Alternative Medical School

Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine is offering an online studies for natural medicine and holistic health. They are a member of the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical College. They have been providing outreach programs over the past 16 years and still counting.

Naturopathic medicine focuses on the cause of the illness rather than focusing on the treatments of the disease. This is one of the oldest treatment philosophy based from the hippocratic teaching more than 2000 years old. Naturopathic philosophy favors a holistic approach and minimal use of surgery and drugs. Naturopathy comprises many different treatment modalities of varying degrees of acceptance by the medical community.

Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine is alternative medicine school because naturopathic ideology focuses on naturally-occurring and minimally-invasive methods, trusting to the "healing power of nature."

The level of medical education among naturopaths varies, though no naturopathic training program reaches the same level of training as an MD or DO. The scope of practice varies widely between jurisdictions, and naturopaths in unregulated jurisdictions may use the Naturopathic Doctor designation or other titles regardless of level of education.

They are naturopathic college and provides any up to date medical education. They also provides the best curriculum to their students as well as to their patients.

Strawberries: Sweet and Tasty Treat with Anti-Aging Power

Posted by Neill Abayon

There is strong evidence that strawberries are a heart-protective fruit, an anti-cancer fruit, and an anti-inflammatory fruit all rolled into one.

Cancer Prevention

There have been many published reports on the anticancer effects of strawberries. Strawberries are one of the few sources, along with raspberries and grapes, of ellagic acid, a compound which has been shown to prevent carcinogens from turning healthy cells into cancerous ones. Strawberries also contain a multitude of cancer-fighting compounds, including vitamin C, folate, anthocyanins, quercetin and kaempferol.

Cardiovascular Disease Protection

New research has found that strawberries may offer cardiovascular disease protection. The study found that those who reported eating the most strawberries experienced lower blood levels of C-reactive protein, a blood biomarker that signals the presence of inflammation in the body.

Anti-clotting Effect

Strawberry consumption may protect against blood clot formation. An animal study found strawberries had a powerful anti-clotting effect.

Read the full article here.

Aloe vera proves beneficial for teeth and gums

Posted by Neill Abayon

CHICAGO (July 17, 2009) - The aloe vera plant has a long history of healing power. Its ability to heal burns and cuts and soothe pain has been documented as far back as the 10th century. Legend has it that Cleopatra used aloe vera to keep her skin soft. The modern use of aloe vera was first recognized the 1930s to heal radiation burns. Since then, it has been a common ingredient in ointments that heal sunburn, minor cuts, skin irritation, and many other ailments. Recently, aloe vera has gained some popularity as an active ingredient in tooth gel. Similar to its use on skin, the aloe vera in tooth gels is used to cleanse and soothe teeth and gums, and is as effective as toothpaste to fight cavities, according to the May/June 2009 issue of General Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry's (AGD) clinical, peer-reviewed journal.

Aloe vera tooth gel is intended to perform the same function as toothpaste, which is to eliminate pathogenic oral microflora -- disease-causing bacteria -- in the mouth. The ability of aloe vera tooth gel to successfully perform that function has been a point of contention for some dental professionals. However, research presented in General Dentistry may alleviate that concern. The study compared the germ-fighting ability of an aloe vera tooth gel to two commercially popular toothpastes and revealed that the aloe vera tooth gel was just as effective, and in some cases more effective, than the commercial brands at controlling cavity-causing organisms.

Read the full article here.

Is Bottled Water Really Pure?

Posted by Neill Abayon

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Bottled water makers make millions off people who believe their products are purer than tap water, but consumers do not realize that they are less regulated than plain old tap water, according to a U.S. Congressional report released on Wednesday.

The report from the General Accountability Office also found that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has little power to regulate the safety of bottled water, and even states with the power to regulate it concentrate more on tap water.

The report was just one piece of ammunition unleashed at the bottled water industry at a hearing of the House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.

"Of particular note, FDA does not have the specific statutory authority to require bottlers to use certified laboratories for water quality tests or to report test results, even if violations of the standards are found," the GAO report reads.

Read the full article here.

Elevated insulin link to increased breast cancer risk

Posted by Neill Abayon

Findings on older women based on women's health initiative study

July 9, 2009 - (BRONX, NY) - Elevated insulin levels in the blood appear to raise the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women, according to researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University. Their findings are published in the online version of the International Journal of Cancer.

Increased breast cancer risk for postmenopausal women has previously been linked to obesity and diabetes. Both conditions involve insulin resistance, which causes increases in circulating levels of insulin. Since insulin is known to promote cell division and enhance breast tumor growth in animal models, the Einstein scientists reasoned that relatively high insulin levels may contribute to breast cancer risk in women.

"Up to now, only a few studies have directly investigated whether insulin levels are associated with breast cancer risk, and those studies have yielded conflicting results," says Geoffrey Kabat, Ph.D., senior epidemiologist in the department of epidemiology and population health at Einstein and the lead author of the paper. "Those other studies were based on just a single baseline measurement of insulin, while our study involved analyzing repeated measurements of insulin taken over several years — which provides a more accurate picture of the possible association between insulin levels and breast cancer risk."

An earlier study linking insulin levels with breast cancer risk was carried out by Einstein researchers and was published in the January 7, 2009 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Read the full article here.

Obesity health risk cause 'found'

Posted by Neill Abayon

Scientists believe they may have uncovered a key reason why obese people have a raised risk of health complications such as type 2 diabetes.

They blame a specific protein - pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) - which is secreted by fat cells.

The Australian and US research on mice suggests blocking some of PEDF's action may reverse some complications - raising hopes of new drug treatments.

The study appears in the journal Cell Metabolism.

Because PEDF is produced by fat cells people who are overweight have higher levels of the protein in the bloodstream.

The latest research shows that the protein sends a signal to other tissues in the body, triggering development of insulin resistance - a condition that often leads to type 2 diabetes - in the muscle and liver.

Raised PEDF levels were also linked to a release of fats into the bloodstream, raising the risk of complications such as heart disease.

Read the full article here.

Can Cocoa Bean Mulch Be Lethal for Your Pets?

Posted by Neill Abayon

Cocoa bean shell products, a by-product of chocolate production, are increasingly used as mulch for landscaping. Cocoa bean shell products have an attractive odor and smell, and some dogs will eagerly eat large amounts of the cocoa shell bean mulch.

In response to increasing reports of dogs eating cocoa bean mulch, a retrospective case study was conducted to further define this unique phenomenon. Sixteen cases of cocoa mulch ingestion by dogs were managed between January 2002 and April 2003.

Of these, six cases were selected for analysis because the final outcome was known, there was evidence/obseration of ingestion, and the managing veterinarian assessed the causality relationship as medium or higher.

They concluded that dogs consuming cocoa bean mulch might develop methylxanthine toxicosis. Clinical signs shown in the case studies included vomiting and muscle tremors, but life-threatening signs were not reported. Pet owners should avoid use of cocoa bean mulch in landscaping and around unsupervised dogs.

Read the full article here.

Overuse of energy drinks worries health pros

Posted by Neill Abayon

NEW YORK — Health experts are sounding the alarm over the possible effects on young athletes of popular energy drinks such as Red Bull, the leading brand in a growing market.

High school and college athletes are increasingly consuming large quantities of these caffeine-loaded drinks to boost athletic performance or lose weight, said a dozen health experts at the SUNY Youth Sports Institute's first national symposium on energy drinks here this week.

But athletes who consume too many energy drinks could suffer from dehydration, tremors, heat stroke and heart attacks, the experts warned. Instead, they say, teen and adolescent athletes should drink water while training and playing — especially during hot and humid summer months.

Some experts called for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration — which treats energy drinks as dietary supplements — to require warning labels on the hundreds of energy drinks now on the market.

FDA spokeswoman Susan Cruzan said Wednesday the agency does not have the authority to do that.

Read the full article here.

Just How Bad Are 'America's Unhealthiest Meals'?

Posted by Neill Abayon

The Center for Science in the Public Interest recently listed some of the unhealthiest dishes from popular chain restaurants. Two ABC news reporters decided to put the meals to the test.

Before they ate, researchers took blood samples from them and gauged the health of their arteries with an ultrasound. They then ate a three-course meal of deep fried macaroni and cheese, a quesadilla burger, and a mega-sized deep dish sundae -- 6,190 calories and 187 grams of saturated fat.

Both felt tired and sluggish after eating, and one got a severe headache. After two hours, a second blood sample showed significant differences. While the pre-meal blood sample was relatively clear, the post-meal sample was extremely cloudy -- you could literally see the fat.

If eaten regularly, these types of unhealthy meals can lead to heart attacks and a variety of other health problems.

Melon Extract Fights Obesity

Posted by Neill Abayon

Daily consumption of an antioxidant-rich melon extract may prevent obesity, according to a study with hamsters fed a high fat diet.

Consumption of the extract in combination with a high-fat diet resulted in 29 percent lower body weight compared to animals fed only the high-fat diet.

The melon extract is a rich source of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD). Sometimes called 'the enzyme of life', it is the first antioxidant mobilized by your cells for defense. It is thought to be more powerful than antioxidant vitamins, as it activates your body's production of its own antioxidants, including catalase and glutathione peroxidase.

Gold Coins Gain

Precious gold coins are offered online and it is available in different kinds. You can buy gold in different designs from different country. If you buy gold bullion, it comes from different designs of world gold coins, American, Australian, Austrian, Chinese and many more.

They have the gold IRA transfer that places your gold into prices that can monitor the current price of gold worldwide. Prices of gold fluctuates all the time and this is due to some economic changes like high oil, gas prices, inflation and to worst extend war.

It is no wonder why as of today there are many people buy gold coins, it is because the prices are fluctuating and many of them benefit from this because they sell and trade their gold every time it has a higher price.

You can visit the site anytime if you want to order your own gold.You can choose a wide variety of gold coins, its appearance and its purity.

Lack of sleep 'hits women harder'

Posted by Neill Abayon

Lack of sleep raises a woman's risk of heart disease more than it does for a man, research suggests.

Sleeping less than the recommended eight hours a night has been linked to a raised risk of heart problems.

Researchers found levels of inflammatory markers - indicators of heart disease - vary significantly with sleep duration in women, but not men.

The study, by University College London and the University of Warwick, appears in the journal Sleep.

Previous research has suggested people who sleep less than five hours a night have an increased risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, compared to those who get the full eight hours.

The latest study found levels of a molecule called interleukin-6 (IL-6), which is known to trigger inflammation, were much lower in women who reported sleeping eight hours, compared to those who slept for seven hours.

Levels of another molecule, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) - which is linked to heart problems - were significantly higher in women who reported sleeping for five hours or less.

Read the full article here.

Walnuts can cut cholesterol, say Harvard researchers

Posted by Neill Abayon

A meta-analysis of walnuts by Harvard scientists has found diets rich in walnuts can significantly reduce cholesterol levels, supporting growing evidence to suggest these popular nuts can improve healthy blood lipid ratios.

In their investigation of thirteen studies, the researchers demonstrated that walnut-rich consumption decreased total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol during short term trials.

However the scientists suggested that "larger and longer-term trials" are needed to observe the effects of eating walnuts, rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, on cardiovascular risk and weight management.

Their analysis joins a blossoming body of science that has linked nut consumption – including almonds and macadamias – to improvements in markers of cardiovascular health.

Coronary heart disease places a significant financial burden on all European states, and in the UK alone costs the health system more than €5bn per year. Governments, scientists and the food industry itself continue to invest time and money in pinpointing potential dietary solutions that could boost cardiovascular health.

Read the full article here.

Seeking Natural Remedies for Hot Flashes

Posted by Neill Abayon

By CAMILLE SWEENEY

AFTER six years on a prescription estrogen patch that alleviated her hot flashes, but did nothing to address her midlife 25-pound weight gain, Martha B. started searching for a natural alternative to treat her menopausal symptoms.

“When I couldn’t button my size 12 jeans, I just told myself ‘Enough’s enough,’ ” said the 57-year-old teacher who lives in Atlanta and requested that her full name not be used.

She turned to an over-the-counter supplement called Estroven, with ingredients that include black cohosh and phytoestrogens — botanical compounds found in soy and other plants that have been shown to have estrogenlike effects in humans.

Without changing her eating habits, Martha said she lost 20 pounds. But after four months off the patch, the hot flashes came back. Now, she said, she is wondering, “What do I do next?”

According to experts, about 70 percent of women experience hot flashes, weight gain, loss of libido and other symptoms as they transition from their fertile to postfertile years and their hormone levels fluctuate sharply. It’s a process that lasts an average of seven years.

Read the full article here.

Daily sex helps to reduce sperm DNA damage and improve fertility

Posted by Neill Abayon

Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Daily sex (or ejaculating daily) for seven days improves men's sperm quality by reducing the amount of DNA damage, according to an Australian study presented today (Tuesday) to the 25th annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in Amsterdam.

Until now there has been no evidence-based consensus amongst fertility specialists as to whether or not men should refrain from sex for a few days before attempting to conceive with their partner, either spontaneously or via assisted reproduction.

Dr David Greening, an obstetrician and gynaecologist with sub specialist training in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at Sydney IVF, Wollongong, Australia, said: "All that we knew was that intercourse on the day of ovulation offered the highest chance of pregnancy, but we did not know what was the best advice for the period leading up to ovulation or egg retrieval for IVF.

"I thought that frequent ejaculation might be a physiological mechanism to improve sperm DNA damage, while maintaining semen levels within the normal, fertile range."

Read the full article here.

12 Food Additives to Remove From Your Diet

Posted by Neill Abayon

Many food additives have been studied and linked to various diseases. Becoming informed about the additives in everyday food items can make for an easier shopping experience and healthier food for everyone.

Here’s a list of some of the most medically questionable and harmful additives in everyday foods:

• Sodium nitrite
• BHA & BHT
• Propyl gallate
• Monosodium glutamate
• Trans fats
• Aspartame
• Acesulfame-K
• Food colorings (Blue, Red, Green, Yellow)
• Olestra
• Potassium bromate
• White sugar
• Sodium chloride (salt)

Since some of these may not be familiar to you, sodium nitrite is a preservative added most commonly bacon, ham, hot dogs, sandwich meats, and smoked fish. BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) are other preservatives added to foods like cereal, gum, potato chips, and vegetable oils. Propyl gallate is found in meats, chicken soup base, and gum. All of these preservatives have been linked to cancer.

Read the full article here.

Cyclists 'risk infertility'

Posted by Neill Abayon

Professional cyclists should consider freezing their sperm before embarking on their careers, say researchers.

They found sperm quality drops dramatically with rigorous training.

The Spanish study of top triathletes found those who cover more than 186 miles (300km) a week on their bikes have less than 4% normal looking sperm.

At such levels, men would have "significant fertility problems", the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology heard.

However, a UK expert said the average man cycling to work would be unlikely to suffer fertility problems because of their time in the saddle.

Study leader Professor Diana Vaamonde, from University of Cordoba Medical School in Spain said other studies had shown very high levels of exercise affected fertility in both men and women.

Read the full article here.

Green tea 'slows prostate cancer'

Posted by Neill Abayon

A chemical found in green tea appears to slow the progression of prostate cancer, a study has suggested.

Green tea has been linked to a positive effect on a wide range of conditions, including heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer's disease.

The research, in the US journal Cancer Prevention Research, found a significant fall in certain markers which indicate cancer development.

A UK charity said the tea might help men manage low-risk tumours.

Although previous studies have shown benefits from drinking green tea - including some positive findings in relation to prostate cancer, there have been mixed results.

In this study, Philadelphia-based researchers tested a compound called Polyphenon E.

They were looking for a number of biomarkers - molecules - including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) which are indicators of developing cancer.

Read the full article here.