One thing that simply never ceases to leave from the media these days is the subject of coffee drinking. Is it good for you or bad? Studies abound on this issue, and the only real consensus is confusion it seems.

So, let's try another one: a recent piece of research from Japan concluded that consuming three or more cups of coffee a day may cut the risk of colon cancer in women by half. By half?

I wonder if the antioxidant level in coffee has anything to do with that if in fact there is validity to the study. It looked at information from more than 96,000 men and women aged between 40-69 over a period of up to 12 years, so I'm thinking the study has some validity (without looking deeper). The researchers did state that the mechanism in coffee that seemed to have a cancer prevention effect was unknown.

Recent reports have come out regarding the protective effect of coffee against liver cancer. Specifically, Drs. Larsson and Wolk of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm concluded that for every 2 cups of coffee consumed per day, there was a 43 percent reduction in an individual's risk of liver cancer. They analysed 11studies involving 2,260 liver cancer patients and 239,146 individuals without liver cancer.

However, Dr. Ang Peng Tiam, President of the Singapore Society of Oncology, believes that this and other studies like this one are too "simplistic".

Dr Ang questions, "Why in the liver? Why not in the pancreas or in the stomach? It is for these reasons that sometimes further research needs to be done."

Ang continues, "It will take more than this article to convince me to become a teetotaller or coffee drinker! In a prospective trial, you actually intervene, and you watch for a result. In contrast, in this meta analysis, it is a retrospective study. You are finding people who already have developed cancer, you select a control group who at the present time does not have cancer and then you ask them... from what they can remember, what is their diet like."

Dr. Ang feels the best prevention against cancer is to exercise regularly and eat and drink in moderation.

Can coffee reduce the risk of liver cancer? According to findings published in the medical journal Gastroenterology it can. "Data on potential beneficial effects of coffee on liver function and liver diseases have accrued over the last two decades," states Drs. Susanna C. Larsson and Alicja Wolk, from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm.

11 studies involving 2,260 liver cancer patients and 239,146 individuals without liver cancer showed that for every 2 cups of coffee per day, the investigators observed a 43 percent reduced risk of liver cancer. Coffee contains large amounts of antioxidants, such as chlorogenic acids that have an inhibitory effect on liver cancer.

More on coffee -- a topic of panel discussion at the recent Experimental Biology 2007 meeting in Washington, DC, and subject of nearly 400 studies investigating consumption and cancer risk.

Think about this:

No one claims coffee is the new health food. And non-coffee drinkers are not encouraged to drink the beverage for their health. Yet the beverage is certainly losing some of its negative health image.

But is it enough?

Some say coffee protects against colon, rectal, and liver cancers (diabetes too). These same people recognize it also can increase the risk of leukemia and stomach cancer. Those at risk, like pregnant women and children, should limit their consumption.

Like many connections between cancer and diet, there just isn't enough research to tell a whole story. We can only take what's available and make our own educated decisions about our own individual lives.

What decision will you make about coffee?

Don't give up that daily cup of coffee just yet. Studies show drinking coffee may reduce your risk of developing Parkinson's disease, diabetes, cirrhosis of the liver, and colon cancer. It's even been linked to a decreased risk of inflammatory and cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women.

Why? According to an article in the March 2007 issue of Ladies Home Journal, it's because coffee contains large amounts of flavonoids and antioxidants -- and these combat a whole bunch of illnesses.

Now drinking too much coffee can have adverse side effects, like restlessness, anxiety, and headaches, but limiting yourself to one to four brewed cups per day seems to be a safe practice. Although for those with high blood pressure, consuming between two to four cups per day maybe a bit risky because coffee causes blood pressure to rise immediately after consumption. And all coffee drinkers should fight the urge to add sugar, flavored syrup, and whole milk to to their beverages.

A daily cup of tea seems to be healthy too. Researchers are investigating its use in the prevention of cancer, and we already know both black and green tea have significant quantities of disease-fighting flavonoids -- although not as much as coffee.

My gut hasn't always guided me through life's most difficult decisions and dilemmas. It wasn't until I felt a lump in my breast more than two years ago that my gut kicked into gear and told me something very important.

"It's cancer," my insides told me one week before the surgeon who did my biopsy called.

"It's cancer," the surgeon said. I didn't tell him, but I thought it: "I know."

I also knew prior to surgery that my cancer had not spread to my lymph nodes. My gut told me this too. It also told me the chemotherapy drug Taxol was not right for me -- since my cancer had not spread -- despite the urging of one oncologist that I accept this treatment. I would have gone on gut instinct alone in my rejection of this medication but another doctor weighed in and agreed with my gut, so I had solid backing on this decision.

Many have dismissed hunches like these and have written off those who believe in them as screwballs, says writer Chip Brown in the March 2007 issue of The Oprah Magazine. But as Brown shares after peering into the world of gut instinct, there are 100 million nerve cells in the gut. They run on autopilot, regulate digestion, play a critical role in the body's immune system, and control mood-altering neurotransmitters identical to those in the brain.

The gut is essentially a second brain. It was a "gut feeling" that led Fred Smith, founder of Federal Express, to begin exploring the possibilities of overnight delivery and Howard Schultz, founder of Starbucks, to begin mass marketing coffee. Wall Street professionals make millions on their gut feelings, sportscasters make startling predictions based on gut guidance, and entrepreneurs launch thriving businesses because of the inklings that rumble in their tummies.

You may or may not be a gut thinker yourself. But I've stumbled upon a gut exercise -- thanks to psychotherapist Nancy Napier --and I'd like for you to consider it the next time you find yourself stuck at a crossroads, unsure of where to turn. You never know, the direction you seek may be swirling around in your midsection, just waiting for a call to action.

Think about this:

You are wavering between two choices. Find yourself a quiet, serene place where there will be no disruptions. Now sit down. Take a moment to settle and focus on the issue you want to explore. Then choose one side. Think about this side and notice what happens in your gut. Do you feel a tightening and gripping or a softening and warming? Are the sensations pleasant or uncomfortable? Notice your thoughts. Are they positive or negative? Give yourself some time to feel your gut and your mind responding.

Now shift to the other side. Think about the previous questions, and try to chart what your body gut is saying.

While you may not get a gut answer at first, if you come back with the question several times, you'll likely hear just what your gut wants you to know.

This past week saw the launch of a first-ever partnership between Ford and ABC's The View. As part of Ford's Warriors in Pink initiative -- a campaign to get women everywhere to join the battle against breast cancer -- the co-hosts of The View during the month of October will feature Warriors sharing their personal stories of support and commitment in the fight against breast cancer.

On September 12, The View's call out for Warriors began online at abc.com
(keyword: theview) where viewers are asked to submit stories about the breast cancer Warriors in their lives. Then each week in October -- Breast Cancer Awareness Month -- a different Warrior will be selected to appear on the show.

Also part of the show will be an audience give-away, featuring merchandise from Ford's Warrior collection. Beginning October 2, viewers will have the chance to purchase a limited edition The View/Warrior coffee mug -- the same mug The View co-hosts will sip from to remind audience members about the importance of breast cancer awareness and early detection. All proceeds will go directly to the Komen Foundation. And on October 29, co-host Rosie O'Donnell -- who lost her mother to breast cancer and is herself a Warrior -- will attend the Race for the Cure event in Princeton, New Jersey.

Ford's Warriors in Pink campaign raises funds for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation through the sale of clothing and accessories for men, women, and children. One hundred percent of the net proceeds benefit the Komen Foundation. Over the past 12 years, Ford has contributed $87 million in gifts and donations to this life-saving venture.
Warriors in Pink merchandise is available not just during the month of October but year-round at www.fordcares.com.

Yesterday, we featured Antioxidant supplements: cancer prevention fairy tale or fact? posting on an opinion piece Dr. Lisa Melton wrote concluding that something is lost in the extraction process of antioxidants into supplement form that prevents antioxidant supplements from offering much in the way of health value. That antioxidant-rich foods offer a health benefit is not in question, and continuing research indicates that what you choose to eat can give your body a boost to better health.

While the researchers sort out the antioxidant supplement debate, and before your next trip to the grocery store, UPI issued a press release today announcing the results of a newly published study that ranks the concentrated antioxidant value per serving of 1,113 foods and beverages.

Topping the list? Per serving -- one cup of blackberries, eight-ounce serving of Welch's 100 percent Grape Juice, one cup of Ocean Mist artichoke hearts, one-ounce of walnuts and one cup of strawberries. Interesting to note, according to the researchers from the University of Oslo, Norway, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and the University of Minnesota, the top five outranked the traditionally considered powerhouses of antioxidant foods and beverages including blueberries, red wine, chocolate, coffee and tea. Stiil powerhouse antioxidant foods in their own right -- just did not make the top five in this study.

Caregivers are quiet heroes, helping and caring without asking for anything in return. Caregivers step in when there is a need and they bring with them a sense of hope and comfort during the challenges facing a loved one diagnosed with cancer. In the selflessness of love, they sometimes forget to take time to care for themselves. To avoid caregiver depression, frustration, resentment, illness and burnout, here are six ways a cancer caregiver can care for themselves while caring for someone else:

Take a daily walk. Exercise is a great stress reducer. Taking the time to stroll through the neighborhood or local park is like a deep calming breath for the body and emotions. If you are a jogger, go jogging. The point is to get away for a moment, get the body moving, and enjoy a change of scenery as you go.

Keep a journal. Daily journaling is a way to outwardly express your thoughts and emotions and can act as a relief value for emotions that are building up inside. It can also give you a better perspective. Sometimes we need to see what we are thinking and feeling to sort it all out.

Pursue personal interests. If you have a hobby or activity -- like writing poetry, photography, crafts, painting, knitting, reading, gardening, or listening to music, that has always been fun and brought you a sense of joy and contentment -- make time each day for your personal pleasurable pursuits.

Maintain friendships. We need our connection to others for the enjoyment of company and for comfort and support. Make regular weekly dates with friends and meet for coffee. Join a book club or start a book club. If there is a caregiver support group in your area, or a support group for families affected by cancer, consider joining.

Learn ways to relax. Try breathing exercises and muscle relaxation exercises. Schedule a massage. Take a weekly yoga or tai chi class. Cannot get away? Pop in a yoga or tai chi video and follow along.

Make your health a priority. Eat well-balanced meals, get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids. Find inspirational quotes that lift your spirits and display them where you can read them each day. Remember to laugh each day. Hug and be hugged.

To offer the very best care for your loved one, you must take care of yourself too. It's not selfish, it's wise.

If you are a caregiver that has found unique fun ways to take a moment to take care of yourself while taking care of someone you love, please share your ideas with other caregivers in the comment area following this post. If you are a reader with fun tips or ideas on ways a caregiver can take care of themselves while caring for someone else, please share in the comment area. We are all in this together, and we will get through the challenges and struggles of cancer much better with each other's support and encouragement.

Drinking coffee might protect against the progressive liver damage that results from excess drinking and alcoholism. According to Kaiser Permanente researchers, consuming coffee seems to offer a protective benefit against alcoholic cirrhosis, and the more coffee a person consumes the less risk they seem to have of dying from alcoholic cirrhosis.

Cirrhosis of the liver has been known to lead to the development of liver cancer in about five percent of the patients with liver cirrhosis. While these study findings do reflect a protective factor for the liver from drinking coffee, the researchers are not sure what it is in coffee that offers the benefit.

Studies show that nighttime heartburn increases the risk of developing other serious conditions, including cancer of the esophagus. Day or night, chronic reflux can gradually damage the esophagus. It may lead to inflammation and scar tissue that narrows the esophagus. In some people, chronic heartburn can lead to Barrett's esophagus, changes in the cells that increase the risk of esophageal cancer. But nighttime heartburn tends to leave acid in the esophagus longer, and therefore may cause more damage than daytime heartburn.

Healing Heartburn written by Lawrence J. Cheskin, MD and Brian E. Lacy, MD of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD discusses how acids from the stomach can cause serious damage to the esophagus if left untreated. It can also cause chronic insomnia and difficulty working through the pain.

Some common ways to help stop heartburn are not eating two or three hours before you go to bed; putting blocks under the top of the mattress to elevate the head 4 to 6 inches; chewing gum to increase saliva which coats the esophagus with natural bicarbonate; and avoiding foods that can lead to heartburn -- such as alcohol, chocolate, coffee, carbonated drinks, citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes, pepper, vinegar, catsup and mustard, and spicy or fatty foods.

As in most cases where natural remedies and diets will not take care of the situation, you should consult your doctor for a more complete check up and diagnosis.

Earlier this month, I shared the results of a study that drinking coffee reduces the risk of a genetic type of breast cancer. Good news for women who enjoy a cup of java -- or two -- or three -- to start the day. I have found more good news about coffee. Did you know that a cup of coffee is the number one source of antioxidants in the U.S. diet? So this could mean that we do not get very much in the way of antioxidants in our diet, or it might be that coffee has antioxidant super powers.

"Americans get more of their antioxidants from coffee than any other dietary source. Nothing else comes close," says study leader Joe Vinson, Ph.D., a chemistry professor at the University of Scranton.

Dr. Vinson explained that, "Although fruits and vegetables are generally promoted as good sources of antioxidants, the new finding is surprising because it represents the first time that coffee has been shown to be the primary source from which most Americans get their antioxidants." Antioxidants protect from the potential damage to cells of free radicals. Past research findings have indicated that coffee provides a certain level of cancer prevention for breast, colon and liver  cancers.

Researchers analyzed the antioxidant content of more than 100 different food items, including vegetables, fruits, nuts, spices, oils and common beverages and the amount of daily consumption. Coffee was number one on the list. According to the National Coffee Association, over 50 percent of Americans drink coffee. With all the constant news concerning what is bad for you, this is better than good news for coffee drinkers.

It's not everyday that we get to hear firsthand from a smoker. Sure, many of us know smokers. Some of us are smokers. But we rarely hear just how good smoking can actually feel to a smoker. Raven at Raven's Nest, does not hold back  just exactly how he feels about lighting up and inhaling. He loves it.

Raven goes on to rave about the amazing satisfaction that descends upon him when he has a morning cup of coffee and a smoke. He then goes on to rant that his other favorite combo, an alcoholic drink and a smoke, both of which are no longer possible in tandem when out in public. Due to Canada's public ban on smoking, this luxury is no longer an option to smokers like him.

This blog is a fascinating read. I don't smoke, never have and never will. But to hear the happiness that it brings Raven is just not a view we hear everyday. Raven knows that smoking is gross in so many ways, but he views it as his right. An interesting read, stop by and give it a view.

For women with the BRCA1 mutation, a specific genetic mutation that puts them at greater risk of developing breast cancer, study results suggest that drinking caffeinated coffee offers a significant level of breast cancer prevention. In a study funded by the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Alliance and National Cancer Institute, researchers examined the records of 1,690 women who have the genetic mutations BRCA1 or BRCA2 and had the women give answers to a questionnaire about coffee consumption. Women who drank one-to-three cups of caffeinated coffee per day reduced their breast cancer risk by 10 percent; women who drank four-to- five cups of caffeinated coffee reduced their breast cancer risk by 25 percent and women who drank six or more cups of caffeinated coffee per day were 69 percent less likely to develop breast cancer than women who drank no coffee. Good news for all of us who jumpstart our morning with a jolt of java.