Artificial sweeteners contribute to weight gain

Artificial Sweeteners Found More Weight-Promoting than Sugar, even at similar caloric intake. In the  rat study published in the journal Appetite this month, more weight gain was observed with intake of saccharin or aspartamine, compared to sugar.  We may want to think twice about using artificial sweeteners.

Reduce your risk factors for cancer - Part 3 of 5

Did you know that the air in your house is more polluted than outside?  This is something I learned recently from Dr. Thom after he returned from a Cancer Conference (Advances in Cancer Strategies, April 2012).  The Environmental Protection Agency is also aware of this and has an extensive article on indoor pollution. (1)  Some of these are from construction or cleaning products.  As our homes become more energy efficient they become more airtight and the chemicals accumulate indoors.  In the very least open those windows on a nice day and get outside.

The more toxins we are exposed to, the more they accumulate.  Toxins tax our liver and immune system, and increase one's risk for cancer.  One chemical found in nearly all plastics is bisphenol A (BPA).  BPA is an estrogen mimicker and has been implicated in breast and prostate cancer. (2, 3)  So avoid plastic as much as possible.  Some suggestions:  

• avoid buying food in plastic
• use stainless steel or glass water bottles
• store leftovers in glass or metal

A detox program may be helpful to decrease the toxins in your system.  Dr. Kristi Hughes has a great detox program with a support group on facebook.   Talk to your naturopathic physician to see if detox is right for you. 

References

1.  The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality. EPA 

2. vom Saal FS, Welshons WV. Large effects from small exposures. II. The importance of positive controls in low-dose research on bisphenol A.  Environ Res. 2006 Jan;100(1):50-76. Epub 2005 Oct 27.

3.  Reuben, Suzanne H. Reducing Environmental Cancer Risk:  What We Can Do Now.  National Cancer Institute, President's Cancer Panel 2008-2009 Annual Report.

Disclaimer: For individualized specifics of how to create positive lifestyle changes in your life, please talk to your naturopathic physician or primary care provider.

Reduce your risk factors for Cancer - Part 2 of 5

We all know that alcohol isn't good for our bodies, but did you know that drinking alcohol increases your risk for cancer? (1)  That's right, alcohol can increase your risk for the following types cancer, to just mention a few.

• breast
• lung
• colon & rectum
• liver
• stomach
• pancreatic
• mouth. throat, & esophagus
• ovarian
• prostate

Alcohol is inflammatory, meaning that it causes damage to our tissues, which over time damages the DNA leading to the accumulation of cancer cells. Although the threshold for increased risk for each type of cancer varies, erring on the side of caution is beneficial.  In fact, one drink a day can increase a woman's risk by 4%, and more than 3 drinks per week increases a woman's risk for breast cancer by 50%! (2)  Alcohol also increases estrogen in the body, which can help some cancers grow, especially breast.

"But all my friends like to do is hang out and drink."  There are plenty of other tasty, healthy beverages if what you need is something in your hand.  Remember, most alcoholic drinks can be made without the alcohol.  If you are looking for something entirely different try: kombucha, mineral water with essence of lemon or lime, teas (herbal, green, white, black), coffee (which can be a class on its own), juices, smoothies, and you can play around with combinations of all of the above.  Who knows, your new favorite drink might be Lime Perrier with white tea, and a splash of grapefruit juice.  And the possibilities are endless when it comes to fruit, a blender, and your imagination.  Perhaps, if your friends aren't interested in doing anything but drinking, maybe its time to find some new friends.

If you are looking for that buzz, well there really isn't a direct substitute.  However, you may want to consider devoting more time to your other hobbies, starting a new one.  But I have to say that kombucha can be close, especially with calming herbs such as Kava.  In my experience, kombucha has the special ability to pick you up or help slow you down depending on what you need.  Plus it has billions of little probiotics to help your gut and immune health, thus perhaps preventing cancer!  My favorite brand is Brew Dr. Kombucha.

So next time you reach for that cocktail or beer pause to ponder, "Do I want to have cancer?"  The occasional drink, every month or so, is not going to significantly increase your risk. But don't get carried away. 

Stay tuned for the next session on environmental pollutants.

References:
1. American Cancer Society:  Alcohol Use and Cancer
2. Seitz HK, Pelucchi C, Bagnardi V, La Vecchia C. Epidemiology and pathophysiology of alcohol and breast cancer: update 2012. Alcohol Alcohol. 2012 May;47(3):204-12. Epub 2012 Mar 29.

Disclaimer: For individualized specifics of how to create positive lifestyle changes in your life, please talk to your naturopathic physician or primary care provider.

Reduce your risk factors for Cancer - Part 1 of 5

By learning about some of the big risk factors for cancer, you can make informed choices to better your health.  The next few entries will focus on the risk factors and how you can make positive changes in your life.  For those of you who can't wait, here they are in brief. Alcohol is a known risk factor, in part because it is inflammatory.  Exposure to environmental pollutants is another, especially indoors.  Can you believe there is more pollution inside than outside?  Just another reason to get out there and move your body.  Which brings us to one of the most overlooked risk factors, BMI (Body Mass Index), your weight.  There are numerous ways to improve your BMI through healthy diet and exercise.  Lastly, your mental emotional wellbeing is another dimension of health that is essential to health.  Emotional stressors can contribute to the development of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and countless other conditions.  


Eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and reserving time for friends, family, and hobbies are key to your health.  It can be overwhelming to think of making so many changes, so pick one or two things to start or stay tuned for tips on how you can improve in each of these areas.  Remember any change in a positive direction is an improvement no matter how small.


Disclaimer: For individualized specifics of how to create positive lifestyle changes in your life please talk to your doctor or naturopathic physician.

Oldest doctor dies at 114 - What can we learn from her?

World's oldest doctor, Leila Denmark dies at 114 years old.  She practiced medicine for 70 years, until the age of 103!  


What secret to long life can we learn from her?  Love what you do, don't think of it as work.  She practiced out of her house; parents bringing their sick children to her anytime.  Eat a healthy diet (wonder what she actually ate) and avoid SUGAR!  Even with a family history of heart disease, of which 11 of her 12 siblings died from, she lived a long healthy life.  She is a great example of the power each of us have in making healthy lifestyle choices for a long, healthy life.


To learn more about Dr. Denmark see the full article with pictures:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2124859/Woman-worlds-oldest-doctor-dies-aged-114.html

Midwife honored with CNN Hero award

Image from: http://www.guerrillamidwife.org

Robin Lim, a midwife in Bali, was honored with CNN's Hero of the Year award this past Sunday. She believes that how a child is brought into the world helps shape how they interact and behave in the world. It brings to the forefront the importance of supportive care of women in the childbearing year, peaceful birth, and midwifery. Proper prenatal care and attendance by an experienced set of hands (midwives or doctors) is essential to the health and wellbeing of women and children.

In some countries, like Bali, women sometimes have no one in attendance to help them with one of life's greatest challenges and most rewarding experiences (birth), not to mention any prenatal care. As a result 981 women die every day. Robin pleas for your help to change that by supporting midwifery to mother care.

Women in the US are blessed with many options for prenatal care and birth. Sometimes the safest, best option is a home or birth center birth attended by a midwife (certified nurse midwife, certified professional midwife, lay midwife, or naturopathic doctor/midwife). Other times, a hospital birth with an an obstetrician or certified nurse midwife may be best. The most important thing to consider, after health risks, is where the woman feels the safest because in order for the birth to progress she must be relaxed. I hope all women take the time to investigate all their options so they can make a well informed choice that is best for their family.

To learn about Robin Lim see her excellent documentary Guerrilla Midwife. Learn more about choices in childbirth at Childbirth Connection

"Peace on Earth begins with birth, support midwives"

Early TV watching linked to ADHD

The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages television watching in children under 2 years old. Watching TV before the age of 2 increases the chance the child will be diagnosed with ADHD. Watching TV impacts the way children's brains develop. It is especially important for very young children to play as it teaches them about the world and wires their brain appropriately.

More info:
American Academy of Pediatrics' Healthy Children website for parents and article on television

article: it's official: tv linked to attention deficit

Study in Pediatrics: Early Television Exposure and Subsequent Attentional Problems in Children