Heartburn : Causes, Prevention, Treatments and Remedies

Heartburn is a feeling of burning, warmth, heat, or pain that often starts in the upper abdomen just beneath the lower breastbone (sternum). This discomfort may spread in waves upward into your throat, and you may have a sour taste in your mouth. Heartburn is sometimes called indigestion, acid regurgitation, sour stomach, or pyrosis.

Causes of heartburn

Heartburn occurs when food and stomach juices back up (reflux) into the esophagus, which is the tube that leads from the throat to the stomach. Common causes include:

* Incomplete closing of the valve between the esophagus and the stomach.

* Foods and drinks, such as chocolate, peppermint, fried foods, fatty foods, or sugars; and coffee, carbonated drinks, or alcohol. Once heartburn occurs, the backflow of stomach juices can cause the esophagus to become sensitive to other foods, such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, spicy foods, garlic, and onions. Eating these foods may cause more heartburn.

* Pressure on the stomach caused by obesity, frequent bending over and lifting, tight clothes, straining with bowel movements, vigorous exercise, and pregnancy.

* Smoking and use of other tobacco products.

* Prescription and nonprescription medicines, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, iron, potassium, antihistamines, or sleeping pills.

* A hiatal hernia , which occurs when a small portion of the stomach pushes upward through the diaphragm, which is the muscle that separates the lungs from the abdomen.

* Stress, which can increase the amount of acid your stomach makes and cause your stomach to empty more slowly.


How to treat heartburn

# Change your eating habits.

* It�s best to eat several small meals instead of two or three large meals.
* After you eat, wait 2 to 3 hours before you lie down. Late-night snacks aren't a good idea.
* Chocolate, mint, and alcohol can make heartburn worse. They relax the valve between the esophagus and the stomach.
* Spicy foods, foods that have a lot of acid (like tomatoes and oranges), and coffee can make heartburn symptoms worse in some people. If your symptoms are worse after you eat a certain food, you may want to stop eating that food to see if your symptoms get better.

# Do not smoke or chew tobacco.

# If you get heartburn at night, raise the head of your bed 6in. to 8in. by putting the frame on blocks or placing a foam wedge under the head of your mattress. (Adding extra pillows does not work.)

# Do not wear tight clothing around your middle. Lose weight if you need to. Losing just 5 to 10 pounds can help.

# Antacids such as Tums, Mylanta, or Maalox neutralize some of the stomach acid for 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on whether the stomach is full or empty. Liquid or dissolving antacids usually work faster than tablet forms.

# Some antacids, such as Gaviscon, have a foaming agent (alginate) that acts as a barrier between stomach acid and the esophagus.

Whiteheads : How To Get Rid of Whiteheads, Treatments and Home Remedies

Whiteheads are a mass of hardened sebum appearing most frequently on the face, forehead and the nose and are caused by the accumulation of sebaceous matter beneath the skin. People of all age groups can be affected with whiteheads. Removing blackheads and whiteheads at home with home remedies is simpler, less painful and has no side effects.

How To Get Rid Of Whiteheads With Home Remedies :

# Wash the skin 3 times a day with medicated soap, if the skin is greasy or with plain water if the skin is dry.

# Unclog skin pores by steaming and applying face packs regularly.

#Drink plenty of water and fruit juices.

# Mix cornstarch with apple cider vinegar, make a paste and apply on the whiteheads for 15-30 minutes. Wash off with washcloth and warm water, this helps to get rid whiteheads.

# Take 1/4 Th cup of unboiled milk and add 1/2 Tsp of salt and two teaspoonful of lime juice in it. Use it as a cleansing lotion. It helps to clean pores and make your skin free from blackheads and whiteheads.

# Mix 1 tablespoon olive oil with 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice and massage before bath for a few minutes to prevent formation of whiteheads.

# Used green tea helps remove whiteheads, when the leaves are scrubbed on face for a few minutes and then washed with water. Do it twice a week and see the difference.

# A whitehead can be best removed by steaming the face for 1-2 minutes. When the whiteheads in the pores have softened, very gently press it out with your two fingers keeping them on either side of the whitehead and gently putting pressure on it and then close the pores with an astringent.

# A teaspoon of yogurt can be massaged on face for a few minutes and then rinsed with warm water.

# Another natural remedy is an honey mask, apply on face regularly to pull out dirt and oil.

# Apply toothpaste at white heads when go to bed, leave it for night, and then wash at morning.

# Apple is also effective. Squeeze an apple and add in to it almost 3 table spoons of honey and apply at the effected area.

# Oatmeal paste not used only for cooking but also in cosmetic products as facial mask to remove white, black heads.

Constipation : Causes, Prevention and Home Remedies

Constipation means that a person has three or fewer bowel movements in a week. Stools may be hard and dry. Sometimes evacuation is painful. Everyone has constipation some time. Not everyone has bowel movements once a day. It's not true that you must have a daily bowel movement to be considered "regular." A normal range is anywhere between 3 times a day to 3 times a week. You may be getting constipated if you start having bowel movements much less often than you usually do.

There are many things you can do to prevent constipation:

* Eat more fruits, vegetables and grains that are rich in fiber
* Drink plenty of water and other liquids
* Get enough exercise
* Taking the time to evacuate when you need it
* Consume laxatives only if the doctor prescribes
* Ask your doctor if your medicine can cause constipation

Home remedies for constipation:

* Flax seed for easier bowel movements � Flax seed is a good laxative and anti-inflammatory. Drop the seeds in a cup of hot water and let them macerate for 12 hours. Add a little honey or lemon and drink before bedtime.

* Tomato jelly to relieve constipation � 1/2 kg of sugar and 1 kg of tomatoes � Wash tomatoes and peel them. Cut them in pieces and get rid of the seeds. Put tomatoes (with the juice that squeezed out while you were cutting them) in a pot and put it over low heat. Add sugar and leave it on low heat for 45 minutes stirring frequently. Let stand 15 minutes and store in a glass bottle. Eat with your breakfast.

* Beans, plums, pears, and figs � These foods have a fiber that becomes a gel in the intestine and softens waste. Make sure to add them to your daily diet. Do not forget to drink enough water.

* Position in the restroom to relieve constipation � While sitting on the toilet raise feet using a stool so that the knees are higher that the pelvis. home-remedies-site.com Another position that will help evacuation is while sitting, bend to the right side.

* Olive oil and lemon � Every morning before breakfast drink a cup of hot water mixed with the juice of one lemon and a tablespoon of olive oil. Not only will it keep things moving but you will lose some pounds!

* Spinach and olive oil cataplasm � Make a cataplasm using spinach leaves and olive oil and put it on your stomach.

* Honey for regularity � Take a glass of warm water with honey at bedtime and a glass of cold water with honey before breakfast.

* Papaya � Papaya is very effective in relieving constipation especially if eaten before breakfast.

Get Rid of Nail Fungus : Treatments and Natural Home Remedies

Pedicures:how-to-get-rid-of-nail-fungus

People start getting rid of finger nail fungus before the infection is too far advanced. However, it's much harder to get a topical treatment to stay on a fingernail when you're using your hands all the time, and it's much harder to sit for 15 to 30 minutes every day with your hands soaking in a solution.

Home remedies for nail fungus,like any other condition you can find a number of natural treatment for your toe nail fungus as well.It seems that everyone has a piece of sage advice to offer about how to get rid of nail fungus. Some advice is very simple: apply Vicks VapoRub, Listerine, tea tree oil, or any one of a dozen other substances. Other remedies take more effort, like soaking the affected toenail(s) in a solution of dilute bleach, hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, Listerine, or some other chemical for a period of time each day.

What so ever you choose, will have to work for at least a month or two before it shows any result and you have to be stubborn enough to continue for six months to a year or even up to eighteen months in older and obstinate cases.

Keep in mind that prescription medicines will also take this much time. The most common natural cure for fungus nails is to soak feet or hands in an anti fungal solution. This could be apple cider vinegar, white synthetic vinegar, chlorine bleach or hydrogen peroxide. Even soaking your feet in salty water can be helpful. Again proper filing along with continuous applications twice a day for months is required.

Polyphenols, Hormesis and Disease: Part II

In the last post, I explained that the body treats polyphenols as potentially harmful foreign chemicals, or "xenobiotics". How can we reconcile this with the growing evidence that at least a subset of polyphenols have health benefits?

Clues from Ionizing Radiation

One of the more curious things that has been reported in the scientific literature is that although high-dose ionizing radiation (such as X-rays) is clearly harmful, leading to cancer, premature aging and other problems, under some conditions low-dose ionizing radiation can actually decrease cancer risk and increase resistance to other stressors (1, 2, 3, 4, 5). It does so by triggering a protective cellular response, increasing cellular defenses out of proportion to the minor threat posed by the radiation itself. The ability of mild stressors to increase stress resistance is called "hormesis." Exercise is a common example. I've written about this phenomenon in the past (6).

The Case of Resveratrol

Resveratrol is perhaps the most widely known polyphenol, available in supplement stores nationwide. It's seen a lot of hype, being hailed as a "calorie restriction mimetic" and the reason for the "French paradox."* But there is quite a large body of evidence suggesting that resveratrol functions in the same manner as low-dose ionizing radiation and other bioactive polyphenols: by acting as a mild toxin that triggers a hormetic response (7). Just as in the case of radiation, high doses of resveratrol are harmful rather than helpful. This has obvious implications for the supplementation of resveratrol and other polyphenols. A recent review article on polyphenols stated that while dietary polyphenols may be protective, "high-dose fortified foods or dietary supplements are of unproven efficacy and possibly harmful" (8).

The Cellular Response to Oxidants

Although it may not be obvious, radiation and polyphenols activate a cellular response that is similar in many ways. Both activate the transcription factor Nrf2, which activates genes that are involved in detoxification of chemicals and antioxidant defense**(9, 10, 11, 12). This is thought to be due to the fact that polyphenols, just like radiation, may temporarily increase the level of oxidative stress inside cells. Here's a quote from the polyphenol review article quoted above (13):

We have found that [polyphenols] are potentially far more than 'just antioxidants', but that they are probably insignificant players as 'conventional' antioxidants. They appear, under most circumstances, to be just the opposite, i.e. prooxidants, that nevertheless appear to contribute strongly to protection from oxidative stress by inducing cellular endogenous enzymic protective mechanisms. They appear to be able to regulate not only antioxidant gene transcription but also numerous aspects of intracellular signaling cascades involved in the regulation of cell growth, inflammation and many other processes.

It's worth noting that this is essentially the opposite of what you'll hear on the evening news, that polyphenols are direct antioxidants. The scientific cutting edge has largely discarded that hypothesis, but the mainstream has not yet caught on.

Nrf2 is one of the main pathways by which polyphenols increase stress resistance and antioxidant defenses, including the key cellular antioxidant glutathione (14). Nrf2 activity is correlated with longevity across species (15). Inducing Nrf2 activity via polyphenols or by other means substantially reduces the risk of common lifestyle disorders in animal models, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer (16, 17, 18), although Nrf2 isn't necessarily the only mechanism. The human evidence is broadly consistent with the studies in animals, although not as well developed.

One of the most interesting effects of hormesis is that exposure to one stressor can increase resistance to other stressors. For example, long-term consumption of high-polyphenol chocolate increases sunburn resistance in humans, implying that it induces a hormetic response in skin (19). Polyphenol-rich foods such as green tea reduce sunburn and skin cancer development in animals (20, 21).

Chris Masterjohn first introduced me to Nrf2 and the idea that polyphenols act through hormesis. Chris studies the effects of green tea on health, which seem to be mediated by polyphenols.

A Second Mechanism

There is a place in the body where polyphenols are concentrated enough to be direct antioxidants: in the digestive tract after consuming polyphenol-rich foods. Digestion is a chemically harsh process that readily oxidizes ingested substances such as polyunsaturated fats (22). Oxidized fat is neither healthy when it's formed in the deep fryer, nor when it's formed in the digestive tract (23, 24). Eating polyphenol-rich foods effectively prevents these fats from being oxidized during digestion (25). One consequence of this appears to be better absorption and assimilation of the exceptionally fragile omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (26).

What does it all Mean?

I think that overall, the evidence suggests that polyphenol-rich foods are healthy in moderation, and eating them on a regular basis is generally a good idea. Certain other plant chemicals, such as suforaphane found in cruciferous vegetables, and allicin found in garlic, exhibit similar effects and may also act by hormesis (27). Some of the best-studied polyphenol-rich foods are tea (particularly green tea), blueberries, extra-virgin olive oil, red wine, citrus fruits, hibiscus tea, soy, dark chocolate, coffee, turmeric and other herbs and spices, and a number of traditional medicinal herbs. A good rule of thumb is to "eat the rainbow", choosing foods with a variety of colors.

Supplementing with polyphenols and other plant chemicals in amounts that would not be achievable by eating food is probably not a good idea.


* The "paradox" whereby the French eat a diet rich in saturated fat, yet have a low heart attack risk compared to other affluent Western nations.

** Genes containing an antioxidant response element (ARE) in the promoter region. ARE is also sometimes called the electrophile response element (EpRE).

Breast Self Aware : How To Become Breast Self Aware, Breast Self Examination

Self-Check:How To Become Breast Self Aware

It is so important to be breast self-aware as early detection is the best defense against breast cancer. Here is how to conduct a breast self-examination to protect yourself from breast cancer.

Step 1: Examine yourself in the mirror

Begin by looking at your breasts in the mirror with your arms by your side or on your hips and check that they are their usual shape, size and condition. Look for inversion of the nipple, irregular discharge or a rash.

Step 2: Raise your arms

Now, raise your arms and look again for any changes, particularly any signs of puckering, dimpling or redness.

Step 3: Feel your breasts

Raise one arm in the air or place it behind your head. Use the pads of your three middle fingers of the other hand keeping the fingers flat and together. Using a firm, smooth touch, feel your entire breast including the nipple and armpit (be particularly aware of swellings in this area). The aim is to cover the whole breast from top to bottom, side to side including the underarm area.

Step 4: Use the circular method

Using a circular motion, start from the nipple and move out around the breast being aware of lumps or other irregularities

Step 5: Contact your doctor

The vast majority of lumps are not cancerous. It could simply be a cyst, or just natural lumpiness. If you have any doubts get it checked out by your doctor as soon as possible.

Get Rid of Cellulite : How To Get Rid of Cellulite, Treatment For Cellulite, Remedies

Cellulite is fat cells that have bulged through cell walls into the skin's middle layer, where they pull on connective tissue to create an unattractive, dimpled skin surface. Cellulite progresses through four stages and the sooner you begin to treat it, the more success you will have to get rid of it.

To repair cellulite,you need to strengthen and hydrate your body's cells and the connective tissue in your body. Here's what will help:

# Go on a home detox diet. This means eating lots of fruits and leafy greens. Organic food is better because it contains fewer toxins like pesticides.

# Consider a trip to a detox spa or a health spa if you can afford the cost.

# Avoid junk food, diet soda, processed foods, artificial colors and flavors, and saturated fats such as butter and animal fats.

# Avoid toxins like excessive alcohol and cigarettes.

# Drink a lot of water to hydrate your body and flush out toxins. Eight to ten glasses a day are recommended.

# Brush your skin daily, preferably before bathing. The best is a Tampico Skin Brush made with natural agave plant fiber. This simple technique stimulates blood and lymph flow, removes dead skin cells and encourages new cell growth.

# Maintain your healthiest weight.

# Finish your daily shower with a cold rinse to tone your skin.

# Bathe in a comfortable, warm seaweed bath to re-mineralize and increase circulation, ideally three times a week.

# If the cellulite is severe, avoid high-pressure massage so as not to damage lymphatic function and micro-circulation. Also avoid high-impact exercise.

# Apply an essential oil blend designed to stimulate the circulatory and lymphatic systems to the back of your knees and at the top of your thighs near your bikini line. Naturopathica Deep Forest Bath and Body Oil is a good one.


What Won't Get Rid of Cellulite?

* Wearing inflatable plastic shorts around the house.

* Getting liposuction. In fact, it might make the problem more noticeable.

* Slathering on topical creams and getting body wraps that promise to reduce (temporarily) the diameter of your thigh by one inch. They might help somewhat as long as you follow the lifestyle tips above, but they don't do much on their own.

* Using detox foot pads. The moisture itself turns them dark, not toxins leaving your body.

Categories of Perfumes : How To Choose Perfumes

For centuries, perfume has been an essential part of human culture: people have perfumed their hair and bodies with oils, resins, flowers, herb extracts and animal scents since earliest history. Wearing scent is pleasurable; it�s an expression of eccentricity.

Nowadays, women are more likely to treat fragrance as an accessory, changing their perfume daily.But sometimes, too much choice can lead to confusion. If you're like most women, you have multiple perfume bottles cluttering your vanity table.

There are eight major perfume categories:

Citrus

Infused with the tangy essence of citrus fruits, these perfumes are lively and energetic. They are best enjoyed as a daytime delight, just the thing to wake you up in the morning before you've had that second coffee. Wear a citrus perfume to meet your girlfriends for brunch, brighten a baby shower, or ride your bicycle to the organic market.

Floral

Sweet and romantic, these scents are the "good girls" of the fragrance aisle. Florals are sometimes single note, but generally combine the scents of various flowers to create a classic feminine appeal. Spritz on a floral when you want to show off your sweet-and-girly side -- when meeting your boyfriend's parents comes to mind. These scents are also appropriate at the ballet, or your best friend's wedding.

Fruity

Like a cheerleader with a wicked side, fruity perfumes are fresh and spicy. These fragrances please the nose with the bright and familiar smells of apple, peach, berry, mango and other juicy fruits, often blended with florals to create a compelling aroma. Pretty without being overwhelming, these perfumes are ideal for a movie-and-dinner first date. Just apply sparingly.

Green

Smelling of fresh leaves and newly-mown grass, the green fragrances are a natural and energetic group. These scents tend toward the unisex, so are best left on the shelf when you're dressing to impress a hot date. Save them for daytime instead, when their sporty, modern appeal makes them a great fit for any casual or outdoor gathering. Wear one to cheer on your favorite football team, at the golfing range, or on a flea market amble with friends.

Oceanic

Oceanic perfumes are a modern invention, first appearing with Christian Dior's Dune in 1991. These scents use a blend of synthetic compounds to evoke natural aromas such as mountain air, ocean spray or clean linen. Crisp and fresh, they are an ideal choice for job interviews, when you want your perfume to say, "I'm clean, efficient and won't stink up the joint if hired."

Oriental

Think of oriental perfumes as the fragrance equivalent of cleavage and a killer pair of stilettos. Exotic and distinctly feminine, these sensual blends feature an earthy, animalistic base scent such as musk or ambergris, often combined with warm notes such as amber. Wear one when you want to seduce, whether it's a third date or just a rare night out without the kids.

Spicy

Sugar and spice and everything nice, that's what these perfumes smell like. Uncap one and be transported to your mom's kitchen - if your mom was the type who baked cinnamon rolls and gingerbread from scratch. With notes of cloves, ginger, cinnamon, cardamon and pepper, spicy perfumes are comforting and alluring in an old-fashioned way. Wear one to your next parent-teacher meeting, or at lunch with that handsome officemate who you wouldn't mind sharing pastry with.

Woody (Chypre)

Woody scents are built on base notes of bark and moss, conjuring winding forest paths. While more unisex than other fragrance categories, that's not to say these scents are masculine. They evoke a particular brand of no-nonsense femininity. This strong and classic appeal translates well to the corporate office, too. Wear one to your next performance review.

Healthy Manicures : How To Get Healthy Manicures

Millions of women visit manicurists to have their nails professionally manicured every year. What can you do to lower your risk of developing an infection or fungus,caused by a manicure? A few simple steps before your next manicure can significantly lower your risk of developing a painful nail infection or fungus, or disease.

1. Buy your own manicure or pedicure kit and take it with you when you visit your manicurist. Make sure you clean and disinfect your manicure kit after each use, even if you are the only one using your kit.

2. Bring your own nail polish, base coat, and top coats. Remove your old nail polish at home, or bring nail polish remover with you.

3. Check out the salon where you have your nails done. Does it look clean and sanitary? Is the trash container properly bagged and covered? Is the floor clean? Are the manicure tables kept neat and tidy? Is there plenty of good light? Look at the disinfectant containers and make sure that they are clear, clean, and free of debris.

4. If you are not using your own manicure kit: Are all instruments cleaned and disinfected after each use? Does the manicurist use fresh, clean instruments on each client? Does the manicurist remove the clean, disinfected, instruments from the disinfectant in front of you?

5. Make sure that the manicurists wash their hands before and after each client, and that clients wash before their nails are done.

6. Never use a towel that is not fresh and clean.

7. Make sure that plenty of clean, disinfected, nail brushes are available for each client.

8. Make sure that a new, unused, emory board is used for each client.

9. Consider using cuticle softener, rather than cuticle scissors to reduce the risk of broken skin occurring.

Cancer Fighting Foods : How To Reduce The Risk of Cancer, How To Prevent Cancer

With many types of medication and alternative therapies on the market, people are forgetting the most important medicine of all � a healthy diet. A particular group of foods that contain phytochemicals, antioxidants and omega 3 may help reduce the risk of cancer.

1. Avocados

These are an antioxidant that is not only helpful for reducing the risk of cancer but is beneficial for cataracts and glaucoma due to its ability to block certain fats in the body. It can also regulate high blood pressure.

2. Broccoli

Including cabbage, and cauliflower have phytochemicals which combat some types of cancer. They are also low in calories and high in fibre.

3. Carrots

A powerful antioxidant that is also high in beta carotene. It can help reduce the risk of cancer with its secret ingredient falcarinol.

4. Figs

These can kill bacteria and assist in weight loss programs. They contain an important ingredient called benzaldehyde which studies have shown can decrease the size of tumors.

5. Garlic

Boosts the immune system and can reduce development of some tumors. Eaten in its raw state it is said to reduce the risk of many types of stomach cancers.

6. Grapes

The red grapes contain natural antioxidants that may slow down the development of cancer cells and tumor growth. If eaten as part of the 5 a day regime, a portion of grapes can be effective.

7. Mushrooms

Shitake mushrooms help boost the immune system as it acts as an antibacterial agent. It is good for influenza, diabetes, headaches and reducing the risk of cancer. Maitake and Reishi are also known for their anti-cancer abilities.

8. Green tea

Polyphenols are found in green tea which can slow down the development of cancer cells. Black tea can also provide some benefit although herbal teas have yet to be proven effective.

9. Tomatoes

These contain lycopene which can decrease the amount of free radicals from entering our body. The level of lycopene is found to be higher when the tomatoes are concentrated such as in a puree or in ketchup. Studies have also shown that lycopene is absorbed into the body at a greater rate if it is accompanied by oil.

How To Enlarge Breasts Naturally : How To Increase Breasts Size, How To Make Breasts Look Bigger

Some women wish that their breasts were larger and were able to fill out clothes better. Others, watch their breasts begin to sag or droop as they age. Girls now begin to develop bodily perception of themselves at an even younger age. This self awareness coupled with their desire to make a change leads women to take a look at available options to increase their breast size.

How to Enlarge Breasts Naturally

1/ Exercise � by strengthening the pectoris muscles underneath the breast tissue, breasts can look larger and more tone. Common exercises to achieve this effect include push-ups or drawing the arms repeatedly together to bring the palms of the hands together.

2/ Proper Bra Sizing � proper measurement of bra size is key in getting the support, lift, and comfort that can add size to your breasts. The time spent on being sized properly is well worth it.

3/ Make-Up � for enhancing your cleavage, consider applying a touch of shimmer or bronzer in between your cleavage to draw the eye to that area and visually add depth.

4/ Cup Enhancers or Silicone Bra Inserts � these cup enhancers can be purchased and applied with double-sided tape to fit snugly in your bra, undetected. Look for ones that are hypoallergenic if you have sensitive skin and are also sweat and waterproof.

5/ Push-Up Padded Bra � consider purchasing a push up bra with padding to achieve a larger appearing cup size and increased cleavage.

6/ Proper fitting shirts � tight fitting clothes do not enhance your bust line or breast appearance. Choose clothes that fit properly and don�t show too much cleavage.

7/ Tape or Moleskin � apply tape or moleskin across the lateral and bottom aspect of the breast to push them together and give them a lift.

8/ Hydration � any skin regimen has to include hydration. The recommended water intake for those with no restrictions includes six to eight glasses a day. This will help keep the skin over your breasts looking and feeling healthy and moisturized.

Wrinkled Lips : Causes and How To Treat Lip Wrinkles

Wrinkles may be a fact of life, but this doesn�t mean that we don�t put them off as long as possible, or that we don�t take action when they start appearing on our face. You may have heard a great deal about treating wrinkles on the face.

Lips get a lot of work over a lifetime. You smile, you frown, you talk, you eat, and you make facial expressions. All of this causes wrinkles as the muscles and even the skin is stretched and used. The lips themselves do wrinkle over time, but the most noticeable wrinkles are the wrinkles immediately surrounding the lips. Everyone wrinkles around the lips, but smokers will have the most noticeable wrinkles in this area.

How to Treat Lip Wrinkles

Products that are sold over the counter that contain both of these ingredients are essential for fighting all wrinkles. However, because the wrinkles that you are treating are on or near the lips, it is vital that you read the ingredients of these products carefully, as there is a possibility of getting them in your mouth. You should apply any product as directed. The products that you choose should contain both proteins, and not just one. Otherwise, you are wasting precious time and money.

Start with your habits, such as smoking. Remember that smokers have the most noticeable wrinkles, and they will appear much earlier than normal.

Also make sure that you eat a healthy diet. Free radicals are also factors when it comes to wrinkles, so you want to eat foods that fight free radicals, such as raw fruits and vegetables.

Smiling, frowning, and facial expressions can cause wrinkles, but you don�t want to stop smiling. Instead, be careful not to hold your mouth in any set position for long periods of time that cause wrinkles in the skin while you are making the expression.

Fatigue : Symptoms, Causes and How To Reduce Fatigue

Fatigue is defined as an ongoing and persistent feeling of weakness, tiredness, and lowered energy level. This should be distinguished from drowsiness, which implies an actual urge to sleep. Fatigue involves lack of energy rather than sleepiness.

Fatigue can be a normal and important response to physical exertion, emotional stress, boredom, or lack of sleep. However, it can also be a nonspecific sign of a more serious psychological or physical disorder. When fatigue is not relieved by enough sleep, good nutrition, or a low-stress environment, it should be evaluated by your doctor. Fatigue is a common symptom, and is usually not due to a serious disease.

There are many possible physical and psychological causes of fatigue. Some of the more common are:

* An allergy that leads to hay fever or asthma
* Anemia (including iron deficiency anemia)
* Depression or grief
* Persistent pain
* Sleep disorders such as ongoing insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, or narcolepsy
* Underactive or overactive thyroid gland
* Use of alcohol or drugs such as cocaine or narcotics, especially with regular use

Fatigue can also accompany the following illnesses:

* Addison's disease
* Anorexia or other eating disorders
* Arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
* Autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus
* Cancer
* Congestive heart failure
* Diabetes
* Fibromyalgia
* Infection, especially one that takes a long time to recover from or treat such as bacterial endocarditis (infection of the heart muscle or valves), parasitic infections, AIDS, tuberculosis, and mononucleosis
* Kidney disease
* Liver disease
* Malnutrition

Here are some tips for reducing fatigue:

* Get adequate, regular, and consistent amounts of sleep each night.
* Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet and drink plenty of water throughout the day.
* Exercise regularly.
* Learn better ways to relax. Try yoga or meditation.
* Maintain a reasonable work and personal schedule.
* Change your stressful circumstances, if possible. For example, switch jobs, take a vacation, and deal directly with problems in a relationship.
* Take a multivitamin. Talk to your doctor about what is best for you.
* Avoid alcohol, nicotine, and drug use.

Allergies : Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

Allergy is a hypersensitive disorder of the immune system. Allergic reactions occur to normally harmless environmental substances known as allergens; these reactions are acquired, predictable, and rapid.

Common allergic reactions include eczema, hives, hay fever, asthma attacks, food allergies, and reactions to the venom of stinging insects such as wasps and bees.

Mild allergies like hay fever are highly prevalent in the human population and cause symptoms such as allergic conjunctivitis, itchiness, and runny nose. Allergies can play a major role in conditions such as asthma. In some people, severe allergies to environmental or dietary allergens or to medication may result in life-threatening anaphylactic reactions.

Causes

An allergy is caused by an oversensitive immune system, which leads to a misdirected immune response. The immune system normally protects the body against harmful substances, such as bacteria and viruses. When an allergic reaction occurs, it is a result of the immune system reacting to substances (allergens) that are generally harmless and in most people do not cause an immune response.

Risk factors for allergy can be placed in two general categories, namely host and environmental factors. Host factors include heredity, gender, race, and age, with heredity being by far the most significant. However, there have been recent increases in the incidence of allergic disorders that cannot be explained by genetic factors alone. Four major environmental candidates are alterations in exposure to infectious diseases during early childhood, environmental pollution, allergen levels, and dietary changes.


The symptoms

Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis (�hay fever�) is the most common of the allergic diseases and refers to seasonal nasal symptoms that are due to pollens. Year round or perennial allergic rhinitis is usually due to indoor allergens, such as dust mites, animal dander, or molds. It can also be caused by pollens. Symptoms result from the inflammation of the tissues that line the inside of the nose (mucus lining or membranes) after allergens are inhaled. Adjacent areas, such as the ears, sinuses, and throat can also be involved. The most common symptoms include:

* Runny nose
* Stuffy nose
* Sneezing
* Nasal itching (rubbing)
* Itchy ears and throat
* Post nasal drip (throat clearing)

Asthma

Asthma is a breathing problem that results from the inflammation and spasm of the lung�s air passages (bronchial tubes). The inflammation causes a narrowing of the air passages, which limits the flow of air into and out of the lungs. Asthma is most often, but not always, related to allergies. Common symptoms include:

* Shortness of breath
* Wheezing
* Coughing
* Chest tightness

Allergic Eyes

Allergic eyes (allergic conjunctivitis) is inflammation of the tissue layers (membranes) that cover the surface of the eyeball and the undersurface of the eyelid. The inflammation occurs as a result of an allergic reaction and may produce the following symptoms:

* Redness under the lids and of the eye overall
* Watery, itchy eyes
* Swelling of the membranes

Allergic Eczema

Allergic eczema (atopic dermatitis) is an allergic rash that is usually not caused by skin contact with an allergen. This condition is commonly associated with allergic rhinitis or asthma and features the following symptoms:

* Itching, redness, and or dryness of the skin
* Rash on the face, especially children
* Rash around the eyes, in the elbow creases, and behind the knees, especially in older children and adults (rash can be on the trunk of the body)

Hives

Hives (urticaria) are skin reactions that appear as itchy swellings and can occur on any part of the body. Hives can be caused by an allergic reaction, such as to a food or medication, but they also may occur in non-allergic people. Typical hive symptoms are:

* Raised red welts
* Intense itching

Allergic Shock

Allergic shock (anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock) is a life-threatening allergic reaction that can affect a number of organs at the same time. This response typically occurs when the allergen is eaten (for example, foods) or injected (for example, a bee sting). Some or all of the following symptoms may occur:

* Hives or reddish discoloration of the skin
* Nasal congestion
* Swelling of the throat
* Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting
* Shortness of breath, wheezing
* Low blood pressure or shock


Treatments

The best �treatment� is to avoid what causes your allergies in the first place. It may be impossible to completely avoid everything you are allergic to, but you can often take steps to reduce your exposure. This is especially important for food and drug allergies.

Medications that can be used to treat allergies include the following:

* Short-acting antihistamines � these are generally non-prescription and often relieve mild-to-moderate allergy symptoms but they can cause drowsiness. In addition, these antihistamines can blunt learning in children (even in the absence of drowsiness). An example is diphenhydramine. One formerly prescription medication, loratadine (Claritin), is now available over the counter. It does NOT tend to cause drowsiness or affect learning in children.
* Longer-acting antihistamines cause less drowsiness and can be equally effective; usually they do not interfere with learning. These medications, which require a prescription, include fexofenadine (Allegra) and Cetirizine (Zyrtec).
* Nasal corticosteroid sprays are very effective and safe for people with symptoms not relieved by antihistamines alone. These prescription medications include fluticasone (Flonase), Mometasone (Nasonex), and Triamcinolone (Nasacort AQ).
* Decongestants may also be helpful in reducing symptoms such as nasal congestion. Nasal spray decongestants should not be used for more than several days because they can cause a �rebound� effect and make the congestion worse. Decongestants in pill form do not cause this effect.

* Leukotriene inhibitors � Montelukast (Singulair) is a prescription medicine approved to help control asthma and to help relieve the symptoms of seasonal allergies.

Joint Pain : Types and Symptoms of Joint Pain

Joint pain, also known as "Arthralgia," is defined as pain, stiffness, or swelling in or around a joint. There are 360 joints in the human body. Joint pain often occurs in joints of high impact, such as the knees, hips, and back, but many women notice the joints in their hands become stiffer and more painful with age.

Types of joints

There are several types of joints in the human body. Below of the joints most commonly associated with joint pain.

� Ball and Socket Joints allow for a wide range of rotation and movement. The shoulder and hip are ball and socket joints.
� Condyloid Joints allow movement but no rotation. There are condyloid joints in the jaw and fingers.
� Gliding Joints allow bones to glide past each other. There are gliding joints in the ankles, wrists and spine.
� Hinge Joints allow for movement much like that of a door hinge. The knee and ulna part of the elbow are hinge joints.
Pivot Joints allow bones to spin and twist around other bones. There are pivot joints in the neck and the radius part of the elbow.
� Saddle Joints allow for back and forth and side to side motion but limited rotation. There is a saddle joint in the thumb.


Symptoms of Joint Pain

The symptoms of joint pain will depend on the particular cause of the pain experienced, but the typical symptoms of joint pain related to menopause include: pain, stiffness, swelling, and warmth in the joints. Limited morning stiffness, exacerbation of pain with exercise, and relief from pain with rest are also common symptoms in women who suffer from joint pain.

Corns : How To Remove Corns, Home Remedies

Corns are an unflattering hardening of the skin that occurs for a few different reasons. There are hard corns, which are corns that develop when we wear shoes that do not fit our feet correctly or if we have malformations in our feet. Then there are also soft corns which typically occur between our toes, and are a result of how our feet are genetically designed.

If you happen to have hard corns, the easiest solution would be to purchase and wear shoes that are made for wider feet. Yes, this may mean that you have to sacrifice a bit of style for your feet, but it�s worth it. You can also try to apply some lamb�s wool padding over the affected areas. If all else fails, there are other options that you can look at, such as:

Having your corns cut out.

Having the corns burnt off with an acid preparation.

Having your feet and/or toes surgically altered if the malformation of your feet is causing health issues.

If you aren�t too fond of using medicated ointments, there are herbal alternatives out there as well. Some of these include:

* Green figs
* Papaya
* Lemon
* Licorice

Applying any one of those herbs can help reduce and even eliminate the corn. Some people also swear that ice has greatly helped them in removing their hard corns.

Reduces Your Stress : How To Reduce Stress, How To Treat Your Stress

Stress is no laughing matter. While it does have a place in our lives, having an abundance of stress is both physically and psychologically damaging to our bodies. Stress can lead to anxiety and depression, and other physical conditions such as:

* Heart disease
* Strokes
* Lowered immune system
* Cancer
* Gastrointestinal issues
* Weight gain
* Diabetes
* Pain
* Sleep issues
* Sexual dysfunction
* Reproductive dysfunction
* Memory problems

Stress is also often responsible for other health issues such as skin issues, hair loss, and teeth and gum diseases. It�s easy to see why stress needs to be reduced in our life.

Walking

It perhaps sound so simple that many of us don�t even consider this a being some method or form of stress control. Going for even a short 5 to 10 minute walk when feeling stress will greatly reduce that stress and have us feeling happier far more sooner than if we were to sit and lament. You don�t have to go for a power walk; a simple stroll outside of the office or around the block will help you lower your stress.

Breathe

The easiest way to quickly and effectively reduce your stress is to simply breathe. Focusing on your breathing and taking deep, calculated breaths go a long way in helping your restore your mental capacities and releasing the physical tension that is contributing to your stress.

Take a Mental Vacation

Whenever possible, if you are feeling overwhelmed it is important to take some time to yourself and have a mental vacation. Whether this is 5 minutes or 5 days in length, this will go a long way in helping you keep your stress at bay. Try to use visualization techniques and guided imagery to really help ease your mind.

Muscle Relaxation Exercises

Progressive Muscle Relaxation exercises, otherwise known as PMR, is a well known technique that helps you release all of the tension that is in your muscle groups in a matter of seconds. This technique usually works from the top of the body to your toes and helps ease away any stress that you may be feeling throughout your entire body.

Polyphenols, Hormesis and Disease: Part I

What are Polyphenols?
Polyphenols are a diverse class of molecules containing multiple phenol rings. They are synthesized in large amounts by plants, certain fungi and a few animals, and serve many purposes, including defense against predators/infections, defense against sunlight damage and chemical oxidation, and coloration. The color of many fruits and vegetables, such as blueberries, eggplants, red potatoes and apples comes from polyphenols. Some familiar classes of polyphenols in the diet-health literature are flavonoids, isoflavonoids, anthocyanidins, and lignins.

The Case Against Polyphenols

Many diet-health authorities seem pretty well convinced that dietary polyphenols are an important part of good health, due to their supposed antioxidant properties. In the past, I've been critical of the hypothesis. There are several reasons for it:

1. Polyphenols are often, but not always, defensive compounds that interfere with digestive processes, which is why they often taste bitter and/or astringent. Plant-eating animals including humans have evolved defensive strategies against polyphenol-rich foods, such as polyphenol-binding proteins in saliva (1).
2. Ingested polyphenols are poorly absorbed (2). The concentration in blood is low, and the concentration inside cells is probably considerably lower*. In contrast, essential antioxidant nutrients such as vitamins E and C are efficiently absorbed and retained rather than excluded from the circulation.
3. Polyphenols that manage to cross the gut barrier are rapidly degraded by the liver, just like a variety of other foreign molecules, again suggesting that the body doesn't want them hanging around (2).
4. The most visible hypothesis of how polyphenols influence health is the idea that they are antioxidants, protecting against the ravages of reactive oxygen species. While many polyphenols are effective antioxidants at high concentrations in a test tube, I don't find it very plausible that the low and transient blood concentration of polyphenols achieved by eating polyphenol-rich foods makes a meaningful contribution to that person's overall antioxidant status, when compared to the relatively high concentrations of other antioxidants in blood* (uric acid; vitamins C, E; ubiquinone) and particularly inside cells (SOD1/2, catalase, glutathione reductase, thioredoxin reductase, paraoxonase 1, etc.).
5. There are a number of studies showing that the antioxidant capacity of the blood increases after eating polyphenol-rich foods. These are often confounded by the fact that fructose (in fruit and some vegetables) and caffeine (in tea and coffee) can increase the blood level of uric acid, the blood's main water-soluble antioxidant. Drinking sugar water has the same effect (2).
6. Rodent studies showing that polyphenols improve health typically use massive doses that exceed what a person could consume eating food, and do not account for the possibility that the rodents may have been calorie restricted because their food tastes awful.

The main point is that the body does not seem to "want" polyphenols in the circulation at any appreciable level, and therefore it gets rid of them pronto. Why? I think it's because the diversity and chemical structure of polyphenols makes them potentially bioactive-- they have a high probability of altering signaling pathways and enzyme activity, in the same manner as pharmaceutical drugs. It would not be a very smart evolutionary strategy to let plants (that often don't want you eating them) take the reins on your biochemistry. Also, at high enough concentrations polyphenols can be pro-oxidants, promoting excess production of free radicals, although the biological relevance of that may be questionable due to the concentrations required.

A Reappraisal

After reading more about polyphenols, and coming to understand that the prevailing hypothesis of why they work makes no sense, I decided that the whole thing is probably bunk: at best, specific polyphenols are protective in rodents at unnaturally high doses due to some drug-like effect. But-- I kept my finger on the pulse of the field just in case, and I began to notice that more sophisticated studies were emerging almost weekly that seemed to confirm that realistic amounts of certain polyphenol-rich foods (not just massive quantities of polyphenol extract) have protective effects against a variety of health problems. There are many such studies, and I won't attempt to review them comprehensively, but here are a few I've come across:

• Dr. David Grassi and colleagues showed that polyphenol-rich chocolate lowers blood pressure, improves insulin sensitivity and lowers LDL cholesterol in hypertensive and insulin resistant volunteers when compared with white chocolate (3). Although dark chocolate is also probably richer in magnesium, copper and other nutrients than white chocolate, the study is still intriguing.
• Dr. Christine Morand and colleagues showed that drinking orange juice every day lowers blood pressure and increases vascular reactivity in overweight volunteers, an effect that they were able to specifically attribute to the polyphenol hesperidin (4).
• Dr. F. Natella and colleagues showed that red wine prevents the increase in oxidized blood lipids (fats) that occurs after consuming a meal high in oxidized and potentially oxidizable fats (5).
• Several studies have shown that hibiscus tea lowers blood pressure in people with hypertension when consumed regularly (6, 7, 8). It also happens to be delicious.
• Dr. Arpita Basu and colleagues showed that blueberries lower blood pressure and oxidized LDL in men and women with metabolic syndrome (9).
• Animal studies have generally shown similar results. Dr. Xianli Wu and colleagues showed that whole blueberries potently inhibit atherosclerosis (hardening and thickening of the arteries that can lead to a heart attack) in a susceptible strain of mice (10). This effect was associated with a higher expression level of antioxidant enzymes in the vessel walls and other tissues.

Wait a minute... let's rewind. Eating blueberries causes mice to increase the expression level of their own antioxidant enzymes?? Why would that happen if blueberry polyphenols were protecting against oxidative stress? One would expect the opposite reaction if they were. What's going on here?

In the face of this accumulating evidence, I've had to reconsider my position on polyphenols. In the process, and through conversations with knowledgeable researchers in the polyphenol field, I encountered a different hypothesis that puts the puzzle pieces together nicely.  I'll discuss that in the next post.


* Serum levels of polyphenols briefly enter the mid nM to low uM range, depending on the food (2). Compare that with the main serum antioxidants: ~200 uM for uric acid, ~100 uM for vitamin C, ~30 uM for vitamin E.

Exercises To Fitness : How To Get Fit

Did you know that by exercising at a moderate pace for only 30 minutes, you would feel a lot better, mentally? It has been proven that this improves the appetite and sharpens your style in problem solving. Not only that. You will also feel that it is easier to sleep at night if you do moderate exercises even for only 30 minutes every day.

Exercise helps in lifting your spirits and getting you out of any depression. For first timers, it can be done for 15 minutes for 2 to 3 days a week. You can increase the time you spend once your body gets tuned up for it.

Making exercises as part of your daily routines will surprise you of how much calories you will lose. Doing these moderate exercises of the same amount every day can burn 150 calories up to 1,000 calories a day.


Here are some moderate exercises you can do and enjoy:

1. Do the Walking.
Make use of your surroundings. You can walk your dog, with your partner or child. Encourage your family to do the walking exercise daily and you will find yourself burning calories while enjoying the surroundings and getting enough sunlight that is also good for your body.

2. Discover the wonders of Yoga.
Yoga is one effective exercise that energizes not only your body but also your soul. You may want to learn even the basic yoga positions that are not too complicated but proven effective. A five-minute yoga exercise can perk you up and recharge your body with the energy you lost for the whole day. You relax and at the same time you stretch!

3. Engage yourself into sports.
Play basketball, football, baseball, tennis or badminton. Many doctors have recommended sports as an effective way to stay fit and healthy. Sports can also be done in moderation. Do not take it seriously. Shooting basketball with a friend is one moderate exercise that is also considered a sport.

4. Join exercise programs at work.
If you still do not have exercises programs at work, then why not start it? You can talk to your boss about it and start with your colleagues. You do not only lose calories but it is also one good way to bond with them. This can be done 30 minutes, 3 times a week.

5. Exercise while doing household chores.
Gardening, raking leaves, lawn mowing, doing the laundry, vacuuming and car washing are effective moderate exercises at home. Make use of these chores to sweat and burn calories.

The Shelf Life Of Makeup : Shelf lives of typical beauty products

Every woman we know has a pile of makeup in her drawer that she "sometimes" uses. Beauty products do have a shelf life, however, and chances are that blue eyeshadow with the glimmery bits that you bought a couple years ago has long expired. Here's a quick guide on the shelf lives of typical beauty products.

# Concealer Up to 12 months.

# Powder 2 years.

# Cream & gel cleansers 1 year.

# Pencil eye liner Should be sharpened regularly. Will last up to 3 years.

# Eyeshadow Will also last up to 3 years. Extra tip: A dark eyeshadow can double as eyeliner, in fact, most makeup artists swear by eyeshadow used as eyeliner.

# Brushes Wash every 2-3 months in a mild detergent.

# Sponges Wash weekly and discard monthly.

# Foundation Check the ingredients: A water-based foundation will last up to 12 months, oil-based will last up to 18 months.

# Lip liner Up to 3 years. Extra tip: Skip the push-up lip liners. They're expensive, tend to break and you never really know how much you have left until you run out.

# Lipstick Some experts say 1-2 years. Others say up to 4 years. What everyone agrees on is that if it smells rancid, throw it out, it's spoiled. Extra tip: If you store lipstick in the refrigerator, it will last longer.

# Mascara This product expires the fastest: Throw out after 4 months. Extra tip: If you don't want your mascara to expire faster than its fresh date, don't pump the wand in and out.

# Nail Polish Up to 12 months, depending on the quality.

My Gluten-Free January

I've been avoiding most gluten, particularly wheat, for over a year now. I never had obvious symptoms that I could clearly link to eating wheat, although I had my suspicions. I've made many changes to my diet over the last decade, and I feel much better than I did ten years ago, but it's hard to disentangle all the factors. I don't think I ever went an entire month without eating any gluten at all before this January. After posting Matt Lentzner's challenge to go gluten-free this January, I felt obligated to do it myself, so I signed up!

I succeeded in avoiding all gluten for the month of January, even though it was a pain at times. I felt good before January, and didn't start with any health or body weight problems, so there wasn't much to improve. I also felt good while strictly avoiding gluten this January, perhaps a little better than usual but it's hard to say.

At the end of the month, I did a blinded wheat challenge using the method I described in a previous post, which uses gluten-free bread as the placebo (1). I recorded my blood sugar at 30 minute intervals after eating the bread, and recorded how I felt physically and emotionally for three days after each challenge.

The result? I think the bread gave me gas, but that's about it. I'm not even positive that was due to the wheat. My energy level was good, and I didn't experience any digestive pain or changes in transit time. There was no significant difference in my blood glucose response between the bread and the gluten-free bread.

I decided that I didn't have any symptoms, so I celebrated by having a porter (1) with friends a few nights later. I slept poorly and woke up with mild digestive discomfort and gas. Then I ate wheat later in the week and slept poorly and got gas again. Hmmm...

Some people might say that the body adapts to any food, and wheat is no different. Go without it for a while, and the body has a tough time digesting it. But I can go for weeks without eating a potato, a chicken thigh or broccoli, and all will digest just fine when I eat them again.

I'm pretty sure I don't have a severe reaction to gluten. I think I'm going to stick with my mostly gluten-free habits, and eat it occasionally when I'm offered food in social situations.

Did anyone else do a blinded wheat challenge? Describe it in the comments!

Acai Benefits : Acai Berry For Your Health

This little, dark, purple berry is loaded with antioxidants, healthy mono saturated fats, dietary fiber and phytosterols that help promote cardiovascular and digestive health.

This berry is packed with a natural complex of B vitamins, vitamins A, C, and E, omega-3 fatty acids, anthocyanin (an antioxidant), zinc, potassium, magnesium, copper, iron, calcium and especially phytonutrients. Phytonutrients are plant based nutrients that help guard and protect the immune system.

Some of the other Acai benefit / Health News that people have reported:

Skin tone: Youthful, healthier-looking skin.

Healthier eyes: Better night vision

Greater energy /stamina.

Improved mental focus.

Improved digestion.

Improved sexual function.

Better sleep

Improved circulation

The acai berry also has been discussed in many of the Health News :

High levels of antioxidants, which help us, fight colds and flu

High levels of dietary fiber.

High levels of essential amino acids and trace minerals.

High levels of plant sterols, which have been shown to help control cholesterol.

Essential fatty acids that resemble olive oil, which have been shown to help fight heart disease.

Healthy Hair : Home Remedies for A Healthy Hair, How To Make Your Hair Healthy

1.Have a good diet which should include lots of leafy green vegetables, fruits and sprouts.

2.Avoid shampoos as far as possible. Instead use sikkakai or besan or paste of fenugreek seeds, it will clean and soften the hair. If that is not possible, then go for herbal shampoos.

3.Henna or mehandi is a best way to keep a cool head. It conditions the hair, promotes growth, protects our hair from the harmful effects of the sun and also gives a glossy tint. However persons with sinus problems should avoid this.

4.Use wide toothed comb to remove tangles and do not comb wet hair. Avoid using hair dryer to dry your hair. Do not tie your hair tightly. Always use coated rubber bands or soft hair tie.

5.Brush your hair daily using a brush with rounded tip bristles to improve blood circulation.

6.Apply paste of gooseberry powder to prevent hair graying and falling. You can add gooseberry powder to henna paste also. Include amla or gooseberry in your diet as it is a rich source of vitamin C.

7.Grind grated coconut with a little water and squeeze out thick milk. Massage this milk into the hair roots 3 times a week to prevent hair loss naturally.

8.Soak 2 tablespoons of fenugreek seeds in water overnight. In the morning, grind it and apply the paste on the scalp and wash it off after half an hour to get rid of dandruff. This natural remedy for dandruff is very effective. This natural remedy also stops hair fall.

9.Heat coconut oil, switch off the gas when heated, then add neem flowers to it. Close it and keep it aside. When cooled, filter it and use that oil regularly to prevent dandruff.

10.Grind white pepper with milk, warm it and apply it on the scalp, then wash it off after 15 minutes to cure dandruff. Do this once in a week.

11.Apply 2 tbsp of vinegar (diluted in a little water) to the scalp and massage gently and wash your hair after 15-20 minutes. This natural remedy also cures dandruff.

12.Mix a little sour curd, fresh lemon juice and an egg and apply it to the scalp. Wash it off after 20 minutes. This home remedy helps to get rid of dandruff. Do it once in a week.

13 Fenugreek tea is not only good for the health but also nourishes and promotes hair growth if taken regularly.

14.Cover your hair with a scarf or shawl during travel to prevent tangles and to protect your hair from dust.

15.Home remedy for frizzy hair: Massage warm castor oil + almond oil into your scalp gently. Wrap a hot towel (dip towel in hot water (bearable) and squeeze the excess water) around your scalp so that the oil gets absorbed into the hair. Do this once a week for healthy, silky, lustrous hair. It also controls frizz.

16.Avoid chemical treatment on your hair. Hibiscus flowers and leaves are good conditioners for the hair. You can grind 2-3 leaves or flowers and use its juice along with your herbal shampoo.

17. Always dilute shampoo in a little water and use it. Do not use it directly. Wet your hair first and then apply this diluted shampoo.

18 Amla Oil nourishes and promotes hair growth. It also prevents hair fall. For homemade amla oil recipe, refer natural hair coloring.

Gluten-Free January Raffle!

Hi, Gluten-Free January participants. Matt, Janine and I have collected about 200 survey responses at this point. So far, the results are very interesting! But we want to get as many responses as possible, because the more responses we get, the more informative the data will be for all of us. So please fill out the survey Matt sent you by e-mail, no matter what your results were, and no matter whether you stuck with the diet or not! The survey is strictly about your GFJ experience, not investment opportunities, timeshares, ShamWows or anything else. It will take you less than 5 minutes, and it's totally anonymous. The deadline is Feb 15th. Big thanks to everyone who has taken it so far.

To encourage participants to complete the survey, we're organizing a raffle. Matt and I have five Gluten-Free January T-shirts we're ready to give out for free. These shirts were designed by Matt and they're really cool. I have one myself, and the print and fabric quality are top notch. Here's what the logo looks like:
If you've completed the survey and want to be included in the raffle, please e-mail Matt to let him know you've completed it. Anyone who has already e-mailed Matt to let him know they completed the survey will automatically be entered, so no need for a second e-mail. So far, very few people have written Matt, so your probability of winning a shirt is high!

Take Care Of Your Feet : How To Take Care of Your Feet with Natural Home remedies

Most of us take care of our face but the feet is the most ignored part of the body. In fact the legs bear the whole weight of the body. So we should include foot care in our daily routine. Here are some ways, we can take care of our feet naturally.

1.Soak feet in a large basin or bowl to which warm water and mineral salt is added for about 10 minutes. You can place pebbles in the large bowl and roll your feet back and forth giving slight pressure as it gives a massaging effect. Scrub using pumice stone to remove dead skin. Wash your feet well, then pat it dry and massage with a moisturizing cream.

You can add juice of one lemon and a few neem leaves to the water as neem has antiseptic qualities.

Rose petals or 2-3 drops of lavender essential oil can be added to the water to give a spa effect at home.

2.Natural remedy for treating cracked feet:

Wash your feet well and apply Vaseline or petroleum jelly at night and slip a pair of cotton socks and go to sleep. In a few weeks, your feet will become soft.

Mix fresh lemon juice, castor oil, rose water and apply it after cleaning your feet.

Olive oil can be applied regularly to have a soft feet.

Neem paste mixed with turmeric powder can be used to treat cracked feet, though it is very messy.

Lemon rind can be rubbed daily. Wash it off after 15 minutes.

3.Walking is best exercise for your legs. Go for brisk walk at least 5 days a week.

4.Hot (bearable) and cold treatment also improves blood circulation. Soak feet in hot water first, and then in cold water. Do this for 5-10 minutes. End with cold water .

5.Avoid heels as far as possible. Buy good fitting shoes which is comfortable for you.

6.Change your socks everyday to prevent smelly feet. Use socks made of natural material .

7.Take 3 tea bags and boil it in 3 cups of water. Mix it with half a bucket of cool water and soak feet in it to get rid of smelly feet.

8.Waxing your legs is a better option than shaving. But if you have to shave, use lot of moisturizer to avoid razor rashes.

9.Take a few minutes to massage your legs with coconut oil or olive oil everyday before bath.

10.After shower, dry your feet well in between toes with a towel to prevent fungal infection

Reduce Weight : How To Reduce Weight, How To Lose Weight

# Make lifestyle changes like giving up alcohol, smoking, avoiding fatty food, refined food,...

# Include fresh foods as far as possible as processed foods tend to contain high level of salt and sugar.

# Never go for crash diets instead reduce weight gradually and slowly.

# Never skip meals as you tend to overeat, the next meal. Do not skip breakfast in particular.

# Have your last meal of the day, three hours before going to bed.

# Include lot of fiber in your diet as it gives a feeling of fullness, thereby preventing you from gorging spicy and fatty food.

# Eat slowly and chew your food well as it helps in digestion and also we tend to eat less.

# Nuts contain lot of fiber .They are satisfying and cause people to eat less at meal time.

# Take warm lime juice mixed with honey the first thing in the morning.

# Go for skimmed milk.

# As far as possible avoid weight loss supplements.

# When you have cravings for sweets, take a fruit instead.

# When you have cravings for certain type of food like chocolates or ice cream, once in a while, you can take in small quantities .

# Take fruits and vegetables which has lot of water content like watermelons, cucumbers and white pumpkin.

# Keep yourself engaged as boredom leads to overeating.

# Drink lot of water, at least 8 glasses per day.

# Use the stairs instead of lift. Park the car a little far away and walk to your office. Use every opportunity to be physically active.

# Walk, Walk and Walk as much as possible. Even if you are busy, go for walk at least 5 days a week.

# Aerobic exercise like jogging, swimming, cycling, running accelerates weight loss. Aerobic exercise combined with healthy eating will certainly help in weight reduction.

Benefits of Cucumber : Cucumber For Your Health

1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.

3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.

4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area.

5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!!

6.. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!!

7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.

8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don�thave enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.

9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!

10. Stressed out and don�t have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown the reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.

11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don�t have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.

12. Looking for a �green� way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but is won�t leave streaks and won�t harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean.

13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls.

Varicose Veins : Causes and How To Prevent Varicose Veins

Varicose veins is a condition where the veins swell and forms a winding stream.

Varicose veins occur because the blood vessel muscle structure are weak and are not strong enough to push blood back into circulation. As a result, blood flow stops and are gathered at the base of the vein, so the veins swell. Then appears blood sedimentation on the vessels.

Well, here are tips to prevent varicose veins

- Give skin sunscreen daily.
- Exercise regularly to get stronger legs and improve blood circulation. Especially exercise for the leg.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Do not cross your legs frequently.
- Move frequently, avoid sitting or standing for long periods.
- Do not wear clothes that are too tight. Avoid high heels.
- If you wear stockings, use elastic ones.
- Eat more fiber to help prevent constipation, which can lead to varicose veins.
- Reduce salt intake.

Assorted Thoughts About the 2010 Dietary Guidelines

In the past week, I've been rooting through the USDA's 2010 Dietary Guidelines (1). Here are a few of my thoughts.

Positive

One of the things I've been enjoying recently is watching health authorities shift away from a nutrient-oriented philosophy in favor of a more food-oriented philosophy. For example, I recently read a nice editorial by Drs. Dariush Mozaffarian and David S. Ludwig (not associated with the USDA) that encapsulates this (2). Here's a quote:

Nutritional science has advanced rapidly, and the evidence now demonstrates the major limitations of nutrient-based metrics for prevention of chronic disease. The proportion of total energy from fat appears largely unrelated to risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, or obesity. Saturated fat�targeted by nearly all nutrition-related professional organizations and governmental agencies�has little relation to heart disease within most prevailing dietary patterns. Typical recommendations to consume at least half of total energy as carbohydrate, a nutrient for which humans have no absolute requirement, conflate foods with widely divergent physiologic effects (eg, brown rice, white bread, apples). Foods are grouped based on protein content (chicken, fish, beans, nuts) despite demonstrably different health effects. With few exceptions (eg, omega-3 fats, trans fat, salt), individual compounds in isolation have small effects on chronic diseases. Thus, little of the information found on food labels� �nutrition facts� panels provides useful guidance for selecting healthier foods to prevent chronic disease.

In contrast with discrete nutrients, specific foods and dietary patterns substantially affect chronic disease risk, as shown by controlled trials of risk factors and prospective cohorts of disease end points

Although this approach may seem radical, it actually represents a return to more traditional, time-tested ways of eating. Healthier food-based dietary patterns have existed for generations among some populations.

Tell it! Although he doesn't use the word nutritionism, that's basically what he's arguing against. Dr. Mozaffarian seems to represent the less reductionist school of nutrition, which is a more informed version of what nutrition pioneers such as Sir Edward Mellanby, Dr. May Mellanby, Dr. Weston Price and Sir Robert McCarrison advocated.

Although the 2010 guidelines are too focused on nutrients for my taste, they do spend some time talking about food groups and eating patterns, for example, recommending an increase in the consumption of vegetables, fruit, whole grains and seafood. They also recommend Mediterranean and plant-focused eating patterns. Although I don't think their recommendations quite hit the mark, they do reflect a shift in thinking.

Another thing I enjoyed about the Guidelines is the table on page 12 of chapter 2, which shows just how messed up the average American diet is. The number one source of calories in all age groups is "grain-based desserts". The next five in adults are yeast breads, chicken dishes, soda/sports drinks, alcohol and pizza. To see typical American food habits presented like this just blows me away. They call this the "obesogenic environment"; the idea that we're surrounded by tasty but unhealthy food and situations that favor the consumption of it. I agree.

The Guidelines also contain a surprisingly accurate one-sentence review of the glycemic index literature:

Strong evidence shows that glycemic index and/or glycemic load are not associated with body weight; thus, it is not necessary to consider these measures when selecting carbohydrate foods and beverages for weight management.

Negative

The first problem is the creation of the category "solid fats and added sugars", abbreviated SoFAS. With the creation of this term, they lump pastured butter together with Crisco and Red Hots. If they've been hiding the evidence that pastured butter, virgin coconut oil or red palm oil contribute to heart disease, I'd like to see it so I can stop eating them!

Another problem is their list of recommendations to curb the obesity epidemic. They say:

The current high rates of overweight and obesity among virtually all subgroups of the population in the United States demonstrate that many Americans are in calorie imbalance�that is, they consume more calories than they expend. To curb the obesity epidemic and improve their health, Americans need to make significant efforts to decrease the total number of calories they consume from foods and beverages and increase calorie expenditure through physical activity.

Looks like we have Sherlock Holmes on the case. Now that we have this information, all we have to do is tell overweight people to eat less and they'll be lean again! What's that, they already know and it's not working?? Someone should tell the USDA.

Jokes aside, I do think energy balance is a huge issue, perhaps even the central issue in chronic disease risk in affluent nations. The basic problem is that Americans are eating more calories than is optimal, and they have a very hard time stopping. It's not because they have less willpower than their stoic ancestors, it's because their bodies have decided that overweight/obesity is the new lean, and they defend that higher level of fat mass against changes. Simply telling an overweight person to eat fewer calories, without changing the dietary context, is not very effective in the long term, due to compensatory mechanisms including hunger and increased metabolic efficiency (fewer calories burned for the same muscular exertion).

What does the USDA recommend to lose fat or maintain leanness?

• Count calories. Doesn't work for most people, although I acknowledge that it is physically possible to lose fat (and lean mass) by restricting calories.
• Reduce sweetened beverages. Thumbs up.
• Serve smaller portions. As far as I know, this rests exclusively on very short-term studies that showed that food consumed at a single meal or three is reduced if portion size is smaller. I guess it can't hurt to try it, but I'm not convinced it will have any effect on long-term body fatness. I think restaurant portion sizes have probably increased because people eat more, rather than the other way around, although both could be true.
  
• Eat foods that are less calorie dense. I think vegetables are healthy, but is it because they're less calorie-dense? Why is dietary fat intake generally not associated with obesity if it's the most calorie-dense substance? Why do many people lose body fat eating energy-dense low-carbohydrate diets? Not convinced, but I'm feeling open minded about this one.
• Exercise more and watch less TV. Exercise is good. But don't let it make you hungry, because then you'll eat more!

Overall, I think their recommendations for fat loss are not very satisfying because they don't address the core reasons Americans aren't in energy balance. Eliminating sweetened beverages and exercising are the most solid advice they offered in my opinion. The rest strikes me as wishy-washy advice that's offered because they have to say something.

At one point, they talk about changes in the US diet that have corresponded with the obesity epidemic:

Average daily calories available per person in the marketplace increased approximately 600 calories, with the greatest increases in the availability of added fats and oils, grains, milk and milk products, and caloric sweeteners.

Let me edit that so it's more complete:

Average daily calories available per person in the marketplace increased approximately 600 calories per day, 250 calories of which were actually consumed (USDA and NHANES). Added fats increased, due to a large increase in seed oil intake, but total fat intake remained approximately the same because of a roughly equal decrease in fatty meat and whole milk consumption (USDA and NHANES). Grain intake, predominantly wheat, increased, as did the consumption of refined sweeteners, predominantly high-fructose corn syrup (USDA).

It reads a bit differently once you have a little more information, doesn't it? Animal fat intake declined considerably, and was replaced by seed oils, in parallel with the obesity and diabetes epidemics. Maybe it contributed, maybe it didn't, but why not just be forthright about it? People appreciate honesty.

Conclusion

Although the 2010 USDA Dietary Guidelines show some promising trends, and contain some good information, I hope you can find a better source than the USDA for your nutrition advice.