Diet & Nutrition

Nourish Your Skin from the Inside Out with These Top Nutrients for Skin Health

With spring and summer approaching, many people will be showing more skin than ever before. Parkas and hats will soon be traded for sundresses and shorts. The switch to warm weather also means that our skin will be exposed to elements such as the sun and wind more than in cold weather months. In addition, our environment is filled with toxic pollutants that can harm our skin and other tissues with repeated exposure. The good news? There are many nutrients for skin health that can help you to look and feel your best this year. In fact, spring is the perfect time for some internal “spring cleaning” to maintain inner health and outer beauty.

Ready for Sunshine?

Exposure to fresh air and sunlight might improve our tans, but over time it can take a toll on the health of our skin. Ultraviolet rays in sunlight damage elastin fibers, which are responsible for keeping our skin firm and tight as well as helping it to heal from bruises and cuts. Exposure to wind and air movement can similarly cause damage to delicate skin fibers. Our skin is also exposed to elements and chemicals that cause oxidation and free radical damage. This damage is minor but can accumulate over time and lead to premature aging if we do not have enough of the nutrients needed to detoxify, replenish, and heal stressed tissues.

Over time, this minor damage can become compounded and have major negative results. People may find that they suffer from dry skin or other discomforts. Skin that is not properly nourished may age faster or even develop diseases such as skin cancer. Skin is the largest organ of our bodies, so our health depends on maintaining it. It is crucial that people take in plenty of nutrients for skin health to support healing and optimal function.

Preventing and Healing Skin Damage from the Inside Out

Many people seek fillers, shots and other procedures to maintain the youthful appearance of their skin. However, these procedures do not treat the root cause of skin damage: An inability to heal from exposure to the sun and other damaging elements. Good nutrition is needed to heal skin from the inside out. In addition, there are many herbs that have been shown to make our skin stronger and more healthy.

Our skin has the ability to heal itself when given the right tools. These tools are available in the form of skin-supporting nutrients as well as herbs known to promote skin rejuvenation. These help skin remain healthy and youthful in a variety of ways, from cleaning out toxins to assisting in the synthesis of proteins like collagen that make up the backbone of healthy skin. Experts recommend taking in plenty of these nutrients for skin health as well as drinking additional water and eating plenty of raw vegetables to support healthy and beautiful skin.

Top Nutrients for Skin Health

If you want to get your skin ready to be bared, there are several natural ingredients that can help you on your way. Consider taking a supplement that contains some of the following skin-friendly vitamins and herbs:

Vitamins C, E, and A act as antioxidants and cofactors for skin renewal.
Lutein and zeaxanthin both help the body rebuild proteins such as collagen to maintain healthy structure.
Selenium helps protect skin from harmful ultraviolet rays.
Alpha lipoic acid can help slow the visible effects of aging.
Enzyme CoQ10 is a potent antioxidant that fights free radicals.
Burdock root acts as a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory in skin and liver cells.
Red clover helps preserve the elasticity of skin and other vital tissues.
Dandelion root is a popular herb for cleanses and purification.
Milk thistle can help the liver to remove toxins and waste products from the body.
Marigold, also called calendula, can assist in healing from cuts, bruises and other damage.
Horsetail possesses unique anti-wrinkle effects.
Hyaluronic acid helps to maintain healthy levels of moisture within the skin tissues.

When combined, these natural ingredients can work synergistically to help support skin in appearing youthful and healthy even with exposure to damaging elements such as sun, wind and environmental toxins. If you want to enjoy the warm weather without damaging your skin permanently, consider using a supplement that provides some of all of these natural nutrients for skin health.

While there are many fillers and creams available on the market, the best strategy for maintaining youthful and healthy skin is to maintain good whole body health. There are a variety of scientifically supported nutrients and natural herbs that will help you to look and feel your best. Consider taking a supplement with these nutrients for skin health to keep your skin, hair and other tissues in top form.

Red Wine Compound Resveratrol May Protect Lungs and Respiratory Health

Mar 15 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Many people struggle with respiratory concerns as they age. New research on resveratrol lung benefits suggests that this compound found in red wine may help protect the lungs against premature aging and disease.

Respiratory concerns are some of the most serious causes of death on the globe, killing around three million people a year and affecting many times more. These include common health problems such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer. These conditions are especially common and more serious in children and the elderly. While there are treatments that can reduce symptoms, there are currently no cures for most serious lung problems. However, several recent studies on resveratrol lung benefits suggest that a simple natural remedy may be able to help many.

What Is Resveratrol?

Resveratrol has recently become popular due to its many reported health benefits. Naturally produced in the skins of grapes as well as being present in peanuts and pistachios, this antioxidant is the result of plants’ exposure to stressors such as drought, ultraviolet light and fungal infections. Besides protecting plants from external stressors, it appears to act as an antioxidant in the human body as well. Recent studies have found that resveratrol may have cardiovascular benefits, help maintain healthy cell growth and function and even promote healthy aging. According to new studies, it may also promote healthy aging in the lungs and help to protect against respiratory concerns.

Lungs and the Aging Process

We may not notice deterioration in our respiratory tracts the way we notice new wrinkles or a change in vision, but our lungs indeed change as we age. Our alveoli become enlarged and less elastic, making them less able to exchange gases. In addition, the tissues that make up the lungs deteriorate and lose functionality over time. As lungs lose the ability to breathe effectively, cells become inflamed, which causes even more damage. The result is a gradual loss of function and the eventual onset of diseases such as COPD and emphysema.

Age-related lung concerns take a huge toll on people who suffer from them and on the nation as a whole. They can make it difficult for people to work, exercise or even to perform simple tasks such as walking to the mailbox. These are very expensive conditions, with COPD alone costing $36 million a year just in health costs. Preventing or even slowing the progression of lung concerns can lead to higher quality of life, fewer deaths and nationwide economic savings.

Resveratrol Lung Benefits

How can a simple grape extract help promote healthy respiratory aging and protect against certain lung concerns? The antioxidant effects of resveratrol are believed to be one of its major benefits. In one study, when mice were given inhaled resveratrol, they saw less of the alveolar changes that underlie aging in the lungs. They experienced less lung cell damage, fewer DNA mutations and better lung function. These resveratrol lung benefits were measurable after just three months of the treatment.

In addition, resveratrol appears to promote healthy cellular inflammatory processes and have an effect on inflammation that causes the progression of respiratory illnesses such as COPD. When COPD patients are given resveratrol, they show lower cytokine levels in their lung fluids. This is significant because cytokines released by lung macrophages produce much of the inflammation associated with respiratory disease. People also had a more than 50 percent reduction in other known mediators of inflammation.

Resveratrol, Curcumin and Lung Cancer

Do resveratrol lung benefits extend to deadly diseases such as lung cancer? A recent study suggests that this plant antioxidant may at least be beneficial—likely by promoting healthy DNA—which is sometimes responsible for the uncontrolled growth of unhealthy cells. This effect is especially strong when resveratrol is combined with curcumin, a compound found in spices such as cumin. These two natural remedies appear to act synergistically, with far more benefit when used together than when either is used alone.

Natural Remedies for Lifelong Health

While pharmaceuticals will always be necessary for many people with respiratory concerns, these studies suggest that others may be able to derive some relief with natural remedies such as resveratrol. In fact, resveratrol is believed to be responsible for many of the purported health benefits of red wine, which contains high levels of this antioxidant. In many ways, natural remedies can be superior when it comes to keeping people healthy. As the old saying goes, “Prevention is the best cure.”

There is still a great deal of research to be done on resveratrol lung benefits. However, these studies add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that this plant compound may have a positive effect on whole-body health by promoting healthy cellular inflammatory processes and protecting against tissue damage. A glass of wine, handful of grapes or resveratrol supplement just may bring you one step closer to healthy aging.

Exposure to Blue Light Could Be Damaging Your Vision

Mar 06 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Do you spend a lot of time under artificial lights or even just staring at screens? It could be taking a toll on your eye health and vision. New studies have found a link between exposure to blue light and eye damage.

Artificial light is ubiquitous in the modern world. Not only do light bulbs and other artificial lighting sources illuminate indoor and outdoor spaces at all times of day and night, but many people are also exposed to light on computers, smartphones and other devices. This constant exposure to light is a form of pollution—light pollution—that has been found to cause serious health problems and disrupt circadian rhythms. New research on blue light and eye damage suggests that it may be bad for our vision as well.

The Difference Between Natural and Artificial Light

Humans and other living things evolved to live under an endless cycle of sunlight and darkness. Sunlight is mostly made up of white light, which contains all of the visible colors of the light spectrum. This is the reason that light beaming through a prism creates a rainbow. Artificial light, however, tends to be mainly from the blue wavelength of light. As mankind has begun to spend most of our lives indoors and an increasing amount of time in front of devices, we have increased our exposure to blue lights.

How does this change in light wavelength affect our health? According to numerous studies, the increase in exposure to blue light suppresses melatonin production, which in turn can lead to a wide variety of health problems. However, this blue light also may have a negative effect on our eyesight as well.

The Link Between Blue Light and Eye Damage

As we age, the cells in our eyes gradually become damaged and slowly deteriorate. This leads to an increase in sight problems such as macular degeneration, a disorder in which the cells of the retina that are responsible for vision lose their ability to see. Melanin, a pigment that gives our hair and skin color, protects retinal cells from some of this damage. However, we lose melanin as we age, leaving our eyes increasingly prone to damage from light. High energy blue light, the kind emitted by high-efficiency light bulbs and electronic devices, does the most damage to these delicate cells.

People who are exposed to high levels of blue light on a regular basis are more likely to suffer from a variety of vision problems. You have probably noticed that you suffer from eye strain after reading from a screen for an extended period of time. However, this is just the beginning. High exposure to blue light has also been found in several recent studies to increase the risk of macular degeneration, cataracts and other eye diseases. The effects are so great that optometrists now recommend eye protection from blue light as standard preventative eye care.

Protecting Your Vision From Blue Light

There are ways that we can protect our eyesight to support good vision over a long lifetime. Experts recommend wearing sunglasses and hats when we are in bright light, whether this is indoor or outdoor lighting. Limiting screen time is also an important way to protect your eyes. It is especially important to limit exposure to blue light in the hours before sleep so your body can begin to produce and release melatonin. Choose a paperback rather than a tablet or e-reader for your bedtime reading. Use traditional white light bulbs rather than energy efficient LED lighting in rooms where you spend your late evening hours.

It is possible to reduce exposure to high-energy blue light, but eliminating it altogether is not possible for many people. Many people work in environments where blue light in the form of lighting and screens is simply a fact of life. There are special eyeglasses that filter out blue light to reduce strain and damage, but it is also important to address the problem with good nutrition.

Supporting Good Vision From the Inside Out

Because melanin protects your eyes from some of the damaging effects of blue light, oxidative damage to melanin in your retinas is a huge risk factor for eye disease. Supplements that contain certain antioxidant nutrients such as lutein and zeaxanthin have been found to support good eye health by reducing oxidative damage to retinal cells. Taking a multivitamin is also important, as vitamin E and other nutrients act as potent antioxidants throughout our bodies.

Even if you avoid screens and electronic devices, it is difficult to eliminate exposure to blue light and eye damage that may result. Modern offices, stores and even schools are lit with bulbs emitting mainly this wavelength of light. However, common sense lifestyle changes along with supplements supporting good eye health will reduce vision damage for many people who cannot avoid exposure. While some eye damage is natural in aging, we should do everything we can to maintain good vision and whole body health throughout our lifetimes.

New Findings Show Vitamin D Benefits Muscle Strength and Protects Against Respiratory Illness

Feb 28 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

New research suggests that vitamin D benefits our health in more ways than previously believed, helping to sustain muscle strength and even protect against common ailments.

Many people in the Northern hemisphere are deficient in vitamin D during the cold weather months. This is known to contribute to fatigue, depression, weak bones and a variety of other unpleasant effects. However, not getting enough of this vitamin may impact your health in other, more serious ways. New research on vitamin D benefits suggests that it may be an important factor in muscle strength, gastrointestinal health and protection from respiratory illnesses.

Vitamin D’s Role in Health

Vitamin D is essential for our health in a variety of ways. It acts as a cofactor for a variety of biochemical reactions, so a deficiency can leave you fatigued and depressed. However, this is just the beginning of the effects of vitamin D deficiency. Because vitamin D is essential to bone growth and development, a deficiency often manifests in weak bones. Children who do not get enough vitamin D may develop rickets, which is a bone disorder in which bones become so soft and weak that they bow under weight. In adults, osteoporosis and bone pain are common manifestations of vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency has also been linked to an increased risk for metabolic syndrome and other health conditions.

Despite its importance, many people suffer from a deficiency of this nutrient. Vitamin D is not found in many foods and is processed in a complicated multi-step fashion involving the liver and kidneys. Our skin can make this vitamin when exposed to certain wavelengths of sunlight, but many people wear sunscreen and thus miss out. Foods such as cod liver oil, egg yolks and fortified milk contain vitamin D, but these are not eaten by many adults in significant amounts. The result is that many people are suffering from a vitamin D deficiency that may have severe health effects.

Vitamin D Benefits for Muscle

Vitamin D benefits bones and teeth, but a recent study suggests that it may benefit muscle strength as well. Women were tested for muscle mass, muscle strength and inactive vitamin D levels. Women with high levels of vitamin D had more lean muscle mass and more strength than women who had normal or low levels.

Should people that are looking to increase strength or muscle mass take more vitamin D? Researchers say the jury is still out. Dr. Zaki Hassan-Smith, one of the lead researchers in this study, points out, “By looking at multiple forms in the same study, we can say that it is a more complex relationship that previously thought.” However, there does indeed appear to be a relationship between vitamin D and muscle, although the exact mechanism is not known.

New Potential Treatment for Gastrointestinal Illness?

Vitamin D benefits also may extend to the digestive tract according to modern research. Low vitamin D levels have been linked in the past to gastrointestinal diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. These painful conditions affect millions of people. Not only do they cause unpleasant symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal pain, but they also can leave people malnourished. In some cases, flares of these diseases can be life-threatening.

Because gastrointestinal diseases can make it difficult for people to absorb vitamins from their diet, there was a “chicken and egg” problem with the link between low vitamin D and flares of these illnesses. However, researchers may have solved the riddle in a recent study. They followed people with ulcerative colitis, regularly testing vitamin D levels while tracking symptoms and flares. It appears that low vitamin D levels make people with ulcerative colitis more likely to suffer painful and potentially deadly flares of their diseases. Getting enough vitamin D appears to be especially important for people who have ulcerative colitis and other related diseases.

Breathe Easier With a Simple Vitamin

One of the most significant causes of death worldwide is acute respiratory illness. Even healthy people may fall critically ill from these infections, leaving them temporarily or permanently disabled and even threatening their lives. New research suggests that vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for respiratory illnesses. Scientists believe that the reason for this is vitamin D’s critical role in the immune system. When people have low levels of vitamin D, their immune system is not as likely to fight off infections that can turn to bronchitis and other serious illnesses.

This information may be used to save many lives. With 2.65 million people dying from acute respiratory illness every year, identifying and eliminating this risk factor can have huge effects on public health. In this case, a simple vitamin supplement may save lives even among people in the developed world with access to a balanced diet.

Vitamin D benefits our bodies in a variety of ways and is essential for good health. People who suspect that they may not be getting enough vitamin D should talk to their doctor about whether a supplement is right for them and how much of this supplement they need to achieve optimal health. Your bones, muscles, digestion and even respiratory health depend on having high levels of this critically important vitamin.

New Research Expands Our Knowledge About the Benefits of Prebiotics

Feb 24 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Could the benefits of prebiotics extend far beyond gut health? New research suggests that these supplements may have more beneficial effects on our health than previously known.

If you’re like millions of Americans, you’ve probably already taken your daily probiotic. The benefits of these tiny capsules of bacteria have been known for years. Recently, many people have begun taking prebiotics as well. These supplements may have an immense impact on your health. While almost all people can reap the benefits of prebiotics, people with certain disorders may see even more positive effects.

What Are Prebiotics?

Probiotics are the friendly bacteria that colonize healthy digestive tracts and help our bowels work smoothly. However, these bacteria do not live independently in a “bubble.” Like all living creatures, they need food to live. This food is present in natural, more plant-based diets but may not be present in adequate quantities in the typical Western diet.

This is the reason that many people take a prebiotic supplement in addition to a probiotic capsule. Prebiotics consist of the indigestible carbohydrates that feed the bacteria that make up a healthy gut microbiome. Rather than being absorbed, prebiotics remain in the gastrointestinal tract so they can feed the bacteria that we all need to achieve optimal health. Many traditional foods such as beans and legumes are full of these indigestible carbohydrates. However, modern people often need additional amounts of prebiotics in order to maintain healthy gut fauna.

The Benefits of Prebiotics for Health

Because our diets tend to be deficient in the nutrients needed to feed the “good” bacteria in our gastrointestinal tract, using prebiotics (along with probiotics) is helpful in maintaining gut microbiome balance. Without adequate food of the right kinds, probiotic bacteria cannot survive in the numbers that are required to maintain a healthy GI tract. The resulting lack of healthy bacteria can lead to a variety of health problems, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. In addition, new research on the importance of a healthy gut microbiome to whole-body health suggests that disrupting the colony of beneficial flora in our guts may contribute to a variety of other diseases.

Exactly how can gut health be crucial to whole-body health? Your gastrointestinal tract is important in a variety of ways. It is the place where nutrients are converted to usable forms and absorbed, so many people without a healthy microbiome may suffer from nutrient deficiencies. In addition, your gut is where many serotonin receptors and other important biochemical receptors are located. These receptors in turn help to govern the hormonal balance of the rest of your body, in effect setting the tone for the rest of your health.

Prebiotics and Autoimmune Disease

One area where prebiotics show real benefits is in the realm of autoimmune disease. Probiotics and the prebiotics that feed them are already known to have positive effects on this class of diseases, which comprise one of the most common and debilitating causes of disability in the Western world. Recent studies have shown that there is a link between a dysfunctional GI tract and atopic dermatitis as well as other autoimmune skin conditions.

People with atopic dermatitis may especially see the benefits of prebiotics and probiotics. A recent meta-analysis found that people who take prebiotics in addition to probiotics are less likely to suffer from atopic dermatitis and are also more likely to have mild cases of the disease when it does occur. Those who suffer from the pain, itching and rash of this disorder may benefit from sorting out their gastrointestinal tracts. This is huge for people who wish to cure their atopic dermatitis once and for all, as the disorder is often resistant to established medical treatments.

Can Prebiotics Help With Stress?

Probiotics have been shown to help reduce stress; however the benefits of prebiotics may extend to the very common problem of stress as well. Stress is almost ubiquitous in the United States, but it can also have extremely negative health effects. A recent study found that people who take both prebiotics and probiotics see their GI tracts and their sleep patterns bounce back quickly after stressful times. Researchers gave one set of rats prebiotics and then let another eat their usual diets. They then put these rats through biological stress. The rats that took the prebiotic supplements saw fewer physical effects of stress and also recovered more quickly.

Could prebiotics help modern people to deal with stress without having negative effects? While this is but one small study, it appears to suggest that we may all benefit from taking a prebiotic supplement in addition to our live culture bacteria, or better yet a supplement that provides both prebiotics and probiotics in the same formula.

While the jury is still out on the benefits of prebiotics, they appear to have a variety of beneficial health effects without any known side effects. If you are looking for ways to support whole body health, taking a prebiotic supplement may be as healthy of a choice as eating good foods and getting enough exercise.

New Research Indicates Omega-3 for Asthma Could Help You Breathe Easier

Feb 17 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Are you one of the millions of people who struggle with respiratory concerns? New research on omega-3 for asthma suggests this natural remedy may make a huge difference.

Asthma is a common disease, affecting around one of out every 12 people. Overall, asthma costs the United States alone around $56 billion a year in medical costs, lost work productivity and other expenses. While modern medicine offers a variety of treatments for this and other inflammatory respiratory conditions, there are few ways to actually prevent it. However, new research on omega-3 for asthma suggests that in addition to the myriad of other health benefits this fatty acid provides, taking in sufficient amounts could be effective as a treatment for this devastating health concern.

What Causes Asthma?

People with asthma have chronic inflammation and narrowing of their airways that interferes with their breathing on a daily basis. In addition, this inflammation and narrowing can lead to asthma attacks, which is when the muscles that make up airways narrow and can even prevent breathing. People with asthma also tend to have mucus build up in airways from the inflammation, which can further compromise breathing. Over time, the airway inflammation can lead to permanent damage to the airways and chronic obstruction.

Modern medicine offers a variety of treatments that can reduce and slow the damage caused by asthma. Beta-agonists such as albuterol can immediately open airways that are constricted by tight muscles. Steroids such as cortisol and prednisone are also used because they reduce inflammation. However, many people still suffer—and sometimes die—from asthma every year, even in developed countries with excellent medical care. Many people have begun trying alternative remedies in addition to traditional medicines as a way to breathe a little easier.

Asthma and the Circadian Rhythm

Research on the circadian rhythm of asthma has offered a great deal of promise for people looking to overcome this condition. Our respiratory tracts have a distinctive circadian rhythm. People who have a dysregulated circadian rhythm, such as those with insomnia, are more likely to develop asthma. In addition, they are more likely to have severe asthma instead of a milder form. While most people think of asthma as a childhood disease, these findings indicate that adults who do not sleep well are also at risk.

How can sleep affect asthma? First, sleep affects the immune system. People who do not get enough high-quality sleep are likely to suffer from dysfunction of the immune system, which can lead to an autoimmune attack on airways. Second, our respiratory systems, and thus conditions affecting these systems, follow a circadian rhythm. Timing daily medications to coincide with the times when asthma sufferers are most at risk for an attack may be beneficial.

Omega-3 for Asthma: A New Treatment Option

There are several natural supplements that also may be beneficial for people who suffer from asthma and other respiratory concerns. Omega-3 fatty acids are currently the supplements with the most evidence backing them. Research on omega-3 for asthma suggests that these fatty acids have a regulatory effect on B cells, the type of immune cell that governs IgE reactions such as asthma attacks. People who are suffering from regular asthma attacks may see the frequency and severity lessened if they get more omega-3 fatty acids, either from diet or from a supplement.

Women who are pregnant may even be able to lower the chances of their offspring having asthma by taking one of these supplements. A recent study found that women who took 2.4 mg of omega-3 fatty acids in their third trimester of pregnancy were almost a third less likely to have babies who grew up to have asthma. Supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids when pregnant may not only remove the burden of chronic disease from many children, but also remove a large burden from our economy in which asthma and other respiratory conditions are an expensive problem.

Getting Enough Omega-3s in Your Diet

This new research on using omega-3 for asthma is promising, but still in the preliminary stages. However, there are plenty of reasons to ensure that you ingest plenty of these fatty acids. They are available not just in supplements but in a variety of foods including:

pasture-raised or grass-fed meats
free-range poultry and their eggs
fresh soy foods such as edamame
wild rice
walnuts and walnut oil
flaxseeds and flaxseed oil
certain legumes such as black beans and kidney beans
fatty fish such as bluefin tuna and salmon

Because the Western diet tends to be low in or even completely devoid of these foods, many experts suggest taking an omega-3 supplement to ensure that you get all the benefits of these nutrient-rich oils.

If you have not been getting enough omega-3 fatty acids in your diet, there has never been a better time to start. New research on the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids for asthma as well as a variety of other health disorders suggests that everyone should be getting plenty of these oils in their daily diet.