What exactly are antioxidants? And why is it so vital to our core health? At the molecular and cellular levels, antioxidants serve to deactivate certain particles called free radicals. In humans, free radicals usually come in the form of O2, which is the oxygen molecule. The oxygen molecule wants to be oxidized, and this oxidation process can sometimes be carcinogenic. Free radicals are the natural by-products of many processes within and among cells. They are also created by exposure to various environmental factors, tobacco smoke and radiation, for instance. Antioxidants have become synonymous with good health. They are a class of compounds thought to prevent certain types of chemical damage caused by an excess of free radicals, charged molecules that are generated by a variety of sources including pesticides, smoking and exhaust fumes. Destroying free radicals may help fight cancer, heart disease and stroke, researchers believe. Why Fruits and Vegetables are Important! Fruits and vegetables have long been viewed as a rich source of antioxidant compounds. Health officials have been urging consumers for years to eat more fruits and vegetables in order to gain the health benefits of antioxidants, but progress has been slow, according to researchers. Westerners still tend to favor diets that are rich in fats and carbohydrates, they say. More recently, researchers have begun to formally study the health benefits of herbs and spices. The two differ mainly by source. Herbs typically come from the leaves of plants. Spices come from the bark, stem and seeds of plants. Both have been used for thousands of years to flavor foods and treat illness. Does Herbs have Antioxidants? Yes! Recently, herbs have emerged as a quick and easy way to get a concentrated source of antioxidants, without all the extra calories of whole foods. Researches recently compared the antioxidant activity of herbs to a few select spices, including paprika, garlic, curry, chili, and black pepper. Herbs came out on top! Herbs can be consumed in a variety of ways. Some people prefer to drink herb extracts, which can be made by adding herbs to hot water to make potent antioxidant teas. Others use concentrated herbal oils available in some health food stories. Most of us prefer a little dash and sprinkle of the familiar leafy or powdered versions to add flavor to our favorite meats and vegetables. This is a great reason to head to your nearest herb store for a boost of antioxidants! In general, fresh herbs and spices are healthier and contain higher antioxidant levels compared to their processed counterparts. For example, the antioxidant activity of fresh garlic is 1.5 times higher than dry garlic powder! Natural or Supplemented Antioxidants? And of course, it is always best to take the all natural antioxidants from your food! But many times, too many of us do not really stick to a all well balanced diet, and this is why it is essential that we take antioxidant supplements to ensure we have all the proper balance of nutrients!
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Saturday, September 17, 2016
Pharmaceutical adderall xr
A pharmaceutical amphetamine, Adderall is used to battle attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder ( like ADD) and narcolepsy. The first time the drug was prescribed was in the nineteen seventies, to be used as an anorectic, usage as such is now extremely rare. Adderall stimulates the centreal nervous system by the use of 4 amphetamine salts. The 4 salts are: - amphetamine aspartate - amphetamine sulfate - dextroamphetamine saccharate - dextroamphetamine sulfate The last salt in the list, dextroamphetamine sulfate, can also be found alone in a druge called dexedrine. Because of the use of four different salts, the manufacture claims that the difference in metabolism rates allows the Adderall's, affects to have smaller highs and lows and be a generally smoother drug to use over similar drugs that treat the same conditions. This claim by the manufacture is backed with very little evidence, which has slowed the claim for immediate release adderall. Recent studies have proven that sustained releases of dexamphetamine lasted longer in duration to Adderall, and are much less expensive. The only down side to using dexamphetamine is that the drug is much less effective in the first few hours of dosage. Marketed as Adderall XR, the druge can now be found in an 'immediate-release' tablet or an 'extended-release' capsule. Due to the nature of all of these forms of treatment, I strongly recommend consulting a medical professional who will be able to provide you with more information, and guide you in the right direction.
Monday, September 12, 2016
Vicks vapor rub for nail fungal infections
Vicks Vapor Rub is a product that is commonly known to fight colds and to help an individual to breathe easier. While there are no medical studies or findings to support theories, some nail fungus sufferers have reported success in using Vicks Vapor Rub for nail fungus. This medication is available at any supermarket or most retail stores and is fairly inexpensive. There is no prescription required; however it is recommended that an individual speak with his/her doctor prior to using Vicks Vapor Rub for nail fungus. Individuals who have used Vicks Vapor Rub for nail fungus have reported applying it directly to the affected toenail area. Because this product is rumored to discolor the nail area, it is not typically used on fingernails. As with most medicines, it is important to keep this product away from the eyes and is for external use only. This is another reason that it is not commonly applied to the hands because, throughout the day, we eat with our hands, rub our eyes, etc. It is not clear how using Vicks Vapor Rub for nail fungus actually aids in removing the fungus, but some have reported success. After applying Vicks Vapor Rub on the toenail, it may be a good idea to wear socks to bed in order to keep the medicine from rubbing off on the sheets. It is also a good idea to wear cotton socks because of the fabric’s breathable nature and this will prevent the medication from rubbing off onto other surfaces during the day. It is important to note the frequently changing socks will help to prevent the toenail fungus from worsening. While there have been individual reports of success with using Vicks Vapor Rub, it is not clear how accurate these findings are. Before applying any medication to the infected area, the sufferer must read all of the general use information and warning label, if any, on the product packaging. If left untreated, nail fungus can be a very painful ailment and can also lead to more serious complications. The possibility of permanent nail damage and spreading the bacteria to other nails is always a concern with nail fungus. However, in some cases, a more serious infection may develop if nail fungus is not treated quickly and accurately. There are a number of rumored home remedies for nail fungus, with Vicks Vapor Rub being one of them.
Thursday, September 8, 2016
Your antibiotic one day to 10 day options
When you're sick, listen to your mother: go see your doctor and find out what illness you have and how to get better. If you're diagnosed with a bacterial infection, your doctor can provide a host of treatment options, which may include antibiotics. To treat a bacterial illness such as sinusitis or an ear infection, your doctor might prescribe a regimen of antibiotics to kill the bacteria and help you feel better faster. Antibiotics come in several dosing schedules ranging from a single dose, to twice a day up to multiple doses a day for more than a week. You may be tempted to ask your doctor for a medication with the fewest number of doses, but there are other factors your doctor may consider. When your doctor prescribes an antibiotic, he or she will consider the drug's efficacy in treating the specific infection and the potential side effects to determine the best medicine for you. Among the commonly prescribed antibiotics are cephalosporins, some of which are effective against sinusitis, skin infections, ear infections and other bacterial infections, and are generally well-tolerated. Your doctor may determine that single-dose medicines are not necessarily the best for your infection. One-day doses may not be currently recommended by expert guidelines as good treatment options for your infection. If these medicines do not completely eliminate the infection and the infection remains, it may become immune to the medicine leading to what experts call "antibiotic resistance." Remembering to take the full course of a prescription is important even if you feel better after a few days. Taking the full course of the medicine maintains the effectiveness of the drug, killing the bacteria causing the infection, while helping to reduce the risk of resistance. If you suspect you may have a bacterial infection, talk to your doctor about the best antibiotic for you-especially one with convenient dosing options and one that is generally well-tolerated.
Monday, September 5, 2016
Could a novel toothbrush topper knock out bad breath
You’re so used to that minty, fresh taste of toothpaste kick-starting you awake every morning that you just can’t dream of doing away with it. Well, you don’t have to… just make sure you brush with something else added to your toothbrush, and you might find you’ve kissed bad breath goodbye! Please Pass the Salt Would you believe that something as simple as salt and pepper on your brush goes a long way in preventing and checking bad breath? The combination gets rid of bacteria build-up in the mouth and promises you cleaner, fresher breath. So get those pepper and salt shakers off your dining table and into your bathrooms. And how does this unlikely pair prevent bad breath? Pepper is a strong anti-bacterial agent. Salt too, for that matter. In addition, salt helps tighten the gums around the base of the teeth, which discourages gum disease, a problem that typically starts when food particles get trapped in these crevices and start putrefying. Put salt and pepper together and you have a winning combo for your teeth! So shake them on and brush away bad breath. The director of the Environmental Dental Association has an even better solution – equal measures of salt and baking soda. Wash out your toothbrush with a 1:1 solution of peroxide and water, dip it into the powder and brush away. You might grimace at the taste, but you’ll smile when you smell your breath. Tend to That Tongue What also makes a huge difference to some peoples’ bad breath -- and can even make it disappear -- is to clean your tongue every day, maybe twice a day. Research on oral hygiene has identified a coated tongue as one of the key areas that contribute to bad breath. So get yourself a good tongue cleaner – no, don’t use your toothbrush – and get to work. When using one, be sure to clean from the inside out, from the throat area toward the lips. Bring it down firmly without pressing the flesh too hard (a good tongue cleaner will help prevent the gag effect). What your cleaner or scraper should do is remove the gooey stuff accumulated on the tongue without irritation or harm. For many people, a copper tongue cleaner works best. It’s firm and doesn’t rust. And it soon gets rid of days of bad eating and drinking and the resulting deposits on your tongue. Who would have ever thought a clean tongue would be so important? Well, try it and see. Pay attention to the part at the very back, where the greatest number of odor-causing bacteria is found. If your bad breath stems from all that stuff on your tongue, it’s very possible to get rid of it! Wash Out Your Mouth (But Not with Soap) What also helps many people is mouthwash, as long as you don’t make the mistake of buying the kind with alcohol, which can worsen bad breath. You could make an herbal, all-natural mouthwash at home with a cup of water and a drop of peppermint oil. Or, try water in which mint leaves have been steeped for 10 minutes. Or use a light infusion of green tea, which has been shown to have a potent effect on bad breath. Keep it Simple So remember your brush-teeth, scrape-tongue routine and you’re on the right track to fresher breath. Just remember, when you brush your teeth, use a soft toothbrush and angle it slightly when you brush the area between the teeth and the gums. Push the toothbrush upwards to get rid of any food particles trapped there. Even better, use a powerful oral irrigator, and don’t forget to floss, because any food trapped between your teeth is bound to putrefy -- not the effect you were going for. Too simple? But who says bad breath is always complicated? Granted, sometimes the causes run much deeper. But for many people, all it takes are a few extra nods toward hygiene, and you’re all set to smell like a rose every time you open your mouth!