Archive for May, 2010

Chocolate Health

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

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Do you like chocolate? More rhetorical question, because for many years, chocolate is the most popular sweet. Even if you do not eats them every day, anyway sometimes there are days when you can not resist a little slice of chocolate. Before the chocolate even adults become children, unable to resist his weakness. However, many feel guilty for it. But why? Is chocolate so bad? To begin with its useful properties:

  • Blood pressure. Dark chocolate is rich in minerals such as magnesium and copper, which help maintain normal blood pressure.
  • Stress. A little piece of chocolate can help to relieve stress. Chocolate stimulates the production of endorphins, the so-called "happy hormones" that lift us up. In addition, dark chocolate contains various stimulants such as theobromine and caffeine.
  • Circulation. The composition of chocolate containing substances, called flavonoids. By preventing the formation of blood clots in the blood, they improve circulation. It also stimulates the functioning of endothelial cells, which reduces the risk associated with various cardiovascular diseases.
  • Increased immunity. Chocolate contains catechins, which strengthen the immune system and help prevent certain chronic diseases.
  • The rich content of antioxidants. Dark Chocolate – a rich source of antioxidants to neutralize harmful effects of radicals, which may be a potential threat to health. They also help in the fight against premature aging and heart disease.
  • Treatment of depression: Dark chocolate contains serotonin, which has antidepressant properties.
  • Cardiac health. Dark chocolate improves health of the vascular system, is rich in polyphenols and antioxidants.

However, chocolate medal has a reverse side. Do sweets and bars have their drawbacks. For example:

  • Chocolate – a calorie foods high in fat and sugar. If you regularly eat chocolate, you need to reduce the use of other high-calorie products.
  • Chocolate contains a number of substances that can cause dependence, for example, sugar, caffeine and theobromine, stimulating atmosphere.
  • Chocolate in large quantities can cause tension and headaches, because it contains compounds known as vasoactive amines, causing a migraine.
  • Chocolate has a high level of arginine, which stimulates the spread of the herpes virus, so the chocolate should be avoided with the active manifestation of herpes infection.

Quantity consumed chocolate should be moderate. Try not to overfeed them, and enjoy with the best health benefits.

Dry skin

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010

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Everyone wants to be a good skin and healthy complexion. This is not surprising, since dry skin gives a lot of problems and inconveniences. Unfortunately with this unpleasant encounter for most people. How to fight it?

Dry skin is a fairly common problem. In order to remain soft and supple, the skin is necessary to preserve its natural moisture. But when exposed to direct sunlight in summer or harsh weather conditions in winter, it quickly loses it dries and cracks. This can happen to anyone at any age.

What causes dry skin?
  • Dry skin can be associated with genetic disease.
  • As a person grows older, the skin loses the ability to retain moisture, causing dryness.
  • Lack of moisture can cause dry skin and dehydration.
  • Environmental factors such as exposure to sun, wind, cold, chemicals or cosmetics may cause skin dryness.
  • Dry skin can result from the use of diuretics and antihistamines.
  • Malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies can cause dryness of the skin.
  • Metabolic factors such as thyroid problems or excessive weight loss, can cause dry skin.
  • Some diseases, such as hypothyroidism, diabetes, eczema, psoriasis or seborrhea may also lead to dry skin.
What are the symptoms of dry skin?
  • Dry and rough skin;
  • The premature appearance of wrinkles;
  • Scaling, itching and redness;
  • Cracked skin;
  • The lack of freshness, unhealthy color;
  • Increased susceptibility to fungal infection and dry eczema;
  • The feeling of tightness of the skin, especially after showering, bathing or swimming.
What?

Some facts you need to know to maintain healthy skin:

  • Frequent washing with soap could damage acid balance of the skin necessary for the existence of useful microflora which protects the skin.
  • In the shower, it is better not to use hot and warm water. Too hot water deprives your skin of moisture and cause dryness. Also try to take a bath or shower more than once a day.
  • Drink 1.5 – 2 liters of water daily.
  • Moisturizers – a key to soft, supple skin.
  • Impact of cold and windy climate for a long time can make your skin dry. In winter, always wear gloves and use the cream.
  • Protect your skin from the sun and pollution. Use lotion and sunscreen.
  • Avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcohol. All of these substances cause skin dryness.
  • Use different moisturizing facial masks.
  • Massage oil is the best and most effective treatment for dry skin.
  • If you want to have healthy skin, your diet should be rich in minerals, proteins and vitamins. Be sure to include in the diet of fruit, containing vitamin A.
  • Oats are very useful for dry skin. It can be found in the composition of many gels, scrubs and means for washing.
  • Avoid swimming for a long period of time in heavily chlorinated water.
  • Drink herbal tea.

How to brush your teeth

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

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Dentist – a doctor, awful people of all ages, sex and status. Many will remember the details of his first hike to a dentist, but they forget one simple truth that a child told us both doctors and parents – the better and more thoroughly you brush your teeth, the less you will be attending dentist. From the health of teeth depends on the health of the whole organism. Strong, healthy teeth help you chew food, speak clearly and look great.

How to choose a toothbrush?

Choosing the right toothbrush is very important. Depends on this oral health. There are several factors to consider when choosing a toothbrush:

  • Choose a toothbrush with soft bristles. Fixed bristles can damage your gums. Soft bristles are more flexible, it is easy to bend and reach inaccessible places where they can get stuck bits of food.
  • The head of the toothbrush should be small. This will effectively clean hard place.
  • The handle should be comfortable.
  • Form toothbrush does not play any significant role (although the producers and say to the contrary). Its choice depends on your preferences.

How often should change your toothbrush?

Dentists recommend changing your toothbrush:

  • Every 3 months use
  • After disease
  • When the bristles lose their shape

How to choose a toothpaste?

In order to toothpaste to operate effectively, it must contain substances such as:

  • Fluoride. Pastes containing fluoride or fluoride strengthens teeth and reduces the risk of caries. For young children, better use of toothpaste with lower fluoride content, as they often accidentally swallow toothpaste.
  • Pyrophosphate. These substances are necessary for the prevention of dental plaque and tartar.
  • Strontium chloride and nitrogen potassium. These substances reduce the sensitivity of nerve endings. They should be included in toothpaste for sensitive teeth that are sensitive to cold, hot and other stimuli.
  • Soda and peroxide. These substances have a healing effect. They are necessary to maintain in the mouth sensation of freshness and cleanliness.
  • Lightening components. Removes plaque, caused by coffee, tobacco and certain other substances.

How much toothpaste should I use?

Many advertisements create the illusion that the brush should be applied copious amounts of pasta, but it is not. Enough to drop the size of a peanut paste. If you brush your teeth properly, you have enough foam.

How to brush your teeth?

Brushing with toothpaste should be 2 times a day, the morning after breakfast and the evening after dinner. After meals a day is enough to rinse your mouth with water or chew sugar-free gum for 10-15 minutes.

Clean your teeth must be within 4-5 minutes. Do not have a lot of pressure on the brush. All front and rear surfaces of the teeth should be cleaned with sweeping movements from the gum to the edge of the tooth. But the chewing surfaces of upper and lower posterior teeth should be cleaned movements back and forth. Complete cleansing massage gums – when the mouth is closed with a brush made a circular motion with the capture of teeth and gums. Do not forget to clean the tongue on that it accumulates a large number of bacteria that cause bad breath.

But do not forget that a tooth brushing is not enough to keep them healthy. You should be careful with what you eat and drink. Eat more fruits and vegetables, drink only drinking water instead of soda containing sugar, etc. And most importantly – do not forget to smile!