Posts Tagged ‘Food’

How to Treat Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease, also known as senile dementia, is a chronic, progressive degenerative disease with no cure. It is characterized by loss of recent memory for events, persons, and places. Over time, confusion and disorientation increase, leading to physical deterioration and death.

Diagnosis is made by history and ruling out other causes. Autopsy studies of the brain show neurofibrillary tangles, neuritic plaques, and granulovascular degeneration. Some researchers are looking into new treatments to alter the course of the disease and improve the quality of life for people suffering from the disease.

The United States Food and Drug Administration has approved two different types of medications to treat cognitive symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Cholinesterase inhibitors act to prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical messenger used for learning and memory. Another medication Memantine (Namenda) works to regulate the activity of glutamate, different messenger chemicals that are involved in learning and memory.

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Leaky Gut Syndrome – What You Should Know

Leaky Gut Syndrome (often shorted to LGS) is a condition wherein partially digested food, toxins, bacteria, and abnormally large macromolecules “leak” from the stomach and intestines into the bloodstream. This permeability of the stomach and intestines is caused by antibiotics, poor diet, parasites, various toxins, or an untreated infection. These causes affect the cells in the wall of the stomach, causing spaces to occur between them, allowing foreign substances to pass. Symptoms of LGS include gas, indigestion, chronic joint and/or muscle pain, diarrhea, constipation, fatigue, respiratory problems such as wheezing or coughing, a mild pyrexia (fever), temporary abdominal pain, digestive difficulties, increased frequency of infections, skin disorders, and the inability to properly absorb nutrients.

While Leaky Gut Syndrome can be fatal if left untreated for a lengthy amount of time, it is easily detectable. A solution of Mannitol and Lactulose is administered to the patient, who would then need to collect urine samples for the subsequent five to six hours. The amount of each chemical apparent in the urine, therefore unabsorbed into the intestines, determines how permeable the stomach and intestinal walls have become.

Treatment of Leaky Gut Syndrome may include the removal of harmful bacteria or parasites, the adoption of a diet high in fiber, as well as the elimination of sugary and starchy food, and the use of nutritional supplements and digestive aids, such as fish oil and flax seed oil. In time, the spacing between cells in the stomach and intestine walls will decrease.

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Is Acai Beneficial for Lupus Sufferers?

With the enthusiastic endorsements of Oprah and other celebrities, more people are learning every day about the powerful health benefits of Acai, a deep purplish berry found on a type of palm tree in the Brazilian forests. The Acai is packed with nutrients — fiber, calcium, amino acids, Vitamin C, E, and beta carotene, and Omega 3, Omega 6 and Omega 9 fatty acids. Because it is known to contain very high levels of antioxidents, which capture damaging free radicals in the body, acai can help reduce inflammation and, according to information provided by the National Lupus Foundation, may be beneficial in an overall healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables.

One study found that Acai contained three and a half times the amount of antioxidants as a glass of red wine. Acai is also known to be an appetite suppressant, which can be helpful to individuals who are taking steroids that can cause weight gain, as part of their treatment for lupus. Many people have reported that paying careful attention to their diet, including taking Acai supplements, has greatly benefitted the swelling, painful tenderness, and inflammation associated with lupus. Acai can now be found in a variety of forms, including powders, extracts, and juices, at most healthfood stores and nutrition centers, although, due to its popularity it is becoming more widely available as well. It can be mixed with smoothies, juices, yogurt, and other foods or drunk as a beverage.

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Diet, Exercise, Lifestyle Help Prevent Osteoporosis

One out of every two women, and one out of every eight men over the age of 50 will develop osteoporosis, a disease causing thinning and weakening of the bones to the extent that they break and fracture very easily. Hip, spine and wrist bones are especially vulnerable to this silent disease.

Osteoporosis can cause height loss, unsightly back humps, as well as the danger of fracturing bones much more easily, leading to pain, hospitalization, and sometimes permanent disability and even death.

Osteoporosis actually starts in childhood but doesn’t manifest until adulthood, with inactivity and a diet lacking in calcium and vitamin D causing many children to become susceptible to osteoporosis and bone loss as they age.

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Dealing With Crohn’s Disease

Dealing with Crohn’s disease can be a stressful situation for some patients. Individuals with the condition can seek counseling or go to family or friends for support.

Crohn’s is an inflammatory bowel disease that is a lifelong process. For some patients dealing with Crohn’s disease they may not have it as bad as other patients.

The individiuals that deal with Crohn’s disease will experience symptoms if the disease starts flaring up again. These symptoms include:
- severe belly ache
- fever or chills
- feeling faint or abnormal pulse
- constant vomiting
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