Teeth Care for Kids: Habits to Keep Children’s Teeth Strong

 

Brushing, flossing, and using mouth wash is a great place to start with your child’s oral health, but these few hygiene habits will not be enough to keep your kids’ teeth strong on their own. Here is a closer look at a few great ways to continue protecting your children’s teeth long after they set down the toothbrush.

 

Stock the Fridge with “Detergent” Foods

One of the most interesting ways to keep your kids’ teeth healthy and free from plaque is to incorporate detergent foods into their diet. This includes foods such as carrots, apples, and nuts that will physically scrape away plaque even while the kids are eating a meal.

 

Avoid Bottle Decay and Deformation

A number of issues can begin to pop up when children are allowed to use bottles for too long during the day or are allowed to keep pacifiers as a comfort item as they grow older. Decay can occur when they are given juices and allowed to sleep with the bottles as this can lead to an increased risk of tooth decay. Pacifier deformation takes place when children aren’t weaned off of pacifiers, an oversight which can deform the interior of their mouths and alter their teeth.

 

Start the Dental Appointments Early to Avoid Apprehension

Children that are taken to a dentist as early as possible will quickly learn that these trips are just another part of life. This will make it less stressful to schedule annual visits as they become older and eventually begin planning these appointments for themselves. Parents should also lead by example and schedule regular appointments at Westmount Dental Centre or a similar clinic for themselves and their spouse twice a year.

 

Always Double-Check Medicine

Some estimates show that around 40 percent of people take some sort of medication that could affect their oral health, and this includes children. For kids under the age of 12, some of the worst offenders include syrup-based medication, antihistamines, and aspirin. Fluoride is another common additive that is good in smaller doses, but parents should check with their dentist to ensure that their children’s teeth aren’t saturated with fluoride.

 

Make Hydration a Habit

Every parent should help to instill the habit of drinking water throughout the day as an alternative to soda and juice. Drinking water is one of the single most important oral health tools as it will keep the gums moist, flush away food debris, remove bacteria, and clean the mouth in between brushing times.

 

The oral health needs of children will continue to change as they grow older, and these few tips are a great way to ensure that they maintain strong and healthy teeth throughout their lives.

 

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Categories: detergent foods, drinking water, grow older, kids habits, kids teeth, oral health, teeth, teeth care, teeth strong

Teeth Care for Kids: Habits to Keep Children’s Teeth Strong

 

Brushing, flossing, and using mouth wash is a great place to start with your child’s oral health, but these few hygiene habits will not be enough to keep your kids’ teeth strong on their own. Here is a closer look at a few great ways to continue protecting your children’s teeth long after they set down the toothbrush.

 

Stock the Fridge with “Detergent” Foods

One of the most interesting ways to keep your kids’ teeth healthy and free from plaque is to incorporate detergent foods into their diet. This includes foods such as carrots, apples, and nuts that will physically scrape away plaque even while the kids are eating a meal.

 

Avoid Bottle Decay and Deformation

A number of issues can begin to pop up when children are allowed to use bottles for too long during the day or are allowed to keep pacifiers as a comfort item as they grow older. Decay can occur when they are given juices and allowed to sleep with the bottles as this can lead to an increased risk of tooth decay. Pacifier deformation takes place when children aren’t weaned off of pacifiers, an oversight which can deform the interior of their mouths and alter their teeth.

 

Start the Dental Appointments Early to Avoid Apprehension

Children that are taken to a dentist as early as possible will quickly learn that these trips are just another part of life. This will make it less stressful to schedule annual visits as they become older and eventually begin planning these appointments for themselves. Parents should also lead by example and schedule regular appointments at Westmount Dental Centre or a similar clinic for themselves and their spouse twice a year.

 

Always Double-Check Medicine

Some estimates show that around 40 percent of people take some sort of medication that could affect their oral health, and this includes children. For kids under the age of 12, some of the worst offenders include syrup-based medication, antihistamines, and aspirin. Fluoride is another common additive that is good in smaller doses, but parents should check with their dentist to ensure that their children’s teeth aren’t saturated with fluoride.

 

Make Hydration a Habit

Every parent should help to instill the habit of drinking water throughout the day as an alternative to soda and juice. Drinking water is one of the single most important oral health tools as it will keep the gums moist, flush away food debris, remove bacteria, and clean the mouth in between brushing times.

 

The oral health needs of children will continue to change as they grow older, and these few tips are a great way to ensure that they maintain strong and healthy teeth throughout their lives.

 

The post Teeth Care for Kids: Habits to Keep Children’s Teeth Strong appeared first on .

Categories: detergent foods, drinking water, grow older, kids habits, kids teeth, oral health, teeth, teeth care, teeth strong

The Best Strategies For Keeping Your Drinking Water Clean

 

 

The water flowing into your home may not always be clean, despite all efforts by the responsible authorities to ensure it is. There have been known to be outbreaks in towns due to contaminated water. To ensure your safety, you need to make an effort to keep your water safe to drink. Some of the methods you can use to purify your water include water softeners, carbon filters, sedimentation systems, reverse osmosis, and ultraviolet light sterilizers. These methods are able to filter out most harmful particles and chemicals which could be entering your water supply. This is not always economical and you may prefer to only purify water that you actually drink. The following purification methods can be used to purify just your drinking water.

 

Personal Water Bottles

These bottles have an inbuilt purification system. They have a pleated glass fiber, iodinated, or carbon filter. They are therefore able to filter the water as you draw it into your mouth.

 

Pour-Through Filters with Pitchers

These are filters attached to pitchers. As you pour your water into the pitcher, it passes through the filter and it is purified. The water in the pitcher is therefore considered safe for drinking.

 

Faucet-Mounted Filters

These types of filters are mounted on your faucet. Whenever you open your faucet and water runs through, it is filtered and you can safely pour yourself a glass and drink it.

 

Countertop Filters

These function much like the faucet-mounted filters but are not connected to the faucet. They are used to filter only water meant for drinking and they are isolated from the main water supply. You can use them when you do not want to filter functional water, like what you use to wash your dishes with.

 

Refrigerator Filters

You can install this type of filter on your fridge water dispenser, if it is fitted with one. It filters water as it is drawn from the dispensing tap of the dispenser. It gives you cool and clean water.

 

Most of the water purifiers listed here use filters filled with carbon particles. These particles, while trapping most of the contaminants of water, do not get all of it out. Any purifier utilizing just filtration would not completely purify the water. It is therefore wise to use two or more methods to ensure your water is completely purified. A combination of a point-of-entry method together with a point-of-use system can give you more effectiveness in purifying your water.

 

Informational Credit to Shorty’s Plumbing & Heating Inc

Categories: best strategies, clean, drinking water

Should Fluoride be Added to Drinking Water?

 

 

Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in drinking water but in some areas where natural levels are low, the mineral is added in a process known as fluoridation. However, experts struggle to agree whether fluoridation is a positive practice. So should fluoride be added to our drinking water?

 

Yes – Michael

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral – it’s not an artificial ingredient or a dangerous chemical so I don’t think there is any problem adding it to the water supply. We know that fluoride is crucial for good dental health as it strengthens tooth enamel and protects against tooth decay. By adding it to drinking water we are helping people avoid uncomfortable and costly dental treatment. We also need to remember that tooth decay has been linked to more serious problems such as heart disease so it’s important to do all we can to prevent these issues.

I know some people worry that fluoridation might have unwanted side effects but the process has been studied and reviewed many times and experts have shown that it is completely safe. And the benefits are clear to see – I’ve seen studies showing that children who live in areas where fluoridation occurs have almost 60 percent less tooth decay than children living in non-fluoridated areas. We have to trust that the Government has our best interests at heart and wouldn’t add something to our drinking supply that could be dangerous.

It’s also important to remember that fluoride is only added to water in areas where its natural levels are low. By adding it we are just bringing those areas up to the same levels as the rest of the country. Fluoridation has been well researched and is good for our health so I don’t think there’s anything to worry about.

 

 

No – Annabel

There are a number of problems with adding fluoride to drinking water. Perhaps the most important is that it takes away our freedom of choice. I don’t think anyone – whether it’s the Government, or health practitioners, has the right to dictate what supplements I should be taking. If we allow fluoride to be added to water now, then who knows what else might be added in a few years time just because experts think it’s good for us.

I also don’t believe adequate research has been conducted into fluoridation. I’ve heard that excess fluoride can lead to all sorts of health problems from causing arthritic symptoms to lowering the IQ. And ironically, too much fluoride can actually cause dental problems as there is a condition called fluorosis which occurs when children’s teeth are exposed to too much fluoride.

Dosage is also a big concern as there’s no way of controlling how much fluoride each individual receives as we all drink different amounts of water. In addition, some people are more sensitive to fluoride than others so would be advised to avoid high amounts – but what choice do they have if it is added to our drinking water? Surely if we have a problem with dental decay it would be better to educate people about good dental hygiene so that they can take control of their own health, rather than taking away people’s choices.

 

Categories: added, Drinking, drinking water, Fluoride, natural levels, nbsp nbsp, tooth decay, Water, water nbsp

Symptoms and Causes of Environmental Illness

 

The world is full of potential dangers that we are often unaware of. Sometimes, things that seem like errant health complaints can actually be the result of exposure to what are called environmental toxins. These include a variety of unpleasant substances that we come into contact with in the course of our daily lives. From tainted drinking water at one’s place of employment causing gastrointestinal issues, or a leaky furnace causing a homeowner headaches, environmental toxins are a real threat.

 

What Is Environmental Illness?

Environmental illness is a blanket term that refers to any number of different health complaints with roots in exposure to an environmental toxin. Environmental illness can range from mild to severe and exposure can occur in the home, on the job, or even regionally. While many environmental illnesses are more irritating than dangerous, there is potential of severe, long-term health risks associated with continued exposure to certain environmental toxins.

 

What Are the Symptoms?

The symptoms of this can be very widely varied. From things like headaches and rashes, to more serious issues like paralysis and respiratory problems, the potential symptoms from environmental illness are incredibly varied. Some of the most common causes of environmental illness, black mold and unsafe water, display symptoms similar to those of common illnesses. If you and those in your household suffer from chronic allergies, you should have your home inspected for mold. Chronic flu-like symptoms could indicate the presence of unclean drinking water, according to an expert from Brothers Plumbing Ltd. If you suspect your drinking water may be unsafe, have it tested immediately—contaminated water could lead to serious health complications.

 

Who Is At Risk?

Anyone can potentially be at risk for an environmental illness. Those whose jobs or homes leave them exposed to any number of well-known environmental contaminants will be at an increased risk for an environmental illness. Workers in mines, heavy industry, who are exposed to chemicals, and more, will be at a much higher risk of health problems that result from long-term exposure to environmental toxins.

 

Long-Term Implications

We all know of “black lung” and other types of diseases that notoriously effect those from certain industries and vocations, the number of different dangerous chemicals we are exposed to has dramatically increased in recent years, and the long-term effects of some of these chemicals, like asbestos, have only become well known after workers began to suffer from the related health problems.

 

Whether it be exposure on the job or in the home, long-term exposure to dangerous environmental toxins can cause a wide variety of potentially negative health effects. Being aware of the potential dangers, risk factors, and symptoms, can better help one protect themselves from potential dangers, or even identify the root cause of a lingering health complaint. Environmental illness is a general term for health complaints associated with exposure to certain environmental toxins, and taking heed of the information provided here is a way to stay in the best of health possible.

 

Categories: Causes, drinking water, environmental illness, environmental toxins, health complaints, health problems, Long term, potential dangers, Symptoms, term exposure, toxins nbsp

Signs Your Drinking Water Isn"t Safe To Drink

 

 

Water sustains life, it’s as simple as that. That’s why knowing if your tap water is clean and safe to drink is so important for your health. You can determine the safety of your drinking water by knowing the signs of contamination and what might be causing it.

 

 

A common cause of contamination in modern water systems is backflow. This is when pressure is reversed in the system causing clean water to mix with untreated or dirty water. It can be hard to tell if you have a backflow problem specifically, but the first thing to look for are contaminates in the water.

 

 

Visual Signs:

• Milky water: This is a very general indicator and one of the first things to look for. It means there is anything from methane gas to foreign particulates suspended in the water.


• Reddish brown water: Iron, dirt, or rust in the water will turn it this color. The water will also smell metallic or earthy.


• White deposits in kettles, pans, showers and appliances: This indicates you have hard water. In certain areas, water percolates naturally though limestone, dolomite or chalk deposits, taking with it high quantities of calcium and magnesium. Hard water is not harmful to drink but can clog shower heads, faucets, coffee makers, and water purifies.


• Foamy or sudsy water: According to an Edmonton drain cleaning specialist from Need-A-Plumber Canada, foamy water could indicate a surfactant, like detergent or diluted sewage, in the water.

 

 

Olfactory Clues:

• Bleach like or chlorine odor: This indicates there is chlorine or other chemical contaminates present.


• Detergent smell: A foaming agent or surfactant will give water a detergent like smell. To test it further, agitate the water to see if it foams or bubbles excessively.


• Musty, sweet, pungent, or earthy smell: This indicates organic matter is present.


• Oil or gas smell: This indicates that volatile organic compounds are present. In extreme cases this can be a fire hazard, so be cautious.


• Rotten egg smell: The smell of rotten eggs can come from two sources, the presence of Hydrogen sulfide or sulfur in the water. Both are dangerous and indicate severe contamination.

 

 

Knowing what to look for will help you stay healthy and keep your family safe. If you suspect your water is contaminated, notify your local public water authority immediately and have your system checked for backflow problems. When it comes to the water you drink, you can never be too safe.

 

 

Categories: drink, drinking water, Safe, signs

Coal Ash Pollutes North Carolina Drinking Water, Kills Fish

North Carolina’s environmental wellness has taken a hit this month, with a new study revealing that coal ash in Sutton Lake outside Wilmington is killing nearly a million fish every year. According to the Wake Forest University researchers, the wellbeing of other Carolina fish is at stake, with thousands being deformed by the coal ash.

 

In a statement, the research team noted that they ‘found several species of fish showing disturbing mutations of the heads, mouths, spines, and tails,’ after analysing more than 1,400 fish from Sutton Lake. ‘Many fish die before reaching maturity,’ they lamented. ‘In addition, the study found the population of catchable bass has dropped by 50% since 2008, affecting the popular bass fishing economy at the lake.’ Lead researcher Dennis Lemly, a research associate professor of biology at Wake Forest University and a leading expert on selenium poisoning, pointed the finger at Duke Energy, the owner and operator of a power plant that houses four coal ash waste pits. On December 3^rd, four conservation groups called for immediate action from Duke Energy.

 

This isn’t only an environmental wellness concern, but one of financial health. Known for its public recreational fishing, commercial fishery, and as a source of food to subsistence fishers who live nearby, Sutton Lake may face major economic problems if the coal ash issue is not soon fixed. The four conservation groups –the Sierra Club, Southern Environmental Law Centre, the Waterkeeper Alliance and the Cape Fear River Watch – argued that the study’s findings underscore the urgency of solidifying regulations on coal ash, and Duke Energy needs to take immediate action. In the groups’ statement, Frank Holleman, senior attorney for the Southern Environmental Law Centre, commented, ‘Selenium pollution from Duke’s coal ash takes food off the table of North Carolinians who count on Sutton Lake to feed their families, and fish off fishermen’s lines.’

 

Earlier this month, Duke Energy Renewables Inc. – the parent company of Duke Energy –  pleaded guilty to killing eagles with its wind turbines in Wyoming. However, when it comes to coal ash, the battle is being fought nationwide. At the end of October 2013, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) were given 60 days to set federal coal ash regulations in a lawsuit against the agency involving, among other parties, the Moapa Band of Paiutes. Still, while this deadline was given by a federal judge, it deals with emissions under the Clean Air Act – not water or ground pollution.

 

This isn’t the first time North Carolina’s drinking water has fallen prey to coal ash contamination. In 2012, a study undertaken by researchers at Duke University in Durham showed high levels of selenium in waters flowing to places like Mountain Island Lake, one of the main sources of drinking water for Charlotte. This was based on an analysis of more than 300 water samples from 11 lakes and rivers. At the time, Avner Vengosh, professor of geochemistry and water quality at Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment, stated, ‘In several cases, we found contamination levels that far exceeded U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidelines for safe drinking water and aquatic life.’

 

Professor Vengosh continued, ‘We are saving the sky by putting in more scrubbers to remove particulates from power plant emissions, but these contaminants don’t just disappear. As our study shows, they remain in high concentrations in the solid waste residue and wastewater the coal-fired power plants produce. Yet there are no systematic monitoring or regulations to reduce water-quality impacts from coal ash ponds because coal ash is not considered as hazardous waste.’ Kelly Martin, with the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign, in the conservation groups’ December 3^rd statement, pointed out, ‘We know coal ash pollution harms people, wildlife, and our treasured natural places. Duke Energy needs to stop stalling and take responsibility for its ongoing violations.’

Categories: coal ash, conservation groups, drinking water, duke energy, environmental protection, North Carolina, Power Plant, Research, sutton lake, water pollution, water quality

Could Even a Low Exposure to Arsenic Affect Your Heart?

Your environmental wellness, or your exposure to toxins, is intrinsically linked to your overall wellbeing. This has already been established in countless studies, but a new one has come into the fray to add to what we already know; exposure to toxins is bad for wellness. However, this new study, published the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, points out that chronic exposure to even low levels of arsenic in your environmental can increase your risk of having a heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular disease.

 

Previous research has already shown us that exposure to high levels of arsenic in your drinking water (which is defined as more than 100 micrograms per litre) is connected to a raised risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, peripheral artery disease and carotid atherosclerosis. However, this new study, undertaken by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, aimed to see how low to moderate levels of arsenic in an environment might affect heart health risks in American Indians. According to study author Dr. Ana Navas-Acien, a researcher in the department of environmental health sciences at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, ‘We didn’t know what would happen at levels that occur regularly in the United States.’

 

Even after the researchers adjusted their results to take into account other risk factors – such as smoking, obesity and cholesterol levels – the results of the study revealed that regular exposure to more common levels of arsenic did indeed correlate to increased risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular disease. Navas-Acien commented, ‘It’s a chronic long-term health effect. We need to understand that cardiovascular disease is a very complex illness, and there are many environmental risk factors like arsenic which can contribute.’ However, while the plus point of they study is that it did find an association between relatively common levels of arsenic in drinking water and a higher risk of heart disease, it’s important to bear in mind that the researchers did not prove a cause-and-effect relationship.

 

For the study, the researchers spent 19 years studying almost 3,600 Native American men and women living in Arizona, Oklahoma, North Dakota and South Dakota. The study began in 1989, and the researchers continued to follow the participants up until 2008. The researchers surmised that participants living in Arizona and the Dakotas were possibly the most exposed to arsenic through groundwater, as the private wells in those states often exceed the U.S. standard for arsenic in drinking water of 10 micrograms per litre. In fact, these wells sometimes contain arsenic levels as high as 50 micrograms per litre. In Oklahoma, on the other hand, the most likely source of arsenic exposure was their food, which the researchers citing rice, flour and other grains as potential sources.

 

Alice Lichtenstein, a distinguished professor of nutrition science and policy at Tufts University, was not involved with the study, was pleased with the findings. She noted, ‘The paper is very important. It’s an area where we need to look more carefully. It gives other research groups another variable to address.’  However, Lichtenstein, who also is the director of the cardiovascular nutrition laboratory at the university, added, ‘We don’t know what the direct effect is. What is important is that we gather more information, which I hope will be done promptly. We should not discount this. It’s very important. But I think we need a little more information.’

 

If you’re worried about your arsenic exposure risk, Navas-Acien recommended you have your drinking water tested. ‘In particular, people who live in small communities or have private wells should be aware of the arsenic levels in their drinking water,’ she said. ‘If you use groundwater and you don’t know the levels of arsenic in your drinking water, that can be quite dangerous.’ Lichtenstein agreed, and added, ‘The best advice we can give people is to eat food that comes from a variety of different regions, as opposed to being raised in a single location.’

Categories: Arsenic, bloomberg school, cardiovascular disease, common levels, drinking water, heart health, johns hopkins, navas acien, private wells, public health, Research, risk factors

Simple Ways to Improve the General Wellness of Your Skin

When it comes to anti-aging, protecting your skin really is the best way to shed years. Not only does paying some attention to your skin benefit your physical wellness and wellbeing, it also makes you look younger and gives the illusion of health, too.

 

Fortunately, however much you have neglected your skin, it is easy to make it look better in a relatively short period of time. This is because the skin is a constantly growing organ, and so you can easily get rid of more unsightly bits because it is growing all the time.

 

You’ve probably been told it a hundred times, but the best thing that you can do for your skin is to cover up in the sun. Sun exposure causes a myriad of problems including age spots, wrinkles and dehydration. If you have to be out in the sun at all (and think carefully about whether you do) then be sure to wear a high factor sun screen and wear a wide-brimmed hat at all times. The sun’s rays are strongest in the middle of the day and the early afternoon, so these are the prime times to avoid being outdoors if at all possible.

 

Drinking water is also a really simple and yet effective way that you can look after your skin. Water is a natural moisturiser for the body, and when you are running low (as so many people are) then it really shows in your skin. It appears as wrinkles, cracking, dry patches and rough skin, and can really add years to your life. Buy a cheap water bottle and carry it around with you making sure that you drink at least eight cups of water per day. As an added bonus, drinking water on a regular basis also helps to flush impurities out of your body, which can be great for your skin.

Categories: Drinking, drinking water, Natural, nbsp, skin, times, Water, Wellness

Could Slug Pellets Threaten Everything on this Planet?

In a source of English drinking water, the levels of toxic pesticide were, last month, found to be more than 100 times over the EU limit. This record-breaking discovery of metaldehyde – a chemical used in slug pesticides – threatened the wellbeing of residents in Essex and Suffolk, as the Environment Agency and Natural England reported the pesticides were found at the River Stour, which is the source of water to homes in these counties. This isn’t an environmental wellness issue that will go away once it’s discovered. There’s currently no treatment method that can extract metaldehyde drinking water – once it’s there, you’re drinking it.

 

You may be surprised by this news but the truth is that we’ve seen situations like this before, and still little is being done to solve the problem. In many areas across the country this time last year, slug numbers exploded after the wet spring and summer, in similar conditions to those we’ve seen this year. It was in the autumn of 2007 that the problem was first identified, as new analytical techniques allowed experts to test for metaldehyde. Since then, the government brought in a voluntary stewardship programme with guidelines for the use of the chemical, but clearly we need a new plan.

 

You don’t need to be an environmental expert to work out the main source of metaldehyde in the country; slug pellets. Using them in your garden does indeed put your wellness at risk, but you may not be aware that slug pellets are used in great quantities for the purpose of growing rape seed oil, winter beans, sugar beet and brassicas such as broccoli. In fact, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) offers a briefing on the issue, but sadly this only targets the use of this chemical, and chemical alternatives – there’s no mention of integrated pest management.

 

In the UK, the main predators of slugs are hedgehogs, frogs and wild birds, but microscopic predatory nematodes and carabid beetles can also be important. You’d think that the increased population of slugs would mean that we’d be seeing scores of these other animals too, but sadly we’ve seen the complete opposite. According to the People’s Trust for Endangered Species, since 2004 the number of hedgehogs has fallen by more than a third, plummeting from 36million in the 50s to fewer than one million today. This is due to a loss of hedgerows, a greater number of roads and the increased building of houses in all in areas of countryside.

 

These two facts together – slug poison on the rise and slug predators dying out – paints a bleak picture of our farming practices; we don’t understand our precarious environmental situation, nor do we have the research or right plan to deal with it. All advice given to farmers is geared towards the use of chemicals, rather than how they can encourage frogs, hedgehogs and wild birds. Not only would this benefit farmers, but anyone who doesn’t want slug toxins in their drinking water!

 

While the media is going wild over how metaldehyde in drinking water can impact human health, the water company fairly points out that you’d have to drink roughly 1,000 litres of water a day to be seriously poisoned. Nonetheless, we cannot be complacent. Drinking metaldehyde is not likely to be good for you, but it certainly isn’t good for the environment. If you won’t think of your own health or environmental wellness, think about your furry little friends; any vet will tell you gruesome horror stories of how dogs have died from eating slug pellets. Metaldehyde is threatening animals, plants and humans – in short, everything on the planet – and something needs to be done.

Categories: Drinking, drinking water, Environmental Wellness, metaldehyde, nbsp, slug, slug pellets, slugs, Water, wild birds

Not Just a Marple Murder Weapon: Are You at Risk to Arsenic?

You may think that arsenic is simply a sneaky murder weapon in a Miss Marple novel, but not only is it still around today, it’s a real threat to your environmental wellness. Arsenic is a natural element found widely in the earth’s crust, and it has been known to contaminate water supplies and wells. As you know from your Miss Marple novel, exposure to high levels of arsenic can considerably affect your wellbeing.

 

There are trace amounts of arsenic in all living matter but your main sources of exposure are you food, drinking water, air and soil. When you’re living near a source of arsenic, water is the main source that puts your wellness at risk. Arsenic can enter your water supply via natural means, as mineral deposits or rocks found in lakes, rivers and underground water dissolve, releasing the arsenic within. Otherwise, arsenic can get into your water when industrial companies dispose of their waste, or when arsenic particles find their way into dust, rain and snow. This can happen when:

 

• Fossil fuels (especially coal) are burned


• Metals are produced (as with the mining of gold and base metals)


• Agricultural methods use pesticides and feed additives


• Waste is burned

 

Unfortunately, you can’t tell if there’s arsenic in your water just by looking at or smelling it, (which is why is makes for such a good Marple murder weapon!) Arsenic is both tasteless and odourless, but the good news is that it tends to be found in very specific regions, and so it may not have contaminated the water in your area. The best thing to do is get online or contact your local authorities and find out if you live in an area that has natural sources of arsenic or is known to have high levels of arsenic in its groundwater.

 

If you do find that arsenic contamination is indeed a threat to your wellness, your next step is to have your water tested. This is highly recommended, and is simply a case of contacting your regional public health office or local drinking water authorities. Luckily, there are laboratories with specialised equipment that are able to conduct tests to measure arsenic in your body. This will often involve a urine test, as this can indicate any recent arsenic exposure. The question remains, however, what’s the point?

 

When you swallow arsenic through your drinking water, your body absorbs and distributes it throughout your blood stream. Remember, this is only through ingesting the mineral – you cannot have arsenic in your body simply via skin contact or inhalation while bathing or showering. You’ll find the highest concentrations of arsenic in your nails and hair, as it is here that the mineral accumulates over time. Fortunately, your body gets rid of most of the arsenic when you urinate, and in smaller amounts through your skin, hair, nails and sweat. Still, there are health complications to consider.

 

According to research in Taiwan, where the drinking water contains naturally high levels of arsenic (over 0.35ppm), consuming this drinking water during your lifetime can increase your risk of cancer in your internal organs, such as your bladder, liver and even your lungs. Over in Canada, Health Canada and the International Agency for Research on Cancer consider arsenic a human cancer-causing agent, but cancer isn’

t the only way that exposure to high levels of arsenic in drinking water can threaten your health. You can also experience:

• Skin thickening and discoloration


• Nausea and vomiting


• Diarrhoea


• Abdominal pain, muscle pain and cramping.


• Decreased production of your blood cells


• Damage to your blood vessels


• An abnormal heart rhythm


• Skin rashes, flushing and weakness


• Numbness, burning or tingling in your hands and feet


• Loss of movement and sensory responses.

Categories: Arsenic, Drinking, drinking water, health, Health Impacts, high levels, marple murder, murder weapon, nbsp, Water

Fitting in Time for Fitness: How to Achieve More Cardio

Fitness is so important to your overall health and happiness, but finding the time for exercise is a real struggle. However, just because you can’t make it to the gym four times a week, it doesn’t mean staying active has to fall by the wayside. There are plenty of ways to sneak a little extra cardio into your daily life.

 

Good General Ideas

If there’s an option to take the stairs or a lift, always step it up. However, a recent study has found that taking one step at a time, rather than two, actually helps to burn more calories, so don’t get ahead of yourself. If your phone goes off, be it for a chat or just a text, see it as an alarm to get out of your chair, and don’t sit down again until you finish your communication – bonus points for doing a few exercises or walking around while you do it.

 

Workplace Workouts

There’s so much you can do in the office to take care of your well-being. Try holding meetings Mr Selfridge-style and walk around the office. Not only will this get you using up over double the energy you would use sitting in a meeting, but the old “let’s walk and talk” helps to strengthen your creativity, work relationships and overall wellness. You can also get walking more if you drink plenty of water, as this means more trips to the loo – bonus points for picking a toilet on a different floor.

 

Commute Cardio

As this is the season for getting stuck in an airport over a delayed flight, you have ample opportunity to get some cardio into that dead time. Don’t just sit and wait for your flight, do a few laps of the terminal (minus the moving sidewalks!). When you’re back to work, leave the car behind and take your bike or walk. The bus might seem like the best of both worlds, but you’re only adding to your sitting time, which adds to stress and weight gain.

 

Chores Galore

Half an hour of vacuuming can burn about 75 calories, while washing the car uses more than double that. When you head out to run those errands, leave the car at home or park further away so you can log a few more steps. If it’s time for the big weekly food shop, take a lap around the supermarket throwing in anything you might possibly want, and then go round again and put back all the things you don’t need. Half an hour of pushing round a shopping trolley could help you burn up to 155 calories, and the laps will help you rack up some steps. Plus, walking round and deciding what you really need might help to cut down on the grocery bill.

Categories: bonus points, calories, Cardio, drinking water, fitness, nbsp, taking the stairs, time, Walking Meetings

Water, Water Everywhere, So Why Aren’t You Drinking It?

If you’ve ever been to a foreign country where the drinking water isn’t safe, you suddenly realise how important water is to your well-being, and just general life. Cleaning teeth becomes a hassle, you have to remain tight-lipped in the shower, and you suddenly start chugging two-litre bottles of the stuff at a time. However, back in Blighty, where we have safe drinking water in ample supply, we’re less inclined to actually drink it. Why bother when there’s so many alternatives that taste better, that have more caffeine or that get you more drunk? But when it comes to the wellness benefits of water, there’s an ocean’s worth of reasons to start drinking more.

 

Weight Loss – The weight loss benefits of water have been well-documented. Not only does drinking a glass of water before each meal make you less hungry, so you consume fewer calories, but water actually boosts your metabolism too. Plus, if you opt for icy cold water, you’ll be shedding the pounds in no time as your body has to burn up calories in order to warm the water. If you limit your consumption of “more exciting” drinks to just one a day, and drink cold water the rest of the time, you’ll dramatically supercharge your weight loss.

 

Energy – You may forgo H2O in favour of a beverage with a little more buzz, but ironically you’re ruining your energy levels. Feeling a lack of energy is often due to dehydration and, as caffeine dehydrates, choosing coffee over water is doubly as dehydrating! Sugary fizzy drinks also have the reverse effect of boosting your energy, whereas water hydrates you the most effectively, and helps your heart to pump blood round your body, and take oxygen to your cells.

 

Stress reduction – Not only does being dehydrated make you more tired, it also increases your stress levels. Up to 80% of your brain tissue is made up of water, and so dehydration takes its toll on your emotions. If you spend your stressful workday tied to your computer, stopping for two minutes to grab a glass might actually help you to relax a little more.

Categories: Drinking, drinking water, energy, More Energy, Water, Weight Loss