One of the causes of cancer is abnormal genes. Cancer causing genes are called oncogenes and genes that prevent cancer are called tumor suppressor genes. Cancers can occur when the normal genes are not functioning normally. Genes, as you know, are the blueprints to the body. They tell a cell what it will be and what it will do. We could not function if the process did not run well. There is a system in place that is designed to keep good genes running and suppress bad genes. This process is called epigenetics.
Epigenetic changes are modifications to the genome that are heritable during cell division but do not involve a change in DNA sequence. Expression of genes is not regulated by the DNA sequence, which is the same in every cell, but by epigenetic marking and packaging. This process regulates chromatin structure through DNA methylation, histone variants, post-translational modifications, nucleosome positioning factors or chromatin loop and domain organization.
How can this cause cancer? Well, if a tumor suppressor gene is abnormally turned off, or an oncogene is turned on, then cancer (carcinogenesis) can occur. One key is a chemical change to the DNA called methylation. First, we need to define the process to make it clearer.
DNA contains four bases: adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymidine, but there is a fifth base methylated cytosine. DNA methyl-transferase (DNMT) produces methyl-cytosine where cytosines precede guanine (CpG). The CpG areas are not symmetric but clustered in CpG islands located at promoter regions. The promoter region is the region at the beginning of a gene and it controls the start of gene transcription. If the promoter is off, then the gene never is expressed.
Abnormal methylation in cancer has been known for 20 years. Hypo-methylated areas turn on normally silent areas such as virally inserted genes or inactive X-linked genes. Hyper-methylated areas silence tumor suppresser genes.
We know that cancers have abnormal levels of methylation and we know foods can help prevent cancers. Is there a link between foods and epigenetics? Yes!
The study of food nutrients and their effect on disease through epigenetics is known as nutrigenomics. This is a growing field, in fact, it is exploding. A Google search for the term nutrigenomics produces 127,000 entries.
Epidemiologic studies suggest there are bad foods and good foods. BAD: red meat, processed meat, grilled meat, dairy, animal fat, partially hydrogenated fats. Good: Fish, fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, omega-3 fatty acids, whole grains.
You can study the epigenetic effects of bad or good foods. I'm going to talk about some of the cancer preventing foods and how their mechanisms include epigenetic effects.
Foods with epigenetic effects include green tea, cruciferous vegetables, and grapes. Usually we hear about antioxidants and foods. Antioxidants are important but there are beneficial substances in foods called polyphenols which can affect genes. Of the polyphenols, different forms exist but flavonoids are the most highly cited for health benefits and are found in a variety of vegetables and fruits. Types of flavonoids include flavanols in tea, isothiocyanate in cruciferous vegetables, anthocyanidins in grapes and berries, flavonone in citrus fruits, flavonols in onions, isoflavones (genistein) in soy.
All tea contains polyphenols, but the highest levels are in green and white tea. Green tea has been well studied and appears to have anti-cancer benefits. In China, green tea drinkers are 50% less likely to develop gastric or esophageal cancer (Carcin 2002; 23 (9): 1497), and 2 cups daily added to topical tea extract reversed oral leukoplakia (J. Nutri Biochem 2001; 12 (7): 404).
Green tea has powerful antioxidant effects but it also helps to balance normal methylation in DNA. In fact, one study in esophageal cancer cells demonstrated that EGCG from green tea is able to turn on tumor suppressor genes that had been chemically silenced by methylation (Cancer Research 2003;63:7563).
Cruciferous vegetables include broccoli, cauliflower, kale, Bok choi and their anti-cancer effects have been demonstrated in epidemiologic studies. These powerful vegetables not only induce enzymes that break down carcinogens but they also inhibit DNA methylation allowing tumor suppressor genes to thrive. Inhibiting abnormal methylation also helps cruciferous vegetables to inhibit the cancer causing action of tobacco smoke by preventing the formation of nitrosamine-DNA adducts.
Grapes, which contain reserveratrol, are excellent for heart health and they have anti-cancer activity. Grapes work by preventing the formation or initiation and promotion of cancers. They don't have methylating actions as discussed above but they work by modulation histones.
Histones are the chief protein component of the DNA chain (chromatin). They act as spools for the DNA to wind around which then shortens the length of the DNA to 30,000 times shorter than an unwrapped strand. This process not only allows the long DNA chain to fit into a cell but also plays a role in gene expression because how the genes are wound affects which are exposed and available for turning on or off. Rolling the spool a different way would expose other genes and change their expression.
Histones are modified after translation by acetylation, methylation, phosphorylation, ubiquitination. The changes occur at lysine residues (except for phosphorylation of serine or threonine). When the histone is acetylated the charge is changed and the histone loosens its grip on the DNA strand and the DNA unwinds, exposing the genes to be transcribed, or repaired.
When histone tails (H3,H4) are acetylated, genes are transcribed, when they are deacetylated, genes are turned off. Histone deacetylases work to maintain deacetylated sites.
Resveratrol, found in grapes, activates Sirtuins; SirT1 (Sir2 proteins). There are at least 7 Sir2-like proteins and they are histone deacetylators. Sirtuins are induced in animals during starvation states. They seem to have a life preservation effect. Interestingly, when an animal is starved, it can live longer. When the calorie intake of rodents was decreased by 40% in rodents, they actually lived 50% longer and appear to have fewer chronic diseases. The same benefit occurs when rodents when they are given resveratrol in their diet.
Resveratrol deacetylates histones causing tighter packing of the chromatin and a lower level of transcription of DNA. This silencing of the DNA is thought to be the mechanism of life prolongation, heart health, and its beneficial actions to prevent cancers. This is why grapes or red wine is beneficial to your health. How much red wine should you drink? No one knows for sure, but any beneficial effects might be negated after two glasses a day because of the alcohol. I wouldn't advise drinking more than this until more is known. The data is very promising, but more research is needed.
Our knowledge of disease expanded in the genomic era due to the human genome project but the study of genes is not enough. Epigenetics is a very important and complicated concept that helps explain how genes are turned on or off. As more studies are completed we will be able to unlock the mechanisms to diseases and produce new therapies that could turn off bad genes and turn on good genes. More importantly, these studies will demonstrate how foods affect your genes and can prevent or reverse diseases or cancers. Nutrigenomics, the study of how food chemicals (nutrients) affect genes, is a growing field and promises to change the way we look at and eat our meals. Some of the most beneficial foods include green tea, cruciferous vegetables and grapes, but don't stop there. The more fruits and vegetables the better when it comes to your health.
Robert Avery MD, is a practicing oncologist in the St. Louis area. He has a keen interest not only in cancer care and therapy but also nutrition and how is helps prevent cancer. He is owner of Citrine Sun, an online company dedicated to helping cancer patients through every stage of their illness through education and natural supplements. An interesting newsletter and information about helpful supplements are available at his website, http://www.citrinesun.com Contact Dr. Avery through his email, AskDrAvery@citrinesun.com
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
What Does Radiation Therapy For Localized Prostate Cancer Involve?
One common form of treatment today for localized prostate cancer is radiation therapy which uses high energy x-rays to kill cancer cells. These x-rays can either be delivered using an external radiation beam or by implanting radiation 'seeds' into the prostate gland.
External beam radiation therapy treatments are normally given on a daily basis 5 days a week (Monday to Friday) for anything up to about 6 or 7 weeks and each treatment, which is painless, lasts for just a few minutes. (Such treatments are also commonly given to patients whose cancer is no longer localized to the prostate gland but has spread into the pelvis and can also be used to relieve pain and reduce tumors in cases of advanced prostate cancer.)
In cases where tumors are large it is also common to give hormone treatment alongside radiation therapy in order to block the action of the male hormones which feed the growth of prostate cancer tumors. Such hormonal treatments are often continued for many months, or even years.
External beam radiation targets not only the prostate gland but also the seminal vesicles, to which prostate cancer can readily spread. In previous forms of this treatment it was also common to irradiate the pelvic lymph nodes but today this is only done in a minority of cases where evidence suggests that this is necessary.
There are generally few immediate side-effects to external beam radiation other than fatigue and possibly diarrhea when radiation is applied to the rectum, but both of these soon pass once treatment is completed.
Longer-term affects include impotence which affects about 40% to 50% of patients. This figure is however declining with the introduction of computer technology which now allows treatment to be tailored precisely to the anatomy of the patient with far more precise targeting than has previously been possible.
Turning to internal radiation therapy, this is a procedure in which dozens of tiny seeds are implanted directly into the prostate gland to deliver a high dose of radiation directly into the affected tissue.
Ultrasound is used to guide very thin needles from the perineum into the prostate gland to deposit the tiny seeds of palladium and iodine in a pattern which has previously been mapped using a very sophisticated computer program. The procedure, which usually takes about an hour, is carried out under local anesthetic and the patient is normally allowed home the same day. One alternative approach is to use more powerful temporary seed implants which are introduced over several days and possibly to combine this with low dose external radiation therapy. This procedure does however require hospitalization.
Internal radiation therapy carries few side-effects and normally leads to impotence in less that 15% of patients under the age of 70. It is not however suitable for everybody, especially men with large tumors or those who have undergone a transurethral resection of the prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia.
ProstateProblemCenter.com provides information on a wide range of prostate problems and also provides advice on many topics including the therapeutic use of prostate milking for BPH sufferers
External beam radiation therapy treatments are normally given on a daily basis 5 days a week (Monday to Friday) for anything up to about 6 or 7 weeks and each treatment, which is painless, lasts for just a few minutes. (Such treatments are also commonly given to patients whose cancer is no longer localized to the prostate gland but has spread into the pelvis and can also be used to relieve pain and reduce tumors in cases of advanced prostate cancer.)
In cases where tumors are large it is also common to give hormone treatment alongside radiation therapy in order to block the action of the male hormones which feed the growth of prostate cancer tumors. Such hormonal treatments are often continued for many months, or even years.
External beam radiation targets not only the prostate gland but also the seminal vesicles, to which prostate cancer can readily spread. In previous forms of this treatment it was also common to irradiate the pelvic lymph nodes but today this is only done in a minority of cases where evidence suggests that this is necessary.
There are generally few immediate side-effects to external beam radiation other than fatigue and possibly diarrhea when radiation is applied to the rectum, but both of these soon pass once treatment is completed.
Longer-term affects include impotence which affects about 40% to 50% of patients. This figure is however declining with the introduction of computer technology which now allows treatment to be tailored precisely to the anatomy of the patient with far more precise targeting than has previously been possible.
Turning to internal radiation therapy, this is a procedure in which dozens of tiny seeds are implanted directly into the prostate gland to deliver a high dose of radiation directly into the affected tissue.
Ultrasound is used to guide very thin needles from the perineum into the prostate gland to deposit the tiny seeds of palladium and iodine in a pattern which has previously been mapped using a very sophisticated computer program. The procedure, which usually takes about an hour, is carried out under local anesthetic and the patient is normally allowed home the same day. One alternative approach is to use more powerful temporary seed implants which are introduced over several days and possibly to combine this with low dose external radiation therapy. This procedure does however require hospitalization.
Internal radiation therapy carries few side-effects and normally leads to impotence in less that 15% of patients under the age of 70. It is not however suitable for everybody, especially men with large tumors or those who have undergone a transurethral resection of the prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia.
ProstateProblemCenter.com provides information on a wide range of prostate problems and also provides advice on many topics including the therapeutic use of prostate milking for BPH sufferers
Urinary Tract Infection Alternative Treatment - Are Cranberries the Only UTI Natural Cure?
The urinary tract infection alternative treatment has been one of the most popular natural remedies in the past 10 years. And almost everybody familiar with natural health knows that cranberries are one the more effective remedies for treating this type of infection. But are cranberries the only U.T.I. natural cure that is effective?
No, and there are numerous other remedies that work to keep the urinary tract healthy and to keep Escherichia coli (E coli) flushed. In fact, current research is now pointing at your body having a miraculous internal intelligence that allows itself to heal itself if given the right means.
And the right means for a complete cure could be a healthy diet, acidic food therapy, high fibers, proper vitamins and supplements and exercise. Let me explain!
Are Cranberries the Only Natural Cure for U.T.I.?
If you haven't heard, cranberries are one of the more effective natural cures for urinary tract infections. The reason why cranberries have been so effective is because of a two compounds found in them.
Cranberries help flush your system and acidify your urine to help cure bacteria. Because the liver does not play any role in acid base regulation, the acid from the fruit can make it to the urine and help kill the bacteria. Finally, cranberries also have a compound that does not allow the bacteria to cling to the urinary tract's walls. During this time, the patient is able to flush the E coli pain-free!
However, by knowing other key natural health secrets, you can be sure to completely flush the bacteria and prevent it from every returning.
Here is a quick list of other alternative treatments that have been highly effective for our customers!
3 Effective Urinary Tract Infection Alternative Treatments
Garlic - Pure garlic has been named the 'heavy weight' of all herbal remedies because it has such inherently strong antibacterial properties. Pure garlic juice helps kill the bacteria that causes the infection. We recommend combining 1 teaspoon of olive oil with 1 teaspoon of pure garlic juice. Mix with 1 glass of warm water and drink.
Vitamin C - Most people know the benefits of Vitamin C but still do not supplement it to their nutrition plan. Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, contributes to a strong and healthy immune system which protects the body by killing pathogens that can hurt the body.
Supplement at least 60 mg of vitamin C a day which is recommended by the FDA. However, many doctors recommend 5 times that amount because it has been shown aid in optimal health. It will also aid to killing the bacteria and restore the bladder and urinary tract.
Nutritional Therapy - The best way to prevent the infection from ever coming back is to eat a balanced high fiber diet. In other words, whole grains, fruits and vegetables are critical for your body to work properly and flush what it needs to. Here is a quick list of foods to incorporate into the first 12-24 hour window of a UTI: kale, spinach, potatoes, yams, zucchini, carrots, squash, onions, mineral water, broccoli, mustard greens, beet greens, eggplant, green beans, avocado, grapes, pears, and apples.
What Else Can You Do?
Prevention is always the best medicine! If you prevent the problem with a healthy lifestyle and diet, you will never have to deal with the bacteria again!
For a simple, step by step Urinary Tract Infection Alternative Treatment that works in less than 12 hours, please visit our website today. We offer the only doctor-approved, research-based, 100% guaranteed home remedy on the e-market. We will also equip you with the knowledge of prevention so you never have to worry about an infection problem again!
For a very affordable remedy report sent to your computer in minutes, please visit us today!
Natural! Proven! Guaranteed! With over 22 years of natural health experience, Joe Barton and Barton Publishing offer the only 6 month guarantee for their urinary tract infection alternative treatment. Be cured in 12 hours or it's free!
Urinary Tract Infection Alternative Treatment
No, and there are numerous other remedies that work to keep the urinary tract healthy and to keep Escherichia coli (E coli) flushed. In fact, current research is now pointing at your body having a miraculous internal intelligence that allows itself to heal itself if given the right means.
And the right means for a complete cure could be a healthy diet, acidic food therapy, high fibers, proper vitamins and supplements and exercise. Let me explain!
Are Cranberries the Only Natural Cure for U.T.I.?
If you haven't heard, cranberries are one of the more effective natural cures for urinary tract infections. The reason why cranberries have been so effective is because of a two compounds found in them.
Cranberries help flush your system and acidify your urine to help cure bacteria. Because the liver does not play any role in acid base regulation, the acid from the fruit can make it to the urine and help kill the bacteria. Finally, cranberries also have a compound that does not allow the bacteria to cling to the urinary tract's walls. During this time, the patient is able to flush the E coli pain-free!
However, by knowing other key natural health secrets, you can be sure to completely flush the bacteria and prevent it from every returning.
Here is a quick list of other alternative treatments that have been highly effective for our customers!
3 Effective Urinary Tract Infection Alternative Treatments
Garlic - Pure garlic has been named the 'heavy weight' of all herbal remedies because it has such inherently strong antibacterial properties. Pure garlic juice helps kill the bacteria that causes the infection. We recommend combining 1 teaspoon of olive oil with 1 teaspoon of pure garlic juice. Mix with 1 glass of warm water and drink.
Vitamin C - Most people know the benefits of Vitamin C but still do not supplement it to their nutrition plan. Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, contributes to a strong and healthy immune system which protects the body by killing pathogens that can hurt the body.
Supplement at least 60 mg of vitamin C a day which is recommended by the FDA. However, many doctors recommend 5 times that amount because it has been shown aid in optimal health. It will also aid to killing the bacteria and restore the bladder and urinary tract.
Nutritional Therapy - The best way to prevent the infection from ever coming back is to eat a balanced high fiber diet. In other words, whole grains, fruits and vegetables are critical for your body to work properly and flush what it needs to. Here is a quick list of foods to incorporate into the first 12-24 hour window of a UTI: kale, spinach, potatoes, yams, zucchini, carrots, squash, onions, mineral water, broccoli, mustard greens, beet greens, eggplant, green beans, avocado, grapes, pears, and apples.
What Else Can You Do?
Prevention is always the best medicine! If you prevent the problem with a healthy lifestyle and diet, you will never have to deal with the bacteria again!
For a simple, step by step Urinary Tract Infection Alternative Treatment that works in less than 12 hours, please visit our website today. We offer the only doctor-approved, research-based, 100% guaranteed home remedy on the e-market. We will also equip you with the knowledge of prevention so you never have to worry about an infection problem again!
For a very affordable remedy report sent to your computer in minutes, please visit us today!
Natural! Proven! Guaranteed! With over 22 years of natural health experience, Joe Barton and Barton Publishing offer the only 6 month guarantee for their urinary tract infection alternative treatment. Be cured in 12 hours or it's free!
Urinary Tract Infection Alternative Treatment
Impotence Alternative Treatment - Blast Circulation Downstairs and Cure Your Erectile Dysfunction
As a natural health expert on male issues, I get a lot of e-mails asking, "What is the most effective impotence alternative treatment?" And I always respond with any remedy or treatment that boosts the blood circulation throughout the body. And that is why E.D. pill companies are making billions of dollars; they have found a way to synthetically allow more circulation downstairs.
But you don't have to take an E.D. pill to cure your erectile dysfunction! In fact, I would highly recommend you never take any of the popular pills because of their horrible side effects. Some of their smaller side effects include: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, headaches, flushing and more. Some of the very severe side effects include: permanent blindness, permanent deafness and even death.
Only in extreme cases should an E.D. pill, like Viagra, be your treatment.
Why Alternative Treatments Pump Up Circulation?
If you are suffering from male impotence, you have a circulation problem. And eventually it could cost you your life if you are not careful! This problem is a warning of a bigger issue!
Picture This! You are driving down the road and your 'Check Engine" light comes on! The problem is not your "Check Engine" light; your problem is that something is wrong underneath your hood!
In the same way, your problem is not your erectile dysfunction! Your problem is that you have a circulation problem that could be fatal if you don't do anything about it! And a natural treatment uses simple remedies to clean out your arteries, make your heart more efficient and boost your blood circulation levels by 15%!
And all this can happen with simple secrets that restore your body and allow you to achieve near-perfect health!
Here are some simple tips to combat poor circulation!
Tips to Cure Erectile Dysfunction
We recommend attacking this male issue from a mental, physical, nutritional, and lifestyle approach. Here are some tips to find a cure from each angle.
Mental - The mind over matter! We believe that your mind has a lot to do with the problem as well as circulation problem. Try to find a way to de-stress yourself like relaxing for 10 minutes each day with no noise! Another good idea would be to try aromatherapy! Trying jasmine or lavender as a scent has shown to be effective. Many aroma therapists have stated that jasmine and lavender act on the brain as a natural drug and increase blood flow.
Physical - Exercise at least 20 minutes a day to get your circulation flowing. Exercise can expel plaque from arteries and clean out the arteries. It has been shown that you can boost your circulation by 20% alone. Try to avoid bike riding and try to go for more than 20 minutes continuously for a natural-high. Drink plenty of water during your work-out for its flushing ability.
Nutritional - "You should keep your arteries to the genitals open, and a good way to do this is with a low fat, low cholesterol diet," says Dr. Michael A. Klaper, M.D. of Institute of Nutrition Education and Research. Your diet should center on high fibers of fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes and low-fat fare.
Lifestyle - You need to decide if curing impotence and being healthy is a 2 week decision or a lifestyle. Helpful tips to cure impotence are not smoking (reduce plaque), reducing caffeine, eating less throughout the day, taking the correct vitamins and herbal supplements, and breathing techniques. There are numerous remedies that work in hours!
Before You Take Your Next E.D. Pill
If you are serious about your health and feeling and looking young, please take a moment to check out our website. We offer the only 6-month, 100% guaranteed Erectile Dysfunction Remedy Report that is proven to teach you how to feel like a 20 year old again!
Our team of researchers and natural health doctor guarantee that you will love this report and be impotent-free in days! To have our report sent to your computer in minutes, check us out today!
Proven! Effective! Natural! With 22 years of natural health experience, Joe Barton offers a 100% guaranteed Impotence Alternative Treatment. Cure yourself at home and feel like a 20 year old again with these remedies that cure and prevent erectile dysfunctions.
But you don't have to take an E.D. pill to cure your erectile dysfunction! In fact, I would highly recommend you never take any of the popular pills because of their horrible side effects. Some of their smaller side effects include: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, headaches, flushing and more. Some of the very severe side effects include: permanent blindness, permanent deafness and even death.
Only in extreme cases should an E.D. pill, like Viagra, be your treatment.
Why Alternative Treatments Pump Up Circulation?
If you are suffering from male impotence, you have a circulation problem. And eventually it could cost you your life if you are not careful! This problem is a warning of a bigger issue!
Picture This! You are driving down the road and your 'Check Engine" light comes on! The problem is not your "Check Engine" light; your problem is that something is wrong underneath your hood!
In the same way, your problem is not your erectile dysfunction! Your problem is that you have a circulation problem that could be fatal if you don't do anything about it! And a natural treatment uses simple remedies to clean out your arteries, make your heart more efficient and boost your blood circulation levels by 15%!
And all this can happen with simple secrets that restore your body and allow you to achieve near-perfect health!
Here are some simple tips to combat poor circulation!
Tips to Cure Erectile Dysfunction
We recommend attacking this male issue from a mental, physical, nutritional, and lifestyle approach. Here are some tips to find a cure from each angle.
Mental - The mind over matter! We believe that your mind has a lot to do with the problem as well as circulation problem. Try to find a way to de-stress yourself like relaxing for 10 minutes each day with no noise! Another good idea would be to try aromatherapy! Trying jasmine or lavender as a scent has shown to be effective. Many aroma therapists have stated that jasmine and lavender act on the brain as a natural drug and increase blood flow.
Physical - Exercise at least 20 minutes a day to get your circulation flowing. Exercise can expel plaque from arteries and clean out the arteries. It has been shown that you can boost your circulation by 20% alone. Try to avoid bike riding and try to go for more than 20 minutes continuously for a natural-high. Drink plenty of water during your work-out for its flushing ability.
Nutritional - "You should keep your arteries to the genitals open, and a good way to do this is with a low fat, low cholesterol diet," says Dr. Michael A. Klaper, M.D. of Institute of Nutrition Education and Research. Your diet should center on high fibers of fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes and low-fat fare.
Lifestyle - You need to decide if curing impotence and being healthy is a 2 week decision or a lifestyle. Helpful tips to cure impotence are not smoking (reduce plaque), reducing caffeine, eating less throughout the day, taking the correct vitamins and herbal supplements, and breathing techniques. There are numerous remedies that work in hours!
Before You Take Your Next E.D. Pill
If you are serious about your health and feeling and looking young, please take a moment to check out our website. We offer the only 6-month, 100% guaranteed Erectile Dysfunction Remedy Report that is proven to teach you how to feel like a 20 year old again!
Our team of researchers and natural health doctor guarantee that you will love this report and be impotent-free in days! To have our report sent to your computer in minutes, check us out today!
Proven! Effective! Natural! With 22 years of natural health experience, Joe Barton offers a 100% guaranteed Impotence Alternative Treatment. Cure yourself at home and feel like a 20 year old again with these remedies that cure and prevent erectile dysfunctions.
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