Health A-Z

Does green tea stain the teeth?

Does green tea stain the teeth? Unfortunately, the answer is yes, say oral health experts. Here’s how to prevent the damage.

Nobody debates it and wellness gurus swear by it. We’re talking about the health benefits of green tea. But who would have thought that while looking chic sipping multiple cups of this beverage, one can get his/her teeth stained in the bargain? Not very chic after all, right? Well fret not, as you can correct the damage and prevent it too. Read on to know how…

Riddhima Choudhary (name changed) a call centre employee in her mid-20s was habituated to drinking green tea frequently, around four cups a day since two years now. She did so as she worked around the clock. This had stained her teeth because of which she was not confident about her smile. She wondered why her teeth were getting stained, until she visited a dentist who pointed out the probable cause.

Green tea does stain the teeth
Considering its popularity, not many are aware that green tea can stain the teeth. “Green tea today is the most consumed beverage amongst youngsters and adults specially women as it contains essential nutrients which are very low in calories and high in antioxidants. Two cups of green tea is healthy, but when you tend to turn something into habit and increase the amount of intake there are some drawbacks which otherwise could be cumbersome. Excessive intake would not damage the teeth to that extent but does dampen the teeth mildly. It can change the natural white colour of your teeth to a more yellow and stained appearance,” opines cosmetic dentist Dr Karishma Jaradi.

How does it happen?
Not just green tea, the same can be said for herbal teas as well, though their staining properties is lesser than that of black tea. Agrees dentist Dr Rani Shah saying, “I definitely agree, tea in general is a hard-hitter for stains. Green tea contains plant compounds known as tannins which increase the staining potential of teeth although to a lesser degree than black tea.” But how and why do teas in general stain the teeth? “Such beverages are acidic in nature and increase the porosity of the enamel (outer layer) of teeth. This makes it easier for the pigmented molecules found in teas to adhere to the enamel and therefore cause staining,” she explains.

Other foods and drinks that stain the teeth
Caffeine in coffee has a corrosive effect on the tooth enamel. In addition, the acid in coffee can contribute to the wearing away of enamel, which exposes the yellower layer beneath it called dentin. Some other drinks which are high in acidic in nature are orange juice, tea, tomatoes and other citrus juices. Cola, wine, sauces like soy, tomato and curry sauce also tend to stain teeth. Smoking also causes staining and discolouration of the teeth due to the nicotine present in it. Both red as well as white wine too can stain the teeth. Excessive intake of sugar can lead to tooth staining, warns Dr Jaradi.

Treating the damage
Stains are normally removed by a dental procedure called Oral Prophylaxis which includes scaling and polishing of the dentition. This is a one-sitting procedure which should be done every six months along with a routine checkup. However, it is not to be treated a substitute for daily brushing and flossing, says Dr Shah.

One could also opt for teeth whitening, an hour-long one-time procedure. However, some things that need to be kept in mind are that no two people are alike and the procedure may work faster for one person than another. Also, teeth whitening costs will range from dentist to dentist and patient to patient depending on the difficulty and severity of the case.

Preventing the damage
Dr Jaradi lists the following guidelines:

  • Flossing at home is one of the immediate preventions for teeth staining. It also helps in limiting plaque.
  • Rinsing the mouth with water is advisable after consuming tea/coffee/green tea.
  • Whitening strips or toothpaste can also be used to remove stains.
  • Proper dental care which includes brushing, flossing and rinsing after meals will definitely assist in stain removing stains.
  • If discolouration of teeth appears to be of an abnormal colour without a logical explanation it is advisable to see your dentist.

Source: Dna India

Why is hemoglobin important? What can be done to improve it?

Low levels of hemoglobin are most commonly caused by nutritional deficiencies. There are many ways on how to increase hemoglobin, including eating the right food sources, avoiding foods that reduce iron content in the blood, taking proper supplementation and blood transfusion.
People who find out from blood tests that they have low hemoglobin levels often want to find out how to increase hemoglobin. Hemoglobin, abbreviated Hb or Hgb, is produced in developing red blood cells in the bone marrow. It is responsible for giving blood its red color. Its function is the transport of oxygen from the lungs to be released to the different tissues of the body and, in exchange, collects carbon dioxide to be transported back to the lungs.

The normal levels of hemoglobin in the body range from 14 – 18 g/dL in males and 12 – 16g/dL in females. A deficiency of hemoglobin would decrease the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. This also decreases the number of red blood cells resulting in a condition called anemia. Causes of low levels of hemoglobin levels include poor nutrition, certain diseases affecting the bone marrow, chronic diseases like cancer and kidney disease, blood loss, certain drugs and cancer therapy. Low levels of hemoglobin contribute to a variety of symptoms such as dizziness, lethargy, pale skin, and if severe, result in organ damage.

Ways to Increase Hemoglobin Levels
Food and Medicine
There are medicines and natural ways to increase hemoglobin and therefore prevent anemia.

Vitamin and mineral supplementation. There are several minerals and vitamins that can increase hemoglobin levels. Most important of these are iron, vitamins B6, B9 (folic acid), and B12, and vitamin C, which is important for enhancing the absorption of iron. The recommended daily allowances are:

Iron: 20 mg
Vitamin B6: 50 mg
Folic Acid: 500 micrograms
Vitamin B12: 1500 micrograms
Vitamin C: 1000 mg

Foods that are rich sources of iron, vitamins B6, B9, and B12

Iron: whole-egg, iron-fortified cereal; leafy-green vegetables (like artichoke and spinach), legumes (like beans and lentils), meat (like lean beef and liver), and seafood like (clams and oysters)
Vitamin B6: meat (like chicken, beef, turkey, and pork), fish (like salmon, cod, halibut, tuna, trout, and snapper), vegetables (like spinach, bell peppers, baked potatoes, yams, broccoli, green peas, turnip greens, and asparagus), nuts and seeds (like peanuts, cashews, sunflower seeds, and hazelnut), whole-wheat bread, cereals, bran; and chickpeas, lentils and soybeans
Folic acid: dried beans, peas, leafy green vegetables (like spinach and turnip greens), and fruits (ex. citrus fruits)
Vitamin B12: Beef liver and clams, fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk, and other dairy products
Vitamin C: Citrus fruits (like grapefruit and oranges) and their juices, red and green pepper and kiwifruit, broccoli, strawberries, cantaloupe, baked potatoes, and tomatoes
Herbs. Certain herbs contain iron or increase its absorption thereby increasing hemoglobin levels.

Withania: used in Ayurvedic Medicine in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia; its use has been supported by studies showing increased hemoglobin levels in children.
Nettle Leaf: used traditionally in the treatment of arthritis, a rich source of iron
Dong Quai or Angelica: traditionally used for menstrual cramps, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menopausal symptoms, anemia, and constipation. Studies on rats fed on low iron diet showed restoration to near normal levels of hemoglobin, hematocrit and red blood cell counts with Dong Quai
Chitosan is a dietary fiber from shellfish. A study showed that patients with kidney failure given chitosan were shown to reduce high cholesterol, improve anemia, and improve physical strength, appetite, and sleep.

Foods to Avoid
Foods that are rich in calcium like milk and cheese and high fiber foods as well as beverages like coffee, tea, and alcohol should be avoided or taken in small quantities because these prevent absorption of iron. Gluten-containing foods like pasta, bread, and wheat products also cause anemia.

Source: MD-health

Natural Ways To Reduce Stress During Pregnancy

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences claims that if a pregnant woman is exposed to stress, her placenta can alter the proteins and enzymes that help develop the brain of the baby. A research group from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine found that mice babies, especially males, had a heightened level of stress and that it could be linked to neurodevelopmental disorders.

This research is both daunting, yet informative. A pregnant woman may put a lot of stress on herself to eat right, sleep enough, exercise daily—all while keeping up with doctor visits and the changes in your body, emotions, and life. Since it’s very difficult to take a vacation for 9 months, here are some natural ways that I recommend to reduce stress

Massage
When my aunt was pregnant in Belgium, she was assigned a massage therapist for weeks before and after the birth after my cousin. I wish we had that here! Massage is a great way to de-stress and address all of those pregnancy aches and pains. You can also still your mind and meditate while the endorphins rush. Make sure to find a practitioner skilled in prenatal massage because there are certain areas and pressure points that should be avoided during pregnancy. And, hopefully the massage therapist can teach your partner some techniques to try at home

Yoga and Meditation
A 2009 study from a Minnesota nursing school supports the practice of yoga and mindfulness-based stress reduction for pregnant women. The study participants reported a reduction in stress and anxiety, especially if yoga and meditation were started early on in the pregnancy. Try signing up for a local prenatal yoga class. And, find the type of meditation that works for you – chant during yoga, listen to a Deepak Chopra on tape, or just close your eyes at the park.

Talk It Out
Whether with a therapist or your best friend, talking about your stress and needs can be very helpful. Whatever you call it (I call it “venting”), giving your inner tension an outlet is much healthier than holding it inside. Allow your fears (and joys) to be shared with others—you don’t need to be the one holding all of the burden. What do you need from your partner now? How can your mother be more helpful? Opening the lines of communication will prevent you from becoming overwhelmed—and see how much support others can offer you.

My research also found that holistic modalities like acupuncture (as well as massage, yoga, and mediation) all reduce the rate of medical interventions and complications associated with childbirth, especially when practiced during pregnancy. These are also great strategies to reduce your stress if you’re are trying to get pregnant. So, what are you waiting for? Book that massage today!

Source: Fit bump

Does microwaving food remove its nutritional value?

We’ve all heard about how microwaving food removes some nutritional value, but is it true? Is something bad happening to our food behind that microwave glass?

If you do it right, cooking food in the microwave is one of the best ways to retain your food’s vitamins and minerals
There are dangers to microwaving your food. You could get scalded, for one. If you use the wrong kind of plastic (hint: one that doesn’t say “microwave safe”), unhealthy chemicals could seep into your food.

But if you’re concerned about getting the most nutrition out of your eats, microwaving is a safe bet. In fact, it’s near the top of the list for nutritionally sound food-preparation methods. If you use your microwave with a small amount of water to essentially steam food from the inside, you’ll retain more vitamins and minerals than with almost any other cooking method.

“Whenever you cook food, you’ll have some loss of nutrients,” says registered dietician and certified food scientist Catherine Adams Hutt. “The best cooking method for retaining nutrients is one that cooks quickly, exposes food to heat for the smallest amount of time and uses only a minimal amount of liquid.”

Consider spinach. Boil it on the stove, and it can lose up to 70% of its folic acid. Microwave it with just a little water, and you’ll retain nearly all its folic acid. Cooking bacon on a griddle until it’s crispy (yum) can create nitrosamines, while microwaving bacon creates far fewer of these cancer-promoting chemicals.

Of course, you can mess microwaving up. Dump your veggies in a bunch of water and overcook them, and you’ll leach out plenty of nutrition. “When you cook food in a microwave, cover it tightly, creating an efficient steam environment,” advises Hutt.
Steaming over a stovetop is just as good, though. In some cases, it may even be better: One small study found that steamed broccoli retained more of its cancer-fighting sulforaphane than microwaved broccoli.

But in most cases, using your microwave to cook food, if it’s covered tightly in a microwave-safe container with a minimal amount of liquid, is a nutritional win.

In fact, it can even enhance the nutrition of some foods. It makes the carotenoids in tomatoes and carrots more available to our bodies, for example. It makes the biotin in eggs digestible. And heat kills bacteria in food that can make us sick.
“From a safety standpoint,” says Hutt, “you don’t want to be eating raw chicken.”

So go ahead and use that microwave. It’s a quick way to essentially steam food from the inside out. You won’t get the aromas that baking or roasting provides, but if you do it right, with just a little bit of water in a tightly-closed microwave-safe container, you’ll be very well nourished.

Source: CNN health

 

chikungunya virus infects people on 5 Caribbean islands

Chikungunya, a viral disease spread by mosquitoes, has been confirmed in people on several Caribbean islands, the Public Health Agency of Canada says in a travel health notice.

“There have been confirmed cases of chikungunya on the Caribbean islands of Saint Martin/Sint Maarten, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint-Barthélemy and the British Virgin Islands,” the agency says. “These cases in the Caribbean mark the first time that locally acquired transmission of chikungunya has been detected in the Region of the Americas.”

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said local transmission means mosquitoes in the area have been infected and are spreading it to people.

The chikungunya virus can cause fever along with an arthritis-like pain in the joints and a rash. It is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Although caused by a different virus, the symptoms of chikungunya can appear very similar to those of dengue fever.

Dominica and French Guiana have each reported a case of chikungunya related to travel from within the Caribbean, the Canadian agency said.

The disease is typically found in Africa, Asia and the Indian subcontinent, according to the World Health Organization. In recent decades mosquito vectors of chikungunya have spread to Europe and the Americas.

Federal public health officials advise travellers to take precautions, such as protecting yourself from mosquito bites, particularly during peak mosquito biting times in the early morning and late afternoon.

The Public Health Agency also recommends that people consult a health care provider or visit a travel health clinic at least six weeks before you travel.

It says if you develop flu-like symptoms when you are travelling or within 12 days after you return, see a health care provider and tell them where you have been travelling or living.

Source” Cbc news

 

Health Benefits of Spinach Include Improving Memory

spinach111The standard American diet (SAD) depletes your body of the fiber, amino acids and B vitamins that keep your brain and memory strong and clear. Never fear — health benefits of spinach to the rescue!

This humble green is a powerhouse of folate and other B vitamins, L-tyrosine and fiber. It’s the perfect combination to improve neurotransmitter function and guard against the chronic inflammation that leads to cognitive decline and memory loss.

1. Spinach is high in brain-friendly folate. B vitamins play a starring role in the memory healing diet. Folate, in particular, helps synthesize and regulate the chemicals known as neurotransmitters, which send messages between brain cells.

An Australian study of more than 200 women found that a diet high in folate and vitamin B6, such as that found in spinach and other dark leafy greens, helped improve mental ability and short-term memory.

2. Folate reduces inflammation that harms brain function. Folate lowers the amount of homocysteine, a dangerous pro-inflammatory amino acid, in your body. According to a study published by the American Journal of Psychiatry, high levels of homocysteine disrupt the function of neurotransmitters, which can lead to cognitive decline.

3. Load up on folate-filled spinach for memory health. Folate deficiency is serious. Symptoms include mental fatigue, nonsenile dementia, anxiety, depression, forgetfulness and confusion.

The poor Western diet, based on refined carbohydrates, sugar, unhealthy fats, alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine, rapidly depletes your body’s store of B vitamins. Just 1 cup of steamed spinach contains more than 65% of your Daily Value (DV) for folate and more than 20% of your DV for vitamin B6.

4. L-tyrosine in spinach improves mental focus. L-tyrosine is an amino acid critical to synthesizing dopamine and norepinephrine, the neurotransmitters responsible for keeping your brain alert and focused. Dopamine affects your mood, while norepinephrine offers a mental lift and improves learning, problem-solving ability and memory function.

A recent study found that tyrosine helped improve memory during the increased stress of multitasking. One cup of steamed spinach provides 20% of your DV for tyrosine.

Besides being one of the health benefits of spinach, tyrosine is also found in wild salmon, yellowfin tuna, meat, poultry, whole grains, yogurt, avocados, beans, walnuts and seeds.

5. High-fiber spinach reduces inflammation. There’s an important connection between eating high-fiber foods and healthy brain function.

While the typical SAD diet leads to an increased risk for inflammatory diseases and conditions like memory loss, a high-fiber cognitive decline and loss of memory, the low-GI diet, high in fiber, prevents the wild swings in blood sugar and insulin levels that lead to chronic inflammation.

A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that elderly people who ate a diet high in dietary fiber scored higher in cognitive tests than those who did not. One cup of boiled spinach contains more than 17% of your DV for dietary fiber.

Source: underground health reporter

7 Dangerous Acts After A Meal

1. Don’t smoke : Experiments from experts proves that smoking a cigarette after meal is comparable to smoking 10 cigarettes (chances of cancer is higher)

2. Don’t eat fruits immediately: Immediately eating fruits after meals will cause stomach to be bloated with air. Therefore take fruits 1 -2 hours after meal or 1 hour before meal.

3. Don’t drink tea: Because tea leaves contain a high content of acid. This substance will cause the protein content in the food we consume to be hundred thus difficult to digest.

4. Don’t loosen your belt: Loosening the belt after meal will easily cause the intestine to be twisted and blocked.

5. Don’t bathe: Bathing after meal will cause the increase of blood flow to the hands, legs and body thus the amount of blood around the stomach will therefore decrease, this will weaken the digestive system in our stomach.

6. Don’t walk about: People always say that after ameal walk a hundred steps and you will live till 99. In actual fact this is not true. Walking will cause the digestive system to be unable to absorb the nutrition from the food we intake.

7. Don’t sleep immediately: The food we intake will not be to digest properly. Thus will lead to gastric and infection in our intestine.

Source: Nairaland

Health benefits of Natural Wonders – Amla

For centuries, we have seen the benefits of Ayurveda – the age-old therapeutic science that originated in India and is now accepted across world as an alternative form of medicine. The very basis of Ayurveda is to enhance life by emphasizing on using resources found in nature in the form of fruits, vegetables, animal products and minerals. And one the most beneficial fruits, according to Ayurveda, is the Indian gooseberry, or what we commonly call ‘alma’.

Amla is considered to be an especially revitalizing herb with multiple nutritional qualities. This highly fibrous round fruit with 6 vertical lines contains a variety of flavours, ranging from sweet and salty to bitter and sour.
Amla and its rich nutrients

Amla is one of the richest natural sources of Vitamin C – 100 gram of Amla contains 700 mg of Vitamin C or ascorbic acid which is 20 times more than that found in other fruits. Amla is also an excellent anti oxidant and one of its best qualities is that the nutrients don’t reduce on cooking or drying. Amla is 80% moist and contains calcium, carotene, iron, phosphorous and many essential oils. Even the leaves and bark of Amla plant are a good source of tannin (tannin works as an astringent).

Health benefits of amla:

Including amla in your diet can be highly beneficial:
Treats respiratory system: Amla acts as an astringent and helps in drying cough. Being a good source of vitamin C, it’s very helpful when it comes to treating cold, bronchitis and respiratory problems

Treats constipation: The fruit is a good source of fibre and has proved to be an effective laxative. It’s been known to reduce constipation and even helps in the treatment of piles.

Treats skin ailments: Amla contains antibacterial properties which prevent skin disease and ulcers. It can even help in treating acne.

Good for hair: Amla can do miracles with hair problems and is an important ingredient in many products made for stimulating hair growth. Amla soaked in water and kept in an iron utensil overnight could be used as a shampoo-conditioner-hair colour to check hair greying and to make it shiny.

Read Also http://www.texilaconnect.com/ayurvedic-remedies-for-hair-loss/

Improves vision: Amla is good for the eyes and can help in correcting eye problems like trachoma, glaucoma and cataract.

Treats acidity: One gram of Amla powder with a little sugar if taken with milk or water can help reduce acidity.

Treats cardiac disease: Cholesterol, hypertension and diabetes are ailments that contribute to heart disease. Vitamin C helps in widening blood vessels and strengthening heart muscles which can reduce the chances of getting a stroke because of high cholesterol levels which may have accumulated on the walls of blood vessels. Regular intake of a powder mix of Amla and sugar candy taken with water can help stabilize cholesterol levels. If taken in powder form or as triphala – a mixture of Amla with two other herbs; harada and bihara – helps in controlling blood pressure. Amla mixture taken with jamun and bitter gourd powder helps to normalize an enzyme – alanine transaminase found in liver responsible for high level of diabetes.

Good for reproductive health: Amla can act as an aphrodisiac and is supposed to increase sperm count. Dried amla seeds mixed with honey can help reduce white discharge in women.

Treats anaemia: Amla is high in ascorbic acid, which helps in good iron absorption, thus reducing deficiency.

Good for general fitness: The multi-beneficial fruit that amla is, it’s been known to improve metabolism, thus helping in maintaining body weight. Furthermore, it improves human immunity, and provides all-round health benefits.

Source: mdhil

 

Health Benefits of Laughing

Laughter works wonderfully well in the moment, but it also has some surprising long-term health benefits

What can laughter do?:

  • Lower blood pressure
  • Increase vascular blood flow and oxygenation of the blood
  • Give a workout to the diaphragm and abdominal, respiratory, facial, leg, and back muscles
  • Reduce certain stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline
  • Increase the response of tumor- and disease-killing cells such as Gamma-interferon and T-cells
  • Defend against respiratory infections–even reducing the frequency of colds–by immunoglobulon in saliva.
  • Increase memory and learning; in a study at Johns Hopkins University Medical School, humor during instruction led to increased test scores
  • Improve alertness, creativity, and memory
  • Humor and creativity work in similar ways, says humor guru William Fry, M.D., of Stanford University–by creating relationships between two disconnected items, you engage the whole brain.

Humor works quickly. Less than a half-second after exposure to something funny, and electrical wave moves through the higher brain functions of the cerebral cortex. The left hemisphere analyzes the words and structures of the joke; the right hemisphere “gets” the joke; the visual sensory area of the occipital lobe creates images; the limbic (emotional) system makes you happier; and the motor sections make you smile or laugh.

Source: care2

 

ATTENTION WOMEN ;side effects of lipsticks

men:
Do not forget to pass this message to their wives, girlfriends, friends or colleagues.
Women: Lip Care for using!

Dr. Elizabeth Ayoub, biomolecular and medical is issued an alert for lipsticks containing lead, which is a carcinogen.
Recently the brand ‘Red Earth’ decreased prices of R $ 67.00 to R $ 9.90!
Why? Because it contained lead.
The brands that contain lead are:

RED EARTH (Lip Gloss)
CHANEL (Lip Conditioner)
MARK AMERICA MOTIVES LIPSTICK
AVON

The higher the lead content, the greater the risk of causing cancer. After doing a test on lipsticks, lip was observed in the highest level of lead AVON. Care for those lipsticks which are supposed to have greater fixation. If your lipstick is fixed but is due to high levels of lead.
Take this test:
1. Put some lipstick on your hand;
2. With a gold ring on this lipstick pass it;
3. If the lipstick color changes to black, then you know that contains lead.

Source: daily inspirations for healthy living