The PSA test is a blood test that measures levels of prostate-specific antigen, a protein produced by cells of the prostate gland. It tends to show up on cancer cells, so higher levels of the antigen could be a sign of tumors. Men normally have low levels of PSA, but those levels may rise for reasons unrelated to cancer, which is why a high PSA level alone cannot be used to determine whether a man has cancer or some other benign condition.

PSA levels may increase when benign growth of the prostate (the gland typically enlarges with age), infection or inflammation of the prostate, ejaculation, and riding a bicycle.

Who should get the PSA test?

Currently, there is no major medical group that recommends routine PSA testing, but millions of men over age 50 get it. The American Cancer Society, for example, does not have a specific recommendation for routine screening of healthy men without symptoms of prostate cancer, but it advises otherwise healthy men who have reason for concern about increased prostate risk to begin discussing screening with their doctors at age 50. That’s because the risk of prostate cancer tends to increase with age.

Image to link, Gidos

If you are fighting prediabetes, be judicious when planning snacks and meals. Stay away from refined sugars and soft drinks, focusing instead on low glycemic index carbohydrates. The “glycemic index” is a scale that measures different foods according to the length of time they take to break down into sugar during digestion. As in all aspects of health, balance is key, so foods that are low on the glycemic index scale—meaning they will not cause your blood sugar to rapidly rise and then crash—are always the best choices. Low glycemic foods include high-fiber fruits and vegetables, some whole wheat pastas and breads, and most nuts, while foods that you should limit or avoid include sugary cereals, high-sugar fruits, white enriched pastas or bread, parsnips, white potatoes, and most juices. Suitable replacements are whole-grains, fruits and vegetables, and foods rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats—including those that provide high levels of omega-3 fats, such as wild salmon and avocado. Of course, decreasing caloric intake by reducing portion sizes will encourage healthy weight loss, which also helps to improve metabolic abnormalities.

Exercise also plays a major role in reversing prediabetes. If you do not already exercise, start with moderate walking for 10-15 minutes every day and gradually increase your walking pace and length of time to meet your fitness level. Eventually, you want to aim for a brisk 30- to 60-minute walk at least five days a week—a routine that will not only help with weight loss, but will improve your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, while reducing your risk of developing diabetes and heart disease.

Adequate sleep is also critical, as recent research reveals that disrupted sleep patterns contribute to the development of obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome. The same goes for chronic stress, which increases your levels of the hormone, cortisol, so find the solution for stress relief that works for you and engage in your stress-relieving activity as often as needed.

Last but not least, nutritional supplements can make a genuine difference. There are a variety of nutrients, herbs and botanicals that may help, both individually and in combination with one another. For more healthy ways to control your blood glucose levels, download a complimentary wellness guide at www.dreliaz.org/metabolic-report.

Francis, the author of two other alternative health best sellers, says that conventional medicine has been looking at cancer from the wrong perspective and as a result has been asking the wrong questions.

“Conventional medicine views cancer as a tumor,” Francis says, “and they ask how can it be killed or removed. But cancer isn’t something that can be cut, poisoned or burned out of the body. It is a biological process that needs to be shut down.”

Francis says removing or killing tumors does not address the cause, and therefore the cancer will most often come back because the process is still operating.

“Cure is defined in cancer treatment as ‘alive 5 years after diagnosis.’ Do you consider that a cure? I sure don’t. Cure means the cancer doesn’t return, ever!”

Harvey Diamond, coauthor of the #1 New York Times best seller Fit for Life, writes in the foreword: “While the knowledge to end this epidemic already exists, the problem is that it is not being assembled and packaged into something we can use. In this eye-opening book, that’s what Francis so eloquently succeeds in doing.”

The breakthrough idea in Never Fear Cancer Again is thinking about cancer in a new way—as a process. Once you understand this process, you can see how to turn it off, just like turning off a lamp in your living room.

“Once you learn what to do to turn off the process and keep it turned off, the cancer will not return,” Francis says. “Now that’s what I call a cure!”

We are all at risk. According to the American Cancer Society almost half of all Americans will get cancer during their lifetimes. That’s up from three percent of the population in 1900.

“A lot has changed since then,” says Francis. “Junk food diets, living in a sea of manmade toxins, exposure to a profusion of electromagnetic fields, high-stress lifestyles, lack of exercise and sleep, and health-damaging medical treatments all present the human organism with unprecedented challenges.”

Francis, an M.I.T.-trained scientist, nearly died 26 years ago from medically-induced liver failure at the height of an international consulting career. He brought himself back to health using his knowledge of biochemistry and the principles he explains in his first book, Never Be Sick Again. Since then, he has been disseminating the message that health is a choice, and he has taught thousands how to choose it.

Russell Blaylock, M.D., a retired neurosurgeon and author of Natural Strategies for Cancer Patients, says, “Never Fear Cancer Again can only be described as a masterpiece.”

Ronald Greene, M.D., a pediatrician who met Francis after being sent home to die with stage 4 kidney cancer, followed Raymond’s program, restored his health and has now returned to his practice. “Never Fear Cancer Again could save your life!” says Dr. Greene.

###

TIP SHEET:

Bill Henderson – Author, Cure Your Cancer and Cancer-Free: “This man is better qualified than anyone I know to write such a book. He has done it….written the best book on natural cancer healing I’ve ever seen. You need this book, folks.”

Doctors Lovera Wolf Miller and David C. Miller are the authors of Womenopause: Stop Pausing and Start Living (O-Books) and they wrote it for just this reason. Their book is filled with the latest scientific information and solutions to help women feel their best during this vital time – more like a makeover geared to feeling fit, feminine and fabulous in four weeks!

Unfortunately, our culture has become obsessed with maintaining the appearance of youth – which does nothing to help the anxiety level of the 6,000 women a day reaching menopause right now! Their list of concerns just keeps growing: Will I lose my looks? Can I keep this weight off? Is my health going to deteriorate? Am I still sexy? Can I still be smart? Can I continue to be me?

Womenopause provides readers with a guide to help them create their own ‘designer’ treatment plan that is tailored to their individual needs, and it covers everything from bone preservation, hormones, hot flashes, breast health, brain power, skin, fitness, sleep, sex – a multitude of things that women deal with while going through menopause. This book doesn’t profess to be a ‘cure’ but it certainly is an invaluable tool. It cuts through all the hype and ill-informed opinions that have plagued women for years, keeping them on a roller coaster ride of ‘trends of the day’ – and instead offers real solutions that work!

The credentials of these professionals speak for themselves. Dr. Lovera Wolf Miller is a board certified obstetrician and gynecologist, a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology, and a NAMS certified menopause practitioner. Dr. David Miller is boarded in pain and anesthesiology, taught neuroanatomy at UCLA, was an instructor of courses in physiology and neurophysiology, and is also a NAMS certified menopause practitioner. Please visit their informative websites at: www.womenopausebook.com and www.womenopauseinteractive.com.

###

TIP SHEET:

This following review will be published in the November issue of Climacteric (the official scientific journal of The International Menopause Society):

Anna Fenton, M.D. “Womenopause…is an entertaining and informative romp through menopause and beyond…an invitation to action for women. From the basic physiology of reproduction and menopause through to chapters on symptom management, diet, exercise, sex and long-term health concerns, this is a clear and understandable account. It provides clarity for women about choices they may make as they reach menopause and demystifies the results of the Women’s Health Initiative. There is a strong emphasis on core health messages and each chapter finishes with a ‘challenge’ to reinforce those messages. The authors have a playful turn of phrase, coining expressions such as ‘meno-fog’, ‘hot dreads’ and ‘vagina sahara’. Sprinkled through the text are points that clarify many a misunderstanding among perimenopausal women such as the lack of utility of measuring FSH to gauge the stage of menopause, the normal age range of menopause, and the lack of validity of salivary hormone levels. The reference material at the end of the book is comprehensive and guides women to reputable websites and books…There is extensive use of case reports to illustrate points, along with the authors’ own charts and scoring systems to assess symptoms before and after treatment…The book is well written and entertaining and the enthusiasm of the authors for women’s health is infectious…I would recommend it for all women who wish to be well informed of their choices at and beyond menopause.”

As breast cancer rates continue to rise among this increasingly vulnerable population, the number of support networks and education services dedicated to increasing awareness and improving diagnosis and treatment options has likewise grown.

Young Women’s Breast Health Day September 7^th, 2011

One organization that has emerged over the last several years is the Tigerlily Foundation. Founded by cancer survivor Maimah Karmo, who was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer at the age of 32, the Tigerlily Foundation is dedicated to empowering and supporting young women with breast cancer through advocacy, education and hands-on services.

One of Tigerlily’s main events, held on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., is called The Annual Young Women’s Breast Health Day on Capitol Hill and Congressional Reception.  This event is aimed at bringing together medical experts and industry leaders, members of Congress, media personalities and young breast cancer survivors to help raise awareness and collaborate on solutions to the unique problems facing young women with breast cancer today.

I am honored to be the keynote speaker for this year’s event and will share the stage with prominent leaders from the American Cancer Society, Congress and other passionate supporters dedicated to preventing and fighting breast cancer and improving patients’ quality of life.

Important Role for Integrative Cancer Care

The fact that this foundation has chosen me as an integrative physician to be the keynote speaker for such a congressional event is monumental. It represents a potential shift forward in the mainstream cancer treatment model, from a conventional ‘one size fits all’ treatment approach to a more holistic, wellness and individual-centered approach.

Such a shift offers a strong focus on healthy prevention methods and integrative treatment protocols, which combine traditional and natural therapies together with Western medical modalities. In my experience as an integrative cancer physician, the strategic combination of treatments drawn from diverse medical systems, together with a central focus on the patient’s health and vitality, offers the greatest chances for a positive clinical outcome. I am excited to present this model at the Tigerlily Foundation’s event and help raise awareness about powerful prevention options and strategic integrative approaches that can make a difference for women of all ages with breast cancer, before, during and after treatment. This year’s event will be held at the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, September 7th from 5 to 8 PM. For more information about this event, visit http://tinyurl.com/3qabmwd.

More than 2000 patients in a clinic in Wisconsin, United States, may have been exposed to infections of various diseases such as Hepatitis B and C and HIV due to improper use of the devices used to measure diabetes.

This was confirmed by medical authorities, who reported that a health worker, who taught people how to measure diabetes and how to inject insulin devices reused for five years in different patients.

However, clinic directors Craig and Mark Kaufman Samitt warned that the risk of infection is small since the nurse changed the needles for demonstrations, reports the Wisconsin State Journal website.

“We are confident that the person is always changing needles between uses of the devices,” he said Kaufman. For its part, Samitt said it is only an isolated incident and warned that the nurse and was fired from the medical center.

The clinic staff contacted patients who were exposed to the test to inform whether there should be studies of HIV or hepatitis. “I would like to apologize for the concern this has caused patients and their families. We will do everything possible to care for patients,” said.

Image to lilnk, Lass

• Dizziness: It’s a sign that your heart isn’t pumping enough blood to your brain.
• Fatigue: A weakened heart muscle can’t pump enough oxygen for the body to function efficiently, so you feel tired.
• Nausea: It could indicate that your blood pressure has plummeted and be accompanied by clamminess and sweat.
• Pain in upper back, upper abdomen, or lower chest: Another sign that your heart can’t pump blood where you need it.
• Shortness of breath during normal activities: The heart’s pumping action weakens as blood flow to the heart diminishes.

Image to link, On line medicine tips

Are You At Risk?
Certain AI diseases such as Lupus are shown to be linked to environmental pollutants, including common toxins found in foods, cleaning products, furniture, beauty products, toys, clothing, and mattresses. It was once thought that AI diseases were caused solely by genetic factors, but new research is uncovering innovative findings. Experts still believe that a genetic predisposition to AI disease puts a person at a higher risk, but research from the field of immunotoxicology – the study how toxins affect the immune system – demonstrates that the epidemic increase of AI disease is linked more and more to exposure from a toxic environment.

What is Autoimmune Disease?
AI diseases are caused when there are communication breakdowns between your body’s cells, and immune cells can no longer distinguish between your own healthy tissue and a harmful invader. Messages are scrambled between cells that orchestrate and direct immune responses, and the more common T and lymphocyte immune cells responsible for attacking harmful invaders. With AI diseases, immune cells circulate without proper “training” and destroy various areas of the body, depending on the specific autoimmune condition.

Treatment Protocols
Many AI diseases are difficult to diagnose and manage, and currently there are no known Western medical cures. Conventional therapies use anti-inflammatory drugs, immune suppressors, antiviral drugs, and other medications to focus on controlling flare-ups. This is a symptomatic approach that does not address the root or cause of the AI disease, and can also lead to unwanted side effects.

One strategy for managing AI disease is to focus on balance and regulation to help re-establish the immune system’s critical biological cycles. Some methods include following a strict sleep schedule, engaging in regular exercise, adhering to a strict healthy diet, taking nutritional supplements that focus on regulation and balance of the immune system, and the removal of heavy metals and toxins. Stress relief is also extremely important, as chronic stress can contribute to autoimmune flare ups.

Supplements
One of the most valuable forms of supplementation for AI diseases is medicinal mushrooms. Though commonly misunderstood to be immune enhancers, medicinal mushrooms are actually very effective immune regulators that help to educate immune cells and direct appropriate immune responses. Botanicals that regulate inflammation are also critical in the management of AI diseases, along with high-powered antioxidants to scavenge free radicals and soothe inflammatory responses. For more information about medicinal mushrooms, download a complimentary medicinal mushroom wellness guide.

Detoxification
Gentle removal of heavy metals and toxins is one of the most essential protocol considerations for the management of any AI disease. A combination of modified citrus pectin and modified alginates is proven to safely remove heavy metals and environmental toxins from the body, without affecting essential minerals. It is also critical to avoid further exposure by choosing natural, organic alternatives to conventional food, body and household products that contain harmful chemicals. For more information about safe and effective detoxification methods, visit DrEliaz.org.

Modern medicine may not have found a cure for AI diseases, but through proper management and regulation of the body’s response systems using diet, healthy lifestyle patterns and nutritional supplementation, you can avoid toxic build up and reduce your risk of this increasingly common form of disease.