Reducing Estrogen To Prevent Breast Cancer

2009-07-26T08:12:00.000-07:00

Estrogen is hormone that stimulates the growt and division of breast cancer cell. If you have had babies before the age of 30 you may have lower risk than in older age. Here are some information taken from Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D. that reducing estrogen exposure to prevent breast cancer risk:
Maintain a healthy weight. The ovaries produce most of your estrogen but some is metabolized by fat, so the leaner you are, the lower the risk. A study published in the July 1, 2006 issue of CANCER showed that the more weight a woman gains as an adult, the higher her breast cancer risk.
Breastfeed your babies. A study published in the July 20, 2002 issue of The Lancet showed that the more babies a woman has and the longer she nurses them, the lower her breast cancer risk.
Exercise regularly. As little as 1.25 to 2.5 hours per week of brisk walking reduced breast cancer risk by 18 percent in the Women's Health Initiative study reported in 2003. Walking 10 hours a week lowered the risk a bit more.
Avoid long-term estrogen replacement therapy (ERT). The latest study on this controversial subject showed that taking ERT for 15 years or longer significantly raises breast cancer risk. Results were published in the May 8, 2006 Archives of Internal Medicine.
Avoid alcohol. As little as a drink or two a week can increase estrogen production and by extension breast cancer risk. A study reported in the December 2001 issue of Cancer: Causes & Control showed that an average of less than one drink daily increased a postmenopausal woman's risk of dying of breast cancer by up to 30 percent when compared to women who don't drink; women who drank more alcohol increased their risk by 40 percent.
Eat less meat. Women who eat the most meat have higher risk than those who eat least or none.
Avoid conventionally produced beef and dairy products. They can contain residues of estrogenic hormones used as growth promoters in cattle.
If you eat meat, cook it less rather than more. A preference for well-done meat correlates with increased risk, because carcinogenic compounds form as animal tissue is cooked.
Read up on xenoestrogens. Estrogenic compounds found as pollutants in the environment, and try to minimize exposure to them.
Take 2 grams of fish oil a day. High omega-3 fatty acid intake significantly reduces your risk of breast cancer.
Eat cruciferous (cabbage-family) vegetables regularly. They provide protective phytonutrients.
If you have female children, start them on whole soy foods early. Regular, moderate consumption of whole soy foods early in life influences development of breast tissue in ways that reduce risk.
Aating more foods flavored with turmeric or drinking cold, unsweetened turmeric tea or taking a turmeric supplement such as New Chapter's Tumericforce. Because the spice turmeric appears to have significant anti-inflammatory and cancer-protective effects. Ginger also has anti-inflammatory effects, which may help reduce your risks. It can be included in your diet as crystallized ginger, ginger supplements or even the pickled ginger that comes with sushi.

Alcoholic Hepatitis

2009-07-26T06:36:00.000-07:00

Beware of hepatitis. Beware also of alcohol. Hepatitis implies injury to the liver characterized by the presence of inflammatory cells in the tissue of the organ. The condition can be self-limiting, healing on its own, or can progress to scarring of the liver. A group of viruses known as the hepatitis viruses cause most cases of liver damage worldwide. Hepatitis can also be due to toxins (notably alcohol), other infections or from autoimmune process.
Alcoholic hepatitis can vary from mild with only liver test elevation to severe liver inflammation with development of jaundice, prolonged prothrombin time, and liver failure. Severe cases are characterized by either obtundation (dulled consciousness) or the combination of elevated bilirubin levels and prolonged prothrombin time; the mortality rate in both categories is 50% within 30 days of onset.
Alcoholic beverages that contain ethanol is a significant cause of hepatitis. Usually alcoholic hepatitis comes after a period of increased alcohol consumption. Alcoholic hepatitis is characterized by a variable constellation of symptoms, which may include feeling unwell, enlargement of the liver, development of fluid in the abdomen ascites, and modest elevation of liver blood tests.
Alcoholic hepatitis is distinct from cirrhosis caused by long term alcohol consumption. Alcoholic hepatitis can occur in patients with chronic alcoholic liver disease and alcoholic cirrhosis. Alcoholic hepatitis by itself does not lead to cirrhosis, but cirrhosis is more common in patients with long term alcohol consumption. Patients who drink alcohol to excess are also more often than others found to have hepatitis C. The combination of hepatitis C and alcohol consumption accelerates the development of cirrhosis.

Health Care

Reducing Estrogen To Prevent Breast Cancer

Alcoholic Hepatitis