Health

We’ve all heard it said that somebody has a ‘sweet tooth.’ We may even have heard it about ourselves! Many of the foods that we enjoy most in life – ice cream, chocolate, candy – contain sugar. In some cases, it’s more sugar than our bodies would ideally like to be processing. But is it possible that we could actually become addicted to sugar, and if so, could you be a sugar addict yourself?

You may think that the idea of being a sugar addict is absurd. We tend to think of addicts as people who are hooked on drugs, alcohol or gambling; habits that can destroy lives if they get out of control. Sugar is legal to purchase and present in so many of our foods that we think of it as being mostly harmless. We know we should avoid eating too much of it because it’s bad for our teeth, but as far as most of us are concerned, that’s as harmful as a sweet tooth can get.

Put that thought to one side for a moment, and consider all the ways you might ingest sugar on a daily basis. Do you have a lump of sugar in your tea or coffee? Do you drink sodas throughout the day? Do you use mayonnaise when you’re making food? How many takeaways do you eat in an average week? All of those are ways that we consume sugar without really thinking about it. And that’s before we even start talking about adding sugar to breakfast cereals, which often contain too much already.

Sugar stimulates dopamine

Happiness is a chemical process. When we do things that make us feel good, it’s because the act we’re performing releases a chemical in the brain called dopamine. Dopamine is our brain’s reward system; it releases it when we do something pleasurable. Like all chemicals though, dopamine can become addictive.

This is primarily how drink and drugs become addictive; they either trigger the release of dopamine, or they mimic its effects. To a lesser extent, the same is true of gambling. There is nothing wrong with enjoying the occasional drink or playing slot games, so long as you’re in control of the habit rather than the other way round. The occasional drink can make you more sociable. Playing slot games is excellent entertainment for a lot of people, and skilled play can bring rewards in terms of cash winnings. In the same way, a little sugar rewards you by boosting energy levels and maintaining the appearance of your skin by releasing glycolic acids. It’s only when a habit becomes excessive that it can be damaging.

Without getting too deep into the science, activities that release dopamine rewards become addictive because they make you want to feel the same way again. Whether it’s social interaction, great tasting food, a spin of the reels or an extra drink, we’re genetically predisposed to wanting a little bit more.

Signs you could be addicted to sugar

Now we’ve established that becoming addicted to sugar is possible, how do you know whether you’re at risk yourself, or even whether you’re addicted already? There are some telltale signs, and we’ll list them for you.

Do you always have a sweet course after a meal? It’s not uncommon to have dessert when you visit a restaurant, or after an evening meal, but do you find yourself consuming something sweet after something savory with every meal of the day? Do you have a cookie, an ice cream or a sugary yogurt after lunch? If so, do you think you could easily do without it? Try it and see how you get on. If you find yourself pining for your missing snack, it may be the sugar that you’re missing.

Do you find yourself eating when you’re not full? Almost everybody is guilty of this to an extent, but are you a regular ‘between meals’ eater? Do you have snacks in the fridge, cupboard or a draw at work that you snack on throughout the day? If so, what kind of snacks are they? If your go-to snack is sweet, you could be feeding yourself regular sugar hits without consciously considering your intake.

Do you use sweet food as a comforter? Nobody is happy all the time, and that’s why ‘comfort eating’ exists. When you’re feeling a little blue, do you find yourself turning to food? If so, this works just like the snacking situation we mentioned above. What kind of food do you find yourself turning to? If the answer is cake, candies or chocolate, the chances are that you’re not only indulging a sugar craving, but you’re using sugar as emotional support. That’s a clear sign of addiction, and a good reason to change your habits.

Do you get headaches if you’ve not eaten something sugary for a while? This is a withdrawal symptom, and happens in every case of addiction when an addict is denied access to whatever they’re addicted to. Your brain has become accustomed to receiving a certain level of its preferred stimulant every day, and these cravings manifest themselves as physical pain. If this sounds familiar, the good news is that the headaches and cravings will pass in a few days. You just have to force yourself to endure them for a while if you want to break free.

If you recognize yourself in any of the above scenarios, don’t panic. There are worse things you could be addicted to than sugar, but it’s never desirable to be reliant on anything to feel good, and we know from a medical point of view that too much sugar can cause diabetes. That means you’d be better off breaking free of the cycle. You don’t have to cut out sugar completely; you just have to reduce your intake to a healthier level.

Drinking water can help, as it reduces cravings. Eating a piece of fruit will often give your body the sugar it wants in a healthier way than consuming artificial sugars, because it comes from a natural product. Even taking a bath or going for a walk can help, as they take your mind off eating. Most importantly, always check the labels on your food.

We don’t want or need to live in a world without sugar, but we could all do with ingesting a little less.

If you did some research on orthodontic services, it’s likely that you encountered the term Invisalign®. What exactly does this word mean? Is it a medical term or some brand name?

If you visit an orthodontist in Woodbridge VA or some other city, for example, you can ask this question and get an unambiguous answer. However, if you prefer knowing things in advance, read on for a clear and concise explanation.

Invisalign®

Invisalign® is written with the “®” or “Circle R” symbol, which means that the term is a registered trademark. It is a brand of a custom-made dental aligner product that can be changed biweekly for a period ranging from six to eighteen months. The term Invisalign is a portmanteau created out of the words “invisible” and “align”. It is named as such because it is usually made of clear plastic; hence, it is not that conspicuous when worn.

Invisalign® provides an excellent alternative over the usual metal brackets. Using it entails the wearing of a series of customised clear plastic aligners to guide the shifting of the teeth into the desired position. The orthodontist first obtains X-rays, photos, bite outlines, and teeth and gum impressions on polyvinyl siloxane to come up with a 3D representation of the teeth. This representation serves as the basis for the custom-made clear aligners. Once the aligners are made, the orthodontist moves the teeth to the intended position by about 0.25 to 0.33 millimetres in each instance. Typically, the full treatment requires six to 48 aligners.

Created by California-based medical device maker Align Technology, Invisalign® was conceptualised by Zia Chishti while he was himself an adult orthodontic patient. He came up with the product idea as he noticed that the use of a series of retainer-like devices to effect small movements could produce a significant overall change in the position of the teeth.

Is it good?

Initially, orthodontists hesitated to use Invisalign®. One of the main reasons for this hesitation was the fact that the creators of the product were not orthodontic experts or had no relevant credentials. However, the product rose to popularity. The US Food and Drug Administration eventually approved it in 1998. According to Align Technology, more than 5 million people have already been treated with the Invisalign® system around the world. Achieving this number of users is not possible if the product does not work.

Invisalign® has the advantage over traditional braces because the aligners can be taken out when eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing. The clear plastic aligners are gentle on the gums and cheeks and don’t have hooks, springs, and other tiny parts that are prone to damage. As such, the inconveniences of using it are minimal. However, it does not address all of the dental issues that can be solved by traditional braces. It is not the right solution for severe malocclusion or bite alignment problems. It is not useful in aligning tooth roots, particularly when there are gaps involved.

Invisalign® is an effective teeth alignment solution, albeit a little more expensive compared to traditional braces. It does not solve the same range of problems braces can address, but it is effective and less cumbersome.

You might only go to your doctor to have medical tests if your job requires you to, or you are applying for a visa. You need these tests since you might not get what you want without one. However, it is important to consider getting medical tests even if you are not using the results for any transaction. You might only want to know whether you are healthy or not. Don’t feel complacent that you are feeling okay right now since things could quickly change. Your body might not show any symptoms yet, but you might already have an illness. Getting tests is the only definitive way to know if you have problems.

It is better to know now than later

You need to book a doctors appointment now and go through the tests for early detection. Several people have survived a deadly disease because of early detection. For instance, early detection can help prevent cancer cells from spreading. If there is a need for surgery, you can schedule an operation right away. It is better to know the results now and take the necessary action to save yourself than wait until it is too late.

Results have an interpretation

When you receive the results, you need to listen to what your doctor has to say. Positive or negative test results don’t mean anything unless you understand the underlying explanation. There are also tests that come back in numbers. You will receive a legend that states whether or not you are under the normal bracket. Despite that, you still need to listen to the explanation to know your real health status.

You can sleep well at night

Sometimes, even if your body is doing okay, you end up getting sick because of stress and anxiety. You think of several negative thoughts, including your health. To let go of this issue, you need to get tested. You might be worrying for nothing. The test results will calm you down and let you sleep well. Even if the results are not favourable, it is okay. At least you know what is wrong and you can now focus on how to get well.

You can save up

Some illnesses require thorough medication that results in high expense. You need to know the results now for you to find out how much you need to spend on recovery. You can consult with your health insurance provider to determine how much they will cover for surgery, medicines and other treatments. You can even open a fundraising page if you can’t afford the expenses based on your savings and insurance. Many people around the world die from a disease not because they are in the late stage, but because they can’t afford medication.

Be courageous enough to book an appointment now and hope for the best. Once the results are ready, and you need to change your lifestyle, you need to do it. If the results were not what you were hoping for, you should take it easy and compose yourself, and then enquire about the next steps to take.

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You might not realise it, but hormones play a crucial part in your bodily functions. Without these hormones, you will face different illnesses, as they regulate the glands in the body. Human growth hormone or HGH is one of the most important hormones in the body. It is responsible for making you tall, and in building your bones and muscles. With HGH, human growth and development are possible.

Not everyone is lucky enough to have their bodies produce a generous amount of HGH to maintain these bodily functions. Some people need HGH therapy to inject the hormones into the body and avoid these potential illnesses.

Chronic kidney disease

The kidney is a crucial part of the body. It screens toxins and other waste the body produces. Some kidneys don’t function well because of a lack of HGH. Therefore, this therapy helps in making sure that the kidneys work well and avoid possible chronic disease.

Short bowel syndrome

It happens when the body fails to absorb the necessary nutrients. It may be due to intestinal issues or the removal of a large portion of the intestines due to surgery. With HGH, people suffering from these problems have the hope of living a normal life again.

Anxiety and depression

The production of HGH also has something to do with mental health. The brain controls all the movements of the hormones in the body. Therefore, a lack of HGH may also affect one’s mood and emotions. The therapy helps ensure that people become emotionally stable again.

Love handles

The excess fat on the side of your belly and lower back are also known as ‘love handles’. They are the most annoying fat in the body since it is not easy removing it. Even if you try hard, you can’t get rid of it. The good thing is that with HGH therapy, the body functions well, and it could lead to proper absorption and use of nutrients. Hence, you might soon get rid of that unwanted fat. Of course, you need to couple it with exercise and diet, but it helps to have this therapy available.

Heart disease and stroke

Several issues cause the existence of these problems, which are usually fatal. The therapy might help improve heart and brain functions, which could reduce the risk of suffering from these diseases. Proper blood flow is also another product of HGH therapy.

Reduced ability to think

Your mental functions may also have something to do with the hormones released by your body. When you can’t think well, you might want to consider this therapy to help improve brain functions. It does not magically make you smart, but it can at least improve your thinking processes.

HGH therapy is getting popular these days because it holds potential to cure tons of diseases. You might want to give it a try if you suffer from any of these illnesses. Given how safe it is, and several people can attest to its effectiveness, you need to consider it.

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For more health tips from the Vanilla Mist Blog, click here.

Chiropractors help relieve you from recurring body pain. They make the necessary “adjustments” to ensure that the body pain starts going away. You might need a couple of sessions with your chiropractor to start seeing the results.

If you are yet to seek help from a chiropractor, you need to find the right person for the job. These tips will help you land the perfect chiropractor to soothe your pain.

Get referrals

If you have friends who have sought help from chiropractors before, ask for a referral. They might tell you someone whom they are confident will do a great job. You may also ask your primary care doctor if they can give you a list of qualified chiropractors in your area.

Once you narrow your choices down, call their offices and ask for an appointment to do a consultation. You don’t need to undergo a chiropractic session right away. You can get to know your chiropractor first and see if you are comfortable asking for their service.

Check credentials

It also helps if you check the credentials of the chiropractor. A licence is vital in the selection process since it tells you that the chiropractor got approval from experts to do the job. Years of experience and training are also a part of the standards to consider. The absence of malpractice history is also a sign that you have a good chiropractor.

Specific experience

You also need to know the previous cases the chiropractor dealt with. When someone has tried dealing with different spinal health issues before, it gives you confidence that you will also get the same quality service. You will know it by interviewing the chiropractor, if they have enough knowledge on different spinal issues and understanding of potential complications.

Quality of hospital or clinic

Chiropractors might have an association with hospitals or clinics. You need to check the quality of the said medical establishment to determine if you are getting quality treatment from your chiropractor. Top-rate hospitals are a good choice as they ensure high survival rates and few complications. The location of the hospital also matters since you don’t want to make it difficult to move back and forth during sessions.

Communication style

You want someone whom you can communicate with easily. You can ask a question and get appropriate responses. It is not easy trusting a chiropractor whom you have not met before to do a procedure you might be unfamiliar with. A chiropractor who can communicate well with you, and help you feel confident in moving forward with the process is the right person for the job. You need assurance that everything will end well.

When you have screened the choices, you can choose the right chiropractor and schedule a session. You can look at a Cirencester chiropractor if you reside in the area. You need to seek help soon before things get complicated. You can’t take the pain any longer and pretend that everything is okay when it is not.

While the true detrimental effects of electromagnetic field radiation still have to be proven, our long-term exposure to such radiation may already be affecting our health. If you feel lethargic or without energy or you have trouble sleeping and are suffering from insomnia, this could already be a sign that you have too much exposure to EMF radiation. But while you can do something about it, such as limit calls on your cell phone and use your cell phone’s speaker function, turn off your WiFi when no one is using it, and so on, you can also increase your immunity by being careful about what you eat. The food we eat can undoubtedly contribute to better health, but there are foods which are also known for their antioxidant properties and other properties which can help alleviate the effects of toxic radiation. So, do you want to increase your immunity to overexposure to EMFs? Here’s what you should eat.

Foods rich in antioxidants, vitamin E and C

Antioxidant-rich foods are plentiful, and they’ve become quite popular in recent years for their many beneficial properties. For vitamin C, you can eat a lot of organic fruits; wild blueberries and other wild berries such as strawberries and raspberries are particularly recommended. If you want to increase your intake of vitamin E, you should go for nuts such as almonds. You can also enhance your intake of vitamin C by taking magnesium ascorbate supplements once a day.

Foods rich in caffeic acid

There are also foods which are rich in caffeic acid, such as cauliflower and cabbage, kale, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, and even fruits like apples.

Foods rich in melatonin

Melatonin is known to have a protective effect on the human brain, so you can take supplements of melatonin as well. But your body also produces melatonin, and if you want your body to produce a higher level of melatonin, you should sleep in a pitch-dark room and try to turn off all your appliances which emit EMFs at night because light, as well as EMFs, can inhibit the production of melatonin in your body.

Foods rich in Omega 3-fatty acids

Foods rich in Omega 3-fatty acids include olive oil as well as fatty fish such as salmon. You can also increase your intake of Omega 3-fatty acids in your diet by eating more nuts and flax seeds, as well as linseed oil and flaxseed oil.

Other foods you can eat

Turmeric is a spice which has plenty of beneficial properties since it contains curcumin, which is a strong antioxidant. If you want to increase your absorption of this particular spice, you can add it to extra virgin oil and include a pinch of black pepper. You can also cook with coconut oil or eat coconut oil which is unrefined or virgin coconut oil. Other foods you can eat to protect from EMFs include asparagus and artichokes. Asparagus is known for its high levels of zinc, selenium, and glutathione.

The food you eat makes a world of difference, not just to your overall health, but also with your body’s protection from EMF radiation. And if you want to be sure of protecting yourself even while using EMF-emitting devices such as cell phones and computers, you can benefit from EMF protection products as well, which include jewellery and pendants, shields, and chips.