Nutrition Facts on Prunes

Prunes are nature’s little fountain of youth when it comes to your cells according to Dr. Oz. That’s because these dried fruits are loaded with minerals and vitamins that rev up your body’s own antioxidant production.

The antioxidants in your cells get rid of free radicals in your body. Free radicals are one of things that cause your body to age and they make you more susceptible to things like heart disease and cancer. Prunes rank foremost in the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) list of high-scoring antioxidant fruits. In fact, prunes register off the scale on the Orac index, which measures how effective food is at neutralizing damaging free radicals. Prunes are also good for your skin. The high levels of antioxidants in prunes means that eating just 4 of these super fruits a day is as good for your skin as any expensive anti-wrinkle creams.

Prunes are high in phenolic compounds. This makes prunes not only anti-aging but anti inflammatory and anti-clotting as well. Prunes also have Vitamin A and vitamin C to help maintain healthy hair and skin. Chromium which maintains healthy blood sugar levels. Lutein to prevent eyesight failure and slow-release sugars to keep energy levels up during the day. They are a low GI food which is ideal for people with insulin resistance and diabetes.

Prunes are a low sodium food and a have a high potassium level meaning the fruit is a wonderful way to regulate your blood pressure and reduce water retention within the body.

Prunes also have a high amount of magnesium in them. It is already known that magnesium is quite useful to the aging body and helps us to achieve and maintain sufficient energy levels. Magnesium is a mineral important at working to relax the muscles, nerves and blood vessels in the body. It helps to alleviate sore muscles, effects of asthma and migraine headaches.

About half of the fiber in prunes is insoluble and helps move food through the digestive track. Some foods in our diet such as meat can ‘sit’ in the intestines undigested for a very long time. This can be cause bad bacteria to build up in your intestines which can lead to digestive disorders. Prunes’ insoluble fiber provides food for the “friendly” bacteria in the large intestine. When these helpful bacteria ferment prunes’ insoluble fiber, they produce a short-chain fatty acid called butyric acid, which serves as the primary fuel for the cells of the large intestine and helps maintain a healthy colon. These helpful bacteria also create two other short-chain fatty acids, propionic and acetic acid, which are used as fuel by the cells of the liver and muscles.

So about 1/4 of prunes a day is about a close as you can get to taking a sip from the fountain of youth.

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Symptoms of Digestive Disorders

Did you know 95% of all colon cancer can be stopped if caught early enough. Also most experts agree that colon cancer may be prevented entirely through a high-fiber low-fat diet. Understanding the diseases that may lead to colon cancer is one way to help you understand how to prevent it. Here are some more suggestions from M. Sara Rosenthal’s book 50 Ways to Prevent Colon Cancer

Know the Rules for People with Inflammatory Bowel Disease – Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a serious, chronic condition. IBD means one or more parts of your small or large intestine is inflamed. When inflammation and/or ulceration is confined to the inner lining of the colon (colitis) and rectum (proctitis), you have ulcerative colitis. When the inflammation goes beyond the lining into the actual walls of the intestine, you have Crohn’s disease, which usually attacks a part of the GI tract above the Colon. Chron’s can also attack the colon and/or other parts of the gastrointestinal tract. If you have ulcerative colitis the risk of colon cancer is 32 times higher.

Know the Symptom of Ulcerative Colitis – Here are the symptoms of ulcerative colitis. Abdominal cramps combined with bloody diarrhea and frequent, urgent bowel movements are the most common signs. The diarrhea usually strikes immediatley after meals or at night.

Know the Symptoms of Crohn’s Disease - The symptoms are similar to ulcerative colitis; abdominal cramps (usually in your lower right side) and diarrhea, resulting in rectal bleeding, anemia, weight loss, and fever. As with ulcerative colitis, the autoimmune nature of Crohn’s diesease can aslo cause other body parts to become inflamed.

Get an Accurate Diagnosis of Ulcertative Colitis or Crohn’s disease - The only way to distinguish the two diseases is through a tissue sample obtained by a specialist. A GI specialist will get a tissue sample from a sigmoidoscopy or a colonscopy. A doctor would also look at a stool sample and blood tests.

Understand What Genetic Testing for Colon Cancer Means - You can be tested for a “colon cancer gene” but the presence of the genetic mutation for colon cancer does not mean you will get colon cancer, nor does the absence of a genetic mutation mean that you will not get colon cancer. Therefore, genetic screening for colon cancer is not meaningful information for most people.

Anything that helps your digestive system work better and become stronger is good. Consider taking a digestive supplement to help build strength in your digestive system. Plus, with a healthy digestive system you will feel better. Gastronic Dr. promotes healthy digestion and encourages comfort after meals. A better balanced digestive system means less bouts of diarrhea and gas. The herbs used in Gastronic Dr. have been specifically selected and are suitable to use in conjunction with prescription and over-the-counter medication, if required. Click on the banner below to find out how to get better digestion naturally.

For more information on Colon Cancer Prevention/ see our post on Digestive Disorders Prevention

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What Causes Colon Cancer

Colorectal cancer accounts for roughly 13 percent of all cancers and is considered the second leading cause of cancer deaths, next to lung cancer. But colon cancer may be preventable through diet. According to M. Sarah Rosenthal author of 50 Ways To Prevent Colon Cancer, “Of all the studies done on cancer and dietary fat, the strongest connections can be made between high fat diets and colon cancer. As for fiber, studies have shown that people who consume large quantities of fiber have lower rates of colon cancer. Studies also show that the number of calories in your diet-regardless of whether they are fat or fiber-can also increase the risk of colon cancer.” Interestingly, diet may even play a role in lung cancer. Studies have shown that people with low intakes of carotene(orange,red, and purple plant foods) have higher rates of lung cancer.

So here are the some of the suggestions from 50 Ways To Prevent Colon Cancer by M. Sarah Rosenthal:

1. Get screened - The purpose of screening for colon cancer is to find out if you have any polyps. Polyps are benign growths that can develop into colon cancer. All colon cancer starts from a polyp, but not all polyps turn into colon cancer.

2. Screen by age 45 - Anyone aged forty-five or older is at risk for colorectal cancer. In the general population, one in twenty people without any known risk factors for colorectal cancer will develop it. Known risk factors are: a history of ulcerative colitis, family history of colorectal cancer, history of polyps, high fat diet and low fiber diet.

3. Know the Alarm Signs - Change in bowel habits, changes in stool consistency, black stool or dark red blood in stool, anemia, persistent abdominal pain (nothing makes it go away), new and unusual symptoms, weight loss (5 to 10 pounds) when you aren’t trying to lose weight.

4. Request Appropriate Screening Tests - Visual exam of your rectal area, digital rectal exam, Anoscope exam, occult blood test (FOBT) plus if you are over 45 add – Sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy (alternate every year between colonoscopy and sigmodoscopy).

5. Request Colonoscopy in Place of Barium Enema - In light of far more accurate screening tools, such as sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy, barium enemas are fast becoming the dinosaurs of colon cancer. You still need to be cleaned out via laxatives but the barium enema can dry out in the colon and become as hard as concrete. The test is expensive ($300 to $500) and often inconclusive because it not nearly as precise as the colonoscopy. Chances are the doctor is going to recommend the colonoscopy (that is exactly what happened to me) so it is a smarter choice.

A healthy digestive system is a good way to help your body stay strong and makes you feel better physically. Consider taking a digestive supplement to help improve and balance your digestive system. Gastronic Dr. promotes healthy digestion and encourages comfort after meals. A better balanced digestive system means less bouts of diarrhea and gas. The herbs used in Gastronic Dr. have been specifically selected and are suitable to use in conjunction with prescription and over-the-counter medication, if required.

See our previous posts on Colon Health Diet and Colon Cleansing Products

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Colon Cleansing Benefits

Colon Cleansing used to be something just recommended by homeopathic doctors. My own first experience with colon cleansing was a prescription from a doctor who practiced homeopathic medicine but was also a medical doctor. She had both a D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathy) and an M.D. (Doctor Of Medicine). You may have heard ofcolon cleansing from Dr. Oz the very popular medical expert on Oprah’s show. With digestive disorders on the rise (60 to 70 million people per year) many of us are looking for some relief. Especially at this time of year, with the holidays approaching, it would be a good idea to do a little preventative maintenance on our systems.

When your colon is not working properly, toxins may be forced to leave the body in ways other than natural elimination. Halitosis (bad breath) and body odor can be signs of colon malfunction. Yeast infections can also be a result of your colon not functioning at peak efficiency. Colon cleansing may help eliminate these problems.

Bad bacteria in the colon can possibly cause colon diseases, headaches, fatigue, muscle aches,lupus and cardiovascular disease.

Cleansing the colon can assist your body in getting rid of unwanted parasites that might be living in your intestines. These parasites can come from a variety of sources such as: insect bites, rare meats, vegetables not cleaned properly, pets and even through sexual activity.

It seems that our body is actually designed for bowels to move after every meal. But because of our busy lifestyle most of us have trained ourselves to move our bowels much less frequently and we wonder why digestive disorders are so frequent these days. When our food sits in our colons it can begin to putrify and bad bacteria can develop.

Even with a pattern of regular bowel movement, waste can move through the colon and leave some residue on the walls. A colon with leftover residue can cause the muscles of the colon wall to lose their tone and this loss of tone can cause diverticulosis (a condition that occurs when small pouches (diverticula) push outward through weak spots in the colon). Food can get trapped in these pouches and bad bacteria can form.

Here are some common symptoms besides digestive problems that are though to benefit from colon cleansing: depression, cold hands or feet, chronic fatigue, endometriosis, circulaton problems, memory loss, low sex drive, gas, insomnia, irritability, allergies, body odor, and bad breath, brittle nails and hair, blood pressure, memory loss and inability to concentrate.

Many people report feeling lighter and more energetic after a cleansing. A product we like for colon cleansing is Colon Formula. The people who make Colon Formula are so convinced their product works that they are offering a “no risk” free trial. All you pay for is shipping and handling. It’s really not much to pay to get your digestive system running smoothly. As Dr. Oz said on Oprah – The fiber washes out all the junk so it doesn’t lay in the colon irritating the cells and becoming toxic by rotting there.

Probiotics supplements are great way to improve the health of your digestive system. With your digestive system functioning at peak efficiency you feel better and have more energy. If you want to learn more about probiotic supplements. Click on the link below or the one at the top of the post.

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Preventing Colon Problems

A colorectal cancer screening is recommended at age 50 and beyond unless you have a risk factor. So many people put them off because they are afraid of the discomfort. Doctors say though with sedation the procedure is painless. The benefits to having the screening is that with early detection, colon cancer is curable in up to around 90 percent of the cancers.

Colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon and/or rectum) is the third most common cancer and second leading cause of cancer deaths among Americans. The American Cancer Society reports that colon cancer rates among African Americans are about 15% higher and deaths about 40% higher than among whites. Yet there is no explanation for this statistic. There is some common ground between the lifestyles of  black Americans and colon cancers risk factors being overweight, low level of physical activity, having a diet high in fat and red meat and low in fruits and vegetable. Risk also increases if you smoke, have a family history of colorectal cancer, have  digestive disorders such as IBS,ulcerative colitis or Crohns disease.

Here are some commonly prescribed prevention strategies:

Eat less fat and less red meat especially processed meat. Eat more fruits and vegetable.

Quit smoking

Many people find that using a mild natural colon cleansing product is very helpful in keeping their colon clean and preventing digestive disorders. Dr. Elson M. Haas, M.D. founder and medical director of the Preventive Medical Center of Marin and author of several popular health books says Through my 25 years in medical practice and health care.. I have come to believe that the cleansing/detoxification process is the missing link in Western nutrition and one of the keys to real healing. I have seen hundreds of patients over the years transform regular or persistent illness into health and greatly improved vitality.

If you want to learn more about the relationship between the foods you eat and a healthy digestive system consider subscribing to this FREE 8-part e-course called the “Toxic Side of Food”. Changing your diet is one of the best things you can do to prevent colon cancer. Every other day (over the next 2 weeks) you will receive a new and mind-blowing lesson about how the foods you’re currently eating are keeping you fat, making you sick, and draining your energy, as well as, strategies you can use to keep your body toxin-free, vital, and as healthy as possible. Just click on the banner at the top or bottom of the page or just Click Here!

See our post on Colon Cleansing Products

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Gastronic Dr. promotes healthy digestion and encourages comfort after meals. Helps you avoid gas, upset stomachs and digestive irregularities.

Nobody likes to talk about it, but Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Chron’s Disease, and other sensitive bowel ailments can make our lives miserable. Many of these issues cannot be cured with current medicine. Many medical treatments for ailments like Chron’s disease are very expensive, and they do not cure the disease, but only postpone symptoms. But I have known lots of afflicted people who have turned to natural remedies for relief. Read About Natural Colon Cleansing by clicking on the ad above.

Just read the following article we’ve picked up….

Jim Peterson was a natural born athlete. He played baseball, basketball, football and other sports in the proper season. Being outside and competitive, and part of a winning team was important to Jim. He loved sports, and when he started to suffer from irritable bowel syndrome he was afraid he might be sidelined for the big game. Jim’s spirit was willing, but it seemed that every time he tried to play he would suffer from abdominal cramps. Jim could tell he was bloated and retaining water, and the diarrhea he was suffering from wasn’t just irritating, it was downright embarrassing.

In fact, during one baseball game Jim had to excuse himself when it was his turn to bat. The diarrhea was kicking in, and he was afraid of the potential results. Jim’s love of sports was being interfered with by his irritable bowel syndrome, in addition to the personal pain and inconvenience and he felt that he had to do something to solve the problem.

Jim turned to his coach for help, and his coach had some great advice. He had also suffered from irritable bowel syndrome, and done extensive research on the causes and potential cures of this ailment. Jim’s coach had been using a colon cleanser for relief of irritable bowel syndrome, and he recommended that Jim do the same. Jim’s coach had discovered in his research that the colon works better when it is cleansed. The colon is a very large and very complicated organ in the human body and it is connected through nerves to many other organs. Good colon health and cleanliness is essential to proper functioning of the body, and one of the tools for keeping the colon clean and health, the coach discovered, could be a colon cleanser. Jim’s coach tried it and found that it relieved his symptoms. He no longer had the bloating, or the abdominal pain and cramping that he had experienced. And best of all, the diarrhea was gone. Part of the functioning of a healthy human body are two or three bowel movements per day, and use of a colon cleanser can expedite that process and help the body function as it should. Jim was quite impressed by his coach’s testimony and decided to try a colon cleanser. As you can imagine he was quite pleased with the results. His symptoms disappeared and when it came time for the next big game, Jim was there, feeling good and ready to play, thanks to his coach, to his healthy colon and to colon cleanser.

Gastronic Dr. promotes healthy digestion and encourages comfort after meals. A better balanced digestive system means less bouts of diarrhea and gas. The herbs used in Gastronic Dr. have been specifically selected and are suitable to use in conjunction with prescription and over-the-counter medication, if required.

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