Almond Butter vs Peanut Butter: Which Is Healthier?

Almond butter and peanut butter have a lot in common.

Both are known for being good sources of plant-based fat and protein. And both lend themselves to many culinary uses, from spreading on toast to making curry.

Yet almond butter is usually at least double the price of peanut butter and has more of a health halo than peanut butter.

Is that hefty price tag worth it, or is peanut butter just as healthy as almond butter?

This article will review and compare their health benefits, drawbacks and uses to tell you which one is healthier.

What’s the Difference Between Peanuts and Almonds?

Peanuts and almonds are the whole foods that are used to make each “butter.”

Peanuts are actually a legume, members of the same plant family as beans and peas. They are seeds from pods that grow underground.

Native to South America, peanuts are grown throughout tropical and subtropical regions, including Asia, parts of Africa, Spain and the Southern US.

By contrast, almonds are tree nuts. They grow on trees and are more closely related to other nuts, such as walnuts and cashews.

Interestingly, 79% percent of the world’s almond harvest comes from California, although they’re also grown in Mediterranean countries and the Middle East .

Almonds require a lot of water to grow and also need to be pollinated by honeybees. Both of these factors raise concerns over sustainability.

In comparison, peanuts require far less water to grow, and the flowers of the peanut plant pollinate themselves.

The higher price of almond butter is partially due to the resources needed to grow almonds, combined with the high demand for almonds in all forms — whole, as butter, made into almond milk and in food products.

Summary: Almonds are a tree nut, while peanuts are a legume. Almonds require more resources to grow, which mostly accounts for their high price.

Differences in Taste and Usage

It’s hard to describe the difference in taste between almond butter and peanut butter without simply comparing the flavors of almonds and peanuts.

Peanut butter has a distinctively addictive smell and taste and a thick, sticky texture.

Almond butter is a bit sweeter tasting and is smoother and runnier than peanut butter.

Almond butter can be made from raw or roasted almonds, whereas peanuts are always roasted before being ground into peanut butter.

You can use the two nut butters fairly interchangeably. Both can be a spread on toast, used as a dip for fruit or added to a smoothie for extra fat and protein.

They can also be cooked into savory dishes, adding a nutty flavor and a creamy texture to stews or curries.

Almond butter’s milder taste means it can be added to dishes without being as noticeable. For instance, you can use it in pesto or hummus.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for the distinctive flavor of peanut butter, then almond butter won’t be a direct substitute.

Summary: Almond butter and peanut butter can both be used as a dip, in sandwiches or added to savory dishes. Almond butter has a milder, sweeter flavor and peanut butter has a thicker texture.

Side-By-Side Nutrition Comparison

Both almond and peanut butter can be made with just a single ingredient.

However, some brands add extra ingredients, including salt, sweeteners, other flavors and oils.

To make it easy to compare the two, the information below is for unsalted, single-ingredient varieties.

Here’s how a 2-tbsp serving of peanut butter stacks up against the same amount of almond butter :

	Peanut butter	Almond butter
Calories	188	202
Protein	8 grams	5 grams
Total fat	16 grams	19 grams
Monounsaturated fat	8 grams	12 grams
Saturated fat	3 grams	2 grams
Carbs	6 grams	7 grams
Fiber	2 grams	1 gram
Manganese	23% RDI	38% RDI
Niacin	21% RDI	4% RDI
Vitamin E	14% RDI	42% RDI
Magnesium	12% RDI	24% RDI
Phosphorus	11% RDI	16% RDI
Copper	8% RDI	14% RDI
Calcium	1% RDI	9% RDI
Vitamin B6	9% RDI	6% RDI
Iron	3% RDI	6% RDI
Riboflavin	2% RDI	12% RDI
Folate	6% RDI	6% RDI

As you can see, peanut butter and almond butter are very similar, though peanut butter gets bonus points for having slightly fewer calories and more protein.

However, almond butter delivers a higher percentage of certain nutrients, including vitamin E, magnesium, manganese and calcium, which are important for health.

Additionally, crunchy varieties of both almond and peanut butter have a bit more fiber than smooth versions.

Summary: Almond butter and peanut butter have similar amounts of calories, healthy fats and protein. Almond butter has higher amounts of several vitamins and minerals, giving it a slight edge.

Proven Health Benefits

In terms of general health benefits, almond butter and peanut butter are similar.

Scientific literature and research often groups peanuts into the nut category.

Regularly including peanuts, almonds and their butters in your diet may provide the following benefits:

• Reduce the risk of heart disease: Research has consistently linked eating nuts with a lower risk of heart disease. A 2014 review found that just one serving of nuts daily may lower the risk of coronary artery disease by 19%.
• Help lower blood pressure: Nuts contain several compounds, such as magnesium and copper, that help the body better regulate blood pressure. Just a serving daily may help lower your blood pressure .
• Improve cholesterol levels: Eating different kinds of nuts may help lower total cholesterol and “bad” LDL cholesterol in healthy people and those with moderately high cholesterol .
• Help maintain a healthy weight: Although nuts are high in calories, research has shown that eating them regularly is not associated with weight gain and is even linked to a lower risk of obesity .
• Improve blood sugar control: Regularly eating nuts improves blood sugar control in diabetics, prediabetics and healthy individuals, likely because nuts are low in carbs and high in healthy fats and protein .
• Protect cell membranes: Nuts are rich in vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps protect cell membranes from harmful free radicals. Almond butter contains more than peanut butter, but both provide a good amount .
• Lower the risk of gallstones: Several large studies have found that people who frequently eat nuts have a lower risk of gallstones. This is likely thanks to the unsaturated fat and fiber content of nuts .

Summary: Both almonds and peanuts, as well as their butters, have several health benefits including lowering the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels.

Why Is Almond Butter Perceived as Healthier?

Despite the marked similarities between almond butter and peanut butter, many people perceive almond butter as healthier.

There may be several reasons for that.

The primary one is likely that peanuts are legumes and almonds are tree nuts.

Legumes have a bad rap in certain circles, in part because many people feel bloated after eating them.

While other types of legumes, including beans and lentils, contain easily fermentable carbs that can make you gassy, peanuts and peanut butter do not .

Another thing that’s often brought up is that peanut butter contains antinutrients, such as phytic acid, which reduce the absorption of other minerals.

While this is true, almond butter also contains antinutrients.

Moreover, research increasingly suggests that antinutrients may actually have some benefits, despite their drawbacks. For instance, phytic acid is also an antioxidant that may reduce the risk of certain cancers .

Believe it or not, almond butter’s hefty price tag may also bias some people to think almond butter is better for them than less-expensive peanut butter.

Recent research found that people believe that healthier food is more expensive. Many equate a higher price with a healthier product .

Lastly, some of the bias against peanut butter may simply be due to misperception.

Many articles that claim almond butter is much healthier than peanut butter point to “facts” that are simply untrue, such as almond butter having fewer carbs, or not having a risk of aflatoxins .

Aflatoxins are toxic compounds produced by mold that can grow in a number of raw foods. The truth is that peanuts and almonds are equally at risk .

Summary: There are several reasons people may believe almond butter is better than peanut butter. However, they don’t hold up well to scrutiny.

Potential Concerns

For the most part, both almond butter and peanut butter are healthy foods without many drawbacks.

However, there are a few concerns that should be addressed.

Here are the primary ones:

• Allergies: About 1% of people in the US are allergic to peanuts and 0.5% are allergic to almond and other tree nuts. Both allergies can be severe and potentially life-threatening .
• Slight risk of food poisoning: Every so often, there are recalls on nut butters, as there are for many foods. Both almond and peanut butters can carry aflatoxin and Salmonella.
• High in oxalates: Both almonds and peanuts are high in oxalates, a category of natural compounds that can cause kidney stones. This could be a concern for people who are prone to kidney stones .
• Extra ingredients: Many brands add sugar, oils and other fillers to enhance taste, extend the shelf life and prevent separation of the natural oils. Look for ingredient lists with just one ingredient: peanuts or almonds.
• Spoilage: Natural nut butters will generally last five to six months if stored in the fridge. If they start to smell rancid, toss them .
• Cost: Natural almond butter can be up to three times more expensive per ounce than natural peanut butter.

Summary: Almond and peanut butter usually don’t carry major risks, except for people with peanut and almond allergies.

The Bottom Line

Peanut butter and almond butter are both healthy choices.

Almond butter delivers slightly higher levels of vitamins and minerals, making it a slightly healthier choice.

However, both deliver the same major health benefits, including lowering the risk of heart disease and helping keep blood sugar steady.

At the end of the day, the healthier one is the one you’ll eat regularly. So choose whichever one you prefer and can affor

Having children may increase lifespan

e sleepless nights and stress that often accompany parenthood may not sound like the ingredients for a longer life, but according to a new study, having children could add years to a parent's lifespan.

Researchers say that having children may increase lifespan by up to 2 years.

The research team - including Dr. Karin Modig of the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden - found that people who had children may live up to 2 years longer than those who are childless.

The authors recently published their findings in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health.

According to Dr. Modig and colleagues, previous studies have indicated that parents may live longer than those without children. However, the researchers note that the reasons behind this link have been unclear, and little research has been conducted on how this association changes throughout a lifetime.

With the aim of addressing these research gaps, the team used national registry data to gather information on 704,481 men and 725,290 women who were born between 1911 and 1925, and who were living in Sweden.

The team assessed the marital status of each person, the number of children they had, and the sex of each child.

The researchers then calculated how parenthood influenced the lifespan of each person from the age of 60 onward.

Up to 2 years increased lifespan for people with children

Compared with people who did not have children, the researchers found that those who had at least one child were at lower risk of death.

At the age of 60, for example, the researchers found that men with children lived around 2 years longer than childless men, while women with children were likely to live around 1.5 years longer than childless women.

These findings remained after accounting for a number of possible confounding factors such as educational attainment, the team reports.

The researchers also found that the association between having children and a longer lifespan grew with age, with men seeing the largest life expectancy increase as a result of parenthood.

Additionally, individuals who were unmarried - particularly unmarried men - appeared to reap the greatest rewards from parenthood.

"For example, for 85-year-old men, the death risk differences between men with at least one child and childless men were 1.2 percent among unmarried men and 0.6 percent among married men," the authors note. "The corresponding figures for women were 0.9 percent and 0.8 percent."

The researchers speculate that the absence of a partner may cause unmarried men to rely more on their offspring in older age, which might explain the death risk differences between married and unmarried men.

Sex of offspring has no influence on parental lifespan

Contrary to previous research, the team found that the risk of death was not influenced by the sex of a child.

The team suggests that previous studies may have uncovered a link between the sex of a child and increased parental lifespan because they focused on the social benefits associated with having a daughter.

"In general, women tend to have more social ties than men, and older childless individuals, particularly men, appear to have less social interactions than older parents and there is evidence that having a daughter is associated with increased chances of regular social contacts and with receiving help if needed," the authors explain.

Overall, the researchers believe that their findings indicate that greater support from offspring in later life may explain why people with children live longer than childless individuals.

The team writes:

"Our finding that the association grew stronger when parents became older is further in agreement with research suggesting that childless people face support deficits only toward the end of life.

However, selective elements and alternative explanations, for example, that parents have more healthy behaviors than non-parents, are not ruled out."

Eye Health / Blindness Changes of the cell environment are associated with certain eye diseases

In case of ischemic injury to the retina, changes occur in the protein scaffold in the environment of retinal cells, the so-called extracellular matrix. Various eye diseases, such as glaucoma, are associated with such ischemic events. Researchers at Ruhr-Universität Bochum describe how the extracellular matrix is affected by these processes in the journal Scientific Reports.

For this study, the team headed by Dr Jacqueline Reinhard and Prof Dr Andreas Faissner from the Department of Cell Morphology and Molecular Neurobiology collaborated with colleagues from the team of assistant professor Dr Stephanie Joachim from the Experimental Eye Research Institute at the University Eye Clinic in Bochum.

Crucial for cell survival and cell death

Glaucoma is not the only eye disease where the blood supply to the retina is not sufficient; others include retinal vein occlusion and diabetic retinopathy. Ischemia leads to insufficient oxygen supply to the nerve cells, thus causing cell death. This can lead to permanent blindness in patients.

The extracellular matrix affects the cells that are embedded in it. Depending on the matrix composition, it effects either cell survival or cell death. It consists of a protein mix that is generated and secreted by the cells themselves.

Several proteins affected

In an animal model, the researchers from Bochum analysed the composition of the extracellular matrix in the retina and optic nerve. They compared ischemic tissue to healthy tissue. In the optic nerve, they identified an increase of proteins of the so-called lectican family after ischemia. In the retina, the protein fibronectin occurred more frequently.

Moreover, the researchers analysed tenascin proteins that may be present in different variants. Their findings show: the forms occurring in tissue with poor blood supply differed from those occurring under normal conditions. Taken together, the composition of the extracellular matrix was considerably altered due to ischemic injury.

Researching the function of individual components

"In future, we intend to unveil the functional role of each extracellular matrix component in the progression of diseases associated with ischemic processes," says Jacqueline Reinhard. If the changes to the extracellular matrix were better understood, it would be possible to identify neurodegenerative processes much sooner, as the authors of the study assume. One day, this might become the starting point for therapies.

Article: Ischemic injury leads to extracellular matrix alterations in retina and optic nerve, Jacqueline Reinhard, Marina Renner, Susanne Wiemann, Daniel A. Shakoor, Gesa Stute, H. Burkhard Dick, Andreas Faissner & Stephanie C. Joachim, Scientific Reports, doi:10.1038/srep43470, published online 6 March 2017.

Triple-negative breast cancer: Nanodelivery of new drug shows promise

Using nanoparticles to deliver an experimental drug directly into triple-negative breast cancer cells could be an effective way to fight this very aggressive cancer, which has very few treatment options. The drug is a peptide that is unstable, and delivering it directly into cells means that it can reach its target before degrading.

The researchers hope that their nanodelivery method will lead to new treatments for triple-negative breast cancer - a particularly aggressive cancer that currently has very few treatment options.

So concludes a study led by Mohamed El-Tanani, a professor in the Institute for Cancer Therapeutics at the University of Bradford in the United Kingdom. He and his colleagues report their findings in the International Journal of Pharmaceutics.

The new drug - discovered by El-Tanani - is a protein fragment, or peptide, that blocks a cell-regulation protein called RAN, which promotes cancer cell division and proliferation.

The researchers note that high levels of RAN are linked to aggressive tumor growth and spread (metastasis), resistance to chemotherapy, and poor outcomes in several cancers, including triple-negative breast cancer.

Around 10-20 percent of breast cancers are diagnosed as triple negative.

The term "triple negative" means that tumors test negative for the three most common receptors that drive the majority of breast cancers: human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, progesterone receptors, and estrogen receptors.

Nanoparticle capsule prevents degrading of unstable peptide

The lack of all three receptors limits the options for treating this highly aggressive cancer, resulting in poorer outcomes for patients and an increased risk of recurrence.

The new study builds on previous work by Prof. El-Tanani and colleagues, in which they showed that blocking RAN can prevent and perhaps even reverse chemotherapy resistance in small cell lung cancer.

When they ran tests in the laboratory, the researchers found that the drug was not as effective as predicted using computer models of cell processes, as Prof. El-Tanani explains:

"We knew we'd need a novel delivery mechanism for this drug because peptides on their own are unstable and they can degrade too quickly to be effective. Using a nanoparticle as a delivery mechanism was the perfect solution."

Medical researchers are increasingly turning to nanotechnology to develop new treatments because it allows them to work with and control molecules at a scale that is smaller than cells.

Two thirds of cancer cells died within 24 hours

For the new study, the team used a biodegradable polymer to make a nanoparticle that encapsulates the peptide. They tested a number of materials before they found one that effectively sustained the integrity and stability of the peptide.

When they tested nanoparticles charged with the peptide on triple-negative cancer cells in the laboratory, the researchers found that the cells actively took them in, reduced their growth rate, and stopped replicating. Within 24 hours, around two thirds of the cells were dead.

Adding either the peptide on its own, or the nanoparticle without the peptide load, had no such effects.

On closer examination, the researchers found that the peptide was killing the cancer cells in the same way as the computer models predicted - it was preventing RAN activation by silencing a gene called regulator of chromosome condensation 1, or RCC1.

The Bradford team is already testing the nanoparticle delivery method in a model of triple-negative breast cancer and considering how to progress toward clinical trials.

They are also looking at other RAN inhibitor candidates. One of these is a "repurposed" drug that they say has passed preclinical tests of breast and lung cancer and is ready for clinical trials, for which they are seeking funding.

"By developing a nanoparticle that can help this peptide enter triple-negative breast cancer cells and block RAN we've brought this potential new treatment a step closer to the clinic."

Immune cell may turn heart inflammation into heart failure

Heart inflammation, or myocarditis, is a disorder usually caused by an infection reaching the heart. Although the condition is rare, it can sometimes lead to dilated cardiomyopathy - a leading cause of heart failure in younger adults. New research helps to explain why this happens in some cases and not others, by examining an immune cell that appears to cause heart failure in mice.

New research shows how heart inflammation can progress into heart failure in mice.

Myocarditis occurs when an infection has reached the heart. During an infection, the body's immune system produces disease-fighting cells - but in heart inflammation, these cells enter the heart and can damage its muscle.

The condition is not often diagnosed; it rarely causes severe symptoms and detecting it requires a heart biopsy - a rather invasive procedure of moderate risk.

In some cases, myocarditis progresses into inflammatory dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMi) - a disorder in which the heart's muscle dilates, weakens, and can no longer properly pump blood. In the United States, DCMi is one of the leading causes of heart failure among younger adults, with a prevalence of between 300 and 400 patients per million U.S. adults.

New research, led by Dr. Daniela Cihakova from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD - set out to understand why in some cases the heart heals from the inflammation, while in others it progresses into DCMi.

As the authors of the new paper mention, previous studies have pointed to the role of eosinophils - a specific type of immune cell - in the development of heart disease. As Dr. Cihakova explains, the new research "provide[s] more details about how these immune system cells may lead to deterioration of heart muscle function in mice in a way that lets us draw some parallels to human disease processes."

The findings were published in The Journal of Experimental Medicine.

Studying the role of eosinophils in heart failure

Dr. Cihakova and colleagues genetically modified a group of mice to have a deficiency of eosinophils. They then induced myocarditis in this group, using a technique called experimental autoimmune myocarditis. In this procedure, mice receive a peptide from their heart muscle cells, which makes the body's immune system attack the heart.

The researchers also induced myocarditis in another group of normal mice, with a healthy level of eosinophils. After 21 days, the scientists measured the inflammation in the hearts of both groups of mice.

They also analyzed the hearts for fibrosis or scar tissue - both signs of dying heart muscles in mammals. Scar tissue is also present in cases of DCMi.

The scientists found similarly acute inflammation in both groups.

However, when the scientists examined the groups for signs of heart failure, they found drastic differences between the eosinophil-deficient group and the normal group.

The mice with normal levels of eosinophils went on to develop heart failure, whereas the mice with eosinophil deficiency displayed no signs of heart malfunction.

The team also found scar tissue in both groups to a similar degree. However, the normal mice had DCMi, while the eosinophil-deficient ones were not affected.

The role of eosinophils confirmed by second experiment

To see if they could replicate their findings, the team designed an additional experiment in which they genetically modified mice to have an excess of an eosinophil-producing protein called IL5.

The IL5-excessive mice developed more inflammation and more scar tissue in the heart's upper chambers (or atria) compared with normal mice.

Mice with excessive IL5 protein also had more heart-infiltrating cells. As much as 60 percent of these cells were eosinophils in the IL5-excessive mice, compared with only 3 percent in the normal mice.

Additionally, the researchers examined the mice's hearts 45 days after the experiment and found severe DCMi in the mice with too much IL5 protein.

Finally, to account for the possibility that it is the IL5 protein and not the eosinophils that drive DCMi development, the team genetically modified eosinophil-deficient mice to have an excess of the protein.

The researchers found no reduction in the heart function of these IL5-excessive, eosinophil-deficient mice, compared with normal mice. This confirms that it is the immune cells, not the protein, that causes 

4 Types Of Headaches You’ve Never Heard Of—But Could Be Suffering From

Exertion headaches

These headaches occur in the minutes following some kind of physical exertion, including exercise, s*x, sneezing, laughing, or even, yep, pooping. “When you bear down, as you do during many of these activities, the spinal fluid pressure in the head increases briefly,” Green explains. That pressure leads to pain, which, luckily, is usually no cause for concern and should pass within a few minutes (or maybe up to an hour if it’s just not your day).

In rare cases, there could be a blood vessel problem causing this pain, so if a headache comes on extraordinarily strong soon after exerting yourself, go see a doc, Green says.

Hypertension headaches

Just like the name suggests, this type of head pain has to do with your blood pressure, but average BP isn’t the culprit. Instead, this headache is caused by really, really high blood pressure—in the range of 200/110 or higher. “When blood pressure is very high, it’s elevated in the brain as well,” Green says. “Blood vessels may be restricting blood flow to the brain.” A hypertension headache can feel like that very specific pain you might get from wearing a headband, and it’s generally worse in the morning and improves throughout the course of the day, according to the National Headache Foundation. To alleviate the pain, it’s crucial to keep BP under control.

Giant cell arteritis

The cause of this boring, burning, or jabbing head pain remains unknown, but the condition is extremely serious, Green warns. We do know it’s linked to inflammation and almost always seen in people over the age of 60, who often also feel pain around their ears when chewing with these types of headaches. About one-third of people with giant cell arteritis will go blind, Green says, so it’s typically considered an emergency diagnosis. Doctors will start treatment with steroids as soon as possible to prevent blindness and dramatically improve the pain, he says.

Trigeminal neuralgia

The older you get, the more likely you are to have this pain in the temples and around the jaw, Green says. “Very sharp pain—like an electric shock—is typically triggered by something like touching the face or brushing the teeth,” he says, and people with this condition may experience several “shocks” a day, possibly due to an artery pressing on a nerve, he says. Muscle relaxants might help, according to the National Headache Foundation, but if a patient with these symptoms is younger than 55 or so, it may also be caused by a neurological disease, like MS.

4 Signs You Have A Gum Disease

Gum disease (known as periodontal disease) has serious consequences for your dental health. It’s a chronic condition that can proceed quickly in different people.

In the worst cases, it results in teeth that are infected and loose and need to be removed.

We know that bleeding gums is closely connected to how we brush and floss. And most people that I see in the dental practice don’t brush and floss enough.

But removing plaque is one part of the story. Gum disease a sign of many other problems throughout the body. If you’re suspicious you have gum disease, then these five signs may tell you it’s time to see the dentist.

1) Bleeding Gums

Gums should not bleed when you brush and floss. As a general rule, if you aren’t a routine flosser, bacteria buildup below the gums may cause your gums to bleed each time you brush. This can also spread and cause bleeding when you brush your gums. If the problem persists, the bleeding usually worsens.

Gum swelling, red gums, or sore gums may also accompany bleeding. Tooth sensitivity may occur as well, and may be due to gum recession from the infected, bleeding gums.

It’s common to ask if you should stop flossing when your gums are bleeding. The problem is that if you don’t floss, the plaque that causes gingivitis will destroy the fibers that attach your gum tissue to your teeth. This plaque has bacteria that cause the inflammation in your gums.

With gums that bleed, there is much more to consider than just the pain or discomfort associated with the bleeding itself.

Even though that is enough for most people to be concerned with, there are more problems that can take place after bleeding has begun if it is related to gum disease.

When your blood is delivering immune cells to exit your tissue, it makes sense that this may make way for other things to enter the bloodstream. If this is the case, harmful bacteria that are formed in the mouth can gain access to your bloodstream and cause a number of problems.

These bacteria bond to platelets in the blood and cause clots, which can lead to heart attack or stroke. If this happens, then a whole host of potential health effects can occur.

Gum disease has some serious conditions associated with it.  There are strong links with heart attack and stroke. When you see bleeding gums it’s time to get your dental checkup.

Your dentist will perform an exam that is designed to measure the severity of your bleeding gums. There are some general stages of bleeding gums that you can be aware of:

• Bleeding after or during brushing: This is when you will spot red or dark spots on brush or floss. Your goal here is to disturb plaque, so it shows you’re doing the right thing.

• Gums begin to bleed more frequently: Instead of bleeding just on brushing, you’re now finding blood when you eat or without any stimulation at all.
• Bleeding happens on its own, not just when brushing: Sometimes, gums will bleed with no stimulus at all. This is a sign that inflammation is progressing to more serious stages.
• Gums begin to darken from light pink to a deeper red: This shows that more immune-regulated cells are located in the vessels. Gingivitis progresses as the immune response worsens. It signals processes that eat away at the gum tissue. Light, red blood is a sign there is oxygen present. Darker gums show lack of oxygen which is related to types of bacteria that thrive in an oxygen free environment.

2) Gum Recession or Gum ‘Pocketing’

Do your teeth look like they are getting longer? Teeth that appear ‘long’ may be due to fact that the gums that surround them are receding away. Gum recession is a sign that gum disease is progressing.

When this happens, the depth of the collar of gum tissue around your teeth increases. In later stage gum disease these pockets become too deep. The problem is that it then becomes difficult to remove the food and debris by brushing and flossing. The causes the pockets to become progressively deeper and the gum disease to worsen.

Unfortunately, to most, gum recession is considered to be a normal part of aging. You may have heard the expression “long in the tooth” to describe getting older. This refers to how the gum line tends to recede and expose more of the surface of our teeth. But there really is nothing “normal” about gum recession, and for most of us, it can actually be prevented. So, unless you’re inclined to keep things as they are, and embrace gum recession as the well-paid price of wisdom, we can help.

Gum recession and pockets are not the same:

• Gum recession is the loss of gum tissue from around the tooth exposing the root. Measurements are taken along the outer surface of the tooth to gauge how much gum has recessed or migrated over time. Measurements vary per person in the sense that a 4mm reading might be fine in one person but may not be for another. By taking a measurement and keeping track of its progression, we are able to determine different recommendations for taking care of your teeth and get a specialist involved if needed.
• Gum Pockets are the space between the gums and teeth. Dentists measure gum pockets by “probing” or “charting” to determine the general periodontal or gum health. A probe is placed down in-between the tooth and the gums to determine where the attachment of gum starts. This is known as the bottom of the pocket. Hygienists and dentists take six measurements for every tooth to evaluate the health or presence of gum disease. By keeping a record of this year after year we hope to maintain a healthy periodontium and prevent periodontal disease and tooth loss. A normal or healthy range is between 1mm and 3mm, anything higher is indicative of infection and gum disease.

3) Tooth sensitivity

Gum recession or pocketing can lead to tooth sensitivity. In these cases, sensitivity can be a sign of gum disease.

Chronically inflamed gum tissue is exposing the root surface of the tooth. This exposed root makes the tooth more susceptible to decay, abfraction (wear in the root surface), tooth sensitivity and potential tooth loss.

Tooth sensitivity occurs when consuming things like cold or hot beverages. If your symptoms are worsening, it’s time to see your dentist to see if they may be related to gum disease.

4) High Blood Sugar

If your blood sugar is high, you may have or be at risk of type-II diabetes. The link between gum disease and type-II diabetes is two directional. Type-II diabetics have a higher risk of gum disease that progresses faster. That’s why it’s important for your dentist to know whether you have type-II diabetes or not.

Signs of high blood sugar include:

• Increased thirst
• Headaches
• Mind fog or trouble concentrating
• Blurred or impaired vision
• Frequent urination
• Fatigue or loss of energy (weak, tired feeling)
• Unexplained weight loss

If you experience any of these conditions, you should see your general practitioner to test your blood sugar.

However, if you see your dentist and have been diagnosed with gum disease, you should also test your blood sugar. The conditions are closely connected to general inflammation in the body.

Cancer Cure Research 2017: Vitamin C Targets And Kills Cancer, According To New Study

The newest cancer treatment may be cheap, all natural, and found in your local produce aisle. Researchers from the University of Salford in Manchester found that Vitamin C is up to 10 times more effective at stopping cancer cell growth than some drugs.

Prior research has shown that vitamin C reduced mortality in chest cancer patients, but this is the first piece of evidence indicating it could target and kill cancer stem cells. These cells are believed to inhibit chemotherapy treatment and might be why the disease recurs and metastasizes. For the experiment, scientists measured the impact of seven substances, including Vitamin C, on cancer stem cells. Though a natural antibiotic and one experimental drug did better than Vitamin C, the vitamin was 10 times more effective at stopping cell growth than another experimental drug, the university reported.

“Vitamin C is cheap, natural, non-toxic and readily available so to have it as a potential weapon in the fight against cancer would be a significant step,” says co-author Dr. Michael P. Lisanti, professor at the university, in a statement.

According to the National Cancer Institute, high-dose vitamin C treatment options for cancer have been studied since the 1970s. Lab research indicates that large amounts of the nutrient could slow the growth of several types of cancer cells including prostate, pancreatic, liver and colon.

An article on WebMD explains that research on vitamin C’s cancer-killing potential doesn’t receive a lot of funding. In the late 1970s and early 80s, clinical trials by the Mayo Clinic found no anti-cancer benefits. However, many researchers have since argued that the tests were flawed as the vitamin was taken orally which causes it to be absorbed by the gut and excreted by the kidneys. Intravenous vitamin C, however, may be more effective.

About 39.6 percent of men and women will get cancer in their lifetime, according to the National Cancer Institute. While the disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, mortality rates continue to decline in the United States.

Brain System Controlling Sleeping, Eating May Play Key Role In Treating Cocaine Addiction, Study Says

Cocaine abuse is a serious health issues, but the goods news is a new study has suggested a potential way to curb cocaine abuse in addicts. The research found that the hypocretin/orexin (HCRT) system of the brain, which is traditionally known for promoting wakefulness and appetite, may also be related to cravings for cocaine.

The team suggest that blocking hypocretin signaling via a receptor might reduce an addict’s desire for the drug, thus helping them break their cycle of addiction.

The study, published online in Biological Psychiatry, looked at rats to investigate the link between this brain system and addiction. The team noted that rats who were allowed to give themselves cocaine over the long-term, as to mirror human drug abuse, took less cocaine when the hypocretin signaling was blocked throughout the brain. The same effect was not seen in rats’ short-term access to cocaine. These results suggest that HCRT neurotransmission in the central amygdala — a brain region associated with experiencing emotions — is a key contributor to cocaine abuse, according to a news release. 

“The more that we learn about the brain, the more that we learn that brain signaling mechanisms that play a particular defined function, such as a role in wakefulness or appetite, often play important roles in other functions, such as addiction,” said professor John Krystal, Editor of Biological Psychiatry, who was not involved in this study, in the press release.

The hypocretin/orexin system is related to sleep and appetite and associated with human behaviors such as sleep disorders. For example, according to a 2016 study, most of what we currently know about this neurological system came from studying narcolepsy, a disorder in which individuals are unable to regulate wakefulness.

Finding a way to better help addicts control their cravings is an important feat as cocaine abuse can have serious, sometimes deadly, effects on users’ overall health. For example, according to Drug Abuse, users are in danger of inflammation of the heart muscle, rupture of the major artery leading from the heart, and severe reductions in heart function over time. Long-term cocaine abuse can also increase the risk of stroke or brain damage as a result of disruptions of the blood supply to the brain.

Based on this new information regarding the role of the hypocretin/orexin system, the team hope to use these findings to perhaps create a drug that would target hypocretin receptors to curb cocaine abuse.

1 Things That Must Always Be In Your Car In Case Of Emergency

Tire Puncture Sealant

While it may be one of the largest health risks of your car, these carcinogenic cans of chemical sealant work pretty damn well on tires that have simple, small-scale punctures. This is one of those “use only if it’s absolutely necessary” kinds of fixes, but if it means the difference between being stuck in a dangerous situation and making it to safety, you’ll know what to do.

Four-way Lug Wrench (Wheel Spanner) And Jack

The average lug wrench that comes stowed in the trunk of most modern cars is typically small and tedious to use. By opting to carry a cross-shaped, four-way lug wrench, you boost the amount of torque you can apply to lug nuts, and you get a choice of pattern sizes that enables you to help out fellow stranded travelers.

Fire Extinguisher

You will need a multipurpose car fire extinguisher to put in your car in case of any fire emergency. The bigger your car, the bigger the extinguisher type. Take note not to buy the aerosol type that will finish in just a spray. Ensure you learn how to use it and teach other people

First Aid Kit

This is one of the most crucial, and often overlooked automotive additions, and while certain automakers have wisely begun affixing first aid kits to the trunks of various vehicles, not every new model comes with a kit. Buying a basic, pre-assembled first aid kit and tossing it in your trunk is an easy way to make sure you at least have some of the basics for when an emergency occurs.

Siphon Pump

Siphon pumps are great to have if you run out of fuel and a fellow traveler offers a splash from their tank, thus eliminating the need to hike down the highway in search of a gas station. Affordable, compact, and readily available, we suggest picking one of these contraptions up at an auto or home improvement store because you never know when it’s your turn to be the person who comes to the rescue of a poor stranded soul.

Jerry Can

Keeping an unused Jerry can on hand may sound like a great fall back plan if there’s no tank to siphon out of, but it also comes with a stern safety warning: Never keep a spare can of fuel on hand because driving with a jug of fuel, or even an empty canister increases the chance of fires and explosions. Remember, a hike up the road to a gas station is a far better situation than a roaring, four-wheeled inferno.

Water Flask

Bottled water can be a real lifesaver and can mean the difference between heat exhaustion and staying level-headed. It can also help make basic roadside assistance issues less daunting. If a quick repair requires a fat splash of water in the radiator, you’ll be ready. Since plastic bottles can degrade over time, we suggest investing in a sturdy, decent-sized insulated metal bottle.

Reflective Triangles

Road flares may get people’s attention, but they burn out eventually and are prone to expiration. Cough up a few bucks for some LED-clad safety reflective triangles instead, for they never go bad and are bright enough. A set of three or more triangles is recommended, putting them 100 feet behind the vehicle as well as one 100 feet in front of the vehicle. If your car is on a curve, place the reflective triangles ahead of the bend to warn approaching cars.

Cash

Wu Tang Clan was right all along. Cash truly does rule everything around us. Simply put, don’t put too much stock in credit cards because certain toll booths, vending machines, and other situations require a little green to keep you pointed in the right direction. We suggest tucking about some bucks in small bills into an envelope and placing it either in the glovebox or hidden in the trunk.

Jumper Cables

While it may seem like the most obvious option, you would be surprised by how many people don’t own a set of jumper cables, or who leave them at home where they won’t do any good. Buy a set that’s around 6 to 8 feet in length, make sure it has a good warranty, and don’t buy the cheapest thing on the shelf — cheap cables tend to fray.

Flashlights

Even though most people have LED flashlights on their phones nowadays, they can’t cling to the underside of a hood or area of a fender well, which means you won’t be able to free up your hands to take care of the car. These lights are cheap, useful, and incredibly bright, and prevent you from draining your cell phone’s battery, which is helpful when for calling for assistance.

Power Bank/Cellphone Charger

If your car’s out of power, your phone charger won’t to do anything for your cell, which is why it’s a good idea to always have an external portable battery charger in the car, juiced up and ready to roll. We suggest plugging in one of these power packs at home and placing your car keys on top to guarantee you’ll remember to bring it the next time you head out.

Grab Bag With Tools

Items that you might want to toss in a napsack include things like a work gloves, rags, a tool kit, and duct tape. You’ll be glad you have it if your car takes some damage and a side mirror, bumper, or grille needs taping down in order to make it to your destination or repair shop.