BodyClinic

Microblading

2017-07-17T08:50:00.001-07:00

Microblading

Microblading, also known by a variety of names such as eyebrow embroidery, microstroking, feather touch and hair like strokes is a form of permanent makeup that provides a means to partially or fully camouflage missing eyebrow hair with the appearance of simulated hair using fine deposits of cosmetic tattoo pigments. The technique of implanting pigment after the creation of fine incisions in the skin may date back thousands of years however the trend towards using the technique for eyebrows emerged in Asia and was known as feathering or embroidery prior to becoming known as microblading. Dr. Linda Dixon coined the term "microstroking" which is used synonymously with microblading.

Microblading is performed by depositing pigment superficially in the upper region of the dermis with the use of a hand tool with attached needles fused together in a curvilinear grouping, and may involve the use of a machine with a specially devised hygienic needle cartridge. Similar to Permanent Makeup brow treatments using a machine, the Microblading technique involves drawing individual, crisp hair strokes that can be very natural looking. However, over time the strokes can blur and fade and will need to be refreshed.

Microblading is a form of cosmetic tattooing. Some microblade needle groupings may contain needles that are extremely fine in diameter in comparison to the needles used in traditional tattooing however recent advancements in cosmetic tattoo needle technology has also produced extremely fine needles gauges for machine use. Technicians usually use topical anesthetics to limit discomfort and consequently like all forms of cosmetic tattooing if performed correctly the procedure causes minimal discomfort. Microblading is a tattoo. Pigment is deposited into the upper layers of the skin, dermis, so as to make the pigment last. If tattoo ink is used, the strokes will be indelible and likely spread and turn bluish gray. The tattoo, the same as all other tattoos, will fade depending on the pigment used, the environment and skincare products used. In order to keep the color crisp, a touch-up service is required up to every 2 years depending on the individual's skin and how well it holds the pigment. The needles used come in a variety of diameters so that the thickness of each individual hair stroke can be customized to each client depending on the width of their natural hairs as to make the microblading process look more natural.

Microblading should be performed using aseptic technique, needles must always be sterile and single use, the technician must disinfect the area of the skin prior to the tattoo service and clinical grade single use associated equipment and consumables are highly recommended (hand piece, skin wipes and saline, micro-brushes, dressing packs etc.) preferably sterile. The most common complications and client dissatisfaction that results from any form of tattooing is misapplication of the pigment, pigment migration and color change. Serious complications are uncommon though it is important to stress that like all forms of tattooing risks associated with Microblading include the transmission of Blood Borne Pathogenic Organisms (e.g. HIV, Hepatitis C Virus) as well as short term or long terms reactions to pigment ingredients. Therefore, it is essential to check that the technician holds appropriate licenses and registrations for the provision of tattoo services as well as inquiring about the standard of training that has been attained by the technician.

There is not yet a standard for independent testing of Microblading Professionals. However, the Board of Microblading is being formed complete with examination and requirements of training, a knowledge of the basics of sanitation, Bloodborne Pathogen Certificate, Color Theory, Techniques, Safe needles (such as the hygienic cartridge microblading needle with retractable "no stick" design", and healed photographs of work completed. Members will be listed online for the public to refer to for qualification and location of a microblading professional near them.

Procedures performed by technicians who have completed a comprehensive course of instruction can minimize the risk of unwanted outcomes and client dissatisfaction.

How Microblading Works:

This technique is a process that may be used to improve or create eyebrow definition, to cover gaps of lost hair, to extend the eyebrows, or may be used as a full reconstruction if the brows have little/no hair. Each microblading stroke is applied individually, allowing the tattoo artist/beauty therapist control of the shape, color and density of the completed eyebrows.

The treatment begins with developing the desired shape, then using individual tattoo strokes or 'feathers' in the area to plot the shape and style requested. The color choice is patient specific and is mixed using a natural selection of semi-permanent micropigments to complement hair color and skin tone. Varying shades of hypoallergenic micropigments react differently with each skin type and fade accordingly, depending on skin regimen, sun exposure, environmental and after care precautions. Immediately post treatment, eyebrows will appear darker than expected, but will fade 50% during the healing process over the following 2 weeks. The 2nd application 6 weeks later includes a touch up to ensure micro-pigments are healing properly and responding well.

Microblading, although semi-permanent, lasts between 6–18 months if proper aftercare instructions are maintained. The treatment is typically a 2 step application process, the initial appointment includes consultation and initial application, the second appointment is 6 weeks to touch up and ensure longevity of the colors used.

Source: wikipedia.org

White and Green Tea – Miracle Teas

2013-09-26T10:18:00.001-07:00

Protect you heart and brain while preventing cancer

Edited by Russell L. Blaylock, MD, and lightly abridged by Roger French

Tea isn’t just a refreshing drink anymore. Numerous stories have appeared in the popular press touting the health benefits of green tea, including anti-cancer effects, weight loss and antioxidant properties.

In fact, over 1,400 medical articles have been written on the medical benefits of green tea in the last 10 years.

There is a lot of confusion about the differences between white tea, green tea, oolong tea, and black tea. They are all derived from the same tea plant, Camellia sinesis, and for all of them, only the tip of the plant is picked. The differences among these teas lie in the processing, mainly in relation to the degree of oxidation. In most teas, enzymes in the more mature leaves trigger oxidation after picking, and to arrest this, the leaves are heated.

White Tea is composed of new growth buds from the tips of the tea plants. This tea undergoes the least amount of processing. Since it doesn’t undergo oxidation, it is never heated or fermented.

Green Tea, a favourite drink among millions of people, makes up 20 percent of the world’s production, undergoes minimal oxidation (fermentation) by applying heat early in the processing. This inactivates the fermentation enzyme, phenolase. Its health benefits are numerous and have more scientific documentation

Oolong Tea is oxidized to a degree somewhere between green and black tea, usually within two to three days of picking. The Chinese call this ‘blue tea’.

Black Tea is what most people consider ‘tea’. The leaves are black because they are fully oxidized, usually for two weeks to a month. This process releases a group of compounds called tannins, which have anti-cancer effects, especially for colon cancer. The levels of catechins, which are responsible for most of the medicinal benefits, are substantially lower in black tea.

WHAT MAKES TEA GOOD FOR YOU?

Teas contain a number of active compounds, including catechins, quercetin, kaempferol, chlorogenic acid, theanine, theobromine and theophylline.

Of greatest interest to scientists are the catechins, which may reduce stroke, heart failure, cancer, and diabetes. Green tea contains approximately 30 percent catechins, and white tea contains even greater amounts. The lowest levels are in black tea.

Tea is a major source of quercetin in the diet. Quercetin is a potent flavonoid that is anti-inflammatory. It also protects against cancer and protects the brain.

Unfortunately, tea also contains high levels of two toxic substances, fluoride and aluminium. Studies have shown that little of the aluminium in tea is absorbed by the body because it is bound by catechins (flavonoids) in the tea. Yet, squeezing lemon in teadramatically increases aluminium absorption, somewhere close to 700 percent, so tea would be better flavoured with mint for example.

The lowest levels of both of these toxins are found in white tea, and the highest levels are in black tea. Brick tea, which is made from black tea leaves and stems, has tremendously high levels of fluoride, so high that it regularly causes fluorosis, which can damage the skeleton, teeth and organs, including the brain.

Both toxins are absorbed from the soil, and the tea plant has a unique ability to concentrate them in its leaves. High levels of these two toxins in the soil are a particular problem with tea grown in India and China.

White tea, because it is harvested earlier than other forms of tea and is minimally processed, has a higher concentration of catechins, quercetin and other nutrients. It also contains far less fluoride and aluminium. Therefore, when I refer to a study using green tea, you can substitute white tea in its place.

The two most powerful anti-cancer components of teas are the catechin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and quercetin. Both have been studied extensively. EGCG is a powerful antioxidant.

TEA CAN HELP WARD OFF CANCER

Abundant scientific research has shown that drinking tea regularly, especially green or white tea, helps prevent the development of cancer and even kills a number of types of cancer cells. This applies to cancers of the colon, breast, prostate, lung, ovaries,liver andbladder and leukaemia, myeloma (bone marrow cancer) andmelanoma.

Vegetable oils (omega-6 oils), carrageenan, high-meat diets (especially seared meats) and MSG and other food additive excitotoxins produce colon irritation and inflammation. Studies have shown that EGCG, from green tea and white tea, prevented colon cancer in experimental animals exposed to powerful cancer causing chemicals.(1) Studies in both humans and animals implanted with human colon cancers have shown that EGCG is a very powerful inhibitor.

A recent Japanese study found that EGCG suppresses the metastasis (spreading to other parts of the body) of colon cancer. Other catechins from green and white tea also inhibited tumour invasion, which would significantly improve survival rates in cases of colon cancer.(2)

Another study found that EGCG inhibited COX-2 and NFkappaB, both of which are necessary for inflammation to develop. In fact, NFkappaB is essential for cancer growth. Pharmaceutical companies are working at a breakneck speed to develop a drug that will specifically target these cancer-promoting enzymes – but they already occur in a number of vegetables, fruits and teas. The amount required to prevent colon cancer is equal to drinking two to three cups of strong white tea a day.

Studies have shown that women who drink green tea regularly, such as Asian-Americans, have a lower incidence of breast cancer. One study found that EGCG and green tea itself inhibited the growth and invasion of breast cancer.(3)

Tea and its components slow the development of cancer by suppressing signalling molecules needed for cancer cell reproduction and by blocking enzymes needed for tumour invasion. This not only helps prevent breast cancer, but should it develop, it would be likely to be more curable.

In addition, studies have shown tea has some benefit in preventing prostate cancers in humans and animals.(4)

Studies using a combination of the amino acids, lysine, proline, arginine, as well as vitamin C and EGCG, found that they inhibited the invasion and growth of prostate cancer and, at high doses, increased the killing of cancer cells (apoptosis).(5) Of particular interest is the discovery that green tea extract inhibits hormone-sensitive cancers, including breast and prostate cancers.

A number of studies have shown that green tea extract, and especially EGCG, inhibits haematological cancers like leukaemia and multiple myeloma, a particularly nasty malignancy.

These studies show that EGCG inhibits the growth of leukaemia cells and triggers their death.(6) Another study found that EGCG stimulates the killing of multiple myeloma cells.(7)

Likewise, a number of studies have shown EGCG curbs the invasion of bladder cancer and also reduces the cancer growth.(8)

Studies have also found that EGCG inhibits the development of lung cancer and reduces the growth of existing lung cancers.(9)

Ovarian cancers are also sensitive to the suppressive effects of EGCG. It has been found to inhibit ovarian cancer in numerous ways, making it superior to chemotherapy.(10)

In relation to melanomas, recent studies have shown that green tea may inhibit their formation. When the skin is sunburned, it releases a large amount of nitric oxide which forms nasty free-radicals that trigger the development of melanomas. Green tea extract, taken orally and applied topically, can interfere with the production of nitric oxide. The potent antioxidants in green tea, including high levels of quercetin, are a powerful weapon against the growth and spread of melanomas.

POWERFUL LIVER PROTECTION

A concern with any flavonoid is its ability to alter detoxification, which is a key function of the liver. Some flavonoids, such as those in grapefruit, can inhibit detoxification of certain prescription drugs and caffeine. This can increase the toxicity of the drug and prolong the effects of caffeine. Studies of green tea extract have shown no evidence that it changes the liver’s ability to detoxify chemicals.(11)

EGCG can protect liver cells from the toxic effects of alcohol, mainly by its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.

In addition, EGCG has been shown to protect the liver from autoimmune hepatitis by lowering the level of a critical chemical and suppressing the overactive immune system. It has also been shown to lower blood cholesterol levels, primarily by inhibiting the absorption of cholesterol from the gut and by reducing the synthesis of cholesterol by the liver.(12)

Not all reports endorse the use of green tea extract, especially its concentrations of EGCG. One study found that high doses of extract (much higher than can be obtained by drinking tea) interfered with the mitochondrial (energy producing) function in liver cells, which could have the effect of toxicity.(13)

Even though they admit that connections to EGCG are not very strong, the United States Pharmacopeia has asked that supplements containing concentrated EGCG be labelled with a warning that the product should be stopped if abdominal pain, dark coloured urine or jaundice occurs. People with a history of liver disease or damage should use the product with caution.

To put benefits versus harm into perspective, it has been shown that, at low to moderate doses, white and green tea extracts (as with tea drinking) act as powerful antioxidants, but at very high concentrations they can actually promote dangerous oxidation. Combining the tea extracts with other antioxidants, such as vitamins E, C, K and D3, helps prevent this toxic effect.

DRINK TEA — REDUCE FAT

When it was reported that green tea caused a reduction in fat, commercial products began to appear on shop shelves extolling the virtues of green tea extract as an aid for weight loss.

The studies show a reduction in fat due to inhibiting the growth of fat cells(14) and to inhibiting fat absorption from the gut.(15) However, the doses required to get this effect are generally higher than those contained in the weight-loss products or by drinking green or white tea.

Green tea also dramatically reverses insulin resistance, the cause of type-2 diabetes.(16) It has been found that EGCG acts like insulin(17) and that green tea extracts have a strong protective effective in diabetic animals from diabetic nephropathy.(18)

HEART PROTECTION

EGCG has been shown to protect the heart in many ways:

In cases of hypertension, from enlarging;

From free-radical damage;

It reduces heart inflammation;

Green tea extract reduces high levels of free-iron in the heart, free iron being associated with heart failure.

EGCG has been shown to relax arteries, thereby improving blood flow and lowering blood pressure. It has also been shown to reduce atherosclerosis that is strongly associated with oxidized LDL-cholesterol.

Green tea extract improves the health of red blood cells without the side effects of medications.(19) This allows blood to flow through arteries more easily.

Several studies have shown that EGCG helps prevent strokes, and when strokes do occur, they are much less severe when green tea extract is given.(20)

Finally, EGCG from green tea has been shown to inhibit an enzyme called collagenase.(21) In excess, this enzyme weakens the collagen that gives strength to blood vessels and other tissues. Inhibiting it reduces the risk of varicose veins, haemorrhoids and leg oedema.

OTHER PROTECTION

A recent study using cells from people with rheumatoid arthritis found that EGCG inhibited the inflammatory cytokines associated with the disease.(22) The researchers concluded that green tea extract holds promise in reducing the joint and tissue destruction associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Other studies have shown that green tea extract represses the chemical that triggers the inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis.(23) Green tea can reduce the pain, swelling and disability associated with inflammation.

EGCG has been shown to reduce inflammation in the intestines, which would be helpful with inflammatory bowel diseases, such as ulcerative colitis.(24)

Other studies have shown that EGCG significantly reduces the inflammation in the lungs associated with smoking.

One would expect white and green tea to reduce the incidence of autoimmune diseases as well. Two recent studies have shown that green tea extract can significantly reduce the severity and damage associated with two autoimmune diseases, Sjogren’s syndrome and Lupus.(25)

A growing number of studies show that green tea and white tea have powerful antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal activity. Tea has been shown to inhibit growth of the malaria organism, a leading cause of death in the Third World.(26)

Another study looked at the ability of EGCG to inhibit the growth of several organisms associated with food-borne infections, such as E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes and Bacillus cereus.(27) While being active against all bacteria, EGCG showed the greatest ability in fighting antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Thus flavonoids may have the potential to treat antibiotic-resistant organisms.

Newer studies confirm that green tea extract and EGCG enhance the effectiveness of antibiotics against a number of disease-causing organisms.(28) Drinking several cups of strong white tea daily while taking antibiotics can make the drugs more effective.

Green tea extract has even been found to inhibit HIV infections,(29) and EGCG has been shown to reduce the risk of HIV-induced dementia.(30)

Flu in the elderly is significantly reduced by gargling with concentrated green tea extract.(31)

If all this isn’t impressive enough, recent studies have shown that the catechins from white and green teas can suppress the growth of Candida organisms. In some cases, tea worked even better than prescription antifungal medications.32)

BRAIN PROTECTION

As a neurosurgeon who works in the field of neurodegenerative brain disorders, such as Alzheimer’s dementia, Parkinson’s disease and ALS, I find the powerful protective effects of tea compounds very interesting.

A considerable amount of research has shown that green tea extract is highly protective of the brain. It has been proven that EGCG reduces the brain’s generation of toxic beta amyloid, the main feature in the Alzheimer’s brain.(33)

Alzheimer’s brains accumulate considerable amounts of free iron. This iron tends to cause the beta amyloid to mass together and form highly toxic microscopic crud in the brain as well as accumulate tremendous amounts of free radicals. EGCG not only reduces the toxic crud, it also binds the iron (a process called ‘chelation’), rendering it non-toxic.

Free iron also plays a major role in Parkinson’s disease and tends to accumulate in the brain long before clinical signs develop. EGCG has been shown to reduce the incidence of Parkinson’s disease in experimental models of the disease.(34) The antioxidant effect of green tea extract is 10 times more potent than that of vitamin E.

One of the most destructive free radicals found in all neurodegenerative disease, especially in Alzheimer’s, is peroxynitrite. EGCG has been shown to be a strong suppressor of peroxynitrite.(35)

EGCG has also been shown to stimulate DNA repair, which is essential in protecting brain cells. Excitotoxicity, the process by which nerve cells are damaged or killed, plays a central role in virtually all neurodegenerative diseases, including multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and ALS. EGCG has been shown to significantly impede excitotoxicity.

EGCG is also useful in protecting the brain in cases of stroke, brain trauma and infections. Closely linked to excitotoxicity is chronic activation of the brain’s immune system, which, when occurring for prolonged periods, slowly destroys brain cells. This appears in Alzheimer’s disease, autism, Parkinson’s disease, strokes, brain trauma, encephalitis and ALS. Green tea represses the activation of the brain’s immune cells.

EGCG and the other catechins easily enter the brain, but only in low concentrations. Fortunately, large amounts are not needed for the benefits.

Regularly consuming green tea extract may significantly enhance memory and ability to learn.(36) It has also been shown to have a sedative effect.

Both white and green teas contain theanine which reduces stress, induces sleep and protects the brain from excitotoxicity. A supplement containing pure theanine is available for treating sleep problems. I have found that it induces deep sleep, but because you feel very tired the next day, I would not recommend the supplement as a sleep aid. The levels of theanine found in white and green tea are optimal for relieving stress and relaxation, without the excessive tiredness.

KIDNEY STONES, SKIN AGEING

A recent study found that EGCG significantly reduces the formation of calcium oxalate kidney stones by lowering oxalate crystals in the urine.(37) These stones are common. If you have a problem with kidney stones you may want to drink several cups of strong white tea a day.

Not only can green tea protect against UVB-triggered skin cancers, it also significantly protects against skin ageing by protecting the DNA and promoting DNA repair in skin cells. The UVB rays from the sun suppress immunity within the skin, a major process in skin ageing. It has been shown that EGCG restores this lost immunity when applied topically or taken orally. It has also been shown that EGCG can protect the lens of the eye against UVB damage.

PROTECTECTION FOR THE EYES

A number of eye diseases, including macular degeneration and glaucoma, are associated with oxidative stress (caused by free-radicals and lipid peroxidation) within the retina at the back of the eye where light falls. EGCG protects these nerve cells against free-radical damage.

It has been shown that EGCG is 10 times more potent as an antioxidant than either vitamin E or vitamin C. The best results are obtained by drinking white tea several times a day – as the Chinese and Japanese do.

WHY DRINK WHITE TEA?

White tea stands out among the different teas because it contains more catechins than the other teas, including green tea, and also contains far less fluoride and aluminium.

I would recommend using two to three bags of white tea per cup, and let simmer for at least 10 minutes. Squeeze the bags repeatedly during simmering. Then remove the bags and squeeze all the tea from the bags.

Long-simmered tea may be bitter, but the more bitter, the better, because the bitterness is caused by the beneficial catechins. Add some natural sweetener if you wish and maybe a few leaves of mint.

Drink two to three cups a day. Because the catechins stay in the blood for about five hours, three cups will cover most of one day. You would want to drink more if you are treating a disease, such as Parkinson’s or an infection.

Several companies make a concentrated green tea extract. In some supplements, this is equivalent to 20 cups of tea. As stated, recent warnings of the risk of liver damage suggest taking the supplement with a meal and watching for signs of liver damage, such as abdominal pain, dark urine and jaundice (yellow skin). Taking other antioxidants with the extract may help protect against liver injury.

A SUMMARY OF THE BENEFITS OF TEAS

Tea has been tapped for its medicinal properties for ages

Tea has proven strong in combating stroke, heart failure, cancer, and diabetes

Among the different teas, white tea offers the greatest benefits, as it undergoes the least amount of processing, which is what distinguishes teas

Do not use lemon in tea – lemon increases absorption of the naturally occurring aluminium in tea

Tea can help with losing weight

Tea is a great digestive aid

Tea can help protect the retina from free radical damage that causes macular degeneration and glaucoma

Source: www.health.org.au

How to Improve Memory:14 Tips

2013-09-26T10:13:00.005-07:00

Memory is our ability to process information; we encode, store and retrieve information by memory. Many of us would love to be able to improve our memories, and, also, because memory is so important to our daily functioning, it is important to take steps to guard against memory degeneration.

LEVELS OF MEMORY

Sensory memory – This is a very short form of memory that can accommodate large amounts of information that may be visual, auditory or other information, depending on which sensory organs are involved.

Short-term memory – This has limited capacity, both in the duration of retention and in the amount of information that can be put into ‘storage’. At this stage, information may be processed and passed into long-term memory or may be forgotten.

Long-term memory – This memory has unlimited capacity, duration and storage ‘space’, and the information is stored in an organized manner.

TYPES OF MEMORY

Procedural Memory – Is concerned with learning and skill retention.

Semantic Memory – Is concerned with facts.

Meta Memory – Is concerned with laws and principles.

Episodic Memory – Is concerned with experience and life.

CAUSES OF FORGETTING

Interference from other information which may be learned earlier or later

Anxiety

Emotional and physical stress

Psychological state – such as not having any interest in the subject

Some drugs like narcotics

Trauma to the head

Brain injury or disease

TIPS THAT HELP MEMORY RECALL AND OVERALL MEMORY STRENGTHENING

When you need to retrieve some information, try to place yourself in the same situation that you were in when this information was processed. The retrieval of information is more easily obtained in the same circumstance or place of input.

In the retrieval situation, being in the same mood as you were in when the information was processed is also helpful.

When memorising information, make it meaningful. For example, when memorising people’s names, associate the name with something or someone that you already associate with that name.

Heighten the significance of the information you need to store by linking it to a specific emotional response.

If possible, link the information you need to store to images; it is easier for the brain to memorise images.

Repeat the information more than once, either through visualisations, auditory input or written word.

Avoid stressful situations and reduce your anxiety.

Avoid alcohol and cigarette smoking.

To retain written information, study for short periods with breaks in between.

Take zinc supplements; zinc has been found to be helpful for memory.

Take a vitamin-B complex.

Eat healthy meals with abundant fresh vegetables, especially during study hours.

Meditation and hypnotherapy reduce stress and anxiety and also help to improve memory.

Do some memory exercises – practise with images, audio stimuli and writing to help you store information you need to retrieve later.

THE AUTHOR

Dr S. Tamer, MBCH, Physician, DHP, DCMT, SNHS Dip (Nutrition),

SNHS Dip (Herbalism), is a Reiki master, member of the Royle Institute of Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy, and member of the Complete Mind Therapists Association.

Abridged and edited from an article by Dr S. Tamer, published in NaturalNews.com, 12-9-08

Source: www.health.org.au

OVERCOMING EPILEPSY WITHOUT DRUGS

2013-09-26T10:09:00.001-07:00

By: Roger French

Q. Our son has a form of focal epilepsy with partial and absent seizures. We have had no success using drugs and wish to have him drug-free. Can you tell me what natural alternatives are available?

From M.O. and N.0, Cranebrook NSW

A. I am making this a general discussion of epilepsy. The primary defining characteristic is the occurrence of seizures, which occur when many nerve cells in the brain become overexcited and discharge at the one time. The prevalent theory of the cause is an excess of excitatory neurotransmitters (such as glutamate or aspartate) and/or a deficiency of inhibitory transmitters (such as gamma-amino butyric acid or taurine).

Types of Epilepsy. Seizures are either generalised or partial. Generalised seizures involve many nerve cells throughout the brain, while partial or focal involve only nerve cells within one area of the brain. With generalised seizures there may be loss of muscle tone, in which the person falls to the floor, possibly remaining conscious. Or there may be a stiffening of the body followed by convulsions and often loss of consciousness, referred to a ’grand mal’. Also generalised are absence seizures in which consciousness is maintained but the person loses awareness and may stare into space or twitch slightly. This is ’petite mal’.

Petite mal is the most common form of epilepsy in children, while partial seizures are the most common in adults.

Diagnosis. Doctors use a number of devices to diagnose epilepsy. Those that measure the electrical activity of the brain are the electroencephalogram (EEG), the magneto- encephalogram (MEG), positron emission tomography (PET) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Scans that provide three-dimensional images of the brain are computerized axial tomography (CAT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The former uses X-rays and the latter uses the body’s own magnetism and radio waves.

Causes of Epilepsy. The cause of generalised epilepsy is probably an imbalance of brain chemicals, whereas with partial epilepsy it is often microscopic damage to the brain. If epilepsy is associated with a known health condition, it is secondary epilepsy, whereas if the cause is unknown it is idiopathic.

The wide range of possible causes include the following: traumatic birth, head injuries, meningitis, viral encephalitis, hydrocephalus, neurocysticercosis, hardened arteries, stroke, heart attack, brain tumour, Alzheimer’s disease, alcoholism, drug abuse, drug withdrawal, lead poisoning, reactions to allergens, low blood sugar or fluctuations in blood sugar, exposure to toxic fumes, coeliac disease, cerebral palsy, autism and others. A genetic predisposition may make the person more susceptible.

Medical Treatment. The basic treatment is antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) or anticonvulsants. These require strict monitoring until the dose is determined, and must be taken regularly. If the drugs are not effective, surgery is usually considered.

If surgery is not appropriate, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is often recommended for adults and children over 12.

Another technique is Transcranial Magnetic Simulation (TMS) which alters brain activity through the use of magnetic fields. However, the effects wear off after six to eight weeks.

PREVENTION — REMOVING CAUSES, SELF HEALING

Few health writers have much to offer about dealing with epilepsy. However, the United States-based Life Extension Foundation gives a lot of suggestions in their monumental work, Disease Prevention and Treatment. All the following information is abridged from the Life Extension Foundation.

Allergies. Seizures can be triggered by allergens, and may occur immediately or within hours or days of exposure. It is important to be alert for any food or substance that may be triggering seizures. A health professional can provide thorough allergy testing. Three substances that commonly cause allergy are milk, wheat and petrochemicals.

Diet. The ketogenic diet is sometimes prescribed because it avoids wild fluctuations in blood sugar level which affect the brain. Being high-fat and low-carbohydrate, the diet forces the body to burn fat (raising levels of ketones in the blood) instead of sugar, and avoids foods that rapidly raise blood sugar.

However, this is an unhealthy diet overall and certainly not recommended in Natural Health.

A safe diet is described under Natural Health Dietary Guidelines, summarised in the Autumn 2004 issue of NVNH and explained in detail in the Natural Health Society’s book, The Man Who Lived in Three Centuries. Modify this eating pattern by omitting high-sugar foods, such as honey and dried fruit.

Fibre is important because is slows the absorption of sugar. Being essentially plant based and free of refined carbohydrates, the Natural Health way of eating is high in fibre. A fibre supplement such as psyllium hulls could be advantageous.

Caffeine, as in coffee, tea, cola drinks, chocolate and some medications causes an adrenalin rush which can lead to fluctuations in blood sugar. Caffeine can also constrict blood vessels in the brain.

Alcohol, smoking and aspartame can also trigger seizures.

Toxic pesticides can be particularly risky, so minimize chemical exposure and seek organically-grown foods. Especially avoid chlorinated hydrocarbons such as lindane and dieldrin.

Behavioural Techniques. Obviously a person subject to fits needs to be protected from situations which could damage themselves or others, including swimming, cycling and driving a car. Wear rubber gloves when washing glassware, take showers instead of baths, and decide whether it is safe to climb ladders or trees.

Lack of sleep is widely recognised to promote seizures, so adequate sleep is essential.

Similarly, stress poses a considerable risk for seizures. For epilepsy sufferers, relaxation techniques are more important than ever. They include regular physical activity, yoga, relaxation tapes, deep breathing and meditation. By learning to relax, the normal beta state of the mind, which facilitates seizures, is shifted to the alpha state which greatly reduces the risk.

Seizure Interruption. Epilepsy sufferers are sometimes aware when a full-blown seizure is about to happen. The person may hear sounds that aren’t there, or smell an unpleasant odour that is not there. It is possible that the seizure process can be interrupted with mental imagery, by imagining pleasant music or some pleasant aroma, or by actually hearing or smelling something pleasant.

For women oestrogen increases excitability whereas progesterone decreases it, so fits are more likely when oestrogen is at its highest level just before a period. The only suggestion here is that women can be aware of these times of greater risk. After. menopause, with the drop in oestrogen, seizures are likely to decline.

Women with epilepsy have a higher risk of producing children with birth defects, and this is where folic acid can help, its best source being a high intake of vegetables and fruits, perhaps with the addition of supplements.

Nutritional Supplements. The following supplements are suggested by the Life Extension Foundation. They give dosages which I don’t include here because supplements, especially with a problem like epilepsy, are best taken with professional guidance. If taken without supervision, it would be wise to stay within the manufacturer’s recommendations. The Foundation suggests that for children and adolescents over age six years, dosages should be half the adult dosages, and for children under six, one quarter the adult dose.

B-complex vitamins benefit some people with epilepsy. Supplements of folic acid (folate or B9) sometimes help reduce seizures and sometimes make them worse. For this reason, B-vitamin supplementation should be closely monitored. Note that the whole B-complex should be taken, not just individual B-vitamins which could create deficiencies of other B-vitamins.

Certain amino acids have been found to be beneficial for some sufferers. These include taurine, glycine and alanine, probably because they are inhibitory amino acids, normalizing glutamate levels in the brain.

Anti-epileptic drugs can inhibit the uptake of calcium, so a child or adult taking these may be wise to supplement with calcium. Deficiency of magnesium has in some cases increased the severity of seizures, so magnesium supplements should also be included, at half the level of calcium by weight. Unless the sufferer has moderate regular exposure to sunshine, a vitamin D supplement is desirable.

Manganese aids sugar metabolism and helps stabilize blood sugar levels.

Zinc has been found to help decrease seizures, especially in children with severe forms.

Selenium has been helpful in some children not responding to AEDs. The chelated form, seleno-methionine, is preferred.

Evening primrose oil has helped some people and provoked seizures in others, so close monitoring is necessary.

Vitamin E has produced significant improvement in some children and adults who did not respond to medication. Dosages even at high levels were well tolerated.

If herbs are taken, professional guidance is recommended. Herbs listed by Life Extension are:

Coleus forskohlii extract — decreases neurotransmitter activity.

Black cohosh has relaxant properties that may be effective, particularly for women whose epilepsy is connected to menstrual failures. It should not be taken by pregnant women.

Lobelia, also called pokeweed, has relaxant properties and a depressing effect on the nervous system.

IN CONCLUSION

Epilepsy is a serious condition and needs professional guidance. Proper diagnosis in the first place is essential for best results. For those who want to use drug-free methods, it is then a matter of looking at allergies, dietary changes and behavioural techniques. If these fail to bring improvement, it may be desirable to try the supplements and herbs that are suggested.

Source: www.health.org.au

Smokers Cough Treatment

2013-09-22T03:21:00.006-07:00

By: Christopher Jacoby

Coughing is a reflex to clear partially obstructed airways and throat. Although repeated coughing is annoying, it is often important to protect yourself and eject unwanted materials. Coughs can be chronic or acute. Chronic coughs often last for more than two weeks. On the other hand, acute coughs last for shorter duration.

If you smoke a few cigarettes each day, your lungs and air passages are contaminated by foreign, unwanted chemicals. When you inhale these chemicals, your body tries to eject them by coughing. The infamous "early morning cough" that affect smokers is caused by one unique reason. On normal people, small hair-like formation (cilia) that lines the airways can sweep unwanted materials out of the lungs with outward movements. Unfortunately cigarette smoke decrease the sweeping movement, as the result some of the toxic substances remain in the lungs. When you sleep, cilia regain some of its effectiveness and it begins to work again, this is the reason why you cough in the morning. Your body is trying to clear away toxic materials that are accumulated the previous day.

Complications of Smoker’s Cough

Unfortunately decades of heavy smoking can permanently impair cilia’s ability to clean your respiratory system. As the result, you’ll be more vulnerable than before to other contaminants, such as bacteria, virus and other pollutants. This will make infection and irritation more likely to happen.

At this stage, the noxious chemicals will accumulate steadily, causing some serious conditions such as emphysema, bronchitis, pneumonia and lung cancer.

Emphysema

Emphysema happens when many alveoli (air sacs), where carbon dioxide and oxygen are exchanged, in the lungs are destroyed. Prolonged exposure to tobacco smoke can cause the alveoli wall to become fragile and thin. This is an irreversible damage and if the person continues to smoke, many alveoli will be punctured and completely lose their function. This will result in less efficient lungs, due to lower oxygen/carbon dioxide transfer rate, which can cause shortness of breath. Because the lungs are also less elastic, heavy smokers often find it more difficult to exhale.

Bronchitis

Bronchitis is the bronchi inflammation, which causes swelling of the bronchial walls and excessive mucus production. On people with constant, instead of occasional, smoker coughs, it is likely that the mucus layer has thickened to the point where the airways are narrowing noticeably and normal breathing is difficult or impossible to do. Because at this stage, the cilia are likely to be already damaged permanently, the thick mucus layer becomes a fertile breeding ground for bacteria, making infection happens easily.

Pneumonia

When left untreated, the infection on your bronchial wall can cause additional damages to respiratory tract. In this case complications such as pneumonia or even total respiratory failure can happen.

Lung cancer

Smokers are continuously exposed to toxic substances, which make viral infections more likely to happen. Both are common causes of lung cancer.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

This term is often used to describe both chronic bronchitis and emphysema. In the United States alone, more than seven millions people have COPD and it is fourth leading cause of death. Although, smoking is the primary risk factor for COPD and many men smoke, more women died from this disease. On the most severe case of chronic lung disease, patients continuously gasp for breath, causing a drowning sensation.

In women, smoker’s cough can trigger stress urinary incontinence. Chronic cough can weaken the structure that supports both the vagina and urethra, causing both overactive bladder and urinary incontinence.

Treatment

The best and the only effective way to stop smoker’s cough are to eliminate the root cause, tobacco smoke. For many smokers, the incessant cough can be embarrassing, it can annoy others, interrupt conversation, cause muscle pain and spread germs. Smokers who have chronic cough should immediately see a doctor, as it could be caused by a separate respiratory disease. Within three months after quitting, the cough will begin to disappear on most patients.

While attempting to quit smoking, it is advisable to perform aerobic exercise regularly. The rapid breathing can help to increase the air intake and output; and it’s essentially similar to coughing. After an intense exercise, the mucus is slowly expelled from the trachea to the mouth. After 30 minutes of intense exercise, phlegm can be ejected more easily. Due to reduced lung efficiency, the first week of exercise can be challenging, perhaps more than most smokers are willing to do. In most cases, after a few days of exercise, smokers will experience a noticeable increase in coughing and ejected phlegm. It happens because phlegm is loosened and pushed to the mouth. You should spit the phlegm out as your body is trying to remove it. When combined, a complete cessation of smoking and regular exercise can eliminate coughing in two weeks.

Once most of your phlegm is released, you’ll only cough a little, in addition, your cilia will start to do its work. If you’re in the process of quitting smoke, you should continue the exercise, because if it ceases, the phlegm will build up to the former state and your cough will return in full force.

In addition you can try a number of natural treatments, while you’re quitting smoking and exercising. These methods can help to detoxify your lungs and remove impurities:

• Perform deep breathing exercises regularly at outdoor.

• Boil mint and eucalyptus leaves, breathe in the hot vapor to thin the mucus.

• Eat detox foods such as, grapes, almonds, olives, broccoli, cabbage, onions or radishes.

• Add some salt with warm water and gargle. It will soothe the cough and take out the phlegm more easily.

• Drink at least 64 oz of water each day. Water is a basic thinning agent and can reduce pain associated with smoker’s cough.

• Take throat lozenges, they decrease the cough severity and increase the saliva production.

• Coffee and alcohol can dehydrate your bronchial wall and worsen you coughing. Switch to hot tea or simply water, during the treatment. Hot tea mixed with honey can soothe your throat and reduce coughing. You can add a tablespoon of aloe juice on your tea if your throat is scratchy.

• Prop your head with a firm pillow, so your head is slightly elevated. When you lie flat, mucus will collect in your throat, causing severe cough.

• Use humidifier in your bedroom. Dry air can aggravate your coughing.

Source: healthguidance.org

Crackling While Exhaling

2013-09-22T03:15:00.001-07:00

By: Gary Wickman

Crackling when you exhale can be an alarming and unsettling experience – especially as it can be described as a 'death rattle' – but could be a sign of various conditions, not all of which are serious. Taking note of crackling when exhaling is recommended, as is getting medical attention to identify the possible causes. Here we will have a look at some of the various things that may be causing the problem to help you self diagnose the problem – but you should still get it checked by a medical professional.

Possible Causes

There are several possible causes of crackling sounds when breathing. For one it might be a symptom of a blockage, or alternatively pneumonia. In the latter case the crackling sound is made by liquid in the lungs.

The fact that the crackling is during exhaling suggests something about the possible cause – were the crackling during inhaling then this might suggest that the problem was caused by asthma, bronchitis or emphysema. With exhaling it is more likely to be pneumonia, other infections or blockage. Crackling on exhaling may also be a result of pulmonary edema.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection that can in some cases be fatal if untreated, which is why it is so important to seek medical attention as soon as you note the sound. If you suspect you may have pneumonia then look out for the other symptoms which include fever, coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain (when breathing in), headache, fatigue, perspiration, and muscle pain. Pneumonia is usually treated through antibiotics along with rest.

Blockage

Where the problem is caused by a blockage this occurs due to a blocked airway or pressure on the outside of the lung. In some cases this can cause 'atelectasis' where an entire lung collapses and becomes airless. This blockage could be caused by a foreign body in the air passage (such as something accidentally ingested), diseases that narrow the airways (such as asthma), tumors, mucus plugs and more. Pressure outside the lung meanwhile can be a result of pleural effusion, pneumonia, injury, tumor or scarring of the lung. Treatments for this will include exercise courses, supplemental oxygen, mechanical ventilation, breathing exercises and other measures depending on the severity of the problem.

Pulmonary Edema

Pulmonary edema is characterized by the excessive build up of fluid in the air sacks (alveoli) of the lungs. This can be a result of heart failure, of certain medications, of severe infection or of trauma. In some cases high altitudes can also cause pulmonary edema.

Other symptoms include anxiety, difficulty in breathing, sweating, the feeling of 'drowning', gurgling sounds, pale skin, restlessness, wheezing, coughing up blood, confusion and lack of alertness and nasal flaring. This is treated through the use of oxygen and diuretics while the underlying condition is stabilized.

Other Causes

Of course other causes may other things might cause this sound if they are obstructing the air if you breathe through your nose for instance then there is a chance that this is a result of a blockage in the nose (perhaps caused by a cold, or by a deviated septum). Try to identify where the crackling sound is coming from to ascertain whether it may be a problem with your lungs.

In other cases if you feel pain with your crackling then it may be a sign of other conditions such as bronchitis or even lung cancer – and the latter is particularly likely if you have been a smoker or worked with asbestos. Again though these conditions are more likely to be associated with inhalations rather than exhalations, and are also more likely to be associated with pain in the lungs.

Source: healthguidance.org

Is Tuberculosis Contagious?

2013-09-22T03:07:00.007-07:00

By: Laurel Avery

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that primarily affects the lungs, and the number of cases of TB is on the rise. Many people think of TB as a rare disease that only affects people in undeveloped countries, but that is not the case any more. Since the 1980s, the number of cases of TB has risen dramatically due to the spread of HIV, which is the virus that causes AIDS.

What’s the connection? The HIV virus suppresses the immune system, making people who are HIV-positive far more vulnerable to tuberculosis bacteria. People with an HIV infection are significantly more likely than those who are not HIV-positive to get TB and have it lead to active disease.

Can I catch TB from someone who has it?

It is possible. Tuberculosis is a bacterial disease that can be spread from one person to another. You can catch tuberculosis through exposure to the bacteria in tiny droplets released into the air, which can happen when a tuberculosis patient coughs, sneezes, laughs or sings. However, it’s not very likely you’ll catch tuberculosis from a brief encounter with a stranger with TB. It’s more likely to happen if you live or work with someone with TB who has not yet been treated and with whom you have prolonged exposure. Most people who have had appropriate medication for tuberculosis for at least two weeks are not contagious any more.

Are some people at greater risk than others of catching TB?

While anyone can get tuberculosis, there are risk factors that can increase your chances of catching the disease. As mentioned above, one of the greatest risk factors is a weakened immune system. Your immune system may be compromised through HIV infection or other illnesses and drugs, including diabetes, end-stage kidney disease, certain cancers, immunosuppressant drugs (such as those used for transplant patients), malnutrition, and simply being very young or very old.

People located in certain geographic locations have a higher risk of acquiring TB than others. These locations include Sub-Saharan Africa, India, China, Mexico, the islands of Southeast Asia and Micronesia, and parts of the former Soviet Union.

Lifestyle factors also play a role, such as cigarette smoking and substance abuse, both of which weaken your immune system and leave you more vulnerable to TB. Working in a health care environment in which you are exposed to tuberculosis patients also increases your risk, and that can include working in prisons, nursing homes or immigration centers. Regular use of a mask and thorough hand washing can significantly reduce your risk of catching TB in these environments.

The problem of drug-resistant TB

Another important reason tuberculosis is on the rise and remains a significant killer is that tuberculosis bacteria have evolved over time, becoming stronger and more resistant to the antibiotics used as treatment. The first antibiotics were introduced over 60 years ago, and some TB bacteria have mutated into forms that are able to survive these antibiotics and continue to multiply. This antibiotic resistance gets passed on to future generations of bacteria, and over time the drug-resistant bacteria go on to become resistant to other antibiotics as well. This is one reason it is critically important to follow a doctor’s instructions regarding the proper use of tuberculosis medication.

People with tuberculosis have to take a series of different medications over a period of many months in order to truly eliminate the disease. However, many people stop taking the medication when they begin to feel better, which is far too soon. Even though you may feel better, all of the tuberculosis bacteria are not yet killed. Those remaining bacteria survive and multiply, and are extremely difficult to kill, even with other antibiotics. Those bacteria then may spread to other people, which is why we are seeing an increase in TB infections in many places in the world, particularly the drug-resistant type. Strict control programs in the US have helped reduce the spread of TB in this country, but it remains a significant concern.

Source: healthguidance.org

Ultimate Glam Blue Eyes & Face Makeup For Brown/Tan or Indian Skin Tone

2013-07-07T10:10:00.001-07:00

Ultimate Glam Blue Eyes & Face Makeup For Brown/Tan or Indian Skin Tone

source: youtube.com

Glam Birthday Makeup! FULL FACE Tutorial

2013-07-03T12:05:00.001-07:00

Glam Birthday Makeup! FULL FACE Tutorial

source:youtube

beauty concept eyebrow threading

2013-04-28T19:44:00.001-07:00

Source:youtube.com

Hair Removal Tips : How to Do Threading Hair Removal

2013-04-28T19:39:00.002-07:00

Source: Youtube

Hair Removal Tips : How to Remove Facial Hair With Thread

2013-04-28T18:40:00.003-07:00

Source: youtube.com

Tonsil Stones, Tonsilloliths Removal Methods

2013-03-10T12:06:00.000-07:00

by Josh Katherman
(Williamsport, PA - USA)

I'm writing an article on methods of tonsil stone removal! Some have worked for me fairly well, some haven't but nevertheless I'm covering all of the popular methods of removal.

Q-Tip apply pressure to the tonsil area, working from bottom to top. This pushes the tonsil stones out of the tonsil crypts. Be careful of your gag reflex though, at first it's usually hard to use any instrument in the back of your throat. Though over time it becomes easier as your mouth gets use to you touching where it's not usually touched.
Grapefruit Seed Extract is, in general, an awesome antibacterial substance. It also does wonders on keeping fresh breath, as well as tonsil stones prevention!

Here's the official bad breath review of grapefruit seed extract here at the Grapefruit Seed Extract Review. Try it and give your own feedback!
Gargling with Salt-Water. This method hasn't worked specifically well for me, but I bet with combination of removal then garling with salt water I bet it can help with reduction, or help ease removal if used before
Water-Pik. I've had a bad experience with this one. I bought some random cheap one on amazon and tried it on the "low" setting to shoot water either in the crypt or to shoot it at the tonsil tissue to push tonsil stones out. First time I tried it I almost drown myself (there's some things you really just shouldn't admit) and ended up with a bloody tonsil! But reports from users say that water piks work great for them! It's definitely worth a shot anyways.
Bobby Pin bent to dig tonsil stone out. Well, I really wouldn't recommend this hehe. You could try it but there's a good chance you might end up with an infected tonsil from stabbed it to death.

This would only work good if you have a real big tonsil stone sticking half way out of your crypt. (still no recommended!)
Change of Diet can do wonders for reduction of tonsil stone occurrence! A reduction on protein-rich foods, sugars, highly acidic drinks, alcohol, and softdrinks can all help reduce or sometimes eliminate tonsil stone growth.

This concludes my general list of ways to effectively removal tonsil stones, otherwise known as tonsilloliths or tonsilliths (tonsillolith is the correct name by the way). By far the best prevention method I've tested out so far is grapefruit seed extract.

I've just had completely amazing results, absolute fresh breath at all times and it's so cheap and readily available that it's something you just have to try!

Take care of yourselves,

- Josh Katherman

Source:thehealthsuccesssite.com

how to remove facial hair - the painless and quick way

2013-02-15T09:31:00.001-08:00

how to remove facial hair - the painless and quick way

Source: youtube.com

Haarentfernung mit Zuckerpaste und Enzymen

2013-02-15T09:26:00.000-08:00

Haarentfernung mit Zuckerpaste und Enzymen!

Source: youtube.com

Bikini Waxing

2013-02-15T09:19:00.001-08:00

Bikini Waxing

Source:: youtube.com

How to Curl Your Hair With a Straightening Iron/Straightener

2012-11-25T11:31:00.000-08:00

How to Curl Your Hair With a Straightening Iron/Straightener

Source:youtube.com

recortary depilar cejas

2012-11-25T11:22:00.001-08:00

recortary depilar cejas

Source:youtube.com

How to Remove Facial Hair for Women | Facial Hair Removal

2012-11-25T11:16:00.000-08:00

How to Remove Facial Hair for Women | Facial Hair Removal

Source:youtube.com

Benefits of Having a Fitness Buddy

2012-09-16T09:56:00.001-07:00

by: TC Thorn

It's raining outside. Your shoes are still wet from your last walking session. You really should just go out and exercise, but there's something good on TV. Maybe later...

Sound familiar?

Now try this scenario: It's raining outside. Your shoes are wet and you don't really feel like going for a walk, but your cell phone is blinking with a message from your buddy that says she's already left the house and she'll meet you at the trail. You know you have to go, or she'll give you a hard time for ditching her. So, you grab your soggy shoes and head off for a power walking session. Afterwards, you feel good. You always feel good afterwards; it's the getting started part that's hard.

That's why it's so beneficial to have someone else to exercise with on a regular basis. There's no type of fitness regimen that can't benefit from having a fitness buddy. If it's weightlifting, your buddy can spot you. If it's running or biking, they can push you to go faster than you would if you were alone. If it's climbing, she can catch you when you slip and start careening down the mountain (maybe climbing isn't the safest fitness activity).

Whatever your choice of fitness outlets, a workout buddy can not only push you harder than you would yourself, but they can actually get you out the door. Never underestimate the power of social obligations. Those of us who wouldn't think twice about breaking a date with ourselves cringe at the idea of breaking a date with a friend. Especially if we have friends who are experts at giving the guilt-trip.

OK, so you're sold on the idea of a fitness buddy. But wanting one can be easier than finding one. Your regular friends might not be into fitness, or they're the kind of people who start something with good intentions and gradually slack off. It's important to find someone who is as dedicated to fitness (or more dedicated) than you are. But where to look? Here are some ideas:

Ask a friend, or see if a friend of a friend is looking for somebody.

If you belong to a gym or health club, see if there is a bulletin board out front where you can post requests.

Join an exercise class or take some sports lessons; you might find an interested person or two.

Check fitness web sites, especially related to your interests; there may be a message board where you can look for activity partners.

Whatever route you choose, don't be afraid to initiate proceedings by starting up conversations with people or starting new threads on message boards. You might be surprised at how many people are also looking for regular workout buddies.

Once you find a fitness buddy, don't let him or her down. If you both show motivation and keep to a regular schedule, you'll both reap the benefits.

Content source:1001beautytips

Diet and Eczema

2012-08-07T11:52:00.004-07:00

by: Mel Sinclair

Much controversy and argument surrounds the idea that food may play a role in triggering eczema. It has only been in recent years that doctors and health professionals have become aware of the significance of diet on eczema.

It is now generally acknowledged that some 10 – 25 percent of people are affected by food sensitivity, and it has become much more widely accepted that food intolerance may play a big part in eczema.

For many people, a change in diet is the crucial factor in the successful control of eczema. The underlying philosophy "you are what you eat" can be very true for people who are suffering from eczema. By paying attention to the food we eat and through planning a careful diet, the closer you will be able to get to understanding the underlying cause of your eczema flare ups.

By placing cream and oils on your skin, and avoiding contact with irritants like chemicals, dust etc is a way of approaching your eczema form the outside of the body. However, this is simply a way of suppressing the symptoms, not finding the cause and through paying extra attention to what you eat the symptoms are being attacked from the inside out not outside in.

Although just saying a change in your diet may seem like a simple and obvious approach, in reality it is a lot more complicated. Because eczema is a multi-factorial condition (that is caused by a combination of different factors), there is no single treatment that works for everyone.

One of the simplest things you can do to stay healthy and help your body heal itself is to eat a nutritious diet. However, if you suspect food to be a factor in your eczema, what foods can you eat and what should you avoid?

The first point you need to consider before you decide what approach to take will depend upon whether you are an adult with eczema or a parent of a child with eczema. The severe exclusion diets sometimes used to treat adult eczema can be extremely unsafe for children and should never be undertaken without medical advice.

Because there is no single reliable test for food sensitivity, one of the most important factors in identifying potential triggers is your own observation. Keeping a Food Diary in which you note down everything you consume is a good way to detect whether there is any significant pattern of reaction to a particular food or foods. As well as noting down what is eaten, you should note any symptoms, such as increased itching, redness etc that occurs after eating a particular food. Over a period of four to six weeks you may begin to notice a pattern emerging.

Deciding to focus of your diet and trying to identifying what foods you react to can often be a hard and sometimes long process. It will require willpower and patience, but if you do happen to identify that you have a certain food intolerance, the subsequent relief from avoiding this food will be well worth it.

About The Author

Mel Sinclair is a Registered Nurse (Nursing Sister) of almost 20 years experience. Mel has developed the highly respected Eczema Site. Free forums, free articles, free expert advice - it's all there at Eczema Site - www.eczemasite.com

Content source:1001beautytips

5 Simple Tips for Your Makeup

2012-08-02T09:33:00.001-07:00

By: Maria Llorente

Have you ever been putting on your makeup and when everything is going well, you suddenly make a mistake that ruins all of your effort? Have you had to take off your makeup some time because, without meaning to, you’ve ruined your makeup? Surely you have; it happens to all of us.

In this Article, you will find five of the most common mistakes and the best tips to quickly fix them without having to take off all of your makeup…

• Lightly moisten a clean sponge with water (the sponge should be almost dry and without any makeup residue) and sponge all of your face with downward movements.

TIP: It’s very important, most of all, to avoid excess foundation and concealer around the eyes. To eliminate any excess in this area, perform the same step and afterwards use your fingertips to softly blur the product in that area.

“MY EYESHADOW LOOKS TOO DARK”

If you’ve put on too much eyeshadow, or it looks too dark, follow these steps to quickly fix the problem:

• If it happened on your upper eyelid, blur the eyeshadow toward the edges with a clean brush to reduce the color. If it still looks very dark, apply a little bit of matte cream eyeshadow with a brush (if you don’t have cream eyeshadow, you can use translucent powder) and blur the eyeshadow.

• If it happened on the lower part of your eye, use a fine, clean brush to blur, or pat it softly with a Q-tip.

• If as you were blurring, you’ve left the contour of the eyelid and the shadow looks very dark, blur it with a clean sponge and afterwards apply a little bit of foundation, patting lightly to fix the foundation.

“I’VE PUT ON TOO MUCH BLUSH”
If you applied too much blush, try the following tip:

• Stroke your cheek with a thick, loose powder bush—the brush should be completely clean. If you still have too much blush on, apply translucent or clear powder with the same brush, just over the blush. That way the two powders should mix, clarifying the original color.

“I’VE PUT TOO MUCH MAKEUP ON MY EYEBROWS”
When we put too much makeup on our eyebrows, we look harsh and we can’t even recognize ourselves. Follow the following tip to quickly solve this:

• Simply brush the eyebrow with a clean Q-tip, going against the grain of your eyebrow. You will see how quickly the color you initially applied disappears.

“I’VE SMEARED MASCARA ON MY EYELID”
That’s all right. Just follow these next steps and you’ll see how you can quickly fix the problem:

• Continue applying makeup and when you have finished, allowing enough time for the mascara to dry, apply a Q-tip right over the smudge. You’ll see how it quickly disappears and you don’t need to remove the makeup from your whole eye.

TIP: A good trick to avoid smudging yourself is applying makeup first to your inferior eyelashes and then to the superior.

Maria Llorente is qualified make up artist that writes on a regular basis in the spanish beauty site.
www.tuimagenpersonal.com

Content source:1001beautytips

Health Is Internal Beauty

2012-07-14T09:21:00.003-07:00

by:Tonya Zavasta

Excerpted from the book "Your Right to Be Beautiful: How to Halt the Train of Aging and Meet the Most Beautiful You" by Tonya Zavasta. The book is available at: www.beautifulonraw.com

Jean Kerr, American author and playwright wrote: “I’m tired of all this nonsense about beauty being only skin-deep. That’s deep enough. What do you want an adorable pancreas?”

Jean Kerr was closer to the truth than she might have realized. Every outside organ of the human body is eligible to be called beautiful, but because internal organs are ordinarily seen only by surgeons, they get excluded from the beauty contest. If our internal organs were observed, we would describe them in terms of attractiveness, and normal color and shape would be considered beautiful. You need only compare pictures of normal healthy internal organs with pictures of their infected and diseased counterparts in the medical books to convince yourself that health and beauty are synonymous.

A healthy colon looks like evenly braided muscles. On the other hand, unhealthy colons are deformed: twisted and looped in some parts, ballooned and engorged in others, as revealed by barium X-rays. Visit a colon therapist, if only to observe the pictures of unhealthy colons and see for yourself how ugly one can be on the inside.

The blood of a healthy person is also beautiful. The red blood cells are uniformly round. The blood of a body full of toxins is contaminated with pathological bacteria, abnormal proteins, and parasites. When red blood corpuscles clump together, the condition is called Rouleau or “sticky” blood. Rouleau, this clumpy, unattractive blood, appears 5 to 20 years before symptoms of illness present themselves. It is an early messenger of hundreds of degenerative diseases. Conglomerates of red blood cells cannot access the fine capillaries of the body. Rouleau is particularly damaging to the organs of the head, in particular the eyes, ears, and scalp. A diet high in meat and dairy products increases the stickiness of your platelets. Blood that becomes sticky is a sure precursor of blood clots, strokes, and heart attacks.

The arterial pipelines in a healthy circulatory system are clean and clear from obstructions. In healthy arteries, the inner lining, called the intima, is smooth, supple, and without cracks. A cross-section of a normal coronary artery shows no arterial thickening or blood-blocking plaque deposits.

An unhealthy circulatory system paints an entirely different picture. The middle muscular layer of the artery can no longer fully recoil after a pulse wave has expanded the vessel. Elasticity of the artery walls is reduced, and cracks and hollows appear. They catch calcium, cholesterol deposits, fat accumulations, and clusters of platelets. Cholesterol deposits roughen the inner surfaces and damage the walls of the arteries. At first, plaque build-up does not cause discomfort--it is just ugly. But later, thick, clogged bloodstream results in coronary arteries becoming occluded with fatty buildup, which effects circulation and causes deterioration of the connective tissues. Deterioration and abnormal hardening of the arteries result in a process called arteriosclerosis and may cause heart disease, stroke, and hypertension.

The body often displays real ingenuity faced with substances it cannot metabolize or eliminate. It breaks them down and distributes them to remote areas of the body away from vital organs to minimize harm. The body takes the poisons out-of-the-way but not necessarily out of sight. The toxic wastes are pushed towards the peripheral organs, which happen to be the skin and every other organ that we can see on the outside.

External deformities are direct manifestations of internal pathologies. Ugly ropes of varicose veins, puffy faces, and cellulite are telling tales about your inside condition. Every pimple, psoriasis, or pigment change on your skin is in fact a reflection of some organ struggling to do its job. Every bulge, boil, or swelling is a sign that the body is pushing out some toxins in its effort to protect itself.

The term “natural beauty” has been misused and abused beyond restoration. Because there is no natural beauty without 100% natural food, the beauty that will emerge on the raw food diet I call Rawsome Beauty. Our external beauty is at its best when our internal organs are in the best possible shape, form, and color. Beautiful is not something extra the body needs: to be beautiful both inside and out is the natural state of one’s body.

The vitality of internal organs, working properly, transcends your skin and brings a radiance to your face. This is when beauty does penetrate the skin. So when we admire sparkling eyes, fabulous skin, and lustrous hair, in a way we are admiring the teamwork of a healthy liver, colon, kidneys, etc. How profound the direct meaning of the phrase "beauty comes from within" really is.

Health and beauty are considered to be chronological losses. In my books I will convince you they don’t have to be. It is biologically possible to look beautiful at any age. I intend to prove that beauty is not an accident; beauty is your birthright, it can be yours through the right daily choices, food you put in your mouth being the most important one. You can dramatically improve your appearance and do it 100 percent on your own without expensive products, plastic surgery or costly cosmetics.

"This article may be freely reprinted as long as the entire article and byline are included."

About the Author

Tonya Zavasta is the raw food lifestyle expert, the author of the books Beautiful On Raw: UnCooked Creations and Your Right to Be Beautiful: How to Halt the Train of Aging and Meet the Most Beautiful You, named a 2004 Health Book of the Year Award finalist by ForeWord Magazine. For more information on how to reveal your Rawsome beauty visit her web-site at: www.beautifulonraw.com

Beauty Divine

2012-07-03T11:14:00.002-07:00

by: Advice Diva

The quest for beauty, age defiance and physical enhancement are at an all time high. The beauty industry, comprised of simple salons to mega-corporate giants, pulls in billions of dollars annually. People are obsessed with making themselves beautiful and more attractive for their own personal satisfaction and so others can see them they want to be seen. Not only do people search for ways to enhance themselves, but they also seek beauty and attraction in other things, most notably a dating partner.

Some people might conclude that canvassing the importance of beauty in the dating world is a bit gratuitous. We all know its out there and it can even be considered nature's cruelest form of sexual selection. You either have it or you don't. However, I think it is a poignant topic of consideration whether you are just now entering the dating realm or you have been in it for years and whether you are male or female. Today's society places heavy weight on good looks in the work place and in social scenes. You can't escape it and you can not deny it. Amidst growing liberties, democracy, the abolition of racial and religious oppression and the rising demand for an open mind one would naturally assume that our advanced culture would not treat certain individuals better simply because of advantageous genetic facial features. But we all know that this is the furthest from the truth. We see it every day.

Doctor Nancy Etcoff, a faculty member of Harvard University and a psychologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, has beautifully illustrated the ageless hunt for beauty in her book Survival of the Prettiest. I was enthralled with the hundreds of references throughout history Dr. Etcoff found and adapted to the importance of beauty. One of the most interesting ones involved Eleanor Roosevelt. When asked if she had any regrets she remarked that she only wished she had been prettier. To hear a statement such as this coming from a heroine to women everywhere, it makes one want to examine why and how being beautiful or handsome plays such a dubious role in our every day lives. As Dr. Etcoff examines this very thought further in her book, I think it would be best if we just accept our idealistic qualities and move on to facing them.

When it comes down to selecting new single men and women we choose to date, our very first assessment of the potential mate is based on looks. Most people will say that they are looking for more profound qualities such as character, motivation, sensitivity, a commonality in activities, beliefs and a sense of humor and that looks, although important, are not at the top of the list. Of course everyone wants to feel as if he or she had more noble intents in mind. And although this may be true, nature tends to sway our first choice. Psychological tests upon tests show that we all gravitate towards the more attractive person at first. This is not something that we can readily help, nor can we consider it malevolent behavior. It is simply programmed into us from commercials, magazine ads, celebrities and more. It is a learned responsive behavior. While not everyone looks like Naomi Campbell or Brad Pitt and there are only a few genetic anomalies in this world who apparently represent what we all should look like, we can all take steps and measures to improve the way we look and how we appear to others. It is the very first rule in dating!

The first person you need to impress is yourself. When you look good you feel good. Take advantage of what modern science has created in the field of beauty. From getting the basic proper shampoo and conditioner for you hair to hair regrowth products and surgery, from makeup to enhance your features to elective surgery for more dramatic effects. Your wardrobe should be a priority issue as well. If you are still showing up at the door to pick up your date in those same ripped jeans you have had since the 1980's, think about a complete wardrobe overhaul. Getting in shape is an absolute must. Not only does it show that you care about your body, it is essential for your health and it will help you to feel great physically and emotionally. The better you feel about yourself, the more confident you will appear. And confidence is a very sexy and appealing part of your overall appearance.

In her book Dr. Etcoff assumes that people, mostly men, are more attracted to beautiful people for short term relationships while beauty is less important when seeking a committed relationship. However, it is that attractive quality of sex appeal which will get you in the door. When you are just getting to know people for dating purposes such as with the use of online dating resources, your appearance is going to be one of the most compelling forces in attracting dates. Everyone wants someone to fall in love with them for the right reasons, but you can't change basic human instinct and the natural affinity for beauty. You don't have to be the most beautiful or most handsome person in the room, but you can take the time and effort to look the best you possibly can.

About the Author

The Advice Diva has written four self-help guides on relationships and dating which can be found at www.advicediva.com She also hosts an online advice column which is completely free of charge. The Diva does not claim to be an expert in any field. However, she has the ability to understand relationships through past experience and her incredible insight.

Content source:1001beautytips

Beauty and Raw Food

2012-06-25T07:54:00.001-07:00

by: Elizabeth Kiely

One of the best ways to improve the appearance of your skin is by incorporating raw food into your diet. Beautiful skin starts from the inside out. People who switch to eating mostly raw food often see an improvement in their skin and look younger.

Heating food above 105 degrees Fahrenheit destroys the enzymes as well as 50% of the protein and 70-90% of the vitamins and minerals. Eating cooked food overtaxes the body’s enzyme reserves. Eating more raw food decreases the amount of digestive enzymes your body has to produce. Raw foods are foods in their natural state with the enzymes left intact. Enzymes are needed to perform many functions in the body including digestion, assimilation and elimination of food. A drained enzyme supply can result in vitamin and mineral deficiencies, premature aging and low energy. Raw foods high in enzymes include sprouts, papaya and pineapple.

Free radicals damage your skin and interfere with collagen production causing premature aging. Antioxidants counteract free radicals that age the skin. Berries, especially blueberries, are potent antioxidants that promote collagen which reduces wrinkles. Citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons and grapefruit help rid the body of free radicals keeping the skin looking young. Foods high in the antioxidant beta carotene including carrots and apricots protect the skin against sun damage.

CoenzymeQ10 is an effective antioxidant involved in the energy process and present in every cell in the body. CoQ10 levels in the body diminish with age. CoQ10 destroys free radicals and slows aging. Spinach, broccoli and peanuts are foods high in CoQ10.

Alpha-lipoic acid is a powerful antioxidant that boosts the strength of other antioxidants such as Vitamin C and E, and assists the body’s energy production. Alpha-lipoic acid can be found in spinach, brewer’s yeast, broccoli, tomatoes and peas.

Sulfur is a mineral present in every cell in your body. It is needed in collagen production and for healthy skin, hair and nails. Organic sulfur levels in food are lost when processed, heated or dried. Sulfur is known to help improve skin conditions such as acne. High sulfur content foods include asparagus, broccoli, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, red pepper, garlic, onion, watercress and kale.

Silicon is an essential trace mineral needed for healthy skin, hair, nails and bones. Silicon levels decrease with age. Fruits and vegetables are the richest source of silicon including apples, oranges, cherries, grapes, strawberries, beets, cucumber, carrots and green leafy vegetables.

Phytochemicals are plant chemicals that help the body defend against damage and are said to have anti-aging properties. Phytochemicals can be found in berries, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, spinach, carrots, cocoa and bell pepper.

Raw nuts and seeds are high in Vitamin E which is beneficial to the skin. Selenium keeps the skin elastic and can be found in garlic, onions and shallots.

When the body rids itself of toxins, it passes through the skin which is the largest elimination organ. Raw food increases your detoxification rate. Drinking water helps the body rid itself of toxins. Seaweed is high in vitamins and minerals beneficial to the skin and also helps rid the body of toxins.

To achieve a healthy complexion, drink plenty of water and eat plenty of raw food. What goes into your body is reflective in your overall appearance.

About the author:
Elizabeth Kiely is the owner of EK Shower Caps: www.eklbc.com

Content source:1001beautytips