Do you use mouthwash after brushing your teeth? Well, I would like to share with you the article Common Mouthwash Products Boost Risk of Oral Cancer by 900 Percent by David Gutierrez, staff writer, published in NaturalNews.com Our health depends on choices we make, so let us be choice smart.

The use of mouthwash that contains alcohol as an ingredient can drastically increase a person’s risk of cancers of the mouth, head and neck, according to a study conducted by researchers from the Australia‘s University of Melbourne and University of Queensland School of Dentistry.

Researchers studied use of mouthwash among 3,210 people and compared it with rates of mouth, head and neck cancers.

“We see people with oral cancer who have no other risk factors than the use of [mouthwash containing alcohol], so what we’ve done is review all the evidence,” said lead researcher Michael McCullough, chair of the Australian Dental Association’s therapeutics committee,

The researchers found that all participants who used an alcohol-containing mouthwash at least once per day had a significantly increased risk of cancer, independent of other risk factors such as smoking or drinking alcoholic beverages. Among those who both used alcohol-containing mouthwash and regularly drank alcoholic beverages, the risk of cancers of the larynx, pharynx or oral cavity was five times that of people who drank but did not use mouthwash. The risk of cancer in people who smoked and used alcohol-containing mouthwashes was an astonishing nine times that of non-mouthwash-using smokers.

“Since this article, further evidence has come out,” McCullough said. “We believe there should be warnings. If it was a facial cream that had the effect of reducing acne but had a four to fivefold increased risk of skin cancer, no one would be recommending it.”

The body breaks down alcohol, also known as ethanol, into a carcinogenic compound called acetaldehyde. The researchers note that due to the way that mouthwash is swished around, acetaldehyde may thereby accumulate in the oral cavity.

In addition, the researchers believe that alcohol makes mucus membranes more permeable to other chemicals, allowing nicotine and other carcinogens increased access to the body’s tissues.

Let me know what you think about the article and what kind of mouthwash you normally use.

Breathe, smile and be happy.

Irina Wardas, HHC

Women’s Holistic Health, Nutrition and Relationship Expert

Try this healthy breakfast recipe  to feel energized all day long.

I adopted it from Food as Medicine by Dharma Singh Khalsa and think it is worth trying if you want to lower cholesterol and reduce high blood pressure, strengthen your heart and immune system by reducing inflammation.

Did you know that it is easier for you to lose weight when you reduce inflammation?

Almonds and walnuts are source of protein and omega-3 oils. They help bone marrow, nerves, and reproductive tissues. They also enhance memory and creativity.

Ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory.

Yogurt is source of protein, helps absorption of nutrients, and as an active-culture food, it can lower cholesterol and high blood pressure, strengthen our heart and immune system by reducing inflammation.

Inflammation Reducing Recipe

• 5 almonds
• 5 walnuts
• 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated or chopped
• ½ tsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup organic plain yogurt

Directions:

• Saute the nuts and ginger in olive oil for 2-3 minutes and add yogurt. Cook for another 4 min. until it turns brown.

Bon Appetit!

Click to listen to our discussion with Naturopath and Raw Food Coach Pamela Reilly on How to Boost Our Immunity DuringCold and Flu Season.

Breathe, smile and be happy.

Irina Wardas, HHC

Women’s Holistic Health Coach and Counselor

I hope you enjoyed my Tips on How to Avoid Hidden Sugar.

Now let me give you some examples of the most sugar packed foods.

I am sure there are some of them you will be surprised with.

Below are excerpts from the article “The Most Sugar-Packed Foods in America” by Dave Zinczenko and Matt Goulding published in the Men’s Health, Health and Fitness Section.

Most sugar-packed breakfast cereal

Quaker Natural Granola: Oats, Honey & Raisins (1 cup)

• 30 g sugars
• 420 calories

Warning: Granola’s healthy reputation is way overrated. The problem is those healthy-sounding oats are invariably bathed in a variety of sweeteners, making it not only one of the sweetest cereals in the aisle, but also a caloric overload. In fact, one cup of this stuff has more sugar than two servings of Lucky Charms.

Most sugar-packed salad

Uno Chicago Grill’s Spinach, Chicken and Gorgonzola Salad

• 38 g sugars
• 720 calories

The candied walnuts on this salad help to make it sweeter than a double-scoop cone of Ben & Jerry’s Butter Pecan ice cream. Choose a more sensible meal and save the sugar calories for dessert (which you’ll share, right?).

Most sugar-packed side dish

Boston Market’s Cinnamon Apples

• 42 g sugars
• 210 calories

This apple dish is right up there with the one Eve served to Adam, and you know how that worked out. Boston Market’s sickly sweet side consists of apples overwhelmed with sugar, brown sugar, soybean oil, and cornstarch. Oh yeah, and a pinch of cinnamon—which is about the only healthy thing about it. If you want this dish done right, make it at home.

Most sugar-packed sandwich

Subway’s Foot-Long Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki

• 38 g sugars
• 740 calories

The most distressing part: this sandwich finds its way onto Subway’s “healthy” menu. Ignore the claims of low fat that adorn the menu board; the teriyaki sauce contributes nearly 10 teaspoons of sugar to the sandwich, which will soon find their way to your waistline.

Most sugar-packed “healthy” food

Panera’s Pumpkin Muffin

• 47 g sugars
• 530 calories

Stop thinking of muffins as health food and start thinking of them as cake. They’re made from refined flour, contain only trace amounts of fiber, and can pack more sugar than two ice cream bars. Have one of these for breakfast, and you’ve sabotaged your diet for the whole day.

Most sugar-packed kids’ meal

Oscar Mayer Maxed Out Turkey & Cheddar Cracker Combo Lunchables

• 61 g sugars
• 680 calories

Kids love Lunchables, and for the usual reason: It’s a candy box. Too bad so many busy parents use them to fill empty lunchboxes. But this kids’ meal has more calories than a Whopper and more sugar than two Snickers bars; suddenly, packing their lunches becomes more of a priority. Anything to avoid that prepackaged candy and sugary drink.

Most sugar-packed breakfast

Bob Evans’ Stacked & Stuffed Strawberry Banana Cream Hotcakes

• 102 g sugars
• 1,200 calories

Despite the fruity name, this is truly one of the worst breakfast entrées in America. Each stack has 25.5 teaspoons of sugar—that’s more sugar than six funnel cakes. This is their diabetic special—one that contributes to the disease, instead of curing it.

The most sugar-packed food in America

Baskin Robbins Large York® Peppermint Pattie Shake

• 281 g sugars
• 2,210 calories

Baskin Robbins’ line of candy-based beverages are horrendous on so many accounts: Each large shake has a day’s worth of calories, up to three day’s of saturated fat, and an ingredient list so long—some more than seven inches—it requires an advanced degree in chemistry to decipher. This particular caloric catastrophe has more sugar than 11 Peppermint Patties. read the whole article

I understand that it may be difficult to be sugar free. But we can at least be better choice smart, shall we?

Breathe, smile and be happy.

Irina Wardas, HHC

Women’s Holistic Health, Nutrition Coach and Relationship Expert

Do you like beets?

Most people don’t realize how important beets can be for their health.

Beets are rich in B vitamin, folate, manganese and potassium, as well as dietary fiber, vitamin C, magnesium, iron, copper and phosphorus.

Here are 11 great reasons to incorporate beets into your diet.

Beets can:

• strengthen the heart,
• improve circulation, 
• purify / detox the blood,
• benefit the liver,
• lower blood pressure,
• regulate hormone imbalances during menopause if used with carrots;
• treat constipation
• help with nervousness
• promote weight loss
• help lessen inflammation
• fight colon cancer

Beets Salad Recipe

• 3 medium beets
• 1 tbsp apple-cider vinegar or 1 tbsp white o red vinegar + some brown sugar to taste
  

Directions:

• Boil the beets in salted water for about 45 minutes.
• Peel and slice/grade them.
  
• Add apple-cider vinegar and mix.

Prunes, Walnuts and Beet Salad Recipe

• 3 medium beets
• 7-8 prunes, sliced
• 2 tbsp walnuts sliced
• 1 tsp horseradish
• 2 tbsp sour cream

Directions:

• Boil the beets in salted water for about 45 minutes.
• Peel and slice/grade them.
•  Add all ingredients and mix.

Bon Appetit!

Breathe, smile and be happy.

Irina Wardas, HHC

Women’s Holistic Health, Nutrition and Relationship Expert