Sunday, May 30, 2010

3 Great Juicing Recipes and Their Health Benefits

Here are three great juicing recipes that you can make at home that are beneficial for your health. They are very nutritious as they are loaded with vitamin, minerals, enzymes and phytochemicals.

Skin Care Juicing Recipe

2 cups of blackberries
3 kiwi fruit

Wash blackberries and peel kiwi fruit before juicing. Blackberries and kiwi fruit are an excellent source of three vitamins that are essential for healthy skin - vitamins A, C and E. Vitamin A is very important because it is needed to create skin cells and maintain them. Even a small deficiency in vitamin A can yield dry flaky skin. Vitamin C is essential for the creation of collagen, the all important firming substance that holds skin cells together and helps keep the skin looking young. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects our skin cells from free radical damage delivered by UV light. This helps to protect us from developing skin cancer.

Eye Health Juicing Recipe

6 carrots
1 handful of spinach
1 handful of kale

Wash all vegetables well and top the carrots before juicing them. Carrots, kale and spinach all contain nutrients that help keep our eyes healthy. Carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A, a nutrient that is essential for protecting us from night blindness. Kale and spinach contain lutein and zeaxanthin, two phytochemicals that provide great protection for our eyes. They congregate within the retina (lens) of our eyes where they defend eye cells from oxidative damage inflicted by UV light. This helps to keep the eyes young because oxidative damage speeds up the aging process!

Heart Healthy Juicing Recipe

2 cups of blueberries
2 cups of blackberries
4 strawberries

Wash berries through and top the strawberries before juicing them. The dark blue color of blackberries and blueberries is provided by a plant pigment called anthocyanins. These anthocyanins are also potent antioxidants that can help protects us from heart disease. Anthocyanins help protect the arteries from inflammatory damage cause by free radical oxidation. This is important for heart health because such inflammation can cause the arteries to harden and form into a plaque creating a condition called arteriosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis is the prime risk factor for the development of heart disease because it leads to high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.

Hi, my name is Darren Haynes. I enjoy learning about and writing about all kinds of health topics. You can read more of my work at What is Acai Juice?

Best Wishes,
Darren

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Darren_Haynes

Saturday, May 29, 2010

How Do You Get Rid of Wrinkles Under Your Eyes?

I don't know about you but under eye wrinkles really irk me. I understand that this is a part of the skin aging process but since there are some safe methods I can do to defy this aging process, I will most certainly do it in a heartbeat.

If you too would want to get rid of those wrinkles under your eyes, then the following methods and tips may prove beneficial to you:

Stop Rubbing Your Eyes
For those who have a habit of rubbing their eyes, it is time to stop this habit. Frequent eye rubbing does not only transfer germs to your eyes and cause eye infection, it can also lead to the loss of collagen and other connective tissues to this crucial area. You see, this is the thinnest skin in our body and vigorous rubbing can stretch it further than its limit.

Use Sun Glasses or Sun Block As A Sun Protection
When you frequently squint, it causes fine lines to form around your eyes. Make sure you have ample sun protection so the UV rays of the sun do not fry up your skin and zap collagen and elastin. A good sunglass with UV ray protection should be chosen. If not, just pick a good eye cream with a high SPF level.

No Vitamin C or A
I don't really suggest the use of a moisturizer with Vitamin C or A on the skin around eyes as it is naturally more sensitive. Vitamin C is an acid and it can make you more photosensitive. A little sun exposure can burn and prune up your dermis. Opt for other natural ingredients that can take the place of these vitamins. If you ingest them, then it is fine but as a topical treatment, you are better off without them.

Load Up On Proteins
Substitute those vitamins with proteins instead. Make sure your eye cream contains proteins that can help stimulate the regrowth of collagen and elastin. If you have more collagen and elastin, you can prevent wrinkles from forming and fade the ones that are already there.

Look for an ingredient called Eyeliss. This ingredient contains natural peptides that can do the functions mentioned above. It supplies proteins that will make it easier for your skin to produce collagen and elastin.

CynergyTK is also a good ingredient to look for. Like Eyeliss, it also supplies proteins such as keratin. This is the reason why CynergyTK has been slowly replacing treatments such as Retinol. Its natural ability to reduce wrinkles is something too look forward to.

And now I would like to invite you to visit http://www.goodhealthyskin.com to find out which are the anti aging products you should use in order to achieve clearer and radiant looking skin.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elizabeth_Simpson

Friday, May 28, 2010

Vitamin K and B-3 Beneficial to Skin

Vitamin K and Vitamin B-3, also known as niacin, have long been known to have non-skin related health benefits, but recent studies have shown that both vitamins have dermatological applications.

"Vitamins continue to be reorganized as having an important role to play in the health of the body," says Dr David Smith, chief researcher at SkinWhite Research Labs. 'New studies have shown that Vitamin K and niacin are beneficial to the skin, particularly for the problems involving pigmentation and dry skin."

Vitamin K plays an important role in blood clotting, and studies have shown it to maintain strong bones in the elderly. However, dermatologists have recently found Vitamin K to be successful on the treatment of dark circles under the eyes and bruising on the face.

A recent study included two groups, one that applied an under-eye cream containing sunscreen and another that applied an under-eye cream containing a combination of Vitamin K and retinol. An examination of the under-eye colour at the beginning of the study and at the end found a significant lightening in the group using the vitamin K and retinol combination.

Vitamin K has also recently been studied for its effects on reducing bruising following certain dermatological procedures. Those patients who applied the Vitamin K after the procedure noticed a significant reduction in the severity of bruising.

One derivative of niacin, nicotinamide, has been shown to improve the ability of the epidermis to retain moisture. In a recent study, topical nicotinamide was applied to the skin for six-days. Following the study, all patients reported softer, smoother skin, less dryness and flakiness, and a reduction in lines.

"The benefits to the skin after application of nicotinamide can be useful for patients with atopic dermatitis, who often experience dry, irritated skin when the disease flares," suggests Dr Smith. "This could be another promising treatment for ageing skin, which often becomes dry and flaky as we age."

Niacinamide, another derivative, has also been shown to be an effective skin lightening agent, especially for skin condition where hyperpigmentation may occur on the face or other visible part of the body. Patients with hyperpigmentation were analyzed by computer and most patients experienced decreased hyperpigmentation and increased skin lightness.

Topical niacinamide has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it a potential treatment for acne, rosacea and any blistering-type disease. Recent studies also noted that niacin and its derivatives have chemopreventative effects. When applied to mouse skin, topical nicotinamide produced a 70 per cent decrease in ultra-violet-induced skin cancer.

Article contributed by Debra Tan who is a senior product development consultant at Skin White Research Labs. Equipped with a team of experienced cosmeceutical researchers, SkinWhite Research Labs is a company that specializes in the formulation of skin whitening products that help to rectify dark skin and pigmentation problems. Please visit their official website for more skin lightening information and tips.

This article may be reprinted in its original form as long as the resource box is left intact and the links live and the article is not to be modified in any way.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Debra_Tan

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Just What is Glaucoma and What Are the Symptoms?

You may already know that glaucoma is a disease of the eye that is very serious, but if you're unsure of just what the disease actually is and what the symptoms are to look for, you're not alone. As serious as this eye disease is, many people simply are unaware of the symptoms or even what it means to have glaucoma. Since it is something that can lead to loss of peripheral vision and even blindness, and since about 1 in 200 people under the age of fifty and 1 in 10 over the age of eighty actually get this disease, it's a good idea to learn more about it.

To better understand the disease of glaucoma, we do well to think about how the eye is structured in the first place. Behind the actual eyeball that we can see is a series of nerves that translate the light we take in through the eye into electrical impulses that then travel to the brain. The brain descrambles these impulses and reads them as sight. These nerves are as important to sight as the eyeball itself. Remember, all of our senses actually function in the brain; our eyes, ears, tongue, nose, and skin only act as receptors for the signals that travel along the nerve pathways to be translated into sight, sound, taste, smell, and touch. Just like a deaf person can have two perfectly good ears, damage to the nerve cells behind any of our sensory organs can result in a loss of that particular sense. The word glaucoma is applied to a wide range of diseases that affect these nerve endings behind the eyeball itself.

Typically the disease is brought on by continued pressure on the nerve, but this pressure itself is no exact indication of who exactly will eventually contract glaucoma and who will not. Some seem to be very sensitive to this nerve pressure while others seem to have a high tolerance level for it. So, this pressure itself is not an exact indication of contracting glaucoma or not.

The fluid in the eye is called aqueous humor and drains out of the eye through a network of drainage tissue between the iris and the cornea. In people with glaucoma this drainage tissue becomes blocked and fluid is replaced faster that it can be drained. This caused pressure to build up in the eye causing the blood vessels that nourish the eye with essential nutrients and oxygen to become constricted which cause the nerve fibers to die.

When left untreated, any form of glaucoma will lead to permanent damage of these optic nerves which will in turn lead to blindness. Typically this starts with a minor loss of peripheral vision but can lead to permanent cloudiness of vision. Unfortunately, glaucoma can develop slowly over several years so that the patient is unaware that he or she even has the disease until it cannot be corrected.

It's important to get regular eye exams even if you don't have problems with your vision. Your optometrist can give your eyes a thorough exam and be aware of any symptoms of the onset of glaucoma. This condition can typically be treated with medication before blindness sets in or permanent damage is done, so it's good to be vigilant about eye exams.

Common vitamins and over the counter products can help with glaucoma such as Vitamin C, Ginkgo, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Beta Carotene, Vitamin B, Vitamin E, Multiple Mineral, Herbal Diuretic.

Vitamin C has been shown to dramatically reduce the intaocular pressure in patients suffering from glaucoma.

Ginkgo is needed for the proper functioning of the vascular system and improves blood circulation to the brain.

Vitamin A is important for the proper development of the eyes.

Vitamin D plays an important in nerve and muscle function.

Beta Carotene helps protect Vitamin C from oxidation and the body converts beta carotene into vitamin A.

Vitamin B is needed for healthy blood vessels and the proper functioning of the nervous system.

Vitamin E promotes the healing process of the body.

Multiple Mineral are required for healthy bones, teeth, muscles, blood and nerve cells.

There are several Herbal Diuretic on the market that will help the body to reduce excess body fluids.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.

David Cowley has created numerous articles about the relationship between diseases and vitamins. Visit Health Related Articles

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Cowley

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

More Than Vision Supplements - Finding Health For Eyes and Body

If you are looking for ways to improve the health of your eyes, then you will want to be taking the best vision supplements you can find. You will want to look for nutritional products that contain lutein and zeaxanthin, but don't stop there. There are dozens of nutrients that are known to help the eyes. Let's take a look at some of these and find out what effective vision supplements look like.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids that are found in the human eye. There are actually over 600 carotenoids found in nature, but these are the only two found in the macula of the eye. It is believed that they provide protection from light in the blue spectrum which causes damage, leading to AMD.

You will need to be careful when selecting vision supplements that contain lutein and zeaxanthin. Knowing the popularity of these two ingredients, many companies have began including them in their products, but in such low quantities that they are of no benefit. In order to be effective, a supplement should contain at least 10 mg. of lutein and 3 mg. of zeaxanthin. If you find these ingredients listed in micrograms (mcg.) put it back on the shelf.

Some other important nutrients for the eyes include folic acid, thiamin, calcium, selenium, vitamin E and vitamin C. This is by no means a complete list of all the nutrients that help maintain healthy vision. Our eyes as well as our bodies need a wide range of nutrients to stay healthy.

Because there are so many important substances found in nature for the eyes, it rarely makes sense to take only vision supplements. Why not support the health of your entire body including your eyes by taking a multi-vitamin that includes dozens of different nutrients? The best vision supplements will be multi-nutrient supplements that contain lutein and zeaxanthin as well as all the other nutrients mentioned here.

However, they will include many, many more ingredients than these. The most effective multi-nutrient supplements will have more that 50 ingredients including herbal extracts, amino acids and enzymes in addition to a full spectrum of vitamins and minerals. They will include many different anti-oxidants that actually help reverse some of the effects of aging on your eyes as well as many other aspects of your health.

The fact is that many, if not most vision supplements are over priced for what they deliver. There is no reason that you should be only receiving 3 or 4, or even a dozen nutrients for the money you spend. Instead, look to a multi-vitamin that includes high amounts of all the vitamins, minerals and herbs that have been shown to provide for healthy eyes. While preventing macular degeneration and keeping your eyes healthy, you will also be keeping your entire body healthy for the years to come.

David M. Johnson has been studying health and nutrition for over 10 years as he has dealt with mood, attention, and various health issues in his own life and family. Visit his website now for more information on powerful ways to improve your eyes and health and to discover the cutting edge nutritional products he personally uses and recommends after extensive research: http://www.understand-vitamin-supplements.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_M._Johnson

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

How Vitamins Can Save Your Sight

Throughout the ages, people had different ways of caring for the eyes. The Sioux Indians blew the dust of bezoar stones into the eyes to strengthen sight and improve the intellect. Seamen wore gold earrings for generations to sharpen vision. Bee products like royal jelly and propolis - which can cause allergic and other adverse reactions - are also touted by some "health food" advocates as a cure for poor eyesight.

The most prominent eye quack was the late Dr. William Horatio Bates who wrote "The Cure of Imperfect Eyesight by Treatment Without Glasses" in 1920. In that book, Bates extolled the virtues of eye exercises that he claimed could cure several eye diseases such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). One exercise Bates encouraged people to do was to stare directly at the sun for several minutes to improve vision!

Fortunately, there's a better and safer way of improving vision and preventing AMD, the most common cause of blindness in people over 50. Researchers believe certain vitamins and minerals may protect the eyes from this dreaded disease.

This good news comes from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) Group which found that high doses of antioxidants can reduce the risk of AMD by up to 25 percent. In a randomized trial, a total of 4,757 patients were divided into four groups. The first group had no AMD; the second group had early AMD; the third had intermediate AMD; and the fourth group had advanced AMD. Patients received a placebo, an antioxidant regimen consisting of vitamins A (beta-carotene), C and E, zinc or antioxidants plus zinc. The antioxidants were given at doses higher than the recommended daily adult requirement.

Results were encouraging. After seven years of follow up, Dr. Neil M. Bressler, professor of ophthalmology at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, reported that patients in the third and fourth groups who took antioxidants plus zinc lowered their risk of AMD by 25 percent. The risk of vision loss was also reduced in the same group. Furthermore, no serious side effects were associated with the treatment.

The above trial echoes the results of early studies that have linked antioxidant use to a reduced risk of AMD. As early as 1988, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) found that those who ate vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables were protected from AMD. Subsequent trials found that carotenoids, particularly lutein and zeaxanthin, and antioxidant vitamins were responsible for this effect.

Although the mechanism is not fully understood, researchers believe that concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin in the macula (the light-sensitive tissue at the center of the retina that provides clear central vision) are strongly influenced by the dietary intake of these nutrients. These nutrients apparently increase the density of the macular pigment, protecting it from the harmful effects of blue light. The antioxidant vitamins C, E and zinc also shield the retina from the harmful effects of free radicals, including the development of AMD.

Vitamin A is found in green leafy vegetables and yellow or orange fruits. Best sources of vitamin C are citrus fruits and vegetables while vitamin E is present in olive and vegetable oils, some grains and a variety of nuts. As for zinc, you'll find it in beef, cereals, beans, cheese, and fish. If you're not getting enough of these nutrients from your diet, it pays to take a vitamin supplement to reduce your risk of AMD.

Janet Martin is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premiere online news magazine http://www.thearticleinsiders.com

If dark circles, eye bags, and puffy eyes disturb you, you can revitalize your eyes with Eyevive. This product will open your eyes to a youthful, beautiful, and wrinkle-free you. Go to http://www.eyevive.com for details.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Janet_Martin

Bags Under Eye Cure You Can Try at Home Right Now

If you have noticeable dark circles beneath your eyes you already know how self conscious it makes you feel. Even if no one says a word about the discoloration and swelling you can still feel them staring at the area when interacting with you. There is a bags under eye cure that anyone, female or male can try right now.

Vitamin E has amazing healing properties and can prove very useful as a bags under eye cure. There are many different creams and lotions available that are designed specifically to combat the problem of dark circles under your eyes. The problem with these remedies is the cost. You can expect to pay a sizable amount for a Vitamin E cream that is formulated specifically to get rid of under eye bags. A much less expensive, and equally effective, idea is to buy some Vitamin E capsules. Break open the capsules and then apply the Vitamin E right to the area under your eye. Do this routine before going to bed each night.

You should also consider taking a Vitamin E supplement each day. Vitamin E has many amazing benefits including being a bags under eye cure. In addition to Vitamin E another helpful supplement for dark circles is Cod Liver Oil. Unlike decades ago you don't have to stomach the taste by taking the oil directly on a spoon, you can now take capsules that contain the oil so it dissolves easily in your stomach. If you are taking any prescription medications check with your doctor before adding any supplements to your health care regime. Some medications just don't mix well with vitamins and minerals.

Dark circles under the eyes are a problem that plagues millions of people. There are effective treatments for this issue that don't just cover up the problem, they actually treat it and eliminate the bags under your eyes completely. If you are tired of feeling self conscious and if you are worried that your dark circles impact your appearance, learn more about what you can do to fix the problem, from this helpful site!

You don't have to be embarrassed of your dark circles anymore. If they are causing you to feel apprehensive around others and if you feel that you aren't as attractive as you could do be, there is help. You can be rid of your dark circles naturally within days.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Laura_Crusie

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