To minimize wrinkles and keep skin looking healthy as you age, limit your sun exposure to no more than 1/2 hour daily and don't smoke. The following vitamins and natural extracts may also help:
1. Coenzyme Q-10 (CoQ10). This antioxidant may help encourage the turnover of new skin cells, protecting them from sun damage and minimizing wrinkles.
2. Vitamin A. As a topical retinol, vitamin A may help reduce wrinkles by stimulating collagen production. It may also lighten age spots and encourage the sloughing off of dry skin cells.
3. White and green tea extracts. Both have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and evidence shows that topical white tea extracts may help protect against sun damage, while green tea may protect against skin cancer.
4. Mushrooms. Several species of Asian mushrooms have been studied for their anti-inflammatory properties, and may help reduce redness and minimize inflammation.
Dr. Andrew Weil, MD
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Vitamin D - - Do Not Ignore this Important Vitiamin
High Vitamin D, Lower Risks of Heart Disease, Diabetes
That's the word from British researchers who published a review of 28 studies compiling information on more than 99,000 middle aged and elderly men and women. The investigators from Warwick University found that those study subjects whose vitamin D levels were highest had a much lower risk of developing "cardiometabolic" disorders including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome than those whose vitamin D levels were lowest. The differences were striking: the men and women with high vitamin D levels had a risk of cardiovascular disease that was 33 percent lower than that of participants with the lowest levels. The reviewers found an even more impressive difference in the risk of type 2 diabetes: those with the highest levels of "D" had a risk that was 55 percent lower than those with the lowest levels. Risks of metabolic syndrome were also substantially lower in the men and women with high levels of "D" - 51 percent below those of participants with the lowest levels. The review was published in the March 2010 issue of the journal Maturitas.
Andrew Weil, MD
Tip: Reread my blogs regarding Vitamin D starting on Oct. 24, 2009. http://washmyface.blogspot.com/
That's the word from British researchers who published a review of 28 studies compiling information on more than 99,000 middle aged and elderly men and women. The investigators from Warwick University found that those study subjects whose vitamin D levels were highest had a much lower risk of developing "cardiometabolic" disorders including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome than those whose vitamin D levels were lowest. The differences were striking: the men and women with high vitamin D levels had a risk of cardiovascular disease that was 33 percent lower than that of participants with the lowest levels. The reviewers found an even more impressive difference in the risk of type 2 diabetes: those with the highest levels of "D" had a risk that was 55 percent lower than those with the lowest levels. Risks of metabolic syndrome were also substantially lower in the men and women with high levels of "D" - 51 percent below those of participants with the lowest levels. The review was published in the March 2010 issue of the journal Maturitas.
Andrew Weil, MD
Tip: Reread my blogs regarding Vitamin D starting on Oct. 24, 2009. http://washmyface.blogspot.com/
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Fruit for Wrinkles?
Another post from my fave doctor, Andrew Weil, MD.
I've long recommended eating berries for their health-protective fiber and antioxidants. But new information about ellagic acid - an antioxidant found in numerous fruits, especially raspberries, strawberries and cranberries (as well as vegetables and nuts) - points to berries' potential as a topical application to help prevent collagen destruction and moderate the inflammatory response. A great deal of well-designed research shows that many compounds in berries, whether applied to the skin or eaten in the form of whole fruit, are among the most protective nutrients your body can utilize. Until topical ellagic-acid-based preparations are widely available, eating berries regularly is one of the best, not to mention tastiest, moves you can make for overall health.
Tip: Please remember that this article and many, many others are not necessarily conclusive. A huge amount of what one reads is not based in fact. Dr. Weil is suggesting that there MAY be a potential benefit to ellagic acid. Unlike may authors, Dr. Weil does rely on research not anecdotal evidence.
I've long recommended eating berries for their health-protective fiber and antioxidants. But new information about ellagic acid - an antioxidant found in numerous fruits, especially raspberries, strawberries and cranberries (as well as vegetables and nuts) - points to berries' potential as a topical application to help prevent collagen destruction and moderate the inflammatory response. A great deal of well-designed research shows that many compounds in berries, whether applied to the skin or eaten in the form of whole fruit, are among the most protective nutrients your body can utilize. Until topical ellagic-acid-based preparations are widely available, eating berries regularly is one of the best, not to mention tastiest, moves you can make for overall health.
Tip: Please remember that this article and many, many others are not necessarily conclusive. A huge amount of what one reads is not based in fact. Dr. Weil is suggesting that there MAY be a potential benefit to ellagic acid. Unlike may authors, Dr. Weil does rely on research not anecdotal evidence.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
4 Lifestyle Steps to a Healthy Heart
Once again, I am posting something from Dr. Andrew Weil. Though it is not directly related to your skin, it is very important to maintain a positive and healthy lifestyle.
Maintaining the right mix of healthy lifestyle habits is the best way to achieve optimal cardiovascular function. Incorporate the following into your daily routine to help promote the health of your heart:
1. Exercise. Regular exercise helps maintain the health of blood vessels, strengthens the heart muscle itself, and can help reduce heart disease risk factors including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, insulin resistance, and stress. Aim for 30 minutes a day of moderate aerobic activity on most days of the week. For individual guidance, consult a personal trainer.
2. Lose weight. If you are overweight or obese, even modest weight loss can significantly lower cardiovascular risks.
3. Don't smoke. Smoking is the major preventable risk factor for heart disease, and has negative health consequences for your entire body, from your taste buds to your energy levels to your skin. Seek support and guidance in quitting.
4. Manage stress. Uncontrolled stress can raise blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and homocysteine levels. Practice breath work, meditation, guided imagery, visualization or another relaxation technique, and participate in regular moderate exercise (including yoga and T'ai chi), stay social, and laugh often.
Tip: Is your level of Vitamin D high enough. A simple blood test at your next doctor's visit can tell you. Vitamin supplements are simple to find and use. Read some of my earlier posts to learn more.
Maintaining the right mix of healthy lifestyle habits is the best way to achieve optimal cardiovascular function. Incorporate the following into your daily routine to help promote the health of your heart:
1. Exercise. Regular exercise helps maintain the health of blood vessels, strengthens the heart muscle itself, and can help reduce heart disease risk factors including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, insulin resistance, and stress. Aim for 30 minutes a day of moderate aerobic activity on most days of the week. For individual guidance, consult a personal trainer.
2. Lose weight. If you are overweight or obese, even modest weight loss can significantly lower cardiovascular risks.
3. Don't smoke. Smoking is the major preventable risk factor for heart disease, and has negative health consequences for your entire body, from your taste buds to your energy levels to your skin. Seek support and guidance in quitting.
4. Manage stress. Uncontrolled stress can raise blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and homocysteine levels. Practice breath work, meditation, guided imagery, visualization or another relaxation technique, and participate in regular moderate exercise (including yoga and T'ai chi), stay social, and laugh often.
Tip: Is your level of Vitamin D high enough. A simple blood test at your next doctor's visit can tell you. Vitamin supplements are simple to find and use. Read some of my earlier posts to learn more.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Two Ways to Prevent Dry Skin
You can tell that I am a big fan of Dr. Andrew Weil.
If dry weather tends to make your skin tight, scaly and flaky, consider supplementing with essential fatty acids. Evening primrose oil and black currant oil are both good sources of GLA (gamma-linolenic acid), which helps promote skin, hair and nail health. The usual dose is 500 mg twice a day and you won't see immediate results, but in six to eight weeks you'll begin to notice positive changes.
Andrew Weil, MD
If dry weather tends to make your skin tight, scaly and flaky, consider supplementing with essential fatty acids. Evening primrose oil and black currant oil are both good sources of GLA (gamma-linolenic acid), which helps promote skin, hair and nail health. The usual dose is 500 mg twice a day and you won't see immediate results, but in six to eight weeks you'll begin to notice positive changes.
Andrew Weil, MD
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Vitamin D - - AGAIN!!
More from Dr. Andrew Weil
Vitamin D and Asthma
More and more we hear that we should wear sunscreen or sunblock due to the hazardous effects of the sun. However, actions always leads to consequences. In this case, less exposure to the sun limits our bodies' ability to produce Vitamin D. I have posted several different posts regarding Vitamin D. Feel free to look back at the others.
If you suffer from asthma, take note: the lower your levels of vitamin D, the worse your symptoms may be. What's more, low vitamin D levels also appear to influence how much benefit you'll receive from treatments - the lower the levels, the poorer the response to steroidal asthma medications. These results were demonstrated in a small study of 54 asthma patients at the National Jewish Health Center in Denver. The investigators suggested that vitamin D supplements might improve matters for patients with low levels of "D," but the study wasn't designed to test whether this intervention actually would work. However, it did show that vitamin D levels were also lowest among the patients who were the most overweight. The study was published in the Jan. 14, 2010, online edition of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. I recently raised my recommendation of 1,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily to 2,000 IU because of emerging evidence that the higher dose is more appropriate to help maintain optimum health. The asthma study adds to what we already know about the importance of vitamin D.
Vitamin D and Asthma
More and more we hear that we should wear sunscreen or sunblock due to the hazardous effects of the sun. However, actions always leads to consequences. In this case, less exposure to the sun limits our bodies' ability to produce Vitamin D. I have posted several different posts regarding Vitamin D. Feel free to look back at the others.
If you suffer from asthma, take note: the lower your levels of vitamin D, the worse your symptoms may be. What's more, low vitamin D levels also appear to influence how much benefit you'll receive from treatments - the lower the levels, the poorer the response to steroidal asthma medications. These results were demonstrated in a small study of 54 asthma patients at the National Jewish Health Center in Denver. The investigators suggested that vitamin D supplements might improve matters for patients with low levels of "D," but the study wasn't designed to test whether this intervention actually would work. However, it did show that vitamin D levels were also lowest among the patients who were the most overweight. The study was published in the Jan. 14, 2010, online edition of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. I recently raised my recommendation of 1,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily to 2,000 IU because of emerging evidence that the higher dose is more appropriate to help maintain optimum health. The asthma study adds to what we already know about the importance of vitamin D.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Vitamin D and Your Heart
More from Dr. Andrew Weil
Need (another) reason to keep your vitamin D intake up? New research suggests that low levels of this essential nutrient can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Researchers in Utah followed 27,000 men and women over the age of 50 who had no history of heart disease. After a year, they found those with the lowest levels of vitamin D were:
1. 77 percent more likely to die than those with adequate levels of vitamin D.
2. 45 percent more likely to develop coronary artery disease than those with adequate levels of vitamin D.
3. 78 percent more likely to have a stroke than those with adequate levels of vitamin D.
4. Twice as likely to develop heart failure than those with normal levels of vitamin D.
The study, from the Intermountain Medical Center, was presented at the Nov. 16, 2009, session of the American Heart Association's Scientific Conference. Dr. Weil recommends 2,000 IU of vitamin D per day.
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/TIP03585/Vitamin-D-and-Your-Heart.html
Need (another) reason to keep your vitamin D intake up? New research suggests that low levels of this essential nutrient can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Researchers in Utah followed 27,000 men and women over the age of 50 who had no history of heart disease. After a year, they found those with the lowest levels of vitamin D were:
1. 77 percent more likely to die than those with adequate levels of vitamin D.
2. 45 percent more likely to develop coronary artery disease than those with adequate levels of vitamin D.
3. 78 percent more likely to have a stroke than those with adequate levels of vitamin D.
4. Twice as likely to develop heart failure than those with normal levels of vitamin D.
The study, from the Intermountain Medical Center, was presented at the Nov. 16, 2009, session of the American Heart Association's Scientific Conference. Dr. Weil recommends 2,000 IU of vitamin D per day.
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/TIP03585/Vitamin-D-and-Your-Heart.html
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