July
29
2010
1. Eat more fish and Soy
Any cold water fish (particularly salmon) is great source of protein as well as omega-3 fatty acids, the essential components of youthful looking skin. Soy is also in the top list offoods for healthy skin. It helps to protect against the sun’s photoaging damage. A study published in the European Journal of Nutrition, reported that consuming soy on its own or soy-based supplements could improve the skin’s structure and firmness just after six months!
2. Use creams that contain AHAs (Alpha-hydroxy acids) and vitamin C
AHAs are natural fruit acids which helps to remove the top layer of dead skin cells thus reducing the visibility of lines and wrinkles especially around the eyes. Research shows that if present in higher concentrations, AHAs stimulate the collagen production. Collagens arenaturally occurring proteins which are the main structural component of the lower layer of the skin. Vitamin C can also facilitate collagen production and correct pigmentation problems.However, the type of vitamin C used is significant, most research points to L-ascorbic acid as the most effective for wrinkle relief.
3. Avoid over-washing the face
According to skin care experts, washing your face too often with soap or using other facial cleansers means you washing away the skin’s natural barrier oils and moisture which protect against wrinkles. It is also vital to choose facial cleansers which contain skin protectingmoisturisers that don’t leave the delicate facial skin dehydrated even after the wash.
4. Don’t let eyes struggle – use reading glasses!
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says repetitive facial movements, such as squinting, leaves your facial muscles with overworks thus gradually forming a groove underneath the skin’s surface. This groove could eventually develop in to a wrinkle. Therefore don’t let your eyes struggle, wear reading glasses if needed. Also make sure to wear sunglasses to avoid focusing through the sun glares as this could badly damage the skin around the eyes.
5. Sleep on your back
The AAD also suggests sleeping in certain positions every night could lead to ‘sleep lines’ which transforms to wrinkles in the future. Sleeping on your side night after night could eventually leave you with wrinkles on cheeks and chin, while sleeping upside down might leave you with a furrowed forehead. So be on the safer side, sleep on your back!
6. Try cocoa instead of coffee
Researchers found that cocoa containing high levels of two powerful antioxidants (epicatchin
and catechin) which protect skin from sun damage, improve circulation to skin cells leaving
skin nourished and hydrated, helping to reduce wrinkles.
7. Stick to good skin care basics
Last but not least, follow the essentials. If you really want a younger looking skin, don’t
forget the basics. It’s worth repeating them: avoid the sun and always wear sunscreen, don’t
smoke, keep your skin clean, drink plenty of water and use a good moisturiser.
1. Eat more fish and Soy
Any cold water fish (particularly salmon) is great source of protein as well as omega-3
fatty acids, the essential components of youthful looking skin. Soy is also in the top list of
foods for healthy skin. It helps to protect against the sun’s photoaging damage. A study
published in the European Journal of Nutrition, reported that consuming soy on its own or
soy-based supplements could improve the skin’s structure and firmness just after six months!
2. Use creams that contain AHAs (Alpha-hydroxy acids) and vitamin C
AHAs are natural fruit acids which helps to remove the top layer of dead skin cells thus
reducing the visibility of lines and wrinkles especially around the eyes. Research shows that
if present in higher concentrations, AHAs stimulate the collagen production. Collagens are
naturally occurring proteins which are the main structural component of the lower layer of the
skin. Vitamin C can also facilitate collagen production and correct pigmentation problems.
However, the type of vitamin C used is significant, most research points to L-ascorbic acid as
the most effective for wrinkle relief.
3. Avoid over-washing the face
According to skin care experts, washing your face too often with soap or using other facial cleansers means you washing away the skin’s natural barrier oils and moisture which protect against wrinkles. It is also vital to choose facial cleansers which contain skin protecting moisturisers that don’t leave the delicate facial skin dehydrated even after the wash.
4. Don’t let eyes struggle – use reading glasses!
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says repetitive facial movements, such as squinting, leaves your facial muscles with overworks thus gradually forming a groove underneath the skin’s surface. This groove could eventually develop in to a wrinkle. Therefore don’t let your eyes struggle, wear reading glasses if needed. Also make sure to wear sunglasses to avoid focusing through the sun glares as this could badly damage the skin around the eyes.
5. Sleep on your back
The AAD also suggests sleeping in certain positions every night could lead to ‘sleep
lines’ which transforms to wrinkles in the future. Sleeping on your side night after night
could eventually leave you with wrinkles on cheeks and chin, while sleeping upside down
might leave you with a furrowed forehead. So be on the safer side, sleep on your back!
6. Try cocoa instead of coffee
Researchers found that cocoa containing high levels of two powerful antioxidants (epicatchin
and catechin) which protect skin from sun damage, improve circulation to skin cells leaving
skin nourished and hydrated, helping to reduce wrinkles.
7. Stick to good skin care basics
Last but not least, follow the essentials. If you really want a younger looking skin, don’t forget the basics. It’s worth repeating them: avoid the sun and always wear sunscreen, don’t smoke, keep your skin clean, drink plenty of water and use a good moisturiser.
June
24
2010
A ginger flavoured tea is the ideal drink after a heavy meal says health experts. This healthy drink not only aid in digestion by speeding up the movement of food from stomach to the intestine but also perfect in de-stressing.
If you haven’t got a ready-made ginger flavoured tea bag to grab, try this easy step: Add two slices of fresh ginger and a small slice of lemon to a cup of boiling water with a tea spoon of honey; give it a stir and leave few minutes for the flavour to pass to the hot water then enjoy!
April
22
2010
According to researchers, cooked tomatoes and oily fish when consumed in larger amounts has shown to reduce the development of prostate cancer. The study was conducted in more than thousands of men with prostate cancer diagnosed.
As part of the study, these patients’ post-diagnosis diets were examined over a period of time. Those who consumed more fish (medium portions for more than twice a week) showed a reduction of 27% in the spread of cancer to the surrounding cells of the body comparing to those who had least consumption of fish. High content of omega -3-fatty acids in oily fish (such as salmon) is thought to prevent this movement of cancer cells to other areas, such as the bone marrow.
Similar but more obvious results were also obtained regarding the high consumption of cooked tomatoes (as well as tomato sauce). Patients who ate cooked tomatoes more than twice a week had a significant risk factor reduction up to 45%. An antioxidant called Lycopene is present in larger quantities in cooked tomatoes and this will protect the cells from damage caused by a type of molecules called free radicals.
March
25
2010
Health experts recently revealed after several population based study that women who carry fat around their waste are at greater risk of suffering from dementia at a later stage of their life. While being obese and inactive increases the chances of premature death from a heart attack or stroke, the risk is even worsened if you have a broader waist.More than 1000 women participated in the study which included clinical measurements as well as health and lifestyle related questionnaires, both were observed over a long period of time.
Women who describe themselves as pear-shaped tend to have a fat build up in their hip area and therefore have bigger hip measurement than waist. Another proportion of women who have increased amount of fat storage in their stomach describe as apple-shaped is at greater risk according to the study. Dementia is mainly characterized by poor memory and impaired speech along with difficulties in recognition and less ability to focus. Middle aged women who have broader waists are more prone to these symptoms when they get old. Similarly, a relationship between high body mass index (BMI) and dementia has also been identified in related researches but not further discussed in this particular finding as this was not the case among the subjects participated in the study.
In the UK there is approximately 6million people living with dementia and that number is expected to increase significantly over the coming 20 years. As it is clear that body shape is directly linked to health, keeping a healthy weight and body shape reduce your risk of developing dementia and heart diseases.