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How to Feel Comfortable Talking to Friends and Family About Colon Health

I recently came across a very interesting article over at Paris Star that gave some great tips about how to open dialogue about colon health. The article's author pointed out that colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death by cancer...but it's not something that we all talk about openly.

 

The article gave the following three tips about how to open up with a loved one about colon health:

• Start the conversation by saying you have an appointment with your doctor soon and that you are going to ask about colon cancer screening. Then share what you know about getting checked.

• Mention that your health routine includes getting checked for colon cancer. Tell them about the test and how you found out about it.

• Tell them that you got the fecal occult blood test (FOBT), a simple, at–home screening test which can be done in the privacy of your home.

 

What do you think? Would you be likely to use these tips and approach someone you love about colon health?

 

(Picture Credit: Psychology Today)

Think You Might Be Allergic to Gluten?

Gluten is an extremely common protein and is found in a variety of foods. Unfortunately, many people are allergic to it. And even more unfortunate is the fact that the majority of people that suffer from gluten intolerance don't even know it because so many doctors don't know much about gluten intolerance.

 

Symptoms of gluten intolerance vary from person to person but include:

• Fatigue
• Depression
• Weight gain
• Mental fogginess
• Diarrhea with occasional constipation
• Bloating
• Headaches
• Gas

 

If you're concerned that you may be suffering from a gluten intolerance, take the self-test offered over at Ahwatukee.com (scroll down the article a bit, and you'll see it).

 

So what were your test results?

 

(Picture Credit: Dr. Stephen Wangen: The Gluten-Free Doctor)

3 Ways to Spice Up Your Diet Routine

Spring has officially arrived, and that means that we're all going exercise crazy in our attempt to have that bathing suit-ready body. If you're stuck in an exercise rut, give these three tips a shot to shake things up a little.

 

1. Put together a playlist.

If you don't work out to music, it may be just the thing you need to get back into the groove. Put together a playlist of some awesome, bass-heavy songs and get ready for the workout of a lifetime. I recommend "Pour Some Sugar on Me" by Def Leppard, Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger" (obviously), and Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody." What songs do you plan on putting on your playlist?

 

2. Change it up.

Normally run three times a week? Try using a rowing machine. Tend to stick to yoga only? Try pilates or zumba! Doing the same type of workout day in and day out isn't only boring--it can neglect some of your muscles. By switching up your workouts, you can ensure that you won't get bored while also keeping your body fit in diverse ways.

 

3. Give yourself a balance challenge.

One way to make your workouts even more challenging is to add a balance challenge to the equation. Do some of your exercises while balancing on one leg, or try out a balance trainer like those sold by BOSU. You'll be challenging your body in a different way, which is sure to spice things up while you're getting fit.

 

(Picture Credit: Fat Burning Workouts for You)

Vegetarian Diets: Not Only Good for Your Colon

Cutting out meat (particularly red meat) is a great choice you can make for your colon. Your digestive system can work more efficiently with a high-fiber diet such as a vegetarian diet. But your colon isn't the only thing that can benefit from being a vegetarian. The Montreal Gazette recently ran an article discussing how following a vegetarian diet can lead to a decreased risk of developing cataracts.

 

A recent British study followed over 27,000 people for as long as fifteen years and showed that about three in fifty meat-eaters developed cataracts while only two in fifty vegetarians and vegans developed the condition. While this may not seem significant at first, realize that it translates into a 30-40% lower risk of developing cataracts among vegetarians and vegans.

 

However, it's important to point out that the study doesn't prove that eating meat promotes cataracts. On the other hand, it may be that eating a diet high in vegetables helps to protect an individual from developing the condition.

 

So, guys, while it's not 100% conclusive, the study certainly implies that following a vegetarian lifestyle can help to decrease your risk of developing cataracts.

 

(Picture Credit: AAPOS)

According to Article, Alternative Medicine Needs More Strict Regulation

An article on AMA talks about a recent article that ran in the Medical Journal of Australia and calls for more stringent regulation on alternative therapies.

The article's author, Winnie Chau from the Flinders Medical Centre of Adelaide, stated that Internet shopping has made herbal medicines more readily available--and regulation more difficult to keep up.

Chau and co-authors studied a 75-year-old man who had developed renal failure due to chronic exposure to nephrotoxins. It was suspected that the man's Chinese herbal products caused the renal failure. After being analyzed, it was proven that the products contains aristolochic acid--an known nephrotoxin that can cause cancer.

Chau stated that while bans on herbal products suspected to contain this nephrotoxin were instituted in January 2002, the man was still able to buy the product.

What do you think? Should there be more strict regulations on herbal medicines?

 

(Picture Credit: Discovery Health)

NY Dept. of Health Approves New Colon Cancer Test

Imagine my excitement when I saw that there was a new colon cancer test being used! EndoNurse reported that New York's Department of Health has approved Quest Diagnostics's ColoVantage colorectal cancer detection method.

 

Senior vice president and chief medical officer of Quest Diagnostics, Jon R. Cohen, MD, says, "ColoVantage is a convenient, noninvasive option for the millions of patients 50 years of age and older who resist testing by recommended screening methods. As a technique that patients may actually use, ColoVantage is arguably the first practical testing option to promote meaningful cancer evaluation among this large underserved population."

 

Unlike other colorectal cancer screening tests, ColoVantage doesn't restrict diet or require special preparations. Also, testing can be added to routine blood work.

 

In a clinical study, ColoVantage correctly identified colorectal cancer in 70% of samples of people diagnosed with the cancer. Furthermore, it correctly detected the absence of colorectal cancer in approximately 89% of samples tested.

 

ColoVantage was released in December 2009. New York is the only state with an independent regulatory review process for tests developed in a laboratory, which are also regulated federally. With this approval, the ColoVantage can be offered in New York and the rest of the United States.

 

See, guys? We're just one step closer to more accurate and non-invasive colorectal cancer screenings!

 

(Picture Credit: PRLog)

5 Herbs to Help Soothe Candida

Candida infections are no fun. However, there are many herbs that can help to fight off candida growth and help you become healthy again. Here are five of our favorites:

 

1. Tea Tree Oil - This oil can actually cure candida infections of the mouth. It can be used topically in many different forms including mouthwash, dental floss, or soap. 
2. Garlic - There has been research confirming garlic's anti-fungal properties and its ability to treat candida. A study conducted by Benjamin Lau showed that mice with candida infections were free of the fungus after being treated with garlic extract for two days.
3. Barberry - Barberry is rich in berberine, an anti-microbial substance that treats yeast infections by aiding the body's healthy intestinal flora. It also boosts the immune system and stops the diarrhea that can accompany candida infections.
4. Pau d'Arco - Pau d'Arco has powerful anti-fungal properties that kills off excessive candida growth while also supporting the immune system.
5. Black cumin - Black cumin seed extract has anti-fungal properties that are effective against candida. 

 

There you have it! Now go show that candida who's boss!

 

(Picture Credit: How to Boost Your Immune System)

5 Ways to Avoid Food Toxins

If you're a regular follower of this blog, then you know that toxins are everywhere--even in our food. Here are five more ways that you can eliminate food toxins from your diet:

1. Don't buy foods or drinks with strong flavors or bright colors. This means that they probably contain coal tar, which is what those bright colors are extracted from. Coal tar has been proven to lead to cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.
2. Don't buy meats that can be kept in the fridge for a long period of time. This means salami, bologna, and other processed meats. They contain sodium nitrate, which prevents bacteria from forming. However, sodium nitrate also leads to conditions that can cause cancer.
3. Don't buy processed foods. 'Nuff said.
4. Read the labels, and don't buy foods that have too many ingredients or ingredients that you are unfamiliar with. Stay away from food additives such as mono sodium glutamate or MSG.
5. Purchase organic hormone-free meat, milk, and eggs. Close to 85% of all meats sold in the US contain hormone called diethylstilbestrol, which has been proven to cause breast cancer and cancer of the reproductive organs.

Are you ready to try out these five tips?

 

(Picture Credit: Lola Lollipop)

30 Days to a Healthier Diet

So I've talked quite a bit over the years about organic foods and why they're so important to your diet. Through my research, I came across the Healthy Eating Plan from The Daily Green.

 

This 30-day plan makes it easy for you to transition to an organic and healthier diet. Here are a few of my favorite tips in the plan:

• Day 3: Eat Like a Grandmother--This day's challenge is to eat only non-processed foods.
• Day 12: Switch to Butter--Used sparingly, butter is actually healthier for you than margarine. It's a win!
• Day 19: Ban High Fructose Corn Syrup--It's poison, I tell you--poison!
• Day 29: Ditch the Drive-Thru--That food might be "fast," but it's full of empty calories.

What do you think? Let me know how the 30-day plan works for you!

 

(Picture Credit: Healthy Eating)

Vegans: You Don't Have to Get Your Protein from Tofu!

According to an article in the Detroit Free Press, there are many other sources besides tofu for vegans to get their protein. Chef Tal Ronnen knows how hard it can be for vegans to get protein in their diets--after all, he's vegan. But there is hope--there are actually a lot of places that you can get your protein!

 

Ronnen became a vegetarian over twenty years ago, so he has some experience searching out sources of protein. He tries to take a cue from other cultures and looks to sources such as whole grains for protein. "In India, it's lentils; South America, it's quinoa; and in Asia, it's soy," Ronnen said. Other good protein sources: brown rice, grains, beans, and pastas.

If you're vegan or vegetarian, what are you favorite protein sources?

 

(Picture Credit: The Vegetarian Who Hates Tofu)