Jiyo Healthy!

Some women’s handbags are literally overflowing with the stuff, but research suggests that applying make-up on a daily basis could actually be bad for your health.

Make-up is supposed to improve a person’s looks, but research now suggests that women who use make-up on a daily basis are flooding their bodies with as much as 5lb of chemicals a year. Some studies quote that these chemicals can cause long term effects like cancer, genetic disorders, still births, immune dysfunction and immediate effects like skin rash, allergies, vomiting, cramps etc.

To know more about the chemicals see: What lies in your Make-up?

What if the eyeliner that you use contains toxic elements and the favorite lipstick also has carcinogenic ingredients? So let us learn to avoid these toxic chemicals present in the beauty products:

• Contrary to what manufacturers say, you may not need to tone your skin every time you moisturize it. Similarly you can eliminate most of the cosmetics in your regime if you depend on what actually your skin needs rather than what it hyped about.
• Before buying any product, ask for the cosmetic counter for a sample piece; use it on your skin for few days to check if it suits you before buying it.
• Make sure you remove the make- up before you go to sleep. Keeping the make-up on the skin exposes the body to the chemical for a long time and also affects the texture and quality of the skin.
• The best way to care for your skin is not to lather them with cosmetics and creams but eating right. Once you get all the essential nutrients along with plenty of water and good night’s sleep, your skin will glow by itself.

To know more ways to avoid see: What lies in your Make-up?

Many of us are unaware of the dangers and the impact on our health that some chemicals in cosmetics, personal care products and cleaning agents pose. So let us see how to avoid them:

• You can use herbal and natural cosmetics which lack most of the preservatives, coloring and fragrance agents found in other cosmetics. Read the covers carefully to ascertain if they are actually made from natural ingredients.
• The best way to ensure that you use natural products is by following home remedies like instead of buying separate exfoliators, use a mixture of  milk and oats or sugar and lemon, for getting rid of dark circles, keep cucumber slices on them and apply almond oil below the area before sleeping.
• Use a good moisturizer. That is generally all that you need for your skin on a daily basis and once your skin is properly moisturized other problems will be solved.

To know more ways to avoid see: What lies in your Make-up?

One third of all cosmetic products contain ingredients that may lead to serious long term effects on health. It is found that women who wear make- up every day of their lives absorb about 5 pounds of chemicals every year. These chemicals are:

Parabens: Parabens are dangerous as they disrupt the hormonal balance in humans by mimicking the female hormone called as estrogen which increases the risk of breast cancer in the long run. In men they affect the male reproductive functions.

Pthalates: Phthalates, pronounced as thalates, lead to malfunctioning of liver, kidneys, lungs as well as reproductive systems. It also affects the hormonal levels and causes low sperm count in men and premature breast development in girls.

Lead: Lead is toxic when ingested yet FDA has approved of many brands of lipsticks that contain colorants made of lead. Almost 61% of lipsticks contain lead in their composition.

DEA: DEA is easily absorbed by the body and can be converted into nitrosamine, a carcinogen in the presence of other chemicals found in cosmetics. DEA is known to be hormone disrupter and steals away choline needed for brain development.

Triclosan: A common ingredient in anti bacterial hand wash, deodorants, toothpastes and body wash, it is easily absorbed in the body and interferes with the functioning of testosterone production. It also causes the good bacteria to die along with pathogens which lower the immunity of the body. Thus Triclosan may lead to development of resistant strains of bacteria.

To know more see: What lies in your Make-up?

The main reason why chemicals in make- up are so harmful even than those we take through our mouths is that they are directly absorbed by the skin. Once the chemicals are absorbed by skin, they quickly enter the blood stream and reach vital organs like brain, kidneys and liver. On the other hand anything eaten is broken down by the saliva and later by the stomach fluids which flush out any harmful material before it reaches the blood stream.

Some studies quote that these chemicals can cause long term effects like cancer, genetic disorders, still births, immune dysfunction and immediate effects like skin rash, allergies, vomiting, cramps etc.

To know more about the chemicals see: What lies in your Make-up?

Eating certain types of foods, in addition to getting regular eye exams, can enhance and preserve the health of your eyes. Many of the foods considered beneficial to your eyes contain specific vitamins and minerals that can help ward of eye problems and slow the progression of age-related eye diseases.

• Citrus Fruits- To protect eyes from infections, cataracts, corneal ulcers and other inflammatory disorders, you need to include citrus fruits such as Mosambi, Santra and Nimbu etc. in your diet. They contain a high level of Vitamin C which is needed to prevent damage to the ocular tissues, thereby reducing the chances of macular degeneration and early cataracts!
• Papaya- Papaya is part of the orange foods category and contains a high level of beta –carotene and Vitamin A which help prevent age related macular degeneration. Papaya also contains high levels of Vitamin C and Vitamin E which help improve and further your healthy eyesight!

To know more such foods see Foods for a Healthy Eye-sight!

Your eyes are an important part of your body and deserve the same care as your heart, brain and other vital organs. This should go without saying, but often a person’s diet can improve with more than a little bit of tweaking to include foods for healthy eyes. Look over the foods that are mentioned in the list, all of which will help you see better or prevent your eyes from becoming damaged. See if you can’t add a few more to your everyday diet.

• Carrots
• Spinach
• Tomatoes
• Eggs
• Citrus Fruits
• Papaya

To read more see Foods for a Healthy Eye-sight!

The eyes need adequate nutrition to keep functioning properly, just like the rest of our bodies. While we need the whole spectrum of vitamins and minerals for physical and ocular health, certain vitamins stand out from the rest when it comes to healthy eyes.

• Tomatoes- Now gulping tomato soup is going to protect your eye-sight as Tomatoes contain high amounts of Lutein and Zeaxanthine, beta-caroteniod’s that help fight tissue degeneration, thereby reducing the risk of macular degeneration!
• Eggs – Eggs are rich in sulphur, cysteine, Omega-3 fatty acids along with DHA and Lutein which help in strengthening of the optic nerves, which ensure that your vision remains clear. They also act as anti-oxidants protecting the lens of the eye from any damage it might sustain! Regular consumption is known to prevent cataracts and delay macular degeneration.

To know more such foods see Foods for a Healthy Eye-sight!

Research shows that the foods we put into our bodies have both positive and negative effects on our overall health. Our bodies rely on vitamins and nourishing supplements found in the foods we consume. The eyes are no different than the other organs of your body. Choose foods that have a positive impact on the overall health of your eyes and reduce your risk for eye degeneration.

• Carrots- Carrots are packed with anti-oxidants, beta-carotene, Lycopene and Lutein; these anti-oxidants protect the eye-sight and reduce the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts in the long run! Carrot also helps in the re-generation of new eye cells and helps improve vision.
• Spinach – Spinach packs quite a punch when it comes to healthy eye-sight, as it contains not one but four eye-protectors namely Vitamin C, beta carotene along with high levels of anti-oxidants, Lutein and Zeaxanthine! This combo of four ensures that your macula remains intact and does not degenerate rapidly as you age.

To know more such foods see Foods for a Healthy Eye-sight!

Swimming is good for shaping up, but weight loss can happen gradually, over a period of time. Hence, it must always be combined with other forms of workouts for maximum benefits. Weight loss through swimming, can be effective only when combined with the right diet plan, as any exercise that is not complimented with the right nutrition, would not yield weight loss benefits at all. Also, it is important not to overeat after swimming, and especially not to indulge in high fat foods like burgers etc.

To know more see Swimming: Not for Immediate Weight Loss