Author: Sara Darroch

  • Candles: Part IV – Candle Manufacturing: The Wax Base – Part I: Paraffin and Animal Waxes

    Candles: Part IV – Candle Manufacturing: The Wax Base – Part I: Paraffin and Animal Waxes

    Wax Base Preparation

    The fuel of the candle is another vital component that directly affects the type of wick needed and the combustion process. Over the years, a variety of substances have been used as the fuel, or wax base, of the candle, and this amount continues to grow.

    This leaves a large list to choose from for the candle making and manufacturing process. The cost and ease of production, appearance, scent properties, burning properties, and sustainability are all factors to consider when selecting the wax, or when choosing your candle.

    Common waxes for candles include paraffin, stearin, beeswax, and plant waxes palm, carnauba, bayberry and soy. Tallow and gels are also sometimes used.

    Paraffin Wax

    Paraffin, a byproduct of oil refining, is one of the world’s most commonly used waxes. It is a relatively hard wax that is valued for its colourless or white colour, semi-translucency, and lack of odour. It is mostly composed of a mixture of solid straight-chained, saturated hydrocarbons and comes in a variety of melting points, which means that it can be used for a number of different candle applications.

    It is obtained from petroleum in a process known as “dewaxing.” The crude oil is extracted from the barrel and refined, and leaves behind a dark layer of a thick substance known as petroleum wax. This wax is not needed for production of oil and gas, so it goes through further refinement to meet different needs.

    The refinement or purification process involves chemical treatments such as bleaching and the separation of the wax into different grades by distillation and/or recrystallization. The degree of refinement and oil content can create different types or grades of paraffin wax, ranging from the crudest versions such as slack wax to the highest grade known as fully refined wax. The exact characteristics, such as melting point and colour, depend on the type of paraffin wax.

    Two broad categories of paraffin wax are partially or semi refined wax and fully refined wax. Both semi refined and fully refined wax are used in the candle making process, with oil content ranging between 0.5% and 1.5%. Other forms of paraffin include granulated paraffin wax, liquid paraffin (also known as white oil or mineral oil) and white petroleum jelly.

    The bleaching process involves using industrial strength bleach, which has a strength of 100%. This turns the dark wax into white. This bleach also creates dioxins. Dioxins are a diverse group of chlorinated chemicals or compounds that are highly persistent in the environment. They are toxic and have been identified as a likely carcinogen that can interfere with natural processes in the body.

    The paraffin wax may also be textured with chemicals such as acrolein and mixed with substances such as animal based stearic acid to harden. Acrolein is an unsaturated aldehyde that is used for the creation of other chemicals, and is also a precursor to some commercial fragrances. Not enough information exists on the full effects of acrolein on the human body, but exposure to it has been shown to result in upper respiratory tract irritation and congestion and can induce DNA damage.

    The petroleum by-products and additives of paraffin wax inhibit biodegradability. Crude oil, in which paraffin wax is derived from, is also classified as a nonrenewable resource because it a fossil fuel that does not form or replenish in a short amount of time.

    Paraffin wax is more commonly known for its use in candle making, but it also plays a role in making wax paper, drywall, electrical insulators, baby oil, and cosmetics.

    In cosmetics, it is used in lipstick, gloss, balm, eyeliner, moisturizer, and mascara to seal in moisture and prevent moisture loss. It is also used in and on food to slow moisture loss and spoilage and make fruits and candy appear shiny and more appealing; in spa treatments and wax for hair removal; and has been used in medical applications such pharmaceuticals and ointments.

    Fully refined paraffin wax is certified as “food grade” by the FDA (the Food and Drug Administration), and is approved for use in and on food, cosmetics, and medical applications. However, this doesn’t mean that paraffin wax is safe or healthy.

    There is controversy regarding the effects of paraffin wax on our health. The National Candle Association claims that no type of wax has been proven to cause health problems, yet, in 2005, the American Lung Association issued a warning about about the dangers of paraffin. The EPA (the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) also revealed that paraffin wax candles release small amounts of harmful chemicals when burned, including acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, acrolein, dioxins, furans, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

    Other toxins, also known carcinogens, that are released are toluene and benzene; the same toxins found in diesel fuel flames.

    Anything present in a candle wax mixture has the potential of being broken down and released in the air during the heating and combustion process. The heat of the flame breaks down the structure of the wax, which separates into many different chemicals. This works for all candles. Some of the chemicals that are released are more toxic than others, and change depending on the composition of the wax and the addition of fragrances, dyes, and additives.

    In cosmetics, paraffin is considered a possible carcinogen, and has been linked to skin irritation and some types of kidney and renal system cancers. In spa treatments and hair removal, is has been shown to cause skin irritation and allergic reactions in some individuals, and is not recommended for people with hypertension, diabetes or varicose veins because it can hinder circulation and cause abnormal numbing sensations.

    Tallow

    Tallow is a hard fatty substance made from rendered animal fat and consisting of a mixture of glycerides, including stearic, palmitic, and oleic acids. It is a white and nearly tasteless fat that was once a common inexpensive fuel choice for candles. When other materials, such as paraffin and spermaceti, became more widely available and provided a cleaner, less smoky burn and more pleasant smell, tallow fell out of common use in candle making.

    Some tallow candles, made mainly from rendered sheep or beef fat, are still made today, but they can go rancid and still pose the problem of emitting an acrid odour. This can cause irritation in some individuals.

    Stearin Wax

    Stearin wax is comprised primarily of stearic and palmitic acids. These acids are derived from long-chained saturated fatty acids found in animal fats and vegetable oils. Animal sources of stearin are typically derived from tallow, while plant sources are typically palm stearin derived from coconuts and palm nuts.

    Stearin wax comes in a variety of solid or granular forms, and is often mixed with other waxes, particularly paraffin, to act as a hardener, reduce dripping, increase the burning time of the candle, and make it easier for the wax to be removed from the mould, since stearin increases shrinkage in wax candles. Stearin should not be used in latex rubber moulds, since it can rot or eat through them, and stearin candles can only be produced using casting methods.

    The process of separating the stearic acid from the animal fat or vegetable oil can involve recrystallization from organic solvents, press, or filtration methods. These may employ the use of chemicals, which, depending on what is used, can be toxic.

    In the next blog post in this series, we will look into the popular wax beeswax.

  • Candles: Part III – Candle Manufacturing: The Wick

    Candles: Part III – Candle Manufacturing: The Wick

    One of the oldest methods for making candles was the dipping method. The dipping method involves repeatedly dipping the wick into heated wax (liquid wax) or waxy substance until the waxy substance adheres and reaches the desired thickness.

    The wick would have been made from dried rushes, while the waxy substance would have consisted of molten fat. Different types of material for wicks and wax are now available, and the method has been largely adapted to automated and electronically operated machinery.

    Another method for creating candles is the pouring method. This can involve pouring melted wax over a suspended wick that is being simultaneously twirled (generally by hand), or pouring melted wax into a pre-heated, tube-shaped mould with the wick passing through. The wax is left to cool before removing. The wick is prepared prior to pouring and is pulled through a hole in the tip of the mould.

    Modern technology allows for mass production as well as increased speed, accuracy, and quality, but some candle makers may still use traditional methods. They may manually dip, roll, and pour/mould the candles.

    Candle making or manufacturing generally involves three main steps: making and preparing the wick, preparing the wax base, and then moulding or extrusion (http://www.madehow.com/Volume-1/Candle.html).

    Wick Preparation

    The wick plays a crucial role in delivering the fuel to the flame. It affects the burn time and efficiency of a lit candle. For this reason, the wick has been called the “soul” of the candle and is considered one of the most important components. In the manufacturing process, the preparation of the wick is usually the first step.

    The number of threads, thickness, and material are all chosen based upon the shape, size, type of wax, and the production or chosen candle making method.

    Candles made by stretching need a wick that can candle the pressure. Thicker candles may need larger wicks, while smaller candles may need thinner wicks. Wicks that are too thick or that draw too much fuel may cause the flame to flare and produce soot, while too little can cause the flame to sputter out.

    The wick also affects and is reliant on the “fuel source” or wax. Some fuel sources, such as refined paraffin wax, soak more easily and thus easily travel up the wick and produce wax vapour. Thicker waxes, such as stearin and beeswax, may require a thicker wick for sufficient absorption. The melting point of the wax also changes the type of wick needed, since some waxes may require more heat.

    The amount of wax consumed in grams per hour by the wick is known as the burn rate, and the amount of time it takes for the wax of the candle to be consumed completely is known as the burn time. The higher the burn rate, the more wax will be consumed per hour, and the lower the burn rate, the less wax will be consumed.

    You can get an approximate burn rate of a candle by weighing the candle before and after burning, and then determining how much wax was consumed (how many ounces or grams were lost) in the amount of time that has past. You can then use this amount to determine the overall burn time of the candle.

    Fragrances, colour, and other additives also influence the type of wick needed. Similar to the effect of different fuel sources, some fragrance ingredients easily travel up the wick, while others do not. They may also have different temperatures at which their vapour will combust, also known as “flash points.” Fragrances with lower flash points may need a thinner wick to prevent the flame from becoming too large and hot, while others may need a thicker wick for it to break down and vaporize. Extra oils or ingredients often require a larger wick in order to combust.

    Types of colours, such as dye chips, colour blocks, liquids, and powders, and whether they are used in the wax or applied to the exterior, can also affect the composition of the wax, how it burns, and what type and size of wick is needed. Some pigments can clog the the candle wick and cause increased smoking. If you have a candle that is excessively sooting or flickering, and you are burning it properly, then it may be a sign that the wrong type of wick was used.

    The wick can be made from a variety of material, including paper, flax, hemp, cotton, metal, and wood, with cotton and paper-cotton combinations being the most common in candles manufactured within North America.

    There are hundreds of types of wicks that are braided, knitted, twisted, and more, but they can be categorized into four major types: flat wicks, square wicks, cored wicks, and specialty wicks.

    Flat wicks usually consist of three bundles of fibre or thread that are flat-plaited or knitted. They provide a very consistent burn and curl in the flame. Curling in the flame is when the wick bends at a 90 degree angle, toward the exterior, keeping it in the outer mantle of the flame when the candle is lit. This causes the wick to be shortened naturally in a self-trimming effect. It also prevents mushrooming at the tip.

    Mushrooming, also known as carbon heading, is the result of carbon buildup. It occurs when the wax burns faster than the wick and leaves a curled, blackened bit of excess wick. This black ball or clump of wick may eventually crumble down. Some mushrooming will always occur, but excessive amounts can prevent the candle from burning correctly and may cause smoking.

    Square wicks are braided or knitted, and also curl in the flame. They are more rounded and more robust than a flat wick, and can help inhibit clogging. This type is popular for beeswax candles and plant waxes such as soy.

    Cored wicks are braided or knitted and use a core material to keep the wick straight while burning. They have a round cross section. A variety of core materials, including cotton, paper, zinc, or tin, can be used for different stiffness effects. The rigidity makes them a popular choice for container candles and votives. It helps keep the wick upright when the wax liquefies.

    Zinc core wicks, a common type of cored wick, is made with a cotton fibre braid surrounding a zinc core. They are the most rigid, followed by paper and cotton, and do not burn as hot as other wicks. They may need to be pre-waxed or made thicker when using with vegetable waxes.

    Another type of core wick that can still be found is lead wicks. Lead wicks were banned in North America, but can still be found in imported candles. When these lead-core wicks are burned, they can release lead and other heavy metals into the air. These airborne heavy metals can reach levels that are much higher than acceptable limits and can pose a serious health threat.

    Specialty wicks are designed for specific candle applications, such as if the candle will be used only in a specific environment, and particular burn characteristics are needed to achieve the desired effect or result. Examples are oil lamps, tea lights, and insect-repelling candles.

    Wooden wicks may also be used, but they are not as common. They provide maximum rigidity and do not need trimming. Two main types are hard wood wicks and soft wood wicks. These wicks provides little carbon buildup and minimal smoking and create soft crackling and popping noises when burning. The amount of crackling directly relates to the type and amount of fragrance oil, colouring, and wax. The wood is usually treated with a burning agent to promote a consistent burn and continuous relighting. However, they can produce a large flame and should be used in containers, and not in pillars or votives.

    Common types of wicks include HTP series wicks and CD wicks. The HTP (High Temperature Paper) consists of a specially constructed braid, with a flat-braided cotton fibre design with intertwined thin paper fibres. This provides a self-trimming affect and reduced carbon build up like the flat and square wicks, but with increased rigidity like a cored wick. They provide a hotter burn, which is suitable for use with waxes that have a higher melting point.

    CD wicks (Heinz Stabilo wicks) are a coreless wick similar to the HTP series. They consist of a non-directional, flat braid style with special paper filament woven around, and are primed with a natural wax coating. They are a versatile wick that offers increased rigidity and promotes a consistent burn.

    Other types of wicks include the ECO series, LX wick (German coreless), and the RRD series wicks. They differ in the unique construction of the braid and the type and treatment of the fibres used.

    Round wicks, like the RRD series, have a tightly braided core designed with tension threads. They consist of a few threads that are interlaced asymmetrically to create a small artificial tension in the wick to provide a centred burn pool and allow the wick to lean over the exterior of the flame. This gives a slight curl when burning which helps create the self-trimming effect and provides a hotter burn. This tightly braided flame is considered “directional” because it has capillary action that flows better in one direction.

    Braided, knitted, or plaited fibres encourage a slow, consistent burn, while twisted wicks burn much faster because of the loose construction, and are often used for birthday candles. Wicks made of natural hemp fibres burn hotter than cotton.

    After the raw wick is chosen and prepared, it is treated or primed with chemicals, inorganic salt solutions, or a wax formula to help increase stiffness and promote consistent burning and easy lighting. This treatment helps eliminate air bubbles and helps provide the right amount of fuel to the flame so that it won’t burn too quickly and extinguish. The wick may be coated with a coating machine or can be done by hand by soaking or dipping the wick into the solution, and then pulling tight and leaving to dry.

    Some wicks may also be tabbed, such as those used in votives, jars, and gels. A wick tab, also known as a sustainer tab, is a small, flat metal disc with a stem or raised “neck” in the centre (called the wick collar) with a hole in the middle for the wick. The tab is added to the end of the wick, where it is crimped in place. It helps hold the coated wick straight during the life of the candle and extinguishes the flame before it reaches the bottom of the candle; reducing the chance of the container getting too hot and transferring the heat to the surface below. This can be done with a wick tabbing machine, or can also be done by hand.

    Extra long collared wick tabs may be needed for decorative candles that contain three-dimensional accessories.

    Some candle makers or manufacturers may make their own wicks by selecting the fibres or material and then braiding, plaiting, knitting, or twisting it depending on the chosen material, and then coating and tabbing it, but wicks can also be purchased raw (plain or uncoated) or primed by the spool or yard, or pre-tabbed in various sizes.

    The wick plays a significant role in the proper burning of the candle, and it important that you seek out a well-made candle or pay careful attention to the wick you choose when making your own candle.

    In the next blog, we will look into another vital component in the candle making process: the preparation of the wax base.

  • Candles: Part II – The Candle

    Candles: Part II – The Candle

    Essentially, the candle has not changed much throughout history. It consists of a mass, generally a cylinder or block, of wax or other fuel with an embedded central wick that produces light when burned. Some candles may contain multiple wicks.

    The term “wax” applies to a large group of chemically different materials or substances. They are typically composed of hydrocarbons, alcohols, fatty acids, and esters and are generally solid at ambient temperature, insoluble in water but soluble in nonpolar organic solvents, and have a melting point between 110°F to 200°F (approximately 43°C to 93°C).

    There are a multitude of formulas and substances available under the name “wax,” and this amount continues to increase as chemists experiment with new chemical compositions. Waxes can be classified into two main groups: natural waxes and synthetic waxes. Natural waxes can further be divided into animal waxes, vegetable waxes, and mineral waxes. Animal waxes include beeswax, tallow, and animal-based stearin. Plant waxes include palm, carnauba, bayberry and soy. Mineral waxes can be further divided into fossil or earth waxes, which include ceresin and montan, and petroleum wax, which includes paraffin and microcrystalline. Synthetic wax consists of man-made materials and includes polymer waxes.

    A wick is a strip or thread of fibrous or porous material that draws up the fuel (the wax) to the flame by capillary action. They come in a variety of material and thicknesses, depending on the desired result and the other components of the candle such as the wax type and size, fragrances, and colouring. There are hundred of types of wicks, but common materials include paper, flax, hemp, cotton, wood, and metal-cores such as zinc and lead.

    Before going into the manufacturing process or how candles are made, it can be helpful to know how a candle works, or how it burns.

    When a candle is lit, the heat from the flame melts the wax in and near the wick. This liquid wax is absorbed by the wick and is pulled upward in what is known as capillary action. Wax needs to be in a gaseous state for it to ignite and burn, and this happens when the wick traps the liquid wax in the heat of the flame, causing it to get hotter and hotter until it turns into gas. This wax vapour acts as fuel to keep the wick burning. The resulting heat travels in all directions.

    Heat travels down the wick to melt more wax at the top of the candle. Hot wax vapours are drawn out from the wick and draw oxygen into the base of the flame. The hydrocarbons start to break down into molecules of hydrogen and carbon and then react with oxygen in the surrounding air to produce heat, light, water vapour, and carbon dioxide.

    The chemical reaction in which the wax reacts with oxygen in the air is known as combustion, and it produces carbon dioxide and water in the form of steam.

    The oxygen-rich base of the candle flame is characterized by a blue colour. The blue zone of the flame is where the oxygen enters and the hydrocarbon molecules begin to vaporize and separate. Surrounding the flame is a faint outside, called the veil, that is also blue because it directly meets with the oxygen of the air. It is also known as the outer zone and is where complete combustion of the wax takes place. This veil is the hottest part of the flame and reaches 1400°C, or 2552°F.

    Above the blue zone of the base, directly above the wick, the flame has a dark or orange/brown region which has relatively little oxygen. This section, also known as the dark inner zone, consists of unburnt wax vapours. Soot (small, hardened carbon particles) begins to form as carbon continues to break down. The soot is not harmful if it burns up before leaving the flame. It is these carbon particles that create the dark colour. This zone emits the least heat.

    The next zone is the yellow zone, also known as the luminous zone. It consists of partial combustion (insufficient oxygen is available to completely burn all of the wax vapour) and is moderately hot. The carbon particles increase and then rise, where they heat until they ignite. The perceived colour is due to the ignition of the carbon particles. As they are heated, they glow or become “yellow-hot” in what is known as incandescence. They emit the full spectrum of visible light, but it is the yellow portion that is the most dominant.

    The process of the wax being heated and then drawn up the wick, where it vaporizes and combines with oxygen in the air to combust, or burn, continues to repeat until all the wax has been burned or the heat has been eliminated. The combustion process may also take a few minutes after the candle has been lighted in order to stabilize.

    This combustion process of a candle can be very efficient, but it isn’t perfect. All candles produce soot and smoke due to incomplete combustion. Insufficient oxygen is available to fully combust the soot particles, and some escape. This soot and smoke come from the bright yellow zone of the flame. If sufficient oxygen were available, then there would be no soot. Only carbon dioxide and water would be produced, and the entire flame would be blue.

    The exact colour can indicate the temperature, the type of fuel, and the type of combustion taking place. Blue indicates complete combustion, such as in the case of a gas burner, while yellow indicates incomplete combustion, like in a candle flame.

    In the next blog post of this series, we will begin to look into the general candle manufacturing process, starting with the preparation of the wick.

  • Candles: Part I – Brief History and Introduction

    Candles: Part I – Brief History and Introduction

    There is no recorded history of candle making, so the exact origin of candles is not known. It is believed that the first candle may have consisted of dried branches being dipped in animal fat. When lighted, it produced a slow-burn and reliable source of light. References to the use of candles in the Bible and depictions of the use of candles in ancient Egyptian reliefs reveal that candles have been around for thousands of years, and have served many purposes, from lighting homes, aiding travellers or providing a source of light during the night, to measuring time and playing a role in religious ceremonies.

    Candles have been used in many cultures and have been created with a variety of material over the years.

    Roman candles were made by dipping rolled papyrus repeatedly in melted tallow (animal fat) or beeswax; early Chinese candles were moulded in paper tubes, using rolled rice paper for a wick, and wax from certain insects combined with seeds from various trees; early Japanese candles were made of wax extracted from tree nuts; in India, where the use of animal fat in candles was prohibited by religious decree, candles were made from the wax skimmed by boiling the fruit of the cinnamon tree; and in Colonial America, women produced a sweet-smelling wax by boiling the greyish green berries of bayberry bushes.

    Beeswax was introduced in the Middle Ages as a form of candle wax. It burned clean and pure and emitted a pleasant odour, unlike the foul, acrid odour of tallow or other animal matter. However, it was expensive, so its use at the time was limited to the wealthy and the church.

    In the 18th century, spermaceti became available in quantity due the growth of the whaling industry, and became another popular source of wax for candles. Spermaceti is a white, waxy substance obtained by crystallizing sperm whale oil. It is used for making candles, ointments, and cosmetics. This wax was found to produce no repugnant odour when burned and was harder than both tallow and beeswax.

    Major developments in candle making occurred during the 19th century. During this time, French chemist Michel Eugene Chevreul discovered how to extract stearic acid from animal fatty acids, leading to the development of stearin wax. Inventor Joseph Morgan developed the first mass-production candle making machine; and chemists learned how to separate the thick, dark waxy substance from petroleum and refine it to create what is known as paraffin wax. This paraffin wax was found to be relatively hard and lacking in odour and colour. It remains one of the most commonly used candle waxes in the world.

    Paraffin was eventually blended with other substances to create a more durable wax. These substances included spermaceti and ceresin, a type of mineral wax. Paraffin and microcrystalline wax (a type of wax that has a darker colour, finer crystals, and generally higher melting point than paraffin) are derived from petroleum, while ceresin, ozokerite, and montan wax are mineral waxes derived from coal and shale. Paraffin wax is sometimes used as an umbrella term for a variety of formulas involving paraffin or similar types of chemicals and waxes.

    Candles were no longer needed as a light source after the introduction of the incandescent light bulb in 1879, and their popularity began to decline. They experienced a surge of popularity again in the 20th century when the availability of petroleum byproducts such as paraffin increased due to the growth of U.S. oil and meatpacking industries, and consumers had an increased interest in candles as a decorative item. To meet growing demands and to improve performance and cost, candle makers experimented with new wax blends.

    Soy wax candles in particular are a rather recent invention. Michael Richards is widely credited for bringing the first soy wax candles to the market when, in 1991, he noticed a growing demand for natural wax candles and began experimenting with a range of plant waxes and vegetable oils, including beeswax, partially hydrogenated soy oil, coconut oil, palm oil, and almond oil. Natural waxes such as pure beeswax was (and still is) expensive, and he wanted to find a wax that could be cost-competitive with paraffin wax. In 1996, the soy wax candle became available to the general public.

    The innovation with candle making still continues. The flicker of a candle flame elicits endless fascination, and scientists around the world have studied and conducted experiments on candles to learn about how they burn – their flames, emissions, and combustion – including how a candle flame behaves in microgravity.

    Chemists still experiment with new types of waxes, wax blends, and fragrances to create candles that match different performance needs and are sustainable and low cost to manufacture. They aim to find a candle that burns cleaner, longer, and with a pleasant aesthetic and aroma. This experimentation has resulted in candles that come in a variety of materials, sizes, shapes, colours and scents.

    Candles are seen as appropriate gifts for holidays, house-warming gifts, thank you gifts, adult birthday gifts, and more and are currently used for celebrations, such as birthdays; religious ceremonies, rituals, or occasions such as praying, grieving, celebrating, or meditating; and creating atmosphere or mood during dinners and other occasions. A candle can be symbolic for life and hope.

    Candles can help relieve stress, create a warm, comfortable feeling, and disguise other scents or odours. Some individuals use candles as a light source in emergency situations, though that is generally not recommended due to the risk of fire. Others may simply use a candle as a piece of decor, to add beauty to a room.

    A candle may seem simple, and yet it is deeply involved in culture, has served many vital functions throughout the years, and can touch our soul. The creation of the candle also seems simple, but it is an intricate science.

    In the next blog, we will look into what a candle is and how it burns, and then in following blogs we will go into the different types of wicks, waxes, fragrances and colourants to help us choose a candle that is better for needs and our health.

  • Activated Charcoal Part II: Common Health Uses and Precautions

    Activated Charcoal Part II: Common Health Uses and Precautions

    In the previous blog post, we looked into activated carbon; what it is, how it works, and how it’s made. In this blog post, we will look further into popular methods of using activated carbon for health, and precautions to keep in mind.

    Plain charcoal powder has been used for centuries as an antidote for many forms of poisoning, to treat flatulence or upset stomach, preserve and purify drinking water, and help get rid of odours. Activation increases the effectiveness of the charcoal by increasing its adsorption ability. Now, this powerful detoxifying agent has been deeply integrated into our lives so that not a day goes by that most of us aren’t, in some way, affected by an activated carbon product or application.

    Common uses for activated carbon include: teeth whitening, reducing gas and bloating, water filtration, helping to treat cholestasis in pregnancy (reduced bile flow), and first aid and emergency toxin removal. Individuals have also used activated carbon with success to treat insect bites, reduce body odour in acne, get rid of viruses and bacteria, and reduce symptoms of food poisoning.

    The effectiveness of activated carbon in some of these areas has not been fully tested, and you use at your own risk. Nevertheless, activated charcoal is considered generally non toxic and safe. In case of an emergency, you should call the nearest emergency centre or local poison control centre.

    Activated charcoal is usually taken in a pill, liquid, or powder form. For emergency toxin removals, it may be administered by a professional in a healthcare facility through a tube leading into the stomach. The pill is available as a tablet or capsule. The capsule may be more expensive, but can be preferred due to the fact that it can be opened up to use the powder. Liquid form may be available as pre-mixed, specially made juices.

    Avoid liquids or any activated charcoal product that contains additives like artificial sweetener, since it may lower the effectiveness of the activated charcoal (it will adsorb the chemicals in the drink) or may cause side effects. Sorbitol may be added to activated carbon to act as a laxative and prevent constipation, but it is not always recommended since it can cause diarrhea, dehydration and chemical imbalance in some people.

    Powder form is usually taken by mixing it with a non-acidic drink, such as water.

    Activated carbon helps whiten teeth by adsorbing plaque and microscopic material that stains teeth. To whiten teeth, you can dip a wet toothbrush (you can also add natural toothpaste that doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals) into powdered activated charcoal (you can empty a capsule) and then gently brushing or dabbing teeth.

    Or, you can mix equal parts water and powdered charcoal and then swish it in your mouth for a minute, then hold it for a few more minutes, and then spit it out. Always be sure to rinse well, until the water runs clear. It may cause your mouth to go black. This is temporary, but there is a possibility that it could stain crowns, caps, or porcelain veneers. It may also adsorb some of the mercury from mercury fillings.

    For digestive health or to reduce gas and bloating, you can take the powdered or pill form of activated charcoal in water a minimum of 90 minutes to 2 hours before consuming a gas-producing meal. Some people have taken it to improve digestion and prevent food poisoning when eating out. Follow instruction on the bottle for the correct amount. You can also take the activated carbon 90 minutes to 2 hours after a meal to assist the digestive process in removing toxins or byproducts.

    Activated charcoal should not be taken within 90 minutes to 2 hours before or after eating a meal or taking a supplement or medication. The charcoal is unable to judge the difference between “good” and “bad” substances, and can interfere with the absorption of nutrients and can reduce the effectiveness of some medication. If you have a medical condition or are on medication, you may want to use activated charcoal with caution, or with the supervision of a health professional.

    Unless it is in the case of acute poisoning, you also want to avoid taking large doses of activated charcoal since it can become too strong and adsorb nutrients stored in fat tissue, and can buildup in the body, especially without proper fluid intake.

    If, for whatever reason, you find that activated charcoal is not the best choice for you, you can still help detoxify your body by eating plenty of seeds, such as flax seeds, and fruits and vegetables, particularly dark leafy greens. Even if you do decide to use activated charcoal, eating a well-balanced diet full of nutrients is still recommended to help your body long term.

    In the case of poisoning or the overdose of many pharmaceutical drugs and medications, an adult can take 50 to 100 grams of activated charcoal (about 10 grams for children) with water. Depending on the drug or poison, this is followed by more charcoal (20 to 50 grams) every 4 to 6 hours. This should be taken as soon as possible; preferably within 30 minutes to one hour of the overdose or consumption of the toxin. The more time that passes, the less effective the activated carbon will be. In an emergency, it always best to call a local poison centre or emergency centre first to see what they advise.

    Activated carbon has also been effectively used to treat poisoning in dogs, rabbits, cats, and other pets to prevent the adsorption of the toxins. Similar to when given to humans, it should be given soon after the ingestion of the toxin/poison. The dose depends on the type and weight of the animal. In case of an emergency, you can call a vet to get the correct amount for your pet.

    Activated carbon has been shown be effective for adsorbing most organic compounds and many other substances including pesticides, mercury, lead, aspirin, cocaine, morphine, dapsone, cardiac glycosides, theophylline, and carbamazepine, but is not effective for treating poisoning from alcohol or caustic alkali or acids such as cyanide, lithium, iron tablets, cleaning fluid, gasoline, and kerosene.

    The dark carbon may interfere with endoscopic examination (evaluation of the a person’s digestive tract) and should be limited to use only when the causative agent (poisoning agent) is known to be adsorbed by activated charcoal.

    In the case of snake or insect bites (including spider bites), you can mix the activated charcoal with water, coconut oil or aloe vera to make a paste and then apply the mixture to and around the sting or bite. For venomous bites, you may need to apply the mixture several inches around it. Apply some of the mixture to the bandage as well and then wrap around the area. Depending on the severity of the bite, you may want to reapply every two to three hours, rinsing well in between.

    Despite the lack of scientific study and evidence, activated charcoal has been successfully used to absorb snake and insect venom, viruses, and bacteria. Some people have reported taking activated charcoal immediately after showing symptoms of the flu or hangover, and reducing their severity.

    When taking activated carbon orally, make sure to drink plenty of water. This helps to eliminate the toxin-laden activated carbon out of the body. It is also common for stool to be black, and is a sign that the carbon and toxins are being moved through the body and excreted.

    Activated carbon has also been used in external application for treating body odour and acne by adsorbing oil, dirt, and odours. It can also be used as a clarifying mask or added to shampoo or body scrubs. The activated carbon is usually mixed with another cleansing substance, such as aloe vera, coconut oil, or even honey, before applying to the skin. For acne, the mixture is smoothed over the face, left to dry, and then rinsed off.

    Always make sure to rinse thoroughly after application. It is not meant for daily use, but only in moderation, or as needed. You may also want to test it first on a small piece of skin to make sure it won’t stain. Avoid using on dry skin.

    Indirectly, taking activated charcoal can help boost your energy levels by helping to eliminate harmful chemicals so that less strain is placed on the body and it isn’t forced to work as hard. The process uses up less energy, so you have more to use for other things.

    Activated carbon can stain, so you want to be very careful when using. It can usually wash out of sinks or bathroom counters, but may permanently stain certain fabrics or rough surfaces. Keep out of reach of children or pets.

    This product is not meant to be taken long-term like a supplement or to treat conditions such as excess gas. It is usually best used as needed. While not known to be toxic, some side effects when taking orally can include black stools, black tongue, constipation, vomiting or diarrhea. Serious side effects can include gastrointestinal blockages, swelling or pain in the stomach, slow movement of food through through the intestine (reduced peristalsis), or dehydration. While the carbon content of activated charcoal can naturally stain the stool black, it may mask upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract bleeding in people with serious digestive problems.

    For this reason, activated charcoal may not be recommended if you have a condition that causes intestinal bleeding, blockage, or reduced peristalsis, or have recently undergone surgery. Side effects such as constipation can be avoided if you make sure to drink plenty of water to keep the carbon particles moving throughout your body. You can also create a natural laxative, using epsom salt or other substances.

    It is important to keep in mind that activated carbon only helps in the detoxification process. If you experience constant gas or other digestive issues, you want to look at what is causing those symptoms or digestive strain in the first place and then work to fix it by changing your diet or lifestyle habits, instead of relying solely on the activated carbon.

    Even regular charcoal, as long as its sterile, has been shown to work effectively as a water and air filter, and has played a significant role in detoxification and purification throughout the years. The activation processes increases the purity, potency and effectiveness.

    Its ability to bind to wide range of toxins and chemicals and prevent their absorption has given activated carbon a position as one of the most effective single agents available. It is used for water purification, air filtration, and health applications across the world, and deserves a place in every first aid kit. A little of this powder can go a long way in detoxifying our environment and our bodies.

  • Activated Charcoal Part I: Overview On How It Works and How It’s Made

    Activated Charcoal Part I: Overview On How It Works and How It’s Made

    Every day, we are bombarded with toxins from environmental pollutants, preservatives, pesticides, heavy metals, industrial waste, and more. From the food we eat to the air we breath, we are faced with toxins that our body must constantly work to neutralize, transform, or get rid of before they can cause damage or interfere with normal functioning. Over time, our bodies may begin to feel the strain.

    “Detox,” also known as a “body cleanse,” has become a new trend or popular method of helping to remove toxins from the body. The increased popularity of these cleanses and the number of unhealthy methods and products available have given detox a bad reputation, but, while these detoxification methods cannot and do not replace the body’s own natural detoxification process, they can help, if done with the right foods or products, reduce the strain on the body by supporting the organs of elimination and giving the body what it needs to perform optimally.

    A product that has gained a recent surge in interest for detoxification is activated charcoal.

    Activated charcoal, also known as activated carbon, is a fine black powder that is odourless, tasteless (or almost tasteless), and highly adsorbent.

    Adsorbent is not the same as absorbent. Absorption refers to when a substance, or molecules of a substance, are diffused or dissolved into a liquid or solid. The substance is then uniformly distributed throughout the bulk of the absorbent material. Adsorption, on the other hand, occurs when the molecules are attracted to and retained on the surface of a liquid or solid. They do not penetrate into the bulk of the substance.

    Activated carbon possesses an expanded surface area with millions of tiny pores. This porous surface has a negative electric charge that attracts positively charged chemicals, which includes many toxins and gases, and causes them to bond with it. When certain chemicals pass next to the surface of the carbon particles, they are attracted to the carbon and attach to the surface. Substances that are not attracted to the carbon will pass through.

    It can trap a variety of substances, including most organic chemicals, some inorganic chemicals, drugs, pesticides, mercury, fertilizer, and bleach. It is is estimated to reduce adsorption of poisonous substances up to 60%, and can bind to as much as 100 times its own weight.

    Its ability to trap toxins and various substances has given it a prominent role in numerous applications, from toxic soil cleanup and air filters for gas masks, filter masks, and air compressors to water purification, metal extraction, and medicine. In medicine, it is used in liver and kidney dialysis machines, laser surgery, and in emergency toxin removals in the case of accidental or purposeful overdose of many pharmaceutical drugs and medications.

    There are over 150 different specialized activated carbons with different properties for multiple applications (https://www.buyactivatedcharcoal.com/what_is_activated_charcoal) and the base material and activation process used all have an influence on its overall characteristics.

    The process of making the activated carbon begins with the starting material; the charcoal. The starting material is a source of carbon, which can include wood, debris, sawdust/saw chip, coconut shells, bamboo, peat, petroleum coke or coal that has been subjected to high temperatures in an enclosed space without air. This charcoal is then activated by either a steam or chemical activation process.

    Steam activation involves subjecting the charcoal to very high temperatures in the presence of oxidizing gases such as CO2 or steam. This erodes the carbon’s internal surfaces and produces a network of smaller pores, increasing the surface area available for adsorption. After cooling, the now activated charcoal may then be either water washed to remove soluble ash content, or acid washed to remove acid-soluble ash content and then water washed again to remove any trace of the acid solution (https://www.buyactivatedcharcoal.com/how_to_make_activated_charcoal).

    Chemical activation involves using a chemical solution, which can include phosphoric acid, potassium hydroxide, zinc chloride, calcium chloride, or sodium hydroxide, to erode the carbon’s surface. The raw starting material is submerged into the chemical solution, reheated to enhance the chemical erosion, and then goes through a washing cycle to remove the acid. This process uses less heat and is quicker than gas or steam activation. For that reason, it tends to be the preferred method. However, some of the trace elements from the chemical solution may adsorb into the carbon, resulting in chemical residue such as zinc in the finished product.

    For health applications or for purifying gases and vapors, coconut shell activated charcoal is often recommended due to their smaller pore size and high total pore volume. These properties mean they have an increased access to surface area and can adsorb smaller particles at a faster rate. Coconut shell activated charcoal is also more likely to be steam activated, with less chance of chemical residue or contamination. For any type of health application, you want to look for “food-grade” activated carbon.

    In the human body, activated charcoal works by binding to chemicals in the digestive tract, including the entire length of the stomach and small and large intestines, and inhibiting their absorption. They are then excreted (eliminated) during bowel movements.

    In the next blog in this two-part series, we will look into common health applications of activated charcoal.

  • Music: An Art, Entertainment, and Medicine Part III: Music Therapy

    Music: An Art, Entertainment, and Medicine Part III: Music Therapy

    To read Part I of this series of blog posts were we looked into how sound and music work, click here: Music Art Entertainment and Medicine Part I Sound and Music.

    To read Part II of this series, where we looked into how music affects us physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially, click here: Music Art Entertainment and Medicine Part II Music and Health.

    Music has the ability to transcend cultural barriers, reach people of all ages and abilities, and influence the way we think, feel, and move. Because of music’s unique ways to affect us and the significant role it plays in our lives, it has been used as a form of therapy known as music therapy.

    Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music and musical elements by an accredited music therapist to accomplish individualized goals and address the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of the individual. It can be used in institutional, community, and private settings, including psychiatric hospitals, rehabilitative facilities, medical hospitals, outpatient clinics, day care treatment centres, community mental health centres, drug and alcohol programs, senior centres, nursing homes, hospice programs, correctional facilities, halfway houses, and more, for individuals of various ages and abilities.

    The exact qualifications of a music therapist may vary depending on the country, but generally a person must be a graduate of an approved music therapy degree program and complete a supervised internship of 1000 hours or more. A music therapist requires knowledge in psychology, medicine and music. In music therapy, the therapist assesses the emotional well-being, physical health, social functioning, communication and cognitive abilities, preferences and circumstances of the patient, and then designs a treatment plan to meet the client’s needs. Music therapy can be categorized as two different types: active or receptive. Active music therapy can involve singing, playing an instrument or composing music, while receptive music therapy can involve listening to or responding to music with movement such as dance or through analyzing and discussing the music and/or lyrics. Effective therapy sessions usually combine both of the categories.

    These approaches help facilitate contact, interaction, self-awareness, learning, self expression, communication, personal development, and physical rehabilitation in the client, and has been proven helpful for acquired brain injury, AIDS, autism and other pervasive development disabilities, critical care, developmental disabilities, emotional traumas, geriatric care, hearing impairments, mental health, neonatal care, obstetrics, oncology, pain control, palliative care, personal growth, physical disabilities, speech and language impairments, substance abuse, teens at risk, victims of abuse, and visual impairment. Sessions can be conducted with a group or individually, and any type of music such as pop, rock, jazz, folk, country, Celtic, and classical can provide potential benefits. You do not require any prior musical ability or knowledge to benefit from music therapy.

    Music can provide numerous benefits to anyone when listened to for recreational purposes, but it isn’t considered music therapy unless it enlists the aid of an accredited music therapist and involves treatment planning, goal setting, on-going evaluation, and follow up. For instance, a person with Alzheimer’s who listens to an iPod of his favourite songs may feel some of the therapeutic benefits of music, but it is not considered clinical music therapy. An example of music therapy would be a professional working with a patient with Alzheimer’s for the purpose of helping to restore normal communication among brain regions and improving their overall quality of life. Due to music’s ability to influence both positive and negative behaviour, the guidance and professional assistance of a music therapist can help delve into the full effects of music in order to achieve the desired results and healing. Music therapy is considered a low-risk treatment that can provide a greater sense of enjoyment and motivation than other therapies.

    Music has been enjoyed by people of every age, of every ability, and in every culture throughout the years. It’s ability to resonate with us and have a profound impact on us mentally, physically, emotionally, and socially makes it a powerful tool in healing. It can offer us a form of communication and expression at times when it might be difficult, help us deal with stress and pain in a positive way, and help us tap into our memories and emotions in order to change our thinking processes so that we can progress forward and improve our life.

  • Music: An Art, Entertainment, and Medicine Part II: Music and Health

    Music: An Art, Entertainment, and Medicine Part II: Music and Health

    In part I of this series of blog posts on music and health (Music Art Entertainment and Medicine Part I Sound and Music), we looked into how sound and music work. In this blog post, we will look further into how music affects us.

    The rhythm of the music triggers the areas of the brain that control movement and our body naturally match this beat in what is known as entrainment. In biomusicology (the study of music from a biological point of view), entrainment refers to the synchronization of organisms to an external rhythm. An example is when we tap our foot to a rhythm or walk in time to a beat. Not only does the music affect our muscles and movement, but it also influences our heart rate, respiration rate, and blood pressure. It also has a psychogalvanic effect (pertaining to or involving changes in the electrical properties of the skin caused by mental or emotional stimuli).

    It is the tempo or pace of the song, measured in beats per minute (bpm), that has great affect on our heart and breathing rate. Lively music stimulates the brain and increases heart and breathing rate and blood pressure while slow music subsequently slows brain waves and heart and breathing rates and reduces blood pressure. The decreased blood pressure helps in relaxation. In some cases, the speed and flow of the lyrics have greater influence on the energy the music provides than the underlying beat.

    Songs that are livelier with higher bpm help energize us during exercise, and can help reduce or delay fatigue by competing for our brain’s attention. This pulls our brain’s attention away from the fatigue or muscle pain. This only works for light or moderate exercise. Music usually isn’t enough to override the increased signals of fatigue and pain during high intensity exercises. Listening to music while exercising also increases muscular endurance and efficiency. We tend to use less oxygen when exercising while listening to music than if we had exercised in silence.

    Upbeat music helps lift our mood and “easy listening” music, such as classical music of only 60 bpm, can help relax us. Listening to music causes a release of dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin. These act as neurotransmitters in the body. Dopamine helps regulate movement and emotional responses and helps control the brain’s reward and pleasure centres; serotonin plays a role in transmitting impulses between nerve cells and maintaining mood balance; and oxytocin plays a role in aiding reproductive functions, but also exerts multiple psychological effects. Oxytocin also influences social behaviour and emotion and may influence romantic attachment and empathy. Music also decreases the amount of cortisol, a stress-related hormone produced by the body in response to stress, in the body. The effect of music on our brain and the chemicals it releases means it can play a large role in helping to regulate our mood, bring pleasure, increase happiness, and reduce stress and anxiety.

    Not only does music provide a distraction and motivation during exercise, it can help reduce one’s perception of pain and help reduce chronic pain from conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, disc problems, and depression. In some cases, listening to music has been shown to be more effective than some pain medication. Relaxing music reduces sympathetic nervous system activity. Along with its effect on decreasing heart and respiration rate and muscle relaxation, it can help improve sleep. Both listening to and playing music also improves the body’s immune system by increasing the production of immunoglobulin A and natural killer cells, which play a key role in the immune system.

    Music activates many areas of the brain and forces the brain to use multiple levels of thinking simultaneously. We don’t often consciously analyze the music, but when listening to it the brain is forced to listen to the sound, perceive and analyze the tones, and interpret any lyrics. This analysis often happens subconsciously. Processing the musical pulse activates motor areas in the brain, which are responsible for dancing, and foot tapping. Playing an instrument utilizes even more areas of the brain as it processes tactile and visual information.

    The employment of large-scale neural networks when listening to and playing music make it an exercise for the brain. Music training has been shown to improve concentration and alertness, reading and literacy skills, spatial-temporal reasoning, mathematical abilities, emotional intelligence, visual and language processing, information recall (memory), and creativity. Early music training has been shown to encourage brain plasticity (the brain’s capacity to change and grow), but listening to relaxing music has been shown to improve concentration in all age groups, from infants to seniors, and ability levels, and even a half-hour music lesson can increase blood flow in the left hemisphere of the brain.

    Music’s ability to stimulate memory (second only to smell) helps in tapping into memories and recalling events and information. The structure of music makes it an effective mnemonic device and easy tool for teaching concepts, ideas, and information, such as how many people learn their “ABCs” through song. By “tagging” the information, it makes it easy to recall later. The effect of music on memory helps in improving it and protecting against memory problems. Listening to music or playing an instrument can impact brain health and function in people of all ages.

    Even sad music can bring a sense of comfort and pleasure. It can provide a cathartic effect, and give feelings of comfort when experiencing loss or going through a rough time. For others, sad music can still bring pleasure since it provides a sort of ambivalent emotion, much like how we may perceive the sadness or struggle of a character in a story without feeling the intensity of the emotion. While the music may be perceived as sad or tragic (known as perceived emotion), the listener may feel less sad, and more relaxed, or even romantic (known as felt emotion).

    However, while there are a variety of styles and traditions for creating music, and listening to most types of music, from pop and rock to classical and jazz, has been shown to provide benefits, we still need to be cautious of the music we listen to. It is easy to forget that music not only has the ability to soothe us and uplift our spirits, but to disquiet and disturb us, and increase feelings of anxiety and aggression. Music itself usually does not directly cause violence, but explicit or violent music and lyrics can increase aggressive thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. It can desensitize the listener to violence and can play a role in creating an overall negative, hate-filled view of the world. Certain people, particularly adolescents, may be particularly vulnerable. Sad music, though cathartic for some, can increase anxiety and cause feelings of profound grief in others.

    This doesn’t mean we stop listening to music, because music will always play an integral role in our cultures and lives, but it does mean that we need to select songs wisely, and be aware of the influence they have on us. Music has the ability to enhance all moods, whether positive or negative, so we want to choose music that helps improve our overall health and wellbeing. Knowing why we are listening to a particular song and what we hope to gain from it can help in making better song choices.

    For instance, if you chose to listen to a sad song, you can ask yourself whether you are listening to it to feel a sense of comfort, or to increase the intensity of your negative emotion. Our moods also influence how we perceive others, particularly how we interpret facial expressions. Happy music can make you perceive other’s faces as happier, while sad music can make you perceive them as sadder. This means that we might project the moods of the music we are listening to onto other people, which in turn can influence our behaviour. The mood of different music can also influence how we perceive certain events, situations, environments, and activities.

    Not all music affects us the same way. Some pop and rock music, rather than energize us, can make us feel jittery, and music that it too loud, or jarring can compete for our attention, distract us, and impair thinking. We need to listen to a variety of music, and select those that help improve our state of mind, and help give us what we need at the time, whether it is increased energy, relaxation, or improved concentration.

    Ambient or moderate background noise levels increase processing difficulty. Contrary to what we might assume, this increased difficulty can help us by promoting abstract processing and leading to more creative approaches. For some people, music can serve as background or environment and help use regain our focus and concentrate on work. This only works when the music is kept at moderate levels, and it is usually recommended to avoid songs with vocals, since they can vie for your attention, or make you more likely to remember the words of the song rather than what you are studying or working on. Music can also be a distraction while driving depending on the chosen music. Studies have shown that drivers tend to drive more aggressively when listening to their choice of music, and that uninteresting music may be better for safe driving.

    Music can be a solo activity or experience, or it can be a social one. Singing together, such as in the case of choirs, can cause heart rates to synchronize, and can create a feeling of connection. Music itself can act as a sort of companion if we are feeling lonely or hurt, but it can also offer a more engaging and interesting form of interaction with others, whether we play in a band or in music class; listen to live performances at concerts, theatres or restaurants; or discuss it with others. For those with impaired social skills, music can help them express their emotions and communicate with others.

    In the next blog post, we will look into how music has been implemented as a medicine in the form of music therapy.

  • Music: An Art, Entertainment, and Medicine Part I: Sound and Music

    Music: An Art, Entertainment, and Medicine Part I: Sound and Music

    Music has played an important, intricate role in our lives for thousands of years. Throughout history, and in every culture, we have listened to, performed, or responded to music through song and dance in order to bond, pass down stories, celebrate, and mourn. Music has also played a role in healing rituals around the world, making it more than an art and entertainment, but a medicine. While music has been considered “non-essential for survival,”” archaeologists have unearthed ancient musical instruments alongside materials for cooking and heating, showing that music was, and still is, a staple of human existence, and has been made an essential tool used for multiple needs.

    The popularity and importance of music has not faded through the years. With the increased availability of instruments and music playing devices such as computers, tablets, smartphones, iPods, radios and more, as well as almost unlimited access to songs through the internet, music is now more popular than ever. We sing lullabies to soothe children and listen to music while driving, walking, reading or studying, and while at the mall or a restaurant. Television shows and movies carefully incorporate sounds and music to enhance the storytelling and viewing experience. Some of us spend more time listening to music than we do listening to our family or friends. For many, music is simply a form of pleasure or expression, for others it is a career. Multiple careers exist that involve working in the music industry, including musicians, music editors, audio engineers, tour managers, mix artists (also known as disc jockeys or DJs), songwriters, and more. Music is deeply embedded into our culture, careers, and lives.

    While we often listen to music in the background, to help us study or focus, or to help give us energy when exercising, it often does not serve as the focus itself. We don’t often sit down and concentrate on it. This means that many of us remain unaware of how deeply music is affecting us. The effect that music has on us goes much deeper than pleasure or career, it can affect our breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, physical coordination and development, memory, attention, reasoning skills, and more. It has a profound impact on us – body, mind, and soul.

    Music could be considered a specialized sub-set of sound. Sound is produced by a series of sound waves (waves of pressure). These waves are created when something vibrates, such as a slamming door, which then vibrates the air molecules. These vibrations push and pull the air, creating what is known as compression and rarefaction waves, or regions of high air pressure and then low air pressure. These waves eventually reach the eardrum, where a signal is set to the brain to interpret what we are hearing. Sound consists of: a vibrating source to set up or create the sound waves, a medium such as air to carry the waves, and a receiver to detect them.

    While music is comprised of sound, most of us would agree that not all sounds are musical. The screeching of worn out breaks, the raucous call of a bluejay, or the slamming of doors all tend to sound unpleasant. This is due to regularity of the vibration and the combination of tones or notes. These sounds have a mix of different and changing frequencies and the waves tend to be jerky or irregular.

    Frequency is the speed of the vibration, and it determines the pitch of the sound, or how high or low it sounds. It is measured in Hertz (Hz), with a frequency of 1 Hz referring to one wave cycle per second. As the frequency and its Hz measurement increases, the wave cycles become shorter and closer together. The amplitude or loudness of the sound is created when vibrations compress the molecules of air more forcefully and give them greater energy. It is measured in decibels (db), with 0 indicating the softest audible sound. Sounds above 120 db can begin to be painful and may damage hearing.

    Everything around us is vibrating, including the human body. The human body is comprised of cells. These cells are comprised of atoms, which in turn are composed of particles, or vibrating energy. The type of frequency determines whether the wave is radio, light, heat, microwave, etc. Bruce Ainio of Tainio Technology in 1992 determined that the average frequency of the human body during the daytime is 62-68 MHz (megahertz), and a healthy body is 62-72 MHz. This frequency is outside the range (much higher) that human hearing is able to detect, or below the threshold amplitude. The average range of human hearing is 20 Hz to 20 000 Hz (or 20 kHz). Not only does the body give its own frequency, it also has its own rhythm, which can be seen in its heart beat, respiration rate, and the way in which it moves.

    Music involves rhythm, melody and harmony, and musical sounds consist of vibrations that are strongly regular. It often has a predictable steady beat and logical organization and structure (such as the common verse-chorus structure). “Even sound waves that make up a single tone or an entire chord are organized in mathematical ratios” (http://blog.brainhq.com/2010/04/22/top-12-brain-based-reasons-why-music-as-therapy-works/“). It is this predictability and structure that our brain enjoys.

    While music cannot exist without sound, for many people it is far more than that. Deaf musicians may not hear the beat, but they can still experience it by feeling the vibrations resonate throughout the body.

    In the next blog post of this series, we will look into how these vibrations, and music as a whole, affects us physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially.

  • Eat by Colour

    Eat by Colour

    Despite the emphasis placed, and information available, on the importance of paying attention to the nutritional content of food and their effect on blood sugar and insulin levels, many people tend to choose foods according to habit and convenience. The surplus of meal planning tools, such as calorie counting, and diet types, such as low carb and low fat diets, can be overwhelming.

    Instead of preparing our own food and choosing what is healthy, which is fruits and vegetables, we tend to choose what we are familiar with, which is usually processed and refined snack foods, such as crackers and cookies. Processed meats are also a common choice. What these foods have in common are that they tend to all be beige or dull in colour. Not only do they lack in colour, they tend to lack in key nutrients.

    An easier method for choosing foods to create a balanced diet is to use colour as a guide. Fruits and vegetables come in a wide spectrum of vibrant colours, and these hues can be indicators of essential nutrients. There are a multitude of fruits and vegetables available, but they can generally be categorized into a limited number of colours. These categories can include red, white, orange, yellow, green, and blue/purple, and may be divided further into colour variations such as red/purple, white/green and yellow/green.

    Foods in the same colour family share similarities in their nutrient profile, even though they may not necessarily contain the exact same vitamins, minerals, or phytochemicals.

    Phytochemicals are compounds that occur naturally only in plants. They are considered a “biologically active non-nutrient” since they can affect health, but are not considered essential nutrients. They help protect plants from ultraviolet radiation and pests and are responsible for giving vegetables and fruits their colour, although many phytochemicals are colourless.

    Foods may be grouped according to their predominant phytochemical group and resulting colour. Although a food may have a predominant phytochemical group, that does not mean it contains only one particular phytochemical class. Foods are a complex mixture of various compounds and nutrients. Also, the phytochemical content alone does not indicate the exact health benefit of a food.

    Three main phytochemicals or pigments found in fruits and vegetables are: chlorophyll, carotenoids, and flavonoids. Flavonoids are a large and diverse group of phytochemicals, and are further divided into subclasses that include flavonols, flavones, flavanones, flavan-3-ols, and anthocyanidins.

    White

    White foods include garlic, onions, cauliflower, daikon radish, mushrooms, turnip, leeks, ginger, and kohlrabi. These foods tend to get their colour from the pigment anthoxanthins, a type of flavonoid. It plays a role in lowering bad cholesterol, decreasing blood pressure, reducing risk of heart disease and stroke, and reducing inflammation.

    White foods also contain sulfur, allicin, and quercetin. Allicin and quercetin are both phytochemicals. Allicin helps lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and quercetin helps support respiratory and cardiovascular health and protect against cancer. Organosulfur compounds can help protect against heart disease and stomach and colorectal cancers.

    Major benefits or features of white foods, especially onions and garlic, include boosting the immune system and exhibiting anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. Cauliflower shares similar nutrient content to other cruciferous vegetables.

    Green

    The food colour family of green may be further divided into Green/Yellow depending on its hue. Examples of foods in this category are kale, broccoli, spinach, green beans, celery, zucchini, asparagus, parsley, arugula, limes, ocean vegetables (sea vegetables), cucumbers, green apples, avocados, kiwifruit, mustard greens, and chard. They are are predominantly coloured by the natural plant pigment chlorophyll.

    Chlorophyll not only plays an important role in the photosynthesis process in plants (the process of using energy from sunlight to produce glucose), it provides a number of health benefits for humans, including acting as a natural blood purifier by improving liver and kidney detoxification, improving digestion, helping control hunger and cravings, promoting the healing process, protecting against cancer, and reducing odour.

    Some members of the green colour family, such as spinach, broccoli, collards, and kale, contain lutein and zeaxanthin. Both lutein and zeaxanthin belong to the group of phytochemicals known as carotenoids. They accumulate in the eyes and work together to maintain eye health. They protect the eyes from developing cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.

    Cruciferous vegetables may also be good source of folate acid (a B vitamin) and compounds indoles and isothiocyanates. These phytochemicals have been shown to inhibit the development of cancer in several organs and reduce inflammation. Other nutrients common in the green family are fibre, calcium, iron, vitamin K, and potassium. These nutrients are necessary for maintaining proper blood pressure and cardiovascular health, strengthening the muscles and bones, and promoting digestion.

    Red

    The red colour family consists of foods such as tomatoes, watermelons, beets, red bell peppers, radishes, red chili peppers, red onions, radicchio, pink grapefruit, red grapes, cranberries, raspberries and cherries. Their vibrant colour comes mainly from the pigments lycopene (a carotenoid) and anthocyanins. They are powerful antioxidants that help build healthy cell walls and eliminate free radicals that cause damage.

    In addition, they may help protect against diabetes; improve cardiovascular health by preventing atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries); improve brain health by increasing neuronal signals in the brain centres, mediating memory function, and correcting cell corruption and protecting healthy cells; and prevent cancer by inhibiting the growth of cancer cells.

    Other compounds found in red plant foods may include vitamin C and antioxidants ellagic acid and quercetin. Cranberries also contain tannins, which prevent bacteria from attaching to cells, and red grapes contain another antioxidant resveratrol.

    Yellow/Orange

    Orange and yellow foods may be divided into separate colour families, or combined into one due to the fact that the predominant plant pigment for both colours is carotenoids, in particular alpha- and beta- carotenes. Like other phytochemicals, they are antioxidants that protect cells from oxidative damage caused by free radicals.

    Alpha- and beta-carotene, along with beta-cryptoxanthin, are known as provitamin A carotenoids because they can be converted by the body to retinol, an active form of vitamin A. Other carotenoids, including lutein, zeaxanthin, and lycopene, are considered non provitamin A carotenoids because they cannot be converted.

    Vitamin A is essential for healthy vision; our eyesight is dependent on its presence. It also plays a role in maintaining healthy skin, bones, neurological function, and immune system. Many foods in the orange and yellow colour families, particularly citrus fruits, are also rich in vitamin C.

    Vitamin C helps support healthy immune function; aid in the absorption of iron; reduce exercise-induced oxidative damage; repair and regenerate connective tissue, including bones, blood vessels, and skin; reduce severity of cold symptoms and control allergies by reducing levels of histamine; protect the brain and nervous system from the harmful effects of stress; and maintain cardiovascular health.

    Other nutrients found in some of the orange and yellow family foods include folate acid, potassium, beta-cryptoxanthin, and bioflavonoids (also known as flavonoids). Not only do bioflavonoids have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, they help support blood circulation and enhance the action of vitamin C.

    Examples of orange and yellow foods include carrots, cantaloupe, sweet potatoes, squash, oranges, tangerines, mangoes, apricots, lemons, pineapple, yellow peppers, grapefruit, yellow beets, yellow winter squash, butternut squash, pumpkin, yellow beets, yellow apples, and star fruit (carambola).

    Blue/Purple/Deep Red

    Foods in this colour family contain the most antioxidants of all colours. The deep, rich hue of these foods is due to the presence of natural plant pigment anthocyanins. The higher the concentration of the anthocyanins, the darker the colour.

    Like other phytochemicals, anthocyanins are powerful antioxidants that protects cells from damage. Foods rich in anthocyanins have long been used for medicinal purposes to treat conditions ranging from hypertension and dysentery to kidney stones and urinary tract infections.

    Anthocyanins have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties and have also been shown to increase HDL (“good”) cholesterol and reduce LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, reduce blood pressure, improve eyesight, and suppress proliferation of cancer cells.

    This, along with other compounds found in blue, purple, and deep red foods such as antioxidants lutein, zeaxanthin, resveratrol, ellagic acid, and quercetin, as well as fibre and vitamin C, also plays a role in improving eyesight, boosting immune system activity, improving calcium and other mineral absorption, improving memory, increasing circulation, preventing clot formation, increasing urinary-tract and digestive health, and contributing to overall health and disease prevention.

    Foods in this family include blueberries, blackberries, eggplant, purple cabbage, purple asparagus, plums, purple grapes, black currants, purple asparagus, and purple carrots.

    Many of the foods in different colour families may share similar types of compounds and nutrients. However, these nutrients may come in different quantities. By eating only one type of colour, you can suffer from deficiencies in certain nutrients, and it is by incorporating an array of colours that makes it more likely for you to get all the nutrients you need.

    Despite our tendency to consume foods lacking with colour, many of us are drawn to colour, and surround ourselves with it, whether through the colour of our clothing, walls, or accent pieces in our homes. We may add colour to food through the use of artificial colours, but the best way of consuming colours is through the natural, vibrant hues that nature has already given us in our fruits and vegetables.

    A simple method of introducing more fruits and vegetables is to follow the rainbow, and add a few extra colours of fruits and/or vegetables to each meal. It is not necessary to memorize the particular benefits of each phytochemical and the nutrient profile of each food colour, though associating certain benefits or nutrients with colours can help you remember them.

    The important thing to remember is that the greater the variety of foods and natural colours you eat, the better. Aiming for at least three colours at every meal can help better meet your nutritional needs.

    A diet rich in wide variety of colourful fruits and vegetables has been shown to help provide you with more nutrients, prevent against a number of conditions, and improve your overall health. These foods add a splash of colour to your plate, and a multitude of health benefits. Add more colour to your life by adding more colour your meal.