American Healthcare Reform

For many Americans, skin problems are major source of discomfort and anxiety. Many Americans never get over the battle with their skin that they begin in adolescence. It can feel like the day that you have finally vanquished your teenage acne, you start having to battle lines and wrinkles. All the face wash commercials on TV never told us that taking care of our skin could be this tricky. Why are Americans plagued by skin problems? The answer may just lie in our Standard American Diet (SAD).

Even though Americans spend a lot of money every year on skincare, in order to get to the root of their persistent problems, they need to attack skin conditions from the inside. If you eat (and drink) healthily, you can keep your outsides looking just as good as your insides will (figuratively, of course).

There are even certain kinds of foods that are able to keep one’s skin soft and hydrated and other foods that can defend against the skin cell damage responsible for wrinkles. However, there are also many foods Americans eat every day that can damage our skin. Here is a breakdown of components of the Standard American Diet known to be bad for one’s skin.

Salt

Have you ever woken up feeling that your eyes were a tad puffy? If a person consumes too much salt, it could make them retain water, which is a major cause of swelling. The skin around our eyes is so thin and delicate that the area swells easily, making it particularly susceptible to regretting last night’s large sized popcorn at the movies the next morning. The occurrence of swelling due to over-intake of salt becomes more and more common as one ages.

Seafood and Leafy Greens

Lobster, crab, shellfish, shrimp as well as spinach, seaweed and certain other leafy greens have a high concentration of Iodine, and diets high in Iodine like the diets of many American diets can lead to breakouts of acne. Keep in mind however that Iodine triggered acne breakouts are caused by a build up of iodine in the body over an extended period of time, so if you go on a massive lobster and spinach binge today it is not going to make you have an acne break out the next day. If you are known to be acne-prone try only to consume these foods a couple of times a month rather than a couple of times a week and you should see a reduction in your acne.

Sugar

We’ve all heard the rumour that chocolate is a major source of acne. Elevated levels of blood sugar are known to weaken away the skin by affecting tissues such as collagen, that leaves you more vulnerable to developing lines and wrinkles. As such, it is quite likely that chocolate is not the source of all your skin problems, but the high amount of sugar in it. If you suffer from skin problems but cannot do without the treat, stick to dark chocolate.

This was a guest post written by Dan of Club Leo.  Check out his site for more information on skin care.

Are you one of the millions of Americans who suffers from stomach problems such as frequent indigestion, bloating, nausea, gout and gas?

In some cases, indigestion is due to an underlying medical problem which is why it’s important to see a doctor for symptoms of indigestion that persist. In as many as two out of three of all cases, there is no clear and obvious cause for ones stomach ailments and your General Practitioners diagnosis will often be unable to offer any clear solutions beside waiting and resting for your indigestion, bloating and so forth to subside.

Your Doctor’s reassuring words however are quite unlikely to make your symptoms any less irritating. If you take a careful look at your diet however, you might quickly realize that your food intake is the primary source of your stomach problems. Certain foods make symptoms of stomach pain worse. Here is a quick overview of foods that are common in the Standard American Diet (SAD) that are often the culprit in Americans stomach problems.

Stomach Problem Culprit Number One: Dairy

As many as three out of four of the worlds adult population has a deficiency in lactase which is the enzyme that breaks down a sugar found in dairy products known as lactose. Lactase deficiencies makes it rather difficult for many American adults to digest basic dairy based food and drinks such as milk and cheese. If a lactose intolerant person were to consume these products, they will simply not be completely digested, resulting hungry bacteria’s trying to intervene and break them down into fermentation products, which typically leads to diarrhea, unpleasant gases and bloating. Fortunately however, all hope is not lost. The missing Lactase enzyme can be fortified through products such as “Lactaid” or by adjusting ones diet so that less dairy products and lactose is consumed.  Many Americans never notice the correlation between lactose and dairy products with their stomach upsets due to the fact that lactose is a comment element in many medications and processed foods.

Stomach Problem Culprit Number Two: Alcohol

Alcohol is a standard component of the diet of virtually every American, yet most Americans fail to realize the association between alcohol consumption and health problems. Alcohol is particularly associated with gout, which is often triggered by episodes of heavy drinking. Men and particularly men in their 40’s and 50’s must be pay close attention to their alcohol intake, particularly if they have a family history of gout. Alcohol also aggravates the symptoms and pain of most other stomach ailments. As such, it would be prudent if American men were to slash their alcohol intake during periods of stomach illness.

Stomach Problem Culprit Number Three: Soy Products

One of the foods that is most difficult for people to digest is Soy Just as with many other kinds of beans, Soy based products happen to contain oligosaccharides, which are a type of carbohydrates that the body can’t break down. These oligosaccharides remain in your intestines when consumed before being fermented by hungry bacteria, which leads bloating and gas. Soy is also known to contain female sex hormones, and as such should be treated with caution by male eaters.

This was a guest post written by Mary whose site provides home remedies for gout.

You may not have heard of Krokodil, but awareness of this devastating drug has to increase, or the consequences could be disastrous. The drug is an opioid; an incredibly cheap version of heroin that users can make at home. You think Heroin’s bad? Krokodil is far more dangerous; its cheapness, combined with it essentially being poison, means use and abuse of this drug will always result in death.

This article will show you the dangers of Krokodil; how it’s made, its effects and what help there is available.

The Facts

What is this ‘super’ heroin? It’s essentially morphine, but 10 times stronger. The safe, medicinal version of the drug is called Desomorphine. Desomorphine is a derivative of morphine that was synthesized in 1932, providing a short, incredibly potent pain relief; seen as an alternative to morphine it provides similar pain relief but none of the nausea. Like heroin it is injected directly into the bloodstream.

Its use has become a serious problem in Russia. 2010 saw awareness of this drug begin to rise as Russia, the country with the most heroin addicts, was suddenly inundated with abusers of this relatively new drug, krokodil. Heroin addicts discovered how to create the drug about 5 years ago, to the devastation of thousands of lives.

And how is it made? Unfortunately, with surprising ease. Codeine sales did not rise as a coincidence 5 years ago; it is readily available as headache relief and when synthesized it produces krokodil. Its production is relatively easy, taking roughly 30 minutes using shop-bought ingredients in a kitchen. Production of Methamphetamine is quite similar; synthesizing the drug in such a way is incredibly dangerous, leaving a brown gunk that is full of toxins.

The Effects

The high that krokodil gives is akin to that of heroin; however it is more intense, and lasts less time. That elusive high is the feeling that all abusers of opiate based drugs chase; krokodill high is arguably the most intense, meaning the need to feel it again is felt more strongly than in any other opiate.

The main danger in krokodil is in its aforementioned poisonous nature. Users abuse the drug, becoming more and more reliant on it as it destroys them from the inside out; rotting their limbs, brains, and general health till they eventually die. You might be wondering why it is called krokodil? It is so poisonous that users often develop gangrene, turning their skin green and even scaley, giving them a sickly, reptilian appearance.

The Consequences

Sustained use of krokodil will kill a person, that is a fact. Not only will the incredibly toxic substance simply ruin your health to the point of complete system failure, but the abject filth this drug is usually taken in will ruin the immune system. Life expectancy is shortened further by shared needles; HIV and hepatitis are common in most krokodil users as their descent into the drug causes a complete lack of care for their health.

As with any opiate the body becomes dependent on the drug; even if an individual had the willpower to try and kick the habit, their body would experience such severe withdrawal symptoms that they could not help but take the drug again. In the late stages of the drug users literally rot to death, as their gangrene infected skin falls away to reveal the sickly flesh and bone beneath.

The Help

There are some organizations in Russia that are trying to help addicts recover, but they are struggling. It cannot be stressed enough; this drug is arguably the most dangerous recreational drug currently in use. It should never be seen as simply a step up from heroin; it may be stronger, but death is assured. If you suspect yourself or anyone you know of an addiction to krokodil or any opiate based drug then you must act. Drug rehabilitation centers are incredibly well equipped to deal with opiate based drug addiction – they will wean you off the drug with carefully administered doses, combined with therapy and simply a place away from the drugs.

Now obviously these people in Russia who are in abject poverty do not have this option. The only way to help them is to raise awareness of this catastrophic drug, so that not only are people aware of its devastating effects, but so the state acts and actually enforces the ban on this drug.

This is a guest post provided by Stanley Martinson.  A part time writer, stanley is currently focused on drug related issues, and how to solve them. For more information on the subject, look at this!

Marijuana is firmly at the centre of the ‘drugs war’ which is raging within most government and medical bodies. Debates around the drug’s legalization for medical use are gaining momentum worldwide and researchers are constantly spooling out new statistics in defence of both pro and anti-marijuana cases. In the last decade, laws in areas across Europe and the USA have changed to allow the medical distribution of marijuana, but anti-marijuana activists still assert that the dangers associated with the drug cannot be ignored.  The risk of dependence is one of the main concerns; too often marijuana is dismissed as a non-addictive substance before all factors are explored. Let’s take a look at the real issues around marijuana addiction and the implications of legalizing the drug for medical purposes.

Marijuana as a Medicine

Marijuana is the more common name for the drug derived from the Cannabis Sativa plant. It contains the cannabinoid THC which produces the ‘high’ feeling associated with recreational use, and is considered to have medical benefits. Medicinally, it is either administered as the dried leaves of the plant to be smoked or as a synthetic drug containing cannabinoids. Marinol and Cesamet are examples of the synthetic form of the drug. It is proven to be effective at alleviating the side effects of chemotherapy, such as vomiting and loss of appetite. It has muscle-relaxing properties which is useful in treating symptoms of multiple sclerosis. It also provides effective pain relief for a number of conditions. However, there is still debate over the comparable effectiveness of marijuana in treating these symptoms over alternative medicines.

Marijuana Dependence

Marijuana is not considered physically addictive in the same way as ‘hard’ drugs such as heroin or cocaine. However, it has notable psychological effects which can cause a dependency. The user may find the resultant feeling of ‘euphoria’ pleasurable, or find it provides an escape from negative thoughts, feelings and emotions. The concern is that this may lead the user to smoke a larger amount and more often, and eventually feel they need the drug to function normally.

Developing a dependency can have numerous negative effects; I will outline the main two. Firstly, an addict will become obsessed with the drug, constantly thinking about acquiring and using marijuana. Jobs, health and relationships will suffer and they may find themselves in serious legal and financial problems. Secondly, they are likely to build up a high tolerance to the drug, meaning they will want to smoke even more to gain the ‘high’ again. They may even be tempted to experiment with more addictive and harmful illicit drugs, such as heroin.

How medical use might increase dependence

Marijuana being legalized in any capacity has the danger of being treated with less trepidation than before. Especially with younger generations, with the law no longer being a deterrent and marijuana smoking being more socially acceptable, they may be more inclined to use the drug themselves. Marijuana dependency increases to 20-50% amongst those who have been smoking from adolescence.

As marijuana will be more widely available, it is reasonable to assume that more people will be able to access the drug. Evidence suggests that, in some cases, patients exaggerate symptoms such as pain in order to continue with their prescriptions and have the recommended allowance increased. As it is prolonged use of marijuana which has the highest risk of causing addiction, the number of cases of dependency can only rise.

According to a National Institute of Drug Abuse survey, 9% of all marijuana smokers will become dependent on the drug. In an area where medicinal marijuana use is legalized, marijuana is suggested to those who may have never tried it under normal circumstances. Statistically, 9% of marijuana prescriptions will result in an addiction; this is a large proportion considering alternative, less addictive treatments may be available in the majority of cases.

Between 1999 and 2005 the number of people admitted into marijuana addiction treatment facilities in the EU more than tripled. This has a direct correlation with the marijuana laws becoming more lenient in Europe and the US, suggesting that marijuana dependence could be increasing due to medical use. In any case, it is evident that marijuana, as a medicinal or recreational substance, carries with it some potential dangers which should be considered seriously before assuming that ‘legal’ means ‘risk free.’

This post was written by Stanley Martinson.  Stanley is concerned with issues of health and drug abuse.  If you’re interested in reading more on this pertinent subject, read here!

All the talk about green coffee is having Americans wonder this is a better option than the regular black coffee bean. When you look at all of the evidence that as surfaced from research for green coffee, the quick answer would be yes, it would benefit Americans more. There are health benefits that have been found to be associated with regular coffee beans, such as reducing risk of diabetes, liver cancer, prostate cancer and Parkinson’s disease. However, regular coffee beans have higher levels of caffeine, which isn’t good for your body. Green coffee only has 20 grams of caffeine per serving.

Why Green Coffee is Healthier

There are many other reasons why green coffee is healthier for Americans than regular coffee. For starters, green coffee is packed with antioxidants and because of this, it is less processed when it is brewed for drinking. We all know that over processed foods and drinks lack nutrition since it is all boiled away during the processing. Since it has less caffeine than regular coffee, green coffee doesn’t need as much sugar to sweeten it, which is another benefit to Americans who love to eat pounds and pounds of sugar in their daily coffee.

Cardiovascular Health Benefits of Green Coffee

The health benefits associated with green coffee is much more extensive than regular coffee, which is why it would be better for Americans. This country is known for its high population of patients with high blood pressure and cholesterol. By drinking green coffee beans, this can be lowered down. Green coffee also acts like aspirin, keeping your blood platelets running smooth and not clumping up. It also keeps your arteries from becoming hard. Your overall heart and cardiovascular health becomes improved when you consume green coffee and change your lifestyle habits.

Weight Loss Benefits of Green Coffee

Obesity is another epidemic that Americans are facing, which is another reason why they should prefer to drink green coffee over regular coffee. Green coffee has fat burning properties that help you to lose weight quicker. Those who have lots of stored fat will be able to burn it easier with the help of green coffee beans. It also acts as an appetite suppressant, helping Americans from overeating and giving in to food cravings. Another factor that green coffee helps you to lose weight is that it boosts your metabolism. Fitness buffs will like this benefit, since it will enable them to stay toned easier.

How to Consume Green Coffee

There are various forms of the green coffee bean, which means that drinking a cup of it isn’t the only way to get its benefits. You can find green coffee beans being sold as extracts and pills. By taking this as a daily supplement and changing bad lifestyle habits, Americans will be able to witness the benefits associated with green coffee.

More research has to be done for green coffee in order to learn more about it, but thus far, it looks very promising for Americans. In order for you get the best green coffee beans, you should look up a green coffee bean max review online to make sure.

Recently ‘Bath salts’ grabbed the attention of mainstream media when Rudy Eugene violently attacked Ronald Poppo, eating a portion of his face. At the time it was reported that Eugene was high on, designer drug ‘bath salts’, which completely transformed him from a normal easy going guy into the stuff of nightmares. Allegedly it took several shots from a police officer to stop this brutal attack. However after extensive post mortem examinations and laboratory tests, information was released denouncing the theory that Eugene was high on ‘bath salts’. The media attention around this incident made people want to know, why was it thought Eugene was high on bath salts?

What are Bath salts?

Bath salts is the street name for a particular type of ‘legal high’ or designer drug. Designer drugs are an illegal chemist’s way of getting around drug prohibitions. By changing a specific chemical compound in an illegal drug such as cocaine, the substance ceases to be cocaine and it is no longer illegal to have them on your possession.

However this new substance can’t be advertised and sold as a way to get you high so designer drugs are often packaged as plant fertilizer or as cleaning products and have ‘not for human consumption’ printed on them. In a kind of legal loophole this means that it is perfectly legal to sell these new ‘legal highs’ as long as they are not advertised as such.

The appearance of ‘Bath salts’ bare a resemblance to legal bathing products and its packaging claims that this is what they are. In truth, there is no definitive answer for what bath salts are. In different areas of the world bath salts have different chemical make ups though they usually contain a cathinone such as mephedrone which belongs to the category of amphetamines. They are most commonly swallowed but some users inject or snort them to get a high much quicker.

Effects

Like most amphetamines the chemical compounds within ‘Bath salts’ make the user awake and energetic, often aggressive, irrational, confident and more tolerant to pain. Users experience a rush and an increase in heartbeat. Taking too much of an amphetamine can raise the heartbeat to dangerous levels potentially causing heart attacks and strokes. Certain users who have ingested a lot of ‘bath salts’ have suffered long term psychosis. Some of these people have supposedly become completely unaware of pain and displayed extremely unusual behavior due to hallucinations. However these kind of stories circulate around the many different drugs and you cannot be certain of their authenticity.

Dangers

Amphetamines are often considered dangerous to the user and to the people around them. There has been a long history of violence associated with the use of amphetamines and many people have suffered strokes, fallen into comas and died from taking too much. The danger around ‘bath salts’ is due to the fact it is a synthetic amphetamine making it even more ambiguous. As the chemical makeup of this drug changes from place to place, it is hard to know what you are consuming and the slightest of chemical changes can end up causing completely different effects. Although there is a large amount of evidence to suggest ‘bath salts’ are a particularly dangerous drug, the same can be argued about any other amphetamine. When buying a packet of ‘bath salts’ with ‘not for human consumption’ printed on the packet you have no more certainty of its contents than you would if you had bought a bag of cocaine on a street corner. These substances aren’t regulated and could be cut with any number of other chemicals.

An avid writer, Stanely Martinson is interested in all things pertaining to health and health care.  Recently his fascination has turned towards addiction and rehabilitation.  For more information on rehab, read this.

Most people, and not only in America, dread going to the dentist and only do so when it becomes necessary, usually when something is painful. There is little emphasis on getting a dental checkup regularly, reflected in the move of many states to limit dental coverage to emergency cases, and preventive dental health care to the very young and the very old. But dental health care is probably as important as a annual physical check up in terms of overall health. Misconceptions in America about dental health care can lead to serious, and expensive, consequences in the long run.

Some of the more common misconceptions in American about dental health care include:

• Flossing is more important than brushing – Flossing is important for avoiding cavities and gum disease caused by food debris and plaque buildup between teeth, but brushing is just as important for doing the same thing for the surface of the teeth. Floss first before brushing, and do them in tandem as much as possible.
• Bleeding gums while brushing is normal – this is definitely not true. Bleeding gums indicate incipient gum disease, most commonly due to plaque buildup that irritates the gums and make them irritated and red. If left untreated, it can escalate to a full-blown case of gingivitis and periodontitis, which can lead to bad breath and tooth loss
• Gingivitis or gum disease will go away on its own –Gingivitis usually means the presence of tartar, which can only be removed by a dentist or oral hygienist. Regular dental care will reveal signs of incipient gum disease, and prevent it before it fully develops by doing a simple teeth cleaning and scaling.
• Cavities will go away on their own if you just brush – cavities are holes in the teeth due to the weakening and decaying of the protective layers of the tooth. Brushing will not prevent it from getting worse. The only way to get rid of cavities is to have a dentist clean it out and fill with the appropriate dental material to prevent the progression of decay. The earlier a cavity is treated, the less expensive it will be. For example, treating a small cavity may cost about $150, but if left alone, it can cost upwards of $1,000 to save and restore
• Poor oral health does not affect the rest of the body – poor oral health has a significant impact on overall health. Anybody with a tooth ache knows how it can ruin your whole day.. Moreover, chronic oral problems may even lead to a higher risk of cardiac problems and infections can easily spread from the mouth, an easy site for bacteria to target, to the rest of the body
• Chewing gum is bad for your teeth – in some cases, chewing gum can be harmful because sugar encourages bacteria formation. However, it is generally a good way to clean teeth and neutralize acid because it encourages saliva production, so if you like to chew gum, make it sugarless gum, preferably with xylitol which is thought to neutralize oral bacteria
• Fluoride is unsafe – fluoridation of drinking water is the best idea for public oral health ever thought off in recent history because it has been proved to prevent tooth decay. However, there are unfounded rumors that it causes allergies and heart disease. The research debunks these claims because even though an excessive amount of fluoride can be lethal, it would require drinking more water in one go than anyone can possibly do, at least 5,000 glasses! If you have fluoride tablets, or toothpaste or mouthwash with fluoride in your home, ensure that children do not ingest this in large amounts

These misconceptions in America about dental health care cause many oral health problems, so it is important to educate the public about what is true and not. It will go a long way to containing oral healthcare costs.

This blog post was a guest post by Barry.  Check out his website on dental care at http://dentagleam.co.uk/

The trend of smoking in the US is going down. Current statistics on smoking in America show that as of 2011, 18.9% of the adult population and 18.1% of the high school student population are smokers, a sharp decline from 1997 where 24.7% and 36.4% respectively where smokers. Nevertheless, smoking is considered the leading cause in 443,000 deaths annually, or 20% of the total deaths reported in the US. This is more than the deaths resulting from a combination of car accidents, alcohol use, drug use, HIV, suicides and murders.

Graph taken from http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/tables/trends/cig_smoking/index.htm

This percentage is culled in part from the incidence of deaths due to lung disease or lung cancer, of which 90% are considered caused by smoking cigarettes.

The health risks associated with smoking include:

• heart disease and stroke- – Smoking narrows the blood vessels and causes the obstruction of large arteries.  This includes abdominal aortic aneurysm.
• cancer – Conditions include:
  • Acute myeloid leukemia
  • Bladder cancer
  • Cancer of the oral cavity
  • Cervical cancer
  • Esophageal cancer
  • Kidney cancer
  • Laryngeal cancer
  •  Lung cancer
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Stomach cancer
  • Throat cancer
  • chronic obstructive lung diseases (i.e. emphysema) – Smoking damages the alveoli in the lungs and airways.

The toxic effects of smoking are due to the 45 carcinogenic pyrolytic products identified in a cigarette. Aside from the aforementioned health risks, pregnant women who smoke also increase their risk of miscarriages, premature birth, low birth weight, and sudden infant death syndrome. Smoking is also considered a significant factor leading to impotence and erectile dysfunction in men. Female smokers after menopause are at higher risk of lower bone density.

It seems clear that smoking in America and the health problems it causes is horrific, and needs to be addressed. Recent reports on the dangers of smoking has encouraged smokers to quit the habit, and discouraged others from starting. However, moderate to heavy smokers have a hard time quitting the smoking habit because of the consequences. Cigarette smoking is addictive because of nicotine, a highly addictive substance. It is also a manifestation of an oral fixation. Some of the most common smoking cessation aids include:

• Nicotine patches, gums, inhalers and pastilles – nicotine replacement therapy, including electronic cigarettes
• Pharmaceutical – use of nicotine-receptor blockers
• Hypnotism

Electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes, subscribe to the premise of giving a smoker what they crave without the attendant health risks. Electronic cigarettes are battery-operated plastic tubes that resemble cigarettes. It is actually a vaporizer that releases an atomized spray of nicotine when inhaled and simulates smoke.  Some models are touted as nicotine-free. Electronic cigarettes satisfy the overt effects of smoking, including oral fixation. However, there are some concerns regarding the health risks of using electronic cigarettes, and the research available on such a recent development in nicotine replacement therapy is insufficient to make a conclusion one way or the other. At any rate, any kind of smoking cessation method is considered healthier than continued smoking.

It has been mentioned time and time again that it’s important to “eat your greens” for a balanced diet, but this is most referring to leafy green vegetables. In the modern context, most Americans don’t get enough greens of the algae type, such as spirulina.

Health buffs are familiar with the concept of ingesting vitamin- and mineral-rich algae as food supplements for better health, but the general public will probably grimace at the thought. It is undeniable that algae are not a normal part of an American’s diet, mostly because it tastes and smells strange. In its raw form algae is certainly unappealing, which is why it is not something that is found in the common housewife’s grocery list.

Not all algae are created equal, however. Algae found in ponds and swimming pools are toxic, and should not be consumed. Dietary blue-green algae such are spirulina are grown in warm climates in alkaline bodies of water. It was historically used as a food source by some Mesoamericans as well as early populations in Asia, Africa, and South America.

Spirulina is a blue-green cyanobacteria, similar to algae, that grows on mineral-rich soda lakes around the world. Water that’s too salty to support fish or use for crops is ideal for spirulina, and it especially thrives in hot climates. Spirulina is a concentrated protein and is high in minerals and other nutrients. Some proponents insist that these algae could solve the world’s hunger problems by providing people with complete nutrition.

Blue-green algae are rich in essential vitamins and minerals needed by the body. These include Vitamins A, B6, B12, C, E and minerals such as calcium and magnesium as well as trace minerals not readily found in modern diets. It is considered a “super food” and as a nutritional supplement it is a better alternative than consuming legumes, and it is a good source of antioxidants that boost the immune system and retard aging. It is mostly protein in a form that is more easily absorbed by the body than traditional protein sources such as meat and soy products, increasing energy levels and regenerative properties of the cells, especially the muscles.

There is some dispute regarding the efficacy of spirulina in promoting health. It has been suggested that including it in the diet could help with high cholesterol, depression and diabetes but these have yet to be definitively proven. However, because spirulina is chock-full of amino acids, it can certainly do no harm.

Why Americans don’t get enough greens is not a mystery, an issue being addressed by food supplement manufacturers by processing blue-green algae into more palatable forms. Blue-green algae are classified into two: Spirulina and AFA (Aphanizomenon flos-aquae). Spirulina is used more often in dietary supplements, processing it into a powder form that can be mixed into flour, baked products and snacks without compromising its nutritional properties while making its taste and texture more palatable. It is also available in tablet form.

Some people take spirulina as a drink and some like a spirulina supplement, but it takes getting used to. Other sprinkle it over food. Asian cuisine is especially good at masking the algae taste and smell because it is overwhelmed by the rich spices used in the dishes.

Publicly-funded dental health care in both England and the US is undergoing major changes that have not been popular with the public. In England, public health care is undertaken by the National Health Service (NHS) which is the oldest and largest government healthcare system worldwide. It is funded by taxpayers’ money and provide healthcare to legal residents of England with an NHS number on a free, point-of-use system.

The US has a different system. There is no one unified system of healthcare and not all Americans are covered. Children and people over 65 are covered by health insurance under Medicare, Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program, Veterans Health Administration and TRICARE for military personal. Everyone else is insured through an employer or private insurance, or uninsured.

In comparison, the NHS in England appears to be much more comprehensive than the US system, but in terms of dental care, they are approaching similarity in results, if not in motivation.

In theory, the NHS is supposed to provide all healthcare freely, but some exceptions have been made where patients are required to pay, such as dental care. This was true even prior to April 2006, when a new contract for NHS dentistry was introduced which allowed dentists employed under the NHS to work on fewer patients longer for the same pay. This was an attempt to provide better-quality treatment to patients as NHS dentists no longer have to rush through a consultation. The consequence was that patients found it harder to get access to their NHS dentists, and opted to go to a private dentist where they were forced to pay more. Others who could not afford to pay went without dental care. Even worse, the contract has not succeeded in keeping dentists in the NHS; more than 50% of the income of dentists comes from private patients for the first time in history, and many have opted for a purely private practice.

In the US, a similar problem of access is being experienced by many Americans. Financial considerations had led to the limiting of free dental care to emergency cases, children and people over 65. This has severely restricted access to preventive dental care, those who have been denied coverage opting to go untreated rather than pay out-of-pocket and hope for the best. As a result, the costs of emergency dental treatment have risen sharply. Some critics state that this dental healthcare system is costing the US federal government more than if it had provided for preventive dental services to everyone in the first place.

While the NHS had the laudable intention of improving dental care for its citizenry, this did not help solve the problem of access. It is the same for the US. The only significant difference between the two situations is that the English dental system is not costing the government more because of the new contract while in the US, people either go toothless or rush to the emergency room for expensive dental treatment that was most probably preventable. Between the two countries, it would seem that the NHS England trumps the US federal government.

This was a guest post written by Robert Don of  Irvine cosmetic dentistry.