Crash Diets May Harm Your Health

Crash Diets May Harm Your Health

A crash diet is a short-term diet plan that drastically changes the dieter's eating habits and results in rapid weight loss. The principle of which involves consuming a mixture of water, lemon juice, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper -- and nothing else -- for several days. But experts from  Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou, China says these very low-calorie regimens are based on the false theory that the body needs help eliminating waste.

Research suggests rapid weight loss can slow your metabolism, leading to future weight gain, and deprive your body of essential nutrients. What's more, crash diets can weaken your immune system and increase your risk of dehydration, heart palpitations, and cardiac stress.

"A crash diet once won't hurt your health," experts said. "But crash dieting repeatedly increases the risk of different kinds of diseases’ attacks."

Prof Peng adds that long-term calorie-cutting can eventually lead to heart muscle loss. "Yo-yo dieting can also damage your blood vessels. All that shrinking and growing causes micro tears that create a setup for atherosclerosis and other types of heart disease," he says.

Beware of fad diets

Experts have known for decades that extended crash diets can be dangerous -- especially when the diets become a fad.

The diet seemed to work wonders -- some people reported losing as many as 10 pounds a week on the formula. But then the news of sudden deaths began to trickle in. An investigation led by the Food and Drug Administration turned up nearly 60 deaths among liquid dieters. 

Experts stress that very-low-calorie diets should only be followed with a doctor's supervision. But crash dieters are more likely to consult their friends than a doctor -- which can get them into troubles.

How to lose weight -- safely

If you're overweight, slimming down is critical for your overall health. Even moderate weight loss can lower your risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer.

But it's important to lose weight safely, which usually means slowly: Most experts recommend dropping just 1 to 2 pounds a week. And despite what some brand-name diets claim, the best way to do so is to exercise regularly and stick to a diet that limits saturated fat and sugars and emphasizes fruits and vegetables, lean meats and fish, and whole grains.

"The key to losing weight is a combination of diet and exercise," says experts from Modern Cancer Hospital. "One alone will not do it."

Prostate Cancer Prevention

Can Your Lifestyle Choices Affect Your Chances of Getting Prostate Cancer?

Can changes in your lifestyle actually lead to prostate cancer prevention? Every year, more and more research is done showing that there may be associations between certain everyday lifestyle choices we make and the development of prostatecancer.

What are the five most important lifestyle choices you can make to lessen your risk of prostate cancer?

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Numerous research studies have shown a clear association between obesity and the development of prostate cancer. Scientists are not sure as to why this association exists, but it clearly does.

Prostate cancer is more common in obese or overweight men. Additionally, obese men have higher rates of surgical complications, experience more problems with radiation treatments, and have lower survival rates than normal weight men.

Maintain a healthy diet

A.      Don’t Overindulge on Red Meat or Fatty Foods

Men who eat diets that include a great deal of red meat have been found to have higher rates of prostate cancer.

It is unclear as to why this is. Some scientists believe that men who eat red meat are ingesting higher levels of certain types of fat and fatty acids that may be harmful to the prostate.

B.      Eat the Right Amount and Type of Fruits and Vegetables

It has been shown that men who eat 5-9 servings of fruit and vegetables per day have healthier hearts and lower rates of cancer than those who eat less.

Tomatoes, in particular, have been shown to lessen a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer. Lycopene, a natural chemical found in tomatoes, pink grapefruits, and a few other foods, is a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants, like lycopene, act to destroy free radicals in the body that have been shown to change normal cells into cancerous cells.

Studies have shown that increasing the amount of tomatoes and tomato-based foods (like pasta sauce), also has positive effects on men who already have prostate cancer.

C.      Eat more fish – evidence from several studies suggest that fish can help protect against prostate cancer because they have "good fat" particularly omega-3 fatty acids. Avoid trans fatty acids (found in margarine).

Exercise regularly:

Regular exercise for at least 30 minutes at a time and at least 3 days per week is essential for prostate and total body health.

Not only does regular exercise help you to maintain a healthy weight, it also has been shown that men who exercise regularly have overall lower rates of cancer, tolerate cancer treatments far 

Avoid smoking for many reasons. Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all

Relax and enjoy life. Reducing stress in the workplace and home will improve your survivorship and lead to a longer, happier life.

Have a regular sexual life

Excessive secretion of androgen is a motivation of prostate cancer. If men are too libidinous, the secretion of androgen will be excessive.

Lessening your risk of developing prostate cancer is not something that can be done overnight. One weekend of eating the right foods and exercising will not significantly change your chances of getting this disease. However, lifestyle modifications that are carried out through years are a whole different story.

Fad diets, impossible exercise routines, and unrealistic expectations are not helpful in the long-term. Finding a diet and exercise plan that you can handle and then sticking to it for the long-term will provide the best results for prostate and total body health.

Side Effects of Cancer

Cancer's Effect on the Diet

Weight loss is a common problem of patients who undergoing cancer therapy. But weight loss as a result of cancer need not be accepted as inevitable.

Cancer's effect on diet falls into two categories: side effects of the disease and side effects of treatment.

Side Effects of the Disease:

Reduced Appetite

Sometimes decreased appetite is a problem. If appetite decreases as the day progresses, make breakfast the big meal of the day. Don't feel restricted to typical breakfast foods either. If you feel like eating a steak, baked potato and salad for breakfast, do it!

On the other hand, some people find eating five or six smaller meals a day works better than eating two or three larger meals.

Changes in Food's Flavor

Cancer often affects the taste buds. Most commonly, it reduces the ability to taste sweetness. This changes the flavor of sweets, desserts, fruits and vegetables.

Use extra sugar with many desserts to improve the taste or to provide its accustomed taste. A teaspoon of sugar added to cooking water or glazing vegetables such as carrots may help improve vegetable flavors.

Some people experience an unusual dislike for certain foods, flavors or odors. This develops when unpleasant symptoms are tied to a food recently eaten.

Save your favorite foods for times when you feel well. Try not to eat one to two hours before treatment or therapy. If you no longer enjoy beef or pork, you may find chicken, fish, eggs, milk products or legumes more appealing. Marinate meats or cook them with sauces or tomatoes to help improve the flavor.

A third potential taste change is an increased liking for tart flavors. Adding lemon juice to foods may make them taste better. A cancer patient may enjoy grapefruit, cranberry or other tart juices.

Side Effects of Treatment:

Surgery

The effects of surgery on diet vary greatly depending on the location of the tumor and the surgical procedure used. If surgery is scheduled, talk to the doctor about what side effects might develop. When a side effect does develop, the doctor or registered dietitian can assist with the diet.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy works by destroying rapidly dividing cells such as cancer cells. It also destroys normal body cells that divide rapidly, such as those in bone marrow and those that line the small intestine. Side effects can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, all of which may adversely affect dietary intake. These effects will end within a few days after the chemotherapy treatment ends.

Radiation Therapy

The dietary side effects of radiation therapy depend on the location of the tumor. Therapy for a head or neck tumor often causes swallowing pain, dry mouth and altered taste. Swallowing pain may be reduced by eating soft-textured foods such as casseroles, egg products, puddings and liquids. Dry mouth can be helped by adding sauces and gravies to foods. Sucking on hard candies or using artificial saliva will help moisten the mouth.

Alteration of taste, also called "mouth blindness," seems to have a greater effect on diet than other side effects of head and neck radiation therapy. Spicy foods, strongly flavored foods, or coarsely textured fruits and vegetables are most likely to be acceptable to people with mouth blindness. Unfortunately, mouth blindness may continue for up to a year after radiation therapy is discontinued.

Radiation therapy for an abdominal or pelvic tumor often encourages nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

21 World Cancer Conference Ends

21st World Cancer Congress in-site full-view scene

rostrum at 21st World Cancer Congress
21st World Cancer Congress was closed on August 21. During the Congress, Argentina oncologist Edvard Card was elected as new UICC President. Montreal, Canada was crowned as host for next World Cancer Conference 2012.
UICC reported world cancer incidence at the congress, pointing out cancer incidence remarkably differs in countries, however, the top health killer is lung cancer, from which 1.3 million died. Gastric cancer is regarded as second killer, with 803 thousand people dying each year, colorectal cancer, with 639 thousand people dying each year, liver cancer 610 thousand people dying and breast cancer 519 people dying. In men, the top 3 cancer killers rank as lung cancer, gastric cancer and liver cancer. In women, the top 3 cancer killers are breast cancer, lung cancer and gastric cancer.
Hao Xishan, Chairman and academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering, make statement at this World Cancer Congress that this is the first time that World Cancer Congress has been held in China. He praised, "Shenzhen is a very virogous city, which is very attractive to him. Shenzhenese has been building this city with hard work, diligence and innovation. It is a progressing city. The theme of 21st World Cancer Congress is to prevent preventable disease and treat treatable patients through systematic efforts. Therefore, let's take action together and let the whole world free of threat from cancer."
21st World Cancer Congress attracted 3222 representatives from 94 countries, 868 of which were from China, 1,354 from overseas. Card pointed out at the closing ceremony speech that world community should work together to fight cancer, the health threat and economic burden.

Continue the Love to Fight Cancer

In the afternoon of Oct. 25, 2012, a donation for little Duoduo, the 4-year-old Vietnamese patient, was held in the lobby of Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou. This was the second donation after the first on Jul. 13, from which hospital had donated 9500RMB. About 20, 000 RMB in all was raised for this poor family through these two donations, which greatly helps the family on their economy.
http://www.asiancancer.com/about-news/modern-hospital-dynamics/1252.html

 

Coping With Cancer's Effect on the Diet

Nausea or vomiting:

Eat five or six smaller meals instead of three larger meals. 
Drink beverages one-half to one hour before meals instead of with meals. 
Avoid rich or highly sweetened foods. 
Avoid smells that cause nausea. 
Avoid high-fat foods.

Constipation:

Drink plenty of fluids (8 cups per day), especially hot beverages and fruit juices. 
Light exercise such as short walks or light housework may help. 
Include foods high in fiber: fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, bran.

Diarrhea:

Eat cheese and yogurt. 
Avoid foods high in bulk or fiber: raw vegetables, whole grains, bran. 
Avoid foods that cause gas or cramping: beans, cabbage, broccoli, spicy foods, carbonated beverages.

Dry mouth:

Eat sauces and gravies with food. 
Suck on hard, sugarless candies or chew gum. 
Dunk foods in beverages, such as soup, tea or milk. 
Take a swallow of beverage with each bite of food. 
Use artificial saliva.

"Mouth blindness":

Try highly spiced foods: pizza, spaghetti, chili. 
Eat strongly flavored foods: sauerkraut, cabbage, Limburger cheese. 
Emphasize texture in meals: crisp lettuce and fruits, creamy mashed potatoes, soft bread, crunchy toast.

Taste changes-Reduced ability to taste sweetness:

Add a teaspoon of sugar to vegetable cooking water. 
Glaze vegetables such as carrots. 
Increase the sugar in desserts and try new recipes.

Unusual dislike for meat:

Replace beef or pork with poultry, fish, eggs, milk products, legumes. 
Marinate meats. 
Cook meats in sauces or with tomatoes. 
Eat meats cold or at room temperature.

Increased likeness for tart flavors:

Add lemon juice to foods. 
Drink tart beverages: lemonade, grapefruit, cranberry juice.

Appetite:

Eat during best times. 
Use foods easy to prepare and eat. 
Eat smaller meals. 
Use liquid meals. 
Don't drink with meals. 
Eat foods that are nutrient dense.

Swallowing or chewing:

Use softer foods. 
Drink with a straw. 

Food Beneficial to Breast Cancer Patients

 1. Hericium erinaceus. Experts point out that hericlum erinaceus contains rich polysaccharide and polypeptide, which can effectively inhibit breast cancer cells and produce interferon. Therefore, eating more hericlum erinaceus can increase the white blood cells of breast cancer patients

　　2. Garlic. Garlic is one of the foods that are beneficial to the rehabilitation of breast cancer patients, as it contains plenty of selenium, which is helpful in cancer prevention. The garlic should be chewed by fresh. Basically, several times a week will take effect in preventing breast cancer.
　　
　　3. Carrots. Study has found that, after absorbed into human body, carotin will be transformed into vitamin A, which can maintain the normal structure and function of the human epithelial tissue and obstruct invasion of carcinogen, thus to prevent breast cancer. Carrots should be eaten after cooked, as that will make it easier to absorb.
　　4. Asparagus. Asparagus is also one of the foods beneficial to the rehabilitation of breast cancer patients, as it contains rich histone, which is an anti-cancer nutrient and has effect in inhibiting the growth of cancer cells. Moreover, it also contains folic acid, selenium, nucleic acids and other substances, which are helpful in preventing the diffusion of cancer cells. Therefore, eating more asparagus is good for the treatment and rehabilitation of breast cancer patients.

Dietary considerations for breast cancer patients
　　Dietotherapy is a strongly recommended green therapy of Chinese medication. From the point of view of the dialectic, Chinese medication believes that breast cancer patients should pay attention to the following aspects regarding the diet:
　　1. In daily life, patients should avoid the scallion, ginger, garlic, fatty pork, pumpkin and other foods that can break down the body’s internal balance and produce phlegm. On the other hand, kelp, seaweeds, laver, oysters, asparagus, fresh kiwi fruit can reduce phlegm and therefore patients should eat more.
　　2. After surgery, patients usually are very weak, and therefore should eat foods that benefit vital energy and nourish blood, so as to enhance the treatment effect and advance the day of rehabilitation. These foods include Chinese yam powder, sticky rice, spinach, kelp, crucian carp, loach, date, roses, etc.
　　3. When the patient's condition develops to a certain stage, the inner organs are easy to be damaged. Therefore, they should eat some cool-natured foods, which can reduce excessive heat in the body. These foods include loquat fruit, Chinese white pear, lotus root, banana, perilla-seed, olives, etc.


http://www.asiancancer.com/cancer-healthcare/cancer-diet-therapy/1126.html

Loves without borders! -- a donation

Loves without borders!  Today, a donation ceremony was held for a 4 years old Vietnam patient NGUYỄN VĂN ĐA. This is the second donation after July 13^th , the staff of our hospital donated actively. And some passerbies were moved and also gave their kindness. The number of contributions is up to 9500 RMB. For further information we will publish another day.