Can nutriceuticals fight skin aging from inside out?

Monday, January 30, 2012

Can nutriceuticals fight skin aging from inside out?

Dr. Ellen Marmur of The Mount Sinai Medical Center answered:

Since cosmetic companies are always devising new ingredients and innovative ways to get them into the skin, it's inevitable that cosmetic nutritional supplements are the logical next step. Eating a healthy diet is a more efficient way to get the nutrients necessary to improve skin since the body metabolizes food better than it does pills.

For many, it's easier and perhaps more satisfying to swallow some capsules rather than eat a plate of vegetables. You think and hope that the supplements you ingest carry the same magical power of a beauty product you apply. You might believe that a few doses of antioxidant pills or omega-3 fatty acids will have your skin looking hydrated and youthful in no time. I hate to burst that bubble, but - just as with cosmetics - it's difficult to know if these nutritional supplements really work since most research is done in-house and remains unpublished. And as with cosmeceuticals, the FDA does not vet supplements since they are classified as foods, not pharmaceuticals.

Physiologically speaking, only a minimal amount of the nutrients in a vitamin supplement ever reaches the skin. Excess vitamin C, for instance, is eliminated from the body before it ever reaches the periphery of the dermis or the epidermis. It sounds as though systemic ingredients have just as difficult a journey as their topical siblings. Though research has shown that ingesting green tea seems to reduce the incidence of skin cancer (at least in mice) and taking oral vitamins C and E for three months can reduce UV damage, there's not much science to support the taking of supplements to reduce wrinkles.

How can I get screened for prostate cancer?

How can I get screened for prostate cancer?
By measuring the amount of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in a man's bloodstream, we can discover prostate cancer at earlier stages -- giving men a better chance for survival. The test is not perfect. Some studies show that it misses up to 15 percent of cancer cases, while flagging some cancers so small and slow-growing that they pose no threat. Still, the PSA test remains the best clinically available tool for predicting prostate cancer. PSA screening is especially important for men with a family history of prostate cancer and for African-American men, who have a 60 percent higher incidence of the disease than whites.

There are two main screening methods for prostate cancer: PSA tests and digital rectal exams (DRE). Depending on your risk factors for prostate cancer (i.e. family history, African American and increasing age), your physician will/will not recommend screening. Unfortunately there is not a 100% accurate way to screen for prostate cancer; therefore the results of these two screening methods must be considered along with your personal risk factors.

What are the symptoms of hypothyroidism?

What are the symptoms of hypothyroidism?
Symptoms of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) include a slowing of body function, slower thinking, depression, coldness, constipation, muscle weakness, abnormal periods, and slowing of the metabolism, leading to moderate weight gain. Some patients also have goiter. However, many patients with hypothyroidism do not have symptoms, so screening with a blood test is important.


Symptoms for hypothyroidism vary among individuals. Common symptoms that appear early in the disease include fatigue, weight gain, cold sensitivity, brittle and thin hair and nails, pain in the joints and muscles, constipation, dry skin, heavy menstrual periods in women, fertility problems, depression, and a slower heartbeat.

If the disease has progressed or gone untreated for some time, additional symptoms that may appear include puffiness, especially of the face, feet, and hands; thick skin; thinning eyebrows; slow speech; a hoarse voice; and diminished ability to taste and smell.

Those with Hashimoto's disease (an autoimmune disease that causes hypothyroidism) are inclined to have goiter (an enlarged thyroid gland that makes the base of the throat swell) and a full feeling in the throat.

You are more likely to develop thyroid problems as you age. Women are more likely than men to have thyroid problems. The thyroid gland is located at the base of your neck in front of your trachea (or windpipe). It has two sides and is shaped like a butterfly. It regulates metabolism and can be involved in certain forms of reversible dementia.

If there is not enough thyroid hormone in the bloodstream, the body's metabolism slows down. This is called hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). Symptoms of hypothyroidism include weight gain, hair thinning, weakness, and mental confusion. In most cases, hypothyroidism is treated with medication that contains the thyroid hormone.

If there is too much thyroid hormone, your metabolism speeds up. This is called hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include tachycardia (fast and sometimes irregular heartbeat), protruding eyes and other eye changes, nervousness, and anxiety. Treatment for hyperthyroidism lowers the amount of thyroid hormone and relieves your symptoms.

The symptoms of thyroid problems are sometimes mistaken as signs of the menopause transition. Also, the changing estrogen level due to menopause or hormone treatment can complicate the measurement of thyroid hormone level, making the diagnosis of thyroid problems more difficult. If you have symptoms of the thyroid disease, learn more about the condition from your health care provider and other sources, and consider getting tested.

What may be done to treat food allergies?

At present the only treatment is avoidance. Knowing what you are allergic to is very important, and good education on how to avoid those things is necessary. Accidental exposures can be treated with injectable epinephrine and antihistamines. 

Right now there is no treatment to resolve food allergy, although some may resolve with time. There are a number of treatments in clinical trials and studies, from oral desensitization to Chinese herbal supplements, so new treatment options are on the horizon.The best way to "treat" food allergies is to avoid the food that causes the allergy. This often requires some detective work but labeling laws in the United States have made the process a little easier. All packaged foods must list the most common allergens found in the product.

• Avoid obvious foods that you are allergic to.
• Do research to find out if the food you're allergic to might also include other foods. For example, many people who are allergic to bananas also have adverse reactions to mango and avocado.
• Read labels for packaged foods. Look for all forms of the allergen. If you’re allergic to milk, check for code words including but not limited to casein, whey, lacto albumin and butter.
• Be sure to check restaurant menus and let your server know about any allergies during ordering and when the food is served.
• If you’re invited to a dinner party, be sure to let the host know about your allergy in advance so that he or she can plan for your special needs. This makes it more comfortable for both of you. There is presently no known cure for food allergy. Strict avoidance of the food allergen is the only way to prevent a reaction and therefore treat food allergies.  However, before eliminating/avoiding foods suspected of causing a reaction, it is important to have the food allergies diagnosed and confirmed by your physician/allergist.Your doctor may want you to try the following to treat your food allergies:
  Elimination: Avoid eating the foods that cause your allergies.

What foods should I avoid if I have multiple food allergies?

Avoid eating these foods if you have multiple food allergies:

Beverages and formulas:

• Coffee-creamers
• Goats' milk
• Milk (whole, low-fat, skim)
• Milk products such as buttermilk, condensed milk, dry milk, evaporated milk, and flavored milk
• Instant breakfast
• Malted milk
• Ovaltine
• Soy milk and soy drink products
• Milk-based formulas such as Enfamil, Good Start, Nutren Jr., Pediasure, Similac
• Soy-based formulas such as Isomil, Prosobee, Soy Bright Beginnings

Milk and milk products:

• Cheese, all types (milk, goat, and soy)
• Cottage cheese
• Cream cheese
• Cream
• Custard
• Half and half
• Milk (whole, low-fat, skim)
• Milk products such as buttermilk, condensed milk, dry milk, evaporated milk, and flavored milk
• Non-dairy whipped topping
• Pudding
• Soy milk and soy drink products
• Sour cream
• Whipping cream
• Yogurt

Grains, cereal, and breads:

What foods should I avoid if I'm allergic to wheat?

The following foods contain wheat:

Beverages and formula:

• Postum
• Beer, gin, and some whiskeys

Dairy products:

• All dairy products thickened with wheat flour or wheat starch

Eggs, meat, fish, and poultry:

• All breaded meats with wheat flour or wheat starches
• All meats with wheat flour or wheat starch thickeners

Fruits:

• All fruits, canned or frozen, with breading or thickened with wheat flour or wheat starch

Vegetables:

• All vegetables canned or frozen, with breading or thickened with wheat flour or wheat starch

Breads, cereals, and pasta:

5 Danger of Consuming Soft Drinks

Friday, January 27, 2012

Soft drinks or carbonated soft drinks, it feels fresh and delicious especially when cold. It's just behind the freshness it offers this drink is very risky.

Soft drinks contain artificial dyes, chemicalsmells carbonate, phosphoric acid,sweeteners, preservatives and caffeine. Sugar content of an average of 8-12 teaspoons, a number of very dangerous for health.

To be curious and can not maintain health from now on, the following facts hidden from the enjoyment of a bottle of soft drinks:

A Simple Ways to Get Beautiful Skin

A Simple Ways to Get Beautiful SkinCucumbers have in common such as pumpkins, melons and other types of thick-skinned and juicy fruit. Cucumbers originated from Southeast Asia where it grows wild, especially India, and he grew bervarietas genetic.There are records of cucumber cultivation in various parts of the world for centuries. Earlier this vegetarian tourists spread throughout Asia, Europe and Africa and then to America. Nowadays people become aware of the health benefits of cucumber. It is especially popular among the ancient Greek, Roman and Egyptian civilizations because the fruit is soothing and refreshing properties.Cucumber has dark green skin though it may vary in color from pale yellow to white with greenish flesh.Eyes swollen: a higher water content in a cold cucumber makes our skin. It helps reduce swelling and swelling in the same way as a cold compress.

How to Increase Weight

How to Increase Weight
Skinny? Where's Cool! Maybe it's the idea with one of the main tagline advertising the products weight gain. It has a skinny body that sometimes reduces our confidence. Actually what the ideal body weight? Of course each person is different, depending on the height factor. To measure your ideal weight, please read the previous blog post health tips here.
Tags: ideal body weight, gain weight, add weight, weight gain
Back to the topic of how to gain weight, this time I will give added weight naturally tips for those of you who want to increase the weight by traditional means. Here's potion:

How To Make A Cappuccino

Espresso, hot milk and steamed milk foam - this can only mean a cup of cappuccino is ready to be served. A popular choice for coffeehouses everywhere, the cappuccino is a star in its own right. With its rich flavor and delicatearoma, young and old alike appreciate a hearty cup well-brewed cappuccino. And since it is such a hit with people of different backgrounds, why not learn to whip up a cup or two? This article will show you a complete guide in how to make a cappuccino that will surely impress your friends. All you need is coffee, milk and an espresso machine.