Alternative Cancer Treatments - Avoiding Sugar With Stevia

As many people now recognise, oxygen is cancer's number one enemy. But an enemy of oxygen in the body is refined sugar, which increases acidosis and thereby eliminates oxygen. Refined sugar is the prime energy source for fuelling cancer cells, and it is found in large quantities throughout the modern diet. So is there any wonder that the incidence of cancer in the western world has multiplied many times throughout the past century!

In today's food industry, the presence of sugar is regularly concealed under its many pseudonyms, such as fructose, cane extract, corn syrup solids and so many other contemporary euphemisms. However it is particularly found in many popular soda type drinks, so heavily promoted and avidly consumed by millions around the world.

What about artificial sweeteners like aspartame? Can't they be used instead of sugar? Yes indeed, they are regularly used as a sugar replacement in many diet drinks. I'm sure you know which ones they are. But what you might not be aware of is the long-term toxicity of many such products and the damage and illnesses to which they can lead. Evidence is accumulating and perhaps one day it will be sufficient to have them taken off the market.

However, as an alternative to artificial sweeteners, there is one totally natural sugar-substitute readily available today which stands out above all the rest, and that product simply goes by the name of Stevia.

For centuries, the native Americans of Paraguay and Brazil used a species of Stevia, Stevia rebaudiana which they called ka'a he'e (or "sweet herb"), as a sweetener in yerba mate and medicinal teas for treating conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, and heartburn. Stevia is a herb belonging to the daisy family, possessing zero calories, zero carbohydrates and a zero glycemic index. Fortunately Stevia has recently gained greater attention with the rise in demand for low-carbohydrate, low-sugar food alternatives. It is also now available as a health food supplement in the USA and Europe.

It was not until 1931 that French chemists isolated the glycosides that give Stevia its sweet taste. These extracts were named steviosides and rebaudiosides. These compounds are around 250-300 times sweeter than sucrose (in the form of ordinary table sugar). Stevia's sweet taste has a slower onset but a longer duration than that of sugar. At high concentration it possesses a bitter and liquorice-like after-taste, which varies depending ipon which glycoside is consumed.

As a sweetening agent Stevia has almost zero calories, in contrast to table sugar that possesses 4.5 calories per gram. Stevia does not significantly alter blood glucose, and so is attractive as a sweetener to diabetics and those on carbohydrate controlled diets.

In the early 1970s, the Japanese began cultivating Stevia as an alternative to artificial sweeteners such as cyclamate and saccharin, suspected carcinogens. Stevia sweeteners have been produced commercially in Japan since 1977 and are widely used in food products, soft drinks, and for table use. Japan currently consumes more Stevia than any other country, accounting for about 40% of the sweetener market.

Stevia is also able to perform a number of other beneficial tasks. For example, it has been shown that it may enhance moods and increase energy levels and mental alertness. The cosmetic industry also employs Stevia in many skin care products, where its topical application has been shown to reduce the appearance of skin blemishes.

Whether you are a cancer sufferer, a diabetic, or simply want to lose weight painlessly, I highly recommend that you add Stevia to your nutritional regime. It is inexpensive and available through many health stores or via the Internet.

About the Author:
Dr. Bianca Tavares is a medical consultant experienced in traditional and complementary medicine. Her writing about prostate cancer symptoms can be found at Alternative Cancer Treatments.
Posted: 10-08-2006
Article Source: www.ArticlesBase.com

10 Most Likely Cancers You Are Going To Get

One of the greatest concerns America has today is cancer. The figures are alarming according to the National Cancer Institute studies a total of 1,372,910 new cases of cancer and 570, 280 deaths were predicted for the year 2005. Approximately one in every four deaths is due to cancer.

Research indicates that the lifetime probability of developing cancer is higher for men at 46% while for women it is 36%. The National Cancer Institute has put in place a challenge to eliminate suffering and death due to cancer by 2015. To meet this, the nation is tackling the problem on a war footing. And, to this end the creation of awareness has become a priority. To conquer cancer you must know what the risks are, how lifestyle changes can help, about intervention and preventive care, and where help is available.

The most common cancers are:

Men:

1. Prostrate. This accounts for approximately 33%.

2. Lung and bronchus. Accounts for 13%

3. Colon and Rectal. Accounts for 10%

4. Urinary and Bladder –7%.

5. Melanoma of skin—5%.

6. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma—4%.

7. Kidney and Renal Pelvis—3%.

8. Leukemia—3%.

9. Oral Cavity and Pharynx-3%.

10. Pancreas—3%.

Women:

1. Breast –32%.

2. Lung and Bronchus—12%.

3. Colon and rectum—11%.

4. Uterine Corpus—6%.

5. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma—4%.

6. Melanoma of the skin—4%

7. Ovary—3%.

8. Thyroid—3%.

9. Urinary Bladder—2%.

10. Pancreas –2%.

An organization called the CDC is taking giant strides in the field of cancer prevention and control. They advocate adoption of a healthy life style, eating nutritious and well balanced food, regular health checks, and screening for cancer. Screenings are quite often lifesaving as problems can be nipped in the bud. Many cancers are curable if detected in the early stages.

It is important to know that a cancer is a disease where healthy cells in the body divide uncontrolled to form tumors. This could happen anywhere in the body and some tumors are benign while others are malignant. Most cancers have different symptoms but to give you an idea, symptoms can include an unexplained lump in any part of the body may feel like a small marble; perceptible growth of a wart or mole; wounds and sores that do not heal; a persistent cough; changes in bowel or bladder habits; indigestion; weight loss or gain; unusual bleeding or discharge. These are symptoms that are caused by not just cancer but many other diseases. And, early cancer does not manifest itself in any outward signs so the only way is to undergo health checks. So, you need the help of a doctor to make an accurate diagnosis.

Screening will include routine physical examinations, lab tests, x-rays, and specialized tests like mammograms, CT scans, MRIs, sonography or laparoscopy. The physician will, after giving you a general check and noting down the history recommend any special tests if he finds anything that requires further investigation.

In depth information on cancer, prevention, cures, treatment, counseling and more can be found at: http://www.thecancer.net ; http://www.cancer.org ; and http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics .

About the Author:
Paul Wilson is a freelance writer for http://www.1888Discuss.com/health/ , the premier REVENUE SHARING discussion forum for Health Forum including topics on health care, Children's Health Issues, addiction, Cancer, fitness equipment, Burns & Injuries and more. He also freelances for the premier Medical Articles Submission Directory site http://www.1888Articles.com/health-articles-8.html
Added: 12 Apr 2006
Article Source: http://articles.simplysearch4it.com/article/25097.html

Dietary Carcinogens That Increases The Risk Of Cancer

One way our diet may increase the risk of cancer is by dietary carcinogens. There are four groups of carcinogens:

• Naturally present carcinogens
• Carcinogens forming during food preparation
• Preservatives and coloring agents added to food
• Some substances are changed in to carcinogens in the body

Naturally present carcinogens:

An example of this is 'Aflatoxin', a mycotoxin produced by fungi. Grains and nuts can be contaminated by fungus, which then produce chemicals called aflatoxins. They are known to cause liver cancer in Africa and the Far East, especially in people who are carriers of hepatitis antigens.

Carcinogens forming during food preparation:

Polycyclic hydrocarbons, such as benzopyrenes, are formed during barbecuing meat on an open fire (e.g. preparing jerked chicken). These polycyclic hydrocarbons are also one of the main constituents in cigarette smoke that cause lung cancer.

The traditionally high intake of fried and broiled food, such as meats, can increase the risk of breast, distal colon, prostate and pancreas cancers. Several studies showed that populations that eat fried or broiled meats have a relative risk greater than 2 (deviation from median) for colon and breast cancer.

More than 20 such chemicals have been identified. They are present in fairly small amounts, but their action is promoted, an effect associated with n-6 polyunsaturated oils such as corn or safflower oil at 30-40% of energy in animal and human studies. A lower fat intake, 15-22% of energy, dramatically decreases those effects.

Preservatives and coloring agents added to food: (Need some more tests to establish this relationship).

Food colorings are added to increase the appeal of the food but not all are good for us. An example is "butter yellow". Artificial sweeteners (like saccharine & cyclamates) and preservatives which produce nitrosamines are known to cause bladder and stomach cancers respectively.

Some substances are converted in to carcinogens:

Nitrosamines are formed from sodium nitrite. Sodium nitrite is present in drinking water and vegetables.

About the Author:
Alex Fir
Cancer is one of the main causes of death among humans. Visit "Cancer Information", FREE web site for those who want to learn how to deal with this vicious disease. http://www.cancer-data.com
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