The ABC's of vitamins

Filed under: All Cancers, Vitamins and nutrients

As a breast cancer survivor, being done with treatments, I wanted to start taking vitamins, eat better and try and protect my body from other kinds of cancer. I found out that taking vitamin supplements was not a good idea when going through chemotherapy as it can react with the drugs and potentially interrupt their action.

After treatments were over I asked my oncologist if I should take this or that supplement that I read about for cancer. He explained to me that there was no scientific proof that taking all these vitamins would protect me. He did suggest a daily vitamin and that would be all I needed.

At this time I'm actually taking Flintstones Chewable tablets! At 36 years old this might sound odd but all you have to do is read the back of the label and see so many important vitamins listed. Its not just for kids, and I do enjoy the fun shapes -- who am I going to get today --Wilma, Fred? exciting stuff.

Seriously though, I have been reading a lot lately about how supplements are not doing the trick and the only way to really get these important nutrients and vitamins is to eat the real thing.

So here are some vitamins we are familiar with, what they do and how you can get the good sources and high levels in the food we find at the supermarket:

• Vitamin A -- prevents eye problems, promotes a healthy immune system, is essential for the growth and development of cells, and keeps skin healthy. Good sources of vitamin A are milk, eggs, liver, fortified cereals, darkly colored orange or green veggies such as carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin and kale. Orange fruits such as cantaloupe, apricots, peaches, papayas, and mangos.
• Vitamin C -- needed to form collagen, a tissue that helps to hold cells together. Its essential for healthy bones, teeth, gums and blood vessels. It helps the body absorb iron and calcium, aid in would healing, and contributes to brain function. You'll find high levels of vitamin C in red berries, kiwi, red and green bell peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, spinach, and juices made from guava, grapefruit and orange.
• Vitamin D -- strengthens bones because it helps the body absorb bone-building calcium. This vitamin is unique, your body manufactures it when you get sunlight on your skin. You can also get vitamin D from egg yolks, fish oils, and fortified foods like milk.
• Vitamin E -- an antioxidant and helps protect cells from damage. It is also important for the health of red blood cells. Vitamin E is found in many foods, such as vegetable oils, nuts and green leafy vegetables. Avocados, wheat germ and whole grains are also good sources.
• Vitamin B12 -- Helps to make red blood cells, and is important for nerve cell function. It is naturally found in fish, red meat, poultry, milk, cheese and eggs. Its also added to some breakfast cereals.
• Vitamin B6 -- Important for normal brain function. Its also helps the body break down proteins and make red blood cells. A wide variety of foods contain vitamin B6, including potatoes, bananas, beans, seeds, nuts, red meat, poultry, fish, eggs, spinach, and fortified cereals.

I'm going to fill my day with as much greens, veggies and fruits, knowing that the vitamins and nutrients are coming from the real source. I will still take my Flintstones too, in case I miss any important vitamins since the jury is still out on how helpful supplements really are.

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http://www.thecancerblog.com/2007/03/21/the-abcs-of-vitamins/

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Nibbles: Fatty diet increases risk of breast
cancer

High-fat diet leads to more breast cancer in post-menapausal women; high BMI decreases suicide rate in men; health clubs serve up healthier snacks; the Berenstain Bears aren't good nutrition role models; and driving while dieting gets man pulled over.

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http://calorielab.com/news/2007/03/21/nibbles-fatty-diet-increases-risk-of-breast
-cancer/

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Holistic Moms Network

When I went to the Kidpower planning meeting in December, I met a friend who is like-minded. Sadly, I found out she is moving away before we have the chance to get to know each other better, however, she was able to provide me with a jewel before she left. She introduced me [...]

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http://harshrealities.info/nutrition/?p=638

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Where Do You Shop

Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Lifestyle, Drugs, Research, Products

Scarborough Research, the leading local market research firm for identifying consumer and retail behaviors in the United States, took the liberty of compiling a list of the top local markets selling diabetic medications in the last 12 months. A dubious distinction it may be, these locations burn like a flame for the moths of diabetes product resellers.

Knoxville, TN, Memphis, TN, and Columbus, OH round out the top 3 local markets for diabetes medication purchasers. The Scarborough analysis also finds that Walgreens is the number one national drug store brand among diabetes medication purchasers. More than 3.1 million, or 18%, of these consumers purchased prescription drugs at Walgreens during the past year. CVS (17%), Wal-Mart (16%), Rite Aid (8%), and Eckerd Drug (4%) complete the top national drug store brands among diabetes medication purchasers.

In Charleston, Wal-Mart is the top store among diabetes medication purchasers, as over one-quarter (27%) of these consumers purchased prescription drugs there during the past year. Rite-Aid (20%), CVS (14%), Fruth Pharmacy (8%), and Kroger (5%) are other leading stores among diabetes medication purchasers.

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http://www.thediabetesblog.com/2007/03/21/where-do-you-shop/

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Prostate cancer survivor debuts film about his
disease

Filed under: Prostate Cancer, Daily news, Movies, Cancer Survivors

One man. One cancer diagnosis. One feature-length film. About how 17,000 men gain membership every month in a group this one man calls, The Men's Club.

The man is Rocky Galgano. He is 58 years old. He is a retired police officer. And he happens to be a member of the very club he features in his film -- a club full of men living with prostate cancer.

Galgano created his documentary as a companion to all the densely-written books and resources he found filled to the brim with medical jargon about a disease that will strike 218,890 and kill 27,050 men this year alone.

Men are reluctant to talk about prostate cancer or get tested for the disease, says Galgano. And yet this form of cancer can be cured if caught early. So Galgano stepped to the plate and started talking. He talks about his personal experience, and he talks about different types of treatment. He has nine different doctors talk. He has cancer survivors talk. And he says he wants as many people as possible to see this film.

Galgano is working on distribution and says he's close to a deal with Amazon.com. He also plans to market the not-yet-rated film to urologists across the country, and he will soon sell his masterpiece -- a trailer can be seen here -- on his website for $19.95.

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t-his-disease/

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Meridia Lawyer: Meridia Diet Pill Side Effects

Scarsdale Low-Carb Diet. This is the last diet you’ll ever need. 100% Guaranteed. CB Only.Following the recall of Fen-Phen and Redux in 1999 (two diet drugs that cause heart valve diseases) Meridia was released. Meridia is a diet drug similar to the ones that were recalled. Like the recalled drugs, it releases serotonin [...]

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http://www.howdoidiet.com/diet/meridia_lawyer_meridia_diet_pill_side_effects.html

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Son of Denver Nuggets coach battles cancer

Filed under: Thyroid Cancer, Daily news, Sports, Surgery

Boise State basketball player Coby Karl, son of Denver Nuggets coach George Karl, had surgery 13 months ago to remove his thyroid after he was diagnosed with papillary carcinoma, a form of treatable cancer. And while Karl received chemotherapy to kill off any lingering cancer cells, he must undergo cancer surgery once again.

Karl, who plans to play in the NABC All-Star game in Atlanta on March 31, will return to Boise on April 2 for surgery to remove cancerous lymph nodes.

The lymph node cancer was identified in January, but Karl, 23, kept his condition private until his team lost to New Mexico State in the Western Athletic Conference tournament semifinals. This ended the Broncos' season. And now begins Karl's second go-round with cancer.

You may remember Karl as one of last year's NBA draft hopefuls. He worked out for three teams, including his dad's team, but eventually withdrew his name from the draft and returned to Boise State for his senior year.

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r/

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Beware of food fads

Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Diet, Lifestyle, Exercise, Daily News

Each year the American Diabetic Association sponsors an informational campaign to promote healthy eating by providing practical nutrition guidance that focuses on the importance of developing sound eating and exercise habits. The theme for this year is 100 percent "Fad Free." The campaign features learning how to identify a food fad which is a food or diet fad that claims unreasonable or exaggerated benefits. If a diet or product advertises eating only specific foods, nutrient supplements or combinations of foods that may cure disease or offer quick weight loss, it is a fad. Diet fads come and go.

A balanced diet and physical activity are essential to a healthy lifestyle over the long term of your life. Develop an eating plan for the lifelong health. Choose foods sensibly by looking at the big picture because a single food or meal will not make or break a healthy diet. Find your balance between food and physical activity. Exercise does not have to be strenuous to be beneficial.

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Cardio Can Make You Smarter

This week?s issue of Newsweek has a cover story about exercise and the brain. Scientists now believe that cardiovascular exercise can make people smarter. The evolving theory is that cardio helps create a chemical in the brain that improves memory and intelligence. The full story is accessible on Newsweek?s web site.

I?m a subscriber to Newsweek and was immediately interested once I saw the Pilates ball on the cover last night. (Though that didn?t stop me from immediately reading Perspectives first ? Newsweek readers will understand why.) The article builds on what has been an evolving amount of research on the impact of exercise and the brain.

We know that exercise has beneficial impacts for those who suffer from depression. During my high school years, I recall being told that if I go out for a run after studying, I?ll remember more. Therefore, this not a ?new? theory, but rather reflects advances in medical technology that allow scientists to find information to support what many have thought for a long time.

The really exciting news is that we remain far from really understanding just how beneficial exercise is to the brain. We know that meditation can rewire the brain and we know that staying active can prolong life and mental awareness. However, the brain remains mostly a mystery and the benefits of exercise may be even greater than anybody is thinking right now.

-Charles
Publisher, NetSweat.com
copyright NetSweat.com - The Internet's Fitness Resource

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http://www.netsweat.com/Fitness/2007/03/cardio-can-make-you-smarter.html

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