Sugar : (Part 10) Metabolism, Enzymes, Aging

In this post, I would like to write about couple of stuff relating to metabolism, enzymes and aging. Of course the discussion will be about adverse impact of sugar, particularly fructose yet again. You must be wondering these posts are mostly about fructose? Simple, the difference between the 'neutral' glucose and the 'bad' sugar fructose, is the metabolism when it is consumes in the body. I particularly chose fructose for thorough discussion, because it is the most devastative sugar amongst all.

Now, firstly, let's start off with how fructose could affect our body's metabolism. Eating too much fructose may cause your body to burn calories less efficiently. Over time, this could cause you to gain weight. Research suggests that fructose lowers your body's basal metabolic rate (BMR), which is the number of calories you use at rest. 

You may not realize it, but you burn calories all day long, whether you are breathing, resting, eating, working, sleeping or running on treadmill. This is because many physiological processes that keep your organs running and tissue nourished require energy, even when you sleep. BMR is an important factor in weight management. The funny thing is, I've known a so called 'fitness trainer' in Malaysia, who doesn't even know what is BMR! He just said, "It is Basal Metabolic Rate". Of course it is, but what are the factors of BMR? How it actually functions? How can a Fitness First trainer qualified to charge a client for individual training, when he doesn't even know how your body function? Totally absurd. 

As a rule, BMR gradually declines as you get older, which is one of the reason why many people who never needed to worry about their weight suddenly fidn themselves fighting flab as they enter middle age and beyond. Cells metabolize fructose very quickly. In the process, they lose ATP, the molecules that serve as the main power source for metabolism. Unfortunately, as your ATP levels sink, so does your metabolism rate. This means that a high fructose diet can depress your metabolic rate.

Your weight is a reflection not only of the calories you eat, but also the calories you burn, so if your metabolic rate drops, weight gain will result. There is also another explanation why you gain more weight when you consume fructose than when you take in an equal amount of calories from other foods. Research has shown that fructose enhances the absorption of glucose. This suggests that the fructose in sugar and HFCS may cause you to absorb more glucose that you would, when eating a meal of an equal amount of starch, when breaks down to glucose. 

Next, let's move on to fructose's impact on enzymes. In a nutshell, fructose is actually a 'fast food', because your body processes it so rapidly. Unfortunately, if you are flooding your system with fructose by eating too many sugary foods, the enzymes required to break it down may respond by becoming overreactive. This could cause your body to set in motion the metabolic changes that cause weight gain every time you consume fructose, even just a small amount. 

Enzymes are body's catalysts. One enzyme in particular, called fructokinase, helps to convert fructose into energy. This fructose enzyme, is present in tissue cells throughout the body, with the highest concentrations in certain organs, including the liver, intestines, and kidneys. High levels of fructose enzymes are also present in fat cells. 

Fructose enzymes may turn fructose into energy, but they do so at high price. As I mentioned in earlier post, burning fructose generates uric acid, which has been linked with weight gain, among other metabolic problems. Unfortunately, if you eat large amounts of foods containing fructose every day, your body responds by manufacturing a huge volume of fructose enzymes. This makes your cells overly sensitive, causing them to generate large amounts of uric acid every time you consume sugar. It's as though your body is a machinery for manufacturing uric acid and other damaging compounds got stuck in high gear. 

Apparently, avoiding fructose in the diet kept fructose enzymes under control, which in turn kept uric acid levels low. On the other hand, eating a high fructose diet turned up the volume on fructose enzymes, making them overreact and generating excessive amounts of uric acid.

Okay. Let's talk a bit about the effects of fructose on aging. I'm sure a lot of people would be interested in this one, especially ladies out there. The science is clear and powerful. Cutting back on fructose will help maintain a healthy weight and control the various conditions such of metabolic syndrome such as high blood pressure, high blood glucose, lipid problems and obesity. As campaigns for soft drinks and other products that are sweetened with large amounts of sugar and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) often feature images of youthful, active people. Nonsense! Ironically, consuming too many foods and beverages that contain high fructose may actually accelerate aging and overall physical decline. 

Although it may taste sweet, fructose is a volatile chemical. When it makes contact with proteins and amino acids in your body, fructose sparks a chemical reaction similar to the one that occurs when you toast bread or roast meat. This chemical change produces molecules called advanced glycation end products (AGEs). 

Normally, your body manufactures AGEs at a slow, steady pace. Certain conditions, however, cause levels of AGEs to increase. Glucose, like fructose, reacts with proteins in the body to produce AGEs. As I mentioned in earlier post, fructose has up to 7 times more AGEs then glucose! People with poorly controlled diabetes have elevated blood levels of glucose. Not surprisingly, they also tend to have very high concentrations of AGEs, which have been linked to blindness, kidney and nerve damage and other diabetes complications.

AGEs damages collagen, the fibrous material that accounts for accounts for about 30 percent of the proteins in the human body. Collagen is the main component of the connection tissue in tendons, ligaments, organ walls, blood vessels and cartilage, and inner portion of bones. High activity of AGEs also seems to attract oxidative stress and inflammation. Meanwhile, many health experts believe that AGEs play a critical role in the aging process. Folks, thats all for today, I'm tired, had a long day, too much of thinking and writing. Till then, stay tuned. Happy New Year everyone.

Sugar : (Part 9) Oxidative Stress & Inflammation

I'm in holiday mood right now, enjoying my vacation, away from all the hectic environment, from work, from the crowds and of course, from stress. In this post, I would like to write about the affects of oxidative stress and inflammation, from consumption of sugar, especially fructose. You might be thinking, how could sugar causes inflammation and oxidative stress in the body? Well, let's find out. 

As you might already realized, people, including you, eat too much, especially when they feel stressed out. They tend to go for either high fat or high sugar comfort foods. The act of processing sugar, which includes fructose, is very taxing for cells, leaving them exhausted and sick. When cells are sapped of energy, they can't function properly.

Now, let's talk about inflammation. When you consumed a large amount of fructose, the tissues in your body becomes inflamed ( I mentioned in last post, remember?). You don't develop immediate and obvious symptoms the way you do during the bout of acute inflammation, such as the red and prickly skin that is characteristic of dermatitis, or the aches and pains that accompany a sinus infection. Instead, fructose triggers low grade systemic inflammation, which can produce silent but devastating damage throughout your body.

Inflammation isn't all bad of course, it is part of your immune system response. You couldn't survive without it, because it is an essential component  of your body's defense network. Anytime you are injured or an unwelcome intruder such as germ or toxin find its way into your body, your immune system swings into action, producing a variety of chemicals that control damage and speed up healing. Histamines, example, increase blood flow to the site of the injury and infection. Then we have white blood cells, meanwhile, destroys bacteria and other microorganisms while helping to repair injured cells. 

But, glitches can develop in the immune system, causing the body to attack itself. Heard of autoimmune disease? It is also known as autoimmune disorder, in which inflammatory chemicals destroy healthy tissue, as is the case of rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or type 1 Diabetes.

In recent years, it has becomes clear that chronic low-grade inflammation is a stealth factor in other more common diseases. For instance, atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease. Research has shown that silent, persistent inflammation contributes to the narrowing of arteries that leads to heart attack and stroke. But so far, what exactly causes systemic inflammation seemed to be unknown for now. There is no single answer, but fructose plays a role. 

Fructose appears to set the stage for inflammation via several mechanisms. Cells exposed to fructose become temporarily depleted of energy, which can cause them to become inflamed. What's more, fructose stimulates the production of uric acid. Uric acid can directly induce inflammation inside the arteries. 

Once again, it is a low grade symptomless form of inflammation, so drinking any form of soft drinks or 'fruit juices' will not leave you feeling sore or turn your skin red, as an acute inflammatory condition might. Nonetheless, chronic inflammation is a serious problem with far reaching consequences for your health.

Eating a high fructose meal, then, could drain much of your cells' energy bank account, quickly. When cells are depleted of ATP, your energy level slumps and you develop that familiar post sugar depression. You 'crash' and feel lethargic, tired, sleepy, all these symptoms must have ring a bell for most people.

Starved of energy, cells go into a state of shock. Activity in the cells shuts down, as though they had lost their blood supply. In fact, cells begin to act as though they were suffering ischemia, a loss of blood flow that leads to cell death and causes most heart attacks and strokes.

Next, let's talk about the affects of fructose on oxidative stress. Oxidative stress also occurs as molecules called free radicals, are generated and interact with uric acid and other cell components, which further damages cells. The amount of large soft drink, can trigger all of these damaging changes in a variety of cell types, including fat cells, liver cells, and the cells that line blood vessels. So, how about grabbing a can of Pepsi or Coke right now?

Eating a high fructose diet is one of the many ways to increase oxidative stress, a destructive phenomenon linked to many diseases, including cancer. Every moment, with every breath, your body produces toxic chemicals called free radicals, which damage healthy tissue through a process called oxidation. Although oxygen is necessary to produce life sustaining energy, a small percentage of the oxygen you inhale ends up generating free radicals. Exposure to environmental toxins such as air pollution, cigarette smoke and radiation contributes to oxidative stress too.

Free radicals are unstable particles that are missing electrons. They try to restore lost electrons by stealing a pair from any tissue in their path. Left unchecked, free radicals can oxidize cholesterol, which causes waxy substances to clog arteries. Now, please, do not misunderstood that cholesterol causes clogged arteries. Read properly and understand the importance of cholesterol in the body.

Free radicals may injure cells membranes and DNA, why is why many scientists believe that oxidative stress plays a role in cancer and aging itself. Ideally, our bodies keep oxidation to a minimum by staying well stocked with defenders called antioxidants, which defuse free radicals. Your body manufacture certain antioxidants and enzymes, but others must come from a healthy diet. 

As a cell metabolizes fructose and uses up its ATP, the cell's uric acid levels rise. Free radicals are produced and interact with uric acid, leading to the creation of even more radicals and producing high levels of oxidative stress. So folks and all the fast food lovers out there, you might want to cut down food high in fructose. 

 

Sugar : (Part 8) Leptin Resistance & Cellulite

It's nearing the end of the year, New Year's eve is just around the corner, what's your plan folks? Have you decided where to countdown and party? As for me, I will not be around but I hope to write even though I'm off travelling. All I need is a computer, 30 minutes of free time, and network connection. Just keep my fingers crossed. Today, I would like to write about leptin resistance, how our body responds when we eat a meal and how simple sugar such as fructose could impact leptin signalling to our brain. I will also discuss a bit about fructose connection with cellulite, and I guess the ladies will be interested reading this post.

Unlike other animals, humans have created rituals surrounding the act of eating. If you're like most people, you probably consume three meals a day, set apart by intervals of severals hours, in the morning, afternoon and early evening, with occasional snacks in between. At least a few times a year, you may eat special dinners to celebrate holidays or events, such as weddings, birthdays, Chinese New Year, thanksgiving, etc. There are times, when we go for buffet dinners or similar meals, loading ourselves with enormous amount of calories and sugar.

A part from the social importance of food and dining, however, we eat for obvious reason. Hunger. We eat because we are hungry. Unfortunately, fructose fails us on this basic level, because it does a poor job of satisfying hunger. For some reason, your body's appetite control system ignores fructose, which makes it a kind of phantom food ingredient. As a result, when you eat a high fructose food, your appetite does not becomes satisfied, so you may keep eating.

Let's look at how your body regulates the amount of food you eat. When you eat a meal containing carbohydrates, glucose is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, and enters the bloodstream. Cells use glucose to create energy. As blood glucose rise, the pancreas produces insulin. This important hormone ushers glucose into cells, which in turn lowers blood glucose levels. A lot of people do not know why they feel lethargic and sleepy after finish a meal. This is the reason why. Your body goes from hyperglycemic, to hypoglycemic state. This is why it is important to ensure your blood sugar does not spike while consuming a meal. The key is to prevent ups and downs of blood sugar and energy levels. Majority of people are experiencing this 'roller coaster' ride almost every single meal.  If you practice this habit of eating for years, you risks of developing insulin resistance, and increased risk of type 2 Diabetes.

Insulin is a busy hormone, also known as fat-storing hormone. It has a variety of important roles in the body, and one of its tasks is to trigger the release of hormone called leptin from fat cells. Leptin rises in proportion to the amount of fat stored by your body. It acts diretly on the brain cells that are believed to control satiety, or the pleasant sensation of fullness your feel after a meal. At the same time, it turns down the production of your hunger hormone. Together, levels of these hormones deliver a signal to the brain saying, "your appetite has been satisfied, so stop eating".

In addition to eluding the attention of leptin hormone, fructose seems to block this appetite hormone from doin its job, which makes mantaining a healthy weight even harder. A problem known as 'leptin-resistance' occurs when the hormone is unable to deliver its 'stop-eating' message to the brain. As a result, a person with leptin resistance may consume more food then he or she needs to satisfy appetite, which can cause weight gain. Studies indicate that obese people often show evidence of leptin resistance.

High doses of fructose causes leptin resistance. Leptin levels do not rise sharply when you consume high fructose foods. As a result, fructose-rich meals do a poor job of satisfying appetite.Your fat cells do produce leptin when you consume any food, of course, and this is time where I will let you know the connection between fructose and cellulite.

Cellulite is a condition that creates a dimpled or so called 'cottage cheese' appearance in the skin, usually on the hip, buttocks and thighs. Cellulite is most common in females, though it doesn't appear until after puberty. Cellulite usually affects males only if they develop a condition that lowers their testosterone. No one knows for sure what causes cellulite, though these patterns suggest that hormones play a role. Other factors are probably involved as well.

Research suggests that the layer of fat underlying skin with cellulite often develops many of the same metabolic problems that have been linked to a high fructose diet. For instance, studies show that in people with cellulite,  fat cells in the subcutaneous layer of the skin can be highly inflamed. Exposing fat cells to fructose or uric acid can cause the cells to be inflamed and develop oxidative stress. Some research has linked cellulite to diets high in carbohydrates.

There are many so called 'cellulite busting products and treatments' sold in the market that are either unproven or ineffective. Can you trust these treatments? Of course I wouldn't recommend, but yet, the risk and money is yours to decide, think wisely before you spend, we deserve to know if we invested on the right product.

My advise especially for the ladies, if you would want to reduce cellulite formation in your body, cut down foods which is high in carbohydrates, especially sugar, particularly fructose or High Fructose Corn Syrup. Adding sedentary lifestyle and high carbs diet, there goes your hormonal imbalance and production of cellulite. Remember, sugar increases inflammation in the body, affecting skin, blood vessels and cellulite as well. Try to eliminate soft drinks, milk shakes, cakes, doughnuts and 'fruit juices' as well as Agave syrup. Agave syrup has very high fructose content. You might want to reduce honey consumption, and eating low glycemic food would be a good move. And of course, eliminate beer at all course. Say goodbye to cellulite.

Sugar: (Part 7) Nitric Oxide

It's been raining almost everyday lately. Winter time in most western countries, United States, China, Taiwan, etc. Bad weather occurring in various countries, even airport in London was shut down. Something came to my mind, what I want to write in this post. Lighting strikes. You may be wondering, how on earth does lighting strikes related to sugar? Well, of course there is no direct relation between these two, but I'm referring to nitric oxide. Anyone heard of it? 

Nitric oxide, is a toxic gas, found in automobile exhaust as well as lighting strikes. When vehicle engines reach high temperature, nitric oxide is produced, and while during a lighting strike, nitrogen reacts with oxygen to produce nitric oxide as well. And what does nitric oxide has to do with sugar? Keep reading folks.

As uric acid spills into the blood after you consume a food or beverage that's high in fructose or purines, it shuts down production of a gas called nitric oxide. Healthy circulation requires blood vessels to expand and contract. To expand blood vessels, endothelial cells that line the blood vessel walls produce nitric oxide. This important gas acts as a messenger, instructing the smooth muscle cells that surround blood vessels to stop contracting. As uric acid blocks the release of nitric oxide, blood vessels cannot relax and dilate, which raises blood pressure. Thus, high blood pressure occurs. Now got the point here?

Three scientists who proved its importance in cardiovascular system, won the Nobel Prize. Before this discovery, most scientists believed that nitric oxide is simply a toxic gas, a free radical, mainly found in automobile exhaust and lighting strikes. Then, it was discovered that it plays a crucial role in promoting healthy circulation by causing the blood vessels to relax. You must be wondering, if it is a free radical, wouldn't it be damaging to our body? The thing is, our body produces only a small amount of nitric oxide, enough to keep blood vessels open and flowing, but too little to do any damage.

Today, the beneficial role of nitric oxide in human health is widely accepted. Let me ask some of you guys out there reading this right now. Ever suffer from erectile dysfunction? I know I know, what's ED has to do with sugar or nitric oxide? I'm sure you heard of ED drugs such as Viagra ,Cialis and Levitra. One of my colleagues is a regular consumer of ED drugs. The knowledge that nitric oxide promotes blood flow in the penis, allowed drugmakers to develop erectile dysfunction treatments. Nitric oxide in our body has multiple benefits apart from relaxing blood vessels. So guys, now you know how ED drugs works. But my advise, stay away from ED drugs, build a healthy reproductive system from inside out. Diet and exercise. Maintain a good BMI, control carbs consumption, and most important of all, lose weight in a healthy way.

Losing weight can be a great challenge. Most people who manage to shed some pounds, eventually regain back at least some of the weight, if not all. The modern world makes the gaining weight all together too easy. We got fast food outlets open 24hrs, we got automobiles bringing us to get food supplies, we don't need to hunt for food and thus burn less calories, compared to our primal ancestors. Evolution gave us bodies programmed to seek and stockpile calories in fat tissue as a backup energy source in case of famine. Guess what, the famine never comes, and we keep eating more and more. Instead, we live in land of plenty, Burger Kings, McDonalds, KFC, Baskin Robbins, Dunkin Donuts, etc. They are all short drive away for most people.

Unlike our prehistoric ancestors, we are all surrounded by food. Food is everywhere, 'mamak' stalls open 24hrs, people swarming these outlets even in the wee hours at 3 or 4am eating food filled with trans fat, sugar, and MSG. Then again, it's not as though we walk or jog to the nearest restaurant or grocery. Lack of exercise and the labor saving devices have resulted in an overall drop in physical activity amongst us, ensuring that many of the calories we store so efficiently in our fat tissue remain there.

Right now, I will present to you fructose powerful influence on your weight in number of ways.

• Fructose makes food tasty and appetizing, which coaxes you into eating more calories than your body needs.

• Unlike other form of sugar, fructose does not trigger the release of important hormone signals to the areas of the brain that control appetite. In other words, even large servings of fructose rich foods leave you hungry. 

• Fructose damages healthy fat cells, making them sick and causing them to fill up with excessive amounts of fat.

• Fructose has 7 times more devastating effects of AGE products, comparing to glucose. 

Of course, eating too much of any food will make you gain weight. Fructose makes food taste good, and once you start eating a tasty food, stopping can be difficult. As a result, it is easy to overindulge when you eat sweets. A taste for sweetness appears to be universal. If you offer someone whom you just met, who never tasted chocolate before, you will make a new friend. Research also shows that a love of sweetness is programmed into the brains of mammals, probably so that infants will indistinctly nurse on mother's milk, which has slight sweet taste, due to a type of sugar called lactose.

There is little doubt that sweetness affects our emotions. Studies have shown, for instance, that crying newborns calm down when given a sweetened liquid, but continue with loud cries, when fed an unflavored beverage. The yearning for sweet foods seems to intensify as we age. Sugar is a drug, and addictive food substance. Everyone just can't get enough of sugary food.

Fat Planet: It's a fat, fat world

Check this out folks. I hereby present to you, Top 10 fattest countries in the world in 2010.

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/health/101119/fat-top-10-obese

Sugar: (Part 6) Uric acid

Hohoho...Merry Christmas to all of you readers out there. How's your Christmas celebration? Any nice gifts? Had a sumptuous dinner? Anyway, let's continue with the discussion about sugar. I have a colleague, who would always 'crash' whenever after he ate a meal. He would feel very sleepy, lethargic and unable to keep his energy level up to par. This is not a common symptom, it is happening to many people, especially the ones who loves eating carbs, diet which is high in sugar. In this post, I would like to talk a bit about insulin resistance and uric acid.

The universal fear that all fats that gripped many health conscious people for several decades, has been replaced by cardio-phobia. More recent research suggests that consuming a high fructose diet over a shorter period can have an even worst effect on triglycerides and cause other metabolic changes that raise the risk of heart disease, especially people who are overweight. The same research found that no ill effects from consuming a high glucose diet.

It may seem odd that eating fructose, which is a carbohydrate, raises levels of fat. But, your body constantly converting one compound into another to suit its needs. In this case, transformation occurs in the liver, where most fructose ends up after a meal. The sugar is processed by an enzyme known as fructokinase, which breaks down fructose into smaller components. Your body uses these smaller parts to make either glycogen or triglycerides.  

"A single serving of fructose does not cause your blood glucose level to rise right" asked my colleague. Well, unfortunately, that is far from true. If you consume a high fructose diet, you could develop the condition known as insulin resistance. At some point, insulin resistance also known as syndrome X. 

Insulin resistance causes type 2 diabetes, which is now an epidemic in various countries including Malaysia. People who develop insulin resistance tend to be overweight, likewise, people who put on too many pounds are more likely to develop insulin resistance. A number of studies have shown that eating a high fructose diet, makes cells resist insulin. High insulin levels, indicate that body tissue is not able to use the hormone properly. In other words, eating fructose made us insulin resistant, but not glucose.

Now, let's talk a bit about uric acid. I had write briefly about how fructose impact on uric acid level in our body, causing gout and hypertension in my previous post. Firstly, the cells that make up every piece of tissue in your body have a limited life span. As they naturally die off, they break down into smaller parts. The uric acid story begins with DNA, serves as genetic blueprint for every cell in your body. Then, we have RNA, the messenger which carries out the instructions of DNA.

As old cells break down, DNA and RNA degrade into smaller parts, including components called purines. Enzymes which converts purines into a substance called xanthine. Over time, xanthine degrades further into uric acid. Your body also produces uric acid as it burns ATP, an organic compound in cells that plays a vital role in producing energy.

As I mentioned in my earlier post that purines and fructose are primary contributors for high levels of uric acid, but most doctors do not acknowledge and realize the connection between fructose and gout. When uric acid levels in the body get too high, the acid hardens into sharp crystals that are deposited in joints. That is just a summarized version of uric acid forms in our joints causing severe pains and I've met so far a few people who suffer from Gout.

Uric acid levels are greatly influenced by your diet and can fluctuate wildly, depending on what you eat. Sweet foods are not the only ones that increase uric acid. Eating purine-rich foods can also raise uric acid in the body. Eating fewer purine-rich foods can help you to maintain a safe uric acid levels.

If you love beer or lager, you may then carry with you visual proof in the form of beer belly. A paunchy midsection, doesn't flatter anyone's appearance, in addition, it may serves as a strong indicator that you are developing from serious metabolic problems. I've told this tons of times to my friends and colleagues who love to consume alcohol.

Alcohol not only causes your body to produce uric acid, it also blocks the kidney from excreting the compound. In theory, any type of alcoholic beverage should cause elevated uric acid levels. Beer in particular, has a very strong effect on uric acid. Amongst all alcoholic beverages, beer has the most potential to raise uric acid levels. Along with excess abdominal fat, many people with beer bellies have other conditions of metabolic syndrome, particularly elevated triglycerides and high blood pressure. Many beer devotees don't want to hear this, and who are we to tell them if they do not appreciate their health? I wonder how they feel when they look themselves into mirror every single time with that huge sagging belly? Hmm..

Sugar: (Part 5) Metabolic Syndrome

Anyone been to New Zealand before? I've always wanted to explore New Zealand, a great place to visit, beautiful landscapes and breathtaking sceneries. The Maori, an ingenious tribe in New Zealand, was originally migrated from other parts of Polynesia, and settled in this country. For centuries, the Maori were lean, athletic population, who ate diets consisting largely of fishes, sweet potatoes and fern roots. Then, in the 19th century, European settlers began to arrive in New Zealand, and intermarriage between the Maori and the colonists became common. 

Many of the Maori people adopted a western style diets, consisting large quantities of food, that was not previously and important part of their culinary heritage, SUGAR. Within a short period of time, the Maori became one of the most obese people in the world. Sad, but true. The prevalence of hypertension and diabetes once virtually non existence in this population, soared. The problem has only worsen over time. The Maori, especially guys, have one of the most highest rates of cardiovascular disease in the world. 

In the United States, they are basically ranked 47 in overall health charts, compared to the rest of the countries in the world. This statistic was obtained a few years back, and I doubt the ranking will improve? United States is the most powerful country on this planet, they have the most advanced tools and weapons known to human. They have one of the most advanced security systems, but what happen to health departments? The people in this country spent the most money comparing to other nations in this world, when it comes to health, but the rates of most diseases increases rapidly. Why? Diet, their way of eating, day in day out. Infertility diet, western style diet, American diet. Whatever name you want to call it, it's basically a very unhealthy diet. 

Malaysians are adopting similar western style diets for years now, and we are seeing a consistent increase in diseases such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, etc. More and more people have extended waistline and disease prone, we have increased numbers of people going to clinics and hospitals regularly, people falling sicker and fatter, quality of live, health and wellness decrease, and food, chemical and pharmaceutical companies are getting richer and more powerful. What's even better, is society don't even really care about what's happening to their health and wellness, and their generations of families, the reproduction quality, the fertility factor of what will determine the continued existence of human beings. Our species are dying, we are having infertility problems all over the world, but most people do not acknowledge this fact, and we human, are on the path of extinction. 

Rising rates of diabetes have been detected in South America, India, and southern Asia, all parts of the world where sugar consumption has risen in recent years. Along with diabetes, high blood pressure is another potential devastating medical condition that made the transition from rare to rampant during the 20th century. Also called hypertension, high blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke and heart failure, and it raises the risk of heart attack and kidney disease as well. 

Like obesity, hypertension is becoming a worldwide threat. Increases in diabetes and hypertension have also contributed to a striking rise in kidney disease. You many be wondering, what do sugar and other sources of fructose have to do with cardiovascular disease? After all, doesn't eating high-fat foods cause heart attacks?
Because of certain population studies, many cardiologists consider fat as nutrition number one enemy. Meanwhile, most heart doctors pay far less attention to sugar.

Right, now, let's talk about something a bit more fascinating. Metabolic syndrome. How come I say 'fascinating'? Well, do you know there are a lot of people walking on this planet who don't even know they have metabolic syndrome? Yes, you are one them. Overweight or obese, high insulin levels in the body, etc. I know it might sound like a movie title, but let me tell you, it is a very real health menace.

Metabolic syndrome is not a disease, rather, it's a constellation of five 'signs', which is a term doctors use for phenomena that they observe in patients. For example, having metabolic syndrome doubles your odds of suffering from heart attack and increases five folds your chances of developing type 2 diabetes. Clearly, it is in your own interest to avoid developing metabolic syndrome, and your smartest step towards that goal, is to consume less sugar, particularly fructose.

Today, sweet foods and beverages are one of the staples of American diet, and my own country is also not far behind. As sugar intake grew, waistlines expanded, and once rare conditions such as cardiovascular diseases and type 2 Diabetes became the leading causes of death and disability.

Though metabolic syndrome has become a hot topic in medicine in recent years, the concept is hardly new. Obese people, it became clear, tend to develop diabetes and other disorders and die prematurely. The view that excess body fat was a serious risk factor for disease gathered steam over the years. Obese people often have insulin resistance, elevated blood fats, and certain other conditions that increase the risk for diabetes and heart disease. This is also known as Syndrome X, and also known as metabolic syndrome.

Now, you must be asking yourself, do you have metabolic syndrome? Well, if u score at least three points from the guidelines below, then you have metabolic syndrome. Give yourself one point for each of the following five clinical features that you fulfill.

Abdominal obesity


Being overweight is unhealthy, it doesn't matter where you carry your excess flab. But fat tissue in and around the abdomen, better known as beer belly or spare tire, is especially bad for your health. You have abdominal obesity, if your waist meets circumference meets these criteria.

Men : 40 inches or larger
Women : 35 inches or larger

To measure your waist circumference, wrap a tape measurement around your bare abdomen just above the hipbone. The tape should not be so tight that it squeezes your skin. Take a deep breath, exhale, and measure your waist.


Elevated triglycerides

Most of the fat in food, comes in the form of triglycerides. When you eat more calories than you burn through physical activity, your liver converts the excess fuel into triglycerides, which are stored in fat cells. If you keep eat too much or don't get enough exercise, fat cells keep filling up with triglycerides, and you turn flabby. Doctors measure triglycerides after you fasted overnight or for at least 8 hours. Add one point if :

• Your fasting blood triglycerides are 150 mg/dl or higher

or

• You take medication to lower elevated triglycerides

Low HDL level

Interestingly, people with metabolic syndrome often have normal levels of total cholesterol and LDL, but below-normal levels of HDL. High levels of HDL, protects against cardiovascular disease, and low levels encourage atherosclerosis. Add one point, if you meet the following criteria. 

• Men: Your HDL is lower then 40mg/dl
• Women: Your HDL is lower then 50mg/dl

or

• You take medication to increase your HDL level.

High blood pressure

Blood pressure refers to the amount of force that blood exerts against the wall of your blood vessels, as it circulates throughout your body. Blood pressure reading consists of two numbers, systolic and diastolic. Add one point, if you meet the following criteria.

• Your systolic pressure (the top number) is 130mm Hg or greater.
• Your diastolic pressure (the bottom number) is 85mm Hg or greater.

or

• You take medication to treat high blood pressure.

Elevated blood glucose

Carbohydrates in food break down into glucose or other sugars before reaching the blood stream, providing the body with its main source of fuel. In a condition called insulin resistance, which precedes type 2 diabetes, cells aren't able to absorb glucose from the blood. Chronically, elevated blood glucose is a sign of insulin resistance and lead to diabetes complications, such as blindness and nerve damage. Doctors measure levels of glucose in the blood after you have fasted overnight or for at least 8 hours. Add one point if you meet the following criteria.

• Your fasting blood glucose is 100mg/dl or higher

or

• You take medication to lower blood glucose

Metabolic syndrome does not have a single cause. Likewise, the individual components of metabolic syndrome can be induced by a variety of factors, including genetics, physical activity and alcohol consumption. People with metabolic syndrome, often have 'sticky blood' which forms clots easily. This can results with heart attack and circulatory problems. This is not open to debate, as consumption of sugar, can trigger all of the conditions that make up for metabolic syndrome. Period.

Sugar: (Part 4) HFCS

Surprisingly, I've not met many people who heard about High Fructose Corn Syrup. In fact, I've only met a non-Malaysian, who minimally heard about this sweetener. Try this, when you walk along the valley of any supermarket, look out for some of the peanut butter products, cookies, candy bars, ice creams, frozen desserts, etc. Observe the ones which are imported and not locally processed. You will find this sweetener in one of the product lists. 

The starchy portion of foods such as corn, potatoes and wheat, is made up of long chain glucose molecules. The reason starch does not taste sweet, is that these chains are too large to fit into the sweetness receptors on the tongue. By breaking these chains, however, we can change the way starch tastes. Place a cracker or white bread in your mouth, but don't chew it. At first, it may tastes bland. Moments later, when saliva breaks down the glucose chains, the food tastes sweeter. Don't believe? Try it then.

Food manufacturers started to use corn syrup almost a century ago. But, simple corn syrup has its limited usefulness. Corn syrup does not contains fructose, and the level of sweetness is much lower then table sugar. Close to half a century ago, scientists discovered a way to treat corn syrup with an enzyme called glucose isomerase, which managed to converts some of the glucose to fructose. But, the technique were expensive,  until a couple of scientists reuse these enzymes by attaching them through a column which the corn syrup was poured. And yes, those scientists were Japanese, again (who introduced MSG to US and global market). This innovation allowed refiners to convert corn to glucose and fructose at a lower cost. 

HFCS, has other qualities that make it appealing for food to beverage manufacturers. For instance, it dissolves more readily in other liquids then refined sugar or plain corn syrup. It doesn't spoil easily, so it prolongs the shell life of foods. HFCS also makes food more softer and chewier then sugar does. Well, corn refiners and food chemists may claimed that HFCS is no different then table sugar. Is that right? 

Folks, do read through the list below for products which may contains HFCS.

• Beer
• Baby Foods
• Biscuits
• Breads
• Breakfast cereals
• Cakes
• Candy
• Canned fruits or vegetables
• Caramel coloring
• Carbonated beverages
• Cheese spread
• Chewing gum
• Coffee creamer
• Cordials
• Cookies
• Crackers
• Dessert toppings
• Doughnuts
• Frozen puddings and custards
• Fruit drinks and juices
• Ham
• Hot Dogs
• Ice cream
• Jams
• Jellies
• Ketchup
• Marmalade
• Mayonnaise
• Mustard
• Pancake
• Peanut Butter
• Pie
• Potato chips
• Powdered sugar
• Pretzels
• Salad dressings
• Sausage
• Wine
• Waffle
• Yeast

A serving of typical soft drink (16oz), lets say Coke or Pepsi, contains approximately 26g of HFCS. Folks, that is only ONE serving, and some people I see around me are gulping down soft drinks at least few cans per day. And that exclude fast food meal which usually accompanied with more soft drinks. If you would to tabulate the amount of fructose per day being consumed, fruits, ice creams, and more processed foods, easily total up to more then 40g in a single day.

Early humans ate very little fructose. It is estimated that we consume 5 to 7 times more fructose today then our primitive ancestors did. The species Homo Sapiens, have walked the earth for more then 130000 years.  Remarkably, our genetic makeover has not changed much, but our diet sure have changed dramatically. Ask yourself, does a caveman knows how to bake lasagna or prepare fried chicken? Are there soft drinks and ice creams thousands of years ago?

Sugar: (Part 3) Fructose 'Bad sugar'

A high fructose diet causes high blood pressure. I've touched a bit on how fructose could cause hypertension in earlier post, and this seems to occur, because fructose increases blood levels of a compound called uric acid. Other forms of sugar do not raise uric acid, so they do not have any effect on blood pressure.

A high fructose diet also raises levels of unhealthy blood fats. Fructose causes liver cells to produce triglycerides, a type of blood fat. Fructose also lowers HDL cholesterol, and other forms of sugar DO not have this effect on the liver. Eating a high fructose diet, may also increases deposits of triglycerides within the liver cells, causing swelling and damage. Anyone heard of fatty liver disease? Yes, it is also known as non-alcoholic hepatitis, and over time, it will leads to cirrhosis.

Diet high in fructose, also causes insulin resistance. Eating fructose for extended periods can make cells less responsive to insulin. People who develop condition known as insulin resistance, are at increased risk for type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Consuming food or beverages which is high in fructose for an extended period of time, also causes kidney disease. Other forms of sugar do not have this effect on the kidney. What most frightening, is physicians advising kidney patients to consume low protein, high carbohydrates diet, which could lead to increased fructose consumption.

Fructose, as you know by now, is a form of sugar. For most people, sugar, is regarded as white crystals that we stir into our coffee. But sugar takes many forms, and it is important to know the difference of each type of sugar, how they metabolize in our body. Sugar, is a carbohydrate. One of the three main macro nutrients in human diet. The simplest forms of sugars, which can't be broke down into smaller sugar, are known as monosaccharides. Fructose and glucose, are monosaccharides.

All sugars, share a few things in common. First, they are all sweet. Second, they provide fuel to our body, about 4 calories per gram. However, they vary greatly in how sweet they taste. Fructose is the sweetest of all sugars. Glucose is about 50-60% as sweet as fructose, and sucrose, if approximately 70-85% of fructose. As fructose is the main sugar in fruits, vegetables has much lower fructose.

Fruits and vegetables are supposed to be beneficial to health on most occasions. But why do people loves to eat fruits? Is it because of the abundance of the sweet tasting fructose? Indeed, humans are hardwired and seek out sweet devour foods. For instance, studies show that newborns prefer sweet water, rather then plain unflavored water.  Food which is usually high in fructose, contain high calories. How could a high calories food, that makes you want to keep eating, improve survival?

Our cave-dwelling ancestors may have craved sweet foods all the more intensely simply because they were so hard to come by. Although fructose-rich food has been part of human diet since the dawn of time, it has not been cultivated since 6000 years ago. Our oldest ancestors were probably limited to whatever fruits they could gather from trees and bushes near their settlements. Because they have no way to preserve and keep fruits for long periods, these sweet foods were relatively infrequent treats, not part of the daily diet.

We can't be sure how much of fructose our primitive ancestors ate every day, but it was probably very little, I would assume 15-20g at the most, or maybe one or two pieces of fruit per day. Today, we have an epidemic of fructose consumption in our daily lifestyle. Easily, an average Malaysian with a typical poor diet consumes 40-70 grams per day. From soft drinks to so called 'fruit juices', yogurts, mainly processed food.

Well, thanks for modern refrigeration, food processing, worldwide shipping, fruit and honey are no longer rare 'pleasures'. They are available in any grocery store, year round. But, majority of our fructose nor sugar consumption are not from natural sources, but refined sugar, HFCS or other sweeteners.

Sugar: (Part 2) What has changed?

As I have just completed my posts on cancer, I will now write and continue my posts about sugar. Major villain, in our modern society, the cause of many nasty diseases you could imagine, and almost everyone's favorite food substance, yes, Sugar. It's found everywhere in our food products, and your waistline tells it all.

The rise of obesity and other rare diseases can be actually traced to a single factor. Unlike disease-carrying microbe, however, this culprit is hiding in plain sight, on the shelves of your local supermarkets, grocery outlets, convenient stores, and very likely your kitchen cabinet. 

Back in early years, only the wealthy can afford to overindulge in rich decadence food. But now, even the lower income people, from young to old, even small kids are suffering from obesity and other health problems. What happen? What went wrong? Why are obesity rates rising rapidly? 

Frustrated dieters often blame their genes. But, is that entirely true? Perhaps you have tried to lose weight in the past, but you just couldn't shed the extra pounds. Or, you managed to trim it down, but the weight eventually returned. You may be tempted to blame your parents from the gene inheritance, but have you ever think that it may be from your diet and sedentary lifestyle? Whether or not you become obese or overweight, it all depends on your diet, the food you eat, and the amount of proper exercise you get. 

Something must have changed in our environment, that is exploiting our tendency to accumulate body fat. A couple of obvious candidates comes to mind. For instance, you do not need to be wealthy to eat a waistline expanding diet. Thanks to advances of farming, manufacturing, shipping, delicious high calories food are cheap and widely available. Meanwhile, majority of people burn fewer calories then our ancestors, due to  rise of labor saving devices such as car, laptop and lawn mower. Easy and convenient right? 

Fructose has always been part of human diet, when you pluck an apple from a tree, or berries from a bush. That is because fructose, as the name suggests, the main form of sugar found in fruits. How about High Fructose Corn Syrup? Anyone heard of it? HFCS, is actually an artificial sweetener, a synthetically man made fructose, a higher sweetness level then fructose itself. It is found in most processed food and beverages. Most brands of soda and many kinds of candy contain HFCS. Other processed food such as peanut butter, pasta sauce, yogurts, soup, ketchups contains this sweetener. 

I've got a colleague of mine gained approximately 17 kg in over a year period. That's astonishingly shocking, for a non-American dude, almost 35 pounds of fat gained. Eating a high fructose diet, causes weight gain. No? I would place a bet with you anytime of the year, and I'm very confident that I will win the bet. Eating too much of any form of sugar, will make you fat. Period! 

Folks, remember this, no matter which doctor, medical officer, health practitioner or even so called fitness instructor or nutritionist tells you that eating fat makes you fat, that is absolutely bullshit! I eat very high good quality fat every single day, and I stay lean. People who says eating fat makes a person fat, he or she definitely  lack of knowledge about nutrition and health.

Eating fructose causes far more accumulation of abdominal fat. High fructose food DO not satisfy your appetite. People who consume food or beverages high in fructose, their have tendency to crave for more food, especially sugary food. Why? It is because fructose blocks the communication between leptin, ghrelin and your brain pathways. When your hunger hormone unable to tell your brain that you are full and there is no need for more food, you will always feels hungry and increase snacking frequency. Because of this phenomenon, your brain never gets the message that your brain has consumed loads of calories. Thus, the appetite center in your brain remains unsatisfied, so you continue eating. As a result, you gain weight.  Make sense now? 

High fructose food, may interfere with the signaling system that controls appetite for all food. It disrupts the communication of insulin with the brain center as well. As I mentioned in earlier post about soft drinks, people who consume regular soft drinks and fruit juices, tend to be overweight. Those are the two major sources of fructose consumption. 

HFCS is cheaper then refined sugar, therefore, fast food outlets and beverage industry have been able to sell large servings of soda with low prices, which has led people to consume more calories. Soft drinks appears to pose a problem for people who is trying to control their weight and stay healthy. When you hit a can of soft drink, your blood sugar soar and you will have more cravings of sugary food after that. Sounds familiar?  

  

Do you have fatty deposits in specific body area?

Today, I would like to enlighten to whoever is reading this post. Some of you might notice certain body areas which have more fatty deposits,  but I assume that majority of you don't have a clue why those fatty deposits are stored in those areas of the body. Now, you are about to find out typically the reason why those fats are stored in specific areas of your body.

1. For those who have fatty deposits around the mid section(belly) area, basically it concerns the amount of stress in the body, especially when it regards to cortisol stressor hormone secreting this chemical messenger in the body when chronic stress are experienced over a long period of time. 
2. For those who have acne or grow hairs around the chin area/jaw line or oily skin, typically that tells a woman(usually) who has hormonal imbalance which androgens are overloaded. Also, fatty deposits typically occur on the triceps and pectoral areas of the body. 
3. Next, fatty deposits on the mid back section and sides of the waist, usually refers to people who has high insulin in the body. Some women also have fat deposits besides the side armpits and it's noticeable when they wear a bra. Rings a bell ladies? Usually, this type of people has blood sugar handling problem or insulin resistance issue. If any of you heard of insulin-resistance, you will know what's coming to hit you next. This is an epidemic which is going on around the society right now.
4. For those who have fatty deposits around the glute (buttock) or quad areas,  typically it refers to people who has high estrogen levels in the body. Some women might struggle to lose weight in this case as well. 

Folks, remember to keep your hormones balanced. Till then. Stay tuned. 

It's 3am, why aren't you sleeping?

This is an addition of my earlier post which regards to sleep. So, anyone having problem trying to fall asleep or getting a quality uninterrupted sleep? Why are some people still awake at 2 or 3 am? Do you feel tired when wakes up in the morning? Do you feel tired and having difficult time staying awake during day time? If yes, then stop playing video games and surfing the internet so late at night! 

Guys, ladies, it's time to go to bed. Honestly, do you know why you yawn during evening especially night time? Your sleeping hormone kicks in, and your body is telling you to go to bed early. Yes, cut short the TV session, video games and computer usage. By staying up late at night, you are causing hormone imbalance by secreting more cortisol and less melatonin. This will further wreck damage to your circadian rhythm and normal sleep cycle. 

When you don't get enough and proper sleep, you are putting yourself, your family members and others at risk. You will grow old faster, accelerate aging, worn out, tired and decrease in vitality. You will get brain fog the next morning when you are at work, unable to concentrate and focus, as well as decreased performance. Then, with inadequate sleep, most people turns to stimulants such as caffeine, sugar, alcohol, nicotine and energy drinks. These substances will make your overall health to deplete further. 

One who often get irregular and insufficient sleep, tend to suffer from moodiness, depression, irritation and low in energy levels. So people, if you are missing this piece of pie, you will not achieve wellness and optimum health. For bodybuilders and sports enthusiasts, recovery plays an important role in growing and maintaining muscle mass, production of growth hormones only produce when we are well asleep. It doesn't matter if you are drinking world's best protein shakes and consuming tons of supplements and ignoring your diet and sleeping cycle, you are not getting any results or health! 

So folks, get your beauty sleep and follow my guidelines on how to ensure quality sleep (earlier post).    Sweetdream everyone. Sleep tight.

Cancer : Part 7

As I recalled during my years of nutrition research and study, a person came into my mind, Linus Pauling, one of the only four individuals who won multiple Nobel Prizes. Below is what he quoted before he passed away. 

"Everyone should know that the 'war on cancer' is largely a fraud, and that the National Cancer Institute and American Cancer Society are derelict in their duties to the people who supports them".

Look around folks, it seems that cancer has become the price in modern life. Cancer is the leading killer in middle-age persons, topping the chart as leading cause of death in most countries around the world. How did this happen? How did a disease that was once so atypical become so ordinary? Some twenty five hundred years ago, the Greek physician Hippocrates depicted a tumor, as a muddled irritable cavity with legs flaring out of control in all directions. He termed cancer, as karkinoma. In Greek word, it means crab. 

Today, I would like to discuss a bit about one of the detox therapies practiced for many years, coffee enema, before I sign off my last final episode. I was just having a conversation with a friend of mine couple days ago, about cancer, and mainly about all the secrets of cancer business, how it was kept from us, conspiracies and lies. I also enlighten my friend about detoxification and enzyme replacement treatments, etc.

What if it was much simpler than we ever thought? What if it was a change in the way we were eating? What if it was about detoxification and enzyme replacement? What if it wasn't about harsh drugs? What if you could live your life as a normal, healthy person after being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer?

Considering billions of dollars and thousands of highly trained researches in the cancer wars, there should be a lot more success to show for it. Yet, even with this poor record, traditional medicine's gate keepers are arrogant toward natural therapies. I've met quite a lot of doctors with such attitude. Disgraced! 

As I mentioned before, never take health advise from someone who's gut looks like shit. In addition, I would never trust a doctor who doesn't live by his own rules. It doesn't make sense if a doctor tells you not to eat pizza because it is unhealthy, but he eats that piece of crappy food regularly. 

Part of what I studied before, cancer and all diseases begin in the gut. Poor nutrition, poor absorption, poor digestion. Everyone thinks regarding cancer that there is only one protocol, which is the 'standard of care', surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and aftercare drugs. We have to get everything working properly, the accessory organs of digestion, the liver, the gallbladder, pancreas, the stomach, and the small and large intestines. 

Coffee enema comes in nicely as a very effective detox therapy, to do the liver flushes. One of the keys to success with any program is a healthy liver. The gallbladder contracts vigorously and all this junk in the liver and gallbladder gets squeezed right into the intestinal tract and they just poop all the waste from the liver right into the toilet.

Some of my colleagues and friends ask me, can drinking normal coffee has the same effect as coffee anema? The answer is NO. When you drink coffee, it actually turns on the the sympathetic nervous system. When the sympathetic nervous system turns on, it shuts the liver down. When you take organic coffee rectally, as an enema, it stimulates certain nerves that are only in the lower bowel that turn on the parasympathetic nervous system, which through a reflex, causes the liver to release all its toxins. When you drink it, it shuts the liver down temporarily, but when you take it as enema, it turns on the liver and increases its efficiency. When the liver works better, everything works better. Drinking it and taking it rectally work completely different physiologically. So people, you got your answer now. 

For those people who is unhealthy, what I mean is people who has been eating the same way years over years all their lives (you know better your health then me), doing detox program such as coffee enema once or twice a week, is recommended. Imagine, loads of toxins, heavy metals and chemicals being consumed and absorbed into your organs and fat cells all your life, you do the math here. 

Well, although there are other ways of detoxification such as infrared sauna, hyperbaric oxygen, colonic therapy, etc, coffee enema treatment works especially for toxins disposal. There are also tons of 'advertised' supplements and medications sold for detox purposes, but I will let you be the decision maker. Bottom line is, the more unhealthier your body becomes, the frequencies of detoxification increases.

Meanwhile, please DO not allow yourself to believe that conventional cancer treatment such as chemo, is effective for all types of cancer. I know you guys might have read and heard of a popular sport figure, who has been successfully treated with chemotherapy, and he has been praising this treatment all over the world, and literally the poster boy for the success of chemotherapy. He name is Lance Amstrong, who won Tour Da France seven times. As I mentioned in my earlier post, chemotherapy 'responds' to three types of cancer, and testicular cancer, which is a rare cancer, was developed by Lance Amstrong.

Ladies and gentlemen, let me tell you what 'responds' actually means in cancer term. It means, you have cancer regression that lasts for four weeks. The official definition of partial respond at the National Cancer Institute, was a 50% decrease in tumor size that lasts four weeks. Four weeks folks! If you die in the fifth week, you are still considered a 'responder'! This is what oncologists and doctors don't tell you as a cancer patient. 

Chemotherapy can shrink tumor, but what it doesn't do, is prolong life for most cancers other then the few I mentioned in my earlier post. I've got people asking me why are there so much cancer? Clearly, it is usually wrong diet, primarily. People don't eat the right foods. Then, there is an increasing contamination in our environment, plus the electromagnetic and radioactive contamination. It's everywhere! For instance, cell phones. There are thousands of towers giving off electromagnetic fields. Twenty years ago, they didn't even exist. We've got people going crazy spending on buying iPhones, but not willing to eat organic? 

The food supply for most people, unless you eat organically, is only decreasing in its nutritional content.  People are  malnutrition, becoming sicker and prone to fall sick and develop diseases. Do you notice what is happening around us? It's a tragic, and things will only get worse. I hope people who have read my cancer posts, will seriously consider lifestyle changes, especially nutrition and diet and the alternative natural therapies, apart from being poisoned and burned from chemo and radiation. It's our body, our life, our decision, why allow doctors to take control? Take control of our own health before it is too late.

Cancer : Part 6

Being told you have cancer, will bring the strongest person to his or her knee. There is a feeling of shock and disbelief, and your mortality stares you in your face. Suddenly, all things that seemed to be important are so trivial. The petty nuisances in life, minding other people business, it's all so meaningless now. You are now looking at your life clearly. Have you lived it well? Yes? Are you really sure you live a healthy life all this while? Have you loved enough? Have you been loved?  Did you waste your time? Have you begin to review you lifestyle choices? "Why did I eat all the crap food?", you asked yourself. "Why didn't I take nutrition seriously?", you asked yourself again, when only you get CANCER, or probably other life threatening disease!

It seemed to be a bit too late now, to realize, the importance of lifestyle choices, the crappy food you have been eating all your life, poor diet and nutrition which has been ignored your whole life. It's a dead serious wake up call for you. The thing is, why do you only regret right now? When you have the chance to change your lifestyle and way of eating, to improve your overall diet and nutrition plan, what did you do? You ignored most of the life saving health advises and information available.

The problem with most people is, they do not take nutrition seriously, and ignored their lifestyle and diet, until something BIG happen to them. Same applies to illegal racers, these people will not stop racing, until they are dead, or maybe paralyze. As I mentioned in my earlier post, and I will repeat again, "Living in ignorance can kill you, or contribute to miserable life". You get to live only once, why not ensure a healthy quality life? 

"We all have cancer in us", that's what I often tell my friends and colleagues. For most people, cancer stays at bay, as long as we remain hormonally balanced, we give our bodies the proper nutrition, rest and exercise, and we manage our stress. A hormonally balanced person, is a reproductive person. 

Why didn't we listen to our body screaming to us, all the bloating, weight gain, mood swings, constipation, etc. How else can the body talk? Symptoms of any kind, are the body's language. People who are overweight and obese, keep dumping all the junk into their bodies, ignoring the 'signs' and symptoms which occurred from time to time, some even all the time, day in day out. People, we have to listen to our body. 

Folks, let me tell you something which will shock you, hopefully. Cancer is a big business, approximately 200 billion a year! Cancer is the disease, that keeps the hospitals open, it brings at least an extra US$100000 a year to oncologists' practices (in United States). Chemotherapy bonuses to oncologists are routine. There is incentive to keep cancer alive and well. The unnecessary drugs we are being given in unprecedented amounts are one culprit, and we patients are ignorant about the game plan because we have gotten used to the quick fix. Agree folks? No? Yes? Then, tell me about the ladies out there trying to lose weight going to the slimming centers shedding off those pounds in just few weeks. 

It is easier to take a pill, rather then spending some time cooking organically at home, or maintaining a balanced healthy diet all your life. To the ladies out there, for those who is on birth control pills for years, when the day of reckoning arrives, the day you hear the doctor say, "You have cancer".

Does anyone of you knows someone who gotten pancreatic cancer before? Relative? Family member? Friends? Colleagues perhaps? If the answer is yes, and the patient died after chemotherapy treatment, guess what, chemotherapy absolutely, positively, does nothing, nothing whatsoever and is completely ineffective for pancreatic cancer! And why are doctors and oncologists NOT telling  the patients? I'm trying NOT so hard to reveal the 'inside' secrets about the cancer and overall medical industry, but sometimes I just can't tolerate the lies and conspiracies which have costs our money, health and lives as well.

Over and over, patients are sold the chemotherapy rap, that it will shrink(not cure) the tumor. Or oncologists  will use the word like 'respond'. So, because we believe and trust that these doctors know best, we agree to be poisoned. It has got to stop! We patients have and deserved to know the truth, learn the realities.

In reality, chemotherapy is a failed protocol, a dismal failure. Oncologists and doctors who are reading this may agree 'quietly', and they know they can't and not allowed to practices any other treatment, rather then radiotherapy, surgery, chemotherapy and other conventional medical treatment. Pharmaceutical companies are not interested in anything that comes from nature. Anything from nature cannot be patented, and if it cannot be patented, there is very little revenue in it. Make sense guys? This is why, so often many natural alternatives to serious disease never see the light of the day.

Chemotherapy is a big business, and the business end has been thoroughly thought out. Med students are taught the company line, and after years of intensively taught how to administer poisons, they are then graduated to go out and give these lethal medicines. To question this would discourage financial grants, and no one wants to be cut loose from pharmaceutical funding, and hospitals depend on it, universities depend on it, many doctors and PhD's depend on it.

I believe and a lot of genuinely knowledgeable doctors and health practitioners, that every day people are being misdiagnosed with diseases they don't have, and being treated with harsh medicines for conditions they don't have. Most hospitals are no longer safe. Medical laziness, overstretched staffs, and intellectual sloppiness pervade every hospital in most nations, including my own country. We then have arrogant doctors thinking they know the world about medicine and health. Well Mr.Doctor, if everyone if healthy, you will be jobless? Doctors are just part of the system that follows procedure. They are just part of the sloppiness, a sloppiness which will cause people's lives, that leads to a lack of thorough investigation and diagnosis, bolstered by a reliance on a preceding doctor's evaluation.

A good doctor or scientist, would want to find alternatives and ways to find cure and treatment for people like us. But, this is not happening in present day, not all doctors, but most of them. What happen to the standard of 'health care' and doctors when we really need their help and trust? I will write my final post about cancer (perhaps tomorrow), and hopefully I would be able to write more about this disease in time to come. It's late, i'm sleepy, i'm out of here. Eat well, improve your lifestyle, and say no to cancer!

Cancer : Part 5

I did mentioned in my earlier cancer post about Gershon's therapy, for many years, Dr. Max Gershon's brilliance, helped and cured many patients, most of them were cancer patients. This therapy is mainly vegetarian, and it does not involve meat, fishes or dairy products. I would have to say  for the purpose of treatment and curing of certain diseases, this therapy has proven for so many years, to have been highly successful and effective. But, I personally do not agree on the idea of against meat eating concept. And I'm talking about organically fed animals and culture and tribes such as the Eskimos and native American Indians have been eating for generations, and they have extremely high level of health and there have been NO cancer cases back at that time.

Nutrition is a low-cost, non-toxic and scientifically  proven helpful component in the comprehensive treatment of cancer and other diseases. The advantages of using an aggressive nutrition program, in comprehensive cancer treatment, are as below. 

• avoiding malnutrition
• reducing the toxicity of medical therapy while making chemotherapy and radiation more selectively toxic to tumor cells
• stimulating immune system
• selectively starving the tumor

The dietary requirement of a nutrient may well depend on the health state of the individual and what you are trying to achieve. Cancer is not an 'ON' or 'OFF' switch. No one goes to bed on Sunday night perfectly healthy, and then wakes up Monday morning with stage 4 colon or whatever different type of cancer. Cancer takes months and probably years to develop. 

Our 60 trillion cells in the body, are constantly dividing. The DNA, which contains the body's blueprints to make a completely new you, must 'unzip' the spiral staircase of chromosomes, then duplicate itself exactly, then 'rezip' the spiral staircase of DNA. This process occurs billions of time daily, The chance for a mistake is quite high, which is why our bodies have many mechanisms in place to correct mistakes in the beginning.

Nutrients have been shown to not only arrest the slippery slope of cancer, but also to reverse the damage and help the body to generate healthy cells. In high doses, selenium can reverse pre-cancerous mouth lesions, vitamin E can reverse benign breast cancer, etc. 

Why do we use nutrition in cancer treatment? Almost half of cancer patients, died because of malnutrition, and not from the disease itself. Nutrition therapy is essential to arrest malnutrition. Properly nourished patients experience less nausea, hair loss, immune suppression, organ toxicity than patients on routine oncology programs. If a cancer patient really have to go on chemo or radiation treatment, it would be highly recommended to ensure sufficient antioxidants. Imagine taking cover using a bomb shelter. 

When a doctor says "We think we got it all". What he or she is really saying, is "We have destroyed all detectable cancer cells", and now it is up to your immune system to find and destroy the cancer cells that inevitably remain in your body. Be truly aware of what doctor is really trying to say to you. Don't be fooled and we deserve to know the truth. Remember what I mentioned about the 'invisible' cancer cells in earlier post? 

Tumors are primarily 'obligate glucose metabolizer', meaning sugar feeders. Most of us, who have been practicing poor high carbs diet, often manifest poor glucose tolerance, while stress and obesity also play major role as well.  Certain nutrients such as selenium, vitamin K, E and fatty acids EPA, appear to have the ability to slow down the growth of cancer. Various nutrition factors, including vitamin A, D and bioflavonoids, have been shown to alter the genetic expression of tumors. 

When we tackle cancer with nutrition, it must be organic food, mainly vegetables and fruits. Preferably lower glycemic index, and mixture of different colors. Supplements such as Omega 3 fatty acids, minerals, amino acids are essential to this nutritional program. High quality krill oil and flax seed oil, are some of the good sources of Omega 3 fatty acids. We need the good guys to win the battle against this life threatening disease. We need them desperately and adequately. 

Cancer : Part 4

I've met face to face, a number of real life cancer patients, including the ones who are dying, and also the ones who endured the last days of their lives. Sad, stressful, depressive, pain, lost and anger. Those are the feelings which came through to most cancer patients. Why me? The question keeps going through your brain and you feel puzzled and angry. Some people thought they have been on a healthy diet and exercise, but why they still develop cancer. 

The diagnosis of cancer can be a scary thing. To maintain some sense of control in your treatment process, it helps to understand how doctors diagnose, classify, and treat cancers. Researches find that each of us carries the seeds of our own destruction in our DNA, called oncogenes, or genetic messages that can turn on and trigger a cancer. Think of genes as 'loading the gun', and lifestyle such as nutrition, 'pulling the trigger' om this gun. Meaning, just because your family has a tendency toward cancer, does not mean that you are doomed to get cancer. Lifestyle is at least 90% responsible for cancer, while genes play a 5-10% role. This is suppose to be good news, because it means that you can do something about 'silencing' these oncogenes through lifestyle.

In this post, I would want to talk about benign and malignant tumors, and also how cancer spread as well as different kinds of tumors. I will also discuss how cancer is diagnosed and different stages of cancer. I will try to be as less technical as possible, and provide a concise explanation and details for all of you readers out there.

Firstly, let's talk about benign versus malignant tumors. Tumors do not always threaten our lives. Some tumors, such as freckles, moles and fatty lumps in the skin, do not invade the rest of the body, hence, do not cause death. 

Malignant tumors differ in at least two respects: 

• They put down roots and begin to burrow into the tissue of your body.
• They spread through the body by generating enzymes that break down your tissue and also send out 'seed' cells to start a new colony somewhere else in your body.

Rarely does anyone die from a lump or bump tumor. It is the spreading, that does the damage. While different cancers in different part of the body behave somewhat differently, almost all cancers share the common features of being abnormal cells that spread throughout the body and lay down roots to penetrate healthy tissues. 

Usually, the cancer begins in one spot in the body and spreads via various means. Rarely, several cancers begin in different parts of the body and spread. Tumors can lay down roots and burrow into the tissues nearby, like carrots growing into the earth. 

Your body has two separate blood vessels systems. One is pumping of red blood cells by the heart through miles of arteries and veins. The other network involves the much smaller lymphatic vessels, which carry lymph, a milky liquid that is full of immune cells, for battles against invaders, as well as toxins and waste products for elimination. Some cancers spread through lymphatic system, which is why your doctor choose to remove a lymph node near the cancer, to see if it contains malignant tissue. 

There are different kinds of tumors, and they are categorized as carcinomas, sarcomas, lymphomas and leukemia. For carcinomas, these tumors grow in the tissues, that line internal organs. Most carcinomas grow in  an organ that secretes something. For instance, lung tissue secretes mucus, breast tissue secretes milk, and prostate tissue secretes a milky fluid that contributes to sperm semen. 

As for sarcomas, these cancers develop in supporting or connective tissue, such as muscles, tendons, bones, nerves or blood vessels. A carcinoma may eventually develop a sarcoma, depending on the site of the spread. 

Next, we have lymphomas and leukemias, these tumors develop in the lymph glands or bone marrow. Lymphomas are generally divided into Hodgkin's or non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Meanwhile, leukemia is either chronic or acute, which is faster and slower stages of development. 

Whenever possible, the surgeon removes a section of the tumor and sends it to a doctor who specialized in tissue examinations, a pathologist, for assessment on how fast the cancer grows. By assessing where the cancer is growing, and how fast, and how fats it is spreading, doctors have developed a system of deciding which protocol to put you on. The TNM system of defining the stage of cancer, has been embraced by oncologists through the world. T stands for tumor size. N stands for number of lymph nodes found positive with cancer. And M, stands for the presence of metastasis. Other oncologists speak of Stage 1, means no metastasis, and through stage 2A and B, then 3A and B, and culminating in stage 4, which is considered as metastasis cancers.

While early diagnosis of cancer is crucial for improved outcome, most people still do not involve themselves in routine cancer screening techniques. Hence, most cancer patients come to their doctor with a lump or bump, or soreness, or even bloody stools or urine, for first sign of a health problem. 

Physical exam is the starting point for many cancer patients examining lymph nodes for signs of swelling, pap smear for cervical cancer, digital rectum exam for prostate cancer and the list goes on. There are also blood tests, markers in the blood that can be non specific indicators of cancer somewhere in the body. Tumor markers can also very useful for the doctor to track substances in the blood that relate to the cancer getting better or worse. But, none of these tumors markers are perfect. All include a certain percentage of false positive and false negative results. 

Imaging techniques in modern medicine has developed some fabulous devices for finding the cancer. X-ray can see through tissue and identify differences in the density of tissue, such as a tumor versus healthy tissue. X-ray can easily tell the difference between bone and soft flesh. We then have PET scans, especially popular diagnosis method practices in United States, requires the doctor to inject radioactive-labeled glucose into the blood stream, then use a type of counter like device to locate the glucose, because cancer is a sugar feeder, taking it up more than its share of sugar in the bloodstream. 

Then we have biopsy. By taking a sample of the suspect tissue, the doctor can have a pathologist examine the tumor for staging and deciding what protocol to offer for the patient. By the way, does anyone even know there is something called Chemo Sensitivity Test? There are a lot of doctors who DO NOT tell patients about this test, which is to determine if that specific proposed chemo treatment, is effective to the particular cancer. Shouldn't all of us at least deserve to know if the chemo treatment given are effective or not? 

Cancer : Part 3

I've known friends, family members who died from cancer years back. Most of them lost the battle with this degenerative disease, as patients usually ignored or do not have enough knowledge about nutrition as well as alternative treatments, rather then opting for conventional medical solution. Why am I not surprised? I've got handful of colleagues and friends who is 'against' the concept of health and nutrition. The feel irritated, or unable to accept the discussion or advise of any medical, nutrition or health related subjects. Why is that so? Perhaps a fixed mindset? Most people do not like changes, and they do like to be taught what to do, or how to improve, it doesn't matter if it's health related, work related or simple daily lifestyle. It takes a lot of effort trying to help them, or even giving them genuine health advise or guidance. I have colleagues telling me they have NO time to go to gym and they want to lose weight by eating tons of crappy food? Come on guys, you want to be rich but do not want to save money? It doesn't make sense at all.

Let's get back to discussion on cancer. Most generative diseases, including cancer, do not have the a readily identified enemy. In a bacterial infection, you can attack the 'cause' of the disease with an antibiotic. Cancer seem to be caused by a collection of lifestyle and environmental factors that accumulate over the years. Since success against any degenerative disease requires getting to the root cause of the problem, let's examine the accepted causes of cancer. 

Toxic overload - Mankind comes in contact with approximately 70000 chemicals, of which 20000 are known as carcinogens, or cancer causing agents. Millions of pounds of pesticides were sprayed on our food crops,  billions of pounds of toxic waste are dumped into our waste sites, millions of pounds of antibiotics to farm animals to to help them gain weight faster.

Does anyone knows estimated 60 trillion cells in our body undergoes from 1000 to 10000 DNA potentially cancer-causing breaks everyday? Recent studies, show that an adult body has one cancer cell appear each day. Yet, somehow, our DNA repair mechanism and immune system surveillance are able to keep  this storm of genetic damage under control. That is, if , you can maintain and ensure your overall health is near or in tip top condition. Toxins not only cause DNA breakage, which can trigger cancer, but also subdue the immune system, which then allows cancer to be 'dominant', with no controlling force. Cancer growth can be both slowed and even reversed, under the right conditions. Cancer is reversible.  

Distress - Close to a century ago, scientific evidence has been advancing the theory that emotional stress can depress the immune system, and make that individual more vulnerable to infections and cancer. For example,  in a study published in British Medical journal, scientists found that women who had experienced a severe stressful life event, had a 1500% increase in the risk of developing breast cancer. Even certain personalities, are more prone to certain diseases. That is why you may notice certain alternative therapists use a wide variety of psychological approaches to help get rid of the body of cancer. Clearly, there is some mental link in the development of cancer in many patients. Stress can also induces  fats in the blood and erodes stomach linings as well. That is why some people get ulcers. If spiritual wound started the cancer, the spiritual healing is an essential element for a cure.

Nutrition - The human body is built from, repaired by, and fueled by substances found in the diet. In a more literal sense, "we are what we eat". I'm sure some of you might have heard this before, and every single type of food you consume, have significant impact to the body and overall health. Especially for cancer patients, diet is extremely important, and half of the total cancer victims who died, suffered because of malnutrition. You eat junk food, you get junk mood or health. Make sense?

Exercise - Whenever I step into a gym, almost every single time, I notice majority of people, prefer cardio exercises. Why? Because it seem to be an easier way to 'workout', or it could be that most people don't have a clue what to do or feel shy or embarrassed in the free weights area. Like I always tell my colleagues and friends, gym is a dangerous place to be. Why? For instance, you feel stressed throughout the day while at office, catabolic state, but when you hit the gym and do long period of cardio exercise, what happen is that you are causing more stress to your body, producing more stress hormones and less of anabolic hormones. By the end of the workout session, you will feel even fatigue and burned out, and it made your body even more stressful and damaging.

Most people thought they can release stress or burn fat and lose weight using steady state cardio routines, guess what, if you are having poor diet on that day itself, and feeling fatigue and stressed out, doing this routine will only make you feel even worse. Please bear in mind that proper exercise helps to stabilize blood glucose levels, which can restrict the amount of fuel available for cancer cells to grow. Exercise improves immune function, lymph flow, and detoxification systems. Exercise also helps us to better tolerate stressful situations. Humans evolved as active creatures. Inactive and sedentary lifestyle are abnormal, under-oxygenated metabolic state, so is cancer. So folks, 'lazy' or 'no time' for exercise or workout, you know well those are plain excuses.


As i did mentioned, our body has estimated of 60 trillion cells. They work in harmony to keep you well. Imagine a band trying to play a beautiful well tuned song, synchronization is very important. If you cells, organs functions and other systems in the body are out of tune, your health goes out of balance, thus, you fall sick and develop medical conditions or diseases. It is crucial to understand how your body works, and how cancer cells produce in the body, the impact of stress, nutrition, exercise, toxins, and other factors that could impact to overall state of health for our body.

Cancer : Part 2

Has anyone heard of Gershon therapy? They've got a phenomenal success records of treating cancer patients, as well as diabetes, asthma, arthritis, tuberculosis, etc. Dr. Max Gershon, a holistic physician, born in Germany, created this powerful nutritional therapy, to cure chronic degenerative diseases including cancer. Unfortunately, he has passed away, and his work is carried on by his present daughter. Gershon therapy is so effective, that even a group of doctors, including surgeons in Japan, uses this nutritional treatment to cure diseases. Please read the link below. 

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Top+Japanese+surgeon+uses+Gerson+Therapy,+publishes+research:+we+meet...-a0169164780

The concept behind Gershon therapy, is solving malnutrition and toxicity problems in the body. This therapy, includes mainly organic vegetables and fruits, as well as coffee anema, for detoxification purpose. Coffee anema treatment works as the caffeine travels through the portal system, and when reaches the liver, it stimulates and opens up the bile duct to detoxify the toxins out from the body. Most conventional doctors, are against Gershon therapy, and they do not believe such treatment works for cancers. Why? Because oncologists are trained and taught to only believe in conventional cancer treatments which they practiced. 

You have to ask yourself the 1st question why you have cancer? I have mentioned in part 1, and I will repeat this again. Malnutrition and toxicity. Free radicals causing mitochondria dysfunction and damage, is one of the root cause of tons of diseases. If one is malnutrition, inadequate antioxidants in the body becomes an issue. Antioxidants are 'generous donor' to neutralize the unpaired electrons.

By the way, has anyone watched "Predator" movie? It's one of my favorite movie till today, Arnold, a big fan. In this movie, this chameleon-like beast from outer space descends upon the sweltering jungles of central America, to hunt humans. The predator, wore a shield, that allows it to blend into the environment, making it almost impossible. Cancer, mimics the chemistry of a fetus, hence, becomes almost invisible to the immune system. Cancer, also mutates its DNA composition almost every week, thats is the reason why majority of the cancers are drug resistance to treatment such as chemotherapy. Cancer also weakens it's host, by installing its own biochemistry, such as alteration of PH levels, creation of anaerobic pockets of tissues which resist to radiation therapy. Imagine hiding into a bomb shelter. It also elevate metabolism and calorie needs, while simultaneously lowering the appetite and food intake to starve the host. Cancer cells also siphon nutrients out of bloodstream just like the parasites. It ejects by-products which create pain, weakness, apathy and also depression in the host.

To all the cancer patients out there, if you are reading this, below are what you need, to have the chance to fight off this disease.

• Optimism, Hope and fighting spirit
• Knowledge, options and data gathering
• The power of nutritional synergism
• Starve the cancer
• Avoid malnutrition
• Healthy fats
• Minerals
• Boost your immune system
• Healing power of whole organic foods
• Vitamins

In United States, cancer becomes the leading cause of death since 2005. Today, more then 42% of Americans can expect to develop cancer in his or her lifetime. Europe has an even higher incidence of cancer.

Cancer is an abnormal growth, not just bumps and lumps. Normal healthy cells are aerobic cells. Cancer cells are known as anaerobic cells. It survive on oxygen-deprived environment. It feeds on primarily sugar! And oncologists telling cancer patients, "Eat anything you want". That's just great people.

Chemo, radiation and surgery, basically could reduce the tumor burden, but do nothing, to change the underlying condition that allow this abnormal growth to thrive. For instance, fungus grow on a tree, because of warm, moisture and darkness. You can cut, burn and poison fungus off the tree, but the fungus will return as long as the conditions is favorable. Similarly, there are conditions that favor the growth of cancer. Please see below, that will determine whether cancer patients will thrive, live or die, based upon the ability to change to conditions that favor cancer growth.

Cancer Growth:

High blood sugar
Low immunity
Low host resistance
Toxic burden
Altered Ph level
Aging
Hormone imbalance
Stress
Malnutrition
Maldigestion
Yeast infection

In order to defeat cancer, it is important to understand what starts the cancer, and how it progresses in the human body. Cancer is a mistake cell that is growing wildly out of control, and may consume the patient through malnutrition, organ failure or infections. Unless we can get rid of some of the tumors, then our body can re-regulate.

There is a basic flaw in our thinking about health care in most nations. Doctors, treat symptoms, and not underlying causes. For instance, you got a headache because of lack of sleep or stress, then you take an aspirin, but your stomach starts to churn. Then, you take anti-acids medication to ease the stomach nausea, but causes high blood pressure. What happen next? High blood pressure pill? Do all of you see where this is going? God bless conventional medicine.