tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24879496518112669802024-03-08T01:45:23.611-08:00Organic Health and Beauty BLOGGreat tips, articles and specials related from your trusted source at Organic Health and Beauty.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12874229680746198875noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487949651811266980.post-1794278279937265042008-02-17T13:12:00.000-08:002008-02-17T13:13:09.333-08:00African Shea Butter<div id="body"><p><b>African Shea Butter</b></p><p>African Shea Butter is made from the seeds of the Karite tree (known as the Tree of Life) which grows wild in West Africa. In Africa, there are number of therapeutic uses for the "King of skin care ingredients" including ingesting it for colds and flus and as a ceremonial food. Africans use it on the skin of infants, because of it's incredibly mild properties on the most sensitive of skin. Also, it does an amazing job of protecting and moisturizing their delicate skin. Africans also use Shea Butter with the elderly to help with aching joints and to keep their skin supple. Due to the dry nature of the Sahara, it is also used regularly to help with cracked and dry skin.</p><p><b>The 7 Top Reasons to use Shea Butter</b></p><p>1. <u>Dry Skin</u> - Helps dramatically reduce the issues associated with dry skin. Specifically, Shea Butter helps prevent chapping, chafing and skin cracks (especially on the feet and elbows).</p><p>2. <u>Psoriasis, Eczema, Dermatitis</u> - Has shown to have remarkable effects on rashes, psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis. French dermatologists used Shea Butter on 35 people from different age, sex and racial backgrounds for a period of ten days to 5 months. These subjects had all types of skin disorders ranging from dry and wrinkled skin to serious burns and rashes. There was substantial healing in all of the cases, and in some cases the healing was almost miraculous. These clinical trials have all been well documented by the French Ministry of Health.</p><p>2. <u>Skin Irritations </u>- Minor skin irritations including allergies, insect bites, frost bites, sun burns, burns, and small skin wounds all respond positively to treatment. Shea Butter glides on smoothly and easily and penetrates into the skin immediately, having a very quick effect,</p><p>3. <u>Wrinkles </u>- Helps dramatically with wrinkles. Shea Butter works by rejuvenating skin cells and cleaning pores. Shea Butter also helps by preventing wrinkles by keeping moisture protected in the deeper dermal layers of the skin.</p><p>4. <u>Dry Hair and Scalp</u> - Helps prevent weak hair from breaking, fading or thinning out. Unlike almost all other hair conditioners on the market, which use Petroleum by-products, Shea Butter does not clog pores or block the hair shafts. It also helps prevent dandruff and revitalizes split ends. In addition, it will protect the hair from the damaging rays of the sun, hair dryers, perms and dyes. A good idea is to use it before swimming in a pool or the ocean to help protect your hair from chlorine and sea salt.</p><p>5. <u>Sensitive Skin</u> - One of the best choices for people with ultra-sensitive skin, including infants. Why? The chemical composition of shea butter is close to vernix, the substance found on newborns at birth, so there is no negative reaction to it by even the most sensitive people.</p><p>6. <u>Stretch Marks</u> - Excellent for the prevention and treatment of stretch marks and other kinds of scar tissue. It works by moisturizing and feeding nutrients to these areas which helps dramatically reduce the appearance of scars or stretch marks. In addition, Shea Butter is also good for the healing of sore nipples of nursing mothers.</p><p>7. <u>Aging</u> - Wonderful for older people who are looking to prevent bed sores and want to keep the suppleness of their skin. Shea Butter works great for the elderly population and can be used everyday.</p></div><p><a id="link_82" target="_new" href="http://www.organichealthandbeauty.com/African-Shea-Butter_p_272-153.html">For the highest quality shea butter available, please click here to learn more</a></p>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12874229680746198875noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487949651811266980.post-64095768450866209992008-02-07T23:05:00.000-08:002008-02-07T23:08:18.323-08:00Unsafe Mercury Leveles in Tuna<div style="font-family: arial;" id="body"><p>According to many experts, mercury is a dangerous heavy metal that has been found in many different kinds of seafood including a wide assortment of tuna and other seafood. Unfortunately, consumption of fish is the primary source of mercury in the American population. For some people, especially pregnant and nursing women, even small levels of mercury can pose serious health threats to a fetus or baby. It has even been shown that women of child-bearing age (even if not pregnant) can hurt their future baby's development because mercury stays in the body for a long time.</p><p>Mercury rains down on rivers and the oceans mainly from from the emissions generated by coal-burning power plants. When mercury enters the water, bacteria actually transforms this heavy metal into an even more dangerous toxin. In the oceans, mercury appears to be at the highest levels in predatory fish.</p><p>So, what can happen if you or a child has mercury poisoning? Symptoms of mercury poisoning typically includes vision, hearing, speech impairment as well as a significant decrease in coordination. Studies also suggest that high levels of mercury in the body can also cause neurological and cardiovascular damage and an over-all depression of the immune systems which puts a person at greater risk for illness. In children, in addition to the above mentioned problems, mercury poisoning can also cause learning disabilities, including autism. Long term exposure to mercury can result in brain damage and ultimately death.</p><p>So, which fish have the highest levels of mercury? It appears that the following kinds of fish have the highest amounts of mercury: tilefish, tuna, shark, swordfish, and king mackerel. It had been suggested that light canned tuna was lower in mercury than white tuna, but according to new data from Consumer Reports, that may not be true. Their analysis of both kinds of tuna showed that light canned tuna may have equally as much mercury as that of canned white tuna.</p><p>David Acheson, M.D., the chief medical officer at the FDA has stated "If you eat a single can of something that's a little higher than the average, it's not going to do any acute harm." However, it has been found that some cans of tuna contain significantly higher amounts of mercury than the average. This puts a person eating these kinds of seafood at significant risk of mercury poisoning.</p><p>The first and best way to avoid mercury poisoning and protect yourself is to avoid these kinds of seafood. In my opinion, the risk far outweighs the benefits or taste or nutritional importance. It is important to get Omega fatty acids in the diet, but I recommend flax oil or a vegan source of DHA. One omega-3 fatty acid is docosahexaenoic acid or DHA, so a vegan source is the purest and best source of this nutrient. I would avoid getting Omega fatty Acids from fish oil, because they can also contain mercury and they tend to go rancid sitting on store shelves and in your pantry.</p><p>A lot of people ask about detoxifying mercury from their bodies. Fortunately, there have been a large number of people who have had great success in eliminating most of the mercury from their bodies from herbal detoxification.</p><p>In order to detoxify mercury safely from your body, I strongly recommend using a top quality, organic herbal formula.</p></div><p style="font-family: arial;">The best formula I have seen based on years of experience and feedback from people is an organic herbal formula sold at <a id="link_82" target="_BLANK" href="http://www.organichealthandbeauty.com/">Organic Health and Beauty</a>. To learn more about this <a id="link_83" target="_BLANK" href="http://www.organichealthandbeauty.com/Heavy-Mineral-Bugleweed-Formula_p_245-121.html">organic herbal detoxification formula for mercury poisoning, click here</a>.</p>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12874229680746198875noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487949651811266980.post-47986844097083852632007-03-22T08:37:00.000-07:002008-02-07T23:11:32.869-08:00Can Not Flossing Cause a Heart Attack?Recent research shows that treating gum disease may prevent heart attacks. Other conditions that have been linked to gum disease are diabetes, low birth weight babies and heart disease. Unhealthy conditions in the mouth can contribute to inflammation throughout the body, which has been associated with numerous diseases -- including cardiovascular disease.<br /><br />"Certain bacteria present in the mouth may be related to clogging up the arteries by contributing to the plaque that builds on the walls of the arteries," said New York University oral microbiologist Walter Bretz.<br /><br />"Systemically, visits to the dentist and hygienist may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke and possibly heart attack, and can decrease the likelihood of tooth loss for diabetics," said Gwen Cohen-Brown, a dentist and lecturer for the New York State Department of Health.<br /><br />Dentists generally recommend that patients have biannual visits with the dentist and hygienist, and brush after every meal. If this is not possible, try to at least brush in the morning and in the evening before bed, and floss daily.<br /><br />Details of the study are in the March 1 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine:<br /><br />For more detailed information, please click on the following links:<br /><br /><a href="http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/short/356/9/911">http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/short/356/9/911</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.perio.org/consumer/nejm-perio-cardio.htm">http://www.perio.org/consumer/nejm-perio-cardio.htm</a>Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09726355822606749857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487949651811266980.post-61775309978472218702007-03-17T13:11:00.000-07:002008-02-07T23:13:23.353-08:00Red Meat - Major factor of global warmingA United Nations report has identified the world’s rapidly growing herds of cattle as the greatest threat to the climate, forests and wildlife. And they are blamed for a host of other environmental crimes, from acid rain to the introduction of alien species, from producing deserts to creating dead zones in the oceans, from poisoning rivers and drinking water to destroying coral reefs.<br /><br />The 400-page report by the Food and Agricultural Organization, entitled Livestock’s Long Shadow, also surveys the damage done by sheep, chickens, pigs and goats. But in almost every case, the world’s 1.5 billion cattle are most to blame. <span>Livestock are responsible for 18% of the greenhouse gases that cause global warming, more than cars, planes and all other forms of transport put together.<br /><br />Burning fuel to produce fertilizer to grow feed, to produce meat and to transport it - and clearing vegetation for grazing - produces 9 per cent of all emissions of carbon dioxide, the most common greenhouse gas. <span>And their gas and manure emit more than one third of emissions of another, methane, which warms the world 20 times faster than carbon dioxide. <br /><br />Livestock also produces more than 100 other polluting gases, including more than two-thirds of the world’s emissions of ammonia, one of the main causes of acid rain. Ranching, the report adds, is “the major driver of deforestation” worldwide,</span> and overgrazing is turning a fifth of all pastures and ranges into desert. Cows also soak up vast amounts of water: <span>It takes a staggering 261 gallons of water to produce one gallon of milk. <br /><br />Wastes from feedlots and fertilizers used to grow their feed over nourish water, causing weeds to choke all other life. And<span> the pesticides, antibiotics and hormones used to treat them get into drinking water and endanger human health. The pollution washes down to the sea, killing coral reefs and creating “dead zones” devoid of life. One is up to 13,000 square miles, in the Gulf of Mexico, where much of the waste from US beef production is carried down the Mississippi. <br /><br />The report concludes that, unless drastic changes are made, the massive damage done by livestock will more than double by 2050, as demand for meat increases. So, consider cutting back on red meat or cutting it out altogether. It is one of the easiest things an individual can do to have an enormously positive impact on our planet.</span></span></span>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12874229680746198875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487949651811266980.post-88055329701067945612007-03-16T09:23:00.000-07:002007-03-21T23:30:12.459-07:00Can your multivitamin make you sick?<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="ti" style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Arial;font-size:16;" > <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 3.75pt 0in; text-align: center;" align="center"><span class="ti"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:16;" ><span style="font-size:130%;">Spotlight on Vitamin A </span><o:p></o:p></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" > <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 7.5pt 0in;" align="left"><span class="ti"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" > </span></span><span class="ti" style="font-weight: normal;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:Arial;">Check the label of your multivitamin to see if the source of Vitamin A is Mixed Carotenoids. That is the only healthy form of Vitamin A. If your supplement uses another form of Vitamin A, and it probably does, then your supplement may be causing you more harm than good.<span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span>If it is unclear, then it is most likely isolated Beta Carotene or preformed Vitamin A (Retinol). <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 7.5pt 0in;" align="left"><span class="ti" style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: normal;">Studies have shown that isolated Beta Carotene and preformed Vitamin A (Retinol) can actually shorten your lifespan</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;font-size:130%;" ><span class="ti" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Arial;" >In other words, you are not only wasting your money by taking these supplements, you are actually harming your health.<span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span>Articles in the world's most respected medical journals like the Lancet, the New England Journal of Medicine and the Journal of the National Cancer Institute all recommend against taking any supplement with preformed Vitamin A (Retinol) or isolated Beta Carotene.</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Arial;" ><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Arial;" >[1]</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 7.5pt 0in; text-align: center;" align="center"><span class="ti" style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">But, I have heard that Vitamin A is good for you? <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 7.5pt 0in;" align="left"><span class="ti" style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></span><span class="ti" style="font-weight: normal;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:Arial;">Yes, Vitamin A found naturally in plant foods is very healthy for you. However, Vitamin A made in a laboratory is not. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 7.5pt 0in;" align="left"><span style="font-weight: normal;font-size:130%;" ><span class="ti" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Arial;" > Fruits and vegetables provide you with a natural mixture of carotenoids such as Lutein, Lycopene, </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Arial;" >Zeaxanthin, Alpha Carotene</span><span class="ti" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Arial;" > and Beta Carotene.<span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span>Studies consistently show that getting a large quantity of these Mixed Carotenoids in your diet greatly lowers your risk of getting various diseases, such as cancer, heart disease and macular degeneration.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><o:p style="font-weight: bold;"></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 7.5pt 0in; font-weight: bold;" align="left"><span class="ti" style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> <span style="font-weight: normal;">Unfortunately, </span><span style="font-style: italic;">taking isolated Beta Carotene actually blocks absorption of disease-fighting carotenoids.</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Because it</span> negatively impacts your blood levels of Mixed Carotenoids, </span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">supplemental Beta Carotene actually increases risk of disease and all-cause mortality.</span></span> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 7.5pt 0in;" align="left"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" class="ti" ><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Preformed Vitamin A (Retinol) is even worse than Beta Carotene.<span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;font-size:130%;" class="ti" ><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;">Preformed Vitamin A is toxic and even fatal in high doses.</span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" class="ti" ><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">It is so toxic that the government of the </span></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><st1:country-region><st1:place><span class="ti" style="font-weight: normal;"><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Arial;" >United States <span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="ti" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Arial;" >set an upper limit of 10,000 IU's of preformed Vitamin A for women who are pregnant.<span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span>This is because doses higher than that can cause birth defects and liver toxicity.<span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span>Further, high doses of preformed Vitamin A have been shown to decrease bone density and increase risk of hip fracture.</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Arial;" > <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></st1:place></st1:country-region></span></st1:place></st1:country-region></span></p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" align="left"><span class="ti" style="font-weight: normal;font-size:130%;" ><!--StartFragment --><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Arial;" > </span></span><span class="ti" style="font-weight: normal;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Arial;" >Is your current nutritional supplement causing you more harm than good? If so, <a href="http://www.organichealthandbeauty.com/VITAFORCE_p_140-81.html?utm_source=Blog%2BSpot&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=Vitaforce%2BBlog"><span class="ti" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Arial;" >click here to learn more about VITAFORCE</span></span></a> -- the only multivitamin that is made from whole food ingredients and is perfectly balanced with the ideal quantity of each of your daily vitamins and minerals.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><span class="ti" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" ></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">[1]</span></span></span><span class="ti">Lancet. 1997 Jun 14;349(9067):1715-20.</span>; <span class="ti">N Engl J Med. 1996 May 2;334(18):1150-5.; N Engl J Med. 1996 May 2;334(18):1145-9.; J Natl Cancer Inst. 1996 Nov 6;88(21):1560-70.</span></span></div></div>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12874229680746198875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487949651811266980.post-43188950686669976612007-03-16T09:00:00.000-07:002007-03-16T09:09:27.978-07:00New ways to prevent UV sun damage<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:10;"> As the record summer heat continues, are you protecting your skin from the sun's damaging UV rays?<span style=""> </span>What you may not know is that most skin damage occurs during your daily activities. In the absence of sunscreen, skin protection depends solely on your skin's own defenses.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:10;"> Numerous recent studies [1] now show that consuming significant quantities of carotenoids, vitamin E and selenium boosts your skin's natural defenses against UV damage. UV damage leads to skin cancer, wrinkling, sun spots, moles and other skin damage. Getting these nutrients everyday is an essential and overlooked component for maintaining healthy and radiant skin.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style=""><span style=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span><span style=""> <span class="seriestitle">Annual Review of Nutrition</span>, <span class="black9pt">Vol. 24: 173-200, July 2004; The American Society for Nutritional Sciences, J. Nutr. 133:98-101, January 2003;bPhotodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine Volume 19 Page 56, April 2003; </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Journal of Investigative Dermatology</span> (2004) 122, 510-517</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:10;"></span></span></p>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12874229680746198875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487949651811266980.post-79488229713067297982007-03-16T08:54:00.000-07:002007-03-16T09:09:47.510-07:00Are you concerned about bone loss?<p class="first" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> The following are the results of studies reported at the recent IOF (International Osteoporosis Foundation) World Congress on Osteoporosis in Toronto. [1] The most important studies of the year are reported at this event, and below are the summaries of the most important information presented:</span> </p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="first"> </p><ol style="font-family:arial;"><li> <span style="font-size:130%;">New research shows calcium from food might do more to protect bones than supplemental calcium in pill form. Dietary sources were associated with high levels of active estrogen metabolites in urine, which is important because estrogen builds bone mass during youth and prevents bone loss during aging; </span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">A recent study out of Belgium indicates that vitamin D levels might be low all over the world, and that people of all ages should be supplementing with Vitamin D to protect against bone fractures; </span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">People should be taking at least 800 IU's of Vitamin D a day to protect against bone fractures; and </span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Vitamin D must be taken with calcium to protect against hip fracture risk.</span></li></ol><br /><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family:Arial;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" > The press release is dated </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><st1:date year="2006" day="5" month="6"><span style="font-family:Arial;">June 5, 2006</span></st1:date></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >, and further details can be found at http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/06/060605194723.htm</span>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12874229680746198875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487949651811266980.post-51304815438624705552007-03-16T08:42:00.000-07:002007-03-16T09:35:03.507-07:00Organic Health and Beauty Blog<span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" >Our mission is to provide you with the latest and most important health and beauty information available. Whether it's about nutrition, diet, supplements, skin care etc.. we strive to make the content absolutely accurate and well researched. We hope that you find this blog informative and eye opening. Thanks for stopping by and we hope you enjoy it!</span>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12874229680746198875noreply@blogger.com0