Can Sugar be Bad for You Skin

Most of us know that sugar is not the best substance to consume for overall health. The word ‘sugar’ is usually associated with calories, cavities, obesity and being overweight. Most people do not know that sugar can also cause harm to your skin. Think: wrinkles, sagginess and loss of radiance.

How does sugar affect our skin negatively? When sugar is present in the system, a process called advanced glycation takes place. During this process, sugar causes protein fibers to become stiff and malformed. The proteins in skin most prone to glycation are the same ones that make a young person’s skin look plump and vibrant. When these proteins bind with sugar they become discolored, less supple and weak. This causes sagging and wrinkling of the skin and makes the complexion more vulnerable to assailants such as UV light and cigarette smoke - causing a double-whammy effect. External signs of glycation show up around the age of 30-35 years old. At younger ages, the body produces more collagen and is able to fight glycation much easier.

So what is the solution? Never eat sugar again?? That may be easier said than done. There is sugar in most processed foods. Your best bet is to pay attention to the ingredients in the foods you eat – read the labels! Steer clear of foods with high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and eat locally grown foods that have not been pasteurized or processed. The natural enzymes that occur in non-processed foods, like fruits and vegetables can help you to live a healthier life style and to look great while doing it. If you are still not satisfied with the way your skin appears after altering your diet, try a dose of Red Light Therapy to make your skin young and vibrant again.

Did You Know That Lemons can Make You look Younger

Most of us know that we should cut back on soft drink intake due to the amount of high fructose corn syrup (or “super sugar” as I call it). Many doctors suggest switching to water with lemon to help wean you off of the sugar explosion that soft drinks provide. What the doctor may not tell you is that lemon juice may actually keep your skin looking young. New research shows that lemons have many health benefits for internal and external use.

This wonder fruit harbors many medicinal uses. Drinking freshly-squeezed lemon juice helps turn your body into an alkaline state. Drinking lemon water purges toxins from the blood which keeps the skin clear. Lemons balance your PH level by providing the body with high levels of vitamin C and potassium. This process can reduce acidosis and relieve arthritis, fibromyalgia and rheumatism. These are some of the positive benefits that lemons have to offer internally. Let’s talk about what they can do for our skin.

When applied directly to the skin, lemons work effectively to reduce acne, soften wrinkles, remove age spots, blemishes and scars, and can clean excess oil from the face. You can combine honey with lemon to relieve eczema, soothe a bug bite and make a natural insect repellant. Who knew lemons were this good for you?

If you currently use lemons to keep you healthy and your skin flawless and young, but haven’t had the desired results, there is still hope. New technology on the market that involves LED Light Therapy might interest you. Check out Therapeutichealinglight.com and see what the future has to offer you. Have a great day and enjoy some lemon water!

What to do for Minor Muscle Aches

Millions of people suffer daily with sore, achy muscles. Whether it’s your upper or lower back, an achy back can make your day long and arduous and leave you feeling a lot older than you really are.

Have you ever helped a relative or a friend move into a new house and the day after, you can barely move? This typically happens when you use muscles that haven’t been used in a long time, or muscle atrophy. One of the best home remedies for sore muscles is to take a 30-minute bath in hot water with Epsom salts. This will work wonders for your muscles and put you in a Zen-like relaxed state.

Another great way to loosen tight muscles is to drink a lot of water. And when I say a lot of water I am talking about eight-to-ten cups of water within 30 minutes. Most people walk around dehydrated and don’t even know it. When the body is dehydrated, it cannot carry out important tasks such as proper cognitive function, blood flow and waste elimination. The Mayo Clinic suggests that men should drink 3 liters of water a day while women should drink 2.2 liters of water a day. Water will also help to excrete the lactic acid that is being released from those sore muscles as you stretch and massage.

Streching and massaging your muscles can provide immediate relief for achy and tight muscles. This blog is too short to go into detail, but Google has a great webpage chock-full of pictures and illustrations of simple stretches –

When you stretch any part of the body or muscle group, make sure you hold the pose for 30 seconds otherwise you will not receive the desired effects. Here is a tip for a 30 second stretch - take long, deep breaths while you stretch. This will supply your muscles with oxygen causing the lactic acid to break up.

These are just a few Ideas to help sore muscles, but if you do not have time for stretching or 30 minute baths, try Red LED Light Therapy- a cutting edge way to relieve minor muscle aches, arthritis, joint aches and stiffness. I use it and it really works. Take care and drink your water every day!

How to Treat Age Spots

Have you wondered how to stop your skin from developing age spots? They seem to pop everywhere! Is it possible to slow this process down?

The sun is the leading cause for age spots. When exposed to the sun, our skin has what is called “melanin pigment” which absorbs sunlight and helps protect our skin from UV rays. As we age, our skin’s ability to battle UV rays from the sun starts to slow down and we start to see the development of age spots. Age spots should actually be called sun spots, because they have nothing to do with your age - they are directly related to how long you have been exposed to the sun. Everybody has a different amount of melanin pigment. People with less pigment, such as fair skinned people, are more susceptible to sun damage. Fair skin does not know how to respond to a large amount of sun. As a result, abnormal melanin pigment in the form of freckles and brown spots are caused.

Most sun damage occurs while riding in the car. A glass car window protects us from 100% of UVB light but not UVA light. UVB light causes us to burn, but UVA light causes us to have sun damage which leads to aging skin. The good news is that you can purchase tinted or clear UVA protecting film for your car windows.

For those of you who are sun lovers and are concerned about age spots, there are options. Laser treatment is quite effective at removing age spots and in most cases is permanent. If you enjoy soaking up the sun, then this treatment might not be right for you as additional sun exposure will cause more spots. Also, laser treatment is expensive. Why pay for an expensive one-time treatment when you can own a device that will reduce the age spot producing melanin - on your time in your own home? Red LED Light Therapy may just be just what the doctor ordered. This cutting-edge therapy is natural and much less expensive compared to laser surgery. Take a look for yourself.

Why Red Fruits and Vegetables are good Anti Aging Foods

If a doctor told you that you could reduce the risk of prostate cancer, lower your LDL cholesterol and blood pressure, reduce tumor growth and support joint tissue health in those with arthritis, would you change your diet? What if the doctor told you that by eating more fruits and vegetables you could live longer and stay younger looking - would you start eating less processed foods then?

I have changed my diet. I can feel the difference after eating vegetable-based meals that have lots of color to them. The result are in, I have a lot more energy. I do not get fatigued or run out of energy as quickly as when I eat a fried meal. Not only will you feel the difference from eating well, you are also preparing your body to defend itself against any ailment. Take a look at some of the red fruits and vegetables that do the body good:

            *Beets
            *Blood Oranges
            *Cherries
            *Cranberries
            *Guava
            *Papaya
            *Pink and Red
            *Grapefruit
            *Radicchio
            *Radishes
            *Raspberries
            *Red Apples
            *Red Bell Peppers
            *Red Grapes
            *Red Onion
            *Red Pear
            *Red Peppers
            *Red Potatoes
            *Rhubarb
            *Strawberries
            *Tomatoes
            *Watermelon


These red fruits and vegetables contain nutrients such as lycopene, ellagic acid, quercetin and hesperdin, just to name to name a few. You may have heard that tomatoes contain a great deal of lycopene. What you may not know is that lycopene helps fight collagenases. Collagenases are enzymes that that destroy the collagen in your body. If you are trying to look young, your body needs more collagen. When wrinkles and facial lines are visible, you are witnessing what a lack of collagen looks like. Eat your red fruit and veggies - especially tomatoes!

If you have been reading my posts, I have detailed many foods that can keep you looking and feeling your best. If you’ve not been keeping up, please visit my last three posts: Dark Green Vegetables, Super Foods That Keep Your Skin Looking Great and Garlic a Super Food. In conjunction with eating well, using Red Light Therapy can shave years off of your skin and will keep you looking vibrant and healthy. Take care and eat well!

Dark Green Vegetables

Hello to all seeking what can keep you healthy and happy! Today I would like to continue the quest for foods that keep skin looking youthful and vibrant. In my last two posts I discussed the wonderful effects that garlic and soy can have on your skin as well as on your overall health. Today I would like to discuss dark green leafy vegetables and how they can positively affect your health.

If you don’t already know – dark green leafy vegetables are some of the best super foods on the planet. Researchers say that greens are at the top of the list of foods you can eat to improve your health. Generally the darker the color, the more nutritionally dense they are. WebMD lists the Top Ten Greens, ranked from 1 to 10.

1. Kale
2. Collards
3. Turnip Greens
4. Swiss Chard
5. Spinach
6. Mustard Greens
7. Broccoli
8. Red and Green leaf and Romaine Lettuce
9. Cabbage
10. Iceberg Lettuce

Did you notice that the color becomes lighter as you get to the bottom of the list? What you may not know is (drum roll please) … not only are leafy greens known for their rich nutritional content, but they also aid in collagen production. What a bang for your buck! By eating dark green leafy vegetables you get your vitamins and better looking skin. Be well and take care by eating your greens!

Super Foods That Keep Your Skin Looking Youthful

My last blog discussed the benefits of garlic consumption. Today I would like to discuss another super food that keeps you looking and feeling great. Your skin is a reflection of how you feel on the inside – if you are not feeling well and eating well - your skin will show it. Let’s look at the benefits that soy has to offer.

Soy products have been touted as the “perfect food” and rightly so. Soy shows promise for treating a number of conditions. Some internal benefits of soy include lowering your overall cholesterol, contributing to the prevention of cancer, healing stomach ulcers and improving cognitive function. When our internal functions are in harmony, our skin can’t help but look young and vibrant.

All soy products are derived from the soy bean, which contains genistein, a substance that produces collagen. If you are familiar with wrinkles and what causes them, then you know that any product that aids in collagen production is your friend. The more collagen production that is present, the more elastin your skin will have and the younger your skin will appear.

In order to look your best you must start with what you put into your body. When you feel good you will look good. Along with a good diet, there are products on the market such as Red Light Therapy that can remove age spots and wrinkles from your face and body to make you look and feel your best. Stay healthy.

Garlic a Super Food

Did you know that certain foods can help your skin to look healthier and younger? Most of us have heard about collagen and how its’ production tightens and firms the skin. You can assist in collagen production and even reverse the aging process just by what you eat.

Garlic has been used for thousands of years in both food and medicine, dating back to when the Egyptian pyramids were built. Eighteenth century French gravediggers drank crushed garlic in wine believing that it would protect them from the plague that killed off a large percentage of Europe. This Super Food was even used during both World War I and World War II to prevent gangrene. Today, garlic is used to prevent heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and to boost the immune system. Modern science has revealed that garlic is a good source of sulfur which is necessary for collagen production in the body. Garlic also contains large amounts of lipoic acid and taurine, which are essential for rebuilding damaged collagen fibers. When facial skin is wrinkled or sagging, it is primarily due to the reduction of collagen in the face. When cooking pasta, soup, meats and other dishes, be sure to add plenty of garlic.

Other treatments, such as Red Light Therapy, used in conjunction with garlic (as well as other Super Foods) can keep your skin looking young and beautiful well into your twilight years.

The Sun and Facial Wrinkles

Do you wake up in the morning to look at your face hoping that the wrinkles you see will just go away or diminish on their own? If so you are not alone. Whether you are 35 and beginning to see the first signs of aging, or 55 with skin that does not keep your birthday a secret, seeking ways to reduce wrinkles might be on your agenda. These days there seems to be conflicting data on what is good for and what is not.

Previous studies have shown that sun exposure is at the top of the list weighing in as America’s #1 leading cause for wrinkles. One study conducted by Darrick Antell, MD, found sun exposure to be more important that heredity. He studied two identical twins and found out the sibling that was not exposed to the sun had fewer wrinkles and looked younger overall, but there is a down side to this equation. More recent studies have shown that the sun is a great natural source of vitamin D. And even more promising news, the recommended amount of sun exposure is only 10 minutes a day. So how can you have the best of both worlds, fun in the sun without wrinkles? There is new technology out, Led Therapy that has proven to reduce wrinkles, age spots, and promote the production of collagen. When your collagen production starts decrease the elastin in your skin decreases as well causing wrinkles, facial lines, and sagging skin.

We are in the age of information and every quarter there seem to be new information about what is good for you and what is bad for you. Don’t you want to use products that are safe, affective, and harmless to you and the environment? If you are concerned with how to smooth out facial lines, age spots and wrinkles try taking a look at Red Light Therapy. A younger smoother looking face could be right around the corner from you.

How to Avoid Back Pain at the Office part 2

Do leave work on a daily basis with a sore or ache back? In my last blog we discussed how to avoid back pain at the office by altering your sitting position, using a foot rest, and changing positions while having to star seated for long periods of time.  Today I would like to follow up by covering some topics that were not discussed. 

Do you have upper back pain or headaches while you are at the office?  If so does your chair have arm rests and do you use them?  Supporting your arms thought the day can keep your upper back from knotting up, causing tightness as well as pain.  Many people do not realize that headaches can result from the muscles growing tired of supporting the weight of the arms. If you have arm rests use them whenever you are not typing. The more breaks you can give your back the better.

  How you treat your back at work is very important, but how you organize your work space can make a big difference.  These days, most desk jobs involve a computer, and many computers are not set up to meet your ergonomic needs.  First, check to make sure your computer is set up directly in front of you so you do not have to turn your head or twist your back.  Second, see if the monitor is set at the correct height.  When sitting at the computer the top of the monitor should be at eye level so that your head is tilted down at a very slight angle.  Third, if you type a lot from paper documents you can get a document holder that attaches to the side of the monitor.  If the majority of your work involves typing from a hard copy into the computer you might try sliding everything over so the document holder is right in front of you.  The key here is to keep your position straight ahead while typing so you do not have to turn or twist.  If you us a filing cabinet that is just close enough to reach but far enough away where you have to stretch or twist to use it, get up and walk over to it.  Remember that the more you walk or move around while not typing the better.  You back will thank you later by not hurting.

How to Avoid Back Pain at the Office

Does your back ache at the end of the work day?  Office work requires a great deal of sitting, which can increase the stress placed on the back.  There are many reasons that may cause you to have back pain at the office.  Let’s discuss at a few things that may be helpful in alleviating back pain pain during the work day.

What kind of chair do you sit in while you work and how do you sit while you work?   You may be in the habit of sitting on the edge of your chair, crossing your legs or sitting straight up while you type.  These actions will cause back fatigue.  Sit all the way back in your chair so that your buttocks are up against the back rest.  This will give your upper back a slight rest.  If your chair has a lumbar support, try adjusting it to see what brings you comfort.  A good, ergonomically designed chair may be just what you need.  If that is not an option, make your own lumbar bar by rolling up a towel and placing it in between your back and the back rest.  Also try using a foot rest six-to-eight inches high to prop your feet up throughout the day.  This will help reduce fatigue and stress on your back.   Get up several times a day to stretch and walk around.  If you must stay seated, change positions as frequently as possible by making slight adjustments in how your body is positioned in the seat.

Educating yourself and utilizing preventative maintenance can keep you out of the doctor’s office and off of the operating table.  Remember that the more active you are, the more your back will love you for it.  Exercise will keep your back loose and limber.  Don’t sit around worrying about your back - get up and move around.  Walking is the best exercise to keep your back in shape

Simple Things to do to Avoid a Back Injury Part 2

Today I’d like to talk about two more ways to take care of your back to avoid chronic back pain and debilitating injury.  In the last blog I discussed how choosing the right bed and how simple changes to common tasks can improve back pain.  Let’s talk about a couple more things you may not think about that can be done to avoid a back injury. 

Simple Things to do to Avoid a Back Injury

In my last post I discussed how to avoid constant back pain.  Today let’s discuss how everyday life may contribute to chronic back problems.   There are many simple things you can do to keep your back healthy and limber.

How are you sleeping?  Do you wake up in pain or feeling stiff?  Your bed could be a contributing factor to back pain.  If your bed does not support your back during over the eight hours of rest, you may be damaging your back.  Some of the questions you should ask yourself are: What type of sleeper are you?  Do you sleep on your back, side or stomach?  Many beds and pillows these days cater to the type of sleeper you are.  There are foam beds and mattresses that fill with air and can be adjusted to meet your needs.  It’s important to choose the right mattress.  Don’t forget – you spend one third of your life sleeping.  Be wise when making that decision and find one that works for you. 

What is the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?  Most people brush their teeth.  This may sound silly, but do you support your back when you brush?  I used to lean or hunch over the sink during my tooth-brushing ritual.  Sometimes I might lean onto my hand to prop myself up as I brushed away – until one day I felt pain racing through my back.  That did it for me - I now stand straight up and bend only to rinse.  It’s amazing the little changes you can make to effect the way your back feels.   In addition, LED Therapy is also a great way to treat minor back pain and ease those sore, tight muscles.  

Back Pain

Has this ever happened to you?  You are on your way out the door for a day of shopping or to meet a friend for lunch.  You bend over to pick up your keys and your back gives out on you.  Yo u cannot move and your back screams at you in pain as if to say, what the @#$% did you just do to me??”  If so, you are not alone.  Millions of Americans suffer from chronic back pain on a daily basis.  Many people are forced to miss work due to back pain which could result in loss of current or potential income and in some cases, termination of employment due to the nature of one’s job.  What about when minor or recurring back pain causes you to miss out on a scheduled vacation?  Being stuck on the couch with back pain is a vacation that you won’t soon forget.

So what can you do to avoid these types of scenarios?  There are several things you can do to help prevent an injury from occurring that are very simple.  “Lift with the legs, Hercules!”  This seems too simple to be true, but it isn’t.  Back pain prevention is as simple as remembering to bend your knees while leaning over or lifting anything that has some weight to it.  Lift with your legs, always.  Be sure to stay hydrated.  When muscles are dehydrated, they become sore, achy and will not perform as well as they should.  Stretching is a great way to prevent minor muscle pain and injury.  There are recent studies that prove Red Light Therapy can ease minor muscle aches by breaking up the lactic acid in the muscles.  Lactic acid is what causes soreness in the muscles after exercising if you do not take the time to stretch the muscle out. 

Remember:  to avoid back injuries you should be mindful while bending, always lift with the legs, take time to stretch, and stay hydrated throughout the day.  If you currently have back pain, try using Red Light Therapy to help ease the pain and get you back on your feet.