Sunday, December 25, 2011
Friday, December 23, 2011
Melanie Bowen - Disease and Healthy Diet Connection
Disease and Healthy Diet Connection
Learning that you have a chronic or terminal illness is devastating in every sense. Cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes are amongst the top forms of chronic illness that can have terminal outcomes on life expectancy. From the moment your physician explains the diagnosis, course of the disease, prognosis and treatment options a flurry of confusion can overwhelm your mind. It can seem like a completely unmanageable position, but in all the aspects of chronic or terminal illness that you cannot control, there are factors in your life that you can such as your dietary habits.
Research has come a long way in linking a healthy diet to reducingng the risk of complications in a range of chronic illnesses. Good dietary habits not only prolong life, from chronic illness like heart disease, which is the primary cause of illness related death, but also benefit health in even rare forms of cancer like mesothelioma. In fact, the most notorious culprit leading to chronic diseases or accelerating the course of an existing illness is obesity, which is directly linked to dietary habits.
The benefits of a healthy diet abound and it is because the foods contained in a well-rounded diet actually have protective substances that fight disease. For instance, the cruciferous vegetables, which includes broccoli, kale, onions, cabbage and cauliflower, contain specific compounds called isothiocyanates. The compounds counteract the toxic effects of cancer causing carcinogens that attack the cells in your body.
A 2009 study published in "Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention" found that study participants eating a healthy diet containing cruciferous vegetables had a lowered cancer risk, although ongoing research is warranted to find the exact relationship. But when it comes to improving your health, even the slightest chance that eating your veggies can make a difference is motivation enough to add them to your daily meal plans.
Another preliminary study from 2011, published in "Cancer Causes and Control" tested the effects of daily dietary fiber from grains on reducing the risk of cancers of the head and neck. The study found that a relationship exists, particularly for women. Whole grains are also well known for reducing the risk of heart disease related to high-cholesterol levels. Wheat bread, bran cereal and oatmeal are amongst the many whole grain foods you can add to your daily meals for protecting your health while also providing a nutritious source of energy.
Adopting healthier eating habits takes a little bit of know-how and a lot of action on your part. Keep it simple by choosing fresh vegetables and fruits over frozen, canned or packaged varieties. Fresh offers you the most body protective nutrients without the additives like excess sodium or sugar. Replace white grains with whole grains to boost your fiber intake, which is crucial for colon and digestive health. Opt for lower-fat versions of dairy and choose leaner varieties of meat like skinless poultry or fish instead of fatty red meat and cured meats. Eat at home more than out so you know what you are getting and remember to fuel your body regularly, with several small meals instead of large over-portioned meals.
Research has come a long way in linking a healthy diet to reducingng the risk of complications in a range of chronic illnesses. Good dietary habits not only prolong life, from chronic illness like heart disease, which is the primary cause of illness related death, but also benefit health in even rare forms of cancer like mesothelioma. In fact, the most notorious culprit leading to chronic diseases or accelerating the course of an existing illness is obesity, which is directly linked to dietary habits.
The benefits of a healthy diet abound and it is because the foods contained in a well-rounded diet actually have protective substances that fight disease. For instance, the cruciferous vegetables, which includes broccoli, kale, onions, cabbage and cauliflower, contain specific compounds called isothiocyanates. The compounds counteract the toxic effects of cancer causing carcinogens that attack the cells in your body.
A 2009 study published in "Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention" found that study participants eating a healthy diet containing cruciferous vegetables had a lowered cancer risk, although ongoing research is warranted to find the exact relationship. But when it comes to improving your health, even the slightest chance that eating your veggies can make a difference is motivation enough to add them to your daily meal plans.
Another preliminary study from 2011, published in "Cancer Causes and Control" tested the effects of daily dietary fiber from grains on reducing the risk of cancers of the head and neck. The study found that a relationship exists, particularly for women. Whole grains are also well known for reducing the risk of heart disease related to high-cholesterol levels. Wheat bread, bran cereal and oatmeal are amongst the many whole grain foods you can add to your daily meals for protecting your health while also providing a nutritious source of energy.
Adopting healthier eating habits takes a little bit of know-how and a lot of action on your part. Keep it simple by choosing fresh vegetables and fruits over frozen, canned or packaged varieties. Fresh offers you the most body protective nutrients without the additives like excess sodium or sugar. Replace white grains with whole grains to boost your fiber intake, which is crucial for colon and digestive health. Opt for lower-fat versions of dairy and choose leaner varieties of meat like skinless poultry or fish instead of fatty red meat and cured meats. Eat at home more than out so you know what you are getting and remember to fuel your body regularly, with several small meals instead of large over-portioned meals.
“Melanie Bowen is an awareness advocate for natural health and holistic therapies for cancer patients. You will often find her highlighting the great benefits of different nutritional, emotional, and physical treatments on those with illness in her efforts to increase attentiveness and responsiveness on like topics"
Thank you for contacting me Melanie I enjoyed your article and I am sure others will as well. There are many foods out there for all types of diseases. My mom researched a lot for me before renal failure, during dialysis and now post transplant.
Eat well everyone!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
I want to start this blog off a little different... I started this blog to let go of my thoughts and feelings and what I was personally going through on my journey. My blog is my out for the good times and the bad. I hope there are people that can read my blog and get something out of it. If anyone reading this right now doesn't want to hear the ups and downs don't read it, it's ok I am not offended by no means this is just my only way to let it all out because if I don't start blogging again I am going to hold it all in til I blow and it's not healthy and I don't like being this frustrated and angry.
NOW! For the past couple months things have just been being bottled up with work,pain, mentally draining. First, work and the expectations I expect from myself and I just beat myself up so much when something goes wrong. Health insurance issues how I am screwing it up for everyone when I know it is not my fault that I got sick none of this is my DAMN FAULT! I feel bad that people can't afford to spend the money because our rates are high but hell making me feel like a piece of shit and asking me to find new health insurance away from the group just pisses me off. I understand why they are doing it, to help employees but I am also an employee who is being made to feel like an outcast I know they don't mean to hurt my feeling but they are getting hurt.
Second, the pain I am feeling I don't know where it is coming from but it hurts. The pain is in my back and legs it won't go away and again THE DOCTORS WANT TO BLOW ME OFF. Well guess what that doesn't fricking fly with me not anymore not after what has already happened. I will get to the bottom of it with there help or not I will not give up and tell myself it's in my head...ITS NOT! They tried to give my Ibuprofen...Are they fricking kidding me look where that got me. I don't need another hose in my stomach anytime soon...AGAIN! My health is up to me and I will find out what is going on and I won't quit til I have an answer.
Last but not least my mental state. I have not lost my mind or anything but I am really having a hard time with the past 19 months...Dialysis and transplant. It has all been really hard on me, when I look in the mirror I don't see pretty I see this scared up person who just looks beat up and warn out. My scars make me cry looking at them knowing what I went through and just how hard it was. It has just drained me mentally. I can't clean out my dialysis room yet because a part of me has not excepted my kidney is mine and that it is not going anywhere. My room is like a "safe haven" for me. I am just so angry with everything I have gone through and the anger keeps growing daily since I have been holding it in. I am told not to focus on what I can't control but shit what am I suppose to do when everything that is bothering me I can't control so how do I get past it. I am just starting to always feel anxious yet I am so tired and I just need to take a step back. I did tonight when I was talking to my Dad he told me OUR scares are our metals and I need to be proud of mine and where them with pride. It's going to take time but I will one day take pride in my scares I just need more time. I am a 28 year old girl who's stomach is all scared up I just need time. But I will be there one day soon I know it.
I actually feel a little better but I am now 23 minutes past medication time so I need to go but I will be back good or bad.
THE MOST AMAZING NEWS UPDATE:
December 13th (my birthday) Steve got went into surgery at 6am for his liver transplant. A wonderful person that checked organ donor gave Steve the gift of life. Andre said he is doing great other than being doped up and groggy. That was the most amazing thing I could have heard on my birthday now I can say on my birthday I get to share this day with an amazing fighter who got his life back. I was born on December 13th and Steve got his life back. I am very happy to share this day with him.
NOW! For the past couple months things have just been being bottled up with work,pain, mentally draining. First, work and the expectations I expect from myself and I just beat myself up so much when something goes wrong. Health insurance issues how I am screwing it up for everyone when I know it is not my fault that I got sick none of this is my DAMN FAULT! I feel bad that people can't afford to spend the money because our rates are high but hell making me feel like a piece of shit and asking me to find new health insurance away from the group just pisses me off. I understand why they are doing it, to help employees but I am also an employee who is being made to feel like an outcast I know they don't mean to hurt my feeling but they are getting hurt.
Second, the pain I am feeling I don't know where it is coming from but it hurts. The pain is in my back and legs it won't go away and again THE DOCTORS WANT TO BLOW ME OFF. Well guess what that doesn't fricking fly with me not anymore not after what has already happened. I will get to the bottom of it with there help or not I will not give up and tell myself it's in my head...ITS NOT! They tried to give my Ibuprofen...Are they fricking kidding me look where that got me. I don't need another hose in my stomach anytime soon...AGAIN! My health is up to me and I will find out what is going on and I won't quit til I have an answer.
Last but not least my mental state. I have not lost my mind or anything but I am really having a hard time with the past 19 months...Dialysis and transplant. It has all been really hard on me, when I look in the mirror I don't see pretty I see this scared up person who just looks beat up and warn out. My scars make me cry looking at them knowing what I went through and just how hard it was. It has just drained me mentally. I can't clean out my dialysis room yet because a part of me has not excepted my kidney is mine and that it is not going anywhere. My room is like a "safe haven" for me. I am just so angry with everything I have gone through and the anger keeps growing daily since I have been holding it in. I am told not to focus on what I can't control but shit what am I suppose to do when everything that is bothering me I can't control so how do I get past it. I am just starting to always feel anxious yet I am so tired and I just need to take a step back. I did tonight when I was talking to my Dad he told me OUR scares are our metals and I need to be proud of mine and where them with pride. It's going to take time but I will one day take pride in my scares I just need more time. I am a 28 year old girl who's stomach is all scared up I just need time. But I will be there one day soon I know it.
I actually feel a little better but I am now 23 minutes past medication time so I need to go but I will be back good or bad.
THE MOST AMAZING NEWS UPDATE:
December 13th (my birthday) Steve got went into surgery at 6am for his liver transplant. A wonderful person that checked organ donor gave Steve the gift of life. Andre said he is doing great other than being doped up and groggy. That was the most amazing thing I could have heard on my birthday now I can say on my birthday I get to share this day with an amazing fighter who got his life back. I was born on December 13th and Steve got his life back. I am very happy to share this day with him.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
FABULOUS NEWS X'S 2
First and for most Laura aka Lula has found me! She was my other half when we were kids she lived behind me and well I lived behind here :). She was the best friend I ever had. She still has a place very dear to my heart. We have both been looking for each other and well she found me from Transplant Cafe and then my wonderful blog that I adore. It was great to hear from her and how she has been...She is a mama!! I really missed her and I am very thankful she is back in my life.
Second I received a call from the NKF today asking me to be in a testimonial video today and tell a little about my story and how they have helped me. I was SO NERVOUS I don't do good under pressure so I paused a lot so I hope I did good for them and made them proud. I hope I can help raise awareness. Kidney disease is everywhere and it can attack anyone. I can't wait to see the video when it is done I will post it!!!! It will be played at a fundraiser next Friday!!!!
Night all!!!!
Second I received a call from the NKF today asking me to be in a testimonial video today and tell a little about my story and how they have helped me. I was SO NERVOUS I don't do good under pressure so I paused a lot so I hope I did good for them and made them proud. I hope I can help raise awareness. Kidney disease is everywhere and it can attack anyone. I can't wait to see the video when it is done I will post it!!!! It will be played at a fundraiser next Friday!!!!
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