Archive for February, 2010

Health Benefits of Dates

Date is the name of the fruit of the Date Palm, which is believed to have originated somewhere in the desert oases of northern Africa and, perhaps, southwest Asia.
A serving of power-packed dates contains 31 grams of carbohydrates, making them a powerhouse of energy. Carbohydrates include 3 grams of dietary fiber and 29 grams of naturally occurring sugars such as fructose, glucose and sucrose to provide quick energy and are readily used by the body. Dates are a perfect energy boosting snack.
Dates are one of the best natural sources of potassium. Dates also contain a variety of B-complex vitamins – thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6 and pantothenic acid.

Health Benefits of Dates :
- Great energy booster.
- Dates get digested very quickly, that’s why they can be used for quick energy and repairing wastes.
- Dates are also excellent remedy for alcoholic intoxication.
- The date is a laxative food. It is highly beneficial in the treatment of constipation as the roughage provided by it stimulates sluggish bowels.
- Dates are an effective remedy for weak heart. Dates soaked overnight in water and crushed in the same water in the morning after removing the seeds should be taken at least twice a week in this condition. It will strengthen the heart.
- Dates are Rich in Potassium and Low in Sodium.
- Researches have revealed that dates are effective in preventing abdominal cancer.
- Dates have a tonic effect and thus, hold value as medicines.

However, as a precaution, dates require great care for selection. The sticky surface of the date attracts dust and impurities of the air to settle there. It is, therefore, advisable to purchase the best varieties in good packing condition and to wash them thoroughly before use.
- When you select dates, always make sure they are evenly colored and fleshy. A dry, withered-looking date has neither any taste nor nutritional benefits.
- Ensure there are no sugar formations on the exterior part of a date. This usually happens around a dry date fruit and is absolutely not suitable to eat.

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What does Malignancy mean ?

Normal body cells are made up of organelles and a nucleus that contains the chromatin, which is a combination of DNA and proteins that make up a chromosome. This nucleus also contains a nucleolus, a small structure with RNA that plays an important part in protein synthesis. Under normal circumstances, cells of the same type are somewhat equal in size, have a common shape and spread out evenly. The cells grow slowly by a process known as mitosis, adhere (stick) to each other and spread out in a layer formation to collectively form a tissue.

Benign tumors also have normal cells and grow in an ordered manner. However a benign tumor has no physiological function and is therefore considered as an unnecessary growth in the body.

A malignant tumor does not have normal cells. These ‘cancer’ cells are different from normal cells in the following ways :
* Irregular size of cell and nucleus.
* Irregular shape of cell and nucleus.
* Malignant cells stain differently from normal cells under microscopic examination.
* Chromatin within nuclei clump irregularly.
* Nuceloli are large, prominent and irregular.
* Malignant cells do not stick (adhere) to each other as well as normal cells.
* Malignant cells are compacted within a smaller area.

It is the abnormal genetic material in a malignant cell that is responsible for carcinogenesis (the process of malignancy). This genetic material causes the cells to behave, multiply and grow in the manner that is referred to as a malignancy.

Cancer and its symptoms

Cancer is a group of many related diseases that begin in cells, the body’s basic unit of life. Normally, cells grow and divide to produce more cells only when the body needs them. Sometimes, however, cells become abnormal and keep dividing to form more cells without control or order, creating a mass of excess tissue called a tumor.

Cancer is a broad term that encompasses over one hundred different types of cancer. Although each type has its own set of characteristics, there are some cancer symptoms that occur in many types of cancer. It is important to note that some types of cancer do not present any symptoms until they are in advanced stages. This is why cancer screening and risk assessment are vital for cancer prevention and early detection.

Cancer gives most people no symptoms or signs that exclusively indicate the disease. Unfortunately, every complaint or symptom of cancer can be explained by a harmless condition as well. Some common symptoms that may occur with cancer are as follows:
- Persistent cough or blood-tinged saliva.
- Persistent Fatigue : It is usually more common when the cancer is advanced, but still occurs in the early stages of some cancers. Anemia is commonly the culprit — a condition that is associated with many types of cancer, especially types affecting the bowel.
- Weight loss : Losing 10 pounds or more unintentionally definitely warrants a visit to the doctor. This type of weight loss can occur with or without loss of appetite.
- Pain : It is not an early symptom of cancer, except in some cancer types like those that spread to the bone. Pain generally occurs when cancer spreads and begins to affect other organs and nerves.
- Bowel Changes : If you experience constipation, diarrhea, blood in the stools, gas, thinner stools, or just a general overall change in bowel habits, see your doctor.
- Chronic Cough : A persistent, new cough or a cough that won’t go away or becomes worse needs to be evaluated by a doctor.