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Improve your body's ability to fight off a virus - with a daily Tongue Scrape!

Whether it is the normal influenza virus or the Corona virus, why are some of us more susceptible to infections in general than others?

It seems some individuals, usually termed 'healthy' in the media, are better able to mount an effective immune response and kill viruses, bacteria or any pathogens that invades our body.

Whilst others, usually termed 'weak' by the media, are less able.

So what can a person do to prepare and fortify their body in case they come in contact with the Corona virus (COVID-19) or any other infectious agent?

Here is one approach to help our body become less weak - and more healthy.

(What follows is based on Peer reviewed Medical research and in particular the work of Dr Nathan Bryan, Baylor College, Texas. With kind permission).

Pathology is taught early on in every medical school.  The primary textbook used in many UK and US medical schools is Robbins Pathology. 

On page 58, it states;

“Well vascularised tissues are more resistant to infections and capable of localising/containing offending agents.  By contrast, poorly vascularised tissues are relatively inefficient in responding to inflammatory stimuli” 

"Well vascularised" means to be well supplied - or "opening up the highway" as Dr Bryan has put it. This means that if you have good circulation and blood flow to every tissue in the body, then this allows your immune system to better mobilise a strong defence against any invading pathogen. 

If you don’t have good blood flow and circulation, the infection can better take hold, make you sick and sometimes worse. 

This is basic physiology. 

Crucially, the healthy regulation of blood flow and circulation is based on our ability to produce sufficient* Nitric Oxide. This molecule facilitates vascular dilation, the opening up of blood vessels and hence increased blood flow.

Secondly, Nitric Oxide is the crucial molecule that is also produced by our immune cells to kill the invading viruses and bacteria. Research shows that Nitric Oxide could block viral entry into the cell as well as the subsequent replication of the Corona virus.

Thirdly, in the race to find an effective vaccine to combat Corona virus the role of 'Memory' T cells has been highlighted by a number of Research Groups, such as the Oxford University/Astra Zeneca Research Team. T cells (also called T lymphocytes) are one of the major components of our immune system. Their role includes directly killing infected host cells, activating other immune cells, producing cytokines and regulating the immune response. And Nitric Oxide plays a vital role, by being the signalling molecule that has been shown to activate this cell.

All of this adds up to one point:

If our body can’t produce sufficient* Nitric Oxide, our body will not be able to defend itself as well from getting sick from any infection - be it influenza or even Corona virus.

* As we age our body's ability to produce Nitric Oxide drops dramatically. For those of us over 40 years of age our Nitric Oxide levels can drop as we age by as much as half - from peak levels! One reason why the so called 'old and frail' are less able to resist virus infections, as well as the young.

So what can we do to boost our Nitric Oxide levels - so strengthening our immune defences?

This may come as a surprise ... but

As we have highlighted previously Dr Nathan Bryan's research and others shows that:

“Up to 50% of our daily Nitric Oxide production can be from 'good’ oral bacteria"

To be totally clear, 'good' bacteria in our mouth and on our tongue are responsible for converting certain foods that we eat into Nitric Oxide!

And - this is the key bit. You can read the research paper here :

Having a clean tongue (and that means not from using a mouthwash) can actually stimulate the good oral bacteria to increase Nitric Oxide production.

Yes it seems - one simple step towards improving your immune system is to tongue scrape.

And by the way using an AMANO is very quick and easy

For the scientifically minded the precise chemical process for Nitric Oxide being produced (the Nitrate-Nitrite-Nitric Oxide pathway) is; 

'Good' Oral Bacteria are 'Nitrate Reducers' that generate Nitrite as a by-product of converting ingested Nitrate-rich food, known as 'Arginine', which then builds up in our saliva. Once swallowed these Nitrites mix with stomach acid to produce Nitric Oxide – which then enters our blood stream'

Or, if you prefer, here's the science on our Explainer Video:

 

 

So every year with every flu outbreak, or new new virus emerging, there is a lot of information on what we have to do - and what not to do. Often very confusing and often conflicting.

But, what is clear is that there are certain basic steps we can all undertake to boost our bodies defences - so reducing our chance of getting ill.

These are the 3 most simple & cheap ways outlined by Dr Nathan Bryan to improve our immune system:

1. Increase our Nitric Oxide levels (to improve blood flow) 

Eat more 'greens' like Spinach, Kale and Rocket and tongue scrape daily. Taking a supplement also works

2. Take Vitamin C daily (an essential anti-viral response agent)

3. Take Iodine daily (a natural antimicrobial)

(PS: Dr Nathan Bryan outlines 3 more ways, which are slightly more expensive and less practical we feel to undertake here).

Additionally

Prof Arne Akbar, the President of the British Society for Immunology and a Professor at University College, London has also added this piece of advice regarding exercise.

(So 4.) To be immunologically fit, you also need to be physically fit.

“White blood cells can be quite sedentary, exercise mobilises them by increasing your blood flow, so they can do their surveillance jobs and seek and destroy in other parts of the body” 

So keep up the exercise AND tongue scrape folks!

Bonne Santé

Why choose AMANO?

   

  • Crafted in Italy, the AMANO has been designed to give a superior and visibly effective performance
  • Which will take you less than 5 seconds (really - it's that quick)
  • Research has shown this routine is almost twice as effective as using a toothbrush
  • And with no GAG effect you will feel more relaxed about tongue cleaning as a daily routine

Care to visit our SHOP? Click here

In COVID19 World: Why a £25 AMANO™ Tongue Scraper makes a Perfect New Years Gift

                                                                                                          

One consequence of our COVID19 World is tighter household budgets and thus the need to try and cut out needless costs and make less frivolous purchases.

It got me wondering, with gift season upon us - why should someone pay between £10 and £48 for our AMANO™ Tongue Cleansers* - when it is clear a short search on Ebay can reveal dozens of plastic and metal tongue scrapers of all shapes and sizes, at a fraction of the cost?

* Yes, that's what our business does - manufacture and sell a range of designer tongue scrapers ...

We can happily wax lyrical about the Italian design and craftsmanship of our AMANO range and all the snazzy designs - that look great on any bathroom shelve.
But people are now understandably very conscious about getting 'value for money'. They don't necessarily want to pay for the frills ... if they think they can get the same product delivery - for much less.
                                                                                                                               _
                                                                                                                               _

Thinking about it, I suppose AMANO's 'value for money' credentials centres around 3 simple themes: 

1. Dental Profession Hygiene Quality
2. Design Effectiveness 
3. and Durability
________________________________________________________________________

1. Dental Profession Hygiene Quality

We are not talking about a disposable Primark T-shirt ...
Here today and torn and out of shape tomorrow! I have 2 teenage daughters I know of what I speak ;)
No, we are talking about an oral care instrument that will be placed on your tongue repeatedly over the years. Carefully scraping off the trapped food and bacterial debris (also know as 'gunge') which, if ignored, will lead to bad breath, plaque and dental decay.
The materials and process used to make the tongue scraper therefore needs to be totally safe, hygienic and well crafted.
No sharp edges, No risk of sudden breakage - Plus the ability to deep clean.
Our AMANO range is made of European Austenitic Steel, to EU standards of safety - in Italy (which makes them dishwasher safe).
That's why we have featured in The British Dental Journal half a dozen times ...
We can't vouch for our cheaper competition from East Asia!
________________________________________________________________________

2. Design Effectiveness

We have been selling AMANO Tongue Scrapers since 1992. We know what designs work and (importantly) what doesn't.
It's not just about removing the gunge on your tongue.
It's also about doing so without You the Customer getting an off-putting 'gag affect'.
Let's face it, any risk of a 'gag-effect' and you will first stop scraping the back of the tongue, where the debris lurks.
That immediately reduces effectiveness.
Whereupon you will then find the experience increasingly unsatisfying and give up entirely.
Now that is my idea of a total waste of money!
Our precise 2-handle design and heavy scraper solves the problem - with little or no  'gag-effect'.
By the way, research from The Centre for Dentistry, University of Groningen showed that; "Comfort and effectiveness were positively correlated" when it came to tongue scraper designs people preferred. Our many happy Customers can be seen here on our Endorsements section.
All this means that you can take as little as 10 seconds, which is 3-4 strokes of the tongue, to complete your routine. That's what we call effective!
________________________________________________________________________

3. Durability

Please excuse us a little boast at this point.
We have customers who are using the very same AMANO they bought in the early 1990s. That's over 25 years of use.
(Our quarter century Customers can be seen in our Endorsements section).
Cheap scrapers purchased on Ebay do not come with a guarantee of One year. Because not many will last one Year!
Our AMANOs are built to last for Years, and that means 'value for money'! 
                                                                                                                                _

All in all AMANO's 'value for money' credentials equates to the time honoured notion of 'brand quality'. Patek Philippe the quality Swiss Watchmaker uses a strapline;

"You never actually own a Patek Philippe. You merely look after it for the next generation".

We think we could say the same about our quality, long lasting AMANO Tongue Cleansers ...                                                                                                               

 

Here's a thought, if you find the health and wellbeing benefits of a 10 second tongue scrape compelling (see here for more details of the medical benefits), but are slightly nervous of expending £10 on an AMANO, why not try a cheap 2-handle version from Ebay first?

If you find the routine of value, when your cheap scraper snaps, perishes or discolours, please come back to us.                                                                                                                          

Use this discount code for 20% off your 1st AMANO:  YouWereRight20%

 

Hope you visit our SHOP very soon :)

And finally, this is how easy and quick it is to use an AMANO (we prefer holding a handle in each hand ... but each to their own)

8 Ways Woman’s Health can be Improved by a Nitric Oxide boosting Tongue Scrape

For most people cleaning your tongue every day is about improving your oral care regime – so reducing bad breath, plaque build up and the risk of dental decay.

But ... what most people DON’T realise is that a simple, regular and inexpensive tongue scrape, can have wider and more significant health benefits, particularly for Woman. 

What follows is based on the extensive research of Dr Nathan Bryan of Baylor School of Medicine, Texas – or ‘Mr Nitric’ as he is fondly known in the Science fraternity. Dr Nathan Bryan is an International leader in molecular medicine and Nitric Oxide biochemistry.

Dr Bryan’s work shows how Nitric Oxide is a ‘miracle molecule’ providing a surprising array of benefits throughout our body.

The downside of this is if our Nitric Oxide levels decline we can then suffer issues – many serious.

For those of us over 40 years of age, this becomes more crucial, since our Nitric Oxide levels drop as we age as much as half - from peak levels. Lack of exercise, poor diet and using antiseptic mouthwash can also adversely impact our Nitric Oxide levels.

Amazingly he says;

“Up to 50% of our daily Nitric Oxide production can be from 'good’ oral bacteria"

To be clear that's a certain type of bacteria* in our mouth ... (see footnote 1.)

(* Fun fact: The human oral cavity is an important habitat for bacteria, and a healthy mouth can harbour upwards of ten billion bacteria.)

Back to the thrust of the research ... 

(and this is the bit we simply LOVE!)

A clean tongue from a simple tongue scrape can have a BIG part to play in actually increasing Nitric Oxide production by our body!

As the World's oldest Producer of quality Tongue Scrapers - you can now see why we love this research!

As Dr Nathan Bryan explains;

"Tongue scraping to remove the 'bad' bacteria, food particles and debris (on the tongue) allows for the 'good' bacteria to flourish and generate Nitric Oxide"

(The precise chemical process as explained by Dr Nathan Bryan - and known as the Nitrate-Nitrite-Nitric Oxide pathway - is; 'Good' Oral Bacteria are 'Nitrate Reducers' that generate Nitrite as a by-product of converting ingested Nitrate-rich food, known as 'Arginine', which then builds up in our saliva. Once swallowed these Nitrites mix with stomach acid to produce Nitric Oxide – which then enters our blood stream).

if you prefer, here's the science on our Explainer Video:

 

 

                                    (Part of the AMANO 'Core' range - from £11 to £48)

So how can an increased level of Nitric Oxide actually help improve our overall health?

These are 8 ways for improving Woman’s health 

As identified by Dr Nathan Bryan (and taken from his Blog).

(Note: We left 2 of his 10 'ways' out because frankly we didn’t understand the science…)

https://drnathansbryan.com/top-ten-reasons-how-nitric-oxide-improves-womens-health/

“8. Nitric Oxide (NO) improves sexual function and orgasms in women 

NO is responsible for regulating blood flow to the sex organs. For women to have an orgasm, there must be an increase in vaginal and labial pressure. This pressure is controlled by an increase in blood flow to the clitoris. Without Nitric Oxide (NO), there cannot be an increase in blood flow to the clitoris and consequently no increase in pressure and no orgasm. Therefore, restoring NO production can improve blood flow to the pelvic region and sex organs and improve lubrication, desire and orgasms.

7. Improve athletic performance and exercise capacity

It is known that moderate physical exercise can prevent heart disease and many other diseases. This is due to the production of Nitric Oxide (NO). This is why exercise is medicine. However, when women do not exercise, they can develop endothelial dysfunction or loss of NO. When you lose the ability to produce NO, you become exercise intolerant and are unable to maintain any exercise regimen. Many people even get winded walking up a flight of stairs. This is due to loss of NO production. Restoring NO production will allow the blood vessels to deliver more oxygen and remove waste products to working muscles and improve exercise capacity.

6. Improves sleep

Nitric Oxide (NO) is produced within neurons of the brain that signal sleep and sleep patterns. However, when you lose the ability to produce NO, which occurs with age, stress, menopause and the presence of all the other risk factors mentioned above, sleep becomes disturbed. Restoring the production of NO will help restore healthy sleep patterns.

5. Improves healing and recovery from injury

Our own resident stem cells are responsible for repairing injured or worn out cells and tissues. Nitric Oxide (NO) is the signal that tells stem cells to mobilize and go to the site of injury and differentiate and repair dysfunctional cells and tissue. If your body can’t make NO, then the body loses the signal to repair itself. Restoring the production of NO will allow for much faster healing and quicker recovery from injury.

4. Improves mental clarity and cognition

Nitric Oxide (NO) modulates norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine, glutamate, the major neurotransmitters involved in the neurobiology of major depression. Without enough NO production, these important neurotransmitters are not properly regulated. On top of that, NO controls cerebral blood flow and regulates blood flow to specific regions of the brain when activated. It is known that vascular dementia, or Pre-Alzheimer’s, is due to insufficient blood flow to the prefrontal cortex of the brain due to insufficient NO. Restoring NO production will not only make you feel a better sense of well-being but also improve your memory and cognition.

3. Improve bone strength and prevent bone loss (important for Post-menopausal Woman)

Bone is constantly being broken down and built back up through cells called osteoclasts and osteoblasts respectively. Nitric Oxide (NO) controls the activity of both cell types. Post-menopausal women are at risk of developing osteoporosis due to loss of estrogen and loss of nitric oxide production. Restoring the production of NO will enable the osteoblasts and osteoclasts to perform their function and maintain healthy bones.

2. Maintain proper oxygenation and mitochondrial energy production

Nitric Oxide (NO) controls oxygen delivery and mitochondrial function for cellular energy production. Cancer is a disease that thrives under conditions of low oxygen and inefficient mitochondria. All cancers, including breast cancer, have dysfunctional and uncoupled mitochondria that inefficiently generate ATP or cellular energy. Cancer also lives in a low oxygen or hypoxic environment.   Maintaining proper NO production will ensure proper oxygenation of cells and functional/coupled mitochondria that will efficiently generate cellular energy.

1. Prevent the number one killer, heart disease

It is crystal clear that maintaining endothelial function and proper Nitric Oxide (NO) production can not only prevent heart disease but reverse and cure existing heart disease. NO prevents the inflammation, oxidative stress and immune dysfunction that occurs in heart disease.”

(Video with kind permission of Dr Nathan Bryan)

Dr Nathan Bryan ends his blog with these words ;

“If there is one thing you do it should be to take steps to improve and restore your Nitric Oxide production. There is not a more important thing you can do for your own health. Please remember, prevention is much easier and cheaper than treatment. Maintaining proper Nitric Oxide levels addresses the five most common health concerns for women but also addresses the number one killer of men and women worldwide (heart disease). Invest in your health and act to restore Nitric Oxide production now.”

It's incredible to think that a simple tongue scrape can help increase your daily Nitric Oxide levels - with all the health benefits outlined above.

Owning an Italian crafted AMANO Tongue Cleanser is really an investment in your very own Nitric Oxide production plant !

And finally we are grateful to Dr Nathan Bryan for allowing us to reproduce his work and trialling our 100% Austenitic Steel Neoclassic AMANO

We close with his kind endorsement …

"I personally use the AMANO tongue scraper daily and highly recommend it"

        Dr NATHAN BRYAN, Baylor School of Medicine, Texas, USA

Why choose AMANO?

  • Crafted in Italy, the AMANO has been designed to give a superior and visibly effective performance
  • Which will take you less than 5 seconds (really - it's that quick)
  • Research has shown this routine is almost twice as effective as using a toothbrush
  • And with no GAG effect you will feel more relaxed about tongue cleaning as a daily routine

Using an AMANO is very quick and easy ...

Care to visit our SHOP? Click here

And get 15% off our AMANO range with this Code: SCRAPE15%OFF

Footnote 1.
In case you were wondering, the other half of our daily Nitric Oxide needs is made by a process known as, the 'Nitric Oxide synthase pathway'.
Basically this is an enzyme found in our endothelial cells, the cells that line all blood vessels throughout the body, that converts L-Arginine into Nitric Oxide.
Simple Maths for Men: Scrape your Tongue + Eat Rocket = Boost Performance

Ask a Man why they should clean their tongue and they will mumble something about bad breath.

They're not wrong.

The tongue is an excellent trap for food, coffee and alcohol debris that, if ignored, bacteria will convert to stale breath.

But ... what most Men DON’T realise is a simple and regular tongue scrape can have wider health benefits - that impacts on sports fitness, recovery, heart health and much more ...

Yes you read it right - all of these benefits from a simple and inexpensive tongue scrape ...

OK - it's not just about a clean tongue,  the other part of the equation is you need to eat the right 'Greens' - rich in Nitrates: Kale, Spinach and Rocket / Arugula. (So it turns out the advice to; "Eat your Greens" was spot on!)

What follows is based on the extensive research of Dr Nathan Bryan an International leader in molecular medicine and Nitric Oxide biochemistry.

Dr Bryan’s work shows how Nitric Oxide is a ‘miracle molecule’ providing a surprising array of benefits throughout our body.

The downside of this is if our Nitric Oxide levels decline we can then suffer issues – many serious. 

For those of us over 40 years of age, this becomes more crucial, since our Nitric Oxide levels drop as we age as much as half - from peak levels. Lack of exercise, poor diet and using antiseptic mouthwash can also adversely impact our Nitric Oxide levels.

Dr Nathan Bryan summarised the issue as regards Men in a Podcast in March 2019

“When you can't make Nitric Oxide, your athletic performance will decline and your cardio vascular performance declines ... it is very clear.”

Amazingly his research shows;

“Up to 50% of our daily Nitric Oxide production can be from 'good’ oral bacteria"

To be clear that's a certain type of bacteria in our mouth ... (see footnote 1.)

This is the bit we simply LOVE! 

And a clean tongue - from a simple tongue scrape - can have a BIG part to play in actually increasing Nitric Oxide production by our body!

As the World's oldest Producer of quality Tongue Scrapers - you can now see why we love this research!

As Dr Nathan Bryan explains;

"Tongue scraping to remove the 'bad' bacteria, food particles and debris (on the tongue) allows for the 'good' bacteria to flourish and generate Nitric Oxide"

(The precise chemical process as explained by Dr Nathan Bryan - and known as the Nitrate-Nitrite-Nitric Oxide pathway - is; 'Good' Oral Bacteria are 'Nitrate Reducers' that generate Nitrite as a by-product of converting ingested Nitrate-rich food, known as 'Arginine', which then builds up in our saliva. Once swallowed these Nitrites mix with stomach acid to produce Nitric Oxide – which then enters our blood stream).

If you prefer, here's the science on our Explainer Video:

 

 

                                     (Part of the AMANO 'Core' range - from £11 to £48)

So how can an increased level of Nitric Oxide actually help improve Men's overall sports fitness, recovery and beyond?

Here are 4 ways Nitric Oxide will help improve Men's Health & Wellbeing:

1.Nitric Oxide (NO) improves sexual function 

"Penile erection is a haemodynamic process, involving increased arterial inflow and restricted venous outflow, coordinated with corpus cavernosum smooth muscle relaxation. Nitric oxide (NO) has recently been recognised to play a key role in the physiology of penile erection."

(Cardiovascular Research, Volume 43, Issue 3, August 1999)

Translation: Increasing Nitric Oxide production can improve blood flow to the sex organ and so engorgement and so performance. Beyond the age of 40 over 50% of Men (in the USA) have issues with Erectile Dysfunction (ED).

2. Improve athletic performance and exercise capacity

"It is known that moderate physical exercise can prevent heart disease and many other diseases. This is due to the production of Nitric Oxide (NO). This is why exercise is medicine. However, when people do not exercise, they can develop endothelial dysfunction or loss of NO. When you lose the ability to produce NO, you become exercise intolerant and are unable to maintain any exercise regimen. Restoring NO production will allow the blood vessels to deliver more oxygen and remove waste products to working muscles and improve exercise capacity."

(Nathan Bryan PH.D Blog; Top Ten Reasons Nitric Oxide improves Woman's Health, February 2019)

Translation: Increasing Nitric Oxide production can improve fitness levels.

3. Improves healing and recovery from injury

"Our own resident stem cells are responsible for repairing injured or worn out cells and tissues. Nitric Oxide (NO) is the signal that tells stem cells to mobilise and go to the site of injury and differentiate and repair dysfunctional cells and tissue. If your body can’t make NO, then the body loses the signal to repair itself. Restoring the production of NO will allow for much faster healing and quicker recovery from injury".

(Nathan Bryan PH.D Blog; Top Ten Reasons Nitric Oxide improves Woman's Health, February 2019 )

Translation: Increasing Nitric Oxide production can improve recovery from sports injury and slow the ageing process.

4. Prevent the number one killer, heart disease

"It is crystal clear that maintaining endothelial function and proper Nitric Oxide (NO) production can not only prevent heart disease but reverse and cure existing heart disease. NO prevents the inflammation, oxidative stress and immune dysfunction that occurs in heart disease.”

(Nathan Bryan PH.D Blog; Top Ten Reasons Nitric Oxide improves Woman's Health, February 2019)

Translation: Increasing Nitric Oxide production can improve heart health and prevent the number one killer of Men and Woman!

(Video with kind permission of Dr Nathan Bryan)

It's incredible to think that a simple tongue scrape can help increase your daily Nitric Oxide levels - with all the health benefits outlined above. 
Owning an Italian crafted AMANO Tongue Cleanser is really an investment in your very own Nitric Oxide production plant !

But remember you still need some raw materials.

Dr Nathan Bryan recommends these foods, which are rich in Nitrates:

1. Kale

2. Spinach

3. Rocket/ Arugula

And these are his absolute No No's

Do not use antiseptic mouthwash or fluoride (on a toothbrush to clean the tongue) because these chemicals kill the 'good' oral bacteria that produce Nitric Oxide.

So in summary, follow this simple and inexpensive advice and your performance on the sports field and beyond will Rocket ...

Finally we are grateful to Dr Nathan Bryan for allowing us to reproduce his work and trialling our 100% Austenitic Steel Neoclassic AMANO

We close with his kind endorsement …

"I personally use the AMANO tongue scraper daily and highly recommend it"

        Dr NATHAN BRYAN, Baylor School of Medicine, Texas, USA

Why choose AMANO?

  • Crafted in Italy, the AMANO has been designed to give a superior and visibly effective performance
  • Which will take you less than 5 seconds (really - it's that quick)
  • Research has shown this routine is almost twice as effective as using a toothbrush
  • And with no GAG effect you will feel more relaxed about tongue cleaning as a daily routine

Using an AMANO is very quick and easy ...

Care to visit our SHOP? Click here

And get 15% off our AMANO range with this Code: SCRAPE15%OFF

Footnote 1.
In case you were wondering, the other half of our daily Nitric Oxide needs is made by a process known as, the 'Nitric Oxide synthase pathway'.
Basically this is an enzyme found in our endothelial cells, the cells that line all blood vessels throughout the body, that converts L-Arginine into Nitric Oxide.
New Research: Tongue Scraping will Fight the Ageing Process (AMANO features in The Daily Mail)

(The Daily Mail covered many of these issues in an article; "Could this £13 gadget be the secret to staying young?" on 1st November 2018)

Last month The British Dental Journal  wrote about the ‘unassuming’ benefits of tongue scraping;

“According to research by Dr Nathan Bryan, a specialist in molecular and human genetics from Baylor College of Medicine, Texas, USA, regular tongue scraping will enable 'good oral bacteria' to produce more Nitric Oxide.

Nitric Oxide (NO) plays a crucial role in helping stem cells function efficiently. Stem Cells' role is to heal the ageing body, helping to regenerate damaged or old cells”

Amazingly up to 50% of our daily Nitric Oxide production is from this 'good oral bacteria' – so a simple tongue scrape can have a BIG part to play in ensuring our Stem Cells operate as effectively as possible.

(The precise chemical process as explained by Dr Nathan Bryan is; 'Good' Oral Bacteria are 'Nitrate Reducers' that generate Nitrite as a by-product of converting ingested Nitrate-rich food, known as 'Arginine', which then builds up in our saliva. Once swallowed these Nitrites mix with stomach acid to produce Nitric Oxide – which then enters our blood stream).

Dr Nathan Bryan explained how tongue scraping specifically helps the process;

"Tongue scraping to remove the 'bad' bacteria, food particles and debris allow for the 'good' bacteria to flourish and generate Nitric Oxide"

And for those of us over 40 years of age, this becomes even more crucial, since our Nitric Oxide levels drop as we age as much as half - from peak levels. This drop in Nitric Oxide will impact of our bodies ability to heal effectively - hence the concept of 'ageing'.

The Unified theory of ageing

Broadening the research, Dr Bryan believes Nitric Oxide actually plays a key role in three distinct processes that can be considered rate limiting steps in terms of the ageing process. 

(Source: Nutra Ingredients USA October 2018)

“It’s what we call the unified theory of ageing. Nitric Oxide controls telomerase, the enzyme that adds telomeres to the ends of DNA, Nitric Oxide controls mitochondria biogenesis. And Nitric Oxide is the cellular signal that tells stem cells to mobilise to repair damage” 

On top of this break-through discovery by Dr Nathan Bryan The British Dental Journal adds;

“Regular tongue scraping with the AMANO Tongue Cleanser can help 'good' oral bacteria to flourish in the mouth, while also helping to reduce dental caries and bad breath, enhancing taste, and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease”

So there it is - a £13 investment in an AMANO Tongue Cleanser could be simply the best Resolution you make in 2019 – for a step change in the way you achieve good all round health and vitality.

AMANO has been manufacturing and selling quality tongue scrapers since 1992. The AMANO Tongue Cleanser is made of 18/10 Austenitic Steel, a high-grade chromium and nickel alloy. We are proud to be the best-selling tongue scraper brand in London's elite stores; Selfridges, Harrods and Planet Organic.
And as an added bonus, Professor Nathan Bryan uses an AMANO2017 and gave us this endorsement;

"I personally use the AMANO tongue scraper daily and highly recommend it"

How to use an AMANO Tongue Cleanser

If you are completely new to the tongue 'scraping' experience, we would suggest you hold the head of your AMANO under a warm running tap first - to provide an additional level of 'lubrication'.

This is how easy and quick it is to use an AMANO (we prefer holding a handle in each hand ... but each to their own)

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Invest in an AMANO™ Tongue Scraper and earn a far healthier return!

Save £250 a year - that's a great payback - for 10 seconds of your time a day!

Scraping something metal over your tongue on a daily basis may sound like an inauspicious start to the day (or year).

But the thought of saving £250 per year may help concentrate your mind and it only requires 5 seconds of your time - twice a day.

That’s a pretty good rate of return we hope you agree.

So why not join the Renaissance in tongue scraping – and start using an AMANO tongue scraper?

Tongue scraping is not a new idea, the Romans and Victorians were keen ‘scrapers’ – and the routine is a major part of oral care routines in India and China. And even America’s 1st President, George Washington, was a fan of having an exceedingly clean tongue…

President Washington's ornate tongue scraper (the thin strip above) ... and part of our AMANO designer range (below) ...

Fast forward to 2018 and the medical science has finally caught up with this ancient practice, recognising that the tongue is an excellent and significant trap for food and bacterial debris . This means the tongue will impact adversely on oral care and broader health issues – if it is neglected.

We can confidently say that, by using an AMANO, you will receive these tangible benefits:

Tongue scraping benefit ≠1

Cut out your regular mouthwash purchases – and save £120 per year

80% of bad breath comes from the tongue’s surface. But by using an AMANO to remove the oral debris that create smelly VSCs (volatile sulfur compounds) your breath will remain naturally fresh for longer. So no more need for those chemical swills of unknown long-term provenance.

Tongue scraping benefit ≠2

No more need for expensive teeth whitening toothpaste – so save £80 per year

Drinks such as tea, coffee and red wine contain colourants, which will stain your teeth. Just think about what they do to your cups. By effectively removing these elements hiding on your tongue before bed, they cannot play havoc on your teeth overnight. Ergo your teeth will remain whiter - naturally.

Tongue scraping benefit ≠3

No need for expensive fillings – save £50 to £100 per year

Your tongue is a major breeding ground for plaque forming Streptococci bacteria – which, if ignored, will go onto create that yellow film on your teeth and then painful and costly tooth decay! Regular tongue scraping will sort those pesky Streptococci out. Which means less stressful visits to your Dentist!

Tongue scraping benefit ≠4 (for Wine drinkers)

Less expensive wine will taste much better – lets diplomatically say £400?

A dirty mouth cannot taste the subtle flavours in good wine (or food). The simple act of scraping the tongue will revive flagging taste buds – so enhancing the wine (and food) experience. Simply put, that means a £8 bottle of wine can now taste more like a £12 one. So no need to always spend more on 'better wine experiences'. If you drink 2 bottles a week that could be £400 saved over the year – it's simple maths! If you are skeptical about this, can we add that we featured in Decanter Wine magazine recently on exactly this ‘benefit’. Thus AMANO is now the choice tongue scraper for Wine Professionals – including Fine Wine Directors, Wine Critics and Sommeliers.

Tongue scraping benefit ≠5

Live longer and better - this is not fake news!

New research links the humble act of tongue scraping with fighting the ageing process (it's all about stimulating 'good' oral bacteria to produce more nitric oxide and thus enhance stem cell effectiveness). Sceptical? Here are the details.

We won't put a £ value on this benefit

Medical research also shows that a good oral care regime, that includes the tongue, will reduce the risk of heart disease and even certain mouth cancers.

Add all of these benefits up and it's pretty clear; if you are into sound long-term investments AMANO has a great payback.

PS: You can check out all the research highlighted above here: https://amanotonguecleanser.com/pages/benefits

AMANO is now the best selling tongue scraper in Selfridges, Harrods and Planet Organic

   

 

 

AMANO™ is now the Tongue Scraper of choice for the Super Rich

Has the AMANO™ Tongue Cleanser achieved the exalted position of cult status?

Over the Summer sales of the AMANO™ Tongue Cleanser have rocketed in the London Stores most associated with the Global Elite,  Harrods - purveyor of fine goods to the British Aristocracy - and Selfridges - now considered the World's Best Department Store.

TATLER, the magazine for the British Upper Classes, helped start it all off with a glowing tribute written by Emma Freud (Great Grand-Daughter of Sigmund); 

"The AMANO Tongue Cleanser is leagues ahead of the rest of the field. At long last, I have managed to find SOMEONE who is taking tongue cleaning seriously" 

This was swiftly followed by a Customer from Long Island, New York, spending almost £400 on top end AMANOs from the online store and exclaiming; 

" I have several residences and my husband and I already have 2 AMANOs at each location. I do not take them when I travel because I am afraid they will get lost or the airline will confiscate them. They are my prize possessions and I guard them"

To cap this, an enlightened customer walked into Harrods and spent over £800 on an astonishing fifty four (54) AMANOs™ across the range of deluxe designs. 

And the proverbial icing on the cake was GQ  the Premier style magazine declaring the NeoClassic AMANO 2017 as one of the "Coolest Things in the World", in June of this year.

Of course genuine cult status requires serious technical superiority to underpin it (for an example just look at the Rolex brand) - and we got this with The British Dental Journal hailing our top of the range NeoClassic AMANO 2017 as; "The Roman Emperor of Tongue Scrapers" 

NeoClassic AMANO 2017

Mano Manoharan, Owner and Founder of AMANO™ added; 

" Our 25 year mission has been to encourage people to also give their tongues some TLC when it comes to oral care. We set out to create the 'Rolex' of tongue cleaners - in terms of design, efficiency and durability. And judging by recent events we are certainly on track!"

And to perhaps prove the point SLOAN! magazine - The luxury lifestyle magazine for Londoners - features our NeoClassic AMANO 2017 in its Christmas 2017 Gift Guide.

Priced from £10 to £92 the AMANO™ range can satisfy most tastes, tongues and wallets ...

 

Could our TiTANIUM 2018 be James Bond's next gadget?

With the next Bond film just announced our TiTANIUM 2018 could be the perfect accoutrement to go with his Rolex and Aston Martin (or will it be a Tesla?)

The TiTANIUM 2018 is made from 100% TiTANIUM - the 22nd Element in the periodic table and named after the Greek Gods, The Titans.

As befits its name, TiTANIUM is as strong as Steel - but less than half the weight (hence why aircraft frames are now made from Titanium). 

Our TiTANIUM 2018 thus offers a supremely smooth and effective performance - with a slightly lighter feel on the tongue - which some Customers might prefer.

Our other classic AMANO - the NeoClassic 2017 - is made from a Nickel and Chrome Steel alloy. Some people are allergic to Nickel and Chrome - so the 100% pure TiTANIUM 2018 may be a more suitable variant for them.

Having designed and made tongue scrapers for 25 years we are keenly aware that the key to 'effectiveness' is not just about how 'sharp' the scraper is.

On the contrary an overly 'sharp' scraper will actually put most people off the routine. Whereas a 'comfortable' scraper will mean the user is more relaxed about using a tongue scraper with conviction - and that means also towards the back of the tongue, where oral debris tends to lurk. This means tongue scraping has more of a chance of becoming a new and effective daily routine. 

Interestingly The Centre for Dentistry, University of Groningen, in the Netherlands, conducted a study of various tongue scraper designs in 2015 and concluded as follows along these lines;

"Comfort and effectiveness were positively correlated"

We pride ourselves on designing comfortable and effective quality tongue scrapers - of which our TiTANIUM 2018 is the latest in a proud illustrious line.

In keeping with its status as our top of the range AMANO, the TiTANIUM 2018 also comes in a slick metallic presentation case.

Making it the perfect accoutrement for Secret Agents and mere mortals ...

For more details and to buy please click here

 

AMANO™ is helping in the battle against malnutrition amongst the old

A staggering 1 million people in the UK, over the age of 65, are either malnourished or at risk of malnourishment.

The consequences are immense - lives cut short and lives lived less well.

Additionally it is estimated the financial cost to the NHS and social services of this issue to be over a billion pounds a year (in the UK).

The Malnutrition Task Force is an independent group of experts across health and social care united to address avoidable and preventable malnutrition in older people.

We are very proud to have been asked by The Malnutrition Task Force to write an article on effective strategies for rekindling appetite - that includes the benefit of tongue scraping - thus enabling our Senior Citizens to lead more fulfilling and independent lives.

This is the full article on The Malnutrition Task Force dedicated website

If Michelle Pfeiffer had used an AMANO tongue scraper – she would have got to snog George

Do you remember the closing scene in the wonderful romcom, One Fine Day, staring Michelle Pfeiffer and George Clooney?

If you recall, the two hard pressed single parents, played by George and Michelle, had finally got to the end of a very hectic child focused day.

Their kids were asleep (finally).

And now they had a chance to have a little quality adult time … (if you catch my drift).

But Michelle halted an overly eager George in his tracks with this line;

“Let me first freshen up, so I’ll feel a little more like a woman - and less like a dead mommy”

She then disappeared into her bathroom and went through an elaborate hygiene routine – that included shaving her legs, brushing her teeth and then, cleaning her tongue - thoroughly.

Quite right Michelle – before that all-important 1st kiss with George, it’s best to have your tongue in absolute tiptop shape (you clearly know that is where 80% of bad breath emanates from!)

But horror of horrors!

Michelle proceeds to clean her tongue with a TOOTHBRUSH!

NO!!! 

(I think Michelle seems to agree with us)

Now as every AMANO fan knows, brushing your tongue – as opposed to scraping, has 3 major disadvantages:

    1. Brushing with a toothbrush merely shifts the offending debris around your tongue, not OFF it*
    2. This will thus become a very time consuming activity – and you WILL end up ‘GAGGING’ (because the tongues ‘reflex’ action is trained to try and suck anything placed on it down your throat).
    3. So instead of taking a mere 5 seconds swiftly employing 3 pleasant and effective scrapes of the AMANO – you spend an eternity with a toothbrush (and of course there is no ‘GAG' affect with an AMANO because of its precise weight and design).

So George, exhausted after his stressful day, ends up falling asleep on the couch – whilst waiting for Michelle to return from her hygiene routine!

THUS – final shot of the film - a disappointed Michelle goes for 2nd best option and ends up snuggling up to him (granted not that bad an outcome).

So the lesson is pretty clear then folks.

If you ever have the chance to kiss George Clooney – don’t make the same mistake Michelle did.

Use an AMANO tongue scraper to achieve a sweet 'kissing with confidence mouth' – in seconds.

And thus make the most of your One Hell of a Fine Day!

  • Research (Journal of Periodontology 2004) shows scraping with a decent metal scraper, such as the AMANO, is nearly twice as effective as using a brush!

(AMANO is the best selling tongue scraper in Selfridges, Harrods and D.R. Harris)