Sunday, 19 May 2013

Foods That Fight Cancer

Do you have a history of cancer running in your family or are you yourself fighting the disease? A large percentage of cancer-related deaths are linked to your lifestyle choices. A healthy lifestyle, proper diet, regular exercise can decrease the risk of cancer. There are also plenty of foods that can help you in fighting cancer. Having a healthy diet is the easiest way to fight cancer as proper nourishment is the best cure to fight
any illness. As you know, smoking and drinking are a big cause of certain types of cancer but your food habits also makes a big difference. What you eat and what not makes a major difference in your fight against cancer. By changing your eating habits and including certain foods in your diet, you can minimize the risk of cancer. There are certain healthy foods such as broccoli, cabbage and grapefruits that helps one deter cancer. Here are some foods that play a vital role in fighting cancer:

Broccoli
Broccoli Eat broccoli and stay away from breast cancer. Broccoli has a chemical component termed as indole 3-carbinol that helps prevent breast cancer among women, and certain types of cancer such as colon and rectal cancer.

Beans
Beans are very easy to add into your diet, and they are some of the best cancer fighters out there. One of the compounds in beans, protease, helps to inhibit or slow the division of cancer cells, while the phytic acid in beans helps to limit the growth of tumors.

Tomatoes
The most powerful antioxidant in tomatoes is lycopene, the same compound that gives tomatoes their red color. Lycopene tends to concentrate in the prostate, helping to battle cancer that may form there.

Grapes
Red and purple grapes, more so than green grapes, have a high concentration of resveratrol. This phytonutrient has been known to stop the growth of cancer cells and tumors in the breast, stomach and lymph nodes.

Garlic
Garlic is easily added to most meals, making it a convenient way to get a healthy dose of antioxidants. Those found in garlic have been known to inhibit the growth of tumors specifically in the stomach, colon, lung, breast and esophagus.

Flaxseed
Flaxseed is high in fiber and also in lignans, which have cancer-fighting abilities. Lignans help protect against skin, colon and breast cancers in particular.

Thursday, 2 May 2013

Bruxism: Stop Grinding Your Teeth

When you look in on your sleeping child, you want to hear the sounds of sweet dreams: easy breathing and perhaps an occasional sigh. But some parents hear the harsher sounds of gnashing and grinding teeth, called bruxism, which is common in kids.

About Bruxism:
Bruxism is the medical term for the grinding of teeth or the clenching of jaws. Bruxism often occurs during deep sleep or while under stress. Two to three out of every 10 kids will grind or clench, experts say, but most outgrow it.

Causes of Bruxism:
Though studies have been done, no one knows why bruxism happens. But in some cases, kids may grind because the top and bottom teeth aren't aligned properly. Others do it as a response to pain, such as an earache or teething. Kids might grind their teeth as a way to ease the pain, just as they might rub a sore muscle. Many kids outgrow these fairly common causes for grinding.

Stress — usually nervous tension or anger — is another cause. For instance, a child might worry about a test at school or a change in routine (a new sibling or a new teacher). Even arguing with parents and siblings can cause enough stress to prompt teeth grinding or jaw clenching.

Some kids who are hyperactive also experience bruxism. And sometimes kids with other medical conditions (such as cerebral palsy) or on certain medications can develop bruxism.

Effects of Bruxism:
Many cases of bruxism go undetected with no adverse effects, while others cause headaches or earaches. Usually, though, it's more bothersome to other family members because of the grinding sound.

In some circumstances, nighttime grinding and clenching can wear down tooth enamel, chip teeth, increase temperature sensitivity, and cause severe facial pain and jaw problems, such as temporomandibular joint disease (TMJ). Most kids who grind, however, do not have TMJ problems unless their grinding and clenching is chronic.

Treating Bruxism
Most kids outgrow bruxism, but a combination of parental observation and dental visits can help keep the problem in check until they do.

In cases where the grinding and clenching make a child's face and jaw sore or damage the teeth, dentists may prescribe a special night guard. Molded to a child's teeth, the night guard is similar to the protective mouthpieces worn by football players. Though a mouthpiece may take some getting used to, positive results happen quickly.

Wednesday, 1 May 2013

Digestive Problems During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, women often eat whatever they feel like. Yet their digestive organs aren’t always up for it. Here is an overview of some of the common digestion problems for pregnant women.

Digestive problems are quite common in pregnancy, can to some extent be alleviated. Read our advice to avoid, relieve or eliminate them.

Nausea and vomiting:
Nausea and vomiting are common ailments in the first trimester of many pregnancies. You’ll need to eat smaller food portions throughout the day, every two hours or so. However, you should avoid falling into the habit of nibbling and eating ton many sweets, as doing so could soon result in dietary imbalance.

Cravings or disgust:
In pregnancy, intense cravings often go hand in hand with total disgust for certain foods. You can give in to the most coveted foods while keeping away from those that make you sick, on the condition that you maintain dietary balance and avoid deficiencies.

Heartburn:
  • Heartburn is a digestive problem commonly faced by pregnant women. The following tips will help you avoid it:
  • Never have an empty stomach: you can for instance eat smaller portions more regularly;
  • Stay away from acid foods;
  • Avoid vegetable fibres such as those in leeks, asparagus, dry vegetables and fruits;
  • Avoid coffee, tea, pepper, mustard and spices.
Sluggish intestinal transit
  • Constipation is a frequent problem in pregnant women. Here is some advice on how to avoid it:
  • Consume large amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables, applesauce and prunes;
  • Eat mildly laxative foods for breakfast (puffed wheat, orange juice);
  • Drink lots of water.