5 Reasons You Get a Metallic Taste in Your Mouth (And How to Avoid It)

December 2, 2018 by Power of Positivity

“Why does my mouth taste like old pennies?” Have you ever had that metallic taste in your mouth? To when you almost expected to find a 1975 penny buried somewhere in your oral cavity? It’s weird, yes, but it’s also quite common.

According to Dr. Michael Rabovsky, Chairman of the Department of Family Medicine and Vice Chairman of the Medicine Institute at the Cleveland Clinic, the cause of metal mouth is usually harmless. Of course, this is not always the case, as we’ll get to in a moment.

In this article, we’re going to discuss five main reasons – and a few others – why you get metal tang on your palette. We’ll wrap things up by explaining how you can manage and prevent the metallic taste in your mouth.

“Dysgeusia”

The taste of metal in the mouth is a known medical condition called dysgeusia, a distortion of the sense of taste. Dysgeusia may come on suddenly or gradually and may be acute or chronic in duration. Additionally, there are two other taste disorders: ageusia, the absence of taste, and hypotenuses, the “decrease in taste sensitivity.” Concerning the latter, recent research, published in the journal Prevention in Clinical Oral Health Care, cites aging as a primary cause.”

Physiologically, a metallic taste and other taste disorders surface from changes to the olfactory sensory neurons. Through interaction with the taste buds, olfactory neurons help produce the sense of taste. The nerve endings in your taste buds communicate with sensory neurons in your brain to identify the taste of foods and beverages. As with any mechanism involving complex messaging of the senses with designated parts of the brain, one’s sense of taste is a combination of various processes. Because of this complexity, things can – and do – go wrong.

Though having a condition altering your sense of taste may not seem altogether harmful, dysgeusia can be both difficult to manage and stressful. Further complicating matters is that fact that solving impaired sense of taste is very difficult. To be more specific, pinpointing the cause as either diminished sensitivity or distorted perception is a considerable medical challenge. Because of this, accurate diagnosis and treatment can be evasive.

Five reasons you get that metallic taste in your mouth

“An altered sense of taste can cause patients to self-manage in ways that are detrimental to their health.” – Jeanette Y. Wick

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the treatment of diseases, particularly cancer, using chemical substances (usually medication). Impaired perception of taste is quite common for patients receiving chemotherapy treatment, with around 56 percent of patients reporting symptoms.

Dysgeusia is even more common in patients undergoing radiotherapy and chemoradiotherapy, with 66 percent and 76 percent of patients reporting symptoms. It may take as long as three to four weeks for the former group to experience said signs.

Chemotherapy medications may produce changes in the body resulting in a metallic taste. Drugs known to induce a metallic taste include cisplatin, cyclophosphamide, nitrogen mustard, and vincristine. Other related causes of dysgeusia include nerve damage from radiotherapy, mucosal infections, and tumor location.

The metallic taste produced by chemotherapy is particularly troublesome and may lead to malnutrition and weight loss if not properly managed. As such, patients may wish to alter their routine by doing one or more of the following:

Adding or cooking with herbs and spices, which may add more flavor
Consuming acidic drinks, e.g., lemon juice or orange juice
Delaying food or drink intake for 2-3 hours following treatment
Eating with plastic utensils instead of silverware
Eating chilled or frozen foods
Using condiments such as chili/hot sauce, barbeque sauce, ketchup, teriyaki sauce, etc. to add flavor

Zinc deficiency

Zinc deficiency is perhaps the leading cause of metal taste in the mouth – and potentially the most overlooked. Found in cells throughout the body, zinc plays critical roles in cell division, cell growth, digestion of carbohydrates, and wound healing. Researchers estimate that zinc deficiency affects about 17 percent of the world population – including 35 to 45 percent of adults over the age of 60.

Sometime in the last 20 years, scientists began to discover and study the effect of zinc on smell and taste. It turns out that the metal zinc has an intricate relationship with the olfactory nerves and taste buds. Concerning the former, medical experts concluded that nasal sprays containing zinc might cause anosmia, the loss of smell. Upon further examining the data, researchers posit that zinc deficiency also causes impaired taste and a metallic taste, although researchers are unsure as to the exact mechanism. Deficiencies of vitamins B12 or D may also produce a metal taste.

Prescription medication

Researchers estimate that more than 300 medications may cause a residual metallic taste. Medicines that produce this taste do so through one of six side effects:

Blockage of the sinuses
Changes to the nerve pathways of the nervous system
The decrease in saliva production
Inhibition of cell division (mitosis), such as in chemotherapy
Impairment of the cranial nerves
Upper respiratory infection

Some of the more popular pharmaceuticals known to produce metal taste as a side-effect include: acetylcholine inhibitors, anesthesia (post-exposure; common in dental anesthetics), antibiotics, anticholinergics, anti-thyroid drugs, Adenocor (adenosine), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors; Rocaltrol, Calcijex, or Decostriol (calcitriol), clindamycin (antibiotic), ethionamide, flecainide, gallium nitrate, lithium, lorcainide, metformin, metronidazole, methocarbamol, oncological chemotherapeutics, phenytoin, and tetrofosmin.

By no means is the above listing comprehensive. Make sure to check with your doctor if you are on any prescription medicine and experiencing a metallic taste in your mouth. Also, many of the drugs mentioned above are specialized and only prescribed for particular medical conditions. As such, seek the advice of your healthcare professional before altering your dosage.

An underlying medical condition

Known medical conditions that may produce a metallic taste in the mouth include Bell’s palsy, cancer, CNS disorders, common cold, diabetes, ear infections, head injury and trauma, gingivitis, kidney or liver problems, periodontitis, and respiratory or sinus infection.

While any of the above conditions may produce dysgeusia (or parageusia) as a side effect, the most common medical conditions those that act on the ear, respiratory system, and central nervous system (CNS). Women in the early stages of pregnancy may notice changes to smell and taste, including a metallic taste.

Poor oral health

Finally, not properly caring for your mouth can leave a nasty metal taste. Neglecting your teeth may lead to gingivitis or periodontitis and, eventually, gum disease.

An oft-overlooked aspect of proper oral care is scraping (or brushing) the tongue. Bacteria live on your tongue that may produce a metal taste, as may food particles and other debris. While mouth rinses may kill some surface bacteria and germs, it will not penetrate the surface of the buildup, meaning that you must brush or scrape to eliminate it entirely.

Avoiding (and preventing) the nasty metal taste

Before discussing how to avoid and prevent the nasty metal taste, it is important to understand when to see a healthcare professional. If you’ve been unsuccessful in eliminating that metallic taste, see a doctor to check for any underlying medical condition. Medical professionals who specialize in the treatment of ear, nose, and throat disorders are called otolaryngologists. Your doctor may refer you to one.

Now, depending on the cause, there is sometimes little that can be done to prevent or avoid the metal taste in your mouth. If the taste is caused by an acute illness, such as a sinus infection or common cold, the issue should go away once the virus has left your system.

All the above in mind, here are a few things that you can do to avoid or temporarily get rid of taste distortion:

Avoid smoking (and stay clear of second-hand smoke)
Brush your teeth thoroughly after eating and drinking
Chew sugar-free gum or use sugar-free mints
Drink water throughout the day (an overlooked method, but effective!)
Experiment with different food types, spices, condiments, etc.
Remember to practice good oral hygiene. Brush and floss at least twice a day and scrape your tongue at least once daily.
Use non-metal cooking, eating, and serving tools.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1ke5KbOAZs

13 Top Supplements For Your Immune System

December 2, 2018 by Power of Positivity

With cold and flu season upon us now, it’s vital to keep your immune system healthy by boosting it with a good diet and exercise routine, quality sleep, and supplements. While it’s possible to get all your nutrients from diet alone, supplements offer a convenient and cost-effective way to ensure you’re meeting your nutritional needs. Fresh food is wonderful, but it can be challenging to keep on hand, and supplements provide a long-lasting alternative. If you’re looking to boost your intake of essential vitamins and minerals, good supplements like Microdose Mushrooms can be an excellent choice.

We’ll go over some of the best supplements out there to help protect you from getting sick and provide immune system support.

13 Top Supplements for Your Immune System

“Seventy-six percent of U.S. adults—more than 170 million—take dietary supplements.” – CRN 2017 Survey on Dietary Supplements

1. Vitamin D

Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and strengthen bones. It is also believed to protect against heart disease, depression, and certain types of cancer. Because we get Vitamin D from sunlight, those who live in the northern hemisphere may find themselves at a disadvantage due to inadequate sun exposure. More than 36 percent of adults suffer from a Vitamin D deficiency, which can lead to decreased immunity and other health problems.

Supplementing with Vitamin D can help protect your body’s immune system and support healthy bones. If you decide to take Vitamin D supplements, nutritionists recommend taking Vitamin D3 instead of D2 because it is the natural form that our bodies make from sunlight.

2. Zinc

Because this mineral is high in antioxidants and serves as an anti-inflammatory, it’s a powerful tool to boost your immune system. Zinc also helps with enzyme function, protein synthesis, and wound healing. Studies have shown that people who took a zinc acetate lozenge (13.3 milligrams zinc) were able to nip their cold symptoms (cough, nasal discharge, and muscle aches) in the bud much quicker than those who took a placebo.

While you can get zinc from foods like seafood, eggs, legumes, nuts, seeds, and soy products, an estimated 1.1 billion people worldwide suffer from a zinc deficiency. This is why zinc supplements are vital for those who don’t get enough zinc from their diet alone. If you choose to take a supplement for your immune system, make sure it contains zinc methionate, since this is a highly absorbable form of the mineral.

3. Elderberry

While more research still needs to be done on elderberry, many people swear by it for its ability to ward off colds and flus. In fact, a 2016 study found that people who traveled by plane frequently and supplemented with elderberry had fewer colds and lower symptom scores than the placebo group. Elderberry is high in Vitamin C and antioxidants, which might explain why it protects the immune system so well. You can take this supplement in syrup, gummy, or capsule form, but make sure to read the ingredients to ensure no additives (such as sugar) are present.

4. Probiotics

Did you know that the gut houses 70 percent of your immune system? Unfortunately, many people don’t have enough good bacteria in their gut, which can lead to poor immune system function. Probiotics can bring good bacteria into your gut, decrease inflammation, and promote better digestion. You can also eat fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir, kimchi, and sauerkraut, but probiotics are easier to take. They are often more affordable as well.

However, with so many probiotics on the market today, how do you know which one to buy? In general, you need to make sure the supplement has the genus, species, and strain you’re looking for. There are thousands of different strains, all of which work differently in the body, so research what you need before purchasing it. Also, make sure it says somewhere on the bottle how much bacteria you will get in one dose.

One good supplement is the GoodBelly Probiotic Supplement since it contains ten billion live cultures of probiotic strain LP299v, plus it’s been proven to promote healthy digestion and flood your gut with good bacteria in more than 50 human clinical trials.

5. Oil of oregano

People use oregano in a variety of dishes, but it has been used for medicinal purposes as well for thousands of years. Oregano contains antibacterial and antiviral properties that may reduce coughing frequency. It may also boost your immune system by increasing the flow of bile. If you decide to supplement with oil of oregano, choose one that’s free of additives and is organic, if possible.

6. Chlorella

This blue-green algae is available in powder or capsule form and is rich in Vitamin B12, iron, Vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, zinc, other B vitamins, Omega 3s, and fiber. Chlorella also contains a high amount of antioxidants which can help boost your immune system.

7. Mushroom extract

Mushrooms provide a powerhouse of nutrients such as B vitamins, selenium, Vitamin D, potassium, copper, iron, and phosphorus, among others. However, not everyone enjoys the taste and texture of mushrooms in their diet. This is where mushroom extract comes into play. Mushrooms help the immune cells fight infections, which will aid in boosting immune support. As always, if you want to try mushroom extract, make sure to research the company thoroughly before purchasing.

8. Garlic

Garlic is one of the most widely used natural cold and flu remedies. People have used garlic to cure diseases for thousands of years. It is believed that a compound called allicin, an antibacterial and antifungal, is a key component to preventing illnesses. However, garlic must be consumed raw, as cooking it virtually destroys the healing parts of the vegetable.

9. Astragalus

Though you may have never heard of this herb before, astragalus is used in traditional Chinese medicine to keep the immune system working properly.

A study from Beijing, China showed that astragalus helps control T-helper cells 1 and 2, which regulate the immune system. It also contains antioxidants that can prevent damage from free radicals. You can find this root in powder or pill form.

10. Ginseng

Ginseng root has been proven to prevent colds, ease a sore throat, and reduce sneezing. Some research shows that ginseng could help nip colds in the bud faster as well. The recommended dose is 200 mg of ginseng per day, which you can also take in powder or capsule form.

11. Multivitamin

In the cold winter months, the body must work harder to keep itself going, which means it needs a steady dose of nutrients. However, many people don’t feel like eating cold fruits and vegetables in the winter, so a multivitamin can prove useful to make up for any shortages. It can also bolster your immune system, helping to prevent colds and flu.

Choosing a multivitamin can be tricky, however, as there are literally thousands to choose from. When you start your search, keep these tips in mind:

Don’t take a supplement that has more than 100% of the daily value for any vitamin or mineral.
Choose a vitamin with a maximum of 3,000-3,500 International Units (IUs) of vitamin A.
Men and postmenopausal women should choose vitamins with 50% or less of the DV for iron.
Most vitamins won’t have 100% of the DV for calcium or magnesium because this would make the pills quite large.
Look for the USP (United States Pharmacopeia) symbol, which means the vitamin is high quality.
Watch out for additives such as herbs, which are unnecessary and make the product more expensive.
Buy generic when you can, and stay away from vitamins designed for certain sexes or age groups.

12. Vitamin C

Anytime you get a cold, people will urge you to take Vitamin C to get better quickly. Because Vitamin C helps with antibody production and function, it is vital to a healthy immune system. However, Vitamin C doesn’t just support your immune system when you already have a cold. It’s been shown that higher doses of vitamin C help the immune system fight infections, which might mean your body can fight off a cold before it even infects you.

If you don’t get enough Vitamin C through diet alone, you can supplement with Emergen-C packets, which also contain other vitamins and minerals. Or, you can opt for another Vitamin C supplement; just make sure to read the ingredient list for any impurities. Also, you want to ensure that the supplement you choose has all three types of Vitamin C – ascorbic acid, calcium ascorbate and sodium ascorbate – in order to increase effectiveness.

13. South African geranium

South African geranium, or umckaloabo, is commonly used orally for upper respiratory infections such as bronchitis, sinusitis, and sore throat. Some studies have shown that it may speed up recovery from the cold and flu and also lessen the severity of symptoms. You can get South African geranium as a chewable tablet, capsule, or liquid. If you choose the liquid form, be sure to add honey to ease a sore throat.

Final thoughts

We hope one of the supplements listed above will help strengthen your immune system and keep colds and flus at bay this winter season. As always, the best course of action for keeping yourself healthy is eating right, exercising, getting enough sleep, practicing positive thinking, and making time for self-care. However, if you find yourself needing an extra boost, these supplements will do just the trick.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKB0jThAfnQ

Science Explains When It’s Ok to Ignore Your Partner

December 2, 2018 by Power of Positivity

Is ignoring your partner completely wrong? Is avoidance or withdrawal from your partner always an indication that there’s trouble in your relationship?

Relationship gurus have always stressed the importance of communication in a relationship. We’ve been told that for partnerships to work, couples must always open up and face their problems together.

But a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology cited that there’s an exception to this rule. It turns out that, sometimes, ignoring your partner is actually OK and that withdrawing from your significant other may actually lead to greater satisfaction in life.

Science Explains When It’s Ok To Ignore Your Partner

“What if the partner being asked to change just does not have access to and control over all the resources needed to make that change? In this case, disengaging may be necessary.” – Jaclyn M. Ross

The Demand-Withdraw Pattern

Experts from the American Psychological Association visited 1,000 couples for this study over the course of 18 months. The participants willingly discussed their problems and the things they hoped to change in their relationship.

The researchers studied the dynamics of the couples and saw a familiar demand-withdraw pattern. This usually happens when one partner asks for something, while the other partner ignores the demands.

Traditionally, the demand-withdraw pattern gives rise to conflicts in a relationship.
This behavior is often linked to high dissatisfaction when pressure and blaming come into play.
But surprisingly, the demand-withdraw pattern did not have such an unfavorable impact on the relationships of low-income couples compared to those who were better off economically and socially.

Ignoring and Relationship Dissatisfaction

The findings revealed that the relationship satisfaction of more affluent couples dwindled when there were too many demand-withdraw interactions. On the other hand, the relationship satisfaction of economically and socially disadvantaged couples was more stable despite the demand-withdraw interactions. But when the low-income earning husband did not ignore his wife, that’s where the dissatisfaction rated lower.

Study lead author Jaclyn M. Ross explained the implications of their findings in the press release. She confirmed that the dynamics of a demand-withdraw pattern can work differently for couples, thus shunning long-held beliefs that this pattern is distressing for every relationship. Ross cited an example where a wife demands that her husband should ask his boss for a raise.

A husband with a low income might be reluctant to do it, knowing there are risks.
Instead, he withdraws from his wife.
In the process of ignoring her, however, the husband protects his self-esteem, as well as the vulnerability of their situation.
In this case, ignoring the wife was more positive for the relationship.

But if a husband earned more and was in a better position to ask for a raise, ignoring his wife’s demand could be seen as an unwillingness to make his family’s life better. This can easily draw friction and increase the wife’s dissatisfaction and displeasure toward her husband.

High Expectations vs. Realistic Expectations

While it might seem easier for well-to-do couples to fix their problems because they have the resources, their higher status can also lead to high expectations. So, if those are not met, then conflicts in the relationship can develop or worsen existing problems.

Ross emphasized that because low-income couples have realistic expectations of their situation, the demand-withdraw pattern makes less of an impact. Couples in a socially disadvantaged situation are more aware that their problems in life go deeper than what they can control. So, if changing their situation might not be possible, then disengaging becomes not only a healthier response but also a necessity.

How to Ignore Your Husband in A Healthy Way

Being in a relationship is a lot of work. As much as you love your partner, you do have episodes where you just wish he’d leave you alone. Despite the importance of communication in a relationship, there are times when ignoring your partner is actually OK as the above study demonstrated. But here are a few more ways to withdraw from your partner while still working to forge a positive relationship.

1. Don’t engage your partner when he’s in a bad mood

It’s best to disengage and give your partner some space when he’s in a bad mood. It will be difficult to have a proper conversation with someone who is angry. Just ignore your partner until his negative mood has subsided.

In the same manner, if you’re the one who is angry, you should let off steam away from your partner. This is a positive way to avoid a fight that might not even have something to do with your relationship.

For example, your husband comes home after a bad day at work.
Because he’s a bit stressed and sensitive, he could overreact with anything you do or say.
If you start defending yourself by answering back sharply, a full-blown fight might spark between the two of you.

Sometimes, your partner might try to bait you into an argument as his way of unloading his frustrations.

Understand that when a person is stressed and angry, there may be no logic to his feelings. Don’t take these comments personally.
Instead of taking the bait, it’s better to respond to him with a simple “Yes” or “Okay.”
If he senses you’re not up for engaging in an argument, he’ll likely leave you alone.

But avoiding your partner so that you won’t fight is only a short-term solution. It shouldn’t be something you do over and over because it’s not a healthy coping mechanism for your relationship. When he’s calmer and no longer temperamental, make sure that you sit down with him and talk about what’s really going on at work.

2. Ignore some of his bad habits

Nobody is perfect and that’s the universal truth. There are things about your partner that will continue to annoy you and he will likely get annoyed about some of your bad habits, too. But if you let every single imperfection get to you, then you’re never going to truly live harmoniously with your partner. So, in some cases, it is better to ignore the bad habits and just let things be.

Despite what people say, it’s not always easy to change those bad habits. When something has been ingrained in your husband since childhood, you might need to accept that he will never change some of his ways.

For instance, your partner tends to forget to turn the lights off when he leaves the room.
You’ve told him a hundred times to stop being wasteful but he still keeps doing this.
Instead of scolding him, consider ignoring the habit altogether.
Don’t be like his mother, who probably also nagged about turning off the lights.

It’s not a personal attack on you if he forgets to do something you’ve reminded him about multiple times. He’s not doing this to be disrespectful or to devalue you. It’s really just a bad habit he cannot shake off anymore.

Sometimes, you need to overlook some of his flaws and not let it upset you. If it’s not directly affecting your relationship, there really is no harm in shrugging it off.

3. Go ahead and sleep, even if you’re angry at your husband

“Don’t go to bed angry” is what they say. You may have heard this age-old advice many times before. The idea behind this advice is that couples should foster positive thoughts and not negative memories. Therefore, they should settle their fights before sleeping.

But a study found in the Journal of International Society of Psychoneuroendocrinology revealed that it might be better to ignore your partner than to engage in an argument before bed. You’ll do your health a favor because, apparently, fighting before bedtime can lead to sleep deprivation. This, in turn, can raise your risk for high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, and diabetes.

Experts followed 43 married couples in this experiment and studied their blood samples before going to bed. When an argument struck, the scientists took more blood samples after the fight to analyze if there were differences.

Their findings showed that couples who were sleep-deprived, because they had to settle a fight the night before, had more indicators of inflammation in their body.
If you make a habit of never going to bed angry, at the cost of sleep due to settling an argument, you’ll likely have a high level of inflammation.
Inflammation is a precursor for many types of diseases.
The study has raised a red flag against the idea that you must settle an argument before you sleep.

Worse, couples who try to settle a fight but lose sleep over it often end up arguing again the following day (or night). And it’s likely because their sleep deprivation made them short-tempered.

It seems marital conflict and short sleep do not make for a good combination, health-wise. So, if you’d rather get a good shut-eye than engage in an argument with your partner, then go ahead and ignore him for the time being.

4. Politely tell your husband you’re avoiding him

Sometimes, being upfront is a more mature way of handling a situation that could get stressful and tense. So, if you need to avoid your husband, perhaps it will be better to tell him this in a direct but polite manner.

In some relationships, couples call a time-out when they are angry at their partner but they don’t want to make the situation worse than it is. Usually, the couples aren’t on speaking terms because they are still processing their anger. In such cases, it helps if they make their intentions of avoiding each other known.

For example, if you don’t want to be in the dining room with your husband for dinner you can politely announce that you would rather have your meal in the bedroom.
Say, “I’m still upset about what happened but I’m not yet ready to talk. So, if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to take my dinner upstairs.”
This isn’t a manipulative tactic if you’ve both agreed beforehand that this how you handle your anger when one of you is not yet ready to sit down and talk.
It comes with a great deal of respect if couples agree to this term because you never have to use the destructive silent treatment.
It still shows good manner and maturity even if you’re raging in anger deep inside.

Final Thoughts On When Its Ok To Ignore Your Partner

Even if there are positive ways to ignore your husband, it doesn’t erase the fact that there are issues that you have to address in your relationship. So, after you’ve had your space for a day or two, the next step would be to communicate.

It will also help your relationship if you don’t ignore the good things you see or feel in regards to your partner. Express your gratitude and affection for your partner every chance you get. These moments will keep re-invigorating your love for each other.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeJ8dXDZUcA

5 Reasons Most Diets Don’t Work (And What to Do Instead)

November 30, 2018 by Power of Positivity

“…diet plans don’t make money by making people permanently thin, and food companies don’t make money by selling crunchy fresh apples.” – Sandra Aamodt, Why Diets Make Us Fat: The Unintended Consequences of Our Obsession With Weight Loss

If you research “diets” online, you’ll find thousands of different plans and programs. Each one claims to have all the answers to your weight loss struggle. Most of them promise big results in a short amount of time. Because we live in a culture obsessed with instant gratification, diet plans sell like hotcakes.

The Diets of Early Man Versus Modern Man

Our modern world has severely disrupted and skewed our relationship with food. People have lost touch with their hunger cues and natural instincts. When we lived closer to nature, our bodies told us when and how much to eat. And we listened. If we couldn’t find food for a while, our bodies would go into starvation mode. The body would hold on to calories in order to survive. No foods were off-limits because food was scarce, so when we did find food, we indulged in it.

Fast forward 100,000 years and we have almost no connection to nature. We can get virtually any kind of food whenever we want, provided we have enough money. Additionally, we eat to our heart’s content. Because there is such an abundance of food available now, our bodies don’t recognize when we’re actually hungry. We eat for reasons other than hunger, such as to numb our emotions or to avoid being bored.

We’re told by the food industry to eat more, but the diet industry tells us to eat less. Who should we believe? And, more importantly, how can we know what and how much to eat when we are bombarded with such conflicting messages?

In this article, we’re going to attempt to dispel as many myths surrounding diet culture as possible, and tell you what you can do to take control of your health once and for all.

Here are 5 main reasons why diets don’t work:

1. They are only meant to be temporary.

Think about it: out of all the diets you’ve heard of, do any of them claim to provide lasting results? Most of them boast about being able to lose a drastic amount of weight or lose inches in “just six weeks” or even less. None of them talk about the long-term; they’re only concerned with the short-term. After you’ve gotten off your diet, you’ll just go back to the way you used to eat and regain any weight you lost. Very few people keep the weight off because the diet doesn’t teach them sustainable, healthy eating habits.

Instead of thinking about a short-term solution, you should think about what will work for you in the long-term. You have to make healthy eating and exercising a part of your lifestyle so that you can maintain your habits over time. Dieting teaches you to do extreme things like restrict calories, cut out whole food groups, or exercise vigorously for hours at a time to lose weight. This is why diets are temporary, because they are simply not designed for the average person to maintain.

And, if you’re looking to lose weight, diets are not the answer. According to a review of over 30 studies, diets are one of the main predictors of weight gain. Our obsession with losing weight to “get healthier” might, ironically, be driving us in the opposite direction.

2. They’re bad for your health.

The diet industry desperately wants you to believe that you’re finally taking charge of your health once you buy into their clever scheme. However, you’re only setting yourself up for failure and actually going backwards when it comes to getting healthier. Dieting in itself isn’t sustainable; in fact, it’s dangerous to your health because it can lead to yo-yo dieting, where you’re constantly gaining and losing weight. This can lead to an increase in inflammation, which can cause a host of illnesses and diseases.

It also puts your body under tremendous stress, because any time you lose weight, your body fights back. It wants to stay at a certain set point, so any time you disrupt your body’s natural biology, it will do whatever it can to make you regain that weight. This happens due to a hormone called leptin; when you diet, this hormone decreases, signaling your body to increase your appetite to replenish the energy it thinks you need to survive. Studies show that one in three dieters ends up gaining more weight than they lost on a diet.

Other health risks include muscle loss, higher body fat percentage, fatty liver, increased risk of heart disease and diabetes, and increased blood pressure.

3. Diets are expensive.

Americans spend roughly $60 billion per year on weight loss products and services. This includes money spent on weight loss programs, gym memberships, and products with the word “diet” in them, such as diet soda. Roughly 45 million Americans go on a diet every year, and most of them fail to achieve their weight loss goals. Sadly, this just means that most people waste their money on products and services that don’t deliver results as promised. The solution?

Don’t spend money on fads and programs claiming to help you lose weight. Instead, buy healthier foods at the store and move your body a little bit each day. You can be healthy at a higher weight, so don’t make weight loss the focus of your life. If you eat well and exercise frequently, you’ll have much better health markers than a person of average weight who doesn’t exercise or eat well.

4. Diets increase cravings.

Obviously, if you restrict a food, you’re going to want it even more. You will have a harder time avoiding it the longer you deem it off-limits. Some scientists believe certain foods cause neurons to fire in the reward center of the brain, as drugs do. Additionally, studies show that the reward and pleasure centers of the brain light up even more when a food that has been previously restricted is reintroduced into someone’s diet. This means you’ll want to eat that food even more. It makes you feel intense pleasure, more than before you cut it out of your diet.

5. You start to obsess over food.

A research study conducted in the 1940s on a group of 36 men attempted to analyze the effects of calorie restriction. Researchers cut their calorie intake in half for six months. They observed mood changes such as irritability, lack of motivation, and fatigue. They also noticed that the subjects had become obsessed with food. One subject wrote that he, “stayed up until 5 a.m. last night studying cookbooks,” not a common pastime. The men began ripping out pages from cookbooks and stealing food. Some even started chewing up to 30 packs of gum per day to stave off cravings.

They had become obsessed with food simply because their bodies weren’t getting the fuel they needed! This is exactly what happens when people go on diets, and the weight loss and diet industries capitalize on this because they want you to think something is wrong with you. However, something is actually gravely wrong with them for profiting off of our biological responses to calorie restriction.

What to Do Instead of Dieting

Don’t give up on losing weight just yet. If you learn to listen to your body instead of the diet industry or others who don’t have your best interests at heart, you can start seeing results. In fact, a large study of more than 120,000 adults in the United States found that establishing certain habits could help people gradually decrease and maintain their weight.

Here are some of the tips researchers found helped the study participants:

Eat healthy foods like yogurt, fruits, vegetables, and nuts.
Avoid junk foods like chips and soft drinks.
Limit starchy foods like potatoes; these should be eaten in moderation.
Exercise at least a few times per week doing something you enjoy.
Get quality sleep of 6-8 hours per night.
Limit TV watching, as this promotes laziness and lethargy.

As you can see, this study focused on lifestyle changes that people can make and stick to over time. This approach proves more effective than a fad diet that requires some form of extreme behavior.

Another study of 439 overweight women showed that a lifestyle intervention designed to promote gradual weight loss over time was equally effective in both women with and without a history of yo-yo dieting.

This is good news for people that may have a hard time losing weight due to dieting in the past and are looking for a permanent solution.

Final thoughts on Reasons Diets Don’t Work

We hope this article has shed some light on the corruption of the diet industry, because it has permeated virtually every facet of our culture today. People have become obsessed with their appearance and food, which has led many to develop eating disorders.

The diet industry is dangerous because it is only interested in lining its pockets and pays little regard to people’s health. As long as you stay active, eat healthy most of the time, get enough sleep, and do things you enjoy, you should have nothing to worry about. Steer clear of diets and instead focus on making healthy living an aspect of your life rather than a “quick fix” for a larger problem.

Science Explains How Turmeric Helps Your Body Lose Weight

November 30, 2018 by Power of Positivity

Turmeric is a yellow-orange spice made from the herb of the same name. That plant, which is also known by the scientific name Curcuma longa, is a member of Zingiberaceae or the ginger family. It is native to India and parts of Southeast Asia.

The spice is made from the plant’s roots which are ground into a powder. People have used turmeric powder as a dye and a traditional medicine for generations. They have also used it in cooking to add flavor and coloring to various dishes, especially curries. The turmeric benefits in cooking include an earthy aroma resembling that of mustard and a bitter flavor reminiscent of black pepper.

Turmeric benefits health in the following ways: reducing inflammation, promoting cardiovascular health, aiding digestion, and relieving arthritis. It can also help people lose weight.

Turmeric Benefits for Weight Loss According to Scientists

1. Curcumin Can Suppress the Growth of Adipose Tissue

Curcumin is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory found in turmeric. In 2009, researchers at Tufts University reported a study that indicated that curcumin slowed weight gain in mice by preventing new adipose tissue from forming. As a person or mouse gains weight, new blood vessels form along with the increasing fat tissue. The researchers found that feeding mice curcumin prevented them from developing new blood vessels, and the mice developed less fat tissue. They also had less fat in their livers and lower cholesterol levels than did mice who weren’t fed curcumin.

2. Curcumin Can Help Convert White Adipose Tissue Into Brown Adipose Tissue

There are actually two types of adipose tissue: white and brown. White adipose tissue stores energy. When people gain weight, they gain more and more white adipose tissue. Brown adipose tissue helps produce heat by burning fat. A neurotransmitter called norepinephrine helps convert white adipose tissue into brown adipose tissue.

In 2015, the science journal “Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications” described a study in which researchers found a way that turmeric benefits health. More specifically, they found that feeding curcumin to mice increased the amount of norepinephrine in their bodies. The added norepinephrine triggered the browning of their white adipose tissue, and the mice lost both weight and fat, even though they were still eating the same amount of food.

A year later, “The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry” published a study conducted by Korean scientists who identified four mechanisms curcumin used to induce browning in white adipose tissue. For example, they found that curcumin could stimulate the production of mitochondria, which are organelles found in brown fat. Known as the “powerhouses of the cell,” mitochondria convert sugars, proteins, and fat into energy.

The researchers also found that curcumin could both suppress the production new fat and increase the protein levels of the enzymes p-acyl-CoA carboxylase and hormone-sensitive lipase. The latter augmented the enzymes’ ability to destroy fat cells.

Similarly, curcumin can stimulate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). AMPK is an enzyme that helps regulate the metabolism. The more active it is, the easier it is for a person to reach or maintain a healthy weight.

The fourth mechanism that curcumin can boost is the expression of genes specific to brown fat. In other words, curcumin can stimulate the genes involved in turning white fat into brown fat.

3. Curcumin Suppresses Obesity-Linked Inflammation

Adipose tissue produces adipokines, and some of these substances, like TNF-? and IL-6, cause inflammation that can lead to such disorders as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, or heart disease.

“The Annual Review of Nutrition” described a 2010 review of various studies of curcumin. Over the years, researchers have worked with mice, rats, rabbits and sometimes humans. Back in 1972, researchers found that curcumin could lower the blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes. Since then, they have found that curcumin can suppress the production of adipokines.

4. Curcumin Helps the Liver

As an antioxidant, curcumin can both protect the liver from damage and alleviate existing damage. In 2016, the science journal “BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine” published a study in which researchers fed different dosages of spice extract and curcumin to rats with induced liver damage over a four-week period. They then took blood and liver samples from the rats and analyzed them. The scientists found that the rats with damaged livers had gained more weight than had a control group with healthy livers. They also found that the rats with damaged livers that had been given the highest doses of curcumin and spice extract had gained less weight than had those that were given smaller doses.

The scientists performed a similar experiment that used mice. They found that the mice given the highest doses of curcumin and spice extract showed the fewest signs of liver damage. They also had lower cholesterol levels. The researchers concluded that both curcumin and spice extract could prevent at least some types of liver disease.

The liver helps metabolize fat, and a healthy liver can burn more fat than a damaged or diseased liver. Turmeric benefits people and helps them lose weight by improving the liver’s health.

5. Curcumin Helps Fight Conditions Linked to Obesity

Other turmeric benefits include curcumin’s affects on conditions linked to obesity like metabolic syndrome, hypothyroidism, stress, and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). The last three all increase the chances of somebody becoming overweight or obese, while metabolic syndrome makes it harder for an obese patient to lose weight, even if they exercise and follow a healthy diet. Many obese people also have insulin resistance, which reduces their body’s ability to respond to insulin. As the excess insulin accumulates within their blood, it increases the body’s ability to store fat. Consequently, many people with insulin resistance become overweight. Curcumin helps patients with insulin resistance by increasing their body’s ability to use insulin.

Stress can cause obesity for many people suffering from stress or disorders like anxiety or depression will eat to try to make themselves feel better. When somebody is under a lot of stress, their body produces a lot of the stress hormone cortisol, which can cause chronic inflammation and increase fat storage. Curcumin relieves stress by lowering cortisol levels and increasing the production of dopamine and serotonin, which are both hormones that improve mood.

6. Turmeric Benefits Dieters By Helping Them Lose Weight More Quickly

The spice contains components, mainly carbohydrates, that the body simply can’t digest. They thus fill up the stomach and are simply expelled with other waste products. The spice also contains fibers that aid digestion.

7. Curcumin May Help Gut Bacteria

“The Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine” published a 2018 study in which researchers studied the effects of turmeric and curcumin on healthy adult humans. They gave tablets containing either substance to two groups of volunteers while a control group got placebo tablets. The scientists then analyzed the volunteers’ stool samples, and they found that the control group had fewer bacteria species in their digestive tracts than did the other two groups. They also found that some bacteria genera were more responsive than others. The researchers described curcumin as having “prebiotic-like” effects on gut bacteria.

Obese people tend to have fewer and less diverse bacteria genera living in their digestive tracts than do lean people. Researchers believe that different bacteria perform different tasks within the digestive tract, and that diverse groups of bacteria perform more efficiently than do less diverse groups.

8. Spiced Lemon Water Has Multiple Benefits

An easy way to enjoy the turmeric benefits is to add the spice to lemon water, and both lemons and water provide their own health benefits. Water, for example, can aid weight loss by providing a feeling of fullness. Lemon juice contains nutrients like Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, thiamin, potassium, phosphorous, folate, and calcium. It also contains citric acid that helps digestion.

Spiced lemon water can be drunk with ice, or it can be heated like a tea. People who don’t like the taste can also add cinnamon, honey, or mint to get a more pleasing flavor.

9. Curcumin Supplements

Curcumin makes up about 3 percent of turmeric. Moreover, the bloodstream only absorbs a small amount of it. Ergo, people generally don’t get the desired amount of curcumin by simply adding spice to their foods; they need to take supplements. Currently, the best and most effective supplements contain piperine, a natural substance found in black pepper. It can increase the body’s ability to absorb curcumin by an impressive 2000 percent.

In addition, curcumin is fat soluble. Taking it with a fatty meal can also increase the body’s ability to absorb it.

Researchers have been looking for more ways to make curcumin more “bioavailable” or more easily absorbed by the body. The “European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences” published a clinical study in which researchers combined with a substance called phosphatidylserine to make it easier for the body to fully absorb it.

The researchers then administered the curcumin to 44 overweight volunteers who had all been diagnosed with a condition called metabolic syndrome that increased their risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Over the two months of the study, the participants also exercised and followed healthy diets. By the end, they had lost weight and slimmed down. The scientists were hopeful that curcumin could be used to help people control their weight.

10. Spices Have Health Benefits

Spices, in general, are often good for people. They don’t contain sugar or salt and can be used to replace both. Sugar has calories but no nutrients and salt can cause bloating by making the body retain water. While some spices contain compounds that increase metabolism, others can make people feel full longer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG-G9_LOkLA

Science Explains How Much Vitamin D You Need to Be Healthy

November 30, 2018 by Power of Positivity

Despite being one the most readily available nutrients, vitamin D ranks as one of the highest in terms deficiencies around the world. Although vitamin D can be absorbed naturally from sunlight, some regions are not exposed to enough sunlight for people to get the requisite amount of vitamin D they need for good health.

In fact, according to healthline.com, one of the fastest growing health information platforms in the U.S, more than 42 percent of Americans have a D vitamin deficiency. Why is this worth mentioning? Well, vitamin D is essential for healthy bones and a strong immune system. In this article, we will take a look at the two variants of this particular vitamin as well as how much is needed for optimal health.

HOW DOES D VITAMIN WORK IN THE BODY?

It should be noted that vitamin D is actually a group of fat-soluble secosteroids, responsible for increasing the body’s ability to absorb an array of minerals, including magnesium, calcium, phosphate, and many more. These fat-soluble secosteroids are referred to as vitamin D2 and D3. Vitamin D2 can be found naturally in certain mushrooms while vitamin D3 is found in egg yolks and certain oil fish. Those who don’t receive the necessary amounts of vitamin D2 and D3 through food consumption, typically receive the remainder from sunlight. Large amounts of this vitamin can be absorbed through the skin when it is exposed to the sunlight’s ultraviolet rays with any excess being store away in body fat.

WHAT HAPPENS IF HAVE A VITAMIN D2 OR D3 DEFICIENCY?

The effects of being low in vitamin D2 or D3 has a lot to do with age; for example, adults who are deficient in D2 or D3 may start to experience vision problems, fatigue, sudden weight gain, and decreased bones density, which increases the risk of possible fractures. In younger children, these deficiencies could stunt their growth and may also cause rickets and osteomalacia (softened bones). Across all ages, however, deficiencies in vitamin D2 and D3 have been linked to various forms of cancer, high blood pressure, and thyroid problems.

HOW MUCH VITAMIN D2 AND D3 IS NECESSARY?

The necessary amount of vitamin D can vary from person to person, often coming down to age, sun exposure, and race. Regardless of these factors, there is one thing that is salient across all demographics, every cell in the human body has a receptor for these vitamins, and these receptors help to fight off diseases and improve health in one way or another. Having said that, the daily intake of vitamins D2 and D3 should be 400–800 IU (10–20 micrograms) for adults.

If we look at these requirements from a blood level standpoint, however, 400–800 IU (10–20 micrograms) may not be sufficient. Studies have shown that those with blood levels above 20 ng/ml needed a daily intake of 1120–1680 IU to satisfy their vitamin D2/D3 requirements. For those who are overweight, the daily intake is even higher. If all of this sounds confusing, you can take solace in knowing that the optimal intake for most people, regardless of weight and other extenuating factors, is 1000–4000 IU (25–100 micrograms).

IS THERE AN OPTIMAL BLOOD LEVEL FOR VITAMIN D?

To determine an optimal blood level for vitamin D, we have to first understand how blood levels are measured. Blood levels are determined based on a measurement of 25(OH) D in the blood, which denotes the amount of vitamin D stored in the body at any given time. The Institute of Medicine has determined the following as it pertains to optimal blood levels for vitamin D2/D3:

Deficient: 25(OH)D less than 12 ng/ml
Sufficient: 25(OH)D greater than 20 ng/ml
Insufficient: 25(OH)D less than 20 ng/ml

Obviously, this is a lot of information to take it, but what you can distill from all of this data is that 20 ng/ml is considered optimal for most people. Having said that, there is no data available to support that blood levels over 20 ng/ml would provide additional health benefits.

WHY YOU SHOULD TAKE VITAMIN D2/D3 SUPPLEMENTS

One the biggest misconceptions about vitamin D2/D3 is that you get your complete daily requirement by simply frolicking in sunlight. While you can absorb vitamin D2/D3 from sunlight, there is a good chance that you won’t be able to get your recommended intake, especially if you live in a region where sunlight is limited. Also, for those with darker skin, vitamin D2/D3 is not easily absorbed. For this reason, it would be a good idea to take supplements and to eat foods that contain these vitamins like salmon, egg yolks, and milk.

If you are fair skinned and live in a region where sunshine is abundant, sun exposure may be all you need. Studies have shown that fair-skinned individuals who sunbathed for 5 to 20 minutes while the sun is at its strongest were able to receive their recommended dose of vitamin D2/D3. The take away here is that you’re more likely to get the recommended intake of these essential vitamins during the summer and if you’re fair-skinned. What about during the winter, you ask? Well, to get your vitamin D benefits during the winter you’ll have to rely on food sources and supplement as these will be your only options.

Here are a few important points worth noting on sun exposure and vitamin D2/D3:

More than 70 countries around the world don’t receive enough sunlight to make receiving vitamin D2/D3 naturally feasible.
Clothing, weather, weight, genetics, and sunscreen can all impede your ability to absorb vitamin D2/D3.
In certain countries, the sun is only strong enough to receive vitamin D2/D3 between October and March.

Basically, when it comes to sun exposure, geographic location and season will dictate who will benefit the most from the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

IS THERE SUCH A THING AS TOO MUCH VITAMIN D2/D3?

With so much emphasis being placed on getting the recommended dose of vitamins D2 and D3, you’re probably wondering if it is possible to overdose on this needed vitamin. If so, the answer is yes and no. While the likelihood of overdosing is possible, it is very rare. An individual would have to take an abundance of vitamin D2/D3 supplements in order to reach the point of overdose/toxicity.

Basically, a high volume of calcium and phosphates will need to be present in the bloodstream, your parathyroid hormone levels will need to be extremely low, and higher dose must be taken for more than a month. To help put this into context, a study published by the Jackson Sun, found that those who took vitamin D2/D3 supplements in excess of 20,000 IUs per day for more than a month were at no risk of overdose/toxicity. Obviously, they didn’t gain anything any additional vitamin D benefits in the process, but they didn’t suffer any ill-effects either.

IN CONCLUSION

All in all, vitamin D benefits the body in a variety of ways; however, not getting your recommended dose can lead to a number of problems. That said, many people around the world are deficient when comes to this particular vitamin. If you fall into this category, you’ll be happy to know that remediation is not only easy but also cost-effective. Vitamin D benefits can be derived from many foods, and the cost of supplements don’t have to break the bank. That aside, here are a few important points worth reiterating:

If you live in a place where you’re fortunate enough to have access to strong sunlight all year-round like countries closer to the equator, for example, you should make it a point to get your recommended dose of vitamins D2/D3.
If sun exposure is not an option for you, consider taking supplements or eating foods rich in vitamins D2/D3. Of course, keep in mind that you should be aiming for 1000–4000 IUs (25–100 micrograms) per day.
The only way to gain vitamin D benefits is to get your recommended daily dose, but if you’re not sure what you’re dosage should be, you will have to make arrangement to have your blood levels accurately In measured.

The information contained in this article is intended to provide general information on the topic of vitamin D2/D3. This article should not be used in place of information provided by a licensed physician. For more information on vitamin D2/D3, you’re encouraged to click on the links provided throughout this article and to speak with your doctor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BNGVmwxoHI

5 Things That Make Your Brain Age Faster, According to Science

November 30, 2018 by Power of Positivity

While aging is an inevitable part of life, we try, as much as possible, to hide the signs of growing old. When the first strand of white hair appears or when skin starts getting wrinkly, it’s natural to be concerned about finding solutions to slow down these markers of aging. But have you ever wondered about the habits that could make your brain age faster? Have you thought about the health of your brain now that you feel age creeping in?

This must have happened to you a couple of times before: you enter a room in your house but you can’t remember why you went there. Or you’re having an animated conversation with a friend about a movie and your mind pauses to recall the name of an actor. Memory lapses are inevitably part of growing older, but you can still do some things to help slow down the aging of your brain.

So let’s find out some things that make your brain age faster. Thankfully, we also have some suggestions on what to do so that you can prevent it from worsening.

5 Things That Make Your Brain Age Faster, According To Science

“If your brain is predicted to be older than your real age, that reflects something negative may be happening.” – James Cole

1. You’re not doing physical activities

Do you like to veg out on the couch and watch TV rather than do exercises? Do you live a sedentary lifestyle and prefer sitting to doing anything physical? A study in the journal PLOS One revealed that sitting long hours can be bad for your brain as much as it is harmful to your body’s health. Apparently, the composition and functions in your brain greatly benefit from your physical fitness routines.

Experts learned that people whose main activity in life is sitting tend to have a thinner medial temporal lobe.
This part of the brain has to do with memory function and cognitive performance.
For this reason, you’re more at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease as you age if you don’t exercise.

Another study found in the journal Neurology showed a similar correlation to physical fitness and the brain. Women who were more inclined to do cardiovascular exercises regularly reduced their risk of dementia by as much as 88 percent compared to women who spent more time on the couch. Symptoms of dementia in women who had high cardio fitness routines were also delayed by at least 11 years compared to the ladies with a sedentary lifestyle.

Regions in the brain may also shrink without physical activities.
Your brain ages faster because the shrinkage can trigger a decrease in the blood flow and connection between the neurons.
Your brain is more susceptible to inflammation because it’s not getting the proper nutrients.
Without proper nutrition, you can develop chronic diseases, including depression or addiction.

2. You indulge in eating junk or processed food and have bad vices

Junk Food and Making Your Brain Age

You already know that junk or processed food do not contain positive and nutritious benefits. Doctors have been saying for many years that eating these foods can lead to health problems like high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

Well, if it’s bad for your body, then it’s also bad for your brain. Experts said in the Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association that if people followed the MIND diet or the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay diet, then they can reduce the chance of developing brain diseases by 53 percent.

The MIND diet is a combination of the famous Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension). It consists of eating mainly 10 types of heart-protecting and brain-boosting foods, such as:

Green and leafy vegetables
Other vegetables
Berries
Nuts
Fish
Beans
Poultry
Whole grains
Wine
Olive oil

When you’re on the MIND diet you also need to avoid eating red meat, foods with high-fat content, cheese, friend and fast food, as well as sweets and pastries. These foods can trigger inflammation that can increase health risks and speed up the aging of your brain.

Other Vices and the Brain

Meanwhile, bad vices like drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes or pot (marijuana) can also contribute to the faster aging of your brain, according to experts in a large-scale study at Johns Hopkins University. While looking at 62,000 brain scans of subjects from the ages of nine months to 105 years old, the experts determined that brain age acceleration was more evident in people who suffered from alcohol abuse and cannabis use. They also saw markers of brain aging in folks with serious mental health conditions.

Moderate to heavy drinking may also affect the function of the hippocampus by 40 percent, according to Rutgers experts. This part of the brain is responsible for learning and memory.

Additionally, if you’re still smoking, it might be time to consider quitting the vice. Experts from the University of California San Francisco said you’ll double your risk for Alzheimer’s disease if you keep inhaling tobacco.

3. You don’t do mind-challenging activities

Experts on a study published in the Alzheimer’s & Dementia Translational Research & Clinical Interventions discovered that doing crossword puzzles and other brain games will boost the defense of your brain against dementia by 29 percent. Apparently, these activities help you retain the processing speed in your brain, which naturally declines due to aging.

In your younger years as a student, you spent a lot of time studying to prepare for tests. However, since you no longer do these as you got older, your brain does not get enough mental exercises.

Australian experts in a study on PLOS Medicine cited that challenging your mind using computerized cognitive games found in gadgets or devices may not be as effective as doing real-world activities. So, apart from doing crossword puzzles, you may also try to do the following to challenge your brain:

· Learn to play a musical instrument

The brain gets stimulated when facing something new or complex to learn. You also experience a similar impact if you learn a new skill or a new language.

· Do computations in your head

Try not to use a pen and paper or your phone’s calculator if you need to compute. Instead, try doing the math in your head as you walk to challenge your mind even more.

· Test yourself

Memorize what’s on your grocery list a few hours before you go to the supermarket. Before you head out of your house, see if you can recall the items on the list without looking at it first. It will make for a fun exercise and stimulate your brain well.

4. You don’t socialize enough

When was the last time you’ve met with old friends just to catch up? How often do you go out, join social activities, and spend time around other people? If you’ve been isolating yourself and limiting your social connections, you’re also making your brain age faster.

A study from the Journal of International Neuropsychology Society showed that people who regularly see their friends and family are 70 percent less at risk of cognitive decline than those who are less sociable in old age.

Apparently, making those human connections helps your brain deal with and process the emotional stress and challenges of life.
If you have a healthy social support system, you won’t feel isolated and lonely.
If you lack socialization, you raise your risk of developing depression, dementia, and other chronic diseases.

Another study in the American Journal of Public Health proved that having friends to do fun things with on a regular basis can benefit your life. You don’t just lower your dementia risks by 26 percent or improve your cognitive functions; you also lessen your risks for early mortality.

Now, you don’t have to go out with your friends every single day. However, make an effort to talk to other people in person, on the phone, or through social media messengers throughout the day. For the sake of your health and well-being, as well as to help your brain age more slowly, don’t let those connections slip from your life.

5. You don’t seek a proper rest and relaxation time

Here’s why it’s important to treat yourself to a vacation or me-time when needed. When you’re so stressed from work and other responsibilities and you deprive yourself of relaxing activities, it is not just your body that weakens but also your brain. According to the experts at the University of Toronto:

The more you don’t take the time to relax, the more anxious you become.
Eventually, your sanity gives in, which can lead to a mild anxiety or a nervous breakdown.
People with anxiety may start experiencing memory problems.
When left unchecked and uncared for, continuing stress and anxiety can put anyone at greater risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
Along with relaxation, you also need to work on getting solid sleep hours night after night.
When you are sleep deprived, your brain can’t recuperate and recharge properly, so it ages faster.

According to a study on Oxford Academic, brain aging is evident among adults above 55 years old who do not get enough sleep. The experts looked into the brain scans of 150,000 adults in Asia and determined that the brain is at its optimum condition for those who get at least seven hours of sleep a night.

Final Thoughts On Things That Make Your Brain Age Faster

In many ways, experts are still finding out new things about how the brain works. Essentially, your brain is biologically wired to shrink as you get older. The nerve cells will also start to lose connections and functions (so you will likely still have those occasional memory lapses). But if you keep a healthy diet and a physically fit lifestyle, then you can better enjoy the positive aspects of aging. Also, stay away from stress as you make an effort to balance your times of work and leisure.

It goes without saying that as much as you try to keep other organs in your body healthy, you also have to prioritize your brain’s health. This way, even if you experience some age-related changes, you can still carry on with many of the activities you have always enjoyed.

The biggest key in ensuring your brain’s health is to keep engaging it with various physical, mental, and social activities. Keeping your brain busy enables you to function better and lowers your chances of developing diseases and impairing your health.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BNGVmwxoHI

Researchers Reveal How Garlic Kills Brain Cancer Cells

November 28, 2018 by Power of Positivity

What is brain cancer?

Brain cancer is a disease characterized by the presence of malignant (cancerous) cells in the brain tissue. Cancer cells usually impact bodily and cognitive functions, including muscle control, memory, respiration, and others.

Tumors made up of cancerous cells are called malignant tumors. Non-cancerous tumors are called benign tumors. Malignant tumors effectively subdue healthy cells, taking their blood, nutrients, and space in the body.

Brain cancer, while serious, is quite rare. Studies estimate that the illness accounts for less than 1.5 percent of all new cancer cases. Per the National Cancer Institute, there are approximately 23,770 new cases and 16,050 deaths from brain cancer each year.

Brain cancer “grades”

Brain tumors are assigned a ‘grade’ (I through IV, or 1-4) denoting their microscopic appearance and level of severity. Grades are as follows:

I: Benign cell tissue; cells grow slowly and look nearly identical to normal brain cells.

II: Malignant cells; cells appear more different than usual in comparison to grade I cells.

III: Malignant cells look quite different compared to normal brain cells (‘anaplastic’). They spread to malignant cells faster than grade I and II.

IV: Malignant cells appear highly anaplastic. Cells grow quickly.(1)

Benign cells grow at a slower rate than malignant cells; however, benign cells located in vulnerable areas may be life-threatening and still require treatment. Some malignant tumors – though not all – respond promisingly to treatment (more on this later).

Brain cancer types and stages

Brain cancer types receive classification according to the originating area. For example, “brain stem cancer” tends to develop around the medulla oblongata, pons, and midbrain near the spinal cord. Primary types of brain cancer include glioblastoma, glioma, meningioma, medulloblastoma, pituitary adenoma, and vestibular schwannoma.

Metastatic brain tumors originate in other areas of the body, such as the lung or lymphatic system. They are formed by cells that spread (metastasize) from other organs or areas of the body. Metastatic brain cancers are more common than the primary types listed above. (2)

What causes brain cancer?

As mentioned, primary brain cancer originates in the neurological regions of the body. More specifically, brain tumors arise from multiple kinds of brain tissue, e.g. astrocytes and glial cells. Metastatic tumors form from cancerous cells that spread (metastasize) from other areas of the body.

Despite this knowledge, as with nearly every other type of cancer, scientists can’t pinpoint the catalysts of brain cancer. Scientific data do show that certain demographics are more at risk for developing brain cancer than others.

The following factors may increase the risk of someone developing brain cancer:

Age:

Children and older adults (ages 55 and up) develop brain tumors more than middle-aged adults and teenagers. However, anyone of any age can get a brain tumor.

Exposure:

There is scant evidence, but there could be a possible link between increased risk of cancer and exposure to some substances, such as solvents, pesticides, and rubber.

Gender:

Men are more likely than women to develop a brain tumor, but women are more prone to meningioma.

Genetics:

It’s estimated that around 5 percent of brain tumors are attributable to a family history of conditions, including neurofibromatosis, nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, Turcot syndrome, and von-Hippel-Lindau disease.

Race and ethnicity:

White adults are at a higher risk of developing brain tumors than adults of other races, sans certain types such as meningioma. Some of the ethnic differences in risk are striking; for example, northern Europeans are twice as likely to develop a brain tumor as the Japanese.

Radiation:

Exposure to ionizing radiation in a clinical setting (such as via x-rays) is a risk factor for developing brain cancer.

Trauma:

Studies show a link between head trauma and meningioma. Predisposition to seizures also appears to be a risk factor for brain cancer.

Viruses:

The Epstein-Barr virus, typically associated with causing mononucleosis (mono), is now thought to be a risk factor for CNS lymphoma. High concentrations of cytomegalovirus (CMV) have been discovered in brain tumor tissue. However, scientists caution that more research is needed concerning the potential link between virus exposure and the development of brain cancer. (3)

Is garlic the answer?

“Researchers generally agree that garlic, used for thousands of years to treat human disease, can reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancers.” – Cell Press (4)

(Note: While there indeed appears to be some potential benefits, it is necessary to conduct individual research prior to deciding on any treatment option.)

Researchers have been saying for years that garlic serves as a potent antidote to certain types of cancer. Besides allegedly neutralizing certain types of brain cancer, garlic has been found to reduce the risk cancers of the breast, colon, esophagus, pancreas, and stomach.

Scientists believe that the compound Allium sativum, or allicin, gives garlic it’s potent medicinal properties. Per a study published in the journal Vitro Pharmacology, allicin has potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antibacterial characteristics. Researchers in the study also note the inhibitory effect of allicin on the brain membrane proteins, aquaporins, which play a critical function in the development of brain cancer. It was this inhibitory action on aquaporins which led to scientists to conclude that “allicin can be a potent target specific treatment for brain cancers.” (5)

A possible breakthrough

In one study, researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) discovered that yet another a compound in garlic – diallyl trisulfide (DATS) – is a potential weapon against glioblastoma. Glioblastoma is the most aggressive type of brain cancer, with a life expectancy of just around 14 months.

The MUSC study, published in 2013 by the Journal of Neuro-Oncology is perhaps the one that makes the best case for the development of drugs with garlic compounds. In the lab, the DATS compound was found to reduce the size of glioblastoma tumor cells by 60 to 74 percent. Currently, the most effective drug used in the treatment of brain tumors, Avastin, produces a response rate of half that: just 30 to 40 percent.

Dr. Arabinda Das, lead author of the study, says of these findings “When you get a response that cuts the tumor down by that sort of percentage, I can’t stress how exciting it would be if that would translate to a clinical truth. (The study) showed the efficacy, and it was quite stunning.”

The DATS compound developed by Dr. Das is thought to work by obstructing the pathways used by a large portion of tumor cells to proliferate. Glioblastoma cells are the most aggressive type of cancerous cells precisely because of the multiple channels they use to invade healthy tissues of the brain. “In a nutshell, (glioblastoma cells) have a lot of strategies … to evade the body’s immune defense treatments, evade the treatments that we may give, and most importantly, develop a resistance to the treatments that we give,” says Dr. Pierre Giglio, a neuro-oncologist at MUSC and co-author of the study. (6)

Final Thoughts on How Garlic Kills Brain Cancer Cells

“Protective effects from garlic may arise from its antibacterial properties or from its ability to block the formation of cancer-causing substances, halt the activation of cancer-causing substances, enhance DNA repair, reduce cell proliferation, or induce cell death.” – The National Cancer Institute (source)

While researchers continue to study the anticancer benefits of garlic further, we could still begin taking garlic as a preventative measure. Even the National Cancer Institute (not an institution that particularly cares for alternative-type treatments) admits that garlic likely helps to prevent cancer. (See the above quotation.)

Despite the numerous studies on garlic and the prevention of cancer, we are likely at least a few years away from a consumable anti-cancer product of the sort. The simple reason is that what sometimes works in the lab – a precision-controlled environment with fixed conditions – doesn’t necessarily manifest in clinical settings. That said, preliminary research appears very promising.

Of course, you don’t have to – nor should you – postpone taking garlic to realize its many benefits! Simply chop up a garlic clove into a few pieces and down them with some water (or other drink.) It is important to note that raw garlic can (albeit rarely) produce side effects such as bad breath, a burning sensation in the mouth or stomach, body odor, diarrhea, gas, heartburn, nausea, or vomiting. (7)

While raw garlic is probably the most effective form of garlic, you may also choose to cook and serve them with a dish. Also, there are many high-quality garlic supplements on the market. Just make certain to do your proper research. As always, consult with your healthcare provider if you are taking any prescription medication, or if you are receiving treatment for a diagnosed medical condition.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojreJ3cdZqI

References:
https://www.medicinenet.com/brain_cancer/article.htm#what_are_grades_of_brain_cancer
https://www.medicinenet.com/brain_cancer/article.htm#what_causes_brain_cancer
https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/brain-tumor/risk-factors
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/04/180426130048.htm
http://pharmacology.imedpub.com/garlic-treatment-to-brain-cancer-an-insilico-evaluation-to-explore-the-therapeutic-efficacy-of-allicin-by-inhibition-of-brain-aqua.php?aid=19879
http://academicdepartments.musc.edu/newscenter/2013/garlic.html#.W_anBugzZEY
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-300/garlic

8 Signs You Have A Collagen Deficiency

November 28, 2018 by Power of Positivity

What is collagen? And signs you may have a collagen deficiency.

Collagen, the body’s main structural protein, makes up 25 to 35 percent of protein in humans and all other mammals. As a protein, collagen is made up of the amino acids arginine, glycine, hydroxyproline, and proline. The amino acids are comprised of the elements carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. (1)

Collagen is produced by fibroblasts, biological cells that help to form the structure of animal tissues. Fibroblasts, the most common type of connective tissue cells, also play a role in the healing of wounds. (2)

Found primarily in connective tissue (e.g., skin), collagen is also present in fibrous tissues of ligaments, muscles, tendons. The tissues making up the blood vessels, bladder, digestive tract, heart, kidneys, and gallbladder contain collagen. The hair and nails are mostly collagen.

In total, there are five types of collagen:

I: bone, organs, skin, tendon, vascular (type I makes up over 90% of body’s total collagen.)
II: cartilage (flexible tissue found in the larynx and parts of the respiratory tract, joints, and ear.)
III: reticulate (‘reticular fibers’)
IV: basal lamina (cellular entanglement which supports the epithelium, one of the four types of animal tissue.)
V: cellular surfaces, hair follicles, and placenta (2)

Here are some interesting facts about this protein:

Some collagen fibrils (thin, elongated arrangements of collagen molecules) are stronger than steel.
Because of factors such as age, smoking, and UV light exposure, collagen levels decline in the body.
Collagen dressings, derived from bovine, equine, and porcine sources, can be placed onto wounds (e.g., burns, cuts, lesions, etc.) to assist with healing.
Cosmetic products such as lotions that claim to boost collagen production are often misleading. Collagen molecules are difficult for the skin – and therefore the body – to absorb. (3)

What does collagen do?

The most important job of collagen is to act as a sort of “glue” holding the body together. Collagen in the skin, for example, gives it elasticity (“stretchiness”) to accommodate for changes to the internal or external environment. Besides giving skin its flexibility, collagen protects us by preventing the absorption of bacteria, pathogens, and toxins.

Most collagen is in the extracellular matrix, macromolecules that form the scaffold of cells. These matrixes are primary building and supporting blocks of tissue. The reasons for depletions of collagen in the body includes factors such as aging, post-menopause, smoking, and prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light.

There are two primary uses for collagen: cosmetic and medical. As our body can break down, convert, absorb, and re-absorb collagen, manufactured sources of collagen exist. Here are a few ways in which collagen is used:

Guided tissue regeneration:

As collagen barriers block the growth of gum tissue in the areas surrounding the tooth’s root, cells can successfully regenerate. In such cases, surgeons may use synthesized collagen membranes to expedite and improve treatment outcomes for conditions such as a gingival recession.

Skin filling:

Injections of manufactured collagen may help enhance the natural contours of the skin by filling in areas of collagen depletion. Collagen injections reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, for example.

Wound healing:

As mentioned, collagen can assist with the healing of wounds. Collagen dressings help to heal:

Granulating or rotting wounds
Necrosis (cell injury resulting in premature cellular death.)
Second-degree burns
Wounds that don’t respond to alternative treatments
Wounds that excrete bodily fluids (3)

Collagen vascular disease

Besides natural and lifestyle factors, certain diseases may cause collagen depletion and, hence, deficiency. Collagen vascular disease applies to a group of diseases known to cause damage to the connective tissue. Collagen vascular diseases may target the blood vessels, joints, skin, or other vital organs.

Collagen vascular diseases are categorized into autoimmune and hereditary diseases. Autoimmune collagen vascular diseases are those that damage the immune system, causing it to turn the body on itself.

Collagen diseases include:

Lupus:

The most common type of lupus, systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is a chronic disease that affects at least 1.5 million Americans. Symptoms of SLE include anemia, blood clot, headaches, joint pain and swelling, hair loss, severe fatigue, a rash of the cheek and nose (“butterfly rash”), and “Reynaud’s phenomenon” – the bluing and tingling of the fingers when exposed to cold temperatures. (4)

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA):

RA is an autoimmune disease characterized by joint damage and joint pain occurring on both sides of the body. A chronic disease, the often erratic symptoms of RA include exacerbating issues known as “flares.” Other symptoms of RA include joint stiffness and loss of mobility. (5)

Systematic sclerosis (SS):

SS, an autoimmune disease, occurs when the immune system attacks healthy body tissue. Symptoms of SS include changes to skin appearance and texture, constipation, diarrhea, hair loss, joint pain, dry cough, visible narrowing of blood vessels, and white lumps under the skin (calcium deposits). (6)

Temporal arteritis:

As the name implies, temporal arteritis (not “arthritis”) is a condition defined by changes – namely, damage and inflammation – to the arteries around the temples. Symptoms of temporal arteritis include double vision, fever, fatigue, hip pain and stiffness, loss of vision in one eye, jaw pain, loss of appetite, shoulder pain and stiffness, sudden weight loss, and severe headaches around the temples. (7)

Signs of collagen deficiency

Now that we’ve discussed what collagen is, it’s functions, and conditions that may cause collagen depletion, here are eight sights of collagen deficiency:

1. Hollowing of eyes and face

When you look at a child, one thing that you may notice is the fullness of their face and smooth skin. Aging causes this natural, glowing look to fade. Aging, of course, if one of the primary causes of collagen loss.

As a result of collagen deficiency, you may notice that the area under your eyes appears hollower and darker. Your cheeks may begin to thin.

2. Joint pain

Cartilage, the buoyant, rubber-like tissue that covers the ends of long bones at the joints, is made up of a lot of collagen. Collagen loss in these areas results in more bone-on-bone movement, which can cause joint pain. Aside from causing discomfort around the joints, collagen depletion may inhibit motion – including movement of the ligaments and tendons.

3. Leaky gut

As mentioned, collagen can be found nearly everywhere in the body, including in the stomach. It wasn’t until recently that collagen was discovered as a key substance in the gut’s lining. Diminution of collagen in the gut may lead to intestinal permeability or “leaky gut syndrome.” Symptoms of leaky gut include constipation, diarrhea, brain fog, fatigue, nutrient deficiencies, and an impaired immune system.

4. Loss of mobility

Collagen vascular diseases, particularly lupus and RA, can cause a loss of movement due to joint damage or stiffness leading to a loss of mobility. People with these diseases experience a compromised immune response, producing inflammation within the collagen surrounding the joints.

5. Muscle aches

Most of our body’s supply of collagen is in our connective tissue, which “connects” the ligaments and muscles to our skeletal system. As collagen depletes, these connections weaken, which can cause complications like muscle aches and pains.

6. Problems with blood flow

Collagen makes up the walls of blood vessels which, as collagen depletes, are less able to regulate blood flow. Interruptions to blood flow may produce symptoms such as chest pain, dizziness, fatigue, and frequent headaches.

7. Cellulite

Cellulite occurs when the layer of fat underneath the skin pushes up on the connective tissue, creating a dimpled or lumpy appearance. Loss of collagen causes the skin to lose some of its elasticity, which may contribute to the development of cellulite.

8. Wrinkling

Of all things that collagen does, spawning of skin lines and wrinkles tops the list – and for a good reason. Collagen is responsible for giving skin its structure. As such, when there’s less collagen, the skin isn’t quite as firm. When the skin loses elasticity and firmness, wrinkles often result. (8, 9)

Final thoughts: Boost your collagen levels

While there may be no way to halt collagen loss completely, there are things that you can do to support your body’s production of collagen. Here are a few tips:

#1 Control the controllable: Smoking and UV exposure are two big reasons for collagen loss. Limit your exposure to harmful UV rays (read: wear sunscreen!) and quit smoking, if applicable. These two choices can greatly improve your skin health.

#2 Use aloe vera: Besides treating and healing cuts and wounds, Aloe Vera works to increase collagen production when applied as a topical lotion or gel. Studies show that oral supplements may help boost collagen production as well.

#3 Take ginseng: The numerous health benefits of ginseng include anti-aging. Ginseng contains antioxidants that protect cells and promote skin health. While more research would help, ginseng may encourage the growth of collagen and reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (10)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHeI3Y_CfMo

References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collagen
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fibroblast
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/262881.php
https://www.healthline.com/health/systemic-lupus-erythematosus
https://www.healthline.com/health/rheumatoid-arthritis
https://www.healthline.com/health/scleroderma#pictures
https://www.healthline.com/health/temporal-arteritis#symptoms
https://www.drkellyann.com/all-about-collagen/tell-body-needs-collagen/
https://www.nm.org/conditions-and-care-areas/dermatology/collagen-vascular-disease/symptoms

Weekly tips, affirmations, and small actions to feel your best.

Chemotherapy

Zinc deficiency

Prescription medication

An underlying medical condition

Poor oral health

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