HEALTH
good for you/bad for you // WORKING OUT sometimes it's hard to tell. AT NIGHT
Even though the clock reads 10 p.m., you're bursting with energy. You head to the rec to work off some excess steam, but could doing those reps and sets late at night be bad for you?
Exercising at night is better than not working out at all, says Rick Sells, owner of the Lawrence Athletic Club, 3201 Mesa Way. Sometimes it's just about finding the time to work out. Kyle Sabatini, Topeka junior, says he usually works out at night because it fits best with his schedule.
But it might be better for you to head to the
Photo by Kirsten Hudson
Night worker: Kyle Sabatini, Topeka junior, works out when he can — at 8 p.m. But can working out at night be bad for your body?
gym in the morning, Sells says. Working out at night leads to eating late, which can be bad for you. Exercise increases your metabolism and burns off carbohydrates in your body. After about 30 minutes to an hour of working out, you'll get hungry. Working out in the morning, on the other hand, gets your metabolism up, which helps burn calories all day. But if you exercise late then go home and scarf down a big meal and sit around the rest of the night, you store up fats and carbs, which leads to weight gain.
Exercising at night can also keep you awake longer. Working out kick-starts your metabolism, which gives you energy. That extra energy will probably keep you lying in bed, counting sheep an extra few hours after you would normally go to sleep.
If you're a night owl, don't avoid the workout altogether, but try heading to the gym a few hours earlier.
VERDICT: OK, BUT IT'S BETTER TO WORK OUT IN THE MORNING
// KIRSTEN HUDSON
that's disgusting // BAD BREATH
dude. gross.
We've all experienced trash-can mouth — when your breath gets so stinky you wish your tongue couldn't taste. 'But why is it that sometimes our breath smells less-than-fresh?
The most common cause of bad breath is just not cleaning your teeth properly, says Kelly Miller, dentist at Lawrence Dental Solutions, 545 Columbia Drive.
Food particles left sitting in your mouth and tartar and plaque buildup from not brushing can lead to this putrid predicament. Dry mouth also causes bad breath. Constant, lingering bad breath could point to a bigger problem, though — it could be a symptom of gum disease.
You also better watch what you eat if you want fresh breath. Certain foods that produce sulfur-containing gases, such as cabbage, onions and garlic, cause noxious breath.
If you just can't rid yourself of muckmouth, blame your genes. Certain people are more susceptible to the bacteria that cause bad breath, Miller says.
To prevent bad breath, don't rely on mouthwashes — they just temporarily mask
odors, Miller says. Prescription mouthwashes can reduce bacteria that cause bad breath, but most over-the-counter brands won't work. Stick to daily flossing and brushing (don't forget your tongue!) and regular dental check-ups to keep your breath smelling sweet.
// KIRSTEN HUDSON
Photo illustration by Kirsten Hudson
Bad news breath: Offending odors can be caused by plaque buildup, dry mouth and certain foods.
Check out Essential Life Skills on page 12 for more on how to beat bad breath.
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