Sugar and Salt might look so harmless, basic, or essential. Yet any rapid increase in their presence can affect everything and become worrisome.
SUGAR
Sugar in the form of glucose supplies the body with energy. However, we don’t need to eat any sugar, because our bodies can convert carbohydrates and even fat and protein, if necessary to glucose. Although fruits, vegetables, and dairy products naturally contain some sugars, those sugars are “packaged” with vitamins, minerals, and fiber and are released slowly into the blood.
Consuming excessive amounts of sugars increases the risk of tooth decay and unhealthy weight gain. You can reduce your sugar intake by limiting the consumption of sugary snacks, candies, and sugar-sweetened beverages.
It is also advised to check your blood glucose levels regularly and you can find the devices used here.
“Too much sugar can cause insulin resistance, obesity and diabetes,”
SALT
Salt is different from sugar. Salt (sodium chloride) is the largest supplier of sodium in the diet. Sodium has many important biological functions transmitting nerve impulses, contracting and relaxing muscle fibers, and maintaining proper fluid balance.
In healthy people, the kidneys regulate the body’s sodium level by getting rid of any excess. But if there’s too much sodium in the bloodstream, the kidneys may not be able to keep up. Then excess sodium in the blood pulls out water from the cells into the bloodstream. As the heart works harder to pump the extra volume of blood through the arteries, the blood pressure rises. Check your blood pressure regularly using blood pressure measuring devices.
“Salt in excess can cause water gain and high blood pressure, which can lead to heart failure, heart attack, and stroke.”
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Disclaimer: Please note that this information should not take the place of your doctor’s advice. Victory drugs Pharmacy is not liable for any action you take as a result of reading this article.
Your heart works very hard for you everyday of your life without a break. The least you could do is to show some love by taking good care of it. but how can you take care of it??? It is simply by making few changes in your lifestyle and habits. A few simple swaps can make all the difference or even eliminating a few risk factors to improve your heart health can reap many benefits. We would be discussing few tips that can help maintain a healthy heart.
Ingredients for a healthy HEART
Healthy Eating
Healthy eating for a healthy heart is a pattern. It doesn’t focus on one type of food or nutrient, but rather on what you eat over days, weeks and months. This style of eating is naturally low in saturated and trans fats, salt and added sugar. It’s rich in wholegrains, fibre, antioxidants and unsaturated fats. A healthy diet can help reduce your risk of developing coronary heart disease and stop you gaining weight, reducing your risk of diabetes and high blood pressure. Everyone should aim for a well balanced diet. A well-balanced diet should include at least 5 portions of fruits and vegetables a day.
Stay Active
Too tired to exercise?
Think again! To strengthen your heart muscle, you should engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise on most days. If you can’t do all 30 minutes at once, do 10 minutes at a time. Brisk walking, swimming, or cycling are especially good for your heart. Your heart is a muscle, and it gets stronger and healthier if you have an active life. It’s never too late to start exercising!!! Step counters would also be very helpful for physical exercise.
Get enough sleep
Sleep is an essential part of keeping a healthy heart.. If you don’t sleep enough, you may be at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease no matter your age or other health habits.
Quit smoking
Smoking is one of the main causes of cardiovascular disease http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/smo Smokers are almost twice as likely to have a heart attack as those who have never smoked. Nicotine from cigarette not only damages the lining of your arteries but also reduces the amount of oxygen in your blood, and raises your blood pressure. You can also discuss with your healthcare professional on options that can help quit smoking. Smoking does more harm than good!!
Be Happy, Keep Calm and Reduce Stress !!
It’s been proven that stress, anger, anxiety, and depression can keep your blood pressure high and increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, and other illnesses. Stress can play a huge role in your heart health. Increased stress releases cortisol and adrenaline, which elevates blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Stress-related behaviors can also negatively affect your health, causing you to smoke more, drink more, overeat, and be physically inactive. All these behaviors will contribute negatively to your heart health.
Limit Alcohol
Alcohol can affect your heart by causing high blood pressure. Drinking too much alcohol also causes abnormal heart rhythms, damage to the heart muscle and other diseases such as stroke, liver problems and some cancers.
Cut down on salt
If you have a diet high in salt, it’s likely that your blood pressure would be high too. That means you have an increased risk of suffering from heart disease or stroke. The recommended maximum daily intake of salt is just 6g (1 level teaspoon) for adults and 3g for children (2.5g of salt is the equivalent of 1g of sodium). and so, cut down by trying not to use any salt at all at the table and reduce how much you use in cooking. Also, keep an eye on food labels to check how much salt you’re eating in processed foods.
Making changes like these takes time and a lot of effort. But think about the progress, not perfection. And reward yourself for every positive step you take. Ask your friends and family to support you and join in, too. Your heart’s future will be better for it!
“Heart disease let’s defeat, Keep a healthy Heartbeat”
Lastly, drop a comment, share your experience and let us know what you think! Contact our pharmacist via phone or WhatsApp with the following numbers:
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We Love You.
Disclaimer: Please note that this information should not take the place of your doctor’s advice. Victory drugs is not liable for any action you take as a result of reading this article
Have you ever wondered if your liver is healthy or not? If it’s full of toxins or working well enough to perform its functions. If you have not thought about it before, then this is for you.
What is the Liver?
The liver is the largest solid organ in the human body. it is of two different types of gland. It is a secretory gland because it has a specialized structure that is designed to allow it make and secrete bile into the bile ducts. It is also an endocrine gland, because it makes and secretes chemicals directly into the blood that have effects on other organs in the body. The liver is a digestive organ that produces bile. Bile is a fluid that aids in digestion and absorption of fats as well as carries waste products into the intestine. The fun fact about the liver is that it is your body’s largest solid organ.
What does the liver do?
Elimination of harmful substances
It eliminates by metabolizing or secreting the potentially harmful biochemical products produced by the body, such as bilirubin from the breakdown of old red blood cells and ammonia from the breakdown of proteins.
Detoxification
It detoxifies by clearing the blood of drugs and other poisonous substances such as alcohol and environmental toxins.
Conversion of sugar
Conversion of excess glucose into glycogen for storage (glycogen can later be converted back to glucose for energy) and to balance and make glucose as needed.
Bile Production
Production of bile, which helps carry away waste and break down fats in the small intestine during digestion. Bile acids aids in the intestinal absorption of fats and the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K.
Blood reservoir
Because the liver is an expandable organ, large quantities of blood can be stored in its blood vessels. Thus, the liver is capable of acting as a valuable blood reservoir in times of excess blood volume and capable of supplying extra blood in times of diminished blood volume.
Cholesterol synthesis
The liver plays several roles in lipid metabolism: it performs cholesterol synthesis, lipogenesis and the production of triglycerides and a bulk of the body’s lipoproteins are synthesized in the liver.
When taking these factors into consideration, it is easy to see how important the liver is to a person’s health. Then, just imagine if it is not being taken care off or if we keep bombarding it with a lot of poisonous substances.
What diseases can develop in the liver?
There are so many diseases that can affect the liver and its functions. Some have successful treatments while others do not. Examples of the most common conditions that affect the liver include:
Autoimmune disorder
Autoimmune disorder causes the body’s immune system to attack itself and destroy healthy liver tissue. Autoimmune hepatitis can lead to cirrhosis and other liver damage.
Cirrhosis
It refers to scarring that results from liver diseases and other causes of liver damage, such as alcohol use disorder. Cystic fibrosis and syphilis may also lead to liver damage and eventually, cirrhosis.
Cancer
Liver cancer first develops in the liver. If cancer starts elsewhere in the body but spreads to the liver, it’s called secondary liver cancer. The most common type of liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma. It tends to develop as several small spots of cancer in your liver, though it can also start as a single tumor. Complications of other liver diseases, especially those that aren’t treated, may contribute to the development of liver cancer.
Hepatitis
Hepatitis is a viral infection of the liver. It causes inflammation and damage, making it difficult for your liver to function as it should.
All types of hepatitis are contagious but you can reduce your risk by getting vaccinated for types A and B or taking other preventive steps, including practicing safe sex and not sharing needles.
There are five types of hepatitis:
Hepatitis A is typically spread through contact with contaminated food or water. Symptoms may clear up without treatment, but recovery can take a few weeks.
Hepatitis B can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term). It is spread through bodily fluids, such as blood and semen. While hepatitis B is treatable, there is no cure for it. Early treatment is key to avoiding complications, so it is best to get regular screenings if you are at risk.
Hepatitis C can also be acute or chronic. It is often spread through contact with blood from someone with hepatitis C. While it often does not cause symptoms in its early stages, it can lead to permanent liver damage in its later stages.
Hepatitis D is a serious form of hepatitis that only develops in people with hepatitis B, it can’t be contracted on its own. It can also be either acute or chronic.
Hepatitis E is usually caused by drinking contaminated water. Generally, it clears up on its own within a few weeks without any lasting complications.
How To Keep Your Liver Healthy
Some lifestyle changes that can help you have a healthy liver includes;
Get vaccinated for hepatitis A and hepatitis B
Practice safe sex with a condom and avoid multiple sex partners.
Don’t share needles or personal care items (razors, toothbrushes, etc.)
Exercise regularly.
Talk to your doctor about any medications you’re taking as they may affect your liver.
Limit the amount of alcohol you consume because it takes a lot for your liver to breakdown the toxins from alcohol.
Maintain a healthy diet with fiber and fatty fishes.
If you are not doing any of these, you need to start doing things differently. Keeping your liver healthy should be one of your priorities.
Lastly, drop a comment, share your experience and let’s know what you think. Contact us via phone or whatsapp with the following numbers:
08094289951 Sola
08094289944 Gbenga
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Stay safe.
Disclaimer: Please note that this information should not take the place of your doctor’s advice.
Oral hygiene is very important to one’s personal health. Poor oral hygiene results in poor dental and medical challenges such as gum diseases, infections, stroke, bone loss and more. A bad set of teeth as a result of lack of good oral hygiene affects one’s confidence. Also, this affects one’s social life like missing out on social events and even taking of pictures without a smile.
We should all ensure good oral health as it is an essential aspect of good health being for a quality lifestyle. Daily brushing and flossing help the body’s natural defenses in keeping bacteria in the mouth under control. However, poor hygiene can result in these bacteria getting to levels that cause oral infections like tooth decay and gum diseases.
WAYS TO KEEP A STRONG AND HEALTHY TEETH.
Proper Brushing Technique.
Place your brush at a 45-degree angle to your gums and use short back and forth strokes across the sides and top of your teeth. Then, hold the brush vertically and use several shorter strokes to focus on the backs of your teeth of the front anterior teeth where plaque builds up often. Brush the outer surfaces of the teeth using a back-and-forth, up-and-down motion, making sure to be done gently to avoid bleeding. Make sure you brush the surfaces of your tongue and the roof of your mouth to remove bacteria, which might cause bad breath.
Floss regularly.
Flossing can remove plaque and bacteria from between the teeth, where a toothbrush is unable to reach. It can also help prevent bad breath by removing debris and food that are trapped between the teeth. Flossing allows you to reach deep between your teeth where the toothbrush bristles cannot reach or even mouthwash cannot wash away.
Use mouth wash.
Mouthwash containing Listerine or chlorine dioxide is very helpful because it helps to kill and maintain the bacteria in your mouth. It can help maintain good breath as well as help maintain strong teeth. It is recommended that you use a mouthwash and swish with it for a minimum of one minute after you are done brushing and flossing.
Change your toothbrush.
The bristles of your brush will deteriorate the more you use it. That is why you might not get the best clean if you use the same toothbrush for more than a few months. With that, you need to replace your toothbrush on a regular basis. The general guideline is to get a new brush every 3-4 months but if not, you can change your brush every 6 months. That ensures your teeth stay healthy and clean.
Stop eating snacks all the time.
Are you the type of person that hungers for a midnight snack? If so, make sure to brush again afterward. If you don’t brush after meal, food particles and sugar will stay on your teeth. Allowing the food debris to stay for too long makes the bacteria feed on it. If you maintain this bad habit for a long period of time, you will develop cavities. That is why you should lessen or eliminate midnight snacks to prevent tooth decay.
Consider calcium supplements.
You need plenty of calcium for your teeth. It is essential for the teeth as well as your bones. It is advised to drink milk, fortified orange juice and to eat yogurt, broccoli, cheese, and other dairy products. You can also take a calcium supplement, taking different doses according to your age and necessity as per prescription. Calcium and Vitamin D are necessary for maintaining the health of gums and teeth.
Visit your dentist for check-up.
Visit your dentist at least twice a year to have a full hygiene dental checkup. During such visits, a comprehensive examination is taken to help detect and prevent future dental problems from occurring.
Avoid smoking cigarette and tobacco.
Stop smoking! It will save you from oral cancer and periodontal complications. Also, it will save you from the countless ill effects of the agents used to mask the smell of tobacco. For example, if you smoke a cigarette, you may use candies, tea or coffee to mask the smoky breath and odor. This doubles the amount of damage caused.
Good oral hygiene should be part of your daily health routine Follow the above tips and make sure you practice and keep to them everyday to keep your mouth cavity free. There are many mouth and gum diseases that you can prevent with proper dental hygiene. That is why you need to set aside a few minutes each day to improve your teeth with brushing and flossing.
” So start right here .. check out these products for adults and kids that you can use to keep your teeth healthy.
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We would love to attend to all your needs and concerns.
Lastly, drop a comment, share your experience and let’s know what you think. Contact us via phone or WhatsApp with the following numbers:
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Disclaimer: Please note that this information should not take the place of your doctor’s advice.
This is not so a fun fact: Just one 473-ml can (less than a 50cl bottle) of soda contains 52 grams (about 10 level teaspoons) of sugar. This equates to more than 10% of your daily calorie consumption, based on a 2,000-calorie diet. This means that one sugary drink a day can already put you over the recommended daily limit for added sugar.
OK! I didn’t mean to start like that, but I am here to add to your knowledge.
Sugar is one of the most common ingredients in our foods and unfortunately, it is addictive and tastes way too good. Even those few ‘saints’ who refrain from adding extra sugar in their teas and coffees are likely still consuming more sugar than they should in their diets despite being weary. Why? Because sugar is in most of the foods we eat, especially processed foods. So, the fact that people are consuming too much sugar often unknowingly can lead to some serious health issues.
HARMFUL EFFECTS OF SUGAR ON THE BODY
Too much sugar results in weight gain and obesity.
Studies and research suggest that people who drink more sodas, beverages, and fruit juices weigh more than those who don’t. This is because of fructose (HFCS) found in processed foods. It leads to a condition called leptin resistance. this is where leptin, a hunger regulating hormone that signals the brain to stop eating does not respond, thereby leading to weight gain. Though genetics also has its hand in weight gain and obesity, a typical modern diet that involves the consumption of refined sugars has become the major cause! I mean, chubby kids are cute, but this is too much. Obesity is not a joke and has several severe implications on their mental and physical health.
Sugar accelerates ageing process.
Collagen, a protein found in our tissues, is majorly responsible for the maintenance of the skin’s elasticity. Collagen production declines as we age, resulting in the formation of wrinkles. Collagen can get damaged at an early age due to the consumption of sugars because sugars produce certain harmful compounds when combined with proteins in the bloodstream. The combination of collagen with sugar causes the skin to lose elasticity and leads to premature aging.
It Causes Tooth Cavities
Occasional consumption of sugars does not cause cavities because the temporary damage is repaired by itself. However, excess, and continuous consumption of sweetened foods causes the bacteria in the mouth to react with sugars from the drinks/eatables, which results in the formation of acids which damage the teeth, thereby resulting in cavities. Cavities are caused by damaged or weakened tooth enamel. Unfortunately, cavities cannot be cured but can only be prevented. So, cut down on the sugar and try to at the very least make sure you floss and brush your teeth twice daily, so it does not sit in your teeth.
Sugar can weaken your immune system
This is because certain bacteria love to feed on glucose (such as bacteria and yeast). Therefore when there is too much sugar in your system you are essentially creating the ideal breeding ground for diseases.
Effects of Sugar on the Brain
Aside depression and inflammation, sugars can also increase your cravings, compelling you to have more. Moreover, sugar addiction can be as intense as the addiction to drugs and alcohol. Studies and research suggest that sugar addiction can be worse than cocaine addiction. Sugar is so addictive that sugar withdrawal can cause symptoms like insomnia, bloating, headaches, anxiety, lethargy, nausea, and chills. Consuming more than the recommended sugar intake may also cause cognitive disabilities like loss of memory and inability to be attentive and focused.
Can Sugar Cause Diabetes?
Most of us are surprised with the question, right? Can consuming a lot of sugar during early stages of life cause diabetes? The short answer is Yes! But there are other factors like lifestyle and genetics which play a major role in the outset of the disease. Sugars cause resistance to insulin which is the hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. Also, excess sugar consumption can lead to obesity which is one of the risk factors for the development of type-2 diabetes.
Sugar Increases Risk of Certain Types of Cancers
Excess sugar consumption is not directly related to the possibility of cancer occurrence, but it may cause obesity which raises cancer risk. Also, excess sugar consumption causes chronic inflammation, a condition that is characterized by a continuous change in the cells which may eventually cause DNA damage, thereby resulting in cancer. Studies and research suggest that added sugar consumption may increase the risk of endometrial cancer, esophageal cancer, pleural cancer, and cancer related to the small intestine.
The main point is that too much of ANYTHING can be really bad for you. It is possible that you can even overdose on water, surprised? Sugar is, definitely, one of those things that you should pay extra careful attention to. There are some replacements for sugar, you can even substitute sugar with honey or dates powder in your tea and coffee, not only does it taste really nice but it is also healthy. You may want to consider a natural appetite suppressant or natural sweeteners like dates powders. A great sugar alternative are dates, you can get them nicely packaged like this…. https://victorydrugs.com.ng/product/green-finites-date-powder-200g/
Lastly, drop a comment, share your experience and let’s know what you think! Contact us via phone or whatsapp with the following numbers:
08094289951
08094289944
Or chat with us by touching the green circular icon at the bottom right corner of your screen.
Stay safe!
Disclaimer: Please note that this information should not take the place of your doctor’s advice.
