Your skin is the largest organ in your body. External issues may be a red flag that something is wrong within.
While sheet masks and bottled serums may have a certain soothing and aesthetic allure, a good skincare routine may not be enough to soothe your body’s complex systems.
High levels of cortisol can jumble up the signals your nerves decide to send, leading to anything from fine lines to an outbreak of hives.
While this correlation between skin and stress has been known since ancient times, recent studies showing a deeper connection only date back a few years.
And while your skin care products or diet can cause skin concerns, stress should also be taken into account — especially if a rash develops out of the blue or lasts long after you’ve tried almost everything.
We’ve rounded up eight proven ways that hormonal, physical, and mental stress affect your skin. But, more importantly, we also come up with what you can do about it.
There are many bacteria and viruses we have no idea about, and we discover them when we least expect it. That is the case of Helicobacter pylori, a strong bacteria that lives in your stomach, and that is actually quite dangerous if it’s not properly treated.
Doctors say that this bacteria might be present in the bodies of over half of the people in the world, and the majority of them get infected during childhood. However, a lot of them have no idea that they have a helicobacter pylori infection because they’ve never had any symptoms.
If you have any signs and symptoms of peptic ulcer, for instance, your doctor might probably test you for the helicobacter pylori infection. A peptic ulcer is an inflamed part on the lining of the stomach (gastric ulcer) or the first piece of the small intestine (duodenal ulcer).
This annoying infection can be treated with antibiotics, but the medicine scheme has to be taken very seriously, otherwise, it can lead to even stronger bacteria. With that being said, here is everything you need to know about infection with helicobacter pylori.
We are all aware that we shouldn’t be consuming so much sugar, as it is not healthy for us. However, a lot of us forget just how harmful sugar can be to our bodies, especially if we suffer from a sweet tooth or if we happen to find ourselves drinking a lot of sodas or even glasses of those “natural” juices that come in cartons.
Obviously, cutting sugar completely from your diet is virtually impossible, especially with how processed things are these days. But if you happen to be one of those people that ends up indulging more often than not, you should keep on reading to see what actually happens when you get too much glucose into your body! Not only will we take a look at some of the myths, but we will also talk about the long-term effects that eating too many sweet things will have on your body.
Who knows? Maybe this will help you evaluate your eating habits and give you that one last push you need to make some better food choices!
Vitamin B12 is more powerful than many of us would ever know. One of the reasons why it’s so crucial is because it helps make DNA, nerve, and blood cells, and it’s also enhancing a healthy brain and immune system.
Your metabolism wouldn’t be able to run smoothly without it. But B12 isn’t just like any other vitamin. It can only be found in animal products such as eggs, meat, shellfish, and dairy. Up to 15% of people lack this vitamin, and they’re either vegetarians, have celiac disease or other digestive problems, or are adults over 50.
Some of the signs of B12 deficiency can include exhaustion, rapid heartbeat, and brain fog. Care to know more about this vitamin? We’ll tell you everything you need to know!
Everything You Need To Know About Vitamin B12 Deficiency:
Vegetarians and vegans are more at risk
Vitamin B12 can be found naturally in many animal products. So if your diet is based mainly on plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, beans, and soy, you’re highly at risk of suffering from a vitamin B12 deficiency.
“Vegetarians who consume eggs and dairy should try to include at least one source from these food groups once a day.” Stephanie Middleberg explained, RD, nutritionist at Middleberg Nutrition in New York City.
On the other hand, vegans don’t consume any animal products whatsoever, so they have to take a supplement or consume vitamin B12-fortified foods, like breakfast cereal and grains. Other types of foods that are fortified with B12 are non-dairy milk or meat substitutes. However, not all of these foods are reinforced, so check the label to be sure.
Adults over 50 years old are also at risk
The more you age, your stomach doesn’t produce as much acid as before, and the stomach acid in our body is absolutely key for B12 absorption, according to Middleberg. One in 31 adults over 50 years old is deficient, as calculated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
There are older individuals who suffer from poor appetites and food intakes, and they might be on medications, such as heartburn meds, that might reduce even more stomach acid levels. In fact, some of these seniors lose in time their ability to absorb vitamin B12 from food, and the only way they can get it is by taking supplements or even injections.
Some of its earliest symptoms include weakness and fatigue
Vitamin B12 is known to be the energy vitamin for a proper reason. Inadequate B12 intake only leads to a dent in red blood cell production, and some of the earliest signs of a deficiency might include feeling dragged, confused, and even weak.
According to Middleberg, the main problem is that these symptoms are pretty vague. I personally feel this way at least once a week…not to mention that they have a common ground with lots of other diseases.
Plus, they might be attributed to tons of other triggers, and most people will conclude it’s pointless to go get tested. If any of these symptoms hit and stick around for a longer period of time, the best thing you can do is to speak with your doctor and rule out any other causes.
Photo by Antonina Vlasova from Shutterstock
Heartburn drugs can be at fault
There are some prescription heartburn drugs on the market that entirely suppress the production of stomach acid, which is highly needed in order to absorb vitamin B12. There’s a study made by JAMA that backs this up.
Researchers have found out that taking meds that have a proton, such as Prilosec and Nexium, for more than two years will pump inhibitors, which only leads to a 65% higher chance of having a vitamin B12 deficiency.
For every two years or more using H2 receptor blocker drugs, like Pepcid and Zantac, will lead to a 25% boost in deficiency chances.
If you happen to take these medications on a regular basis, you should talk to your doctor about what you should do next to protect your vitamin B12 intake.
It can be mistaken for dementia
Symptoms of such deficiency might mimic the symptoms of dementia, such as memory loss, orientation, and even difficulty thinking and reasoning, according to Middleberg. It’s sometimes even harder to distinguish a vitamin B12 deficiency from dementia, especially if older folks are basically at risk…for both.
Even worse, these two conditions might overlap, as 75% to 90% of B12 deficient people usually experience neurological complications such as dementia. And when a B12 shortage hits younger folks, it might still resemble dementia.
Experts haven’t deciphered exactly how are these two related to one another, but patients who suffer from unexplained cognitive decline should definitely be tested for B12 deficiency.
Taking birth control pills will set you up for it
Women who’ve been on oral contraceptives for longer periods of time tend to have trouble absorbing vitamin B12, as Middleberg confirmed.
There are studies that show how some of these pills are higher in estrogen and are more likely associated with B12 and folate (folic acid, and vitamin B6) deficiency.
Apparently, the estrogen in the pill is at fault for this impaired absorption. So if you’re on the pill, you need to have a chat with your doctor about the risks, or whether you should be taking B12 supplements as a backup. It’s best to be safe than sorry!
The best sources of B12 are meat and fish
Beef liver and clams are at the top of B12, as the National Institutes of Health have confirmed. If you aren’t a fan of either of those, there are plenty of options out there too.
Ground beef, oysters, trout, and even salmon are B12 superstars, as a serving of each will deliver close to or even more than 100% of your RDA (2.4 micrograms for men and women over 14, and it goes up to 2.6 and 2.8 for pregnant women or women who are currently breastfeeding).
Also, eggs (0.6 micrograms per egg, 10% of daily value) but also milk (1.2 micrograms per cup of low-fat, 18 percent of daily value) are also incredibly solid sources.
Fortified foods and supplements can help
They both can help vegans, vegetarians, older adults, and other people who are simply unable to naturally absorb B12. When absorption is a problem, “simply loading up on foods that are naturally high in B12 might not be the answer to this issue.
The synthetic form of B12 is definitely more readily absorbed.” You’ll have a higher chance of finding vitamin B12 in fortified cereals, as many of those have 100% of your RDA.
Photo by Tatjana Baibakova from Shutterstock
Heavy drinking increases your odds
Did you know that if you drink a couple of drinks every day you can get gastritis, and irritation of the stomach lining, which can lead to lower stomach acid and reduced B12 absorption? Middleberg enlightened us on this matter, explaining in which ways is alcohol linked to vitamin B12 deficiency.
B12 is stored in the liver, so drinking alcohol can impair liver function and deplete B12 stores or even make it more difficult for the liver to use it.
It can even trigger a false positive on a Pap test
What’s even worse about having a vitamin B12 deficiency is that it can affect your Pap test. The Pap test is absolutely essential to women, as it helps screen for any possible signs of cervical cancer.
However, low B12 levels can actually affect the way some cervical cells look, which can potentially trigger a false positive, as the National Institute of Health has shown. Truth to be told, this is a serious reason to start taking care of your vitamin B12 intake.
It’s linked to pernicious anemia
There’s a special type of anemia that can be triggered by a B12 deficiency. It’s called pernicious anemia, which basically means “dangerous”, as in the past it was considered to be life-threatening. Pernicious anemia is what happens when the stomach isn’t capable of making enough of a protein known as an intrinsic factor, which helps our intestine absorb B12.
Pernicious anemia may come as a result of an autoimmune issue, a problem with the stomach lining, or even a congenital condition that is passed down through families. In this case, the treatment usually implies B12 shots, and in some cases, combined with supplements.
It can be hard to recognize this type of deficiency
“As the body can store vitamin B12 for three to five years, the early symptoms of a possible deficiency are known to appear gradually. That’s why it’s highly likely you won’t even notice them.” as Middleberg explained.
After the initial clues (fatigue, weakness, brain fog) you should expect to notice more advanced tip-offs show up, like numbness and tingling of the limbs, depression, paranoia, and even hallucinations.
The signs differ in such a manner, and they don’t even strike every one, that it’s extremely difficult to diagnose even at a later stage. “The symptoms also depend on what caused the deficiency. When it’s malabsorption, it means that they are absorbing some B12 and the deficiency is occurring more slowly, or total lack of animal products, which might cause the deficiency to develop faster.
A blood test is the only way to confirm it
Blood levels of vitamin B12 less than 160 pg/mL might be interpreted as a sign of deficiency, as stated by the National Library of Medicine. “Blood tests are usually accurate. However, a false positive is also possible, as it’s related to certain cancers, oral contraceptives, folate (folic acid) deficiency, and even pregnancy.”
As Moon stated, false negatives might occur, for example in people who have liver disease, poorly functioning kidneys or even certain blood cell disorders. Your GP or primary care physician is recommended to take care of your test.
It’s linked to immune system issues
According to Middleberg, “B12 has a crucial role in white blood cell production, and white blood cells are also essential for proper immune system functioning.” A lack of vitamin B12 can lower your immunity, but also some immune system disorders can raise your chances of becoming deficient.
For example, Graves’ disease is an autoimmune condition of the thyroid, which causes hyperthyroidism, and is a high-risk factor for developing pernicious anemia, which leads to B12 deficiency. As you can see, vitamin B12 deficiency is a tiresome carousel of conditions from which you don’t even know where to begin.
Digestive problems can cause it
People who suffer from GI issues have a higher risk of a B12 shortage because their digestive problems can make the process of absorbing nutrients much more difficult, as Middleberg explained.
“For example, those who have gut issues, colitis, Crohn’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and even leaky gut syndrome have higher chances of suffering from a B12 deficiency.” Also, those who suffer from Celiac disease might have problems with absorption.
If you’re at risk for any of these conditions, ask your doctor about the possibility of taking supplements or B12 shots, as all the B12-rich food in the world won’t be absorbed properly by your body.
It can happen after weight loss surgery
There are some surgeries that might interfere with the GI tract, such as gastric bypass surgery, which makes it harder to absorb B12. One of the reasons has to do with a certain decrease in the body’s ability to digest food, but it might also result in iffy levels of intrinsic factor, which is a protein that helps the body absorb B12.
However, the absorption issue might be a permanent one, and people who undergo gastric bypass might have to take vitamin B12 supplements for the rest of their life. Otherwise, they might risk a shortage.
It can cause tingling, weakness, and balance issues
Depletion of the vitamin B12 stores only leads to nerve damage. That’s why long-term B12 deficiency can be read into sensations of pins and needles in your hands and feet, shaky body movements, and even trouble walking. Like many other B12 deficiency signs, these can all be attributed to other causes, such as aging. However, the only way to check it is to consult with your doctor.
Visible signs include pale skin, a sore tongue, and mouth ulcers
Other visible signs of vitamin B12 deficiency include pale skin, mouth sores, red, swollen, beefy tongue. These are all caused by deficiency-related changes in blood flow, and they can show up many years after the depletion is initiated, as Middleberg explained.
A rapid heartbeat or even heart palpitations might represent another blood flow-related sign, and sometimes bruising super easily can be read as a symptom.
Every budding cook begins in their kitchen at home, discovering the ways of this skill and earning the notable title of “being able to cook.” And because of the pandemic in recent years, it seems like more and more people are honing their skills in the kitchen.
But even if you’ve just started cooking or have been at it for the last decades, there are many common kitchen mistakes that many people seem to make.
Ranging from cooking techniques to general kitchen knowledge, fixing these mistakes will help level up both your food safety AND cooking skills.
You can become a better cook by knowing how to avoid some of the most common blunders and learn what you SHOULD be doing in the kitchen.
So, could YOU be making any cooking mistakes? Let’s find out! Keep reading to see the 10 most common mistakes people make when cooking!
Photo by Halfpoint at Shutterstock
Kitchen Mistake: Do YOU Wash Your Meat?
Isn’t washing stuff supposed to remove the bacteria? Well, by washing your meat and poultry, you’re really just increasing the likelihood of cross-contamination because bacteria spreads by splashing water onto your sink and any other kitchen surfaces.
The heat from cooking will kill any pathogens lying around and keep you salmonella-free if cooked properly. So unless there’s any visible dirt on the meat, you can skip the washing.
But, if you’ve bought your meat from a wet market or where the sanitary conditions might not be as high, you can wash the visible dirt or blood away. Just do so away from your other ingredients or kitchenware.
Kitchen Mistake: Do You Let The Meat Sit After Cooking?
In the culinary world, this is a cardinal sin! Whatever you do, fight your urge to cut into that beautiful-looking piece of meat after taking it off the grill. Wait about 5 minutes for the juices to distribute. Your taste buds will thank you for this tip!
Kitchen Mistake: Are You Using The Right Knife?
Before you grab your knife out, think about what you need it for. Are you mincing something small, like garlic? Or, will you be working with something bigger, like a whole chicken?
You might love your paring knife, but it’s not an all-purpose tool, and it doesn’t work well when tackling larger foods. Consider your chef’s knife as an all-purpose knife. This is the tool you turn to when cutting meat, slicing fruits and vegetables, and dicing herbs.
…And opt for a paring knife when working with a tiny piece of food.
Kitchen Mistake: Are you Tasting The Food As You’re Cooking
While we’re glad you have confidence in your cooking, not tasting your food is a big kitchen mistake. Even if you’re following a recipe, taste early and often to make sure you get the right taste.
Kitchen Mistake: You Shouldn’t Wash Your Eggs
Eggs are another kitchen staple that need to be untouched. These protein-packed ovals have a natural coating that prevents bacteria like salmonella from penetrating the shell.
And by washing them, you’re removing this layer of defense away from the egg and contaminating its insides. If you see visible dirt or droppings still stuck on the eggshell, you can wash them off but do so only right before cracking them.
Another hot topic of debate is whether eggs need to be stored in the fridge. The experts primarily recommend that they be chilled in the refrigerator to minimize bacterial growth further.
Photo by Kichigin at Shutterstock
Kitchen Mistake: You Constantly Flip The Meat On The Grill
We’ll be brief with this one: You know how many times you need to flip a nice piece of meat? Once… That’s all it requires to get a nice, beautiful sear!
Kitchen Mistake: Frying wet vegetables in a pan full of hot oil
What you definitely should be washing are your veggies. But it’s a typical kitchen mistake to dump the rinsed greens into your frying pan immediately after washing them. The moisture will make your stir-fry soggy, turning it into a stew instead of a crispy delight.
Besides that, we all know that water and hot oil don’t mix, and you wouldn’t want the oil to splatter all around your kitchen.
Before you go all Gordan Ramsay and start tossing in the pan, let the veggies dry at least a little in the strainer, but we highly recommend a salad spinner to make the job easier.
Kitchen Mistake: Cooking Your Meat Immediately From The Freezer
Let the meat sit in your sink for roughly 30 minutes before you cook it to reach room temperature. This results in even cooking, so you don’t get a medium-well steak when you want a medium-rare one.
Kitchen Mistake: Not Seasoning Food While Cooking
Forgetting about seasoning when it comes to your food will leave you with an unbalanced, tasteless dish and just overall dull! It’s a massive disservice to a meal that could have otherwise been delicious.
Different seasonings work together to bring out the natural flavors of all the ingredients in your meal and needs to happen early on rather than at the end. It rounds flavors out, brings them together, and transforms the meal from bland to flavorful.
Kitchen Mistake: Trying To Save A Bad Meal By Adding More Things
Sometimes kitchen experiments go terribly wrong. It happens to the best of us. Don’t be afraid to scrap a lousy dish every once in a while. It’s part of the creative process of cooking.
Kitchen Mistake: Don’t Overcrowd Your Pan
Overloaded pans never give you the results you’re looking for. Whether we’re talking about meat, veggies, or even baking. Understandably, you’d want to cook that big batch of chicken tenders in one go, but you’re losing out on flavor and crispy brown skin by saving time.
The cooking process releases moisture within the meat, and if your pan is overcrowded, it will prevent that moisture from evaporating, ultimately boiling your meat instead of frying it. The same goes for veggies.
They’ll end up soggy instead of crispy. Also, it’ll be a challenge to guarantee that everything’s evenly cooked. Give your food room to breathe. You wouldn’t want to be squished together in a tight, hot space, either.
Kitchen Mistake: You Shouldn’t Be Lazy
It’s easy to choose “ready-made,” highly processed junk food. But nothing replaces the real thing. Buy all-natural ingredients from local farmers whenever possible.
Kitchen Mistake: Do You Use The Same Oil For Everything?
A pantry in a typical household will usually only have one type of oil, and people don’t think much about the different types of oils they use unless they’re at the supermarket. But the difference is that they have different purposes.
Olive oil, vegetable oil, extra virgin oil, coconut oil, and any other ones all have different “smoke points,” meaning they cook at different temperatures. We won’t cover every type of oil, but the most common ones are:
Vegetable oils: They have a high smoke point and are best for deep-frying and cooking on high heat.
Olive oil: It will have a medium smoke point and is best for general frying and all-around use.
Extra virgin oil: It will have a low smoke point and many flavors, but you’ll ruin it by high heat cooking.
Kitchen Mistake: Do You Over or Under Season?
You can very quickly go overboard with the salt and other seasonings. But use water, lemon juice, or vinegar to dilute it when this happens.
Now, the only thing worse than over-seasoning is under-seasoning. Which is why you should always taste your dishes before you serve them.
Kitchen Mistake: Don’t Use The Same Cutting Board For Everything
There will always be a high risk of cross-contamination if you cut your fresh tomatoes on the same cutting board where you chop your raw chicken.
The general rule is to have a few cutting boards in your kitchen, one for meats and one for cooked/ready-to-eat foods like fruits and vegetables. There’s something to be said about the size of your cutting board as well.
Those tiny cutting boards are adorable, but they’re not that useful aside from slicing a few strawberries or prepping a garnish for a drink. And, while a whole chicken may fit on there, it’s far too cramped to work neatly and efficiently.
Photo by VGstockstudio at Shutterstock
Kitchen Mistake: Read The Entire Recipe Before You Begin!
After a busy day, you’re probably in a rush to make dinner. And while hunger is understandable, you shouldn’t rush to throw something together.
Some recipes won’t be written in the correct order, and there’s nothing worse than getting halfway through a recipe to find out that you’re missing some ingredients.
Before you do anything, your first order of business should always be reading the recipe all the way through. It’ll give you a better idea of precisely what you’ll be doing, and you’ll have a chance to make sure you have all the ingredients and equipment you need.
Have you been making any of the mistakes we’ve mentioned above? We hope this article helps you avoid any of them in the future!
