Happy Halloween!

Well, perhaps many of you are quite busy carving pumpkins. It’s one of the very common practices during this celebration but do you know that pumpkin is not just for Halloween?

Pumpkins bring more than just entertainment but as well as great health benefits. Pumpkins are one of the greatest sources of beta-carotene also known as provitamin A.  This said beta-carotene is an anti-oxidant, a compound that may protect against disease. This vitamin is involved in the night vision, growth, cell differentiation and reproduction. It also maintains the health of the skin (prevents acne and dermatitis) and surface tissues especially those with mucous linings. This certain vitamin found in pumpkin helps fight colds and infections, particularly in the mucous membranes of the eyes, ear, nose, throat, lungs and bladder. Thus, what is more is it plays an important role in fighting against the risk of breast cancer.

If you are carving pumpkins and are throwing away the seeds and its meat then you are doing one of the most unforgiving sins for your health. The inside of pumpkin comes with wide array of health benefits such as the pumpkin seeds which are high in protein, potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper and essential fatty acids.

Therefore, this Halloween treat your kids and family more than just the usual ‘Trick or Treat’. Give them what they need for their health through the inside and out of pumpkins. Make use of your pumpkin meat and seeds. They are indeed really great for everybody’s health. Their colors will show you.

Doctor Health Enthusiasts

Do you know that eating a diet high in fat increases the risk of many types of cancer? This is the very main reason that it is very advisable to cut down meat to a minimum as it will also automatically cut out a lot of unhealthy fats. However, it does not necessarily mean cutting fats totally. Our body also needs this particular component to fight against diseases. There are also fats that may actually protect your body against cancer. It is a matter of choosing your food wisely at a moderated intake.

Here goes a list of two main types of fats that people should know in order to live a healthy life.

a. Fats that INCREASE cancer risk

Saturated fats and trans fats are the two most damaging fats that strongly contribute to a high risk in cancer. These saturated fats are found mainly in animal products such as red meat, whole milk dairy products, and eggs. The trans fats, also called partially hydrogenated oils, are created by adding hydrogen to liquid vegetable oils to make them more solid and less likely to spoil—which is very good for food manufacturers, and very bad for you.

b. Fats that DECREASE cancer risk

The best fats are unsaturated fats, which come from plant sources and are liquid at room temperature. Primary sources include olive oil, canola oil, nuts, and avocados. Also focus on omega-3 fatty acids, which fight inflammation and support brain and heart health. The good sources for this type include salmon, tuna, and flaxseeds.

If you may ask for tips on how you can choose cancer-fighting fats and avoid the bad ones, the formula is not that complicated. First, as always, cut down on meat consumption. Trim the fat off of meat when you really do eat it and please avoid eating the skin of the chicken. This has one big unhealthy fat that can flow to your body. Avoid too much of whole milk, butter, and eggs too as they are the primary source of saturated fats.

In cooking, it is best to choose but olive oil instead of regular vegetable oil. You may also use canola oil which is another smart choice especially for baking. Remember to always check the ingredient list on food labels and please avoid anything that says hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils. These ones are usually found in stick margarines, shortenings, salad dressings, and other packaged foods. You can always choose but the nonfat dairy products which have been fortified with omega-3 fatty acids.

Limiting yourself for any fast food, fried foods, and packaged foods can also best help you against cancer. Instead, try eating fish once or twice a week and try adding nuts and seeds to cereal, salads, soups, or other dishes. Good choices include walnuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds, hazelnuts, pecans, and sesame seeds. It may be too much to ask for cancer-free diet however, it is worth it if you value your life and your health. After all, prevention is always better than cure. It’s what you eat that matters.

Doctor Health Enthusiasts

It is true that not all health problems are avoidable, but everyone of us have more control over our health than we may think. A large percentage of cancer are directly linked to lifestyle choices such as smoking, drinking, a lack of exercise, and an unhealthy diet.

Avoiding cigarettes, minimizing alcohol, and getting regular exercise are a great start to an anti-cancer lifestyle. But to best support our health, we also need to look at our eating habits. What we eat has a powerful effect on our health including the risk of cancer such breast cancer.

Some foods actually increase your risk of cancer, while others support your body and strengthen your immune system. By making smart food choices, you can protect your health, feel better, and boost your ability fight off disease. Here is the best diet to prevent cancer.

 1. Plant-based diet.

This includes a variety of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. A plant-based diet means eating mostly foods that come from plants: vegetables, fruits, nuts, grains, and beans. 

Fruits and vegetables are the best sources of antioxidants such as beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium. These antioxidants are powerful vitamins that protect against cancer and help the cells in your body function optimally.

Take on immune-boosting spices and foods. Garlic, ginger, and curry powder not only add flavor, but they add a cancer-fighting punch of valuable nutrients. Other good choices include turmeric, basil, rosemary, and coriander. Use them in soups, salads, casseroles, or any other dish.

Minimize the tendency to go for processed foods. Example to this is to eat an apple instead of drinking a glass of apple juice, for example. Or enjoy a bowl of oatmeal with raisins instead of an oatmeal raisin cookie.

The less processed these foods are—the less they’ve been cooked, peeled, mixed with other ingredients, stripped of their nutrients, or otherwise altered from the way they came out of the ground—the better.

2. Increase your fiber intake.

Fiber plays a key role in keeping your digestive system clean and healthy. It helps keep food moving through your digestive tract, and it also moves cancer-causing compounds out before they can create harm.

Fiber is found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.There is no fiber in meat, dairy, sugar, or “white” foods like white bread, white rice, and pastries.

High-fiber, cancer-fighting foods

3. Keep MEAT to a minimum.

Research shows that vegetarians are about fifty percent less likely to develop cancer than those who eat meat. Meat lacks fiber and other nutrients that have been shown to have cancer-protective properties.

Meat is abundant in fat—often very high levels of saturated fat. High-fat diets have been linked to higher rates of cancer. And saturated fat is particularly dangerous. Finally, depending on how it is prepared, meat can develop carcinogenic compounds.

Remember that there are many things you can eat to maximize the strength of your immune system, as well as many cancer-fighting foods. But keep in mind that there is no single miracle food or ingredient that will protect you against cancer. Eating a colorful variety gives you the best protection.

Doctor Health Enthusiasts

Breast cancer can be detected even at an earlier stage. Here’s how you can detect it even by yourself: Breast Self-Examination.

The recommended age to begin monitoring women’s breast is at age 20. Now,each of the women should be told about the benefits and limitations of breast self-exam (BSE). Being knowledgeable can help save life. As an individual, you should know how your breasts normally look and feel. BSE is done in order to detect any unusual changes that may show signs. If you feel something is different, never hesitate to report any new breast changes to a health professional the soonest. Detecting any breast change does not necessarily mean there is a cancer.

Here’s a simple procedure for a breast-self exam from breastcancer.org.  It is advisable that you do it regularly to save life.

1. Begin by looking at your breasts in the mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips.

Here’s what you should look for:

• Breasts that are their usual size, shape, and color.

• Breasts that are evenly shaped without visible distortion or swelling.

If you see any of the following changes, bring them to your doctor’s attention:

• Dimpling, puckering, or bulging of the skin.

• A nipple that has changed position or become inverted (pushed inward instead of sticking out).

• Redness, soreness, rash, or swelling.

2. Raise your arms and look for the same changes.

3.  While you’re at the mirror, gently squeeze each nipple between your finger and thumb and check for nipple discharge (this could be a milky or yellow fluid or blood).

4.  Feel your breasts while lying down, using your right hand to feel your left breast and then your left hand to feel your right breast. Use a firm, smooth touch with the first few fingers of your hand, keeping the fingers flat and together.

Cover the entire breast from top to bottom, side to side—from your collarbone to the top of your abdomen, and from your armpit to your cleavage.

5. Finally, feel your breasts while you are standing or sitting. Many women find that the easiest way to feel their breasts is when their skin is wet and slippery, so they like to do this step in the shower. Cover your entire breast, using the same hand movements described in Step 4.

The best time for a woman to examine her breasts is when the breasts are not tender or swollen. Now, please know that women with breast implants can do BSE, too. Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding can also choose to examine their breasts regularly. BSE is such a helpful way to save life and fight breast cancer.

Doctor Health Enthusiasts

October is breast cancer awareness month. Healthy Fresh Updates is 100% supporting this cause.You to can express your support in so many ways too either through the side corner of this blog or through the code of this entry. You may click the pink ribbon to help one woman save life by getting free mammogram. If you may join with me and pass the pink ribbon challenge. These links are ONLY for “Pink Ribbon Challenge” participants, any links not related to the Pink Ribbon Challenge will be deleted. Grab the code at Things We Share and post it in your blog entry. Please post only the Pink Ribbon Challenge actual post link here and help The Breast Cancer Site and National Breast Cancer Foundation Inc. by spreading the Pink Ribbon Challenge.

Doctor Health Enthusiasts

There are people who are easily alarmed with anything especially when it comes to their health and the most common are women who may at times be carried by those hearsays about Breast Cancer especially when it happens to one of their closest friends or relatives.

It is fine if we get alarmed but it may not be healthy too to get worried easily when there are no scientific truth behind hearsays or we call it ‘myths’. Do not be a victim of incorrect information. Know the difference between what is the truth and what is not.

Let’s take a look at the very common myth behind breast cancer, the lump. Lump does not always mean breast cancer at all. If you discover a persistent lump in your breast or any changes in breast tissue, it is very important that you see a physician immediately. Know that 8 out of 10 breast lumps are benign, or not cancerous so do not kill yourself with too much worry but instead see your doctor. Sometimes women stay away from medical care because they fear what they might find out. Don’t let fear take over once you find some lump just because you now think you have breast cancer. The more you should see your doctor then.

Here goes another myth that other women are stuck with, the use of antiperspirants and deodorants. There are those who believe that this is one of the causes of breast cancer.Know that researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) are not aware of any conclusive evidence linking the use of underarm antiperspirants or deodorants and the subsequent development of breast cancer.

There are those who are covered with fear just because one of their family members died of breast cancer and that they will get one too. Know that most women who have breast cancer have no family history and therefore it is a myth. While women who have a family history of breast cancer are in a higher risk group but it does not always come along that you will get it too.If you have a mother, daughter, sister, or grandmother who had breast cancer, you should have a mammogram five years before the age of their diagnosis, or starting at age 35.

Take charge of your health and be smart enough to do what is right and what is not. Don’t be stuck with your assumptions or with myths without getting the right information.  If you care about yourself, consistently do breast self-exams and keep your communication open with your doctor. Do not be afraid to discuss the changes you may have noticed even if it means silly to you, it may mean a difference to open up and search the truth. 

Doctor Health Enthusiasts

October means a lot. It may mean something different for others but not those who are bravely facing the world to survive against breast cancer. Healthy Fresh Updates is 100% supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

To show its support, there will be more updates in line with the said  breast cancer issues and more. Health enthusiast blogger will be dedicated to get important and helpful updates to create more awareness about breast cancer and more.

Doctor Health Enthusiasts