Thursday, October 30, 2008

Tired of Shaving?

Everyone wants a lot of hair on their head – but a lot of hair anywhere else on the body is generally considered unsightly. Thanks to our culture's obsession with smooth, hairless skin, we've tried nearly everything when it comes to removing those pesky sprouts: shaving, waxing, plucking, even slathering on those offensively-scented depilatory creams. One of the biggest downsides to all of those things, though, is that they're far from permanent.

Which brings laser hair removal into play. It's a perfect treatment for those who want to rid themselves of excess hair for good. So how does it work? Simply put, a high-energy laser heats up the hair deep into its follicle, producing inflammation. The inflammation signals the follicle to retreat into a “resting phase” in which it doesn't grow any new hair. It generally takes a series of treatments – five to seven on average – in order to achieve the desired result. Though laser hair removal dramatically decreases or eliminates unwanted hair, maintenance treatments (one per year, or even less frequently than that) may be needed to keep the area as smooth as possible. The number of initial treatments and the frequency of maintenance largely depends on the area being treated.

Hair today, gone tomorrow ... and the next day ... and the day after that ...

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Friday, October 24, 2008

Myer's Cocktail: Making the body's immune system stronger and more resistant to STRESS

Need a pick-me-up? Have a cocktail – intravenously. No, I'm not talking about a martini in an IV bag; the “cocktail” I'm referring to is a blend of vitamins, minerals and important nutrients (among them magnesium, calcium, and vitamins B and C), delivered directly into the bloodstream. Named for Dr. John Myers, who pioneered intravenous nutrient therapy back in the mid-1900s, the Myers Cocktail (as it has been dubbed) is can improve a whole host of chronic and acute conditions, from allergies to infections to migraines. Because it bypasses the digestive system, the blood carries a higher concentration of nutrients to the cells that need it most, boosting their function, and in turn helping the body to heal what's ailing it. Since there's no need to digest anything, the therapy can be especially beneficial to those with problems in that area, such as irritable bowel syndrome or Crohn's disease.

The substances used in the Myers Cocktail are safe, essential nutrients that our bodies must have in order to function. Normally we get them through the food we eat, but the processed foods of today are often lacking – and nutrient deficiencies can be linked to many illnesses. By getting those vital components into our bodies (intravenously or otherwise), we can ensure good health. That's one cocktail that, oddly enough, just might make you feel better in the morning.

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Thursday, October 16, 2008

Glycemic Index, Blood Sugar and Weight Loss

Carbs have gotten a bad rap in the past decade or so, being blamed for poor health and excessive weight gain. While this holds true for some things, not all carbohydrates are created equal. Some are rapidly digested and processed, kicking off a quick spike and crash in blood sugar levels, while others burn slowly and keep the blood sugar at bay by releasing glucose bit by bit. To help people decipher which carbs are which, the glycemic index was created.

The glycemic index ranks carbohydrates on a scale of 0 to 100 – 0 being foods with very minimal impact on blood sugar (such as beans) and 100 being foods that are extremely sugary (such as jelly). For weight loss, low-GI foods are key components of a healthy diet. Their smaller fluctuations in blood sugar levels help control the appetite, reduce insulin levels and insulin resistance, and ultimately combat obesity and general unhealthiness.

Never has the phrase “you are what you eat” been proven more true than in the case of carbohydrates. Swapping high-GI carbs for those at the lower end of the spectrum can be very beneficial, especially when it comes to watching your waistline. Try couscous instead of white rice; fresh fruits instead of dried. It's an easy and effective way to maintain a healthy weight without sacrificing the carbs you love.