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Oil Pulling for Your Oral Health—Why and How?

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For a mobile-friendly version, click here . Oil pulling is inexpensive and can be easily included in your morning oral hygiene routine. Based on a recent review, it concludes that: [13] The limited evidence to date from clinical trials suggests that oil pulling may have beneficial effects on oro dental hygiene as seen for the short period of time investigated. Given that this is a potentially cost-effective intervention, this practice might be of particular benefit. Future clinical trials should be more rigorous and better reported. Oil pulling is also claimed to have advantages over commercial mouthwashes since it causes no staining, has no lingering after taste, causes no allergic reactions and is readily available in the household. [5] As a personal testimony with10 year's practice, I believe that oil pulling could be used as an effective preventive adjunct in maintaining and improving your oral health for most people (read "Warning" section below). Figure...

Yang-Style Tai Chi Chuan 24 Forms

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Attention: Click  here  to view a mobile-friendly version. Health Benefits Tai Chi is often described as “ meditation in motion ,” but it might well be called “ medication in motion .” As you move, you breathe deeply and naturally, focusing your attention — as in some kinds of meditation — on your bodily sensations.  You can read [16] to learn its health benefits. Video 1.   24 Tai Chi video with English subtitles and narrations (YouTube link ) Movements In Yang-Style Tai Chi Chuan , it is composed of 24 forms. Starting at the starting position facing front, you move from right to left and then left to right on approximately a line as shown in the diagram (see [ 12 ] to learn in which direction you should face with each form). When you finish, your final position is about one step to the left of your starting position. So, if you have a free space of roughly 20 feet x 6 feet, you can practice it. Commencing (Qวshรฌ, ่ตทๅŠฟ), Prep...

Air Quality: House Plants that Can Improve Indoor Air

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Globally, some seven million deaths each year are linked to the effects of air pollution , according to the World Health Organization, making it the biggest environmental killer. Pollution kills more people than car accidents, diabetes or dementia. [16] Health Effects of Air Pollution on Kids Fourth and fifth graders in El Paso, Texas , are more likely to have lower grade point averages if heavily exposed to contaminated air at home, according to a new study which is the first to look at kids’ exposure to air toxics—such as benzene , arsenic , lead , mercury , hydrochloric acid , toluene , vinyl bromide , xylenes , and diesel particulate matter —at home and its impact on their school performance. [3] Scientists suggest that children’s developing bodies are more susceptible to air pollution, which can harm their respiratory systems and brain. They also surmise that air pollution might hamper kids’ grades via at least two ways:  Illnesses ( mostly respiratory) That...

Health Benefits of Eating Fermented Foods

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We're more microbe than we are person: Our bodies contain 10 times more bacteria than cells , meaning around 100 trillion microbes are crawling inside and on us. By far the largest collection—about 3 pounds' worth—hangs out in the stomach and intestines . Video 1.   How Italian Gorgonzola Cheese Is Made | Regional Eats (YouTube link ) While historical evidence has linked harmful gut bacteria to everything from increasing diabetes risk to the formation of autoimmune diseases , [24]    healthy gut bacteria are now being hailed as a possible solution in disease prevention.    One way to make your gut healthy is by consuming fermented foods—From Korean kimchi , Japanese  tsukemono ,  Indian chutneys to the ubiquitous sauerkraut , yogurt and cheese , global cultures have crafted unique flavors and traditions around fermentation. In this article, we will discuss the history of fermented foods and their potential health benefits. History...

Allergy Treatment: Know Your Options

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"As the allergy season goes on, your nasal passages become more and more inflamed from daily exposure to pollen," says  Dr Dykewicz . About 20% of Americans suffered from hay fever , which occurs when your immune system overreacts to pollen.  As the body attempts to neutralize the pollen, it releases histamines and other substances that trigger watery eyes, a runny nose, and congestion (which is caused by inflammation ). Research published in the February 2014 issue of the journal Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America shows that people with seasonal allergies have a 10-fold greater risk of developing asthma , and they may be more prone to sinus infections . Avoidance of Pollens The simplest strategy to fight allergy is—steering clear of pollen as much as possible .  Here are some tactics you can adopt: [23] After spending time outdoors, pollen can be collected on your hair and clothing.  When returning home, consider: Take off or change your s...