Bananas - They're good for you!

Now that the carb craze has abated, bananas have once again returned to the OK list. Bananas are beneficial to good health and unless you’re diabetic, you might want to consider eating one or two a day to boost your vitamin intake. If you are diabetic, please check with your doctor to see what is recommended.

Bananas truly are nature’s health food because they contain anti-oxidants, potassium and vitamins – a powerhouse of nutrition that provides instant energy and boosts your immunity. They’re low in calories and help keep your body and brain fit.

What got me thinking about bananas? In a recent article I read that bananas were exceptional as a skin mask. Just mash a couple of ripe bananas, apply directly to a clean face and allow the mixture to sit for ten minutes before washing. The author of this piece stated that bananas can mask wrinkles. If you try this, let me know how it worked for you.

Vitamin C – Take it and wear it!

Vitamin C helps form collagen, a glue-like fibrous protein in bone, cartilage, tendons and other connective tissue. Vitamin C helps give structure and maintain such body parts as bones, cartilage, muscle, veins, capillaries and teeth. It is well known that citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons, grapefruits, tangerines, limes, mandarins and others contain Vitamin C. In fact, Vitamin C comes almost exclusively from fruits and vegetables. Other good sources are tomatoes, strawberries, raspberries, peppers, broccoli, asparagus, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, peas, rutabagas, cantaloupe, kiwi, papayas, and watermelon. Many other fruits and vegetables contain small amounts of Vitamin C, too.

How powerful is Vitamin C? Listen to what the experts have said about this remarkable nutrient. Dr. James Enstrom of UCLA has been quoted as saying that "A thirty-five-year-old man who eats Vitamin C-rich foods and takes Vitamin C supplements will slash his chances of heart disease death by two thirds and live 6.3 years longer". And according to the late Dr. Linus Pauling--a two-time Nobel Laureate and perhaps history's strongest advocate for the benefits of Vitamin C--supplemental doses of Vitamin C could add as much as twelve to eighteen years to our lives (Dr. Pauling also held the belief that ascorbic acid held the cure to the common cold).

Vitamin C functions as an anti-inflammatory, and helps the body fight inflammatory diseases, including arthritis, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue. A multitude of other conditions may be improved, including angina, bronchitis, bruises, canker sores, constipation, diabetes, eyestrain, gingivitis, glaucoma, hangover, infertility, joint pain, rashes, rosacea, shingles, sore throat, sprains, sunburn, and yeast infections, urinary tract infections, and scurvy. Because Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron, it is also useful in treating iron deficiency and anemia.

Topically, Vitamin C in the form of Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, the stable and potent form of Vitamin C, is absorbed directly into the interior of skin cells, neutralizing free radicals and other harmful, wrinkle-causing agents. You will see immediate lightening and brightening in your skin as fine lines and wrinkles plump up. Our unique formula helps to nourish new skin cells and revitalize old ones.

Application Recommendation: I suggest that you apply Vitamin C Serum twice daily on clean skin, once in the morning and again at night. Allow this preparation to penetrate the skin before applying creams or other treatments.

Is HGH worth the risk?

Dying to look younger? Some health professionals believe that premature death is possible if you use HGH, Human Growth Hormone, even if you are deficient.

Naturally, our bodies produce this amazing, interesting secretion from the pituitary gland and that HGH secretion is why we enjoy brain function, bone strength and energy. As production of this hormone begins to wane, we see the effects of declining HGH production with increased body fat, decreased sexual desire and performance, wrinkles and cellulite. UGH!

The National Enquirer ran the headline "Deadly Anti-Aging Drug Scandal" with photos of several actresses including Madonna, Goldie Hawn and Jessica Simpson among others in their February 7, 2005 issue. They report that many A-List celebrities regularly have the prescribed substance injected at a cost of $2,000 a month. Prescribed HGH is a 100% synthetic growth hormone.

Not all health professionals agree that HGH injections are safe. Some cite the drug can damage the liver and kidneys, cause diabetes and worsen existing cancers; when the user regularly stops using the drug to protect the kidneys, the body bloats and acne can become rampant.

One that can provide the user with the benefits of HGH without the side effects or the huge cost? Rather than introduce more HGH into the body, can you can stimulate your own pituitary gland to produce more HGH by using HGH enhancers? Over the past few years, non-drug oral supplements have been developed to trigger HGH release. FYI, real HGH is not sold over the counter so beware of ads that tout that real HGH is in their formulas.

Diet, exercise and lifestyle all have an impact on HGH levels. Certain foods, especally low carbohydrates, can spike HGH levels and exercise leads to an increase in HGH. In addition, something as simple as getting more sleep can increase your HGH levels. Our pituitary gland produces HGH while we are in deep sleep. Therefore, the more we sleep the more opportunity we have to produce HGH. This method does not require a prescription.

DENTAL ADVICE

It is important to maintain good dental health, not only for our smiles, but for our facial muscles, too. Just recently, after completing minor dental work, my dentist remarked that he thought the changes made me look younger. Hey, I like that! That remark got me thinking, especially when I remembered that my sister, who had jaw problems surgically repaired, had noticeable compression and wrinkling in her lower mouth. Now that her jaw is better positioned, her face has relaxed and looks more youthful.

The next time you visit your dentist, ask how she/he would improve your youthfulness and your smile. You might be surprised by the results.