Lip Modification Plastic Surgery Lip Modification Plastic SurgeryBy: DrBradley JanesMD
Younger looking lips, just like the rest of the face, exhibit age through decrease of fullness. Today there are several choices to recreate plump, youthful pouts with lip treatments and facial fillers. Injectables give a non-invasive, provisional...
Do You Need To Know About Natural Constipation Treatments? Do You Need To Know About Natural Constipation Treatments?By: Rudy Silva
All around the globe, there are still a great portion of the population who believe in the efficacy of natural constipation treatments. This is despite the existence of over-the-counter and prescribed medications.
Constipation...
Top 10 Common Dental Problems Top 10 Common Dental ProblemsBy: Free Dentist Finder
A healthy mouth and a great smile can be invaluable to our sense of wellbeing and self confidence. But good dental health is not something to be taken for granted. Check out these Top 10 Dental Problems and you would be surprised how easy it is to...
How To Quickly And Easily Eliminate Social Anxiety... How To Quickly And Easily Eliminate Social Anxiety Disorder!By: Lisa Beverley
There are many conventional treatments for social anxiety disorder, however, many people may grow frustrated because these treatments. Most psychiatrists prescribe medications that can have powerful side effects with the hope...
Ovarian cyst pain generally occurs in post-menopausal... Ovarian cyst pain generally occurs in post-menopausal womenBy: Timothy Dawson
If you are a post-menopausal or a childbearing woman then you are likely to be one of the victims of ovarian cyst which are a common feature in the women of your age. At times, ovarian cysts do not cause any problem but some...
Urinary Medication or Remedy for UTI- Which One Should I Try?
By: Joe Barton
You have a decision to make Urinary Medication or Remedy for UTI? In this article, you will learn why remedies for UTIs are one of the fastest growing treatments when it comes to urinary tract infections.
Antibiotics or Natural Health?
Antibiotics have been around for decades. And natural health remedies have been around even longer. But only recently research has been checking the validity of remedies. And to the surprise of many, natural remedies can sometimes outperform medications. Though many remedies have been proven false!
Did you know, UTI sufferers who take antibiotics have a 1 and 4 chance of being a repeat sufferer? This is because antibiotics will sometimes not work if bacteria infections (like UTIs) become resistant.
On the other hand, natural alternative treatments have shown to be beneficial if the patients boost their immunity and flush the bacteria out of the urinary tract. Here are some ideas for boosting your immunity and flushing the E coli bacteria.
A Remedy for UTI
The first step to any natural remedy for UTI is boosting the immunity. Your immunity is responsible for fighting off infections, viruses and diseases. Typically, if you suffer from an infection, your immunity is most likely weak.
You can immediately boost it with supplementing up to 3000 mg of vitamin C daily and also supplementing zinc. Zinc is needed for the body to absorb the vitamin C.
The second step for this alternative treatment is flushing the bacteria that is causing the infection. In this case, you need to kill and flush the E coli bacteria.
You can begin your home treatment by eating plenty of fiber. Fiber will naturally cleanse the bladder and tract. We recommend 5 servings of vegetables daily and 3 servings of fruits. You can also look for whole grains with a high content of dietary fiber.
Finally, you should also learn simple ways to flush the bacteria. One simple way is to drink unsweetened cranberry juice daily. Cranberries have been shown to naturally flush the bacteria that is clinging to the wall of your bladder. However, there are numerous ways to flush the bacteria if cranberries do not work!
A Cure in 12 Hours Flat!
Imagine being cured of your infection within the next 12 hours? Imagine not having to purchase more antibiotics that don’t work? Imagine a cure that is guaranteed for the next 6 months?
Forget the urinary medication, visit our website today to learn about a 100% guaranteed Remedy for UTI that works in 12 hours.
There are so many people who are looking to lose some weight and become healthier, but with all the different weight loss products on the market, many people want that quick fix that some of the products claim. Well, there is no quick fix. Any doctor or personal trainer will tell you it takes hard work to lose weight. You simply can’t just sit on the couch and decide to take a pill and be 10 pounds lighter the next day.
Fortunately, for people who are willing to work and put effort into an exercise and nutritional program, there are workouts that can change your body in as little as 60 days. A new program that has recently hit the market is called Insanity. It was developed by Shaun T, who is also the developer and instructor of Hip Hop Abs. He has taken workouts to a new level with Insanity.
Shaun T’s Insanity Workout was released to the public in July 2009. He had worked on the workout for quite a long time as there have been talks about him releasing this type of intense workout since last year.
In the Insanity Workout, Shaun T takes you to your extreme levels and beyond. This is definitely not for the person who has never worked out before or someone who is not willing to work hard to lose weight and tone their body. The secret behind this high-intensity workout is called MAX Interval Training. It is interval training that has never been done on workout DVDs before. Some people are even saying it surpasses Tony Horton’s P90X in intensity. The MAX Interval training makes you push yourself to extreme levels for longer bursts of time. This makes your body work harder, which means you burn more calories.
Insanity workout is available through Beachbody fitness. It comes with 10 different workouts that all work together to form a laid out fitness plan for you. Shaun T has done the guess work for you and will show you which workout to do when. You just simply have to follow his plan. Some of the workouts included are plyometric cardio circuit, core cardio and balance, cardio abs, and max interval circuit. The workout claims that you can burn up to 1000 calories an hour with all of these different workouts.
If you are not willing to put in the work to lose weight or you are not physically able to do high-intensity workouts, then Insanity is not for you. This fitness program takes time and dedication to losing weight and getting healthier. It can’t just be done whenever you want, as you need to follow the laid out schedule for the workouts to get the maximum benefits. Shaun T’s Insanity workout claims that if you follow the fitness program, you can reshape your body in 60 days. So, there are some quick fixes to weight loss, they just take the a lot of effort!
If you want your fitness endeavor to be successful the following virtues must be practiced 1.) Desire 2.)Commitment 3.) Goal orientedness 4.) Intensity 5.) Persistance and Perseverance.
Desire is a force of the will which leads people to seek to change their present reality. It is a powerful thing when a person who has long desired to change their body, finally becomes so fed up, that in their their mind there is no alternative but to begin taking the steps to create change. In short, a person has to want to change, and to truly create radical physical change takes total commitment.
Commitment is a dirty word to many in our culture today, but with respect to creating physical change total commitment is necessary. What is total commitment; it is being willing to do whatever it takes to achieve your goal, no matter what. Re-creating your body necessitates a 24/7 commitment. Your food intake must be strictly regulated every meal and snack, every day. You cannot miss workouts just because you are not feeling one hundred percent that day. You cannot miss workouts because you had a bad day or your boss or your spouse is angry with you. Success necessitates that a person overcomes all adversity and sticks to the workout program and eating plan no matter what, without any excuses.
Goal orientedness is having, at the very least, a mental picture of how you want the outcome of your training to be. I strongly advise each and every client of mine to obtain a picture which represents how they want to look. I require that it be a person of similar physical structure who has optimized their physical condition. Constantly meditating on that image keeps a goal visually present and helps immeasurably in fueling the desire to go on to total success
Intensity, if you want to get results from your training, you must train with sufficient intensity. What does this mean? It means pitty-pat workouts will not do the job. I, as a personal trainer have seen people who are wasting time in the gym with low intensity workouts. They go through workouts which do not create results for months, even years, but results will never come unless they put in the sweat and elbow grease it takes to reshape a body. Proper intensity is training as hard as you are capable during the entire length of the workout. Workouts without deep muscle burn will not create change. In my opinion, if you feel no need to grunt and groan at all in your workouts, you are training without sufficient intensity. Sweating is good thing, it is the body’s response to vigorous exercise. No sweat in this trainer’s book equals insufficient intensity.
Persistence and perseverance. Do you want to succeed? Dogged determination to create results must be practiced for a successful training program. What is persistence? It is doing what needs to be done to create physical change each and every scheduled training day without exception. Intense weight training sessions done as scheduled without calling off and never missing your cardio sessions, this will create change Perseverance is gutting it out, sticking to the program even when your mind tells you that you are wasting your time. There will be times when you think that you are not changing quickly enough and it is at these times that you will be tempted to throw in the towel and quit. Perseverance causes a person to do the work necessary for a long enough period of time to attain one’s goals.
10 Minute Trainer: What Is the Super Stacking Technique?
By: Tiffany Brunskole
We live in a busy, busy world were everyone is constantly on the go. It can be difficult finding the time to exercise on a regular basis when you have such a busy schedule. You could be a single mother who works over 40 hours a week or just a young adult who has a job and active social life. Whoever you are, there seems to be difficulty finding enough time to get in a good workout at least 4 times a week. That is where Tony Horton’s 10 minute trainer workout program comes in. All it takes is 10 minutes a day to get in a full workout.
Tony Horton’s 10 minute trainer uses the workout technique called super stacking. This is a technique that was developed by Tony Horton to get a full-body workout in only 10 minutes a day.
What Exactly is Super Stacking?
Most people have never heard of super stacking before and may have no idea what exactly it is. The basis behind this workout technique is that a cardio workout, a toning and sculpting workout, and an abs workout are stacked together so that you are doing the all the workouts at the same time in the 10 minutes. Instead of simply starting with a cardiovascular workout and then moving into a toning workout, Tony put all of these workouts together in to total-body exercises that are efficient and effective for burning fat in as little as 10 minutes.
Not a second is wasted during the 10 minute trainer workouts. This means that you pop in your workout DVD, do your ten minutes, and you have a full body workout that burns fat and calories and you can be done exercising for the day. The great thing about the super stacking technique and the 10 minute trainer workout is that you can choose how long you want to workout for the day. Some days you may find that you have more time and you can get in 30 minutes, so you can do 3 of the 10 minute workouts in a row for an even greater workout. If you don’t ever have more than 10 minutes in a day to workout, that is no problem as the super stacking technique was designed for as little as the 10 minutes a day.
Being busy should not be an excuse for not working out. Some people just don’t realize how important it is to get physical activity that raises you heart rate on a regular basis. Tony Horton knows that not everyone has an hour a day to workout, which is why he developed the super stacking technique and the 10 minute trainer workout program. Not having enough time is no longer an excuse.
This article is focused on the basics of nutrition for those who embarking on a fitness/weight training program. Today I’ll talk about the three primary sources of calories for human beings. Proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Protein is of the utmost importance for those trying to improve their bodies. The eating plan for a person trying to improve their physique should have a diet whose foundation is protein. This is what I call the skeleton of a proper eating program. The skeleton of a proper eating program is all of the protein foods the eating plan will contain. The most commonly used protein foods will be meat, fish, poultry, protein supplements, eggs and dairy based protein foods such as cottage cheese. Below I will plot out for you a skeleton of a typical eating program for a personal training client.
1.) upon waking, 3 eggs with an additional 3 egg whites 2.) 3 hours later, 8 oz. of grilled tilapia 3.) 3 hours later, 8 oz. of grilled tilapia 4.) 3 hours later, 8 oz of broiled ground sirloin 5.) 3 hours later, Muscle Milk protein supplement 6.) 2 hours later, 1 cup small curd cottage cheese
As of right now the foundation of a proper eating plan, being protein foods, has been completed. All that is needed is to add carbohydrate foods to the eating program. The level of carbohydrate intake should be tailored to the personal training client’s goals. For example a skinny high school kid who wants to gain weight for football would eat a plentitude of carbohydrates. Let’s take a look at how an eating program for such an individual might look. What we will do is take the skeleton eating program and add to it.
1.) upon waking, 3 eggs with an additional 3 egg whites, 4 slices toast with jam 2.) 3 hours later, 8 oz. of grilled tilapia, 1 cup white rice 3.) 3 hours later, 8 oz. of grilled tilapia, 1 cup white rice 4.) 3 hours later, 8 oz ground sirloin on a bun with ketchup 5.) 3 hours later, Muscle Milk protein supplement 6.) 2 hours later, 1 cup small curd cottage cheese, with 1 cup chopped pineapple.
Now we will look at a more typical scenario for my personal training clients. Nine out of ten people who come to me for training are coming to lose weight and become more toned and fit. I will use the exact same skeleton eating plan as I did in the other example but this eating plan will be vastly different in the carbohydrate department. Healthy carbohydrate foods are grains, rice, potatoes, whole grain bread, and fruit
1.) upon waking, 3 eggs with an additional 3 egg whites, 2 slices dry rye toast 2.) 3 hours later, 8 oz. of grilled tilapia, 1 cup steamed veggies 3.) 3 hours later, 8 oz. of grilled tilapia, 1 cup steamed veggies 4.) 3 hours later, 8 oz of broiled ground sirloin, 1 large green salad, w vinegarette 5.) 3 hours later, Muscle Milk protein supplement. 1 grapefruit 6.) 2 hours later, 1 cup small curd cottage cheese.
When constructing eating plans for weight loss, you can see that the order of the day is drastic reduction in carbohydrate consumption. No matter what kind of eating program I construct, I never purposely add fat calories. Adequate fat consumption is achieved with the fat that is present in the protein sources.
You are what you eat, right? This is probably one of the oldest phrases in the English language, but it still remains true. What you eat will not only end up on your hips, but it will make an appearance on your face as well! It turns out there are quite a few foods that help prevent wrinkles, and they are not as distasteful or boring as you may think.
It is true that most of the foods that are really good for the human body are anything but appetizing. Yet, when it comes to foods that prevent wrinkles and keep the skin youthful and radiant, the common foods on this list are quite delicious. Even better, they are easily found in your local supermarket and you probably already eat some of them from time to time.
Antioxidants
You have probably heard a lot about the benefits of getting antioxidants into the body for weight loss and overall health benefits, but this is one of the best things you can do for your skin as well. Most of the foods that help prevent wrinkles happen to be very rich in antioxidants of some sort, which will help nourish and replenish the skin so it fights off the signs of aging such as wrinkles, lines, sagging, and sun spots.
Some of the most common foods that prevent wrinkles by pumping your body full of antioxidants include:
* Leafy green vegetables such as spinach and kale
* Dark orange colored vegetables such as carrots, orange peppers, and squash
* Dark, rich colored berries such as blueberries, raspberries, and dark purple grapes
* Tomatoes
These foods that help prevent wrinkles get their power from their rich colors and tend to be more powerful when eaten raw. The only exception is tomatoes, which tend to have more antioxidants after cooking.
Healthy Fats
It doesn’t seem like fat would be anywhere near a list of healthy foods that help prevent wrinkles, but every organ in the body relies upon fat sources to function properly. That includes the skin!
The trick is to eat healthy fats which do not clog your arteries and leave a greasy fill over your pores. Some of the healthy foods that prevent wrinkles by providing essential fats include:
* Salmon
* Almonds
* Olive Oil
Salmon in particular is one of the most beneficial foods that help prevent wrinkles because it also combats a variety of other problems within the body.
The best tip you can ever receive for keeping your skin tight, youthful and blemish free is to take care of your body as a whole. Get in shape, eat for nourishment not satisfaction, and you will not only have clear skin, but you will feel your best as well.
Visit http://www.soft-clear-skin.com/ and discover effective foods that help prevent wrinkles that diminishes fine lines, dry skin, and other signs of aging.
The first documented attempt to augment (enlarge) the breast happened 119 years ago. For the first 68 years, breast augmentation was attempted by direct injection with materials, including paraffin, fat, and free silicone. These attempts led to disastrous consequences including infection, hard breast lumps, deformity, fat absorption, fat necrosis, and chronic inflammatory reactions. Removal was difficult, sometimes leading to measures as drastic as mastectomy. After the invention of the mammogram, these injections were found to create artifacts that made cancer screening more difficult. For these reasons, direct injections of the breast were abandoned by most plastic surgeons in the US. Free silicone injections into the breast for augmentation still continued in many other countries into the latter part of the 20th century, however.
Commercially made breast implants were first available in the US in 1958, and over 200 different implant types and designs have been made since then. Experts estimate that 60% of these were silicone gel filled implants with the exception of 1992-2006, when the FDA moratorium was in place. During this time, saline filled implants dominated the market. Dow Corning dominated the implant market for the first 30 years, but over 15 other companies made breast implants during the 1980s. Although Congress gave the FDA authority to regulate medical devices in 1976, breast implants had been “grandfathered in”, and few of the products underwent rigorous testing in clinical trials prior to sale on the open market. Regulation of breast implants did not occur until 1991, when the FDA asked companies to submit premarket approval applications. As a result, the implant industry was caught “blind sided” when the FDA demanded comprehensive data with a 90-day deadline for completion of all safety studies. With the simultaneous onslaught of thousands of lawsuits, the implant manufacturers were caught in a vice between the new demands of the FDA, the chorus of “expert witnesses” claiming silicone-immune links, and the tidal wave of litigation. Without good data to defend silicone implant safety, the industry collapsed in less than three years. In 1992, the FDA banned the use of silicone gel filled implants outside of an FDA-approved research protocol due to concerns of safety. During the 1990s, all but two of the breast implant manufacturers went out of business or stopped making implants as a result of the breast implant litigation. In 1996, the courts appointed a National Science Panel that reviewed over 2,000 medical documents and heard testimony from legal, medical, and scientific experts. The panel released their findings in 1998, concluding that there are no identifiable associations between the use of silicone implants and disease. In 1999, the National Academy Institute of Medicine issued a 455-page report that concluded that connective tissue diseases, cancer, neurological diseases, or other systemic complications are no more common in women with breast implants than in women without implants. In 2006, the FDA lifted the moratorium on silicone gel filled implants, with the condition that the two remaining manufacturers did large post approval studies involving 81,260 patients over a 10-year period starting November 17, 2006.
Today most patients in the US are choosing silicone gel implants for both cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery again, but the capsular contracture (breast hardening) rates are no better today than they were in the 1960s when these implants were first developed. In retrospect, capsular contracture was the major complication with the first attempt at augmentation in 1890 and is still the major complication with breast augmentation in 2009. Despite this well known fact, the majority of the attention given to implants over the 119-year period has focused on implant rupture and unsubstantiated claims that implants cause systemic human disease.
Current silicone gel filled implants in the US are what many call “4th generation” implants, which have much stricter manufacturing standards and testing standards. “5th generation” implants have already been in use in Europe for ten years and in Canada for five years, but are still not approved by the FDA. These “5th generation” implants are cohesive gel implants commonly referred to as “gummy bear” implants. The advantages of these implants include less rippling and the lack of gel extrusion/leak if the silicone elastomer shell breaks. There are also hopes that these implants would have a lower capsular contracture rate, but preliminary evidence suggests that contracture is still a major problem as with all previous generations of implants.
We must learn from the history of silicone gel implants and not repeat history again. Good scientific research must precede commerce and marketing. The cost of bringing a new implant to market has exponentially increased as a result of FDA requirements and legal risk. Now most new implants are first being tested in Europe or South America and often are approved decades there before approval in the US. Many clinical trials are being done worldwide on existing implants and on new implants before US market approval is obtained. Long term studies still need to be done on implant rupture rates. Innovations need to be made to reduce the most common complication, capsular contracture, which still occurs today after 119 years of history.
Whiten Tooth – Another Way of Saying a White Bright Smile
By: Jeyanth Watson
The term whiten tooth may seem a bit odd being as it seems to refer to a singular tooth. One has to look at the term “toothpaste” which again seems to refer to a single tooth, which we know, is certainly not the case. It is not likely that one would need to do a single whiten tooth procedure.
Whiten tooth is actually a term used to refer to products and methods for achieving that white bright smile that we are all after. There is certainly no shortage of teeth whitening products on the market and they can all fit into the whiten teeth category at various levels and expectations of what they are capable of doing.
A whiten teeth product may take many forms. It could be a whitening toothpaste, gel, cream, strip, or system. Which teeth-whitening product you would use would depend on the severity of the staining of you teeth.
If you have minimal staining then you could use a whiten tooth product such as a whitening toothpaste. These are really only going to be effective when the staining has been caused by food or a beverage for example such as wine or fruit juices. Then the whiten tooth product in this case would almost have to be used immediately after the consumption of the juices. A whiten tooth product such as whitening toothpastes are more beneficial as a preventative measure.
Then if your teeth are stained to a greater degree then you will most likely want a whiten teeth product that is a little more aggressive. Choosing the right product may be somewhat challenging though since there are so many from which you can choose. Some of your decision making is going to come down to not only how effective the whiten teeth product is but the time involved it takes to apply it as well as how long before results are noticeable. The other factor will be price as well.
When it comes to teeth whitening products you really need to do a thorough review of the various products that are available. This way you will be able to make an informed decision. This will help you cut down the costs of trying a whole range of the whiten tooth products before you find the one you are finally happy with. You are going to find that these products are not cheap and you want to invest in one that works.
One of the fat-soluble vitamins, vitamin D constitutes two major forms which are vitamin D2 or ergocalciferol and vitamin D3 or cholecalciferol. Vitamin D2 is synthesised by plants whilst vitamin D3 is synthesised by the body. Vitamin D is naturally present in a number of food sources and dietary supplements, and is also manufactured with the aid of sun exposure. It is produced within the body when ultraviolet-B or UVB rays from sunlight reaches the skin. The liver and the kidney eventually help to convert vitamin D to an active hormone form.
Functions of Vitamin D
Vitamin D plays several key roles in the maintenance of organ systems. For example:
* Vitamin D helps regulate calcium concentrations in the blood. Since it works more like a hormone, its active form, calcitriol acts with the parathyroid hormone or PTH. If the calcium level is low, this would trigger the secretion of PTH, which would stimulate the conversion of vitamin D to calcitriol. Calcitriol would then act to increase calcium absorption in the intestines, calcium resorption in the kidneys and stimulate calcium release from the bones.
* Vitamin D helps maintain blood phosphorus levels. Low levels of vitamin D can result to an overactive parathyroid gland. Also with inadequate phosphorus in the body, bones cannot undergo normal mineralisation.
* It is also said that vitamin D benefits the immune system since the T-cells or immune cells have receptors for vitamin D. It acts by boosting phagocytosis, the bodily functions to combat tumours, modulate neuromuscular and immune functions and reduce inflammation.
* Vitamin D is also responsible for maintaining normal cell growth and function. It may be an important element to the prevention and treatment of cancer. It has also been suggested that vitamin D plays a role in regulating the growth and function of brain cells.
* Research studies suggest that vitamin D, because of its anti-inflammatory effect, plays a role in providing protection against osteoporosis, hypertension, cancer, type 1 diabetes, psoriasis and numerous autoimmune diseases.
Deficiency Conditions
There may be certain underlying causes of vitamin D deficiency. It can result from:
* Inadequate vitamin D intake together with inadequate sun exposure
* Certain disorders that compromise vitamin D absorption
* Conditions that can impair the conversion of vitamin D metabolites such as kidney or liver diseases or hereditary disorders.
Insufficient vitamin D intake can have serious effects on the bones, which can make them thin, brittle or deformed. Vitamin D deficiency often results in conditions like:
* Rickets which is common in children and is characterised by delayed growth and deformity of long bones.
* Osteomalacia, which occurs in adults and results in thinning of the bones. Signs of proximal weakness and bone fragility are familiar characteristics.
* Osteoporosis which is a condition wherein the bone mineral density is reduced and bone fragility is increased.
Lack of vitamin D may also be linked to increased susceptibility of several chronic diseases like high blood pressure, cancer, tuberculosis, periodontal disease, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, schisophrenia, depression, affective disorders, peripheral arterial disease and a number of autoimmune diseases such as type-1 diabetes.
Deficiency Symptoms in Adults and Infants
Signs of vitamin D deficiency includes muscle aches, myopathy or muscle weakness and bone pain. These symptoms can occur at any age. Pregnant mothers who have vitamin D deficiency can also cause fetal deficiency.
In younger infants, rickets can produce a condition called craniotabes or softening of the skull. In older babies, rickets can impede or delay sitting and crawling and the closure of the fontanels; bossing of the infants’ skull and presence of costochondral thickening or what is referred to as ‘rachitic rosary’. Children with rickets aged 1-4 years old experience epiphyseal cartilage enlargements on the long bones and delayed walking. Older children and adolescents can experience pain upon walking and in worst cases it can result in ‘bowlegs’ or ‘knock-knees’.
Tetany that is caused by hypocalcemia may go along with vitamin D deficiency in infants and adults. This condition can lead to symptoms such as loss of feeling in the lip or tongue areas and the fingers, facial spasms, and at worst, seizures.
Recommended Daily Dose of Vitamin D
Doses or intake of vitamin D is determined according to age groups. These amounts are vital to maintain normal growth and bone health and also normal calcium metabolism in the body. The adequate intakes or AIs for vitamin D indicated are based on the supposition that the vitamin D is not synthesized by sunlight exposure.
From birth to age 13, the recommended AI for children is 5 mcg or 200 IU; for both males and females aged 14-50 years old, 5 mcg or 200 IU is needed; for both males and females aged 51-70 years of age, 10 mcg or 400 IU is required; both males and females reaching the age of 71 and up require 15 mcg or 600 IU of vitamin D. Pregnant and lactating mothers need 5 mcg or 200 IU of the vitamin.
Vitamin D Food Sources
Only a few food sources contain vitamin D. Best sources of vitamin D are fish meat and fish liver oils. There are also small amounts of vitamin D, in the form of vitamin D3, found in dairy products like cheese and egg as well as beef and liver. Some types of mushrooms also contain varying amounts of vitamin D2.
Common sources of vitamin D include the following:
* Cod liver oil
* Fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna, sardines
* Milk including non-fat, reduced fat, whole or vitamin D fortified
* Margarine
* Cereals
* Egg
* Beef liver
* Swiss cheese
* Fortified orange juice
* Fortified rice or soy beverage
The Need for Increased Amounts
Since obtaining sufficient amounts of vitamin D in the diet can be quite difficult, many people now consume vitamin D fortified foods in order to maintain a healthy dose of the vitamin. There are some groups however who need increased amounts of vitamin D:
* Breastfed infants because vitamin D cannot be supplied by breast milk alone
* Older people due to the fact that synthesis of vitamin D decreases with age and the ability of the kidney to convert vitamin D diminishes
* People with limited sun exposure especially those living in northern latitudes, those wearing robes or head covers or those with occupations that prevent them from having sun exposure
* People with dark skin as more skin pigments like melanin reduces the ability of the skin to produce vitamin D.
* People with fat malabsorption conditions such as Crohn’s disease, cystic fibrosis, liver and celiac disease or patients who have undergone surgical removal of any part of the stomach or intestine.
* People who are obese. An increased amount of subcutaneous fat can snatch more of the vitamin D and somehow alter its release in the circulation.
Interaction of Vitamin D with Prescribed Drugs
Vitamin D supplements have the tendency to react with certain types of prescription medications. These include the following:
* Steroids or corticosteroid medications like prednisone which can cause decreased calcium absorption and also damage the vitamin D metabolism process.
* Weight-loss medications such as orlistat and cholesterol-lowering drugs like cholestyramine also decrease the absorption of vitamin D and other fat-soluble vitamins
* Phenobarbital and phenytoin increases vitamin D metabolism and decreases calcium absorption.
There are a few natural acne products that you most likely already have at home. You will surely benefit from it if you decide to use these natural acne remedy. You can save more and you do not have to deal with harsh side effects. If no over the counter products work for you, you might as well try the homemade acne treatment. This works best on mild and moderate acne conditions. Here are some of the treatments you might be interested in:
1. Apple cider vinegar – this is a natural tonic that you can use to treat acne. One can take it orally or apply it topically. Taking a cup of apple cider vinegar a day will eliminate the toxins from the body and will improve the functions of the kidney and the liver.
If you choose to apply this topically, use a cotton ball and dip it on a mixture of 1 part water and 1 part apple cider vinegar. Dab the dipped cotton ball on affected areas twice a day. This will serve as a natural astringent that will kill acne causing bacteria. It will also eliminate excess oil from the skin and will promote the skin’s normal ph.
2. Baking soda – You can use this as a scrub. This will eliminate the dead skin that can clog your pores. Do this by creating a paste using small amount of water and baking soda. Use the paste to massage your face for about ten to fifteen seconds. After that, rinse your skin and pat it with a face towel to dry.
3. Cucumber – You can use this to reduce the inflammation of acne. You can either slice a piece and place it on your face or form it into a paste by smashing it and applying it on the affected area.
4. Egg white – Beat the egg white thoroughly until it becomes frothy. Then, apply it on your skin. This becomes a great mask for reducing oil.
5. Garlic – This is another known home treatment for acne, which you can use by crushing and extracting the juice. Apply the juice on the infected area and leave it on for about ten minutes. Wash it after with cold water. It is not good to leave it on your face overnight because it can be very strong for the skin.
6. Honey – This has antibacterial substances, which is great to use on inflamed skin. You can apply it with other kitchen products like banana and oatmeal. However, you can use it by itself. Warm it up a little before applying on the skin. For best results, use unblended honey.
7. Lemon juice – Here is another acne home treatment. This helps cure acne by detoxifying your body. Drink a glass of lemon juice with water and honey before you sleep and every morning after you wake up. This is a delicious treat to help improve your acne.
8. Oatmeal – You can use it as mask or scrub. It can be applied by itself or with honey, water, or egg.
9. Tomatoes – This is a great acne home remedy. You can use this to treat your blackheads. Cut off the tomato’s top and rub it against your skin. Leave it for about 15-20 minutes before washing your skin with water. This will work wonders for your blackheads. It will also open your pores and remove its clog.
Home treatment for acne may not be effective for everyone. This is because of the other possible causes of acne. Before you spend a significant amount on over the counter products, why not hit your kitchen first. You may find the cure you are looking for there.
