Sleeping Hacks That Will Let You Sleep Better As Science Backs It Up

According to reports 60 million people suffer from insomnia. 2 out of 10 Americas have a sleeping disorder. Those numbers are quite high in today’s fast-paced world. Lack of sleep can have some serious repercussions. This is why treating sleep disorders have become a priority and that is why there are even sleep hacks.


‘Hacks’ is a term given to anything that can help us do something faster. It normally isn’t the right way to do it but just an alternative and fast way to do it. But, these sleep hacks we have gathered have science backing it up to make them more effective and helpful.

1. Aging and pregnancy both affect sleep
Most of us have seen that our grandparents wake up early. This is because, with age, sleep becomes harder to get. Also, since older people do relatively less work, they need less sleep. Another natural cause of sleeplessness is pregnancy. The body is in severe discomfort at most times. This is especially relevant from the fifth month onwards.

2. If you have insomnia, try staying awake
It may sound contradictory to try to stay awake while trying to sleep, but for those suffering from insomnia, it just might work. Insomnia is a disorder which results in difficulty in falling asleep. According to a study conducted in 2003 by Niall M. Broomfield and Colin A. Espie, insomniacs fell asleep faster when they were told to stay awake.


3. This method
This method is actually called Paradoxical Intention (PI) and is gaining more and more popular among insomniacs. It works by eliminating voluntary sleep effort, which reduces sleep performance anxiety. Those who were asked to try to stay awake fell asleep faster than those who were trying to sleep. By reducing anxiety over sleeplessness, which insomniacs suffer from, this method helps them relax and sleep easily.

4. Sleep on your left side
It may seem that our bodies are exactly symmetrical. While this is true externally, our internal organs are designated their own positions. Sleeping on your left ensures that the stomach and gastric juices remain lower than the esophagus. Sleeping on your right may cause the stomach juices to interact with the oesophagus, which can cause heartburn.

5. If you sleep on your stomach, use a soft pillow
There are many people who sleep on their stomach. However, it is important to know, that while sleeping on your stomach, you shouldn’t be using a stiff pillow. You will not feel comfortable and your neck won’t be at an angle that is comfortable. This may cause neck pain. Use a softer pillow and keep it under your forehead.

6. Keep a pillow for the legs
Many of us already have a habit of sleeping with a pillow between our knees or under our feet or legs. This is a good thing to do because it helps eliminate gaps between the body and the mattress. Elevating your legs a little on a higher pillow may also help if you suffer from leg pain.

7. Remove clocks from the bedroom
This may seem redundant because most of us check the time on our phones in the absence of a clock, but the point is to not look at the time. Checking the time may increase anxiety because we are worried about not sleeping. Put your phone away and remove clocks so you can relax and possibly sleep better.

8. Use aromatherapy candles
Aromatherapy is the process of using smells and scents for ailments. The scent of lavender and chamomile can help induce sleep and relax the body and mind. Using candles scented with lavender and chamomile will help you sleep better. Also, the light from the candle is much more soothing than a bedside lamp.


9. Use blankets and pillows to eliminate gaps
If you are someone who experiences body pain after waking up, you need to use a different mattress. This is most common in side sleepers. The pressure points need a special mattress. In case you cannot buy one now, simply use blankets and pillows to cushion your body and remove gaps between the mattress and your body. This should help with pain in the hips and shoulders.

10. Be careful
As you may have guessed, there are obvious risks to lighting a candle in the bedroom. To eliminate these risks, firstly, buy candles in jars or safety containers. Secondly, blow out the candle before you fall asleep. You can also use small candles that will burn out in a certain amount of time.

11. Blow bubbles before sleeping
Rachel Marie E. Salas is a Professor of Neurology and she recommends blowing bubbles before sleeping if you have trouble sleeping. This works like a deep breathing exercise and can help you clear your mind and process any thoughts that are disturbing you. It relaxes your mind and body.

12. If you can’t sleep, get up and do something
If you have been lying awake, trying hard to sleep but have failed, just get up and do something. Do something simple and relaxing like reading a book or painting or solving a puzzle. According to Prof. Richard Wiseman, this helps you to make sure your brain stops associating sleeplessness with your bed.

13. Invest in a better mattress
It is very important to get a good night’s sleep because everyone has a busy life and we all need to work. One of the most crucial things, when it comes to sleep, is a good mattress. Technology has progressed and today there are mattresses that target specific problems. Orthopedic mattresses are there for alleviating pain, cooling mattresses are there to help you relax, etc. It may seem like an expensive investment, but it is worth it.

14. Banana peel drink
Bananas are full of magnesium and his mineral may help relax you and bring sleep. To make the banana water, all you need is filtered water and an organic clean banana. Slice off both ends of the banana and place it in boiling water. After boiling for 10 minutes, strain and pour in a jug or mug. Add some cinnamon or just drink it plain before sleeping.

Watch Out For These Warning Signs Of Scarlet Fever As It Is Back

We all want to find a cure for any disease or illness, especially when children have them. Scarlet fever is something everyone’s afraid of. It has symptoms like sore throat, itch and rash. A huge increase appeared in 2015 and the frenzy started. Fortunately, medicine has gone a long way and there are numerous ways that can cure this infection and prevent its symptoms.


How Do You Get Scarlet Fever?
One thing causes Scarlet fever and that’s the Streptococcus bacteria which is very common. It is the one that can cause strep throat and infects children by a toxin that is secreted. Some children aren’t susceptible to it, but the ones who are, will definitely get this specific fever. Rash that resembles like sunburn becomes developed on their back, neck, face and chest. One area that is unaffected is around the mouth.

The skin of the affected children starts to peel off after 6 days. Here are some other symptoms:
  • Abdominal pain
  • Itchy skin
  • Red rash
  • Swollen neck glands
  • High fever (101°F)
  • Flushed face
  • Sore throat
What Do I Do When My Child has Scarlet Fever?
This type of fever is contagious. If you know any children who have it, make sure your child avoids it. You should also separate all the cutlery as well as toothbrushes they use. Your child should stay at home and not go out outside to play until the fever has passed.



Antibiotics should be given for 10 days as a treatment. Maybe their condition will improve after only several days, but make sure you don’t stop with the treatment. You should also wait for 24 hours after the symptoms have passed before you send your child to school with other children.

You must treat and kill the bacteria, because if it’s left like that it can cause problems with the kidneys, the heart and many more.

Treating Scarlet Fever Symptoms
Your child will want some relief because it doesn’t feel comfortable in its own skin. Here, we’re going to present to you some natural remedies that you can try:
  • Apple cider vinegar is abundant in health benefits. If you warm a bit of this type of vinegar and add some cayenne pepper inside, you’ll be able to cure your sore throat. ACV contains acetic acid that is well known to be able to treat patients with burns. You can also dip some cotton cloth in ACV and put it on the rash. You’ll see that your child will feel more comfortable very soon.
  • Mint, raspberry leaves and raw honey should be added into hot water. Consume the beverage 2-3 times a day a sore throat will disappear soon.
  • The dry air that causes coughing can be treated with humidifiers and water vapor. Try to add some essential oil like lavender oil and you’ll see that the inflammation in your child’s throat will be reduced soon.
  • Lavender oil can be used for various purposes. It contains linalool which moisturizes the itchy and dry rash. To treat the rash, add 2% of some carrier oil like almond or olive oil with some lavender oil.
  • Your child’s fingernails should be clipped so that you can stop your child damage its gentle skin. Be prepared that it will itch constantly and deeply.
  • Teas, soups and soft foods would be the best for your child as they’re gentle for its throat. You should also prepare lots of warm fluids, like for example, honey-lemon tea.
  • Plenty of hydration is also something very important. Give them plenty of fluids to heal their scratchy throat.
  • Make sure you don’t smoke cigarettes or use irritating cleaning supplies!
Conclusion
The pain and the agony that your child will be in is certainly heart-wrenching. It is very important to listen to what your doctor has to say, but also you have to pay attention to your child as well as your intuition. You’ll manage to treat your child the best and offer the best care because of the compassion that you share among each other!

These are 9 Signs Of Mono You Shouldn’t Ignore

It’s important to recognise the symptoms of mono at an early stage

A whopping 90 per cent of the world population deals with mono (short for mononucleosis) in their life. It’s an infectious disease that is caused by a virus. Most people are infected with it before they’re twenty, and the infection usually passes unnoticed.


Yet it is definitely important to be able to recognise the symptoms at an early stage. The earlier you recognise the disease, the earlier you can recover from it. Pay attention to the following nine signals.

Do you recognise multiple of these signals? Then there’s a chance you’ve got mono.

1. Laryngitis or a swollen throat
When you have a sore throat and your amygdalae or lymph nodes are swollen, you might be dealing with mono. Do you suspect you might have been infected with the virus? You can ask your doctor for a blood test, which can determine whether you’ve indeed got mono or not.

2. Rash
One of the first signs of mononucleosis is developing a rash after you’ve had antibiotics to treat laryngitis. Dr Robert Danoff explains to Reader’s Digest that doctors will prescribe amoxicillin or ampicillin against laryngitis. At that point, the doctor in question doesn’t yet know that the mono is present.

3. Someone you’ve kissed has gotten sick
Another name for mono is the ‘kissing disease’, and it’s named that for a reason: it’s very easy to transfer the disease to someone else. The virus mainly spreads via saliva, but also via blood or sperm. You can also get infected if you drink from a glass that someone else, who is infected, has already drunk from. When you and someone you’ve kissed are showing flu symptoms at the same time, you might want to check whether you’ve been infected with mono.


4. Severe fatigue
Teenagers are known for being tired a lot, but if they are experiencing extreme fatigue for a couple of weeks in a row, they might be dealing with mono. “Often the person says, ‘Doc, I’m sleeping a lot but I’m still tired and don’t feel like I’m doing too much,” doctor Danoff explains.

5. Fever
When you have a fever (temperature between 38.5 and 40 °C) that lasts longer than is normal, it might be a sign of mono. Dr Danoff explains that this is an important clue. “People should suspect mono when they have a prolonged cold-like illness or high fever and swollen glands.” He also says that you should visit a doctor in this case and get a blood test.

6. Breathing problems
Because your amygdalae and (lymph) nodes swell up when you have mono, this can also cause you to have trouble breathing. Luckily, most mono patients recover within two weeks and almost always become immune to the virus afterwards. This means that generally speaking, you can only get mononucleosis once in your life.

7. Abdominal pain
Pain or an uncomfortable sensation in your abdomen can indicate that you have been infected with the virus that causes mono because it can cause your spleen to get enlarged. If this is the case, you should avoid contact sports, since you don’t want your spleen to get damaged further.

8. Reduced appetite
When you don’t feel hungry and you can’t bring yourself to eat anything, you might be dealing with mono. A healthy diet that includes lots of fruits and vegetables can help you get rid of the virus more quickly.

9. Headaches
Although not all mono patients suffer from headaches and they can also be symptoms of lots of other things, it can definitely also be a sign of mono. It is difficult to recognise, though.


10 Signs That Your Liver Is Unhealthy

It is so easy to underestimate your health when you do not know what to pay attention to in the first place. What do you know about your liver? Well, the most you know about it is where it’s situated and what it is responsible for. That means that you know how important it is to keep your liver healthy.

Once your liver breaks down there is nothing else that can filter out all of the toxins in your body. That is why, when your body gives you some signs you should not neglect the chance to save your liver. Today we are going to talk about 10 signs that your liver sends you to show you that it is not ok.

#1 Pain
It doesn’t take a genius to guess that if it hurts where your liver is supposed to be located that means that there is something wrong with it and you should check it out as soon as possible.

#2 Appetite
A loss of appetite and weight loss may seem like something nice but only at first sight. As a matter of fact, it may mean that your liver is not working properly, that is why you shouldn’t postpone your visit to the doctor.


#3 Nausea
Nausea is a symptom of many diseases but constantly feeling like that may also mean that your liver is damaged and can’t deal with all the toxins in your body properly.

#4 Urine
If you are sure that everything alright with your hydration but your urine color has changed this is a clear sign that there is something wrong with your liver.

#5 Intestinal Bleeding
Once you have blood in your stool there is nothing good to wait for get yourself checked immediately.

#6 Fluid retention
When you experience fluid retention that may also mean that your liver is not functioning properly.

#7 Bloating
There are many causes of bloating but if there are other signs as well you should check it out.

#8 Fatigue
When there is something wrong with your liver, your body works twice as hard and this is why it needs more rest, therefore you feel tired all the time.

#9 Irritation
When your liver is damaged there are signs on the outside as well. If there is a constant rash you have never experienced before or bruises all over your body – you should start worrying.

#10 Digestion
When your liver is damaged you will experience indigestion all the time. That is why if you have diarrhea all the time, or an upset stomach or any other signs of constant indigestion, you should give your doctor a call.


You Shouldn’t Ignore These Signs of Hormonal Imbalance

Hormones have an essential role in the body and any imbalance can lead to serious problems like anger, frustrations, and mood swings.

Hormonal imbalances are more common in puberty, menopause and perimenopause. This imbalance is caused by leading an unhealthy lifestyle, stress, menstrual cycle, pregnancy and contraception.

This can in turn affect your life and you should learn to recognize the main symptoms:

Most common symptoms of hormonal imbalances
  • Hunger – a hormonal imbalance can lead to weight issues and unhealthy cravings. This is due to an increased level od ghrelin, the hormone for increasing appetite.
  • Fatigue – If you feel tired all the time it’s a sign that you have increased cortisol levels.
  • Mood swings – This type of imbalance can cause a change in your mood, so you could end up feeling sad, happy, mad, angry etc. Mood swings are often more common during a menstrual cycle and menopause. Estrogen and progesterone have an essential role here.
Read through the remaining 3 symptoms
  • Libido loss – Hormonal imbalance can have a great effect on your sexuality. If there is a change in your sex drive you should check your estrogen, thyroid hormone and testosterone levels.
  • Insomnia – Sleep disorders are common during a hormonal imbalance. If you sleep erratically during the night and wake up this might be the reason. Women during menopause usually have this disorder. This is due to improper cortisol levels. Insufficient estrogen can affect sleeping.   
  • Obesity – If you gain weight without control than you can have a problem with your hormones. An imbalance of the hormones can affect the metabolism and can prevent the body from burning calories. People who suffer from this type of hormonal imbalance gain weight in the abdominal area.


Drink Lemon Water Instead Of Pills If You Have One Of These 13 Problems

Lemons are an amazing fruit. They are so healthy that are considered to be a superfruit. They provide all the necessary nutrients for the body, improve the overall health, boost the immune system, and protect you from viruses and bacteria. Hence, the best way to include them into your daily diet is to drink lemon water first thing in the morning. There are the 13 issues lemon water will treat and help with.


13 Benefits of Lemon Water

Flushes out Kidney Stones
Due to the potassium content, lemon water will prevent oxalate formation and increase the citrate levels in the urine.

Boosts the Immune System
Lemons will boost the lymphatic system and help the immune system to get rid of the pathogens.

Soothes Gallbladder Pain
Consuming lemon water will stimulate your body eliminate gallstones and reduce the pain they cause.

Treats Cold and Flu
Due to the vitamin C, lemon water will boost your immune system and fight colds and flu. This is probably the best natural protection against seasonal diseases.

Provides Relief from Gastrointestinal Reflux Diseases
You can reduce the effects of GERD  by consuming lemon water.

Heals Acne
Lemon water reduces the acidity of your body, and thus, prevents acne breakouts.

Suppresses Appetite
Due to the rich vitamin and enzyme content, lemon water will regulate the levels of blood sugar and help to maintain a healthy weight. Hence, it will prevent food carving and promote satiety.

Hardens Finger Nails
This natural remedy will strengthen your fingernails and clear up the white spots that often appear on them.

Fights Food Poisoning
In case you suffer from food poisoning, the consumption of lemon water on a daily basis will treat and prevent it.

Treats Fibromyalgia
Consuming this refreshing drink on a regular basis will soothe the exhaustion caused by fibromyalgia.

Reduces Inflammation
You should drink lemon water regularly because it will help you reduce the inflammation in your body.

Relieves Sore Muscles
If you experience sore muscles after a workout, you should consume a glass of lemon water.

Reduces Joint Swelling and Pain
Drinking lemon water on a daily basis will reduce the uric acid in the joints prevent swelling and pain.


After You’ve Read This You’ll Never Throw Away a Brown Banana Again

These bananas are definitely out of date, or aren’t they?

Bananas are delicious and super healthy. You can put them into a smoothie, mix them through your yoghurt or just eat one as a snack! The yellow fruit is full of vitamins and can serve as a healthy alternative to a sugary snack. It will fill you up and make sure you’re good to go for a while! We often throw away the ones covered in brown spots, because those have expired. Right?

Will you eat browned bananas?

Ripeness
Whether you like bananas that are on the green side or kind of brown is a personal preference. A green and a bright yellow banana clearly taste different. But, what about the science behind it? A banana starts out green and becomes more and more yellow once it starts to ripen. Eventually, brown spots will start to appear and the banana will turn completely brown. A yellow banana is much sweeter than a green banana. This is because of the enzymes in it. Enzymes change the starches into sugar, making the banana sweeter.

Bananas
The curved yellow fruit contains lots of vitamins and is a healthy substitute for sugary snacks like cookies and chocolate. Bananas are very filling thanks to their carbs and fibres. People who work out a lot can benefit from eating bananas in particular, as bananas can prevent muscle cramps and they give you a lot of energy. A recent study has shown that bananas covered in brown spots are even healthier than spotless ones. So, it’s really actually those that we should be eating. Eating an overripe banana has a couple of benefits you would never expect, so keep on reading!

Research has shown that eating a brownish banana has incredible health benefits. We’re pretty impressed by them, so we’ve put them into a handy little list for you.


Brown bananas
Japanese research has proven that ripe bananas contain much more antioxidants than their green counterparts. When a banana has lots for brown freckles, it’s healthier than green or light yellow bananas. The more brown flecks, the healthier. Brownish bananas are also sweeter than lighter variants and they’re better for your immune system.

Cells
Ripe bananas are full of antioxidants. These antioxidants can protect your cells from being damaged and protect you against all kinds of diseases and afflictions. They also give your immune system a boost.

Cancer
There is lots of research going on about the so-called Tumor Necrosis Factor in ripe bananas. This factor can kill abnormal and cancerous cells.

Heartburn
Ripe bananas can counter acid, meaning they will calm down your heartburn. Bananas will line and protect the stomach, protecting you from acid and heartburn.

Heart
Bananas are very good for your heart. Ripe bananas lower your cholesterol and the fibres in bananas can lower the chance of heart and vascular diseases.

Menstruation
Just like bananas alleviate muscle cramps they can also alleviate PMS cramps. Try to eat a ripe banana when you feel cramps, the potassium in them will relax your muscles and calm you down.

We’ll never throw away flecked bananas again in our lives! What do you usually do with bananas that have gone brown?


Sore Throat? Forget About Cough Drops And Honey: Eat Some Chocolate

Chocolate is an effective and delicious remedy for a sore throat

What do you do when you get a sore throat? We’re guessing you’re probably sucking on cough drops all day or taking shots of grossly sweet cough syrup. You can leave those things in the medicine cabinet from now on, though, because there’s a much more effective remedy for a sore throat: chocolate! Yes, you read that right. We’ll explain how and why…


We couldn’t believe our ears – this is amazing news!

Solid
Professor Alyn Morice, head of cardiovascular and respiratory studies at the University of Hull, did research into the health benefits of chocolate. He says he knows that it sounds unbelievable but that “as an independent clinician who has spent years researching the mechanism of cough” the evidence is completely solid.

Big European study
The biggest European study into cough remedies ever shows that new medicines that include cocoa work better than standard cough syrups. Patients who received the chocolate-based medicines noticed improvement within two days already.

Sticky
According to professor Morice, this has to do with the structure of chocolate. It is stickier than standard cough syrups, which causes a kind of coating to form in our throat that protects the nerve endings located there. That way, you’ll be triggered to cough much less frequently.

Combination
Professor Morice believes the chocolate has “some sort of inhibitory effect on the nerve endings themselves.” That’s the reason why cocoa will even work better than honey. “Slowly sucking on a piece of chocolate may provide some relief, but I think it is the way chocolate compounds work with other ingredients … that makes it so effective.” He thinks drinking hot cocoa won’t be as effective since the cocoa isn’t in contact with the throat for long enough to do its thing.


6 Tips That Will Help You Keep Your Blood Sugar Levels Stable

Prevent blood sugar spikes by following these tips

Crisps, candy, cake: we love to snack, but we do try to do so in moderation. Yet in some cases that’s easier said than done. For some people, it’s impossible to not eat anything for a few hours without getting shaky and grumpy. This might have something to do with your blood sugar levels not being stable.

If your blood sugar levels are stable, you’ll feel more energised and fit.

Stable blood sugar levels are important
If your blood sugar levels fluctuate constantly, you’ll be much more sensitive to giving in to cravings, you’ll have sugar dips and you feel very tired all the time. What’s causing this exactly? Here’s how it works: every time you eat something, your blood sugar levels increase. The sugars from the food you eat (they’re also known as ‘glucose’) end up in your bloodstream.

The more glucose your food contains, the higher your blood sugar spikes are. Constantly fluctuating blood sugar levels aren’t good for your health. If you have high blood sugar spikes, your body produces a higher amount of insulin and this increased amount of insulin causes your blood sugar to drop again more quickly as well. Besides this, your body will store more body fat. The fluctuations also have an effect on your hormones, digestion and it increases the risk of diabetes.

Tips
Because of all the things we mentioned above, it’s important to maintain stable blood sugar levels. That’s why we’ve got six tips for you that will help you out.


1. Don’t skip breakfast!
It’s very important to always have breakfast. To be more specific, it’s wise to start the day with a meal that’s rich in protein; this makes you feel full and keeps your blood sugar levels stable. That’s why you should start the day with products like cheese, eggs, dairy, nuts, seeds or meat.

2. Eat enough fibres
If your diet contains a lot of fibres, your body will need more time to break these down, which means the increase in blood sugar will go much more gradually. Vegetables are full of fibres and so are legumes and whole grains like oatmeal and buckwheat.

3. Eat regularly
Keep your blood sugar under control by eating regularly and not eating very large meals. Divide your meals over the day: eat three meals a day and eat an additional two snacks throughout the day.

4. Eat less sugar
Or at least avoid fast sugars. You can not only find fast sugars in candy, soft drinks and cookies, but also in white pasta and white bread. Try to avoid candy, soft drinks and cookies as much as possible and replace white bread and pasta with whole grain substitutes.

5. Add cinnamon to your food
Cinnamon is a true miracle product. It can work wonders in your garden, but it’s also very good for your blood pressure. Cinnamon makes sure you feel hungry less quickly and it keeps your blood sugar levels stable. So, why not add some cinnamon to your coffee, dinner or smoothie?

6. Exercise and get enough sleep
Try going for a walk after dinner a little more often. By doing so, you’re giving your digestion a little boost and you keep your blood sugar levels stable. Besides that, a good night’s rest is also important for stable blood sugar. Try to get eight hours of sleep every night.

So This is What Your Sleeping Position Can Say About Your Health

Not every sleeping position is good for you!

Everyone sleeps differently; there are loads of positions in bed to sleep in. Some people like sleeping on their sides on a waterbed, others prefer sleeping on their backs on a hard mattress – but we all do it. We spend about a third of our lives asleep, which is a lot!

But what’s the best position to sleep in?

Health
Sleeping is very important for your body and mind; in a way, you’re charging yourself. That’s why sleep deprivation can have negative consequences; it can affect your memory, your concentration, your reaction time, your decisiveness, your emotions and your physical well-being. So, sleeping is good for you. But not just that, your sleeping position can also have a positive or negative influence on your body.


Rest
Try to get at least six hours of sleep every night. Research has shown that sleeping less than six hours is just as bad for you as skipping a whole night’s sleep. It’s okay if this happens once in a while, but even after two weeks of sleeping too little, you will notice a difference in your mind and body. You might think that you function normally after a rough night, but this is actually not the case.

Sleeping position
All people can be divided into roughly three categories: those who sleep on their stomach, those who sleep on their back and those who sleep on their side. Your sleeping position can be good for your mind and body, but it can also cause ailments.

On your back
Do you sleep on your back? Then you’re in luck, because this is the most healthy position to sleep in! Sleeping on your back is good for your spine, as it will be aligned nicely. This position causes little strain on the muscles in your back and neck. Moreover, this position is the best for your skin. Your face won’t develop wrinkles and spots as quickly as those who sleep on their side or on their stomach. This position is also good for women, as sleeping on their back will prevent chest wrinkles as well as sagging breasts. The only disadvantage is that it worsens snoring.

On your side
Do you sleep on your side? You’re definitely not the only one, because this is the most common sleeping position. When you sleep on your side you can develop pain in your arms and legs because you’re constantly lying on one side. Sleeping on your right side is also disadvantageous for your digestion and heartburn. An upside: sleeping on your side improves circulation and lessens snoring.

On your stomach
We have bad news for people who sleep on their stomachs. This position is the most unhealthy. You’ll develop neck complaints, since your head is completely turned, and back issues. Your spine has to take on an awkward position, which will also cause you to toss and turn more. Because of this, your sleep will be disrupted more. Also, try sleeping on a full stomach, it won’t be pleasant! It does lessen snoring, though, so you’ve got that going for you.

Reasons Why You Should Flush Toilet After Peeing May Do Not Know This

Our home toilets are not trash cans made for dumping personal care and hygiene products. Here’s what you shouldn’t flush down the loo.

There are only three things that you can flush down the toilet – urine, feces and toilet paper. In other words, human waste, or the three Ps: pee, poo, and paper.


The wastewater journey usually takes one of two directions. It either heads by way of a pipe to your community’s local sewer, or into a septic tank close to your home.

Before it reaches your local treatment plant, wastewater goes through a screen of metal rods that filter larger objects and items that get into the sewers.

From there, it all goes to the settling tank where solids like sand and gravel that have been picked along the way settle to the bottom.

These early treatment stations are also responsible for removing other “flushables.”

Did you know that 50 percent of the so-called non-dispersible material in wastewater is paper towels from public restrooms, followed by 25 percent of baby wipes, and then a mixture of condoms, cosmetic wipes, tampon applicators, and other items’?

Finally, and after traveling through the primary sedimentation tanks, wastewater continues its cleaning process via aeration tanks, new settling tanks and, in some cases, tertiary treatment facilities where it is disinfected with chlorine and/or ultraviolet (UV) light.

In the end, and in the most advanced sewage treatment systems, we may get recycled water that can be used in agriculture or for human consumption.

However, no sewage system is perfect. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), only 27 percent of the global population (around 1.9 billion people) use private sanitation facilities connected to sewers from which wastewater is treated.

We all made mistakes, and we can all change our daily habits. Even if it takes time. It is just a matter of thinking twice before flushing the toilet.

Remember that by adopting new behaviors you are reducing the amount of toxic and potentially harmful objects and chemicals that interact with water and marine life.

Whenever you’re flushing these 20 items down the toilet, you’re not only damaging plumbing but also polluting your local water resources.

Some of them are quite obvious, but there are also a few that we thought were good to go, but should never enter the sewage system.

Instruct your children to follow good practices in the bathroom. Avoid flushing the following items down the toilet:

1. Paper Towels
Surprised? Don’t be. Yes, they look and feel like toilet paper, but they should never go down the toilet. Believe it or not, paper towels do not have the same characteristics as toilet paper and do not disintegrate easily down the sewer line.

2. Cosmetic Wipes
Wet wipes are one of the worst problems in modern sanitary systems. They are responsible for causing half of the global blockages that lead to build-ups of fat, also known as fatbergs. Cosmetic wipes do not dissolve in water and have a very negative impact on the sewage treatment process.


3. Baby Wipes
They’re smooth, gentle, and soft but they don’t break down like toilet tissue. And just because wipes are harmful to babies, it doesn’t mean they won’t hurt the environment. Baby wipes are not decomposable, so they shouldn’t be flushed.

4. Condoms
Not only it is disgusting because they wind up in public waterways, but they’re also non-biodegradable. Latex causes severe problems in the sewer network, so keep it private and dump it in the garbage.

5. Tampons and Pads
The disposal of feminine products has always been a problem for women. But they’re also an issue for plumbing because they can rapidly obstruct the pipes. Wrap your tampons or pads, put them in a small sanitary bag, and then dump them in the trash can.

6. Dental Floss
Dental floss is usually made of Teflon or nylon. When flushed down, it mixes with wet wipes, paper towels, hair and other items, creating huge balls that will clog pumps and sewers.

7. Contact Lenses
Around 125 million people use contact lenses on a daily basis worldwide. As a result, billions of daily contacts go down the toilet every year. But what few people know is that discarding used lenses down the drain contributes to the creation of trillions of microplastics, one of the major environmental concerns in today’s world.

8. Cotton Swabs
They’re small and flexible, block drains, and don’t break down quickly. Cotton swabs are responsible for many clogged toilets.

9. Diapers
Yes, there are still people who flush diapers down the toilet. And those who do it will clog a toilet in no time. To get things worse, modern baby diapers are made from materials that will expand when in contact with water.

10. Tissues
They’re soft, delicate and absorbent. But tissues won’t disintegrate like toilet paper. Do you have a cold? Sneeze or cough into a tissue, but then throw it in the trash can.

Why Your Emotions Can Ruin Your Health And How You Can Fix It

Our body speaks and sometimes our physical condition can be connected with our emotions. When we are unable to release negative feelings, it can manifest into physical problems. And the more a person expresses their emotions, the less they get sick. Let’s check out some psychological reasons for common diseases and help ourselves to avoid unnecessary health issues.


1. Fear can cause allergies and dermatitis.
Some researchers say that some common allergic conditions can be linked to mental health. Eczema, high fever, and asthma can be caused by mental illnesses. You may have suffered from allergies for years and years but the allergen is still unknown. Inside fears can trigger this condition.

Asthma symptoms and dermatitis can be improved or cured by reducing the load of psychosocial factors.

2. Obsession can evoke problems with weight.
Problems with weight can be caused and triggered by obsession or preoccupation with a minor or imaginary flaw. You may be too worried about wrinkles, small breasts, or other body parts.

Taking care of your body is very important and, of course, we need to take care of it, but fanaticism may lead to unwanted or dangerous results.

3. Fears and obsessions can cause symptoms of many different diseases at the same time.
You may start to worry about having a serious illness, even though there is no reason for it. And then after thinking too much about it, you really start feeling symptoms in your body. Obsession or fixation can cause this.


Sometimes we may overestimate problems. Fixating on negative feelings only makes the situation worse and makes the disease more real.

4. Emotional conflict and stress can provoke digestive disorders.
Our stomach is controlled by a complex system. Life’s stress can modulate impulses and cause undesirable reactions inside of it.

Inflammation of the stomach and gastritis may be caused by a conflict in the sphere of your feelings: the inability to take responsibility, grow up, and find a way out of difficult conflicts. When we refuse to see an internal conflict, it descends into the physical in order to make the brain pay attention.

5. Self-criticism and fears can cause headaches and migraines.
Self-criticism, low self-esteem, and inner fears are all reasons that can cause you to be worried and stressed all the time.

You may feel humiliated, somehow underestimated, and that you have to work harder and harder to forgive yourself in some moments.

There is too much information in your head! Sometimes we expect way too much from ourselves and this can cause other physical problems.

6. Depression and anxiety can provoke cardiac diseases.
Recurrent depression and anxiety are associated with a significantly increased risk of coronary heart disease. Depressive disorders can also trigger critical cardiac events.

You may feel anxious and nervous more and more every day and feel your heart start beating so fast. This can trigger cardiac problems.

What to do to avoid it
While we visit medical doctors for physical symptoms, it is also important to visit a psychologist too to find the root cause of the issue and get the proper therapeutic intervention.

Meditation and mindfulness training is a good fix for stress reduction.

Experts say mindfulness helps us learn how to refocus our attention. It is important to not judge yourself and other people and to turn off your mind sometimes.

Drinking Detox Lemon Water Every Morning:The Mistake Millions of People Make

It is known that many people around the world drink detox lemon water first thing in the morning, right when they wake up. But, there are as well many people who can’t stand the sour taste, but that one is a bad thing, because the super healthy lemon has many nutrients and can provide many health benefits.

Also the experts say that you should drink more detox lemon water daily, because the lemon juice is loaded with antioxidants, protein, vitamins B and C, phosphorus, flavonoids, potassium, carbohydrates and volatile oils. This is a very healthy drink that has many good properties, such as: antibacterial, antiviral and immune-building properties. It will as well help you boost your immune system and fight infection due to high levels of bioflavonoids, limonene, pectin, citric acid, calcium, magnesium and vitamins.

And, what you should also know is that a glass of warm detox lemon water on an empty stomach, first thing in the morning, will also help in solving other things, such as: flushing the system, aiding digestion, fighting hunger cravings, promoting weight loss and creating alkaline- forming environment in order to balance the body’s pH. And have you heard that just one cup of fresh lemon juice provides 187% of your recommended daily serving of vitamin C?


Note: Unfortunately, there is a common mistake that most people make when they are enjoying their glass of detox lemon water, which is they throw out the lemon peel, which is a very bad thing. And why is that, well, because the lemon peel is one of the most nutritious parts of the whole fruit. Just guessing – your normal routine would probably be slicing the lemon, then squeezing the lemon into a bottle and then adding some hot or ice water. But, you should know something, and that is actually the wrong way to do it. Probably now you are asking yourself what is the right way? And please do not worry because we have the answer for you. Here you have the way to make lemon water!

THE PERFECT DETOX LEMON WATER RECIPE
  • At first, you will need to get two fresh organic lemons.
  • Secondly, you will need to cut them in thin or thick slices according to preference.
  • Squeeze some of the sliced lemons into the water.
  • And then, you need to grate the peel of the squeezed lemon pieces into the water.
  • Put the left slices in your blender bottle, mug, or travel cup.
  • Fill the container with either boiling hot, or ice cold water.
Detox Lemon Water for The Win 
A large number of experts around the world also say that lemon water can also improve the digestion process and it can also help in slow absorbing of food, which conserves insulin stores in the body and also ensures your body to get most of the food it’s processing.

This drink also gives you GI tract the push it needs in the morning to get things moving and reduce fluid retention as well. Ladies and gentleman, this would only mean one thing, and that is that you should start drinking lemon water immediately. We hope you will find this article helpful and do not forget to share it with your family and friends.

7 Signs That Show Your Body Needs Help

The body is like a mechanism with many functions that work simultaneously. But, sometimes, the body can give us some signs that something is not working properly. Don’t ignore these signs, and ask for a professional help.


Here are 7 signs that indicate health problems and that your body needs help.

1. If your nails and hair are fragile, it can be a sign of Vitamin B deficiency. To make your hair and nails strong again, you just need to drink more milk and eat some nori seaweeds and mushrooms.

2. If you are over 50, don’t worry, as the appearance of these rings are quite usual. But, if you are younger, the rings around the irises can be a sign for high cholesterol levels. If this is happening, you will have to consult a doctor.


3. If your gums start to bleed every time you brush your teeth, it means that you are deficient in vitamin C. Just try to consume more citrus fruits, spinach, green and red bell peppers, tomatoes, cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli. All these foods are great source of vitamin C.

4. If you suffer from dry skin, it might be a sign of vitamin E deficiency. To return the moisture to your skin, it is important to eat more oils, vegetables, nuts and fish.

5. If you suddenly crave something sweet, it means you are stressed, exhausted or depressed. Thus, the body is asking for glucose. If you want to avoid gaining weight, you should have some dark chocolate or honey instead of cakes and sweets.

6. If you feel like you want to eat ice, then it might mean that you have anemia, or iron deficiency. Instead of eating ice, try to consume more beef, eggs, and molluscs. Nevertheless, it is still better to consult a doctor if you are feeling like eating ice and you lack energy.

7. If you are experiencing insomnia more often, it might be a sign your body needs magnesium and potassium. Consume more tomatoes, oranges, bananas and spinach to give your body these essential elements.

7 Signs Of Hormonal Imbalance In Men

Most people don’t realize that men go through hormonal shifts, just like women. These natural changes happen over a long period of time, but can also be caused by chronic illness or stress. And since hormones control normal functions of the body, you can notice when there’s something wrong. Masculine physical traits, which are ruled by sex hormones, can also change. This can be stressful for any man, but could be treated with a doctor’s help.


When it comes to hormones, most people think about women. But the truth is that hormones affect men just as much! In fact, men go through an age-related hormonal shift called andropause, or “the male menopause.”

This decline is slow and gradual, unlike the female menopause. Hormonal changes can also happen from underlying illnesses, stress, or unhealthy lifestyle habits. But when hormones aren’t balanced, men will notice a couple symptoms. Here are seven of the common signs:

1. Weight Gain
Testosterone, the male sex hormone, is responsible for muscle mass and the masculine look. But when the testosterone levels are low, body fat and weight increase. High stress levels can also elevate cortisol, a stress hormone that accumulates fat cells and packs on the pounds.

2. Poor Libido
A low sex drive might be caused by imbalanced testosterone, the follicle-stimulating hormone, and the luteinizing hormone. Normally, these work together to help the reproductive system thrive.

3. Erectile Dysfunction
Along with low testosterone, an abnormal level of thyroid hormones can lead to erectile dysfunction (ED). Testosterone controls how well the body performs important functions.

High prolactin, the hormone that makes breast milk, is another cause. Both men and women make prolactin in the pituitary gland, but men obviously don’t make enough to produce milk. Problems with the pituitary gland can boost prolactin production, causing ED.


4. Fatigue
Do you feel tired even after a full night’s rest? If so, your testosterone levels might be low, causing grogginess and insomnia. Prolonged stress can also increase cortisol, which regulates your sleep cycle. High levels can lead to tiredness and weakness, but low levels may also have a similar effect.

5. Depression
Low testosterone equals a low mood. An under-active thyroid gland, or hypothyroidism, might also be the culprit. This condition is marked by a lack of the thyroid hormone, leading to mood swings, sadness, or a lack of motivation.

However, depression can also stem from dealing with the other symptoms listed here.

6. Hair Loss
Any testosterone that is produced may convert into other molecules. In the hair, an enzyme turns it into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This super potent and is the main cause of age-related balding. Hair growth is also blunted, while existing hair becomes thin and weak.

7. Breast Enlargement
Normally, a man’s body produces more testosterone than estrogen, the female sex hormone. This is why men have flatter chests and more masculine features. But when hormonal imbalance causes estrogen to increase (and testosterone to decrease), breast enlargement occurs.

When a man has a hormonal imbalance, a combination of any of these symptoms can occur. The imbalance can be caused by the normal aging process or some underlying conditions. If any of these sound familiar, talk to your doctor for treatment options.


These Are 4 Of The Most Common Heart Attack Signs You Need To Be Aware About

One of the most serious medical conditions nowadays is definitely the heart attack. It appears when usually a blood clot obstructs the supply of blood to your heart. The condition is very dangerous. In case you suspect you’re experiencing it or someone near you has it, you need to call 911 immediately!


It’s also known under the name of CHD or coronary heart disease and it’s one of the main things that causes heart attacks. It’s characterized by blood vessels that are clogged up by deposits of cholesterol usually called plaques.

Before a heart attack can appear, one of the plaques has to burst. It then creates a blood clot at the side where the rupture is. That clot may prevent or even block the blood supply to the heart. That is what causes a heart attack.


Mostly, one of the general symptoms of a heart attack is chest pain that can be spreading along the chest, neck, jaw, arms, back etc. Some of the other common signs are: nausea, shortness of breath, cold sweats and lightheadedness.

Still, there are 25% of the heart attacks that are silent, without any sign. That’s why people mistake them for other conditions or don’t visit their doctor. If you visit your doctor on time, you can prevent the disease and also reverse it.

These are some of the signs that aren’t that obvious and usual as the other signs:

1. Swelling
People usually connect this problem with too much sitting or standing, but also heart problems can cause it. Fluids can accumulate around these areas and they begin to swell. Some people may start losing their appetite, but they still gain weight.

2. Anxiety
Anxiety attacks appear before the heart attack. If you think it’s happening to you, call 911.

3. Pain in Other Parts of the Body
It’s a type of pain that appears in the chest, but spreads in the neck, jaw, arms, abdomen, elbows, shoulders. People who felt pain in their arms often reported heart attacks.

4. Coughing
Phlegm with blood can sometimes be coughed by people who have heart failure. It’s especially common for people with pneumonia, a lung infection.  It appears because of the accumulation of fluids in the lungs. It makes the process of breathing very difficult.

Note: Make sure you NEVER ignore these signs! Be careful about them! If they don’t disappear for several minutes, call 911 or go there right away! You can also take 1 aspirin, unless you’re allergic to it!


The Time You Wake-Up Can Reveal About Your Body And Emotional Health

Our body has an internal clock which helps us in getting our precious sound sleep. When we sleep properly, we don’t really wake up that easily unless we have had a solid 6-8 hours of sleep – which is what our body ideally requires. But there are instances when we might wake up all of a sudden in the night.


Maybe a loud car passing by or the scratching outside the room causes it. That is fine. But if you wake up automatically at a specific time in the night, then there might be some issue with your body-mind connection, as per the Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM). When our internal clock gets disrupted, then we might start waking up at odd times during our sound sleep phase.

Traditional Chinese Medicine puts these 5 periods of waking up and points out what could be the problem:

Problems in the Endocrine System: 9 pm to 12 pm
Our glands work together to form the Endocrine system. It controls all the hormonal actions of our body. According to the Traditional Chinese Medicine acupuncturist, Monda Dan, this happens to be the ideal time when you should go to bed and fall asleep. Under natural circumstances, you won’t have a problem to fall asleep during this time. However, if you do find it difficult, then you might have a hormonal imbalance in your body. Cortisol, the stress hormones, might be more in your blood and might be acting on your body constantly. Meditation and relieving stress are key to solving this.

Issues with you Gallbladder: 11 pm to 1 am
This pear-shaped organ is located just below the liver and it stores a useful component called bile. It helps in the digestion of fats and is necessary for our body to retain nutrients from the food we eat. A naturopathic doctor working at Moncton Neuropathic Medical Clinic located in Moncton, Canada, Dr Lyndsay Wareham says that it can also affect our decision-making skills and self-esteem. If you are not already sleeping by this hour, then you might have low self-esteem issues and may have poor judgments. On the other hand, if you suddenly wake up during this time, then you have an unsteady self-esteem issue. Try some mantras to help you with it.


Problems with Liver: 1 to 3 am
The liver helps in the smooth flowing of energy, blood or Qi, as per TCM. That’s why any kind of obstruction to this free flow of energy can lead to anger issues. So, if you have had a terrible day and have been pushing your anger down, then you might be waking up all of a sudden during this time. Drink a cold glass of water to calm yourself down.

Problems with Lungs: 3 am to 5 am
As per TCM practice, lungs help in our immune system and in directing our energy flow. Emotions are generated in our lungs so any kind of toxins that get accumulated in our lungs can end up causing excess emotional negativity to our body and mind. So, if you are suddenly waking up during this period, then you might be suffering from some deep-seated grief which you need to address.

Issues with Large Intestines: 5 to 7 am
There are many early risers, but if you are waking up at 5 am, then you might have some issue related to large intestines. According to Dr Wareham, this is the part that helps you release your emotional distress and helps you to let go of emotions. So, if you feel like there is a kind of emotional block, then try some stretching exercises in the bathroom and go back to bed.

The ancient TCM is not a forgotten art and it does relieve you from certain issues that you are facing while you sleep. Remember, sleep is essential, so you must do whatever you can to get the 6-8 hours of sound sleep to remain your most productive all day.


9 Early Warnings Your Body Is Low in Vitamin C

Vitamin C – we all know it as one of the main compounds in citrus fruits and also as a protector of our health. Vitamin C is actually a crucial nutrient for our immune system – our body needs it on a regular basis in order to prevent numerous health problems. Unfortunately, almost no one gets enough vitamin C, and when the body develops vitamin C deficiency, the symptoms manifest in many unusual ways.

Here are the most common early signs of vitamin C deficiency you weren’t aware of:

Nosebleeds
Nosebleeds can be caused by a variety of problems, and they’re also a sign of a lack of vitamin C. The nose is full of tiny blood capillaries which are very sensitive. Nosebleeds are a common symptom of scurvy, a condition that occurs due to a lack of ascorbic acid, also known as vitamin C.


Bleeding and Swelling Gums
If your gums are swollen and bleeding frequently, it’s probably due to the lack of vitamin C in your system. Vitamin C is quite important for our oral health – it reinforces the epithelium which shields us from bacteria and prevents a variety of diseases and conditions. When the body lacks vitamin C, this barrier will be broken, leading to bacteria attacking the gums and making them bleed profusely. Studies have also linked vitamin C deficiency to periodontitis, so make sure you’re getting enough of this important nutrient if you want to keep your gums healthy.

Dry Hair and Split Ends
Surprisingly, low levels of vitamin C in your body can make your hair dry and brittle and are also one of the most common culprits for split ends. Vitamin C deficiency will also make your hair grow at a much slower rate, possibly leading to hair loss.

Bruising
Another surprising symptom of vitamin C deficiency, bruising has been known to be triggered by a lack of this important nutrient. When your body lacks vitamin C, even a small bump can leave a big ugly bruise on your skin. Of course, bruising can come as a result of injuries, but if it occurs frequently for apparently no reason at all, you’re probably vitamin C deficient.

Dry, Rough, and Red Skin
The lack of ascorbic acid in your body can make your skin red, rough, and dry, as the body needs vitamin C to synthesize collagen. According to studies, lack of vitamin C can also trigger a rare skin condition known as keratosis pilaris, which manifests through rough and red bumps and patches that usually appear on the cheeks, upper arms, buttocks, and thighs. These patches are often itchy and while not a serious problem, they can be quite uncomfortable.


Swollen and Painful Joints
Joint swelling can be caused by a variety of problems, including vitamin C deficiency. People with low vitamin C levels are far more prone to rheumatoid arthritis which causes joints to swell, which is why you need to make sure you’re getting plenty of vitamin C every day.

Slow Healing Cuts and Bruises
Vitamin C helps our connective tissues bind together in order to close a wound. When the body lacks it, it wouldn’t be able to heal quickly nor properly. If you have small cuts and wounds that haven’t healed for weeks, you might be lacking this important nutrient.

Anxiety
Now you’re probably wondering what vitamin C has to do with anxiety. Well, according to a recent research, low vitamin C levels can cause anxiety and even lead to depression if left untreated. The 34 patients suffering from anxiety examined in the study became much more positive after taking vitamin C supplements, which shows that a lack of the vitamin affects our psychological health as well.

Frequent Colds and the Flu
Vitamin C is an important cog in the immune system ‘wheel’ – it helps the body produce white blood cells and fight intruders. It’s also an antioxidant that prevents infections, so when the body lacks it, you’re going to be far more prone to colds and the flu.

The best way to get more vitamin C in your system is by eating fruits and veggies. Vitamin C can be found in citrus fruits and apples, as well as peppers, capsicum, broccoli, spinach, and kale – only a bit of these fruits and veggies will provide the body with enough vitamin C for the day and prevent all the aforementioned problems.


6 Signs You Have Chlamydia

One of the main issues surrounding chlamydia and treating it is that it can be a silent illness. A lot of people aren’t even aware they have it until they go in for a check-up. However, prolonged exposure to the infection can leave women with serious health complications. So, if for whatever reason you suspect you might have chlamydia, here are some of the signs and symptoms to look out for.


1. Abnormal discharge
This can impact both men and women. For the ladies if you find that your normal discharge has changed colour into more of a yellowish and more pungent type of discharge, it could be a sign of chlamydia. Whereas for men, discharge isn’t as common so any type should be noted. If you find a milkier or watery discharge coming out of your penis it could be down to chlamydia.

2. Pain during sex
While women are certainly more prone to pain during sex than men, it is usually down to some sort of reproductive health issue like chlamydia or PCOS. Either way, if you are experiencing pain during or after sex it might be because of an STI.

3. Burning when you urinate
Both men and women should take serious notice when urinating is painful. While it might be something as mundane as a pesky UTI, it could also mean there is something much more serious lurking inside. Whether it happens once or more frequently, it shouldn’t ever be painful to pee so definitely head to your local doctor and sort it out.


4. It’s not just downstairs
Some people might not be aware but STI’s can affect more than just your genitalia. Chlamydia itself can infect your eyes, mouth and throat depending on how the infection was contracted. If your eyes and throat are itchy, red, inflamed or sore and you can’t put it down to a cold or flu, it might be a sign of chlamydia.

5. Swollen testicles
This one is just for the men who think they might be infected with chlamydia. Although it isn’t the first sign that most people notice, it can be a symptom of an infection that has been left untreated for some time. If you find that your testicles have changed in appearance in any way, it’s time for a visit to the local sexual health clinic.

6. You suspect your partner of having it
Now, whether or not the infection was contracted of a period of different encounters or just one, if you suspect for any reason that you know who gave it to you, get checked.

11 Foods That May Cause a Heart Attack

One of two leading causes of death in American adults are heart attacks. Basically, there is some sort of blockage in the blood flow to the heart. The heart muscle cells start to die, and your heart is unable to work.

The blockage is generally caused by a buildup of fat and cholesterol (plaque) in the arteries. When the plaque breaks loose and impedes the flow of blood.


You develop plaque from smoking, being sedentary, obesity, poor diet, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

If your food is high in salt (sodium), saturated fats, and cholesterol, you are increasing your odds of developing heart disease and having a heart attack. We’ll list eleven foods that add to your risk of heart attack.

11. Sugary Drinks
When industry wants to add sugar to milk, you know Americans have a problem with sugar. Our drinks are sweetened with sugar or artificial sweeteners. A 12-ounce serving of soda includes 10 teaspoons of sugar! Drinking calories leaves you hungry and you tend to overeat.

Sugar causes many health problems including obesity and diabetes. To avoid a heart attack, drastically cut back on sugar in all forms. Artificial sweeteners are worse than real sugar – they’ll make you hungry and are linked to cancer.

10. Refined and Processed Food
Refining grain (turning it into white flour, rice, etc.) removes nutrients. Your body treats refined grains like it does sugar. Refined grains lead to obesity and diabetes.

Whole grains are shown to lower blood pressure and cholesterol!

Processing foods generally includes adding salt and sugar to improve the taste. They also include shelf stable trans fats like partial hydrogenated or hydrogenated oils. These are bad fats that harm your heart.

Whole grains can improve blood vessel function. Eat whole grains!

9. Processed Meats
Processed meats contain saturated fats and salt by the bucketful. Your heart will not thank you for eating hot dogs, sausages, deli meat and bacon. Eating one serving a day of processed meats is associated with a 42% increased risk of developing chronic heart disease. These are inarguably the worst meats you can eat for heart health.


Eating unprocessed, lean meat is far healthier for you. Choose cuts lower in fat, remove the skin from chicken, and don’t smother in high fat toppings!

8. Canned Vegetables
Your body needs salt. The problem is salt is added to everything. It is a flavor enhancer. Too much salt affects blood vessels by making their walls thicker and less flexible. You retain water and that leads to higher blood pressure.

Canned vegetables are a huge culprit. Canning affects the taste and salt replaces some of it. If you use canned vegetables, lower salt versions and rinse before using. You also won’t need to add salt to them later.

7. Restaurant Appetizers
For some specific foods, avoid restaurant appetizers! If you choose anything but a broth-based soup or a house salad with vinaigrette, you are getting a full meal’s worth of calories, fat and sodium in your pre-dinner snack. Even some broth-based soups (French onion comes to mind) are super high in salt! Many are very highly processed and include white flour as breading.

One of the causes of heart attacks is obesity. If you are trying not to gain weight, skip the pre-dinner dinner.

6. Americanized Ethnic Food
Many ethnic foods start healthy but get Americanized. They are full of salt, saturated fats, and sugar. Chinese food is no exception. People think that it is healthy because of all the veggies, but American Chinese offerings like sweet-and-sour are breaded, salted, sugared, and highly processed.

The portions are also Americanized. What passes as Italian pasta in the US would feed a family in Italy where pasta is lightly topped with olive oil and a smidge of sauce.

How about America’s national cuisine?

5. Fast Food
America’s offering to world cuisine, fast food, is loaded with salt, sugar, preservatives, calories, and highly processed. To add insult to injury, it is fried in trans fats. It’s been linked to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. It’s been engineered to be addictive and marketed aggressively.

There is speculation that fast food is one of the drivers of heart attack deaths. Removing fast food from your diet could literally save your life.

4. Premade Meals
Eating pre-made meals from the grocery store isn’t much healthier than fast food. It is stabilized with trans fats, flavor enhanced with salt, preservatives and sugar, and is highly processed. If you choose lower calories and lower salt options, read the labels. They may make those claims by decreasing the portion size!

Also be aware that manufactures only have to list trans fats over 1 gram. In reality, any amount of trans fats are bad and have a cumulative effect.


3. Kid’s Meals
Kids are programmed by nature to love fat and sugar. Kid’s meal manufacturers oblige. Many kid’s meals come with more calories, salt, and saturated fat than adult meals. They are also filled with white flour – bread, breading, and pasta.

If you are trying to teach your kids good eating habits and keep them from a life of obesity, diabetes and heart attacks, cut out macaroni and cheese, chicken fingers and hot dogs. And of, course pizza.

2. Pizza
Pizza is yet another heart attack special. Start with the white flour crust, add sugar laden sauce, preserved fatty salt… I mean meat… like pepperoni, and a ton of saturated fat cheese and you have yourself a future heart attack.

Eating one slice every once in a while is ok. But most people can’t do that because pizza hits all the happy places in our brain and you tend to eat more.

1. Ice Cream
Ice cream… yummy. And heart attack friendly. Because it is dairy and generally made with full fat milk, it is full of saturated fat. – the bad fat that is hard on your heart and cholesterol levels. It also contains a lot of sugar, both naturally occurring and added. Then add in the fruit, nuts, caramel bits and other goodies they add and you have a calorie bomb.

If you must have a dessert, eat fresh fruit or a bit of dark chocolate.

Conclusion
The American diet adds up to a heart attack. Eliminate bad fats like trans fats, cut down on saturated fats from meat, stop adding sugar and salt to everything, and eat less refined or processed foods. Perhaps the most important food you can stop eating is fast food.

Stop smoking and get a bit of exercise. Check your blood pressure. Lose weight. Heart attacks are not inevitable. A little effort can keep you from being a statistic!

You’ll find a healthy diet is every bit as satisfying and tasty. It just takes a bit of time to wean yourself off salt and sugar!