Health and Diet Blog

Michele Payne-Salomon asked:




The Hepatitis-Cirrhosis Connection

According to the American Liver Foundation, more than 25 million Americans are afflicted with liver and gallbladder disease and more than 43,000 die of liver disease each year. While several factors contribute to liver damage, viral hepatitis is the single most important cause of liver disease in the United States and worldwide. Roughly 200 million people worldwide are infected with the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). 4.9 million of those are in the United States (estimates go as high as 15 million) and 5 million in Western Europe. For every one person infected with the AIDS virus, there are more than four infected with Hepatitis C. There are up to 230,000 new hepatitis C infections in the U.S. every year. Currently, 8,000 to 10,000 deaths each year are a result of HCV. Within the next 10-20 years, chronic hepatitis C is predicted to become a major burden on the health care system as patients with no symptoms progress to end-stage liver disease and develop hepatocellular carcinoma. Predictions in the USA suggest that there will be a 60% increase in the incidence of cirrhosis, a 68% increase in hepatoma incidence, a 528% increase in the need for transplantation, and a 223% increase in liver death rate.

The roles of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in causing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are well documented. The frequency of HCC correlates with chronic HBV infection rates. HCC is a cancer arising from the liver. It is also known as primary liver cancer or hepatoma. HCC is the fifth most common cancer in the world and the majority of patients with HCC will die within one year because of the cancer. The majority of primary liver cancers (over 90 to 95 %) arises from liver cells and is called hepatocellular cancer or carcinoma. In 1990, the World Health Organization estimated that there were about 430,000 new cases of HCC worldwide, and a similar number of patients died resulting from this disease. Moreover, recent data show that the frequency of HCC in the U.S. overall is rising. Is there a way to curb this rise?

A Healthy Liver is Essential!

While there is no cure for hepatitis and no completely effective treatment, the threats resulting from HCC, cirrhosis, and various hepatitis strands may best be combated by supporting the liver with natural supplements.

Extreme Health’s Liver Support Formula

This extremely effective combination of ingredients has Double Blind Studies verifying decreases in degenerative liver damage in patients with chronic liver disease (cirrhosis of the liver) in as few as 30 to 90 days. This combination has proven studies for detoxifying the liver, normalizing liver metabolism and preventing further liver damage due to internal and external toxins like alcohol, cigarettes, long term pharmaceutical use, and environmental poisons

The artichoke bud / sarsaparilla extract utilized in Extreme Health’s Liver Support Formula is an entirely unique complex of phytochemicals extracted from the bud of a hybrid artichoke plant (Cynara floridanum) and the root of the sarsaparilla plant (Smilax officinalis) which can be found at www.extremehealthusa.com or by calling 1-800-800-1285. Proprietary extraction process uses a method in which all plant materials are first combined, macerated, and put into a distilled water / ethanol solvent. This allows the plant materials to interact within the solvent resulting in an exceptional, health-providing formulation of polyphenols and flavonoids.

The artichoke has a long folk history in treating many liver diseases. Recent evidence supports this longtime use. The active ingredient in artichoke is cynarin. This compound is found in highest concentrations in the leaves. Cynara extract has demonstrated liver-protecting and regenerating effects, and promotes the outflow of bile from the liver to the gallbladder. This is very important because if the bile is not being transported adequately to the gallbladder, the liver has an increased risk of being damaged.

Again, there is no cure or completely effective treatment for hepatitis, however the risk of hepatitis-related cirrhosis should not be ignored. Extreme Health is proud to offer perhaps the only liver support protocol with Double Blind Studies verifying its ability to decrease cirrhosis-related liver damage.

The Liver’s Functions Include

An expanding corpus of scientific studies verifies the healthy liver’s prophylactic role in maintaining optimal health. This is precisely due to the liver’s role in regulation, synthesis, and secretion of substances key to maintaining a healthy body. The liver’s functions include, but are not limited to the following:

1) Converts nutrients into energy

2) Helps resist infection

3) Metabolizes proteins

4) Helps regulate blood-sugar levels

5) Filtering and removing toxins ts

6) Removing drugs in our system 12) Manufacturing new body proteins

7) Manufacturing and storage of bile

Removing bacteria from our system

9) Regulating fat storage

10) Manufacturing protein and nutrients

11) Storing iron and essential nutrien

We easily comprehend why the liver is considered the body’s refinery. Accordingly, an overburdened, toxic, or otherwise diseased liver necessarily comprises centrifugal detoxification organs such as the kidneys and gallbladder and can result in extreme pain and even death within 12 to 24 hours! Reciprocally, various diseases and viruses actually engender liver damage; the most dangerous of which is potentially hepatitis.

Complications

- 25,000 Americans die of cirrhosis, the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S.

- 85% of individuals infected with HCV will develop long-term infection.

- 75% of individuals may develop chronic liver disease.

- 15% of individuals may develop cirrhosis over a long period of time.

Fatty Liver (Steatosis) Steato Hepatitis / Cirrhosis

Fatty liver or steatosis is a common condition where fat has accumulated within liver cells (hepatocytes) without causing any specific symptoms.

Recent studies demonstrate that a fatty liver of either alcoholic or non-alcoholic origin can lead to inflammation, cell death, and fibrosis (steatohepatitis), and eventually even cirrhosis.

To receive a complete copy of the double blind studies, please visit ExtremeHealthUSA.Com , or call to order 1-800-800-1285

Paul Courtney asked:




A Guide To Natural Colon Cleansing

Colon cancer is the most prevalent cancer found in both men and women, and each year is increasing in number of diagnosed cases through out the world.

Modern medicine recognizes that our diets are having a lot to do with the health of our colons, especially when you take into count the fact that most of us eat large quantities of processed foods containing chemical preservatives, artificial coloring, along with the residue from fertilizers and pesticides used in the production of many of the ingrediance that go into these processed products.

Little wonder then that our digestive system is suffering in particular the colon where waste product is accumulated prior to excretion.

Colon cleansing is a natural health method for ensuring that the colon is flushed of all the toxic waste that accumulates on the walls of the colon thus discouraging colon cancer and a variety of other ailments. The colon is a main part of your digestive system and owing to the nature of the work it performs is prone to disease if not allowed to perform properly to to the build of plaque on the walls and therefore an ailing colon affects the rest of your body as well.

You should recognize that colon cleansing is a vital aspect to your health in general, and this means cleaning your colon on a regular basis. As with most medications there are the more conventional synthetic colon cleansing formulas that you can use which include chemicals, but then there are also natural colon cleansing treatments available that do the same job naturally.

Important Information

We will use the analogy of a car’s engine, the service man can clean out the engine of old dirty oils and fuels so that it is like new but if you the driver use dirty fuel and neglect to change your oil regularly the engine will stop performing as it should.

The same thing applies with colon cleansing. Natural colon cleansing processes include not only using natural colon cleansing supplements but will require you to include a specific colon cleansing diet. Naturally you can get rid of all the toxins presently in your body, but if you go back to your unhealthy lifestyle after the cleanse then you are just going to be reverting to your old ways and with harmful toxins once again. Good health is an ongoing process and This is why it is so important that you follow a strict diet, one that includes lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grain breads and cereals.

Natural colon cleansing formulas include a variety of herbs. Dietary fiber for one is widely accepted as being a great natural colon cleanser. Fiber is known to help to reduce the body’s blood cholesterol, thereby reducing heart disease and related ailments. Psyllium is one type of fiber that is particularly useful, and it is a natural, water-soluble, gel-reducing fiber that is extracted from the husks of blond psyllium seeds.

Of course you can consult with herbalists and concoct your own colon cleanse formula however, if you would rather take the easier route then you can just head to your local health foods store and find natural colon cleansing formulas already available for use. It is recommended that you make sure to check the list of ingredients before purchasing any so you can be sure of what is included is completely natural and safe.

Ask yourself what is the common denominator causing the increase in colon diseases and I am sure you too will realize that our diets are mostly to blame. Colon cleansing has never been more important than it is today. Toxins accumulate in the body incredibly fast posing a risk to your health. If you want to prevent disease and more importantly feel healthy and happy, regular natural colon cleansing is a must.

natisha asked:


Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder characterized with the most common symptoms including abdominal cramping or pain or discomfort, bloating, gas, diarrhoea, constipation, depression and anxiety causing a huge amount of discomfort and distress. IBS affects the colon, or large bowel, which is the part of the digestive tract that stores stool. It is one of the most common disorders diagnosed in adult population and is more common in women than in men. Irritable bowel syndrome is not a serious disease nor is it contagious, inherited, or cancerous. However, IBS often disrupts daily living activities.

IBS occurs in people due to the presence of a colon, or large intestine that is primarily sensitive and reactive to certain foods and stress. For this reason IBS is also known as spastic colon, functional bowel disease, and mucous colitis. IBS may also be due to a bacterial infection in the gastrointestinal tract. It is found that women suffering from IBS may have more symptoms during their menstrual cycle, thus indicating that reproductive hormones can worsen IBS problems.

IBS symptoms can be controlled with diet, stress management and prescribed medications. The most common suggested medications for IBS include iber supplements or laxatives for relieving constipation or medicines like Lomotil or loperamide (Imodium) to decrease diarrhea, such as Lomotil or loperamide (Imodium). In order to control colon muscle spasms and reduce abdominal pain, an antispasmodic is generally prescribed. Alosetron hydrochloride (Lotronex) is a medication used specifically to treat IBS and which has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for women with severe IBS. Stress management is an important in treating IBS as it affects the immune system. Hence it is important to follow certain stress management options such stress reduction or relaxation therapies such as meditation, regular exercise such as walking or yoga and

getting adequate sleep. It is also impotant to follow certain diet changes and avoid some foods and drinks that make IBS worse. Also, tracking your daily intake of food can help in controlling IBS symptoms.

Peter rodrick asked:


Acute diarrhea is something nearly everyone has experienced at one time or another. The loose, watery stools and abdominal cramps that characterize diarrhea usually last a couple of days. Diarrhea often means more-frequent trips to the toilet and a greater volume of stool.

Diarrhea Causes

The leading cause of acute viral diarrhea in children in the Toronto area is the rotovirus. It was found in 32% of the stool specimens from 1,365 children with acute diarrhea. Some of the children were hospitalized, others were treated as outpatients. Children 12-23 months old had the highest incidence rate (43%), followed by 24-35 month olds (38%).

Bacteria and parasites. Contaminated food or water can transmit bacteria and parasites to your body. Parasites such as Giardia lamblia and cryptosporidium can cause diarrhea. Common bacterial causes of diarrhea include campylobacter, salmonella, shigella and Escherichia coli. This type of diarrhea can be common for people traveling to developing countries.

Evaluate yourself for irritable bowel disease. IBD causes an increase in the wave-like motions in the intestines (peristalsis), so stool is pushed through your intestines before it has a chance to fully form.

Prevention: Avoiding potentially contaminated foods and beverages is the main form of prevention, though there are certain drugs (Dukoral) and new TD vaccinations coming available. Always consult a doctor to determine the best preventative measures for you.

People in developing countries suffer most from infectious forms of diarrhea. Most infections pass through a fecal-oral route. This results from environmental causes such as poor sanitation, decreased access to clean water, and a poor understanding of transmission and treatment of disease. These are conditions that arise most frequently in the developing world, though they affect both rural and urban populations. Improvements in these areas result in a dramatic reduction of cases of infectious diarrhea, as shown in studies in numerous developing nations, such as India, Gambia, and elsewhere, where poor socioeconomic status affects a large percentage of the population.

Symptoms of Diarrhea

The common illness, which may last several days, often called “intestinal flu,” is often due to one of a number of viruses that infect the bowel, making it weep fluid. The excess of fluid in the bowel leads to liquid stools. The inflammation may also be associated with cramping abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.

Patients with diarrhea present with various clinical features depending on the underlying cause. Diarrhea due to small-intestinal disease is typically high-volume, watery, and often associated with malabsorption, and dehydration is frequent. Diarrhea due to colonic involvement is more often associated with frequent small-volume stools, with the presence of blood and a sensation of urgency. Patients with acute infectious diarrhea typically present with nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, and frequent stools, which may be watery, malabsorptive, or bloody depending on the specific pathogen. In general, small-intestinal pathogens are noninvasive, and ileocolonic pathogens are more likely to be invasive.

Diarrhea Treatment

When you get diarrhea, you tend to lose electrolytes due to the massive loss of body fluids. Fluids are lost through the frequent bowel movements and vomiting, if any. Hence a diarrhea treatment is essential in helping you gain back electrolytes.

The key to treating chronic diarrhea is to determine its cause. If chronic diarrhea is caused by an infection, it may be treated with antibiotics (if it is caused by bacteria) or other medicines. Diarrhea not caused by an infection is more difficult to diagnose and treat. Long-term medication (such as steroids) or surgery may be required. For people with lactose intolerance, celiac disease, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diarrhea treatment may involve modifications to the diet.

Robert Baird asked:




Type of Drug

Proton pump inhibitors (PPls); gastric (stomach) acid secretion inhibitors.

How The Drug Works

PPls reduce gastric acid secretion significantly and for a prolonged period by blocking the final step of acid production by the stomach lining.

Uses

For short-term treatment (8 weeks or less) of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD, the reflux of stomach contents into the food pipe, which can cause heartburn), and to maintain healing and reduce relapse rates of heartburn symptoms in patients with erosive or ulcerative GERD.

Esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole: For short-term treatment (4 to 8 weeks for esomeprazole and omeprazole; 8 weeks or less for lansoprazole) or to maintain healing of inflammation and erosion of the food pipe (erosive nsophilqitis).

Esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, rabeprazole: In combination therapy with antibiotics for treatment and elimination of Helicobacter pylori infection and associated active duodenal ulcer and to reduce the risk of ulcer recurrence.

Lansoprazole: For short-term treatment (up to 12 weeks) to reduce the risk of NSAID-associated gastric ulcers.

Lansoprazole, Omeprazole: For short-term treatment (4 to 8 weeks for omeprazole; 8 weeks or less for lansoprazole) of active benign gastric ulcers; to treat and reduce the risk of gastric ulcers associated with the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (Iansoprazole only).

Lansoprazole, Omeprazole, Pantoprazole, Rabeprazole: For long-term treatment of hypersecretory (increased acid secretion) conditions (eg, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome).

Lansoprazole, Omeprazole, Rabeprazole: For short-term treatment (4 to 8 weeks for omeprazole; 4 weeks or less for lansoprazole, rabeprazole) of active duodenal ulcers; to maintain healing of duodenal ulcers (Iansoprazole only).

Other Uses: These agents may increase the effectiveness of pancreatic enzyme replacements used to treat the “fatty stools” of patients with cystic fibrosis. Omeprazole has been prescribed to treat laryngitis.

Pregnancy: There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Use only if clearly needed and the potential benefits out weigh the possible risks to the fetus.

Breastfeeding: It is not known if proton pump inhibitors are excreted in breast milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from PPI, decide whether to discontinue nursing or the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother. Consult your doctor before you begin breastfeeding.

Children: Omeprazole can be used in children 2 years of age and older.

Safety and effectiveness of other agents have not been established.

Drug Interactions

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or planning to take any over ­ the-counter or prescription medications or dietary supplements with these drugs. Drug doses may need to be modified or a different drug prescribed. The following drugs and drug classes interact with these drugs:

Ampicillin (eg, Principen)

Clarithromycin (eg, Biaxin)

Benzodiazepines (eg, diazepam)

Cyclosporine (eg, Neora/)

Disulfiram (eg, Antabusn)

Iron salts (eg, ferrous sulfate)

Phenytoin (eg, Dilantin)

Sucralfate (eg, Carafate)

Side Effects

Every drug is capable of producing side effects. Many patients experience no, or minor, side effects. The frequency and severity of side effects depend on many factors including dose, duration of therapy, and individual susceptibility. Possible side effects include:

Digestive Tract: Diarrhea; nausea; vomiting; stomach pain; constipation; gas; belching.

Nervous System: Dizziness; headache; weakness.

Other: Rash; back pain; upper respiratory tract infection; cough; high blood sugar.

Guidelines for Use

Dosage is individualized. Take exactly as prescribed.

Do not stop takingor change the dose, unless instructed by your doctor.

Usually taken once daily, at least 1 hour before a meal. Dosages and dosing regimens may vary depending on condition being treated.

Take rabeprazole after the morning meal when treating duodenal ulcers.

Take pantoprazole with or without regard to food.

These medicine must be taken daily to be effective in treating and preventing acid-related gastrointestinal diseases. Do not take on an “as needed” basis.

Antacids may be used as needed with these medicines.

Do not chew, crush, or split capsules or tablets. Swallow whole. If you have difficulty swallowing esomeprazole, omeprazole, or lansoprazole capsules, they maybe opened, sprinkled on 1 tablespoon of apple sauce, Ensure pudding, cottage cheese, yogurt, or strained pears, and swallowed immediately without chewing the granules. Lansoprazole capsules can also be emptied into a small glass of either orange or tomato juice (60 ml; approximately 2 oz), mixed briefly, and swallowed immediately. To ensure complete ingestion, rinse the glass with 4 or more oz of juice and swallow the cOntents immediately.

Orally-disintegrating tablets – Place tablet on the tongue. Allow to melt with or without water until particles can be swallowed.

Lansoafazole suspension – Empty the packet contents into a container with 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of water. Do not use other liquids or foods. Stir well and drink immediately. More water can be added if material remains in the container; drink immediately.

If a dose is missed, take it as soon as possible. If several hours have passed or it is nearing time for the next dose, do not double the dose to catch up, unless instructed by your doctor. If more than one dose is missed, or it is necessary to establish a new dosage schedule, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, become pregnant, plan on becoming pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

PPls should be taken at least 30 minutes prior to taking sucralfate.

Store at controlled room temperature (59° to 86°F) in a tightly closed container. Protect from light and moisture.