BLOG 548 GARLIC

 BLOG 548 GARLIC

Garlic comes from Central Asia and northeastern Iran. However, it is a seasoning that is used all over the world. This spice is related to onion, leek, chives, and shallots. It is readily used for cooking and sautéing. The perks of garlic are many, and the health benefits have made many people fans.

1.      The most popular benefit of garlic is its ability to boost the immune system with its powerful ability to fight infection. Garlic contains antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antiviral properties. Garlic in raw form, can be rubbed on skin conditions that are fungi, virus, or bacterial related. One of the components called, ajoene, can help fight yeast infections.

2.      Garlic can also boost immunity. This spice is absolutely loaded with vitamin C. It also contains a high amount of potassium which means it helps with the absorption of other nutrients. The smell clears up lunge and throat problems.

3.      It helps fight off fatigue.

4.      It helps with digestive problems.

5.      Garlic is a major fighter against cancer. Studies have linked garlic consumption to a decreased risk for breast, stomach, colon, esophagus, and pancreatic cancer.

6.      Garlic is an anti-inflammatory. This spice contains diallyl sulfide (DAS) and thiacremonone which have anti-arthritic properties.

7.      Garlic blocks the growing progress of fat cells which can help ward off obesity because of its sulfur containing compounds.

8.      Garlic can help cleanse the body of toxins. It activates the liver enzymes to get rid of waist.

9.      It helps with earaches when warmed up and dropped into the ear.

10.  It is a mosquito repellant.

11.  It can help get rid of warts.

12.  When boiled and drank as a tea, it can help get rid of a cough.

13.  Cooked garlic can lower cholesterol.

14.  Cooked garlic can lower blood pressure.

Garlic is quite the super food and incredibly great for our health. It might make your breathe stink, but the benefits far exceed a little aftertaste. The trick is to have a little parsley after, which actually negates the smell of garlic. Beyond using it in so many different recipes, not just traditional spaghetti, garlic is something we all can have a little more of. Garlic comes in fresh form, powdered, crushed, you name it. A little garlic a day can really help keep poor health away and is an incredible home remedy that is easy, convenient, and even tasty. 

BLOG 547 FORGETTING

BLOG 547 FORGETTING

Every day presents us with a multitude of tests for our memory, and sometimes we don’t always remember each item. Forgetting something here and there is common, but when the lack of remembering persists, being forgetful becomes problematic. When there are dates, events, and tasks that were urgent, time sensitive, or required, even these items that should take priority can be left in the dust. These memory slips become frustrating, can make you upset, and cause also cause you to question your mental health. However, you can take some matters into your own hands to help reduce the risk of forgetting.

Here are some considerations:

1. Medications: Certain medications can affect your memory. Typically, confusion can result from the sedation effect of these medications. High blood pressure and antidepressants are common culprits. It can become difficult to pay attention to things, so speaking with your doctor if you feel the dosage or use of the medication might be making your brain foggy would be recommended.

2. Lack of sleep: Not getting enough sleep is a major culprit of memory lapses. When your mind is truly not awake, you can’t expect to recall everything you need to. Losing track of time, dozing off, or just feeling lost in day dreaming can result in forgetfulness. Be sure to get the rest you need, which is often easier said than done when the demands of life can cut your seep time short but do your best to get quality rest when quantity is compromised.

3. Depression: Forgetfulness can be the result of feeling depressed due to lethargy, lack of motivation, and sadness. When something else is bothering you, being in the present alert and attentive can be difficult.

4. Alcohol: Drinking these beverages typically impacts short term memory. The brain is impaired during drinking, but even after memory can be negatively affected.

5. Stress and anxiety: When you feel pulled in different directions or on edge with thoughts that are worrying you or pressuring you, your mind is filled with too many different thoughts. You are basically distracted and as a result don’t remember little things here and there.

We can relate to many of the following occasions when we have forgotten something:

1. Misplacing your car keys.

2. Not knowing what day it is (usually the actual date).

3. Making a wrong turn or getting off at the wrong exit.

4. Meeting someone and not remembering their name.

5. Not paying a bill on the date it was due.

There are natural ways to improve your memory. Certain lifestyle changes can contribute to less forgetting. As previously mentioned, getting enough sleep is a good place to start. Maintaining a healthy weight, eating less food with added sugar, eating fewer simple carbohydrates, and avoiding sugary beverages can help. Eliminating sugar highs and crash can help keep your brain focused. This also includes drinking less alcohol. Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to early onset dementia so making sure these levels are adequate is important A little more sunshine might help as well as consuming foods with vitamin D such as omega 3 filled fish such as salmon, egg yolks, and red meat a couple of times per week.

Training your brain can help too, such as doing puzzles or even exercises that require coordination and repetition. Even remembering the workout routine from start to finish is helpful. Staying active keeps the brain active to connect with the body, making performing movement patterns possible. Eye-hand activities as simple and catching and throwing with someone are good. Simple dance routines are good to practice and learn to keep memory going. We can’t forget our health, and we know that exercise medicine even for the brain.

BLOG 546 HIP REPLACEMENT

BLOG 546 HIP REPLACEMENT

Nearly 7 million Americans have either a hip or knee replacement. The hip is a ball and socket joint, so just like the knees or shoulders, it seems as though the wear and tear over time catches up with many people. The synovial fluid starts to run low or better said, it “goes away”. That’s when arthritis likes to creep its way in.

We are in constant use of our hips and for many, when simply walking becomes too painful, something must be done to alleviate this disruption to daily living. For some, this pain can even disrupt sleep. Walking upstairs becomes too hard and even getting out of a chair, or even worse, out of bed, just becomes misery. Becoming more sedentary and limited doesn’t have to be the final answer. A hip replacement may be the best option. An artificial joint can be surgically placed into the body. Damaged areas/parts of the hip are replaced with new artificial parts.

A person may need hip surgery due to osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteonecrosis, or because of broken bones from trauma or disease. Nearly 300,000 adults over the age of 65 fracture their hip each year. Thus, hip replacement can be a common occurrence among seniors. Falling when older, primarily due to poor balance can be a major cause of hip fractures. This is particularly true for women who fall more than men and are at higher risk for osteoporosis. Osteoarthritis, aka “wear and tear”, is a threat to the hips because it causes damage to the cartilage that covers the ends of bones that assist the joints to move smoothly. Rheumatoid arthritis is related to the immune system which causes inflammation that erodes cartilage, even bone, and then deteriorates the joints. Osteonecrosis occurs when there isn’t enough blood being supplied to the ball part of the joint. This usually happens from a fall complication.

Hip replacement is not the immediate answer. Most doctors will recommend possible medications or physical therapy to address problems first. Just like any type of surgery, there are possible risks. Fortunately, today’s hip replacements have a much longer lifetime than previous years when the possibility of having a second hip replacement could happen. Some of the risks include blood clot, the chance that one limb can become longer than the other due to the change in length, never damage, and/or infection.

There are a couple ways to prepare for success when having a hip replacement. First, having a healthy body weight is recommended. Shedding extra pounds will put less stress on the new joint. It can take six weeks or longer to recover from hip surgery, mainly because the new joint must sync with the body and become strong to perform movement patterns. This is where physical therapy and proper exercise can help. Don’t be fooled though, you will be walking within 24 hours of surgery.

Your hips don’t lie when it comes to communicating to the body that something isn’t right. Be proactive and be careful of wear and tears that isn’t necessary. Movement is medicine but putting stress on the body by asking you to do much more than is intended, won’t last forever. You need your hips, and your hips need you to take care of them.

 

BLOG 545 CAUSES OF CANCER

BLOG 545 CAUSES OF CANCER

Cancer. It's a word that carries weight because it’s a diagnosis that affects millions of lives. But what actually causes cancer? While cancer is a complex disease with many contributing factors, understanding its root causes is one of the most powerful tools we have in prevention, early detection, and treatment.

Having some background knowledge about what cancer actually is can help with understanding. Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. These cells can form tumors, invade surrounding tissues, and sometimes spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. Normally, the body has checks and balances to keep cell growth in line. But when something goes wrong in that system, cancer can develop.

One of the primary causes of cancer is damage to DNA, the genetic code that tells cells how to function. These mutations can happen for several reasons. Some people are born with genetic mutations that increase their cancer risk (e.g., BRCA1 and BRCA2 for breast and ovarian cancer). Most cancers are caused by mutations that accumulate over a person’s lifetime, often due to environmental or lifestyle factors. Examples would be smoking, for instance, causes mutations in lung cells, increasing the risk of lung cancer over time.

Certain habits and choices are well known to increase cancer risk. These include tobacco use which is the leading preventable cause of cancer, linked to lung, throat, mouth, bladder, and many other cancers. Poor diet and obesity compounded with processed foods, excessive red meat, and high sugar intake are associated with several cancer types. Lack of physical activity contributes to weight gain and hormone imbalances that may trigger cancer growth. Alcohol consumption increases the risk of cancers of the liver, breast, esophagus, and more.

We live in a world filled with chemicals and substances that can be carcinogenic (cancer-causing). Examples include air pollution like diesel exhaust, asbestos, and radiation.

Some viruses, bacteria, and parasites are linked to specific cancers. These include Human Papillomavirus (HPV) which is linked to cervical, throat, and other cancers. Hepatitis B and C can lead to liver cancer. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is associated with stomach cancer. Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) is linked to certain lymphomas and nasopharyngeal cancer.

The risk of cancer increases as we age because we've had more time for mutations to accumulate in our cells. Hormonal factors can also play a role, especially in breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers. For example, estrogen exposure is a known risk factor for breast cancer, particularly in people with early menstruation, late menopause, or hormone replacement therapy use.

People with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for certain cancers. That’s because the immune system normally helps detect and destroy abnormal cells before they grow uncontrollably. While not all cancers can be prevented, understanding the causes helps empower us to make informed decisions and reduce our risk wherever possible. Cancer doesn’t happen overnight, and sometimes it strikes without clear cause. But knowledge is powerful and small choices made daily can have a big impact over time.