Stress and aggressive breast cancer go together, study finds

By Karen Kaplan, Los Angeles Times/For the Booster Shots blog

September 19, 2011, 1:47 p.m.

Could stress play a role in the development of breast cancer?

Researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicagowondered about this. After all, the components of what experts call “psychosocial stress” – including fear, anxietyand isolation – could take a toll on the autonomic nervous system, which helps regulate heart rate, respiration and other important bodily functions.

So they found 989 women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer in the previous three months and asked them a lot of questions to assess their level of stress. It turned out that there was an association between stress and the disease – the women who scored highest for stress were more likely to have a more aggressive form of breast cancer.

More specifically, the researchers found that stressed women were 38% more likely to have cancers that were estrogen receptor-negative. These tumors do not respond to therapies aimed at cutting off estrogen, which means that drugs likeTamoxifen, raloxifene (Evista), Arimidex and others will not help. After taking into account things like the women’s age and the stage of their cancer when it was diagnosed, the women who were more stressed were still 22% more likely to have cancers that were estrogen receptor-negative.

Kids who drink raw milk have less asthma, allergies

By Frederik Joelving

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Children who drink raw milk are less likely to develop asthma and allergies than those who stick to the safer pasteurized version, according to a large European study.

Although the study isn't ironclad proof that the effects can be chalked up to raw milk itself, researchers believe certain milk proteins that are destroyed by heat could be helpful to children's developing immune systems.

They warn, however, that parents shouldn't start giving their kids raw milk.

"The consumption of raw milk is a double-edged sword," Georg Loss, a researcher with the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute in Basel who worked on the study, told Reuters Health by email.

"On the one side it is protective for the development of asthma and allergies but on the other side it may imply serious health risks due to harmful microorganisms."

Raw milk proponents claim the drink has several health benefits -- among them reducing asthma symptoms -- that aren't found in the pasteurized milk sold in most grocery stores.

Do Drugs for Diabetes Actually Cause Pancreatic Cancer?

SEPTEMBER 21, 2011 | BY ALARIC DEARMENT

LOS ANGELES — Researchers at the University of California Los Angeles said they have found a possible link between two newer drugs for Type 2 diabetes and cancers of the pancreas and thyroid, according to a new study published in the journalGastroenterology.

The researchers, at UCLA's Larry L. Hillblom Islet Research Center, examined incidents reported in the Food and Drug Administration's adverse event database between 2004 and 2009 among patients using Byetta (exenatide), made by Eli Lilly and Amylin Pharmaceuticals, and Merck's Januvia (sitagliptin).

"We undertook these studies because several studies in animal models by several investigators had suggested that this form of therapy may have unintended actions to promote growth of the ducts in the pancreatic gland that convey digestive juices from the pancreas to the gut," study co-author and Hillblom Center director Peter Butler said. "This is a concern if it happens in humans since it might be expected to increase the risk for pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. While the FDA database has limitations, it does have advantages in being very large, openly accessible and independent from companies that market the drugs."

5 Foods That Can Trigger a Stroke

By Melanie Haiken, Caring.com

Tue, Sep 06, 2011

Few things feel more terrifying and random than a stroke, which can strike without warning. And fear of stroke -- when a blood vessel in or leading to the brain bursts or is blocked by a blood clot, starving brain cells of oxygen and nutrients -- is well founded. After all, stroke is the number-three killer in the U.S., affecting more than 700,000 people each year. Here are five foods that cause the damage that leads to stroke.

1. Crackers, chips, and store-bought pastries and baked goods

Muffins, doughnuts, chips, crackers, and many other baked goods are high in trans fats, which are hydrogenated oils popular with commercial bakeries because they stay solid at room temperature, so the products don't require refrigeration. Also listed on labels as "partially hydrogenated" or hydrogenated oils, trans fats are found in all kinds of snack foods, frozen foods, and baked goods, including salad dressings, microwave popcorn, stuffing mixes, frozen tater tots and French fries, cake mixes, and whipped toppings. They're also what makes margarine stay in a solid cube. The worst offenders are fried fast foods such as onion rings, French fries, and fried chicken.

Why it's bad

For years scientists have known trans fats are dangerous artery-blockers, upping the concentrations of lipids and bad cholesterol in the blood and loweringgood cholesterol. Now we can add stroke to the list of dangers. This year researchers at the University of North Carolina found that women who ate 7 grams of trans fat each day -- about the amount in two doughnuts or half a serving of French fries -- had 30 percent more strokes (the ischemic type, caused by blocked blood flow to the brain) than women who ate just 1 gram a day. Another recent study, also in women, found that trans fats promoted inflammation and higher levels of C-reactive protein, which have been linked to an increased risk ofdiabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

The key to successful scoliosis treatment management lies with avoiding status quo thinking and gaining a current understanding of what scoliosis statistical analysis using genetic predisposition is all about and those environmental factors that are most influential on the progressive nature of the scoliosis condition. Following medical doctors orders when it comes to scoliosis treatment recommendations will most often lead to frustration, anxiety, and poor outcomes.

Ginger Treats Cancer, Brain & Gut Inflammation, Radiation, and Staph Infections

Not only is ginger a culinary marvel, its health benefits are stunning. It has been shown to be more effective against staph infections than antibiotics—and without the adverse effects.

by Heidi Stevenson
9 September 2011

Ginger's culinary qualities are a delight, but its health benefits are simply stunning. It has been shown to be more effective against bacterial staph infections than antibiotics. It can kill cancer cells. Its anti-inflammatory effects are already famous. It can resolve brain inflammations, and ease or cure a variety of gut problems, such as ulcerative colitis and acid reflux. And ginger can even alleviate the effects of gamma radiation. What's not to love about this incredible herb?

Standard in many kitchens and cuisines, ginger is the seasoning that gives life to a host of dishes. It's been used medicinally for more than 2,000 years. Though best known for its gastrointestinal soothing effects, that's just the beginning of its uses. The plant parts used for both culinary and medicinal purposes are the rhizomes, the root-like stems that grow underground. The primary plant used medicinally is Zingiber officinale.

Why vegetarianism will not save the world

A controversial interview with author and ex-vegan Lierre Keith on how a vegetarian diet is not the answer to save our ailing planet.

ON THE ONE HAND, a locally grown steak, from a cow raised on grass and without hormones. On the other hand, a highly-processed soy burger that was grown somewhere far away, with many ingredients I cannot pronounce.

Up until a few weeks ago, the choice would have been easy. As a vegetarian, the soy burger is the ‘moral’ choice – relying on the least amount of animal suffering, the least amount of carbon/water use, and the best way for me to sleep at night.

After reading Lierre Keith’s stunning and personal book “The Vegetarian Myth” now I’m not so sure.

Supplementary Calcium, but not Dietary Calcium, Associated with an Increased Risk of Kidney Stones

By Dr. Mercola | September 07 2011

Conventional medical strategies for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis frequently include calcium supplementation. But this has been undermined by studies which show disappointing effects on fracture prevention.  Nonetheless, its use has continued to be encouraged on the grounds that it is physiologically appealing, and is unlikely to cause harm.

However, the assumption that it has no ill effects is now in question.  There is accumulating evidence that calcium supplement use is associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction, and possibly stroke. The latest data shows that the number of cardiovascular events caused is likely to be greater than the number of fractures prevented.

According to a study in the journal Maturitas:

“These findings indicate that calcium supplementation probably does not have a role as a routine preventative agent and that dietary advice is the appropriate way to attain an adequate calcium intake in most situations. Patients at high risk of fracture need to take interventions of proven anti-fracture efficacy. Available evidence suggests that this efficacy is not dependent on the co-administration of calcium supplements.”

Legacy of failure - History of Scoliosis Treatment

History of the scoliosis management is as old treatment of the idiopathic scoliosis itself. First known scoliosis treatment come from Greeks in 400BC and Galen who coined the word “scoliosis” between 131 to 201AD. From ages the scoliosis treatment has gone through its share of originality and viciousness. During the mid evil times this treatment used gravity and extension of scoliosis spine for treating the curvature. Other methods consisted of forcing rotation from the scoliosis spine, and historical record also shows attempts to set straight your scoliosis spine through use of this rack.

Scoliosis is not the disease or diagnosis; rather it is the term that is used to describe the abnormal curvature of spine. This condition is caused by many factors congenital, degenerative or developmental problems- though majority of the cases don’t have any apparent cause and are termed as "idiopathic" scoliosis.

Brace Treatment - Does it work?

Brace treatment for the Idiopathic Scoliosis has got NO effect on natural course of the Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis. Creators of Scoliscore genetic exam plot the results of the brace treatment for scoliosis against the predicted hereditary course of condition.

This condition generally develops in upper back, however can be found in the low back or mid-back. The spine curvature is side to side, and is present as the double S shaped curve or single C shaped curve.

Growing kids are often treated with the back brace, but because of the skeletal maturity, adult treatments are more complicated.  Most commonly used scoliosis treatments include clear institute, schroth method, chiropractic care, bowen, yoga/pilates, medication, modality physical therapy, exercise therapy, and injections. But some of these treatments for Scoliosis are said ineffective. Around 68 patients get at least one of these treatments while fifty five patients got no treatment. The surveys demonstrated not any significant advantage based on the change in HRQOL procedures over the 2 year of period.

Conclusion

For all reader who are still not convinced I highly recommend they read this research for more information: http://drkevinlau.blogspot.com/2010/01/weak-evidence-of-benefit-for-scoliosis.html

Exercises to Avoid When You Have Scoliosis

By Dr Kevin Lau

One common misconception for the people with the back conditions like scoliosis is they must avoid any kind of physical activity. In reality, some exercises will help to relieve this pain linked with the condition and that is characterized by abnormal and sideways curve in spine. Scoliosis patients must avoid some movements, which will worsen their condition and pain.

The high impact exercise needs both your feet to get lifted off the ground at the same time. Some examples will include jumping, running, and jump rope. The high impact activities or exercises do strengthen your bones and develop more power, endurance, agility as well as coordination than the low impact conduct, but keep these for later program once your curve has improved below twenty degrees, and when you have fallen in the routine with your exercise program.

When doing these exercises mentioned, if any deformity gets visually worse, then these exercises must be avoided immediately. Avoid any type of he back bending exercises like "Prone Cobra" position done in yoga. These might cause severe stress on your spine and might worsen your problem.

Some Exercises to Look at: