Healthy Weight Loss Diet Tips – 7 Steps to Healthy Digestion

Digestion is an often overlooked part of a healthy weight loss diet.A� A good digestive process is critical to weight loss success.A� With poor digestion, you are making your gut vulnerable to harmful bacteria and inflammatory response, which cause that ugly distended fat belly and many diseases.
Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to aid your digestive process and ensure optimal function for weight loss success.
1) Stop Eating Processed Foods
Processed foods contain a large number of chemicals used to preserve the food for long periods of time.A� These chemicals are toxic to your body and must be fought off to keep them out of the intestines and colon.A� This generates an inflammatory response and the toxins end up getting stored in your fat tissue along with a whole lot of excess water. A�
Eliminate processed foods from your diet and you will see a world of a difference in your weight loss efforts as well as the comfort of your digestive system.A� There is never room for processed foods in a true healthy weight loss diet.
2) Eat Fewer Grains
Many people are intolerant to the stuff used to produce grains for consumption and don’t even know it.A� If you have a food intolerance, this will lead to serious digestive problems and cause bloating, constipation, abdominal pain/pressure, and weakened abdominal muscles.A� None of these things are very good if you are trying to get healthy and lose weight.
3) Drink Water 15-20 Minutes Prior to Each Meal
Hydration is critical to the digestion process.A� Water is needed to move everything along and, eventually, out of the system.A� By drinking a glass or two before a meal you are preparing your digestive system for the work it is about to partake in.
It is also important to stay hydrated throughout the day, as the digestive process is working even when you are not eating.
4) Eat Vegetables With Each Meal
The properties in vegetables provide a great natural digestion aid.A� They work to better break down food and ease the particles all the way through your digestive system.A� Some work better than others, with the leafy greens generally being among the most effective.
5) Get a Good Amount of Fiber in Your Diet
Dietary Fiber is indigestible.A� Therefore, it must pass all the way through your system.A� This helps you become more regular and “finish” the digestive process.A� Good sources of fiber include almonds, pears, avocados, apples (with skin), and flax seed.A� You may also want to try to use a psyllium supplement, such as psyllium hulls, before bedtime to aid in regulation.
6) Do Not Eat Until You Are “Stuffed”
When you are “stuffed”, you are typically actually overstuffed.A� These means that your food particles will not all be able enter the colon, where they are supposed to go.A� The extra particles will float around and be directed to other areas where they can cause problems.A� By eating smaller meals throughout the day, you can avoid these problems.
7) Chew Your Food Until It’s as Liquified as Possible
This tip makes the whole digestive process easier.A� Liquid is much easier to digest than big solid chunks.A� By chewing more, you are making the workload much easier on your digestive enzymes by starting to break down the food for them.A� This will make the transport of food through the body much smoother and avoid problems of particle leakage.
Digestive health is crucial to weight loss success.A� Use these tips to create a healthy gut.A� And remember, a healthy gut is a happy guy; and a happy gut is an attractive gut!…

Creative Uses for Toothpaste and Dental Floss

Creative Uses for Toothpaste and Dental Floss

As a dentist, I want to make it clear that I believe toothpaste and floss should be used to clean your pearly whites. But, there are other reasons to keep them on hand, too.

Tooth paste has an amazing range of uses that might come in handy:

Health – Of course brushing your teeth comes to my mind first. But, did you know it is also a great way to get relief for bee stings or bug bites? Toothpaste is often used to heal zits, just dab a little on when you go to bed at night and it will be much better in the morning.

Defogger – yes, defogger. Who knew? Use toothpaste to defog your windows or mirrors. Scuba divers use it to replace expensive defoggers for their masks. You could use it for the kids swimming masks too.

Deodorizer – okay, this makes sense. After all, your teeth smell pretty good after you brush them. Try washing your hands with a little toothpaste after slicing onions and the smell will go away. I’ve heard of people using it in drains, too. I wonder what other smelly things we can use it for?

Buffer – toothpaste can smooth things by buffing and polishing, just like it does for your teeth. It is commonly used to remove scratches from CD’s or DVD’s or to get rid of scuffs on shoes.

Stain Remover – I’ve heard it’s pretty good for stains on carpets or clothing. Haven’t tried it myself and would encourage you to spot test it first.

Cleaning – this is where toothpaste really shines. It can remove crayon from walls, clean shower doors, bring the sparkle back to your jewelry or faucets, and even clean piano keys. My guess is there are many more possible cleaning uses.

And what about dental floss?

Sew With It or String Things Together – you have probably seen floss used for wind chimes or mobiles. You can also use it to hold holiday cards, string beads or garland, and hang things. Or, simply use it to tie your hair back.

Indoors – floss is often used to cut things like fancy cakes or cheese. It can gently lift food off a baking pan, too. One really cool use is to use it to clean crevices or skinny gaps you wouldn’t normally be able to reach. You can even quiet a dripping faucet with it. Simply tie one end around the faucet and let the other end go down the drain. The water will run along the floss instead of dripping and making noise.

Outdoors – support climbing plants or use it for fishing or as a clothes line.

Emergencies – dental floss would work great for tying off an umbilical cord or artery and has been used successfully in prison breaks.

Other Uses – tie loose parts together, bunch it up to fill a hole, or use it to make a rope, small net, or basket.…

Some Factors That Could Make You Opt to Use Herbal Toothpaste

Some Factors That Could Make You Opt to Use Herbal Toothpaste

We have seen, in the recent past, a huge rise in the numbers of people opting to use herbal toothpaste, rather than the traditional ‘synthetic’ toothpastes we have always had. Aware of this trend, and aware of the numerous benefits that are often attributed to herbal products, you could also find yourself tempted to follow suit, and opt for herbal toothpaste. But just before doing so – being a rational person – you could find yourself keen to establish some factors that would justify your switching to herbal toothpaste, rather than just ‘going herbal’ because everyone else is doing so.

So, what are some of those tangible factors that make herbal toothpastes worth considering?

Well, one of the greatest attractions to the herbal toothpaste is that it contains no artificial coloring and no artificial flavoring. Of course, this is only where what we are looking at is a genuinely natural, herbal toothpaste tube. One needs to beware of normal synthetic toothpastes, which are only slightly altered to make them ‘feel somewhat different’ and then labeled and marketed to potential buyers as herbal toothpastes. But for the genuinely herbal toothpaste, the lack of artificial colors and flavors in its composition can be a great attraction. There is a school of thought, in the scientific community, which has been very keen to drum down our ears the knowledge that it is substances such as artificial food colors and artificial flavorings that are causing some of the modern health woes we are struggling with nowadays. If you buy into this way of thinking, then you will definitely find the organic toothpaste greatly attractive.

If you are allergic to some of the ingredients that go into the making of traditional toothpastes, you may find reprieve in toothpaste, which may not contain those offending ingredients. But the reverse could also apply, where you find some of the natural formulations that go into the making of herbal toothpaste being substances that you are allergic to. This is a novel and important way of thinking about things, by the way, especially keeping in mind that we don’t tend to think of toothpastes as potential sources of allergic reactions. So it could be that a particular allergy you have struggled with all your life could have been coming from the toothpaste you were using. That being the case, you would be advised to try an herbal toothpaste formulation, to see the difference you experience.

If you are environmentally conscious, you may find yourself being wary of the great havoc wrecked by the various ingredients that go into the making of traditional toothpaste formulations. In that case you will probably find some toothpaste formulations (a number of which are actually rated as being ‘organic’) as a potentially more environmentally friendly choice.

If you are undergoing some forms of homeopathic treatment, you may find yourself having to switch to herbal toothpaste, on your doctor’s recommendation. This would be on account of the fact that some of the ingredients that go into the making of traditional toothpastes have been noted to interfere with some forms of homeopathic treatment; hence the possible prescription for you to switch to toothpaste.…

Have You Brushed Your Teeth? (Body Fact Number 1)

Have You Brushed Your Teeth? (Body Fact Number 1)

It’s always challenging to get your children to brush their teeth. And flossing? Well, that isn’t even on the radar most of the time! And what about a toothbrush? And toothpaste? How do you choose the right one? The next time the words “brushing and teeth” come up in the same sentence with your kids, here’s a short article to share with them.

Your mouth-and everything in it-is very important to your well being. Good oral hygiene is when your mouth looks and smells healthy. This means your gums are pink, your teeth are clean and free of food, and you don’t have bad breath. Good oral health makes you look and feel good, and helps you eat and speak properly.

Only flossing removes food from between your teeth. It also scrapes plaque from the surface of your teeth and from under your gums. A toothbrush just can’t do it. Plaque is a film of germs that live in your mouth and stick to your teeth. Plaque causes tooth decay and gum disease.

There are many different kinds of floss. Some is waxed and some is unwaxed. Waxed floss works better if your teeth are close together. Floss even comes in different colors and flavors! Choose one you like.

When it comes to brushing, do it the way that works for you. Just don’t scrub hard back and forth; doing that can damage your gums and tooth enamel. You should sweep or roll the brush away from your gum line. Did you know you should brush your tongue, too? It’s true! Your tongue collects bacteria and dead cells that cause gum disease and bad breath. Brushing your tongue is a very good way to keep it clean.

Choose the right toothbrush. The best ones have soft, nylon, round-ended bristles. Hard bristles can injure your gums and the enamel on your teeth. And be sure that your brush is the right size for your mouth. Small-headed brushes are better since they can reach every part of your mouth, including your back teeth. Your dentist can help you choose just the right size for you. He might even suggest you use an electric toothbrush.

Replace your brush every three or four months or when the bristles start to droop. It’s always a good idea to get a new toothbrush after you’ve had a bad cold, the flu, or strep throat, too. Thousands of germs grow on toothbrush bristles and handles. Most are harmless, but some can make you sick again, cause a gum infection, or give you a cold sore.

It’s also important that you use the right toothpaste. Select toothpaste that contains fluoride. Fluoride protects your teeth from decay. Ask your dentist which toothpaste is right for you if you’re not sure. And remember, you need only a squirt about the size of a pea to do the job right.

It’s best to brush your teeth after breakfast and at bedtime. You should floss your teeth at least once a day to remove food and plaque. If you can only floss and brush once a day, do it before bedtime. Plaque and food do the most damage at night while you sleep. After flossing, try to spend at least two minutes brushing. Remember: floss, then brush.

And lastly, see your dentist regularly. It’s a must. One visit every 6 months is usually enough to keep your teeth clean and your gums healthy.…

Is There an Effective Way of Removing Dark Under Eye Circles?

Removing dark under eye circles can be done. But an understanding of what causes dark circles under the eyes is needed to find a permanent solution.
There can be a number of causes for dark circles under the eyes;
As we age the skin under our eyes loses thickness and much of the natural fat pad. Sun damage weakens the skin under the eyes. A victim of the sun, our environment, and the years. Our skin thins out and loses elasticity, moisture and our natural collagen production decreases.
This is most pronounced in the skin just under the eyes. This thinner skin allows blood vessels to become much more noticeable causing a look of darkness. Sometimes blood and other fluids will leach into this thinner skin and become trapped. This trapped blood darkens the area and/or creates puffiness. This can worsen the look of dark circles and/or puffiness because the skin has lost its ability to drain these fluids away.
Allergies can be a cause dark circles. Fluid retention caused by excess salt in the diet is another cause. Dehydration is a very common cause of dark circles under the eyes. People will often mistake dehydration for hunger and eat when they should in fact be drinking plenty of fresh clean water — everyday.
Lack of sleep is an other cause of dark circles. Sleep deprived skin becomes more pale increasing the look of dark areas under the eyes.
Sometimes it’s genetics. Certain people are predisposed to having dark circles under their eyes.
More often than not it is a combination of these factors. Lucky there are options available.
Common simple remedies are things like:
Cold moist tea bags over the eyes — Not herbal though — it must be real tea. Some people recommend slices of cucumber set in place over closed eyes for about 15 minutes.
These methods do help as a quick fix because they can temporarily reduce inflammation in the area. The coolness of the tea bag or cucumber slows the blood flow around the eyes reducing puffiness and lightening the darkness.
For a more permanent solution you need something that will attack the inflammation on an ongoing basis. The best method of removing dark under eye circles — long term — is to replenishing missing natural ingredients that were once plentiful in your skin.
Elements like collagen, elastin, Coenzyme Q10, and moisture. Older thinned skin has reduced levels of all these elements.
Certain skin care products that contain elastin or collagen or CoQ10 are useless. Added collagen cannot penetrate skin. Collagen must be produced by your body to be useful.
Look for skin care products that promote elastin and collagen re-growth. Antioxidants reach deeply into cells eliminating free radicals and stimulating new cell growth. This will firm, thicken and allow proper drainage of the skin.
So what type of eye cream product do you pick for removing dark under eye circles?
One the contains breakthrough ingredients like “eyeliss TM” and “Haloxyl TM” — clinical studies have proven the effectiveness of these ingredients.
What else will you want?
Cynergy TK — a patented bio active keratin which promotes new growth of elastin and collagen with in the skin cells.
CoQ10 — Some less than reputable skin care manufacturers will advertise their product contains Coenzyme Q10. What they don’t mention is that CoQ10 in this form cannot be absorbed by the skin. Nano-Lipobelle H-EQ10 — a special nano version of CoQ10 that CAN penetrate through 7 layers of skin– eliminating free radicals.
Active Manuka Honey – found only in New Zealand is proven to aid healing of damaged tissue. Mixed with Vitamin E it works quickly to repair and revitalize skin.
Find an eye cream with these ingredients and you have one that will make removing dark under eye circles straightforward and simple.…

The Basic Techniques of Dental Care

At a young age we are taught, or should be, how to properly care for our oral hygiene. Dental care is a part of everyday life and a major issue to some. Let’s be honest, most of us are pretty self conscious of our breath especially when you are chatting with that good looking girl or guy or interviewing for a job. First impressions are everything in today’s society so why not take care of something you can control?
Some people will rely on that yearly, or twice a year, visit to the dentist to clean up their bad habits, but that simply is not enough. Sure, your standard dental office will have the best dental equipment, but you can ensure that those visits will be less painful and traumatic by practicing good dental habits.
Brush
Oral health all begins with brushing your teeth. It is recommended that you brush twice a day, typically in the morning and before you go to bed at night. Depending on how often you snack, you may need a third. Take your time and be thorough.
You will want to use a fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush is recommended by the American Dental Association.
Your toothbrush should be replaced every three to four months or sooner if your bristles are frayed. An aging toothbrush will be a disservice to your teeth and gums.
Use proper technique. You should hold your toothbrush at a slight angle (approximately 45 degrees) and brush with back and forth motions. In addition to the outside, be sure to brush the inside and chewing surfaces of your teeth as well as your tongue. Also, avoid violent or harsh scrubbing which will irritate your gums (I am very guilty of this).
Wait at least 30 minutes to brush your teeth after consuming acidic foods and beverages. The acids weaken tooth enamel and brushing too soon can cause damage to the enamel.
Floss
Flossing can reach tight places that your toothbrush cannot. As annoying and tedious as it is, flossing should be performed daily with proper technique.
You will want to guide your floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion – never snap the floss to your gums. Curve the floss into a C shape against one tooth and slide it into the space between the tooth and the gum. While holding the floss tightly against the tooth, move the floss away from the gum with up and down motions. Repeat this method for each tooth, doing so one at a time, and do not forget to floss behind your last tooth.
Mouthwash
In addition to regular brushing and flossing, you should also consider using an antimicrobial mouth rinse. Mouthwash helps reduce plaque buildup on your teeth and also freshens breath. CHA-CHING!
The Dentist
Finally, there is the dentist. I mentioned earlier how some people rely too heavily on their dentist visits and that they are not enough by themselves, however, that is not to say they are not highly necessary. A trip to the dentist can be that friendly (painful) reminder that you need to do a better job. Not to mention they may notice symptoms of oral health problems that you do not. Schedule dental appointments once or twice a year and be sure to contact them if you find any oral issues (swollen/red gums, loose permanent teeth, sensitivity, changes in teeth alignment, etc.)
In the end, oral health care starts with you. Invest in the necessary dental equipment and use proper techniques to ensure you are giving your mouth all it needs. And never overlook your dentist. They may come off as evil sometimes, or all the time, but they are only helping you. Now stop reading and go floss – I know you missed a day or two.…

Vegan Toothpaste? But I Thought All Toothpastes Were Vegan!

Vegan Toothpaste? But I Thought All Toothpastes Were Vegan!

You may have been out shopping for a new tube of toothpaste lately, or may have been talking with some vegan friends, or you may see the words “vegan toothpaste” randomly during your internet travels. Did it provoke your thinking, well aren’t all toothpastes vegan? When you make the decision to live a vegan lifestyle, a lot of people don’t realize that there are many things in their lives that they may have to change, anything from their breakfast cereal, shampoo, or shoes! It is sad to see that there are so many objects in our everyday lives that are linked to the use of dead animals or the exploitation of living animals, toothpaste being one of these.

So what makes toothpaste non-vegan friendly? Firstly, many toothpastes are tested on animals. Unless the packaging says specifically that the product is not tested on animals, it probably is. Animal testing is not only cruel, with millions of animals needlessly dying from this cause every year, but it is also unnecessary. Animals are different to humans and many chemicals that pass animal testing end up harming or even killing humans. The opposite can also be true, some chemicals which are toxic to animals are safe for human use. A good way to stop this cruel exploitation of animals is for consumers to stop buying animal-tested products. If products aren’t being bought, the companies will either stop producing such products or change their products to meet the needs and wishes of the consumer.

Another factor which makes toothpastes un-vegan is the ingredients. The main non-vegan ingredient to look out for is glycerine, which is found in most toothpastes and is normally from animal origin (it can be derived from plant sources but unless it specifically says so, it is safe to assume that it isn’t). The remaining ingredients are mostly synthetic or plant derived, which are quite vegan friendly, but many other vegans simply aren’t happy with just that. Many people dislike the use of chemicals in toothpaste, including sodium laurel sulphate (a common ingredient, also known as SLS), SLS is a foaming agent which is used in such products as engine degreasers and concrete cleaners. SLS has been linked to the cause of mouth ulcers and has the potential to cause cancer. If you are concerned about the use of such an ingredient, there are a few low-foaming toothpastes available which do not contain sodium laurel sulphate.

In saying all that, there are quite a few brands out there that do not use any animal-derived ingredients or do not test on animals, available from many major supermarkets, or if not, in health stores. Don’t be satisfied with the label only, many toothpastes “natural” or “healthy” can still contain SLS or other harmful ingredients, so always read the ingredient list to be absolutely sure.

Better still, if you are in doubt about the contents of a toothpaste (or any product), don’t hesitate to contact the producers directly – their contact information is generally located on the packaging. They should be able to tell you in detail about their products and more importantly the chemicals that they add into their products.

We hope this article has provided you with some thought inspiring ideas when you next go shopping for toothpaste.…