Monday, January 30, 2017

Use Natural Hair Products and Prevent Hair Loss

Hair fall is one of the most common problems that people face at some point in life. It affects both men and women. The genes do play a major role in hair loss, however, there are a lot of other factors that can cause hair fall. Deficiency in vitamins and minerals, lack of sound sleep, high stress levels and erratic lifestyle are some of the other major reasons promoting hair loss.

It is always safer and better to use natural hair products that help in preventing hair loss. There is a wide array of natural hair products available in the markets made out of natural ingredients and are equally, if not more, effective than chemical-laden products.

These products are mostly derived from natural ingredients like plant extracts, natural enzymes, vitamins and minerals, and help in promoting healthy hair growth. It is always important to check the source and the ingredients present in the hair products meant for treating hair loss. These products do not cause any side effects and can be safely used to deal with hair loss.

Using essential oils promotes good circulation in the scalp and keeps your hair follicles active. They also seal the hair cuticles that strengthen the hair shaft at the root. This makes the hair get stronger from root to tip and keeps the hair shiny, well-maintained and intact.

Rubbing green tea into your hair also provides the hair follicles with the much needed anti-oxidants that in turn prevents hair loss and promotes healthy hair growth. Vitamin A, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E and vitamin B, stimulate blood circulation in the scalp which is important for keeping the hair follicles active.

Consuming aloe vera juice is also helpful in restoring the natural growth of the hair follicles in the scalp. One must also indulge in food items rich in proteins for a natural and beautiful hair growth. In addition to these natural products, one must reduce the stress levels since it can directly result in an increase in hair loss. Regular exercise and meditation are two important ways of improving your health and consequently, preventing your hair from falling in the long run.

Sunday, December 11, 2016

Skin Care Products That Reduce Acne

Acne is one of the most common skin problems people face. Contrary to popular belief, acne is not something that only affects teenagers or young adults. Many adults well past their 20’s may suffer from breakouts of varying intensity. Acne is caused by various factors and in some cases, it may not disappear on its own. Treatments that target the root cause, coupled with a good skin care routine, are helpful in dealing with acne.

One of the most common causes of acne is hormonal imbalance, followed closely by poor diet and stress. It may also be a combination of more than one of these factors. Acne is bad for the skin and often leaves behind unsightly marks that take months or years to fade away. This can also affect an individual’s self-confidence.

It is essential to deal with acne and take care of the skin properly. Here a few skin care products that you can use to reduce acne.

Cleanser: A good quality face cleanser removes excess oil, dirt and grime from the skin while being gentle at the same time. It does not strip away moisture from the skin. A gentle alcohol-free cleanser is great for acne prone skin. Some of the ingredients popular for their acne-fighting properties are salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and sodium sulfacetamide.

Toner: An alcohol-free toner works well to remove any germs, excess sebum and oil from the pores of the skin. Skin care products containing alcohol can dry the skin which in turn promotes the production of more oil, flaring up acne. An alcohol-free skin care toner is gentle and helps cool down the skin. It leaves you feeling refreshed as well.

Scrub: It is important to remove dead skin cells from the skin to avoid the pores from clogging. An acne prone skin needs to be looked after with even more care. A good scrub, with a light consistency and non-abrasive scrub granules can do wonders for such skin. Be gentle on the skin and do not rub the skin too fast or with too much pressure while using the scrub.

Moisturizer: Oily skin is prone to acne. However, dry skin can also develop acne under the right conditions. Keeping the skin well-hydrated with an oil-free moisturizer helps avoid the dryness that can make your skin produce more oil. This in turn clogs the pores and flares up acne. Stay away from heavy moisturizers and use non-comedogenic moisturizers to deal with acne.

Picking on the pimples or frequently touching the face can worsen acne flare ups. Make sure that your hands are clean when you touch your skin. Using a clean towel to dry your face and applying a sunscreen regularly during the day can help you deal with acne.

Use Herbal Supplements for Good Health

Supplements have been widely accepted as the norm since people have realized that they are not receiving adequate nutrition through their diet. Busy lifestyle of the people these days is also responsible for this outlook. Fruit smoothies, overnight oats, protein shakes, and nutrition bars have become a regular part of their diet.

With a restricted diet and limited time at hand, the best solution for people is to opt for nutritional and dietary supplements. They can help them meet the nutritional requirements of their body. People can choose from herbal supplements, also known as natural supplements, or supplements containing artificial ingredients. However, herbal supplements are on the rage these days because they do not have any side-effects and most of them work fine even if the person is on regular medication.

There are plenty of benefits of using herbal supplements for health. A few of them are discussed here.

•    Herbal supplements contain fewer ingredients and are far healthier than supplements with artificial ingredients. There are also fewer chances of reactions because of the good quality natural ingredients in the supplement

•    Most herbal supplements do not contain any artificial flavor, color or preservatives. These things can cause a reaction in people having different types of allergies making herbal supplements ideal for everyone. It is sensible to consult your physician before taking any medication even if it is a supplement

•    Since the herbal supplements contain natural extracts, the human body is able to assimilate it better and faster than artificial supplements. Many multivitamins and supplements, containing synthesized ingredients, may not be easy for everyone to digest

•    Natural supplements have fewer side effects than other nutritional supplements. People from all age groups can take natural supplements to improve their health without worrying about adverse reactions of the supplement

Organic vitamins and other supplements are also available in the market. They are usually costlier than their counterparts but are of higher quality too. These are better for the body since they are derived from natural food sources.

Herbal supplements are free from artificial chemicals, fillers, binders, and preservatives. By incorporating them as a part of your daily routine to meet your nutritional needs, you can be sure to improve your health and well-being.

Thursday, December 8, 2016

How to Choose the Best among Different Types of Fish Oil Supplements

Fish oil is a type of fatty acid that comes from oily fish, which have oil in their belly cavity and tissues. Salmon, albacore, and yellowfin tuna are some examples of oily fish that can provide omega-3 fatty acids like DHA and EPA, which are essential nutrients for the proper management of health. In fact, fish oil is a known factor in the prevention and management of heart disease and high cholesterol levels. Fish oil supplements can be handy if you cannot eat oily fish daily or you simply do not like to eat fish. Just be sure to pick the best product. Remember that not all fish oil supplements are the same, and they will differ in the types and amounts of fatty acids they contain. Here are a few tips on how you can choose the best fish oil supplements:

Always read the label – The label of the supplement can reveal a lot of necessary information about the product. Determine the amount of omega-3 per serving. Nutritionists and health experts recommend 2000mg to 4000mg per day. If you are an athlete, you may need five to seven grams of omega-3 to boost performance, enhance your recovery, and prevent inflammation.

Take note of the percentage of DHA and EPA – These are the most important forms of omega-3 fatty acids compared to less potent types like ALA, DPA, and ETA. Hence, make sure that the fish oil supplement has a higher percentage of DHA and EPA. The concentration per serving is typically higher in high-quality supplements.

Determine the type of EPA and DHA in the fish oil supplements – They can be phospholipid, ethyl ester, or triglyceride, and these describe omega-3 fatty acid’s molecular form. Each will have different bioavailability, which pertains to the proportion of the substance entering your system and can have an active effect. These may not be disclosed all the time on the label, so be sure to do your homework.

Look for certifications – The International Fish Oil Standards (IFOS) is the sole third party testing and certification program for fish oil supplements. They have set the highest standards for freshness, potency, and purity.

Avoid fish oil supplements with nuts, gluten, and soy – These ingredients typically indicate manufacturing that is not aimed at purity.

A Complete Guide to Whey Proteins

Whey protein pertains to a certain types of milk proteins that were derived from whey, a by-product of milk during cheese manufacturing. Whey proteins contain a lot of molecules other than amino acids. In fact, they contain some of the most essential proteins for strength and muscle and body building.  Whey protein supplementation is popular with athletes since it helps them boost muscle strength and enhance their body composition. It is known to help minimize oxidative stress while boosting immune function, too.

There are no strict rules on how or when to take whey proteins, since they are essentially considered food products, like yogurt and cheese. However, nutritional and body building experts typically recommend taking them after working out, since they are digested quickly and can change muscle protein synthesis while minimizing muscle protein breakdown post training. It is recommended that you take about 20 to 40 grams of whey protein after training.

When shopping for whey proteins online, you are likely to come across them in different types. Here is a guide that can help you differentiate them from one another:

Whey protein isolate – This is the purest type, containing 90 to 90 percent of whey protein with minimal lactose (0.5 to one percent) and minimal fat (0.5 to one percent). Hence, it is a good source of protein if you are lactose intolerant or any other condition that makes it difficult for your body to digest and process lactose. However, take note that it may lack other important components of whey, like immunoglobulins.

Whey protein hydrolysates – These whey proteins have been enzymatically treated to break down the long proteins into shorter ones. Also known as ‘hydrolyzed whey’, whey protein hydrolysates are easily absorbed by your body while minimizing potential digestive issues and allergic responses. Hence, they are typically included in medical and sports nutrition products and infant formulas.

Whey protein concentrate – The protein content is typically lower in whey concentrate, usually ranging only from 25 to 89 percent, with most commercially sold products containing around 80 percent. Concentrates typically have four to eight percent of fat, lactose, and other minerals.

Sunday, October 9, 2016

The Surprising Benefits of Taking Health Supplements

Many adults take one or more health supplements either on a regular basis or occasionally. Most of the health supplements include vitamins, minerals, herbals and botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and many other essential nutrients. Health supplements come in a variety of forms and surprisingly have a lot of benefits for maintaining a healthy way of life.

They are easily available in the form of traditional tablets, capsules, and powders, as well as drinks and energy bars. Popular supplements include vitamins D and E, minerals like calcium and iron, herbs such as Echinacea and garlic and specialty products like glucosamine, probiotics, and fish oils.

Vitamin D also known as the sunshine vitamin is a fat-soluble vitamin in the family of various compounds that includes vitamins D-1, D-2, and D-3. It has the potential to affect as many as 2,000 genes in the human body. Vitamin D has several important functions, the most vital being regulation of the absorption of calcium and phosphorous and facilitating normal immune system functions in the body.

Getting a sufficient amount of vitamin D is important for normal growth and development of bones and teeth, as well as improved resistance to certain diseases. Vitamin D also plays an important role in regulating mood and warding off depression. In addition, Vitamin D facilitates the process of weight loss. The extra calcium and vitamin D have an appetite suppressing effect that helps in losing weight faster.

Vitamin B promotes a healthy metabolism and is also linked to a reduced risk of stroke. Vitamin B1 is Important for preventing Beriberi. Vitamin B12 helps prevent Anaemia whereas Vitamin B6 is essential for Healthy Blood. Taking vitamin B supplements is surely a good way to ensure good heart health.

Vitamin E supplement is an important micronutrient that plays a major role in a number of vital bodily functions. It is not only a powerful antioxidant and anticoagulant, it also helps stimulate the immune system and helps maintain healthy hair and skin.

Getting a proper amount of health supplements becomes an essential part of your overall health regime. It, therefore, becomes pertinent to get in touch with your doctor and take the much-needed health supplements to maintain a healthy lifestyle for you and your family.

Why Experts Advise Herbal Supplements and Multivitamins to Get Rid of the Health Issues

Herbal supplements are generally defined as dietary supplements that are obtained from naturally growing plants, fungi, shrubs, and trees. It may be interesting to note that according to scientifically proven research, many herbal nutrition supplements provide essential nutrients, boost the immune system and enhance memory and quality of the sleep.

There are a wide variety of such supplements available in the market today, such as Ginkgo Biloba, the renowned memory enhancement supplement, St. John's Wart, a supplement often prescribed for cases of mild depression and anxiety and Echinacea, a mid-western wildflower best known for its ability to boost the immune system.

Goldenseal and Ginseng are also some well-known herbal supplements known for reducing inflammation and increasing physical stamina along with mental concentration respectively. Feverfew is used to help prevent migraine headaches, and to treat arthritis, rheumatic disease, and allergies.

According to experts, herbal dietary supplements provide essential health benefits but it is important to know as to how they would react to medication that is already being taken. It, therefore, becomes critical for someone taking herbal supplements to cross check with their health care provider to ensure health and safety concerns as regards prescription medicines.

The human body requires various vitamins and minerals on a daily basis to keep the body healthy and effectively functional. Multivitamins have their own benefits and play an important role in your body. Since people often skip their meals and do not take a healthy diet because of their hectic lifestyle. A daily serving of multivitamins instantly serves most of the vitamins and minerals that their diet might be missing out on.

Multivitamins are also good for children as they are fussy eaters and often skip meals. In such condition, it becomes highly important to aid them with multivitamins so that their healthy growth can be ensured.

Going by the health experts, one can significantly improve health and quality of life by taking herbal supplements and multivitamins that go a long way in restoring great health while keeping you away from health problems.