Influenza

Have you ever suffered from influenza or the flu? The flu is contagious illness that is caused by  viruses, and it may sometimes even lead to death. The flu usually starts suddenly and may include these symptoms: fever (usually high), headache, cough, sorethroat, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle aches; diarrhea and vomiting can also occur. There are things you can do to prevent the flu. First, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue everytime you sneeze. Do not forget to throw the tissue  away after you use it. Second, frequently wash your hands with soap, especially after you cough or sneeze. Third, try not to touch your nose, eyes, or mouth. Germs are usually spread this way.  Fourth, stay away from people if possible. When you get the flu, stay at home. Do not go to school because other people can get sick too.

What should you do if you have the flu? Eat chicken soup! Chicken soup has been proven to relieve some of the symptoms related with the flu. For a sorethroat, drink either hot fluids or try cool stuff, like popsicles or ice cream. Finally, get some rest. Wait a day after your temperature normal before going back to school.

In english speaking countries, people often get a flu shot before the flu season begins. The flu shot help them be immune to the viruses that cause the flu.

Questions!

1. What kind of text is that?

2. What is flu?

3. How many ways of preventing flu are mention in the text?

4. When should we wash our hand to prevent the flu?

5. Can we drink iced tea when we get flu?

6. What is the similar word of "cure" you can find in the text? 

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Islam and Health

From an Islamic perspective health is viewed as one of the greatest blessings that God has bestowed on mankind. It should be noted that the greatest blessing after belief is health, as narrated in the following Hadith:

The final messenger of God, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) mounted the pulpit, then wept and said, "Ask Allah (swt) for forgiveness and health, for after being granted certainty, one is given nothing better than health."
Related in Tirmidhi 

Health is indeed a favour that we take for granted. We should express gratitude to God for bestowing us with health, and we should try are up most to look after it. God has entrusted us with our bodies for a predestined period of time. He will hold us to account on how we looked after and utilised our bodies and good health.

It has been narrated that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:

"No one will be allowed to move from his position on the Day of Judgement until he has been asked how he spent his life, how he used his knowledge, how he earnt and spent his money and in what pursuits he used his health"
Related in Tirmidhi 

The preservation of this blessing can only be achieved through taking good care of one’s health and taking every measure to maintain and enhance it. With this in mind every Muslim should make sure they undertake all necessary actions which are conducive to the preservation of good health. Healthy living is part and parcel of Islam, introduced with the inception of Islam more than 14 centuries ago. Furthermore, the Quran and the Sunnah outline the teachings that show every Muslim how to protect his health and live life in a state of purity. Numerous examples in Islam instruct its followers to live a healthy life, a selection are summarised below.

Daily prayer
Any health benefits derived from prayer or any other worship (fasting) are secondary in importance. The Salah or Islamic prayer comprises both physical movement and mental concentration. Performed five times a day at specific times of the day, the obligatory prayers provide a good means for the circulation of blood, breathing and general suppleness of joints. Though it is not physically over demanding, we know that anything done moderately and consistently is far better than sudden over-exertion at infrequent periods.

Ablution before Prayer & Ghusl
Before a Muslim performs their prayers, they must perform the ablution which comprises thorough washing of the hands, mouth, nose, face, arms (up to the elbow) and the feet (up to the ankle). This ritual of self-purification when carried out five-times a day, leaves the worshiper clean, refreshed and ready to face his creator. Muslims are also required to clean themselves with water after urinating or defecating. Another act of worship which also helps to maintain good health is taking a shower, or ghusl. This is compulsory when one is in the state of ritual impurity, and is compulsory at least once a week before attending the weekly Friday prayer.

Diet & Nutrition 
Various verses and texts within Islam promote the eating of healthy wholesome food and eating in moderation. God clearly states in the Quran:

Eat of the good things which We have provided for you. (2:173) Eat of what is lawful and wholesome on the earth.(2:168)

A healthy nutritious diet must also be balanced, in order to maintain the balance that God has established in all things, this is addressed in the Quran when God says:

And He enforced the balance. That you exceed not the bounds; but observe the balance strictly; and fall not short thereof. (55:7–9)

As we know, eating excessively causes harm to our systems. Many aliments are related to uncontrolled eating habits such as, diabetes, vascular diseases, stroke, heart attack etc. It has been said that the ‘stomach is the home of ill health’ and is usually responsible in some way to ill health. Islam teaches us to eat moderately:

Eat and drink, but avoid excess. (20:81)

Over indulgence and wasting of food are further dissuaded in the Hadith of the of the Messenger of God:

‘ No human being has ever filled a container worse than his own stomach. The son of Adam needs no more than a few morsels of food to keep up his strength, doing so he should consider that a third of his stomach is for food, a third for drink and a third for breathing’
Ibn Maja

Fasting 
Fasting during the month of Ramadan from dawn till dusk, is undertaken to seek the pleasure of God and to practise self control and restraint in all aspects of living, with the idea being to continue this state of God consciousness and piety after Ramadan is over. It is an ideal time to remove the impurities and shortcomings in ones life.

‘ O you who believe fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you so that you can learn
Taqwa (God consciousness)’

Fasting in Islam is not like crash dieting, it is adequate in calorie intake and involves no malnutrition. All foods are permissible to eat in moderation, once the fast is over. Many processed foods we eat contain chemicals which over-time can be stored by our bodies as toxins within cells. Fasting can assist our body to purge these toxins while also allowing our body and digestive system to rest. Research has indicated that fasting can lower blood sugar levels and cholesterol, suggesting it may be advisable for moderate, stable, non-insulin diabetes, obesity and essential hypertension.

Prohibition of Intoxicants
Islam strictly forbids indulgence in intoxicants such as alcohol and drugs for good reason. The limited pleasure of such vices causes immense long-term damage to both mind, body and the social fabric of society. Particular schools of thought include smoking within the list of prohibitions because of its harmful affects on the body. It seems that if Muslims adhere to the teachings of Islam, they would automatically lead a healthier lifestyle. God says in the Quran:

Satan's plan is (but) to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants and gambling and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer, will ye not then abstain? (5:90)

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Manfaat Madu Dalam Al Qur'an

Masalah madu ini, Rasul saw pernah ditegur Allah dengan firman Allah swt, sebagai berikut:

“Wahai Nabi!, mengapa kamu mengharamkan apa yang Allah menghalalkannya bagimu; kamu mencari kesenangan hati isteri-isterimu? Dan Allah maha Pengampun lagi Maha Penyayang. (QS 66:1)

Bukhari dan Muslim meriwayatkan bahwa Rasullulah saw pernah mengharamkan atas dirinya meminum madu hanya untuk menyenangkan isteri-isterinya, maka turunlah ayat ini sebagai teguran kepada Rasul saw. Al Quran menegaskan khasiat madu ini, yakni:

“Dari perut lebah itu ke luar minuman (madu) yang bermacam-macam warnanya, di dalamnya terdapat obat yang menyembuhkan bagi manusia (QS 16:69)


Hal ini dipertegas lagi oleh Rasul saw terhadap khasiat madu sebagai obat berikut ini:

“Dari Aisyah ra, Nabi saw, amat gemar pada makanan yang manis-manis dan madu (HR Bukhari)

“Dari Abu Sa’id ra: Ada seorang laki-laki datang kepada Rasullulah saw dan berkata: “Saudara saya sakit perut”. Rasul menjawab: “Beri ia madu!”. Hal ini dilakukan orang itu sampai tiga kali bolak balik menanyakan kepada Rasul saw, jawabannyapun tetap madu dan madu (HR Buhkari)

Keajaiban Madu

1.  Madu Lebah

Madu lebah memangnya diakui dan dari pandangan Islam sendiri ia merupakan penawar pelbagai penyakit. Madu lebah berasal dari tumbuhan berbunga yang menghasilkan nektar. Sehingga kurun abad ke-11, kebanyakkan orang di dunia ini mengakui rasa kemanisan madu yang begitu unik.

Di Amerika Utara madu dihasilkan dalam jus minuman. Madu dihasilkan daripada sarang lebah. Madu mengandung campuran gula monosakarida dan gula polisakarida serta kaya dengan zat yang penting yaitu asam amino, mineral dan vitamin. Dalam masyarakat Melayu madu digunakan untuk tujuan untuk melembabkan muka gadis-gadis. Ini biasa dilakukan pada zaman dahulu, namun masih ada segelintir orang yang meneruskan kebiasaan ini. Madu disapukan pada seluruh muka dan dibiarkan kering, kemudian dibasuh. Lembapan amat penting untuk kulit setelah seharian kita bekerja di bawah sinaran mentari dan suasana hawa dingin. Namun belum ada produk modern yang agak terkenal menggunakan madu untuk kecantikan.

“Dan Rabbmu mewahyukan kepada lebah: Buatlah sarang-sarang di bukit-bukit, di pohon-pohon kayu, dan di tempat-tempat yang dibikin manusia. (QS. An-Nahl [ 16]:6

Alam dan isinya memberikan pelajaran hidup bagi manusia. Ia mampu memberikan inspirasi. Bagaimana seharusnya manusia berhubungan dengan manusia lainnya. Dan bagaimana pula manusia mesti berprilaku untuk manusia lainnya. Jika kita menelusuri koloni lebah madu, mereka mampu memberikan contoh yang baik bagi manusia. Mereka memperlihatkan kombinasi perilaku individual serta kerja sama sosial yang menakjubkan. Tak ada yang saling memangsa seperti yang berlaku dalam hukum rimba. Dan jika kemudian meneliti ke sarang lebah, kita dapat menemukan jawaban mengapa sejak awal lebah madu telah mempersona manusia, untuk melakukan observasi terhadapnya.

Sarang lebah, memiliki infrastruktur yang sempurna dan fungsional, terbentuk dari jalinan zat lendir yang berasal dari tubuh mereka. Sarang itu, juga dikonstruksi menjadi sebuah rangkaian sel heksagonal yang sangat sempurna. Terlihat begitu indahnya sarang yang mereka buat secara gotong royong itu.

Seperti diketahui, bahwa sarang ini menjadi tempat bermulanya aktivitas koloni lebah madu. Baik sebagai media pemeliharaan larva maupun pusat pesan, bagi setiap anggota koloni dalam menjalankan tugasnya. Pada tingkat individual, lebah madu terbagi menjadi tiga jenis anggota koloni. Mereka adalah ratu, lebah jantan serta lebah pekerja. Semuanya memiliki tugasnya masing-masing. Dan saling mendukung satu sama lain. Dalam sebuah koloni lebah madu, ratu lebah diperlakukan secara istimewa. Ia mendapatkan pasokan makanan yang berlimpah.

Tujuannya, agar ia mampu menjalankan tugas krusial dalam koloni tersebut, yaitu menghasilkan pheromone, sinyal kimiawi bagi para lebah pekerja yang mengendalikan perilaku mereka. Sang ratu juga memiliki tugas untuk menciptakan 'perekat sosial' yang mengikat semua lebah untuk hidup dalam kebersamaan. Maka menjelmalah sebuah struktur masyarakat lebah yang terorganisasi dengan baik. Mereka menggunakan 'tarian' untuk saling mengkomunikasikan di mana letak sumber-sumber makanan yang mereka perlukan. Tak nampak satu pun dari mereka yang mengunggulkan diri dan egois. Semuanya berada dalam kebersamaan dan kedamaian. Kekaguman kita tentu tak hanya berhenti pada terciptanya hubungan dalam komunitas mereka yang mengagumkan. Namun juga pada produk yang mereka hasilkan, yaitu madu.

Madu merupakan cairan mujarab, yang dihasilkan lebah dari saripati beragam tanaman. Dan madu telah mendapatkan tempat yang istimewa dalam sejarah pengobatan tradisional. Orang-orang Mesir, Assyria, Cina, Yunani dan Romawi kuno memanfaatkan madu untuk menyembuhkan luka dan beragam penyakit.

Baik dalam hadits Nabi Muhammad maupun kitab suci Al Quran, juga memberikan keterangan akan khasiat madu yang menyembuhkan ini. Dalam surat An Nahl (lebah) ayat 68-69 Allah Swt menyatakan: ''Dan Tuhanmu mewahyukan kepada lebah:

“'...Dari perut lebah itu keluar minuman (madu) yang bermacam-macam warnanya, di dalamnya terdapat obat yang menyembuhkan bagi manusia. Sesungguhnya, pada yang demikian terdapat tanda-tanda kebesaran Tuhan bagi mereka yang memikirkan''. (QS 16:69)

Kemudian Rasulullah Muhammad juga menegaskan khasiat madu tersebut dalam hadits yang diriwayatkan oleh Bukhari: ''Madu adalah penyembuh bagi semua jenis sakit dan Al Quran adalah penyembuh bagi semua kekusutan pikiran (sakit pikiran).

“Dari Abu Sa’id ra: Ada seorang laki-laki datang kepada Rasullulah SAW dan berkata: “Saudara saya sakit perut”. Rasul menjawab: “Beri ia madu!”. Hal ini dilakukan orang itu sampai tiga kali bolak balik menanyakan kepada Rasul SAW, jawabannyapun tetap madu dan madu (HR Buhkari)

Maka disarankan bagimu kedua penyembuh tersebut, Al Quran dan madu.'' Para ilmuwan, akhir-akhir ini juga tergerak hatinya untuk melakukan penelitian secara mendalam akan khasiat madu secara ilmiah. Mereka membuktikan bahwa ternyata madu mamang memiliki efek yang menguntungkan pada kondisi medis tertentu.

Pertama, madu dapat digunakan sebagai zat anti bakteri dan jamur. Karena madu ternyata dapat menghambat pertumbuhan bakteri seperti Staphylococcus aureus, patogen tertentu, serta fungi atau jamur, semisal Candida albicans. Dengan konsentrasi 30-50 persen, madu mampu memperlihatkan khasiatnya sebagai antibiotik konvensional untuk infeksi saluran kencing.

Kedua, madu digunakan sebagai anti mencret. Dengan konsentrasi hingga 40 persen, madu memberikan efek bakterial yang akan menghambat laju sejumlah bakteri yang menyebabkan mencret serta disentri, seperti Salmonella, Shigella, enteropatogenik E coli, dan Vibrio cholera. Dalam sebuah studi, madu dengan cairan rehidrasi oral mampu mengurangi durasi bakteri baik pada anak-anak maupun bayi yang menderita mencret.

Ketiga, madu dapat digunakan sebagai penyembuh luka dan anti-inflammatory (luka bakar). Madu memiliki arti penting dalam menyembuhkan luka bakar, infeksi bekas operasi. Ia sangat liat, sehingga mampu menyerap air yang berada di sekitar jaringan kulit yang terbakar. Kita bisa merujuk pada sebuah studi yang dilakukan di Afrika Barat. Dalam studi itu, penyembuhan luka pada wanita setelah menjalani vulvectomy (operasi pada vagina) akibat kanker vagina, memakan waktu lebih cepat dengan menggunakan madu. Penggunaan madu juga disarankan untuk mengurangi tajamnya bau yang diakibatkan borok pada orang yang berpenyakit kusta.

Keempat, madu dapat digunakan sebagai zat antitusif dan ekspektoran. Madu yang diandalkan sebagai obat batuk ini terkait dengan kemampuannya untuk mencairkan dahak dan melegakan tenggorokan.

Kelima, madu sebagai sumber nutrisi. Madu yang tak terkontaminasi sangat sehat, makanan yang alami, dan mengandung banyak energi. Karena mengandung karbohidrat, protein, lipid, enzim dan vitamin. Satu sendok madu mengandung 60 kalori, serta mengandung 11 gram karbohidrat, 1 mg kalsium, 0,2 mg zat besi, 0,1 mg vitamin B dan 1 mg vitamin C. Madu kini telah tersedia secara luas di kalangan masyarakat.

Meski khasiat madu belum sepenuhnya diketahui masyarakat secara luas. Dan kalangan ilmuwan juga dituntut untuk melakukan penelaahan mendalam mengenai khasiat madu dan mampu menggunakannya dalam cakupan yang lebih luas. Keajaiban madu telah diungkapkan dalam dalam Al Quran maupun sunah secara indah, lebih 14 abad lalu. Penjelasan kedua rujukan suci mengenai madu ini, juga telah merambah dunia sains modern yang telah menerima dan melakukan penelahaan lebih mendalam atas penggunaan madu. Al Quran memang bukan sekadar tuntunan hidup, tapi juga sumber ilmu pengetahuan.


2. Madu "Makanan Istimewa" untuk Kebugaran Tubuh

Dengan demikian Madu ternyata tak cuma nikmat diminum. Si kental manis asam ini juga baik untuk kesehatan tubuh pengonsumsinya. Bahkan, ia sudah mulai dilirik sebagai bahan obat. Padahal, sebenarnya madu merupakan cadangan pakan bergizi tinggi bagi anak-anak lebah. Wajar kalau kemudian madu dimasukkan ke dalam kelompok bahan makanan bergizi oleh manusia.

Sebagian masyarakat Indonesia yakin kalau madu merupakan cairan alami yang enak dan manis. Kita juga beranggapan, madu kental itu sebagai "makanan istimewa" untuk kebugaran tubuh. Serta katanya, mampu menjaga lestarinya kemampuan seksual seseorang. Menurut sumber kepustakaan, setiap 1.000 g madu bernilai 3.280 kalori. Nilai kalori 1 kg madu sama dengan 50 butir telur atau 5,575 l susu, atau 1,680 kg daging.

Sebetulnya, khasiat madu amat berkaitan dengan kandungan gulanya yang tinggi. Yakni fruktosa 41%, glukosa 35%, dan sukrosa 1,9%. Serta unsur kan-dungan lainnya, seperti tepung sari ditambah berbagai enzim pencernaan. Lalu ada vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, antibiotika, dan lainnya. Meski sama manisnya, perlakuan tubuh manusia terhadap madu yang manis itu berbeda dibandingkan dengan gula atau gula pasir. Madu dapat diproses langsung menjadi glukogen, sedangkan gula harus diproses terlebih dulu oleh enzim pencernaan di usus. Dengan demikian tubuh manusia bisa lebih cepat merasakan manfaat madu dibandingkan dengan gula pasir. Dari beberapa hal itu, rasanya bisa disimpulkan kalau madu bisa memberikan manfaat sangat penting dalam kehidupan manusia.

berbagai sumber

Silahkan selengkapnya berkunjung ke http://saga-islamicnet.blogspot.com/2012/02/khasiat-dan-manfaat-madu-dalam-al-quran.html#ixzz1sm2ja4lN

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Manfaat Teh Untuk Kesehatan

Teh adalah minuman yang sudah dikenal hampir di seluruh dunia. Selama ini orang mengenal teh hijau sebagai anti oksidan
zat katekin yang terkadung dalam teh hijau yaitu EGC, dapat menstimulasi aksi dari enzim kunci yang membantu proses pertumbuhan tulang hingga mencapai 79 %. Efex dari tingginya jumlah EGC akan meningkatkan kadar dari mineralisasi tulang dalam sel sehingga membuat tulang jadi kuat. Selain itu EGC bisa melemahkan aktivitas osteoclast yang bisa menghambat penyerapan tulang dan katekin tidak menyebabkan efek beracun dalam sel tulang . Hasil penemuan ilmuwan menyebutkan meminum segelas teh hijau atau lebih dalam sehari bisa melawan efek buruk rokok yang bisa menyebabkan kanker paru-paru. Antioksidan yang tekandung dalam teh hijau bisa menghambat pertumbuhan tumor.

Beberapa Manfaat Teh
1. Sebagai Anti Oksidan
Kandungan teh dapat melindungi tubuh dari efek polusi dan penuaan dini.

2. Mengandung Sedikit Kafein
Minum 1/2 cangkir kopi mengandung 135 mg kafein, sementara 1 cangkir teh hanya mengandung 30-40 mg kafein sehingga tidak membuat sakit kepala atau susah tidur.

3. Mengurangi Resiko Serangan Jantung dan Stroke
Teh membuat peredaran darah lancar dan bersih. Orang yang minum teh 2-3 cangkir per hari memiliki sedikit resiko serangan jantung daripada yang tidak minum teh.

4. Memperkuat Tulang.
Ternyata bukan hanya kalsium susu yang membuat tulang kuat , orang yang rutin minum teh memiliki masa tulang lebih padat.

5. Memutihkan Gigi.
Anggapan teh bisa membuat gigi tampak kusam itu tidak benar, karena ternyata teh mengandung Flouride untuk mengusir karang gigi. Lebih bagus lagi setelah selesai menggosok gigi berkumur dengan teh tanpa gula.

6. Mencegah Infeksi
Kandungan teh bisa memperkuat sistem kekebalan tubuh dan menangkal serangan infeksi.

7. Menghambat Sel Kanker
Zat antioksidan bernama Polyphenols yang ada dalam teh dapat memerangi kanker.

8. Bebas Kalori
Tanpa tambahan pemanis, gula atau susu, teh tatap bagus dikonsumsi bagi orang yang berdiet atau yang ingin mempertahankan berat badan .

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skin care and healthy dieting

It is  simply an eating lifestyle that balances the body’s weight, getting the correct nourishment and also ensures one of having healthy skin, which gives us the idea that skin care and healthy dieting must complement each other.

Healthy dieting plays an important factor in determining your overall  health condition, and when coupled with physical activity, a diet regimen is a factor in establishing a balanced weight level and key to ensuring that you are incorporating your skin care routines and maximizing it’s effects.

One of the major reasons why people go on a diet is due to obesity, which increases the risk for cardio vascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, kidney and liver problems, among many others, especially with skin care practice, since many internal organ conditions are mirrored on skin appearance and conditions, based on many research studies.

One of the most glaring of which is how the skin appears dull or have dark spots, especially along the folds of the skin for obese or overweight individuals, with some also having dark areas on the nose, neck, elbows and knees.

These are alarming health risk that require one to go on a diet, not just for aesthetic purposes, but also for helping ensure that you are taking good care of your health.

But going through a healthy diet regiment can be a surmountable, even very difficult, task for many and it is important to get expert opinion on how to go about a healthy diet for optimal results.

Common pitfalls that accompany dieting is lack of time for food preparation, random food selections, food starvation or deprivation, skipping meals, diet medication and incorrect diet practices, which as we go back again, can be visible on skin appearance like wrinkled or loose skin, withered appearance, skin darkening and skin eruptions, many others.

Healthy dieting should not be a difficult task, since it is not hard to seek expert or medical guidance on getting the proper nutritional information.

Try making use of the tons of nutritional information you find on food labels, since this will give you first-hand information about the nutritional values of the foods you include in your diet.

Today’s technology allows us break down components found in food and identifying each element and their corresponding values for nutrition, as well as allowing us to know how much we need to ensure we get balanced nutrition from these food groups.

Do not hesitate to subscribe to natural means of nutritional sourcing.

Fortified nutritional health supplements derived from fruit or vegetable extracts compared to synthetic vitamin or mineral sources provide better chances of you getting the right and natural sources of nutrition.

You guarantee yourself with less risk from adverse effects with natural supplements compared to synthetic ones made from chemicals or artificial sources.

Condition yourself to follow through on your diet regimen and be motivated to follow it through positive feed backing, since  a hastily crafted diet regimen and a half – hearted decision to pursue a diet program could only last you a couple of weeks, or even just days.

Thus, long term planning and a dogged determination to push through with a diet regimen is a vital key to a successful and healthy diet program.

Now the you see the correlation between skin care and healthy dieting, it is simply making sure that achieving optimal results with these two processes can surely not just work for the reason of making one look beautiful, but also enhance the quality of life.

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Food for skin care

People have this common belief that using a mishmash of skin products will automatically give them radiant-looking skin, and so when the skin remains as dull and problematic as they were before being treated with all sort of creams and lotions, these same people end up disappointed. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with using skin is as equally important as what is taken in. In other words, skin products can’t, even in the age pf advanced science, beautify the skin all on their own; taking care of skin health primarily starts with eating the right foods for skin care.

However, this elementary principle is all too often ignored. and the result is people stashing skin care items with little thought about what comes in their refrigerators. A good diet benefits the skin in more ways than one; and there’s no substitute for it.

If you’re one of those who tend to overlook your diet. it’s to rethink. Good thing is, there’s always a chance to make a good start. And you can do this by knowing what foods are exactly beneficial to the skin. Here’s a quick rundown:

Omega-3 rich fish

This includes salmon, mackerel, tuna, and other oily fish. Other than benefiting the heart, omega-3 fatty acid is good for the skin. Omega-3 strengthens cell membranes, and consequently makes the cells hydrated and replenished. This results in appropriate  level of moisture. When there is enough moisture, the skin remains smooth and supple, has improved elasticity, and has healthy pores.

Carrots

Carrots are a potent source of beta-carotene and vitamin C. Once absorbed by the body, beta-carotene is converted into vitamin A that helps in making skin cells and keeping them replenished and healthy. If there is not enough vitamin A, the skin is dry and flaky. Vitamin C, on the other hand, has potent antioxidant properties and helps in collagen formation. Sufficient amount of vitamin C in the body keeps the skin young-looking and fresh.

Sweet potatoes

Also and excellent source of vitamin C and beta-carotene, sweet potatoes are rich in vitamin E, another good antioxidant and anti aging. Vitamin E works to regenerate vitamin C, therefore allowing it to work in its maximum potential.

Green Tea

Famous for its many benefits, green tea has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and is rich in calcium, zinc, magnesium, riboflavin, and vitamins C, D, and K. Green tea is also believed to protect the skin from the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays, and so helps prevent cancer. But not only is green tea good for the skin, it is also good for the entire body.

Whole Grains

Whole grains are excellent source of B group vitamins. These are essential to the skin because they aid in replacing dead skin cells and developing new ones. They also naturally protect the skin from infections.

Now that you know some of the foods for skin care, it is only necessary to incorporate them in your daily diet. Remember that deficiency in some of the vitamins and minerals can lead to premature skin aging, dryness, and other skin problems such as eczema.

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Can Glycolic Acid Help Your Acne--Is It Really Helpful

Acne is a skin problem where the pores get blocked and sometimes inflamed and pimples occur. Glycolic acid is often recommended for acne problems but is it really very helpful?

The oils in your skin can clog up the pores resulting in acne so to treat this condition properly you need to reduce the oil production. You also need to deal with any bacterial infection that has occurred within the skin and increase skin cell turnover.

You can help to reduce the oil on your skin by using oil free skin care products. You can use a product like Benzoyl peroxide to fight the infection as it has antibacterial agents. To increase skin cell turnover you can use glycolic acid as it help to remove the dead skin of the top layer allowing for the growth of new skin cells.

Concentrated glycolic acid is actually used by many industries as a rust removal agent so you can see how it would be useful as a skin exfoliant. The strength of the acid that you would apply to your skin is much less than the concentrated amount, usually under 10 %. However, because of its strength some doctors are concerned about patients self treating with glycolic acid.

There are some types of acne that should not be treated with an exfoliating treatment. Acne Rosacea for example, is actually not acne even though its name suggests it is, this condition will not respond well to exfoliation treatment.

If  you suffer with pustules you should also avoid exfoliation as it can open up the pustules and spread the infection over the skin. By spreading the infection you will spread the acne and will soon have more pimples breaking out.

You can spend your life treating your acne and you may be successful in reducing it for a while but new pimples will keep on appearing. It is better to treat your acne holistically so you can get rid of altogether. You need to start by trying to find the cause of your acne so you can avoid it.

Take a look at any skin care products and hair products are a common cause of acne if your skin reacts to them. Cosmetics can also cause acne, particularly if makeup is not washed off properly at the and of the day.

An unhealthy diet is another cause of acne. Foods that are high in sugar or high in saturated fats can contribute to the condition, so changing your diet to one that includes lots of fruit and vegetables should effectively reduce your acne. Also make sure that you are drinking lots of water each day to flush any toxins out of your body and also to keep your skin hydrated.

Have a good skin care routine by cleansing, toning and moisturizing your skin daily. Always do this at night to wash off any makeup as well as washing of any dirt and sweat that has build up during the day.

If you are considering using a glycolic acid acne cure then seek advice from your doctor or a dermatologist first. Your doctor will let you know if he thinks this type of treatment would be beneficial.

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