Movember

November is the month where you can grow a dirty stache for a good cause. The purpose of growing a moustache for Movember is to raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer and other cancers that affect men. Now you might be wondering, what exactly is a prostate?

The prostate is a part of the male reproductive system. It adds nutrients and fluid to sperm. Normally the size of a walnut, the prostate can be divided into right and left "lobes." It is located in front of the rectum, just below the bladder. It surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine and semen through the penis. 

The growth of cells in the prostate, both healthy and cancerous, is stimulated by testosterone. Male hormones, including testosterone, are produced almost entirely by the testicles, with only a small percentage produced by adrenal glands (small glands found just above the kidneys).

What is prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer to affect Canadian men. One in seven men will be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime. 

Prostate cancer is a disease where some prostate cells have lost normal control of growth and division. They no longer function as healthy cells. 

A cancerous prostate cell has the following features:
•    Uncontrolled growth
•    Abnormal structure
•    The ability to move to other parts of the body (invasiveness).

It is important to note that not all clusters of cells growing in a mass are cancerous, and that a prostate with an irregular shape is not necessarily cancerous either. It is advisable to ask your doctor what it may be. 

Prostate cancer can be slow-growing and some men who develop prostate cancer may live many years without ever having the cancer detected. It is important to get screened regularly so that if you do develop prostate cancer, the appropriate action can be taken. A significant proportion of prostate cancers, if untreated, may have serious consequences. 

Who gets prostate cancer?

Age: The chance of getting prostate cancer rises quickly after a man reaches age 50. Age is the most important risk factor for prostate cancer. 

Race: Prostate cancer is more common in men of African or Caribbean descent and less common in men of Asian descent. 

Family history: Genetics plays a role - the risk of prostate cancer increases if close family members have had the disease. 
Diet: Men who eat a low-fibre, high-fat diet have a higher rate of prostate cancer. Research suggests that saturated fat (commonly found in processed foods, whole-milk dairy products and fatty cuts of meat) increases the production of the hormone testosterone, which may help prostate cancer cells grow.  

Lifestyle: Having a high Body Mass Index (BMI) may increase the risk of prostate cancer. Being physically active is a good preventative tactic, along with losing weight and eating the right foods. Consuming lycopene (found in tomatoes and tomato products), soy, green tea and cruciferous vegetables (such as broccoli), among other foods and nutrients, may help to prevent prostate cancer.
It is possible to develop prostate cancer even when none of these risk factors is present.

Information courtesy of Prostate Cancer Canada - also check the website for information on how to know if you have prostate cancer, why testing is important, and much more - http://www.prostatecancer.ca/Prostate-Cancer/A---Answering-Your-Questions/The-Basics

Studies show that men are less likely to go to the doctors for a yearly physical checkup. This increases the risk for prostate cancer (and other cancers) to be terminal. Awareness is very important to encourage men to book an appointment and get checked. 

Photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/wildsnaps/6430265489/sizes/z/in/pool-75164542@N00/

Some tips to prevent cancer:

• Have an annual physical checkup
• Know your family health history
• Eat a healthy diet
• Exercise regularly 
• DONT SMOKE
• Manage stress in a healthy way

Movember has been very successful in the past few years, in 2011 over 854,000 Mo Bros and Mo Sistas worldwide raised $125.7 million.

To purchase this awesome t-shirt, click on this link.

http://store.lancasterltd.com/Movember_SonsWomensT_p/1179-w-03-vbk.htm

For more info visit:
http://ca.movember.com/?home
http://www.prostatecancer.ca/
https://www.facebook.com/MovemberCanada
https://twitter.com/ProstateCancerC

Health benefits of eggplant

With the holidays coming up, many people will be packing on the pounds. Add eggplant to your diet to counteract all the sugary christmas sweets! Here are 5 benefits of eggplant:

1. Eggplant increases satiety and absorbs fat: Eggplant is extremely high in a type of viscous fibre that has the ability to bind to fat and create a feeling of fullness, with just 20 calories per cup of cubed eggplant. This makes eggplant an amazing addition to any weight-loss regimen! 

2. Eggplant is high in the amino acid GABA: GABA (gama-aminobutyric acid) is an amino acid that has the ability to reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and quiet a racing mind. This makes eggplant a perfect relaxation food for the holiday season.

3. Eggplant skin contains high-powered antioxidants: Eggplants contain an antioxidant called nasunin, found in the vegetable's skin. Nasunin protects against premature aging, cardiovascular disease, and the physical effects of emotional stress.

4. Eggplant is a source of potassium: Potassium has always been necessary for maintaining a healthy blood pressure, but has now been shown to help prevent gum disease as well. Potassium is a key component in fighting inflammation of the gums and arteries.

5. Eggplant extracts are traditionally used to lower cholesterol: Eggplant extract stimulates bile production and allows for increased metabolism and elimination of cholesterol from the system. Eggplant extracts are considered an ethnomedicine because of their traditional uses in the treatment of high cholesterol.


More information

Tim Hortons is starting to serve smoothies

TORONTO - Tim Hortons will soon begin serving up smoothies in Canada as it attempts to shoulder its way into a trendy and growing but fragmented market for the healthy crushed-fruit drinks.

The restaurant chain that made its mark on the Canadian consciousness with the less-than-healthy combination of coffee and doughnuts plans to add pre-blended, mixed berry and banana strawberry fruit smoothies to its menu starting Monday.

Article from http://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/Tim-Hortons-enter-trendy-capress-3938403974.html

I personally think that the only reason Tim Hortons is going to serve smoothies is to compete with Starbucks frappacuinos. The only cold thing you can get from Tim Hortons in the summer is an iced cap, and those aren't even that good. Frappacuinos seem to be extremely popular, like every time I am in Starbucks (no matter what time of year) theres always someone there getting a frappacuino.