Body Care Facts & Health Tips

The process of sweating is a normal body function. When our body feels too much heat, it releases water through our skin to make it cool and light. Sweating takes place throughout the year, but it happens mostly in the summer season. How to stop excessive sweating in the summer is always a question of vital importance for all of us. The sweat also has foul smell in it; this smell makes the person standing near us uneasy. It also lowers the self-confidence of a person.

There is a disorder related to excessive sweating known as Hyperhidrosis. The person suffering from this disorder makes more sweat than a normal person. In this disease the person’s foot or soles produce more sweat than normal human beings. This problem is found in 1% of human population. In case you are suffering from this problem seeking the help of a physician is quite handy. But one can keep certain tips or suggestion in mind to get rid of this problem. Given below are a few tips to prevent excessive sweating:

• Drink plenty of water daily to prevent excessive sweating.  The human body is made up of more than70% of water. The water flushes out toxins and harmful toxins from our body. Water improves overall metabolism of the human body also.
• One should try to remain calm and composed. As stress also induces sweat formation.
• The intake of caffeine also promotes sweating formation. So we should reduce the caffeine intake in our daily diet.
• Taking the help of acupuncture therapy is also useful for preventing excessive sweating. The acupuncture targets certain parts of our body and prevents excessive sweat formation.
• Undertaking Yoga classes can also work wonders for lowering sweat formation in our body. The Yoga exercise makes the person calm and composed and prevents excessive sweat formation.
• Avoid using deodorant as these induce bacterial growth in human skin. The deodorant makes the human skin prone to infection and foul order.
• Having a cold shower along with anti-bacterial soap also prevents unwanted sweat formation in human skin.
• Hot baths should not be taken as warm water increases the sweat formation in the human body.
• Intake of herbal tea also prevents unwanted sweat formation in the human body.
• Placing feet into hot tea bags also lowers down the sweat formation considerably in the human body.
• Consumption of alcohol and tobacco products should be avoided as it slows down the blood circulation in the human body and thus encourages sweat formation.
• Eating spicy, chilly and food products containing harmful chemicals should also be avoided as these products enhance the sweat formation. Especially the overweight individuals should avoid these food stuffs as it promotes sweating formation in their body.
• Taking a diet which contains less or no vitamin B complex also results in excessive sweat formation. Vitamin B Complex prevents formation of toxic products in the human body thus preventing excessive sweating.
• Shaving off the underarm or areas with hair growth also lowers down excessive sweat formation in our body.
• Avoid wearing nylon clothes as these clothes do not allow the air to go into our body.

Reducing body fat, for looking good and feeling better is what everyone wants. But it’s achieving this objective which is the difficult part. You may have tried a lot of things, often because others were doing the same. But if you have not yet found the right results, maybe you have not yet tried mesotherapy. If you keep reading you will find out more about this wonderful medical procedure and its various benefits too. Maybe then you will decide to give it a try!

Conceived in the year 1952, this is an esthetic medical treatment which can serve as a great alternative to liposuction and plastic surgery, or even the use of invasive chemicals. This treatment aims to remove the cellulite which accumulates just under the skin in and around the mesoderm layer. Hence the name ‘meso’-therapy!

So what are the major benefits of mesotherapy? Here is a list which will amaze you for sure:

• It is a non-invasive process. This is not a surgery or anything remotely as painful as some other fat removal techniques. A mixture of amino acids, vitamins and other medications are simply injected under the skin to start melting down excess fat.
• The process is subtle and you do not feel a thing. As the medication starts working it breaks down cellulite and improves the flow of blood. This allows fat to be carried away and excreted from the body.
• You do not require preparation for this therapy. In fact, the only thing you need to do, is maintain a healthy diet before and after the therapy. The entire procedure usually lasts no more than 30 minutes, which is why it is often called a ‘lunch time treatment’.
• Mesotherapy helps in removing fat from specific areas of the body. Thus getting rid of love handles or double chin, is possible without bothering other parts of the body. This is why mesotherapy is used for sculpting and toning purposes.
• This therapy can also induce weight loss, because once the fat stores starts to be depleted normal bodily functions resume and so, more of the stored fat is utilized for creation of energy.
• Even if you are not bothered about losing weight, as long as you lose those inches, this is the treatment for you. This is because mesotherapy is known to bring down waistlines and cloth sizes.
• As fat under the skin starts disappearing, the skin quality improves because it is not stretched anymore. Also irregularities in the contour of the skin (caused by lumps of fat) also disappear with passing time.
• Unlike some other non-invasive treatments, mesotherapy does not take ages to show its action. You can start losing fat and getting slimmer within 2 weeks. The effects can be enhanced even further if you exercise regularly and maintain a healthy diet.

And the best part is that the changes brought about by mesotherapy are usually permanent. As long as you take care not to accumulate fat any further, you are fine. So, have the benefits of mesotherapy motivated you enough to give it a try?

Ovarian cysts are a common problem for women, and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS is the most discussed variety of this condition. PCOS happens when the ovaries produce more androgen than what is considered as a normal level for women. The increased presence of androgens leads to the growth of hair and can also cause acne. This is a common problem for pre-menopausal women an can sometimes take severe proportions.

PCOS occurs in 5-10% of women worldwide, yet there is no single cause of this problem, which has been identified yet. In fact, it is actually a combination of genetic and environmental factors which cause PCOS. The most commonly noted ones are:

• Genetics, because often it is seen that if the mother has polycystic ovarian syndrome, the daughter has it too. Researchers are still trying to pinpoint the link between genes and PCOS.
• Problems in the blood sugar control system or insulin imbalance. A high percentage of women who have insulin resistance and abnormal levels of insulin in blood, tend to develop PCOS syndrome.

Other factors such as presence of multiple cysts in the ovaries, fetal exposure to male hormones and imbalance in the levels of the hormone LH are also cited as possible reasons for this condition.

So, what are the symptoms which tell you whether you are suffering from PCOS?

Well, this polycystic ovarian problem manifests itself in different ways, some of the most common among which are:

• Excessive hair growth, which is a direct result of the increased secretion of androgen (the male sex hormone). Hair grows in area such as the face, chest, toes etc. At the same time, the opposite effect or hair loss, can also occur in some cases.
• Infertility is a common symptom, which you may not relate to PCOS initially, but later find out.
• Irregular or absent periods can also indicate that you are suffering from PCOS.
• Then there is the outbreak of acne, which is usually something which affects teens. So if you are in your thirties and have a bout of acne, you may suspect PCOS.

Effective PCOS treatment can help you recover well from this problem. The basic objective of most treatments is not only getting rid of polycystic ovaries, but also making sure that the cysts do not become malignant (cancerous). Birth control pills or progesterone hormone injections can help regularize periods and thus reduce the risk of uterine cancer.

For treating acne or excess hair growth, diuretics are used. If the hair growth is really strong, hair-removal creams or processes such as electrolysis can be employed too. To help prevent infertility, medicines are provided to induce ovulation.

A PCOS diet can also help you deal successfully with the condition. This is because losing weight is really effective for neutralizing several threats and complications associated with PCOS. Low glycemic-index foods and vitamin and mineral supplements feature prominently in these diets.

So, if you are diagnosed with PCOS, do not panic and remember what you have just read through.

Psoriasis is a skin condition which affects millions of people all over the world. This chronic inflammatory problem generally shows up when you develop reddish plaques on your skin, which have silvery scales and tend to flake away from your skin. Though this is not a life threatening problem, the appearance of plaques on elbows, knees and various other parts of your body can be really irritating. And you should also know that obesity is a problem closely related with psoriasis.

The link between psoriasis and overweight is not yet very clear because research is ongoing to find out the real relationship between these two problems. But the data at hand points out to the fact that being overweight is an effect and not a cause of psoriasis. Research as established that people suffering from psoriasis are more likely to be overweight than others.

There is actually a perfectly logical explanation to this phenomenon. When you have psoriasis it is a problem that does not go away easily. Psoriasis affects your appearance and may make you a social outcast (as has been seen time and again). This can have a devastating impact on your morale and you may also suffer from low self esteem and depression.

It is then that you start eating and drinking more than you should, because doing this comforts you to a certain extent. When you do so, you are not eating away your sorrow but actually inviting more trouble. Becoming overweight with a pre-existing problem of psoriasis can:

• Enhance the severity of psoriasis. Several studies conducted in recent times have concluded that overweight people suffer from worse forms of psoriasis than others. Inverse psoriasis, which develops in skin fold and is one of the worst types of this skin-disease, generally is also really common among obese patients. Inverse psoriasis can be really tough to get rid of and can cause considerable pain in moving around.
• Decrease the chances of recovery and cause flare ups which worsen your problems.
• Render useless, any treatment methods you are trying. In a recent study it was found that etanercept, a drug being used to plaque psoriasis was much more effective in non-obese patients. Overweight and obese patients also found methotrexate, another drug used against psoriasis, to become ineffective soon after starting to use it.
• Increase the risk of developing heart problems and all other health hazards associated with heart disease. If you develop multiple health problems at the same time that you have psoriasis, how many battles will you fight?

Research shows that along with smoking and drink, being overweight can be worst problem during psoriasis. You can obviously try to lose weight, but studies are yet to confirm whether cutting down on weight can actually reverse the harm caused by being overweight while you have psoriasis. So the key lies in not gaining weight at all, at the onset of psoriasis.

The links between overweight and psoriasis may give you another reason to stay in shape. Great if it does!

People all over are trying to lead a more natural environmentally friendly lifestyle that is free of toxins and unknown chemicals. As a part of this many women are turning to more natural beauty products like homemade facials made from a variety of things that you probably have in your pantry. These facials are every bit as effective as those expensive chemical laden facials that women spend a fortune on at the spa, plus they are cheap, safe, and fun.

Here are some great homemade facial recipes for your delight.

The Honey Mask

Natural honey makes a great facial mask. Not only does honey have a variety of antiseptic qualities that help to make the face extra clean it also does a great job of cleaning out the pores. There is no special skill to creating a honey facial mask.  Simply get a jar of honey at your local market and smear it on your face. Let the honey set for about ten minutes and then gently remove all of the honey from your skin. You will be amazed at how much softer and plumper your skin will feel.

The Strawberry Lemon Mask

This yummy creation is a little more complicated than the honey mask but the smell is incredible. This mask is especially great for oily skin.

Ingredients

• 2 Egg Whites (these can be purchase pasteurized at the store)
• 1 TBSP of Lemon Juice
• 3 TSP of Honey
• 1 Cup of Strawberries

Take all of the ingredients and throw them in the blender until smooth. Then gently rub the mixture onto your face.  Let it sit for about ten minutes while you relax and enjoy the fresh citrusy aroma. After 10 minutes wash it off, make sure to get your face totally clean of any leftover mask. Your skin will thank you!

The Milk Mask

Milk is a great natural moisturizer and this mask is perfect for skin that is dry.

Ingredients

• 1 TSP Powdered Milk
• 1 TBSP Honey
• 1 TSP Aloe Vera Gel
• 2 Drops of Your Favorite Essential Oil

This is a traditional milk mask. There are a variety of different types of milk masks out there.  Some use cow milk and others use goat milk. All milk masks are known to be great for dry skin.  When you have this recipe put together (it will make enough for two) then rub it gently on your skin and let it set for 15 minutes to thoroughly absorb into the skin. Try placing some cucumbers on your eyes and laying back to relax while you enjoy this one. When the 15 minutes wash the facial mask off of your skin with lukewarm water. You will be amazed at how great your face feels.

There are a million different natural homemade face masks recipes out there. The primary ingredients are bananas, avocados, milk, oatmeal, and honey. Experiment on your own. There is no reason to be afraid. Try different smooth fruits and vegetables and see what effect they have on your skin. Anything that is safe for a smoothie is safe for your skin.

Reference Beauty at About.com

It is more important these days than ever to prevent sunburns. Sunburns are caused by an over abundance of UV rays on the skin and they are actual burns. There is no need to ever suffer sunburn if you practice a few safety precautions.

Even one severe sunburn during childhood can lead to skin cancer later in life, with statistics like that it is important that we do everything we can to protect our skin as well as our children’s skin from the damaging effects of UV rays. Here are some tips for sun protection.

Sunblock

You should be wearing a sunblock on your face every day that is atleast 15 SPF. This rule holds true even when it is cloudy or winter and regardless of the tone of your skin. Wearing SPF 15 each day can help to prevent skin cancer as well as premature aging caused by harmful UV rays.

For a day at the beach or hiking it is recommended that you wear a sunblock that is even higher than 15 SPF. 30 SPF is probably a safer bet for adults who will be spending prolonged periods of time in the sun.

For small children, especially on days at the beach or outside for prolonged periods of time SPF 50 is recommended. It should be reapplied every few hours especially if your child will be getting in and out of the water. This is true even if the sunblock claims to be waterproof.

Sunblock alone is often not enough during prolonged outdoor activities. Wearing sunglasses and a hat can also help to prevent sunburns. You can damage your eyes from excessive sun exposure as well as your scalp. This is an added benefit to wearing a hat and glasses, in addition the fact that the hat will offer protection for your delicate facial skin.

If you will be taking small children out for a beach day you may want to invest in a beach umbrella. These help to shade the area where your children will be spending most of their time on the sand. It helps to block out a lot of the UV rays and they also keep the area cool which can be a great benefit to mom on those hot summer days.

Tanning Beds

Tanning beds are not much safer than the sun and for this reason the FDA has released several new warnings regarding their use. Though tanning beds provide artificial UV rays they can still cause real skin cancer.

In order to achieve the appearance of a tan on naturally pale skin self-tanners and spray on tanners are highly recommended. These products have come a long way in the last few decades and many provide undetectably natural looking tanning.

When you purchase a good self tanner and apply it properly it will look completely natural. Many self tanners even come in self adjusting formulas these days so that you can gradually add to your tan as the summer season progresses. If you lack the confidence to give yourself a fake tan many salons now offer spray on tans. This involves you standing in a room while a professional sprays your body down with a high quality self-tanner. The tanner is sprayed on to provide even coverage for the entire body.

In the event that you do get sunburned it is important to keep the area moisturized with lotions, Aloe Vera, or a combination of both. This will help to ease some of the pain and prevent peeling and discoloration of the skin.

Aloe Vera is a plant that grows in arid climates like North Africa where it most likely originated. This plant is green and has long stems that when broken off are filled with a clear gel type liquid.  It has long been used by Westerners to ease burns including sunburns. It turns out that there are a lot of other uses and purposes to Aloe Vera as well.

Aloe Vera Juice for Regulation

One of the oldest touted uses of Aloe Vera is as a digestive system regulator. It is widely believed that Aloe Vera juice, which has a very faint water-like flavor, will regulate irritable bowel syndrome and reduce heart burn through regular consumption. Many department stores and drug stores carry Aloe Vera juice on the same aisle as laxatives and fiber supplements, for this purpose.

A derivative of Aloe Vera known as aloin was once a common ingredient in over the counter laxatives. In 2003 it was banned from use by the United States FDA. This is primarily because it was extremely harsh. Aloe Vera juice contains very small amounts or no aloin because of the way that it is produced; this is why it is still widely available on the market.

Aloe Vera and Beauty Products

Because Aloe Vera seems to help a great deal with improving the condition of skin and hair it is often added to make up and beauty products. Aloe Vera is widely praised for its ability to cool and soften skin. This is why it is a common extract found within beauty products.

Aloe Vera for Sunburns

Aloe Vera is widely found in products that are meant to treat sunburns. It is often used for this purpose even in its natural form. It is not only affective for relieving sunburns but other types of second degree burns as well. It is widely believed that Aloe Vera may also promote faster healing for burns and cuts.

Aloe Vera for Psoriasis and Herpes

Aloe Vera has shown potential as an effective treatment for psoriasis and genital herpes. When the gel was applied topically to affected areas for both ailments positive results were shown in many cases.

Aloe Vera for Cancer Treatment

Aloe Vera has show potential as a cancer treatment option through use in animals. When dogs and cats were given Aloe Vera for cancer treatment it seemed to significantly slow the growth of cancer by increasing the immunity of the animals. Humans have not showed the same response to Aloe Vera as a cancer treatment. There is hope however, that scientists will be able to figure out exactly how to translate the results achieved in animal patients over to human patients in the future.

Aloe Vera to Treat Gum Disease and Gingivitis

Aloe Vera was found to be as effective as fluoride when combined with a dentrice to fight gum disease and gingivitis. This was the result of a double blind study. Though Aloe Vera is not yet commonly used in toothpaste and other products it may become the wave of the future, as many have voiced concern over the use of fluoride.

Corns and calluses are extremely common. For many people they can also be extremely uncomfortable. Fortunately there are a lot of things that you can do at home to relieve the pain and pressure that often accompanies corns and calluses. Here are some home remedies to try out the next time you are feeling that old familiar pain, as well as some stuff to avoid.

Leave the Scalpel to the Professionals

Trying to remove a corn or callus by cutting it off regardless of the device used is never a good idea. It can lead to tremendously nasty and painful infections that are far worse than the callus or corn you were trying to remove. This is especially pertinent advice for diabetics who should pretty much leave their foot pains to a professional to prevent any serious complication.

Soaking

One popular home remedy for calluses and corns is to soften them up by soaking them in a warm herbal tea. The most common herbal tea for these issues is a good chamomile tea. You have the added benefit of the aromatherapy that chamomile can provide as well as the softening of your calluses and corns that will lead to a great amount of relief from your pain and suffering.

Aspirin

Some natural home remedy fans swear by aspirin as a softening agent for calluses and corns.  You don’t swallow them though you apply them topically. This is done by crushing four or five aspirin into something of a powder and then mixing the crushed aspirin with some water and lemon juice. Don’t make it too watery though, you want a good thick paste. Apply the paste to your calluses and corns and then wrap your foot in plastic. You can use a plastic wrap like saran wrap or wrap the feet in plastic bags. After you have done that put hot towels around your wrapped feet. The combination of the paste and the heat is meant to soften the calluses until they start to break up and eventually flake off.

Get a Pedicure

Having a deluxe pedicure at the salon can get rid of many of your calluses and corns. You can also do a deluxe pedicure at home.

A pedicure starts with a relaxing soak in some warm water. There are many different types of foot massagers sold over the counter than soak and massage the foot at the same time. These cost about the same as a trip to the salon and can be used thousands of time to massage your tired aching feet. If you don’t have the machines try enlisting your significant other to massage your feet while you soak them in warm water. The warm water is vital to loosening up the hard skin; it is also a good idea to add a moisturizing oil or foot soak to the water.

After the soak use a foot scrubber to remove dead tissue from the bottom of your foot. These are widely available and can be found at any department store for less than $10. The results are phenomenal. After a few pedicures your calluses and corns will melt away.

Carotenoids are naturally occurring pigments that cause the red, orange, and yellow color of fruits and vegetables. They are also often derived from dark green vegetables. There are a variety of different carotenoids including lycopene, lutein, beta-carotene, and alpha-carotene that are common to the American diet. Caratenoids are very important to the human diet because they have a variety of beneficial properties. They were once only celebrated for their high vitamin A content but it turns out that there is much more to carotenoids than just vitamin A. Here are some more things you should know about carotenoids.

Benefits of Carotenoids

Not only will carotenoids combat vitamin A deficiency but they are also a powerful antioxidant with a variety of other super capabilities. For one thing carotenoids are immune boosters. They help to support and enhance the human immune system. Carotenoids may be a powerful anti-aging agent as well as a powerful anti-cancer agent. They help to promote communication between the cells of the human body which can in turn help to keep aging to a minimum and stop the overproduction of cells that leads to cancer.

Here are some of the benefits of the most common carotenoids in the human diet:

Lutein

Lutein is one of the most popular North American carotenoids. It is found in greens like kale and spinach as well as the yolk of eggs. Lutein is also found in the human eye. Getting enough lutein in your diet may help to fight off age related macular degeneration, an eye condition.  Research has shown that people who do not have enough lutein in their diet will not have enough lutein present in the macular part of the eye. This is what likely leads to age related macular degeneration that can result in blindness.

Beta-Carotene

Beta-Carotene is another popularly occurring carotenoid in North America. This carotene is found in carrots, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes. There are three different carotenes. Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Carotene all convert into vitamin A in the human body. Getting enough carotenes like beta-carotene can help to support healthy bones as well as a healthy reproductive system.

Lycopene

Lycopene is a red carotene of the carotenoid group that can be found in tomatoes, watermelons, and grapefruits. This powerful antioxidant is believed to be a powerful fighter of prostate cancer. Lycopene has many anti-aging capabilities as well, as one of the most powerful antioxidants in the carotenoid group.

Carotenoids are the main pigment that is found in fruits and vegetables. They are the reason for all the latest advisories to make sure you are getting a variety of different colors on your plate each day.  This is because different carotenoids have different beneficial traits. Some of the benefits that can be derived from eating a diet high in carotenoids have likely not even been discovered yet. Carotenoids may cure or prevent a number of illnesses including yeast infections, skin cancer, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and cervical dysplasia as well as many others.

There are a lot of things that you can do to maintain the beauty and youth of your skin.  The best way to ensure that your skin will stay healthy and young looking is to start caring for it early in life. Here are some tips on how you can keep your skin appearing healthy and young for a long time.

Drink Plenty of Water

Getting plenty of water every day is the best thing you can do for your skin.  Lucky for you it helps with a lot of other health issues as well.  If you want to keep your skin looking and feeling its best you should always strive to get around 64 ounces of water per day.

Get Plenty of Vitamin E

Taking vitamin E supplements and eating plenty of vitamin E rich foods can help to maintain the beauty of your skin for years to come.  This is because vitamin E contains antioxidants that help protect the skin from skin-aging free radicals.  Some of the foods you can enjoy that are rich in vitamin E include wheat germ, broccoli, kiwi, and tomatoes.

Wear Sun Block

One of the best things you can do to protect your skin from premature aging is to wear a sun block that is at least SPF 15 every day, even in the winter and on cloudy days.  Many facial moisturizers and even some types of makeup come with SPF 15 already in the formula.  This makes it easier to get your sun protection every day.  This doesn’t mean that you can’t still have a healthy summer glow.  There are tons of bronzers and artificial tanners on the market these days and they are getting more advanced all the time.

Don’t Smoke

The reasons not to smoke are numerous.  One of the many reasons that you should quit smoking is the affect it has on your skin.  Smoking is a huge contributor to premature aging.  If you are looking to maintain the appearance of young, beautiful skin then you should stay away from cigarettes at all cost.

Moisturize Nightly

Dry skin can lead to premature wrinkles.  It is also dull and unattractive.  The best way to combat this is by using a moisturizer every day.  Moisturizers are greatly important to the aging process.  Even if your skin is a little oily, a light moisturizer can do wonders for its appearance.

Wash Your Face Regularly

Washing your face regularly can help to cut down on blemishes and slow the aging process.  Your face encounters hundreds of skin-aging toxins every day.  Washing your face twice a day can help to keep it looking young and fresh.  Never use a regular soap on your skin always use a soap that is intended specifically for the face. Purchasing a facial soap that matches your skin type is also beneficial.  There are facial soaps for dry skin, oily skin, and combination skin.  Choose the type that is best for you and wash twice daily. Use lukewarm water and make sure that you totally remove all soap residue with each wash.