Health News

There are many factors that are responsible for skin damage. Skin also gets damaged by external factors. Sunlight is the main external factor that ages the skin. Ultraviolet radiation is electromagnetic radiation and can cause long term damage.

A harsh detergent is the general name given to ionic detergents, which can be harmful to the skin. These detergents are called ionic because their molecule gets charged up when they come in contact with water. Avoid using these products or look for similar products that have non-ionic detergents. Most quality vendors will supply these.

The hotter the water, the greater the chance of damaging the skin, as the rate of chemical reactions increases with temperature i.e. the molecules scatter at very high speed when the temperature rises. Hence it is advisable to take a bath with water that is warm and not hot and also you should not soak your body for too long and use bath softeners when possible.

Irritants can damage your skin in two ways. First, they have the capability to directly infect or damage cells of the skin. Second, they can cause an allergic reaction in the skin, which can release destructive free radicals and also metalloproteinase’s or MMP. Choose gentle cleansers whenever possible.

Excessive cleansing strips the layer of the skin sebum and the skin may become dry, it may also lead to skin sensitivity and other problems. You should avoid cleaning and washing the face with hot water and also don't wash your face more than two times a day. Use quality moisturizers often.

All the cosmetic stuff contains potential skin irritants. To keep your skin healthy, avoid the use of makeup when possible. If you have to use it, use a moderate amount, especially around the eye area. If you spend some time in finding the right product for you, you'll save money as well as reduce the possibility of damaging your skin.

Great News about Olive Oil

Tests have shown that increasing olive oil intake can reduce cancer by an astonishing degree, and the indicator is you urine!

Tiny substances in your urine show how efficiently your body is protecting against everyday cell damage, the damage which causes cancer. In a study using olive oil , men who increased their intake had fewer of the damaged substances in their urine samples. The decrease was comparable to what smokers experience when they stop. Now that's some powerful oil.

Olive oil is full of healthy substances which have numerous positive effects on our bodies. Researchers think that phenolic compounds in the oil have properties which fight cancer. Furthermore, it is believed that there is something anti carcinogenic about monounsaturated fat itself!

This means that olive oil, rich in monounsaturated fat, is great for the heart and also helps deter cancer. That helps explain why, in comparison to Northern Europeans and Americans, Southern Europeans, who eat loads and loads of olive oil, have lower rates of both heart disease and cancer.

But one caution to bear in mind: The men in the study didn't add olive oil to their diets. They used it instead of the fats they used to consume. All in all about five to six teaspoons a day. Use olive oil to replace all the butters, margarines, and shortenings in your diet. Using it on top of your usual diet will only lead to weight problems and other areas of concern!

Another fact about olive oil; it’s great for your skin. So feel good and look good by increasing your olive oil intake now.

For thousands of years ginger has been used for cooking due to its unusual taste but also because of its medicinal benefits, which I shall outline below. Ginger is a root that originates from South East Asia, but is now also grown in Jamaica and other tropical countries.

It has been used by Chinese doctors for well over 2000 years as a treatment for many ailments such as: nausea, digestive problems, circulation and arthritis. Ginger is also known to have the ability to calm an upset stomach and to support the production of bile, and also promotes a healthy and efficient cardio-vascular system by reducing the stickiness of platelets which lessens circulatory problems.

Ginger oil has anti-inflammatory properties which can reduce swelling and arthritic problems. It is also used extensively in cold remedies, de-congestants and inhalers.

A study delivered at the Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research meeting in Phoenix, Arizona in October of 2003 suggests that gingerols, a natural component of ginger, may reduce the growth of cancer cells in the colon. While findings presented at the 97th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer suggest that gingerols are able to kill ovarian cancer cells.

Options for taking ginger

Fresh ginger can be grated for use in cooking. It is also freely available as a supplement in both pill and powder form which can be taken on a daily basis.

Ginger Root Tea is also a delicious and refreshing way to take ginger and it can help sooth an irritated digestive tract.

For athletes and body builders, ginger is a superb supplement to your training diet because it increases energy and promotes faster recovery.

Further Information

Further to all the benefits mentioned, it's also good to know that ginger is completely natural and doesn't conflict with any nutrients in the body and is completely safe to take in any form. It's not surprising then that ginger has been used for so many years as a homeopathic remedy throughout the world. Many modern medicines including aspirin and quinine were also developed from plants and natural resources.

You are never too old to start running for fun and as a means of achieving and maintaining physical fitness. Running is also the most effective way of reducing weight and cholesterol and allows you to eat a healthy diet without having to starve yourself. And, we all know running improves the cardio-vascular system and increases libido and appetite.

The benefits go further than just improved health. A regular running schedule, accompanied by a healthy diet, contributes to a much healthier life style, which, in turn, leads to more confidence and self-esteem and reduces lethargy and tiredness. You can run in the street, the park or in the country. You can run around a soccer pitch or the local school track. There are no rules to running. You can start at one mile or two miles, up to you. With time and experience you can start varying your runs to include interval training or Fartlek, or you can start racing. It's totally in your hands how much and how far you want to take your running. Running alone provides an opportunity to de-stress, think over problems or visualize tomorrow's presentation. Joining a running club allows you to meet new friends and be involved in social events or charity organizations.

Where do you start?

Regardless of how old you are, go and visit your GP for a check up. He or she may recommend a cardiovascular stress test if you smoke, are overweight or have had heart or breathing problems in the past. Plan your first run in a place you know well. This will ensure you are always orientated
and you'll be able to pace yourself better. Running in a strange location can confuse you as you may not realize how far you've run or how far away your car is parked. If possible, drive around the route first and check how far it is on the car's trip meter.

As a distance, 3 to 5 kilometers or 2 to 3 miles is a good starting point. If you start to labor, stop running and walk the rest of the distance. Or you can run for time instead of distance, it doesn't really matter. For example, you could start at 20 or 30 minutes. Aim at running three times a week and as you get stronger, you can increase your distance or time gradually.

Be sure to warm up for five minutes before your run. A warm up should consist of warming the muscles you're going to use through dynamic motion exercises like walking on your toes, hurtle steps and long strides. Ask your doctor or a fitness instructor for a chart or demonstration. Avoid stretching though! Stretching cold muscles is dangerous. Although you see hundreds of people doing it everyday down the park, they're more likely to cause an injury than prevent one. Stretching comes after the run. Stretch all the main leg muscles and your hips and waist. Again, see your doctor for advice.

Gear

Before you start you've got to buy the right gear. Running shoes will be your first priority. Do some research and get the right pair for you. Running vests and shorts come in numerous different styles and prices. For summer running, the lighter the better, but be sure to use a sports sun-cream before setting off. For colder climates, Polypropylene (Coolmax or Thermax) gear is excellent. Be sure to wear gloves and a hat if it's really cold. Be sensible though, if it's freezing, why not use a running machine instead?

Food and drink

The type of diet that is good for runners is no different than the one doctors recommend for everyone: high in carbohydrate, low in fat with a reasonable amount of protein. Pre-hydrate by drinking a litre of water one to two hours before you run and re-hydrate thoroughly afterwards. In hot and humid conditions, electrolyte drinks are useful. There is no need to drink sports drinks before you run, as this can cause a glucose crash while you're running. Again, seek your doctor's advice concerning nutrition before you start.

By Colin Harlow

Physical Education Instructor