9 Wrinkle Fighting Foods

June 10, 2010 by Ederle  
Filed under Beauty & Skin Care

Spinach in flower
Image via Wikipedia

It is not secret that a proper diet can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle. This includes the care of your skin. As we age wrinkles become a foe to be reckoned with. However, a good diet helps to fight wrinkles and give you soft supple skin as you age.

If you don’t want to have creases on your face or your skin, you should know what wrinkle fighting foods are good to eat. Here are nine foods that are good for the fight against wrinkles.

1. Spinach and other green leafy vegetables are good because they contains lutein that helps give the skin its essential antioxidant mechanism by maintaining skin hydration and elasticity. Ideally, you should eat about 10mg of this daily which is about 4oz of this vegetable.

2. Beans are good because they are rich in antioxidants. Among the different kinds, red beans are the best because they contains the highest number of antioxidants. Antioxidants help to replace deteriorated collagen of the skin.

3. Tomatoes are another good source because just like beans they have antioxidants and also lycopene. Lycopene is a substance that reduces the risk of developing cancer and happens to be more powerful than Vitamin E supplements which are also used to help the skin stay healthy. The best part about eating tomatoes is that it is a versatile vegetable (actually it is a fruit) that you can eat this together with pasta, salad or a sandwich.

4. Another good option for fighting wrinkles is turkey because it is rich in Vitamin B. It also has protein that slows the process in the skin known as cross-linking. So don’t wait until Thanksgiving to add this to your diet.

5. Goji berries which are rich in Vitamin C, help fight free radicals that damage the skin. Believe it or not, they contain 500 times more Vitamin C per ounce than what you get from oranges. They also have antioxidants such as vitamin B1, B2, B6 and E and linoleic acid; an essential fat that plumps up the skin making it look smoother and younger.

6. Flaxseed is rich in Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. You can mix this with other dishes like cookies and bread. The more you eat, the plumper your skin cells will be thus hiding away those wrinkles.

7. Beetroot is another vegetable that can help prevent wrinkles as it is low in calories and high in fiber. It also contains antioxidants and a pigment called anthocyanins that is known to support collagen production in the skin.

8. Most people see chocolate as a delightful snack or dessert. But few of us know that this tasty treat contains polyphenol, a substance that rids the body of the active oxygen that causes aging. Not only that, it can also protect against UV damage which is also one of the causes of skin aging. A warning here is that you want to stick with the dark chocolate for the best results.

9. Salmon just like flaxseed contains Omega 3 fatty acids which reduce inflammation and helps lubricate the skin.

There are other things we can eat aside from the 9 examples mentioned to prevent wrinkles from happening. Aside from eating, you shouldn’t forget to exercise regularly and drink lots of water so your skin remains flexible and hydrated at all times. You also shouldn’t drink or smoke as this also helps the skin stay young and wrinkle free.

There are wrinkle fighting foods around. Know what they are and then get these items from the grocery store.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Share The Sacred Glo Love
[co.mments] [del.icio.us] [Digg] [Facebook] [kirtsy] [LinkedIn] [MySpace] [Squidoo] [StumbleUpon] [Twitter] [Email]

Anti-aging Effects of Blueberries

May 20, 2010 by Ederle  
Filed under Beauty & Skin Care

Blueberries close up
Image by Martin LaBar via Flickr

Blueberry season is here. This sweet, flare-crowned, indigo colored superfruit is more than just a mouth-watering delight. Would you believe that this favourite has a wide range of micronutrients that do not only protect the body from diseases, but also aging?

High Antioxidant Value Blueberries, along with blackberries, strawberries, and plums, have the highest total antioxidant capacity of any food. It is regarded as one of the ’superfuits” having the promising combination of nutrient value, emerging research evidence for health benefits, versatility for manufacturing popular consumer products, and antioxidant strength.

Antioxidants are thought to aid in guarding the body against the detrimental effects of free radicals to cells and the chronic diseases associated with the course of aging. The antioxidants present in this fruit can protect the cell, so there is less chance for aging. Blueberries contain 14 mg of Vitamin C and 0.8 mg Vitamin E per 1 cup of blueberries. Blueberries also contain anthocyanins and phenolics that can also act as antioxidants. With this, the effects of blueberries to the skin are copious.

Neuron Protection The compound anthocyanin, found in blueberries, is thought to slow down age-related loss in the mental capacity of humans. Those who eat more blueberries are thought to have better functioning in motor behavioral learning and memory. Anthocyanin also gives blueberries their colour and might be the key factor of the blueberry’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. While it is thought that aging can decrease cognitive and motor functions, blueberries can be of huge help to improve mental functioning.

Better balance and coordination Blueberries also have positive effects to balance and coordination. In a study by Dr. James Joseph of Tufts University, it was found that a diet loaded with blueberries counteracted poor balance and coordination associated with aging.

Prevention of diseases A serving of blueberries provides a relatively low glycemic load while providing a diverse range of nutrients, which also means there are fewer calories (good news for calorie-watchers) in a serving full of phytochemicals and nutrients such as iron, vitamins C and E. Because of the phytochemicals present, the risk of acquiring some deadly diseases may also be prevented. Anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, flavonols, and tannins found in this wonderful fruit may help prevent cancer by inhibiting some cancer mechanisms. These components protect the DNA from damage and disintegration caused by free radicals.

At a symposium on berry health benefits, it was shared that eating blueberries and other similar fruits like cranberries may improve the cognitive deterioration occurring in Alzheimer’s disease and other conditions of aging. Blueberries may help lower the damages of stroke.

Researches have also shown that blueberries may help prevent urinary tract infections (UTI), hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia that can also lead to potentially fatal heart disease. With blueberries, your tongue, and more importantly your health would get the best out of it.

Even without all these benefits in mind, who wouldn’t die for a serving of blueberries? Mmmmm… Anyone?

Enhanced by Zemanta
Share The Sacred Glo Love
[co.mments] [del.icio.us] [Digg] [Facebook] [kirtsy] [LinkedIn] [MySpace] [Squidoo] [StumbleUpon] [Twitter] [Email]

Have A Cup of Green Tea

March 11, 2010 by Ederle  
Filed under Health & Living

An example of a slightly higher grade of Chine...
Image via Wikipedia

For thousands of years, the Chinese have been drinking green tea which has long been attributed for its medicinal properties. The Chinese believe that green tea is responsible for treating different kinds of illness, and it is also linked to longevity; which could be evident in the fact that the Chinese have the highest rate for people over the age of a hundred.

Scientists and nutritionists have found that this wonderful brew does indeed have medicinal properties that can help in preventing several types of illnesses, which even includes cancer. In fact, there are even doctors who recommend green tea and even endorse that this particular tea plays a great role in maintaining good health.

So, just what are the benefits of this so called miracle brew that it even baffled health professionals from all over the world?

First of all, this tea contains high levels of antioxidants, which are called polyphenols or flavonoids.

What are antioxidants you may ask?

First of all, you need to understand that the body does millions of processes occurring at all times. Even when you are asleep, the brain is active and will require oxygen in order to function properly. However, the oxygen that we breathe in can create harmful side effects, or what most people know as oxidants. These oxidants or commonly known as free radicals are introduced to our system through external sources, such as pollution, stress, smoking, diet, and even exposure to the sun.

And, these free radicals are known to be one of the main contributors in the growth of cancer cells.

In order to counteract the effect of oxidants or free radicals, the body needs to be introduced to antioxidants. Green tea has a lot of them. In fact, the antioxidants found on green tea are much higher than that found in grape juice and red wine.
Green Tea also contains vitamins, such as vitamin B6, which plays a vital role in the metabolism of the body, as well as vitamins B1 and B2, which are all essential for releasing energy from food.

Another great thing about green tea is that it has key minerals and contains magnesium, which is essential for bone growth and body development as well as potassium. This helps in keeping the heart pumping normally and maintain the body’s fluid levels.

All in all, green tea can provide great benefits to the body. It can inhibit the growth of cancer cells, it discourages diabetes from developing, and it also is a very good treatment for bad breath. There are some studies that found that saygreen tea also fights acne, Alzheimer’s disease, and bad cholesterol which are the sole contributors for heart diseases and stroke.

These are just some of the great benefits of green tea. So, the next time you feel like drinking tea or coffee, you might want to go for green tea. As a matter of fact, having a cup of green tea with your Sacred Glo Candle lit creates the perfect relaxing balance.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Share The Sacred Glo Love
[co.mments] [del.icio.us] [Digg] [Facebook] [kirtsy] [LinkedIn] [MySpace] [Squidoo] [StumbleUpon] [Twitter] [Email]

Benefits of Rose Hip Oil

March 9, 2010 by Ederle  
Filed under Beauty & Skin Care

Rose hips, see also Rose hip
Image via Wikipedia

The rose has always been appreciated for its beauty and fragrance. Cultivated for thousands of years, roses are an ancient symbol of love and beauty. The ancient Greeks and Romans identified the rose with their goddesses of love, Aphrodite and Venus. Today, pink and red roses are commonly given as expressions of love and admiration.

Rose hips are the seed pod left after the rose petals fall off. Also called rosa mosqueta, rose hip oil is a popular essential oil. It is rich in active chemical compounds that offer a number of potent medicinal, cosmetic and nutritional benefits. Rose hip tea is often recommended because it is so rich in Vitamin C. Rose hip oil is also renowned for its benefits for the skin.

Here are some of the healing benefits accredited to rose hip oil for the skin:

Emollient
Rose hip oil has strong emollient properties, making it beneficial for hydrating and moisturizing ashy dry skin.

Skin Blemishes
The restorative properties of rose hip oil are beneficial in helping to diminish and clear scars, pits and other blemishes of the skin.

Wrinkles
Rose hip oil is highly valued as an ingredient in both commercial and home-made products for reducing wrinkles.

Burns
Alternative healers often include rose hip oil in their herbal remedies for burns as well as sunburn, to help regenerate the damaged skin cells in the damaged area.

Antioxidative
This essential oil is also high in antioxidants that help to neutralize the destructive effects of free radicals in the body, which accelerate the aging process and contribute to disease.

Sacred Glo products contain rose hip oil for these very reasons. We want to see you healed: mind, body,and soul. Your skin is such an important part of your overall health. Using the right products can only benefit your efforts for healthy living.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Share The Sacred Glo Love
[co.mments] [del.icio.us] [Digg] [Facebook] [kirtsy] [LinkedIn] [MySpace] [Squidoo] [StumbleUpon] [Twitter] [Email]