Aging Skin and Nutrients

Dietary nutrient intakes and skin-aging appearance among middle-aged American women

Here is a study result from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition conducted in 2007.

Using data from the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES I), scientists examined associations between nutrient intakes and skin aging in 4,025 women between the ages of 40 and 74 years. Clinical examinations of the skin were conducted by dermatologists.

Skin-aging appearance was defined as having a wrinkled appearance, dryness associated with aging (senile dryness), and skin atrophy (shriveling or shrinking).

Higher vitamin C intakes were associated with a lower likelihood of a wrinkled appearance. Higher linoleic acid (an omega-6 essential fatty acid) intakes were associated with a lower likelihood of senile dryness and skin atrophy.

A higher than average fat and carbohydrate intake also increased the likelihood of a wrinkled appearance and skin atrophy. These associations were independent of age, race, education, sunlight exposure, income, menopausal status, body mass index, supplement use, physical activity, and energy intake.

Elevated intakes of vitamin C and linoleic acid and reduced intakes of fats and carbohydrates are associated with better skin-aging appearance. Promoting healthy dietary behaviors may have added benefit for the appearance of skin in addition to other beneficial health outcomes in the population.

Resource: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 86, No. 4, 1225-1231, October 2007

Charles

Herbal Tea- Grow Your Own

When it comes to good herbal tea, the fresher the better. Herbal teas are better tasting and more potent when they are at their peak of freshness. Growing your own herbal tea ensures not only that you have the freshest tea available, but you control the growing, the fertilizing and making sure it is organic, meaning you are not using poisonous pesticides in your growing process.

Herbal teas are used in many ways from soothing sore throats to easing digestion, and not to forget relaxation. Herbal teas can be planted in a garden in your yard, in flower pots in the house, on window sills, on the porch. Just about any place you can put a planting pot, you can grow herbal tea.

Herbal tea can be grown from seed or you can purchase them as starter plants, which is a little more expensive, but makes growing faster. I would rather grow them from seed so that I have control on what is used in the process.

You need approximately 4-5 of each herbal tea plant in order to grow enough herbal tea to keep you in a good supply of tea. Growing is easy, just read and follow the instructions on the seed package. Herbal tea seeds can be purchased from several online stores. Just use you favorite web search engine and you can find several sources to purchase from.

When ever you fell the need for a cup of herbal tea, you can take it fresh from the plant as it is growing. When harvesting your tea, try to use it with two days for the best results for potency. If you have an over abundance of herbal tea at the end of the growing cycle or season, you can always harvest the tea and dry it for later use.

To dry the herbal tea, tie a small bundle of stalks or stems together and then hang them upside down in an area away from moisture. When the material is dry and has a crispy texture, you can then store the herbal tea in an air tight container.

Some herbal tea plants bloom every season after they have been planted (perennial). For these plants do not cut the stalks too low or they may not bloom or grow next season. Once the tea is dried and properly stored, it should last for about two years.

Good Herbal Teas To Grow:

Lavender- helps you relax, boosts immunity and is anti-bacterial
Chamomile- helps you relax, aids digestion, and is anti-inflammatory (German species)
Calendula- helps the lymph system and is anti-inflammatory
Hops- helps you relax and aids in digestion
Mint- helps with headaches, digestion and sinusitis
Passionflower- helps you relax and calms the nerves
Lemon Verbena- helps with sleep, concentration and digestion
Rosemary- helps upper respiratory problems and sore throats; antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
Marjoram- helps upper respiratory problems and sore throats; antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
Basil- helps upper respiratory problems and sore throats; antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
Thyme- helps upper respiratory problems and sore throats; antioxidant and anti-inflammatory

Herbal teas can be mixed together to produce exotic flavors and healthful uses. For example, you can combine chamomile, passionflower and lavender for a calming nightime blend.

Sip your way to good health!

Charles

Herbs That Interact With Other Medications

Here is a partially listing of herbs that react to certain medications. Make sure you check out the herb remedies that you are wanting to try to ensure they will not react or effect the medicines that you may currently be taking.

Herb	Interaction
Bearberry	Reduce absorption of drugs
Bilberry	Counteract short-acting blood thinners
	Bromelain
	Anticoagulants
	Tetracycline
	Thrombocytic aggregation inhibitors
Buckthorn bark	Antiarrythmic agents
	Cardiac glycosides
	Corticosteroids
	Increase action of Licorice root
	Thiazide diuretics
Cascara Sagrada bark	Antiarrythmic agents
	Cardiac glycosides
	Corticosteroids
	Increase action of Licorice root
	Thiazide diuretics
Chaste Tree fruit	Dopamine-receptor antagonists
Cola nut	Caffeine-containing beverages
	Psychoanaleptic drugs
Echinacea	Counteract immuno-suppressive drugs
Ephedra	Cardiac glycosides
	Guanethidine
	Halothane
	MAO inhibitors
	Oxytocin
	Secale alkaloid derivatives
	Exacerbate other stimulants
Flaxseed	May delay absorption of drug if taken at same time
Garlic	May increase action of blood thinning drugs
Ginkgo Biloba	May increase action of blood thinning drugs
Ginseng	Increase working of other stimulants
Goldenseal	Counteract short-acting blood thinners
Green Tea	Reduce absorption of drugs
Kava Kava root	Alcohol
	Barbiturates
	Psychopharmacological agents
Licorice root	Chronic use can cause potassium loss
	Digitalis glycosides
	Thiazide diuretics
Oak bark	Alkaline drugs
	Alkaloids
Psyllium husks	May delay absorption of drug if taken at same time
Raspberry leaves	Reduce absorption of drugs
Senna leaf	Antiarrythmic agents
	Cardiac glycosides
	Corticosteroids
	Increase action of Licorice root
	Thiazide diuretics
Senna pod	Antiarrythmic agents
	Cardiac glycosides
	Corticosteroids
	Increase action of Licorice root
	Thiazide diuretics
St John's Wort	Increase effects of antidepressants and narcotics
Uva Ursi leaf	Urine-acidifying agents
Valerian	Increase effect of sedatives
Witch hazel	Reduce absorption of drugs
Yeast, Brewer's	MAO inhibitors

As we progress through this journey to health and knowledge, I will add more to this list as the information is obtained. Until then, stay safe, stay healthy.

Charles