There is absolutely nothing a lot more frustrating than waking up in the center of the night to go to the lavatory. And though it may well just be a sign that you drank too considerably in advance of hitting the hay, it could also point out a even larger trouble.

Not too long ago, a viewer requested this question to Dr. Manny Alvarez, senior managing editor of FoxNewsHealth.com:

Pricey Dr. Manny,

I’ve begun waking up in the middle of the night time to use the bathroom each night time. I’m a fifty seven-yr-old person in superior wellness. What do you feel it could be?

Many thanks,

Jim – Sarasota, FL

Dr. Manny: Taking into consideration your age and the fact that you say you are healthy, you could want to ask your doctor about benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. The ailment has an effect on half of all adult males in between the ages of 50 and sixty.

As you age, the prostate can come to be enlarged and squeeze the urethra, leading to the powerful urge to urinate. BPH can normally be controlled with way of life modifications, but some adult males gain from treatment.

There is a probability it could be a indicator of an fundamental wellbeing ailment like heart sickness, diabetes, hypertension, vascular sickness, prostate infection or a snooze problem. You must see your health care provider to rule out any really serious problems and find a treatment that is correct for you.

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Stay Cool and Lovely

 Watermelon is an amazing fruit, which can work wonders for your skin. It acts as a natural moisturizer as well as a toner and keeps the skin cool, glowing and fresh.

 The Smartest Pick for Losing Weight

Packed with vitamins and minerals the watermelon is labeled as one of the healthiest fruit. Low in calories and fat free, watermelon is prescribed as an ideal diet food.

The battle of the bulge could be won with the sweet and juicy melons that can be served as a lip smacking dessert or a snack without adding to the bulge. Hence the watermelon diet is the perfect choice of an ideal weight loss program.

Fight Fatigue and Keep Your Metabolism in High Gear with Water Melons

On a typical summer day watermelons are extremely refreshing as they have very high water content, 92% water and 8% sugar.

Rich in electrolytes (sodium and potassium) this wonder fruit amazingly nourishes your body. It not only replaces the electrolytes lost through sweat but also hydrates your cells and maintains the water balance in the cells. Metabolism is boosted as the functionality of the cells is increased, ultimately energizing your body.

The 4 great fatigue fighters – Potassium, Vitamin C, lycopene and iron found in watermelon drives away any feeling of fatigue you may experience.

Naturally, watermelons are ‘The Pick Of The Season’.

 Are You Stressed Out? Relax And Chill Out With Water Melon Juice Or Cubes

 Watermelon is a ‘sensational’ stress buster says a research. Watermelon is high in vitamin B6- and is used by the body to produce brain chemicals, which may relieve stress, anxiety and panic attacks. It naturally relaxes the blood vessels without any drug side effects.

 Add Spice To Your Marital Life With Water Melons:

 The popular summer fruit may be a natural Viagra say research scientists. The luscious summer fruit is rich in an amino acid called citrulline. Citrulline relaxes and dilates blood vessels very much like Viagra and other drugs that are used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED).

For Stunning Looks Like Brangelina And Winning Knocks Like Sachin and Dhoni, Go For Water Melons!

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In one week, people of all ages will leave their normal clothes in their closets and dress up for Halloween. This holiday, celebrated by a lot of people, is a time where children and adults get to be whatever they want. Although most of times the costumes people pick are safe to wear, this year, the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning regarding illegal colored contacts that can be purchased without prescriptions. These contacts, which come in red or white, can cause eye conditions and even blindness.

“Even though Halloween approaches, consumers shouldn’t let a good deal or great costume bling them to the dangers of counterfeit decorative contact lenses,” the executive associate director of the Homeland Security Investigations, James Dinkins said according to UPI. “What’s truly scary is the damage these counterfeit lenses can do to your eyes for a lifetime.”

According to the officials from the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, they are in the midst of an investigation, “Operation Double Vision,” to seize these counterfeit contact lenses. The contact lenses are illegally entering the U.S. and have not been approved by the FDA.

One of the problems officials have with these contacts is access. Customers can get illegal contacts very easily and at reduced prices. Illegal vendors will sell the products without asking for a prescription written by an ophthalmologist, optometrist or a licensed optician under the supervision of an eye doctor. The officials stressed that even though buying illegal colored contact lenses might be easy, jeopardizing one’s eyesight is not worth it.

“Our concern is that consumers who buy and use decorative contact lenses without a valid prescription can run significant risks of eye injuries, including blindness,” the director of the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations, John Roth, said. “It is always better to involve a qualified eye care professional and protect your vision.”

The officials stressed that people should avoid getting contact lenses at Halloween stores, novelty stores, beauty shops or online sellers unless a prescription is required.

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Alcohol in moderation can be a health-boosting addition to any diet. It not only lessens the risk of heart disease, but also relives stress, according to the Mayo Clinic website. However, when it comes to building muscle, alcohol can have detrimental effects on protein synthesis, testosterone, and growth hormone, all major players in the muscle building process.

Alcohol Facts

Alcoholic beverages usually contain ethanol, a type of alcohol that packs seven calories per gram. Unlike protein, carbs or fats, it’s not considered a nutrient nor does it provide any function in the body. Excessive drinking can have serious consequences, such as alcoholism and liver disease, according to the Mayo Clinic website. In contrast, moderate drinking, which is defined as two drinks for men and one for women 65 years or older, can have some health benefits, such as reducing the risk for diabetes and stroke.

Inhibit Muscle Protein Synthesis

In research reported in the August 1999 issue of the “American Journal of Physiology, Endocrinology and Metabolism,” researchers discovered that drinking alcohol can inhibit muscle protein synthesis, the muscle growth process within muscle cells. During a 14-week study, subjects on an alcohol containing diet had greater levels of myopathy, or muscle loss, than those taking a placebo. Scientists suggest that alcohol blocks the process of protein synthesis, which leads to a reduction in muscle mass.

Testosterone Impact

Research shows that alcohol can negative affect the muscle building hormone testosterone, according to research published in the May 2004 issue of the journal of “Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental.” Participants consumed beer or non-alcoholic beer for three weeks while following the same diet composition. Scientists found that the beer group had significantly lower testosterone levels compared to the no-alcohol beer. Low testosterone levels can compromise muscle building, since the hormone plays a vital role in initiating protein synthesis.

Growth Hormone Impact

Like testosterone, growth hormone facilitates the protein synthesis process. Therefore, maximizing growth hormone output can increase the muscle growth process. In research reported in the 1980 issue of the “Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism,” researchers found that alcohol consumption significantly suppressed growth hormone release during sleep.

Caution

As confirmed by the scientific studies above, alcohol consumption can put a damper on your muscle building goals. Just proceed with caution when drinking alcohol. Avoid going overboard, but don’t permanently deny yourself the occasional alcoholic beverage. According to the Mayo Clinic website, always drink responsibly and in moderation.
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Americans seem to have a love affair with snacking.

 As a society, we eat twice as many snacks as we did a generation ago. Women, on average, nosh on upwards of 400 snack calories per day, according to federal survey data. And men consume almost 600 calories a day in between meals.

So, if nibbling is our new pastime, researchers have a suggestion for one satiating snack that seems to help control our appetites: almonds.

According to the findings of fresh research published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, people who added 1.5 ounces of almonds to their diet each day reported reduced hunger, and they compensated for the extra calories from nuts by eating less at other times of the day.

“This research suggests that almonds may be a good snack option, especially for those concerned about weight,” says Richard Mattes, a professor of nutrition science at Purdue University. “Despite adding 250 calories to the diet, there was no change in total energy intake.”

And after a month of eating almonds each day, the participants did not gain weight.

If you listen to my story on All Things Considered, you’ll hear how Glenn Reed of East Orange, N.J., manages to stay slim. We met up with him at Union Station, in Washington, D.C., during the late afternoon commuting rush.

“There’s a lot of junk and sugar here [at the train station],” Reed noted, “so I always look for something with nuts in it.”

As he munched on trail mix that included almonds and dried cranberries, he says nuts may be calorie dense and full of fat — which many Americans are wary of — but for him, nuts are the perfect snack.

“I love the crunchiness, and this is a snack that will definitely … hold you over [until dinner],” Reed told me.

So what is it about nuts that can help curb our appetites? It’s most likely a combination of factors, explains Mattes.

“The protein, the unsaturated fat composition, the fiber” all very likely play a role, he says. And almonds are low in carbohydrates, which tend to stimulate our appetites.

One other factor? Chewing. As we’ve reported, research has shown that if we don’t chew our almonds thoroughly, some of the calories move right through us — undigested.

Prior research has already shown that almonds help increase satiety, both in people of normal weight and those prone to being overweight.

The new observation here, according to Mattes, is that almonds are even “better at controlling appetite when consumed as snacks.”

His team found that eating almonds in between meals tended to blunt the rise in hunger, compared with when people ate the nuts as part of a meal.

It’s not clear whether all nuts have this effect. This study was funded by the almond industry, and researchers didn’t evaluate other types of nuts.

Mattes explains that industry-funded studies are becoming more common, especially as government funding becomes harder to obtain. But he emphasizes that the research is carried out completely independently and is peer-reviewed before being published.

“So it does have the checks and balances,” Mattes concludes.

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It’s almost become a running joke -”everything causes cancer.” Pessimistic humor is used to ease the painful truth that 500,000 people die annually because their own cells mutate and destroy their bodies. There is so much conflicting information about the genetic and environmental causes of cancer, it can seem impossible to do the right thing. But putting on blinders will not change the fact that 30 percent of those deaths are diet-related, according to the American Cancer Institute. And there is evidence from a variety of sources that certain foods contribute to the forming and proliferation of cancer cells, and some foods can help prevent it.

Not Your Friends

The foods that have been shown to contribute to cancer are high in substances that the body cannot effectively break down, or that create toxic chemicals in the metabolic process. These include hydrogenated oils, animal-based saturated fats, salt, sugar, fructose, artificial sweeteners, preservatives, pesticides, and genetically modified organisms. Red meat, processed meat, and cooked muscle meats contain many of these cancer-causing substances. Red meat contains the pigment haem, which can stimulate the colon to produce carcinogenic chemicals. Processed meats contain sodium nitrate and other harmful preservatives that are linked to colon cancer. A study by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory determined that the process of cooking meats creates tumor-causing mutagens that act like estrogen to artificially regulate cell growth. This can cause cancerous cells to reproduce rapidly.

 

Sugar deserves special mention, as excessive sugar consumption severely compromises the health of every organ and feeds cancerous cells. Soda pop is the most dangerous; each serving contains the equivalent of 10 to 18 teaspoons of sugar and other carcinogenic chemicals like caramel coloring. Artificial sweeteners are also to be avoided because of their potential side effects. A University of Minnesota study found that drinking two sodas a week doubles a persons risk for developing pancreatic cancer.

Hydrogenated oils are particularly harmful to the heart and liver. Snack foods fried in these oils usually contain trans-fat, chemical flavorings and preservatives, and the carcinogenic chemical acrylamide. Another dangerous snack food is microwave popcorn. The lining of the bag contains chemicals that can cause liver, testicular, and pancreatic cancer, which vaporize into the popcorn during the microwaving process.

The Good Guys

As with so many other health recommendations, the best way to fight cancer seems to be a diet of colorful and varied fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. The vitamins and minerals in fruits and veggies fortify the organs to resist toxicity. The fiber they contain supports the health of the colon, and helps pass toxins and waste matter from the body more quickly. It also stimulates the colon to produce cancer-fighting chemicals. Ground flax seeds are an excellent source of fiber, as well as omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s reduce inflammation, and may inhibit cancer cell reproduction.

The phytochemicals in plant foods serve to protect and repair DNA, and some even fight particular carcinogenic chemicals. The chlorophyll in dark green vegetables and algae (chlorella and spirulina) helps mitigate the effects of eating meat and processed foods. The lycopene in tomatoes and grapefruit lowers the risk of prostate, breast, lung, and colon cancer. Broccoli, kale, cabbage, and other cruciferous vegetables contain protective glucosinolates, and the sulforaphane in broccoli and broccoli sprouts is a potent detoxifier. Berries are anti-cancer superheros, with several essential nutrients, flavonoids, and anti-oxidants. The ellagic acid in strawberries boosts enzymatic production. The anthocyanins in blueberries are also very helpful in preventing cancer. Carrots supply beta-carotene, falcarinol, and other nutrients that help prevent breast and cervical cancer, but it is best to cook them (whole, not chopped) to get all the anti-oxidants. While some plant nutrients have been isolated into supplements, it seems most of the healthful properties are only bio-available in the whole foods.  Aim for at least 4 servings of fresh fruit and 5 servings of fresh or steamed vegetables each day. Organic food is preferable, to avoid the potentially carcinogenic pesticides and GMOs that conventional food may contain. And whatever you are eating, do not overdo it, as obesity contributes to the development of cancer and other diseases.

The jury is still out on exactly how pivotal diet is in the quest to be free of cancer, and the jokes may continue as we grapple with this overwhelming challenge. But it is clear that we can all be served by eating fewer processed products and more healthful, whole, nourishing foods.

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Washington State University researchers have been studying how DDT affects rats. They found that three generations after rats were exposed to the insecticide, more than 50 percent of the females and more than 60 percent were considered obese.

Michael Skinner, who conducted the study, said DDT exposure may be turning off and on gene sequences. That leads to a higher likelihood of obesity, passed from generation to generation.

“What your great-grandmother was exposed to when she was pregnant might actually influence your susceptibility to develop that disease,” Skinner said.

This is known as trans-generational epigenetic inheritance, where gene functions are altered but the DNA is not. Skinner has found these sorts of changes in gene function with other toxicants as well. The list includes bisphenol-A, more commonly known as BPA, dioxins, and fungicides.

Skinner says the findings in this study correlate with the high rates of obesity now – about three generations after most Americans were exposed to the insecticide.

The study did not find increased obesity rates until the third generation. Skinner said a fourth generation of rats also had increased rates of obesity. He said he suspects that once genes have this increased likelihood of obesity, the trait will be passed to subsequent generations.

That could continue to affect obesity rates.

“Two individuals, one with susceptibility [to obesity] and one without, on the same exact diet, with the same exact exercise, the one with susceptibility to develop obesity will develop obesity,” Skinner said.

DDT has been banned in the United States for more than 40 years.

More recently the World Health Organization has approved the insecticide to fight malaria in African countries and India. Skinner worries about the generational affects increased DDT use could have on those countries.

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Telling people to take a daily aspirin to ward off heart disease may do them more harm than good, experts have claimed.

Thousands of patients at high risk of heart disease and stroke take an aspirin each day because studies have suggested it can lower the risk of the conditions by up to 10 per cent, while some evidence suggests it can also protect against cancer.

But daily use of the drug is also known in some cases to cause complications such as internal bleeding and haemorrhagic stroke – a stroke caused by a burst blood vessel rather than a blockage.

Experts from Warwick University reviewed existing evidence and found that there were various reported benefits of taking aspirin each day, including a 10 per cent drop in heart attacks and stroke, and a 15 per cent drop in heart disease.

These reductions alone could result in between 33 and 46 fewer deaths per 100,000 people taking the treatment, they reported in a paper published by the National Institute for Health Research.

Some studies suggested it could prevent 34 deaths from coloretal cancer per 100,000 patients.

But daily use of the drug was also linked to a 37 per cent increase in gastrointestinal bleeding and a 32-38 per cent higher risk of haemorrhagic stroke, leading to 68-117 and 8-10 more deaths per 100,000 patients respectively.

Aileen Clarke, Professor of Public Health Research at Warwick University, said: “There is an incredibly fine balance between the possible benefits and the risks of the intervention.

“We need to be extremely careful about over-promoting aspirin intervention without having first fully understood these negative sideeffects.”

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