Foam Mattress Topper Thickness: The Key to Your Best Sleep

As one of today's most popular comfort products, foam mattress toppers are purchased everyday by people who wake up sore, exhausted, and unhappy. Offering the ability to extend a mattress' life and maximize its comfort, foam mattress toppers are practical, functional, and affordable products that improve quality of sleep for many people.

With these benefits, it would seem that buying a mattress topper is one of the smartest things you can do if you have even the slightest problem getting a restful night's sleep. While this is true, to get the most out of a topper, it needs to be correctly sized to the person using it, and there are a few points that need to be considered when deciding what topper thickness is right for you.

Given the different body types and comfort preferences that exist, there are many different thicknesses of mattress pads to accommodate them. Having customization options is a wonderful thing, but accidentally selecting the wrong thickness is often where the few problems people have with toppers originate. Due to the variety of foam types that are made into toppers, such as latex, conventional foam, or heat-sensitive memory foam, individual performance characteristics of a material can affect how a given thickness will impact a user. 4 inches of one material may not behave in the same way as 4 inches of another. Understanding how these three topper materials can be expected to behave at a given thickness helps customers purchase appropriately sized toppers, maximizing their substantial benefit.

With its ability to provide custom contouring, memory foam is the most popular material for people looking for relief from an uncomfortable, hard bed. Unfortunately, that heat-sensitive contouring is also what can cause problems for individuals who don't fully understand how it works. As a sleeper warms the memory foam, it softens and body weight pulls the individual into the material for a cushioning, cloud-like experience. But as a body sinks into the foam, it doesn't stop warming the material when it reaches the "right spot." That continual softening of deeper areas causes sleepers to sink into the topper, beyond their comfort zone.

While instinct may indicate that more material is firmer and less is softer, when you're atop 6 or 7 inches of memory foam, you will sink deeply into the material, losing the alignment and support of the mattress' base. Memory toppers that are 6 or 7 inches thick actually feel softer and offer less support than a 3 inch foam topper with a base closer to the sleeper. This behavior is why most retailers stick to selling memory toppers in 2, 3, and 4 inch thicknesses. It is also why memory foam mattresses almost exclusively contain a conventional layer for a base that doesn't react to heat, with the thinner layer of memory foam on top.

Conventional foam toppers offer a much more predictable comfort experience. Compression and sink is based solely off the foam's firmness and the weight of the user. At a certain point, the foam topper will compress to where the weight of the sleeper is fully supported. Because of this, excessively thick foam toppers don't add any extra comfort benefit. If a person has a 4 inch topper that compresses 2.5 inches, buying a 6 inch topper of the same material will produce the exact same feel. Latex mattress toppers function in the same way as conventional foams, with a little extra softness but more a responsive spring to the feel.

Knowing what to expect from a topper material will not only help you pick the type that's best for you, but assist in making sure the size you select is right for you too. Often when an individual is unhappy with a topper, their issues can be attributed to a thickness that isn't right for them. Keeping this from happening can help ensure your best sleep experience.

Pick the Right Mattress Size for Your New Bed and Sleep Easy

Some of the most important purchases we make in life are made even more difficult by how infrequently we are faced with them. Compare the purchase of a home to picking up groceries. Obviously, buying food is important to the point that we die if we don't eat, but we also shop for groceries almost daily. Shelter is another necessity in life, but when it comes to buying a home, most people only ever do it once or twice. Since we have so few chances to gain experience buying homes and identifying what we do and do not want in one, it makes research and preparation that much more important. After all, realizing you don't like your home after buying it is a bit more problematic than the same happening with a can of sardines.

While extreme, groceries and houses illustrate the importance of making well-informed decisions on major, infrequent purchases. This is why it is so strange that as a purchase directly impacting our energy, health, and happiness, mattresses are consistently overlooked. Despite their importance, people often purchase beds with minimal research, buying what they think they want, without taking the time to find out what they don't know they need. And before picking a frame or sheets, the first major decision you need to make is the size of your new mattress.

Realistically figuring how much space you can set aside in your bedroom is the first step in selecting mattress size. You may have always wanted a king-size mattress, but depending on your living situation, it may not be practical. In a smaller bedroom measuring 10 by 12 feet, a king-size bed would eat up more than a third of the room's floor space. This is only the amount of space taken up by the mattress; it doesn't take into account the additional space used by a frame, night stand, or the distance the bed is set away from the wall. With these factored in, it's possible a king could reduce floor space by 40 percent or more in a room that size. Conversely, if your bedroom is cavernous, you may want the extra size of a king-size bed, if only to help fill space.

It's also necessary to take into account the hallways and doors that lead to the bedroom. These may make it difficult to maneuver a mattress into the room, even if the room itself has plenty of space. If you have adequate space for a large mattress, but difficult-to-navigate hallways leading to the bedroom, foam mattresses offer physical flexibility, and many companies make them easier to handle by shipping them in a condensed, vacuum-packed box.

The second thing to keep in mind when considering bed size is a long-term perspective. A quality mattress typically has a seven year life span, give or take a few based on how much it is used. Because of this, buying a new bed for what you want now may not make sense for the life you will lead in the near-future. One of the best examples of this is when a couple transitions from separate residences to living together.

The jump in size from a twin bed to a full can seem like the difference between an RC airplane and a fighter jet. However, full mattresses are 54 inches in width, which becomes only 27 inches of personal space when shared. A twin mattress for perspective, considered too small by many people for just one person, is 39 inches wide. For people planning to share a bed, a mattress any smaller than a queen is not usually suggested. On the opposite end of the spectrum, large mattresses become a burden when it's time to move for people who know they won't be living in an area long-term, college seniors for example.

The final thing to keep in mind about the right bed size is your sleeping style. If you move around in bed, larger bed sizes like a queen or king may be more comfortable. Or if you're still as stone at night, full or even twin sizes may be adequate and save you some dollars too.

As is true for many things in life, what you put into something is reflected in what you get out. When you finally decide it's time to get a new bed, taking some time to research your mattress will result in you being much happier with your purchase.

Fruits for Fatty Liver As Prevention

Your liver is important because of its role in breaking down nutrients and toxins. It is also responsible for cholesterol in your body. It may be a small organ, but it has a large responsibility; and neglect to care for it can contribute to serious diseases in the future.

If there is 5% - 10% fat in your liver, there is a chance that you can have fatty liver disease. Having some fat is still normal; but if it is within those ranges, it can cause some seriously damaging effects. Read on to learn more life saving information on fatty liver. This article will also teach you on how you can combat it by eating fruits.

The Basics

Whether or not you consume alcohol, fatty liver disease can creep up on you. Let's take a look at the difference between those that have Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD) and Nonalcoholic Liver Disease (NALFD).

Alcoholic Liver Disease

• There is a high rate of people who abuse alcoholic drinks. About 90% -100% develop ALD.
• The genes in our body play a role in the breaking down of alcohol.
• Other factors that contribute to developing this disease are too much iron, diet, obesity, and Hepatitis C.

Nonalcoholic Liver Disease (NALD)

• Some people just have extra fat in their liver.
• Excess fat in the liver can cause problems such nonalcoholic steatohepatisis (NASH). This can lead to problems such as cirrhosis. In this disease, the liver can no longer function because of the scar tissues that took over liver cells. Liver cancer is also related to this.
• The extra fat and NASH are becoming quite rampant. It is even affecting the younger generation. Study shows that it is common among Asian and Hispanic groups. Another 20% of adults face its challenges too.
• Other factors that play a role in developing NALD is not getting enough nutrients, weight loss, and medications.

Fight off Fatty Liver

There are several ways to fight off fatty liver. One of them is to eat fruits. Here is a list of some that you can eat and how it benefits you.

• · Avocado

This fruit is a monounsaturated fat which is a better option than saturated fat. Monounsaturated fat is known for their power to lower cholesterol levels. They are also effective in controlling sugar which reduces the chances of acquiring diabetes.

• Fruits High in Fiber

Fruits high in fiber also play a role in lowering cholesterol. Fruits such as bananas, berries, apples, and pumpkins can be part of a healthy diet.

• Fruits that contribute to weight loss

These are fruits, such as apples and pears, do not have a high calorie count yet it is filling. Obesity is one of the highest factors that contribute to fatty liver. With the right nutrition and exercise, weight loss can lead to reducing health risks.

Fruits for liver are best eaten fresh than dried ones. Other foods that can help prevent fatty liver are whole grained food and vegetables. Refraining from alcohol consumption and limiting the eating of too much of processed food is advisable.

How To Stop Bloating: The Four Ultimate Steps To Eliminate Excessive Gas

In this how to stop bloating article, you'll discover the common causes and easy steps with which you can eliminate the pressure and uneasiness. Everyone in this world has experienced the problem with stomach gas at least one time in their lifetime. And for lots of folks, this is a difficulty that creates discomfort on regular basis.

I should note that an answer to a gassy stomach is not the same for everyone, the right approach to this issue is to try several options and see what works the best. These are a few steps you should follow to get rid of stomach gasses:

The First Step - Eliminate Gassy Foods

There are particular foods that can cause issues with indigestion, and that is the main cause of stomach gasses. People who have unbalanced digestive tract will suffer by most processed and refined foods, but abdominal gas can be created by healthy food too.

For instance, high fiber foods such as vegetables and fruits are harder to break down, they need even more of your intestinal bacteria to break them down and this additional production can lead to increased levels of abdominal gas, burping and other symptoms.

You should avoid these foods:

* apples 

* peaches 

* beans 

* beets 

* brussels sprout 

* cauliflower 

* dried fruit 

* broccoli

You may already know that gluten and wheat are the kings when it comes to making gassy stomach. In case you have stomach gasses after enjoying gluten, it's possible you have gluten intolerance. You should talk with your doctor for further information.

Gluten is a protein predominantly found in the grains wheat, barley and rye. Lower digestive tract is aggravated by gliadin, and gluten has large volumes of gliadin. The best way to avoid these triggers is to steer clear of food containing gluten.

This is easier to say than to do, because the Western meals are full of food that contains gluten. Because of this, you'll have to use the well known trial and error method to remove foods that create indigestion problems for you. A food journal is a big help in situations such as this one.

Foods that contain gluten - a quick list:

1)beer 

2)cookies 

3)bread 

4)cakes 

5)pasta 

6)bulgar wheat 

7)ale 

8)crackers 

9)all bran

Dairy products contain the protein casein and lactose that are also hard to digest. People that have lactose intolerance should stay clear of dairy products because they will have a lot of bloating and discomfort. Nevertheless, this can be alleviated by taking lactase supplements, low lactose foods or a lactose free substitute such as rice milk

Step Two - Take It Easy On The Soda

One of the better methods of how to stop bloating is elimination of soda drinks - anything in can needs to be avoided. There's a lot of sugar within these drinks and this is what makes stomach gas.

Step 3 - Natural Remedies

Herbal remedies have been used for hundreds of years to help alleviate all matter of ailments. Apparently, peppermint tea is particularly good for eliminating intestinal gas.

The peppermint plant is recognized for its menthol taste and smell. But what you probably did not know is that digestive system benefits from menthol, which has a calming, antispasmodic effect. The most popular way to ingest menthol is by drinking peppermint tea.

You should take note that peppermint can increase heartburn and abdominal pain in case you suffer from acid reflux.

Step Four - Boosting Your Friendly Bugs

When you have bacterial imbalance in your digestive tract, you are bound to have some disease. This imbalance appears when your digestive system contains more bad bacteria and less good bacteria.

These friendly bacteria are vital to the health of your digestion. Every time the amount of good bacteria is decreased, there is an imbalance in your digestive system and yeast infections are there to bother you with diarrhea and excessive gas.

This shows us that the key answer to your well being is prebiotics, and not probiotics. In contrast to probiotics, prebiotics occur naturally and are proven to stimulate the creation of good bacteria.

One of the richest sources of prebiotics is the kiwifruit that are contained within its skin, seeds and pulp. Not only that, the skin is also rich in flavonoids - potent antioxidants - that stop the spread of bad bacteria.

For all of you who pondered how to stop bloating, eat 2 kiwifruit a day together with their skin and you'll get the necessary nutrients to reestablish the balance in your digestive tract.