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Vitamin C is probably the best known of all the vitamins, and is vital for many bodily functions. It performs these functions:

1. Repels undesirable bodily parasites.
2. Stimulates the production of collagen in the skin.
3. Assists anti-body formation.
4. Is a natural antihistamine, can reduce allergic reactions.
5. Naturalizes pollutants.
6. Maintains healthy skin.
7. Increases the rate of wound healing.
8. Turns food into energy
9. Fighting free radicals in its antioxidant role, which means it can protect against cancer and heart disease.

So many foods contain Vitamin C; here are a few examples: broccoli, cabbage, sweet pepper, watercress, spinach, strawberries, raspberries, tomatoes, oranges, lemons, melon - and others.

Vitamin C

However, it deteriorates quickly and, as the most unstable of the vitamins, it is easily destroyed by cooking, so ideally eat these foods fresh, and raw if possible. Adversely affected by: pesticides and toxic metals such as lead, aluminum, mercury and cadmium; also by alcohol, drugs, smoking, rancid oils, burning of food.

As we can use more vitamin C than is likely to be readily obtained from food, it’s best to take a supplement too. Experts disagree about the correct level to use. Many experts agree that the UK RDA of 40mg (at the time of writing) is too low, and reflects only the level required to prevent deficiency symptoms of frequent colds, easy bruising, nose or gum bleeding and lack of energy.

Only a limited amount of vitamin C is stored, and unlike most mammals, we do not produce our own supplies so it’s important to maintain a good supply from external sources.

My recommended dosage is 1,000mg a day, however, more can be beneficial. It is usually tolerated up to about 10,000mg per day (possibly more in the grips of infection) but beyond that loose bowels may cause problems. This is not a sign of toxicity, and will stop when the dose is reduced. Excess is discharged in the natural process of urinating. Our tolerance and usage greatly increases when fighting an infection.

WARNING: Take the advice of your medical specialist about vitamin C supplementation if you are having radiation, or during chemotherapy as high doses may interfere with cytotoxic drugs.

How does vitamin C promote good, healthy skin?

Continued use of beauty products incorporating vitamin C, is another method of obtaining supplies, in addition to supplementation and in the diet. On a note of caution, skin or beauty products do not usually include an ability to shield the skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun, so should not be used as an alternative to a sunscreen.

Benefits of skin products containing vitamin C include:

1. Perks up sun-damaged skin.
2. Minimize the effect of facial lines and wrinkles.
3. Improves skin tones.
4. UV aging is reduced, to achieve younger looking skin.
5. Effective when used under normal make-up or overnight.
6. Pores are unclogged.
7. Has a moisturizing effect.
8. Promotes collagen production.
9. Maintains an elastic effect on your skin.

To be useful and effective to the skin and body, vitamin C should be in the form of L-ascorbic acid. Once applied, it has been found by studies to remain in the skin for up to 72 hours.

Collagen Synthesis

Collagen is a protein found in connective tissue that allows skin tissue to resume its natural shape and to retain its youthful appearance. Vitamin C is the only antioxidant proven to increase collagen synthesis, it aids in the healing of minor cuts and wounds.

The body’s natural ability to produce collagen is reduced as you mature; in addition, the decrease is accelerated by the effects of photo aging. L-ascorbic acid, the natural form of vitamin C, sends a message to the collagen genes to manufacture more collagen. It is also a cofactor for enzymes vital in collagen synthesis.

Vitamin C and Sun Protection

Vitamin C also has a role as an antioxidant and free radical inhibitor. The harmful uv rays of the sun will promote free radicals, which are very reactive molecules.

Free radicals are stimulated by over exposure to UV radiation from the sun. As UV radiation deeply penetrates the skin creating free radicals as well as other reactive agents that hit and damage the skin’s lipids, vitamin C helps the body to neutralize these free radicals.

The production of collagen is affected when the skin is exposed to free radicals. The effect is the onset of early wrinkling and skin deformation.

Vitamin C and Melanogenesis

Research shows that vitamin C helps decrease melanin formation. Melanin is responsible for the skin’s dark pigmentation and studies clearly show that vitamin c contributes to skin lightening.

A preparation can be used to clarify and even out skin tone, as it lightens dark spots and skin blemishes.

Guidelines for checking out vitamin C brands:

1. Ask if the product contain L-ascorbic acid. There are certain products containing L-ascorbic acid within a vitamin C complex.
2. L-ascorbic acid should be at a low pH level, to effectively penetrate the skin.
3. Check out the stability of the product.
4. L-ascorbic acid, low pH and high concentration, is desirable in a product.
5. Do remember that when a label says “vitamin C”, it does not necessarily mean that it contains L-ascorbic acid.

Regardless of all the benefits vitamin C provides, one should note that it is important not to get stuck on just one antioxidant alone. Researchers suggest that due to the complex process of skin aging, despite the undoubted effectiveness of vitamin C, taking a wide range of antioxidants is the most effective way to address the effects of aging.

Other important ingredients in a skin-care product include natural extracts from vegetables and fruits to provide the maximum anti-oxidant and age defying blend of nutrients for the skin. Phytonutrients (beneficial chemicals found in plants) are known to be the strongest in the most colorful fruits and vegetables.

In addition to obtaining these from sensible eating, beauty products can be an alternative source, so, check the ingredients.

Article Source: http://physicalfitnessarticles.net

Healing herbs are used for a multitude of reasons, but the most common is to boost the immune system and to cure illness. People who are firm believers in the healing power of herbs take them every day. The herbs become an essential part of their daily routine and diet. It is not recommended however that you begin taking herbs before consulting a medical professional to ensure that they are suitable. For example there are some herbs that should not be taken during pregnancy.

There are a number of herbs that may be used for healing purposes. Below is a brief list of some herbs that are used for healing.

healing-herbs

* Alfalfa - this is herb is used as a blood cleanser. It is said to stimulate appetite and can be used as a laxative or diuretic.

* Aloe - this has many uses. One of the best known uses of aloe is for treating sunburns or basically any type of burn. As a cream is can soften and soothe the skin.

* Black Walnut - this is used to rid the body of parasites, mainly in the lungs.

* Blue Green Algae - this herb is also used a blood cleanser and is used to curb appetite. In addition to this it has been known to boost the immune system and to control such diseases as diabetes and Alzeihimers.

* Burdock - used to treat kidney and urinary tract infections. It helps cure skin ulcers and blood disorders.

* Catnip - this herb has been used to treat indigestion, gas, tension, insomnia and colds. For babies this has been known to help with colic and gas.

* Cat’s Claw - this herb is used a blood cleanser and is used by some to treat arthritis.
There are certain disciplines of the medical field that use only herbs when healing their patients. Below is a list of some areas in which people use herbs.

* Aromatherapy - in the area the oils from various herbs that are known to appeal to the sense of smell are used to calm and relax the person smelling them. There are some oils that used to promote health and well being.

* Herbology - this form of therapy involves the use of plants, plant extractions, and flower to heal the body. These flowers are used to promote better health and overall well being.

If you are looking for more information about the different types of herbs that can be used for healing there is a group of people that have created a society dedicated to educating people about herbs that are used for healing purposes. This community of people is focused on the healing properties of herbs and it also centers on the total well-being of the each individual person. This site offers you information about the different herbs that can be taken to help with different medical problems. This site does instruct the people that join that they must use the information provided with caution and it is also a good idea that they consult a medical professional before beginning a routine of taking herbs for medicinal purposes.

Article Source: http://physicalfitnessarticles.net

Fat loss programs can be difficult to follow. We have all heard the general rules like; stop eating sweets, stop junk foods, don’t drink sodas and eat more veggies and fruits. But, are there foods that really help burn fat?

You can turn any diet into an extreme fat loss program with some dietary help you might not have known about. These are the missing links that seem to help melt fat away, no matter what. The following are the amazing foods that help you lose fat and shed those stubborn pounds.

Green tea has been known to be a miracle food for centuries. And now we know that green tea helps you lose fat. This includes the fat around your belly or mid-section that not only looks bad, but can be a danger signal for serious disease. Green tea helps to stimulate your body’s thermogenesis - also called your body’s ability to burn fat. This means that as you drink the tea, your body starts melting the fat away.

Modern research shows that green tea helps reduce symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, strengthens your immune system, decreases bad cholesterol and even helps to fight cancer. Drinking it on a regular basis may reduce your risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and hypertension as well as help you lose belly fat.

Try to drink 4 cups of green tea daily to get the full fat burning benefits. Re-brew the teabags to get more benefit with less caffeine, or try green tea supplements from your local health food store.

Other foods to add to your diet come from a list of foods that contain a compound called MUFA’s, or monounsaturated fatty acids. These fats are essential to healthy fat loss and overall general health. They can also help lower levels of bad cholesterol, lower risk of heart disease, strengthen your immune system and even improve blood sugar maintenance. It gives your body good fats it needs for healthy skin and new, healthy cells.

Foods that contain this healthy fat include avocados, black and green olives, olive oil, sunflower oil, flax oil, walnuts, almonds, almond butter, pine nuts, pistachios, pecans, sunflower seeds, and tahini. Use the oils straight on a salad or make a dressing by adding flavors such as lemon juice, lime or even orange juice. Sprinkle the nuts and seeds on steamed veggies or a salad for extra flavor.

Another category of foods that help burn fat contain other good fats including Omega 3’s and Omega 6’s. Foods with Omega 3’s help to raise your metabolism, help flush water from your kidneys, and increase the activity of carnitine, which helps your body burn fat more efficiently.

Foods with Omega 6 fats help stimulate thyroid action which helps raise your metabolism. They also stimulate the activity of the BAT, or brown fat which was once thought to not be important, since we don’t have much of it as adults. Research is now showing that the small amount of BAT in thinner people is far more active at burning energy than their fatter counterparts.

The foods that contain these healthy fats are very similar to the first group of monounsaturated fats. These include; flax seeds, flax oil, walnuts, walnuts oil, grapeseed oil, safflower oil, wheatgerm and wheatgerm oil, salmon, cod, tuna, leafy greens and even sprouts.

The last group of foods is called CLA’s, which stands for conjugated linoleic acid. According to the medical team that ran studies on this nutrient, it helps by promoting the use of stored fat for energy while at the same time reducing the body’s ability to store fat. This important fat is found in grass fed beef. The best place to find this is probably on-line to get the best price.

Start your fat loss by getting rid of the junk foods that increase body fat and make your body hold on to fat. Eat more whole, fresh foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and oils that you need. Include as many fat burning foods to your diet as you can so you can more easily and naturally help your body burn fat and shed the pounds.

Article Source: http://physicalfitnessarticles.net