Once the weather has turned crisp and people start bundling up from the cold, most skin care regimes go out of the window. Skin takes a beating during the winter months and becomes tight, dry, dull and lacklustre from neglect and adverse weather conditions. Some people even develop skin conditions such as flaking, cracking and eczema. The secret to beautiful skin during the summer months is to keep up skincare regimes all year round and that includes during the frigid winter months.

One skincare routine that most people stop during winter is the religious application of sunscreen. Despite the lack of sunshine, skin can still be damaged during winter by harmful UV rays and glare from snow, causing wrinkles and aging especially in the fine skin around the eyes. Sunscreen should still be applied on a daily basis – use a broad spectrum sunscreen and apply it to all exposed areas, including the hands and face at least half an hour before going outside.

Skin also needs intensive moisturization during winter. Skin loses its natural oils because of the harsh weather conditions and indoor heating which saps the skin of its natural hydration, making it more fragile and prone to damage. The body and face should be moisturized on a daily basis, especially those areas that are covered up by winter woollies, as this will stop the skin from drying out and will maintain the natural oils.

Sometimes the facial moisturizer that worked well in the summer months will need to be changed in the harsher winter months. An oil based moisturizer should be considered as the oil will create a protective layer and will retain more moisture. However, care should be taken in choosing the type of oil because some clog the pores and cause even more skin problems.

Non-clogging oils such as avocado, mineral, sandalwood or primrose should be used and Shea oil should be avoided. Look for products containing humectants – these are substances such as glycerine, sorbitol and alpha-hydroxy acids which draw moisture into the skin and keep it hydrated. Apply a specialized eye area cream nightly to keep the eye contour area looking plumped up and fresh.

Hot showers and baths can also damage the skin by stripping it of its natural acid mantel, which leads to dry skin. Taking cooler baths and shorter showers will help to maintain the skin’s natural defences and lipid barriers and will help to prevent that winter crocodile skin. Oatmeal or baking soda in the bath can help relieve itchiness. Indoor heating dries out the air, so a humidifier might be useful in preventing the skin from drying out.

The skin on the hands and feet is also affected by winter cold because the cold and dry weather strips away what little moisture the hands hold. Hands and fingers can become dry, cracked and itchy so gloves should always be worn when outside. Don’t use wet gloves or socks as these also cause cracking. Moisturize the hands and feet every night before going to sleep with an intensive moisturizing butter that contains petroleum jelly or glycerine.

A Gluten Free diet is not a guaranteed way of losing those extra pounds. Many people believe that simply cutting out foods like bread and pasta, which contain gluten, that weight loss is guaranteed. Did you know a small percentage of people who go Gluten Free, actually put on weight? Lets look at how a gluten-free diet will affect your weight.

The key to weight loss with a Gluten Free diet is not simply turning off the foods which contain it, it’s about understanding what it can do to your body. I don’t want to bore you with science, so I am going to run through quickly what is important when changing your diet.

Let me first explain that going gluten-free is not always a choice for some people, so the explanation below is for both those who are choosing this lifestyle, and for those who have to eat this way for health reasons.

How a gluten-free diet will affect your weight.

It is true that most people will see a dramatic loss in weight when they have to eat this way, because their body is simply not able to process and digest Gluten, but what about those choosing this diet plan as a way to shed those extra pounds? Well for those, things maybe a little different. A sudden change of diet may have the opposite effect, and make you pile on the pounds, and I am going to explain why.

Foods which contain gluten also contain essential vitamins and minerals which you need to make your body function in the correct way, and to keep you healthy. Eating foods which are gluten-free may not have, and I say that because I don’t know your exact diet plan, may not have those essential nutrients, therefore your body is basically fighting back, not digesting foods properly, and hence you gain weight.

There are a couple of ways to make sure you get those nutrients in your body, from eating extra foods such as fruit, and to also take supplements. I must stress that taking any type of vitamin tablet must be done under doctors advice.

There is also another reason for weight gain, and that could be the free from foods you are eating. Many people choose the easy option, the ones you can buy in supermarkets. Just because these foods are free from certain things, does not mean they are fat-free. Always check the labels for fat content, as you may be consuming high fat foods without even knowing it.

We have looked at how a gluten-free diet will affect your weight, and its up to you now to put these simple steps into your daily routine. Many people rush into certain things without knowing the simple things.

Women have a myriad of health concerns and taking high quality vitamins is essential. Organic multivitamins are an even better choice as they will have no harmful chemicals in them that can cause harmful side effects. For women who are vegans, vegetarian vitamins are available to ensure they get the vitamins and minerals they need.

Vitamins and Minerals for Women’s Health

The needs of women and men are different, especially when it comes to health. Women need more vitamin E than men but need less vitamin A, C, riboflavin, niacin, and thiamine. As far as minerals are concerned, women need more iron but less magnesium and zinc.

Here are some of the benefits of certain vitamins and other substances that play a positive role in women’s health.

o Osteoporosis can be improved with calcium and vitamin D
o Cardiovascular concerns like hypertension and stroke risk are addressed with Vitamins B, C, and amino acids.
o Tissue is repaired quicker with vitamins B6, C, and amino acids
o DNA is protected with calcium
o Incidents of breast tumors can be diminished with vitamin D, calcium, and folic acid

Super Foods

There are many super foods that will give you many benefits. Here is a short list of some of the best ones:

Acai Berry: strong with antioxidants, it may lower the risk of cancer and can help with weight loss

Beet: cleanses the liver and purifies the blood, also regulates pH levels in the blood

Blueberry: offers protection for brain cells and eyes, reduces the risk of cancer, supports bone health

Broccoli: supports healthy tissues of the brain and nerves, diminish risk of stomach cancer

Gogi Berry: helps with memory, supports the healthy functioning of the liver, promotes sleep, helps with memory

Kale: prevents cancer and keep cells from oxidizing

Pomegranate: prevents cancer and dementia, cleanses, promotes a healthy heart and the health of teeth and gums

Spirulina: diminish symptoms of PMS, promotes healthy skin, supplies iron and B12, has amino acids to repair tissue, provides beta-carotene.

Energizers

The following foods are great for giving women energy and strength. Here is a list of additional benefits for them:

o American Ginseng: helps menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, improves thinking and memory, assists the metabolism of sugar
o Angelica Root: treats menstrual problems, lessens hot flashes, regulates blood pressure, replenishes blood
o Green Tea: helps to prevent cancer, improves liver function, assists weight loss, detoxifies
o Mountain Cranberry: beneficial for the health of the urinary tract
o Red Clover: regulates blood pressure, helps with hot flashes, provides estrogen so it should not be taken with birth control pills
o Rhodiola: helps ensure normal levels of the stress hormone cortisol, relaxes and calms, promotes restful sleep, treats anxiety

Liver Function for Anti-aging

The liver is one of our most vital organs and some believe that it is actually the most important one. A person cannot survive without a healthy liver. It produces bile to break down fats and removes toxins from the blood. It stores glucose and converts it for the body to use when the level of blood sugar lowers. It also changes ammonia to urea and is responsible for the destruction of old red blood cells.

One of the main things that causes aging is a liver that is not functioning properly. So in order to slow the aging process, the liver needs to be healthy. Here are three natural products that support liver function:

Artichoke: promotes a healthy liver and protects it, helps break down fats

Ginger root juice: liver support, helps with circulation and digestion, diminishes inflammation, relaxes muscles

Milk thistle: promotes liver health, reduces cholesterol and blood sugar levels

You don’t have to invest in expensive health foods in order to partake of healthy eating. What you have to do for healthy eating is eat the way nature intended you to. This short guidebook of tips on eating healthy will help you plan for a day of wholesome meals and give you a place to start if you are trying to lose weight or just start feeling better. Here are the main areas you need to consider when it comes to healthy eating.

Eat Meals Regularly

The biggest mistake anyone can make is to skip meals in an attempt to lose weight or because there is no time to eat. When you skip meals, your body’s metabolism begins to slow down. It is a natural reaction of the body because it thinks you are starving and slows down metabolism to save your stored fat.

Another reason it is important to eat meals regularly is because by doing so you avoid the urge to overeat at the next meal sitting. Overeating at any meal is a problem because it causes your body to secrete too much insulin. It’s called an insulin spike. Your body needs insulin so that it can metabolize blood sugar (glucose) into energy for every organ and muscle you have. When you eat a lot of food at one sitting, the body experiences an insulin spike but not enough is secreted to metabolize the enormous amount of glucose. What remains gets stored as fat instead.

Eat with Variety

In earlier years we used to call it the four food groups: dairy, meat and fish, fruits and vegetables, bread and cereal. Nowadays we call it a rounded diet of protein, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. It hasn’t really changed much. The point is that you need to balance your diet with these groups each day. Each has its own set of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients so that your body gets everything it needs. For example, you need protein (meat and fish) so that you can have healthy bones, hair, muscles, and teeth. You need fruits and vegetables so that your body can get carbohydrates for energy. And, you need whole grains for fiber which the body uses in the digestive process.

Avoid Saturated Fats

Saturated fats are fats that harden when sitting in room temperature. Hamburgers, French fries, and fast food in general are oftentimes loaded with saturated fats. This type of fat causes blockages in your arteries which could lead to heart problems. On the other hand, fats like Omega 3 fatty acids found in fish have a myriad of health benefits to include those for cardiovascular health.

Drink Plenty of Water

The importance of water cannot be overstated. Water is the building block of the body. You should drink at least 8 glasses of water each day. Get in the habit of having a bottle of water with you throughout the day. Water is beneficial for every process in your body and especially for good kidney function.

Use Moderation

The problem with diets is they are too restrictive and people usually go back to eating and drinking what they love. Diets are just too boring for the most part. The point is that if you love sugary snacks, caffeine, and alcohol, then it is okay to have a little at times. In fact, alcohol such as red wine has been shown to be beneficial for your cardiovascular system as long as it is in moderation.

Eat Whole Grains

Whole grains are those that have not been refined and still consist of the outer shell known as the bran. The bran is high in fiber which your body needs for good digestive health. Plus, with fiber, the nutrients that you derive from whole grains get absorbed more slowly giving you an even flow of energy for a longer time. Some examples of whole grains include whole wheat bread, oatmeal, buckwheat, and brown rice.