Distress – The First Mental and Emotional Cause of Cancer
Sunday, January 29, 2012 by: Dr. Keith Nemec
(NaturalNews) How can you live a stress-free life and prevent cancer and other health problems? By learning to manage your cortisol stress hormone levels and by putting the mental/emotional stress in your life in the proper perspective. Once you know how to balance the physical factors of sleep, diet and exercise along with the mental and emotional stresses in your life then you will restore health in your body and mind. This is critical in any alternative cancer treatment.
It is a fact that high stress is a major contributing factor to cancer and many other diseases. The question is how does stress cause cancer? To answer this, one must look at what the stress response does physiologically in the body. Hans Selye, the father of stress research, said there are two types of stress, distress and eustress. Distress is a longer, more damaging response which negatively affects the organs, glands and systems including the immune system. Eustress is a short term beneficial stimulus to the system. If you run up and down the stairs ten times you feel invigorated. Now if you run up and down the stairs one thousand times you are exhausted and totally drained, so eustress is health boosting whereas distress is health depleting.
The stress response is controlled by the brain via the hypothalamus pituitary adrenal axis or HPA axis. The hypothalamus, which has been called the brain of the brain, is the part of your brain that senses biochemical changes similar to the thermostat in your house. If certain bio-chemicals go high or low, it triggers the brain to respond. The hypothalamus does so by telling the master hormone gland, the pituitary, to send messages to the adrenal glands to secrete a hormone called cortisol. When cortisol is at the proper level it is anti-inflammatory and promotes health. When cortisol goes too high with acute stress or too low with chronic stress, it causes your immune and digestive systems to shut down, inflammation to increase, blood sugar to rise, hormones to go out of balance and bones to become osteoporotic. When cortisol stays high or low it predisposes you to cancer and many other diseases.
What causes cortisol to go out of balance?
1. Mental/emotional stress (distress)
2. Lack of total sleep and pre-midnight sleep (four hours is ideal)
3. Diet high in sugar, starch or acid forming foods
4. Too little or too much exercise
Cancer can form when cortisol becomes chronically high or low because adrenal exhaustion causes immune system suppression and your immune system is what keeps the individual cancer cells (which everyone has), from growing into colonies called tumors.
The most important stress management plan starts with proper sleep, diet, and exercise along with learning how to change your perception of the situation. When you change your perception you can change your reality and your health. To reduce the mental/emotional distress one must live fully in the moment without spending time thinking about the “if only I would have” past or the “if only I could” future. If you had excruciating pain in your body, what does your mind say? “I am going to die if I do not get out of this pain”. But is this really true? Can you endure the pain for one second? The answer is yes and this is how you will endure any storm in your life, by living one moment at a time instead of living in the past or the future. This type of living keeps your cortisol and immune system in balance and keeps you healthy in mind and body.
About the author:
Dr. Keith Nemec is a holistic chiropractic physician who has been treating patients for the last 27 years. Dr. Nemec is the co-director with his wife Laurie of the Total Health Institute, an alternative and integrative medical facility which offers both inpatient and outpatient services. Total Health Institute is a treatment and teaching facility that has both natural physicians and alternative minded medical doctors working together as a team in Wheaton, Illinois.
Thousands of people have restored their health at the Institute over the last 27 years. Dr. Keith & Laurie Nemec have published two books: “Total Health = Wholeness” and “Seven Basic Steps to Total Health”. They also host their own radio show “Your Total Health” five days a week in Chicago. For more information about Dr. Keith & Laurie Nemec and the Total Health Institute visit www.totalhealthinstitute.com
Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/034798_stress_cancer_emotional.html#ixzz1kznq56u7
Source: Dr. Keith Nemec / Natural News.com
Adult Acne – 3 Common Causes of Adult Acne Problems
1. Hormonal
Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a hormonal condition that causes irregular or absent menstrual periods because of irregularities of ovulation. Acne is also a common symptom of PMS (premenstrual syndrome), which is one of the most common manifestations of hormonal imbalance, affecting over half of all women. The hormonal fluctuations in women over 35 become more dramatic and unpredictable as they enter pre-menopausal and approach menopause, which can aggravate hormonal acne.
Many women who haven’t had a breakout since their teens or early twenties suddenly find themselves battling acne when they turn 40. Having acne when you’re in your forties can affect your self esteem. When you’re in you forties you’re already self conscious about those things that seem to be changing such as your skin and your energy level. You may even notice dark circles forming under your eyes. Therefore acne is not something that you want added to the list of problems.
2. Diet
Your diet matters when it comes to acne. Systemic inflammation is created by diets high in sugar, refined carbohydrates and trans fats, and low in antioxidants, which manifests itself in your skin in the form of acne. You should try to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables each day as part of a balanced diet, which should give you a mixture of nutrients and vitamins necessary to fight off free radicals. When I increased my intake of fruits and vegetables I found that I didn’t crave junk foods. My stomach would no longer handle fried greasy foods because I have changed my eating to include more fruits and vegetables and no fried foods.
Just recently I had not been able to go grocery shopping, therefore my fruit and vegetable intake was limited and my body new it wasn’t getting the fruits and vegetables that I was accustomed to giving it. Ones body will crave what it’s accustomed to being fed. If you constantly eat junk food then your body will get use to it. My body is now use to having fruits and vegetables and no fried foods and that’s what it craves. My skin is also clearer since I’ve changed my diet. Eating healthy foods will help get rid of acne.
3. Stress
Cortisol is an important hormone in the body; secreted by the adrenal glands and involved in inflammatory response. Your body produces cortisol when you’re stressed and unfortunately most women are burdened with constant, insisting stress, calling on the adrenal glands to constantly produce cortisol. Stress often plays a big part in the acne problem. When you are becoming tense, your adrenal glands work harder, filling your bloodstream with the hormone cortisol. This triggers the sweat glands on your face to produce more oil.
We should learn to alleviate stress by doing things that brings us comfort and joy. Do you enjoy reading inspirational books? After a stressful day why don’t you take time out to eliminate the stress. Perhaps, you like to play golf or bowl or even watch inspirational movies. If you’re the type of person that feels guilty for taking time for yourself, then think of it as a way to get rid of your acne. Stress also leads to other health problems. Therefore take time out to alleviate stress.
There are many different solutions for acne treatment. I prefer natural cures to any problem so that it would deal with the cause and get rid of the problem. You should want to get rid of acne and not just treat acne.
Martha Johnson has been a certified Herbal Specialist since December 2001 and has demonstrated the knowledge necessary to teach others about herbal nutrition and how to lead a healthier life.
http://theacnenaturaltreatment.blogspot.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=M._C._Johnson
Stress And Diabetes: What to Know For Your Diabetes Management
By: Vivian L. Brennan
Stress is any undue strain caused by a difficult situation. It can be physical, such as an illness or injury, or it can be mental, which is generally the kind of stress we hear about. Stress changes your hormone levels, and as diabetes management relies on hormone regulation (particularly insulin), stress affects diabetes management.
When the body is stressed, it enters a “fight or flight” state, where hormones are secreted that allow the body to access more energy from the body’s store. Two examples of stress hormones are adrenaline and glucocorticoid (steroid hormones). Some people with diabetes do not have a proper fight or flight response. Insulin does not allow the stress hormones access to the glucose, and so the elevated glucose circulates in the blood. Stress can increase blood glucose levels.
Stress not only increases blood glucose levels hormonally, it also leads to less healthy lifestyle choices. People might eat out more when they are stressed, or they might turn to comfort foods. These less healthy meal choices in turn lead to poor glucose control.
Stress can also affect how much a person exercises. If a person stops exercising, they will be unable to control their blood glucose, just as if they take less care of their diet. Lack of sleep and irregular sleeping patterns can also cause the body stress.
Stress hormones are designed to fight short-term situations. Some stressors in our lives, however, are long-term (such as illness, divorce, or other psychological situations). It is unhealthy to have stress hormones circulate in the body for a long time.
Sometimes it is an aspect of diabetes that can cause stress. If you find an element of your diabetes management is causing you stress, speak to your health care team. They can help support you in your blood glucose monitoring, diet, and with your medication, as well as with your other concerns.
There are many different ways to reduce stress. Although if you are feeling stressed, it might seem impossible to calm down, try to keep some of these relaxing ideas in mind. It might be helpful to write out some of these ideas, or to write yourself reminders of techniques you can use to cheer yourself up.
Try deep breathing. Simply taking four or five deep breaths will help your respiration and circulation enter a more relaxed mode.
Take some time for you. Choose something that is a treat for you: a massage, a crossword, a long walk, and make that extra time to do it. Even if you are stressed, take the time to take care of yourself. Healthy diet, exercise, and time for yourself will dramatically lower your stress levels.
Get your friends and family to support you. If they know that you are feeling stressed, they can help you find ways to cope. If you think you need to, then consult a professional.
Sometimes, reaching out to help a friend will be something that can help you relieve stress. Doing something nice for someone else makes you feel better about yourself, and so can help you feel less stressed. However, don’t take on other people’s problem. Simply do something small to make their day.
It is the small things that can help you manage your stress. Begin by smiling, which releases endorphins. Try laughing. Hug somebody. These small things which will make your day brighter will also make your diabetes management easier.
Source: Isnare.com Free Articles Directory – http://www.isnare.com/
Vivian Brennan is the editor of The Guide to Diabetes. As a mother and diabetes educator, Vivian knows all about stress, and how it can affect your glucose levels.
Poverty, Stress, & Diabetes Among Native Americans
As Dr. Donald Warne explains, there is a direct biochemical connection between living in poverty and blood sugar levels. The stress of being poor and of having family members die young creates a complicated web of cultural values and beliefs that make controlling diabetes more difficult. Add to that the lack of availability of healthy food and it’s no wonder diabetes rates are high.
This video is a Web-exclusive supplement to “Bad Sugar,” Episode 4 of “UNNATURAL CAUSES: Is Inequality Making Us Sick?” This ground-breaking documentary series looks at how the social, economic and physical environments in which we are born, live, and work profoundly affect our longevity and health. The series broadcast nationally on PBS in spring 2008, and can be bought on DVD from California Newsreel, www.newsreel.org
Visit www.unnaturalcauses.org to learn more
Source: unnaturalcausesdoc on YouTube
Diabetes, Yoga and Halle Berry
Diabetes, Yoga and Halle Berry
May 29, 2009
By Subodh Gupta
Diabetes mellitus, often referred to as Diabetes, is a long-term health condition, develops due to the disordered metabolism and results into abnormally high blood sugar levels (hyperglycaemia). Diabetes can cause heart disease, stroke, amputations, kidney failure, blindness etc and it can remain undetected for years.
There are two types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes develops due to a diminished production of insulin. Type 2 diabetes develops due to resistance to insulin effects and is mostly associated with obesity. However the good news is that Type 2 diabetes which is associated with obesity and makes up around 90% of all diabetes can be controlled.
When Halle Berry was diagnosed with diabetes she went through dramatic diet change. She started to eat fresh vegetables, fresh fish, pasta and cut out red meat. Halle also tries to lead a stress-free lifestyle and became a regular yoga practitioner. She practices yoga daily which helps her to release stress and brings the feeling of tranquility.
By taking up yoga the quality of life can remarkably improve. Daily practice of yoga can help to reduce the stress hormones, bring feeling of relaxation and at the same time can also help in case of diabetes, especially type 2. Research has shown that regular yoga practice can result in significant changes in most of the parameters of the metabolic syndrome including; waist circumference reduction, lowering in systolic blood pressure, reduction in fasting blood glucose level and HDL ‘good’ cholesterol increased.
The major reasons for the lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, cancer etc in the western world is the unhealthy food such as the non-vegetarian fast food and sedentary life style. Britain’s diabetes population has reached almost 2.5 million. Diabetes UK chief executive Douglas Smallwood said the figures were ‘truly alarming’. Human beings are designed to stay healthy and not to die by lifestyle disease such as cancer, heart attack and diabetes.
Diabetes is certainly one of the biggest health challenges facing the world today. Surprisingly the whole medical system is focussed on curing the diseases rather than in the prevention. Though we need the medicines for cure in case the diseases go out of control but if we focus our attention on prevention at the first place then we can certainly stay healthy during our life time with least dependence on medicine.
Maintaining a healthy body is not a rocket science. Our body is made up of food and if we eat healthy vegetarian food and do exercise regularly to keep our stress level under control, we can certainly stay healthy forever. Halle Berry announced in October 2007 that she was no longer insulin dependent.
Healthy lifestyle which includes vegetarian diet and regular yoga practice can go a long way in preventing and controlling the lifestyle diseases such as diabetes. Issued in public interest by Subodh Gupta a holistic health consultant and also the author of the book “7 food habits for weight loss forever”. Subodh Gupta is a celebrity yoga trainer based in London and conducts Yoga, Nutrition, Stress Management and Weight loss sessions.
For Detail Information Subodh Gupta, Yoga Books, Diabetes, Yoga and Halle Berry
Source: Subodh Gupta
Diabetic? Watch Your Stress Level by Richard Bean
Deep Breathing: Two to three deep breaths are taken for immediate release of tension. For deeper relaxation, seven to eight breaths are recommended. This is deep, abdominal breathing, and light-headedafeedbackness can occur if you get up too quickly afterward.
Progressive Relaxation: This is a process of contracting and relaxing the muscles, beginning with the toes and moving up to the face. You learn to sense how the muscles feel by contracting the muscles for 10 to 20 seconds and sensing how they feel in that contracted state, then relaxing these same muscles and sensing how they feel in the relaxed state.
Autogenic Therapy: The same muscle sequence can be followed as in progressive relaxation. In this approach, you imagine that your muscles are very heavy (relaxed). When the muscles surrounding the blood vessels are relaxed, these muscles become warmer due to unobstructed blood flow. This is a physical, or mechanical, response rather than an imagined response.
Meditation: Traditionally, the focus here is a sight or sound. For example, a mantra or other specific sound might be repeated over and over again. Dr. Herbert Benson, associate professor of medicine at Harvard, is a leader in the stress-management field. Dr. Benson has people focus on the repetition of the word one as part of his program involving the “relaxation response.” Other people use prayer or a scripture. Still others concentrate on a picture or on a spot on the wall. As relaxation ability improves, the relaxation response can occur within a shorter period of time.
Imagery: This technique takes your focus away from your problems. The imaging can take the shape of people, places, or things, or it can involve focusing on bright to calm colors (and back) or bright to calm music (and back). Visualizing an accomplishment, such as climbing a mountain with supportive aid as needed (from family, friends, or spiritual strength), gives an impression of accomplishing a goal and the peace and good feelings that accompany it.
Biofeedback: is a technique in which you learn to use information about changes in your body. Relaxation training may be enhanced through biofeedback, such as might be obtained by measuring skin resistance, muscle energy output, or temperature of the hands or feet. The initial use of biofeedback is just to let you know how you are responding to changes in thought or position. Later on, it aids in training you to become more relaxed by letting you know which types of activities represent your “getting out of the way of yourself” so that your body automatically relaxes. The key is not to try. (Remember what happens when you try to go to sleep? You are more wide awake. Similarly, if you try to relax, you will become more tense.) Instead, allow yourself to become relaxed by focusing your thoughts away from the hectic problems of the day.
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
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