Author Archives: Shawna Rhodes

Triple Your Weight Loss with Meratrim

February 11, 2014 by Shawna Rhodes · Comments Off

A recent Dr. Oz show featured a new weight loss supplement which has led to many vendors offering a variety of meratrim products. A company called InterHealth owns the trademark to this product. This is the reason there are many creative marketing solutions being used by vendors to cash in on the success of this supplement. Marketers selling the product without getting permission from InterHealth risk legal action.

The supplement contains two main ingredients that will affect weight loss. Consumers will find nutritional products with Sphaeranthus indicus and Garcinia mangostana will likely be a marketed for weight loss. There is likely to be many variations of this supplement coming to market in the coming weeks and months.

There are many differences touted by InterHealth between their product and Garninia cambogia. Many consumers can easily be confused between products with similar ingredients. One key difference about their supplement is showing an increase in adiponectin. This is a hormone in the body that is involved in fat metabolism. Most generic products on the market typically do not use branded ingredients as the cost is too high.

Consumers can find this weight loss supplement at many locations. Many nutritional shops will have a variety of products, such as Whole Foods and GNC. Another option for consumers will be to order this product online from the tyrmeratrim.com website. Many brands are approved to sell this supplement in retail stores or online.

This dietary supplement is just like other products on the market and means consumers will need to take the dose that is recommended. InterHealth suggests consumers take one 400mg dose twice a day. The best time to take the supplement is 30 minutes prior to having breakfast and dinner.

Consumers will need to decide for themselves if the product will help achieve desired results. Products that get a recommendation or mention by a well-known health expert often mean the product will often produce results. The results will typically vary based on factors that often include metabolism and how the body reacts to all the active ingredients.

The best way for consumes to benefit from meratrim is to follow the three-step plan from Dr. Oz when weight loss is necessary. Taking the dietary supplement regularly is the first step. The next step will be to increase protein intake to double current levels. Flushing fat from the body is the third step and requires drinking pomegranate vinegar after each meal.

Posted in diet, Diets and Weight Loss.

7 Day Weight Loss With Yacon Powder

November 15, 2013 by Shawna Rhodes · Comments Off

Yacon, the Latest Natural Weight Loss Phenomenon

Yacon, used in pills or syrup, are the latest competition for Garcinia Cambogia in amazing natural weight loss without even trying. Garcinia Cambogia, which has been attributed to the weight loss for both Rachel Ray and Paula Dean, and also for hundreds of thousands others, allows the dieter to eat just about anything they want and take the weight off. This is also an amazing property of Yacon that the dieter does not have to change their diet to lose weight. This interests everyone who even are holding on to the last 5 lazy pounds, which are often the most difficult to lose.

Another property is that it takes off belly fat, too! So, amazing benefits occur while still eating what you want. Another miraculous natural food!

The Yacon is a vegetable that is native to South America or more specifically, the Andes Mountains. The ancient Incas were known to eat the Yacon vegetable for its nutritional value and for the high fiber content it has. The main characteristics of this vegetable is that it is very low in calories, high in fiber, it falls low on the glycemic index, so your system doesn’t spike after eating, and it has a nice, sweet flavor.

Because it’s so low on the glycemic index, it’s not easily broken down into sugar in the body, which means the spike that comes with high sugar or insulin foods does not occur. There is a key ingredient in Yacons called Fructooligosaccharide or FOS for short. This is the ingredient that carries all of the benefits that were mentioned, but don’t confuse FOS with the fructose found in fruit. The FOS does give Yacons the sweetness of the vegetable.

Yacon can be taken in several forms for weight loss, including powder, pills, syrup, dried chips and even the root of the plant. It is typically taken 15 minutes before a meal because another fantastic benefit is that it lowers the hunger hormone called ghrelin, so satisfaction comes sooner and you eat less.

There has been extensive research performed recently on Yacons and how they affect weight loss, including Dr. Oz. In the majority of cases, the results were positive and showed weight loss for each one. The combination of stabilizing the blood sugar and hunger while accelerating the metabolism and allowing the healthy bacteria to be created in the gut creates a winning formula for taking off fat.

Posted in Diets and Weight Loss, Uncategorized.

How 5htp Can Help You Achieve Your Weight Loss Goals

February 2, 2013 by Shawna Rhodes · Comments Off

5htp is fast becoming the most sought after weight management supplement on the market. 30 years of research and a recent mention on the Doctor Oz website have generated considerable buzz about this new weight loss wonder. But what exactly is 5htp, what does it do, and are there any side effects?

Following is a brief introduction, some facts and a summary of 5htp’s health benefits. 5-Hydroxytryptophan is an amino acid naturally occurring in small amounts in the body. It is synthesized from L-tryptophan, present in such whole food sources as pumpkins, potatoes, turkey, milk and cheese, and assorted greens. Incorporating these foods into one’s diet can result in higher 5-Hydroxytryptophan levels, but supplements can also provide an easy and equally viable option for those embarking on weight loss regimens.

Typically derived from a shrub indigenous to West and Central Africa, 5-Hydroxytryptophan is available in many over the counter forms, and it can be found in the health food or pharmacy sections of large supermarkets. Mucuna pruriens, a tropical legume, is another source. An offshoot of serotonin production, 5-Hydroxytryptophan aids in mood regulation. Double blind placebo studies have demonstrated its effectiveness at combating depression and promoting restful sleeping patterns. Boosted serotonin levels have also been linked with decreased appetite.

5-Hydroxytryptophan significantly increases levels of both amylin and leptin, the body’s natural appetite suppressants and fullness hormones. As referenced on the Doctor Oz website, 5-Hydroxytryptophan easily accesses the blood brain barrier, directly impacting brain function and stimulating the release of certain hormones, leaving one feeling fuller for longer periods of time and less subject to cravings.

Individuals on a diet of any kind will find 5-Hydroxytryptophan enables them to go longer periods on less calories, thus expediting weight loss at a steady, manageable rate. Researchers and experts especially recommend it for those who crave carbs nonstop.

A recent study found that of two groups of women whose food consumption was observed over five weeks, the group given 200 mg of 5-Hydroxytryptophan prior to meals consumed upwards of 1,000 calories less per day and experienced less hunger. The women involved in the study did not restrict their diets, nor exercise profusely, yet still experienced loss of weight.

Incorporating 5-Hydroxytryptophan into one’s diet should be done gradually, beginning with a small dose to assess tolerance. It is best taken approximately one half hour prior to meals, and periods of dosage should be cycled: 12 weeks on, one month off, etc. Two to three weeks may transpire before benefits begin to manifest.

Indirect evidence suggests that side effects of 5-Hydroxytryptophan may include damage to heart valves and/or cardiac fibrosis, or headaches and tremors, nausea, and diarrhea. It should be noted these side effects are primarily the result of contrary interactions between 5-Hydroxytryptophan and SSR/MAO inhibitors (antidepressants). For those who are not currently taking SSR/MAO inhibitors, 5-Hydroxytryptophan may provide relief of moderate mood disorders, anxiety, insomnia, and eating disorders.

Posted in Diets and Weight Loss, Uncategorized.

Why Svetol is Important When Buying Green Coffee Extract

December 24, 2012 by Shawna Rhodes · Comments Off

It seems every few months there’s a new weight loss miracle to hit the market and the newest one causing its fair share of buzz is green coffee bean extract. With medical experts backing it and studies to prove it, it’s been called the miracle weight loss pill. Understandably, there are still plenty of people who are hesitant to believe that it really works like they say it does.

Does Green Coffee Extract Work?
We were a bit skeptical at first, too. That was, until Dr. Oz talked about it on his show back in March (of 2012). Like you probably do, we take whatever he says to heart. But before ever deciding that it would be something we’d be happy to carry in our store, we had to do our own digging. Truth is, this weight loss supplement will only become more in demand. So how do you know that it works?

Study Published in The Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity Journal
A study that followed participants over 12 weeks was published in January 2012. This is the study that started it all. Dr. Lindsay Duncan came across the study, and though he doesn’t normally ‘endorse’ specific weight loss supplements, this time it was different. The excitement clearly showed as he went on and on about it on the Dr. Oz show.

The Dr. Oz Green Coffee Study
Eventually, Dr. Oz decided it was time to find out for himself just how or if this magical little extract could help you lose weight. He conducted his own study. His team of profound medical experts interviewed and selected nearly 100 women to participate. They were instructed to not change any of their habits, including exercise and eating habits. They were also required to keep a food journal. This was just to make sure weight loss couldn’t be attributed to any factor other than adding green coffee extract to their diet.

While the study was short compared to the previous one, lasting only two weeks, the results spoke for themselves. Women who were given a placebo did lose a little bit of weight. They attribute that to subconsciously eating less because of the food journal. The women who were taking the extract lost twice as much weight. Wouldn’t you like to double your weight loss without changing anything other than taking these capsules?

How Does Green Coffee Bean Extract Work?

You might think that it has something to do with caffeine, but you’d be wrong. Experts believe it has nothing to do with the caffeine. Actually, the amount of caffeine in the extract is miniscule – less than what you’d get from your morning cup of coffee. The miraculous weight loss is attributed to chlorogenic acid or green coffee antioxidant (GCA). This powerful ingredient is only found in unroasted coffee beans (we call green coffee beans). It hinders fat absorption in your body, helps to prevent glucose build-up in your liver and boosts metabolism.

So all in all, we’re talking about three very key things. First of all, it works no matter what you eat. That means no diets that you have to try to stick to. Secondly, you don’t have to exercise! Sure, if you do exercise, you’re going to get better results. But that’s probably the most amazing thing about green coffee bean extract – it works regardless of physical activity and diet.

What’s with Svetol?
As Dr. Oz clearly pointed out on his show, not all green coffee capsules are created equal. In fact, some of them are just a plain ripoff. They have ‘filler’ ingredients that don’t do you any good and they don’t have enough Svetol or GCA. If you’re going to buy it, make sure that it has a bare minimum of 45 percent GCA/Svetol.

Side Effect Notes of Green Coffee Supplements
If you’re pregnant, it isn’t recommended to use it since it hasn’t been tested on children or how it could affect your fetus. If you’re insistant on taking this supplement, at least talk to your doctor first.

Final Note: If you want to see Dr. Oz show that green coffee extract works, be sure to watch the show on Dec. 27th!

Posted in Diets and Weight Loss, Green Coffee. Tagged with , , .

The Skinny on Skinny Foods

September 24, 2012 by Shawna Rhodes · Comments Off

Every month it seems there’s a new secret to weight loss. But truth is, we already know many secrets to burning fat and they’re all found right in your local grocery store. No, it isn’t as expensive as you might thing to eat healthy and you may be surprised at some of the “skinny foods” you’ve been missing out on. Remember we’re talking about real food here. Not diet foods. These are foods that will naturally help you lose weight and get rid of cravings. Foods that will burn fat and stop your body from storing new fat. Do you want to know what they are? Keep reading.

Beans, a True Fat Buster

Beans are the first one our list because of three reasons. First, they’re an exception fat burning food. Two, there are so many kinds of beans that finding ones you like and finding ways to use them is super easy. They’re so versatile! You can eat them as-is, you can make soup, add them to salads or use in meat recipes… the possibilities are almost endless. Three, they’re amazingly affordable. For a couple bucks you can grab a bag that lasts for weeks.

Beans have what we call resistant starch, which means that half the calories in them will never be absorbed by your body. So half the calories you get from beans will never have the chance of being stored as fat.

Eating beans has also been associated with a decrease in body fat, due to the fatty acid butyrate that’s found within beans. Fatty acid butyrate has also been known to control cell damage that can lead to cancer.

Gas? What gas? The gas you sometimes get from eating beans will go away as you start to include them more often in your diet. Your body will begin to build up the good bacteria that’s used to properly digest them.

Fool Yourself into Being Full with Pine Nuts

Pine nuts are on our list because of the fat in them called pinolenic. Pinolenic causes two other powerful hormones to be created: glucagon-like peptide and cholecystokinin. When these hormones are present, your body thinks it’s full because they tell your brain your stomach is full.

In one study that looked at how this worked, women who ate pine nuts started eating dramatically less. Their hunger subsided and they ate 36 percent less than they previously did. And you don’t have to eat a lot of them to get this effect, either.

Eating enough pine nuts to fill up a shot glass is plenty enough to get the benefits of them. Decrease hunger. Eat less. Lose weight.

Pine nuts are also a very good source of protein.

Skip the Morning Munchies with Fennel Tea

Fennel tea is an amazing late-night drink just before you head off to bed. Drinking fennel tea right before beddie-bye time has several benefits, actually. One of the main reasons people like to drink it is because it wards off those infamous first-thing-in-the-morning cravings. You don’t wake up as famished as you normally would and can therefore make a much more sensible breakfast decision.

Your body will absorb nutrients better, digest foods easier and more effectively and you won’t store as much fat. Pretty powerful stuff, huh?

Meaty Crimini Mushrooms Provide Massive Protein

Crimini mushrooms are the perfect mushroom to add to any kind of meat dish you create. By taking out some of the meat and replacing it with this yummy, meat-flavored mushroom you can instantly transform a dish. It becomes healthier and you don’t have to give up any taste. No blandness here. Crimini mushrooms are high in fiber, so it’ll fill you up quicker and you’ll be cutting fat at the same time.

These “baby-bellas” (little portabellas) have even been shown to ward off the possibility of breast cancer. Researchers say they just might be the answer to increasing your immune system so that your body can prevent the formation of tumors.

Apples Keep the Fat Away

Do you always eat a salad before dinner? If so, you should start topping it with fresh chunks of apple. Apples are powerful fruits for anyone who wants to lose weight. What makes apples so special is the pectin inside them – a fiber that reduces the amount of sugars and calories that your body absorbs when eating.

Maintaining a steady blood glucose sugar level that isn’t too high is important to your  health and weight loss. Apples do this, too. You won’t go through spikes and crashes due to your blood sugar level jumping up and down, which means less cravings and sudden urges to eat.

Raspberry Ketone to Take Charge of Your Metabolism

Everyone wants to magically increase their metabolism and that’s just what raspberry ketone can do. You have something called adiponectin in your body, which is responsible for regulating your metabolism. Raspberry ketone, naturally found in raspberries, controls the level of adiponectin in your body.

It pretty much destroys fat cells and helps prevent new ones from forming in the first place. Though it’s naturally found in raspberries, you won’t get enough raspberry ketone from eating raw raspberries. There is only trace amounts of it found in each one, so you’d be looking at eating 90 pounds of raspberries per day to get enough raspberry ketone for these benefits.

Instead, you’ll need to find a raspberry ketone supplement to use.

Kill the Cravings with Chili Peppers

Have you ever noticed that when you’re eating something spicy with chili peppers that are you aren’t likely to be craving other foods? Chili peppers have a compound in them called casaicin, which will kick your metabolism up a notch because of the increase in body temperature they create. They also reduce your appetite.

Just add some good ole’ chili pepper sauce to your meals and enjoy a reduced appetite and increase in metabolism. Of course, you could eat them raw… but would you really want to?

Blocking Carbs with Vinegar

Vinegar helps you keep blood sugar levels under control. If you love starchy foods then vinegar is a must-have addition to your diet. It helps slow down the absorption of carbohydrates. There are all kinds of different vinegars out there, as well as delicious vinaigrettes that go well with a variety of foods. Find the one that you like and add it to your meals, especially pastas and potatoes. Making your own vinaigrette only requires a few ingredients in most cases and is simple and cheap.

The Skinny on Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are one of the newer foods that have been getting a lot of attention lately, especially among those who are trying to follow plant based diets. They’re little fiber superstars, they are. Including chia seeds in your food (or drinks) will help you stay feeling fuller much longer and can help reduce cholesterol levels. They also help prevent the storage of fat.

Chia seeds can be added to all types of dishes and many people simply make a refreshing drink to get their daily intake of them. One easy way is to throw a lemon slice in a bottle of water, add a touch of pomegranate juice or agave and throw in some chia seeds.

Old but Reliable Green Tea

At one time, green tea was the superstar in the weight loss world. Though it may not be plastered all over the evening news like it once was, that doesn’t mean that it’s lost any of its weight loss powers. To feel fuller and reduce the cravings/snacking that you would likely experience otherwise, just sip on green tea between meals.

Over time, its power is increased. So the longer you keep using green tea, the more it will help. Over time, your body will start changing how it deals with cravings. Your body won’t store as much fat as it once did and you’ll be metabolizing the food you eat more effectively.

Omega-3 Superstars – Pepitas

Never heard of pepitas? I bet you have. Pepitas are just pumpkin seeds and squash seeds. Both of these seeds can be roasted in the oven and eaten or added to your favorite salad for some hefty health benefits. First of all, they’re packed with omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are well known in the weight loss world, as well as the health industry as a whole.

Pepitas also give you lots of protein and magnesium. This is a powerful combination that decreases your appetite and cravings.

Red Lentils for a Fiber Fiesta

Getting your fiber each day is a breeze if you eat some red lentils. With as little as a cup of red lentils a day, you are getting three-fourths the fiber you should be getting. That’s a lot of fiber! Not only do you get a load of fiber with them, you will also be getting tons of protein. You can snack on them, replace the meat in one meal of the day or like a lot of people do, make red lentil soup.

Watermelon More than Just Fruit

Bet you didn’t know that watermelon was full of fiber and protein. Yep, this kid favorite packs a powerful punch that most people don’t even know about. In fact, they have so much fiber and protein that you could use watermelon in a meal instead of meat. Just like red lentils, a single cup will almost give you your daily allowance of fiber (three quarters of it).

Cinnamon & Spice?

Cinnamon is much more than sweet and spice. This spice is incredibly powerful for anyone trying to lose weight (who would have thought, right?). When you include cinnamon in your diet, food doesn’t pass through the stomach as fast. So next time you’re whipping up your favorite coffee drink, why  not put a dash of cinnamon in there? Double up on the foods from this list by thinly slicing apples, sprinkling with cinnamon and toasting them in the oven.

Drop Inches with Avocados

Wonder why Subway makes such a big deal out of avocados during avocado season? They’re powerful little things for your health and affordable (especially during their peak season). Avocados are super skinny food because of the monounsaturated fat found in them. Eat them for an amazing energy boost, to lose weight, burn fat and drop stubborn inches.

Posted in diet, Diets and Weight Loss.

Little Weight Loss, Long Lasting Benefits

August 9, 2012 by Shawna Rhodes · Comments Off

 

If you’re seriously overweight then even losing the tiniest bit of weight can have amazing long-term benefits. That is, according to a recently released survey. This study monitored 3,000 people who were in a pre-diabetic stage known as impaired glucose tolerance.

The participants didn’t simply take a prescribed medicine. Instead, they were trained to behave different. Strategies were put into place to help them do so. They began tracking their daily food intake. They decreased the amount of unhealthy foods that they would stock in the kitchen. They started to get more active.

By losing a mere 14 pounds or so, you can decrease your chances of developing full blown type 2 diabetes by almost 60 percent. The health benefits gained from losing that much (or that little, depending on how you look at it) weight lasted as much as many ten years. And guess what? That was regardless of whether they gained the weight back or not. Now that’s pretty darn amazing, right?

The results and details of this study were set to be released during the American Psychological Association annual meeting being held in Orlando, Florida.

The director of the Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center located at Providence’s Miriam Hospital believes the key is behavioral modification. Instead of relying on prescriptions and other medical interventions in the case of severe obesity, the key is to help them change their lifestyle. This includes getting more active (we aren’t talking marathons here) and eating habits. If you can lose just ten percent of your body weight, it can help with a number of health problems, including hypertension, sleep apnea and increased mobility as you get older.

The director, Rena Wing, was doing her own research too. Studying 5,000 participants who have type 2 diabetes over a 13-year time period. The focus of her study is to see if this behavioral approach will lead to lower heart attack and heart disease risk.

 

Posted in Diets and Weight Loss.

Tips for Effective Weight Management

August 9, 2012 by Shawna Rhodes · Comments Off

 

Everywhere you turn, you can find a new way of losing weight. But for a lot of people, they can lose weight… they just can’t keep it off. So what’s the key to actually maintaining your weight once you’ve met your weight loss goals?

There are many diets that claim they work for the long run. If you eat what they say, when they say and how much they say then you’ll transform your body into a more beautiful, healthier your forever. However, with most diets that just simply isn’t the case. When you get to the weight you want and you stop ‘the diet’ then the weight begins to creep back on.

How to Keep Weight Off?

No matter which you look at it, if you wanna lose weight and keep it off then you can’t eat more calories than your body can burn. Where those calories come from isn’t the issue. They can come from nothing but fruit, but they’re still calories. There is no one-size-fits-all diet that will work for everyone. You have to experiment with your eating and see what works best for your body. You have to burn those calories one way or the other. Exercise is great. But yes, there are things like green coffee extract and 5-HTP that can trick your body into burning more calories and fat. Regardless of what you decide to do, here are some tips to help you along the way:

Tips for Successful, Long Term Weight Loss

  • The changes you make don’t need to be drastic. Even the smallest steps you take can add up to a big change. For instance, could you switch to 2% milk instead of whole milk? Can you live with and learn to enjoy low fat cheese or salad dressings? It may not seem like much, but you’d be surprised at how it adds up over time.
  • Don’t blindly eat… that means, don’t pile up food on your plate and plop down in front of your favorite TV show to eat. If you do, you’re almost certain to overeat. When you eat, you need to be thinking about eating. Engage your senses and enjoy the texture, aroma and flavor. You will notice how much easier it is to notice that… “Hey, I’m not really hungry anymore, I’m full”
  • Keep the portions on your plate under control. Know about what a portion of meat looks like, veggies looks like, etc..
  • Include plenty of whole grains, low fat protein, veggies and fruits in your diet.
  • Limit alcohol and sweet, sugary treats.
  • Always eat a full, healthy breakfast. Make sure you get some healthy proteins.
  • Get active. Find a few activities you like and do them! You could walk, swim, play basketball, do yoga, etc… It doesn’t matter as long as you’re getting active.
  • Take little steps to find ways to add activity into your day. For instance, take the stairs at work. Park at the far end of the lot when you go shopping.
  • Don’t let stress dictate your eating habits. If you’re stressed and making your way to the fridge, go step outside. Take a deep breath and think about whether you’re really hungry or not. If not, find something else to do. Go for a walk. Call a buddy. Run a relaxing bubble bath.
  • Start keeping a food journal of some sort. It can be a notepad, a smartphone app or whatever you like. After a week or so you’ll be able to spot trouble areas. Keep track of your activities and feelings with it, too. That way, you can notice emotional eating. Yes, you will not always eat perfect. That’s ok. Just keep going and be sure to reward yourself for long tracks of good eating or good decisions.
  • Learn to read and understand food labels… and read them!

How Do THEY DO IT?!

Believe it or not, there’s actually a group  at the University of Colorado that can answer that question with proof. They observe and track people who have dropped at least 30 pounds and managed to keep it off for more than a year.  They aren’t really secrets, but if you wanna know the ‘secrets’, here they are:

  • They keep their calories under 1,400 a day
  • Fat calories are limited to a max of 24%
  • They eat a healthy breakfast
  • They don’t engage in fad diets
  • They eat lots of different types of foods and lots of fruits/veggies
  • They regularly exercise (walking is the most popular)
  • They keep a current food journal
  • They regularly record their weight

The members who participate in this program say that as time goes on, it continues to get easier. They don’t feel burdened with the activities they do to maintain a healthy lifestyle. In fact, they start enjoying it. They enjoy the exercise. They appreciate the low-fat, healthy diet they follow and most of all… they love their now bodies.

A Wealth of Benefits

Losing weight helps you feel better about yourself for sure. You can stand a little taller and take pride in your appearance and hard work you’ve put in. But the health benefits are much more than that. If you can lose as little as as ten percent of your body weight, you will enjoy health benefits that can last up to ten years. You reduce your chances of developing severe health problems like high blood pressure and heart disease.

Did you know that the people of North American spend upwards of $5 billion every single year on weight loss products? Everyone is looking for that magical little pill that will work overnight. But while there are definitely natural supplements that can help you on your weight loss journey, but for the best benefits, it will take some effort.

 

Posted in Diets and Weight Loss.

Understanding the Basics of Acne

August 9, 2012 by Shawna Rhodes · Comments Off

 

If you’re like most people, when you hear someone talk about acne then you assume they’re just talking about pimples. The truth is, there’s a big difference between some pimples and acne. Acne is an inflammatory skin disease. It directly affects the pilosebaceous, a section of the skin that consists of the sebaceous gland your hair follicles.

In most cases, acne arises during puberty. That’s understandable, since your body is experiences quick-rising levels of testosterone that are associated with the bodily changes puberty brings along. But acne isn’t always a byproduct of puberty. Sometimes your genetics can be the underlying reason why you develop it.

As much as ten percent of Americans will experience acne sometime during their life.

Symptoms and Signs of Acne:

Just because you get a blackhead or a pimple does not mean you have acne. So how can you tell if you have acne or just a passing phase of pimples? Here are some things to look for:

  1. Microcomedone: This is also sometimes referred to as Comedone. A microcomedone is basically a hair follicle that become enlarged due to getting plugged up with bacteria and oils. They’re very, very small. In fact, you can’t see it with the naked eye.
  2. Blackhead: An open comedone can become a blackhead. Lots of people think that a blackhead is a pimple that has dirt and other particles trapped in the top due it’s color. However, it’s actually plugged hair follicle and it has risen to your skin surface. That dark color of the blackhead? That’s the bacteria and oils plugging it.
  3. Whitehead: Whiteheads are closed comedones. Instead of rising to the surface like a blackhead, they stay just under your skin surface.
  4. Papules: When you get those small pink bumps on the surface of your skin, these are papules. They’re inflamed but aren’t filled, plugged and pus-filled.
  5. Pimples: When you get the small bumps raised and pus-filled, these are actual pimples. They can have different looks to them, but they almost always have a red base.
  6. Nodules: These are also called cysts. They’re pus-filled, inflamed and normally very large compared to the others. They are often painful because they’re embedded very deep under the surface of your skin. If picked or opened and drained they’ll often leave a scar.

Acne Lesions and Their Development

Glands under your skin secrete certain oils. Sometimes hair follicles can become plugged or blocked by them. Your pores are often found above a comedone. When dead skin cells, oils and blocked pores are together it often leads to a nice little growth of bacteria. This particular bacteria is technically called Propionibacterium acnes – hence the name of this skin disease: acne. If that bacteria is allowed to remain and it sets off a chain reaction then you end up with inflammation and eventually a lesion that can cause scarring.

What Causes Acne?

Bouts of acne can be contributed to several things. One thing to know is that it is not your diet or grooming habits that cause acne. Not usually anyways. Of course there are exceptions, but normally it’s something else like hormones or too much sebum. Others include:

Stress: There are studies that show that acne can be brought on by stress. When you’re under too much stress, your immune system can suffer. Your hormone levels fluctuate. Combined, this can be an environment prone to acne outbreaks.

Dead skin cells: Everyday, skin cells die and new ones replace them. Sometimes the dead skin cells can get caught and block pores. If that happens then oxygen can’t make its way underneath the blocked area, which again, leaves an environment that bacteria loves.

Bacteria: Bacteria is always present in our bodies. However, if there’s too much then it can cause inflammation, which is your body’s way of telling you something is wrong. Propionibacterium acnes can form. Normally there’d need to be quite a bit for an acne outbreak. But if you’ve become allergic to this bacteria it will only take a tiny bit to cause an outbreak.

 

Posted in Beauty, Diets and Weight Loss.

Does Eating Healthy Cost More?

July 31, 2012 by Shawna Rhodes · Comments Off

One reason many people say they don’t eat as healthy as they’d like is that it costs so much more to buy the healthier foods at the grocery store. However, according to a new government study that just isn’t the case anymore. Buying fresh foods like fruits and veggies or whole grains normally costs less than the processed foods that are high in fat.

In this study, researchers took a look at over four thousand different types of foods around the country. They took into account different factors such as price per portion, price per calorie and edible weight.

Generally speaking, they found that based price per portion and portion size, the cheaper healthy foods are:

  • Dairy
  • Grains
  • Veggies
  • Fruit

Less healthy foods and proteins come very close in price. So how can you combat this if you want to eat healthy and follow the government’s recommended dietary allowances? One way is to start thinking of your proteins as an addition to your meals rather than the main focus since meats and proteins are on the higher end. Focus on grains and fresh fruits and veggies that are topped off with or sprinkled with a protein that’s complimentary to the dish.  You can also substitute meats with other ingredients that offer similar nutritional value. Here’s a substitution guide from the Mayo Clinic.

One of the biggest things that you can do is to buy fruits and veggies that are in season and locally grown. Visit your local farmer’s markets. If you find produce that you aren’t used to cooking, that’s ok! Try it. It may become a new favorite, you’ll be helping your local farmers and you’ll eliminate extra costs that come from packaging and shipping. You can use this in-season produce map to find out what’s in season in your area at any given time. What’s even cooler is that it gives you information about each fruit or veggie and possible recipes that can be used with it.

Posted in Diets and Weight Loss, Health and Fitness. Tagged with , , , .

Chinese University study finds seabuckthorn aids weight loss AND skin care

June 7, 2012 by Shawna Rhodes · Comments Off

Wise Skincare Information You Can Rely on

Although there are many effective acne remedy plans using creams such as Sea Buckthorn oil, facial washes or  other medicines, you can only acheive long-term improvement by carefully modifying your diet plan. What you eat is reflected in the way your skin looks. If you’re maintaining a healthy diet, you will likely already have healthy attractive skin. On the other hand, an insufficient diet or unbalanced diet can make your skin dull and unhealthy. What you eat has a major effect on the look of acne on your skin. But to begin with, you should learn about what to eat and what not to eat. A good place to get started is at healthydietsupplements.com/sea-buckthorn

Fruits are excellent foods to fight or prevent acne, such as those rich in vitamin A, ascorbic acid and vitamin E. Fruits like apples, blueberries, grapes, bananas, cherries, papayas and lemon are exceedingly efficient in taking care of your skin.

Ginger root and garlic clove have antibiotic qualities which help to eliminate the microbial infections that causes acne. You may also include white meat and chicken in what you eat. They’re wealthy in proteins and minerals that help in keeping the skin replenished with water and prevent flaking which is a major cause of acne.

If you want healthy vibrant skin then you have to make time in your daily routine to take care of it. Keep in mind that the face is the first thing many people around you notice, so to make a good impression you should always watch for new ways to achieve and keep a proper, youthful looking skin. Ensure that you stock up on safe, organic and natural skin care items. That’s why Dr. Mercola offers Mercola Healthy Skincare items that you’ll surely love. With all of the organic and natural elements, the skin will appear more youthful and much more energetic than ever before.

You now have all that you need to keep the skin more youthful, softer and healthier. You have the knowledge to start getting on the right path to a far more confident and youthful appearance. Possibly, that confidence might just help get you one stage further in your career or private life since you know, whether right or wrong, that  looks do matter in this world. Let’s look a little deeper, shall we?

Be sure that you always include fiber rich meals that may eliminate the harmful toxins in your body. Veggies are highly vital for skin care and most any acne remedy used without a diet that includes veggies will fail. Veggies like carrot, tomato, raddish, cucumber and turnips are excellent sources of anti-oxidants and therefore can substantially lower your acne breakouts. Carrots are a useful source of diverse essential nutrition that fights acne. It has large amounts of materials, vitamin A, a number of other minerals and vital nutrients that may cure your acne. It is normally best to eat raw vegetables. While cooking these veggies, ensure that you don’t overcook to avoid getting rid of essential nutrition. If you need to peel them, don’t go too deep since most of the important nutrients are found just under the skin.

It’s also wise to include seafood in what you eat. It’s an amazing source of fatty acids, namely Omega-3, which is the most significant nutrient required for proper skin. The majority of research has proven that individuals who eat greasy meals and meals wealthy in refined carbohydrates and more fatty meals tend to be more vulnerable to acne. Besides, they might have severe health issues due to such diets.

Not drinking enough water can also worsen acne, as harmful toxins are more easily attached to the skin  which is another primary cause for acne. More oily meals may cause more oil to be deposited onto the skin which could clog the pores and lead to acne.

Consuming more milk products, chocolates, ice creams and other sugary substances might be a chief factor for your acne, too. Aside from a proper healthy diet, an effective acne remedy is promising only if you use a gentle facial cleanser with a few naturals oil as key components to get rid of the grime and to nourish it. This type of facial cleanser, like Facedoctor, is a  reviving soap which has all of the dietary advantages of sea buckthorn oil (an amazing addition to any acne remedy).

How to Tackle Acne Problems?

Sea Buckthorn is a proven choice to for dealing with acne. Sea Buckthorn can come in cream or gel form and works by getting rid of the bacteria on the skin that creates acne. The cream or gel needs to be applied two times every day and significant results usually take a couple of days to be noticed.

An excellent natural approach to prevent acne outbreaks would be the traditional rule of consuming plenty of water. Water helps your skin by helping to eliminate dangerous harmful toxins that are often associated with skin conditions like acne. Consuming plenty of water prevents dangerous harmful toxins from poisoning your body and gives you a nice even complexion.

If you use an acne product that’s filled with salicylic acidity content, you need to remember the strong effect this may have on your skin. Ensure you use it precisely as the directions say to, as too much use can inflame your skin and lead to more breakouts. If you are noticing excess peeling or irritation, decrease your use to once daily, instead of twice a day.

Avoid spreading acne by not “popping” your pimples. When you pop a pimple, you are disbursing the problem that creates the breakouts. This infection then advances to other regions of the face area resulting in more breakouts in more areas. Popping acne could also cause unnecessary redness, swelling and permanent scare tissue, so it is advisable to leave them be and let them disappear on their own or with acne medication.

Sunshine

Another thing often overlooked to clear up acne is to make sure you’re getting enough sunshine. Sunshine is what encourages creating vitamin D that’s needed for maintaining healthy skin. Trading just ten minutes outdoors each day, even if it is cloudy, can enhance your vitamin D production and help clear your skin.

Brine

Use brine to clear your acne. If regular facial cleaning soap and water aren’t quite getting the task done, try cleansing your face with brine. It’ll remove oil without over drying your skin. You have to be careful about rubbing it in your eyes or open abrasions, though.

Stress

Stress might be a large reason behind your acne. Should you suffer from acne, progressively decrease your stress whenever you can. In reducing stress, you could try exercising. Yoga is fantastic for reducing stress. You may even try relaxing to reduce your stress threshold. Meditation is yet another great stress reducer.

Sleep

Be sure you’re getting enough sleep each evening. Getting lots of sleep is useful for your skin, since it allows it to heal. It’s also well suited for your present health, which means your body is under less physical strain and that will usually boost the skin. Also, be careful if your tresses are naturally oily. You just need just a single strand striking or stick to the face area to lead to breakouts.

Makeup

If you want to prevent acne issues, you might want to avoid makeup. Makeup can definitely clog pores and cause undesirable acne. If you are a fanatic every single day about makeup, just ensure that you clean everything off in the evening to prevent breakouts. You might also look into organic makeup (or mineral makeup).

Natural Acne Remedies

Sometimes natural skincare remedies might be used rather than creams that can often be harsh. Lemon makes the perfect natural acne cure. Lemon is an astringent that can shrink acne due to its high acidity level. Furthermore, it might reduce oil levels in the skin. Just apply freshly squeezed lemon juice for the skin and leave it for ¼ hour, then clean off, and you’ll see effective results. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is very proficient at getting rid of acne. Use it for those enlarged pores and oily skin areas. You should limit using freshly squeezed lemon juice to merely a few times each week to avoid drying your skin, though.

For further extreme cases of acne infection, you should consult an epidermis physician. It might appear excessive to make contact with physician for mere pimple problems; nevertheless the expertise an epidermis physician can provide is greatly effective. A skilled skin physician will have a way to recognize the specific causes of the acne and prescribe most likely the very best medications to fight it.

Taking Care of Your Skin’s Acne Problems

While it is sometimes tempting, popping acne isn’t an excellent idea and even more so if you are using Sea Buckthorn oil. It will only raise the irritation the pimple causes and it can damage the tissue. Instead, look for creams that mask acne or other breakouts, such as Sea buckthorn products. Physicians could also offer you something to cover the acne.

A good way to help stop an acne breakout is to sleep lying on your back. If you sleep on your stomach, the face will be in contact with the oils deposited there by the hair and face. Also, you need to clean your pillow cases regularly to eliminate these oils too.

A rather putrid but equally effective method of reducing acne involves garlic cloves. Simply, place chopped garlic clove in water and stir. Rub the water mixture on the face and wait for around ten minutes. The garlic clove will eliminate acne very quickly. Avoid using raw cloves by themselves, as they’re not likely to only release a pungent smell, but burn your skin too.

One more thing that you can do is exercise no less than three times every week. Exercising allows you to eliminate dangerous harmful toxins internally that could develop underneath your skin and cause irritation and acne lesions. In addition, exercising facilitates sweating, unclogging your pores and creating a pristine look.

Clean the face area if you’re venturing outdoors to ensure your skin stays clear of muck and bacteria. You’ll discover there are numerous small pollutants floating around that ends up on your skin throughout the day. The bacteria, muck and pollutants will remain on your face and aggravate the skin, leading to blemishes, unless you regularly clean them off.

Obtain a cleaner rather than bar cleaning soap to clean the face area. The skin’s natural pH is 5.5, while bar cleaning soap typically has nearly 9. Be sure that you aren’t scrubbing your face area too much when washing. Since acne outbreaks are triggered by the amount of oils, not muck, you don’t have to over clean the face area. Clean your face area daily with a particular face cleaner that’s appropriate for your skin. Doing this keeps your pores neat and neutralizes oils and muck that have made their way into your skin. To find the best results, clean the face area twice every day.

Another good thing to do is to apply a blackhead remover. It’s a little metal stick you can purchase at any pharmacy. You just slide it in the skin to eliminate any muck or bacteria that’s lodged within your pores. It’s extremely easy to use.

To prevent redness triggered by acne, you shouldn’t take advantage of a facial mask once or twice a week. While masks are very ideal for your skin, you’ll not want to add too much. They could actually cause more damage than good if used a lot of. They’ll dry out your skin and your body will produce more oils, resulting in breakouts.

Speaking on the cell phone could potentially cause acne breakout; cell phones obtain oils from your hair and face and deposit it on the face. You can clean the phone by using an alcohol-wet cotton ball to keep it free from these oils. Also, keep the phone slightly off of your face when you talk. Keep both of your hands out of your face. Our hands stay dirty. If you touch the face area you’re putting bacteria and muck on your face which can clog your skin’s pores and lead to acne.

Consume more probiotics. Many anti-biotics can eliminate bacteria in your digestive system. Targeted, effective digestion helps your body eliminate dangerous harmful toxins. If your digestion isn’t doing enough, the dangerous harmful toxins will come out through the skin. Yogurt with active live cultures is one example of a probiotic you could use.

Heal your acne by utilizing celery. Beta-carotene, or vitamin A, makes up for repairing and taking care of your skin’s tissue, and keeps excess sebum from building up. It helps your body get rid of dangerous harmful toxins, healing your skin from the inside. Really, Vitamin A deficiency could cause undesirable breakouts, so eat your celery!

The Secrets to Acne Free Skin

Taking a high-dose vitamin B5 (pantothenic acidity) supplement everyday could reduce your acne and boost the overall condition of your skin. This is a substance that is found in Sea Buckthorn oi,l as well. Some studies have established that vitamin B5 can regulate your body’s hormones and essential fatty acids. An unbalanced amount of essential fatty acids in your body could cause sebum to pass through pores on the skin leading to acne. If you take vitamins, that changes the quantity of essential fatty acids in your body and those acne outbreaks should be considerably reduced.

When it comes to acne, the finest tip that anyone can provide is to avoid touching the face area unnecessarily. Studies have demonstrated that an average person touches their face thousands of times every day. Consider all the bacteria, dirt and muck to cope with. Therefore if you want to become acne free, try as much as possible to keep hands off your face.

It is advisable to watch which kind of chemicals you are putting on the face area. A couple of those chemicals will clear away all of the oil from the skin. In a way these may sound like it is exactly what you need but that way, your body compensates by creating a lot more amounts of oil and may cause further blockage of the pores plus much more acne.

If you’re bucketing under the influence of acne, consider styling your hair in different ways and test different hair products. Many hair products, for instance gel or other related products, contain plenty of oil that will aggravate the skin and cause acne to appear. If you still wish to use hair products, clean your hair each day and make sure you are not getting any gel onto the skin.

Everybody can get acne; nevertheless the worst step to undertake is to pop them. Popping acne can leave scare tissue, redness or cause swelling. If you pop a pimple, you are just pushing the issue deeper into the skin, and very often this may cause it to get a great deal worse. Be gentle with your skin and no matter how embarrassing it may be, don’t pop that acne. It might be very tempting to squeeze and pop a pimple that’s glaring at you in the mirror, but popping it can pressure the puss much deeper into the pore and cause infections or inflammation. Rather, choose topical remedies and cold compresses.

In the event you frequently get acne on your back or chest, the main cause could actually be the clothes you put on. You have to clean them regularly, specifically if you exercise  in them. In addition, wearing tight clothes can get to your skin, which makes it stifle. Try wearing loose clothes to allow your skin to breath and perspire.

To reduce the irritation the body produces, stay relaxed as often as you can throughout your entire day. Elevated levels of stress and anxiety can lead to an overproduction of oil onto your skin. This excess oil can generate blemishes and cause acne breakouts. Take advantage of  mild cleaning soap and water to clean the face and watch out for those make up brushes. Once the brushes are old or totally caked in makeup, toss them and get completely new ones.

To reduce your acne, you have to learn how to clean the face area effectively. Choose a cleaning soap that’s less greasy and not too dry. Look for a brand name which promises a neutral PH. Clean your face area no less than two times every day. On the same token, prevent more acne outbreaks by not over-cleaning. Many people think that acne outbreaks are triggered by dirt-n-grime and for that reason they feel the need to scrub and clean the face area thoroughly many times throughout the day. That is false. A gentle facial cleansing one or two times every day with a light cleaning soap and water that’s clean is all you need for better looking and health skin.

Useful Tips for Reducing Your Acne

Going to your physician to check over acne and possible medications or remedies such as Sea Buckthorn oil can have many beneficial results. A good choice of skin treatment may be suggested which will be much more effective than the usual ones found over-the-counter. In addition, you’ll probably get some great information and insight to the underlying cause of your acne.

To combat facial acne, put a clean towel over your pillow each night prior to sleeping. Excessive skin oil turns into a notorious cause of acne infections, and just how rapidly the pillow absorbs skin oils is shocking. By putting your face area on a completely clean surface every night before you sleep can prevent a harmful build up of excess oil.

Avoid dehydration to help with acne breakouts. So ensure regular intake of eight pints of water (minimum) every day to help keep clear skin. Water will eliminate the dangerous harmful toxins in your body, which includes your skin. You’ll experience less acne resulting from dangerous harmful toxin and it also aids in the correction of moisture balance and developing a healthier glow.

If you’ve got the problem of temple acne, you might like to have a look at a preferred accessory, your hat. If you like wearing your chosen sports cap, the oils from your hair and hair products may be deposited on the temple. Also, wearing a hat traps the sweat and oils, providing you with a far better atmosphere for acne to produce.

A powerful way to avoid breakouts and acne outbreaks is by keeping hair out of your face. For individuals who have long hair or bangs, the muck and oils from your hair can transfer to your face. The oils and muck will result in clogged pores, eventually leading to a breakout.

If you have any mouthwash in your medicine cabinet, use a dab right to the site of the pimple. Mouthwash allows you to dry your acne out, and might be used as an overnight solution. Ensure the use is moderate, as using a lot of mouthwash can get to your skin.

Garlic clove is probably the best anti-oxidants on the marketplace, which is something that can help with your acne. Garlic clove allows you to purge the dangerous harmful toxins in your body, making way for new skin to develop. Spread garlic clove inside your bagel or create a garlic clove juice for your dinner to boost your  fight against acne.

One broadly known skin care products for acne outbreaks are Natural Aloe-vera. This is due to the composition of the natural aloe-vera plant. The gel like substance includes many proteins and vitamins that are beneficial for skin repair, for instance Vitamin E (an antioxidant). Apply to the skin after regular cleansing and the final results should be very rewarding.

And in order to keep tough acne under control ensures you are getting enough sleep each night. Getting sufficient sleep is useful for your skin, since it allows it to heal. It is also well suited for your overall body health which means your body is under less negative pressures that will usually boost the skin.

Don’t give up on medications too soon. Acne remedies might take between two to six days to boost your skin and sometimes they could cause your skin to look worse before it looks better. Be persistence and supply a completely new treatment no less than monthly before giving up on it.

Posted in Diets and Weight Loss, featured, nutrition, Uncategorized.
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