This Is How To Remove Plaque Naturally at Home in Natural Conditions

Plague is a disease that occurs because of bacteria build up that causes inflammation of the gums (gingivitis and periodontitis). Use these homemade remedies to get rid of plague forever.

 Are you one of those people that hate the idea of ​​going to the dentist? If you are, you will love these home remedies that will perform same as the dentist himself.

 Plaque tends to create tartar when deposited on the teeth for a long time. Plaque is abundant if you consume mushy, soft and sticky foods rich carbohydrates (sweets, white bread, biscuits, candied fruit).

 Here are the most effective home remedies to help you to get rid of plague easily in the comfort of your own home:

 Recipe 1:
ingredients:

  • 30 grams of walnut shell
  • some water
Preparation:
According to the advice that we find on page healthyfoodstar.com, it is necessary to put the walnut shell in a pot, add water and boil it for 15 minutes. Dip the toothbrush into the resulting mixture and wash her teeth 5 minutes. Repeat this procedure three times, in a day in the morning, afternoon and evening.

 Recipe 2:
ingredients:

  • 4 teaspoons of sunflower seeds
  • 4 teaspoons lime flower
  • 1 liter of water


 Preparation:
Put the ingredients in a bowl, cover with water and simmer for half an hour. Brush your teeth with this mixture after each meal.

 Recipe 3:
Apple cider vinegar can also be used to remove the calculus, but only once a week. Put a little apple cider vinegar in your mouth, gargle and scrub brush your teeth. Spit. Thoroughly rinse the mouth with water to avoid damage to the enamel.
Recipe 4:
Take three tablespoons of leaves of mountain wormwood (Artemisiaabsinthum) then cover with four deciliter fermented wine. Make this mix and it let be covered for two hours. Then strain and brush your teeth with the liquid several times a day. You will have a beautiful and healthy smile without calculus.

 Recipe 5:
Baking soda can also help to remove calculus. Put some baking soda on the moistened toothbrush and clean the calculus on your teeth. In a teaspoon of baking soda, also you add a little salt and with this combination brush your teeth.

 
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11 Top Remedies to Remove Acne Scars



Who likes scars and that too on face! Getting rid of acne scars is a little tougher than eliminating acne actually. Pimples can be naturally treated with many ingredients having anti-inflammatory or antibacterial properties which are in abundance in nature. However, pimple scars are a little stubborn as they does not go easily. However, as the saying goes, nothing is impossible. It may take some time but your regular efforts using certain natural bleaching agents as well as other ingredients may lighten your acne scars and gradually remove them permanently.
Prevention is better than cure ...
Before I go on to share some really beneficial home remedies to remove acne scars naturally, I want to share some words of wisdom. There are certain things that you should avoid in order to prevent forming scars at the first place. It's not essential to have scars even if you get pimples!

 Do not play with your acne
Yes, keep your hands off your acnes! Do not play with them, do not pick them or squeeze them, just leave them alone when you are not applying any remedy on them. Whatever you are doing to remove pimples, do it with gentle hands. Why? I'll tell you.

 When you get acne, there is intense inflammation on your facial skin and there is loss of collagen. Collagen is the protein fiber, one of the components of skin which gives skin its elasticity. When you pick or squeeze your pimples, it leads to further inflammation and injury to your skin. It also leads the bacteria and pus in your pimple go deep down into your skin resulting in more loss of collagen which means even deeper scars on your face.

 Do not expose scars to sun
Your body is capable of taking care of your scars and they will get lighter with time. However, if you expose them to sun, their healing process will slow down and the scars will get darker. So, avoid sun. If it's essential to go out in sun, use sunscreen to guard your skin and also cover yourself with hat, umbrella, clothes- whatever you can lay hands on.

 Natural remedies to Remove Pimple / Acne Scars
There are various natural ingredients that you can apply on scars to remove scars from your face.

 1. Lemon Juice for Acne Scars
Lemon is a natural bleach. Vitamin C in lemon helps in rebuilding collagen. When you use lime juice on your acne scars, the spots get lighter day by day.

 Lemon juice is an excellent skin lightening agent. It is the acid in lemon juice that helps brighten your skin and make the scars less visible. It can, in fact, fade away freckles and lighten the dark scars faster. Not only scars, if you have swollen pimples, lemon juice can help reduce its redness too. And it is probably the most easily available ingredient lying there in your fridge. So, you just need to get it from there and squeeze out some of its fresh juice to apply to your acne scar, everyday! However, just do not step out in sun after applying lemon juice to your skin. It makes your skin sensitive to sun's rays. Even hours after when you step out of your home, do not forget to apply sunscreen to shield your skin.

 How to use lemon Juice for acne scars


  • Take a fresh lemon and squeeze out its juice. Apply this juice directly on your scars with finger tips or a cotton ball, leave it for ten minutes and wash it off with water. Do this once a day for two to three weeks during which you can see your scars diminish considerably. If you want, you can also mix honey with your lemon juice to make it some more effective in reducing the acne scars.
  • If your skin is very sensitive, diliute lemon juice by mixing some rose water and then apply on your scars.
  • You can even mix a teaspoon of lemon juice with two teaspoons of Vitamin E oil and then apply this to your acne scars. Vitamin E is a very good emollient with a lots of antioxidants that protects and even improves your skin texture.


 I. Make a lemon mask to remove pimple scars

 You will need:

  • Lemon juice - 1 tbsp
  • Honey - 1 tbsp
  • Almond oil - 1 tbsp
  • Milk - 2 tbsp

Directions:

  • Mix them all and apply on the scars once daily for about 7-10 days. You'll see the difference.
  • After applying lemon juice, never ever step out in sun!


 II. Lemon and Honey for acne scars removal

 Get this:

  • Lemons- 1-2
  • Honey (optional) - 1 tsp
  • Cotton ball

Do this:

  • Squeeze the lemons to take out the fresh juice in a bowl.
  • Add the honey to this lemon juice and mix well.
  • Dip the cotton ball in this mixture.
  • Now apply this mixture on your cotton ball to whole of your face or the area where you have acne scars.
  • Leave for about 10-15 minutes.
  • Wash off with water and pat dry.
  • Do this once every day for at least 2-3 weeks.

2. Honey for Acne Scars
Honey, along with acne, is also capable of treating acne scars.

 How to use honey for acne scars

  • Apply honey on the scars and leave it overnight. Wash off in the morning.
  • Mix 2 tablespoons of honey with ¼ cup of oatmeal. Apply this mixture gently on pimple scars. Leave it for about 15-20 minutes then wash off with lukewarm water.
  • Add ½ tsp of cinnamon powder with 1 tbsp of honey and apply on scars. Leave it for an hour. You can even use it overnight. Then wash off.


 Make a honey-aspirin mask to remove pimple scars
Although aspirin is not a natural ingredient but you can always use it with honey to get rid of your acne scars. The salicylic acid in aspirin does wonders and its gritty texture gives you perfect exfoliation.

 You will need:

  • Honey- 2 tbsp
  • Aspirin-2-3
  • Water- few drops

Directions

  • Put the aspirins in a few drops of water till they get dissolved into it and form a paste. Do not use too much water as you need a gritty texture for exfoliation.
  • Add honey to this aspirin-water paste and mix
  • Apply on your scars and leave for 15 minutes.
  • Now wash it off.
3. Aloe Vera
This wonder herb, Aloe Vera, not only soothes swollen skin but also helps in regenerating damaged tissues boosting the healing process. It's better to use fresh gel like substance directly from the aloe vera leaf than to use over the counter products containing aloe vera

 How to use aloe vera for acne scars
Take an aloe vera leaf and peel its outer green cover. You'll see a gel like substance beneath its green outer cover. Take out this gel and apply it on your scars. Leave it for about half an hour and then wash off.

 Apply aloe vera gel twice daily to see the results in just few days. Not only will your acne scars will diminish but also your skin will start glowing and will become tighter.

 4. Olive Oil
Olive oil can be said to be the most skin friendly oil because it contains a whole lot of vitamins (A, D, E, C, B1 and B2), iron and antioxidants. The anti-inflammatory properties of olive oil also help remove acne scars.

 How to use olive oil for acne scars
You need to apply olive oil to your scars before going to bed.

 You will need:

  • Olive oil
  • Warm Water
  • A clean cloth or towel

Direction:

  • Take a little olive oil and gently massage your face with this. Focus more on the pimple scars.
  • Massage for a few minutes till the time you can feel that all the oil has been absorbed by your skin.
  • Now take a clean towel or cloth and drape it into warm water.
  • Put the warm wet cloth on to your face to get the steam.
  • Now wipe away the excess oil gently with the cloth. Do not rub though.
  • After 1-2 minutes, wash off your face with normal water.

5. Baking Soda
Baking soda is yet another popular remedy for removing acne scars through its exfoliating effects. The gentle coarse granules of soda mixed with water remove the dead skin layer off your face without any inflammation caused during the application.

 How to use baking soda for acne scars

  • Take a couple of teaspoons of baking soda and using water make a consistent paste.
  • Gently massage your face with this paste focusing on pimple scars.
  • After massaging for 1-2 minutes, leave the paste there on the face for few minutes.
  • Now wash off with warm water.
  • Apply some moisturizer, preferably olive oil.
  • Repeat the process twice or thrice a week.


 6. Raw Potato
Raw potato can do wonders in removing your pimple scars if you allow them to work for days with patience.

 How to use raw potato for acne scars

  • Take a potato and cut it into round slices.
  • Take a slice and rub it gently over your face in circular motion.
  • Keep doing this until you feel that your slice of potato has gone dry.
  • Take another slice and do the same.
  • Repeat this for about 15-20 minutes.
  • Now leave the face as it is so that the leftover potato juice is absorbed by your skin.
  • Now wash off.
  • Apply some moisturizer that suits your skin.


 Do this raw potato massage 3-4 times a week for at least 1-2 months depending upon the intensity of your scars. This and even other remedies for pimple scars need your patience to show results.

 7. Raw Tomatoes
The red good tomatoes too can eliminate the scars from your face.

 How to use raw tomatoes for acne scars
There are two ways you can do this -simple and and one which is not that simple. First, the simple way.
  • Take a ripe red tomato and cut it into pieces.
  • Crush the pieces to make a pulp of the tomato.
  • Apply this tomato pulp on your face and leave for 15-20 minutes.
  • Wash off your face.
  • Repeat this daily for a week or two.


 Now the second method for using tomatoes by making its mask

 Make a tomato mask to remove pimple scars

 You will need:

  • Tomatoes- 2
  • Cucumber- 1
  • Avocados -2


 Directions:

  • Get the pulp out of tomatoes
  • Grate the cucumber and avocados and squeeze out the juice.
  • Mix all of them.
  • Apply on your face.
  • Leave for 15-20 minutes.
  • Wash off with water.


 8. Tea Tree Oil for Acne Scars
Derived from the Melaleuca alternifolia plant of Australia, tea tree oil is an excellent antiseptic, antibacterial, anti fungal and antiviral essential oil. As such, not only for acne scars, tea tree oil is, in fact, one of the best remedies for acne too. As far as scars are concerned, this oil is most beneficial in healing the hypertrophic scars that are generally raised and red, such as those we get after burn injury or a surgery. Raised acne scars too are not very uncommon. So if you have such raised or hypertrophic acne scars, you can effectively use tea tree oil to heal them. Tea tree oil, due to its anti-inflammatory effects would definitely help you in getting rid of such acne scars. This oil is also hydrating. It provides moisture and helps hydrate the scar which gradually diminishes the scar and make it disappear.

 Get this:

  • Tea tree oil- 2-4 drops
  • Water- 1-2 tbsp
  • Cotton ball

Adjust the quantity as per the area of ​​your acne scars

 Do this:

  • Add the tea tree oil to the water.
  • Take the cotton ball and dip it in the diluted tea tree oil.
  • Apply this solution to your acne scars.
  • Repeat 2-3 times a day


 Precaution: Never use tea tree oil undiluted. It is too strong to be handled by your skin. Always dilute it with water, more so if your skin is sensitive.

 9. Apple Cider Vinegar for Acne Scars
Apple cider vinegar has many properties. It is an astringent and a natural disinfectant that makes it a good natural anti-septic. It also balances the pH level of your body and of your skin when applied topically. And because it is anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory, it is effective in the treatment of acne too. All of these properties of apple cider vinegar are granted by its beneficial components that include vitamins, minerals, carbolic acid, ketones, aldehydes, amino acids, anti-oxidant, acetic acid and many more. It is therefore a known remedy for acne. You can also heal acne scars considerably with apple cider vinegar. As this vinegar scrapes off the dead skin cells, it may fade away the acne scars to a great extent. You can either use apple cider vinegar with water or with honey.

 1st way to use apple cider vinegar: with water

 Get this:

  • Apple Cider Vinegar- 1 part
  • Water- 1 part
  • Cotton ball

Do this:

  • Mix apple cider vinegar and water
  • Dip the cotton ball in it.
  • Apply this to your acne scars.
  • Leave it for 5-10 minutes.
  • Wash it off with water.
  • Do this once daily

2nd way to use apple cider vinegar: with honey

 Get this:
  • Apple Cider Vinegar- 2 tbsp
  • Water- 2/3 cup
  • Honey- 1-2 tsp
  • Cotton ball

Do this:

  • Mix all the three ingredients well.
  • Dip the cotton ball in the solution.
  • Apply this solution to your acne scars.
  • Leave it for about half an hour.
  • Wash it off with water. If you feel sticky due to honey, you may even wash it off with lukewarm water.
  • Do this once daily.

10. Use Vitamin E on Acne Scars
In the recent times, Vitamin E has been considerably recognized as one of the very beneficial vitamins for human skin. It can thoroughly moisturize your skin and in this process, it makes the scars or spots on your skin less noticeable. This is all because it hydrates your skin well with its moisturizing properties. There is one more theory regarding vitamin E and its effectiveness in reducing acne scars. This theory says that vitamin E assists vitamin A in your body. Vitamin A is thought to be vital for a good skin. When you have vitamin E, present in many fruits and vegetables, the fat in your body absorbs this vitamin E. It then works with vitamin A to give you soft, supple and blemish free skin. Deficiency of vitamin E can even lead to dry skin and acne breakouts. Therefore, it is always advisable to provide your body with sufficient vitamin E. Now the question arises, how to use vitamin E on acne scars! Here's how to do so.

 Get this:

  • Vitamin E oil or Vitamin E capsule

Do this:

  • Give steam to your face so that the pores open up.
  • Take few drops of vitamin E oil. If you have bought vitamin E capsule, puncture it and extract the oil out of it.
  • Apply this oil to your skin having acne scars.
  • Now massage the area with this oil in gentle circular strokes for about 10 minutes or till the oil is absorbed into the skin.
  • Leave for about 15-20 minutes.
  • Now wash it off.
  • Do this daily.


 Precaution: If you have a sensitive skin, you should always do patch test before applying vitamin E oil or any other oil on to your skin.

 11. Cocoa Butter to Remove Acne Scars
Cocoa butter, the fat derived from cacao seeds, is an excellent natural moisturizer and due to its moisturizing properties, it not only heals scars but also prevents them. But does cocoa butter remove acne scars? Yes, it can of course! Let's know how it does it.

 How does cocoa butter remove acne scars?

  1. Cocoa butter is a fat and an excellent moisturizer as well as emollient. It can quickly melt due to the body temperature. This quality makes it easily absorbable into the skin. In fact, it not only penetrates the top layer of your skin but it goes deep within the skin into the dermis. Thus, it reaches the site where your skin can retain the moisture for longer time. A well moisturized skin is the skin that makes spots and scars less visible!
  2. This unique ability of cocoa butter to lock moisture at deeper levels of your skin makes it effective in healing your acne scars. This way, it keeps your skin hydrated. A well hydrated skin can only regrow skin tissue. New skin tissue in place of scarred ones definitely will give you a blemish free skin. Thus, when you apply cocoa butter daily, you help your damaged skin to get repaired.
  3. Cocoa butter softens and moisturizes your skin. Apart from this, it also smooth's out the tone and texture of your skin. This makes your acne scars less noticeable.


 Get this:

  • Cocoa butter

Do this:
  • At night, before going to bed, wash your face properly and pat it dry.
  • Take some cocoa butter and apply this to your face gently massaging it onto your skin for a couple of minutes.
  • Leave it overnight.
  • Wash off in the morning.
  • Do this daily.
  • You may also apply cocoa butter once more during the daytime. Only do not apply too much of it as you may do at night. This will keep your skin looking greasy.
  •  Keeping your skin well hydrated and moisturized is the first step towards removing acne scars. Cocos butter is perhaps one of the best natural moisturizer that you can use on your skin to not only get rid of acne scars but also to keep your skin soft and smooth!
    All the above remedies for acne scars are good but there are some that will be more suitable for your skin type. Find out them by experimenting with each and every remedy for scars. Have patience and treat your scars with these remedies and you will definitely get rid of your acne scars. Patience will be the main ingredient though, whatever remedy you adopt for your acne scars!

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What happens to your brain if you don’t take care of your teeth?



Taking care of our teeth is essential to staying healthy.But what are the consequences if we don’t? Unhealthy teeth turn yellow and become painful, which ultimately leads to more visits to the dentist, which many of us find so scary.
Most of us underestimate the importance of dental health. Do you want to be happy and successful? The appearance of our teeth is interconnected with our mood. Good teeth can have a huge impact on your mood because they inspire confidence and a willingness to smile more. In addition to this, the latest studies reveal fascinating interconnections between our brain, memory and dental health.
What I like about science is that it’s constantly revealing the secrets behind human nature.

An interesting study was published in the European Journal of Oral Health. It revealed that losing teeth could actually worsen your memory. It found a connection between the number of a person’s teeth and the person’s cognitive abilities. So, it is possible that the lack of teeth among the elderly can be a cause of their poor memory.

 Previous studies on the connection between teeth and cognitive function were carried out on animals. The results were shocking. The rats whose teeth were pulled out had more problems with memory formation and retention.

 Scientists say that memories are formed by sensory impulses, which are produced by the movement of the jaw. People without natural teeth produce fewer signals that are sent to the hippocampus.

 Of course, it is also possible that the poor diet that caused teeth loss can affect brain power. Studies indicate that the lack of vitamins and antioxidants can also cause neurological problems. However, the possible link between mental and dental health is rather fascinating.

Strong teeth = strong mind

Based on many research studies conducted regarding dental health, we can conclude that both our mind’s and body’s states are closely connected to our dental hygiene.

For instance, a study from West Virginia University shows a link between tooth loss and mental health problems such as  depression and anxiety. Your dental hygiene can have a direct impact on your whole health. Another study published in the  Journal of Periodontology found that people with periodontal disease have a greater chance of getting cardiovascular  disease.

Poor oral health can be an actual cause of dementia*, so don’t forget to brush and floss your teeth every day. According to  Reuters, researchers found that females who didn’t brush their teeth every day were 65% more likely to get dementia. Men  who didn’t brush their teeth every day had a 22% greater chance of developing dementia.

 Dementia can be caused by a bacterium, Porphyromonas gingivalis, which is present in people with poor dental hygiene.  Infection in teeth can enter the bloodstream and cause brain-related problems. The bacteria might get into the brain,  causing inflammation and destruction of neurons, which can cause possible memory loss  To avoid this, you should take  care of your teeth and have regular dental checkups. For more about gum disease, you can read this article.

 *brain disease that causes loss of cognitive ability that is bad enough to affect a person’s daily functioning.      

Teeth and the quality of your life

Our quality of life has an overlooked, but very tangible tie to the quality of our teeth. The way we talk, our confidence and self-esteem can all be influenced heavily by  healthy or unhealthy teeth. Studies in the UK show that people consider tooth loss as a major life event!

If you are as concerned about your dental health as I am, here is a quick overview of the benefits of having great teeth:

• Good teeth can make your speech better

 • Taking care of your dental health helps prevent cancer

 • Healthy teeth decrease a chance for getting heart related diseases

 • Reduces stress

 • Improves your confidence

• Improves your mental health

 • Leads to better mood, overall well-being, and lower symptoms of anxiety  
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Know your Abdominal Pain



Abdominal pain is one of those pains with which each and every individual suffers once or more in a life time. At times people get scared of it due to its high intensity but bear in mind that having strong pain does not always mean that it is serious. As seriousness of this pain cannot be determined on the basis of mere intensity as there are many other contributing factors and symptoms as well which one has to take in to account.
What is an abdominal pain?
To be very precise, it is that pain which you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This area is usually referred as the stomach region or belly and literally, every person suffers from it at least once in a life time. People used to address this pain by using different names such as stomach-pain, belly-ache, stomachache and abdominal cramps to name a few. However, bear in mind that not all of the abdominal pains are dangerous; for example, you might feel severe abdominal pain when you have gas trouble or stomach cramps due to a virus. Therefore, do not panic when it triggers.
Causes of abdominal pain
There could be multiple causes of abdominal pain be it mild one or strong one. However, you need to know the difference among them as then you would better know that when do you need to contact your doctor immediately for treatment. If we look at the less-serious causes of abdominal pain then it includes:

-Having constipation
-Bowel syndrome is another cause behind this pain
-If you have various food intolerance
-Food poisoning is another potent cause
-Stomach flu is also an important contributor towards this pain

Apart from the less serious one if we look at the general ones then they are comprised of following:
Gallstones in Gall Bladder
Gallstones are another reason behind this pain. What happens often, gallstones are formed in gall bladder, they can block the intestine or cause swelling on it which in turn results into abdominal pain. Gallstone pain tends to strike the right side of the upper abdomen particularly after in-taking fatty meals
Inflammation in Pancreas
Your upper or middle abdomen can give you burning pains if you have pancreatic inflammation. Another way through which people have this pain is in the form of shooting one which travels right through to their back. When you lean forward to relieve the pain then nausea and vomiting could also start playing the part. This kind of pain triggers when you drink too much of alcohol, yes that is your culprit.
Heart Burn
Heart burn can cause pain in upper stomach or lower chest. This pain triggers when you eat too much food or eat fatty food quite a lot. It happens because a valve that separates the stomach from the esophagus becomes weak then allow food and acid from the stomach to splash upwards.
Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance is another cause behind this pain which trigger mild abdominal pains, bloating, diarrhea, burping, gas, and indigestion in a person having this intolerance.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
If you have inflammatory bowel disease then this pain can trigger as a consequence of it. It is also known as pain inside the large intestine. When you have IBD then you might also have to face diarrhea, scarring and rectal bleeding. It is very important to monitor IBD disease very carefully because it could lead to more serious problems.
Cancer
Cancer in any part or organ located in the abdomen could also cause stomach pain but it is a rare cause of abdominal pain and it is usually triggers along with many other symptoms such as loss of appetite or weight loss or vomiting and bloating of abdomen to name a few.
Appendicitis
Appendicitis also leads to abdominal pain. However, this kind of pain triggers in the mid-abdomen which later progress into the lower right part of the abdomen.
Miscellaneous Causes
1-When blood supply decreases towards intestines then this pain can trigger.
2-People suffering from peptic ulcer or ulcer in duodenum also tend to have these pains. This kind of pain occurs in mid-upper abdominal area especially after having meals.
3-Indigestion is a cause which is more usual among abdominal-pain-suffering people.
Home Remedies
Few of the home remedies and home cares which can be opted out for during mild abdominal pain are given below. You can try them out in order to get relief from this pain as they would be helpful for you in that scenario.
-When your abdomen begins to give you pain alarms then you should avoid eating solid food items for few hours in order to stop this pain from aggravation
-If you have been suffering from constant vomiting along with pain then you should wait for six hours before eating mild foods
-Drinking a lot of water could be a good help in reducing this pain
-When you feel heart burn then you should avoid citrus, high-fat foods, fried or greasy foods, tomato products, caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated beverages
Lastly, also avoid aspirin, ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory medications, and narcotic pain medications unless your doctor prescribes them
 
 
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important: Cancer-causing formaldehyde found in hair treatment products



The dermatology department at the University of Cape Town (UCT) in South Africa has revealed startling new test results on hair-straightening products. Many Brazil-based hair product brands have tested high for carcinogenic formaldehyde, at levels five times the legal limit.
In cosmetic products, formaldehyde exists in a liquid state, as formalin. When heated during a hair treatment, formaldehyde turns into a gas and becomes unstable and dangerous when breathed in or absorbed.
At low levels, the carcinogen can cause skin and eye irritations and can even disrupt pregnancy or cause dizziness. At higher levels, through chronic exposure, formaldehyde can cause the formation of respiratory and blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphomas.

Brazilian keratin-type hair products found loaded with formaldehyde

The UCT study revealed that most Brazilian keratin-type (BKT) hair products are loaded with formaldehyde. According to the test results, local market hair treatment products and brands sold online may pose serious health risks due to "unacceptably high and dangerous concentrations of formaldehyde."

Nonhlanhla Khumalo, who led the UCT study, unleashed the findings but didn't reveal the product names. Now, consumer groups and hairstylists in South Africa are calling out for the specific product names to be revealed and published.

The study, published in the February issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatologists, revealed test results for seven international BKT shampoo brands sold in South Africa. Six of the hair-straightening products contained formaldehyde at disturbing levels, ranging from 0.96 percent to 1.4 percent. These concentrations exceed the average legal limit by fivefold. For example, the US Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel establishes the maximum concentration of formaldehyde at 0.2 percent, which is a common limit maintained by most countries.
Hair treatment products deceive consumers with "formaldehyde-free" label

The products tested not only exceed legal limits for formaldehyde, but some of the labels were found to be deceptive as well. Most shocking was that five of the toxic products were labeled "formaldehyde-free"

The researchers, including laboratory worker Dr. Mbulelo Maneli and associate professor Peter Smith, said, "The false labelling of products as formaldehyde-free exposes unsuspecting consumers and hairdressers to adverse effects. Industry monitoring is needed to improve compliance and protection of hairdressers and consumers."

Hair stylists becoming aware of hair products that cause side effects

Elsabe Sheppard, director of the Hair Academy of South Africa, said that hairstylists have noticed certain hair products causing burning eyes and even dizziness.

"This is a very popular product, used in salons all over. I am concerned about the health of hairstylists working with this daily," Sheppard said.

"It is unacceptable that manufacturers reap profits from the products sold to salons, knowing the dangers. I wonder if they use it on their own family?"

Sheppard would like to see label warnings printed on hair products similar to those printed on tobacco products, which warn consumers of potential cancer risk and other irritation factors.

"Hairdressers, as well as the public, will be less likely to use these products, knowing the dangers," she said.

Terry Scott, a hairstylist who uses products like these daily, said that companies should be held accountable when their labels deceive the public.

He said, "I think those distributors should be rapped across the knuckles. Recall those products and stop selling them under false pretences."

Paul Fox, who owns 12 salons in South Africa, is urging UCT to release the brand names. Fox said many hair dressers have noticed skin reactions from some products that may even induce a dry cough.

OSHA reveals list of hair products containing formaldehyde, warns against use

The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration researched a plethora of hair product brands that contain obscene amounts of formaldehyde. Some of these brands even sound healthy, with names that contain natural ingredients like acai. These formaldehyde-loaded brands include but are not limited to: Brazilian Blowout, Acai Professional Smoothing Solution, Professional Brazilian Blowout Solution, Cadiveu, Brasil Cacau, Acai Therapy, Copomon/Coppola, Keratin Complex Smoothing Therapy, Natural Keratin Smoothing Treatment, Natural Keratin Smoothing Treatment Blonde, Express Blow Out, Marcia Teixeira, Brazilian Keratin Treatment, Advanced Brazilian Keratin Treatment, Chocolate Extreme De-Frizzing Treatment, Soft Gentle Smoothing Treatment and Soft Chocolate Gentle Smoothing Treatment.

Other names used for formaldehyde, disguised on product labels

Furthermore, OSHA revealed that formaldehyde may be labeled as several different substances, since it is unstable as a gas during a hair treatment process. Formaldehyde may be disguised as formalin, methylene glycol, methylene oxide, paraform, formic aldehyde, methanal, oxomethane, oxymethylene, timonacic acid or thiazolidinecarboxylic acid.  
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10 Health Benefits of Yogurt


You know that yogurt is good for your health. In fact, it is believed that yogurt can increase your lifespan if consumed 3 times a week. What makes it so healthy? Let’s find out.
A 6 ounce serving of yogurt contains about 100 to 150 calories, 8 to 10 grams of proteins and less than 20 grams of sugar. The calcium and vitamin D contents found in yogurt can meet 20% of the required daily value of both the nutrients. Plain yogurt contains 3.5 grams of fat. Some of the other important nutrients found in it are vitamin B5, vitamin B12, zinc, riboflavin, phosphorus, potassium and iodine. An 8 ounce serving is enough to provide you with 60% of the essential vitamins required by you daily.

Here some of the reasons why it should be a part of your daily diet.
Strong Bones
The high contents of calcium and vitamin D found in yogurt make it an ideal food for strengthening your bones. 8 ounces of yogurt contain 450 mg of calcium, which is more than the same quantity of milk can provide. The presence of vitamin D ensures the proper absorption of calcium. It prevents the loss of bone density especially in women and saves you from osteoporosis and fractures. 

Rich in Protein
Yogurt is rich in proteins which is essential for maintaining a good health. Proteins support growth and also provide the body with energy.
People who work out should try yogurt as a snack as it is ideal for the recovery process after a workout. Also people who do not consume meat can choose yogurt to get the required dose of proteins. The protein contents vary from one type of yogurt to another, e.g. plain yogurt contains 5 grams of protein per container whereas the same quantity of Greek yogurt contains 20 grams of protein.
Weight Loss
Weight loss is not a dream any more. You can cut down your belly fat by consuming just 18 ounces of yogurt. Many researches have been conducted in the past which support this statement. One such study was conducted at Harvard in the year 2011 in which the relationship of certain types of food with weight loss was analyzed over a period of 4 years. In this study yogurt proved to be beneficial for weight loss.
Another study revealed that dieters who consumed 18 ounces of yogurt daily lost 22% more weight and up to 81% belly fat compared to the dieters who didn’t consume yogurt.
Cures Yeast InfectionYogurt contains some friendly bacteria, bacteria Lactobacillus which is very effective for treating vaginal yeast infection. One important thing to understand is that not all yogurts contain this particular type of bacteria. It is suggested to look for the labels saying “live and active cultures”.
Lowers Blood PressureYogurt and other low-fat dairy products have shown some promising benefits for lowering the blood pressure and also reducing its incidences. One of the reasons is the presence of potassium in it which is effective for lowering the blood pressure. It has also been found helpful in reducing cholesterol.
Excellent Food for Colon HealthYogurt can provide dual benefits for your colon. Here again the presence of Lactobacteria reduces the risk of colon cancer. These friendly bacteria stop the bile from converting into carcinogenic acid as a result the colon is protected by various diseases.
The presence of rich calcium contents also supports the colon health. According to a research, a daily consumption of 1,200 mg of calcium can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer up to 75%. What else can be a much better source of calcium than yogurt?
Good for Digestive SystemThe good bacteria present in yogurt play a vital role in promoting good digestion. It is also effective for the treatment of constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea and pylori infection.
People who are lactose intolerant can substitute milk and other dairy products with yogurt.
Boosts Immune SystemYogurt boosts your immune system and enhances its power to fight diseases like asthma, gastrointestinal disorders and common cold. A research conducted in Vienna proved that 4 ounces of yogurt can keep you safe from cold for months. The same amount is much more effective for women in combating infections.
Protects GumsWhether it is a plain yogurt or flavored one, you can consume it without the fear of tooth decay. In fact, the lactic acid present in it protects your gums. The daily consumers of yogurt are 60% less likely to develop periodontal disease than those who don’t.
Helps in Absorption of Essential NutrientsYogurt aids in the assimilation of calcium and vitamin B complex. The high contents of lactic acid promote the absorption and digestion of calcium.
So the bottom line is try to add yogurt to your daily diet and get strong bones, a boosted immune system, healthy gums and a life free of infections.
 
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Why (And How) Your Skin Wrinkles Under Water


What is a wrinkle? Well, a wrinkle is the folding of the skin at any area of the body. It is also concerned with other thinks, wrinkles cloth or wrinkled paper. Wrinkles for many come with age and they are aware of it. Yet for many, they are a nightmare and they get down to its treatment right away. For this very specific lot, we have special anti-aging creams and what not to resist this natural, yet, permanent type of wrinkling of skin. These people don’t necessarily have to be actors and models, they may be average self-obsessed humans who are in love with their beauty. It is unacceptable for them to face the reality that they might be aging.
Early wrinkles may be because of unhealthy activities. These include smoking, drinking and exposure of skin to the sun. The more you expose your skin to the sun, greater are the chances of wrinkles in that specific area. Other factors that may include are poor nutrition, repeated facial expressions of any sort and gender also plays a dominant role in determining the amount of wrinkles. Men seem to have more sweat glands near and around their lips whereas women don’t. so generally it is thought that women get wrinkles earlier than men around their mouth.
It is a common phenomenon and most of us face it on daily basis maybe, wrinkling of skin underwater. For someone who loves to take baths over showers knows what I am talking about. Also, for those living by the shore or a bank of river or work in wet conditions also share the pain. Well, these wrinkles caused by water are short lived and painless. They just appear on your skin and toes and disappear in no time. Such wrinkles may appear on anyone’s skin regardless of age, gender or race. Even children experience such an extraordinary phenomenon whenever they stay too long in the water.
So how do these wrinkles appear? Well, basically we have natural oil excreted by our body that covers all parts of the epidermis. This is the outer most layer of the skin. This oil is called sebum and it is not visible to the naked eye but it is present and it does work as a water proof material. This is why when we put our hands or feet in water for a short period of time, nothing happens and this water just slides of taking all the dirt particles with it. No wrinkles or folds appear in the skin at that time.
So why do these wrinkles appear even though our skin is supposed to be water proof? Well, consider it this way. Our outmost skin, called the epidermis is further divided into four parts:
1-Stratum corneum layer
2-Granular layer
3-Squamous celled layer
4-Basal celled layer
It is in fact the stratum corneum layer that we can feel, rip tear or we try to heal after we get wounded and such. This layer basically consists of dead keratin cells. These are in an abundant quality here. The stratum corneum is composed of dead keratin cells all around the body, yet, its consistence of keratin cells increases in the hands and feet area. This may be because of exposure to sun, as well as, these areas is to be most used rigidly. Hence, the skins are supposed to be tightly bounded, that is, they are supposed to be that strong enough to surpass certain levels of rigidness to assure that skin won’t rip and tear at the slightest of pressure; or else we would never be able to play any type of sports. So the skin is made in such a way that it is tough at these areas.
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10 Best Drinks That Will Help in Weight Loss

People try to control their weight by controlling the food they eat. It is not only the food that you eat cause weight gain but, you have to watch what you are drinking if you want to lose weight.  Though we think the fruit juices and energy drinks are healthy for our body, many of them have added sugars and other additives which can affect your weight loss plan. So, it is necessary to consume drinks which are less in calories and which will boost your metabolism, if you want to reduce the body weight.

Top Weight Loss Drinks
The following are the top drinks that will help you to stay fit and healthy and to reduce your excess weight.

1.    Vegetable Juices
Vegetable juices are very helpful in reducing weight. Eating raw vegetables, especially vegetables with fiber, aids in weight loss. But, by consuming vegetable juices, you will be able to feel fuller easily. You will also get all the necessary fibers, nutrients from the vegetable juices.

Regular consumption of fresh fiber rich vegetable juices will reduce food cravings and you will never feel like eating heavily as it will easily fill your stomach.

2.    Grape Juice
Grape juice is considered to be a natural ingredient that is loaded with Vitamin C and it will help in increasing the metabolism of the body. It is a very good detoxifier and is found to be very effective for the liver. The sour tasting sweet grapes in liquid form will help you to reduce weight as well.
Take a small bunch of black grapes, wash it properly and then blend the grapes in a blender to extract grape juice.
You can drink this juice as it is or can even dilute it with a little bit of water.
Drinking grape juice every day in the morning during breakfast will help with weight loss.

3.    Green Tea
One of the most effective drinks that you can think of whenever it comes to reducing excess weight is green tea. It is loaded with antioxidants and also offers metabolism boosters. The green herbal tea is a very effective natural ingredient that will help in weight loss. You can drink hot or chilled green tea and make sure that you do not add sugar to it.

Boil a glass of water and then add a teaspoon of green tea into it. Let it simmer for a few minutes.
Strain the green tea and drink it hot. Repeat this once in the morning and evening every day to enjoy weight loss.
You can also sip cold green tea in the morning and evening to enjoy quick fat burn that will help in effective weight loss.

4.    Yoghurt Smoothies
Yoghurt is rich in calcium and is very effective in reducing weight. Yoghurt has the properties of burning fat easily and it is an ideal ingredient that will help your body to lower the fat production.

Add about half a cup of yoghurt in your favorite smoothie and blend it in a mixer.
Drink this special yoghurt smoothie once or twice a day to reduce fat deposits in your body.

5.    Water
Water is a natural health drink that will work for many ailments and it is the best known weight loss drink. It is important for you to drink about 8 to 12 glasses of water every day so that your body will flush out all the toxins in your body in the form of urine. It will also help your body to stay hydrated at all times.

It is believed that cold water will help to burn more calories and it would be effective to have it with lime or honey every day to see better results.
Hot water is also very effective in burning fat deposits in your body and flushing it out in the form of urine.

6.    Whey Protein
There have been studies conducted on many women that have revealed that whey protein is an effective ingredient that will help in reducing body fat in women which will in turn help in weight loss. 

Whey protein consumption on a regular basis will help in curbing food craving in men and women.
It will also help in controlling the appetite for over two hours.

7.    Coconut Water
One of the natural and energized drinks that you will come across on this planet is tender coconut water. It will help in boosting your metabolism and is loaded with electrolytes. It is normally suggested drink for people suffering from stomach problems and ulcers.

Drinking one to two glasses of coconut water everyday will provide all the necessary energy boost that you need for an entire day.
It will help in speeding the metabolism and also helps in flushing out all the toxins produced in your body.

8.    Black Coffee
Black coffee is also considered to be a very effective drink that will help in reducing weight effectively. It is an effective drink that will help in boosting the metabolism of your body as it raises the body temperature easily. It will help in reducing your hunger and to suppress it for a long time.

Drinking two cups of black coffee without adding sugar everyday will help in reducing your excess body weight after a few weeks.

9.    Skimmed Milk
Skimmed milk is an excellent drink to have if you are looking to reduce the weight. Skimmed milk is the milk from which most of the fat content is removed. This will prevent the addition of calories to your body when you are using skimmed milk.  It is necessary to select skimmed with less than 1 % fat to get maximum weight reduction.

Calcium enriched skimmed milk helps to increase the speed of fat break down in the body.

Calcium resent in the milk keeps the muscles stronger which helps in increasing the metabolic rate.
Calcium present in milk keeps your bones strong. The proteins, vitamins and calcium present in skimmed milk helps in weight loss.

10.    Cranberry Juice
Fresh Cranberry juice is one of the best drinks to help in weight loss. Cranberry juice is rich in antioxidants which will help to remove free radicals present in our body which causes cell damage.  This juice also has diuretic properties which prevents the water retention in our body. The organic acids present in cranberry juice helps to dissolve the fats and flush it out from the body. It also helps to remove other toxins from the body.

 It is necessary to avoid bottled or canned cranberry juices to attain weight reduction as it may contain preservatives and added sugar.

 Use fresh homemade sugar free cranberry juice to get the best result.
Are you worried that you are a bit overweight? Do you want to easily get rid of the excess fat deposits accumulated in your body? If you are looking for the ideal easy drinks that will help in effectively reducing your body weight, then you can try out some of the above mentioned drinks to boost your body metabolism and to reduce the excess weight you are carrying. If you want to see quick and effective results, then you will have to combine the use of these powerful health drinks with a good workout regime and a healthy diet.
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