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Antioxidant for Scleroderma want to share the experience about antioxidants treatment for scleroderma patient. Maybe, this blog is usefulness for you who's fighting with scleroderma.^_^
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Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Gas and Bloating……again

Hi…..

Yesterday I met the problem that my mom’s problem symptom is still a bloating after eating. From my old basis knowledge, this is because the bowel slows down when the muscle tissue is changed to scar tissue.

Now I worry about this because I do not know that the problem is caused by constipation from the bowel slows down or bowel obstruction.

However, I think that treating with prune juice and papaya should be better than laxative.

Today her bloating symptom is relieved by eating turmeric but I cannot hope that it is the permanent resolve.

Consequently, I continuously try to fight with scleroderma with the trust of natural way, especially antioxidants.

The miracle can be happen. This is proved by my story. The best thing that I met from trusting in natural way is my mom still alive. She can eat and talk with me. Moreover, she can move and try to walk again.

I wish that all you who suffer with scleroderma would meet the miracle too.

Monday, January 28, 2008

Bye-Bye Scleroderma and Acid Reflux by Eating Banana Everyday!!!

According to my plan in treating my mom with antioxidant. Due to her swallow hard, so I try to seek for the way that she can swallow the big pill of antioxidant supplement.

Banana is the answer!. Right!. I stuff the big pill into a banana that let my mom can swallow because of its softness.Therefore,she accustomed to eat banana everyday.
Fortunately, this is good for her because banana has high polyphenol concentration.
The research about "Phenol Antioxidant Quantity and Quality in Foods: Fruits" indicates that polyphenol concentration of banana is ranked in the third level after cranberry and red grape, respectively.

Moreover, Banana has a natural antacid effect on the body that can help in acid reflux reduction.

The rhizome (root) of turmeric ( Curcuma longa Linn.) for scleroderma and acid reflux

The rhizome (root) of turmeric ( Curcuma longa Linn.) not only acts as antioxidant for scleroderma but also helps to treat acid reflux or dyspepsia (heartburn).

However, there is some suggestion for using that turmeric may cause an upset stomach, especially in high doses or if given over a long period of time. Acid reflux has been reported in patients being treated for stomach ulcers. Since turmeric is sometimes used for the treatment of heartburn or ulcers, caution may be necessary in some patients. Nausea and diarrhea have also been reported.

For my opinion and experience in treating my mom with phytonutrient,the various sources with low dose and not given over a long period of time is the best. That is the reason why I try to search for a various sources of antioxidant for you.

I would like to confirm again that my mom eats the various sources of antioxidant and gets well. I hope that you get well too.

This information is gotten from Medline Plus.

Friday, January 25, 2008

There is no cure for watermelon stomach but treatment can speed gastric emptying and relieve gastrointestinal symptoms.

Delayed emptying of the stomach called watermelon stomach or gastroparesis. This serious condition can occur in people with scleroderma. The symptoms of gastroparesis include a feeling of fullness early after a meal, bloating, heartburn, upset stomach, nausea, and vomiting.

I get the information above from Johns Hopkins Health Alert. The suggestion is “eat a diet low in fat and fiber because fat slows the emptying of the stomach and some high-fiber foods can remain in the stomach for a long time”. The high-fiber foods that scleroderma people with watermelon stomach should be avoid include apples, berries, Brussels sprouts, coconuts, green beans, figs, and oranges.

Therefore, I will solve my mom’s problem by feeding her with fruit juice and soften fiber from vegetables instead of the whole fruits. However, prune juice is still good for her.

Mother and her development

According to the last post, which I told you that, the watermelon stomach is still my mom’s problem. In addition, because of the symptoms those involve internal organs are her serious problem. Therefore, this should be good to revise her symptom and her development.

About two years ago, my mom was sent to the hospital with the serious cases of heart attack. The doctor diagnoses her disease as scleroderma because she got dysphagia (condition in which swallowing is difficult or painful), acid reflux, peristaltic abnormalities of gastrointestinal tract, lung fibrosis with resultant low blood dissolved oxygen and weakness of muscles. The diagnosis was confirmed by skin biopsy.

For one month at the hospital, she cannot eat and move. Therefore, the doctor feed her with liquid nutrition. Moreover, she needs to feed with oxygen tube all time. Fortunately, she dose not get renal crisis.

When she leave the hospital and stay at home, her symptoms are better but still need to use oxygen. She still cannot move and eat well.

The first year of stay at home, she needs to beware the serious cases of heart attack. The second year of antioxidants treatment, she start to move and eat well without acid reflux anymore.

Now, she can move (also walk slowly with walker), eat the normal foods well, and leave oxygen tube about six hours. These indicate that all the serious symptoms are developed. Moreover, heart attack never occur again (she ever got heart attack two times within one month)

The only one remained problem is watermelon stomach. I worry about this symptom because although it dose not cause a painful but it may cause a serious problem in a future.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Peristaltic abnormalities may delay gastric empting (watermelon stomach)

Today I find this title sentence "Peristaltic abnormalities may delay gastric empting (watermelon stomach)" from Dermatology Online Journal .

This scleroderma symptom involves esophagus and gastrointestinal tract. Although my mother does not have the problem about acid reflux anymore, but her "water melon stomach" indicates that the peristaltic abnormalities are still the problem.

I will try to solve this problem and trust in natural ways. If someone know how to solve this problem by using antioxidants or another foods, please help me.Thank you.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

The gastroesophageal reflux disease (acid reflux) can cause serious problem in patients with scleroderma

Title: Some things you have to know about the gastroesophageal reflux disease
(Available from www.goarticles.com)

Author: Groshan Fabiola

Article:
When the liquid content of the stomach refluxes into the esophagus, we can say that we have a condition common in gastroesophageal reflux disease. It is believed that the acid is the component of the stomach liquid that does the most harm to the lining of the esophagus. The refluxed liquid also contains pepsin and bile, but their role in injuring the esophagus is not so clear as in acid's case.

Once gastroesophageal reflux disease appeared, it usually lasts all life long. Even if the esophagus has healed, if the treatment is stopped, the injury will return in most patients soon.The treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease usually needs to be continued indefinitely.It is known that the reflux of the stomach's liquid contents into the esophagus can appear in most normal people, but in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease the refluxed liquid contains more acid and remains in the esophagus longer.

Usually, most reflux occurs during the day, when we are in upright position. This position makes the liquid to flow back into the stomach, due to gravitation. When we are awake, we swallow often, and saliva travels down the esophagus, neutralizing the small quantity of liquid that remains in the esophagus after the effect of gravity and repeated swallowing. The saliva contains bicarbonate, and that is why it can have a neutralizing effect for acid.

If a reflux takes place during the night, while sleeping, it will probably cause a greater damage effect to the esophagus because, swallowing stops, the secretion of saliva is reduced and gravity is not in effect. The gastroesophageal reflux disease can cause serious problems during pregnancy, and also in patients that have diseases that weaken the esophageal muscles, such as mixed connective tissue or scleroderma.

There are a lot of factors that can cause the gastroesophageal reflux disease. The lower esophageal sphincter is a specialized ring of muscle that is surrounding the lower-most end of the esophagus where it joins the stomach. It is known that the
muscle that makes up the lower esophageal sphincter is active most of the time. It is contracting and closing off the passage from the esophagus into the stomach.

It is this closing that prevents reflux, and there are a few situations of abnormalities of the lower esophageal sphincter that must be mentioned. If the lower esophageal sphincter performs a weak contraction, that will reduce the ability of preventing the reflux. There can also appear abnormal relaxations of the lower esophageal sphincter, and these allow reflux to occur more easily.

Hiatal hernias also contribute to the gastroesophageal reflux disease. As a result of the hiatal hernia, small part of the stomach and the lower esophageal sphincter come to lie in the chest. Normally, the lower esophageal sphincter is at the level
of the diaphragm. The diaphragm that surrounds the lower esophageal sphincter seems to be important in preventing reflux.

Effects of the diaphragm and lower esophageal sphincter appear at the same location in patients without hiatal hernia. The sum of the pressures generated by them prevent the reflux. In people with hiatal hernia, the diaphragm and lower esophageal sphincter continue to generate pressure, but at different levels, and in this way, the pressure barrier is decreasing.

In hiatal hernia disease, there exist a sac, which is a small pouch of stomach above the diaphragm .It is full of acid, and when it is pinched off from the esophagus above by the lower esophageal sphincter and from the stomach below by the diaphragm, it can reflux easier during a swallow or a relaxation. It is known that the esophagus connects the stomach obliquely, and due to this, a flap of tissue is formed between the stomach and esophagus. It is believed that this tissue is acting like a valve and preventing reflux. When hiatal hernia is present, the valve-like flap disappears, or is distorted and will not help to prevent the reflux.

Esophageal contractions are very important, they are caused by the act of swallowing. During this, food, saliva or whatever there is in the esophagus is pushed into the stomach, and if there is a abnormality with this ontraction,refluxed acid is not pushed back into the stomach. Some abnormalies that can appear: the waves of contraction may die out before they reach the stomach, or waves of contraction do not begin after each swallow, or the pressure generated by the contractions is too slow to push the acid back into the stomach. These are frequent
in patients that have gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Usually, in most cases reflux during day appears after meals, and this probably happens because of the transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations. There were seen patients that are having an extremely slowly digestion, and it is known that
during this period the reflux has greater chances to appear.

About the author:
For more resources about acid reflux http://www.acid-reflux-info-guide.com/ or
especially about acid reflux symptoms http://www.acid-reflux-info-guide.com/acid-reflux-symptoms.please click this link href="http://www.acid-reflux-info-guide.com/acid-reflux-symptoms.
htm">http://www.acid-reflux-info-guide.com/acid-reflux-symptoms.h
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Acid reflux involved digestive system is the important symptom of scleroderma.

As I had told you that my mom had the problem about bowel movement. This problem was solved by drinking prune juice which was suggested by doctor that it is good for her laxation and, more important, it is the rich source of antioxidant.

Today I just know that the problem in bowel movement which is the one of many symptoms of scleroderma is called acid reflux disease.

The primary events that cause trouble in the scleroderma digestive system and gut are due to a decrease in the blood supply to the nerves, which are needed to stimulate the bowel. With decreased stimulation, there is progressive weakening of muscle strength and tone and resultant slowing and dys-coordinated motion of the gut. Virtually every gut symptom is the result of weakening of the gut muscle. The weakening starts in the esophagus (food pipe) and stomach, and works its way down to the small and large intestine.

Fortunately, the acid reflux disease can be treat by using antioxidants.

The antioxidant treatment, as opposed to the traditional drug therapy, decreased the severity of reflux disease and was more protective against ulceration and inflammation of the esophagus. This is the reason why my mom dose not suffer with acid reflux anymore.

Moreover, acid reflux can be managed by diets.A balanced diet that includes nutritional supplements is considered vital to maintain body weight and health. Some literature advises avoiding caffeine, refined sugars, and food additives that have been implicated as carcinogens (e.g., sodium nitrite) or have side effects (e.g., caffeine, olestra, and MSG).

Diets which good for acid reflux treatment are high antioxidant fruit and vegetable such as apple, banana, carrot and broccoli. (See more foods)

See you on the next post and hope that you all get healthiness and happiness.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Doctor's agreement about antioxidant and scleroderma.

Hi! today I find the agreement from doctor about antioxidants and scleroderma and get it from mothernature.com. You can read more about scleroderma from this site.

Doctor's agree: Scleroderma starts with inflammation, and its progress depends on how much inflammation continues to occur in the body. That is one reason some doctors recommend that patients with any sort of inflammatory disease--rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or scleroderma--make sure they are getting optimum amounts of vitamin E, selenium and beta-carotene, a yellow pigment found in dark green, leafy vegetables and in orange and yellow fruits and vegetables. These nutrients, known as antioxidants, are thought to help to dampen inflammation by neutralizing some of the biochemicals associated with the process.

See you next post and I hope that all of you who get scleroderma will get well soon as same as my mother.

P.S. She can walk around our house by using walker and can leave her oxygen tube more than six hours!. We are very happy. We hope that you all are happy too...

Love and hug from our family.

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Goji juice, one of the most prized secrets of the ancientHimalayans, for arthritis and scleroderma.

Today I Find the interested article about Goji juice, which can help to relieve not only arthritis pain but also scleroderma. This article is availability from www.goarticles.com.

Title: Goji and Arthritis

Author: Katrina Coyoca

Article:
Arthritis pain can cause sadness and depression. The pain can cause you to feel like you are missing out on life and the loss of sleep can keep you from enjoying even the simple things in life.

The problems associated with arthritis causes extreme frustration because arthritis makes even the simplest of daily tasks nearly impossible. In advanced stages arthritis can be completely disabling.

We are happy to say that arthritis does not always have to limit your life. Many people are finding the incredible benefits of a remarkable new product and are awed by its unmatched health-promoting powers.

They are finding one of the most prized secrets of the ancient Himalayans who were believed to be the first natural healers, and who shared their wisdom with the ancient herbalists of China, Tibet, and India. That wonderful find is Goji Juice.
Since its discovery in the Himalayas, those who know of this incredible creation are awed by its unmatched health-promoting powers.

We tend to think of arthritis as an old age disease. Perhaps that is because the most common form of arthritis - the wear and tear - degenerative condition known as osteoarthritis (OA) - is most often seen in people over 60. But the OA is not the only form of arthritis. Although many of us refer to it as if it were a single disease, arthritis is actually a catchall term that covers more than 100 medical conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus, gout ad scleroderma. Arthritis can strike at any age often without warning. In various forms,if affects more than 70 miilion adults and 300,000 children in America alone.

No matter what the source of arthritis, there is always the common factor of joint inflammation, often accompanied by pain, stiffness, restricted motion, warmth, swelling, and damage to the protective joint cartilage and surrounding tissues. This
damage becomes progressively debilitating as joints become weakened and destabilized. Ultimately, arthritis can turn even the simplest daily tasks into a painful ordeal.

For those diagnosed with systemic forms of arthritis, the situation can be far worse. Systemic arthritis can affect the whole body, wreaking havoc on the heart, lungs, kidneys, blood vessels, and skin.

Leading Causes of Arthritis

It has been estimated that there are more than 200 causes of the various forms of arthritis. And yet, there are some key risk factors:

A. Cigarette Smoking
Smoking has been proven over and over again to increase the risk of rheumatoid arthritis. A recent large-scale study published in the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases concluded that even moderate smokers (6 per day) could increase their risk by as much as 1500%!

B. Obesity
Obesity is another major cause of arthritis. According to an article in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the single biggest risk factor for osteoarthritis in the hips and hands of people older than 60 is
being overweight. Reducing the symptoms of this painful disease should be a great inspiration to drop those pounds.

In an Asian anti-obesity study, patients were given, goji each morning and each afternoon. Results were wonderful ith most patients losing significant weight. In a 2002 research at the Huazhong Agricultural University in China, it was revealed that
goji's master molecule polysaccharide improved the conversion of food into energy and reduced body weight.

C. Stress
Stress had been shown to be a major trigger in initiating a flare-up, thus it is important to avoid it when possible and to consider the use of relaxation techniques...and goji juice. Goji provides the energy reserves to help you handle just about any difficulty. In Asia, it is said that constant consumption of goji brings a cheerful attitude and nothing beats good cheer overcoming stress!

To learn for goji, please visit Goji Juice.

About the author:
Katrina Coyoca is a staff writer for Goji Juice Review, a leading information resource for news and articles about goji
juice.

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Sjögren's syndrome involves scleroderma

Title: Sjogren's Syndrome - Definition, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
(Available from www.goarticles.com)

Author: Juliet Cohen

Article:
Sjögren's syndrome is a chronic inflammatory disorder of probable autoimmune nature. Autoimmune diseases are characterized by the abnormal production of extra antibodies in the blood that are directed against various tissues of the body.
About 50% of the time Sjögren's syndrome occurs alone, and 50% of the time it occurs in the presence of another connective tissue disease. The classic signs of the Sjögren's syndrome, therefore, includes enlargement of the parotid glands with
mucosal dryness manifest by dry mouth (xerostomia) and dry eyes (xerophthalmia). Sjogren's syndrome is also associated with rheumatic disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis. Sjogren's syndrome that only involves gland inflammation (resulting dry
eyes and mouth, etc.), and is not associated with a connective tissue disease, is referred to as primary Sjogren's syndrome. Secondary Sjogren's syndrome involves not only gland inflammation, but is also associated with a connective tissue disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or scleroderma.

Symptoms associated with Sjögren's are caused by the infiltration of immune-system cells, usually B and T lymphocytes, into the glands responsible for secreting fluid.
This condition can affect people of any age, but symptoms usually appear between the ages of 45 and 55. In Sjogren's syndrome, your immune system attacks the glands that make tears and saliva. Sjögren's may also cause dryness of other organs, affecting the kidneys, GI tract, blood vessels, lung, liver, pancreas, and the central nervous system. Many patients experience debilitating fatigue and joint pain. Symptoms can
plateau, worsen, or go into remission. While some people experience mild symptoms, others suffer debilitating symptoms that greatly impair their quality of life. Virtually all organs may be involved. The disease commonly affects the eyes, mouth,
parotid gland, lungs, kidneys, skin, and nervous system. Sjogren's syndrome can also cause problems in other parts of the body, including the joints, lungs, muscles, kidneys, nerves, thyroid gland, liver, pancreas, stomach and brain.

Sjögren's occurs in all age groups in both women and men. It is estimated to strike as many as 4 million people in the United States. Sjogren's Syndrome is also found more commonly in families that have members with other autoimmune illnesses, such
as systemic lupus erythematosus, autoimmune thyroid disease, juvenile diabetes, etc. Sjögren's syndrome--dryness, fatigue, pain, head and neck complaints, hoarseness, or hearing loss--can also occur as a result of medication use, anxiety and depression, or normal aging. The majority of the patients with Sjögren's syndrome have symptoms related to diminished lacrimal and salivary gland functions. The initial manifestations may be nonspecific, such as arthralgias, Raynaud's phenomenon and
fatigue, and usually 8 to 10 years elapse from the initial symptoms to the full-blown development of the disease. Patients usually complain of difficulty in eating dry food (like trying to eat crackers without water), inability to speak continuously, oral soreness, changes in tasting and smelling and fissures of
the tongue and lips (angular queilitis).

Treatment is generally symptomatic and supportive. Infections are treated with anti-fungal or antibiotic preparations. Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) has been helpful for some manifestations of Sjogren's syndrome. Moisture replacement therapies may ease the symptoms of dryness. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be used to treat musculoskeletal symptoms. Lacriserts, is used by some to alleviate dry eyes. Two prescription medications, Salagen (pilocarpine hydrochloride) and Evoxac (cevimeline), are available to treat dry mouth. Serious complications, such as vasculitis, can require immune suppression medications, including cortisone (prednisone and others) and/or azathioprine (Imuran) or cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan). Many of these types of agents are available as over-the-counter products including toothpaste, gum, and mouthwash (Biotene). Vitamin E oil has been used with some
success. Infections of the mouth and teeth should be addressed as early as possible in order to avoid more severe complications.

About the author:
Juliet Cohen writes articles for medical diseases and home remedies. She also writes articles on beauty tips.

Friday, January 18, 2008

Make sure that you eat the various sources of dietary polyphenol.

Dietary polyphenols are the most abundant antioxidants in human diets and are the secondary metabolites of plants. They are subdivided in to groups. The first one is the phenolic acids with the subclasses such as gallic, caffeic, ferulic and coumaric acid. The second is the large flavonoid subclass, which includes the flavonols, flavones, isoflavones, flavanones, anthocyanidins, and flavanols.

The main dietary sources of polyphenol include some of fruits, vegetables, and beverages. The review literatures of Xiuzhen Han, Tao Shen and Hongxiang Lou in Dietary Polyphenols and Their Biological Significance shows the classification and sources of dietary polyphenols. For example, pomegranate juice is a source of flavonoid subclass anthocyanidins, and orange is a rich source of phenolic acids.

This review not only shows sources of dietary polyphenols but also their antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties that very helpful for manage foods in scleroderma treatment.

Foods that help prevent or manage arthritis

Nutritionist Joy Bauer advices to help manage arthritis pain,which scleroderma is one type in this group. Foods that help prevent or manage arthritis and scleroderma that she suggests are omega-3 fats, green tea, chili peppers, turmeric, ginger, rosemary, and oregano.

Most of these foods are the rich source of antioxidant.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Pomegranate juice is a rich source of potent antioxidants

Hi!
Today I find the interested research about “Pomegranate Juice Protect Nitric Oxide Against Oxidative Destruction and Enhances the Biological actions of Nitric Oxide” by Louis J. Ignarro and colleagues.

As I had posted at first, that scleroderma involves the excessive amounts of free radical especially nitric oxide. Therefore, this is the research which useful for all of us and may be considered because of its natural treatment.

Fortunately, my mom likes to eat pomegranate and very happy to know how it helps her from scleroderma.

Abstract
Pomegranate juice (PJ), which is a rich source of potent flavonoid antioxidants, was tested for its capacity to protect nitric oxide (NO) against oxidative destruction and enhance the biological actions of NO. Employing chemiluminescence headspace analysis, PJ was found to be a potent inhibitor of superoxide anion-mediated disappearance of NO. PJ was much more potent than Concord grape juice, blueberry juice, red wine, ascorbic acid, and DL-a-tocopherol. As little as 3 ll of a 6-fold dilution of PJ, in a reaction volume of 5000 ll, produced a marked antioxidant effect, whereas 300 ll of undiluted blueberry juice or nearly 1000 ll of undiluted Concord grape juice were required to produce similar effects. PJ and other antioxidant-containing products were found to augment the anti-proliferative action of NO (DETA/NO) on vascular smooth muscle cell (rat aorta) proliferation. PJ was much more effective than the other products tested and elicited no effects when tested alone in the absence of added NO. Similarly, neither PJ nor the other products enhanced the anti-proliferative action of a-difluoromethylornithine, a stable substance that inhibits cell growth by NO-independent mechanisms. In order to determine whether PJ is capable of increasing the production of NO by vascular endothelial cells, PJ was tested for its capacity to upregulate and/or activate endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells. PJ elicited no effects on eNOS protein expression or catalytic activity. Moreover, PJ did not enhance promoter activity in the eNOS gene (COS-7 cells transfected with eNOS). These observations indicate that PJ possesses potent antioxidant activity that results in marked protection of NO against oxidative destruction, thereby resulting in augmentation of the biological actions of NO.

People with scleroderma should consult a doctor before using flax seed

This is the interested article from www.goarticles.com. Although dietary fiber is good for bowel movement but the excessive amount may lead to bowel obstruction. Therefore, it is better to asked a doctor before using any food supplements. The author of this article shows the benefits of Flax seed and suggests people with scleroderma to ask a doctor before use.

Title: Why Is Flax Seed Called The Next Multivitamin?

Author: Andrew Wangs

Article:
What Flax Seed Contains The vitamins and minerals found in flax seeds are zinc, iron, vitamin E, carotene, B-group vitamins, magnesium, calcium, sulfur, potassium, phosphorous, manganese, silicon, copper, nickel, molybdenum, chromium, and cobalt. With so many nutrients, we can consider Flax Seed as the next multivitamin. Your body is like a fully automated machine that works non-stop, so make sure you take good care of it!

Flax Seed Rich in Omega-3 Flaxseed and its derivative flaxseed oil/linseed oil are rich sources of the essential fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid, which is a biologic precursor to omega-3 fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid. Although omega-3
fatty acids have been associated with improved cardiovascular outcomes, evidence from human trials is mixed regarding the efficacy of flaxseed products for coronary artery disease or hyperlipidemia.

Fish Oil or Flax Seed Oil For those who wish to replace fish oil with flaxseed oil, research suggests taking up to ten times as much ALA as EPA.20 Typically, this means 7.2 grams of flaxseed oil equals 1 gram of fish oil. However, even if taken in such
high amounts, flaxseed oil may not have the same effects as fish oil. But, flaxseed oil will not cause a fishy-smelling burp, which is very possible side effect of fish oil.

Flax Seed Fiber As with any source of fiber, flaxseed should not be taken if there is possibility that the intestines are obstructed. People with scleroderma (systemic sclerosis) should consult a doctor before using flaxseed. Although a gradual introduction of fiber in the diet may improve bowel symptoms in some cases, there have been several reports of people with scleroderma developing severe constipation and even bowel obstruction requiring hospitalization after fiber supplementation.

Flax Seed Lignans Lignans are natural plant chemicals. Flax seeds are the richest source of lignans. Lignans boost the productions of a substance attached to estrogen and carries it out of the body.

Flax Seed as Antioxidant Researchers also believe lignans to have antioxidant properties. Flax seed has 75 to 800 percent more lignans than other vegetables and grains! Making flax seed worth the investment.

Flax Seed reduce cancer risk. The lignans in flaxseed appear to play a role in protecting against breast, colon, prostate, and perhaps skin cancer. In one study(1), prostate cancer patients who added about 3 heaping tablespoons of ground flaxseed daily to their diet, had more slowly-dividing tumor cells and a greater rate of tumor cell death than men who did not follow such a diet, after about 5 weeks.

Flax Seed: The Next Multivitamin Flax Seed Oil contains omega-6 and omega-9 essential fatty acids, B vitamins, potassium,lecithin, magnesium, fiber, protein, and zinc and also provides approximately 50% more omega-3 oils than what you could get from taking fish oil, minus that horrible "fishy" after taste.
Sounded good to me already!

With all the proven benefits of Flax Seed in our Diet, we do urge you to find out more about how flax seed can benefit your health today! Do visit our site at
http://www.flaxseedfitness.com and find out more about the facts and myths of flaxseed!

About the author:
as Flax Seed Oil is proven to have the highest concentration of
Omega-3. Do visit our site at http://www.flaxseedfitness.com

Which Vitamin Supplement Is Best For You?

Author: Mario Churchill
(Available from www.goarticles.com/)

Article:
When you're young and healthy, you probably don't need a lot of vitamin supplements to ensure you get the complete nutrition required to keep your body healthy. But as you get older and your body changes, so will your needs. If you don't meet the
required vitamin dose you need, your body will use up its store and you'll end up experiencing the symptoms of a vitamin deficiency.

Vitamin deficiency can cause a lot of trouble so why wait until it happens to you? They can range from mild to annoying and can easily turn serious if uncorrected in time. If you want to know what vitamin supplement is best for you, find out what
deficiencies you want to avoid and which you want to correct.

What's your deficiency? If your body is not working as well as it did before, there's a big chance you have some form of vitamin deficiency. Here is a list of vitamins and the deficiencies they prevent or help correct:

Vitamin A Problems with the eyes and eyesight such as macular degeneration, dry and hard eyeballs, retinal detachment,conjunctivitis and color-blindness. Vitamin A is also good for treating acne, jaundice, skin infections like cold sores,impetigo and boils, warts, skin cancer and scleroderma.

Vitamin C Cataracts, dim vision, glaucoma and myopia. Vitamin C is also effective against acne, Addison's disease, stress, dry skin, bed sores, jaundice, gangrene, skin itching, prickly heat,rashes, hematoma, wrinkles and shingles.

Vitamin D Vitamin D is indicated for people who are at risk of bone diseases and degeneration such as osteoporosis. Vitamin D is usually found in sunlight and a deficiency may occur due to limited exposure. This vitamin is usually taken with Vitamin C for maximum absorption.

Vitamin E A very effective antioxidant like Vitamin A, Vitamin E is also used to treat and prevent blisters, bed sores, hot flushes, scar tissue, stretch marks, wrinkles and aging skin.

Vitamin B group This group of vitamins is sometimes referred to as Vitamin B-complex, composed of 8 B vitamins including B1, B2,B3 (niacin), B6, B12, biotin, folic acid and pantothenic acid. The vitamins in the B group, whether alone or in combination are effective against wounds, cataracts, glaucoma, retinitis, night
blindness, photophobia, Addison's disease, skin ulcers, eczema,dermatitis, seborrhea, pale skin, rosacea, dandruff, graying hair and other problems with the skin and nails.

Certain vitamin groups, such as antioxidants like A, E, D and K,are important for preventing free radicals from affecting body cells. Antioxidants effectively maintain the health of cells to prevent damage.

These antioxidants are also fat-soluble vitamins. They are absorbed by the body along with fat sourced from other foods. The vitamin-rich fat is then broken down by the bile and used by the body. If you take too much, the excess vitamins are stored
in your liver and kidneys.

Water-soluble vitamins like Vitamins C and B, on the other hand, are easily absorbed. If you take more than your body needs, these vitamins are simply excreted through urine.

The danger of too much of a good thing You don't have to worry about overdosing on water-soluble vitamins because your body knows how to take care of them. It is the fat-soluble type that you should be careful with. Vitamins A, E and D are toxic in
high doses for long periods while too much Vitamin K can increase the risk of hemorrhage. If you must use a vitamin supplement, the best thing for you to do is to keep within the recommended daily allowance.

About the author:
Mario Churchill is a freelance author and has written over 200
articles on various subjects. For information on the best href="http://www.myvitaminguide.com">natural vitamin
supplements or href=" http://www.myvitaminguide.com">nutritional vitamin
supplements checkout his website.

Allow me to persuade you who get scleroderma involved lung fibrosis eating more spice turmeric.

Six months ago, I took my mom to the hospital for physical therapy. The physician told that my mom’s stomach is bloated because of the excess gas from a bowel movement problem. Therefore, for reducing the excess gas, the physician ordered turmeric powder for her to eat one capsule per day.

I have known before that curcumin, main active component of the spice turmeric, is the potent antioxidant. Consequently, I agreed with this order and searched more about curcumin information that involve scleroderma.

Fortunately, I found the research about "Curcumin-Induced Apoptosis in Scleroderma Lung Fibroblasts Role of Protein Kinase Cε" by Elena Tourkina, Pal Gooz, James C. Oates, Anna Ludwicka-Bradley, Richard M. Silver, and Stanley Hoffman.

The observations from the researchers suggest that curcumin may have therapeutic value in treating scleroderma particularly in lung disease and generally in lung fibrosis. Moreover, the results indicate that curcumin causes apoptosis in scleroderma lung fibroblasts (SLF), but not in normal lung fibroblasts (NLF).

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Nutrition and antioxidant can be important in uplifting your quality of daily living.

“Nutrition has not been documented to play a role in scleroderma's development but can be important in uplifting your quality of daily living,” said Barbara Beznos, a registered dietitian and owner of Integrated Nutrition LLC in Farmington Hills, Mich. She suggests scleroderma patients to eat a vegetarian cuisine: a fresh produce, a variety of different beans, omega 3 fatty acids, fish, nuts, seeds, soymilk, fruit and a variety of herbs, spices and flavors. Include different tastes: sweet, bitter, pungent, sour, and astringent. Decrease salt and fried fatty foods.

I would like to confirm this suggestion.

For about two years that I feed my mom with foods ,which rich of antioxidant (such as carrot, herb and seaweed), low fat and salt but add more sour (from lemon). I can tell you that following the above suggestion changes me from hopelessness to happiness and gets the idea to tell all of you who suffer with scleroderma.

My mom has gotten scleroderma when she was 70 years old. At that time, doctor did not confirm how to save her life and only helped her by supportive treatment using many drug because she is too old.

Now my mom is still alive and, with confidentially, I would like to tell you that is because of different source of antioxidants.

Please consider to drink prune juice everyday.

My mom drinks prune juice, a rich source of dietary fiber and antioxidant, for a year. Because of living only in her bed, this is not good for her laxation and bowel movement. Therefore, I asked the doctor how to solve this problem. The answer is “drinking prune juice” every night.

“SOMTAM carrot”, the rich source of antioxidants!

I just recognize that I never tell you what foods, which rich of antioxidants, my mom like to eat.The most she likes to eat everyday is carrot salad.

Carrot is chopped into pieces and dressed with tomatoes, dried shrimp, and peanut, then compounded with chilly, garlic, oregano, a teaspoon of soy sauce, lemon, and sugar. This is adapted from papaya salad, which called Somtam in Thai, so it is called as Somtam carrot. Therefore, you should use a mortar and a pestle to mix it.

My mom likes to eat this salad with sushi, a Japanese food with a rich source of protein, carbohydrate, and antioxidant from nori (seaweed).

Monday, January 14, 2008

Vitamin E and C helps to prevent damage to blood vessels.

As we know that, because of scleroderma involves Raynaud’s phenomenon. Therefore, the prevention of blood vessels damage is importance. Professor Carol Black suggests using vitamin E and C to prevent damage to blood vessels.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

The frequently asked questions from scleroderma society.

I have read the interested questions about scleroderma in the site of scleroderma society. Some question is about recommended antioxidants supplements for scleroderma. I think these questions are useful for us.

Foods That Fight Scleroderma.

Omega-3 fats, chili peppers, green tea, antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E and flavonoids), tumeric, ginger, garlic, oregano and rosemary are foods that help prevent or manage scleroderma and arthritis.

It is important for scleroderma patients to have plenty of antioxidants.

“In terms of diet, it is important to have plenty of selenium and vitamins A, C, and E, which are antioxidants and help, reduce inflammation. Taking regular exercise and not smoking protect the heart,” said Dr Rob Hicks, a part-time GP and a hospital clinical assistant in sexual health medicine. See more information.

Arthritis And Related Conditions: How To Treat Them Naturally and Successfully

Title: Arthritis And Related Conditions: How To Treat Them Naturally and Successfully
(Available from http://www.goarticles.com/)


Author: Brenda Skidmore

Article:
As May is National Arthritis month, promoting awareness about a study recently conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on arthritis shows a rather alarming increase this disease has taken. The average person may believe this to be a condition associated with an aging population, however, even arthritis among children (juvenile arthritis) is also a relatively common occurrence.

As the first of America's baby boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) advance into late middle age, arthritis and other related rheumatic conditions such as fibromyalgia, gout, and scleroderma are taking up an increasing amount of health care spending. The recent study on arthritis conducted by the U.S. CDC spanned a six year time period from 1997 to 2003, and documented a 25 percent increase in the number of Americans succumbing to painful arthritis and other related rheumatic conditions.

Some 46 million (or 1 in 5) Americans suffer from arthritis, up from 36.8 million six years ago. The $81 billion price tag associated with treating these conditions represents about 3 percent of the gross domestic product. Baby boomers are leading the pack in this spending increase. Out of the newly 9 million people being diagnosed with arthritis and other related rheumatic conditions during this six-year study, 66 percent were between the ages of 44 to 64.

Interestingly, too, according to the researchers of this study, was that most of the increases in arthritis and other rheumatic related conditions occurred among people who also had other health worries such as diabetes, obesity, and heart conditions. This particular group seen an increase of 28 percent, up from 31.8 million to 40.8 million, compared to a 6 percent increase for those who were otherwise healthy, 5 million to 5.3 million.

Being overweight or obese are definite prime culprits for putting you at an increased risk for developing arthritis and its related conditions. A higher level of body mass index will put you at a higher risk for developing osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, and results from the wear and tear of normal movement.
Osteoarthritis in the joint this year will eventually become a joint replacement years down the road. The pressure of gravity causes physical damage to the joints and surrounding tissues.

Symptoms are:

1.pain 2.swelling 3.tenderness 4.decreased function

Rheumatoid arthritis is a little different, it is an autoimmune problem that occurs when the body's own immune system mistakenly attacks the synovium (cell lining inside the joint). If left untreated over the course of years, a gross disfigurement of the affected joints begin to appear in fingers, toes, knees, and elbows. This is a very chronic, and potentially disabling disease that causes symptoms such as:

1.joint pain 2.stiffness 3.swelling 4.loss of joint function

Arthritis is really not just a single disease. There are actually around 100 different variations of arthritis, or other
related rheumatic conditions. Arthritis literally means 'joint inflammation', and the term 'itis' actually means inflammation. So, in essence, any part of your body can become inflamed and painful due to arthritis. Some rheumatic conditions can result in debilitating, even life-threatening complications, and affect other parts of the body including muscles, bones, and internal organs.

In conclusion, drug treatment options did rise sharply during this six year study period (24%). But, other costs such as hospital stays dropped, so that actual per-person spending evened out to remain unchanged. Researchers concluded that the main reason for increased spending on treatment was due to the newly increased number of people developing arthritis.

In comparing the rising cost of treating arthritis, how do you suppose these findings compare to the rising costs of other health care problems Americans are being diagnosed with in general?

Clearly, the only control that seems to make much sense at all is to help educate and motivate people to become healthier. There is no question that the incidence of arthritis does seem to increase with age, however, nearly three out of every five sufferers are under the age of 65. You can not control the aging process, no one can, of course. However, you can choose to make yourself healthier, that is an option that is realistically doable for anyone.

Getting enough exercise to help increase joint mobility in arthritis sufferers is one option that is consistently being
preached. But, it alone will not be enough, it is very hard to freely move painful joints through exercise that are chronically dry and dehydrated. Diets need to be addressed and modified. Increased intakes of omega-3 fatty acids and other whole food nutrients will swing the odds in favor of a successful remission of symptoms.

F. Batmanghelidj's book "How To Deal With Back Pain and Rheumatoid Joint Pain" is an inexpensive self-help manual anyone can read to learn more about water's amazing role in relieving joint pain naturally. In this short paper back book, you will learn that joint pain is simply just a signal that your body is emitting to let you know that joints are thirsty and dehydrated.

Listen to that signal, give your joints what they need to be healthy and stay lubricated every day with nothing more than pure water!

About the author:
Brenda Skidmore has spent the last four plus years actively researching natural health care alternatives. She can attest to the many positive results natural practical cures and preventive strategies bring to human health. Along with the many medical professionals whose public works she has studied, it is her sincere desire to empower others by sharing this important information. To improve your health today visit: http://www.mywater4life.com

The proposed natural treatment for scleroderma

There are some proposed natural treatments such as Beta-carotene, selenium vitamin C and vitamin E from NYU medical center. This site suggests some supplements to avoid too.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Please keep in your mind that renal checking is very important because of using antioxidant carefully.

The recent result for my mom’s kidneys is still good. This is very important because she has taken drugs for many years. Moreover, some information suggests using antioxidant supplements carefully.

I start antioxidants treatment for my mom with Coenzyme Q10, grape seed extract, and bioflavonoid from citrus extract, vitamin, and mineral complex since November 28 th, 2006. Doctor makes the appointment for her renal test every month and the result is still good. Moreover, the other results from blood test indicate that she gets well.

The best result is nowadays my mom can walk slowly by using walker!
After only live on the bed for two years, nowadays she can use the wheel chair and walker. Last week, we went to the riverside near our home. We are so happy in this miracle.

Friday, January 11, 2008

Following these nutritional tips may help reduce symptoms:

• Try to eliminate potential food allergens, including dairy, wheat (gluten), corn, preservatives, and food additives. Your health care provider may want to test for food sensitivities.
• Eat antioxidant foods, including fruits (such as blueberries, cherries, and tomatoes), and vegetables (such as squash and bell peppers).
• Avoid refined foods such as white breads, pastas, and especially sugar.
• Eat fewer red meats and more lean meats, cold-water fish, tofu (soy, if no allergy) or beans for protein. Quality protein sources, such as organic meat and eggs, whey, and vegetable protein shakes, should be used as part of balanced program aimed at gaining muscle mass and preventing wasting.
• Use healthy oils, such as olive oil or vegetable oil.
• Reduce or eliminate trans-fatty acids, found in commercially baked goods such as cookies, crackers, cakes, French fries, onion rings, donuts, processed foods, and margarine.
• Avoid coffee and other stim