Directory of health resources for healthcare professionals.

A continuing study which has already revealed that red-meat consumption may increase the risk of colon cancer, has also suggested that women who eat skinless chicken regularly may reduce their risk of colon cancer. The study, conducted at the Harvard Medical School, analyzed nearly 89,000 women and found that those who ate skinless chicken at least twice a week were 50 percent less likely to develop colon cancer than were those women who ate it once a month or less. The researchers speculate that the reason chicken may reduce the risk of colon cancer is that it contains less saturated fat than red meat, and saturated fat may be instrumental in the formation of cancer-causing compounds in the colon. Researchers say there may also be an as yet undetected substance in chicken which protects against colon cancer.

Further studies are needed, but in light of the most recent evidence, some experts are recommending that women eat lots of fruit, vegetables and fish (which also appears to have some effect on reducing the risk of colon cancer), and using skinless chicken as a frequent substitute for red meat.

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Prostate Cancer Tips To Prevent And Treat

A new medication called Proscar (see chapter 11) can shrink some enlarged prostate glands. This could help you to avoid prostate surgery. If discovered early enough prostate cancer is almost 100% curable.

(1) So you should have annual prostate checks starting at age 50.

(2) Eat a low-fat diet.

(3) Don’t ignore trouble signs such as: difficulty in urinating or frequent urination at night.

Cervical Cancer – Foods That Help Prevent It

The B-vitamin Folate seems to help prevent a virus that causes genital warts from turning into cervical cancer. This vitamin can be found in green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, and beans.

Cut Your Colon Cancer Risk 60% To 70% With This New Test

A widely available test can cut your risk of dying from colon cancer. The test is called flexible sigmoidoscopy and costs $100 to $200. The American Cancer Society suggests that the test be done every 5 years after the age of 50. This could result in an early diagnosis of any colon problems. And with cancer an early diagnosis means you have a much better chance at curing the disease.

4 Skin Cancer Prevention Tips

Skin Cancer is spreading faster than any other type of cancer. Here are some tips for protecting yourself.

(1) Use plenty of sunscreen lotion — one ounce per treatment. Reapply every 2-3 hours.

(2) Wear a wide brimmed hat— 80% of all skin cancers are on the head, neck, or

hands.

(3) Keep infants out of direct sunlight.

(4) Avoid exposure to direct sunlight from the hours of 11 AM till 1 PM This the time when llV rays are the strongest.

What Every Person With Light Skin Needs To Know

Fair skin people should avoid excessive exposure to sunlight. If you sunbathe Use a sunscreen that blocks UV rays. Excessive sunlight is now beleived to be the Primary cause of skin cancer.

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According to some recently released statistics, about 10 percent of adult Americans get heartburn every day. New research may offer these people an effective and natural way to ease their discomfort.

People get heartburn when stomach acid backs up from the stomach, irritating the lining of the esophagus. Normally, the esophageal sphincter muscle forces itself shut, preventing stomach acid from coming upward. But foods that are high in fat can instigate heartburn, and lying down on the “wrong side” may only make matters worse.

Recent studies suggest that lying down after eating a big meal makes many people susceptible to heartburn. The studies also indicate that which side you lie on may make a significant difference in the amount of discomfort you experience. Lying on the right side may allow the esophagus to open where it enters the stomach, making it easier for stomach acid to enter. Here are some suggestions to help you combat heartburn, naturally:

1) Try to wait at least three hours after eating before you lie down. If you can’t wait that long, lie on your left side

2) If your heartburn continues, prop up your head at least six inches. This should help keep stomach acid from surging upward.

3) Don’t eat fatty foods, chocolate; drink alcoholic beverages, or smoke cigarettes. All of these tend to relax the esophageal sphincter, and lead to heartburn.

4) Try some gingerroot. Many people have found relief from heartburn with this herbal remedy. Some medical experts say that gingerroot seems to work by absorbing acid and by helping to calm the nerves. It’s best to take it in capsule form just after you eat.

5) Apple cider vinegar is another natural remedy that works well for some people who experience heartburn. The recommended “dosage” is 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in 1/2 glass of water. The concoction should be taken during a meal.

If your heartburn persists you should see your doctor.

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Unless you know food has been organically grown, it has most likely been

“treated” with some form of pesticide. The theory behind the use of pesticides is that they make crops much less vulnerable to a variety of harmful insects and other pests. This, in turn, helps to keep prices down.

According to the Food And Drug Administration (FDA), the pesticides used today by American farmers seldom “gets into food”, and can be eliminated altogether by washing fruits and vegetables with water and wiping them off or peeling them. The FDA, which inspects thousands of domestic and imported foods every year, says that only “minute levels” of pesticide residues are found. The debate about pesticides on food, however, centers around whether or not the FDA’s standards and frequency of testing are adequate.

If you are concerned about the use of pesticides on fruits and vegetables, you may want to consider starting your own organic garden. And look for abnormal spotting and coloring which could be cased by harmful pesticides.

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1) Lie on your stomach, with your hands on the floor directly beneath your shoulders. Slowly straighten your arms, while keeping your spine relaxed. Allow only your upper torso to move up from the floor.

2) Arch your back passively as your hip bones remain on the floor. Straighten your arms as much as is comfortable for your back. Slowly bend your arms so your upper torso returns to the floor. Repeat these movement about ten times.

Swimming is probably the best form of exercise to relieve chronic back pain. When you swim the breaststroke, you must be careful to put your face in the water every few strokes, otherwise you will be arching your lower back which is likely to aggravate your back pain.

Jogging is also a good form of exercise for people who suffer from back pain. Those people who experience chronic, or recurrent back pain, and who take up jogging as a form of exercise, should avoid all hard surfaces. They should also wear cushioned insoles to reduce the amount of jarring through the spine each time your feet hit the ground.

Strength exercises that require lifting weights can also be of benefit in relieving back pain. However, it is important that you take some precautions when doing strength exercises. Always use an exercise mat for any floor exercises that you do. You should also keep your knees bent during sit-ups in order to reduce the chances of aggravating existing problems in your lower back.

To ease back pain, you can try elevating your knees a foot or so. Place a pillow under your knees so they are elevated about 12 inches in order to keep your hips lightly flexed. The best pillow to use may be an inflatable pillow because foam pillows are likely to become compressed with use.

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