LESS SUGAR = MORE HAPPINESS

Sugar isn’t just a cause of metabolic disorder. Mental health is another casualty of great potential.

The average person currently consumes approximately 180 pounds of sugar annually. It sounds shocking, but it is a fact.

Sugar is a toxic chemical which is eight times more addictive than cocaine.

Yes, sugar is by far the most addictive substance legally available and acceptable by all social structures.

The brain wants sugar, then more sugar

Pleasure is exciting. Happiness is transcendent. More importantly, pleasure is dopamine. And happiness is serotonin.

When you consume any substance of abuse, including sugar, the nucleus accumbent receives a dopamine signal, from which you experience pleasure. And so, you consume more. The problem is that with prolonged exposure, the signal attenuates, gets weaker. So, you have to consume more to get the same effect -- tolerance. And if you pull back on the substance, you go into withdrawal. Tolerance and withdrawal constitute addiction. And make no mistake, sugar is addictive.

Sugar causes metabolic dysfunction. Eating sugar causes a barrage of symptoms known as classic metabolic syndrome which includes weight, abdominal obesity, decreased HDL (good cholesterol) and increased LDL (bad cholesterol), elevated blood sugar, elevated triglycerides, high blood pressure and high Uric acid levels. All of these increase the risk of heart and kidney disease manifold. Insulin is important in the body for controlling blood sugar, but it may play a different role in the brain, where insulin appears to disturb memory and learning. It is proven now after many studies that a high fructose diet harms the brain as well as the body.

Fructose, which is sugar found in fruits but also added as high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in nearly all processed foods. Fructose fools your metabolism by turning off your body’s appetite control system. It fails to stimulate Insulin which in turn fails to suppress Ghrelin, the hunger hormone which then fails to stimulate Leptin, the satiety hormone. This causes you to eat more and develop Insulin resistance, better known as type 2 Diabetes.

The hippocampus is the center for emotion, new memory, memory storage and organization and autonomic nervous system. Experiments have proven that higher blood glucose levels were linked with bad memory as well as a smaller hippocampus. Each time your blood glucose levels rise the hippocampus is inflamed and over time it just shrinks. MRIs of Alzheimer’s and Dementia patients have proven this.

Brain scans have confirmed that intermittent sugar consumption affects the brain in ways similar to certain drugs. Sugar uses the same neurological pathways as narcotics, to hit the pleasure center of the brain that sends out the signals: “eat more, eat more”.

 If you find yourself irritable, anxious, and moody, the reason could be the sugar in your diet. The body is very sensitive to changing glucose levels. Giving up sugar will re-establish the hormonal equilibrium in your brain and thus reduce these changes in mood.

Sugar causes Leptin Resistance

When your body's leptin receptors are working effectively, they tell you when you've had enough to eat and help you maintain a healthy weight. Overconsumption of fructose, a sweetener used in many beverages, has been linked to a shutdown in leptin response. Over time, this can lead to hunger, weight gain, diabetes, and put you at increased risk for a number of chronic illnesses.

Side Effects of Excessive Sugar Consumption

Obesity	Diabetes	Tooth Decay	Receding Gums
Excess Belly Fat	Joint Pain	Kidney Health	Behavioral Problems
Heart Failure	Stroke	High Cholesterol	Cardiovascular Disease
Heart Lesions	Depression	Poor Gut Health	Unhealthy Eating Habits
Aging	Allergies	Leptin Resistance	Colorectal Cancer
Memory Loss	Hair Loss	Infertility	Reproductive Cancers
Cellular Damage	Migraines	Dehydration	Lymphatic Disorders
Ulcers	Bloating	Heartburn	Erectile Dysfunction
Blurred Vision	Fatty Liver	Biliary Cirrhosis	Bladder Cancer
Insomnia	Osteoporosis	Brain Tumors	Breastfeeding Trouble

 

Pay Attention to Added Sugars

Over time, an excess amount of sugar starts to make your body sluggish, causes weight imbalances, and can eventually lead to dangerous conditions including obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.

 The WHO estimated that 6% of the world's population has diabetes while the total number of diabetic patients today is four times what it was in 1980. 

 Hopefully people will choose to go down the healthier path to help prevent lifelong diseases caused by the sweet tooth.

Benefits of #Facial Massage

Facial massages are treatments you can do with a practitioner or on your own. The technique involves stimulating pressure points on the face, neck, and shoulders. Just a few minutes of practice can help increase blood flow, reduce puffiness, and–wait for it–keep your skin looking fresh, youthful, and fine line-free.
You can use lotions, oils, or cleansing balms with facial massages, as well as a face roller or a flat gua sha tool.

Types of Face Massage Techniques:

1.   Vibration- This massage technique is used to restore soft tissues. It helps in relaxing the muscles.

2.   Cupping- In this technique, special cups are put on the skin to create suction. It is done to increase the blood flow, decrease pain and relax your muscles.

3.   Hot and Cold Stone- This technique involves placing heated or cold stones on the body to decrease pain and relax stiff muscles.

4.   The Tapping-Tapping massage technique is used to relax stressed muscles by triggering nerves to energize the nervous system.

5.   Knuckle Kneading- In this technique, intense pressure is applied to reach the tissues under the deeper layers of the skin. This is a common technique to open up tight muscles, increase flexibility and reduce pain.

Types of Face Massage:

1.   Swedish- This is the most common type of massage. It includes soft and folding strokes on the uppermost layers of the muscles. This massage is relaxing and energizing.

2.   Shiatsu- Shiatsu means 'finger pressure'; in this, the therapist uses a different level of pressure on certain points of the body. This massage helps in opening blockages in the muscles.

3.   Remedial- Remedial massage works as a healing treatment to provide relief to sore muscles that are damaged, knotted or impaired. It improves overall health by relaxing the tensed muscles of the body.

4.   Acupressure- It is a specific massage technique that aims to relax muscles, lessen pain and increase blood circulation in the body.

5. Gua sha- This massage technique involves using a quartz stone or a jade roller on the skin in an upward motion to relax the stiff muscles and promote tissue drainage.

The easiest way to DIY

How to do a stress-relieving facial massage right at home?

1.  Be sure to start with clean hands and a clean face.

2.  Give the back of the neck and shoulder some love. The neck is the superhighway for circulation to the face and lymphatic drainage coming down from the face.

3.  Use your two fingers below the jaw and two fingers above the jaw like a scissor, and come up to the ear and then gently down the side of the neck.

4.  Use your thumbs to massage down the jaw muscle. You can use a good amount of pressure here. The jaw muscle is very strong (and tight!).

5.  Next, using from the index finger to the thumb, stroke and lift the entire lower face.

6.  Use your index finger and thumb to pinch all around the lips. This helps plump the lips and skin but also reduce tension around the mouth.

7.  Use your knuckles to perform very light circles all over the forehead.

8.  Finish by stroking upwards from the center of the brows to the hairline.

Potential Benefits of a Face Massage

Did you know that our face consists of a total of 42 facial muscles? A face massage is an exercise for those muscles. How exercise benefits our body in numerous ways, a face massage also helps us by relaxing the facial muscles and boosting blood circulation. 

Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

Relaxes muscle tension in the face

Aids in lymphatic drainage

Tones and uplifts the face

Reduces ageing signs

Brightens complexion

Detoxifies skin

Gives you smooth and soft skin

Banishes under eye woes

Relieves pain and soothes skin

Which Oil Is Good for Face Massage?

Skin Type	Oil
Dry skin	Almond, argan and marula oils
Oily Skin	Jojoba, grapeseed oils
Sensitive skin	Aloe Vera, moringa, chamomile oils
Normal skin	Argan, retinol oils
Acne-prone skin	Rosehip seed, pomegranate, tea tree oils

A face massage is one of the best ways to pamper yourself and take care of your facial skin. Why not start working out those facial muscles for youthful, glowing skin?

#Tetanus shots prevent dangerous infections

The purpose of a tetanus shot

Everyone should get tetanus shots as recommended. A tetanus shot is a vaccine that protects you from getting tetanus. Tetanus, also called “lockjaw,” is a serious disease caused by bacteria called Clostridium tetani. When you get tetanus vaccines as recommended, your body makes antibodies, special proteins that will help your immune system fight the toxin produced by the bacteria.

Clostridium tetani are bacteria that live in soil and manure. Tetanus infections most commonly happen when you suffer a wound that gives the bacteria a chance to enter your body. For example, stepping on a nail is a common cause of tetanus infections. Once inside your body, the bacteria release a toxin that causes your muscles to tighten. This can cause your mouth to “lock” shut and make it hard to swallow. If not treated promptly, the muscle stiffness spreads and, in some cases, can cause death.

A tetanus infection can enter the body through small cuts, scrapes, and scratches. If you’re cut by a metallic or rusty object or suffer a deep wound, immediately consult a doctor about receiving a tetanus shot. Keep in mind, tetanus infections can also occur as a result of burns, animal bites, or wounds contaminated with dirt or faeces.

Good wound care and prompt treatment reduce the risk of developing a tetanus infection, but the tetanus vaccine is the best way to protect yourself from the disease. Tetanus does not pass from person to person, so “herd immunity” cannot prevent tetanus infections. You also do not build immunity to future tetanus infections by having had a previous infection. As a result, each person needs a series of tetanus vaccines in order to avoid getting tetanus. Tetanus vaccines are often given in combination with vaccines that protect you from other diseases, such as diphtheria and pertussis.

Tetanus boosters help to make sure that you have enough antibodies to neutralize the toxin produced by Clostridium tetani should you get an infection. If you are injured and it has been more than 10 years since your last tetanus booster, your doctor may recommend getting a booster shot. If your wound is especially dirty, your doctor may recommend a booster shot even if it has been less than 10 years since your last tetanus shot.

When to seek medical advice

You should contact your GP if you're concerned about a wound, particularly if:

Ø  The wound is deep

Ø  The wound contains dirt or a foreign object

Ø  You haven't been fully vaccinated against tetanus

Ø  You're not sure whether you have been fully vaccinated against tetanus

Ø  Your GP can assess the wound and decide if you need a vaccination or any other treatment.

Ø  You may need additional treatment for a serious or dirty wound that's considered to be tetanus-prone.

Ø  You should immediately go to your nearest hospital or call an ambulance if you develop severe muscle stiffness or spasms.