Natural Teeth Whitening

If you have had your teeth whitened by bleaching - either by your dentist or with home teeth-whitening kits - you may be able to keep them that way by eating certain foods. Dentists at Wake Forest Baptist Health say that apples, green beans, cauliflower, carrots, celery and other firm fruits and vegetables can help keep teeth white. These common produce items actually "scrub" teeth while you’re chewing and also promote the flow of saliva, which neutralizes acids and protects enamel. The best polishing foods: strawberries and oranges. Some dairy products (especially cheeses) and other foods high in calcium can also help keep teeth white. The lactic acid cheeses contain helps prevent decay, and harder cheeses also help remove food particles. If you want to keep your teeth pearly white, it’s a good idea to avoid or cut back on those exposures known to stain: blueberries, red and white wine, soy sauce, coffee, tea, soft drinks, and tobacco.

Natural Summer Medicine Chest

When enjoying the outdoors this season, be prepared to protect yourself against common summer ailments. I have found the following to be naturally effective in preventing and treating a variety of summer culprits:

Ginger: This may prevent motion sickness or other nausea.

Stinging Nettles: By far the best remedy I know for hay fever.

Arnica: The tincture of this plant can help relieve the pain and tenderness of sprains and sore muscles.

Bromelain: Promotes the healing of soft-tissue injuries, such as sprains and bruises.

Geraniol: Products made with this oil are an effective way to protect yourself from mosquitoes.

Natural Tips to Reduce Body Odor

Perspiration itself is normally odorless - it's the bacterial breakdown of sweat that causes most body odor. If you suffer from body odor, consider the following natural ways to combat it:

Splash rubbing alcohol under your arms to reduce bacteria.

Stimulant drugs, including caffeine, contribute to body odor by increasing the activity of apocrine sweat glands, special glands in hairy parts of the body that produce strong-smelling, musky secretions. Try eliminating caffeine if body odor continues to be a problem.

Most commercial underarm products contain irritating or harmful ingredients, including aluminum salts and dyes. Avoid the antiperspirant varieties - you can find better deodorant only products in health-food stores, such as those containing extracts of green tea, which is antibacterial.

4 Healthy Holiday Eating Tips

The holiday season seems to revolve around friends, family and food - and while all three are wonderful, it’s easy to overindulge in the latter. Help make this season a healthful one, with these four healthy eating tips, courtesy of Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging:

Plan your day. When you wake, think about all the gatherings and festivities you may be attending, and plan your eating around your functions. Resolve to eat healthfully and in moderation throughout the day, focusing on fresh, whole foods that are high in fiber and low in fat and calories. This will help to balance out any rich, high-calorie foods you may be served later. And don't skimp on breakfast or lunch in preparation for a holiday dinner - you'll be ravenous and prone to overindulge by the time you sit down to eat.

4 Healthy Foods for Dogs

Creating a healthful, well-rounded meal from scratch for your dog requires an understanding of your pet's nutritional needs as well as a significant investment of time. Like humans, dogs are omnivores, meaning that they eat both animal and plant foods. If you want to cook for a dog, I urge you to talk to your vet or consult with a veterinary nutritionist about the individual needs of your companion animal and how those needs change with age. You'll also want to pay close attention to how much home-cooked food your dogs should eat in order for them to maintain a healthy weight. Follow the guidelines in this and tomorrow’s Daily Tips for information on foods that dogs can eat and those they should avoid.