NUTRITION
Eat plenty of omega-3 rich foods: salmon, trout, mackerel, sardine, tuna, carrots, apricots, mangoes and green leafy vegetables. Flaxseeds, sunflower and sesame seeds are a valuable source of omega-3. Other goods foods: brazil nuts, broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts. Shellfish and wholegrain foods are rich in zinc, which is good for the skin. Breakfast cereals, breads, and yeast extracts fortified with folic acid are good for psoriasis.
Reduce intake of possible triggers: caffeine, red wine, dairy, chilli, hot spices, wheat, rye, barley, berries, tomatoes, red meats, sausages, pre-spiced meats, pickles, nut-based pastries, mustard, pimento, nutmeg, commercial mayonnaise/condiments, ketchup, tabasco sauce, bouillon cubes and gravies, vinegar, curry, citrus fruits, orange marmalade, prepared juices, lemonade.
Further tips:
- Maintain regular bowel movements through a high fibre diet. Adding flaxseed to your diet will avoid constipation.
- Choose low salt options.
- Alcohol is drying to the skin, so keep to a minimum.
- Increasing water intake to 2 litres a day to help liver, bowels and kidneys work well, otherwise the skin will take the brunt of clearing toxins which is not ideal for psoriasis.
- There is some evidence to suggest that following a gluten-free diet can help ease psoriasis.
HERBS
- Evening primrose oil, aloe vera gel or vitamin E oil will help keep the skin from drying out.
- Add a few drops of myrrh and tea tree oil to a carrier cream or oil can help reduce flaking.
- Comfrey root cream applied directly to the lesions will help normalize cell replication.
- Dandelion, milk thistle, oregon grape and burdock root are useful tinctures.
USEFUL SUPPLEMENTS
- Zinc
- Flaxseed oil capsules
- Cold-pressed sunflower oil or evening primrose oil
The Psoriasis Association is a good information resource.
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TACKLING FLEAS ON CATS
Examples of effective flea products suggested by the Feline Advisory Bureau (FAB):
- · Spot-on products: Advantage for cats (Bayer) – Advocate (Bayer) – Frontline Spot-on Cat Merial) – Frontline Combo Spot-on Cat (Merial) – Promeris (Fort Dodge) – Stronghold (Pfizer)
- · Tablets: Capstar tablets (Novartis)
- · Liquids: Program (Novartis)
- · Injections: Program (Novartis)
- Aerosol sprays: Pump action sprays, Frontline spray (Merial)
NEVER use a flea treatment product on a cat that has been formulated for use in dogs.
Petalive FleaDerm contains a blend of natural ingredients in a herbal cream and will effectively soothe the skin around the site of a flea bite.
TACKLING FLEAS IN THE HOME
- Treating the whole home is essential including carpets, gaps between floorboards, skirting boards and other nooks and crannies. Hoover daily and dispose of used vacuum bags. Steam clean any carpets.
- Wash all bedding thoroughly. If heavily infested, dispose of.
- Hire a professional who uses cat-friendly products to treat the outdoors area.
If in doubt, seek veterinary advice.
]]>- Breaking down toxic substances and medicinal products for elimination
- Storing glycogen, vitamin B12, iron and copper
- Producing bile for the metabolism of fats
- Helping with lipid (fat) metabolism by synthesizing cholesterol
- Producing body heat
- Breaking down insulin and other hormones e.g. oestrogen
- Producing blood clotting factors
- Helping with carbohydrate metabolism by forming, storing and releasing glucose for energy
WHAT YOU MAY DO TO HARM YOUR LIVER
- Have sluggish bowels
- Drink alcohol
- Take medicinal drugs e.g. painkillers, the Pill and HRT
- Expose yourself to environmental pollutants
- Eat fatty foods and foods containing lots of sugar
Symptoms of an under-functioning liver include: weight problems, bad skin, indigestion and nausea (especially after fatty foods), bad breath, metallic taste, fatigue, PMS and heavy, painful periods.
SIX WAYS YOU CAN HELP YOUR LIVER
1 Herbs taken in tincture form such as Native Remedies Detox Drops absorb directly into the bloodstream and arrive at the liver without needing to be digested.
2 Drink plenty of water.
3 Eating little and often. It’s the large meals that put undue pressure on the liver.
4 Limit fat, sugar and alcohol.
5 Avoid constipation by drinking plenty of water and increasing fibre. This results in reduced toxicity which can affect liver function.
6 Eat fresh and organic foods such as: high sulphur-containing foods e.g. garlic, legumes, onions and eggs. Include water-soluble fibres such as pears, oat bran, apples, and legumes. Include the cabbage family e.g. broccoli, brussel sprouts and cabbage. Other good liver foods are: artichokes, beets, carrots, dandelion, turmeric and cinnamon. Plus protein foods such as fish, tofu or organic chicken.
]]>2 Use clippers for clipping toenails. Cut nail straight across to just above the skin. File nails in one direction until they are even and slightly rounded at the corners. TIP: Use emery boards for filing.
3 Fill a large flat-bottom bowl with warm water. TIP 1: Add a quarter cup of milk along with essential oils and Epsom salts. TIP 2: Or try a tablespoon of baking soda and a teaspoon of bath oil.
4 Apply cuticle remover to the base of each nail and rub in. Using an orangewood stick, gently push with a circular motion everywhere where skin meets the nail. Remove skin only on top of the nail, don’t touch the toe flesh. Use cuticle nippers to trim any loose skin.
5 Apply a foot scrub to a wet pumice stone to slough away the dead skin on the balls and heels of your feet.
6 Dry feet thoroughly including between the toes and rub in a foot cream like Absolute Organic Protective Foot Cream. Rehydrate cuticles by rubbing in cuticle oil. TIP: No cuticle oil? Try olive oil.
7 Finish with polish. Base coat is used to protect the nail. Select a color for the second coat. The third coat can be a clear polish designed to prevent chipping. TIP 1: Keeping nail varnish in the fridge will make it last longer. TIP 2: Use lighter polish on your fingernails and darker on toenails.
]]>An ingrown toenail occurs most frequently in the big toe. As the nail grows deeper into the flesh the toe becomes red, shiny and swollen with a throbbing pain. Don’t clip your nails down too far and cut them evenly across.
Athletes foot
Infection starts between the little toe and the one next to it. At first the skin is itchy and sore. Then it starts to crack and peel and can spread. Don’t wear shoes without socks or tights and wear footwear which allows your feet to breath.
Fungal nails
Symptoms of a fungal infection may include brittleness, discoloration, thickening and crumbling of the nail. Tip: apply Nail-Rx to infected toenails morning and night.
Corns/calluses
Corns occurring on top and sides of toes are usually due to pressure from shoes. Calluses form on the soles of the feet, especially around the heels. Regular use of a pumice may help. Treatments for corns and callous are reusable gel pads and adhesive paddings. Tip: apply papaya juice or milky juice from green figs to affected area.
Bunions
A bunion is characterized by a bump that is red, swollen and painful on the inside of the foot around the big toe joint. The primary cause is ill-fitting shoes. Treatments for bunions are to use anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin and Ibuprofen gel/tablets. Cold ice-pack compresses can be useful in reducing swelling. To reduce the pressure use reusable gel pads and adhesive paddings.
Dry, cracked skin and heel fissures
Dry skin can lead to the problem of cracking and fissuring of the skin round the edge of the heels. A soft density gel heel protector pad reduces heel stress. Tip: use Nourish Healing Foot Cream daily.
• Eat a wide range of fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds.
• Research published in the Journal of American Academy of Dermatology has shown that essential fatty acids 3, 6 and 9 (EFA) can help hormonal imbalances that lead to acne. Foods rich in EFA’s include sunflower, soybean, corn or safflower oils, sunflower seeds and flaxseed.
• Manuka honey has powerful antiseptic, antiviral and antibiotic qualities. You can apply topically to the skin.
• Drink at least 2 litres of water daily.
• Vitamin A is necessary for the maintenance of healthy skin and hormonal balance. Research has confirmed that people with severe acne have low levels of vitamin A. Good sources of vitamin A include carrots, green leafy vegetables e.g. broccoli, kale, spinach, yellow/orange fruits e.g. peaches, apricots. Research has shown that selenium coupled with vitamins A & E can reduce the severity of persistent acne and help alleviate resultant scarring.
• Zinc can help acne sufferers. A lack of zinc has been shown to increase the production of the male hormone, testosterone, which stimulates the production of the sebaceous glands in times of stress (which is why people often develop acne when stressed). Zinc is found in brewers yeast, whole grains, brazil nuts and pumpkin seeds.
• Chromium is related to blood sugar. The more sugars we eat, the more chromium we need. Researchers have found that people with unstable blood sugar levels have a high incidence of severe acne. Chromium is found in brewers yeast and molasses. BioCare Adult Multivitamins and Minerals contains chromium as well as a range of other helpful skin support. ]]>
Supplement recommendations
- L-Arginine
- A daily multivitamin
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E (magnifies vitamin C’s blood pressure-lowering effect)
- Omega-3s
- Co-enzyme Q10
Helpful herbs: Cats Claw, chamomile flowers, motherwort, saffron, black cohosh, parsley, golden seal and ginger (together) fennel seed, rosemary. Hawthorn blocks an enzyme that can cause arteries to constrict. Linden blossom is often combined with hawthorn for blood pressure. Consult a herbalist before taking any herbs.
Further tips
• Evidence shows that garlic lowers hypertension 2%-7%. Onions help too.
• If you are overweight, a 10% reduction in total body weight might normalize blood pressure.
• Reduce or eliminate: salt and sodium-rich foods, alcohol, refined foods, caffeine, saturated fat, soft drinks.
• Increase: wholemeal and granary bread, jacket potatoes, new potatoes, wholegrain cereals, wholemeal pasta and brown rice, beans, lentils and peas, fresh and dried fruits, vegetables, low-fat meats, whole oats, low fat milk, bilberry, carrot juice (cleans arteries). Studies suggest that the isoflavones in soy, tofu, tempeh and miso make arterial walls more elastic. Cook with cayenne (contains capsicum which slows arteriosclerosis causing hypertension).
• Taking 55 mg of concentrated reishi mushroom extract three times a day was found to reduce moderately high blood pressure after 1 month.
IMPORTANT: Do not come off or alter your blood pressure medication before consulting your GP.
]]>- Wash your feet daily using antibacterial or antifungal soap. Dry thoroughly especially between the toes.
- Home remedy tip: Add two tea bags to a pint of water and boil for 10 minutes. Add two pints of cool water and soak your feet for 15 minutes.
- Athlete’s Foot is a common side effect of sweaty feet. Check for itching and flaking of the skin and treat immediately.
- Check the soles of your feet for hard, dead skin and remove it with a foot file. Keep toe nails clean and short.
- Air feet every day.
- Wipe your feet with surgical spirit every night, taking care to avoid any cracks in the skin.
- Natural antiperspirant stones used for underarms can also be effective on the feet.
- Use a medicated foot spray, powder or lotion that is designed to combat foot odours.
- Change socks daily. Wear natural fibre socks that absorb moisture. Avoid synthetic materials.
- Try four pinches of sodium bicarbonate for each foot (two inside the sock and two on the insole of the shoe).
- Use an antifungal foot spray for feet and shoes.
- Avoid wearing the same pair of shoes two days in a row. Remove insoles to help the drying process.
- Buy ventilated shoes made of leather, canvas or mesh and not synthetic material.
- Use antibacterial shoe inserts.
The Importance of Buying Good Quality Acai Berry Juice
The acai berry needs to be extracted well so as to retain all the beneficial properties that it has. The berry itself is known to rot within a day and therefore it is important that the plant be grown near the manufacturing unit or the manufacturing unit be placed close to the place where the acai berry grows naturally. It is therefore pertinent that you choose the acai juice that you consume after adequate levels of research and reference.
Weight Loss Properties
This is one property of acai berry that needs no mention. Anyone who knows about the blue coloured berry seems to know about the fact that it is essentially very good for weight loss. The weight loss properties of the berry or the acai berry have been popularized in Oprah Winfrey’s show as well and it is said that she along with other Hollywood stars have benefitted from the acai berry juice diet and have achieved their weight loss targets. Acai works in a completely natural manner and increases the metabolism of the body. This means that the weight loss that results from consuming acai berry is completely natural.
Other Health Benefits of Acai Berry
Apart from the weight loss characteristics that acai berry has, there are also many other benefits of consuming this super food. The berry and the juice extracted from the same contain high levels of nutrients that are required by the body. It is high in antioxidants and therefore helps in preventing cancerous growths.
It also contains fibre, amino acids, magnesium, calcium, potassium, iron, vitamin A, E and C. These contribute to increasing the immunity levels of the body and keep diseases at bay. Unique nutrients like oleic acid or omega 9 helps in lowering cholesterol and since it is low on sugar, it is a great fruit for diabetics as well. The Cyanidin 3 Glucoside is known to reverse the process of aging and can help you look better with each passing day.
Acai berry, when consumed regularly can help in improving your complexion and skin tone, aiding digestion, managing insomnia and depression and removing toxins from your system as well. This ensures that your body remains healthy and fit at all times.
]]>At this point there are no human studies which have conclusively define the benefits to the skin in using either juice, powder or spa soap. However, there also have been no studies which disproves the case studies and the beliefs of individuals who continue to use mangosteen in order to improve the condition of their overall health as well as benefit from the anti-acne, antibacterial and anti-free radical properties.
At this time case studies seem to indicate that the mangosteen fruit helps treat acne in teenagers who are most commonly affected with this skin disorder. The mangosteen fruit has been found to have antibacterial properties against the acne causing bacteria, P. acnes and S. epidermides. The strong anti-oxidants also help to reduce the effect of environmental stressors and toxins which build up in the body and also aggravate acne.
Another of the skin conditions which are reported to respond positively from the use of mangosteen fruit and juice are eczema and psoriasis. The fruit reportedly helps to decrease the number of flare-ups and complications from eczema while the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties can help to decrease the inflammatory process of psoriasis while keeping the body at optimal health.
While there has been no conclusive studies which show that mangosteen fruit has a significant positive benefit on the overall health of the skin, researchers do you know that the anti-oxidant and vitamins contained in the mangosteen juice do have an overall positive benefit to the treatment of eczema, psoriasis and acne.
Because there are no side effects to mangosteen juice it is well worth the effort of giving it a trial to determine whether or not you will individually respond to the improved health benefits of the supplement. As with any supplement, if you are currently taking any medications or have any underlying health issues it is important to discuss the relationship of taking mangosteen with your pharmacist or primary care physician
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