Archive for January, 2010

25
Jan

Antioxidant Activity – No Free Ride For The Radicals

   Posted by: Fernanda    in Nutrition

We have all heard of antioxidants and how good they are for our health.  While it is true that antioxidants are good for our health, many of us don’t understand why?  Read along with me as I describe antioxidant activity, so that you can understand why it is essential for your good health. 

What is an Antioxidant?

Antioxidants are natural compounds; this means they are found in nature.  Antioxidants neutralize harmful free radicals.  What does this mean?  I will start by explaining what a free radical is, so you can comprehend antioxidant activity.  A Free radical is an atom or molecule, usually oxygen that is missing an electron (negatively charged particle).  This free radical is a highly reactive atom because it needs an electron to make it stable.

Where do Free Radicals come from?

Some free radicals are produced in your body by normal body processes such as metabolism.  Free radicals can be aggravated by stress. The more reactive and harmful free radicals are produced by many external factors including pollution, radiation and pesticides.

What do Free Radicals Do?

In your body, a free radical goes around looking for an electron and steals it from your cells.  This is damaging to your cells and if there are many free radicals in your body this will cause a great deal of harm and eventually lead to poor health.   Free radicals impair our immune system which can lead to infections, cancers and auto-immune diseases including Crohn’s, Multiple Sclerosis and Rheumatoid arthritis.  Free radicals are also responsible for degenerative diseases such as coronary heart disease and osteoarthritis.  Recent research has determined that free radicals are responsible for the aging process.

How do Antioxidants work?

Antioxidant activity is quite remarkable in that antioxidants give free radicals an electron that they so desperately need to become stable, meanwhile the antioxidants themselves remain stable.  Some antioxidants are generated in your body.  These antioxidants are called free radical scavengers, and as their name indicates they will travel inside your body neutralizing radicals as they come upon them.  Antioxidants are also found in a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables.  For a diet high in antioxidants some choices can include tomatoes, red peppers, berries (blackberries, strawberries, blueberries and cranberries) red grapes and pomegranate. 

When to Supplement with antioxidants?

Even though your body produces some antioxidants, and you get more from your diet, these are often not sufficient to neutralize the number of free radicals in your body.  As you age, your body becomes less efficient at producing its own antioxidants.  When your lifestyle does not provide enough antioxidants it is necessary for you to supplement with natural health products.  Vitamins A, C, and E have potent antioxidant activity. The supplement CoQ10 is an antioxidant that helps maintain cardiovascular health.  Melatonin, a hormone produced in your body that helps regulate your circadian clock, also has strong antioxidant activity. Melatonin has a great advantage over many other antioxidants because it can cross the blood brain barrier and eliminate free radicals found in your brain.

Do not allow free radicals to damage your cells leading to disease and the destruction of your body.   Keep your body healthy and be sure to supplement your diet with antioxidants.

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24
Jan

Aloe Vera, The Forgotten Plant

   Posted by: author1    in Healing Arts

What’s in a name? If the name is Aloe Cure, it represents one of the great healing plants of all time. Science is forever trying to compete with nature and it is ironic that often they come round full cycle to promote what has long been there for the taking. Natural remedies usually come without harmful side effects. That is what is so remarkable.If you can find a natural cure for what ails you there are also hidden benefits. The most obvious benefit is that you are dealing with the immediate problem. The added bonus is that almost always the fruit, plant, herb, juice that we come by naturally will supply additional vitamins, minerals and much needed fiber.

The Aloe Vera plant has become the forgotten plant now that resveratrol, acai and green tea have received so much recent press. It makes sense considering peoples fascination for the latest thing. The  “big three” are certainly miracles of nature and it is not our intention to speak ill of them. They have been around for thousands of years, like most of nature’s wonders.

The publicity the current crop of favorites is now receiving is long overdue. Not exactly a newcomer, pure aloe has been used to treat burns, cuts and bruises and the juice has long been touted as a remedy for digestive problems.

Used by Native Americans of the Southwest for centuries and, most recently, by herbalists and botanical healers in the U.S., it has the most amazing restorative powers and is one of nature’s cure-alls. It has the power to soothe the digestive tract, reduce or eliminate inflammation, facilitate waste removal, repair, heal and act as a corrective. For those who suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome aloe vera juice has been recommended for years.

In the last half-century we have grown dependent upon pharmeceutical companies to tell us what we should consume as medicine. It is not scientific research that is the enemy, but we must take responsibility for our own health. Remember that many of the so-called discoveries have been around for thousands of years, aloe being just one of them.

There are scientists who would tell you that you can not extend your natural life; you can only shorten it. Stress is a major factor; this we can all agree upon. But, what of internal stress conditions? Stomach acid, for example can be gently mollified. The Aloe Vera Plant, its gel and extract offer just such a possibility. If you use a natural cure for what ails you, especially when it comes to digestion, you will reduce the possibility of long term side effects.

Aloe is a gentle corrective that can very conceivably reeducate your system. This has been touted and there have been proven results. It may not work like a pill – we all want instant gratification and freedom from discomfort – but it works well and, in the long run, the benefits will be many; the side effects, few.

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24
Jan

Skin Cancer Prevention Tips

   Posted by: author1    in Cancer: Skin Cancer

We all know that skin cancer is a bad thing, and most of us take some measure to protect ourselves from known risk factors. However, we might not be following enough skin cancer prevention tips to reduce our chances of getting this disease as much as we can. This article will discuss some of the best skin cancer prevention tips to keep this potentially deadly disease at bay. By following a few simple steps, you can reduce your risk of skin cancer and enjoy a higher quality of life overall.

Skin Cancer Prevention Tip: The Lowdown on Sun Exposure

Slathering on a bit of sunscreen before hitting the beach for the day will probably not be a sufficient protection against skin cancer. First, sunscreen should be used every day, even if the sky is overcast. The sun’s rays can penetrate cloud cover to cause significant damage to the skin. Second, a single application of sunscreen is usually not sufficient. To ensure the protection of skin many skin cancer prevention tips recommend reapplying of sunscreen after every couple of hours. SPF of 30 is also needed.

The Truth about Tanning Booths

Many people opt to get their summer glow at a tanning booth rather than soaking up the sun’s harmful UV rays. However, studies show that consistent exposure to the light in tanning booths can be just as harmful. Tanning booths discharge both UVA and UVB rays in heavy amount. In fact, the UVA rays in a tanning salon have been shown to be two to five times more intense than natural sunlight. If you simply must have a summer tan, try the kind in a bottle. It is probably your safest bet, according to most skin cancer prevention tips.

The Skinny on Self Checks

Just like many other forms of cancer, the best skin cancer prevention program will involve regular self checks to look for unusual moles or markings on the skin. By screening your own skin, you can find questionable areas right away, when treatment will be minimally invasive and most effective. How often should you check? Most skin cancer prevention tips recommend talking to your doctor about the best schedule for you. Before selecting a screening schedule doctor go through the risk factors and the past of the patient. However, general skin cancer prevention tips recommend giving your skin a quick once over each month for best results.

Skin cancer can be a scary diagnosis, but it is a diagnosis that some can avoid entirely. By heeding these skin cancer prevention tips, you can keep your skin safe and healthy.

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