Dry Itchy Skin? You May Need This
We see the ads on television telling us that this product or that is some big miracle and will cure our dry skin. More often than not those products are petroleum based or contain heavy waxes and oils which simply coat the skin, masking the dry skin.
First, be sure the dry skin isn’t the result of an underlying medical issue. If the techniques below do not alleviate the issue, make an appointment so a medical professional who can rule out other causes such as adrenal, thyroid, digestive, or reproductive health issues.
- Essential Fatty Acids: Low fat dieting has left many with dry skin. The problem is the body is not receiving enough fat from its diet for good health, this results in health concerns, some which present with side effects such as hair loss and dry skin.
- Body Lotion: Do moisturize daily. Avoid lotions with any petroleum products, waxes, or too many ingredients or ones which you can’t name. Look for those with avocado oil, almond oil, jojoba oil, glycerin, borage oil, and other plant extracted oils.
- Glycerin Soap: Most Bar soaps are made with sodium tallowate, which is a fancy name for rendered beef fat and lye salts. Additionally, they usually contain triclosan, and other anti-bacterials. These ingredients strip skin, robbing it of moisture. Further, using the anti-bacterial soaps all the time can lead to bacterial resistance, rendering them useless. Glycerin, made from vegetable oils, simply suffocates bacteria by breaking down the batter barrier, which also helps the skin absorb more water.
- Vitamin-E: Two symptoms of vitamin-E deficiency include skin sores and dry skin problems. Skin that is slow to heal and which develops sores, pimples, and other disorders easily is usually a symptom of both vitamin-E and vitamin-B deficiencies. In addition to taking an oral supplement, eat more foods such as nuts and avocados, which contain higher amounts of vitamin-E.
-Exfoliation: Removing loose, dry skin can reveal healthier, hydrated skin below. Using a stiff brush, loofa, or other exfoliating product daily can help remove dead skin. If not exfoliated, that dead skin can build up, especially on the arms, legs, feet, hands, elbows, and knees. The dead skin resists hydration from lotions and can be itchy and feel scaly.
- Coconut Oil: This is a tropical secret to healthy skin. Coconut oil is one of the three most similar oils to skin’s natural sebum (oil). It absorbs into skin, provides UV protection and is naturally anti-bacterial, antiviral, and antifungal.
-Water: Be sure to drink plenty of water. Carbonated, caffeinated, chemically sweetened, and sugar laden food and drink can leave the body dehydrated as it tries to flush it from the system. Be sure to get plenty of fresh water and eat fresh fruits and vegetables which are not just nutrient dense, but also contain large amounts of water.
Curing dry skin doesn’t have to be a fight or a chore. With a these few tips, some diet changes, and a little daily TLC, dry itchy skin may be less of a problem and may even disappear.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
Beautify Your Skin!
Beautiful Skin Starts on the Inside
Healthy, glowing skin is the result of more than a spa treatment or a nice body lotion.
Healthy, blemish free skin is the result of a good diet, water, exercise, and key nutrients. Here are 10 tips for healthy skin from the inside out:
1- Water daily. Healthy clear skin results from a healthy and hydrated body. Drink at least 2 to 3 liters of water daily. If you also drink caffeinated or sugar laden beverages, strive to cut back, and counter each one with an additional glass of water to help the body flush it out.
2- Exercise is good for more than just muscle tone. During exercise the blood vessels dilate at the skin, this flushes out the skin, cleaning it and refreshing it. It also stimulates growth and repair. Exercise results in healthier, more youthful looking skin.
3- Avoid sugar and caffeine. These both stimulate the endocrine system and raise the levels of hormones responsible for breakouts and skin problems. Plus they dehydrate the body, leaving the skin looking dull.
4- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. They contain fiber and vitamins essential for a healthy body and intestines. The healthier we are on the inside, the healthier our skin will be. Plus, they help the body remove toxins and waste matter, leaving it better able to facilitate growth and repair of tissues.
5- Get your Probiotics. Probiotics are good for more than just a healthy gut. They play a key role in the production of essential nutrients, amino acids, and vitamins which are vital for healthy skin. Plus, they help balance the immune system and strengthen it, aiding the body in resisting bacterial infections on the skin.
6- Whole grains and legumes are rich in amino acids and vitamins from the B group. Amino acids and B-vitamins play vital roles in many metabolic processes, a deficiency in B-vitamins can result in a break down of skin tissue. This can lead to infections, blisters, boils, more acne lesions, and scaring. Healthy skin is dependant on a healthy supply of B-vitamins and amino acids.
7- Vitamin-E and essential fatty acids are also important. The body needs them to facilitate tissue repair and maintain the supple skin layers. Vitamin-E used both topically and taken as a supplement can help prevent premature aging of the skin and speed up healing. It also can help reduce the appearance of scars, stretch marks, and wrinkles. Essential fatty acids play many important roles in skin health.
8- Get adequate sleep. While we sleep, our bodies become more active. While we slumber, our bodies are busy repairing tissue damage, clearing out waste materials, and replenishing itself. Sleep is vital for healthy, clear skin. During sleep the body also produces hormones essential for proper growth and maintenance of the skin.
9- Get your vitamin-C. Avoid ascorbic acid supplements, opt for those rich with bioflavonoids and made with natural ingredients such as rose hips, acerola cherries, and other fruits. Vitamin-C plays any roles in the body including metabolic cycles, blood vessel health, tissue repair, and the immune system. Studies suggest that it also helps regulate certain hormones responsible for skin problems.
10- Avoid junk food. The chemicals and toxins found in overprocessed foods can make the skin looks old and lifeless. The carcinogens found in these foods have been shown to increase cancer and promote aging. The skin is the first place aging shows up.
Healthy skin is vital to a healthy body. In many eastern medical practices, it is believed that the health and condition of the skin is a clear indicator of the health and vitality of the body. It is said that one look at the skin can reveal much about the individual and how well he cares for himself. Look your best by caring for your skin from the inside out.
Healthy, glowing skin is the result of more than a spa treatment or a nice body lotion.
Healthy, blemish free skin is the result of a good diet, water, exercise, and key nutrients. Here are 10 tips for healthy skin from the inside out:
1- Water daily. Healthy clear skin results from a healthy and hydrated body. Drink at least 2 to 3 liters of water daily. If you also drink caffeinated or sugar laden beverages, strive to cut back, and counter each one with an additional glass of water to help the body flush it out.
2- Exercise is good for more than just muscle tone. During exercise the blood vessels dilate at the skin, this flushes out the skin, cleaning it and refreshing it. It also stimulates growth and repair. Exercise results in healthier, more youthful looking skin.
3- Avoid sugar and caffeine. These both stimulate the endocrine system and raise the levels of hormones responsible for breakouts and skin problems. Plus they dehydrate the body, leaving the skin looking dull.
4- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. They contain fiber and vitamins essential for a healthy body and intestines. The healthier we are on the inside, the healthier our skin will be. Plus, they help the body remove toxins and waste matter, leaving it better able to facilitate growth and repair of tissues.
5- Get your Probiotics. Probiotics are good for more than just a healthy gut. They play a key role in the production of essential nutrients, amino acids, and vitamins which are vital for healthy skin. Plus, they help balance the immune system and strengthen it, aiding the body in resisting bacterial infections on the skin.
6- Whole grains and legumes are rich in amino acids and vitamins from the B group. Amino acids and B-vitamins play vital roles in many metabolic processes, a deficiency in B-vitamins can result in a break down of skin tissue. This can lead to infections, blisters, boils, more acne lesions, and scaring. Healthy skin is dependant on a healthy supply of B-vitamins and amino acids.
7- Vitamin-E and essential fatty acids are also important. The body needs them to facilitate tissue repair and maintain the supple skin layers. Vitamin-E used both topically and taken as a supplement can help prevent premature aging of the skin and speed up healing. It also can help reduce the appearance of scars, stretch marks, and wrinkles. Essential fatty acids play many important roles in skin health.
8- Get adequate sleep. While we sleep, our bodies become more active. While we slumber, our bodies are busy repairing tissue damage, clearing out waste materials, and replenishing itself. Sleep is vital for healthy, clear skin. During sleep the body also produces hormones essential for proper growth and maintenance of the skin.
9- Get your vitamin-C. Avoid ascorbic acid supplements, opt for those rich with bioflavonoids and made with natural ingredients such as rose hips, acerola cherries, and other fruits. Vitamin-C plays any roles in the body including metabolic cycles, blood vessel health, tissue repair, and the immune system. Studies suggest that it also helps regulate certain hormones responsible for skin problems.
10- Avoid junk food. The chemicals and toxins found in overprocessed foods can make the skin looks old and lifeless. The carcinogens found in these foods have been shown to increase cancer and promote aging. The skin is the first place aging shows up.
Healthy skin is vital to a healthy body. In many eastern medical practices, it is believed that the health and condition of the skin is a clear indicator of the health and vitality of the body. It is said that one look at the skin can reveal much about the individual and how well he cares for himself. Look your best by caring for your skin from the inside out.
Friday, April 23, 2010
An Easy Way to Cut Back!
Whittle Your Waist Naturally
Sweeten With Stevia
Derived from the leaves of a relative of the sunflower native to South America, it has been used as a sweetening agent in that region for at least a few centuries, and has been used in Japan, as a sugar substitute, for over 30 years.
It has a licorice-like after taste in its raw form, but purified, it is a white powder with little or no after taste. It has up to 300 times the sweetness of sugar. Since it does not raise insulin, glucose, or have an effect on blood sugar levels, it shows promise as a treatment for diabetes and obesity. It has no known side effects, and unlike other chemical sweeteners, has not been shown to produce cancer or other harm in laboratory studies.
On the contrary, it has been shown to improve glucose tolerance possibly by inducing insulin production and insulin sensitivity. In some countries, it is being used to treat conditions such as heartburn, obesity, high-blood-pressure, hypertension, and possibly for osteoporosis (due to stimulating increased production of serum calcium).
Xylitol
This is naturally present in minute amounts in many fruits and vegetables. In fact, the body produces its own during certain metabolic processes. Although, it is classified as a carbohydrate, it is slowly absorbed in the digestive tract. Thus, it does not cause a rapid increase in blood glucose or insulin. It also does not cause cavities, unlike sugar, the bacteria in the mouth cannot utilize it and die. It is considered a safe and natural alternative for a sweet tooth. Dentists and nutritionists recommend its use!
Reducing sugar intake can significantly reduce daily caloric intake. By making it a habit to consume less sugar daily, over time we can reduce more body fat. As part of a healthy diet and lifestyle, these two sweeteners can help you enjoy your favorite foods without packaging on the pounds.
Sweeten With Stevia
Derived from the leaves of a relative of the sunflower native to South America, it has been used as a sweetening agent in that region for at least a few centuries, and has been used in Japan, as a sugar substitute, for over 30 years.
It has a licorice-like after taste in its raw form, but purified, it is a white powder with little or no after taste. It has up to 300 times the sweetness of sugar. Since it does not raise insulin, glucose, or have an effect on blood sugar levels, it shows promise as a treatment for diabetes and obesity. It has no known side effects, and unlike other chemical sweeteners, has not been shown to produce cancer or other harm in laboratory studies.
On the contrary, it has been shown to improve glucose tolerance possibly by inducing insulin production and insulin sensitivity. In some countries, it is being used to treat conditions such as heartburn, obesity, high-blood-pressure, hypertension, and possibly for osteoporosis (due to stimulating increased production of serum calcium).
Xylitol
This is naturally present in minute amounts in many fruits and vegetables. In fact, the body produces its own during certain metabolic processes. Although, it is classified as a carbohydrate, it is slowly absorbed in the digestive tract. Thus, it does not cause a rapid increase in blood glucose or insulin. It also does not cause cavities, unlike sugar, the bacteria in the mouth cannot utilize it and die. It is considered a safe and natural alternative for a sweet tooth. Dentists and nutritionists recommend its use!
Reducing sugar intake can significantly reduce daily caloric intake. By making it a habit to consume less sugar daily, over time we can reduce more body fat. As part of a healthy diet and lifestyle, these two sweeteners can help you enjoy your favorite foods without packaging on the pounds.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Delicious Berry Greens 8000
This patented formula uses certified organic ingredients including green plants, fruit extracts, fruit juices, vegetable juices, ionic trace minerals, and healthy herbs and spices. Greens 8000 also contains other significant ingredients which clinical trials have reported to improve health, immunity, and digestion.
Delicious Greens 8000 makes it easy. One single scoop mixes easily in a glass of water and tastes like fruit juice, providing an easy way to get the beneficial ingredients of over 40 fruits and vegetables, 140 ionic trace minerals, and quality herbs and extracts.
All our Green formulas contain:
Greens: barley grass, spirulina, alfalfa, chlorella, spinach juice, and parsley juices. Vegetables: Carrot, broccoli, cauliflower, and red beet juices.
Fruits: mangosteen, acai berry, acerola cherry, goji berry, concord grape juice, and pomegranate juices.
Herbs: Cinnamon, blueberry leaf, aloe vera, turmeric, silymarin, and licorice root.
Plus other ingredients such as probiotics, enzymes, and extracts for good health. This all natural formula is hypoallergenic since the amounts of every ingredient are so small and the recipe is so balanced. It does not contain preservatives, msg, added sugar, added food color, or any animal ingredients. This makes it 100% vegan.
Today’s face paced lifestyles mean that we eat less of the healthy stuff and more fast food and boxed meals. Our bodies crave the phytonutrients, minerals, vitamins, and healthy food ingredients such as found in this special formula. The time it takes to prepare all the fruit and vegetable ingredients found in each scoop of Delicious Greens 8000 individually would take too much time on your own. It’s much easier to open a package and heat it up. That is why we often go without the fruits, vegetables, and minerals our bodies so desperately need to be healthy. This product makes it easy to get all those delicious fruits and vegetables in a single scoop mixed in a glass of water.
Summer Is Almost Here!!
Bye Bye Cellulite With These Tips
It doesn’t matter the season, fighting cellulite is an ongoing project. Just as we look after other aspects of our health and beauty, such as exercising, eating healthy, brushing our teeth, so too fighting cellulite should be a daily habit.
There are a few tiny rules to know about smoothing cellulite:
~ Drink plenty of fluids, especially water
~ Exercise is essential for getting toned
~ Everybody has cellulite, even super models
~ The main idea is to plump up the skin and increase circulation
~ That you put onto your body is as important to what you put into it
Here’s what to do:
1-Before you take your morning shower, exfoliate the affected areas with products that have grit or sea salt in them. These products increase circulation while sloughing off older skin. Over time this leaves the skin smoother and improves the blood flow to the area when repeated regularly.
2-Get an anti-cellulite device to use in the shower. These are hand held and have rubber spikes or knobs on them which also stimulate circulation to the area.
3-Get Caffeinated. Use a lotion which contains natural plant sources of caffeine on a daily basis. Some people swear by ground coffee scrubs and compresses. Caffeine works in external applications by drawing fluids to the area, plumping it up and reducing the appearance of cellulite. Also, try lotions which promise to help tighten the skin, even if the effect is temporary.
4-Reduce intake of sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and dairy products. These can cause increases in certain hormones which will make the appearance of the condition worse.
5-Reduce stress, stress can aggravate the condition and cause spikes in cortisol levels which promote fat gain. A high stress lifestyle can also induce production of catecholamines which has been associated with cellulite.
6-Continue losing weight and try to maintain a steady healthy weight. Rapid changes in weight can loosen the skins bonds, which may worsen the appearance of cellulite. Cellulite is a natural skin condition most prevalent in women. Everybody on earth suffers from it. Treatments can only lessen the appearance of the condition.
What is it? Between the dermis (skin) and the muscle is a layer of fat. This fat is essential for maintaining body temperature, when weight is at a normal level. However, the fat deposits are not distributed evenly. It is less apparent when the skin is tight, but if the skin becomes loose, such as after significant weight loss. There is no way to cure it. However, improving the hydration of the area, improving circulation to the area, and improving skin tautness and tone, can have a dramatic affect on its appearance.
Other measures include keeping the body adequately hydrated. Get plenty of exercise, which improves circulation. Eating plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and adequate proteins, which can help keep hormone levels even. Also, maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding fast weight losses repeatedly, as this can loosing the bonds between the skin and the underlying tissues.
It doesn’t matter the season, fighting cellulite is an ongoing project. Just as we look after other aspects of our health and beauty, such as exercising, eating healthy, brushing our teeth, so too fighting cellulite should be a daily habit.
There are a few tiny rules to know about smoothing cellulite:
~ Drink plenty of fluids, especially water
~ Exercise is essential for getting toned
~ Everybody has cellulite, even super models
~ The main idea is to plump up the skin and increase circulation
~ That you put onto your body is as important to what you put into it
Here’s what to do:
1-Before you take your morning shower, exfoliate the affected areas with products that have grit or sea salt in them. These products increase circulation while sloughing off older skin. Over time this leaves the skin smoother and improves the blood flow to the area when repeated regularly.
2-Get an anti-cellulite device to use in the shower. These are hand held and have rubber spikes or knobs on them which also stimulate circulation to the area.
3-Get Caffeinated. Use a lotion which contains natural plant sources of caffeine on a daily basis. Some people swear by ground coffee scrubs and compresses. Caffeine works in external applications by drawing fluids to the area, plumping it up and reducing the appearance of cellulite. Also, try lotions which promise to help tighten the skin, even if the effect is temporary.
4-Reduce intake of sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and dairy products. These can cause increases in certain hormones which will make the appearance of the condition worse.
5-Reduce stress, stress can aggravate the condition and cause spikes in cortisol levels which promote fat gain. A high stress lifestyle can also induce production of catecholamines which has been associated with cellulite.
6-Continue losing weight and try to maintain a steady healthy weight. Rapid changes in weight can loosen the skins bonds, which may worsen the appearance of cellulite. Cellulite is a natural skin condition most prevalent in women. Everybody on earth suffers from it. Treatments can only lessen the appearance of the condition.
What is it? Between the dermis (skin) and the muscle is a layer of fat. This fat is essential for maintaining body temperature, when weight is at a normal level. However, the fat deposits are not distributed evenly. It is less apparent when the skin is tight, but if the skin becomes loose, such as after significant weight loss. There is no way to cure it. However, improving the hydration of the area, improving circulation to the area, and improving skin tautness and tone, can have a dramatic affect on its appearance.
Other measures include keeping the body adequately hydrated. Get plenty of exercise, which improves circulation. Eating plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and adequate proteins, which can help keep hormone levels even. Also, maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding fast weight losses repeatedly, as this can loosing the bonds between the skin and the underlying tissues.
Build a Body you can be Proud Of In Just 20 minutes or Less Per Day!
Build a Body you can be Proud Of In Just 20 minutes or Less Per Day!
If you truly want to be in the best shape of your life, and stay that way, it takes long term commitments to health and a routine of activities YOU can look forward to. Just as we have different tastes in foods, music, clothing, work, and entertainment, so to not all physical activities work for everyone.
Here are ten simple steps for building a fabulous body:
1- Think long term, not quick fix. Rather than jumping into a set of activities and long duration routines, start with small steps and build your way up. Jumping into intense workouts doesn’t work, it just sets us for feeling like failures. Instead, pick something small and build on that.
2- Forget getting all the workout done in one sitting, how many of us have time for that? Four to eight short bursts of 5 to 10 minutes each can provide long term and lasting benefits. Start with two 5-minute sessions and add to that. A little something is better than nothing.
3- Do something upon rising. Even if it’s 2 minutes of jumping jacks or a few rounds up and down the stairs. Getting your metabolism up within the first 45 minutes of rising can keep it raised all day.
4- Use it as a mid-morning/afternoon pick-me-up. Instead of reaching for that donut, cup of coffee, or candy bar, take a hike. Plan two five minute breaks per day. Take a walk around, go into the break room and use bands or light weights. Do something different and get your blood, and brain activated.
5- Forget videos and equipment. Nature handed us the best equipment we can get, our own body. Learn isometric exercises. The most beneficial exercise takes light clothing, comfortable shoes, and your mind. If you do plan on investing, try inexpensive items such as stepper machines, bands, balls, and floor mats.
6- Find a buddy. If you’re at work, find a co-worker who can share in your twice daily trips around the complex. If you've got a significant other, invite them to take a brisk walk before or after meal times. Grab your pals and (leaving credit cards at home) hit the mall for a chit chat while walking.
7- Find refreshment in going solo. Got a hectic schedule, a bustling house full of people, need to get away? The easiest mini vacation may be a solo walk around your block. (in safe neighborhoods), those few quiet moments before the family gets out of bed, or in the evening as everybody moves onto TV and homework. Get out, get away, go for a 5-minute walk.
8- Check out our blog for tips on surging and burst training. Just 12 minutes per day and you could look like a super model in a year. Surge and burst training differ from walking, jogging, cycling. While those do burn some calories, if ill conditioned for the activity, they can raise cortisol levels, defeating the purpose. Surge and burst training effectively lowers cortisol levels and encourages the body to level off leptin and insulin levels naturally.
9- Pick a sport or hobby, any sport or hobby. Find something YOU enjoy doing which tricks your mind into thinking "hey, this is super fun" instead of "oh, so were going exercising again."
10- Of course, other methods work too, take the stairs instead of the elevator, park farther out and force yourself to walk farther to the grocery store door. Many little new and light activities, small changes done during the day, can help burn fat and calories and not even feel like exercise. After a few days, it may feel second nature to do things differently.
If you truly want to be in the best shape of your life, and stay that way, it takes long term commitments to health and a routine of activities YOU can look forward to. Just as we have different tastes in foods, music, clothing, work, and entertainment, so to not all physical activities work for everyone.
Here are ten simple steps for building a fabulous body:
1- Think long term, not quick fix. Rather than jumping into a set of activities and long duration routines, start with small steps and build your way up. Jumping into intense workouts doesn’t work, it just sets us for feeling like failures. Instead, pick something small and build on that.
2- Forget getting all the workout done in one sitting, how many of us have time for that? Four to eight short bursts of 5 to 10 minutes each can provide long term and lasting benefits. Start with two 5-minute sessions and add to that. A little something is better than nothing.
3- Do something upon rising. Even if it’s 2 minutes of jumping jacks or a few rounds up and down the stairs. Getting your metabolism up within the first 45 minutes of rising can keep it raised all day.
4- Use it as a mid-morning/afternoon pick-me-up. Instead of reaching for that donut, cup of coffee, or candy bar, take a hike. Plan two five minute breaks per day. Take a walk around, go into the break room and use bands or light weights. Do something different and get your blood, and brain activated.
5- Forget videos and equipment. Nature handed us the best equipment we can get, our own body. Learn isometric exercises. The most beneficial exercise takes light clothing, comfortable shoes, and your mind. If you do plan on investing, try inexpensive items such as stepper machines, bands, balls, and floor mats.
6- Find a buddy. If you’re at work, find a co-worker who can share in your twice daily trips around the complex. If you've got a significant other, invite them to take a brisk walk before or after meal times. Grab your pals and (leaving credit cards at home) hit the mall for a chit chat while walking.
7- Find refreshment in going solo. Got a hectic schedule, a bustling house full of people, need to get away? The easiest mini vacation may be a solo walk around your block. (in safe neighborhoods), those few quiet moments before the family gets out of bed, or in the evening as everybody moves onto TV and homework. Get out, get away, go for a 5-minute walk.
8- Check out our blog for tips on surging and burst training. Just 12 minutes per day and you could look like a super model in a year. Surge and burst training differ from walking, jogging, cycling. While those do burn some calories, if ill conditioned for the activity, they can raise cortisol levels, defeating the purpose. Surge and burst training effectively lowers cortisol levels and encourages the body to level off leptin and insulin levels naturally.
9- Pick a sport or hobby, any sport or hobby. Find something YOU enjoy doing which tricks your mind into thinking "hey, this is super fun" instead of "oh, so were going exercising again."
10- Of course, other methods work too, take the stairs instead of the elevator, park farther out and force yourself to walk farther to the grocery store door. Many little new and light activities, small changes done during the day, can help burn fat and calories and not even feel like exercise. After a few days, it may feel second nature to do things differently.
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