CanDrugStore Blog | Essential Health Guide

July 22, 2010

5 Uses for Baking Soda

Filed under: healthy living — Tags: baking soda, coffee, environment, environmentally friendly, healthy living, uses for baking soda — John @ 9:44 pm

Baking soda is quite an amazing product with an incredibly large number of uses. Not to mention, baking soda can be used to replace many harmful cleaning substances. These substances are often released into our water systems causing significant damage to the wildlife. Here are just 5 uses for baking soda

Clean coffee and tea pots – Don’t run to a harmful chemical cleaner to use on your coffee pot. Just the idea of putting those chemical into something that makes my drinks kind of disturbs me. Instead, use ¼ cup of baking soda and a quart of warm water to clean your coffee machines.
Removes oil and grease stains – sprinkle baking soda onto an oil or grease spill in you garage or driveway and scrub it with a wet brush.
Fire extinguisher – If you experience a small fire while cooking, try to turn off the gas or electricity if possible. Move away from the fire and throw baking soda at the fire. Because baking soda releases carbon dioxide when it is heated, it helps to smother the flames. You should call the Fire Department just as a safety precaution. You should have a fire extinguisher available in case of a larger fire.
Deodorize you shoes – This is probably a very well known use for baking soda, but it’s very helpful. Especially for your gym shoes, or the shoes that you played football in the rain with. Shake the baking soda into the shoe and leave them for a while. Shake the baking soda out of the shoe before wearing again.
Freshen sports gear – If you, or your family member/loved ones play a sport like football or hockey, than this may be the most important use for baking soda you may ever hear. To get rid of that awful smell in their gym bag, sprinkle baking soda right into the bag. You can use a baking soda mix that uses 4 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 quart of warm water to actually clean and deodorize the sports gear itself.

There are many, many other uses for baking soda, but I hope these 5 were interesting and helpful. Try to be actively aware of what you are sending down you drains. Just changing one thing in your life can have a tremendous effect on the world around you.

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July 20, 2010

Woman Giving Birth to Two Babies Only One Week Apart

Filed under: pregnancy — Tags: Angie Cromar, pregnancy, two uteruses, Uterus Didelphys — Tanveen @ 11:30 pm

Angie Cromar, a 34 year old woman living in Murray, Utah is pregnant with two children conceived one week apart. She gave the news to her husband who was utterly shocked and in disbelief as most people would be. The first question that pops to mind is, “How is this possible?”

Cromar has a rare condition called Uterus Didelphys which essentially means that she has two uteruses. This condition has been reported to occur in approximately 0.1%- 0.05% of women in the United States. However, rarer than the condition itself, is the situation Cromar is in- being pregnant in both uteruses at once. There is a one in five millionth chance of this happening and only about 100 cases like this have occurred in the world.

Cromar, mother of two, already knew about the rare condition she had before this particular pregnancy occurred. Her condition had not played a role in her previous pregnancies as they had gone by normally.

Being a nurse, Angie Cromar, also understands the added risks that this rare condition will have on her pregnancy. Women with Uterus Didelphys are more likely to have a miscarriage or deliver prematurely. So far, the children are healthy and no problems have occurred. It will be exciting to see how this turns out!

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July 19, 2010

Cancer Causing Food Dyes

Filed under: cancer — Tags: additives, cancer, cancer treatment, FDA, food additives, food dyes, preservatives — John @ 7:37 pm

Artificial food dyes provide no nutritional value in our foods, but they are used extensively to make many items more appealing to the eye. However, would you still want to purchase something that could cause cancer? I thought not.

Three of the most commonly used food dyes, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and Red 40, are known to be contaminated with carcinogens. However, even though these food dyes are known to cause cancer, does not mean manufacturers will have to stop using them. Red 3 has been known to cause cancer for some time now, even the FDA acknowledges this fact. However, the Reagan administration stopped a ban from being placed on the food dye.

It seems more is being done in Europe to at least warn the public about these harmful food additives. The European food manufacturers are now being required to place warnings on the packaging of products using these food dyes. The six food dyes, identified in 2008 by Britain’s Southampton University, and now known as the Southampton Six are: tartrazine (E102), quinoline yellow (E104), sunset yellow (E110), carmoisine (E122), ponceau (E124), and allura red (E129).

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July 12, 2010

Obesity Camps for Teens in the UAE

Filed under: obesity — Tags: exercise, Health, healthy diet, natural weight loss, nutrition, obesity, overweight, weight loss — John @ 9:42 pm

Teenagers in the United Arab Emirates who are over 90kg’s are being asked by the government to participate in anti-obesity camps. While in these camps, teens are expected to lose 1kg every week during the 1 month program. The teens will be put on a strict calorie-controlled diet and exercise program, and they will receive lectures about obesity every 4 days.

I still haven’t decided if this is too extreme, especially for teenagers, or maybe it’s what we need to do. Obesity is becoming a very serious problem, and nowhere is this more apparent than the United States. In the United States, obesity related illnesses are costing the nation $147 billion every year. Maybe it’s time for some new, drastic, changes in obesity prevention.

I would like to know what the results will be like for the camps in the UAE. If they work, then maybe we can adapt a similar program here in North America. If the level of obesity experiences a drop, it may lead to some lower taxes or health care prices. Not to mention you’ll add years to your life. Regardless of how well these camps work, something needs to be done about the obesity epidemic in the United States.

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July 9, 2010

5 Lies about ADHD

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: ADD, ADHD, attention deficit, boys and ADHD, children, hyperactive, myths — Candace @ 9:00 pm

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder affects a person’s ability to focus. Sitting still and being able to pay attention in class comes naturally to most people, but for those with ADHD it is an ongoing struggle. These kids are the ones who are often caught off task and getting in trouble. Below are 6 lies often told to about ADHD.

All kids diagnosed with ADHD are hyperactive – Although this is even indicated in the name of the condition, some kids with ADHD have the opposite of hyperactivity, but rather space out and seem unmotivated. There are two types of ADHD: the hyperactive-impulsive type and the combined type. Both of these are accompanied by some hyperactive symptoms like fidgeting and interrupting, but only sometimes is the child ‘bouncing-off-the-walls’ hyperactive.

ADHD is caused by bad parenting – ADHD is not at all stimulated by faulty parenting. Although it is unknown exactly what causes ADHD it is definitely related to genetics. ADHD is usually found at about age 7 and brain images show that there is a noticeable difference between the brains of children with ADHD and those without.

Sugar consumption can cause ADHD – Eating sugar is not in any way linked to ADHD, or hyperactivity. In approximately 5 % of people with ADHD there has been a link to food additives, (including food coloring) and hyperactivity.

ADHD doesn’t actually exist – Some people think that ADHD is actually just a made up condition and such behavior as portrayed in those with ADHD is just boys, being the rambunctious trouble makers that all boys are. ADHD is a real condition which is not just ‘boys being boys’ but furthers this to the point that if affects a child’s ability to function socially, academically and at home.

My child is shy, he/she can’t have ADHD – Girls who have ADHD usually don’t pay attention but do not show any hyperactive or impulsive symptoms. As they become teenagers they may suffer from symptoms of anxiety or depression. Often girls will have social problems because of withdrawal and internalized emotions.

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July 5, 2010

Preventing Type 2 Diabetes

Filed under: diabetes — Tags: calories, diabetes, diabetes prevention, diabetes treatment, fiber, obesity, physical activity, type 2 diabetes, weight loss — John @ 9:08 pm

Diabetes isn’t something any of us look forward to. However, it’s become very common in today’s society. However, there is some good news. There are ways to help reduce your chances of developing type 2 diabetes.

Physical Activity – By increasing your physical activity you can help keep diabetes away. Weight loss and improved fitness have both been tied to reduced incidence of type 2 diabetes. However, if you don’t lose weight even after increasing your physical activity, don’t worry. Simply participating in additional activity can reduce your diabetes risk, even if weight loss doesn’t occur.

Limit Excess Calories – By limiting extra calories, we can eliminate extra weight gain. These excess calories are often the cause of weight gain, as we struggle to burn off these extra calories. By eliminating or at least keeping excess calories to a minimum, we can maintain a healthy weight that will aid in diabetes prevention.

Reach Your Ideal Weight – Try to get as close to your ideal weight as possible. Over 80 percent of people suffering from type 2 diabetes are overweight. This is why achieving a healthy weight is crucial for preventing type 2 diabetes.

Increase Your Intake of Dietary Fiber – If you aren’t getting enough daily fiber, you may be doing your body significant harm. Insufficient fiber has been linked to increasing the risk of not only type 2 diabetes, but cancer, obesity, and heart disease as well. Fiber is an extremely important factor in diabetes prevention.

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June 21, 2010

Preventing Rheumatoid Arthritis

Filed under: reduce arthritis pains — Tags: arthritis, autoimmune, inflammation, prevent rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis — John @ 6:03 pm

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease where the immune system attacks the synovium, or the tissue that lines the joints. Inflammatory substances are then released that cause irritation in the joints and result in the wearing down of cartilage. In some cases, bones may end up rubbing against another bone. Rheumatoid arthritis can leave a person in severe pain along with stiffness, or the swelling and loss of motion in the joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a very real problem, especially in women who are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis. In a ten year period (1995-2005), there was a 50 percent increase in women who developed the disease. If you’re looking for ways to prevent rheumatoid arthritis, try drinking a little alcohol and stop drinking tea (if you’re over 50).

The results of a recent study showed that tea increases the risk of rheumatoid arthritis in post-menopausal women. Women, who drank tea, in any amount, faced a 40 percent increase in their risk of developing the disease. However, women who drank more than four cups of tea a day increased their risk to 78 percent.

Interestingly, drinking alcohol, in moderation, can be quite beneficial for those wishing to prevent rheumatoid arthritis. According to research, drinking the equivalent to about 5 glasses of an alcoholic drink every week can decrease the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis by 50 percent. Try having a glass of wine at dinner 5 days a week and you may be able to avoid rheumatoid arthritis.

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5 Foods That Increase Your Risk of Cancer

Filed under: cancer — Tags: cancer, coca cola, fodos that cause cancer, pepsi, stomach cancer — John @ 5:56 pm

In today’s world, cancer is likely to affect you in some way. Whether this means your mother has cancer, you wife or husband has cancer, your child has cancer, or even you have cancer, it doesn’t matter as you will likely have to face this battle one way or another. Every year, many people are diagnosed with some type of cancer. There are those that respond well to treatment, but others may not be so fortunate. There have been breakthroughs that have helped treat cancer, but there is still no cure for cancer. Until there is a cure, all we can do is try to prevent the development of cancer. Here is a list of some of the top foods that increase your risk of cancer.

Sugar. White or brown sugar doesn’t matter as both can increase your risk of developing cancer.
Foods that are smoked, pickled, or heavily salted can lead to an increased risk of stomach cancer.
Pop/Soda and drinking an excessive amount of alcohol may lead to a higher risk of cancer. Drinks like Coca Cola and Pepsi are horrible for your health for a number of reasons. They contain an excess of sugar and provide little, if any, nutritional value.
Any burned or charred foods. These foods create carcinogens which can lead to cancer.
Snack foods that contain Trans fats. These may include foods like French fries and chips.

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June 14, 2010

Find Relief For Your Back Pain

Filed under: pain — Tags: back pain, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, posture — Nicole @ 5:02 pm

If you’re experiencing back pain, you’re not alone. Millions of people nationwide experience back pain that may be caused by a variety of different factors –from using improper lifting techniques to injury as a result of a car accident. There are several different ways to alleviate back pain; the trick is finding the right method and enough time to make it work for you. The first step to fixing your back pain is finding its source – if you are able to figure out what has caused your back pain, whether it’s a result of bad posture or joint degeneration (osteoarthritis), targeting the cause will help you to find a solution that will alleviate your back pain.

Four Causes of Back Pain and Relief Methods:

Poor Posture – Hunching over your computer at work or school may be the primary suspect for your back pain. The easiest way to alleviate back pain that has been caused by bad posture is to correct your posture. By aligning your ears, shoulders and hips in the mirror, your back falls into its natural ‘S’ curve, which shouldn’t hurt at all. Taking a ballet or yoga class will additionally help to correct your posture and gradually relieve and prevent further back pain.

Herniated Spinal Disc – If your back problems are a result of a single body motion that placed a strain on your back, you may have a herniated one of your spinal discs. For this type of back pain, it’s important to see a doctor or chiropractor in order to find an appropriate treatment method. Your doctor may recommend the applications of ice packs and heat packs, types of physical therapy or anti-inflammatory medications to relive your back pain. Surgery may also be a treatment option for a herniated disc.

Ankylosing Spondylitis – Ankylosing Spondylitis is a form of arthritis that most commonly occurs in the spine, and may cause extreme back pain. Symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis usually begin before the age of sixty. If you suspect that you may be experiencing Ankylosing Spondylitis, make an appointment with your doctor right away. Your doctor may recommend several different treatment methods that may include a prescription for a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication or TNF blocker such as Humira. Other treatment for Ankylosing Spondylitis may include exercise, especially swimming, and the application of heat and cold packs.

Weak Abdominal Muscles – Having a strong core is a crucial aspect to preventing back pain, as having weak abdominal muscles is the most common cause of pain in the lower back. If you are not currently physically active and you suspect that your back pain may be a result of weak abs, seek a personal trainer to help you with a resistance training workout that will benefit you and your back.

If you are experiencing back pain, remember that each person’s back pain is specific to that person, and to discuss any new treatment methods with your doctor before starting a new treatment.

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June 10, 2010

5 Foods that Help Build Muscle

Filed under: healthy diet — Tags: diet, exercise, healthy diet, healthy eating, muscle, muscle building, recovery — John @ 11:09 pm

Many of us strive to reach the look of some of our favorite celebrities, but very few ever achieve that goal. We try new, sometimes unhealthy or even downright dangerous diets, in order to look like the people often seen in magazines and on television.

However, this is often impossible, as people in magazines often have their pictures changed digitally and we have to go to work in order to support ourselves and our families. While getting rock hard celebrity abs isn’t always possible, there are certain foods you can eat that will help you build muscle faster.

Eggs – A great source of protein can be found in eggs. Not to mention, there are vitamins and nutrients in eggs that help you stay healthy.
Salmon – Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in great supply in salmon. The protein and omega 3 fatty acids will help build muscle and speed up your recovery time.
Almonds – Almonds help prevent free radical damage after you workout which means your muscles should recover faster. Almonds are a great way to help you build muscle because they’re a great snack food and you can just throw them into a zip lock bag and take them just about anywhere with you.
Beef – Probably the most well known source of protein is beef. Beef also contain iron and zinc and help supply energy for your body. Try to look for lean cuts of meat in order to cut down calories.
Water – Considering the majority of your body is made out of water, it makes sense that staying hydrated will help build muscle. If your body is hydrated properly, the process of building muscle, protein synthesis, will occur much more quickly than if you were dehydrated.

The one thing to remember is to always take things in moderation. Having too much or too little of something can actually have negative effects on the body. Try to always eat a balanced and healthy diet in order to keep your body strong. Physical exercise is also key to building muscle. You have to get out there and lift some weights, go on runs, etc in order to actually use these foods. Without exercise you’re just putting more calories into your body without every using the energy they give you.

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