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7 foods that help reduce the risk of cancer

In a world where most ready-to-eat meals contain excess fats and calories, finding a balance becomes necessary. The food one consumes helps maintain overall health, reduces the risk of a disease, and hastens the recovery process. This is particularly true in the case of cancer. While no food can cure cancer, intake of certain vegetables, such as the ones given below, may reduce its risk.

7 foods that help reduce the risk of cancer
This article additionally touches upon options for cancer treatment.

7 Foods That Help Reduce the Risk of Cancer

Berries
Berries like blackberries, mulberries, strawberries, and blueberries are rich sources of vitamin C, folate, potassium, and manganese. They also contain a high amount of antioxidants, including ellagic acid, gallic acid, and chlorogenic acid, and have anti-cancer properties.

Garlic
Garlic is a vegetable that contains an active compound called allicin. One study concluded that people who ate a large number of allicin-rich vegetables such as garlic, onions, leeks, and shallots had a lower risk of stomach cancer.

Tomato
According to some experts, this fruit is a cancer-fighting superfood. Tomatoes contain lycopene, which is an antioxidant phytochemical that keeps away heart diseases. They are, additionally, a rich source of vitamin A, C, and E, all nutrients that help reduce the risk of cancer.

Grapes
Grapes and other citrus fruits such as lemons, limes, and oranges decrease the risk of cancer, especially of the digestive and upper respiratory tract. They are also known to reduce the risk of pancreatic and stomach cancer.

Broccoli
Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables are known for having potent anti-cancer properties. They contain glucosinolates, which produce protective enzymes when they pass through the digestive system. These enzymes help the body to detoxify harmful chemicals that could lower cancer risk.

Apples
Each slice of an apple contains a high amount of fiber, potassium, and vitamin C. These are beneficial in cancer and its recovery. Apples also contain potassium, which helps prevent fluid retention, a common side effect of chemotherapy.

Carrots
Carrots are full of vitamin A, vitamin K, and calcium. They are a good source of beta-carotene, an antioxidant that shields cell membranes from toxin damage. Plus, carrots are believed to slow the growth of cancer cells.

Treatment Options for Cancer
Several studies are ongoing to find the right treatment for every type of cancer. Ibrutinib is one such medicine that is used to treat mantle cell lymphoma, marginal zone lymphoma, Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and small lymphocytic lymphoma. It works by blocking the growth of abnormal protein that leads to the multiplication of cancer cells.

Xofigo® is an injectable treatment option for prostate cancer patients. It is used for patients in advanced stages of the condition and those who fail to respond positively to traditional treatment options like surgery or hormonal treatment. Xofigo® radium 223 cancer treatment works because of the radioactive compound radium 223, which plays the role of a radiotherapeutic agent that destroys cancer cells. It can only be used when cancer has spread to the bones of the patient and nowhere else. A healthcare professional can administer the injection, and it is generally injected once every four weeks in six doses.

Another cancer treatment method is the chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. It is a method wherein the immune cells are genetically modified in a lab so they can attack the cancer cells.

Carfilzomib is another medicine used to reduce or completely stop the growth of cancer cells. It is used for treating patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. Carfilzomib can be used alone or in a combination with daratumumab and dexamethasone; lenalidomide and dexamethasone; or only with dexamethasone. It is available in powder form that is to be mixed with liquid and injected intravenously. It is typically administered over a period of 10 to 30 minutes. This medication may be given for two consecutive days every week for a period of three weeks, or it can be administered once a week over a period of three weeks.

Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that develops in plasma cells—white blood cells that fight infections by making antibodies. While the condition has no cure, a novel course called B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) is receiving attention. BCMA is a protein that promotes B-cell survival, which helps inhibit cancerous growth. Doctors are in the process of developing therapies and treatments to target the BCMA protein for managing multiple myeloma.

Fostamatinib, a spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitor, manages chronic immune thrombocytopenia. It is being investigated for  Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) as well. It is currently sold under brand name Tavalisse® and works by increasing blood platelets. This inhibitor is given after other treatments have failed. Patients should take Tavalisse® as prescribed by the doctor. Potential side effects include high blood pressure, liver problems, diarrhea, and infections.

It is believed that messenger RNA, or mRNA, could be the next frontier as a more effective cancer therapy. mRNA carries specific signals to the cells, specifically dendritic cells, that instruct them into producing proteins and strengthening the immune system to kill the invading host cells, such as cancer cells. Numerous clinical trials have been carried out to treat pancreatic, colorectal, and melanoma cancer through this form of immunotherapy.

The human body naturally produces antibodies to fight off disease-causing organisms. Monoclonal antibodies are biological antibodies that are prepared in labs and often used as a targeted therapy for cancer patients. They are marked to target specific cells in the body, minimizing harm to healthy cells. These lab-produced monoclonal antibodies mimic the immune system’s response to unwanted cells and destroy them by blocking their growth, destroying cell membranes, flagging cancer cells, and attacking them.

XTANDI (enzalutamide) is a recommended novel hormone therapy for prostate cancer. It is used for treating three types of advanced prostate cancer: metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC), non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC), and metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). XTANDI is an FDA-approved treatment option and is used orally once daily in either four 40 mg or two 80 mg dosages. It can be had with or without food.

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Tibetan prayer beads

Important things to know about prayer beads

If you have been practicing meditation or yoga for a long time, you probably have come across prayer beads. You can find these Buddhist beads, alternatively referred to as Tibetan prayer beads, in sculptures or paintings of Buddha where he is seen holding these beads. Although it is quite a common sight, few actually know about Tibetan prayer beads. This article elucidates on some important points related to prayer beads. Prayer beads have been used across the globe for thousands of years. They play a vital role in various cultures and countries for meditation purposes. Some records claim that beads were first noticed in Nepal and India. They have been used across different religions, such as Catholicism and Hinduism, among others. Advantages of prayer beads Prayer beads can help you with various aspects of meditation, a practice that provides numerous health benefits. Meditation can contribute to lowering blood pressure, improving sleep, and reducing stress levels. However, many people face difficulties while meditating, particularly at the start. This is when prayer beads prove to be useful, as they keep you focused while meditating. The constant movement of your fingers around the beads helps in grounding you. When you touch each bead, you say a chant so you can keep a count of the number of times you have repeated the chant. Composition of prayer beads Traditionally, they consist of 108 beads along with a guru bead, which has a tassel and is bigger than all the other beads. How significant is the number of beads Usually, traditional Tibetan prayer beads have 108 beads. This number is considered sacred in Buddhism and Hinduism. However, if you feel that 108 is a lot, you can purchase a necklace with 27 or 54 beads. Some necklaces have beads of different shapes after the 27 th bead. So, you can keep track of your repetitions efficiently. Such prayer beads also allow for shorter meditation periods. How can you use prayer beads for meditation? Breath control and repetition of the chant are two key starting points while using prayer beads during meditation. It is advisable to focus on your breathing while meditating. You can use prayer beads for managing your breath by: Holding the prayer beads in one hand Allowing the beads to drape around your fingers so that you may move them with ease Inhaling and exhaling one full breath Moving the fingers to the next bead; breath in and out once for each bead Concluding at the guru bead to finish 108 breaths Moving your fingers in the other direction until you again reach the guru bead if you wish to do another round. While following these steps, you may repeat a chant, which can be a sound, word, or phrase to be aware of during meditation.
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Natural Remedies That Boost Sleep Quality

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Buy bean bag chairs to relax in style

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Health

Natural Remedies for Depression

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