HealthCare

Steve Jobs of Apple is dead. Steve jobs pancreatic cancer
Is it possible that one of the greatest geniuses, inventors and innovators the world has seen - Steve Jobs could have been alive today if only he had been bit more smart when it came to his health? There are currently talks that Steve Jobs relied more on natural and herbal medicines to treat his cancer rather than surgery. Question arises whether it is really true.

Firstly we have to understand the type of cancer Steve Jobs was suffering from. He was suffering from a rare form of pancreatic cancer known as islet-cell neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer does not show any visible symptoms for as much as 12 years in most cases. By the time it is diagnosed the malignancy would have already grown and spread beyond manageable levels. This is the reason why it has such a high mortality rates. The first year survival rate - the year after which it is diagnosed is 24 percent. The 5 year survival rate is as low as 3%. That means that of 100 persons diagnosed of pancreatic cancer as many as 75 will die at the end of first year and as many as 97 out of 100 persons will die by the fifth year. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth most leading cause of cancer deaths in America. It has highest mortality rates of all the cancers. To aggravate this mortality rate further Steve jobs was suffering from a rare form of pancreatic cancer which has even higher mortality rates.

Steve Jobs' pancreatic cancer was diagnosed in 2003 and he died in 2011. . There only a 3% chance for him to survive beyond 2008. Going by the statistics he definitely lived much longer and gave the world few more great products. Steve Jobs took a number of herbal medicines along with conventional treatment. The news that Steve Jobs relied upon herbal medicines and hence he did not take conventional medical treatment or undergo surgery is totally wrong. No one least of all Steve Jobs would have ever done such a thing. Surgery for cancer is something that is truly daunting and outright scary.

Being such a busy man with the entire world looking towards him in 2003 it was quite possible that he in consultation with his doctors opted for Chemotherapy or radiation and delayed surgery. It is also very common for doctors to administer radiotherapy and chemotherapy on pancreatic cancer patients for a couple of months before doing surgery. This is considered a more effective practice as the chances of relapses are reduced.

Herbal extracts, diet etcetra do have proven anti cancer properties. In fact they are known to be very effective in reducing the risks of cancer. Just as tobacco increases risk of cancer certain herbal extracts can reduce the risk of various types of cancer. But it has to be born in mind that only a doctor and modern medical science can treat cancer effectively. No herb or supplement can treat or cure cancer.

Phyto nutrients have excellent pharmacological actions. They are known to boost immunity, heal diseases and promote well being. Phyto nutrients are being discovered in wide range of foods that are already being valued for their high nutrition content. One such high value food is soybean. The isoflavones in this superfood have been found to protect against any types of cancer moist importantly the breast cancer.   Genistein is that specific phyto nutrient in soybeans that has this beneficial anti cancer property.

Genistein is a phyto estrogen and can plug the receptors for real estrogens which cause breast cancer. Studies have shown that soy based diet increases menstrual cycle by about 2 days. A longer menstrual cycle means less exposure to estrogens. This may be one of the reasons why Japanese and Chinese women who consume large amount of soy based products have much lower incidence of breast cancer. Genistein may also reduce menopausal symptoms and prevent osteoporosis.

ANTICARCINOGENIC

McGill University researchers in Canada have shown in the lab that EGCG from green tea inhibits the growth of cancer cells. A Japanese study found that women with breast cancer were less likely to suffer a recurrence if they drank at least two cups of green tea daily. An analysis of 22 studies of green tea and lung cancer concluded that consuming two cups daily was associated with an 18-percent lower risk. And the Shanghai Women’s Health Study reported that participants who regularly drank green tea at the start of the study were 37 percent less likely to develop colorectal cancer over six years than those who seldom or never sipped it. Life-long green tea drinkers fared even better, with as much as a 57-percent relative risk reduction.

More recently, a 2009 review of the effectiveness of green tea in the prevention of cancers found that much of the evidence was inconclusive. “In selected areas,” however, “green tea was effective in slowing the progression of the earlier stages of cancer.”

Green tea extract (GTE) associated anticancer activity in cell lines – such as urothelial and lung adenocarcinoma lines – have been reported; however, the direct effect of GTE on metastatic or normal cells from clinically obtained human samples had not been studied before.
Several in vitro studies have shown a dose-dependent decreased proliferation and/or increased apoptosis in a variety of cancer cell lines (lung, prostate, colon, stomach, oral, leukaemia and breast) . Additionally, photo chemopreventative effects for green tea and epigallocatechin gallate have been demonstrated in vitro, in vivo and on human skin.
The mechanism of action by which tea polyphenols exert antimutagenic and
antitumorigenic effects is still largely speculative. However, the following has been observed: inhibition of the large multicatalytic protease and metalloproteinases, which are involved in tumour survival and metastasis, respectively, and inhibition of many tumour-associated protein kinases, while not affecting kinase activity in normal cells. Tea polyphenols have also been found to inhibit some cancer-related proteins that regulate DNA replication and transformation. More recently, there is increasing evidence that catechins possess antiangiogenic properties .

Clinical note— The difference between teas
Black, green and oolong tea are produced from the same plant (Camellia sinensis) but differ in polyphenol content according to the way the leaves are processed. Green tea Black tea is made from oxidised leaves whereas oolong tea is made from partially oxidised leaves and green tea leaves are not oxidised at all. Because the oxidising
process converts many polyphenolic compounds into others with less activity, green tea is considered to have the strongest therapeutic effects and the highest polyphenol content (Lin et al 2003). Caffeine concentrations also vary between the different teas: black tea > oolong tea > green tea > fresh tea leaf (Lin et al 2003).
Variation in caffeine content in green tea is further influenced by growing conditions, manufacturing processes and size of the tea leaves (Astill et al 2001). The highest quality leaves are the first spring leaf buds, called the ‘first flush’. The next set of leaf buds produced is called the ‘second flush’ and considered to be of poorer quality. Tea varieties also reflect the area they are grown in (e.g. Darjeeling in India), the form produced (e.g. pekoe is cut, gunpowder is rolled) and processing method (black, oolong or green)

Health Benefits of Cabbage : people eating cabbage were least likely to develop cancers

Cabbage has been the subject of an impressive amount of medical research. This is not surprising: its healing powers, which are long attested in traditional medicine, cover an amazing range of ailments. Cabbage contains healing mucilaginous substances similar to those produced by the mucous membrane of the gut and stomach for their own protection. This confirms the effectiveness of the traditional raw cabbagejuice cure for ulcers.

Cabbage is also loaded with sulfur compounds that, according to Dr. Valnet, give it a tonic and disinfectant action in respiratory infections. Anyone who is anemic should eat cabbage for its iron and chlorophyll, the green “blood” of plants, which is chemically similar to the hemoglobin in human
blood. Leslie Kenton quotes studies in which the red blood cells of anemic rabbits were restored to normal after being fed crude chlorophyll for two weeks. Centuries of use have also given the cabbage a reputation as being protective against stress, infection, and cardiac problems, while as a
member of the crucifer family, it is known to contain many anti-cancer compounds.

VIDEO : HEALTH BENEFITS OF CABBAGE

In population studies, people eating the most cabbage were the least likely to develop cancers. Perhaps even more excitingly, 50 percent of guinea pigs fed diced raw cabbage before whole body irradiation survived, while
those that were not so protected all died within 15 days. So maybe all those working with VDU screens, or facing radiation treatment or even diagnostic X-rays, should eat plenty of raw cabbage.
Most of these therapeutic effects have been observed with raw cabbage, and no doubt would also be found in sauerkraut. Traditional boiling in water not only means major nutrient losses into the water, but the disappearance or deactivation of many healing compounds. Cooked cabbage is rough on the digestion, too. So cook cabbage in its own juices, for as short a time as possible.

http://www.green-super-food.com/

SuperFood -Vegetable Extract

Superfood is a term sometimes used to describe foods with high phytonutrient content that may confer health benefits as a result. They contain significant amounts of antioxidants, anthocyanins, vitamin C, manganese, and dietary fiber. Phytonutrients are chemical compounds, such as beta-carotene to cite one well known example, that occur naturally in plants. Phytonutrients have tremendous health benefits. Their role in preventing, mitigating and even inhibiting cancer progression is well establsihed and documeneted. There is evidence from laboratory studies that phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of cancer.

Cancer is not formed in a day. Normally cancers are detected only after an average of 10 years. For example mammography can detect signs of breast cancer only 11 years after the initial cancer cells had begun to form. Certain tests like AMAS (anti-malignin antibody in serum) can detect early signs of cancer but that too only after 5-6 years the cancer cells had begun to form. Modern medicine, particularly oncology does not concern itself with preventive and prophylactic care. It only focusses on treating after the diseases has grown. It uses the typical poisoning, burning and slashing method - slang used for chemotherapy, radiation and surgery respectively. This is termed as the cancer assembly line. It starts with series of expensive diagnostic tests leading to chemotherapy which solves part of the problem then comes radiation which solves a bit more of the problem and lastly it is surgery which is supposed to weeds out the problem. By this time cancer would have spread to some other organs which a process known as metastatic cancer spread. The patient then has to go through the same cancer assembly line again. In the process he comes out mutilated, tortured and half dead if not completely dead.

The present day atmosphere, food habits, pollution and the lifestyle we are living in are extremely condicve for cancer formation. Cancer is currently the second most leading cause of death in developed countries. By the end of this decade cancer will become teh elading cxause of death in USA.

We have to be armed to the teeth in order to protect us from cancer. Nothing can be done about the cancer causing environment as of now. A healthy diet and a source of supplements that supply us with all the nutrients, vitamins and antioxidants can fortify our body against this deadly disease. We need help and armaments from all the sources in order to fight the war against cancer and win.

Phytonutrients - can indeed offer high degree of protection against cancer. It is never late to take Phytonutrient extract. It will be beneficial at any stage and age.

http://www.green-super-food.com

LYCOPENE AS A CANCER PREVENTING FOOD
Lycopene is often included as an ingredient in antioxidant combination supplements and is thought to contribute to risk reduction for cancer. Some studies have investigated the effects of lycopene on risk of disease, although many consider it as part of the carotenoid group and study its effects in this way.
Total cancer risk A 2002 Japanese study involving 2444 people who were
followed for 9 years found that high serum levels of lycopene, total carotenes and carotenoids were significantly and inversely associated with subsequent mortality from all causes and cancers of all sites after adjusting for gender, age and serum levels of total cholesterol, alpha-tocopherol and retinol.
In particular, there is some evidence that lycopene levels are inversely proportional to cancers of the prostate, stomach and cervix. Prostate cancer A review of 15 epidemiological studies concluded that although results are not yet definitive, overall the data suggest that increased consumption of  lycopene from tomatoes and tomato-based products may be prudent in order to reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

More specifically, five studies found a 30–40% reduction in prostate cancer risk associated with high tomato or lycopene consumption, three found a non-significant 30% reduction in risk, and seven were not supportive of an association. The largest epidemiological study was conducted by the Harvard Medical School, which assessed the diets of 47,894 volunteers and identified several foods as significantly associated with lower prostate cancer risk. They were tomato sauce, tomatoes and pizza, which are primary sources of lycopene. Additionally, consumption of more than 10 servings per week was required for protective effects to be observed.
Besides the epidemiological data on primary prevention, there are some reports of short- to medium-term clinical intervention trials with lycopene supplement or tomatoes. A small study of men with high-grade prostate intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN), a precursor of prostate cancer, showed that supplementation with 4 mg lycopene twice daily for 1 year had a chemopreventative effect, preventing progression of HGPIN to prostate cancer. Three of four studies found that either lycopene or tomatoes significantly reduces serum levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA). Kucuk et al conducted a randomised study involving 26 men, which found that taking a tomato oleoresin extract containing 30 mg lycopene for 3 weeks resulted in smaller prostate tumours, less involvement of surgical margins and/or extra-prostatic tissues with the cancer and less diffuse involvement of the prostate by high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia compared with controls
(Kucuk et al 2001). Additionally, plasma PSA levels were reduced. Another study  involving 32 patients with localised prostate cancer found that
consuming tomato sauce-based pasta dishes for 3 weeks (providing 30 mg
lycopene/day) reduced serum PSA levels by 17.5% and, overall, significantly reduced DNA damage in both leukocyte and prostate tissue.

A lycopene supplement for 3 months in 20 patients with metastatic hormone refractive prostate cancer (HRPC) significantly reduced PSA levels and provided relief in bone pain and lower urinary tract symptoms (Ansari & Gupta 2004). HRPC was defined as an increase in PSA levels of more than twice the normal value (0–4 ng/mL) confirmed in two consecutive determinations at 2-week intervals in the presence of castrate levelsof testosterone. In contrast, no effect on PSA levels was observed in a dose-escalating study of 36 men, which tested high doses of lycopene in biochemically relapsed prostate cancer. The doses studied were 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 mg/day taken for 1 year and significant elevations of plasma lycopene were noted at 3 months and then appeared to plateau for all six dose levels.  Stomach Cancer : Although mixed results were previously obtained from case–control studies, recent evidence is supportive of lycopene as a protective agent in stomach cancer.
2004

DEFICIENCY SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Although lycopene is not considered an essential nutrient, it is important for
wellbeing and optimal health. As such, deficiency signs and symptoms are unknown.

Lycopene as an ANTIOXIDANT
The many conjugated double bonds of lycopene make it a powerful antioxidant and its activity in vitro is nearly twice as great as beta-carotene .
LYCOPENE REDUCES LDL-CHOLESTEROL LEVELS AND LIPID OXIDATION
A significant 14% reduction in plasma LDL-cholesterol concentrations has been shown for a dose of 60 mg/day lycopene taken over 3 months by healthy volunteers. While the mechanism of action is unclear, in vitro testing suggests HMG-CoA reductase inhibition and enhancement of LDL receptor activity in macrophages.  Lycopene also prevents oxidation of lipids and LDL cholesterol, according to a clinical study by Agarwal & Rao .

CHEMOPREVENTATIVE ACTIVITY OF LYCOPENE
Anticancer activity of lycopene has been demonstrated in cell and tissue culture studies and animal tumour models. Lycopene appears to inhibit human cancer cell growth by interfering with growth factor receptor signalling and cell cycle progression without producing toxicity or apoptosis.
In vitro and in vivo evidence supports the theory that antiproliferative activity is achieved by upregulation of a gene, connexin 43, which restores direct intercellular gap junctional communication, usually deficient in many human tumours. This restoration of normal intercellular gap junctional communication is associated with decreased proliferation. Investigation using animal models also suggests that lycopene may exert its chemopreventative effects by modulating lipid peroxidation
and enhancing the activities of phase 2 enzymes, specifically those in the glutathione redox cycle.  A cell culture study using endometrial, mammary and lung human cancer cells has identified that lycopene has stronger antiproliferative activity than alpha- and beta-carotenes.
Of special significance in prostate cancer prevention is the finding that lycopene interferes with local testosterone activation by reducing the expression of 5-alphareductase I in prostate tumours in a rat model (Siler et al 2004). As a consequence, several androgen target genes in the tumours were drastically downregulated.

OTHER BENEFICIAL ACTIONS OF LYCOPENE
The Antioxidant Supplementation in the Atherosclerosis Prevention (ASAP) study showed that low plasma levels of lycopene were associated with an 18% increase in intima–media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery wall in men as compared with men in whom plasma levels were higher than median.

ANTICANCER (ANTINEOPLASTIC AND CHEMOPREVENTION) uses of Ashwagandha Studies show that withania can stimulate the production of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes in vivo and in vitro, and that it may prevent or reduce tumour growth. Withania was found in animal models to prevent
skin carcinoma induced by UVB radiation and forestomach tumours  reduce the incidence, number and size of tumours; and to counteract the associated decrease in body weight.

The withaferin A fraction appears to exert anti-angiogenic activity  and may be partly responsible for the antineoplastic effects observed in vitro and in vivo studies. The antioxidant effects aid in the prevention of DNA damage by mutagens  and this in combination with detoxifying properties, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, determined in animal studies, are likely to contribute to its chemopreventive action.

Animal studies suggest a potential role for withania as an adjunctive treatment during chemotherapy for the prevention of drug-induced bone marrow depression. Observe— beneficial interactions are possible.

Prevention of bone marrow depression Animal studies suggest a potential role for withania as an adjunctive treatment during chemotherapy for the prevention of drug-induced bone marrow depression. The ability to stimulate stem cell proliferation has led to concerns that W. somnifera could reduce cyclophosphamide-induced toxicity and therefore reduce its
usefulness in cancer therapy. However, preliminary animal studies indicate that withania could prove to be a potent and relatively safe radiosensitiser and chemotherapeutic agent.