Vitamins And Creams - Spider Veins
iVillage Beauty Body Spa
www.ivillage.com
ON Feb 22, 2001 at 4:24AM
There is a common myth that vitamin K pills, creams and lotions diminish spider veins. The rumor stems from the fact that vitamin K has been long associated with blood clotting. Taken orally, vitamin K can cause blood clots, stopping the flow of blood through a vein or capillary and thereby making it disappear. This works with healthy veins as well, posing definite health risks. Although reviews are mixed on the effectiveness of vitamin K, most experts agree that applying vitamin K to the skin, will do very little to clot blood and minimize spider veins.
To help prevent spider veins, maintain average body weight. Exercise -- especially walking -- also helps circulation and contraction of the muscles. Wear flat or low-heeled shoes and don't use body shapers (updated girdles) that restrict blood circulation. Consult your doctor about support stockings; they can be helpful, but they must fit properly or the constriction will be detrimental.
MY THOUGHTS
i heard that, when left uncorrected, spider veins can be painful, too. the advice laid out in this article are quite simple - walking, no high heels and no tight girdles.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
WAYS TO STOP BONE LOSS AFTER AGE 50
WAYS TO STOP BONE LOSS AFTER AGE 50
from the article "7 Ways to Stop Bone Loss After Age 50"
By Carole Jacobs, Special to Lifescript
Published March 13, 2011
Reviewed By Edward C. Geehr, M.D.
Were you a wild child – drinking, smoking and eating badly in your younger years? If so, you might be at risk for osteoporosis. Here’s how to prevent additional bone loss in 7 simple steps…
The excesses of youth – smoking, drinking and starving yourself skinny – are now showing up as bone loss and osteoporosis in women.
About 8 million women in the U.S. have osteoporosis, and 30 million more may get the disease, which can cause bones to break with something as harmless as a sneeze, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF).
But even if you’ve abused your body in the past, you still have time to save your bones with simple changes, like getting enough vitamin D, eating more fresh fruits and veggies and, yes, adding some weight if you’re too thin.
Read on for the latest studies and doctor-recommended tips.
1. Know where you stand
Not sure where you fall on the bone-strength scale? Head to your doctor’s office for a couple of helpful tests.
- FRAX (Fracture Risk Assessment Tool).
- Bone-density test - dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan
2. Bone up with calcium
Your bones store up to 99% of the calcium your body needs for nearly every function, including blood clotting, muscle and nerve function. And women can lose up to 20% of their bone density during the 5-7 years following menopause because of a decrease in estrogen.
That’s why women over 50 should get about 1,200 milligrams of calcium daily, according to updated guidelines issued by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) in November 2010.
Your best sources for the mineral are low-fat and fat-free dairy products, such as milk, ice cream, cheese and yogurt, but calcium supplements can fill nutritional gaps, says Katherine Brooking, M.S., R.D., a New York-based dietitian.
“Just don’t overdo it," Cosman adds.
Too much calcium – more than 2,500 mg for adults 19-50, or more than 2,000 mg if you’re over 51 – can cause constipation and kidney stones, and it could interfere with the body’s ability to absorb other essential minerals such as iron and zinc, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements of the National Institutes of Health.
3. Get more vitamin D
“Without enough vitamin D, [women] could lose up to 4% of their skeletal mass per year,” says Michael F. Holick, Ph.D., M.D., professor of medicine at Boston University Medical Center, who discovered calcitriol (vitamin D3), the hormonally active form of the vitamin. He’s also the author of The Vitamin D Solution (Penguin).
That’s why increasing vitamin D intake is essential. It helps maintain normal calcium levels in the bones and aids in its absorption.
You can get D from leafy greens and fortified dairy products, but the major source is sunlight, which triggers production of the vitamin in your skin.
But you’ll probably need a vitamin D supplement if you live in a cloudy climate, use sunscreen religiously and/or have dark skin, Holick says.
4. Eat your veggies
Milk and vitamin D aren’t the only ways to build strong bones. Fruits and vegetables also have high levels of nutrients essential for skeletal health, including magnesium, potassium, vitamin C, vitamin K and several B vitamins, according to a large 2009 study conducted by the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston.
Five servings of fruits and veggies a day is all you need, according to a 2005 landmark study at the Clinical Research and Regional Bone Centers at Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw, N.Y. Calcium-rich produce includes broccoli (180 mg/cup), cooked spinach (240 mg/cup), arugula (125 mg/cup), orange juice (300 mg/cup), kiwi (50 mg/cup) and dry figs (300 mg/cup).
5. Kick butts
Here’s another reason to quit smoking: It’s a leading cause of bone loss and fractures in women older than 40, according to a three-year study conducted on 4,332 women at Universidade Federal de São Paulo in Brazil and published in 2010.
“Nicotine seems to have toxic effects on bone-forming cells and lowers estrogen levels, which in turn reduces bone density and leads to an earlier menopause,” Cosman says.
Cigarette smoking may increase spontaneous bone loss in women not taking estrogen, according to a two-year study on 270 postmenopausal women conducted at the Center for Clinical and Basic Research in Denmark.
6. Drink moderately
If you drank heavily during your adolescent and teenage years – the critical bone-building time – you may have irreversible skeletal damage and a greater risk of future fractures and osteoporosis, according to a 2010 Loyola University Study on rats.
Moderate drinking may affect estrogen concentrations or suppress bone breakdown to release minerals used in the rest of the body, researchers theorize.
So go ahead and enjoy just one glass of wine with dinner, Cosman says.
7. You really can be too thin
Here’s a good excuse to hang on to those love handles: A little extra padding protects your bones.
A low body weight often goes hand in hand with low bone mass and increased fracture risk, according to a 2006 Rutgers University Study. And those extra pounds may even protect you from fractures if you take a tumble.
Trying to lose weight? A 10% weight loss results in up to 2% bone loss, the Rutgers researchers say.
Weight protects you in several ways, the study shows. First, just carrying around an extra load has a weight-bearing benefit. Also, fat is associated with bone-building hormones, such as estrogen. And when you lose weight, circulating estrogen decreases.
MY THOUGHTS
i should start learning to like milk. i have no problem with veggies and getting enough sun. but milk has never been a favorite. much less a habit.
from the article "7 Ways to Stop Bone Loss After Age 50"
By Carole Jacobs, Special to Lifescript
Published March 13, 2011
Reviewed By Edward C. Geehr, M.D.
Were you a wild child – drinking, smoking and eating badly in your younger years? If so, you might be at risk for osteoporosis. Here’s how to prevent additional bone loss in 7 simple steps…
The excesses of youth – smoking, drinking and starving yourself skinny – are now showing up as bone loss and osteoporosis in women.
About 8 million women in the U.S. have osteoporosis, and 30 million more may get the disease, which can cause bones to break with something as harmless as a sneeze, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF).
But even if you’ve abused your body in the past, you still have time to save your bones with simple changes, like getting enough vitamin D, eating more fresh fruits and veggies and, yes, adding some weight if you’re too thin.
Read on for the latest studies and doctor-recommended tips.
1. Know where you stand
Not sure where you fall on the bone-strength scale? Head to your doctor’s office for a couple of helpful tests.
- FRAX (Fracture Risk Assessment Tool).
- Bone-density test - dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan
2. Bone up with calcium
Your bones store up to 99% of the calcium your body needs for nearly every function, including blood clotting, muscle and nerve function. And women can lose up to 20% of their bone density during the 5-7 years following menopause because of a decrease in estrogen.
That’s why women over 50 should get about 1,200 milligrams of calcium daily, according to updated guidelines issued by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) in November 2010.
Your best sources for the mineral are low-fat and fat-free dairy products, such as milk, ice cream, cheese and yogurt, but calcium supplements can fill nutritional gaps, says Katherine Brooking, M.S., R.D., a New York-based dietitian.
“Just don’t overdo it," Cosman adds.
Too much calcium – more than 2,500 mg for adults 19-50, or more than 2,000 mg if you’re over 51 – can cause constipation and kidney stones, and it could interfere with the body’s ability to absorb other essential minerals such as iron and zinc, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements of the National Institutes of Health.
3. Get more vitamin D
“Without enough vitamin D, [women] could lose up to 4% of their skeletal mass per year,” says Michael F. Holick, Ph.D., M.D., professor of medicine at Boston University Medical Center, who discovered calcitriol (vitamin D3), the hormonally active form of the vitamin. He’s also the author of The Vitamin D Solution (Penguin).
That’s why increasing vitamin D intake is essential. It helps maintain normal calcium levels in the bones and aids in its absorption.
You can get D from leafy greens and fortified dairy products, but the major source is sunlight, which triggers production of the vitamin in your skin.
But you’ll probably need a vitamin D supplement if you live in a cloudy climate, use sunscreen religiously and/or have dark skin, Holick says.
4. Eat your veggies
Milk and vitamin D aren’t the only ways to build strong bones. Fruits and vegetables also have high levels of nutrients essential for skeletal health, including magnesium, potassium, vitamin C, vitamin K and several B vitamins, according to a large 2009 study conducted by the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston.
Five servings of fruits and veggies a day is all you need, according to a 2005 landmark study at the Clinical Research and Regional Bone Centers at Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw, N.Y. Calcium-rich produce includes broccoli (180 mg/cup), cooked spinach (240 mg/cup), arugula (125 mg/cup), orange juice (300 mg/cup), kiwi (50 mg/cup) and dry figs (300 mg/cup).
5. Kick butts
Here’s another reason to quit smoking: It’s a leading cause of bone loss and fractures in women older than 40, according to a three-year study conducted on 4,332 women at Universidade Federal de São Paulo in Brazil and published in 2010.
“Nicotine seems to have toxic effects on bone-forming cells and lowers estrogen levels, which in turn reduces bone density and leads to an earlier menopause,” Cosman says.
Cigarette smoking may increase spontaneous bone loss in women not taking estrogen, according to a two-year study on 270 postmenopausal women conducted at the Center for Clinical and Basic Research in Denmark.
6. Drink moderately
If you drank heavily during your adolescent and teenage years – the critical bone-building time – you may have irreversible skeletal damage and a greater risk of future fractures and osteoporosis, according to a 2010 Loyola University Study on rats.
Moderate drinking may affect estrogen concentrations or suppress bone breakdown to release minerals used in the rest of the body, researchers theorize.
So go ahead and enjoy just one glass of wine with dinner, Cosman says.
7. You really can be too thin
Here’s a good excuse to hang on to those love handles: A little extra padding protects your bones.
A low body weight often goes hand in hand with low bone mass and increased fracture risk, according to a 2006 Rutgers University Study. And those extra pounds may even protect you from fractures if you take a tumble.
Trying to lose weight? A 10% weight loss results in up to 2% bone loss, the Rutgers researchers say.
Weight protects you in several ways, the study shows. First, just carrying around an extra load has a weight-bearing benefit. Also, fat is associated with bone-building hormones, such as estrogen. And when you lose weight, circulating estrogen decreases.
MY THOUGHTS
i should start learning to like milk. i have no problem with veggies and getting enough sun. but milk has never been a favorite. much less a habit.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
STAY FIT TO PREVENT DISEASE
Stay Fit to Prevent Disease
JORGE’S DAILY FIT TIP
By Jorge Cruise, Chief Diet and Fitness Expert
Published February 11, 2011
As we age, some wonderful things happen: We become wiser and more confident, and learn to appreciate life and good health in deeper ways. Unfortunately, our bodies don’t always embrace age quite as well as we’d like! You may notice some changes in your body that occur based on hormones. The biggest change is where you carry your weight and how your body metabolizes the food you eat.
A woman’s body goes through many changes in her 20s, 30s and 40s. Childbirth, health problems and stress can take a huge toll on your physique, but managing weight and staying rejuvenated are critical to long-term wellness. Letting your health decline can lead to life-threatening diseases such as diabetes, breast cancer and strokes; that’s why you should focus on prevention. One Canadian study shows that regular physical activity can help prevent several chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, hypertension, obesity, depression, and osteoporosis. So remember to squeeze in three 30-minute sessions of cardio a week – it’ll help ensure you live a long, healthy, happy life.
Your coach,
Jorge Cruise
For information on Jorge's fitness program and to get a free copy of his Belly Fat Cure Report, visit jorgecruise.com.
MY THOUGHTS
three 30-minute cardio sessions. that's only 1.5 hours a week. sounds easy.
JORGE’S DAILY FIT TIP
By Jorge Cruise, Chief Diet and Fitness Expert
Published February 11, 2011
As we age, some wonderful things happen: We become wiser and more confident, and learn to appreciate life and good health in deeper ways. Unfortunately, our bodies don’t always embrace age quite as well as we’d like! You may notice some changes in your body that occur based on hormones. The biggest change is where you carry your weight and how your body metabolizes the food you eat.
A woman’s body goes through many changes in her 20s, 30s and 40s. Childbirth, health problems and stress can take a huge toll on your physique, but managing weight and staying rejuvenated are critical to long-term wellness. Letting your health decline can lead to life-threatening diseases such as diabetes, breast cancer and strokes; that’s why you should focus on prevention. One Canadian study shows that regular physical activity can help prevent several chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, hypertension, obesity, depression, and osteoporosis. So remember to squeeze in three 30-minute sessions of cardio a week – it’ll help ensure you live a long, healthy, happy life.
Your coach,
Jorge Cruise
For information on Jorge's fitness program and to get a free copy of his Belly Fat Cure Report, visit jorgecruise.com.
MY THOUGHTS
three 30-minute cardio sessions. that's only 1.5 hours a week. sounds easy.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
BEING THANKFUL MAKES YOU BEAUTIFUL
BEING THANKFUL MAKES YOU BEAUTIFUL
from the article '11 Ways to Feel Beautiful'
(And not one involves more makeup!)
By Jenny Bailly
O, The Oprah Magazine | From the January 2010 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine
JUST SAY "THANKS
When you compliment a child on her dress, she doesn't respond, "Oh, I don't think it fits quite right." (But she might say, "Thanks! And look at my shoes! And my braids! And did I tell you I'm the third tallest girl in my class?") Stop deflecting praise about your appearance. Simply say "thank you" when someone compliments your thick hair or sparkling eyes. You—and your admirer—will feel better about the exchange, creating positive reinforcement that makes you both want to give and receive compliments more often.
MY THOUGHTS
why is it so difficult to simply accept compliments. if they're patronising you or pulling your leg, that's their problem. so, go ahead and smile at the person complimenting you. and you don't need to compliment back. you just need to say 'thank you'.
from the article '11 Ways to Feel Beautiful'
(And not one involves more makeup!)
By Jenny Bailly
O, The Oprah Magazine | From the January 2010 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine
JUST SAY "THANKS
When you compliment a child on her dress, she doesn't respond, "Oh, I don't think it fits quite right." (But she might say, "Thanks! And look at my shoes! And my braids! And did I tell you I'm the third tallest girl in my class?") Stop deflecting praise about your appearance. Simply say "thank you" when someone compliments your thick hair or sparkling eyes. You—and your admirer—will feel better about the exchange, creating positive reinforcement that makes you both want to give and receive compliments more often.
MY THOUGHTS
why is it so difficult to simply accept compliments. if they're patronising you or pulling your leg, that's their problem. so, go ahead and smile at the person complimenting you. and you don't need to compliment back. you just need to say 'thank you'.
Friday, March 4, 2011
BREATHE DEEPLY TO FEEL BEAUTIFUL
BREATHE DEEPLY TO FEEL BEAUTIFUL
from the article "11 Ways to Feel Beautiful"
(And not one involves more makeup!)
By Jenny Bailly
O, The Oprah Magazine | From the January 2010 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine
BREATHE DEEPLY
Shallow breathing manifests itself as tension in your face, throat, even shoulders. On the other hand, when you take deep, slow breaths, you look and feel more at ease in your body. So take a second, enjoy the photo, and breathe.
MY THOUGHTS
i've always known that breathing deeply relaxes us and eases the tension. i never quite thought of it this way well, it won't cost a thing.so, breathe. deeply. and feel how beautiful you are - inside and out.
from the article "11 Ways to Feel Beautiful"
(And not one involves more makeup!)
By Jenny Bailly
O, The Oprah Magazine | From the January 2010 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine
BREATHE DEEPLY
Shallow breathing manifests itself as tension in your face, throat, even shoulders. On the other hand, when you take deep, slow breaths, you look and feel more at ease in your body. So take a second, enjoy the photo, and breathe.
MY THOUGHTS
i've always known that breathing deeply relaxes us and eases the tension. i never quite thought of it this way well, it won't cost a thing.so, breathe. deeply. and feel how beautiful you are - inside and out.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
PUT ON A HAPPY FACE
PUT ON A HAPPY FACE
from the article '11 Ways to Feel Beautiful'
(And not one involves more makeup!)
By Jenny Bailly
O, The Oprah Magazine | From the January 2010 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine
PUT ON A HAPPY FACE
"We all find smiling faces more attractive than nonsmiling ones," says Paul Ekman, PhD, professor emeritus of psychology at the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, who has studied facial expression for several decades. A smile not only lifts the muscles around the eyes and lips, for a more youthful appearance, but also generates a feel-good ripple effect: Your brain gets an instant mood boost from the muscle contractions, and that boost is maintained as people smile back at you.
MY THOUGHTS
no amount of makeup can replace a happy face- that's for sure.
from the article '11 Ways to Feel Beautiful'
(And not one involves more makeup!)
By Jenny Bailly
O, The Oprah Magazine | From the January 2010 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine
PUT ON A HAPPY FACE
"We all find smiling faces more attractive than nonsmiling ones," says Paul Ekman, PhD, professor emeritus of psychology at the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, who has studied facial expression for several decades. A smile not only lifts the muscles around the eyes and lips, for a more youthful appearance, but also generates a feel-good ripple effect: Your brain gets an instant mood boost from the muscle contractions, and that boost is maintained as people smile back at you.
MY THOUGHTS
no amount of makeup can replace a happy face- that's for sure.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
FIND SOMETHING TO ADMIRE IN YOU
FIND SOMETHING TO ADMIRE IN YOU
from the article '11 Ways to Feel Beautiful'
(And not one involves more makeup!)
By Jenny Bailly
O, The Oprah Magazine | From the January 2010 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine
FIND SOMETHING TO ADMIRE—IN YOURSELF
"Studies using eye-tracking technology have shown that people who are unhappy with their appearance zero in on their perceived flaws when they look in the mirror," says Nancy Etcoff, PhD, director of the Program in Aesthetics and Well Being at Massachusetts General Hospital. Turn your gaze on the feature you like (we know you have at least one). "When your eyes take in something that pleases you, your brain's reward system is activated, lifting your whole mood," says Etcoff.
MY THOUGHTS
curious about eye-tracking technology? - click this link - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye_tracking
and this is how an eye-tracker would look like.
but we don't really need an eye-tracker to see what's beautiful in us. everyone has something beautiful in them.
from the article '11 Ways to Feel Beautiful'
(And not one involves more makeup!)
By Jenny Bailly
O, The Oprah Magazine | From the January 2010 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine
FIND SOMETHING TO ADMIRE—IN YOURSELF
"Studies using eye-tracking technology have shown that people who are unhappy with their appearance zero in on their perceived flaws when they look in the mirror," says Nancy Etcoff, PhD, director of the Program in Aesthetics and Well Being at Massachusetts General Hospital. Turn your gaze on the feature you like (we know you have at least one). "When your eyes take in something that pleases you, your brain's reward system is activated, lifting your whole mood," says Etcoff.
MY THOUGHTS
curious about eye-tracking technology? - click this link - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye_tracking
and this is how an eye-tracker would look like.
 |
| from optometry.com |
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