Friday, March 17, 2006
New Herbal Article Site
Our new Herbal Article site is now online with helpful articles and latest news on herbal treatments. Check out Herbal Hideaway.
Herbal Skin Care Secrets Hidden At The Greengrocer's by Rebecca Prescott
Interest in skin care supplements, or beauty foods, has been strong in Asia, and that trend is growing fast in Europe as well. These nutrient rich beauty foods make a good case for starting a beauty regime from within, one that is designed to prevent or reduce the effects of aging, like sagging skin.
Some products on the market include a supplement containing lacto-lycopene, vitamin C, and soy isoflavones. This is aimed at restoring firmness to the skin for women over 40, and was developed by Nestle and L'Oreal. Others have been developed using lycopene and grape seed extract, both antioxidants. Grape seed extract also stops enzymatic reactions that lead to collagen in the skin being broken down.
Antioxidants protect the capillaries in skin and thus ensure that enough nutrients get to the living cells that eventually push their way to the surface and become the skin you see in the mirror. They also protect from broken veins and early wrinkling. Capillaries also deliver oxygen to the cells, and remove the waste products of cellular metabolism. This prevents puffy, sagging, and dull skin.
But you don't always need to reach for a bottle of supplements. Simply by eating more antioxidant rich food on a daily basis should see some improvement in skin tone. Fruits rich in antioxidants include blueberries, prunes, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, apples, cherries and plums. And of the vegetables, eat more artichokes, broccoli, red cabbage, pontiac potatoes, brown onions, asparagus, non-green capsisum, beetroot, spinach and sweet potatoes.
Women are more prone to the damage caused by antioxidants than men, according to research from the University of Berkeley, and hence possibly their aging effects (Angyal).
Another strong antioxidant is beta carotene. Beta carotene is found in green leafy vegetables, fruit and carrots. This antioxidant has been found to counteract the effects of a particular type of oxygen free radical, singlet oxygen, which occurs after the skin is exposed to UV radiation in sunlight. UV exposure can lead to premature aging by the effects of singlet oxygen. A study found that whilst the provitamin A aspect of the carotenoid did not combat the singlet oxygen, the beta carotene did. It prevented the action of two enzymes, associated with UV light and the destruction of the skin cell's extracellular matrix, which happens in premature aging of the skin. Sunlight also destroys beta carotene in cells after sun exposure, so this beta carotene has to be replaced.
Beta carotene has been reported as having a mild sunscreen effect too, though it needs to be taken as a supplement to get this effect.
The skin care supplement beauty market is still not a strongly developed one however, as these types of supplements tend to be more expensive than other supplements. And there needs to be more research and clinical trials to prove which products do what they are designed to.
References:
1. http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?n=54477-beta-carotene-boosts
2. E Angyal, Gorgeous Skin In 30 Days
3. http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?id=57434
Some products on the market include a supplement containing lacto-lycopene, vitamin C, and soy isoflavones. This is aimed at restoring firmness to the skin for women over 40, and was developed by Nestle and L'Oreal. Others have been developed using lycopene and grape seed extract, both antioxidants. Grape seed extract also stops enzymatic reactions that lead to collagen in the skin being broken down.
Antioxidants protect the capillaries in skin and thus ensure that enough nutrients get to the living cells that eventually push their way to the surface and become the skin you see in the mirror. They also protect from broken veins and early wrinkling. Capillaries also deliver oxygen to the cells, and remove the waste products of cellular metabolism. This prevents puffy, sagging, and dull skin.
But you don't always need to reach for a bottle of supplements. Simply by eating more antioxidant rich food on a daily basis should see some improvement in skin tone. Fruits rich in antioxidants include blueberries, prunes, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, apples, cherries and plums. And of the vegetables, eat more artichokes, broccoli, red cabbage, pontiac potatoes, brown onions, asparagus, non-green capsisum, beetroot, spinach and sweet potatoes.
Women are more prone to the damage caused by antioxidants than men, according to research from the University of Berkeley, and hence possibly their aging effects (Angyal).
Another strong antioxidant is beta carotene. Beta carotene is found in green leafy vegetables, fruit and carrots. This antioxidant has been found to counteract the effects of a particular type of oxygen free radical, singlet oxygen, which occurs after the skin is exposed to UV radiation in sunlight. UV exposure can lead to premature aging by the effects of singlet oxygen. A study found that whilst the provitamin A aspect of the carotenoid did not combat the singlet oxygen, the beta carotene did. It prevented the action of two enzymes, associated with UV light and the destruction of the skin cell's extracellular matrix, which happens in premature aging of the skin. Sunlight also destroys beta carotene in cells after sun exposure, so this beta carotene has to be replaced.
Beta carotene has been reported as having a mild sunscreen effect too, though it needs to be taken as a supplement to get this effect.
The skin care supplement beauty market is still not a strongly developed one however, as these types of supplements tend to be more expensive than other supplements. And there needs to be more research and clinical trials to prove which products do what they are designed to.
References:
1. http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?n=54477-beta-carotene-boosts
2. E Angyal, Gorgeous Skin In 30 Days
3. http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?id=57434
For an anti aging skin care treatment rich in antioxidants like alpha lipoic acid, try this herbal remedy. If you're troubled by acne, try reading this article on acne skincare products.
Provided by ArticleFeeder.com
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Sushi - Healthy and Convenient
Sushi has been popular for hundreds of years in Japan, and recent years has seen a similar trend in the Western world. Sushi bars or restaurants have begun to spring up in most cities and you will in all likelihood find yourself invited to experience sushi firsthand at some point. The thought of eating raw fish may not seem enticing but sushi is a delicious food that can be enjoyed by anyone no matter what your age or dietary preferences.
The form of sushi served in modern sushi bars became popular in Tokyo around 1820 although sushi’s history dates back to the 7th century. The original variety of sushi which required a lengthy pickling process was developed so that sushi could be enjoyed fresh from a portable stall. The fast-food approach to sushi we see today has seen Sushi Bars gaining popularity the world over.
Made mostly with rice, fish and vegetables Sushi is a very healthy meal. To maintain the flavors and for the safety of the eater Sushi should always be made with fresh ingredients. Soya sauce, ginger and wasabi are used to enhance the delicate flavors of rice, vegetables and fish in Sushi to produce a nutritious and tasty meal.
The health benefits of sushi include:
- Vitamin A, B-complex, Niacin and Vitamin C from the thin, toasted seaweed sheets, (called Nori), used in rolled (maki) sushi. Nori is also good for digestion.
- The rice used in making sushi is low in fat and sodium free, and while not as healthy as brown rice it is a complex carbohydrate which provides fuel for your body.
- Protein and minerals from the fish used in the sushi.
- Vitamins and other nutrients from the fresh, uncooked vegetables used in Sushi.
- The condiments served with sushi also have certain health benefits.
The naturally fermented soya sauce used in sushi has been associated with reduced menopausal symptoms and lower breast cancer in Asian cultures where Soya sauce and other soya based foods is a staple in their diets. Soya is low in saturated fats, cholesterol free, and a high quality protein source.
Those concerned with the bacteria found in uncooked meat will find the bacteria fighting qualities of ginger and wasabi of special interest as they are commonly served alongside sushi.
Ginger, (called ‘gari’), along with its bacteria fighting qualities also aids digestion. Wasabi, (Japanese horseradish), can also kill bacteria found in raw fish and is sometimes served as a garnish or included in nigiri sushi.
A visit to your local sushi bar will get you a fast-food meal with numerous health benefits which is an appealing alternative to the usual western style high fat fast foods. Give sushi a try; you just might discover your next favorite food.
Colin L Wolfenden
http://www.impressiveebooks.com
http://www.my-resource.com
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