Can Milk Thistle Prevent Liver Cancer?

Toxic substances surround us every day, in our food, water, medications, and especially the air we breathe. These toxins are extremely detrimental to the health of your liver, and your choice of liver support supplements can drastically affect this very important organ. Milk thistle has long been known for its liver supportive and protective qualities, and is the number one herbal supplement prescribed for most liver ailments. It has proven in various clinical studies to have a profound effect on the progression of fibrosis, and has been quite effective in slowing the rate of advancement of liver damage.

Most people are aware of the stages of liver disease: inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver failure. If not treated in the early stages, liver cancer (Hepatocellular carcinoma, or HCC) can develop. Milk thistle has been proven to help protect liver cells against further damage from harmful toxins, which speed up the progression of the above stages of liver disease. Supplementing with milk thistle in the early stages can keep the disease from quickly advancing towards liver cancer. In addition to keeping liver cells healthy, milk thistle can also help this vital organ regenerate new liver cells, in an effort to prevent any additional scar tissue from developing.

Milk thistle, or silymarin, is made up of three main components - and silybin is the most beneficial to the liver. This highly concentrated part of milk thistle has the most therapeutic effects on the liver. Research shows that not only is milk thistle anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory, but it has potent antioxidants and can block toxins from invading the liver.

Because it is an herbal supplement, the FDA has not approved milk thistle as a treatment for any condition or disease, including liver cancer. However, the clinical research offers hope that milk thistle's proven ability to help fight liver disease makes it a viable liver cancer preventive method. Anyone with advancing liver disease can benefit from this therapeutic supplement that has no known contraindications or interactions.

Vitamins For a Healthy Liver

A number of vitamins are said to have benefits for maintaining a healthy liver including Milk Thistle, Globe Artichoke, Dandelion Root and Liquorice Root. Many of these vitamin supplements come from the same family and have been used for centuries to improve the overall function of the liver and to protect the liver's cells.

Milk thistle is traditionally used as a detoxifying agent. It's said to have protective effects on the liver and improve its function. It is typically used to treat cirrhosis of the liver, hepatitis and gallbladder disorders and is said to function well as a 'hangover cure'. Recommended dosage of Milk Thistle is 500mg per day.

Globe Artichoke is said to protect the liver and stimulates the growth of new liver cells. It is often used in cases of liver damage and disease and comes from the same family as Milk Thistle. A daily dosage of 6000mg is recommended.

Dandelion root assists in the overall function of the liver. It stimulates the production of bile by the liver which is used by the body to break down dietary fats. The recommended daily dosage of Dandelion root is 1000mg.

Liquorice Root is often used to prevent liver toxicity at a dosage of 600mg per day.

Whilst all of these nutrients and vitamins are said to have benefits for the liver, you should not under any circumstances substitute qualified medical advice with information found in this article. The author does not give or purport to give any medical or healthcare advice and is not qualified to do so.

Your Guide To Clear Heart Arteries

Are you trying to achieve clear heart arteries and blood vessels? There are many supplements out on the market available to help you live a more heart-healthy life. In the fast paced world of today it can be hard to maintain a strict heart smart diet, so here are some supplements that can keep your heart healthy and strong.

COQ10, an abbreviation for coenzyme Q10, is a compound that can be found naturally produced in the human body. As a co-enzyme, it aids other enzymes functioning. It is needed by every cell in the body to produce energy to digest our food, heal our wounds, and keep our muscles healthy. COQ10 is found in high concentrations in the heart, so it’s best to keep your COQ10 levels high. It has an ability to strengthen the heart muscle and help prevent heart disease and heart attacks. Many patients in hospitals with congestive heart failure’s health markedly improved once they began a COQ10 regimen.

It is also an anti-oxidant, helping your body fight off the harmful effects of free radicals on your cell walls.

Policosanol is another supplement that can help you maintain heart health. A natural, waxy extract from sugar cane, policosanol helps to lower cholesterol while preventing the formation of lesions in arterial walls and the possibility of heart failure. It is also an anti-coagulant, causing it to be useful for blood thinning.

Omega 3 fatty acids: Found in such supplements as fish oil, omega 3 fatty acids are needed by the body for clear mental function and heart health. The American Heart Association even recommends people eat fish purely to get what they need of this valuable nutrient. It has been shown to help prevent coronary heart disease.

These are just a few of the many supplements out there you can get to help maintain a clear heart arteries and blood vessels. Hopefully one will work for you!

Tips For Keeping Your Heart Healthy And Happy

Heart disease may be one of the leading causes of death for women as well as men, but that does not mean it cannot be prevented. You may not have control over hereditary factors that cause heart disease but there are other heart-healthy steps you could take.

Don’t smoke

If you smoke, give it up. If you don’t smoke, don’t start now. Tobacco contains over 4,800 chemicals, some of which cause damage to you r blood vessels and heart, which ultimately leads to atherosclerosis or narrowing of the arteries. It also increases your blood pressure and heart rate, which ultimately increases the chances of getting heart disease. The good news is you risk of heart disease decreases dramatically as soon as you quit smoking.

Maintain a healthy weight

The excess weight that you put on can cause diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, all of which ultimately increase your chances of getting heart disease. If you are overweight, every little weight you lose is good for your heart.

Eat Healthy

A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, certain types of fish, legumes, low-fat dairy products and whole grains is good for the heart. Reduce the amount of fat you consume, especially tans fat and saturated fat. They raise the level of cholesterol in the blood, which leads to an increased risk of heart disease. Eating healthy is not about dieting. It’s about making the right choices in the foods you eat. Drink alcohol in moderation- the recommended limit for men is two drinks a day and for women it is one drink a day.

Get regular check-ups

High cholesterol and high blood pressure can cause damage to your heart. Adults should get a blood-pressure check-up done at least once in two years and a cholesterol check once in five years. This way steps can be taken before the condition gets out of control. Children need to go for these screenings too, especially if there is a family history of heart disease.

Prevent Heart Disease

Fact: Heart disease is the number one cause of death for men and women in the United States. Fact: the risk of suffering from heart disease can be dramatically reduced through healthy habits, diet and exercise. It is a real eye opener to realize that many people are victims of heart disease and that most of this heart disease is preventable with proactive measures.

Step 1 in preventing heart disease is to eat a healthy diet. Eliminating trans and saturated fats is critical to maintaining a healthy cholesterol level. Trans and saturated fats are responsible for increasing overall cholesterol in particular raising levels of LDL cholesterol or bad cholesterol. Making the switch to mono and polyunsaturated fats can actually lower overall cholesterol and raise levels of HDL, or good cholesterol. This can be done very easily by cutting out butter and solid fats and replacing them with vegetable, seed and olive oils.

Step 2 for heart disease prevention is to quit smoking and using tobacco products. This is especially true if you are a women and taking birth control pills. Smoking causes the arties to narrow which in turn puts more stress on the heart. There is good news for smokers though, as soon as a person stops smoking, the body is able to begin to recover almost immediately. While the effects of smoking for years cannot all be undone, the body has a remarkable ability to overcome the abuse that it was put through.

Step 3 incorporate physical activity into daily routines. Getting and staying physically active builds a strong and healthy heart. A strong and healthy heart can pump blood more efficiently through arteries. Less stress on the heart equals a happy and healthy heart.

Step 4 Watch your weight. While we cannot all look like a super model, being a healthy weight is necessary for the best life possible. Some weight loss tips for people who are overweight are to start exercising. Some online diet sources recommend hoodia gordonii for appetite suppression and weight loss. Weight can also be affected by sleep. Not getting enough sleep can cause stress on the heart. Some natural sleep aids can ensure a good nights rest which will help curb unhealthy cravings.

Step 5 Get regular exams. Finally staying on top of heart disease requires regular exams. Prevention is the best medicine, and staying ahead of the game is the best way to beat heart disease.

Warning Signs Of A Heart Attack

The most important thing for humans to survive is a healthy heart, and if your heart is unhealthy, then your life is always at risk. Its really unfortunate that most of the Americans are unaware of the signs and symptoms of a heart attack. And Hispanics are one step ahead of the Americans, as they have the least knowledge about this thing.

Also the latest researches show that the Hispanic adults are much ignorant of the warning signs of heart attack as compared to the whites or African-Americans. Only 14.3 % of Hispanics are aware of the signs and the actions to be taken at the moment, whereas 16.2 % of Blacks are aware and 30 % of Whites know about it.

One thing that we all should know is to call 911 in such an emergency or seek a medical assistance immediately. But all this is possible only when you come to know about the warning signs. So, here they are:

To live a longer and healthier life, you need to know all that makes your heart healthy, what makes your heart weak, heart attack symptoms and how to prevent it.

So, here we are going to discuss about what are the signs of a heart attack:

1. Pain and discomfort in the jaw, neck or back

2. Feeling weak, lightheaded or sometimes, faint

3. Pain or discomfort in the chest

4. Discomfort or pain in the arms or shoulder

5. Shortness of breath

So, these are the main warning signs of heart attack that everyone of us should be aware of in such a busy and stressful life. Only then, we can make some efforts to prevent it as soon as possible.

5 Healthy Heart Tips

Heart disease is on the rise throughout the Western World. In fact, heart diseases are one of the top killers in today's society. What makes this statistic so awful is that you can do many things which will greatly reduce the chances of you ever having a heart condition.

Here are 5 tips for a healthy heart

1. Stop smoking -- most people associate smoking with lung cancer, but it also does grave damage to your heart. If you want to avoid heart diseases, stop smoking today.

2. Reduce stress -- stress just eats away at the body. It causes palpitation, arrhythmia, and other heart disturbances. In extreme cases it can even bring about a heart attack. Do whatever it takes to reduce the stress in your life.

3. Start exercising -- It's essential to exercise. It gets the blood flowing, reduces heart rate and bad cholesterol, opens up your blood vessels and gets your entire body to work better. You don't have to spend hours at the gym, 3 times a week will do.

4. Cut down on alcohol -- Drinking alcohol raises the presence of unhealthy fat in the blood stream. It can also make you overweight. You don't have to stop drinking entirely, but don't overdo it.

5. Reduce body fat percentage -- Too much fat means that your blood vessels are constricted. This means that your heart needs to work harder in order to pump blood throughout your body. You need to keep your weight down, especially your abdominal fat. Watch your diet and exercise, that should do it.