The Fitness Page

Benefits of Spinach

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 17:36:00 +0000

Spinach contains choline and inositol, the substances that help to prevent atherosclerosis or thickening and hardening of arteries.
Spinach and alfalfa help stabilize blood sugar among diabetics. Make a drink by getting several handful of spinach, add 3 cups of water. Place over low heat for one hour. Then strain. Take ½ cup twice a day. Spinach and alfalfa may be served as part of the meal.
Spinach is loaded with flavonoid that functions as antioxidant and anti-cancer agent.
Spinach contains carotenoid that help fights cancer.
Spinach is a rich source of Vitamins C and A
Spinach is an anti-aging vegetable.
Spinach is a good source of Vitamin K, which aids in the formation of the blood substance required for clotting of blood.

Spinach is also helpful in the following cases ; Anemia, Tumors, Constipation, Insomnia, Obesity, Neuritis (inflammation of nerves), Nerve exhaustion, High blood pressure, Bronchitis, Colon cancer, Prostate cancer, Breast cancer, Osteoporosis, Dyspepsia (chronic indigestion), Also helps ailment of the kidneys, bladder and liver.

Nutritive Values : Per 100 gm.

Vitamin A : 9,420 I.U.
Vitamin B : Thiamine .11 mg.;
Riboflavin : .20 mg.;
Niacin : .6 mg.
Vitamin C : 59 mg.
Good source of Vitamin k : amount undetermined.
Calcium : 81 mg
Iron : 3.0 mg.
Phosphorus : 55 mg.
Potassium : 470 mg.
Carbohydrates : 3.2 gm.
Protein : 2.3 gm.
Calories : 20

The Fitness Page - Benefits of Spinach

8 Things in Your Home That May Be Harming You

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 17:25:00 +0000

Home sweet home, right? Well, sort of. You may be unaware of the potential health dangers lurking in your abode—from critters in the kitchen to bugs in the bedroom. Here’s what you need to know and what to do.

Your kitchen sponge

Maybe you’ve heard about the germs on your kitchen sponge (gross news flash—there may be as many as 20 million microbes on it right now). But here’s the deal: Your method for “cleaning” that sponge may be leaving it loaded with potentially hazardous bacteria that can make you ill. Researchers at the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service found that some common cleaning methods for sponges—soaking them in a bleach solution, lemon juice or water—did not eradicate the germs.

What to do

The best ways to clean a dirty sponge, they say, are in the microwave (on high for one minute) and in the dishwasher, which will kill 99.9 percent of all germs.

Your bed

Have you been on a trip recently? If so, you may have brought home some hitchhikers—of the creepy-crawly variety. Bedbugs, tiny bloodthirsty insects, are hosts to organisms that cause hepatitis B and Chagas disease, say health experts. But the real problem seems to be the infections and allergic reactions that can sometimes result from bedbug bites.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, bedbugs are on the rise and becoming an increasing health problem. The insects, which hide in the crevices of mattresses and bedding, are showing up everywhere, from hostels to the swankiest hotels, and they often find their way into people’s luggage, transporting themselves to unsuspecting homes.

What to do

If you’ve done some traveling recently, and especially if you’ve noticed any mysterious bug bites, wash everything in your luggage and consider scrubbing your suitcase with a stiff brush before giving it a good vacuuming.

Your laptop

You’re the only one who uses it, so how dirty can it be? In a word: filthy. A study by researchers at the University of North Carolina Health Care System found that keyboards were loaded with germs.

Even more disgusting, the average public toilet bowl contains 41 germs per square inch. The average personal keyboard? Some 21,000 germs per square inch. “Toilet bowls get cleaned,” says Philip M. Tierno Jr., Ph.D., director of clinical microbiology and immunology at New York University Langone Medical Center, “but keyboards rarely do.”

What to do

Tierno says the best way to keep your laptop or computer’s keyboard clean is to gently wipe it down daily with disinfecting wipes.

Your shower curtain

According to research by the Center for Health, Environment & Justice, shower curtains and liners made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) may be harmful to your health.

Their study suggests that PVC releases potentially harmful chemicals into your bathroom. While there is still some debate among health experts about how much of these chemicals could be deemed harmful, many believe that limiting your exposure to chemicals, wherever possible, makes sense.

What to do

Check your shower curtain’s label to see if it’s made of vinyl or PVC. While not all manufacturers disclose this information, some retailers, like Ikea, have banned PVC shower curtains altogether, and Target has promised to phase out the material in its shower-curtain products in the months ahead.

Your laundry

Nobody thinks of the washing machine as a germ magnet—that’s where clothes get clean, right? Not if you’re using a public machine, and especially if that machine uses water that’s not hot enough, says Tierno.

Here’s why: Lower temperatures can encourage the spread of germs. Researchers at the University of Arizona found that intestinal viruses such as hepatitis A can be easily transferred from underwear to other garments during the washing process. Even worse, some germs can lurk in public washing machines and find their way to your clothes.

What to do

Wash your underwear and towels separately, using bleach if possible, and wash all towels in water that’s at least 155 degrees, which will kill most germs. Not sure if your apartment’s water temperature is hot enough? Talk to the building manager.

Your humidifier

Watch out for the humidifier, say germ experts. “If it’s not cleaned properly, a humidifier can become a repository for legionella and other pathogens that cause respiratory infections,” says Tierno.

What to do

If you like sleeping with a humidifier in your room, be sure to clean it often—at least a few times a week—by mixing a solution of one-part bleach to 19 parts water (for most humidifiers, this would equal about a half or full cup of bleach) and letting it sit for a few minutes before rinsing well.

Your doorknob

Think of the people who have touched your front doorknob in the past 48 hours: the UPS man, a neighbor, a solicitor, your friends—it’s easy to lose count. Now think of all the places they’ve been—the subway, public restrooms, grocery stores. Those germs are all on your doorknob right now, says Tierno.

Most people let their guard down when it comes to their own door handles, he says, but we shouldn’t: “Viruses can survive for days on doorknobs, and you can easily get cross contamination from them,” he says.

What to do

Make a habit of wiping down your doorknob frequently with sanitizing wipes or sprays. Have a copper doorknob? You may be in luck. Researchers in England found that copper door handles had 95 percent fewer microorganisms on them compared with other doorknobs. Scientists believe that many germs, including MRSA, may not be able to survive on copper.

Your salt and pepper shakers

When’s the last time you cleaned your salt and pepper shakers? Exactly. These unassuming little items get touched in all parts of the meal-prep process. Example: You give your sauce a dash of salt after touching raw chicken (oops) and then later set the shaker on the table.

What to do

Nobody thinks of cleaning their salt and pepper shakers, says Elizabeth Scott, Ph.D., assistant professor and co-director Simmons Center for Hygiene and Health in Home and Community at Simmons College, but to avoid cross-contamination and food poisoning, you should. “Best to wipe them with an EPA-registered disinfectant,” she says. “But better still, always wash your hands after handling raw foods and before touching anything else.”

The Fitness Page - 8 Things in Your Home That May Be Harming You

Power Foods That Make Your Mind Younger

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:34:00 +0000

Simply add these foods to your day, and let your renewed brainpower impress you.

Eggs

Selenium is among the good stuff in this favorite breakfast food. Get enough of that element and your brain may perform as well as someone who's 10 years younger. Aim for 55 micrograms daily (eggs have 14 each; put them on whole-grain bread and get 10 micrograms per slice). Our favorite: A vegetable-and-egg omelet that uses one whole egg to each three or four egg whites (no cheese!).

Spinach, Kale, Collard Greens

Brain-friendly carotenoids and flavonoids in dark, leafy greens can make your mind act like it's younger (minus all the embarrassing dating experiences). Three or more servings of these a day can slow mental decline due to aging by as much as 40 percent.

Blueberries

Compounds in this fruit may help protect you from two processes that age your brain cells (and are linked to Alzheimer's). We mean inflammation and oxidation, not asking your kids to clean their rooms (for the 20th time) and getting behind someone who's driving 50 mph in the high-speed lane.

Walnuts and Fish

Although we love omega-3s, we get tired of relying on salmon, trout and walnuts to meet our needs. The active omega-3 that keeps your brain young is DHA—and you can get it from fortified foods or DHA supplements (600 milligrams a day is ideal for repairing your brain cells).

Mustard

Turmeric, a spice in yellow mustard, helps activate genes that keep your brain clear of waste (its buildup can cause inflammation that destroys brain cells). All you need is 17 milligrams of turmeric a day; about what's in a teaspoon of mustard.

The Fitness Page - Power Foods That Make Your Mind Younger

Exercise For Better Sex

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:05:00 +0000

Do you get winded by simply walking up a flight of stairs? Are you straining to pick up a gallon of milk? Do you crawl into bed shortly after arriving home from work? If so, you shouldn't expect to have the energy for a sexual marathon. But with proper exercise, one can get on the right track to feeling young and energetic in bed again.

At The Fitness Page we regularly have people emailing us - asking how they can improve their sexual stamina, get better aroused, last longer in bed and enjoy better enjoy sex. One of the best ways to achieve all of these desires and a whole lot more is exercise. Unless you're a cold fish, there's a great deal of body movement during sex. Together as a couple, go running or bike riding. This is a great way to spend quality time together while building physical endurance. Having healthier arteries will allow the blood to flow better to the genitals. With a healthier blood flow, men will develop a harder erection, and women will be more easily aroused.

With a conditioned body, one is able to last longer in bed and have sex numerous times. After climaxing once, break the habit of falling asleep afterward. Pleasure your mate for a while, instead. When the blood gets flowing again, "round two" can commence. This will keep both of you interested, and make your mate go wild with anticipation during intermission.

With endless positions to choose from during intercourse, don't stick to the same routine. If you work your upper body, it will be easier to grab your mate with authority and try a new position. Different positions will keep the spark alive. Use each muscle. Guys, this doesn't mean you should just lay back and let the woman do all the work. You need to be engaged, as well. Sexual energy will increase exponentially if both bodies thrust towards one another. Exercising your legs, arms and chest is great, but working the hidden muscles will help build stamina, as well.

Kegel exercises work for both men, and women. This exercise will thoroughly help each partner to gain control of his or her body. To do Kegel exercises, participants must tighten the muscle as if they are holding back urine. This is not about squeezing your stomach, or rear end. Next time you are going the bathroom, try holding back the stream. This should give you a feel of where that muscle is. Once you have found it, try working the muscle with reps of about 10 to 30 times. Then try repeating this at least 50 times a day. Once you are able to do 50, step it up to 30 reps at 200 times a day. It may seem like a lot of work, but you can do these while reading the paper or typing on the computer. If you are faithful to the routine, you should feel results within a month. A woman who does Kegel exercises can control and tighten her vagina. To help stimulate the male, she can use this muscle to get a firmer grab on the penis. Men who are going to climax should tighten their pubococcygeal (PC) muscle and release as desired. This will help them develop a skill to control ejaculation. Every time you hold back an orgasm, try to last a little longer than the previous one. Remember, practice makes perfect and the ladies love a man who can hold his own.

Climb the stairs to your bedroom without feeling exhausted. Pick up that gallon of milk after a glorious morning of sex. After work, you should plan on another sexual marathon. Sex is a great stress reliever and an amazing way to show the teamwork of a couple. Although exercising may seem hard at times, your body and your spouse will thank you.

The Fitness Page

Nutrients for Healthy Skin

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 22:29:00 +0000

Of all the news coming from the beauty community, the loudest buzz may be about the power of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to give skin a more radiant, healthy, and, yes, youthful glow.

The excitement is focused not only on creams and lotions you put on your skin but what you put into your body as well. Health experts say that vitamins and minerals in all forms play an integral role in a healthy complexion, whether the source is food, supplements, or even a jar of cream.

"Your skin is the fingerprint of what is going on inside your body, and all skin conditions, from psoriasis to acne to aging, are the manifestations of your body's internal needs, including its nutritional needs," says Georgiana Donadio, PhD, DC, MSc, founder and director of the National Institute of Whole Health in Boston.

If you feed your skin from the inside and out, experts such as Donadio and others say you can't help but benefit.

"There is a lot of important new research showing tremendous power of antioxidants in general, and in some specific nutrients in particular that can make an important difference in the way your skin looks and feels -- and even in how well it ages," says nutritional supplement expert Mary Sullivan, RN, co-founder of Olympian Labs. "When combined with a good diet, the right dietary supplements can help keep your skin looking not only healthy, but also years younger."

So which nutrients do you need to keep your skin healthy and looking its best? According to the experts interviewed by WebMD, plus new information from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the following vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other nutrients nourish your skin, whether you take them in supplement form, apply them directly to you skin, or make sure you get enough from the foods you eat.

Vitamins Good for Skin Nutrition

Vitamins C, E, A, K, and B complex can all help improve skin health. Here's how:

Vitamins C and E. Among the most important new dermatologic discoveries is the power of vitamins to counter the effects of sun exposure.

In research presented at the 2002 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology, Duke University researcher Sheldon Pinnell and colleagues demonstrated that "appreciable photoprotection can be obtained from topical vitamins C and E."

"Topical Vitamin C can prevent the consequences of prolonged sun exposure which can lead to skin cancer," says Karen E. Burke, MD, in a news release. "Supplementation with natural Vitamin E in 400 mg per day has been noted to reduce photodamage, wrinkles and improve skin texture."

This research has been backed up by a more recent study. The Journal of Investigative Dermatology reported in February 2005 that people who take vitamins C and E in the long term reduced their sunburns from exposure to UVB radiation. Further, researchers saw a reduction of factors linked to DNA damage within skin cells, leading them to conclude that antioxidant vitamins help protect against DNA damage.

Vitamin C and E help by reducing the damage caused by free radicals, a harmful byproduct of sunlight, smoke, and pollution. Free radicals gobble up collagen and elastin, the fibers that support skin structure, causing wrinkles and other signs of aging. When these two vitamins are combined in a lotion, they can be highly protective against sun damage, says the American Academy of Dermatology.

This doesn't mean you can gobble vitamins or lather on lotion, then bake safely in the sun. The link between tanning and skin cancer is indisputable and dangerous. (Always wear a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 25 and limit your sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.) But you may be able to help your skin stay healthier and supple by making sure you get enough of these antioxidant vitamins.

To make sure your diet includes plenty of vitamin C, eat citrus fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C such as bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, and leafy greens. These foods can replace the loss of the vitamin through the skin. You can also take vitamin C supplements, up to 500 to 1,000 milligrams of per day, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

You can also try a topical vitamin C cream to encourage collagen production, just as your body does naturally when you are young. The trick here is to use a formulation containing the L-ascorbic acid form of vitamin C, the only one that can penetrate skin layers and do the job.

You can find vitamin E in vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, olives, spinach, and asparagus. But it's difficult to get a lot from food, so many people take a supplement. (Be aware, though, that some recent research warns that large doses of vitamin E can be harmful. Stay with 400 international units per day or less to be on the safe side.) Used in a cream, lotion, or serum form, vitamin E can soothe dry, rough skin, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

Vitamin A. If your vitamin A levels are up to snuff from the foods you eat, adding more probably won't do much more for your skin. That said, if those levels drop even a little below normal, you're likely to see some skin-related symptoms, including a dry, flaky complexion. That's because vitamin A is necessary for the maintenance and repair of skin tissue. Without it, you'll notice the difference. Fruits and vegetables are loaded with vitamin A.

Topical vitamin A is the form that makes a real difference in your skin. Medical studies show a reduction in lines and wrinkles, good acne control, and some psoriasis relief, all from using creams containing this nutrient. For example, in research presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology in 2003, researchers from France showed that topically applied retinol plus vitamin C demonstrated a "reversal of skin alterations induced by chronologic aging and photoaging."

In another study published in the British Journal of Dermatology, doctors found that foods high in beta-carotene -- a form of vitamin A -- appeared to reduce the risk of psoriasis.

The prescription treatment for acne called Retin-A is derived from vitamin A. The less potent, over-the-counter formulations are sold as retinols and used as anti-aging treatments.

Vitamin B Complex. When it comes to skin, the single most important B vitamin is biotin, a nutrient that forms the basis of skin, nail, and hair cells. Without adequate amounts, you may end up with dermatitis (an itchy, scaly skin reaction) or sometimes even hair loss. Even a mild deficiency causes symptoms.

Most people get enough biotin without even trying. It's found in many foods including bananas, eggs, oatmeal, and rice, plus your body also makes some biotin on its own.

But recently, greater attention is being paid to topical preparations containing B vitamins. These creams can help give skin an almost instant healthy glow while hydrating cells and increasing overall tone. Niacin, a specific B vitamin, helps skin retain moisture, so creams containing this nutrient can help your complexion look plumper and younger in as little as six days. Niacin also has anti-inflammatory properties to soothe dry, irritated skin. In higher concentrations it can also work as a lightening agent to even out blotchy skin tone.

In one study presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology in 2003, a topical form of vitamin B was shown to dramatically improve aging in human skin.

Vitamin K. As the nutrient responsible for helping blood clot, Vitamin K won't do much for your skin from the inside. But studies presented to the American Academy of Dermatology in 2003 showed that topical vitamin K works well to reduce circles under the eye as well as bruises. In research published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology in 2002, doctors from the University of Miami School of Medicine found that skin treatments with vitamin K cream after laser surgery significantly reduced bruising. When combined with vitamin A in a cream, vitamin K can be even more effective for those dark circles. In a study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, doctors from the Nippon Medical School in Tokyo found that the topical application of a gel containing a derivative of vitamin K, as well as vitamins A, C, and E, was effective in reducing dark under-eye circles while also decreasing wrinkles.

Minerals Beneficial for Skin Nutrition

Mary Sullivan, RN, the co-founder of Olympian Labs, says most of us don't need to supplement our mineral intake, particularly if we already take a multivitamin. This is even truer, she says, if you drink spring water, which often contains healthful, natural supplies of important minerals. Studies show that washing your face with mineral water can help reduce many common skin irritations, and the mineral content may help some skin cells absorb the moisture better.

Selenium. A number of scientists believe this mineral plays a key role in skin cancer prevention. Taken in supplement form or used in a cream, this mineral helps protect skin from sun damage. If you do spend any time in the sun, selenium could help reduce your chance of burning.

In studies in The Journal of the American Medical Association in 1996, researchers showed that skin cancer patients who ingested 200 micrograms of selenium per day had:

37% fewer malignancies
50% reduced risk of death from skin cancer
17% decrease in overall mortality

In still more research published in the French journal Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed in 1991, researchers found that oral selenium as well as copper helped reduce the formation of sunburn cells in human skin.

The best dietary sources of selenium include whole-grain cereals, seafood, garlic, and eggs.

Copper. Still another important mineral is copper. Together with vitamin C and the mineral zinc, copper helps to develop elastin, the fibers that support skin structure from underneath.

A deficiency of this mineral is rare, and doctors caution that supplements can be dangerous. So it is generally not advised to consume extra copper. But topical applications of copper-rich creams aren't associated with the same kind of problems. What's more, they have been found to firm the skin and help restore some elasticity, according to four studies presented at the American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting in 2002.

The research, conducted at the University of Pennsylvania, found that when compared with a popular skin care treatment and a placebo, a cream containing copper peptides demonstrated rapid, visual overall improvements in skin roughness, clarity, fine lines, wrinkling, and overall photodamage. In similar studies, this same team of researchers found that copper peptides noticeably improved skin elasticity and thickness.

Zinc. The third skin-friendly mineral is zinc, important if you have acne. In fact, sometimes acne itself is a symptom of a zinc deficiency. Taken internally or used topically, zinc works to clear skin by taming oil production and may be effective in controlling the formation of acne lesions or help those already on your skin to clear sooner. Food sources of zinc include oysters, lean meat, and poultry.

Beyond Vitamins and Minerals: The New Skin Nutrients

Some of the more exciting new skin research looks beyond vitamins and minerals to other nutrients that when taken internally or applied topically can have remarkable effects on your skin.

Alpha-Lipoic Acid. A powerful antioxidant, hundreds of times more potent that either vitamin C or E, alpha-lipoic acid may turn out to be a super boost for aging skin. What makes it so special, say skin experts, is its ability to penetrate both oil and water, affecting skin cells from both the inside and the outside of the body. Most other antioxidants can do one but not both.

More specifically, explains Mary Sullivan, RN, alpha-lipoic acid helps neutralize skin cell damage caused by free radicals, much like vitamins C and E do. In one study conducted at Yale University and published in the Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics in 1999, researchers found that alpha-lipoic acid protected proteins against damage by free radicals. Sullivan says it also helps other vitamins work more effectively to rebuild skin cells damaged by environmental assaults, such as smoke and pollution. Alpha-lipoic acid is available in supplements or in creams.

DMAE. Another powerful antioxidant, this nutrient has one of the strongest appetites for free radicals. It works mostly by deactivating their power to harm skin cells. It also helps stabilize the membrane around the outside of each cell so that assaults from sun damage and cigarette smoke are reduced.

According to Sullivan, DMAE also prevents the formation of lipofucsin, the brown pigment that becomes the basis for age spots. As with alpha-lipoic acid, DMAE is available in supplements and in topical creams.

Hyaluronic Acid. Made by the body, this nutrient's main job is to lubricate joints so that knees, elbows, fingers, and toes all move smoothly and easily. But Sullivan says research shows it also plays a role in skin cells, acting as a kind of glue that helps hold them together, keeping skin looking smoother and younger. Another plus is its ability to hold water, up to 1,000 times its weight, which means more moisture in each skin cell.

Top skin care lines now include creams with hyaluronic acid. Sullivan says it is equally powerful taken in supplement form, though more research is needed to prove effectiveness. The nutrient isn't readily available in food.

Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs). If your skin is dry, prone to inflammation, and frequently dotted with white heads and black heads, you may be lacking essential fatty acids, nutrients that are crucial to the production of skin's natural oil barrier. Without an adequate supply of EFAs, the skin produces a more irritating form of sebum, or oil, which can result in problems.

The solution, says Sullivan, may be to balance two of the key EFAs, omega-3 and omega-6. While most folks get plenty of omega-6s (in baked goods, cooking oils, poultry, grains, and many other foods), omega-3s are often lacking. They're found mostly in cold-water fish, including salmon, sardines, and mackerel, flaxseed, and flax and safflower oils. Taking supplements, such as fish oil capsules or evening primrose oil, may also help keep your skin smoother and younger-looking.

The Bottom Line:

Most people can get all the nutrients their skin needs from a multivitamin and a healthy diet, says dermatologist Rhoda Narins, MD, of NYU's School of Medicine.

"You should get your basics in a multivitamin, and if you want to reap the benefits of all these other nutrients, get them in food, or use topical preparations," she says.

To some extent, Georgiana Donadio of the National Institute of Whole Health agrees: "It's not a matter of running out and spending a lot of money on vitamins. The idea is to use them in a very intelligent way that's healthful to you. But don't ever think they are the whole answer to dealing with a health problem, particularly aging skin."

Sullivan adds this skin advice: "The best approach is to drink plenty of water, use gentle products to cleanse your skin, always wear a sunscreen, and eat a balanced diet - then you can augment that care with nutritional supplements."

10 Miracle Foods to Look Younger

Exercise for Better Sex

Nutrients for Healthy Skin

10 Miracle Foods to Look Younger

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 22:07:00 +0000

We are all looking for ways to look younger and have a healthy body that we can be proud of. There are different things, products and treatments that people use to achieve their goal, however there are some foods that can do miracles for your health and your body, but most people are not aware of.

Its no secret that a healthy diet and eating well will make you be fit, have a healthy looking skin and look younger but what are those miracle foods? Lets look at some of them.

Chia Seeds - provide omega 3 fatty acids and are used like flaxseed. They digest well even when eaten whole and have a really good nutty taste as Faxseeds.

Omega 3 are good fats that lower cholesterol, nourish the brain and protect against hearth disease and inflammation.

ACAI - is the pulpe berry of the Acai palm that grows in the wild Amazon river rainforest. Its nutritional benefits are great, the juice and Pulpe provide high levels of antioxidants. Some people called it the "Power Berry" or "Amazon Viagra". It has antioxidants which help destroy free radicals.

Tomato is rich in lycopene and they help prevent prostate cancer in men. Another benefit is that is full of antioxidants that slow the aging process to keep you looking young.

Cucumbers - Help you look younger, reduce wrinkles, give your skin a glow and whiten teeth.

Raw unfiltered apple cider Vinegar (ACV) - is great for your skin and your hair and help you boost your energy.

Oil Pulling - you might notice some improvements in your skin, your teeth and more.

Beans- it reduces the risk of cancer and are a great source of protein.

Broccoli - This is an amazing super food with antioxidants such as Vitamin C and Beta carotene, folate and vitamin E.

Carrots - It is great for fighting aging diseases and is high in vitamin A and C.

Spinach - If you eat a lot of spinach, you are less likely to get cancer and is a great source of antioxidants.

Those are 10 miracle foods to help you look younger, if you use those foods in your daily diet, you will improve your overall health and look better, have a healthier skin and feel with more energy.

There are other things that you can apply to help your skin avoid the consequences of age such as wrinkles. There are some creams that can help you produce more collagen in your skin and other cutting edge ingredients to help your skin look better.

Exercise For Better Sex

Why Soap Dries Your Skin

10 Miracle Foods to Look Younger

Why Soap Dries Your Skin

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 23:30:00 +0000

Soap is one of the oldest industrial products, and there is a recipe for soap on a clay tablet from Ancient Babylon. One story has it that it was first developed widely in Roman times, with the name comes from the Italian city of Savona. Current soap can be traced back to Muslim sources from the seventh century. All tablet soap is broadly the same in chemical terms with only the color and the fragrance varying. If you are looking for something in your shopping basket to economize on, cheap soap is much the same as expensive soap. The premium you are paying is only for the fragrance. Personally I have no qualms about using the cheapest supermarket brand.

Chemically soap is a salt of fatty acids. Fatty acids are derived from any fat source. Traditionally beef tallow was used but since the BSE scare the big soapers have switched to vegetable sources. To my mind, vegetable sources give a slightly creamier lather which is nicer to look at. All soap has much the same cleaning power.

The problem with soap is that because of the way it is made it inevitably contains residual alkalis, usually in the form of sodium. Sodium is very disruptive to the stratum corneum, the upper layer of the skin. Repeated use of soap will have a drying effect because the sodium interferes with the ability of the skin to hold the body’s water in.

Most people’s skin is robust enough to stand it, but some people with particularly sensitive skin will be troubled.

What can you do about it if it is something you find to be a problem? There are a couple of options. There is one brand of soap called Oilatum which is marketed for people with eczema and can be found in bigger branches of Boots in the UK and I imagine in pharmacies in other countries. This is ordinary soap like any other but it also contains a slug of mineral oil which forms a layer on the skin to stop it drying out so much. Some people really like soap despite its drying effect so this is a good option for them. It is also a perfectly good bar of soap for other members of the family to use.

The drawback with Oilatum Soap is that it still soap. You are still doing the damage even if you don’t notice it so much. If you want to avoid soap altogether, what are the alternatives?

For light cleansing you might want to consider using a lotion. Some lotions themselves contain soap. Check the INCI list. Avoid any that contain either sodium stearate or sodium hydroxide. (I know some of my fellow formulators read this page – I know that this advice is a bit broad brush but it would take another page to explain the details.) I will look at some big lotion brands and make a few suggestions when I get a chance. It isn’t always appreciated by everybody that a lotion can be a very effective cleanser. Put it on some cotton wool and apply it to the skin then rub it off. Be gentle – although your skin is remarkably tough it isn’t indestructible. Don’t subject it to any unnecessary stress.

Another option is to use a light oil like grape seed oil or fractionated coconut oil. These can be used in the same way as a lotion: applied gently to the skin and then rubbed off. If you want to go really mad you could use the approach the Romans used to use before they got hold of soap. In a Roman bath house they would be drenched in olive oil which was then removed with a knife. I am not sure I approve of the knife bit – I think it might a bit too abrasive. But the principle is a sound one. You might think that applying oil as a cleansing agent would be unwise if you have greasy skin. Well I don’t think that this is the case. If you have very active sebaceous glands that are pumping oil onto your skin – there is a good chance that the reaction of the glands to the removal of the oil is simply to pump out more. Replacing the heavy sebum with a thin layer of a lighter oil might not only make your skin less greasy – it might fool your glands into thinking that their work is done. Everyone is different so it might not work for you, but why not give it a try? And I would love to hear how you have got on.

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Exercise for Better Sex

What's Causing Your Dry Skin Problem?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:15:00 +0000

Common causes of dry skin.

A dry skin problem can be uncomfortable and even maddening. Your skin might feel tight and painful; it might look dull or red or flaky. Worst of all is the itchiness -- the sort of overwhelming itchiness that makes you feel like you're infested with fleas, that keeps you awake at night, miserably raking your skin with a back scratcher.

"Dry skin is extremely common," says Barney Kenet, MD, a dermatologist from New York Presbyterian Hospital and Weill Cornell Medical Center. "There are probably close to 100 million dried out, itchy people in this country right now." And if the itching weren't bad enough, a dry skin problem can be more than just a superficial issue, experts say.

"Your intact, healthy skin is your body's primary defense against infection," says Claude Burton MD, professor of dermatology at Duke University School of Medicine. If you let your skin get dried out and cracked, you could be giving all sorts of nasty bacteria a way in. That can lead to more serious problems.

There are lots of good reasons to do something about your dry, itchy skin -- your looks, your health, and your sanity. So it's time to put down the back scratcher and really figure out what's really causing your dry skin problem.

Simple causes include harsh soap, itchy clothing, misusing moisturizer, and long, hot showers. But the medications you take -- and even medical conditions such as diabetes, psoriasis, hypothyroidism, and malnutrition -- can also cause severe dry skin. Read on to understand how and why these problems dry out your skin.

Understanding Dry Skin

Let's start with some skin basics. Normal, healthy skin is coated in a thin layer of natural lipids, or fatty substances. They keep in moisture, leaving the skin soft and supple.

What causes dry skin -- or xerosis, as it's known medically? Usually, something in the environment -- or something you're doing to your skin -- is stripping away these fatty oils, leaving your skin unprotected. Less often, the cause is internal; a health condition or genetic predisposition is making your skin dry out.

While patches of dry, itchy skin can appear anywhere, it's most common on the arms, hands, lower legs, and abdomen. Dry skin is often felt more than it's seen, but on some people it can be noticeable and embarrassing. For many African-Americans, dry skin is a special concern, since the flakes of skin can look gray, or "ashy," says Vesna Petronic-Rosic, MD, assistant professor of medicine and director of the Dermatology Outpatient Clinic at the University of Chicago Medical School.

If untreated, dry skin can sometimes lead to dermatitis -- inflammation of the skin -- swelling, and infection. The good news is that just as most causes of dry skin are external, most cures for dry skin are external. With careful dry skin care, you can usually solve the problem.

Dry Skin Problem: Misusing Moisturizer

If you've been contending with dry skin, you've probably already tried a moisturizer -- if not dozens. But while moisturizers are a crucial part of dry skin care, experts say that we don't always use them very well.

The biggest mistake we make is applying moisturizer on dry skin, when it's least likely to help. "You have to put on moisturizer when your skin is still damp," says Kenet, author of How to Wash Your Face. "That way, the moisturizer is trapping the moisture still on your skin." Your skin shouldn't be sopping wet -- just pat yourself dry with a towel and put it on. Let it soak in for a few minutes, and then towel off the excess, Kenet says.

You've also got to get the right type of moisturizer. Experts recommend that people with dry skin get mild moisturizers that have no perfumes. Often, the cheaper stuff you can get at the drugstore is better than the high-end products, Kenet says. The moisturizer must also be thick and greasy for good dry skin care.

Petronic-Rosic has a simple moisturizer test. "Put some of your lotion in the palm of your hand and flip your hand over," she tells WebMD. "If it runs or drips, it's not thick enough for dry skin."

Dry Skin Problem: Dry Air

"Dry air is probably the most common cause of dry skin, especially during the winter," says Kenet, "It draws the moisture right out of the skin." Dry skin during winter even gets its own name: winter itch.

While cold, harsh weather does dry your skin, the biggest problem in the winter lies indoors -- the dry heat churned out by your furnace. (During the summer, air conditioning can have a similar effect.) To counteract the dry heat, start with a moisturizer. Turning down the thermostat a bit in the winter can also help, Kenet says.

Other dry skin care tips include using a humidifier in your bedroom, and bundling up -- with hats, scarves and gloves, when you're outside. Petronic-Rosic recommends that people wear socks that go high up their shins during the winter. "Cold air can actually get under the pant leg and dry out the skin on the legs," she tells WebMD. "I see it all the time, but it's the sort of thing people don't think about."

Dry Skin Problem: Long, Hot Showers & Baths

Prolonged exposure to water -- especially hot water -- can wash away the natural oils that protect your skin. If you get out of the bath or shower and your skin feels tight, it's dried out.

So what should you do? First, choose showers over baths. But that's not all. If you're accustomed to waking up in the morning with a long, languid shower, dermatologists have some brutal advice: limit showers to a few minutes and skip the hot water.

"The water doesn't have to be cold," says Kenet. "But it should be lukewarm rather than hot." Kenet also recommends angling the shower head away from you while you shave or soap up. It's another way of reducing the time your skin is being pounded by the water.

Afterward, pat your body dry with a towel -- rather than vigorously rubbing it -- and put on a moisturizer right away.

Dry Skin Problem: Soap

"One of the biggest problems people have with dry skin stems from their soap," says Burton. Soap can quickly strip away your skin's protective oils, and we tend to use way too much of it.

"The average person who goes to school or work just doesn't get very dirty during the day," says Petronic-Rosic. "But [in the shower] many people scrub at their skin like it's the bottom of their shoes." Unless you're a child or a ditch digger, the only parts of the body that need any soap or cleanser at all are the face, hands, feet, groin and underarms. The rest of the body can usually just be rinsed off with water.

While our doctors -- and our mothers -- always told us to wash our hands frequently, that can also lead to trouble. Ironically, while done in the quest to rid ourselves of germs, excessive hand washing can dry out the skin and cause it to crack and bleed, making infection much more likely.

Many of us choose unwisely when we're in the soap aisle of the supermarket. We go for harsh soaps that generate lots of lather and leave us feeling squeaky clean. "The bubbling and lathering from soap removes the oils from the surface of the skin and dries it out," says Petronic-Rosic.

For dry skin care, look for milder, "fragrance-free" soaps. That's not the same as "unscented," which may still have perfumes, Kenet says. For many people with dry skin, the best choice is a mild, non-soap skin cleanser, experts say.

Whatever you do, don't use any harsh implements to wash yourself. "People will get these incredibly abrasive sponges and brushes," says Burton. "Sanding your skin is not a good idea."

Dry Skin Problem: Itchy Clothing

Kenet says that many people obstinately wear clothing that they find itchy. But no matter how much you might love the look of a sweater, it's not worth it if it's uncomfortable. "If a sweater is itchy when you try it on, it's never going to get any less itchy," Kenet says.

In fact, it might get more itchy. Dry skin is especially sensitive to contact irritants, so continually exposing your skin to uncomfortable clothing could make your skin drier and itchier, Petronic-Rosic says.

Go with clothes that feel comfortable the first time you put them on. "Instead of wool, choose cashmere if you can afford it," says Kenet. "But cotton is just fine." Make sure your clothing isn't too tight either, since chafing can also cause and irritate dry skin.

Dry Skin Problem: Medications and Drugs

A number of medicines have the side effect of drying out the skin. They include drugs for

High blood pressure, like diuretics
Allergies, like antihistamines
Acne and other skin conditions, like retinoids

If you notice the onset of a dry skin problem after starting a medication, talk to your doctor. He or she may be able to help by changing the dose or switching the medication.

Dry Skin Problem: Medical Conditions

Usually, dry skin is caused by external factors. But sometimes, it can be a sign of a something going on internally, whether it's a natural physiologic change or an illness.

For instance, dry skin often develops when people get older, especially in women. "Changes in hormone levels can cause dry skin as we age," says Petronic-Rosic. As many as 75% of people over 64 have dry skin. Other people, regardless of age, are simply genetically prone to dry skin.

A number of medical conditions can result in dry skin. Some of the more common of these medical causes are:

Skin conditions, like eczema and psoriasis. While they usually need direct treatment, careful use of moisturizers often helps.
Diabetes. Fluctuations in glucose levels can lead to dehydration, and that dries the skin out. Given that diabetes can also slow healing and increase the risk of infections, it's especially important for people with this condition to keep their skin healthy.
Hypothyroidism. Low levels of thyroid hormone can reduce the amount of oil produced by your skin. As a result, skin becomes dry and rough and moisturizer is unlikely to help. Hypothyroidism is usually accompanied by other symptoms, like fatigue and weight gain, Kenet says.
Malnutrition. Not getting the nutrients you need can leave your skin dried out. One possible cause is an eating disorder.

Other diseases, both minor and serious, can also cause dry skin problems. The best way to treat these cases of dry skin depends on the illness. Sometimes, getting medication for the underlying condition directly will resolve the dry skin. But in other cases, you might still need to follow some of the basic dry skin care tips outlined above. Ask your doctor for advice.

Getting Help for Dry, Itchy Skin

While dry skin can be a sign of these more serious health conditions, it's usually nothing more than run-of-the-mill dry skin -- regardless of how horrible it feels.

"I see a lot of people who are in so much discomfort from their dry skin that they think that they must be really sick," says Kenet. "But they're not, and it's actually so easy to help them."

So if your dry skin problem is making miserable, it's time to talk to a doctor. He or she can help you identify the causes and get you the treatment you need. Doctors can recommend medicine if you need it, which could include antihistamines for itchiness or prescription creams, including steroids.

"If you've been struggling with dry skin, and you've tried various things and none of them work, don't hesitate to see a doctor," says Petronic-Rosic. "There's just no reason to suffer when we can help in so many ways."

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Hair Care

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:13:00 +0000

Hair is also most important part of our beauty. Healthy hair is a reflection of a healthy body. Water makes up one-fourth of the weight of a strand of hair. Water not only hydrates your body, but helps keep your hair silky and shiny. You should drink between eight and ten glasses of water a day.

Protein is the building block of hair. You can get protein from fish, meat, milk, cheese, and cereals. Minerals like iron, zinc, copper are very essential elements for your hair. You can get these elements from vegetables, meat, milk, seeds, cereals, nuts etc.
Vitamin A will give you a healthy scalp. Vitamin B, C is important for blood circulation. You can get these vitamins from fruits, vegetables, eggs, milk and bread. Here below are some tips for healthy hair.

Tips For healthy hair:

A healthy lifestyle will mean healthier hair for you. Excessive stress, smoking, not exercising and not eating nutritiously are not healthy for your hair. Get enough sleep.

Avoid using hair styling products with alcohol which dries out hair.

Avoid putting hair styling products directly on your scalp; if you put it on your scalp you'll clog the pores on your head.

It is important to wash your hair, shampooing removes dirt, dead skin cells, hair oils, any hair products you may put into your hair.

You should wash your hair as often as you feel necessary to keep it clean, but a general rule is for oily hair you should wash it every day or every other day and for dry hair only wash it 2-3 times a week.

Shower with warm water, hot water can dry and/or irritate the scalp.
Comb your hair to remove any tangles before brushing it.

If you have only a mild case of dandruff, shampooing your hair with a regular shampoo daily or twice a day will usually do the trick.

Avoid sleeping with tightly braided hair or hair in a tight ponytail. The stress can cause breakage and/or hair loss.

Even if you plan on growing your hair out further you should trim your hair once every 3 months, if not split ends will cause your hair to break off and your hair will begin to lose its beauty, if you plan on just maintaining your length, a trim once every month and a half to two months should suffice.

Avoid excessive wind, sun, and heat (such as from hair dryers, hot showers, and curling irons) on your hair.

If you color your hair, limit coloring it to once ever 2 months. Hair coloring damages your hair and the less frequently you color it the better.
By taking these types of care, you can prevent hair loss. You should be able to get healthy hair, just taking small care.

The Fitness Page

Why Soaps Dries Your Skin

Exercise for Better Sex

The Fitness Page

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 04:47:00 +0000

The Fitness Page - Guides to Healthy Life