Doctors Health Press, a division of Lombardi Publishing Corporation and publisher of various natural health newsletters, books, and reports, including the popular online Doctors Health Press e-Bulletin, recently released a statement on organ donation to mark the end of National Donate Life Month in April.

As Doctors Health Press e-Bulletin (http://www.doctorshealthpress.com/general-health-2/health-news/why-april-is-an-important-month-to-save-a-life) reports, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, over 100,000 people are waiting for an organ right now. Eighteen people die each day waiting for an organ; and one organ donor can save up to eight lives.

The statement issued by Doctors Health Press e-Bulletin notes that: “Many people struggle with the decision to become an organ donor. It’s an important decision that can affect your family and friends at a very difficult time—and that’s why it’s vital to be prepared if the time comes when you don’t expect it.”

Commenting on the roadblocks that get in the way of many people making the choice to become an organ donor, Dr. Victor Marchione, Editor at Doctors Health Press e-Bulletin, states: “Anyone can sign up to become an organ donor. It doesn’t matter how old you are or what your medical history is. You are never too old to donate.” Marchione continues: “Some people mistakenly think that their families will be charged a fee for organ or tissue donation. This is not true. Organ donation is a gift and is received in kind.”

“It’s easy to sign up to become an organ donor. All you have to do is sign up in your state’s donor registry,” Marchione adds. “Simply enter your name, your address, your ethnicity, and your age, and then check the appropriate boxes for organ donation… You can also check off your intention to be an organ donor on your driver’s license.”

Marchione concludes by stating: “Making the decision to become an organ donor shouldn’t be taken lightly. But if you’re comfortable with organ donation, then you can save someone’s life when the time comes. Check out your government’s organ donation web site and read the testimonies of people who are recipients and have been given a second chance at life.”

(For further information, see: “Donate the Gift of Life,” U.S. Government Information on Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation web site; http://www.organdonor.gov/index.html.)

As Bel Marra Health reports in its article (http://www.belmarrahealth.com/cancer/this-demonized-substance-may-actually-improve-survival-rates-from-breast-cancer/), there are many risk factors for breast cancer that women are now routinely being told to stay away from. For years, medical experts have been cautioning women that alcohol was among these risk factors. However, a recent study has spun the argument on its head again, indicating that modest alcohol consumption could actually improve survival rates for breast cancer patients.

A study conducted at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre in Seattle demonstrated that being a moderate alcohol drinker can in fact improve breast cancer survival rate. The research team followed over twenty two thousand women with breast cancer over an eleven year period, and discovered that those who drank modest amounts (3 to 6 drinks per week) before developing breast cancer were 15% less likely to die from the disease than non-drinkers. Furthermore, drinking after diagnosis did not appear to impact survival rates either. In fact, breast cancer patients experienced a 25 percent lower risk of death from other causes during the eleven years they were followed.

During the study, the researchers also discovered there was another benefit to moderate alcohol consumption: the risk of cardiovascular disease in women with breast cancer was lower. Cardiovascular disease is a known contributor to the mortality of those who survive breast cancer. Studies show that women who drink 3 to 6 drinks per week before being diagnosed with breast cancer are also 25 percent less likely to develop heart disease.

Cancer Research UK is a strong proponent of reducing alcohol consumption to prevent all types of cancer. The organization supports the notion that it is not too late for heavy drinkers to reduce their consumption levels. The organization adds that a reduction does not mean having to quit altogether; drinking in moderation (defined as approximately one drink a day in the UK) is deemed acceptable.

While the Seattle study is getting worldwide attention, Bel Marra doctors concur with most oncologists who caution women not to view this as a license to drink. If alcohol consumptions are beyond the moderate level, women could be increasing their risk of breast cancer. Scientists don’t completely understand how alcohol increases cancer risks, but they do believe it may have to do with the way alcohol breaks down in the body, changing into a substance that could cause genetic mutation.

Other medical experts also suspect that alcohol increases the production of the hormone oestrogen. This hormone is secreted by the ovaries and placenta, and stimulates changes in female reproductive organs. High levels of oestrogen could cause cancer cells to multiply quickly.

The researchers involved in the Seattle study say that despite the ongoing debate when it comes to alcohol and cancer, it would seem that breast cancer survivors can feel comfortable indulging in an occasional alcoholic beverage. Bel Marra doctors remark that this line of research will hopefully continue to evolve, in order to shed a more accurate light on the level of alcohol consumption that constitutes the tipping point between cancer protection and increased cancer risk.

(SOURCE: Newcombe, Polly A., et. al. “Alcohol Consumption Before and After Breast Cancer Diagnosis: Associations With Survival From Breast Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease, and Other Causes.” Journal of Clinical Oncology. Web. 18 Apr. 2013.)

- Courtesy of PRWeb

As Bel Marra Health reports in its article (http://www.belmarrahealth.com/weight-management/a-stimulating-solution-for-binge-eating-and-weight-loss/), deep brain stimulation (or DBS) therapy uses a surgically implanted battery-operated device, similar to a pacemaker. Once implanted, it delivers electrical stimulation to a specifically targeted area of the brain. For example, in the case of Parkinson’s disease patients who experience tremors, the target area for DBS is the section of the brain that controls movement. The electrical current produced from the device blocks abnormal nerve signals that cause tremors for Parkinson’s disease sufferers.

A new study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania shows that deep brain stimulation in a specific area of the brain seems to lead to weight loss in obese animals. The scientists involved in the experiment say the stimulation appears to reinforce the involvement of dopamine shortages in increasing behavior like binge eating. Testing showed that brain stimulation could reverse binge eating through the activation of the dopamine type-2 receptor.

During the study, the researchers targeted a small area in the reward centre of the brain known for addictive behavior. Mice receiving the stimulation consumed a lot less high-fat food than the mice who did not receive any deep brain stimulation. On days when the stimulation device was turned off, the implanted mice resumed their binge eating.

The testing went a step further by examining the long-term impact of deep brain stimulation on mice that had been given unlimited access to high-fat foods. The mice who received DBS consumed fewer calories and experienced considerable weight loss. The animals showed a big improvement in their glucose sensitivity, leading researchers to believe this could hold potential for the reversal of type-2 diabetes.

This study, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, is the first of its kind to show that deep brain stimulation can be successfully used to stop harmful behaviors like binge eating, and can lead to effective weight loss. The next step for the Penn-U researchers is to pursue human trials. They are hopeful, for other studies involving DBS are already on the verge of proving positive weight loss results in human subjects.

While the researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have demonstrated positive results with stimulation in mice, another U.S university has also made significant strides in human research.

Just a few years ago, the FDA gave the University of West Virginia approval to move forward with a clinical human study on deep brain stimulation in morbidly obese individuals. Under tightly controlled guidelines, only 3 patients were approved for the study. Electrodes were surgically placed in the “feeding centre” of the brain, and the patients have been monitored for 2 years now. So far, the results show successful weight loss for 2 of the patients, with no adverse side effects due to the procedure. While the authors were encouraged by the findings, they admit that a larger study group is needed.

Researchers say that deep brain stimulation could work in the treatment of binge eating in different ways. One theory is that it simply reduces the craving for food. Another possibility is that it accelerates metabolism. One of the patients who participated in the University of West Virginia study went on national television 9 weeks after her procedure, stating that she didn’t have cravings anymore and had already lost close to 12 pounds.

While brain surgery sounds like a dramatically drastic approach for many, doctors say that the risks associated with DBS are minimal, and with proper patient selection, can prove to be quite successful.

Bel Marra doctors note that, at the present time, weight loss strategies like diet programs, weight loss drugs and even gastric bypass surgery have not been able to work successfully for everyone. With the obesity epidemic continuing to grow, and binge eating and weight management continuing to be pressing issues for the general population, finding new methods for weight control are especially important – before this global problem spins completely out of our control.

(SOURCE: Halpern, CH., et. al. “Deep brain stimulation in the treatment of obesity.” Journal of Neurosurgery. 11 Feb. 2013.)

- Courtesy of PRWeb

If you are an American woman, chances are that you grew up watching your mama apply lotion to her face and body, but if you hail from Europe or Asia, you are more likely to be familiar with using oils to hydrate and nourish your skin.

There are many pros and cons to using each of these, but the main physical difference between them comes down to percentage of water content.

Lotions need water to emulsify (combine oils and liquids that normally resist being mixed together) and generally require heat to bind the ingredients so that they won’t separate. The downside of this process is that exposure to high temperatures can destroy whatever therapeutic properties are contained within the natural oils. Lotions are also looser in consistency, giving them a lighter, less-greasy feel on the skin. If you tend to have an oily complexion this may not be a concern, but a lighter weight also means that the lotion’s moisturizing effects may not last very long.

Whether you prefer to use a lotion, cream or oil, another important consideration is permeability: whether or not the moisturizer will just sit on top of the skin, or be easily absorbed within a short period of time. In order for a moisturizing agent to do any good, it must be able to penetrate the top layer of skin. Oils in general have a good history of doing this but can be a bit too oily for some people’s personal tastes. Lotions, on the other hand, usually won’t leave behind an oily residue, but their moisturizing benefits seem to evaporate within ten to fifteen minutes, leaving your skin as bone dry as it was before you applied the lotion.

If you are concerned about oils being comedogenic (causing acne or breakouts), you may be surprised to learn that many natural oils can actually be helpful to acne prone skin and will not cause clogged pores. It is the type of oil that determines the likelihood of breaking out, so it is a good idea to read product labels very carefully and research any ingredients that you are not familiar with. Even when a product is labeled non-comedogenic, it is not a guarantee that it is free of all comedogenic ingredients. Retin-A cream contains Isopropyl Myristate, a highly comedogenic and occlusive substance, yet in spite of this, many dermatologists prescribe it for acne-prone skin.

(By the way – if you tend to break out on your neck and back, the true culprit might be residue from your shampoo or conditioner. Make sure to rinse all hair products off your body to reduce the likelihood of irritating skin and clogging your pores).

Ultimately, the best way to figure out what will work for your individual needs is to buy small trial sizes or – preferably – samples of the products you are considering. Be sure to use them one at a time until you find the brand that suits you best. This method of trial and error takes a little time and patience, but is the most sure-fire way to discover which type of moisturizer and brand name will ultimately help protect your skin and keep it young-looking and healthy. Looking beautiful requires dedication and consistency, but when you consider that you have only one body to last an entire lifetime, it is a labor of love that is well worth the effort!

- Sharon Gnatt Epel is the CEO/Founder, La Isha Natural & Organic Skincare.

As a biochemist I have been a researcher and clinician in the area of bio-identical hormone use, and their impact on women’s mood.

I have come to believe the ignorance surrounding this topic is the dark area of women’s health.

In 1997 Science News published its summary of two major studies detailing the huge difference between synthetic progestin and bio-identical progesterone; this research clearly underscored the potential for negative impact on cardiac function in women; this was not reported in medical journals. At that time I was starting my molecular research into the difference in the molecules and the results were astounding as evidenced in the following quote:

Phyllis Bronson has done years of molecular research; see the important quote below from her great chemistry colleague and mentor, Dwight Smith, Ph.D., former chancellor of the University of Denver:

“The research which Phyllis and I pursued here, resulting in a significant finding, involved the spectroscopic study of natural progesterone and the synthetic version developed by pharmaceutical companies. The structural differences between the natural and synthetic progesterone have significant implications for women’s health. The work which Phyllis has done generally in the chemical and physiological effects of bioidentical hormones has received wide attention through her numerous lectures and publications.”

This was an interesting time to be doing original research in women’s hormones.

We saw many women struggling with years of benzodiazepine use and even addiction who were able to eliminate their use after getting started on real progesterone, under a knowledgeable physician’s care. Properly made transdermal progesterone is made in a cream at a reputable (most are highly reputable) compounding pharmacy. The creams found in health food stores are simply too weak to impact mood and emotion, our area of concern.2

Estrogen is of vital importance to mood in women, for those who can use it.

Women are profoundly affected by fluctuations in their hormones, both natural as well as those from exogenous sources such as birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). In 2002, after the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) was halted due to unexpected safety concerns, the medical establishment largely recommended that doctors take women off their hormones. Women, particularly those vulnerable to chronic depression and related mood issues, knew they did not do well without their hormones, notably estrogen, but they had no place to turn.

According to the eminent scholar of women’s hormones, Jeffrey Dach, M.D., it is wrong to put women on anti-depressant drugs generally when what their bodies and minds and moods are crying for is primary estrogen (estradiol).3

As the less desirable estrogen, E1, rises as we age, the vitality-enhancing estrogen, E2, decreases, and brain fog and depression often set in. These are two of the first signs of serious estrogen imbalance.4

- Phyllis Bronson, Ph.D. – My book: “Moods Emotions and Aging: Hormones and the Mind- Body Connection” is being published July 15 by Rowman- Littlefield.

Most people are walking around mildly dehyrated and are not even aware of it. They are suffering from joint pain, headaches, fatigue, lethargy, weight gain, hunger and much more – all due to a lack of hydration. Our bodies are mostly water, our brain is 80% water – so when the cells in the body are not adequately hydrated, cellular function slows down and so do our bodies. For example, without adequate water, our brain function slows resulting in headaches and/or foggy thinking, our metabolism slows resulting in weight gain and fatigue. Do not rely upon thirst as an indicator to drink water – by the time we are thirsty, our bodies are already 1-2% dehydrated. It is essential that we hydrate for optimal health and weight loss. Drink half your body weight in ounces of water each day. If you weigh 120 lbs, drink 60 ounces of water every day.

- Lori L. Shemek, PhD, CLC, NC is the Health Expert for the ABC Show ‘Good Morning Texas’
and the author of the best-selling book “Fire-Up Your Fat Burn!”

As Bel Marra Health reports in its article (http://www.belmarrahealth.com/cancer/new-research-shows-that-an-apple-a-day-could-keep-cancer-away/), cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, and incredibly, new studies have recently discovered an inverse relationship between the consumption of apples and the risk of cancer. In other words, the more apples a person eats, the lower their risk is for several types of cancer. The most recent research found that a compound in apples could actually behave as a natural cancer cure, killing colon cancer cells more efficiently than even chemotherapy drugs.

In the course of this study, the researchers isolated a natural sugar found naturally in apples, called oligosaccharides. Oligosaccharides are a type of carbohydrate that contains between 3 to 6 units of simple sugar in their structure. In order to isolate the oligosaccharides from the rest of the apple, the researchers disposed of the skins, pulps, seeds and stems, and treated the juice of the apples with natural enzymes in order to break down the leftover apple compounds into pure oligosaccharides.

Once isolated, the oligosaccharides were added at various concentrations to human colon cancer cells, called HT29. At lower concentrations (about 0.9 parts per million or PPM), the oligosaccharides killed 17.6 percent of the colon cancer cells within just 36 hours. On the other hand, the chemo drug, which was administered at an even higher concentration, killed only 10.9 percent of the colon cancer cells. Although these results were impressive, the truly amazing results occurred when higher concentrations of oligosaccharides were used – at 9.0 PPM, the oligosaccharides killed a whopping 46% of the human colon cancer cells.

This breakthrough research showed that the oligosaccharides in apples can not only out-perform common cancer drugs when it comes to treating colon cancer, but that they are also a non-toxic alternative, without all of the health risks and severe discomfort caused by traditional cancer therapies. Unlike chemotherapy drugs, oligosaccharides attack only the cancer cells, and do not cause harm to the patient’s healthy cells. As such, treating colon cancer with oligosaccharides could mean avoiding the troublesome side-effects associated with cancer drugs such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue and hair loss.

Aside from the natural oligosaccharide content in apples, a study published in the Nutrition and Cancer journal in 2010 found that apple peels are also effective as natural cancer cures. The researchers found that apple peel extracts reduced the ability of several different varieties of cancer cells to survive. According to the study, the apple peel extracts decrease the level of a certain antigen found in cancer cells, and the reduction of that antigen results in a decreased ability for the cancer cells to grow and multiply. The researchers also found that apple peel extracts increase levels of a protein called maspin, which helps to prevent tumors from growing and spreading.

Bel Marra doctors recommend that people should harness the natural nutrition and cancer fighting properties of apples by eating two apples a day, including their skins. Be sure to choose organic apples, because conventionally grown apples are contaminated with toxic pesticides and herbicides which may actually increase risks for cancer. Also, choose locally grown apples when possible, because apples that are shipped from far away are picked before they are fully ripe and do not contain as many nutrients.

(SOURCE: Li Q., et. al. “Oligosaccharide from apple induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in HT29 human colon cancer cells.” International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. 16 Mar. 2013.)

- Courtesy of PRWeb

Most people are busier than ever and don’t have much time to dedicate to all the areas of their health. They only allow a certain amount of time and whatever they can do, they can do. What they can’t is set aside. This means that anything that individuals can do to promote weight loss that won’t take time out of their schedule, such as taking weight loss supplements like Prescopodene, may help them reach their health goals.

In a study done by the Ohio State University, they reviewed data on over 112,000 American adults. Specifically, they looked at those that logged their activities for the previous 24 hours. They wanted to see how much time people spent exercising and preparing healthy meals.

They noted that of the 112,000 individuals, only 16% of men and 12% of women had completed any form of physical activity on the day prior. Averaging the exercisers with the non-exercisers, men took in roughly 19 minutes of physical activity and women only completed around 9 minutes.

When it came to making meals, men spent approximately 17 minutes preparing something to eat, whereas women averaged 44 minutes, more than double the amount. They took all of this information, reviewed it statistically and found that the more time a person spent in one of these areas (exercise and food preparation), the less time they spent in the other.

This suggests that people will generally only commit a certain portion of their day to healthful activities. So, if one area takes up too much time, they don’t make up for it with other time that they have designated elsewhere.

Therefore, weight loss supplements such as Prescopodene, which contains all-natural ingredients like green tea, vitamin C and vitamin B6, may help people lose more weight because they take no additional time other than is necessary to swallow them twice daily.

- Courtesy of PRWeb

As Doctors Health Press e-Bulletin notes, in recent years, community gardening has become increasingly popular in urban areas. Basically, members of a community start their own vegetable garden on a rooftop or an available plot of land. What’s interesting about this trend is that its participants tend to have lower body mass indices (BMIs) and are far less likely to be obese than the rest of the community. BMI is a measure that represents the relationship between a person’s height and weight; a BMI of 25 or over indicates an overweight individual, while 18.5–24.9 indicates normal weight.

As the e-newsletter article “This Springtime Activity Could Bring Your Weight Down” reports, community gardeners in Salt Lake City, Utah, took part in a study examining how one’s hobby impacted his or her weight. A total of 200 participants were studied and compared to neighbors, spouses, and siblings. This cross-section is important to consider for a few reasons:

* People who live in the same community have access to the same things, particularly food choices. They shop at the same grocery stores and the same items are available to all of them.

* Spouses typically engage in similar activities, usually eating the same meals and participating in similar lifestyles.

* Siblings share similar genetics and may therefore be prone to similar health conditions and body types.

The Doctors Health Press e-Bulletin article states that the study found that female gardeners had a BMI two points lower than non-gardeners; this translates into an 11-pound difference for a 5’5” woman. There was an even greater difference for men—the BMI drop for a 5’11” male translated to a 16-pound difference. As well, female and male gardeners are less likely to suffer from obesity than their non-gardening counterparts by 46% and 62%, respectively.

However, the article notes that while the group in the study happened to be community gardeners, the results reflect an overall lifestyle; the gardeners get exercise, but they likely also eat the nutritious food they grow.

Doctors Health Press e-Bulletin concludes by stating that gardening can serve as a great motivation to get healthy and that anybody can garden, regardless of where they live. As well, this study further proves it’s not difficult to make the connection between diet, exercise, and health.

- Courtesy of PRWeb

Sleep disorders affect a large percentage of Americans, up to 40 percent as some studies have suggested, debilitating one of our most precious resources: sleep. We need sleep to perform even our most elemental tasks not to mention the more difficult ones like cognition, concentration, athletics or even operating a car. Getting a good night’s sleep is tantamount to being able to perform well in life and sleep disorders like snoring or sleep apnea make getting a good night’s sleep a constant struggle. However, there are plenty of tools you can use to combat snoring and sleep apnea and the rest you deserve.

While there are a plethora of known and unknown sleep disorders out there, ranging from night terrors, to narcolepsy, to work-shift sleep disorders, to restless leg syndrome, insomnia, snoring and sleep apnea are three of the most common. But in order to look at ways to fight these common sleep disorders, we first have to understand what causes them in the first place.

Insomnia is a very common sleep disorder, so common in fact that there really isn’t one specific reason for it; the causes depend upon the person and can range from anxiety, depression and other mood disorders, to lifestyle problems like diet and lack of exercise to stress to allergens. And though there are many prescription drugs available that can help you get to sleep, most of these medications leave you feeling groggy and unrested. However, simple lifestyle changes can sometimes be enough to pull you out of your insomniac funk and get some sleep: exercising regularly, amending your diet to include more natural foods, eating a bed-time snack of dairy and carbs, meditating, getting into a sleep schedule—all of these can bring about solutions to insomnia.

Snoring and sleep apnea are often comorbid and have some of the same underlying causes and treatments. Snoring is the result of occluded breathing passages in the nose or throat; sleep apnea is when breathing is abruptly halted during sleep, resulting in gasps and oxygen depletion, and if untreated can have dire consequences. Both have their own different kinds and causes. The occlusion in snoring is often caused by blockage of the throat, either through fatty tissue, allergies, posture or a general degradation of the throat muscles; it’s most commonly found in adults over 40, the obese or overweight, chronic users of alcohol, cigarettes or other drugs/medication and more often in men than women. Sleep apnea has a couple different kinds: the first, obstructive sleep apnea is a result of the same blocked airways seen in snoring, and snoring is usually precipitant; the second kind is called central sleep apnea and has to do with failures of the central nervous system; the third is a combination of the first two and is called, appropriately, complex sleep apnea.

Thankfully, snoring and sleep apnea can be treated in many of the same methods. Losing weight and getting your body back to its recommended weight is one of the best ways to fight these sleep disorders, as is eliminating or minimizing alcohol and cigarette use—especially in the last couple hours before bed. You can also help to control these sleep disorders by adjusting your sleeping position, sleeping on your side or stomach instead of your back. If allergens are the reason, making your bedroom into a hypoallergenic chamber might be the way to go; which might mean that your dog or cat has to sleep elsewhere at night. Certain vocal exercises have also been found to alleviate some of the symptoms of snoring and sleep apnea as they build up the muscles in the throat. For more info on vocal exercises check out http://www.thestopsnoringexerciseprogram.org/. Changing your diet and getting into a regular sleep schedule can also be a big step in fighting these unpleasant sleep disorders.

Sleeping is a crucial part of our lives, and making sure we get the sleep we need sometimes seems like an uphill battle. By using these techniques, you should be able to turn the tide of the nighttime war and start your sleep disorders on a, hopefully permanent, retreat.

- Brandon Travis likes to spend his free time swimming and training for his next triathlon in the spring. He works in the health and wellness sector, helping people live better and healthier lives. When he’s not working out he likes to review sites like iRollover snoring device.