Monday, September 21, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Men Want To Know
Since so many men are afraid to go to the doctor, and embarrassed to ask health questions in front of the women in their lives, a doctor conducted a private forum for the 330 men. So where are the women headed? The women who accompanied their husbands were upstairs in a screening room.
"This is a no-embarrassment zone, there's no topic that's off limits, there's no question I won't answer," the doctor tells the men. "I want you to keep one memory in the back of your mind. There are three times more widows than widowers. Now why is that? Because when we're little boys and we scrape our knee, we're told to suck it in and not talk about it. We need to change that culture because there's a lot we can do for men's health."
We're going to start with what is undoubtedly the number one topic men want to know about—the penis," The doctor says. First, he has the first man.
"Dear Dr.: When the girl I was seeing excitedly sat on my lap, I heard a painful pop and immediately felt intense pain. I now have five scarred rings at the base of my penis. I'm unable to achieve a full erection, and when my girlfriend and I are making love, I don't feel anything. What should I do?"
To get an answer, The doctor calls on another doctor, an anesthesiologist from Texas. "Probably the only man in America brave enough to admit that he broke his penis," Dr. says. The Doctor explains that just as he was getting ready to go fishing in 2004, his wife told him that she was ovulating and that it was time to have sex.
"To make a long story short, we proceed. I'm not happy about it because there's no romance to it. It was just a mission that she wanted to accomplish," he says. "We get there, we started doing the intercourse and the next thing you know, I feel a pop."
That pop, Dr. explains, was a rupture. "Imagine the penis is like a sausage. Now, if you get a running start at the person you love and you miss, you push this penis into something hard, it can crack. … So physicians will actually take a little stitch and close up that little hole that you've made."
The doctor rushed to emergency room for surgery. Was it successful? "It was so successful that I have two kids," he says.
Another topic many men wonder about—but are often afraid to discuss—is circumcision. The doctor says the rate of circumcision in the United States has dropped from 90 percent to 57 percent in the last 40 years.
He says there are some reasons that circumcision makes sense—religious or family traditions, hygiene, and reduced risk of transmitting sexually transmitted diseases and viruses.
There are reasons to not circumcise as well. Some people consider it disfiguring, and doing it will reduce sensation during sex. "In a circumcised male, the bottom part, the underneath part of the penis, is the most sensitive part," The doctor says, using a cucumber wrapped in a sock as a demonstration. "If you've not been circumcised, about half of the erogenous tissue on the penis is actually that foreskin area. Plus the foreskin covers over the glans—that front part, and that's the most sensitive part of the penis—so it doesn't get rubbed on, so it stays a little bit more preserved for when the foreskin eventually does pull back during intercourse."
The American Academy of Pediatrics doesn't take a position on circumcision. "They say it's up to you," the doctor says.
For boys who haven't been circumcised, it is important to learn the proper way to clean themselves. Uncircumcised boys are 10 times more likely to get an infection than those who are circumcised, Dr. Oz says.
To do it correctly, "You pull the skin back and you can actually get under here and clean this corner out. Now these edges are where something called smegma resides, and that stuff can get pretty nasty if you don't clean it up," Dr. says. "But here's the bigger issue—as a doctor I care about this. Most guys who are uncircumcised have the foreskin leading off. This touches the pants and it gets scarred after a while. It can get pretty taut. Sometimes it goes over the tip of the penis and squeezes down on it and that can actually strangle the tip of the penis. That's called a phimosis. When we see it, that's an emergency."
Dr. says that keeping a penis healthy isn't just important for making sure your love life is working…it's important for making sure your entire body is working. "The penis really is the dipstick of the body," he says. "The penis tells you if everything's working, because if it's not working, the odds are stuff inside of you is not functioning the way it's supposed to be."
To know if everything's functioning, you need to know an erection works. First, arteries leading to the penis open up and they let the blood rush in and it engorges the penis. "But something else happens that is really subtle," Dr. says. "What drains the penis are these very thin veins. They get squeezed off so the penis can't let the blood come out again. That's why it gets big and hard and stays that way."
This process is controlled by a gas called nitric oxide, which relaxes the arteries and allows the process to start…and is what all those erectile dysfunction drugs treat
If you've watched any professional sporting event on television in the past few years, you've certainly seen an advertisement for drugs that treat erectile dysfunction. In fact, Dr. says that it is estimated that more than half of men over age 40 have had some difficulties getting or maintaining an erection at some point.
While erectile dysfunction drugs affect nitric oxide levels, they do have some side effects. "There are issues with some of the heart drugs folks may be on," Dr. says. "And [men] ought not to use it for recreational purposes—because if everything's working down there, it's only going to be a placebo effect. And you're not going to get a bigger or a harder erection by taking it." Does a vasectomy result in a loss of testosterone and energy, or any other negative side effects?
Vasectomies are incredibly safe and actually don't block ejaculation at all and won't cause impotence, Dr. says. Instead, the procedure prevents your body from adding sperm to your semen, making it sterile.
The only danger, Dr. says, is "sometimes you get a little soreness from the vasectomy because they go up through the scrotum to cut it. … However, you've got to make sure your sperm count has dropped after the operation before resuming relations."
But is there any way to prevent problems like that before they start?
One thing that can help keep your body working is garlic, due to a chemical called allicin, which works only when it's raw. "You need something that's an antidote to [the garlic]. So parsley, for those of you who are going to try this, will actually block some of that taste," Dr. says. "Because otherwise you're not going to be close enough to anybody to figure out if it makes a difference."
The next man is 47, has a question about urination. "I have been experiencing a decrease in flow, and when I think I'm empty, I'm not. There's always that little bit left over," he says. "Is it normal for urination patterns to change, slow down, even when at your end you need to shake off a little bit?"
Dr. says the person is describing an enlargement of the prostate, and these symptoms generally start around age 40.
Here's how the prostate works: Its goal is to make chemicals that mix with sperm in order to allow the sperm to do what it needs to do. The prostate also shuts off the bladder so urine doesn't mix with sperm.
Dr. shows the man an actual prostate and has him feel the area that shuts off the bladder so the urine can't go anywhere. "It's still stuffed, right? It's a little taut. This person had what's called BPH, benign prostatic hypertrophy, it's a big, thick prostate," he says. "So what ends up happening when the prostate gets larger is you can't start to go to the bathroom. You just can't get it going. Once you get going, it's dribbling along, right? When you finish, you still feel like you're full."
Dr. also shows the man another part of the prostate and has him feel a firm, walnut-like growth. "Now, that is prostate cancer," he says. "It's a little nubbin on top of the prostate. That's why the doctor does a rectal exam on you. They're looking for that."
Prostate cancer is easy to detect with a rectal exam or a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test. The test measures the level of protein in the blood produced by the prostate. If the levels are elevated, it could be an indicator of a simple infection or a tumor. This is why it's important for men to know what their normal PSA number is, Dr. says. "You've got to get a baseline number. One of the big mistakes men get is they never get started. If you're 40 years of age, you ought to know what your PSA is."
Another man has two questions for the doctor about testicular cancer. "Number one is, 'How often should men check for testicular cancer?'" he asks. "And number two is, 'What is the exact technique?' I mean, what are we really looking for and what are we trying to feel?"
Dr. says testicular cancer is the number one cancer for young men from 15–35. "That's why it's so tragic, because you've got these young, virile, vital guys and they end up with a cancer that, by the time they do something about it, it's often the size of a softball. That puts you way behind the eight ball trying to catch up and treat the person—often it's spread to the other testicle which means they become sterile," he says. "You've got to know how to examine yourself."
Every man should start self-exams at age 15, Dr. says. "You can do it whenever you take a bath and you're feeling for subtle differences, and it's an eminently treatable problem when you encounter it. … You're feeling for nodules. You're feeling for enlargement of the testicle. You're looking for sort of a full feeling down there. Sometimes you get fluid," he says. "And what a lot of folks don't think about, which is important, is you actually get sensitivity of the breasts because testicular cancers are often endocrine cancers. They send out chemicals that can change the way you look. Pay attention to those subtleties and you can save your or someone else's life."
The next man had this question for the doctor. "I have a question for you about lack of sleep. Here's the problem. It used to be one of my strengths, sleeping, but I don't know what happened," he says. "I tried everything. I mean, I'm up till 3:00, 4:00 in the morning. I've tried watching TV. I've tried reading books. I don't know what the answer is. I'm tossing. I'm turning. This is pretty much an everyday thing."
What's the number one rule for sleeping better? "For four or five hours before you go to bed, you shouldn't have any caffeine," he says. "Remember that being asleep is a natural state. You're supposed to be asleep. There are chemicals that actually jazz you up."
Also cut out late-night television, Dr. says. "Watching television is the worst thing to do late at night, because it gets you psyched up again. Plus the bright lights keep you awake."
If you still can't sleep, do what your mother always told you to do and drink some milk. "It's got a little bit of protein, including something called tryptophan, which becomes melatonin and serotonin," he says. "But you need a little bit of insulin to get it into your brain. So milk's got a little bit of sugar in it also that stimulates insulin so it gets into your brain. That's why milk works."
If you often travel to different time zones, like this man does, Dr. says to stay on a regular schedule. "No matter what time your game was on, go to sleep at the exact same time. It makes a big difference because at least your circadian rhythm is functioning the way it needs to."
The next man needs some nutrition information. "I'm a professional athlete. I train anywhere between two and three times a day. … What kind of foods can I add to my diet to help me maintain high energy levels throughout my diet and not crash after I'm finished working out," he says.
Dr. recommends that the man eat more foods with antioxidants. "What happens to a lot of great athletes is they are creating so much oxidation in their body from working out all the time, especially if you're working out for more than two hours a day—you're doing this for sure—that you don't have the oxidant stores to keep up with that. So you've got to build up those antioxidant stores by taking leafy green vegetables."
Bright colored fruits, like goji berries, are also great, Dr. says. "They grow in the Himalayas. They're the most potent antioxidant fruit that we know," he says. "Remember, foods are drugs. They work just like that. But especially for an athlete that's moving fast all over the place, you've got to keep the antioxidant stores in your body high and the best way to do it is through the foods you eat."
Do men pass more gas than women? Dr. settles the debate once and for all with an explosive experiment from the Discovery Health series The Truth About Food.
Two wranglers have agreed to settle this age-old question. They put on special rubber pants with a tube attached. The gas is directed into airtight bags strapped to their backs like backpacks.
After 24 hours, researcher the man releases the gas into a measuring jug to see how much wind they produced. The difference is slight—the woman produced 3 liters, the man produced 3.3 liters.
Now that we know men and women have roughly an equal amount of hot air, what exactly is the anatomy of a human-produced gas? Billions of bacteria live deep inside the colon and feed on our undigested food. "In fact, you have more bacteria in your gut than cells in your own body. They do something that's really very important. They actually make things like vitamin K and folic acid, key nutrients you have to have. They actually digest some of the foods that we can't otherwise digest," Dr. says.
The side effect of this digestion, however, is gas. "There's no way of getting around it. And so for most of us out there, you realize that a little gas is probably good for you," Dr. says. And by the way, men and women in every major study have the exact same amount of flatus. Don't feel bad, guys."
Just off the top of your head, do you know what causes hair loss?
To explain what really happens, Dr. has to bust two hair loss myths. First, don't blame your mother. "Half of you is from your dad. Half of you is from your mom. The genes can come from either side," Dr. says. Second, if you cut your hair short, it's not going to grow back faster. "That works for hedges. That is not going to work for us. The hair will grow a half an inch a month. That's the way it grows out."
Dr. says hair loss really happens when two hydrogen molecules called DHT (dihydrotestosterone) attach to testosterone. "That poisons the hair follicles and causes them to change from making normal hair to this sort of peach fuzzy material, which is what going bald is all about," Dr. says.
The amount of hair you lose also has to do with the weather. "Springtime, which is when your testosterone levels are actually at your lowest, is when you lose the least hair." he says.
Men have been desperate to hang onto their hair since the beginning of time, but forget about home remedies like baking soda or lemon. "Desperate men do desperate things," Dr. says. "None of those home remedies, I repeat, none will work."
The only real solutions to hair loss, Dr. says, are medications that block DHT production. "They don't put new hair on your head. They will help prevent the hair that's about to fall out from falling out," he says. "And because of that, since you're already normally growing hair, hair grows in different cycles, you'll actually sometimes feel like you have more hair on your head."
The next man says he heard that, ideally, people should have sex four times a week. Can Dr. confirm this…for his wife?
"The average time that we have sex today in America is once a week," says Dr. "Now we have pretty good data—if you can get that number to four times a week, you're going to live longer."
Very few men admit to having a facial, but Dr. says that facials aren't just for women! "I actually got a facial a couple months ago," Dr. O says. "Actually, it's pretty cool." The skin is exfoliated to allow younger skin to come through, resulting in a great glow.
Extra points for the men who don't wash their faces every day! "The other thing that men don't think about very much is how we actually keep our faces clean. And you don't want to wash your face every day. That's a mistake. If you're working under an engine, go ahead. But if not, don't."
To keep your hands from chapping and cracking, Dr. gets down to the source of the problem. "What generates a lot of the dryness is we don't have enough of the omega-3 fatty acids in our bodies," Dr. says. Omega-3s are found in a variety of sources, including flaxseed oil, walnuts and oily fish such as salmon. "That helps take care of some of that scaling skin that a lot of us have," he says. "Hand cream obviously helps a little bit, depending on the job that you have."
What nutritional supplements do men need on a daily basis?
Dr. says he takes what the average man needs for the basic foundation of healthy living—vitamins B, C, D, E, omega-3 fatty acids, calcium and magnesium.
While vitamin D is important in preventing cancer, many people in America are vitamin D deficient, Dr. says. "In America, especially if you live north of Atlanta, you do not get enough sun in the winter months," he says. "You will be vitamin D deficient, especially if you've got darker skin."
Dr. says that some men may want to add more supplements, depending on their background and health needs. "For a lot of guys, they may want to add things like aspirin and vitamin A—and you can go on and on and on with this stuff, but that is actually a pretty good place to start living your healthy life," he says.
Dr. says beyond what vitamins men need every day, there are 10 tests all men should have. Testosterone level, testicular screening, digital rectal examination (DRE), STD screening, colon cancer test, blood pressure, skin cancer screening, eye exam, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, and a routine physical exam.
Is there a way to clean out the colon to prevent colon cancer?
First and foremost, Dr. makes the man asking this question promise that he will get a colonoscopy. The next thing Dr. says he can do is clean out his colon by eating more fiber. "Here's the deal," he says. The best way to clean the colon is not through these enemas that folks sometimes get."
Dr. explains that most men only get about seven grams of fiber in their current diet—but need to be getting 35 grams every day. "The fiber washes out all the junk so it doesn't lay in the colon, irritating the cells and becoming toxic by rotting in there," Dr. says.
Aside from getting more fiber, Dr. recommends adding more leafy green vegetables and broccoli to your diet. "Those kinds of foods are incredibly powerful at reducing the chance of cancer," he says.
Do men go through menopause like women do?
"Absolutely," Dr. says. Call it man-o-pause, male-o-pause or whatever you like—the official term is andropause—but Dr. says it does exist.
Dr. explains that women go through menopause when their ovaries stop producing eggs and cause estrogen and progesterone levels to change. Similarly, when men go through andropause, testosterone levels begin to drop. "The amount of testosterone you have at age 60 is a fraction of what you have at age 20. So when that testosterone level begins to drop, you start to see the changes that often afflict men as they get older. They start to lose their muscle mass. They don't have the vitality they used to have. They don't have the virility either. They're not as sexually active."
Fortunately, at least a quarter of men do not experience these symptoms, Dr. says. "The reality is, things like sleeping—which is critically important to restoring growth hormones and allowing you to maintain normal hormone levels—and things like exercise—especially if you can do it for an hour a day—are incredibly important in changing your life cycle so that you start to behave like you're 20 years younger."
The last component is aspirin, which Dr. says helps prevent colon cancer without causing heart attacks, like some drugs did in the past that had to be taken off the market. "So aspirin, leafy green vegetables, stuff like broccoli, and get a colonoscopy because you can save your life."
Confronting Death
It's a subject most people find frightening and hard to talk about—death. In a special report, Dr. Mehmet Oz talked to two people who have faced their mortality—and learned something about life in the process. "We do not do death well in America. Americans like to win, and we see death as losing," Dr. Oz says. "Death is an integral part of this amazing life that we have the ability to live."
In 2003, Kris was a model and aspiring actress. Then she received devastating news—she had a rare form of cancer that was in its most serious stage. Kris immediately set to figuring out what to do about the cancer…and picked up a camera to record the process.
After getting prescribed drastic treatments—including a recommendation for a triple organ transplant—Kris searched for other opinions and explored alternative options like health food and yoga. Her journey was made into the documentary Crazy Sexy Cancer, which aired on TLC, and the book Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips. "A lot of people look at me like I have 10 heads when I say it, but cancer's been my guru, it's my teacher," Kris says in the film. "It teaches me every day the hard things and the beautiful things."
Years later, Kris says the tumors on her liver and lungs are completely stable. "I'm happy and, I think, healthier than I was before I was diagnosed," she says.
Dr. Oz went to meet Kris in New York to see her wellness routine. "I like the fact that she didn't just trust modern medicine. I love the fact that she was empowered, and she was going to go out and find solutions," he says. "She wasn't going to take no for an answer."
In 2003, Kris was a model and aspiring actress. Then she received devastating news—she had a rare form of cancer that was in its most serious stage. Kris immediately set to figuring out what to do about the cancer…and picked up a camera to record the process.
After getting prescribed drastic treatments—including a recommendation for a triple organ transplant—Kris searched for other opinions and explored alternative options like health food and yoga. Her journey was made into the documentary Crazy Sexy Cancer, which aired on TLC, and the book Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips. "A lot of people look at me like I have 10 heads when I say it, but cancer's been my guru, it's my teacher," Kris says in the film. "It teaches me every day the hard things and the beautiful things."
Years later, Kris says the tumors on her liver and lungs are completely stable. "I'm happy and, I think, healthier than I was before I was diagnosed," she says.
Dr. Oz went to meet Kris in New York to see her wellness routine. "I like the fact that she didn't just trust modern medicine. I love the fact that she was empowered, and she was going to go out and find solutions," he says. "She wasn't going to take no for an answer."
How Long Does it Take Food To Digest?
How long does it take food to digest?
Have you ever wondered what happens to the food you eat? First, it passes through the esophagus. It moves by a wave of muscle contractions that squeeze the food down at about two inches per second. When the food reaches the stomach, it falls into a churning pool of digestive juices. In the stomach, the food is broken down into easily absorbable ingredients: proteins, sugars and fats.
Then greenish brown bile produced in the liver is added to help the breakdown of these fats. By the time the food leaves your stomach and passes into the small intestine, it's unrecognizable. The walls of our intestines absorb the nutrients into our blood and that's how we get the energy we all need to live.
How long does this vital process take? It depends on what you're eating, "A steak dinner can take you two, maybe three days to get out of your intestine. What that means is the way you digest it is basically to rot it in your intestines. On the other hand, if you eat vegetables and fruits, they're out of your system in less than 12 hours."
What about chewing gum? Is it true that it takes seven years for it to digest? "No," However, this little urban legend can be a good way to "get kids to stop chewing gum."
Have you ever wondered what happens to the food you eat? First, it passes through the esophagus. It moves by a wave of muscle contractions that squeeze the food down at about two inches per second. When the food reaches the stomach, it falls into a churning pool of digestive juices. In the stomach, the food is broken down into easily absorbable ingredients: proteins, sugars and fats.
Then greenish brown bile produced in the liver is added to help the breakdown of these fats. By the time the food leaves your stomach and passes into the small intestine, it's unrecognizable. The walls of our intestines absorb the nutrients into our blood and that's how we get the energy we all need to live.
How long does this vital process take? It depends on what you're eating, "A steak dinner can take you two, maybe three days to get out of your intestine. What that means is the way you digest it is basically to rot it in your intestines. On the other hand, if you eat vegetables and fruits, they're out of your system in less than 12 hours."
What about chewing gum? Is it true that it takes seven years for it to digest? "No," However, this little urban legend can be a good way to "get kids to stop chewing gum."
10 Major Agers in Your Home
There may be products in our closets and cupboards right now that can shave years off our lives. They can penetrate our lungs, cause asthma and allergies, poison our liver, damage our hearts, and irritate our eyes and skin. Before Dr. Oz stages an intervention, grab a trashcan and recycle bin and go from room to room to eliminate these 10 age stealers. In many cases there are healthier alternatives you can use instead.
1. High Fructose Corn Syrup
High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a type of sugar that has been processed and combined with corn syrup to produce a cheap, easily dissolvable sweetener. But this sugar is quickly absorbed by the liver where it is converted into fat. Since your brain doesn't recognize HFCS as regular food, it never shuts off the appetite center -- so you keep eating. Blood sugar levels rise, massive amounts of insulin is recruited to metabolize it and then you crash and feel hungry again. It is found in soft drinks, fruit juices, salad dressings and baked goods. Read the food labels of products in your pantry and refrigerator and throw out all products that contain HFCS.
2. Chlorine Bleach
Household bleach contains the chemical sodium hypochlorite and is used to whiten clothes and kill germs like mold, bacteria and virtues. It’s not good for the environment and not good for you; it is that it evaporates quickly to irritate your nose, eyes, throat, skin and lungs. Good non-toxic alternatives are baking soda, white vinegar or alcohol- and peroxide-based products.
3. Insecticides
Mosquitoes can be annoying and carry diseases. But keeping them at bay doesn't mean you need to drench you and your property in carcinogenic pesticides. Instead use a natural repellant that contains essential oils such as lemon eucalyptus and lavender. Burning citronella candles outdoors, staying indoors at high biting times, and removing still water where mosquitoes lay eggs is a healthier strategy.
4. Drinking Hard Alcohol
Not all alcoholic beverages are alike. Beer, wine, and spirits, sometimes referred to as hard alcohol, can be damaging when drunk in excess; they can damage the liver (cirrhosis), cause esophageal cancer, internal bleeding, heart failure, pancreatitis and gastritis. And some breast cancers can be fueled by alcohol. Although one glass of red wine a day can offer health benefits, spirits have a higher alcohol content and contain more synthetic chemicals and sugars.
5. Moth Balls
For generations it has been customary to sprinkle a few mothballs made of naphthalene in a box of sweaters to prevent moths from feasting on the fibers. Today, a better choice would be natural alternatives such as cedar chips and lavender sachets. Remember to clean clothes first then zip them up at the end of the season.
6. Air Fresheners and Fragrance Candles
Everyone likes their home to smell clean and fresh but synthetic fragrances that waif through the air can negatively affect the quality of indoor air, damage lung tissue and airways and irritate the eyes. Keep it real. If your house is clean it shouldn't smell.
7. Trans Fats
Trans fat is a type of unsaturated fat that is made saturated during a manufacturing process that adds a molecule of hydrogen. These hydrogentated oils raise bad cholesterol and lower good cholesterol and cause a host of cardiovascular diseases. They are slowly being removed from commercial recipes but products in your home may still contain them. Look in your cupboard and dump anything with hydrogenated oil on the label.
8. Toluene
Toluene, a solvent found in nail polish, paints and when petroleum-based paraffin candles are burned can cause nervous system damage. Naturally scented beeswax, soy or vegetable candles and natural alternatives to nail products are a better choice.
9. Detergents with NPE
Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPE) are chemicals that help liquid substances such as oil and water mix. They are found in laundry detergents, shampoos, and cleaners. These chemicals can mimic the hormone estrogen to cause early menstruation, low sperm counts and poor reproductive health. Use natural cleansers and consider alternative cleaning tools such as the microfiber mops or steam cleaner that can reduce or eliminate the use of harsh chemicals.
10. Cigarette, pipe, and cigar products
All tobacco products produce harmful chemicals even after you have eliminated the smoker from the house. When you have stopped smoking give your house a clean makeover, washing all fabric curtains and upholstery and think about putting on a fresh coat of paint. Ban smoking in and near your home forever after.
Dogs in Crisis
Fancy is my Pom in danger. Her chronological age is 4, but her real age is 8.
While Fancy's health has lowered her quality of life, it’s not too late to turn back the clock. These 3 tips are inexpensive, fun and lifesaving:
1. Portion control
Feed overweight pets out of a food puzzle instead of a food bowl. This institutes portion control because a food puzzle has measure lines.
2. Healthy snacking
Try baby carrots, blueberries and celery. And give your dogs positive emotional reinforcement instead of dipping into the treat jar!
3. Go for a walk
A no-brainer for pet owners! Get out there and walk 10,000 steps a day! This is good for owners and pets – invest in pedometers and “petometers” and walk back to health.
Metabolism Booster Information
Every function of every organ in the body relies on the energy provided by the metabolism of calories. How much energy you need on any given day depends on what you are doing, what you ate and the state of your health. The basic metabolic rate (BMR) refers to the minimal amount of calories you need to live. Some people need only 1200 calories, while professional athletes need 2000.
People with a high metabolism burn more calories than people with a low metabolism. Intense exercise requires more energy than resting on the couch; and you burn more calories digesting good food then when you are downing empty calories in junk.
The goal is to have the calories you eat match the calories you burn or it gets stored as fat. Knowing your threshold can help you figure out how many calories you need to keep your energy needs in balance and your body at an ideal weight.
So how do you know how much energy you need?
Unless you have access to a calorimeter that accurately measures your BMR, you will only be able to estimate your energy needs. However, by performing certain exercises and eating certain foods with a high thermogenic potential, you can easily increase the amount of calories you burn.
Here are a few simple and surprising strategies to help boost your metabolism.
Exercise Less Intensity
Turns out that when the body needs energy during intense exercise it goes for the more easily metabolized foodstuff first: carbohydrates. Carbs are quickly turned into energy and require less energy to metabolize. So to burn the fat, you need to perform exercise more often and less intensely. Sure, intense exercise can burn calories and build muscle mass that will burn energy more efficiently. But it is the steady fire that will help to improve metabolism. The best strategy is to alternate brief intense exercise with slow and steady moderate exercise.
Drink Coffee and Tea and See
Coffee is a stimulant that contains caffeine. It can help you stay awake but also boost energy expenditure and speed up metabolism. So don't be afraid to drink a cup of Joe.
Green tea has compounds called phenols that have great thermogenic properties beyond that explained by its caffeine content. Give the green light to green tea and drink it hot or cold to promote energy expenditure.
Spice it with Heat
Some plants contain the bioactive ingredient capsaicin, which not only makes them spicy hot, but also doubles energy expenditure for 3 hours after a meal. Plants belonging to this family are a hot ticket for boosting metabolism. Include red peppers, cayenne, jalapeños, habaneros, and tabasco to recipes. It may also work to decrease appetite centers in the brain by boosting the release of certain neurotransmitters.
Ginger is also another good add. It not only aids in digestion but increases body temperature and metabolic rates as much as 20 percent after eating. Slice fresh ginger and stir-fry it with vegetables for an energy invigorating meal.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Hidden Germs Everywhere in your home
Germs are everywhere. Unless you’re living in a Level-4 biocontainment facility, there are germs on the surfaces of everything in your house. Bacteria, viruses and molds are crafty at finding hospitable environments to hang out. They like it moist and dark and can hide in plain sight, sometimes in the most unlikely of places.
Here's where you can catch hidden germs red-handed:
On the bottom of your purse, briefcase or backpack
It's not just a used tissue that's the issue, but also what gets dragged in from the outside. Our bags go with us everywhere and come in contact with germs on bathroom floors and restaurants making them the perfect vehicle for hitchhiking germs. To avoid bringing them into your house place bags on hooks when possible and when you come in the house leave at the doorway and not on the kitchen table.
In your make-up bag
Anytime we use make-up, be it mascara, lipstick or a compact, the germs on our hands can contaminate it. Make it a practice to periodically wash the outside of cosmetics cases and make-up bags. And throw out make-up that is old, especially anything that is applied to the eyes, that is sure to be a bacteria bonanza. Definitely resist using testers in the store or sharing make-up with friends.
On your remotes and phones
Before you grab a handful of walnuts and the remote to turn on The Dr. Oz Show, take a look at the keypad. How many people in your house touched the remote today? Unless everyone washes his or her hands each and every time they touch it, the remote is a breeding ground for germs. Take a not too moist disinfecting cleaning cloth to all remotes and phones and everyone should wash their hands or use alcohol-based sanitizers before (and after) touching them.
On your computer and keyboards
Take a look around at all the electronic devices you touch over the course of the day. You may be the only one touching your keypad but that doesn't mean it isn't riddled with germs. Each time you shut down, take a cleaning cloth to the keyboard and mouse. If you are willing to make the investment, there are UV disinfecting wands available.
On the spice rack
We don't think much about cleaning the outside of the spices used during cooking. However, how many times have you touched raw chicken and then grabbed the salt and pepper shaker to season? Without cleaning afterward, this is a recipe for disaster. Remember to wipe down routinely used spices after use.
In your sponges
The moist nooks and crannies of a wet sponge are a hotbed for germs and probably the most contaminated place in your house. We move sponges from surface to surface dragging everything inside to a new location. Replace old sponges monthly and put them in the microwave for a few minutes at the end of each day.
On anything with a handle
This may seem like a no-brainer but how many people clean their light switches? Take a walk from room to room and mark each handle you touch with a piece of tape. Then go back and clean that surface. That includes that handle on the refrigerator, dishwasher and stove. If you have exercise equipment and stair rails, clean those surfaces as well.
On the arms of furniture and chairs
One of the first places you land at the end of a long day is in the comfy old chair in the den. Wipe down the arms and rails of dining-room chairs and other frequently used un-upholstered furniture.
On shoes and paws
Swap your outside shoes at the doors for indoor slippers. This way you aren't tracking in dirt and pesticides from the lawn and street. If you have a pet that needs to go out, wipe down his paws before he comes back inside the house.
Fast Food - 10 Ways to Eat Better in the Fast Food Lane
While many fast food restaurants are slowly introducing healthier options to their menus you can improve your chances of making a healthy choice if you follow these 10 tips.
1. Plan your meals in advance
Oftentimes people duck into a fast-food restaurant because they just don't know what to eat. Take the out the guesswork by planning each meal in advance and writing it down. Give yourself a very limited fast food quota and stick to it.
2. Don't wait until you are starving
If you eat when you are famished you tend to grab at anything, typically the worst foods. If you stick to assigned meal times you'll avoid getting super hungry. If you can't adhere to a schedule, keep healthy snacks on hand such as nuts, dried fruits or fiber wafers to curb your appetite until you can sit down to a meal.
3. Read the menu closely
If your favorite fast food joint doesn't post the nutritional information on the menu they may have it behind the counter. If not, check out their corporate Web site and look up the nutrition content online.
4. Don't up the ante on portion size
Even when the jumbo, double, super, giant and deluxe size seems like a better value, if you choose the larger size to save money, you might not stay healthy enough to spend it. Always order the regular.
5. Be a side-stepper
Salads are a great healthy option, but not when they are swimming in an oily soup topped with fried croutons. Ask for salad dressing, sauce and gravy on the side so you can control the amount you'll use or skip it altogether. Try drizzling lemon juice or using salsa instead.
7. Keep it plain
Nothing kills a healthy option like a slathering of secret sauce or a mountain of bacon. Condiments such as ketchup, may have added sugar but full-fat mayo can sabotage a meal in one fell swoop. Mustards might be a better choice. Don't be afraid to ask for substitutions.
8. Skip the soda and shake
This is what shocks people the most. Some large sodas clock in at more than 500 calories and 15 grams of carbohydrates. And that offers no nutrition at all. Instead drink water or seltzer with a wedge of lemon.
9. Blow off the bread
Yes burgers come with two sides to the bun, but that doesn't mean you need both sides to enjoy it. Top the burger with an extra tomato and a layer of lettuce leaves to take its place.
10. Forgo anything fried
No matter how you slice it, foods breaded and deep-fried in oil are an artery-clogging disaster. Chicken, fish and vegetables that are grilled, broiled or steamed taste just as good as fried, particularly when they are well seasoned.
11. Share it
Many of the fast food portions are enough for two. Bring a friend and split it in half.
Do You Know You're Body - Females
When it comes to vaginal discharge, everyone wants to know if theirs is normal. Since every woman's vagina has a unique personality, you'll need to learn what's normal for you.
The vaginal mucus has a purpose: it makes it easier for sperm to swim to a woman's egg during ovulation, lubricates the penis during sex, and flushes out harmful microorganisms that can cause infection. It is comprised of shedded cells, healthy bacteria, proteins and mucus.
Vaginal secretions vary in color, appearance, consistency, amount and smell throughout a woman's life. What is normal in your twenties may not be normal in your fifties. Changes occur during the menstrual cycle, menopause, pregnancy and sexual arousal. And certain medications, douches, soaps, medical conditions, allergies, and birth control pills can also affect the characteristics of vaginal secretions.
Any woman who has experienced a vaginal infection knows that it can be unpleasant. If you have bacterial vaginosis, yeast (Candida), trichomoniasis or any other sexually transmitted infection you want to know as soon as possible. Familiarizing yourself with the characteristics of your vaginal discharge on any given day can help you know when things are not right.
So wash your hands, give yourself some good light and explore.
Color
If discharge is clear or milky white, that's normal. It can also look very pale yellow when it's dried. If you are seeing grey, green, yellow, pink or red, that's not. Blood-tinged mucous may be a sign of pregnancy.
Scent
If it has a mild musky scent or none at all, that's normal. If it suddenly smells foul or "fishy", that's not.
Consistency
The texture of discharge will depend if you are ovulating or sexually aroused. If it feels sticky and can be stretched between two fingers during ovulation, or watery other times, that's normal. If it looks clumpy like cottage cheese, or foamy, that's not.
Amount
The amount of discharge is also variable. It will be more voluminous during sexual arousal and during ovulation, less during menopause. Keep an eye out for big changes such as suddenly needing to wear a panty liner every day. It is normal to experience vaginal dryness during menopause, when waning estrogen causes less mucus to be produced.
Feel
Changes in your normal vaginal secretions that are accompanied by itching, redness, soreness, rash, burning or pain can be a sign you have a vaginal infection or an allergy to sperm or spermicidal, or a signal that there is some other medical problem.
Here are some pointers that can help keep your vagina healthy.
• Clean daily using a mild soap and water
• Dry yourself well after bathing or swimming
• Don't douche, use perfumed sprays or talcum powder
• Wear loose clothing at night or go commando
• Avoid constricting clothing
• Avoid panties made with synthetic fibers
• Eat probiotics or take supplements to keep normal bacteria in balance, particularly during a course of antibiotics
• Wipe from front to back to avoid contaminating the vagina with feces
Stop Smoking Tips
Ask a former smoker how they stopped and you will probably hear that they came armed with a plan. Even if you have tried to quit before, and slipped, you can still quit. You just keep trying until it sticks.
So how do you get an action plan in place? You need to be ready, organized, committed and willing to ask for help. Come up with a list of your reasons to quit: your health, your kids, financial concerns, embarrassment, because Dr. Oz said so. Set a quit date and start a new life without cigarettes.
Here’s a brief overview of Dr. Oz's "Kick the Habit" plan.
In an effort to protect the public from the 2009, the H1N1 swine flu, health officials have issued advice that can help prevent and contain the spread of the disease. Since the virus is spread mainly from person-to-person, there is a lot you can do.
Dr. Oz and his team of experts suggest these tips to help to protect you from the H1N1 virus.
Get Vaccinated
The National Institutes of Health and manufacturers under contract with Health and Human Services are working to get an H1N1 vaccine ready for widespread use in time to protect against the mid-winter peak. In clinical trials, most adults who got a single dose were protected within 8 to 10 days. Make sure you get a good night's sleep the day before you get your shot. Sleep can boost the effectiveness of immunizations.
Wash your hands
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that hand washing is the number one way you can prevent the spread of disease. Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water. Aim for a minimum of 20 seconds. Whistle while you wash: you should be cleaning your hands for the approximate length of time it takes to complete a verse of “Happy Birthday.” An alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be used if a sink isn't nearby.
Sneeze or cough in the crook of your elbow
There are thousands of saliva droplets that contain millions of viruses in a typical cough or sneeze. When you cover your mouth with your hands, the virus lands in your palm, and is easily transferred to everything you touch. You can also cough or sneeze into a tissue, but throw it away immediately. Then wash your hands.
Keep your hands off your face
Germs enter the bloodstream through various mucous membranes. Try not to rub your eyes, put your fingers near your mouth or pick your nose. If your nose is dry, try coating it with an emollient protective barrier such as petroleum jelly or beeswax. Regular use of a Neti pot can keep sinuses and passages clear.
Take Vitamin D
Vitamin D is produced in the body during exposure to sunlight. During the winter we tend to get less exposure so vitamin D supplements are recommended. People who take vitamin D supplements have better luck avoiding the seasonal flu; there is no reason to think that it won't do the same for H1N1 virus. Flu outbreaks tend to occur in places where solar radiation is low.
Stay hydrated
During the winter months we have a tendency to lose fluids when our heated homes and dry air rob us of moisture. You'll know if you are hydrated if your urine is a clear pale yellow. Dark yellow is a sign that your urine is concentrated and you need to drink more.
Get out in open space
Cold weather usually brings us indoors, sometimes in close proximity to a crowd of people who may be unknowingly infected. Spend some time outdoors and get some fresh air.
Keep fit
Aerobic activity improves the exchange of oxygen to keep the immune system strong and lungs clear. Just remember to wipe down equipment at the gym before and after using.
Eat your greens … and blues and oranges …
Dark and colorful fruits and vegetables are loaded with immune boosting phytochemicals. Plant a rainbow on your plate and dig in!
Eat probiotics
Probiotics are the good live bacteria found in fermented food products such as yogurt and soy products like miso and tempeh Eating these foods not only promotes the natural balance of healthy bacteria important for digestive health, it can stimulate the production of immune fighting chemicals from cells found in the gut.
Don't smoke
Lining the inside of the nasal passages are tiny hairs whose function it is to whisk away microscopic material and prevent them from entering the bloodstream. If you smoke these hairs become damaged. Smoking also compromises breathing and produces more virus-trapping mucous. For more information on smoking, click here.
Limit alcohol consumption
Excessive drinking of alcohol depresses the immune system and compromises liver function. The heaviest of drinkers are more prone to infections and dehydration.
Stay home if you are sick
You probably won't know if you have the H1N1 flu or seasonal flu by looking at symptoms alone. Widespread testing is just not feasible. In fact, you may not experience any symptoms for a few days. The symptoms of 2009 H1N1 flu virus include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people also experience diarrhea and vomiting. You should stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever normal without the aid of fever reducers.
Avoid close contact with infected people
If you are a healthcare worker or caring for a loved one with the flu, it is a good idea to stay at least 6 feet away if possible. Currently, facemasks or N95 respirators are only recommended for healthcare workers and at-home caretakers who fall into a high-risk category.
Stay informed
It seems as if public health officials have an update everyday. Sign up for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention e-mail alerts and follow the @CDCFlu on Twitter to receive the most current information about the H1N1 virus.
Day 1–27
Take a pledge to stop and post it where you can see it. During this phase, you’re going to examine your smoking patterns and triggers and plan to do something else in its place. Start a craving journal so you can see what you are doing right before you light up. Exercise is the best replacement. Walking 30 minutes everyday will not only moderate some of the weight you might gain when you stop, but also provide structure and establish discipline. Pick a support person—someone dependable who can encourage you—and let him or her know you did your walk.Report in to the same person every day.
Make an appointment with your doctor to discuss any stop-smoking aids. There are non-nicotine medications like Wellbutrin, Zyban or Chantix that require a prescription and nicotine replacement aids that are available over-the-counter; both can improve the likelihood of success. Follow the directions for use carefully. In some cases, you may need to begin taking medications a few weeks before your quit date.
Think about what you can do if you have a craving and buy anything you might need. This includes healthy snacks, gum and rubber bands – something for your cigarette-seeking hands to play with during cravings.
Day 30
This is your quit date, the first day of your life without cigarettes. You will throw out all tobacco products, cigarette lighters, and ashtrays from your car, home and office. Anything that you used when you were a smoker goes in the trash as well as anything that even reminds you of smoking. Wave goodbye.
Continue the walking plan and report in to your support person daily.
Day 31–45
Continue to take any medication as prescribed and nicotine replacement aids (patch, gum or inhaler) that you have decided to use to stop smoking. Continue the walking plan and report in to your support person daily.
Day 46–180
If you are taking prescription medications and nicotine replacement aids you may be able to cut down. Check in with your doctor and let him or her know how you are doing. The best way to begin removing yourself is to slowly taper off.
Continue the walking plan and report in to your support person daily.
Day 181–The rest of your life
If you have gotten this far it is safe to say you are officially a non-smoker. Congratulations! Keep exercising and living a healthy lifestyle.
There are a few online stop smoking Web sites that you can use to monitor your success. For more information visit http://www.smokefree.gov
Plans To Fight Flu
Here are a few simple steps to help stave off infection this flu season.
Nearly 45,000 saliva droplets are propelled from a typical sneeze. Hitching a ride on the saliva are millions of viruses.
Viruses shoot into the air as far as a few feet away. They can survive for hours on paper including money … even days on door knobs and countertops.
Here’s your master plan to fight the flu:
Get your annual flu vaccine.
Wash your hands frequently. Twist and wring warm soapy water around for at least 20 seconds. It’s longer than you think, so sing “Happy Birthday” twice to make sure. You can also use an alcohol sanitizer.
When you sneeze or cough, do it in the crook of your elbow or into a tissue that’s immediately thrown away.
Don’t rub your eyes, mouth, or pick your nose. Germs enter through the mucous membranes.
Coat your nasal passages with petroleum jelly to create a barrier. This helps when you dry out, particularly during plane travel.
Finally, stay at home when you’re sick and do your friends a favor.
Nearly 45,000 saliva droplets are propelled from a typical sneeze. Hitching a ride on the saliva are millions of viruses.
Viruses shoot into the air as far as a few feet away. They can survive for hours on paper including money … even days on door knobs and countertops.
Here’s your master plan to fight the flu:
Get your annual flu vaccine.
Wash your hands frequently. Twist and wring warm soapy water around for at least 20 seconds. It’s longer than you think, so sing “Happy Birthday” twice to make sure. You can also use an alcohol sanitizer.
When you sneeze or cough, do it in the crook of your elbow or into a tissue that’s immediately thrown away.
Don’t rub your eyes, mouth, or pick your nose. Germs enter through the mucous membranes.
Coat your nasal passages with petroleum jelly to create a barrier. This helps when you dry out, particularly during plane travel.
Finally, stay at home when you’re sick and do your friends a favor.
THINGS THAT MAKE YOU AGE
There may be products in our closets and cupboards right now that can shave years off our lives. They can penetrate our lungs, cause asthma and allergies, poison our liver, damage our hearts, and irritate our eyes and skin. Before Dr. Oz stages an intervention, grab a trashcan and recycle bin and go from room to room to eliminate these 10 age stealers. In many cases there are healthier alternatives you can use instead.
1. High Fructose Corn Syrup
High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a type of sugar that has been processed and combined with corn syrup to produce a cheap, easily dissolvable sweetener. But this sugar is quickly absorbed by the liver where it is converted into fat. Since your brain doesn't recognize HFCS as regular food, it never shuts off the appetite center -- so you keep eating. Blood sugar levels rise, massive amounts of insulin is recruited to metabolize it and then you crash and feel hungry again. It is found in soft drinks, fruit juices, salad dressings and baked goods. Read the food labels of products in your pantry and refrigerator and throw out all products that contain HFCS.
2. Chlorine Bleach
Household bleach contains the chemical sodium hypochlorite and is used to whiten clothes and kill germs like mold, bacteria and virtues. It’s not good for the environment and not good for you; it is that it evaporates quickly to irritate your nose, eyes, throat, skin and lungs. Good non-toxic alternatives are baking soda, white vinegar or alcohol- and peroxide-based products.
3. Insecticides
Mosquitoes can be annoying and carry diseases. But keeping them at bay doesn't mean you need to drench you and your property in carcinogenic pesticides. Instead use a natural repellant that contains essential oils such as lemon eucalyptus and lavender. Burning citronella candles outdoors, staying indoors at high biting times, and removing still water where mosquitoes lay eggs is a healthier strategy.
4. Drinking Hard Alcohol
Not all alcoholic beverages are alike. Beer, wine, and spirits, sometimes referred to as hard alcohol, can be damaging when drunk in excess; they can damage the liver (cirrhosis), cause esophageal cancer, internal bleeding, heart failure, pancreatitis and gastritis. And some breast cancers can be fueled by alcohol. Although one glass of red wine a day can offer health benefits, spirits have a higher alcohol content and contain more synthetic chemicals and sugars.
5. Moth Balls
For generations it has been customary to sprinkle a few mothballs made of naphthalene in a box of sweaters to prevent moths from feasting on the fibers. Today, a better choice would be natural alternatives such as cedar chips and lavender sachets. Remember to clean clothes first then zip them up at the end of the season.
6. Air Fresheners and Fragrance Candles
Everyone likes their home to smell clean and fresh but synthetic fragrances that waif through the air can negatively affect the quality of indoor air, damage lung tissue and airways and irritate the eyes. Keep it real. If your house is clean it shouldn't smell.
7. Trans Fats
Trans fat is a type of unsaturated fat that is made saturated during a manufacturing process that adds a molecule of hydrogen. These hydrogentated oils raise bad cholesterol and lower good cholesterol and cause a host of cardiovascular diseases. They are slowly being removed from commercial recipes but products in your home may still contain them. Look in your cupboard and dump anything with hydrogenated oil on the label.
8. Toluene
Toluene, a solvent found in nail polish, paints and when petroleum-based paraffin candles are burned can cause nervous system damage. Naturally scented beeswax, soy or vegetable candles and natural alternatives to nail products are a better choice.
9. Detergents with NPE
Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPE) are chemicals that help liquid substances such as oil and water mix. They are found in laundry detergents, shampoos, and cleaners. These chemicals can mimic the hormone estrogen to cause early menstruation, low sperm counts and poor reproductive health. Use natural cleansers and consider alternative cleaning tools such as the microfiber mops or steam cleaner that can reduce or eliminate the use of harsh chemicals.
10. Cigarette, pipe, and cigar products
All tobacco products produce harmful chemicals even after you have eliminated the smoker from the house. When you have stopped smoking give your house a clean makeover, washing all fabric curtains and upholstery and think about putting on a fresh coat of paint. Ban smoking in and near your home forever after.
1. High Fructose Corn Syrup
High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a type of sugar that has been processed and combined with corn syrup to produce a cheap, easily dissolvable sweetener. But this sugar is quickly absorbed by the liver where it is converted into fat. Since your brain doesn't recognize HFCS as regular food, it never shuts off the appetite center -- so you keep eating. Blood sugar levels rise, massive amounts of insulin is recruited to metabolize it and then you crash and feel hungry again. It is found in soft drinks, fruit juices, salad dressings and baked goods. Read the food labels of products in your pantry and refrigerator and throw out all products that contain HFCS.
2. Chlorine Bleach
Household bleach contains the chemical sodium hypochlorite and is used to whiten clothes and kill germs like mold, bacteria and virtues. It’s not good for the environment and not good for you; it is that it evaporates quickly to irritate your nose, eyes, throat, skin and lungs. Good non-toxic alternatives are baking soda, white vinegar or alcohol- and peroxide-based products.
3. Insecticides
Mosquitoes can be annoying and carry diseases. But keeping them at bay doesn't mean you need to drench you and your property in carcinogenic pesticides. Instead use a natural repellant that contains essential oils such as lemon eucalyptus and lavender. Burning citronella candles outdoors, staying indoors at high biting times, and removing still water where mosquitoes lay eggs is a healthier strategy.
4. Drinking Hard Alcohol
Not all alcoholic beverages are alike. Beer, wine, and spirits, sometimes referred to as hard alcohol, can be damaging when drunk in excess; they can damage the liver (cirrhosis), cause esophageal cancer, internal bleeding, heart failure, pancreatitis and gastritis. And some breast cancers can be fueled by alcohol. Although one glass of red wine a day can offer health benefits, spirits have a higher alcohol content and contain more synthetic chemicals and sugars.
5. Moth Balls
For generations it has been customary to sprinkle a few mothballs made of naphthalene in a box of sweaters to prevent moths from feasting on the fibers. Today, a better choice would be natural alternatives such as cedar chips and lavender sachets. Remember to clean clothes first then zip them up at the end of the season.
6. Air Fresheners and Fragrance Candles
Everyone likes their home to smell clean and fresh but synthetic fragrances that waif through the air can negatively affect the quality of indoor air, damage lung tissue and airways and irritate the eyes. Keep it real. If your house is clean it shouldn't smell.
7. Trans Fats
Trans fat is a type of unsaturated fat that is made saturated during a manufacturing process that adds a molecule of hydrogen. These hydrogentated oils raise bad cholesterol and lower good cholesterol and cause a host of cardiovascular diseases. They are slowly being removed from commercial recipes but products in your home may still contain them. Look in your cupboard and dump anything with hydrogenated oil on the label.
8. Toluene
Toluene, a solvent found in nail polish, paints and when petroleum-based paraffin candles are burned can cause nervous system damage. Naturally scented beeswax, soy or vegetable candles and natural alternatives to nail products are a better choice.
9. Detergents with NPE
Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPE) are chemicals that help liquid substances such as oil and water mix. They are found in laundry detergents, shampoos, and cleaners. These chemicals can mimic the hormone estrogen to cause early menstruation, low sperm counts and poor reproductive health. Use natural cleansers and consider alternative cleaning tools such as the microfiber mops or steam cleaner that can reduce or eliminate the use of harsh chemicals.
10. Cigarette, pipe, and cigar products
All tobacco products produce harmful chemicals even after you have eliminated the smoker from the house. When you have stopped smoking give your house a clean makeover, washing all fabric curtains and upholstery and think about putting on a fresh coat of paint. Ban smoking in and near your home forever after.
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