Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is one of the top killers of women today. This type of cancer, which comes from breast cells and in the inner lining of milk ducts or lobules, can spread out into the other areas of the body when malignant. It is an invasive type of cancer and account for about 16 percent of female cancers; about 18 percent of all cancer deaths around the world are attributed to this disease. It is much prevalent in developed nations than in underdeveloped ones, and its risk factors include age, genetics, family history, estrogen exposure, obesity, exposure to radiation and certain jobs. This is why a lot of treatment regimens are currently being discovered and developed for breast cancer.

Breast Cancer and Olive Oil

A recent study will be studying the effects of hydroxytyrosol, which is a major component of olive oil, soon on women who have an increased risk�of developing breast cancer. This study, to be undertaken by Houston Methodist researchers will soon focus on the changes in breast density after one year of treatment with olive oil. This study is considered the first of its kind in the United States and will be studying the effects of olive oil on 50 premenopausal�and 50 postmenopausal women. �This is based on the fact that olive oil has a lot of health benefits such as lowering the risk for stroke, heart disease and high blood pressure.

The subjects of this study will be made to take one capsule a day containing 25 mg of hydroxytyrosol�for one year. Every three months, the subjects will be assessed for side effects and other significant findings. The researchers noted hydroxytyrosol has been studied before in both human and animal studies and has been proven to be one of the world's most powerful antioxidants. It is said to have low toxicity even at high doses.

Olive oil has long been studied over the centuries, from its beginning in the Mediterranean countries. Olive oil has long been used to heal inflammatory diseases due to its anti-inflammatory activities due to its ability to lower inflammatory markers such as thromboxane A2�and leukotrienes. Through the years, olive oil was also known to lower the risk for heart diseases, due to the presence of polyphenols such as hydroxytyrosol (HT), which can protect the cells of the blood vessels from damage caused by reactive oxygen species.

Other studies have also elucidated the fact that olive oil can also reduce the risks for cancer, especially those cancers belonging to the digestive tract, respiratory tract and breast. This is by virtue of its polyphenols such as simple phenols, terpenes, flavones, hydroxycinnamic�acids, anthocyanidins, flavonols, flavonoid glycosides, lignans�and hydroxybenzoic acids. Aside from lowering inflammatory markers, these polyphenols can also lower C-reactive protein levels in the blood and activity of the arachidonic acid pathway which is responsible for inflammatory processes.

The polyphenols in olive oil may act as antioxidants by preventing damage to cells by reactive oxygen species. These substances improve the cell membrane function of cells and lower the risk of cancer development and altered gene expression; at the same time these substances strengthen the antioxidant defense system of the body. Some previous studies have mentioned that olive oil and its components may confer protection against DNA damage from oxygen reactive species. This is especially important in cancer development. Still, in other studies, olive oil and its components have the ability to localize cancer cells so that they cannot spread to other parts of the body. In breast cancer studies, secoiridoids�in olive oil keeps breast cells from reproducing further. Hydroxytyrosol in olive oil is said to enhance programmed cell death or apoptosis in cancer cells.

If you want to learn more about breast cancer and its treatment and prevention, you can check out our other articles on this site.

What is Brown Fat?

It is indeed a wonder why there are certain areas of the body which accumulates fat. Examples of these areas are thighs and the abdomen. Fat�in these areas are the objects of scorn and low self-esteem. The fat in these areas is stubborn and sometimes just wouldn't go away with diet and exercise. Some experts say that fat is just like any other body organ and has also main functions in the body such as the storage of excess calories that can be used during periods of hunger and stress, and the release of hormones that govern metabolism in the body.

There are five types of fat: brown, white, visceral, subcutaneous and belly fat. Among the five, brown fat is the type that has received a lot of attention nowadays. This is because brown fat was the type of fat that was seen more in lean people than in overweight or obese people. It is said that brown fat, when stimulated, can burn calories when it is stimulated. Experts think that brown fat can be used to treat obesity, so that new medicines and supplements should be discovered to increase or stimulate brown fat for weight loss.

The experts also learned that as we age, brown fat in the body declines. Brown fat is more abundant in children than in adults, and it helps keep the body warm, especially during the winter season. Some experts have even actually tried the idea of placing people in cold rooms to burn more calories and stimulate brown fat. Brown fat has been associated with muscle, and is said to burn white fat when activated. It is said that when 2 ounces of brown fat is maximally stimulated, it can burn off about 300 to 500 calories of white fat in a day or about a pound in a week. Brown fat is uncommon even in lean bodies though.

On the other hand, white fat is the type fat found in majority of the parts of the body. This type of fat also functions to store extra energy of the body and create hormones that govern metabolism. Some of the smaller fat cell creates a hormone called adiponectin�which brings about insulin sensitivity to the cells in the muscles and the liver so that carbohydrates taken in by the body are metabolized. If adiponectin production slows down, a person's carbohydrate metabolism become dysfunctional and the person may become susceptible to diabetes and heart disease. Another type of fat, subcutaneous fat, is the type of fat found just under the skin. Subcutaneous fat is not at all that bad and may even have potential benefits. Visceral fat, on the other hand, is the type of fat that surrounds the internal organs and is a bad type of fat because it increases you risk of having heart disease, diabetes, dementia and stroke. This is the type of fat that triggers insulin resistance which in turn leads to a dysfunctional carbohydrate metabolism of the body.

Switch On or Switch Off

A new study published in the January 2014 issue of The FASEB�Journal shows that the thermogenic activity�or the warming activity of brown fat is reduced as we age. Also, the researchers found out about a possible switch on or switch off metabolism that can activate brown fat in the body. This switch is called PAF/PAFR�signalling, which controls UCP1�levels through regulating beta3-AR�production in the brown fat of animals and humans. This discovery may actually trigger the discovery of new therapeutic targets for obesity. The study utilized two groups of mice, one group consisting of mice with the platelet-activating factor receptors (PAFR) gene knocked out. The PAFR-deficient mice were more obese compared to the normal mice.

This finding may trigger further studies of developing therapeutic targets utilizing brown fat in obesity. For more articles on obesity, you can see our other articles on this site.

Migraine and Its Symptoms

A migraine headache�may be one of the most uncomfortable symptoms a person may have. This is because the characteristic headache of a migraine attack�a sudden, severe headache accompanied by light or dark spots, nausea, vomiting and too much sensitivity to light or sound�may disrupt a person's daily activities. Migraine headaches are known to last for hours and even for days, unless medications are taken or environmental conditions are changed.

Migraine headaches often result from blood vessel enlargement and spasm which are brought about by the abnormal discharge of chemicals in the nerve endings. When there are certain triggers, the arteries located outside the skull enlarge and release chemicals in the nerve endings that result to pain and inflammation. This also results to symptoms brought about by changes in the sympathetic nervous system such as diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, coolness of extremities and increased sensitivity to light and sound.

Known triggers of migraines include allergies, stress, lack of sleep, changes in sleeping patterns, strong odours, bright lights, loud noise, smoking, hunger, menstrual cycle, menopause, headaches, tyramine containing foods such as cheese and red wine, intake of foods containing monosodium glutamate or nitrates, chocolates, peanuts, bananas, avocados and certain foods.

Migraine can be prevented by getting enough sleep, lessening stress, good hydration, the avoidance of certain foods and regular physical activity. Doctors may also prescribe certain medications such as NSAIDS�and other pain relievers, Serotonin antagonists such as sumatriptan�may also be given for severe migraine headaches as well as ergot alkaloids. Other medications may include beta-blockers, anticonvulsants�and antidepressants, botulinum toxin and others. These medications are not without side effects. Thus many people are now aiming for natural remedies for migraine.

TMS for Migraine

A recent study in UK has shown that transcranial magnetic stimulation is effective for migraine. The British Association for the Study of Headache noted that this study, which involved 164 patients, proved that TMS worked twice as sham therapy or placebo in reducing migraine headache 2 hours after using the device. TMS uses a portable device which is applied to the scalp so that a brief magnetic pulse is delivered.

Magnets have been widely used in pain control before. Transcranial�magnetic stimulation is a process that uses a magnetic field force to cause depolarization or hyperpolarization of brain cells. This electromagnetic field is rapidly changing and gives out weak electrical currents. Transcranial magnetic stimulation is both used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes; the stimulation can further cause activity in certain areas if the brain with little or no discomfort.

There are two types of TMS stimulations: single/ paired pulse TMS and repetitive TMS. Single/ paired pulse TMS can cause depolarization�and discharge of action potentials from neurons in the brain. On the other hand, repetitive TMS can create long-lasting�effects and can change the excitability of the corticospinal tract with regards to the intensity of stimulation, coil orientation and frequency.

However, TMS is not totally free from side effects. Risks associated with this procedure include seizures, fainting or syncope, headaches, temporary discomfort, minor cognitive changes and even some temporary psychiatric symptoms. In rare cases it may lead to hormonal imbalances, immune system changes and neurotransmitter changes in the brain and in the nerves.

TMS have also been used in other disorders such as depression, chronic pain, stroke rehab, aphasia rehab, ringing of the ears or tinnitus, Parkinson’s disease and other neurological and psychiatric illnesses. More studies are actually needed to determine the safety and efficacy of TMS in migraine headaches.

If you want to learn how to treat and prevent migraine, you can check our other articles on this site.

Brain Changes with Being Sedentary

Can too much sitting and resting affect your brain? Scientists say it can.

A recent study has shown that inactivity can lead to changes in brain structure. This study was conducted in rats and was able to conclude that being sedentary for long can change the shape of the brain cells which further affects brain and heart function. This was in contrast to previous belief that upon reaching adulthood, a person's brain can no longer undergo structural changes. However, recent research says that the brain exhibits plasticity or the ability to be reshaped in response to changes in our lifestyles and environments. It was shown by this research that inactivity can change the structure of the brain.

As described in the report published in The Journal of Comparative Neurology, scientists at Wayne State University School of Medicine and other institutions began to study 12 rats in cages. Half of these rats were given running wheels in their cages and had no restrictions with regards to their physical activity. The other half remained in cages with little or no activity so that they remained sedentary. After three months, these rats were studied as to their brain structure and function. The researchers found out that there were differences in the structures of the neurons in the rostral ventrolateral medulla, a part of the brain that is involved with the sympathetic nervous system as well as the regulation of blood pressure and circulation. The rostral ventrolateral medulla signals the sympathetic nervous system which in turn directs the blood vessels to dilate or to constrict with regards to blood flow. If the sympathetic nervous system is overactive, there would be higher risks for cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure. In this study, the researchers found out that the neurons in the brain of the rats which had physical activity still retained their original shapes, while the neurons of the sedentary ones gained branches or tentacle-like arms. This particular shape has more branches than the usual neurons and is more sensitive to stimuli and can transmit impulses to and from the brain faster than the regular neurons. This causes overstimulation of the sympathetic nervous system which in turn can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.

In the past, there have been many studies which have noted that being sedentary can cause a number of diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, cancers and obesity. This body was equipped to move, not to sit down for long periods of time. This is why we have to be physically active to further avoid disease and debilitating.

What You Can Do

So what must we do to avoid being sedentary most of the time? First of all, we should start our days with non-exercise activities such as stretching, bending and turning. You should be able to do this for about 10 minutes per hour. Every day, you should a lot one hour for pure exercise, especially if you are working at your desk for about 8 hours per day. You can mix standing and sitting at most times and take regular breaks when you have too much desk work. Doing little things such as going to your officemate's desk instead of emailing, parking away from your office so that you can walk, taking the stairs instead of the elevator and walking to lunch can make wonders for your health.

For those who work long hours in the office, you can opt to end your day with a 15-minute walk towards your home. You not actually save gas; you burn calories to make yourself fit and healthy. At times, you can take the bus or the train to work instead of sitting at your car while driving to work.� Also, whenever you watch television, you may opt to stand up instead of sitting down. These are some tips you should be thinking about.

If you want to learn more on how to stay active, you can read our other articles on this site.

Fish Oil

We have been told when we were small to eat plenty of fish because fish contains a good number of nutrients. Well, indeed it is true; eating fish can give you a load of essential nutrients that your body needs every day. But what is in fish that makes it healthy? Experts say the secret lies in fish oil.

As the term implies, fish oil�is oil from fish, but modern technology has now allowed us to enjoy the benefits of fish oil through supplements sold in drugstores nowadays. Fish oil is fish harvested from fatty fish; this type of oil is especially important because it contains omega-3 fatty acids. Examples of fatty fish include tuna, mackerel, salmon, anchovies, sardines, mullet, bluefish, trout, herring and menhaden. There is about 1 gram of omega-3 fatty acids per 3.5 ounces of fatty fish.

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Fish oil has been used for centuries because of its various health benefits. It was often used to prevent diseases of the cardiovascular system. Some people claimed it to have blood pressure and cholesterol lowering properties. These findings suggest the use of fish oil to prevent high cholesterol levels, heart disease and stroke when taken in sufficient amounts. Fish oil has actually been named as brain food� because of it mood elevation properties and its effect on mental well being. It is said that constant intake of fish oils can help with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dementia, psychosis, depression and other mental problems. Fish oil has also its benefits on the eyes because it can prevent dry eyes, macular degeneration and glaucoma.

Fish Oil and Dementia

A recent study has found out that intake of omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil may actually lead to larger brain volumes in old age which may preserve brain health. This finding was published in the January 22, 2014 issue of Neurology. Larger brain volumes brought about by intake of fish oils can actually be benefited by patients with Alzheimer's disease, as this type of dementia is marked by shrinking brain volume. This study tested the levels of omega-3 fatty acids EPA+DHA in the red blood cells of more than a thousand women who participated in the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study. These women were revaluated after 8 years, when, at an average age of 78, they were made to undergo MRI scans to assess brain volume. The study found out that those who have higher omega-3 levels have larger brain volumes eight years later. Higher omega-3 levels were achieved through the use of fish-oil based diets and fish oil supplements. The researchers theorized that omega-3 fatty acids in fish oils can actually delay the loss of brain cells as a part of aging by about one to two years. The researchers also found out that the volume of the hippocampus, the part of the brain involved in memory, was larger in those with higher omega-3 levels than in those who have low omega-3 levels. It is interesting to note that Alzheimer's disease can lead to shrinkage of the hippocampus, a fact that explains memory loss in demented patients.

The benefits of fish oil do not only stop there. There is also widespread use of fish oil for dysmenorrhoea, diabetes, asthma, balance and coordination disorders, obesity, kidney diseases, osteoporosis, psoriasis, arthritis and drug toxicity. It is said that omega-3 exerts its beneficial effects on health through the prevention of inflammation. It is also considered safe when taken for not more than 3 grams per day. If taken for more than 3 grams per day, there is a high risk for bleeding due to its anti-clotting mechanism on the blood. Care should also be observed in patients who are immunocompromised because they may be susceptible to new infections as a result of the anti-inflammatory effect of fish oil.

For more information about the beneficial effects of omega-3, you can check out our other articles.

The Skin

A blemish here, a pimple here and there�all these are enough to diminish your self-esteem. But are we really familiar with the common skin problems that continue to affect us?

It is of no wonder that we should be much concerned for our skin. Our skin, after all, is one of the most important organs of the body, and is also the largest, with the size of about 20 square feet. Our skin functions to protect us from microorganisms that may invade our internal organs and other unhealthy elements as well as it also helps regulate body temperature through the sweat glands and its pores. The skin is also the recipient of numerous sensations and the transmitter of these sensations to the brain and the nerves.

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Just like any other organ in the body, the skin may become sick every now and then. The skin may experience itchiness, breaks, cracks, redness, swelling, rashes or spotting. There are many reasons for these, but here are some of the common skin ailments that you should consider.

Common Skin Lesions

Burning, tingling or sensitive skin later on having rashes made up of raised dots that later on develop painful blisters is a characteristic finding of shingles or herpes zoster. These skin lesions can last for as long as two weeks and can affect the skin of the trunk, buttocks, and other areas. This condition can be treated with antiviral medications, ointments, creams, steroids, antidepressants and other agents.

Itchy welts that burn or sting and gather to form larger areas may be hives or urticaria. Urticaria is a form of allergic reaction to medicines, food, cold, infections, food additives and others. Your doctor may prescribe you with an antihistamine for relief.

If there are thick reddish plaques with scaly rash affecting the scalp, elbows, knees and back, you may be having psoriasis. Psoriasis is usually triggered by a reaction of the immune system so that the skin cells grow quickly to form scale-like lesions.

Inflamed skin which is red, itchy and dry may be eczema, which may be due to irritants, stress, allergens and weather. The cause is usually unknown in most cases but it can disappear and flare up again. Ointments, creams and oral medicines can be used.

Redness of the nose, cheeks, forehead, eyes or chin may be due to rosacea; the redness may have a ruddy appearance with visible blood vessels and pus-filled pimples. Skin may thicken over time. Medications may be given, as well as treatment through laser therapy and other derma procedures.

Blisters on the mouth or nose are known as cold sores or fever blisters and may be due to the herpes simplex virus. This lesion is contagious and may last for 10 days or more. Antiviral medications and creams may be used but you have to consult your doctor if fever develops.

A pimple is a clogged pore�which is filled with oil and dead skin cells. It soon opens to become a blackhead�or open comedo; if it remains closed it can become a whitehead�or closed comedo. These lesions are visible on the face, back, chest and other areas. The trick is to keep the area clean and remove oil frequently.

Peeling, redness, itching, blistering and burning of the foot may be caused by athlete's foot, a fungal infection. This is often spread through shared shoes or walking barefoot in locker rooms and pools. Antifungal creams can help.

Raised lesions occurring on the fingers or hands are commonly caused by warts. Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus and are contagious. If you have a wart, you should cover it, not lick it and keep them dry. In persistent cases, ointments and creams may be used as well as laser therapy and cautery.

If you want to know more on how to take good care of your ski, check out our other articles on this site.

Night Work Bad for Your Health

Shift Work Sleep Disorders

If you think that chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension are a product of man's modernization, you may be right. When the world was young and people worked in broad daylight and slept during night-time, there was a lesser prevalence of chronic diseases. Now, a new disease has emerged in urban settings: shift work sleep disorder.

So what is shift work sleep disorder? This is a condition in which a person could not sleep well at night because he or she works late night shifts. People who have been used to nigh shifts often have trouble sleeping in the morning; if they are no longer working, they find it hard to sleep at night, so they wake up the next day not fully rested. Night work disrupts the circadian rhythm of the normal sleep wake cycle of the body. The circadian rhythm is dependent on the hormone melatonin, which is in turn affected by light and dark. Light tells our body to wake up while dark tells our body to sleep. Difficulties happen when you work at night and you sleep during the daytime. Your circadian rhythm is disrupted and you do not feel well rested after sleep.

A study by the Sleep Research Centre in Surrey has discovered the molecular cause of sleep-work disorder. The results were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and described the changes in the bodies of 22 people who shifted to night�shift work. The genes of these people were in chaos due to mistimed sleep, the reason why probably those who work night shifts feel fatigued at most times.

What To Do

If you suspect that you may have shift work sleep disorder, it is best that you seek consult with your doctor. Your doctor may urge you to take note of your sleep in a sleep diary. You may have to undergo sleep studies as well. With a sleep diary, you will be able to take note of how many hours you sleep, the time when you start sleeping and the time when you wake up. Your doctor may instruct you to record this information in your sleep diary for a week or two and will determine whether you need further information or not. If you have sleep disorders, your doctor may refer you to undergo sleep tests in a sleep lab. Your doctor may also prescribe a test known as an actigraphy, wherein the user wears a watch-like device on his or her wrist that measures your movement 24 hours. This device can tell your doctor when you are sleeping and when you are awake.

So why do we need to deal with shift work sleep disorders? This is because experts have studied that disruptions in your circadian rhythm may cause long-term damage to your health. Shift work sleep disorder is dangerous because it can lead to other more complicated medical problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancers. Shift work can also be one source of stress and can increase your risk of having car accidents and work-related accidents. People who lack good quality sleep such as those with this disorder can perform poorly at work and can poorly concentrate on things. Aside from this, people with work shift disorders are prone to develop infections like colds and flu, cancers such as that of the breast and the prostate, high cholesterol levels, heart attacks, and obesity.

However, if you cannot entirely avoid working late nights, you can do the following. You should sleep in a dark and quiet bedroom and take good care of your health by making frequent health checkups and taking supplements. Melatonin supplements can also help. If your room is not too dark, you should wear an eye mask or use black drapes in your windows. Avoid looking at bright things such as the television and the computer screen when you want to sleep. To block out sounds coming from the outside, you can use earplugs. White noise can also help. You should also eat healthy food such as fruits and vegetables. Avoid consuming caffeine and alcohol. Engage in physical activity during the daytime. Avoid stress at work or at home, and tell your family members not to bother you when you are sleeping.

If you want to know more about sleeping soundly, you can check out other articles on this site.