March is a big month for national health observances in the U.S. Raising awareness for the prevention of diseases and working to find cures is the main purpose of such observances. Some of these observances are for the entire month, and others are for set days or weeks.
The month long observances for March include:
National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
National Kidney Month
National Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Month
National Nutrition Month
Save Your Vision Month
Workplace Eye Health and Safety Month
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In a newly published study, Swedish and American scientists show how the Omega-3 fatty acid DHA can serve as both sword and shield in the fight against certain forms of cancer. The new findings on the mechanisms behind this two-sided effect give hope of one day using DHA as a complement to cytostatics in the treatment of children with neural cancer.
Neural cancer (neuroblastoma) in young children is the most common solid tumor form in this age group. The prognosis is very poor and some 40 per cent of patients die of the disease. However, it is known that fatty acids can protect healthy nerve cells from dying, and at the same time kill several types of cancer cells. In the current study, the scientists were interested in exploring what happens to DHA, an Omega-3 fatty acid found mainly in oily fish (e.g. salmon and mackerel), inside the cancer cell. Click to read the entire story.
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Inflammation causes pain. It can also cause a host of degenerative diseases and can significantly impact tinnitus.
Normally, inflammation is the body’s response to damage and can be a very good thing. Bang your thumb with a hammer, your immune system sends white blood cells and other, hormone-like substances to kick-start the healing process. As a result, your thumb swells and becomes painful, then heals.
Prolonged inflammation, known as chronic inflammation, leads to a progressive shift in the type of cells which are present at the site of inflammation and is characterized by simultaneous destruction and healing of the tissue from the inflammatory process. Improper diet is the most common cause of chronic inflammation.
Omega-3 Oil: A Fish Story
There are other methods to reduce inflammation besides medication. A balanced diet and the proper supplementation can be of great benefit. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids top the list for effective control of inflammation. These compounds are found in fish oils, especially in cold water fish such as salmon. Click to read the entire article.
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