Choosing The Right Foods

Eating healthy is something we all would like to do, although it can be hard. In order to eat healthy, you must first make the right food choices. Eating healthy is all about what you eat, which makes the choices very crucial to your results. Grains You should consume 6 ounces of grains per day. To do this, you can eat 3 ounces of whole grain cereals, breads, rice, crackers, or pasta. You can get an ounce of grains in a single slice of bread, or 1 cut of cereal. Vegetables These should be varied, as you should eat 2 1/2 cups of them each day. You should start eating more of the dark vegetables, such as broccili and spinach. Carrots and sweet potatoes are good as well. You should also eat more dry beans such as peas, pinto beans, and even kidney beans. Fruits Fruits are very important. You should try to eat 2 cups of them each day. Focus on eating a variety, such as fresh, frozen, canned, or even dried fruit. You can drink fruit juices as well, although you should use moderation when doing so. Milk Milk is your calcium rich friend. For adults, 3 cups is the ideal goal. For kids 2 - 8, 2 cups is where you want to be. When choosing milk products or yogurt, you should go for fat-free or low-fat. Those of you who don’t like milk or can’t have it, should go for lactose free products or other sources of calcium such as fortified foods and beverages. Meat and beans Eating 5 ounces a day is the ideal goal, as you should go lean with your protein. When eating meat, always bake it, grill it, or broil it, as this will prevent grease from adding to the equation. You should vary your protein as well, with more fish, beans, peas, and nuts. When cooking your food, you should also limit solid fats such as butter, margarine, shortening, and lard. These foods may add flavor to your dishes, although they can also help raise your cholesterol as well. Therefore, you should try to add these foods and any foods that happen to contain them. To help keep your saturated fat, trans fat, and sodium low, you can check the nutrition facts label. This label can be found on the food package and will tell you all the information you need to know about the food item. By picking your foods wisely and watching what you eat, you’ll help control your lifestyle. Exercise is great as well, as it goes along perfect with a healthy eating lifestyle. No matter what your age may be, eating healthy will help you keep your active lifestyle for years and years - even help you and your health in the long run as well.

Finally Something Is Being Done To Tackle Obesity In Schools

The rate or obesity in our children is increasing quickly and the blame, to a certain extent, is being laid at the door of our schools. It is no surprise therefore that we are seeing a dramatic increase in the number of articles talking about child obesity and cafeteria foods.During the past 20 years the incidence of overweight among 6 to 11 year olds has increased from 7% to almost 18.8% while the incidence among teenagers has risen from 5% to 17.1%. and, until recently, there has been no regulation of the foods offered in schools which have been left to offer whatever they have wished to through school cafeterias, vending machines and snack bars.A report however entitled ‘Nutrition Standards for Foods in Schools: Leading the Way to Healthier Youth’ has now been published by The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and The Institute of Medicine detailing nutritional standards that schools must adopt.The report begins by dividing food into Tier 1 foods (foods containing at least one serving of fruit, vegetables and/or whole grain foods or non-fat or low-fat dairy products) and Tier 2 foods (foods which are not specified as Tier 1 foods but which are nonetheless considered to be acceptable in nutritional terms in limited quantities). The report then goes on to detail what schools can and cannot do. For example:1. Foods and beverages offered at school ought to be restricted to Tier 1 foods.2. Snack items ought not to contain in excess of 200 calories per serving.3. Foods and beverages ought to be free from caffeine. This standard will not however apply to foods that contain natural caffeine-related substances as long as they are found in only trace amounts.4. Beverages that contain non-nutritive sweeteners ought only to be available to high school children and ought only to be permitted after the end of the school day.5. Foods, snacks and beverages ought not to have more than 35% of their calories provided by total sugars. This standard will not however apply to 100% fruit or fruit juices that have no added sugar, 100% vegetable or vegetable juice which has no added sugar and to unflavored non-fat and low-fat milk or yogurt.6. Snack items ought not to contain in excess of 200 milligrams of salt.7. Foods and beverages ought not to be used as a form of either reward or punishment.8. Sports beverages ought only to be offered to students who are participating in high-intensity sports programs where this activity lasts for at least one hour.9. Foods, snacks and beverages ought not to have more than 35% of their calories provided by fat. In addition, no more than 10% of their calories ought to come from saturated fats and they ought to contain no trans fats.10. Plain, potable water (that is to say water that is not carbonated, fortified or flavored) ought to be available to students throughout the day free of charge.These of course are merely some of the provision of the report by way of illustration, but demonstrate that at long last we are beginning to do something to halt the rise in obesity among our children at school.

Finally Something Is Being Done To Tackle Obesity In Schools

The rate or obesity in our children is increasing quickly and the blame, to a certain extent, is being laid at the door of our schools. It is no surprise therefore that we are seeing a dramatic increase in the number of articles talking about child obesity and cafeteria foods.During the past 20 years the incidence of overweight among 6 to 11 year olds has increased from 7% to almost 18.8% while the incidence among teenagers has risen from 5% to 17.1%. and, until recently, there has been no regulation of the foods offered in schools which have been left to offer whatever they have wished to through school cafeterias, vending machines and snack bars.A report however entitled ‘Nutrition Standards for Foods in Schools: Leading the Way to Healthier Youth’ has now been published by The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and The Institute of Medicine detailing nutritional standards that schools must adopt.The report begins by dividing food into Tier 1 foods (foods containing at least one serving of fruit, vegetables and/or whole grain foods or non-fat or low-fat dairy products) and Tier 2 foods (foods which are not specified as Tier 1 foods but which are nonetheless considered to be acceptable in nutritional terms in limited quantities). The report then goes on to detail what schools can and cannot do. For example:1. Foods and beverages offered at school ought to be restricted to Tier 1 foods.2. Snack items ought not to contain in excess of 200 calories per serving.3. Foods and beverages ought to be free from caffeine. This standard will not however apply to foods that contain natural caffeine-related substances as long as they are found in only trace amounts.4. Beverages that contain non-nutritive sweeteners ought only to be available to high school children and ought only to be permitted after the end of the school day.5. Foods, snacks and beverages ought not to have more than 35% of their calories provided by total sugars. This standard will not however apply to 100% fruit or fruit juices that have no added sugar, 100% vegetable or vegetable juice which has no added sugar and to unflavored non-fat and low-fat milk or yogurt.6. Snack items ought not to contain in excess of 200 milligrams of salt.7. Foods and beverages ought not to be used as a form of either reward or punishment.8. Sports beverages ought only to be offered to students who are participating in high-intensity sports programs where this activity lasts for at least one hour.9. Foods, snacks and beverages ought not to have more than 35% of their calories provided by fat. In addition, no more than 10% of their calories ought to come from saturated fats and they ought to contain no trans fats.10. Plain, potable water (that is to say water that is not carbonated, fortified or flavored) ought to be available to students throughout the day free of charge.These of course are merely some of the provision of the report by way of illustration, but demonstrate that at long last we are beginning to do something to halt the rise in obesity among our children at school.

The Best anti-aging skin care Advice anyone can give you

A complete anti-aging skin care regimen involves a number of factors, including lifestyle and diet. The ingredients in the skincare products that you use are important. Some are healthy, while others are damaging, but to really improve your appearance, you need to work from the “inside out”.Your daily diet should consist primarily of fruits and vegetables. Use meats as a side dish. Choose fish like salmon three to five times a week. But, make sure to vary the type of fish, so that you are not exposed to large amounts of mercury. Avoid fish like shark, because they are at the top of the food chain and have the highest levels of mercury.For calcium and to aid digestion, choose plain, unsweetened yogurt and add your own fresh fruit. Blueberries are a super food, because of the antioxidants they contain. Cook with olive oil and garlic. Have a glass of red wine every day and drink plenty of clean water.These kinds of foods and beverages are an important part of anti-aging skin care, because they are naturally anti-inflammatories. Chronic inflammation causes everything from the bags under your eyes to degenerative and life threatening diseases, such as cancer and heart disease.The foods are also rich in antioxidants, which prevent free radical damage, the root cause of wrinkles, as well as cancer. Fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, an essential part of the skin’s cells and sebum. An anti-aging skin care lifestyle is one that limits sun exposure to 15 minutes, three times a week. If you are out longer, you should wear protective clothing and use sun block (not sunscreen) on exposed areas. Don’t smoke and avoid exposure to smoky areas.Daily anti-aging skin care rituals include gentle cleansing. Don’t exfoliate. Don’t use chemical peels. You’ll end up doing more damage than is already done. Use a good anti-aging skin care cream for your face and your body. Clean your face again before bedtime and use a restorative night cream.On a weekly basis use a mask that either cleanses or moisturizes. If you’ve been using products that contain petrolatum or other petroleum derivatives, you may need to moisturize more frequently, at least initially.Petrolatum, mineral oils, petroleum jelly and similar compounds inhibit the natural rejuvenation process and eventually cause excessive dryness. Read the labels on the products that you’ve been using and throw away the ones that contain them.The anti-aging skin care products that you use should only contain moisturizers that are similar to the skin’s own sebum. Look for grape seed oil, palm oil and passion fruit extracts. To prevent free radical damage, lessen wrinkles and increase skin-cell proliferation, as well as promote collagen and elastin production, choose anti-aging skin care creams that contain the antioxidants Coenzyme Q10 and natural vitamin E. Also look for active protein peptides and extracts from kelp. These increase levels of protein in the epidermis that naturally become lower with age. Avoid products that contain chemical preservatives and added fragrances. If you follow this anti-aging skin care plan, you should begin to see a difference in a very short period of time and you’ll look better for the rest of your life.

If you really want to get rid of your arthritis pain forever it may take a radical change in your diet and an ongoing commitment.

I got rid of my arthritis and arthritis pain forever by eating a natural living food diet. I found relief from my arthritis pain, naturally, and you can do it too.

Arthritis concentrates in one or several joints where deterioration occurs. To get the arthritis pain relief you%26#8217;re seeking it%26#8217;s helpful to understand how arthritis works. The first step when looking for solutions to an arthritis pain problem is to understand how arthritis works.

The combination of the collagen meshwork and high water content tightly bound by proteoglycans creates a resilient, slippery pad in the joint, which resists the compression between bones during muscle movement. Collagen is the main protein found in all connective tissues in the body, including the muscles, ligaments, and tendons. The ability to make repairs to cartilage becomes limited as cartilage cells age.

Most experts now believe that osteoarthritis results from a genetic susceptibility that causes a biologic response to injuries to the joint, which leads to progressive deterioration of cartilage. Genetic factors are thought to be involved in about 50% of osteoarthritis cases in the hands and hips and a somewhat lower percentage of cases in the knee. An inflammatory response causes cytokines, to gather in injured areas and cause inflammation and damage to body tissue and cells; it%26#8217;s known to play a role in rheumatoid arthritis and other muscle and joint problems associated with autoimmune diseases.

Try massaging your fingers or other affected joints with coconut oil twice a day. Some foods and beverages to avoid that are inflammatory are: caffeine, salt, sugar, meat, dairy products, additives, soft drinks, white flour, white rice, alcoholic beverages, fast food, processed vegetable oils, refined, packaged and processed food. Studies done on antioxidant vitamins question the value of these supplements; it%26#8217;s clearly better to consume these antioxidants in living foods because they may also need to work with other nutrients present in the foods to work properly.

If you really want to get rid of your arthritis pain forever it may take a radical change in your diet and an ongoing commitment. Make smoothies with fruit only using a base of two bananas, adding a cup of frozen or fresh blueberries and mango chunks or substitute any other fruit and add an energy boost of two tablespoons of coconut oil; add one or two leaves of kale for another highly nutrition

al boost — no one will ever know. Making a ginger tea, by adding a thin slice or two of fresh gingerroot to hot water, is helpful to many people I know.

Try avoiding the eight most allergic foods, wheat being the most allergenic; they are wheat, corn, eggs, milk, peanuts, fish, shellfish and some nuts, not all. One natural treatment method involves avoiding all inflammatory foods, that is, foods that are not alive.

I know quite a few people who are drinking tart cherry juice to relieve their arthritis pain; but is has to be the tart kind though. Some of the supplements commonly used for relieving arthritis pain, but I don%26#8217;t know if any of these work, are: glucosamine, chondroitin, bromelain, grapeseed extract, omega-3 and omega-6, cod liver oil, manganese ascorbate, MSM, boron, niacinamide, pantothenic acid, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E.

To be on the safe side always seek your doctor%26#8217;s advice before starting or changing your exercise program. A good exercise routine is the key to beating arthritis and relieving arthritis pain. If you have pain and swelling in your fingers, try squeezing Thera-putty made for this purpose or exercising with two Chinese chime balls called Taiji balls. Even the lightest exercise can go a long way to maintaining your joint mobility and overall health.

Your body has 147 different joints that are in motion every day of your life. Exercise your affected joints every day, to keep them flexible. Stretching and warming up the joints should always be the first step in your exercise routine to make your joints more flexible, just be careful you don%26#8217;t do further damage-proceed slowly..

Be aware that the use of NSAIDs or Cox-2 inhibitors do not halt the progress of osteoarthritis and may even hasten the onset.

Once you become more informed about arthritis you%26#8217;ll be able to plan an arthritis treatment program, natural or conventional or a combination of both. For conventional treatment of arthritis - if you do choose to take drugs or medications, be very careful and read the labels thoroughly.

Following these suggestions can help you get back in the swing of things fast and allow you to spend your days enjoying life once more. Arthritis pain relief is the ultimate goal - understanding arthritis is a good way to get there. Begin your treatment program with a diet change, exercise and weight loss plan to see incredible results and fast pain relief.

Article Source: http://www.BestToRead.com/

If you want to do everything you can to prevent a gout attack, then you may want to look into your favorite beverages to make sure that they’re not increasing your odds of a gout recurrence. A recent study published on http://BMJ.com in January, 2008, called “Soft Drinks, Fructose Consumption, and the Risk of Gout in Men: Prospective Cohort Study”, by Hyon Choi and Gary Curhan showed that men who regularly consume foods and beverages containing fructose have a notably higher risk of a gout attack.

Gout levels in the United States have doubled throughout the last few decades. This increase in gout attacks mirrors the increase in fructose consumption through soft drinks and other sugary foods. Fructose is a simple form of sugar that is now known to increase the production of uric acid in the body.

Though patients who suffer gout attacks are typically instructed by their doctors to cut alcohol, organ meats, and legumes from their diets, as they are high in purines - organic compounds that encourage uric acid production in the body - it is rare for patients to be told to limit their consumption of fructose-filled foods such as soft drinks.

American and Canadian researchers examined the relationship between the intake of high-fructose foods such as soft drinks and the risk of a gout attack. They looked into more than 46,000 men who had no history of gout attacks, and who were aged 40 or older. They followed these men for 12 years, compiling data on food consumption regarding more than 130 different beverages and foods including both regular and diet soft drinks, as well as fruits and fruit juices which are also naturally quite high in their fructose levels. From the start of the study, the researchers collected weight, medication use, and medical condition data. During that time, there were 755 new cases of gout attacks diagnosed within the participants.

The major findings of the study included the following:

- The more sugar-sweetened soft drinks were consumed by the participants, the higher their risks of a gout attack would be.

- When men who drank fewer than one serving of soft drinks in a month were compared to participants who drank over five or six servings every week, the risk of a gout attack was increased by 29 percent.

- The participants who drank two or more servings of soft drinks daily increased their risk of a gout attack by a significant 85 percent when compared to those who consumed fewer than one serving of soft drinks every month.

- Participants who consumed only soft drinks did not increase their risk of a gout attack.

- Fructose-rich foods such as fruits and their juices also increased the risk of a gout attack. However, the study’s authors caution that the interpretation of the impact of fruits and fruit juices on the risk of gout should be interpreted with care as eating some fruits and vegetables is important for the prevention of high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, and some cancers, and should therefore perhaps be considered more beneficial than hazardous.

The study’s results occurred independently of other gout attack risk factors, such as age, body mass index, blood pressure, diuretic use, alcohol consumption, and the rest of the diet of the participants.

Bioflavonoids: Boost Your Brain and Circulatory Health

What are bioflavonoids? No, it’s not an annoying mascot for a pizza chain. It’s not the latest race of alien beings from a new science fiction series, either. They are actually the natural pigments found in many different fruits and vegetables. Science is discovering that they may have numerous health benefits when it comes to brain function and the overall health of your circulatory system.

Bioflavonoids are most commonly praised for their antioxidant properties. They were first identified in the 1930s by Albert Szent-Gyorgyi, Ph.D., a Nobel laureate. They are thought to prevent the breakdown of vitamin C in the body, and they also boast their own antioxidant capabilities. Over 5000 different bioflavonoids have been identified in nature. They are classified into categories including flavones, anthocyanidins, flavones, flavonols, isoflavones and flavans. Science is still discovering new types and their healing properties every day. The best part about them is that they are all natural and very powerful.

For example, scientists have been promoting the amazing benefits of the antioxidant found in dark chocolate. It is called epicatechin, and it is an excellent bioflavonoid for heart health. Studies show that it helps maintain healthy blood vessels. Antioxidants in dark chocolate are also believed to lower high blood pressure, according to a study published in the Aug. 27, 2003 edition of The Journal of the American Medical Association.

Rutin and quecertin, both found in red grapes, are also linked with a healthier circulatory system. A study conducted at the University of Wisconsin in Madison in 1995 found that the antioxidant and platelet inhibitory properties of other naturally occurring compounds in the wine the consumption of flavonoid-containing foods and beverages may retard atherogenesis and prevent thrombosis on a daily basis. Translated into common terms, the researchers concluded that bioflavonoid may slow artery and vein degeneration and prevent blood clotting.

The American Heart Association feels that this area of research is very promising. Their website states, Phytochemicals are chemicals found in plants. Plant sterols, flavonoids and sulfur-containing compounds are three classes of micronutrients found in fruits and vegetables. These compounds may be important in reducing the risk of atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of fatty deposits in artery walls.

As far as healthy brain function is concerned, bioflavonoid is thought to help with microcirculation in small vessels throughout the body. You might recall seeing ginkgo biloba in the news. It has been shown to improve memory with its powerful bioflavonoid in numerous studies. What makes ginkgo especially significant is that its bioflavonoids have a stronger potency than many other bioflavonoids, and it seems to have specific benefits in the capillary beds of the brain.

The National Center for Biotechnology Information recently reported the following on their website: Flavonoids were shown to activate key enzymes in mitochondrial respiration and to protect neuronal cells by acting as antioxidants, thus breaking the vicious cycle of oxidative stress and tissue damage. Furthermore, recent data indicate a favorable effect of flavonoids on neuro-inflammatory events. In other words, bioflavonoid is thought to help protect your brain cells from degeneration, and recent data shows that they may also reduce swelling.

Researchers are eager to discover all the healing properties bioflavonoids possess. Modern medicine is now faced with an all natural group of chemicals found in plant pigments that may prove to be effective in preserving brain function and promoting cardiovascular health. This is fantastic news for people that prefer natural supplements over expensive prescription pills. Current research shows that these chemicals have significant powers for enhancing overall health. In fact, many researchers advocate including bioflavonoid supplements in your daily health maintenance plan.

Artificial Sweeteners are either the greatest inventions known to dieters or major contributors to the obesity epidemic. Which is it? Do you want to know the truth or do you want to bury your head in the sand and hope this controversy goes away? It’s a tough call for me…especially as much as I love diet soda! The addition of artificial sweeteners in foods and beverages as a way to reduce calories started in the 1950s with Saccharin. Since a regular-sized can of soda contains nine teaspoons of sugar, companies were under pressure to come up with low-calorie alternatives. Saccharin had been around since 1879 and was widely used during both world wars because of its low production cost. It was a natural to be the first sugar substitute and was commonly used as Sweet and Low. The public was so fond of their new low-calorie products that Aspartame was added in 1983 and Sucralose in 1999. The purpose of artificial sweeteners, of course, is to trick your taste buds into thinking that you have satisfied your sweet tooth. Research is now indicating that while artificial sweeteners are pulling a fast one on our taste buds, they’re also confusing our systems when it comes to appetite control and caloric intake. A study at Purdue University conducted on rats had alarming results! Rats that ate food sweetened with artificial sweeteners ate more food overall and gained more weight in a two-week period than rats that ate food sweetened with glucose, a natural sugar found in fruit. The rats that ate food sweetened with saccharine consumed up to ten percent more calories. They also gained twenty percent more weight and increased their body fat by five percent! Now about that diet soda…a recent study found that individuals who consumed even one soda a day, diet or otherwise, had a 50% increased risk for metabolic syndrome over a four-year period. Metabolic syndrome is a phrase used to describe a collection of risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Abdominal obesity, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure are just a few of the risk factors referred to as “metabolic syndrome.” To help put this information in perspective, a typical American diet, composed of fried foods and red meat, only provides an 18% increased risk for metabolic syndrome. But this is where it gets really interesting…adding even one diet soda a day to this type of diet raises the risk to 34%! While the diet soda itself does not make you gain weight, it is becoming clear to researchers that the artificial sweeteners are affecting our natural ability to control our appetites. Sharon Fowler of the University of Texas Health Science Center states that for each diet drink consumed per day, the obesity risk increases by 41%. That’s a compelling argument against artificial sweeteners. There’s no question that our nationwide obesity problem is significantly worse than the 1950s. Are artificial sweeteners the hidden saboteurs of our weight loss efforts? Gail M. Davis provides more information about artificial sweeteners and weight loss. Visit Easy Weight Loss Tipsfor tips on this and many more weight-related topics.

Reverse Osmosis Water Filter: Removing the Minerals in Drinking Water is Detrimental to Your Health A Reverse Osmosis filter is designed to remove the minerals in water. You might think drinking water that is truly “pure” is the most healthful water you can drink. But, if that were true, then why is there no place on earth where water without minerals can be found? Even the most remote and unpolluted mountain springs have natural occurring minerals. It is these mineral that give water its taste. More important than taste, is the healthful benefits these minerals have for our bodies. In science and industry there is a need for mineral free water. For example, the photo processing and printing industries require the use of a reverse osmosis filter to remove inorganic solids (minerals). This filter process is also used to desalinate sea water into fresh water. Once the salt is removed, then the water must be stabilized, to make the water less acidic and prevent the leaching of unwanted elements during transportation to the final users. If you are looking into a reverse osmosis water filter for your home, you probably have discovered that it is not just a simple matter of pushing the water through and getting pure water on the other side. That is because the reverse osmosis filter itself does not remove most of the contaminants we need taken out. It only removes the dissolved minerals, like calcium and magnesium. There is a pretreatment with carbon based filters and another needed after. These are the filters that remove the actual pollutants, not the reverse osmosis filter. Water without minerals is acidic in pH. When humans consume acidic foods and beverages, the body pulls minerals from our teeth and bones to neutralize the acid. It has been shown in scientific studies, that when our body fluids become more acid than alkaline, the production of free radicals increases. These free radicals cause a increased risk for cancer. It is interesting, that in the parts of the world where people live the longest, most healthful lives, are areas that have the most alkaline water with the highest mineral content. Zoltan P. Rona, MD is a past President of the Canadian Holistic Medical Association. In one of his articles he states “The ideal water for the human body should be slightly alkaline and this requires the presence of minerals like calcium and magnesium.” Twenty years ago, using a reverse osmosis water filter in your home may have been a good idea. It was a case of using what was available. Today, with the advances in filtration technology and a better understanding of what healthful water should contain, choosing a reverse osmosis filter just does not make sense. So in your search for “pure” drinking water, remember that trace minerals such as calcium, magnesium and potassium are an essential part of that water. Renee Smallwood has been a health care professional for more than 30 years. She sees first hand the health effects of proper hydration. To learn more about what you can do to ensure you are getting the best water to maintain a healthy lifestyle, visit her blog at http://waterqualitysolutions.blogspot.com/

Do you want whiter, brighter teeth? As tooth whitening products rapidly increase in popularity, it becomes apparent that most people want a simple solution to achieving whiter teeth. Bright, white teeth can make you look younger and more attractive and will give you the confidence to smile more often. Experienced cosmetic dentists can offer the professional tooth-whitening results you are looking for. What causes teeth to lose their sparkle? Our teeth show signs of aging just like our skin does. Gradually, over time, the teeth lose their natural brightness and whiteness. Although you can’t control time, you can control certain factors that contribute to the discoloration of your teeth such as: ·         Stain-producing foods and beverages (red wine, black tea, coffee, dark cola drinks, chocolate and dark berries) ·         Tobacco products ·         Too much fluoride ·         Certain medications ·         Old fillings ·         Dental trauma What is the best way to whiten my teeth? The ZOOM! whitening process is one of the simplest and most effective ways to whiten your teeth and achieve a dramatically improved and healthier smile. ZOOM! can be offered in your dentist’s office, or you can take home a kit and do the whitening at home with instructions from your dentist. How does ZOOM! work? ZOOM! can be applied in-office or at home, depending upon your needs. The one hour in-office procedure is sometimes called ‘power whitening’ because the results are astounding and can be compared to results typically achieved after about two weeks of home treatment. Your dentist will use the ZOOM! whitening system by applying a bleaching gel to your teeth. For ZOOM! to be completely effective, you should undergo professional tooth cleaning before attempting to whiten your teeth. This ensures that any surface stains are removed from your teeth and that the whitening product works its best. What are the differences between an in-office and at-home procedure? During the in-office whitening procedure: 1.     Your pre-whitening tooth color is recorded for later comparison 2.     A latex shield is placed over your gums, with holes punched through for your teeth, to protect your gums from the bleaching agent 3.     Your dentist will apply the tooth whitener. 4.     High-intensity light will then be directed at the bleach on your teeth to speed up the whitening process. Home Whitening Before you begin the home whitening program, you will need to visit your dentist for a general examination. During this exam your dentist will: ·         Ensure your teeth are in good health ·         Document the current color of your teeth ·         Create an impression of your teeth which is used to create your customized tray A few days after your general examination, you can return to pick-up your custom tray and receive all tooth-whitening instructions. At this appointment, your dentist will: ·         Show you how to dispense the bleaching agent into your tray ·         Make sure you can fit the tray into your mouth properly ·         Give you instructions on when and how long to wear the trays ·         Answer any other questions you may have Once at home, you wear the trays for the recommended amount of time each day. You should see results after about two weeks but might see even more dramatic results after four to eight weeks.