Healthetips Blog » Jasmine

Cellulite – What it is and isn’t

Editor — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 18:20:14 +0000

By Jasmine Beaupre, author

Oh the dreaded condition of CELLULITE ! even the name is scarey, well at least to me it’s scarey, because I’ve become one of it’s latest victims.

Recently, I lost nearly 50 pounds and I thought I’d lose the cellulite too, but to my dismay that didn’t happen. Interestingly, I found out why the cellulite didn’t disappear with the weight, and this information made me feel a lot better.

In my quest for the information of what exactly IS cellulite, the bottom line is that this particular ‘condition’ is solely a female issue (men are not commonly victimized by cellulite, but there are a few). Cellulite is a condition where the skin of the lower limbs, abdomen, and pelvic areas become dimpled after puberty.

Post pubescent females display degrees of cellulite that appears to be a hormonal component which is present during this time period. Cellulite can be seen in males in androgen-deficient states such as Kinefelter’s syndrome, hypogonadism, post-castration states and in those males receiving estrogen therapy for prostate cancer.

One theory for cellulite is based upon the composition and behavior of a womens’fat cells and connective tissue that holds them in place. Quite simply, a womans’ connective tissue is very inflexible, so when a female gains weight their fat cells expand, bulge upwards to the surface of the skin, thereby giving the surface of the skin that ‘bumpy’ look. In men, however, men have less fat and thicker skin than women, thus obscuring what’s happening to any surplus fat below the surface of the skin.

Other than the one theory stated above, cellulite is poorly understood, and another theory can be that changes in the metabolism and physiology may contribute to the condition of cellulite.

Hormones definitely play some role in the formation of cellulite, such as estrogen, as it seems to initiate and aggravate the condition. Other hormones such as insulin, the catecholamines adrenaline and noradrenaline, thyroid hormones, and prolactin have all been shown to participate in the development of cellulite.

Genetics, diet or lifestyle have not been rule in or out to causing the condition of cellulite, and a variety of therapies have been tried to battle against this condition with no published reports in scientific literature showing that any of these therapies work.

That despite the billion of dollars spent of skin-contouring creams, most if not all, women will encounter cellulite as they age, which can persist even with weight loss.

Women have a greater capacity to hold more of the visible superficial fat than men. Women also have more fat-storage receptors in cellulite-prone areas and that these factors combined with an age-related decrease in circulation weakens the collagen fibers in the outer skin that results in the characteristic ‘dimpled’ effect of cellulite that occurs when buoyant adipocytes (fat cells) protrude into the outer skin cells towards the skin surface.

So let’s just face it ladies, we are biologically doomed to have cellulite no matter how big or small, or how fat or skinny we are. So I say, concede to the inevitable fact, stop paying all those billions of dollars to the beauty industry who claim they can rid you of the dreaded condition of cellulite and just get over it, I know I will.

Jasmine Beaupre is an autodidact on a variety of subjects and due to her extensive research into all of her interests she gives an in depth, informative and easy to read approach throughout her articles for all her readers to enjoy.

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Vitamins A(Retinol),B(Thiamine),and C(Absorbic Acid) – “The Importance of Learning your ABC’s”

Editor — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 19:29:34 +0000

Jasmine Beaupre, author

When I was in school, which was about 100 years ago, EVERYONE pushed me to learn my ABC’s. I did learn how to read and write, and now I’m able to learn more about the ABC’s of health, specifically, A(Retinol), B(Thiamine), and C(Absorbic Acid).

I’m not going to bore you with the scientific mumbo-jumbo, I’m going to give you the meat and potatoes about these three vitamins and how we can’t live without them.

First: A(Retinol), a fat-soluble vitamin that unfortunately is a common deficiency in most of the underdeveloped, overpopulated countries. It is estimated that 80,000 children become “blind” each year as a result of vitamin A deficiency and about half die.

In most of the food we eat half of the vitamin A is in the form of retinal and the other half is provitamin A. The liver stores 90 to 95 percent of our vitamin A, enough to last months or years under normal conditions.

Vitamin A is present in our foods in two forms. In meats the active vitamin is retinol, while in vegetables it is found as a provitamin, A carotenes, a precursor of vitamin A. Carotene is an orange-yellow pigment that is present in green vegetables, but is masked by the green color of the chlorophyll in leaves.

Second: B(Thiamine), a water-soluble vitamin, and it’s first description of a vitamin B deficiency, dating back to 2600 B.C.in ancient China, called “beriberi”, meaning – “I can’t, I can’t” – due to the fact that persons with the severe vitamin B deficiency were unable to move because of the total breakdown of the nervous system.

The sole consumption of refined grains in that region was ultimately found to be the cause of the vitamin B deficiency, and as soon as meat, fish, and vegetables were incorporated in more equal proportions, beriberi soon became a thing of the past.

By the early 1900’s vitamin B was discovered to be present in the outer coat of grains and beans, and was gone when refined. Science finally figured out that washing and stripping the outer coat of grains depletes vitamin B from the food source.

Foods that contain vitamin B include: Wheat germ, whole grains, dried peas, beans, raw peanuts legumes, nuts, green leafy vegetables. Protein rich foods are generally good sources.

Third: C(Absorbic Acid), a water-soluble vitamin, that if deficient , brings back the word “scurvy”, with horrific stories of doomed sailing ships, called black-ships, with men dying an unspeakable death. Scurvy was noted to have the same outcome as leprosy or the plague. And the reason for sailors being inflicted with this condition most often, was because they couldn’t keep fresh fruits and vegetables on board their ships during long years at sea, thereby not getting the ascorbic acid needed for the body to fuction properly.

When vitamin C is totally eliminated form the diet the symptoms of scurvy begin to appear in about 90 days and consist of dryness of the skin, bleeding into the skin around the hair follicles, bleeding in the eyes, loss of hair, bleeding and swollen gums, fatigue, pains in the bones and joints, cavities in the teeth, sore mouth and gums.

The only toxicity to the system that has been noted is the formation of kidney stones due to the conversion of excess vitamin C to oxalic acid.

The highest and best sources of vitamin C are in citrus fruits such as lime, lemons, oranges, grapefruits and any other tangy fruits on the market. You can get ascorbic acid in other forms at your local health food stores, but I recommend fresh raw fruits and vegetables, unless you’re planning a very long boat trip.

Always find a good physician or practicing herbalist before embarking upon a regimen of any vitamins.

Well, that’s just a glimpse of what vitamins A(Retinol), B(Thiamine), and C(Absorbic Acid) can do for the body, and just a glimpse of “The Importance of Learning your ABC’s”

Jasmine Beaupre is an freelance author/researcher who presents working information to be used for every day experiences.

Reference and Resources:

Vitamin A information Click Here

Vitamin B information Click Here

Vitamin C information Click Here

A&D, Vitamin 10,000/400iu Softgel Capsules (100)Click Here

Balanced B Complex Tablets (120)Click Here

Vitamin C, Citrus Bioflavonoid 500mg (90 Tablets)Click Here

The Secret Home Diet of “Fasting” – No pills, No specialty foods, No calorie counting, and definitely No exercising.

Editor — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:53:07 +0000

Jasmine Beaupre, author

Disclaimer: I’m no physician, therapist or dietary consultant. I was however a fellow sufferer of weight gain and fad diets.

Ever hear of the word “FAST” ?

Christian, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism Sikhism, and also medical fasting have all long been used in the medical and spiritual industries, however it seems to have been kept a huge SECRET from the dietary industry, and I don’t understand why ?

Yo-Yo fasting is NOT the same as the sensible fasting of foods. Going on and off a fast only puts your body into starvation mode, it tricks your body into believing food is not readily available which results in your body storing more fats in your body, to sustain itself until the next meal, and we certainly don’t want that to happen.

But in order for your body to beneficially regulate itself and lower caloric intake fasting must be done in a sensible and cleansing manner.

I suggest going to a holistic doctor to begin any kind of fasting especially if you’ve never done it before because it can be problem with your system if your health is not at it’s peak.

You’ll be surprised too, when you fast for a few days and start a cleansing regimen. Not only will you feel a sense of accomplishment, but you’ll feel healthy and after your fast the foods you consume taste so much better, and you’ll literally NOT want junk food anymore.

Oh don’t get me wrong, for the first 2 or 3 days you’ll be starving, and I mean STARVING, but if you persevere and stick to it for at least 3 to 5 days, continuously, you’ll see what I mean and love it, I know I do when I occasionally fast to clean my system out.

Oh yeah, you’ll notice your bowel movements will become less strained, and depending on how much weight you want to lose or maintain, you’ll notice keeping your desired weight is not too difficult, at least that’s my experience.

So if you’re tired of all the weight loss products, dietary supplements, calorie counting and gym exercising that the media is constantly bombarding you with, why not look into the ancient time tested method of a healthier lifestyle – the secret home diet of “Fasting” ?

For more information on Health, Detoxification and Weight Loss visit: “Top Secret Fat Loss Secret”

Valerian Root

Editor — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 20:29:03 +0000

Jasmine Beaupre, author

If you’ve ever had that anxious feeling because you were meeting your in laws for the first time, had that nervous feeling when interviewing for that dream job you’ve been wanting, or just had that feeling of uncomfortable bowel syndrome, have I got the herb for you.

Known for it’s aromatic, stimulant, tonic anodyne, antispasmodic, nervine medicinal properties Valerian root is very useful in treating hysteria, colic, low fevers and even the common cold. When taken hot Valerian root tea will promote menstruation, and alleviate gaseous bowels.

: Image via Wikipedia

When applied to sores and pimples externally and also taken internally, the healing properties of this herb is unsurpassed. You’ll notice right away of the blemishes disappearing and wonder why nobody told you about this herb before now.

Valerian relieves palpitations of the heart too, but beware DO NOT BOIL THE ROOT. The medicinal properties, when boiled, may result in a poisonous tincture and if taken in large quantities over several weeks can be dangerous.

However, like many natural herbs when taken at the right direction, Valerian becomes a valuable household necessity that for generations has benefited millions.

There are several names for this wondrous herb, and here are but a few, Valerian officinalis, English valerian, German valerian, great wild valerian, Vermont valerian, vandal root, all heal, setwall American English valerian – (grown in the United States).

For purchase information on Valerian Root visit Valerian Root Products.

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