Rabu, 29 April 2009

Swine Flu

Signs and symptoms

Main symptoms of swine flu in humans.

See also:The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC): Symptoms of Swine Flu in YouTube

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in humans the symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of influenza and of influenza-like illnessin general. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. The 2009 outbreak has shown an increased percentage of patients reporting diarrhea and vomiting.

Because these symptoms are not specific to swine flu, a differential diagnosis of probable swine flu requires not only symptoms but also a high likelihood of swine flu due to the person's recent history. For example, during the 2009 swine flu outbreak in the United States, CDC advised physicians to "consider swine influenza infection in the differential diagnosis of patients with acute febrile respiratory illness who have either been in contact with persons with confirmed swine flu, or who were in one of the five U.S. states that have reported swine flu cases or in Mexico during the 7 days preceding their illness onset." A diagnosis of confirmed swine flu requires laboratory testing of a respiratory sample (a simple nose and throat swab).

Prevention
Prevention of swine influenza has three components: prevention in swine, prevention of transmission to humans, and prevention of its spread among humans.

Prevention in swine

Swine influenza has become a greater problem in recent decades as the evolution of the virus has resulted in inconsistent responses to traditional vaccines. Standard commercial swine flu vaccines are effective in controlling the infection when the virus strains match enough to have significant cross-protection, and custom (autogenous) vaccines made from the specific viruses isolated are created and used in the more difficult cases.

Present vaccination strategies for SIV control and prevention in swine farms, typically include the use of one of several bivalent SIV vaccines commercially available in the United States. Of the 97 recent H3N2 isolates examined, only 41 isolates had strong serologic cross-reactions with antiserum to three commercial SIV vaccines. Since the protective ability of influenza vaccines depends primarily on the closeness of the match between the vaccine virus and the epidemic virus, the presence of nonreactive H3N2 SIV variants suggests that current commercial vaccines might not effectively protect pigs from infection with a majority of H3N2 viruses.[25][26]

Prevention of transmission to humans

This section requires expansion.

Prevention of spread in humans
Influenza spreads between humans through coughing or sneezing and people touching something with the virus on it and then touching their own nose or mouth.[27] Swine flu cannot be spread by pork products, since the virus is not transmitted through food.[27] The swine flu in humans is most contagious during the first five days of the illness although some people, most commonly children, can remain contagious for up to ten days. Diagnosis can be made by sending a specimen, collected during the first five days, to the CDC for analysis.

Recommendations to prevent spread of the virus among humans include using standard infection control against influenza. This includes frequent washing of hands with soap and water or with alcohol-based hand sanitizers, especially after being out in public.[29] Although the current trivalent influenza vaccine is unlikely to provide protection against the new 2009 H1N1 strain, vaccines against the new strain are being developed and could be ready as early as June 2009.

Experts agree that hand-washing can help prevent viral infections, including ordinary influenza and the new swine flu virus. Influenza can spread in coughs or sneezes, but an increasing body of evidence shows little particles of virus can linger on tabletops, telephones and other surfaces and be transferred via the fingers to the mouth, nose or eyes. Alcohol-based gel or foam hand sanitizers work well to destroy viruses and bacteria. Anyone with flu-like symptoms such as a sudden fever, cough or muscle aches should stay away from work or public transportation and should see a doctor to be tested.

Social distancing is another tactic. It means staying away from other people who might be infected and can include avoiding large gatherings, spreading out a little at work, or perhaps staying home and lying low if an infection is spreading in a community.

Treatment
In response to requests from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on April 27, 2009 the FDA issued Emergency Use Authorizations to make available diagnostic and therapeutic tools to identify and respond to the swine influenza virus under certain circumstances. The agency issued these EUAs for the use of certain Relenza and Tamiflu antiviral drugs, and for the rRT-PCR Swine Flu Panel diagnostic test.

The CDC recommends the use of Tamiflu (oseltamivir) or Relenza (zanamivir) for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses, however, the majority of people infected with the virus make a full recovery without requiring medical attention or antiviral drugs.[33] The virus isolates that have been tested from the US and Mexico are however resistant to amantadine and rimantadine. If a person gets sick, antiviral drugs can make the illness milder and make the patient feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).

Full story read here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swine_flu

Senin, 27 April 2009

Back from the Brink or Day 3 of the 10 Day Challenge

OK, so I got off to a good start with that Jillian workout. But I basically fell off a cliff into a binge yesterday. It started with a little overindulgence at dinner Saturday night with Cute Man. But it pretty much snowballed yesterday. I can blame PMS all I want but it won’t change the result.

So now I’ve ‘fessed up and feel better :) There’s no use dwelling on what was wrong with this past weekend. I’m ready to get myself back together starting NOW. Having the routine of the workweek certainly helps. My goal for today is to just eat the food I’ve pre-planned and just relax with it. There’s no sense of punishing myself for “bad” behavior, rather it makes more sense just to get back at it. So here I am :)

Tonight is my circuit training class so I feel good that I have some serious exercise planned. It always gives my confidence a boost. So what’s your motivation for today? Please share in the comments.

Minggu, 26 April 2009

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Sabtu, 25 April 2009

Jillian Michaels is the Devil or Day 1 of the 10 Day Challenge

Day 1 is off to a good start. I have gotten in a good (though punishing) workout. My trainer is out of town so I had to improvise today. I took advantage of my Comcast on Demand and loaded up Jillian's newest workout aimed at boosting metabolism. There was a lot of cardio in there to keep my heart pumping for the almost full hour workout. The cool thing was that it didn't require any equipment, just body weight resistance. It did the trick, I can tell you!

As for my food intake, I am doing OK so far. I'm having a "hungry" day so I had both a substantial breakfast (an egg plus english muffin with jam) and lunch (a buffalo burger on a whole wheat bun with a salad). I am fine with eating at the top of my range today as long as I stay accountable and keep track. Participating in this challenge is a good way to combat the head in the sand temptation.

I'll soon be off to a movie with Cute Man so challenges will abound. Since I just ate, I should be OK for awhile and should be able to make some good choices, even if we wind up eating out for dinner. I'll through a luna bar in my bag just in case I "have to have something" at the movie. I'll check in later or tomorrow morning. I hope you're all enjoying the weekend!

Jumat, 24 April 2009

The Ten Days Towards Health Challenge

Well, FT from Notes from the Frugal Trenches threw down the gauntlet today by starting this challenge. The plan is to document food eaten and exercise accomplished for each of the next ten days. I will try to incorporate some photos, but I’m making no promises! The purpose is to increase mindfulness and help us make the best choices possible.

My goal is to keep my calories between 1500-1650 each day and to have planned meaningful activity on 7/10 days. I don’t have any specific goals of eating fruits and vegetables or protein. I find that when I’m mindful of what I’m eating and trying to stay within my calorie range, I naturally gravitate towards those things. I’m a volume eater – I like to eat. A LOT. As in, I like to eat large amount of food. As a result, fiber is my friend. I like filling up on a big bowl of vegetables or a salad and my go-to snacks are usually fruit. Protein is also good for keeping me full, so I tend to get a decent amount of that, too.

I’m not really changing much about how I’ve been working on losing weight lately, with this challenge. It’s more a way or adding some more accountability. I’ve been having a tough time staying on track the last couple of days and this should help me with that. If anyone else is interested in joining this challenge, just chime in on it in the comments!

I will start my reporting tomorrow, April 25th!

Banana

Banana is not just a good nutrition for ape and monkey, banana also important for us. Please read this great information.

Bananas: Containing three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fibber, a banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.

But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS: the pills -- eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anaemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of haemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anaemia.

Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it the perfect way to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration have just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.


Constipation: High in fibber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.
Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Overweight and at work: Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control:
Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand, for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

Smoking: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's
water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Strokes: According to research in "The New Eng land Journal of Medicine, "eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrates, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around. So maybe it’s time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"
You might want to pass this titbit to your friends!!!! If you love your family and friends, don’t forget to share this blog.

Jumat, 10 April 2009

How Exercise Affects Weight Loss

In today’s Hungry Girl Email, she explains how some fitness efforts can actually backfire, if you’re not careful:

“…research shows that people grossly overestimate how many calories they burn during exercise. Not only that, but physical activity often makes people hungry. And since we tend to think we've burned more calories than we really have, we can end up consuming MORE calories than we've burned.”

I have noticed this myself – big time. I started working out again in earnest last November. I joined the circuit training class with my trainer, Scott. I was exercising at least 3 times a week, but my eating was out of control. I was starting to feel better physically, but it wasn’t until January that I started to lose weight. What changed? I started tracking calories with FitDay so I was clear about the calorie restriction I was creating.

I loved seeing my calories burned per day go up so I thought, hey – why don’t I start exercising MORE? I was already doing the circuit training 3 times per week plus yoga 2 times per week. How about adding 3 or more extra cardio sessions to burn more calories? I started hitting the cardio machines (elliptical and/or treadmill) for 30-60 minutes BEFORE going to Scott’s class. I felt like I was so hardcore. The problem? I was ravenous!!! I was still tracking calories but I just couldn’t restrict myself down below 1650 per day. And often, I was reaching 1900-2000 calories eaten. That’s not horrible, and it was understandable considering how much I was working out. But what was the net effect? Not a whole lot. My rate of weight loss was about the same, if not a tad slower.

So, I came to the realization that I was wearing myself out needlessly. I was struggling to get through Scott’s workouts because I was already tired from a whole day of work plus an hour on the cardio machines. I was choosing quantity over quality and not really getting where I wanted to go. That led me to take a step back and reassess. Right now I’m sticking to the 3 training and 2 yoga sessions per week, for the most part, and filling in with cardio only when one of those things can’t happen – like when yoga was canceled on Tuesday, I did 45 minutes on the treadmill instead. I’ll also do the same today, Friday, because nothing else is scheduled and I feel like doing it (I know, who is this and what did she do with Amelia?) If I didn’t, I would take today off, too. Sunday is my mandatory rest day to let my muscles recover. I think that 5-6 times a week a just fine, thank you very much!

The issue is really about balance. Exercise was making me feel so great so would more just be even better? No, not so much. I’m back in a more realistic groove and the proof is in the results. I’ve found it much easier to stick with closer to 1500 calories each day and I’m not exhausted. Win-win. And if that wasn’t enough, the scale is showing me love, too. As of this morning, I’m down to 228.2 for a grand total of 15.5 lbs lost!

I am coming up on a pretty challenging weekend. I’m going to NJ to seeing my family. Between a nice dinner out with my Dad and Stepmother and the Passover Seder with my Mom and Grandmother, I’ll be surely tested. But like I found with exercise, balance is important. I have been 99% on point this week so I plan to loosen up a little over the weekend. I’ll use some WW shorthand in the manner of Points to track my intake – shooting for more of maintenance level of 2000 calories per day on Sat and Sun.

Kamis, 09 April 2009

A Return to Using Credit

After 5 years without having a credit card (that worked – I was paying off a bunch of old ones), I have bitten the bullet and gotten a new one. Am I scared that I’ll return to my old ways and run up a huge balance? Hell, no. I’m not the same person I was back when I was wracking it up. Rest assured that since then, I’ve learned through the bitter pill of experience what NOT to do with a credit card.

So, if I was going along so well for the past 5 years without a card, why start now? Well, it’s really about convenience. I am super proud of the emergency fund I’m building but it’s not that helpful at the side of the road when your car breaks down. ING takes several days to send the money back to my checking account. Having access to a credit card would allow me to use it in emergency situations and then continue to pay off the balance at the end of the billing cycle using my savings. It just adds a buffer.

Another reason I chose to get a new card is the rewards. I got an Amazon card because I seem to be using their site a lot lately. And with my Kindle habit, rewards in the form of Amazon gift cards will be great. I will always be able to use them. I’ll use the card instead of my debit card to get rewards points but pay the balance each month. This will also allow me to smooth out my spending instead of focusing on what’s available with each new paycheck. I’m going to try to release the kung fu grip I have on each penny. By this I don’t mean I’m going to start spending like a madwoman, but rather, I’ll take the focus off tracking every single transaction every single day. I’m pretty obsessive, really. I will still reconcile my receipts, etc. but maybe not as often.

We’ll see if this turns out to work or if I really just need to track everything meticulously like I’ve learned I need to (at least for now) with my food. Like I’ve mentioned before, the two issues are very similar for me but I’m much further along in my relationship with money than in the one I have with food. I think I’m ready to trust myself a little more to make good choices with my money without artificially imposing stop points (I’ve run out of spending money for this pay period so I can’t get ___). Of course, I’m not really out of money – it’s just someplace else. This tactic has worked well for me but I’m hoping that I’m ready to take the training wheels off. If I start careening downhill and find the brakes are shot, I can put them back on. I’ve gone back to tracking my intake carefully and I’ll do it for however long it takes for me to gain control over it (if ever). I’m fine with that. But I feel in my gut that I’ve grown financially and can handle it.

Rabu, 08 April 2009

Savings Plan Revisited

Just a few weeks ago, I came up with a plan to start a whole bunch of ING sub-accounts to help me save for irregular expenses such as presents, vacations, clothing purchases, etc. It seemed like a great idea and I even opened the accounts and set up the automatic withdrawals. But over this past weekend, Cute Man and I had a great talk about what we really want to do in terms of housing. We’ve lived together in our 1BR basement apartment for 5 years now. We love it and we love our landlady but it does lack a bit of privacy and space, especially for when we have a kid (no immediate plans, don’t get overexcited, Mom). So, we think it’s time to get serious about buying something.

Since our budget is small and we are both committed to avoiding consumer debt and long commutes, we’re thinking condo in DC. We don’t mind smaller spaces and I, for one, would rather pay a condo fee than deal with mowing the lawn, doing landscaping, etc. My ideal: 2 BR 2 BA close to a Metro with a parking spot. And I think I’d prefer a small building with just a few units over a large one, but we’ll see. I don’t necessarily need/want fancy amenities like fitness rooms, pools, etc. What is important is to have an updated kitchen and bathrooms. I’m NOT all about the home improvement projects.

The reason I think this is at all feasible anytime soon is that we’ll probably go through the NACA Program. They help low-moderate income people find homes and offer lots of counseling, assistance, etc. They also offer below market loan rates and no closing costs. The first step is to go to a workshop and we’ll do that next month. This will not be a quick process but a thorough one. I am very excited and can’t wait to get started.

One of the many important things they will require is that we save the difference between what we pay in rent now and our expected condo monthly cost (mortgage plus insurance, condo fee, and taxes – the complete monthly cost of ownership). This brings me to the main point of this post: how I’m adjusting my savings strategy.

First off, I’ve changed my 401k contribution back down to the minimum amount to get my employer’s match. That frees up a bit more funds to go into my savings strategy. Right now, my share of the rent is $470 per month. We’d like to keep our condo monthly cost to no more than $2000/month (my share = $1000). So, I need to up my monthly savings to at least $530. To do this, I’ve rearrange my biweekly contributions to go to these accounts:

Emergency Fund = $75
House Fund = $100
Family Fund* = $100

That brings me to $275 per check or $550 per month. I will also have a Trainer Fund to save up for that irregular expense that I pay quarterly as well as a Slush Fund that exists for fun stuff – that will be snowflaked rather than auto-deducted. But those two won’t “count” towards what I’m actually saving.

The great thing about the NACA plan is that we won’t necessarily have to put much if any money down or pay closing costs. Therefore, this money we’ve saved will all be there as backup as we start down the road of condo ownership. It will be a great hedge against our good friend Murphy, who I know likes to visit new homeowners all too frequently.

Since this is our first foray into the world of home buying, any and all advice is welcome! Have you recently bought a home in this market? Is there something we should really know before embarking on this plan? I am missing anything vital? Please share in the comments.


*This will be there to pad our budget if/when I ever need to take maternity leave, not all of which will necessarily be paid, depending on how long I take off.

Selasa, 07 April 2009

First Quarter Update

As of today, I’ve been tracking my weight, calories, and activity through FitDay for 3 full months! I feel so proud of myself for sticking with it. Although the process is not quick, it has been methodical. My goal is to lose an average of 5 pounds per month and I’m just shy of that average right now with a grand total of (drum roll, please!) 14.3lbs! I am very happy with my progress so far and with the fact that I haven’t given up when it (often) feels like I’m getting nowhere fast. I weigh myself daily but in terms of checking how I’m doing, the monthly number is the most meaningful to me.

The backbone of this whole process is monitoring what I eat. I have come to terms with the fact that I need to track my food meticulously in order to stay on track. I used to fight that truth and resent it to the point where I’d just give up. I’d think, “it’s just too much work! It’s so unfair that I have to do this. It’s not worth it.” I’ve found a way to let that go and just make it a part of my life. Keeping track of the money I spend isn’t necessary fun, either, but it’s key if I don’t want to overdraw my account. Part of being a grownup is doing things that are necessary, whether or not they’re fun.

To get an idea of what this looks like for me, here’s my food entry for today. You can see that I’ve already plotted out what I’m having the rest of the day. That makes things so much easier for me so I do it whenever possible. I also try to work in a treat at the end of the day. Today it’s a piece of chocolate with peanut butter. Yum!


One of the biggest changes I’ve made that has contributed to my success so far is the consistent exercise. The fitness class focused mostly on strength training that I take three times a week is the anchor of my schedule. That combined with yoga and some cardio really has me feeling so much better and much stronger. I did 18 (girl) push ups without stopping last night! My goal is to work up to 20, then start working on doing them with my legs straight. Here is a snapshot of my activity for today:


Although I haven’t changed sizes yet, I definitely feel better within the clothes that I have. Before starting up in January, I must admit that they were starting to show some strain. Now most are loose and comfortable but not sloppy. I did put on a pair of jeans on Saturday that I haven’t been able to wear in quite some time. That felt terrific. Last time I wore them, I was more like 215lbs (as opposed to my 229.4 today) so I know that the strength training is having a bigger effect than just making me stronger. I am toning up and building muscle.

Whoever first said that slow and steady wins the race was not kidding. Being patient is the hardest part of this whole journey. I’m good for one day and then wonder why I’m not down a pound the next. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way so looking at the cumulative effect is the only way to stay sane.

So these are my tricks of the trade. What works for you? What kinds of mental and physical obstacles have you hurdled to wrap you mind around getting healthier. Please share your tips/experience in the comments!

Jumat, 03 April 2009

My First PF Blogger Happy Hour

Although I was a nervous wreck as I headed into the pub last night, it turned out fabulous! J Money did a good recap of the evening and who was there so I won’t rehash it. It was such a hoot to see what everyone looks like and what they’re like in person (awesome).

Now I just have to get my butt back in gear and do some serious PF blogging. I’ve been a mite obsessed with the weight loss end of things lately, which is both good and bad. But a little balance may be in order. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about how to maximize my savings and set things up for the future. I guess a post about that could be up next.

Rabu, 01 April 2009

Eye on the Prize

While watching the Biggest Loser show, it’s easy for me to get caught up in the drama of quick weight loss. Double digit losses, so exciting! But that’s not reality and it’s not the way to change habits for the long term. I know I’m doing this the best way I know how. I feel great and have tons more energy. It’s cool to feel my body getting stronger and see myself do things I just couldn’t do before (like pushups!)

From past experience, I know the pattern that I tend to follow when trying to lose weight. I tend to see a significant dip every couple of weeks. I’ll see a “small” number that is a new low for me only to go back up and hover at a higher weight for awhile. It’s frustrating but at least I know what’s going on. My current average is just slightly over 1 lb per week, which is great. I know this is going to take a long time and that’s OK.

I’m still using FitDay to track my calorie intake, activity, and weight each day. The habit is really ingrained in me now and it makes me feel in control of the situation. It’s empowering to know how much I’m taking in versus what I’m burning off. It keeps me in check and lends perspective to my food choices. If I have something extra, I have to cut something else out. It’s a balance, just like a budget for my finances.

The key to this process is definitely consistency. Consistency of tracking my food and in getting the activity I need. If I keep doing these two things, I will succeed. I’ve been sticking with my strength training class, going 3 times a week. I’ve stuck to yoga as well, which is twice a week. Over the past couple of weeks, I added in a lot more cardio, which seemed like a good idea at the time. But it wore me out and made me ravenous. More is not always better. And in the end, the pace of my weight loss remained unchanged. So, I’m sticking with what works and will avoid overdoing it to try to speed things up. Patience is not my forte but it’s what will take me where I want to go.

How to prevent breast cancer?

breast cancer, breast-feed, healthy habit, prevent breast cancer
Dr. Ben Kim on September 15, 2006 in Women's Health wrote about how to prevent breast cancer. He found that food and lifestyle choices are very important to prevent breast cancer. One of the keys to treating and preventing breast cancer naturally is to avoid estrogen dominance and reducing stress.

 It’s essential to consistently make healthy food choices that ensure regular intake of natural vitamin, minerals, and antioxidants. Although there are no guarantees, you can take some steps to help prevent breast cancer:

* Please do not smoke because smoking is a really bad habit for you and gives a bad impact to other people surround you? Smoking is very dangerous.
* Breast-feed your babies for as long as possible.Women who breast-feed their babies for at least a year in total have a reduced risk of developing breast cancer later.
* Maintain a healthy weight. Manage your weight wisely.
* Exercise regularly such as jogging and other low impact sports. Exercise and sport is a great way as an investment for you in the future.
* Limit your use of alcohol. If you do drink, you may be able to decrease your risk of breast cancer by taking a folate supplement. Stop drinks any alcohol products it’s much better to prevent yourself from breast cancer and other bad effect to your daily life.
* Follow a healthy diet low in fat and high in cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, strawberry juice, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower).
* Have your doctor examine your breasts every three years if you are under age 40 and every year if you are over 40.
* Have regular mammograms. Mammograms can detect breast cancer two to five years before a tumor becomes large enough to be felt as a lump. Women who believe they may be at especially high risk of hereditary breast cancer should consult with a genetic counselor before testing.
*   Consider taking the aromatize inhibitor exemestane.  The results of a study released earlier this year showed that the drug exemestane reduced the risk of breast cancer by 65 percent in high-risk, postmenopausal women. Talk to your doctor about whether this may benefit you.

* Holiday to the place that can reduce stress.

Remember to call your doctor immediately if you find a lump or abnormal thickening in your breast. Call your doctor if you notice a nipple is inverted, discharge from a nipple, a swelling in your breast or a change in breast contour, or redness or dimpling of breast skin.
Your life style and food choices are very important to prevent breast cancer and other healthy problem in the future. Don’t worry. Have a good life.