How is Life Mel produced?

Life Mel Honey is produced by bees fed on a special food mixture which enables them to make a unique form of honey with all the beneficial properties of the therapeutic herbs and natural ingredients. Our honey is specially produced in a controlled environment which guarantees a pollution-free pollination process. Other than collecting the honey from the hive and packing it, the honey is not artificially treated in any way and no ingredients are added after extraction of honey from the hive.

Life Mel is produced from nectar derived from therapeutic herbs such as Siberian Ginseng, Echinacea, Uncaria, combined with a selection of natural ingredients including iron, protein and vitamins.     Click here to learn more.

Posted via email from lifemelusa's posterous

Stock your kitchen to be meal ready

Here's some good advice for healthy eating:

Try to keep your kitchen stocked with recipe basics:

• Fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables.
• Recipe and soup starters such as garlic, onions, carrots, and celery.
• Healthy staples like brown rice, white Basmati rice, whole-wheat pasta, quinoa, and wild rice.
• Whole wheat bread and tortillas for healthy sandwiches and wraps.
• Beans such as lentils, black beans, chickpeas, black-eyed peas, kidney beans, fava beans, and lima beans.
• Frozen corn, peas, and other vegetables to add to recipes or for a quick vegetable side dish.
• Frozen fruit and berries to make smoothies or frozen desserts.
• Dark greens for salads, plus salad add-ins like dried fruit, nuts, beans, and seeds.
• Fresh and dried herbs and spices.
• Healthy fats and oils for cooking, such as olive oil and canola oil. You can also try specialty oils like peanut, sesame, or truffle oil for adding flavor.
• Unsalted nuts for snacking, like almonds, walnuts, cashews, peanuts, and pistachios.
• Vinegars, such as balsamic, red wine, and rice vinegar for salads and veggies.
• Strong cheeses, like aged Parmesan or blue cheese for intense flavor in salads, pasta, and soups.

Click here to learn more.

 

 

Posted via email from lifemelusa's posterous

Cancer diagnosis: 11 tips for coping

Here are a few of the 11 tips to coping with cancer:

 

Get the facts about your cancer diagnosis

Try to obtain as much basic, useful information as possible about your cancer diagnosis. Consider bringing a family member or friend with you to your first few doctor appointments. Write down your questions and concerns beforehand and bring them with you. Consider asking:

• What kind of cancer do I have?
• Where is the cancer?
• Has it spread?
• Can my cancer be treated?
• What is the chance that my cancer can be cured?
• What are my treatment options?
• How will the treatment benefit me?
• What can I expect during treatment?
• What are the side effects of the treatment?
• When should I call the doctor?
• What can I do to prevent my cancer from recurring?
• How likely are my children or other family members to get cancer?

Keep the lines of communication open

Maintain honest, two-way communication with your loved ones, doctors and others after your cancer diagnosis. You may feel particularly isolated if people try to protect you from bad news or if you try to put up a strong front. If you and others express your emotions honestly, you can all gain strength from each other.

Anticipate possible physical changes

Now — after your cancer diagnosis and before you begin treatment — is the best time to plan for changes. Prepare yourself now so that you'll be better able to cope later. Ask your doctor what changes you should anticipate. If drugs cause hair loss, advice from image experts about clothing, makeup, wigs and hairpieces may help you feel more comfortable and attractive. Insurance coverage often helps pay for wigs, prostheses and other adaptive devices. Members of cancer support groups may be particularly helpful in this area and can provide tips that have helped them and others.

Click here to read more.

Posted via email from lifemelusa's posterous

Lifestyle & symptom advice - chemotherapy

Here are some tips about food while under Chemotherapy:

 

 

• Start with small frequent meals and snack then build up to your more normal diet
• Eat slowly and relax afterwards, but avoid lying flat .
• Try not to drink with a meal, but have one 30 minutes before or after.  
• Nausea may become worse when the stomach is empty so try to take regular  snacks.
• If possible, a short walk in the fresh air before eating may help.  
• Fresh air also helps to stimulate your appetite . 
• Avoid wearing tight fitting clothes . 
• Avoid highly spiced or rich or fatty foods if this makes you worse. 
• If the smell of cooking makes you feel nauseous you could try eating cold foods
• Cold food examples include sandwiches, meats, chilled desserts e.g. yoghurts. 
• Let a friend or relative cook if they offer.
• Try to relax and eat slowly in a well ventilated room.
• Your Doctor can provide further anti-sickness (anti-emetic) tablets if your symptoms persist

Click here to view more tips.

 

Posted via email from lifemelusa's posterous

Pumpkin Rice Pudding

Here is a great fall treat which is both healthy and tasty:

Ingredients

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup arborio rice
• 3 cups reduced-fat (2%) milk
• 1 cup solid-pack pure pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
• 3/4 cup honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus more for garnish
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375F.

Bring the water to a boil in an ovenproof 4-quart saucepan. Stir in the rice and cover. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the rice is nearly cooked, about 20 minutes.

In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, pumpkin, honey, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt.

While the rice is still hot, add the pumpkin mixture to the saucepan and stir well to combine. Cover and transfer to the oven. Bake until the liquid has reduced by about a third and the mixture is foamy and bubbling, 45 to 50 minutes. Remove from the oven and stir well to combine all the ingredients. Transfer to a large bowl, then cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours or overnight. The pudding will keep for up to 4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkling of cinnamon.

Serving size: 1/2 cup rice pudding and 1 1/2 tablespoons whipped cream

Per Serving:

Calories 240; Total Fat 6 g (Sat Fat 3.5 g, Mono Fat 1.5 g, Poly Fat 0 g); Protein 4 g; Carb 42 g; Fiber 1 g; Cholesterol 20 mg; Sodium 120 mg

• Excellent source of: Vitamin A
• Good source of: Calcium, Iodine, Phosphorus, Riboflavin, Vitamin D

Click here to view more healthy food.

Posted via email from lifemelusa's posterous

Feel better today. Stay healthy for tomorrow.

Here is a great article for staying healthy:

Here's how: The food and physical activity choices you make every day affect your health—how you feel today, tomorrow, and in the future. The science-based advice of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005 in this booklet highlights how to:

• Make smart choices from every food group.
• Find your balance between food and physical activity.
• Get the most nutrition out of your calories.

You may be eating plenty of food, but not eating the right foods that give your body the nutrients you need to be healthy. You may not be getting enough physical activity to stay fit and burn those extra calories. This booklet is a starting point for finding your way to a healthier you.

Eating right and being physically active aren't just a "diet" or a "program"—they are keys to a healthy lifestyle. With healthful habits, you may reduce your risk of many chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and certain cancers, and increase your chances for a longer life.

Click here to learn more.

Posted via email from lifemelusa's posterous

Exercise and cancer

Here is a tip for keeping healthy while on Chemo:

 

This section describes the reasons why it is so important to exercise regularly both before and after a diagnosis of cancer. It explains the underlying mechanisms of how exercise helps and provides specific tips how to increase the level of exercise in the activities of daily living.

Benefits of exercise  Worldwide published evidence clearly demonstrates that regular exercise helps well-being and cancer in four main ways:-

1. Exercise helps prevent cancer 

In terms of prevention, its has been estimated that being sedentary and overweight could account for 14% of male and 20% of female cancer deaths in the UK.  For bowel cancer, for example, most environmental studies have demonstrated a reduction in the order of 40–50% for those at the highest levels of physical activity, with many demonstrating a dose-response relationship. The Harvard Centre for Cancer Control, for example, estimates that at least 15% of colon cancers could have been prevented by 30 minutes daily exercise. These data suggest that increasing physical activity is one of the major factors that is amenable to modification by individuals wishing to reduce their risks of cancer.

2. Exercise helps to fight established cancer

• Slows the rate of some cancer progresses
• Reduces the risk of cancer coming back and improves cure

 

Click here to view the rest of the tips.

Posted via email from lifemelusa's posterous

How can I relieve stress and relax?

Here is a great article which gives great tips for those who are on Chemo to relax and get less stress:

 

Simple techniques can help you cope with stress and help you relax. Try some of these methods to find the ones that work best for you. You may want to check with your doctor before using any of these, especially if you have lung problems.

Muscle tension and release

• Lie down in a quiet room.
• Take a slow, deep breath.
• As you breathe in, tense a muscle or group of muscles. For example, clench your teeth or stiffen your arms or legs.
• Keep your muscles tense for a second or 2 while holding your breath.
• Then breathe out, release the tension, and let your body relax completely.
• Repeat the process with another muscle or muscle group.

Another way to do this is called progressive relaxation. You work your way up your body starting with the toes of one foot. Contract then relax all the muscles of one leg. Do the same with the other leg. Work your way up your body, contracting then relaxing each of the muscle groups in your body, including those in your neck and face. Remember to hold your breath while briefly contracting your muscles and to breathe out when releasing the tension.

 

Click here to look at more techniques for relaxing.

Posted via email from lifemelusa's posterous

Hair Care Tips After and During Chemotherapy

This article gives tips for your hair care after chemotherapy:

 

In this article, we hope to share with you the many aspects that this important subject has to offer you.

Chemotherapy is a groovy innovation in the behavior of scourge. It has saved the lives of millions of people to meeting. Indeed it is one of the most important checkup inventions of the 20th century.

However, it can be a varied blessing. Along with its planned things, it carries some piece things that the scourge survivor must accept. One of its commonest piece things is hair shortfall.

The shortfall of hair may appear to be trifling in comparison with what chemotherapy cures. Indeed discount life and limb is greatly more crucial than how many hairs you have on your president. But still patients recovering from scourge and chemotherapy requisite to be rehabilitated back to their previous lifestyles as far as viable. Appearance is important for this because it is important to one's nature-figure.

To read more of this article click here.

 

Posted via email from lifemelusa's posterous

Healthy Living: Doctors say chemotherapy symptoms can linger

Here is a great story and some advice about living with chemotherapy symptoms:

 

By: Casey J. Bortnick

Elizabeth Osta completed chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer years ago, but she still experiences side effects, like memory loss. Doctors hope several studies taking place will explain what causes symptoms to linger and what could treat them, but in the meantime, there are simple things patients can do.

Whether it’s reading a book or writing one of her own, Elizabeth Osta has a unique outlook on life, but even years after completing her treatment, Osta is still experiencing side effects.

“I'm somebody who remembered phone numbers and names easily," Osta said. "My chemo nurse was just a gem and I got a book for her and we went out to dinner and I kind of presented it to her. And she looked at me and said ‘you know, you gave me this two weeks ago.’"

Chemotherapy is known to cause temporary problems like memory loss and numbness in the hands and fingers. Doctors like Marcia Krebs at the Pluta Cancer Center say these side effects can persist for months or even years. 

"We'll call it chemo brain,” said Dr. Krebs. "Where they have trouble with their memory, finding words, they can't multi-task like they used to." 

There are currently several studies taking place that Krebs hopes will eventually explain what causes these symptoms to linger and what medications and therapy could best treat them. 

 

Click here to read the rest of the article.

Posted via email from lifemelusa's posterous

Easy Tips for Planning A Healthy Diet and Sticking to It

Here is a great guide to eating healthy and adhering to it:

Healthy eating is not about strict nutrition philosophies, staying unrealistically thin, or depriving yourself of the foods you love. Rather, it’s about feeling great, having more energy, and keeping yourself as healthy as possible– all of which can be achieved by learning some nutrition basics and using them in a way that works for you.

Healthy eating begins with learning how to “eat smart”—it’s not just what you eat, but how you eat. Your food choices can reduce your risk of illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, as well as defend against depression. Additionally, learning the habits of healthy eating can improve your health by boosting your energy, sharpening your memory and stabilizing your mood. Expand your range of healthy food choices and learn how to plan ahead to create and maintain a satisfying, healthy diet.

Healthy eating tip 1: Set yourself up for success

To set yourself up for success, think about planning a healthy diet as a number of small, manageable steps rather than one big drastic change. If you approach the changes gradually and with commitment, you will have a healthy diet sooner than you think.

Simplify. Instead of being overly concerned with counting calories or measuring portion sizes, think of your diet in terms of color, variety and freshness—then it should be easier to make healthy choices. Focus on finding foods you love and easy recipes that incorporate a few fresh ingredients. Gradually, your diet will become healthier and more delicious.

Read the rest of the tips here.

Three Meals Vs. Six Snacks. Which is Better?

You’ve heard it a thousand times: Eating six small meals per day is better than eating three big ones. In the interest of obesity prevention, a wealth of research has aimed to determine whether or not snacking can influence body weight or energy intake better than eating traditional meals can. The widely accepted Booth Hypothesis implies that the growing trend of “grazing,” instead of consuming the traditional three “proper” meals plus beverages and snacks between them, is a major factor in the prevalence of obesity in the U.S. If this hypothesis is true, it must be assumed that extra snacks increase the total number of calories consumed, ultimately causing weight gain (Speechly & Buffenstein 1999).

Research on this issue is “messy.” Some studies have supported one approach; other studies have supported the other. To compare these two eating strategies, a brief review of the nature of hunger and satiety should be considered.

Read the results here.

For more information on how you can boost your immune system visit our website!

www.lifemelusa.com

Walking vs. Running - What's Better?

Perhaps the single biggest health message we hear these days is we should exercise more.

For many people it comes down to a decision between walking and jogging. So which of those two will help you lose the most weight? Which is better for your general health?

The Test:

At the University of Melbourne's department of physiology, Dr Gordon Lynch studies the effect of exercise on our bodies.

"Running and walking are both fantastic exercises and both are going to be great for our health," says Dr Lynch.

But which is better?

Gordon's got a test in mind for Brooke and her student mate Andrew — who admits he's not quite at peak fitness.

"I'm fit for what I do, I suppose, [but] probably not as fit as I should be."

So it's a simple treadmill test. Brooke and Andrew's heart rates will be measured as will their oxygen use and calories burned. Brooke: Just walking, Brooke's heart rate is 79 beats a minute. By the time she's hit a good running pace of about 12km/h, her heart rate has climbed to 159 beats per minute. That's a solid work out.

Andrew: Given Andrew's lower fitness level, he's kept to a solid walk, and his results will be used as a comparison to running. Andrew's walking heart rate is already one hundred and eight — he's struggling.

Andrew: "I'm feeling much more unfit than I did before, after looking at the numbers ... "

Read the Results here.

For more information on how you can boost your immune system visit out website: lifemelusa.com

3 Benefits to Alakaline Water

1.) Alkaline water eliminates acid wastes. By flushing them away, body balance is restored. In other words, they become a formidable line of defense against various ailments. Among the diseases it can fight are indigestion, diabetes, headaches brought by tension, high blood pressure, constipation, obesity and rheumatism.

2.) This is another one of the benefits of alkaline water. Antioxidants are vital to the human body. Apart from anti-disease properties, ionized water also has anti-aging properties. There are also elements in it that help develop cancer resistance.

3.) Another benefit of ionized water is improved hydration. Compared with ordinary water, vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients are relayed to various body organs more rapidly.

Read the rest of the article here.

www.lifemelusa.com

Stock Up On Raw Fruits & Vegetables

The nutritional content that you receive from raw fruits and veggies is unparalleled. Many vitamins, including C, are antioxidants and will protect cells - including those of your immune system - from damage by toxins in the environment. Dark-coloured produce (berries, kale, broccoli) tends to be higher in flavonoids, polyphenols and other antioxidants. The perfect source of minerals is seaweed, which is sold dried, but can often be found raw (dried at low temperatures to maintain most of the enzymes and nutrients) in health food stores.

www.lifemelusa.com

Why Healthy Snacking Is Good for You

You may have noticed that you feel hungry a lot. This is natural — during adolescence, a person's body demands more nutrients to grow. Snacks are a terrific way to satisfy that hunger and get all the vitamins and nutrients your body needs.

But you need to pay attention to what you eat. Stuffing your face with a large order of fries after class may give you a temporary boost, but a snack this high in fat and calories will only slow you down in the long run.

To keep energy levels going — and avoid weight gain — steer clear of foods with lots of simple carbohydrates (sugars) like candy bars or soda. Look for foods that contain complex carbohydrates like whole-grain breads and cereals and combine them with protein-rich snacks such as peanut butter or low-fat yogurt or cheese.

For more simple snacking tips, read here.

For more info on how you can boost your immune system, visit our website!

Chemotherapy and Eating

Though most people don't readily associate the words "chemo" and "food" (chemo can have the same effect as seeing a bunch of ants at a picnic), how someone eats during treatment can make all the difference in immediate and long-term health and well-being—it can even be a matter of survival. Food affects strength, endurance, metabolism, hydration, blood-sugar balance, mood, and our ability to weather emotional storms. Yet many side-effects of chemo—like nausea, mouth sores, and an altered sense of taste—make enjoying eating a challenge. As a chef and nutritionist who has worked with cancer patients on these issues for close to a decade, I've created some guidelines for how to stay well-nourished. I'm also a believer in harnessing the power of yum—food pleasure can and should be found during treatment—it just might not look like you expect.

- By Rebecca Katz

Read the rest of the article here.

Visit our website here.

Three Tips To Increasing Your Daily Water Intake

1.) Start the day with a cup of hot water with a good squeeze of fresh lemon. This will give your digestive system a real boost.

2.) Throughout the day have water constantly available; keep a water bottle on your desk so you can top up your glass throughout the day and carry a bottle of water with you when you are on the go.

3.) Don’t forget to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables as these have a high water content and will contribute to your daily water intake.

For more health tips, and ways to boost your immune system please visit our website!

3 Tips to Eating Healthy

1.) Eat plenty of foods that are rich in calcium. People in their early twenties need to be build up stores of calcium in their bodies to prevent osteoporosis in later life. If you don't like milk, try to include ample amounts of low-fat yogurt, low-fat cheese, and green leafy vegetables in your diet.

2.) If you need to lose weight, do it sensibly. Starvation and/or diets that offer a quick fix usually backfire and are harmful. There is not truth to the theories that suggest eating foods in any particular combination will promote weight loss. The only safe way to lose weight, feel good while doing it, and keep it off is to eat a balanced diet.

3.) Drink lots of water. Your body needs at least eight glasses a day, and if you exercise vigorously, you may need more. To remind yourself, carry a water bottle along to class and keep it handy during late night study sessions.

For more tips, read here.

For more information on how you can naturally boost your immune system, visit our website.

3 Tips to Eating Healthy

Eat a variety of nutrient-rich foods. You need more than 40 different nutrients for good health, and no single food supplies them all. Your daily food selection should include bread and other whole-grain products; fruits; vegetables; dairy products; and meat, poultry, fish and other protein foods. How much you should eat depends on your calorie needs. Use the Food Guide Pyramid and the Nutrition Facts panel on food labels as handy references.

Enjoy plenty of whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Surveys show most Americans don't eat enough of these foods. Do you eat 6-11 servings from the bread, rice, cereal and pasta group, 3 of which should be whole grains? Do you eat 2-4 servings of fruit and 3-5 servings of vegetables? If you don't enjoy some of these at first, give them another chance. Look through cookbooks for tasty ways to prepare unfamiliar foods.

Maintain a healthy weight. The weight that's right for you depends on many factors including your sex, height, age and heredity. Excess body fat increases your chances for high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, some types of cancer and other illnesses. But being too thin can increase your risk for osteoporosis, menstrual irregularities and other health problems. If you're constantly losing and regaining weight, a registered dietitian can help you develop sensible eating habits for successful weight management. Regular exercise is also important to maintaining a healthy weight.

For more tips click here.

To find out what you can do to boost your immune system visit our website!

Physical Activity and the Cancer Patient

In the past, people being treated for a chronic illness (an illness a person may live with for a long time, such as cancer or diabetes) were often told by their doctor to rest and reduce their physical activity. This may still be true if movement causes severe pain, rapid heart rate, or shortness of breath.

Newer research has shown that exercise is not only safe and possible during cancer treatment, but it can improve physical functioning and quality of life. Too much rest may result in loss of function, strength, and range of motion in the person with a chronic illness. As a result, many cancer care teams are now urging their patients to be as physically active as possible during cancer treatment. Regular exercise is an effective way to counteract the negative effects of inactivity in chronic illness.

• Keep or improve your physical abilities
• 
  Better balance, lower risk of falls and broken bones
• 
  Keep muscles from wasting due to inactivity
• 
  Lower risk of heart disease
• 
  Less risk of osteoporosis (weak bones that are more likely to break)
• 
  Better blood flow to legs and lower risk of blood clots
• 
  Less dependence on others to do normal activities of daily living
• 
  Improved self-esteem
• 
  Lower risk of anxiety and depression
• 
  Less nausea
• 
  Better ability to keep social contacts
• 
  Fewer symptoms of fatigue
• 
  Better weight control
• 
  Improved quality of life

We still do not know a lot about the effects of exercise and physical activity on recovering from cancer and on the immune system. But regular moderate exercise has been found to have health benefits for the cancer patient. Moderate exercise is defined as activity that takes as much effort as a brisk walk.

You can read more tips here.

http://lifemelusa.com

Posted via email from lifemelusa's posterous

A Few Tips to Cope With Chemo

Everyone’s experience during chemotherapy is different, so WebMD offers a variety of nutrition and food tips to help you deal with unpleasant side effects.

Coping With Side Effects of Chemo

• Keep Food Tasty. Chemo can do a number on your taste buds, making certain foods and drinks taste metallic or unpleasant. Water and meat are the two most common items that become distasteful during chemo, says Cara Anselmo, clinical dietitian at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. If it becomes difficult to drink plain water, try drinking flavored mineral water or add sliced lemon to tap water. If certain meats become difficult to enjoy, try other sources of protein such as eggs, low-fat dairy, beans, and fish.
• Fight Constipation. While some people experience diarrhea with chemo, others deal with constipation. Keeping hydrated is important to help prevent constipation. Including all types of fiber in your diet also can be helpful. If you aren’t accustomed to large amounts of fiber, make sure to increase your fiber slowly. Getting some exercise -- even just a 20-minute walk -- can be a powerful intestinal stimulant.
• Manage Weight Gain. Some cancer patients tend to gain weight during treatment, says Jennifer Koorenny, MS, RD, oncology dietitian for Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. She suggests low-fat meals, snacks, and lots of vegetables.
• Improve Your Appetite. Many people undergoing chemo find that their appetites suffer. Since carbohydrates are usually digested well, Erika Connor, RD, clinical dietitian for the Stanford Cancer Center, recommends trying snacks such as hot cereals, toast with peanut butter or other nut butter, or pita bread with hummus. Other foods to consider include yogurt and blended soups.
• Ease Diarrhea. If you are experiencing diarrhea, avoid greasy and fried foods, caffeine, sugary drinks and fruit juices, salad greens, raw produce, and sugar alcohols. Foods that are generally well-tolerated include oatmeal, most fruits without skin, sweet potatoes, and squash.
• Keep a Food and Symptom Diary. Write down what you eat and drink, and record any symptoms you experience daily.  This will help you and your health care team identify what you are eating that may be causing nausea, constipation, or diarrhea. This way, medications and other dietary suggestions can be tried before problems escalate.

Read more tips here. http://www.webmd.com/ovarian-cancer/features/15-nutrition-tips-chemo?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Posted via email from lifemelusa's posterous

Chemotherapy Cycles and Schedules

Chemotherapy Cycles

Chemo is typically given in cycles, with rest periods between the cycles. A cycle can last 1 or more days. A cycle is typically given every 1, 2, 3, or 4 weeks. A typical course may consist of multiple cycles.

Receiving some chemotherapy drugs may take a relatively short period of time, while others may take hours. It all depends on the treatment regimen that your doctor prescribes.

If your chemo is given through an IV, your doctor may suggest an implanted vascular access device (VAD), such as an implanted catheter or port. VADs are surgically placed in a large vein near the heart and can stay in place for long periods of time. A VAD eliminates the need to have smaller catheters repeatedly placed in arm veins.

For the rest of the article, visit Chemotherapy.com

For more information, visit our Website.

Will I Lose My Hair with the Chemotherapy?

Many chemotherapy agents cause hair loss otherwise known as alopecia. Chemotherapy affects the growth of rapidly reproducing cells. The cells that make hair are rapidly reproducing hence, they are affected. Some chemotherapies will cause all the hair to fall out (Taxol, Adriamycin). Some will cause the hair to thin.

Hair loss usually starts to occur within one to three weeks after the initiation of treatment. You will need to discuss the affect your chemotherapy will have on your hair with your MD. Since chemotherapy is such a strong agent, there is little you can do to avoid hair loss altogether. Years ago, ice caps (giant ice wraps around your head), and tourniquets around the scalp were popular. They were not very effective mostly due to the discomfort of wearing them throughout the treatment. Also, it was dangerous for those persons who were at risk of developing scalp or skin metestases. Chemotherapy medications act on fast growing cells for a period longer than most people can wear an ice cap or tourniquet.

You can slow the rate of hair loss by being gentle with your hair. Wash only as needed, do not pull on hair or use rubberbands. Use gentle soaps. Avoid heat generating hair appliances such as blow dryers and hot rollers. Do not color or perm hair during this time. If you are interested in wearing a wig, consider trying them on before you lose your hair. It's nice to match color, style and thickness. Hair loss is one of the most distressing side effects of chemotherapy. It is an outward reminder of what you are going through.

Remember, your hair loss is temporary. Your hair will grow back after treatment is ended. You will notice hair growth usually within a month after your last treatment. Your hair may come back a different shade or texture. Remember too, your hair acts as an insulation to your head. You may notice you feel much colder after you have lost your hair. Hats and scarves can provide the extra insulation you need to keep your head warm.

Get more information here.

For more information on what LifeMel Honey can do to help boost your immune system visit the website here.

Will chemo be my only treatment for cancer?

Sometimes chemo is the only treatment you need. More often, chemo is used along with surgery or radiation therapy or with both. Here's why:

* Chemo may be used to shrink a tumor before surgery or radiation therapy.

* It may be used after surgery or radiation therapy to help kill any remaining cancer cells.

* It may be used with other treatments if your cancer comes back.

Read the rest of the article here.

Visit the website here.

How Does Chemotherapy Work?

Chemotherapy is designed to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be administered through a vein, injected into a body cavity, or delivered orally in the form of a pill, depending on which drug is used.

Chemotherapy works by destroying cancer cells; unfortunately, it cannot tell the difference between a cancer cell and some healthy cells. So chemotherapy eliminates not only the fast-growing cancer cells but also other fast-growing cells in your body, including, hair and blood cells.

Some cancer cells grow slowly while others grow rapidly. As a result, different types of chemotherapy drugs target the growth patterns of specific types of cancer cells. Each drug has a different way of working and is effective at a specific time in the life cycle of the cell it targets. Your doctor will determine the chemotherapy drug that is right for you.

Read the rest of the article here.

To learn how you can help boost your immune system, visit our website.

Mouth Care During Chemotherapy

You may have a sore mouth after chemotherapy or radiotherapy and it is important that you maintain good oral hygiene. 

Some tips to prevent mouth problems include:

Clean teeth thoroughly but gently after each meal and before going to bed. If the gums are delicate it is better to use a soft toothbrush (baby/infant).

Brand name antibacterial mouthwashes such as Corsodyl may be used but are quite strong and may damage the fragile lining of your mouth whilst on treatment. Check with nursing staff for further advice. 

Saline mouthwashes are recommended if tolerable; 5 mls salt: 500 mls tepid water; 1 tsp. salt: one pint tepid water.

Read the rest of the article here.

Visit the website here.

What causes side effects in Chemo?

Cancer cells tend to grow fast, and chemo drugs kill fast-growing cells. But because these drugs travel throughout the body, they can affect normal, healthy cells that are fast-growing, too. Damage to healthy tissue causes side effects. Although side effects are not always as bad as you might expect, many people worry about this part of their cancer treatment.

The normal cells most likely to be damaged by chemo are blood-forming cells in the bone marrow; hair follicles; and cells in the mouth, digestive tract, and reproductive system. Some chemo drugs can damage cells in the heart, kidneys, bladder, lungs, and nervous system. In some cases, medicines can be given with the chemo to protect the body's normal cells.

Read the rest of the article here.

Visit the website here.

How to Handle Appetite Changes During Chemotherapy

Set meal times and routines.

- Set times to eat a little, even if you're not hungry.

- Eat 5 or 6 small meals each day, instead of 3 big meals.

- Keep up your interest in food by trying new foods. Eat with family or friends.

- If food tastes like metal, eat with plastic forks or spoons. Use a glass pot for cooking.

Be active.

- Being active may help you feel more hungry.

- Take a short walk each day.

Drink liquids.

- Try milkshakes or soup. These foods are easy to swallow.

- Getting enough liquids is important, but don't fill up on liquids right before you eat or during meals.

Read the rest of the article here.

Visit the website to see how else you can help boost your immune system while undergoing chemotherapy.

What is Anemia?

Anemia is when your body doesn't have enough red blood cells. Having anemia can make you feel very tired or weak.

Try these tips when you feel tired or weak:

Save your energy.

Choose the most important things to do each day.

Ask for help.

When family or friends offer to help, let them. They can take you to the doctor, buy groceries, or make meals.

Balance rest with activity.

Take short naps during the day. Short naps of less than 1 hour are best. Too much bed rest can make you feel weak.

Sleep at least 8 hours every night.

You may feel better if you take short walks or exercise a little every day.

Eat and drink well.

Talk with your doctor or nurse to learn what foods and drinks are best for you.

You may need to eat high-protein foods. Meat, peanut butter, and eggs are good choices.

You may need to eat foods with iron. Red meat, leafy greens (such as collard greens and spinach), and cooked dried beans are good choices.

Most people need to drink at least 8 cups of liquid every day. Water and juice with extra water added are good choices.

To learn more visit the website.

To read the rest of the article, go here.

What Benefits the Immune System?

What benefits the immune system should be an important consideration. Many people are concerned about what damages the immune system, but those things that are beneficial are sometimes overlooked. Vitamins, minerals, plant components and herbs to boost the immune system are all available. You just need to know which ones to look for.

The immune system is a very complicated collection of cells, organs and pathways. Specialized white blood cells learn what belongs in the body and what does not. These cells communicate with other cells that destroy those things that do not belong and they are carried out of the body. What benefits the immune system are those things which allow the white blood cells, lymph nodes and even the skin to function properly. In this article, we focus on a few herbs to boost immune system strength. This is by no means a complete list and the essential vitamins, minerals and trace nutrients important for proper nutrition are not listed here.

Of the known herbs to boost immune system strength, the most commonly used appears to be Echinacea. It is however difficult to learn how many people use products, such as these, since they are sold over the counter. A recent study in Canada concluded that of the people surveyed who used health and dietary supplements, more people used herbs to boost immune system strength and specifically Echinacea than all the other dietary and health supplements combined.

Echinacea was the most commonly used medicinal plants by Native Americans of the North American plains. It was used to relieve symptoms and hasten recover from everything from the common cold to influenza and infections of all types. It has often been recommended as what benefits the immune system because of this fact. Echinacea is a common plant that grows in many areas of the world. And while Echinacea supplements may be 100% natural, they may not be 100% safe. Recent evidence suggests that continued use for extended periods of time (more than 90 days) can be toxic to the liver. It should therefore be avoided by anyone who takes prescription or over the counter medications that are known to be toxic to the liver. And extended use should be avoided. This could be a problem for those who are looking for what benefits the immune system, because studies indicate that full effectiveness as a preventative is only achieved after using for three months consecutively. Echinacea may be a better choice for occasional use, as a treatment or to speed recovery time from colds and viruses, as this was its historical use.

To find out how we can help you boost your immune system naturally, visit the website here.

Read the rest of the article here.

What can you do if you have taste change after chemotherapy?

If you have a lack of appetite because you have lost your sense of taste from chemo treatment, you may want to try adding different seasonings to your foods.

If you have a bad taste in your mouth, try sucking on hard candies/mints or chewing gum. Also, keep your mouth clean by brushing at least two times per day and rinsing your mouth out with water between meals/snacks.

Visit the website to see what else you can do to keep your immune system high during chemotherapy.

Read the rest of the article here.

What is Infection?

Infection is defined as the process by which germs enter a susceptible site in the body and multiply, resulting in disease.  Infection is a common problem in persons with cancer.  Persons with cancer are at increased risk of infection as a result of:

- The underlying disease, for example leukemia or lymphoma effects the body's normal defense against infection.

- Side effects of treatment that interfere with the body's normal defense against infection.

Visit the website to see how we can help boost your immune system.

What Are Low Blood Counts?

Many of the chemotherapy drugs temporarily stop cells from dividing, especially the cells that divide quickly. Blood cells; red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets are made by the bone marrow. These blood cells divide quickly. Chemotherapy may lead to low blood counts, causing the possibility of a variety of symptoms. The symptoms depend on the type of low blood cell count.

Find out how we can help you prevent low blood counts while undergoing your treatment here.

The Side Effects Of Chemotherapy Drugs

Although hair loss is one of the side effects of chemotherapy that most of us know about, we may not know that alopecia is only temporary. Usually it is not a long term effect and it stops once the treatment is over. After a while, hair will start growing back but its texture and color may be a bit different from what you were used to having before.

True, there are many side effects of chemotherapy and researchers have been doing their best to find ways of preventing them from happening or at least reducing them. In the case of hair loss, prevention is achieved by putting on a cold cap meant to cool the scalp and reduce blood circulation in the area. As a result, the blood will not carry the drug to the hair follicles and this means that one’s hair will be protected from the damage of the drug.

All in all, the side effects of chemotherapy drugs are an obstacle and doctors are still trying to reduce their number. Even if one solution to preventing side effects from appearing is available, the same solution may not work for another drug that leads to the same problem. The same goes for hair loss; the cold cap may have the wanted effect of doing away with alopecia only in the case of certain drugs, but it may not work with some other ones.


www.lifemelusa.com

Why Should a Person Who is Going Through Cancer Treatment Try to Exercise?

If you talk to patients, they have endless reasons for why they exercise and how it makes them feel better. More and more, health-care professionals recognize exercise as a very important part of the cancer care plan.

It helps people stay with treatment, feel better about life. It gives them feelings of control and hope. You’re going to be more able to interact with your family and friends better and do the things that are meaningful for you. One of the big things seen is that it radically reduces fatigue both during and after treatment.

To learn more, visit our website.

Chemotherapy

"Chemotherapy" has been used for more that fifty years, but many changes have occurred in the types of drugs used, dosage, and frequency. Chemotherapy is sometimes recommended prior to surgery to shrink the tumor to make it more feasible for the surgeon to remove the entire tumor during surgery.

There are more than fifty different chemotherapy drugs and the drugs are used in different proportions and combinations based on the specific cancer diagnostic information. In general, chemotherapy drugs affects the DNA of the cells by interfering with cell duplication. These drugs affect both the cancerous and the healthy cell DNA. The healthy cells that are particularly susceptible to chemotherapeutic drugs are those which multiply quickly, like the skin (including body, facial, and head hair), gastrointestinal tract, and bone marrow.

LifeMel Honey is here for the support of patients suffering from the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Let us know how we can help you boost your immune system.


http://www.lifemelusa.com/html/life_mel_chemo_support.html


http://natamcancer.org/page136.html

Is it a Good Idea to Exercise While Undergoing Chemo?

By Chris Freytag, Fitness expert Chris Freytag is the author of Shortcuts to Big Weight Loss and Move to Lose.


Q: "Is it a good idea to exercise while I'm undergoing chemo?"

A: I've received several emails from readers asking me about whether exercise can help with the physical and emotional healing process of recovering from cancer. So I did some research. I have a friend who has been an oncologist for 40 years, as well as several clients and friends who are cancer survivors.

The cancer survivors I spoke with reported that walking was their best form of exercise and therapy. They also said that being surrounded by other people, in a health club or class, helped them to feel strong and alive. Exercising alone can be tough at a time like this, when you need support.

All of them said the first few days after a treatment are very tough but that exercise really helped in the weeks between treatments. Of course, the drugs in your chemotherapy regimen will vary depending on the cancer you're fighting. Steroids may cause some weight gain or osteoporosis. Hormone therapies can also cause weight gain. So I advise gentle exercise for anyone who feels strong enough. However if you're suffering from excessive joint pain or fatigue, then gentle yoga or light stretching may be better for your situation.

And as expected, the advice about consulting your doctor before beginning any new exercise program goes double for those who are in recovery from cancer.

One of my clients who is a proud survivor said she couldn't have made it without the help of a support group. Check out the cancer support groups in your area or online, such as Prevention.com's. People in these groups can offer advice, support, feedback and information. Their support and creative healing ideas can help you get moving and help you work through your fatigue.


To find out how Life Mel can help with chemotherapy, visit our website.

Read the rest of the article here.

Customer Testimonials

Steven Raynor, from England, reported that while on chemotherapy and taking LifeMel Chemo Support Honey “my blood levels stayed up”. Now that he’s off chemotherapy he feels great and travels back and forth from Florida to England. Also, since he’s no longer on chemotherapy, he’s excited to start using LifeMel Immune, the post chemo treatment honey which strengthens the immune system. Happy to share his experience, he passes on the benefits he’s received from LifeMel Honey.

Lea writes, “I felt it was my duty to write down what I have already told you in our conversations, and say ‘stay strong!’, and I hope that this product will help many more people when they come to need it. When beginning the treatments, I started taking a tablespoon of Life-Mel once a day, for a total of 10 days to two-weeks. Although the blood-count was somewhat low immediately after the treatment (in the first week), it would rapidly rise and, throughout the 6 months of treatments, the blood-count was never lower than 400 WBC (i.e. within the range of normal values); at some point, the oncologist even told me: ‘you are responding as if you had taken water.’ It also helped me recover from the weakness I felt right after each chemotherapy treatment - it was simply amazing! Since then, I would always highly recommend the product each time I had the possibility of helping other women. It gave me what I needed at the right time.”

David Heller contributes by saying, “I’ve used the product for a year now and I plan on continuing using it. I definitely feel good and so there’s no reason why I should stop.”

Ester shares, “Having been recommended the honey by friends who are ill with cancer and have been using Life-Mel and, in doing so, have spared themselves the very severe side-effects, I decided to try out this product. I experienced very positive effects when using Life-Mel, for example: before taking the special honey, my white blood-cells had dropped to 2-4 and, after taking LifeMel for 5 days, my white blood cells went up to 6.6! I must say that I felt better, stronger and with a greater capacity to function. I am convinced that this information must be published in all the hospitals and medical institutions treating people that suffer from severe illnesses, thus much suffering may be spared from the patients.”


http://lifemelusa.com

How is Life Mel Produced?

Life Mel Honey is produced by bees fed on a special food mixture which enables them to make a unique form of honey with all the beneficial properties of the therapeutic herbs and natural ingredients. Our honey is specially produced in a controlled environment which guarantees a pollution-free pollination process. Other than collecting the honey from the hive and packing it, the honey is not artificially treated in any way and no ingredients are added after extraction of honey from the hive.

Life Mel is produced from nectar derived from therapeutic herbs such as Siberian Ginseng, Echinacea, Uncaria, combined with a selection of natural ingredients including iron, protein and vitamins.


To find out more, visit our website.

LifeMel Immune Support

Do you need to strengthen your Immune System?

The immune system is the body’s first line of defense in maintaining health, preventing illness, and hastening recovery. Many people experience a weakened immune system due to poor sleep habits, unhealthy diets, post chemotherapy treatment, or other illnesses or medical conditions such as HIV. Also, with age our immune system weakens, leaving us vulnerable to chronic diseases.With a strong healthy immune response our bodies not only become more resistant to colds, flu, allergies and disease but our quality of life improves.

Research has shown that supplementing the immune system can help us resist some illnesses.

If you are currently feeling the effects of a weakened immune system, no matter what the cause, we have a natural solution. Zuf Globus laboratories in Israel, has gone beyond the call of duty in helping people improve the quality of their lives. Thirty years of research with an all natural approach of feeding special nectars to bees, thereby producing different types of honey, led to this development of clinically tested LifeMel Chemo Support.

Life Mel Immune Support was developed to work specifically on the immune system. For those who have completed chemotherapy treatments and no longer use Chemo Support, yet wish to continue with a an immune support regime, LifeMel Immune Support is your answer. Having less natural ingredients than Life Mel Chemo Support it is less potent and costs less. Yet it does what you are looking for — supports your immune system.

Long term usage of LifeMel Immune (one teaspoon in the morning and one teaspoon in the evening) can result in an improvement in the functionality of the immune system and in the body’s ability to resist infections and disease.

* Assist the body in recuperation and convalescence

* Support the natural ability of the immune system to maintain energy levels and fight fatigue

* An immune system boost

* 100% natural

* Easy to take


For more information, visit our website!

Who Should Not Take Life Mel?

* Pregnant and breast feeding women should consult their doctor.
* Life Mel is not to be given to children less than one year old.
* Life Mel is not recommended for diabetics or people allergic to beehive products.



For more information, please visit our website.

About Zuf Globus Laboratories Ltd.

In the 1970s, Dr Alexander began researching the medicinal properties of honey and beeive products; particularly the ability to control the type of honey the bee will produce. In 1990, Dr Alexander emigrated to Israel and began a program of advanced studies in microbiology.

In 1992, based on his expertise and his research on "Apitherapy" in the former Soviet Union, Dr. Alexander submitted a research proposal to the Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Industry Trade & Labor to develop medicinal honeys whose uniqueness lies in the ability of the developers to direct and control the medicinal properties of honey produced by bees.

Following the approval of the research proposal, Zuf Globus Laboratories Ltd. was established and in 1993 began its research at the framework of the Incubator for Technological Innovation in Kiryat Shmona. Dr. Alexander succeeded in producing natural medicinal honeys through the feeding of bees. Some of these honeys have antibiotic properties for treatment of different illnesses and some have various medicinal properties, all in accordance with the the theories of Dr. Alexander and pursuant to the types of feed he prepared for the bees.

At the same time, Dr. Alexander developed several accompanying cosmetic products, which are based on medicinal honeys having a broad range of antibiotic properties, to which Dr. Alexander added various natural ingredients, in accordance with the purpose of the respective product. Dr. Alexander chose to base the types of products he developed on the successful results of clinical studies that were conducted in recent decades and whose effectiveness has been unequivocally proven in modern scientific research.

To get more information about Zuf Globus, please click the link below:

www.zufglobus.com

Apple a Day Keeps the Doc Away

Sunday January 3,2010
By Lucy Johnston

Casualty star Rebekah Gibbs, 36, was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2008, just 10 weeks after giving birth to her daughter Gigi.

She is now clear of the disease, but what amazed her doctors was that her chemotherapy treatment did not weaken her immune system.

Rebekah believes this was because she took regular doses of a special honey shown in a recent trial to increase the white blood cell count of people undergoing cancer treatment.

Using the medicinal property of food like Life Mel is a rapidly emerging science. Scientists across the globe are beginning to report on trials demonstrating what nutritionists have long suspected, that certain compounds in foods act as medicines.

Later this month herbal medicine guru Dale Pinnock will launch a new practice, The Natural Solutions Clinic, which embraces this new phenomenon of Medicinal Cookery.

Pinnock, who has spent years studying the therapeutic properties of food, believes he can “offer the most pleasurable drug delivery system imaginable” to patients with diseases such as arthritis, chronic fatigue, immune problems, allergies, high cholesterol and hypertension. He also has dishes to overcome short-term ailments such as hangovers, flu, colds and bacterial infections.

His work is being increasingly backed by research. One study, to be published in the journal Breast Cancer Research, showed turmeric and black pepper could help prevent and even treat breast cancer.

The study, carried out at the University of Michigan, is the first to demonstrate how these natural spice compounds could prevent cancer. The research shows curcumin and piperine may help arrest the renewal of cancer stem cells.

Pinnock, who currently runs a busy practice in rural Cambridgeshire, distinguishes his work from that of nutritionists and food gurus before him. “This is not about vitamins or a healthy diet. It is about creating dishes around the non-nutritional but medicinally active chemicals in foods to help treat disease.

“My work aims to fuse traditional natural health care with science. It is about trying to bridge the gap between science and natural health care which is the only way to work in the modern health care system.”

Rebekah Gibbs, who was declared free of cancer last month, is convinced the medicinal compounds in honey helped pull her through her devastating ordeal.

Life Mel is made by bees fed on a unique diet that includes special immune boosting herbs such as Siberian ginseng, Echinacea and uncaria tomentosa and scientists think eating it could boost a person’s immunity.

Rebekah said: “I am not a medical expert, but I believe the honey worked for me.” Ellie Chappell’s three-year-old daughter Ella appeared to enjoy similar effects while undergoing eight months of chemotherapy for her kidney cancer.

“It was awful but I honestly believe the honey stopped her from being really sick on the drug and her doctors were amazed that her blood count remained fantastic. I swear by it,” said 33-year-old Ellie, of Morpeth, Northumberland.

Find out more at: http://www.lifemelusa.com

Israeli Honey Helps Cancer Patients Cope with Side Effects

(ARA) - For those following ABC’s “Desperate Housewives” this season, you’ve watched strong minded housewife Lynette battle cancer and struggle with the side effects of chemotherapy. Approximately 1.4 million people are diagnosed with cancer each year and over half of them can relate to Lynette’s battle with chemotherapy, including New York resident Zisel Goldberg.

Goldberg, age 50, suffers from colon cancer, and when she first started chemotherapy she thought the side effects, including constant fatigue, were unbearable. Goldberg’s friend told her about a new honey that helps with side effects - and then everything changed.

“I felt stronger and my blood cell counts improved by two points,” says Goldberg. “The difference was remarkable; I’ve even been able to go back to work.”

What Goldberg took and what many experts are starting to recommend is LifeMel Honey. Developed by Zuf Globus Laboratories founder Dr. Alexander Goroshit, LifeMel Honey was recently touted in the prestigious Journal of Medical Oncology as “…a very inexpensive, safe and effective method of preventing chemotherapy-induced pancytopenia.” It is the only honey available that has had a clinical study done to determine effectiveness in decreasing side effects, including anemia, of patients involved in chemotherapy.

LifeMel Honey is harvested from bees fed on a special food mixture that enables them to make a unique form of honey with all the beneficial properties of the therapeutic herbs and natural ingredients the bees were fed. LifeMel Honey is specially produced in a controlled environment which guarantees a pollution-free pollination process. Other than collecting the honey from the hive and packing it, the honey is not artificially treated in any way and no ingredients are added after extraction of honey from the hive.

For optimal results, experts recommend people take LifeMel Honey twice daily -- a teaspoon once in the morning on an empty stomach and a teaspoon again in the evening.

The honey is exclusively available in the United States at www.lifemelusa.com.

While it won’t cure or prevent cancer, LifeMel Honey can minimize side effects and make the fight much easier, and that spells welcome relief for Goldberg and others like her.

The New Diet of the Year: LifeMel Honey

This year, some are turning to some special bees for a diet to make them feel better.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) January 8, 2008 -- From the Atkins Diet, to the South Beach Diet, to the Zone Diet most people know of someone who has tried one kind of diet or another. Some have had success and others have not. Some do it to look better and others do it to feel better.

This year some are turning to some special bees for a diet to make them feel better. These bees are fed a special nectar derived from therapeutic herbs including Siberian Ginseng, Echinacea and Uncaria Tomentosa, combined with a selection of natural ingredients including iron, protein and vitamins. In return they are producing honey that has, according to a clinical trial, reduced the side effects of chemotherapy treatment suffered by some cancer patients, thus significantly improving their quality of life.

The honey is called LifeMel Honey and some cancer patients can benefit from these diet specific bees and the honey they produce. Dr. Geffen, before trying this honey, was suffering from acute myelocytic leukemia and his white blood cell counts had dropped to dangerously low levels. "I deteriorated physically and was virtually bed-ridden", says Greffen.

Within 10 days after he began taking Life Mel, one teaspoon twice a day, his white blood cell count began climbing. Within months, his counts were normal and he was playing golf. "My blood-work started improving and has continued to do so to this day", remarks Geffen.

So by the dictionary definition of diet: "a particular selection of food to improve a person's physical condition or to prevent or treat a disease", this bee diet lives up to its potential for some chemotherapy patients looking to feel better.

For more information on LifeMel Honeys, visit the website! www.lifemelusa.com