How to get clear skin 1. Don’t sleep or work out in makeup
Head straight to the gym from work, or head straight to bed after a night out—without making time to swipe off the day’s makeup? These are big no-nos in the clear-skin department. Even the purest of makeup products don’t belong in your pores for extended periods, which is exactly the scenario when you sleep in your makeup (and you can imagine the nasties that sink into your skin if you use less-than-clean cosmetics. Bleh!). As for getting your sweat on with a made-up face, you’re creating a “bacterial stew” of makeup and perspiration on your visage—basically a clogged-pore invitation for pimples to set up shop (source). Ew, don’t do it. 2. Keep all the shiz that touches your face clean This is an easy concept to understand, but it’s just as easy to forget: You can spread all kinds of crap onto your marvelous mug from the many items that come into contact with your face every day. Think about it: your makeup brushes, your phone, your sunglasses, your pillowcase… How often do you clean these things? And how often do they touch your face? Right. Make a habit of wiping them down and washing them out. For cell phones in particular, explore ways to talk without pressing the phone against your face, like using earbuds or chatting on speakerphone. When you hold your cell to your face for long stretches, you can block or trap oil in your pores (and trapped oil can lead to acne cysts. No thank you!). 3. Balance your hormones If you’ve ever googled “why is my jawline breaking out?” you’ve likely been referred to an article on hormones. A sudden appearance of jaw blemishes is a classic indicator of fluctuating hormones; it’s a PMS symptom for many women (source). It can be a problem any time of the month, though—from too much testosterone to a thyroid glitch, your skin may freak out if your hormones are on the fritz (source). If you suspect your hormones are to blame for your skin woes, I’d recommend working with an integrative practitioner to develop a plan for for balancing things out. One thing you can absolutely work on right away, though, is reducing stress. When your nervous system is on edge, you start perceiving no-big-deal happenings as threatening events, which leads to the secretion of excess stress hormones. That’s no bueno for your skin or your overall well-being. Here are some of the best facial treatment products, that i recommend ---> Click Here
0 Comments
How to cure acne Hormone balancing All acne is hormonal. Because of genetics acne-prone skin is far more sensitive to many hormones. This causes excessive sebum production and skin cell growth and ultimately leads to blocked pores and pimples. I talked about this in detail in the hormonal acne page. In summary, the hormones responsible for acne are androgens (male sex hormones), insulin and insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Aside from dangerous prescription drugs there’s not much we can do to androgen levels. But the good news is that insulin and IGF-1 multiply the effect of androgens on the skin, and there’s a lot we can do to insulin and IGF-1 levels.
Skin friendly dietWhat you eat can affect your skin, though the diet-acne relationship is not as strong and common as many people claim. How much diet affects the skin varies between people a lot. That’s why I’m not a fan of strict dietary regimens, because often they are useless (in curing acne) and adhering to them causes a lot of stress. However there are some things that I would recommend for everybody to at least try.
Gut healing There’s a good reason to believe gut problems are linked to skin problems, see the gut-skin axis page for reason why. That’s why you should make gut healing as part of your acne treatment program. Things like:
Topical treatment Acne is more than skin deep, but it’s also skin deep (if this makes any sense). Because we acne patients for a bit unlucky in the genetic lottery our skin is far more sensitive to hormones. Genes also cause the immune system in the skin to be a bit trigger-happy. It reacts too strongly to bacteria on the skin, and this causes excessive inflammation on the skin. Luckily we can mitigate these problems with smart use of topical treatments. Topical green tea is a fantastic example. Here are few things to look for:
If you want a simple solution, I highly recommend Exposed Skincare. Of all the acne treatments I’ve seen it has by far the best formulation, and that’s why I use it myself. Stress management We already talked about stress earlier in this article. But because stress has such a negative effect on the skin I want to have a dedicated chapter to it. Several studies have demonstrated a clear (causal) link between stress and acne. For example studies on students show more acne during exam periods. Aside from the indirect effects already talked, stress also has a direct effect on the skin. Studies have shown that Neurotransmitter known as substance P increases sebum production, creates inflammation in the skin, and increases skin cell growth. In other words, it contributes to the three primary causes of acne. Stress is serious, and you should take it seriously. For many acne patients it’s much better to work on reducing stress than to improve diet. Don’t Know How To Get Over Acne? Let Me Help! Acne doesn’t have to be confusing or complicated. I can promise that in 10 minutes acne finally starts making sense - and you know how to boot it out of your life. Click here to get started How to look beautiful 1. Be sure to get enough sleep. Sleep is free cosmetic medicine, plain and simple. If you’re not able to get enough sleep, your hormonal cycles will be disrupted, leading to a haggard appearance, increased signs of visible aging, and mood or emotional problems. On top of it all, not getting enough sleep may also be impacting your weight. Growth hormone, which is secreted during sleep, is a powerful player in your ability to maintain your weight, and without it your fat-to-muscle ratio can be thrown off. If catching zzz’s is challenging for you, turn your evening into a ritual. Soak in a warm bath, unplug from electronic devices at least 30 minutes before bed, and keep your room cool and dark, free from any unwanted lights or distracting noises. 2. Eat smart. For many women, losing a few pounds is a constant goal, but skipping meals to fit into your little black dress can lead to real problems. Maintaining a stable blood sugar level will help you regulate your mood, which can then help you control your level of perceived stress. As we all know, stress can be an instant skin-ager, not to mention that when individuals feel overwhelmed, they're more likely to binge eat, which can lead to weight gain. Skip this by maintaining a healthy diet of leafy greens and other vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains. Your body and your mind (and probably your friends, too) will thank you. 3. Take a deep breath. Feeling stressed? We all know that stress is one of the biggest skin-agers around. Combat this by trying your hand at Eastern practices such as yoga, tai chi, or Pilates. All of these have foundations in deep, controlled breathing, an exercise that has real beauty benefits. Your lymphatic system gets a boost from these deep breaths, helping it to deliver nutrients and collect cellular waste while destroying pathogens, including those that can downgrade your skin health. Not to mention that deep breathing immediately helps restore your body to a state of calm, allowing the stress of the day to fade away. 4. Indulge! (The healthy way, that is.) One of the biggest stress-savers, not to mention beauty boosts, is spending a night in indulging in beauty treatments. Try a do-it-yourself approach by whipping up a face mask with ingredients found in your kitchen cabinets. My personal favorite is a moisturizing honey mask, as the honey acts as a natural humectant, minimizing the appearance of fine lines and offering a more youthful looking face. Simply mix two tablespoons of honey with two teaspoons of whole milk. Warm slightly in the microwave and then smooth the mixture onto your face and relax for 10 minutes. Once complete, rinse off your face and enjoy the results. 5. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you’re facing an issue like acne, rosacea, psoriasis, unwanted wrinkles or lines, possible skin cancer … (this list goes on and on), talk to your doctor. There's no reason you have to suffer in silence, and together you will find a treatment that works for you, leaving you feeling in control and confident. And really — what is more beautiful than that? Here are some of the best facial treatment products, that i recommend ---> Click Here How to treat insomnia Plenty of treatment options for insomnia are available. Good sleep habits and a healthy diet can remedy many cases of insomnia. Behavior therapy or medication may be necessary in some cases. It’s important to determine whether or not an underlying issue or medical condition is causing your insomnia. Many cases of insomnia are a result of stress, or some other emotional or physical condition that needs separate treatment. Many times, sleep patterns return to normal when these conditions are successfully treated. Healthy lifestyle changes Often, making lifestyle changes can cure insomnia. You might want to try some of these ideas.
Don’t smoke If you smoke, quit. Nicotine is a stimulant that triggers insomnia. Also, smoking can lead to:
Watch what you drink
Avoid drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. Alcohol is a sedative that may induce sleep initially, but it can disrupt deeper stages of sleep that allow your body to rest fully. Long-term heavy drinking can also trigger high blood pressure, heart failure, and stroke. Caffeinated drinks such as coffee and soft drinks are other stimulants to avoid. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that 400 milligrams (mg) of caffeine taken six hours before bedtime can significantly disrupt your sleep. For reference, an 8-ounce cup of coffee has 95 to 200 mg of caffeine. The researchers recommend avoiding caffeine a minimum of six hours before your normal bedtime. Drinking too much of any fluid before bedtime can disrupt sleep with repeated nighttime trips to the bathroom. Exercise Exercising 20 to 30 minutes every day can encourage a good night’s sleep. Even if you don’t see immediate results, keep doing it. Researchers in a 2013 study tracked 11 women with insomnia and found that exercising one day didn’t necessarily mean that their participants would sleep better that night. However, regular exercise over the course of four months did improve how much they slept and their overall quality of sleep. Regular exercise can also help prevent serious medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes. Maintain a healthy dietAvoid foods that are high in saturated fat, which may cause heartburn and indigestion. These foods can be hard to digest, particularly when you eat them late at night. This can make it difficult to sleep. Relaxation techniques Progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback, and breathing exercises are ways to reduce anxiety at bedtime. These strategies help you control your:
How to enjoy your work No matter what you do for a living, when you enjoy your work you’re going to do a great job — the best work of your career. Beyond that, you can’t help but bring good energy and inspiration to family, friends, and colleagues. Put simply, this is “success” in a deeper, more sustainable sense than title, power, paycheck or prestige. Yet most people settle for jobs that fall far short of “happy at work” for too many years. In fact, to some, the notion that we can enjoy our work most days, and have both rewarding and fulfilling (and even fun) careers seems absurd. That’s where I started. Growing up, I heard repeatedly that only “the lucky ones” get to do work they enjoy, and for everyone else, work isn’t meant to feel good. It set me up for my career, as I dutifully made choices that complied with that assumption. After 18 years in that mindset, at 41 I realized my heart wasn’t in my work. I sought help to change my mind and my professional course. The decision and changes I made, over 11 years ago, added up to my best career move, one I regard with gratitude. I post this to pay it forward by sharing what I learned, and hope you’ll find something valuable here: 1. How to measure if your heart’s in your work You may already know whether or not your heart’s in your work. If unsure, it’s always good to reflect on it. Consider these two key questions to measure it, both on a 10-point scale: a) How happy are you most days at work (1 being not at all, and 10 being quite happy)? As you consider this, note that work and life come with painful challenges, so I don’t recommend we expect to be happy 24/7; “most days” is a reasonable goal. b) How often are you doing your best work / bringing your “A-game” (1 being hardly ever and 10 being often)? If your combined score is 16 or higher, that’s really good news, and you’re probably done reading my post. If 15 or lower, it’s worth further efforts on your part until your results improve. 2. Your mindset matters When it comes to the prospect of making a job and/or career change, it’s important to understand what may keep you from taking steps forward. Your own mindset is often the biggest barrier to change. “I hate it, but at least I know what to expect,” “Change is risky,” “Only the lucky ones get to do work they enjoy,” “What will others think of me?” “Would I be self-indulgent?” “Maybe the grass isn’t truly greener,” “This is all I know,” etc. These mindsets are brick walls until you are conscious of them, and practice recognizing and dismissing them as they crop up. Do that, and they transform from walls to doubts to worries to “ready to make a change.” 3. The mindset of others will impact you: manage accordingly When I decided to leave a “successful” C-level Financial Services job and study to become an executive coach, I heard a lot of things like, “Gee, you’re brave,” and “Really? What about your reputation? What will people think?” and, “Maybe you should pick something else in financial services...” and even, “You’re crazy.” Friends, families, colleagues, and even strangers on planes reinforce fears and worries, and may think they’re doing us a favor by piling onto our own doubts. Just as important as managing your own mindset, you’ll need to avoid taking to heart fear-based “input” of others when making a major change you think may help you achieve your full potential. 4. Get clear about what energizes, rather than depletes you Being happy is a form of energy, and like electricity in a battery it can either be charged or depleted. Here’s an exercise to help you mind your charging cycle: a) Consider your own career experiences you’ve found energizing and look for what factors those experiences had in common. What was it about them that fired you up? b) Now take a look at your career experiences you’ve found depleting — that left you underwhelmed, anxious, tired, bored, or otherwise less than happy over longer stretches of time. What did those experiences have in common? c) Consider your ethics, values, and what “being right with my world” means to you, and what types of work experiences would be most in tune with those. d) Putting a), b), and c) together, what pattern do they make, and what does that pattern tell you about the type of jobs/roles/responsibilities you need to make sure are included to charge you up, rather than deplete you, most days? 5. Set your rules of thumb Once you understand the patterns of what energizes you (4, above), then it’s important to set some rules of thumb in terms of what needs to be true in this new direction, once achieved. I came up with four rules, and have applied them (for example, immediately below) but you need to come up with your own: a) The lottery rule: Yes, I would do this type of work even if I win the lottery (although I would probably do it from my lottery-winnings beach house on Kauai...) For the record, this is still pending b) The energy rule: This work energizes me way more often than it depletes me c) The gratitude rule: I feel grateful I “get to” do this work, rather than doing work I “have to” do d) The meaning rule: When I do my work well, it makes the difference in the world I most want to make 6. Be open-minded on outcomes: it’ll be what you want, but probably not what you expected In making my own changes, and seeing those of others, I’ve noticed we get what aim for, but it doesn’t look like we thought it would look. Why not? What you think you want now is subject to change. Setting your direction, rules of thumb, and managing your mindset to take steps forward, sometimes you’ll say “this is what I want, and here’s what it’s going to look like,” and, as the saying goes, “No plan ever survived its first contact with reality.” It will certainly be different than you thought. Don’t be afraid to adjust course to adapt and respond to changing conditions—both your own, and given how the world is responding to your hard work making the changes you set out to make. 7. The power of patience: Take the long view In making deeper, more transformative change to find and do work you enjoy most days, it may be quick, slow, or very slow. No matter what, it pays to take the long view and keep at it. When I made my change, people told me, “it’ll take five years for you to hit your stride in your new career,” and I wish that had been true. It actually took more like eight years, and I’ve taken many detours along the way. Your actual results will vary: Just keep in mind that patience in this is truly virtuous. Foods that will improve bad skin Oily fish With skin issues like acne, eczema, and psoriasis, the redness and irritation you see is caused by inflammation. You may have taken Ibuprofen in the past to fight against inflamation, but the body has its own natural anti-inflammatory compounds. Oily fish help the body make these compounds, so increasing your fish intake will reduce the soreness and rawness of bad skin. Omega 3 is the key oil here (it also has benefits for just about every other body system you can think). Fish like mackerel, herring, trout and salmon are great sources of the oil - they'll noticably improve the quality of your skin very quickly. Try to get the freshest fish you can to maximise the power of the omega 3. Don't worry too much about how you prepare the fish - fry it, bake it or grill it - just make sure you eat it on a regular basis. If I had to choose one ingredient for overall skin improvement, oily fish would be it. Orange foods Orange coloured foods are another group of champions on the skin health front. Sadly pick 'n' mix doesn't come into the equation here. Its orange coloured fruit and vegetables only. The orange colour in foods such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and mangoes is given by a compound called beta carotene. This is a type of antioxidant that actually builds up in the skin, helping to reduce inflammation. The beta carotene also serves to protect the proteins in our skin that keep it supple, which adds a nice anti-ageing benefit to the mix too. Increasing your intake of these foods will help keep the skin smooth. The great thing about many of these foods is that they are portable or quick and easy to prepare. Snack on raw carrots during the day or bake some sweet potato wedges in the oven at night. Simple, quick, and easy! To really enhance the positive effect of orange foods, combine them with something fatty. A little olive oil drizzled on raw carrots, or some cheese melted on sweet potato, will go a long way in aiding the body's absorbtion of the beta carotene. Prawns Prawns and shellfish are particularly good for acne sufferers. This is because they are packed with zinc, which helps speed up the rate at which wounds and infections heal. I've seen so many cases of acne clearing fast once the sufferer gets enough zinc in their diet. Zinc also carries the added benefit of helping to even out oil production. If the skin is too oily, then zinc will reduce the amount of oil that is produced. Fresh or frozen prawns are a great source of the nutrient. If you are a vegetarian or not a seafood fan, then pumpkin seeds and pulses are excellent substitutes. Onions and garlic Sulphur is often referred to as ‘the face lift nutrient’. It strengthens the fibrous strands in our skin, which helps skin cells hold their shape, reducing wrinkles and sagging. Increasing sulpher intake makes skin a little tougher and more resilient to environmental damage. Several studies have also shown that sulphur-rich foods can improve acne, although how and why still remains unclear. I try to include these foods in as many dishes as possible. Any savoury dish will be brought to life by the simple addition of a bit of garlic or onion. A little tip though: when you do use them in dishes, add them first and salt immediately. The salt brings the flavour right out and will gives greater depth and dimension to your dishes. Try it, you’ll see what I mean. Here are some of the best facial treatment products, that i recommend ---> Click Here How to get better skin for men? 1. Understand the cause of men skin problems If you’ve ever found yourself asking, “How can I get silky smooth skin?” then listen up: skin care, while steeped in history, does, in fact, require a scientific approach. You too can have baby smooth skin. All it takes is a methodical approach to reviewing your bumps and blemishes and taking the appropriate action to correct the root cause. And, just remember, while you may have healthy skin now, skin has a life of its own and changes as we age, so you need to be proactive in how you approach skin care. When it comes to skin care complaints, I’ve heard it all. From irritated skin to shaving rashes, dry skin causes more skin problems than almost all other skin conditions combined. What you might not know is why dehydration is such a thorn in your side. As skin is a living, breathing organism, being hydrated and nourished is critical for skin to be able to snap back into shape. When dehydrated, skin underperforms and won’t calibrate itself back to health. While it’s almost a cliché, I promise the best thing you can do for your skin is to drink quality water, and lots of it — as much as 13 cups a day (and up to double that in warmer climates). Water flushes your skin of toxins and free radicals, promotes restoration, and keeps skin subtle. I like to drink a tall glass of water before each meal and find it helps eradicate excess hunger, which could lead to weight loss. Water is also a great cure for a hangover! 2. How To Get A Smooth Face? Nothing can rock a man’s confidence like an outbreak. Whether you get it once in a blue moon, before a big interview, or all the time, acne is one thing we can all agree sucks. However, getting a smooth and shine-free complexion could be easier than you think. Many guys ask me how do I get a smooth face and the answer is surprisingly simple: I found a routine that works for me, and I stick to it. Consistency really is the key to success; you can’t have one good skin day and then neglect your routine. 3. Take care of down there The next piece of advice I want to give you is something that is not often talked about but is incredibly important. How you groom and care for your intimate needs affects your skin down there. All it takes is one lost battle with a razor to learn that you never want to be on the losing side when it comes to your intimate health. Simple precautions can keep you feeling comfortable and irritation-free. Here are some steps I take to ensure there’s no foul play. Firstly, the days of shaving everything off are long gone — and, even when they were here, they were short lived and for a good reason: it looks awful and is extremely high-maintenance, and generates a high-risk of infection. Instead, men are now opting for a well-groomed and neat look that is easily achieved using electric trimmers. Now, before you freak out, remember that you can now buy very narrow electric trimmers designed for intimate use. The goal is not to remove all the hair, but to trim everything back and to tidy up the edges. Use one hand to operate the trimmers, and the other to move any low-hanging fruit to the side as you go. You will also want to pull any loose skin taut before trimming to ensure you don’t clip your skin. Trimmers can get very close, or you can use an edge guard to increase the length; this comes down to personal preference and is for you to decide. I also generally advise against using heavily fragranced intimate products. Here are some of the best facial treatment products, that i recommend ---> Click Here
How to lose weight? 1. Always Eat Breakfast
No more Lucky Charms—you want some protein and fat. Scrambled eggs and a few sausage links will keep you fuller longer than an airy doughnut will. 2. Eat More! We're talking three good snacks and three healthful meals. But what do you serve during the bowl game if you can't have chips and dip? Mixed nuts—especially almonds—will satisfy your craving for something crunchy while helping to build muscle. 3. Just Say No to Starches Foods like pasta, white bread, and potatoes make you fat. If you must have pasta, make yours whole-wheat. Same goes for bread, and swap white potatoes for sweet potatoes. Just don't eat too much! A perfect example of a great swap are these crispy sweet potato fries. You'll never go back to regular potatoes. 4. Lift Weights Yes, you have to hit the gym, and no, lifting beer cans during happy hour doesn't count. The muscles you build will not only improve your performance, they'll stoke your metabolism so you burn calories long after your workout is over. 5. Think Before You Eat Don't just stuff your face with the stale cookies left over from the holidays, eat what tastes good and what's good for you. Take your time eating; you'll stay fuller longer. 6. But Have Fun Once in a While—or Once a Week Stifle those cravings for too long, and you'll be miserable and might fall off your new plan forever. Just splurge reasonably—two slices of pizza, not the whole thing. 7. Go Low-Carb It's the easiest way to drop weight fast. The cravings are hard at first, but it gets easier—especially when you see the results. 8. Run Intervals It's easier to alternate between hard and easy running instead of going for a long run—especially if you don't like running. Plus, you'll be done faster and burn more fat. 9. Never, Ever Drink Sweetened Soda But go ahead, have a glass of wine now and then. Low-carb beeris fine, too, in moderation. 10. Don't Fear Fat It makes you feel full, helps control your appetite, and your body needs it. Of course, some fat is good while others are bad. See How Fat Attacks, and how you can make it work for you. How smoking damages your body? Despite all the negative effects of smoking, many people still chose to smoke. This article will explore the mechanisms by which smoking affects our health and well-being as well as explain how addiction occurs and how to over come it.
Smoke in your Mouth The first contact that smoke has with the body is the mouth. The hot smoke causes the salivary glands to become inflamed and sore. This regular inflammation can result in an increased risk of cancer cells developing or infected. The chemicals can also kill the probiotics present in the mouth, which can result in a weak oral immune system and bad breath. This can also lead to a build up of plaque and tar tar. Smoke in your Lungs After your mouth, the smoke travels into your lungs. As it travels into the lungs it passes over cillia cells, which are the brush like cells, and are responsible for removing debris from the lungs. Cigarette smoke paralyzes and ultimately kills these cells, which prevents the body being able to remove debris from the lungs, causing it to build up. This will reduce lung function and increases the risk of infection. The smoke then passes into the alveoli, which are the small air sacs in the lungs. These air sacs are moist, which is essential for dissolving the oxygen in the air, which allows it to pass into the circulation. Here the chemicals listed above (and many more) will also dissolve in the moisture, which will prevent the chemicals leaving the lungs in exhaled smoke. Some of the chemicals will pass into the circulatory system, but others, such as tar cannot. This means that tar will build up in the alveoli which blocks them resulting in poor oxygen absorption. This tar cannot be removed easily as the cillia cells are paralyzed or dead and so will build up over time. This causes mucus in the lungs to become thick and makes breathing difficult. The chemicals which are breathed in with the smoke (such as ammonia) which do not pass into the circulatory system can enter the lung cells, which can damage the DNA of these cells and increase the risk of developing cancer. Smoking & your circulatory system Chemicals which do pass through the lungs enter the circulatory system, where they can travel throughout the body in the blood. One of these chemicals is carbon monoxide, which bonds to heamoglobin with a higher affinity than oxygen. This means carbon monoxide will bond onto the red blood cells and prevent oxygen from being able to travel throughout the body. Many of the chemicals which have now entered the circulatory system are harmful radicals, which can react with the blood vessels and damage them. This will cause the blood vessels to lose their elasticity which increases blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular disease. The cocktail of chemicals which have entered the blood makes the blood ‘stickier’, and this causes the blood vessels to contract. This means that the blood cannot easily pass through the capillaries, which increases the risk of blood clotting and causes blood pressure to rise which further increases the risk of heart attacks and other related diseases.This also prevents oxygen and other nutrients reaching the extremities of your body, such as fingers and toes, which can cause the feet to swell, reduce healing and cause the muscles to become sore and cramp. Now the chemicals are in the circulatory system they can be taken up anywhere in the body, which will cause an increased risk of damage to all cells in the body. Smoking & Adrenal Glands Nicotine can bind to receptors in the adrenal medulla, which is located just above the kidneys. Here is causes an increase in adrenaline (epinephrine) into the body which will increase the heart rate, blood pressure, respiration and stimulate glycogen stores to be broken down into glucose, which will increase blood sugar levels. These effects (combined with the negative effects on the circulatory system) will increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Nicotine & Your Brain The brain fortunately has some protection from the chemicals in the blood in the form of the blood brain barrier, which prevents many chemical entering the brain. Nicotine is one of the chemicals which can cross the barrier, and it is nicotine’s action on the brain which is why people smoke. Nicotine increases the production of dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter responsible for the increasing the reward feelings in the brain such as relaxation and euphoria. Nicotine also inhibits the action of the enzymes which breakdown dopamine, which will further increase its levels and the feelings it induces. Conclusion Smoking causes an increase in the amount of radical damage to the whole body, but the majority of the damage smoking causes is to the lungs and circulatory system. Smoking increases the risk of developing a number of diseases from lung cancer to diabetes – both of which are on the rise in the UK and many western countries. Smoking is addictive because of nicotine’s action on the brain as it stimulates the rewards sections of the brain which induce euphoria and relaxation. There are healthier ways to stimulate these areas of the brain, and exercise has shown to stimulate them much more than smoking, and is a much healthier approach to feeling relaxed and euphoric. Best vitamins for women "Women don't realize how critical some of the key micronutrients are, things like the B vitamins, vitamin D, and magnesium," says Taz Bhatia, MD, integrative physician and author of The 21-Day Belly Fix. "They play such a strong role in the course of all sorts of diseases, everything from autoimmune disease to cancer to diabetes, heart disease-all of that." And they help eliminate common issues such as lack of energy and the effects of stress.
1. B Vitamins They're essential for healthy metabolism of sugars and starches and for hormone production. They help turn hormones into active or inactive forms, make sure hormones reach the correct destination within a woman's body, and help eliminate excess hormones to prevent toxicity. B vitamins are vital for the production of neurotransmitters. "B vitamins also help combat sugar cravings and fatigue, common symptoms that tend to accompany and promote hormone imbalance," says Serena Goldstein, ND, a naturopathic doctor in New York specializing in natural hormone balance. 2. Vitamin D3 Low levels of vitamin D, quite prevalent among women, are linked to greater odds of PMS, death from breast cancer, depression, Alzheimer's disease, difficult pregnancies, uterine fibroids, rheumatoid arthritis, impaired sugar metabolism, gestational diabetes, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels, heart disease, postmenopausal loss of bone and muscle, and higher risk of falls and fractures later in life, says Bhatia. Kidney stones can also be caused by too little vitamin D, says Goldstein. "Generally speaking we don't get enough, even those who live below the equator," she says. Optimal liver health is necessary for vitamin D absorption, adds Goldstein. "This is one of the reasons why I recommend the active form, D3, over D2, the inactive form." 3. Magnesium Like B vitamins, magnesium is essential for many processes within a woman's body. A shortfall-which is all too common-can result in cramps, anxiety, constipation, sore muscles, sleep difficulties, and other unpleasant symptoms. "Magnesium can be depleted by stress, soda, caffeine, certain medications, and unfortunately, it's not as prevalent in soil as decades ago," says Goldstein. |