Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Toca 511 - Promising new gene therapy treatment for high grade brain tumors

There may be good new for patients with high grade brain tumors, like glioblastoma multiforme for example. Toca 511 is a new type of a gene therapy designed specifically to treat recurrent high grade brain tumors and it seems like the most exiting new treatment out there.

The difference between old gene therapies and the new Toca 511 and Toca FC therapy is that the virus in this new therapy can replicate and so it can destroy those cancer cells in human brain much more effectively. This virus is of course designed so that it won’t harm healthy brain cells which naturally is a must for this type of a tumor treatment to work.

There are currently two types of clinical trials available for this therapy;


  1. For people with recurrent high grade glioma, including glioblastoma multiforme, anaplastic astrocytoma, high grade oligodendrogliomas and others. More information here..
  2. Similiar to the first, but this is for patients who have chosen to have surgery to remove their tumor. More information about the trial..


Video of Michael Vogelbaum talking about Toca 511 gene therapy


Sunday, August 12, 2012

Healthy meal options to lunch lines in US schools!

US school children can now eat healthier meals in schools
One could say finally there will be healthier food options in the lunch lines in US schools. The Federal Government has announced their new National School Lunch Program which will require all US schools to have healthier lunch options for students all across the America in order to fight against obesity and other unwanted effects of unhealthy eating habits.

This really is a good thing in my opinion and I am quite sure that most of you parents out there feel the same way. Many students may not use this option of healthier meal during lunch time, but one might say that this is a good first step!

What our kids eat that they will become


What you eat is what you are is an old saying but in case of school children, the saying should be what you eat is what you will be. Many children and young boys and girls have a misconception of unhealthy foods not making them obese or sick and that is often true at younger age. However, once you’ll grow up and pass the twenty year mark, if you keep up those eating habits that you learned as a school kid, you will soon se the effects; obesity and different types of diseases like diabetes for example.

We as parents should do everything possible so that the future generations wouldn’t have to suffer from same problems that our generation is battling with because we have simply been eating all the wrong foods and way too much of them.

Young people can still learn!


There is always hope when we talk about people that are still in their school age, they can still learn new things and they surely can learn to eat healthier too. It is time to start educating our youth to stop eating hamburgers and pizzas for lunch and dinner. It isn’t easy but it is really up to each parent to teach healthier ways to eat to their children. Schools can only do so much, but if the parents do not care what their child eats, they will most likely grow up to become human trashcans like so many of us adults really are.

Your child can’t understand the fact that those potato chips and candy bars would be harmful to them in the future, so parents must be strict with their boys and girls. Of course the best way to get your child to eat healthier is by making delicious and healthy foods that your children can enjoy eating!

Some healthy food recipes your kid might enjoy


Teriyaki Chicken Salad



1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cooked and cubed
1 cup green beans, stemmed, sliced in thirds and blanched
1- 15 oz canned baby corn, drained, rinsed
1- 8 oz can sliced water chestnuts, drained, rinsed
2 ripe Bartlett or Bosc pears, peeled and cubed
1 cup shelled edamame, (fresh soy beans)

Dressing

1/2 cup mirin or white cooking wine
1/2 cup reduced sodium soy sauce
3 tablespoon white rice vinegar
2 tablespoon orange juice concentrate
1/2 jalapeno pepper, deseeded
1-inch chunk of ginger, peeled and sliced
2 cloves of garlic, peeled and smashed
1 tablespoon canola or peanut oil
2 scallions, thinly sliced

Combine all of the ingredients for the dressing into a any size saucepan. When it starts to boil, simmer until the liquid has thickened and reduced by half, about 20 minutes. Discard the jalapeno, ginger, and garlic.

Combine the chicken, green beans, corn, water chestnuts and pears. Add the warm dressing on top and fold the ingredients together. Garnish with scallions and enjoy warm or chilled.

Baby Spinach Omelet


Egg: 2
Baby Spinach leaves: 1 cup
Parmesan cheese: 1.5 tsp, grated
Vegetable oil: 1/2 tbsp
Onion Powder: 1/2 tsp
Nutmeg: 1/8 tsp
Salt and pepper

Beat the eggs in a bowl. Add baby spinach and Parmesan cheese. Season with onion powder, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Pour the mixture into a heated skillet with some oil. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Turn it over using a spatula and cook for 2 to 3 more minutes.

Tomato Cantaloupe Salsa


4 large plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1 1/2 cup chopped cantaloupe
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
2 fresh Serrano or Jalapeño chilies, seeded, minced
Juice of one or two fresh limes, (about 2 tablespoons)
1/4 cup packed chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 teaspoon salt

Combine all ingredients in to a bowl. Stir to combine and serve immediately.

You can find tons more healthy food recipes to school children and just try to find something they like and enjoy and I am sure you are one step closer to giving your child a healthier and a happier life! You can leave your own ideas for healthy and tasty recipes in the comments..

Friday, August 10, 2012

Welcome to my new health blog for men and women!

I welcome you! This is my new health blog and I will be covering everything and anything that concerns our health and wellbeing. This blog is as much to women as it is to men. So even though I am a man myself, I do have lots of knowledge about women’s health issues as well, so I hope all you women who wish to live a healthier and happier life, will join us here!

Conversations are always fun, so I do encourage you to comment on my blog posts, but please no spam! I see it so many times when I visit some health blog or any other type of blog for that matter, they have way too often been ruined by spammers.. So you can be sure that I will not tolerate any spammy comments in my health blog and I will review each and every comment before publishing it so please keep it clean..

I hope you will find my health blog to be very useful and I sincerely hope I can assist you towards a healthier and longer life!

a photo from the summer of 2012.. Let's live healthier!