Mens Natural Health

Are There Mushroom Cancer Treatments?

admin — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:44:23 +0000

Over the past 20 years, there has been a growing amount of research on mushroom cancer treatments. The majority of the research has been done in Japan and other Asian countries. But in the past several years, American scientists and doctors have started to look into the effect of mushrooms for cancer patients.

One of America’s largest cancer research facilities, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, in New York has been conducting clinical trials with Maitake Mushroom (Grifola frondosa). One of their recent clinical trials on a patented Maitake extract from Japan, has established an optimal dose for stimulating the immune system. They conducted the phase I/II trial on postmenopausal women who had previously completed breast cancer treatment.

In this Maitake research clinical trial, researchers found that there was no dose limiting toxicity for this Maitake extract. So basically, that means it appears safe to take. The effect on the patients’ immune response was significant. And increasing the dose had a stronger effect.

A convenient point about this extract, is that it can be taken orally. And does not need to be injected, like other anti-cancer mushroom extracts such as “Lentinan” (a Shiitake mushroom fraction approved since the 1980′s for treating gastric cancer in Japan) and “PSK” (the first mushroom-based anti-cancer drug, developed in Japan and extracted from the mushroom Coriolus versicolor). The patients took it in a liquid form, by drinking it. Other forms can include soft capsules, hard capsules and pressed tablets.

So what is this Maitake mushroom fraction anyways? The discoverer, Professor Hiroaki Nanba found the active ingredients to consist of a certain family of polysaccharides known as beta-glucans. They consist beta-1,6 glucan and beta-1,3 glucan) and protein, with a high molecular weight. Beta glucans are found in a variety of medicinal mushrooms. But the effectiveness of other mushroom beta-glucans on modulating the immune system are very different. Research from the 1980s to today show Maitake extract as the premier type of beta-glucan for immune response.

Who makes this extract? Currently the only maker of this Maitake extract is Yukiguni Maitake Co. Ltd., based in Niigata, Japan. They hold the patent in America and Japan. Yukiguni was the company who first commercialized the indoor growth of Grifola frondosa mushrooms. They are the highest quality maker of Maitake in the world, with multiple certified ISO numbers and certified Koshur.

Unfortunately, this mushroom extract is quite expensive because it requires large amounts of high quality mushrooms to make a small amount of final product. And because of the high cost, most North American mushroom supplement sellers buy a much cheaper alternative from China and then still charge a high price for it. It’s about 2500% cheaper to purchase Chinese Maitake extract than the Japanese patented one. Consumers think that they are buying the “real thing” that was used in the clinical trials at Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. But all they are getting is an unknown mixture from a mysterious factory in China.

Aflac Health Insurance Covers Cancer

admin — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 07:11:10 +0000

If you have a personal health insurance plan that is not through your business you might have difficulty hanging onto them once you find out you have cancer. Aflac health insurance actually has a plan that covers cancer known as the Aflac Cancer/ Specified- Disease.

Most health insurance companies will drop you or raise your rates so high once they find out you have a disease or cancer. They don’t really want to have to pay the costs of something that can reach into the hundreds of thousands of dollars or even millions. A life insurance company usually will do the same. Aflac health insurance has a policy known as the cancer specified disease plan which will help you should you find out you have a tumor or internal cancer.

When you find out that you have cancer Aflac health insurance actually has a plan for you. They will not only hang onto you and make sure you are taken care of when you find out you are sick but they will even give you a cash benefit too. For almost every part of the treatment program of cancer will require you to miss work when you go through chemotherapy, radiation, and more. They will give you a cash benefit to help you financially through this crisis so you are not going through more stress than you should be during these rough times.

Aflac health insurance also pays a benefit of the first occurrence. When you are very first diagnosed with cancer they will pay you a cash benefit. Not many companies out there will actually pay you money. They will drop you once they get the first bill or notification from the hospital that you have been diagnosed with the disease. They will come up with some type of stipulation on why you are no longer covered from them.

The cancer policy through Aflac health insurance also will pay you directly when you become ill. Anytime they send you a check you will get the money directly. It doesn’t matter if you have other health insurance covering your medical bills either. They will still send you a check.

Aflac medical insurance is a good plan you might consider. They will take care of you. If you are getting older and cancer runs in your family or you fear you may become ill then you might want to make a switch. They will take care of you rather than raise your rates or drop you. You will even receive cash benefits from them to help you throughout the process of your cancer treatment.

Home Care For Cancer Patients

admin — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 07:59:21 +0000

In home health care can help cancer patients stay in the comfort of their own home while they receive care. The home offers an atmosphere of comfort and security. While hospital stays can contribute to feelings of isolation and loneliness, staying at home allows patients to stay connected with family and friends. It has both advantages and disadvantages to the patient and caregivers. Sometimes, in-home care can create new challenges for those involved. It may also bring about changes to relationships or require family members cope with aspects of patient care they would not have seen otherwise. It is important that patients and caregivers prepare for these obstacles.

Care services within the home may be administered by doctors, nurses, home health aides, or even family members. If you are considering this type of care, you should ask your doctor about the patient’s specific needs and if they can be met by home care. Get information about the types of home care services the patient will require and discuss these with the people who will be administering care.

Use of a home health care agency is usually necessary when the person has advanced medical needs. Research agencies in your area to find the one that best fits your needs. Most agencies provide home health care aides that can assist with personal care, meal preparation, homemaking, and general health management. Services may also include visits by nurses or social workers and access to medical equipment.

It may also be helpful to hire independent home health care providers, rather than an agency. For people paying out of pocket, using independent home health care providers is usually less expensive than hiring an agency. However, you will have to coordinate payment and scheduling yourself.

There are many public and private sources that help patients pay for home care. It may be helpful to look into benefits provided the government, like Medicare or Medicaid. Some private health or long-term care insurance policies cover the costs of certain home care services. Other organizations, like the American Cancer Society, offer free services to cancer patients and their families.