[Hi-LaL]

About Acne - What can you do to cure or alleviate acne?

By: Knut Holt, Tue Sep 5th, 2006

Acne gives the combination of symptoms like greasy skin, white heads, black heads, pimples, inflammation and scar formation. Acne mostly affects young people in the age 14 - 25, but also sometimes older persons, like women in their menopause. Most teenagers experience outburst of acne, some only little, but for others acne may develop into a serious skin ailment with great cosmetic impact.

THE SKIN ANATOMY

To understand the acne process, some knowledge about skin anatomy and physiology is essential:

The skin has there layers: The outer layer, called epidermis, consists of epithelial cells. Under this lies the dermis consisting of connective tissue. At the bottom there is a layer called the hypodermis consisting mostly of fat cells.

The skin has narrow pores extending from the surface down to the top of the subdermis, called hair follicles. A hair extend from a growth zone in the bottom of each hair follicle and out at the skin surface. Around the hair in the dermis, there are small glands called sebaceous glands. These glands produce a fatty substance, sebum, which empty through the follicle opening and lubricates the hair and the skin.

THE ACNE PROCESS

Acne starts by the glands in the hair follicles increasing their sebum production. This will in the beginning only cause greasy skin. Eventually the sebum in the entrance of the follicles mixes with dead epithelial cells from the epidermis. This mix reacts chemically to forms hard props, comedones, that close the pore entrances. According to the color of the comedones, they are called black heads or white heads.

Then the closed hair follicle gets filled with sebum and swell. The swollen follicle then gets infected by bacteria. The bacteria and the accumulated sebum cause the follicle and the surrounding skin to get inflamed, forming a pimple. At last the inflamed follicle burst and empties its content. Eventually the affected area heals. Sometimes the inflammation reaches deep into the skin surrounding the follicle and destroys skin tissue. This will cause more or less distinct scars that may reside permanently. Typically an affected person will have follicles in all these stages of the process at any given time.

THE CAUSES OF ACNE

The increased hormone production in the puberty stimulates to increased sebum production. The male hormone, testosterone, seem to contribute most. Also girls begin to produce more testosterone in the puberty. Also in other periods, altered hormone production may give acne, for example by women in the menopause.
Since not all teens get acne in any degree, the increased hormone level cannot be the whole cause of the increased sebum production. The follicles of affected persons must for some reason react stronger upon the higher hormone level.
Dietary factors, like eating too much fat, too much sugar or the wrong kind of fat may aggravate acne by some individuals. Lack of vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids may also contribute to development of acne.

Poor digestion, lazy colon and constipation aggravate acne in some individuals, probably due to productions of toxins in the intestines. Lazy colon may be caused by dietary faults, like lack of fiber.

Very frequent washing and use of strong soaps aggravate acne, and does not alleviate the condition as many think. Rubbing, scrubbing or squeezing the skin may also aggravate acne.

Here are some other factors that may contribute in causing acne or aggravating the condition.

- Stress
- Some contraceptive agents
- Environmental or domestic pollution.
- Humid environments.
- Some antidepressants.
- Testosterone and anabolic steroids used for treatment or by body-building.
- Use of some types of greasy cosmetic products.
- Some antiperspirant products.
- Exposing the skin for chlorine or other halogens, or medicines containing halogens.
- Women may get aggravated acne 2-7 days before menstruation.

WHAT CAN YOU DO YOURSELF TO AVOID OR TO TREAT ACNE

Sometimes Acne is so severe that special medical treatment is required, and sometimes the causes of acne necessitate medical treatment. But you can do much yourself also. Here are listed things you can do yourself to prevent or treat acne:

1. Some advices about diet that may help prevent and cure acne:

- Do not consume a great amount of fat.
- The fat you add to the food should be natural oils. Olive oil is ideal, but use other types of oils too, like walnut oil, sunflower oil and soy oil. However, do not use only soy oil as many tend to do. Using only soy oil will give you too much of some fatty acids and too less of others.
- Eat much fish, seafood and not so much meat.
- Eat food with a high fiber content to regulate the digestion, like vegetables, whole cereals, full corn bread and fruit.

2. Here are some things you should avoid.

- Do not use greasy or heavy cosmetics that clog your skin and are difficult to wash away.
- Do not use strong irritating antiperspirants.
- Do not wash with strong soap or cleaners that dry up your skin and take away all the natural oily protection in your skin.
- If you perform body-building, do not use anabolic steroids or other hormonal supplements.
- Use clothes that allow air to reach your body surface to avoid collection of humidity and overheating of your skin.

3. Use of rinsing milk or solutions

You can rinse your skin with mild products especially made to dissolve the plugs in your pores, and to make the environment in your skin unfriendly to bacteria causing infection. Some of these products are just products to wash your skin with one ore more times a day; others should be on during night and flushed away in the morning.

Salicylic acid is a mild ingredient often used in these products to dissolve the comedones. The products usually also contain ingredients that work antibacterial and stimulate the skin's own cleaning activities, like Tea tree oil or Echinacea extract.

4. Use of gels and creams to treat acne and protect your skin

After the rinsing, you should apply some treatment gel, cream or lotion onto your skin to achieve these effects:

- To make your skin soft and elastic.
- To protect your skin against the environment.
- To acts further to dissolve the clogging of your pores.
- To soothe and alleviate inflammation.
- To kill the bacteria causing infection or make an environment hostile for the bacteria.
- To stimulate the skin to clean itself.
- To stimulate the skin to heal.
- To be used as a isolating layer between the skin itself and cosmetics

In order to protect, make the skin soft and further dissolve the comedones, many products contain natural plant oils that are easily absorbed into the epidermis, like Tea tree oil, Rose hip oil, Lavender oil and Olive oil.

Ingredients used in products to reduce inflammation and to stimulate healing may be: Aloe Vera extract, Viola Tricolour extract, Rose hip oil, Vitamin E and Vitamin A.

Tea tree oil and Grapefruit seed extract are natural antibacterial agents used in many of these products. In other products artificial compounds like Benzoyl peroxide are used.

5. Oral supplements to fight the acne process and nourish the skin

Supplements taken by mouth to nourish your skin may be useful. The purpose of these supplements is more or less the same as that of nourishing creams.

- To make the sebum more fluid so it drains more easily.
- To stimulate the substance exchange and cleaning processes in your skin,
- To stimulate your skin to heal,
- To give your skin building nutrients necessary to heal.

Ingredients often used in these supplements to stimulate the cleaning and healing processes in the skin are: Vitamins A, C, B1, B2, B3, B6, C, D, E, Folic acid, Beta carotene, Bioflavonoids, Magnesium, Copper, Zinc, selenium, anti-oxidants from Green tea, Metylsulfonyl methane.

Nutrient found in these products used as material to rebuild damaged skin and to give a sebum with better consistency are: Evening primrose oil, Olive oil, Flax seed oil, Borage oil, Soy oil, Wheat germ oil and Lecithin.

Gum guggul extract used in oral products has an anti-biotic effect, and helps against spreading of the acne infection and thus helps against scar formation.

Direct Link: AboutAcne

[Misafir]

How you can get the most from healthy fruits and vegetables

By: Zaak OConan, Thu Dec 1st, 2005

Fruits and vegetables are among the healthiest of all foods, and the great variety of these foods at the local grocery store makes it easier than every to enjoy great meals and snacks anytime the mood strikes you.

The latest food guidelines recommend that adults eat from five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables every day. While that may seem like a lot, it is an important goal to strive for, and a very reachable one.

A serving of a fruit or vegetable is equal to:

- 1 medium sized vegetable or fruit (such as an apple, orange or banana) - 2 small fruits (such as kiwi fruit or plums) - ½ cup of fresh, frozen or canned fruits or vegetables - ½ cup of 100% fruit juice - ¼ cup of dried fruit - 1 cup of green salad
Eating a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables is a great way to start a healthier lifestyle. Diets high in fruits and vegetables have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke and even some kinds of cancer. Diets high in fruits and vegetables are also important in maintaining a healthy weight.

Since different varieties of fruits and vegetables contain different types and levels of nutrients, it is important to each a good variety of fruits and vegetables. Eating a good combination of yellow, orange, red and green fruits and vegetables is a great way to ensure adequate levels of nutrition.

Fruits and vegetables are also an important source of fiber. One way to maximize the amount of fiber you get from fruits and vegetables is to eat the entire fruit and vegetable including the edible peel. Eating fruits and vegetables whole, instead of simply drinking fruit juice, is the best way to enjoy the fiber these foods have to offer. Orange juice may be very healthy, but it does not contain the same amount of fiber as a whole orange.

Getting sufficient fiber in the diet offers a great many health benefits, including aiding in digestion, lowering levels of cholesterol in the blood, reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke, and reducing the chances of some forms of cancer. In addition, fiber is though to play an important role in controlling levels of blood sugar in diabetics. Fiber also helps dieters feel full while limiting the number of calories you consume.

Many people wonder if canned and frozen fruits and vegetables are as healthy and nutritious as the fresh varieties. The simple answer to this question is yes. Canned and frozen fruits and vegetables contain just as many vitamins and minerals as their fresh counterparts, so it is fine to replace fresh fruits and vegetables with canned and frozen varieties when fresh ones are not available.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are often less expensive, however, especially when they are in season. In addition, local farmers markets and produce stands are often great sources of the freshest, most delicious fruits and vegetables at some excellent prices.

How vegetables and fruits are prepared is just as important as how they are chosen. It is important to rinse fresh fruit and vegetables thoroughly under clean running water. This step is important in order to remove any dirt, pesticide residue or bacterial contamination. The outermost leaves of lettuce and cabbage should be removed, and the outside of root vegetables like carrots and potatoes should be removed, especially if you plan to consume the skins of those vegetables. Vegetables and fruits should be washed right before they are used in order to keep them as fresh as possible.

The best ways to cook vegetables in order to maintain their freshness are to boil, microwave or steam the veggies until they are tender and crisp. It is best to use as little water as possible when cooking vegetables. That is because overcooking can destroy some of the valuable vitamins and minerals the vegetables contain.
About the author: Zaak O'Conan discovers and presents useful information on how to enhance and/or repair your life, body and relationships. You'll find his other articles on eating better and other ways how to improve your life at Get Anything You Want in Life by Unleashing the Full Powers of Your Mind!

Direct Link: Healthy Fruits and Vegetables

[Misafir]

Insomnia

By: Mark Idzik, Fri May 26th, 2006

A sleep disorder that has affected many people world-wide, insomnia is unfortunately quite common in today. But the consequences brought on by insomnia may not be as ordinary as they seem.

The frustration of repeatedly looking at your clock while moving around in your bed can be emotionally and physically draining to say the least. The tension builds up to its peak when you see the sun rise, and you go to the office lacking energy after experiencing a sleepless night.

You don't have to suffer anymore. Here are some tips to help you sleep peacefully and faster than you could ever expect.

1) Don't eat within 4 hours before you go to bed. In case you go hungry, try some crackers, an apple or a light snack. But don't indulge in an "all-you-can-eat" feast right before bedtime. Your food won't be digested properly, resulting in poor and uncomfortable sleep.

2) Don't drink caffeine or alcohol. Caffeine can hinder your ability to sleep. Alcohol can make you drowsy, but it can wake you up in the middle of the night and bring on side effects that will adversely affect a peaceful night’s sleep.

3) Develop a consistent routine of waking up and going to bed at the same time everyday, even on the weekends. Some insomniacs tend to sleep at any time of the day to catch up on some sleep they lose during the night. This is the one of the biggest mistakes you can make if you’re looking to sleep peacefully. It alters your body clock and will only worsen your insomnia. If you can't sleep one night, get up at the usual time the next morning. You'll be sleeping soundly the next night.

4) Relax, stay healthy and fit. Avoid a stressful lifestyle. Engage in activity and exercise daily to release tension. Practice deep breathing exercises to relax your body often.

5) Don’t force yourself to sleep. Trying your best to sleep requires some work. You don't want to work when you want to doze off. Sleep comes best if you are in a relaxed and comfortable state. Just lie down, relax, and let yourself fall into sleep naturally.

Direct Link:Insomnia

[Misafir]

Anti-Aging Skin Care

By: Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, Ph.D, ND, DACBN, Sun Sep 24th, 2006

Wrinkles are quite literally a sign of the times. They are caused by both genetic and environmental factors such as sunlight, make up, chemical ridden cosmetics, cigarette smoke, and other pollutants. But regardless of their cause, many women find their laugh lines to be no laughing matter. So what can we do to prevent and stall the skin damage that causes wrinkles, laugh lines, age spots, and other bothersome blemishes?

How Can I Prevent Wrinkles? The best way to prevent wrinkles is to follow a regular skin care routine, and to adamantly protect your face from the detrimental effects of the sun. You need to cleanse your skin on a daily basis to remove the perspiration, debris, and pollutants that can buildup and damage your pores. And use a natural sunscreen (with a minimum SPF 15) to shield your face from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays. Also, avoid smoking, alcohol, and caffeinated beverages that dehydrate the skin. Drink plenty of purified water to keep your skin supple, hydrated and healthy.

When Should I Start Using Anti-Wrinkle Creams? You can start using anti-wrinkle creams before you even see a wrinkle appear. Eye creams in particular are effective at supporting the delicate area around the eyes and preventing or stalling the development of wrinkles. Many women (and men) start using anti wrinkle creams in their thirties. The skin’s natural levels of collagen diminish with age and anti-wrinkle creams may offer a suitable replacement. These creams may be too heavy for younger, thicker skin, so you’ll have to determine whether or not they’re right for your skin type. I recommend using all-natural products, organically certified if possible.

How Can I Diminish Wrinkles? There are numerous products and techniques available today to help you diminish the appearance of wrinkles. Herbal creams and vitamin supplements can be used to reduce the effects of aging on the skin. You must choose which product or method is best for you based on the number and severity of your wrinkles and the level at which they bother you.

Anti-Aging Products and Ingredients

Vitamin A: Vitamin A yields a slight inflammatory action on the skin. It can help to “puff up” the skin and diminish the depth of many wrinkles.

Vitamin C: This water-soluble vitamin helps to improve circulation and boost the production of collagen within the body. It has a brightening affect on skin that has become dull and dry with age.

Vitamin E: Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps to protect skin from the damaging effect of free radicals. It also strengthens the immune system, improves circulation, and protects red blood cell membranes.

Coenzyme Q10: This powerful antioxidant is effective at protecting the skin from free radical damage and improving circulation throughout the body. Coenzyme Q10 can be found in oral vitamin supplements or as an ingredient in skin care creams.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids: AHA’s or fruit acids help to slough off dead skin cells that can dull the skin’s appearance.

Anti Aging Procedures Botox: Botox or botulinum endotoxin-A can produce dramatic anti aging results, similar to surgery, without the devastating side effects. Botox is a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It causes a slight paralysis of the muscles around the wrinkles. This can diminish the appearance of “motion wrinkles,” such as laugh lines and crow’s feet. The procedure to have Botox injected under the skin can be quite costly and it’s effects are only temporary, so it must be repeated several times throughout the year.
Dermabrasion: This is a procedure that utilizes microcrystals or other sanding equipment to scrape away facial skin around the affected area. It is a costly procedure that my actually require a recovery of several weeks.

Laser Resurfacing: Laser surgery is a technique that uses a controlled laser beam to remove the upper layer of damaged skin. It can visibly reduce the appearance of fine line and in come cases, deeper wrinkles. It is one of the most popular procedures in cosmetic surgery today. However, it is an invasive surgical procedure that also has risks such as excessive scarring, infection, loss of normal skin pigmentation, skin redness and dryness.

Chemical Peels: As frightening as it seems, chemical peels actually involve applying a chemical substance to your skin that “burns” off the damaged layers. The gentlest type of chemical peel available is the glycolic acid peel that removes dead skin cells from the upper layer of skin only. These treatments are quick and are often referred to as “lunchtime peels,” as they may only require ten to fifteen minutes in the doctor’s office. However, the results of chemical peels are only temporary and the procedure must be repeated frequently.

To learn more visit Skin Care & Facial Skin Care.

Direct Link: Anti-AgingTips

[Misafir]

Couples with fertility problems are three times more likely to have a child with serious conditions like autism and cerebral palsy, research suggests.



The extra risk is likely to be caused by health problems that make it difficult for these couples to conceive in the first place, scientists believe.

Fertility treatments, such as IVF, may contribute too, an American Society for Reproductive Medicine meeting heard.

But the experts stressed the overall risk was still relatively low.

They said couples should be counselled about the risks and encouraged to improve their health before undergoing fertility treatment.

Professor Mary Croughan, who led the University of California research on 4,000 women and their children aged up to six years, explained those with fertility problems were also more likely to have other health problems, such as heart disease and diabetes, and were more at risk of pregnancy and labour complications.

She said: "What has caused them to be unable to conceive goes on to cause problems.

"It is as if a brick wall has stopped you becoming pregnant. Treatment allows you to climb over the wall, but it is still there and it goes on to cause problems."

Raised risk

Her team found the risk of five conditions - autism, mental retardation, cerebral palsy, seizures and cancer - was 2.7 times higher among the children born to 2,000 women who experienced fertility problems than among those born to the 2,000 women who did not have difficult conceiving.

For autism alone, the risk was four times higher.

Moderate developmental problems such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, learning disabilities or serious sight or hearing disorders were also 40% more common in the children born to the couples who struggled to start a family.
Stuart Lavery, a spokesman for the British Fertility Society, questioned how valid the findings were because of the wide range of fertility problems and treatments the women had.

"There is no doubt that people who have difficulties with their fertility have difficulties conceiving and carrying pregnancies, although it has not been shown that it is the infertility that is causing the problems," he added.

Clare Brown of Infertility Network UK said continued work was needed to ensure treatment was safe for couples and potential children.

At the same conference, doctors heard how Britain should consider paying women thousands of pounds to donate their eggs.

US clinics often pay women up to $10,000 (£5,200) per IVF cycle. In comparison, British clinics can offer £250 plus travel and childcare expenses.
A spokesman for The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority said it had no plans to review the £250 cap, set last year.

Resoruce: BBCNews