Medicinal mushrooms have been immensely popular in Asia for millennia. Today, Americans are waking up to these powerful nutraceuticals. In the wake of this new awareness follow issues of product quality claims made by competing brands.

All species of medicinal mushrooms appear haunted by this issue. Particularly so, it seems, is red reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), the oldest medicinal mushroom in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Please note, however, that the information in this article applies generally to all medicinal mushroom species.

The first and perhaps obvious caution is to stay away from cheap mass-produced brands of medicinal mushrooms that may only contain dried and pulverized mushrooms, in which case the medicinal compounds are still inaccessible behind the mushrooms’ cell walls.

Then there are the real therapeutic grade red reishi brands, which are produced with much more care. But even here there are big differences between brands. Each claims to be the best, of course, because they want to sell their product. So lets set the facts straight and be independently informed consumers.

Below are three common methods for extracting medicinal compounds from reishi. Each method results in different compounds. All groups have been shown to have therapeutic effects in scientific studies.

1. Water Extraction, Hot (polysaccharides and more)

2. Alcohol Extraction (triterpenoids, etc.)

3. Fermenting (arabinoxylanes, etc.)

Polysaccharides have been shown to possess powerful anti-tumor qualities through enhancing the immune system and by inhibiting blood profusion through tumors. They are also strong antioxidants. [1]

The alcohol soluble compounds are mainly triterpenoids, a large group of related compounds. Scientific studies suggest they help stabilize cholesterol, blood pressure and clotting. Most importantly, they are the anti-inflammatory compounds so critical to many of reishi’s suggested uses, including arthritis, allergies and asthma. [1]

And then there are the new and unique medicinal compounds that get created when reishi is fermented. These “secondary metabolites” have their own therapeutic properties, different from the first two groups, including anti-tumor, immune support and blood-sugar balance. [2]

Since this article is not intended to elevate any one brand over another, no brand names will be mentioned. Nevertheless, the author does know of two highly reputed brands (American and Japanese) that claim only hot water extracted red reishi is of any value and that alcohol extracts are useless.

Of course they do that to promote their own brand. In reality both hot water extract and alcohol extract contain unique medicinal compounds that are all very important.

When looking for the best reishi extract, find one that uses at least the first two extraction methods in combination: Hot Water and Alcohol Extraction. Even better may be a brand that includes all three methods listed.

As a last point, when you look for the best reishi extract, one thing to look at is the form it comes in. For example, any reishi extract that fully dissolves in a water-based liquid such as coffee probably only contains hot water extracted reishi. So while reishi/ganoderma coffee certainly makes for a superbly delicious and healthy cup loaded with polysaccharides, it won’t include the important anti-inflammatory triterpenoids.

Alcohol tinctures, on the other hand, are well worth considering because they may be a blend of water and alcohol extracts. The way to tell is if the tincture is cloudy. When water-soluble polysaccharides get mixed with alcohol, they fall out of solution. Cloudiness in an alcohol tincture indicates high polysaccharide content. Just shake before taking. Tablets and capsules can contain hot water extract, alcohol extract or both. You need to find out from the manufacturer.

[1] Boh B, Berovic M, Zhang J, Zhi-Bin L. “Ganoderma lucidum and its pharmaceutically active compounds.” Biotechnology Annual Review 2007;13:265-301.

[2] Tang YJ, Zhang W, Zhong JJ, 2009. “Performance analyses of a pH-shift and DOT-shift integrated fed-batch fermentation process for the production of ganoderic acid and Ganoderma polysaccharides by medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum.” Bioresource Technol. Mar;100(5):1852-9.

Dr. Rafael has worked in the health field since the 1990’s, currently specializing in medicinal mushrooms. He partners with Cordyceps Reishi Extracts, LLC on red reishi extract and cordyceps extract plus the newly popular mesima mushroom and many more.

Colorful Description

On my friend’s farm in central Colorado grows rows of lavender, and by mid-summer its flowers fragrantly scent nearby fields. While working on the farm, I find my spirits lifted and happy despite the intense heat and my tiring muscles. It is no wonder that for much of history, lavender has been used in sachets and oils alike to bring pleasure as well s reduce stress and anxiety. Other traditional therapeutic uses include as a sleep-aid, relief from pain and headaches, an anti-inflammatory, treatment for cough and respiratory infection, and as an insect repellent as well as a perfume. Greeks, Romans and Egyptians alike have all recorded using lavender in various remedies. Today, lavender is mostly used in the same way - widely used to dress wounds, induce sleep, ease depression and reduce stress. It can also be found in ingredients of teas and culinary dishes and of course the delightful scent in perfume. Current research is investigating the antimicrobial as well as anti-cancer properties of lavender essential oil.

Although generally known as lavender, there are actually thirty-nine species of the genus Lavendula, yet only a handful is used commercially. This fragrant plant is native to the Mediterranean region south to tropical Africa and to the southeast region of India. Today lavender is successfully cultivated in southern Europe, Australia and the United States. Aromatherapists distinguish lavender species according to their therapeutic uses and medicinal properties. True lavender (L. officinalis, L. angustifolia) when distilled at high elevations is known for its large percentage of ester content and regarded as the best in quality. Uses for true lavender include cases involving anxiety, stress, small burns, cuts and insect bites. Spike lavender (L. spica, L. latifolia) is known for its camphor content and thus used for respiratory infections, for muscular aches and pains and as a possible stimulant. Lavendin (L.fragrans, L. burnatti) is a hybrid of true lavender (L. angustifolia) and spike lavender (L. latifolia) and commonly used for large-scale commercial purposes. Stoechas lavender (L. stoechas) is used as an expectorant and known for its antimicrobial properties.

Reducing Anxiety

Lavender is well recognized as an agent able to support a reduction in anxiety, mainly due to its high linalool levels. The physiological process of reducing anxiety through the use of essential oils is quite phenomenal. Once the diffused molecules of essential oil enter the nasal cavity, they bind to receptor sites of the olfactory neurons which then trigger a cascade of events. In short, the olfactory neurons send messages to the olfactory nerve and then onto the olfactory bulb (located just three inches from the brain) where messages are initially processed. Within the olfactory bulb are input and output stations, the glomeruli and M/T (mitral and tufted) cells respectively. The olfactory output from the bulb to the brain has several targets, mainly the primary olfactory cortex and the higher olfactory associated areas where olfactory discrimination, perception and memories take place. The other is the limbic system, sometimes referred to the ‘nose’ brain comprising a complex system of 122 regions and associated areas which together is heavily responsible for the expression of emotion. Main structures of the limbic system (LS) are the amygdala, septum, hippocampus, anterior thalamus, and hypothalamus.

True lavender (L. angusifolia) is thought to have a sedative effect on the amygdala, which is considered to plays a role in processing emotion as well as governing emotional response and greatly responsible for the sensation of fear. Recent science studies looking at anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) propensities of lavender are numerous. A University of Central Lancashire, UK study (J Ethnopharmacol. 2007 May 22; 111(3): 517-25) investigated the effects of lavender odor inhalation on the behavior of gerbils (a type of rodent often used in laboratory research) and noted that exposure to lavender may have an anxiolytic effect in gerbils similar to that of the common anti-anxiety medication diazepam. A recent study published in Holistic Nursing Practice (2009 Mar-Apr; 23(2): 88-93) concluded that the use of lavender (as well as rosemary) essential oil sachets reduced stress-taking anxiety for graduate nursing students. Also in 2009, a study published in Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology (Nov 23) found that dental patients who were exposed to lavender scent had a reduction in their forthcoming procedure.

Other Applications for Lavender

A rather haphazard discovery of lavender in the use of tissue regeneration was made by the late Dr. Rene-Maurice Gattefosse (a French cosmetic chemist) who after he severely burned his hands in a laboratory accident, submerged them in a container of lavender essential oil and noted the remarkable speed at which they healed. More recent research has newly discovered the possible antimutagenic (inhibits mutations) effect of lavender. In this study (Food and Chemical Toxicology 2005 Sept; 4319: 1381-7) scientists noted antimutagenic effects of lavender oil (L. angustifolia) on a strain of Salmonella bacteria, concluding that such uses of lavender may be promising for applications in modern human healthcare. Other uses, such as antimicrobial and antiviral have been recognized and supported on the University of Maryland Medical Center website (www.umm.edu).

Conclusion

The physiological pathway for molecules of lavender essential oil to reach the brain is remarkable. By following the molecular trail into the nasal cavity and its subsequent neurological reactions, one can better appreciate the recognized stress-reducing qualities found in lavender. Traditional uses of lavender are now being investigated and their diverse applications more fully understood. With science now uncovering the specialization of olfactory receptor sites for certain scent molecules, aromatherapy becomes an even more valuable remedy for maintaining wellness. We would all do well to familiarize ourselves and perhaps re-remember what our ancient brain (the limbic area) has stored for thousands, even millions of years- molecules of scent, and in this case lavender, are powerful and effective.

Read more about the use of natural botanicals for skin care.

Carpal tunnel syndrome can appear for anyone, but it’s most prevalent in the 20 to 50-year-old age group. People of this age are usually in the workforce and do repetitive wrist or hand movements daily, for several hours a day. Studies also show that women suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome more than men do, although men, too, suffer from this disability. One reason is that the women in general have smaller wrist bones and therefore have less space for the tendons that exist in the carpal tunnel. Therefore, they are more susceptible to symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome and the inflammation that is part of it.

Because of this type of repetitive stress injury, tendons themselves can become inflamed in the carpal tunnel, which can cause the median nerve to be compressed in the wrist. If inflammation is particularly slight, symptoms may also be mild, including numbness or tingling in the hands or wrists. For some people, symptoms are mild enough that they’re active for some time before they are actively disabled by them. However, once carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms appear, it’s not likely that they will go away without treatment, and the syndrome is also degenerative, in that it can get worse over time. If you’ve suffered previous injuries or trauma to your hands or wrists, you may also be more susceptible to carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms. If you have lupus, diabetes, or breast cancer, or if you have been pregnant, you may also be susceptible to developing carpal tunnel syndrome; other medical conditions may also make you susceptible to developing carpal tunnel syndrome.

The first thing you do if you want to battle carpal tunnel syndrome is to seek treatment early and get a diagnosis if you think it’s what you have. Do this regardless of how well you are or how severe your symptoms are.

If you think you might have carpal tunnel syndrome, the first thing you need to do is go get it diagnosed and get help for it. When it comes to treatment, the sooner the better. Once you have a treatment plan in place, you can keep from further damaging the tendons and the median nerve. You will also have tools you need so that your symptoms can be prevented in the future. It may help you to talk with those who have had carpal tunnel syndrome as well, but remember that treatments that work for some people will not work for others. Therefore, do keep an open mind and try different treatments based upon your own situation until you find one that works for you, but remember that a friend’s successful treatment may be different from your own.

A wrist brace may be one option for you if you have carpal tunnel syndrome. Whether you will choose a long or short brace depends upon the type of support you need.

Obtaining a wrist brace can be one of the most effective tools when dealing with carpal tunnel syndrome. Whether you choose a short or long brace, one that you wear during the evening or the day, there are a number of choices to help you gain your wrist strength back and guide through your days with a minimal amount of discomfort. Some wrist braces can go around the hand while leaving mobility for your fingers and thumb while others are designed specifically for the wrist and do not include the fingers in the brace at all. No matter which brace you and your family physician choose is best for your recovery plan, be sure to include regular stretching and exercises in order for the muscles to regain strength and avoid atrophy while healing.

Tom Nicholson has discovered a strange set of carpal tunnel exercises that have helped carpal tunnel sufferers all over the world. They are simple, easy to follow and can be done right from home. Take a look at his sight and find out what you can do to help prevent your CTS from progressing and easing the pain you feel now.

It is said that the most common injury caused by a tendon strain happens through misuse. More often than not, the injury is caused by some kind of sports injury. For instance, basketball players often suffer an injury to the Achilles tendon, which connects the anklebone to the muscles found in the calf muscle.

Rest and ice pack applications are some of the best treatments for this type of injury. Wrapping the area securely, but not too tight is helpful for the prevention of swelling and the relief of pain. Elevating the area while resting, may also help to reduce the discomfort of swelling and pain.

Injury from repetitive action can sometimes overstretch the tendon too quickly, while putting too much stress on the area. One instance may include that of a weightlifter working the tendon daily without paying attention to the warnings of pain. When the body needs to rest and repair itself, it will send out painful warnings. Tendon strain prevention is conditioning the body for such strain beforehand. This is the reason, stretching is essential even for professional dancers before a rehearsal or performance.

Tendon strain or injury is easy to diagnose while looking at the loss of motion as well as pain someone may feel. However, further testing may be required by the use of such tests as an ultrasound, MRI and even x-rays. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs are generally prescribed for the condition.

After healing from surgery, through care is essential. A surgeon may suggest the stretching and strengthening with a daily exercise regimen for the injured muscles. Most often, exercises are done while in warm water to help prevent re-injuring the area. Sometimes you may need to visit a physical therapist to help ensure the proper maneuvers of such exercises. Therapy may involve more than just exercises. Depending on the cause of the injury, the use of soft tissue massages, stretching, running and gait re-education, or ultrasound therapy may be necessary. Various types of splints may be necessary or even the use of cortisone injections or perhaps a medicine for numbing the area may be required.

Physical therapy may comprise of strengthening exercises, ultrasound therapy, soft-tissue massage/mobilization, and stretching and also gait or running re-education. If the tendon strain was done to the Achilles tendon, the surgeon or doctor treating the patient may order appropriate shoes that properly fit your personal foot type. Also, the appropriate shoes may have to actually fit the particular activity. For example, running shoes are different from those used to play basketball. Having the appropriate shoe will prevent recurrence of the condition sometimes. Tendon strain accounts for as high as 50% of sports injuries, thus it may be very important to prevent them from happening.

Golfers elbow or tennis elbow is two common examples of such sports injuries that occur while misusing the sporting equipment. Regardless of the cause of tendon strain for sporting accident, the treatments are the same.

Tom Nicholson spends his time caring for carpal tunnel sufferers. Please follow this link to learn more regarding having asore wrist.

An injury to the rotator cuff may prove to be one of the most problematic injuries one could suffer. This is because such an injury could lead to extreme pain every time someone where to lift his/her arm. This would certainly have the effect of inhibiting one’s ability to perform life’s daily tasks with any sense of ease. That is why it is advisable to integrate exercises for rotator cuff strengthening into one’s regular workout regimen.

These exercises are actually easy and simply to do-and they don’t require a lot of exertion. They are selected to help develop strength specifically in the rotator cuff area. Most require minimal effort, use lots of repetitions of easy movements, incorporate light weights, and may be used as a prerequisite to more challenging and complex workouts if desired.

The rotator cuff is the group of muscles around the ball and socket or joint section of the shoulder and arm-where they connect. So all of these exercises will focus on that area. To create a focus there, bend your elbow joint to make an “L” with your arm. Your elbow should create a 90-degree angle. If you rotate your hand to the palm upward position, this will focus on the rotator cuff even more. Adding a light hand weight will develop even more strength in this muscle area. You will want to utilize this position consistently for the exercises described. The number of reps and sets for each exercise will be dependent on what shape you are in currently and will gradually be increased.

Standing External Rotator - Begin by standing and use a light hand weight such as a 5-pound dumbbell or other weight suitable for your current strength level. Maintain the 90-degree position described above and rotate arms upward. Start with 10 reps or another reasonable number based on your current conditioning. Don’t push yourself too far. Take it slow and easy.

External Rotator - Seated Position - Have a seat on an exercise bench or other flat surface and keep a nice straight back and good posture. Then perform the very same exercise you just did while standing. This can be a little easier for those who have trouble standing for periods of time. Repeat slowly as tolerated.

External Rotator - Side Lying Position - Similar to the previous two exercises, you will actually be performing the exact same arm movements. The only difference is, this time you will lie on your side to do it. This changes your center of gravity and works different parts of the rotator cuff muscle group.

Knee Support External Rotator - Again, you will be repeating the same basic exercise. However, this time you will be sitting down on the floor with your knee resting on your bent knee. Again, the change in your center of gravity targets new areas of the rotator cuff muscles. And this seated position makes it one of the less difficult exercises of the ones described here.

Tom Nicholson has spent years helping sufferers of carpal tunnel syndrome. You can follow this link to find out more about someexercises for rotator cuff.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition where the median nerve in the wrist is under pressure due to swelling and can cause discomfort, numbness or even shooting pain in the wrist and lower forearm. There are many people in the workforce that suffer from this very common condition and are under a physician’s care in order to take care of the symptoms and help ward off any further damage to their wrists and hands. If you are one of these people, or think that you may have symptoms of carpal tunnel, there are many tools that you can use in order to help your condition.

Your first priority must be to determine whether or you actually have carpal tunnel syndrome. For that you’ll have to make a trip to the doctor and be fully examined. Your doctor will look closely at your day to day activities along with your physical condition, particularly in your hands. He will want to see if there is any swelling or pain in your hands, and if there is he will compare them to other cases of carpal tunnel syndrome around the world. If the doctor gives you a diagnosis and you just don’t believe it then you can always go get a second opinion.

It is easy to take care of carpal tunnel, however if you move it to the back burner it will become worse and worse, putting even more pressure on that median nerve. The feeling in your hands will become nonexistent, and in the worse case you’ll experience pain shooting up and down your arms and into your hands. This pain is severe and will actually interfere with your day to day activities. It is not something to mess around with, and if you fail to treat the underlying problem it will only get worse.

This condition may be triggered by some medical condition. Some of these conditions may include Diabetes, thyroid, disease, lupus, or a number of others which may trigger tendon swelling and put an immense amount of pressure on the median nerve. Symptoms of carpal tunnel can be treated, and you should do so instead of just putting a splint on your wrist. Make sure that you treat the underlying cause so that one day it will go away for good. The last thing you want is for it to popup at random, and if you keep using superficial treatments, that is exactly what will happen.

What you need to do is a couple of stretches every single day, and talk to your physician or chiropractor to find out exactly what you need to do. They’ll be able to tell you all of the exercises that you need to do in order to stay in optimal health. They’ll also prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs that will help to alleviate the symptoms. This is a very serious condition, and you need to take care of it as quickly as possible or you will end up regretting it. Searing pain shooting up and down your arm is not normal and you cannot live with it, so it’s best that you don’t even try. Use the steps that have been mentioned in this article and employ them in your life.

Anyone who has ever felt the tingling numbness in their fingers and hands knows how irritating carpal tunnel syndrome can be. For people all over the world, relief has been found in the easy exercises outlined by Tom Nicholson. Wouldn’t you like to avoid invasive surgery and ease your pain through a series of easy carpal tunnel exercises? Click on that link to get a glimpse of Tom’s unusual set of exercises.

It seems as though everyone who has ever suffered from panic and anxiety attacks have usually come to the internet highway in hopes of finding some type of advice that will help them with this condition. People who have never suffered from this problem just do not realize how much it can affect people.

If you have been a victim of panic and anxiety attacks then you are well aware of the fact that the episodes can occur at any time of the day or night without any sign. It seems that there are thousands of people who live with this condition who are constantly looking for ways to overcome their panic and anxiety attacks.

Research has shown that people who have a dog as a pet can be a great way to overcome this problem. You will realize that they can be one of the best companions and will help you overcome your fears that you are living with.

You need to realize that one of the most important steps to overcoming your panic and anxiety attacks is to find out what is causing your body to become full of fear. Many people who continue to live with this problem never take the time to do this and they still do not know what triggers the fear in their body.

You will realize that the only reason you are suffering from this problem is because your brain is sending the messages of fear to the rest of your body. You have to take the time to find out what is causing this reaction to happen before you can even begin treating it.

If you are living with stress then you should find some quiet time everyday that will help you avoid the stress and worry that you may be feeling. Studies have been done on a consistent basis and has shown that people who are living with stress and worry are the ones who are consistently suffering from these types of problems.

One of the best things that you need to realize is that it is possible to overcome this condition and people have discovered some methods that do work. You should stop by and visit our site below right now to discover one of the best natural methods that has helped thousands of people get rid of this condition using natural methods.

Panic Disorders Find Out Now! Panic And Anxiety Disorders

There is lot of talk about the fitness benefits of antioxidants in the news and in current health studies. And while that might be attention-grabbing news, some of you may be wondering what antioxidants are and what they accomplish. Are there various types of antioxidants? How do we obtain a sufficient amount of them in the food that we eat? And how does eating a diet high in antioxidants srenghthen our bodies capability to defend against free radicals?

These substances called antioxidants guard our cells from the harmful damage caused by free radicals. The free radicals damage our cells by stealing electrons from them and forcing them to become unstable.The human body creates free radicals in small quantities,and stress,injury,illness and pollution increase the levels of the free radicals in ourselves.They have recently been discovered as negative factors in accelerating our aging process.The more free radicals that we allow in our bodies,the more antioxidants we need to eradicate them.

Antioxidants are found in selenium,beta-carotene,vitamin C, nad Vitamin D. The most efective way to combat the free radicals is to combine all of the antioxidants together to form a powerful army against the free radicals. The body has some natural enzymes that it produces to eliminate these free radicals, but antioxidants reinforce the power of the body to fight back. Our bodies do not create antioxidants, so it is imperative that we supply additional antioxidants with a proper diet.Antioxidants can be found in many fruits and vegetables.

Vitamin A helps bone and teeth development and promotes good vision. As an antioxidant, it protects cell membranes and fatty tissue, helps repair damage caused by air pollutants, and supports the immune system. Foods rich in vitamin A include liver, eggs, and some dairy products.

A good antioxidant for lowering the risk of cancer and heart disease is found in
Cartenoids. These nutrients are found in a variety of vegetables and fruit like
pumpkins,tomatoes,spinach,carrots,and pink grapefruit.

Good sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits and juices, green peppers, cabbage, spinach, broccoli, kale, cantaloupe, kiwi, and strawberries. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant which supports the immune system and the cardiovascular system.

Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant by itself, but is magnified when it is ingested with other antioxidants such as vitamin C, selenium, and beta carotene. Good sources include nuts, seeds, fish oils, whole grains, and apricots.

Flavonoids are a pigment in plants and fruits that acts as an antioxidant to protect against damage from free radicals. In the body, flavonoids enhance the beneficial activities of vitamin C and can help support a healthy immune system. They are found primarily in vegetables and fruits,dark chocalate, as well as green or black tea.

Want to find out more about Antioxidants, then visit Bryan Hoopers site on how to choose the best Antioxidant Supplements for your needs.

If you have a baby, you could be nervous about him having a baby food allergy. While the number of cases of food allergies has enormously expanded during the past decade, the proportion of kids and children with food allergies is still proportionately low. However, if you or somebody in your circle of relatives has food allergies or your baby has been showing symptoms of a possible baby food allergy, it is important to become educated on the subject of child food allergies.

Baby Food Allergy Symptoms

Any baby who has a food allergy will suffer symptoms of that allergy. Common symptoms among children are hives, prolonged eczema and other food allergy rashes, gas, hard stools, gut rot, and inability to sleep due to over the top irritability. These symptoms are customarily not life-endangering and most likely point to a mild baby food allergy. However, continuing to give your child the allergen could presumably increase the symptoms and the scale of the reaction in the future.

Other more heavy baby food allergy symptoms include unwarranted swelling, Problems or lack of ability to breathe, swelling of the throat, listlessness, inappropriate tiredness, and even death. If your child experiences any issues with breathing or swelling or even lethargy, call 9-1-1 instantly.

Often times these reactions happen so fast that you simply do not have time to rush your kid to the infirmary for help or to call your physician. You need paramedic help instantly.

Baby Food Allergy Information

Baby food allergies are not very common, but when they do happen virtually all of them are a result of eight main foods. Chicken eggs, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts ( such as walnuts, brazil nuts, and cashews ), soy, milk, fish, and shellfish ( like shrimp, lobster, and crabs ). If you’re allergic to any of these foods, the best idea is to delay giving them to your child till he or she is at least 2 years old.

Many allergies in kids are a result of introducing the allergen too soon to a child. The general guideline is a kid shouldn’t have peanut butter till he or she is at least one, and much later if the parents or other siblings are allergic. Baby food allergies can be due to early advent of the food, so it only is understandable to delay introduction so long as possible.

If you are worried that your kid has a baby food allergy that is exhibiting mild reactions, talk to your health practitioner about getting your child tested. For grim reactions, call 9-1-1 right away.

Experts believe that even those of us who carry genes that bring a predisposition to some types of cancer might be able to reduce the risks by living a healthy lifestyle and adopting natural remedies for cancer.

A third of the most common cancers in the U.S. might be prevented by adopting healthier habits.

The trouble is, todays culture is full of unhealthy choices that are more convenient and more affordable.

There are three key things you can do to help yourself improve the odds of staying healthy and cancer free. This according to the American Institute for Cancer Research, AICR, a charity that encourages research on the relationship of nutrition and managing weight on cancer risk.

1. Eat a mostly plant based diet ” that is mostly fruits, veggies and whole grains, little or no sugary, processed foods (fast foods too) as well as keeping intake of red meat to 18 ounces a week and salt intake to no more than 2.4 grams per day. Alcohol can be enjoyed in small amounts, that is 1 drink a day for women, 2 drinks per day for men.

2. Keep your weight in a healthy range - BMI between 21 and 23 is considered good for improving your odds. The lower end of the BMI range is even better when it comes to cancer risk. Its also important to try and not gain too much weight as an adult, though if you have, losing even a few of those extra pounds can bring benefits to your body.

3. Exercise regularly - being moderately active for 30 minutes, working up to 60 minutes a day is also key. If your exercise routine is especially rigorous, thirty minutes a day is just fine. Limit how much time you spend in front of the TV or computer just sitting.

The data is pretty clear that we can make a significant drop in the cancer rate with these three changes, Karen Collins, a registered dietician and nutrition advisor for the AICR explains.

We can prevent about one-third of cancers with these changes. And if you add tobacco prevention, which reduces about 30 percent of cancers, over half of todays cancers could be prevented.

Of course these recommendations are not any guarantee of your future health, but they certainly improve the odds of staying healthier.

The experts believe that each healthy change helps encourage another one. If you are active you will eat better because good foods give you more energy, and the great feelings that come from exercise will keep you coming back for more.

Both these actions will have weight falling off, reinforcing your healthy habits and leaving you looking, and feeling, better than ever.

If you are a little concerned about cancer risk, or you’ve a family background with the disease, its a good idea to talk to your doctor about genetic counselling.

This process can help you and your family identify who among you might be at risk, and involves taking a very detailed family medical history (disease information about your brothers and sisters, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, children and grandchildren) so that the counsellor can assess your risk and guide you to the options open to you.

You might require just a single, hour-long session, or several, depending on your needs for genetic testing or follow up.

Of course even if you, or someone you love, carries a genetic risk, that does not mean you are going to get a disease like cancer. You can do something about it with natural remedies for cancer, starting now.

Next - just head on over to the Daily Health Bulletin for more information on natural remedies for cancer, plus for a limited time get 5 free fantastic health reports. Click here for details on the 3 natural remedies for cancer research.