Tuesday, May 31st, 2011 at 11:47 pm
Some people see ear wax as something that is “gross,” or that is not a fun topic to discuss, but whether you want to discuss it or not, it is still important for you to make sure you know how to deal with ear wax (especially because most people deal with it the wrong way!).
First off, it is important for you to recognize that your body produces ear wax naturally, as protection for your ear drum and ear canal, and if you had never touched the insides of your ears all your life, you would never have to worry about ear wax at all, as the body naturally regulates the amount of ear wax you have. Of course, the problem is that most people have messed around with the insides of their ears, and in so doing many of them have created blockages with their ear wax, and not only are these blockages uncomfortable, but they can also impair hearing and can increase the likelihood of ear aches and ear infections.
One of the best ways to get rid of this buildup of excess ear wax is to heat up either oil or hydrogen peroxide, and to lay on your side as you drip this heated-up solution into your ear; let it sit in there for about fifteen minutes, then turn onto your other side so that it can drain out of your ear.
Using an ear candle is another great way to get rid of excess ear wax; by putting an ear candle into your ear and lighting it, the candle will send warmth and small amounts of smoke into your ear, which will help to “melt” the extra wax that has built up.
If you have a lot of excess ear wax built up, it can take a number of times of doing one or the other of these things before you finally solve the problem – and flushing your ear with hot water afterward will also be a necessary part of either procedure – but when you use one of these two methods and have a bit of patience, you can keep yourself from ever having to worry about ear wax again!
Saturday, May 28th, 2011 at 1:28 am
Every day, it is important that you get enough water into your body; after all, continued hydration is a big part of continued health. But many people fail to drink even close to enough water each day, and part of the reason for this lack of water is because – quite frankly – their water tastes no good. If your water does not taste satisfactory, chances are you will be unlikely to drink the eight glasses of water (one gallon) that you should be drinking each day. Follow these tips for having clean, tasty water to drink at home, and watch your health improve as your water intake increases!
Of course, one of the best (and most transportable!) ways to get clean, tasty water all the time is to buy bottled water. But at the same time, bottled water – especially if you buy it by the bottle – can be quite expensive. With bottled water, you should plan to buy it in bulk, as this will allow you to always have water to take with you wherever you go while also getting a good deal on it.
Consider getting a water bubbler in your own home if you want the taste of bottled water without having to pay the price. You can usually buy the bottles that go with these for as little as $5 or $10, and at such stores as Walmart you can buy water for about $0.33 per gallon. Additionally, you can take this water with you everywhere – just like bottled water – if you simply buy a reusable water bottle.
Of course, another option – one that can be done any number of ways – is filtering water in your own home. You can purchase a stand-alone water filter in order to filter your water at home, or you can attach a filter to your sink, or you can just make sure the filtration system in your refrigerator is working.
It does not especially matter which of these options you choose to go with yourself, so long as you choose one to go with! Once you do, you will be able to drink delicious, clean water at home, and will therefore be able to drink as much water as your body requires!
Friday, May 13th, 2011 at 3:22 pm
You may have heard of people taking vitamin B-12 supplements of shots. Do you need to take supplements, and are the shots truly of value?
We need vitamin B-12 for red blood cell production, a healthy nervous system, and to prevent anemia. Vitamin B-12 is also needed for the production of DNA.
While weight loss clinics claim to have marvelous results from delivering B-12 shots and supplements, there is no hard scientific evidence to back this up. If you think your might be B-12 deficient, ask your doctor for a test; most people have stored enough B-12 to last them for years. Getting a vitamin B-12 shot is not going to enhance your metabolic rate or provide extra energy unless you were truly deficient or anemic, both of which can be proven with a test. Always get advice from a trusted doctor before you start taking vitamin B-12 shots or self-medicate with mega-doses of B-12, especially asking about the interactions of B-12 and medications.
Most people get plenty of vitamin B-12 if they regularly eat animal products. You don’t need to worry at all if you eat meat, eggs, fortified products, dairy products, or shellfish. The people who need to worry are vegans–those who don’t eat meat, eggs, or dairy products. Fortified cereals also provide vitamin B-12, making them a good source for vegans.
Most people need between 2.6-2.8 micrograms of vitamin B-12 a day to be healthy. You can get this much in a simple bowl of fortified cereal with a cup of milk. If you have a deficiency, you probably have a problem absorbing B-12 or using the B-12 that your body has already stored. The problem may be that your intestines are functioning properly and allowing your body to take in the B-12, or it could be that your body has stored the B-12, but can’t release it for use. Most Americans are not B-12 deficient because they eat a diet rich in animcal products, and their bodies naturally store the B-12 for years.