TabsMagic

A study has revealed that women with breast cancer are able to extend cancer survival by learning to relax. The study conducted in the U.S. examined the survival rates of women who had their cancer return after their initial treatment. The group of women volunteers worked with psychologists to come up with ways to reduce stress; stress being one of the main causes of cancer complications.

Reducing stress levels enabled the immune system to remain strong and resulted in Improvements in the quality of the women’s lives. The women who were part of the support group that helped them deal with stress lived on average 6 months longer than those that did not.

From Ohio State University, Columbus psychology professor Barbara Andersen said, “If you have someone who can provide effective, research-supported ways to reduce your stress, not only will that affect your mental health. It will likely affect your symptoms and your recovery.”

The 227 women who volunteered for the study were newly diagnosed with Stage II or III breast cancer. Some of the women received therapy to enable them to understand their stress, cope with it, stick to the cancer treatment prescribed to them and develop an over all better emotional state. The other women received a psychological assessment.

What was unusual about the results was that the therapy enhanced the women’s survival rates which had not been known before in other studies.

Andersen further explained the details of the study, saying: “It was far more than the popular notion of support groups of patients in a room talking about their troubles,” adding that “Certain patients talked about things that were stressful to them, but they also learned really effective ways to cope with that stress.”

Previous parts of the study showed that 45% of women who had attended the support group had less likelihood of their breast cancer returning after 11 years of follow ups.
The enhanced survival rates revealed in this last phase of the study were above and beyond any drug treatment improvements.

From Washington University in St. Louis, Sarah Gehlert stated that “An intervention that increased survival would be incredibly valuable. It represents a new tool for improving the lives of women with breast cancer.” She had no connection with the study.

More and more experts are agreeing that seaweed can be categorized as a superfood. That claim is being supported by investigations that reveal that seaweed, which is a variety of algae, contains more calcium than cheese, more fibre than you will find in prunes and more iron than a sirloin steak. All these comparisons are weight for weight.

Other important vitamins and minerals contained in seaweed are potassium and iodine and it is the sole plant that is a source of vitamin B12. The most recent studies on seaweed revealed that its bioactive substances aid in reducing blood pressure and cholesterol, plus its ability to deal with free radicals that are the cause of cancer.

The American Association for Cancer Research has recently published their initial research that revealed how extracts of seaweed was able to inhibit cancer cell growth that would otherwise lead to lymphoma. They were interested to know the connection between seaweed and cancer reduction on account of the Japanese who eat more seaweed per capita than any other nation and have low cancer rates in their women.

The University of Newcastle conducted research that showed how seaweed fibres (alginates) were responsible for reducing the absorption of fat by the body and could thus be considered a viable weightloss ingredient.

From Newcastle University, research associate in human nutrition, Dr Iain Brownlee said: “We’ve found that by adding these natural fibres to food products, up to 75 per cent of the fat we consume could simply pass through the body – so in theory it could be used to fight obesity. Alginates could be used in place of the fat that gives food its flavour. In tests, people have actually preferred bread with small levels of alginate in it – so it’s not something you have to force yourself to eat.

So I have been making myself ‘flapjacks’ of a fashion as in the morning there is not really time at work to have breakfast- and I was ending up not eating until about 11am. These are perfect as I can just eat them as I am setting up for the morning.

I never follow a recipe as such- but the batch I made this week were great- so thought I would see if I could remember what I had done….

I used a 9 x 9in baking tin which I buttered.

The oven was around 170- 180 deg……

I had some apples which needed using up- about 5 which I peeled and chopped then put in a pan with a bit of water and a BIG shake of cinnamon.

I let these simmer on a low heat for around 20 mins – until really soft, then I blended them with a hand blender…..

While the apples are simmering I got a huge mixing bowl and shoved in about 100g self raising flour, 100g wheat germ (lots of vitamins etc in here) and lots of oats- 200g maybe? I also added a pinch of salt and a pinch of baking powder. Then I chopped some pecans and walnuts (think protein) – probably a good big double handful. With the dry ingredients it really doesn’t matter what you use- you can add fruit, different nuts, the wheatgerm is optional, sometimes I add chocolate…….ok a lot of the time I add chocolate!

Back to the apple blended mix- here it all goes a bit hazy as I tend to just shove in what needs using up! I added a tub of cream cheese- gives it a nice consistency and more protein. About 200g peanut butter – for the same reasons as the cream cheese and the fact that I LOVE it. However if you are not keen on either of these I would just use more butter instead – as I only put in about 2 tablespoons along with the peanut butter and cream cheese. Also added about 100g brown sugar and 2 tablespoons honey.

All this on the hob at a low heat stirring until it’s smooth and warm.

Then mix the oat and apple mixes together – if its too wet add more oats – I think I added a good couple handfuls more. If too dry melt a bit more butter and sugar….

Pat it down into your baking tin and into oven – mine were only in 10-15 mins – just need to be in there until the top is brown. Take out and cut up into bars.

So why are these good – other than because they taste it……

Porridge and oats: these complex carbohydrates are so good for you it hurts! High in vitamin B6 so boosts levels of serotonin, the brains feelgood chemical. Rich in soluble fibre that is proven to lower blood cholesterol, and gives a slow release of energy. A study of 10000 children showed oats for brekkie helped reduce childhood obesity by half. Oats stabilise blood sugar thus boosts concentration. Slow energy release (Low GI) keeps blood sugar level and you feel fuller for longer. Also proven to help weight loss, heart disease, diabetes, reduce blood pressure, fight infection and boost the immune system………..get eating!!

Honey: antibacterial properties help you ward off germs and bugs. Helps relieve indigestion, ulcers and eczema.

Nuts: high in protein and unsaturated fat, reduce risk of heart disease and hypertension.

Wheat germ: very high in protein – around 28% which is more than can be found in most meat products. Has more potassium and iron than any other food source. Also has high amounts of riboflavin, calcium, zinc, magnesium, and vitamins A, B1, B3 and E. Vitamins B1 and 3 are very important in energy levels and maintaining healthy muscles, organs, hair and skin. Vitamin E is a very important antioxidant helpful in preventing the body’s aging process and also to prevent heart disease. Vitamin E also helps to prevent blood clots and is needed to strengthen the body’s immune system.

Convinced yet…….?

In a move that shocked dieters across the world, Weight Watchers teamed up with McDonalds. The slimmers group, Weight Watchers that is dedicated to helping people lose weight, has a very strong presence in the West. The foundation of its system is to get Weight Watcher members to observe a calorie intake limit amounting to between 18 to 40 points according to their scale.

The agreement is currently restricted to Australia. The McDonalds meals that Weight Watchers has certified amount to 6.5 points and that include a salad and diet soft drink. The deal between the two multinational companies means that McDonald’s will use the Weight Watchers logo on its tray mats and menu boards and tray mats and for their part Weight Watchers will endorse McDonald’s to its weighty loss membership that totals in the millions.

Anti obesity campaign groups are infuriated with the move.

They say it will encourage people to eat more of the fast food instead of more nutritious foods or lead them to eat the more fatty varieties on McDonald’s menu. From the Australian Obesity Policy Coalition, senior advisor, Jane Martin said “It’s all about sales really,” and that “It implies this food is healthy … when often it is high in fat and salt.” Director of business for Weight Watchers in Australia and New Zealand, Chris Stirk, encouragingly said that it is “part of our philosophy that you can enjoy life … while still achieving your weight-loss goals”.

One dieter, Rachel May had this to say: “I can’t imagine that the meals endorsed by Weight Watchers will be very filling but people who miss McDonald’s will give the company a lot of business”, she said.

Motivation is a key issue in the world of a personal trainer….

I think that the most important part of my job is to find what motivates my client to rech their goals- and to work on exploiting that as much as possible so to maximise their gains.

Many people are motivated by a particular date, be it a wedding to lose weight and get in shape for, or a sporting competition to train for…….

Many people are motivated by a certain ‘life awareness’ event that has made them realise that they need to optimise their experience on earth and being fit and healthy will help them do this,……..

Many people gain extra motivation just  out of paying me!! So many clients say to me ‘well, i have paid you to help me do this now so i sure as hell am going to do it!!’

I think that the fact that personal training  is an option above the run of the mill getting fit is what makes it work, i have never yet had a client that i have not got to their goal…..

Artichokes or more precisely artichoke leaf extract has been found to be great at keeping cholesterol levels down. The artichoke leaf extract is made from the leaves found at the stem of the artichoke plant itself. The majority of people only eat the heart of these vegetables and leave the leaves aside, yet research reveals that they are the best part of it.
 
ALE has been utlised by herbalists as a means to enable the liver to cleanse itself by keeping the bile circulating efficiently. However as a powerful antioxidant, ALE can also be used as a way to detox the body by rejuvenating the diet.
 
Other health areas that ALE has been known to be very beneficial are with gastrointestinal disorders, digestive problems, abdominal pain, indigestion, gas, nausea, acid reflux disease and vomiting. Additionally, ALE keeps the gallbladder in top working order.
 
 
Dr. Rafe Bundy, one of the doctors involved in the study said that reducing cholesterol levels can, “Reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Our research investigated whether ALE could be beneficial to otherwise healthy people who had raised levels of cholesterol but were not yet at a stage where they needed standard medical intervention.”

Anyone got any good recipes?

UK researchers have conducted experiments that resulted in the discovery that mint tea can relieve pain. Brazilian mint tea otherwise known as hyptis crenata appears to have equal analgesic qualities as proprietary pain killers.
 
A team of researchers from Newcastle went to Brazil to discover how the Brazilian tea medicine is traditionally prepared so they could recreate the same thing at home. They found that the most common method of preparation was to boil the dry leaves for 30 minutes and allow the concoction to cool before use.
 
Graciela Rocha, the lead researcher of the project said: “Since humans first walked the Earth we have looked to plants to provide a cure for our ailments – in fact it is estimated more than 50,000 plants are used worldwide for medicinal purposes. Besides traditional use, more than half of all prescription drugs are based on a molecule that occurs naturally in a plant.”

So, there! Here is me wondering how hard the pharmaceutical companies are going to be working to sit on that one!!

They certainly are not too forthcoming about shouting the benefits of sports massage for long term pain relief!

Dangers of the high street coffee!!

 Starbucks is under attack- Salt and ………soya!!

We are most of us aware of the ‘dangers’ of too much salt in our diets. We most of us attempt to limit our consumption of added salt and avoid the reported high salt products. It would seem however that the problem of the ‘hidden’ demon is ever increasing!!

 A Starbucks muffin you would assume and forgive for being a high sugar product- but high salt too? As much as the 2 rashers of bacon that you could have had in a morning fry up? Now thats just not fair!!

Yes it seems a Starbucks pain au raisen contains TWICE as much salt as the same product from Cafe Nero….. If it tasted twice as good one might feel less cheated….

And soya too……..SOYA?! but that’s healthy I hear you cry!

 It would seen not the case. Now…. soya traditionally produced can be a very beneficial protein alternative. BUT this is when it is traditionally produced in countries such as Indonesia and China, a process involving a slow fermentation that detoxifies the naturally poisonous chemicals within the soya bean plant. soya products such as Tempeh, Miso Natto and Soya sauce are all produced using this toxin removing process. Such a manual process is uneconomic with respect to time and labour and it is impossible to produce an inexpensive product in sufficient quantities with such methods. As a consequence many of the soya products that arrive on our shop shelves are there as a result of cheaper methods, this is the process;

1. Wash the beans in highly alkaline bath or boil in petroleum based solvents.

2. Bleach and introduce various questionable compounds into the mix

3. Heat blasting and crushing the mix into small flakes

4. Mix with water to make ‘milk’. So the above process makes a ‘milk’ of the bean without attempting to remove the dangerous toxins it contains… hmmmm……….

 However, in its defence soya products contain isoflavones which are claimed to reduce the risk of certain diseases. But, isoflavones also contain phytoestrogens- chemicals capable of mimicking human oestrogens….. these phytoestrogens are capable of causing infantile leukaemia and breast cancer research would conclude.

So it is not the soya product as such that is the problem , but is once again human greed- high demand has led to cost cutting methods which have resulted in once again, us poisoning ourselves.

 Starbucks is just responding to demand, we are crying out to be poisoned by both our demand for cheap health products and our ignorant acceptance when these are given to us!

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