The Connection Between Acne And Hormones

The connection between acne and hormones is well known to the science community. Realizing that connection is your first step in fighting those zits that you just cannot get rid of. Whether you are one of eighty-five percent of teenagers who deal with acne on a regular basis or one of eight percent of adults who have a serious problem with acne, understanding the connection between acne and hormones will help you fight your unsightly problem.

The hormones of your body control a number of different things. If your hormones get unbalanced at any point in time, a number of different problems can form. There are several typical times that the hormones get unbalanced in the body. Puberty, pregnancy, and menopause are just a few of the times that the connection between acne and hormones is very visible. In most people, just prior to an acne outbreak, the androgens in the body go crazy. This can lead to overproduction of oil in the glands. That overproduction leads to clogged pores and hair follicles. This, in turn, causes black heads, white heads, and nasty red blemishes to form.

Adding natural progesterone to your diet, though, can help diminish the connection between acne and hormones. Using a natural progesterone cream can help to stop acne breakouts before they start. Natural progesterone is a cholesterol derivative. It can be found in Mexican yams and soybeans. In South America where these are consumed on a regular basis, people simply do not experience the acne problems that people do in other parts of the world. Using natural progesterone to fight acne has no known side effects, unlike prescription medications.

Understanding the link between acne and hormones can help you understand how to better fight your zits and get clearer skin in less time than you ever though possible.

About Author:
Dean Iggo is the webmaster of quick-acne-treatments.com a website providing the best acne treatments as well as unbiased reviews of popular acne remedies and scar removal products.

Capsicum Or Cayenne Pepper As An Herbal Remedy

by: Mary Hanna

Alternative Medicine practitioners are realizing that healing herbs should be part of their arsenal against disease. The newest touted natural herb is Capsicum, found in cayenne pepper. It has many benefits whether taken internally or externally. When taken internally, capsicum is an antibacterial which will encourage healing and deflect infections while slowing the absorption of fat in the intestines to help fight obesity. Because this natural herbal remedy is a stimulant, it improves circulation. Capsicum will also stabilize blood pressure and lower cholesterol. Herbalists are finding capsicum is useful in fighting a variety of ailments. It is difficult to pinpoint exactly when the herb cayenne pepper had its start as an herbal remedy. There are no writings on Capsicum in ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, or Persia.

The best guess that historians are willing to put forward is that cayenne went to India and China some time in the 14th or 15th century. It is believed that Europe started cultivation around the 16th century. Today cayenne is still a popular herb in the food industry. Now because of well designed and implemented clinical studies it is widely accepted as an effective alternative medicine. Pharmacopoeias of leading medical clinics from Austria, Egypt, Germany, Belgium and Switzerland support this finding. The natural healing herb Capsicum contained in cayenne pepper is loaded with Vitamin A which is necessary for smooth skin and vision. Vitamin A has been found to be the most powerful killer of free radicals, which bombard us on a daily basis. Vitamin C is the other proponent active in capsicum. The healing properties of Vitamin C are clearing blood clots, eliminating plaque from the arteries, healing wounds and fighting colds. By starving them of oxygen, capsicum causes tumor cells to die.

Capsicum can cause a burning sensation but in time you will get used to it. The active ingredients in the herbal remedy, Capsicum, stimulate the brain and salivary glands releasing endorphins into your body. Endorphins are nature's natural painkiller giving us the feeling of pleasure. Capsicum is also the main ingredient in pain killing rubs for Arthritis and Diabetes nerve damage. Many herbalists today recommend capsicum for such ailments as cold hands and feet, sluggish metabolisms, obesity and respiratory tract infections. Use it externally for arthritis, sore back muscles, rheumatism or sprains and bruises. One suggestion for cold feet is to wear a thin pair of socks, then get a thicker pair of socks, sprinkle the inside with cayenne pepper and put them on over the thin socks. The pepper will send a warm soothing sensation to the soles of your feet. An interesting study was done to see if capsicum would irritate or cause ulceration in the intestines. On the contrary it was found that the herb did not harm the tract but sped up the healing of ulcers by secreting more mucosa, the protective lining of the intestines. A very surprising result of many of the clinical tests is that capsicum raise the metabolic rate and is effective in burning the bodies fat. This has many implications for people with obesity problems. Early indications also show that capsicum slows the absorption of fat in the small intestine.

These studies are on going but there are some weight loss products with capsicum that are available in your health food store. As a tropical analgesic, capsicum, the natural herbal remedy has received wide attention by qualified health professionals. It has shown to relieve the pain of shingles as well as other skin ailments. The FDA has approved it to be used for these problems as well as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Studies are being done to see if the herb can be effective in treating psoriasis and fibromyalgia. When using it topically a redness or burning sensation may sometimes occur. This will disappear in two to three weeks time. Once you have received control of the pain capsicum must be used continuously for the relief to be sustained. If you are diabetic take 3 capsules a day to help bring down your blood sugar levels. Capsicum will affect the breakdown of carbohydrates which will control the fluctuation of sugar levels after eating meals. Of course, this is still being studied in clinics around the world. So now we have received another healing herb from Mother Nature's food pharmacy. Capsicum can be counted as a natural herbal remedy in alternative medicines available to help our ailments and relieve our pain. Disclaimer: Always consult your Doctor or Herbalist before attempting any form of alternative medicine.

This article is for informational purposes only. Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.

About The Author

Mary Hanna is an aspiring herbalist who lives in Central Florida. This allows her to grow gardens inside and outside year round. She has published other articles on Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com, http://www.ContainerGardeningSecrets.com, and http://www.GardeningHerb.com.

Available Acne Treatments

Individuals who are experiencing acne breakouts, either serious or not, may receive a medical prescribtion from their doctor which may help heal their skin condition. A few of these medications may be topical or those that are applied on the top of the skin, others are methodical or the drugs that are taken orally.

Retin-A

Retin-A is a current medicine obtained from Vitamin A's retinoid metabolite. It increases cell turnover and free blocked materials from the hair follicles.

It is also known to decrease the formation of new acne but improves the appearance of wrinkles. In several cases, this medicine enhances the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight and irritation. A considerable side effect of this medication is extreme drying of the skin which can develop into red, swollen and blistered condition. It is also recommended that people with already sunburned skins must not apply this drug.

Oral Antibiotics

In alliance with numerous actual drugs, oral medications may be prescribed by a dermatologist. Still, target bacteria may reveal immunity to some
antibiotics. In cases comparable to this, different medicines may be considered. As with oral antibiotics, up to date antimicrobials may goal the identical bacteria or may be used straight on the existing spot of acne infection.

Spironolactone Acne Treatment

Spironolactone is a diuretic known for its potassium-sparing properties. It was first designed to reduce body fluids without depleting the potassium level of
the body. For the interest of people who suffers from acne, Spironolactone can reduce the production of androgens, the specific hormones excreted to activate
the production of sebum, the oily substance found on the skin. If this sebum is trapped in the hair follicles, it may cause the onset of acne outburst. As a result, the control in androgen release would diminish the possibility of acne infection and infection.

However, in taking Spironolactone, there are several considerations which must be identified both by the physician and the patient. This is due to the fact
that there are certain medications and health conditions that may be significantly affected through the use of this diuretic. It is equally significant to note the side effects of this drug to the body conditions to equate the benefits of this drug. Some side effects may include skin allergies, diarrhea, muscle cramps and nausea. This medication, if taken under extreme control of a physician may confirm as an effective way of reducing the risks of acne.

Doxycycline Treatment

Doxycycline is a frequent medication used against mild inflaming acne infection. This antibiotic is known to minimize the impact of the attacks of the
bacteria that clog within the hair follicles which in effect, cause the acne outbreaks. This drug is also noted to cure a host of other diseases and ailments
such as gum disease, urinary tract infections and a number of sexually-transmitted diseases.

Typically, this medication can grow the individuals susceptibility to sun's harmful radiations. If exposure to sun cannot be avoided, then it is best to
apply sunscreens or employ the use of protective clothing. At any rate, acne-inflicted individuals must never be allowed to over-expose their skin to
sunlight.

Minocycline Treatment

Minocycline is derived of tetracycline, very often used for acne treatment. Children age must not take this medication as it will reduce the development of
teeth and bones. As with the doxycycline, minocycline can effectively decrease the potency of the bacteria thriving in the skin pores. Along with acne, it is
also noted to efficiently provide treatment for other bacterial skin infections.

About Author:
Bjorn Gutter writes articles on health related subjects. This article was written foracne treatment.

Acne free skin through Ayurveda

Acne is a very common skin problem which affects young people at their puberty and few adults till they reach 45. Acne are referred as Youvana pitikas (which means the eruptions of youth) in ayurveda. This shows the prevalence of acne from ages. Ayurveda has described the causes of acne and recommends the best natural herbal acne remedies too.

What causes acne?

A large number of oil producing glands called “sebaceous glands” are present under the skin on face, back, chest and shoulders. During puberty or menopause due to the influence of the sex hormones, which are produced in male and female, these glands become more active and produce an oily secretion called “sebum”. The sebum makes the skin more oily .The excessive sebum clogs the skin pore or the pit of the hair follicle forming acne.The blocked pore or acne acts as an excellent habitat for bacteria. The bacterial infection causes inflammation (red, painful swelling of the infected area) of the clogged pore or hair follicle leading to eruption of pimples.

Vata and Kapha are two main doshas, which are involved in eruption of acne and pimples. Rakta dhatu or blood also plays an important role in formation of acne.

Vata when gets vitiated due to unhealthy diet and lifestyles affects other two doshas (kapha and pitta) to aggravate them. Aggravated pitta affects rakta dhatu or blood. The vitiated blood affects the skin and causes excess secretion of oil from sebaceous glands. Kapha has sticky property. The aggravated kapha imparts the stickiness to the oil produced by sebaceous glands of skin. Thus the thick sebaceous plugs are formed in skin pores and hair follicles leading to eruption of acne.

Acne worsens when

1. grease, dirt or other harsh chemicals accumulate on skin.

2. you have Increased stress levels.

3. you indulge in Squeezing or pinching of acne.

4. when there are hormonal imbalances during menstrual cycle, menopause and puberty.

5. you are under medications like steroids or hormonal therapy.

Precautions to be taken to avoid exaggeration of acne eruptions:

• Avoid foods which are spicy, dry and oily. These may cause indigestion and lead to vitiation of vata.

• Keep a habit of emptying bowels regularly this always normalizes vata.

• Avoid fast foods and soft drinks.

• Wash your face twice daily with mild cleanser.

• Put a hair band to avoid falling of hair on face. The sweat and dirt accumulated on hair may fall on facial skin through hair strands

• Avoid application of scrubs.

• Wash your hair regularly with mild shampoo to keep it clean and avoid dandruff.

• Squeezing and pricking of pimples cause scaring. Hence avoid this

• Avoid exposure of skin to severe climatic conditions.

• Avoid oil based moisturizers. Water based moisturizers are always beneficial.

• Drink plenty of water.

• Practice a regular exercise regimen

Natural Herbal acne Home remedies :

• Wash your face with lukewarm water and mild soap twice a day.

• Wash fresh methi leaves (fenu greek leaves) and grind it to make a paste. Apply it on face and wash it off with lukewarm water after 10 minutes.

• Grind juicy tender neem leaves with turmeric to a consistency of paste. Apply this paste on acne and pimples. Wash this off after it dries.

• Apply a face pack of ripe tomato pulp and wash it off as soon as it dries naturally (preferably after 45 minutes) .

• Do not keep the make up while sleeping. Cleanse it with a mild herbal cleanser.

• Mix besan flour (gram flour) with rose water and apply a face pack.

• Consuming fresh vegetable salads and fresh fruits keeps the skin healthy and resistant to blemishes.

• Drink plenty of water (15 glasses a day)

About Author:
Dr.SavithaSuri has been an Ayurvedic Practitioner since 1989. After getting a graduation degree in ayurveda (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) in 1988 from University of Mysore, India, she started practising ayurveda . Her articles about ayurveda have been published in news papers and websites. She is a regular health columnist to an international magzine “Joyful Living” Read more about acne care at www.ayurhelp.com/acne_pimples.htm
www.ayurhelp.com
email doctor@ayurhelp.com

Choosing the Proper Acne Alternative Treatments

Choosing the right regimen of acne alternative treatments can mean a lifetime of clear skin without the difficulty of obtaining yet another medicine from your doctor that either won't work or will cause such severe side effects that you will believe the acne is better than the treatment. Millions of people suffer from acne on a worldwide basis. There are a number of homemade and herbal remedies that we in the western world don't even consider because they are not a prescription medication. However, acne alternative treatments are the only thing that will cure your acne problems without side effects.

Acne Alternative Treatment 1

Choosing a diet that is reliant upon unprocessed fruits and vegetables can help to cure your acne. You will need no less than five servings of some type of vegetable and one serving of some variety of fruit every day for the diet treatment to work. If you eat a lot of trans fats, you will have to cut them out of your diet. Increase your intake of foods that contain omega-3 oils. Be sure to take in at least eight glasses of water each day with your new diet.

Acne Alternative Treatment 2

Increase your intake of vitamin and nutritional supplements. Taking five thousand international units per day of Vitamin A has been shown in a variety of studies to decrease acne in many people. Zinc can help prevent acne before it starts if taken in mild doses. Vitamin B6 can reduce skin sensitivity and help stop acne breakouts as well.

Acne Alternative Treatment 3

Using herbs like sarsaparilla, yellow dock, burdock, and cleavers has been shown to dramatically reduce acne outbreaks. If a blemish erupts while using these herbs, dab it with tea tree oil for overnight results. These are best taken in their natural form for full effectiveness. The best way to do this is through tea.

About Author:
Dean Iggo is the webmaster of www.quick-acne-treatments.com a website providing the best acne treatments as well as unbiased reviews of popular acne remedies and scar removal products.

The True Meaning of Alternative Medicine

Alternative medicine is a type of therapeutic practice that is not considered to be a part of traditional or conventional medical treatment. People use alternative medicine instead of using traditional medical treatment. This is often because they feel it is a natural way to get better.

There are many types of alternative medicine. Some are covered by medical insurance, but most are not. Some forms of alternative medicine that may be covered are chiropractic and osteopathic therapy. These forms of alternative medicine are widely used.

There are other forms of alternative medicine that are not as widely used, but are becoming more popular by the minute. These are: massage therapy, therapeutic touch, folk medicine, herbal medicine, special diets, homeopathy, music therapy, aromatherapy, naturopathy, faith healing, and new age healing. There are also some non-western forms of alternative medicine such as: Chinese medicine, gi gong, reiki, and ayarveda.

There are some less commonly practiced forms of alternative medicine as well. One is called biofield therapy. This is a form of alternative medicine that works with your so called "energy fields" to heal you. Another is bioelectrical magnetic therapy. This alternative medicine uses pulse and magnetic fields to heal you.

Alternative medicine is quite popular for people who are terminally ill. Many AIDS and cancer patients prefer it. An example of this is a cancer patient who uses alternative medicine instead of receiving traditional chemotherapy or radiation therapy. People also use alternative medicine to heal ailments such as back pain or migraines. Instead of traditional painkillers, the patients would use aromatherapy, sound therapy or herbal therapy. Alternative medicine is even used on animals. Have you ever seen the movie "The Horse Whisperer?" That was about a form of alternative medicine used on an animal. Acupuncture, herbal therapy, and others have also been used on animals.

The last thing you should know is that there is no scientific evidence that alternative medicine is effective. There have been no scientific studies to prove if they are safe or if they work for the diseases or ailments they are used for. Before using an alternative medicine, talk to your doctor, make sure your doctor feels it is safe and will not harm you.

There are many different kinds of alternative medicines to choose from. Now that you understand it a bit better, you can decide if it is right for you. For more information talk to your doctor or research it online. With careful research, you may find one that is right for you.

About The Author:Jay Moncliff is the founder of http://www.info-meds.info a blog focusing on the Medical, resources and articles. This site provides detailed information on medicines. For more info on medicines visit:http://www.info-meds.info

Whats The Real Cause Of Acne?

Most acne medications only mask the symptoms of acne and does nothing to stop the real cause of acne. This is why people buy acne products month after month (year after year). And every time they stop using the product acne would come back again and again.

What you need to do is find out what the real cause of acne is and stop it.

So what's the real cause of acne?

Acne occurs when your body contains more toxics than your kidneys and bowels can remove. (Your kidneys and bowels are the two primary channels of elimination that your body expel toxics and waste products through.)

These toxics can be the accumulation of fat stored chemicals the liver can not wash out or there may be a problem with fat digestion, fat accumulation, food allergy, or even the accumulation of hormones that your body produces.

Once these toxics build up, your kidneys and bowels can get overloaded and clogged up, causing it to not function properly. When that happens some of the load will be dumped onto your liver. One of your liver's main roles is to metabolize pile up fat into usable energy for your body.

This means, your liver will be doing some of your kidney's work. So now, your liver gets overloaded and it too will not work at full capacity.

What happens when your bowels, kidneys, and liver gets overloaded?

When that happen your body will expel toxins through your lungs and skin (your secondary channels of elimination). And this is when acne occurs. This is when your skin starts to breakout.
But whatever the toxic source is that's causing this problem, acne is a sign that your bowels and kidneys are overloaded with toxins, waste products, or hormones.

It is a sign that your liver is growing weaker in its detoxification abilities (and it will continue to grow weaker if you do not do what it takes to get rid of the toxics in your body).

So if you think that acne is your only problem, think again, your liver, kidneys, and bowels are getting weaker every time you breakout.

About the Author
Houa Yang is the author of "The Definite Guide To Acne Free Skin." It reveals the same method he personally used himself to get rid of acne in 3 days and stop it from ever coming back for the past 4 years...without any prescription drugs or acne medications! For more info visit: http://www.howtogetridofacne.com

Some Acne information

By Martha Fitzharris

Severe or moderate Acne can be an upsetting an annoying problem to anyone. While acne treatments for a mild case of acne are usually successful, moderate acne is a greater problem. Even dermatologists cannot cure a severe case of acne but can only provide an acne treatment regimen.

Follow a specialist advice

After using an oral medicine or any treatment make sure that you understand and follow the directions for applying it. If you are taking a prescription acne medicine, read the patient leaflet that accompanies the medication carefully. In cases of severe and moderate acne, it's usual that only a professional or a dermatologist may prescribe medicines, each with its own treatment protocol and directions.

When going to a professional, it is important to use all the acne treatments he gives you in a proper and correct order. Consider bringing a tablet of paper, a pen, and a friend or relative with you to your appointment with your dermatologist. Simply jot down some notes about the order and time of day for applying each acne medicine and what its purpose is.

And if your skin seems to be clearing from acne, it doesn't necessarily mean that you have succeeded in curing this skin blemish. Most people with moderate to severe acne must continue to use their acne medicine long-term to prevent any recurrence of their acne problem. Using the acne treatments properly should translate to clear skin and freedom from acne scars.

Other products for Acne breakouts

There are a large number of products on the market labeled as skin cleansers, facial cleansers, pore cleansers, and facial pore cleaners that can be used in curing acne.

However, when cleansing skin that is afflicted with acne, an important point to remember is not to scrub the skin more than the necessary; never scrub your face with a washcloth. As we said, it is a misconception that acne is caused by dirt clogging the pores of the skin

You will only get a worsen condition of Acne over-washing or scrubbing your skin. Rather use only a gentle skin cleanser, lukewarm water, and a gentle motion with your fingertips as your primary acne skin care regime. And, when you wash your face with your hands, be sure to first thoroughly wash your hands.

Are Natural Treatments an effective choice?

After using medicine that may have side effects on you, try with natural methods to improve Acne. For example, a soap made from Echinacea and other herbal ingredients is an effective antibiotic facial cleanser that helps fight acne and restore clear skin. Tea tree oil also has known antibiotic properties and serves as a mild anesthetic that will soothe the irritated skin. There are also other natural skin care products available that have been proven being effective in improving acne.

It's important that, no matter how much Acne bothers you, you don't have to touch those pimples. People who are afflicted with acne should avoid touching their face except to gently wash it with mild cleanser as already discussed.

By trying to remove pimples by hand you run the risk of creating acne scars that will last for a lifetime. Instead, have patience and rely on your prescription or over-the-counter acne treatment to work. Acne remedies usually take from 6 to 8 weeks before curing acne.

You may also have to abandon the use of some cosmetics during the acne treatment period. Be sure to select only oil-free cosmetics and ones that are labeled as non-comodogenic (won't clog pores) to use on your road to clear skin.

Have this basic skin care advices in mind and search the best product for your Acne problem.


About the Author
Martha Fitzharris is a free lance journalist for http://www.naturalbioskincare.com a website offering a new biological natural skin care product that activates skin renewal for a healthy skin.

Acne: 10 Most Common Myths

What we think we know about acne is steadily being replaced by what scientists are learning. Meanwhile, many myths continue to circulate and endure. Clearing up some of the misunderstandings about acne is what this article is about.

Myth #1: Acne only affects appearance
Acne can also cause deep psychological distress. Severe acne can lead to low self-image and feeling depressed. There is a strong link between severe acne and social withdrawal.

Myth #2: Acne is caused by poor hygiene
While skin infections are associated with acne, lack of cleanliness is not the reason for acne outbreaks. The combination of oil and dead cells which produce acne is located beneath the skin's surface where it is impossible to clean it away. Gentle cleansing with soap and water once or twice daily will keep your skin as healthy as possible. Scrubing too hard may worsen acne.

Myth #3: Acne is caused by specific foods
Chocolate has long had a reputation as a pimple producer. Studies have shown no scientific evidence that this is true. The same holds true for potato chips and sugar. There are some foods that do seem to aggravate (not cause) the condition: milk and foods high in iodine, such as seafood.

Myth #4: Acne has to run its course
There are many acne treatments available both over-the-counter and stronger medicines from a dermatologist.

Myth #5: The more acne medicine the better
Some people believe that if their acne gets worse they should just use more medicine. That's a bad idea because medicines can be dangerous when taken in large quantities. Excess use of acne ointments may just irritate the skin further.

Myth #6: Sunbathing is good for acne
Exposure to the sun dries out excess oils, so it does improve acne short-term. However, long-term the skin adapts and the acne is unfazed. Worse, there is scientific evidence that sun exposure damages the skin and increases the chance of skin cancer.

Myth #7: Makeup causes acne
Some makeup products can clog the pores, which is bad for the health of your skin. Cosmetics that are labeled "noncomedogenic" or "nonacnegenic" are safe to use. Some brands are made with ingredients that actually treat acne.

Myth #8: Acne is only a teenage condition
While most teens have acne, so do many adults. Acne generally clears up by the early 20s. But some people experience acne for the first time as late as their 40s. And for the most unfortunate of all, some people endure acne flare-ups their entire lives.

Myth #9: Acne is related to sex
We've probably all heard that either celibacy or too much sex causes pimples. There is no evidence for this. There is a link between sexual activity and hormone production, but the relationship between sex and the production of sebum (the oily substance which combines with dead skin cells to cause acne) is not known. Stress and anger also affect hormone levels.

Myth #10: Popping pimples is the best way to get rid of them
The fact is popping pimples may worsen acne by spreading the bacteria that is causing it. Popping can also lead to eventual scarring, which in severe cases, can be permanent.

About Author:
Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer. Visit Acne Medications for recent acne research info.

Acai Berry Found In The Amazon Rainforest

by: David Walters

Found in the Amazon Rainforest, the açaí berry is but one of the fruits located there and has recently been dubbed a “super berry”. The rainforest is a perfect location for it, since the açaí berry prospers in swampy or floodplain areas. It comes from a palm tree and is known as the “Tree of Life” to the Brazilians because of its ability to provide an abundance of healthy food. The açaí berry shares a lot of similarities with grapes.

It looks a lot like them and even tastes a bit like them. The berry is the size of a large blueberry, formed like a grape and tastes different to each person. Some would say that it tastes like a wild raspberry, with a hint of grape. Others believe that it tastes like blueberries, ice cream and chocolate. You will have to try it and decide for yourself what you believe it tastes like. It comes off the trees in bunches and offers a variety of benefits, including antioxidants, fiber, fatty acids and more. The antioxidants from the berry are much higher than those found in red wine (at least 20 times more) or blueberries (at least two times more). It is rumored to have the best nutritional value of any fruit on earth. Because the fruit does not last long after it is harvested, it is mostly available to anyone outside of the Amazon as a juice or frozen. It also cannot be eaten in raw form, but rather in pulp form.

That has not stopped its popularity. The dark, purple skin is what contains a majority of the healthy benefits. The natives of Brazil have been passing down recipes to create purees, which you can warm as a sauce over grains or entrees like meat and fish. The açaí berry can also be frozen for a sorbet-like dessert. The benefits of the açaí berry, as well as the media coverage it has received, have made research into this fruit a top priority. Researchers at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro have discovered that açaí extract can be used to fight infection, like the parasitic infection schistosomosis which affects 10 million Brazilians each year and the common bacterial infection staphylococcus aureus. The University of Florida also did a study which investigated the effect of the berries on human cancer cells. The study showed that the berries triggered a self-destruct response in up to 86 percent of leukemia cells tested. There is still no proof that the berry will prevent cancer. More studies are going on all of the time to research the benefits of this amazing berry. In Brazil, a majority of the population lives on the açaí berry. In fact, they consume more açaí than milk. Açaí shops, that sell only açaí, can be found on almost every street corner is the more populated areas of Brazil. With the popularity of the açaí berry spreading to Europe and the United States, it will not be long before açaí shops are opening around the world. There are already several companies and websites that offer products using açaí solely or with other fruits or plants.

About The Author

David Walters is an avid reader and loves to learn more about tropical fruits. His complete research on the acai berry can be found at http://acaiberry.gracefulearth.com.

Super Green Foods - Have Some Today!.

Super green foods are derived from young cereal grasses such as wheat, barley, rye, oats and alfalfa, as well as spirulina, chlorella, kelp, dulse and other sea vegetables. Perhaps the most nutrient-dense foods on earth, these grasses are richer in nutrients than spinach, broccoli, eggs and chicken in virtually all categories including protein, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, zinc, copper, manganese, vitamin C, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folic acid, vitamin B12, carotenoids and vitamin E.

Super green foods are the only foods in the vegetable kingdom that enable animals to continually maintain their weight, strength and optimal health even if consumed alone. They abound in unidentified growth factors, powerful antioxidants, immune boosters and many other health enhancing nutrients.

Super green foods are a category of phytonutrient-rich nutritional products derived from green plants, algae and cereal grasses. Green superfoods contain high concentrations of natural chlorophyll and are harvested seasonally to take advantage of high potencies of naturally occurring vitamins, minerals, amino acids and enzymes. Green superfoods are a natural source of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, plant sterols and other nutritional constituents. There is no better natural source of vitamins than green superfoods. They are safe, effective and the perfect adjunct to your daily diet.

Benefits

• naturally occurring vitamins, minerals, amino acids and enzymes
• contains antioxidants and chlorophyll
• safe and effective


About the Author:
Chester is a health nutrition consultant and is the owner of www.AstroNutrition.com - a provider of premium health nutrition and sports supplements.

How Fish Oil Benefits The Heart

by Marcus Ryan

Omega 3 oils have made it into the medical news headlines many times over the past couple of decades.

Why has this occurred?

This is because omega 3 fatty acids have been shown to have some very impressive effects on prevention of heart disease, as well as being linked to lower incidences of depression and dementia in both population studies, and in the case of depression, randomised controlled trials as well.

And the product is natural as well.
So let\'s have a look at what these benefits of omega 3\'s are. In this article, we\'ll have a look at the health effects of omega 3s on the heart.

Benefits of omega 3 fatty acids in survivors of heart attacks (myocardial infarction)

The DART study (which stands for the Diet And Reinfarction Trial) showed that survivors of heart attacks who consumed oily fish, which is equal to about 500 to 800 mg of omega 3 fatty acids per day, had a reduction in total death rate of 29%. The particular survivors who chose to take fish oil capsules containing 450 mg of omega 3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) per day, had a reduction in cardiac related death of 62%, and a reduction in risk of death of 56%.

Then came the GISSI prevention trial, which was a large Italian study of 11,324 heart attack survivors.

This study showed that heart attack survivors who took a capsule of fish oil every day, which is equal to 1 gram of fish oil, which is equivalent to 850mg of omega 3s, had a 30% decrease in cardiac mortality, and 45% decrease in risk of sudden death. And these benefits were apparent within just four months of the trial.

Then the Lyon study came into the picture, looking at 600 heart attack patients.

It was found that those who took the advice of eating a Mediterranean diet, with an emphasis on fruit and vegetables, and in particular an adequate intake of non marine sources of omega 3 oils (alpha-linolenic acid), had a decrease in their risk of heart related death at 5 years by 70%, when compared to those patients who had no such dietary advice.

Now let\'s have a look at fish oil effects in prevention of heart disease in the first place...

Benefits of omega 3 in preventing heart disease and sudden death in healthy individuals

Firstly, there was a study looking at the benefits of omega 3 fatty acids in healthy male doctors. This study was known as the Physician\'s Health Study.

This study found that those with the highest levels of omega 3 fatty acids in their blood streams, had a risk of sudden death that was only 1/5 of the risk of sudden death found in the group with the lowest omega 3 fatty acid levels. That is, their relative risk was 19%. Those with the second highest levels of omega 3 fatty acids had a relative risk of less than 1/3, with a relative risk of 28%.

Secondly, there was the Chicago Physician\'s Health Study Western Electric Study which studied a group of 1822 men over a period of 30 years.

This study found that those who ate more than 35 g of fish per day had 38% less risk of dying from heart disease, and a 44% reduction in risk of heart attacks, when compared to those who had no fish intake.

These are just sample of the various studies on the health effects of omega 3 fatty acids on cardiac health.

It is very sobering to realise that about 50% of heart attacks have no warning.

The benefits as shown in the studies above, relate to preventing heart attacks in those who have already had one, as well as reducing the risk of myocardial infarction and sudden death in healthy individuals.

The these essential fatty acids have been linked to reductions in risk of dementia and depression, in the treatment of depressed patients, and improvement in IQ of children.

There are even studies on the effect of fish oils on reducing levels of aggression in young adults.

The health benefits of omega 3 fatty acids are certainly very interesting, and very promising.

They vary from heart health, to mental health.

If you have a medical condition, you should always seek the advice of your doctor before taking any new supplements or medications in case you are on medications or have medical conditions that contraindicate the use of natural supplements.

So watch out for more developments in the area of omega 3 fatty acids, including more medical studies on its various benefits.

Want to learn more about omega 3 fatty acids? Marcus Ryan helps you to discover the health benefits of omega 3 fatty acids and fish oil, including a clear understand of the results of medical studies and research on fish oil benefits.


Marcus Ryan

Marcus Ryan helps you to discover the health benefits of omega 3 fatty acids and fish oil, including a clear understand of the results of medical studies on omega 3 oils, which species of fish are high in omega 3 and low in mercury, how safe are fish oil capsules, and the latest news on omega 3 fatty acids. Visit his site at: http://www.omega3oils.info

Herbal Medicine Societies in the Boonies?

by Danna Schneider

So, you think that the interest in and utilization of herbal medicine and alternative therapies is only reserved for higher brow demographics, or only those areas where health and earth conscious "hippies" live?

Well, think again. It's not just the difference between Eastern Medicine, Indian Ayurveda and Western medicine any more. This surge in self healing through nature takes on forms in a larger variety of demographics than we think...

Some rural areas report a high usage of various natural therapies and herbal medicines, ditching the medical field and instead opting to "go natural", many times for much less money than traditional medical care would cost.

A 1993 survey of 251 people who live in rural central Mississippi revealed about 71% used a plant-derived remedy in the previous year, and that the older demographic was more likely to use such remedies than the younger demographic.

At least 20% of the respondents had used at least 3 natural or alternative remedies. Health care providers are typically cautioned to ask patients from this region about the use of home remedies when they seek treatment because of possible drug interactions.

You may notice now that part of the questionnaire you fill out as a first time patient in any doctors office now asks about any herbs, vitamins or natural supplements you may be taking in addition to the standard medications questions because of this very fact.

Herbal and other plant-derived remedies are hypothesized to be the most frequently used therapies worldwide as calculated by the WHO (World Health Organiztion).

Therapeutic properties in substances derived from plants found commonly in nature include pure chemicals that are also available as prescription drugs, standardized extracts, herbal teas, and food plants. In other words, plant-derived remedies can contain chemicals with potent pharmacologic and toxicologic properties.

This makes perfect sense. I mean, how do you think we came up with half of the pharmaceutical drugs we know of today? Many of them were either derived from nature and are now severely altered from their natural state, or the idea behind the drug was garnered from a plant or herb with similar therapeutic properties. This has been acknowledged and well documented, but perhaps not so widely discussed.

Although the exact level of usage of herbal remedies and products in this category of alternative therapies are currently unknown due to a lack of interest in the necessary surveying and actual scientific study funds involved, in 1991, herbal products managed to reach sales of approximately $1 billion.

You can bet your bottom dollar that number has at least tripled today, in an age of increasing skepticism regarding the medical industry and consumer awareness of herbal alternatives.

Right now, the herbal medicine and natural supplement field only shows signs of building momentum, not slowing down, so I have a feeling we have many more advances in natural medicines to come.




About the Author:
Danna Schneider is the founder of www.herbalnewsmagazine.com , a new online magazine about innovations and news in herbal medicine, and also contributes to www.herbal-therapeutics.com , where various supplements and alternative treatments can be found.

The Many Benefits Of Chinese Green Tea

by: Robert Williams


As you may know, green tea is one of the most popular types of Chinese tea. Many people, not only the Chinese, consider it as the most refreshing drink for sweltering summers. The primary reasons for this claim are the facts that green tea is cool to the tastebuds and defends against inflammation. Many people have also claimed that it relieves fever.

In fact, the health benefits of Chinese green tea have been known throughout the world. The Chinese have known about these medicinal benefits since ancient times, because they have used green tea to treat ailments ranging from headaches to depression. The writer Nadine Taylor in her book Green Tea: The Natural Secret for a Healthier Life suggested that green tea has been used as a medicine in China for at least 4,000 years.

These days, numerous scientific studies conducted both in Asia and the West are providing conclusive evidence for the health benefits long associated with drinking green tea. Notably, the Journal of the National Cancer Institute published the results of an epidemiological study in 1994 indicating that drinking Chinese green tea regularly lowered the risk of esophageal cancer in Chinese men and women by close to 60 percent. Also, it was recently reported by researchers of the University of Purdue that a compound in green tea inhibits the growth of cancer cells.

There are other medical conditions to which drinking green tea is said to have medicinal benefits. To summarize, these conditions include cancer, impaired immune function, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, infection, and high cholesterol levels.

What Makes Green Tea Extraordinary?

The secret of Chinese green tea's benefits lies in the fact that it is rich in catechin polyphenols, particularly the epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG essentially harms healthy body tissues. Studies also revealed that this antioxidant has been effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels, and blocking the abnormal formation of blood clots. The latter benefit takes on added importance because the formation of abnormal blood clots, medically known as thrombosis, is the main cause of strokes and heart attacks.

In addition, the effects of Chinese green tea and the "French Paradox" have a strong correlation. Researches were initially puzzled by the fact that, despite consuming a diet high in fat, the French have a lower incidence of heart disease than Americans. Red wine was found to be the answer, because it contains resveratrol. Resveratrol is a polyphenol that restricts the negative effects of smoking and a high-fat diet. However, in 1997 a study reported that EGCG is twice as beneficial as resveratrol. This discovery also explains the lower rate of heart disease among Chinese men even though approximately 70 percent are smokers.

Additional Benefits

New evidence that unveil further benefits of Chinese green tea are now emerging. One of those claims is that Chinese green tea can also help those people on diets. Researchers found that men who were given a combination of caffeine and green tea extract burned more fat than those given only a placebo and caffeine.

Chinese green tea is also reputed to prevent tooth decay. Much like its bacteria-fighting abilities can help prevent food poisoning, it can also combat the bacteria that cause dental plaque.

Today, several skin products containing green tea, from deodorants to creams, are also available on the market. This is due to the fact that Chinese green tea is found to be powerful in fighting bacteria that cause skin imperfections.


About The Author

Robert Williams writes for several web sites, including http://productshelp.com and http://holeinthebucket.com

Add Some Honey And Stop Feeling Guilty.

By: Jonathon Hardcastle

According to Greek mythology, the ancient gods of Mount Olympus, like Zeus and Athena, used to eat nectar and ambrosia to maintain their healthy looks and perform their rather unusual human-like activities. Although scholars have not yet concluded on what exactly ambrosia was for ancient Greeks, nectar in botany is a sugar-rich liquid produced by the flowers of plants in order to attract pollinating insects, like honeybees, essential for honey production. Nectar is produced in glands called nectaries, which are located at the base of the perianth, so as to allow pollinators perform their role and accessing the flower's reproductive structures, the anthers and pistil, while collecting the nectar the flower produces.

The collected nectar is then transported by honeybees to combs where honey is produced. Honey is a sweet and viscous fluid, significantly sweeter than table sugar and has very attractive chemical properties for baking. With its distinct flavor, which leads some people to prefer it over sugar and other sweeteners, honey is a type of food that has great benefits for the human body and its consumption promotes contemporary nutritional habits and healthy dietary demands. Categorized both as a type of food and a natural medicine, honey has been used by a variety of civilizations for different reasons. Ancient Egyptians used it to preserve their dead (mummies), Roman's as an important cosmetic ingredient and it is mentioned even in the Christian Bible.

Many types of honey exist today and the recent technological developments have created the best possible conditions for honey production and have contributed to its different uses in medicine, food and cosmetic industries. But unfortunately, chemical substances used to increase the honey production and meet the greater demand existing today, have resulted in deteriorating its natural ingredients and even making it dangerous, in rare and extreme cases, for human consumption.

Contemporary consumers have the ability to protect their health by buying honey that is produced by professionals and thus minimize the risk of consuming a product that will not benefit the human body. But even when the honey purchased is produced in accordance to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Guidelines, it is extremely important for us to maintain the appropriate storage conditions and prolong its duration by promoting its safe use. Specifically, honey has to be stored in cool places and we have to avoid storing it close to electric appliances or near sunny windows that raise the temperature in the storage shelve or room. Any kind of utensil used to retrieve honey out of its container has to be totally clean and without any kind of moisture on it. Honey-lovers should follow these simple instructions in order to keep their purchased honey longer and their minds at rest regarding its safe use.

About The Author

Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles for http://letstalkaboutfood.com/ - In addition, Jonathon also writes articles for http://yournutritionsource.net/ and http://foodandourlives.com/