About 6,000 middle-aged or older women in the UK develop cancer each year because they are obese or overweight, a Cancer Research UK-funded study says.

The study, which looked at 45,000 cases of cancer in 1m women over seven years, says this is about 5% of such cases.

It is published online by the British Medical Journal and blames excess fat for 50% of cases of womb cancer and a type of esophageal cancer.

Last week an international study warned of the link between cancer and weight.

‘Bigger impact’

The World Cancer Research Fund warned that carrying excess weight significantly increased the risk of cancer.

Figures indicate that about 23% of all women in England are obese and 34% are overweight.

The latest study looked at how often cancers occurred in 1.2m UK women aged 50 to 64 over a seven year period. More than 45,000 cases of cancer and 17,000 cancer deaths occurred during that time.

Lead researcher Dr Gillian Reeves, from Oxford University, said: “We estimate that being overweight or obese accounts for around 6,000 out of a total 120,000 new cases of cancer each year among middle-aged and older women in the UK.

“Our research also shows that being overweight has a much bigger impact on the risk of some cancers than others.

“Two thirds of the additional 6,000 cancers each year due to overweight or obesity would be cancers of the womb or breast.”

Age difference

The research found that the link between weight and risk of cancer depended on a woman’s stage of life.

For example, being overweight increases the risk of breast cancer only after the menopause and the risk of bowel cancer only before the menopause.

Sara Hiom, from Cancer Research UK, said: “This research adds to the evidence regarding the impact of being overweight or obese on developing cancer and dying from the disease.

“While most people readily associate carrying extra weight with being a general health risk, many do not make a specific link with cancer.”

Dr Ian Campbell, medical director of the charity Weight Concern, said: “Whereas it was once thought there was little one could do to prevent cancer, it’s now clear that lifestyle impacts greatly on overall cancer risk.

“The message is clear. Invest in a healthier lifestyle today and we can reap the benefits of reduced disease risk and longer life tomorrow.”
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/health/7079799.stm

It is a known fact that our environment and the toxins in it affect our health. So many people with cancer today have no family history of the disease. How are so many getting sick?

We need to take better care of our health and that means changing some of our bad habits. We need to be more aware of toxins in our home and how they affect our bodies! Our cleaning products, personal products, even our clothing could be making us sick! The chemicals, pesticides, hormones and poisons in our foods contribute to toxicity, obesity and diseases such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

To find some healthy and natural alternative products, please visit:

http://ShopToEarth.net/DebbieMormino

Not long ago, obesity was seen mainly as a cosmetic problem. The purpose of dieting was to improve your appearance, especially in time for bathing-suit season. Exercise was a way to tighten bulges around the stomach and thighs. As a last resort, there were diet doctors, although they were regarded with suspicion — even within the medical community — for popularizing fad diets and preying on people’s vanity.

In just the last few years, however, the medical view of overweight, or excess body fat, has undergone a sea change. No longer just a cosmetic problem, it is now known to be a public health problem of the same magnitude as smoking. Indeed, government statistics list overweight as the second-leading cause of preventable death in the United States, after smoking. By increasing the risk for a variety of serious diseases — for example, heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, and several forms of cancer — overweight and its more severe form, obesity, cause 280,000–325,000 deaths in this country each year. For many people, losing weight is not an act of vanity; it’s a struggle for survival.

The dangers of excess weight have come to light at a time when the rates of overweight and obesity are soaring. More than half of all adults in the United States are overweight, and 26% are obese — an increase of more than 50% in the last three decades. Obesity rates are rising dramatically among children, too, an ominous sign for the future health of our population.

Eat less and still lose weight? How is this possible?

Certain foods fill you up faster — and satisfy you longer — than others. Knowing which healthy foods are the most filling and incorporating them into your diet can help you lose weight. And remember, it’s not just what you eat, but how you eat that can make a difference in how full you feel. To help you figure out a strategy that’s going to leave you feeling satisfied while eating less, we’ve interviewed three registered dieticians about filling up while slimming down.

Foods That Help You Feel Full Faster

Fiber

Foods that are high in fiber fill you up on fewer calories, says Tanya Zuckerbrot, MS, RD, and author of The F-Factor Diet. Whole grains, such as whole wheat breads and pastas, oatmeal, and brown rice, are complex carbohydrates that have more fiber and nutrients, and, typically, fewer calories than simple carbs like those in cake, candy, and soda.

Fruits and veggies

“Many fruits and vegetables have high water and fiber contents, making them the ultimate low-calorie filler,” says Zuckerbrot. Grapefruit, apples, pears, berries, broccoli, cauliflower, and asparagus are especially filling. Additionally, says Marisa Moore, RD, National Spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, you should opt for whole fruit over fruit juice whenever possible. “Whole fruit provides all the benefits of juice with an added bonus — fiber, which can keep you feeling full longer,” she explains.

Lean protein

Research indicates that protein ranks high on the scale of foods that make you feel full and creates a greater feeling of satisfaction than other foods, according to Moore. The best choices are animal and plant proteins that are high in calories but low in fat. These include fish, white-meat poultry, fat-free dairy products, egg whites, legumes, beans, peas, and lentils.

Healthy fats

In addition to high-fiber whole grains, fruits and veggies, and lean protein, Lona Sandon, MEd, RD, LD, and a National Spokesperson for the ADA, recommends adding healthy fats to your diet. “For instance, you can use a light olive oil-based dressing,” Sandon says, “and add a spoonful of nuts or seeds to your salads,” because these also contain “good” fats.

Strategies to Help Fill You Up Faster

Start smart. Sandon, Moore, and Zuckerbrot all recommend beginning lunch or dinner with a broth-based, vegetable-filled soup or a salad. “Research suggests that including a broth-based soup or veggie salad with low-calorie dressing may help you eat fewer calories during your meal,” says Moore. Zuckerbrot adds that since these foods take longer to eat, they can also help curb your hunger and prevent you from overeating your main dish.

Don’t skip meals. To avoid filling up on unhealthy options, fuel your body with healthy foods periodically throughout the day, suggests Sandon. This means no skipping meals. “Eat at regular times spaced evenly throughout the day and try to eat approximately the same amount of food at each meal.” Sticking with a schedule, adds Zuckerbrot, will help keep your metabolism working and burning more calories daily.

Use a smaller plate. “We tend to eat with our eyes, not our stomachs,” says Sandon. “For many people, the sign of fullness is an empty plate.” Consuming healthier portion sizes on a smaller plate may have the same effect. For a balanced meal, Sandon recommends loading up at least half your plate with veggies and fruit, then filling a quarter of the plate with lean protein and the other quarter with bread, pasta, or a potato.

Slow down. Because it takes about 20 minutes for the brain to realize that the stomach is full, eating more slowly may help prevent overeating, says Moore. “It allows you to get to the point of being satisfied, not stuffed.” Additionally, many people tend to ignore common signs of fullness, such as the feeling of tightness in the stomach, says Sandon. “Don’t keep eating until your fullness is uncomfortably obvious. Instead, take time out to put your fork or spoon down between bites and have a sip of water while observing the physical sensations of your stomach.”

Monday January 5th, I started my New Year’s Resolution to lose weight for this year. I’m writing this in an effort to keep myself on it, and let you know that if you have weight to lose, this is a very safe and healthy way to change your lifestyle!

I did it back in January of 2007, and lost 37 pounds that year and kept if off almost a full year. 2008 came and went and I found myself at 208 pounds on January 5th. Needless to say, I’d gained it all back plus some! I’m a big boned girl, so 175 is my ideal weight. 33 pounds is my goal for this year! (The sad thing is, I’d been taking enRgy for the whole month of December and had already lost 5 pounds, even through the holidays!)

On Monday, I weighed and measured myself and my total inches for measuring neck, bust, both upper arms, diaphragm, waist, abdomen, hips, both thighs, knees, and calves totaled 398.75 inches! Today after the 1st 2 cleanse days of Isagenix’s 9 day cleanse, I weighed 202 lbs, and my total inches measured 372.75! That’s 6 pounds and 26 inches!!! There were inches lost on every measurement, even my neck! Since I am apple shaped, most of my weight is to the front of me and around my midsection. I even lost 2 inches off my waist. Needless to say, the next 5 days will be MUCH easier, and I am so encouraged to keep going!

I won’t say the 2 cleansing days were easy, they weren’t. You’re drinking 4 oz of the liquid cleanse followed by 8 ounces of purified water 4 times a day, plus an accelerator capsule in the a.m. and after lunch. There are also little chocolate (or vanilla) wafers they call snacks that you can eat between your cleanse drinks and if you absolutely need to, you can eat a small handful of almonds, a hard boiled egg, 1/2 an organic apple or a couple of slices of Hormel all natural smoked turkey, but not all of them, just 1.

Today on day 3, and for the next 5 days, I’ll get a chocolate shake for breakfast, a nice and healthy 400-600 calorie high fiber, lunch of my choice, and then a shake for supper (much better than the last 2 days of cleansing!) then finally next Monday and Tuesday, I’ll finish it off with 2 more cleansing days.

Last time when I did this I’d lost 17 lbs during my 9 day cleanse from Isagenix, and my husband, Bart, lost 19. This time I’m doing it by myself, and I must say doing it with a buddy is much easier!

Once I do my 9 days, I’ll start on the South Beach diet and keep taking my enRgy supplement from GBG which has had me cleaning house and feeling much more energetic than I have in a long time. I think this is a great plan for me to get on track for a healthier 2009!

I’ll keep you informed of my progress again in a few days! If you have questions, call me at 985-892-5858.

Do you get blue on Christmas?

You should be happy…right?

But sometimes we feel stressed, anxious, lonely, or depressed.

If you go to your doctor he’ll give you drugs. These drugs are not only expensive, but they have dangerous side effects. And the long-term impacts on your health are anybody’s guess – insomnia, sexual problems, weight gain, fatigue, and suicidal thoughts.

There are a lot of reasons you get sad during the holidays; fatigue from too much activity… financial woes… family tension. But if you believe the National Mental Health Association, they report holiday depression usually follows unrealistic expectations.1 You can hold on to memories of ideal holidays from years ago, or have expectations that everything will be perfect.

They wouldn’t know this though… You may be blue today from a lack of a critical nutrient. This is a time of year when you probably will attend lots of parties, overindulge, and eat all the wrong foods. As a result, you get even less of your valuable omega-3 fatty acids.

So what does fat have to do with depression or brain function? Heck of a lot, in fact.

Your body needs fat to make brain and nerve cells. What’s more, fat can actually put a smile on your face. It helps the membranes of your brain cells absorb the natural chemicals that put you in a good mood, and keep you there. The fat that your brain craves most is omega-3.

In one study, participants took a pure omega-3 supplement. The result? Their brains started growing. In fact, the parts of their brains that grew were directly responsible for happiness.2 In other studies, researchers found that people suffering from major depression had very low levels of omega-3 in the areas of the brain that help with mood.3

You can easily start boosting your omega-3’s intake today. For the full antidepressant benefit take between 1,000 mgs (1 g) and 4,000 mgs (4 g) per day.

Here’s a list of foods rich in omega-3’s.

Cod liver oil supplements are a good way to go. They come in both oil and pill form, and you can find them in most vitamin shops and health food stores.

In addition to getting enough omega-3’s in your diet, consider trying some of these helpful tips to make your holiday brighter.

• Maintain your relationships with your family and friends, and start new traditions with them. This will help you to feel less lonely around the holidays.
  
  
• If you are feeling overwhelmed, learn to ask your family and friends for help. Many of them will be more than happy to lend a helping hand.
  
  
• Get out and exercise. Go ice-skating, go for a walk, build a snowman with your kids. Do your 10-minute PACE routine. Exercise will energize you and put you in a good mood.
  
  
• Avoid or reduce your consumption of alcohol. It can deepen your feelings of depression.
  
  
• Get in the holiday spirit by doing holiday things. Decorate a tree (big or small), build a gingerbread house, or go to mass at your local church.
  
  
• Volunteer. Helping someone who’s struggling more than you will help you feel better about yourself and help you remember the true meaning of Christmas.
  
  
• Lastly, just breathe. Take a few minutes out of every day to breathe. Take deep breaths, inhaling through your mouth. Be aware of the moment. Focus only on your breathing, in and out, and let all the other stuff just melt away.

I wish you only the best health and happiness for this Christmas and for the coming New Year.

   By Becky Natrajan, M.D. 

1. Strengthen the Immune System. Cleansing impurities and flooding the body with high grade essential nutrients strengthens the immune system. Some studies indicate that a healthy dose of high grade, absorbable protein will strengthen your immune system by as much as 500%.
2. Love Your Liver. A clean, healthy liver supports metabolism and burns fat. A healthy liver promotes normal thyroid function and when the thyroid is healthy, your metabolism and energy levels escalate.
3. Support Healthy Brain Chemistry. When your body can effectively absorb and digest fats and protein, it converts these nutrients into healthy brain chemicals. When your brain chemistry is aligned, you will make healthier food selections.
4. Restore Antioxidants. Toxic compounds create “free radicals” that have the potential to damage cellular DNA-thus leading to cancer, weakened immune systems and accelerated aging.  Antioxidants are substances that block free radical formation and destroy already formed free radicals.
5. Free yourself from stress. In herbal medicine, adaptogens are used to help the body “adapt” to imbalances that stress the body externally or internally. Replenishing the body’s needed adaptogens assists in the bodies own self-regulatory systems, thus reducing stress.
6. Maximize Absorption of Essential Nutrients. Maximizing absorption of nutrients helps to fuel the internal body to support all major organ systems including the circulatory, musculoskeletal, and neurological systems.
7. Aid Digestion. Herbs such as suma, peppermint, fennel seed, and licorice have been used in many cultures to support and aid in digestion. Peppermint is a nontoxic digestive remedy that can provide relief from gas, bloating, nausea, and gastric upset. Peppermint has a calming effect on the smooth muscle of the intestinal tract and is felt to promote the flow of bile from the gallbladder into the small bowel, thus aiding in the digestion of fats.
8. Rejuvenate Your Cells with Ionic Minerals. Minerals are the key to enzyme activation in our digestive tract. When minerals are present, our intestines allow for ultimate absorption of vitamins and essential nutrients. Modern lifestyle has taken its toll on our digestive/elimination organs. Ionic (charged) minerals are the most easily absorbed by our body.
9. Support Your Vital Organs.  If your body is overwhelmed with impurities, gentle cleansing herbs and essential nutrients will allow it to eliminate toxins through the liver (the major detoxifying organ of the body), colon, urinary tract, sweat glands, skin pores, and the lymphatic system much more effectively.
10. Lose Weight and Feel Great. Studies have shown that fat cells provide the perfect environment for holding onto toxins. This is our body’s natural mechanism for protecting itself from dangerous, often deadly toxins. Cleansing aids in the body’s ability to flush fat and increase metabolism.
11. Eliminate Unhealthy Cravings. The healthy body will crave healthy things. The unhealthy body will crave unhealthy things. Cleansing and replenishing allows the internal body to create an environment that craves good, nutritious food.
12. Enhance Cellular Communication. Our cells want two things: good nutrients and a clean environment in which to communicate. Cleansing provides our cells with both.
13. Build Muscle. Cleansing, then replenishing with pharmaceutical grade organic whey protein provides the body with essential amino acids that are the building blocks for the development of lean, dense muscle.
14. Address Diabetes. Type II diabetes is a serious disease that is rampant because of our lifestyles. Effective weight loss and fueling of the body can aid in the body’s ability to restore normal sugar levels.
15. Beautify The Skin. Our skin is the largest organ of our body. Cleansing and replenishing rejuvenates our skin, making us appear younger and suppler.
16. Create Abundant Energy. Better sleep cycles, achieved through cleansing, provide the body with stamina, energy, and mental clarity throughout the waking hours.
17. Balance Your Hormonal System. Cleansing and replenishing balances hormone levels, leading to a feeling of constant well being, increased stamina and increased sexual desire.
18. Slow the Effects of Aging. Toxins and nutritional deficiency can lead to premature aging on an internal and external level. Cleansing and replenishing allows our cells the ability to attack the effects of aging head on. A younger appearance along with incredible energy is often the result!
19. Address Cancer. Researchers suggest that approximately 90,000 cancer deaths may be related to obesity and are therefore, preventable. For almost all cancers, the risk of death increases as body mass increases. Cleansing and replenishing often results in significant weight loss and, thus can reduce the risk of cancer.
20. Enhance Elimination. Refined, processed, low fiber foods, animal fats, lack of exercise,
    dehydration, and an ever-increasing level of stress all contribute to an irritable bowel and to sluggish elimination from the intestinal tract. Cellular cleansing and replenishing with fiber rich nutrients allow better colonic elimination of impurities and is essential in the prevention of intestinal disorders.
21. Never Diet Again! Cleansing and refueling the body is an “anti-diet” approach to optimal health and weight management. “Diets” are often imbalanced and neither strengthen the immune system nor rid the body of toxins. Imbalanced diets rob the body of essential nutrients and only offer temporary results. Why not embrace a program that gives the body the right nutrients, the right balance and the ability to once and for all chronically defend itself against the battle of the bulge?

www.TheBreastDiva.Isagenix.com www.DrSpeaksOut.com www.WeightLossHallOfFame.net