INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Your scalp needs to be very clean since Bantu knots leave a large portion of it exposed. If you have too much product buildup, grime, and flaky skin on your scalp, the style can become itchy and lose some of its glamour. You do not need to use any special shampoo for this task, but using a sulfate-free option will help reduce frizz. Simply use the same hair care products you always use when shampooing your hair. If your hair is prone to frizziness or flyaway strands, using a conditioner can help prevent some of this effect. You can opt for either a rinse-out conditioner or a leave-in conditioner. A rinse-out conditioner is recommended if your hair dries out easily but is not notably prone to flyaway strands, while a leave-in conditioner is recommended if the hair gets especially dry and frizzy when you work with it. Conditioner offers a layer of protection for your hair, which can help prevent breakage as you coil, twist, and wrap it into knots. There are conflicting opinions concerning whether to work with wet, damp, or dry hair, but the general consensus is that damp hair is best for setting both knots and knot-outs. Dry hair tends to be more difficult to set, and the knots or knot-outs may not hold well if you have straight or kinky hair that tends to lose a curl after a few hours. Dripping wet hair will not dry while knotted, however, and the knots or knot-outs may become limp as a result of being over-saturated. As a general rule of thumb, aim for towel-dry hair that is still damp to the touch but no longer wet enough to wring moisture out of.

SUMMARY: Shampoo the hair with a sulfate-free shampoo. Use conditioner, especially if your hair tends to frizz. Dry the hair partially, leaving it damp.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: People who smoke or chew tobacco are four times more likely to develop gum disease. Continued tobacco use can also make treatment less effective. Make an effort to quit smoking or quit chewing tobacco. . Clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth can cause receding gums. If you grind your teeth at night, a doctor can recommend a device to wear to stop this. Reducing stress or meditating may help, although this has not been thoroughly studied. Hypnosis therapy may be effective for some people. Constant headaches in the morning that continue throughout the day, earaches, and facial muscle soreness are all signs that you might grind your teeth in your sleep. Certain medications increase the chance of unhealthy gums. These include steroids, oral contraceptives, some anti-epilepsy drugs, some cancer therapies, drugs used after organ transplant, and some drugs used to treat migraines or blood pressure. Bring up your concerns with your doctor. Depending on your condition and the medications available, he may recommend a treatment that's less harmful on your gums. . Diabetes can lead to higher glucose levels in your saliva, which encourages bacterial growth on gums slowing blood flow to the gums. If you are diabetic, keep your blood sugar levels under control to reduce this risk. . Eating disorders can cause poor nutrition, which can lead to bleeding, vulnerable gums and erodes the tooth surface leading to substance loss. Vomiting can cause additional damage due to stomach acid. Seek help from medical professionals, mental health experts, and emotionally supportive friends. . Any piercing in the mouth, including the lips, can cause infection. To avoid gum recession and more serious, life-threatening issues, take the following precautions: Have a professional perform the piercing, and ask about their sterilization practices first. Talk to a doctor first if you are pregnant, have allergies, diabetes, a skin disorder, or heart disease. For several days after piercing: Keep swelling down with cold and sleep with your head slightly elevated. Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and spicy food. Rinse with (non-alcohol) antibacterial mouthwash after each meal. All the time: Wash your hands before handling the piercing. Try to avoid touching the piercings to teeth and gums. Visit a doctor immediately if you have pain, swelling, or red streaks. If you throw up frequently for any reason, stomach acid can wear away at your teeth. After vomiting, rinse with a mixture of baking soda and water to neutralize the acid. Do not brush your teeth immediately after vomiting. If you wear dentures and feel them becoming too loose or too tight, visit a dentist. This could be causing your receding gums, or the change in your teeth could cause the change in fit. Either way, a dentist can alter them to fit more comfortably, and identify the cause.

SUMMARY: Reduce tobacco use. Stop grinding your teeth Talk to your doctor about medications that may cause gum problems. Keep diabetes under control Overcome eating disorders Take care of mouth piercings Rinse with baking soda after throwing up. Get your dentures refitted.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: One of the best ways to keep your liver healthy is to eat a balanced diet that is low in trans fats and fructose (as in "high fructose corn syrup"). These substances are found in many processed foods, including chips, soda, fried foods, etc., and have both been shown to contribute negatively to liver function. Processed foods also include a host of other chemicals to maintain freshness and appearance, which your liver has to work to filter out. Your best bet for maintaining liver (and overall!) health is to minimize your consumption of prepackaged and processed foods, and prepare food from scratch using fresh ingredients whenever possible. Organic food is produced using minimal pesticides in the case of produce, and minimal or no added hormones or antibiotics, in the case of animal products. This translates to less chemicals and additives that your liver has to filter out. It is important to note that organic foods still may contain some residual pesticides, and the jury is still out on how much of a health benefit they provide. However, if you can afford to go organic, it certainly won't harm your liver, and you will be helping the environment, as well. A recent study published in Hepatology found that coffee drinkers, including those who drank decaf, were up to 25 percent less likely to have abnormal liver enzyme levels. Researchers do not yet know why this is the case, but drinking coffee may be helping your liver out. Regular exercise not only helps you maintain a healthy body weight, it does good things for your liver, as well. Studies have shown that just 150 minutes of activity per week (that's just 1/2 an hour, five days per week) is enough to improve liver enzyme levels, and overall liver function. It can also reduce your chances of developing fatty liver disease. As if you didn't have enough reasons to quit already: numerous studies have shown that smoking drastically increases the risks of contracting both cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, and liver cancer. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that is usually caused by a virus. There are three main types of hepatitis: A, B, and C, and all are contagious, however hepatitis C is usually only spread by sharing intravenous needles. Vaccines are available for hepatitis A and B. Practice good hygiene: remember to wash your hands after using the restroom or changing a baby's diaper. Hepatitis B is commonly spread through unprotected sex, so always wear a condom. Do not share drug needles with another person, or come in contact with another person's blood. Get vaccinated for hepatitis A and B.

SUMMARY:
Eat a healthy diet. Consider choosing organic foods to limit your exposure to pesticides and other chemicals. Drink coffee. Exercise regularly. Quit smoking. Protect yourself from hepatitis.