hedyotis-corymbosaExtracts pearl grass (Hedyotis corymbosa) can inhibit cancer cell growth. Besides able to prevent cancer cell division, this plant can be to treat inflammation and acne.

The discovery was based on research from Febriansah Rifki, Nature Materials Pharmacy Students Faculty of Pharmacy Gadjah Mada University (UGM) Yogyakarta on campus, Bulaksumur, Yogyakarta, Thursday (27/8/2009). Rifki had just won the Young Researcher selection of finalists Indonesia (PPPI) field of Natural Science and Environment organized by LIPI.

“Apart from a few plants that have been developed to treat cancer, pearl grass based research results can also be for a cure for cancer,” said Rifki.

According to him, which is currently used to treat the pearl grass among cancer treatment from China. Was in Indonesia is still rarely used for treatment of primarily as an anti-cancer agents.

“We were inspired to use grass as a cure for cancer pearls after seeing a number of ways in Chinese medicine for cancer and tumors also use it,” he said.

For traditional medicine such as inflammation, pearl grass enough water is boiled and then drunk. When to treat acne, crushed pearl grass then applied to the existing face acne. Read the rest of this entry »

drugs-cancerDespite its benefits over the risks, treatment of inflammatory disease has the potential to improve the content of the risk of stomach cancer associated with infection. Thus the French scientists revealed.

Drugs “thiopurine” or drugs “immunosupressive” that prevents the immune system normally used to treat inflammatory bowels disease, the researchers said. Unfortunately this drug can increase the risk of cancer associated with the virus.

Drugs “immunosupressive” involves actions that reduce the activity or efficacy of the immune system.

Beaugerie Laurent and colleagues at Saint Antoine Hospital in Paris, studied more than 19,000 patients with inflammatory bowels disease. As many as 30 percent of patients using “thiopurines”, 14 percent have stopped using it and 56 percent had never used it.

Having followed the development of all the patients for nearly three years, the researchers found 23 new cases of cancer. One patient attacked “Hodgin’s lumphoma” and 22 more “non-Hodgin lymphoma.

Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a type of lymphoma, cancer that stemmed from white blood cells called “lymphocytes”. Read the rest of this entry »

Pull Away, worsen cancer

Cancer September 1st, 2009

social-cancerSocial isolation by cancer patients can lead to faster disease worse, and even cause death. Laboratory studies on mice proved this.

In the study, mice with cancer and is separated from its mother experienced exacerbations of disease and larger tumor gland. According to experts this is because it was isolated rat under stress.

The results, published in the journal Cancer Prevention Research underscored that the social environment which is known by the patient, in this family, can suppress the development of disease biology, and shows better results.

Stress hormones according to experts could directly result in changes in gene activity that affect the growth of tumor cells.

The influence of psychological factors on the course of the disease has long been of great concern among researchers. Various studies also indicate stress and depression associated with the incidence of cancer.

Being around familiar surroundings with cancer patients will benefit patients. For example, patients feel comfortable, closer to family, and reduce anxiety. Thus, any complaint against the disease could be reduced.

Cancer Prevention Diet

Cancer August 27th, 2009

cancer-dietCancer is always regarded as the most frightening diseases. Perhaps because the main cause is still debated. The experts expressed, lifestyle, including diet, is one of the causes of cancer. So, what kind of diet that can help us dodging from cancer? Nutritionist in the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) Karen Collins, MS, RD, CDN, answering our questions about the anti-cancer food.

Are preservatives, nitrates, chemicals and other additives cause cancer?

You know, we often hear stories that connect the various additives, chemicals, and dyes with cancer risk. This could have happened. But basically, the evidence was not shown the truth of the relationship. In fact, some of the antioxidant preservative, which can keep us.

I think people are too much with these theories when they are better focused on ways to reduce their risk of cancer with weight loss, exercise, and healthy diet.

Why are fruits, vegetables, and plant foods seem to protect us from cancer?

Food bernabati possibilities offered protection in several ways. They provide thousands of phytochemicals, natural plant ingredients. Many antioxidants that can maintain and repair DNA. Some antioxidants appear to attack the cancer cells, controlling the growth and spread. Vitamins and minerals in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and nuts also help to produce and repair DNA and control cell growth.

Some foods have a direct effect on some types of cancer. Like, plant foods contain fiber, which seems to reduce the risk of colon cancer. The indirect benefits of eating low-fat foods. Calories tend to be less, so we can add the food without getting a lot of calories.

Is organic food the best prevention against cancer?

Eating organic food is a good choice, but it’s not necessary it is recommended to reduce the risk of cancer. You can find studies that show higher organic food nutrition and protection of phytochemicals, but others said no. Although those concerned with pesticide residues, not all plants contain non-organic pesticides. Less than 1% of content is in the amount above the tolerance level.

If you choose organic, it was good. However, organic fruit and vegetables a greater expense. So eat less fruits and vegetables that you can only buy organic, it’s not a good idea. People should not put them at risk if they eat foods that are grown conventionally.

How does physical activity affect cancer risk?

Physical activity has a vital role in reducing cancer risk. Directly exercise can reduce insulin levels, inflammasi, and reproductive hormone levels. Indirectly, the move can help achieve and maintain ideal weight, as well as preventing obesity that occurs in adults when they get older.

American Institute for Cancer Research recommends physical activity is, at least 30 minutes a day. If you can afford, you need to reach 60 minutes per day or 30 minutes with more severe activity. This not only protects us from cancer, but also maintain weight.

Is meat or similar food contributed to the risk of cancer?

There are quite convincing relationship between red meat and colon cancer, and possibly other cancers as well. Not just fat, although choosing lean meat for nutrition, this is not enough to reduce the risk of cancer. However, you do not have to give up. Ate 1.8 kg of red meat per week is safe.

Eating meat that has been processed, such as marinated, injected, diasapkan, or plus preserved a greater risk of colon cancer. So, should be limited.

In addition you must be careful with the sodium. More than 2400 milligrams a day will increase the risk of stomach cancer. Alcohol also increases the risk of some cancers. Women should not drink more than one drink a day and men no more than two.

night-cancerTypically at night is the time to rest and sleep. However, few workers who do not work turn (shift) it works at night. Various studies mention the night shift workers vulnerable to various diseases, one of them is cancer.

According to a consultant oncologist from Mayo Clinic, Dr.Timoty Moynihan, MD, the link between night work with cancer may be related to changes in circadian rhythm (the rhythm of life based on the pattern of 24 hours) and decreased levels of melatonin in the blood.

We slept a lot of hormones that work, including the hormone melatonin and growth hormone that plays a role in cell rejuvenation. Also during sleep-cell levels of natural killer cells in the blood is very high.

“Yet there has been no study that can prove a direct link with the work of cancer at night,” said Moynihan.

Therefore, Moynihan suggested that night shift workers to run a healthy lifestyle to prevent cancer, for example by not smoking, maintaining ideal weight, exercise, avoid alcohol, and eating healthy food variety.

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