According to the National Institute of Health, in the United States, celiac disease affects an estimated two million individuals, or one in 133 people and occurs twice as often in females. The only treatment is a gluten-free diet. This disorder can start at any age when the diet first includes gluten.

With celiac disease, eating gluten triggers an immune response in your small intestine that eventually leads to inflammation and damage of the small intestine’s lining. With this damage, food is not absorbed properly, called malabsorption. With malabsorption, vital nutrients cannot be delivered to the brain, nervous system, bone, liver and other organs.

• Due to malabsorption, children with celiac disease can experience growth and developmental problems. There is no cure for celiac disease. Following a strict gluten-free diet helps management of symptoms. The common symptoms associated with celiac disease include the following, however, some people may have no symptoms.
• Abdominal pain (especially after eating)
• Bloating
• Diarrhea
• Weight loss
• Dermatitis
• Osteoporosis
• Dental defects

Oral Manifestation of Celiac Disease

Celiac disease has particular signs that show up orally, and dentists can have an initial important role in recognizing and identifying it in people who may not know they have the disorder. It’s estimated 90 percent of individuals in North America remain undiagnosed. Early referral to a gastroenterologist and treatment can help prevent complications of this gluten intolerance condition.

If celiac disease appears before age seven, the outer surface of the teeth (enamel) can have an abnormal appearance. The permanent teeth will show the following defects:

• Delayed eruption of teeth
• Cream, yellow or brown spots on the surface
• Rough surface with grooves and shallow pits
• Shape of tooth may be dramatically changed

These same oral symptoms can be caused by other dental conditions. In fact, dentists may diagnose the abnormal appearance of colored spots enamel to a condition caused by too much fluoride or that the mother took the antibiotic tetracycline during pregnancy.

Other oral related conditions of celiac disease include:

• Recurring mouth ulcers (canker sores also known as aphthous ulcers)
• Dry mouth
• Red, smooth, shiny tongue (atrophic glossitis)
• Squamous cell carcinoma (cancer of the pharynx and mouth)

Treatment of Oral Manifestations of Celiac Disease

Unfortunately, tooth defects that result from celiac disease are permanent and don’t improve with a gluten-free diet. However, there are treatments that your dentist can provide to help improve esthetics. These include:

• Tooth bonding to improve slight defects
• Veneers to improve the whole front surface of the tooth
• Crowns for teeth that are damaged throughout

Veneers and crowns are cosmetic solutions for older children and adults, while tooth bonding can also help with children’s teeth.

For dry mouth, avoid toothpaste with sodium lauryl sulfate. This harsh detergent can dry the tissues and exacerbate mouth sores. Mouthwash with alcohol also tends to worsen dry mouth.

For canker sores, it’s reported taking 500 mg of the amino acid L Lysine helps to reduce the occurrence and hasten healing.

Proper oral hygiene is crucial towards maintaining oral health, especially if you notice dry mouth. Harmful bacteria thrive in a dry oral environment. To keep the bacteria from causing gum disease, practice proper oral hygiene on a daily bases. Of course, regular dental check ups are important to detect early potential problems.

The post Celiac Disease and Oral Health appeared first on Total Health Magazine.

Eating healthy foods can help improve oral health by changing the pH of the environment in your mouth. The more acidic the environment of your mouth becomes, the more harmful bacteria thrive. It’s important to learn and choose what foods will result in healthy teeth and gums, and which foods will cause you to hide your smile. This article will help you learn the best and worst foods for oral health.

Low Versus High Glycemic Foods
The glycemic index ranks foods from 1 to 100 based on their effect on blood sugar levels. Most people love carbohydrates, such as breads, cakes, sugar, and starchy foods like potatoes. These are the same type of foods that don’t promote a healthy mouth and are ranked with a high glycemic index (GI).

The health of your teeth and gums depend on how much plaque builds up and what you do about it. Plaque is a sticky material that mostly contains bacteria and food. Bacteria break down carbohydrates and sugar and convert them into acid, leading to tooth decay and gum problems. If not treated, a small tooth decay or even decalcified (area where minerals are leached out, weakening the tooth surface) area can become a tooth abscess.

Maintaining a diet consisting mostly of low to moderate GI foods is best.

• Low GI (under 55) foods include beans, barley, pasta, most fruits, juices, non-starchy vegetables, nuts and dairy products.
• Moderate GI (56 to 69) include foods such as whole wheat and brown rice, corn, table sugar, honey, soda, sweet potatoes, bananas, mangos, and papaya.
• High GI (70 to 100) include white bread, white rice, instant oatmeal, most breakfast cereals, potatoes, and melons.

High GI foods and how they affect oral health have been studied for many years, starting with Dr. Weston Price in his book Nutrition and Physical Degeneration. Dr. Price reported that tooth decay was proportional to the type of food the teeth were exposed to. The more refined the food, the more prevalence of tooth decay.

It’s best to stick to whole types of foods with a low GI, and save the high GI foods for very rare occasions. There are many sites that include a list of foods and their GI index, including the newsletter from Harvard Medical School.

Supplements for Healthy Teeth and Gums
Supplements are important for the body as well as your teeth and gums:

1. Calcium—important for building strong teeth and bone. If your body needs calcium, it gets it from your bones. With weak bone, teeth become loose. This is why you need adequate amounts in supplement form or from your diet. From your diet, it’s included in sardines, canned salmon, green leafy vegetables, cauliflower, cabbage, almonds and fortified orange juice.
2. Phosphorus—important for strong teeth.
3. Zinc—helps with immune function and soft tissues.
4. Antioxidants—help with health of soft tissue and immune function. Helps fight off and prevent harmful free radicals. Foods high in antioxidants include blackberries, walnuts, strawberries, blueberries, artichoke hearts, and cranberries, small red beans, red kidney beans, prunes, pecan, and apples.
5. Vitamin C—important for healthy gums, helps with connective tissues, collagen formation, and immune system. Foods high in vitamin C include citrus fruit, broccoli, kale and berries.
6. B- vitamins—help with stress and they help fight inflammation. Beans, legumes and green vegetables are high in vitamin B. Vitamin D helps regulate blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. With inadequate vitamin D, your body can’t absorb calcium. Milk and cod liver oil are great sources of vitamin D
7. Coenzyme Q10—provides energy to help heal wounds, digest food and maintain healthy muscles. For healthy gums, it’s been reported to help with bleeding gums and to reduce inflammation. You can get coenzyme Q10 from pork, beef, chicken liver, and soybean. Parsley also is a good source, which can help fight bad breath.
8. Probiotics—from any source, probiotics may help decrease periodontal disease, gingivitis and plaque.

Sweeteners

• Sweeteners such as sucralose (Splenda) and aspartame (Equal) don’t appear to cause cavities, however, artificial sweeteners are controversial as far as general health.
• Xylitol has shown promise in helping to prevent tooth decay. Studies report chewing gum with xylitol after meals decreases the risk of tooth decay.

Stevia is a natural sweetener that doesn’t appear to have any negative effects on oral health, but not enough research has been completed to determine if it is helpful for oral health.

Tips for Healthy, Beautiful Smile
No matter how healthy your diet is oral hygiene cannot be neglected. The following are important tips for a healthy smile, no matter what age you are.

• Daily oral hygiene routine—Floss and brush daily. Within 24 hours bacteria start to cause damage. Floss first and then brush with a xylitol toothpaste that contains calcium pyrophosphate. This helps reverse decalcified areas that have been attacked by bacteria. If you remove plaque daily and adequately, your risk of poor oral health decreases.
• Avoid smoking and tobacco products—These products can cause major problems in your mouth, not to mention risk of oral cancer.
• Eat healthy snacks—Chew on raw vegetables and fruit in between meals. American Dental Association reports that 23 million children and teens are overweight or obese. This increases the risk of serious diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
• After meals—Chew xylitol gum.
• Limit high GI foods—Beverages and food high in sugar and simple carbohydrates bring about an acidic pH in your mouth, which harmful bacteria love and thrive on.
• Manage stress—Get regular exercise to boost your immune system and get the blood circulating. Exercise helps strengthen bones, which are an important part of your teeth and their supporting structure.
• Vegetables—Your meals should contain half your plate with fruits and vegetables.
• Grains—Stick with whole grains such as whole wheat bread and brown rice.
• Dairy—Low-fat or fat-free dairy foods are best for adults.
• Protein—Lean protein options are important for a balanced meal. These include lean beef, skinless poultry and fish.
• Empty Calories—Candy, mints, cookies, cakes and chips are among the enemy list of oral health. Minimize or totally take them off your list of foods.

The post The Best and Enemy Foods for Your Teeth and Your Smile! appeared first on Total Health Magazine.

Your Baby’s Health

Studies report poor oral health increases the risk of problem pregnancy including miscarriage. However, since 80 percent of spontaneous miscarriages occur during the first trimester, it is advisable to avoid any non-urgent treatment until the second or third trimester. By the second trimester, the major layers of the internal organs of the baby have developed, thereby reducing the risk of exposure to any harmful or necessary medications.

During the second trimester, it’s also easier for mother to recline in the dental treatment chair for extended periods of time. However, it may be helpful to get short breaks if you do have to be in the dental chair for quite awhile.

X-rays and Pregnancy
With modern digital radiology, exposure to radiation is extremely low. You and your unborn child are generally at a higher risk from gum disease or tooth infection, than you are with radiation exposure. Other ways you are exposed to radiation include the sun, microwaves and your cell phones. If you do need x-rays for needed dental problem, your dentist will protect you by covering your throat and abdomen with a leaded apron. The collar of the apron will protect the thyroid during radiation.

Medications During Pregnancy
Your dentist may need to prescribe medications or over-the-counter drugs during dental treatment. Make sure to inform your dentist of any medications you are taking. Your dentist may consult with your physician to determine the best medication, if any may be needed, such as antibiotics or for pain management.

Gum Disease and Problem Pregnancy
Evidence from recent studies shows a connection between gum disease and low birth weight babies and premature delivery. In order to avoid transmission of oral bacteria from mother to children and to prevent problem pregnancies, it’s important to see a dentist before and during pregnancy.

Often during pregnancy, due to hormonal changes, the gums become easily inflamed and appear to be swollen. This overgrowth of tissue is called “pregnancy tumor.” It usually shows up during the second trimester, if at all. The swelling is nothing to worry about as far as being cancerous. It is usually found between the teeth and caused by poor oral hygiene, which means excess plaque. You’ll notice the swelling bleeds easily and has a red appearance due to inflammation. The cleaner you keep the teeth and gums, the less likely that this condition will occur or get worse. Self-help with daily oral hygiene and three month visits to your dentist can help prevent “pregnancy gingivitis.”

Healthy Mom = Healthy Baby When you’re pregnant, you have the responsibility for your health and your baby’s health. Healthy habits will help you have an easier pregnancy and a healthier baby. What you eat and your oral hygiene are habits that you need to practice daily by making smart choices. Now that we know an unhealthy mouth can affect the health of your unborn, it’s important to take a few steps to help prevent problem pregnancy:

• Practice proper oral hygiene on a daily basis.
• Get a dental check up before you become pregnant, or as soon as you find out.

How to Brush:

1. Use alcohol-free mouthwash and swish it around your mouth before your brush.
2. Floss properly, and if you’re not sure how, check with your dental hygienist.
3. Rinse your toothbrush and dab a small amount of toothpaste on it.
4. Brush every side of every tooth in a circular motion.
5. Brush your gums gently.
6. Rinse.
7. Keep your toothbrush in dry place.
8. Change your toothbrush after a cold, or if it looks worn.

The National Maternal and Child Oral Health Policy Center has a list of tips to follow during pregnancy for healthy nutrition:

• Eat a variety of healthy foods, such as fruits; vegetables; whole-grain products such as cereals, breads or crackers; and dairy products like milk, cheese, cottage cheese or unsweetened yogurt.
• Eat fewer foods high in sugar, including candy, cookies, cake, and dried fruit; and drink fewer beverages high in sugar, including juice, fruit-flavored drinks, or soft drinks.
• For snacks, choose foods low in sugar such as fruits, vegetables, cheese and unsweetened yogurt.
• Read food labels so you can choose foods lower in sugar.
• If you have trouble with nausea, try eating small amounts of healthy foods throughout the day.
• Drink water or milk instead of juice, fruit-flavored drinks or soft drinks.
• Drink water throughout the day, especially between meals and snacks.

To reduce the risk of birth defects, get 600 micrograms of folic acid each day throughout your pregnancy. Take a dietary supplement of folic acid and eat foods high in folate and foods fortified with folic acids, including:

• Asparagus, broccoli and leafy green vegetables such as lettuce and spinach
• Legumes (beans, peas, lentils)
• Papaya, tomato juice, oranges or orange juice, strawberries, cantaloupe and bananas
• Grain products fortified with folic acid (breads, cereals, cornmeal, flour, pasta, white rice.)

See Your Dentist
If you’re expecting to get pregnant, see your dentist to determine the health of your teeth and gums. Based on your dentist’s recommendation, continue to see your dentist for check ups, cleanings or treatment during your pregnancy. The first trimester is best only for urgent treatment.

The post How to Have a Healthy Smile For Expectant Moms appeared first on Total Health Magazine.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandates every toothpaste with fluoride have the following warning posted on every label:

“WARNING: Keep out of reach of children under the age of six. If more than used for brushing is swallowed, contact the nearest poison control center or your physician immediately.”

To market and sell toothpaste to children, those branded for kids, usually contain not only fluoride but also sparkly, bright colored dyes, artificial flavors and sweeteners. Some may even contain antimicrobials and harsh ingredients such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS).

When choosing toothpaste, it’s important to read the ingredients on the label. You don’t want your child to be exposed to a daily dose of antibiotics or other potentially harmful ingredient through their toothpaste.

Ingredients To Avoid In Toothpaste

• Saccharin—this ingredient has been on and off the FDA’s list of safe food ingredients.
• Antimicrobials—natural or synthetic antimicrobials can include tea tree oil, alcohol and triclosan among others. These days found in many products, such as deodorants, dish soap, hand and body soaps, shampoos, etc. Center for Disease Control warns that with over use, antimicrobials may result in antibiotic resistant bacteria.
• Chlorine dioxide—industrial bleach, used for bleaching wood, flour, and disinfection of municipal water.
• Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)—industrial detergent may cause canker sores, dry mouth and allergies.
• Sodium hydroxide—NaOH, also known as lye or caustic soda, is a metallic base, used in textiles, drain cleaners and industrial detergents.
• Salicylates—allergic reactions to products are becoming very common. Salicylic acid, the common Aspirin ingredient for inflammation, could be one of the causes. Always look for salicylate free products.
• Herbal extracts—natural toothpaste ingredients often contain herbs. Herbs have side effects and drug interactions. With frequent use, they could also cause allergies. Many products add herbal extracts and oils for marketing and call their products ‘natural.’
• PEG/PPG—polypropylene glycol is a surfactant used as a wetting agent, dispersant and in leather finishing.
• Fluoride—under the age of six, toothpaste should be free of fluoride. Fluoride is toxic if a child swallows it in toothpaste. Xylitol has been shown to be effective for preventing tooth decay. It’s best to choose toothpaste that is fluoride free, but contains xylitol.

Toothpaste for your child should be chosen carefully. Choose one without the warning on the back. Also important is to choose one free of SLS or any of the ingredients listed above.

Baking soda in toothpaste is helpful as is one with xylitol as a sweetener and to help prevent tooth decay. Follow proper oral hygiene as taught by your dentist, make appointments for checkups as recommended by your dentist, and your child will have a beautiful, healthy smile.

The post How To Choose Toothpaste For Your Child appeared first on Total Health Magazine.

Function of Teeth in Digestion
Adults should have 32 teeth, four of which are the wisdom teeth. These four wisdom teeth might not develop at all or may be pulled at anytime due to lack of space or other reasons. There are different sets of teeth and each set has a particular function. Teeth may be considered organs of chewing (mastication) and serve a very important function of the digestive process. Chewing food properly gives the signal to saliva to aid in the break down of certain carbohydrates.

The parts of the teeth that are visible are called crowns. The structure of the outer layer of the crown of teeth consists of a hard outer surface called enamel. This is the hardest substance in the human body.

• Molars have a large surface with pits and grooves that make them suitable for grinding food between opposing upper and lower molars. There are two molars in each of the four arches of the mouth. Molars are the last teeth in the mouth of each quadrant. There are actually three molars on each side, with the “3rd molar” being the wisdom tooth.
• Incisors, or the front teeth consist of sharp edges that are made for cutting food. There are six upper and six lower incisors. At the corner of each set of front teeth are the canines. These have long roots and are designed to tear food. The incisor teeth cut food and push it to the back teeth (molars and premolars) with the help of the tongue. The back teeth actually aid in the chewing and breaking down of food with their surfaces.
• Premolars are smaller than molars and help with the chewing process by crushing food. There are also two premolars in each quadrant of the mouth and they are situated in-between the molars and incisors.

How Saliva Starts the Digestive Process
When you eat food, it’s first mixed with saliva that is secreted by sets of glands. The three main salivary glands are the parotid, sub-mandibular and sublingual glands.

Parotid glands are located at the side of the face on the inside of your cheeks. They have an opening where the secretion occurs, called Stensen’s duct. It’s the largest of the salivary glands that helps with mastication and swallowing mostly of starches.

Submandibular glands are located on the inner side of the lower jawbone. This gland produces amylase to break down starches and mucous cells to help lubricate the throat.

Sublingual glands are located beneath the tongue. They produce mucin that helps promote the production of saliva. Most of saliva is produced during waking hours, and decreases while you sleep. If you wake up with dry mouth and morning breath, the reason is due to lower saliva production helping your oral hygiene. The sublingual glands function to help lubricate and bind food, which is needed for easy swallowing. Without adequate saliva with resulting dry mouth, swallowing can become difficult and increase the risk of choking as food gets lodged in the throat.

You Need Healthy Teeth to Chew And Digest Food
Anyone who has experienced a toothache knows it’s difficult to eat if you have pain. Misalignment, infection and missing teeth can all affect proper chewing, breakdown of foods and therefore, proper digestion.

Misaligned Teeth
The teeth are said to be in occlusion when they fit together ideally. That is, the upper fit slightly over the lower teeth and the cusp tips (pointy surfaces) of the molars fit the grooves of the opposing molars. Proper occlusion keeps the cheeks and lips from being bitten and the lower teeth protect the tongue and keep it in place.

If your teeth do not align ideally you have malocclusion. Heredity, poor childhood habits, such as thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, prolonged use of pacifier or bottle can be some of the causes of malocclusion.

Malocclusion may also have been the result of an injury or fracture of the jaw. Tumors can also cause malocclusion. Other causes can include ill-fitting dental fillings, crowns, and dentures.

Not replacing missing teeth in a timely fashion, can cause surrounding teeth to shift, bringing about misalignment of teeth. This malocclusion cannot only affect your appearance but also difficulty in biting or chewing foods. Misalignment of teeth cannot be underestimated and should be corrected.

Prevention
Your ability to chew your food properly is just as important as the quality of the food you eat. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends proper daily oral hygiene as the number one way to keep your teeth healthy. Flossing and brushing are the main tools that are needed. Below are some tips on how to properly keep your mouth clean and healthy for a beautiful smile and healthy digestion.

Oral Hygiene 101

Brushing and flossing properly is very important. If you quickly run a toothbrush over your teeth three times a day and floss quickly without properly cleaning under the gums, germs continue to cause harm to your teeth with resulting tooth decay, gum disease and even worse, lead to loose teeth. Ask your dental professional how to floss properly. But in summary, hold a small part of the floss between your fingers, and wrap the floss around each side of the tooth and gently extend it under your gums. Slow up and down movements will clean these areas that a toothbrush cannot reach. Use a clean piece of floss for each tooth. Floss first to release food and plaque stuck under the gums and between the teeth, and follow with brushing and rinsing.

Make sure to brush your gums as well as every side of every tooth. If you can’t brush after every meal, rinse with water or chew xylitol chewing gum. Brushing and flossing at night is crucial because saliva production slows down as you sleep, which means your mouth is more prone to attack by bacteria. Dry mouth can also be a problem and proper brushing and flossing can help prevent gum disease and tooth decay, which are typically more likely with reduced saliva.

Using effective toothpaste and mouthwash is very important. Baking soda toothpaste with xylitol is a good choice for toothpaste and mouthwash. The benefits of baking soda toothpaste are many including helping remove stains, to help make your teeth appear whiter.

Don’t think just because a product label says ‘natural toothpaste’ that it’s good for you. Many contain saccharin and/or sodium lauryl sulfate, which can actually cause dry mouth. For the best toothpaste and mouthwash use:

• Alcohol-free mouthwash—alcohol dries the mouth and changes the pH to what germs like. This is one reason drinking excessive alcoholic beverages is also bad for healthy mouth. Mouthwash with xylitol is excellent because it helps flow of saliva.
• Xylitol natural toothpaste and mouthwash—studies report xylitol has many benefits for a healthy mouth when used regularly in toothpaste, and especially in chewing gum. It helps promote saliva, which is good for dry mouth. It’s also been shown to help prevent tooth decay.

Take care of your teeth and gums with proper daily routine of brushing and flossing. Eat nutritious, healthy foods and your tummy will thank you.

The post How Your Teeth Affect Your Digestive System appeared first on Total Health Magazine.

Curious as to the exact cause of cavities and malformed dental arches that resulted in crooked, overcrowded teeth, Dr. Price began investigating a potential connection to diet and nutrition. Microscopes and laboratories were devoid of the answers he searched for. Dr Price felt that the most logical way to research was to observe different cultures. It was necessary to compare those societies that ate modern diets consisting mostly of processed and refined foods such as white flour products, sugar, white rice, canned foods, and fats with those that regularly consumed a more nutritious diet, and where most of the food was grown locally.

Over a ten-year period, Dr. Price traveled worldwide to accomplish his mission. He observed several primitive or non-developed cultures that had no contact with “civilization,” to learn, in depth, their health habits and physical development. During those years he studied, took photographs and described his findings about Swiss villagers, Irish fisherman, Eskimos, Indian tribes in Canada and the Florida Everglades, South Sea Islanders, Aborigines in Australia, Maoris in New Zealand, Peruvian and Amazonian Indians, as well as tribesmen in Africa. Dr. Price documented his findings and startling conclusions in his book Nutrition and Physical Degeneration. Weston Price is still regarded today by many nutrition researchers as the “Charles Darwin” of nutrition. And his book provides the origins and background of the relationship between the foods we eat and our health.

Dr. Price found that in the groups of people that did not live the fast-paced life or eat the processed foods typical of modern culture, rarely was there any tooth decay in children, dental crowding of teeth or malformed jaws. Crowding of teeth and malformed jaws resulted with the specialty we call Orthodontics, which focuses on correcting misaligned teeth.

In our modern society, adults are not the only ones at higher risk of disease from eating poorly; children are becoming increasingly obese and showing signs of diabetes as well as gum disease, normally not seen in the young. Soft drinks have replaced water and milk. Drinking sodas is the equivalent of bathing the teeth with sugar and acid. Many people have become addicted to soft drinks; it’s become like a drug. A habit that’s hard to break. Here are some startling statistics:

• According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average American consumes 31 five-pound bags of sugar every year. We don’t get this right from a bowl of sugar, but mostly hidden in many kinds of foods such as cereals, sodas, yogurt, ketchup, canned vegetables, toppings, sweetened fruit juice, sports drinks, peanut butter, just to mention a few.
• Each 20-oz. soda contains 16 teaspoons of sugar.
• Sports drinks contain an average of 14 teaspoons of sugar.

The same practical, common sense rules that apply to why poor diet and eating habits are detrimental to general health should be used for oral health. Foods that lower the quality of our lives and increase the risk of disease do the same for tooth decay and gum disease. This is why the mouth can truly be a microcosm of the body as a whole, because it gives us a bird’s eye view of the inside of the body.

Studies show that if we eat sugar with a meal, it’s less damaging to the teeth than eating smaller quantities of sugar all day long. Unfortunately, we are constantly tempted with the abundance of types of food available that contain hidden sugars. And we tend to eat more for emotional reasons than to satisfy physical hunger. Food has become a poor substitute for emotional nourishment, and the types of food that feed our emotions are usually void of healthy nutrients.

Sugar and Your Health

Sugar is responsible for and can lead to tooth decay, obesity, and a weakened immune system. Technically speaking, there are many types of sugars. By far the best known and overused sugar is sucrose, which is found in large amounts in sugar cane and sugar beets. Those five-pound bags at the grocery store with the beautiful white crystals are pure sucrose, and that’s what everybody refers to as just plain table sugar.

Maple sugar is the sucrose-rich sap of the maple tree. Other common sugars are the fructose in ripe fruits and the lactose in milk. All sugars are sweet and fructose is even sweeter than sucrose.

Corn sweeteners have replaced sugar in most American prepared foods ever since it became politically incorrect to use Cuban sugar. While ripe ears of sweet corn contain some sugar, that is not the source of the corn sweeteners that you see on food labels. These sweeteners are made by using acids and enzymes to break down the cornstarch molecules which are made up of thousands of sugar molecules all joined together. In the body, most starches and sugars are further broken down into glucose, a fundamental sugar that can go directly into the blood stream and is our major source of energy.

Honey contains 40 percent sucrose (table sugar) and 60 percent fructose (fruit sugar). Because honey is sweeter than just table sugar, often less is used in a recipe; for example 3/4 cup of honey is the equivalent of one cup of table sugar.

Aspartame is made up of two amino acids, aspartic acid and phenylalanine. NutraSweet is the brand name of aspartame. A quart of diet cola contains about 100 milligrams of aspartame. Sorbitol and mannitol are sugars derived from alcohol. They are converted to fructose and glucose. They are low in calories, but if large amounts are ingested, they may produce a laxative or gaseous effect.

Saccharin has been controversial for many years. Studies have shown that it may cause bladder cancer. It is banned in Canada, but the Food and Drug Administration has approved it, albeit with a warning on the label indicating that saccharin may be hazardous to your health.

Stevia is a natural, non-caloric sweetener derived from a shrub in South America. It’s about 300 times sweeter than table sugar. It has yet to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an artificial sweetener because little is known about its long-term effects. Canada and the European Union (EU) do not allow stevia as a food additive. However, it has been used since the 1970s in Japan and other regions of the world. In the United States, stevia is sold only as a dietary supplement. It’s not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women due to lack of information.

In general, the use of sugar, whether white, brown, powdered, raw, artificial or in the form of honey, should be limited in your diet. Organic sugar or honey is the best form to use, since it has not been processed with dangerous chemicals or stripped of all its nutrients. All artificial sweeteners should be avoided.

At its most basic level, as the saying goes “we are what we eat,” and poor oral health often begins with what we put in our mouth as food. Our choices clearly aren’t always wise. In fact, an estimated three out of four Americans suffer from gum disease—a problem largely based on poor diet.

Healthy snacks for healthy mouths
The following are simple snacks to help feed your soul and your tummy:

• Celery with cheese or 1 tablespoon peanut butter.
• Vegetables such as cucumbers, zucchini, and broccoli with dip made of non-fat yogurt and/or low fat sour cream seasoned with garlic powder, and your favorite seasoning. Also good with low fat blue cheese or ranch dressing.
• Fruit
• Rice cakes
• Frozen fruit bars with no added sugar (this can be home made with organic fruit juice).
• Unbuttered air popped popcorn
• Low or non-fat yogurt with your favorite fresh fruit added or plain.
• Low or non-fat cheeses
• A few nuts
• Home made smoothie made from your favorite fresh fruits including banana and low- or non-fat milk or soymilk.
• Hard boiled egg

Teeth—Love Them, or Lose Them

Picture a house of cards. Removing the good nutrition card at the base can make the whole assembly topple. Studies now indicate that poor nutrition can increase the production and secretion of stress hormones (glucocorticoids) and lower the secretion of insulin, among other hormonal changes. Stress plays an important role in a variety of illnesses as well as dental diseases. When people are under stress, they produce less saliva, which is very important to preventing tooth decay and gum disease. Poor diet also impact the level of the hormone glucocorticoids in the gums, so that gum tissue is unable to fight off inflammation. As a result, chronic gum inflammation fatigue and a general feeling of ill health overcome your body.

So the questions have to be asked: why is it that with the abundance of food and information on health available today, we still make poor choices? Why is it that having the ability to choose how and what we eat, and with the relative ease of choosing common sense healthy meals, we still decide not to exercise control and instead eat poorly? Why is it that we donft take care of our bodies the same way as we do the other things that are important to us?

Each of us has been gifted with one body and one mouth. Replacements are unavailable in this life. Each of us is capable of accomplishing anything we want in life, especially in America. By knowing that we can, and imagining what is possible, each of us is capable of becoming a healthy, happy person. Eating well is a vital part of staying healthy. Take a counter-offensive approach. We are surrounded by so many foods that are not healthy. Eat organic when possible. Take the simple steps towards modifying poor eating habits, so that you can make a major impact on your overall health.

The post Your Mouth: A Bird’s Eye View of Your Health appeared first on Total Health Magazine.

Certain ingredients can affect the plastic they are contained in and some plastics can leach chemicals into the products they contain. If you have sensitive skin, it’s very important to know what ingredients are in your skin care, personal care and makeup products. Make it also a habit to check the tubes and bottles you buy that contain your food and sensitive skin care and personal care products. This article will help you learn the difference between those numbers under the plastic containers.

PLASTICS THAT ARE SAFE

#1 PETE or PET—Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) absorb odors and flavors from foods that are stored in them. It is a strong, durable plastic that is clear. This type of plastic is the safest as long as it’s not exposed to heat, such as left in the sun, or reused. When reused, exposed to heat or left in the sun, this type of plastic can leach the chemical phthalate. Phthalates have been linked to liver damage, reproductive system damage, are toxic to developing fetus, and other health problems. As long as not exposed to heat, they are safe, and easily recycled for a variety of products.

USES: Soft drinks, beer, water, juice, ketchup, salad dressing, food jars for peanut butter, jelly, pickles, ovenproof plastic film and microwavable food trays.

#2 HDPE—High-density polyethylene is translucent, clear and stiff. Foods that spoil easily do well with HDPE plastic. This plastic type is considered as generally safe and it is not known to transmit any chemicals to foods or drinks. It is recycled for a variety of products. Recycled HDPE is used to make plastic crates, plastic lumber, fencing and more.

USES: Plastic milk bottles, water, juice, cosmetics, shampoo, dish and laundry detergents, bags for groceries and retail, cereal box liners.

#4 LDPE—Low-density polyethylene is a very safe and healthy plastic used for squeezable tubes, bottles and other uses. Not known to leach any harmful chemicals. Not as widely recycled as #1 and #2. Recycled LDPE is used to make garbage cans, lumber, furniture and more.

USES: Frozen foods, fresh produce, shrink wrap, cold beverage cups, squeeze tubes and bottles.

#5 PP—Commonly known as Styrofoam, Polypropylene is used for deli soup containers, yogurt containers, drinking straws, baby diapers, Rubbermaid™ containers, some plastic baby bottles, hot liquids, ketchup bottles and other cloudy plastic bottles. Commonly not recycled, but in some areas it is accepted and recycled. Recycled PP is used to make rakes, battery cables and other products.

USES: Yogurt containers, margarine, takeout meals, medicine bottles, bottle caps, ketchup and syrup.

UNSAFE TYPES OF PLASTICS

#3 V or PVC—Vinyl/polyvinyl chloride is used for pipes and tiles, Appalachian Mountain spring water, and some plastic squeeze bottles. This type of plastic is flexible, and works well with food or drink that expand or contract. May leach hormone-disrupting chemicals di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP). It is not recyclable. This type of plastic is not safe when in contact with food. USES: Bags for bedding, window frames, carpet backing, flooring, blister packs.

#6 PS—Polystyrene is used for most opaque plastic cutlery, plastic plates, cups, Styrofoam and meat packaging. May leach styrene, which may cause cancer. Not recyclable.

USES: Cups, plates, bowls, cutlery, meat trays.

#7 OTHER—Polycarbonate contains bisphenol-A (BPA) and is used mostly for plastic baby bottles, five gallon water jugs, teething rings, pacifiers, re-usable sports bottles, clear “sippy” cups, some clear plastic cutlery, and inner lining of food cans. BPA has been linked to human breast cancer cell growth, since it mimics estrogen. Not recyclable.

USES: Larger water bottles, some citrus juice, oven-baking bags, ketchup bottles.

Toothpaste Tubes with Aluminum
Many toothpaste tubes are lined with aluminum. This type of tube (called laminate) is recyclable, however, if the tube is left in the sun or warm temperature, the aluminum may leach into the paste. They also may have trace amounts of BPA. Also, if the tube cracks or splits, the aluminum and BPA could leach into the paste. For years Tom’s of Maine has used 100 percent aluminum tubes and maintained that it was safe. However, since 2011, they have slowly been changing to plastic tubes.

The FDA has strict standards for the type of container that can be used for fluoride toothpaste. Toothpaste with fluoride is still contained in aluminum- lined tubes for many brands.

Recent reports show positive benefits of xylitol for tooth decay prevention, which does not require the aluminum-lined tube.

General Considerations
Never reuse a plastic bottle as a food or drink container if it didn’t originally contain food or drink.

Many brands use tube manufacturers in China, where quality control is not met as strictly as with U.S. manufacturers. Cleure is one brand that utilizes tubes that are made in the USA and are safe and recyclable.

The post Plastic Bottle Safety—WHAT YOU Need To Know appeared first on Total Health Magazine.

These include smoking, alcohol use and others. The surprising fact is how your oral health has a connection to breast cancer. You may be 11 times more likely to develop breast cancer if you have poor oral health or gum disease. Journal of Breast Cancer Research and Treatment conducted a survey of 3,273 people and found that individuals with chronic periodontal disease (gum disease) had a higher occurrence of breast cancer.

Another study was reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and was conducted between 1985 to 2001. This study also concluded that gum disease increases the risk of breast cancer.

Gum disease has been linked to several general health chronic illnesses, including pneumonia, prostate cancer, stroke, heart disease, problem pregnancy, diabetes and breast cancer.

• Pneumonia: Bacteria in the oral cavity can be aspirated into the lungs and cause respiratory diseases including pneumonia.
• Prostate cancer: In 1986, over 48,000 men were involved in a study conducted by Dr. Dominique Michaud, Imperial College of London. The study concluded gum disease increases the risk of prostate cancer by 14 percent.
• Diabetes: According to the American Academy of Periodontology, diabetic patients are more likely to develop gum disease, which in turn can increase the risk of infection.
• Heart disease: Researchers have found that people with gum disease are almost twice as likely to suffer with coronary artery disease as those without it. As oral bacteria enters the blood stream, it attaches to fatty plaques in the heart blood vessels and contributes to clot formation. These blood clots can then obstruct normal blood flow, which can lead to heart attack.
• Pregnancy problems: Pregnant women who have gum disease may be more likely to have babies that are born too early and too small.

Connecting the Dots
In general, gum disease causes inflammation. Inflammation has been found to be the precursor of heart disease, stroke, pregnancy problems and over all fatigue. In other words, it is a marker for generalized ill-health. This has been confirmed through blood work and C-reactive protein. C-reactive protein is a inflammation marker which decreases when gum infection is brought under control, and increase with advanced gum disease.

Inflammation: The Warning Sign Not to be Ignored
The first sign of gum disease is inflammation. You’ll know when this is present as your gums appear slightly red, tender, and may even bleed when you brush or floss. The main cause of inflammation is bacteria that form a film called plaque, and stick to the gum and teeth surfaces. If this plaque is not removed at least once per day, the problem can advance to severe gum disease. As inflammation advances, the disease effects destruction of the gums and eventually bone. The teeth develop tooth decay, become loose and may have to be extracted. This is why dental visits are very important at least every three months to monitor the health and condition of your teeth and gums, especially with the presence of cancer.

The bacteria that causes gum disease forms a thin biofilm called plaque and accumulates on the gums and teeth. This same bacteria is found in hardened plaque in arteries that lead to arteriosclerosis. A study by the Karolinska Institute reported the bacteria in gum disease can result in the Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegatocirus. These viruses may result in the suppression of the body’s immune system, which can contribute to the incidence of breast cancer.

There are other connections between breast cancer and oral health. Chemotherapy and radiation may be used to kill or slow breast cancer cells by interfering with growth and multiplication of cells. If chemotherapy or radiation is prescribed as part of treatment for breast cancer, side effects can be severe and include:

• Mucositis, a severe form of inflammation of the mouth.
• Increase risk of infection in the mouth. If the drug suppresses white cells, which normally protect against infection, deep cleanings and other invasive procedures such as tooth extraction can result in infection.
• Difficulty in swallowing.
• Taste alterations ranging from unpleasant to tasteless.
• Due to dry mouth, difficulty with speech and eating.
• Oral yeast infection from the fungus candida.
• Poor nutrition due to difficulties in eating, dry mouth or loss of taste.
• Deep aching and burning pain that mimics toothache.

Most patients are treated with chemotherapy or radiation. However, some patients may be treated with bisphosphonates, such as Fosamax, Boniva, and others. Recent studies from University of Southern California suggest long-term use of such bisphosphonates may develop into destruction of the jaw bone. The risk is low but increases with chemotherapy.

How to Minimize Side Effects
Most people are aware of hair loss with chemotherapy. But most don’t realize that more than one-third of people being treated for breast cancer can develop complications that affect the mouth. These complications can affect your quality of life. Preexisting or untreated oral disease can even complicate cancer treatment. This is one reason to make sure you visit your dentist at least one month before beginning cancer treatment.

The mouth is made of cells that renew themselves daily. Since chemotherapy and radiation target certain types of cells that regenerate quickly even under normal circumstances, your mouth will be susceptible to damage. If you minimize bacterial plaque buildup by practicing good hygiene, you can decrease the side effects of treatment for breast cancer. The following recommendations are important to follow:

1. Brush with a soft toothbrush or sponge brush to clean your teeth and gums.
2. Floss gently.
3. Only use alcohol-free mouthwash, preferably one free of saccharin, but one containing xylitol.
4. When white blood cells counts are reported by your physician to be low, avoid dental treatment.
5. Avoid dental treatment for about a week after chemotherapy.
6. Inflammation starts with red gums that may bleed. Even slight bleeding should not be ignored.
7. Use toothpaste and chewing gum with xylitol.
8. Regular dental visits to identify problems before they develop.
9. If you wear dentures, make sure you keep them clean and that they fit well. Make sure to take them out at night.

The post Breast Cancer and Oral Health appeared first on Total Health Magazine.

What you may not hear from your dentist is this stage of decalcification is reversible. Proper home care is just one of the ways to remineralize and reverse the tooth decay process.

Cause of White Spots
To understand how to reverse tooth decay we need to find out first what all the causes of decalcification are.

The main cause of decalcification is accumulation of plaque that is not removed on a daily bases through proper oral hygiene care. Plaque contains acid produced by the arch enemy of a healthy mouth known as Streptococcus Mutans. Plaque, which is the film felt on your teeth a few hours after brushing, contains this harmful enemy. This bacteria feeds on sugars in the mouth and produces acid by-products.

If not cleaned properly, after just 24 hours plaque starts to cause problems. Within three weeks the acids from plaque cause damage and possibly the white spots, depending on how strong the enamel layer is. If the white spots are left unattended the acid breaks through the enamel and decay goes into the deeper layers of the tooth.

Areas Most Often Affected by White Spots
Wearing braces makes it difficult to brush your teeth properly, especially under and around brackets. Once the braces are removed, you or your child may have straight teeth, but you may also be greeted by several white spots where the brackets were. If you have a daily habit of drinking high acid content drinks, you are susceptible to white spots. These can be carbonated sodas or popular sports drinks. Some brands of tooth whitening strips can also demineralize the enamel layer. Some people like the quick whitening effect of these strips and may use them continuously for months. These strips can also be highly acidic and therefore damage teeth.

People who suffer with acid reflux condition or bulimia expose their teeth to acid. Sucking on lemons, drinking water with high levels of lemons or sipping apple cider vinegar are more ways to saturate your teeth with acid.

Nutritional deficiency could be another cause of white spots. People with gluten intolerance may only eat unsprouted grains, which creates phytic acid, which stops the absorption of minerals.

Tips on Reversing Tooth Decay
The good news is these decalcified areas can be remineralized. Remineralization does not happen overnight. It normally takes two to four months before you notice improvement, depending on how diligent you are in your daily care. For the white spot to completely reverse, it may take up to 12 months. Below are some tips to help remineralize your teeth:

1. Correct your diet. Stay away or minimize high acid content foods and drinks such as:
Carbonated sodas like Coke, Pepsi, etc. Some of these beverages not only are high in sugar, but also phosphoric acid, which is used by dentists to acid etch teeth before filling them.

• Sports drinks.
• Acidifying grains such as: white flour, rice, wheat, wheat germ and cornstarch.
• Acid producing animal protein such as red meat, shrimp and oysters.
• Sugar and high fructose corn syrup.
• Beverages such as orange juice, apple cider and lemonade.
• Cheese.

2. Minimize dry mouth. The drier the mouth, the more likely you are to have tooth damage by acid.

• Saliva is extremely important for the health of the teeth and supporting tissues. It prevents infection by maintaining a neutral pH of the mouth, therefore helping to protect against acid attack by harmful bacteria.
• Dry mouth can be caused by certain prescription and nonprescription medications for treatment of depression, pain, allergies, and many others.
• Dry mouth can also be due to certain medical conditions such as HIV/ AIDS, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, stroke, Sjorgren’s syndrome, fibromyalgia and others.
• Simply not drinking enough water can bring about dehydration and dry mouth. Make sure to drink plenty of water and keep your mouth moist.
• Tobacco products can effect saliva production and cause dry mouth.
• Mouth breathing is another way to cause dry mouth.
• To minimize dry mouth, suck on xylitol mints or chew xylitol gum; brush with xylitol toothpaste; breathe through your nose, not your mouth, as much as possible; use a room vaporizer to add moisture to your room; use an over-the-counter saliva substitute, if needed.

3. Practice excellent home hygiene care.

• Tooth enamel has no nutrients goings through it, similar to your nails. It’s mostly (96 percent) made of minerals. This layer is only 2–3 mm in thickness. Once acid penetrates it, it is understandable how it quickly can become damaged. Poor diet, high in acid content foods and beverages, and poor oral hygiene can cause enamel to
• weaken over months and eventually turn into tooth decay.
• Proper flossing and brushing, especially with xylitol toothpaste, can help bring about remineralization of enamel. As the mouth is kept at a neutral pH, acid attack on enamel is minimized and the enamel layer is allowed to remineralize.

In conclusion, you can strengthen the enamel with just a few daily proper practices and foregoing old bad habits. The enamel layer of your teeth is in a constant flow of remineralization and demineralization. If it is demineralizing more rapidly than remineralizing you develop white spots and eventually tooth decay.

You can bring about remineralization of the enamel layer through maintaining a neutral pH oral environment by using xylitol containing dental products, and eating nutritious foods and supplements such as:

• Calcium and vitamin D.
• Vitamin K2 is essential for bone growth and mineral absorption.
• Using only sea salt, which contains many trace minerals.
• Home made broths containing low acid vegetables and/or chicken.
• Avoiding processed, high acid beverages and simple carbohydrate and sugary foods.

A healthy beautiful smile does require a balanced lifestyle, but it’s well worth it.

The post How to REVERSE TOOTH DECAY appeared first on Total Health Magazine.

In this article you’ll learn critical information about the health of your skin while being exposed to the sun, and what to do to avoid premature aging and skin cancer.

UVA versus UVB: What’s it all About?
The UVA (ultraviolet A) rays penetrate the skin, causing wrinkles and other skin damage, while UVB (ultraviolet B) causes sunburn. UVA has also been called the aging rays, while UVB rays are the sun’s burning rays. Damage can occur even on cloudy or hazy days. Glass or water can reflect the sun’s rays and impact your skin.

Altitude increases the sun’s ultraviolet strength.

Depending on your skin type, UVB damage can impact your skin even within the first 60 seconds. UVA penetrates through clear glass windows that don’t have a UV coating.

Learning the ABC’s of Skin Cancer
Besides premature aging, UV radiation can cause skin cancer. Reports indicate skin cancer is rising by 159 percent (source: Environmental Working Group, EWG) a year.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, (May–June 2000), reports that there are two types of cancer caused by unprotected and repeated sun exposure. These are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Although these two types of skin cancer are common and treatable, 1 in 84 could advance to the life threatening form of melanoma.

The typical ways to identify skin cancer have been identified by The American Academy of Dermatology by the following ABCD criteria:

• A — Asymmetry: One half of the lesion or suspect area is unlike the other half. If moles or freckles don’t look the same when an imaginary line is drawn in the middle, check with a dermatologist.
• B — Border: There is an irregular, scalloped or poorly circumscribed border around a suspected skin lesion or mole. Melanoma lesions often have uneven borders.
• C — Color: color varies from one area to another, with shades of tan, brown, black, white, red or blue.
• D — Diameter: The area is generally larger than 6 mm.
• E — Elevation: If a mole appears to change and grow in height, see your dermatologist.

How Sunscreens Protect
Depending on the active ingredient used, sunscreens can block radiation and not allow the sun’s rays to penetrate your skin. Other active ingredients help reflect the sun’s radiation. Some sunscreens are waterproof, while others are water resistant.

Sunscreens are a billion dollar per year industry. According to EWG senior researcher Sonya Lunder, many of the sunscreen products are over hyped. EWG tested nearly 1100 sunscreens and found the majority less effective than they claimed.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s cancer division epidemiologist, Mona Saraiya, says those with broad spectrum claim may be the most problematic. These products are not clear on how much protection they provide.

The Basics of SPF Number
According to the FDA, the SPF (sun protection factor) number tells you how long it will take for you to burn with sun exposure.

This is how it works: If you have fair skin and normally sunburn in 10 minutes, an SPF 15 extends that by 15 times. So you could last 150 minutes without burning.

In other words, you would get protection for 2 1/2 hours (10 minutes ‡ 15 SPF = 150 minutes = 2 1/2 hours). If you used an SPF 30, your protection would increase to 5 hours (10 minutes ‡ 30 SPF = 300 minutes = 5 hours).

For medium or olive completion, we’ll assume you burn in approximately 30 minutes without sunscreen. According to our math, SPF 15 would provide 7.5 hours of coverage, while SPF 30 would protect you for 15 hours.

Those with already tan skin color may take 60 minutes to burn unprotected. Therefore, an SPF 15 would provide 15 hours protection, and SPF 30 would offer 30 hours. With dark brown to black skin, we’ll assume it takes two hours to burn without sunscreen in direct sun. With SPF 15, you’ll be protected for 30 hours and 60 hours of protection with SPF 30.

Two things to remember with these numbers. First thing is that all sunscreen brands recommend reapplying liberally and often. Also, how likely are you to stay in direct sunlight exposure for more than five to seven hours? Not very likely since the sun’s highest ultraviolet damage is usually between the hours of 10 AM to 4 PM or a six hour period of time.

Choosing the Best Sunscreen
There are many sunscreens with a variety of SPF factors, which makes it very confusing to decide which is right for you. While some feel the longer you stay in the sun, the higher your SPF number should be, others have the opinion the higher number doesn’t matter.As explained earlier, SPF lets you know how much protection you’ll get by extending the time you sunburn through the number assigned to it. Everyone agrees you should reapply sunscreen frequently. In other words, you donft apply it and think that’s it for the whole day, including after swimming. No matter what the SPF rating, you should apply liberally before, after swimming, toweling off or if you’re perspiring heavily. The recommendation is to apply your sunscreen at least 30 minutes before sun exposure.

Sunscreens can be found in a variety of types including lotion, oil, cream, gel and spray. Lotion and oil based sunscreens work well for those with normal or dry skin. For oily or combination skin, lightweight lotions or spray-on sunscreen are recommended.

If you use makeup, there are foundations that claim an SPF number. Loose mineral foundations with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide help protect based on how much you apply.

Safety of Active Ingredients in Sunscreen
Sunscreens use different active ingredients, depending on the brand. Some of the active ingredients have been found to be irritating, while others have never been safety tested. The best and safest recommended ingredients for sun protection are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These two ingredients protect against both UVA and UVB.

In 2009, a study by Center for Disease Control found the common UVA blocker oxybenzone in the urine of 2500 people who regularly used sunscreens. Oxybenzone has been reported to have hormone-like activity and is not recommended by EWG.

After testing 1000 brands of sunscreen, EWG found many with potentially toxic ingredients, including oxybenzone. FDA Allowable Ingredients in Sunscreens, and Results for Safety

• Padimate O—not supported by European Union (EU), may be delisted by FDA
• p-Aminobenzoic Acid (PABA)—shown to increase DNA defects
• Cinoxate—not tested for safety
• Dioxybenzone—not tested for safety
• Oxybenzone—not tested for safety
• Homosalate—not tested for safety
• Menthyl Anthranilate—not tested for safety
• Octocrylene—increases reactive oxygen in skin, advancing aging
• Octyl Salicylate—not tested for safety
• Trolamine Salicylate—not tested for safety
• Zinc Oxide—protects skin against tumors in mice

How to Protect Yourself in Summer or Winter

• Keep sunscreen and lip balm with you at all time, in your car and purse.
• Use a natural sunscreen, preferably with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
• Keep a broad-rimmed hat in your car and wear it during sun exposure, especially between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM, when ultraviolet rays are strongest.
• Children have sensitive, delicate skin and should especially be protected with proper clothing to cover sun-exposed areas—Sunscreens with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are the best recommended for
• babies and children.
• Wear sunglasses to help prevent damage like cataracts or vision loss at older age.
• Your lips also need sun cream. Protect your lips with natural lip balm with Shea butter, which has natural sunscreen properties.
• Apply sunscreen approximately 30 minutes before exposure. Reapply often.
• Make sure to apply to face, hands, neck, ears, hands and arms.

The post Protecting SKIN from SUN DAMAGE in WINTER appeared first on Total Health Magazine.