Whole Food Signatures

You are what you eat, so eat well. A stupendous insight of civilizations past has now been confirmed by today's investigative, nutritional sciences. They have shown that what was once called "The Doctrine of Signatures" was astoundingly correct. It now contends that every whole food has a pattern that resembles a body organ or physiological function and that this pattern acts as a signal or sign as to the benefit the food provides the eater. Here is just a short list of examples of Whole Food Signatures:

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A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye...and science shows that carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.
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A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart is red and has four chambers. All of the research shows tomatoes are indeed pure heart and blood food.
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Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows that grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food.
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A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds are on the nut just like the neo-cortex. We now know that walnuts help develop over 3 dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.
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Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys.
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Eggplant, Avocados and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. Today's research shows that when a woman eats 1 avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this? .... It takes exactly 9 months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit. There are over 1 4,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (modern science has only studied and named about 141 of them).
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Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the motility of male sperm and increase the numbers of sperm as well to overcome male sterility.
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Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics.
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Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries.
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Grapefruits, Oranges , and other citrus fruits look just like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts.
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Onions look like body cells. Today's research shows that onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes.

"The news isn't that fruits and vegetables are good for you; it's that they are so good for you, they can save your life."

Small changes - BIG Difference!

5 Facts to Lose Your Belly Fat

1. Many so-called "health foods" are actually cleverly disguised junk foods that can actually stimulate you to gain more belly fat... yet the diet food marketing industry continues to lie to you so they can maximize their profits.

2. Ab exercises such as crunches, sit-ups, and ab machines are actually the LEAST effective method of getting flat six pack abs. We'll explore what types of exercises REALLY work in a minute.

3. Boring repetitive cardio exercise routines are NOT the best way to lose body fat and uncover those six pack abs. I'll tell you the exact types of unique workouts that produce 10x better results below.

4. You DON'T need to waste your money on expensive "extreme fat burner" pills or other bogus supplements. I'll show you how to use the power of natural foods in more detail below.

5. Ab belts, ab-rockers, ab-loungers, and other infomercial ab-gimmicks... they're all a complete waste of your time and money. Despite the misleading infomercials, the perfectly chiseled fitness models in the commercials did NOT get their perfect body by using that "ab contraption"... they got their perfect body through REAL workouts and REAL nutrition strategies. Again, you'll learn some of their secrets and what really works below.

10 Essential Health Tips

1. Move More
Make it a daily challenge to find ways to move your body. Climb stairs if given a choice between that and escalators or elevators. Walk your dog; chase your kids; toss balls with friends, mow the lawn. Anything that moves your limbs is not only a fitness tool, it's a stress buster. Think 'move' in small increments of time. It doesn't have to be an hour in the gym or a 45-minute aerobic dance class or tai chi or kickboxing. But that's great when you're up to it. Meanwhile, move more. Thought for the day: Cha, Cha, Cha…. Then do it!

2. Cut Fat
Avoid the obvious such as fried foods, burgers and other fatty meats (i.e. pork, bacon, ham, salami, ribs and sausage). Dairy products such as cheese, cottage cheese, milk and cream should be eaten in low fat versions. Nuts and sandwich meats, mayonnaise, margarine, butter and sauces should be eaten in limited amounts. Most are available in lower fat versions such as substitute butter, fat free cheeses and mayonnaise. Thought for the day: Lean, mean, fat-burning machine…. Then be one!

3. Quit Smoking
The jury is definitely in on this verdict. Ever since 1960 when the Surgeon General announced that smoking was harmful to your health, Americans have been reducing their use of tobacco products that kill. Just recently, we've seen a surge in smoking in adolescents and teens. Could it be the Hollywood influence? It seems the stars in every movie of late smoke cigarettes. Beware. Warn your children of the false romance or 'tough guy' stance of Hollywood smokers. Thought for the day: Give up just one cigarette…. the next one.

4. Reduce Stress
Easier said than done, stress busters come in many forms. Some techniques recommended by experts are to think positive thoughts. Spend 30 minutes a day doing something you like. (i.e.,Soak in a hot tub; walk on the beach or in a park; read a good book; visit a friend; play with your dog; listen to soothing music; watch a funny movie. Get a massage, a facial or a haircut. Meditate. Count to ten before losing your temper or getting aggravated. Avoid difficult people when possible. Thought for the day: When seeing red, think pink clouds….then float on them.

5. Protect Yourself from Pollution
If you can't live in a smog-free environment, at least avoid smoke-filled rooms, high traffic areas, breathing in highway fumes and exercising near busy thoroughfares. Exercise outside when the smog rating is low. Exercise indoors in air conditioning when air quality is good. Plant lots of shrubbery in your yard. It's a good pollution and dirt from the street deterrent. Thought for the day: 'Smoke gets in your eyes'…and your mouth, and your nose and your lungs as do pollutants….hum the tune daily.

6. Wear Your Seat Belt
Statistics show that seat belts add to longevity and help alleviate potential injuries in car crashes. Thought for the day: Buckle down and buckle up.

7. Floss Your Teeth
Recent studies make a direct connection between longevity and teeth flossing. Nobody knows exactly why. Perhaps it's because people who floss tend to be more health conscious than people who don't? Thought for the day: Floss and be your body's boss.

8. Avoid Excessive Drinking
While recent studies show a glass of wine or one drink a day (two for men) can help protect against heart disease, more than that can cause other health problems such as liver and kidney disease and cancer. Thought for the day: A jug of wine should last a long time.

9. Keep a Positive Mental Outlook
There's a definitive connection between living well and healthfully and having a cheerful outlook on life. Thought for the day: You can't be unhappy when you're smiling or singing.

10. Choose Your Parents Well
The link between genetics and health is a powerful one. But just because one or both of your parents died young in ill health doesn't mean you cannot counteract the genetic pool handed you. Thought for the day: Follow these basic tips for healthy living and you can better control your own destiny.

Acne during Pregnancy

Acne during pregnancy is a common problem among women. Pregnant women, especially those in their first trimester of pregnancy, are prone to skin outbreaks. Hormones play a huge role in this occurrence. Even women gifted with clear skin all their life may suffer from acne outbreaks during the first three months of pregnancy. The good thing is, the skin usually clears up as the pregnancy advances towards the second and third trimesters.

Acne during pregnancy cannot be treated the same way as acne occurring in non-pregnant individuals. A doctor should always be consulted because a lot of oral medications can cause harm to the fetus. Topical creams or ointments such as Benzoyl Peroxide and Azelaic Acid are generally safe to apply on the skin of pregnant women. Tetracycline and topical retinoids however should completely be avoided as these have harmful effects.

For severe acne problems, some doctors may prescribe oral erythromycin. It is always best to seek the advice of the doctor prior to using any topical ointments or skin medications. Taking medications during pregnancy is usually associated with serious risks to the fetus. Herbal medicines should likewise be avoided and should be consulted to the physician.

Acne during pregnancy can be caused by higher levels of androgen hormone which triggers the oil glands of the skin to get bigger and to produce more oily substance called sebum. Excessive oil and the shed skin cells lining the hair follicles blocks the skin pores and makes skin susceptible to bacteria. This can lead to inflamed skin and acne outbreak.

Conservative and safer mode of treatment includes hydrating the skin by drinking at least 6 glasses of water per day. Washing the face with lukewarm water and gentle facial soap is also helpful. Make sure to pat the face dry. Do not rub the towel on the delicate skin surface. Never scrub the face as this can cause abrasive injuries to the already inflamed skin.

Acne during pregnancy can be managed well by using mild moisturizers that are oil-free. Choice of make-up should be oil-free as well and it is best to make sure that the products used are labeled noncomedogenic and will not clog pores.

Tips to Reduce Acne for Clearer Skin

A clear and blemish-free skin does not only make a person look good but also boost self-confidence. But because of varying skin types among individuals across different age groups and nationalities, skin care can also vary, sometimes to a great extent. Factors such as genetic, hormonal and lifestyle can cause skin problems. The following tips are helpful in order to reduce acne and achieve clearer skin.

The best way to achieve a clear complexion is to keep face clean. Washing the face after exposure to dust and pollution can be helpful. Using mild soaps or hypoallergenic soaps may be advisable for sensitive skin. It is important to remove make-up with a gentle make-up remover or cleanser prior to going to bed. Sleeping with make-up on is not advisable in caring for the skin. Minimizing the use of heavy make-up allows the skin to rejuvenate itself from the harmful causes of heavy foundation that covers up the skin.

Acne-prone skins can benefit from cleansing the face with dermatologist-tested and hypoallergenic facial solution. Using a medically-proven product that suits the skin well and prevents it from breaking out is ideal instead of trying out different skin care products that may just harm the skin. It is important to know that not all individuals have the same skin types and resilience. A skin-care product that works for one person may produce unpleasant side effects to another. To reduce acne, it is better to be careful with the products that are being applied to the skin.

Diet modification is also helpful towards achieving beautiful skin and to reduce acne. Proper management of oily and fatty foods in the diet is extremely important for individuals with skin types that are prone to acne break-outs. This is not only good for the health but it also reduces the oil that is extracted through the skin that can cause skin problems.

Depending upon the severity of acne, topical creams such as Azelaic creams and Benzoyl Peroxide may be administered with proper instructions from a dermatologist. Other treatment options such as oral skin care medications and antibiotic treatments may be advised as necessary. Adequate sleep and proper hydration are also practical tips to reduce acne.

Positive and Negative Effects of Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl Peroxide is commonly used to treat acne. It has a formulation of two parts benzoyl and one part peroxide. It is used topically to treat acne and is generally found to be effective. However, its efficacy varies from person to person. The use of benzoyl peroxide is also governed by some precautions.

Benzoyl Peroxide is considered a strong beaching agent but is found to be effective in treating mild to moderate acne problems. For sensitive skin, a 2.5% concentration in gel form is available. It also comes in a more concentrated form of 10%. Both concentrations are found to be effective in treating acne.

The benefits include effective treatment of acne via topical application by drying them out. Benzoyl peroxide is also an effective antiseptic and can effectively reduce bacteria in the surface of the skin. This is an important function in controlling and reducing acne and skin breakouts. It is also an oxidizing agent which is necessary for the skin to remain healthy and young-looking. Another positive function is its anti-inflammatory property. This function aids in the healing process of acne reducing the risks and spread of infection to other parts of the skin.

Benzoyl peroxide when used in large amounts can cause skin dryness. Dry skin is not a positive result that is why caution should be observed when applying this medication to areas with acne. It is better to use a small amount first during the initial application and gradually progress to avoid skin irritation. If dryness and scaling occurs, a light and oil-free moisturizer can be applied to the affected area.

This acne medication can also trigger allergic reactions to certain skin types. Caution should be observed during application. If any signs of allergic reactions are observed, it is better to wash the affected area with cold water and discontinue use of benzoyl peroxide.

During application of benzoyl peroxide to acne-affected areas, it is better to avoid the sensitive parts of the face such as the mouth, eyes and inside of the nose. In case of contact to these sensitive parts of the face, wash the areas with cold water immediately to avoid unpleasant skin reactions.

Acne Care Information Revised

Hormonal imbalance is the primary cause of acne. This can effectively be addressed by a dermatologist who specializes in hormonal imbalances. The procedure consists of tests that identify the specific hormone or hormones that cause the acne problem. The treatment varies from patient to patient with the purpose of lowering the testosterone level. This can usually be resolved by injections or oral medications which in turn solves the acne problem. The revised acne care information states useful facts on how to manage acne-prone skin.

The revised acne care information as of January 2008 states that regulation of fats in the diet can help in managing acne. There are some foods included in the normal diet that can cause skin breakouts or acne because they can make the skin oily. Such foods are the ones that are rich in saturated fat like dairy products and meat. It is not necessary to take them away from the diet because saturated fats are required to meet the energy requirements of the body. It is only important to keep them in moderation or within certain limits that cannot harm an acne-prone skin.

An acne-prone skin should be cleansed with lukewarm water and a mild cleanser or gentle antibacterial facial wash. There are various hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested products available in the market which can be good choices. However, for individuals with severe acne problems, it is best to consult a dermatologist and get advice when it comes to proper skin cleansing. The revised acne care information also advice people with acne-prone skin to avoid soaps that are harsh to skin and cause dryness as well as skin formulas that contain acid.

It is important to remember to use lukewarm water when rinsing the skin and to never use scrubs. Scrubbing can cause abrasive injuries to the sensitive layers of the skin and thus aggravating the problem. It also worsens the condition of an already inflamed skin. Gentle moisturizers are effective against excessive skin dryness. The revised acne care information also recommends the use of sunscreen for people who are prone to sunburn and for those with other skin disorders wherein minimal exposure to the sun can already cause skin outbreaks.

Treating Cystic Acne : Clean Your Skin

There are many methods to choose from when treating Cystic Acne. There is the option of systemic antibiotics since local topical antibiotics won’t work for this type of acne. Stronger medications such as those with Retinol may be prescribed if you don’t respond to the antibiotic therapy. But medications as strong as these pose great threats to your body and to your baby if you are pregnant. For those who have extensive scarring which can ultimately be experienced with Cystic Acne, you may opt for dermabrasion or laser therapy. These gently take away damaged surface skin, so that a newer and smoother skin can regenerate in its place. Cosmetic surgery is the last resort.

There is one methodology, however, that people seem to take for granted. Who can blame them? With a wide variety of acne treatment options, they would easily forget the most fundamental in acne treatment, which is to have a clean skin.

No acne treatment will be effective if you don’t have a clean skin. Yes, proper hygiene not only plays a great role in preventing the worsening of the condition, it also helps in the effectiveness of the treatment. If you are currently on an antibiotic therapy, what use would it have if you keep on introducing bacteria to your skin? On the same note, if you keep your face oily and constantly expose yourself to humidity and heat, you are encouraging bacterial growth on your skin.

Though it is a fundamental principle in acne treatment, there are specifications for each type of acne. For Cystic Acne, benzoyl peroxide should be the primary ingredient. It is important that you start out on a low dose. This is to test whether you have any reactions to the agent. When you establish that you do not have any reactions to benzoyl peroxide, you should then gradually increase the dose till you find the right amount your skin responds to.

You should find a good cleanser to clean your skin. It doesn’t have to be formulated for Cystic Acne as there is none. As long as it is mild and won’t dry your skin, it will do. It is not a good idea to purchase a cleanser that leaves your skin too dry. This would cause the cysts to crack open, facilitating the entry of bacteria from the surface.

The last step in this regimen is to moisturize. The skin needs a good amount of moisture to keep it healthy and it counteract the drying effect caused by the benzoyl peroxide. Take note that the 3 step regimen of cleansing, toning, and moisturizing will take you a long way to clearing up your skin and preventing further breakouts.

Using the Right Acne Cream ideal for your Skin Type

There are a lot of acne creams available in the market and each one promise unique features and benefits to effectively treat acne-prone skin. Making the right choice of acne cream can be difficult due to the number of choices. The best way to find an ideal acne cream is by assessing your skin type. The choice of acne cream should suit your skin type well and effectively reduce the appearance of acne.

For individuals with dry skin, it is better to use products with low percentage benzoyl peroxide to treat acne and mild antiseptic facial washes to cleanse the face. Benzoyl peroxide and antimicrobials can cause skin dryness. That’s why if you have dry skin, it is better to be extra careful in avoiding overuse of products containing these properties. Other antimicrobials that can cause skin dryness are Clindamycin and Erythromycin.

The right choice of acne cream for individuals with oily skin is the one that will not clog the pores. When buying commercially available acne treatment creams, it is best to choose products labeled as non-comedogenic. Products labeled as oil-free or water-based are also excellent choices in making the right choice of acne cream to treat oily skin.

Combination skin is quite hard to manage especially if certain areas need stronger attention that may cause irritation to another area. Products specially formulated for combination skin are also available in the market and promise good results. Erythromycin is generally safe for this skin type as well as gel-form benzoyl peroxide.

The right choice of acne cream for sensitive skin is one that is hypoallergenic, oil-free and non-comedogenic. There are gentle formulas recommended for sensitive skin that can effectively control and treat acne. Individuals with sensitive skin should consult a dermatologist prior to using acne products in order to avoid allergic reactions that can worsen the condition of the skin and cause further outbreaks.

The right choice of acne cream should effectively treat acne without over-drying the skin. Excessive skin dryness can result to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It is best to know first your skin type and then choose the appropriate acne cream that will suit your skin best.