10 Remedies that'll Keep Your Skin Young and Taut

The way our skin looks and behaves changes over time – even in our 20’s we already see crow’s feet forming, and later find more and more wrinkles. In later years, we notice changes in the structure of our faces, which relate to the slow sagging of our skin. These are the natural processes, but add to them damage caused by our behavior, such as sun damage, consumption of alcoholic beverages, an unhealthy diet, etc. Even though the pharmacy shelves are laden with various “anti-wrinkle” cosmetics, and plastic surgeons offer various nips and tucks, there are also cheaper, natural ways to revive your skin. These ten home remedies will aid in different aspects of skin sagging by using natural ingredients you can find in your home.

1. Lemon – Increase Collagen Production As we age, so does the Collagen, a protein that keeps our skin taut, and Elastin, which keeps it elastic. With time, these two slow down, causing the skin to lose its elasticity and sag. The high vitamin C content in lemons helps increase collagen production, restoring the tautness of the skin and reducing wrinkles and other signs of age. Squeeze a fresh lemon, and rub the juice against your face and neck using your hands. Let the juice sit for 5-10 minutes, and then rinse your face. Repeat this process 2-3 times a day.

2. Aloe vera – Skin Firmness Natural aloe is one of the best treatments for making saggy skin firm again, thanks to the Malic Acid in the plant, which strengthens the skin and moisturizes it. Apply aloe vera gel on your face, neck, and anywhere else you’d to make firmer. Let the gel sit for 15-20 minutes, and then rinse. Repeat several times a week.

3. Cucumber – Tighten Loose Skin A cucumber-base face mask will do wonders for tightening loose skin. This green vegetable is quite effective at strengthening the skin’s connective tissue, helping the skin resist the pull of gravity. Grate half a cucumber and extract the juice with a strainer. Soak a cotton ball in the juice and apply to the face. Once the skin is dry, rinse with cool water. Repeat once daily. To make a mask, use two tablespoons of cucumber juice, fresh egg white, and three drops of vitamin E oil. Apply the mask to your face and neck, and let it sit for 15 minutes, and then rinse it off.

4. Olive Oil – For a Shiny, Smooth Skin Massaging your face with olive oil helps turn loose, wrinkled skin into smoother skin, and gives it back the sheen it has lost. The secret is antioxidants such as vitamins A and E, which are abundant in the oil, making it a true anti-aging potion. Warm the oil in the microwave and apply it to  your face after making sure it is not too hot. Use your fingertips to massage your face for ten minutes. Perform this once a day before bedtime. Other oils you can use include avocado oil, coconut oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba, or almond oil. These oils are good not only for the face and neck but also for your arms and legs.

5. Honey – Moisturize and Revitalize the Skin Honey is a natural moisturizer that contains antioxidants and anti-aging properties, which aide in moisturizing tough, leathery skin, and give it a healthier color. Mix 2-3 teaspoons of honey with a squeeze of lemon. Apply the mixture to the face, neck, arms and legs. Once the mixture is dry, rinse it off. Repeat once or twice daily for the best possible results.

6. Rose Water – Taut and Glowing Skin Rose water shrinks skin cells, causing open pores to close up, particularly in the face region, making it highly effective at giving the skin a taut look, as well as fighting minor skin infections. In addition, rose water helps in maintaining the skin’s natural sheen, which may have been lost due to sagging. Wash your face with rose water before bedtime, or prepare a mask by mixing it with a few drops of almond oil, and leaving it on your face for 20 minutes. Finally, rinse your face with lukewarm water.

7. Baking Soda – Softening Saggy Skin As the skin sags, it changes the way it looks as well as how it feels. Baking soda helps restore old, saggy skin, making it feel young and supple again, by removing dead skin cells and closing up the pores. Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with a cup of water. For the first time, test the solution by applying it to a small patch on the inside of your elbow and wait to see if you feel any discomfort. If all is well, massage the solution over your face and any other necessary area for a few minutes. Allow the solution to sit on these areas for several minutes, and then rinse it off with lukewarm water. This can be repeated once a week.

8. Cinnamon – Restoring the Skin’s Natural Flexibility While the skin’s natural flexibility allows it to stay in place, if there is not enough collagen in the area, the skin will lose this ability and start to sag. Cinnamon helps restore the skin’s natural flexibility, making it look younger. Mix a teaspoon of cinnamon, a teaspoon of turmeric, half a teaspoon of salt, two drops of olive oil, and create a paste. Gently massage the paste onto your skin and neck for a few minutes, and then rinse the skin in lukewarm water. You can use this natural peeling up to twice a week.

9. Milk – Restoring Vitality Saggy skin often looks dry and lackluster. Milk and other dairy products are well known for their skin-conditioning properties thanks to large quantities of proteins, and their antibacterial properties. Furthermore, dairy products can be used to prevent the accumulation of dead skin cells and removing existing ones, making the skin lighter. You can use regular milk, but yoghurt and camel milk is recommended. Soak a make-up removal sponge or a cotton ball in the milk/yoghurt, and apply to the face. Leave it on for 15-30 minutes, and then rinse with lukewarm water.

10. Strawberry – General Improvement of Saggy Skin Sagging skin can look translucent and pale, making it more sensitive to touch and more susceptible to the elements. The vitamin C-rich strawberry works a disinfectant for the skin, and also contains alpha hydroxy acids, which improve the look of older skin. Mash 2-3 ripe strawberries into a pulp and add a teaspoon of yoghurt and one of honey. Apply the mixture to the desired area and let it sit for 5 minutes, and then rinse in lukewarm water. Repeat this procedure once a day and you’ll see changes in a couple of weeks.

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Why Are Apples So Healthy?

 

We all know that old saying: "An apple a day keeps the doctor away."
But have you ever wondered why that is? How one apple a day can bring about significant health benefits? If you have, then you'll be glad to read this article. From strengthening the immune system, through preventing cancerous growths and to losing weight, say hello to your one apple a day!

 

How do apples help us?

An important research published in 2008 by the German cancer research center, showed that apples offer a significant health advantage. When comparing between a group that had less than one apple per day and a group that had one or more apples a day, the latter was found to have less risk of mouth cancer, larynx cancer, breast cancer, intestinal cancer, kidney cancer and ovarian cancer.

 

These findings support a new research performed at Cornell university, showing that the peel of the apple has strong anti-oxidant properties, a powerful block against the influences of breast cancer cells. Researchers found that the higher the concentration of apples, the lower the concentration of cancerous cells.

 

Cancerous growths are uncontrollable growths of cells independently spreading through the body. The growths are based on three principal levels: The first stage causes mutations in cell DNA. The second, when the growth becomes malignant and grows faster, and finally when it metastases and spreads throughout the body.

 

In the case of a cancerous growth, apples aren't only used as anti-oxidants, but also improve the function of the immune system, which helps clean out the growths at the early stages.

 

In addition to boosting the immune system and fighting cancerous growths, apples also help control the levels of cholesterol and sugars in the blood, prevent heart disease and improve mouth hygiene. The fact that they contain more than 80% water and a long line of essential vitamins, makes them one of the healthiest foods available.

The secret? The nutritional fibers

 

Apples are considered a vital source of nutritional fibers. Eating one apple a day (with peel) can award us about 4.4 grams of nutritional fibers, which is 1/5 of our entire day's recommended amount.

 

Nutritional fibers are materials found in foods that come from plants, and have a very important role in stimulating the digestive system and encouraging its function. Since they are not digested and taken apart in the body, they sate our hunger for a longer period of time. Extensive research has shown that those that do not get their daily recommended amount (at least 25 grams a day), deny themselves a host of health benefits. In addition, the researchers found that consuming these fibers is quite the effective method of losing weight.

 

The secret is in the chewing. Drinking apple juice will not bring about the same health benefits. We'd be happy to receive the essential sugars and vitamins, but we would not get the fibers.

 

A research conducted in China found that chewing can help the body regulate the amount of calories it absorbs from food.

What does this have to do with apples?

 

 

Everything. Apples are a terrific source of nutritional fibers, especially a group of fibers called Pectin. This is a group of complex carbohydrates that regulate our bowels, improve good cholesterol rates and is a powerful anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial.

 

Researchers from UCLA have shown that consuming pectin instead of regular fibers, doubles the time it takes the stomach to empty from one hour to two. Meaning that we don't feel hungry for a longer time. In fact, a recent research paper entitled: "Weight Loss Associated with a Daily Intake of Three Apples or Three Pears among Overweight Women", shows that women who were overweight and were instructed to eat an apple or pear before each meal, lost significant weight, just for doing so. The women in the experiment were asked to eat regularly and just add the apple before the meal. What happened was that the apples and fibers crowded the stomach, increased the feeling of being full, and made the body absorb less calories.

 

Other sources of nutritional fibers are: Pears, Peaches, peas, carrots, seeds, nuts, peel of fruits and vegetables, legumes, whole grains, oats and whole wheat. But apples offer many more advantages.

 

So if you want to:

 

Lose weight, eat one apple a day.

 

Strengthen your immune system, eat one apple a day.

 

Control the level of cholesterol, eat one apple a day.

 

Prevent the spread of cancerous cells, eat one apple a day.

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These 7 Foods Prevent Heart Disease!

Heart disease has been shown to be the number one killer among Americans. One of the biggest culprits of heart disease is the food that finds its way to the dinner table, clogging our arteries. Clogged arteries are the result of a build-up of triglycerides (fats and oils) and bad cholesterol in the artery linings.

Plaque and calcification within the arteries can lead to the channels, becoming hardened and narrowed, decreasing the blood flow while increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. This can cause a heart attack, stroke and chest pain. But there are certain foods that prevent and treat clogged arteries, which can lead to better living and quality of life. Stock up on these foods to prevent heart disease:

1. Broccoli

The chemical sulforaphane, found in broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower is being studied for its ability to reduce plaque build-up in the arteries. The chemical activates anti-oxidants, providing protection from arterial plaque and reducing inflammation. 

2. Flaxseed

Flaxseed can be used to lower bad cholesterol levels. They reduce the risk of developing arterial plaques in the carotid arteries, thanks to the chemical alpha-linolenic acid. Consequently, these effects also lower the risk of stroke by 28%, according to the Canadian Journal of Cardiology.

3. Green Tea

Studies have found a correlation between drinking green tea and lowered risk of artery and heart disease. Trials have discovered notably reduced LDL cholesterol, decreasing triglycerides, and a reduction in the risk of coronary artery disease. 

4. Pomegranates

Pomegranates contain antioxidants which assist in clearing the arteries, reducing LDL cholesterol. Some evidence also points to the possibility that the fruit juice can improve blood flow while slowing the build-up of plaque. 

5. Garlic

Garlic has long been used to cure ailments in the body, including cardiovascular diseases. The amino acid, allicin is believed to kill and control bacteria. According to the CEBU Cardiovascular Center, further studies conducted on garlic show that it could lower bad cholesterol and thin the blood.

6. Salmon

Fats rarely every get a positive outlook for their role in obesity and heart disease. But omega-3 fatty acids improve heart health by reducing triglycerides in the blood. This polyunsaturated fat is found in a variety of food, primarily salmon, slowing the buildup of plaque. 

7. Coffee

Coffee has been shown to prevent and treat atherosclerosis. In a recent Korean study, it was discovered that subjects were 41% less likely to experience LDL build-up in their arteries.

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8 Pressure Points for Knee Pain!

Discomfort in the knees can make everyday tasks seem pretty daunting, from simple walking to climbing up stairs. Yet, while ensuring that your knees get enough rest is important, keeping your bones and muscles strong by engaging in these knee exercises will help alleviate the pain. Effective home remedies to treat knee pain may also prove to be helpful, but adding to all of this, one remedy you should try is acupressure. Working on specific points, located in your knees can speed up your recovery. Here are some of the vital acupressure points located in this area:

Before you start: If you have a serious illness or life-threatening disease such as heart disease or cancer, consult with a professional before practicing acupressure. Drink plenty of warm water after the massage. This will help clear away toxic substances in the body.

Point A: Calf's Nose

Location: This point is located just below the kneecap in the outer indentation.
Benefits: Massaging this point will help relieve knee pain, knee stiffness, rheumatism of the feet and edema.

Point B: Sunny Side of the Mountain

Location: This point is located on the outside of the lower leg, below and in front of the top of the shinbone.
Benefits: Massaging this point will relieve excessive knee pain, muscular tension, aches and muscle strains.

Point C: Three Mile Point

Location: Measure four finger widths below the kneecap and located just on the outside of the shinbone is the Three Mile Point.
Benefits: Applying pressure to this point will strengthen your whole body, tone your muscles and relieve knee pain.

Point D: Commanding Activity

Location: On the outside of the knee, just where the crease ends when the knee is bent, you will find the Commanding Activity point.
Benefits: Apply pressure here to relieve knee pain and stiffness.

Point E: Nourishing Valley

Location: On the inner edge of the knee crease, in the hollow between the two tendons.
Benefits: This point alleviates knee pain and abdominal pain.

Point F: Crooked Spring

Location: This point is located on the inside of the knee, just where the crease ends when the knee is bent.
Benefits: Massaging this point relieves knee pain, fibroids, and swelling in the knee.

Point G: Shady Side of the Mountain

Location: This point is located on the inside of the knee, just on top of the shinbone.
Benefits: Massaging this point relieves knee problems, swelling, leg tensions, varicose veins, edema, water retention, and cramps.

Point H: Commanding Middle

Location: This point is located at the center of the back of the knee.Benefits: Massaging this point will help relieve knee pain, stiffness, arthritis, back pain, and sciatica.

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