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. |
Regular trimming promote hair growth?
Wrong. A haircut has no effect on the rate of hair growth. Trim it or not, hair grows at the rate of one inch per month. Hair growth will not be affected by trimming the hair end. The only proven factors that affect rate of hair growth are genetics, hormones, and diet. However, chopping of the split ends may promote better hair growth. As the presence of split ends impede healthy hair growth. Avoid split ends by preventing over-styling in the first place is more effective for healthy hair growth! |
SLS-free shampoo!
Check your shampoo label and look for Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) – a common foaming agent that present in 90% commercially available shampoos. SLS is able to permeate the skin effectively and concentrate in some organs such as eyes, brain and heart. It washes away the hair moisture and may lead to premature shedding of hair, clogged hair follicle and finally, and hair loss. Avoid products containing SLS. Seek natural alternatives! AFC Shokaigan Shampoo with zero content of SLS and natural blend of 10 amino acids to gently deep cleanse, unclog hair follicles and regulate hair scalp pH. |
Monthly breast self exam can save lives!
Diagnosis of breast cancer at the earlier stage increases the chances of successful treatment. All females should start self exam at the age of 20. First, lie down on your back and put your right hand behind your head. Use three middle fingers from left hand to feel the lumps at right breast. Move around your breast in circular movement from outer edge to nipple area. Repeat for left breast. Do the self exam at the same time every month either a few days after period or first day of starting new pack of oral contraceptive pills. |
Down with PMS!
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) includes irritability, mood swings, water retention, bloating, and headaches. Interestingly, PMS can account for more than 50% of the sick leave women take at work. Research by National Institute of Health shows that women currently under stress have moderate to severe symptoms during menstruation. Solutions? Pick a sport - running, tennis, aerobic dancing, any kind of intensive exercise is helpful to boost serotonin levels (the ‘happy’ hormone). This helps to reduce or even prevent PMS. Plus, exercise is a good stress buster too! |
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. |
Laugh to better health!
The easiest and simplest way to boost your immunity is to laugh out loud. Laughing helps to decrease stress hormones and increases immune cells and strengthens your internal defence system to resist colds better. Having a positive attitude, and a sense of humor helps you relax and feel more upbeat. |
Effective natural relief for constipation.
Constipation can happen because the colon absorbs too much water or due to sluggish colon muscle contractions. Insufficient fiber intake is the likely cause in most cases. Soluble fiber from oats, rice bran, and fruit help soften stools for easy elimination. Whole grains, cereals, seeds, and the skin of most fruits and vegetables provide insoluble fibers that help the stool pass quickly through intestines. To meet your daily fiber needs, aim for at least 2 servings of fruit and 3 cups of vegetables/ legumes. Drink at least 8 glasses of water to aid regular bowel movement. |
Soy Good!
Soy protein can lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart diseases. Soy reduces total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. The FDA claims that diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol with 25g of soy protein per day can help to reduce the risk of heart diseases. One glass of soy milk contains 6-7 grams of soy protein. For good heart health, have more tofu, or take 3 – 4 glasses of unsweetened soy milk daily. |
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. |
Choose healthier oils!
Different cooking oils have different smoking points, giving them different optimum heating temperatures for different cooking methods. Unsaturated oils are healthier choices for cooking. However, when unsaturated oils are used in deep frying, they may turn toxic which leads to an increased cancer risk. For light cooking and salad dressings, look to polyunsaturated oils like Sesame oil or Safflower oil. For stir-frying, choose oils with a higher amount of monounsaturated fats like Canola oil. |
Oatmeal as a natural exfoliator.
Looking for a natural remedy to cleanse and exfoliate skin? Other than helping lower cholesterol and improving digestion with its high fiber content, Oatmeal contains saponin, a natural cleanser to retain skin’s moisture. Grind 3 tablespoons of rolled oats finely and add water to form a paste. Apply to face and neck, leaving on for 10 minutes. Rinse off. This natural mask gently removes dirt, oils and cleanses the pores without irritating the skin. Try it today! |
Wear protective clothing.
Clothing provides up to 98% UV protection against harmful UV rays. Choose tightly-woven fabric over loosely-woven types for the best UV shield. Test the UV-protection level of the fabric by holding it up to the light. If you can see through the fabric, then the UV radiation can penetrate it easily to reach your skin layers. Taking antioxidants can help boost your sun protection from within. Coenzyme Q10 is an essential nutrient and potent antioxidant to fight UV-generated free radicals, and also safeguards your heart and enhances energy levels. |
Omega-3 fortified foods for health?
Research shows omega-3 fats help keeping heart, joints and brain healthy. The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for omega-3 fats in the UK is 450mg for adults and 200mg for children. Recognizing the health benefits of omega-3, a lot of foods are now fortified with this healthy fat. But, are they sufficient to supply the need? To reach the recommended daily amounts, an adult needs to eat 5 omega-3 enriched eggs daily! A 6-ounce salmon has 100 times higher omega-3 content compared with fortified yoghurt. So, go get the salmon or tuna instead! |
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! |
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. |
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. |
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