Monday, October 7, 2024

Saffron Nutritional Values

Saffron Extract

Since antiquity saffron has been prized not only for the spice’s unique color and flavor but also for its medicinal purposes. The brilliant yellow-orange stigma of the Crocus sativus, saffron contains a plethora of volatile and non-volatile oils, which give the spice its distinctive hue and taste as well as powerful antioxidant, disease fighting, and health restoring properties.

Over a period of 4,000 years since the use of saffron was first documented it has been used to treat over 90 illnesses.


Pure saffron’s first documented appearance is in a 7th-century BC Assyrian botanical reference. Since then saffron has been used therapeutically for a wide range of conditions. It is thought to have antiseptic, antidepressant, digestive, and anti-convulsant properties.

What was once an old wives tale has been retained even into modern times; to this day mothers in many parts of the world including the US still use pure saffron oil to alleviate stomach pain in children.

In addition to saffron’s historic health benefits scientists are currently doing studies involving saffron oil and its health benefits. Recent saffron extract studies have also shown that saffron may be useful in offering protection to the eye prior to and after exposure to bright lights. Along a similar vein pure saffron oil also appears beneficial in slowing down macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa.

Not only is saffron oil beneficial to the body, but it has been shown to improve mental function as well. Scientists believe that the compound known as crocin, which is found in saffron, promotes learning, memory retention, and recall capacity. This has lead doctors and scientists to believe that it might be beneficial in both elderly people suffering from age related mental impairment and also in children who suffer from learning disorders.

What is it that makes saffron so powerful?

Can it actually treat and prevent such a diverse array of health conditions? There are actually many different properties beyond those already mentioned in saffron oil that make it uniquely powerful as a medicinal spice.

Firstly, pure saffron oil is rich in carotenoids like zeaxanthin, lycopene, α- and β-carotenes. These powerful antioxidants help to protect the body from cancers and infections and also function as immune system modulators.

In addition to its antioxidant benefits saffron oil is rich in vitamins and minerals from vitamin A to zinc. All of these vitamins and minerals are necessary to keep the body functioning at its optimum levels. Everything from cholesterol and triglyceride levels to improving pulmonary oxygenation.

According to a Whole Foods Magazine study, every single woman who took pure saffron extract reported a decrease in hunger. A second study showed that pure saffron oil could be particularly effective in reducing the urge for compulsive and emotional eating.

A third study conducted in 2010 even revealed that women taking pure saffron oil actually lost more weight and suffered from less binge cravings than those who were given a placebo.

How does saffron produce this very desirable result? The suspicion is that saffron actually increases serotonin levels in the brain, which tricks the brain into being happier and feeling rewarded. This in turn has the same effect as “snacking” but is much healthier as snacking typically takes the form of a carbohydrate binge.

Although pure saffron oil is not a wonder drug that will cure all that ails you, it is clear that the spice and its extract can have very beneficial results. Saffron is a tried and true remedy that has been used for thousands of years to both prevent health problems and improve the symptoms of conditions that have already manifested.

 

Egg Nutrition – Yolks vs Whites

Egg Nutrition

A study that claims egg yolks increase the risk of plaque buildup in the arteries gained traction in the media recently. The authors, two of whom happen to receive perks from pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer and Merck, have led the witch-hunt against eggs for a while.

The authors assume that egg whites are innocent bystanders when it comes to heart disease, leading others to believe that one part of this natural food is healthy while the other will kill you. The truth is the researchers neglected to interpret their own data correctly as they tried desperately to prove an obvious falsehood.


Egg Eaters Have Lower “Bad” LDL Cholesterol and Triglycerides

Egg Yolks versus Egg WhitesLDL is a sorely misunderstood protein. It has many important jobs in the body, including immune system support, conversion into vitamin D in the presence of sunlight, and transportation of nutrients throughout the body.

Fluffy, buoyant LDL repairs damage to artery walls caused by diet and lifestyle factors.


LDL becomes dangerous when it becomes oxidized. Oxidized LDL, or VLDL, is a small, dense protein that gets under the endothelium and builds up, leading to hardened arteries. Things like sugar consumption, stress, and smoking all contribute to the oxidation of LDL.

Authors of the recent egg study failed to mention that study subjects who consumed more egg yolks actually ended up having lower LDL than those who ate fewer eggs. Egg yolks increase the amount of fluffy LDL in proportion to VLDL. They also reverse the oxidized VLDL, transforming them into functional, fluffy LDL.

Those who ate the most eggs had lower triglycerides than the other groups, reducing their risk of heart disease. It is interesting to note that the LDL, HDL, and triglyceride levels were lower In the egg lovers despite their higher rates of diabetes and smoking.

Eat Eggs to Lose Weight

The authors also fail to mention that the people in the high egg consumption group had lower BMIs than those who ate fewer eggs. Replacing high carbohydrate foods with high protein foods is a healthy way to lose weight.

Eggs are loaded with nutrients, including protein, which helps to maintain steady blood glucose (sugar) levels. Eating eggs in place of carbohydrate-rich foods helps to promote a healthy weight and decreased body fat.

Eggs Contain a Host of Vital Nutrients

Eggs are not only an economical source of protein, but they also contain an amazing concentration of vitamins and minerals. Those who choose egg whites over yolks lose the vast majority of benefits provided by this superfood.

Yolks are a great source of B vitamins, making them especially beneficial for those who don’t enjoy eating meat. They also contain vitamins A and D, which perform a number of important duties throughout the body that include maintaining tooth, bone, and skin health. Eggs also provide vitamin E, which protects against heart disease and some forms of cancer.

Plaque Formation Increases With Age, Not Egg Consumption

Those who ate the most eggs may have had the greatest plaque area in this study, but they were also almost 15 years older than the group with the least amount of accumulation. The authors even recognize that plaque buildup increases with age.

Hardening of the arteries occurs after repeated damage to the artery wall caused by the same factors that oxidize LDL: stress, smoking, sugar consumption, and a variety of other non-egg-yolk factors.

Those who wish to improve health markers, reverse disease, and maintain an optimal weight should replace high-carbohydrate foods with natural whole foods like eggs. This versatile superfood is excellent for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or as a snack. In spite of the misguided conclusions of researchers, a dish of farm fresh eggs provides a nutritious meal that promotes healthy weight and reduced risk of heart disease.

Resources:

Harcombe, Zoe. “Egg Yolk Consumption, Carotid Plaque & Bad Science.” Zoe Harcombe: Because Everything You Know about Obesity Is Wrong, 08 Aug. 2012. Web. 25 Jan. 2017.

Kresser, Chris. “Three Eggs a Day Keep the Doctor Away!” Chris Kresser. N.p., 23 May 2008. Web. 25 Jan. 2017.

Naughton, Tom. “More On The Egg Yolk Study.” Fat Head. N.p., 23 Aug. 2012. Web. 25 Jan. 2017.

Dobson, Roger. “Egg Yolks Linked to Heart Disease.” The Independent. Independent Digital News and Media, 05 Aug. 2012. Web. 25 Jan. 2017.

 

Azienda Skin Care – Does this Serum Work?

Azienda Skin Care

In this Azienda skin care review, we will go in depth on what Azienda promises, how it works, and the ingredients used to make this new skin serum. The desire for youthfulness could drive people to seek out products that claim to offer solutions, and this review will provide the facts behind Azienda’s skin care serum.

“Looking young is important to many people. In fact, a survey shows that most women would rather look younger than thinner.”

UPDATED: Exclusive Discount Available – CLICK HERE


What Does Azienda Promise?

Azienda claims that the product may help aid in:Azienda Skin Serum

  • Youthfulness returning to the skin.
  • Skin’s tone gradually becoming brighter.
  • Skin regaining firmness.
  • Fine lines smoothed out over time.
  • Removing age spots or skin impurities.
  • Restoring the skin’s natural radiance.

How Might it Help Your Skin?

In essence, it uses the skin’s natural biology to do all that it claims. The skin is made up of mostly water and collagen. In fact, 75 percent of the skin is made up of these ingredients.

The product seeks to help the body absorb collagen. There are a number of similar products, but the difference is that Azienda’s formula does not use hydrolyzed collagen. This is a common ingredient in many anti-aging solutions, but the problem is that the collagen molecules cannot be absorbed by the body.

This is why Azienda uses a version of collagen that the pores can easily absorb.

It should be noted that one of the key ingredients in this anti-aging cream is trylagen. This ingredient might not be widely known, but it may prevent collagen damage.

Buy Azienda Skin Care Today – CLICK HERE


The fact of the matter is that an aging person’s body is not going to produce fresh collagen as easily as it did when the person was young. This makes it important to protect collagen as much as possible, and this ingredient will help you do that. This does not mean that a person should ignore other forms of skin protection such as sunscreen just because the skin will be better protected.

Trylagen has been shown to distribute new collagen, which is good since this product introduces additional collagen. The proper organization of collagen helps make sure that the skin is supple and lustrous. This ingredient is also known to help accelerate the production of collagen.

Azienda Skin Serum Ingredients

Some companies may not want to admit this, but the truth is that many products out there may produce positive results. The problem is the price you have to pay to gain the benefits. Additives, fillers, and other questionable ingredients are usually present in many products on the market, but it seems Azienda excludes these harmful ingredients.

Parabens and preservatives can end up harming the skin over time. Some of these are known to increase free radicals, which are one of the main reasons why the skin ages in the first place.

The Product Also Contains the Following Ingredients:

  • Gatuline In-Tense
  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin E
  • Jojoba Seed Oil

These have all been proven to be effective ingredients to maintain good skin health. For one, jojoba seed oil is a great moisturizer, and it should help leave the skin feeling quite silky and dewy.

Vitamin A is needed for the production of cells. This aids the entire body, and this ingredient also helps produce skin cells. Vitamin E assists in reducing the damage from free radicals, which may prevent additional premature aging.

Gatuline in-tense helps firm up the skin, which is one way to reduce wrinkles and fine lines. This should also help get rid of some of those aging spots.

The results of this product, like many others, are not immediate as much as people would like them to be. The product does claim quick results, but the differences are subtle.

The key to healing is patience and pairing the treatment with additional skin-centered practices. This could be eating healthy foods and trying to relax because stress never helps the anti-aging process.

WATCH A VIDEO RECAP OF THE AZIENDA REVIEW BELOW

 


*Please review the disclaimer at the bottom of our page.

Skin Care Tips & Myths

Skin Care Tips and Myths
With so much skincare content floating around the Internet, it can be difficult to decipher the best advice on what can be time consuming, and often expensive, skincare myths.
Keep reading while we break down the Best New Skin Care Tips for 2017.

Eye Creams

Eye Cream TipsWe’ll start with one of the most prominent facial features, the windows to your soul. Let’s start with anti-aging creams. You’re probably well aware of the myriad of products offered thanks to overly aggressive marketing campaigns.

While few people would dispute the use of an eye cream, it is best to be exercise caution when it comes to the grandiose promises made by many eye cream manufacturers.

Unfortunately, it is a myth that even the most expensive skin creams have the ability to instantaneously reverse the signs of aging, crow’s feet, and/or sun damage. The cold hard truth is that creams can work wonders as PART of a skincare regime developed in one’s early 20s. No matter how much money you blow on a fancy eye cream, nothing will give you results like years of hydration and treating your face well. It is best not to expect a miracle.

Another time-tested skincare tip that’s imperative to follow. Wear sunscreen and not just on the days you’re headed to the beach. Every. Single. Day. You can purchase an inexpensive moisturizer that contains sunscreen do you can knock out two birds with one stone. Trust us, sunscreen will ensure your skin looks fantastic for years to come. Need more incentive? According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, almost 86 percent of melanomas and 90 percent of non melanoma skin cancers are the result of too much sun exposure. This is precisely why daily sun protection is critical. Save your face and save your life!


Lips

Is it true that licking your lips can lead to irritation? You bet! Like Skin Care Mythsyour face, your lips require moisture, so carry an extra chap stick wherever you go. Treat but don’t lick. Additionally, if you assume a scabbing cut at the corner of your mouth stems from chapped lips, think again. It may be a fungal infection called perleche. It’s best to apply an antibiotic ointment, like Neosporin, every few hours.


Your Body

Since the skin is our body’s largest organ it makes perfect sense that we’d want to protect and moisturize it. It seems like every magazine, online article and television program is praising the use of oils for skin moisturizing purposes. But is there any truth to this or is just a passing beauty fad. The truth? Not a fad! Oils are here to stay. Oils, including coconut, Castor and sweet almond oils have been used as a beauty treatment for thousands of years. They are also typically greener than most lotions, as they don’t contain any unnatural chemicals, fragrances or additives.

Americans may adore their scented body lotions, however in Europe, and other parts of the world, oil is actually far more popular for hydrating dry skin.

If you notice your skin becoming especially dry, coconut oil is one of the best remedies out there. It is also inexpensive and free from chemicals. Rub a small portion of coconut oil into your hands to warm it up. Once warm (and liquefied) use it in the same way you would a body lotion. It often helps to focus on dry areas including elbows and knees.

Coconut oil can also be used to sooth dry hands or splitting cuticles, or even as a face wash. Yep, you read that correctly. With its moisturizing abilities and antimicrobial properties, coconut oil is a great way to cleanse and moisturize you face. In fact, it actually removes makeup better than most products on the market.

Another expert tip revolves around exfoliation. It is a myth that exfoliating harder will produce better skin results. The truth? Exfoliate loner, not harder. Too much force can be harmful, potentially leaving your skin red and/or irritated.

Finally, don’t believe any product that promises to ‘detox’ you. Your liver works every minute of every day to do just that, and (if it’s functioning properly) it doesn’t need any help. No cream or facial potion can detox you. There is simply no scientific backing to a claim like that.


Healthy Lifestyle

It goes without saying that your lifestyle choices are directly reflected in the condition of your skin. The proof is in the pudding. When you fail to get enough sleep, not only do you wake up irritated, but you typically have dark circles under your eyes, correct? There was a movement in the mid-1980s that tried to convince the masses they could eat whatever they pleased and still have beautiful skin. Unfortunately, this couldn’t be further from the truth and it is absolutely considered a myth in our book.

A good place to start is drinking plenty of water and limiting your alcohol intake. More than a single drink per day can actually cause enlarged pores and increased oil production on the face, according to a prominent Beverly Hills dermatologist. As previously stated, lack of sleep can have the same effect, so be sure to get your rest. It is best to aim for at least seven hours per night.

Stress can also lead to ill effects, whether it be with your skin in the form of a breakout, thinning hair or even unsightly weight gain. When we stress over something we release dangerous chemicals into our bloodstream that wreak havoc on our entire body. For this reason it is important to find a way to de-stress. Find something that works for you. It could be yoga, a jog around the park, walking your dog or even knitting. While physical exercise is great, you could also try painting or reading to clear your mind. Get creative!

Watch your diet. Make an effort to eat the (natural) rainbow, and get plenty of fruits and vegetables. While junk food may not immediately cause a nasty breakout, like water, a well-balanced diet will nourish your skin from the inside out.

Lastly, do your research! Not all skin care companies and products are the same. Read reviews, check ingredients, and be a detective before purchasing any new products. For example, we recently published a Chamonix Skin Care Review. This covers the the companies reputation and all the necessary information you would need before buying Chamonix or any other skin care products.

With a little planning you will have beautiful skin for decades to come.

Luxx Eyes

Luxx Eyes

A new skin care product called Luxx Eyes has been crafted to focus on this sensitive area of your face. The company claims the cream can help reduce the appearance of bags or dark circles under your eyes. Regardless of if the cause was aging, smoking, family traits, poor nutrition, lack of sleep or any other reason, Luxx Eyes may be able to help.


Luxx Eyes ReviewAbout Luxx Eyes

Luxx Eyes was formulated to give those sensitive areas of your face a lift.

The mixture of ingredients might have been shown to moisturize your under-eye area, heal the skin for you, and boost your overall appearance.

It contains many healthy elements that will work together to potentially restore your tired eyes that have probably been affected by stress.

Consumers who have used the product agree it may help the skin.


Why You May Need an Eye Cream

The skin under the eyes is so thin and frail that it is often the first piece of skin to suffer the effects of aging. Over the years, it loses its elasticity as well as it hydration. Those two problems cause it to lose its color, as well.

You can restore everything that your eyes have lost by purchasing a compound that replenishes them all. You can purchase a bottle today and potentially see your eyes come back to life each time you use it.

The Potential Benefits of Taking Luxx Eyes

Many potential benefits can come from taking a product like Luxx Eyes. The main benefit that you may receive is that your skin could look more fresh and tight. Eye bags and circles tend to make some people look about 10 years older than they truly are.

You may also receive improvements in your appearance, which will in turn improve your self-confidence and esteem. The product claims it may help you begin rejuvenating your overall facial skin and a glow that makes all of your friends and family members marvel.

WATCH THIS QUICK VIDEO REVIEW FOR LUXX EYES

Luxx Eyes Side Effects & Ingredients

This product has three ingredients that are crucial to the way it operates. First, it contains Matrixyl 3000, which is a popular anti-aging element that might seem to defeat the aging process. Next, you have vitamin E and Retinol. Retinol is a special ingredient that works hard to promote the growth of new skin. Retinol is also known as good ole vitamin A.

Vitamin E is another element that you will get with this product. Vitamin E carries antioxidants and could help repair and restore your damaged skin. All these elements work together to create a strong product for aged skin.

Buy Luxx Eyes

A special offer is available if you truly want to try this product and put it to the test on your eyes. You can receive a month’s supply for the small cost of shipping it to your home. *Users who sign-up for the trial are enrolled into a an auto shipment program that will charge the full product price after the trial ends and every month after that. Please make sure to contact the company if you do not wish to be charged each month.

Individuals will have enough time to evaluate it and see if it is the right product for you and your unique issues. You must be 18 years of age to accept this offer, and you must not hesitate to take action if you are not happy with the product. The manufacturer will take care of you if it so happens that you are not pleased with it, but you need to let them know right away.

 


*Please review the disclaimer at the bottom of our page.