Cholesterol is a wax-like substance found in the lipids -- or fats --
of your blood. It is not a fat itself. Your body needs a certain amount
of this compound -- we talk about this a bit later -- but too much of
this substance is shown statistically to correlate with increased
incidence of heart disease, and this is usually accompanied by
inflammation.
Believe it or not, your body actually manufactures
cholesterol and is in every cell of your body. Your liver produces about
1,000 milligrams of it a day, in fact.
Cholesterol serves important functions in the body.
Without
it, life would not be possible. In fact it is used in every cell of
your body: it is part of the cell wall integrity, it is the precursor to
steroid hormones, and it is part of the digestive system. Great
portions of your brain are made of cholesterol; it is especially
important for neuron development in your brain. Too low cholesterol runs
the risk of low intelligence or mental health problems.
The
structure of the cholesterol molecule is exactly like the structure of a
steroid molecule, it is a complex ringed structure and completely
unlike any fat or protein molecules. The body easily converts it into
the necessary steroid hormones, such as testosterone, estrogen, and
progesterone.
The presence of cholesterol in your body:
• Directs the development of certain cells in a growing fetus.
• Is a portion of the membranes that protect each and every cell in your body.
• Is found in plentiful supply in your brain, which is composed mostly of fatty tissue. (Who knew?)
• Helps to create hormones, including testosterone and the adrenal hormone, cortisol.
• Is found in digestive juices, like bile.
• Is needed for the creation of vitamin D, manufactured when sun activates the fatty tissues just under your skin.
• Helps to build synapse, the vital structures through which your nerve cells send messages.
Did you have any idea it was this important? And now you know why too little of it is also unhealthy.
By
itself, cholesterol can't transport through your bloodstream as it
won't mix, much like oil and water. It must be transported by
piggy-backing onto other molecules, in this case, a combination of fat
and protein, called a lipoprotein.
What is good and bad cholesterol?
There
are several sizes and densities of lipoproteins, the main ones of focus
here are high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and low-density lipoproteins
(LDL). These two are more commonly called "good" or "bad" cholesterol. A
good way to remember them are LDL, what we typically label as bad,
starts with "L" for lousy. Similarly, the HDL is the good cholesterol
starts with "H", for healthy.
Neither of them are bad or good:
they each serve different functions. The reason why LDL is called "bad"
is that if we have too much of it, it means we could be at risk for
heart disease and stroke. If we are suffering from inflammation, the
liver pumps up the production of LDL cholesterol to go cover the
inflammation like a bandaid. This is what could clog the arteries.
The "good" cholesterol follows and sweeps out the deposited LDL cholesterol once inflammation cools. This is why we should have an optimal ratio of good to bad cholesterol. You see, this is one
situation where heart disease and clogged arteries can be REVERSED!
My Diet Formula
Saturday 29 June 2013
Tuesday 25 June 2013
5 Home Remedies For Acne
Acne is the end of the world for most people including myself. I want
to stay home and away from everyone when I begin to develop acne! I
don't wan't to look in the mirror and I don't even want to be seen on
the street. For a lot of girls, acne is obviously interfering with
confidence levels and begins to play on their minds if they don't find a
solution. With Hormonal changes and other issues in the body, acne is a
part of the natural growing process and almost everybody suffers from
it at some point in their lives. When acne goes over the top, it makes
sense to look at some natural tips which can help your face clear out.
1) Water & Lemon: I cannot stress enough how important water is as a remedy for all your problems. Water promotes clear skin, weight loss, healthy kidneys, good hair, strong nails, low cholesterol, normal blood pressure and just about a thousand more benefits. Whoever, said drink 8 glasses of water every day knew what they were talking about. Start your day with a glass of lukewarm water and the juice of half a lemon so that your bowels have a chance to clear out quickly. A clean stomach and intestines means good clean healthy looking skin. Apart from drinking water, a water and lemon enema would greatly help your skin as well. Over the years, gunk stays behind and collects on the internal lining of the colon and lukewarm water with lemon juice will help cleanse that out. Warm water with lemon will help the body get rid of dirt and will automatically help the body to digest food better and also accept nutrients from food more easily. This will help with revitalizing the body and clearing the skin.
2) Keep Everything Clear Of Your Face: Be careful when you hug and kiss people with acne. The painful truth here is that if you get up close and personal with people who have acne, the chance of them giving it to you is very high. Don't touch your face with your hands and make sure your sheets, pillow cases and anything that touches your face is clean. Expensive creams and facials will only help if you keep your face clean and clear of others who are infected and dirty surfaces. Go to the extent of not even touching your own face with your own hands. There is a possibility that a pore on your skin may be open and bacteria is transferred from your hands onto your face.
3) Turmeric: Turmeric root is antibacterial and anti fungal. If you can find the root in the Indian store, pound it with a pestle and mortar with some water till it becomes a fine paste. Make sure you apply it only onto the head of the pimple with a cotton swab and leave it there for a few hours. Turmeric will color your skin yellow so only dab a very tiny bit where you need to.
4) Raw Garlic - No pain no gain!: You have to be careful with this one. Chop a clove of garlic into half and rub it on the affected area. Garlic is antibacterial and will clear your skin out in no time. Be careful because this remedy is going to burn badly for the first 20 seconds. If you can tolerate the pain, by all means try this out because it is very very effective.
5) Apple Cider Vinegar: ACV is the star of all home remedies and has multiple benefits. Take some on a piece of cotton and smear it onto the pimple affected area. ACV is used on the skin, in hair and is drunk too.
1) Water & Lemon: I cannot stress enough how important water is as a remedy for all your problems. Water promotes clear skin, weight loss, healthy kidneys, good hair, strong nails, low cholesterol, normal blood pressure and just about a thousand more benefits. Whoever, said drink 8 glasses of water every day knew what they were talking about. Start your day with a glass of lukewarm water and the juice of half a lemon so that your bowels have a chance to clear out quickly. A clean stomach and intestines means good clean healthy looking skin. Apart from drinking water, a water and lemon enema would greatly help your skin as well. Over the years, gunk stays behind and collects on the internal lining of the colon and lukewarm water with lemon juice will help cleanse that out. Warm water with lemon will help the body get rid of dirt and will automatically help the body to digest food better and also accept nutrients from food more easily. This will help with revitalizing the body and clearing the skin.
2) Keep Everything Clear Of Your Face: Be careful when you hug and kiss people with acne. The painful truth here is that if you get up close and personal with people who have acne, the chance of them giving it to you is very high. Don't touch your face with your hands and make sure your sheets, pillow cases and anything that touches your face is clean. Expensive creams and facials will only help if you keep your face clean and clear of others who are infected and dirty surfaces. Go to the extent of not even touching your own face with your own hands. There is a possibility that a pore on your skin may be open and bacteria is transferred from your hands onto your face.
3) Turmeric: Turmeric root is antibacterial and anti fungal. If you can find the root in the Indian store, pound it with a pestle and mortar with some water till it becomes a fine paste. Make sure you apply it only onto the head of the pimple with a cotton swab and leave it there for a few hours. Turmeric will color your skin yellow so only dab a very tiny bit where you need to.
4) Raw Garlic - No pain no gain!: You have to be careful with this one. Chop a clove of garlic into half and rub it on the affected area. Garlic is antibacterial and will clear your skin out in no time. Be careful because this remedy is going to burn badly for the first 20 seconds. If you can tolerate the pain, by all means try this out because it is very very effective.
5) Apple Cider Vinegar: ACV is the star of all home remedies and has multiple benefits. Take some on a piece of cotton and smear it onto the pimple affected area. ACV is used on the skin, in hair and is drunk too.
Saturday 22 June 2013
Food Nutrition
3 Tips To Stick To a Healthy Eating Program
By
Stella Meed
The following tips will help you stick to an eating program that provides you with excellent food nutrition and not fattening foods.
1. Understand what a desired eating program tries to achieve. If your objective is to become healthy (and shed some weight as a consequence) then you will find it easier to stick to a program. On the other hand, if you just want to become unrealistically thin you will just end up depriving yourself of all your favorite foods, thereby setting yourself up for food cravings.
2. Lean about healthy and unhealthy eating habits. For instance, eating foods just because you are bored or depressed constitutes an unhealthy habit. So is eating food whilst watching television because this will just cause you to keep eating without realizing what exactly you are doing.
3. Don't try to make huge changes in your eating habits and lifestyle. We humans are notoriously resistant to change. As a result, a drastically different or reduced diet is definitely going to cause a lot of problems for you. You will feel irritable and hungry all the time and might not be able to stick to the diet longer than a few days. It is therefore a better idea to make gradual changes that you sustain over a long period. For instance, you can start by replacing one portion of dessert or unhealthy snack with a serving of fruit or vegetable. Once you are comfortable with the change you can take it to the next level.
If you are able to stick to a really good food nutrition program you will start to lose weight easily. Not only will you slim down but you will also have a lot of energy since the foods you will be eating will be rich in vitamins and other types of nutrition. Your skin tone will also improve drastically as a result of the improved diet you are following. If you feel that you are not able to manage this on your own then you ought to get professional assistance. You will be amazed at the ease with which your health and appearance improve.
Tuesday 18 June 2013
Lower Belly Fat
How do you lower belly fat? This question is a concern faced by
people who consider themselves overweight. Over-eating, stress,
genetics, pregnancy, etc., are the prominent causes for fatty deposits
on the belly. Surplus fat on the body may lead to heart problems,
diabetes, and other similar diseases. It can also dramatically affect
your personality and confidence levels.
What is the better technique to lower belly fat? The answer is to perform physical activity as well as abide by a healthy diet in order to lower belly fat.
Diet to lower belly Fat
Over eating will inevitably pile on the pounds. Therefore, in order to lower you belly fat, firstly you must regulate your usage of food. Here is a list of foods that have to be consumed, and also those that should be avoided.
Foods to be consumed
* New fruits wish apples, figs, grapes
* Vegetables such as lettuce, cucumber, cauliflower, asparagus, green beans, egg plant, etc.
* Wholegrain foods like pasta and oatmeal
* High protein foodstuffs like soybean, curds, and beans
Foods to be avoided
* Sugar, sugar syrups, digested juices
* Bars of chocolate and candies
* Junk or tolerated foods
* Cakes and cookies
* Cheese
* Cream and whole milk
* Ice cream
* Fried foods
Drinking plenty of water helps to remove toxins from the body. Therefore, you should drink at least eight large glasses of water every day.
Exercises to lower belly fat
Diet is not entirely competent to decrease tummy weight. You also have to routinely exercise. Shortage of any physical activity for days and months steers you toward weight accumulation on the belly. Therefore, exercising day by day is the best way to decrease abdomen fat. Cardiovascular exercises burn off calories and support you in reducing fats. The following workouts are more convenient to abide by and also great to lower belly fat.
* Strolling- daily walking for at least thirty mins assists in losing a lot of calories. You have to note that your walk must be brisk. You have to stroll as quickly as you can to elevate your heart rate.
* jogging- It is the more favorable cardio workout for losing fat. Running or sprinting can additionally be helpful. A few people fancy running at an incline which is notably tough. You could either run outdoors or indoor on a treadmill.
* Cycling- Cycling is a much recommended cardio physical activity. The amount of calories burnt depends upon how long or how quick you cycle. It may similarly be done indoors on a stationary bike.
* Swimming- Swimming is a workout designed for the entire body. It is a very beneficial exercise for every one of your muscles in your body. You need to have a lot of stamina and strength for swimming; therefore, lots of kcals are burned.
Along with these exercises, strength training exercises are the best methods to reduce abdominal weight. Aerobics, rope jumping, dancing, tennis or kick boxing will help to lower stomach fat. Stretching day by day for a few mins is determined to be useful. You must remember that your workouts have to not be over strenuous. If that is the case, you either typically eat extra or try to avoid your workouts.
What is the better technique to lower belly fat? The answer is to perform physical activity as well as abide by a healthy diet in order to lower belly fat.
Diet to lower belly Fat
Over eating will inevitably pile on the pounds. Therefore, in order to lower you belly fat, firstly you must regulate your usage of food. Here is a list of foods that have to be consumed, and also those that should be avoided.
Foods to be consumed
* New fruits wish apples, figs, grapes
* Vegetables such as lettuce, cucumber, cauliflower, asparagus, green beans, egg plant, etc.
* Wholegrain foods like pasta and oatmeal
* High protein foodstuffs like soybean, curds, and beans
Foods to be avoided
* Sugar, sugar syrups, digested juices
* Bars of chocolate and candies
* Junk or tolerated foods
* Cakes and cookies
* Cheese
* Cream and whole milk
* Ice cream
* Fried foods
Drinking plenty of water helps to remove toxins from the body. Therefore, you should drink at least eight large glasses of water every day.
Exercises to lower belly fat
Diet is not entirely competent to decrease tummy weight. You also have to routinely exercise. Shortage of any physical activity for days and months steers you toward weight accumulation on the belly. Therefore, exercising day by day is the best way to decrease abdomen fat. Cardiovascular exercises burn off calories and support you in reducing fats. The following workouts are more convenient to abide by and also great to lower belly fat.
* Strolling- daily walking for at least thirty mins assists in losing a lot of calories. You have to note that your walk must be brisk. You have to stroll as quickly as you can to elevate your heart rate.
* jogging- It is the more favorable cardio workout for losing fat. Running or sprinting can additionally be helpful. A few people fancy running at an incline which is notably tough. You could either run outdoors or indoor on a treadmill.
* Cycling- Cycling is a much recommended cardio physical activity. The amount of calories burnt depends upon how long or how quick you cycle. It may similarly be done indoors on a stationary bike.
* Swimming- Swimming is a workout designed for the entire body. It is a very beneficial exercise for every one of your muscles in your body. You need to have a lot of stamina and strength for swimming; therefore, lots of kcals are burned.
Along with these exercises, strength training exercises are the best methods to reduce abdominal weight. Aerobics, rope jumping, dancing, tennis or kick boxing will help to lower stomach fat. Stretching day by day for a few mins is determined to be useful. You must remember that your workouts have to not be over strenuous. If that is the case, you either typically eat extra or try to avoid your workouts.
Saturday 15 June 2013
How to Eat and Burn Fat at the Same Time
The human body is easily susceptible for weight gains due to
sugar and salt cravings. This is just the nature of how things work, but
that does not mean you have to sit idly by and watch your form slip
away from your grasp! You can control this by eating the proper foods
spaced out between meals throughout the day. However, fad diets and
misinformation run rampant across the web telling you to starve yourself
in order to maintain a "low calories" or "low carbs" diet plan. In
reality the simple foundation for keeping your body lean is simple; eat
foods that are healthy, and exercise frequently.
Why Do People Always Talk About Carbs?
Carbohydrates - or carbs - are the biggest talk in the fitness scene because they contain glucose or fructose, which are forms of sugar that your metabolism uses to create energy. When eaten correctly this macronutrient does what it is supposed, but eaten excessively you gain fat quickly.
When carbs are broken they are sent down to be stored in your muscles and then your liver. After that the rest is sent to fat cells waiting to become filled. The truth though is that you can gain weight from eating anything in excessive amounts, and that includes vegetables! So what you have to do is eat carbs in moderation just like any other kind of foods, but also keep in mind that you require more grams of carbs per day than protein.
Great carbs to eat are brown rice, whole wheat pasta, quinoa, and oats. Have popcorn on the side for snacking. Why would you want popcorn if you want to stay slim and burn fat? Honestly your body craves snacks, and why take away everything anyway since you only live once. Popcorn is actually a whole grain that provides your body with one daily serving of the amount needed of carbs, and you get fiber as well.
The High Protein Diet Plan
This is another diet plan that focuses on eating a higher amount of one macronutrient while sacrificing another. The whole point of this diet is to eat a higher amount of protein to keep your body full and appetite suppressed. This is where the saying "Good initiative, bad judgement" comes into use. Yes, protein does fill your stomach up and keep your cravings down for a couple of hours, but you cannot sacrifice the amount of carbs in order to achieve this.
Protein is found in all meats, but to stay lean focus on the breast meat of turkey and chicken. They contain a lesser amount of saturated fat compared to pork and beef. Then fish are a great source of protein that contain omega-3 fatty acids as well. You also have dairy products for slower digesting protein, and of course eggs.
Not All Fats Are Bad
Dietary fats are actually needed by your body and make up the third macronutrient that must be consumed on a daily basis. The amount needed is not high, but still something that should remain in your diet. People often confuse dietary fats - like olive oil and canola oil- with unhealthy fats. Saturated and trans fats are the ones you do not want in your diet. They cause cholesterol buildups that clog your arteries and cause health issues to occur.
You can eat properly now that you know all of these nutrients are needed regardless if you are muscle building or burning fat. Each person also has to eat the required amount of calories each day depending on their weight amount and activity levels.
The basic rundown of it all is that too many people are starving themselves just to lose weight, and if you are losing a lot of weight that is bad! You want to burn fat, which is entirely different than weight. When you burn fat you keep muscle and stay lean, plus muscle also burns more calories while your body is at rest. Nearly 50% of your diet consists of carbs, followed by protein, and then fats. Taking one out of the equation does not solve anything and takes you back to square one once you make even the slightest change in your diet. So enjoy food and remember that moderation is the key to staying in shape!
Why Do People Always Talk About Carbs?
Carbohydrates - or carbs - are the biggest talk in the fitness scene because they contain glucose or fructose, which are forms of sugar that your metabolism uses to create energy. When eaten correctly this macronutrient does what it is supposed, but eaten excessively you gain fat quickly.
When carbs are broken they are sent down to be stored in your muscles and then your liver. After that the rest is sent to fat cells waiting to become filled. The truth though is that you can gain weight from eating anything in excessive amounts, and that includes vegetables! So what you have to do is eat carbs in moderation just like any other kind of foods, but also keep in mind that you require more grams of carbs per day than protein.
Great carbs to eat are brown rice, whole wheat pasta, quinoa, and oats. Have popcorn on the side for snacking. Why would you want popcorn if you want to stay slim and burn fat? Honestly your body craves snacks, and why take away everything anyway since you only live once. Popcorn is actually a whole grain that provides your body with one daily serving of the amount needed of carbs, and you get fiber as well.
The High Protein Diet Plan
This is another diet plan that focuses on eating a higher amount of one macronutrient while sacrificing another. The whole point of this diet is to eat a higher amount of protein to keep your body full and appetite suppressed. This is where the saying "Good initiative, bad judgement" comes into use. Yes, protein does fill your stomach up and keep your cravings down for a couple of hours, but you cannot sacrifice the amount of carbs in order to achieve this.
Protein is found in all meats, but to stay lean focus on the breast meat of turkey and chicken. They contain a lesser amount of saturated fat compared to pork and beef. Then fish are a great source of protein that contain omega-3 fatty acids as well. You also have dairy products for slower digesting protein, and of course eggs.
Not All Fats Are Bad
Dietary fats are actually needed by your body and make up the third macronutrient that must be consumed on a daily basis. The amount needed is not high, but still something that should remain in your diet. People often confuse dietary fats - like olive oil and canola oil- with unhealthy fats. Saturated and trans fats are the ones you do not want in your diet. They cause cholesterol buildups that clog your arteries and cause health issues to occur.
You can eat properly now that you know all of these nutrients are needed regardless if you are muscle building or burning fat. Each person also has to eat the required amount of calories each day depending on their weight amount and activity levels.
The basic rundown of it all is that too many people are starving themselves just to lose weight, and if you are losing a lot of weight that is bad! You want to burn fat, which is entirely different than weight. When you burn fat you keep muscle and stay lean, plus muscle also burns more calories while your body is at rest. Nearly 50% of your diet consists of carbs, followed by protein, and then fats. Taking one out of the equation does not solve anything and takes you back to square one once you make even the slightest change in your diet. So enjoy food and remember that moderation is the key to staying in shape!
Tuesday 11 June 2013
Skin care: 5 tips for healthy skin
1. Protect yourself from the sun
One of the most important ways to take
care of your skin is to protect it from the sun. A lifetime of sun exposure can
cause wrinkles, age spots and other skin problems — as well as increase the
risk of skin cancer.
2. Don't
smoke
Smoking makes your skin look older and
contributes to wrinkles. Smoking narrows the tiny blood vessels in the
outermost layers of skin, which decreases blood flow. This depletes the skin of
oxygen and nutrients that are important to skin health. Smoking also damages
collagen and elastin — the fibers that give your skin its strength and
elasticity. In addition, the repetitive facial expressions you make when
smoking — such as pursing your lips when inhaling and squinting your eyes to
keep out smoke — can contribute to wrinkles.
If you smoke, the best way to protect
your skin is to quit. Ask your doctor for tips or treatments to help you stop smoking.
3. Treat your skin gently
Daily cleansing and shaving can take a
toll on your skin. To keep it gentle:
- Limit bath time. Hot water and long showers or baths remove oils from your skin. Limit your bath or shower time, and use warm — rather than hot — water.
- Avoid strong soaps. Strong soaps and detergents can strip oil from your skin. Instead, choose mild cleansers.
- Shave carefully. To protect and lubricate your skin, apply shaving cream, lotion or gel before shaving. For the closest shave, use a clean, sharp razor. Shave in the direction the hair grows, not against it.
- Pat dry. After washing or bathing, gently pat or blot your skin dry with a towel so that some moisture remains on your skin.
- Moisturize dry skin. If your skin is dry, use a moisturizer that fits your skin type. For daily use, consider a moisturizer that contains SPF.
4. Eat a healthy diet
A healthy diet can help you look and
feel your best. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean
proteins. The association between diet and acne isn't clear — but some research
suggests that a diet rich in vitamin C and low in unhealthy fats and processed
or refined carbohydrates might promote younger looking skin.
5. Manage stress
Uncontrolled stress can
make your skin more sensitive and trigger acne breakouts and other skin
problems. To encourage healthy skin — and a healthy state of mind — take steps
to manage your stress. Set reasonable limits, scale back your to-do list and
make time to do the things you enjoy. The results might be more dramatic than
you expect.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/skin-care/SN00003
Saturday 8 June 2013
How to Grow Long Hair Fast
If your hair grows achingly slowly or gets to a certain length then suddenly stalls, you’ll want to start scrubbing your scalp daily and babying the hair you have. Here’s why.
1. Rub and Scrub. You wouldn’t just stick your face under a spout to clean it, would you? Similarly, your scalp needs to be touched. “New hair has trouble sprouting through a layer of dirt, oil, and old skin cells,” says Kingsley, who suggests massaging your scalp vigorously with a scalp brush or the pads of your fingers for two minutes preshower.
2. Pamper hair. Look for shampoos and conditioners that contain moisturizing shea butter or avocado oil. They keep strands saturated — key for growth since brittle, splitting strands break off before they can get long,
3. Rethink Your Styling Routine. Heat (from appliances) and friction (from brushes) can damage hair’s protective covering, or cuticle, making strands susceptible to snapping off. Detangle with only a wide-tooth comb, use heat-shielding sprays prestyling, and declare Sunday a lazy-do day. “Laying off the blow-dryer or iron once a week can help,” Serratore says. For easy waves, braid wet hair; unravel when it’s dry. http://www.cosmopolitan.com/hairstyles-beauty/beauty-blog/how-to-grow-long-hair-fast
1. Rub and Scrub. You wouldn’t just stick your face under a spout to clean it, would you? Similarly, your scalp needs to be touched. “New hair has trouble sprouting through a layer of dirt, oil, and old skin cells,” says Kingsley, who suggests massaging your scalp vigorously with a scalp brush or the pads of your fingers for two minutes preshower.
2. Pamper hair. Look for shampoos and conditioners that contain moisturizing shea butter or avocado oil. They keep strands saturated — key for growth since brittle, splitting strands break off before they can get long,
3. Rethink Your Styling Routine. Heat (from appliances) and friction (from brushes) can damage hair’s protective covering, or cuticle, making strands susceptible to snapping off. Detangle with only a wide-tooth comb, use heat-shielding sprays prestyling, and declare Sunday a lazy-do day. “Laying off the blow-dryer or iron once a week can help,” Serratore says. For easy waves, braid wet hair; unravel when it’s dry. http://www.cosmopolitan.com/hairstyles-beauty/beauty-blog/how-to-grow-long-hair-fast
Tuesday 4 June 2013
How to get clear skin
Clear Skin Tips - 7 Tips To Get And Keep Your Skin Clear
Clear Skin Tip #1: Restrict Cosmetics
Despite the love that most women, and some men, have for makeup, if you have blemishes it is important for you to restrict the use of cosmetics as much as possible. While makeup may give you the appearance of flawless-looking skin, it's really a part of the problem.
Most cosmetics contain chemicals that are harmful to your skin if used over an extended period of time. If you must use makeup, try to apply it only when "essential" - like a photo session or a special night out. Opt for using only the best, most-natural brands you can find. It also helps to use a good quality toner and moisturizer before applying makeup.
Additionally, make sure you clean or replace your brushes and make-up sponges regularly to kill off the bacteria that form there. This bacteria is one of the primary causes of acne!
Lastly, make sure and remove your makeup completely before you go to bed! Leaving it on the skin will clog your pores as well as attract that nasty bacteria.
Clear Skin Tip #2: Keep It Clean
Keeping your skin clean is one of the most important tips for clear skin. As noted in the tip above, most skin infections and pimples arise due to dirty and oily skin.
Use a gentle cleansing lotion, or better yet - a homemade natural cleanser - to wash your face after it's been exposed to sun, dust, pollution and after you sweat. While engaging in sweat inducing activity such as sports, exercise, and dancing will help you get healthy skin, you need to wash afterwards to unclog your pores.
Also, keep your hands and hair away from your skin, especially your face. When you touch your face throughout the day, oil, dirt and bacteria from hair and hands transfer to your skin. Wash your hands thoroughly before applying any product to your skin.
Clear Skin Tip #3: Maintain A Healthy Diet
A nutritious diet is the to having clearer and younger-looking skin. Additionally, consuming foods that are rich in antioxidants will help protect your skin against the ill-effects of free radicals that occur with age. Free radicals are responsible for damaging your skin texture and increased development of wrinkles.
Antioxidant-rich foods include:
Clear Skin Tip #4: Don't Smoke
Not only does a long-term smoking habit cause respiratory disorders, it also has an almost immediate side effect on your skin. The chemicals in cigarettes are damaging to all the cells in your body, including your skin. Smoking causes your skin become dehydrated, leading to earlier and more severe facial wrinkles.
Clear Skin Tip #5: Exercise
Following a daily exercise routine promotes healthy skin. Why? Because exercise stimulates blood circulation, which has a positive impact on the overall appearance of your skin. The proper circulation of blood is essential to transport nutrients to the skin.
Clear Skin Tip #6: Stay Stress Free
Clear Skin Tip #7: Daily Care
Maintaining a daily cleansing, toning and moisturizing regimen is essential. Either invest in good quality products or learn how to make your own natural products to get the maximum benefit from your skin care routine. http://ezinearticles.com/?Clear-Skin-Tips---7-Tips-To-Get-And-Keep-Your-Skin-Clear&id=7738670
Clear Skin Tip #1: Restrict Cosmetics
Despite the love that most women, and some men, have for makeup, if you have blemishes it is important for you to restrict the use of cosmetics as much as possible. While makeup may give you the appearance of flawless-looking skin, it's really a part of the problem.
Most cosmetics contain chemicals that are harmful to your skin if used over an extended period of time. If you must use makeup, try to apply it only when "essential" - like a photo session or a special night out. Opt for using only the best, most-natural brands you can find. It also helps to use a good quality toner and moisturizer before applying makeup.
Additionally, make sure you clean or replace your brushes and make-up sponges regularly to kill off the bacteria that form there. This bacteria is one of the primary causes of acne!
Lastly, make sure and remove your makeup completely before you go to bed! Leaving it on the skin will clog your pores as well as attract that nasty bacteria.
Clear Skin Tip #2: Keep It Clean
Keeping your skin clean is one of the most important tips for clear skin. As noted in the tip above, most skin infections and pimples arise due to dirty and oily skin.
Use a gentle cleansing lotion, or better yet - a homemade natural cleanser - to wash your face after it's been exposed to sun, dust, pollution and after you sweat. While engaging in sweat inducing activity such as sports, exercise, and dancing will help you get healthy skin, you need to wash afterwards to unclog your pores.
Also, keep your hands and hair away from your skin, especially your face. When you touch your face throughout the day, oil, dirt and bacteria from hair and hands transfer to your skin. Wash your hands thoroughly before applying any product to your skin.
Clear Skin Tip #3: Maintain A Healthy Diet
A nutritious diet is the to having clearer and younger-looking skin. Additionally, consuming foods that are rich in antioxidants will help protect your skin against the ill-effects of free radicals that occur with age. Free radicals are responsible for damaging your skin texture and increased development of wrinkles.
Antioxidant-rich foods include:
- Green leafy vegetables like cabbages, kale, and spinach
- Vegetables like sweet potatoes
- Fruits such as oranges, strawberries and mangoes
- Vegetable juices like tomato and carrots
Clear Skin Tip #4: Don't Smoke
Not only does a long-term smoking habit cause respiratory disorders, it also has an almost immediate side effect on your skin. The chemicals in cigarettes are damaging to all the cells in your body, including your skin. Smoking causes your skin become dehydrated, leading to earlier and more severe facial wrinkles.
Clear Skin Tip #5: Exercise
Following a daily exercise routine promotes healthy skin. Why? Because exercise stimulates blood circulation, which has a positive impact on the overall appearance of your skin. The proper circulation of blood is essential to transport nutrients to the skin.
Clear Skin Tip #6: Stay Stress Free
- Stress has been shown to be a leading cause of acne. But how do we fight that stress?
- Get enough sleep! When you sleep you give your body a chance to renew and regenerate your skin cells.
- Eat a balanced diet - vitamin and mineral deficiencies can take a huge toll on your skin
- Drink at least 8 glasses of water each day. This helps keep skin hydrated and flushes waste from your body.
- Soak yourself in a relaxing bath complete with essential oils, rose petals or oatmeal powder.
Clear Skin Tip #7: Daily Care
Maintaining a daily cleansing, toning and moisturizing regimen is essential. Either invest in good quality products or learn how to make your own natural products to get the maximum benefit from your skin care routine. http://ezinearticles.com/?Clear-Skin-Tips---7-Tips-To-Get-And-Keep-Your-Skin-Clear&id=7738670
Saturday 1 June 2013
What is Acne? What Causes Acne? How to Get Rid of Acne
How common is acne?
Dermatologists (skin specialists) say that approximately three-quarters of 11 to 30 year-olds will get acne at some time. Acne can affect people of all races and all ages. It most commonly affects adolescents and young adults, although there are people in their fifties who still get acne. According to Brown University, USA, approximately 17 million Americans are estimated to have acne at any one time.Although acne affects both men and women, young men suffer from acne for longer - probably because testosterone, which is present in higher quantities in young men, can make acne worse.
What causes acne?
Nobody is completely sure what causes acne. Experts believe the primary cause is a rise in androgen levels - androgen is a type of hormone. Androgen levels rise when a human becomes an adolescent. Rising androgen levels make the oil glands under your skin grow; the enlarged gland produces more oil. Excessive sebum can break down cellular walls in your pores, causing bacteria to grow.Some studies indicate that susceptibility to acne could also be genetic. Some medications which contain androgen and lithium may cause acne. Greasy cosmetics may cause acne in some susceptible people. Hormone changes during pregnancy may cause acne to either develop for the first time, or to recur.
A study published in February 2013 has suggested a link between a diet high in glycemic index foods and dairy products.
Treatment of acne
How your acne is treated may depend on how severe and persistent it is.Treating mild acne
The majority of people who get acne will develop mild acne. This can usually be treated with OTC (over-the-counter) medications. OTC medications can be bought at a pharmacy without a doctor's prescription. They are usually applied to the skin - topical medicines.
Most acne OTC products may contain the following active ingredients:
- Resorcinol - helps break down blackheads and whiteheads. It is a crystalline phenol and comes from various resins. Resorcinol is also used for treating dandruff, eczema and psoriasis.
- Benzoyl Peroxide - kills bacteria and slows down your glands' production of oil. Benzoyl peroxide is a white crystalline peroxide used in bleaching (flour or oils or fats) and as a catalyst for free radical reactions. It works as a peeling agent, accelerating skin turnover and clearing pores, which in turn reduces the bacterial count in the affected area.
- Salicylic Acid - helps break down blackheads and whiteheads, also reduces shedding of cells which line the follicles of the oil glands, effective in treating inflammation and swelling. Salicylic acid is a white crystalline substance which is also used as a fungicide, or in making aspirin or dyes or perfumes. It causes the epidermis to shed skin more easily, prevents pores from becoming blocked while at the same time allowing room for new cells to grow. It is commonly added to shampoos used for treating dandruff.
- Sulfur - helps break down blackheads and whiteheads. Sulfur, in its native form, is a yellow crystalline solid. Sulfur has been used for centuries for treating acne, psoriasis and eczema. Scientists are not sure how sulfur works to help skin diseases. We do know that elemental sulfur does oxidize slowly to sulfurous acid which is a mild reducing and antibacterial agent.
- Retin-A - helps unplug blocked pores. Retin-A contains Tretinoin, an acid from of vitamin A, also known as all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). Tretinoin is also used for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia. Retin-A has been used widely to combat aging of the skin, it also acts as a chemical peel.
- Azelaic Acid - strengthens cells that line the follicles, stops oil eruptions, reduces bacteria growth. It is a saturated dicarboxylic acid found naturally in wheat, rye, and barley. Azelaic acid also mops up free radicals, which reduces inflammation. It is useful for patients with darker skin who have dark patches on their face (melasma), or whose acne spots leave persistent brown marks.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/107146.php
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