New technique holds promise for melanoma patients: Know how to deal with this condition

New technique that improves on existing methods for assessing risk of melanoma recurrence after surgical removal developed. But you need to be alert too.

There is good news for patients of skin cancer. Thanks to a new study at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, there may soon be a new melanoma test that will be able to better predict recurrence and improve patient care. Researchers have developed this new technique that improves on the current method for assessing whether primary melanoma is likely to recur and spread, following surgical removal. Nature Cancer published this study.

Most people first suspect melanoma when they see changes in the appearance of a pigmented spot like a mole or freckle. Though a primary melanoma can be cured through surgical removal, in some cases the lesion recurs and spreads. Unfortunately, there has been no major changes in the field of lesion analysis in the last hundred years. This puts patients at risk of recurrence at a disadvantage. But now, the new developments will lead to better patient care.

A treatable condition

Early stage melanoma is a treatable condition. But the problem with this disease is detecting it early. Usually, a diagnosis is made only after the cancer has progressed. A cure is difficult once the diseases has progressed. Hence, an early detection is essential for a favourable outcome from treatment. Be alert to any changes in the size of a mole or any changes on your skin. Consult your doctor to rule out this condition. Early detection can lead to a cure.

What you can do

You can bring down your risk of melanoma significantly by taking a few precautions besides being alert to any changes on your skin surface. Avoid excessive sun exposure. If you spend a lot of time in the sun, wear protective clothing. Nowadays, you can buy sun-block shirts. You can try these out. Always use sunscreen and re-apply every 8 hours.

Know the ABCDE method of detecting skin cancer
You can use the ABCDE method to determine if a mole or freckle may be melanoma. This is what you need to look out for.

A: Asymmetrical: Healthy moles are symmetrical and cancerous ones are asymmetrical. Just draw a line through the middle of your mole to see if there is any asymmetry.

B: Border: If the border of your mole is ragged, raised or notched, it may be cancerous.

C: change in colour: All healthy freckle and mole have uniform colour. If there is any color variation, it may be because of cancer. Look out for different shades of tan, red, brown, blue, white and black.

D: diameter: If your mole is bigger than 6 millimeters, it may be cancerous.

E: evolving: Keep an eye out for any new moles and marks on your body. Also check to see if there are any changes in the colour or size of existing moles.

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Fight Back Against Edema (Water Retention) with These 6 Methods

When fluid accumulates in the circulatory system’s cavities and tissues, uncomfortable swelling manifests in the legs, feet, ankles, and hands. This water retention, otherwise known as edema, is a common medical complaint suffered by pregnant women, people who are largely inactive, are on long-term medication, bedridden, or lead a sedentary lifestyle. An edema is not considered life-threatening in itself, though it could be a sign of such a serious issue (for example kidney disease or heart failure). Fortunately, most of the time edema is preventable, treatable and any uncomfortable swellings can be reduced. 
 

Here are 6 of the most common causes of edema and some excellent tips on how to avoid or remedy the condition:

1. Excessive Sodium Intake

The body begins to retain water in ‘reserve mode’, when we consume too much high-sodium food and drink too little water. To help deal with and dilute the salt in our system, body cells enlarge themselves by up to 20 times, with water. Eating too much salt in itself is not the only cause of high sodium levels since many canned vegetables, sauces and processed meat also contain a lot of salt too.

Try: Amazingly there is a salt that will not cause your body to retain water, but reverse the situation. Drinking a glass of water with either Celtic sea or Himalayan salt has been shown to help reverse edema.

2. Vitamin B6 deficiency

Vitamin B6 actually controls our body’s water balance. Thus, if we don’t get enough of this vitamin, we may be at risk of water retention and swelling. One study has found that women suffering from PMS related edema benefited greatly from consuming vitamin B6. The benefits were much greater than those to be gained from any other supplement. Because B6 is water-soluble, it works better taken from whole foods.

Try: Some of the best foods you can eat for increased vitamin B6 include the following: bananas, lean beef, turkey, chicken, tuna, potatoes (unpeeled), pistachios, dried fruit and sunflower seeds. 

3. Potassium deficiency

Potassium is also necessary for maintaining the body’s water balance, being an electrolyte that controls cell, tissue and organ functioning. Potassium levels dip as a result of not eating foods rich in the substance, profuse sweating after exercise, and eating sodium-rich foods. Edema often occurs if potassium levels are not properly maintained.

Other problems that may result as a consequence of potassium deficiency may include muscle spasms, cramps, and weight gain. Potassium, then, can reduce edema by keeping sodium levels down and boosting urine production.

Try: Rather than relying on potassium supplements, it would be better to maintain a diet of potassium-rich fruits (and vegetables). Most fruits, in particular, will provide you with plenty of the nutrient, yet the highest amounts are said to be found in rock melon, honey melon, and watermelon.

4. Dehydration

You may be surprised to find that a lack of water causes water retention and swelling. This occurs as the body desperately tries to retain as much water as possible in order to stay alive. This situation can be prevented by drinking water regularly, as well as juices that are rich in potassium.

Try: Avoid drinks that tend to dehydrate your body, such as soda pops and coffee, while drinking lots more water until the edema subsides.

5. Magnesium Deficiency

Magnesium deficiency also frequently causes water retention. Because it is needed for so many body functions, low levels of Magnesium stop many body functions from working. One study has shown that around 200 mg of daily magnesium can lower the water retention of women suffering from PMS.

Try: Reduce edema by eating more magnesium-rich food or take good quality magnesium supplements. Such foods that are rich in magnesium include the following: dried fruits, yogurt, spinach, peas, whole grains, nuts, avocados, dark green vegetables and dark chocolate.

6. Excessive consumption of Processed Foods

Processed foods are both rich in sugar and sodium, and contain a lot of food additives that damage the liver and kidneys. Certain sugar-rich foods, like those in artificial sweeteners, causes rapid blood sugar and insulin spikes. These results cause increased sodium retention, which itself is bad news for water retention.

Always try to keep away from processed foods. To keep your liver working well and to stave off other potential health issues, use juices to help detox your body if you have been consuming too many processed foods.

Try: When it comes to improving your body’s condition with regard to water retention, the following herbs have been shown to be useful, thanks to their strong diuretic qualities: parsley, fennel, garlic, hibiscus, nettle, corn silk, and horsetail.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     
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Excessive internet use reduces study skills in students

Students who use digital technology excessively are less motivated to engage with their studies, and are more anxious about exam tests, according to a new research.

This effect was made worse by the increased feelings of loneliness that use of digital technology produced, said the study, published in the Journal of Computer Assisted Learning.

“The results suggest that students with high levels of internet addiction may be particularly at risk from lower motivations to study, and, hence, lower actual academic performance,” said study researcher Phil Reed from Swansea University in UK.

For the findings, 285 university students, enrolled on a range of health-related degree courses, participated in the study. They were assessed for their use of digital technology, their study skills and motivation, anxiety, and loneliness.

The research found a negative relationship between internet addiction and motivation to study. Students reporting more internet addiction also found it harder to organise their learning productively, and were more anxious about their upcoming tests.

The findings also found that internet addiction was associated with loneliness, and that this loneliness made study harder.

About 25 per cent of the students reported that they spent over four hours a day online, with the rest indicating that they spent between one to three hours a day.

The main uses of the internet for the student sample were social networking (40 per cent) and information seeking (30 per cent), the researchers said.

In addition to the links between levels of internet addiction and poor study motivation and ability, internet addiction was found to be associated with increased loneliness.

The results indicated that loneliness, in turn, made studying harder for the students.

The study suggests that loneliness plays a large role in positive feelings about academic life in higher education.

According to the researchers, the poorer social interactions that are known to be associated with internet addiction make loneliness worse, and, in turn, impact on motivation to engage in a highly social educational environment such as a university.

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Side-effects of excessive protein consumption

Researchers suggest that excessive consumption of protein for building muscle mass could have a negative impact on the body. However, wide-range of protein is best to maintain balance. 

Amino acids have long been touted by the fitness and bodybuilding communities for their muscle building benefits. From ultra-bulk protein powders to lean mass-promoting snack bars, there's no shortage of products available for those seeking a muscle boost. 

However, protein's popularity has also meant that less attention has been paid to researching its potentially negative side-effects. According to the study published in the Journal of Nature Metabolism, excessive consumption of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) may reduce lifespan, negatively impact mood and lead to weight gain.

 BCAAs stand for branched-chain amino acids. It's a group of three essential amino acids: leucine, isoleucine and valine, and are most commonly found in red meat and dairy. BCAAs great for adding muscle mass, but science says you could pay for it later. 

Researchers have investigated the complex role nutrition plays in mediating various aspects of metabolic health, reproduction, appetite and ageing. "While diets high in protein and low in carbohydrates were shown to be beneficial for reproductive function, they had detrimental effects for health in mid-late life, and also led to a shortened lifespan," one of the researchers, Dr Samantha Solon explained. 

 "What this new research has shown is that amino acid balance is important. It's best to vary sources of protein to ensure you're getting the best amino acid balance." The current research examined the impacts that dietary BCAAs and other essential amino acids such as tryptophan had on the health and body composition of mice. 

"Supplementation of BCAAs resulted in high levels of BCAAs in the blood which competed with tryptophan for transport into the brain," explained one of the researchers, Professor Stephen Simpson.
"Tryptophan is the sole precursor for the hormone serotonin, which is often called the 'happiness chemical' for its mood-enhancing effects and its role in promoting sleep. But serotonin does more than this, and therein lay the problem," he added. 

Dietitian and public health nutritionist Dr Rosilene Ribeiro recommend eating a wide range of proteins. It's important to vary protein sources in order to get a variety of essential amino acids, through a healthy and balanced diet rich in fibre, vitamins and minerals.

 BCAAs are essential amino acids present in protein-containing foods, with red meat and dairy being the richest sources. Chicken, fish and eggs are also nutritious sources of BCAAs. Vegetarians can find BCAAs in beans, lentils, nuts and soy proteins.

this is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     
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Vitamin D protects against colds and flu study confirms

Japanese doctors claim that the risk of flu in children can be lowered by 50 % if they take vitamin F supplements on a regular basis. Under normal condition, our bodies can naturally produce vitamin D through our exposure to direct sunlight. Vitamin D can be more powerful than anti-viral medicines or vaccines , a research has shown.

The Power of Vitamin D
In a clinical trial, only one in 10 children between the ages of 6-15 who took vitamin D caught the flu whereas the number of those in the placebo group was one in 5. The head of the trial, explains that vitamin D was found to be more powerful in averting the flu than vaccines were.

Additionally, vitamin D was also more beneficial when the comparison did not include children who were already given external vitamin D  by their parents, outside of the trial. Vitamin D was able to lower the chance for flu to a 3rd to what it would otherwise be.

This being said, it may not come as very shocking news to learn that a lot of Canadian and American physicians have been prescribing up to 50,000 IU of vitamin D on the daily as a therapy for numerous chronic illnesses.

Namely, lack of vitamin D is not uncommon during the winter period, especially in countries far north from the equator. And, vitamin D, also plays a role of an immune system modulator and averts excessive production of inflammatory cytokines and elevates the macrophage activity.

What's more, vitamin D encourages the production of powerful anti-microbial peptides in cells which are lining the respiratory tract and thus, keep the lungs safe from infections.
Flu reduction in children thanks to Vitamin D

The trial had 354 children participants and vitamin D kept them safe from influenza A, but not from the influenza B. This trial was randomized, double-blind and led by doctors and scientists from Japan.

During the research, the children took 1200 IU of vitamin D on a daily basis for 3 months. In the 1st month, the children from the group who took vitamin D became sick as often as those from the placebo group. But, things changed during the 2nd month when the level of vitamin D was much higher.

Though anti-virals are usually more beneficial than vaccines in the treatment of influenza, they are too expensive and also contains toxins. Therefore, vitamin D may be a much better solution. 
Namely, this vitamin D doesn't just avert bone fractures, but it also lowers the chance for heart illness, cancer, diabetes and viral and bacterial infections.

How Vitamin D3 strengthens the immunity\Although called a vitamin, this is actually a steroid hormone precursor which has a significant impact on the immune system.

Adults need around 5000 IU of vitamin D per day.

The healthy level of vitamin D in the blood is between 70-90 ng/ml.

this is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     
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source- Science daily, Harvard

Excessive consumption of ultra-processed food linked to lower heart health

If you are eating too much ultra-processed foods, stop consuming it now as researchers have found that eating fast food is linked to lower heart health.

“Eating ultra-processed foods often displaces healthier foods that are rich in nutrients, like fruit, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein, which are strongly linked to good heart health,” said a researcher.

“In addition, ultra-processed foods are often high in salt, added sugars, saturated fat and other substances associated with increasing the risk of heart disease,” he added.

Ultra-processed foods are made entirely or mostly from substances extracted from foods, such as fats, starches, hydrogenated fats, added sugar, modified starch and other compounds and include cosmetic additives such as artificial flavours, colours or emulsifiers.

Examples include soft drinks, packaged salty snacks, cookies, cakes, processed meats, chicken nuggets, powdered and packaged instant soups and many items often marketed as “convenience foods.”

Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) collected between 2011 and 2016, researchers reviewed the results from 13,446 adults, 20 years of age and older, who completed a 24-hour dietary recall and answered questions about their cardiovascular health.

Researchers have found that for every five per cent increase in calories from ultra-processed foods a person ate, there was a corresponding decrease in overall cardiovascular health.

Adults who ate approximately 70 per cent of their calories from ultra-processed foods were half as likely to have ‘ideal’ cardiovascular health, compared with people who ate 40 per cent or less of their calories from ultra-processed foods.

“This study underscores the importance of building a healthier diet by eliminating foods such as sugar-sweetened beverages, cookies, cakes and other processed foods,” said a researcher.

The study is scheduled to be presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2019 from November 16-18 in Philadelphia, US.

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11 Symptoms of Poor Blood Circulation

Good blood circulation is important for good overall health as the blood carries oxygen and nutrients throughout your body. Therefore, if your circulatory system is not working properly, you’ll start to experience a number of negative symptoms.

Below we’ll outline some of the signs to watch out for that could indicate that your circulatory system is not operating at optimum efficiency.

 1. Angina or Tightness in the Chest
Naturally, your heart suffers when your circulation is poor. It doesn’t get the blood that it needs to function properly. If you feel a pressure on your chest or a tightening sensation, this could be angina. This is a serious symptom, and you should see your healthcare professional right away because it could also be a sign of an imminent heart attack.

2. Numbness in the Extremities
If you find yourself experiencing a tingling sensation in your hands and feet or lower legs and forearms, it’s a sign that you’re not getting adequate blood flow to your extremities. If you suddenly experience this sensation in your left arm, it’s a sign of a possible heart attack. Seek medical help as soon as possible.

3. Ulceration of the Skin on the Lower Legs
Lack of circulation to your extremities can also cause the skin of your lower legs, ankle, and feet to develop inflamed sores and rashes.

4. Cold Hands and Feet
In addition to numbness and tingling in the extremities, you’ll also find that poor circulation causes cold hands and feet. This is because you’re not getting enough warm blood in your extremities and because your body has gone into conservation mode, which causes your body to focus warmth on your core to keep you alive.

5. Varicose Veins
When your circulatory system is struggling to deliver blood to your body, the veins can become stressed and swollen. This then manifests as large and often painful veins in the legs.

6. Dry Skin, Hair, and Nails
Good blood flow helps to support the growth of healthy hair, nails, and skin. If your skin, hair, and nails are in a poor condition even with the best external treatment, it’s a sign that they’re not getting the necessary nutrients and hydration that good blood circulation would bring them.

7. Decreased Appetite
If you just don’t find food to be that appealing, it could be that your digestive tract is not getting enough blood to function properly. Your digestive tract needs an ample blood flow to support peristalsis and to transport nutrients around your body. A poor blood flow impairs your digestive function and negatively impacts your metabolism.

8. Digestive Difficulties
In addition to poor appetite, a dearth of blood flow to your digestive system causes food to be improperly and poorly digested. If you’re experiencing symptoms such as loose stool, nausea, and/or acid reflux, it could be an indication of poor blood circulation. You should see your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

9. Frequent Illness
Your immune system depends upon a healthy circulatory system. If your blood circulation is poor, your body can’t benefit from the vitamins and minerals you consume. This will quickly lead to a weakening of the immune system and frequent illness such as colds and flu.

10. Excessive and Frequent Fatigue
A slow circulatory system doesn’t provide your muscles with the oxygen and nutrients necessary to maintain adequate energy levels. As your metabolism decreases, you’re bound to feel lethargic and sluggish.
This is because your body attempts to adjust to a lessened level of nutrition by dropping into a conservation mode. This is a mechanism that’s intended to conserve energy during times of scarcity. Therefore, when this happens, you won’t have the energy to carry out daily activities.
 
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