All of us really appreciate a brilliant smile of pearly white teeth. A smile that reminds us of movies and the television stars. Unfortunately not all of us can claim to possess such a smile, and any effort to whiten teeth only results in the plummeting of our earnings, due to costly dental treatments, or unsuccessful treatments misleadingly promised by teeth whitening products. Is it that difficult to obtain a sparkling white smile? Not only is it easy, it is also very cost effective if you opt for home remedies to whiten teeth, and you may choose from many different types.
1. Peroxide and baking soda paste. Mix 2 teaspoons of both hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to obtain a paste similar to the texture of toothpaste. You can give it a better flavor by adding a bit of mint or toothpaste. Apply this paste like you would regular toothpaste and leave it on for a few minutes. Use it no more than twice a week.
2. Baking soda and lime juice paste. Mix some baking soda with a few drops of lime juice and apply this paste on the stained teeth, massaging gently. This paste is a great stain removing treatment.
3. Orange peel. A safe and effective way to remove stains from your teeth is by rubbing the inside of an orange peel directly on your teeth. This method is by no means abrasive and will preserve the enamel.
4. Lemon juice and salt paste. This is another good homemade remedy to whiten teeth. Mix a teaspoon of both lemon juice and salt to make a paste, which is excellent for removing stains. This paste should not be used too often, for the acid content in the lemon juice can be abrasive for the enamel.
5. Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide paste. Mix a small quantity of the two products together to obtain a past and apply it on your teeth as toothpaste. This homemade remedy is very effective for teeth whitening and will reduce discoloration and bring back the brilliance in your smile. Make sure you use this paste no more than twice a week, and be careful not to swallow it.
6. Extra virgin oil rub. This is a simple homemade remedy to whiten teeth. After brushing your teeth with regular toothpaste, apply virgin olive oil with a cloth and rub over your teeth.
7. Crushed strawberries. This is a natural teeth whitener solution, for strawberries contain enzymes whiten teeth naturally. Simply crush the strawberries and use this preparation as you would toothpaste.
These are a few straightforward home remedies to whiten teeth, which you may use regularly. It is nonetheless important to avoid an excess of external agents, such as tea, coffee, wine or nicotine, which aggravate the staining of teeth. Also use peroxide with care, for excessive use can cause sensitive gums and damage the enamel of your teeth.

By Nazimabee Woozeer

A healthy diet is essential regardless of an individual's cardiovascular risk profile. Many studies, including Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), have provided evidence of the heart and vascular benefits of specific dietary guidelines. An early adjustment in dietary choices may prevent and/or improve high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and consequently other health-related problems. If a rise in blood pressure with age could be prevented or diminished, many conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart, vascular and kidney disease, and stroke, could be prevented.
Dietary Restrictions
1) Low sodium intake: The main source of sodium in Western diets is processed food, for instance, excessive quantities of salt are contained in packaged food and in food eaten outside the home. The DASH trial evaluated the effects of varying sodium intake in addition to the DASH diet and found that lowering sodium intake reduces blood pressure levels. Mean sodium intake is approximately 4,100 mg per day for men and 2,750 mg per day for women, 75% of which comes from processed foods.
Recommended Daily Sodium Intake
Dietary sodium should be reduced to no more than 100 mmol per day (2.4 g of sodium). 2)
2) Alcohol: Alcohol intake should be limited to no more than 1 oz (30 mL) of ethanol, the equivalent of two drinks per day for most men and no more than 0.5 oz of ethanol (one drink) per day for women and lighter-weight persons. A single drink is equivalent to 12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1.5 oz of 80-proof liquor.
3) Caffeine: Caffeine may result in high blood pressure; however, this effect is usually temporary. Moderate intake of caffeine per day does not significantly increase blood pressure.
Recommended Daily Coffee Intake Coffee intake should be less than two cups per day.
Dietary Restrictions
1) Low sodium intake: The main source of sodium in Western diets is processed food, for instance, excessive quantities of salt are contained in packaged food and in food eaten outside the home. The DASH trial evaluated the effects of varying sodium intake in addition to the DASH diet and found that lowering sodium intake reduces blood pressure levels. Mean sodium intake is approximately 4,100 mg per day for men and 2,750 mg per day for women, 75% of which comes from processed foods.
Recommended Daily Sodium Intake Dietary sodium should be reduced to no more than 100 mmol per day (2.4 g of sodium).
2) Alcohol: Alcohol intake should be limited to no more than 1 oz (30 mL) of ethanol, the equivalent of two drinks per day for most men and no more than 0.5 oz of ethanol (one drink) per day for women and lighter-weight persons. A single drink is equivalent to 12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1.5 oz of 80-proof liquor.
3) Caffeine: Caffeine may result in high blood pressure; however, this effect is usually temporary. Moderate intake of caffeine per day does not significantly increase blood pressure.
Recommended Daily Coffee Intake Coffee intake should be less than two cups per day.
Dietary Supplements
1) Potassium supplementation: Lower potassium intake (i.e., below 40 mEq) is thought to be associated with high blood pressure.
2) Fish Oil: According to a meta-analysis of 36 trials of fish oil, the consumption of high doses of fish oil with a median dose of 3.7 g per day provided a significant reduction in systemic blood pressure. Fish oil consumption has also shown to reduce triglycerides.
Recommended Daily Fish Oil Intake A median dose of 3.7 g per day provided a significant reduction in systemic blood pressure.
3) Folate: A small randomized study reported that short-term folic acid supplementation could reduce blood pressure significantly. It has been suggested that a daily intake of 5 mg of folic acid could be beneficial in reducing systolic pressure.
4) Flavonoids: A Cochrane meta-analysis looking at multiple randomized controlled trials reported that flavanol-rich chocolate and cocoa products may have a small but significant effect in lowering blood pressure by 2-3 mm/Hg in the short term.
5) Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10): Some studies suggest that CoQ10 may have the potential to reduce systolic pressure by up to 17 mm Hg and diastolic pressure by up to 10 mm Hg without any significant side effects. The average dosage used in these studies were around 217 mg/day.

By Homayoun L. Daneschvar, M.D.