What You Should Know About the Aging Process

April 2, 2010 by · 5 Comments 

The full scope of the aging process is too complex and bewildering to be understood as a whole. That is why there are many things that can be done to control this biochemical process. Most quintessentially, aging is the breakdown of proteins. The main protein affected is collagen, which is why millions of dollars go into collagen research each year, and it is the focus of collagen treatments for anti aging. However, for a collagen treatment to be effective, it must be able to absorb into the skin, which is the major challenge in the cosmetic industry today.

You’ve heard it all before–perhaps even a thousand times. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and get plenty of exercise. But it’s rarely understood why one should follow this age-old advice. The main reason for doing so is because plants, such as fruits and vegetables contain phyto-chemicals. These chemicals are a combination of things actually. Some phytochemicals are known as vitamins; others are known as enzymes; and some aren’t entirely understood. One of the greatest benefits of these chemicals is that they are proven to stamp out free radicals–the extremely reactive molecules formed in your body.

Why free radicals are believed to cause aging?
Radical reactions can cause cells to replicate imprecisely. These reactions damage the blueprint within a cell that tells it how to precisely reproduce itself. Experimental evidence supports that aging is the result of accumulated errors from excessive free radical damage. However, there are many other roles that free radicals play in the aging process.

The instability of radicals explains why they are such highly reactive molecules–why they cause bonds in other molecules to split apart so violently.
Although the mechanism is complicated, the overall effect is multifactorial. The drying effect of oxidation reactions becomes quite evident in the aging of joints. The natural lubrication in joints is like oil to a car that becomes broken down (less slippery) and diminishes. This breakdown and depletion or synovial fluid and cartilage prevents the linkage of joints from gliding along with ease.

How exercixe fights oxidation reactions

It is noteworthy to keep in mind that getting plenty of exercise is shown to actually prevent the premature wear on joints caused by oxidation reactions, because joints simply don’t dry out as quickly. That is why joints are more likely to tire from lack of use as opposed to overuse. For most individuals, the challenge is mainly getting a workout in less time

What are antioxidants?
Antioxidants are basically what their name implies. They simply prevent oxidation reactions from occurring in the body and elsewhere. Over time these oxidation reactions are known to cause damage to cells and slowly dry the body out.

What are free radicals?
Simply put, a radical is a molecule that has an unpaired electron on one of its parts.

For a given molecule, a state of high reactivity is the ability to steal an electron from a nearby molecule. The reason for this reactivity is electronic; there is unpaired electron on a molecule (and yet electrons like to travel in pairs). Because electrons circulate around all molecules in pairs, this unusual circumstance causes the molecule to steal an electron from another molecule inside of the body, usually inside of a cell. When an electron is stolen, the electron donating molecule is oxidized and propagates into a free radical itself, attacking another nearby molecule and the process repeats until one of two things happens. Either two free radicals run into one another and the two radical molecules become one. the two single radicals. Antioxidants are chemicals that stamp out free radicals. Radical reactions are characterized by three phases in succession: initiation, propagation, and termination.

Where do free radicals come from?

Radicals are generally the result of chemical reactions in the presence of heat or light. Given enough heat or light, any molecule will split apart. However, with enough heat or light the two electrons in a broken bond each go their separate ways, one to each piece of the break. The two electron bond that holds the two pieces together (normally the two electrons used to hold a bond together will go one way or the other, but not both).

Why are radicals dangerous?
Radical reactions are generally dangerous, but they are also very usefull. A foreign object in the body is decomposed by radicals made by your own body. In some cases however, a foreign matter inside the body is especially resilient to these reactive molecules as in the case with asbestos in the lungs. It is believed that this leads to cancer because the body responds by producing these radicals and they end up destroying the cells in lungs, making them cancerous.

written by:

Harry Klenda

President and CEO

Baltic Collagen inc.


Holistic Tips to Soothe Dry Winter Skin

March 7, 2010 by · 8 Comments 

The skin all over your face and body needs some tender loving care to survive Winter. Sensitivities, eczema, psoriasis and itchy skin are often made worse in the cold, dry weather. A holistic approach works best, that means thinking about what you put on your skin, what you put inside your body and factors in your environment.

Natural skin and mineral makeup excel because they don’t contain detergents or synthetic substances that dry and irritate skin. Plant oils closely resemble the oils in your skin and work to nourish the deep layers. Swapping from a chemical or petroleum-based skin or makeup product will make a difference and keep your natural beauty glowing.

1. Drink plenty of water: Hydrate your skin from the inside out and help carry nutrients to your skin cells. Eating lots of juicy fruit and vegetables helps too.

2. Pull on an extra jumper and turn down the heaters: A cooler environment helps reduce moisture loss from your skin. If you do put on the heater, place bowls of water around the room.

3. Keep showers short and warm: As glorious as a long hot shower can be in Winter, hot water will strip moisture from your skin. And, we all know that shorter showers save precious water.

4. Luscious lips: No-one’s lips are safe in Winter. When dry lips crack or become stressed, you increase the chance of a coldsore. Keep lips protected with a plant-oil lip balm. Petrochemical lip balms sit on the skin rather than soaking in and working to heal the skin as well.

5. Use gentle, creamy, plant cleansers: Ingredients such as sulphates, propylene glycol and alcohol can irritate and dry skin. Choose soaps hand made from 100 per cent olive oil. Shampoos that contain sulphates and chemicals can also cause itchy scalp and dry skin problems.

6. Use a natural moisturiser that nourishes your skin. Petrochemical or mineral oil moisturisers form a layer on top of your skin rather than being absorbed in to lubricate and support the skin. Apply the moisturiser while your skin is damp to lock in extra moisture. Intensive skin boosters like rose hip, sweet almond and jojoba oils do wonders for your natural beauty.

7. Exfoliate and hydrate. Gentle exfoliation removes the dead cell layer making it easier for your skin to absorb moisturisers. Hydrating flower mists or masks help refresh dry skin.

8. Use plant oil-based makeup or mineral makeup. Synthetic-free makeup and makeup without petrochemicals is gentler and less drying for your skin. However, not all mineral makeup is pure. Some mineral makeup contains irritating and drying ingredients, so avoid those that list Bismuth Oxychloride and Talc.

Another benefit is that mineral makeup containing the minerals Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide are non-chemical sun blocks that also help to protect skin from damage in Winter.

Holistic skin tips provided by Biome Eco Stores.

Antioxidant Vitamins

February 3, 2010 by · 1 Comment 

Antioxidant vitamins have fired quite a number of debates in the medical world. They prevent the free radicals from damaging cells and thus they fight old age and chronic disease. Antioxidant vitamins include beta carotene or a form of vitamin A, vitamin E and vitamin C. It has become common practice to take some antioxidant supplement to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease and stay young.

Medical precautions!

Research has not so far provided conclusive data about whether antioxidant vitamins are really working for the treatment of heart disease. Instead of taking supplements, people are encouraged to eat a balanced diet, getting nutrients from all the major food categories. The amounts of antioxidant vitamins taken from food should be enough to maintain good health. Better consume nuts, whole grains and fruits instead of supplements!

Other natural antioxidants!

Besides vitamin A, E and C, the body uses other substances and chemicals to fight the formation of the free radicals. It is good to know that free radicals appear not only as by-products of cellular activity but are also released because of sun exposure and pollution. Zinc, selenium, grape seed extract, gingko biloba and green tea have a powerful antioxidant effect. Some of these are available in the form of herbal supplements, while the others can be taken directly from food. Have several fruit servings per day and drink one or two cups of green tea.

Physical exercises and antioxidant vitamins!

Very intense physical activity after long rest periods do more harm than good because they accelerate the release of free radicals and their damage rate. The best way to fight this is not to use more antioxidant vitamins, but to actually make physical exercises part of your lifestyle. Regular exercises boost up the body’s defenses ensuring protection against free radicals. Nevertheless scientists can hardly give an answer to whether a supplementation of antioxidant vitamins will better help an athlete deal with cellular oxidation.

Whether to take antioxidant vitamins or not!

A balanced diet is preferable to the use of supplements, and all experts agree on that. A decade ago antioxidant vitamins enjoyed an excellent reputation, but no one knows how things really stand any more. At present, there is growing awareness on the potential toxicity of antioxidant supplements and their interactions. Stick to a balanced lifestyle and try not to over-supplement because that could be detrimental on the long run. Our bodies are too finely tuned, and the defense mechanisms should work automatically as long as we provide the right nutrients!

Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended for informational purposes only and it should not be considered as, or used in place of, medical advice or professional recommendations for acne diagnosis or treatment.

Jim Ryles is the writer of this article related to Multi Vitamins. For more articles based on wartrol or bowtrol visit his site www.productsreport.net

gemrings.info

Natural is NOT Non-Toxic

December 28, 2009 by · 6 Comments 

You would not believe the number of people who confuse the terms “non-toxic” and “natural.” I’m here to tell you, they are not the same thing. There are lots of natural substances that are deadly poison. Take a look at arsenic, hemlock or nightshade. All are natural, but none are non-toxic. It is the same thing in the natural flea control.
Archer is an Insect Growth Regulator that stops the eggs and larvae from developing. It doesn’t even kill fleas! But it does break the life cycle and is totally non-toxic. Now, that is a good thing. The world is so inundated with more and more chemicals that removing toxins wherever we find them is the best way to live.

But what happens if you find that you still have adult fleas to deal with and don’t want to wait the 30 to 45 days that it would take to let them die off of old age? Well, there are still ways to stay relatively low toxic and still get the job done. Conquer is like a fourth generation pyrethrum which is an insecticide made from the chrysanthemum flower in Africa. It is tightly targeted to kill fleas and to be relatively non-reactive with mammals. In addition, it breaks down rapidly in our environment. That was the problem with the old insecticides – they never broke down. They had a half-life longer than you and me!

The final step is to put Frontline on the dogs and cats. Frontline kills fleas that get on the pets, but it does not go into the pet’s bloodstream. It stays on the outside by bonding with the oil layer of the skin.

So, use an IGR always, use an insecticide only if you have to, and keep Frontline on your pets throughout the year. You won’t have fleas, guaranteed.

Mineral Makeup is Revolutionising the Cosmetic Market – but is it Really Natural?

December 25, 2009 by · 3 Comments 

It seems that every cosmetic company is leaping on the mineral makeup band wagon, but is mineral makeup really natural? The promise of being natural is what interests many users, but are we being “green-washed” into believing that just because it’s mineral it is good for us and the planet?

Biome eco store founder, Tracey Bailey said she believed that mineral makeup had fallen victim to the same trend as many successful eco friendly products. “Once the mainstream consumer product industry sees there is money to be made, the integrity of the product becomes lost for the sake of reducing manufacturing costs,” Tracey said.

“Genuine natural brands do exist, but consumers need to be aware of the ingredients because many contain un-natural or synthetic ingredients.”

The original mineral foundations were all natural with only four or five natural ingredients. This simplicity-along with beautiful results and skin health-won over users, turning mineral makeup into perhaps the biggest trend the cosmetics industry has seen.

As more cosmetic companies created their own brand of mineral foundation and fought for market share, they began substituting cheap fillers, chemicals and preservatives. Toxic ingredients like:

* Bismuth oxychloride – found in most of the mainstream mineral brands, it is by-product of lead and copper refining that rarely occurs in nature.

* Talc – a mineral, but a known carcinogen linked to uterine cancer, ovarian cancer and respiratory problems in infants.

“For a start, if the packaging does not provide a full list of the ingredients, then put it down again and choose one that allows you to make an informed choice,” Tracey said.

“The only ingredients you want to see are titanium dioxide, mica, iron oxides and zinc oxide.”

Tracey said there was a good reason to look very carefully at the labels of all skin care. “Our skin is the body’s largest organ and also the most telling when something is wrong. Skin absorbs about 60 per cent of what is put on it directly into the bloodstream,” she said.

Biome eco stores ensures all its mineral makeup, natural beauty and skin care selections list the full ingredients and are:

* made from plants, not petrochemicals

* free from all harmful toxins and preservatives

* free from palm oil, or in transition to palm-oil free

* cruelty free and most are vegan

* perfect remedies for those with dry skin and problematic skin.

Natural mineral makeup chosen by Biome eco stores

Biome chose the Australian-made Musq mineral makeup containing only 100 per cent safe natural ingredients.

Biome mineral makeup manager, Hayley said “we took at long look at many ranges before we decided on Musq. Not only did it need to be safe and environmentally responsible, we had to love using it”.

Hayley said she had tried just about every natural makeup on offer and thought Musq mineral makeup was fabulous.

“The foundations are comparable, if not better than, a lot of the conventional foundations that I have used because they are sheer with great coverage,” Hayley said. “The powder foundation, which I use over the creme or by itself is small but very concentrated, so you only need the tiniest amount each time.”

Hayley says Musq mineral makeup cream is weightless on the skin, giving a quick and perfect coverage. It contains anti-oxidants and organic ingredients that nourish while providing a natural dewy finish, like vitamin E and jojoba.

A pure mineral makeup should only have four or five ingredients

* Titanium dioxide – a natural mineral with particles that are not small enough to be absorbed by the skin.

* Mica – the shimmer from mica is used in makeup as it gives a translucent glow to the skin and helps to mask imperfections.

* Iron oxides – used to produce skin tone pigment. They are considered to be non-toxic, moisture resistant and non-bleeding.

* Zinc oxide – used today as a sunscreen, zinc oxide has been used as a treatment for skin conditions dates back to the early 10th Century. With it’s soothing properties it is ideal for the most irritated, sensitive skin types or those who suffer from acne or rosacea.

Ingredients to avoid in mineral makeup

* Bismuth oxychloride – many people are sensitive to this bulking and filler ingredient that is a by-product of lead and copper refining.

* Talc – a known carcinogen, which is very drying and irritating to skin, accentuates lines.

* Parabens and Alkyl hydroxyl benzoate preservatives – true mineral makeup is inert and needs no preservatives.

* Corn starch and rice powder – cheap fillers, not minerals.

* Dyes – often coal tar derivatives.

http://skin-care.bestskincreams.info

Where can I get an sauna prices

December 2, 2009 by · 3 Comments 

As time went on, and the technology involved in these rooms improved, this meant that the costs associated with the installation of the sauna rooms became much less expensive meaning that they have become far more accessible for more of the population. Thanks to the expansion of blood vessels this has meant that the complexion of the person using the infrared sauna therapy is also significantly improved, which is a feature which the cosmetic industry has been quick to capitalize on (and has charged a king’s ransom in the process Infrared saunas are not to be confused with the traditional sauna units found in many health clubs or those traditionally manufactured for some home use. These saunas promote superior detoxification, cause better circulation and assist fat cells in even deeper detoxification than typical methods.

You may also want to discuss this option with a knowledgeable natural health professional. Infrared saunas help your skin to do its job by inducing perspiration, thus allowing chemicals, such as nickel, copper and sodium to be carried away and purifying your body. In one session you can burn up to 500 calories, which is great for people who are not able to do physical activity of a strenuous nature and is a good reason to ir sauna. The unit , which is fashioned as a 3-foot square box with zippered easy access for seated treatments or a body-length dome for treatments when lying down, can be erected on any solid flooring and collapsed for easy storage and transport when the sauna session is finished.

The reason for this is simple: they seem to think that the average consumer is a total idiot! They present us with grossly exaggerated promises of the various benefits that their products and services can provide us and we are expected to simply swallow such statements without question and without doubt. This is part of the reason as to why the dry infrared sauna struggled in the initial stages of its conception and release for sale on the open market: too many consumers had been bitten too many times for them to blindly accept what the corporations had to say without question. The dry infrared sauna is without a doubt one of the most directly effective means of passively losing weight and will allow the user to lose the maximum amount of weight with a minimal amount of effort on their part. A portable infrared sauna sales cleanse your body by detoxification–when you use this kind of sauna your body will sweat a lot due to the deep, penetrating heat that comes from the infrared rays. Due to the high stress lifestyle that we have nowadays relaxing our body becomes crucial to prevent any stress related health issue.

The Many Benefits Of Drinking The Best Pure Water Available

November 20, 2009 by · 3 Comments 

There are many high-quality pure water filters on the market available to choose from. This is why people are choosing to get a water filter for their tap water or relying on bottled water for their water.

Many individuals who used to exclusively drink bottled water are also realizing that bottled water is not the right alternative and are now looking forward to buying their first pure water filter to install in their own homes. Not only do you need to be concerned about your drinking water but your showering water as well because your skin absorbs twice as much chemicals when bathing them when drinking water. This is why whole house water filtration system is becoming so popular. So you can get rid of all the bad chemicals for the whole house not just the sink or fridge.

Water purification systems is rapidly becoming a necessity for people who want to drink pure healthy water. We didn’t always use to have over 2000 harmful toxins contaminating our drinking water. All of these chemicals can make us sick and in fact some of them have been linked to the development of cancers in some individuals. Chloramine for example, a derivative of chlorine which is actually used to purify our water, is a known asthma trigger. Dinking chlorinated water has been linked to cancer in some studies.

Using a water filter to purify your water can do wonders for your health and well being. But you need to have your needs assessed before you get one so it can provide you with exactly what you need. If you are planning to get a whole house water filter system, you have to consider the average water consumption of each family member. One number to start with is about 70 gallons of water per day used in drinking and bathing depending on how long of a shower you take. Then once you have this figure you’ll be able to compare home water filtering equipment.

grownetprofits.com

Decorate Your House With Seagrass Rugs

November 18, 2009 by · 6 Comments 

Seagrass rugs can add a touch of versatility to any room! Kept in their natural state, seagrass rugs have a wonderful, warm hue that will compliment any room. This style of rug is very popular with interior designers. These rugs are made strong and are made to withstand heavy traffic so no matter where you decide to put them, they will hold up for many years to come. More and more business owners are purchasing seagrass rugs not only because they hold up so well but because they are environmentally friendly.

Seagrass is not actually a grass but rather a flowering plant that grows in shallow waters where it can get plenty of sunshine. Most seagreass comes from the coastal areas of India and China; however the coast of Florida also has a large area where it grows. Seagrass rugs are stain resistant and are easily wiped or shaken clean, which makes them a great buy if you have children or pets. They have a naturally smooth texture and a sheen quality. Because seagrass rugs have a smooth finish, they are not recommended for stairs. Some manufacturers will add a foam backing to prevent slippage. The color of seagrass rugs ranges from light brown to olive green. Fiber thickness varies so check for thickness before you made your purchase.

Natural seagrass rugs are a great choice if you are looking to create a healthy home atmosphere as they do not contain any harmful chemicals like many of the traditional carpeting does. Even doctors are recommending seargrass rugs for those with allergies and others who are sensitive to chemicals.

If you purchase seagrass rugs online look for a reputable dealer who has been in business for several years and who only uses all natural border materials like cotton and wool. And don’t forget to check their return and shipping policies before ordering.

Decorating your home with seagrass rugs is an affordable way to not only help the environment but to help keep you and your family healthy as well.

About the Author: Bob Hayes is the creator of dozens of websites. His latest site is printablebusinesscards.org. It features printable business cards and advice on how to print your own business cards.

Chicago Roof

Investigating sustainable development

November 12, 2009 by · 6 Comments 

Sustainable development has become quite an important word during recent times even if sometimes it is used in inappropriate situation. Some people may find it quite fashionable to brand anything as being sustainable even if it is not the case. It is important that people make some research on this term before using it. In order to help you learn more on this I have written this short article and hope that it can get you started in your research.

Sustainable development is about choosing a model of economic development that will not have any harmful effect on the environment and society in general. Said differently this imply that we should not favor development at all cost and hinders the ability of the future generation to supply for their needs. Contrary to what some people believe sustainable development is more than ecology alone. Do you require to discover more on this issue? This French article on sustainable development (commerce equitable) should be worth reading if you want to learn more on this.

Secondly sustainable development requires that we have a more efficient use of energy. As mentioned above we should not only consider our own well-being but also that of the coming generations. This implies that we should maintain our natural and non-renewable energy sources as much as possible. This is the only means that we can present a good environment to our kids. This French text on ecology (pret taux zero) has really caught my attention and should be worth having a look.

When we discuss sustainability we should also not leave out pollution. This is the reason why we often utilize the word sustainability in the same sentence. This is the fundamental reason why sustainable development plan often include a switch to organic farming in order to reduce the utilization of chemicals. There will be less aggression on the environment. French readers that want to find more can have a look at this text on organic food (jardinage bio) so as to learn more on this.

To the contrary of what people may think sustainable development is not a new topic. In fact all has started back in 1970 where the word sustainability was being used. We can go back even earlier when Rachel Carson release her book Silent Spring in 1962. It is only know that we are seeing a global recognition for sustainable development but there is still a lot of work to do.

What Are Your Aquatic Weed Control Options?

October 14, 2009 by · 1 Comment 

There’s not a thing in the world people like more than a little plant killing, especially in their pond, or in some cases the fishpond where it would cause huge problems for both the fish, and for you. Fish do not like navigating through a massive underwater forest any more than the rest of us, so it’s a good idea to control the plants at the bottom of your pond, before one of them develops into that man-eating plant from Jumanji.

An overgrowth of watery plants can cause issues ranging from watercraft motors getting clogged, to poor results while fishing, to kids having a horrible time attempting to swim in your water. None of these are anything that you desire, therefore it’s better to eradicate the root of this problem before it even begins if you can.

You’ve a couple options available to you, options that go from biological control, meaning the introduction of fish that naturally control the plant populous, to covering the entire pond with a plastic lining…that would be a pretty drastic measure, but hey, whatever floats your boat.

So let’s review a couple of the options, and after that you can decide which one is suited for your situation, but remember that the following are just a very small selection of options, and you should consult with other pond owners, or experts to learn about each and every method at your disposal.

Harvesting – Ridding yourself of the plants manually, is definitely a great choice. However, if this plant is not on the shore, or isn’t|is not sitting on the top of the pond, you might find yourself buying some diving equipment to swim down there without drowning. If you don’t know the ins and outs of diving, or just cannot stop breathing for a long time, it is advisable for you to get a hold of the professionals. Believe it or not, there are companies who specialize in cleaning the bottom of bodies of water, therefore you will be pretty well off.

Chemicals – There’s a lot of chemicals at your disposal to rid yourself of the pesky aquatic life. A few chemicals are Fluridone,2,4-D, Glyphosate, Diquat, Endothall. Of course, it is never suggested that you use any kind of herbicide or chemical to kill off your plant life, which is not unlike the reason it’s never recommended for you to toss a live wire into a pond to catch the prize fish. Utilizing herbicides may be detrimental for fish, as well as any other life which you may have residing within your pond. Use such things carefully, or better yet, do not utilize them period unless you absolutely have to.

Dye – You could purchase a wide range of chemicals that will tint the color of your water, and therefore lower the amount of sun for any aquatic plant life. It’s best to do this in the early spring for best results.

Lining – Covering the bottom of your body of water with a type of plastic is also an choice, this would halt the growth of any aquatic plant life. Remember that this can become costly, so take into account the volume of your pond, in addition to the amount of plastic that you will need. Of course that is a good option for compact fish ponds, but maybe not quite so much for an entire lake in your backyard.

Remember that there’s tons of ways to halt aquatic life from invading the pond, and to discover the method that is good for you, talk to an expert or get together with some other pond owners.

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