The Wonders of Using Avocado Oil in Natural Advantage Skin Care

With an astounding 731 calories and 30 grams of fat per piece, it comes as no surprise that the avocado fruit has been tagged as a “No-No” for those among us aspiring to lose weight. However, despite its heftiness in the calorie scale, nutritionists still advise us to include moderate portions of it in our daily diet, for the nutritional benefits we can obtain from it still outranks its heavy calorie and fat content.

The avocado oil in particular is very useful both as a food and as a natural advantage skin care emollient. On one hand, it is used as an ingredient for certain dishes. It can also be used for cooking in replacement or as a substitute for standard cooking oils. It is touted to be as good and flavorful as olive oil.

On the other hand, the avocado oil has been used since time immemorial as a lubricant. It is one of the most popular ingredients in beauty products. Its inherent rich moisturizing and regenerative components are perfectly beneficial to our skin and hair. Aside from this, its high content of important fatty acids make it ideal for not only preventing dry skin, but also for keeping it firm and supple. But there is more to the avocado oil when it comes to beauty benefits apart from these. To learn more about the wonderful benefits of the avocado oil in natural advantage skin care, read on.

* Avocado Oil has better skin penetrating properties than other natural oils. Thus, it is more suitable for use in making transdermal treatments. In addition, its capability to permeate even very deep target areas make it effective in transporting other additional supplements.

* Avocado oil can restructure connective tissue and retard or stop the growth of unwanted bacteria.

* It is also used for wounds because it can speed up the healing process. Moreover, it is used to keep post-operative dressing from sticking to wounds and burns.

* Famous for its anti-wrinkle properties, it raises the amount of soluble collagen in the dermis. It also benefits the skin by softening it and slowing down the aging process.

* Avocado oil is widely used for various hair products because it works well on damaged hair aside from acting as a natural stimulant for its good health and growth.

* The powerful UV-absorption components of avocado oil makes it an excellent supplement in reinforcing the effects of UV-A and UV-B absorbers. Using avocado oil as an ingredient for these products makes it more effective in the sense that it diminishes the sunscreen concentration, thus, decreasing the possibility of skin irritation for some people. Based on a comparative study of eight plant oils, the avocado oil proved to be the best sunscreen of them all.

* It is a high quality base oil that can be used for making massage oils and other skin and facial oils.

* Avocado oil has been proven safe and effective for use in making cosmetics because it does not generate problems related to the following: photo-toxicity, sensitization potential, comedogenicity, and formation of free radicals.

* Large amounts of avocado oil is not necessitated to produce optimum results as compared to other natural oils.


Resource Box: Maricel Modesto is a writer and editor who writes for various health and lifestyle magazines.

Methods of Treatment for Depression

In selecting the best antidepressant to address your symptoms, your doctor/psychiatrist takes into consideration several factors. Included therein are your family history and other health conditions you may possibly have. It may take several attempts before you would determine the one that works best for you, addressing your symptoms head on without inflicting very serious side effects.

On the whole, majority of antidepressants available in pharmacies are efficacious. However, some of them could increase your chances of suffering from intolerable side effects. Generally speaking, no antidepressant drug is without any side effects. Yet, the manner in which each one of them affects patients differs on a case to case basis. In most people's cases, however, the best treatment comes through a combination of taking the best medication and psychotherapy.

Certain cases of depression can be treated by your regular doctor. Nevertheless, in most cases, a certified psychiatrist is consulted for such illnesses related to emotional and psychological well-being. The variegated forms of treatment conventionally used for addressing depression are the following: prescribed drugs, psychotherapy, and Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT). As previously mentioned, the prescribed drugs used to alleviate this kind of condition are usually effective. Prior to prescribing them to patients, psychiatrists/doctors have a systematic way of assessing them. Here is how they do it:

* Initial Options

At the beginning of the treatment, most doctors/psychiatrists would prescribe an SSRI. An acronym and common term for Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor, SSRI is the typical first choice for two important reasons: It is effective and has bearable side effects as compared to other antidepressants. Fluoxetine, paroxetine, setraline, citalopram, and escitalopram are all classifed as SSRIs. Aside from SSRIs, the other typical first options would include any of the following other antidepressants: serotonin and noropinephrine reuptake inhibitors(SNRIs), noropinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors(NDRIs), tetracyclic antidepressants, and a combination of reuptake inhibitors and receptor blockers.

* Second Options

Although tricyclic antidepressants(TCAs) have been in existence prior to the introduction of SSRIs, the latter is considered as the most popular first choice. The main reason explaining this is the fact that the aforementioned possess a greater number of more intense side effects over that of SSRIs. Despite this, it does not discount the effectiveness of tricyclic antidepressants. For most cases, they are only prescribed if SSRIs fail to address the patient's symptoms.

* Last Options

When neither SSRIs nor TCAs would not work, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MNRIs) are prescribed by doctors/psychiatrists. Although MAOIs are efficacious on the whole, they possess more severe side effects in comparison to SSRIs and TCAs. At times, these side effects can even be injurious to the patient. Moreover, in using MAOIs, doctors/psychiatrists may advise skipping certain foods, for they may pose dangerous negative effects that can even be life-threatening.

* Other Methods

Certain instances may prompt your doctor/psychiatrist to use augmentation, a process of using two or more antidepressants and other medicines to obtain the maximum benefits. Included among these other choices are the following: mood stabilizing drugs, anti-anxiety drugs, and anti-psychotic drugs.



Resource Box: Maricel Modesto is a writer and editor who writes for various health and lifestyle magazines.

Honey Cures and Benefits

Probably, when man first started hunting for honey approximately 10,000 years ago, he was unaware that it had more uses beyond the realms of the kitchen. A thick golden liquid with a distinctively sweet taste and aroma, honey as we all know is a product derived from flower nectar. Its characteristically sweet taste, which is similar to that of granulated sugar, is obtained from the monosaccharides, fructose and glucose. It possesses distinctive chemical components which make it ideal for baking purposes. However, it wasn't until 2,700 years ago that the medicinal properties of honey were placed under the spotlight courtesy of the Egyptians.

At present, it is being used for a variety of medicinal purposes. It is also regarded as one of the natural materials used for safe pain relief. Apart from these, it has chemical properties that make it beneficial for health and beauty purposes. Let us get to know more about the different ways in which honey can be used. Here they are.

• Honey is used as treatment for some digestive disorders. It is known to be easily processed and imbibed into the stomach. It benefits our intestines by making it more active. Also, it does not irritate the digestive channel walls, which makes it ideal for patients with digestive problems. In line with this, it is known to boost metabolism and aids in comfortable bowel movement.

• Honey can be effectively used to prevent ulcer formations in the stomach because it has the capacity to block the intensity of raised acidity in the digestive system.

• It is also used as an effective treatment for poisoning.

• Honey is particularly helpful in obliterating pain. It possesses helpful antifungal and antibacterial components for healing tissues associated with all kinds of injuries.

• It is also known for its beneficial uses in curing and preventing various skin ailments and infections.

• For our skin, it works as an excellent moisturizer. It contains both rejuvenating and moisturizing properties. It is particularly effective in reducing the appearance of wrinkles.

• In the case of skin burns, honey does not only cool the affected area, but it also relieves pain. It can heal the burn without scarring.

• For sleep disorders, honey aids in promoting a peaceful sleep. In line with this, it is also known to help us fall asleep more quickly.

• The calcium and phosphorus content of honey makes it ideal for promoting the healthy growth of our bones and teeth. It can be helpful in preventing children from contracting rickets.

• Aside from those mentioned previously, honey works well in healing infections caused by athritits and rheumatism.

• The antibiotic properties of honey aids in soothing throat and tonsil infection. It also alleviates coughing.

• Science has proven the effectiveness of honey in weight reduction. It stimulates the production of hormones that are known to fight obesity.

• Mixed with milk, honey can raise a man's sperm production.

• For nursing mothers, honey can be taken to replace the vitamins and minerals she has lost while breast feeding.

• As a pain reliever, honey can help diminish menstrual pain. It is also touted as an effective means for healing breast cancer.

Resource Box: Maricel Modesto is a writer and editor who writes for various health and lifestyle magazines.

Facing Side Effects of Birth Control Pills

Loosely defined, birth control pills are female hormones in capsule or tablet form. The hormones in birth control pills or BCP control the functions of the ovaries and in general, the whole female reproductive system. They can alter and cause changes in a woman's regular hormonal cycle which will in turn prevent a pregnancy from occurring.

By releasing additional female hormones in the body, birth control pills or oral contraceptives, as they are commonly called, prevent ovulation. The process of ovulation pertains to the development of a young egg cell or ovum into maturity which makes it ready for fertilization. Aside from preventing ovulation, birth control pills can also cause the thickening of cervical mucus which will make it difficult for sperm to pass through. Another function of the pill is to thin out the uterine lining which will make it next to impossible for the mature ovum to attach itself and be fertilized. Its benefits notwithstanding, birth control pills or BCPs also cause some side effects:

Light bleeding in-between periods
Some women may experience bleeding in-between periods when they first start using oral contraceptives. While uncomfortable, this side effect is only a sign that the body is adjusting to the introduction of additional hormones. This side effect may last for up to three months but will eventually pass. Using low-absorbency tampons, sanitary pads, and pantyliners can make in-between period bleeding more manageable. It is also generally advised that women who experience this side effect should take iron supplements to combat anemia.

Missed periods
Alternatively, the body may skip periods in the course of adjusting to oral contraceptive use. While this is relatively better than bleeding, skipped periods can leave a woman feeling bloated. Decreasing sodium intake can minimize water retention and the bloated sensation. However, if pill use is inconsistent or there are times of missed pill intakes, medical attention should be sought especially if a woman engaged in unprotected sex for possible pregnancy.

Nausea or dizziness
Due to increased hormones in the body, a woman may feel dizzy and nauseous when taking oral contraceptives. The best way to manage this is to chart when the dizzy spells come or what triggers the nausea. For example, if dizzy spells are experienced an hour or two after taking the pill, a woman should consider changing the schedule of her pill intake to a comfortable time like before bedtime. Carrying smelling salts or soothing aromatherapy oils can make passing dizzy spells easier.

Weight change
Although some women lose weight when taking oral contraceptives, a larger number reports experiencing weight gain when taking birth control pills. While studies show that there is no causal relationship between weight gain and oral contraception, they indicate that a large percentage of the reported increase in weight of pill users are based on how women react to the mood swings and other side effects of pill use. Women can manage their weight when taking oral contraceptives by exercising portion control, staying active, and maintaining a healthy diet.



Resource Box:
Kristine Anne Gonzaga is a content writer and researcher who specializes in health topics and health-related issues. She delights in finding tips and ideas on simple and practical healthcare and sharing them through her writing.

Hypnotize Those Fats Away

Food is not only intended to provide our body with physical sustenance. A necessity to fuel our biological system, without food, none of us would be capable of performing our usual functions at work, school, home, and even in our private affairs. However, to some of us, they mean so much more than just something we need to stay alive.

If you find yourself frequently munching on the largest pack of potato chips every time you feel the urge, to the point that you no could no longer fit into your favorite pair of jeans, then you know very well what is being addressed here. You understand that there are some people like you who see food as so much more than just sustenance.

Put it this way, you are among the growing population of people who have come to rely on food to compensate for whatever lack you may have in your life. As distressing as this may sound, you have to accept that this is the global truth we are stressing here: There are many emotional eaters in the world who use food to make up for the emotional distress they experience. On top of this, majority of them are not even aware of it, not even when they realize they have ballooned to such enormous proportions that they could not fit through the front door any more.

Luckily, there are so many ways for people like you to come to terms with this reality, and help you banish those excessive fats from your body for good. One such method is hypnosis.

The common practice of using hypnosis to stop smoking has extended beyond to other problems including weight-related ones like yours. Emotional eating is linked to how your brain addresses the negative emotions brought on by the stressful events you have encountered. Using hypnosis can work in going straight to the heart of your problem. If you are interested in trying out this method, here are the steps.

*Let yourself relax. Then close your eyes and allow yourself to explore this state of relaxation further.

*Using imagery, identify the many different reasons that prompt you to eat. Triggers can be anything from the time of day, down to the mere act of thinking about the food item itself. For emotional eaters, it could be an exact emotion or anything that would remind them of a specific trauma.

*Find out if you are feeling hungry as of this moment. Then ask yourself what might feel good in your stomach at this time. Use your imagination to visualize your choice of food.

*Picture yourself consuming this particular food. Then try to see how it would feel in your stomach afterwards.

*Now, picture yourself eating nothing at this point. Compare the feelings you get from these two visualizations. It is only when it feels better would you entertain the possibility of keeping the food for eating purposes.

*Try out as many different kinds of food as you like. Do this until you have decided on which kind of food would provide you with comfort over time. In this case, bear in mind that fattening foods tend to make you feel bad after some time. They also make you feel lethargic and heavy.

*After you have done this exercise, eat the food, which you have identified as the one that would make your stomach feel best over time.


Resource Box: Maricel Modesto is a writer and editor who writes for various health and lifestyle magazines.

How to Ease Tension Headache

With all the pressure brought on by the hustle and bustle of daily life, who would not be tense? In everything we do, we face challenges and have no other recourse but to take necessary risks in order to thrive in an ever-competitive environment. Our own frustrations could raise the tension level a notch if we let it get to us. The same thing goes for our interpersonal relationships. Friction caused by misunderstandings or hefty demands are also contributory factors, leading to that perennially increasing ball of solid pressure bearing down on our heads. These are just some of the many reasons why we often get tension headaches these days.



Nevertheless, tension headaches, like pollution, is just another aspect of reality that we all have to contend with. However, uncomfortable as they can get, we do have several choices when it comes to dealing with tension headaches. There are several measure we can take that may provide fast pain relief for that all too common tight feeling we get around our heads when we feel overwhelmed by tension. Some of them may not prove to be as quick, but they may still work. Let us give them a try next time we feel the beginnings of a tension headache striking us again.

*

Take a pain reliever immediately. All of us are most likely to reach into our medicine cabinets at the first sign of a headache, and we have a very good reason to do so: pain relievers work. Their components alleviate our condition by easing the swelling of our blood vessels, which helps our blood flow more easily.
*

Lie down and relax. Choose a dark quiet place free from obstructions and interruptions of all sorts. Make sure that it has a comfortable couch or bed for us to lie on. Close our eyes for a few minutes, and free our thoughts of anything and everything preoccupying it at the moment.
*

Slowly imbibe a very cold drink. Do not drink it all at once. Let us take our time and make sure that it is really cold. Put lots of ice cubes. Take sips of this freezing water as we are lying down. We can also try putting some of the ice in an ice pack, and then place it on our head. This would help cool us down.
*

Inhale deeply and then exhale. Do not rush. Feel the air fill our diaphragm. As we do this, our tummy should expand. When we exhale, our tummy should contract. As we exhale, let the air out through our lips. Imagine that we are releasing the tension.
*

Let us try doing a muscle relaxation exercise.
*

Determine every possible reason we may have for feeling so tense. Do not hold back. Let it all out. It would be better if we write down all these reasons. This practice symbolizes our attempt to free ourselves from these causes of tension. Writing them down helps ease the pressure off our chest, as well as our head.



Resource Box: Maricel Modesto is a writer and editor who writes for various health and lifestyle magazines.

Treating Female Sexual Dysfunction

Millions of women from around the world suffer from Female Sexual Dysfunction or frigidity. This condition lessens or completely dissolves a woman's sexual appetite or libido. There are a number of factors that can trigger female sexual dysfunction. Among these are physiological conditions, side effects of medicinal products, as well as emotional or psychological issues.
Despite the fact that female sexual dysfunction is a very common sexual health condition that can trigger in sexually active women anytime, there is a treatment available for this condition. This is none other than to go to a licensed therapist who specializes in sexual health complications.
Now, if you are one of the many women who are suffering from female sexual dysfunction, the best thing to do is to consult a doctor regarding your condition. Read on below for the course of treatment commonly conducted by a doctor for the female sexual dysfunction condition.

A competent sexual health doctor will:

* Diagnose and treat causes of sexual dysfunction.


The sexual health therapist will conduct a thorough physical examination in order to determine if you manifest any common physiological contributor to sexual dysfunction such as infection, renal failure, cardiovascular and vascular disease, hypertension, nerve or spinal trauma, genital and pelvic conditions, as well as neurological complications. During the consultation, the doctor will check for vaginal dryness, infections, or painful areas in the genitalia.

* Make use of counseling as treatment.


Sexual health doctors can make use of counseling to treat psychological and emotional issues that trigger female sexual dysfunction. Emotional and psychological issues may include anxiety, fear, depression, and difficulty interacting with the opposite sex.

* Show what a healthy sexual function and libido is as well as the association of good physical health to a healthy sexual life.


As part of the treatment, sexual health doctors will educate you on what a healthy sexual function is. The doctor will also explain the relationship of a healthy physical condition to a good sexual function. It is also possible that the doctor will give suggestions on how you can better your sexual performance with your partner. Most of the time, sexual health doctors refer their patients to a sex therapist for further treatment.

* Check if harmful factors like alcohol and nicotine trigger the condition.

Sexual health doctors will also check if nicotine or alcohol has something to do with your condition. If ever your condition is linked to the intake of either of the two substances, the doctor will most probably help you in reducing or eliminating your use or intake of these substances, which can trigger the said sexual health condition.

* Determine if current prescription medication used adversely affect sexual health condition.

It is very important for your doctor to know what medications you are currently taking, as these may have adverse effects to your overall sexual health. If ever you are currently taking medicines that can somehow affect your sexual functioning, the doctor will either request you to stop or reduce taking them. On your part, it is best to be honest to your doctor regarding your other health conditions to avoid having further complications.

Resource Box:
Rcon Franchesca V. Pascua is a web content writer and researcher who specializes in health and fitness topics. She enjoys reading health-related features and articles and sharing what she learns by providing tips and guidelines on how to achieve a healthier lifestyle.