Page 22 - Florida Sentinel 10-7-16 Online Edition

Health
Even if you eat a healthy diet and work out reg- ularly, there’s no guarantee you’ll have the energy you want.
In fact, some studies report that more than 80 percent of Americans struggle with fatigue and low energy.
If you’ve had this same thought (or woken up and needed two cups of coffee just to get going), just know that you’re not alone, and it’s not your fault.
Due to soil depletion (from over-farming and other unhealthy farming practices), many of the fruits, vegetables and meats we eat don’t have the same nutritional power they did even 50 years ago. Therefore, it’s tough to get the energy we need from our diets.
And while eating right, sleeping enough and exercising is critical to your overall health, today we must take additional steps to keep our energy levels high and keep performing at our best.
Consuming more super greens and superfoods is the key. In combination, superfoods and super greens can deliver profound changes in health, energy and performance.
The second key reason why you might not high energy levels? Because you’re deficient in specific nutrients!
Many energy-rich nutrients are all but zapped from our foodstuffs thanks to the toxic world we live in today.
[ Juicing Raw, Organic Vegetables ]
One way to start getting vital nutrients in your body is by juicing. Drinking raw organic vegetable juice has incredible health benefits. It’s been shown to naturally detoxify your body at a cellu- lar level and bring more nutrients into your cells.
By consuming raw, organic vegetable juices, your energy levels can return to the highest levels possible.
They may all have bristles and handles, but all tooth- brushes are not created equal. The same way each per-
son’s teeth and mouth are different, it’s important to choose the right toothbrush for YOUR dental needs. Having the right tool in hand (literally) is necessary to keep your teeth gleaming white, and to prevent disease causing inflammation and bacteria.
It is called the “silent epidemic”. Dental and oral diseases bur- dens millions of children and adults throughout the United States, especially Black people.
Periodontal disease is the most common cause of tooth loss among adults and neglecting your oral health is linked to every- thing from heart disease to dementia.
Use the tips below to “brush up” on your toothbrush anatomy and invest in a better brush. It could be a tooth-sav- ing and life-saving buy!
Size
Larger brush heads can be tricky to reach those hard-to- reach spots in the back of the mouth, and miss plaque be- tween the teeth. You have the right size head “if it can fit comfortably and clean all the way around your last molar.”
Shape
Which is better? The traditional manual brush with the square head, or an electric brush with the round, otating head? If you’re using the correct brushing technique, many dentists say they can both be effective. However, brushes with round, rotating heads (like those used during professional cleanings) removed 11 percent more plaque. Some dentists recommend that people with narrow jaws use a brush that’s tapered at the head. Ask your dentist for their professional recommendation based on your teeth.
Handle
These days, toothbrushes come with all types of fancy ridges and designs for comfort and cuteness. You may find them easier to hold, but otherwise, they really don’t affect how well you brush.
Bristles
Soft, medium and hard are the usual options, but you should go with soft or extra soft if available. “Many people mistakenly believe that hard-bristle brushes do a more thorough job, but the opposite is true.
Hard bristles don’t bend well and people who brushed with stiffer bristles experienced more gum bleeding (Note: bleeding gums are ALWAYS a sign you need to see your den- tist).
Here is a list of foods that are leaving you lethargic and beyond tired:
Listen. There’s more sugar in a 6-oz container of fat-free
yogurt than you think – try 35 g of sugar. It’s better to eat a plain Greek yogurt with your favorite berries on top than anything else.
2. Red wine
We all love it. It’s hard to
let go. But alcohol is dehy- drating which can lead to ex- haustion and less focus. If you must have the wine, try drinking it during the day. The nightcap, which we all love, only lessens your sleep time overnight though it may help you fall asleep faster.
3. Oatmeal
There’s nothing but sugar in those instant oatmeal packages. That sugar will make you sleepy about an hour later. Opt for the plain oatmeal and top it with nuts or chia seeds. These fixings add energy instead of suck- ing the energy away.
4. Coffee
That morning cup of java is everyone’s pick-me-up. If you must have coffee, try drinking it between 10 a.m. and noon. It works better as an energy boost at that time than after 3 p.m. – which could lead to loss hours of sleep during the nighttime.
5. Energy bars
We assume that the word “energy” means these bars are right up our alley for boosts. But the added sweet- eners take away whatever energy was packed into the bar.
Make sure you grab the energy bars made from real food with good amounts of fiber and protein.
1. Fat-free flavored yogurt
PAGE 10-B FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2016