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Archive for ◊ May, 2009 ◊

Sunday, May 31st, 2009

Soon when a girl attains its teen age, she becomes more cautious about her look. And then raises a problem of acne’s and related problems. Acne problem varies with person and increases in different stages. Whiteheads and blackheads are the preliminary stage of acne formation. A very tiny protuberance figures out by consuming excess of the body oil and abrupt cells of the skin. These form many layer collectively, and a bung is shaped out to allow constipation of hair follicle. The expelled serum is entrapped in the stoma formed. The whiteheads and blackheads are mostly some what similar, but differ only in the mode of clogging of the skin stoma. When we consider blackheads the skin stoma is partly choked while whiteheads are completely choked off. In the case of whiteheads, the bung formed lies embedded beneath the layer of the skin. This condition prevents the bung to come in contact with the outer environment, which ultimately prevents oxidation and blackening. Study revealed that hormonal changes give rise to this type of problem. “Androgen” the male hormone found in the body is the main causative agent that promotes the sebaceous glands to expel out more extra sebum. The expelled sebum than blends with the abrupt skin cells and a hard head structure blocking the stoma of the skin is formed. Dermatologist is of the view that whiteheads do not favor the dry skin. They believe that the sebum becomes hard due to the dry skin, and choke the skin stoma. The blackheads are also formed due to the same reason. Hence the exact reason behind it is yet not clear. Most probably people get rid of comedones by adopting various means like using needles or blackheads remover etc. The simple means of removing them is by pressing the bulk with bare hands. The specialist advice to ovoid scratching with nails as it may cause asceticism. Whiteheads are very difficult to remove but can be possible by the consulting the specialist. To avoid this problem it is important to take special preventions, and keep away from the cause of it. Many preventive measures can be adopted such as regular cleansing, keep on washing the face at least twice a day. Many scrubbers are available to remove the abrupt skin. Avoid rough scrubbing which may harm the skin. Mostly prefer natural scrubbers using fruit peels and many remedial natural face packs of Azadirachta indica, Ocimum tenuiflorum and herbicides. Hence to get better and good results one should adopt natural remedial means of cure.

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Sunday, May 31st, 2009

It is estimated that 52 million Americans consult the Internet for health and medical research and the number of Internet surfers keeps on growing. Many argue, however, that it is difficult to identify credible information among the many resources the Internet has to offer. Fortunately, when looking for information on vitamins and nutraceuticals, there is a one-stop reliable solution. Information-seeking consumers can rely on the Vitamin & Nutraceutical Information Service (VNIS) at www.VNIS.org, which offers in-depth information on all 13 vitamins and a host of important nutrients including carotenoids: lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin; omega-3 fatty acids; probiotics; soy isoflavones; green tea extract (also known as EGCG); and co-enzyme Q10. Since 1979, the VNIS has been disseminating credible, science-based information on vitamins and nutrition to health professionals, researchers, nutrition policy makers and people of influence throughout the U.S. Now, the extensive library is also accessible online. All the information online is cross-referenced so that it can be accessed by health topic (e.g., Bone Health, Heart Health, etc.); by life stage (e.g., Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Aging, etc.) or by the specific vitamin or nutrient name. Each section provides basic descriptive information plus downloadable educational materials, bibliographies of scientific resources, and, in some cases, consumer education brochures. The VNIS is supported by DSM Nutritional Products, Inc. Millions of Americans consult the Internet for health and medical research. Fortunately, there are many reliable sites.

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Sunday, May 31st, 2009

Physiologically, the presence of negative ions in a sweat bath is as important as the heat. The discovery of negative ions in certain types of saunas a few years ago became headline news in Finland. Until then, the healing power of the sauna was attributed to relaxation and increased circulation. Now, negative ions add startling new possibilities. Since the early 1950s scientists have suspected that ions play an important role in how the body functions and, consequently, in how we feel. Research has shown that an abundance of negative ions in the air we breathe is highly beneficial, while a lack of ions or a higher ratio of positive to negative can cause physical harm. The role played by ions in everyday life has become intensely topical among researchers in the medical profession. An ion is simply a molecule with an electric charge, either positive or negative. Ionization, or ion formation, occurs when enough energy acts on a molecule to cause it to discharge an electron. Because electrons carry a negative charge, the molecule stripped of an electron has a greater positive charge and becomes a positive ion. The lost electron scoots around loose until it attaches itself to another molecule which causes the new molecule to become negatively charged–a negative ion. Radioactive substances in the earth’s crust and cosmic rays cause most ionization. But fire, crashing water (like water falls and surf), and plants during photosynthesis can produce negative ions as well. Europeans take ion depletions seriously and simple negative ion generators have been installed in many businesses, banks, hospitals, and passenger cars and even airliner cockpits. Furthermore, in this country, Europe and the Soviet Union, negative ion therapy has been used in treatments to help burn victims heal faster, to cure respiratory diseases, to rid the body of general infections, and even to check the spread of some cancers. Conversely, scientists have found that if the air is charged with too few negative ions and too many positives, we become anxious, fatigued and tense. This condition is known as “pos-ion poisoning,” and often occurs as the result of weather disturbances, central air conditioning, smog, and driving too long within the confines of an automobile. Pos-ion poisoning has, in fact, been linked to heart attacks, aggravated asthma, migraine headaches, insomnia, rheumatism, arthritis, hay fever, and most allergies. The effect of negative ions on sweat bathing was discovered when researchers were trying to account for the tremendous popularity of sauna wood burning stoves over electric stoves. Subjective reasons, such as the fragrance of burned wood, did not fully explain why Finns felt so refreshed after time in a wood heated sauna and quite dulled, from certain electrically heated saunas. Tests showed that the practice of splashing water on super-heated rocks produced an abundance of negative ions. Many electric stoves, it turned out, were not getting the rocks hot enough and the glowing metal heating coils were spurting more positive ions in the air. Researchers learned that if the rocks were properly heated in electric stoves, the positive ions, being larger and less mobile, would ground out on the hot stones.

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Sunday, May 31st, 2009

If you’re looking for a way to quit smoking that has a proven success rate, you may be interested in a drug called Zyban. The main active ingredient of Zyban is bupropion hydrochloride, which is also known as Wellbutrin. Originally prescribed as an antidepressant, Wellbutrin exhibited a side effect of making patients lose interest in cigarettes. With the Wellbutrin results as a guide, Zyban was developed and has been available as a smoking treatment since 1998. How Zyban Works The reason Zyban is so effective is not clearly understood. It makes patients feel energized and gives them a sense of well-being, which makes it useful for helping people quit smoking. Patients start taking Zyban while they are still smoking. The quit date is set for 7 days later, and the drug is continued for another 7 to 10 weeks after that quit date. Patients report minimal symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. Studies have shown that success rates of Zyban are about twice that of placebos. If the smoker hasn’t made significant improvements in his smoking habits by 10 weeks, it is unlikely that continued use of Zyban will help. Zyban treatment is like any other method for quitting smoking: in order to be effective the desire to quit has to come from within. Those who really don’t want to stop smoking will find ways to sabotage any quitting plan. The most commonly reported side effects are insomnia and a dry mouth. People with a history of seizures, eating disorders, or cirrhosis of the liver should not take it. Compared with Patches 1 of the most popular alternatives for nicotine withdrawal is the nicotine patch — a square patch that sticks to the skin and releases small doses of nicotine throughout the day. Patches allow the body to get the nicotine it craves without suffering the ill effects of smoking. People using patches may still feel the desire to smoke in certain situations because of associations with smoking that have nothing to do with nicotine. For example, some people associate smoking with going to a nightclub. Patches are available in various strengths, so they can be used to wean the body gradually from its nicotine dependence. Those with a strong desire to quit smoking may find that nicotine substitutes free them to concentrate on the behavioral changes needed to rid themselves of dependency on tobacco. Zyban does not provide nicotine to the body, it provides the smoker a feeling of well-being that allows him to give up the habit with relatively little difficulty. However, once Zyban treatment stops, the desire to smoke in certain situations may return. Side Effects Of Patches Patches can help eliminate the cravings associated with smoking, but they have to be used with some care. They can be worn throughout the day, but should be removed at night. Otherwise, they may cause insomnia or strange dreams. The skin where the patch is applied may become red and itchy. These symptoms usually disappear within an hour after the patch is removed, but can cause discomfort during the day. Both Zyban and nicotine substitutes are more effective when used in conjunction with some kind of counseling. A smoker must defeat both nicotine addiction and a series of smoking habits in order to ultimately join the ranks of the non-smoker.

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Sunday, May 31st, 2009

So you have decided that you want to be fit and healthy but at a loss as to which exercise program will benefit you best. Before you decide to select or design a beneficial exercise program, there are a few things which you must do. • Why do you want to exercise? Define your exercise goals and objectives. Write them down so that this will serve as your constant reminder why you want to embark on an exercise program. It also serves to narrow down your search for the best program because you will know what to look out for. For example, you may want to lose weight steadily or you may to build some muscle tone or you just simply want to get fit. Be definite in what you want to achieve so that you will have a clear direction and will choose the right exercise program to achieve your goals more effectively. • What do you need to do to get the best exercise benefit Now that you know what your goals are, decide which method is best for you to achieve your objectives. For example, if you are rehabilitating from some illnesses or surgery, you may need to hire a specialized trainer for your particular condition or if you simply want to lose some weight, do you have sufficient knowledge to lose weight permanently or do you need to do more research, read up some books or just hire a fitness personal trainer? • Set definite time frame and exercise program Have a time table drawn up. How many times do you need to exercise a week and for how long to get the best benefits from your exercise program. Ascertain the dates and timing of your exercise program and stick to it. This is crucial because many people without definite plans fail in their quest to get a fit and healthy body. • Keep an exercise log book This exercise log book is to keep track of your progress. In the log book, you will keep a record of how far you have jogged or swum or how heavy were the weights you were lifting so that you can improve your performance on your next exercise session. Without proper record keeping, you will be at best guesstimating on your past performances and chances are that you will not improve to get to your goals as planned. This is the reason why you see people not getting any results even though they work out regularly. So in order for to get the best benefit from your exercise program, you will need to set your goals and then define them, decide on the methods to get the best benefits and keep a record so that you can get there in record time with your solid exercise program.

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Sunday, May 31st, 2009

For the past years, seaweeds have been a popular food additive in almost all parts of the world. According to studies, seaweeds are rich in vitamins A1, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, E and K which can keep the body healthy and strong enough to fight many types of diseases. Aside from having loads of vitamins, seaweeds are also know as good sources for minerals such as potassium, odium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, manganese, iron and zinc. Since seaweeds have high vitamin and mineral contents, researchers found out those seaweeds are not only good as food additive; they are also potent ingredients for beauty products. Studies show that seaweed beauty products are effective and safe to use in almost all types of skin. In fact, seaweed beauty products are considered as one of the best in the cosmetic industry today. For the past years, many players in the cosmetic industry came up with different beauty products using seaweeds are primary ingredients. Caring For Your Skin Skin types vary from person to person thus it is not safe to assume that what works for another person will also work for you. Fortunately, there are now different types of seaweed beauty products for different types of skin so you need not worry about finding the right seaweed beauty product for you. Just make sure that you use the seaweed beauty product accordingly to avoid any untoward incidents. If you are one of those people who are prone to allergies, you should be extra careful when using any types of beauty products. Before you apply the seaweed beauty product on your face or any parts of the body for that matter, you must read the label carefully and take note of the ingredients used in the product. Make sure that the beauty products do not contain ingredients that can trigger your allergies. Moreover, before you actually use the beauty product, you should test it first by applying it on a small portion of your skin. Wait for a few hours for any signs allergic reactions. If you notice any itching or burning sensations on the area where you applied the beauty products, do not use these products. On the other hand, you should be careful about using seaweed beauty products if you are suffering from acne and other types of skin breaks. To be safe, consult your dermatologist before you apply seaweeds beauty products on any affected area of your skin. Note that some types of beauty products can have some adverse effects on sensitive skin.

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