Health Blog

A healthy body and a sound mind

Live Long, Eat Fish

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It is a known fact that fish provides a lot of benefits to human health. Being a rich source of protein, health experts recommend it to be part of an individual’s daily diet.

fish diet

Fish is more than just a source of protein. It is also rich in omega 3 fatty acids which are beneficial in protecting the human body from serious diseases such as cancer, heart diseases, arthritis and even depression. In fact, it is considered a major source of the fatty acids.

Heart Disease

Consuming oily fish has been shown to help lower a person’s risk of heart disease and increases his chances of surviving a heart attack. This is because fish brings down the levels of fat known as triglycerides in the blood. It is also found to lower blood clotting and abnormal heart rhythms. [Read more…]

Originally posted on November 17, 2013 @ 5:33 pm

Is Superfood Broccoli the New Sunblock?

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Broccoli is a popular protein-rich vegetable that boosts the immune system. It adds texture and color to any dish, can be prepared with or without other ingredients and can be eaten raw or cooked .

This green veggie is actually a member of the cabbage family. Its name is derived from the plural form of the Italian term broccolo which means the flowering top of a cabbage.

broccoli study

Sunscreen Potential

Other than its well known benefit in improving the body’s immune system, this so-called superfood has other potentials in the area of reducing a person’s risk of cancer. A new study has initially found that broccoli might be able to protect the skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays thereby preventing the onset of cancer. [Read more…]

Originally posted on October 8, 2013 @ 11:35 am

Risk Factors For Breast Cancer

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Not everyone is in danger of getting breast cancer but then again, you never know. That is why experts have come up with certain things that they consider to be risk factors. These can indicate whether or not a person has more chances of getting breast cancer. Here are some of the risk factors, courtesy of MedicineNet:

Age: The chance of getting breast cancer goes up as a woman gets older. Most cases of breast cancer occur in women over 60. This disease is not common before menopause.

Personal history of breast cancer: A woman who had breast cancer in one breast has an increased risk of getting cancer in her other breast.

Gene changes: Changes in certain genes increase the risk of breast cancer. These genes include BRCA1, BRCA2, and others. Tests can sometimes show the presence of specific gene changes in families with many women who have had breast cancer. Health care providers may suggest ways to try to reduce the risk of breast cancer, or to improve the detection of this disease in women who have these changes in their genes.

Family history: A woman’s risk of breast cancer is higher if her mother, sister, or daughter had breast cancer. The risk is higher if her family member got breast cancer before age 40. Having other relatives with breast cancer (in either her mother’s or father’s family) may also increase a woman’s risk.

Certain breast changes: Some women have cells in the breast that look abnormal under a microscope. Having certain types of abnormal cells (atypical hyperplasia and lobular carcinoma in situ [LCIS]) increases the risk of breast cancer.

So these are only some of the most common risk factors that have been identified. For more information, you can visit the web site of the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Originally posted on October 14, 2010 @ 8:54 pm

Breast Self-Examination: Things You Should Know

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A lot of diagnosed breast problems – whether breast cancer or not – are usually first found out by the women involved themselves. They know their bodies best and as such, notice significant – and not so significant – changes early on. This is why it is very important that women conduct regular breast self-examination. During a breast self-examination, a woman may be able to find lumps which have developed over the years. Though lumps are not all malignant, or cancerous, early discovery is always an advantage.

It should be noted, however, that the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care (CTFPHC) do not perceive regular breast self-examination as compulsory. Indeed, even the American Cancer Society sees this as an option. If I were a woman, however, I would make sure to do this every once in a while just to be sure.

So how does one conduct a breast self-examination? It is basically checking one’s breasts for lumps or any other changes. This is done in different positions – standing, lying down, etc. – all the while looking at one’s breasts for any changes. The important thing is that if a woman finds some changes, such as lumps, she should immediately set an appointment with her doctor in order to get it checked.

Another important thing to remember is that even if you conduct regular breast self-examinations, you should not feel complacent. These self-examinations should not take the place of mammograms and regular check ups with your doctor.

Originally posted on October 23, 2010 @ 10:14 am