by: Lori Stryker
Learn to help your body glow from the inside out. Nourish it with foods that are pure and natural. Remove harmful substances from your diet and you will notice a difference in the way you look and feel.
What is detoxification?
Detoxification is the process of removing toxins or poisons. We all know that toxins are harmful and cause damage, potentially even death if taken in certain levels.
Living cells, whether in plants or in the body, are constantly in the process of bringing nutrients and fresh substrates in while eliminating by-products and waste that is not useful to the organism. Therefore, detoxification is a natural, ongoing process in our bodies.
Keeping your body healthy requires maintaining all of its systems in good working order. Minimizing the amount of toxins you take into your system is one way that we can detoxify our bodies. Benefits of detoxification may include increased energy and improved health, better breath, reduced allergies, and potentially fewer aches and pains.
Wastes leave the body in the form of gases, solids, and liquids. Carbon dioxide is the gas that we exhale. We excrete other waste from the body after it accumulates in the bladder and in the bowels.
Other organs that play a major role in detoxification include the:
skin
liver
kidneys
lungs
Blood also plays a critical role in the detoxification process. It carries dissolved gases like carbon dioxide to the lungs, and then it is traded for oxygen through respiration. Both the liver and kidneys help to detoxify the blood by removing wastes and sending them to the urine. In the form of stool, unused solids are carried away.
Benefits for your skin via detoxification
Your skin is a barrier but it is not impermeable. Just as products that you use on your skin are able to enter your body through this physical barrier, toxins are also able to leave your body through the skin. Free radicals and UV light in the environment also damage the skin which over time cause it to show signs of premature aging.
How can detoxification help your skin? By minimizing the number of chemicals in your body, you help you body to function more efficiently. Eating well is one way to maintain healthy skin with a smooth texture, elasticity, and a proper level of moisturization.
Skin complexions troubled by acne and imperfections can also benefit from the inside out with detoxification methods. For example, vitamin A reduces the amount of sebum produced by the skin cells and therefore pores are less likely to become blocked.
Ways to detoxify your body
Some of the best ways to detoxify include:
eating a balanced diet
juicing organic fruits and vegetables
exercising regularly
exfoliation
using organic products for personal hygiene
Before trying any detox method always be sure to check with your doctor. People with serious medical conditions should also consult a doctor as these methods are not recommended. Pregnant women should not try these methods.
Eating a balanced diet
Nutrients in foods contain many elements that can help your body and especially your skin to remain in good condition. When your body is ‘happy’ and ‘efficient’, through detoxification, it will show on the outside.
Your skin needs:
essential fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6) found in oily fish and flax seeds
antioxidants vitamins C, E, and beta-carotene to retaliate against the damaging effects of UV light and free-radicals
minerals zinc and selenium to build tissues and heal wounds. Find these minerals in foods like seafood, nuts, grains, and vegetables
vitamin B6 to balance hormone levels, particularly for women that have pre-menstrual break-outs
vitamin A to help reduce sebum levels on the skin
potassium to help maintain elasticity, water to maintain hydration and flush toxins from the body
water to maintain hydration and flush toxins from the body
Juicing organic fruits and vegetables
Have you ever tried freshly squeezed juice? It is delicious and nutritious. You get a truckload of vitamins, enzymes, and minerals. The enzymes contained in vegetables and fruits help to digest your food so try drinking these natural cocktails with meals.
One important thing to remember is that you should always start with organic fruits or vegetables. Because most fruits and vegetables are sprayed with pesticides, using non-organic products means that you will be ingesting harmful pesticides too. Keep these toxic chemicals away from your cells in order to maintain their proper functioning.
Exercising regularly
Oxygen is vital to life. Incorporating exercise into your lifestyle brings this element into your body and skin. Studies at the University of Wisconsin have shown that oxygen reduces the effects of free radical damage and premature aging.
Sweating encourages the release of toxins from the skin. Working up a good sweat during your exercise program will help in the detoxification process. You could also try saunas and steambaths to encourage the excretion of toxins.
If you are not currently exercising choose something that you enjoy doing. Walking is a great way to increase your heart rate and pump oxygen through your lungs. Other ideas include yoga, swimming, cycling, and running. Whatever you do, choose an activity that you will be motivated to do on a regular basis.
Exfoliation
Shedding skin cells is a continual process. Dead skin cells sit on the uppermost level of the epidermis and they make the skin look dull and less healthy. Our clothes play a big part in helping to remove cells on a daily basis.
By sloughing off dead skin cells from time to time, you can stimulate the skin renewal process. Try any of the following methods once a week to naturally exfoliate your skin:
briskly towel off after a shower
use an organic scrub during your shower
use a washcloth during your shower
use a loofah (Important: keep it dry when it’s not in use to minimize bacterial count)
Using organic products for personal hygiene
Decreasing the number of synthetic chemicals entering your body through your food and personal products is yet another way to help detoxify. Modern research at the Herb Research Foundation found that the skin absorbs up to 60% of the chemicals in products that it comes into contact with directly into the bloodstream.
This means that chemicals, some of which are known carcinogens, are entering your body and potentially causing unnecessary harm.
The next time you need to stock up on personal hygiene products, look for alternatives to the chemically items offered in most stores. Using organic products decreases the number of preservatives and chemical additives your skin comes into contact with and therefore, that may enter your body.
References:
http://www.meriam-webster.com/, accessed October 26, 2004.
www.detox.org/skin.aspl, accessed October 26, 2004
www.saga.co.uk/health_news/article/D2164785-92E3-11D6-B8AC-00508BAEC55C.asp?bhcp=1, accessed Oct. 26, 2004.
Farley, Josephine. Organic beauty: look and feel gorgeous the natural way. Dorling Kindersley, London, 2001, page 66.
By OMC author http://www.organicmakeup.ca/
About The Author
Lori Stryker has been researching and developing all natural skin care and make-up for the purpose of offering men and women safe, natural cosmetics for everyday use. She brings to her research a specialist in human biology from the University of Toronto, coupled with a professional home economics degree and an education degree from the University of British Columbia, fusing chemical and biological knowledge with food, family and textile sciences.
You may use this article but any modification or publication of this article for fiancial gain must be approved of by the author. The author's name, Lori Stryker and her company's name, The Organic Make-up Company, needs to by noted when used.
info@organicmakeup.ca
Friday, September 23, 2005
Dermatologist: The Most Qualified Physician for Skin Problems
by: Michael Sanford
The skin is the largest and most visible organ of the body. It reflects the health of the body and acts as a barrier against injury and bacteria. Sadly, at one time or another, nearly everyone has some type of skin disease that only a skin doctor can absolutely give the scientific explanation for those skin problems.
Dermatologist is a medical doctor specializing on the study of the skin, diseases of the skin and the relationship of cutaneous lesions to systemic disease. Dermatologist is a medical doctor trained to usually combine several activities like seeing patients in public hospitals and/or in private practices, acting as consultants to other specialists, teaching and delving into clinical or basic research.
The dermatologist must have expertise in basic sciences including pathology, biochemistry, physics, physiology, microbiology and endocrinology. Because skin diseases are often associated with internal conditions, dermatologist must also be familiar with all the other medical specialties because of their consultant work.
Dermatologist likewise perform skin surgery in several situations like preventing or providing early control of disease such as skin cancer; improve skin’s appearance by removing growths, discolorations or damage caused by ageing; and to establish a definite diagnosis.
There are several responsibilities that dermatologist has including examining patients, performing biopsies and other diagnostic techniques of dermatology, interpreting test results and evaluating examination findings before prescribing treatments, including x-ray therapy, physical therapy and medication.
Dermatological services are as well managed by dermatologist like formulating plans and procedures for dermatological services, scheduling operation of diagnostic and treatment facilities, and assigning nurses, physical therapists, x-ray therapists and other medical technicians. The dermatologist advises on the types and quantity of dermatological supplies and equipment, coordinate dermatological services with other medical activities.
There are however several types of health care providers who can take care of your skin conditions aside from dermatologist. The first thing that you need to know about picking a skin specialist is the probability that you are really badly in need to see a specialist as sometimes your condition may not need the specialist. Therefore, it is important that you know when you really need to see a dermatologist.
Some conditions are exclusively treated by a dermatologist especially with severe forms of common diseases such as acne, rosacea and atopic dermatitis. Most skin cancers are treated by dermatologist, sometimes in conjunction with a surgeon. There is also the dermatologist who utilizes various specialized laboratory procedures to diagnose disorders characterized by defective responses of the body’s immune system.
Getting a referral from your physician is a great help and of high importance in finding the right dermatologist who will be working with you. It is important that you are assured that the dermatologist has the right credentials for the medical procedure(s) that your skin demands. You may have to do some preliminary check that will enable you to be prepared and educated prior to your consultation.
Such steps are critical as it will help you achieve a successful outcome. You have to have a give-and-take dialogue assuring that you and your dermatologist have the same vision of what you want the end result to be as well as your expectations are realistic. The communication between you and the skin doctor is of most importance as you are considering things about your skin or associated problems.
About The Author
Michael Sanford
For more infoormation on acne skin care please visit http://www.no-more-acne.org
The skin is the largest and most visible organ of the body. It reflects the health of the body and acts as a barrier against injury and bacteria. Sadly, at one time or another, nearly everyone has some type of skin disease that only a skin doctor can absolutely give the scientific explanation for those skin problems.
Dermatologist is a medical doctor specializing on the study of the skin, diseases of the skin and the relationship of cutaneous lesions to systemic disease. Dermatologist is a medical doctor trained to usually combine several activities like seeing patients in public hospitals and/or in private practices, acting as consultants to other specialists, teaching and delving into clinical or basic research.
The dermatologist must have expertise in basic sciences including pathology, biochemistry, physics, physiology, microbiology and endocrinology. Because skin diseases are often associated with internal conditions, dermatologist must also be familiar with all the other medical specialties because of their consultant work.
Dermatologist likewise perform skin surgery in several situations like preventing or providing early control of disease such as skin cancer; improve skin’s appearance by removing growths, discolorations or damage caused by ageing; and to establish a definite diagnosis.
There are several responsibilities that dermatologist has including examining patients, performing biopsies and other diagnostic techniques of dermatology, interpreting test results and evaluating examination findings before prescribing treatments, including x-ray therapy, physical therapy and medication.
Dermatological services are as well managed by dermatologist like formulating plans and procedures for dermatological services, scheduling operation of diagnostic and treatment facilities, and assigning nurses, physical therapists, x-ray therapists and other medical technicians. The dermatologist advises on the types and quantity of dermatological supplies and equipment, coordinate dermatological services with other medical activities.
There are however several types of health care providers who can take care of your skin conditions aside from dermatologist. The first thing that you need to know about picking a skin specialist is the probability that you are really badly in need to see a specialist as sometimes your condition may not need the specialist. Therefore, it is important that you know when you really need to see a dermatologist.
Some conditions are exclusively treated by a dermatologist especially with severe forms of common diseases such as acne, rosacea and atopic dermatitis. Most skin cancers are treated by dermatologist, sometimes in conjunction with a surgeon. There is also the dermatologist who utilizes various specialized laboratory procedures to diagnose disorders characterized by defective responses of the body’s immune system.
Getting a referral from your physician is a great help and of high importance in finding the right dermatologist who will be working with you. It is important that you are assured that the dermatologist has the right credentials for the medical procedure(s) that your skin demands. You may have to do some preliminary check that will enable you to be prepared and educated prior to your consultation.
Such steps are critical as it will help you achieve a successful outcome. You have to have a give-and-take dialogue assuring that you and your dermatologist have the same vision of what you want the end result to be as well as your expectations are realistic. The communication between you and the skin doctor is of most importance as you are considering things about your skin or associated problems.
About The Author
Michael Sanford
For more infoormation on acne skin care please visit http://www.no-more-acne.org
I am struck down by a plague of boils, but saved by a free health service - Columns
Found this article at http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FQP/is_4620_132/ai_96892372
I am currently very ill indeed, so much so that, if there is any lapse in care, I shall be headed for disaster. As you may recall, I went on holiday to the Caribbean island of Tobago. Now Tam in the island's only hospital, in Scarborough, the capital -- though, as I lie in bed, I am barely able to distinguish between Scarborough, Yorkshire, and Scarborough, Tobago.
I arrived here last Monday, my entire system poisoned by a marauding pack of boils. They had latched on to my left buttock, and spread from there, causing havoc throughout my physical system.
I have spent nights in howling pain. I applied a local remedy of pepper leaves and soft candle. But the boils appeared to thrive on these local medicines. I turned to a professionally qualified pharmacist, who drew up a poultice according to modern medical practice, but again to no avail. What began as boils turned to abscesses and finally to carbuncles. Mrs Howe worked tirelessly to find remedies from all over the computerised globe.
After 14 days, including Christmas and New Year, I had lost so much weight that I was hardly recognisable. To Mrs Howe and me, the abscesses had assumed a collective social personality -- a Norse god, Viking maybe.
Finally, there was no avoiding the surgeon's blade. My friends, all of them, warned me against the local health service. The local hospital was a deathtrap, they said. Yet on every occasion I probed their complaints to get more precise details, the truth dissolved into thin air.
A Victorian hospital it certainly is, and ramshackle, too.
Asbestos predominates in the architecture, and everything that is backward in third-world hospitals exists here. But I am an NHS man. I called the dingy place and got an appointment for three hours later. I arrived on time. After a few questions, an examination of the crucial organs was carried out immediately.
Mrs Howe, who works in middle management at a hospital in London, confirmed that the pre-operative procedures were fine. Within half an hour of arriving, I was being wheeled into the theatre and an anaesthetist was stroking my face into oblivion. Ten minutes later, the mother of all battles against carbuncles was won -- under the local health service, all for free.
COPYRIGHT 2003 New Statesman, Ltd.COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group
I am currently very ill indeed, so much so that, if there is any lapse in care, I shall be headed for disaster. As you may recall, I went on holiday to the Caribbean island of Tobago. Now Tam in the island's only hospital, in Scarborough, the capital -- though, as I lie in bed, I am barely able to distinguish between Scarborough, Yorkshire, and Scarborough, Tobago.
I arrived here last Monday, my entire system poisoned by a marauding pack of boils. They had latched on to my left buttock, and spread from there, causing havoc throughout my physical system.
I have spent nights in howling pain. I applied a local remedy of pepper leaves and soft candle. But the boils appeared to thrive on these local medicines. I turned to a professionally qualified pharmacist, who drew up a poultice according to modern medical practice, but again to no avail. What began as boils turned to abscesses and finally to carbuncles. Mrs Howe worked tirelessly to find remedies from all over the computerised globe.
After 14 days, including Christmas and New Year, I had lost so much weight that I was hardly recognisable. To Mrs Howe and me, the abscesses had assumed a collective social personality -- a Norse god, Viking maybe.
Finally, there was no avoiding the surgeon's blade. My friends, all of them, warned me against the local health service. The local hospital was a deathtrap, they said. Yet on every occasion I probed their complaints to get more precise details, the truth dissolved into thin air.
A Victorian hospital it certainly is, and ramshackle, too.
Asbestos predominates in the architecture, and everything that is backward in third-world hospitals exists here. But I am an NHS man. I called the dingy place and got an appointment for three hours later. I arrived on time. After a few questions, an examination of the crucial organs was carried out immediately.
Mrs Howe, who works in middle management at a hospital in London, confirmed that the pre-operative procedures were fine. Within half an hour of arriving, I was being wheeled into the theatre and an anaesthetist was stroking my face into oblivion. Ten minutes later, the mother of all battles against carbuncles was won -- under the local health service, all for free.
COPYRIGHT 2003 New Statesman, Ltd.COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group
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