Category: Family health

Posted in Family health, health

Sunscreen ingredients to avoid

Posted on by M Artisans

It is a must for endowarriors to take time and read every label both in food and skincare. And I think it’s also pertinent for healthy individuals to read labels as there are many chemicals that can cause diseases like cancer and cell damage.

Unfortunately, majority of sunscreens on the market today are more harmful than beneficial according to Huffpost. Sunscreens are designed to decrease your risk of skin cancer and allow you to enjoy the sun without worry. Modern day sunscreens have ingredients that may increase your risk of cancer and disrupt the functioning of your hormones.

Photo by Kampus Production on Pexels.com

The chemical oxybenzone permeates the skin, enters the bloodstream and imitates estrogen in the body. It can activate allergic reactions along with another harmful ingredient – retinyl palmitate.

Chemical suncreens that are potentially harmful to our health (in order of toxicity from highest to lowest);

  • benzene
  • oxybenzone
  • octinoxate
  • homosalate
  • octisalate
  • octocrylene
  • avobenzone

News of famous brands recalling their sunscreen were in several sites recently. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention routinely detects oxybenzone in more than 96 percent of the American population. Study participants who reported using sunscreen have higher oxybenzone exposures (Zamoiski 2015).

Experst suggest to avoid sunscreens with chemicals mentioned above and prefer mineral sunscreens as it is said to be safer. Mineral or Physical sunscreens like titanium dioxide and iron oxide are the ingredients to look for in a good sunscreen.

Sharing the sunscreen products I have been using lately, still it’s to your discretion to be mindful of these carcinogenic warnings. Please know that this post is not a paid ad. These products use physical or mineral sunscreen thus avoiding exposure to carcinogenic chemicals like benzene.

  • Axis-Y Complete No-stress Physical Sunscreen SPF-50+ Pa++++
  • Frudia Green Cooling Sun gel
  • Dr. G Green Mild Sun SPF50+PA++++

Stay safe and healthy ❤

Posted in Family health, health, health & fitness

Why do you need B-Vitamins?

Posted on by M Artisans

B-Vitamins are water soluble vitamins.

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamins/vitamin-b/

B-Vitamins or B Complex are essential vitamins that contribute to your overall health and well-being. There are eight B Vitamins – B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyroxidine), B9 (Folate), B12 (cobalamin).

These eight micronutrients play vital roles in many organs and bodily systems. They have dual functions – work together and/or carry out individual works in the body.

  • essential in synthesis of neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine, serotonin & dopamine
  • cellular health
  • blood cell formation
  • converts fats to glucose
  • promote energy levels
  • good eyesight
  • brain function
  • nerve conduction
  • fats and hormone synthesis
  • cardiovascular health
  • muscle tone

In women

B vitamins are essentially important for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Particularly Folic Acid – that aids in fetal development and prevent birth defects.

Folic acid fortification is one of the most successful public health initiatives. With 19-55% decreased in neural tube defects.

And for expectant mothers, B vitamins may boost energy levels, ease nausea, and lower the risk of developing preeclampsia.

In men

B vitamins help in testosterone levels in men that decrease with age. Helps in muscles and overall energy level.

In vegetarians/vegans

American Dietetic Association recommends Vitamin B12 in particular. Since Vitamin B12 is mainly found in animal products, fish, meat and poultry.

How much B vitamins do you need?

For women, the recommended daily intake is:

For men, the recommended daily intake is:

One cannot single out which B vitamin is the best because each has its own unique function and purpose. Depending on our body condition and pre-existing illness or nutritional levels, we may or may not be able to meet the daily requirements of B vitamins.

Best to talk to your trusted doctor, dietitian or health care provider.

Posted in Family health, health

Household products that can kill Corona Virus

Posted on by M Artisans

Stores are running out of alcohol and sanitizers as supply came short while demand continues to escalate. You may worry how to disinfect your home and protect your family in the absence of these two, so read this article for some tips.

Corona Virus like any other viruses, is easy to kill. Just use the right product, follow the recommended usage and bid adios to corona!

Common household products that you can use;

Soap and water

It is the most effective among all products and can literally wash away this pesky virus. FYI, anti-bacterial soap is only effective against bacteria not viruses.

Bleach

CDC or The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends one part concentrated bleach to 3 parts water – diluted solution against virus disinfection. Well known brands of bleach available in the Philippines are: Zonrox, Clorox, Ajax, Domex, etc. (I’m not being paid for this haha 😅)

Hydrogen Peroxide

According to the CDC, hydrogen peroxide (3%) is a powerful disinfectant that deactivates rhinovirus. Rhinovirus is the virus that causes common cold. And is much tougher to destroy than Corona Virus. That means hydrogen peroxide is one mighty killer!

Multi-surface Cleanser Sprays

Mainly use on hard surfaces like kitchen counters, tiles, toilet. This is my go-to cleanser next to bleach and hydrogen peroxide. Just spray and wipe with clean cloth or tissue, make sure to discard the tissue after use.

There you go, wishing everyone to stay healthy and corona virus free!

Thanks for reading! 😊

Posted in Family health, health

Alcohol vs. Hand Sanitizer

Posted on by M Artisans

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strongly recommends frequent handwashing as one of measures to protect yourself from Covid-19 and stop the spread of it. This pandemic has been wrecking havoc across the globe.

But what if there’s no soap and water available and access seems impossible? Having rubbing alcohol or sanitizers are instant savers.

Here’s what you need to know about these two;

Alcohol

Variations: Ethanol/ Ethyl, Isopropyl, Propanol

Pros: It is a fast-acting disinfectant. Kills 99% of microbes, bacteria and viruses and has been the most popular first-aid or disinfectant in medical facilities such as hospitals

Cons: Flammable, drying and unfriendly to skin

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Hand Sanitizer (alcohol based)

I am biased to this one and prefers bringing a tiny bottle in my purse.

Variations: Scented and unscented

Pros: Skin friendly because it’s partly gel & moisturizer, effective in killing most bacterias and viruses

Cons: Must contain at least 60% alcohol to be effective and must be used properly and with sufficient amount for effectivity

Hope this is helpful. Remember nothing beats handwashing. Let us fight Covid-19 together!

Stay Safe everyone!

Posted in Family health, health, life

What is Social Distancing

Posted on by M Artisans

Social Distancing – is one of the measures we are now using to stop or slow down the spread of Covid-19.

Since Covid-19 is a highly contagious disease that can be transferred via close droplet transmission. Measures include limiting large groups of people coming together and canceling events that would gather a crowd.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended against any gatherings of 50 or more people over the next eight weeks, in an effort to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

Many schools, libraries, universities, places of worship, and sporting and cultural institutions have also shut down for the next few weeks.

These measures are an attempt to enforce distance between people, a proven way to slow pandemics.

Experts advised maintaining at least 3 feet or 1 meet away from each other

Experts have also been urging people to practice voluntary “social distancing.”  And term is now trending all over Social Media.

Sharing is Caring. Let us do our part and fight Covid-19.

Posted in Family health, health, health & fitness, natural medicine

the Best Anti-Inflammatories you should eat

Posted on by M Artisans

Inflammation is our body’s natural response as discussed in previous post – What are food – inflammatories? 

Here, we will talk about the best foods that fight inflammation.

 Whether you are an endo-sufferer or simply health-conscious, you will get some helpful recommendations in this post.

Nowadays, people get sick easily and there more cases of cancer, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Also known as modern-day metabolic diseases. My grandmother rarely falls ill because in their time they’re taught to eat veggies and fish.

Stress, environmental toxins, pandemic lack of sleep, unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyle can all contribute to inflammation.

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of good nutrition. 

Even the bible have spoken a lot about it. “He gives food to every creature, His love endures forever.” – Psalm 136:25

As promised here are the best anti-inflammatory foods;

  • green leafy vegetables

  • fruits like anti-oxidant rich berries

  • herbs and spices including turmeric, cinnamon, etc. 

  • spirulina

  • fish

  • whole grains

  • nuts

assorted vegetable lot
Pexels.com

*Broccoli is an example of cruciferous vegetables. It is highly nutritious and is rich in sulforaphane – an anti oxidant and anti-inflammatory that fights inflammation by reducing levels of cytokines and NF-kb. Sulforaphane is a sulfur-containing compound that gives it a bitter bite. Another superfood is spinach. No wonder it’s the favorite of popeye 🙂 Spinach is packed with anti-inflammatory carotenoids – pigments that give them it’s color (1,2)

*Fruits like berries are packed with anti-oxidants, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Berries have anthocyanins which are effective anti-inflammatories and improve immunity. Polyphenols reduce the risk of chronic metabolical diseases and give the fruit its beautiful bright colors. (3)

abundance agriculture bananas batch
Pexels.com

*Fish is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, EPA & DHA. Great choices are wild salmon, sardines, herring, mackerel and anchovies. Omega-3 is mentioned in what to do when you have both endometriosis & adenomyosis (4)

 

close up cooking cuisine delicious
Pexels.com

*Whole grains are considered whole foods. Our stomach digest grains slowly, thereby minimising sudden spikes in blood sugar that promote inflammation. They are also a good source of magnesium. (5)

 

brown nut lot
Pexels.com

*Amino acid tryptophan on nuts lower pain sensitivity and examples of nuts are almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts and so on. High in omega-3 fatty acids, some of the phytonutrients in walnuts are hard to find in other foods. (6)

 

almond nut organic unshelled
Pexels.com

Spirulina, turmeric and other herbals will be separately discussed in future post.

This type of assortment is very similar to a Mediterranean diet, while others call it Paleo diet. According to Harvard studies, chronic inflammation has been strongly linked to cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, depression and Alzheimer’s.

Best way to fight inflammation is with a healthy diet. 

 

Articles:

https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/health-topics/nutrition

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-eating/healthy-eating.htm

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/foods-that-fight-inflammation

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18541602