Bright white teeth and fresh breath does not necessarily mean you have a healthy mouth! General health is directly related to gum health. Gum disease has been linked to several medical conditions such as stroke, diabetes, heart attack and worsening lung disease. Healthy gums can reduce a person’s biological age by up to 6.4 years. Why? Because studies show that the presence of periodontal diseases, most common in people with tooth loss, actually affects longevity. The best of these studies, done at Emory University in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control, indicates that people with gingivitis and periodontal disease have a mortality rate that is 23% to 46% higher than those who don’t. Keeping your gums clean and healthy may help reduce the risk of many illnesses, including heart disease.

Gum Disease

Gum disease or periodontal disease, a chronic inflammation and infection of the gums and surrounding tissue, is the major cause of about 70 percent of adult tooth loss, affecting three out of four persons at some point in their life. Red swollen and bleeding gums characterize gum disease in the initial stages and progresses to infections, chronic inflammation and bone loss in later stages. Eventually bacteria are allowed to flow freely through your gums and into your blood stream that activates and stresses the immune system.

Heart Attack

Research shows that people with gum disease are 25% more likely to have a heart attack. Bacteria originating from the gums to the veins and arteries cause plaque build up and arterial inflammation that can provoke jeopardous clotting. A 12-year study conducted by Harvard University researchers and 41,000 healthy men free of cardiovascular disease showed that those with periodontal disease had more clot related strokes.

Diabetes

Periodontal disease severely affects the control of blood sugars. The spread of bacteria through out the body through the blood stream stresses and confuses the body when trying to adjust sugars to the invasion. Antibiotic treatment has help diabetics control blood sugars while treating the infections caused by gum disease.

Lung Infections

Breathing in oral bacteria caused by gum disease can cause lung infections. Bacteria that grow in the oral cavities can be breathed into the lungs to cause respiratory disease such as pneumonia.

About the Author

Yvonne Takhtalian, C.N.H.P, H.I. spent the past 10 years developing and improving Vita-Myr Natural Products helping thousands like you heal gum disease and gingivitis. She just released a new line of 100% Natural Vita-Myr Soaps to compliment her Vita-Myr Mouthwash & Toothpaste. Find out more about effective natural relief of gum disease at http://www.vitamyr.com/ or email questions/comments to Yvonne at mailto:vitamyr@mindspring.com Copyright © 2004 Vita-Myr® International Inc All rights reserved. Natural Products For Healthy Living ®

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There’s no easy answerto how much water you should drinkevery day.Just as you are unique, so are your water needs. How much water you need depends on many factors, including your health status, how active you are and where you live. Though no single formula fits all people, several guidelines are available to help you.

Health benefits of water

Water is crucial to your health. It makes up, on average, 60 percent of your body weight. Every system in your body depends on water.Lack of water can lead to dehydration, a condition that occurs when you don’t have enough water in your body to carry on normal functions. Even mild dehydration can sap your energy and make you tired. Dehydration poses a particular

health risk for the very young and the very old. Signs and symptoms of dehydration include:

 Excessive thirst
 Fatigue
 Headache
 Dry mouth
 Little or no urination
 Muscle weakness
 Dizziness
 Lightheadedness

Every day you loose waterthrough sweating, exhaling, urinating and bowel movements. For your body to function properly, you need to replace this water by consuming beverages and foods that contain water.

At least three approaches estimate total fluid (water) needs for healthy, sedentary adults living in a temperate climate:

1. Replacement approach. The average urine output for adults is 1.5 liters a day. You lose close to an additional liter of water a day through breathing, sweating and bowel movements. Food usually accounts for 20 percent of your fluid intake, so you if you consume 2 liters of water or other beverages a day (a little more than 8 cups), along with your normal diet, you
can replace the lost fluids.

2. Eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. Another approach to water intake is the “8 x 8 rule” drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day (about 1.9 liters). The rule could also be stated, “drink eight 8-ounce glasses of fluid a day,” as all fluids count toward the daily total. Though this approach isn’t supported by scientific evidence, many people use this basic rule as a guideline for how much water to drink.

3. Dietary recommendations. The Institute of Medicine recommends that men consumeabout 13 cups of total beverages a day and women consume 2.2 liters (about 9 cups) of total beverages a day. These guidelines are based on national food surveys that assessed people’s average fluid intakes.

You can choose any of these fluid intake approaches to gauge how much water to drink. Your current total fluid intake is probably OK if you drink enough water to quench your thirst, produce a colorless or slightly yellow normal amount of urine, and feel well.

Factors that influence water needs

You may need to modify total fluid intake from these recommended amounts depending on several factors, including how active you are, the climate, your health status, and if you’re pregnant or breast-feeding.

1. Illnesses or health conditions. Some signs and symptoms of illnesses, such as fever, vomiting and diarrhea, cause your body to lose extra fluids. To replace lost fluids, drink more water or oral rehydration solutions (Gatorade, Powerade, CeraLyte, others). When water loss can’t be replaced orally, intravenous water and electrolytes may be necessary. Increased
water intake is nearly always advised in people with urinary tract stones. On the other hand, you may need to limit the amount of water you drink if you have certain conditions that impair excretion of water such as heart failure and some types of kidney, liver, adrenal and thyroid diseases.

2. Environment. You need to drink additional water in hot or humid weather to help lower your body temperature and to replace what you lose through sweating.

3. Exercise. If you exercise or engage in any activity that makes you sweat, you’ll need to drink extra water to compensate for that fluid loss. Drink 2 cups of water two hours before a long endurance event, for example, a marathon or half-marathon. One to 2 cups of water is also adequate for shorter bouts of exercise. During the activity, replenish fluids at regular intervals, and continue drinking water or other fluids after you’re finished.

Rita Hutner is a copywriter for Catalogs.com. Catalogs.com is the Internet’s leading source for print and online catalog shopping - and a growing hub of original content and “how to” information at www.catalogs.com

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Flu and the Immune System

Influenza (”flu”) strikes every year and afflicts millions. Under normal circumstances, flu is not considered a general public health risk. Of course, any disease must be taken seriously for two reasons.

First of all, any disease, including flu, can become dangerous through complications.

But, let’s also understand the far more important issue with regard to flu (and not just avian flu)…but disease in general. Every flu is a problem primarily because our immune system gets compromised through life’s stresses. Put bluntly, flu is “caught” by people because their immune system is not functioning well.

Immune system dysfunction and weakening occurs from constant stress, constant threat of danger, constant deprivation of nutritional needs, and constant exposure to vicissitudes of life. Flu …even deadlier strains such as avian flu, can be the result.

Specifically, flu impacts us due to an under active immune system. This is true of many diseases such as cancer, Hepatitis B and C, TB, strep, shingles as well as flu. Other disease conditions are the result of an over active immune system.

What makes this an issue of late is the fact that only recently has science begun to understand the immune system, its complications, its sheer power to fend off disease conditions and its power to aid in the healing process.

Remember that as we introduce the potential of avian flu.

Avian Flu and Pandemics of the Past

To understand the avian flu threat, we need to understand flu pandemics of the past. Flu epidemics have been explosive and unusually deadly. In past centuries, flu probably spread so fast due to humans and animals living in close proximity.

As you probably know, avian flu is a complex disease mutated from flu that kills birds. But, avian flu has mutated successfully to strike human life. Close proximity of animal and human life allows for such mutations to develop and spread.

Flu can spread like wildfire. The pandemic flu of 1580 began in Asia, spreading over all continents in less than a year. The flu engulfed all of Europe in less than six months.

That’s the problem with flu breakouts. Flu pandemics hit like the proverbial flash flood. A highly contagious flu virus can hit populations that have little or no specific antibody immunities to the disease, infect a quarter of the population, outstrip societal response capability, disrupting societal health and economy.

The fear today is that avian flu will strike suddenly and will spread globally in a matter of mere months.

There were three flu pandemics of the 20th century. They are well documented as to origin, spread, and impact. Those flu pandemics occurred in 1918-19, 1957-58, and 1968-69.

The flu pandemic of 1918-19 killed upwards of 40 million people. No doubt, society did not have the tools nor understanding to stop the plague. However, if ever there was an argument for immune debilitation, it’s war weariness.

Almost every author who writes about this flu pandemic notes the fact the world was at war. But, that was not a mere footnote. It was a major contributor to society’s incapacity to restrain, much less stop the flu plague.

War brings unique circumstances, to say the least. War brings a strain to everything including the immune capacity of the survivors. If flu occurs in compromised immune systems, war guarantees the stress and deprivation which is often the prelude to plague:

” soldiers live in horrid conditions and return to a disrupted life but the effect on their immune system follows them into peace time …and plague,

” loss of loved ones brings its stresses to the emotions which impacts the immune system,

” constant anxiety for soldiers and loved ones even though they return safely, brings its emotional traumas and immune system depletion,

” loss of hygienic conditions weakens resistance and breeds viral and bacterial conditions,

” depression economy brings poverty and its consequences to human quality of life,

” uncertainty of safe living conditions (bombing, terrorism, battle, mob actions)
during war takes its own toll on the body

” disrupted economies, making recovery long, difficult and uncertain,

” work hours longer and work conditions harsher, pay less,

” crime, destruction, barbarism frightening or actual,

” whole economies perish, trade and commerce uncertain,

” political uncertainties,

” peace often brings more severe dislocation and hardship (this was especially the case after World War I),

” all populations suffer nutritional deprivation, with few exceptions

When flu strikes after such conditions, scientists often misjudge the fact that the victims, deemed “healthy”, really were compromised terribly throughout the war and peace time consequences. The generation, which was victimized by the “Spanish flu” of 1918-1919, was in the age range of 15 - 35 … the very age which includes:

” soldiers,

” single parents,

” factory workers,

” teens called upon to assume unusual responsibilities on the home front

” workers in their prime, needed on all fronts…

” medical and other service personnel exposed to a constant need for their services,

Their “after the war” physical let down is almost reminiscent of what happens to people after particularly long periods of stress…They fall prey to flu, colds, and infection.

Why the flu? To answer that question, consider the physical impact upon athletes from their workouts.

It is now known that after a heavy workout, whatever other benefits accrue to the body, there is one clear draw back. The oxidized radicals thus formed take the body several days to get over… leaving the body open to radical damage and some internal harm. (See my article: “Antioxidants, Free Radicals, and Sports Nutrition”

New research suggests glyconutritional supplementation taken before, during, and especially after workouts helps the body get over the radical burden in a matter of hours, not days.

Now, if recent research shows that athletic stress takes days to get over, often leaving damage to organs and tissues in its wake (especially if it is a habitual practice), why are we surprised at the massive flu fall out following the First World War - a war which was worldwide in its scope, as was the flu pandemic which followed it?

Perhaps, before we consider avian flu in the second article, we should realize there is strong scientific testimony that recognizes glyconutrition is a way to prepare and deal with the onset of deadly flu…and potentially other pandemic possibilities.

Read the following testimony before Congress when doing further research on flu, avian or otherwise.

“In instances of unusual, epidemic, or virulent infectious agent exposure, glyconutrient supplementation has been found effective for enhancing general immune functions and defense. When supplied at higher levels than available in nature, sugars needed for cellular synthesis can take innate defense systems to a much higher level that are effective against infectious agents.”

-Dr. H. Reginald McDaniel, “Comprehensive Medical Care for Bioterrorism Exposure”
Congressional Hearing, November 14, 2001
(emphasis ours)

About the Author
Dr. Robert Gamble is retired from a very successful medical/surgical career spanning three decades. He is now active in researching medical issues such as glyconutrition… and offers his insights for public benefit. For information about Glyconutrition: www.glycoshare.com or write NetPublish@myarticleannouncer.com Call Toll Free: 1866.735.5871

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Here’s food for thought! Did you know the average restaurant meal has over 1,000 calories? That’s enough to blow any healthy eating plan. Fortunately, by following a few simple guidelines, you can dine out without having to sacrifice good taste and nutrition.

1. Avoid ordering an appetizer. It’s a little known fact that some appetizers have more calories and fat than the main course. Plus, many appetizers are fried and served with heavy sauces which will add to your intake of saturated fat as well as trans fats and calories. It’s not a healthy way to start your meal.

2. Say “yes” to salad. Salad is a healthy eater’s best friend. Not only will it fill you up so you’ll consume fewer calories overall, but it will also give you a hefty dose of antioxidants which are heart healthy. Be sure to ask your waitress to hold the croutons and cheese which will further reduce your caloric load. Also, choose your dressing wisely. Avoid cream based dressings and go for the vinegar based ones. You also have the option of using vinegar and olive oil which is heart healthy.

3. Make the right entree selection. Go for broiled and grilled rather than fried. Not only will you save calories and fat grams, you’ll also avoid trans fats which are so prevalent in fried foods. Instead, consider asking for a doubles order of vegetables with your entree. Very few Americans are getting the 7-9 servings of fruits and vegetables recommended for optimal health. Plus, by avoiding the starch, you’ll be reducing your caloric and carbohydrate load. Also, stick to tomato based sauces rather than cream based and you’ll enjoy a considerable calorie savings. Lastly, ask for the sauce to be served in a separate dish on the side so you can control the amount you eat.

4. Think about what you’re drinking with your meal. By not ordering an alcoholic beverage, you’ve saved yourself a considerable number of calories. Try sipping iced tea sweetened with a noncaloric sweetener, a diet soft drink, or water with lemon. You’ll be glad you did when you consider the calorie savings.

5. Indulge your sweet tooth wisely. Many of the chain restaurants now offer a low fat or low carbohydrate dessert selection such as a low carb cheesecake. These are wise choices for the health conscious eater and still allow you to end the meal on a sweet note. If a healthy dessert option isn’t available, try a cup of coffee with skim milk to help satiate your desire for something sweet.

6. Learn to control your portions. Many restaurants are serving larger quantities of food than in the past. If this is the case, put aside a portion of your entree at the beginning of the meal to take home with you. If you remove it from your plate before you start eating, you’ll be less tempted to overindulge.

By following these steps, you can make your dining experiences not only healthy, but enjoyable. Your heart will thank you!

Geri Stogsdill is a freelance writer specializing in healthy lifestyle information. For more about living a healthy lifestyle and healthy eating tips, visit www.foryourhealthinfo.com.

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VoIP undoubtedly has had an influence on the way many people use their phone icluding how long they spend on it. It would also be accurate to say the emergence of VoIP technology also got some of the Telecoms giants hot under the collar. So is VoIP the future? Will fixed landlines become an archaic symbol of yesteryear?. It seems that there are several barriers which when looked at together, may possible prove insurmountable. For this reason I will suggest that far from being an unstoppable force, perhaps VoIP has had its day.

It’s becoming increasingly evident that something being hugely popular and used my millions of people doesn’t necessarily mean that it will make any money. This has been exemplified with both Skype and Facebook as they struggle to find a way of successfully monetizing themselves. The problem with Skype as with other VoIP operators is the strange nature of the relationship with the incumbent telecoms operators. Much in the same way as a parasite is dependent on its host for survival, so too VoIP operators find themselves at the behest of the Telecoms giants whose networks they need for survival.

Lack of any physical infrastructure poses a big hurdle for VoIP operators, where the competitive nature of the market has also meant prices are tending towards zero. To attract any outside capital or investment, any potential investor needs something more to invest in than the purely the brand. As is the case with some mobile VoIP operators such as the fledgling mobile VoIP operator Truphone having some proprietary technology of their own has meant they have been able to get hold of funding. However without being able to generate a sizeable income the likelihood they will be able to build their own network is a distant prospect.

It was only recently that T-Mobile took action against Truphone illustrating VoIP operators’ vulnerability. In this instance the courts took action to prevent T-Mobile from barring calls to numbers which had been attributed to Truphone which perhaps can be seen as a ray of hope for the future of flexing of the muscles of Hutchison Wampoa, which owns the 3 networks has been more successful, effectively removing the possibility of widely available Wi-Fi, arguably signalling the end for Skype.

How things will develop remains to be seen but it seems like the incumbent telecom operators may just be starting to fight back.

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