Homemade Toothpaste: Is it Really Effective, or Just for Extreme DIY-ers?

 

We are living in the age of “do-it-yourself” or DIY, and this no longer only applies to crafts and homemaking—many people love trying home remedies, and DIY heath therapies in order to save money and take a more natural approach to health. While this can be a good approach in many cases, it is often unclear whether a DIY solution is truly effective, or just a popular trend. One popular trend that has developed is to make your own toothpaste at home. While many believe this is a great way to save money and avoid mysterious ingredients from entering your body, it can be tough to know if this is truly effective. Keep reading to learn about the latest DIY trend of homemade toothpaste, and whether it holds any weight, or should be left only the extreme DIY-ers.

 

Fluoride

The most common concern involves Sodium Fluoride, as it is the most popular ingredient in store-bought toothpaste. It’s generally assumed that Fluoride strengthens teeth and is a necessary component of proper care, an assumption supported by a plethora of mainstream publications, but it’s also a toxic waste material that may cause fluorosis, a condition that can permanently damage teeth by depleting calcium due to too much fluoride exposure.

 

Other Dangers

Store-bought toothpastes often contain other dangerous chemicals, making health-conscious consumers think twice before purchasing these products. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, DEA, Propylene Glycol and Triclosan can be found in popular toothpaste brands, ingredients that can cause hormone disruption, eye damage, skin irritation, difficulty breathing and even cancer. To avoid these carcinogens, some folks have made the choice to “do it themselves” and create their own toothpastes at home.

 

Do It Yourself

Healthy homemade toothpaste can be made many different ways. Some recipes consist of Stevia, Bentonite clay, baking soda, essential oil and coconut oil, while others add olive oil, honey and baking soda. There are plenty of easy recipes online that offer detailed instructions on how to make natural paste, which is helping the trend to catch on even more, as it grows in popularity every day.

 

Cons of DIY Toothpaste

While the fear of too much fluoride exposure, or a distrust in commercial products might inspire you to make your own toothpaste, as with any trend, it has its pitfalls. According to Dr. David K. Skeels, a dentist in Rochester, NY there isn’t much official data on the actual health benefits of making your own toothpaste. While many DIY-ers are convinced of its effectiveness, many are still waiting for solid proof or studies to emerge in order to truly confirm that this method is in fact, effective.

 

Homemade toothpaste is a practical solution for anyone concerned about the health risks of store-bought brands, not just extreme “do it yourself” types. It’s cheap, easy to make and a good way to avoid dangerous chemicals. While it comes down to personal preference, it is always best to discuss any change in your oral care with your dentist to ensure that you aren’t endangering your future health. As fads and trends come and go, always seek out expert dentistry and medical help in order to avoid dangerous or ridiculous health trends that don’t hold any weight.

Categories: DIY, effective, homemade toothpaste

What Are The Best Exercises For Losing Body Fat?

Do you want to know the best ways to lose weight and boost your fitness? There are some really simple and yet really effective moves that you can try to start burning that fat and restoring yourself to a place of complete wellness and wellbeing.

 

Forget about doing the same old boring cardio routine every day – if you attempt something like this, you’ll very quickly feel that you never want to see another treadmill as long as you live! Instead, pick up some weights and you’ll find a far more motivating and effective workout can be had.

 

Using weights can actually help your body to produce fat-burning hormones. Simple exercises mean that your body relies on muscle memory for a very efficient and manageable way to work out. It’s something that absolutely anyone can do and it helps to burn fat and keep you mobile and motivated. For each of these exercises, do them in pairs with no rest between each move and about one and a half minutes between each set. You only have to do this once per week to see a result. At the same time, make sure that you are following a lean diet plan, as there’s no point in having great new muscles if they are buried underneath a big layer of fat!

 

A deadlift is one of the simple exercises that you should try. This is very basic and simply involves holding a barbell with your hands placed just outside the knees. Pushing up through your heels, and keeping your chest up, lift the bar.

 

Next, try a series of Dumbbell presses. Lie flat on your back on a bench, holding a dumbbell in each hand at shoulder height. Keep your feet flat on the floor and then press the weights upwards and lower slowly.

 

A single-leg Romanian deadlift can also be very effective. Hold the bar and stand on just one leg with your knee slightly bent. Bend at the hip and keep your back straight until you feel your hamstring stretch and then straighten up.

Categories: body, effective, exercises, Fat, nbsp, simple, simple exercises

New Study SPARX Interest in Video Games for Mental Health

If your teenager spends all his time playing video games on his computer, you may be concerned for his mental wellness, but a bit of fantasy gaming could be just what the doctor ordered. This is according to a new study, published online in British Medical Journal, which has found that, for adolescents whose wellbeing has been affected by depression, specialised fantasy computer therapy is just as effective as face-to-face counselling with a clinician.

 

Created by researchers from the University of Auckland, New Zealand, the novel computerised cognitive behavioural therapy SPARX is based on an interactive 3D fantasy game containing seven modules. Your teenager completes the game over a period of four to seven weeks, during which time he or she is required to restore balance in a virtual world that has become overrun by GNATS (Gloomy Negative Automatic Thoughts), by undergoing a series of challenges.

 

For the study, the researchers undertook a randomised controlled trial with a three-month follow-up. The study participants – which was composed of 187 teenagers aged 12 to 19 years with mild to moderate depression in 24 primary healthcare sites across New Zealand – were split into two groups. The first group completed one-to-one counselling with a trained clinician, while the other played SPARX over a four to seven week period. The researchers then assessed the teens using several commonly used mental health and quality of life scales.

 

The results of the study revealed that the SPARX game was just as effective as standard treatment, as it reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety by at least a third. Of the 69 participants who completed at least four homework modules in the SPARX group, 44% or 31 teenagers completely recovered, whereas only 26% (19/83) of the group assigned to standard treatment did likewise. Both of the groups reported high satisfaction with their treatments, but in the SPARX groups 76 out of the 80 participants (95%) said that the programme would appeal to other teenagers and 81% (64) would recommend it to friends.

 

According to the study authors, SPARX is an ‘effective resource for help seeking adolescents with depression at primary healthcare sites. Use of the programme resulted in a clinically significant reduction in depression, anxiety, and hopelessness and an improvement in quality of life.’ They added that as your teenager can play SPARX at home, the computer game-based treatment could be cost effective, increase access to treatment, and serves as a potential choice for adolescents who are hesitant to seek conventional therapy.

Categories: depression, effective, healthcare sites, Mental Health, primary healthcare, Research, sparx, standard treatment, study, Video Games

Taking Control of Birth Control: The Deal with Spermicides

You may have heard that spermicides can help protect your sexual health and wellness, but what exactly are they? You get spermicides in all different forms, from creams, gels and foams to films and suppositories. Spermicides protect your wellbeing against unwanted pregnancy, but they are far more effective when used in conjunction with another method of birth control, such as a condom or diaphragm.

 

Most spermicides contain nonoxynol-9, a chemical that immobilises and kills sperm before they are able to swim into the uterus. In order to ensure you use the spermicide effectively, you need to place it deep in your vagina, close to your cervix. If the type of spermicide you’re using is a cream, gel or foam, you squirt the solution into your vagina using an applicator. You can also use vaginal suppositories, or a vaginal contraceptive film (VCF). This is a thin sheet placed in the back of your vagina by hand. You place the spermicide in your vagina before intercourse, according to the instructions. Some forms of spermicides offer protection right away, while the vast majority will take at least 15 minutes to dissolve and spread. Once you’ve inserted your spermicide, it will only be effective for one hour. Therefore, you need to reapply the spermicide if more than one hour goes by before having sex, or if you have sex again. When using spermicides, you should not douche for at least six hours after having sex.

 

Using spermicides for birth control is fairly effective, with a success rate of 71%. Over the course of a year, about 29 out of 100 typical couples who rely on spermicide alone to prevent pregnancy will have an accidental pregnancy. However, this is just an average, which doesn’t mean a whole lot to you as an individual. The efficacy of your spermicide use will entirely depend on whether or not you do it correctly, and if you remember to use spermicides every time you have sex. The key thing to remember is that spermicides are most effective when used in combination with another form of birth control. Spermicides alone cannot protect you against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), only a male or female condom, or abstaining from sex altogether, provides STD protection. Plus, if you use spermicide frequently, it can cause irritation that may increase your risk of getting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

 

When it comes to the pros and cons of using spermicide, there are points to consider on both sides of the coin. While spermicides are not as effective on their own as other forms of birth control, they are convenient, inexpensive, and easy to use. These are important factors in birth control, as you need a method that you’ll remember to use and do so correctly each time. However, the efficacy of spermicides will somewhat depend on any health conditions you may have, or any medications you’re taking that might interfere with their use. Plus, as spermicides have been known to irritate the vagina and surrounding skin, it may make it easier to be infected with STDs like HIV. Another possible side effect is recurrent urinary tract infections because the spermicide can disrupt the normal balance of bacteria in your body.

 

Still, spermicides can provide extra protection against pregnancy when used in conjunction with condoms or other barrier methods of birth control. They’re available without a prescription and are found in chemists and some supermarkets, often found the condoms and feminine hygiene products. Just make sure you’re careful when choosing a spermicide; the packages may look like those of some feminine hygiene products, such as douches or washes, which don’t provide any birth control protection at all.

Categories: birth, Birth Control, Condoms, control, effective, feminine hygiene, hygiene products, sexually transmitted, spermicide, spermicides

Are Teens Becoming Confused by Birth Control Options?

The worries of birth control side effects concern many young people, but there are so many options that are safe, effective and reliable. Contraception offers a number of options to suit you, whether you want something daily, monthly or even every decade. Yet nearly half of pregnancies are unintended, and its because of confusion and uncertainty according to experts. According to research, we now have an entire generation of young adults who are sexually active for the most part, but completely in the dark about what contraceptive to use. They don’t know enough about what’s out there to make a reliable and informed decision, so many either don’t use it at all or don’t use it correctly. The result is unplanned pregnancies and a higher abortion rate. In a recent study in America, 42 per cent of unmarried 18 to 29 year olds said they didn’t know very much about birth control pills, and two-thirds said they knew even less about effective long-lasting contraceptives. Around a third said that they believed there is a good contraceptive for their needs, but that they didn’t know what it was.

It’s not just teens and young adults who don’t know the answers to questions like how long contraceptives last, and which one is most suited to them. If you consider that half of all girls are sexually active by the time they reach 17 years of age, and that menopause hits around 50 for most women, that’s several decades of contraceptive use to avoid unplanned pregnancy. The right choice at 20 might not stay the right choice when you’re in your 40s. Surprisingly, the most popular form of birth control in the U.S is a vasectomy for men and tube tying for women. When it comes to the most popular reversible contraceptive, the pill is number one for many women. However, this is only reliable when it’s taken properly – sickness or missing a dose can lower the chance of it being effective. There are other benefits too, such as long-term users having a lower risk of ovarian cancer, less chance of menstrual cramps and less chance of acne.

When it comes to reliability, the two long-lasting products that are the most effective are also the two that most women haven’t heard of. These are the IUD and the implant. The former is a T-shaped device that sits in the uterus to block sperm. The implant is a matchstick-sized rod that emits hormones to prevent pregnancy, and this sits in the arm. The implant can sit happily in the arm for three years, and the IUD can last either five or ten years depending on the brand. Each is ideal for women who aren’t ready to think about pregnancy just yet, but also don’t want to be thinking about contraception on a daily basis. And if you change your mind, you can just have it removed sooner. While some women may experience a little pain, the newer brands on the market offer less side effects and is more appealing to women. Only a fraction of women in the U.S use these forms of contraception, despite them being effective and hassle-free – just 5.6 per cent according to the latest data. They seem to be more common in Europe though. There are so many varieties of contraception that finding one to suit you perfectly is easy. It’s simply a case of speaking to your GP and talking through your options.

Categories: birth, Birth Control, contraception, contraceptive, effective, long lasting, sexual health, sexually active, teens, Women, young adults

Contraceptives to Consider Over the Age of 30

There are a number of reasons why you may want to make a change to your birth control – maybe you’ve realised that you’re not one for remembering to pop a pill every day, or you’re worried about the side effects of whatever contraceptive you’re currently using. Whatever the reason, it can be daunting knowing where to begin, with so many options on the market. Here are some popular choices among women over the age of 30 which could prove effective for you too.

 

The combo pill is a surprising choice, as there a number of myths surrounding the side effects for this particular medication. However, there is a growing body of research which suggests this might not be the enemy as we once thought, with 99 percent success rate and the fact that it can ease some of the symptoms of perimenopausal women, such as mood swings and irregular bleeding. Worried about the increase in cancer? New studies claim it could actually help to prevent ovarian and uterine cancers. If you suffer from migraines, though, it’s probably best avoided, as it is thought to trigger headaches and even raise the risk of a stroke in those who suffer with migraines. The same can be said of women over the age of 35 who smoke, as the oestrogen and smoking can increase the risk of blood clots. Women who are breastfeeding may want to try to progestin-only pill, as this won’t affect the milk supply in the mother – this choice is also popular amongst people who have to avoid the oestrogen pills due to blood clot risks or cardiovascular disease. Smokers are also safe with this particular option, but it’s worth remembering that this is slightly less successful than the combo pill. As with anything though, there are downsides – if you struggle to remember things or don’t stick to a routine, this isn’t the best option. It needs to be taken at the same time every day to be effective.

 

The IUD, or the Intrauterine Device to give it its full name, is great for women who don’t want to think about birth control for a long time. This is 99 percent effective and lasts for up to 12 years, meaning you could get one fitted when you’re 40 and be set until menopause. The IUD is a T-shaped device which is fitted by a GP into the uterus to stop the egg becoming fertilised. There is a risk of mild discomfort for some women, but it doesn’t last and not everyone gets it. The downsides are that your periods and menstrual cramping may increase, but a newer model has potentially put a stop to that. Although Mirena, the new device, only lasts five years it means you can expect lighter bleeding. The implant has a shorter shelf life at just three years, but is a great no-fuss option for women who want a longer-term contraceptive without the fuss of getting it removed – the implant can be removed very easily. It’s a matchstick-sized rod which is inserted into the upper arm to release hormones which curb the release of an egg. It’s also nearly 100 percent effective, so there’s less to worry about. However, if you’re significantly overweight, there is a chance that the implant won’t work for you as well, so you may want to speak to your GP.

 

There are numerous choices for contraception – these are just a selection of the most popular. Speak to your GP about the options which are suitable for you, and they will be able to advice which route you should take.

Categories: Birth Control, combo pill, contraception, Device, effective, percent effective, Pill, sexual health, Women, years

3 Questions You Need to Ask Before Buying Supplements

As a fitness enthusiast, you want to do whatever you can to give your performance a boost. Many athletes and bodybuilders turn to vitamin and mineral supplements to enhance their performance, but you need to be wary of doing this for a variety of reasons. There are certain questions you need to ask before taking any supplement – as well as consulting your doctor.

1. Does it work?

This is perhaps the most important question to ask, as there’s no point wasting your time and money – and even your wellness – on an ineffective supplement. One way you can answer this question is by investigating if the product’s clinical trials has been published in reputable journals. Usually, you need more than one reputable study with the same positive outcome to assure some reliability of effect. Also, look for authoritative, non-commercial product reviews and information on website that don’t actually sell the product – or any supplements. The US National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements and the Australian Institute of Sport Supplement Programme both use highly skilled specialists to evaluate supplements for usefulness and safety.

2. Is it safe?

Even if your supplement does work, that’s no good if it’s going to damage your wellbeing in the process. Supplements aren’t required to detail their formulation on the label, or whether it’s been tested for safety and under what doses and conditions. Therefore, you should never assume that herbal or natural products are safe. Even if a product is based on plant ingredients, this is not to say that it is gentle. Liver-damaging toxins have been found in plant-based extracts in herbal products, and Indian ayurvedic remedies have been shown to be contaminated with toxic heavy metals.

3. Do you need it?

The main idea that supplement manufacturers play on is that the stresses of modern life and physical activity make you deficient in essential vitamins and minerals. While this may be the case for certain individuals, the likelihood is that you don’t need to have additional vitamins or minerals – even as an active sports person. Iron and zinc can actually be toxic in excess. Remember that your doctor should be consulted before you take any supplement.

Categories: effective, fitness, Safety

How a Trampoline Helps you Bounce Your Way to Fitness

For most of us, the last time we were on a trampoline was as a child. But trampolining is one of the most effective ways to build strength and stamina when you’re working out and is particularly effective when you’re training for endurance events such as a triathlon or marathon.

A research study by NASA has shown that exercising on a trampoline is 70% more effective for your fitness training than running on a track for the same amount of time. And bouncing is better for your joints than pounding a track, too, while also building bone and muscle mass.

This is because the body goes from a weightless environment – ie mid-bounce – to extraordinary impact when coming back down on to the trampoline, making every muscle contract to reduce that impact.

Trampolining involves core exercise that increases endurance and stamina. Every part of the body is working while bouncing, particularly the abdomen and lower back, all of which combines to improve strength.

Triathletes benefit most from trampolining. The high-intensity event involves swimming, running and cycling, all disciplines that require different things from the body and joints. The transition between the three disciplines has to happen so quickly that the triathlete’s body has to respond instantly to new demands. Doing specific leg and arm movements on the trampoline will work different muscle groups and build strength where it’s most required.

Even if you’re not training for an endurance event, trampolining can be a highly effective and enjoyable way of building core fitness that will help in all types of athletic activity.

The other great thing about trampolining is that it’s great fun. So if you can get the kids off the trampoline in the back garden, you can start bouncing your way to greater fitness.

How a Trampoline Helps you Bounce Your Way to Fitness

Categories: body, build strength, core strength, effective, fitness, Muscle, trampoline, trampolining

Follow an effective diet - without the gimmicks!

Over the years, there has been an influx of diet fads and gimmicks which promise near-instant weight loss and a miraculous drop in dress sizes. However, it is common knowledge that these diets are ineffective and invariably cause a negative effect on your overall health, through lack of nutritional value or losing weight too quickly. There are new diets though which have been created with science on their side, promising a healthy and more productive alternative to the get-slim-quick schemes. Through educating yourself on the right foods and exercises, you can lose weight and feel better within yourself at the same time.

There is a myth that people overeat because of a love of food, but this is a misconception. Most people eat too much due to an attempt to fill an emotional void, rather than simply loving the food. The stress and complexities of modern life has seemingly taken its toll on your dress size as well as our emotional state. So, if you want to lose weight, it could be more useful to take a look at other areas of your life as well as what you’re eating.

Firstly, it is advised that you change the way you think about food and begin to ‘think like a thin person’. The change to your cognitive thinking can prevent overeating, and allows you to still eat the foods you like without gaining the pounds. Also, look at why you eat – early mankind ate as a form of survival, and this natural instinct combined with the modern environment that surrounds us is causing problems which are resulting in us being overweight. Re-thinking the way you think about eating and meals can enable you to shed the pounds by training yourself to think differently.

Those who are serious about losing weight should ditch the fad diets and look at ways of changing their eating habits – simply exercising and eating a healthy, balanced diet can help you to keep the weight off and leave you feeling more energised.

Follow an effective diet - without the gimmicks!

Categories: diet, effective, weight