Vitamins and Health

September 1st, 2009

It seems that everyone is trying to lead a healthy lifestyle these days. We are eating better, well balanced meals, and cutting out fatty processed foods. We are experiencing an increase in activity levels adding more and more fitness and daily activity to our lives. With all of this extra interest in our health and vitality the use of vitamins is receiving more attention. What role do vitamins play in our nutrition and overall health?

By definition, vitamins are a group of complex chemical substances that the body requires for proper health. Vitamins are found in a variety of natural food sources. Vitamins produce enzymes that the body needs in order to carry out physiological functions that are necessary for living.

There are a total of thirteen vitamins and the human body requires all of these in order to operate effectively. Vitamins are responsible for promoting normal growth, immune system function, and energy for the cells. There are two groups of vitamins: fat soluble and water soluble.

Fat soluble vitamins include vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E and vitamin K. Fat soluble means that these vitamins are stored in the fatty tissue or liver in the body. The body is capable of storing fat soluble vitamins so you do not need to take them or ingest them everyday for optimal health. However, because these vitamins are stored in the body, there is a risk of overexposure.

Water soluble vitamins cannot be stored in the body because they are dissolvable in water and anything that your body does not need will be expelled from your system. Water soluble vitamins include vitamin C and the B vitamins. Because they do not stay in your system it is important to ingest a healthy amount of these vitamins everyday.

The body is not capable of producing vitamins on its own and that is why it is imperative to eat a well balanced diet full of vegetables, fruit and lean meats. However, as much as we try, a healthy diet is not always possible in today’s world. With busier lives, it can be difficult to always eat a well balanced diet full of the nutrients and vitamins that we require. That is where vitamins and supplements come in. By ingesting vitamins and supplements we can insure against any deficiencies that are caused by holes in our diet.

Vitamins and supplements are not a substitute for proper nutrition. However by adding them to your daily regime you can ensure that your body is receiving all of the nutrients that it needs for you to live the healthiest life possible.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Twitter
  • Technorati
  • Live
  • LinkedIn
  • MySpace
  • Wikio
  • Yahoo! Bookmarks
  • Bitacoras.com
  • FSDaily
  • Global Grind
  • Identi.ca
  • NuJIJ
  • PDF
  • ppnow
Category: Vitamins and Supplements
2 Comments »

Treat Your Skin Right Overnight

August 25th, 2009

Proper skin care is important if you want to maintain a youthful and healthy appearance. In addition to caring for your skin during the day, there are certain steps you should take at night in order to keep your skin always looking its best.

Make sure to remove makeup: Tempting as it may be at the end of a long day, NEVER go to bed with makeup on your face. Clean your face with a gentle soap, making sure to remove all traces of makeup. Leaving residue can clog your pores and lead to an unsightly breakout.

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize: This rule applies to facial skin as well as the rest of your body. Make it habit to apply lotion before going to bed. Make sure the type of lotion is appropriate for your skin type and the season. For example, a lighter version of facial moisturizer would be appropriate during the summer as opposed to a heavy-duty winter-type moisturizer. Apply to freshly washed skin. If your skin is still a bit moist, the lotion will soak in more effectively.

Banish breakouts: Overnight is the perfect time to treat any breakouts you might have. After cleansing off all makeup, apply a small amount of spot treatment to the blemish and let the ointment do its work while you rest!

Love the gloves; to keep the skin on your hands looking beautiful and smooth, consider wearing a pair of cotton gloves at night. Apply a hydrating lotion and massage into cuticles before putting on the gloves. When you wake up, your hands will be soft and supple. Another spin on this idea is to wear socks to bed after applying lotion to your feet. Your feet will feel smooth the next morning.

With these simple tips, you’ll be able to maintain skin that looks beautiful at all times of the day.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Twitter
  • Technorati
  • Live
  • LinkedIn
  • MySpace
  • Wikio
  • Yahoo! Bookmarks
  • Bitacoras.com
  • FSDaily
  • Global Grind
  • Identi.ca
  • NuJIJ
  • PDF
  • ppnow
Category: Anti-Aging Skin Care
No Comments »

Skin Care Terms – Explained

August 17th, 2009

If you want to learn about skin care terms then you’ll want to read this article. Have you ever wondered what all those terms mean while reading the label of a skin care product? Well, you don’t have to any more as we will try to make this as easy for you as possible.  After you’re done with this article you will know all about a skin care terms without having to reach for a dictionary.

Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids are some of the most commonly used among the various skin care terms Found in cleansers, exfoliants and lotions. These acids help break down and remove dead skin cells. At-home peels with AHAs, such as glycolic acid, can decrease brown spots and smooth fine lines over the time. Research shows that these acids may also spur collagen production. Be aware that they also increase the skin’s sensitivity to sun exposure, so make sure to use sunblock SPF 15 or higher.

Antioxidants are vital to anti-aging skin care. Antioxidants are substances that diffuse free radicals generated by exposure to the sun and other environmental hazards. What are free radicals? They are molecules with an odd number of electrons that try to “steal” electrons from healthy cells, causing premature aging and possibly some cancers. One of the most commonly known antioxidant is Vitamin C. It could be used internally and externally as well; in the form of topical Vitamin C drops.

Botanicals and Fruit Enzymes are probably also among those skin care terms that you often see on skin care products. Botanicals and Fruit Enzymes are two separate categories.
Botanicals are plant-based extracts that have healing properties. Chamomile, for example, can decrease puffiness around the eyes and it’s very useful in preventing and healing infections. As another example, feverfew can reduce redness.
Fruit Enzymes are used in cleansers, masks and more. These can slough away dead skin cells, decreasing dullness.

Peptides are the building blocks of proteins, which may be able to help stimulate collagen production and prevent breakdown when applied topically.
Larger molecules called hexapeptides and septapeptides may inhibit the contraction of the tiny facial muscles that cause fine lines, but further research is being done on this topic for the final conclusion.

Retinol is a Vitamin A derivative. Retinol has been shown to prevent and improve the appearance of wrinkles. It’s very sensitive to air and sunlight, so retinol products that are packaged incorrectly may lose their potency. Look for products that come in a foil tube with a small mouth.

Congratulations! You got the insights on the most commonly used skin care terms. If you found this article helpful, I hope you’ll check out our website too for more useful info.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Twitter
  • Technorati
  • Live
  • LinkedIn
  • MySpace
  • Wikio
  • Yahoo! Bookmarks
  • Bitacoras.com
  • FSDaily
  • Global Grind
  • Identi.ca
  • NuJIJ
  • PDF
  • ppnow
Category: Anti-Aging Skin Care, Uncategorized
36 Comments »

Proven Skin Care Tips To Keep You Looking Young

August 15th, 2009

If you’re looking to prevent premature aging and look your absolute best, these skin care tips are for you. Of course, wrinkles are an inevitable part of getting older, but there are a few steps you can take to stay looking young as long as possible.

In our previous article, we’ve discussed the importance of a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced, nutritious diet, regular exercise, sufficient amount of water intake and reducing stress.

Keeping a healthy lifestyle is the best thing you can do for your skin. In addition to maintaining a healthy diet, proper hydration is one of the most important skin care tips. Water will keep the skin moist and supple, while also clearing out toxins. Dry skin is extremely susceptible to wrinkles and fine lines, so you want to always stay hydrated. The standard recommendation is to drink 6-8 glasses of water each day, whether or not you are trying to lose weight.

We all know how dangerous the sun’s UV rays are, so always protect yourself when you go outside. The sun can dry out your skin’s oils and natural moisture, making it more likely to crack or wrinkle. SPF 15 is standard protection, but fair-skinned people may need even more protection.

Other skin care tips include using jojoba oil or coenzyme Q10 to reduce wrinkles and protect your skin. Jojoba oil is a very versatile oil that can be used to reduce wrinkles, relax stretch marks, and provide moisture to dry, cracked skin. It is also very similar to some of the oils naturally produced by the skin, so it is tolerated well by the body. Jojoba oil is very high in vitamin E, which is known to be an antioxidant that can help protect the skin from damage.

Coenzyme Q10 is another popular anti-wrinkle ingredient. It is mostly used for its antioxidant properties, which protect the skin cells from free radicals. Free radicals are continually generated by the body’s metabolic processes and will break down the structure of the cell. Since they are always being created by the body, a daily antioxidant is necessary to keep free radicals under control.

Now you know several easy ways to protect yourself from the signs of premature aging. Look for anti-wrinkle products containing the ingredients listed above to make sure you are getting a quality product. Stay consistent in following our skin care tips and you will find yourself looking younger each day.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Twitter
  • Technorati
  • Live
  • LinkedIn
  • MySpace
  • Wikio
  • Yahoo! Bookmarks
  • Bitacoras.com
  • FSDaily
  • Global Grind
  • Identi.ca
  • NuJIJ
  • PDF
  • ppnow
Category: Anti-Aging Skin Care
46 Comments »

Anti-Aging Skin Care

July 26th, 2009

Anti-aging skin care is a very popular concept in today’s world. Everyone wants to hide their age using anti-aging procedures. However the desired anti-aging results are not achieved by any magic potion. Anti-aging skin care is about being proactive and by thus, slowing down the aging process.

Here are a few tips for proactive anti-aging skin care:

1. Maintain healthy eating habits:
A well balanced diet is the key to maintaining a proper body metabolism. Eat a lot of fruits and vegetables (raw), they are the best source of fiber and have a very refreshing effect on your body. Avoid oily and fatty foods; not only do they lack in essential nutrients but also cause obesity and other diseases which aid the aging process.

2. Beat stress:
This is probably the most important anti-aging skin care measure. Stress disturbs the body’s metabolism and accelerates the aging process. Sleep, exercise and a relaxing bath, are all good ways of beating stress. Aroma-therapy is also known as a stress-buster.

3. Drink a lot of water:
Anti-aging skin care can’t be any simpler than this. Water helps in flushing out the toxins from the body, hence keeping it clean and making it less prone to disease.
Around 8 glasses of water (per day) is recommended by all doctors.

4. Regular exercise is a essential to the success of your anti-aging skin care.
Besides toning your muscles, it also helps in cleaning the skin by flushing out the toxins in the form of sweat. Exercise should be followed by a warm shower in order to completely remove the toxins.

5. Avoid the use of strong, chemical based products on your skin.
Natural skin care products are a good option. Use of organic skin care products (home made or commercial) can be a very effective anti-aging skin care measure.
The only exception to this rule are the in-office chemical peels, but they must be administered by a licensed aesthetician and you should strictly follow their advice on the frequency of the treatments.

6. Do not overuse skin care products. Excessive and harsh application, both are harmful.

7. Do not ignore skin disorders; it can lead to permanent skin damage.
Try over the counter medication and if that doesn’t help, immediately visit your dermatologist and seek his/her advice.

8. Vitamin C based skin care products are very popular means of anti-aging skin care.
However, these seem to oxidize very quickly (which makes them harmful for the skin). So store them properly. If the product turns Yellowish brown, it means that vitamin c has oxidized and the product is no longer suitable for use.

9. Protect your skin against UV radiation; UV rays are known to speed up the aging process. So, a good sunscreen lotion should be a part of your anti-aging skin care routine.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Twitter
  • Technorati
  • Live
  • LinkedIn
  • MySpace
  • Wikio
  • Yahoo! Bookmarks
  • Bitacoras.com
  • FSDaily
  • Global Grind
  • Identi.ca
  • NuJIJ
  • PDF
  • ppnow
Category: Anti-Aging Skin Care
13 Comments »