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. |
Dye your hair, harm your health.
Hair dying contains chemicals that capable of removing or covering natural pigments found inside the hair shaft. Use of these chemicals can result in many side effects, including skin irritation, hair breakage and skin discolouration. Many studies have consistently found that hair colorists have an increased risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, multiple myeloma and leukemia. You should avoid and reduce the frequency of hair dying to reduce your risk from getting cancer. |
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. |
Bigger may not be better during pregnancy.
Weight gain during pregnancy varies among women. If you are underweight (BMI <18.5), you should gain 12.5-18kg. If your weight is normal (BMI 18.5-25), the recommended weight gain is 11.5-16kg. For overweight mother (BMI 25.1-29.9), weight gain should between 7-11.5kg. For those who are obese, weight gain is should be <7kg. Avoid sudden and excess weight gain as these are associated with adverse health effects: pregnancy induced hypertension, gestational diabetes, large baby who may become obese, and complications during delivery. |
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. |
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. |
Hand foot mouth disease (HFMD).
HFMD is caused by a viral infection. Children aged 2 weeks to 5 years old are most susceptible to the disease. It can transmit via direct contact through saliva, nasal discharge and feces. Boosting your child’s immunity can help reduce the chances of contracting HFMD. Therefore, parents should ensure their child eats a balanced diet with more vegetables and fruit for the vitamins, minerals and antioxidant-rich content. For picky eaters, try King Chlorella -pure chlorella tablets with fully cracked cell wall to release chlorella nutrients optimally. Chlorella is a super green food with highest chlorophyll content to cleanse blood, remove toxins and balance body pH, and it has high nutrients to support growth and daily nutritional needs. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
Cultivate stronger relationships.
Spending too much time isolated and alone can be detrimental to your mental and social well-being. Long term isolation or a lack of community interaction is proven to result in emotional issues like anxiety. Sharing your feelings and thoughts with your family and/or close friends can foster a sense of belonging and reduce negative emotions. You’ll be amazed that even a simple short message can brighten up your day! |
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. |
Barley grass for beautiful skin.
Barley grass has a wide array of skin-beautifying nutrients. It is naturally rich in Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) that neutralizes free radicals from sunlight, pollution and so on. SOD is also found to reverse skin scarring. Barley grass also provides chlorophyll that facilitates detoxification for clear and radiant skin. AFC Green Beauty is a unique blend of barley grass, with kale and green tea for detoxification and 2,500mg collagen per serving to enhance skin protection. |
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! |
Stay fit at work.
There are simple exercises that you can do on your office chair without being noticed! Stretching relieves muscle tensions, especially for back and shoulder due to prolonged computer usage. Sit on a swivel chair. Lift your feet slight above ground. Support your body with both hands on the table. Twist your lower body to the left and right, keep your upper body straight. This helps to strengthen your back muscles. Stands up every hour for walk around. Best still if you can spare 10-min of your lunch time for whole body stretching or a short walk. |
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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