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.