You don’t have to be afraid of CANCER anymore

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cancer is a term used to refer malignant tumors. In this condition, Cells in a tissue proliferate without the normal controls on growth and spread to the adjacent issues,interfering with the function and often have undesirable systemic effects.

Importance of nutrition therapy
.Diet is an important part of cancer treatment. Cancer patients have special nutrition needs and issues related to eating. Eating the right kinds of foods before, during and after treatment can help the patient feel better and stay stronger.

Cancer and its impact on nutrition
Cancerous tumors may produce chemicals that can affect the absorption of certain nutrients in the body. The body’s use of protein, carbohydrates and fat may be affected,especially by tumors of the stomach or intestines.

A patient may appear to be eating enough, but the body may not be able to absorb all the nutrients from the food.
Goals of nutrition therapy in cancer
The goals of nutrition therapy for patients with cancer who are in active treatment and recovery are designed to restore nutrient shortages, maintain nutritional health and prevent complications

The goals of nutrition therapy are:
.Prevent or correct malnutrition.
.Prevent wasting of muscle, bone, blood, organs and other lean body mass.
.Help the patient tolerate treatment.
.Reduce nutrition-related side-effects and complications.
.Maintain strength and energy.
.Protect ability to fight infection.
.Help recovery and healing.
.Maintain or improve quality of life.
.To ensure optimal nutrition, a person has to eat and drink enough of the foods that contain key nutrients, which include plenty of vitamins, minerals, protein and water,and adequate amounts of carbohydrates and fats.

However, for many patients suffering from cancer, factors like side-effects of the disease and its treatment make it difficult for them to eat well. Other factors that interfere with eating include nausea, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation,mouth ulcers, swallowing problems and pain. This leads to under-nutrition causing the patient to be weak, tired and makes him vulnerable to infections.

Eating too little protein and calories is the common nutrition problem facing many cancer patients.Protein and calories are important for healing, fighting infection and providing energy.
The goals of nutrition therapy for patients who have advanced cancer are designed to improve the quality of life and are:
Reduce side effects.
Reduce risk of infection.
Maintain strength and energy.
mprove quality of life.
Malnutrition in cancer patients
Anorexia is the condition where the patient loses his appetite or the desire to eat. It is a common symptom in people with cancer. Anorexia may occur early in the disease or later, when the tumor grows and spreads. Anorexia is the most common cause of malnutrition in cancer patients.

Cachexia is a wasting syndrome that causes weakness and a loss of weight, fat, and muscle. It commonly occurs in patients with tumors of the lung, pancreas, and upper gastrointestinal tract and less often inpatients with breast cancer or lower gastrointestinal cancer.
Anorexia and cachexia often occur together. Cachexia can occur in people who are eating enough, but who cannot absorb the nutrients. Cancer cachexia is not the same as starvation. Good eating habits during cancer care help the patient cope with the effects of the cancer and its treatment.

Nutrition therapy can help cancer patients get the nutrients needed to maintain body weight and strength, prevent body tissue from breaking down, rebuild tissue and fight infection.

Eating guidelines for cancer patients can be very different from the usual suggestions for healthful eating.

Nutrition recommendations for cancer patients are designed to help the patient cope with the effects of the cancer and its treatment. Some cancer treatments are more effective if the patient is well nourished and getting enough calories and protein in the diet. People who eat well during cancer treatment may even be able to handle higher doses of certain treatments. Being well-nourished has been linked to a better chance of recovery.
Nutritional requirements
Adequate nutrition is essential to meet the increased metabolic demands of the disease and prevent catabolism as much as possible and to alleviate the symptoms resulting from the disease and its treatment.

Energy: To prevent excessive weight loss and to meet the metabolic requirements, energy giving foods should be included in the diet.

Protein: Additional protein is required to provide Essential amino acids that are necessary for tissue regeneration, healing and rehabilitation.

Vitamins and minerals: Optimal intake of foods rich in vitamins, antioxidants, phytochemicals, phytoestrogens, immunomodulators and minerals is necessary as these nutrients help in fighting cancer and contain many phytonutrients that helps in cancer treatment.
Good nutrition continues to be important for patients who are in remission or whose cancer has been cured.

 

 

Health benefits of Papaya & Seeds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health benefits of Papaya & Seeds

Papaya is rich in Vitamin A and in potassium.

The seeds and leaves of the fruit help in curing intestinal worms in the body.

The enzyme papain in the fruit acts as a digestive enzyme and helps in natural digestion process therefore relieving you from constipation problems.

Papaya’s skin acts as a good catalyst for treating skin wounds and places which do not heal quickly.

The fruit is also low in calories. Papaya also helps in preventing dandruff and is good for the scalp. It is always best to use papaya shampoo.

Raw papaya also helps in reducing menstrual irregularities for Women. Papaya helps to ease the condition by promoting natural flow of menstruation

Benefit of Papaya Seeds:

Seeds are edible and they can be eaten

Kidney Protection
Papaya Seeds extract can protect the kidney from toxin-induced kidney failure.

Eliminates Intestinal Parasites
Papaya Seeds can also eliminate Intestinal Parasites and thee are also evidences for this.

Liver Detoxifier
Papaya seeds are often recommended by natural doctors in the treatment of cirrhosis of the liver.

Gynecomastia (enlarged breasts in men) Must see post.

Gynecomastia (enlarged breasts in men)

Gynecomastia is swelling of the breast tissue in boys or men, caused by an imbalance of the hormones estrogen and testosterone. Gynecomastia can affect one or both breasts, sometimes unevenly. Newborns, boys going through puberty and older men may develop gynecomastia as a result of normal changes in hormone levels, though other causes also exist.

Generally, gynecomastia isn’t a serious problem, but it can be tough to cope with. Men and boys with gynecomastia sometimes have pain in their breasts and may feel embarrassed.

Gynecomastia may go away on its own. If it persists, medication or surgery may help.

Causes

Gynecomastia is triggered by a decrease in the amount of the hormone testosterone compared with estrogen. The cause of this decrease can be conditions that block the effects of or reduce testosterone or a condition that increases your estrogen level. Several things can upset the hormone balance, including the following.

Natural hormone changes
The hormones testosterone and estrogen control the development and maintenance of sex characteristics in both men and women. Testosterone controls male traits, such as muscle mass and body hair. Estrogen controls female traits, including the growth of breasts.

Most people think of estrogen as an exclusively female hormone, but men also produce it — though normally in small quantities. But male estrogen levels that are too high or are out of balance with testosterone levels can cause gynecomastia.

Gynecomastia in infants. More than half of male infants are born with enlarged breasts due to the effects of their mother’s estrogen. Generally, the swollen breast tissue goes away within two to three weeks after birth.
Gynecomastia during puberty. Gynecomastia caused by hormone changes during puberty is relatively common. In most cases, the swollen breast tissue will go away without treatment within six months to two years.
Gynecomastia in men. The prevalence of gynecomastia peaks again between the ages of 50 and 80. At least one in four men are affected during this time.
Medications
A number of medications can cause gynecomastia. These include:

Anti-androgens used to treat prostate enlargement or cancer and some other conditions. Examples include flutamide, finasteride (Proscar) and spironolactone (Aldactone).
Anabolic steroids and androgens.
AIDS medications. Gynecomastia can develop in HIV-positive men who are receiving a treatment regimen called highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Efavirenz (Sustiva) is more commonly associated with gynecomastia than are other HIV medications.
Anti-anxiety medications, such as diazepam (Valium).
Tricyclic antidepressants.
Antibiotics.
Ulcer medications, such as cimetidine.
Cancer treatment (chemotherapy).
Heart medications, such as digoxin (Lanoxin) and calcium channel blockers.
Street drugs and alcohol
Substances that can cause gynecomastia include:

Alcohol
Amphetamines
Marijuana
Heroin
Methadone
Health conditions
Several health conditions can cause gynecomastia by affecting the normal balance of hormones. These include:

Hypogonadism. Any of the conditions that interfere with normal testosterone production, such as Klinefelter syndrome or pituitary insufficiency, can be associated with gynecomastia.
Aging. Hormone changes that occur with normal aging can cause gynecomastia, especially in men who are overweight.
Tumors. Some tumors, such as those involving the testes, adrenal glands or pituitary gland, can produce hormones that alter the male-female hormone balance.
Hyperthyroidism. In this condition, the thyroid gland produces too much of the hormone thyroxine.
Kidney failure. About half the people being treated with regular hemodialysis experience gynecomastia due to hormonal changes.
Liver failure and cirrhosis. Hormonal fluctuations related to liver problems as well as medications taken for cirrhosis are associated with gynecomastia.
Malnutrition and starvation. When your body is deprived of adequate nutrition, testosterone levels drop, but estrogen levels remain constant, causing a hormonal imbalance. Gynecomastia can also occur once normal nutrition resumes.
Herbal products

Plant oils, such as tea tree or lavender, used in shampoos, soaps or lotions have been associated with gynecomastia. This is probably due to their weak estrogenic activity.