My Health Articles

Gluten Free Diet for Arthritis

2008-04-04T20:19:00.008+01:00

Arthritis sufferers who adhere to a gluten-free vegan diet could be better protected against heart attacks and stroke, according to a recent randomized study.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is considered to be a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. However, according to findings published in the open access journal Arthritis Research & Therapy, adapting the diet of RA patients could go some way to protecting against these heart conditions.

Researchers led by Johan Frostegard of the Rheumatology Unit at the Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm found that a gluten-free vegan diet was shown to lower cholesterol – both low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and oxidized LDL (OxLDL) – in RA sufferers.

In addition, the diet also raised the levels of natural antibodies against the damaging compounds in the body that cause symptoms of the chronic inflammatory disease rheumatoid arthritis, such as phosphorylcholine.

The gluten-free vegan diet was also found to lower the body mass index (BMI) of patients.

Diets

The researchers divided sixty-six RA patients randomly into two groups.Thirty-eight of the volunteers were asked to eat a gluten-free vegan diet for one year, while the other 28 consumed a well-balanced but non- vegan diet during the period.

The vegan diet group started with one-day low-energy fasting, with vegetable broth and berry juices, followed by the gluten-free vegan diet for one year. In the vegan diet, protein energy level was 10 per cent of the total energy intake, carbohydrate was 60 per cent, and fat was 30 per cent.

The vegan diet contained vegetables, root vegetables, nuts, and fruits.As gluten was not permitted, the diet contained buckwheat, millet, corn, rice, and sunflower seeds. Unshelled sesame seeds in the form of sesame milk were a daily source of calcium.

The control diet contained 10-15 per cent protein, 55-60 per cent carbohydrate, and no more than 30 per cent fat. Five or more daily servings of fruits and vegetables were recommended, as well as increasing intakes of starch and other complex carbohydrates by eating potatoes, bread, and cereals and selecting whole-grain products as often as possible.

Assessing the results

Frostegard and his team analysed the levels of fatty, lipid molecules in blood samples using routine analytical methods at regular periods.

They also measured oxLDL and anti-phosphorylcholine (antiPC) factor at the beginning of the study, at 3 months and again at 12 months.

The researchers found that the gluten-free vegan diet "significantly" reduced LDL and oxLDL levels and raised antiPC antibodies, while also lowering the body-mass index (BMI) of the volunteers in that group.

Levels of other fatty molecules, including triglycerides and high- density lipoprotein (HDL) stayed the same. In contrast, none of the indicators differed significantly for the control groups on the conventional healthy diet.

Commenting on the findings the researchers said: "There is now a large body of evidence indicating that this change of lipid profile is favourable in relation to atherosclerosis and CVD, and this diet therefore is likely to be antiatherogenic also in RA.

"We also report that both BMI and weight decreased significantly in the vegan diet group, which was not the case in the control group. Cholesterol, LDL, and BMI also differed significantly between groups and not only within the vegan group."

According to Frostegard, the findings of the study could be used to improve the long-term health of people with rheumatoid arthritis.

However, he added that a larger study group will be needed to discern which particular aspects of the diet are the most beneficial.

Editor in Chief

Peter Charalambos

My Health Articles

Healthy Living Store

Which Vitamins

For Women in Particular

2007-02-13T21:07:00.002Z

We all know that women and in particular those at or nearing middle age have many different health and lifestyle concerns. When the children become adults and fly the nest, this is when they are able to think more about themselves and their own health.

Unfortunately, this is when the skin becomes drier and more prone to wrinkle and along with perhaps lack lustre hair and perhaps the menopause. All this can create turmoil in the mind and body but thankfully there are answers.

We highlight below some nutritional female-friendly supplements that we feel would be beneficial:

A quality Multivitamin with iron is A complete daily Multivitamin with iron, this will ensure that the optimum levels of nutrients for those approaching middle age are met. This formula contains plenty of anti-ageing antioxidants and trace minerals.And for those creaky Bones.

At this stage of life we must maintain our bone health. It is vital to ensure that we don’t allow ourselves a risk of our bones becoming brittle otherwise, as you can imagine, this could well lead to fractures. During the menopause the levels of the bone protector (oestrogen) decline so we should take care by supplementing.

Supplementing with what? (click to read the rest of 'For Women in Particular' and a lot more besides)

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Author Credit:
Peter Charalambos is a contributing writer for health information sites. He has written about all aspects of vitamins, minerals and health supplements and constantly strives to uncover biased research which tries to undermine natural products in favour of drugs. He writes for www.vitaminfo.co.uk , www.MyHealthArticles.co.uk and for www.MySportsArticles.com where it relates to sports health
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Note:
Attn E-zine editors and Site owners.
Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your e-zine or on your site so long as you leave all links in place, do not modify the content and include our resource box as listed above. Also, kindly advise us where and when it will be published.
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Cranberry

2006-11-22T18:59:00.004Z

Cranberry

Researchers have found that compounds in cranberry may not only help prevent urinary tract infections (more on that later), but could also be an alternative to antibiotics for other infections such as tooth decay, gastroenteritis and kidney infections.

By growing the digestive tract bacteria, E. coli, in various concentrations of cranberry juice or its tannin compounds known as proanthocyanidins, Dr Camesano of Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts in the US, and her team, observed an increasing effect on the bacteria with higher concentrations, which suggests that whole or undiluted cranberry products could have the greatest benefits.

By changing the shape of bacteria from rods to spheres, altering their cell membranes, and making it difficult for the bacteria to make contact with cells, E. coli was prevented by cranberry from adhering to cells, which is an initial step in all infections.
In previous research conducted by the team, it was discovered that cranberry (Click to read on........
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Author Credit:
Peter Charalambos is a contributing writer for health information sites. He has written about all aspects of vitamins, minerals and health supplements and constantly strives to uncover biased research which tries to undermine natural products in favour of drugs. He writes for www.vitaminfo.co.uk , www.MyHealthArticles.co.uk and for www.MySportsArticles.com where it relates to sports health
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Note:
Attn E-zine editors and Site owners.Feel free to reprint the complete article in its entirety in your e-zine or on your site so long as you leave all links in place, do not modify the content and include our resource box as listed above. Also, kindly advise us where and when it will be published.
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Macular Degeneration

2006-11-22T18:23:00.001Z

Health e-Tips

According to the results of a recent US survey, the health threat most people are worried about, next to cancer, is losing their sight. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in people over 55, and by the age of 65 it’s estimated that as many as one in four of us in the UK may begin to show signs of having the condition.

AMD gradually destroys a person's sharp, central vision, making it difficult to perform everyday tasks such as reading or driving. But the good news is that it's a disease that can be prevented, and you can start by getting adequate omega-3 fatty acids in your diet.

One recent study found that eating mackerel, salmon, or other fish that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids is an important way to reduce your risk of developing AMD. Researchers at the University of Sydney studied 2,900 people for five years and found that those who ate at least one serving per week of fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids could cut their risk of developing AMD by as much as 40 percent.
Upping your fish intake to twice a week could help you reduce your risk by another 45 percent, according to research conducted at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.

It's important to balance your intake of omega-3 fatty acids with omega-6 fatty acids: Consuming too much omega-6 fatty acids will diminish the effectiveness of omega-3s.

The Massachusetts-led study also found that smoking raises the risk of age-related macular degeneration.
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Peter Charalambos is a contributing writer for many information sites. He writes for health sites, sports sites, financial and business sites and of course sites of a general nature. As a retired gentleman he is happy to offer his knowledge and experience for the benefit of individuals and communities alike.. Many of the articles on these subjects are written for Vitaminfo.co.uk and MyHealthArticles.co.uk and a new site to be up soon, MySportsArticles.com
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Note: Attn E-zine editors and Site owners.Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your e-zine or on your site so long as you leave all links in place, do not modify the content and include our resource box as listed above. Also, kindly advise us where and when it will be published.

Post Stent Protection

2006-10-10T00:07:00.001+01:00

Post-stent protection!

What's that?

About six years ago, a friend of mine named Helen underwent an angioplasty procedure to insert a stent in a narrowed artery. Her doctor assured her that this was routine stuff. Not a day at the beach, of course, but relatively simple and common. Helen was nearly 80 when her stent was inserted, so she had qualms about undergoing surgery, no matter how minor. I expect her doctor understood that some reassurance was needed, so his characterising of the procedure as routine was probably intended to calm her fears. But I'm not a doctor, and you're not my patient, so I'll just come right out and tell you that the insertion of a stent should not be taken lightly, because while it may treat one problem, it often leads to new complications that are not easily solved. Read more on The idea of stent protection........Read on

This article is a Health Sciences Institute e-Alert
October 2006

Peter Charalambos
Editor
My Health Articles.co.uk

Many articles are kindly submitted by The Article Times.com and Vitaminfo.co.uk and where it relates to Health we also gratefully receive article contributions from My Sports Articles.com

Osteoarthritis

2006-10-01T11:58:00.001+01:00

Osteoarthritis Sufferers!
This article is also for them, their families and others interested in learning more about the disorder.It describes osteoarthritis and its symptoms and contains information about diagnosis and treatment, as well as current research efforts supported by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) and other components of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
It also discusses pain relief, exercise, and quality of life for people with osteoarthritis. If you have further questions after reading this article, you may wish to discuss them with your doctor.

What Is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, especially among older people. Sometimes it is called degenerative joint disease.

Osteoarthritis is a joint disease that mostly affects the cartilage. Cartilage is the slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones in a joint. Healthy cartilage allows bones to glide over one another. It also absorbs energy from the shock of physical movement.In osteoarthritis, the surface layer of cartilage breaks down and wears away. This allows bones under the cartilage to rub together, causing pain, swelling, and loss of motion of the joint. Over time, the joint may lose its normal shape. Also, bone spurs--small growths called osteophytes--may grow on the edges of the joint. Bits of bone or cartilage can break off and float inside the joint space. This causes more pain and damage.

People with osteoarthritis................click to read this extensive and interesting article...........

Peter Charalambos
Editor:
My Health Articles.co.uk
Many articles are kindly submitted byThe Article Times.com and where it relates to Health we also gratefully receive article contributions from My Sports Articles.com and http://www.vitaminfo.co.uk/

2006-10-01T11:27:00.002+01:00

Postpartum Depression!
(PPD) (Post Natal to you & me)

Author's prologue:
I recently got drawn into seeing at first hand a good friend suffering from PPD. She is a bright and extremely intelligent young girl who is perfectly aware of her predicament. I may be wrong but to me she seems to be able to stand to one side and see what is happening to her yet she is unable to control the varied emotions that have befallen her.

Events, fears, worries etc that she would normally brush aside affect her to distraction and her immediate family, although willing, can only help physically. I won't go into the personal issues here because, well, they are personal, so to get around this unusual predicament that I find myself in, I decided to actually post an article on the subject which includes stuff from other people. Why? Because I normally write (or try to write) impartially but on this subject, since the contact with my friend, I felt I couldn't do so, therefore, I have added content written by various (impartial) people.

I have kept all links and credits in place so if you are reading this on a computer you may visit further resources should you wish to do so. Those of you who know my writing principals might find this odd but in this case I decided to depart from the norm. Now, on to the subject matter.

Peter Charalambos
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Postpartum depression is a complex mix of physical, emotional, and behavioural changes that occur in a mother after giving birth. It is a serious condition, affecting 10% of new mothers. Symptoms range from mild to severe depression and may appear within days of delivery or gradually, perhaps up to a year later. Symptoms may last from a few weeks to a year.Baby blues'Baby' or maternity blues are a mild and transitory form of 'moodiness' suffered by up to 80% of postpartum women.

Symptoms:
They typically last from a few hours to several days, and include tearfulness, irritability, hypochondriasis, sleeplessness, impairment of concentration, and headache. The maternity blues are not considered a postpartum depressive disorder.

Diagnosis:
The diagnostic criteria for postpartum depression (PPD) are the same as for major depression, except that to distinguish PPD from the mild, transitory baby (maternity) blues, the symptoms must be present one month postpartum. Depression can also occur during pregnancy (ante-natal depression).There are other types of postpartum distress that do not involve depression. For example, the mother may present with postpartum anxiety and postpartum OCD (including pure-O OCD). Symptoms of post-partum OCD include recurring intrusive thoughts, obsessive thoughts, avoidance behaviour, fears, anxiety, and depression.

Causes:
While not all causes of PPD are known, several factors have been identified. .........click to read the rest of this fascinating article on Postpartum Depression

Editor:
My Health Articles.co.uk
Many articles are kindly submitted by The Article Times.com and where it relates to Health we also gratefully receive article contributions from My Sports Articles.com . and www.Vitaminfo.co.uk

THE PROSTATE

2006-09-04T23:17:00.004+01:00

What’s the most common health complaint for middle-aged and older men?THE PROSTATE!(Technically known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)If you fall into this category then read this! Statistics confirm that you have a one in three chance of developing a prostate problem at some stage in your life but................

...............Here’s the good news..............

Most serious prostate problems are avoidable!New findings published recently, report that there is a link between consuming a greater amount of folate with a reduced risk of developing prostate cancer.Promising findings aren’t they?In 1999 it was revealed that almost 25,000 men were diagnosed as having prostate cancer and this number is expected to continue increasing.Reduce the risk by over a third!

Folate is the form of the B vitamin – folic acid – that naturally occurs in leafy green vegetables like spinach. Folic acid is essential for the proper synthesis and repair of DNA and therefore for cell division. Although commonly referred to as an essential vitamin for pregnant women, new findings have found that folic acid is just as important for men.

In a case-control study of prostate cancer over a period of 11 years researchers in Italy analysed data from almost 1300 patients. All diagnosed with prostate cancer!This was compared to 1,451 patients with growths (but not associated with tumours or cancer) who were admitted to the same hospital. Researchers then evaluated over 78 different foods that had been eaten by these patients up to two years prior to their diagnosis or hospital admission.

It was found that Folate intake was directly related to prostate cancer risk! A 34% LOWER risk of prostate cancer was found in men who included a lot of folate in their diets, This was compared to men whose intake of folate was considerably lower and based on these findings it was concluded that there is a very strong relationship between a high intake of folate and lower levels of cancer.

Get an e-book 'Vitamins The Truth'. ALL you need know about Vitamins,Minerals & Health Supplements and the Food you need to eat to get the vitamins you need..

So………mum was right all those years ago…

"Eat your greens because they’re good for you"

Another Product known to benefit the prostate issue is Saw Palmetto, a product used as a treatment of its symptoms. Many men regularly use both products.

Studies have shown that it is effective in reducing symptoms associated with BPH. Saw Palmetto appears to have efficiency similar to that of medications like Finasteride. It is also believed to be easier for the body to tolerate and of course it is much cheaper.

There are no known drug interactions with Saw Palmetto, and reported side effects are minor and rare. No data on its long-term usage are available however. Today, Saw Palmetto remains the leading selling of natural prostate remedies, out selling all other herbal products combined.

The conclusion?Protect your prostate by increasing your intake of folate and seriously consider adding Saw Palmetto to your daily supplement intake.

Food information!
Foods high in folate include: Dark green leafy vegetables like greens, spinach, broccoli, eggs, orange juice, fortified breakfast cereals and vitamin supplements (in the form of folic acid).The recommended dose for folic acid is 400 micrograms daily, and 320mg of Saw Palmetto, both preferably taken at mealtimes.

Peter Charalambos

Editor:
My Health Articles.co.uk
Many articles are kindly submitted by The Article Times.com and where it relates to Health we also gratefully receive article contributions from My Sports Articles.com and www.Vitaminfo.co.uk

2006-09-04T22:57:00.001+01:00

ACIDOPHILUS? - what's that?

Lactobacillus acidophilus, or acidophilus for short ... ..........is one of the most useful organisms in your body.

Acidophilus is.................... a Probiotic, one of the organisms living in the stomach and the intestines which are necessary for the correct absorption and assimilation of nutrients, as well as for the defence of your digestive system against harmful organisms. These “intestinal flora”, as they are known, keep Candida, a virulent strain of yeast which lives in the body, as well as other harmful organisms, in balance so that they do not begin to overgrow and cause harm.

Lactobacillus acidophilus can be thrown out of balance by many factors. These include the use of steroidal hormones, the consumption of excessively processed food, a depressed immune system, and even some over the counter so-called remedies. But the most common factor is the use and overuse of antibiotics. Broad spectrum antibiotics – that is, antibiotics which kill not just one targeted organism, but any bacteria which they come into contact with – devastate the digestive system, Killing off not just acidophilus, but many other necessary bacteria which line the stomach and intestinal walls.

Get an eBook - 'Vitamins - The Truth'. ALL you need to know about vitamins, minerals, health supplements and the foods you need to get the vitamins you need..

Once the acidophilus is killed off, the yeast can move in, causing all manner of horrifying health problems. Unexplained aches and pains, nausea, depression, moodiness, sexual dysfunction, and all manner of digestive ailments, are just a few of the countless symptoms of candidiasis, or candida overgrowth. Once the acidophilus is depleted, the health effects are almost inevitable. Fortunately, Lactobacillus acidophilus is really rather easy to replenish.

There are many acidophilus pills on the market which, when eaten with a meal, can introduce billions of live organisms back to the digestive system, to undo some of the damages which the antibiotics did. In addition, yogurt contains live acidophilus cultures, and when added to the daily diet, is one of the most effective ways to replenish acidophilus in the gut.

If antibiotic use was frequent enough, however, more most be done to fully recover from all of the damages. One necessary step to restoring levels of friendly bacteria is to treat the candida overgrowth. This is accomplished through a combination of different factors. A special diet, low in processed foods and simple carbohydrates, and high in meats and lightly cooked vegetables is an essential first step. Probiotic supplements (acidophilus) as well as a medicine to treat the fungal infection, such as Diflucan, or an herbal supplement, will also be necessary.

Note:This is how I explained it to the kids when they were young: " It's like the goody germs fighting the baddies"

Peter Charalambos

Editor:
My Health Articles.co.uk
Many articles are kindly submitted by The Article Times.com and where it relates to Health we also gratefully receive article contributions from My Sports Articles.com and http://www.vitaminfo.co.uk/

EATING HEALTHY

2006-09-03T23:26:00.001+01:00

EATING HEALTHY

It's getting to be summertime and that means it is time to put away the sweaters and heavy pants and bring out the lighter weight and more revealing clothes of summer.

My husband and I decided to take our summer clothes out of storage and to bag up the winter clothes. We both found that we had put on weight over the winter. We have started walking as the weather is improving, but we have been eating many of our meals in restaurants lately. We decided we needed to start eating healthy or we would be buying all new clothes for the summer months.

He and I both enjoy all types of foods so eating healthy is not an issue, we had just gotten out of the habit of making good choices. It seems during the winter months we spend more time doing activities that involve eating. One advantage of eating healthy as summer approaches is the wide variety of choices of fresh fruits and vegetables. We also tend to grill more in the warmer weather. Grilled meats, poultry and fish are much more flavourful and lower in fat.

We found that we were both able to start losing weight by eating healthy salad greens with low fat vinaigrette dressing and a serving portion of grilled protein. For us the key to eating healthy is to have a variety of foods. It is so easy to get stuck in a pattern of preparing the same menus over and over again. I have been purchasing different fruits and vegetables than we ordinarily eat. This is a way of discovering new foods while adding variety to your meals. Most produce departments have serving suggestions and recipes for the exotic fruits and vegetables.

Get an e-book -'Vitamins - The Truth'. ALL you should know about vitamins, minerals, health supplements and the foods you need to get the vitamins you need.

One protein choice that we enjoy is mushrooms. The use of mushrooms adds so many flavours to a meal that you do not miss the higher calorie meat protein. On days when we do eat in restaurants we have found that eating healthy is still possible. Most restaurants offer healthy choices on their menus. Many restaurants are now placing the nutritional content of the food on the menus. This is good because some choices may seem like you are eating healthy, but the way the food is prepared or sauces that are added may add a great deal of fat and calories.

I will ask that sauces and dressings be served on the side so I can control how many calories I am adding to my meal.Eating healthy is not only a choice; it is a way of life. By making healthier choices in what we eat it seems like a healthy activity level just follows along. The combination of eating healthy and exercising is a sure way of losing weight.

Peter Charalambos

Editor
My Health Articles.co.uk
Many of the articles published are kindly submitted by www.TheArticleTimes.com and www.Vitaminfo.co.uk and where it relates to Health we also gratefully receive article contributions from My Sports Articles.com