FitSugar

The Fountain of Youth Is in Your Gums

FitSugar — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 03:00:12 PDT

I dread my six-month dental checkup because I know what they're going to say - "You're not flossing, are you?" I know brushing alone doesn't help clean between your teeth, and really I have no excuse except that I just don't do it.

Here's some news that'll have us all reaching for the floss. When you don't floss regularly, food gets stuck between your teeth, which turns into sticky plaque and bacteria. When this builds up, it can lead to gingivitis, which is the first stage of gum disease. You know you have it if your gums are inflamed, are tender, or bleed. Your gums will also recede, which means they pull away from your teeth and expose them, which causes damage to your precious chompers. If this progresses and you develop gum disease, your teeth will die, which eventually causes the bones under your teeth to dissolve away. What you're left with is changes in your facial appearance including gaps between your teeth, sunken cheeks, caving in of the lips, and wrinkles along the mouth and cheeks - all of which can make you appear older than you are.

Instead of expensive and uncomfortable procedures to keep wrinkles away, your best bet is to grab youth by the horns and make time to floss at least once a day. After all this I'd like to know if you already floss regularly? If you don't, does this info make you want to start?

Eat Yogurt - It's Good For Your Mouth

FitSugar — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:00:00 PST

If you eat yogurt, you'll be happy to know that Japanese research found that it may be keeping your mouth healthy. Eating yogurt and other foods that contain lactic acid such as wheat beer, kefir, and some cottage cheeses are associated with better periodontal health. When adults have periodontal disease, this chronic bacterial infection causes receding gums and tooth loss. Aside from brushing, flossing, and regular cleanings, effective ways to deal with this are limited, so this is great news.

This study found that those who consumed 55 grams or more of yogurt a day, or some other lactic-acid drink, had a significantly lower occurrence of periodontal disease. (That's equal to less than half a 6-ounce container of yogurt). More research needs to be done, because the benefits may have something to do with the lactobacillus bacteria found in yogurt and other lactic-acid foods. Since signs of periodontal disease can show up in your 30s, so it's good to start thinking about ways to prevent it now.

Source

Overdid It on the Chili, Wings, and Beer? How to Get Heartburn Relief

Jenny Sugar — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 04:12:08 PST

In terms of calories consumed in one day, the Super Bowl Sunday spread is only bested by the Thanksgiving feast. Being that the game comes but once a year, many sports fans go all out, consuming a variety of spicy snacks - chili, buffalo wings, salsa - along with beer, pizza, and dips. All that food can lead to digestive disaster. If you're suffering from heartburn, here's how to get relief.

Let loose: Loosen up your clothing if it's fitted. The compression around your chest and stomach can make heartburn symptoms worse.
Put down the bottle: Stop drinking alcohol, carbonated beverages, and drinks containing caffeine like coffee and Coca-Cola ASAP. Don't reach for a cooling glass of milk either. It's a myth that milk relieves heartburn. It may feel good at first, but can actually worsen symptoms. Sip water instead.
Chuck the wings: Avoid eating any more spicy or greasy foods, foods that contain pepper, and acidic foods such as oranges, tomatoes, and vinegar. Chocolate, mint, ketchup, and mustard are also common heartburn triggers, so avoid eating these as well.
Grab a stick: Of gum, that is. Chew gum to increase saliva production, helping to neutralize stomach acid.

Keep reading for more ways to get immediate heartburn relief.

Have Your Gluten-Free Candy This Halloween and Eat It Too

Heather Dale — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 09:59:55 PDT

If the candy-lined store shelves didn't give it away, the sweetest annual holiday is just about here - no, not Valentine's Day silly . . . Halloween! For those with celiac disease or a gluten allergy/sensitivity, Halloween can be more of a trick than a treat because deciphering which candies contain traces of the gluten protein found in wheat, rye, and barley can be downright tricky.

Good news my friends. Although most cupcakes, cookies, brownies, and doughnuts are filled with gluten, most candy bars and hard candies are gluten-free (but stay away from Twizzlers, because they surprisingly do contain gluten!). Now I'm not saying you can go crazy next Monday, but when a majority of "fun size" bars are only 100 calories, a little indulging once in a while doesn't hurt. Keep reading to see which candies made the cut for being g-free!

6 Little Instant Health Boosts

Prevention — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 14:42:05 PDT

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Prevention here on FitSugar!

Minor moves that offer major benefits for your mind and body
By Alyssa Shaffer, Prevention

Brush and Floss
Health boost: Cut risk of head and neck cancer by 400 Percent

Take good care of your smile and you'll have more than just white teeth to show for it. New research from Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, NY, shows that people with the chronic gum disease periodontitis have a fourfold risk of developing a type of head or neck cancer (which makes up about 5 percent of all malignancies in the United States), especially in the mouth and throat. The risk was increased even among patients who never used tobacco. Gum disease occurs when the bacteria that live in plaque infect the gums, so brush and floss regularly to prevent plaque buildup.

16 Amazingly Easy Ways to Dramatically Improve Well-being

Hide Your TV Remote
Health boost: Whittle 2 inches from your belly

When switching TV stations, put down the remote, get up, and do it manually. An Australian study found that people who did the greatest amount of light activity during otherwise sedentary behavior, such as watching TV, had 16 percent smaller waist circumferences than those who were inclined to stay put. Even the simple act of getting up and walking around for a minute or so was enough to make a difference, regardless of whether they had a regular workout schedule.

They also had lower body mass indexes and triglyceride and glucose levels, all of which are associated with a reduced risk of metabolic syndrome. More ways to break up an otherwise inactive day: Stand up every time the phone rings at your desk; take the long way back to your desk after a bathroom break; do some stretches before reading a new e-mail.

Super Secrets For a Trim Tummy

Doodle During Work Meetings
Health boost: Improve memory by 29 Percent

People who doodled while listening to a recorded message had nearly one-third better recall of the details than those who didn't draw, according to a study published in the journal Applied Cognitive Psychology. "Doodling acts as a buffer against daydreaming," explains researcher Jackie Andrade, PhD, a professor in the School of Psychology at the University of Plymouth in England. "It provides just enough distraction to stop you from drifting off, but you can still focus on what is being said."

Find more ways to boost your health after the break.

Healthy Gums May Prevent Pancreatic Cancer

FitSugar — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 13:15:00 PST

All cancer is bad news, but what makes pancreatic cancer so awful is that only 5% of people diagnosed with it will live another 5 years.

There are no recommended screening tests, early warning signs or symptoms to alert a person or their doctor that they have pancreatic cancer.

Some risk factors that could make you more susceptible to pancreatic cancer include cigarette smoking and possibly diabetes and obesity.

Oddly enough, periodontal disease (gum inflammation) and tooth loss may also be associated in some way with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer.

The connection it seems is that over time, the bacterial infection that causes gum disease can also cause loss of the bone that anchors the teeth. The inflammation from the infection may set the stage for other serious diseases, like pancreatic cancer.

There has also been recent interest in a possible link between gum disease and coronary artery disease, based on the theory that gum disease may lead to increased levels of inflammation throughout our bodies.

Fit's Tips: So take care of your teeth and gums people. Get regular dental cleanings twice a year, and whatever you do - don't forget to floss.

Careful Who You Kiss - Cavities Can Be Contagious

Heather Dale — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 13:15:58 PDT

Researchers have discovered that more than just viruses and germs can be transmitted through the mouth - cavities can be added to this list, yes . . . cavities. According to Dr. Margaret Mitchell, the cavity-causing bacteria is commonly transferred between caregivers and children because a mother will taste her child's food to see if it's too hot, therefore directly exposing her child to the germs in her saliva. Dr. Mitchell also discusses an instance where a woman had started developing cavities and gum disease after starting to date a man who had gum disease and hadn't been to a dentist in over 18 years.

Her remedy? You don't have to go cold turkey on kissing - phew - but what you do have to do is make sure you maintain your oral health by flossing and brushing regularly and chewing sugar-free gum, which helps produce more saliva and wash away bacteria.

And for all the parents out there, I suggest blowing on your child's food rather than tasting it; that way you'll decrease the amount of bacteria transferred.

DrSugar Answers: Nicotine Withdrawal From Secondhand Smoke?

DrSugar — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 14:15:02 PST

DrSugar is in the house! And she's answering your health-related questions.

Dear DrSugar,
My partner has been smoking since he was in high school and he is 27 now. He has been smoking about two packs a day and is trying to stop. This weekend he has cut down on the amount he smokes. Last night, both he and I had trouble staying asleep. I was wondering if his smoking has been affecting me too? And what side effects would I have for just being around him when he smokes?
- Secondhand Smoker

I commend your partner on trying to quit smoking, not only for his health, but also for yours. Nicotine (the main drug component in tobacco) dependence is a serious problem, and according to Medline Plus, it has a potential for addiction similar to alcohol, cocaine, and morphine. Dependence on nicotine means that a person cannot stop using tobacco products, despite the products causing them likely harm. According to the Mayo Clinic, nicotine produces physical and mood-altering effects in your brain that are temporarily pleasing. These effects typically make you want to continue using tobacco and can lead to dependence. However, stopping tobacco can lead to unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, which it sounds like your partner is experiencing. To learn more about nicotine withdrawal symptoms and the issues surrounding secondhand smoke, keep reading!

8 Tips For Quitting Smoking

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 16:00:29 PST

Tomorrow, Nov. 18, is the Great American Smokeout. The American Cancer Society, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and even our own DrSugar all urge you to quit smoking! It is one of the best things you can do for your health.

We all know that quitting is not an easy feat, so I'm offering some timeless tips for kicking the habit. Whether you have a pack-a-day habit or consider yourself a social smoker, smoking is wreaking havoc on your health, so here are some strategies to help you stop for good.

Exercise more. Getting moving is a great way to remind yourself why you shouldn't smoke. Exercise can reduce your stress and help you relax far better than cigarettes. Even just five minutes of walking can help fend off urges.
Go over the counter. Stop-smoking aids like gum, lozenges, and patches really do help ease withdrawal symptoms. Even if you want to go cold turkey, it might help to have some gum on hand for the times when you're especially irritable or antsy.
Chew away your cravings. Regular gum can also be effective at battling cravings. Keeping your mouth busy will help keep your mind off smoking.
Play with your phone. Harness the power of your smartphone with handy apps like Quitter, which is free and calculates how much money you're saving by not buying cigarettes, or spend $3.99 for LiveStrong's My Quit Coach, which helps you set goals and monitors your progress.

I have more tips, so keep on reading.

You Asked: Is Holding In Gas Bad?

FitSugar — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 08:00:06 PDT

Dear Fit,
I'm not embarrassed to admit that I'm an extremely gassy person. I know it's a natural bodily function, even though I seem to do it more than the average person, but now I have an embarrassing problem. I used to work from home, so it didn't matter if I let my gas pass, but I just got a new job where I work in a big office. All our desks are in one big room, so there's absolutely no privacy. I've been there for a week now, and have just been holding it so my co-workers don't know my smelly secret. It's been hurting my belly a little, and I'm wondering if this is really bad for my body not to let it out.
- Full of Hot Air

Although most wouldn't like to admit it, we can all relate to your problem of being gassy in public. I don't blame you for not wanting to let 'em go at your new job, or any job for that matter. Who wants to admit that they're the source of smelly gas? I have some suggestions on how to curb your flatulence, so

read more. I really don't recommend holding it in; as you've already said, you end up with a bellyache. Plus your muscles are only physically able to hold it in for so long. So as soon as you relax, it's bound to come out at a surprising time, which can be more embarrassing than if you knew it was coming. To avoid other people knowing, when you feel the gas building up, head to the bathroom and do your business there. All people pass gas, and it's impossible to stop flatulence altogether, but here are some things you can do to decrease the gas your body makes:

Chew your food slowly. Swallowing air when eating is a major cause of gas.
Avoid chewing gum because it encourages you to swallow air.
Avoid bubbly beverages as the carbonation can also cause gas.
Know which foods trigger your gas. Beans, apples, dairy products, eggs, wheat, broccoli, and onions are known to be gas-producers. If they cause you gas, eat them in small amounts, or avoid eating them while at work.
Eat lots of fiber-rich foods like veggies, fruit, and whole grains to prevent constipation, which can cause bloating and gas.

If none of this helps, it may be worth a visit to your doctor, since excessive gas can be a symptom of conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), lactose intolerance, bowel obstruction, Crohn's disease, or celiac disease. It's worth getting checked out for peace of mind.