Archive for August, 2009

featured1-cleanse-colon1-medIn recent years, detoxifying the colon has become one of the most popular therapies commonly recommended by natural health practitioners.

The reason for this is that more than 50 percent of the immune system is located in or around the digestive system, especially the large intestine. Because of this, until the colon is thoroughly cleansed and the toxins removed, nutrients will not absorb properly, and digestion will be hindered – leading to constipation, gas, bloating, IBS, headaches, bad breath, allergy symptoms, PMS, fatigue, depression, irritability, frequent infections and weight gain.

Luckily,  there are many colon detox programmes available to remove hardened fecal matter together with toxic materials and parasites from the colon.

The most important first step of any cleanse colon product  is to thoroughly cleanse the bowels.

Although there are dozens of products that claim to cleanse the colon, when you begin a more thorough search, you realize that there are only a handful with the right ingredients, combination and quality to be effective.

Every company likes to say they have the best and easiest colon cleansing program, but at the end the real measure of the effectiveness and safety of a product comes from what actual customers are reporting.

what-is-ibsIBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) is such a nebulous condition it can be difficult to identify as a distinct illness at all.

Recommendations:

Self Hypnosis help for IBS

Irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by symptoms of abdominal discomfort or pain, usually in the lower abdomen (although the location and intensity are variable, even at different times within the same person), and altered bowel habit (change in frequency or consistency) – chronic or recurrent diarrhea, constipation, or both – either mixed or in alternation.

The most common symptoms are abdominal cramping, bloating and gas, and diarrhea or constipation. With such normal signs as that - which can occur with dozens of other, more serious conditions - it can be hard to diagnose IBS.

Yet, physicians and researchers regard this syndrome as among the most common disorders and often distinguish it as much by what it is not, or by the absence of signs of other diseases. Unlike more serious ailments, like Crohn's or colitis for example, IBS does not produce inflammation of the colon. Neither does it increase the odds of colorectal cancer, as those diseases can.

Because the symptoms themselves are so varied - indeed sometimes contradictory, such as alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea - it is difficult to narrow down the presence of IBS. However, it is a chronic condition - occasional cramping or gas is completely normal and doesn't merit a special name - and so it receives a specific tag.

As semi-digested food (called "chyme") moves into the colon, where water is extracted and helpful bacteria create vitamins B and K, the intestinal muscles contract to keep it going. We're normally not aware of that contraction, called peristalsis. In IBS, those contractions can be spasmodic and stronger than normal, causing food to move too quickly or too slowly. The first often leads to diarrhea, the second to constipation.

There is research to suggest that some individuals are hypersensitive to that movement. They sense more clearly the stretching of the bowel produced by gas or bloating. That can lead to stress that tends to amplify the ill effects. Since women are more prone to IBS, some studies believe that hormones play a role, as well, particularly since symptoms often worsen during the menstrual period.

what-is-ibs2Since diet plays a role - some experience IBS after consuming chocolate, milk, or alcohol - it is possible to modify the symptoms in some cases. Reducing intake is an obvious method, but diet alterations help, too. Eating yogurt, for example, which contains organisms that break down lactose sugars, can help counter the effects of drinking milk for those who are lactose intolerant.

Controlling stress is often more difficult than simply an act of will. Education and counseling can provide techniques to reduce the anxiety and feeling of being overwhelmed that are typical of the condition. That often leads to a reduction or even elimination of the symptoms of IBS.

Self hypnosis, hypnotherapy has been proven to relieve the stress that can cause IBS has been so successful for improving IBS symptoms that Adriane Fugh-Berman, MD, chair of the National Women's Health Network in Washington, DC, says that hypnosis should be the treatment of choice for IBS cases which have not responded to conventional therapy.

hypnosis-for-IBSThe main theory behind the success of hypnosis for IBS is that the relaxation improves blood flow to the gut - something that stress tends to inhibit - and so improves digestion and the movement of food through the bowel.

The main company I recommend for self hypnosis downloads is HypnosisDownloads.com, click to read my personal review of Hypnosis Downloads.com.

Ease Irritable Bowel Symptoms with HypnosisDownloads.com

 

Nearly one in five American adults are believed to suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome yet, because it is so easy to confuse with normal stomach upsets, fewer than half seek professional diagnosis and treatment. The condition itself is not particularly serious and certainly not life threatening. But the overlap in many of the symptoms warrant a visit to the physician if they persist. That will help individuals discover if a more serious irritable-bowel-syndromeunderlying condition is at fault.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a functional bowel disorder of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract characterized by recurrent abdominal pain and discomfort accompanied by alterations in bowel function, diarrhea, constipation or a combination of both, typically over months or years.  A diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome has been reported by 10 to 20% of adults in the United States, and symptoms of IBS are responsible for over 3 million yearly visits to physicians.  Research suggests that Irritable Bowel Syndrome is one of the most common functional GI disorders.  Irritable Bowel Syndrome is found predominantly in women, with females representing over 70% of IBS sufferers.

what-is-a-colonThe colon forms the largest part of the large intestine, the 'tube' through which digested food passes.

That food is joined by digestive juices, including stomach acid and bile, on its route through the digestive system. That semi-fluid mass, known as chyme, isn't all just waste, though. A great many things happen to it on its way out of the body first.

The partially digested material that exits from the small intestine still contains a great deal of water, liquid that the body conserves naturally. The muscular and chemical action inside the colon helps extract that water from the chyme along its journey, a trip through the approximately 5 feet of colon inside the abdominal cavity.

Extracting that water isn't just a matter of efficiency, though. Proper water balance is vital to a huge variety of the chemical reactions in the body, as well as playing an essential role in internal temperature regulation. The colon does much more than just pack digested food into feces for elimination.

While that water is being extracted other important processes are taking place. There are over 700 species of bacteria that live in the 'gut', many of them playing a crucial role in digestion and health. Among other things, they help produce vitamins K and Biotin (a B-type vitamin).

The colon absorbs some of those products of the digestive processes of the bacteria themselves, then passes them back into the bloodstream. The blood then distributes those nutrients to tissues throughout the body. This is just one reason that antibiotics need to be taken with care. They can suppress not only harmful bacteria but the useful ones, too.

Those bacteria are also responsible for creating the gas (flatus) that sometimes upsets your stomach or fouls the air. As they consume undigested polysaccharides usually in the form of human-indigestible fiber we eat, they produce that gas. The gas itself is not, contrary to popular thinking, mostly methane or hydrogen sulphide ('egg' gas). It's chiefly nitrogen and carbon dioxide, with trace amounts of those other molecules, along with some hydrogen.

When those bacteria break down fiber they're producing nutrients not only for their own survival, but the vitamins mentioned above. At the same time, they generate compounds that provide nourishment for the cells that line the colon (the epithelium). They also contribute to creating lymphatic cells that form a key part of the immune system.

The chyme, now fully processed, continues to move down the colon by a slow process of muscular contraction called peristalsis. The python-like squeezing and relaxing moves the material ultimately down into the rectum, compacting it and extracting water to form feces. Note, the rectum is the six inch or so 'tube' just up from the anus, the opening. The feces are then squeezed out the anus in a bowel movement.

The whole process can take 10-12 hours and, as you can see, involves much more than simply pushing digested food waste through a 2 1/2 inch diameter tube. It's a necessary partner in total body health.

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Garnier Skin Care Analysis... In the past, women who love their skin have felt the need to invest in highly expensive beauty products. Garnier skin care is changing that tradition. Garnier believes that good skin care should be accessible on any budget. As a result, their products are tailor made to suit every customer. Garnier has a vast range of products. These products are in a wide price range. The company’s main goal is “to make beauty shine from the inside out” with each and every product. The corporation believes that you will find yourself happier and more at ease with others when you have also cared for yourself.

To best determine whether Garnier is right for you, you will need to know a bit about the company and its products. Having enough information about the principles and ingredients of Garnier skin care will help you determine if the product line is the right line for you.

* Garnier skin care says that it is all “about taking care.” What this means is that Garnier products are focused on the best mental and physical results of good skin care. Garnier focuses on making sure its products are easy to use. This is important since many people do not have time for a long beauty routine. Garnier is fast and make-up friendly. Nearly every product in the Garnier line replaces an existing step in your routine and does not require more than a few seconds to apply.

* Garnier products are designed with women in mind. The products and packaging are designed to enhance confidence at every level. Because of this, the Garnier line improves health and looks. That is the source of Garnier’s use of natural ingredients with proven effects.

* Garnier uses exhaustive testing. One of the best things about this company is its devotion to efficiency. The products are backed by science. They do not include extra, trendy ingredients that simply make products more expensive. Garnier’s special silicone imprint technology insures that before-and-after reporting is accurate. They also continue to monitor customer satisfaction throughout the life of their products.

* Garnier products are based around natural ingredients. Vitamins B3 and B6 are central to them. So do fruit extracts, which originally were the basis for the company’s hair care line. Garnier products are also designed for any budget. Some Garnier products start as low as three dollars. Build your entire beauty routine around Garnier skin care. If you prefer, you can supplement a more exclusive routine with these products to make sure that you are not leaving out vital steps in your beauty regimen. Garnier skin care products can fill nearly any gap your might currently have in your skin care or anti-aging routine.

Smart cosmetics aficionados know that the best mineral makeup is not like other mineral makeup lines. There are lots of reasons to be interested in buying mineral makeup, including:

* Using mineral makeup can alleviate symptoms of adult acne and rosacea

* Mineral makeup has a natural SPF of 15

* Mineral makeup wearers boast a more natural look

* Mineral makeup can be worn in diverse ways

* Mineral makeup is more durable than other cosmetics

* You can actually sleep in some mineral makeup products

You should know that just buying a product labeled “mineral makeup” is not enough.

To get full quality and benefits, you need the best mineral makeup available. This does not mean that the makeup products will be the most expensive. It does mean that they have unique qualities that other mineral makeup products do not.

Here are several things to look for to spot the best mineral makeup on the market:

* Look for an absence of artificial colors and fragrances - The best mineral makeup will not contain any artificial colors or fragrances. This does not mean you can only get earth tones in these products. It just indicates that fully artificial colors like “yellow dye #5” should not be present.

* Try to avoid talc - Large quantities of talc have enabled many makeup products to label themselves as mineral makeup. Yes, talc is a mineral. However, it is also a common allergen and serves as a filler to bulk up makeup products. Best mineral makeup products will not contain talc.

* Mica, Zinc and Titanium are all good signs - Mica reflects light away from the wrinkles in your face, thereby camouflaging them. Titanium and zinc naturally create an SPF barrier of 15. These “earth minerals” do not require chemical processing.

Often the best mineral makeup contains only these and a few other components.

* Look for short lists of ingredients - The best mineral makeup products will be simple. Look for ingredients lists that reflect this. Some mineral cosmetics have as few as five ingredients.

Depending on the array of colors available, you may need a few more ingredients. In general though, simpler is better.

Attention to detail goes a long way when you are looking for the best in mineral cosmetics.

This article originally published at http://www.BeautyCtr.com and republished here by popular demand.

Garnier Skin Care Analysis... Historically, women who truly treasure their skin do not buy “drugstore” products. Garnier skin care is changing all that. The Garnier company thinks that good skin care should be a priority no matter the budget. As a result, their products are tailor made to suit every customer. Garnier has a vast range of products. These beauty products are within a wide range of prices. Garnier stresses that the focus of all of these products is “to make beauty shine from the inside out.” Through care for oneself, Garnier believes that you can feel happier and more at ease with others.

To best determine whether Garnier is right for you, you will need to know a bit about the company and its products. Having enough information about the principles and ingredients of Garnier skin care will help you determine if the product line is the right line for you.

* Garnier skin care’s focus is totally “about taking care.” This means Garnier products are all about the mental and physical results of healthy skin care. In addition, Garnier product lines are easy to use. This is great for people who may not have a lot of time to spend on their beauty routine. Garnier is quick and cosmetic-friendly. Most of the products in the Garnier line replace existing steps in your beauty routine and do not take more than a few seconds to apply.

* Garnier products are designed with women in mind. Garnier products and packaging are designed to create and enhance confidence. Being designed for women lets the products enhance health and looks. This is why Garnier focuses their products around natural ingredients that have been well-researched.

* Garnier uses exhaustive testing. One of the great things about Garnier is that efficiency is one of their main goals. Garnier beauty is always backed up by science. They do not include extra, trendy components that might make them more expensive. Garnier’s special silicone imprint technology insures that before-and-after reporting is accurate. They also maintain a customer satisfaction database for the life of every product.

* Garnier products are built around natural components. Vitamins B3 and B6 play central roles in them. So do fruit extracts, which originally were the basis for the company’s hair care line. In addition to avoiding waste and focusing on pleasurable efficiency, Garnier products are designed for any budget. Many products are available for prices as low as three dollars. Built up an full beauty routine around Garnier skin care. If you prefer, you can supplement a more exclusive routine with these products to make sure that you are not leaving out vital steps in your beauty regimen. Garnier skin care products fulfill any needs you could possibly have in a skin care or anti-aging routine.

Bare Mineral Makeup initiated the mineral makeup revolution nearly a decade ago. Makeup manufacturers around the world have been cashing in on the popularity of Bare Mineral since then. Because of this, the philosophy behind these cosmetics has become confusing to many.

Lots of people think that mineral makeup is all the same. But the term “mineral makeup” has many different meanings. Lots of very different definitions can be applied legally when describing cosmetics. Bare Mineral Makeup adheres to one of the strictest definitions for mineral makeup in existence. This is highly attractive to people who really care about their complexions and their beauty budget dollars.

Here are some of the main things that Bare Mineral Makeup considers exclusive about itself:

* The line is thoroughly hypoallergenic - Not only are there no fragrances or oils, there is no talc. Talc is highly irritating to many people. Many “mineral makeup” companies actually base their descriptions of being mineral makeup around the presence of talc in their products.

* This makeup is actually good for your skin - With continued use, this makeup may help alleviate adult acne and rosacea. This may be due to the very hypoallergenic nature of the brand. Regardless of whether the mineral makeup heals the skin issues or just gives your body a chance to heal on its own, Bare Mineral Makeup wearers definitively report clearer skin over time.

* Bare Mineral has a natural SPF of 15 - The product line has received the Skin Cancer Foundation’s seal of recommendation. SPF 15 is the level recommended for everyday wear. By using Bare Mineral, you do not have to apply sunscreen under your regular makeup. Bare Mineral makes it easier to protect yourself from skin cancer. In addition, more women are likely to do so when it is easier to accomplish.

Bare Escentuals is another name for the Bare Mineral Makeup product line. These brands are found in BE Boutiques across the country. You can also use the internet to buy them at steeply discounted prices. If you love your skin and want to be sure your makeup is making even your unmade-up look better, than Bare Mineral Makeup is for you.

This article originally published on http://www.BeautyCtr.com and republished here by request.

Hair sun protection is likely one of the most neglected forms of sun protection. If you are like most members of the population, you look forward to summer all year. However, your hair is probably not so excited. While you may be thinking with anticipation of the warm, sun-kissed glow that your locks pick up each summer, in reality that beach bunny blonde is seriously hard on your hair. Natural sun-kissed highlights can deteriorate quickly into dried-out split ends if you do not protect your hair.

Here are some proven methods for hair sun protection:

* Moisturize regularly - Ocean salt and pool chemicals are very destructive when it comes to your hair. The best way to good hair sun protection is constant moisture. Like your skin, your hair needs lots of moisturizing to help it resist damage. Smooth in a leave-in conditioner or spray on a mixture of conditioner and water each time you leave the water.

* Look for Octyl Methyoxycinnamate - Generally, long chemical names to not mean good news for your hair. However, octyl methyoxycinnamate indicates that you are dealing with some serious SPF. You can also keep an eye out for products with vitamins A, E and C to fight off free radicals. Free radicals are what highly charged molecules that can harm the cells in your hair and skin are called.

* Be careful and cover up - A physical barrier between your hair and the sun is the most surefire way to get hair sun protection. Fix a scarf over your head for a classically glamorous and fully protected look. This is vital when the sun is strongest, between 10 AM and 3PM.

* Do the Right “Do” - Putting your hair up is a great way to protect yourself during unexpected sun exposure. Smooth down fly-aways with a dollop of sunscreen for a quick and put together look.

If you want to avoid damaged locks and major split ends, then you must remember to protect your hair from the sun. Hair sun protection will keep your hair in good condition all summer and into the fall.

This article was originally featured on http://www.BeautyCtr.com and was republished here by request.

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