Friday, February 29, 2008

Home Remedies For Rosacea - Acne and Rosacea

By: Juliet Cohen

Rosacea is one of the most common skin disorder which is mainly characterized by redness and thickening of the skin especially in the facial area. Sufferers of this skin disease often experience sudden blushing due to the dilation of tiny blood vessels underneath the facial skin. If left untreated gradually your skin might get wrapped with red pimples and also you might experience the swelling of your nose due to excess fluid accumulation in the tissue and permanent skin damage. Unfortunately there is no specific medication for treating rosacea. However in recent times a number of herbal home remedies have shown marked improvement in alleviating this traumatic skin disease and have become popular desired method among the sufferers. A few home-based remedies are briefly described below which might help you to control the symptoms of the disease effectively:

Treat rosacea with Manuka UMF® Honey Cream - 50gm
Cold compress: This method could be employed successfully to cool off the hot facial area. As soon as you experience the hit of flush soak a washcloth in chilled water and press and hold it on the blushed area. This immediate cooling effect would effectively help to mitigate the inflammation by constricting the dilated blood vessels. It is preferable to use this method thrice a day or as per needed.
Chamomile Treatments: This one of most important herbal ingredient which is known for its effectivity to assuage the severity of rosacea. The miraculous soothing effect of this home remedy efficiently alleviates the affected skin, minimizing the inflammation and some other symptoms of this skin disease. Take a handful of pure chamomile or a few chamomile tea bags and pour them in a pan containing 3 cups of boiling water. After 10 minutes separate the liquid part and keep it in freezer. Afterwards whenever you need a cold compress, dip a piece of cotton cloth in the chilled chamomile and apply it on the affected skin area until you get relief. However this treatment might impose some side effects for those patients who are allergic to ragweed.
Pine Tar Soap: This unique soap made from pine is known to minimize the redness of rosacea affected skin area. This remedy is too easy to deploy. Make a thick lather of this soap covering the entire affected skin and leave it overnight. Next morning wash it off with cold water. You might apply a bag balm just after using pine tar soap to get a better result. You need to apply this balm at least for 10 minutes to achieve the best output.
Fenugreek Tea: This wonderful home remedy has shown to be quite effective in healing the damages caused by several skin diseases including acne and rosacea. If you did not see the fenugreek tea at your nearby store just get some fenugreek in a vessel and pour boiling water over it and keep it as such for around 10 minutes. Filter out the tea and drink it to experience the wonder it does to your skin.
Oatmeal: This natural product is known to work effectively to alleviate itching. This anti-inflammatory agent contains a number of antioxidants which could be quite effective treating rosacea successfully. A number of topical formulations containing oatmeal as one of the ingredients are available in the stores which are found to be quite popular among the patients of this skin disorder. As a home remedy you might simply apply some oatmeal soaked in water
over the affected area to assuage rosacea to some extent.

About the Author:
Juliet Cohen writes articles for Acne Treatment. She also writes articles for Blackheads and Acne Home Remedies.


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Wednesday, February 27, 2008

A Natural Perspective On Autoimmune Disorders

By: Michelle Newport

Autoimmunity involves the immune system failing to recognize the body's cells and tissues as being a part of the body, which results in the immune system attacking those cells and tissues. Any disease resulting from autoimmunity is called an auto-immune disorder. There are over 60 known disorders thought to be related to autoimmunity. Below is a summarized list of conditions related to autoimmune disorders :

Alopecia Areata –
An autoimmune disorder that is characterized by hair loss. It is found commonly in men and women and can occur at any age, including childhood.

Alzheimer's Disease – Characterized as a progressive brain disorder, which involves a decline in social and intellectual abilities. Alzheimer's Disease is thought to be associated with free radical damage in the brain and inorganic aluminum.

Celiac Disease – A chronic inflammation of the colon that creates an intestinal breakdown due to an allergic reaction to gluten. Gluten is a protein that is found in grains such as wheat, barley, oat and rye.

Crohn's Disease – A chronic inflammatory bowel disease, which is characterized by severe inflammation of the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. This disorder is typically seen in persons between the ages of 15 and 35, but can also be found in young children and the elderly as
well.

Fibromyalgia – This disorder is characterized by aches and pains in the muscles along with chronic fatigue and insomnia. It is estimated between 3 to 6 million people in the US suffer with Fibromyalgia. Ninety percent of them being women.

Graves Disease – A disorder affecting the thyroid gland. In this disease auto-antibodies bind to the thyroid gland, which increases the production of thyroid hormone, which plays a major role in metabolism. Symptoms include nervousness, diarrhea, insomnia, sweating, and weight loss with increased appetite. More serious symptoms include irregular heart beat, tachycardia (increased heart rate), swelling of eyes and legs. In rare cases, cardiovascular collapse, shock or coma could occur.

Lupus – A disorder which instead of the body's immune system functioning properly as protection from harmful invaders, it forms antibodies that attack healthy tissues and organs. Symptoms include aching joints, inflammation, swelling, fatigue, fevers and rashes. Lupus is a mild disease affecting only a few organs, but for others it may cause serious, even
life-threatening problems.

Multiple Sclerosis – A chronic inflammatory condition which involves the central nervous system (CNS), which consists of the brain and spinal cord. This chronic inflammation causes severe damage to the myelin sheath (covering of the nerves). Symptoms include blurred vision, numbness and paralysis. Mercury toxicity may be a causal factor.

Psoriasis – A common chronic skin condition which is characterized by symptoms similar to eczema. It involves the hyperactivity of the immune system which creates a form of inflammation. This inflammatory reaction causes skin cells to multiply seven to twelve times faster than normal. The skin is often dry and itchy as well as being cracked or blistered.

Rheumatoid Arthritis – This disorder can affect many joints, but most commonly the small joints of the hands. An autoimmune attack on the tissues causes inflammation along with pain and swelling. If uncontrolled it could lead to destruction of the bones, deformity and eventually disability. It is thought that a factor of rheumatoid arthritis is holding onto bitterness.

What are natural ways that can be used which are helpful for
autoimmune disorders?

  • Most people with autoimmune disorders suffer from exhausted adrenals. The adrenals produce a hormone that controls the immune response called cortisol. Cortico-steroid drugs are used to treat autoimmune disorders to mimic the action of cortisol, but have undesirable side effects. A natural alternative to consider is Licorice, which is an herb that supports the adrenals, as well as having anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. Yucca also has anti-inflammatory properties as well as mimics the effects of cortisol. It also
    has a detoxifying effect as well as a blood thinning property. Wild Yam is another herb that can be taken as an anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic. Willow bark also has an anti-inflammatory property and can help bring relief from pain in autoimmune disorders.
  • Stress management is a key factor in dealing with autoimmune disorders as stress adversely affects the adrenal glands. Getting an adequate amount of sleep as well as having a positive mental attitude can be very helpful. Supplements that can be beneficial in helping the body manage stress are Siberian Ginseng, Chinese Mineral Chi Tonic and Nutri-Calm.
  • Antioxidants aid the body in balancing immune activity and also fight free radical damage. Green Tea Extract and High Potency Grapine are appropriate choices.
  • Essential Oils that may be beneficial for autoimmune disorders include Bergamot, Clary Sage, Lavender and Roman Chamomile.
  • Adding essential fatty acids to your diet like Flax Seed Oil and Omega-3 EPA can help to reduce inflammatory responses.
  • Magnesium deficiency is also common in cases of autoimmune disorders. Fibralgia contains magnesium as well as malic acid which is beneficial for generating cellular energy and may be helpful for Fibromyalgia.
  • Moderate exercise such as walking or swimming can be helpful but care should be taken not to over exert the body.
  • Taking a digestive enzyme is very beneficial.
  • Taking a Probiotic daily is recommended to help put healthy bacteria into the intestines which may help reduce allergic responses.

What should be avoided?

  • Immune stimulants are contraindicated as this could only make the problem worse. Avoid taking herbs and supplements that boost the immune system such as Colostrum, Dandelion Root, Echinacea, Goldenseal, and Yarrow.
  • Avoid essential oils that stimulate the immune system such as Geranium, Thyme and Ylang Ylang.
  • Food allergies may also be a factor in autoimmune disorders. Common allergens are hydrogenated fats and oils such as margarine and shortening, grains such as wheat and corn and dairy products. Foods that aggravate the condition should be avoided.
  • Avoid refined carbohydrates and sugars which feeds Candida, a fungus that may also be a contributing factor for autoimmune disorders.

Toxicity and Heavy Metal Poisoning

It is believed that heavy metal poisoning, such as with vaccines that contain mercury and other toxins that are injected directly into the bloodstream as well as other toxic chemicals we are exposed to on a daily basis, are a major factor in the underlying cause of autoimmune disorders. A gentle detoxification is recommended so as not to detoxify the body too quickly causing a “healing crisis”. SAM-e can be helpful in detoxifying the liver and has been beneficial in some cases of Fibromyalgia. Enviro Detox taken in small doses can also be helpful.

Resources:

American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association

About the Author:

Michelle Newport is a certified herbalist and naturopath and is the founder of Nature For Life, a company offering natural health consulting services and education.

Information in this article is provided for informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professional. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly
contact your health care provider. Information and statements regarding dietary
supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are
not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Article Source:

http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michelle_Newport


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Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Vitamin D: One of the Most Potent Antioxidants in the World

The following paragraph is from the article The Miracle of Vitamin D by Krispin Sullivan who has done a lot of research about vitamin D.

"Sun exposure at higher latitudes before 10 am or after 2 pm will cause burning from UV-A before it will supply adequate vitamin D from UV-B. This finding may surprise you, as it did the researchers. It means that sunning must occur between the hours we have been told to avoid. Only sunning between 10 am and 2 pm during summer months (or winter months in
southern latitudes) for 20-120 minutes, depending on skin type and color, will
form adequate vitamin D before burning occurs. "

Dr. Mercola talks with Krispin Sullivan in this video about the importance of Vitamin D to our health.





Vitamin D: One of the Most Potent Antioxidants in the World



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Monday, February 25, 2008

Why Green Tea is Good For Your Face

By: Eunice Coughlin

Green tea cleansing skin care is the latest development in antiaging
antiwrinkle skin care. What is it about green tea that helps protect your skin
from aging?

Green tea contains polyphenols that are powerful
antioxidants and help disarm the damage that occurs to our skin as a result of
free radicals. Did you ever wonder why smokers always look so much older?
Cigarette smoke and car exhaust are some of the environmental pollutants that we
are exposed to every day that can cause damage to our skin. In fact, when you
smoke a cigarette, you are inhaling 10 quadrillion antioxidants into your lungs.
Imagine what happens to the skin on your face when you smoke just one cigarette!

As we get older, the cells responsible for collagen and elastin production-
the ones that affect our skin’s smoothness, firmness and elasticity- become less
efficient. Add to that the fact that too many UVA rays are environmental
stressors that also cause those lines and wrinkles we see in the mirror.

The good news is that our skin cells are renewed every 28 days. The bad news
is that our skin’s DNA is assaulted and damaged every day by these free
radicals. Damaged DNA replicates itself and as a result, the new skin cells are
not as healthy and don’t function as well.

So how can we help our skin restore itself to the healthy condition it was in
when we were younger? The answer is to use skin care that contains
antioxidants like the polyphenols in green tea and other antioxidants like
Vitamin A, C and E. We need to eat healthy and supplement inside and out to help
our bodies produce skin cells with healthy DNA.

The flavonoid polyphenols in green tea cleansing skin care can help in
the fight against aging because they are antioxidants formulated from plants.
Plants are constantly exposed to environmental damage and have developed an
efficient antioxidant defense system.

The flavonoids in green tea help protect the cells in the DNA and even
repairs the DNA in damaged skin cells. It’s recommended to take green tea as a
supplement or apply it topically to your skin every day. Look for moisturizers
and skin cleansers that have green tea as one of the ingredients.

Taking care of your skin from the inside out with good food and vitamin
supplements is a great way to approach antiaging antiwrinkle skin care.

Want to know more about how to take care of your skin? Eunice Coughlin is the
founder of http://www.healthy-living-for-moms.com/ a resource for moms of all ages and
stages who seek health and wellness. Get more tips on taking care of your skin at http://www.healthy-living-for-moms.com/antiaging_antiwrinkle_skin_care.html


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eunice_Coughlin

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Sunday, February 24, 2008

Tea: Varieties And Grades Of Green Tea

By: Marcus Stout

If you’ve ever shopped for green tea, no doubt you’re aware that there are a
vast number of choices. There are green teas from many regions of the world, and
many varieties, grades and flavors from each region.

Green tea was likely the first kind of tea. About 3000 years ago in China,
people plucked fresh tea leaves and let them dry in the sun before storing them.
In the 8th century, tea processors began using the evaporation process, and by
the 12th century, they began sautéing the leaves. Basically, green tea came
about before tea processors learned the methods associated with processing black
tea.

Even today, green tea is one of the teas left in its most natural state.
Unlike black tea, green tea is unfermented. This lack of fermentation leaves the
chlorophyll in the leaves, so that they retain their green color. Green tea also
retains more of its natural anti-oxidants as a result of being unfermented. This
makes green tea a far healthier choice than black tea.

The natural anti-oxidants in green tea hold a great deal of power for
protecting our health and preventing disease. Anti-oxidants are important to our
health because they neutralize free radicals. Free radicals are created in our
bodies as a by product of digestion. These oxygen containing molecules damage
our cells and DNA if left unchecked.

A diet rich in foods such as fruits, vegetables and other plant products like
tea, helps rid our bodies of free radicals before they can damage our bodies.

In recent years, there has been an abundance of research showing that long
term drinking of green tea can protect our bodies from many forms of disease,
including cancer, heart disease and high cholesterol. Green tea has also been
shown to be an effective weight loss supplement as well as a natural way to help
regulate insulin levels. More research is needed, but it’s very likely that as
time goes on we’ll find more and more health reasons for making green tea part
of our everyday lives.

Classifying Green Tea

The many different varieties of green tea are classified, in part, by the
method in which they are dried. The five methods of drying green tea include:

•Stir Frying - Fresh tea leaves are sauteed in a pan. This process is mainly
used for export teas. Stir frying gives green a strong fragrance and taste. Some
common varieties of green tea that are stir fried include gunpowder teas and
Dragonwell teas.

•Roasting – Tea leaves are dried in a roast basket or roast chest. In most
cases roasted teas are used as the basis for flower scented teas. Roasting keeps
the leaves intact and makes them appear as though covered in a white fluff.
Monkey king teas are roasted.

•Semi-roast and semi fry – Sometimes the stir frying and roasting methods are
combined. This method is used in order to retain the beautiful look of a roasted
leaf combined with the strong fragrance and taste of stir fried tea.

•Solar drying – This is the age old method, whereby leaves are dried in the
sun. Today these leaves are typically used as the basis for compressed teas.
These are the “green tea cakes” you sometimes see.

•Steaming – The leaves are steamed at a very high temperature to dry them.
The most famous steamed green tea is Sencha.

Within each of these varieties of green tea, there are also quality grades.
It can be very difficult to determine, however, the quality of tea you’re
buying, because each country has different grading methods. China, which
produces more green tea than any other country in the world, grades their green
tea something like this.

First, teas for export are graded according to the age of the leaf and the
finished shape of the leaf. These categories include gunpowder, imperial, young
hyson, hyson, twankay, hyson skin, and dust. Within each of these categories
there are several quality grades; sometimes as many as nine grades within one
leaf shape.

With all the complicated categories of green tea, it can be difficult to know
which ones to dry. Understanding the different drying methods and how they
affect the flavor of the tea will give you a good start, as you can select
varieties dried in the method that produces the taste you prefer. However, when
it comes to selecting the best quality of this variety, you have little to go
on. There are a couple of ways to spot good quality tea:

•Form - Loose tea is higher quality than bagged tea. Whether it’s black tea,
green tea or white tea, you can bet that the lowest quality leaves are the ones
used in tea bags. For good tea, always buy loose tea.

•Price – If loose green tea is really inexpensive, it’s probably not very
good quality. Shop around to get a good idea of a fair price for good loose
green tea so that you can accurately judge prices.

•Reputation of Tea Company – One of the best ways to ensure that you get good
tea is to buy from a tea company with a reputation for selling only the highest
quality teas. This is particularly important when shopping online.

It’s true that there are many varieties of green tea. But, that’s what makes
trying green tea so much fun! There’s almost no end to the many flavors and
nuances you can find in the different varieties of green tea. You’re sure to
want to try them all!

About the Author:

Marcus Stout is President of the Golden Moon Tea Company. For more information
about tea, wholesale tea and black tea go to http://www.goldenmoontea.com


Article Source: www.iSnare.com



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Saturday, February 23, 2008

How Are Antioxidants Linked To Anti-Aging?

By: Carina MacInnes

Antioxidants have been widely praised in the media. Many know they are linked
with anti-aging properties. However this is not new, it all began with one man’s
theory a half a century ago about how free radicals were associated with aging,
and science has been trying to catch up with it ever since.

As Dr. Nicholas Perricone, M.D., states in his 2001 book, “The Wrinkle Cure”:
“When it comes to aging, it’s not Father Time that’s public enemy number 1. It’s
the very busy, very nasty little molecule called the free radical.”

The Free Radical Theory of Aging was published by Denman Harman in 1956. He
theorized that aging is a result of free radical damage of the cells of the
body. This is also called oxidative stress.

Today, a great deal of experimental evidence supports the premise that length
of life is determined by the crucial balance of antioxidants with free radicals
in the body. Oxidative stress is being shown to be at the root of disease and
aging.

One example is that the life of the fruit fly was up to 30% longer when it
was genetically altered with an addition of enzymatic antioxidants. Not only
that, but the altered fruit flies also showed a reduced amount of age-related
oxidative damage.

Studies of humans have also shown evidence of free radical damage playing a
large part in human aging. One 1996 study compared markers of free radical
damage in the blood and found evidence of the highest oxidative damage
associated with the disabled elderly, an intermediate amount with the healthy
elderly, and the lowest levels with the healthy adults.

The study also found that higher blood levels of antioxidant Vitamins C and E
were associated with less disability, and signs of free radical damage were
associated with more disability.

We need to rethink our concept of aging. We accept disease, disability,
senility, wrinkles, and all the other many signs of aging as natural. Instead,
we should view this as ‘unsuccessful aging’ – ie., aging associated with
deterioration, disease and disability.

Successful aging is what happens when the human body is able to fight off
oxidative stress, and continue to regenerate and repair itself. Successful aging
is getting older healthily, without significant pathological conditions.

What the evidence is telling us is that it is crucial we take antioxidants
and free radicals very seriously if we want to ‘age gracefully’ and avoid the
many pitfalls of ‘unsuccessful aging’.

Even young people can be victims of unsuccessful aging, if they are not
providing their bodies with the necessary balance of having have enough dietary
antioxidants to fight off the free radicals.

In our modern culture, many of us are guilty of not getting adequate
nutrition. It’s ironic, when we are the richest we have ever been that we should
be feeding our bodies so poorly.

An interesting example of how a person can seriously damage their body with
the wrong diet was seen in the Documentary ‘Super Size Me’ by Morgan Spurlock
who ate only McDonald’s for a month. In just 30 days of having a junk food diet
as his sole source of nutrition, his health was spiraling downwards and out of
control.

The fact that he gained 25 pounds in a month was the least of his worries. He
experienced a toxic liver, a significant increase in cholesterol, headaches,
depression, a lower sex drive and poor skin. He returned to normal after his
experiment ended.

Unfortunately a great many of us continue to do damage to our bodies, by
smoking cigarettes, drinking coffee, eating junk food, and not eating our
vegetables. When the media began warning us of free radicals, many of us did not
understand the massive damage we were causing our bodies or how to prevent it,
especially as most of the signs of damage are invisible until it is too late.

Free radical damage is accumulative and spreads like wildfire over time. Do
your body a favor. Feed it a diet rich in antioxidant nutrition. Make it a
habit, eat your fruits and vegetables, take your vitamins, and try to stop or
cut down on damaging bad habits. You will thank yourself in 20 years.

Use antioxidants wisely to age successfully. Maybe like the fruit fly, you
too can live 30% longer.

About the Author:
Carina MacInnes is a writer who offers a free e-course on how free radicals
affect our health, using antioxidants for healing and anti-aging, and the latest
in superfood nutrition. For her health she uses an antioxidant-packed superfood
liquid nutrient. Get all the info now: http://acai-4life.com

Article Source: www.iSnare.com


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Friday, February 22, 2008

Blueberry As Both A Superfood And Skin Care Treatment According To Dr. Perricone

By: David Maillie

Often times, when we think of superfoods we think of spinach, grapes, green tea
and other vegetables and extracts that are primarily listed for their levels of
antioxidants. Did you know that the blueberry is one of the most nutritious and
powerful superfoods? According to Dr. Perricone, one of the worlds foremost skin
care experts, “Blueberry along with the acai berry have one of the highest known
levels of antioxidants of any food.” Higher than red wine and green tea
combined. It is full of amino acids, vitamins, and antioxidants, and essential
fatty acids. Whole, fresh blueberries are best, but pure blueberry juice and
combination blueberry and pomegranate juice can be found at your local grocery
store in the produce section.

Blueberries have many uses as blueberry extract
has been used in ancient herbal and medicinal treatments for thousands of years.
Many skin care treatments now use blends of blueberry extracts along with other
herbs to help revitalize the skin and hasten healing. These treatments have been
clinically proven to decrease healing time for skin peels (especially deeper
skin peels like the TCA skin peel). They have also shown marked ability at
reducing scarring in wound and burn treatment, although more research is needed.

Dr. Perricone in his best selling book The Perricone Prescription states that
for optimum skin care one should regularly eat high antioxidant foods like
blueberry, acai, pomegranate, and spinach. These foods with their high
concentrations of antioxidants and nutrients help combat and can even reverse
the aging process. With the right diet full of antioxidant rich foods one can
virtually stop wrinkles in their tracks. A good diet along with a good skin care
regimen can produce amazing results. A good skin care regimen includes a mild
cleanser (no soap as it is too harsh and will dry out your skin), a moisturizer
packed with antioxidant extracts, and skin peels to increase exfoliation and
reduce oily build up (which can lead to acne). It is also a good idea to use a
high spf sun protectant.

The leading medical colleges are currently researching high percentage
antioxidant extracts like blueberry for anti cancer properties and possible and
promising treatments. In clinical settings there is evidence that these
antioxidant rich foods do have a marked effect on several types of cancer. In
addition to anti cancer properties, the blueberry has shown an positive effect
on the nervous system, and increase in cognitive function and reasoning, and an
increase in muscle function and regeneration. Truly the blueberry has many
current and promising functions and, as a superfood like acai according to Dr.
Perricone, should be made a staple of every diet for additional health, great
skin care and longevity.

David Maillie is a chemist with over 12 years experience in biochemical
research, clinical analysis and skin care. For more information on TCA peels for
in home use and great anti-aging products and ideas please visit
http://www.bestskinpeel.com


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Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Vitamin For Acne Guide - Which Are The Most Important Vitamins For Fighting Acne?

By Jorge Samuel

If consumed enough either through our foods or supplements, vitamins can
actually help stop acne before it has a chance to emerge. Since the body is the
biggest organ of the body, it needs the kind of nutrition to work at an optimal
level, and for fighting acne from ever developing. The listed vitamins and
minerals are exceptionally noteworthy for reducing acne breakouts.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A contributes to the strengthening of the skin's protective tissue
and prevents acne. Vitamin A also assists to cut down on sebum production.
Vitamin A is a great antioxidant and very effective for ridding toxins from your
body. Not consuming enough vitamin A in your diet can become a major cause for
getting acne. Consuming generous amounts of fruits and vegetables are more
effective than the animal-derived vitamin A for reducing acne. Warning: Do not
take vitamin A supplements; it can be toxic to your body in high dosages, and
dangerous if you are pregnant.

Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)

Vitamin B1 provides energy production, better digestion and metabolism. It
also functions as an antioxidant ridding your body of toxins. You can find
vitamin B1 in garlic, parsley, leek, mangetout, orange, kale, pineapple, plum,
cauliflower, and tangerine. It is advisable to eat these foods either raw or
lightly cooked.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

Vitamin B2 works together with Vitamin A to maintain and improve the mucous
membranes in the digestive tract. It is also essential for healthy skin, hair
and nails. Acne is a symptom of Riboflavin deficiency. Recommended dosage to
fight acne: 100 mg 3 times daily

Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide)

Vitamin B3 is important for healthy skin through the improvement of
circulation and the support of your body with the metabolism of fats, proteins,
and carbohydrates. A deficiency in vitamin B3 will cause acne. Recommended
dosage to effectively combat acne: 200 mg, three times daily.

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)

Vitamin B5 has become popular for decreasing stress. It is required for the
appropriate function of the adrenal glands. Recommended dosage to combat acne:
100 mg, three times daily.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)

Pyridoxine is vital for the proper functioning of the immune system and the
antibody production. A deficiency in this vitamin may result in acne.
Recommended dosage to combat acne: 100 mg, three times daily.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an antioxidant which is necessary for no less than 300 metabolic
workings in the body.Vitamin C safeguards against infection. It enhances
immunity. Recommended dosage to combat acne: 1000 to 1600 mg, three times daily.

At Acneskincareproduct.biz learn about a medically approved herbal acne formula To read about reviews on natural, safe, and effective products that help fight adult acne visit http://www.acneskincareproduct.biz

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Sunday, February 17, 2008

Adult Acne Care, Skin Care Is Not Skin Deep

By: Kathleen Steadwater

The saying "beauty is only skin-deep" cannot be truer than in regards to adult acne. Studies have proven that topical acne creams and cleansers are simply not enough to stop acne in its tracks.

Recent studies claim that what you put into your body may be more important than what you put on your skin. It can't be denied that acne skin care treatments can help acne, but the majority of acne products are topical, meaning that they go on the surface of your skin. So, it's not far fetched to think that these products simply treat the symptom of something greater that's going on inside your body.

With a few easy changes to your lifestyle, you can get to the root of your adult acne problem and maybe even find a cure. This may sound like a big task to take on, but all it really involves is taking control of your personal habits. Here's how:

1. Eat Right
It's common knowledge that eating healthier provides many great benefits like just feeling better overall. Eating lots of fresh fruits, vegetables and fish can greatly benefit a bad complexion. But it's important for you to also limit the amount of bad fats, sugar and caffeine you take in, particularly if you eat a lot of processed foods.

The next time you shop at the grocery store, pay attention to where specific types of foods are located within the store. You'll see that all of the fresh foods — produce, meats, fresh fish and dairy products — are along the outside walls of the store, and all of the processed foods are in the center. Keep your cart away from the center aisles and you can be assured you're making good dietary choices.

2. Drink Plenty of Water
Our bodies are made up mostly of water. Water keeps us hydrated and helps remove toxins from our bodies. Make sure to drink water every day — not just when you're thirsty, but all day long. Did you know that by the time you feel thirsty, you're already experiencing symptoms of dehydration? If you want more flavor than water has to offer, opt for teas or 100% fruit juices that don't have added sugar.

3. Get Lots of Rest
Our bodies aren't meant to be on the go all of the time. Not getting enough sleep can knock you out of whack. By getting enough rest every night and taking a nap if needed during the day, you can stay fresh and alert and keep your body balanced. When people don't have enough energy due to lack of sleep, they have a tendency to snack and drink caffeinated beverages to keep them going. Opt for a 15-minute catnap instead, and you'll be doing your body and skin a lot of good.

4. Move Around
Stress is a major cause of common health issues like weight gain, mood disorders, fatigue, headaches, and, yes, even bad skin. Exercise helps relieve stress and filter toxins out of your body. You'll not only feel better, but you'll look better, too.

You could face years of using topical solutions and medication to treat your acne, or you could address the issues that are going on inside your body and stop acne now. By making some simple lifestyle changes you're not only making yourself healthier on the inside, the results will be noticeable on the outside through your clear, glowing skin.

About the Author:

Kathleen Steadwater's articles about acne solutions - http://www.all-about-acne-treatment.com/articles/acne-solutions.shtml have appeared on a variety of leading health and beauty websites that have helped thousands of people achieve clearer, more radiant skin and overall better health.

Article Source: www.iSnare.com

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Saturday, February 16, 2008

5 Ways to Speed Your Metabolism

By: Lisa Buldo

The key to speeding your metabolism is to re-ignite the furnace inside of you. The key is eating and exercising. You will never jump start your metabolism by not eating. Eating is absolutely key! Isn't that good to know? You must adapt a healthy way of eating before you begin to exercise, especially if you have been sedentary for a while.

You hear stories of people who go out to shovel snow, and have a heart attack on the spot. Many times it's because they weren't used to exercising the heart that hard, and the heart couldn't take it. For this reason, I believe it is important to get the nutrition down first. For speeding the metabolism, you need to do a few things:

1. Eat some protein at each meal to keep the body in calorie burning mode and your glycemic index as low as possible.

2. Drink half your body weight in ounces daily. It will help you detoxify daily.

3. Eat at least 2 large servings of dark leafy greens daily. (Preferably with lunch and supper). Green vegetables clean and deodorize our bodies, our blood, our tissues and our organs. Eat lots of greens if you want a healthy life!

4. Eat unprocessed, natural whole foods as much as possible. Processed foods only sustain life, but do nothing to promote health.

5. Eat organic foods whenever possible. They don't contain antibiotics and growth hormones.

Extra Bonus Tip

Once you have the nutrition down in just a couple of weeks, be sure to get the okay from your doctor to start an exercise program.

Start to incorporate exercise slowly. Never go gangbusters if you've been sedentary for a while. Ease into it, and increase by 5 minutes per day until you are comfortable with 20-30 minutes of aerobic exercise daily. Strength training and Flexibility are also a must!

You can do it. You will have more energy and you will feel great!

As the Founder and Executive Director of "Natural Whole Health, LLC", Lisa Buldo has a calling on her life to teach people how to be healthy through Nutrition and God's Word together. God wants each of us to be healthy and whole, which means nothing missing and nothing broken.

The company offers Individual, Group, and Corporate Workshops, as well as a selected series of lectures, in order to assist others in bringing health and balance to their lives by embracing simple solutions to health, nutrition, and lifestyle challenges.

Lisa Buldo, Holistic Health Counselor and "Your Holy Health Coach," Founder of Natural Whole Health, LLC. If you're ready to jumpstart your health, get your FREE tips now at http://www.LisaBuldo.com

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Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Antioxidants-A New Improved Source

By: George Shears

As a result of the ongoing wellness revolution, more and more people are learning that they need to add high quality nutritional supplements to their diet in order to help prevent and reverse a wide array of chronic degenerative diseases. The basic reason for this is very simple--we are genetically programmed to eat only the simple, whole foods that were consumed by our stone-age ancestors. To whatever degree we deviate from this kind of diet, we deprive our bodies of key necessary nutrients and ingest substances that actually cause them harm.

Tragically, about 90% of the average American diet now consists of mummified foods that are lacking in the key nutrients we need; even worse, they commonly contain a wide array of ingredients that are either downright toxic or that seriously disrupt the functioning of our bodies in many ways. And even the natural produce we eat--unless it is organic and vine-ripened--is likely to be deficient in many key micronutrients that our bodies need in order to be healthy.

To make matters worse, the cells of our bodies are now increasingly subject to damage from free radicals due to the high levels of environmental toxins in our diet and the reduced levels of antioxidants in our food to combat free radical damage.

One nutritional supplement that nearly everyone needs is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids to counterbalance the excessive amounts of omega-6 oils that are in the average diet. Although the ideal dietary ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fats is 1:1, it's commonly in the range of 1:20 to 1:50. An estimated 85% - 95% of North Americans are omega-3 deficient. The increased level of inflammation in our bodies caused by this imbalance is a common factor in many forms of chronic disease, including arthritis and heart disease.

To help curtail free radical damage, nearly everyone also needs to supplement with high quality antioxidants. These are of key importance in helping to prevent many diseases, including heart disease, cancer, and mental decline associated with aging. There is much evidence that they actually slow the aging process itself.

A very new supplement--Neptune Krill Oil--is now available and is unsurpassed in meeting both of these key needs. Produced from minuscule krill that are harvested in the icy waters of the Antarctic, it not only provides a much richer source of omega-3 fatty acids than fish oil, but also includes unique phospholipids that markedly increase their absorption into all of the cells in our bodies.

These phospholipids are also important building blocks for cell membranes, protect these membranes against free radical attack and other toxic injury, and serve as cellular "gate-keepers." Moreover, they are an important source of choline, which is of key importance in brain development and functioning. In addition, they also contribute importantly to protecting the liver and promote the production of healthy HDL cholesterol.

In addition, krill oil contains one of the most powerful natural antioxidants yet discovered--anastaxthin, a carotenoid that gives krill their distinctive reddish color and protects them from solar radiation. Independent laboratory testing has shown it to be 300 times more powerful as an antioxidant than vitamins A and E and 47 times more potent than fish oil and lutein. Since it's also 100% bioavailable, it's readily absorbed into our cells. It simultaneously prevents the oil from becoming rancid and provides powerful cellular protection against damage by free radicals. Since krill oil is markedly more bioavailable, the daily recommended dosage is only one-fifth as much as with fish oil.

This product is also unique in containing the very first flavonoid ever discovered in the animal world. As is commonly true of plant flavonoids, this co-factor works synergistically with other ingredients in producing major health benefits.

Another very attractive feature of this new product is its safety. Since krill feed on algae and are at the very bottom of the food chain, they are not contaminated by heavy metals and other industrial pollutants that are commonly found in fish. For this reason, krill oil is completely free of these toxins. Since the FDA and EPA have recently issued warnings that eating fish and shellfish is unsafe for pregnant or nursing mothers and also for young children, this is one of the very important advantages of krill oil over fish oil.

Clinical trials of this product, along with several double-blind placebo controlled studies, indicate that it has the following health benefits:

- Helps to reduce inflammation in heart blood vessels

- Promotes healthy joints and decreases arthritic pain due to inflammation

- Improves concentration and memory

- Helps to counteract effects of aging

- Provides cell membrane protection

- Improves levels of blood lipids and cholesterol

- Improves liver function

- Alleviates PMS symptoms and pain associated with menstruation

- Bolsters the immune system

- Increases energy and improves mood

- Promotes skin health

- Helps to stablize blood sugar levels

- Contributes to the health of the brain and nervous system

It's very important not to confuse Neptune Krill Oil with imitations that are not subject to the same rigorous quality controls in production and which have not been used in the extensive scientific investigations of this specific product.

You can learn more about this remarkable new supplement and where to get it by going to the website indicated below.


George Shears is a retired psychologist, wellness consultant, and network marketer living in the remote north woods of Minnesota. One of his main missions in retirement is to increase awareness about effective ways to prevent and reverse chronic disease. He has found Neptune Krill Oil to be remarkably beneficial in this regard. To learn more about it, go to his website listed below:

George Shears
Retired Psychologist & Wellness Consultant
651-204-0523
gshears@hcctel.net
http://yodaspal.googlepages.com/omega3resourceguide

Working for a World of Wellness and Prosperity

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Thursday, February 14, 2008

Natural Skin Care Enhanced Inside and Out with Grape Seed Extract

By: Gloria MacTaggart

Until just a few years ago, Vitamins C, E and Betacarotene were known to be the most powerful antioxidants on the market. However, a new product has taken their place - the grape seed. Although especially effective for dry skin, grape seed extract will benefit any skin type and help reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Products containing grape seed oil and extract may replace many of your current skin care remedies and give you a chance to switch to natural skin care.

Research on the grape seed began when scientists decided to investigate the reason behind the lower incidence of heart disease in France. The country's traditional diet of rich foods and other lifestyle factors certainly did not align with what they knew to be heart-healthy requirements. Their research isolated the antioxidant content in red wine as the beneficial element and soon doctors all over the world began recommending a daily glass of red wine for cardiovascular health. The antioxidants scientists found are oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPC), 20 times more potent than Vitamin C and 50 times stronger than Vitamin E.

As antioxidants fight free radicals, now known as a primary accelerant to the ageing process, grade seed extract of course became a major ingredient in many natural skin care products. It is now available as grape seed oil and extract, which can be purchased in its pure form for internal or topical use or as one of the ingredients in several cleansers, toners, astringents and masques found on the skin care product shelves of health food stores. You may also be able to find it in pharmacies that have a special section for natural skin care products.

Grape seed cleansers are especially good natural skin care products for those with problem or dry skin. The extract's antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties clean without the need for harsh cleansers; they help slough off dead skin cells and leave your skin soft and supple. Grape seed oil directly applied will also help reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

One of the basic elements of good skin is good health. Taken internally, grape seed extract will not only improve your cardiovascular and gastric health, it will also help your problem or dry skin from the inside out. Applied topically, you will see even more direct benefits. You should check with your dermatologist to see if it would be appropriate to add grape seed extract to your list of dietary supplements, but topical preparations are safe under any circumstance and a real must for your basic natural skin care routine.

Author, Gloria MacTaggart, is a freelance writer who contributes articles on skin care for The National Skin Care Institute. For more information, visit http://www.skincarenet.org

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Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Turmeric Extract, The Next Miracle Antioxidant? Or Is Curcumin All It's Hyped Up To Be?

By: Samantha Rangen

The turmeric root has been used traditionally in Ayervedic medicine and other Eastern folk remedies. Due to differences in certain diseases between Indian and Western populations, interest was raised in the scientific and medical communities regarding the possible pharmacological activity of turmeric. Turmeric is the yellow spice used to color curry powder. Many ethnic groups the world round use it for adding color to cooked or pickled foods.

When turmeric was examined in a laboratory, it was found that the active components were certain chemical compounds, known as curcuminoids. The major curcuminoids are curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin. They are commonly referred to generally as curcumin, and are available commercially now as purified extracts of the turmeric root.

In the scientific literature there is a good deal of evidence for the antioxidant activity of curcumin. Curcumin has been shown in research to powerfully scavenge free radicals, a type of molecule with an extra electron which is very reactive and can cause oxidative damage to the body. Curcumin has also been shown to be a powerful scavenger of nitrous oxide (NO) based free radicals, another common biological oxidizer. What this means is that there are indeed results that support the claim that curcumin is an antioxidant.

Indeed, many of the health benefits of curcumin derive from the antioxidant effect. Antioxidants in general are helpful for supporting health in

  • the cardiovascular system
  • sugar balance in the blood
  • brain cells
  • stomach lining
  • wound healing
  • gall bladder
  • muscle growth.

Different antioxidants are more powerful in different reactions than another, and may have different side effects as well. Turmeric and its curcumin extracts have been shown over and over to have a very high safety level, and have been used in food for centuries. Clearly antioxidants are an important part of of our overall healthy diet. Can you have too many antioxidants in your diet? Certain popular antioxidants have known over dosages, such as vitamin A or vitamin E. No such overdose level has yet been found for turmeric, and curcumin, though normal dosages vary from 400 to 600 mg of Curcumin 3 times daily.

You will find available on the market a confusing number of curcumin supplements. Many of these have "bioperine" added to the curucmin. Bioperine is a trade name for the chemical piperine, an extract of black pepper. While it is touted as possibly aiding in absorption of curcumin, known as a bioavailability enhancer, there is little scientific evidence for this. In fact, there may be more problems with piperine than benefits, even as far as being carcinogenic or cytotoxic. Since the court is out on Bioperine, it may be advisable to choose a curcumin without bioperine.

Likewise you will find an array of purity in curcumin extracts. While it may seem more effective to purchase the most purified, you will increase your costs drastically. Consider that turmeric is extremely low prices, however curcuminoids only account for about 5% of the weight of turmeric. There are currently no studies showing whether bioavailability of the curcumin is higher in the purified curcumin vs. the curcumin naturally available in turmeric. Therefore, it may indeed pay off to purchase the cheaper curcumin products. Keep an eye on whether the curcumin is standardized and whether the source you choose is FDA approved.

To sum, there is ample evidence that turmeric and curcumin extract of turmeric are safe antioxidants that one can easily add to ones diet as supplements or as spices.

References:

source:http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/nutsupdrugs/pip_0322.shtml -- piperine

Source: Ital J Biochem. 2003 Dec;52(4):177-81. Nutritional antioxidants and the heme oxygenase pathway of stress tolerance: novel targets for neuroprotection in Alzheimer's disease. Calabrese V, Butterfield DA, Stella AM.

Source: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2006 Feb 28;103(9):3381-6. Epub 2006 Feb. 21. Amyloid-beta peptide binds with heme to form a peroxidase: relationship to the cytopathologies of Alzheimer's disease. Atamna H, Boyle K.

Source: J Neurosci. 2001 Nov 1;21(21):8370-7. The curry spice curcumin reduces oxidative damage and amyloid pathology in an Alzheimer transgenic mouse. Lim GP, Chu T, Yang F, Beech W, Frautschy SA, Cole GM.

Samantha Rangen writes about home health issues. She has a BA in chemistry and has worked as a research technician for over 20 years in biochemistry, genetics, biochemistry, and cancer research. Her current research projects include curcumin usage against Alzheimer's Disease, immunomagnetic cell separation, and natural killer cell actvity in cancer cases with and without depression.

Samantha markets discount home medical equipment, including insulin syringes at http://www.getinspec.com.

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Sunday, February 10, 2008

The Health Benefits of Chocolate and Children's Nutrition

By: Natalie Aranda

We all love chocolate candy, but as we grow older some of us begin to consider it a forbidden fruit. How did something that ancient civilizations considered the food of the gods become so riddled with controversy today?

In this day of saturated versus unsaturated fats and monitoring cholesterol levels, chocolate candy has taken a bad wrap. A little research into the notional value of chocolate brings some revelations over which candy lovers everywhere can rejoice - chocolate can be good for us!

Chocolate candy does not raise the bad cholesterol (LDL) as other saturated fats do. It also contains antioxidants, the same types of antioxidants found in a glass of red wine. Antioxidants improve & strengthen your immune system. They are thought to help prevent stroke, heart disease and cancer. And if that wasn't enough many more health benefits are contributed to antioxidants including slowing the aging process & the visible signs of aging. The darker and more pure forms of chocolate contain the most antioxidants.

Chocolate candy does not contain as much caffeine as you might think either. An average serving of chocolate candy has far less caffeine than a cup of coffee.

I bet you didn't know that chocolate is a rich source of phosphorus and magnesium too. The benefits of each are well documented. Magnesium helps to maintain muscle and nerve function, is good for strong bones, and supports a healthy immune system and more. Phosphorus is important for bone and teeth formation in children and for works with calcium to keep bones strong and healthy for us throughout our lives.

Some ingredients in chocolate can even trigger happy feelings in our brain. What better choice could there possibly be for an afternoon pick me up?

Children from 1 to 100 love candy. Remember the joy when you poured your trick or treating loot out onto the floor to behold it in all its glory? There before your eyes, laid the candy cane, candy bar, chocolate candy, and sweet candy of all types. If you had a health conscious neighbor, you might even have some sugar free candy to try. And guess what? It tasted just as fantastic as the rest of your loot.

Reminisce a bit today and enjoy some chocolate. Don't wait only for holidays or special occasions to enjoy chocolate candy. Lose the guilt; after all, chocolate in moderation is good for you!

Natalie Aranda writes about family, children and health. Chocolate candy does not raise the bad cholesterol (LDL) as other saturated fats do. It also contains antioxidants, the same types of antioxidants found in a glass of red wine. Antioxidants improve & strengthen your immune system. Chocolate candy does not contain as much caffeine as you might think either. An average serving of chocolate candy has far less caffeine than a cup of coffee.

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