A Special Substance In Breast Milk Biologically Transforms Cancerous Body Cells

A substance found in breast milk can biologically transform or s0-call kill cancerous body or blood cells, reveal studies carried out by researchers at Lund University and the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Although the special substance, known as HAMLET (Human Alpha-lactalbumin Made LEthal to Tumour cells), was discovered in breast milk several years ago, it is only now that it has been possible to test it on humans.

Patients with a cancerous bladder who were treated with the substance excreted dead or disorganized cancer cells in their urine after each treatment, which has given rise to hopes that it can be developed into supplement for cancer care in the future.

HAMLET was discovered by chance when researchers were studying the antibacterial properties of breast milk. Further studies showed that HAMLET comprises a protein and a fatty acid that are both found naturally in breast milk. So far, however, it has not been proven that the HAMLET complex is spontaneously formed in the milk. Laboratory experiments have shown that HAMLET kills or biologically transform 40 different types of cancerous cells, and the researchers are now going on to study its effect on skin cancer, tumours in the mucous membranes and brain tumours. Importantly, HAMLET transforms only cancerous cells and does not affect healthy body cells.

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg are focusing on how HAMLET can be taken up into tumour cells. The researchers, Roger Karlsson, Maja Puchades and Ingela Lanekoff, are attempting to gain an in-depth understanding of how the substance interacts with cell membranes, and their findings were recently published in the prestigious journal PLoS One.

Vitamin and Mineral Supplements May Reduce Breast Cancer

Vitamins and calcium supplements appear to reduce the risk of breast cancer, according to findings presented at the American Association for Cancer Research 101st Annual Meeting 2010.

"It is not an immediate effect. You don't take a vitamin today and your breast cancer risk is reduced tomorrow," said Jaime Matta, Ph.D., professor in the Ponce School of Medicine in Puerto Rico. "However, we did see a long-term effect in terms of breast cancer reduction."
Matta said the findings suggest that the calcium supplements are acting to enhance DNA repair capacity, a complex biological process involving more than 200 proteins that, if disrupted, can lead to cancer.

"This process involves at least five separate pathways and is critical for maintaining genomic stability," said Matta. "When the DNA is not repaired, it leads to mutation that leads to cancer."

The study included 268 women with breast cancer and 457 healthy controls. Women were more likely to have breast cancer if they were older, had a family history of breast cancer, had no history of breastfeeding and had lower DNA repair capacity.

Vitamin supplements appeared to reduce the risk of breast cancer by about 30 percent. Calcium supplements reduced the risk of breast cancer by 40 percent. After controlling for the level of DNA repair capacity, calcium supplements were no longer as protective, but the link between vitamin supplements and breast cancer reduction remained.

"We're not talking about mega doses of these vitamins and calcium supplements, so this is definitely one way to reduce risk," said Matta.

Resource:

The American Association for Cancer Research
The mission of the American Association for Cancer Research is to prevent and cure cancer. Founded in 1907, the AACR is the world's oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research. The membership includes 31,000 basic, translational and clinical researchers; health care professionals; and cancer survivors and advocates in the United States and more than 90 other countries. The AACR marshals the full spectrum of expertise from the cancer community to accelerate progress in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer through high-quality scientific and educational programs. It funds innovative, meritorious research grants, research fellowship and career development awards. The AACR Annual Meeting attracts more than 17,000 participants who share the latest discoveries and developments in the field. Special conferences throughout the year present novel data across a wide variety of topics in cancer research, treatment and patient care. The AACR publishes six major peer-reviewed journals: Cancer Research; Clinical Cancer Research; Molecular Cancer Therapeutics; Molecular Cancer Research; Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention; and Cancer Prevention Research. The AACR also publishes CR, a magazine for cancer survivors and their families, patient advocates, physicians and scientists. CR provides a forum for sharing essential, evidence-based information and perspectives on progress in cancer research, survivorship and advocacy.

Protein Power In PIstachios

Protein Power in Pistachios
By Shelley Redford Young LMT

Last week I was talking with my beautiful daughter Ashley about alternative sources of protein in our diets. She is a very busy mother of three young children and needs good energy levels on any given day to keep up with them. She was curious about some protein-type snacks she could give herself and her family. Certainly, if we are to resolve that Dr. Young’s alkalarian diet, which excludes most animal and dairy products, is the way to go, then it should follow that we would seek out the best and most assimilative sources of complete essential aminos (proteins). While protein is important for proper functioning of the body, there is also scientific evidence suggesting we can get those protein needs met with small servings of protein—even vegetable-based proteins. Our ability to assimilate and utilize the protein we eat (or drink) is the important factor in my mind.

From Back to the House of Health1: The Protein/Calcium Myth pg.13 we read:

Consider the following clinical study reported in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. This study compared the essential amino acids in the diets of meat-eaters, lacto-ovo vegetarians (those who eat dairy and eggs), and pure vegan vegetarians. The study uncompromisingly set the protein requirements for each amino acid at the level that would easily cover the needs of growing children and pregnant women. The results? Not only did all three diets provide sufficient protein, they were all well above sufficient, each diet exceeding twice its requirement!

Dr. T. Colin Campbell director of the Division of nutritional sciences at Cornell University and former senior science advisor to the American Institute for Cancer research has stated:

There is a strong correlation between dietary protein intake and cancer of the breast, prostate, pancreas, and colon. The culprit in many of the most prevalent and deadly diseases of our time is none other than the very thing many of us have been taught to hold virtually sacred—animal protein.

This week I have been experimenting on myself with Pistachios as a good protein- enriched snack. I felt very sustained-even grounded when I ate them and noticed no weight gain at all. They are addictive little buggers and of course, and I couldn’t just eat one. The salt on them also satisfied my late afternoon munchy-attack, even better than any sweet treat could have, and I found myself thinking:

HEY..they’re GREEN!..they must be GOOD!
And I love anything Italian
The English word pistachio comes to us from the Old Italian pistaccio


I decided to delve deeper into some nutritional facts about pistachios, to validate my indulgence:
Pistachios are rich in potassium (helps regulate the body's fluid balance), phosphorus (helps build bones and teeth) and magnesium (important element in the conversion of the body's energy), and are also a good source of vitamin B6 (aids protein metabolism and absorption) and thiamine (enhances energy and promotes normal appetite). Pistachios supply vitamins A and E, both critical in keeping inflammatory pathways in balance.
Pistachios are also a good source of copper (strengthens the immune system) They deliver many vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients, so they can be considered a nutrient-dense food and the perfect snack for someone who is in a good state of balance or good health. Dr. Young limits nuts like pistachios from the diets of severely sick people but encourages drinking nut milks like almond milk when on his cleanse.

Pistachios are a good source of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. These fats reduce blood cholesterol levels and lower the risk of heart disease when they replace saturated fats in the diet. (Institute of Medicine)

After only three weeks of consuming pistachios as 20% of the calories in their diet, volunteers in a double-blind study saw their LDL (or bad cholesterol) drop by about 14%; HDL (or good cholesterol) rose by 26%, with a 12% decrease in total cholesterol. Recent studies show that the amount of inflammation in the blood vessels is often a more important marker for heart disease. A Penn State study showed that even a moderate intake of pistachios increases blood levels of lutein, an antioxidant that protects against oxidized LDL, which is even worse than regular LDL in terms of heart disease.

In trials, people on a 4-week pistachio diet showed no weight gain while improving risk factors for heart disease (Journal of the American College of Nutrition). The study showed that a daily dose of pistachios is beneficial in relation to cardiovascular disease. Study participants had moderately high cholesterol levels and consumed 15% of their calories from pistachios. Over a four-week period, blood lipid levels improved.

The special antioxidants found in pistachios can prevent a harmful process called glycation. Glycation occurs when sugars bond inappropriately to proteins, making the proteins unusable. This is the process by which diabetes damages tissues, and its products are called AGE or Advanced Glycation End-products. So pistachios can be a powerful ally in the treatment of diabetes and its related syndromes.

If you are looking to replace animal protein with vegetable protein, pistachios nuts are an excellent source of vegetable protein. The type of protein found in Pistachio nuts is rich in arginine -- a precursor to the substance nitric oxide, which helps relax blood vessels in the body, and lower blood pressure. You can get 6 grams of protein from just ½ cup of pistachios and 310 mgs.of potassium, not to mention all the dietary fiber they contained which was about 3grams per ½ cup.

As a precaution, Dr. Young would prefer that you keep your portion sizes down to ½-1 cup a day (Good Luck!) as 12 grams of dietary protein is plenty to cover your daily needs. Remember, your body is only 7% protein. Also watch for additives in died Pistachios. Traditionally pistachios were dyed red to hide stains on the shells from handpicking. Today, pistachio harvests are automated, preventing staining and rendering the dying process obsolete. Avoid dyed pistachios, as many food dyes can be harmful and may produce alergic symptoms in children, especially when consumed in combination with other food additives.

Make sure the pistachios you buy are fresh with the best form being raw. You can always add pHlavor SaltTM spray to make them a truly alkaline snack. Use Pistachios in Salad Dressings as a thickener or sprinkle over Shelley’s pHavorite Pasta or Spaghetti Squash with Pumpkin Seed Pesto dishes (both found in the new DVD pH Miracle Cooking with Chef Shelley www.pHmiracleliving.com) I even add them to Shelley’s Super Wraps (Back to the House of Health 1 pg. 77) or use them in place of croutons over a salad. They can also be removed from their shells and soaked in lemon water for a few hours to soften them and release their true flavor even more.

One thing is certain--eating pistachios renders significant benefits in relation to human health. Pistachio nuts deliver a nutritious array of important nutrients and compounds that support and assist body function.

Dig out the denim...

As an assortment of 90's trends keep on re-surfacing right now; one of the biggest of them all is the denim jacket. I'm not saying the denim jacket was an exclusive 90's trend, it makes small re-appearances quite regularly, and to be honest there are plenty of people who have simply never stopped wearing it. It mostly just varies in style and what people are actually wearing it with (see an article written by Erica Bartle for Mylookbook in February 2009)

One of my favourite looks of the 90's though, and is making a little comeback around the globe, is the classic style denim jacket worn over a cute summer dress. Add either sandals, or my favourite look - boots. If you really want to research getting the look right just rent out some original Beverly Hills 90210 episodes and follow the lead of Brenda, Kelly & the gang..


Image - Vanessa Jackman

Kristin Cavallari Denim + Basics = Cute Summer Style

I know we're coming into Winter here in the Southern Hemisphere, but I just couldn't help but notice Kristin Cavallari's cute outfits these past few weeks and felt they were deserving of a mention. I'm such a fan of any look that combines a few simple basics yet creates such a great impact... How I wish to be as effortlessly cool as Kristin... she makes it all look so simple..

Dr Robert O. Young in Egypt


Al-Ahram Newspaper-
Thursday April 15th, 2010
Nutrition

Alkaline foods are the house of health food ...American microbiologist and nutritionist calls for boycotting meat and fast food During his last visit to Egypt, Dr. Robert Young, the microbiologist and nutrition expert, reviewed a new and special way of interpreting diseases and the direct link to our lifestyle....

Dr. Young said, in an interview with Al- Ahram, that according to worldwide statistics, there is a global increase in the rate of persons creating diabetes, hyper tension and cancer diseases primarily due to the nature of our modern lifestyle and the quality of food we are eating.

In brief, the fast food meals and sodas are acidic in nature and by regularly consuming them, we increase our blood acidity which results in disease due to the impact of blood acidity on the weakest organ of the body. Such acidity could be measured by simply testing the pH of the urine and the saliva.

According to Dr. Young, all diseases have one origin. We should deal with them with a broader prospect by changing our diet and our way of life. Dr Young said if the fish is sick, it is better to change the water and the surrounding environment in the bowl and not treating the fish itself. Treatment should deal with the cause not the effect of disease.

Dr. Young explained that our bodies are alkaline by design and all body functions are acidic. Thinking, breathing and even defecating are acidic functions. Based upon this, the "Young theory" relies on minimizing or eliminating the acidic foods from our diet which includes a long list such as`tea, coffee, meat, poultry, diary products, sugar, all kinds of sodas, corn and their products.

On the other hand, Dr.Young recommends the healthy food including alkaline food such as green vegetables due to their contents of chlorophyll such as broccoli, avocado, parsley, spinach, cucumber, green pepper, coriander, artichokes... also yellow`and red vegetables such as peppers and tomatoes due to their contents of lycopene.

As for food rich in calcium, replacing the diary products, he recommends, tahini, almond milk and nuts in addition to legumes and Basmati rice which provide the body with its need of protein.

Also bitter fruits such as citrus and grapefruit in addition to fish which is rich in omega 3. Raw nuts such as almonds and pine nuts are rich in oil and useful minerals in addition to sea salt and not processed salts. As a complement to the house of health, Dr. Young affirmed that choice of food isn't only enough but one should drink 3 to 4 liters of water daily, practice sport for at least 30 minutes daily to get rid of body poisons through perspiring and most important avoiding negative thoughts as they are similar to rotten food in their effect.

Ashraf Amin

The perfect nude & natural lip colour

There’s a fairly ongoing debate over the perfect nude lip colour and considering everyone’s lips are actually a different colour, this makes for a slightly hard way to recommend ‘the perfect nude’ gloss or lipstick. I’ve been on this endless search for a great nude gloss for years now, constantly gushing over stars like Michelle Williams and her natural looking make up and oh so perfect lips.

I’ve experimented with shade after shade and finally I am happy to say I’ve found a product I love. I obviously can’t guarantee that this colour is going to be perfect for everyone, but as for me, I feel like I've hit the jackpot so I want to share!


Michelle Williams and her fresh natural look...

My savior is the Napoleon Perdis Luminous Lip Veil in "Sienna Shimmer" $25  www.napoleonperdis.com .

Thanks to my friends at Napoleon, I have my own little bag of goodies to give away so that a couple of you can try the colour yourself! Head over to our facebook page and you could win a little tube of magic of your own!