Hangover Recovery

During the course of the year we find ourselves going to all kinds of events such as birthdays, office luncheons, annual holidays, parties, and special occasions where alcohol is being served. Oftentimes along with feasting we also consume too much alcohol. As a result, we wake up the next morning with a hangover, which we then nurse for the next day or two. So as we approach the end of 2012 and the next New Year's Eve party, I wanted to offer this short article for dealing with a hangover.
This is a quick guide to alleviating or completely avoiding hangover symptoms through an understanding of alcohol itself, physiological changes related to alcohol consumption, and a variety of suggested remedies for specific hangover symptoms.
[Warning: First and foremost let me at least mention that you should always try to drink responsibly and arrange having a designated driver if you will be using your personal vehicle for transportation.]
Classes of Alcoholic Beverages
Alcoholic beverages are divided into three general classes: beers, wines, and spirits. Beer and wine are produced by fermentation of sugar- or starch-containing plant material. Beverages produced by fermentation followed by distillation have higher alcohol content and are known as liquor or spirits. The alcoholic strength of beer is usually 4% to 6% alcohol by volume (ABV), but it may be less than 2% or greater than 25%. Beers having an ABV of 60% (120 proof) have been produced by freezing brewed beer and removing water in the form of ice, a process referred to as "ice distilling". Beer is part of the drinking culture of various nations and has acquired social traditions such as beer festivals, pub games, and pub crawling (sometimes known as bar hopping).
Wine is produced from grapes, and from fruits such as plums, cherries, or apples. Wine involves a longer fermentation process than beer and also a long aging process (months or years), resulting in an alcohol content of 9%-16% ABV. Sparkling wine can be made by means of a secondary fermentation. Fortified wine is wine (such as port or sherry), to which a distilled beverage (usually brandy) has been added.
Unsweetened, distilled, alcoholic beverages that have an alcohol content of at least 20% ABV are called spirits. Spirits are produced by the distillation of a fermented base product. Distilling concentrates the alcohol. For the most common distilled beverages, such as whiskey and vodka, the alcohol content is around 40%. Spirits can be added to wines to create fortified wines, such as port and sherry.
A 2009 study provided evidence that darker-colored liquors, such as bourbon, cause worse hangovers than lighter-colored liquors, such as vodka. The higher amount of "congeners" found in darker liquors compared to lighter ones was indicated as the cause. Studies that attempt to compare hangover producing potential and hangover severity of different alcoholic drinks suggest the following ordering (starting with the least hangover-inducing):
Distilled ethanol diluted in fruit juice, beer, vodka, gin, white wine, whisky, rum, red wine, and brandy.
Alcohol and its Effects, the Basics

Now let's cover some basics about alcohol. What is alcohol? Alcohol is a distilled or fermented beverage that transforms a grain, fruit, vegetable, or wood into ethanol. Ethanol, glucose, and sucrose are all in the same group of alcohols. Ethanol is the most common form of alcohol one finds in alcoholic beverages.
Alcohol is a psychoactive drug that has a depressant effect. Alcohol also stimulates insulin production, which speeds up glucose metabolism and can result in low blood sugar, causing irritability and (for diabetics) possible death. Alcohol intoxication affects the brain and causing symptoms such as slurred speech, delayed reflexes, vomiting or unconsciousness. Alcohol also limits the production of vasopressin (ADH) from the hypothalamus and the secretion of this hormone from the posterior pituitary gland. This is what causes the intense thirst that goes along with a hangover.
Now when alcohol builds up in the bloodstream faster than it can be metabolized by the liver, we enter a physiological state known as drunkenness or inebriation. Alcohol is metabolized by a normal liver at the rate of about one ounce (one two-ounce shot of spirits, a normal beer, a regular sized glass of wine) every 90 minutes. An "abnormal" liver with conditions such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, gall bladder disease, and cancer will have a slower rate of metabolism.

Ethanol's acute effects are largely due to its nature as a central nervous system depressant, and are dependent on blood alcohol concentrations. Here's a breakdown of what effects one can expect to experience from alcohol consumption according to the quantity you consume:
20-99 mg/dL - Impaired coordination and euphoria
100-199 mg/dL - Ataxia, poor judgment, labile mood
200-299 mg/dL - Marked ataxia, slurred speech, poor judgment, labile mood, nausea and vomiting
300-399 mg/dL - Stage 1 anesthesia, memory lapse, labile mood
400+ mg/dL - Respiratory failure, coma
In addition to respiratory failure and accidents caused by effects on the central nervous system, alcohol causes significant metabolic derangements. Hypoglycemia occurs due to ethanol's inhibition of gluconeogenesis, especially in children, and may cause lactic acidosis, ketoacidosis and acute renal failure.
Some effects of alcohol intoxication are central to alcohol's desirability as a beverage. For example, some desirable effects from small quantities of alcohol consumption are euphoria and lowered social inhibitions. Other symptoms include slurred speech, impaired balance, loss of muscle coordination (ataxia), flushed face, dehydration, vomiting, reddened eyes, and erratic behavior. Other effects are unpleasant or dangerous because alcohol affects many different areas of the body at once.
This last point, the fact that alcohol affects many different areas of the body at once, is crucial to understanding the nature of a hangover. Why? Because everyone experiences different symptoms from their hangover, each hangover has to be dealt with individually. Here are 2 reasons underlying hangovers with completely different characteristics.

Many people from East Asian descent have a mutation in their genes that causes them to suffer from alcohol flush reaction, in which acetaldehyde accumulates after drinking, leading to immediate and severe hangover symptoms. Because for them a little alcohol goes a long way, they are also less likely to become alcoholics.
Older people report that their hangovers grow worse as they age. This is caused by declining supplies of alcohol dehydrogenase, the enzyme involved in metabolizing alcohol.
So what we've come to is the fact that there is currently no empirical proof for hangover prevention except reducing the amount of ethanol consumed or waiting for the body to metabolize the alcohol ingested. This only happens when the liver oxidizes the alcohol. So what this means is that the most effective way to avoid any of the symptoms of alcohol-induced hangover is to control or avoid drinking.
Thus, no two hangovers are the same.
The Physiology of a Hangover
Excessive consumption of alcohol causes a delayed effect called a hangover. The hangover starts after the euphoric effects of ethanol have subsided. Hypoglycemia, dehydration, acetaldehyde intoxication, and glutamine rebound are all theorized causes of hangover symptoms. Hangover symptoms may persist for several days after alcohol was last consumed. Some aspects of a hangover are even viewed as symptoms of acute ethanol withdrawal, similar to the longer-duration effects of withdrawal from alcoholism.
Because alcohol impairs the ability of the liver to compensate for a drop in blood glucose levels, especially for the brain, it can result in the depletion of the liver's supply of glutathione, a detoxification agent, reducing its ability to effectively remove alcohol and its byproducts from the bloodstream. Since glucose is the primary energy source of the brain, this lack of glucose (hypoglycemia) contributes to symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, mood disturbances, and decreased attention and concentration related to a hangover.
The human body is a system of systems so physiological changes in one system changes others. That's why the best approach is to try to handle several symptoms by resolving alcohol-related issues in multiple body systems simultaneously. For example, when you ingest alcohol, the salivary glands secrete enzymes to combine with the alcoholic beverage to make it more suitable for processing in the stomach and intestines. As the alcohol circulates throughout the digestive system and blood stream it moves from one system to another. Just one drink affects the central nervous system, the digestive system, the endocrine system, the muscular system, the immune system, and the respiratory system, so with each additional drink the effects compound and the potential dangers increase. Because the alcohol moves around in the body rather than remaining in an organ, region, or system, its produces a wide range of negative physiological effects.
The most commonly reported characteristics of a hangover include headache, nausea, sensitivity to light and noise, lethargy, dehydration, fatigue, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence, weakness, elevated body temperature and heart rate, hypersalivation, difficulty concentrating, sweating, anxiety, irritability, erratic motor functions (including tremor), trouble sleeping, severe hunger, halitosis, and lack of depth perception. Many people will also be repulsed by the thought, taste or smell of alcohol during a hangover. The symptoms vary significantly from person to person, and it is not clear whether hangovers directly affect cognitive abilities. The effects of a hangover subside over time.
Just as with lesser cases of low alcohol consumption, cases where excessive amounts of alcohol have been consumed such as with alcohol poisoning treatment strives to stabilize the patient and maintain a clear airway and respiration, while waiting for the alcohol to metabolize. In general, health care professionals will provide treatment for hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) with 50ml of 50% dextrose solution and saline flush, administer the vitamin thiamine to prevent seizure, check electrolytes to guide fluid replacement, apply hemodialysis (blood transfusion)if the blood concentration is dangerously high, or provide oxygen therapy.
Ineffective or unproven remedies
Recommendations for foods, drinks and activities to relieve hangover symptoms abound, here are some that have been found to be ineffective or unproven.
The "Prairie Oyster" restorative, introduced at the 1878 Paris World Exposition, calls for raw egg yolk mixed with Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, salt and pepper.
And in 1938, the Ritz-Carlton Hotel provided a hangover remedy in the form of a mixture of cola and milk. By some accounts, cola beverages are believed to have been invented as a hangover remedy.
Alcoholic writer Ernest Hemingway relied on tomato juice and beer.
The "Black Velvet" consists of equal parts champagne and flat Guinness Stout.
A 1957 survey by a Wayne State University folklorist found widespread belief in the efficacy of heavy fried foods, tomato juice and sexual activity.
Activities said to be restorative include a shower-alternating very hot and very cold water, exercise, and steam bath or sauna (although medical opinion holds this to be very dangerous, as the combination of alcohol and hyperthermia increases the likelihood of dangerous cardiac arrhythmias).
A 1976 research came to the conclusion that "The results indicate that both fructose and glucose effectively inhibit the metabolic disturbances induced by ethanol but they do not affect the symptoms or signs of alcohol intoxication and hangover." Nevertheless, consumption of honey (a significant fructose and glucose source) is often suggested as a way to reduce some of the effects of hangover.

Food and Alcohol Metabolism
Studies have found that when food is eaten before drinking alcohol, alcohol absorption is reduced and the rate at which alcohol is eliminated from the blood is increased. The mechanism for the faster alcohol elimination appears to be unrelated to the type of food. The likely mechanism is food-induced increases in alcohol-metabolizing enzymes and liver blood flow. While this may not decrease your chances for getting a hangover, it's a good idea to eat before you drink, but know that doing so will eliminate the alcohol from your system faster than normal.
Scientifically Based Remedies
Earlier I said that because alcohol affects many different areas of the body at once, each hangover has to be dealt with individually. Why? Because everyone experiences different symptoms from their hangover, different from everyone else, and even from one state of drunkenness compared to another time of drunkenness. So the conclusion here is that there is currently no empirical proof for hangover prevention except reducing the amount of ethanol consumed or waiting for the body to metabolize the alcohol ingested. What this means is that the most effective way to avoid any of the symptoms of alcohol-induced hangover is to control or avoid drinking.
But what are we supposed to do if we get a hangover? Sometimes it's not possible to wait for the effects of the hangover to wear off, while coping with the symptoms. We need a way to effectively deal with this situation. You're right, we do. Here's the realization I've come to about how to handle the symptoms of a hangover.

The primary realization is that a hangover is not a thing, instead it's a series of symptoms related to excessive alcohol consumption. That's key.
The second important point is that in order to deal with any one hangover experience effectively you have to deal with the exact symptoms you're going through during a specific hangover. Although there are many common symptoms experienced by most people routinely, sometimes new symptoms appear that were never part of previous hangovers. This is why it's best to handle the symptoms vs. trying to recover from a "hangover."
So below is a list of practices, substances, and products that deal with specific symptoms that should help you fight the effects of hangover whenever they occur. You may also want to go back and re-read this article as there were remedies - such as eating before drinking, timing one's intake per ounce of ingestion, and preventing vomiting by abstinence in order to protect the stomach lining from erosion by alcohol - mentioned earlier that will not appear in this list.
Rehydration: Effective interventions include rehydration, prostaglandin inhibitors, and vitamin B6.
Milk thistle: A small dosage before and after alcohol consumption has been found to alleviate the some of the effects of a hangover such as headaches, sluggishness and nausea. Milk thistle works to regenerate liver cells and when combined with an excessive vitamin D intake from the sun, subjects have experienced rapidly decreasing hangover effects.
Tolfenamic acid is useful for nausea, vomiting, irritation, tremor, thirst, and dryness of mouth.
Vitamin B6 (pyritinol) can help to reduce some, but not all, of the symptoms of hangovers. For this Brewers' yeast or a B6 supplement are recommended.
Chlormethiazole was found to lower blood pressure and adrenaline output and, furthermore, to relieve unpleasant physical symptoms, but did not affect fatigue and drowsiness. Subjects with severe subjective hangover seemed to benefit more from the chlormethiazole treatment than subjects with a mild hangover.
Pedialyte may be an effective remedy for hangovers due to its replacement of lost electrolytes.
Candy or sugar: to raise lowered blood sugar levels caused by alcohol intake. Other options for sweeteners to use are honey, brown sugar, maple syrup, agave nectar, and fructose.
Alcohol: There is a belief that consumption of additional alcohol in decreasing quantity over a period of hours after the onset of a hangover will relieve symptoms. This is based upon the theory that the hangover represents a form of withdrawal and that by satiating the body's need for alcohol the symptoms will be relieved. Certainly the additional alcohol has a sedating and anesthetic effect, which also helps with symptoms. The professional medical opinion holds that the practice merely postpones the symptoms, and courts alcohol dependence and addiction.
Medical marijuana: It is commonly believed that THC, the active chemical in marijuana, is an effective hangover remedy. THC may help ease the main symptoms of hangovers: nausea and headache. The advantage is two-fold; as once a sufferer's nausea has abated, and his appetite is stimulated, hypoglycemia becomes easier to resolve.
A traditional hangover remedy from India is to drink coconut water for the natural electrolytes which will assist in rehydration.
Acetyl-leucine sold under the brand name of Tanganil is believed to help pull you out of the "whirling pit" or spinning sensation felt by people under the influence of alcohol. This is caused by a dysfunction between the nerves which control the notion of balance in the ears and the brain. Tanganil is the standard remedy prescribed to people suffering from chronic vertigo.
Oxygen: There have been anecdotal reports from those with easy access to a breathing oxygen supply - medical staff, SCUBA divers and military pilots - that oxygen can also reduce the symptoms of hangovers caused by alcohol consumption. The theory is that the increased oxygen flow resulting from oxygen therapy improves the metabolic rate, and thus increases the speed at which toxins are broken down.

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10 Ways Chlorophyll Can Change Your Life

Chlorophyll is the natural green pigment found in plants, which plays a key role in the process of photosynthesis. But did you know it is also a superfood? Naturopaths advocate taking liquid chlorophyll as a daily supplement for its health-giving properties, which can help with a wide range of conditions.
1. Weight Loss
Studies have shown that foods containing chlorophyll can help to control hunger and regulate blood sugar levels. Scientists also claim that chlorophyll contains lipolytic enzymes, which help to break down trapped fat cells, allowing them to be burned away during exercise.
2. Cancer
Chlorophyll acts as a natural detoxifier to block and eliminate cancer-causing toxins from your body. Low levels of dietary chlorophyll have been linked with an increased risk of colon cancer, and evidence suggests that eating plenty of chlorophyll-rich green leafy vegetables is the key to colon health.

3. Aging
Want to look and feel younger? Evidence suggests that drinking chlorophyll water can help to keep your skin looking healthy and radiant. Modern lifestyles cause us to become internally polluted by an accumulation of toxins that enter our bodies through food, water and the air. Chlorophyll helps to banish these toxins and free radicals that cause premature aging.



                                                                             




4. Wounds


Chlorophyll has impressive wound-healing properties, thanks to its ability to strengthen tissues and prevent the growth of bacteria. Liquid chlorophyll is a rich source of antioxidant vitamins A, C and E, which are vital for skin health and help to repair damaged cells.
5. Anemia
With a similar structure to hemoglobin, chlorophyll has the ability to build red blood cells and increase oxygenation of the blood. As well as boosting our energy and immune system, this can be useful as a natural method to treat iron-deficiency anemia.
6. Bad Breath
Chlorophyll is a natural 'internal deodorant', which can help to mask bad breath and other bodily odors. Drinking liquid chlorophyll helps to detoxify the body by cleansing toxins from within. As well as eliminating odors in the mouth, it encourages a healthy digestive tract - which is usually the main source of bad breath.
7. Arthritis
Chlorophyll has strong anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to ease the symptoms of arthritis. It has the ability to eliminate accumulated heavy metals - such as mercury - from the joints. Acidity exacerbates arthritic pain, so taking chlorophyll can offer relief by helping to naturally rebalance the pH of the body.
8. Digestive Problems
As a natural detoxifier, chlorophyll helps to remove toxins ingested through food, as well as cleansing the body of existing toxins stored in cells. This can help to bring relief to a range of inflammatory digestive disorders, such as IBS, colitis and constipation. By restoring the acid-alkali balance, chlorophyll also prevents the growth of yeasts and internal bacteria living in the gut.

9. Insomnia
As well as detoxifying the body, chlorophyll is nature's little helper when it comes to beating stress and insomnia. Studies have shown that eating chlorophyll-rich green leafy vegetables can help to relax the body and promote sleep - something that is so vital to our overall physical and mental wellbeing.
10. Colds
Feel a cold coming on? Stop it in its tracks by drinking liquid chlorophyll. As a natural immune booster, chlorophyll helps to fight infections, such as coughs and colds. Packed with nutrients, it helps to strengthen and alkalize your body - making it more difficult for germs to survive.

Just one of a few ways to detox your way to a sexier you next year! Its time to take control of your wellness!

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Foods That Cleanse The Liver | Best Health Tip And Food Tips | Education

Top Health Benefits of Honey

A completely natural sweetener, it dates back more than hundreds of years, yet the health benefits of honey are still not widely known even today. Healthier and more pure than artificial sweeteners or sugar, honey provides more than a taste for the sweet tooth; honey benefits your health and your body inside and out.
History of Honey
Records can not definitively state how long honey has existed. Some believe honey dates back farther than 20 millions years, but honey bee fossils cause reason to believe that date could extend to over 150 millions years. Cave paintings in Spain suggest that beekeeping began approximately around 7000 B.C. and Egyptian records from 2400 B.C. provide evidence of their culture keeping bees in hives.
The Egyptians used honey in more ways than one. As well as its common use as a sweetener, Egyptians gave honey as a gift to their gods and used it as a component of their embalming fluid. The Romans also gave honey to their gods and were known to cover physical wounds in honey to cure and promote natural healing. The Romans and Greeks both utilized honey as a form of cooking but around the turn of the seventeenth century, honey became primarily used as a sweetener.
Honey Production
So, how do bees produce honey? The process begins at the flower as the bee gathers the flower's nectar. The majority of nectar is water and a minority is complex sugars. Bees need to store and make the sugar usable, so the bees alter the nectar changing it into honey. To complete this task, a worker bee that has a full stomach of nectar flies to the hive to regurgitate the modified nectar for a hive bee. Then, the hive bee ingests the nectar to break down the sugars. Once the hive bee has completed that task, he regurgitates the nectar into a cell of the comb. The hive bees are responsible for beating their wings in order to evaporate any remaining water; once complete, the sugar converts to honey. In a lifetime, a worker bee produces 1/12th of a teaspoon of honey, but when bees in a colony work together, more than 200 pounds of honey are produced within one year.

Honeybees' hard work provides us with a healthy and beneficial food. All in all, it consists of 80% natural sugars, 18% water, and 2% vitamins, minerals, and pollen. Keep in mind, honey does not expire because it does not harbor bacteria, so you can keep it on your shelf for as long as necessary!
Health Benefits of Honey
It is nature's energy booster due to its carbohydrates; these carbohydrates provide energy, as well as strength. Athletes, in particular, benefit from honey due to its ability to create endurance and decrease fatigue. The glucose found in honey plays a role, also, as the body rapidly absorbs it to give immediate energy. On the other hand, the fructose in honey is absorbed at a slower rate to give sustained energy. As opposed to refined sugar, honey keeps the body's sugar levels somewhat constant, instead of spiking the blood sugar which causes an energy crash.
It is anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and contains antioxidants to help boost the body's immunity. Raw honey has approximately 5,000 enzymes and numerous vitamins, amino acids, and minerals. Honey helps fight respiratory problems and has increased the quality of life in cancer patients.
Unlike refined white sugar, it contains no empty calories. Use honey in place of white sugar to reduce blood sugar spikes and to fill those empty calories with vitamins and minerals. In addition, honey has been noted to suppress appetite. One teaspoon of honey contains approximately 21 calories and is sweeter than sugar, which means you are able to use less for the same sweetening effect potentially promoting weight loss.
When applied topically, the properties of honey have the ability to heal wounds including burns and ulcers. The two sugars found in honey, fructose and glucose, attract water so that when honey is applied to a wound, honey absorbs the water into the wound. This action dries out the wound to inhibit and deter bacterial growth.


Top Ten Ways to Cook and Eat Honey

1. Use in your hot tea as a healthy sweetener.
2. Mix into your plain yogurt instead of buying a less healthy, pre-sweetened yogurt.
3. Spread a slice of toast with peanut butter, honey, and cinnamon to jumpstart your morning routine.
4. Instead of sprinkling sugar over your cereal, drizzle it with honey.
5. Substitute it for sugar in cookie, bread, and muffin recipes.
6. Use it as a seasoning for meat. Apply honey to chicken or pork chops before cooking to give the meat a unique flavor.
7. Create a dressing with olive oil, vinegar, and honey to use on top of salads.
8. Drizzle it over vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert.
9. Add honey and lemon with hot water as a refreshing, soothing drink.
10. Eat it straight from the comb! Take a bite out of the comb and chew it like chewing gum. The more you chew, the more honey will come out of the honey comb. When all of the honey is out of the comb, spit out or swallow the wax; the wax is safe to eat and is non-toxic.

Take Caution
Although it is a healthy addition to any diet, certain individuals should take precautions. For instance, children under the age of one should not ingest honey; it contains spores that can cause a life-threatening and paralyzing disease called infant botulism.
Persons with pollen allergies should take caution when eating it; although, serious reactions are rare. Most honey sold in stores is filtered and pasteurized, which lowers the amount of pollen in the honey. If one does have a pollen allergy, eating it straight from the comb should be avoided, as it is in its natural form.
How to Choose Honey
To reap the full benefits, choose raw honey. The raw version has not been filtered or pasteurized, which means that it has not been striped of its powerful vitamins and minerals. To choose the highest quality and gain the full health benefits of honey, look for one that states, "100% Raw" and enjoy your path to nutritional sweetness!

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Key Nutrients that Make Your Muscles Grow

Raspberry Ketones for Weight Loss

There has been a lot of talk about raspberry ketones this year thanks to a mention on the Dr. Oz show. With a discussion of the benefits of these ketones, the stores couldn't keep them in stock. Things have settled down a little since then, but they are still extremely popular.

Raspberries, like all fruit, are good for you as part of a healthy diet. Raspberries have a special benefit that not many fruits provide. That is, raspberries can provide ketones to our bodies.

The problem is raspberries contain such small quantities of ketones that you could eat until you're full and only receive a tiny benefit of the ketones from raspberries. That's why supplements are beneficial; they contain a concentrated form of ketones extracted from raspberries.

What are ketones?

Ketone enzymes occur naturally in our bodies. Ketones (ketone bodies) are the result of our bodies metabolizing fatty acids. If we do not consume enough carbohydrates to provide our bodies with the sugar energy (glucose) it needs, it breaks down fat for energy and ketones result from this process. Our bodies will then use ketones instead of glucose for the energy it needs.

What is ketosis?

When our bodies are in ketosis (elevated ketone levels), we feel less hungry and eat less than we would if not in ketosis. While in ketosis, our bodies are burning fat as the main source of energy. Our brains use glucose for the energy it needs. But when glucose is not available our brains switch to running on ketones since they can't burn fat for energy.

What are raspberry ketones?

Raspberry ketones are a compound found in, and derived from, raspberries. They are what give raspberries their unique aroma. They are a natural dietary supplement that boosts our body's ability to burn fat and lose weight, naturally.

Raspberry ketones help our bodies produce and release adiponectin. Adiponectin is secreted from fat tissues and from our liver and is a protein that helps regulate our metabolism. Higher levels of adiponectin are associated with lower levels of body fat.

They are an excellent source of antioxidants. Antioxidants help protect against cell damage (oxidation) and help fight off diseases.

When taken as part of a healthy diet and exercise, you can expect good results from taking raspberry ketones. This would be the most beneficial way to go about making a healthy change in your weight. You can rely solely on the ketones, but you will have longer lasting and better results if combined with a healthy diet and exercise plan.

Some of the benefits of raspberry ketones are:

Benefit #1:They help our bodies produce adiponectin.

Benefit #2: They are an antioxidant.

Benefit #3: They are all natural (the raspberry ketones).

Benefit #4: Assist with the elimination of fat.

Benefit #5: They boost metabolism.

So far to date, there have not been any studies done on the effects of raspberry ketones on humans. Japanese scientists did a research study on mice and found raspberry ketones to significantly increase the burning of stored fat and inhibit fat from being stored.

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Top 5 Everyday Uses of Aloe Vera For Skin Care

At first glance, an Aloe Vera plant is peculiar looking, and frankly not that pretty when it comes to plants. But after consideration of all its medicinal benefits, the looks of the aloe plant become secondary. The aloe plant is actually a relative of different types of cacti which I'm sure you can notice just by looking at the leaves. This odd looking plant has a lot of really useful and beneficial uses. After learning all about this plant you'll wonder why you haven't been using it all along.

Without getting too much of a boring chemistry lesson, the reason why aloe works so well for our skin is the organic chemical compounds which exist within the plant. The most important of these compounds is the natural sugars (technical term: mucoploysaccharides) that make up the gel inside the spiky leaves. The gel quickly hardens when exposed to the air, so when it is placed on the skin it creates a bandage of sorts. Along with the sugars (also called MPS's) the Aloe Vera gel is chock full of other healing elements from nature like vitamins E and C, organic chemicals that work as a pain killer, and enzymes that work as an anti-inflammatory. The Aloe Vera plant is truly is an amazing piece of nature.

The benefits of the Aloe Vera plant have been widely known for thousands of years when ancient Greeks discovered the benefits while treating wounds and healing infections. Today there are many cosmetic products readily available which boast aloe as a main ingredient and most people have heard about the healing powers of Aloe Vera, especially to help soothe sunburns. This strange looking plant from the desert has a ton of uses and can be quite beneficial to a daily skin care regiment and healthy life style.

To give just a sampling of all the things aloe can do, here is a list of the top five uses:

Eczema sufferers can use aloe to soothe and heal the skin.

Eczema is a common skin condition characterized by extremely dry and flaky skin. Sometimes the skin can become so irritated that severe breakouts occur. A topical application of aloe gel or aloe lotion can soothe the irritation and the medicinal aspect of aloe will promote healing of the affected skin.

Use aloe as a wrinkle cream.

In the quest to find the fountain of youth, people spend a lot of money on expensive cosmetics which claim major wrinkle reduction. Instead, try applying Aloe Vera gel to wrinkles. Aloe actually stimulates the growth of new collagen and elastin in the skin which helps the appearance of younger looking skin.

An effective acne treatment.

Forget harsh acne topical treatments. Because of its antibacterial benefits, aloe is an effective facial cleanser and astringent. There are specially formulated acne soaps and gels made with aloe. The healing benefits of aloe help get rid of existing blemishes while the cleanser properties prevent new breakouts. Also, using aloe lotion on acne-prone skin will allow nourishment without an oily residue.

Use as an all-purpose moisturizer.

Again, because of its known healing properties, aloe is a popular ingredient in over the counter lotions and moisturizers. It is perfect as an all-purpose moisturizer because it is inexpensive, hypo-allergenic, natural, and has added benefits such as the anti-inflammatory and analgesic aspects.

Reduce the potential of burn scarring.

Most people are aware that applying aloe gel on a sunburn helps soothe painful skin, but they are unaware that by applying aloe on a burn from a hot stove (or curling iron, etc), it will actually minimize scarring on the skin. Keeping a burn consistently covered with a thin layer of pure aloe gel has been shown to heal a burn faster and reduce the appearance of a permanent scar. As stated above, the aloe gel (directly from the plant's leaves) works like a bandaid and medicine all in one to help the skin heal itself.



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An Overview of Some Common Types of Cellulitis

Cellulitis is an infection of the skin that has been caused by Staphylococcus bacteria. The infection may have varying degrees of consequence to the skin and neighbor organs. There are cellulitis symptoms that are common like the swelling, redness, fever, chills and the softness of the skin tissues. Yet when one closely examines each type, varying consequences and treatment for cellulitis can also be considered. Knowing the types of cellulitis will help you and your doctor decide the appropriate treatment for cellulitis. Cellulitis facts will help you understand important terms during a doctor's consultation and will elucidate some important concepts.

Leg Cellulitis
This is widely-known as cellulitis of the extremities. Symptoms of this kind of cellulitis like extreme pain, tenderness of muscles due to enzymes produced by the Staphyloccocus bacteria and swelling can be seen in the person's legs. Symptoms may be distributed to the arms and hands. Among adults, leg cellulitis is caused by S. aureus, found in the person's skin and mouth. Doctors identify certain factors contributing leg cellulitis such as pregnancy among women, radiation therapy and surgery that may produce wounds and trauma. This may also be a side-effect when chemotherapy is done among cancer patients.

Orbital Cellulitis
The same symptoms of cellulitis can be found in the eye sockets of the infected person and is usually associated by Haemophilus influenzae type B bacterium. Usually, children are affected in orbital cellulitis especially when previous infections of the teeth, middle ear or face occurred. Infection of the sinuses is the usual culprit because of its proximity to the eyes. This is a serious infection and may affect visual acuity and eye movement of the individual.

Periorbital Cellulitis
The eyelids and other external eye areas have been attacked by this type of cellulitis infection. This may also be associated with other symptoms like swelling of the eye whites and eyeballs. Again, it is more common among children. Upper respiratory infection, eye wounds or trauma and insect bites have been associated with the development of periorbital cellulitis. Antibiotics that are taken orally and intravenously are the immediate treatment options.

Facial Cellulitis
If your cheeks are swollen, painful, red and tender and itching, then maybe you have facial cellulitis. Fever is also a sign that the ailment has already aggravated. The person's mood is also affected with the presence of this infection. Your doctor may give you antibiotics or let you stay in the hospital for a couple of days depending on the level of progress of the ailment.

Perianal Cellulitis
If cellulitis symptoms are found in the anal orifice, then it is called perianal cellulitis. The same cellulitis symptoms may be associated with itching in the anal area, blood on stool and painful bowel movement. Persons affected with perianal cellulitis may or may not have fever and chills.

Breast Cellulitis
Streptococcus bacteria may affect the breast skin area causing it to be tender and inflamed. Breast cellulitis is associated with breast cancer and surgical breast operations like lumpectomy.

Cellulitis may have varying degrees of consequence to the skin and neighbor organs. There are cellulitis symptoms that are common like the swelling, redness, fever, chills and the softness of the skin tissues. Yet when one closely examines each type, varying consequences and treatment for cellulitis can also be considered.





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What is Food Intolerance?

Food intolerance is discussed quite often these days - so what exactly does it mean? Well, sometimes our bodies cannot tolerate the foods we eat. This is known as food intolerance. When people consume foods that they're sensitive to, such as dairy products for lactose intolerant individuals, their bodies have a negative physical reaction. The effects show up every time the food is consumed, although not always right away. If large quantities of the food are ingested, symptoms can be severe.

Food intolerance is sometimes mistaken for food allergy. Food allergies cause a person's immune system to sit up and take notice, while food intolerances don't involve the immune system. Neither are they linked to contaminated or spoiled foods; those cause food poisoning, not intolerance. Food intolerance describes the adverse physical reaction to the ingestion of certain foods; it is something that affects the digestive system.

The Causes of Food Intolerance

As mentioned earlier, food intolerance is caused by the inability to digest certain types of food, usually due to insufficient amounts of the chemicals or enzymes needed to digest a particular food.

Lactose intolerance is very common. People who suffer from this condition don't have enough of the enzyme called 'lactase'. Therefore, their bodies can't break down the lactose, or milk sugar, in dairy products.

Common symptoms of lactose intolerance include intestinal distress, gas, bloating, and bowel irregularities.

Other people can't process alcohol because they don't have enough of the enzyme 'alcohol dehydrogenase'. They can become ill if they consume even a single alcoholic beverage. The additives, flavor enhancers, and preservatives in processed foods are another common source of food intolerance. MSGs, caffeine, benzoates, and aspartame cause pain and fatigue in sensitive individuals.

Who Suffers from Food Intolerance?

Anyone can! Food intolerance is not limited to any particular group of people, however there are some factors that play a role in the likelihood that a person is affected by intolerance. Food intolerance can be hereditary; therefore if your parents have food intolerances, chances are good that you'll have some too. Ethnicity plays a role, too. Only 10% of northern and western Europeans suffer from lactose intolerance whereas persons of Asian, African, Greek, and Native American descent are much more susceptible. Lactose intolerance affects 70-90% of the latter populations.

Newborns tend to produce more lactase, so they can digest lactose more easily than adults and older children. The symptoms of lactose intolerance can appear in children as young as two, but many people develop it later in life. Gastroenteritis sometimes causes a dip in lactase levels, bringing on a temporary intolerance to dairy products. Children face a high risk of lactose intolerance following gastroenteritis. And half of all Asians are affected by alcohol intolerance!

What are the Symptoms of Food Intolerance?

The symptoms of food intolerance center around the digestive system. Sufferers may experience stomach pain, bloating, nausea, loose stools, or the opposite (constipation.) These symptoms are seldom life-threatening, but they can make a person miserable on a daily basis. They can manifest anywhere from a few hours to a few days after the food is consumed, making it difficult to identify exactly what the problem food is.

Alcohol intolerance causes redness of the face, nausea, irregular heartbeat, headaches, and dizziness. Symptoms can also feel similar to allergy symptoms, such as a runny nose or itchy throat.

Food intolerance symptoms can become quite severe if a large quantity of the food has been consumed. People with a slight enzyme deficiency typically don't experience symptoms as acutely as people with a larger deficit.

How is a Diagnosis Made?

Trial and error is the simplest way to test for food intolerance. This is done by removing one food from the diet for a while and monitoring symptoms for improvement. If symptoms decrease, the food is then reintroduced. A return of symptoms will reveal whether or not that food was the culprit. This method works best for those who have intolerance to one or two foods.

For those people (like me!) who have intolerance to several foods, the elimination method could take months...years...and an answer still might not be found. There are home tests on the market, that can identify your problem foods for you. Check out www.foodintolerancenews.com to see one. Specific tests are used to diagnose lactose intolerance. For example, your physician might recommend a test to measure the amount of hydrogen in your breath; a stool acidity test; or a blood glucose test to determine how well the patient digests milk sugar.

How is Food Intolerance Treated?

Food intolerance is usually controlled by removing the troublesome food(s) from the person's diet. For instance, lactose intolerant individuals can replace regular milk with soy milk.

If the intolerance is mild to moderate, the affected person can try eating only very limited amounts of the food in question. Mild lactose intolerance can be managed through the use of lactase enzyme supplements.

If foods are removed from one's diet, they should be replaced with nutritious alternatives. It's crucial to avoid malnutrition, especially in growing children. If you have questions about suitable food replacements, speak with your nutrition specialist.

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The Secret To Good Digestion

10 Amazing Moringa Health Benefits + Iced Moringa Tea Recipe

Zinc Is Essential for Good Health

Most of us are familiar with the use of zinc as an aid to combating common colds and sore throats; however, many of us are unaware of just how vital zinc is in maintaining overall good health. Zinc is an essential trace element found in every cell in our bodies. While studies have indicated that about 12% of Americans are deficient in zinc, our ability to absorb zinc declines with age and it is estimated that this percentage increases to 45% in older Americans

Zinc performs a variety of important functions, including strengthening the immune system, protecting cell membranes against free radicals, preventing cell structural damage and repairing damaged DNA. Zinc also is instrumental in healing wounds, supports the stabilization of blood glucose, supports neurological function, maintains the senses of taste and smell, and stimulates activity in approximately 100 different enzymes.

In addition, Zinc supports normal growth during pregnancy, childhood, and adolescence and helps to protect against macular degeneration, a cause of blindness in adults over the age of 60. Zinc can even help boost libido. Zinc may also be effective in treating such conditions as acne, eczema, anorexia nervosa, and those suffering from trauma after surgery.

Zinc deficiency can lead to numerous health conditions, including prostate disorders which may in turn lead to prostate cancer. Because zinc affects the immune system, a deficiency can present itself in frequent colds, flus, and other infections. In children, a zinc deficiency can manifest itself in growth retardation.

In addition to aging and poor dietary habits, digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn's Disease can be contributing factors in the depletion of zinc from our bodies. Deficiency in zinc can also be caused by certain medications. Among the offenders are diuretics and medications used in controlling blood pressure. Acid-suppressing medications also play an important role. Alcoholics have a higher risk of being zinc deficient. Others at risk include women taking birth control pills and on hormone replacement therapy.

Zinc deficiency symptoms can present themselves as:

* Rashes
* Chronic diarrhea
* Night blindness
* Depression
* Loss of appetite
* Decline in libido
* Hair loss
* Eye and skin lesions

Foods rich in zinc include:

* Beef
* Crab
* Turkey
* Oysters
* Liver
* Dairy
* Nuts, such as cashews, almonds, peanuts
* Crimini mushrooms
* Spinach
* Pumpkin seeds

The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for zinc is 11 mg for men and 8 mg for women. However, those that are zinc deficient, not eating a diet rich in zinc, or have a prostate disorder should take 15 mg of zinc daily. Because of the lower absorption of zinc from plants, vegetarians may need about 50% more zinc. Since zinc can interfere with copper absorption, any zinc supplement should contain 1 to 2 mg of copper.


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Superfood Called Blue Green Algae - An FAQ

"Superfood" is a term used to describe any of nature's foods that nutritionists and health professionals widely consider as being a nearly "perfect food." While there is no uniformly-accepted definition for the term, in general it refers to any food that contains proportionately large amounts of high-nutrition elements like vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals.

Phytochemicals, incidentally, are chemicals that have disease-fighting properties. (A commonly-known phytochemical is beta-carotene, for example). Fresh fruits and vegetables containing phytochemicals have been shown to reduce the risk of cancer and inflammation, while strengthening the immune system.

Examples of Superfoods:

Some foods that are widely considered to be superfoods are relatively common foods that are well-known to most people. Meanwhile, others are relatively rare and a bit harder to find.

Some superfoods that can commonly be found at a supermarket are beans, blueberries, red grapes, papaya, pink grapefruit, broccoli, oats, oranges, pumpkin, salmon, soy, spinach, tea, tomatoes, and walnuts.

Meanwhile, there are other superfoods that are a bit more rare, such as spirulina, flax seed, guinoa, chlorella, maca, noni, mangosteen, goji berry, acai, camu camu, wheat grass, barley grass, acerola cherry, and blue-green algae - just to name a few. Most or all of these can be easily found at local health food stores and websites.

Spotlight on Blue-Green Algae:

One of the most interesting is the superfood called blue-green algae. The scientific name for it is aphanizomenon flos-aquae. In its natural state, it is a simple aquatic plant that can be found naturally in rivers, lakes and ponds. Despite being called algae, it is actually a type of bacteria called cyanobacteria.

Blue-green algae is one of the few superfoods listed above that is generally not consumed "as is", but rather is taken in pill form or as a powder, blended with other nutrient-rich foods.

This superfood is nutrient-rich and very digestible. It contains high-quality protein, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and enzymes. It is also a great source of beta-carotene, vitamins, minerals and chlorophyll.

Like its distant cousin spirulina, the superfood is thought to boost the immune system, helping the body to fight infection. Some studies show that it can increase the growth of friendly bacteria in the intestines. The chlorophyll in blue-green algae may aid in the healing of wounds and burns.

It is easy to see why blue-green algae is referred to as a superfood: it contains so many nutrients.

Ways to Consume Blue-Green Algae

Incorporate the superfood into your diet by using the powder form in:

* shakes: try blending with natural ingredients such as fresh fruits, hemp seeds, flax seed oil, and honey.

* smoothies: mix blue-green algae with coconut meat and water for a real treat.

* tonics: blend into water and add a touch of lemon, sea salt, and cayenne pepper.

* with oatmeal: mix the blue-green algae with oatmeal, raw almond butter, maple syrup or agave nectar for a delicious treat.

This superfood contains a host of dynamic proteins, phytochemicals, nucleic acids, enzymes and carbohydrates that boost the immune system. When the powder is mixed into shakes, smoothies and other natural foods, it can be not only an extremely nutritious treat, but also a very delicious one, as well.

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What Is Lactose Intolerance?

Do you find after having a glass of milk or an ice cream, you feel sick or nauseous? It is possible you may be Lactose Intolerant. People who are Lactose Intolerant report that they begin to feel sick approximately 30 minutes after they have milk or milk products like ice cream or cheese. Other symptoms commonly associated with Lactose intolerance are stomach distress, cramps, gas, diarrhea and bloating.
Lactose intolerance is also called Lactase Deficiency, is caused when your body is not able to naturally digest or metabolize a type sugar called lactose which is commonly found in milk and milk products. Lactose intolerance in fact is a fairly common condition. However, you should always seek the advice of your doctor or a health care professional to help you figure out if you are suffering from Lactose intolerance or some other condition.
So if you happen to be Lactose intolerant what causes the unpleasant symptoms? The answer is simple. The condition is actually caused by a deficiency of lactase, an enzyme which normally is produced by the cells lining your stomach. The lactase enzyme's job is to break down lactose, a complex sugar found in milk into two simpler sugars, glucose and galactose. When the Lactase does it job the two simpler forms of sugar can then be properly metabolized and absorbed into the bloodstream. The good news is once you know you have a lactose problem there are many ways to live a normal lactose-free life!

Depending on the severity of your symptoms, lactose intolerance can usually be controlled by making changes to or substituting lactose free items in your diet. Depending on the individual's ability to digest lactose, these dietary changes can be as minor as decreasing the amount of lactose consumed or may include substituting lactose free items or lactose reduced items for the offending items in your diet.
Some people find they can decrease their symptoms simply by consuming milk or milk products with other foods during a meal rather having them on their own. Some individuals find relief when they carefully choose what milk products to eat such as yogurt or hard cheese that have lower levels of lactose than other milk products.
Individuals who still experience symptoms even after making minor changes to their diet can also take over-the-counter medicines. These preparations contain lactase, the missing enzyme which causes lactose intolerance and the unpleasant symptoms. This remedy can be taken while consuming your regular milk or milk products.
If you are having severe reactions to lactose food and products you will need to consider a more pro active approach to your diet. Before making any major changes to your diet you really need to consult with your health care provider. Your health care provider has the tools to be able to efficiently diagnose your symptoms and determine what would work for you. Before you make any major changes to your diet, you should know milk and milk products are an important source of calcium, protein and other essential nutrients. Calcium in particular is needed to grow and repair bones no matter what age you are. A shortage of calcium can lead to health problems like poor growth when young or osteoporosis later in life. So, before you change your diet or cut out milk and milk products, make sure to talk to your doctor about your symptoms. A few simple tests will give you peace of mind and the answers you need!

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What Are the Health Benefits of Raw Juice?

Fruits and vegetables are being studied in the medical community, because of compounds known as phytochemicals, which have a wide range of disease-fighting properties. Coincidentally, many of the phytochemicals that nutritional researchers are focusing their attention on are the enzymes that play essential roles in protecting cells from damage. The problem lies in the medical community's propensity to attempt to isolate which compounds actually aid in disease control. For example: A tomato, along with vitamins C and A, also has 10,000 other chemicals in it, most which researchers are trying to isolate, identify and study. Science has begun to find that using an isolated nutrient has a much lower ability to heal and protect the body than the whole symphony of nutrients found naturally in the whole food.

Therefore, we strongly recommend eating the fruits or vegetables instead of a pill that isolates out a few nutrients.  And one of the best ways to distill out these nutrients is by juicing.

Juicing is also a tremendous aid in detoxifying and cleansing the body. Fresh juice naturally detoxifies and heals the body by stimulating and healing the elimination and detoxification organs such as the gall bladder, liver, intestines and kidneys. It is also one of the best ways to build healthy and powerful blood.  Fresh juice helps to concentrate large quantities of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and other life giving nutrients that can be easily assimilated.  Fresh fruit and vegetable juice is also highly alkalinizing which facilitates the white blood cells to clean the blood and tissue of harmful bacteria, virus, and cancer cells.

 
Most people don't eat enough fruits and vegetables to reap the benefits they offer.  For example, The National Cancer Institute recommends eating five servings of vegetables and three of fruits each day. However, the average American eats only 1 1/2 servings of vegetables and less than one serving of fruit per day. Juicing is an excellent way to incorporate more raw fruit and vegetables into the diet easily and quickly.  This is not meant as a substitute for eating raw fruits and vegetables, but it is helpful as a way to incorporate more of these incredible foods into your diet.


In addition to it's many other benefits, fresh raw juice is a tremendous source of enzymes. Enzymes are important because they are the main catalyst for chemical reactions which run your body.  Raw juice by definition has not been processed in any way, nor has it been heated or pasteurized.  Pasteurization is the process of heating the juice to kill bacteria, but it also kills all of the beneficial enzymes in the juice. A strong push for the pasteurization of fruit and vegetable juices comes from the fact that once the juices are pasteurized they retain a much longer shelf life.  A juice that is 100% juice that can sit on the shelf for an extended period of time means one thing- that juice is now dead!  All the beneficial living components of the juice have been destroyed.

In my opinion, the best way to consume fresh, raw juice is go to a restaurant or shop that juices the vegetables and fruit in front of you or better yet, do it yourself!  Consuming raw juice is one of the healthiest things that any person can do.   Try to buy organic fruits and vegetables at local farmers markets and wash them well.  Then, include a diet of eating them whole as well as juicing them for maximum health benefits.  You will love the results!


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How Much Protein Do You Really Need?

For someone just starting a workout program there are many challenges that may present themselves. How often should I workout? Why is it important to do resistance training as well as cardio? How much protein do I really need? For this article I am only going to focus on how much protein you need. Most people have no idea how much protein their bodies need. Instead they are told ridiculous numbers and are made to think that they need to buy expensive protein powders and shakes to increase their protein intake. Many of these powders have added sugars, fats and chemicals. Also the U.S. Food and Drug Administration classifies protein powder as a dietary supplement, which indicates it is not subject to the same health regulations as real foods that are commercially sold. That means powders may make health or marketing claims that haven't been scientifically proven, according to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. So just how much protein does one need? There is a very simple formula that will determine exactly how much protein you should be consuming.

Proteins are large molecules that are composed of individual amino acids and they are held together by a peptide bond. This is similar to the pearls found on a pearl necklace. Proteins are responsible for many different functions. These include building and repairing tissue, an energy source for the body when there are low carbohydrate levels, and by synthesizing hormones and other enzymes. Good sources of protein are meats, eggs, legumes, nuts and dairy products.

Consuming too much protein as part of a high calorie diet will lead to the protein being stored as fat or it will be eliminated through urine. Also high protein diets can cause kidney stones, stress the kidneys and even lead to kidney failure. It can also lead to calcium loss from bones which are extremely dangerous for older female adults because it increases the risk of osteoporosis. While it is true athletes and those that exercise more frequently do need slightly more protein in their diet, it is very important to remember to eat a well balanced diet. Remember that too much of anything is not good.
Here is a very simple formula that can be used to calculate you protein needs:
Step 1- Calculate your body weight in kilograms (body weight lbs X.45= Weight in Kilograms)
Step 2 - Multiply your body weight in kilograms by 0.8 (Body Weight in Kilograms X 0.8)
Step 3- The number from step 2 is the amount of grams of protein you should be consuming per day

Example: A man weighs 150 pounds
Step 1- 150 X.45 =67.5 Kilograms
Step 2- 67.5 X 0.8=54
Step 3- A man weighing 150 pounds needs to consume 54 grams of protein per day
If you are an athlete you will need more protein than a sedentary person. Athlete meaning you train almost daily at a very high intensity. This is not someone that just goes to the gym 3 times a week.

Endurance Athletes should consume 1.4-1.6 grams of protein per day for the number Kilograms of their body weight
Strength Athletes should consume 1.6-1.7 grams of protein per day for the number of Kilograms of their body weight
By eating a well balanced diet it should not be too difficult for people to get their recommended amount of protein per day even without drinking an expensive protein shake.

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Antioxidant Vitamins - Foods That Fight Wrinkles?

A simple diet adjustment of whole foods that are rich in antioxidant vitamins can make an enormous difference in the skin's outward reflection. Realizing which stressor(s) are negatively impacting your skin and taking action against them will help you defy the odds of premature aging of the skin and wrinkles. Several factors play a role in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles:
Sun damaged skin

Free Radicals
Genetics
Hormones
Dehydration
Cigarette smoke
Chemical exposure
Environmental toxins
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant known to support collagen production. Sun exposure dehydrates, dries your skin causing free radicals, and depletes collagen; leaving it loose, weak and wrinkled. Collagen is a protein, which provides the primary part of the infrastructure and makes up approximately 75% of the skin. Healthy levels of collagen give the appearance of a smooth, plump appearance. Ultraviolet radiation, or excessive sun exposure is the primary cause of skin damage and can lead to skin cancer.

Wrinkles result from free radical damage and antioxidant vitamins neutralize free radicals. A free radical is an unstable oxygen molecule that is missing an electron. It scavenges and robs from others in an effort to become stable. In turn, after successfully "robbing", the free radicals cause other molecules to become unstable and the new free radicals begin the search for electrons and stability. This vicious cycle can alter genetic material and damage cell function. A free radicals worst enemy is an antioxidant.
Based on my research on the topic of genetics and foods rich in antioxidant vitamins, the following is what I have learned. Research proves that some individuals lack DNA repair enzymes that are responsible for protecting the skin from free radicals (such as those produced by overexposure to the sun). People who lack the genes for these repair enzymes run a higher risk of developing skin cancer. You cannot change your DNA, but you protect your entire body and can stop additional free radical damage by consuming antioxidant and vitamin rich foods. Provide your skin with the best self-defense it needs to fight aging, wrinkles, and potentially skin cancer.
Other aging culprits at work on our skin in need of antioxidant protection include those from toxic sources. Cigarette smoke and exposure to chemicals either indoors or environmentally are among the highest on the list. Toxic chemicals can damage skin cells reducing their ability to function properly. The result of poorly functioning skin cells is increased inflammation, infection, and a loss in structure. Visually, your face will look puffy or display increased blemishes and/or wrinkles.
As we age, the need for powerful antioxidants and vitamins increases due to fluctuations in hormone levels, which can alter skin metabolism of collagen and elastin. Elastin is what gives your skin its ability to stretch and then return to its natural state. Changes in collagen and elastin formation leads to fine lines and wrinkles. Menopause is of particular concern due to the hormone changes in estrogen production.

Foods that are vitamin-rich with a high antioxidant value are extremely beneficial and can come from a variety of different sources. To name a few, the following are among the top antioxidant wrinkle fighting fruits: acai, acerola, apples, apricots, blackberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, wolfberries (goji berries), kiwi, and tomatoes.
The best vegetables with vitamins and antioxidants for you skin are: bell peppers, brussels sprouts, carrots, garlic, kale, onions, and spinach.
Lastly, the top antioxidants to prevent aging and wrinkles in terms of nuts, seeds, and beverages are: almonds, flaxseeds, sunflower seeds, chocolate (dark) green tea, oats, and tuna.

If you cannot or do not wish to alter your diet, but want to supercharge your immune system, prevent premature aging of the skin, and/or free radical damage; choose antioxidant vitamins or supplements that are whole food based packed with plenty of fruits and vegetables for maximum protection.

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by Holly Kostoss