Anti-Aging Skin Care - The natural way

Anti-aging skin care is a very popular concept in today’s world. Everyone wants to hide their age using anti-aging procedures. However the desired anti-aging results are not achieved by any magic potion. Anti-aging skin care is about being proactive and by thus, slowing down the aging process.

Here are a few tips for proactive anti-aging skin care:

1. Maintain healthy eating habits:
A well balanced diet is the key to maintaining a proper body metabolism. Eat a lot of fruits and vegetables (raw), they are the best source of fiber and have a very refreshing effect on your body. Avoid oily and fatty foods; not only do they lack in essential nutrients but also cause obesity and other diseases which aid the aging process.

2. Beat stress:
This is probably the most important anti-aging skin care measure. Stress disturbs the body’s metabolism and accelerates the aging process. Sleep, exercise and a relaxing bath, are all good ways of beating stress. Aroma-therapy is also known as a stress-buster.

3. Drink a lot of water:
Anti-aging skin care can’t be any simpler than this. Water helps in flushing out the toxins from the body, hence keeping it clean and making it less prone to disease.
Around 8 glasses of water (per day) is recommended by all doctors.

4. Regular exercise is a essential to the success of your anti-aging skin care.
Besides toning your muscles, it also helps in cleaning the skin by flushing out the toxins in the form of sweat. Exercise should be followed by a warm shower in order to completely remove the toxins.

5. Avoid the use of strong, chemical based products on your skin.
Natural skin care products are a good option. Use of organic skin care products (home made or commercial) can be a very effective anti-aging skin care measure.
The only exception to this rule are the in-office chemical peels, but they must be administered by a licensed aesthetician and you should strictly follow their advice on the frequency of the treatments.

6. Do not overuse skin care products. Excessive and harsh application, both are harmful.

7. Do not ignore skin disorders; it can lead to permanent skin damage.
Try over the counter medication and if that doesn’t help, immediately visit your dermatologist and seek his/her advice.

8. Vitamin C based skin care products are very popular means of anti-aging skin care.
However, these seem to oxidize very quickly (which makes them harmful for the skin). So store them properly. If the product turns Yellowish brown, it means that vitamin c has oxidized and the product is no longer suitable for use.

9. Protect your skin against UV radiation; UV rays are known to speed up the aging process. So, a good sunscreen lotion should be a part of your anti-aging skin care routine.

Five Winter Super Foods - Not just for the cold days

1.	Dried Beans
2.	Cranberries
3.	Sweet Potatoes
4.	Broccoli
5.	Dried Fruits

Research shows benefits of cranberries

Cranberries are among the top foods with proven health benefits; these tiny berries are full of antioxidants, which protects cells from damage by unstable molecules called free radicals.

The National Institutes of Health is funding research on the cranberry's effects on heart disease, yeast infections and other conditions, and other researchers are investigating its potential against cancer, stroke and viral infections.

So far, research has found: drinking cranberry juice can block urinary infections by binding to bacteria so they can't adhere to cell walls. While women often drink unsweetened cranberry juice to treat an infection, there's no hard evidence that works.

A compound called proanthocyanidine, discovered in cranberries, prevents plaque formation on teeth; mouthwashes containing it are being developed to prevent periodontal disease.

In some people, regular cranberry juice consumption for months can kill the H. pylori bacteria, which can cause stomach cancer and ulcers.

Preliminary research also shows: drinking cranberry juice daily may increase levels of HDL, or good cholesterol and reduce levels of LDL, or bad cholesterol.

Cranberries may prevent tumors from growing rapidly or starting in the first place.

Extracts of chemicals in cranberries prevent breast cancer cells from multiplying in a test tube; whether that would work in women is unknown.


Benefits of broccoli

Broccoli has been around for more than 2000 years.

The name "broccoli" comes for the Latin word brachium, which means "branch" or "arm". Americans have grown it in their gardens for only about 200 years!
The first commercially grown broccoli was grown and harvested in New York, then planted in the 1920's in California. A few crates were sent back East and by 1925 the broccoli market was off the ground.

This vegetable is highly recognized for its anti-cancer nutrients. It is a cruciferous vegetable and member of the cabbage family which is helpful in preventing certain types of cancer.