Sensitive teeth? Pick the right brush for pain-free brushing
For those with sensitive teeth and bleeding gum, brushing and cleaning interdental spaces can create pain and discomfort. Tooth sensitivity occurs as a result of receding gum and exposed dentin. Many factors lead to sensitivity. Brushing too hard, over time, can damage enamel and cause recession of gum. The build-up of plaque, may cause gum disease, leading to bleeding gum and sensitivity. Pick a soft brush with fine bristles to reduce abrasive on tooth structure and to cleanse the gum line better. A toothbrush with compact brush head allows you to brush hard-to-reach areas, like back teeth, which can be easily missed while brushing with normal-sized brush head. |
Moisturize dry scalp.
We put in a lot of efforts to make sure that our skin is well-moisturized and tend to forget the layer of skins underneath the hair. If we have dry skin, most likely will have a dry scalp too. Dry skin is the most common cause of itchy and flaking scalp. Scalp oil moisturizes scalp better than the cream or lotion as it stays longer on the scalp. Jojoba oil is most commonly used. Others include almond, flax seed, or olive oil. Apply the scalp oil on wet hair, it prevents oil getting into hair. Choose shampoo with citrus oil, tea tree oil or chamomile oil as they rinse out oil treatment effectively. |
Easy steps to prevent dandruff.
Dandruff happens due to the faster turnover of skin cells, so the old cell is shed off from our scalp. It happens among people with imbalanced oil level (oil or dry scalp) and it is common among men. Dandruff different from the dry scalp, you should wash your hair frequently with a natural shampoo to wash off the excessive dandruff. Massage your hair during hair wash to stimulate blood circulation and loosen the dandruff from your hair. |
Hormone pills and breast cancer?
Research findings from the California Teachers Study point the decline in breast cancer to the reduced use of Hormone Therapy (HT) at peri-menopausal stage. Prolonged use of HT may be a link to the increased risk of breast cancer, stroke, ovarian cancer, and endometrial cancer. As your body undergoes the transition, try to rely on natural plant-based alternatives instead. Try Maca (Lepidium peruvianum), clinically proven to support hormonal imbalances, to improve mood and regulates stress. Many women find this a boon to improving menopausal symptoms. |
Cervical cancer leads to 100 death cases per year in Singapore!
There are 200 diagnosed cases yearly. Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), early sexual contact, multiple sexual partners, smoking, weakened immune system and taking oral contraceptives expose females to higher risk. You may have no signs or symptoms of cervical cancer until it has progressed to an advanced stage. If you are sexually active, do a pap smear every three years for early detection. Load up your body with raspberries as the ellagic acid in these berries is clinically proven to possibly kill off HPV and inhibit cancer growth. |
Poor immune health? Your gut could be the culprit!
When the intestinal lining is irritated, it creates pathways for unwanted larger molecules to pass through. Bacteria, toxins, undigested food particles, are the potential culprits that impair your immune health. Stress, infections, excessive alcohol consumption, a poor diet and medication can affect your gut. Vinegar is a traditional aid for digestion and reducing bloatedness, as it promotes the growth of good bacteria in the gut. For a new sense of wellness from within, try Kouzu Vinegar, a prized amino-rich Japanese vinegar. The 3-year fermented formula promotes vitality, aids digestion and natural weight loss! |
Probiotics for immunity.
An alternative medicine recognized by National Institute of Health in US, probiotics are commonly used to prevent and treat certain illnesses and support general wellness. Antibiotics kill gut-friendly bacteria as well as the unfriendly bacteria and probiotics are widely used after antibiotics to offset its side effects. A research published in the Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal at April 2010 shows that probiotics reduce the severity of diarrhea and enhance immunity. It also increases bioavailabity of B vitamins, calcium, iron, zinc, copper, and others. |
Red wine for a healthy heart.
Red wines contain antioxidants that can help to increase your ‘good’ cholesterol (HDL) and protect against artery damage by the ‘bad’ cholesterol (LDL). Red wines also contain a substance called resverastrol which help to prevent blood clots, reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. According to the American Heart Association, the recommended intake is 2 drinks per day for men and 1 drink per day for women (1 drink = 4 ounce/118ml of red wine). Taken in moderation, a glass of red wine help provide many health benefits towards a healthy heart. |
Joint food.
Foods high in antioxidants such as fruits and vegetables can help to fight off free radicals which may damage our joints. Omega-3 fatty acids have natural anti-inflammation properties to reduce swelling and stiffness. For extra cartilage help, take supplements with glucosamine and chondroitin to build up cartilage, improve joint lubrication and to inhibit enzymes from further cartilage breakdown. Joint Sensei is a quad-action formula with glucosamine, chondroitin, cat’s claw and Ajuga extracts specially formulated for joint health and improved flexibility. |
Liver-Friendly Diet
Firstly, watch your alcohol intake. Processing alcohol stresses your liver significantly. Keeping your liver from toxic chemicals relaxes it and maintains its optimal function. And also, keep yourself away from greasy fatty foods. Saturated fats are harder to process, such as sausages, bacon, hot dogs, and high fat dairy products. Limit the intake of processed food like white rice, biscuits, cakes, pastries, donuts and candy. Fresh fruits and vegetables are good source of enzymes, fibers, vitamins, phyto-nutrients, that help optimize liver functions. |
Choose whole grain breads.
Choose wholegrain breads over white breads. White bread is made from white flour is refined to remove the bran and germ, which carry the most nutrients and fiber. Look out for food labels that list the first ingredient as whole wheat, whole meal, or whole corn. If you can, choose whole grain breads with intact grains, seeds, oats or nuts. These will help regulate blood sugar level and maximize the benefits of carbohydrates. |
Why the Japanese live the longest?
Want to know the secret why the Japanese live the longest? There is a small village which is 2 hours drive from Tokyo, Yuzurihara 'Village of Long Life' with villagers live up to 90s with extremely good health. They have remarkably youthful skin, surprisingly good eyesight, strong and flexible joints. Their secrets? a diet rich in hyaluronic acid. Dr Toyosuki investigated the intriguing phenomenon and found that the villagers ate abundance of starchy root vegetables - konnyaku, taro, sweet potato and so on - which are naturally high in hyaluronic acid. A molecule produced naturally by your body, hyaluronic acid is greatly distributed in joints, skin and eyes. Known as 'Super Water Magnet', hyaluronic acid is commonly used as nature's moisturizer in skin supplement and skin care products. It traps moisture within skin layers, plumps up flaccid skin cells, smoothens fine lines and wrinkles. |
For makeup that stays:
Start with a clean, moisturized face. It is important to exfoliate regularly to remove dead skin cells, to minimize a blotchy or flaky appearance. For naturally radiant, healthy looking skin, ensure a sufficient intake of collagen in your diet. Collagen is an important protein that is an important building block for healthy skin. A quality collagen formula like Collagen Beauty helps skin regeneration and improves skin clarity for a more youthful appearance. |
Eat to a slimmer you.
Simply knowing when to eat and what to eat can help you hit your weight target. Research shows that a big breakfast eater has greater satiety than a huge dinner eater. Split most of your calories for the daytime rather than stocking it up for the late meal. Eat at a slower pace with at least 15 chews for each mouthful of food. Fruits and vegetables have higher water and fiber contents, which provide have appetite-controlled properties. Papaya and strawberry are a great snack during craving. And you can serve lettuce and spinach with your main meals for better appetite control! |
What is in the bubble tea?
A cup of bubble tea to quench your thirst and you are loading your body with calories, fats and sugars! Bubble tea contains flavourants, sugars, with minimal nutritional value. The chewy black pearls are made from tapioca and sugar. With one added serving of the pearls, the calories of your bubble tea boosts up another 100kcal. Prefer the milky taste? It adds another 70kcal. For a calorie-sensible treat, get plain bubble tea without milk and choose Nata de Coco instead of the pearls. Best of all, head to the nearest convenient store for a low-sugar soy milk instead! |
Is memory decline due to aging is preventable?
Some parts of brain essential for memory are highly vulnerable to aging. With increasing age, brain losses its nerve cells and becomes less efficient. Brain aging can be accelerated with exposure to poisons, tobacco, alcohol. Studies have shown that memory problems among older people can be lessened with physical and mental stimulations to improve mental performance. DHA is highly researched as an important fatty acids that support brain function and reduce aging decline. |
How to use DHA for brain development
During the last trimester of pregnancy and first two years of life, the brain undergoes rapid growth - 'brain growth spurt'. At this stage, brain requires sufficient nutrients especially DHA for the development of sensory, perceptual, cognitive, and motor development. Fetuses and infants receive DHA from mothers through placenta and breast milk. Mothers should ensure sufficient DHA level through rich DHA fishes free from heavy metals and pollutants, and high DHA supplements. Infant fed with formula is highly recommended to have DHA oil added to milk to aid brain development. |
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