Mesothelioma: Questions and Answers Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the body’s internal organs. Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles. 1. What is the mesothelium? The mesothelium is a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body. It is composed of two layers of cells: One layer immediately surrounds the organ; the other forms a sac around it. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that is released between these layers, allowing moving organs (such as the beating heart and the expanding and contracting lungs) to glide easily against adjacent structures. The mesothelium has different names, depending on its location in the body. The peritoneum is the mesothelial tissue that covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity. The pleura is the membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity. The pericardium covers and protects the heart. The mesothelial tissue surrounding the male internal reproductive organs is called the tunica vaginalis testis. The tunica serosa uteri covers the internal reproductive organs in women. 2. What is mesothelioma? Mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or order. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also metastasize (spread) from their original site to other parts of the body. Most cases of mesothelioma begin in the pleura or peritoneum. 3. How common is mesothelioma? Although reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20 years, mesothelioma is still a relatively rare cancer. About 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. Mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women and risk increases with age, but this disease can appear in either men or women at any age. 4. What are the risk factors for mesothelioma? Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally as masses of strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin threads and woven. Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. If tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the manufacturing process, they may be inhaled or swallowed, and can cause serious health problems. In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung ailment), and other cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney. Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma. However, the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases a person’s risk of developing cancer of the air passageways in the lung. 5. Who is at increased risk for developing mesothelioma? Asbestos has been mined and used commercially since the late 1800s. Its use greatly increased during World War II. Since the early 1940s, millions of American workers have been exposed to asbestos dust. Initially, the risks associated with asbestos exposure were not known. However, an increased risk of developing mesothelioma was later found among shipyard workers, people who work in asbestos mines and mills, producers of asbestos products, workers in the heating and construction industries, and other trades people. Today, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets limits for acceptable levels of asbestos exposure in the workplace. People who work with asbestos wear personal protective equipment to lower their risk of exposure. The risk of asbestos-related disease increases with heavier exposure to asbestos and longer exposure time. However, some individuals with only brief exposures have developed mesothelioma. On the other hand, not all workers who are heavily exposed develop asbestos-related diseases. There is some evidence that family members and others living with asbestos workers have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma, and possibly other asbestos-related diseases. This risk may be the result of exposure to asbestos dust brought home on the clothing and hair of asbestos workers. To reduce the chance of exposing family members to asbestos fibers, asbestos workers are usually required to shower and change their clothing before leaving the workplace. 6. What are the symptoms of mesothelioma? Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleura are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen. Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face. These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions. It is important to see a doctor about any of these symptoms. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis. 7. How is mesothelioma diagnosed? Diagnosing mesothelioma is often difficult, because the symptoms are similar to those of a number of other conditions. Diagnosis begins with a review of the patient’s medical history, including any history of asbestos exposure. A complete physical examination may be performed, including x-rays of the chest or abdomen and lung function tests. A CT (or CAT) scan or an MRI may also be useful. A CT scan is a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. In an MRI, a powerful magnet linked to a computer is used to make detailed pictures of areas inside the body. These pictures are viewed on a monitor and can also be printed. A biopsy is needed to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. In a biopsy, a surgeon or a medical oncologist (a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer) removes a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope by a pathologist. A biopsy may be done in different ways, depending on where the abnormal area is located. If the cancer is in the chest, the doctor may perform a thoracoscopy. In this procedure, the doctor makes a small cut through the chest wall and puts a thin, lighted tube called a thoracoscope into the chest between two ribs. Thoracoscopy allows the doctor to look inside the chest and obtain tissue samples. If the cancer is in the abdomen, the doctor may perform a peritoneoscopy. To obtain tissue for examination, the doctor makes a small opening in the abdomen and inserts a special instrument called a peritoneoscope into the abdominal cavity. If these procedures do not yield enough tissue, more extensive diagnostic surgery may be necessary. If the diagnosis is mesothelioma, the doctor will want to learn the stage (or extent) of the disease. Staging involves more tests in a careful attempt to find out whether the cancer has spread and, if so, to which parts of the body. Knowing the stage of the disease helps the doctor plan treatment. Mesothelioma is described as localized if the cancer is found only on the membrane surface where it originated. It is classified as advanced if it has spread beyond the original membrane surface to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, lungs, chest wall, or abdominal organs. 8. How is mesothelioma treated? Treatment for mesothelioma depends on the location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, and the patient’s age and general health. Standard treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Sometimes, these treatments are combined. · Surgery is a common treatment for mesothelioma. The doctor may remove part of the lining of the chest or abdomen and some of the tissue around it. For cancer of the pleura (pleural mesothelioma), a lung may be removed in an operation called a pneumonectomy. Sometimes part of the diaphragm, the muscle below the lungs that helps with breathing, is also removed. · Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, involves the use of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation therapy affects the cancer cells only in the treated area. The radiation may come from a machine (external radiation) or from putting materials that produce radiation through thin plastic tubes into the area where the cancer cells are found (internal radiation therapy). · Chemotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. Most drugs used to treat mesothelioma are given by injection into a vein (intravenous, or IV). Doctors are also studying the effectiveness of putting chemotherapy directly into the chest or abdomen (intracavitary chemotherapy). To relieve symptoms and control pain, the doctor may use a needle or a thin tube to drain fluid that has built up in the chest or abdomen. The procedure for removing fluid from the chest is called thoracentesis. Removal of fluid from the abdomen is called paracentesis. Drugs may be given through a tube in the chest to prevent more fluid from accumulating. Radiation therapy and surgery may also be helpful in relieving symptoms

lycium

The Chinese have always believed the Lycium fruit and liquorice extract as health tonics par excellence, and believed that our health depends on the balances on the balance of the ‘Yin and Yang’ within our bodies. Lycium fruit Is herb derive from Lycium barbarum, the fruit is known by the Chinese name ‘Gou Qi Zi’, or wolfberry, and has used since ancient times, recorded in the earliest existing Chinese mataria medica published around 100 A.D.The first recorded use of Lycium fruit as a medicinal herb the first century A.D. Lycium is rich in amino acids, beta-carotene, vitamins, polysaccharides, carbohydrates, fats, proteins, trace elements, and has been very widely used as an excellent ‘Yin’ and blood tonic. For thousands of years it has been used in China to promote a long, vigorous, and happy life. It has said that prolonged consumption of Lycium would promote cheerfulness and vitality; and has long been a favorite herb of Chinese martial artists and athletes as it was thought to strength the legs. Traditional Chinese herbalist described Lycium as having the properties to promote liver and kidney health, improve vision and stamina, nourishing the blood, stimulate the nervous system enriching the yin , to boost immunity and fertility, benefiting one’s complexion, the effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Combat disease and increase life span. It is believed to a powerful antioxidant fortifying the system against disease and to provide the energy to overcome difficult obstacles. The Lycium fruit has for over 2500 hundred years. Liquorice gets name from Greek ‘glyks’ meaning sweet and ‘rhiza’ meaning root. It was know to the Greeks, mentioned in the Hippocratic texts, and to the Romans, who made liquorice extract as we to today. Hippocratic name the herb ‘glukos riza’, or sweet root. Ancient Chinese herbalist used liquorice, distilling the root’s essence and prescribing it for a wide range of conditions. Liquorice is one of the mainstays of traditional Chinese medicine as it is made up of over 150 chemicals compounds, and has been used for over 3,000 years in tonic herb formulas as a treatment for ulcer , acute and chronic coughs , upper respiratory ailments including hoarseness, soar throat, bronchitis and skin disorders. It is thought to carry the effects of all of the other herbs in a formula thought out the body. It was also considered an important antidote to a variety of toxic substances, it is known as the ‘Yang tonic, and has been a very old favorite in Chinese medicine, mainly used to complement various other herbs. Traditional Chinese medicine also used liquorice to protect the digestive system from the harsher effects of other herbs. The strong smell and distinctive taste of the herb was often used to small and distinctive taste of the herb was often used to mask unpalatable flavors in cough medicine and throat lozenges, and was chewed to relieve a sore throat and gargling with an infusion of the root helped relieve dry cough and oral inflammations.

Echinacea

This is time of years when our immune system needs extra special attention and maintenance, and Echinacea can go long way in supporting proper immune system function. Echinacea has a rich tradition in the culture of the north America plains Indians, who used it more than any other plant to help maintain their health during the winter,. They also applied root poultices, used Echinacea as a mouthwash and drank it is a tea. This plant was prominent in modern American culture until the 1940’s. The Europeans. Who discovered in 1930’s still use it extensively. Botanists named the planet after the bedgebog (Echinus) to describe its prickly, cone-like center. It grows naturally is the Midwest states from western Prnnsylvania to Kansas and as far south as northern Texas. Hundreds of scientific studies have indicated that Echinacea can help support immune function. In recent years, research has discovered a mechanism by the which Echinacea may help. One of the primary defense mechanisms of the body is made of a jelly like substance called Hyaluronic Acid (HA). HA occurs in the tissues between cells to ‘cement’ them together. These are enzyme, hyaluridase, which attacks HA in a way not yet fully understood. When it does, the HA quickly loses its jelly-like viscosity, and this protective “cement” loses its effectiveness. If the enzymes is allowed to destroy the integrity of the HA barriers, immune function may suffer. Echinacea has been shown to prevent the enzyme from dissolving HA.

Coconut water

Drinking coconut water has many benefits. Coconut Water is naturally Low in Carbs 99% Fat Free Low in sugars Coconut water contains organic compounds possessing healthy growth promoting properties that have been known to help Keep the body cool and at the proper temperature. Orally re-hydrate your body, it is an all natural isotonic beverage. Carry nutrients and oxygen to cells. Naturally replenish your body's fluids after exercising. Raise your metabolism. Promote weight loss. Boost your immune system. Detoxify and fight viruses. Cleanse your digestive tract. Control diabetes. Aid your body in fighting viruses that cause the flu, herpes, and AIDS. Balance your PH and reduce risk of cancer. Treat kidney and urethral stones. Boost poor circulation. Coconut Water The English name coconut, first mentioned in English print in 1555, comes from Spanish and Portugese word coco, which means "monkey face." Spanish and Portugese explorers found a resemblance to a monkey's face in the three round indented markings or "eyes" found at the base of the coconut. On the Nicobar Islands of the Indian Ocean, whole coconuts were used as currency for the purchace of goods until the early part of the twentieth century. Coconuts are the fruit of the coconut palm, botanically known as cocos nucifera, with nucifera meaning "nut-bearing." The fruit-bearing palms are native to Malaysia, Polynesia and southern Asia, and are now also prolific in South America, India , the Pacific Islands , Hawaii and Florida. The light, fibrous husk allowed it to easily drift on the oceans to other areas to propagate. In Sanskrit, the coconut palm is known as kalpa vriksha, meaning "tree which gives all that is necessary for living," since nearly all parts of the tree can be used in some m anner or another. The coconut itself has many food uses, including milk, meat, sugar and oil as well as functioning as its own dish and cup. The husk was also burned for fuel by natives, but today a seed fibre called coir is taken from the husk and used to make brushes, mats, fishnets, and rope. A very potent fermented toddy or drink is also made from the coconut palm's sap. Coconut oil, a saturated fat made from dried coconut meat, is used for commercial frying and in candies and margarines, as well as in non-edible products such as soaps and cosmetics. Although it takes up to a year for coconuts to mature, the trees bloom up to thirteen times a year, so fruit is constantly forming yielding a continuous harvest year-round. An average harvest from one tree runs about 60 coconuts, with some trees yielding three times that amount. The coconut's name is a bit of a misnomer, since it is botanically classified as a drupe and not a nut. It is the largest seed known. If you've ever opened a fresh coconut, you will have seen the thin, opaque almost clear coconut juice or water which has a slight almond flavor. Contrary to popular belief, this is not the coconut milk. However, the water is consumed as a drink fresh from the coconut by many, and it can also be used in recipes. Mre information about Coconut Water "It's a natural isotonic beverage, with the same level of electrolytic balance as we have in our blood. It's the fluid of life, so to speak." In fact, during the Pacific War of 1941-45, both sides in the conflict regularly used coconut water - siphoned directly from the nut - to give emergency plasma transfusions to wounded soldiers. Most coconut water is still consumed fresh in tropical coastal areas - once exposed to air, the liquid rapidly loses most of its organoleptic and nutritional characteristics, and begins to ferment. Coconut Water is more nutritious than whole milk - Less fat and NO cholesterol. Coconut Water is More Healthy than Orange Juice - Much lower calories. Coconut Water is Better than processed baby milk - It contains lauric acid, which is present in human mother's milk. Coconut water is naturally sterile - Water permeates though the filtering husk. Coconut water is a universal donor - Its identical to human blood plasma. Coconut Water is a Natural Isotonic Beverage - The same level we have in our blood. Coconut water has saved lives in 3rd world countries thru Coconut IV. "Coconut water is the very stuff of Nature, biologically Pure, full of Natural Sugars, Salts, and Vitamins to ward off fatigue and is the next wave of energy drinks BUT natural", according to Mortin Satin, Chielf of the United Nation's Food & Agriculture Organization. Coconut water contains more potassium (at about 294 mg) than most sports drinks (117 mg) and most energy drinks. Coconut water has less sodium (25mg) where sports drinks have around 41mg and energy drinks have about 200 mg. Coconut water has 5mg of Natural Sugars where sports and energy drinks range from 10-25mg of Altered Sugars. Coconut water is very high in Chloride at 118mg, compared to sports drinks at about 39mg. Data is based on a 100ml drink

Cranberrirs

Cranberrirs contain proanthocyanidins (PACs) that can prevent the adhesion of certain bacteria, including E. coli, associated with urinary tract infections to the urinary tract well. The anti-adhesion properties of cranberry may also inhibit the bacteria associated with gum disease and stomach ulcers. Cranberries contain significant amount of antioxidants and other phytonutrients that help protect against heart disease, cancer and other disease. Antioxidants are compounds that are naturally manufactured by the body and/or are ingested, primarily as components of fruits and vegetables, which have the ability to stabilize free radicals by donating an election, and at the same time, do not become free radicals themselves. Under conditions of stress the human body’s ability to produce antioxidants can become severely impaired. Cranberries can serve as a good source of supplement antioxidants.

Bee Pollan

Pollan is the fertilizing dust of flowers. Bees gather and bring it back to their hives for food. Without pollan, plants, trees and flowers could not exist: even we depend on it. Bee pollan provides a wide spectrum of essential to maintain perfect health. These include all vitamins of the B-complex and vitamins C. Since these are water soluble , they should be taken daily. Bee pollan also contains vitamins D, E, K, and beta Carotene (vitamin A). It is a source of numerous minerals, (with calcium and phosphorus in an almost perfect 1:1 ratio), enzymes and co-enzymes , plants-source fatty acids, carbohydrates, proteins and 22 amino acids –including all eight ‘essential’ amino acids which the body cannot manufacture for itself. Bee pollan contains more nutrition per calorie then any other nutritional supplement and so it is little wonder that it is diet as one the most complete foods available . In fact, that the human body could survive on bee pollan alone, with just the addition of fiber and water.

Apple juice

An apple a day is good for us in so Many Ways its Hard keep Count. Helps keep our skin from wrinkling and apple consumption appears to promote hair growth. In addition, Antioxidants in apples are protective against cardiovascular disease and cancer development. Our cells can be harmed by free radicals, but antioxidant compounds can reduce the damage and lesson the likelihood that disease will ensue. Apples are the health-imparting food. We deteriorate with age. Our motor skills degenerate. We have trouble remembering things. Consumption of diets high in antioxidants helps reduction in aging-related mental and physical degeneration. Oxidative stress (high incidence of free radicals) has been associated with such disease as diabetic polyueuropathy (nerve damage in diabetics) and cardiomyopathy (heart muscle damage). It is noted that diets containing selected high- antioxidant foods actually reversed declines in particular physiological functions associated with adding-related mental deterioration; Apples also have flavonoid antioxidants, including catechins and quercetin, to add to their beneficial potency. Apples significantly down regulate an age-related inflammatory response in the brain that is thought to contribute to deterioration in mental processes. Numerous studies over the past quarter century have to shown that a diet rich in apples can help lower blood cholesterol. Pectin, a soluble fiber found in apples, is thought to play a significant role in that relationship. A very moderate intake of apple juice has the potential to reduce risk factors for heart disease in a fairly short period of time. These small diet changes might play an important role in a heart diet.