The thyroid gland, which is housed just below your voice box, derives its name from the Greek word for shield due to its shape. A healthy thyroid is just a little bigger than a quarter and cannot be felt under the skin. It has two lobes. A swollen lobe may just feel like a lump in your throat.

A swollen lobe is called a goiter that is normally caused due to iodine deficiency. There are, however, other abnormal conditions of thyroid, out of which, thyroid cancer (thyroid carcinoma) is the most serious.

Often, thyroid cancers in early stages produce no thyroid cancer symptoms. As the cancer grows, a small lump or nodule can be felt in the neck. The vast majority of thyroid nodules are caused by benign conditions – only about 1 percent of these types of nodules actually signify the presence of thyroid cancer.

If it is indeed thyroid cancer and begins to spread, it can cause thyroid cancer symptoms that include:  Read more...

Question: from Marc – Does Beta Carotene Increase Risk of Cancer?

The WCRF have recently released the results from the research carried out looking into foods associated with increased risk of cancer. I noticed that Beta carotene is a supplement they found to increase the risk of Lung Cancer and that your Total balance contains 5000IU of this ingredient. Please let me know whether it is still safe to be taking this supplement.

Comment: from Warren Matthews of Xtend-Life

Joanna will answer this question, but I thought that I should first make a comment. This is another example of a misleading study. There is also a world of difference between taking NATURAL Beta-Carotene in conjunction with many other co-factors such as are present in Total Balance as opposed to taking a synthetic Beta-Carotene as a single stand alone ingredient which should never be ingested in that manner. To suggest that beta-carotene in a natural form in sensible quantities is risky is a bit like saying don’t eat your carrots because you may get cancer. It is nonsense.  Read more...

Obesity plays an important part in the overall health of an individual. A person is considered overweight or obese based on his BMI (Body Mass Index). The BMI is calculated by dividing the weight of an individual by the square of the height (kgs/m2). As per the World Health Organization (WHO),

* A person with a BMI of 25 is overweight and
* An individual with a BMI of 30 or above is considered obese.

These numbers and indexes should be treated as indicative since the level of fat, weight of the bones and muscle in all adults can vary on the basis of sex, race and environment.

Given that obesity is a serious concern among kids and teens, the WHO is also delving on the issue of developing a growth reference index for children and adolescents.

Obesity is a major health risk, which is directly proportionate to the BMI of a person. It is a major cause for heart disease and stroke, diabetes, osteoarthritis and some types of cancers.  Read more...

Cumin is a spice that is used in Eastern dishes to add rich flavor to the food, but it can be much more than that. Cumin can be used as an herbal remedy in your home. Here are some of its other benefits.

Those who live in the East have known about the effects of cumin for thousands of years. Now it is time for the rest of us to learn how it can help. This herb is a flowering plant from the parsley family and even its seeds are useful.

Cumin has been traditionally used to heal digestive ailments. If you suffer from gas, indigestion, diarrhea and even morning sickness, cumin is your herb of choice. You can make a tea by boiling the seeds. Combine the cumin water with coriander leaf juice and salt.

Don’t throw those seeds away, though. If you grind them into a paste and mix with water, they can be made into a salve that is used topically to treat boils. The seeds are also full of iron. Incorporating them into your diet can enhance the functions of the liver. As you probably know, the liver helps to detoxify the blood.  Read more...

At this time the American Cancer Society estimates that 21% of the population are now smokers. Approximately 46 million adults smoke cigarettes and of those there are more men than women who smoke. Interestingly, education appears to be linked with smoking rates in those who have higher levels of education have low or rates of smoking. These numbers have declined significantly, almost in half since 1965 when 42% of the population smoked.

Despite the education about the risks of smoking and the decline in recent years nearly 1 in every three male high school students and one in every five female high school students have used some type of tobacco. Cigar smoking appears to be common among high school students. The American Cancer Society also reports on studies which link students who smoke as being more likely to use other drugs, get into fights, carry weapons, commit suicide or take part in high risk sexual behaviors.  Read more...

Faced with the seemingly insurmountable task of how to quit smoking many people just bow their heads and acknowledge defeat before even starting. However, with advances in technology as well as discoveries in herbal medications and smokeless cigarettes, most people are able to find a means or a method to quit smoking that fits within their lifestyle choices and their current abilities.

Tobacco smoke contains over 200 known chemicals that cause cancer in animals and one of the most powerful addictive drugs known – nicotine. For some people it is the very act of smoking that gives them pleasure and reduces their stress but for most people it is the chemical rush that fills their lungs and feeds their cells which keeps them coming back for more.

Almost all people who smoke recognize the effects that smoking has on their lungs and body. You don’t have to go very far to learn that smoking decreases the amount of collagen produced in the skin which leads to premature aging, causes destruction in the lining of the lungs and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. And those are only the big problems that individuals who smoke can face.  Read more...

99.95% of people diagnosed with cancer have intrahepatic stones. A liver detox is often the first vital step for the body to begin to heal itself.

Liver cleansing recipe is the same as gall bladder cleansing recipe. Cleansing of both organs is achieved by the same procedure. All people who have stones inside gallbladder, always have stones inside their liver – proved by their cleansing experience. All people who have stones inside their liver, do not necessarily have stones inside gallbladder – proved by ultrasound examination and liver flush.

The liver / gall bladder cleanse is necessary even if one has had their gall bladder removed. Also, anyone who has already had their gallbladder removed should be taking a product called Cholacol which replaces the bile salts that your gallbladder would normally be producing. This is needed for the rest of your life so that your body can properly digest fats.

Liver – Gallbladder Congestion:  Read more...