Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Tuna - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tuna - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "Species
Maximum reported sizes of tuna species
Maximum reported sizes of tuna species

There are eight tuna species in the Thunnus genus:

* Albacore, Thunnus alalunga (Bonnaterre, 1788).
* Yellowfin tuna, Thunnus albacares (Bonnaterre, 1788).
* Blackfin tuna, Thunnus atlanticus (Lesson, 1831).
* Southern bluefin tuna, Thunnus maccoyii (Castelnau, 1872).
* Bigeye tuna, Thunnus obesus (Lowe, 1839).
* Pacific bluefin tuna, Thunnus orientalis (Temminck & Schlegel, 1844).
* Northern bluefin tuna, Thunnus thynnus (Linnaeus, 1758).
* Longtail tuna, Thunnus tonggol (Bleeker, 1851).

Species of several other genera (all in the family Scombridae) have common names containing 'tuna':

* Skipjack tuna Katsuwonus pelamis (Linnaeus, 1758)
* Slender tuna Allothunnus fallai (Serventy, 1948)
* Bullet tuna Auxis rochei (Risso, 1810)
* Frigate tuna Auxis thazard (Lacepede, 1800)
* Kawakawa (little tuna or mackerel tuna) Euthynnus affinis (Cantor, 1849)
* Little tunny (little tuna) Euthynnus alletteratus (Rafinesque, 1810)
* Dogtooth tuna Gymnosarda unicolor (Rüppell, 1836)
* Black skipjack tuna Euthynnus lineatus (Kishinouye, 1920)"

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Hot Flushes


Hot Flushes: Much-Needed Relief From Hot Flushes

I'm constantly being asked for advice on how to alleviate hot flushes caused by the menopause. In addition, I also receive many emails from menopausal women who want to alert me to natural remedies they've used that have helped them.

Some studies have shown mixed results regarding natural remedies for hot flushes. For instance, in a previous report I told you about a study that found red clover extract to be effective for some women - not ALL women - but the trial demonstrated the simple fact: for some, it worked.

So with the idea that sometimes you have to just move the studies aside and get a view from a human level, I looked at stories from women who had found success with natural treatments for hot flashes. And just as I suspected, the human level revealed details, advice and insights that you rarely find in the formal language of a clinical trial.

Putting on the yam
An HSI member named Donna wrote to me recently on this subject, "...a friend of mine told me she was using a cream called yam cream. I of course thought she was a little nuts, but what did I have to lose but the hot flushes if it worked? Guess what? It worked really well! I rarely had a hot flush from then on. I also started to add yams to my diet, and I felt great. Since it worked for me, I've told other women about this cream, and I have been told they don't understand how it worked, but they loved it. Anything scientific about this?"

Actually there is something "scientific" about it - or rather something that can be logically explained anyway. US HSI Panellist Dr Martin Milner, often prescribes natural oestrogen derived from yam when oestrogen replacement therapy is called for. This is because yam contains phyto-hormones that closely resemble hormones found in humans. When a woman's body is struggling to manufacture hormones, the phyto-hormones in yam may provide exactly the boost it needs to regain hormonal balance.

Way too hot
As I mentioned last week, the term "hot flush" sounds like something brief and warm - almost nurturing. But for many women, there's nothing brief about hot flushes, and certainly nothing at all nourishing. That's demonstrated in this message from a member named Jeanne:

"I suffered from hot flushes for years (at least one per hour, many times more) while trying everything in the book including every herb, every over-the-counter preparation, even HRT. Nothing worked, but the HRT did a better job than the other stuff.

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But I got off the HRT for good reason, and was really having the hot flushes after that, like 1-2 per hour! I had hot flushes all night long which kept me from sleeping well.

"Even during days I couldn't concentrate, face was flushed, had the nausea and mood swings, makeup was a mess, hair dripping wet, etc. Finally, I found something that worked 100%. I didn't think it would help, but when I read the description of how it normalised hormonal function, I had to try it. Indium, the element indium as indium sulphate. It also gave me more energy, brought my concentration back, stopped the anxiety, etc. Indium proved to be an absolute miracle for me. Then just to test, I stopped taking it for a few days and the hot flushes returned with a vengeance."

Indium is a trace mineral that is not new to HSI members. Some years ago, we first told you about the remarkable benefits reported with the use of indium sulphate supplements. One doctor has used it with success for cancer patients, a dentist reports increased gum health, another practitioner finds that it benefits chronic fatigue patients - the only substance he's ever found to help. But apparently the indium itself doesn't have a direct effect on any specific bodily system. Dr Henry A. Schroeder, an expert in trace minerals, believes that an increase of indium triggers the body's uptake of "good" metals: copper, chromium, manganese, and zinc. The enhanced action of these metals is apparently what brings about all the benefits, including a reduction of hot flushes for some women.

Back to essentials
In upcoming e-alerts I'll cover additional comments from HSI members about hot flushes, but to finish up today I'll leave you with information about something simple - but quite effective - from a member named Glo, who writes:

"For my hot flushes I have been using Vit C 2000 mg and Vit E 400 IU each day. This has taken me from around 10 a day to 1 first thing in the morning. Occasionally I will have one during the night, whereas before I was awakened 4 and 5 times a night with them."

Please write in and tell me about any remedies you've had success with for this problem.

30.09.2004

hot flushes lifestyle, diet cancer

hot flushes lifestyle, diet cancer

Hot flushes

Home Treatments Lifestyle Symptoms Cancers

Some cancer treatments interfere with the function of the ovaries in women or testes in men. This may be permanent or temporary. The risk of this should have been discussed before the start of therapy. The ovaries and testes have two main functions; to produce eggs and sperm; to produce sex hormones (testosterone in men & oestrogen and progesterone in women). In pre-menopausal women the 3 main causes ovarian failure which can cause menopausal hot flushes are:

Other drugs can cause hot flushes without necessarily affecting ovarian failure. These include hormone therapy such as tamoxifen, even less obvious causes such as some bone hardening drugs. In men the most common causes of hot flushes are Removal of the testes, LHRH drugs (zoladex) and other hormone drugs such as stilboestrol for prostate cancer

The most troublesome symptom of a lack of oestrogen can cause irregularities in the body's cooling system, the two most common are hot flushes and night sweats.

Hot flushes are described a sudden unpleasant sensation of burning heat spreading across the face, neck and chest, can occur. Shortly after the sweat patients can then feel cold and clammy and even shiver. Some patients experience one or two flushes a week, whilst others can have ten or more a day but generally, the number of hot flushes will decrease over time.

Night sweats are described as a sudden sweat often linked to hot flushes and tend to happen at night. Patients sometimes find that their sleep patterns are disturbed because of these sweats. Research published form our team has shown that trying different hormone drugs many help or if this fails limited success has been gained from some prescribed drugs including; progesterone, clonidine or antidepressants. All these drugs of course have side effects of their own so lifestyle strategies are certainly worth a try first.

What can you do to help?

Many people practice self-help techniques that can assist in making hot flushes less uncomfortable. You may find it useful to keep a note of when you have hot flushes so that you can identify any pattern. If you know when to expect hot flushes you can be better prepared. Otherwise here are some practical tips which may help:

Clothes, environment and hot flushes:

  • Wear cotton clothing rather than polyester or other man made fibres, as cotton absorbs moisture and still provides warmth after a flush is over

  • Try wearing layers of clothing that can be taken off or put on as your body temperature changes

  • Use several layers of bedclothes (natural fabrics are better) which you can remove as required

  • Try using sprays or moist wipes to help lower your skin temperature (you could add pleasant smelling oils to the spray, such as peppermint which has cooling properties or lavender which has a relaxing effect.

  • Use an electric fan placed on a desk or table to help lower your skin temperature

  • If you are not sleeping well because of flushes, try to find time to have a rest during the day

  • Try to avoid warm, stuffy rooms as they can make flushes worse

  • Take plenty of cool baths and showers

Diet & hot flushes:

  • Avoid spicy foods, especially at night

  • Avoid large meals and excess sugar

  • Hot drinks can trigger a hot flush – open a window and take your coat or scarf off first

  • Being over weight can be more difficult to regulate body temperature – if so, try to lose some weight

  • Avoid stimulants such as caffeine

  • Drink plenty of healthy fluids, particularly if you are sweating a lot

  • Avoid too much alcohol which can aggravate hot flushes, particularly wine (chianti) and cherrybrandy

  • Soya foods and other phyto-oestrogensthese are chemicals which are found in plants. They are similar in structure to the female sex hormone oestrogen. They are found in soya bean products, others are found in the fibre of whole grains, fruit, vegetables and flax seed. Milk may also contain Phyto-oestrogens, but this depends on what the cows have been eating! Women whose diets are high in Phyto-oestrogens have a lower risk of hot flushes. In some studies eating phyto-oestrogens (soya flour and linseed supplements) regularly over several weeks reduced the individuals own oestrogen levels despite the higher levels of the plant oestrogen. Unfortunately, the only well conducted trials of phyto-oestrogens in breast cancer patients with hot flushes have recorded very little benefit. Of more concern is that many oncologists around the world are not comfortable to recommend supplements of phtyo-oestrogens as, at this concentration, they may stimulate any residual cancer cells encouraging them to grow and spread – There is no evidence for this either but the most common sense stance would be to try foods with plant oestrogens as they are generally health and also packed with other health components such as anti-oxidants, fibre and vitamins but avoid supplements unless further evidence of a benefit ensues.

  • Evening primrose oil Many people have found that taking evening primrose oil helps with hot flushes, although it may take several months before any improvement is noticed. Evidence from clinical trials is lacking but apart from the calories it is regarded as generally safe. You can buy evening primrose oil in chemists and health food shops.

  • Vitamin and mineral supplements Vitamin E, selenium and vitamin B6 have provided relief for some people. Again evidence is lacking but provided you check with your GP or cancer specialist before you start taking any vitamins or minerals and never take more than the recommended dose they are probably not harmful.

Smoking & hot flushes:

  • Smokers suffer worse hot flushes around and after the menopause

  • Smokers are at higher risk of osteoporosis

  • It is strongly advised to give up altogether

Relaxation techniques:

Stress can increase the number and intensity of hot flushes a person has. Being anxious about hot flushes could make your symptoms worse. Knowing what to expect and being prepared will help you feel more in control and ease your anxiety. Relaxation therapy can reduce stress and flushes. Hot flushes usually come and go over short periods, so try to relax and wait for the sensation to pass. You may find it helps to imagine yourself in a cool place, for example by the sea, when you feel a hot flush coming on. It may also help to know that although hot flushes are uncomfortable for you, other people are unlikely to notice them happening. (For information on training courses and resources, contact the Stress Management Training Institute. There is also a wide range of relaxation tapes available from health food shops and bookshops).

Exercise & hot flushes

Regular gentle exercise may help reduce hot flushes. Choose an activity that you enjoy and feel comfortable with. (see exercise section on how to exercise after cancer)

Complimentary therapies & hot flushes

Many patients use a range of complementary therapies, such as acupuncture, reflexology, chiropractic measures, massage and meditation. Strong evidence for these has not been published but there are a number of interesting anecdotal reports of success. If you want to try a complementary approach it is best to go to a recognised, qualified practitioner.

Homeopathic remedies: Homeopathic remedies recommended for hot flushes include sage, pulsatilla, rhubarb, root extract, sulpha and graphites. A qualified homeopath will prescribe the remedies that are best for you.

Aromatherapy: Some patients find that aromatherapy massage with essential oils such as clary sage and chamomile improves symptoms.

Herbal remedies: Ginseng, black cogosh, dong quai, lavender, fennel, false unicorn toot and wild yam are all herbal or plant remedies that have been used to relieve menopausal symptoms. Some of these herbal remedies help because they have phytoestrogenic properties so it is important to discuss with your cancer specialist first. Most herbalists will tell you that sage is a natural anhidrotic (reduces sweating) and can help excess sweating during the hot flush.

Massage, & reflexology: Are perfectly safe. There is absolutely no evidence that they can push cancer cells around the body as is commonly quoted in folk law. Although evidence of benefit is lacking they are enjoyable and relaxing.

Acupuncture: Again lacks firm evidence but not harmful in good hands.

Further general information Your doctors and specialist nurses are in an ideal position to give you relevant information on your disease and treatment as they know your individual circumstances. Cancerbackup has a help line (0808 800 1234) and a prize winning video available in English, Italian, Urdu, Bengali, Gujarati & Hindi explaining Radiotherapy & Chemotherapy. Cancernet.co.uk has over 500 pages describing cancer, its management, practical tips and tool which patients, their carers and their doctors have found helpful during the cancer journey.

Monday, March 3, 2008

Test reports

Date

Lab

PSA

LFT

S.Cal

H.globin

Creati

14.07.07

Bha

92.19

Normal

N

15.6

0.9

17.08.07

Vsh

N

13.7

1.0

06.09.07

Vsh

N

12.4

1.0

01.10.07

Bha

0.30

N

04.01.08

Bha

0.17

N

7.6 *

29.02.08

Lis

0.20

14.3

*Calcium-shellcal-1000mg/day suggested.

Calutide-50 temporarily stopped from 08.1.08