Informative MAKNA

I just receiving the 3rd MAKNA news bulletin. Actually I start reveiving this quaterly published news bulletin since last year. I found it really informative.


Majlis Kanser Nasional (MAKNA) or National Cancer Council is a non-profit organization registered under the Malaysian Register of Societies on 10th November 1994 and officially launched on 30th March 1995. They do many things; all about cancer.

In this 3rd Q/2008 edition they has highlited a booklet title 'Food Intake During Chemotherapy' that was written by 3 professionals from the Cancer Education & Outreach Services Laboratory (CaEd), University Putra Malaysia.


The following is an extract of vital information from the booklet regarding chemoterapy:

1. Chemotherapy are usage of medicine to treat disease, especially cancer cells that have spread to other organs from it's original organ.
2. Chemotherapy are used for treating cancer, preventing cancer from spreading, delaying and killing the cancer cells and reducing the effects of cancer.
3. Chemotherapy may reduce the red blood cells. Cause of loss of appertite, nausea and vomitting.
4. It's important for you to take good quality and enought food during the therapy to make sure youre feel healthy, to maintain the functions of the body as well as to quicken the recovery proces, reduce side effect and to increase the body's emmune system.
5. The recommended food during chemotherapy such as:

• Rice, bread, noodles, potato, topioca, sweet potato, ect.
• Fresh fish, meat, chicken, egg, milk, soya
  
• Fruits such as watermelon, papaya, jackfruit and banana as well as taking vegetables such spinach, cabbage, pumpkin, etc.
• More water and other drinhs.

6. Food such as fatty food, curries, fried food, spicy food shall be avoided.
7. Fruits and vegetables must be well-washed before cutting or peeling.
8. Food such egg, meat, fish and chicken must be well-cooked.
9. During the therapy, it's advised:

• Eat something before the treatment.
• Eat nutritious food to get more energy and rest more.
• Drink more water.
• If you're unable to eat, consume soft food in small portions but in a frequent manner.
• Reduce fried or oily food because it can cause digestion problems.
• If you're recovered and healthy, you can eat as usual.

MAKNA is a good starting point if you needs of information or to donate or perhaps to be a volunteer.

Away from arthritis

Arthitis is an inflamation of joints, tendons, ligaments and cartilage. There are more then 100 different types of arthritis, but they have one thing in common - pain, swelling and stiffness. The most common arthritic condition include osteoarthritis, reumatoid arthritis and gout.

Arthritis can effect virtually every part of the body, from the feet to the knees, back, shoulders and fingers. While this condition may affect people of all ages (including children), the most common affected are seniors. If you're over 50 years old, there's an 80% chance that you might be suffering from some degree of arthritis.


Arthritis causes by two factor:

1. Damage to joint cartilage:
As we age, the cumulative effects of wear and tear cantrigger the breakdown of joint cartilage. Damage to the cartilage results in the release of certain enzymes that further destroy cartilage component. As cartilage roughens and wear down, the end of bones become increasingly exposed and eventually damaged. As we age, our body loses the ability to manufacture sufficient level of Glucosamine.

Glucosamine is the critical building block of connective tissue substances that form the cartilage and is issential for the health and strength of the joints. Maintaining healthy cartilage is critical to ensure healthy, flexible joints and unrestricted, pain-free movement.

2. Inflammation Causes by excessive bad prostaglandins: Muscle and joint pain are caused by inflammation, which causes swelling, redness, heat and pain - the typical characteristics of arthritis.


Inflammation is caused by the release of "bad" prostaglandin into the tissues without sufficient "good" prostaglandins to counter its effect. Increased consumtion of refined polyunsaturated oil product such margarine, fast foods and other processed food, a diet high in refined carbohydrates and sugar, ageing, daily stress and all forms of pullotion cause the body to produce more of these "bad" prostaglandins.


Fortunately, there are safe and effective natural ways to conquering the problem:

Rebuilt Worn and Damaged Cartilage
Studies have shown that Glucosamine relieves arthritis pain and stiffness with no side effects compared to conventional arthritis drugs. It normalises cartilage metabolism and keeps in check cartilage-destroying enzymes that cause the breakdown of cartilage. Apart from that, Glucosamine also stimulates the production of cartilage-building proteins, attracts and holds water in the joints so that cartilage does not dry out and becomes suspectible to cracking.

Currently, Glucosamine is gaining acceptance as a safe alternative treathment for arthritis, replacing conversional arthritis drugs such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which may have deleterious side effects by blocking cartilage formation and speeding up cartilage destruction.

Arrest Inflammation
Omega 3 inhibits the activity of COX-2, thus reducing the production of "bad" prostalandins that causes inflammation. Clinical studies reported decreases morning stiffness, fewer tender and swollen joints, less fatigue and less use of painkillers following regular intake of Omega 3 fish oil.

However, at least 12 week of supplementation were needed before the benefit were felt. Researches have also found that supplementation with Omega 3 helps the healing of ligament injuries by speeding up collagen synthesis and enhancing the entry of new cells into the affected area.