The skin is the largest organ of our body. It account for approx 16% of an adult’s overall weight. It’s primary components are water ( 70%), proteins (25.5%) and fats (2%). It is a dynamic, living organ that continually sheds its outermost layer through a process called exfoliation. In fact, our skin replaces itself every twenty-seven days.

Our skin performs a number of vital roles.It is a barrier against micro- organisms and toxic compounds entering our body. It permits a selective exchange of fluids necessary for our survival. It is our natural radiator: by regulating our body’s loss of fluids, the skin helps us maintain our body temperature. It is a primary component of our sense of touch.

At the same time, our skin defines so much of the outer beauty we desire. Manipulating our skin has been a component of the human beauty regimen for thousands of years. For centuries we bathed our skin with oils, painted its surface and manipulated its texture – all for the sake of outer beauty. The role of our skin as a vital organ took a back seat to visual appearance. Today, a remarkable shift is occurring. Skincare is assuming a primary position in our health. Indeed, we now see that healthy skin is the basis for the beauty we desire and that our lotions, masques and creams can nourish the skin in incredible ways. Healthy skin and elegant appearance are synonymous.

Every day our skin is exposed to a number of environmental toxins. Factors like UV light , smog and smoke trigger a cascade of free- radical activity in the cells. To prevent new damage from UV rays, use a sunscreen every day, and reapply it after swimming and prolonged sun exposure. SPF15 works well for most skin types; however, a higher SPF may be necessary for some.

In addition, look for new, deep-penetrating compounds in products that amplify the body’s natural cell-renewal process and minimize the effects of environmental exposure. Scientifically advanced, natural products can help you defy the aging process and enjoy radiant, healthy skin at any age.

Nutrition and the skin
Like every organ in our body, our skin is composed of billions of cells. When we see the skin as an organ, we realize that cellular nutrition is vital for a healthy skin. Any deficiency of vitamins or essential nutrients in our body, negatively effects our skin. The skin is the last organ to receive nourishment from the body and the first to show signs of nutritional deficiency, imbalance or illness. The impact of diet on our skin can not be overemphasized. Poor dietary habits generally appear first in our skin’s texture, tone and color. It also has long-term effects on our skin – the kind that will not be seen until it is well beyond your control to correct the problem.

For example, a vitamin C or E deficiency weakens our skin’s firmness, tone and texture. Low levels of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) damages skin cell membranes and cracks appear in the corners of our mouth and on our lips. An iron deficiency can create poor skin color. The list is endless, but the message is clear: optimal cellular nutrition is critical for healthy skin.

Free-radical damage.
Only recently was the discovery of the free radical and its impact on our body associated with our skin.It is now clear that free radicals are primary contributors to the aging process and can destroy the cells of our skin. Free-radical oxidative stress destroys skin-cell membranes and accelerates the sagging and wrinkling effects we experience as we age. The effects of free-radical damage are cumulative. It is a process that can continue for years before we receive any alert. We may never “see” the damage that free radicals cause until it has irrevocably harmed our skin. Free-radical damage is such a major aging factor that we must incorporate unique substances in our skincare regimen to combat its ill effects.

The primary agents which combat the free radicals are antioxidants. They include several vitamins as well as a number of phytonutrients found in botanical extracts. Any beauty regimen must take into account the nutritional needs of the skin and combat the free-radical activity that damages its cells. Without addressing both of these requirements, our creams and topicals merely hide the unsightly impact of oxidative stress and aging. Rather, we need to enhance our natural beauty while we nourish and protect our healthy skin.

A Vehicle for Health Knowing that our skin is a living organ that facilitates the transfer of nutrients and realizing that proper nutrition is critical for healthy skin, you would assume that the connection between skincare and skin nourishment would be obvious. Not so! We appreciate the damage we do by applying toxic chemicals to our skin in the name of beauty. We no longer poison ourselves for the sake of appearance. Yet we failed to see the real opportunity before us.

The skin is a powerful vehicle for health. Indeed, its selective passage of compounds into and out of the body is an instrument for wellness. Today, scientists use the powerful properties of the skin to deliver pharmaceutical compounds to the body. Medicinal introduction through the skin is now common practice. It is referred to in the medical community as transdermal application. Topical estrogen creams deliver hormones to our bodies. The transdermal introduction of substances has proven to be, in many cases, the most efficient method of introducing drugs to our body.

Once the importance of the skin was accepted and its status as a vital body organ was established, all was needed was a fresh approach that considered more than surface beauty in the creams and lotions we apply to our skin.

The relationship between proper nutrition and healthy skin was proven by Dr. Myron Wentz, a cellular biologist. He saw the power of nourishing the skin through topical applications. The question was: could both beauty-enhancing and antioxidant constituents be provided directly to the skin via a skincare regimen? Could skin cells absorb and be nourished and vitalized through the topical delivery of these compounds and could such a system deliver the anti-aging enhancements that consumers demand from their beauty products? The initial Sense formulas, developed by a team of biologists, chemists

and beauty consultants were provided to an independent third-party laboratory with instructions to test their effectiveness in several ways and under incredibly rigorous controls. At the end of 8 weeks clinical tests, the results were above all

expectations. In short, the viewpoint of a cellular biologist, implemented through the efforts of an interdisciplinary team, brought about a revolutionary advance in the science of skincare. Indeed, it delivered beautiful science! USANA Health Sciences is a leader in this field with a product line called Sense. For more information about Sense, visit: www.nutrobalance.USANA.com

Skincare should be part of an overall health and beauty program. Apart from nourishing the skin with topical application, you also need a proper diet, exercise and the use of good nutritional supplements.

Improper nutrition causes chaos to the skin. It increases free-radical oxidative stress. Antioxidants in your diet is very important. Poor diet can inhibit sebum production and result in dry skin. It’s impossible to topically introduce elastin and collagen through the skin with today’s technology. They must be produced from within the skin.

Sufficient water intake is also important for proper nutrition and skincare. It hydrates the skin and flushes out toxins. Bioflavonoids, flavones and vitamin C and K strengthen capillary walls. Healthy blood vessels deliver necessary nutrients to the cells and protect against varicose veins, broken capillaries and cherry angiomas.

Proper exercise contributes to the skin’s health and beauty. It increases capillary density and improves the body’s ability to nutrient the skin. The circulatory system not only feeds the skin, but also provides its color and tone.

Smoking age the skin very fast. It reduces the oxygen in your blood and increases free-radical oxidative stress. It magnifies capillary elation and constriction and exacerbates capillary disorders, such as varicose veins. It destroys irreplaceable skin tissue and over time, creates dull skin and yellow patches.

Proper skincare requires a four stage treatment. Cleanse First, cleanse the skin with a gentle cleanser to remove impurities without drying or irritating the skin. Don’t use soap. Sucrose-based emollients and cleansers are preferred to ensure dermal hygiene. The objective is to cleanse the skin with minimum disruption to the skin’s acid mantle or pH balance. An initial introduction of nutrients during the process is desirable (such as vitamins A, C, E and others.)

Tone Toning completes the cleansing process by rinsing away leftover impurities. Skin pores are cleared by removing the excess oils. The skin is now receptive to the nutrients both included in the toner and those supplied later in the regimen.

Renew and refine The cleansed and toned skin is prepared for renewing and refining compounds, specifically designed to diminish the signs of aging, such as sagging skin and uneven tone and to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Cleansing and toning have opened avenues into the skin which permit deep penetration of nourishing and firming compounds. Exfoliant agents applied at this stage loosen dead keratin cells so that they are more readily and evenly removed at the next cleansing. Skin brighteners are introduced to stimulate the skin to display an enhanced and vibrant tone.

Nourishment The final step is nourishing your skin. Deep moisturizers hydrate and diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Stabilizing oils restore a proper pH-balanced acid mantle. Protective lipid emollients will nurture this balance and minimize dehydration until the next cleansing.

Protecting your skin can take on many forms at this stage. Antioxidants defend against oxidative stress. Ultraviolet A(UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) absorbing ingredients mitigate solar radiation damage. Vitamins, flavonoids and phytonutrients nourish the skin to enhance its native defense mechanism. Emollients help maintain these protections well after the regimen is completed.

An evening nourisher differ from the morning formula as protection against UVA and UVB is unnecessary. Night formulas can retexture and restore the skin in ways unavailable in daytime environment.

In most regimens,a special formula is used for application around the eyes.The skin around the eyes is usually thinner and more prone to wrinkles and puffines. Eye shadow, eye liners, mascarades and the solvents required to remove these cosmetics all irritate the skin near th eye.Quality eye nourishers must include additional emollients and appearance revitalizers as well as firmers ( skin tighteners ) to reduce puffiness.

The key to health and beauty is a solid offense: it requires proper nutrition, exercise, habits and nutritional supplementation.

  Edition # 53

How to prepare your mind for retirement

When it comes to planning for retirement, there’s no shortage of advice from financial advisers and investment counselors.  But what about the psychological aspects of preparing for this major life change?

Even if older adults have looked forward to the leisure time they expect retirement to bring, leaving work entails closing a significant chapter of our adult lives.  In fact, negative health effects have been discovered which coincide with retirement, leading the authors of a 2008 study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology to describe early retirement as a risk factor for death by any cause.   continue reading……

The Acai Berry has gained enormous popularity due to its significant health benefits,mainly weight loss and anti-oxidant properties, which makes your skin looking beautiful and energize your body and looking great! It’s the most beneficial fruit on earth so far.

The Acai berry comes from an Amazon palm, that grows in the rain forests of Brasil and tastes like a blend of berries and chocolate. Here are some amazing results from the studies that have been conducted on this humble berry: 1. It has more protein per pound than an egg. 2. It is almost the perfect food for amino acids and also has critical trace minerals, important for muscle regeneration. 3. It has a remarkable concentration of antioxidants, ten times as many antioxidants as red grapes. 4. It promotes cardiovascular and digestive health as a result of an amazing combination of healthy fats ( monounsaturated), phytosterols and dietary fiber. 5. It contains fatty acids, which are full of the goodness of monounsaturated oleic acid, which when combined with omega 3 fish oils, help all your hormones, insulin receptors and neurotransmitters to function more effective.  read it all…..

How to prevent Cancer

Most cancers grow very slowly, silently eating away at your body, before they manifest themselves. In spite of claims by the National Cancer Institute of successful treatment, after a cancer emerges, medicine is usually powerless.

Every time you are set at ease by statements of the cancer industry, remember the rapid death of Jaquline Kennedy Onassis of lymphoma and Michael Landon of pancreatic cancer. If there was an effective treatment anywhere in the world, don’t you think such enormously rich people would have bought it?  read it all….

   Edition #52

Why you won’t lose weight with exercise alone

Source: Cell Press

Summary:
Exercise by itself isn’t always enough to take off the weight. Now, evidence helps to explain why that is: our bodies adapt to higher activity levels, so that people don’t necessarily burn extra calories even if they exercise more.  read more….

The #1 Dietary Risk Factor is Not Eating Enough Fruit

The Global Burden of Disease Study published in 2012, is the most comprehensive and systematic analysis of causes of death undertaken to date, involving nearly 500 researchers from more than 300 institutions in 50 countries, and starting with almost 100,000 data sources. What did the researchers find? Here in the U.S., they determined that our biggest killer was our diet. Number 1 on their list of the most important dietary risks was not eating enough fruit, responsible for an estimated 4.9 million deaths a year around the world.
continue reading……

High Cholesterol? Look to Your Plate, Not to the Prescription Pad

The most dramatic protection from heart disease involves maintaining a normal weight, cholesterol and blood pressure with your diet, so you do not require medications. Medications cannot compare.

Jamie Oliver’s Recipe of the day:
Pukka Yellow Curry
click here!

   Edition #51

Cells talk to their neighbors before making a move

Comparing notes boosts cells sensing accuracy

Date:

January 21, 2016

Source:

Emory Health Sciences

Summary:

To decide whether and where to move in the body, cells must read chemical signals in their environment. Individual cells do not act alone during this process, two new studies on mouse mammary tissue show. Instead, the cells make decisions collectively after exchanging information about the chemical messages they are receiving.   continue reading……

Increase Your Lifespan and Your Health with Nuts and Seeds

Written or medically reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com’s Medical Review Policy.

Updated December 14, 2015.

Did you know that eating nuts may help increase your lifespan, lower your risk for cardiovascular disease and cancer, help in weight loss and are a benefit in diabetes management? How is it possible that such a tiny food possesses such amazing properties? continue reading.….

How to Prevent Wear-and-Tear Injuries

You can help to prevent wear-and-tear injuries from any type of exercise by warming up, by stopping exercise when you feel pain and by not exercising intensely when your muscles feel heavy or sore.
continue reading.….

Jamie Oliver’s Recipe of the Day: Ricotta Fritters
click here

   Edition #50

The Evidence That Salt Raises Blood Pressure

Rather than reformulate their products with less sodium and save lives, food manufacturers have lobbied governments, refused to cooperate, encouraged misinformation campaigns, and tried to discredit the evidence.

Eat Chocolate and These Other Fatty Foods to Lose Lower Belly Fat

In the great quest to lose weight and look our absolute best most of us have taken the extreme route of trying to cut out as much fat from our diets as possible. Then we found out that it isn’t just eating fat that makes you fat, but a variety of factors that include unhealthy fats and over-consumption of processed foods. Not to mention the fact that totally eliminating fat from a diet is virtually impossible. read it all……

Jamie Oliver’s Recipe of the Day – The best fish baps
click here!

More Health & Nutrition from Nutrobalance

Lean for life
How to Exercise to prevent Disease.

You may think that regular exercise , a positive mental attitude ,while applying the golden rule: ‘everything in moderation’ the key is to good health. However, if you understand the damage caused by processed foods,it will motivate you to change your diet, if you are aiming for a high level of health and freedom of degenerative diseases.

Acid-alkaline balance. We should consume acid- and alkaline-forming foods in the right ratio’s. This is not hard to realize, when we know that, generally speaking,fruits and vegetables are alkaline-forming and the rest is mostly acid-forming, with a few exceptions.You can read more about acid- and alkaline-forming foods in my article, by visiting my website.

The Australian diet contains nearly one-and-a-half times more acid-forming food as it does alkaline-forming food. This ratio should be the other way around.

The problem with eating too much acid-forming food is that it builds up toxic waste products,and is the cause of most of our health problems. A diet that contains insufficient fruit and vegetables is missing vital antioxidants ,beta-carotene, vitamins and minerals. They are most important to prevent oxidation, caused by free radicals, which are the main cause of heart disease,stroke, cancer and other diseases.

Excess Protein Australians consume two to three times as much protein as they need,mainly in the form of red and white meat, cheese and eggs. The amount that is sufficient for our body is approximately 85-120 gr per day. The ‘pure’ protein from this and other foods meets the international standard of half a gram of protein daily per kilogram of body weight.

Our body cannot store excess protein and has to be broken down and eliminated, putting much strain on our liver and kidneys. Large quantities of animal protein are highly acid-forming, contains a lot of saturated fat and cholesterol and forms uric acid, which may cause gout.

Excess Fat A typical Australian diet contains 40% of total calories of fat, which is far too much and this amount of fat can be dangerous, as it is the major cause of heart disease, stroke, cancer and obesity.

Fat coats the intestines and blocks the assimilation of vital water-soluble minerals. Saturated fat stimulates the liver to produce large amounts of cholesterol. Together with rancid or oxidized fat they are doing the most damage to our health. Oxidation is caused by high temperature, exposure to air and light.

We only need small quantities of unsaturated fat, together with plenty of vitamin E in our diet to protect the fat against oxidation.

Refined Carbohydrates Refined sugar is highly acid forming, as it has lost alkaline minerals,which are needed to neutralize the carbonic acid formed during metabolism.

Because of the absence of vitamin B, which activate the enzymes to break sugar down to release energy it cannot be metabolised properly. The consumption of regular, large amounts of white, brown or raw sugar can cause high cholesterol,gout, hypoglycaemia, diabetes,obesity and depletion of minerals and vitamins.

The same is true for white flour (and its products: white bread,cakes,biscuits,pastries and pasta) and white rice. They have lost 50 – 75% of their vitamins and minerals and much of their fiber.

Lack of Fiber. According to research, the major cause of bowel cancer is lack of fiber in the diet. Fiber is required to create bulk in the digestive tract in order to stimulate peristalsis, the intestinal muscle action that pushes food matter along. If fiber is lacking, this stagnates partly digested food putrefies to produce ammonium and other nitrogenous compounds, which are highly toxic and may eventually lead to cancer.

Other symptoms of lack of fiber in the diet include appendicitis, diverticular disease of the bowel, varicose veins,piles(haemorrhoids)and hiatus hernia. It can also be the major cause of gallstones.

Fiber is found in vegetables, NOT in animal foods like red and white meat, cheese, yogurt, milk and eggs.

Stimulants A stimulant can be defined as an irritant, a mildly toxic substance,which the body cannot use and must be eliminated.

A stimulant works by producing an eliminative response and causes increased circulation in order to pass more blood through the liver to detoxify the stimulant. The increased circulation also sends more blood to the brain and muscles, which makes us feel more alert and more energetic. We get a temporary ‘lift’ – which is only temporary, because after the stimulation is over, the system slows down in order to recoup the energy that was squandered. This is a form of depression – which follows stimulation like night follows day.

The best known stimulants are: nicotine, caffeine, tannin, alcohol,salt, pepper, spices and pickles.

Smoking is one of the most destructive addictions and the harmful effects are widely known.

Coffee constrict the heart and arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease and various cancers and may make skin disease worse. High intake during pregnancy has been linked to deformed births and an increase risk of miscarriage.

The effects on the mind includes anxiety, sleeplessness, irritability, headache and racing of the heart. Drinking seven to eight cups per day has been reported to trigger terrifying panic attacks.

Alcohol. Many studies have been conducted on the health effects of alcohol. The fact is that alcohol is a toxic substance and damage will result,unless the person is extremely healthy or the consumption is very low.

The risk of colon cancer is doubled by just 2 drinks per day. Brain damage can result from just three standard drinks per day. During pregnancy, only four drinks per day can cause the baby to be permanently and severely handicapped. Heavy drinking can cause damage to the liver, called cirhsis, which may eventually be fatal.

If the alcohol is in the form of red wine,it contains a high level of antioxidants, and resveratrol, which reduces the risk of heart disease,stroke and possibly cancer as well. However, the same effects can be obtained by drinking dark grape juice without the possible risks on our health!

To conclude this overview on our modern diet, rest me to suggest that we need a diet that is essentially unprocessed,low in fat, high in fiber, free of salt, caffeine, etc, that contains lots of fresh vegetables and fruits.

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