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Men'S Health

Secrets to Vibrant, Healthy Hair

Did you know that your body absorbs up to 60% of what you put on your skin? Well, the human scalp is even more porous and easily absorbs whatever is applied to it. Most hair care products, including the shampoo and conditioners used on a daily basis, are laden with harmful, toxic chemicals that are not only damaging to your hair but they absorb through the scalp, enter the bloodstream and accumulate in your body. Since most of us wash our hair at least a few times a week, imagine how consistently applying harsh ingredients and toxic chemicals to your hair and scalp can affect your overall well-being over time.
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), are generally at the top of the ingredient list in leading shampoo and conditioner brands. While they create a sudsy lather consumers enjoy, these harsh detergents have been shown to cause eye and skin irritation, scalp allergies, hair loss, and eczema. Some products containing SLES and SLS have even been found to contain low levels of the known carcinogen, 1,4-dioxane.
Methylisothiazolinone (MIT), sometimes called methylisothiazoline, is a powerful preservative found in many commonly used shampoos and conditioners. Scientists documenting MIT are concerned that exposure to this chemical by pregnant women could put their fetus at risk for abnormal brain development. In other people, exposure could also be a factor in the development of Alzheimer’s disease and other nervous system disorders.
Parabens (Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, p-Propylparaben, Isobutylparaben, n-Butylparaben and Benzylparaben) are widely used anti-microbial preservatives found in shampoos and conditioners (and many other personal care products). Research dating back to 2004 found parabens in 18 of 20 breast (cancer) tumors tested. Yet, due to the low cost and an extended shelf life, many manufacturers continue to use FDA approved parabens and other harmful chemicals in most of the personal care products that line the supermarket and drugstore shelves.
With an increased awareness of the harmful effects of parabens, some manufacturers have begun to eliminate them from their ingredient list. Despite the availability of harmless plant based natural preservatives like grape seed extract, even natural and organic manufacturers are surprisingly tolerant of phenoxyethanol which is touted as a safe alternative to parabens. Yet, the use of phenoxyethanol is restricted in Japan and Europe citing “chromosomal changes and genetic mutation effects in testing” and reports of damaging effects on the brain and central nervous system.
Other ingredients to avoid in your shampoo and conditioner include propylene glycol (antifreeze), olefin sulfonate (kerosene), and ammonium lauryl sulfate, each of which cause hair loss, irritate your scalp, clog oil glands, and corrode hair follicles. Synthetic fragrances and dyes used to color products (yellow #5, orange #4 and violet #2), damage hair and disrupt the endocrine system. Still, the low price of these and other chemical ingredients allow manufacturers to increase sales and gain higher profits by offering products with a consumer-friendly price tag. These mass produced name brand items may cost less at the store, but in the long run, their use can result in very costly health problems.
What are the secrets to vibrant, healthy hair? First and foremost, choose a chemical free shampoo and conditioner to help to revive your hair and scalp by infusing them with natural minerals, vital nutrients, herbal extracts, and moisture. If you use styling products or hair spray, be sure they are free of harsh, drying chemicals like alcohol.
Dry, brittle, dull and thinning hair is often the result of a hormonal imbalance. This is especially obvious for women following childbirth and during menopause. Men and women both benefit tremendously from the transdermal use of bio-identical progesterone cream. It safely and effectively restores healthy progesterone levels to create hormonal balance and nurture the entire endocrine system. You’ll not only feel better physically by using progesterone cream, if your unhealthy hair is a result of a hormone imbalance, you’ll notice a dramatic improvement in the way it looks and feels.
Using a chlorine filter shower head is another secret to full, shiny hair. Chlorine is a harsh, endocrine disrupting chemical that causes dry, brittle and split hair. It also absorbs into your skin. Studies have shown that more chlorine is absorbed into the body from a hot shower than from drinking chlorinated water, and can cause dry skin and skin irritations. Beautiful hair also depends on a healthy diet. In addition to using chemical free products, choose foods from the list below to maximize the health and vitality of your hair.
Water is essential for healthy hair and skin, yet most of us don’t drink nearly enough of it. Increase your intake of pure water daily for a positive difference in your hair and an improved sense of well being.
Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids which moisturize your hair and …

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Health Policy

Amazing Almond Oil for Skin and Hair Care

Organic almond oils ability to soften and condition skin made it as one of the oil of choice for body massage. Many massage therapists prefer this oil because it is highly lubricating and does not penetrate the skin easily. This allows time to spread the essential oil all over the body providing a good massage to relieve muscular aches and pains.
This essential oils is lightweight and contains glycoside, vitamins and minerals and is rich in protein. It is very high in vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant which helps prevent aging. It also contains calcium, magnesium and essential fatty acids that help in the relief of dry and irritated skin.
Almond oil is pale yellow to golden color and has a nutty flavorful odor. It is obtained from the dried kernels of the sweet almond that is native to the Mediterranean climate region of Middle East. Global production of almond is around 1.5 million tons a year and despite its origins, California produces 80% of the almonds worldwide and 100% of the United States commercial supply. Using the cold pressed process, oil extracted from the dried kernels is a 100% natural skin care product.
Almond oil is naturally hypoallergenic and is safe for all skin types even for sensitive skin and baby’s skin.
It is recommended for daily use except to those allergic to nuts. It is an excellent emollient and has been used as one of the key ingredients of lotion, creams and other body care products. It helps soften skin and balances moisture loss and absorption promoting younger looking skin and improves skin complexion.
Organic almond essential oil is also excellent in hair care. It is especially beneficial in the treatment and prevention of hair fall. It’s rich vitamin E content and essential minerals and fatty acids such as Oleic acid, Omega-9 and Omega – 6 are helpful in strengthening hair roots. Applying a few drops of almond oil in the fingertips and massaging into scalp daily in slow circular motion a few hours before shampooing can bring back a healthy lustrous hair.
Other health benefits of almond oil:
-Soothe skin irritation and inflammation
-Delays aging process
-Clears complexion and lightens dark circles
-Relieves dry and irritated skin
-Effective in the treatment of skin disorders such as psoriasis, dermatitis and eczema.
-Treatment of chapped lips
-Treatment of body rash
-Relieves strained muscles
-Controls hair fall
-Promotes hair growth
-Reduces cholesterol
-Improves nervous system
-Constipation…

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Health Food

Stay Away From Fake Foods

As a personal trainer and nutrition enthusiast in Swansea I have become increasingly aware, and worries about ‘fake’ foods. The aim of this article is not to swamp you with the quite worrying information I have learnt with regards to some foods, but just to give you a brief overview on these fake foods and why it’s best to give them to stay away.
Processed foods make up a large amount of the toxins we consume every day, if you see a food with ingredients you can’t pronounce then I would recommend you just put it back. This is the reason why I am such a big advocator of untouched organic food.
Sadly our supermarkets are full of ‘fake foods’.
The main purpose of fake foods is to compete against the more expensive real products. Many people are drawn in by the cheap price rather than what is actually contained in these cheap products. Margarine is made up from hydrogenated oils and was introduced as a cheaper alternate to butter. These fake foods are mare primarily of different chemicals and sometimes contain gums and sugar fillers. The different types of fake foods on the markets include microwaveable snacks, ketchup, hydrogenated oils, margarine, ketchup and sadly many more.
I read a very good and quite worrying comment:
“It is a dangerous experiment that humans are living on processed, junk, and invented foods that have never before existed as part of our food chain.” – Jesse Hanley.
I feel as if this comment is a fair reflection on society; we were not put on this earth to eat these types of ‘foods’. It is just over time most people have become lazier in their nature and the quick fix, cheap option seems to be most popular.
Apologies to the hot dog lovers, for the up and coming bit of information which I read about the production of hot dogs.
Hot dogs are created through the mechanical separation process of pork or chicken scraps which are still attached to the bones. So what you will bite into is not really meat, its bits of tendon, muscle fibre and other unsavoury parts of a pig or chicken. The worst thing about it is the bits of meat I just mentioned are actually the most natural food product contained in a hot dog.
Hydrogenated fats are also something to be very wary of. Hydrogenated fats came about by injecting hydrogen into vegetable fats when under a high amount of pressure and heat. This chemical configuration is not found in nature, the result is to prolong shelf life of certain products. Let’s be honest, none of us want our food created this way. Trans fats (the bad fats) are actually banned in Denmark, and should be avoided at all costs. Did you know that if a product contains less than 0.5g of trans fats then it can be advertised on the pack as containing zero trans fats!
The best thing I would recommend is to be a lot more interested in the back of the packets rather than the price on the front. Have a quick look at the ingredient list and most of you should be able to tell pretty soon whether it is a good product or not. The aim of this post was just to quickly warn you about the fake foods on the market that there are today.
Thanks for reading,
Richard…

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Healthier

Achieving An Acne-Free Skin With Just Vitamins and Minerals

If you are currently suffering from acne, make sure you read this article now. In this article you will learn some of the best and most effective vitamins and minerals that can be utilized to cure acne quickly and effectively without getting any negative side effects.

The honest truth is that many vitamins and minerals as well as vitamins are very good helpers for fighting off acne. When it comes to curing acne, a good number of herbs, minerals and vitamins are very effective for they boost immune system, help eliminate toxins from the body and regulate hormonal levels.

When your body’s immune system weakens, your body starts showing signs of various diseases such as acne, according to health experts. There are also many other factors that affect our immune system and these factors include:

Abusive intake of antibiotics

Pollution

Toxins

Stress

Unhealthy eating habits

Lifestyle

Mental distress

By packing more and more vitamins and minerals to your daily diet, you will be able to strengthen your immune system greatly and prevent any occurrence of acne effectively.

Vitamin A

In some cases, highly concentrated doses of vitamin A have been successfully used to cure severe acne completely. Have you heard of Accutane or Roaccutane? The drug is actually derived from vitamin A.

A recent study shows that vitamin A can help improve acne condition, and that lessened vitamin A intake is associated with increased severity of acne. But bear in mind that vitamin A when taken in large doses is very toxic, so you should never try to overuse this nutrient.

Vitamin B6 or Pyridoxine

Vitamin B6 is by far one of the most powerful acne fighting vitamins. A diet that is deficient in vitamin B6 can cause hormonal fluctuations which will directly lead to the formation of acne and very possibly, an acne breakout.

However, you should take note that excessive consumption of vitamin B6 can actually worsen the condition of your acne.

Zinc

Zinc is the most powerful and effective acne fighting mineral. Zinc is a vital trace element for the human body to reduce inflammation, boost immune system and regulate hormonal balance.  Zinc works by increasing the number of white blood cells in fighting off acne caused by bacteria. This is also why zinc is so effective at treating and preventing acne.

Zinc can be found in sufficient amounts in oysters, whole grains, and brewers yeast. You can also get zinc by taking a good supplement.…

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Nutrition

Wonders of Organic Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is the single best treatment to beautify your skin and hair. It is an excellent moisturizer for dry, rough, wrinkled skin and for many centuries coconut oil has been used in the Far East for beauty, skin and hair care.
Many studies suggest that coconut oil should be the only type of oil used on the skin because it is quickly absorbed and contains the antioxidants that helps fight free radicals. Unlike the conventional body care products that are made of refined vegetable oils which have all the antioxidant stripped, lack thereof makes the skin highly prone to free radicals that causes skin to break down. As a result, the skin loses its elasticity and begins to sag.
Using organic coconut oil is a safe solution for preventing dryness and flaking of skin, and many research shows that pure virgin coconut oil is the best natural ingredient for lotions. It keeps connective tissue strong and supple so that skin will not sag or wrinkle. Continuous use will provide lasting benefits unlike other lotions that can only bring temporary relief. These days, coconut oil is used as an ingredient for making skin care products, hair treatments, and body and sun protection lotions.
Aside from the benefit to skin, this oil is also one of the best natural nutrition for hair. It is undoubtedly a very good hair conditioner providing healthy growth of hair and shine. It helps in the re-growth of damaged hair and nourishes dry scalp. Regular massage to head ensures that the scalp is free of dandruff and lice proven to be better than medicated shampoos.
Coconut oil has many health benefits and healing properties far beyond that of any other dietary oil. Natural coconut fat in the diet lead to a normalization of body lipids, protects against damage to the liver and improves the immune systems anti-inflammatory response. Even though the coconut fat is about 92% saturated, the medium chain fatty acids and monoglycerides found primarily in coconut oil have tremendous benefits to the body.
More benefits of coconut oil:
• Stress relief. Its natural aroma is extremely soothing thus helping lower stress levels
• Digestion. The anti – bacterial properties of the oil help control parasites and fungi that causes indigestion.
• Fitness. Proven to help stimulate metabolism by improving thyroid function and escalate energy levels.
• Helps in the absorption of fat – soluble vitamins (A,D,E and K) and vitamin B, and of minerals (Ca, Mg, and Fe)
• Anti-inflammatory action when massaged onto limbs and joints.…

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Health Policy

Ways to Care For Your Hair – Girls and Women Only

Most people think basic hair care involves salon visits for hot oils and hair spas. To save on cost and to save that hair, we may need to practice personal hair care practices such washing, brushing, and styling. Let us start to beautify your hair from root to tip with this basic information in mind. Hair health and strength largely depends on oily scalp secretion and circulation which tends to give it gloss and luster. We must remember that it is made up of structured protein called keratin that determines its docility.
As soon as it comes out they die and become hardened to form the hair shaft and guard the most delicate layers below. Knowing that the shaft is dead it simply does not have the ability to repair itself thus making any damage permanent. To once again have shiny easy to manage hair, one must wait for new undamaged ones to grow. Generally it grows about A�” per month. The goal of this basic hair care is to minimize damage and provide temporary improvement.
We find hair in all shapes, sizes, and textures but taking care of them is practically the same all throughout the process. The ultimate skill one must learn is combing and brushing hair as an early morning routine. Detangle hair first with a large tail comb 11″ long made of bone that has A�” of space between the teeth. It is not healthy to just pull or tug delicate hair strands because it will result to hair breakage. Combing makes it easy for us to wash the hair. Then brush the hair to help redistribute the oil and loosen dirt.
This is extremely beneficial for normal hair because it moves the oil from the scalp to the entire hair strands. Brush about 1″ away from your scalp if you have oily hair. To complete the process for long hair, try bending at the waist and put your head down then move the brush from the back of your head to the front. Never apply the 100 strokes a day myth for hair care because it is already excessive brushing that may cause more damage. Combing or brushing helps maintain a well groomed appearance.
The next best thing is to wash your hair with a mild shampoo as often as necessary. Wet your hair thoroughly with warm or lukewarm water to wash the oil and dirt off. Then pour shampoo on the palm of your hand, rub your hands together, and then apply the shampoo to your scalp. Shampoos have the components that may dry your hair and cause it to split so it is wise to apply the shampoo to your scalp and not at the ends of your hair directly. If your shampoo isn’t lathering it may need more water because it is not wet enough. Do not add anymore shampoos. During shampoo, massage the scalp with the tips of your fingers to avoid scalp irritation. A five minute scalp massage stimulates circulation and makes the hair grow. Make a good lather or foam and distribute it throughout the hair strands after doing scalp massage.
For excessively long or damaged hair, you may divide the scalp into quadrants or half then shampoo, just follow the process. Oily hair may need a second shampoo to get the hair and scalp thoroughly cleaned. Second shampoos also serve to treat the hair just leave it on your hair for a few seconds. Rinse hair completely using either lukewarm or warm water. Shampoos work best with warm water. Never pull or tug your hair to get the excess water out before applying conditioner. Simply squeeze the water out gently.
Soaking wet strands don’t absorb conditioner very well. Use conditioners after shampooing to coat hair strands with thin film for a smooth feel and to fill in rough, uneven surfaces. Conditioners add body and makes hair manageable. You should apply conditioners right after shampooing. Apply it along the hairline, nape, and ends of the hair. Wrap your hair with a hair cap and let it stay for about 10 minutes. Rinse off your hair with cold water to add shine to your hair and boost circulation in your scalp. Conditioner is already washed out when your hair feels slightly slippery. Best conditioners to use are protein based conditioners.
Wrap hair with a towel and pat it dry. Try not to rub hair to prevent hair breakage. Then comb wet hair with a wide toothed, smooth-edged comb with blunt tips. You may then work out tangles by combing gently from the ends and work towards the scalp. People always do this the wrong way. Never brush wet hair because it can tear your hair. Remember not to wash your hair more than once a day for you might be …

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Health Department

Why We Age

We all age. It’s a natural process our society is obsessed with stopping and even reversing. People resort to some pretty barbaric practices in their attempts to look younger. These folks of course are missing the can’t stop the clock, it’s really about how gracefully you age.
When you age with grace, no matter how many years you have been on this earth, you will reflect vitality, energy and yes, a certain mature youthfulness.
My mom is a great example of graceful aging. In her late sixties her hair in grey, her skin less firm than it was when she was 20, but what the heck, so is mine! She walks and moves with bounce and energy. Her eyes are bright, her mind sharp and her skin reflects the joy she find in her active life. So what’s her secret? It’s simple, she eats real whole foods, no artificial junk, she drinks clean water, she’s active, hopeful and engaged.
Enough about Mom, let’s get back to aging. Aging is natural and normal, disease is not. Disease and aging begin and end with free radical damage. So in essence we age as a result of free radical damage. More specifically, our cells age as a result of free radical damage.
Cells get sick because free radicals (atoms that are missing an electron) steal electrons from the atoms of our cells. When a cell becomes damaged in this way it either dies, or replicates in a damaged contributes to sickness, cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes and general premature aging.
So how did you pick up those free radicals?
• Smoking
• Stress
• Pesticides
• Pollution
• Medications
• Poor food choices
• Food additives
• X-rays
• Excessive Exercise
• Chlorinated water
• Heavy to name a few.
The solution is antioxidants
Antioxidants have extra electrons to give to the free radicals so they will stop stealing them from our cells. They are found in fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, grass-fed animal meat and dairy. Cholesterol is an antioxidant, so it SOD and Coenzyme Q10, just three of many very powerful antioxidants our bodies make to specifically fight oxidative stress.
In a nutshell, we are antioxidant deficient simply because we don’t or can’t eat enough QUALITY food. This is why antioxidant supplements are so popular and yes, even necessary for some folks who can’t get what they need from their food.
What is quality food?
Organic produce, raw milk, chemical and hormone free grass-fed animal meat and eggs. Good, healthy, natural fats from animal sources (butter and lard), coconut oil, olive oil and stable nut oils are full of antioxidants. Fermented vegetables (like sauerkraut), raw milk, yogurt and kefir are historically high is healing ingredients. And soaking nuts and grains makes them exceptionally nutritious.
Of course, reducing unnecessary free radical damage is important too. Stress and poor diet are at the top of the list. A diet that causes a lot of free radical damage is one packed full of sugar, vegetable oils (margarine, soy, cottonseed, canola and safflower oils fall into this category). Processed grains, especially breakfast cereals, pasta, white breads and crackers cause cellular damage and are totally non-nutritious. Meat from animals treated with hormones and produce treated with pesticides bombard our cells with tons of chemicals that then result in even more free radical damage.
Here’s a pretty amazing concept your doctor isn’t telling you
Symptoms are not the cause of illness or disease; they are just the messengers telling you that something is going wrong in your body. Treating symptoms doesn’t lead to health; it actually prolongs illness and postpones true wellness.
• A heart attack is not the cause of heart disease – It is a symptom
• Cancer is not the cause of the disease – It is a symptom
• When you cough or sneeze or get stuffy sinuses, these are not the cause of colds – they are just symptoms.
It might sound crazy, but what causes a stuffy nose could be the same thing that causes a heart attack or cancer…cellular damage caused by free radicals attacking or radicals left un-confronted because we do not give our bodies enough of what they need to defend themselves.
Scientists believe that free radicals are a big cause of all known diseases.
I’m talking about heart disease, arthritis and even cataracts.
In radicals are the reason we age ungracefully…Healthy traditional food is the answer…Supplements will take you to the next level.…