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Efforts By Dentist Couple Toward Dental Health of Family

Summer time, means kids have lots of free time for junk food, snacks and the toothaches that they can cause. A whole family can get professional dental health care at a new address. A husband and wife who are both dentists own and run this professional practice. As dentists, the husband was in the US Army Dental Corps for six years while the wife became a dental hygienist. Both were stationed in Europe, and Cindy’s work encompassed her helping to initiate a public dental health program in the northern region of Europe, where they were based. You will gain a deeper understanding about <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackPageview', '/outgoing/article_exit_link']);” href=’http://www.cosmeticdentistglebe.com.au’>sydney dentist</a> by checking out that resource.  They provide general dentistry services, inclusive of cleaning, fillings, and root canals. The husband gives aesthetic fillings, cosmetic bonding techniques, full mouth reconstructive surgery as well. He believes in dental care that prevents the spread of dental diseases. Prevention and educating people on better dental care is the aim of modern dentistry. This creed is something we firmly believe to be true and spend a considerable amount of time to help our patients learn the basics of dental hygiene.  He recommends brushing after every meal, even snacks if possible. Damaged gums could be the result of brushing too hard. Cleaning is more effective with a soft tooth brush. When you have learned to floss, practice making it a habit. Many kinds of floss exist, including those with peppermint flavors. If you’re an adult, use a fluoride rinse and find out if your children need sealants for cavity prevention.  Quit smoking, he advises all smokers. If you are a non smoker, stay that way. It’s not a mystery for most that lung cancer is a result of smoking. There are not so many who know, though, that cancer of the mouth and throat develops also because of smoking. When you would like to get more information on <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackPageview', '/outgoing/article_exit_link']);” href=’http://www.cosmeticdentistglebe.com.au’>dental surgery sydney</a> check out this site.  When you find a sore on the lips, gums, or inside the mouth that just doesn’t seem to heal, then it could be a sign of oral cancer. To know if you may be suffering from oral cancer, look for indicators such as unexplainable mouth bleeding or swelling of the tongue and lips. Don’t delay as soon as you notice anything out of the ordinary in your mouth. Stop by your dentist’s office at the soonest possible time.  Finding out early on if a person has oral cancer would make successful treatment possible. Periodontal gum disease is another major problem that affects the tissues and bones surrounding and supporting teeth. Periodontal disease is a major reason for why adults experience tooth loss. About 75% of adults would, in the course of the lives, suffer a certain form of gum disease. Detectives can spot periodontal gum diseases by employing methods in periodontal examination, such as probing around the tooth and taking x rays.  If you brush your teeth, check for bleeding gums, which are one of the warning signs. Gums that are separated from the teeth or are red, swollen or tender. Another indicator would be infected areas between your teeth and gums. Gum disease warning signs also include loose teeth or changes in their position.

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Ingredients in Your Lipstick ? Is Your Health At Risk?

Lipstick ingredients in many cases are a noxious blend of petroleum based chemicals, many of which have not been thoroughly tested for safety. A number of these ingredients may cause allergic reactions or interfere with your body’s hormones. Some can even harm important body systems like your nervous system and immune system.

Who would have ever thought that the pretty colors that help you look beautiful can actually cause harm? The truth of the matter is that many of the ingredients that color your lipstick are derived from coal tar, which causes cancer. Now, these color ingredients may not themselves be known to cause cancer, but a great deal of them have not been adequately tested to determine if they’re safe.

Most of the color ingredients in your lipstick that give you an amazing number of shades to choose from are D&C and FD&C colors, i.e. artificial colors. However, the majority of the time, the D&C and FD&C are left off the label so you’ll see the color listed something like “Orange 5″ or “Blue 1 Lake.”

Why should this matter to you?

The FDA has approved D&C Colors for drugs and cosmetics but not for food. So they can’t be used in things you eat. Now, in spite of the fact that lipstick is a cosmetic and not a food, everyone who wears it eats it. Every time you lick your lips, you’re eating a little bit of lipstick. In fact, “in the June 2002 issue of Glamour magazine it was reported that women inadvertently ingest about 4 pounds of lipstick in their lifetime.”

The other artificial colors used in lipstick, FD&C Colors, have been approved by the FDA for food, drugs and cosmetics.

D&C and FD&C Colors are regulated by the FDA, but only in terms of the amount of the toxic metals, lead and arsenic, they contain. D&C Colors may not contain more than 20 ppm [parts per million] of lead and arsenic. FD&C Colors are limited to 10 ppm.

Lead and arsenic are poisonous. So, every time you lick your lips you may be getting a small dose of these noxious chemicals.

Tests done on a number of different lipstick brands in 2007 for the presence of lead found that in over half of the brands tested the level of lead was more than what’s allowed in candy. More recently, the FDA tested 22 brands of lipstick and found lead in every single one and at even higher levels than the 2007 study! Nevertheless, the FDA considers the lead detected in the lipstick tested to be harmless. However, considering that lead accumulates in your body, and even minute amounts of lead in lipstick can lead to harm, do you want to be adding lead to your body every time you lick your lips?

It’s important to note here that the certification of D&C and FD&C Colors does not address any other harmful effects these colors may have on your body. For example, neither the D&C nor FD&C Colors are checked to determine if they cause allergic reactions, are skin irritants, whether they’re toxic to your nervous system or reproductive system or even cause cancer.

In addition, a great deal of what you put on your skin is absorbed directly into your bloodstream. This fact is NOT taken into consideration in the standards for D&C Colors, which allow twice as much of the toxic lead and arsenic as the FD&C Colors.  

Avoid these D&C Colors commonly found in lipstick:

•    Orange 5
•    Orange 5 Lake  
•    Red 6
•    Red 6 Lake
•    Red 7 Lake
•    Red 21
•    Red 21 Lake
•    Red 27
•    Red 27 Lake
•    Red 30 Lake
•    Red 33 Lake

Stay away from these FD&C Color ingredients found in lipstick as well:

•    Blue 1 Lake
•    Yellow 5 Lake
•    Yellow 6 Lake

This is just a sampling of the kinds of color ingredients you may find in your lipstick. When you check the ingredients list on your lipstick, you may find other color ingredients that are not listed here, but should be avoided. For example, it’s best to pass up any lipsticks that contain any color ingredients with a number after it, or with a number and “lake.”

Also, there are other harmful ingredients in your lipstick besides colors. These include xenoestrogens or endocrine disruptors, which interfere with your hormones. Some common ones found in lipstick are parabens. Methylparaben and propylparaben are the ones most frequently found in lipstick.

Another kind of ingredient you want to pass up is the penetration enhancer. It causes more of the ingredients in your lipstick to be absorbed into your body. An example of a common penetration enhancer found in lipstick as well as other cosmetic products is propylene glycol.

By now, you’re probably wondering how you’re supposed to protect yourself.

Here’s a simple way to get started using healthier lipstick and cosmetic products:

Check the ingredients list for the chemicals listed above when you shop for lipstick as well as all your other cosmetic products. Then choose only those products that are free of these harmful ingredients. You may need a magnifying to read the tiny print. Do this and you’ll be off to a good start.

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Oriental Diagnosis – Find Out the State of your Health Before Illness Sets in

Oriental Diagnosis is not a therapy in itself but a way of recognising a weakened organ. Hopefully, before it causes problems. If you know an organ is getting weak, then you can do something about it BEFORE you get sick. This is a true form of Holistic medicine. Preventive, not reactive.

Oriental Diagnosis is a very old, non invasive form of diagnosis. It has been used for thousands of years in countries such as Japan and China.

The shape and marking on your nose for example will tell the practitioner what is happening in your heart, pancreas and stomach.

Your lips will inform him as to how much stagnation you have in your intestines.

The pimples/ markings on your chin or side of chin will indicate the health/ disease of your reproductive system.

But Oriental Diagnosis can be exercised on other parts of the body as well. For example the health of the heart, liver, kidneys, lungs, spleen etc.. is visible on the tongue.

The sclera in the eyes will also tell us what is happening in the liver, gallbladder, pancreas and spleen. Cysts or tumours in the reproductive system are sometimes noticeable on the sclera. Please note that this technique is different from iridology.

Meridians can also be used for diagnosis. Dis/colouration on certain parts of the body where the meridians run can give us a warning that something is going to happen in a specific organ. Testing specific meridian points can also inform us as to the congestion in certain organs.

The feet also have a story to tell as is powerfully demonstrated with Reflexology. All organs are mirrored in the feet (and the hands). Pressing on a specific part of the foot will either confirm or question what we previously found whilst diagnosing a person.

When combined together, all these diagnosing methods give us a very good idea of what is happening in a person’s body.

Why would somebody want to diagnose?

If you are told an organ is getting weak in advance, you can take remedial steps to strengthen this organ before it causes problems. Preventive medicine is always better than reactive medicine and much more gentle on the body.

A story:

In a training course, a student had no energy. An experienced Oriental Diagnosis practitioner could see from her facial features that her kidneys were tired and that her intestines were congested.

Oriental Diagnosis signs showed an excess of dairy and animal products. One day she looked particularly tired, the advice she was given by the practitioner was: “I think you better give up dairy product and animal food for a while, you look very tired”. At first, she was shocked that somebody could tell she loved dairy products and animal food just by looking at her face but as she was indeed feeling constantly tired, she followed the advice and eventually became grateful.

Within a few weeks, she looked much better and amazed other students on the course with the amount of energy she had regained. By recognising the problem before it turned to disease, she was able to change what she was doing wrong and regain health. This is what holistic medicine should be about!

Oriental Diagnosis will allow you to detect a forthcoming health problem before it manifests. Doing so may save the person a long illness. It may even save a life.

What can you do if you are told that one of your organ is weak?

The 3 main causes of disease are:

1- A bad diet high in animal food, dairy products, sugar, fast food, microwaved food, pre-prepared food, too many meals out etc… This also includes consumption of sugared, carbonated drinks, alcohol

2- Negative emotions, including stress (anything that worries you or prevents you from getting a good night sleep)

3- Environmental toxins in your home from products used on a daily basis such as your toothpaste with fluoride, your shampoo with SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulphate), your washing powder, dishwasher tablets etc.. and the pollution in your place of work with EMF from computers, routers, neon lights etc.. Plus of course pollution from factories, pesticides, exhaust fumes etc..

Basically, there is no quick fix to health and you must address all three causes with precision. Remember the words of Japanese philosopher and Macrobiotic Guru George Ohsawa: “There is no incurable disease, only incurable people”. An organ usually takes a long time to get weak and the only way to get it healthy again is by changing our life-style. But with proper advice and guidance, one may be able to recover health.

Having said all this, remember that in our free society health practitioners are not supposed to diagnose. Only doctors!

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Scientists discover how polyphenols in green tea may protect health of diabetics

This study suggests that loading plasma with EGCG is an efficient way to increase the content of this phytochemical in LDL, which may imply favorable in vivo activity of EGCG in diabetes,” the researchers wrote. They added that the green tea component seemed to possess a “rather specific and somewhat different degree of antiglycative action and lipoprotein-binding activity” than has been noted with other polyphenols. In other words, it may be a particularly powerful natural way to help prevent the harms associated with high blood sugar levels.For more information:
http://www.naturalnews.com/green_tea.html
http://clinical.diabetesjournals.org/content/21/4/186.full
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03088146 (Source: NaturalNews.com)

MedWorm Message: Register for MedMatcha, MedWorm’s medical advertising network, and receive $5 free advertising.

Source: MedWorm: Oral Cancer

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10 Steps To Good Digestion And Better Health

1. First thing you have to do is get all the bad foods out of your house. Get rid of the: sweets, candy, cakes, chips, soda etc. If you don’t have the temptations all over the house when you’re in a good mood, bad mood or bored to eat, it will make it a lot easier. If you have children and you let them indulge, then at least put all “junk food” in one location (in the pantry or a specific cabinet), don’t have it all over the house so it’s easy to have “slip ups”. Reduce: Meat, Dairy and Sugar.

2. Reminders and Triggers: As a reminder, make a sign and tape it to your refrigerator “Salad is the main dish” and /or “Reduce Meat, Dairy and Sugar”. Let’s reiterate about “Triggers”. Triggers are what you should be very aware of, it’s when you’re in a good mood, bad mood or just bored when you start putting food in your mouth. Trigger #1: When you have the thought or urge to go for some junk food, trigger this thought and tell yourself this: “I know this is bad for me”, or “Don’t do it”, try to do the “count to 5” trick but count to 60 instead. Trigger #2: Say you’ve had a “slip up”, you didn’t listen to Trigger #1, you drank a soda, a piece of cake, some chips etc. and you’re thinking to yourself and telling yourself you messed up and shouldn’t be eating this, stop where you are and say: “Stop, throw it away” and immediately throw it in the trash or down the disposal. Or “These chips will go to my hips” or “Once this junk food passes my lips it will stop at my hips”. You are going to slip up once in awhile, but when you do just get right back on the program.

3. Let plant food (phytonutrients) be the main dish. Try to eat ¾ – 1 pound of a combination of lettuce (Romaine – has excellent nutrients), spinach, broccoli, ice berg lettuce, etc. per day. Eat as much as you want.

4. Purchase a water filter.

5. Eat as much fruit as you want. (Eat a banana and an orange daily)

6. Eat beans, lentils and/or legumes daily ( ½ cup).

7. Nuts and seeds (raw: almonds, sunflower, pumpkin, sesame) (not more than ¼ cup daily)

8. Start out slowly. If you eat meat 3 meals a day, cut it down to one meal a day, or if you’re currently one meal a day, then cut it 3 meals per week. You’ll be surprised how easy it is. On your “Shopping list”, buy a few of the items initially and work more and more of them in gradually.

9. Portion the amount of food you’ll eat for lunch (or the day) and put it in a plastic sealable container. Put in a salad (dressing on the side), some fruit, nuts/seeds and take it with you wherever you go.

10. Print the “Daily Chart/Diary” page so you can keep track of foods you’re eating daily and make sure that most of them are in the alkaline group.

 

What counts towards 5 to 9 fruits and vegetables a day? All varieties of fruits and vegetables – fresh, frozen, canned and 100 percent juice. A serving size is smaller than many people think. The National Cancer Institute, co-sponsor of the 5 A Day for Better Health program, defines a serving as:

• One medium-sized fruit (ex. Apple, orange, banana, pear)

• 1/2 cup of raw, cooked, canned or frozen fruits or vegetables

• 3/4 cup (6 oz.) of 100 percent fruit or vegetable juice

• 1/2 cup cut-up fruit

• 1/2 cup cooked or canned legumes (beans and peas)

• 1 cup of raw, leafy vegetables (ex. Lettuce, spinach)

• 1/4 cup dried fruit (ex. Raisins, apricots, mango)

 

 

 

 

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The Best Supplements and Ingredients for Dog Joint Health

Joint supplements have become big business for pets.  And, it seems that every company is producing 3 – 4 different types of joint supplements with slightly different ingredients.  It is often hard to tell fact from fiction.  So, here are a list of some of the more proven supplements that have shown to help dogs with spine, hip, or joint issues:

Glucosamine – This is typically the number one recommended ingredient for a joint supplement in dogs and humans.  Glucosamine is naturally produced in your dog’s body from glucose and the Amino Acid, Glutamine (hence the name, “glucosamine”). It acts creates a cushion-like effect on the cartilage between the joints, allowing them to retain water so that they can absorb shock and withstand compression.  Glucosamine comes in two forms: HCL and Sulfate.  Both seem to work the same, but Sufate has more sodium content.

Chondroitin Sulfate – Chondroitin sulfate has been proven to assist by drawing nutrients into the cartilage. It also protects existing cartilage from premature degeneration by blocking “bad” enzymes that destroy cartilage.

Hyaluronic Acid - Glucosamine, Chondroitin and Hyaluronic Acid are all related molecules in the body.  While glucosamine and chondroitin are used in the repair and rebuilding of the tissue in the cartilage, hyaluronic Acid works on the joint fluid itself.

Manganese - Manganese is a mineral that enhances the effectiveness of both glucosamine and chondroitin sulfates and synthesizes the production of healthy cartilage. It also aids in the production of mucopolysaccharides, which are sugar molecules found often in fluid around the joints and are critical for maintaining healthy joints.

Perna Canaliculus (green lipped mussel) – contains natural anti-inflammatory agents and many essential building blocks needed to rebuild the necessary components in joints. It also is reported to reduce pain, and inflammation and improve joint mobility.

Methyl-sulfonylmethane (MSM) – MSM has been promoted as having powerful anti-inflammatory and pain reducing properties, blocking the pain perception in certain nerve fibers before the pain impulse reaches the brain.

Vitamin C – Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) mobilizes the body’s self-defense mechanisms to assist in overcoming disease. It is also a powerful antioxidant required to produce collagen, which is the main supportive protein in cartilage, tendon, and connective tissue.

Fatty Acids, such as Omega 3 & Omega 6 – Fatty Acids may reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure, as well as provide therapeutic effects in your dog for arthritis, lupus, inflammatory bowel disease, cancer therapy, kidney disorders

Yucca schidegera – this is a natural root reported to help elevate your pet’s ability to produce “natural” cortisone. Yucca is reported to help block the release of toxins from the intestines that inhibit the normal function of cartilage. It also has anti-inflammatory properties.

Boswellin - Studies indicate that Boswellic acids may open up collateral blood circulation to provide a more adequate blood supply to the joints. Boswellin also serves to reduce swelling and improve mobility where individuals experience stiffness in the joints.

Bromelain - Bromelain helps to inhibit pro-inflammatory compounds, which reduces pain and swelling.

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Lack Of Vitamins Can Be Bad For Your Health

Everyone knows that the human body needs a certain amount of vitamins and minerals everyday to function properly and remain healthy. A well balanced diet can supply your body with the vitamins it needs, although problems and disorders can arise if your diet doesn’t supply your body with the vitamins it needs. The symptoms of vitamin deficiency will normally present themselves when the lack of vitamins is at an advanced level.

Those who don’t get enough of vitamins A, B1, and B2 for example, will always feel tired, along with a loss of appetite. Other symptoms include mental and emotional stress, chapped lips, and other annoying or painful habits.  

The most common causes of deficiency include a poor diet, alcoholism, stress, a lack of vitamins, or medicine that interferes with your ingestion of vitamins. If you are always feeling tired or feeling a lack of energy, you are probably short on the vitamins that your body needs to have on a daily basis. If you visit your doctor and tell him the problem, he will probably recommend vitamins and supplements that will give you want you need. Whatever you do, you should never overdo it and try to catch up on what you’ve been missing – as this will do you more harm than good.

Even though you may be following a healthy diet, you’ll still need to take vitamins and supplements. No matter how healthy you eat, you should still use the right vitamins and supplements to give your body what it needs. Vitamins are a great back up source, as they will provide your body with the minerals and nutrients it needs in the event of your diet failing you.

Before or after every meal that you consume, you should take vitamins or supplements. If you have a deficiency in a certain vitamin or vitamins, you should make sure that you never miss taking the vitamin you need. Even though you may not realize it, being deficient in a vitamin can greatly damper your performance as well as the overall health of your body.

When you look for supplements, you should always look for those that contain vitamins B6, B12, D, E, and folic acid. Along with being considered dietary supplements, these well known vitamins will help to fight cancer and help your heart remain healthy. The combination of these vitamins will help your body to remain healthy, boost your immune system, and keep you feeling refreshed.

To remain healthy and keep your body operating as it should, you’ll need to invest in vitamins and supplements. You can find them online or at local nutrition stores, many of which won’t cost you much money at all. No matter what your age may be, you’ll need to ensure that you are eating the right foods and taking the right foods. Keep in mind that you should never replace food with vitamins, as they are more less meant to give you additional nutrients and minerals.  

Anytime you aren’t able to eat the right food, you should always turn to vitamin supplements to give your body what it needs. Supplements and vitamins are one of the best investments you can make, as everyone needs vitamins in their body. Even though the costs may add up over time, it is more than worth it when you think about. For what you spend in vitamins and supplements, you’ll be keeping your body healthy – and preventing a deficiency in vitamins. Although vitamin deficiency is very common these days, it doesn’t have to be.

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Smoking Effects: Protect Your Lungs And Your Health

According to PhysLink.com, when you inhale a cigarette the temperature in the middle of the tip of a cigarette goes from 1100 F. to 1300 degrees F. The tip or combustion zone of a cigarette or cigar produces carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Further back where it is a bit cooler you have the pyrolysis/distillation zone. The distillation zone is where the 5000 or so chemicals are produced and unleashed. As the super saturated vapor cools it is transformed into aerosol particles that form the smoke. Some of the smoke goes directly into your lungs the rest is dispersed as second hand smoke. The smoke that goes into your lungs and into your blood stream causes one set of problems, the smoke that surrounds your lips and wafts across your eyes and complexion causes other problems.

The problem with using disease as a scare tactic or motivator to quit smoking is people don’t think that way. They don’t walk around all day worrying about all the awful things that can happen. The cause and effect between smoking and disease is too far removed. The ravages of smoking build up, bit-by-bit, day-by-day, cigarette-by-cigarette, until the cumulative affect hits its mark. Almost all smoking related diseases are non-reversible. You may be able to arrest of stop the damage in some cases but often the results of smoking have done irreparable harm to your heart, throat, lungs, eyes, complexion, arteries and circulation. Many people think of cancer when they think of smoking related disease, the degenerative diseases associated with smoking take a subtle toll reducing mobility and quality of life.

Smoking is a time bomb with a variable length fuse; some smokers will live to be 100, while others will perish at 40. Smoking cigarettes is a game of Russian roulette, quicksand, landmines and trip wires because; you never know which cigarette or how many it is going to take to become ill. No one should smoke, but especially those who are predisposed by heredity, or preexisting conditions such as diabetes, circulatory problems, heart disease or elevated cholesterol. The risk factors associated with smoking have been known for years and have been reported by the U.S Surgeon General and others.

Smoking Related Disease and Risk Factors

Smoking harms nearly every major organ of the body, often in profound ways, causing many diseases and significantly diminishing the health of smokers in general. Toxins in cigarette smoke go everywhere the blood flows (1)

Cancer

Smoking causes the vast majority of lung cancers, along with cancers of the mouth, throat, larynx, esophagus, pancreas, kidney, bladder, stomach, and acute myeloid leukemia (1)

Cardiovascular Disease

Smoking is one of the major independent causes of coronary disease. Smoking causes atherosclerosis, strokes, and abdominal aortic aneurysm. It accelerates the progressive hardening and narrowing of the arteries. Cigarette smoke damages the cells lining the blood vessels and heart (1)

Respiratory Disease

More than 90% of emphysema deaths are caused by smoking. Smokers have more upper and lower respiratory tract infections and other respiratory diseases than nonsmokers.

When mothers smoke during pregnancy, it damages their infants’ developing lungs (1)

Reproductive Problems

Smoking harms every phase of reproduction

Smoking increases the risk of complications during pregnancy, it raises the risk of premature birth, low birth weight infants, stillbirth, and infant mortality

Infants exposed to secondhand smoke after birth have double the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS (1)

Eye Disease

Smoking is already a known risk factor for age-related macular degeneration, cataract and thyroid eye disease. Now, the first study to specifically examine the impact of smoking on uveitis-inflammation of the eye’s middle layer of tissue-indicates that tobacco smoke likely plays a role in this serious eye disease, as well. (2)

The Good News About Quitting and Reducing Risk:

In case you are thinking what’s the use you have smoked for too long, don’t give up, according to the American Cancer Society:

When smokers quit — What are the benefits over time?

20 minutes after quitting: Your heart rate and blood pressure drops.

(Mahmud A, Feely J. Effect of Smoking on Arterial Stiffness and Pulse Pressure Amplification. Hypertension. 2003;41:183.)

12 hours after quitting: The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.

(U.S. Surgeon General’s Report, 1988, p. 202)

2 weeks to 3 months after quitting: Your circulation improves and your lung function increases.

(U.S. Surgeon General’s Report, 1990, pp. 193, 194, 196, 285, 323)

1 to 9 months after quitting: Coughing and shortness of breath decrease; cilia (tiny hair-like structures that move mucus out of the lungs) regain normal function in the lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce the risk of infection.

(U.S. Surgeon General’s Report, 1990, pp. 285-287, 304)

1 year after quitting: The excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker’s.

(U.S. Surgeon General’s Report, 1990, p. vi)

5 years after quitting: Your stroke risk is reduced to that of a non-smoker 5 to 15 years after quitting.

(U.S. Surgeon General’s Report, 1990, p. vi)

10 years after quitting: The lung cancer death rate is about half that of a person who continues smoking. The risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, cervix, and pancreas decrease, too.

(U.S. Surgeon General’s Report, 1990, pp. vi, 131, 148, 152, 155, 164, 166)

15 years after quitting: The risk of coronary heart disease is the same as a non-smoker’s.

(U.S. Surgeon General’s Report, 1990, p. vi)

(1) The Health Consequences of Smoking: A Report of the Surgeon General, 2004

(2) American Academy of Opthalmology  (2010, March 18)

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VITAMIN D AND HEALTH: BONES AND BEYOND

Introduction

Vitamin D also called as vitamin D3 or ‘cholecalciferol’; is a fat-soluble vitamin. Human beings are dependent on the sun exposure to fulfill their needs of vitamin D. It is uv-B radiation that are being absorbed by 7-dehydrocholesterol present in the skin that aids in converting previtamin D3 to vitamin D3. Vitamin D is essential for the development of bones and also to enhance calcium and phosphorus uptake from the intestine. It assists in the oscillation of calcium ions between bone and blood. It is therefore vitamin D is essential component for all age groups; during infant to childhood stage it plays an essential role in bone development or else its deficiency results in bone deformation and rickets. In adults its deficiency results in softness of bone leading to osteomalacia. (Goldman, 2004).

Vitamin D3 once formed goes into circulation and is converted to 25 hydroxyvitamin D3 in liver, again released in circulation and subsequently converted to the active form of vitamin D, 1, 25- dihydroxyvitamin D3 in kidney. It is observed that Vitamin D deficiency remains unrecognized and therefore its insufficiency is taking a shape of epidemic among children and adults in United States.

Various research studies have been carried out throughout the world to conclude that vitamin D plays an imperative role not only for the bone health but also for various kinds of cancers, diseases related to heart, multiple sclerosis, in type I diabetes, also in various autoimmune diseases encompassing rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, maintenance of suitable blood concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (30 ng/ml) is very essential. As vitamin D is essential for enhancing intestinal calcium absorption, it’s appropriate level in the blood is also necessary for the formation of extrarenal 1?- hydroxylase which plays an imperative role in the formation of 1, 25- dihydroxyvitamin D3 (Holick, 2004).

Production and fate of Vitamin D

When an individual is exposed to sunlight previtamin D3 and also vitamin D3 forms photoproducts which are biologically inert. Vitamin D intake through diet or that formed in the skin with the help of sunlight come into the blood circulation, it reaches liver where it is metabolised to 25(OH)D3 by vitamin D 25-hydroxylase (25-OHase).  25(OH)D3 is again released in the circulation, it reaches kidney and get converted to 1,25(OH)2D3 in presence of enzyme 25(OH)D3 1 -hydroxylase (1-OHase). The renal production of active form of vitamin D is regulated by a variety of features encompassing serum phosphorus (Pi) and PTH. The active form of vitamin D (1,25(OH)2D) is now capable of managing the calcium metabolism. It is observed that the enzyme  25(OH)D 24-hydroxylase (24-OHase) enzyme which plays a crucial role in generating the active form of vitamin D, works on threshold mechanism to keep the check on the production of 1,25(OH)2D3 and if it is produced in higher quantity, the enzyme aids in the degradation of active vitamin D (Holick, 2004).

Further, it is also documented that 1,25(OH)2D can depress the activity of 1 -OHase, and the parathyroid hormone (PTH) can stimulate this activity. Many extrarenal tissues also express the 1 -OHase, these encompass tissues of bone osteoclasts, tissues of skin, macrophages, placenta, tissues of colon, tissues of brain, tissues of prostate, endothelial tissue, and glandular tissues of parathyroid. Extrarenal formation of 1,25(OH)2D3 might participate in the differentiation and proliferation of cell and also in immune response. Consequently, 1,25(OH)2D3  is essential for various physiological processes apart from its well-known function in calcium metabolism. In contrast to renal 1 -OHase, extrarenal 1 -OHase does not respond to stimulation by PTH. Furthermore, 1 -OHase may vary in expression with the physiologic state of a tissue as well as with disease progression (DeLuca, 2004).

Food incorporating Vitamin D

There are various resources of vitamin D, this encompass pure form of Cod liver oil, cooked form of Salmon, Mackerel, Tuna fish and Sardines canned in oil, sardines, margarine fortified, bran flakes, eggs, lamb liver. Fortified foods include milk and milk products especially cheese, orange juice and some breads and cereals (Vitamin D sources- Foods with Vitamin D).

As mentioned, the higher concentration of vitamin D influences the metabolic functions of the body, WHO has recommended intake dose of vitamin D by individuals belonging to different group. Up to the age of 50 years, during pregnancy and lactation the requirement is 200 IU/d, for the age group from 51-65 years it is 400 IU/D for the age of 65+ the requirement exceeds to 600 IU/d (Vitamin D sources- Foods with Vitamin D).

Considering the above data it is manifested that vitamin D is the most essential component for endorsing and preserving the health and vigor of bones as it directly affects the strength of bone in various skeletal and nonskeletal activities of the body encompassing cancers and depression (Lapp, 2009).

Symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency

Fall in plasma calcium and phosphate level, due to insufficient intestinal absorption, renders stimulation of  parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion to restore serum calcium and bone resorption.

Rickets

In children, the deficient calcification of osteoid tissues result in bony deformities like bow leg, enlarged skull, spinal curvature, chest deformities and hepatosplenomegaly- characteristic features of Rickets. The reason is lack of appropriate bone tissue mineralization, causing soft bones and skeletal deformities. At-risk children are on prolonged exclusive breast feeding without supplementation of vitamin D. Additional risk factors includes vigorous use of sunscreens, and infants placed in daycares, with chances of sun exposure is reduced. Rickets is more prevalent in the children from Asia, Africa and Middle East (Davidson, 2002).

Osteomalacia

In adults decalcification and demineralization of bone leads to osteomalacia which is characterized by bone tenderness with pain and loss of bone density.

This disease is characterized by the aches and pains specifically in the lower back and thighs. Later on, it spreads to the arms and the rib cage.  This pain does not radiate to other areas. It is accompanied by the local tenderness in bones. Another cardinal feature is the weakness of the proximal muscles. This represents as a difficulty in climbing up stairs and getting up from a squatting position.

Due to the deformation of bones, lordosis is a common representation. While walking, the patient shows a waddling gate. Pathological fractures due to weight gain may occur. Despite all these typical signs and symptoms, sometimes chronic fatigue may be the only representing sign (Eisman, 1988).

Osteoporosis

According to an estimate, about more than 25 million adults in United States alone are having or are at risk of developing this disease. This disease is most often associated with an inadequate calcium intake, therefore vitamin D is essential for reducing calcium absorption

Osteoporosis epitomizes reduction in mass of bone, also reduces microarchitectural framework of bone and thereby weakens the tissues of bone and amplifying the risk of fracture. The incidence of osteoporosis and fractures related with osteoporosis raise with age in both males and females, displaying a decline in bone mass with age.

Osteoporosis has emerged as a major health issue in developed nations. It is a condition that depicts frequent fractures, and is expected to influence more of females than males at some stage in their lives. As the age progresses bones become tender leading to osteoporosis in older adults, post menopausal women, non ambulatory individuals and individuals on chronic steroid therapy. The natural rhythm of the body allows a constant remodeling of the bones. In post menopausal women, this ratio is disturbed resulting in a greater amount of bone absorption rather than bone remodeling (Goldman, 2004).

Calcium and Vitamin D

Calcium 500- 1000 mg daily and vitamin D supplements 20µg daily have an established role in  deterrence of elderly fractures, irrespective of whether or not BMD (Bone Mineral Density) values are reduced. This treatment is effective in reducing the danger of fractures related to hip fractures or other kind of fractures in community-living patients. (Davidson, 2002).

Reasons displaying insufficiency of vitamin D

Elevated pervasiveness of lactose intolerance causing undesirable effects with consumption of mild and dairy foods especially in African Americans. Reduced ingestion of vitamin D- equipped food products, predominantly liquefied milk, milk products cereals, because of changing attitude towards health concern and fat intake. Poor intake of calcium rich food encompassing poor intake of milk especially by the young women of reproductive age group thereby reduced concentration of vitamin D and calcium. Augmentation in the use of sun block lotions along with the diminished exposure to sun to avert the chances of skin cancer is also one of the reasons of vitamin D insufficiency. Human milk is meager in vitamin D, in the present era there is enhanced predominance in the duration of breast- feeding ensuing insufficient intake of vitamin D. thus causing low circulation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations among women. Due to air pollution in industrial areas, the exposure to uv- radiation is reduced and also the poor dietary habits and availability of vitamin D equipped food makes the individual a victim of vitamin D deficiency. In rare cases impaired absorption, enhances body requirement of vitamin D, or enhanced excretion or stringent practice of vegetarianism leads to vitamin D deficiency. In some Arabian countries it is mandatory for women to long robes for religious purpose so their exposure to sun is reduced leading to insufficiency of vitamin D.

(Looker, 2002; Kreiter, 2000; Nesby-O’Dell, 2002).

Vitamin D and Bone Health (BMD, BMC, falls and fracture)

Vitamin D is responsible for forming and sustaining good health of bones by increasing absorption of calcium from intestine and depositing calcium in bones and maintains optimal BMD (Bone Mineral Density). Observation says that diminished absorption of calcium is related to vitamin D; thereby resulting in loss of bone or enhanced chances of osteoporosis (a situation depicting low BMD). Osteoporosis makes the bone fragile making the individual vulnerable to fractures (Cranney et al, 2007).

It is reported by Holick (2006) that vitamin D deficiency causes various bone related anomalies like osteopenia, osteoporosis apart from osteomalacia, resulting in further weakening of muscles and hence exacerbating the risk of falls and fractures. Under such conditions the recommended dose must be increased to 1000 IU/d.

Recommendations for reducing fracture risk with vitamin D and calcium based on clinical studies

            While giving the vitamin D supplements, mostly it is accompanied by calcium in order to obtain the desired results. According to a research study, it was concluded that the combined supplementation of both vitamin D3 and calcium in elderly patient aged 62-85yrs resulted in a decrease in the jeopardy of an individual’s falls, fractures, the bone loss within elderly population. The dose of vitamin D was given as 700-800 IU/day and calcium was given as 500-1200 IU/day.

It is now clearly understood the significance and pivotal role that vitamin D holds in retaining the good health of bone. A number of studies and surveys have been carried out, which strengthen this fact even more. Down here are discussed a few of such studies:

Skin Cancer and Vitamin D

People are now a-days much concerned about the sun exposure resulting in skin cancer. It is observed that chronic and extreme exposure to sunlight in childhood and early stages of life causing sunburns may culminate to increased risk for non-melanoma basal and squamous cell carcinomas (Veierod, 2003; Grodstein, 1995; Kennedy, 2003). Various research studies conclude that melanomas occur in the areas which are not exposed to sun indicating that the vitamin D3 is less synthesised; individuals apply sun protection creams which block UVB radiation responsible for the synthesis of vitamin D3 and the hence they may allow other sun radiations which may cause melanomas (Garland, 1993).

Noncalcemic Actions of Vitamin D

It is known that vitamin D3 interacts with nuclear receptor similar to steroid hormones. As soon as it enters the cell, it passes through the road map of microtubular network to the nucleus. In nucleus it binds with vitamin D receptor (VDR) and generates a complex to generate vitamin D responsive gene (Holick, 1999). 

VDR is present in many tissues of body like small and large intestine, osteoblasts, T and B lymphocytes, ?-islets cells, brain, heart, skin, gonads, prostate, breast and mononuclear cells (Holick, 1999). Studies shows that when 1,25(OH)2D3 if nurtured with leukemic cells of human and mice origin, arrest the propagation and encourage to form grown-up macrophages (Tanka et al, 1982).

1,25(OH)2D3 has come up with antipropagation action that has been proved through clinical trials in psoriasis management. 1,25(OH)2D3 when topically applied, induced a noteworthy progress in various diseases like plaque thickness, scaling and erythema (Holick, 1998). Therefore, this has become the foremost treatment in psoriasis.

1,25(OH)2D3 is playing an imperative role in providing stimulus to the production of insulin (Lee, 1994), inflecting the activation of both B and T lymphocyte (Tsoukas, 1984), direct effect on myocardial contractility (Weishaar, 1987), effect on prevention of inflammatory bowel disease (Cantorna, 2000) and stimulate secretion of TSH.

Deficiency of Vitamin D and its association with to occurrence of autoimmune disorders and cancer

It is observed through various research studies that people living in higher latitudes get less exposure to sun, culminating in vitamin D deficiency and hence accounts for higher incidence of breast cancer mortality rate in north Europe (Grant, 2002).

Vitamin D and Autoimmune Diseases

Data from many animal and human studies shows that vitamin D prevents development of type I diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, cancers of colon, breast and prostate, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis (Holick, 2004).

Vitamin D Supplementation

            The required amount of vitamin D is difficult to be met from food alone. In some at-risk groups it becomes necessary to give vitamin D-fortified food, or expose them to sunlight. Various at risk groups for vitamin D inadequacy include:

Breastfed infants:

The human milk provides vitamin D with the concentration of 25 IU/L insufficient for the baby. The results of a recent review revealed that a majority of cases of nutritional rickets were found among young African American breastfed infants. According to the recommendations by AAP it is advised that the partially and exclusively breastfed infants should be supplemented with a daily dosage of 400 IU.

People with limited sun exposure:

These include:

People exclusively bound to stay in homes Northern latitude inhabitants Women wearing long robes for religious purposes People with occupations preventing sun exposure

All such individuals must obtain the recommended daily supplemented dosage of vitamin D equivalent to 400 IU in order to prevent them from vitamin D deficiency diseases.

People with dark skin:

These individuals possess a larger amount melanin pigment. Having an excess of this pigment reduces the vitamin D generating ability of skin on sun exposure. It is also suggested in some studies that women of older age, with a darker skin relatively show higher possibility of developing deficiency of vitamin D. Yet, it is seen that the African Americans, possessing a darker skin, despite having a lower level of vitamin D than required, develop fewer osteoporotic fractures compared with the Caucasians (Eisman, 1988).

People with fat malabsorption:

Fat solubility of vitamin D demands a little fat in the diet to be absorbed well in the gut. Individuals having decreased vitamin D absorption capability need the its supplementation in order to meet its demands. Some of the diseases leading to fat malabsorption include:

Liver diseases Cystic fibrosis and Obese people:

            Obese people also come under at risk individual’s group for vitamin D inadequacy. This is thought to be true for people with a BMI > 30. As their obesity increases, the level of vitamin D in their body decreases. This is because of an increase in the body fat. The reason behind is greater amount of subcutaneous fat sequester more of the vitamin and affect its release in to the circulation. BMI is inversely related with the peak serum concentrations of vitamin D, thus sometimes even the oral supplementation in such individuals causes sequestration of the vitamin into the larger fat pools of the body.

People with gastric bypass surgery:

Such individuals are prone to develop a deficiency of vitamin D because part of upper small intestine, where vitamin D gets absorbed is bypassed. Thus, they also require the oral supplementation of vitamin D.

Older adults:

            Older adults come under the endangered groups in case of developing deficiency of vitamin D; because, with an increasing age, the skin loses its ability to synthesize vitamin D from sunlight. Also, there becomes a decreased ability to convert vitamin D in kidneys into live hormone.

Conclusion

Initially it was thought vitamin D is imperative only for preventing rickets in children or osteomalacia in adults or osteoporosis in elderly group or is responsible for bone health but now it is established fact that vitamin D is imperative for metabolic processes. Deficiency of vitamin D and reduced solar UVB exposure increases the risk of various widespread cancers or type I diabetes, various autoimmune disorders like multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis and schizophrenia. Various studies demonstrate that vitamin D has evolved as a vital and necessary hormone, which acts as a marker for the overall health and well being of an individual. It is therefore important to maintain normal vitamin D level of 75-125nmol/L. It is therefore mandatory that one must get the plasma levels of 25(OH)D checked and it should be part of routine checkups. 

References

Cantorna, MT, Munsick, C, Bemiss, C, Mahon, BD., 2000. 1,25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol prevents and ameliorates symptoms of experimental murine inflammatory bowel disease. J Nutr, 130, 2648–52. Davidsons, 2002. Principles and Practice of Medicine, 19th Edition, Churchill Livingstone. DeLuca, HF., 2004. Overview of general physiologic features and functions of vitamin D. Am J Clin Nutr, 80, 1689S–96S. Eisman, JA., 1988. “Osteomalacia”. Baillières Clin Endocrinol Metab 2 (1), 125–5 Garland, CF., Garland , FC., Gorham, ED., 1993. Rising trends in melanoma. An Hypothesis concerning sunscreen effectiveness. Ann Epidemio,. 3(4),451. Goldman, A., 2004. Cecil Textbook of Medicine, 22nd edition. Volume 2. Saunders: An Imprint of Elsvier. Grant, WB. 2002. An estimate of premature cancer mortality in the U.S. due to inadequate doses of solar ultraviolet-B radiation. Cancer, 94,1867–75. Grodstein, F, Speizer, FE, Hunter, DJ., 1995. A prospective study of incident squamous cell carcinoma of the skin in the Nurses’ Health Study. J Natl Cancer Inst, 87:10616. Holick, MF., 1998. Clinical efficacy of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and its analogues in the treatment of psoriasis. Retinoids, 14, 12–7. Holick, MF., 1999. ed. Vitamin D: physiology, molecular biology, and clinical applications. Totowa, NJ: Humana Press, 109–28. Holick, MF., 2004. Vitamin D: importance in the prevention of cancers, type 1diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis. Am J Clin Nutr, 79, 362–71. Holick, MF, 2006. The role of vitamin D for bone health and fracture prevention Current Osteoprors. Rep, 4(3), 96-102. Kennedy, C., Bajdik, CD., Willemze, R., de Gruijl, FR., Bavinck, JN., 2003. The influence of painful sunburns and lifetime of sun exposure on the risk of actinic keratoses, seborrheic warts, melanocytic nevi, atypical nevi and skin cancer. J Invest Dermatol, 120, 1087–93. Lapp, JL., 2009. Vitamin D: Bone Health and Beyond. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, Vol. 3 (5), 386-393. Lee, S, Clark, SA, Gill, RK, Christakos, S., 1994. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 and pancreatic ß-cell function: vitamin D receptors, gene expression, and insulin secretion. Endocrinology, 134:1602–10 Lips. P., Bouillon, R., Van Schoor, NM., Vanderschueren, S., Kuchuk, N., Milisen, K., Boonen, S., Reducing fracture risk with calcium and vitamin D. [Online] 2009 [cited October 15th, 2009]. Available from:

17.Kreiter, SR., Schwartz, RP., Kirkman, HN., Charlon, PA., Calikoglu, AS., Davenport, ML., 2000. Nutritional rickets in African-American breast-fed infants. J Pediatr, 137, 153–7.

18. Nesby-O’Dell, S., Scanlon, KS., Cogswell, ME., et al., 1988-1994. Hypovitaminosis D prevalence and determinants among African American and white women of reproductive age: third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, Am J Clin Nutr, 76, 187–92.

20. Tanaka, H., Abe, E., Miyaura, C., et al. 1982. 1,25-Dihydroxycholeciferol and human myeloid leukemia cell line (HL-60): the presence of cytosol receptor and induction of differentiation. Biochem J, 204, 713–9.

22. Tsoukas, CD., Provvedine, DM., Manolagas, SC., 1984. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3, a novel immuno-regualtory hormone. Science, 221, 1438–40.

23. Veierod, MB., Weiderpass, E., Thorn, M., et al. 2003. A prospective study of pigmentation, sun exposure, and risk of cutaneous malignant melanoma in women. J Natl Cancer Inst 95:1530–8.

24. Weishaar, RE., Simpson, RU., 1987. Involvement of vitamin D3 with cardiovascular function. II. Direct and indirect effects. Am J Physiol,

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Health Hazards of Smoking

Health is the most precious thing a person can have. But we start to value something only when it is lost. When in old age you feel ache of bones and the whole body, regrets about the damage you’ve made to own health in youth come to light of your mind.


Before the age of 35-40 smokers pay no attention on the harm they do to their body. Young vigorous constitution easily deals with another incoming portion of cigarette smoke, dangerous tar and nicotine, but passing ages give us no new strength. In addition, nicotine and attendant poisons, in time, multiply their concentration, that makes the work of our body more difficult.


This article is a warning to everyone who is still smoking. Stop it! It has to be done today, because tomorrow… what is going to be tomorrow?


Researches, performed in USA, showed that 25% of smokers had never lived so long to celebrate their 70’s birthday, because of nicotine’s influence. In highly developed countries smoking causes death of more people, then alcohol, drugs and suicides altogether.


It is said, that two packs of cigarettes contain lethal dose of nicotine. However smokers never receive this dose at once, it is divided into portions, and the fatal effect stays unnoticed. People die not of the nicotine itself, but of the diseases, arising from its influence. Smoking in its cruelty is close to AIDS, they both open the doors of the organism to many diseases.


First of all tobacco smoke attacks the oral cavity. The dental enamel is getting worse, oral mucosa is irritated, activity of salvia glands gets low, bringing down the protective function of salvia, and in addition the bad breath appears. Besides, the cases of lip cancer are not a rarity now. It takes place when smoker holds the cigarette in his teeth, instead of using hands.


Then smoke goes through bronchus, causing their spasm. That leads to breathlessness, and hyper secretion of protective mucus in bronchus. Its mission is cleaning of the incoming air and protecting pulmonary tissue from pathological microorganisms, but the superfluity of protective substance will not improve the cleaning process; on the contrary, it can be stopped at all.


This is the stage, where your body loses another protective barrier.


Smoking decreases the inflow of fresh air. In addition blood hemoglobin connects with carbon of tobacco smoke, and can no longer transport oxygen. Hypooxygenemia develops, causing harm to all systems of vital importance, especially to cardiovascular system.


When smoking, the spasm of the blood vessels happens, this leads to increase of blood pressure. This condition multiplies the load on the heart. As a result, people, who are not giving up smoking raise their risk of a heart attack by 8 times.


Smoking increases the production of stomach juice. Such a run free work leads to ulcer and gastritis.


And in the end – awful statistics: only one cigarette a day makes you 7 steps closer to cancer. Smoking more then one pack a day a person makes this distance twice shorter.


What will happen to your organism if you stop smoking?


At the beginning, your body will experience stress – dizziness, vomiting and total weakness will be a hard test for you, but in a month things will get better. You will notice your breathing to be easier, memory and muscle tone to come back to norm, the color of your skin and teeth will surpass all expectations. In six months bronchus and the pulmonary tissue will be cleaned from heavy pitches and tobacco dust. In a year the cardiovascular system will be restored. Five years of nonsmoking will totally erase all signs of this bad habit.


Everything that was told is possible only if your diseases are not chronicle yet, if it is so, then smoking cessation is the first thing you should do.


Remember – it’s never late to stop smoking!

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