Article # 589. Plant-based anti-ageing foods

Who wants to look their age? Most people want to look years younger than they are and are always striving towards it going into strange diets, getting help of surgery and taking jabs of botox and dermal fillers.

Studies have shown that people who eat mostly plant-based foods look younger than their real physical age. And if that is true, it sure makes sense to include plant-based, anti-ageing foods in our daily diet to get that ageless, young skin and delay the inevitable effects of natural ageing by improving skin elasticity and thereby staving off wrinkles..

"There are certain foods that are rich in Vitamin E, which when included in our daily diet, can help improve the texture of skin and it's elasticity." Avocados, walnuts, sesame seeds, olive or olive oil are rich in Vitamin E.  "Eating a diet that is rich in colourful fruits and veggies, can help protect against skin ageing." Tomatoes, red bell pepper and all citrus fruits are rich in Vitamin C, green leafy vegetables, sweet potatoes and bright orange vegetables have carotenoids and all these should be included in your diet. "Apart from this, avoiding caffeine products can help control melanin production. Sipping on green tea is a better idea."

Here is a list of some anti-ageing foods:

Almonds

Since ages almonds have been considered as an anti-ageing food because of the high content of Vitamin E. It is great for healthy skin, hair and nails. The body needs Vitamin E to protect the cells from the onslaught of free radicals generated by air pollution, peroxides and ultra violet rays. Experts say that eating around a dozen almonds daily will help.

Walnuts

Walnuts are a rich source of Vitamin E and having a handful can help your skin look great.

Cucumber
These are excellent as anti-ageing food and improve tired and dehydrated skin. The high water content and high amounts of silica present helps to get a smooth and glowing skin.

Avocados
They are also known as nature's best moisturisers and are loaded with anti-ageing nutrients such as Vitamin C and E, and Omega 3 fatty acids. Though a medium-size avocado has 30 grams of fat, all of it is healthy mono-saturated fats that lower cholesterol and protect the heart. "Eating avocados can help stave off wrinkles and keep your skin looking soft and supple, because of the Vitamin E that helps to get your skin glowing."

Sesame

This is another rich source of Vitamin E

Berries

 "Antioxidants that are present in berries such as blueberries, and cranberries and in strawberry, can help keep you skin vibrant and glowing." The canned cranberry juice works for your skin.
Eat one to two cups of blueberries a day for your daily 'dose' of anthocyanin, an anti-ageing antioxidant that increases the potency of Vitamin C.

Green tea

This is a very healthy substitute for caffeine drinks and are packed with anti-oxidants.

Water

"If you do not drink at least 2-3 litres of water every day, your skin might wrinkle faster. Water provides the much-required hydration and keeps wrinkles at bay.

Aloe Vera juice

Aloe vera juice is excellent if you want younger-looking skin says and adds, "Have 30 ml aloevera juice diluted with 100 ml water early morning on empty stomach. And after 20-30 minutes you can have your regular breakfast."

Sunflower seeds

This in another remarkable anti-ageing food and a Vitamin E and selenium powerhouse with very effective youth-enhancing qualities.
Eating a handful of sunflower seeds daily will help you look younger, stave off wrinkles and improve skin elasticity because it is extremely rich in Vitamin E.

Brazil nuts

Brazil nuts are a very rich source of selenium, a mineral that works very well with Vitamin E to stop oxidative stress and cell damage caused by free radicals; thus, slowing down the ageing process. But should be eaten in moderation (two nuts a day) because of its high fat content.

Article # 540. 22 Foods that give you clearer prettier SKIN

-       Vitamin A - liver, pumpkins, apricots, spinach & sweet potatoes

-       Vitamin C – strawberries, peppers, pineapples, oranges, and mangos

-       Vitamin B - lean poultry, peas, beans and green leafy vegetables

-       Zinc - Nuts, seeds, carrots & Quinoa

-       Omega 3 fatty acids - Fish (like salmon, tuna and sardines), flax seed and walnuts

-       Water

Article # 538. LIST OF ANTIOXIDANT VITAMINS

Free radicals are groups of atoms that cause danger to cells. When the body is unable to fight off free radicals, cells are damaged and premature aging along with various diseases may result. Antioxidants are natural compounds which protect and heal the cells of the body by fighting these free radicals and playing a significant role in the prevention of disease, according to Phyllis Balch in her book, "Prescription for 

Nutritional Healing".

Vitamin A and the Carotenoids

Vitamin A carotenoids are found naturally in fruits and vegetables which are yellow, red, green and orange. This antioxidant family includes alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin. Working as anti-cancer agents, carotenoids decrease the risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration as well as helping to inhibit heart disease, according to Balch. The body converts carotenoid energy into vitamin A, reduces the oxidation of DNA and prevents the oxidation of cholesterol.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C works in conjunction with vitamin E to maintain its potency. Due to its water solubility, vitamin C works in bodily fluids as an effective free-radical scavenger. According to the book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" the cells of the brain and spinal cord can be protected by significant amounts of vitamin C. This powerful antioxidant also guards against atherosclerosis by preventing free radical damage to the artery walls.

Vitamin E

Useful for preventing the oxidation of fats, vitamin E prevents the cell's protective coatings from becoming rancid due to the oxidation of free radicals. Vitamin E is fat-soluble. It enhances the immune response, helps prevent cataracts and decreases the risk for coronary artery disease, according to Balch. In order for the body to maintain adequate levels of vitamin E, the antioxidant zinc must also be present.

Selenium

An essential trace mineral, selenium works with vitamin E to protect cell membranes and tissues. Selenium works by targeting natural hydrogen peroxide in the body and converting it into water. Found naturally in asparagus, garlic and grains, selenium helps guard the heart, liver and lungs against free radical damage.

Coenzyme Q10

Though coenzyme Q10 is not technically a vitamin, it is produced naturally in the body and levels often decrease with age. Found in highest concentrations in the heart and liver, coenzyme Q10 plays a crucial role in the generation of proper cellular energy. Working in the mitochondria of the cell, coenzyme Q10 helps to metabolize carbohydrates and fats and has a natural anti-aging effect. Supplementing the diet with coenzyme Q10 may be especially beneficial for heart patients as it is known to increase circulation and stimulate the immune system, according to Balch.

Alpha-Lipoic Acid

Working as a "recycler" of vitamins C and E, alpha-lipoic acid restores the antioxidant properties of vitamins after they have neutralized free-radicals in the body. Stimulating the absorption of other vitamins, alpha-lipoic acid is especially beneficial for detoxifying the liver of metal pollutants and lowering blood cholesterol levels, according to Balch's "Prescription for Nutritional Healing".

Article # 536. Few Essential Foods for Beautiful Skin

Avocados are not just for eating! A good source of biotin, avocados help to prevent dry skin and brittle hair and nails. When applied topically, they can hydrate parched skin.

Sip your way to healthy skin. Green tea's high on the list of skin-friendly beverages thanks to its impressive storehouse of polyphenols. Aim for four cups throughout your day.

Reach for tomatoes. A German study found that lycopene-rich tomato paste helped participants prevent sunburn when they combined it with olive oil, daily for ten weeks. Besides being a great source of the antioxidant lycopene, tomatoes are considered a high-carotenoid fruit. These nutrients may help slow down cellular damage from free radicals.

Slow down aging with salmon. Salmon contains astaxanthin, a carotenoid that improves skin elasticity, so you'll have fewer fine lines.

Crack open some eggs. Protein helps repair cells that have suffered free radical damage. Eggs, a complete source of protein, also contain biotin, an essential vitamin that protects against dry skin.

Put pomegranate on your list. When applied topically, this antioxidant-rich fruit may help skin create more collagen, while speeding healing.

Try walnuts. Looking to add Omega-3 fatty acids to your diet but not a fan of fish? Walnuts are a rich source of Omega-3s, which help put shine in your hair and aid in making skin smoother and younger looking. 

Build better skin with beans. Another protein source, legumes help repair cells that have suffered free radical damage. During digestion, protein breaks down into amino acids, the building blocks of cells. Amino acids help to speed the repair and regeneration of skin cells and collagen. 

Arrticle # 513. Health Tips For Men Over 30

From your thirty's onwards it really pays to look after yourself and there are some really simple ways to put this into practice so why not start today? I have come up with five top tips that will help you to stay one step ahead of the rest. Read on to find out more:

Sleep: The value of a good night’s sleep is often unappreciated and with so many of us living busy and demanding lives it is more important than ever, particularly as we get older. It is now well documented that sleeping for less than 7 hours solid every night will shorten your life so take control of this area of your life and make sleep and relaxation a priority alongside fitness, healthy eating, social life and career.

Exercise: Regular exercise is always important but if you neglect it as you get older you will really start to notice your fitness levels dropping rapidly. The good news is that it's easy to work exercise into your daily routine. Making lasting changes like; walking to work, always taking the stairs and getting involved with a weekly activity like football or squash will be enough to help you to stay fit. Aim to raise your heart rate for at least 30 minutes every day. You can even split this into two 15 minute sessions during the day if you are pressed for time.

Diet: We all know about the importance of a healthy diet so be conscious of what you consume and when. Again, there are some very simple ways to improve your eating habits so this doesn't have to be too much of a chore. Consider things like whether you eat a good breakfast, how much alcohol you consume and what you snack on. It's not rocket science; start making good choices.

Hydration: Keeping topped up with water isn't just for girls so start making the effort to include plenty in your diet. Drinking water can also help your skin to stay looking younger, prevent hangovers if you keep a liter bottle next to the bed and guzzle some after a night out, and diminish your appetite if you drink a large glass half an hour before each meal.

Laughter: You've heard the expression 'laughter's the best medicine' and it's certainly not far from the truth. A positive outlook can get you through times of stress and a good belly laugh has numerous health benefits. The best way to ensure a daily dose of laughter is to spend time talking to and socializing with friends and loved ones, so try not to neglect your relationships.

Article # 512. Exercises and Facial Complexion

Although some people think exercise can trigger acne or psoriasis breakouts, it is largely a myth. Exercise does a body good, and that includes the exterior of the body as well as the interior. Any exercise will suffice -- gymming, yoga, running, biking, hiking, Pilates, boxing or anything that gets you moving. Some dermatologists think that stress-reducing exercises such as yoga are particularly good for the skin because stress reduction lowers hormones that cause breakouts.

Endorphins

Exercise releases endorphins, which are feel-good chemicals that make you happier and more relaxed. As Mayo Clinic states, when you are relaxed and happy, you look better and feel better. A more relaxed state eases lines in your skin and lowers your hormone levels, which may help prevent certain skin conditions.

Rosy Glow

When you exercise, your heart rate increases and circulates more blood and oxygen to the skin. Drawing blood to the surface of the body conveys nutrients to your skin cells and helps remove toxins from the skin.

Collagen

Collagen, which literally holds your skin together, diminishes as you age. Exercise promotes collagen in skin cells, which makes your skin age more slowly. In addition, exercise tones the muscles in your face just as it tones the rest of your muscles. As a result, your skin will look and feel healthier.

Considerations

Exercise helps prevent skin problems that often plague type 2 diabetics by boosting oxygen to the blood. The nutrients from the increased blood flow and oxygen improve the health of the skin of diabetics. Every complexion may benefit from vigorous exercise, since such workouts may correct any hormonal imbalances that cause acne. While sweat helps remove toxins from your skin cells, you should wash your face with a gentle cleanser after you exercise to remove those toxins from the surface of your skin.

Article # 509. How to Maintain Youthful Skin

Everyone adores youth and young age. But as one grows old, the skin loses its sheen and becomes dry, resulting in the appearance of lines and wrinkles on the face. The secret of staying young and protecting yourself from aging is to keep the old age at bay. Since skin is the most important aspect for looking young forever, it should be kept clear and glowing to maintain its youthfulness. After all, it is the beauty of a person that captures people’s attention. Skin care, diet, lifestyle and environment largely affect wrinkles, fine lines and the skin’s appearance. These changes can be postponed to a great extent by following some healthy habits, such as good food, regular physical exercise, yoga, providing fresh air to the body, having a happy state of mind, keeping the body cool and mind free of tension, and so on. Given here are some tips that will help you maintain a healthy and youthful skin.

Tips for Healthy And Young Looking Skin

Moisturize Your Skin

For maintaining a youthful skin, moisturizing it forms the first step for any type of skin care. Dehydration or skin dryness is the main cause leading to skin damage. Hence, it is essential to moisturize your skin regularly. Apply a moisturizer to your skin right after you exit from a bath.

Use Olive Oil

Combine white sugar with olive oil. Use this mixture to scrub your body. By removing the dead skin cells, this mixture will give you a healthy and glowing skin. Add one or two drops of lavender oil to the scrub for an extra soothing care.

Wear Sunscreen

One of the best ways to postpone the signs of aging and look younger is to wear sunscreen. The younger you start, the longer you can avoid wrinkles and sun damage. Apply a quarter-size dollop of sunscreen lotion to the face alone. Apply additional sunscreen to the neck, arms, tops of hands and other sun exposed areas.

Cleanse Your Skin

Skin being the outermost organ of the body is exposed to different types of harmful contaminants that include contagious bacteria, virus and other harmful germs. Cleanse your skin at least once in a day to get rid of these harmful impurities from your skin.

Prefer Fish Oils

Fish oil is extremely essential for improving overall health and maintaining the young look of the skin as well. Include fish oil in your regular diet at least twice a week. This will help in improving your ability to tolerate the harsh rays of the sun.

Get Plenty Of Sleep

Stress affects a skin very badly. Therefore, take enough rest and plenty of sleep at night to maintain your youthful skin. Inculcate the habit of going to bed early and waking up early in the morning. Also, make sure to practice your routine workout program to feel fresh and energized throughout the day.

Drink More Water

Keep your skin hydrated and healthy by drinking at least 8 glasses of water daily. This helps in eliminating toxins from the body that enter through the environment, unhealthy food and drink choices, harsh cleansers and other products, thereby affecting the appearance of the skin. Regularly drinking water detoxifies the skin and body naturally from the harmful substances, giving you a more luminous and beautiful complexion.

Eat Fruits & Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables that are vibrantly hued are rich in youth-preserving vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Vitamins A and C, calcium, fiber and carotenoids offer excellent anti-aging benefits. These nutrients can be found in dark green leafy vegetables, such as kale, spinach and collard greens and brightly colored veggies like carrots, squash and tomatoes. Oranges, limes and strawberries also provide high doses of vitamin C.  

Article # 506. 10 Foods for Vibrant Skins

Healthy skin is beautiful skin and is something we can only achieve by nourishing it from the inside out and also using only natural products. Its functions are underestimated when compared to the rest of the bodily systems but without the skin, we simply couldn’t survive.

Nutritious foods eaten consistently will begin to rebuild the cellular structure but this will take time as the skin has many layers. What you eat and drink now, will only be seen in 4 to 6 weeks time. Commit to a natural, whole foods diet and your skin will become healthy and beautiful.

1.      Lemon- The clarifier

A lemon a day, juiced and sipped with water first thing in the morning or at any break is a wonderful complexion clearer. This little ritual gives your metabolism a kick start, and your liver a much needed mini cleanse and your skin a vitamin C boost. Lemons are very cleansing to the body, so they help clarify the complexion. Another great ways to include it squeezed over salad, vegetables or sliced in your jug of water, by the end of the day you have infused the lemony goodness into your drink.

2.      Water- The hydrator

Water makes up around 75 to 85% of your body; it's in every part of your body including your teeth and hair. Even though we've heard it all before, drinking pure water hydrates your body and skin. Keeping the cells hydrated, so they can easily uptake nutrients and remove waste.

3.      Beet root- The blood cleanser

One of my favourite high-maintenance vegetables! High maintenance because it is red, juicy and will stain anything it lands on. Beetroot is a blood cleanser and has a slight laxative effect. Skin health relies on healthy blood and circulation. The healthier your blood, the healthier your skin because this is where your skin gets most of its nutrition from.

4.      Parsley- The healer

Parsley is commonly used as a garnish to main dishes. It is rich in vitamin A, C and chlorophyll. This combination is unique in that it is perfect for skin rejuvenation and healing from scars or breakouts. It also contains iron, folate, magnesium, manganese, copper and flavonoids (apiin & luteolin), which helps protect against the effects of free radical damage. So much nutrition in such a small plant, it's very popular in the Middle East.

5.      Brown rice- The digestive broom

The great thing about rice is how low allergenic it is because it contains no gluten. I prefer brown rice because of its taste and the way it feels after I eat it but it is also amazing for the digestive system. Brown rice is a good comfort food and excellent tummy filler on a cold day. It’s also a good "broom" for the digestive tract and it is high in silica, one of the minerals important for skin health and beauty. Silica is present in high amounts in youth and decreases as we age. The ratio of silicon to calcium is a biological marker of youth. The best ways to include brown rice into your diet is by using it as a white rice replacement.

           6. Green tea- The anti-ager

This cleansing hot beverage is packed with pure goodness. It benefits the skin because it contains high antioxidant levels, called polyphenols. A diet high in antioxidants is helpful for reducing premature anti-aging because it can prevent excessive free radical damage. If the Japanese can maintain beautiful skin like they do right up until old age then they must be onto something. I'm speaking of the Japanese that maintain traditional dietary methods with a pot of green tea on-the-go, and enjoyed throughout the day.

Green tea does contain caffeine, some variety’s more than others at approximately 30 to 50mg per cup. A regular cup of coffee contains around 95mg. Some people are sensitive to caffeine, while others tolerate it well. Be cautious with caffeine if you are under long term stress conditions or have adrenal exhaustion.

         7. Avocado- The moisturizer

Unheated oils are good for the skin, especially the ones from the vegetable kingdom. Technically, avocado is a fatty fruit. It contains high amounts of omega 6 fatty acids, which is not fattening because the oils are easily used by the body for energy. They also contain lecithin; which helps to reduce blood cholesterol levels. The skin needs "good" fats to moisturize the skin from the inside out. Its useless slapping on moisturizers when your diet is lacking in the oils it needs to moisturize the skin from the inside out. Cutting back on the good stuff will only make your skin look less than sparkling. I like avocado because it's easy to eat, just add it to salad or make a dip and you have eaten some nutrient dense essential fatty acids.

        8. Goji berries- The glow berry

Goji berries have been used in Chinese herbal medicine for thousands of years to improve Qi (life force) and nourish the Yin and blood. They taste delicious either fresh, dried or rehydrated (just place in water and they plump up in 10 minutes). They have been recorded as being a complete protein source; contain carotenoids, lutein (antioxidant), vitamin C, B's and E. The glow is from the beta-carotene, to which our bodies convert into vitamin A. As mentioned earlier Vitamin A is a skin healer but it's the high amount of beta-carotene (antioxidant) that gives your skin more colour, more of a golden glow especially if you allow a little gentle sun exposure during the warmer months. Betacarotene won't turn you orange and it won't poison you but will build up gently in the skin giving you more colour to your complexion.

       9. Almonds- The ancient beauty secret

In no other culture was beauty and body care so important than to the Egyptians. Cleopatra was said to have recorded a book of beauty secrets she perfected. Almonds were one of the most commonly used cosmetic ingredients. Besides its external benefits (sweet almond oil makes gorgeous body oil) almonds eaten everyday will help keep your skin clear and healthy. The raw nut is alkaline and contains monounsaturated fats, vitamin E and is a high protein food. Almonds contain magnesium, which promotes blood flow and aids the nervous system and calcium. Just a handful of almonds a day will be good for your skin and in time you will notice the difference.

   

     10. Seaweed- The mineralizer

Have you ever noticed how youthful Japanese skin is? I've seen Japanese grandmothers with skin that is truly timeless. Along with the daily green tea, the Japanese eat sea vegetables, a totally different food group that deserves more attention. Seaweeds are high in minerals, absorbed from the ocean. Iodine (important for the thyroid health), magnesium, iron, calcium, sodium and now a very good food to help detox heavy metals from the body due to high levels of alginic acid, which bind with any heavy metals in the intestines. Minerals are important for maintaining proper hydration levels, nervous system function and healthy blood composition. The detox effect helps keep you squeaky clean on the inside making your skin look healthy and vibrant.

Seaweeds are also a source of glyconutrients. Glyconutrients are a set of necessary monosaccharides (essential sugars) that are vital to the correct structure and function of human cells. These sugars are required by cells to perform many functions including cell protection, replication, and recognition and tissue regeneration. They help the cells "communicate" with the other cells.

Article # 500. Few Tips to Glow Your Skin Naturally

Everybody wants to get glowing skin. But how many of them know the right way of it? You can follow some natural tips for glowing skin and make you more attractive and beautiful.

There are many beauty products you can try for making your skin glowing and healthy. Sometimes it is difficult to choose the best skin product and you have a chance to be wrong by choosing products that aren't suitable for your skin. So, it is better to use natural products that you can manage easily and find in your home.

Here are some natural ways you should try and you will find instant result by using these natural skin tips mentioned below:

Water

It is a very common idea but drinking plenty of water is very essential if you really want a healthy and glowing skin.

Lime juice

Lime is another good natural resource to make skin healthy and radiant. You will get the surprising result by drinking lime juice. Take a lime and squeeze it. Then mix warm water with honey. Try to drink this juice every morning before taking your breakfast. This is also useful for your health as lime purifies blood.

Banana mask

You can use the banana mask with lime or orange and honey. First, wash your skin to use this mask. Mix banana and honey together. Then add a few drops of orange or lime . Keep the mask on your skin about 15 minutes and then rinse it off.

Lemon

Lemon is very effective for glowing skin. Peel a lemon and rub it on your skin. You can add honey with this to get better results. Rub it carefully and then wait 3/4 minutes and wash your skin.

Orange

Another natural gift is orange which you can use to make your skin beautiful and healthy. Orange can be very useful for your skin if you can make the proper use of it. Never throw away the peels, just dry peels and make powder by grinding them. Then apply the powder with water on your skin. This is a very powerful scrub for skin.

Walnut

Walnut is mainly useful for them who are very worried about their drying skin. Massage walnut oil on your skin and you will find your skin brighter than before.

Natural products are easy to find and not too expensive to buy. You can easily keep our skin clean and healthy if proper use of these natural gifts can be ensured. It is not too difficult to have glowing skin. What you need to do is to follow the right way and the right instruction. 

Article # 475. Hot Weather – Tips for your health

To help keep cool this summer, here are some tips to keep safe in hot weather:

1.   Never leave children, disabled persons, or pets in a parked car - even briefly. Temperatures in a car can become life threatening within minutes. On an 80-degree day, the temperature inside a car even with the windows cracked slightly can reach 100 degrees in less than 10 minutes!

2. Keep your living space cool. Cover windows to keep the sun from shining in. If you don't have an air conditioner, open windows to let air circulate. When it's hotter than 95 degrees, use fans to blow hot air out of the window rather than to blow hot air on to your body. Basements or ground floors are often cooler than upper floors.
3. Slow down and limit physical activity. Plan outings or exertion for the early morning or after dark, when temperatures are cooler.
4. Drink plenty of water and eat lightly. Don't wait for thirst, but instead drink plenty of water throughout the day. Avoid alcohol or caffeine and stay away from hot, heavy meals.
5. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing. Add a hat or umbrella to keep your head cool…and don't forget sunscreen!
6. Don't stop taking medication unless your doctor says you should. Take extra care to stay cool, and ask your doctor or pharmacist for any special heat advice.
7. Taking a cool shower or bath will cool you down. A shower or bath will actually work faster than air conditioner. Applying cold wet rags to the neck, head and limbs also cools down the body quickly.

SYMPTOMS OF HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS AND WHAT TO DO

·         Heat Cramps - cramps or muscle spasms in the abdomen, arms or legs.

Solution: Stop activity. Cool down, drink clear juice or sports drink.

·         Heat Exhaustion - heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, fainting.

Solution: Cool down, seek medical attention.

·         Heat Stroke - extremely high body temperature, red, hot, dry skin, rapid pulse, throbbing headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, unconsciousness.

Solution: Call Doctor and cool the victim with shower or hose until help arrives.

People at higher risk of a heat-related illness include:

·  Older adults

·  Infants and young children

·  People with chronic heart or lung problems

·  People with disabilities

·  Overweight persons

·  Those who work outdoors or in hot settings

·  Users of some medications, especially those taken for mental disorders, movement disorder, allergies, depression, and heart or circulatory problems

·  People who are isolated that don't know when or how to cool off - or when to call for help