Let's Stay Healthy!!!

Sometimes we are so unsure of what supplements to take and which one is suitable for us. A few years back, I received an informative brochure which contains details on vitamins and supplements. I've been trying to locate the brochure and finally, after weeks of hard work (of searching hi and low for it.... inside boxes and boxes of junk papers and documents), I managed to find the information and happy to share it with you. I hope this will reduce your standing time in front of the vitamin racks in the pharmacies.

Evening Primrose Oil
A rich source of the essential fatty acids which is important to maintain our health and well being. It is widely consumed as supplement for the purpose of maintaining health and beauty especially for healthy skin, hair and nails. It has also been used to treat PMS (Pre-Menstrual Syndrome).

BioZinc
A high potency nutritional supplement with added nutrients to help maintain healthy skin, hair and nails. It also helps to maintain the health of our immune system and important for growth and boost fertility in men and women.

Lecithin
Lecithin is as essential component of all cells and helps to emulsify fats in the digestive system; therefore it is good for people who have liver problems.

Fish Oil
Fish oil is a good source of fatty acids. Taking fish oil capsules is a convenient way of consuming healthy essential fatty acids, which can be found in oily type of fish, such as fresh salmon, tuna, herrings and sardines.

Ginko
Ginko is a traditional herbal remedy which helps improve blood circulation and aids memory. It may be useful for students, diabetic patients or people with blood circulation problem, and also for elderly.

Echinacea
A traditional herbal remedy used to relieve colds, flu and chronic infections of the respiratory tract. It is also known for its ability to improve our body’s immune system.

Horseradish & Garlic
These two, if taken together, is a good traditional herbal combination for the temporary relief of the symptoms of nasal congestion, colds, allergies and sinusitis.
Horseradish root helps to dry up excess mucus and phlegm. It also acts as antiseptic for the sinus tissues.
Garlic is famous for its antibacterial action; ease the symptoms of colds, influenza and bronchitis. It also helps to control the build up of mucus in the nasal tissue and able to reduce the mucus and phlegm form the lung.

Vitamin C
It is widely known for its ability to strengthen the body’s immune system and minimizing colds and allergies (sneezing and watery eyes). It may provide relieve for hay fever symptoms, assist wound healing and reduce the severity of coughs and colds. Some products are formulated to slowly release the Vitamin C dose over an hour period, therefore allowing a prolonged rate of absorption.

BioCalcium
This supplement is for the health of our bones and minimizes osteoporosis. It is a good source of calcium for those who require higher doses, e.g. pregnant ladies. It is a convenient way of ensuring essential calcium needs of our body is met.

Celery
It is normally consumes for the purpose of relieving the symptoms associated with painful joint problem.

Beta-carotene
It contains a natural source of beta-carotene and is a natural antioxidant. It converts into Vitamin A in the body and may be beneficial during times of increased vitamin A requirements. (Vitamin A is important for the health of skin, eyes and mucous membranes).

BioE
BioE capsules contain Vitamin E which is an antioxidant and free radical scavenger. Assists in blood circulation, promotes wound healing and reduces scarring.

BioACE
A combination of the major antioxidant nutrients Vitamin A, C, E, zinc and other support nutrients which provide daily antioxidant protection. Highly recommended for people living around polluted areas, people under physical and emotional stress, smokers, heavy drinkers, junk food eaters, diabetics and elderly.
People who do not eat vegetables or fresh fruits or people whose diets do not contain whole grains maybe lacking in antioxidant nutrients, therefore, BioACE is good for this group of people.

Vitamin B+C
A nutritional supplementary source of B group vitamins, folic acid and vitamin C, when dietary intake is inadequate. Vitamin B is important in the maintenance of the immune system and utilization of energy. It is a good source to help overcome vitamin deficiencies, help to overcome stress and boosts body’s resistance to infections.

Multi Vitamins & Minerals
A food supplement of essential nutrients for when the diet is inadequate. May help to increase energy and vitality. Also good for general prevention of vitamin deficiencies and recommended for women planning to start family and pregnant ladies.

Coutesy of Blackmores

All About Skin

The latest research shows that the key to attaining an awesome complexion may be linked to your ethnic background.

You know that many factors can affect your skin: the weather, your menstrual cycle, your cleansing routine, the Pill and yes, your diet. But there's one factor you don't hear much about: your ethnic background.

At the latest American Academy of Dermatology annual meeting, several research dermatologists spoke about the role ethnicity plays in the overall condition of your skin. Here, top skin docs offer insights that'll help you score and maintain a gorgeous complexion based on those revelations.


FAIR
If you have a pale skin tone that's between porcelain and bisque, this is your group. Most fair-skinned people are Caucasian, but they can also be light-skinned Asians and Latinas.

Basic Characteristics
Fair skin can range from being extremely dry to very greasy, but the most common denominator is a susceptibility to irritation, sensitivity and damage caused by UV exposure. The good news is that your relative lack of pigmentation means you have the easiest time scoring a uniform complexion. Even when your coloration is slightly off in places (from sun exposure, a breakout, a scratch or whatever), getting back to normal usually doesn't take the amount of time and effort often required of people with deeper skin tones.

Basic Care
Start your routine off with a gentle cleanser suited for your skin type (dry, oily or combo), but dermatologists emphasize that selecting moisturizers that'll help protect your fair skin from UV damage is key. During the day, use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen laced with antioxidants. At night, opt for a cream that contains alpha-hydroxy acids or retinol to help speed up cell turnover. Another must: Get an annual total-body check from a derm. In between, look for moles and bumps that change shape or color or that hurt.

Common Problems
Hate to break it to you, but you're the first to show signs of sun damage (wrinkles, dark splotches, roughness). To speed up the sloughing off of damaged surface skin and reveal the fresher, sexier layer underneath, check out one of the new at-home acid peels or microdermabrasion kits. A good buy: L'Oréal ReFinish Micro-Dermabrasion Kit, $25.

Your relative paleness also makes redness look more pronounced. If irritation is causing your skin to appear ruddy, try a "calming cream" containing chamomile or other soothing botanicals. Color-corrective concealers, foundations and powders, often tinted a light green, can cancel out the red of pimples and broken blood vessels (your lack of natural UV protection makes you especially prone to these).


MEDIUM
This spectrum spans skin tones from light beige to olive or deep tan. More likely than not, you're in this category if you're of East Asian, Latin, Mediterranean or Middle Eastern descent.

Basic Characteristics
Having more melanin-rich skin gives you some natural UV protection ‑- not enough that you can ditch the SPF, but premature aging shouldn't be a huge concern. Also, your skin tends to be relatively thick, which often means fewer lines and wrinkles. But because it can also contain more oil glands, your skin may have enlarged pores and be prone to breakouts.

Basic Care
A salicylic-acid wash can help keep both oil and breakouts at bay. We like Benefit Wooosh!, $18. Also ‑- unlike powder, which can sit in and exaggerate pores ‑- blotting papers are a great temporary fix. Try Clean and Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets, $5. Another trick: Use a mattifyer under your sunscreen and makeup. One cult favorite: Peter Thomas Roth Max Anti-Shine Mattifying Gel, $35.

Common Problems
Skin with a decent amount of melanin is predisposed to produce even more melanin at the slightest provocation. Derms report that hyperpigmentation, such as marks that outlive whatever caused them in the first place (like a bug bite or scratch) and melasma (masklike facial blotchiness), are the biggest concerns. Hydroquinone-spiked fading creams reduce the production of new melanin and help to whisk away existing spots. Try DDF Fade Gel 4, $42. Newer fading formulas use botanicals purported to help disperse existing pigment clusters into less noticeable particles.

Because thick skin tends to have high concentrations of hair follicles, you may also have to wrestle with extra facial and body hair. Consider adding a hair-inhibiting lotion, such as Aveeno Positively Smooth Facial Moisturizer, $14, to your routine. Also, be aware that hyperpigmentation can be triggered by waxing burns, so if you let it rip at home, don't overheat the wax. If you go to a pro waxer, be up-front about your skin's sensitivity. For facial hair, try threading, a safe, time-tested alternative technique that tugs on skin less than waxing or tweezing.


DARK
Skin tones in this category can range from café au lait to ebony and usually include African-Americans, Afro-Caribbeans and women from India, Sri Lanka and other areas of South Asia.

Basic Characteristics
The lucky news: Your skin is the best-protected against UV damage ‑- not so much so that you can forget sunscreen (ever!) ‑- but enough that you're likely to look a few years younger than your lighter-skinned contemporaries. Your pigmentation also provides camouflage against redness and even cellulite. On the other hand, hyperpigmentation can be a big issue ‑- the skin pros point out that acne scars are a particular bummer.

Basic Care
Wage a war against pimple scars by making your cleansing routine about acne avoidance: Use a pore-cleansing salicylic-acid wash once or twice a day. We like Bioré Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser, $6. But because you can't ensure against breakouts one hundred percent of the time, consider applying a cream that contains both salicylic acid as well as a brown spot-fighting ingredient. Try Neutrogena Advanced Solutions Acne Mark Fading Peel, $15.

Common Problems
Keeping your b-day suit free of any ashy patches of dry skin is challenging because the contrast between dead, grayish cells and your rich dark skin tone can be obvious. Go for rich lotions and creams, and moisturize as often and as thoroughly as possible, especially when your skin is still damp after a shower. And stick with gentle cleansers versus drying soaps. Try Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash, $4.50. For stubborn ashiness, keep a humidifier on while you sleep.

You may also be plagued with ingrowns. The culprit: a combo of coarse hair and curved follicles. Simply put, the hair has a hard time breaking through the surface of your skin. And as tempting as picking and excavating may be, just say no. At best, you'll invite hyperpigmentation...at worst, infection. Instead, opt for exfoliating and/or antiinflammatory products that coax trapped hairs out. Try Completely Bare Bikini Bump Blaster, $35, or Tend Skin, $20.


HOW BIRTH CONTROL AFFECTS SKIN TONE
The hormones in the Pill and the patch trick your body into thinking it's pregnant, which can produce the mask of pregnancy, or melasma. Sometimes this condition can be harder to treat than the pregnancy-induced version. Still, fading creams, Retin-A and peels generally help.



This article was edited by the author.
Original article, courtesy of ivillage.com