HealthyLifeDigest

Growing up Green, for Healthy Babies and Kids [3]

2009-05-16T04:58:00.000-07:00

Green Baby Food Care,

En route to a Greener Life,

You are what you eat.

Babies are generally programmed to eat what the parent are eating,

if the parent are eating, it must be all right, the child would know that the food is safe.

But if parent are too busy feeding their small children,

he / she is going to learn to eat what his / her neighbor is eating !

Baby Milk:

Relating to feed the babies with baby milk formulas / dairy products, a lot of confusion exists between the two adverse reactions, those are milk allergy and lactose intolerance, many people think that lactose intolerance is the same as an allergy to milk or dairy products, it is important to distinguish between the two because they are not the same, they are not even related.

I. Lactose intolerance [carbohydrate intolerance]:

Lactose or milk sugar intolerance, also called carbohydrate intolerance, is non-allergic food sensitivity and occurs due to the decrease or absence of lactase enzyme that is required to metabolize the lactose / milk sugar, it occurs when the digestive system fails to produce enough lactase enzymes to break down the lactose in milk, lactose intolerant presents with abdominal pain / cramp, bloating stomach, nausea and diarrhea, it is the most common type of carbohydrate intolerance found among adults of African, Asian, Native American or Chinese descent, it develops in children around the age of five years [kids / kindergartens] caused by the partial or the complete loss of lactase enzyme due to unknown reasons, children below the age of five [toddlers to preschoolers] who suffer from a severe attack of diarrhea or another severe illness could also develop temporary or permanent lactose intolerance. it is rare in infants and more common among older kids and adults

Symptoms of lactose intolerance:

The common symptoms of lactose intolerance range from mild to severe, they include nausea, vomiting, bloating, abdominal cramps, gas, diarrhea, weight loss and malnutrition, symptoms begin about 30 minutes to 2 hours after consuming a lactose containing product, the severity of symptoms depends on the amount of lactose containing product consumed, the degree of deficiency of lactase enzyme in the body, a person’s age, ethnicity and digestion rate, in infants and young children, a stool sample can be tested for the presence of acids and glucose in the stool, undigested lactose fermented by gastrointestinal bacteria produces lactic acid and other fatty acids that get detected in a stool sample, carbohydrates may be present in the stool indicating mal-absorption of lactose.

II. Milk allergy [protein intolerance]:
Milk allergy is an adverse reaction triggered by immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to one or more of the proteins in cow's milk, people can be allergic to either whey protein or casein protein, or both, and an allergic reaction can be caused by very small amounts of these allergen proteins in sensitive people.

Whey protein: Heat treatment, such as pasteurization, breaks whey protein [heat unstable], so people allergic to whey might not react to pasteurized milk,
Casein: casein is heat stable, so people allergic to casein will probably react to all types of milk and milk products,

most people are allergic to both the casein and whey fractions indicating that most milk-allergic people cannot tolerate boiled milk, allergy to milk may occur in any individual, young children are most commonly affected although one can develop milk allergy at any age.

Cow's milk allergy is basically an allergic reaction to one of the proteins in cow's milk that involves the immune system, milk allergy is one of the commonest food allergies in infants and young children, with 2-3% of children under three years of age allergic to cow’s milk proteins, though most of them surpass this allergy, 50% of these children seem to come out of it in the first year of life, another 25% during the second year and by 3 years of age, 80% outgrow this allergy, only a minority of them who still have cow's milk allergy at the age of three will continue to have this allergy in their adulthood, it has been found that a large number of children who are allergic to cow's milk also react to goat's milk and sheep's milk, and some are even allergic to the protein in soy milk.

Symptoms of Milk allergy:

The symptoms of milk allergy may occur within a few minutes after exposure, or after hours to several days in delayed reactions, this allergy is capable of triggering a wide array of symptoms which include GI reactions, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, gas, and heartburn; nose, ear and throat infections [runny nose], sinusitis, and coughing; and symptoms involving the skin [itchy rash, eczema]. in a very few cases, milk allergy can cause anaphylaxis.

The diagnosis of milk allergy in infants is quite straight forward in case the symptoms developed immediately after the child was put on milk formula made from modified cow's milk or soon after a person consumed milk containing food.

Medications:

avoidance of milk and milk-containing foods is the only treatment, it can be really tough as milk is a common food ingredient,

medicine such as antihistamines, may calm down signs and symptoms of a milk allergy, these drugs control an allergic reaction after exposure to milk and help relieve discomfort, other drugs, such as sodium cromoglycate / cromolyn sodium and corticosteroid drugs prevent the development of symptoms of eczema, in case of a serious allergic reaction such as anaphylaxis, a child may need an emergency injection of epinephrine and quick admission to the emergency room.

Most infants with milk allergy develop symptoms within the first few months of birth and it is usually rare for symptoms to start after the age of 12 months, the treatment of milk allergy requires complete avoidance of milk proteins, even yogurt / fermented cow milk, butter, cheese, and cream may also need to be avoided, other milk such as goat milk, sheep milk, mare milk etc. is not recommended for treatment of infants with cow milk allergy because these milks are nutritionally incomplete, are poor sources of certain vitamins [especially folic acid and vitamins B₆, B₁₂, C and D] and are only tolerated in a few infants with cow milk allergy.

If an infant suffers from milk allergy while he / she is also getting breastfeed, then it is important for the mother to restrict the amount of dairy products that she consumes because the milk protein that causes the allergic reaction can cross into the breast milk, lactating mothers may even be required to follow an elimination diet.

Hypoallergenic formula:

For formula fed infants, milk substitute formulas such as soy protein-based formula may be advised, but if the infant is intolerant to soy, it is suggested to switch to a hypoallergenic formula, in this kind of baby formula products, the proteins are already denatured into smaller particles so that become far less likely to stimulate an allergic response.

Major types of hypoallergenic formulas include:

Extensively hydrolyzed formulas: the cow's milk proteins are denatured into smaller particles so that they are far less likely to cause allergy as compared to the whole proteins in regular formulas, this is due to the poor palatability of those extensively hydrolyzed formulas, most allergic infants can tolerate these formulas, but in some cases, they still stimulate allergic reactions.
Partially hydrolyzed milk formula: contains peptides / protein large enough to cause allergic reactions and although they may be ideal as substitute milk for prevention of milk allergy in high-risk infants, they are not recommended for the treatment of cow's milk allergy.
Amino acid-based infant formulas: containing protein in its simplest form: amino acids, may be recommended if baby's condition doesn't improve even after switching to an extensively hydrolyzed formula, they are usually palatable and well tolerated, but are very expensive.

Switching the infant to a different formula should result in the disappearance of symptoms in 2-4 weeks, it is recommended to continue with a hypoallergenic formula up until the baby's first birthday, and then cow's milk can be slowly introduced into his or her diet, for children and adults, many commercially available replacements to milk are available, they include rice milk, soy milk, oat milk and almond milk, but they are not suitable nutrition for infants.

Calcium supplementation:

The American Dietetic Association recommends calcium requirements are 400 mg / day for 0–6 month’s infants and 600 mg / day for a 6–12 months old child, alternative sources of calcium and other vital nutrients should be started to replace the nutrients that come from dairy products, in infants and young children, calcium supplementation may be required, as milk may be their only source of calcium.

Start the solid foods.

Eating well is not just about where the food comes from, good health comes from eating chemical free, natural foods together as a family, certified organic foods, free from pesticides, free from chemical fertilizers as well as free from fungicides are the best choice.

The longer delay the introduction of solid foods, the more likely babies are go for a sweet taste and the more resistant the babies become to new taste [salt taste, bitter / sour taste], getting the babies interested in a range of tastes by 6 months is a good way to avoid weakly eating, so don’t delay introducing the babies to solid foods, because the babies may develop a sweet taste, eating organic foods, avoiding processed foods are true to be the best immune boosters.

Many babies will become very interested in the food in their parents’ plates as early as 4 months of age, by 5 or 6 months of age, most babies will be reaching and trying to grab food that parents have on their plates, when the baby is starting to reach for food, this seems a reasonable time to start giving him / her solid foods, but in some cases, it may be better to start food earlier, it may be reasonable to start solids as early as 3 months of age, however, it may be possible, to continue breastfeeding alone, the breastfed baby digests solid foods better and earlier than the artificially fed baby because breast-milk contains enzymes which help digest fats, proteins and starch, breastfed babies have had a wide variety of tastes in their lives, since the flavors of many foods the mother eats will pass into her milk, breastfed babies thus accept solids more readily than artificially fed babies.

Food allergy:

Food allergy occurs when a food triggers an immune system, this reaction involves the antibody immunoglobulin E [IgE], which plays an important role in allergy, causes the immune system to release histamine, food allergies can get triggered when a sensitive person eats, inhales, or comes into contact with even tiny amounts of foods or food additives, the reactions can be very mild or may be life-threatening.

In children, the most common food allergies occur from cow's milk, hen's eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soybeans and wheat, it has been put forth that a lack of exposure to specific foods in infancy may result in allergies to those foods later on.

Symptoms of food allergy

Symptoms are usually appear immediately after eating, these include skin rashes such as urticaria, hives, itchy skin; itchy nose and eyes with runny nose, wheezing, coughing and difficulty breathing; and swelling and itching around the lips, eyelids and mouth. GI symptoms include nausea, abdominal cramps, bloating, vomiting and diarrhea.

How to treat food allergy?

The only way to treat food allergies is to avoid the offending foods, if your child is allergic to cow's milk, it is a must to check food labels for its ingredients like casein, whey, lactoalbumin [albumin contained in milk] etc, it needs to be extra careful in case the child is allergic to peanuts or tree nuts, these allergies tend to be the most severe as nuts are ingredients in a large variety of food items, especially in cookies and desserts.

Certified Organic foods:

Organic foods which are free from pesticides, chemical fertilizers, as well as free from fungicides are the best choice.

In order to be labeled as certified organic food, a food must have been certified as having been produced without synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers, genetic engineering [GMO / genetically modified organism] ^[1], antibiotics, hormones, sewage sludge, irradiation ^[2] , organic certification also implies that the farmer is promoting biological diversity by rotating crops, conserving and renewing the soil, protecting water sources, organic foods also called environmentally friendly foods, or ecologically sound foods.

^[1] Genetically modified food: GMOs or Genetically Modified Organisms are created by inserting a gene from one organism into another organism, this alters the recipient’s genetic makeup to produce new different traits, such as a pest resistance or faster growth.

^[2] Irradiation: the process of irradiation uses electron beams or radioactive substances to kill pathogens, retard spoiling, prolong transit time and shelf life of the foods.

Also Read:

Growing up Green, for Healthier Prenatal Babies
Growing up Green, for Healthy Newborn Babies
Growing up Green, for Healthy Babies & Kids [1]
Growing up Green, for Healthy Babies & Kids [2]

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, the most common nerve problem affecting person’s hand

2009-05-16T04:36:00.000-07:00

people think that carpal tunnel syndrome is

the disease of the information technology age,

if we are working most of the day with computer,

we feel tingling or numbness in our wrist for months,

then a stabbing pain,

it is very likely we have carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal Tunnel:

image for illustration purpose only.

Carpal tunnel is a narrow and rigid passage way of ligament and bones at the base of the hand that houses the median nerve and tendons, it is about as big as your thumb, carpal tunnel is located at the palm side of your wrist, the wrist [carpus] is surrounded by a band of fibrous tissue that normally functions as a support for the joint, the tight space between this fibrous band and the wrist bone is called the carpal tunnel, the median nerve passes through the carpal tunnel to receive sensations from the thumb, index finger / fore-finger, and middle fingers of the hand.

Carpal tunnel syndrome [CTS]

CTS has become the most significant medical problem affecting workers,

full recovery will only by avoiding stressful situations and changing work habits.

women are three times more likely than men to develop carpal tunnel syndrome,

because the carpal tunnel itself may be smaller in women than in men.

The carpal tunnel is at the base of the palm of the hand and is made of bones, tendons, and a thick ligament that surround the median nerve, any condition that causes swelling or a change in position of the tissue within the carpal tunnel can squeeze and irritate the median nerve which is located just above the wrist [carpus], irritation of the median nerve can due to either inflamed, or pinched which is as a result of sustained activities like typing, hammering, pushing, constant repetitive use of the hand, causes tingling and numbness of the thumb, index finger / fore-finger, and the middle finger, a condition known as carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the hand, becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist, the median nerve controls sensations to the palm side of the thumb and fingers [although not the little finger], as well as impulses to some small muscles in the hand that allow the fingers and thumb to move, thickening from irritated tendons or other swelling narrows the tunnel and causes the median nerve to be compressed, the result may be pain, weakness, or numbness in the hand and wrist, radiating up the arm, carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common and widely known of the entrapment neuropathies in which the body's peripheral nerves are compressed or traumatized,

Another terminology of Carpal Tunnel Syndromes [CTS] are:

· cumulative-trauma-disorders,

· overuse-syndromes,

· chronic-upper-limb-pain-syndromes,

· repetitive-motion-disorders.

all terminology are associated generally with repetitive and forceful use of the hands that damages the muscles and bones, many people believe that constant repetitive use of the hand and poor computer set-up are the primary causes the carpal tunnel syndrome.

The drastic increase in computer-related carpal tunnel syndrome injuries is due to computer mouse use, largely due to the problem that the generic computer mouse does not properly fit the computer users’ hand, the generic computer mouse results in excessive fatigue, pain and pressure within the carpal tunnel and thus contributes to inflames / injuries that range from cruelly & insensitive hands and wrists to carpal tunnel syndrome, people who have suffered from carpal tunnel syndrome are usually writers or who works at a computer all day, after hours at the keyboard.

Study to determine the prevalence and incidence of possible carpal tunnel syndrome has been conducted to evaluate the contribution of the use of mouse devices and keyboards to user’s risk, but the study found that the occurrence of possible carpal tunnel syndrome in the right hand, which is usually the hand that controls the mouse, was low, the study emphasizes that computer use does not pose a severe occupational hazard for developing symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, a study by researchers at the Mayo Clinic, recently received a lot of media attention when it concluded that there is no association between computer use and carpal tunnel syndrome [CTS]. However, the methodology used in the study was not appropriate to evaluate whether or not computer use causes carpal tunnel syndrome, in fact, carpal tunnel syndrome is three times more common among assemblers than among data-entry personnel.

In fact, recent studies by Tech Dyne International Inc, concluded that the use of a generic, poor-fitting, computer mouse for a single four-hour period caused a loss of strength of the arm of up to 60% and caused the muscles being used in these repetitive operations to get overused, causing inflammation and injury, this is considered the number one ergonomic risk factor for developing computer-related carpal tunnel syndrome.

Cause of generic computer mouse in developing computer-related carpal tunnel syndrome are:

shape of the generic computer mouse: the shape that does not correctly fit the user's hand, requires the user to grip and hold, which over an extended period will cause tendon and muscle fatigue in the hand, wrist and even the elbow and arm.
overall size of the generic computer mouse: the size of the computer mouse does not properly fit the size of the individual’s hand, this means there is not enough support for the hand, having optimal support and comfort is required to minimize fatigue with computer mouse operations, individuals with smaller hands should use smaller mice, on the contrary, individuals with larger hands should use larger mice
right and left hand compatibility: the computer mouse is not compatible with the user’s dominant hand, the computer mouse should be compatible with the dominant hand of the computer user, left-handed computer mouse users should use an ergonomic ^[1] [human factor engineering] computer mouse designed for the left hand.
wrist position: an ordinary, generic horizontal computer mouse requires your forearm to twist away from its natural position, this causes more strain on your carpal tunnel, wrist tendons and ligaments.

^[1] Ergonomic is the science of refining the design of products to optimize them for human use, human characteristics, such as height, weight, and proportions are considered, as well as information about human hearing, sight, temperature preferences, and so on. Ergonomics is sometimes known as human factors engineering.

image for illustration purpose only.

Do we think computer and mouse use can cause carpal tunnel syndrome?

carpal tunnel syndrome from repetitive work has been referred to as one of the repetitive stress injuries.

Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome:
carpal tunnel syndrome [a painful progressive condition by compression of a key nerve in the wrist] usually starts gradually, there is frequent burning, tingling, itching, numbness in the palm of the hand and the fingers, typical for thumb, the index finger / fore-finger, and the middle finger, the fingers feel useless and swollen, although they do not show any signs of swelling, when carpal tunnel syndrome’s symptoms tend to worsen, someone will feel tingling all the time, and his / her grip strength decreases, in worst cases, he / she is unable to feel between hot and cold by touch.

The symptoms often first appear in one or both hands during the night, since many people sleep with bend / flexed wrists, a person with carpal tunnel syndrome may wake up feeling the need to shake out the hand or wrist, as symptoms worsen, people might feel tingling during the day.

symptoms usually come and go, symptoms may occur with certain activities, like reading or driving, symptoms will then go away when we move the hand or change what we are doing, the numbness and pain tend to become more frequent and last longer as the problem grows worse, in severe cases, symptoms can become constant.

Conditions and diseases that cause carpal tunnel syndrome:

Most often carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by repetitive motion, injury, or inflammatory types of arthritis, for most patients, the cause of their carpal tunnel syndrome is unknown, any condition that causes pressure on the median nerve at the wrist [compression of a key nerve in the wrist] can cause carpal tunnel syndrome, which is often as the result of a combination of factors that increase pressure on the median nerve and tendons in the carpal tunnel, rather than a problem with the nerve itself, tendon inflammation resulting from repetitive work, such as uninterrupted typing can cause deposition of abnormal substances in and around the carpal tunnel, leading to nerve irritation which causes carpal tunnel symptoms, other contributing factors include trauma or injury to the wrist that cause swelling, such as sprain or fracture, mechanical problems in the wrist joint, repeated use of vibrating hand tools

Treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome:

There are many differences in carpal tunnel syndrome treatments, somebody with mild symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome may ease his / her numbness or discomfort by taking more frequent breaks by resting his / her hands, or by applying cold ice packs if swelling occurs, treatment options include wrist splinting, medications or even surgery, but let's not over react, many people, suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome experience effective treatment with non-surgical methods, including:

wrist splinting, try wearing a wrist splint at night and avoid sleeping on our hands to help ease the pain or numbness in the wrists and hands, treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome should begin as early as possible, under a doctor's direction:

[1]. General initial treatments:

resting the affected hand and wrist for at least 2 weeks,
avoiding activities that may worsen symptoms,
im-mobilizing the wrist in a splint to avoid further damage from twisting or bending.
if there is inflammation, apply a cool pack to help reduce swelling.

[2]. Non-surgical treatments:

Drugs:

non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAID], such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and other nonprescription pain relievers, may ease symptoms that have been present for a short time or have been caused by hard / strenuous activity.
orally administered diuretics can decrease swelling.
corticosteroids [such as prednisone] : to relieve pressure on the median nerve and provide immediate / temporary relief to persons with mild or intermittent symptoms. [caution: persons with diabetes and those who may be predisposed to diabetes should note that prolonged use of corticosteroids can make it difficult to regulate insulin levels. corticosterioids should not be taken without a doctor's prescription.]
Lidocaine [an anesthetic drug] can be injected directly into the wrist to reduce pain.
Vitamin B₆ [pyridoxine] supplements may ease the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Exercise:

stretching exercises can be helpful in people whose symptoms have abated / become less strong, these exercises may be supervised by a physical therapist, who is trained to use exercises to treat physical impairments, or an occupational therapist, who is trained in evaluating people with physical impairments and helping them build skills to improve their health and well-being, exercises can decrease symptoms for a lot of people, the aims are to get more blood flowing to the area and to move the nerve so that the part of the nerve that is in the tunnel slips out for a short rest, try fully curling the fingers tightly closed [fist] and bending the wrist toward the palm, then straighten the fingers and stretch the wrist back the other way, repeat those motions about ten times, remember that carpal tunnel syndrome almost always starts gradually, so it has usually been present for a while before you even notice any symptoms, stretches and exercises have to be performed regularly to be effective, try to make it part of the daily routine, perhaps each morning and before bedtime.

Alternative therapies:

acupuncture and chiropractic care have benefited some patients but their effectiveness remains unproved, an exception is yoga, which has been shown to reduce pain and improve grip strength among patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.

[3]. Surgery

surgery is reserved as a last choice, carpal tunnel release is one of the most common surgical procedures, generally recommended if symptoms last for 6 months, surgery involves providing the band of tissue around the wrist to reduce pressure on the median nerve, surgery is done under local anesthesia and does not require an overnight hospital stay, many patients require surgery on both hands, carpal tunnel syndrome usually doesn't come back after surgery, surgery opens the tight carpal tunnel space and takes pressure off the nerve, after surgery, it may take a while for the nerve to wake up and the symptoms to go away, in more severe cases, the recovery after surgery is slower and symptoms may not go away completely

Important Notice:

Information provided on this article is intended for information, scientific, and education purposes only, it is not intended to substitute the medical advice provided by the medical professionals, only the medical professionals can provide the relevant diagnosis and prescribe the medications!!!

How to prevent from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:

Carpal tunnel syndrome becomes worse by inactivity than by activity, that is why symptoms are common while sleeping, but with a simple stretching and moving it can be of helpful, symptoms often occur when the hand is in one position for too long.

If we have a job or hobby that keeps the hands in one position for a long time, take a routine short breaks to stretch and move the hands and arms, just a few minutes each hour can be enough to prevent from suffering carpal tunnel syndrome, furthermore, if we are regularly in one position, try to make sure our wrist is relatively straight, because bending the wrist either way increases the pressure around the median nerve.

It is important to notice that there are no proven strategies to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome, it is essential to protect the hands with the following steps:

relax our grip and reduce the force we are using, such as if using keyboard, hit the keys softly; if writing, use pen with free-flowing pen.
take breaks whenever we need, such as take a break every 20 minutes, stretch the hands and wrists, if we work with equipment that vibrates, especially when using a great force, it is even more important to take a break.

at the workplace, workers can do on-the-job conditioning, perform stretching exercises, take frequent rest breaks, wear splints to keep wrists straight, and use correct posture and wrist position, wearing fingerless gloves can help keep hands warm and flexible, develops an ergonomics programs, the program of adapting workplace conditions and job demands to the capabilities of workers, jobs that include greater wrist or hand utilization, can rotate among workers.

improve the posture, if we have incorrect posture, it is more likely we will roll our shoulders forward, when shoulders are in this position, it is more likely our neck and shoulder muscles will be shortened and they will be compressing nerves in our neck, which will also influence our wrists, fingers and hands.
keep our hands warm to prevent from developing hand pain and stiffness if our work is in a cold environment.

Also Read:

All about Body's Pains
Trigeminal Neuralgia, Select the most suitable healing method.
Sciatica, a nerve pain potentially reduces the quality of life.
Stiff neck, and How to cure it
How to avoid Muscle Cramps, the most common muscle ache symptoms!

Growing up Green, for Healthy Babies & Kids [2]

2009-05-08T15:28:00.000-07:00

Green Personal Baby Care,
en route to a Greener Life.

Being a Green Parent is not always just about keeping the baby safe,
it’s about accepting our responsibility to ensure that what we use is safe.

Be a Green Parent,
Be an Environment Aware Consumer.

Part 2 : Telon Baby Oils,

The pure natural baby oil of Indonesia origin.
Natural products are undoubtedly better for the baby.

You are my everything,
*if we can’t eat it, don’t put it on his skin*!!!

Telon baby oil is made from genuine pure natural oils of Indonesia origin, it consists of a mixture of 3 different oils, two different volatile / essential oils, Cajuput oil & Fennel oil, and one vegetable oil as carrier oil, Coconut oil, all ingredients used are the best and finest quality of genuine pure natural herbs of Indonesia origin, which has special pleasant smell, preservative free, so it is safe enough to be applied on baby’s / infant’s tender skin, mild enough for infant, leaving both the hair and the body clean and refreshed, traditionally has been used by Indonesian people for generations, mother use it regularly to rub on her baby's chest, stomach, waist and foot soles, it brings warmth when applied to the baby’s skin, is usually and regularly used to warm up the body after bath in the morning as well as in the evening, baby needs this precious oil, because his / her body's temperature system is not as perfect as the adult's, during cold weather, the baby's body is unable to get enough energy from burning the fats, which made he / she suffers from cold, application of these baby oil on his / her body will help to protect the baby from getting cold, it has also been used effectively to relieve the bloating stomach, routinely used for baby massage, because baby loves massage, that relaxing the baby’s tender muscle, allowing he / she falling in deeply sleep after having mother’s gently touch, it will tighten the bonding relation among them, baby massage is one of the most effective ways to soothe and communicate with a new baby, it helps relax and calm baby’s nervous system, may also strengthen baby’s respiratory, circulatory, and gastrointestinal functions.

Compositions : Cajuput Oil 60 %, Fennel Oil 15 %, Refined Bleached Deodorized Coconut Oil [RBD-CNO] 25 %,
Alternative formula: in Telon oil products the use of Fennel oil can be changed with Anise oil or with Star-anise oil.

The Main three active Ingredients of Telon Oil

Cajuput Oil

Genuine Indonesia Essential oil,
Steam distillation from leaves & twigs of Cajuput Tree.

Cajuput Tree, in Indonesia called kaju-putih, meaning white wood, has a long flexible trunk with irregular ascending branches, covered with a pale thick, lamellated [fibrous] bark which is soft and spongy and from time to time throws off its outer layer in flakes, a tall evergreen tree up to 30 meters high, the flexible trunk has a whitish spongy bark, which flakes off easily, its leaves entire linear, lanceolate [slender and pointed, needle-like], ash color, alternate on short foot-stalks; flowers sessile, white, on a long spike, the leaves have a very aromatic odor. Cajuput tree also known as White tea-tree, Broad-leaved tea-tree, Paper-barked tea-tree, Swamp tea-tree, and White-wood.

Cajuput Oil, a multi purpose uses essential oil, which has broad medicinal properties, The Buru Island’s Cajuput Oil is well-known as one of the premium quality.
Cajeput oil / Cajuput oil / Oleum Cajuputi USP 1820 – 1936, BPC 1976, its Chemical Abstract Service [CAS] Registry Number 008008-98-8, Cajuput oil is an essential oil / volatile oil obtained by steam distillation in copper vessels [at home industries] of fresh leaves and twigs of the plant Melaleuca leucadendron Linn / Melaleuca cajuputi Roxburgh / Melaleuca minor Decandolle, family Myrtaceae, and rectified by steam distillation, it takes approximately 60-70 kg of leaves and twigs to make 1 kg of cajuput essential oil, a pale yellow or greenish volatile oil due to the traces of copper that have been detected in the oil and this may explain its green tint, the green color is not essential, and may be removed by distillation; it is due chiefly to the presence of copper, and partly to the presence of some altered chlorophyll, it has a distinctly camphoraceous odour, and an aromatic, bitterish taste, levorotatory [leftist optical rotation] has specific gravity of 0.922 to 0.929 at 15° C [equivalent to 59° F]. it is originally produced in Indonesia, previously well-known from Buru Island, in South Molucass Islands group, but now has been heavily cultivated in various regions in Java Island, several other species of Melaleuca leucadendron are utilized such as Melaleuca hypericifolia, Melaleuca veridifolia, Melaleuca lalifolia, Melaleuca paraguayensis, the Australian species Melaleuca decussata and Melaleuca erucifolia are also used, cajeput oil / oil of cajuput contains from 50 to 65 % of 1,8-cineole / eucalyptol [also called cajuputol], it is used internally as a carminative, stimulant and diaphoretic, externally used as a parasiticide.

1,8 Cineole / Eucalyptol / Cajuputol

Cajuput Oil contents:
Cajuput oil contains 1,8-Cineole [cajeputene hydrate, eucalyptol, cajeputol C10H18O] as the main active ingredient, which should average 50 to 65 %, other ingredients are solid terpineol, several aldehydes such as valeric-aldehyde, butyric-aldehyde and benzoic-aldehyde, terpinyl acetate, pinene, nerolidol, both free and as an ester of acetic acid, small amount laevo-pinene, farnesol, phytol, squalene, alloaromadendrene, ledene, palustrol, viridiflorol, ledol, betulinaldehyde, betulinic acid, platanic acid, α-pinene, β-pinene, myrcene, limonene, linalool, ρ-cymene, α-terpinene, γ-terpinene, terpinen-4-ol, α-terpineol, terpinolene.

Therapeutic uses:
Cajuput essential oil has stimulant and relaxant activity and is used both internally and externally, stimulating the circulation around the point of application, producing sensation of warmth, used in a baby massage oil to relax the muscles, as embrocation [rubbing] for the relieve of stomach disorder / bloating stomach as carminative, in combination with other medicinal oils, by promoting sweating, cajuput oil cools down the body and helps with such infections as colds / flu, pharyngitis and pneumonia, it is also helpful for asthma, sinusitis and a sore throat, it also used as a mildly counter irritant for mosquito / insect bites.

Aromatherapic uses:
cheering, sense enhancing, mildly euphoric, aids relaxation & emotional balance, calming, for insomnia, for flu.

Safety used:
Cajuput oil is non toxic and non sensitizing, however may irritate the skin, therefore it needs to be well diluted with carrier oil, such as coconut oil, jojoba oil, sunflower oil, and never allowed to come into contact with mucous membranes, as it contains essential oils, irritation could be occurred in baby with hypersensitive skin, so don’t rub it onto the face and skin's sensitive areas, eyes and open wounds, for pregnant or breast-feeding women: no harmful effects are known.

Read more . .........................

Fennel Oil [Oleum Foeniculi]

Fennel Oil is a volatile oil / essential oil which is obtained by steam distillation of the ripe and dried fruits of the plant Foeniculum vulgare, family Umbelliferae, it contains not less than 2,0 % v/w of essential oil, a colourless or a clear pale yellow liquid, with sweet, licorice like, odour and taste of fennel, produce a special fragrance, that mothers would call as " baby's smell oil ", it has Specific Gravity 0,953 – 0,973, Refractive Index: 1,5280 – 1,5380, Optical Rotation: +12° to +24°

There are two kinds of Fennel Tree [Martindale, the complete drug reference, thirty-fifth edition]:

Bitter Fennel: Foeniculum vulgare, sub-species vulgare, varietas vulgare, it contains not less than 4,0 % v/w of essential oil, the oil contains not less than 60,0 % of anethole, not less than 15,0 % of fenchone.
Sweet Fennel: Foeniculum vulgare, sub-species vulgare, varietas dulcis it contains not less than 2,0 % v/w of essential oil, the oil contains not less than 80,0 % of anethole.

Therapeutic uses:
use as an aromatic and carminative, to expel gas from bloated stomach, for neuro-muscular spasm, rheumatism and arthritis, bronchitis, whooping cough, as a nerve tonic in relieving stress and nervous tension.
Considers that the use of Fennel oil in infants and toddlers is contra indicated, it is also used in herbal remedies for respiratory tract disorder and in aromatherapy [Martidale, the complete drug reference, 35th edition, 2007].

Aromatherapic uses:
to aid with mental and emotional block, resisting change, fear of failure, creativity blocks.

Refined Bleached Deodorized Coconut Oil

Coconut oil [CNO] is a fixed oil or fat consists of triglycerides of lauric acid [C11H23COOH] and myristic acid [C13H27COOH], obtained by pressing or extracting the mesocarpium of the dried fruit of the plant Cocos nucifera, family Palmae. the crude oil than refined through the consecutive process of de-gumming process with phosphoric acid, bleaching process with bleaching earth, vacuum distilling the free fatty acid, mainly caproic acid [C5H11COOH] and caprylic acid [C7H15COOH] and deodorizing at 250oC under vacuum, to obtained a Refined-Bleached-Deodorized Coconut Oil [RBD-CNO], a clear or a pale yellow greasy oil, consists of triglycerides of lauric and myristic acids. Coconut oil acts as carrier oil [dilution], helps to dissolve the mixture between Cajuput oil and Fennel oil, dilutes, thus producing a smooth, not irritable oily liquid, suitable for baby massage.

Lauric acid [C11H23COOH]

Myristic acid [C13H27COOH]

Alternative ingredients: replacing of the Fennel oil:

Oil of Anise, distilled in Europe from the fruits of Pimpinella anisum [Anise fruit]
Oil of Star Anise, distilled in China from the fruits of Illicium vernum [Star Anise fruit] The oils obtained from these two fruits are identical in composition, and nearly the same in most of their characters.

Anise Oil [Oleum Anisi / Oil of Anise]

Pimpinella anisum, an annual herb of the parsley family [Apiaceae, or Umbelliferae], cultivated chiefly for its fruits, called aniseed, the flavour of which resembles that of licorice, the plant, up to 0.75 m tall, has long-stalked basal leaves and shorter stalked stem leaves, its small, yellowish white flowers form loose umbels, the fruit, or seed, is nearly ovoid in shape, about 3.5 mm long, and has five longitudinal dorsal ridges.

Anise oil is a volatile oil / essential oil which is obtained by steam distillation of the dried ripe crushed seeds of Pimpinella anisum, family Apiaceae / Umbelliferae, a colourless or a pale-yellow liquid, with characteristic aromatic odour, has a clean sweet top note, with a strong anistic [licorice-like] middle note, lightly tenacious with a woody anethole dry out, it has specific Gravity: 0,980 – 0,990, Refractive Index: 1,553 – 1,560, Optical Rotation: +1° to -2°, The active ingredient of Anise oil is trans-anethole 87 – 94 %, other ingredients are linalol 1,5 %, 5,0 % estragol, less than 1,2 % α-terpineol, 0,1 – 0,4 % cis-anethole, 0,1 – 1,4 % anisaldehyde, 0,3 – 2,0 % pseudo-iso-eugenyl-2-methyl-butyrate.

Therapeutic uses:
The medicinal properties of anise come from the chemicals that are present in the fruits, the anethole in anise helps to relieve gas and settle an upset stomach, aids in digestion, Anise warms the abdomen, dispels gas [especially after eating beans] and is helpful for belching / send out gas from the stomach noisily through the mouth, vomiting, chronic diarrhea, abdominal pains, sluggish digestion, especially good for children with stomachaches, the chemicals creosol and alpha-pinene act as expectorants, loosening mucus and making it easier to cough up, anise oil is a common ingredient of cough preparations, the estrogenic action of anise is from the chemicals dianethole and photoanethole, which act in a way similar to estrogen, as a medicinal plant, anise has been used as an antibacterial, an antimicrobial, an antiseptic, an antispasmodic, a breath freshener, a carminative, a diaphoretic, a digestive aid, a diuretic, a mildly expectorant, a mild estrogenic, a mild muscle relaxant, a parasiticide, a stimulant, and a stomachic, anise oil is also used in aromatherapy.
It may cause contact dermatitis, probably due to its anethole content [Martidale, the complete drug reference, 35th edition, 2007].

Aromatherapic uses:
energizes a fatigued mind, cheering, mildly euphoric, sense enhancing.

Star Anise Oil [Oleum Anisi Stellati / Oil of Star Anise]

Illicium verum, is an evergreen tree family Illiciaceae / Magnoliaceae, indigenous to the southeastern part of China to Vietnam, the dried fruit called Star anise, has flavour similar to those of anise, the fruit takes its name from the star-like arrangement of its carpals around a central axis, the dried fruit is about 0.25 to 0.5 cm in diameter; individual carpals are usually about 1 cm in length and contain a single seed, dried carpals are hard, rough, and reddish brown; the seeds are smooth, lustrous [smooth & shining surface], and light brown in colour. The dried fruit containing not less than 7 % v/w of’essential oil, a minimum of 86 % trans-anethole in the essential oil, other ingredients are chavicol, methyl chavicol, foeniculin, limonene, linalool, nerolidol and cinnamyl acetate.

Therapeutic & Aromatherapic uses:
Star Anise is a warm, aromatic herb that is not only an important ingredient in Chinese and Vietnamese cuisines, but has also been used to relieve digestive disturbances, it is said to be particularly helpful in cases of gastric distress, including flatulence, indigestion, nausea, and vomiting, it also a stimulating herb that is believed to relieve complaints that are associated with cold conditions, flu, bronchitis, coughing, lumbago, and rheumatism, it is considered an antibacterial, antifungal, and expectorant, has been used to relieve bronchitis, and has even been included in cough mixtures to relieve dry coughs, as well as a flavoring.
Neurotoxicity has been associated with the use of star anise infusions in infants, the toxicity is attributed to adulteration or contamination of Chinese star anise [Illicium verum] with Japanese star anise [ Illicium anisatum / Shikimi fruit] which contains toxic sesquiterpene lactones such as anisatin [Martidale, the complete drug reference, 35th edition, 2007].

Also Read:
Growing up Green, for Healthier Prenatal Babies
Growing up Green, for Healthy Newborn Babies
Growing up Green, for Healthy Babies & Kids [1]
Cajuput Oil, the people's Green Health Cares
Growing up Green, for Healthy Babies & Kids [3]

Cajuput Oil, the people’s Green Health Cares.

2009-05-08T15:11:00.000-07:00

Cajuput Oil, Genuine, Natural, Pure,

Essential Oil of Indonesia Origin.

Having broad medicinal properties,

multi purpose uses by people for generations

Cajuput History 1848

Oil of Cajeput / Cajuput Oil has been known in Europe for above two centuries, Rumphius first described the tree which produces it under the name of Arbor alba, a literal translation of one of its Malay names, Cayu-puti [Kayu Putih], or White-tree, several botanists have described it in more recent times, but the species was generally mistaken until the researches of Sir J.Smith, published in 1819 in Rees' Cyclopaedia, and those of Roxburgh, first made public after his death by Mr.Colebrooke in the Medico Botanical Transactions for 1828.

Rumphius accurately distinguishes two closely allied species under the names Arbor alba, major and minor, the former was generally considered the source of cajeput-oil / cajuput oil, probably because the Malays apply to it chiefly the name of Cayuputi, its more correct Malay name, however, being Cayu-Gelam. This is the Melaleuca Leucadendron of modern botanists, an inhabitant of most of the Moluccas Isles [Maluku Islands], and abounding on Amboyna [Ambon], but more especially on Boerou [Buru Island] and Ceram [Seram Island].

It appears, however, from the inquiries of Smith and of Roxburgh that the usual reference to this species is a mistake; that the Arbor alba major of Rumphius, contrary to his statement, has no odour ; and that cajeput oil is the produce only of his Arbor alba minor, the Melaleuca minor of Smith as well as Decandolle, or Melaleuca cajuputi of Roxburgh, Lindley, and others, this plant belongs to the Linnaean class, order Polyadelphia, and to the natural family Myrtacese, it is a crooked tree, about twenty feet high, a native of several of the Moluccas Isles [Maluku], especially of Boerou [Buru Island] and Manipa, and also of the southern part of Borneo [Kalimantan], but not of Amboyna [Ambon]

Map of Indonesia,

showing the location of Moluccas / Maluku Islands

Map of South Moluccas Islands Group,

showing the location of Buru Island, west of Ambon Island.

Buru Island’s Cajuput Oil

well-known as one of the premium quality.

Cajuput Tree:

The tree has a long flexible trunk with irregular ascending branches, covered with a pale thick, lamellated [fibrous] bark it is soft and spongy and from time to time throws off its outer layer in flakes, a tall evergreen tree up to 30 metres high, the flexible trunk has a whitish spongy bark, which flakes off easily, in Indonesia it is called kaju-putih, meaning white wood, leaves entire linear, lanceolate [slender and pointed, needle-like], ash colour, alternate on short foot-stalks, flowers sessile, white, on a long spike, the leaves have a very aromatic odour, cajuput tree also known as White tea-tree, Broad-leaved tea-tree, Paper-barked tea-tree, Swamp tea-tree, and White-wood.

image for illustration only

Cajuput Oil

Cajeput oil / Oleum Cajuputi USP 1820 – 1936, Chemical Abstract Service [CAS] Registry Number 008008-98-8, is an essential oil / volatile oil obtained by steam distillation in copper vessels / stills [at a home industry] of fresh leaves and twigs of the plant Melaleuca leucadendron Linn / Melaleuca cajuputi Roxburgh / Melaleuca minor Decandolle, family Myrtaceae, and rectified by steam distillation, it takes approximately 60-70 kg of leaves and twigs to make 1 kg of cajuput essential oil, a pale yellow or greenish volatile oil due to the traces of copper [from copper still used in steam distillation] that have been detected in the oil and this may explain its green tint, the green color is not essential, and may be removed by distillation, it is due chiefly to the presence of copper, and partly to the presence of some altered chlorophyll, it has a distinctly camphoraceous odour, and an aromatic, bitterish taste, levorotatory [leftist optical rotation] has specific gravity of 0.922 to 0.929 at 15° C [equivalent to 59° F]. it is originally produced in Indonesia, previously well-known from Buru Island, in South Molucass Islands group [see map], but now has been heavily cultivated in various regions in Java Island [see map], several other species of Melaleuca leucadendron are utilized such as Melaleuca hypericifolia, Melaleuca veridifolia, Melaleuca lalifolia, Melaleuca paraguayensis, the Australian species Melaleuca decussata and Melaleuca erucifolia are also used, cajeput oil / oil of cajuput contains 50 to 65 % of 1,8-cineole / eucalyptol [also called cajuputol], it is used internally as a carminative, stimulant and diaphoretic, externally used as a parasiticide.

Distillation of Cajuput Oil

home industry, cajuput oil distillation using copper still.

The steam containing essential oil vapour, leaves the still and passes into a condenser by way of a "goose-neck", some sort of gauze or screen is often fitted at the mouth of the goose-neck to prevent plant material being blown over into the condenser, in the condenser the vapours are cooled and condense, the vapours pass through a coiled tube contained in a water bath, and condensate is obtained at the bottom of the condenser tube, it is important that condensation is complete or oil may be lost by evaporation, the mixture of water and essential oil then leaves the condenser and flows into a separator, called a florentine flask, in which they separate into two layers, the essential oil will generally be lighter than water, the oil floats to the surface and the distillate water drains away.

Constituents of Cajuput Oil:

The principal constituent of Cajuput oil is 1,8-cineole [cajeputene hydrate / eucalyptol / cajuputol / C₁₀H₁₈O], which should average 50 to 65 %, solid terpineol is also present and several aldehydes such as valeric-aldehyde, butyric-aldehyde and benzoic-aldehyde, terpinyl-acetate, pinene, nerolidol, both free and as an ester of acetic acid, and small amounts of terpenes, such as laevo-pinene, other compounds include: farnesol, phytol, squalene, alloaromadendrene, ledene, palustrol, viridiflorol, ledol, betulinaldehyde, betulinic acid, platanic acid, α-pinene, β-pinene, myrcene, α-terpinene, limonene, γ-terpinene, ρ-cymene, terpinolene, linaolool, terpinen-4-ol, α-terpineol.

1,8 Cineole / Eucalyptol / Cajuputol

Medicinal actions and Therapeutic uses:

Cajuput essential oil has stimulant and relaxant activity and is used both internally and externally.

Externally uses / Topical uses:

as embrocation [rubbing] for the relieve of stomach disorder, colitis with hemorrhage and impetigo.
works by stimulating the circulation around the point of application, has been used since the 17^th century as a remedy for rheumatism, it provides deep, penetrating action and soothing relief for muscular and rheumatic aches / pains, pulled muscles or ligaments, sprains, bruises, muscle tension, slipped disk, low-back pain, and sciatica.
mildly counter-irritant for mosquito and insect bites.
used as baby massage oil or an ointment for all painful conditions, especially arthritis and rheumatism, may also be helpful due to its pain relieving properties for sports injuries, muscle stiffness and general aches and pain.
has strong antibacterial activity, shows antiseptic properties, for the treatment of psoriasis and other skin infections, treatment of candida yeast infections, external sores and abscesses, boils, carbuncles, cuts, scrapes, ringworm and external fungus infection such as athletes foot, head lice
as a vaginal douche in cases of “erosion of the cervix” and gonorrhea.
useful for the treatment of oily skin.
used as a fragrance and freshening agent in soaps, cosmetics, detergents and perfumes

Internally uses / Inhalation uses:

when vaporized soothes bronchial and sinus passages and relieves sore throat, stopped up sinuses, fever, tight chest, laryngitis, pains, toothaches,
Aromatherapic uses: as a tonic to the nervous system and may be used to alleviate fatigue, drowsiness and restlessness.
in combination with other medicinal oils, by promoting sweating, cajuput oil cools down the body and helps with such infections as colds / flu, pharyngitis and pneumonia, it is also helpful for asthma, sinusitis and a sore throat.

Internally uses / Ingestion:

it warms the stomach, highly stimulant, producing a sensation of warmth, it calms the digestive system, soothes colic, enteritis, dysentery, vomiting and spasms, as carminative and local analgesic properties
as an antiseptic in cystitis and as an anthelmintic for round worms,
as a stimulating expectorant in chronic laryngitis and bronchitis,
occasionally employed as a flavor component in food products and soft drinks

Safety used of Cajuput Oil:

Cajuput oil is non toxic and non sensitizing, however may irritate the skin, therefore it needs to be well diluted with carrier oil such as coconut oil, jojoba oil, sunflower oil etc, and never allowed to come into contact with mucous membranes, open wounds and eyes.
Possible drug interactions: no interactions have been reported.
For pregnant or breast feeding women: no harmful effects are known.

Back to:

Growing up Green, for healthy babies & kids [2]

Growing up Green, for Healthy Babies & Kids [1]

2009-05-03T04:49:00.000-07:00

Green Personal Baby Care,

en route to a Greener Life.

Being a Green Parent is not always just about keeping the baby safe,

it’s about accepting our responsibility to ensure that what we use is safe.

You are my everything,

*if we can’t eat it, don’t put it on his skin*!!!

[the rule of thumb]

Before going through Green Baby Care Products, let us take a look on the term relating to the age of the young ones:

Baby…..........: newborn (post natal) - 3 months
Infant…...…..: 4 months- 12 months
Toddle….......: 1 year old (at first birthday) - 2 years
Preschooler...: 3-4 years old
Kid / child…..: Kindergarten: 5 -11 years old

is not really a formal term, it is more casual, slang, that can refer to any aged child,

as the kids reach their toddler years, they may enjoy a lot of the same things and have similar interests.

Tween………: 12 years old
Teens……….: 13-19 years old

adolescent….: from 11-17,
Adult………..: legally at 18 you can consider someone an adult but some may say 21.

Adolescent....: from 11-17,

Consider products that stated *Hypoallergenic Tested, *Dermatologist Tested,

Natural products are undoubtedly better for the baby.

be an Environment Aware Consumer, be a Green Parent.

Part 1: Green Baby & Oils

Newborns’ skin:

Baby's skin is different from ours, his / her skin is thinner only 40% to 60% the thickness of adult skin, other opinion says generally around five times thinner than an adult’s skin, more fragile and less oily, newborn baby’s skin is a unique and essential shield that offers protection from the outside world, it plays an important role in maintaining health, more susceptible to irritants, it defends against irritants, toxins and infections, the skin also regulates infant's internal temperature, and is a tool for exploring the world through touch, it also produces less melanin, the substance that helps keep away / ward off sunburn, it is less resistant to bacteria and harmful substances in the environment, especially if it is irritated, newborn baby also sweats less efficiently, can lose moisture more quickly, infant skin absorbs and loses moisture at a faster rate than more mature skin, so it is harder for he / she to maintain their inner body temperature, in a recent clinical study, 90 percent of mothers thought their infant's skin was not dry, when in fact 60 percent of their infants had signs of dry skin! so it's a good idea to protect the infant's skin and keep it healthy, soft and not stiff [supple] by applying a moisturizer frequently, especially after a bath or diaper change.

Baby / Infant Massage:

Massage can relax babies, improve their sleep patterns, and calm them when they are irritable, baby / infant massage should last about 15 minutes, but even a short massage is good for the baby / infant, using a lotion or oil that is gentle enough for baby's / infant’s skin will help reduce friction and make the massage more soothing, choose products that have been passed hypoallergenic-tested ^[1] as well as dermatologist-tested ^[2] so it's sure safer for massage, baby / infant massage is a good thing, massaging him / her can be calming for both mother and baby and a great time to gain confidence with each other, it encompasses and supports vital aspects of human bonding, baby massage bonds parents to babies and babies to parents, touch is the first language of baby, touch during massage is a very powerful element in human bonding, as communication, both verbal and non-verbal, and prolonged eye contact, bonding has been defined as a unique relationship between two persons [mother and her baby / infant] that is specific and endures through time, it is said to strengthen the bond with the baby, which makes the baby happier and aids digestion, baby / infant massage will stimulate the immune system and promotes the growth of myelin, the protective insulator around motor nerves that enables nerve impulses to travel faster, this means their fine motor skills may develop more quickly, it is also said as a life safer, it doesn’t help them off to sleep, but also deals with their digestive problems, including colic, particularly in the early weeks and months, delayed bonding may occur due to situations such as premature birth, recovery from caesarean, medical complications, adoption, lack of physical and emotional support and post natal depression, in these cases baby / infant massage can begin to recreate the elements of bonding.

^[1] Hypoallergenic is a term coined by advertisers, and first used in a cosmetics campaign in 1953, it is used to describe items, especially cosmetics and textiles that cause or are claimed to cause fewer allergic reactions.

The American Food and Drug Administration has stated, Hypoallergenic cosmetics are products that manufacturers claim produce fewer allergic reactions than other cosmetic products. Consumers with hypersensitive skin, and even those with "normal" skin, may be led to believe that these products will be gentler to their skin than non-hypoallergenic cosmetics. There are no Federal standards or definitions that govern the use of the term "hypoallergenic." The term means whatever a particular company wants it to mean. Manufacturers of cosmetics labeled as hypoallergenic are not required to submit substantiation of their hypoallergenicity claims to FDA. The term hypoallergenic may have considerable market value in promoting cosmetic products to consumers on a retail basis, but dermatologists say it has very little meaning.

^[2] Almost all cosmetics can cause allergic reactions in certain individuals. Often the first sign of a reaction is a mild redness and irritation. There is no list of ingredients that can be guaranteed not to cause allergic reactions, so consumers who are prone to allergies should pay careful attention to what they use on their skin.

Hypoallergenic: implies that products making this claim are less likely to cause allergic reactions. There are no prescribed scientific studies required to substantiate this claim. Likewise, the terms "dermatologist-tested," "sensitivity tested," "allergy tested," or "nonirritating" carry no guarantee that they won't cause skin reactions.

The traditional strategy of safety assessment of cosmetic products was an evaluation by animal testing for single substances as well as for finished products. Since the beginning of the eighties more and more efforts have been made to substitute classical tests with animals through in-vitro methods or other alternatives. Nowadays, many data can be obtained by direct dermatologie observation in humans. The general conditions valid for tests with humans are dealt with and a standard test strategy for dermatological tests is presented.

Do and Don’t for babies:

Organic oils and creams are food for your baby’s skin and can extremely soothing, if product is labeled hypoallergenic, it does not necessarily mean it is not allergenic to everyone, it just means that it doesn’t contain ingredients that are common allergens.

Do:

Use beeswax ^[3^] a natural wax produced by honey bees, instead of petroleum jelly.

^[3] Beeswax is an ester, the empirical formula for beeswax is C₁₅H₅₁COOC₃₀H₆₁, its main components are palmitate, palmitoleate, hydroxypalmitate and oleate esters of long-chain (30-32 carbons) aliphatic alcohols, with the ratio of triacontanylpalmitate CH₃(CH₂)₂₉O-CO-(CH₂)₁₄CH₃ to cerotic acid CH₃(CH₂)₂₄COOH, the two principal components, being 6:1.

For baby oils: use olive oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, palm kernel oil,
Use lavender hydrolats ^[4] roman chamomile hydrolats for babies under 6 months, because they contain some of the same properties of the plant material of essential oils.

^[4] Hydrolats / Hydrosols are the final water by-product left over after the steam distillation of a plant has been completed. Most essential oil distillations use the same water over and over again in a process known as cohobation [the process of repeated distillation of the same matter, with the liquid drawn from that liquid being poured again and again upon the matter left at the bottom of the vessel], at the end of each distillation cycle, there will be a high concentration of water soluble elements in the water. These waters are known as hydrolats or hydrosols, genuine hydrolats are a totally natural by product of hydro / steam distillation and are free from any preservative or fragrance enhancements.

Use natural products, as natural products are undoubtedly better for the babies / infants, as well as for mothers.

Don’t:

Avoid products that contains: surface active agents [surfactants]: sodium laury sulphate [SLS], sodium laureth sulphate [SLES] and the like., SLS and SLES are associated with eczema and cancer.
Avoid products that contains alcohol, monoethanolamine [MEA], diethanolamine [DEA], triethanolamine [TEA],or cocamide, there are concerned that they may form nitrosamine which is carcinogen.
Avoid fragrances and fragranced products, because babies are more sensitive than adults, better take their hydrolats, but if essential oils should be used, use certified organic essential oils that are free from exposure to chemical fertilizers, to harmful herbicides and pesticides, never use essential oils undiluted on the skin [dilute with vegetable oils], be careful to take away from the eyes, never take essential oils internally, always keep essential oils out of reach of baby and children.
Avoid products that contain benzoic acid synthesized preservatives: parabens family, like methyl paraben, ethyl paraben, propyl paraben, non smelly preservatives used to kill bacteria, fungus and yeasts in shampoos, bubble baths, nappy rash, lotions, ointments, baby wipes, toothpaste. Parabens was said penetrate the skin and get into the bloodstream, have been found in cancerous tumours, particularly in breast tissue, they are also oestrogen mimics and have been involved / implicated in a number of health issues.
Phathalate that found in synthetic fragrances / perfumes, which have been linked to reproductive damage,
Avoid skin products that use propylene glycol stearate in it, as it is an ingredient in antifreeze.
Avoid products containing anti fungus: imidazolidinyl-urea, diazolidinyl-urea.
Avoid uses PVC containers, better uses HDPE, PP, and PET / PETE containers.

Baby Oils:

Baby oil is a common product in many families' homes, with lots of uses, including cleaning baby's skin and infant massage, conventional baby oil comes from petroleum, it helps lock in moisture with the smooth, silky feel that only an oil can provide, but even though it is highly purified, there is some research showing that it may not be the best choice for baby's skin, perhaps the biggest danger of baby oil is baby accidentally getting a hold of it and ingesting it, baby oil contains almost 100% mineral oil which has many hazardous side effects, that could hurt them,

Mineral oil / White oil ^[5] is a petroleum ingredient, it comes from crude mineral oil, is essentially a waste product from the distillation of gasoline from oil, it consists of long alkanes, with a length of the carbon chain of about 20, only highly purified petrolatum can be used in cosmetics, this is quite different from a vegetable oil like coconut oil, sunflower oil, olive oil, which is a triglyceride, the important from a biological point of view is our body can digest most vegetable oils, but cannot do so with mineral oil, mineral oil works as a laxative by lubricating the colon, the only advantage of mineral oil is that it does not spoil or become rancid, unlike vegetable oil which can easily be oxidized to become rancid, the most significant hazard is that mineral oil blocks the pores of the skin, it coats the skin like plastic wrap, this does not allow the skin to breathe and prevents the natural release of toxins from the skin, since the skin is the body's largest elimination organ, this is a serious health hazard, especially for a baby, when applied, mineral oil can promote acne and other skin disorders, mineral oil also slows down normal cell development and causes the skin to prematurely age, another significant problem with mineral oil for babies is that it may possibly cause vitamin deficiencies because it is absorbed into the skin, gets processed by the liver and then nutrients get bound by the oil, blocking their absorption.

^[5] White oil is any of various colorless odorless tasteless mineral oils used especially in medicine, pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations, white oil is manufactured with a mixture of paraffinic and naphthenic hydrocarbons of the highest purity, white oil meets FDA requirements for use in applications where direct, indirect or incidental contact with food may occur, it may be used to lubricate machinery, protect against moisture or control dust on grains and animal feed, it also is used as a component in certain consumer products, such as cosmetics and pharmaceuticals and may be used as smoke oil at air shows

Danger of mineral oil used for medicinal and cosmetic:

According to the International Agency for Research into Cancer in Geneva, mineral oils are probably carcinogenic as analyses of mineral oils used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes reveal the presence of several carcinogenic PAH [polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons]^[6]which are in the Eighth Report on Carcinogens, including benzofluoranthene, benzofluoranthene, and benzo-α-pyrene. They're noted as a human teratogen by inhalation which has caused testicular tumours in the foetus. they are also skin and eye irritants and may be implicated in aspirational pneumonia.

^[6] Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are chemical compounds that consist of fused aromatic rings and do not contain heteroatoms or carry substituents, PAHs occur in oil, coal, and tar deposits, and are produced as byproducts of fuel burning [whether fossil fuel or biomass], as a pollutant, they are of concern because some compounds have been identified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic. PAHs are also found in cooked foods, such as grilled meats

Vegetable oils suitable for making Green Baby Oils:

We took for granted that these ingredients were safe in the products we had grown up with !

Jojoba oil is a botanical extract of the seed of the jojoba tree [Simmondsia chinensis], Jojoba is safe for all sensitive skin, including newborns, Jojoba mimics the sebum found naturally in human skin and can replenish skin that has become dry due to age, weather, environmental pollutants or stresses, with anti-biotic and anti-fungal properties, Jojoba prevents infections from developing in exposed abrasions and speed the healing process while preventing scar tissue from forming, it isn’t actually just an oil, but rather what we call a wax ester, because out of all of the compounds in nature, this wax ester is the most similar to human skin oil [sebum], it is theorized that applying jojoba to the skin can trick the skin into thinking it is producing enough oil, thus balancing oil production, natural jojoba oil serves as an excellent moisturizing agent with exceptional spread. The lubrication properties leave a rich velvety non-oily feel on the skin, while retarding water loss and enhancing the flexibility and suppleness of the skin, Jojoba is completely miscible with the natural sebum of the skin, and when used on the skin forms a very thin, non-greasy lipoid layer, this layer is partially porous and provides exceptional trans-epidermal respiration and moisture control. Unlike greasy occlusive materials such as petrolatum, mineral oils and some lanolin products, jojoba oil provides an absolutely non-tacky, non-oily and non-greasy, dry softening to the skin, it also significantly reduces trans-epidermal water loss, without totally blocking the transpiration of gases and water vapor.

Calendula oil [Calendula arvensis]

Coconut oil [Cocos nucifera]

Palm Kernel Oil [Elaies guinensis]

Certified organic essential oils:

Cajuput oil [Melaleuca leucadendron]

Eucalyptus oil [Eucalyptus globules]

Tea tree oil [Melaleuca alternifolia]

Fennel oil [Foeniculum vulgare]

Anise oil [Pimpinella anisum]

Rose oil [Rosa damascene]

Vanilla [Vanilla planifolia]

Ravensara [Ravensara aromatica]

Certified organic hydrolats:

Roman chamomile hydrolats [Matricaria chamomile]

Lavender hydrolats [Lavandula officinalis]

Footnote:

the rule of thumb * The rule of thumb means a method of procedure based on experience and common sense

To be continues with: Telon Oil – the pure natural baby oil of Indonesia origin.

Sample of Telon oil.

Learn more the health benefit of various non-alcoholic commercial drinks

2009-04-29T04:37:00.000-07:00

Fruit Juice, Soft Drink,

Carbonated Mineral Water Drink,

Ion Supply Drink,

Sport Drink / Isotonic Drink,

Energy Drink.

Different concepts for different purposes!!!

Soft Water and Hard Water:

Soft water is treated water in which sodium [Na⁺] is the only ion, soft water is not for drinking, is neither healthy nor desirable for drinking, we should not drink soft water.

Hard water is water that contains a big quantity of dissolved minerals, like calcium [Ca²⁺] and magnesium [Mg²⁺], calcium and magnesium are two minerals which make water hard, calcium is essential in our diet.

Water hardness is measured either in grains per gallon [GPG] or as calcium hardness in milligrams per liter [mg / l] or parts per million [ppm]. GPG is based on calcium hardness, equivalent to calcium hardness ppm, divides by 17.2.

soft or slightly hard water…...........<3.5>
moderately hard water……….........3.5 to 10.5 GPG;
very hard water:……….....…….>10.5 GPG.

The human body’s mineral content and the human’s sweat mineral content:

The human body's mineral content: in most cases is an optimal level of minerals [macro minerals and micro minerals] that must be present in the body in their correct balance, excessive consumption as well as deficiency of minerals is generally undesirable.

The human body’s mineral content are as the followings:

Macrominerals [essential]:

· Sodium……….1.37 gram / liter [ 0.137 %],

· Potassium……3.42 gram / liter [ 0.342 %],

· Calcium……..16.70 gram / liter [ 1.670 %],

· Magnesium….0.53 gram / liter [ 0.053 %],

· Silicon………..0.46 gram / liter [ 0.046 %].

Microminerals: Iron 0,00638 %, Zinc 0,00365 %, Lead 0.000243 %, Copper 0.000 137 %, Chromium 0.0000091 %, Nickel 0.0000167 %, Aluminium 0.0000988 %, Cadminum 0.0000608 %, Barium 0.0000344 %, Cobalt 0.0000304 %, Vanadium 0.0000304 %, Tin 0.0000228 %, Selenium 0.0000228 %, Arsenic 0.0000228 %, Manganese 0.0000198, Mercury 0.0000190 %, Molybdenum 0.0000122 %, Bismuth 0.0000045 %, Lithium 0.00000, Uranium 90 mcg.

When we exercise, many of the minerals contained in our body are either burnt up or excreted through perspiration / sweating, an isotonic drink help fill again / replenish these lost minerals as well as topping up our energy levels, isotonic drink is essentially just water, minerals and glucose [sugar] with some added vitamins, the glucose will give us an energy boost.

Composition of human sweat:

Human sweat contains mainly water, but it also contains minerals, as well as lactate and urea, mineral composition will vary with the individual, the acclimatization to heat, exercise, sweating, the duration of sweating, and the composition of minerals in the body, the human sweat’s minerals content are as follows:

Sodium........... 0.9000 gram / liter [0.090 %],
Potassium……0.2000 gram / liter [0.020 %],
Calcium…….. 0.0150 gram / liter [0.150 %],
Magnesium…. 0.0013 gram / liter [0.013 %].

many other trace elements are excreted in sweat: Iron 1.0 mg / liter, Zinc 0.4 mg / liter, Lead 0.05 mg / liter, Copper 0.3 - 0.8 mg / liter, Chromium 0.1 mg / liter, Nickel 0.05 mg / liter, humans sweat is hypo-osmotic relative to plasma.

Fruit juices / Fruit beverages:

Fruit juices are nutritious beverages that have been enjoyed by adults and children for decades. 100% fruit juices can play an important role in a healthy diet because they offer great taste and a variety of nutrients found naturally in fruits. These juices are fat-free, high nutrients, rich in vitamins, minerals and naturally occurring phyto-nutrients that contribute to good health.

Drinking 100% Fruit juice is associated with lower risk of obesity and metabolic syndrome: if we enjoy a glass of 100% fruit juice as part of our daily routine, chances are we also have fewer risk factors for several chronic diseases when compared to other non juice-drinking persons of the same age [ peers]. New research presented today at the Experimental Biology (EB) 2009 meeting highlights this association among adult men and women, with evidence showing that 100% fruit juice drinkers were thin and healthy [leaner], had better insulin sensitivity and had lower risk for obesity and metabolic syndromes, a cluster of conditions that increases risk for stroke, heart disease and diabetes.

Beverages with high phytochemicals / phytonutrient values:

Vitamin C, Antioxidants, flavanoids, phytoferols etc.

Pomegranate juice......[Punica granatum, family Lythraceae]
Concord grape juice...[Citrus paradise, family Rutaceae]
Pineapple juice……...[Ananas comosus, family Bromeliaceae]
Cranberry juice……. [Vaccinum oxycoccos, family Ericaceae]
Guajava juice ………[Psidium domentorum, family Myrtaceae]

Banana juice………. [Musa paradisiacal, family Musaceae]

Watermelon juice…...[Citrullus lanatus, family Cucurbitaceae]

Annona juice………..[Annona squamosa, family Annonaceae]

Blackberry juice…….[Robus argatus, family Rosaceae]

Avocado juice……....[Persea americana, family Sapotaceae]

Melon juice………....[Cucumis melo, family Cucurbitaceae]

Apple juice…………[Malus domestica, family Rosaceae]

Orange juice……… .[Citrus sinensis, family Rutaceae]

Tomato juice……….[Solanum lycopersicum, family Solanaceae]

Blueberry juice……..[Vaccinum angustifolium, family Ericaceae]

Red wine juice……..[Vitis vinifera, family Vitaceae]

Starfruit juice............[Averrhoa carambola, family Oxalidaceae]

Non Carbonated Natural Mineral Water,

Carbonated Mineral Water, Soft Drinks:

Non Carbonated Natural Mineral Water:

Coconut water is the clear liquid inside young coconuts, fruits of the coconut palm [Cocos nucifera, family Palmae], coconut water has long been a popular drink in the tropics, especially in tropical Asia, Central America like Costa Rica, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, and other Caribbean islands, where it is available fresh [young fresh nuts] or bottled or in Tetra Paks containers, they call it Agua de pipa, and marketed as a sports drink because of its high potassium and mineral content, it is naturally fat-free and low in food energy [16.7 calories or 70 kilojoules per 100 grams], coconut water is a natural isotonic beverage, with the same level of electrolytic balance as we have in our blood, it's the fluid of life, during the Pacific War of 1941-45, both sides in the conflict, as a matter of fact, regularly used coconut water siphoned directly from the nut, to give emergency plasma transfusions to wounded soldiers.

Composition of coconut water:

Water…………….95.50 %

Nitrogen…………...0.05 %

Phosphoric acid……0.56 %

Potassium………….0.25%

Calcium oxide……...0.69 %

Magnesium oxide…..0.59 %

Iron………………..0.50 mg /100g

Total solids………...4.71 mg /100g

Reducing sugars……0.80 mg /100g

Total sugars………..2.08 mg /100g

Ash………………..0.62 mg /100g

[Source: Pandalai, K. M. (1958). Coconut water and its uses. Coconut Bull. 12, No. 5, 167-173]

Coconut water is the very stuff of nature, biologically pure and sterile, full of natural sugars, minerals / salts, and vitamins to keep away fatigue, according to Mortin Satin, Chielf of the United Nation's Food & Agriculture Organization [FAO]:

coconut water contains more potassium, at about 294 mg / 100 ml than most sports drinks [117 mg / 100ml] and most energy drinks.
coconut water has less sodium, 25 mg / 100 ml, where sports drinks have around 41 mg / 100 ml and energy drinks have about 200 mg / 100 ml
coconut water has 5 mg / 100 ml of natural sugars, where sports and energy drinks range from 10-25 mg / 100 ml of altered sugars.
coconut water is very high in chloride at 118 mg / 100 ml, compared to sports drinks at about 39 mg / 100 ml.

The Food and Agriculture Organization [FAO] recommended the young coconut juice as the natural rehydration liquid and the energetic drink, was suitable for anyone especially the athletes and they who had the quite high activities, FAO recommended that the young coconut juice was patented and marketed in the package without reduced its content of electrolytes, glucose, protein and vitamins, traditionally, coconut water freshly taken from young coconut nut can also be used as an antidote / a substance that acts against the effects of a poison such as food poisoning.

Sample of Coconut Water Drink in Tetra Paks container: Fatigon Hydro+ Natural Health Drink, contains each 250 ml: sodium 110 mg, kalium 270 mg, magnesium 14 mg, kalsium 12 mg, vitamin C 20 mg, vitamin B₃ 4 mg, vitamin B₅ 2 mg, vitamin B₆1 mg.

Carbonated Mineral Water / Soda Water:

Water with few minerals is described as being soft water, mineral water can be prepared or can occur naturally, mineral water is water containing minerals or other dissolved substances that alter its taste or give it therapeutic value, salts, sulfur compounds, and gases are among the substances that can be dissolved in the water, mineral water can often be effervescent, in many places, mineral water also means carbonated water, usually carbonated mineral water, traditionally mineral waters would be used or consumed at their source, the U.S. FDA classifies mineral water as water containing at least 250 ppm [parts per million] total dissolved solids [TDS], and also is water coming from a source tapped at one or more bore holes or spring, originating from a geologically and physically protected underground water source, no minerals may be added to this water.

Soft Drinks are beverages which are labeled as sparkling water / seltzer water / fizzy water ^[1] / soda water / tonic water, or club soda, they do not contain alcohol, in contrast are the hard drinks / alcoholic drinks, soft drinks like soda, soda pop, coke, are called carbonated soft drinks / fizzy drinks / beverages having small bubbles of gas in the drinks. another beverages that also belong to soft drinks are flavored water, iced tea, sweet tea, lemonade, squash, and fruit punch, conversely, beverages which do not classified as soft drinks are: hot chocolate, hot tea, coffee, milk, tap water, fruit juice and milkshakes.

Health effect of carbonated soft drinks: carbonated soft drinks are bad for our teeth because plaque bacteria act upon the sugars in the drinks, leading to tooth decay, moreover, regular drinking of carbonated soft drinks, even the sugar-free varieties, can add considerably to the amount of dental erosion because these drinks are just a solution of carbonic acid [HCO₃], these acidic drinks tend to affect our body's pH level, so that the body will need to neutralize this effect using its stores of calcium, if we are not getting enough calcium in our diet, osteoporosis may develop.

Samples of Soft Drinks: Coca Cola, Pepsi Cola, Coke. Gatorade thirst quencher.

^[1]. Fizzy Water / Fizzy Drinks [effervescent]: CO₂gas is forced into the drink at low temperatures under pressure, it dissolves quite well, then the drink is kept under pressure by the closed container, when we open it, the pressure that keeps the bubbles dissolved into the drink goes away, forming the fizz [hissing sound], when the drink is left for too long once that pressure is removed, the CO₂ gas all escapes the liquid, it becomes a flat drink liquid.

Despite using CO₂ gas, CO₂ gas in carbonated soft drink can be made from chemical reaction of sodium bicarbonate and citric acid: NaHCO₃ + 3C₆H₈O₇ è 3H₂O + 3CO₂ + Na₃C₆H₅O₇

Sport Drinks: Hypotonic Drinks, Isotonic Drinks,

Hypertonic Drinks, Ion Supply Drinks.

Electrolytes are commonly found in sports drinks, and in oral rehydration therapy [ORT] - see below additional note ^[2], electrolyte drinks containing sodium and potassium salts replenish the body's water and electrolyte levels after dehydration caused by exercise, diarrhea, vomiting, intoxication or starvation, some sources state that more than sixteen minerals called dietary minerals, are required to support human biochemical processes by serving structural and functional roles as well as electrolytes functions, they are:

Sodium [Na]……......RDA / AI: 1500 mg

Potassium [K]……....RDA / AI: 4700 mg

Calcium [Ca].............RDA / AI: 1000 mg

Magnesium [Mg].......RDA / AI: 420 mg

Zinc [ Zn]..................RDA / AI: 11 mg [trace]

Ion [Fe].....................RDA / AI: 8 mg [trace]

Manganese [Mn].......RDA / AI 2,3 mg [trace]

Copper [Cu].............RDA / AI: 900 μg [trace]

Selenium [Se]……....RDA / AI: 55 μg [trace]

Molybdenum [Mo]....RDA / AI: 45 μg [trace]

Iodine [J₂]……….....RDA / AI: 150 μg [trace]

Chloride [Cl^-]…........RDA / AI: 2300 mg

Phosphorus [P].........RDA / AI: 700 mg

Other trace elements: cobalt, nickel, chromium, floride, sulfur, arsenic, boron, bromine, cadmium, silicon, tungsten, vanadium.

Hypotonic drinks are dilute carbohydrate electrolyte solutions which are less concentrated than body fluids and are therefore rapidly absorbed by the body. they begin the rehydration process while simultaneously helping to replenish carbohydrate energy reserves.
Isotonic drinks have a similar carbohydrate and electrolyte concentration to the body's own fluids, they are best used later in the recovery process to boost energy intake while still encouraging fluid uptake during the final stages of rehydration. an isotonic drink is a sport drink whose osmolarity^[3] is between 250 mosm / liter to 340 mosm / liter.

^[3]. osmolarity is the concentration of particles in the blood, the similar concentration of particles in the isotonic drink to what is found in the bloodstream, the human body has an average osmorality of 250 mosm / liter to 340 mosm / liter, so that its absorption will be faster and will require less extra energy from the body for its assimilation.

Hypertonic drinks are solutions with a higher carbohydrate and electrolyte concentration than the body fluids, in general these types of drinks contain large amounts of carbohydrate and are therefore best used as energy supplements during periods of heavy training, when energy expenditure is likely to be high, if we prefer to drink water alone [plain water] after exercise, it is impossible to achieve adequate rehydration, so solid food which replaces lost of the carbohydrates and electrolytes should be consumed at the same time, but if this is not possible, some form of electrolyte solution is essential to be consumed like hypertonic drinks.

But this does not mean we should never drink water after exercise, we need to take account of our levels of fluid and electrolyte losses, where losses are high and large volumes of fluid need to be consumed in a short period, it is important to consume sodium in combination with carbohydrate and water,

Glucose is a carbohydrate which is stored as glucose in the liver and muscles and is the most efficient source of energy as it requires less oxygen to be burnt than either protein or fat, during exercise, there is in an increased uptake of blood glucose by the muscles, to prevent blood glucose levels falling down, the liver produces glucose from the body carbohydrate stores [glycogen], during hard exercise, carbohydrate can be depleted at a rate of 3-4 grams per minute, if this is sustained for 2 hours or more, a very large fraction of the total body carbohydrate stores will be exhausted and if not to be replaced will result in reduced performance, for complete recovery of the muscle and liver glycogen stores after exercise will normally require 24-48 hours, consuming carbohydrate before, during and after exercise will help prevent blood glucose levels falling too low and help maintain the body's glycogen stores, many athletes cannot consume food before or during exercise and therefore a formulated sport drinks / isotonic drinks that will provide carbohydrate is required.

Samples of Sport Drink: Powerade Sport, Pocari Sweat Isotonic Drink .

Samples of Ion Supply Drinks: Pocari Sweat Ion Supply Drink, Fatigon Hydro⁺ Natural Health Drink.

Energy Drinks :

Energy drinks are soft drinks that provide energy to improve all sorts of physical activity of the drinker, these drinks are designed to increase the drinker's mental alertness and physical performance by the addition of caffeine, amino-acids, vitamins, and herbal supplements which may interact to provide a stimulant effect, the central ingredient in most energy drinks is caffeine, energy drinks do not provide food energy [in calories], generally, energy drinks contain amino-acid taurine [effective substance taurine is the fundamental substance of energy drinks], caffeine, vitamin-B groups [B₃, B₅, B₆, B₁₂], other amino-acids like lysine, choline, carnitine, polysccharides like inulins, inositol, and herbs like ginseng [Panax ginseng, family Araliaceae], ginkgo biloba [Ginkgo biloba, family Ginkgoaceae], and sugar / glucose, royal jelly / honey bees [Apis florea, family Apidae] consumption of a single dose energy beverage will not lead to excessive caffeine intake; but consumption of two or more doses of energy beverages in a single day should be cautioned of excessive caffeine intake.

Caffeine [a xanthine derivative]:

Caffeine that belongs to xanthine derivatives, is naturally found in certain leaves, seeds, and fruits of over 60 plants worldwide, the most common sources in the diet are coffee [Coffea arabica / Rubiaceae], tea leaves [Camellia sinensis / Theaceae], cocoa beans [Theobroma cacao / Malvaceae], cola [Cola acuminate / Sterculiaceae], caffeine is the common name for 1,3,7-trimethyl-xanthine, a white powder with intensely bitter taste, will provide a distinctive taste in soft drinks, after ingesting caffeine, it is completely absorbed within 30 to 45 minutes, and its effects substantially diminish within about three hours, it is eventually excreted, so there is no accumulation in the body, caffeine has been shown to affect mood, stamina, the cerebral vascular system, gastric and colonic activity.

Health effect of xanthine containing beverages:

Xanthine containing beverages are widely consumed, have a mild stimulant effect on the central nerves system [CNS], the adverse effects of xanthine containing beverages are due to their caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine content, common adverse effects are: sleeplessness, anxiety, tremor, palpitations, and withdrawal headache.

Taurine [a semi-essential amino acid]:

Taurine is semi-essential amino acid, it plays an important role in metabolism, it is nerve function stimulant and accelerator of nerve air transfer, as the stimulator of brain function, it helps to clear away tiredness, improves / increases concentration and movement coordination, improves psychical resistance and stress toleration, it keeps away fatigue, takes away the feeling of exhaustion, taurine is found in the heart muscle, white blood cells, central nerve system, and skeletal muscle, however, when not enough is made in the body, such as during strong exercises, the deficiency can be corrected by supplementation with for example an energy drink.

Inositol [an isomer of glucose]:

Inositol is an isomer of glucose, has traditionally been considered to be vitamin-B substance although it has an uncertain status as a vitamin, deficiency syndrome has not been identified in human, sources of inositol include whole-grain cereals, fruit, and plants, in which it occurs as the hexaphosphate, fytic acid, it also occurs in both vegetables and meats in other forms, the usual daily intake of inositol from the diet is about 1 gram, inositol is an ingredient of numerous vitamin preparations and dietary supplements, inositol is not considered a vitamin itself because it can be synthesised by the body.

Inulins [a polysaccharide / considered to be a fiber]:

Inulins are a group of naturally occurring polysaccharides produced by many types of plants, such as from the tubers of Dahlia variabilis, Helianthus tuberosus, and other genera of the family Compositae, they belong to a class of fibers known as fructans, inulin is used by some plants as a means of storing energy and is typically found in roots or rhizomes, most plants which synthesize and store inulins do not store other materials such as starch, inulin is not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, it is considered to be a fiber, it is a soluble fiber as opposed to cellulose which is an insoluble fiber.

Choline bitartrate [an amino acid]:

Choline is acetylcholine precursor, it involves in lipid metabolism and acts as a methyl donor in various other metabolic process, choline has traditionally been considered to be a vitamin-B substance although its functions do not justify its classification as a vitamin, choline can be synthesized in the body, sources of choline, which occurs mostly as lecithin include egg-yolk and vegetable and animal fat.

Lysine [an amino acid]:

Lysine is a basic amino acid that is an essential constituent of the diet, lysine acetate and lysine hydrochloride are used as dietary supplements.

Carnitine [a quaternary ammonium compound / a non-essential amino acid]:

Carnitine is a quaternary ammonium compound biosynthesized from the amino acids lysine and methionine, carnitine is a non-essential amino acid, is found in nearly all cells of the body, in living cells, carnitine is an essential co-factor of fatty acid metabolism, in the heart, liver, and skeletal muscle, it is required for the transport of fatty acids from the cytosol into the mitochondria during the breakdown of lipids / fats for the generation of metabolic energy, carnitine plays a critical role in energy production, it transports long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria so they can be oxidized / burned to produce energy, it also transports the toxic compounds generated out of this cellular to prevent their accumulation, carnitine is concentrated in tissues like skeletal and cardiac muscle that utilize fatty acids as a dietary fuel, the body makes sufficient carnitine as needed.

L-Carnitine is used for body-building supplement:

L-Carnitine is very similar to the non-essential amino acid carnitine and performs the same functions such as helping to metabolize food into energy, L-Carnitine is an important body-building supplement [in synthetic form] capable of generating a handful of benefits to the muscles and body in general, in its natural form L-carnitine is found in red meat and dairy products.

Sample of Energy Drinks: Kratingdaeng Energy Drink, Kratingdaeng-S Energy Drink, Hemaviton Energy Drink, M-150 Energy Drink,

Additional Note:

^[2] Oral Rehydration Therapy [ORT] & Oral Rehydration Salts [ORS]:

Similar but not the same with sport drinks / ion supply drinks are anti diarrhea re-hydration powders / oral rehydration salts, which are used as main / prime treatment for diarrhea patients to prevent from dehydration, these preparations belong to over the counter medicinal products [OTC-pharmaceuticals], sample of the anti diarrhea re-hydration formulas are as the followings:

Anti-diarrhea Rehydration Powder 1 = Oral Rehydration Salt / ORS-Bicarbonate

Anti-diarrhes Rehydration Powder 2 = Oral Rehydration Salt / ORS-Citrate

A joint WHO/UNICEF statement. Geneva, WHO (1983):

The management of diarrhoea and use of oral rehydration therapy[ORT].

Also Read :

Bottled Drinking Water
Star Fruit is harmful for kidney patients, but it is safe for healthy persons.
Does watermelon juice have Viagra effect ?

100 Healthy Habits That Can Save Your Life, Your Money, and Your Planet

2009-04-24T06:07:00.000-07:00

Kelly Sonora: Nursing School.Net

April 16th, 2009

Making healthy lifestyle changes can affect more than just your longevity. Many changes, even small ones, can have a big impact on your wallet and the world around you. With so much to gain, why wait to make some key changes in your life that can have you feeling better, richer and more environmentally friendly. The following are just a few ideas to help you get started on developing some beneficial healthy habits.

General

These habits are important to keep your overall health good, and have some other great benefits as well.

Get enough sleep. Not getting enough sleep can shorten your life expectancy, make you cranky, make it harder to concentrate and even cause you to put on weight, so make sure to get enough every night to help you wake up feeling refreshed.
Keep your teeth squeaky clean. Many people may not realize what a role oral health can play in life expectancy. Scientists estimate that regular brushing and flossing can add up to six years to your life, keeping you healthier and saving you money on dental and health care.
Wear sunscreen. Protecting your skin won’t just prevent potentially fatal conditions like cancer but can also help keep you looking younger longer.
Stop smoking. Smoking not only hurts your health but can wreck havoc on your wallet as well, not to mention all the waste it creates through cigarette butts. Cut out the smoking and you’ll help yourself in a myriad of ways.
Stay a healthy weight. There is no magic number for a healthy weight, and only your doctor can tell you what’s right for you, but working to keep yourself slim and trim can prevent a wide range of potentially costly healthy problems.
Get regular medical exams. Paying a little bit more up front to get some routine tests and physicals done can pay off big time in the long run, especially if you catch a problem in the early stages.
Put yourself first. With busy lives it can be hard to make time to spend just on yourself, but staying healthy inside and out requires a little me-time now and again.
Keep it in moderation. Whether you love to indulge in cocktails or spending on expensive gadgets, moderation is key. Give yourself the occasional indulgence but make sure it doesn’t get out of hand. You’ll get better health out of it and a little extra money in your wallet.
Don’t ignore symptoms. Unexplained weight loss, shortness of breath, severe headaches and fevers are just some of the symptoms that you should never ignore. Protect your health and head to the doctor if you’re feeling less than normal.
Go outside. Even in the dead of winter, getting outside for a little bit each day can make you feel better. Take a walk, enjoy the fresh air, connect with nature and enjoy the simple (and free) pleasure of getting outside.
Take vitamins. Vitamins can be pricey, but they are a small investment in your health, as many can help prevent problems like osteoporosis that can affect you as you age.
Encourage healthy lifestyles in others. Getting healthy can be great for you but what about those who are close to you? Encourage your spouse, family members and children to get out there and get moving along with you. It’ll not only help them but will also encourage you to stay with your healthy habits as well.
Find a passion. Taking the time to figure out where your real passions lie in life, whether they’re in playing a sport, caring for your family, following a career or making the world a better place, will help keep you healthy and active long into old age.
Get physical. Whether you decide to run five miles every morning or enjoy a romp under the sheets with your spouse, getting your body moving is one of the best ways to stay healthy and one that benefits your mental and physical well-being.

Mental

Make sure you’re taking care of your mental health as well by following these healthy habits.

Take time to relax. Stress can take a big toll on the health of anyone, both mentally and physically. Make sure you’re taking time out of your life to relax and unwind whether it’s by taking a long walk or enjoying a movie night with a friend or partner.
Laugh about it. Sometimes unexpected things happen in life. Learning to laugh about them, and not take everything as a serious setback can be a big part of staying healthy and keeping stress from dragging you down.
Get help. You don’t have to go through tough times alone. If you’re feeling depressed reach out to friends and loved ones. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to them talk to a counselor or psychiatric professional in your area.
Find new interests. Keep your brain in shape by seeking out new interests and knowledge. You may even find a new passion or a new group of friends.
Get involved. Getting involved in your community is a great way to connect emotionally, help the environment and get healthy by getting active.
Build your self esteem. When you’re healthy and in shape you feel good about yourself. Find ways in your every day life to build up self worth whether its through enjoying a hobby, playing a sport or any other activity that you love.
Embrace the spiritual. Being spiritual doesn’t have to mean being part of an organized religion. For some, it can simply mean connecting with a deeper, more meaningful part of life. why is this important? Taking quiet time to meditate or pray can help you relax, focus and find out what’s really important in your life, leading to a happier, healthier you.
Work out your brain. Just because your brain doesn’t have any muscles doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be working it out. Ensuring that your brain stays healthy will help you stay active, happy and sharp into old age.
Look on the bright side. Studies have shown that those with an optimistic outlook on life actually live longer, healthier lives so try to see the silver lining.
Find friends with common interests. Having a close group of friends who share your values is essential to maintaining mental health and will likely ensure you’re happier no matter your age.
Spend time with those you love. Making connections with others is key to staying balanced and happy. Spending time with a loved one promotes better health, shared interests and as an added bonus doesn’t have to cost you a thing.

At Work

Feel like your job is draining your health? You may want to make some adjustments with these suggestions.

Find an alternate mode of transport. Whether you bike to work or take a ride with some coworkers, you’ll be helping the environment and getting the benefits of working out or socializing with others.
Bring lunch. Bringing your lunch rather than going out ensures that you’ll know just what is going into every meal and will save you big bucks over the course of the year.
Allow yourself breaks. Working the whole day through without ever getting away from your desk may be great for your boss’ bottom line but it isn’t doing your health any favors. Make sure to take a few short breaks throughout the day to relax, stretch your legs and take your mind off stressful matters.
Take the stairs. If you work in a building where this is feasible, taking the stairs can be a great way to burn some extra calories throughout the work week.
Reduce your stress. Jobs can often be the most stressful part of a person’s life. Do your best to reduce the stress of your job by not taking on more than you can handle and not letting work dominate your life.
Connect with coworkers. Most people are happier and less stressed in a workplace where they feel connected to their coworkers. So make an effort to get to know the others working around you.
Get ergonomic. Don’t let your desk be a painful place to be. Instead, work on improving the ergonomics of your working environment a stretching out when you can.
Bring your own. From snacks to coffee mugs, bringing things from home will enable you to be healthier and save money at work. Plus you won’t be creating extra waste with disposable cups.
Take your vacation. You may not think getting away from work will help you get more done but it just might. Studies have shown that taking a break from work, even if you don’t go anywhere, can help you reduce stress and be more productive when you’re back on the job.
Keep clean. Workplaces are full of germs, so keeping you hands washed and your desk clean can help prevent picking up any workplace illnesses that might be floating around.
Get up, get moving. Sitting in one place all day isn’t good for your body, and likely isn’t doing much for your mind either. Make sure to take time to get up and walk around, even if it’s just to go to the water fountain.
Don’t take on too much. It’s easy to let work pile up and to take on more than is really possible for you to finish. Learn how to say no and when enough is enough to fight stress at work.
Stay away from sick coworkers. Colds can move around the office with lightening speed. If you know a coworker is sick, try avoid contact with them as much as possible and keep anti-bacterial agents on hand to help prevent getting sick.
Do what you love. There is no reason a job should have to be a horrible trial everyday. If you do what you’re passionate about it can be a labor of love. Not in a job you enjoy now? Start doing small things to make your dream happen.
Make a change. If you’re unhappy at your job, why linger, causing undo stress and unhappiness? Make a change to something else even if it’s a scary leap.

Around the House

Here are a few simple things you can do around the house to boost your health and that of anyone living with you.

Make your own cleaning supplies. Store-bought cleaning supplies can be full of all kinds of chemicals that can be harmful to you, your family and household pets. It’s simple to make your own cleaning supplies and you can find numerous recipes online and in books.
Cook at home instead of going out. While the occasional meal out won’t hurt you, eating at home helps you to know just what is going into every dish and will help you save money if times are tight.
Find a great hobby. Having a hobby can help keep your mind in shape and help get you up off the couch and doing something productive.
Turn off the TV. Many people spend several hours a day watching TV, being completely sedentary when they could be active. Turn off the TV for a few hours and take a walk, talk to a spouse or loved ones or read a book.
Plant a garden. Planting a garden will get you moving physically and provide you with fresh veggies and herbs to eat, making it an all-around healthy endeavor.
Pick up the pace of chores. Want to get a little bit extra out of doing those chores? Pick up the pace and get your heart rate up as you move around the house. You can even make a game out of how long it will take you to sweep or dust a room.
Hang laundry on the line. One other way to make housework more active is by hanging laundry out to dry rather than throwing it in the dryer. You’ll not only get to do a bit of exercise but you’ll save money and pitch in to be a little greener.
Shorten your showers. Taking shorter showers won’t just help cut your water bills and conserve water, it will also help keep your skin from drying out and help you look younger and healthier.
Have first aid supplies. Make sure you keep a range of first aid and emergency supplies around your house. Hopefully you’ll never need them, but if you do, you’ll have what you need on hand to ensure you emerge healthier from any kind of household accident.
Clean out the clutter. Having clutter around the house can stress you out, forcing you to rummage through things trying to locate items or tripping over things that don’t have a home. Cleaning out your garage, basement and closets can rid you of much of this clutter and may even make you some money if you have a garage sale.
Start a compost pile. If you have the room in your backyard, start a compost pile. You can use it to fertilize veggies and other edible plants and you’ll keep some waste from going to a landfill.
Get organized. Getting organized can save you time and money as well as preventing waste and generally reducing your stress level.
Eat together. Eating meals with someone else can help you to slow down, enjoy what you’re eating and spend some time socializing and connecting with others. All things that are beneficial to your health.
Properly store and dispose of materials. Most of us wouldn’t leave a can of gasoline stored in our bedrooms, but many other potentially harmful materials are often stored in places that can be just as dangerous. Learn how to properly store and dispose of the harmful materials around your home and think about replacing them with more eco-friendly options.
Love what you have. The reality is that most of us don’t need all the things we already own and certainly would do just fine without all the things we want. Try to spend more time appreciating what you do have and less time wanting what you don’t.

Exercise and Fitness

One of the key elements to staying healthy is to work out and get fit. Here are some great ways to do it while having fun, saving money and even getting greener.

Take a walk. Getting out and walking, even if it’s just around the block, is a great way to get some exercise and see what’s going on in your area.
Ride a bike. Whether you’re trying to get somewhere fast or just take the scenic route, biking is an earth-friendly way to get fit and feel good.
Play a sport. Many sports require little equipment and all are a great way to get in shape and have fun while doing so. Even better, you’ll get to make some great social connections and feel good about your mental and physical health.
Bring the kids. Don’t make fitness a lonely endeavor. Bring your children or spouse along and get the whole family fit at once.
Work out while waiting. Bored during a commercial break? Try doing some yoga moves or stretching out. The few minutes you spend doing this will add up over a couple hours watching television.
Play with pets. Your pet needs attention and you need exercise so why not actively engage in both by playing with your pet?
Wear protective gear. If you do play a sport or even work out vigorously, make sure you’re wearing the right kind of equipment to protect you from injury.
Explore your neighborhood. On foot, roller blade, bikes or at a jog, your neighborhood is full of things just waiting to be discovered.
Go off the beaten track. Nature trails can be a great way to get exercise and remain entertained all afternoon long as you see wildlife and great scenery.
Use your own body. You don’t have to spend a fortune on a gym membership to get in shape. You can use your own body to do many workouts and still reap the benefits.
Volunteer. From organizing recycling to planting trees, there are many volunteering opportunities that will fill your heart, get you moving and help the environment.
Make it social. Workouts don’t have to be alone if you don’t want them to be, and often they’re more productive when you bring others along.
Get in a routine. Making exercise part of your daily life is key to making a healthy lifestyle change. Get in the habit of working out and you’ll be able to stop fighting the urge to just veg out.
Try new things. There are a million different ways to get active and chances are good there are many you haven’t tried that you might love. Be open to trying out new ways to get fit and you might just discover a new hobby.

Shopping and Finances

Money can have a big impact on your personal health, whether you realize it or not. Here are some suggestions for spending and saving the healthy way.

Bring your own bags. Reusable bags are great for the environment and may encourage you to buy less if you only have a few bags to use.
Avoid heavily packaged items. There’s no need to send mounds of waste to a landfill for a simple item. Try to avoid purchasing items that are encased in more plastic than they’re made of if you can.
Stay away from processed foods. Processed foods may be appealing because of their convenience and ready availability, but in the end you’ll be better off cooking from fresh items.
Shop smart. Just because something is on sale doesn’t mean you need to buy it. Don’t be fooled by sales and bargains that might encourage you to buy more and ultimately waste more.
Buy organic. While you don’t have to buy everything organic, some foods are important to get organic as you can see here. You’ll be taking in fewer chemicals and helping out the environment at the same time.
Check labels. Many foods appear to be healthier than they really are and many products aren’t quite as advertised. Read the labels of foods you buy and carefully research any other purchases you make to ensure they are healthy, the best value and not harmful to the environment.
Plan your meals. Planning meals ahead of time will help you eat right and not buy more than you need at the store, preventing waste and saving money.
Buy local. Checking out a local farmer’s market can be a great place to find locally grown foods. You can get great deals on these items and you’ll get to each fresher, healthier foods that haven’t taken numerous resources to transport.
Park further away. On your next shopping expedition, try parking further away. You’ll have your choice of parking spots and get a little bit of exercise on the way to the store.
Live within your means. Not having enough money can put a ton of stress on anyone, often at the cost of health. Keep you spending within your means to give you one less thing to worry about.
Keep your bills paid. While unexpected bills can catch you by surprise, keeping your regular month-to-month bills paid can be a great way to reduce your stress. If you can’t seem to remember, set up automatic payments online.
Buy less. By simply cutting back on spending you’ll be doing your wallet and the planet a favor.
Stop buying bottled water. This doesn’t mean that you should stop drinking water, but just stop buying pre-bottled water and instead fill up a reusable bottle that will stay out of a landfill for a long time to come.
Get only what you need. With so much available to you at the grocery store, it can be easy to buy more than necessary. Bringing a list or planning ahead can help keep you from spending too much and getting food that might go to waste or cause you to overeat.
Look for used. Not everything you need has to come to you brand spanking new. Try shopping on ebay, in thrift stores and other secondhand shops so you can save money and save old items from becoming waste.
Be realistic. Save yourself a one way ticket to stress by having realistic expectations about what you want. If you’re never satisfied with the things you have or will likely be able to afford you’ll always be stressed, unhappy and ultimately unhealthy.

Diet and Nutrition

These habits can help you get on the right track to eating a healthier more balanced diet.

Eat lower on the food chain. Not only are grains and vegetables better for the environment they’re also cheaper and better for your diet. Make meats the side dish at your meal instead of the main focus.
Eat breakfast. Eating breakfast can improve your concentration, help you maintain your weight, and get your daily requirement of vitamins and minerals. So enjoy healthy, whole grain breakfast to start your day.
Have some fish. Fish is full of omega-3 fatty acids, high in protein, and low in fat leading to a much healthier way to get your fix of meat.
Drink plenty of water. Getting enough water can help you do everything from maintain concentration and digest food properly so make sure to get enough to keep your health afloat by bringing a water bottle with you everywhere you go.
Switch to tea. Even if you do love coffee, drinking tea has some definite benefits health wise, helping you fight a range of illnesses. Tea may also be a cheaper alternative to coffee for those who need a caffeine fix.
Practice portion control. Most people eat far bigger portions than they really should. Scale back on your portions and you’ll stay healthier and save money.
Have a glass of wine. Drinking red wine in moderation has been shown to have some great heart healthy benefits so indulge in a glass with your dinner.
Stop dieting. As most people can tell you, diets don’t work. Only long term changes to diet and lifestyle can ensure long-term weight loss and health. So make changes that you can stick to, rather than those that are designed to be quick fixes.
Eat smaller, more frequent meals. For some people, eating smaller meals throughout the day can help avoid the ravenous hunger than can result from going too long between meals. Give it a try with several healthy meals or snacks throughout the day for an easy way to fight hunger and overeating.
Have fresh foods. The vast majority of the time, fresher foods have more nutrients and are better for you than those that are processed or frozen. So eat as many fresh fruits and veggies as you can to reap the nutritional benefits. Fresh foods don’t have to cost you a pretty penny either, check out local farmer’s markets for deals.
Embrace variety. Eating a variety of foods is essential to having a well-balanced diet. Check out the daily recommendations provided by the government or work on taking in the whole spectrum of options out there on your own terms.
Limit junk foods. It goes without saying that most of us would be healthier if we cut back on our junk food intake. Not only are these foods high in fat and calories but they’re full of chemicals and often heavily packaged which isn’t friendly to the environment either.
Slow down. Eating more slowly may help you actually eat less in the long run as you’ll give your stomach time to register that it’s full keeping you from overeating and giving you some leftovers to have tomorrow.
Enjoy your meals. Part of slowing down is learning to savor your meals. Don’t just eat to get full, make eating an enjoyable experience for your mind and body.
Make it easy to eat right. If you stock your house with fatty snacks and high calorie drinks you’re inevitably going to indulge, maybe more than you’d like. Instead, keep healthy snacks around the house, at your desk or anywhere you might be tempted.

Contributed from Kelly Sonora Blog : Nursing School Net.

Bottled Drinking Water

2009-04-21T03:53:00.000-07:00

Different variants with the same one aim,

“Healthier consumers”

Mountain Spring Water [Mineral Water], Distilled Drinking Water,

Super Oxygenated Drinking Water, Hexagonal Drinking Water,

Let Consumers freely as well as rationally choose the best.

Drinking Water Sources:

Drinking water comes from surface water and ground water, large-scale water supply systems [municipal water / city running water / tap water], public drinking water supply tend to rely on surface water resources, surface water includes rivers, lakes, streams, and reservoirs / dams, smaller water systems [home private drinking water] tend to use ground water [shallow or deep well], ground water is pumped from wells that are drilled into aquifers, aquifers are geologic formations that contain water, the quantity of water in an aquifer and the water produced by a well depend on the nature of the rock, sand, or soil in the aquifer where the well withdraws water, if we have our own drinking water well, we are responsible for making sure that our water is safe to drink, so private wells should be tested annually for nitrate and bacteria to detect contamination, also test for other contaminants, such as radon gas and pesticides.

Another source for drinking water is mountain spring water / mountain valley spring water / artesian water[*], an aquifer provides the water source for an artesian well, an aquifer is the layer of permeable rock, like limestone, sandstone, that absorbs water from an inlet path at high elevation such as the top of a mountain, the water source might be fed by rains, snowmelts, porous stone is sandwiched between a top and bottom layer of an impermeable substance like clay soil or shale rock / soft rock, this keeps the water pressure high, so that when we get to a point below the entryway of the flow, there is enough pressure to bring the water up, an artesian well allows water to rise to the surface that has traveled through porous rock from a higher elevation, this pump-less well seems due to gravity movement because the pressure that builds up between layers of rock gets relieved when the water finds a path to the open air.

[*] An artesian aquifer is a confined aquifer containing groundwater that will flow upward through a well without the need for pumping. Water may even reach the ground surface if the natural pressure is high enough, in which case the well is called a flowing artesian well. An aquifer provides the water for an artesian well. An aquifer is a layer of soft rock, like limestone or sandstone, that absorbs water from an inlet path. Porous stone is confined between impermeable rocks or clay. This keeps the pressure high, so when the water finds an outlet, it overcomes gravity and goes up instead of down.

in-organic chemicals in Drinking Water.

WHO's Guidelines for drinking-water quality, set up in Geneva, 1993, are the international reference point for standard setting and drinking-water safety.

EPA Primary Standard protect drinking water quality by limiting the levels of specific contaminants that can adversely affect public health and are known or anticipated to occur in water, this regulation is legally enforceable standard that applies to public water systems.

EPA Secondary Standard is non enforceable guideline regarding contaminants that may cause cosmetic effects, such as taste, odor, color in drinking water.

Bottled Drinking Water:

Bottled water is not necessarily safer than the tap water:

EPA sets standards for tap water provided by public water systems,
Food and Drug Administration sets bottled water standards based on EPA's tap water standards, FDA has adopted EPA standards for tap water as standards for bottled water, standards for contaminants in tap water and bottled water are very similar, bottled water may be no more pure than tap water, this is because there are simply no government standards that require bottled water to be any better.

The FDA describes bottled water as water that is intended for human consumption and that is sealed in bottles or other containers with no added ingredients, except, it may contain a safe and suitable antimicrobial agent, fluoride may also be added within the limits set by the FDA.

FDA also has established regulations specifically for bottled water, including standard of identity regulations, which define different types of bottled water, and standard of quality regulations, which set maximum levels of contaminants (chemical, physical, microbial and radiological) allowed in bottled water.

Each time the EPA establishes a standard for a chemical or microbial contaminants, the FDA either adopts it for bottled water or makes a finding that the standard is not necessary for bottled water in order to protect the public health.

Production of bottled water also must follow the current good manufacturing practices (CGMP) regulations set up and enforced by the FDA. Water must be sampled, analyzed and found to be safe and clean / sanitary, these regulations also require proper plant and equipment design, bottling procedures and record keeping.

Bottled water sources:

Artesian well water. water from a well that taps an aquifer / layers of porous rock, sand and earth that contain water, which is under pressure from surrounding upper layers of rock or clay, when tapped, the pressure in the aquifer, commonly called artesian pressure, pushes the water above the level of the aquifer, sometimes to the surface, according to the EPA, water from artesian aquifers often is more pure because the border layers of rock and clay inhibit the movement of the contaminants..

image from FDA website, for illustration purposes only.

Mineral water: water from an underground source that contains at least 250 parts per million [250 ppm] total dissolved solids, it should be noted that the minerals and trace elements must come from the source of the underground water itself, they cannot be added from outside sources.
Spring water: derived from an underground formation from which water flows naturally to the earth's surface. Spring water must be collected only at the spring or through a borehole tapping the underground formation feeding the spring, if some external force is used to collect the water through a borehole, the water must have the same composition and quality as the water that naturally flows to the surface.
Well water [shallow or deep]: water from a hole bored or drilled into the ground, which taps into an aquifer.

Water treatments in Bottled Drinking Water manufacturing:

Distillation: in this process, water is turned into a vapor, since minerals are too heavy to vaporize, they are left behind, and the vapors are condensed into water again., if comply with US Pharmacopoeia, it can be labeled as purified water ^[1].
Water Filters: there are two main types of filters: sediment and activated carbon, the basic concept behind nearly all filters, however, is fairly simple, the contaminants are physically prevented from moving through the filter either by screening them out with very small pores and / or, in the case of carbon filters, by trapping them within the filter matrix by attracting them to the surface of carbon particles, the process of adsorption.
Reverse osmosis: water is forced through membranes to remove minerals in the water, absolute 1 micron filtration, water flows through filters that remove particles larger than one micron in size, such as cryptosporidium ^[2]a parasitic protozoan, if comply with US Pharmacopoeia, it can be labeled as purified water.
Ozonisation: bottlers of all types of waters typically use ozone gas, an antimicrobial agent, to disinfect the water instead of chlorine [Cl₂], since chlorine can leave residual taste and odor to the water.

^[1]. US Pharmacopoeia 23- 1995: Purified water is water obtained by distillation, ion-exchange treatment, reverse osmosis, or other suitable process, it is prepared from water complying with the regulation of the federal EPA with respect to drinking water, it contain no added substances. pH between 5.0 and 7.0, total solid not more than 0.001 %.

^[2]. Cryptosporidium is a small parasitic organism that infects the small intestine of a variety of mammals, including humans, leading to the illness cryptosporidiosis, cryptosporidium is present in aquatic environments, usually in small numbers, and is found more commonly in surface waters than in ground waters, cryptosporidiosis is characterized by diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps and fever, cryptosporidium can be transmitted from one infected person to another, from contact with an infected animal or from contaminated food or water.

[ 1 ]. Bottled Mountain Spring Drinking Water [Mineral Water]:

For hundreds, even thousands of years, pure water has flowed beneath the mountains, some of the underground water reservoirs emerge onto the surface as mountain spring water. Water from mountain springs filter up from deep within the earth through layers and layers of sand and stone so that when it finally reaches the surface it has been thoroughly filtered naturally and carries with it the gift of a wide variety of minerals, this is what makes mountain spring water special besides its purity; the balanced mineral content that is so important [vital] to the human body, the water is pure, clear, and free from any bacteria, the water is safe to drink even before processing, the mountain spring water carry balanced levels of the minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron and sodium.

The manufacturing process begins with filtering of the mountain spring water to eliminate any large particles carried up from the depths of the earth, the water then goes through the sanitation process to guarantee that it is completely free of any disease cause by bacteria, the water is immediately and hygienically filled into newly created PET food grade material bottles at the time of processing through in-line filling system..

[ 2 ]. Bottled Distilled Pure Drinking Water [Purified Water]:

We need minerals, but the source of minerals for the body is food we eat, not the water we drink, plants have a unique ability to convert inorganic minerals absorbed from the soil and water into organic forms our bodies can use, people have the mistaken belief that essential minerals are derived from water they drink.

Among several types of water, such as: rain water, snow-melt water, raw water, hard water, filtered water, soft water, de-ionized water, boiled and distilled water, only distilled drinking water is pure and virtually free of all contaminates, as a result, distilled water has no taste, no color, no odor, no bacteria, no heavy metals, no acids, no organic minerals, no toxic chemicals, no poisons, in an emergency, boiling is the best way to purify water that is unsafe because of the presence of protozoan parasites or bacteria.

Distillation: in many ways, distillation is the reverse of boiling, to remove impurities from water by distillation, the water is usually boiled in a chamber causing water to vaporize, and the pure steam leaves the non volatile contaminants behind, like salts, sediments, metals and anything that won't boil or evaporate will remain in the distiller and then be removed, the steam moves to a different part of the unit and is cooled until it condenses back into liquid water, the resulting distillate drips into a storage container, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) will evaporate and condense with the water vapor, so a vapor trap, carbon filter, or other device must be used along with a distiller to ensure the more complete removal of contaminants including the VOCs.

Advantages of distillation process:

A good distillation unit produces very pure water, that is one of the few practical ways to remove nitrates, chloride, and other salts that carbon filtration can not remove them.
Distillation also removes pathogens in the water, mostly by killing and leaving them behind when the water vapor evaporates, if the water is boiled, or heated just short of boiling, pathogens would also be killed.
As long as the distiller is kept clean and is, working properly the high quality of treated water will be very consistent regardless of the incoming water, no drop [constant] in quality over time.
No filter cartridges to replace, unless a carbon filter is used to remove VOCs [volatile organic compounds].

Health effects:

Bottled water processed with distillation or reverse osmosis lacks fluoride ions [ F] which are sometimes naturally present in ground water, the drinking of distilled water may conceivably increase the risk of tooth decay due to a lack of fluoride ion element.

[ 3 ]. Bottled Super Oxygenated Drinking Water [Oxygenated Drinking Water]:

Benefit claims by the manufacturer:

Extra supply of oxygen to the body for overall health improvement
Enhancement of the brain function for clearer thinking and alertness
More oxygen to the muscle to increase energy and performance
More oxygen to skin cells for healthier, younger looking skin
Enhanced metabolism and waste removal
Enhancement of the body's ability to fight bacteria and viruses
Better absorption of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients

The Oxygenated Water assessment:

The concept of obtaining significant amounts of oxygen through the digestive system makes a physiological sense as quenching your thirst by inhaling a glass of water into our lungs.
The primary way to transport oxygen in the body is bound to hemoglobin in the red blood cells, in normal healthy exercisers, hemoglobin leaving the lungs is already 97 % to 98 % saturated with oxygen, the structure of the circulatory system ensures that any oxygen picked up in the digestive system would go through the lungs before reaching the muscles and other tissues, in the lungs any extra oxygen in the blood will reduce the amount of oxygen transferred to the blood, the final oxygen saturation of the hemoglobin would still be 97 % to 98 %.
Oxygenating water has no effect on the body's ability to absorb the oxygen into the bloodstream or transfer it throughout the body.
The water that we drink can take up to an hour or more to travel to the intestines where it is absorbed, but the oxygen [O₂] we inhale into our lungs will absorb into our bloodstream almost immediately, so doesn't it make sense to supply oxygen by drinking a glass of water.
Oxygenated water makes sense for fishes that have specialized structures for exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide in an aquatic environment, but not for humans.
Similarly to, the human digestive system is designed to absorb water and nutrients, not oxygen.

A single breath of air contains more oxygen than a bottle of oxygenated water, there is no scientific evidence or logical rationale to suggest that drinking super oxygenated water can in any way increase the amount of oxygen in the blood stream, therefore, any potential benefits of super oxygenated water would undoubtedly be attributed to the placebo effect, there's very little reliable evidence to show that super oxygenated water has any significant effect on exercise performance, energy levels, or recovery, this water isn't going to hurt its consumer, but there's no reason to believe it's going to help the consumer substantially.

[ 4 ]. Hexagonal Drinking Water:

Hexagonal water theory:

Dr. Mu Shik Jhon, President of the Korean Academy of Science and Technology, and the Honorary Chair-Professor of Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology and a world authority in water research, is the originator of the hexagonal water theory and has been actively disclosing its relationship with cancers and aging mechanism as well as possible healing effects. Professor Jhon says that here are three different shapes of water.

hexagonal hook-shaped,
pentagonal hook-shaped,
hexagonal chain-shaped,

He confirmed that there are more hexagonal water around the normal protein than around cancerous protein.

Water clusters: the Science

Chemists have long recognized water as a substance having unusual and unique properties that one would not at first sight expect from a small molecule having the formula H₂O. It is generally agreed that the special properties of water stem from the tendency of its molecules to associate, forming short-lived and ever-changing polymeric units that are sometimes described as "clusters", these clusters are more conceptual than physical in nature; they have no directly observable properties, and their transient existence (on the order of picoseconds) does not support an earlier view that water is a mixture of polymers (H₂O)n in which “n” can have a variety of values, instead, the currently favored model of water is one of a loosely-connected network that might best be described as one huge "cluster" whose internal connections are continually undergoing rearrangement.

Penta water: supposed five-molecule clusters of water [water pentamer – polymer formed from 5 molecules of monomer], is a commercially sold brand of bottled water that is claimed by its manufacturer to be structurally different from normal water, it is advertised as the ultimate bottled water, penta process subjects water to high energy sound waves, creating sonoluminescence ^[3] reduces the average size of the water clusters present in liquid water, this supposedly makes it easier for water molecules to pass through cell membranes, it is further claimed that water so treated improves the survivability of cells, the various claims made by Penta are classed as pseudoscience ^[4] by scientists, as they have never been scientifically established, and contradict laws of nature, penta water is filtered water no different from ordinary water.

^[3].Sonoluminescence is a mysterious phenomenon caused when ultrasound waves excite a liquid, creating tiny bubbles which emit light when they collapse. The effect is magnified when the bubbles contain a noble gas. The phrase sonoluminescence means "sound light".

^[4]. Pseudoscience is a methodology, belief, or practice that is claimed to be scientific, or that is made to appear to be scientific, but which does not adhere to an appropriate scientific methodology, lacks supporting evidence or plausibility, or otherwise lacks scientific status

3 kinds of Drinking Water Containers:

PET-Bottles #1, PP-Cups #5, PC-Gallons #7

Also Read:

PET / PETE Bottle. its advantages, and its Health issues.
Safely use of Baby Feed Polycarbonate Bottles.
Safely use of Plastic Food Packaging.
Growing up Green, for Healthy Newborn Babies.

Lear more the health benefit of various non-alcoholic commercial drinks:

Stiff Neck, and How to cure it.

2009-04-14T05:16:00.000-07:00

Don’t keep the same posture for a long time,

it will build-up fatigue and generates a stiff neck.

Lack of exercise is also one of the reason that causes stiff neck.

Study all about body’s pains in order to manage them properly.

Image from Eagle Product,
for illustration purpose only.

Muscle Fatigue / Stiffness:

Healthy muscle have an adequate level of elasticity, which is provided by smooth circulation of water and blood in the cell, if we keep the same posture for a long time, it will build up fatigue, blood circulation becomes stagnant / become diminished because the blood vessel are compressed, so that fatigue substances will be collected, causes the muscle to become rigid, this rigidity of the muscle is called Muscle Stiffness, muscle stiffness in the shoulder is called Stiff Neck.

Mechanism of Stiff Neck:

The muscle and bones of the neck have to support the weight of the head and every turn the head will make, stiff neck is a tightness or rigidity in the muscle supporting the neck, the neck rigidity refers to a stiffness that prevents bending of the neck and limits movement of the neck, in normal muscles, fatigue substances such as Lactic acid [exercise and lactate] which have been accumulated in the muscle are degraded by Oxygen [O₂] in the blood, muscle in the shoulder region, in particular, which sling the shoulder blades and support the arms and the hands easily become strained or stretched and are easy to be affected by stress, if shoulder muscles are rigid and collect fatigue substances they irritate the nerves, causing pain called stiff neck, it can occur by itself or together with neck pain, this neck pain may come from any structure of the neck, includes the vertebrae and muscle of the upper back, the blood vessel of the neck, and the lymph nodes in the neck, Stiff neck can be simply a mild discomfort and slight problem in moving the neck, but it can also be severe pain and the inability to move or bend the neck at all, any type of injury or illness can result in a stiff neck, person who has stiff neck may move the neck more slowly and carefully, stiff neck can also lead to strained of ligaments, and pain travels from the neck into the back and arms.

Symptoms of Stiff Neck :

Mild: causing a slight problem in moving or turning the head and neck.
Severe: causing great difficulty in moving, turning, or bending the neck.

Causes of Stiff neck:

The cause of stiff neck can very greatly:

Sleeping on a pillow the wrong way [funny sleeping position].
Neck sprain, which may be accompanied by pain, slight swelling, and restricted range of motion.
Stress which can cause the neck muscles become tighten and stiff.
Sudden turn of the neck.
Torticollis [*], a deformity of the neck caused by a shortening of the neck muscles, this condition causes the head to tilt / move to the affected side with the chin pointing to the other side.
Injury due to an accident.
Subarachnoid hemorrhage [**], or bleeding into the space surrounding the brain.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Cervical arthritis [***], an inflammatory condition affecting the upper spine and possibly other parts of the body.
Ankylosing spondylitis, an inflammation and inability to move some of the upper vertebrae, often caused by arthritis.
Meningitis, a viral or bacterial infection affecting the membranes surrounding the spinal cord and brain.
Encephalitis, a serious inflammation affecting the brain.

[*] Torticollis is a contracture of one of the muscles that allow the head to move, in most cases, the torticollis is unilateral, that is, it provokes an inclination of the head on the right or left side and it is impossible to turn the head.
There are 3 main causes: sleeping in a bad position, a localized chill or a brusque rotation movement. If not treated, the torticollis can become chronic and lead to a permanently poor and unattractive posture that is a source of pain and discomfort.

[**] Subarachnoid hemorrhage occurs when a blood vessel just outside the brain ruptures. The area of the skull surrounding the brain (the subarachnoid space) rapidly fills with blood. A patient with subarachnoid hemorrhage may have a sudden, intense headache, neck pain, and nausea or vomiting. Sometimes this is described as the worst headache of one's life. The sudden buildup of pressure outside the brain may also cause rapid loss of consciousness or death.

[***] Cervical arthritis is a type of arthritis that affects the upper spine causing pain in the neck. Over time the pain may spread to the arms. age, injury and poor posture play a role in who develops this disease.

The cervical spine consists of seven distinct vertebral bodies that are separated by inter-vertebral discs. These discs support the neck while giving it flexibility. Cervical arthritis is caused when the cervical vertebrae in the neck deteriorate accompanied by the deterioration of the cartilage that provides shock absorption, these changes gradually constrict the space in the vertebra, which causes extreme neck pain.

Prevent from Stiff Neck:

Keep a good posture / staying fit: avoid a posture where possible that causes the shoulder or the neck to be strained, alternatively, take a good posture which lets your back to be naturally stretched, if we have kept the same posture at work or do hand-work for hours or more, take a rest from time to time to relax by turning arms and neck, so if we work behind a desk or computer all day long, we will get back pain and neck pain, a solution to this problem is that use a chair with a proper back and neck rest so that strain to these muscles can be minimized, by standing and stretching for just a few seconds every hour and taking a walk during our lunch break, we are providing ourselves with the key for reducing back pain and neck pain, another alternative method that can be taken is stand with one foot on a small stool, interchange the feet after every five to fifteen minutes while keeping our back and neck straight and the head and hips aligned correctly, this will help to relieve back pain and neck pain by keeping the pressure off the back and neck and will help if we have to stand for a long period of time, this method can be done at home as well as at the office to help relieve the pain.
Exercise to strengthen the muscles: exercises should be carried out to keep the muscle of the neck stronger and more resistant to injury, lack of exercise is also one of the cause of stiff neck, strengthen the muscles by cultivating a habit of taking moderate exercise, sports such as aerobic, swimming, tennis, that cause various parts of the body to move is desirable, even is a must, make sure that we intend to beat at the very root cause of the back pain and neck pain, which might even mean having to reduce weight, strengthening our muscles and also maintaining the correct posture and positions especially when standing, sitting as well as when sleeping.
Take good measures to cope with stress: stiff neck is easily caused by strong mental stress as well as physical strain, so take a secure place where we can relax in our everyday life, an easy going life.
Avoid as much any accidents at anywhere: driving carefully etc.
Seeking immediate medical care for major injury: using precautions when a person has been injured to decrease the likelihood of further injury.
Avoid exposure to someone who has meningitis.

How to cure Stiff Neck:

Wrong sleeping: change or use different pillow for night sleeping.
Injury: physical therapy, pain medication, a hot or cold packs to reduce pain and stiffness, some injuries may be treated with a cervical collar to help support the head, surgery or traction may be necessary to treat injuries or to relieve pressure on the neck or brain.
Stress: counseling to learn stress management techniques.
Bacterial / viral Infection: emergency care and hospitalization

Also Read: related articles:

All about Body Pains

Trigeminal Neuralgia, Select the most suitable healing method.

Sciatica, a nerve pain potentially reduces the quality of life.

How to avoid Muscle Cramps, the most common muscle ache symptoms.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, the most common nerve problem affected person's hand

How to avoid Muscle Cramps, the most common muscle ache symptoms!

2009-04-10T20:02:00.000-07:00

Muscle Cramps can occur even at rest & in sleep!

See a Doctor if Muscle Cramps occur too frequently!

Don’t wait until we feel thirsty to start drinking,

as thirst is a sign that we have already become dehydrated!

Study all about body’s pains in order to manage them properly.

Muscle aches:

Aches affecting one or more muscles, muscle aches are caused by either: excessive exercise, muscle injury, muscle strain, muscle metabolism disorders, and last but not least is caused by an infection [many infections cause muscle aches and pains, like titany].

Various muscle ache symptoms:

muscle weakness, muscle fatique, muscle pain, muscle cramps, muscle aches, muscle atrophy, muscle stiffness, loss of muscle control, or many other types.

Muscle cramp:

image from thorntonross.com & fitsugar.com for illustration only.

Many muscles are attached to more than two bones by tendons, muscles are arranged opposite each other, such as the muscles in the shin of our leg allow us to bend our ankle upward, while the calf muscle allows us to bend our ankle downward, muscle cramps can happen while you play tennis or golf, bowl, swim or do any exercise, it can also happen while you sit, walk or even just sleep, sometimes the slightest movement that shortens a muscle can trigger a cramp, some people are pre-disposed to muscle cramps and get them regularly with any physical exertion, those at greatest risk for cramps include infants and young children, people over the age of 50, and those who are ill, overweight, overexert during work or exercise, or take drugs or certain medications.

What is spasm:

when we use the muscle that can voluntarily be controlled, such our arms and our legs, they contract and relax as we move our limbs, a muscle that in-voluntarily contracts is called spasm, if the spasm is forceful and sustained, it become a cramp, cramp is a sudden contraction of the muscles which is accompanied by a knotting pain, usually occurs in the calf muscles, which become hard and tense, painful cramp is out of control muscle contraction, locking the muscle in a very painful spasm, which can often last for several minutes, or a lot longer, so that a muscle cramp is defined as an in-voluntarily and forcibly contracted muscle that does not relax, the cramp may involve a part of a muscle or the entire muscle, or several muscles that act together, such as those that flex / bend adjacent finger, sometime cramps involve the simultaneous contraction of many muscles that ordinarily move body parts in opposite directions, cramps are common in adult and become increasingly frequent with aging, particularly common in people over 50, any muscle that are under our voluntarily control can cramp.

Muscle cramps are common in athletics, excessive sweating is associated with cramps, most endurance athletes like marathon runners, swimmers, soccer players and cricketers have had a cramp at some time in their career, a muscle cramp is basically a skeletal muscle in spasm and refusing to relax, the muscles of the calf, and the back and front of the thigh are the most commonly affected, muscles of the hand, forearm, back, neck and abdomen can also be affected, overuse of muscles causes the local build up of waste products [lactic acid], depletion of oxygen and the loss of energy substrates, these conditions are ripe for a spasm to take place, and once that begins, the nerves keep stimulating the muscles to contract, exercising in hot weather, excessive sweat loss, dehydration, participation in endurance athletics can cause cramps, an athlete coming off a period of inactivity is more likely to experience spasms, some cramps are not related to exercise at all but may be the symptom of an underlying disease.

Rest cramps / night cramps / nocturnal cramps: cramp that occur at rest during the night after turning or stretching during sleep, rest cramps / night cramps / nocturnal cramps can be very disruptive of sleep and otherwise quite disturbing, they sometime re-occur frequently, many time a night, or many night each week, rest cramps are very painful, the actual cause of night cramps are unknown, sometime to be initiated by making a movement that shortens the muscle, which then cramps, like pointing the toe down while lying in bed, which shortens the calf muscle.

The mechanism of Muscle Cramp:

Inside every muscle are hundreds of muscle fibres and each of these contain muscle filaments, these slide past each other when the muscle is relaxed, when the muscle needs to generate force, in order to walk, run or kick, the filaments lock together and the muscle contracts, a signal is given to the muscle and it is washed with a Sodium salt solution, the filaments then need to unlock and relax before contracting again, in this case the filaments are washed with a calcium solution, relaxing the fibres as you propel forwards, muscle fibres are therefore in a continuous cycle of contraction and relaxation.

Causes of Muscle Cramps:

Why cramps occur are still mystery, although they are obvious that fatigued muscles are more likely to cramp, cramp can occur even in sleep, cramp can be caused by any one of a number of factors such as:

Poor blood circulation to the legs: which results in inadequate oxygen to the muscle tissue, can cause severe pain, this commonly occurs in the calf muscles, the front and back of the thigh muscles.
Tiredness / inadequate stretching and muscle fatigue: muscles are bundles of fibres that contract and expand to produce movement, a regular program of stretching lengthens muscle fibres so they can contract and tighten more vigorously when we exercise, when our body is poorly conditioned, less of warming up, we are more likely to experience muscle fatigue, which when coupled with over-exertion depletes a muscle’s oxygen supply, leading to build up of waste product [lactic acid] and spasms, this can then lead to cramps as the muscle fibres cease to contract and expand effectively.
Contractures: contractures result when the muscle are unable to relax, the constant spasms are cause by a depletion of ATP / adenosine triphosphate[*], an energy chemical within the cells, this will prevent the muscle fiber relaxation, the nerves are inactive in this form of muscle spasm.
Certain medicines: chronic volume depletion of body fluid from Diurectis that promote urination together with poorly fluid intake may cause cramps.
Sodium depletion: loss of sodium, the most abundant chemical constituent of body fluids outside the cell, is usually a function of dehydration, and causes cramps, electrolyte disturbance may cause cramp and tetany of muscles [tetanic cramp], particularly hypokalaemia [a low level of potassium] and hypocalcaemia/ hypocalcemia [a low level of calcium], this disturbance arises as the body loses large amounts of fluid through sweat, this fluid is composed mostly of water and table salt [NaCl], the loss of osmotically active particles outside muscle cells leads to a disturbance of the osmotic balance and swelling of muscle cells as these contain more osmotically active particles, this causes the calcium pump between the muscle lumen and sarcoplasmic reticulum to short circuit and the calcium ions remain bound to the troponin and the muscle contraction is continued, this may occur when the lactic acid is high in the cells.
Low Blood Potassium: low potassium level occasionally cause muscle cramps, low potassium is associated with muscle weakness.
Low Blood Calcium [hypocalcaemia / hypocalcemia], Magnesium: low blood levels of calcium or magnesium directly increase the excitability of both the nerve endings and the muscle they stimulate, this may cause spontaneous true cramps experienced by many people, includes women during pregnancy, low levels of calcium and magnesium are common in normal pregnancy, unless these minerals are supplemented to the diet, diuretic can also decrease calcium and magnesium levels in body fluid, so does with vomiting, vitamin deficiency can cause inadequate calcium absorption, poor function of the parathyroid gland can decrease the calcium level in body fluid, low calcium and magnesium increases the activity of nerve tissue non specifically causes tetanic cramps, low blood calcium causes not only spasm of the muscle of the hands and wrists, but also a sensation of numbness and tingling around the mouth and other areas.

Hypocalcaemia/ hypocalcemia [low blood calcium level] is an electrolyte imbalance and is indicated by a low level of calcium in the blood, the normal adult value for calcium is 4.5 5.5 mEq/L, calcium is important for healthy bones and teeth, as well as for normal muscle and nerve function, normal blood calcium levels are maintained through the actions of parathyroid hormone (PTH), your kidneys and intestines.

Dehydration: sport and either vigorous activities / exercise can cause excessive fluid loss from perspiration, a chemical imbalance in the muscle occurred, makes it suddenly contract, this kind of hydration causes cramps, these cramps are more likely in warm weather and can be early sign of heat stroke, the calf muscles are the most frequently affected during or after exercise, don’t wait until you feel thirsty to start drinking, as thirst is a sign that you have already become dehydrated, drinking plenty of water before, during and after exercise will help prevent cramp.
Body fluid shifts: unusual distribution of body fluid, such as cirrhosis of the liver, with fluid in the abdomen cavity, artificial kidney treatment such as hemodialysis makes a relatively frequent complication of the rapid body fluid changes can also cause cramps.
Vitamin deficiencies can cause muscle cramps:
Several vitamin deficiency states may directly or indirectly lead to muscle cramps, these include deficiencies of thiamine [Vitamin B1], pantothenic acid [Vitamin B5], and pyridoxine [Vitamin B6], the role of deficiency of these vitamins in causing cramps are unknown.
Tetany: in tetany [causes by neuro tetany toxin], all of the nerve cells in the body are activated, they stimulate the muscle, this reaction causes spasms or cramps throughout the body, tetanic cramps can also cause by hyperactivities of other nerve functions in addition to muscle stimulation.

Preventing from Muscle Cramps:

Avoid exerting in hot weather, wear cotton fabrics, drink water and electrolyte-rich fluids at regular intervals during exercise, stretch before exercise, stretch after a workout as well, most cramps tend to occur towards the end of a workout.

Stretch your calf muscles, stand about two feet away from a wall, keeping your heels flat and your legs straight, lean towards the wall as you support yourself with your hands, hold for 10 to 15 seconds and repeat ten times.
Massage your calves by rubbing from the ankle upwards, five minutes on each leg, massage can use over-the-counter massage creams, muscular creams, warming up balms, liniment oils and the like, that will help to improve the blood flow and feel comfortable warm enough.
Use an electric blanket on cold winter nights. This can keep the calf muscles warm and pain free.
Sleep on your side with knees bent and a pillow between them.
Take regular exercise, walking, swimming and cycling are excellent.
Yoga is also a good way of learning to relax and stretch your muscles.

Optional actions to cure Muscle Cramps:

Warming up and gently stretching your muscles before exercise helps to avoid cramp, it is also a good idea to warm down after completing any exercise programmed by doing five to ten minutes of stretching exercises.

Streching exercise: hold each stretch briefly for a few seconds, then release, never stretch to the point of pain.

Hamstring Muscle Stretch: sit with one leg folded in and the other leg straight out, foot upright with toes and ankles relaxed, lean forward slightly and touch your foot of your straightened leg, repeat with your opposite leg.
Calf Muscle Stretch: start with a standing lunge with both your feet pointed forward, then straighten your rear leg out behind you, repeat with your opposite leg.
Quadriceps Muscle Stretch: while standing, hold the top of your foot with your opposite hand and gently pull your heel towards your buttocks, repeat with your opposite leg.

Medication: take Calcium gluconate to help correct any calcium deficiency, Cholecalciferol, a form of Vitamin D, also called Vitamin D3 or Calciol [**] to aid calcium absorption and Nicotinic acid to improve poor peripheral circulation.
Stop the activity that caused the cramp: holding the cramped muscle in a stretched position will stop the spasm soon, if the muscle feels sore and tender, apply an ice pack, if it feels tense and tight, a warm heated soft cloth put on a sore place on the affected area of the body to soothe pain and reduce swelling,, most cramps are benign, however, if they occur too frequently, see a doctor to search for underlying causes of the condition.
Alternatively, when you are having an attack of cramp, rubbing the muscle vigorously, can apply pain reliever creams, liniment oils, muscular balms and the like, that will help to reduce the pains, and stretching it gently will help bring relief, you may also find it useful to place a hot wet towel over the area affected as soon as the cramp has eased, or while it is still easing, repeat this every five minutes, for about four or five times in total, and then gently move the affected muscle, by walking or stretching.

[*] Adenosine-5’-triphosphate (ATP)

Adenosine-5'-triphosphate [ATP] is a multifunctional nucleotide, and plays an important role in cell biology as a coenzyme that is the “molecular unit of currency” of intracellular energy transfer. In this role, ATP transports chemical energy within cells for metabolism. It is produced as an energy source during the processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration and consumed by many enzymes and a multitude of cellular processes including biosynthetic reactions, motility and cell division. ATP is made from adenosine diphosphate (ADP) or adenosine monophosphate (AMP), and its use in metabolism converts it back into these precursors. ATP is therefore continuously recycled in organisms, with the human body turning over its own weight in ATP each day.

[**] Cholecalciferol / Vitamin D3 / Calciol

Also Read the Related Articles:

All about Body Pains
Trigeminal Neuralgia, Select the most suitable healing method
Sciatica, a nerve pain potentially reduces the quality of life
Stiff Neck, and How to cure it.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, the most common nerve problem affected person's hand