Friday, January 26, 2007

How To Get Rid of Acne - Natural Cures Found In Your Refrigerator

Acne can strike anyone, anywhere and usually occurs at the most inopportune time. No, you don't have to be a teenager to get struck with acne. When those blemishes strike, we want to get rid of them fast but many are turning away from the harsh chemical cures that are advertised on television. Next time you get bit by the acne bug, try one of these natural acne treatments.

Garlic

Garlic kills harmful bacteria on your skin and dries up excess oils. To use, just cut open a clove of fresh garlic and rub it gently on your skin covering the acne with the juice from the garlic.

Green Tea and Carrots

Green Tea consistently pops up on Natural Cures enthusiasts radar because of it's many health benefits. In addition to all of it's other health benefits, it does have a proven ability to treat and prevent acne. One method is to use a tissue or clean make-up sponge to apply the tea directly t your skin but there is an easier way. Boil a carrot (carrots are rich in anti-oxidants) until it is soft enough to mash. Make a cup of green tea and mix enough tea into the mashed carrot to form a paste. Apply the paste to your acne. After waiting approximately 15 minutes, wash the paste off your face and pat dry.

Oranges and Eggs

Due to their astringent properties, oranges are an effective natural treatment for acne. Grind up some orange peels (a cheese grater or food processor works well) and mix with water to create a paste. Apply this paste to your blemishes and leave on for approximately 20-30 minutes.
Another Orange based acne remedy is to mix orange juice (fresh squeezed) and egg whites. Apply this to your face and leave on for approximately 15 minutes.

Baking Soda
Baking Soda does more than keep your refrigerator from smelling bad. Baking Soda has many uses, one of which is to clear up small blemishes quickly. Please note that some people with sensitive skin and find baking soda irritating to their skin so use caution when applying this treatment. Make a small amount of paste out of baking soda and water and dab the paste directly on the pimples. Leave on for approximately 15-20 minutes and then gently wash it off.
Some will find this treatment tingles or stings a bit. If it causes a burning sensation, wash it off immediately because in rare cases it can damage sensitive skin types.

If you just have a small blemish to get rid of, a natural cure could clear up the problem after just one treatment, however, to get rid of more serious acne it may take a few treatments. Improvements should be seen within a few days.

Saturday, January 20, 2007

Does Calcium Really Build Strong Bones?

Our body needs calcium. There is no denying that fact. But do you know what you need it for? Surprisingly, there are many who do not know the answer to that question, despite the "Got Milk" ads that frequent the television commercials.

Our bodies require a regular intake of calcium to keep our bones and teeth healthy. Our bones require calcium to remain strong, support the body structure and to protect our organs. When we have a deficiency of calcium, we run a very high risk of developing Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a gradual degradation of the bones. This is a disease in which the bones become fragile and are easily broken.

Sources Of Calcium

There are quite a few foods that are rich in calcium. These foods must be consumed on a daily basis to get the required quantity of calcium. Calcium rich foods include: milk and mil products (cheese, butter, Cottage Cheese, etc.) Tofu, Wheat and Rye bread, apricot, broccoli and many nuts and cereals.

You may also get your daily intake of calcium through supplements. Daily consumption of a simple antacid fortified with calcium can help keep the teeth and bones strong and healthy. It is important to note, however, that your required amount of calcium should not be received soley from supplements. It is important to maintain a healthy diet.

Need For Children

Growing children require more calcium than the average adult. How can bones grow without the help of calcium and vitamin D? Bone is a mixture of calcium, phosphorous, magnesium and other minerals. Deficiency of calcium or vitamin D will result in diseases like rickets and children affected by this disease may be prone to many other health hazards as well.

Calcium Requirement
The amount of calcium an individual requires differs at different stages of life. At some stages, the requirement of calcium is greater. For example, a pregnant woman requires more calcium for the development of the baby's bones in the womb. Likewise, the lactating mother too requires more calcium than the ordinary woman because calcium will be utilized for the milk production. As mentioned earlier, growing children will need more calcium than those who have reached their maximum height and the elderly will need to watch their calcium intake to fight off osteoporosis.

What If You Have Milk Intolerance?

Some individuals are not able to digest milk due to a lack of enzymes that help aid the digestion of milk. As a result, they feel sick soon after drinking milk or consuming any dairy products. This is called "Lactose Intolerance". Those who suffer from Lactose Intolerance should consider taking a calcium lactate supplement to get the calcium they need.

It is important to consult your physician with any questions you may have regarding your daily requirement of calcium. It is also important to note that the information provided within this article is for educational purposes only and your physician should be consulted before taking any supplement, especially if you are currently on other medications.