Meditation And Cancer : Does It Help?
Dr Jacqui Dodds Shares Her Research And Recounts The Journeys Of Six People With A Cancer Diagnosis Who Use Meditation As Part Of Their Healing Strategy. Share Their Highs, Lows, Hope And Acceptance And Get A Close Up Picture Of How Meditation Can Help.
Meditation And Cancer : Does It Help?
The first step in any breast cancer treatment is usually surgery. The type of surgery will vary depending on the type and extent of the breast cancer, and can range from the removal of a single lump to the removal of the entire breast and adjoining lymph nodes. Like most surgeries, breast cancer surgery will likely require some preoperative tests such as an x-rays, a blood test, a urine test, and possibly an EKG or CAT scan to determine how fit your body is for the anesthesia and the operation, and how best for the surgeon to proceed.
There are two main types of breast cancer surgery, each with their own variations:
Lumpectomy – The surgical removal of just the lump itself, and a small amount of surrounding tissue. A lumpectomy is often referred to as “breast conserving” surgery. The amount of tissue removed will vary greatly depending on the individual patient. If your surgery is referred to as a quadrantectomy, then about one-quarter of your breast will be removed.
Lumpectomies without lymph node removal are usually a day surgery procedure, and are often performed with just a local anesthetic. A lumpectomy is usually followed with 5 to 7 weeks of radiation therapy, and occasionally chemotherapy. On occasion, the surgeon will elect to conduct a lumpectomy in place of a biopsy, and biopsy the lump after it is removed.
Mastectomy – Mastectomy is the total removal of the breast. There are varying degrees of mastectomy:
A partial mastectomy involves just the removal of the lump and slightly more surrounding tissue than a lumpectomy.
A simple or total mastectomy involves removal of the breast, but not the lymph nodes or underlying muscle.
In a modified radical mastectomy, the breast and some lymph nodes are removed.
In a radical mastectomy, the breast, lymph nodes and underlying chest wall muscle are removed. Radical mastectomies are being performed less frequently as breast cancer treatment evolves.
Nipple sparing or subcutaneous mastectomy involves the removal of the entire breast, with the exception of the nipple. Nipple-sparing surgeries are intended to assist in future breast reconstruction. Some surgeons prefer not to perform nipple sparing surgery in order to not risk any of the cancer cells being left behind in the nipple tissue.
Lymph Node Removal
Lymph nodes are small bean-shaped organs that are distributed throughout the body. They are part of the lymphatic system, which circulates a plasma-like liquid called lymph throughout the body. The number of lymph nodes in the body varies from individual to individual.
Surgeons remove between five and thirty of the underarm lymph nodes when they remove a tumor from the breast, which the biopsy to help determine if the cancer has spread. Lymph node strap bacteria and foreign particles from the lymph, and are full of germ-killing white blood cells. On occasion, the lymph nodes located in the armpits trap breast cancer cells that entered the lymphatic system from the nearby breast.
Surgery to remove some or all of the lymph nodes under your arm is called axillary lymph node dissection. A new, less extensive type of surgery called sentinel lymph node dissection is now being used for some women with a low risk of lymph node involvement. In a sentinel lymph node dissection, only the first “sentinel” cluster of the two or three lymph nodes nearest the breast are removed, as they are the ones most likely to contain cancer.
Lympedema is a possible side effect of lymph node removal in which the lymph accumulates under the arm, causing swelling. Lymphedema can affect the breast area, the whole arm, or just part of the arm (usually the lower part and the hand). Severe lympedema will require treatment for the pain and swelling.
Lumpectomy vs. Mastectomy
Until the mid-1980s, mastectomy was the standard surgery for any stage of breast cancer. Now, many women are given the choice between removing the entire breast (mastectomy), ore just removing the lump and surrounding tissue (lumpectomy), followed by radiation. Recent research that followed 11,000 women for ten years showed that adding radiation therapy to a breast-conserving lumpectomy halves the chance that cancer will come back and reduces the risk of dying from breast cancer, compared to surgery alone.
The combination of lumpectomy and radiation has proved to be as effective to treat breast cancer as a complete mastectomy for women with small intact cancers. When making a decision between a mastectomy and a lumpectomy and radiation, women must take into consideration factors such as:
How important it is for them to keep their breast.
How much a lumpectomy will change the appearance of their breast.
How concerned they are about a possible cancer reoccurrence.
The impact of five to seven weeks of radiation following a lumpectomy.
The fact that a radiated breast can’t receive radiation again should cancer recur.
The advice of their doctor(s).
Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer
About two thirds of cancers test positive for hormone receptors. Hormone receptors are cell proteins that stimulate the growth of cells, including cancer cells. Patients with hormone receptor positive breast cancer will have hormone therapy (oral breast cancer medications such as Femara) added to their treatment plan following surgery.
A second and more aggressive type of breast cancer with receptors for a protein called HER2 is often treated with a breast cancer drug called Herceptin following surgery.
For more information on breast cancer treatment and the use of hormone therapy for breast cancer, visit . To buy Femara (including generic Femara), and other chemotherapy drugs for breast cancer from a licensed Canadian pharmacy at a considerable savings, visit .
It has been proved from various research studies done on vitamin D that this vitamin is very useful for the joints and muscles. It has also been stated that fibromyalgia is caused due to deficiency of this vitamin.
The muscle pain which is very common nowadays can be caused due to main reasons but, one of the most common reasons is deficiency of vitamin D in the body. This vitamin can be produced in the body when a person is exposed to sunlight. As the age of the person increases, the requirement of vitamin D increases by the body. A person at the age of 75 is able to absorb about 25% of this vitamin from the skin when he is exposed to sunlight but, on the other hand, a person who is 20 years old, can absorb more amount of vitamin D through skin.
It is also advisable that you should not expose yourself in strong heat of the sun. This can cause sun stroke or even skin cancer and many more. So, in order to get vitamin D from the sunlight, you can go for a walk in the early morning or even late in the day in order to maintain proper levels of vitamin D in your body. During these times, the sunlight is very strong so there is no risk of skin cancer. If you are not comfortable with the exposure to sunlight, then you can take the supplements of vitamin D. This will protect your body as well as you will get vitamin D in the proper amount.
Want to gain more info on and other factoid, then please visit the site. Article Source:
It is unfortunate but true that majority of people in the western world are known to be deficient in omega 3 fatty acids. With the latest scientific studies it has been proven that omega 3 deficiencies is cause of many diseases like ADHD, Dyslexia, Heart problems, blood pressure, cancer etc.
It has become vital for people to start including sources of omega 3 fatty acids in their diet as these fats are needed for proper functioning and maintenance of various organs of our body like brain, heart, eye etc.
What are the various sources of omega 3 fatty acids? ALA type of omega-3 essential fatty acid is found in walnuts, flax seeds, broccoli and purslane. Meat on the other hand contains EPA and DHA type of fatty acids. These 2 are more readily absorbed fats by our body. Human body can convert ALA to EPA and DHA. Since this conversion is not very effective we should take high EPA and DHA sources of omega 3 fatty acids like Fish explicitly.
With the industrial waste getting dumped in oceans, pollution in sea water is increasing day by day. This results in various toxins like Mercury, lead and PCBs getting accumulated in fish flesh. Consumption of such fishes does more harm than good.
This is the reason many people are now turning towards pure and safe fish oil supplements. These supplements are safe because Molecular distillation process is used to remove all unwanted toxins from the oil, leaving behind only concentrated oil that is rich in DHA.
Not all supplements that are available in the market are effective. Many people complain about side effects like fishy burp and rancid after taste. In such cases it’s the fish oil they are using is the culprit.
Technically, products like fish oil are not supposed to get oxidized before they are packed. Because oxidation is a chemical process that can trigger the decay of fish oil and eventually lead to rancidity of oil. To hide such things some manufactures add artificial fragrance. So, next time you buy a fish oil make sure that is does not contain any artificial fragrance.
Recognizing pure fish oil is not a hard task, all you need to look at is the Certificate of Analysis. COA tells you the purity by indicating the levels of toxins. The lesser the levels the better fish oil is.
So there you have it – apart from many natural sources of omega 3 fatty acids, fish oil is by far the best supplement that you can choose for the good health of your family. Visit my website today to learn more about the
Chuck Blake is an active researcher and consumer of fish oil products.Visit his website today to learn more about the powerful benefits of omega-3 fish oils. Article Source:
Most of us want to lead long healthy lives, unfortunately its not always that simple — things get in the way like illness, disease or unfortunate circumstances.
However we are often our own worst enemies, having poor lifestyle choices especially a bad diet, too much stress and lack of exercise all contribute to ill health. So it’s important to try to change and improve these areas and also supplement your diet when necessary.
So what are the benefits of taking omega 3 fish oil — lets look these important 4:
1 – Helps to fight and control Inflammation
2 – Helps reduce blood pressure that leads to heart disease
3 – Lowers Triglycerides and helps control cholesterol levels
4 – Boost Immune System to help fight cancers
Lets look at each in a little more detail:
Inflammation is sometimes referred to as the silent killer because it lurks in the background doing its damage and you don’t even know it’s happening until you get sick and suffer.
There is a wealth of evidence available through clinical trials and tests that leads scientists to believe omega 3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory characteristics that may help protect against heart disease, brain, joints and other illnesses influenced by inflammation.
Human trials report small reductions in blood pressure by taking omega3 fatty acids DHA and EPA. There is also a reduced risk of arrhythmias and death by a sudden heart attack.
Omega-3 can help lower triglyceride levels and boost your good HDL cholesterol. By better balancing your cholesterol you will help to maintain good health, which will reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
The immune system is your body’s natural defense against attack from disease; omega 3 fatty acids contribute to you having a stronger immune system which has been proven to be beneficial in lowering the risk of cancer particularly prostate and breast cancer.
What are the benefits of taking omega 3 can easily be understood when you realize the 4 issues above are more than enough justification for you to take fish oil supplements daily.
If you think your diet is inadequate and you aren’t getting enough essential oils necessary for good health, then seriously think about supplementing it with only the best brand of fish oil on the market.
If your interested to understand and find out more about the fish oil I choose to take, visit my website below.
Discover the best available today
John P. Stevens is a long time user; researcher and writer on health issues particularly fish oil and natural supplements. He only recommends natural substances that are extremely effective and 100% safe to use. To learn more about the many benefits of fish oil, Go to ==> today.
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People have great advantage from the intake of the . Diet supplements are made with natural ingredients and contain all the nutrition which body require.
There are diet supplements to loose weight such as the Acai berry. It is one of the best diet supplement with which people get benefited from. It is popular because many people experience significant improvement in their health disorder.
Acai berry diet supplement is popular because it help people who want to loose weight as it contain fiber which help the body to flushing out the build up of toxins in the colon, clear out and improving overall health.
Acai berry is also known for antioxidants with nutritional values exceeding amount that red grapes. It improves the immune system and boosts the energy level and increase the metabolism. It also helps to nourishing with vitamins and minerals.
Acai berry contains the fatty acid which helps in maintaining cholesterol and improves the cardiovascular health. It is source of iron and calcium and vitamin A, B, C and E.
Clinicallix is one of the effective diet supplements which immensely help in weight loss. These diet supplements totally work without stimulants or harmful substance.
It can help the person to loose weight with the course of the right diet and exercise plan. The diet supplement available in the market to loose weight is packed with all the vital ingredients.
Diet supplements helps to speed up the metabolism, decrease appetite and increase energy. The Diet supplements help to detoxify the body and cleanse the systems for optimum performance.
Hoodia is another Diet supplement it is beneficial to loose weight. This diet supplement is made of the natural Herb called as hoodia gordonii which grows in South Africa Kalahari deserts.
This diet supplement is taken with good diet program, an exercise routine and by drinking plenty water which will help in make the body slim and healthy.
An average vegetarian diet will not provide all the nutrition that requires a body it may not supply recommended vitamins and minerals.
A diet supplement can help you fill the gaps and protect you against the certain disease and health conditions. A diet supplement is natural or synthetic have the same effects however the natural organic form might be better absorbed and be more effective like synthetic Vitamin E.
Some diet supplements helps in lower down the cholesterol which are made up of green tea they also help in reducing the weight increase the body thermogensis result in burning the calories and fats.
It also helps in cancer defense extracts limit cell replication and make the general health.
If you want to , i highly recommend you check out Proactol. It is a natural fat binder that can help you lose weight naturally. Check out my in depth for more information.
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Let’s face it. If you go shopping for omega3 oils, you will see that there are a number of choices. Basically, that’s because there are a number of different omega-3 fatty acids. Here’s a look at the different ones, where you’ll find them and the health benefits associated with each.
Alpha-linolenic Acid—ALA
Also known as 18:3 (n-3), because of its 18-carbon chain and three double bonds, it is the shortest of the long chained polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids. It is still considered, by some, to be the only “essential” omega-3, because the body can elongate it to form the others.
The problems with relying totally on the elongation process are these:
- It is inefficient; only a small percentage is converted
- ALA, itself, is needed by the body; conversion to the other fatty acids will only occur after the body’s needs for ALA have been met
- Even though they are polyunsaturated, too much fat in the diet contributes to health problems.
Omega3 oils that provide ALA include those derived from vegetables and seeds. Good sources include canola and olive oils. Peanut, sunflower, grape seed and cottonseed contain none or almost none. Corn oil contains too many omega-6s to be considered a good choice, because omega-6s compete for conversion and contribute to inflammation.
Docosapentaenoic acid—DPA
Not too much is known about DPA. It is an intermediary in the conversion of ALA to EPA and then to DHA. It is found in some coldwater fish and other marine life. It is believed to contribute to the overall cardiovascular health seen in the Greenland Eskimos. Alaskan salmon may contain some. A fish called the New Zealand hoki is a good source. Other omega3 oils do not contain DPA.
Eicosapentaenoic acid—EPA
EPA is essential for the formation of various hormones and cellular membranes. It is beneficial in treating depression, both alone and when combined with DHA. It has been recommended for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and Huntington’s disease. One researcher, Ralph Holman, states that both EPA and DHA are important to the brain. DHA is needed to support the brain’s structure, he says. EPA is needed to support its function.
Other health benefits associated with omega3 oils containing EPA include superior cardiovascular function, a reduction in systematic inflammation and possibly a reduced risk of cancer.
The only dietary sources of EPA are some types of fish and seafood, although a small amount is found in some varieties of edible seaweed or kelp. Dried Wakame kelp, for example, contains about 10mg per tablespoon.
Docosahexaenoic acid—DHA
The benefits of DHA are mentioned above, although research indicates that it may be even more beneficial than EPA for some purposes, particularly for cardiovascular health. The only dietary sources are fish and seafood. Marine algae contain some and are being grown as a vegan source of the important nutrient.
There are other things that you could learn about omega3 oils. What you have read about here is just the tip of the iceberg.
Laurel Cohen is a strong advocate of natural health in all its forms: skin care, supplementation, and farm fresh foods. She enjoys introducing people to the best natural products she can find and uses herself daily. Visit her site to learn about the omega 3 fish oils Laurel uses daily for optimal health. Article Source:
For centuries, people have been partaking in garlic because they sensed that it was in some way good for them to do so, now modern science is finally catching up and telling us why this “Stinking Rose” is so good for us after all.
While much of the focus has been on the compound allicin, which gives garlic its distinctive pungency and taste some scientists are finding out that this herb is more than just a one trick pony. While allicin does seem to be a potent antioxidant that can help us fight off those nasty cancer causing free radicals, there are other compounds within garlic that also contribute to a healthy heart.
Hydrogen Sulfide
Scientists have lately been looking into the properties of hydrogen sulfide, a substance that forms after garlic is crushed or cut. While probably known more for the stuff that gives rotten eggs their rotten egg smell, Hydrogen sulfide also acts a chemical messenger in the body. It causes blood vessels to relax thus allowing blood to flow more freely through the blood vessels.
According to the study, published in the August 12 issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food chemistry, the garlic given to lab rats helped reduce damage from the lack of oxygen to the heart. Good flowing blood is essential to a healthy heart and can be the difference between life and death if a heart attack happens.
The catch
The study was conducted using both processed garlic and raw crushed garlic. According to Dr. Dipak K. Das who led the study, while both helped reduce damage from the lack of oxygen, the rats from the fresh garlic group recovered more quickly from simulated heart attacks and had better blood flow through the aorta and increased pressure in the left ventricle.
This is probably because garlic loses most of its ability to produce hydrogen sulfide when it is cooked or otherwise processed. By crushing and eating garlic raw, you increase the chances of ingesting the compound and thereby helping the blood flow through your heart.
Yulia Berry is an independent health researcher and author of the best selling e-books and ‘Pharmacy in Vegetables’. She distributes a weekly newsletter regarding and has written dozens of natural health articles published on hundreds of websites worldwide. Yulia Berry’s new ebook to be released soon. Article Source:
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The antioxidant mechanism of resveratrol – the wonder nutrient that health experts around the world are talking about – is fascinating to say the least. You must have heard about a lot of antioxidants and how good they are for your health, but this one is truly in a league of its own. Let us take a detailed look at it and find out what makes it so special.
The antioxidant mechanism of resveratrol is incredibly effective at decreasing the activity of cytokines – inflammatory substances which are extremely harmful to your health. As a result, it reduces the risks of cardiovascular diseases and cancer to a great extent. In fact, this particular ability of resveratrol – the ability to reduce the risks of cancer – has been tested extensively. It literally induces the cancerous cells to destroy themselves and leaves the normal cells undisturbed. This is significant on so many levels because the current treatments available for leukemia, like chemotherapy for example, kill both malignant and benign cells indiscriminately.
For people who have alarmingly high cholesterol levels, resveratrol can be extremely beneficial. Various studies have shown that it can lower the level of LDL (the bad cholesterol) and increase the level of HDL (the good cholesterol). This helps reduce the risk of stroke significantly. Also, it limits the growth of herpes simplex virus. Though there are no cures available for herpes infection currently, a regular dose of resveratrol can stop the virus from replicating and causing more damage to the body.
It has been found that the antioxidant mechanism of resveratrol helps people become more active and athletic. People who consume a regular dose of resveratrol are found to have faster metabolisms. Also, it reduces the risks of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Being a highly potent antioxidant, it cures a variety of skin problems and prevents premature aging as well. So, by adding it to your diet every day, you can say goodbye to wrinkles, age spots, and saggy skin. In short – it can make you feel healthier and younger.
Experts have found out that combining resveratrol with other potent antioxidants like turmeric extract and green tea extract can make the antioxidant mechanism of resveratrol even more effective at fighting the free radicals that damage the body. So, if you are looking to buy a health supplement with resveratrol, make sure you go for one that contains essential minerals, vitamins, amino acids, nutrients, and, most importantly, potent antioxidants like turmeric extract, green tea extract, and bilberry extract.
Learn about the best available today. Charles is an advocate of the wonderful benefits of a top quality supplement in our everyday lives. Visit his site now at and learn which products Charles recommends to improve your health today Article Source:
There has been a lot of press recently about an omega 3 ADHD study from the University of South Australia that showed many improvements were found, but much more research is needed. Here are the main benefits and how to find the right oil.
Although improvements were shown, there is still a long way to go to prove that fish oils are beneficial for ADHD. On a more personal levels however, I know that they work.
I have a four year old son who was recently diagnosed with mild autism, which I know is not the same but many of the characteristic from ADHD overlap. After six months on DHA fish oils, I have seen significant improvements that weren’t down to just normal development, especially in verbal skills and comprehension, his two main problems.
DHA is the main brain fatty acid if you like and far more important than the other main one called EPA. The problem is manufacturers still put in more EPA as it’s cheaper to produce and they are not up-to-date with the latest research.
Over 30% of an adult brain is made up of DHA fats and they have been proven to significantly lessen the affects of depression, bi-polar disorders and schizophrenia, and even thought to help you avoid them altogether with a daily supplement.
I am sure we will see many more omega 3 ADHD studies in the future, using higher DHA levels with even more positive results. As these natural oils are already proven to help with children’s development, coordination and verbal ability, it can only be a positive thing to include them in the diet.
Prevention of heart disease, lower cholesterol, better vision and prevention of breast and prostate cancer are just some of the other benefits to be had.
To get these, look for fish oil supplements high in DHA, at least 270mg per capsule, and no less or you won’t get all the benefits.
A distilled oil, especially for kids, is essential to have removed all the toxins, leaving only safe and pure oil, just check the label.
If you follow these steps you will soon be able to enjoy all the wonderful benefits these oils provide without the risk, and help to alleviate the symptoms of ADHD and many other health issues.
If you would like to learn more about the high quality DHA omega 3 supplements I personally take and give to my son daily, visit my website today.
Discover the best today. Rich Hawkins is a dedicated researcher of nutrition, diet and the amazing health benefits of high-quality fish oil. Take a moment to visit his site now at and discover the very latest and effective omega-3 fish oil supplements Rich recommends after extensive research. Article Source: