Hyaluronic Acid: The Fountain of Youth

What is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid (also called Hyaluronan, or HA) is a component of connective tissue whose function is to cushion and lubricate. Hyaluronan occurs throughout the body in abundant amounts in many of the places people with hereditary connective tissue disorders have problems such as joints, heart valves and eyes. Hyaluronic acid abnormalities are a common thread in connective tissue disorders. Interestingly, they are also common biochemical anomalies in most of the individual features of connective tissue disorders such as mitral valve prolapse, TMJ, osteoarthritis, and keratoconus.




The Importance of Hyaluronic Acid (Hyaluronan, HA)
Hyaluronic Acid is present in every tissue of the body. Retention of water is one of the most important biological functions of hyaluronic acid, second only to providing nutrients and removing waste from cells that do not have a direct blood supply, such as cartilage cells. With a lower than adequate amount of hyaluronic acid, nutrients cannot be moved into these cells and waste cannot be eliminated from cells. Hyaluronic acid is sometimes abbreviated as HA. Hyaluronic acid is found in the synovial joint fluid, the vitreous humor of the eye, the cartilage, blood vessels, extracellular matrix, skin and the umbilical cord.

Hyaluronic Acid ; "The Key To The Fountain of Youth"
Hyaluronic acid has been nicknamed by the press as the "key to the fountain of youth" because it has been noted that at least some people who ingest a lot of Hyaluronan in their diets tend to live to ripe old ages. ABC News had a show on a village in Japan and hyaluronic acid entitled, "The Village of Long Life: Could Hyaluronic Acid Be an Anti-Aging Remedy?"

Hyaluronic acid for use by humans has been derived from rooster combs. Rooster combs provide the purest form of hyaluronic acid (Hyalurinan, HA) available.

Benefits
• Hyaluronic acid moisturizes skin from the inside out, smoothing out wrinkles in the process
• Hyaluronic acid helps people who need to ease the flexing of their joints, especially their knees, by restoring cushioning to their joints
• Hyaluronic acid is suitable for men and women in their 30s and 40s who are beginning to see the first signs of aging
• Hyaluronic acid is suitable for seniors who have established joint conditions



Chester is a health nutrition consultant and is the owner of www.AstroNutrition.com - a provider of premium health nutrition and sports supplements.
Article Source: http://www.articlesandauthors.com

Natural Skin Care and Beauty - The steps you need to know.

With everything going green these days, natural skin care has never been more popular. Skin care companies are adding natural based products to their product offerings. Most any beauty store you pass has natural skin care products in the window. However, true natural skin care is more than using just natural products or homemade skin care remedies. It is a lifestyle routine.

Natural skin care is natural beauty and vice versa. However, it is affected by more than what you put on your skin and if that product is natural. Practicing natural skin care involves a lifestyle that practices healthy habits all the time. If you eat a poor diet, never exercise and smoke, then there is not product natural or otherwise that is going to keep your skin young and healthy. The most important factor for maintaining a beautiful complexion starts from the inside. In other words, natural beauty is more than skin deep.

Six Factors That Can Influence the Way Your Skin Looks

1.Diet: What you put in your body is just as important as any product you could put on your skin. A balanced diet rich in vegetables and fruits, low in sugar, low in bad fats, rich in calcium and plenty of water, will do more to keep you a natural beauty than any store bought product.

2.Physical Activity and Proper Sleep: Exercise is great for the skin. It promotes good blood flow to the dermis and brings more oxygen to the skin. On the flip side, getting enough sleep is just as necessary for beautiful skin especially as we age. An average adult should get 8 to 9 hours of sleep when possible.

3.Environment: The outside and inside environment in which you spend your days can affect your skin in many ways. The sun being the most obvious. UVA/UVB rays can do lots of damage to our skin down to the deeper collagen layers. With all the great sun protection choices available, there is no reason not to protect your skin. Wind can dry and chap your skin and smog can leave a thin layer of dirt on your skin; so make sure you moisturize and keep your skin clean. Even air-conditioning and heating can affect the health of your skin.

4.Heredity: Great skin or skin problems can run in the family. If you get a beautiful complexion from your grandmother, don't take it for granted. Your skin will still need proper care. The same goes for skin problems. Do not feel like there is nothing you can do. Following the recommendations here and finding a good skin care system can improve or totally alleviate these problems.

5.Stress: Avoid stress as much as possible. Too much stress can adversely affect your total health including how your skin looks. Practicing natural skin care includes reducing or eliminating stress from your life.

6.Medications: Certain medications can affect your skin, sometimes resulting in rashes, dry skin or acne. Always consult your doctor if you are taking medications that seem to be changing your skin. Hormonal medications and some antibiotics are examples.

Other tips for a natural skin care lifestyle are:

1.Give your body a dry brush exfoliation.

Dry brush exfoliation removes dead skin cells and helps to detoxify your skin. Dry brushing also improves lymph and blood circulation. The gentle brushing is also relaxing for your nerves and can help decrease puffiness.


2.Try to avoid sugar overload in your diet.

Eating sugar is considered one of the major causes of premature aging. Too much sugar in the bloodstream can cause a process to happen known as glycation. Glycation is when a glucose (sugar) molecule attaches to a protein molecule. When this happens, the protein molecule is damaged and a new molecule is formed and is called advanced glycation end-products or AGE's. AGE's damage collagen in the skin, cartilage, and ligaments and causes a loss of elasticity. This causes sagging and wrinkles.

3.Keep things moving.

A sluggish circulation affects your skin by leaving it starved for nutrients. Inactivity can leave you bloated, puffy, increase acne, and encourage cellulite. So if you have a job that leaves you sitting all the time, it is very important to use your breaks and get moving. Talk a couple laps around the office. Join a gym. Get outside on the weekends. Good circulation will improve your skin and your whole body.

4. Rev Up Your Digestion

A good running digestive system is good for your skin and total well being. People with skin problems often suffer from digestive problems like constipation or an imbalance of good and bad bacteria. To rev up your digestion, try to drink enough water. Water keeps things moving through the colon which is always important. Then make sure to eat enough fiber in your daily diet.

In 2002, the National Academy of Sciences Food and Nutrition Board recommended that women, aged 19 to 50 years, need 25 grams of fiber daily and over age 50, 21 grams of fiber. For men, aged 19 to 50 years, 38 grams of fiber is recommended. Men over 50 years, need to include 31 grams of fiber in their diet. To add fiber to your diet, make sure to include whole grain products, cauliflower, apples with skin, nuts and seeds, prunes, bean, legumes and ground flax seed.

5. Eat Good Fats

Good fats are the essential fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6. Your body cannot live without these essential fatty acids. EFA's are needed to make cell membranes, hormones, and other body chemicals. They protect your heart and fight inflammation. EFA's can help people with dry skin, acne and eczema. Essential fatty acids can be found in cold water fish like salmon or sardines, flaxseed oil, walnut oil, and supplements including borage oil and evening primrose oil.

A few more steps that you should include in your natural skin care and beauty system are:

Brush your teeth after every meal

Pamper yourself with a weekly facial or steam

Treat yourself to a monthly or more total body treatment

Always protect your skin from the sun and elements

Use natural skin care products

Be happy and confident! A smiling face always shows your inner beauty.

Who Needs Sunscreen? Everyone By: Bruce Kaler M.D.

Experts are unanimous on the recommendation that everyone should be using a broad spectrum sunscreen of at least Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 every day all year round. A strong connection between sun exposure/sunburn and risk of skin cancer has clearly been established. If you ever got sunburn once or twice then your risk of skin cancer some time in your life goes up a lot. Don't be one of the one million people who will be diagnosed with skin cancer this year alone in this country.

There is a lot of confusion about sun protection and sunscreen products. First there is no such thing as a safe tanning bed. Getting a tan before you go to Hawaii does not protect you. It only adds to the sun damage of your skin. The harmful ultraviolet rays of sunlight are what burns or damages the deeper layers of the skin. There are two types of ultraviolet rays A and B. They both are damaging to the skin and can lead to the development of skin cancer. Skin cancer can happen at any age but the skin has a memory accumulating the sun damage throughout a lifetime. That is why skin cancers are more common as people age. Sunscreen should be applied everyday to the exposed skin even if you are not planning to be outdoors. UVA rays are able to penetrate glass while the UVB cannot. 70-80% of ultraviolet rays pass through overcast skies on cloudy days. Sand water and snow all reflect a great deal of the sunlight. You need everyday protection regardless of the weather or your activities.

Choosing a sunscreen product need not be confusing. Many cosmetics have added some sunscreen for the obvious benefits in reducing UV exposure and preventing its premature aging effects on the skin. Look for a SPF of at least 15, broad spectrum (protects against UVA and UVB), and water-resistant if you are going to be active in outdoor activities. The American Academy of Dermatologists advocate these attributes and their seal of recognition can be helpful on packaging. The following is a list of ingredients that help provide broad spectrum coverage: avobenzone (Parsol 1789), cinoxate, ecamsule (mexoryl SX), menthyl anthranilate, octyl methoxycinnamate, octyl salicylate, oxybenzone, sulisobenzone, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide. These ingredients will likely vary a lot in any given product depending on the amount of SPF and manufacturer.

Apply sunscreen to all exposed areas 20-30 minutes before going outdoors. Skin should be dry, coating it liberally and rub it in. Usual suggestions are one ounce of sunscreen to cover the exposed areas. One ounce would be about the same amount to fill a large shot glass. Care to apply adequate amounts to face, nose and ears as they are sensitive and often overlooked. Protect lips as well with sunscreen or an appropriate lip balm that has an SPF of 15. Reapplication should be done at least every two hours if you are swimming or perspiring heavily regardless of the claims of a water resistant product. Swimming, sweating, washing, toweling all reduce the effectiveness of your sunscreen so reapplication may need to be even more frequent. Common mistakes are not using enough, leaving certain areas unprotected and not reapplying. The SPF rating is only a measure of delaying the redness and its damaging effects. It does not eliminate it or make you bullet proof.

It's never too late to protect yourself and your family from the harmful effects of the sun. Preventing sunburn with proper use of sunscreen is an important part of making your time in the sun safe and enjoyable.

As a physician with over thirty years of clinical experience in the fields of general/family practice, occupational medicine, and urgent care, I have an interest in promoting healthy living and inspiring people to reach their life goals. My professional experience has not been limited to the practice of medicine. I have worked as a business consultant, registered investment advisor, wine enthusiast, wine merchant and personal advisor.

"The Owner's Manual for Allergy Relief" is intended to be a primer for people who struggle with allergy issues. It explains in easy to understand terms how to recognize and understand allergies. It discusses common triggers that evoke symptoms in the hypersensitive individual in order to prevent and manage their symptoms. This is the first of a series of concise Owner's Manuals with practical tips for healthy living.

I've authored a mystery novel "Turnabout by Bruce Kaler M.D" that follows a surgeon whose life is turned upside down by a wrongful death malpractice lawsuit brought by his vengeful ex-girlfriend. He struggles to find the truth for which he is ill prepared.

The Owner's Manual and Turnabout can both be purchased on my website http://seattledoc.com Turnabout is also available through Amazon.com as well as other wholesale and retail outlets.

I invite you to also visit my blog at http://seattledoc.wordpress.com

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