Things You Didn't Know About Green Tea

Detoxification Programs
Detoxification programs are a relatively new facet of the health and wellness world. This is partly because science is still learning a ton about what makes our bodies tick, but there is another problem that has been plaguing detoxification programs.

A huge problem has been companies promoting their "miracle" drugs and vastly exaggerating what they can do for you. This same fact applies to tea just as much as it applies to other products such as:

Acai Berries
Pomegranate
Vitamin E
and Fish Oil
I'm not saying anything bad about the above products, but they just aren't the cure-all that companies have sold them to be. The same is true for tea. Part of the problem is that the FDA does not regulate supplements (as can be seen on the labels of all supplements).

It is important to be vigilant about what you are putting in your body, but it is also important to be realistic about what these amazing products can do for you. Believe me, I love these products, but they aren't going to cause you to lose 30 pounds in a week.

Below are some awesome facts. I did my best to not blow them out of proportion, but they are still interesting. Feel free to fact check them, I believe you'll be pleasantly surprised!

8 Neat Facts:

In the event that free radicals are wrecking your life, then try some Green tea as it is loaded with antioxidants that neutralize free radicals.
If are a person who is always on the go but you want a convenient treat, then try Green tea mints. They're gaining in popularity and they are delicious!
Tea can help to influence your bloodstream sugar levels. This is great news for anyone who might suffer from diabetes.
Unsweetened Green Tea helps to lessen tooth rot. It continues to be studied, but the results look very positive.
In the event you want bitter Green tea, then make certain you steep it for way too long or at a really hot temperature, yuck! This is a common mistake for new tea drinkers.
In the event that your Polyphenol tank is actually running on empty, then let Green tea fill you up!
And if really need to shore up the walls of your blood vessels, then Green tea may be what you need. Studies are yielding very interesting results about the effects of it on your blood vessel walls.
If you happen to be suffering from depression, then chances are you may want to give Green tea, which contains Theanine, a go. Theanine has been linked to important functions such as moderating your mood.


http://ezinearticles.com/?Things-You-Didnt-Know-About-Green-Tea&id=7698997

Keep weight off

If you've achieved your target weight, well done! But don't undo all the good work by reverting to old habits.

Adults are advised to do 150 minutes of physical activity every week. Read more about activity guidelines for adults and older adults 

The effects of quick-fix diets often don't last, as many people fall back into old eating and activity habits after the weight is lost. If you find your weight is going back up again, it's time to take action.

How to keep weight off

The key to reaching your ideal weight and keeping the weight off is to make long-term changes to your diet and lifestyle that you can stick to for life.
The following tips are likely to help keep weight off:

• Stick to lower-calorie eating. A lower-fat, higher-protein diet has been shown to help maintain weight loss for some people. This could be because protein-rich meals make you feel fuller more quickly, making you less likely to snack between meals.
• Plan ahead. Maintain your healthier eating habits regardless of changes in your routine, such as eating out, weekends or holidays. By planning ahead, you're less likely to slip up.
• Eat breakfast. Research shows that breakfast can help people control their weight. Having breakfast can help you avoid getting too hungry and snacking later on.
• Stay active. Build up your physical activity levels – if you've already been walking regularly, think about walking for longer, or start running.
• Watch your weight. Weigh yourself regularly so you can keep a close eye on any changes to your weight.
• Get support. If you have talked to a health professional about your weight in the past, make sure you go back regularly to get support from them.
• Keep it interesting. Variety is the spice of life, so if you feel yourself slipping back into old ways, mix things up a bit. Buy a new healthy cookbook, sign up for a healthy cooking course or try a new activity.
• Set yourself goals. These can help motivate you into keeping up your healthy diet and exercise regime. For example, is there a special occasion coming up that you want to feel your best for?

What should I eat now?

As a guide, the average man needs about 2,500 calories and the average woman needs 2,000 calories a day to maintain their weight. If you've been eating a lower calorie diet and you've now reached a healthy weight, you may want to increase your calorie intake. But do it by small amounts to avoid putting on weight again and remember to keep active.

More weight to lose?

"When we look at people who lose weight successfully, the lessons are clear," says Dr Andrew Brewster, a GP with a special interest in obesity and weight management. "A combination of diet changes and changes to their level of physical activity is the best method. The key is making small changes that you can keep for life, rather than drastic changes that you only stick to for a few weeks.
"You don't need to achieve a healthy weight overnight. Losing even a few kilos can make a huge difference to the health of someone who is overweight."
You can check the weight range that is healthy for you by using our Healthy weight calculator. Set a realistic target. Give yourself enough time to work towards your goal – the safe rate of weight loss is between 1lb and 2lb (0.5kg and 1kg) a week.
Download the new NHS 12-week weight loss guide.

Healthy food swaps

To start, you might decide to swap just one high-calorie snack a day with something healthier. For example, you could have a smoothie or a piece of fruit instead of a morning pastry. Or you could choose a drink that's lower in fat, sugar or alcohol and therefore contains fewer calories. For example, you could swap a sugary, fizzy drink for sparkling water with a slice of lemon.
You can learn more about small, healthy changes to your diet by reading Healthy food swaps. On the whole, eating less while maintaining a balanced diet and being more active will keep the weight off.
You can also find lots of information on eating a healthy, balanced diet in Food and diet.

Exercise

When it comes to physical activity, find ways to fit more movement into your day. It's recommended that adults between 19 and 64 get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity – such as fast walking or cycling – every week. If you are new to activity you should try to build up to this amount gradually. For more information, see Physical activity guidelines for adults.
Being physically active is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. People who do regular activity have a lower risk of many chronic diseases, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers and stroke.
For many, brisk walking is a great way to fit activity into daily life. Learn more in The 10,000 steps challenge.
There's more information and advice on getting active in Fitness.

Stick to the changes

Once you've identified the lifestyle changes you want to make, give yourself time to make them part of your life.
At some point, the weight loss that results from these changes will stop and your weight will stabilise. But it's important to remember that if you want to maintain your new, healthier weight, you need to stick to the changes.
"This is where many people slip up," says Dr Brewster. "They feel as though the changes they've made 'aren't working any more', and so they go back to old habits. In fact, the changes are working, as they are keeping you at your new weight. If you let go of them, you'll put weight back on.
"Really get those changes set into your lifestyle. Once you've done that and your weight has stayed the same for a while, if you're still not a healthy weight you can think about another set of small changes.
"That's the step-by-step method that will give you the best chance of achieving a healthy weight long term."

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/loseweight/Pages/keep-weight-off.aspx

Green Vegetables Packed Full of Benefits for Nutrition

Whilst I encourage people to have a rainbow of colors on their plate, greens should dominate. Why?

The color green is actually associated with life, vitality and renewal. Greens are essential for ensuring certain cells in your skin as well as your gut function properly. Green leafy vegetables are among the most nutrient dense foods available.

An example of a green leafy vegetables list is:

Spinach
Swiss chard
Kale
Mustard leaves
Collard
Buk choy
Radicchio
Rocket
Lettuce
Watercress
Wheatgrass
Even your non-leafy green vegetables are packed full of nutrients and vitamins.

An example of a non-leafy green vegetables list is:

Asparagus
Broccoli
Celery
Beans
Okra
Peas
Brussels sprouts
Artichokes
Cucumber
At the end of the day regardless of whether you opt for green leafy vegetables or non-leafy green vegetables, they are both still great for you. One of my absolute favorite green vegetables is - spinach.

In the words of Popeye, "I'm strong to the finish when I eats me spinach." This is so true. I have spinach in salads, with my eggs for breakfast, in juices and smoothies. There are many more ways you can get the goodness of greens into you. You just need to find what suits you, and especially those of you who have children!

My young nieces weren't a huge fan of having greens when they were little. So I involved them by getting them to help me make my Green Power Smoothie. Adding some sweet fruits to the mix is great for kids as that's what they love - something sweet! So not only did they have fun, they had some greens to get the essential nutrition.

Greens are high in Iron, Magnesium, Calcium, Potassium, Phosphorous, Zinc, vitamins A, C, E, K, Folate, Chlorophyll, enzymes and many other phyto-chemicals or plant nutrients.

Greens really bring so much to the table to help support your inner ecosystem. Green vegetables benefits are vast. They have been shown to:

Boost immune function
Provide steady energy
Promote healthy intestinal flora
Improve liver, kidney and gallbladder function
Help reduce inflammation
Keep disease away
Help clear congestion
Purify the blood
Improve circulation
According to a study published in the International Journal of Cancer, researchers found that increasing intakes of green leafy vegetables were associated with a 41% decrease risk of skin cancer. The study also showed that people who previously had skin cancer had a 55% decrease in skin cancer by increasing their intakes of green leafy vegetables.

Disease flourishes in an acidic body. The ability to alkalize our body is one of the most powerful and important ways of interrupting carcinogenic incubations. Green leafy vegetables have that ability as they alkalize the body. That alone should have you piling the greens on your plate.



http://ezinearticles.com/?Green-Vegetables-Packed-Full-of-Benefits-for-Nutrition&id=8773856

The Queen of Fruits - Mangosteen Fruit

Southeast Asia for the longest time has revered Mangosteen for the unique flavor it has as well as the suggestion that it can actually promote good health. The most amazing thing about this fruit is that the entire fruit is used especially, the rind which is xanthone packed. It acquired the name "the queen of fruits" as a result of Queen Victoria fetish for the fruit. She would offer knighthood to anyone who managed to bring the fruit to her in its prime condition. However, no one ever succeeded because of preservation issues considering the long journey the fruit had to take. The admirable quest of the queen gave this fruit this title and it has stuck to date. The fruit is now grown in different parts of the world and it is gaining popularity.

The Mangosteen Fruit Juice

The mangosteen fruit is usually eaten as a fruit for dessert. It is also made into jams which can be enjoyed with different kinds of breads and foods too. The one thing that is becoming too popular, however is mangosteen juice. There is a health drink known as xango juice and one that has created a whole new way of enjoying the fruit. The juice is not only made to be enjoyed, but also as a supplement. The fruit is packed with lots of minerals, compounds and nutrients hence the reason as to why it used to make the juices. Besides enjoying the popular xango juice, individuals can also make their own juice at home using this fruit.

Materials

To make delicious mangosteen juice that you can enjoy at home, you will need

2 pieces of the fruit
Honey
200ml of water
Sugar (optional)
Start by choosing the best mangosteen fruits that you can find. They should be ripe enough and free from any dirt. Clean the fruits in readiness for the juice preparation. Make sure that the fruit is well cleaned before opening it. You can easily use a knife to open the fruit to reach to the flesh inside it. Remove the contents inside the fruit. This should be done with care to make sure that the outer skin does not come in contact with the fruit flesh. This is because it can be very bitter and can give the juice a taste that is not too pleasant. Take the mangosteen fruit peel and the contents inside into a blender before then adding a little honey, water and some sugar. The sugar is however optional; it will be better to blend the juice without the sugar. Blend the content until you have a smooth beverage. You can then enjoy your juice with meals or at any other given time of the day where a refreshing drink is needed.

The mangosteen fruit is a delicious fruit with a taste that is simply unique. It is tasty and can be enjoyed in lots of different ways. It is a tropical fruit with useful rind, fruit juice, fruit, bark and twig.



http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Queen-of-Fruits---Mangosteen-Fruit&id=8736347

How to wash fruit and vegetables

Advice on storing, washing and preparing fruit and vegetables to prevent food poisoning, including E. coli.

It is important to wash all fruit and vegetables before you eat them to ensure they are clean and safe to eat.

Most people are aware of the importance of handling meat safely, but many consider the risk of food poisoning from vegetables to be low.

"It's a myth that a little bit of dirt doesn't do you any harm," says Dr Andrew Wadge, chief scientist of the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

"Soil can sometimes carry harmful bacteria and, although food producers have good systems in place to clean vegetables, the risk can never be entirely eliminated."

Those risks were highlighted in the 2011 Escherichia coli (E. coli) outbreak in the UK. Soil stuck on leeks and potatoes is thought to have been the source of the outbreak, which involved 250 cases of E. coli infection.

Washing veg

Don't just hold vegetables under a running tap. Rub them under water, for example in a bowl of fresh water. Start with the least soiled items first and give each of them a final rinse.

How should fruit and vegetables be washed?

Washing will help remove bacteria, including E.coli, from the surface of fruit and vegetables.

Most of the bacteria will be in the soil attached to the produce. Washing to remove any soil is, therefore, particularly important.

When you wash vegetables, don't just hold them under the running tap. Rub them under water, for example in a bowl of fresh water. Start with the least soiled items first and give each of them a final rinse.

Washing loose produce is particularly important as it tends to have more soil attached to it than pre-packaged fruit and vegetables.

It is always advisable to wash all fruit and vegetables before you eat them to ensure that they are clean and to help remove bacteria from the outside.

Peeling or cooking fruit and vegetables can also remove bacteria.

What is the key advice for safely storing, handling and cooking raw vegetables?

• Always wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling raw food, including vegetables.
• Keep raw food, including vegetables, separate from ready-to-eat foods.
• Use different chopping boards, knives and utensils for raw and ready-to-eat foods, or wash these items thoroughly in between uses.
• Check the label – unless packaging around vegetables says "ready to eat", you must wash, peel or cook them before eating.

How can I avoid cross-contamination?

It is better to rub fruit and vegetables under a bowl of water, rather than under a running tap. This will help reduce splashing and the release of bacteria into the air that could result from cleaning directly under a running tap. Try to wash the least soiled items first and give each of them a final rinse.

Brushing off dry soil before washing may help reduce the amount of washing required to clean the vegetables thoroughly.

It's also important to clean chopping boards, knives and other utensils after preparing vegetables to prevent cross-contamination.

How do bacteria get onto vegetables?

Bacteria can get onto fruit and vegetables in several ways. They may be present in water used for irrigation, organic fertilisers, or droppings from birds and other animals that go into fields.

Should people who might be vulnerable to infection handle raw vegetables?

There are no indications that loose vegetables are regularly contaminated with E.coli or other harmful bacteria.

People who are vulnerable to infection, such as pregnant women, the elderly or anyone with a weakened immune system, should follow the guidelines on preparation and good hygiene carefully. There is no need for them to avoid preparing such foods.

Children should be encouraged to wash their hands after handling loose vegetables as part of food preparation, shopping or during craft activities.

How should I handle loose vegetables when out shopping?

The risk of infection from handling loose vegetables remains small as long as good hygiene practice is observed.

It's not necessary or practical to wash your hands after handling loose vegetables or fruit every time you're out shopping. 

If you intend to eat foods immediately after shopping, then it would be advisable to wash your hands and those of any children that might have handled loose vegetables.

When selecting loose vegetables, bear in mind that more heavily soiled vegetables may take longer to prepare at home.

Should I avoid buying vegetables with soil on them?

No. Some vegetables are always sold with some soil on them. It's good practice to remove as much soil as possible when preparing vegetables.

Loose vegetables may involve a bit more preparation than if they are pre-packed, but as long as this is done carefully there is no need to avoid them.

Bear in mind that more heavily soiled vegetables may take longer to prepare for cooking.

It is also important to note that although soil was considered to be the most likely source of the recent E. coli contamination, this is not known for certain.

Why have we now seen a problem with vegetables?

The cause of the E. coli outbreak in the UK is still unclear and investigations are under way to find the source and prevent a similar outbreak.

There have been several previous outbreaks linked to salad vegetables, which are consumed raw.

However, illness linked to root vegetables is much less common because most root vegetables are cooked before being eaten.

There is always a risk of harmful bacteria on loose vegetables spreading to other food if produce is not stored, washed and cooked properly

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/homehygiene/Pages/How-to-wash-fruit-and-vegetables.aspx

Find out more about what is causing your knee pain

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Apostherapy are currently running free knee pain seminars in London to help people find out about the causes of their knee pain and how to cope with it. So what’s behind the problem, and what can you do about it?  

Osteoarthritis is the most common culprit

Osteoarthritis is a common problem in the older population and refers to wear and tear of the joints, with cartilage, that covers the end of the bones, becoming thin and rough. It is a leading cause of pain, and limitations to daily functioning. Over half of people over the age of 65 and more than 80% of people over the age of 70 suffer from the disease. Before the age of 55 more men than women have osteoarthritis, once past age 55, osteoarthritis occurs more frequently in women. Aside from age, having a previous trauma or injury to the knee can increase your risk of Osteoarthritis (OA). In fact, only 30% of those who show signs of OA on an x-ray have any pain in the joint, so getting yourself checked for signs of wear and tear before you start to suffer pain could help you to make lifestyle changes now in order to slow the progression of OA and the possible onset of knee pain.

Biomechanics play a key role in the development of Osteoarthritis

New evidence has indicated that biomechanics plays a key role in osteoarthritis, which has previously been thought of only as a problem with the cartilage. It has been show that breakdown of cartilage places stress on the knee joint, leading to muscular imbalances as the joint rotates or bends, therefore accelerating the rate of degeneration.

A good attitude can decrease the severity of OA symptoms

There is evidence to suggest that the severity of Osteoarthritis can be increased with higher levels of depression and anxiety in patients and can even increase the rate of degeneration of the joint. Having a positive attitude towards the management of your condition has been shown to have a positive effect on symptoms such as pain in the joint.

Reducing your weight by just 5% can cause a threefold improvement in symptoms

The more you weigh, the greater the load that passes through your knee joint, which carries your body weight around day-to-day. One study found that a 5% reduction in weight over an 18 month period resulted in an 18% improvement in function and when coupled with dietary changes, the functional improvement rose to 24% which lead to significantly improved mobility. So, by losing just 5% of your weight you can have more than triple the effect on your ability to function and decrease the levels of chronic knee pain experienced.

Many conditions, aside from Osteoarthritis, could be causing your knee pain

Whilst Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of knee pain, there are many other issues that could be causing problems in the joint. Here are a few examples of what these are:

• Bursitis – This occurs when fluid filled sacs called bursae around the knee become inflamed. For example, the pes anserine bursa can become inflamed by excessive pressure from the tendons of other muscles nearby. These become strained as the body attempts to protect the injured knee. Reacting to the pain of bursitis, the body intensifies muscular activity, increasing the pressure on the bursa and thereby creating a vicious cycle.
• Patellofemoral pain syndrome – This is the most common cause of chronic anterior knee pain in young adults. These patients often complain of a feeling of instability due to muscle weakness or sudden pain.
• Iliotibial band syndrome – This is another cause of anterior knee pain and is almost exclusively seen in runners. The iliotibial band is the fibrous tract that runs along the outer leg from the hip to the knee and is attached to the thigh bone on the outside of the knee. Commonly patients suffering from illiotibial band syndrome complain of aching or burning pain.
• Structural deformity – Often seen in younger patients with knee pain, the most common examples are Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD), Osgood-Schlatter Disease, Plica Syndrome. OCD is caused by gradual separation of part of the cartilage from the bone. Typically athletes will complain of a gradual onset of pain, with swelling and locking of the knee that increases when bending. Osgood-Schlatter Disease is caused by repetitive stress at the insertion of the patellar tendon into the lower leg. In children with immature growth plates this causes minor fractures, severe pain and inflammation. Plica Syndrome is caused by excessive thickening of the lining of the knee joint causing pain, popping and/or locking of the joint.

Knee pain is a common problem, but there is a one-size-fits-all diagnosis. The knee is a complex joint affected by many types of injuries, conditions and diseases. The main aim of treatment is the prevention of pain and then to improve the function of the joint. Sometimes this will be through medications or surgery, but there are also some proven, non-surgical options to help reduce or even entirely cure knee pain. If you are suffering with chronic knee pain, don’t just put up with it. Seeking proper assessment, understanding the cause of your pain and then looking into the full range of treatment options could put an end to your suffering, helping you become pain free and mobile for many years to come.

http://www.silversurfers.com/health/health-features/find-out-more-about-what-is-causing-your-knee-pain/

In For A Sugar Shock?

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Sugar has been enemy number one in the media lately – but do you know just how much you’re consuming? The white stuff could be lurking in some surprising places, writes Susan Griffin

There’s no point sugar-coating the facts; we’ve got an obesity crisis on our hands. A quarter of all adults and a fifth of children are classified in this way, and it’s taking its toll on our nation’s health – an estimated one third of UK adults also have pre-diabetes.

Sugar is increasingly being blamed as one of the key culprits in this worrying epidemic, but it’s not just the frosty coating on a doughnut, or the number of teaspoons of the white stuff you add to your cups of tea that’s the problem (after all, the occasional treat is allowed!).

No, the biggest problem is hidden sugar, the – sometimes vast – quantities that’s been heaped into seemingly ‘non-treat’ foods and drinks to add flavour and sweetness.

Because despite efforts to label foods more clearly, it’s still not always possible to know (unless you’ve done a lot of homework beforehand) what’s sugar-laden and what’s not.

Thanks to the recent scary news reports, we do now know that a single can of fizzy drink contains seven to nine teaspoonfuls of sugar – but it’s not simply a case of cutting out the obvious suspects like these drinks, or chocolate and cakes from your diet. There’s a whole heap of hidden nasties lurking in our food these days.

“We are a country hooked on sugar, which has been added to our food to improve taste. Most people are wise to the products that contain high sugar levels, however, they may not be aware just how much they are consuming,” says Zoe Frith, in-house nutritionist for Prestige Purchasing.

“The biggest surprise for consumers is the hidden sugars in savoury products which can be unexpectedly high, such as canned goods, ready meals and sauces. We have got used to these sweetness levels in our food and, as such, are in a viscous circle – a sweet-tooth nation which would notice the difference if sugar levels were lowered.”

The Government’s Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition is recommending that around 5% (down from 10%) of people’s daily energy can come from free sugars (those added to food or contained in fruit juices, honey, syrups and sweetened drinks). That would amount to 25 grams of sugar for women and 35 grams, or seven to eight teaspoonfuls, for men.

If you want to keep to this, it’s crucial you know exactly what sugar really goes into what, so the chairman of Action on Sugar, Professor Graham MacGregor, warns of some of the worst culprits you need to be wary of…

:: So focused are we on opting for the ‘healthy’ option that we don’t take the time to read the label properly. Yeo Valley O% Fat Vanilla Yoghurt contains the equivalent of five teaspoons of sugar and the Muller Crunch Corner Strawberry Shortcake Yoghurt fares even worse with six teaspoons.

:: When time is of the essence, most of us will pop into a coffee shop for a quick pick-me-up but without realising what sugar high we’re setting ourselves up for. The Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino with whipped cream (and skimmed milk) contains the equivalent of 11 teaspoons of sugar, while the Pret A Manger Very Berry Latte (with milk) isn’t far behind with seven teaspoons.

:: You might think water is a much safer option – and you’d be right if you kept it plain and simple, but Glaceau Vitamin Water, Defence was found to have the equivalent of four teaspoons of sugar, that’s the same as a packet of Butterkist Toffee Popcorn or a bowl of Kellogg’s Frosties (with semi-skimmed milk).

:: We might already associate quick and easy ready meals with dubious amounts of salt, but sugar is hiding in there too. For instance, Sharwood’s Sweet And Sour Chicken With Rice contains the equivalent of six teaspoons of sugar (the same as Cadbury’s Hot Drinking Chocolate); Heinz Classic Tomato Soup has four; Ragu Tomato And Basil Pasta Sauce comes in at three and Pot Noodle Curry King Pot two.

http://www.silversurfers.com/health/health-features/sugar-shock/

Reverse your health mistakes

Erase past health blunders

We all make health mistakes from time to time, whether we’ve indulged in too much sunbathing, spent years slouching at our desk or filled our diet with all the wrong foods. However, the good news is it is possible to wipe out the effects of your blunders and start afresh. Here’s how to reverse your health mistakes.

Health mistake: Sunbathing

If fine lines and wrinkles are betraying your secret past as a sun worshiper, there are still steps you can take to create a more youthful complexion.  Applying a hydrating moisturiser rich in antioxidants such as vitamins A, C and E can help to reverse the visible signs of sun damage. Also, make sure you eat plenty of wrinkle-busting foods rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids. It is also important to make sure you apply sun protection every day from now on – not just on the sunny days!

Health mistake: Poor posture

Many of us are guilty of paying little attention to our posture when we are young, but this can cause many problems as you age, such as pain, poor balance and restricted movement. However, it is never too late to work on improving your posture. Try paying attention to the general position of your body; trying to avoid slouching as much as possible. Improving your core stability and the flexibility of your spine through exercise can also help. Research results published in the American Journal of Public Health found that regularly participating in yoga can help to correct spine curvature in the elderly.

Health mistake: Binge drinking

Many of us have overindulged on alcohol from time to time. However, for those who have partied too hard in the past, the good news is, in the majority of cases, your liver is capable of naturally repairing itself. In the early stages of alcohol-induced liver disease, your liver has a good chance of repairing itself once you stop drinking. To give it a helping hand, look after your liver by eating healthily, maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly.

Health mistake: Smoking

As well as causing wrinkles and staining teeth, smoking can cause many serious illnesses such as heart disease and cancer. However, by quitting smoking now, you can actually reverse many of its effects on your health. According to experts, after one year of quitting your heart disease risk is half that of a smoker’s, after five years your risk of stroke is the same as a non-smoker, and after 15 years your heart disease risk is the same as a non-smoker. Your risk of developing several forms of cancer also decreases over time. Give your health a boost and make today the day you give up smoking.

Health mistake: Inactivity

If you have spent years avoiding the gym, it’s time to break that habit. While research results published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity have shown that sitting for long periods of time puts you at risk of dangerous illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes, research by Duke University Medical Center has shown that many of the harmful effects of inactivity can be reversed through moderate exercise. To give your health a boost, set yourself a fitness goal; whether this is signing up for a race, joining a gym or trying a new fitness class. Try to exercise for 30 minutes a day five days a week, as well as increasing day-to-day activity.

Health mistake: Poor diet

As with exercise, you can reverse some of the damage that has been done to your health through poor eating by making some changes now to your diet. Firstly, try to cut back on saturated fats (found in butter, cakes, biscuits and fatty meats), trans fats (found in foods such as cakes and deep fried foods), salt and sugar. Secondly, try to increase your intake of essential vitamins, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids by eating a varied diet rich in fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds and oily fish.

http://www.realbuzz.com/articles/reverse-your-health-mistakes/

7 health symptoms you should never ignore

This article could save your life

Yes, that headache probably is just a headache and yes, maybe the dizziness is just a side effect from a heavy night – until it’s not. Keep a beady eye on any unfamiliar health symptoms because what we think are common health problems may turn out to be much worse. Here are seven health symptoms you should never ignore.

Health symptom 1: Severe toothache

While many of us tend to experience tooth sensitivities when we tuck into our favourite ice cream or enjoy a cold drink, if you're experiencing more sensitivity than usual, you need to go for a cavity check. Severe toothache can indicate that your tooth's nerve has become damaged; a common side-effect of rotting teeth. If you ignore this health problem, you could end up with an infected nerve as the bacteria spread around your mouth - ouch! A filling will solve the problem if the nerve hasn't already become infected, whereas a root canal may be necessary if the infection has spread to other areas. Seek attention from your dentist as soon as possible. 

Health symptom 2: Daily bloated stomach in ladies

We've felt like an over-inflated balloon more times than we can count on two pairs of hands and feet - it's not uncommon to feel like you've over-indulged every now and again, particularly before your period. If you notice gas, severe abdominal pain, difficulty eating, or all of the aforementioned on a daily basis, it's worth paying a visit to a medical professional who can either put your mind at ease by giving you the all-clear or refer you on to a gynaecologic oncologist for scans and treatment if necessary.

Health symptom 3: Intense and sudden headaches

Sudden headaches that feel like no pain you’ve ever experienced before could be a sign of a ruptured aneurysm – a burst blood vessel in the brain that requires immediate attention. Other symptoms that go hand-in-hand with a worryingly bad headache include chest pain, exhaustion and loss of vision, which could be signs of cardiac cephalgia or meningitis. If you’ve been experiencing intense headaches that appear out of nowhere, make sure you seek advice from your doctor to catch any potential health problems as soon as possible.

Health symptom 4: Chest pain

Many of us suffer from chest pain every now and again, particularly if we’ve enjoyed a delightful spicy dish the previous evening (yum!). How do you know when chest pain becomes something more serious than just plain heartburn though? The answer is that you probably don’t without seeking medical attention. However, pressure on your chest – often described as feeling like an elephant sitting on you – or upper abdominal pain are just two of many signs of a heart attack. If you’re ever in any doubt, the doctor is always the best person to see.

Health symptom 5: Excessive body hair on women

While both men and women grow hair all over their bodies, it’s unusual for women to sprout coarse hairs on their face, chest, stomach or around their nipples. If you find hair in places that aren’t typical of the female body, visit your doctor as this may be a sign of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). PCOS tends to develop when there is an imbalance of female hormones and can lead to irregular periods and infertility. If in doubt, get it checked out!

Health symptom 6: Unexplained weight loss

While you may diet and exercise in a conscious bid to lose weight, if you start losing more weight than you usually would or you’ve been losing weight without exercising or dieting, this could be a sign of something more serious. Indeed, unexplained weight loss can indicate that an illness is manifesting itself in your body, and may be a sign of diabetes, malnourishment, or a number of other dangerous health problems. All cases of unexplained weight loss should be evaluated by a medical professional to check for serious health complications.

Health symptom 7: Erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction can ruin more than just your sex life. Other negative side effects commonly associated with the problem of not being able to achieve or maintain an erection include depression and an increased risk of heart disease. Men are notorious for ignoring health symptoms: “Why do I need to visit the doctor about my broken wrist? Just stick some duct tape around it and I’ll be fine”.  Gentlemen, while it’s great to look on the bright side of life, you must take any health symptoms – such as the above – seriously; it could save your life!

http://www.realbuzz.com/articles/7-health-symptoms-you-should-never-ignore/

5 Scary Health Conditions Your Dentist Can Spot

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You expect your dentist to flag cavities, but did you know your drill-wielding doc might also be able to spot trouble that extends well beyond your pearly whites?

“It’s becoming clear that we need to consider integrating oral and general health care,” says Steve Offenbacher, D.D.S., director of the Center for Oral and Systemic Diseases at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “The oral cavity is the mirror to the rest of the body, so we can pick up on systemic problems by simple dental examinations.” In other words, the state of your smile may shine a light on the rest of your body — sometimes even before other symptoms show up.

Case in point: Offenbacher once told a middle-aged patient he suspected she was pregnant, based simply on the redness of her gums. “The next week, she came back and said, ‘I went to the doctor, and yes, I am pregnant!’’ he recalls. In that case, Offenbacher was the bearer of good news, but not all of the secrets your mouth may reveal are so positive. Your teeth may also provide clues about these five health-threatening conditions:

Diabetes

Your dentist isn’t just worried about how white your teeth are. In a 2014 study, nearly two-thirds of dentists said they’d refer a patient with periodontitis (inflammation around the gums) for a diabetes evaluation. Why that’s a good thing: “Diabetes is not only a common problem, but it’s also highly under-diagnosed,” says Offenbacher. Read: Lots of people have diabetes and don’t know it, which means adding your dentist to your team of health detectives is a smart idea.

So what’s the dental-diabetes link? High blood sugar may be as damaging to your oral health as the sweet stuff in a can of soda. That’s because the condition can cause dry mouth, which increases plaque build-up, making people with uncontrolled diabetes more prone to dental problems.

“[Periodontal disease in diabetics] is usually severe for their age or for local factors, meaning they have pretty clean mouths, but they still have a periodontal problem,” says Offenbacher.

Two common oral signs of diabetes: multiple abscesses on the gums and bad breath. “It’s kind of a sour fruit smell,” Offenbacher says. “It’s ketones — metabolic products associated with poor glycemic control — in their bloodstream that you can smell.”

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Heart disease

Your teeth may reveal what’s going on with your ticker. A 2007 study review found that people with periodontal disease are significantly more likely to develop heart disease than folks with good oral health. Among people who have both diseases, “if the periodontal disease is treated, the heart disease is greatly improved,” says Marjorie Jeffcoat, D.M.D., a professor and dean emeritus of dental medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

The common thread? Inflammation. “When you look in a patient’s mouth and you see chronic inflammation, you know that it’s creating systemic stress,” says Offenbacher. 

Although there are no dental red flags specific to heart disease, “more severe periodontal disease is strongly associated with heart disease risk,” Offenbacher says. Signs include loose, shifting, or missing teeth, and increased probing depths, where the pockets around the teeth have deepened.

Dementia

Can tooth loss indicate memory loss? In recent British research, a lack of teeth was associated with mental decline, while a 2012 study found that older adults with poor dental hygiene were 76 percent more likely to develop dementia. This is a relatively new area of research, which means the link between the two isn’t entirely clear, says Jeffcoat. However, a small 2013 study detectedPorphyromonas gingivalis — a bacteria associated with gum disease — in the brains of people with dementia, suggesting that it may play a role in the inflammation associated with cognitive decline.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis won’t cause your teeth to decay — but your dentist may be able to spot bone loss in the surrounding structures, like the jaw, with digital X-rays, says Jeffcoat. Normal, healthy bone should be dense both at the edges and in the interior, and when that’s not the case, “the patient is more likely to have osteoporosis,” she explains.

In fact, in a 2013 study in the Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, the thickness of postmenopausal women’s jawbones — as measured with a panoramic X-ray — was correlated with the bone density of their spine. This means that dentists could potentially diagnose osteoporosis, which often goes undetected until a fracture occurs, in its early stages, the scientists say.

Acid reflux disease

You may feel heartburn most intensely in your chest, but its effects may be most obvious in your mouth. If you have acid reflux disease, the constant uprising of stomach acid could wear away at the enamel on your teeth, says Jeffcoat. “You’ll usually see it in the lower front teeth,” she says. “You’ll see erosion of the teeth — they get thinner. You can’t miss it.” Another sign you may be suffering from acid reflux disease: You have a persistent sour taste in your mouth, she says. 

In a 2008 study review, researchers found that about a third of adults with dental erosion also had gastrointestinal esophageal reflux disease, or GERD. Keep in mind, this erosion can happen even in the absence of chest pain — that is, you may have reflux without knowing it, until your dentist points out the damage to your choppers. 

https://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/5-scary-health-conditions-your-dentist-can-spot-140548144.html