Plant Based Diet

Plant-Based Diets: An Overview of Options for Optimal Health

The common question surrounding plant-based diets concerns the source of protein. Although food calories also consist of carbohydrates and fats, protein is typically considered the most essential of the three groups. In fact, Americans have long been dogmatic in their regard for the quality and quantity of this nutrient since its discovery in 1839.

Protein is made up of amino acids -– the "building blocks" with which our bodies construct and repair tissue. Among the twenty or so different amino acids are at least eight which are considered essential because they must be obtained from foods.

Animal sources –- especially beef –- are commonly thought to be the most efficient means of obtaining the nutrient since they provide "quality" proteins similar to human flesh and contain all of the essential amino acids. In the recent past it was believed that each daily meal should include complete proteins –- containing all the amino acids, and even though science has since disproved this notion, the misconception persists. This has led to an over consumption of animal protein in most western diets and the mistaken belief that plants are an inferior source of the coveted nutrient.

Protein is responsible for tissue development. Growing infants, among all humans, have the highest requirement of the nutrient. Approximately 6% of the calories in mother's milk come from protein, which adequately meets the infant's needs (1). A wealth of research indicates that more than 10% of calories from protein –- especially when the bulk of it is from animal sources –- leads to many chronic illnesses, including cancer. On average, Americans consume more than this amount, yet a collective fear of not getting enough "quality" protein persists.

Virtually all plant food provides protein, in addition to their other health benefits. In his essential book The China Study, T. Colin Campbell, PhD. discloses undisputed evidence that plant protein is the healthiest source of this nutrient.

With heart disease, cancer and diabetes on the rise many individuals have discovered the health benefits and wisdom of a plant-based diet. As they seek healthier lifestyles however, they may be confused by conflicting information and surprised by the various options to the Standard American Diet.

The Plant-Based Diet Spectrum

Among the many plant-based diets that have helped individuals reverse chronic illness and disease are the macrobiotic; natural foods; fruitarian; raw foods; vegetarian; vegan, raw vegan and low-fat raw vegan diets. This report will not give space to any of the calorie reducing, nutritionally unsound fad diets such as the Atkins and the South Beach.

Knowledge of the various plant-based diets' basic aspects is necessary before deciding which is best for one's health and healing. Further individual research and application is the only way to determine which diet will be most feasibly incorporated into one's lifestyle.

Macrobiotic

Whole grains, green leafy vegetables and root vegetables –- primarily locally grown –-
are the bases of the macrobiotic diet. Soybean products and other beans are consumed often, if not daily. Among the occasional foods are fruit; seeds and nuts; fermented condiments; sea vegetables, and fish which are typically consumed two or three times per week. Beef, poultry, dairy products, sugar and processed foods are avoided.

Macrobiotic meals are combined with the principals of balance in mind, with consideration of season, climate, gender and the general health of the individual. Natural foods are preferred over refined foods, and light foods are favored over heavy foods that drain the body of energy.

This low-fat, high fiber diet involves careful planning and provides many health benefits, at least in the short term. Opponents suggest that the diet is too restrictive and results in nutritional deficiencies over time. While there are numerous accounts of healing from cancer by following a macrobiotic diet, several long-term practitioners, teachers and authors espousing the lifestyle have ironically succumbed to the disease (2).

Natural Foods

A diet that includes fresh fruits, vegetables and other whole foods while eliminating or severely restricting processed foods is considered a natural foods diet. Refined grains; sugar; table salt; carbonated beverages; hydrogenated oils; chemical additives, and food coloring are considered harmful to the body and are generally avoided. Healthier choices include whole grains; honey; herbal teas; olive oil; sea salt and culinary herbs and spices. Wild or ocean-caught fish as well as pasture-fed beef and poultry are preferred over the factory-farmed varieties.

Clearly, a natural foods diet provides superior nourishment than the Standard American Diet and is useful for health maintenance and disease prevention; however, it is not considered a cleansing diet. When optimal health is the goal, or if a life-threatening disease occurs, a more restrictive diet may be necessary to allow the body to cleanse and heal itself.

Fruitarian

The original human diet seems likely to have been one consisting solely of fruits, and this concept is the basis of the fruitarian philosophy. Fruitarians maintain a diet of whole raw fruits, including the non-sweet varieties such as cucumbers, tomatoes and avocados, and embrace this diet and lifestyle as the most natural to our existence. Unlike other natural food sources, fruit is harvested without killing the plant and is therefore considered by the fruitarian to be the most sustainable, natural and humane diet.

The purist consumes only raw fruit and believes that the consumption of nuts, seeds and grains are unnatural, although some fruitarians include small amounts of these foods in their diets. A fruitarian diet is extremely cleansing and useful for short-term detoxification; however, existing solely on fruit for the long-term may be difficult and detrimental to health as some practitioners eventually experience severe food cravings and unpleasant symptoms signaling nutritional deficiencies.

Vegetarian and Vegan

Many individuals opt for a vegetarian or vegan diet due to health, concern for animals and the environment, and/or philosophical reasons. A vegetarian diet excludes all animal flesh but does not restrict animal by-products. For instance, a lacto-ovo vegetarian eats dairy and eggs while refraining from meat. A vegan diet on the other hand excludes all animal products, including honey. There are no restrictions from any of the other food groups, nor are their limitations on the method of food preparation. Food may be raw, cooked, whole or processed.

Simply eliminating meat, fish and animal by-products does not necessarily ensure good health; in fact, many vegetarians regularly consume a high-fat, highly processed diet of refined grains, sugar, coffee, alcohol and other empty calorie foods. However, the vegetarian and vegan diet is conducive to good health when it consists of a wide variety of natural foods. According to the American Dietetic Association and Dietitians of Canada "appropriately planned vegetarian diets are healthful, nutritionally adequate and provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases".

Vegetarians run the risk of developing a vitamin B-12 deficiency since plant foods don't provide adequate amounts of this essential nutrient. Among its many functions B-12 is responsible for growth in children, a healthy nervous system, and the formation of red blood cells. Prolonged deficiencies may lead to anemia and neurological damage.

Spirulina and sea vegetables are thought to contain B-12, yet studies show that these food sources actually contain a form that is structurally similar to B-12 (a B-12 analog), which is not utilized by the body and may in fact compete with the vitamin for absorption (3).

Vitamin B-12 is made by microorganisms in the soil, (as well as in animal intestines), and research indicates that plants will absorb the vitamin if grown in healthy organic soil containing a concentration of B-12 (4). Nevertheless, to avoid the possible risk of a deficiency, vegetarians and vegans should have their levels checked periodically and supplement with a sublingual form of methylcobalamin, if necessary.

Raw Foods

Any diet that excludes cooked animal or plant food is considered a raw foods diet. Cooking food at high temperatures reduces its nutrient value and destroys enzymes that would otherwise aid the body in the digestion and absorption of food. Common practices among raw foodists include warming, drying, and dehydrating food up to approximately 115 degrees Fahrenheit as this low heat will not compromise enzyme activity. Countless studies have revealed that cooking food produces toxic by-products, and once consumed, the body reacts by generating white blood cells to attack the foreign debris.

Raw Vegan Diets

In 1878, Louis Pasteur published his "germ theory of disease" which led to the widespread fear of germs and the popular belief that all foods must be cooked to protect health (1). Diets that once contained very little cooked food and an abundance of fresh, raw fruits and vegetables were switched to a predominance of cooked food. Today the concept of a high raw diet is foreign to most people, although it continues to regain popularity and credibility as its advocates and practitioners increase globally and exponentially.

A raw food diet may contain fish, eggs, unpasteurized milk and other raw animal products; however, a raw vegan shuns all animal flesh and by-products in favor of raw fruits, vegetables, (including seaweeds), sprouts, juices, herbs, nuts, seeds and their unprocessed oils.

Raw vegan preparations often include dehydrated and fermented foods. Fat content can be extremely high on a raw vegan diet when nuts, seeds, avocados and oils comprise the largest percentage of calorie intake.

80-10-10 Raw Diet

The low-fat raw vegan diet known as the 80-10-10 diet is thoroughly explained in the book by the same name, written by Dr. Douglas Graham. The numbers refer to the recommended ratio of carbohydrates, proteins and fats in the diet. Graham, who has followed this lifestyle for nearly thirty years, asserts that a minimum of 80% of total caloric intake should come from carbohydrates, a maximum of 10% from protein and up to 10% from fat. The concept may seem radical and unacceptable to many but it nevertheless takes the raw vegan diet to the next level of health.

With science to back him up Graham makes a convincing case for a diet of whole, fresh, ripe, raw and unprocessed fruit, tender greens, and small amounts of nuts and seeds, as the most natural to our anatomy, physiology and biochemistry. If left to fend for ourselves in nature with our bare hands and without the convenience of stoves, utensils, refrigeration and other modern devices we would seek out and thrive on this dietary model.

Fruit sugar provides energy to cells within a matter of minutes as long as there is a relatively small amount of fat in the diet. Without excess fat to slow it down, the natural sugar travels easily from the digestive tract through the intestinal wall and into the bloodstream where it then makes its way to nourish cells.

Fats on the other hand take twelve to twenty-four hours to finally reach the cells. An excess consumption causes the bloodstream to remain congested with fat which in turn slows sugar from reaching the cells. The resultant elevated blood sugar contributes to candida, diabetes and many other illnesses.

Excess dietary fat (more than 10% of total caloric intake), not natural sugar, is the offender as it holds up digestion and adversely affects blood sugar levels. According to Graham, high fat intake "contributes not peripherally, but directly and causally to all the misleadingly named 'blood-sugar metabolic disorders.'

Graham maintains that fruit is the most nutritionally-complete food and should be the basis of a healthy diet. Vegetable fruits (cucumbers, tomatoes, etc.) and tender greens are also cleansing and alkalizing, and are an important component of the 80-10-10 diet as well.

Transition

For most people addicted to the Standard American Diet the transition to any one of the healing diets may be difficult. Instead of eliminating foods it may be easier to initially begin adding raw vegetables and fruits to one's daily diet. This may take a period of several days or weeks, but once this has become habit some of the health-damaging foods may be easier to release. The next level might be a natural foods diet before attempting a further restrictive cleansing diet. The strategy is to follow an incremental path to the optimum dietary lifestyle, regardless of how long it takes.

Steve Jobs Health

Steve Jobs' health is a private matter
Now that he's no longer Apple CEO, it is.

During Jobs' two medical leaves, starting in early 2009 and 2011, I argued that his health was not a private matter. Apple is a public company, majorly owned by shareholders -- not Jobs, the company's board or any other executive or employee. In Jobs' role as chief executive, and as someone so closely identified with Apple, health impacted his ability to perform daily duties and, therefore, could affect Apple operations and financial performance. Jobs is no longer chief executive. He remains an Apple employee, according to a recent 8-K filing but in unspecified role, and is Chairman of the Board. But he is no longer directly responsible for Apple operations.

I took lots of flack from the Apple Fanclub regarding my previous "health is a public matter" position. I wholly stand by it. The president of the United States gets a yearly checkup and discloses the state of his health (maybe someday "her", depending who wins some future election). It's part of the president's responsibility serving the public. CEOs serve the shareholders, who are any public company's real owners. I don't suggest chief executives should get yearly checkups and disclose health information -- although considering their high salaries, there is good argument for it. They should disclose anything that might jeopardize their ability to perform their duties, particularly compromised health.

Apple fanclubbers rallied against such position when I stated it more than two years ago, with some saying the US Securities and Exchange Commission doesn't require such disclosure (Or does it under the new law passed last year, and I don't know about it; please correct me in comments if there is a change). The recent financial reform law does put a CEO to a shareholder vote, and state of health is information that should be available to them. Emphasized: CEOs work for shareholders, not boards of directors.

To Repeat, and Again...

Since Jobs is no longer Apple's chief executive, he should be regarded as a private citizen again. That makes his health a private matter. Jobs' health is none of your damn business, nor paparazzi stalking him. Assuming that Jobs is fighting off cancer again, or the effects from it, he has enough emotional stress -- and that includes resigning as CEO last week. Paparazzi photos make matters worse.

On Friday, TMZ published a photo of a gaunt Jobs in a parking lot, presumably outside some medical treatment facility. The photo's legitimacy has been disputed, which is immaterial to whether or not any should be published. If Steve Jobs is a public figure, he's fair game for paparazzi, which rely on the First Amendment to protect them.

Does being Apple's cofounder make Jobs a public figure? I say no, particularly how private he keeps his personal life and how is public appearances typically, but not exclusively, have been Apple related. CEO of the world's largest company, by valuation at Friday's market close, is a public figure. That's Tim Cook's role.

The legal nuances about privacy rights of public figures vs private citizens are beyond my scope of expertise. I am not a lawyer. But I am an editor and long-time journalist. Most reputable news organizations refrain from publishing paparazzi photos of private citizens for ethical reasons (yeah, we have some) and also to avoid civil lawsuits.

California is unique in the public-vs-private issue because of Hollywood celebrities. The distinction between public figure and private citizen doesn't necessarily matter, under the law. California Civil Code Section 1708.8 states:

"A person is liable for constructive invasion of privacy when the defendant attempts to capture, in a manner that is offensive to a reasonable person, any type of visual image, sound recording, or other physical impression of the plaintiff engaging in a personal or familial activity under circumstances in which the plaintiff had a reasonable expectation of privacy, through the use of a visual or auditory enhancing device, regardless of whether there is a physical trespass, if this image, sound recording, or other physical impression could not have been achieved without a trespass unless the visual or auditory enhancing device was used".

It seems to me that a private citizen undergoing cancer or cancer-related treatment meets this legal definition. Health privacy is cherished in the United States and firmly protected under HIPAA.

Legal issues aside, give Jobs a break, and some dignity as he fights for his life. C`mon do you think he would have resigned from Apple otherwise?

Asbestos Poisoning

Asbestos poisoning can cause a relatively rare cancer called mesothelioma. The disease can be caused by exposure to asbestos directly or indirectly, and claims can sometimes exceed tens of millions of dollars significantly.

Blue asbestos are found more likely to cause mesothelioma than chrysotile asbestos fibers for long and thin blue asbestos. However, the smallest particles of asbestos can be more dangerous than the fact that the larger the smaller particles can remain airborne for a long time.

Asbestos can cause other diseases such as mesothelioma, including lung cancer and kidney, and other pulmonary diseases. Asbestos has been recognized as a health risk from about 1900, but asbestos and mesothelioma has only officially linked since 1960. Those who live near the natural asbestos and other natural minerals such as found to have an increased risk of mesothelioma.

Some people only briefly exposed to small amounts of asbestos develop mesothelioma, and others are a large number of asbestos for a long time, no. One study showed that the incidence of mesothelioma 300 times more workers with asbestos insulation, compared with the total population. Asbestos can cause changes to DNA in cells, or even increase the likelihood that you will get the alien DNA in cells. Asbestos can also reduce the effectiveness of the immune system.

Mesothelioma caused by asbestos poisoning rare. The incidence of mesothelioma is highest in the UK, Australia and Belgium, but even in those countries (which has about twice the frequency compared with the United States, where about 2,000 new cases diagnosed each year), the incident is still one-thirtieth of lung cancer lungs. These figures would not be appropriate, because diseases such as mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed.

How to Get Cheap Health Insurance Online in California

Approximately 19% of the population of the state of California has no health insurance. This is a serious problem and that someone is facing a health crisis, could mean possible bankruptcy. There are ways to find cheap health insurance in California and a wonderful resource is the Internet.

Almost all health insurance companies in California has a website that provides access to quotes without obligation. In addition, many of these sites offer reading material to visitors that relates to health insurance. Reading this before deciding on a policy can be very beneficial in terms of helping consumers understand the health insurance options available to them.

If you are someone who is in fairly good health and rarely seeing a doctor, a major medical plan may be the best way to get cheap health insurance. This is particularly true if you choose to pay for visits to your doctor yourself and take a higher deductible than normal. Most insurance companies will have a form available on its website for potential customers to use when requesting a quote. Get a quote major medical expenses generally result in a low premium.

Prescription drug coverage can be expensive, so choose not to include this meeting, when prices online can also generate lower costs. This is only a recommended approach for someone in good health, which only has recipes from time to time if they are suffering from an illness. For someone who is on regular medication for a disease in progress, such as a heart condition or arthritis, prescription drug coverage should always be purchased.

Another way to reduce costs is to buy a plan that has a limited lifetime benefit. This means that the applicant merely a limit on the amount of coverage they have in their lifetime. If you have no family history of serious medical problems, such a policy may be sufficient for your needs.

Alopecia Causes

Hair loss, or alopecia, is something everyone faces for some reason or the other. However, patients usually tend to seek treatment for hair loss without ascertaining its cause. It is always better to seek treatment after finding out its cause as such treatment proves to be better, and more effective. The alopecia causes are something which you ought to watch out for and avoid them if feasible.

Some people opt for wonder cures or legitimate treatments, which may not suit them. Then there's others who also risk their health by taking self-prescribed pharmaceutical drugs. Though losing funds with this treatment is not a giant point, it is the point that the treatment may worsen their health, and not show to be beneficial in curing alopecia that proves it not reasonable to take wonder cures or legitimate treatments.

Fundamentally, shedding of hair is normal. There is a cycle from the growth of the hair, to its hair shaft getting detached and then the hair detaching itself to lead to hair loss. Usually, when hair falls, new hair begins to grow, thus repeating the normal cycle or hair growth. It is when other factors that interfere with hair growth process that tends to lead to hair thinning and premature baldness.

Androgenetic alopecia accounts for most types of hair loss in men and females. This is usually associated with aging and develops in different stages over time. In case of hereditary baldness, some hair follicles are genetically coded to stay for a shorter period than other follicles. For such a case of alopecia, there ought to first be a predisposition of hair loss occurring and a presence of male hormones. Men and females produce the male hormone testosterone and DHT with men having higher levels of androgens. This is why men usually suffer more from hair loss than females. There's high levels of 5-alpha-reductase enzyme in hair follicles and sebaceous glands.

These enzymes tend to convert testosterone to DHT which causes the miniaturizing of terminal hairs. With this, you find short, soft and fluffy vellus hair that doesn't actually cover the scalp. This phase becomes shorter wherein the hair is lost for lovely over a passage of time. Another type of hair loss, alopecia areata is a condition where follicles cease producing hair in patches on the head. However, this condition usually improves over time.

Another cause of hair loss is childbirth, major surgical procedure, psychological stress and chemotherapy and is called telogen effluvium. much of stress tends to lead to hair loss; this is the reason relaxation sometimes proves effective in controlling hair loss. Then there is hair loss that results from constant pulling of the hair, and this is called traction alopecia. Excessive styling, exposure to chemicals, exposure to the sun, extreme illnesses and nutritional deficiencies are all the other alopecia causes. Recognizing alopecia in the preliminary stages helps a lot . As alopecia is difficult to treat but simple to prevent, it is always better to prevent it beforehand than treat it later.

Health Insurance for California Residents

A recent article explains that approximately one in five working Californians without health insurance. If that statistic is true, there are many Californians who have no health coverage. If your employer offers a health plan, there are affordable alternatives available to them. Securing health insurance is a few mouse clicks away.

What are some things you should consider when you are looking for health insurance?

Remember that insurance is about risk. You will automatically be paid less for their health insurance if you are healthy and take care of itself, because they are less of a risk to the insurance company. In other words, exercising, eating healthy and quitting smoking. Most insurance companies will automatically give nonsmokers a discount of nonsmokers.

Note that you will have to pay the parts of some health services and medical care out of pocket. Most health insurance plans require a copayment or deductible of some sort. You may have to pay $ 15 to visit his doctor for colds or $ 40 for a trip to the emergency room. Your deductible is the amount of medical expenses paid out of pocket before your insurance begins paying. Therefore, if your deductible is $ 625 per year, you will pay the first $ 625 in medical / health - before your coverage begins.

What articles and coverage in case you keep an eye out for when you're buying your health insurance policy?

- Outpatient Surgery

- Inpatient hospital services

- Prescription drugs

- Mental Health Care

- Office visits

- Physical therapy

- Medical Tests

- Care, Rehabilitation

Ultimately, your goal should be health insurance to protect yourself financially in case of disasters. The best way to ensure cheap health insurance is to live a healthy lifestyle. Another way to save money each month is to pay large deductibles and paying the minimum fees out of pocket.

Other questions to ask your health insurance provider ...

- How much do you pay your monthly premium?

- What has to pay out of pocket before insurance coverage begins?

- Are the health centers and health care providers that use the network of the insurance company?

- Does the plan cover all pre-existing medical conditions?

- Does the plan include the costs of motherhood?

- Is it easy to change primary care provider if you?

Governor Schwarzenegger could propose a plan for universal health insurance for California, but affordable health insurance can be a mouse click if consumers know where to look and what to ask.

HometownQuotes provides a quick and easy for consumers to compare multiple insurance quotes. For more information, visit http://www. hometownquotes.com

Alopecia Treatment

There's fundamentally types of alopecia; called androgenic alopecia, alopecia areata & postpartum alopecia. The first type of alopecia, androgenic alopecia is the most common type of alopecia. Men are more liable to this condition & this is why male pattern baldness is called androgenic alopecia.

Hair loss is something that plenty of men & females experience in their lives. When hair is lost so that the scalp is visible, it is termed as baldness. With baldness, people tend to age faster & thus look less stunning when young. This proves to be emotionally disheartening to the person, wherein progress in life can be hampered. & all this abnormal hair loss is called alopecia. However, there is treatment for this condition, & this is called alopecia treatment.

Alopecia areata is a condition where hair tends to fall in patches either on the scalp or other parts of the body. With the shedding of hair, a shiny round formed area appears. Postpartum alopecia is the condition where females lose hair after pregnancy. However, one time the child is born, the issue tends to disappear.

Treatment comes in different forms for alopecia. The first option is Propecia which is popular & found all over the world. With Propecia, the male hormone DHT balances the DHT imbalance that causes hair loss. There has been proof of 80% improvement in individuals who have used Propecia constantly.

Regaine is another medicine used to treat alopecia. With every day use of Regaine, the blood circulation in the head tends to increase, wherein the hair tissues tend to grow faster. Besides these forms of treatments, there's other options for treating alopecia, which are surgical in nature. This option is resorted to when the alopecia does not reply to medicine, & when hair does not re-grow.

As alopecia areta is a self limiting disorder, the condition usually improves without any treatment within a few months. Sometimes, alopecia areata spreads to the whole body, to cause alopecia totalis. However, this is rare. Alopecia is sometimes treated for cosmetic purposes which is feasible through the injection of steroids, or by using topical medications. Regardless of the choice for alopecia treatment, it is better to have your condition first diagnosed by a physician.

In some cases, steroids may must be used to improve the condition. As topical steroids are not that successful, minoxidil is usually used alone or with other topical medications. This is because it is effective for extensive disorders, & helps in accelerating the response of alopecia treatment.

Another option for alopecia treatment is the injection of cortisone in all the patchy areas of the scalp. This can not be completed by yourself, & has to be administered by a physician. The lotions & creams having cortisone proves to be effective too; but not as much as its injections. Applying 100% Aloe Vera gel has also proven to be an effective kind of alopecia treatment. great hand-crafted alopecia treatment is massaging the scalp with a solution of rosemary & lavender oils in a jojoba base.

Herbs for Hair Loss

There are different types of medication that can be used to cure different health issues. Today, hair loss is an issue plenty of people tend to undergo in their lives. Though there's different types of treatments to be used to cure hair loss, you can also find plenty of herbs for hair loss that tend to assault the issue directly, & curb hair loss.

It is better to make use of herbs for hair loss as they target the reason for the issue while supporting the natural healing mechanism of the body. However, this does not insinuate that these herbal hair loss treatments are miracle solutions for sufferers of hair loss. Ginkyo biloba is a well-liked herb used to improve the circulation of blood to the skin & brain. This increased blood flow to the brain helps in delivering necessary nutrients to the hair follicle. This in turn helps in promoting the regrowth of hair. It is better to take 120 to 160 mg of its dry extract, divided in to doses, everyday. Another of the herbs for hair loss is green tea. It is the catechins that are present in green tea that prevents the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase from converting the male hormone testosterone in to DHT. DHT is the main cause of male type baldness; & by drinking several cups of green tea a day or taking it in capsule form, baldness can be controlled.

They Shou Wu, or Fo-Ti as it is popularly known, is a Chinese herb that has been useful in reducing hair loss for some time. It is present in the market in tea & capsule form. Pygeum is an herb that is derived from the bark of an evergreen & functions like green tea. This is a herb that is used not only for treating male pattern baldness, but to also treat prostate issues. You need to take 60 - 500 mg of pygeum per day in pill or capsule form to experience its benefits.

Today, of the herbs for hair loss that men prefer to make use of is Saw palmetto. Men prefer this herb to control hair loss as it is also useful in defending the prostate & in encouraging hair regrowth. Saw palmetto is a herb that is used in plenty of commercial hair treatments. However, if necessary, it may even be availed in its pure form. It is better to take a 160 mg capsule of saw palmetto two times a day. The extract that is availed from the berry extract, & not the dried berries is the better option for your hair treatment. Stinging nettle is another herb for hair loss that is favored for the prevention of hair loss because of its ability of blocking the conversion of testosterone to DHT. This is taken either in the pill or capsule form, where a maximum of 50 - 100 mg of it is allowed per day. You find better effects in case you use it together with pygeum & saw palmetto.

These herbs may not guarantee your hair to grow back but it may show to be as a ray of hope to your balding issue.

Cancer Causes

The cause of cancer is usually not known for certain because the causes of cancer can be a combination of a set of factors, genetic and environmental. But there are several factors that allegedly increase the risk of cancer, as follows:


Heredity
Genetic factors cause some families have a higher risk of developing certain cancers when compared with other families. The type of cancer tends to run in families is breast cancer, ovarian cancer, skin cancer and colon cancer. For example, a woman's risk of developing cancer increased 1.5 s / d 3 times if the mother or sister had breast cancer.

Environmental Factors
- Cigarette smoking increases the risk of lung cancer - lung, mouth, larynx (vocal cords), and bladder.
- Ultraviolet light from the sun
- Ionizing radiation (which is carcinogenic) is used in x-ray beam generated from nuclear power plants and atomic bombs that could reach a great distance. For example, people who survived the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in World War II, the high risk of developing cancer of blood cells, such as leukemia.


Factors Foods that contain chemicals.
Food can also be another important risk factor causes cancer, especially cancers of the digestive tract. Examples of foods that can cause cancer are:

- Foods that are smoked and pickled (in the form of pickles) increase the risk of gastric cancer
- Drinks that contain alcohol cause higher risk for esophageal cancer.
- Substance food coloring
- Heavy metals like mercury are often found in contaminated seafood such as shellfish, fish, etc..
- A variety of foods (sweet, flour) are processed in excess.

Virus
And suspected virus that can cause cancer, among others:
- Papilloma virus causes genital warts (genital) presumably is one cause of cervical cancer in women.
- Cytomegalovirus causes Kaposi's sarcoma (cancer of the blood vessel system which is characterized by red skin lesions)
- Hepatitis B can cause liver cancer.
- Epstein - Bar (in Africa) causes Burkitt's lymphoma, whereas in China these viruses cause cancer of the nose and throat. This occurs because of environmental and genetic factors.
- Retro Virus in humans such as the HIV virus causes lymphoma and other blood cancers.

Infection
- Parasites Schistosoma (bilharzia) may cause bladder cancer due to chronic irritation of the bladder. But other causes of chronic irritation does not cause cancer.
- Infection by Clonorchis that cause pancreatic cancer and biliary tract.
- Helicobacter pylori is a bacteria that may be the cause of gastric cancer, and allegedly this bacterium causes gastric injury and chronic inflammation resulting in increased speed of the cell cycle.


Behavioral factors
- The behavior in question is smoking and eating foods that contain lots of fat and cured meats are also drinkers of alcoholic beverages.
- Behavior that is sexual intercourse early age and frequently changing sexual partners.

Disruption of hormonal balance
The hormone estrogen stimulates cell growth function that tends to encourage the occurrence of cancer, while progesterone protects the occurrence of excessive cell growth. - There is a tendency that an excess of estrogen and progesterone deficiency causes an increased risk of breast cancer, cervical cancer, uterine cancer and cancer of the prostate and testicles in men.

Psychological factors, emotional
- Stress can cause severe disruption to the company balance the body's cellular. Continuous state of tension that can affect the cells, where cells become hyperactive and changed character to become malignant, causing cancer.

Free radicals
Free radical is an atom, group of atoms, or molecules that have unpaired electrons that are free dilingkaran outside. Source - the source of free radicals which are:

1. Free radicals are formed as byproducts of metabolic processes.
2. Free radicals enter the body in the form of chemical toxins from food, drinks, polluted air, and ultraviolet rays from the sun.
3. Free radicals are produced in excess when we overeat (impact on the metabolic processes) or when we are in a state of excessive stress, whether physical stress, psychological, and biological.

Tomatoes: Overcoming the Problem Skin

Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C and A, both of which can eradicate the dull skin and acne. Although we are not a teenager anymore, but if it appears one or two pimples 'stubborn' in the face, especially before menstruation, of course can still make upset.

Tomatoes are popularly known as anti-cancer fruit. Not only that, skin and hair you could also feel the benefits of these red-colored fruit. Tomatoes contain lycopene, an antioxidant thought to prevent wrinkles and dark spots due to sunlight.

Free radicals formed by exposure to sunlight on the skin can be neutralized by water the tomatoes contain lycopene. Damages that may occur in skin cells can be eliminated.

Want to have healthy skin, and acne free? Try to make under this tomato concoction at home. Who knew you could skin problems.

More moist skin.
If your skin type is dry, the tomato puree. apply to the skin about 3-5 minutes. After cleaning, your skin will feel moist. Well, if you have oily skin, mix one with a smooth tomato cucumber that has been juiced. Apply on face for 3-5 minutes. Then, rinse with warm water.

Getting rid of acne.
Spread tomato paste on the face with acne. Let stand for 10 minutes. If it starts to itch, you should immediately rinse with warm water. Then, apply the section with a smooth tomato for 5 minutes to reduce the irritation that may arise. Rinse with warm water.

As a sunscreen.
Combine tomato fine with plain yogurt. Rub this mixture evenly on the face. Your skin will feel cool and smooth. Do not just applied to the face, you can also apply this mixture on the body are often exposed to sunlight. So, can simultaneously be used as a sunblock. Practical, right?

Shrink pores.
Mix one tablespoon of lemon juice on the tomatoes finely. This herb is very effective to shrink the pores of the face which interfere with performance. Spread mixture on the face. Focus on the nose, chin, and forehead, because parts of the face are usually large porous. Let stand for 10 minutes, then wash with cold water. After that, apply a moisturizing cream on the face.

Facial tomatoes.
Potions this time easily made. You just cut the tomatoes, then rub the inside of the face. Simple, right? Focus on the T, and repeat the greasing section for 5 minutes. Then, rinse with warm water to clean the residue left behind.

Perfumed hair longer.
If by chance your hair is easy to smell, and smell the shampoo can not handle it, try rubbing tomato paste on your scalp. Let stand for 15 minutes, then wash. Your hair will smell any longer.

Various Benefits of Bananas

If you carefully pay attention, nutrition became the world's favorite tennis athlete is the most bananas. Yes, bananas are a lifesaver for them. Bananas can be easily absorbed by the body and restore their peak energy.

In general, the nutrients contained in any ripe bananas are as follows: calories 99 calories, 1.2 grams protein, 0.2 grams fat, carbohydrate 25.8 milligrams (mg), 0.7 grams fiber, 8 mg calcium , phosphorus 28 mg, iron 0.5 mg, 44 RE vitamin A, vitamin B 0.08 mg, Vitamin C 3 mg and 72 grams of water.

The content of bananas very much, made up of minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates, fiber, protein, fat, etc., so that if people only eat bananas alone, minimally adequate nutrition.

Select the Best Qualified Banana.

Pick a ripe banana, whose skin is yellowish green with patches of brown or yellow, because it will easily digested, and the fruit sugar is converted into glucose quickly naturally absorbed into the bloodstream, the raw bananas would be difficult to digest.

Various Benefits of Bananas:

The power source of power.
Bananas can easily be digested, the sugar found in fruit is turned into a great source of energy quickly, and that's good in the formation of the body, to the working muscles, and is great for relieving fatigue.

Benefits for Pregnant Women.
Bananas are also recommended for pregnant women consumed because they contain folic acid, which is easily absorbed by the fetus through the uterus. However, not too much, because one banana contains about 85-100 calories.

Benefits for Patients with Anemia.
Two bananas are eaten by patients with anemia every day is enough, because it contains Fe (iron) tall.

Benefits for Stomach and Intestine Disease.
Banana mixed with milk (or put in a glass of liquid milk) can be served as a remedy in cases of intestinal disease. It can also be recommended for patients with abdominal pain and Cholik to neutralize gastric acidity.

A banana served as a defense against inflammation because Vitamin C can be quickly processed. He transforms into a dangerous bacillus bacillus-friendly. Thus, both will be helped.

Mashed bananas or banana cream (such as for baby food), can be consumed by patients suffering from diarrhea.

Benefits for Patients with Lever
Patients with liver disease consume bananas good two plus one tablespoon of honey, will increase appetite and make strong.

Benefits for Burns
Banana leaves can be used for the treatment of burned skin in a way smeared, plus a banana leaf ash mixture of coconut oil has the effect of cooling the skin.

Benefits for Diabetes
In the community Gorontalo (North Sulawesi), type the banana banana goroho typical local area, an additional food / staple for people who have low blood sugar / diabetes mellitus, especially bananas goroho immature, then steamed and mixed with grated young coconut.

Banana and Beauty
Banana pulp mixed with a little milk and honey, dabbed on the face every day regularly for 30-40 minutes. Rinse with warm water then rinse with cold water or ice, repeated for 15 days, will produce a stunning effect on the skin.

Banana to Regulate Body Weight
Bananas also have a role in weight loss as well as to gain weight. It has been proven a person lose weight by dieting 4 (four) bananas and 4 (four) cups non-fat milk or fresh milk per day at least 3 days a week, the number of calories just 1250 and the menu is quite healthy.

In addition, these diets do not make skin greasy and clean. On the other hand, consume a glass of banana milk-shake mixed with honey, fruits, nuts, and mango after dinner, would raise the weight.

Other Benefits
In "Medicinal Uses of Bananas" (www.banana.com, 2002) mentions, that the banana has a benefit in the treatment of anemia, lowered blood pressure, the energy to think, to help a diet rich in fiber, a banana peel can be used as an anti-mosquito cream, help nervous system, can help smokers to eliminate the influence of nicotine, stress, prevent stroke, controlling body temperature, especially for pregnant women, neutralize stomach acidity, and so on.

Banana plants genetically cheap vaccine that can generate and as an alternative to the defense of children against disease. Researchers are trying from bananas to produce antigens for coating Hepatitis B. If the Hepatitis B vaccine is successful will be very cheap.

Other researchers developed a banana can help in the fight against measles / chicken pox, yellow fever, polio, and diphtheria. Currently, researchers have tried to volunteer, where shown 10 percent of the blood pressure down by eating two bananas a day.