Natural Solutions to Common Dental Problems

There are so many people out there who have a natural fear of the dentist, and that fear is understandable. The dentist is never a pleasant experience for anyone. It brings more pain and discomfort for some than for others, but all in all it is the type of thing that nobody ever wants to have to deal with unless it is absolutely necessary.

Luckily, every little dental problem does not have to send you to the feared dentist. While the dentist is a good idea for every six months, toothaches, persistent bad breath, whitening, and other such dental issues can all be taken care of at home. Here are a few natural dental care remedies that you can employ in the comfort of your own home, to save you the pain and the cost of having to go to the dentist.

Bad Breath

Put one teaspoon of rosemary, one teaspoon of peppermint, and one teaspoon of lavender into a cup. Shake well and place one teaspoon of that concoction into boiling water. About one cup of boiling water should be fine. Strain that mixture and put in the refrigerator for three to four hours. You have just made your own mouthwash, great for killing nasty oral bacteria and bad breath in the process.

Teeth Whitening

There are great deals of home remedies for those who are looking to whiten their teeth without having to invest in some fancy strips or trays. Orange or lemon peels work well for this purpose. Peel the fruit and rub the light side against your teeth to make a brilliant shine! It doesn't taste too bad, either.

Canker Sores

If you have ever had a canker sore, you know how thoroughly irritating and inconvenient they can be, not to mention extremely painful. There are a few ways to ease the discomfort of canker sores from the comfort of your home.

A simple one is to warm a tea bag and hold it on the sore spot for five minutes. It will feel instantly better. It won't cure it, but it can make it feel a great deal better.

A thyme mouthwash can also help to relieve the discomfort of canker sores. Just mix one teaspoon of thyme and a cup of water together and let it warm for ten minutes. It makes a great mouthwash for canker sores!

Toothache

Toothaches are something that people very commonly experience. They can be caused by poor dental health or just a piece of food stuck in the wrong place for too long. One of the most longstanding remedies for toothaches is to dip a Q-tip in clove oil and hold it on the tooth. Try not to swallow it. It will help ease the pain nearly instantly, and the relief can last for quite a while.

Ammonia also works well for this purpose. Soak a cotton ball in ammonia and hold it over your tooth for a few minutes, and it should feel better soon. Just remember not to swallow it as ammonia can be highly toxic. If your toothache persists for more than a day, you should probably make a dentists appointment as soon as possible.

It is okay to be afraid of the dentist. Whether in secret or not, many people are. For those times when you can't bring yourself to go see a dentist, here are some remedies you can employ at home to bring yourself a little bit of comfort.



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How to Use Supplements

Most dietary supplements are designed to provide our daily requirements of vitamins and minerals, expressed on packaging as a percentage of the Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI). This is the amount that is thought to be enough for virtually everyone, including those with particularly high requirements.

Other measurements used are Estimated Average Requirement (EAR), set for average needs but recognizing that some people need more (see RNI), and that others need less, which is expressed as Lower Reference Nutrient Intake (LRNI), the amount needed by Supplements are usually those with low needs. However if you habitual eat (or take) less than LRNI you are likely to find that you are deficient.

When taking food supplements it is important to follow the doses stated on the package in order to prevent any dangers of overdose and to avoid imbalances. All nutrients work in conjunction with others, and with substances in the body, so taking too much of one vitamin, mineral, or other food supplement could upset the balance of delicate mechanisms within the body such as enzyme production. Minerals that could be harmful, however, are rarely sold except on prescription.

As a general rule, vitamins and minerals work "synergistically." That means they both need each other to work properly and that neither works as effectively on its own. A classic example is the combined effect of vitamin C and the mineral zinc, which is used in the treatment of the common cold and influenza.

In most cases food supplements should be taken with or just after meals (exceptions are amino acids, which are most effective taken on an empty stomach).

You should avoid taking iron pills with certain antibiotics. Check with your supplier about the suitability of taking supplements with medication you are taking.

Based on the findings, published in today's issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), the researchers warned that consumers should be cautious about taking supplements containing the nutrients. At least 150 million Americans regularly take dietary supplements that often include antioxidants.

Hot Coffee, Tea and Spices

Habitual drinking of liquids that are too hot, or consuming an excess of irritants such as coffee, tea or pickles and spices can cause inflammation of the digestive linings, resulting in a drop of secretion of digestive fluids and poorer extraction of vitamins and minerals from food.

hose Over 50 Years of Age

Those over 50 should take multivitamin supplements without iron, Pleuss says. These are often marketed as "senior supplements."

To strengthen their bones and prevent osteoporosis, Pleuss recommends this group add two vitamins, B12 and D, as well as the mineral calcium. According to the National Institute on Aging, more than 10 million Americans have osteoporosis, and another 18 million more have lost enough bone to make them more likely to develop it. Although most of these 28 million are women, 5 million men are at risk, too, and they suffer one-third of all hip fractures, as well as spine and wrist fractures.



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Stay Fit and Look Beautiful with Biocare Vitamin B Complex

Many of us consume health capsules like Biocare for different reasons and to fulfil different kind of requirements. Most of the times, we consume them just because our doctors have suggested or on some dietician's advice. One of the Biocare capsules that we consume is the vitamin B complex capsule. In this article, we will see why should we consume vitamin B complex capsules and how are they beneficial to us.

There are different types of B vitamins, and a standard B complex capsule would consist of Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B9, Vitamin B12 plus the vitamins Biotin, Choline and Inositol. All these vitamins help us in different ways and together they help in proper functioning of the different processes inside our body.

Vitamin B complex capsules help the body gain the energy that we get from the food that we consume. While vitamin B1 helps converting the carbohydrates that we eat into glucose, other B vitamins like Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6 and Biotin help in converting the glucose into energy. After consumption of vitamin B complex capsules for some time, you would see an increase in your energy level and that you do not get tired or stressed out easily.

Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3 and Vitamin B6 helps in proper digestion of the food that we consume on the day to day basis. It helps in production of Hydrochloric acid which helps in the breakdown of fats, proteins and carbohydrates that helps in better digestion and increased energy level.

The Biocare Vitamin B complex helps in perfect functioning of the nervous system by assisting some important hormones and glands. Vitamin B complex also helps in making your skin, hair and nails grow beautiful with health. So start popping one each day and see the difference in both your beauty and performance very soon.

Which Foods Are Helpful To Lower Cholesterol?

Food plays an important role in managing the cholesterol level in your body. Apart from a well-managed lifestyle or proper medication, it is mandatory that you switch to fat-free, cholesterol-free healthy diet to manage the level of cholesterol. If you are suffering from high blood cholesterol problem, quite obviously you are having a high level of LDL; then you should consider about three important factors concerning your selection about food to lower cholesterol. These three factors are saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol. It is advisable that you make your meal absolutely free from these three diet components. Or else, at least limit the intake of these three diet components.

This article enlightens you on the important food to lower cholesterol level in your body. You may add any of the following foods to your diet to manage your blood cholesterol.

Beans, Peas and Lentils

This is an appropriate food to lower cholesterol level. Beans, peas, and lentils consist of high soluble fiber, which effectively manages cholesterol level in your body. You can always prepare a colorful salad dishes using these nutritional substances, and keep yourself and your loved ones healthy. Apart from that, you may eat apples, carrots, barely, and oats to fulfill the need of soluble fiber.

Soy

It contains high protein. Isoflavones, naturally found in Soy products are believed to mimic the role of hormones that help in regulating cholesterol level in the body. If you really care about lowering your cholesterol level, it is a must that you take a minimum of 25gms of soy proteins as a part of your daily diet. You may take soy yogurt, soy burgers, ground soy, soy nuts, soy milk, tofu, and tempeh in your regular diet.

Fish

Fish is an ideal food to lower cholesterol level. It meets the demands for omega 3, which is beneficial for lowering high blood cholesterol. It especially provides protection against LDL cholesterol. Omega 3 fatty acids are commonly found in mackerel, salmon, herring, sardines, tuna, and halibut. Fishes are the perfect option for getting omega 3, but you may also opt in walnuts, flax seeds, or almonds, to have the same benefits.

Olive Oil

Mono-saturated fats can effectively lower the level of high blood cholesterol, especially bad or LDL one. It has the ability to raise the amount of HDL cholesterol in the system. Olive oil is rich with mono-saturated fat. Hence, you can switch to this wonderful food to lower cholesterol, especially while cooking or preparing salads.

Flax seed

Flax seed is a perfect food to lower cholesterol level. It constitutes high protein, soluble fiber and omega 3 fatty acids. It consists of useful component called lignans. Lignans offers protection against cardiovascular problems by means of lowering LDL cholesterol level. Apart from that, it is assumed that flax seed has the ability to fight against few types of cancer like breast and colon cancer. It also helps protecting body from diabetes.


Garlic

Garlic is known as kitchen's pride. Its medicinal property is highly respected among different cultures for several hundreds of years. It has the ability to fight against different cardiovascular diseases such as high cholesterol, atherosclerosis, and high blood pressure. According to the results found in different scientific studies, garlic helps lowering cholesterol level. Garlic has two compounds, known as allin and allicin. These two compounds are assumed to intrude with the cholesterol metabolism function in the liver. Additionally, garlic also regulates the amount of cholesterol released in the blood stream.

Vitamin C and E

These two vitamins are well known for their anti-oxidizing property. They can help minimize the level of cholesterol in the body. The primary sources for deriving vitamin C are cabbage, oranges, potatoes, peppers, kiwi, and strawberries. On the other hand, for having vitamin E in your diet, you can easily depend on various healthy foods such as avocados, broccoli, mangoes, Brazilian seeds, peanuts, almonds, and sunflower seeds.

Most Powerful Antioxidant In Your Body

Glutathione (GSH) is a protein produced naturally in our cells. Unfortunately, as we grow older our body produces less and less of this vital antioxidant. GSH functions both as an antioxidant and an antitoxin. It is a major defense system against illness and aging.

Our Glutathione level actually indicates our state of health and can predict longevity. Although there are more than 60,000 published papers on the beneficial effects of Glutathione supplementation, it is still largely ignored by mainstream medicine.

Glutathione also works to help improve mental functions, increases energy, improves concentration, promotes increased levels of exercise, improves chronic pain disorders, lowers blood pressure, improves heart and lung functions, and helps control the effects of diabetes.

Increasing age and other factors reduces the body's production and utilization of GSH. Research has shown that individuals who have low levels of Glutathione are susceptible to chronic illness.

Clinical data indicates our GSH levels decline by 8 per decade, beginning at the age of 20. Levels of Glutathione are further reduced by continual stress upon the immune system such as illness, infection, and environmental toxins.

A lowered immune system results in higher incidents of illness and disease. This is a ferocious cycle. While you need Glutathione for a productive immune system, a weakened immune system hampers the production of Glutathione.

Unfortunately, supplements containing Glutathione alone will not increase the body's GSH Levels. It is useless to purchase supplements that merely contain Glutathione, because the digestive system breaks down ingested Glutathione and it will not be absorbed into your system.

Glutathione provides the proper nutrients needed to promote the body's own ability to manufacture and absorb Glutathione. Glutathione aids in liver support by destroying environmental poisons thus helping the liver to function as the main production site and storehouse for Glutathione.

Robert Keller MD, MS, FACP is the inventor and developer of a new Glutathione enhancing product called MaxGXL. Dr. Keller was named as one of the worlds's 2,000 Outstanding Scientists of the 21st Century, and has served on the scientific review panels for the National Institutes of Health and the VA. He has served on the faculties of the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Wisconsin and the Medical College of Wisconsin (Marquette Univ.) He has published more than 100 original articles in various medical journals.

Dr. Keller was elected to The Board of Governors of the American Academy of HIV medicine, and serves on the Scientific Advisory Board of the National Hemophilia Federation.

The Consumers' Research Council has named Dr. Keller one of America's "Top Physicians in 2003, 2004, and 2005 in the fields of Internal Medicine, Immunology and Hematology. Dr. Keller continues his medical practice and research activities at his clinic and laboratory in Florida.

How oxidation and inflammation are making you age, no matter how hard you work to take care of yourself. And what you can do about it.

Dr. Keller interview excerpts: You know all about inflammation-when you twist your ankle and it swells up to twice its size, that's inflammation. You probably also know that when you get a headache or strain your back, inflammation is the sources of the pain you feel. And, if you've read up on health conditions, you may be aware that inflammation is part of a heart attack.

These types of inflammation that we're familiar with are associated with illness or injuries. But chances are you're not aware of a very significant inflammatory reaction-one that profoundly affects your health every day of your life that is not caused by an illness or injury. I'm talking about inflammation at age cellular level, which is a normal process within the body.

To understand this kind of inflammation, it's helpful to think of the trillions of cells in your body as tiny "power plants', each working to its maximum capacity to produce the energy in a complex chemical process, of other chemical bonding oxygen.

We all know we need oxygen. Oxygen is essential, ironically, is what makes it ultimately dangerous and destructive. Oxygen is a high unstable, highly reactive substance. All materials, when exposed to oxygen, will break down the bonds they have and from new bonds. This process-oxidation-releases a great deal of energy, but it also produces multiple waste products.

You've seen oxidation hundreds of times-it's one of the most common and powerful chemical reactions on earth. Oxidation is what happens when you leave an iron pipe out in the rain and you see it rust. It's also what happens in your fireplace when you see a lot consumed in flames. Think about that log in your fireplace-think about the soothing warmth and bright light it produces. Now think about the pile of ashes that's left behind.

Something very similar happens within your cells. Energy (like the heat and light in your fireplace) is produced by the cell's oxidative reaction, but is a "pile of ashes," so to speak. The waste products left behind are call oxidants. In many cases, they can themselves be corrosive and destructive-like the rust on that pipe I mentioned earlier. Even oxidants that are not in and of themselves harmful can really clog up the works in your cells, making the cells less efficient and less able to produce energy. And, because oxidation is present-not just in your cells-your body is under attack from as well as from within-with pollutants, food additives and other substances that can cause oxidative damage to the cells.

But as we all know, the body is an amazing self-correcting system, so of course there are natural processes in place to combat the damage oxidation does. That's where inflammation comes in. Inflammation is the natural result of a biochemical processes and reactions, the purpose of which is to undo the damage done by oxidation in the cell.



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Vitamin D Supplements

Vitamin D is a vitamin found in food, and it can also be produced by your body after you are out in the sun. Supplements can also be effective in helping you get the vitamin D you need and prevent deficiency. There are many reasons you should consider making sure you are getting enough vitamin D; in fact it seems like each day there is a new discovery regarding this particular vitamin.

There are several benefits that are known for sure: Vitamin D promotes calcium absorption which helps you maintain strong bones, and it also helps to maintain your immune system. While these are important benefits themselves, there are other exciting potential benefits that are just being discovered. Recent studies suggest that vitamin D may help protect you against some cancers, and possibly reverse heart disease. In addition, there is an emerging opinion that vitamin D supplements may reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, with a particularly strong effect on women who suffer anxiety with PMS and anyone who gets depressed during the winter months. (Reference information regarding these studies can be provided if you contact the author of this article).

There are three ways you can ensure you are getting enough vitamin D. First, there are direct food sources, such as fortified milk, large fish like salmon and tuna, many breakfast cereals, and egg yolk. However, if you don't consume the fish, it is actually very difficult to get enough vitamin D from another source. For example, most milk is fortified to the degree that you'd have to have 10 cups to get your daily allowance. Second, your body produces vitamin D when you are in the sun, though it doesn't work when you are wearing sunscreen (though it is still important to use sunscreen to prevent cancer and other problems due to sun exposure). You should check this with your doctor, but it is known that a short exposure to the sun, even as little as 10 minutes allows the process of vitamin D production to start. The third way you can get vitamin D is through over the counter pills or supplements.

Vitamin D supplements may be most beneficial for you if you are in any of the following groups, all of who could be prone to vitamin d deficiency:
- Infrequent exposure to the sun or you must wear sun block almost all the time
- Lactose intolerant, or just don't enjoy milk or drink a lot of it
- Very sensitive to the sun and/or wear sun block
- Live far north of the equator, like New England in the US.
- Don't eat much large fish, perhaps due to concerns about mercury content
- Older adults (50 and over) are less able to produce and/or synthesize vitamin D
- Some medical conditions - consult with your doctor

There are serious health risks if you take too many vitamin D supplements. Read the container they come in carefully and consult with your doctor if it is at all unclear. Most supplements are very clear about the usual adult dose, so it should be easy for you to start a vitamin D supplementation regimen today.

Vitamin B12 Sources, Functions and Deficiencie

Vitamin B12 is known as cobalamin as well, because of its cobalt content. Vitamin B12 aids in maintaining healthy nerve cells and red blood cells. It is an integral element in DNA formation. It functions with the binding of protein in food. During the digestion process, hydrochloric acid in the stomach discharges vitamin B12 from protein contents found in food. As soon as it is released, it binds with intrinsic factor (IF). Later intestinal tract absorbs this combination.

Vitamin B12 Sources

Vitamin B12 is a naturally derived substance. Fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk and dairy products are the wise selection of vitamin B12 sources. Another great source of vitamin B12 is fortified breakfast cereals. This is a perfect choice for vegetarians to satisfy their vitamin B12 needs. Apart from that mixed spices prepared from mollusks and clam can be considered as one of significant vitamin B12 sources. Liver, beef, Trout, Salmon, Yogurt, Haddock, Clams, Tuna, Pork, and Chicken are the great sources of vitamin B12.

The requirement for vitamin B12 in a healthy adult is 2.4µg per day.

Vitamin B12 Functions

Essentially, vitamin B12 functions in various ways. The most important among all vitamin B12 functions is identified with the assistance in the neurotransmitter production. Neurotransmitter is an important element that regulates almost every function in our body and mind. Fat, protein and carbohydrate metabolism are also significant vitamin B12 functions. It helps in appropriate DNA replication process. It plays a significant role as a catalyst during hemoglobin synthesis. If you lack vitamin B12 in your daily diet, you may become anemic. It helps in red blood cells production. It helps in converting from homocysteine to methionine. This conversion is crucial in minimizing the risk of cardiac arrest.

Vitamin B12 Deficiencies

Typically vitamin B12 deficienciesmay occur due to two reasons one is inability to absorb vitamin B12 from food substances and the second reason is an inability to consume foods rich in vitamin B12. The later situation mainly occurs in the case of strict vegetarians. They suffer from vitamin B12 deficiencies mainly due to the fact that they do not consume any foods coming from animals.

The common symptoms associated with vitamin B12 deficiencies may include constipation, memory loss, difficulty in walking or moving, megaloblastic anemia, mood disorder, numbness, sore tongue, disorientation, damage in the myelin sheath and dementia.

Pregnant women or lactating women need extra supply of vitamin B12, like any other essential nutrients. It passes to the placenta during pregnancy. Brest-fed infants receive their nutrients from their mother. Therefore a lack of nutrients may cause serious harm to their health. The women on vegan diet may lack the sufficient supply of vitamin B12. So the crisis may result within months of birth. If not taken into serious consideration, it may cause severe neurological damage in time.


Apart from that, individuals suffering from megaloblastic anemia or gastrointestinal disorder may receive benefits from vitamin B12 supplements. Few medications suggested for chronic problem may decrease the natural absorption of vitamin B12 in the body, in such cases additional supplements of vitamin B12 seem to be necessary.

As vitamin B12 supplements are essentially dependent on animal products, so we must understand that a strict vegetarian diet may lead to vitamin B12 deficiencies. In such cases, fortified cereals must be taken under consideration to fulfill the requirement of vitamin B12.

Potential Health Risk

There is no established UL so far for vitamin B12 because of its low potential for toxicity. Till date, no such reports have been submitted in claim of adverse effects resulting from the usage of vitamin B12. However, medical studies conducted by Institute of Medicine say that individuals older than 50 years should depend on fortified foods to avoid possible vitamin B12 deficiencies. It is mainly because of the impaired absorption pattern for vitamin B12 coming from animal products, mostly prevalent at older ages.

Vitamin B12 is known as cobalamin as well, because of its cobalt content. Vitamin B12 aids in maintaining healthy nerve cells and red blood cells. It is an integral element in DNA formation. It functions with the binding of protein in food. During the digestion process, hydrochloric acid in the stomach discharges vitamin B12 from protein contents found in food. As soon as it is released, it binds with intrinsic factor (IF). Later intestinal tract absorbs this combination.