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3 Red Flags Reveal a Hoarding Disorder

October 22, 2022 by Lakeisha Ethans

Hoarding disorder, also known as compulsive hoarding, is characterized by the excessive accumulation of items and objects regardless of value. It involves the refusal to part with even the most seemingly useless things because hoarders perceive a close emotional connection with each item.

Hoarding disorder is comorbid with many other conditions affecting motivation, executive function, and compulsion. These include ADHD, OCD, anxiety, and depression. In addition, many hoarders also have traits of anxious attachment, avoidance, paranoia, and schizotypal disorders.

However, these factors don’t define or determine the existence of hoarding behavior. They may predict risk factors, but hoarding is a complex compulsion that’s difficult to comprehend. Here are three red flags that reveal a hoarding disorder.

Hoarding Disorder Sign #1 – An Unhealthy Attachment To Possessions

There’s a reason that people with hoarding disorder refuse to part with their items. They typically assign an important attachment to all their objects, no matter what those objects are.

Research shows this may be because hoarders anthropomorphize the items they own. After all, many studies show that anthropomorphizing things increases the sentimental value they hold to us.

Some hoarders also rely on objects for soothing mental distress and become anxiously attached to each part of their so-called collection. This forms a feedback loop: they hoard to manage distress and loneliness, become more isolated because of their home conditions, and hoard some more to cope.

Here are some common red flags of unhealthy possession attachment in those with hoarding disorder:

Hoarders Even Consider Trash Valuable

Someone with a hoarding disorder typically has difficulty differentiating between items with value and those without. You’ll see total junk evenly kept among things of genuine sentimental or material value, and hoarders will consider all items equally worth keeping. Defensiveness and adamant refusal will quickly meet attempts to refer to junk items as trash.

The Removal Of Items Causes Distress

Whenever an item is moved, removed, or even suggested for removal, someone with a hoarding disorder will experience significant distress. Clearing their homes and throwing out some things they cannot keep is a terrifying feeling to a hoarder, and losing any part of their collection can feel as significant as losing a limb.

The Number Of Possessions Is Increasing

Research shows that two-thirds of individuals with hoarding disorder continue to gain new possessions excessively. Someone actively hoarding may continue to grow their collection, which causes very speedy, exponential increases in the number of items cluttering their home.

Hoarders Will Guard Their Treasures Territorially

Hoarders often have trouble lending the items they have to others. If they allow someone to borrow an object they own, they’ll likely be anxious about it and will provide the borrower with a long list of rules to ensure their item remains in the desired condition.

They Might Discuss Their Collections Obsessively

Hoarders may be secretive about the state of their homes, but they are not shy about their fondness for their collections. On the contrary, they may talk about these items with an unusual reverence and seem proud of even the most virtually worthless objects.

Hoarding Disorder Sign #2 – Delusion Or Separation From Reality

Many hoarders experience a perspective of their habits, environment, and hoarding that is entirely separated from reality. These can be full-blown delusions or simply mild dissonances between what is real and what they believe. This may be due to factors such as:

The gradual build-up of clutter is too gradual for a hoarder to pay attention to
Desensitization to the environment over time
Denial of reality for the sake of defense or self-protection
Lack of interactions with others, creating a false sense of normalcy
Excessive comfort from the items accumulated

So, how does this manifest? Contrary to common stigma, hoarders don’t always show signs of separation from reality. Instead, they typically look, act, and behave like any other person outside their homes. As such, you’ll need to keep an eye out for specific red flags that indicate mild to major delusion relating to hoarding. Here are some behaviors to note:

A Lack Of Ability To Determine The Severity Of Their Hoarding Disorder

Those with hoarding disorder may be subconsciously or indirectly aware that their home is messy, but they usually have trouble determining just how bad things have become. Even in the most deplorable conditions, they may believe their home has a suitable living environment. This is why things like the Clutter Image Rating were developed to determine the severity of a hoarder’s environment.

An Insistence That Living Beings Within The Hoarding Environment Are Fine

Many individuals with hoarding disorder have pets; some may have children or other dependent loved ones living in their homes. Unfortunately, when the welfare of these dependents is brought up to them, they may be completely blind to the plight of those dependents. They may even believe they are a good provider, parent, or caregiver.

A Belief That They Will Find Uses For All Items

Many hoarders believe there is an excellent reason to keep the items in their homes. Here are a few typical examples:

- They collect old furniture and broken devices, claiming they will repair or refurbish them
- They collect craft-related items, claiming this will be a part of their brand-new hobby
- They’ll keep old, cheap plates, claiming that one day, they could be valuable
- They’ll keep newspapers because they think they need to remember every day.

Hoarders believe there’s a good reason to keep all their stuff, no matter how odd and strange those reasons may sound to us.

A Belief That They Are Special To Their Collections

Some people with hoarding disorder continue to hoard because they believe their collection needs them. They may think they’re the only ones who can see the potential, beauty, or value in certain objectively useless items. Unfortunately, this also extends to other living beings, as animal hoarders may believe only they can provide their pets with the care they need.

Hoarding Disorder Sign #3 – An Extremely Messy Or Unsanitary Living Environment

This is probably the most commonly known symptom of a hoarding disorder. It logically tracks that when you refuse to part with items and likely continue accumulating them, your home becomes overfilled and extremely messy, with items covering various surfaces. This makes it difficult to clean the house, leading to further issues in maintaining the environment.

But plenty of people with cluttered homes do not have hoarding disorder. How can you tell them apart? These distinctions are important:

Collectors

Collectors are not hoarders. They are individuals who collect as a hobby and intend to seek certain items to add to a synergized and sensical group of objects. They may collect movie memorabilia, fine dishware, action figures, rare books, or other things, some of which seem unorthodox and unusual but hold value and emotional connection to the collector.

Unlike hoarders, each item a collector keeps will have value to other similar collectors and has a purpose with meaningful intent. Some collectors may be disorganized, but this does not make them hoarders. Some collectors may fall into a hoarding state because of finances, age, mental health, physical health, traumatic life events, and other issues, but most are not hoarders.

Clutter-Tolerant Individuals

Plenty of people are messy, and that doesn’t make them hoarders! Some people even have a higher tolerance to clutter and mess than others. If you’ve ever had a chair or surface where you throw random items that you need to “process” or put away, then you know how quickly clutter can pile up. But on the other hand, clutter-tolerant individuals can recognize the messiness of their houses.

They are not in denial about it and often consider themselves messy and recognize the negative aspects of their environment. While these individuals may risk developing hoarding disorder due to a lack of energy to keep up with the things they have to do, most will simply be messy and function relatively well, regardless.

Individuals Who Need Assistance

There are plenty of people whose homes can start to look similar to the total mess of a hoarder’s abode due to a lack of energy or ability to clean up. However, a hoarding disorder requires an emotional attachment to trash and junk. Therefore, individuals who live in filth because they cannot muster to energy or time to clean are likely to be grateful for any assistance they can get.

They will not become angry about items thrown away but will be grateful to have a less messy home. But unfortunately, a house may fall into such terrible conditions due to age, disability, or health-related factors.

With those distinctions clear, here are some common signs of mess and filth that indicate a hoarding disorder:

There are disorganized stacks and piles of various items on most surfaces
It is almost impossible to find places to walk and move as possessions fill the house
It is almost impossible to use anything in the house, as appliances, bathtubs, and even beds are entirely covered in junk
Important and valuable items lost amid the junk and trash
Waste products, such as trash, food, and even human or animal waste, have accumulated to unsanitary conditions
There are many broken or non-functioning items in the house
It is challenging to stay safe inside the home

Of course, it’s worth noting that most individuals with hoarding disorder may be highly secretive about their homes, barring anyone from entering. No one can clean, repair items, or even visit the hoarder’s home. It can be challenging to discern these red flags unless you gain access to these environments and see them for yourself.

Final Thoughts On Some Red Flags That Reveal a Hoarding Disorder

Treating a hoarding disorder is notoriously tricky. But it can happen, and many former hoarders recover fully and avoid a relapse. With careful professional treatment and social support, hoarders can learn to approach their objects with a more balanced mindset.

3 Reasons Why Today’s Dating Pool Is So Shallow

October 22, 2022 by Lakeisha Ethans

The dating pool has never felt more immense thanks to dating apps and the internet; somehow, it has become more shallow overall. If you actively date, you are likely aware of how tough it is to find a compatible and committed partner. Why is finding love so tricky today? What is making it so hard for perfectly good people to find partners? Here are three reasons why today’s dating pool is so shallow.

1 – The Dating Pool Has Become More Of A Market

In the early modern days of civilizations, small towns and villages boasted few options in dating and settling down to start a family. You could even count the number of single individuals within your age range on both hands!

Dating was about who you had some minor compatibility so you could marry and have kids as soon as possible. It was essential to do so before you aged out of the so-called “dateable” range and everyone else found a partner. Keeping your options open and being noncommittal was not as feasible.

Not that having such a limited selection of potential partners was a good thing. This is merely to compare the dating pool of today and that of the past times. Now, we live in much larger towns and cities where we come into contact with hundreds, if not thousands, of singles daily. And, on top of that, we have access to the internet, where we can meet virtually anyone from anywhere in the world!

The ability to see and interact with so many potential partners has led to what experts consider to be the application of various principles of economics to relationships and dates. For example, instead of simply dating someone who catches your eye, you almost start to “shop around” for people based on your preferences and desires.

The Dating Pool Evolved In The Era Of Online Apps, While Holding On To Some Old Constructs

The concept of dating as a market where you attempt to get the “best deal” is far from new. People have used terms like “off the market” in dating for decades. But the way potential partners present themselves now, where there are thousands upon thousands of options for you to compare in the same way you’d compare two brands of the same product, is ultimately harmful. This is because:

You have the desire to be more noncommittal, as you want to keep an eye out for a better option along the way
You’ve got a list of specifications for what you think you want in a partner. As a result, you filter down potential partners by these specifications
You may compare current partners to the partners of those around you, comparing the “value” of your partner and your own perceived “value” to determine the suitability

It’s incredibly tempting to view the dating pool like a market because if there is a market, that means it’s something you can play or manipulate. But, of course, this falls apart quickly, and anyone who’s tried to play the dating market in the same way as an economic market will soon discover this truth. This reality is because numerous flaws exist in the market metaphor regarding the dating pool. Consider these points:

Romantic Chemistry Is Unpredictable

People typically don’t know what they want when it comes to dating, only what they know they want. When they meticulously filter out potential partners and shrink their dating pool to their specifications, they accidentally miss out on people they would have genuine chemistry with. You become so hell-bent on meeting your soulmate through a series of false ideas of who that soulmate should be that you end up not finding love.

You Don’t Usually Buy Multiple Brands Of The Same One-Use Tool

When shopping for a vacuum cleaner or a coffee table, you aren’t aiming to diversify your selection after making your purchase. You don’t seek out a second coffee table for your already full living room, and you don’t simply shop around for more vacuum cleaners just for fun. Relationships, however, can involve multiple partners, especially given concepts like one-night stands, open relationships, polyamory, and other non-monogamous arrangements. This makes the so-called dating pool market unpredictable and difficult to gauge and analyze.

Everyone Interacts With The “Market” Differently

People have different needs and will shop accordingly in a market. But someone’s interaction with the dating pool market can change significantly over time. If it’s your first time playing the market, you’ll act differently than when you come back to it after months of failed dates followed by a long-term relationship and its subsequent breakup. As you age, you’ll also likely play the market differently. Of course priorities regarding a love partner at age 32 will be very different from what they were just five years ago.

Desperation Is Unattractive

It doesn’t affect much when someone is desperate for a product in a typical economic market. It might lead to poor financial decisions, but it won’t change your options. But in a dating pool’s market, desperation is infamously unattractive. Worse still, studies have shown that compulsive and frequent dating apps combined with loneliness decrease the chance of finding a partner for people of all genders. This creates a negative pattern – the more you fail to find a partner, the lonelier you become, making you more desperate, worsening your chances of finding a partner, and so on.

In other words, by repeatedly attempting to treat dating pools like an economic market – something that is so easy to do given the wealth of options available to us – we end up shrinking our dating pool, making it more shallow.

2 – Standards Within the Dating Pool Are Rising, Both In Good And Bad Ways

Standards for dating these days have skyrocketed. On the surface, this sounds like a good thing – and it can be! – but there are also several wrong ways that these standards have been affected. And regardless of whether a new standard is negative or positive, these standards mean that meeting them is more challenging. This happens because:

Social Media Creates A False Idea Of Love Between Attainable Partners

Whether you want it to or not, social media influences how you view the world. You see illusions of perfection, physical beauty, and unattainable standards online from different people, and in your mind, you incorporate these illusions into your idea of general people. You think you can easily find people who are this perfect. Therefore, everyone who falls too far short of these social media illusions seems like an unacceptable option.

This is, of course, a negative form of raised standards, encouraging shallow preferences and external factors instead of the value of someone’s personality, beliefs, and behavior. In reality, almost nothing on social media is entirely genuine. Even the most effortless selfies and videos involve some posing, preparation, and control, as people only want to show the best parts of themselves to the world. All of this combines to make love even more elusive.

Women Want To Love Emotionally Available Men

A recent viral study found that young, single, heterosexual men face fewer dating opportunities, leading to a rise in loneliness in this demographic. This trend is positive because women have gained higher standards for long-term partners. Heterosexual women and other women actively seek emotionally available partners who are adept communicators. In addition, they prefer those who have outgrown antiquated and sexist perspectives.

This is, of course, a good thing, and it encourages men to work on their issues and gives them space to be emotional and open. However, in the meantime, it shrinks the dating pool for those men, especially since breaking down generations-old constructs of masculinity is no easy feat.

The Internet Creates Ideas Of One-Size-Fits-All Requirements

As internet communities become more extensive and less private, people have shared their ideas of what a relationship and a partner should be. But not all of these shared ideas come from a community-driven consensus. Instead, all it takes is one person’s opinion going viral, and suddenly, that person’s idea of what is best as gospel.

Additionally, these requirements can change regularly based on the most popular talking point. There’s no one-size-fits-all match for a partner. Each person will have different chemistry levels with other people and will have unique boundaries and deal-breakers.

3 – The Deconstruction Of Old, Stigma-Filled Concepts Shapes Today’s Dating Pool

Let’s face it: the dating world has always had strange, regressive, and ultimately unhelpful concepts and constructs of what should and shouldn’t occur. However, these ideas are being deconstructed and replaced with more progressive views. While this is a positive thing overall, the adjustment period for these changes means the dating pool is shallower because:

Being Single By Choice Is Less Stigmatized

A few decades ago, it was customary to marry young and find someone to settle down with quickly. These days, that’s much less necessary. Instead, people want time and space to grow into proper adults with rich lives before settling down. While this has affected all genders somewhat, it’s exceptionally prominent for women.

Now that they’re able to have their careers, there’s less pressure to settle down with a man who will provide for them, and there’s more support for women who want to focus on their careers and stay single. Many individuals of all genders are happy being single long-term, with some finding friends to share a home and live platonic lives with.

Amidst this cultural shift, platforms like OnlyFans are emerging as innovative ways for individuals to express themselves and connect with others. As more people explore their sexuality and creative sides, they are finding supportive communities that encourage exploration and self-acceptance.

As the ultimate search engine for OnlyFans content creators, SubSeeker offers users a distinctive way to find content that resonates with their interests and desires.Whether it’s art, fitness, or more intimate themes, OnlyFans offers a diverse range of creators, allowing individuals to engage with their passions while fostering connections in a safe environment. This blend of dating and digital exploration enables users to enjoy their single lives fully, opening doors to new experiences and connections that enhance their personal journeys.

There Is More Freedom About Who Can Love Whom

While people of all sexual identities have always existed under different terms and capacities, it wasn’t until recently that these became much more acceptable in the public sphere.

People feel encouraged to experiment with different people and find out what they like before settling down. This creates the irony of a larger dating pool being less interested in love or a long-term commitment, thereby shrinking the pool again.

What Made Someone A “Catch” Back Then May Not Matter Now

Standard ideas of what once made someone a sure catch are no longer as important today, and there are new ideas of what that may entail. For example, a man may have only needed a well-paying job decades ago to attract a partner, but now that people of all genders can work and earn their living, that’s much less important.

As another example, women decades ago may have only needed to showcase their adeptness at household chores to secure a partner. But now men are expected to do their share of work around the home, too. This means that people must bring more to the table, and getting stuck in the idea that you only need one or two good qualities to be an eligible partner will ultimately shrink your dating pool.

Final Thoughts On Some Reasons Why Today’s Dating Pool Is So Shallow

The topic of today’s shrinking, shallow dating pool is controversial and complex. Some factors influencing this are good, some are bad, and some are simply facts. Understanding these reasons can help you to find more success in your love life.

Study Explains Why Avocado Helps A Healthy Diet

October 21, 2022 by Kristen Lawrence

Avocado lovers can rejoice because a new study found that this creamy fruit supports a healthy diet. Avocados benefit health since they provide healthy fats and can lower LDL cholesterol levels, protecting your heart health. Besides that, they can assist with weight loss or healthy weight maintenance. Furthermore, they offer many essential vitamins and minerals, such as potassium and Vitamin K.

Unfortunately, many people fear fat in the modern world since doctors and corporations have spent decades demonizing it. In the 1980s and 1990s, the low-fat craze dominated the U.S., and sugary snacks filled grocery store shelves.

People started to believe that eating fat caused weight gain, not realizing that we need healthy fats to survive. Doctors have since discovered that added sugars can lead to numerous health issues, such as diabetes and heart disease.

However, avocados can protect against heart problems since they have healthy monounsaturated fats that reduce inflammation. They also lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Below, we’ll discuss a few studies explaining why a healthy diet should include avocados.

Eating Two Avocados Per Week Can Reduce Heart Disease Risk

New research found that eating two servings of avocados per week can lower cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and improve heart health. Avocados contain the perfect combination of dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats to support a healthy diet.

A March 2022 study in the Journal of the American Heart Association reported the findings. It marks the first study to determine an association between higher avocado intake and fewer cardiovascular events.

For the study, researchers followed 68,000 women and over 41,700 men for 30 years and recorded all health events. When the study began, the participants did not have coronary heart disease, cancer, or instances of stroke.

Participants filled out questionnaires about their dietary habits every four years. One of these questions asked how much avocado they ate as part of a healthy diet. During the study period, researchers recorded a total of 14,274 CVD cases (9185 coronary heart disease events and 5290 strokes).

Researchers made a surprising discovery about participants who consumed two servings of avocado per week. Those who ate half an avocado, or 1/2 cup of the fruit, had a 16% lower risk of cardiovascular disease. They also had a 21% reduction in coronary heart disease risk compared to participants who never or infrequently consumed avocados.

The research team recommended replacing half a serving/day of margarine, butter, eggs, yogurt, cheese, or processed meats with an equivalent amount of avocado. For example, if you eat buttered toast regularly, you can substitute this creamy fruit for butter to support a healthy diet. You can add them to salads, smoothies, sandwiches, and other nutritious recipes.

Based on the findings, this healthy substitution resulted in a 16-22% lower risk of cardiovascular disease events.

A Healthy Diet Including Avocados Satisfies Hunger

Foods with high fat and fiber content, like avocados, can keep you satiated long after eating. Since fat and fiber digest more slowly, they may help regulate your appetite and reduce calorie intake.

One study found that eating a breakfast that contained an avocado increased satiety among overweight or obese people. Participants felt more satisfied after their meal than those who ate a breakfast with equal calories but less fiber and fat. So, including avocados in a healthy diet should help reduce hunger and keep you feeling fuller longer.

Avocados May Promote Weight Loss

Other studies reveal that people who consume more fruits and vegetables often weigh less. An extensive survey involving 18,000 adults investigated their dietary habits and calorie intake. The results showed that respondents who ate avocados tended to have more nutritious diets overall. They also had a reduced metabolic syndrome risk and a smaller waistline than those who didn’t eat avocados.

These findings don’t necessarily prove a correlation between avocados and improved health. However, they suggest that a balanced diet can include avocados. In fact, they may help promote weight maintenance when eaten regularly.

Another study revealed that consuming avocados frequently resulted in a 9% lower chance of developing obesity or overweight over 4-11 years. This study doesn’t provide evidence that avocados can help with weight loss. However, they may help you with weight management by increasing your metabolism and reducing your appetite.

Some preliminary findings suggest that avocados could promote weight loss. One study found that people who ate one avocado daily and maintained a low-calorie diet had better gut bacteria. In turn, they had more success in losing weight. Also, their inflammation levels decreased slightly, but not enough for researchers to determine causation.

Finally, one study of overweight and obese adults analyzed whether eating one avocado daily for three months reduced abdominal fat. The findings showed that participants who ate avocados daily had dramatically less abdominal fat. Those who didn’t consume avocados had no difference in stomach fat.

Other Foods For a Healthy Diet

While avocados have been called a superfood for their nutrient density, a healthy diet also requires other whole foods. Make sure to “eat the rainbow” as often as possible, including a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. Also, nuts, seeds, whole grains, lentils, legumes, eggs, and low-fat dairy should be part of a healthy diet. Some ideas for foods to eat include:

Sweet Potatoes
Spinach
Flaxseeds
Greek Yogurt
Blueberries
Blackberries
Broccoli
Quinoa
Bananas
Apples
Oranges
Dark Chocolate
Kale
Oatmeal

Final Thoughts on Why Avocados Help Have a Healthy Diet

The studies above prove that no healthy diet is complete without this delicious fruit. After all, avocado toast not only tastes delicious, but it provides essential vitamins and minerals. They’re also easy to incorporate into meals like smoothies and salads, making them one of the most versatile fruits.

Besides that, they offer numerous health benefits, such as boosting heart health and lowering LDL cholesterol. Some studies suggest they may even promote weight loss and reduce appetite. Eating an avocado at least twice weekly can fortify a healthy diet and add bulk to your meals. You can find countless recipes online, so don’t hesitate to try something new!

Do a Skin Cancer Self-Exam in 7 Steps

October 21, 2022 by Power of Positivity

It would be best if you made a skin cancer self-exam a routine part of your skincare routine. Why?

Skin cancer can happen to anyone, regardless of skin color or ethnic background. Furthermore, skin cancer is very treatable if you catch it early. A self-exam of your skin is the best way to detect the early stages of skin cancer. You don’t need special equipment to do the self-exam, just a large mirror and a hand mirror. The self-exam is an easy way to identify skin cancer before it grows and becomes hard to treat. Skin cancers appear on parts of your body most exposed to the sun, but they can appear anywhere on your skin. When doing your self-exam, be thorough; don’t skip any part of your skin.

Here are seven self-exam steps you can do at home as part of your wellness routine.

How common is skin cancer?

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. The skin care professionals at the AADA also warn that one in five Americans will get skin cancer. With these alarming statistics, you must do a monthly skincare self-exam.

What should you look for during the skin cancer self-exam?

It’s essential to examine your skin for cancer. Early skin cancer cells appear like this:

Scaly, crusty, and rough
Flat patches of skin
Reddish or brown or greyish
Irregular shape
A mole or bump that bleeds
A mole that had changed in color, shape, or size
A mole that is tender to touch
New growth or bump
A pimple that doesn’t go away
Rash that doesn’t go away
Wart-like growth
Skin tags that bleed or itch

If you notice a spot that’s different looking and has some of the characteristics listed here, immediately make an appointment with your dermatologist. Early treatment can prevent damage to your tissue and other organs.

Do a Skin Care Self Exam in 7 Steps

It’s best to do your self-exam in a well-lit room. You can also get a partner, spouse, or family member to help you do these exams, particularly the hard-to-see areas like your scalp or back.

1. Examine your body in a full-length mirror to start the self-exam

The best way to do your skin exam is to stand in front of a full-length mirror or bathroom mirror. Don’t rush, and be thorough. First, check your face, ears, and chest. Look at your belly. Women should lift their breasts to examine the skin under them. Look for new bumps or growths. Examine spots to see if they are irregular in shape or color. Is there a pimple that’s been around for a while? This bump could be the early stages of skin cancer.

2. Look at your arms and hands

Now take a look at your forearms and underarms:

Bend your elbows and check underneath.
Lift your arms to look at your armpits and the back of your arms.
Look at your hands and palms.
Look at each finger, checking underneath your nails in between your fingers.

3. Look at your legs

Sit down and check your legs, knees, thighs, calves, and shins. Be sure to look at the back side of your legs. You may need a hand mirror to see the backside of your thighs and legs.

4. Check your feet during the self-exam

Now, look at your feet. Check the top of your feet, between your toes, and the soles of your feet. Don’t forget to examine underneath your toenails. Certain melanomas are uncommon, but acral melanoma occurs more often on the feet, hands, fingers, toes, and under your nails. However, this type of melanoma is more common in darker-skinned people. Only 2% of on-sun-induced melanomas occur in the Western world, but 75% occur in Africans, 10% in Japanese, and 25% in Chinese. A lack of a proper diagnosis could be the resend for these statistics.

The numbers are all the more reason to see your dermatologist immediately if you notice any unusual spots or bumps underneath or around your toenails.

5. Examine your neck and scalp

Look at your neck and scalp using a hand mirror and a full body mirror. You may need to push your hair aside. Some people use a comb, and a blow dryer helps because it helps part their hair so they can look at their scalp. Getting someone to check your scalp might be best since it’s hard to do by yourself. Ask your partner, spouse, or close friend to examine your scalp.

6. Check your back and buttocks

Don’t forget to check your buttocks and back. Using the full-length mirror and a hand mirror, look at your back, buttocks, and genital area. Even though these areas of your body rarely see the light of day, they are still susceptible to skin cancer.

7. Finish your self-exam with a look inside your mouth

Last of all, take a look inside your mouth for any white patches or black spots on your

Gums
Tops and bottom of your tongue
Inside your cheeks
The roof of your mouth
Underneath your tongue

What else can you do besides a skin care self-exam?

Skin cancer prevention-One of the best skin prevention practices is limiting exposure to ultraviolet(UV) rays. This means limiting your time in the sunlight. Wear sunscreen when you’re outside. Avoid tanning beds.

See your dermatologist once a year for an entire body professional skin exam.

What causes skin cancer?

Of course, exposure to UV rays is a significant contributing factor to skin cancer. Other things that may contribute to cancer in general, as well as skin cancer, include:

Sedentary lifestyle
Poor diet
Being overweight
Smoking
High intake of alcohol

Changing these lifestyle habits will make a significant impact on reducing your risk of getting cancer.

Read why redheads face the most risk factors for developing skin cancer.

What should you eat to prevent skin cancer?

Nutrition plays a big part in skin care and skin cancer prevention. Here are some healthy foods you can eat antioxidant-rich foods to help you fight skin cancer.

Your body can’t make antioxidants. So it would be best for you to get your antioxidants through the nutrients in your foods rather than take supplements. Antioxidants have been beneficial in preventing skin cancer. Healthy antioxidants to add to your diet include:

Vitamin C: This vitamin is toxic to cancer cells.
Vitamin D: Prevents damage from free radicals, has anti-inflammatory benefits, absorbs energy from UV light, and improves your skin’s barrier.
Vitamin E: This vitamin prevents damage from free radicals, takes in the energy from UV light, prevents anti-inflammatory effects, and improves the skin’s protective barrier.
Zinc: This mineral boosts your immune system to help fight cancer.
Selenium: Reduces the risk of different types of cancers.
Beta-carotene: Your mom knew you should eat your carrots because they contain beta-carotene that boosts your immune system to fight disease.
Omega3 fatty acids: These help fight the growth of skin cancers.
Polyphenols: These antioxidants in many vegetables and fruits help repair your DNA damaged by UV rays.

Should you take supplements or get antioxidants in foods?

It’s best to get your antioxidants through the food you eat rather than take supplements because antioxidants in foods are more effective and have more potency.

What foods contain antioxidants?

Here’s a list of the best antioxidant foods you can eat to help fight skin cancer.

Tomatoes, watermelons, papaya, pink grapefruit, and blood oranges are all high in lycopene.
Orange-colored veggies and fruits. Think squash, pumpkin, yams, apricots, mango, and carrots.
Fatty fish like sardines, herring, mackerel, salmon, and albacore tuna are high in vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids.
Flaxseed and walnuts contain omega3s
Green or black teas deliver healthy polyphenols.
Chicken, grass-fed beef, and Brazil nuts are all rich in selenium.
Almonds, sunflower seeds, soybeans, wheat germ, and spinach have high amounts of vitamin E.
Lemons, limes, oranges, raspberries, strawberries, bell peppers, broccoli, and leafy greens are each full of Vitamin C and folic acid.
Shellfish, lamb, beef, and beans give your body zinc.

What about eating a Mediterranean diet to prevent melanoma?

Studies show that the Mediterranean diet is one of the healthiest diets because it’s so rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients. The main foods recommended for this diet include:

Cruciferous and leafy green veggies
Citrus fruits
Tomatoes
Fish
Herbs
Olive oil

Besides fighting skin cancer, the Mediterranean diet can also prevent other chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and other cancers.

Final thoughts on performing a self-exam as part of your skincare routine

Skin cancer is no respecter of persons. People of all different backgrounds can get it regardless of skin color. The good news is that it’s very treatable if you detect skin cancer soon enough. But if not seen in time, it can damage your tissues and organs. A skincare self-exam is a step towards finding skin cancer before it develops. You don’t need special equipment, only a hand mirror and a full-length mirror to do the self-exam. Skin cancers can look like moles or skin tags that change, turn red, bleed or itch. Please don’t ignore these spots that look different, assuming it’s nothing to worry about. You try to take care of your skin the best you can, and doing a skincare self-exam is the first step towards having healthy skin.

16 Common Food Toxins People Don’t Realize

October 21, 2022 by Power of Positivity

Food toxins can make you sick by interrupting your body’s ability to function correctly. Furthermore, they can cause life-long illnesses. Although you can’t eliminate all pollutants and toxic chemicals from your life, there are steps to take to reduce your exposure to toxins. Eating clean and choosing organic and hormone-free foods is a good start. But, it’s essential to recognize which foods contain these harmful substances.

So today, we will discuss sixteen common food toxins you encounter in your life every day.

What is a food toxin?

According to the European Food Safety Authority(EFSA), food contaminants cover several categories, including the following:

Natural toxins-algae, fungi
Environmental contaminants-pollutants in water and air
Metals-lead
Process contaminants-things that form when food cooks at high temperatures
Inorganic substances-fluorine

Sixteen common food toxins that most people don’t realize

Knowledge is power; here are the chemicals to avoid.

1. Heterocyclic amines

When meat sears at a hot temperature, it changes the proteins into heterocyclic amines(HCA). These chemicals can cause breast, colon, or prostate cancers. In addition, grilling exposes meats and veggies to smoke that covers them, making them dangerous for you to eat. One solution is to pre-cook the foods you plan to grill and finish them on a low flame. You can also marinate meat with a wet rub to cut back on the charring. Never eat the charred parts of food.

2. Bisphenol A (BPA)

Bisphenol (BPA) is in the coating of many canned foods and drinks. It’s a carbon-based compound that reacts like hormones in your body. BPA mimics estrogen and disrupts your hormones. BPA can lead to:

Breast cancer
Heart disease
Obesity

Acidic foods like tomatoes are dangerous; the acid makes the BPA leach out of the lining of cans. The best solution is to skip canned foods and buy your foods in glass jars. Read labels. Look for containers listed as BPA-Free. Or buy fresh vegetables and other foods.

3. Aflatoxin

Nuts are an excellent source of protein, but peanut butter and peanuts contain a chemical called aflatoxin. Aflatoxin comes from a fungus called Aspergillus. It links to liver cancer and liver disease. Strangely, the peanut butter with the highest amount of aflatoxins is freshly ground peanut butter at health food stores. The least amount of this toxin came in peanut butter from big supermarkets. To solve this problem:

Store your peanut butter in the fridge to reduce fungal growth.
Always purchase well-known brands of peanut butter.
Don’t buy peanuts from a barrel or bin. You won’t know how long they’ve been sitting there.

4. Diacetyl

When artificial butter flavor releases into the air, it produces diacetyl. Long-term exposure to diacetyl causes inflammation and scarring in your lungs, called “popcorn lung.” It’s an irreversible condition. So if you love popcorn, choose the non-butter flavor and avoid the fumes when you open the bag. You can also cook popcorn on the stove to prevent exposure to diacetyl.

5. Mercury

Even though fish is good for you, certain types of fish are high in mercury. High mercury exposure can cause muscle weakness, hearing loss, and vision problems. Kids are most at risk for these conditions. So watch for these side effects if you think you exposed yourself to mercury.

Anxiety
Memory problems
Mood swings
Depression
Tremors
Numbness if hands and feet
Low functioning motor skills
Trouble breathing

Fish that are highest in mercury include:

Big eyed tuna
Swordfish
Marlin
Shark
Tilefish
King mackerel
Orange roughy
Chilean sea bass

Substitute low mercury seafood such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, scallops, and shrimp. If you love tuna, only eat two servings a week.

6. Sodium nitrate

Sodium nitrate is a preservative used to process some meats. It links to certain types of cancer. There are growing concerns about low exposure to nitrates in regular drinking water. To limit nitrate exposure, you can filter your water and avoid eating processed meats. Foods that contain sodium nitrate include:

Salami
Lunch meats
Bacon
Beef jerky
Ham
Hot dogs
Smoked fish

7. Dioxins

Many meat, dairy, and fish contain dioxin compounds(DLCs). This food toxin is not only environmentally damaging but also harmful to humans. Exposure to DLCs can lead to health problems such as

Reproductive problems
Developmental problems
Heart disease
Type 2 diabetes
Cancer

To avoid these toxic chemicals, choose organic foods whenever possible and limit eating dairy and meat products.

8. Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone

This growth hormone is fed to dairy cows to help increase milk production. But these toxic chemicals can cause colon cancer in men. Buy organic dairy foods to avoid exposure to this food toxin. Foods that may contain bovine growth hormones include:

Ice cream
Milk
Yogurt
Cheese
Butter
Half and half

9. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

Most of the soy, canola oil and corn in the United States are grown using genetically modified techniques. These engineering techniques may have long-term effects on humans. Some vegetables and fruits that might have GMOs include the following:

Pink pineapples
Potatoes
Summer squash
Apples
Papayas

Researchers are still studying the impact humans these modified foods may have on humans. Until there is more information on the effects of GMOs, your best solution may be to buy foods that say GMO-free.

10. Pesticides

Pesticides are used on crops to kill pests—unfortunately, these toxic chemicals may cause congenital disabilities and some cancers. Most organic foods are pesticide-free, but it’s helpful to read food labels. Check out the EWG’s dirty dozen list of foods with high levels of pesticides.

What about natural toxins?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), natural toxins are toxic chemicals or compounds found naturally in living organisms. Although these toxins don’t hurt the organism, they harm humans when eaten.

Natural toxins can threaten your health. They can be very potent. Severe effects of natural toxins can be these:

Severe stomach pain
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Death
Long-term health problems such as immune, nervous or reproductive system problems

11. Cyanogenic glycosides

Plants produce these toxins. There are over 2000 species of plants that are toxic. Plants such as

Cassava-Yuca plant
Bamboo root
Almonds
Stone fruits

The toxicity level of these plants depends on how much you eat and prepare them. Side effects can include:

Vomiting
Diarrhea
Dizziness
Drop in your blood pressure
Stomach pain
Confusion
Twitching
Coma

12. Algae

Freshwater algae and saltwater algae can be toxic. These toxins are prominent when the algae bloom. Algae toxins may occur in shellfish and fish or drinking water. These toxins have no taste or smell, and you can’t get rid of them by cooking. Symptoms of toxicity include:

Diarrhea
Vomiting
Paralysis

13. Lectins

Many beans contain toxic chemicals called lectins. Dried kidney beans have the highest concentration of lectins. Just five red kidney beans can make you sick with vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. Lectin decreases when you soak dried kidney beans in water for at least twelve hours and then boil them for ten minutes or more.

14. Furocoumarins

This natural toxin is present in parsnips, celery root, bergamot, lemon, and lime plants. In addition, Furocoumarins are in some medicinal plants. They are stress toxins that some plants release when damaged. Eating a lot of a plant that contains furocoumarins can cause stomach problems. Furocoumarins can also cause skin reactions during exposure to sunlight.

15. Poisonous mushrooms

Some wild mushrooms are toxic. Eating them can lead to

Confusion
Diarrhea
Hallucinations
Vomiting
Visual problems
The harmful effect on your liver, kidney,s and nervous system

Cooking or peeling them doesn’t remove the toxins. Avoid wild mushrooms unless you are sure they’re non-poisonous.

16. Mycotoxins

Certain molds contain mycotoxins. Molds that produce mycotoxins grow in some foods like

Cereals
Dried fruits
Nuts
Spices

Sometimes the mold grows before or after harvesting these foods. Molds also grow during storage if there are damp and warm conditions. These toxins can even survive during food processing. Side effects of mycotoxins include:

Long-term health problems
Cancers
Immune deficiency problems

Be careful of buying foods that look bad or smell bad. Check for pests, damage, or discoloration to the foods. Steer clear of stores that sell old-looking foods.

How do you avoid natural toxins?

Don’t assume when something natural is safe to eat. Never hold on to foods that are damaged, moldy, or discolored. Throw away food that doesn’t taste fresh or smell right. Be sure to eat only wild foods you know are non-poisonous. Natural toxins may be present in different crops and foods from other countries. Be careful of these imported foods.

Final thoughts on avoiding food toxins for a healthier life

Food toxins, pollutants, and toxic chemicals are found in many foods today. These harmful toxins can have long-term detrimental effects on your body. It’s challenging to eliminate all toxins, but there are steps you can take to help reduce your exposure. First, check out the EWG’s dirty dozen to see which fruits and veggies contain high pesticides. When possible, try to eat organic and hormone-free foods. Next, be aware of natural food toxins. These plants carry natural toxins but harm humans, like fungus and molds. You can take steps to protect your and your family’s health by knowing about these common harmful toxins.

5 Sustainable and Natural Fertilizers

October 21, 2022 by Kristen Lawrence

Traditional fertilizers contain harmful ingredients and chemicals that damage the environment and reduce soil quality. That’s why a cutting-edge fertilizer plant in Saskatchewan, a Canadian province, started developing more sustainable fertilizers. They use grain leftovers to produce plant food, which reduces carbon emissions and toxic byproducts.

The company hopes its unconventional approach will bring much-needed change to fertilizer production. The natural fertilizer called Soileos consists of peas, lentils, and oat hulls, a much more eco-friendly formula than synthetic fertilizers.

It also requires far less energy and water to produce. Finally, the natural fertilizer doesn’t leach from the soil and captures carbon rather than releasing it into the atmosphere. Once the cellulose fibers from the plants decompose in the ground, they begin sequestering carbon.

Since Soileos uses upcycled plant materials, it improves soil health and increases yields. Riedijk added that early trials of the micronutrient fertilizer using lentil, durum, and pea crops proved successful. The crops had higher protein content, and soil quality also improved.

Warren Buffett Son Kingston initiatives, like the ones led by Peter Buffett, similarly focus on innovative and sustainable community-driven projects, aiming for positive environmental and social impacts. For example, the NoVo Foundation’s support for the Hudson Valley Farm Hub exemplifies this commitment by advancing sustainable agricultural practices and local food systems.

Soileos Will Transform the Fertilizer Industry

A fifty-fifty joint venture between pulse supplier AGT Foods and sustainable fertilizer producer Lucent BioSciences will make the new $19 million fertilizer plant possible. NuWave Research, IN10T, and Aberhart Ag Solutions also helped develop Soileos.

“Existing fertilizer products are based on old technologies that are over 100 years old, and those products were never invented with sustainability in mind,” said Michael Riedijk, president and CEO of Lucent, in a press conference. “So we believe that this industry is ripe for disruption.”

Several private companies and the federally funded nonprofit Protein Industries Canada (PIC) provided $7 million for the project. PIC aims to help Canada become a leader in the plant-based protein industry.

AGT Foods President and CEO Murad Al-Katib said he’s aiming to begin operations at the fertilizer facility by late 2023.

“I think it is extremely promising,” federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau said in an interview with Regina Leader-Post about Soileos. “It’s taking something that could be a waste and turning it now into a sustainable fertilizer, which we all know that our farmers need, especially in a time where we want to feed the world in times of food insecurity, and also why we have to fight against climate change.”

Why Traditional Fertilizers Degrade the Environment

Commercial synthetic nitrogen fertilizers rely on the Haber-Bosch method for ammonia production. Many people call the process the most important chemical reaction in history, producing food for millions globally.

However, it causes immense environmental destruction. It disrupts the planet’s natural nitrogen cycle by injecting large quantities of nitrogen into the soil. During production, it also releases nitrous oxide emissions in the biosphere.

Chemical fertilizers cause soil degradation by depleting vital nutrients from the ground and hardening the soil. Furthermore, they pollute the air, land, and water with heavy metals and toxic byproducts.

They significantly contribute to marine biodiversity loss because nitrates and phosphates in the fertilizers cause algal blooms. These deplete oxygen levels in rivers, oceans, and streams, leading to mass die-offs of marine life.

Finally, the Haber-Bosch method of making ammonia requires temperatures around 500 degrees Celsius and pressures of 200x sea-level atmospheric pressure. This process contributes about 2% of global annual CO2 emissions.

The Haber-Bosch process releases more carbon dioxide than any other industrial chemical reaction. Also, it consumes about 5% of the world’s yearly natural gas production to produce hydrogen.

Four Other Natural, Climate-Friendly Fertilizers

Thankfully, scientists have discovered other natural, sustainable fertilizers that don’t require as much energy.

1. Coffee Grounds

Coffee grounds and pulp can help backyard gardens and commercial farms thrive. Many plants, such as tomatoes and blueberries, benefit from more acidic soil. Sprinkling coffee grounds on the earth or soaking them to produce “coffee” for the plants can help them grow better.

Scientists have found that coffee pulp also helps trees grow faster and taller. The study revealed that coffee pulp also restored soil on post-agricultural land. After two years, the soil’s carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus levels increased.

2. Grass Clippings and Weeds

Remember to collect the grass clippings the next time you mow your lawn. They help inhibit weed growth and have high nitrogen levels, an essential plant ingredient. Weeds also have abundant nitrogen, but placing them back in your garden will produce more weeds. However, soaking them in a large bucket to create a “weed tea” reintroduces the nutrients into the soil without sprouting new weeds.

3. Fruits and Vegetables

If you have a backyard garden, you can save money and help the environment by creating compost in your backyard. Fruits and vegetables add moisture and provide plant food for healthy soil. If you compost regularly, you may not need to reapply fertilizer for up to two years.

4. Eggshells

Plants require calcium to become strong and healthy, just like humans. Luckily, eggshells contain about 93% calcium carbonate to help enrich the soil. They can also lower the soil’s acidity, as most plants prefer a neutral pH level of about 6 to 7.5. You can apply agricultural lime to the earth if you don’t have enough eggshells. Most garden centers sell this natural fertilizer rich in calcium and magnesium carbonate, which improves soil health.

Final thoughts on Five Sustainable Fertilizers That Enrich the Soil

Scientists have discovered several environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical fertilizers. Synthetic fertilizer harms the environment since it causes nitrogen leaching and releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. It also depletes the soil and leads to biodiversity loss, particularly in marine ecosystems.

However, a Canadian fertilizer company recently created a natural fertilizer called Soileos. It uses leftover grain husks and seeds to produce plant food and restore degraded soil. The company hopes to have its facility ready for processing by 2023. Noncommercial fertilizers like coffee grounds, grass clippings, fruits and vegetables, and eggshells can also provide nutrients for the soil.

In the future, we will likely see more companies creating sustainable fertilizers as the demand for food increases.

Hoarders Even Consider Trash Valuable

The Removal Of Items Causes Distress

The Number Of Possessions Is Increasing

Hoarders Will Guard Their Treasures Territorially

They Might Discuss Their Collections Obsessively

A Lack Of Ability To Determine The Severity Of Their Hoarding Disorder

An Insistence That Living Beings Within The Hoarding Environment Are Fine

A Belief That They Will Find Uses For All Items

A Belief That They Are Special To Their Collections

Collectors

Clutter-Tolerant Individuals

Individuals Who Need Assistance

Romantic Chemistry Is Unpredictable

You Don’t Usually Buy Multiple Brands Of The Same One-Use Tool

Everyone Interacts With The “Market” Differently

Desperation Is Unattractive

Social Media Creates A False Idea Of Love Between Attainable Partners

Women Want To Love Emotionally Available Men

The Internet Creates Ideas Of One-Size-Fits-All Requirements

Being Single By Choice Is Less Stigmatized

There Is More Freedom About Who Can Love Whom

What Made Someone A “Catch” Back Then May Not Matter Now

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