Painkillers Might Help Men Avoid Prostate Problems

SATURDAY, June 20 (HealthDay News) -- Taking over-the-counter painkillers such as aspirin and ibuprofen might help men avoid prostate problems.

But even so, medical experts are quick to caution men not to self-dose or to take more than the recommended amounts of these medications, because harmful side effects can result.

"Our data suggest if men are taking these [medications] for another problem, it might prevent urological problems as well," said Jennifer St. Sauver, an epidemiologist at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota who led a study that found that men who took nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) daily had a reduction of about 50 percent in enlargement of the prostate gland. The condition, called benign prostatic hyperplasia, affects many men after age 40.

The gland, about the size of a walnut, is below the bladder and surrounds the urine-carrying canal or urethra. The gland often enlarges in older men, making urination difficult.

But men in St. Sauver's study who took painkillers daily had more than a third fewer moderate to severe urinary problems than men who did not take daily painkillers.

Lower levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA) also seem to be a benefit experienced by men who take NSAIDs regularly. PSA is a biomarker in the bloodstream that is used to assess the risk of getting prostate cancer.

Dr. Eric A. Singer, chief resident in urology at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York, led a team of researchers who found that regular use of NSAIDs yielded PSA levels 10 percent lower than in men who didn't use them. St. Sauver's study found lower PSA levels among NSAID users in her study as well.

Men taking acetaminophen also were included in Singer's study, and they had about the same reduction in PSA levels. But, because the number of men who took acetaminophen was low, the result was not great enough to be statistically significant, he explained.

Exactly how the medications seemingly prevent enlargement of the prostate and other problems isn't certain, St. Sauver and Singer agreed. But they speculated that the medication's anti-inflammatory action plays a major role.

However, men who take NSAIDs need to keep in mind that, if taken in excess, the drugs can cause kidney ailments and other problems, Singer warned. And too much acetaminophen has been associated with liver toxicity.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns that extended use of NSAIDs can increase the chances of a fatal heart attack or stroke and also can cause ulcers or excessive bleeding in the stomach and intestines.

Because of such possibilities, "we are certainly not telling men to take NSAIDs to reduce PSA or prostate cancer risk," Singer said, despite the "good news" from the studies.

''Talk to your health-care provider about prostate health and prostate cancer screening," he advised, adding a reminder to "make sure your doctor knows what medications you are taking."

No one knows exactly why some men develop prostate cancer, and others don't. In the United States, though, almost 190,000 men are expected to be diagnosed with the disease this year, and about one in six will develop it at some point in their life, according to the American Cancer Society.

Age is the main risk factor for prostate cancer. U.S. government statistics show that the disease rarely occurs in men younger than 40 and most often strikes men older than 65.

To treat prostate cancer that has not spread beyond the gland, according to the Cancer Society, doctors most often recommend:

• Prostatectomy, surgery to remove all or part of the prostate gland
• Radiation, either via an external beam or implanted radioactive seeds
• Watchful waiting, the term used to describe deferring treatment until there are signs that the cancer is progressing
  

And, as treatment and detection methods have improved, the survival rate for prostate cancer has been improving in the United States in recent decades, according to the National Cancer Institute.

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Health Tips For Mothers on Mothers Day

As a mother it is important that you take care of your body, and your health is no exclusion to this rule. From the way you eat, to taking the time to give yourself a break from it all; each of these factors can have a detrimental impact upon your body.

This being said, finding the time to actually eat properly is easier said than done. With your mind 100% focused on looking after your child, finding the time to eat right can be hard. Instead it is much easier to eat on the go and to put your body on hold until later.

Yet if the Wellcome Trust is correct, making the time to focus on your health may be more important than you think.

In their current study which looks into the inheritance of genes in children, they believe the way you eat during pregnancy could have a direct effect upon the way your children develop when they are born.

From the way they look, to the characteristics they develop, the Wellcome Trust have developed the theory that even the foods you eat during pregnancy could have an influence over their eating habits as an adult. Including their ability to experience effective long lasting weight loss.

Taking statistics offered by the Heart Institute’s Canadian Cardiovascular Genetics Research Centre, they found that due to DNA methylation particular mechanisms that control weight loss in muscles can be capped making it harder for the said individual to lose weight.

And this capping is rooted in the belief that external environmental elements can impact upon the way genes are expressed in children.

So if this thesis is to be taken seriously it would mean from the moment you conceive you need to take care of your diet in order to ensure your children have the best possible start in leading a healthier lifestyle.
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Now when this information is compared to the recent revelation that nine in ten children will be obese by 2050; the time to take action and put a stop to this statistic is now – beginning with yourself.

By offering your body a healthy and nutritious diet combined with regular exercise, you can directly pass on this lifestyle change to your children.

Taking charge of your health doesn’t have to be a solo act. You can get your whole family involved and can set the precedent for your children to follow for many years to come.

Plus to top it all, by changing your dietary habits today, your body will be able to cope with everything your children have got to throw at you: from action packed weekends playing on the park, to going for a bike ride… with a healthier, happier body you’ll always be able to keep up.

So make this Mother’s day one to remember… as the day you took charge of your body, toned up and achieved the body you always wanted.

For more information about how to offer your body a healthier route to a fitter lifestyle visits www.proactol.com

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Pounding Head? Discover 13 Sure-fire Herbal Remedies

They can be caused by a number of things including dehydration, hunger, grinding your teeth, a food allergy, sleeping on your neck wrong, giving up caffeine, and of course STRESS. Whatever the cause, there’s no mistaking that throbbing discomfort that plague so many Americans. Here are 13 natural remedies to attack your agony head on.

Tension, Hormonal, Seasonally-Occurring? Try...

1. Magnesium - Replaces a magnesium deficiency that can cause head discomfort.
   
2. Vitamin B-12 - Refills a Vitamin B-12 deficiency that can trigger discomfort.
   
3. Ginger - Stimulates circulation, thins the blood, and helps blood flow to the surface.
   
4. Valerian - Relaxes the mind and, encourages a healing sleep.
   
5. St. John’s Wort - Promotes a positive outlook after too many “blue” days.
   
6. Licorice - In Chinese herbal medicine, licorice root is an ingredient found in almost all herbal formulas for the purpose of “harmonizing” the separate herbs involved. One of its many active constituents—glycyrrhizin—has been found to possess anti-inflammatory action.
   
7. Angelica - For centuries, Angelica Root has been hailed as the ultimate remedy and a blood purifier. Angelica is believed to be a health-protective herbal, as it blooms on the day of Saint Michael the Archangel.
   
8. Skunk Cabbage - Also known as symplocarpus foetidus,this herb soothes the nervous system, which helps to reduce stress and mental fatigue.
9. Chamomile - Calms the body. Ancient Greeks, Romans, and Indians used this herb to treat disorders of the kidneys, liver, and bladder, and mind. Chamomile works well to promote healing.
10. Kava Kava - It’s been used for three thousand years by the people of the South Pacific for ceremonial, social and medicinal purposes. Today, kava is proven to relax and de-stress.

Regular, Ongoing Head Distress? Try...

1. Melatonin - Physiologists know that melatonin helps to regulates sleep patterns, and thus promote overall health.
   
2. Cayenne - This herb enhances delivery of more oxygen to your brain, and relieves discomfort.
3. 5-HTP - Your body needs 5-HTP to make serotonin, needed for normal nerve and brain function. It promotes calmness and sleep.
   

Feel better by taking care of your everyday stress in healthy ways. Visit Botanic Choice to discover other natural de-stressers. It's also good to avoid dehydration or hunger. Take your regular breaks and lunch times. Eat and drink sensibly. Most importantly, be good to yourself!

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your physician.

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7 Dieting Mistakes

You've started a new diet. You've been good all week, making sensible meals, managing your portions, even exercising a little...then the weekend hits. You eat too much. You drink too much. You give up.

Not so fast! A couple of slip ups won't undo all your hard work. The key is to know the dieting pitfalls you're likely to make and plan ahead to avoid them.

Here are the top seven dieting mistakes. How many are you making?

1. Skipping breakfast.Research shows that people who don't eat breakfast actually weigh more than those who do. There's a mistaken belief that if you skip breakfast, you're saving calories. Problem is you end up snacking and eating more at other meals because you're body is so starved for food. Always begin your day with a healthy breakfast. Black coffee, an egg, whole wheat toast and a half grapefruit has only 250 calories and will stave off hunger pangs till lunch.
   
2. Too many liquid calories. Did you know that a regular soda can pack on 15 pounds in one year? Not to mention lattes, fruit smoothies and alcohol. These liquid calories do little to satisfy any hunger and the calories add up fast.
   
3. Not exercising. If 30 minutes is too much to even think about, start with 10 and see how it goes. If exercising is a drag to you, try something fun like bowling, playing ping-pong, or dancing. The idea is to get moving and have so much fun you'll stick with it.
   
4. Using extreme diets. These don't work and can be very detrimental to your health. When you deprive your body of food two things happen: your metabolic rate slows down to make up for few calories and your desire to binge increases. In addition extreme dieting may lead to the bloating of fat cells, shrinking of muscle cells, accumulation of toxic fats and fatigue. Rather than thinking "diet" think lifestyle change.
   
5. Mindless munching. Even if it's not on a plate, it still counts. A couple of cheesy crackers before dinner, test-tasting a sauce, finishing food from your kids plates while washing dishes, all adds up to more calories. On average figure 25 calories per bite. Do that 4 times in a day and you've just added 100 extra calories to your waistline without even realizing it.
6. Going overboard on low fat. It's psychological. You pick a low-fat snack and you justify eating more of it because it IS low fat. Research backs this up. More food, even if it is non- or low-fat still means more calories.
   
7. Not taking vitamins and supplements. In a perfect world, we'd get all the nutrition, vitamins and minerals from our three perfectly balanced daily meals. Truth is, few of us do. Even if you think you're eating right, modern food processing can deplete whatever nutrients were in the food originally. That's why many take daily vitamins and supplements. While it's important for everyone, it's especially important for those who are trying to lose or maintain weight. It starts with a good, high-quality multivitamin. For those seeking weight loss support AND total health, nothing beats Apple Cider Vinegar Plus™, which is a proprietary formula fortified with green tea for calorie burning and energy.

As quickly as the pounds add up, they can also come off. The key is knowing what your pitfalls are and how to avoid them.

For natural weight control remedies, visit Botanic Choice.

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Health Update: The Truth about Free Radicals

If you're confused by all the talk about free radicals and antioxidants you're not alone. Technical terms, biological reactions, organic compounds… It's enough to confuse a scientist! You don't want jargon. You don't want hype. You want the facts. Well, here they are.

What Are Free Radicals?

Think back to your high school chemistry class. You may recall that at its most basic level, the human body is comprised of atoms. In addition to a nucleus, neutrons and protons, each atom has a pair of electrons orbiting around it. Because atoms constantly seek stability through paired electrons, it will often share its electrons with other atoms.

Sometimes, however, an electron breaks off. I'll tell you more about why in a moment. But what you're left with are two fragments, each containing unpaired, highly energized, highly unstable electrons. These are the infamous free radicals and they're looking to pair up with another electron. (Think singles bar.) And, they're not above breaking up another atom to get what they want. As you can imagine, this mayhem can cause a chain reaction of free radicals zipping around, bouncing into others, puncturing cell membranes, and wreaking havoc throughout your system, including your DNA.

Where do free radicals come from?

Free radicals are normal. They're the by-product of metabolism when you convert food into energy. So the good news is that, for the most part, your body knows how to deal with them. The bad news is that many of us have an excessive amount of free radicals – too many for our body to handle. The result? An overtaxed system that becomes vulnerable to a wide range of health concerns from daily annoyances, to accelerated aging, to major life-threatening problems.

While aging and stress can contribute to the creation of additional free radicals, other more avoidable sources include the American high-fat diet, chemically treated foods, pesticides, trans-fats, tobacco, refined sugar, and alcohol.

Antioxidants to the rescue

Although you can't eliminate free radicals from your body completely, you can stay a step ahead by adopting a healthier diet, avoiding harmful chemicals and by using antioxidants.

Free radicals want to pair off with another electron and they're not picky about where it comes from. Antioxidants are their willing partner. The free radicals lap up their extra electron like a drooling 6-year old eating an ice cream cone.

Many people who want to boost their immune system take antioxidant supplements, including Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and other immune boosters.

Armed with this knowledge, you too can now fight free radicals with my weapon of choice – antioxidants, and have a long, healthy life.

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The Wonders of Grapes and Grape Seed Extract On Your Health

Are you a grape eater or a red wine drinker? Are you aware the health benefits of grapes onto your body? Well me not that fully aware. What i know of grapes is just a fruit full of vitamins C, E and good for the heart, that is why i like it. But recently, i heard from people out there talking about the great benefits not only from eating grapes but from the seeds extract itself. I was curious then and want to find out through available resources from internet and just in time am having a blog related to health. So, i wanted to share this all with you especially those who don't know yet.

Nutrients Contents

1 cup serving of grapes yields:

57 calories 6 grams of protein 16 grams of carbohydrates 2 mg of sodium

1 gram of dietary fiber and vitamins A and C.

Grape seeds, grape skin, and grape juice contain several types of:

polyphenols, including resveratrol, phenolic acids, anthocyanins, and flavonoids

Flavonoids is an amazing array of over 6,000 different substances found in virtually all plants, are responsible for many of the plant color, the stronger the color, the higher the concentration of flavonoids.

Health Benefits of Grapes Seeds

Grape Seeds are rich in chemicals called proanthocyanidins or procyanidolic oligomers that exhibit antioxidant properties. Antioxidants have the ability to neutralise harmful chemicals called free radicals, which can contribute to premature ageing and are involved in the development of many diseases, including arthritis, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and cancer.

Proanthocyanidins may also help atherosclerosis, gastric ulcer, large bowel cancer, cataracts and diabetes. thus, grape seed and its extract may benefit people with heart disease and cancer.

One clinical trial demonstrated that the antioxidant action of Grape Seed Extract is 20 times more powerful than the effect of vitamins E and 50 times greater that vitamins C; and beta-carotene.

Because of its polyphenol content, purple grape juice provides a far greater antioxidant effect than orange juice.

What Are Other Benefits You Can Get From Seed Extract?

Some people call these polyphenols “nature’s biological response modifiers” because of their ability to help the body fight viruses, allergens, and carcinogens. That means that among their many talents, they exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-cancerous and anti-microbial activity.

Not bad for a “waste product”!

Procyanadin: The secret anti aging vitamin for a younger looking skin
One particular type of phenol found in grape seed is called procyanidin. It is thought to protect the body from premature ageing. Scientists think they do this by increasing vitamin C levels in the cells and scavenging for toxins so the organs can get rid of them.

Procyanidins also bond with collagen, the most abundant protein in the body and a key component of skin, gums, bones, teeth, hair and body tissues. The bonding promotes cell health and skin elasticity, making it seem more youthful, in a process that works almost like a natural face-lift. Procyanidins additionally help protect the body from sun damage, which can also cause premature ageing of the skin.

Great help inside your body
Aside from the benefits mentioned above, procyanidins can improve your vision, the flexibility of your joints, the health of your arteries and body tissues (such as the heart) and also strengthen capilliaries and veins to improve your circulatory system.

This is important because the health of your circulatory system affects the health of your heart. It seems that grape seed extract delays the oxidation of low density lipoproteins, the fats that are responsible for “bad cholesterol”.

The longer it takes for LDL to oxidize, the less likely it is to start clogging up your veins and arteries.

People who drink purple grape juice can show an increase in oxidation lag time of 27%. So, procyanidins present in grape seeds are known to exert anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic and anti-allergic activities, to prevent skin aging, to scavenge oxygen free radicals and to inhibit the damaging effects of UV radiation from sunlight.

Since most of these processes are linked to cancer, it follows that grape seeds are probably strong anti-carcinogenic and/or anti-tumor-promoting agents.

Studies show they may have particular use against colorectal cancer, and scientists are devoting a fair amount of new research to grape seed because they’re pretty confident about its abilities.

The other "secret ingredient" of grape seed extract.
One other of the grape’s hidden health weapons is also worth a mention: it’s called resveratrol. This chemical is found primarily in the skin and seeds, particularly in muscadine grapes, and it confers a number of beneficial effects to the body.

They include all those mentioned above, but also an ability to help the brain and its processes work efficiently i.e. they have neuroprotective capabilities. In rats, this has life-prolonging effects, so it’s reasonable to assume it may do the same for other animals, humans included.

Whats the best way to get grape seed extract into your body?
With the help of modern technology, we now have high-quality grape seed extract in the form of supplements available for you in store.

Tips for consumption

1. Use scissors to separate small clusters of grapes from the stem instead of removing individual grapes. This will help keep the remaining grapes fresher by preventing the stem from drying out.

2. If you are drinking grape juice for health benefits, avoid products labeled as grape “drinks.” This is often an imitation high-sugar product with little real grape juice.

3. Research conducted at the in Austria suggests that as fruits fully ripen, almost to the point of spoilage, their antioxidant levels actually increase hence their health value.

4. Since grapes tend to spoil and ferment at room temperature, they should always be stored in the refrigerator.

5. Loosely wrap unwashed grapes in a paper towel and place them in a plastic bag. This way, they’ll keep fresh in the refrigerator for several days.

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