Balance Your Hormones Before They Go Astray!

Women and hormonal changes are inseparable. You go through all the highs and lows every month according to changes in your hormones. When the equilibrium between the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone is disturbed, it is capable of inducing such extremes of emotions like bliss, aggression, helplessness or even complete despair. Some women are even prone to suicidal ideation when hormonal changes are combined with other life events.

Most hormonal changes occur during the 2nd half of the menstrual cycle, also termed as PMS (premenstrual syndrome), menopause and also during and after pregnancy. Hormonal changes affect women physically too. The physical changes are manifested in the form of weight changes, energy levels, hair loss, skin changes, alterations in libido and others.

There are other factors too which cause hormonal imbalance such as inadequate or improper nutrition, stress, extreme exercises, obesity or PCOD (polycystic ovarian disease).

How to tackle hormonal imbalances:

• Consuming more of whole grain products rather than refined helps maintain optimum insulin levels. This in turn regulates hormonal levels. Foods that cause a strain on the adrenal glands should be avoided. Excess activity of the adrenal glands causes stress due to release of the hormone adrenaline. Foods like refined carbohydrates, excess of sugary treats, artificial sweeteners and trans-fats are examples of such foods. As a woman ages, she should avoid having wheat and dairy products as the body does not easily process these foods, causing adrenal stress. Caffeinated drinks should be consumed in moderation as they cause stress hormones like cortisol to rise.
• Consume more of cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, kale and Brussels sprouts. Phytoestrogen-containing compounds like soy products and Mexican yam are good hormone balancers.
• Products containing essential fatty acids like the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are good hormone stabilizers. Linseed oil, evening primrose oil and cod liver oil are good sources. These are very good in normalizing hormonal irregularities.
• Evening primrose oil contains gamma linolenic acid (omega-6-fatty acid) which is necessary by the body to produce prostaglandins, the hormone-like substances that help regulate body functions.
• Cod liver oil contains vitamins and omega-3-fatty acids which keep a check on the activity of omega-6-fatty acids, so as to avoid overproduction of hormones. A healthy ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids is important for optimal hormonal balance. Apart from restoring hormonal balance, these oils help maintain a healthy metabolism and good skin.
• Alcohol consumption should be kept to a minimum as it causes major disruptions in the female hormonal cycles. More of organic foods should be consumed. Certain pesticides can mimic the action of estrogen, leading to weight gain and even cancer. Monosodium glutamate (MSG), which is commonly added in Chinese food for flavoring, should be completely eliminated from food as it is a potential carcinogen. It is capable of disturbing the hormonal balance.
• Diseases like PCOD should be given timely medical treatment and should not be ignored. PCOD can also lead to high blood pressure, infertility and breast cancer. Hormonal disorders are highly capable of causing impotency. Diabetes, PCOD, Thyroid problems are also linked to hormone problems and are capable of inducing impotency in women.
• Cutting down on excess fat helps a lot in regulating the hormones. Excess weight causes hormonal imbalance which can cause problems in embryo implantation and development among women with PCOD.
• Drink clean water regularly to flush out the excess hormones. Excess of hormones can disrupt the body functions. Keep your digestive system intact and smooth-functioning. An ill digestive system also wrecks your hormonal balance. Foods like gluten, dairy products and soy products are highly likely to causes digestive discomfort and allergies. So, see to it that they suit your system.
• Eat a balanced meal consisting of adequate carbs, proteins and fats. Eliminating either of these macronutrients can cause hormone disturbances. However, choose healthy fats like avocados, nuts and olives.

Bio: Roger Jennings is a Female Health Expert and believes that Evening Primrose Oil and cod liver oil are the best for maintaining Hormonal balance, given the health-giving nutrient dense composition they have. Also he feels that it is very important that Women take care of themselves along with their family.

By Roger Jennings

Medication or Surgery - a Combined Approach May be Better to Stop Hair Loss

Whether you need to take hair loss drugs with a surgical hair restoration treatment has been the focus of a long-drawn debate. Only a hair restoration specialist will be able to diagnose the problem and recommend whether medications or surgical procedures or a combination of both can stop hair loss and recover from the damages.

When is medication a suitable option? Losing about 100 strands of hair daily is natural, i.e., you need not worry about it. However, if you seem to lose a considerable number of strands whenever you brush, comb or shampoo, it may be a cause of concern.

It is better to consult a hair restoration specialist in such a situation. If your problem is at a nascent stage, a surgery may not be necessary. Appropriate medications may be all that you need to stop hair loss. The specialist at the hair clinic may also prescribe medications to recover the growing hair follicles and prevent baldness.

Even if you have advanced baldness, you may benefit from the right medications. The hair clinicians often recommend medications for young individuals, in their 20s or 30s; this is because the pattern and progression of hair loss are yet to be established in such people.

When is surgical procedure a necessity? If you lose hair in a particular area of the scalp, a hair restoration surgery may be your only choice. However, a hair restoration clinician will only recommend a surgical procedure if no medication is able to stop hair loss. It is the last way to give you a fuller head of hair.

The success of the surgery depends on a number of factors - your overall health condition, your hair type and condition, the skill and competence of the surgeon and so on. Most importantly, it depends on the amount of hair available at the donor site.

It is all a question of supply and demand; if you have ample hair follicles in the donor area, you may benefit from a hair transplant. The hair follicles re-grow, not at the donor site, but at the recipient site. If your overall hair density is thin, surgery may not achieve a fuller head of hair, as the availability of hair follicles at the donor site is limited.

When is a combined approach better than individual treatment? Sometimes, a combination of medical and surgical treatments yields better results for individuals suffering from hair loss. The diagnosis will determine whether this is the right option for you.

When you suffer considerable hair loss in a particular area of the scalp, and general thinning as well, a combined treatment may be more suitable for you. The right medications will prevent the overall loss of hair and the surgery will recover the damage in the particular area of the scalp, where you experience maximum hair loss.

Celebrities such as Wayne Rooney and Louis Walsh hair transplant treatments have been in the news for quite a few years. However, surgeries may not always be appropriate, or necessary, for all. Your hair restoration clinician can determine whether it will work for you.

Daniel Smith is a professional writer. In this article he has given idea on hair care, in particular hair clinic. The author is solely responsible for the views and images provided in the article.

By Debarup Mukherjee

Everything You Need To Know About Argon Oil in Beauty Products

Jason Reid writes for Edrugstore.MD where you can find out How to find an online pharmacy.

Read through the labels or ingredient list of any top beauty or skin product created in recent years, and there is a good chance that you will read the words argon oil. Many people might think that this ingredient is a new item, since it has only recently become such a popular beauty and skin product additive. However, argon oil has actually been used for centuries around the world. If you are curious about argon oil, read on to learn more about the benefits, risks and ways to incorporate it into your current skincare or haircare routine.

What is Argon Oil?

Argon oil is a rich natural product that is created using the seeds of a native tree from Morocco called Argania spinosa. It has been used throughout North Africa for centuries thanks to its essential fatty acids and antioxidants. Many users originally used it as a way to prevent infections on the skin, but it also has some anti-aging properties.

How are the Medical Uses of Argon Oil?

Medically, argon oil has countless uses. Many skin conditions can actually be treated just by using argon oil externally on a daily basis. Since 52 percent of American suffer from a skin condition like acne, psoriasis or eczema, argon oil has the potential to be used by millions of people each year. Traditionally, argon oil has also been ingested as part of a daily diet to treat medical conditions like high blood pressure, osteoarthritis and even diabetes. Medical experts agree that pure argon oil can do wonders since it contains such a large amount of healthy fats essential for the human body.

What are the Aesthetic Uses of Argon Oil?

Argon oil also has a number of beauty and skincare purposes, which is why it has become so popular in recent years. Argon oil can reduce split ends in hair and prevent scalp damage, making it a common addition to shampoos and conditioners. Argon oil can prevent visible signs of aging in the skin by firming up the elasticity of the face with fatty acids and antioxidants.

Are There Any Risks Involved With Using Argon Oil?

Although there are some companies that claim that there are risks involved with using argon oil externally, there are no medical or research studies to substantiate that fact. However, there are some concerns with consuming argon oil. Skincare expert Cathy Wong warns consumers that, "Ingesting products meant for external use that contain argon oil can be lethal." Although pure argon oil can be ingested for medical reasons, most argon oil in the United States is mixed with other ingredients that should not be eaten.

Who Should Use Argon Oil?

Anyone with split ends, skin disorders, brittle nails or visible signs of aging should consider using argon oil. However, it is recommended that you speak to a doctor or expert before ingesting argon oil for any reason. Although argon oil has been used in Morocco for centuries, it has only recently caught on in the United States. With so many beneficial properties, it should come as no surprise to find it in haircare, beauty and skincare products.

Neem Health Benefit

Neem is a magical tree and especially the neem leaves that are used for its medicinal properties. Neem oil that is extracted from neem seed cannot be consumed because of associated disadvantages but neem leaves can be taken internally. But do not consume these if you are pregnant or trying to conceive.

• Neem leaves in the form of paste can be directly applied to skin. You can use the neem leaves for bathing in water. This cures the skin related problems.
• Neem leaves are very good in treating chickenpox.
• If you are diabetic and will consume neem leaves empty stomach in the morning then surely you can cure your diabetes.
• An inflammation can be subsided with neem leaf paste.
• These are great detoxifiers so given to purify blood.
• If you suffer from excessive hunger then eat the fine paste neem leaves with brown rice. This is has curative properties.
• To cure any kind of skin infection mix turmeric with neem leaves paste and apply it on your body for at least three months.
• If you have pimples on your face then apply the neem leaf decoction. Even this can be used to treat minor wounds as this reduces the chance of getting further infection. You can also cure dandruff and hair loss with this.
• It cures urinary tract infections.
• Neem oil is extensively used in hair fall and early graying of hairs with very satisfying results. It also find its application in dandruff and in lice growth.
• It has given very good results in diseases like gonorrhea and syphilis

Hair Fall Remedy

Biotin! Biotin (also called hair growth vitamin) is a water soluble vitamin found in many foods. It is one nutrient that keeps skin, hair, eyes and a few other organs healthy!

An adult needs 30 mcg of Biotin per day.

FOOD Sources

1. Liver
2. Egg
3. Sardines and Salmon
4. Poultry
5. Avocado, cauliflower, mushrooms, raspberries, bananas, dairy, nuts such as peanuts, walnuts, almonds and pecans, soybeans,beans and legumes, whole-wheat bread.

A combination of Biotin and other Vitamins like Folic Acid, Vitamins A, C and D are said to be beneficial for hair problems.

Some Celebrities Age Badly, Some Do Not

There are actually a lot of stars who either aged badly. It's really unavoidable as they say, but at least some actually aged gracefully still look gorgeous even after several years in the industry.

So here I compiled a few list from some of the sites that listed the celebrities who aged badly:

Stars who age badly
Twenty Celebrities that have Aged Miserably
The 25 Worst Aging Actors in Hollywood

When you check the links I provided above, you will really be surprised. Some of the actors and actresses that were included in the list really looked great before but...the pictures will tell you what happened to them.

Why do some people suffer from terrible aging?

There are a lot of reasons that we can point out here - old age,unhealthy lifestyle, stress, etc. the list goes on and on. One thing is for sure here aging is really inevitable. What we can only do is slow it down and as the title says, "gracefully" age.

One interesting article from msnbc.com, mentions four habits that can accelerate aging by as much as 12 years. So this may not surprised you that much. The list includes smoking, drinking too much, inactivity, and poor diet.

Skin aging explained

Normally when we talk about aging, we refer to the extrinsic results - to the skin. Our view of aging is usually based on the features of the skin of a person. There is this process called Intrinsic Aging, which is commonly known as natural aging process. It's a continuous process that begins during our mid-20s.

The main reason why we experience changes in our skin as we grow old is the slowing down of collagen production in our skin. Collagen is the substance that enables skin regeneration. Once the aging process begins we experience the following:

• fine wrinkles
• thinner skin
• loss of underlying fat that results in hollowed cheeks and eye sockets, and loss of firmness of hands and neck
• hair loss
• and many more

Of course, there are different symptoms for men and women. One of the common problems for women is excessive weight gain. Recently there is one cure to the problems related with aging. This is regenerative medicine.

One celebrity who also experienced aging problems shares her own story.

The case of Hofit Golan

Hofit Golan, a famous celebrity appearing in several TV shows, is same with any of us. She also experienced several problems associated with aging.

She recalls, "For as long as I can remember, my hands and feet have always been freezing cold to the touch. Growing up, I remember how everyone would say to me, 'you're hands are freezing!' Of course, every doctor I went to always told me the same thing, that it was the result low blood pressure…take iron...but it never helped. Another thing is my cravings. I love and crave salty food and right after I want sweets . I am also an insomniac....it takes me ages to fall asleep..I simply got too much energy at night. Worst of all I recently have been dealing with a leg injury as a result of a drunk man knocking me over and breaking my foot, ripping 3 ligaments. This injury was severe. Doctors told me that my symptoms were a result of my rigorous travel routine, stress, and always being "on the go". That hardly helped."

Good thing she tried regenerative medicine at the American Longevity Center. And now she is still gorgeous and full of life. For you out there, its not yet too late to try hormone therapy.

Author byline:
Edward Beyer loves to write about anything. Find more of his posts at American Longevity Center.