Thursday, January 29, 2009

Zinc Supplements For Your Body

Zinc supplements provide a much needed mineral that is needed by each and every cell in your body. The body is unable to produce zinc on it’s own, which is why we need to makes sure we eat enough food that contains the mineral, drink enough water, or use the proper supplements that will give our cells the zinc they need.

Zinc is very important, as it plays a crucial role with hundreds of processes in the human body. The most prominent functions include support of the immune system, joints, tissues, along with aiding in cell growth. Zinc supplements have also been proven to eliminate sexual dysfunction, boost sexual function, aid in the health of the hair, and help with skin wound healing.

No matter how you look at it, zinc plays an important role in the function of most of our senses, which includes the ability to taste, smell, and also sight. Research has indicated that zinc can counter vision loss in the event of macular degeneration. A deficiency of zinc on the other hand can lead to dulling of the taste buds, along with the ability to detect scent.

Although zinc is an essential vitamin for our bodies, taking too much of it can be a bad thing. Research has proven that taking more than 100 mg daily for an extended period can cause damage in the immune system. Older folks on the other hand, can benefit from taking zinc if they have a deficiency. The supplement can actually help older people bring their intake back up to the levels they should be at.

When taking zinc supplements, you should always remember that zinc can indeed interfere with your absorption of copper. For this reason, a lot of experts recommend that they should be taken together. Anyone who takes a zinc supplement should take it as part of a well balanced diet, to ensure that other vitamins and minerals work together with the zinc.

With most dietary supplements in the U.S. being unregulated, you should always choose a manufacturer who is GMP compliant. Manufacturers that are GMP compliant will always follow the manufacturing standards of zinc, in order to minimize and quite possibly eliminate the risk of contaminants that you could be getting from the supplement.

If you choose your supplement wisely, you shouldn’t have to worry about any problems. You can buy zinc supplements at GNC, online, or other nutrition stores. It isn’t expensive either, which makes it a welcome edition to your diet. You should always consult with your doctor if you suspect that you have a zinc deficiency, so that he or she can tell you exactly how much zinc you need on a daily basis. This way, if you aren’t getting enough in your normal diet - you can get the supplements you need.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

What is Microdermabrasion?

Microdermabrasion. Home microdermabrasion kits. Microdermabrasion units. And you are wondering just what the hell all this is about! Nary a worrisome thought, for in 2 minutes flat you will know what microdermabrasion is and how you can benefit from this wonderful process that could make reversal of aging an earthy possibility!

Microdermabrasion: Say bye-bye to wrinkles! Look younger and fresher!

Fundamentally, microdermabrasion is a technique to negate the aging effects on a person’s skin and therefore the outward appearance and can also fight surface effects of sun exposure. It’s a process for reparation of facial skin in particular but can theoretically be used for most parts of the human body. Typical of any treatment for the skin, this technique like its brethren (e.g: laser hair removal) would require more than just one sitting for a satisfactory and long lasting effect.

How does microdermabrasion work?

At the heart of this treatment is a sandjet or a sandblaster which propels very finely ground sand particles through a nozzle on to the surface of a skin in a gentle wave. What this helps achieves is to abrade i.e. rub away due to friction all the dead cells on the surface of the skin that gives an aged and possibly haggard look. In several cases of microdermabrasion, this could be combined with a suction mechanism as well that works in tandem with the sand particles that are being fired on the skin surface. This treatment doesn’t have any painful body reactions and can be administered to almost everybody who have a normal skin composition and don’t suffer from any pigmentation irregularities. So when the sand particles are blown away, what is left behind is fresh new and younger looking skin that just turned your clock back through a few years! Now, isn’t that a delightful thought?

Sunday, January 11, 2009

The Alternatives To Botox

The wrinkles that form around the eyes, known as "crows feet," can be caused by a whole host of hereditary and environmental factors, and can cause much consternation among women and perhaps even some men. Not only do these age one's face, but they can also cause an appearance of squinting!

Skin elasticity along with involuntary muscle contraction in the area can be hereditary factors. In addition, other hereditary factors that may contribute include eyesight issues, which cause squinting that leads to deepened "crows feet." Environmental factors, such as sun exposure also play a part. Sun exposure not only damages the skin itself, but the sun's rays also cause the squinting and eye area movements that contribute to these unsightly wrinkles.

Many women have tried many different products to "cure" this look and re-smooth the area. When Botox came on the scene, it was heralded as a great solution, as it tends to "freeze up" the muscles that are the cause of the issue.

However, there are several drawbacks to Botox which leave women searching for a better solution. For one, Botox is a chemical, and is not welcomed by many women in this age of healthy, pollutant-free living. Another issue is that Botox is injected. Lastly, there just seems something wrong with using a chemical agent to paralyze your muscles. Surely they function as they do for a reason!

This is why topical lotions and creams are much more sought after. Some of these products claim to work under the skin, while others deal with the problem right on the surface of the skin! For example, some tightening agents are applied directly to the under eye area, and then are left to dry. This drying action is where you start to see results. As the product dries, it pulls the wrinkles flat, leaving you with smoother, more youthful skin. Users will want to note that this pulling and smoothing motion is exactly what a doctor does in the process of facial surgery, such as a face lift: tightens the skin using a pulling motion.

The user advantages to these lotions, besides the simple improvement in looks and self-esteem, are numerous. For example, the products are often pleasant- smelling, luxurious, easy to use and cost effective. In addition, because they are applied directly on the surface, there are no injections, doctor visits, or follow up visits required!

Overall, the topical creams are so much more pleasant and bearable than the needles, pain, costs and office visits associated with surgical or injectable fixes, while still giving comparable results.