Is Living with a Smoker Hazardous to Your Health?

Date Released: 12/12/2011

Is Living with a Smoker Hazardous to Your Health? Old joke: Q: Do you mind if I smoke? A: Heck, I don't mind if you go up in flames. I guess a lot of folks feel that way about smokers. The habit has been banned practically everywhere. If you're a smoker these days, you pretty much have to do it outside or in the privacy of your own home or car. The premise is that breathing in someone else's tobacco smoke can harm a non-smoker's health, too. But is it true? Or just an over-reaction? I review the evidence below. But first, I'm proud to announce we've just published a new Special Report called The 31-Day Home Cancer Cure. It's a quick summary of a new plan for beating cancer, written by a top cancer expert. He's spent years studying the subject, and this report is confined to the very best things a cancer patient can do on his own. More details on this new Special Report are in the sidebar just below, or you can click here. Main article continued below. . . Shocked doctors were forced to eat crow after their patients tried The 31-Day Home Cancer Cure "You're a miracle from God!" said Richard Wiebe's doctor after he used The 31-Day Home Cancer Cure to get rid of so-called "terminal" brain cancer. "Congratulations! You're cancer free!" declared Rev. Cobus Rudolph's doctor after Rev. Rudolph used The 31-Day Home Cancer Cure to get rid of his "hopeless" stage four colon cancer. "Are you the terminal patient I saw two months ago? You look great!" That's what Kevin Irish's doctor exclaimed after Kevin used The 31-Day Home Cancer Cure to get rid of his stage four lung cancer. "Well, I know the cancer is here somewhere!" That's what Frank Woll's doctor said when he couldn't find the cancer with a magnifying glass. A month before, the doc had said they'd have to cut off half of Frank's ear and part of his neck! These four men got TOTALLY WELL with The 31-Day Home Cancer Cure. Watch this important video presentation and see for yourself. Inhaling environmental tobacco smoke is called passive smoking. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)1, exposure to secondhand smoke has been linked to the development of asthma, bronchitis, ear infection and pneumonia in children. Adults may notice some short-term effects in the form of coughing… eye irritation... headaches… nausea… and sore throats. I can't be around it myself for a long period of time. It irritates my eyes to the point where I get "pink-eye" (aka conjunctivitis). So it suits me that there's less smoke around these days. Worse still, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that non-smoking adults who breathe secondhand smoke are at increased risk for heart attack. The U.S. Surgeon General says that living with a smoker increases a nonsmoker's chances of developing lung cancer by 20 to 30 percent. In fact, passive smoking causes about 3,400 lung cancer deaths each year among adult nonsmokers in the United States. This is based on a straightforward comparison of households where there's a smoker to households where there isn't. It's pretty persuasive. Here's why passive smoking is so dangerous… Secondhand smoke is a mixture of gases and particles that smokers exhale as well as those released from the burning end of a cigarette. According to the National Cancer Institute3, secondhand smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals—many of which are toxic and about 70 of which are carcinogens. Let's take a look at ten terrible toxins lurking in secondhand cigarette smoke. We'll start with… Acetone—a chemical often used in solvents which can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. Prolonged exposure can seriously harm your liver and kidneys. Arsenic—this heavy metal toxin is one of the most dangerous chemicals found in cigarettes. Arsenic can severely damage your heart and blood vessels. And when arsenic builds up in your body, it prevents your DNA from repairing itself, which increases your risk of developing cancer. Benzene— this chemical is used as an industrial solvent and is found in vehicle emissions and gas fumes. Benzene exposure is associated with an increased risk of developing leukemia. Cadmium—small amounts of this metal occur naturally in air, food, soil and water. Cadmium is used to produce batteries, plastics and some metallic products. Cadmium exposure at high levels may cause health problems, including a variety of cancers. Chromium— good for your health when ingested in tiny amounts, but when inhaled in large amounts this metallic element is known to increase lung cancer risk. In fact, studies of mine workers exposed to chromium showed that cigarette smoking dramatically increased their risk of developing lung cancer Formaldehyde—a chemical used in particleboard, plywood and foam insulation as well as cigarette smoke. Prolonged exposure to formaldehyde can cause lung damage, nasal cancer, skin irritation, and stomach problems. Lead— the same lead found in paint, solder, and metal alloys is also an ingredient in many cigarettes! Lead exposure can damage your brain and kidneys. It can also cause anemia… stomach problems… and even damage to reproductive organs. Nickel—commonly used in dental fillings, stainless steel and batteries, nickel exposure can cause asthma, bronchitis and respiratory problems. Prolonged exposure has been linked to cancer of the lungs, nose and sinuses. Inhaling nickel is also thought to cause cancers of the stomach and throat. Polonium 210—this rare element emits alpha radiation. Inhaling polonium in cigarette smoke can cause this element to build up in the lungs. A study described by Cancer Research UK estimates that smoking half a pack of cigarettes a day provides a radiation dose equivalent to 300 chest X-rays each year! Vinyl Chloride—exposure to this chemical used to produce plastic is associated with an increased risk of brain, liver and lung cancers as well as leukemia and lymphoma. Whew! That's just 10 of the thousands of chemicals you're inhaling with every breath of secondhand smoke. But some folks would have you believe that members of the scientific and medical communities are merely blowing smoke when they warn you about inhaling these toxins… Wanna guess how the tobacco industry weighed in? The tobacco industry responded to the claims of the medical establishment by funding their own scientific studies to exonerate passive smoking. For example, a 2003 study4 published in the British Medical Journal claimed that no causal relationship could be established between environmental tobacco smoke and tobacco-related deaths. The study also found that the association between secondhand smoke and diseases like heart disease and lung cancer may be "considerably weaker than generally believed." These conclusions sharply contrast with declarations made by the EPA, the U.S. National Toxicology Program, the U.S. Surgeon General, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer—who have all classified secondhand smoke as a known human carcinogen. A few simple steps can help you avoid becoming a passive smoker! So what can you do to protect yourself? Well if you're a smoker, try to limit your smoking to outdoor areas away from other people. And if you're not a smoker, you're probably grateful for government regulations and other policies that restrict smoking on airplanes, in workplaces, some restaurants and other public venues. One sure thing is that every step you take to reduce your exposure to cigarette toxins can certainly help prevent your good health from disappearing in a puff of smoke.

Bodybuilding.com's Feature Body Transformation Cynthia G

Date Released: 12/12/2011

Body Transformation: Cynthia Accepted A Competition Challenge There’s a bug that’s okay to catch. It’s called the competition bug. Learn how it helped Cynthia reach her fitness goals! Vital Stats Name: Cynthia Gonzales Email: cynthiagonzales619(at)yahoo.com Bodyspace: Before: Age: 30 Height: 5'2 1/2" Weight: 135.5 lbs Body Fat: 29% Chest: 38.5" Waist: 31.5" Hips: 38" Thighs: 21" Calf: 15" Arm: 11" After: Age: 31 Height: 5'2 1/2" Weight: 120 lbs Body Fat: 12% Chest: 35.5" Waist: 26.75" Hips: 35.5" Thighs: 19.5" Calf: 14.5" Arm: 9.5" Why I Got Started I've been a track & field/cross country runner/competitor since the age of 4. I took it into my high school career where I did very well. I gave everything up to work 3 jobs to be able to provide for my family, having kids and being a single parent at a very young age, which was very tough to balance. I let my job, relationships, and life just run me, and I lost myself somewhere along the lines which in turn reflected in my appearance. After losing my job of 10 years, I found myself trying to figure out what to do next. I did battle depression during this time which also contributed to the weight gain (max weight 175lbs). After a few months I knew I had to figure out what I was going to do next with my life, my family and my job. I started doing what I knew how to do best and that was running, which is something I have always felt kept me balanced on and off. I have put 18 years worth of miles on these wheels, so getting back into it was like "riding a bike". My body responded very quickly and the more I saw changes the more I wanted to keep going, I started working out because it was time to get my body back! How I Did It In order to stay motivated, I started working out with friends and family. My friend Kerry started training with me after I challenged her, which helped her to lose over 40 lbs. My next challenge to her was to run a 5k...she did. When she was done she handed me an OXYGEN magazine and said "My challenge to you is to pick a competition!" It was after June 25th 2010 where I saw my girlfriend from childhood Elena Andrade and my friend Raymond Querido compete in The West Coast Classic where I got the bug to get serious about competing. So I went for it. I competed in 5 competitions last year and placed 5th, 7th, 3rd, 7th, and 4th! I work with Kim Oddo, he is my Nutrionist/Trainer/Coach.

NCAA Mens Basketball: #20 BOWIE STATE POUNDS PITT-JOHNSTOWN 80-69

Date Released: 12/11/2011

#20 BOWIE STATE POUNDS PITT-JOHNSTOWN 80-69 (BOWIE, Md. – December 8, 2011) Bowie State University overcame a 37-35 halftime deficit and rebounded to capture an 80-69 non-conference victory over the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown. The 20th ranked Bulldogs improve their record to 5-1 on the year while the Mountain Cats dip to 5-4 overall. “I thought we defended very well … We forced 25 turnovers and guarded really well in our half court man and full court pressure … that has been our focus over the last week and half”, said Bulldogs head coach Darrell Brooks. So far this season, when Bowie State scores first and/or shoots 50 percent or better from the field, the Bulldogs win. Well, tonight was no different. Senior Jay Gavin stoked a 3-pointer right off the opening tip and BSU ended the evening shooting 50 percent from the floor. Pitt-Johnstown’s Patrick Grubbs gave the Mountain Cats their first lead of the game at 4-3, but Bowie State used a 24-7 run over the next 7:16 to build a 16-point advantage. Back-to-back triples by Gavin put the Bulldogs up 25-11 at the 12:14 mark and a layup by junior Bryan Wilson seconds later gave BSU, what many thought, a comfortable lead. However, the Mountain Cats responded in huge way. Jordan Miller hit a 3-pointer and Nick Novak followed with a short jumper to ignite a 26-8 run to close out the first half and gave Pitt-Johnstown a slim two-point halftime lead. BSU senior Travis Hyman scored the first Bulldogs’ points of the second half and a Wilson layup tied the game for the third time. Back-to-back layups by UPJ’s Jordan Miller gave the Mountain Cats their largest lead of the night at 46-42. A pair of free throws by Bulldogs’ senior Darren Clark and another free throw by Gavin trimmed the Pitt-Johnstown lead to one with 16:37 remaining in the contest. Grubbs pushed the visitors lead to four again (49-45) via a free throw and a layup. The Bulldogs scored the next 14 points to regain the lead and gave Bowie State a double-digit advantage. Bowie State extended their lead to 13 with 5:57 left to play and cruised to the victory from there. Grubbs; double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds led the UPJ Mountain Cats. Miller had 17 points and a team-high six assists, while Novak added 17 points as well. The Mountain Cats shot 48 percent from the field (27-of-56), but just 4-of-16 from three-point range. Pitt-Johnstown made 11 of its 17 free throws (65 percent). The Bulldogs made 27-of-54 field goals which included 9-of-22 beyond the arc (41 percent) and 17-of-23 from the charity stripe (74 percent). Bowie State was paced by Gavin’s career-high 26 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the floor to go along with five rebounds and three assists. Clark and Wilson also scored in double figures tallying 20 and 13 points respectively. Clark led the Bowie State on the glass, grabbing a team-high seven rebounds and tied his season-assists high with eight. Looking ahead to Bowie State’s upcoming game at Mercyhurst, Brooks said, “We have to do a better job taking care of the basketball … we just turn it over too much and we have to be a little more patient executing our offense. If we get better at those things and get a little better with our defense, we’ll be tough to deal with as the season moves on. The Bulldogs will now prepare for first semester final exams before returning to action in the Mercyhurst Invitational (December 17th-18th).

Washington D.C. Area Sports Update 12/08/11

TURNOVERS AND POOR SHOOTING COSTLY IN 74-54 LOSS AT UDC, BULLDOGS MAKE GOOD IN HOME DEBUT BEATING CALIFORNIA (PA) 84-75

Date Released: 12/10/2011

TURNOVERS AND POOR SHOOTING COSTLY IN 74-54 LOSS AT UDC (WASHINGTON, D.C. – December 5, 2011) A very slow start and a season-high 27 turnovers were primary reasons for Bowie State’s 74-54 setback at the University of the District of Columbia. The win keeps the Firebirds record unblemished at 6-0. The Firebirds began the game with an 8-0 run. However, Bowie State managed to pull within seven twice in the first half, primarily on the play of senior Juliette Turner. With the Lady Bulldogs trailing 17-9 at the 10:05 mark, Turner scored 10 of the final 21 points of the opening period. The game went back and forth in terms of runs for the remainder of the first half and the Firebirds went into the locker room with a 37-30 lead. Turnovers were a common problem for both teams in the first half. The University of the District of Columbia committed 16 miscues and Bowie State committed 19. Bowie State shot a disappointing 9-of-33 from the field (27 percent) in the first half and 9-of-18 from the free throw line. UDC attempted 33 first half field goals as well, making 13, but went a perfect 9-of-9 from the charity stripe over the first 20 minutes. The second half presented more of the same as the Firebirds maintained control for most of the game. However, Bowie State trimmed the deficit to 41-37 by the 16:08 mark of the second half on a breakaway layup by Turner. Turner cut the UDC lead to two on their next possession, but the Firebirds ran off 13 unanswered points to seize control of the game for good. Dohnay Banice recorded game-highs of 20 points and added a dozen rebounds to lead the University of the District of Columbia. Jamilia Bonner and Lauren Brittingham scored in double figures as well, tallying 19 and 10 points respectively. Jasmine Rich handed out a game-high seven assists for the Firebirds. Turner led Bowie State in scoring for the fourth straight game, pacing the Lady Bulldogs with 19 points to go along with seven rebounds. Sophomore Brooke Miles contributed 10 points and fellow sophomore Chanet Wallace added nine points. Bowie State’s Lady Bulldogs ended the night shooting just 28 percent field from the floor (17-of-60) and 49 percent from the free throw line (16-of-33). Bowie State (0-5) returns to the court on Saturday (December 10th), making a return trip to Shepherdstown (W.Va.) to face the 4-3 Rams of Shepherd University. BULLDOGS MAKE GOOD IN HOME DEBUT BEATING CALIFORNIA (PA) 84-75 (BOWIE, Md. – December 6, 2011) In a game of firsts, the 20th ranked Bulldogs of Bowie State University won its home opener 84-75 over the Vulcans of California University of Pennsylvania. The win was also Bowie State’s first career-win against California (PA) after four previous setbacks dating back to the early 1980’s. With the victory, the Bulldogs improve their record to 4-1 overall while the Vulcans drop to 5-2 overall. Bowie State senior Darren Clark tied his career-high of 28 points and added nine rebounds, six assists and three steals to pace the Bulldogs. Fellow senior Jay Gavin finished the night with 17 points and a BSU career-high five assist, while junior Dameatric Scott posted 10 points before fouling out. The Bulldogs jumped out to a 13-5 lead in the first five minutes of the contest before extending its lead to nine points, 17-8 with 12:13 remaining before halftime. The Vulcans then mounted an 8-2 rally on a traditional three-point play by Mitchell Weedon (Frederick, Md.) and back-to-back buckets by Chad Tipton (Hanover, Pa.) to trim the deficit to 19-16 at the 10:03 mark. Bowie State responded by pushing the lead back to nine before the California (Pa.) cut the deficit to 38-37 at intermission following a jumper by Travon Vann (Frederick, Md.). The Vulcans took their first lead of the game in the opening seconds of the second half and quickly had a four-point lead, 42-38, after a three-point play by CJ Townes (Joppatowne, Md.) at the 19:40 mark. Bowie State tied the game less than two minutes later before taking the final lead change of the game with 15:51 left in the second half. With the Bulldogs holding a 61-53 advantage, California (Pa.) ran off seven unanswered points to cut the deficit to one point (61-60), following a lay-up by Townes with 9:09 remaining. The Bulldogs maintained the lead and stretched it to as many as 12 points, 78-66, with 2:28 left to play. Vann and Fortune each scored a team-high 14 points to lead the California (Pa.) Vulcans. Tipton added a dozen points and Chris Williams (Philadelphia, Pa.) pulled down a team-high eight rebounds to go along with nine points. Bowie State shot 63 percent (17-of-27) from the field in the second half and closed out the evening at 50 percent (28-of-56) overall. However, second half free throw shooting could have come back to bite the Bulldogs as Bowie State hit just eight-of-21 from the charity stripe. BSU ended the game shooting 56.4 percent (22-of-39) from the free throw line and held a slim 39-38 rebound margin. In comparison, California (Pa.) was held to a season-low 36.5 percent (19-of-32) from the field and shot just 26.7 percent beyond the arc. The Vulcans were successful at the free throw line, knocking down 33-of-44 for 75 percent. Bowie State will play another non-conference game on Thursday (12/8) night, hosting the Mountain Cats of the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown. Game time is set for 7 pm in BSU’s A.C. Jordan Arena.

The Gluten Shocker, Doctors shocked by this 31-day home cancer cure

   

Free Report reveals what you need to know if wheat and grains are tearing  up your gut— and wreaking havoc with your health!

Has your doctor told you to stay away from dairy, wheat, soy or some other common food allergen? Do you find it difficult to eat certain foods without experiencing embarrassing gas... bloating... stomach cramps... or loose bowels?

My urgent Free Report will reveal a new medical breakthrough  that will change the way you think about food forever!

Scientific research now proves a little-known molecule found in most all the foods you eat can wreak havoc on your digestive system and mimic all kinds of health problems including... Headaches—that come out of nowhere... Poor concentration... brain fog... and senior moments... Skin problems—including itching and breakouts... Weight gain... bloating... and puffiness... Fatigue... joint stiffness and unexplained illness... Mucus build-up... throat clearing... and uncontrollable coughs... Upset stomach... cramping... belching... and stinky, embarrassing gas!

Don't blame your digestion problems on getting older or some yet-to-be-discovered food allergy.

My urgent new Free Report will reveal the little-known cause of many of your most stubborn gut  problems... why probiotics and well-known digestive aids might not be getting the job done... and an easy, yet powerful, way to put some well-deserved enjoyment back into meal time!

   
 
 
    Shocked doctors forced to eat crow

after patients use...

  The 31-Day


  Home Cancer Cure
   
   
 
 
    

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

“Congratulations! You're cancer free!”     declared Rev. Cobus Rudolph's doctor after Rev. Rudolph used the 31-Day Home Cancer Cure to get rid of his stage four colon cancer

“You’re a miracle from God!”     said Richard Wiebe’s doctor after he used The 31-Day Home Cancer Cure to get rid of his terminal brain cancer

“Are you the terminal patient I saw     two months ago? You look great!”     remarked Kevin Irish’s doctor after Kevin used The 31-Day Home Cancer Cure to get rid of his stage four lung cancer

“Well, I know the cancer is     here somewhere”     said Frank Woll’s doctor while looking through a magnifying glass. But Frank’s deadly skin cancer was gone—totally GONE!—after he used The 31-Day Home Cancer Cure

You’re invited to see a free video presentation with all the details on these amazing cures that happened thanks to the 31-Day Home Cancer Cure.                You can see the proof for yourself, presented by Ty Bollinger, one of America’s top experts on alternative cancer treatments.  In the free video, Ty tells you about the 31-Day Home Cancer Cure so that you won’t have to watch someone you love die in misery from outdated cancer treatments.                Ty knows exactly what’s it’s like to go through that, because he lost seven close family members to cancer, including his mom and dad. When his mother passed away, it was the last straw. He set out to find a way to beat cancer. He invested 7 years in learning about the treatments that really work. And now he wants to share what he learned with you in this free video.                If a doctor told you the important information that’s in this video, he’d lose his license and might even go to jail.  Ty isn’t a doctor and he doesn’t have that problem. He's free to tell you the truth.                He also doesn’t sell the treatments or make money off of them – unlike establishment doctors who will bill you as much as $850,000 for chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.  After they’ve taken your money, you’re almost sure to die anyway -- because only two out of 100 cancer patients survive once the cancer has spread from where it first started.                That's why it makes sense to at least consider the proven alternatives Ty has uncovered.  I'm not asking you to believe it yet –  first take a look at the proof.                The 31-Day Home Cancer Cure costs so little that just about anybody can afford it – even uninsured patients on Medicaid. No wonder the cancer industry hates it!                The 31-Day Home Cancer Cure could save you or a loved one from dying an early death from cancer. There IS a better way to beat cancer than suffering through the misery of chemo and radiation. But I want YOU to decide if this is on the level. . .if this amazing treatment plan can save you the way it saved the four people at the top of this page. Click here and see the video!                As you’ll find out, it really is amazing how many doctors have been forced to eat crow after their “incurable” and “terminal” patients used the 31-Day Home Cancer Cure!

Don't Let Being A Caregiver Make YOU a Patient!

Who's Caring for the Caregiver?,br>


It's not only the patient who faces serious physical and emotional challenges flowing from a cancer diagnosis. The illness and its effects can also take a toll on family and friends who support the sick loved one. Here are some ideas on how to lighten the load a bit. . .



Continued below. . .



How to Avoid Testosterone Loss



Testosterone is what makes you feel so sharp and invulnerable in your 20s and 30s. It's what makes you strong, quick, and aggressive. It's what makes you a man - plain and simple.



But here's the problem: testosterone levels start to decline once a man hits 35. Every day as you get older, you lose a little more testosterone. The National Institute of Health (NIH) states the average man loses up to 95% of his testosterone by the time he hits 70!



Dr. David Blyweiss has created a special report... to show you how you can support healthy testosterone levels - and reclaim that youthful strut and swagger you thought was gone for good!



Click Here to Find Out Just How Fired Up and Ready You Can Be!





According to the Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA), roughly 44 million American families and friends are unpaid caregivers for another adult. It's they — not paid professionals -- who are providing about 80 percent of the long-term care in the United States.



Even the most willing and capable of caregivers can be subject to feelings of anger, exhaustion, loneliness and sadness as they confront the daily challenges of caring for a cancer patient.



This is why it's vital that caregivers look out for themselves while nursing the cancer patient to ensure they can continue to help the one in need. If you're a caregiver, you need to avoid burnout.



Let's consider some practical strategies.



We'll start by looking at the kind of responsibilities you might have to shoulder when attending to the needs of a cancer patient.



Guess who's doing most of the work



A study from the Journal of Family Nursing1 reported results from a survey given to 750 cancer caregivers participating in the University of Pennsylvania Family Caregiver Cancer Education Program.



The researchers noted that these individuals are typically:


* Female (82%)

* Married (71%)

* Living with the patient (54%)

* Over 50 years of age (47%)



Thus, most caregiving is done by married women, quite often they're old enough to join AARP, and more than half the time they're living with the patient. This doesn't make me feel particularly proud, and I'm inclined to say the men need to pitch in.



Caregivers are often required to perform a variety of tasks, including feeding, bathing, dressing and providing companionship for the patient. Primary caregivers might also be called upon to:


* Dispense medications.

* Handle insurance problems.

* Provide transportation to medical appointments.

* Talk to doctors and other medical professionals about the patient's progress.

* Train other family members to provide care when necessary.



The American Cancer Society says a good caregiver is typically the person who knows everything that is going on with a patient. But this person also will help the patient to stay involved and make informed decisions.



This may sound like a serious workload—even when you're a willing participant! This is why it's important to ask for help to relieve stress and to keep you from feeling overwhelmed.



There's no shame in asking for HELP!



The Journal of Family Nursing study emphasized that providing care for a loved one with cancer can have a noticeable impact on the caregivers' physical, emotional, and financial health.



The authors emphasized the need for caregivers to seek help when needed—be it from other family and friends or even from professional counselors.



When you ask others for help, it takes some of the pressure off of you. It can also free up time for you to attend to your own health concerns and personal matters.



Keep in mind that even when people offer to help, they don't always know what kind of help you as a caregiver might need. The American Cancer Society (ACS) suggests these tips for getting help from family and friends:


1. Make lists of things you need. This could include help with cleaning, cooking, shopping, yard work, etc.

2. Hold regular family meetings to provide information on the patient's health status and care to less involved family members.

3. Ask family and friends for specific dates/times when they are available to assist. Be clear about what you need from each person.

4. To help yourself stay organized, keep notes of who has completed which tasks.



Remember that when you ask for help it also helps your loved one too! When you get help in caring for his or her needs, you'll be healthier and more energetic to provide assistance yourself.



It can also help ease any feelings of guilt the patient may have about the time you're sacrificing for them. Plus, you'll be able to tap into skills of others that you might not have.



Once you've enlisted the aid of other family and friends, you might find you have a little extra time to…



Help yourself to some TLC!



The National Cancer Institute (NCI) suggests several things caregivers can do to care for themselves. For one thing, NCI says it's important that you do something for yourself every day.



This could be a small thing like spending some time with a favorite activity or hobby…



… or staying connected with friends for support…



If you had health concerns of your own before becoming a caregiver, NCI stresses the need for you to keep up with your own medical appointments, prescriptions, and diet.



Keep in mind that the added stress and responsibility of caring for a cancer patient can cause new health problems. Make sure to tell your doctor if you notice any changes in your body.



A cancer diagnosis can also provoke a number of questions, fears and concerns. Many caregivers have benefitted greatly from joining a support group.



These groups provide a forum for caregivers to talk about their feelings, as well as share advice and ways they cope with the illness. Some folks come just to listen. For many people, it helps just to know they aren't alone.



Cancer is a life-changing event—both for cancer patients and the ones who care for them during their health crisis. As you lend your energy, love and time to help someone cope with cancer, you might discover inner strength and skills you never knew you had!

Bodybuilding.com's Feature Body Transformation

Body Transformation: AnnMarie Made Her Competition Dreams Come True AnnMarie was stuck in skinny-fat-ville and wanted to have a body like the fitness models she saw in magazines. Raed on to see how all her hard work paid off and got her onstage. by Female Transformation Of The Week Dec 02, 2011 Vital Stats Name: AnnMarie Matusheski Email: Amstang84(at)yahoo.com Bodyspace: AnnMarie92806 Before: Age: 24 Height: 5'6" Weight: 130 lbs Body Fat: 24% Waist: 29" Hips: 40" After: Age: 26 Height: 5'6" Weight: 144 lbs Body Fat: 15% Waist: 27" Hips: 37.5" Why I Got Started I got started because I was gaining weight. I decided to join the my mom's gym and started reading up more about fitness. I did a ton of cardio at first, thinking this is how I am going to get fit. Basically I was "skinny fat." I really liked the look of the girls in oxygen magazine and I realized I wanted that. Monica Brant was a huge inspiration. I attended the Arnold classic and felt very motivated, but I was pregnant at the time. After I had my son, I dropped the weight and then some but I was not happy with my body. I wanted a fit, muscular look, rather than a "skinny" with no muscle tone look. I started looking into competing in a competition. I attended a local show and was ready to give it a try. I started eating differently and hit the weights hard. I slowly started to see changes in my body. The results were what kept me motivated. I haven't looked back since! I love the feeling of being strong. How I Did It I started my journey to the stage in January 2009. I enlisted the help of a trainer in my area. After working with her for a few months, we were not on the same page. I then met another competitor and she and her husband taught posing classes. She helped me out with my nutrition and posing starting in June of 2009. I did my own workouts by researching and chatting with other fellow competitors. In October 2009 I competed in my first two figure shows. I was just happy to attempt the stage. Now I want to compete again and obtain my pro card.

Washington D.C. Area Sports Update 12/07/11

BSU Track & Field, Womens Basketball, Maryland Crab Bowl All Star Game.

Date Released: 12/07/2011

(COLLEGEVILLE, Pa.) The Bowie State University men's track and field team opened the 2011-2012 with a first place finish in the Bow-Tie Classic hosted by Ursinus College. The Bulldogs topped the competition with 199 points, followed by Dickinson in second with 113 points, Cheyney was third (102 points), Ursinus placed fourth (88 points) and Gwynedd-Mercy rounded out the top five with 71 points. In the women's division Bowie State placed third overall out of 19 teams. Coppin State University and host Ursinus tied for first with a score of 171 points, followed by Bowie State (125 points), Misericordia was fourth (101 points) and Delaware State University placed fifth with a score of 85 points. JOHNSON C. SMITH SPOILS LADY BULLDOGS HOME DEBUT LADY GOLDEN BULLS TAKE 76-63 CONFERENCE WIN OVER BOWIE STATE (BOWIE, Md. – December 3, 2011) Senior Juliette Turner recorded a career-high 23 points to go along with 16 rebounds and sophomore Chanet Wallace added a career-high 16 points and 16 rebounds in Bowie State's 76-63 home opening loss to Johnson C. Smith University. Johnson C. Smith (6-1, 1-0 CIAA) led the majority of the game, except for the first 4:15 of the contest. With the scored tied at 6-6, the JCSU Lady Golden Bulls went on an 11-3 run to give them a little cushion by the 11 minute mark of the first half. The JCSU lead grew to a first period high of 13 (27-14) and pretty much held a double-digit lead until freshman Alisha Burley nailed a half court 3-pointer to close out the first 20 minutes. Johnson C. Smith went into the break with a 36-29 advantage. Bowie State and Johnson C. Smith were pretty much even in terms of first half field goals as the Lady Bulldogs went 11-of-34 (32 percent) while the Lady Golden Bulls went 12-of-34 (35 percent) from the floor. Johnson C. Smith began the second half with a 13-0 burst before a Wallace free throw stopped the BSU scoring drought over the first eight minutes. A 3-point field goal by JCSU’s Terran Quattlebaum extended the visitors lead to a game-high 20 points on the Lady Bulldogs next possession. The Bowie State duo of Turner and Wallace cut the Lady Bulldogs deficit to 10 with just over nine minutes left to play, but that’s as close as the home team would get. Bowie State’s field goal shooting percentage fell to 29 percent in the final period, making 12-of-42 from the floor and ended the afternoon hitting 23-of-76 (30 percent). The Lady Golden Bulls offense wasn’t the greatest either over the final 20 minutes. JCSU made just 10-of-32 from the floor, but used 18-of-28 free throws to help hold of BSU. Johnson C. Smith went to the charity stripe 42 times in the game, converting 27 compared to 13-of-21 overall for Bowie State. Bowie State (0-4, 0-1 CIAA) outscored Johnson C. Smith 30-18 in the paint but the Lady Golden Bulls bench outscored the Lady Bulldogs bench 25-7. Shavonda Price led Johnson C. Smith with 23 points, which included 14-of-16 from the free throw line and tied for team-high rebound honors with nine. Quattlebaum and Phyllis Jenson scored in double figures adding 14 and 12 points respectively. JCSU’s April Smith and LaKendra Wilkerson matched Price’s rebound total of nine. Senior Kimberly Jones scored in double figures for the second time this season, contributing10 points and grabbed a career-high eight rebounds. Senior Cortney Baynard handed out a team-high four assists and junior Jasmine Jacobs provided three assists. The Lady Bulldogs return to the hardwood Monday (December 5th) traveling across town to face the undefeated Lady Firebirds of the University of the District of Columbia at 6 pm. November 30, 2011 Bowie, MD – The Mid Atlantic Football Foundation (MAFF) is pleased to announce the 4th Annual Maryland Crab Bowl Powered by Under Armour, December 17th, 2011 at 12:00 pm, at Bowie State University. The Crab Bowl is Maryland’s only statewide all-star game, and in its four year history boasts well over 190 active alumni throughout the country at virtually all levels of college football. Tickets are available on a pre-sale basis starting December 1, 2011 via the web at: http://chesbowl.ticketleap.com/2011-maryland-crab-bowl/ “We are excited to produce the Crab Bowl again this year,” said Sean O’Connor, MAFF’s Director of Business Operations, “because just this weekend alone, 37 of our alumni will be in action at the Football Championship Series, Division II and Division III level as their play-offs continue. The Crab Bowl represents this great state for college football well, and our game provides exposure for the state’s best talent for some of this country’s best institutions of higher learning to see these young men compete.” The Mid Atlantic Football Foundation, Inc is a non-profit (501c3) foundation. It was created in January 2011 to provide the youth of our community the opportunity to participate and compete in football related events. Please visit our website at: http://midatlanticfootballfoundation.org/ Washington Roster: http://marylandcrabbowl.com/joomla_2/index.php/teams/washington-roster Baltimore Roster: http://marylandcrabbowl.com/joomla_2/index.php/teams/baltimore-roster

Two "berry" good solutions to cancer

Two "berry" good solutions to cancer-Lee Euler Publisher, Cancer Defeated and Natural Cancer Remedies that Work

Date Released: 12/06/2011

Cancer Defeated Update By Lee Euler Two "berry" good solutions to cancer Every day at Cancer Defeated we learn about new, exciting alternative cancer treatments. I'll bring you the news in these updates. One promising and totally risk-free breakthrough is plain old red raspberries. A doctor at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) has discovered a nutrient in this delicious fruit that stops the division of cancer cells. And before you say, "I can't eat raspberries every day," let me tell you more good news: you can take red raspberry capsules or a red raspberry concentrate available on the market. In fact, the concentrate was used in the South Carolina study that demonstrated the power of this new remedy. Encouraging results against a variety of cancers Dr. Daniel Nixon of MUSC began studying ellagic acid in 1993. This naturally occurring plant phenol may turn out to be one of the most powerful ways to prevent cancer before you get it AND inhibit the growth of cancer cells already in progress. Dr. Nixon's study demonstrated that ellagic acid causes cancer cells to experience the same pre-programmed death as normal cells -- instead of the runaway cell division that usually characterizes cancer. He studied cervical cancer cells, but tests reveal similar results for colon, breast, prostate, pancreatic, skin and other cancers. The results hold up in animal experiments whether the critters are fed natural ellagic acid or synthetic ellagic acid. If you prefer real red raspberries (and who wouldn't?) our sources suggest one cup a day. As for the extract, you may be able to buy it online at HealthWize LLC, email address: sales(at)hwize.com. (We don't stand behind this company and have no affiliation with them). Our advice, get professional help when using these breakthroughs The easiest, best way of all to battle cancer is to put yourself in the hands of an alternative doctor who knows about the power of raw, unprocessed foods -- and about all the other effective cancer treatments available. We can help you find the right doctor with our Special Report called Adios Cancer -- How rich and poor alike beat cancer in clinics south of the border.. As you can probably guess, the clinics we reveal in this special report are foreign because so many of the best, most effective cancer treatments are illegal in the United States. Just look at one example: a proven therapy called hyperthermia is just about unavailable in the United States. It's based on the discovery that a high fever -- like you'd get with measles, for example -- is known to cure cancer. Alternative doctors have found safe, effective ways to harness this discovery (without giving you an infection!) -- but you can't obtain this treatment in the United States. It's just my private opinion, but if I found out I had cancer I would refuse to be treated at any clinic that does NOT offer hyperthermia. Now, a reliable guide to clinics that will help you In our new Special Report, Adios Cancer, you'll find out that a lot of millionaires and celebrities agree with me. They know about these foreign cancer clinics and make a beeline for them when they need treatment. The heir to the Max Factor cosmetics fortune suffered from lung cancer that had spread to his liver and spine. "You have only six months to live," his doctors told him. Instead, he headed for one of the clinics revealed in this Special Report and found a doctor who uses banned-in-the-U.S.A. cancer treatments. This wealthy man was alive and cancer-free 20 years later! Just click here on Adios Cancer to learn more about this valuable information and place your order.

Serial Killer T cells Go on Rampage Against Leukemia

From Lee Euler, Publisher Cancer Defeated

Date Released: 12/05/2011

Serial Killer T cells Go on Rampage Against Leukemia It never occurred to me that a serial killer could be a good thing. But when the killer is an immune system cell called a T cell, and it's programmed to attack thousands of tumor cells at a time, it becomes a wonderful thing. I'm referring to a new gene therapy that recently surfaced from a brand-new, bold approach to killing cancer. The good news is, it's working. In fact, even the researchers behind this treatment admit to being blown away. This one is really exciting. . . Continued below. . . How a Doctor Reversed Her Husband's Alzheimer's Disease in 37 Days New breakthrough improves memory… restores lost brain function … and even revives dying cells! If you've ever known anyone with Alzheimer's disease, you know how heart-breaking it can be. Not only does it destroy a person's mental abilities and dignity … but it wipes out the person's very personality, leaving behind a mere shell of a human being. The body is there for you to see, but the person you know and love no longer exists. That's exactly what happened to my colleague Dr. Mary Newport and her husband Steve. As Mary describes it, "I was watching my husband of 36 years fade away." In Mary's words, it was "Strange to have no short-term memory and yet the information was filed somewhere in his brain. I knew he was locked up in there somewhere, if only there was a key to open up the areas of his brain that he didn't have access to." Little did Mary know that she would soon find that very key. Continue reading to learn more about this amazing story Sensational results from a single shot It started with a highly unusual approach to cancer treatment. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania's Abramson Cancer Center and Perelmen School of Medicine thought it would be a good idea to treat cancer patients with genetically engineered versions of the patients' own T cells. The pilot study started with a group of only three patients. Each patient had advanced chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and was essentially out of treatment options. The protocol was to remove some T cells from each patient and then modify those same cells in the Penn vaccine production facility. Once removed, those T cells were reprogrammed to attack tumor cells. After being reprogrammed, the modified T cells were infused back into each patient's body. Three weeks after the infusion, all three patients tested in the study experienced a dramatic response to the treatment. Two of them went into complete remission. The third experienced at least a 70% reduction in cancerous cells. The researchers were blown away with the results. Lead researcher Carl June, MD, even enthused, "It worked much better than we thought it would." He went on to describe a 1000-fold increase in the number of modified T cells in each patient. "Drugs don't do that," said June. He also said each infused T cell led to the killing of thousands of tumor cells, destroying at least two pounds of tumor in each patient. Treatment exceeds 'wildest expectations' The T cell "reprogramming" was done with something called a lentivirus vector, which encodes an antibody-like protein (called a chimeric antigen receptor, or CAR), on the surface of the T cells. CAR is also designed to bind to a protein called CD19, which is important because it differentiates the good cells from the cancerous cells. Once a T cell successfully expresses the CAR protein, it hunts down and kills other cells that express CD19. This includes CLL tumor cells along with normal B cells. All the other cells in a patient get ignored — important, because this means few side-effects. That's impressive science right there. But even better than that, the research team also inserted a "signaling molecule" into the part of the CAR that exists inside the T cell. After binding to a CD19 protein and initiating cell death for the cancer, this signaling molecule tells the cell to make cytokines. In turn, these cytokines prompt other T cells to multiply. This generates new, good-guy T cells until all the cancer cells are destroyed. Before this, the only real treatment option was a bone marrow transplant that has a 50 to 80 percent long-term success rate. As you can see from that statistic, this type of leukemia is fairly mild and treatable, even without this new T cell breakthrough. What's more exciting is that the T cell therapy may be applicable to other cancers. It's interesting to note modified T cells have been used in previous trials, but with uninspiring results. The researchers involved in this trial describe the process as a "reawakening" of T cells that were suppressed by the leukemia. They also hope the treatment will stimulate something called "memory" T cells to provide protection against a relapse. It's that self-perpetuating aspect of this treatment that is truly amazing. Unlike chemotherapy, which has to be given again and again (often to the detriment of the patient receiving it), this treatment will persist over time, dividing and killing tumors. Bright future for gene transfer therapy The researchers involved say this work essentially provides a roadmap for attacking tumors of other types of cancers, including lung cancer, ovarian cancer, myeloma, and melanoma. They'll start by moving forward with similar tests on other types of CD19-positive tumors, including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and acute lymphocytic leukemia. In addition, they've already come up with a CAR vector that binds to mesothelin, which is a protein found on the surface of ovarian, pancreatic, and mesothelioma cancer cells. The findings of this study were published in the New England Journal of Medicine and Science Translational Medicine. It's big news on the cancer front because this is the first time researchers have successfully used gene transfer therapy to bring about an attack on cancerous tumors — and it's all thanks to this idea of "serial killer" T cells. The research that almost didn't happen The reason this treatment almost didn't happen was a lack of funding. The National Cancer Institute and multiple pharmaceutical companies all declined to pay for the research. Their reasons are unknown, but a good guess is probably that the concept was too innovative. Interesting, because if you think about it, this approach works with the body's natural defenses instead of dredging up yet another power-drug. In the end, and thank goodness, philanthropic support came through. This included funds from the Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. At some point, there will probably be a handoff to a pharmaceutical company, especially as larger trials get underway. Maybe some government funds will become available. In a better world, this discovery would be taken to market without Big Pharma's help, but that's probably too much to hope for. It will be interesting to see how much this costs when it finally reaches the public. The other thing that tempers my enthusiasm a little bit is that the 5-year survival rate is reportedly 76 percent for CLL (chronic lymphocytic leukemia, the type that was treated in this study.) If that's true, then conventional medicine was already having a fair degree of success with this disease, and the new breakthrough may be less than it seems. For all types of leukemia, the 5-year survival rate is claimed to be over 50 percent. Let's hope this new discovery improves those rates even more. And -- most important in my view — let's hope it works for other types of cancer. We've been told by some alternative cancer doctors that they actually refer leukemia patients to conventional treatment centers because the chances of success are fairly good. Leukemia seems to be one of the rare types of cancer where conventional treatment is worth a go, especially if the patient has chronic leukemia, the mildest form of the disease. In the meantime, this T cell treatment is one of the first major cancer breakthroughs that wasn't supported by a pharmaceutical company, that shows excellent results, and works WITH the immune system instead of destroying it. As we wait for the wheels of Big Medicine to slowly grind away on this thing, there are great natural remedies available right now. Our last issue reported on one of the most exciting. If you missed it, scroll down and take a look now. Ancient India's Answer to the Plague of Modern-Day Stress Reduces the number of cancer tumors by up to 92%! Lions and tigers and bears were the stresses faced by our cave-person ancestors. It's highly unlikely you'll have to fight those kinds of battles… yet your body responds as if that kind of attack is imminent, nearly all day, every day. All around us are pressures that make us feel like we're in a fight to the death: traffic jams, grocery store lines, deadlines, the general lack of time, the never-ending pressure to do all the things we "should" do. Plus you can add the epidemic of environmental toxins, poor nutrition, and lack of exercise. What toll does all this take on our health — and what's an EASY way to relieve some of it? Our research team at Cancer Defeated has turned up a remarkable herb that reduces the cellular damage caused by stress by as much as 80%! But we also found something far more exciting to this story: Recent animal studies show striking, drastic reductions in cancer. Keep reading. . . Continued below. . . Here's Where You Can Get the Full Range of "Forbidden" Cancer Treatments Two of the most common requests I get are "Where can I find an alternative cancer doctor?" and "Where can I find a doctor who will give me this treatment that only doctors can do?" By the latter I mean treatments such as full-body hyperthermia, intravenous vitamin C or IV laetrile. The answer is simple: Mexico. You can get most of the major alternative cancer treatments there, and it's completely legal. What's more, you can get them in safe, ultramodern facilities with top doctors who are recognized as the best all over the world. There's something else: these clinics are perfectly safe, no matter what you hear on the news. The highly publicized violence does not affect these clinics one bit. I just attended a big annual conference on alternative cancer treatments, and once again, I heard abundant testimony from many people that there's no danger at all — not one bit. So set aside whatever stereotypes you have about dirty, back-alley doctors' offices or doctors with mail order degrees. These are highly modern medical facilities that can compete with any I've seen in the United States. I was treated at one of them myself in March. You can get details about the best clinics in our updated and expanded guide to Mexican cancer clinics called Adios, Cancer! (If you already purchased our Directory of the World's Greatest Alternative Cancer Clinics, all the information about Mexico is already in there, in addition to info about top European and American cancer clinics). In my opinion, you need to know or at least consider the wonderful medical facilities in Adios, Cancer! if you have cancer now or you may ever get cancer. In other words, EVERYONE needs to know this information. So click here and learn more about this wonderful Special Report. The High Price Chronic Stress Exacts on Your Health It makes sense to slow down for a moment and listen to your body. Some of the ways it speaks of sky-high stress include: 1. Faster Heart Rate — This is great if you're running from a lion or tiger, but when it becomes an everyday event, you risk burning out your heart and suffering cardiovascular disease. 2. High Blood Pressure — When stressed, blood flow to your brain and muscles may increase up to 400%. Good for shooting a bear… not helpful as an ongoing lifestyle. 3. Slow digestion — Energy you need to digest your food is diverted to your head, heart and limbs… leading to chronic constipation, irritable bowel disease, and more. Stress can also change your eating habits — prompting you to grab for certain snacks, resort to comfort foods (read: weight gain), or skip meals. 4. Weight gain — Caused by increased cortisone levels due to prolonged stress. 5. Insomnia and other sleep problems — From an over-active mind and mental stress. Sleeplessness takes a much bigger toll on your health than most people realize (see Issue #20 for more). 6. Muscle tension and fatigue — When under long-term stress, your muscles get tight and tense, resulting in overworked muscles without the benefit of exercise. 7. Immune problems — Halt your body's ability to fight infections. And then there's reduced happiness, poorer quality of life, depression, anxiety, memory loss, skin imbalances, reproductive problems, decreased sexual desire, and more. Do you see yourself here? Then read on — because there's an ancient answer for this modern plague. And it not only helps reduce stress, but shows hope as an anticancer agent, protects brain health, and more. Ancient eastern herb comes to the rescue of overstressed modern folks Stress depletes your body of critical nutrients, and increases oxidative stress, i.e. free radical damage. But this ancient herb is capable of reversing the damage and relieving your stress. It grows naturally in North America and Africa — but it's most commonly associated with the Ayurvedic traditions of the east. Ayurveda is an ancient philosophy and application of natural health well-known in India. One of the cornerstones of Ayurveda is an herb made from the roots of the Withania somnifera plant (also known as India winter cherry), called ashwagandha. It's been used for centuries to treat a host of health conditions. This exotic herb is an adaptogen, which means it helps your body deal with stress, trauma, anxiety and fatigue. Stress Reduction 101 Ashwagandha is a potent antioxidant. Chronic nervous system tension causes premature aging, increases lipid (fat) peroxidation, and decreases your stores of critical antioxidant enzymes catalase and glutathione peroxidase. Studies show ashwagandha can help deactivate much of your chronic stress buildup. For example, when ashwagandha extract was given one hour before a daily stress-inducing procedure, it neutralized free radical damage.1 One animal study shows how potent ashwagandha is at reducing tension and stress on your nervous system. In animals exposed to chronic stress, 85% of their cells showed signs of chronic degeneration. But when ashwagandha was administered, the number of damaged cells fell by a whopping 80%.2 The largest human clinical trial to date showed impressive results too. Participants reported a number of measurable improvements — including increased energy, reduced fatigue, better sleep, and an enhanced sense of well-being. Also, strikingly, ashwagandha led to a 26% reduction of cortisol — a stress hormone. What's more, participants in the study saw a fall in fasting blood sugar levels and improved blood lipid levels.3 This herb packs quite a few benefits into one pill. Ashwagandha was even shown to be equivalent to leading name brand anti-anxiety and anti-depressant medications — but without the terrible side effects.4 Scientists believe that premature aging linked to chronic stress is also linked to free radical damage. Ashwagandha seems to reverse this oxidative stress. Some scientists suggest using it as an anti-stress therapy, clinically. A University of Texas Health Science Center study also examined its anti-stress benefits, and found that it exhibited activity similar to GABA, which may explain why it is so effective in reducing anxiety. (GABA is your brain's major inhibitory neurotransmitter, which puts the brakes on your anxiety.) You might guess that if ashwagandha can slow you down, reduce your stress and put an end to chronic nervous tension, it may also play a role in your risk of coming down with chronic diseases like cancer. It's a good guess... Killing cancer cells Exciting recent evidence suggests that ashwagandha has the potential to stop cancer cells in their tracks. Scientists in India recently concluded that it disrupts cancer cells' ability to reproduce — an all-important part of fighting cancer.5 A recent study showed ashwagandha could inhibit the growth of human breast, lung, and colon cells in the lab. And at a level comparable to that achieved by the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin. In fact, for breast and colon cancer, the specific compound withaferin A from ashwagandha was more effective than doxorubicin.6 Ashwagandha has been shown to disrupt cancer cells' ability to reproduce, by inhibiting their ability to form new blood vessels which support tumor growth. What's more, animals with lymphatic cancer, when fed ashwagandha, saw a marked increase in life span and an overall decrease in tumor weight.7 There's more: Preliminary studies show that the leaf extract of ashwagandha can decrease cancer cells without adversely affecting healthy ones.8 Another study looked at stomach cancer in lab animals. With orally administered ashwagandha, tumor incidence was cut by 60% and the number of tumors by a staggering 92%. Correspondingly, in skin cancer tumor incidence was cut by 45% and the number of tumors was cut by 71%.9 Other studies confirm those skin cancer findings.10 Looked at from a different angle… a well-known side effect of conventional chemotherapy is neutropenia, a sharp increase in the risk of infection, caused by a drastic drop in white blood cells. An animal study showed that oral ashwahandha protected against neutropenia, suggesting it may be a viable adjunctive therapy.11 What's more… Ashwagandha protects from aging, brain fog and worse Ashwagandha's reach extends beyond stress and cancer. It is also celebrated for its anti-aging and brain protective effects. For years, Indian healers have suggested ashwagandha as a remedy for memory loss and other degenerative brain diseases. Scientists from the University of Leipzig have confirmed this. They examined its effects on the brain, by dosing rats with it and seeing what it did to their neurotransmitters. Turns out it led to more brain activity — the kind that accounts for ashwagandha's reputation for increasing cognitive ability and memory. Other studies have come to the same conclusions. So it should come as no surprise that it's also useful for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's. Some of its impact as an anti-aging tonic may link back to its anti-stress effect. Reducing your stress can slow down the pace at which you're wearing out your body and cells. More exciting breakthroughs to come… As with many herbs, ashwagandha is not specific to one organ or body system and therefore is helpful for multiple health conditions. More research is underway for ashwagandha's efficacy for: * Fatigue * Pain * Skin diseases/acne * Diabetes * Gastro-intestinal diseases * Rheumatoid arthritis * Bone cancer * Tuberculosis * Parkinson's * Bipolar Disorder * Epilepsy I expect these studies will turn up a great deal of new information. It's probable we've just begun to learn the benefits of this herb. One caveat that our research turned up… Please consult your doctor if you have thyroid disease and are considering using ashwagandha because of concerns with how it affects your thyroid. The herb is also not recommended for pregnant women because it reportedly can cause miscarriage. Otherwise, ashwagandha appears to be a safe way to reduce stress in your life — at the very least — and you may reap other benefits as well. It's readily available online from a number of reputable sources. Full disclosure: I haven't tried it myself. My procedure with any new supplement or remedy is to start gradually and be alert to any changes in my digestion, sleep habits, energy level or other symptoms. Alternative medicine boosters love to tell you that all natural remedies are perfectly and safe and have no side effects. Tain't so. Proceed with caution and common sense.