The biggest breeding ground for microbes, in your bathroom, is not hairbrushes

It's your toothbrush. We know from research that used toothbrushes are contaminated with millions of germs from our mouths, our bathrooms, and nearby toothbrushes. In order to prevent the spread of germs, do not lend your toothbrush to anyone, or leave it in contact with any other one, stored in the same container. A good rule of thumb dictated by experience: keep toothbrushes at least 2 centimeters apart. Also, change your toothbrush after you have been sick, for example with a cold or the flu, because germs can linger on the toothbrush even after you have recovered. Another suggestion: always flush the toilet after putting the toilet seat down, or else store toothbrushes inside the bathroom cabinet. The reason is disgusting, but true: the spray and steam that are released every time you flush the toilet is capable of spreading at least 20 feet away. The most viable solution is to lower the top before flushing. The polluted water vapor that is released from the toilet can take several hours to fully settle. By here, you may already have an idea. If your toothbrush is near the toilet, flush your teeth with water from the toilet.



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Eating eggs does not raise cholesterol

Eggs got a bad reputation a few years ago due to the fact that they contain higher levels of cholesterol than other foods. Most of the cholesterol contained in eggs is concentrated in the yolk. However, it is not by eating eggs that we raise our cholesterol levels. When we eat foods high in fat, the liver turns some of that fat into cholesterol. There are many other culprits among the foods we eat besides eggs that are converted into cholesterol, namely fatty meats and dairy products. Eggs are an excellent source of protein, and the white is healthier and lower in fat than the yolk. Like so many things, enjoy eggs in moderation. One egg contains about 213 mg of dietary cholesterol. According to the American heart association, the recommended daily cholesterol limit is less than 300 mg for people with normal LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels. So you can eat eggs several times a week as long as you limit cholesterol from other sources - and give up fried foods.



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Isotonic drinks can cause irreversible damage to teeth

Isotonic drinks, a widely diffused liquid supplement, contain organic acids that attack the outer layer of enamel on the surface of the teeth and cause damage 11 times greater than that caused by soft drinks. Once introduced into the enamel layer, the dentin, which lies beneath, and is more fragile, begins to be attacked and the teeth rot. We can minimize the damage these drinks do to teeth by eliminating or reducing their intake, or by drinking them in large gulps instead of small sips.

 

Postpartum depression is a genuine disorder that requires medical care

Some women fall into depression after giving birth, a condition called postpartum depression. No one knows the exact cause, but it is thought to be directly related to the complex mix of physical, hormonal, emotional, and psychological changes associated with pregnancy and childbirth. For example, the levels of estrogen and progesterone, the female reproductive hormones, which double during pregnancy, plummet after childbirth, which may explain the crying spells, irritability, and peaks of exaltation in new mothers. Women who have had a C-section are extremely susceptible to postpartum depression. The exact reason for this we do not know, although there are experts who maintain that in certain cases a C-section birth can cause effects similar to post-traumatic stress syndrome. For a woman who is expecting to give birth naturally, undergoing a C-section can be a source of frustration, anxiety, and depression. Ask for support after you return home. It is difficult to vent about how you feel; suffering alone in silence will only engrave depression. Your body has just gone through an arduous process, and therefore it is extremely important to try to get as much sleep as possible after the birth. Follow a healthy diet. In general, postpartum depression is transient, for only a few weeks. If depression persists in afflicting you, talk to your doctor. 


Chocolate does wonders for your body

I have a friend who maintains that chocolate is so good that it should constitute a food group by itself. Just kidding! What I have no doubt about chocolate is that it contains natural compounds with somewhat enigmatic properties. One such compound decreases the tendency of blood platelets to clump together to form abnormal clots. This contributes to the fluidity of the blood, encourages normal clotting, and improves circulation. Another of the compounds is a stimulant called phenylethylamine, nicknamed the "love chemical," which causes the euphoria characteristic of falling in love. The darker the chocolate, the better, since dark chocolate has the healthiest properties. For greater benefits, buy chocolate with less than 70% cocoa... enjoy a small square every day.

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Making love is good for your brain

Sex gives pleasure, and when it is good, the pleasure is even greater. Sex is a way to share intimacy. And safe sex is also good for our psychological health. Sex releases a variety of beneficial chemicals in the body that produce a natural euphoria. In addition, sex that satisfies both parties improves communication and strengthens the bond between them, two barriers against depression arising from relationship problems. So help yourself.

 

Frozen fruits and vegetables are just as nutritious as fresh ones

I'm convinced that one of the best "vitamin supplements" is to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, and they don't always necessarily have to be fresh. Frozen foods are healthy too; you just need to be careful how you handle the packaging. When food is thawed and refrozen it loses much of its vitamin content. So the next time you go to the supermarket, check the packaging for signs of thawing. Vegetables such as peas or corn should be loose or come off easily inside the bag - and not look like a solid lump of ice. And the boxes with spinach and other vegetables should have the weight evenly distributed, rather than concentrated at one end. Another suggestion: favor simplicity. Fancy sauces not only weigh down your grocery bill, they are also likely to add a lot of fat and sodium to an otherwise healthy serving of vegetables. After you have done your shopping, bring them home and store them in the freezer; this way they should keep their freshness for at least 6 months.

 

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Women are more likely than men to become addicted to tobacco

Approximately 19% of American women smoke, and although we see women quit the habit every day, they don't do it at the same rate as men. One of the reasons, according to the American Cancer Society, is that women fear that quitting smoking will cause them to gain weight. And women also have a harder time quitting smoking, according to a study published several years ago in the International Journal of Psychophysiology. Apparently, they are more addicted to the physical habit and the sensation that smoking gives them. Studies show that the pleasure centers of the female brain are excited when exposed to the smell or taste of cigarettes, while men need the impact of nicotine to get the same reaction (which is why nicotine patches work better for men than for women). Women smokers who want to quit should try anti-smoking medications. 

Source: SNYDERMAN, Nancy L. - Myths of medicine that can kill us. 1st edition Editorial Presença. Lisboa: 2010