Beauty Secrets Revealed

As we become older, the signs of aging start developing. Saggy skin, bags under the eyes, wrinkles, age spots and forehead lines are the signs of aging. Aging is unavoidable but it does not mean one should look old.

There are things which can help anyone look younger. Let us reveal some beauty secrets.

• Lipstick shades should not be matte, because their traces remain in the fine lip lines. Creamy lipsticks or lip glosses are better.

• As with matte lipsticks, the traces of powder blushes and shadows remain in the fine lines on the skin. Also dry looking skin is a sign of aging. Therefore, creamy blushes and creamy shadows are better and they give the skin a plumy look.

• Curled lashes look good. First, mascara should be applied and allowed to dry, and then the lashes can be curled up.

• Hair length should be between the chin and the shoulders.

• Eyebrows should not be over plucked as they do not grow well after excessive plucking.

• Less make up is better as makeup should not be used to cover the age.

• Alcohol intake and smoking should be decreased to a minimum.

• Teeth may become yellow due to drinks like red wine, tea and coffee. They can be whitened by using over the counter teeth whiteners.

• Adequate and sound sleep at night also helps in looking younger. Due to lack of sleep the skin looks dry and the face looks shapeless.

• Apart from beauty and tips to look young, standing straight is also important to look and feel young.

• Well balanced diet is helpful in younger looks. As with age, the metabolism becomes slower and increase in weight is more obvious. There should be control on weight increase. To control weight, life style should not become sedentary.

• Along with diet, regular exercise is also important. This helps with better blood circulation. Due to this, nutrients reach to the extremities and toxic products are removed. The type of exercise is not important. Just being active is also an exercise.

• Techniques to reduce stress (stress relaxation techniques) should be learned as stress makes an individual look older.

Besides these Beauty Secrets, there are products which can turn around the signs of aging and help you look younger.

Collagen is a substance present in skin which helps in looking younger. Several creams from animal sources are available but these large molecules can not penetrate the skin. Therefore substances which stimulate the production of collagen and can penetrate the skin are more useful. Cynergy TK is one such natural ingredient. Same is for hyaluronic acid. Phytessence Wakame is the ingredient helpful in increasing the elasticity of skin. Free radicals production increases with age. Antioxidants which are present in fruits and vegetables scavenge free radicals. Therefore, antioxidants also make one look younger. Creams containing antioxidants help in reducing signs of aging from outside.

Posted under I To Health Care by itohealthcare on Tuesday 28 September 2010 at 8:16 am

Heart Disease – Reduce the Risk

The risk factors for heart disease are divided into two types: untreatable and treatable. Heart disease caused by untreatable risk factors cannot be mitigated or controlled with treatment. Some examples of untreatable heart disease include: increasing age, male gender, family history, post-menopause, and race. Heart disease caused by treatable risk factors can be cared for and controlled. Some of the more common treatable factors are explained below:

Stop smoking

Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease. Nicotine and Carbon Monoxide are very harmful cigarette chemicals that increase blood clots and artery clogs, and thereby eventually lead to heart failure. Non-smokers exposed to second-hand cigarette smoke may also have an increased risk of heart disease. Smoking may be very difficult to quit but it is not impossible. To quit smoking, you can get help from Professional Advisors and Recovery/Treatment Centers.

Limit alcohol

Alcohol affects both your physical and mental health. Excessive consumption of alcohol causes an irregular heart beat and high blood pressure. It can also cause depression and panic attacks. Alcoholism should be treated as soon as possible and controlled to increase your chances of having a healthy heart by living a healthier lifestyle.

Eat healthy

Preventing heart disease is a much better option than trying to treat heart disease, so eat healthy to stay healthy. Include plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits in your diet, because potassium content in plant-based foods helps to regulate blood pressure. Fish and walnuts have Omega 3 Fatty Acids that help in reducing blood cholesterol. Avoid foods high in sodium (e.g. Salt) and cholesterol (e.g. dairy products).

Exercise regularly

Being physically active has a lot of benefits. Some of these benefits include improving blood circulation, maintaining body weight, and reducing blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Exercising at least three times a week helps keep your heart fit, strong and active. Examples of some effective exercises include walking, swimming, jogging, cycling, and dancing.

Reduce Blood Cholesterol level

High cholesterol levels increase your chance of heart disease. It is recommended to check your cholesterol level every five years. Your cholesterol level should always be less than 200. Avoid eating high fat foods like dairy products and meats, to help keep your cholesterol levels within the normal range.

Reduce Blood Sugar level

High blood sugar is one of the main causes of heart failure. Blood sugar can be controlled by regular exercise and a nutritious diet. If your blood sugar level is very high, your doctor might prescribe antihypertensive medication or a similar medicine. A normal blood sugar level should be 120/80. Usually, high blood sugar does not show any symptoms so it is always better to have your blood sugar level checked regularly.

Maintain a healthy weight

Excess weight increases your chances of having an increased blood sugar level, cholesterol level and diabetes. Weight is commonly determined by Body Mass Index (BMI). To calculate your BMI, take your body weight in kilograms and divide it by the square of your height in meters. A normal BMI should be between 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2. A balanced diet and regular exercise is the most effective way for you to maintain a healthy BMI.

Reduce stress

Both physical and emotional stress are part of everyone’s life. Some people show stress-related anxieties by overeating, smoking or drinking alcohol. Try to manage your stress by taking part in stress-relieving exercises, such as meditation, yoga, or Tai Chi. You can also consult your Health Professional for a complete Stress Management Program.

Routine health checkups

Your Primary Care Physician (PCP) will do routine medical examinations to keep track of your blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and other triggering factors for heart-related disease. If you don’t have a PCP, you can go to a walk-in clinic for such medical examinations.

Posted under I To Health Care by itohealthcare on Tuesday 21 September 2010 at 8:16 am

5 Great Foods for Your Hypothyroidism Diet

Have you ever felt like gaining weight all the time even without trying? Perhaps you feel tired right after a hearty meal and having not done any prior strenuous activities. These are often symptoms of hypothyroidism, and if you think you are suffering from the condition, a hypothyroidism diet can do wonders.

You actually gain weight due to the body’s inability to use energy efficiently. This is the result of having low thyroxine hormones in the body. You can check out the following foods that can help your thyroid gland in producing thyroxine.

·         Foods rich in iodine. Eating foods that are rich in iodine is one way that you combat the ill effects of hypothyroidism. You are actually making up for the insufficiency of the thyroxine hormone in the body. You can have seafood like seaweeds and clams. Fish found in saltwater are also rich in iodine. As much as possible, use iodized salt.

·         Foods rich in tyrosine. Just like iodine, tyrosine is an amino acid that is commonly found in fish and meats. This also helps the thyroid in producing thyroxine hormone.

·         Foods rich in selenium. Along with tyrosine and iodine, selenium is a trace mineral that is needed by the body. It aids in the proper functioning of the immune system and the thyroid gland. Nuts and fish are good sources of selenium.

·         Use coconut oil. Instead of using other types of oils in cooking, coconut oil can help a lot in getting the thyroid gland to function properly. It actually helps in stimulating the thyroid gland to produce thyroxine.

·         Last but not the least, eat food with lots of fiber. Fibrous foods like fruits and vegetables, can make you feel full and would not add to your craving for more food.

These five great foods for your hypothyroidism diet can actually do wonders in helping you cope with low thyroxine hormones in the body, and can keep the weigh off too.

Posted under I To Health Care by itohealthcare on Tuesday 14 September 2010 at 8:16 am

How Is Aloe Vera Useful In Treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Research has shown that not only is Aloe Vera useful in treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome, but due to its balancing effect on the immune system it is also very useful in creating an improved sense of well-being as well as reducing stress. Research work carried out over many years points conclusively to a toxic colon being the cause of a very wide range of minor to very serious illnesses.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) also known as Spastic Colon is now the most common digestive disorder seen by physicians. In IBS, the normal rhythmic muscular contractions of the digestive tract become irregular interfering with the normal movement of food and waste material. This leads to the accumulation of mucus and toxins in the intestine. This accumulation of material in turn sets up a partial obstruction of the digestive tract, trapping gas and stool. Symptoms include bloating, abdominal pain, gas constipation, distension, an urgency to have bowel movement and diarrhea.

It is claimed by a research team at a major British hospital, where Aloe Vera gel is undergoing clinical trials in the treatment of IBS. That as many as 12 million people in the U.K. suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Estimates also reveal that up to one third of the population will experience the symptoms of IBS at some time in their lives.

So how is Aloe Vera useful in treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

An analysis of the contents of Aloe Vera gel shows it comprises a large variety of amino acids, enzymes, vitamins and minerals and it comes closer than any other known plant to the duplication of life’s essential substances in the biochemistry of the human body. The natural healing and detoxifying powers of Aloe Vera work gently within the intestinal tract to help break down impacted food residues and thoroughly cleanse the bowel. Aloe Vera acts on the epithelial cells – the cells of the skin and inner cavities – these include the stomach, digestive tract, colon, bronchial tubes and blood vessels.

The anti-inflammatory activity of Aloe Vera gel is very helpful in repairing damage to the intestine, reducing inflammation, helping to repair damaged cells and creating favorable conditions for new cell growth. The cells of the intestines are the fastest growing cells in the body, they are replaced every 4 days on average so they have to be continually replenished to keep the barrier established.

Not only is Aloe Vera useful in repairing damage to the intestine it also provides the main fuel – the amino acid I-glutamine – needed for regeneration of the cells of the intestine, something which we do not get much of in our diet.

Also, long chain polysaccharides contained in Aloe Vera, line the gut and repair tiny “holes” that inevitably occur through bad eating habits, alcohol consumption, long-term use of antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or just wear and tear. These ‘holes’ can lead to what is known as “leaking gut syndrome” which is where unwanted substances and toxins are absorbed through the gut walls and into the blood stream causing havoc in the immune system. The skin is a reflection of the digestive system – so conditions such as Eczema or Psoriasis may develop as a result of an underlying problem in the digestive tract.

Aloe Vera’s amphoteric properties mean that it can help ease constipation and prevent continuing diarrhea, setting a regularity to the bowel. This helps to reduce discomfort and bloating. Naturally, as these symptoms are eased, so the stress associated with the discomfort is also reduced. Because the intestine is such a highly complex multi-purpose organ with an important role in immunity against disease and allergy control, it is very important to keep it in tip top condition through a healthy diet. Supplementing this with regular consumption of Aloe Vera gel can help you soon achieve a feeling of well-being and maintain a high quality of life.

Posted under I To Health Care by itohealthcare on Tuesday 7 September 2010 at 8:16 am