It’s easy to have too much of a good thing – especially when it comes to food.
By now, just about everyone knows that sugary soft drinks, desserts, and snack foods are making us fatter and that their sugar content is one of the main reasons why they’re so bad for us. But could sugar be even worse than that? Could it actually be toxic?
More and more researchers are starting to think so, and several have assembled some pretty compelling evidence to support their case.
Robert Lustig’s campaign against sugar
According to Gary Taubes’s widely read New York Times Magazine article published last spring, Robert Lustig, a childhood obesity expert at the University of California, San Francisco, has taken it upon himself to speak out against sugar – a substance he sees not just as a source of empty calories but as “a poison by itself.”
His argument is more or less this: Since the liver is forced to convert sugars into fat when they’re consumed in sufficient quantities, consumption of sugar is the leading culprit in the ongoing obesity epidemic. Obesity, of course, often leads to insulin resistance, which leads to type 2 diabetes and/or heart disease.
Sugar, argues Lustig, is the root cause of these maladies. Therefore, the stuff is nothing but poison, pure and simple – a substance that ought to be lumped in with alcohol and tobacco as something that leads to an early death.
And it’s not just high fructose corn syrup that’s to blame. Although the ill effects of that widely demonized food additive are now well known, Lustig claims that sucrose, the white, powdery sugar you spoon into your coffee, is just as nefarious.
But it gets worse.
If sugar leads to insulin resistance, which we’re pretty sure it does, and insulin resistance leads to obesity and diabetes, what does that mean as far as cancer is concerned? After all, it’s widely accepted by most researchers that one’s likelihood of developing cancer increases when he or she is obese and/or diabetic.
Could sugar, then, be a carcinogen? Could it actually cause cancer?
It sounds like a radical notion, and it’s not something experts are even close to agreeing upon. But Lewis Cantley, who directs the Cancer Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center at Harvard Medical School, argues in Taubes’s article that if there’s anything causing insulin resistance – anything besides just being overweight, that is – then that “something” increases our risk of developing cancer.
So… no more desserts? Ever?
If taking the kids out for ice cream is just as bad for their health as letting them smoke a few cigarettes, we may have to seriously reconsider the foods we consume.
But remember that there’s still no consensus on the issue. Back when everyone thought direct consumption of fat led to their being overweight, we all bought fat-free processed foods and thought we were healthier. Since then, we’ve learned that fat isn’t the only culprit and that many fat-free foods are still bad for us in their own way.
If one thing is certain, it’s that we should definitely consume less sugar. Carcinogen or not, empty calories are just that – empty calories. Replacing them with wholesome, nutritious foods (a cliché by now, yes?) is still the way to go.
Adam Green is a freelance writer who avoids eating “sweet stuff” whenever he can. He contributed this article on behalf of Full Circle, an organic produce delivery service.
Protecting your eyes from disease and from potentially losing that flawless 20/20 vision can be as simple as knowing which foods to incorporate into your daily food regimen. Consuming junk foods regularly not only packs on the extra pounds, but comes at the cost of missing out on core preventative ingredients in healthier foods that maintain perfect eye health. And of course, if you’re the type that avoids seeing the eye doctor all costs, then even bigger incentive exists to keep your eyes in good shape.
With the right mixing and matching of food groups, trips to the doctor can be kept minimal and risk of vision loss – whether it is a reduction of the 20/20 figure or blindness – can be nearly eliminated altogether. Let’s look at some foods that can bulwark your eye health.
1. Carrots.
Your mother taught you well when she advised sticking to carrot sticks to keep your eyes in tip-top shape. Packed with the antioxidant beta carotene, which is converted to Vitamin A, carrots are helpful in defending against basic eye diseases like cataracts. One might advise keeping the orange-colored vegetable to a minimum, however – overconsumption of beta-carotene has been known to cause development of a (temporarily) orange skin tone.
2. Eggs.
Although it is true that eggs can build more cholesterol than your body needs, it may also be true that the positives outweigh the negatives of daily egg consumption. Up to two eggs per day can result in the absorption of zeaxanthin and lutein, which protect against cataracts and macular degeneration. Ironically, lutein is also said to be beneficial to heart health.
3. Salmon.
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential to maintaining healthy eyes, and wild salmon happens to be loaded with them. Seafood in general concentrates its nourishing qualities on the nerves of the retina, further aiding in fending off age-related macular degeneration. Consumers might also look at implementing small amounts of shrimp, shellfish, sardines and – essentially – any seafood that starts with an “S” into their diet.
4. Turkey.
The big bird contains a heavy amount of zinc and niacin, which proves to not only be a wise alternative to beef-consumption, but effective in lowering your risk of being struck by cataracts.
5. Spinach.
Popeye had the right idea when he downed can after can of spinach – the leafy green is high in beta carotene, zeaxanthin, lutein, and even Vitamin C. These interact with each other to create a shield that protects the retina from the sun’s rays as well as decreases the likelihood of macular degeneration.
6. Broccoli.
Arguably the best veggie for the eyes, broccoli contains lutein, zeaxanthin, Vitamin C and small traces of beta-carotene. Look for broccoli with a darker pigment; the darker the color, the more lutein packed inside.
7. Ostrich?
Certainly an odd food for the eyes, but healthy nonetheless. This meat (which is also a great, lean alternative to beef and other meats) strengthens the eyes with high levels of protein, iron, and zinc, the latter of which reinforces enzymes that sustain retinal health.
This is a guest post from ReplaceMyContacts.com, where you can find discount contact lenses online in a variety of brands including Acuvue Oasys, Freshlook, and Air Optix.
For most people, whitening teeth is strictly cosmetic. The cost of professional whitening treatments offered by your local dentist isn’t normally covered by insurance and the out-of-pocket costs can be high. The oral care industry has caught onto this and offers a slew of home whitening products that are designed to bleach your teeth, but some consumers and dental care professionals alike are asking whether or not home bleaching treatments are safe and/or effective?
Most dentists will tell you that when used according to the instructions, most home teeth whitening kits are safe. But new reports suggest that overuse and abuse of the products can cause permanent damage to tooth enamel and increase the sensitivity of a person’s teeth. So are home whitening kits safe to use?
Dentists recommend that before you use a home tooth whitening kit, you take part in a dental hygiene program or regimen that provide for a standard cleaning and x-rays as well as an oral exam. Routine cleanings are important because they can brighten up your smile simply by removing built-up tartar. Often the tartar, rather than the tooth enamel itself, is stained. Removing the tartar removes the stain and reveals a brighter, whiter tooth.
X-rays and oral examinations are also important because they can reveal any thin or weak teeth that could suffer long-term harm from home whitening products. Generally, however, if you have strong health teeth to begin with, and use the products according to instructions, the enamel on your teeth should be fine.
Once your teeth have been professionally cleaned and examined, then you can consider home whitening treatments. Normally, these treatments involve the use of gels or creams that coat the teeth and whiten the enamel. For this kind of treatment to be successful, it’s important for the whitening agent to make good, full contact with the surface of each tooth. Uneven application of the whitening paste or gel will result in unevenly whitened teeth.
Follow the product directions precisely, and brush and floss your teeth once the treatment is done. Do not repeat the treatment more often than directed and be careful when using toothpastes with whitening agents, or whitening pens. Overuse or abuse of these items can lead to permanent damage of your tooth enamel over time.
Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda can act as a whitening agent, but it won’t produce the instant results a professional bleaching treatment will. It is safe for repeated or regular use, inexpensive and will whiten teeth over time. To whiten your teeth with hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, add a small amount of hydrogen peroxide to a little baking soda and make a paste. Using your toothbrush, apply the paste evenly and directly to the teeth. Let this mixture sit for about two to three minutes, then rinse completely with water. If desired brush your teeth with regular toothpaste afterward. You can safely repeat this daily or every other day for brighter, whiter teeth.
Some home remedies advocate using lemon juice to whiten your teeth. This is a very bad idea that could cause permanent damage to your enamel. Lemon juice strips teeth of their natural calcium (some of which may be off white in color). The lost calcium cannot be replaced, and that leads to the breakdown of enamel and the increased risk of tooth decay. Lemon juice, limejuice and other highly acidic foods should be avoided. If you eat acidic foods like lemons, limes, lemonade, orange juice, tomatoes or tomato juice, immediately brush your teeth to reduce acid exposure and possible enamel damage. Colas, coffees and teas also contain a lot of acid, so you should brush your teeth after drinking these beverages.
Young Lee is a recent graduate of a Dental Hygiene Program, she hopes to find a job soon at local dentistry. But on her free time show loves to freelance and read.
We all desire a healthy and fit body. But it is always a challenge to start work on it. Many of you may get tired of going to the gym, doing exercises, following hard and complicated diets that don’t produce the desired results. Don’t lose hope as you are not alone. Many people from all over the world are eagerly waiting to know simple solutions to lose weight that can drive positive results. A research shows that 97% people who diet will end up by gaining their weight again because extreme dieting does not work much. But there are simple solutions for weight loss and is healthy, natural and drive results. Instead of doing hard and fix dieting, you can choose a nutrient rich and healthy diet to lose weight.
Following are SevenSimple Solutions to lose weight:
1.) Leave eating before your stomach get full
Always leave some empty space in your stomach. Don’t eat too much. Stop eating after your stomach is 80% full. Leave that 20% space to eat later or after some time. Also don’t start eating until you are actually feeling hungry. This will enable you to eat without starving because you will eat only when you really meant to, not until you get satisfied. So the real key of healthy weight loss is balanced eating.
2.) Take small meals several times a day
Hunger means that you have low blood sugar and your brain starts feeling starved. So, don’t allow yourself to stay hungry for a long time. Just divide your 3 meals a day into 6-7 small meals. Small meals will not let you feel famished and also curb the tendency to eat junk food. It’s better to eat small meals after every few hours instead of skipping your meals.
3.) Eat healthy and nutritious breakfast
Breakfast isthe most important meal of the day. So take a healthy breakfast. It’s best to eat a fruit daily in the breakfast. Your metabolism starts working after breakfast and it allows you to start burning your calories.
4.) Fulfill your body needs, that is, healthy proteins, fats and carbohydrates
Your body needs glucose and carbohydrates for energy, and also fatty acids, minerals and proteins in sufficient amounts. If you do not get these nutrients in required amounts then your body will start storing fats instead of converting into fuels.
5.) Take a multivitamin and a fish oil supplement everyday
Don’t stress yourself for trying to get all the required nutrients from food as it may cause overeating. Instead of this, take a multi vitamin according to your gender and age, and also take omega 3 fatty acids that found in fish oil to reduce weight.
6.) Drink lots of Water
Water helps to reduce weight very fast. Don’t get confused thirst with hunger. An average person should drink 8-10 glasses of water in a day, and a person who wants to reduce weight should drink 14-16 glasses in a day. A Research shows that a person who drinks 2 glasses of water 25-30 minutes before every meal reduces weight much faster than a person who doesn’t.
7.) Permit your body to do easy workout
Try to do easy work out like choose the stairs instead of using the lift. If you are working in a job where you have to sit continuously for hours then start fidgeting under the desk with your feet and it will make a difference. Try to give yourself a break for 2-3 minutes to leave your seat.
Roberta Smith writes for http://www.markkia.com. She enjoys content and writing about the social sphere.
