Information on Skin Care Products for Women

By Expert Author: Anne Harvester

The skin is not only our largest bodily organ, it is our first line of defense against disease and environmental toxins - and facial skin care is even more important. Although some women may not realize it, the fact is that skin care facial products go far beyond image - they’re important to maintaining your skin, and ultimately, overall health. Facial skin care is central to not only outer beauty, but inner well-being. What Kinds of Facial Skin Care Products Should I Use? Of course, no two people have the same needs when it comes to facial skin care. Between differences of ethnicity, age and surface characteristics, there are virtually thousands of different skin types out there. Obviously, a young woman who is primarily of northern European ancestry and dry skin will have different needs than an older woman of African ancestry who may have oily skin - and a middle-aged woman of Pacific Island ancestry will have still different skin needs. Add into that mix season, climate and environment, and it becomes apparent how complex the issue of facial skin care can be. The few of us that are blessed with “normal skin” lack the problems associated with large pores and/or redness. Skin care facial products that help to maintain the normal healthy appearance and moisture balance. Dry skin is common, and can be especially problematic in northern latitudes and desert regions such as the Southwestern U.S. and much of Australia. Having a dry climate, Australian women have used emu oil to great benefit. This oil is made from the fat of the emu bird, a distant relative of the ostrich, and was used by aboriginal peoples for centuries as a skin treatment. The advantage of emu oil is that it penetrates dry skin quite easily. Women with oily skin may be prone to acne and rashes. Non-comedogenic skin care facial products are specially formulated to help keep pores open, thus inhibiting skin break-outs. Olive oil and almond oil are some of the ingredients you will find in these non-comedogenic skin products. As Years Roll On... Aging is for everyone - there is no avoiding it. However, proper anti-aging skin care products can help to minimize the outward signs of aging. This is more than simply vanity; use of good quality anti-aging skin care products is vital to maintaining dermal health as the years roll on. The body tends to lose collagen as we age, which is what causes wrinkles and bags under one’s eyes. Eye gel and similar products can help to compensate for this loss. Facial skin care is not the same comprehensive skin care that should include all body surfaces. However, it’s a good start. Good quality facial skin care products make of the basis of a total skin care program.
About the Author/Author BioAnne Harvester has years of experience in Beauty products. She can give you advice on simple, safe effective products that help promote wellness.

Read More......

Natural Ways to Keep your Skin Healthy

By Expert Author: Patricia Bascunan

Every skin care routine requires an adequate water intake. Most people know about the benefits of drinking water on your overall health. Water is also a crucial part of keeping your skin hydrated and healthy. If your skin is dry and dull, try using a regular moisturizer as well as increasing your intake of water. If you exercise a lot or live in dry climate, you may require more than the suggested 8 glasses of water per day. Limit your intake of alcohol and caffeine, which can dehydrate you. Exercise regularly Exercise is important to keep your body fit, but it's also wonderful for your skin. Cardiovascular exercise keeps nutrients moving through your blood stream so that can repair and nourish your skin. Exercise regularly to help improve the health and appearance of your skin. Also consume an equilibrated diet of vegetables, whole grains, fruits, lean meat and good fat to keep your skin and body healthy. Eat foods rich in essential fatty acids Essential fatty acids (EFA's) are very important in keeping a healthy skin. They reduce inflammation and support skin structure. Most people get plenty of Omega-6 (found in red meat, processed food and eggs) but insufficient Omega-3 (found in cold water fish, like salmon, sardines and tuna, as well as nuts and flaxseed). Try to include foods rich in Omega-3 into your regular diet. Use healthy skin care products Your skin is the body's primary defender against germs and toxins. If you have a healthy skin, then it's able to give better defense. It's important that you use caution when applying skin care and hair care products because most of them are bad for your skin. Detergents, petrochemicals, fragrances and other components can clog pores, cause irritation and damage your skin. Look for cleansers, moisturizers, skin treatments, cosmetics and other skin care solutions identified as natural products, with natural components rather than abrasive chemicals. Always wear sun protection The solar UV rays can cause fine lines, discolorations, premature aging, age spots, wrinkles and even dermal cancer. Protect your skin with a sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher. If you are going to be for a long period of time in direct sunlight, wear a hat and sunglasses to defend your scalp and eyes as well. Fight free radicals with antioxidants Free radicals result from the exposure to stressors, including the sun, pollution and smoke. Free radicals can cause inflammation and cellular damage to the collagen in the skin. Collagen is one of the main elements of the connective tissue that keeps skin firm and wrinkle free. Free radicals and their damage can be fought with antioxidants. Antioxidants like Vitamins A, C, and E are found in brightly colored fruits, berries, vegetables and some legumes. By remembering these skincare tips, you can nourish, protect and repair your skin.

Read More......

Dark Spots on the Skin, Hyper Pigmentation and You

By Expert Author: Cindy Charles

The last time you looked in the mirror did you notice any dark spots on the skin that did not belong there? Did you notice that there was some darkening in some areas of your face, neck or lips that was not the same color as the rest of your face? If you have been suffering from any of the above you may have what many in the skin care field call hyper pigmentation. While this big word sounds like it may have an equally big diagnosis, have no fear as the answer is that it does not. This is a common occurrence that has no other ill effects except for the outward appearance of discoloration. Hyper pigmentation is a harmless occurrence that occurs when sections or patches of skin begin to get darker than other areas of the skin. This happens when the melanin in our skin, or what causes our skin to get darker, begins to form areas where the melanin builds up. This condition can affect people of any ethnic background regardless of the color of their skin. There are many different causes of discoloration. These can range from outside sources such as the sun to internal ones such as an excess of hormone production in the body. One form of hyper pigmentation is age spots. These spots are natural and usually come with time. As the name indicates, age spots are a result of our skin aging as well as being exposed to the sun. It is just a fact of life that the older we get, so do our bodies. These spots usually affect our face and hands or other areas of our bodies that may be exposed to the sun for long periods of time. Melasma is another form of discoloration that affects mostly women and can also be found during pregnancy or during the use of a birth control pill. The hormones seem to trigger an increase in melanin production and therefore cause the discoloration of the skin. Dark spots on the skin or dark patches on the skin can usually be found when hyper pigmentation or melasma is present. Dark spots on the skin can result from different things. They can be from a birthmark or a freckle. Dark spots could be a result of acne or hormones. There are many different causes for hyper pigmentation, so it is vital that you keep track of any new or size changes of existing dark spots on the skin. While we have seen that for the most part, dark spots seem to be more of a cosmetic issue than anything, dark spots or discoloration could also be a warning sign of other issues. Don't take any chances. If you start to notice dark spots, discoloration or size changes in spots, see your Doctor immediately to make sure it is not anything severe. If it is mainly a cosmetic issue, either your doctor can prescribe a treatment or you can try an over-the-counter skin lightener or whitener to help alleviate the stares. Don't wait until it's too late!

Read More......

Best Skincare Products

By Expert Author: Dr. Jenny Hobson

With so many inexpensive skincare products on the market, it might seem unthinkable that people could spend forty or even fifty dollars on a bottle of skin cream. In many cases, you are right. Did you know, however, that there are high quality products available to you right now, if you know where to look, that use only the latest research-proven ingredients and are scientifically proven to truly reverse the signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles? Today we will examine the five major reasons you might want to consider trying some of the premium skincare products you might not even know exist. The first reason is safety. Did you know that virtually every skincare product available in store contains chemicals that irritate the skin and some even contain ingredients that are toxic? Think about this. Read the label on the back of your current skin cream. Would you consider eating these ingredients? Believe it or not, you already do, in a sense. When you put a cream on your skin, it is not only absorbed into your pores, but also into your blood. Suddenly you want to know what they mean by fragrances and dyes, don't you? Some skin care products even contain chemicals that are also used in common weed killers. There are premium skincare products available that only use completely natural ingredients, such as minerals and proteins that are native to and needed by your skin. The best skincare products always use only ingredients that would be completely safe if you were to ingest them. The second reason is value. This might sound silly, but let me explain how this is true. If you were to purchase your average five to ten dollar bottle of skin cream, you would not be getting the best skincare. In fact, your skin would be getting dried out by alcohols and irritated by chemicals, which only makes your original reason for using skin cream worse than when you started. Furthermore, many common skincare product ingredients are actually being linked to depression, anxiety, and a number of other conditions. A single bottle of premium, all-natural skin cream with active and functional ingredients can do more to moisturize your skin and reverse signs of aging than any amount of drugstore cream can ever hope to achieve. The third reason is research. While many drugstore skin creams are tested only to ensure that they do not cause rashes or other obvious harm, premium skin creams are tested to ensure that the researched ingredients perform their job as intended. These creams are formulated and tweaked until the company is certain that you will achieve the maximum benefit technology that nature will allow. The fourth reason is reliability. Low-end creams are made in a number of plants and in a number or locations. Ingredients can be changed or reformulated whenever a lower cost alternative is found. The best skincare products are made by the company that designed them and monitored carefully for consistency and effectiveness. Ingredients are always tested for quality and the company sets rigid standards to ensure that no inferior products ever make it out of the factory. The fifth and final reason to use premium skincare is that it works. With cutting edge ingredients like Functional Keratin and Phytessence Wakame, both of which are at the leading edge of skincare science, there are products out there that simply can't be matched by anything at your local discount store or pharmacy. In short, sometimes you have to spend more in the short run to save money in the long run. By buying only the best skincare products, you ensure that you get only the best results. When you are given the choice between a cheap product that merely smells good and a truly revolutionary product that is guaranteed to give you the results you seek, the answer is clear. Premium skincare really is the best option for your skin.

Read More......

Masterpiece Meals - Creating Abundant Beauty and Health

By Expert Author: Lorraine Mignault

It is no secret that the French are considered one of the healthiest societies in the world. Given to eating copious amounts of cheese, butter and cream, they nevertheless boast a population of slim, healthy people. According to the Institut National de la Santé et la Recherche Médicale in Paris (France’s institute of national health), not quite ten percent of the country’s citizens are obese. Here in Canada, 58 percent of Canadians are considered overweight to the point of developing health problems compared to more than 65 percent of Americans. Why a difference in the national waistline and why the vast potential for medical problems inherent in the North American diet? Well, for starters, our farmers have become dependent on growing vegetables, fruits and especially root crops high in carbohydrates, starches and sugars which are valued by a processing industry that supplies us with highly processed, nutrition-deficient ‘food’ products. And our obsession with all things deep fried, super-sized and excessively sweetened also contributes to our expanding girth and declining health. In essence, it is not only what we eat but how and when we eat that has turned us into counterpoint images for a moderate, active and healthy lifestyle. For instance, the next time you eat at a restaurant (excluding fast food outlets which have been demonized enough in the media), order your favourite meal and see if the following presents itself. If you like turkey or steak, your protein will invariably be accompanied by potatoes (fried, mashed, boiled, pan-fried or baked), some mixed veggies (peas, carrots and corn), a roll and a house salad made from iceberg lettuce topped with a high fat, high sugar salad dressing. Because most of the foods on your plate are high in carbohydrates, starches and sugars, your glucose level will rise rapidly after eating and you will feel sluggish, bloated and ‘burpy.’ As well, the sugar will stimulate your pancreas to oversecrete insulin which in turn, leads to increased appetite. It is no small wonder then, that the food on our dinner plates make us want to eat more, have more bread, add dessert and reach for more caffeinated beverages and alcoholic drinks. The end result of so much wrong-eating is obesity and its increased physical and mental health risks. If the meals you eat at home are similarly ill-prepared, then perhaps it is time to rethink your approach to eating. Meals should be thought of as a concert with each food component existing on its own, yet in harmony with one another. Like a symphony, when all the parts of a meal come together properly, the result is a masterpiece meal which leaves you satisfied, not full. Start your masterpiece meal by choosing quality ingredients. Your main protein should include an animal protein, preferably poultry or fish, but in smaller portions. Include some dairy-based protein as well. Complement this with a dry vegetable protein such as chickpeas, lentils, red or white kidney beans, split peas or black-eyed peas. It is the fibre content of a meal that creates the feeling of satisfaction after eating. The vegetable proteins on your plate will maximize your fibre intake and increase satiety. Often, eating plant proteins will fill cravings for bread. If you have to eat bread, opt for high fibre breadsticks or crackers. Leave potatoes off your plate and try wild rice or a dry vegetable medley instead. Substitute veggies such as zucchini, cauliflower, asparagus and mushrooms for sugary peas, carrots and corn. It is important to consume your beverages before meals, not during or after, because they will dilute digestive juices and make it harder for your body to break down food. Finally, eat a salad of mixed green and red lettuce products at the end of the meal and top it with an olive oil dressing. For dessert, try a piece of fine cheese. If you enjoy fruit for breakfast, just remember that all fruits are not created equal. North America’s favourite fruits are bananas, grapes and oranges, but if you are one of the over one-third of the people who have a blood sugar problem and crave these items, then you may have a potential health problem. The high sugar levels from carbohydrate content in these fruits have a tendency to rapidly raise the blood sugar level in the body and contribute to a host of serious health issues, including obesity, diabetes, arthritis and cardiovascular disease. As alternatives to oranges, bananas and grapes, try berries, less-sweet apples, kiwis, mangoes and papayas. The masterpiece meal described above is the subject of intellectual property rights and inspired by the eating habits of continental France. Because cultural customs and a national reverence for food from the ground up have contributed to the overall health of France’s population, it would be prudent to follow their lead. We can begin by understanding that French cuisine is about healthy eating made simple. Now, if only our own meals home-cooked or in restaurants would lean toward such healthy eating that brings pleasure in appearance and taste and stay away from mounding our plates with iceberg lettuce and french fries. Copyright © 2008 Positive Living Inc. and Lorraine Mignault All Rights Reserved.

Read More......

The Key to Long and Healthy Lifestyle

By Expert Author: Joi Hernaez

It's very easy to give you the keys on living a long and healthy life. In fact, you may already know what the answers are. These are the basic fundamentals on living a healthy life: Eat the Right Food When we say right food, we are talking about those healthy foods like organic fruits and vegetables. I'm not saying that you would have to be a vegetarian just to live longer. What I'm saying here is don't eat too much of those unhealthy junk foods. The key here is to eat in moderation. You may not know that there are known five absolute worst foods you can eat. Those foods that is high in Trans fats and lots of toxins. The five worst foods are doughnuts, soda, fried non-fish sea foods, French fries, and chips. Doughnuts actually contain trans fats, almost all of the varieties, and can actually give you 200 to 300 calories, mostly from sugar. Soda is loaded with artificial colors and sulphites which can harm your body; one can of soda has about 10 teaspoons of sugar which contain about 150 calories. Diet varieties are loaded with aspartame, a known artificial sweetener that can cause cancer. Fried non-fish seafood like shrimps and clams are loaded with toxic mercury and trans fats. French fries is well known to be loaded with trans fats. Chips are also high in trans fats. Exercise Regularly Regular exercise can help you lose weight, improve your resistance to fight infections, lower your risk of having cancer other diseases, it can also help your brain work better and can make you smarter. When you exercise, it helps your body to work and helps in improving your blood circulation. If you are overweight, don't push too hard with the exercise, you can start by walking. And then increase the intensity of your exercise routine so you'll get used to it. The trick here is being consistent with your exercise. Discipline yourself and don't be too lazy, once you've discipline yourself, it'll become a routine and you'll be happy because you have done what you have to do. You will feel proud of yourself because you can see that you are improving with your life. Drink a Lot of Water Human body is mostly water; this fact is one of those reasons why ongoing intake of water is essential for the body to function. It's been said many times that one person should drink at least eight-ounce glasses of water per day but did you know that you need more water than that? According to Dr. Joseph Mercola, the rule of thumb is, for every 50 pounds of body weight you carry, drink one quart of bottle spring or filtered water per day. Social Ties and Having Good Friends on your Side Staying healthy and living longer is not simply a matter of eating fruits, vegetables, exercising, drinking lots of water, or getting good medical care. Good friends can also help you live longer and have a healthy lifestyle. Harvard researchers investigated the effect of social ties, death and heart disease, in a 10-year follow-up study of nearly 30,000 male health professionals. Roughly half of the men reported belonging to large social networks that included a spouse, a large number of friends or relatives, and/or community group involvement. Men who were more socially isolated, however, were nearly 20% more likely to die from any cause than their more socially integrated peers, the investigators found. Socially isolated men were also 53% more likely to die from a heart-related cause than those who reported the highest number of social ties. Further, those with a moderately low number of social connections had a more than twofold greater risk of death from accidents and suicides than did their peers with the most social ties. Social isolation is a 'risk factor' for ill health that deserves as much attention as other risk factors for cardiovascular disease and other ailments.
About the Author/Author BioThis article is written by Joi Hernaez, an SEO specialist. Read more about Living a Healthy Life by Dr. Joseph Mercola and check out her health blog if you are looking for information about herbal medicines.

Read More......

Questions and Answers about Herbal Extracts

By Expert Author: Anne Harvester

Of all the herbal extracts that are available on the market today, liquid herbal extracts are possibly the easiest to use. Herbal extracts can have medicinal as well as culinary and nutritive properties. When it comes to the latter category, stevia extract, or "sweetleaf" is one of the more handy flavor extracts to have on your kitchen shelves - especially if you are concerned with sugar intake. It is one of the best herbal extracts for use as a sweetener and sugar substitute. The Stevia Sweetener Alternative Stevia liquid is 300 times sweeter than sugar. It is derived from the leaves of the stevia plant, a tropical shrub related to the sunflower. The taste of stevia extract has a slower onset that that of sugar, but also lasts longer. As you might imagine, a little bit goes a long way; at high concentrations, stevia has a bitter after-taste similar to that of bad licorice. Because of the current demand for low-carb foods, stevia sweetener has been gaining in popularity among herbal extracts in recent years. Medicinal Purposes Like Chinese herbs that are used in TCM ("Traditional Chinese Medicine"), stevia may also have some medicinal and therapeutic applications in addition to its culinary role as a sugar substitute. The Guarani Indians of South America have used stevia for centuries to flavor their traditional beverage, yerba mate, but have also used it to treat heartburn. Medical research suggests that stevia extract could be useful in treating hypertension and obesity. Because it has virtually no effect on glucose levels, diabetics and patients on low-carb diets are finding stevia sweetener to be an attractive alternative to sugar. In addition to this, lab experiments have shown that stevia may stimulate the body's production of insulin, thus helping to reverse Type diabetes. In the U.S. and Canada, stevia is not available in food products nor even on grocery store shelves. It is however available in health food stores and through certain websites as a dietary supplement; on that basis, herbal extracts containing stevia are legal to import, buy and sell. However, in these countries as well as the European Union, it cannot by law be sold as "food." There has been some concern on the part of health agencies in several countries about possible toxicity issues, but very little conclusive research has been done on this aspect of stevia. It has been recommended by at least one nationally-known herbalist, author Paul Pitchford, that one purchase only the green or brown variety of stevia extracts in order to receive full benefit. As with anything, it's a good idea to educate yourself about herbal extracts before using them for anything other than cooking or aromatherapy.
About the Author/Author BioAnne Harvester is an herbalist who has studied the benefits of using organic herbs and other organic products. In this article, she explores organic essential oils, organic teas, and organic spices.

Read More......

What are the Real Mineral Water Benefits?

By Expert Author: Larry L. Taylor

Is there a big advantage to mineral revitalization water purification systems? Are they worth the money? We have the answers. Minerals are nothing new. They are naturally occurring substances. They are in the ground, the very earth, itself, so they are also present in anything that grows from or passes through the soil. They are also found in anything that eats plant foods and anything that lives in the water. When it comes to human health, there are recommended daily allowances for all of the essential trace minerals. Some companies suggest that the mineral water benefits are similar to what you would get from taking a vitamin supplement; the prevention of nutritional deficiencies. It is true that studies have shown that drinking distilled, which is de-mineralized, water on a regular basis leads to digestive problems and eventually can cause mineral deficiencies, if no other source of the nutrients are available. That is why companies have introduced mineral revitalization water purification systems for home use. That is also why so many people believe that there are a large number of mineral water benefits. The problem; the studies were conducted to advise consumers and health care professionals about what is the healthiest liquid to consume. Researchers did not compare mineral water benefits to those of regular tap water or water from any other source. They only compared people who drank distilled, as opposed to naturally occurring. The introduction of the mineral revitalization water purification systems was supposed to counter the disadvantages of reverse osmosis, distillation and other purification methods that remove naturally occurring minerals. It is basically, a waste of money, so is buying bottled mineral water. There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that there are mineral water benefits that are not found in the purified, mineral balanced option. The better filtration systems for home use provide the latter. There are some anecdotal studies that seem to suggest that there are some mineral water benefits. In areas where it is naturally occurring, it is said that people live longer and are healthier. While it is true that de-mineralized water is unnatural and probably not good for you. There is no indication that taking out what is naturally present and then “revitalizing” the H2O by adding them back is a good option. That’s why we say that mineral revitalization water purification systems are a waste of money. They simply take out what was already there and then add it back in. The balance may be different, but you can do the same thing with the newer systems that use ion exchange and for a small percentage of the cost. We have to admit that there is a school of thought that says mineral water benefits are numerous. So, the subject is debatable. But, mineral revitalization water purification systems only have an advantage over the old reverse osmosis units. We think that it would be difficult for anyone to debate that fact.
About the Author/Author BioLarry L. Taylor is a dedicated advocate of living a healthy lifestyle and diligent researcher of water purification systems. Visit his site at: http://www.clean-water-pure.com/ to discover which water filtration systems Larry recommends after extensive comparisons.

Read More......

Kids and Fitness

By Expert Author: Teri Sibai

Health Awareness is becoming the primary focus of most people. Today, people are conscious about their food intake and resort to various diets such as the South Beach Diet. Keeping a healthy lifestyle while having fun is one of the priorities of most individuals. Not only are they concerned with their own health but to their children’s health as well. There are various programs designed that will suit not only the adults but the kids as well. These activities are geared towards achieving a more balanced life that is full of fun, excitement, and adventure. Now, kids can be introduced to the concept of fitness as young as possible. Kids and Fitness is a very useful program specifically to prevent or minimize the number of obesity cases. With Kids and Fitness’ line up of activities, obese kids have the chance to lose some weight and be healthier. With their expertise in weight management, children can now easily face their obesity- and overweight-related problems. It does not only manage children’s weight but it also introduces kids to nutritious food and diet. Kids and Fitness has the capacity to improve kids’ awareness of eating the right kind of food and not just junk food. Kids are known to be picky with their food, but with Kids and Fitness, this dilemma can be resolved and parents will no longer have to worry about the eating habits of their children. Fun and Fit as a Family is another program that will not only deliver services focusing on weight loss but can also build bonds among family members. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be a family activity. Parents can motivate their children to keep on exercising and participating in several activities that can prevent obesity. Parents and kids can work hand-in-hand to combat obesity. Aside from this, Fun and Fit as a Family can also improve the relationships among family members. It can bring the family members closer to one another and enable them to know better every member of the unit. Kids and Fitness is not only accessible to limited individuals. With the use of the Internet, more people can be aware of their programs and how they approach obesity and being overweight. The site contains vital information that can open the eyes of people about the real situation of obesity in the world or specific country or area of the world. It is the people’s gateway to being a well-informed individual with some statistics or statements about health and weight management being reflected. Special events related to fitness for kids are also featured in the site. Kids’ lifestyle is also highlighted in the site showing the 5 steps to a healthy lifestyle: get active for an hour or more each day, choose water as a drink, eat more fruits and vegetables, turn off the TV or computer to get active, and eat fewer snacks and select healthier alternatives. The site is also working on a new feature wherein true stories will be included and these stories might be a driving force for others to work out, exercise, and obtain a new and healthier lifestyle. All in all, their site can already provide facts and information that people are looking for.

Read More......

The Elderly And Their Nutrition

By Expert Author: Jack Sands

Healthy eating and nutrition for the elderly is greatly impacted by several factors, one of them being a change in body composition. During the later years in life, the body will lose bone and muscle and gain fat because the hormones aren't very active anymore. There are many factors which hinder an elderly person's health. The information below will help you to lead a healthy life - no matter how old you may be. Water Water in the body decreases with age, so many older folks will become dehydrated very easily. Sometimes they won't feel thirsty, while other times it's too much work to pour a glass a water. With this in mind, it's recommended that they drink at least 1 ounce of water for every 2.2 pounds of weight. Protein At this stage in life, protein is very important. Protein is needed to support a healthy immune system and prevent the wasting of muscle. Since energy needs are less, older folks should eat high quality protein such as eggs, lean meats, poulty, and fish. Carbs and fiber Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for the entire body. You can find carbs in bread, cereals, pasta, and other grain products. A diet that's high in fiber and water will help to prevent constipation as well. Fat Fat intake for the elderly should be limited, not eliminated. You can limit fat by choosing lean meats, low fat dairy products, and food preperation methods that don't include frying. Iron For the elderly, iron deficiency can be seen with those who aren't eating much. Good sources for iron include lean red meats or breakfast cereals. Zinc Zinc intake is normally with the elderly, and to make matters worse, it's not absorbed very well either. Meat, poultry, and fish should be a part of your diet to help you meet the requirements for zinc. Calcium Calcium is one ingredient that most elderly folks simply aren't getting enough of. Most believe that milk upsets their stomach, and therefore they will avoid it. They should be getting around 1,500 mg of calcium a day, and nonfat powdered milk can be used in recipes as a substitute for milk. Other foods such as yogurt, low fat cheese, and broccoli can also help you meet the requirements for calcium. Vitamin B12 In order to absorb the benefits of B12, the intrinsic facotr must be produced by the stomach. Most elderly people suffer from a deficiency in B12 because they have a condition known as atrophic gastritis. This condition causes inflammation of the stomach, bacterial overgrowth, and the intrinsic factor. Without the intrinsic factor, this vitamin can be absorbed. Each one of the above nutrients are needed to keep an aged body in good health. Elderly individuals should try to stay active and strive for a well balanced diet. Even though the aged body isn't the same as it used to be, proper care and the right nutrients can help the elderly enjoy a healthy and long life.

Read More......

Diet for Disease Prevention and Senior Health Care

By Expert Author: Stephanie Rice

Maintaining a healthy diet throughout life can do more than just keep you slim and fit. Healthy eating is important to senior health care and can sometimes prevent diseases such as heart disease and cancer, as well as provide relief for diseases such as osteoporosis. Unfortunately, the importance of eating well is often pushed aside by our busy day to day lives. We continue to jeopardize our future health and get caught up in the cycle of fast food, large portions and sodium laden meals. A healthy diet doesn’t have to be daunting on our schedules, or mean giving up all the food we love. A simple eating plan can actually make meals and snacks more efficient for both our time and our bodies. While a healthy diet is important for an individual of any age, it is especially important for seniors and senior health care. Creating a healthy lifestyle while we are younger, and maintaining it as we grow older, can prevent many senior health care issues, and keep disease at bay. While many seniors rely on specialized senior services for their senior health care needs, it’s important to do all we can beforehand to maintain our health and practice preventative care. Below is a list of diseases and the foods that help to prevent or manage disease: Osteoporosis Our bones continue to grow until we reach our maximum bone density somewhere in our late twenties or early thirties. Slowly as we age our bones become less dense which can eventually lead to Osteoporosis. Building up our bone density while we are young is a sure prevention method, but there are a variety of foods that can help prevent or provide relief from the disease as well. These are: • Foods rich in Vitamin D such as dairy products, oily fish, and liver are vital for bone production. Exposure to sunlight also produces Vitamin D. Calcium, in low fat milk and other dairy products, is equally important for healthy bones. • Aside from nutrition, exercising regularly with low- or high-impact cardiovascular activities can force bones to strengthen. Many senior citizen communities and activity centers offer physical activity and exercise programs ideal for seniors. Heart Disease Coronary heart disease is a senior health care issue that can also be prevented through healthy lifestyle choices. Heredity, and poor diet are risk factors for heart disease, and a variety of basic nutrition solutions can prevent or help individuals manage the disease. These include: • Removing saturated fats from your diet. Replace them with unsaturated fats such as skimmed milk, low fat cheese, and lean meat. • Eat fruits and vegetables, and limit your total fat intake. • Eat fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as mackerel or salmon, and grill any meat to remove the fat. • Adding soy to your diet will reduce cholesterol, and also lower the risk of heart disease. • Stay away from Trans fats found in fried foods and some baked goods. Cancer Research has shown that eating a healthy diet and practicing healthy lifestyle habits can prevent the onset of cancer. Risk factors for cancer include smoking, overweight, and excessive drinking. Though quitting smoking and drinking in moderation will help in the prevention of certain cancers, eating vitamin rich foods and avoiding others to maintain a healthy weight can also play a major role in senior health. • Fruits and vegetables are vital to Cancer prevention and weight control. Eat a large variety every day. • Avoid large amounts of red meat and processed meats. • Wholegrain breads and other sources of fiber such as almonds are essential for weight control. • Eat fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids as well as beans and legumes that are full of fiber, protein, complex carbohydrates and important minerals. Eating well and maintaining physical activities don’t guarantee the prevention of disease, but contributes toward your physical and mental well-being. A variety of senior citizen services are available, such as senior nutritionists that can offer advice on healthy eating and exercise to improve or maintain senior health. Other healthy foods to build into your healthy lifestyle include: • Whole Grains • Almonds • Beans and other legumes • Avocados • Olive oil • Dark Chocolate • Eggs
About the Author/Author BioStephanie Rice has been working with senior citizen services in the senior health care sector for over 11 years. She is a licensed social worker, dedicated to senior health care, helping seniors to live a healthy and sustained life. She played a major part in the launch of www.FloridaSenior360.com and dedicated herself to senior health care and senior independent living

Read More......

6-Day process Diets

By Expert Author: Garry Kimmel

A 6-day process diet is a diet program that allows you to diet for 6 days then take a day off. You follow the diet plan for six days. You watch what you eat, exercise and take their diet pills that you get when you order the plan. Then you get a free day to do whatever you want and eat whatever you want. How is this possible? Surely by cheating that one day you are messing up everything you have done for the first 6 days. One reason is that if you constantly follow the plan and have no break you are less likely to stick to the program. By having a day off you can satisfy all your cravings and start back with the program when your free day is over. You will be willing to keep going when you know that when you are getting tired of the program you have a cheat day coming up. Many people choose to have their day off be Saturday because that is the one day of the week when people tend to want to go out or entertain friends and family. By having the entertaining day as their free day they won’t feel limited to eating the right food they can relax and have fun with everyone else. Another reason for the 6-day process diet plan that allows you to have the day off it will help you loose weight faster. Even dieters need to cheat a little. By having a cheat day you will see a boost in your metabolism from the day off and that boost will go through the next six days and then it is time for another day off. Diets like the crevax diet that allow you to have a day off from your diet when you can let your hair down and relax is a new concept. All the other diet plans I have ever heard of require you to follow their diet plan until you achieve your goal. Then the problem is that when you achieve your goal and you go off the diet you gain the weight most of the time. When you are able to take a day off of the diet for you so that you can do whatever you want you get back on track and you are able to accomplish your goal and are able to keep the weight off. The 6 day process diet teaches you the importance of eating right for six days. This diet plan is not just a simple fly by night diet. It is for people that are serious about loosing weight. If that is you chances are you will have better success going on a 6-day process diet than you would have if you went on a diet that was strict about you staying on their diet and not having any time that you could satisfy your cravings. The 6-day process diet plan is truly a unique plan that should be tried by anyone needing to loose weight.
About the Author/Author Biowww.CreVax.Com - My name is Garry Kimmel. I used over 15 different diet products. I used both drugs and supplements. CreVax is the most popular diet product in the market. For more details, please visit http://www.crevax.com/

Read More......

You Can Eat Healthy While Eating Out

By Expert Author: Jan Richards

If you go out to a restaurant to eat, you probably watch your calories very closely. To assist you with your calorie watching when dining out, these tips will help you make the most of it. - Always order salad dressings or sauces on the side, as this way you have control over how much you add to your meal. - When you order grilled fish or vegetables, you should ask that the food be grilled without butter or oil, or prepared with very little or either or. - Anytime you order pasta dishes, be on the lookout for tomato based sauces instead of the cream based sauces. Tomato based sauces are much lower in fat and calories, and tomato sauce can even be counted as a vegetable! - You should always try to drink water, diet soda, or tea instead of soda or beverages that contain alcohol. - If you order dessert, share with a friend. Half of the dessert will equal half of the calories. - When you choose a soup, remember that cream based soups are higher in fat and calories than other soups. A soup can be a great appetizer, as most are low in calories and you fill you up pretty fast. - When ordering a baked potato, ask for salsa instead of sour cream, butter, cheese, or even bacon. Salsa is very low in calories and provides a healthy alternative with plenty of flavor and spice. - When you are full, stop eating. Listen to your body and what it tells you. - If you get full, take half of your meal home. The second portion of your meal can serve as a second meal later. This way, you get two meals for the price of one. - If you're looking to eat less, order two appetizers or an appetizer and a salad as your meal. - If you get a choice of side dishes, get a baked potato or steamed vegetables instead of french fries. - Always look for food on the menu that's baked, grilled, broiled, poached, or steamed. These types of cooking use less fat in the cooking process and are usually much lower in calories. - Plain bread or rolls are low in both fat and calories. When you add the butter and oil, you increase the fat and calorie intake. - As key ingredients to your meal, choose dishes with fruits and vegetables. Both fruits and vegetables are great sources of dietary fiber as well as many vitamins and minerals. - Choose foods made with whole grains, such as whole wheat bread and dishes made with brown rice. - If you crave dessert, look for somthing with low fat, such as berries or fruit. - Always remember not to deprive yourself of the foods you truly love. All types of foods can fit into a well balanced diet.

Read More......

Natural Treatments for Oily Skin

By Expert Author: Sandrine Magrin

Oily skin looks shiny and is much more prone to outbreaks of spots, even though it feels relaxed and supple. This is because of a heightened production of sebum (oil) by the sebaceous (oil producing) glands - too much sebum can lead to inflammation and pimples, if the duct gets blocked. Sebaceous glands are unevenly distributed, being more concentrated around the scalp, on the forehead, along the nose and on the chin, and scarcer on the cheeks and neck, and around the eyes. As a result, the oily skin condition tends to be observed only in patches. Oily skin can't completely be prevented from occurring, nor would you want to; a light sheen of oil is the essence of that youthful glow. However, EXCESSIVE oil on your skin may exacerbate the amount of clogged pores, which leads to a variety of skin problems such as acne. The amount of oil that an individual produces is determined by genetics. It is influenced by hormones and what is called an "end organ response". Because the oil gland is directly influenced by hormones, it is known as an end organ. Many people have the same level of hormones, but make different amount of oil because their oil glands respond differently. During adolescence, a surge in the level of sex hormones, known as androgens, creates a problem of acne skin where previously there was none. This happens because sebaceous glands produce more sebum, enlarged and stimulated by androgens. Acne is not directly produced by this stimulation, but the extra sebum for which they're responsible produces more fatty acids when a comedo plug closes off a pore opening. The additional fatty acids increase the amount of inflammation, and more severe acne occurs. Sebum is very important to the maintenance of the skin, despite all the trouble that causes. When the system is working properly, sebum performs the important job of helping to lubricate your skin. Also, dead skin cells shedding from your hair follicle walls are carried away with sebum. For someone having oily skin, is really important to take measures to unclog pores and prevent them from forming acne lesions. Oily Skin Care Tips - Be sure to tone and cleanse twice daily to control oil and breakouts. - Normal moisturizers may be too heavy, so stay away from them if your skin is extremely oily. - Exfoliate and apply oil-absorbing mask treatments once a week to eliminate oil trapped within the sebaceous duct. - Do not use any oil-based cosmetics, which will only aggravate oily skin and create further blemishes. Prefer water-based, non-comedogenic cosmetics.

Read More......

How to Enjoy a Healthy Skin

By Expert Author: Linda Gladhill

Having a healthy skin requires a lot of personal work. You will need to make a serious effort when taking care of your skin, until it becomes a habit. A healthy diet, adequate sleep and regular exercise are essential for a healthy skin. Do avoid going out in the sun, and if you need to, start using a sunscreen to protect your skin from sun damage. Drink 8-10 glasses of water everyday, to maintain your skin moisturized. As a guideline your skin needs two staples: cleanser and moisturizer. Other solutions might involve exfoliator, toner and eye gels or cream. Try not to use more than 3 or 4 products daily to protect your skin from breaking out and reacting. Follow a shorter routine, taking no more than 10 minutes twice a day, and use basic formulas. Any woman can follow the following basic skin care routine. Cleansing This is a basic step in a skin care routine depending on your skin type. Throughout the day, sweat, grease, dirt, dust, stale make-up and bacteria tends to accumulate on your skin and needs to be eliminated. Water and soap do tend to remove the dirt but are not able of removing make up completely, hence adequate cleansing is a must. While using your favourite skin products to cleanse your skin, they must be massaged into the skin with a light upward and outward movement, without forgetting about the grease of the nose, under chin area, neck and ear lobes. You must never use a dry cotton wool for cleansing your skin; moist it first, or your skin's moisture will be absorbed. You might want to perform the process of cleansing 2-3 times until the tissue or cotton wool is clean. You must also learn about specific cleansing tips according to your own skin type, and learn about several natural beauty products, including lotions and cleansing creams. (a) Steaming: All types of skin can be cleansed by steaming. It helps in stimulating the circulation, cleanses the skin of all surface dirt and clears blocked pores. (b) Massage: After a complete removal of the cleanser, you can now massage. The massage relaxes the facial muscles and energizes skin. The massage should be done with clean hands, and should not extend beyond 5-10 min. Take care not to stretch your skin while massaging. (c) Cold Treatment: Ice-cold water or masks application are the last step to close the open pores and draw out the impurities. All skin types can be treated with this procedure, but the skin care products that each one needs after being cleansed are totally different. Learning about your skin type will optimize your opportunities of enjoying a healthy skin, because you will be able to choose the right solutions for your particular case.

Read More......

Beautiful Skin and Natural Solutions

By Expert Author: Linda Gladhill

The future of the beauty industry is, according to many observers, dependant on the organic and natural trend, the cosmetics market's fastest growing section. Lately, there has been an increment in the interest in natural alternatives to beauty care, and it has now fully entered the public consciousness with an increasing number of new solutions being made available to us each year. It's not long since natural beauty solutions were mostly limited to just a few modest health store products, but a large assortment of brands based on natural ingredients is now available, which in quality and performance can stand against even the most renowned of cosmetic brands. Using beauty products made from nature is also a more attractive idea for most of us, with their nice textures and scents they are pleasurable to use, and we instinctively feel they must be a better choice for our skin. The most valuable cosmetic ingredients are truly going into organic and natural beauty solutions, with more and more today finding their benefits for their hair and skin. If you want to learn more, take a closer look at what the world of natural beauty has to offer, and how it compares to the synthetic beauty industry. Natural beauty care benefits The ingredients are the most important part of natural beauty products. It's the ingredients that difference them from synthetic beauty products and make them into something completely different with very different actions on our skin. Only natural ingredients are used in truly natural beauty products, and are supportive to the skin, unlike the industrial chemicals found in synthetic beauty products. They can supply vital nourishment to our skin, and reinforce the function and health of the bodily tissues and skin. Natural skin care products are often described as bioactive, which means that the skin can identify and work with these substances and using them in its daily effort to maintain and repair itself. It has therapeutic value, and can be used by our skin to rebuild, rejuvenate, and regenerate itself, and create real improvements in the quality and structure of our skin. Synthetic ingredients produce the opposite effect, as they have no use for the cells of our body and can even be detrimental to their function. Time tested ingredients with proven efficiency are the base of natural beauty care; they are not only less harmful, but also better in terms of performance and results produced over time. There is a double benefit to preferring personal care products based on natural components to care for your skin: First, you avoid ingredients that are harmful to your skin and body, and secondly, you receive the many benefits natural ingredients have to offer. Over time, this can make a great difference, and you will observe significant improvements in the appearance and health of your skin.

Read More......

Vitamin C in Skin Care

by: Vincent

The integumentary system is the body's largest organ. It can also be a woman's biggest nightmare. The epidermis and its care is one of the most ubiquitous concerns of women as they age. Vitamin C is used in skin care to help prevent premature aging and damage from the suns rays. The antioxidant properties of Vitamin C allows it to bond with and remove damaging radicals in the skin from pollution, cigarette smoke and other sources. Vitamin C is also a necessary part of the body's production of collagen which is the fiber that makes tissues strong and elastic. Thus the use of Vitamin C in a daily skin care program is thought to help make your skin look full and firm. Taking care of your skin should also be one of the biggest concerns of men since their incidence of melanoma is far greater than that of women and they are starting to spend more and more time in the tanning salons. Although men have the greatest statistical incidence of melanoma some dermatologists fear that the popularity of sun tanning beds in the female population may be bringing with it an increased development of melanoma in women. With the passage of time there may be an alarming tendency of young women to develop the sometimes fatal disease. One thing is certain though, UV rays whether from tanning beds or sun exposure is damaging in excessive amounts. Furthermore, when the sun is involved sun screen really is mandatory for prevention of its damaging effects both medical and cosmetic. But even with the best preventative measures time does take its toll. Solar radiation, pollution and exposure to various toxins damage the cells prematurely aging the skin and the natural aging process leads to a reduced production of collagen. For some corrective measures may be required. Many approaches and strategies are used in the time reversal strategy known as skin care. Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) are a popular ingredient in many over the counter skin care products. The theory being that the acids peel away the outermost layer of skin exposing the new softer tissues underneath and the skin appears to renew and rejuvenate. Vitamins can be absorbed through the skin in creams and lotions, particularly Vitamins A and D. Vitamin C can be absorbed by the skin but the best form is one called L-ascorbic acid. This is a product that breaks down very easily especially in sunlight giving it a short shelf life. It is important to buy small amounts in dark colored or brown bottles and keep it in a dark storage place. This works by being absorbed into the epidermis and promoting the production of collagen. It also works as an antioxidant by neutralizing free radicals in the body. Because of its absorption this form of Vitamin C will not wash away but remain in the skin. Visit http://www.stanleybeautycare.com/
Author Vincent Platania represents the Stanley Home Products. Stanley Home Products has been in business since 1936, and offers high quality home and personal care products to keep your home and your body clean. Visit http://www.stanleybeautycare.com/

Read More......

Role of Genetic Makeup in Health

Lac Tran

Genes play an important role in shaping what we are today and for all our so-called genetic traits. The genetic information of parents is passed down to their children, grand children, or even great grand children. Similarly we have also inherited a number of genetic traits from our ancestors. All our physical characteristics, personality traits, and talents can be the result of the genetic make up of our ancestors.
We have 23 pairs of chromosomes in almost every cell in our body. Each pair consists of a chromosome from our mother and a chromosome from our father.

The chromosomes carry genes, which are the segments of DNA that determine factor a whole range of characteristics. The color of our hair, our height, and even our predisposition to health concerns are some of the genetic traits that we have inherited from out parents.
Genetic information is contained in the genes of a person and as the cells of the body duplicate, the genetic information is passed to the new cells. In our genetic make up, certain genes are dominant and influence the genetic trait of a person even if only one copy of that dominant gene is present in that pair of chromosomes. On the other hand, certain genes are recessive and do not affect the genetic trait of a person even if they are present on both chromosome pairs.
Our genetic make up is also responsible for a number of health problems that we face. Some examples of genetic, or inherited, health problems include obesity, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and hypertension. Many health concerns come about due to a combination of our inherited genetic make up and environmental triggers, such as unbalanced diet, chemical exposure, and unhealthy lifestyle.
In most cases genetic diseases can be avoided by up to 70% if the exposure to known environmental triggers of the condition is avoided. For example, spina bifida (a neural tube defect) in newborns can be avoided if their mothers take folic acid during early pregnancy and continue taking it until their doctor advises them to stop.
Genetic diseases can also be avoided by keeping yourself fit and following a healthy lifestyle. People who are obese should try to reduce their weight as obesity is the main trigger of many health problems including cancer. A balanced diet or intake of vitamin supplements, including natural herbs, can also be taken to ensure good health.
Author Bio:
Mitamins team
bd@mitamins.net
Mitamins' aim is to custom-made the best natural remedies to complement the treatment of your concerns. Our unique process allows you to combine multiple formulas into a single formula, in a single bottle, and avoid overdose and interactions.
Vitamin health and Customized supplements

Read More......

Getting Your Family Into Fitness

by: Christopher Guerriero

Getting and staying in shape is important for you - but your workouts may be more important for your family. The reason: your family is inexorably drawn to follow your fitness example - for good or bad. How you manage your personal fitness and nutrition has a ripple effect that spreads across your entire family.

Your “personal ripple effect” may be one of the most powerful forces shaping your family's mental and physical future. Consider the following:We are products of our environment. We gravitate toward what we are repeatedly exposed to. It's a simple matter of repetition. The more we see, hear, use, or eat something the more it becomes ingrained in our psyche. In fact, social scientists believe environmental repetition may have an effect on gene expression and can literally change your biochemistry.The power of suggestion is strong. The power of repeated suggestion is practically unstoppable. So if you’re making poor fitness and nutrition choices at any age, it’s likely your family will be making the same choices shortly.“When Junior sees Dad parked in front of the tube and digging into a bag of chips, it's hard to resist the same lifestyle. And chunky Mom, plus chunky Dad, often equals chunky kids”.The evidence is compelling. Your example, your behavior, your habits are being absorbed by your family at warp speed. The secret is making it a blessing instead of a curse.It’s never too early or too late to start. In the research center, my staff and I see the impact that consistently exposing people to a healthy lifestyle has on individuals. As people mature, they embrace exercise as a natural, fun part of their lives. You have the power to influence the health and fitness of every person in your family (your children, your spouse, your siblings, your parents --- and even your friends). The fitness habits you help them build will keep serving them in every area of their life. I can think of no better gift to give people than the gift of health.But here's the secret...You absolutely must lead by example. Never "tell" a person what they should do, just keep living a healthy life in a tight lean body, and people will instinctively gravitate to you and learn from your examples.The process for some "hard-headed" folks might be a bit slower, but they'll come along once they see how much more fun you're having in your new body than they could ever hope to have unless they pick up the pace and learn from your example.So how do you do it? It’s a day-to-day process and a series of repeated small steps that add up to awesome health habits. Every time you choose the vegetables over the chips, a walk over a drive, and an active game over T.V., you’ve just made another donation to yourself and to your families lifetime health and fitness fund.It’s your personal ripple effect in action…
Christopher Guerriero, is the founder of the National Metabolic & Longevity Research Center and a best-selling author, speaker, and coach to millions. He is creator of the award-winning 'Maximize Your Metabolism' system. To learn more about this step-by-step program, and to sign up for FREE how-to articles and FREE teleseminars, visit: Maximize Your Metabolism

Read More......