When you see your doctor, a nurse’s assistant or nurse will first come into the office and provide the standard medical testing procedures, such as weight and blood pressure. He/She will then enter that information into the computer containing your medical record.
These records are very confidential; only the medical office, clinic, or hospital can access them, technically called Electronic Health Records or EHR. Medical providers have been required to use EHR since the Obama Administration administered this policy to keep our medical records safe and secure and bring administrative healthcare technology to the 21st century.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 is the policy every medical provider must adhere to. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) is the governing agency overseeing HIPAA and any violations.
You can tell if your medical provider follows this rule when you visit your doctor’s office. If you still see rows and rows of paper charts, your doctor has not yet upgraded to EHR, but this would be a HIPAA violation and the physician or physician’s office can be placed under severe penalties.
Implementing such a system is expensive, and they also have a tedious learning curve that all staff, not just physicians, need to learn. Once implemented, keeping track of your medical records becomes faster, less prone to error, much more secure, and more organized; hence, more efficient.
The EHR process includes entering codes related to one’s injury or illness. Until recently, these codes were called ICD-9, but the last update is called ICD-10, where they added about 64,000 more codes to the system.
The medical staff does not need to remember every code, of course. All they need to do is run a search related to that particular illness or injury. For example, a boy in a little league fell and broke his arm. The staff member would look up a sports arm injury and get a code or set of codes that relate to that injury.
To get a more detailed understanding of the ICD-10 process, please see this chart from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS).
Look how healthy Rover is! If you want him to stay that way, read on. Image by Denise coyle from Pixabay
Since humans and pets are different from one another, we think that both of them like to eat different foods, but that’s not entirely the case. Some human foodis loved by your pets, but it has to be the right one. Check out this list of mutual food items you and your dog love.
Note 1: It should be noted that, like humans, your pet could have allergies or other health issues when eating human-made food, so always check with your veterinarian before giving them any of the treats we love!
Note 2: If you are not already aware, chocolate can be deadly for your pet. NEVER give your dog chocolate or anything that contains chocolate of any portion! You can read more about this danger here.
Now let’s move on to what is considered healthy for your canine buddy!
Yogurt
Just like yogurt is good for human health, yogurt can also be a source of protein and calcium for dogs. It has vitamins that are good for the health of both humans and animals, which is why it makes sense for your pet to have too. But before choosing yogurt, you should pick the natural one with no artificial flavors without any sugars or sweeteners.
Also, it should not have any active bacteria because they will act as probiotics. In addition, if your dog is overweight, you should ensure you buy a fat-free yogurt, but not one with fat substitutes, such as olestra, simplesse etc. And when summer comes, why not treat them to some yogurt?
Rice is loaded with iron and vitamins B3 and D. It is best to boil the rice until it is well-cooked but sticks with white rice. Brown rice can cause issues for your dog if he/she is having gastrointestinal issues or other health problems.
White rice has a higher glycemic index than brown rice and can cause blood sugar levels to rise, but it is important to remember that white rice provides a source of starch that can be beneficial to ill dogs. Diabetic pets may still consume a small amount of white rice if they desire, but not regularly.
It is also suggested not to serve your pet rice alone, mix it up with portions of other food for a balanced diet. For healthy dogs, an appropriate portion of white rice should be fine; however, always check with your vet first.
Dogs love peanut butter. It is good if you treat them with a spoonful of unsalted peanut butter daily.
It is good for their health, but you need to purchase a good peanut butter brand that does not contain xylitol. This can be very dangerous for your pet!
If your dog is inactive, it is good to feed them peanut butter as it is a source of protein, minerals, and fats.
Pumpkins
With Halloween coming, how can we leave out this seasonal squash fruit? Yes, fruit. Not a vegetable, although it may look like a vegetable.
Pumpkins are rich in vitamins and minerals that include. Protein, Vitamin C, Potassium, Vitamin B2, Vitamin E, and iron.
Humans and animals alike can reap the benefits of the delicious fruit.
Eggs
Eggs can also be a food item that you and your pet can share. If you require proteins and energy, your doctor may recommend you eat eggs. Similarly, when it comes to dogs, eggs can also be a healthy snack.
Providing dogs with proteins and energy, they can make an unhealthy dog healthy and fat. However, you should keep the quantity small because feeding dogs eggs daily can make them fat and gain weight, making them inactive.
Now that you know how the people’s food items are also the favorite food items of your pet dogs, you should feed these foods to them too.
Summary
Although it is safe for Rover to have some human food, stick with what is recommended and don’t go off giving him/her anything not on the list from veterinarians and/or reputable internet sources. Especially stay away from foods that contain xylitol or chocolate! And always check with canine MD if you are unsure of anything that you want to feed your pet!
Our favorite is Maltese as noted by our photo of Casper. Playful and fun pets and cute as can be, but according to recent surveys, the five most popular breeds are listed below.
So let’s begin with today’s article on what dogs are considered favorites. (That doesn’t mean we don’t love all our pets!
These dogs are trendy and are great at dog shows and are known for standing up on their hind legs and using their front legs to compete against their opponent. Because of this, they were, unfortunately, used for dog fighting – a large competitive game in Germany back in the 19th century, but we are happy to say that this ‘game’ if you call it that has been ruled illegal.
They were the favorite choice for Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall who got one as a gift on their wedding day. People love keeping these dogs because they are active, fun-loving, great watchdogs, and have bright personalities.
Poodles are cute and fluffy canines with airy curls over them. But do not get confused with this endearing appearance, they may have curls but they are not just fluffy toys. Instead, they are very smart, clever, and very obedient. They are known to be one of the most intelligent dog breeds on the planet!
Poodles are loved mostly by women and girls because of their fluffy hair, obedient nature, and of course the variety of coat colors they come in. White, gray, black, and apricot – the ladies have a lot to choose from, and men do too!
People who do not want to own a huge bulldog can opt for the small and adorable French bulldogs, called ‘frenchies’. These little cuties are very friendly and social.
If you want to own a pet to sit with you on your couch, a French bulldog would be a smart pick. They have square heads, bat ears, and wide eyes and are well-mannered, affectionate, and loyal dogs, but they can’t swim, so don’t bring them to your backyard or community pool!
Their history goes back to the wealthy English in the 1800s and that status was maintained up to the early 20th century in the US.
Although they are called French bulldogs, we are sorry to announce that they don’t speak French.
Rottweiler
Photo: iStock
The Rottweiler breed goes back to Roman times. They have a tough look, but they are extremely devoted, loving, and caring companions. Having a muscular build and size, Rottweilers are used by many for home security.
Interestingly, their personalities intimidate people and one must keep an eye on them when they are around children. These dogs have a habit of bumping which can harm kids, so a word of caution there, but if you are looking for pets that will help keep your house safe and lovable as well, then a Rottweiler would be a smart pick.
Beagles are famous for their intellect and intelligence. Many law enforcement agencies use Beagles to sniff as they are exceptional hound (hunting) dogs.
In addition to intelligence, they are friendly and social around people. This is why many people prefer keeping them as pets and kids love them. If you are looking for a friendly pet with intellect, then investing in Beagles is a smart choice. According to research, these dogs howl a lot but it can be controlled by training them.
What to Choose?
Dogs are known for their trustworthiness and faithfulness but don’t just go by these five breeds. Talk to friends and relatives who are dog owners and see what they have to say and then decide on which dog breed you would bring home for your pet!
Little Johnny was touching everything in the store and his mother wasn’t happy, especially during this period of coronavirus. Not so much for the fact that she had to repeatedly tell him to stop, but also because she needed to repeatedly wash his hands so that he doesn’t get infected with Covid and now, Monkey Pox as well.
So How Do Hand Sanitizers Work Anyway? What’s in it? Let’s take a look!
Making your hand sanitizer is simple and quick. Photo: Unsplash
Hand sanitizers kill germs on the skin using a high concentration of alcohol. When applied to the hands, the alcohol goes onto the skin and evaporates, but it leaves behind the disinfectant properties.
This process is called rapid evaporation. During rapid evaporation, the alcohol concentration on the skin is much higher than normal, which is why it kills germs so effectively. Normally, it would take much longer for alcohol to evaporate from the skin and be effective against germs. The alcohol in hand sanitizers is mixed with oil to slow down the evaporation time and give your hands a longer-lasting antiseptic effect.
Most hand sanitizers contain 60-90% alcohol as the primary active antiseptic ingredient, with other additives mostly being emollients, preservatives, and fragrances.
There are also some non-alcoholic hand sanitizers available, which use different active ingredients to kill bacteria such as ethyl vinegar, oils of lemon and eucalyptus, triclosan, and chloroxylenol.
Read on to know more about the ingredients in hand sanitizers.
Isopropyl Alcohol
Isopropyl alcohol (IPA), also known as rubbing alcohol is an antiseptic, which means that it prevents the growth of microorganisms that can cause diseases. And as so, is very effective against many viruses, including Covid.
IPA is a synthetic compound that is chemically similar to ethanol (alcohol), which is also an antiseptic but usage of IPA is more common. Neither alcohols are suitable for human consumption due to their toxic nature and consuming it can lead to death, and more caution should be made when buying these disinfectants that were manufactured outside the United States.
So they must be kept out of reach of children and any furry friends that you may have. With that said, both antiseptics are safe to use on the skin.
Other Ingredients
Additional ingredients in hand sanitizers are emollients, preservatives, and fragrances.
Emollients are substances that are added to hand sanitizers to make them less drying, so they don’t leave cracked, flaky skin. This can be useful for people who wash their hands frequently, such as people who work in healthcare or food services.
Preservatives are used to prevent bacteria, molds, and fungi from growing in the product. It is important to avoid using hand sanitizers that do not contain a preservative, as they can grow bacteria if you don’t close the cap after each use.
Fragrances are used to give the product a pleasant smell. It should be noted that not all fragrances are mild and some have been shown to have health effects on some people. It is best to look for a fragrance-free option or one with a scent that you do not have an allergy to.
Diethylene Glycol
Diethylene glycol is a synthetic liquid that is used in hand sanitizers as a solvent, or something used to dissolve other substances. It is also used in antifreeze and some engine coolants. Although diethylene glycol is not directly toxic to humans, it is a byproduct of ethylene oxide, which is a known carcinogen.
Pros of Using Hand Sanitizer
They are portable, so you can clean your hands anywhere, from airport restrooms to the park, without having to find a sink
They are generally easier to use than hand washing, especially when you’re in a rush
May be less drying on the skin than regular soap and water
They don’t require hot water, so they can be used in cold weather when your hands are particularly dry
Useful for people who have skin allergies or conditions that make it difficult to wash their hands properly
Can help prevent the spread of many infectious diseases.
They are useful for kids who are in daycare or school
Cons of Using Hand Sanitizer
They may not kill all the germs on your hands
Doesn’t replace proper hand washing. Hands should be washed with soap and water as often as possible
Hand sanitizers can dry out the skin, leaving hands cracked and itchy
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can cause skin allergies in some people
Hand sanitizers are more expensive than regular hand washing
Tips for Choosing the Right Hand Sanitizer
When shopping for a hand sanitizer, look for one with an alcohol concentration of 60% or more
The higher the concentration, the more effective it will be at killing germs
Read the ingredients list on the label and make sure you understand what each ingredient does in the product
When choosing a fragrance, think about what you like. There is no evidence that one fragrance is healthier than another
When it comes to choosing a size, think about where you will carry it. If you will keep it in your purse, you may want a smaller bottle, while a larger bottle may be best for your car or desk drawer.
Conclusion
Keeping your hands clean with soap or sanitizer is one of the best protections against spreading diseases. Photo: Unsplash
Hand sanitizers can be useful when you can’t wash your hands properly and they are pretty good disinfectants; however, they don’t kill all the germs present on your hands, so they do not replace proper hand washing when you can.
It is important to choose the right-hand sanitizer for you. There are many different types available, with different alcohol concentrations and fragrances, but whatever you choose, each time you wash your hands with these disinfectants, it is one more time you can have better peace of mind that you are lowering your risk of getting ill.
Background concept word cloud illustration of antioxidants. Photo: Bigstock
Let’s start by stating that both antioxidants and antibodies are essential ingredients in keeping you healthy. But with that said, what exactly are the differences between the two?
Many people are not aware of what the differences are but they are quite substantial, but with that said, there are numerous similarities between the two as well.
They both protect your body from disease and illness and are necessary for maintaining good health, but that’s about where the similarities end.
This article will explore some of the main points about what antioxidants and antibodies are, what role they play in your body, and how you can increase your intake of each to maintain optimal health.
These are compounds found in foods that are designed to prevent oxidative damage. Oxidative damage is the process by which free radicals can run amok in your body and damage healthy cells.
What Do Free Radicals Do?
Free radicals are atoms that are missing an electron and by so doing, they look for other cells’ atoms to which they can attach so that they can steal that cell’s electron. This is a common occurrence in nature when atoms have missing electrons. They need to balance out their electron count. When they find a healthy cell to attach to, they will merge with it, subsequently changing the characteristics of that cell to the point where the healthy properties of those cells are diminished or non-existent.
When this happens and too many damaged cells exist, it could result in your body becoming a risk for such diseases as cancer and heart disease as well as many other illnesses.
Oxidative stress occurs during a normal day of activity, even when you are at rest. Photo by Vlad Sargu on Unsplash
These bad guys are created during our normal lifestyle, which includes simply breathing and eating. In other words, oxidation builds up during daily metabolism – the energy that you exert daily.
Antioxidants – The Good Guys
Antioxidants are the free radicals’ worst enemy. They are molecules that will donate an electron to the free radical making it useless in damaging other cells.
Antioxidants are naturally found in fruits and vegetables. Some of the best foods for fighting off free radicals are berries, citrus fruits, dark leafy greens, broccoli, and tomatoes, but don’t stop there. Just about all fruits and vegetables will help build antioxidants.
They can also be found in smaller amounts in grains, seeds, nuts, and legumes. The best-known antioxidants in vitamins are C and E, and beta-carotene.
When you eat foods that contain antioxidants, they enter your bloodstream and then proceed to neutralize the free radicals before they cause damage. This means that antioxidants can prevent oxidative damage and this is why antioxidants are so beneficial to your health.
Fruits and vegetables are your best fight against oxidative stress.
What are Antibodies?
Microscopic view of the COVID virus spike protein. The spikes are what attack the healthy cells unless blocked by antibodies. Photo: Pixabay
Antibodies are quite different in properties from antioxidants. Antibodies Are proteins. Proteins are molecules. Antioxidants are not proteins. Antibodies contain chains of amino acids which are naturally produced by your immune system when an infection is detected. They can recognize and identify harmful agents like bacteria, viruses, and other foreign agents. That is why you hear so much about antibodies regarding Covid but you don’t hear anything about antioxidants.
Antibodies are created by your white blood cells, called B cells, and bind to the glycoproteins – the enemy of antibodies, similar to how free radicals are the enemy of antioxidants. Glycoproteins are the carbohydrate portion of proteins that are found in bacteria and viruses. Once the antibodies bind to these bad proteins, they neutralize and remove them from the body before they have a chance to cause harm.
For Covid, the antibodies block the virus cells, called spike proteins from attacking healthy cells.
Your body will create antibodies when foreign agents such as a virus are detected, but vaccines can be injected to further the creation of antibodies if needed.
The Difference in a Nutshell
Antioxidants and antibodies are both designed to protect against disease and boost immunity. However, there are differences between antioxidants and antibodies that are worth noting.
Antioxidants are vitamins, minerals, and other compounds that prevent oxidative damage. They don’t directly fight infections. They don’t recognize harmful bacteria and viruses.
Antioxidants also don’t circulate in the blood, as antibodies do. They are found in food, and can’t be detected in your blood. This means that antioxidants don’t boost immunity the way antibodies do.
What antioxidants do is help protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals? These attacked cells can add up causing your body to become at risk of several dangerous diseases.
Antibodies detect harmful bacteria and viruses. They are created by our white blood cells and circulate through our blood vessels and look for bad proteins from bacteria. Once found, they block these bad proteins from attacking healthy cells.
More About Antioxidants
Bigstock
As we’ve already explored, antioxidants are compounds that prevent oxidative damage. They do this by neutralizing free radicals with their electron pairs before they can cause damage. This means that antioxidants protect healthy cells from damage caused by free radicals. They also protect a person’s DNA from being damaged.
In addition to providing general health benefits, antioxidants can also help boost your immune system. They can do this by preventing oxidative damage to healthy cells. This leaves your immune system with fewer cells to protect, which means it can put more energy into fighting against infections.
More About Antibodies
Antibodies are proteins that are created by the immune system to protect against disease. They can do this by binding to bacteria and viruses and neutralizing them. Antibodies are much more active than antioxidants when it comes to fighting infections. They circulate through the blood and can detect infections and bacteria in the blood. They then bind to the harmful pathogen and neutralize it.
Antibodies can recognize certain foreign bodies. This includes bacteria, viruses, toxins, and even allergens like pollen. Antibodies also boost immunity by preventing harmful bacteria and viruses from causing infections.
Below is a quick chart of the differences between antioxidants and antibodies.
Antioxidants
Antibodies
What it vitamins
Vitamins C & E
Proteins that contain amino acids
How it is created
Fruits & veggies
In white blood cells when an infection is detected within the body
What it fights free
Free radicals (atoms with missing electrons)
Viruses
How to fight
Eat fruits & veggies
Normal activity within the body but can also be created through vaccines
Antioxidants and antibodies have similar functions but are very different compounds. While antioxidants don’t circulate in the blood and are designed to prevent oxidative damage, antibodies circulate in the blood and are designed to bind to and neutralize bacteria.
Antioxidants help prevent oxidative damage and can boost immunity, while antibodies do both of these things.
Antioxidants are beneficial for your health, but you can only reap their benefits if you consume enough of them. This can be challenging because many people don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables. This is why it’s important to get your daily dose of antioxidants. Antioxidants can help you stay healthy, and make sure you don’t get sick.
Lisa has never gotten Covid, yet everyone else in her household has been infected, except her husband who seems to be in the same questionable situation as Lisa. We are saying ‘questionable’ because researchers have yet to determine the reasons why people such as Lisa and her husband appear to be immune to the Covid disease.
The Preliminaries
Photo by Visual Stories || Micheile from Pexels
Before we continue, as a reference point, let’s go over what the CDC has recommended that we all do to minimize Covid infection.
Get vaccinated
Wear a mask
Wash hands frequently
Stay six feet from others
Avoid crowded places
Eat lots of fruits and vegetables
Take immune booster vitamins
Do we follow all these guidelines? Some do, but many of us don’t adhere to all these rules and some items in this list are just not followed as diligently as they should be, and Lisa and Steve are no exception.
They both have been vaccinated and triple-boosted with the Pfizer vaccine and they take immune booster vitamins. Namely, vitamin D, C, and zink tablets daily, as well as making it a point to eat as healthy as they can. They do not wear masks religiously and have gone to social gatherings where no one else was wearing a mask.
The Covid Quandry of Infections and Non-Infections in the Household. But How Common is It?
Microscopic view of the COVID virus showing the spike proteins
It is not that hard to imagine that some folks are not getting infected as routinely as others, but here is the real dilemma. Lisa and Steve’s children, now adults, have both gotten the disease, and they all were living in the same house when the children got it. Yes, extra precautions were taken. The kids did wear masks and avoid close contact with their parents.
Even more troublesome for the researchers if they were studying this event is that their daughter’s boyfriend was living in the house as well and was PCR-diagnosed positive as well.
But the quandary doesn’t end there. The boyfriend didn’t even know he had covid until after their daughter started showing systems. That’s right. He was asymptomatic and never felt a thing.
Covid Immunity – Here’s What They are Saying
T-Cell Immunity
A study on 54 people released in January showed that a high amount of T-cells that were produced when people got colds helped support immunity from the SARS-CoV-2 (Covid) infection.
Dr. Rhia Kund, from the Imperial National Heart & Lung Institute, in London said “We found that high levels of pre-existing T cells, created by the body when infected with other human coronaviruses like the common cold, can protect against COVID-19 infection.”
A study is currently being conducted to determine how much genetic inheritance a person might have that can be an obstacle to being infected with the coronavirus.
There are specific criteria for those in the study, including confirmation via lab testing that the subject has never had COVID-19, that these individuals have had substantial exposure to the disease, and that they did not use any protection such as masks. Additionally, they were never vaccinated.
Members of the COVID Human Genetic Effort at Rockefeller University, part of an international conglomerate of researchers are working to discover the genetic influences that individuals may have that fight against the SARS-CoV-2 infection.
It is worth noting that this is not the first time a pandemic of this magnitude has infiltrated human society, and yet, the whole human population did not cease to exist.
Such is the case with the Spanish Flu in 1919. Many died, but many more survived. Maybe this study will unveil some new data that scientists will show that genetics does play an important role in Covid (and other viruses) infections, as well as possibly additional knowledge on longevity. Indeed, Steve’s father, who was born in 1901 lived to the lively age of 100.
The ‘O’ Factor
Photo: Bigstock
According to a study in the Annals of Internal Medicine, individuals who have type ‘O’ blood may have more of an immune deterrence from the coronavirus infection. Other studies have concluded similar results.
The study covered over 225,000 patients and those in the O-blood category had a 2.1% chance of getting a covid infection, which was found to be the lowest probability of all the blood groups.
So What’s the Conclusion?
There isn’t any. At least not yet. These studies will probably go on for decades, but with said, one thing is a fact. That the worst of Covid is over and now, those that get it, provided there are no external factors that might compromise their health, such as an immune deficiency, will most likely just get a cold. And now, we can only hope for the best going forward.
Did you know that 50% of people say that the first thing they notice about a person is their smile? This is according to a recent study conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. If your teeth are discolored, chipped, damaged, or broken, this can affect your ability and willingness to smile. But don’t worry! A healthy, smile is attainable. You just need to follow these tips.
Eat a Healthy Diet
A healthy diet is not only good for our bodies and total health, but also for our teeth! A healthy diet provides the nutrients and fiber we need to keep our teeth strong and free from disease. Eating foods that are high in sugar, starches, and carbohydrates, such as candy, juices, and smoothies can increase the production of plaque acids that attack the enamel of our teeth.
When it comes to a diet that’s great for your teeth, stick to fibrous whole fruits and vegetables, instead of juices or smoothies. The fiber in these whole fruits and veggies helps to naturally rinse away bacteria and food particles from the teeth. Leafy greens also help promote oral health. They are high in calcium and folic acid which may help treat gum disease in pregnant women according to the American Dental Association.
Visit Your Dentist Every Six Months
Visiting your dentist is incredibly important to the health of your teeth. A professional dental cleaning from your dentist every six months will help remove any buildup of plaque and tartar. Plaque is a sticky film that contains bacteria that hardens and becomes tartar. If tartar is not cleaned, it can start to produce acids that damage the bone that supports the teeth. This can cause periodontal disease, which can lead to tooth loss.
Your dentist will also be able to check for plaque, cavities, and any other problems during your checkup. When caught early, teeth and gum problems are much easier to treat, keeping your teeth healthy, pain-free, and sparkling!
Brush Your Teeth
Preventing gum disease starts with good dental health
For us baby boomers, you might remember the Crest commercial “I only had one cavity!” Well, a lot has changed since then and a target of zero would be the name of the game these days. But what Crest was trying to convey was that the more you brush your teeth, the better the chances of having fewer or no cavities.
Brushing correctly helps remove plaque. Toothpaste contains fluoride that helps teeth become resistant to decay and even helps remove early decay.
Be sure to gently brush your gums as well as your tongue to remove any food particles and plaque. Dentists recommend motorized brushes, but if you don’t have one, you can use a soft brush. “Hard bristles wear down your tooth structure,” says dentist Maricelle Abayon from Rochester, New York.
Don’t brush your teeth too hard either. The plaque itself is loose and soft, so you don’t need to scrub it. Next time you brush your teeth, tell yourself that you are massaging them, not scrubbing them. Most importantly, brush, and don’t rush! Try turning on the timer on your phone or putting on your favorite song while brushing your teeth. Make sure to brush your teeth between two to three minutes for optimal protection against cavities. According to the American Dental Hygienists Association, “it takes two minutes for the tooth enamel to take in the fluoride in toothpaste, making the tooth surface more resistant to bacteria.”
Floss Daily
Flossing twice daily, along with brushing, is very helpful in removing decay-causing plaque. It is a very important part of maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Flossing regularly might seem like an annoyance, but it takes only a minute or two and helps remove food and bacteria stuck in the spaces between the teeth that brushing or mouthwash can’t remove. When these spaces between the teeth are left unclean, it can lead to plaque and tartar, as well as bad breath! Keep your teeth fresh and healthy by flossing two to three times a day, especially before bed and in the morning.
Stop smoking, including smokeless tobacco
Everyone knows smoking is bad for your health, including your lungs and your heart. Smoking is not just bad for your teeth, but it’s bad for your gums and mouth too. Smoking stains and discolors the teeth, making them turn yellow in just a short amount of time.
Long-term smoking can turn teeth brown, due to the nicotine and tar that’s in cigarettes. Smokeless tobacco can also wear down your teeth which can expose the roots of the teeth leaving them more susceptible to decay. Not only that, but smokeless tobacco such as chewing tobacco allows harmful chemicals to come into direct contact with teeth and gums, causing rapid tooth decay, gum disease, and even oral cancer.
Following these guidelines will help you to maintain a healthy mouth and avoid possible future complications. A little prevention now can go a long way later!
When you see “from concentrate” on the label of your favorite juice, don’t worry if you think you’ve been drinking less juice than you thought. You will be pleasantly surprised to hear that you have not. So what does it mean? Does it mean that the juice is not fresh or healthy? Is it less nutritious than other juices? Is it a cheaper version of natural juices? Thankfully, you won’t need to worry about any of those things.
When you see the phrase on a beverage, it simply indicates that the juice has been condensed and packaged for ease of storage and shipping. There is not much of a negative implication in calling a beverage “from concentrate” – it’s just another way of packaging and shipping the same great product! But there are some compromises.
“From concentrate” is the process of fruit juice being treated with a certain amount of heat and pressure to extract more of the juice from the original fruits.
This process is typically used for mass-produced juices. It has the added benefit of being able to be made year-round, even when fruits are out of season. The high heat and pressure used in this process preserve the juice much longer than fresh juice would last.
While fresh juices are often delicious and nutritious, they are also perishable. As soon as the juice is extracted from the fruit, it begins to lose nutritional value and spoil. For example, an apple fresh off the tree has around 80% of its nutrients intact. The rest of the nutrients are lost as the juice is pressed out of the apple. But no worries. Read on!
The benefits of a ‘From Concentrate’ Juice
Since these juices are concentrated and have undergone additional processing, they usually have higher levels of vitamins and minerals than fresh juices. This is because fresh juices begin to lose their nutritional value as soon as they are extracted from the fruit or vegetable they’re made from. To make the most of their ingredients, industrial juice companies harvest fruit at its peak ripeness and then quickly process and package their juices.
A from-concentrate juice, by contrast, is flash-frozen and then packaged. Because freezing prevents any nutritional degradation, these juices can have higher levels of vitamins and minerals than fresh juices. From-concentrate juices are also often more affordable than fresh juices, thanks to the fact that they can be shipped and stored for long periods. From-concentrate juices are a great way to get more vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients into your diet without having to spend a fortune. They’re also a great choice for people who have trouble digesting fresh juices.
The Difference Between From-Concentrate and Natural Juices
Tropicana 100% Juice. Not from Concentrate. Photo: SS – photosofalifetime.com
There are a few key differences between from-concentrate juices and fresh, natural juices. First, from-concentrate juices have been flash-frozen and packed in a can or a plastic bottle. By contrast, fresh juices are sold in transparent plastic containers, and they are best consumed within a few days of being made.
The freezing process that from-concentrate juices are put through extends their shelf life significantly. Fresh juices won’t last nearly as long as from-concentrate juices, as they contain a much higher amount of water that can breed bacteria. From-concentrate juices are also typically more expensive than natural juices because they are more time- and labor-intensive to produce.
So your choice is buying from-concentrate juices and expecting a relatively long shelf life or buying fresh juice without concentrate with a less shelf life but saving a few dollars doing so.
Some people like to latter option since it requires less processing. We’ll leave the decision up to you!
How is From-Concentrate Juice Made?
As we’ve seen, from-concentrate juices begin with a mixture of fruit and water. The water is then removed, either through a filtering process or by applying extreme heat. In some cases, ingredients like sugar, citric acid, and/or preservatives are added to the mixture. From there, the concentrated juices are flash-frozen and packaged in canisters or plastic bottles.
Is There Any Downside to From-Concentrate Juices?
There isn’t anything wrong with from-concentrate juices per se. They are simply another way of packaging and shipping the same great product! That being said, it may be worth noting that from-concentrate juices tend to have less fiber than their fresh counterparts. Since from-concentrate juices are flash-frozen, the water inside them freezes quickly. The resulting ice crystals burst open the cells of the fruit, releasing their fiber and other nutrients. Fresh juices, on the other hand, are frozen at a much slower pace. This is because fresh juices contain a higher amount of water that needs to be boiled off first.
Conclusion
In summary, there is nothing to worry about when you see “from concentrate” on the label of your favorite juice. From-concentrate juices have simply undergone a process that extracts more juice from the fruit and then flash-freezes it for long-term storage and shipping. From-concentrate juices are just as nutritious and delicious as fresh juices, and they can be a great way to get more vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients into your diet without having to spend a fortune.
Photo: Pexels
Still, want to ensure you are getting the most out of your fruits? Purchase the real fruits in the fruit section of your grocery and then you can never go wrong!
The covid virus continues to mutate, leading to new variants of the disease. Some variants, including the Delta variant, Omicron, and the latest XE, may spread more easily than others or may be more resistant to treatments or vaccines, which is why individuals with cancer and cancer survivors need to know a few important things about the disease.
It is hard to say how each individual’s body responds to these variants, as factors such as the amount of contact a person has with others (social engagements, mass transit, shopping, etc.) the amount of protection a person uses (vaccines, masks, washing hands), the strength (or lack of) one’s immune system which correlates to the risk factor of the individual. If you are in the category of having immune deficiencies, such as cancer or other high-risk factors, this article may be of some help.
#1. All Cancers Put You at a Higher Risk But Blood Cancer is of Extreme Importance Regarding Covid
If you have cancer and are getting treatment for the condition, your immune system is compromised. This means that your body is not as strong as a healthy person’s immune system and subsequently, you could well be at a higher risk of contracting these viral infections.
A specific type of cancer that can significantly increase your risk is blood cancer. Patients with blood cancer are severely immune-compromised, and their risk of getting the infection is much higher than patients with solid tumors. Their immunity is low because they have much lower levels of immune cells to generate antibodies that fight against the virus.
#2. Get the Vaccine But Speak to Your Doctor First!
Photo by FRANK MERIÑO from Pexels
All patients with cancer and cancer survivors aged five and above are required to get a primary COVID-19 vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine can be any one of the following{
Two doses of Moderna
Two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine
Single-dose of Johnson’s and Johnson’s vaccine
If you are a cancer patient and have recently received treatment, such as chemotherapy, or bone marrow transplant, it is best to consult with your doctor before you get the vaccine. Your immune system must be recovered before you get the preventive vaccine against the virus.
#3. You May Need an Additional COVID-19 Vaccine Dose
Apart from the primary vaccine, you may also need an additional dose. This additional dose is different from the booster that is recommended to those who have received the initial vaccine and it covers all variants, including the latest one – Omicron.
Since cancer patients have a weakened immune system, their bodies generate a weaker response. Therefore, there may be a need for getting an additional dose following the completion of the primary vaccine series. Speak to your doctor about the need, dosage, and timing for the shot.
#4. Should You Get the Second Booster Dose?
A booster dose is different from an additional dose. A booster dose is given to people who have received the primary vaccine after the antibodies have diminished. The second booster dose is recommended for everyone aged 12 and above, especially for seniors who can get the shot now and those under 65 should be able to get the shot as well.
In general, if you are getting cancer treatment or are severely immuno-compromised, you will need the booster shot, but again, we recommend talking to your medical professional before proceeding with the next dose.
#5. You Can Still Get COVID-19 Following Your Vaccination
Everyone, healthy and immune deficient, know that you can still get COVID-19 despite being vaccinated. It might seem alarming, but if you have compromised immunity, you need to rely on other measures along with getting vaccinated to protect yourself and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Keeping your hands clean with soap or sanitizer is one of the best protections against spreading the COVID virus
Some of the measures that you should continue to take despite relaxed restrictions include:
Covering your face with a mask that fits well and covers your mouth and nose
Avoiding public gatherings and crowds
Maintaining a distance of six feet from people you don’t live with
Frequent and thorough hand washing
Monitoring your overall health and well-being
What Should I Do if I Develop Symptoms of Infection?
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If you think you have been exposed to the coronavirus or have developed the symptoms of the infection, it’s best to isolate yourself and get a COVID-19 test as soon as possible. At-home tests can tell you if you are infected, but there are a lot of false positives; however, if it shows you do have covid, you most likely do. It is best to go to a medical facility to get a PCR test. If the test results show that you have the infection, make sure you get in touch with your primary healthcare provider and update them about your condition.
If you develop mild to moderate symptoms, your healthcare provider may prescribe you antiviral medications or antibody treatment to prevent your illness from worsening. Your healthcare provider will also give you an insight into possible drug interactions between the medications for COVID-19 and the treatment you are getting for cancer.
In some cases, your healthcare provider may decide to pause your cancer treatment while you get the treatment for the virus.
Final Words
Coping with cancer is stressful and this anxiety has increased amidst the pandemic. If you have been diagnosed with cancer, are getting cancer treatment, or are a cancer survivor, know that there are several ways you can protect yourself from getting COVID-19. Continue to cover your face with a face mask, practice frequent hand washing, maintain six feet social distance, and avoid public gatherings.
Pesticides – those scary chemicals that kill insects so that they will stop ruining the crops that we eat. But if pesticides are harmful to insects, are they harmful to humans? What is being done to avoid eating pesticide-laden foods? Let’s find out.
When you think of organic foods, you probably imagine crunchy kale, juicy apples, and other produce with leaves that look like they’ve been touched by a magic wand. Perhaps you assume these foods are expensive and taste weird. However, we now know that these assumptions are misguided.
Conventional fruits and vegetables are often loaded with synthetic fertilizers and other rather nasty ingredients. But what exactly does it mean for something to be organic? Do these foods taste better? Is it worth your money to buy them?
What Does “Organic” Actually Mean?
Organic foods are produced without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. They are typically raised without antibiotics or hormones. Additionally, organic livestock is kept in conditions that are more humane and minimizes stress and pain than those of factory-farmed animals, so if you are an animal lover, this should whet your appetite.
Why Buy Organic Foods?
When you buy food that isn’t certified organic, you’re likely eating produce that has been treated with toxic synthetic pesticides as previously mentioned. These chemicals can be found in conventional produce, as well as meat and eggs. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) allows conventionally grown fruits and vegetables to be doused with a staggering number of pesticides. Why? Because the government believes that trace amounts of pesticides on conventionally grown foods are not harmful to humans.
Let’s take grapes as an example. One pesticide, methyl trifluoride (yes, that’s a word!), is allowed on grapes. In one application, up to 1.5 million pounds of this stuff can be sprayed on a single acre of grapevines.
So Why are Pesticides Bad for Your Health?
Farmer Spraying Pesticides. iStock
Let’s put it this way – anything artificial added to food items would not make the good food health list and synthetic pesticides, which they all are, can potentially wreak havoc on your gut over the years. Besides synthetic pesticides, processed foods can also fall into this category. That doesn’t mean that everyone in this world who eats non-organic or processed foods is prone to disease, but wouldn’t it be nice if we do whatever is possible to avoid such a risk?
Quoting from nature.com, “… [when] eating a non-organic apple, you are also eating over 30 different pesticides that have been sprayed on the apple“. And pesticides can be a potential risk for cancer, and Alzheimer’s Disease, and can have reproductive issues.
Which Foods are Best to Buy Organic?
While all organic foods are better than conventionally grown foods, some are more important to buy than others. These foods are most likely to contain high levels of pesticide residue. That makes it even more important to buy organic. These foods include: Grapes – Strawberries – Apples – Peaches – Bell peppers – Tomatoes – Celery – Spinach – Potatoes
How to Find Truly Organic Food
Eating organic is more healthy but also more expensive
When you’re buying produce, you will want to look for the USDA Organic seal. This seal means that the food is certified organic and has met the government’s standards for being grown organically.
The same applies to meat, eggs, and dairy products. You will want to make sure they are certified. But what if you can’t find these? You can also look for foods that are certified by third parties; such as certification seals like these: – Certified Humane – Global Aquaculture Alliance – Animal Welfare Approved – Non-GMO Project – Food Alliance – Organic Materials Review Institute These seals indicate that a third-party certifying agency has verified that a product has been produced according to organic standards.
The Big Problem with Organic Foods
The problem is that they cost more. Organic produce is twice as expensive as conventionally grown produce. Organic dairy and meat products can be even more expensive. And while these foods can be a good investment in your health, they may not be worth it for everyone.
If you are living on a limited budget, it’s possible it would be better to buy non-organic foods. For example, you may be able to get all the nutrients you need from a non-organic diet that costs a lot less per person. And while eating organic foods can be beneficial, it’s important to remember that eating anything is better than eating nothing at all.
Final Words
The bottom line is this: Eating organic foods is not a frivolous thing to do. It is a way to protect yourself and your family from harmful pesticides that are sprayed on non-organic crops. If you can afford to buy them, they are worth the money.
Organic produce has fewer pesticide residues and more nutrients and is less likely to be contaminated with pathogens such as E. coli and salmonella. Better care is given to organic farm aminals. The farming methods are also better for the environment, reducing pesticide and fertilizer runoff into nearby waterways. So eat up and enjoy!
