize the risk that women have of heart disease so they fail to suggest testing.

2. Increase your weekly exercise. We now know that as little as 10 minutes of exercise three times a week can greatly reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Walk the dog a little bit longer each day. Get your heart pumping by dancing to your favorite music while you clean the house. Walk during your lunch hour instead of eating at your desk.

3. Eat more fruits and veggies. Fruits and vegetables are low in fat and high in fiber. They contain heart healthy nutrients. Leafy greens are particularly healthy. Orange juice is high in folic acid, a nutrient known to protect the heart and prevent birth defects. Add one vegetable or fruit to every meal and you will likely double your current intake. You can make it easier by keeping prepared vegetables in the refrigerator to throw into a salad or munch on for snacks.

4. Learn about polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS affects as many as 5-10% of all women. It is one of the most common endocrine disorders and is one of the most common causes of infertility. PCOS is a cluster of symptoms that can include: unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight, depression or mood swings, painful or irregular periods, absent periods, acne, hair loss, unexpected hair growth (face, arms, stomach, etc.), infertility, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and more. Untreated PCOS can lead to serious health problems such as diabetes, heart disease and endometrial cancer. Protecting your heart is easier than you might think and it will reward you every moment of every day. Take care of yourself. You are worth it!


***
Julie Lenz is a life coach who helps professional women cope with the effects of chronic illness. She writes the weekly e-newsletter "PCOS Success!" She is also the author of "A PCOS Daybook: Daily Meditations for Coping With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome" to be
released May 2004. You can learn more at: www.pcoscoach.com
posted @, 1:51 PM | link

Hormone Replacement Therapy And Breast Cancer

Janet M., a fifties-something woman, entered my office and said as she sat down, "I have read that if I take hormones I will increase my breast cancer risk. I am going crazy without sleep and with these mood swings, but I don't want to increase my breast cancer risk by taking hormones."

Like many women, Janet had heard that a recent study, the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), definitively showed that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) increases breast cancer risk. Janet, like most people, didn't realize that this study found no statistically significant increase in breast cancer risk to women who took HRT.

When differences are not significant, an increase in risk may well be due to other factors, not the one being studied, such as HRT use. As often happens when a medical story is reported, the emphasis was on the increase in risk, not whether the increase was likely to be due to the agent being studied or to the size of the risk.

The actual size of a risk is important in any woman's decision making process. In this case the risk was exceedingly small -- only 8 in 10,000 women a year -- which is 0.08% or eight hundredths of one percent! Janet was amazed to learn the actualsize of the increase, and said, "You mean I was getting allconcerned for a risk that small."

"And," I pointed out, "even this very small difference in risk may not be due to hormone use." I explained that breast cancers take an average of eight years to reach about half an inch in size. This means that breast cancers started in the first year of the study would not be detected for eight or more years. The study followed women for only about five years, so all or most of the breast cancers found were probably present in an undetected state before the study began.

Janet asked if HRT use might have caused some breast cancers to grow more rapidly and therefore be detected sooner than eight years. This is unlikely. A number of studies find that breast cancers in women who were using HRT were not larger and were not dividing more rapidly than breast cancers in non hormone users. Since breast cancers grow more slowly in older women and the average age in this study was 63, breast cancers in this group would tend to grow more slowly and so take even longer than the eight year average to be detected.

Women in the WHI study used a particular type of hormone Prempro. The results of this study therefore do not apply to other, newer approaches in which more natural hormones are used and a woman's menstrual cycle is more closely approximated.

Janet was surprised to learn that many studies find that women who use HRT do not have an increase in breast cancer risk compared to women who don't use hormones, even when hormones are used for twenty years. Also, in another large study in which some women were assigned to take Prempro and others not, women who used Prempro had no significant increase in breast cancer risk.

As Janet left, she said, "I can see now that when I hear about a study I need to know how big a risk is and not just that it is increased. I'll also ask how long a study it was. This discussion has given me a whole different perspective."

___________________________

Patricia T. Kelly, Ph.D. is a medical geneticist who specializes in providing information about cancer risk to individuals and health professionals. She is affiliated with Saint Francis Memorial Hospital in San Francisco. Information about her book, Assess Your True Risk of Breast Cancer, can be found on her web site: www.ptkelly.com
posted @, 1:47 PM | link

Ten Things Women Can Do To Have a Happier and Healthier Life Right Now!

If you are a woman and looking for some simple and unique ways to increase your health and happiness, try adding a few of these ingredients.

1. Drink Tea - Get brewing! Research has shown that drinking green, and black tea offers extraordinary health benefits. It can help reduce cholesterol, lower blood pressure and protect the skin. Drinking tea is also an easy ritual that helps busy women slow down and savor each moment.

2. Live Whole-heartedly - Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death for women. Eliminate the number of "heart bypasses" this year by living whole-heartedly. Decide what you want to put your whole heart into. Make a commitment from your heart rather than what you think you should do to please others.

3. Catch the Joy Virus - Observe others for signs of the Joy virus. Symptoms may include an inability to contain spontaneous outbursts of laughter, playfulness and smiling for no apparent reason. If you catch the Joy virus remember to pass it on.

4. Just Smile - Not only is a smile a great workout for the 16 muscles in your face, it actually increases the production of serotonin; the happy juice in your brain. Try smiling and notice how a gray mood can be instantly lifted with the upturn of the lips. Smiling connects you to a better mood which also helps to connect you with those around you.

5. Eat Chocolate - Yes, it has finally been proven that chocolate is actually good for the heart. You must limit yourself to dark chocolate and only eat an ounce a day. By controlling the amount you eat youll get the heart benefit without the guilt of those extra calories.

6. Lighten Up - Dont take yourself too seriously. Most of the time we take things too personally. Often, it really isnt about us at all. Find ways to bring humor and Joy into every day.

7. Keep a Journal - Journaling is not only good for the soul but there is plenty of research that proves that people who journal also have stronger immune systems. So grab a pen or pencil and start writing.

8. Forgive Yourself - Holding on to old wounds or grudges only drains the energy for living today. What do you need to do to forgive yourself or someone else? Pick up the phone and call someone, write that letter. By forgiving yourself and others, you free up emotional energy you can use right now to create a happier future.

9. Live This Day As If It Were Your Last - Begin to view the rest of your time on earth as sacred time. The next opportunity you have to choose how you will spend your time, ask yourself these three questions: Is this a priority in my life right now? Will this enhance my life or spiritual growth? Am I spending my time freely without resentment and regret?

10. Take Life Sip By Sip - By simplifying your personal and professional life, identifying your values and prioritizing your time, you will discover your own unique recipe for success. In the process you will find more time, energy and abundance for the things that really matter to you.


About The Author
Nancy Bishop is a Life Coach, Writer and Speaker. She blends her passion for tea with life coaching to help busy women catch their breath and connect with their heart to restore balance naturally. For more information, or, to subscribe to her free monthly newsletter, visit her website at www.yourlifeyourway.com
posted @, 1:42 PM | link

A Woman's Guide To Health

Hysterectomies
Women are having unnecessary hysterectomies. Sixty thousand hysterectomies a year are performed in Canada, resulting in 60 deaths every year. Half to a third of all hysterectomies are unnecessary. The majority of hysterectomies are performed on women between 35 and 44, and a whole new generation of women are going into premature surgical menopause because many of them are talked into having their ovaries out as well. When women have hysterectomies, their ovaries will fail earlier, their sex lives will be affected, and some women will have their sex lives permanently damaged. In general, they will have a long recovery period, unless they have this new operation through laparoscopy, and there are side effects in the bowel and bladder as well. We do have natural treatments for a lot of the problems that necessitate hysterectomies such as one of the most common causes of hysterectomies, fibroids.

Caesarian Sections
We have thousands of repeat Caesarians every year. Most of them are not only medically unnecessary, but they are more dangerous than vaginal birth. All the medical colleges have verified this, but doctors don't necessarily practice according to science.

Episiotomies
Women are cut and mutilated for no medical reason during episiotomies. No scientific studies have ever found that episiotomies are necessary. They don't prevent prolapse; they don't prevent urinary problems; they don't prevent anything. They are basically more convenient for the doctor, especially the doctor who believes that women's bodies were not designed to give birth, and a lot of doctors believe that. Doctors actually believe that it is necessary for them to be there. They have to be there with their scissors, cutting through three layers of tissue and causing great disability for most women after childbirth. In Britain, they have found that in most first births, episiotomies can be prevented, because in Britain, mid-wives are used.

Antibiotics, Steroids and Hormone Treatment
In my practice, I see that women are getting sicker, and part of it is caused by doctors' overuse of antibiotics, birth control pills, hormones and steroids. Even steroid skin creams are over used and can affect the immune system. Germaine Greer pointed out that estrogen has a sedative effect on women, and that taking hormones has unknown effects upon the body's own hormonal system. We have no idea what the long term use of birth control pills and hormones are doing to women's bodies. Birth control pills are related to increased gall bladder disease and could be related to breast cancer and cervical cancer. There are much safer methods of birth control such as the barrier methods, the diaphragm, the cervical cap and the condom, and all have the advantage of protecting you from sexually transmitted diseases as well.

Chronic Fatigue
Chronic fatigue is a number one complaint among women today. At least 25 to 35% of chronic fatigue has real physical causes such as anaemia, low thyroid, allergies, yeast and a number of physical problems which are usually being missed by doctors. Most women with chronic fatigue do not have chronic fatigue syndrome. I believe that one of the main causes for chronic fatigue in women is overwork. Women are now working harder than ever at home or at two jobs and they are working in less than favourable working conditions. I still see so many women suffering because they are doing most of the work in the household. This calls for a fundamental change in the way women are looking at the situation. They are setting a very bad example for their whole family if they allow themselves to do most of the work in the household. Many doctors and naturopaths don't recognize the kind of stress this kind of unequal division of labour creates. Then you add environmental stresses to this kind of overwork, polluted food, air and water, drug overuse, antibiotics, and all the other things we have mentioned. Dietary changes and supplements such as B6, mega B vitamins, vitamin E and Evening Primrose Oil, calcium, magnesium and zinc are helpful in overcoming stress and fatigue.

Yeast Infection
The yeast syndrome is another thing which has been pretty much ignored by the medical profession, and it has been partially created by the medical profession through their use of antibiotics and birth control pills. It seems to be a vague syndrome because of the quite general symptoms like chronic fatigue, chronic digestive problems, brain fog, lack of concentration and depression. Children can get yeast infections too. For example, when a child's school performance suddenly drops, it could be due to a yeast infection triggered by tetracycline which was given for acne. A lot of scientific research has been conducted, and there are many treatments available, yet they have not been implemented in the medical field. Yeast infections are basically treated through diet, a diet that eliminates sugar, excess fruit, yeast and bread. You must take supplementary bacteria, acidophilus, and an anti-yeast medication or a natural form of an anti-yeast preparation, which is what I prefer. It can be garlic capsules or Nutribiotic, a grapefruit seed extract which is very good. It is both anti-yeast and anti-parasitic. You can also take things like caprylic acid a natural product that you can get in a health food store. Women on the birth control pill or hormones tend to have a lot more yeast infections.

Cystic Breast Disease
A researcher in Kingston, Ontario, Dr. William Ghent, discovered that a simple form of iodine, a non-toxic substance, can completely reverse cystic breast disease about 90% of the time. There are no side effects, and it also seems to lower the rate of breast cancer. We know that a low fat diet will also lower the rate of breast cancer. The iodine therapy is still being held up by the government, probably because it is a very inexpensive solution, and of course, it is also very safe.

Breast Cancer
We don't know how much of the current epidemic of breast cancer is caused by doctors and the whole pollution of the atmosphere. There are some very well designed studies which have linked the birth control pill with breast cancer and even more convincing evidence linking hormone replacement therapy with breast cancer. The best designed studies have shown a doubling of breast cancer rates for women on hormone replacement for long periods of time, from 10 to 25 years. Unfortunately, the medical profession is controlled by the drug industry, and the drug industry controls the medical journals and medical education.

Heart Disease and Osteoporosis
There are better ways to prevent heart disease and bone loss than taking hormones. There is a wonderful creme made from wild yams called progesterone creme which you apply to the skin. It can prevent and reverse osteoporosis and it is a wonderful alternative to hormone treatment. It is available at Supplements Plus.

Endometriosis
Endometriosis is diagnosed when tissue which normally lines the uterus is found in other parts of the abdomen and pelvis. It can be in the bowel or the bladder and all kinds of areas. It usually causes severe pelvic pain. We have an Endometriosis Association in the U.S., with a branch here in Toronto, which has accumulated a great deal of information about endometriosis. Recent research sponsored by the Endometriosis Association has shown a link between dioxin and the development of endometriosis. Women are exposed to a lot of dioxin in sanitary napkins and tampons and all women should switch to unbleached sanitary products. They should also phone up the manufacturer and tell them why they are making the choice to change brands. Women are the main consumers of health care and they can initiate change in both product manufacturers and the medical profession.

Electromagnetic Pollution
There are enormous risks in this electromagnetic age, such as health hazards connected with using computers, and a lot of these computer risks are being completely dismissed. I was just in the new CBC building here in Toronto and I was shocked. The computer work stations are situated completely incorrectly. They have people sitting directly behind the computer in front of them. That is the place of maximum exposure for electromagnetic radiation, higher even than directly in front of the screen, and it has enormous side effects on women's health. You should be at least four feet from the back of another person's computer and three feet from your own computer screen. In addition, that whole building is full of formaldehyde, gassing off from the new rugs, causing headaches and illness.

Diet
It is mainly women who buy all this unhealthy food. We should be aiming at a diet with no sugar, or very little sugar, just as a treat, and no sugar substitutes, which are very harmful and cause a lot of symptoms like headache and insomnia and allergic reactions. Diet Coke, caffeine and alcohol should be eliminated as much as possible. Alcohol has a very detrimental effect on women's health. Women's bodies were not designed to handle alcohol; it is not metabolized well, and it has a detrimental effect on the whole hormonal system. Fresh fruits and vegetables are good things to eat, preferably organic. Through eating organic products, you can reduce your environmental pollution. Whole grains and beans, supplemented with chicken and fish are good. This is a current diet recommended for the prevention of cancer and heart disease. A lot of women are still allowing their families to eat a less than healthy diet and wondering why they are tired all the time.

Guidelines For Beginning Natural Therapy
People are often afraid to start a natural therapy. The first guideline is that if it works for you and has no side effects, then use it. To find an alternative practitioner, ask around, ask your friends, ask at health centers and health magazines. Choose your practitioner as you would any other service, according to his quality, experience, reputation, and lack of sexism. Herbs, vitamins and homeopathic remedies very rarely have side effects. It is very difficult to overdose on vitamins or herbs. They can't even compare with the list of side effects for any drug that you will find in every doctor's reference manual. In natural medicine, we believe that if you take drugs, they can suppress the body's own natural healing system and drive the illness further down into the tissues, only to resurface later as allergies or asthma.

Chronic Bladder Irritation
There are two types of bladder irritation. One is an infection and the other is an inflammation. Dr. Andrew Bruce, the head of Urology at Toronto General Hospital conducted a study and found that he could prevent recurrent urinary infections through using acidophilus capsules which are applied in the vagina. The inflammatory bladder irritation is harder to treat. It is usually related to chronic yeast infections, but it can be treated with natural and dietary treatment as well.

Conclusion
When you have a chronic illness, your immune system is shot and you have to go back to basics of diet, simplifying your diet, going on a cleansing diet, like brown rice and vegetables for a short time. You are going to do a lot of cleansing. Build up your immune system through vitamins and herbs. Look at all the emotional co-factors in your life and address them. Natural healing is a positive journey because you learn a lot about yourself. Women also have to educate their doctors as well as choosing their own alternatives. You can bring in scientific articles to your doctors which you can obtain through various self-help organizations.

___________________

Dr. De Marco practices as a consultant in holistic medicine in Toronto and British Columbia, specializing in women's health issues. She has been a pioneer in promoting natural childbirth and training midwives. She is a writer and medical advisor for Health Naturally magazine and has written a wonderful book called Take Charge of Your Body: Women's Health Advisor, which tells you all you need to know about avoiding unnecessary drugs and surgery, and making the best health choices for yourself.

Women must take charge of their own health, educate themselves, and not depend primarily on their doctors for their health care. Women have fallen in love with technology, and easy solutions, unfortunately. It is women who are the main victims of the overuse of drugs and surgery in the medical world. It is women who accept medical treatments without asking any questions, who have lousy diets and buy lousy food for their children.

This article is published by permission from http://www.consumerhealth.org
posted @, 1:31 PM | link

Women's Lifestyles Increase Cancer Risk

One in five women are doing no exercise at all, according to new statistics from Cancer Research UK's Race for Life, supported by Tesco.

Race for Life and Tesco surveyed the state of female health in the UK to launch the women-only fundraising events for 2005. The worrying results illustrate how women's lifestyle choices are increasing their cancer risk.

This year, Cancer Research UK's Race for Life 5km walks or runs will give 425,000 women the opportunity to start or maintain a healthy lifestyle and step up their levels of activity: a key factor in reducing the risk of cancer.

The research shows that less than a third of women are doing the recommended levels of exercise, despite the fact that almost half of women know that taking regular exercise can reduce their risk of some cancers*. Of those surveyed by Race for Life, almost half perceive themselves to be overweight or obese. Excess body weight can substantially increase the likelihood of being diagnosed with the disease.

In terms of diet, which is linked to around a third of all cancers, only one in three women are eating five or more portions of fruit and vegetables every day. And, despite intense publicity about the dangers, almost a third of women surveyed smoke.

Louise Holland, National Events Director, says, 'Race for Life gives women a fun and simple way to reduce their own risk of cancer while also raising money for Cancer Research UK's life-saving work. In the last 12 years the events have encouraged almost one and a half million women across the UK to get moving, which is testament to the fantastic experience Race for Life offers everyone who takes part.

'While initially the events help women to increase their exercise levels, we hope that feeling the positive effects of a healthier life will encourage them to think about other changes they can make, for example improving their diet or giving up smoking.'

Dr Lesley Walker, Director of Cancer Information at Cancer Research UK, says, 'We are very concerned by the results of this survey which show that, in many areas, women are making lifestyle choices that are likely to increase their risk of cancer.

'Many people think that cancer is purely a matter of chance but in reality at least half of all cancers are preventable. We can reduce our own risk of cancer and we can do this throughout our lives.'

Catherine Stewart, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager for Tesco, says, 'At Tesco we really appreciate the importance of a healthy lifestyle and try to encourage staff and customers alike to take steps towards achieving this. Race for Life is an event that we are very pleased to support and one that our staff thoroughly enjoy, with almost 50,000 of them having taken part over the past three years.'

Race for Life is supporting Cancer Research UK's landmark campaign, Reduce The Risk, which aims to help people learn how lifestyle changes can drastically alter their odds of being diagnosed with cancer. To encourage Race for Life women to reduce their risk, information on the campaign will be included in the goody bags given to each woman taking part.

Singer Shaznay Lewis, who is supporting Race for Life in 2005, says, 'I'm really excited to be getting together with friends to take part in my first Race for Life in 2005. Everyone I've met who has been involved before has talked about the amazing atmosphere on race day and I'm looking forward to experiencing that for myself.

'Race for Life gives women of all ages, however fit they are, the chance to raise money for the great work that Cancer Research UK does.'

This year, Race for Life is expected to raise £23 million to help cure cancer faster with 162 events taking place across the UK from 4 May to the end of July. Race for Life began in 1994 and since then has raised over £70 million for Cancer Research UK.

For more information or to enter Cancer Research UK's Race for Life log on to www.raceforlife.org or call the hotline on 08705 134 314.

For the fourth consecutive year, Tesco is the national sponsor of Race for Life. Other sponsors include Buxton, Nivea, Reebok, getfitstayfit.co.uk and Masterfoods.

_____________________________

* The data is strongest for colon cancer with research showing that regular exercise can cut the risk of the cancer by up to 50 per cent. There is also evidence that regular physical activity may help prevent breast, lung and endometrial cancer. The most effective way of maintaining a healthy body weight is by combining a balanced diet rich in fruit and vegetables and low in foods that are high in fat and sugar with regular physical activity.

Cancer Research UK is the world's leading independent charity dedicated to research on the causes, treatment and prevention of cancer. Website: http://www.cancerresearchuk.org
posted @, 1:26 PM | link

Partners

Dear friends...

Do you want to make a link exchange with this blog? Feel free to drop a message at: lerian(at)gmail.com I will put a link to your site/blog on this page.

Partners Site

posted @, 1:17 PM | link


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