Striving4Zen

Brut

A term used to describe the most dry — least sweet — Champagne and sparkling wines.

These wines contain less sugar than wines labeled extra dry.



Thanks Yumsugar!

Labels: Brut, Calories, champagne, definition, sparkling wine

A kind of dietary fiber known as "resistant starch" is emerging as a new weight loss powerhouse.

A 2008 Swedish study found that people who ate a resistant starch at supper (in the form of barley bread) felt much less hungry than those who munched on plain white bread — and the hunger-quenching effect lasted past breakfast the next day. Found in beans, slightly green bananas, and potatoes (white and sweet), among other foods, this kind of fiber "resists" being digested. Because the starch doesn't enter your bloodstream, it stabilizes blood sugar levels and may lower diabetes risk. It also boosts levels of healthful bacteria that nurture the immune system.


Stay healthy
Load up your diet with these indigestible carbohydrates, also found in brown rice and corn, says Leslie Bonci, RD, author of the American Dietetic Association Guide to Better Digestion. Because the starch becomes resistant during cooling, serve these foods at room temperature or from the fridge — think three-bean or (low-fat mayo) potato salad. You can find foods fortified with a resistant starch made from corn under the brand name Hi-maize (see our picks). "If you're eliminating carbs to watch your weight, you're not doing yourself any favors," Bonci says. "Adding these starches is an easy way to control both hunger and blood sugar."

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Labels: bananas, beans, fiber, healthy diet, resistant starch, study, Sweet potato

Finally, an answer to the supermarket aisle question: Are organics worth the extra cost?

A review of nearly 100 studies shows that the average levels of nearly a dozen nutrients are 25% higher in organic fruit, veggies, and grains than in conventionally grown produce. In some studies, organic options had nearly 50% more of the antioxidants quercetin and beta-carotene.


Stay healthy
Buy organic produce when you can — it's pricier, but you get more bang for your buck, says Kathleen Merrigan, PhD, assistant professor of nutrition at Tufts University. And that's not counting the benefits that come from reducing the amount of pesticides that enter the groundwater — and your body. "You'll really do your health good if you splurge on organic as much as possible in the produce aisle," she says. If you have to be selective, she adds, pick organic versions of the fruits and vegetables that tend to have the highest pesticide residues.

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Labels: fruits and veggies, healthy diet, organics, study

If you are tense or tight, anxious or irritable, then you might be magnesium deficient.

You also might be magnesium deficient if you have:

Anxiety, autism, ADD, headaches, migraines, chronic fatigue, irritability, muscle cramps or twitches, insomnia, sensitivity to loud noises, palpitations, angina, constipation, anal spasms, fibromyalgia, asthma, kidney stones, diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, PMS, menstrual cramps, irritable bladder, irritable bowel syndrome, reflux, trouble swallowing, and more.

We eat a diet that has practically no magnesium -- a highly processed, refined diet that is based mostly on white flour, meat, and dairy, none of which contain magnesium.

This is compounded by the fact that magnesium levels are decreased by excess alcohol, salt, coffee, sugar, phosphoric acid in colas, profuse sweating, prolonged or intense stress, chronic diarrhea, excessive menstruation, and by diuretics (water pills), antibiotics and other drugs and some intestinal parasites.

We live lifestyles that cause us to lose whatever magnesium we have from our bodies, and we never replace it.

When was the last time you had a good dose of sea vegetables (seaweed), nuts, greens, and beans?

If you are like most Americans, your nut consumption mostly comes from peanut butter, and mostly in chocolate peanut butter cups. As for seaweed, greens, and beans—well, most Americans don’t eat many of these at all.

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Labels: beans, healthy diet, magnesium, minerals, sea vegetables, Whole grains

Scouring the planet for traditional therapies is the freshest way to diversify your regimen. Now that science is confirming the benefits of these ancient beauty secrets, it's becoming increasingly easy to find them in the personal care aisle of your natural products store.

1. Acaí, Brazil
This is the age of acaí: Beauty care products containing the red palm berry are popping up everywhere. And for good reason. Acaí, which has been used by Amazonian tribes as a medicinal cure-all for centuries, is loaded with free radical neutralizing antioxidants that help prevent sun and environmental damage, making skin look younger longer. This superfruit also contains phytosterols and flavonoids, which encourage collagen production to prevent premature wrinkling — even after skin has been exposed to harmful ultraviolet rays, says Karen Dunlap, an aesthetician and owner of Karen's Specialty Skin Care salon. Add in omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids, which help keep cells supple and moist, and this berry is a powerful skin food. Effective when ingested or used topically.

Try it in≫ MyChelle Tropical Skin Smoother; Pangea Organics Japanese Matcha Tea with Acaí & Goji Berry Facial Mask

2. Neem, India
A cornerstone of Ayurvedic medicine, the neem tree is widely referred to as the “village pharmacy” in its native country. Here, you'll find its leaves and seed oil in everything from pest control and toothpaste to shampoo and soap. Filled with long-chain fatty acids, antioxidants, and glycerides, neem's garlicky smelling oil quickly penetrates and moisturizes chronically dry skin. Plus, its antihistamine and antibacterial properties prevent dermatitis and other skin infections and can relieve itchiness. Use liberally on dry and inflamed areas.

Try it in≫ Organix-South TheraNeem Certified Organic Neem Oil; Auromére Vanilla-Neem Soap

3. Rooibos, South Africa
Tea for your T-zone isn't a secret — natural skin care has featured antioxidant-rich green and white teas for years. “But your cells needs a multitude of antioxidants, which each offer different benefits, to stay healthy,” says Ray Sahelian, MD, a LA supplements specialist. As the only source of the antioxidant aspalathin, rooibos — a red tea traditionally used by the South African Khoisan tribe — is on the up-and-up. Aspalathin is an anti-inflammatory polyphenol that reduces eczema's and acne's dry, flaky symptoms. New research suggests this antioxidant is most abundant and beneficial when rooibos is in its green (unfermented) form, commonly found in personal care products, rather than as a drinkable tea.

Try it in≫ Alaffia Rooibos & Shea Butter Antioxidant Face Cream; Jason Red Elements Hydrating Lotion Cleanser

4. Sake & rice bran, Japan
The Japanese have used rice to brighten their skin for hundreds of years, says Shizuka Bernstein, an aesthetician and owner of Shizuka New York Day Spa. Rice's bran — its hard outer layer — has potent antioxidant activity, and its oils help eradicate dry skin by increasing sebaceous gland secretions. After scrubbing away dead cells with a rice-bran-based exfoliant, tone skin with sake — Japanese rice wine. A byproduct of sake's fermentation process, kojic acid evens and lightens skin tone by suppressing melanin formation. Simply add a few splashes of sake to a hot bath.

Try it in≫ Zia Skin Basics Bamboo Exfoliant with Rice Bran; Queen Bee Sauce Javanese Rice Bran Face Paste

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Labels: acai, beauty, MyChelle, Neem, organic skin care, phytosterols, rice, rooibos, skin care

The infamous Dr. Oz on Oprah shares his ultimate checklist to anti-aging. Could this be the closest thing to the fountain of youth?

Well listen to what he has to say about adding years to your life, AND it only takes five minutes a day!

To start your meditation, Dr. Oz says to say the word "yum," drawing out the word out as you say it. "That vibration stimulates your sinuses to release nitric oxide, a very important gas that relaxes your lungs and relaxes your blood vessels," he says. "It's one of the reasons we think meditation may be so effective."

He gives a lengthy list of foods, vitamins and exercises we should be doing to take care of our bodies...just because it's about anti-aging, it does not mean that it's only meant for age groups 40 and up. These are things that we should be doing now, whether your young or old. Taking care of your body knows no age.

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Labels: anti-aging, Dr. Oz, meditation, Oprah, relaxation, stress

Apples
Belgian Endive
Bok Choy
Brussels Sprouts
Cherimoya
Chestnuts
Coconuts
Dates
Grapefruit
Kale
Kiwifruit
Leeks
Mushrooms
Oranges
Parsnips
Pear
Persimmons
Pummelo
Radicchio
Red Currents
Rutabagas
Sweet Potatoes
Tangerines
Turnips
Winter Squash

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Labels: fruits and veggies, in season

9. Dandelion
By tonifying the liver (which produces hormones), dandelion root eases a variety of women's imbalances. Often combined with burdock and milk thistle.

10. Vitex
With a normalizing effect on women's hormones, vitex treats conditions like menstrual irregularity, PMS, and infertility.

11. Licorice
A renowned herb, licorice balances cycles and restores energy. Avoid large quantities if you have hypertension or kidney issues, or if you take heart medicine.

12. Ginger
With warming, stomach-soothing properties, this rhizome eases menstrual cramps and morning sickness.

13. Dong Quai
Often called "female ginseng," this traditional Chinese herb builds strong blood and tones the uterus.

14. Nettle
Rich in vitamins and minerals, nettle nourishes the reproductive system, making it a great tonic for many concerns.

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Labels: dandelion, dong quai, ginger, licorice, liver, milk thistle, nettles, vitex

The godmother of American Herbalism, Rosemary Gladstar, gives her list of time-tested, essential herbs that can help treat dozens of women's health issues. Learn how to use them to treat women's health conditions naturally.

For dried herbs and supplies, try Jean's Greens or Mountain Rose Herbs.

1. Black Cohosh
Renowned and well studied as a menopause herb, black cohosh also helps ease PMS-related pain.

2. Wild Yam
A classic liver tonic, wild yam balances hormones and eases morning sickness. Seek out cultivated sources, since it's been overharvested in the wild.

3. Motherwort
A classic women's herb used for menopause symptoms, heart support, and painful or delayed menstruation.

4. Sage
This common garden plant helps reduce hot flashes and regulate mood swings during menopause.

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Labels: black cohosh, herbs, motherwort, Rosemary Gladstar, sage, wild yam, women's health

An article last month by Tara Parker-Pope about the challenges of eating fresh food on a tight budget got me thinking about cabbage. It is a very economical vegetable that is easy to find in any supermarket and it gives you a huge nutritional bang for your buck. This humble food has always been a mainstay for the poor and in cold climates people of all classes have relied on it to feed themselves through many a winter. (The vegetable is at its best during the fall and winter months, when it is in season, and it stores well for weeks).

The family of vegetables that cabbage belongs to is called the Cruciferae family or the Brassica family and related vegetables include kale, broccoli, collards and Brussels sprouts. Johnny Bowden, a nutritionist, calls cabbage “the most important [vegetable] in the world from the point of view of nutritional benefits and cancer-fighting ability.” Cabbage possesses phytochemicals including sulforaphane, which studies suggest protects the body against cancer-causing free radicals, and indoles, which help metabolize estrogens. It’s also an excellent source of vitamins K and C, and a very good source of dietary fiber, vitamin B6, folate, manganese and Omega 3 fatty acids.

The sulfuric compounds in cruciferous vegetables are the source of many of their nutritional attributes, but they also lead to bad smells if the vegetables are overcooked. When it’s cooked properly, cabbage develops a sweet, fragrant flavor and aroma.

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Labels: cabbage, cruciferous vegetables, healthy diet, nutrition, vegetables

Everyone from health experts to Rachael Ray has touted the benefits of olive oil. As demand for expensive, higher-quality olive oil has grown, however, so has the problem of fraud. Last year, Connecticut officials discovered that some of that state's olive oil was a little too slick. As a result, beginning next month, the state will be the first in the country to set quality standards for olive oil.

The state's new regulations prohibit additives and define virgin olive oil as "obtained from the fruit of the olive tree solely by mechanical or other physical means . . . which have not undergone any treatment other than washing, decanting, centrifuging and filtration." California and New York have expressed interest in enacting similar standards because counterfeit olive oil poses a potential health risk to consumers. Some people experience adverse reactions from unscrupulous olive oil, possibly as a result of food allergies to soybeans, tree nuts, and peanuts.

Thanks Yum!

Labels: counterfeit, health and safety, olive oil, virgin olive oil

Hair growth is affected by many factors, including genetics, age, medications, diseases, and yes, your diet. Like your nails, hair requires a nutrient-rich supply of blood to its follicles. A very low-calorie diet could slow its growth and even cause hair loss. But don't be alarmed by occasional fallout―most of us lose 50 to 100 strands a day.

For the healthiest hair (and body) possible, you should eat a well-balanced diet that includes:

• fatty acids (found in flaxseed oil and cold-water fish like salmon);
• zinc and copper (found in fish, shellfish, meat, and poultry);
• B vitamins (found in eggs, dairy, meat, and whole grains);
• selenium (found in cruciferous vegetables).

Also, keep your hair expectations in check. Typically, healthy hair grows only a half-inch each month, and growth slows with age. In addition, each strand of hair has a life cycle―the length of time it takes to reach maturity, fall out, and be replaced by a new hair―which varies from person to person. If your hair's average life cycle is only two years, it's doubtful that you'll ever have waist-length hair, which would take about six years to grow from a short hair cut.

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Labels: b-vitamins, copper, David Zinczenko, eating healthy, fatty acids, healthy diet, healthy hair, selenium

On Friday, December 12, the Environmental Working Group made public internal government documents disclosing the Food and Drug Administration's secret plans to reverse federal warnings that pregnant women and children limit their fish intake to avoid mercury, a neurotoxin especially dangerous to the fetus and infants. EWG obtained both the FDA plan, stamped "CLOSE HOLD," and memos by senior Environmental Protection Agency scientists attacking FDA's rationale. The Washington Post broke the story, and other national stories followed.

Reaction from Capitol Hill was swift and sharp. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-VT., denounced the FDA: "Now, in the administration's 11th hour, they are quietly trying to water down advisories for women and children about the dangers of mercury in fish, disregarding sound science on this issue. Mercury is a potent neurotoxin capable of impairing childhood development at very low levels."

Read the Washington Post story here.

Labels: EPA, EWG, FDA, fish, mercury, toxic, toxic metals, toxins, tuna

Labels: beauty, Contest, CybeleSays, giveaway

As more and more people begin to discover how uniquely delicious and nutritious black beans are, their popularity has begun to soar.

Black bean nutrition - focus on protein and fiber

When it comes to three basic categories of nourishment-protein, fiber and antioxidant related substances- black beans have an especially solid nutritional profile. Black beans, like other beans, really pack a punch when it comes to protein and fiber. On average, each cup features about 15 grams of both protein and fiber.

Black bean nutrition - focus on flavonoid anti-oxidants

While all beans are exceptionally healthy foods when it comes to their protein and fiber content, it's the color coat on black beans that makes them particularly interesting. Researchers have found at least 8 different flavonoids in the black bean's color coat. Flavonoids are typically color-producing phytonutrients pigments that have great antioxidant potential. They can also be responsible for some of the unique flavors found in foods. Flavonoids work together with vitamins to help the body avoid oxygen-related damage.

Many other foods have been studied for their flavonoid content, and foods like red grapes or red wines are famous for their rich supplies of one flavonoid family, called anthocyanins. As it turns out black beans are an equally rich source of this flavonoid family, containing about 2.37 grams of anthocyanins per 100 grams of seed coat.

Black bean nutrition - focus on omega 3 fatty acids

Black beans also contain small amounts (about 180 mg per cup) of omega-3 fatty acids. This amount is about three times the amount available from many other beans, including kidney beans. While the amount of omega-3 fats in one cup of black beans is roughly equal to the amount in one ounce of a cold water fish like halibut, it can still be a valuable addition to your Healthiest Way of Eating since omega-3 fats are essential to protecting your health.

Black bean nutrition - focus on vitamins and minerals

In addition to the nutrients already discussed, black beans also feature concentrated amounts of other important vitamins and minerals. Based upon our nutrient rating system, black beans are an excellent source of one nutrient (molybdenum), a very good source of three nutrients (folate, fiber, and tryptophan) and a good source of five nutrients (manganese, protein, magnesium, vitamin B1, and phosphorus).

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Labels: anthocyanins, beans, black beans, flavonoids, health food, healthy diet, legumes, nutrition

As if dealing with cancer isn't difficult enough, now there's some unsettling news about moisturizers. Recently, researchers from Breastlink, a breast cancer treatment center in Southern California, presented the results of a study in which they tested 16 easily accessible moisturizers for estrogen.

While none of the samples listed estrogen as an ingredient, six actually contained some type of the hormone — which is terrible news for women with a type of breast cancer that is driven by estrogen.

What's up with the absence of such an important detail? Since the skin absorbs topical products quite readily, applying a nourishing alternative specifically formulated for people with cancer seems like the safest bet to me — not to mention anyone worried about the repeated exposure they may have unknowingly received from any unlabeled creams.

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Labels: breast cancer, cancer, estrogen, moisturizer, skin care, study, toxic

Beauty Junkie just discovered REN Clean Bio Active Skincare, a line with 100% natural ingredients that’s even vacuum-sealed so as not to need preservatives.

You’ll be easily addicted to the weekly Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask (think serious radiant glow) as well as the Vita-Mineral Radiant Day Cream (delish rose scent) and the Active 7 Radiant Eye Maintenance Gel (a cooling fig gel). These products will help you begin 2009 fresh and au natural but there’s nothing granola about this green line! $45-$55

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Labels: natural products, new product, REN, skincare

The twisting motion of this pose helps to stimulate the liver and kidneys.

Get into the pose:

• Sit tall on the floor with your legs extended straight in front of you.

• Keeping the left leg strong, bend your right knee and put the foot on the floor with the heel as close to the right sitting bone as possible.

• Rotate your torso to the right and wrap your left arm around the right thigh.

• Place your right fingertips on the floor just behind your back.

• Continue to gently increase the rotation as your spine becomes more supple and flexible.

• Repeat on the opposite side.

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Labels: benefits of yoga, seated twist, yoga, yoga pose

Certain breast-cancer survivors who load up on fruits and vegetables, eating far more than current US guidelines, can slash their risk the tumors will come back by nearly a third, according to a study released yesterday.

The finding held only for women who did not have hot flashes after their cancer therapy, the researchers said - a finding that suggests fruits and vegetables act on estrogen.

Their analysis suggests an explanation for why some studies have shown that eating more fruits and vegetables lowers the risk that breast cancer will come back, while others do not. It may depend on the individual patient, they report in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

"Women with early-stage breast cancer who have hot flashes have better survival and lower recurrence rates than women who don't," said Ellen Gold of the University of California, Davis, who helped lead the study.

As estrogen drives the most common type of breast cancer, this suggests that eating extra servings of fruits and vegetables - above the five a day recommended by the federal government - may lower harmful estrogen levels in cancer survivors, the researchers said.

"It appears that a dietary pattern high in fruits, vegetables and fiber . . . may only be important among women with circulating estrogen levels above a certain threshold," said John Pierce of the University of California, San Diego.

The researchers took a second look at data from 3,000 breast-cancer patients in a study aimed at seeing if a diet low in fat and high in fruits and vegetables would keep their cancer from coming back.

Such a diet has been shown to lower overall risk of ever getting breast cancer in the first place.

The women were on average 53, and half were told to double their fruit and vegetable intake to 10 servings a day, eat more fiber and lower fat intake.

About 30% of the original 3,000 breast-cancer survivors said they did not have hot flashes.

The researchers looked at the data on these women and found that only 16% of those who doubled up on fruits and vegetables saw their tumors come back after seven years, compared to 23% of those merely given advice on food guidelines.

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Labels: breast cancer, cancer, fruits and veggies, healthy diet, study

Is one type of sweetener better than the other for my body and the way my body processes them?

Your question can be answered in a variety of different ways. First, in terms of overall nutritional quality, it's always better to get your "sweeteners" as part of whole, natural foods rather than separately purchased products that you add to your food.

I realize that many people simply have a "sweet tooth" and are accustomed to sweetening a good number of foods and beverages. However, the routine use of added sweeteners can sometimes detract from the naturally sweet flavors of foods.

Carrots, for example, are a naturally sweet vegetable. They're about 15% sugar in terms of total calories; they contain an array of sugars including sucrose, glucose, and fructose. However, to many people carrots do not taste sweet, and the reason sometimes involves the total amount of sugar to which a person has become accustomed. A large carrot will contain about three-quarters of a teaspoon of sugar at most. If you're accustomed to one to two teaspoons of any added sugar in your coffee or tea, or as an added glaze on an entrée, your carrot may no longer be as enjoyable to you because it may seem non-sweet by comparison.

Second, in the same way that I prefer natural foods as a source of all dietary sugars, I also prefer natural sources of extracted sugar products. For example, agave nectar is a sweetener extracted from the agave plant, and it contains a variety of nutrients that are naturally found in the agave plant. While these nutrients are found in relatively small amounts in agave nectar, this sweetener is still a better nutritional choice because of this natural diversity. Agave nectar is about 70% fructose in terms of its sugar composition. However, this abundance of fructose is not the reason I favor its use as a sweetener for individuals who have decided to use added sweeteners. Agave nectar is more natural and less processed than many other available sweeteners. Table sugar, for example, provides no nutritional variety whatsoever, even though it originates in a natural plant (sugar cane).

Your best choice of sweeteners always involves those sweeteners that are most natural and least processed. This is the reason I like whole, natural foods as the source for sweetness in a Healthiest Way of Eating. However, for individuals wanting added sweeteners, my top choices would be honey and natural nectars, including agave nectar. I strongly recommend the purchase of organic honey, since bees can inadvertently pick up pesticide residues and other potential contaminants while gathering pollens in any pesticide-containing environment. Organic agave nectar would also be my recommended choice for this sweetener. Other sweeteners that I also like are organic maple syrup and organic blackstrap molasses. If you need to use a product that acts like regular sugar, then I would suggest organic evaporated cane juice, since it is less processed than refined sugar and contains more nutrients.

When it comes to dietary sugars, the key to supporting your body's metabolism is moderation. Any dietary sugar can disrupt your body's metabolism if eaten excessively. I don't believe that the research supports intake of any added sugar in large amounts, regardless of its "naturalness" or degree of processing. I also don't believe it makes sense to focus on the exact composition of sugars within a natural food or within a natural, minimally processed sweetener. Different foods have different sugar composition, and I believe that these differences are healthy provided that the foods are organically grown and are consumed as close to their whole, natural condition as possible.

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Labels: agave, artificial sweeteners, eating healthy, fruit, organic, Stevia, vegetables

A reporter from US News and World Report called me for an interview about toxins and how or if skin-care products could purge them from skin. I appreciated how this reporter framed her question; she asked if it was possible.

Much like any myth, if you hear or read about it often enough it becomes fact in the mind of many consumers. Once that happens they are eager to seek out the benefits of what amounts to little more than snake oil. Purging toxins from the body and skin is equal to the perceived need to drink lots of water (and often too much water) to keep skin hydrated. Neither is based on fact. Just like the medical world discourages people from smoking and over-eating, or it encourages exercise and other beneficial behavior in the most direct campaigning possible (with solid research and studies of why you should follow their advice), so it’s no surprise the medical field hasn’t jumped with agreement on the “let’s purge toxins” bandwagon. If purging toxins from your body could help then physicians would be at the forefront of getting the information out to you (as soon as it was shown to be true). But truth doesn’t always sell products.

When it comes to fiction, snake oil salespeople are supreme at quick fixes and euphoria. I love the drink more water example, because if your water intake is greater then what your body needs all you do is go to the bathroom more. Nothing in your body changes, it doesn't change the status of "toxins" in your body or how dry your skin is. Dry skin for most adults is the result of sun damage, genetics, health issues, certain medications, and their environment, not water intake. Believe me, I wish alleviating dry skin was as easy as increasing water intake!

In terms of skin and the purging of toxins we move into the absurd. At least with routine (not excessive) water intake it helps to stay hydrated and not be thirsty. When it comes to purging toxins from the skin there isn't a shred of evidence it is even possible, let alone helpful. Yet somehow sucking toxins out of your pores or between skin cells has become a basic part of many women’s attempt to achieve flawless skin. As a result of this flawed belief, detoxifying skin as sold by the cosmetics industry or earnest spa attendants and estheticians and the vitamin/herbal supplement world has become a sizable business.

And exactly what is a toxin? What you may hear are more general, vague terms such as bacteria, airborne pollutant particulates from cars and city life, bad fats (this is a big lie in cellulite treatments), faulty lymph systems that build up who knows what, even fast food and secondhand smoke requires purging in this part of the cosmetic industry. Listening to all of this is enough to make some people want to live in a sterilized, airtight bubble for the sake of whole body purity, but there’s no need to take such a drastic step.

Without ever doing even basic testing, the people selling these detoxifying skin-care products or treatments leave it up to their imagination and they are adept at creating imaginary, unspecified toxins that are causing wrinkles, open pores, oily skin—you name the skin care complaint—and purging the skin is supposed to help. That expensive spa treatment wrapping your body in herbs, salts, fragrant oils, clay, or minerals might feel good and for a short time make your skin feel smooth, but in reality no skin condition has changed: your wrinkles haven’t gone away, cellulite is still there, pores haven’t changed, yet your pocketbook is lighter.

Many of these products claiming to detox the system, at least as far as the cosmetics industry and spa world is concerned, are fairly benign and do little, if any, harm. Overheating the body with saunas, Jacuzzis, and facial steaming can cause more problems than they help by damaging the skin’s ability to hold moisture, causing capillaries to surface, and increasing oil production. Putting fragranced salts into your bath can irritate the vaginal skin lining. Mostly it is just a waste of money and following myths isn’t a recipe for good skin care.

What has me concerned is some research I saw on really dangerous snake oil treatments as reported on a blog/podcast site at http://skeptoid.com, which had several posts written by Brian Dunning, a computer scientist who debunks pseudoscience reports as a hobby (I confirmed that the content is accurate and all quoted material below is from the author’s blog):

Mucoid plaque is supposedly a toxin naturopaths and herbal charlatans say everyone has growing inside their bowels; in fact they are created by the pill sold to purge them. In other words, the supposed cure is causing the problem making people assume the malady is real.

What you get to cure mucoid plaque is “…a bowel cleansing pill, said to be herbal, which causes your intestines to produce long, rubbery, hideous looking snakes of bowel movements, which they call mucoid plaque. There are lots of pictures of these on the Internet, and sites that sell these pills are a great place to find them. Look at DrNatura.com, BlessedHerbs.com, and AriseAndShine.com, just for a start.”

“Imagine how terrifying it would be to actually see one of those come out of your body. If you did, it would sure seem to confirm everything these web sites have warned about toxins building up in your intestines. But there's more to it. As it turns out, any professional con artist would be thoroughly impressed to learn the secrets of mucoid plaque (and, incidentally, the term mucoid plaque was invented by these sellers; there is no such actual medical condition). These pills consist mainly of bentonite, an absorbent, expanding clay similar to what composes many types of kitty litter. Combined with psyllium, used in the production of mucilage polymer, bentonite forms a rubbery cast of your intestines when taken internally, mixed of course with whatever else your body is excreting. Surprise, a giant rubbery snake of toxins in your toilet.”

“It's important to note that the only recorded instances of these "mucoid plaque" snakes in all of medical history come from the toilets of the victims of these cleansing pills. No gastroenterologist has ever encountered one in tens of millions of endoscopies, and no pathologist has ever found one during an autopsy. They do not exist until you take such a pill to form them. The pill creates the very condition that it claims to cure. And the results are so graphic and impressive that no victim would ever think to argue with the claim.”

Another detoxing gimmick I came across is from the electrical foot bath products on the market. “The idea is that you stick your feet in the bath of salt water, usually with some herbal or homeopathic additive, plug it in and switch it on, and soak your feet. After a while the water turns a sickly brown, and this is claimed to be the toxins that have been drawn out of your body through your feet. One tester found that his water turned brown even when he did not put his feet in. The reason is that electrodes in the water corrode via electrolysis, putting enough oxidized iron into the water to turn it brown. When reporter Ben Goldacre published these results in the Guardian Unlimited online news, some of the marketers of these products actually changed their messaging to admit this was happening — but again, staying one step ahead — now claim that their product is not about detoxification, it's about balancing the body's energy fields: Another meaningless, untestable claim.”

“But detoxifying through the feet didn't end there. A newcomer to the detoxification market is Kinoki foot pads, available at BuyKinoki.com and many drugstores. These are adhesive gauze patches that you stick to the sole of your foot at night, and they claim to ‘draw toxins’ from your body. They also claim that all Japanese people have perfect health, and the reason is that they use Kinoki foot pads to detoxify their bodies, a secret they've been jealously guarding from medical science for hundreds of years. A foolish claim like this is demonstrably false on every level, and should raise a huge red flag to any critical reader. Nowhere in any of their marketing materials do they say what these alleged toxins are, or what mechanism might cause them to move from your body into the adhesive pad.”

“Kinoki foot pads contain unpublished amounts of vinegar, tourmaline, chitin, and other unspecified ingredients. Tourmaline is a semi-precious gemstone that's inert and not biologically reactive, so it has no plausible function. Chitin is a type of polymer used in gauze bandages and medical sutures, so naturally it's part of any gauze product. They probably mention it because some alternative practitioners believe that chitin is a ‘fat attractor’, a pseudoscientific claim which has never been supported by any evidence or plausible hypothesis. I guess they hope that we will infer by extension that chitin also attracts ‘toxins’ out of the body. Basically the Kinoki foot pads are gauze bandages with vinegar. Vinegar has many folk-wisdom uses when applied topically, such as treating acne, sunburn, warts, dandruff, and as a folk antibiotic. But one should use caution: Vinegar can cause chemical burns on infants, and the American Dietetic Association has tracked cases of home vinegar applications to the foot causing deep skin ulcers after only two hours.”

“Since the Kinoki foot pads are self-adhesive, peeling them away removes the outermost layer of dead skin cells. And since they are moist, they loosen additional dead cells when left on for a while. So it's a given that the pads will look brown when peeled from your foot, exactly like any adhesive tape would; though this effect is much less dramatic than depicted on the TV commercials, depending on how dirty your feet are. And, as they predict, this color will diminish over subsequent applications, as fewer and fewer of your dead, dirty skin cells remain. There is no magic detoxification needed to explain this effect.”

I’ll end this article by coming full circle back to skin care. Trying to eliminate wrinkles and other skin woes with false hopes that involve throwing your money down the toilet on products that can’t help doesn’t really make sense. When there are brilliant things you can do your skin, wasting money isn’t the way to go. Purging yourself of the myths the industry loves instigating and perpetuating and learning what you really should do instead is the best way to take care of your skin.

Source

Labels: detox, detoxify, Kinoki Foot Pads, myths, Paula Begoun, scam, skin care

A Healthy Way to Roast Almonds

Roasting brings out the flavor of the nuts, and develops their sweetness. It is safe to roast nuts if done at a low temperature-typically a 160-170 degree Fahrenheit oven (at higher temperatures than this, research clearly shows damage to nuts' delicate fats) for 15-20 minutes will do the trick. Place nuts on a cookie sheet in a single layer. To enhance the "roasted" flavor, try putting a little Bragg's Liquid Aminos or soy sauce into a spray bottle and misting the nuts before roasting.

Avoid Commercially Roasted Nuts

Roasting nuts at a temperature higher than 170F will cause a breakdown of their fats and the production of free radicals. When nuts roasted at the high temperatures used commercially are consumed, the free radicals they contain can cause lipid peroxidation-the oxidizing of fats in your bloodstream that can trigger tiny injuries in artery walls-a first step in the build up of plaque and cardiovascular disease.

Source

Labels: Bragg's Liquid Aminos, DIY, free radicals, Nuts, roasted nuts

Background Subclinical, chronic tissue inflammation involving the generation of cytokines (e.g., interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) might contribute to the cutaneous aging process.

Aims This study aims to screen for an active ingredient with anti-inflammatory (i.e., reduction of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) and matrix-stimulating efficacy which improves the clinical signs of skin aging in vivo.

Results In vitro studies on human dermal fibroblasts and monocyte-derived dendritic cells supplemented with pure Arctiin showed relative to untreated control cells a stimulation of collagen synthesis and a decrease in interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha concentration, respectively. In addition, topical in vivo application of an A. lappa fruit extract–containing formulation for 12 weeks significantly stimulated procollagen synthesis and increased hyaluronan synthase-2 expression as well as hyaluronan levels compared to vehicle-treated control areas. Similarly, after a 4-week treatment with an A. lappa fruit extract–containing formulation, wrinkle volume in the crow's feet area was significantly reduced as compared to treatment with the vehicle.

Conclusions Our data show that topical treatment with a natural A. lappa fruit extract significantly improves the metabolism of the dermal extracellular matrix and leads to a visible wrinkle reduction in vivo. In conclusion, A. lappa fruit extract represents a targeted means to regenerate dermal structures and, thus, offers an effective treatment option for mature skin.

SOURCE

Labels: anti-aging, Arctium lappa fruit extract, burdock fruit, natural products, study

1. SUCK IT UP

   If your skin can't hold on to the products you put on it, you're just wasting money. "Lock in the benefits of a product's active ingredients by following up with a moisturizer," says Ranella Hirsch, M.D., president of the American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery. Look for hyaluronic acid or glycerin; they keep skin supple.

2. VOTE RED

   A recent British study found that subjects who ate five tablespoons of tomato paste every day suffered milder sun­burns than those who didn't. Researchers think lycopene, a powerful natural antioxidant found in tomatoes, provides the sun-shielding bene­fits.
   

3. TAKE A CHILL PILL

   Not that you need more to worry about, but it really is true that stress can mess with your com­plexion. Researchers at England's University of Manchester proved it. The tense skin showed a 16.4% decrease in immune-system-regulating cells. Another study reported that stress caused acne to worsen.
   

4. FORGET FRIES

   A group of researchers recently put 23 people with acne on a high-protein, low-glycemic diet for 12 weeks--and guess what? Their skin got much better. Testers had 21.9% fewer blemishes, versus 13.8% fewer for a control group that followed a high-carb diet. (Bonus: the low-carb subjects lost weight!) While the researchers can't say whether it was the weight loss or the dietary changes that helped, it appears that nutrition plays a role in your skin's behavior.
   

5. GET ALL IN A LATHER

   Anytime you sweat, your body produces more sebum (an oily pore-clogging secretion), says dermatologist Audrey Kunin, M.D., founder of dermadoctor.com. So if you're tempted to skip the shower after a lunchtime workout, don't! After any sweat-inducing activity, rinse under cool water with a shower wash containing oil-clearing glycolic or salicylic acid.
   

6. DON'T WASH MONEY DOWN THE DRAIN

   "There's no need to buy an expensive cleanser loaded with fancy ingredients," says photobiologist Daniel B. Yarosh, Ph.D., author of The New Science of Perfect Skin. "They're on your skin for less than a minute, they don't have time to do anything." Adding injury to insult: Some pricey ingredients can actually cause irritation (that would be you, peppermint and eucalyptus). Start with inexpensive face washes and see-through glycerin soaps. Both remove dirt, oil, and dead skin cells without stripping away your skin's natural (and necessary) oils.

7. COVER YOUR MOUTH

   We're talking about a lip balm with UV protection, not ruby red lipstick. Your lips (along with your eye area and upper chest) have some of the thinnest skin on your body, so they need extra shielding. That's bad news, because "when skin cancer originates from the lips, it's especially aggressive and has a higher risk of spreading," says Erin Welch, M.D., assistant professor of dermatology at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
   

8. TRY SOME CRUNCHES

   You could fill an entire Whole Foods produce aisle with the reams of research showing that fruits and vegetables protect and restore the skin. So down a rainbow's worth every day, and seek out edibles packed with vitamins A and C (both are antioxidants). Particularly good: leafy greens, cantaloupe, citrus fruits (especially oranges), blueberries, strawberries, and bell peppers.

9. USE AN ANTI-AGER--NOW!

   Don't wait for the first crow's feet to appear before you reach for that little tube. "Even women in their twenties should be using a topical retinoid--unless they're pregnant or nursing," says Fran­cesca Fusco, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Here's why: Retinoids, which contain vitamin A, are one of the most potent agents for preventing and reversing sun damage and signs of aging. And, says Hirsch, "they're the ultimate multi­tasker. They speed skin renewal by shedding dull, pore-clogging cells and increase collagen production to prevent wrinkles." Ask your doctor about a retinoid prescription or try an OTC.

10. GOT MILK? GET SOY

    If you battle breakouts, milk could be adding to your troubles. Three large studies have found that the more white stuff teens drink, the worse their acne gets. Researchers say hormones that occur naturally in cow juice may be to blame, and they believe women in their twenties and thirties could also be susceptible.
    

11. FIGHT THE FUZZ

    Painless hair removal sounds about as legit as those Nigerian e-mail scams. But this is one investment you won't regret: Studies have shown that Eflornithine HCl, a prescription cream sold under the name Vaniqa, reduced hair on the chin and upper lip for nearly 60% of women tested. And in two separate studies, using the cream with laser hair removal was more effective than either treatment alone.

12. SWALLOW SOME SUN PROTECTION

    A study from the Queensland (Australia) Institute of Medical Research found that people who regularly took some OTC pain relievers, including aspirin, have a lower risk of developing squamous-cell carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer. While the evidence doesn't justify popping pills just to protect your skin, it's one more reason to treat your aches and pains rather than power through them.

13. GET THE RED OUT

    For the estimated 14 million people in the U.S. with rosacea--the condition whose symptoms can be triggered by alcohol, spicy food, exercise, and sun exposure--their reddened skin can feel like a scarlet letter. Researchers have found that when rosacea sufferers wash their faces with a sonic skin-care brush, their skin calms down. The theory is that the gentle exfoliation allows skin treatments to be absorbed more effectively to put out facial fires.

14. GO AU NATUREL

    There are more skin-care products claiming to be "natural" or "organic" than there are reality-TV stars. If environmental and purity standards are important to you, consider buying products made in Europe. Companies overseas making eco claims trace ingredients back to their sources to verify their natural origins. A few of the brands that do: Lavera, Weleda, and Dr. Hauschka Skincare. And while you're at it: On products from the U.S., look for the National Products Association's new Natural Seal; it certifies that 95% of the ingredients are truly natural and pose no suspected human health risks.

15. DON'T FEEL THE BURN

    Do you really need a separate eye cream? Actually, yes. "The skin around your eyes is delicate and needs to be treated gently," Fusco says. Eye creams contain lower levels of potentially irritating ingredients, such as retinol, AHAs, and glycolic acid, than products designed for the face.

16. DOUBLE YOUR COVER

    "To get a decent amount of UV protection on your face, you'd need to coat your skin with at least a tablespoonful of sunscreen that has an SPF of at least 30," says Sandra Marchese Johnson, M.D. But who wants to layer on that much lotion? An easy solution: Apply a coat, then follow with a foundation infused with sunscreen or a mineral powder containing titanium or zinc oxide, natural barriers to UV rays.

17. SHINE UP THOSE SHINS

    "Cuts, scratches, and scrapes below the knee take a long time to heal and can be prone to infection, since they're an easy entry point for germs," says Doris Day, M.D., assistant professor of dermatology at the NYU Medical Center. Prevent the little cracks that allow bacteria to enter your skin by smoothing on a moisturizing cream every night; to prevent nicks, use a razor with built-in moisture strips; and don't shave your legs for two or three days before a pedicure (salon whirlpool footbaths can be a breed­ing ground for bacteria).

18. DON'T COMPLICATE THINGS

    The average adult uses at least 7 skin-care products a day--cleansers, moisturizers, exfoliators, and serums included. To prevent in­gredient overload and reduce irritation, Zoe Diana Draelos, M.D., editor-in-chief of the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, advises limiting your skin-care routine to items that contain no more than 10 ingredients apiece. According to Draelos, the fewer ingredients there are in a product, the less likely it is to cause a problem. "Wait at least five minutes between each application" Fusco says. "Otherwise, you'll dilute the effects of the previous one." Spread out your morning skin-care routine so your serum has time to sink in before the last hour of the Today show.

19. BE A SOAP STAR

    When you sleep, lotions, hair gels, and oils sweat off of your body and onto your linens. Kenneth Beer, M.D., clinical instructor in dermatology at the University of Miami, advises washing your sheets weekly. At the very least, put on a fresh pillowcase to keep the gunk (and the bacteria that eat the gunk) from clogging your pores.

20. IF YOU FAKE IT, DON'T BAKE IT

    How's this for unfunny irony: For the first eight hours or so after you apply self-tanner, your skin is especially susceptible to free-radical damage from sunlight, ac­cording to a 2007 German study. Forty minutes after researchers treated skin samples with the ­bronzing ingredient in self-­tanners, dihydroxyacetone (DHA), elevated levels of free radicals (180 percent more than untreated skin!) formed during sun exposure. Another self-tanner ingredient, erythulose, produced a similar response. Researchers suspect that when the bronzer interacts with the skin, a chemical forms that generates free radicals when exposed to UV light. The safe way to get a faux glow: Avoid excessive sun exposure for at least 12 hours after applying a self-tanner.

21. KNOW YOUR NUMBERS

    You might think slathering on a high SPF number is the most important factor for sun protection, but you'd be wrong. An SPF of 15 blocks 94% of burning UVB rays; jump to SPF 30 and you'll get 98% coverage. Going to 50 adds just 1% more coverage. Smarter choice: A broad-spectrum sunscreen with zinc oxide and stabilizing ingredients that prevent UV blockers from breaking down in sunlight. Look for Helioplex or mexoryl.

22. RISE, BUT DON'T SHINE

    While you're sleeping, havoc may be breaking out on your face. Hormonal surges during sleep cause your sebaceous glands to pump oil--and you end up shinier than the Harry Winston showroom. Those cursed with oily skin and breakouts can fight acne and grease slicks before they strike with an overnight treatment.
    

23. STEER CLEAR OF STINKY BUTTS

    Here's new info about how hard smoking can be on your looks: A 2007 study found that smoking ages the skin on your body that the sun doesn't even see. Researchers found that smokers had more pronounced wrinkles than non-puffers on areas of the body usually untouched by UV rays, like the inner arms. "It seems that smoking accelerates the aging process," says Yolanda Rosi Helfrich, M.D.

24. GO AHEAD--GET SOME GODIVA

    Studies show that a few pieces of the dark stuff (milk chocolate has too much fat and sugar) will arm your skin with additional flavonols, protective nutrients that researchers believe absorb UV light and increase blood flow to the skin, improving its appearance. In one German study, women had flavonoid-­enriched cocoa every day for 12 weeks, and afterward their skin was softer, less irritated, and up to 25% less sensitive to sun damage when exposed to ultraviolet light. Sweet!

25. DON'T STRIP FOR JUST ANYONE

    We're not knocking your trusted doc, but dermatologists really are the best at knowing which growths are worrisome and which are harmless. A survey in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that derms had significantly higher accuracy in identifying abnormal skin growths than primary-care physicians. Melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, is the third most common cancer in women ages 20 to 39, so book your skin screening now.

Full article...

Labels: dermatology, flavonols, healthy diet, Helioplex, lycopene, skin care, study, Vitamins

Dollar “value meals” at fast food restaurants may not be such a bargain when you look at the potential health costs.

Many of these low-cost menu items are packed with fat, salt, cholesterol and processed meat, notes The Cancer Project, a nonprofit cancer prevention organization. The group has produced a list of what it says are the five unhealthiest items sold at the nation’s largest fast food chains.

The organization’s dieticians reviewed so-called value menus at five of the largest fast food chains in the nation, awarding points for such unhealthy characteristics as sodium, fat and low-fiber content. Jack in the Box’s junior bacon cheeseburger topped the list as the worst offender. The burger costs just one dollar but is packed with 23 grams of fat, including 8 grams of saturated fat, 55 milligrams of cholesterol and 860 milligrams of sodium and just one gram of fiber.

The Cancer Project is affiliated with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, which aggressively promotes a low-fat, vegetarian diet. The organization’s list was spurred in part by a concern that during tough economic times, more people will resort to eating inexpensive fast foods, said Krista Haynes, a dietitian with the project.

A spokeswoman for Jack in the Box said that the junior bacon cheeseburger is a “great value” but that diners may also choose from healthier options, like salads and a fruit cup. They’re more expensive, however: an entrée salad with grilled chicken strips is $4.99, and a fruit cup is $2.29.

The other four menu items on the cancer group’s list were:

* In second-worst place, the 89-cent Taco Bell cheesy double beef burrito, with 460 calories, 20 grams of fat and a whopping 1,620 milligrams of sodium.

* In third-worst place was the one-dollar Burger King breakfast sausage biscuit, with 27 grams of fat, including 15 grams of saturated fat and over 1,000 milligrams of sodium.

* Fourth worst went to the one-dollar McDonald’s McDouble, which contains 19 grams of fat and 65 milligrams of cholesterol.

* Last, and least-worst, was the Wendy’s junior bacon cheeseburger, for $1.53, with 310 calories and 16 grams of fat.

Being overweight can increase the risk for diabetes and heart disease, and the American Cancer Society recommends limiting high-fat foods, which are associated with an increased risk of certain cancers, and eating plenty of fruits and vegetables.

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Labels: fast food, PCRM, study, The Cancer Project, unhealthy

Youthtopia Age-Correcting Serum With Rhodiola is ORIGINS’ first foray into the antiaging category. In addition to the adaptogenic herb rhodiola, the item contains derivatives of the phytonutrient-rich, Himalayan-grown amalaki tree. “Rhodiola repairs and amalaki extends the repair,” says Lizz Starr, executive director of product development. The serum, launching this month for $50, also contains firming sweet almond extract, collagen-building soy peptides, moisturizing sunflower and cucumber extracts and calming geranium. “There’s a natural, organic trend in the market right now, but women still need to see the benefits,” says Jenny Belknap, vice president of global marketing.

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Labels: amalaki, anti-aging, beauty, herbs, organic, Origins, rhodiola