Safe to drink hard water??

Hmm... I stay in Germany since Sept 2004. Since then I have been drinking hard water. I was also told by my friends that it is not healthy to drink too much hard water or else I will suffer Kidney stone and bla bla bla.

Then I sent a question to Online W. Center :

Question
HAllo
Is it healthy if I just drink hard water? Is there side effects?

thank you
Jason

I got the reply on that day it self!! so quick.

Answer:
Many people drink hard water their entire lives. Hard water is any watercontaining an appreciable quantity of dissolved minerals. Soft water is treatedwater in which the only cation (positively charged ion) is sodium. The mineralsin water give it a characteristic taste. Some natural mineral waters are highlysought for their flavor and the health benefits they may confer. Hard water isgenerally safe to drink.

The State of Nebraska Agriculture Extension Service states:Hard water is not a health hazard. In fact, the National Research Council(National Academy of Sciences) states that hard drinking water generallycontributes a small amount toward total calcium and magnesium human dietaryneeds. They further state that in some instances, where dissolved calcium andmagnesium are very high, water could be a major contributor of calcium andmagnesium to the diet.

Much research has been done on the relationship between water hardness andcardiovascular disease mortality. Numerous studies suggest a correlation betweenhard water and lower cardiovascular disease mortality. The National ResearchCouncil has recommended further studies on this relationship.

Caution
If you have concerns about the water you drink, have it tested. In most areasthere are county extension agencies or local universities that could test yourwater to make sure it is safe.

This information is educational and is not intended to be a substitute forprofessional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or care of specific medicalconditions. You should seek prompt professional medical attention if you have aparticular concern about your health or specific symptoms.

Men's Health: Prostate Of The Union

by Kristen Fletcher

Your prostate likely ranks along with your colon atop a list of the things you don't want to read about, or even think about, for that matter. But--and it's a big, very important but--you still have to. The reason, of course, is that prostate cancer is among the most common cancers in men and is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in American males.

To really drive the point home, recently there has been some disconcerting news about how accurately the widely used prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test is at detecting the disease. A study from Brigham and Women's Hospital, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Harvard School of Public Health found that the PSA screen may miss as many as 82% of tumors.

Dr. Peter Scardino, chairman of the Department of Urology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, says the study doesn't change the fact that most men should continue to get tested every year after the age of 50, and if you're African-American or men with a family history, no later than 45. Prostate cancer risk increases with age and, although the reason is unknown, is more common among African-Americans. "

The great value of the PSA test, if you check it every year, is to watch it change over time," says Scardino. A rising level over the years may indicate cause for concern, but he says the test should be repeated a few weeks after a single high result to make sure it was not an anomaly and to determine if a biopsy is needed. The study also makes a strong argument that the cutoff point for a healthy PSA reading should be lowered from the current standard of 4 to 2.5 for men under 60, according to Scardino.

The good news is that researchers are gaining ground in discovering the causes of the disease and ways to better prevent and treat the condition. In fact, prostate cancer deaths are at an all-time recorded low. Below is a round up of the latest research findings and advice to prevent you from having to think much about your prostate in the future.

The Zinc Link
Zinc is crucial for bone health, the immune system and wound healing; it is found in oysters, steak, crab, nuts, fortified breakfast cereals and beans. The recommended daily allowance of zinc is 11 milligrams for men, but taking in too much zinc through supplements, which are often promoted as a way to prevent or reduce the length of colds, may increase your risk of prostate cancer. The U.S. National Cancer Institute recently found that men who took more than 100 milligrams per day, or took zinc supplements for ten years or more, had twice the risk of developing an advanced form of the disease. When it comes to zinc supplements, it may be better to chance the cold instead of the cancer.

Love Thyself
Turns out caring for your prostate can even be fun. Researchers at the Cancer Council Victoria in Melbourne, Australia, found that frequent masturbation between the ages of 20 and 50 may prevent carcinogens from building up in the prostatic ducts. Scardino says researchers have looked at many aspects of prostate cancer and sexual activity. "None has stood the test of time," he says. This one may not either, but a little insurance never hurts.
Lifestyle Changes Unfortunately, every aspect of prostate care isn't quite as enjoyable. Scardino says the best prevention is eating a low-fat diet, exercising and maintaining a healthy weight. New research also suggests that avoiding prostate cancer may be another reason to quit smoking. Although previous studies have been inconsistent, a coalition of researchers in Seattle published a study in the July 2003 issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention that found middle-aged smokers were 40% more likely to develop aggressive prostate cancer than nonsmokers.

Forbes Fact
An American man has a one-in-six chance of developing prostate cancer in his lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society, but deaths from prostate cancer have been declining gradually from a peak of 34,902 in 1994 to 31,078 in 2000. According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 92% of the deaths from prostate cancer in 2000 were in men over the age of 65.

http://www.forbes.com/2003/08/05/cx_kf_0805htow.html

Men's Health: Prostate Cancer

What is Prostate Cancer?

There are many different types of cancer. In fact, cancer is really a group of diseases that affects different cells in the body. Prostate cancer is a disease that affects the cells of the prostate.

Normally, cells grow and divide in an orderly way. This is how the body grows and stays healthy. Sometimes this normal process of cell growth can go wrong. If abnormal cells continue to divide when they're not supposed to, they can form a tumor. Cancerous prostate tumors can, if untreated, spread to other parts of the body.

If symptoms occur, they may include difficulty starting urination, reduced force of stream of urine, urinating small amounts frequently, urinating more frequently during the night, painful urination and bone pain. Often there are no symptoms, which is why screening is so important.

The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system. It is about the same size and shape as a walnut and weighs only about an ounce. The prostate is located below the bladder and in front of the rectum. The prostate surrounds a tube called the urethra that carries urine from the bladder out through the penis. The main function of the prostate is to produce fluid for semen.

Who is at risk of prostate cancer?

1)African-American men have 60 percent higher risk of getting prostate cancer than white men and have twice the risk of dying from it.

2)Men with one close relative having prostate cancer are twice as likely to get prostate cancer. If they have three close relatives, they are almost guaranteed to get it.

3)Veterans of Asian Theaters (Vietnam and Korea) who were exposed to Agent Orange are at increased risk. At least one study suggests that these men are twice as likely to get prostate cancer.

4)Obese men – those with a body mass index of over 32.5 - are 33 percent more likely to die from prostate cancer if diagnosed.

5) Regardless of PSA score, men whose PSA rises by 0.75 over the course of one year may have more aggressive disease.

10 Things You Want to Know About Prostate Cancer
(Health-e Headlines™)

1. One in every six men will get prostate cancer sometime in his life.

2. The chances of getting prostate cancer are one in three if you have just one close relative (father, brother) with the disease. The risk is fivefold with two close relatives. With three, it's an almost certainty (97 percent) that you'll get prostate cancer.

3. African-American men are at special risk for the disease. They have the highest rate of prostate cancer in the world. In fact, the incidence rate in African Americans is 60 percent higher than in white males and double the death rate.

4. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of male cancer death in the USA. An American man dies every 18 minutes from the disease.

5. An estimated 28,900 men will die from prostate cancer this year.

6. More than 220,000 cases are expected this year - more than breast cancer.

7. In the single decade of the 1990s, prostate cancer killed about 350,000 men, slightly more than the entire population of Cincinnati, Ohio.

8. Before the advent of early detection through PSA screening (a simple blood test), about three-fourths of all prostate cancer cases were found in the late stages where the disease isn't readily treatable or curable. Since widespread use of screening, about three-fourths of all cases are now found early - giving men a fighting chance.

9. Every man over 50 - younger if African American or with a family history of the disease - should resolve to be screened annually for prostate cancer.

10. Screening for prostate cancer takes less than 10 minutes.

For More Information on Prostate Cancer:
1. The National Prostate Cancer Coalition. Available online at: www.pcacoalition.org. Accessed September 2, 2004.
© 2003 - 2004 Wellsource, Inc.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis of specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt professional medical attention if you have a particular concern about your health or specific symptoms.

Diet: Your Big Lean Greek Diet

by Kristen Fletcher

Whether originally inspired by those skimpy togas or the buff gods of their myths, the traditional Greek diet is still one of the healthiest ways to eat, and on June 26 more evidence of its benefits were reported in the New England Journal of Medicine. In a 44-month study of more than 22,000 Greek men and women ages 20 to 86, researchers from the University of Athens Medical School and the Harvard School of Public Health found that higher adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet was associated with a lower risk of dying from heart disease and cancer.

The diet emphasizes vegetables, whole grains, fruit, beans, nuts and fish and derives up to 40% of total daily calories from olive oil and other healthy fats. It also allows for a glass of wine or two. Providing a more balanced approach than plans like Atkins that banish carbohydrates almost entirely and more satisfaction than low-fat regimens, the Mediterranean diet is an approachable and palatable plan for healthier eating. Dr. Mary Flynn, an assistant professor of medicine at Brown University, a registered dietician and the coauthor of Low Fat Lies: High Fat Frauds & the Healthiest Diet in the World, shared some tips on how to shop, cook and order from a restaurant menu while following the guidelines of the Mediterranean diet.

When grocery shopping, Flynn recommends loading up on vegetables--the darker the better. She says it's OK and sometimes better to use frozen and canned products that take less preparation and don't spoil. Stock up on canned tomatoes, artichoke hearts and olives and fresh or frozen spinach, kale, broccoli and other colorful vegetables. Buy a bottle of extra virgin olive oil, and a stash of canned beans, whole grain pastas and breads. She encourages her clients to consume at least three tablespoons of olive oil a day, and recommends making quick and delicious meals of vegetables sautéed in olive oil with wheat pasta. Sweets, starchy carbohydrates like white bread and rice, red meat, poultry and full-fat dairy products should be eaten sparingly.

For breakfast,
Flynn recommends adding a few tablespoons of walnuts to your cold breakfast cereal or oatmeal. The healthy fat in the nuts will prevent you from being hungry at 10:00 A.M. when someone shows up at the office with donuts. She also advises relying on fresh fruit instead of fruit juices: "Stop drinking juice--it has too many calories."

For lunch,
pick a veggie sandwich with oil and vinegar or a vegetable pizza. "There's no need to have meat everyday and certainly not in the quantities most Americans consume," says Flynn. If you order a turkey sandwich, have the deli make it with less turkey and more vegetables.

For people who eat out occasionally, restaurant meals can be a time to indulge in meat, but if you dine out often look to the vegetarian offerings or fish entrees that aren't fried. Fish like salmon, trout and tuna that contain omega-3 fatty acids are especially good picks, but watch out for sauces made with butter or cream. If weight is a concern, Flynn recommends ordering off the appetizer menu to control portion size and always splitting dessert.

Of course, the other element of the Mediterranean diet is activity so find at least 30 minutes on most days to walk, run, swim, bike or dance like Zorba.

Forbes Fact
With the average Greek consuming 16 kilograms of olive oil each year, Greece has the highest per capita olive oil consumption in the world. Although it is the third-largest worldwide producer, Greece exports the most extra virgin olive oil--the oil made from the first cold pressing of the olives with no refining. In 1997, the world's top olive oil producer, Spain, generated 535,000 tons, followed by 467,000 tons from Italy and 307,000 tons from Greece.

http://www.forbes.com/2003/07/08/cx_kf_0708htow.html

Sex Health: Better Sex Diet

Alcohol
Without a doubt, the intake of excessive amounts of alcohol impairs sexual function. But a little alcohol helps ease inhibitions. Wine and champagne are widely used to set a romantic mood. Add some chocolate-covered strawberries to the mix, and the outcome could be good. We don't need scientific evidence to convince us that ambience is one of the few truly effective aphrodisiacs.

Chocolate
Chocolate can, of course, be quite sensual. But the craving of choice for many women may have some real benefits to their sex lives. Chocolate contains phenylethylamine, a chemical compound that can produce feelings of euphoria and happiness by releasing dopamine, the brain chemical that also surges during orgasms. Like all sweet things, enjoy your chocolate in moderation, as--unless you are underweight--gaining weight is not likely to prove beneficial to your sex life.

Chili Peppers
As we all know, spicy foods get the heart pumping. Capsaicin, the compound that gives chilies their "burn," might also trigger the brain to release endorphins--substances that, at high levels, can create a sensation of pleasure. Apparently, chili peppers stimulate the nervous system, which can, in turn, accentuate the effects of sexual arousal.

Fruits and Vegetable
A diet high in fruits and vegetables can impact our sex lives in a couple of ways. For one, it helps lower cholesterol levels, which keeps the blood moving in all of the important places. In addition, fruits and vegetables help in weight loss since, relative to most food, they are low in calories and high in fiber, which makes us feel full. Since obesity is associated with low testosterone levels, anything we do to ensure proper body mass will only help our sex lives.

Whole Grains
Adding fiber and complex carbohydrates to your diet aids in weight management. This is crucial because obesity is linked to low testosterone--something which contributes to decreases in both sexual drive and function. Choose whole wheat over white bread, and have whole grain cereal instead of cornflakes for breakfast. Oats are the grain of choice, as some researchers say they increase the amount of testosterone in the blood. Whole grains also help sustain energy levels, which can be useful in bed.

Ginger
A stimulant for the circulatory system, ginger is said to increase blood flow to the genitals. It's the plant's aromatic stem that's used for culinary and medicinal purposes. It can be eaten raw, cooked or crystallized.

Honey
Honey's special power comes from the mineral boron, which helps the body utilize estrogen, the basic female sex hormone. Some researchers claim that honey also increases energy levels. It's likely creative minds will also think of other ways to milk honey of its potential libido-boosting powers.

Nuts
The Roman allegedly tossed walnuts--not rice--at newlyweds, as they were considered symbols of fertility. While there may not be much scientific evidence behind this tradition, we do know that nuts can help keep our vascular system healthy, which ensures adequate blood flow to the genital region. Nuts are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to lower cholesterol. They also contain other heart-healthy nutrients as well, like magnesium, folic acid and zinc.

Oyster
Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love for whom aphrodisiacs are named, gave birth to Eros on an oyster shell, marking the beginning of the oyster's sexual reputation. And there actually might be some truth to this notoriety: Oysters are notably high in zinc, which is needed for testosterone production. It has been shown, too, that men with zinc-deficient diets are at risk for prostate problems. In male reproduction, zinc may be necessary for adequate testosterone levels and sperm counts.

Soy
Along with being low in fat and excellent sources of protein, soy products, such as tofu and soy milk, have phytoestrogens, which are said to combat PMS and menopause--two things that can definitely get in the way of a good sex life. "Because soy binds estrogen receptors, it helps keep the vaginal area lubricated, which especially helps women whose estrogen levels are decreasing," says Beverly Whipple, professor emeritus at Rutgers University and vice president of the World Association for Sexology.

http://www.forbes.com/2005/03/16/cx_vg_0317featslide_11.html?thisSpeed=6000

Sex Health: Want better sex? Head to the grocery store

The right diet may not make you a super lover, but it can help

By Vanessa Gisquet
Forbes
Updated: 4:38 p.m. ET March 23, 2005

For those of us who could use a little libido pick-me-up, the grocery store might be a good place to start

Like many aspects of our health, our sex drive is affected by what we put into our bodies. A few drinks and a thick steak, followed by a rich chocolate dessert, may sound romantic, but it is actually a prologue to sleep -- not sex.

Humans have sought ways to enhance or improve their sex lives for millennia--and have never been reluctant to spend money to make themselves better lovers. The ancient Romans were said to prefer such exotic aphrodisiacs as hippo snouts and hyena eyeballs. Traditional Chinese medicine espoused the use of such rare delicacies as rhino horn. Modern lovers are no less extravagant. In 2004, for example, according to Atlanta-based health care information company NDCHealth, Americans spent about $1.4 billion to treat male sexual function disorders alone.

Of that amount, Viagra rang up $997 million in sales for Pfizer, or 71.2 percent of the total market. Among the other drugs trying to find their way into American's bedside tables and back pockets are Levitra, which is made by Bayer, but marketed in the U.S. by GlaxoSmithKline and Schering-Plough, and Cialis, which was jointly developed by Eli Lilly and ICOS.

There is a difference, of course, between helping sexual dysfunction and arousing our passions. The problem is that, these days, there are more solutions for the former than the latter.

Aphrodisiacs, for the most part, have been proved to be ineffective. Named for Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of sex and beauty, these include an array of herbs, foods and other "agents" that are said to awaken and heighten sexual desire. But the 5,000-year tradition of using them is based more on folklore than real science. "There is no data and no scientific evidence," says Leonore Tiefer, clinical associate professor of psychiatry at the New York University School of Medicine. "Product pushers are very eager to capitalize on myths," she says.

Most libido-enhancing products offer short term benefit at best, according to Dr. John Mulhall, Director of the Sexual Medicine Program at New York Presbyterian and associate professor of urology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University. Mulhall, who also sits on the Nutraceuticals Committee of the Sexual Medicine Society of North America, says: "Every year we review the literature on these compounds -- these nutraceuticals like nitric oxide and ginseng -- and there are none that have really been shown to be more than a placebo."

When it comes to sexual function, the placebo effect is probably 30 percent in men and around 50 percent in women, he says. That means there are a lot of people out there who believe a pill they are taking or a food they are eating is doing a lot of good for them sexually. In reality, their mind is doing all the work.

So, besides renting "The Story of O" and opening a bottle of red wine, what can people do to kick start their sex life?

One thing they can do is change their diet. Soy, for example, binds estrogen receptors, which helps the vaginal area remain lubricated, and combats symptoms of menopause--particularly hot flashes. Studies have shown that soy is also beneficial to the prostate, a crucial male sex organ. Chili peppers and ginger are believed to improve circulation and stimulate nerve endings, which could, in turn, improve sexual pleasure.

Foods that promote weight loss also hold libido-boosting potential. "There has been very solid research showing that obesity is a risk factor for erectile dysfunction and low testosterone," says Dr. Ridwan Shabsigh, director of the New York Center for Human Sexuality and associate professor of urology at Columbia University's medical school. "Reducing weight," he says, "results in an increase of testosterone, and thus an increase in sexual function."

"From an erection stand point, anything that's good for your heart is good for your penis," says Dr. Mulhall. Too much saturated fat can, over time, clog arteries and, in doing so, prevent an adequate flow of blood from reaching the genital region. This not only interferes with the ability to perform, but also with sexual pleasure. Too little fat, on the other hand, is also bad.
"You need fat to produce your hormones," says Beverly Whipple, professor emeritus at Rutgers University and president of the World Association for Sexology. "Cholesterol is metabolized in the liver, and you get your testosterone and estrogen, which you need for your sex drive," she says. Olive oil, salmon and nuts are optimal sources of the "good" kinds of fats -- monounsaturated and polyunsaturated.

According to Dr. Judith Reichman, author of "I'm Not in the Mood: What Every Woman Should Known about Improving Her Libido," medical and hormonal problems are major contributors to sexual dysfunction and a low libido -- but so are too much stress, relationship difficulties and psychological issues. Antidepressants, such as Prozac by GlaxoSmithKline and Paxil by Eli Lilly, can negatively impact sex drive as well.

© 2005 Forbes.com

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7234007/

Is chocolate good for you?

Flavanoids in cocoa may protect the heart, but don't overdo it

By Karen Collins, R.D.
Registered Dietitian
Special to MSNBC.com
Updated: 1:11 p.m. ET April 15, 2005

Recent research shows that chocolate can provide natural health-promoting substances called flavonoids.

Since flavonoids seem to help prevent heart disease and cancer, the idea of eating chocolate sounds like a tempting and delicious way to better your health. The complete message is, however, that although chocolate might be preferable to other treats, it is no substitute for vegetables and fruits, which also contain flavonoids.

The flavonoids in chocolate that laboratory studies demonstrate to have powerful antioxidant effects are called flavanols and procyanidins. These two compounds come from the flavonoid “family” that includes resveratrol, found in grape juice, and EGCG, found in green tea. When people consume these substances in chocolate and cocoa, the antioxidant status of their blood increases.

This rise in antioxidant levels helps protect us from damage to the heart and blood vessels, while it also guards our DNA from damage that can lead to cancer.

In addition, the flavanols and procyanidins in chocolate improve the function and flow of blood vessels and help control inflammation.

The antioxidants in chocolate have generated a lot of interest because studies show that these compounds are more powerful antioxidants than EGCG in tea, which is a strong antioxidant.

One study that compared the total antioxidant activity in single servings of cocoa, green tea, black tea and red wine scored cocoa markedly higher than the rest.

Yet the flavonoid content of cocoa and chocolate is highly variable. The more cocoa in a chocolate product, the higher the antioxidant flavonoid content is.

Because dark chocolate is more concentrated in cocoa content, it is higher in flavonoids than milk chocolate. For this reason, dark chocolate is used in research studies. White chocolate has no cocoa content.

Beware calorie load
A cup of hot or cold cocoa may sound like a health drink loaded with antioxidants, but almost all cocoa drink mixes contain cocoa treated with alkali (also called Dutch cocoa) to produce a darker, richer taste. Unfortunately, this process drastically reduces flavonoid content.

Unless you find a chocolate mix made with untreated cocoa, start with plain cocoa (not Dutch) and add your own sweetener and milk to make a flavonoid-rich cup.

Surprisingly, the fat content of chocolate is not a reason to avoid it. Technically, chocolate contains saturated fat, but the particular type of saturated fat – stearic acid – is unique because it does not raise blood cholesterol.

Studies show that neither dark or milk chocolate is a cholesterol concern in moderate amounts. But keep in mind that other ingredients added to some chocolate candies can change their nutrition impact.

But one of the reasons you shouldn’t rely on chocolate for antioxidants, in the place of vegetables and fruits, is the calorie load. A small piece of dark chocolate has only 50 calories, but most candy bars contain at least 200.

In comparison, a serving of vegetables and fruits contains a generous amount of health-promoting phytochemicals and only 25 to 80 calories. An antioxidant-rich serving of green tea has no calories at all.

Besides, vegetables and fruits have more than flavonoids. They provide vitamins, minerals like magnesium and potassium, and phytochemicals that protect our health in other ways. Some, for example, block the activation of carcinogens, while others interfere with the life cycle of cancer cells and promote their destruction.

Recent research on the flavonoids in chocolate implies that we can enjoy limited amounts of this sweet treat without guilt. But this news shouldn’t discourage us from eating a mostly plant-based diet loaded with vegetables and fruits.


Nutrition Notes is provided by the American Institute for Cancer Research in Washington, D.C.© 2005 MSNBC Interactive

Cancer: Fight cancer with dark green vegetables

Average adult should eat three cups of produce a week
By Karen Collins, R.D.
Registered Dietitian
Special to MSNBC.com
Updated: 12:12 p.m. ET April 8, 2005


The new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, released in January 2005, issue a major challenge regarding vegetables. The average adult needs to boost their consumption of dark green vegetables by 200 to 300 percent. We currently eat so little of these foods that our health is suffering.

The latest dietary recommendations suggest that most adults should eat three cups of dark green vegetables a week. To reach this amount, you could have a half-cup serving almost every day, or larger servings several times a week.

If that seems like a lot of vegetables, that’s because Americans seldom eat them. One consequence of this poor eating habit is that American diets tend to be low in potassium and magnesium. Dark green vegetables provide these minerals that are linked with healthy levels of blood pressure and blood sugar.

Not only do we seldom eat them, however, many of us walk into grocery stores and never notice, or even recognize, many of the dark green vegetables there. Next time you’re in a grocery store, go on a “green vegetable” hunt, looking for these nutritious, delicious treasures.

Romaine lettuce –
and even darker green leafy vegetables like spinach, Swiss chard, kale, collard greens, mustard greens and turnip greens – contain beta-carotene as well as the carotenoid cousins called lutein and zeaxanthin. Beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin are all powerful antioxidants that seem to play a role in blocking early stages in the development of cancer.

High in folate
Some studies even link them with a lower risk of breast, lung and skin cancers. In addition, lutein seems to help slow the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a cause of age-related blindness.

These same dark greens can also supply a significant amount of folate. Folate is a B vitamin that promotes heart health and helps prevent certain birth defects. Folate is also necessary for DNA duplication and repair. Without repair, damaged cells can develop into cancer.

The importance of folate should not be underestimated. Even after considering the presence of other cancer-fighting nutrients, several large studies show that the risk of colon polyps, which are the source of most colon cancers, is 30 to 40 percent lower in people with a high folate intake compared to those with diets low in folate.

Research also suggests that diets low in folate may increase the risk of cancers of the breast (particularly among women who drink alcohol), cervix and lung.


GUIDE
Foods that fight disease

•Apples
Flavonoids that protect against cancer, heart disease, allergies, ulcers, viral infections and tumors.

•Broccoli
Glucosinolates that help the liver rid the body of toxic substances.
Indol carbinols that protect against certain breast tumors.
Beta-carotene that protects against lung, colorectal, breast, uterine and prostate cancers.
Folic acid, a B vitamin that reduces the risk of some cancers, as well as birth defects such as spina bifida and other neural tube defects. Sulforaphanes that boost the body’s ability to detoxify carcinogens.

•Carrots
Beta-carotene that protects against lung, colorectal, breast, uterine and prostate cancers.
Sulforaphanes that boost the body’s ability to detoxify carcinogens.

•Fish
Omega-3 fatty acids that protect against heart disease and have been shown to prevent cancer in animal studies. The fatty acids also help maintain normal elasticity of arteries and nourish heart and blood vessels.

•Garlic and onions
Allylic sulfides, which protect against DNA damage and help the body to detoxify carcinogens. The compounds also appear to inhibit growth of tumors, and decrease blood clotting that can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

•Kale
Folic acid, a B vitamin that reduces the risk of some cancers, as well as birth defects such as spina bifida and other neural tube defects. Sulforaphanes that boost the body’s ability to detoxify carcinogens.

•Legumes
Isoflavones that block enzymes that promote tumor growth.

•Multi-grain breads
Selenium, a natural antioxidant that helps reduce the risk of cancer and diseases of the heart and blood vessels.

•Raspberries
Salicylates, compounds with anti-clotting properties; may reduce the risk of blood clots that lead to heart attacks and strokes.

•Red wine
Polyphenols, which prevent blood clotting, thus warding off heart attacks.
Flavonoids that protect against cancer, heart disease, allergies, ulcers, viral infections and tumors.

•Soy beans
Phytoestrogens that mimic the body’s own estrogens, protecting against ovarian and breast cancers.
Genistein, which can block the blood supply to tumors, thus choking cancerous cells to death.

•Tomatoes
Lycopene, one of the most potent of antioxidants — substances that sop up so-called free radicals, unstable particles that can lead to DNA damage, cancer and heart disease.
Salicylates, compounds with anti-clotting properties; may reduce the risk of blood clots that lead to heart attacks and strokes.



Research is showing that many of our favorite foods contain compounds that help our bodies fight infection, heart disease and even cancer.

Certain dark green vegetables offer another advantage. Watercress, arugula, bok choy, broccoli and kale are all members of the cruciferous family. These vegetables supply phytochemicals such as indoles that help stop cancer before it starts.

How to serve them
These phytochemicals block enzymes that activate carcinogens and boost enzymes that detoxify them. Other antioxidant phytochemicals in these green cruciferous veggies help prevent and repair DNA damage that can lead to cancer. They also seem to interrupt the growth of cancer cells.

If you haven’t eaten many of these dark green vegetables before, you may not know how to serve them. Perk up salads or sandwiches with small tender leaves. Add greens with larger, tougher leaves to soups. You can quickly stir-fry many of these greens in a dash of canola or olive oil with some garlic, onion, or ginger.

Check your grocery store for pamphlets with more ideas for preparing this kind of produce, or look at cookbooks. Or get fresh ideas at your desk: Go to the website of the American Institute for Cancer Research and click on Recipe Corner. Type in the name of a vegetable for some tasty recipes to try. The website http://www.5aday.com/ offers a similar service.

Nutrition Notes is provided by the American Institute for Cancer Research in Washington, D.C.© 2005 MSNBC Interactive

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7421199/

Gym: How Strength Training Enhances Health

Most of us have negative opinion of "going to gym". We think that working out is only for those who want to be muscular or looked good.
Well, those are only part of the reasons. Below are more reasons for you to get involved in strength training

1: Improves strength of muscles required for activities of daily living
2: Stimulates muscle growth, preventing or slowing muscle loss with aging, helping maintain independence in senior years
3: Enhances lean body mass which helps maintain a higher metabolic rate, burning more calories and helping maintain weight
4: Strengthens ligaments and bones decreasing injury risk and helping prevent osteoporosis
Helps improve posture and reduce back pain
5:Improves muscle tone, shape, and enhances figure/physique
6: Reduce your risk of diabetes. Adult onset diabetes is a growing problem for women and men. Research indicates that weight training can increase glucose utilization in the body by 23 percent in four months. Exercise acts like insulin in regulating the blood sugars in the body and is the best thing for the health of a diabetic. (from www.ediet.com)

extracted from : http://vanderbiltowc.wellsource.com/dh/Content.asp?ID=552 (except for 6 )