Achieving Youthful Healthy Skin with Vitamins A, C and E
Charlene J. Nuble

We all want healthy skin. While the main reasons for pursuing healthy skin tend to be purely shallow and cosmetic in nature, healthy skin is beautiful and keeps us looking younger than our years and there are actually some practical health benefits to maintaining the good health for our skin. The purpose of the skin is to act as a barrier. It serves to prevent bacteria, viruses and other contaminants from entering the body and causing infection, illness and disease. There are many vitamins and minerals that help to keep skin healthy and thus be able to serve its vital role in the protection of the body.

Antioxidant vitamins such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E are very important to healthy skin because it is these vitamins that share in the responsibility of controlling the damage that free radicals byproducts of energy production within the body and of environmental contaminants such as air pollution produce. Among the several types of damage done by free radicals is the destruction of collagen and elastin which are fibers that support the skin and keeps it looking supple. As these are damaged wrinkles and a lack of that youthful firmness can occur. Vitamin C also plays a part in the production of collagen making it essential to the function and look of the skin. Recent studies have found that Vitamin C and E used together may help to repair sun-damaged skin.

Vitamin A has its own important role in skin health and beauty in addition to its anti-oxidant properties. In terms of diet even small deficiencies can negatively affect the skin causing flakiness and dryness. Dryness can make lines and wrinkles that are much more apparent. Its primary use however, is as a topical solution for the treatment of severe acne and the reduction of lines and wrinkles themselves. Recent research has showed that a topical solution that contains both Vitamin A and Vitamin C can in some cases reverse the damage done by the aging process and by sun-damage.

Deficiencies in the Vitamin B complex can leave the skin prone to cracking, bleeding and dangerous skin lesions that allow all kinds of bacteria, viruses and other contaminants to easily enter the body. But in terms of strictly cosmetic concerns even a little shortage of the Vitamin B complex can result in scaly and poorly textured skin. Topical preparations have been found to play an important role in the hydrating of skin cells leading to noticeably firmer and healthier looking skin.

Vitamin K has been found to relieve those awful dark circles under the eyes. Some research has found that creams made up of both Vitamin K and Vitamin A are more effective than those that just contain Vitamin K but researchers are still following up on these results.

Minerals important to the look and to the health of the skin include selenium, copper and zinc. Selenium whether used as a topical solution or taken in the form of a dietary supplement is thought to play a big role in the prevention of skin cancer. Copper, zinc and Vitamin C work together to form elastin which helps to support skin keeping it firm and healthy.

Topical solutions and dietary supplements can help to keep the skin healthy and youthful in appearance. However, it is important to recognize that these are powerful substances and using them within the standard guidelines of dosage is essential to good health. There is such a thing as too much of abusing such natural healing powers which could then result to a not so pretty sight. But when used correctly however, your skin can look better than ever.

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About the Author

Charlene J. Nuble 2005. For up to date links and information about Vitamins, please go to: http://vitamins.besthealthlink.net/ or for updated links and information on all health related topics, go to: http://www.besthealthlink.net/

Tags: Air Pollution, Author, Bacteria Viruses, Byproducts, Charlene J. Nuble, Collagen And Elastin, Dietary Supplement, Dietary Supplements, disease, Energy Production, Environmental Contaminants, Flakiness, Free Radicals, Good Health, Health And Beauty, Health Benefits, Healthy Skin, illness, infection, prevention of skin cancer, Severe Acne, Skin Cancer, Skin Health, Sun Damaged Skin, Topical Solution, Topical solutions, Vitamin A, Vitamin B Complex, Vitamin C, Vitamin C C, Vitamin K, Vitamins And Minerals, Vitamins Minerals, Youthful Firmness —

Your Health Resolutions for a Healthy Chinese New Year
Maricon Williams

Chinese New Year

The Chinese New Year does not fall on the same date each year, though it is always in January or February. This year, Chinese New Year will start on February 9th this is because it is a new moon day, first day of the first Chinese lunar month in the Chinese Lunar Calendar system.

How is it spent?

Brace yourself and Im going to take you to a wonderful 15 day adventureThe first day in the Chinese New Year season is said to be the welcoming of the gods of heavens and earth. Chinese fast from meat to ensure long and happy lives for them. On the second day, they pray to their ancestors as well as to all the gods. They are extra kind to dogs, because it is believed that the second day is the birthday of all the dogs. Third and fourth days are spent to pay respect to their parents-in-law. On Po Woo, the fifth day, people stay home to welcome the God of Wealth. No one visits families and friends because it is believed to cause bad luck. During sixth to tenth day of the season, they go visit their friends, relatives and temples to pray for good health and fortune. Farmers display their harvest on the seventh day. They also make a drink from seven types of vegetables to celebrate. This day is considered the birthday of human beings. Noodles and fish, as symbols of longevity and success, are eaten. Eighth day is spent for a family reunion dinner and at midnight, they pray to Tian Gong, the God of Heaven. Ninth day is for offerings to the Jade Emperor. On the tenth through twelfth days, friends and relatives are invited for dinner. On the thirteenth day, simple rice congee and choi sum (mustard greens) are served to cleanse the system. The fourteenth day is for preparations to celebrate the Lantern Festival. On the eve of the fifteenth day, the most exciting part of the event, anticipation creeps in. Midnight festivity makes me feisty, it makes me chant: Chinese lanterns hanging everywhere, swaying gracefully with the air, jaunty rhythm fills my brain, my hearts pounding wildly like the rain. Happy people glow with glee, my familys with me and where will you be? Dancing dragon invites you to dance, he keeps murmuring Dont miss this chance. Fortune cookie dont lie to me, give me a note of what my future will be.. From afar raging firecrackers emits a deafening holler, it made me sigh, it made me utter brand new year, brand new adventures for me!

Literal and symbolical
The festivity is both literal and symbolical. The annual reunion dinner is held on the New Year’s Eve. This is a vital part of the celebration. Families come together and eat together. They start the year complete and united. Ties are nurtured and bad experiences are left behind to start anew. Symbols are used to convey something. Use of fireworks is to drive away bad spirits. Cleaning of the entire house is said to take away bad luck. Nian gao, the New Year’s Cake is always served. It is believed that the higher the cake rises the better the year will be. Typically red meat is not served and one is careful not to serve or eat from a chipped or cracked plate. Fish is eaten to guarantee long life and good fortune. Red dates bring the hope for prosperity, melon seeds for abundance and lotus seeds for prosperity through time. Oranges and tangerines symbolize wealth and good fortune.
Resolutions to Keep

Every time we enter a fresh year, numbers of resolutions are forthcoming and we ponder on how to do it efficiently The need to change for the better is inevitable and we have to overcome it successfullyHealth and longevity are one of our topmost concern and we should start the ball rolling before it shun us down.

One thing about resolutions is that motivation should be present. It may mean physically, mentally and emotionally directed to your resolutions so that you will not fail or it will not fail you. Be a positivist. Sometimes we should remind ourselves how lucky we are so that we can see things in a positive perspective. Open yourself to new ideas and experiences. Eat a balanced diet. Drink tea rather than coffee. According to experts, many health problems, especially cancers, can be prevented or corrected with proper nutrition. Exercise regularly. Explore life and explore your surroundings. Pamper yourself and try to detoxify. If you want a relaxing moment, try yoga. It is a quiet and invigorating exercise to achieve peace of mind and tranquility. Peace starts from within. Try to forgivetry to give Dont suppress your feelings inside. Studies have confirmed that repressed emotions especially anger can negatively affect healthTell your loved one how you feel before its too late

Sound mind and sound body is the key to a balanced approached to life. Fountain of youth has not been found yet, so for the meantime the best solution is to take impeccable care of ourselves. Its been a long journey but before we part, celebrate with me soundly in this gaiety. Sip a cup of green tea Pickup those fancy chopsticks and eat with me jovially and healthily Kung Hei Fat Choi Everyone!

About the Author

For Inquiries about the articles visit http://www.onlinehomemedicalsupply.com

Tags: Author, Calendar System, cancers;, Chinese Lunar Calendar, Chinese New Year, Eighth Day, Emperor, Festivity, Fifteenth Day, Fifth Day, God Of Heaven, God Of Wealth, Good Health, Jade Emperor, Lantern Festival, Lunar Month, Mustard Greens, New Moon, New Year's Day, New Year's Eve, Ninth Day, Reunion Dinner, Rice Congee, the Lantern Festival, Twelfth Days, Types Of Vegetables —

Swimming is a gentle but effective exercise for improve ones health. Although not too strenuous, swimming does work all the muscles in your body and it is also an exercise that is enjoyable to do. If you are looking to introduce an exercise into your routine but don’t want something too strenuous then swimming is a great choice.

If you want to maintain good health, be fit and look and feel younger then it is important that you have an exercise routine. Staying active will keep you active as you grow older and help you to maintain a healthy weight. Not everyone enjoys exercising though and not everyone is able to do strenuous exercise. Swimming is one exercise that many people do enjoy and that people can do without worrying about it being too difficult or too strenuous.

Many gyms now have swimming pools that people can use specifically for exercising. You can do regular swimming laps or you could even attend an aqua aerobics class. When you use a pool at a gym you don’t need to worry about the weather being perfect for swimming as an indoor pool is perfect to swim in all year round.

YMCA’s will usually have indoor swimming pools available for their members to use. They tend to have Olympic size pools which are perfect for those who want a good workout by swimming laps of the pool. There are a number of different swimming strokes that you can try and each one will exercise different muscles in the body. Swimming is a sport that really does give you a good workout and tone up your muscles even though you don’t really feel like you are exercising.

You don’t have to limit your exercise routine to just swimming, in fact swimming is good to include in part of a varied exercise routine. You can do swimming perhaps twice a week while on other days do some other sort of exercise such as cycling, aerobics, running or weight training. Varying your exercise routine will help you to stay motivated and enjoy exercising instead of doing the same routine each day and becoming bored with it.

If you join a gym with a swimming pool then your gym membership may also include using other areas of the gym. You can use the treadmills, rowing machines, cross trainers and other gym equipment to get a varied workout. Different exercises will give different benefits, work different muscles and burn off different amounts of calories so a varied regime is very beneficial.

Swimming is one exercise that is great for those who suffer from join problems as it is low impact and is not damaging to the joints. Swimming is a great way for seniors to stay fit and active, particularly if they do suffer from arthritis or other joint ailments. So if you are looking for a low impact exercise then why not try swimming and swim your way to being fit and healthy.

Tags: Aerobics Class, Aqua Aerobics, Becom, Calories, Different Swimming Strokes, Exercise Health, Exercise Routine, Good Health, Gyms, Indoor Pool, Indoor Pools, Indoor Swimming Pools, Losing Weight, Muscles In The Body, Olympic Size, Strenuous Exercise, Swimming Exercise, Swimming Laps, Weather, Weight Training, Workout, Ymca —

Maybe you are already at an ideal weight and feel really good on a regular basis. If so, you may think there is no need to concern yourself with a healthy eating plan. Who knows, maybe you’re one of those fortunate souls who naturally eats the best foods, and you don’t have to spend any time worrying about what you eat. Perhaps you seem to be able to eat anything you want and have nothing but perfect health to show for it.

Or…

You may be like the vast majority of us and have to actually give some consideration to the foods you eat. While most of us don’t really give all that much thought to a healthy eating plan, we really should. To be fair, you probably do think about the food you eat from time to time. For instance, it’s quite common to eat a lot of junk food and then try to compensate by eating healthier for the rest of the day. It’s good that you’re trying, but this type of behavior doesn’t quite qualify as an eating plan. What you need is a diet that looks at the bigger picture.

The majority of us don’t really know how much sugar we’re taking in, for example. We also tend to eat a lot more fat than we’re aware of. Furthermore, we tend to not think of being on a healthy eating plan at all, unless there is a good reason. Needing to lose weight for an upcoming event (wedding, beach season, class reunion, etc.), or health concerns (diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure) are common reasons.

We only start to think about eating healthier when stuff like this happens. The problem is that it can be too little, too late. It may be possible to repair ill health through proper diet, but once the damage is done, there is no guarantee that it can be fixed. It will also take more effort to make it work. But had we been eating well from the start, there is a very good chance that these ill effects would never have happened. Therefore, it makes a lot more sense to start a healthy eating plan as soon as possible.

If you are in good health now, you could still be at risk if you don’t get your diet in check. There could be environmental factors that contribute to bad health over the long term. A family history of certain diseases could also increase your risk. The funny thing is that some people use these risk factors as an excuse to eat nothing but garbage. They figure they’re going to get these diseases anyway, so that gives them a free ticket to eat whatever they want. That’s sad. The truth is that there are no guarantees that a healthy eating plan will be enough to overcome these risk factors, but it will decrease your risk substantially. So, it only makes sense to eat well. Plus, it is never too late to start.

Tags: Class Reunion, diabetes;, Eating Habits, Fortunate Souls, Good Chance, Good Health, Good Reason, Health Concerns, Healthy Diet, Healthy Eating Plan, heart disease;, high blood pressure;, Ideal Weight, Ill Effects, Ill Health, Junk food;, Losing Weight, Lot, Perfect Health, Proper Diet, Rest Of The Day, Stuff —