AGE RELATED SKIN ISSUES Page Content: Coconut Oil for Age Related Skin Issues Age Related Facial Wrinkles Coconut Oil for Arms Bruising Causes Coconut Oil For Athlete's Foot Related Linked Pages: Diabetes Arthritis BPH Back to Age Related Health Issues Coconut Oil for Age Related Skin Issues Coconut Oil for Age Related Skin Issues Coconut oil has several beneficial actions in combating age-related facial wrinkles: Moisturizing and Barrier Function Coconut oil is an excellent moisturizer that helps hydrate the skin and improve its barrier function[1 ]. This is crucial for maintaining skin elasticity and preventing the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. The oil's ability to deeply penetrate the skin allows it to provide long-lasting hydration. Collagen Stimulation Regular use of coconut oil applied topically can help stimulate collagen production in the body[1 ]. Collagen is a vital protein that gives skin its firmness and resilience. As we age, collagen production naturally declines, leading to wrinkles. By promoting collagen synthesis, coconut oil can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve skin elasticity. Antioxidant Properties Coconut oil contains antioxidants that can help combat free radical damage, which is one of the main causes of premature aging and wrinkle formation[1 ][3 ] . These antioxidants, including ferulic acid and p-coumaric acid, help protect the skin from oxidative stress and environmental damage. Anti-inflammatory Effects The anti-inflammatory properties of coconut oil can help soothe irritated skin and reduce inflammation, which can contribute to premature aging[2 ]. By calming the skin, coconut oil may help prevent the breakdown of collagen and elastin fibers. Skin Cell Regeneration Coconut oil promotes the production of new skin cells due to its fatty acid content and vitamin E properties[3 ]. This can help improve skin texture and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time. Usage To use coconut oil for wrinkle reduction, it's recommended to apply a small amount to clean skin. For best results, use virgin coconut oil, as it retains more of its beneficial properties compared to refined versions. While coconut oil can be an effective natural remedy for wrinkles, it's important to note that its effects may vary from person to person, and consistent use over time is key to seeing noticeable improvements. For best results, use coconut oil that is : - Organic - Cold-pressed - Extra virgin - Raw and unrefined[4 ] Age Related Facial Wrinkles Age Related Facial Wrinkles Coconut Oil for Facial Wrinkles Treating facial wrinkles with coconut oil has its skin benefits as discussed above. Still, there are some special considerations that should be referred to when taking this action. Note! Coconut oil contains a high percentage of medium-chain fatty acids, particularly lauric acid, which can interact with and disrupt the ordered structure of stratum corneum lipids [1 ][3 ]. 5.0 1 Ratings average rating is 5 out of 5, based on 1 votes, Ratings Reviews However , this lipid disruption potential of the coconut oil is encountered mostly by young users who have an oily skin, with some typical issues like acne, whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples. As far as coconut oil facial application among potential aging users, there are two skin areas that are prone to be more oily - in between the eyebrows and on the sides of the nostrils. If you have this issue,you may still use the oil to reduce facial wrinkles but avoid its application over those areas. Coconut Oil for Arms Bruising Causes Arm Bruises Most common causes for arms bruising amongst seniors are: The skin becomes thinner and loses its protective connective tissue[1 ] [3 ]. There's a reduction in the skin's elasticity and moisture levels[1 ]. Blood vessels become more fragile and prone to damage[1 ][2 ]. Vitamin K1 deficiency - it can be manifested through several symptoms, particularly related to blood clotting issues. For seniors specifically, easy bruising on the arms could be a sign of vitamin K deficiency as proven by these numbers: About 60% of men and 40% of women ages 51 and older don't get the recommended amounts of vitamin K[3 ]. For men over age 70, two-thirds don't get enough vitamin K[3 ] Coconut Oil for Arms Bruising Causes Coconut oil has properties that can support senior’s skin health and potentially aid in the healing process of bruises. (Read more below about the claim that coconut oil can disrupt skin lipids) Coconut oil is an excellent moisturizer that can help keep the skin hydrated and nourished. Well-moisturized skin tends to be more resilient and may be less prone to bruising[4 ]. The oil’s anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce swelling and discomfort associated with bruises[5 ]. This may help in the healing process and potentially reduce the appearance of bruises more quickly. Coconut oil, when gently massaged into the skin, can help improve blood circulation in the area. Better circulation can aid in the healing of bruises by promoting the removal of trapped blood under the skin[4 ] Coconut oil contains antioxidants that can help protect the skin from oxidative stress and damage. This may contribute to overall skin health and resilience, potentially reducing the likelihood of bruising[6 ] Vitamin K Recommended daily Intake for adults: 120 micrograms (mcg) for men, 90 mcg for women consuming vitamin K-rich foods like leafy greens (kale, spinach) and broccoli, or by using oral dose of vitamin K1 between 1 to 2 mg [7 ] 5.0 1 Ratings average rating is 5 out of 5, based on 1 votes, Ratings Reviews Coconut Oil For Athlete's Foot Athlete's Foot Around 15% to 25% of people are likely to have athlete's foot at any one time. The infection can spread to other parts of the body and to other people foot. Athlete’s foot is the common name for a fungal infection that usually starts between the foot fingers and spreads to the lower part of the foot. It leaves your feet dry, itchy, scaly, cracked, and red. Athlete’s foot is very contagious. The infection usually starts in moist, damp environments, such as public showers, swimming pools, or locker rooms. Once you’ve acquired athlete’s foot, it can be very tough to get rid of. Coconut oil can be an effective natural remedy for athlete's foot due to its antifungal properties. Here are some key benefits of using coconut oil for athlete's foot: Coconut Oil For Athlete's Foot Coconut oil contains high concentrations of medium-chain fatty acids, particularly lauric acid, which have potent antifungal effects[1 ]. These fatty acids can help prevent and treat fungal infections like athlete's foot by inhibiting the growth of fungi[1 ] . How It Works The medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil prevent the creation of mycotoxins like citrinin within fungi[1 ]. Citrinin allows fungi to infiltrate the skin, so by blocking its production, coconut oil can stop the fungal infection from developing and spreading[1 ]. Application Methods Although there are a few ways to use coconut oil for athlete's foot, we recommend the simple and effective direct application (two others are foot soaking in oil and warm water and a combination of the coconut oil with anti fungal tea tree oil): Direct application : Apply raw, organic coconut oil directly to the affected areas 2-3 times daily[1] . Additional Benefits Beyond its antifungal properties, coconut oil offers other benefits for foot health as are mentioned in this section above: - Moisturizing: It helps hydrate dry, cracked skin[1 ]. - Anti-inflammatory: Can help reduce inflammation and soothe irritated skin[1 ]. - Protective barrier: Forms a protective layer to prevent further infection[1 ]. 5.0 1 Ratings average rating is 5 out of 5, based on 1 votes, Ratings Reviews

INFLAMMATION Page Content: Chronic inflammation and risk factors Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Coping with chronic inflammation - Keto Diet Vitamin D for inflammation Oregano oil to combat inflammation Oregano Oil Oral Intake Practice Cinnamon oil for chronic inflammation INFECTIONS - Viral infection and why use Oregano oil Oxidative str ess (free radicals) and why oregano oil Fungus infection and why Oregano oil Bacterial infection and why Oregano oil Chronic inflammation and risk factors CHRONIC INFLAMMATION AND RISK FACTORS How does systemic chronic inflammation (SCI) - impact the body ? There are multi-level mechanisms underlying SCI and several RISK FACTORS that promote this health-damaging phenotype, including infections, physical inactivity, poor diet, environmental and industrial toxicants and psychological stress. First and foremost, try to reduce (preferably - eliminate) these risk factors! (REF) Chronic inflammation can start damaging healthy cells, tissues, and organs. Over time, this can lead to damage of healthy tissues and organs, contributing to the development of various diseases, including arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and certain cancers damage, tissue death, and internal scarring. One of the most important medical discoveries of the past two decades has been that the immune system and inflammatory processes are involved in not just a few select disorders, but a wide variety of mental and physical health problems that dominate present-day morbidity and mortality worldwide. "Indeed, chronic inflammatory diseases have been recognized as the most significant cause of death in the world today, with more than 50% of all deaths being attributable to inflammation-related diseases such as ischemic heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and autoimmune and neurodegenerative conditions". Chronic inflammation could also be related to a number of “age related” conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and cognitive decline and dementia. “The importance of chronic low-grade inflammation in the pathology of numerous age-related chronic conditions is now clear”. Oxidative Stress and Inflammation: Oxidative stress is a phenomenon caused by an imbalance between production and accumulation of oxygen reactive species (ROS) in cells and tissues and the ability of a biological system to detoxify these reactive products.Oxidative stress and inflammation are closely related pathophysiological processes, one of which can be easily induced by another. Oxidative Stress Reduction: The modern lifestyle associated with processed food, exposure to a wide range of chemicals and lack of exercise plays an important role in oxidative stress induction. Use of medicinal plants with antioxidant properties has been exploited for their ability to treat or prevent several human pathologies in which oxidative stress seems to be one of the causes.[REF1 ] Earthing - Earthing, or grounding, has been studied for its potential benefits in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation by neutralizing free radicals through the transfer of electrons from the Earth's surface to the body. Direct contact with the Earth via stepping on wet ground/grass , (even hugging a tree), or using a grounding mat, allows the body to absorb negatively charged electrons, which act as natural antioxidants. These electrons neutralize positively charged free radicals, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, a mechanism similar to consuming antioxidant-rich foods. [REF2 ] Read more here on AGE RELATED CHRONIC INFLAMMATION Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Coping with chronic inflammation - Keto Diet COOPING WITH CHRONIC INFLAMMATION - Keto (ketogenic) Diet First and foremost , start the keto diet, take care of your microbiome, and exercise (Read more on this page ). Note, there is a "UNANIMOUS" AGREEMENT among practitioners and "experts" that diet is the underlying cause for chronic inflammation, and therefore a diet change is the first and most important element in the recovery process. Give up smoking, keep healthy weight and exercise and your health restoration will follow! 5.0 3 Ratings average rating is 5 out of 5, based on 3 votes, Ratings Reviews Vitamin D for inflammation Vitamin D for Inflammation Read what this 2020 study has to say about the importance of vitamin D to fight inflammation: "Vitamin D plays an essential role in bone development. However, recent studies are beginning to uncover its role as a modulator of the immune system (1 ). Several reports have shown associations between vitamin D deficiency (2 ) and the incidence as well as the severity of chronic inflammatory diseases such as cardiovascular disease (3 , 4 ), inflammatory bowel disease (5 ), asthma (6 ), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (7 ). Consistent with this, vitamin D supplementations have been shown to reduce the severity of and inflammation markers in chronic inflammatory diseases (8 )". This study claims that "Beyond its critical function in calcium homeostasis, vitamin D has recently been found to play an important role in the modulation of the immune/inflammation system via regulating the production of inflammatory cytokines and inhibiting the proliferation of proinflammatory cells, both of which are crucial for the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases". Notice: The dose is always crucial and the vitamin D is no exception. Listen to what Dr. Berg , a highly respected professional recommends - 10,000 IU and above daily oral dose (min. 2:19 How much vitamin D is enough?). This is another video produced by Dr. Berg, reviewing the link between vitamin D and many chronic inflammatory conditions. 5.0 2 Ratings average rating is 5 out of 5, based on 2 votes, Ratings Reviews Oregano oil to combat inflammation Oregano oil to combat inflammation Numerous studies demonstrated the effectiveness of oregano oil in combating a wide range of diseases. This 2015 study "Supplemental carvacrol can reduce the severity of inflammation by influencing the production of mediators of inflammation", presents the effectiveness of oregano oil's - carvacrol (its main "component") in inflammation mediation, in addition to the other well established oregano oil benefits that are elaborated on this page Oregano oil effectiveness to combat inflammation Many scientific studies corroborate the effectiveness of Oregano oil in combating inflammation; be it low-grade inflammation, or other types of chronic body inflammatory processes. Included below are links to a few of these studies: Diabetes Mellitus: This study reviewed the results of a long list of surveys emphasizing the therapeutic effects of carvacrol on diabetes mellitus (type 2). The study concludes : "it is obvious that carvacrol have beneficial properties in the investigated pathologies, as demonstrated by in vitro and in vivo studies". Antidiabetic and cancer suppressor agents: Essential Oils of Oregano: Biological Activity beyond Their Antimicrobial Properties Articular cartilage degeneration: Carvacrol ameliorates inflammatory response in interleukin 1β-stimulated human chondrocytes, Cancer: Anti-inflammatory, tissue remodelling, immunomodulatory, and anticancer activities of oregano , In conclusion, OREGANO OIL, is a good anti inflammatory “agent”. Oregano Oil Oral Intake Practice to cope with inflammations: Make sure that the oil that you use is PURE, organic, wild oregano oil with no less than 70% carvacrol (not "standardized" - added artificially), collected from high mountain regions. Mix the oil with high quality organic, cold pressed, virgin olive oil at a ratio of 1:3 (one part of oregano oil to three parts of olive oil). Get ready with coconut oil to soften the stinging effect. Take the oil mixture on an empty stomach, try at least 30 min before meal. Rub a little bit of the coconut oil to your leaps (to avoid the stinging of the oregano oil), Follow the oil intake immoderately by swallowing a teaspoon of the coconut oil and some warm water, if you still feel the need for it. Dosage: Adults and children over 12 years: Days 1 to 3: Take 10-15 drops (body weight dependent: below 120 lb - 10, above 15) 2 times daily on empty stomach, Days 4 to 10: Take 10-15 drops one time daily on empty stomach. Avoid carbohydrates as long as the infection is still in progress. Do not take more than the recommended dose. Cinnamon oil for chronic inflammation and autoimmune diseases This article brings a broad review of cinnamon benefits in combating chronic inflammation and autoimmune diseased and concludes:"Cinnamon, a natural herb commonly used to spice up the delicacy of different cuisine, has a long track record of human use without any toxic incidence. It can be taken orally, the least painful route, and after oral intake, it is metabolized into NaB (Sodium Benzoate) , the active compound and the FDA-approved drug for UCD (Urea Cycle Disorders) and NKH (nonketotic hyperglycinemia). Similar to cinnamon, NaB can be also taken through food and drinking water or milk. Since cinnamon and its metabolite NaB upregulate anti-autoimmune Tregs and Th2, suppress autoimmune Th17 and Th1, inhibit inflammatory infiltration, and reduce the expression of pro-inflammatory molecules, cinnamon and NaB may have therapeutic importance in different autoimmune disorders (Fig. 1 ). Cinnamon oil for chronic inflammation Practice Use 1-3 drops of ceylon cinnamon bark oil per 1/2-1 tablespoon of coconut or olive oil For daily oral intake, once or twice a day. (read on this page more on cinnamon oil). Oregano Oil Oral Intake Practice 1.5 2 Ratings average rating is 1.5 out of 5, based on 2 votes, Ratings Reviews Cinnamon oil for chronic inflammation 3.0 2 Ratings average rating is 3 out of 5, based on 2 votes, Ratings Reviews INFECTIONS - Viral infection and why use Oregano oil Oxidative stress (free radicals) and why oregano oil INFECTIONS Viral infections: Common infections such as, flu, sore throat, sinus, skin conditions like genital herpes, and numerous others are infections mostly associated and caused by viral pathogens . Obviously, some of these infections should be treated by ingestion and some (most of the skin types) by topical application. Antiviral oregano oil properties: This 2020 study - "Antiviral Effects of Plant-Derived Essential Oils and Their Components: An Updated Review" concludes: "The oregano EO and its primary component carvacrol were able to strongly inhibit human rotavirus and murine norovirus [21 ,33 ]". Additionally, This study - "Antiviral activity of the Lippia graveolens (Mexican oregano) essential oil and its main compound carvacrol against human and animal viruses" concludes: "Nevertheless, independently of the mechanisms of action, the activity of carvacrol on rotavirus is very promising". Antiviral infection by antioxidant activity Antioxidant enzymes (produced by our body and "external sources") are capable of stabilising, or deactivating free radicals before they attack cellular components. As long as there is sufficient digestion of enzymes through the daily diet, Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and catalase are the key enzymatic antioxidants of this defence system by which the free radicals that are produced during metabolic reactions are removed . As long as there is no health condition that involves pathogens that make use of these free radicals before they are removed by the enzymes, there is sort of a balanced level of these molecules. Oxidative Stress - Free-radical induced pathogenicity in virus infections . (pathogenicity - the quality or state of being pathogenic ). There are many evidences to suggest that nitrogen oxide (NO) and oxygen radicals such as superoxide are key molecules in the pathogenesis (Pathogenesis - the process by which a viral disease or disorder develops) of various infectious diseases . Antioxidants fight viruses by removing free radicals : Antioxidants are elements that lessen or prevent the effects of free radicals. They donate an electron to free radicals, thereby reducing their reactivity. What makes antioxidants unique is that they can donate an electron without becoming reactive free radicals themselves. Oregano oil antioxidant properties: There are many studies to evaluate the effectiveness of various PLANT DERIVED antioxidants to combat viral infections. Most (if not all) point to THYME AND OREGANO OILS (steam extracted) as the most effective. Th is study concludes: “... the OEO (Oregano Essential Oil) has antioxidant properties effective in retarding the process of lipid peroxidation in fatty foods, and scavenging free radicals". This study "Evaluation of the Antioxidant Properties of Carvacrol (the dominant oregano oil "active" element) as a Prospective Replacement for Crude Essential Oils" concludes: "The in vitro studies revealed that the monoterpenoid antioxidant compound carvacrol exhibits an appreciable antioxidant capacity compared to the seed essential oil". In conclusion, many studied have proved that high quality oregano oil with high carvacrol content, is a powerful antioxidant oil! Fungal infections: In this study , forty-six out of 289 psoriatic (psoriasis) patients had fungal infections (15.9%). Dermatophytes (54.3%), Candida spp. (19.5%), Malassezia spp. (15.2%), Aspergillus spp. (6.5%), and Fusarium spp. (4.3%) were the causative agents of fungal infections. Fungal acne (there is also bacterial related acne), candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by a yeast , various types of skin rashes (athlete foot, ringworm of the body, Jock itch…), forty-six out of 289 psoriatic (psoriasis) patients had fungal infections (15.9%). Dermatophytes (54.3%), Candida spp. (19.5%), Malassezia spp. (15.2%), Aspergillus spp. (6.5%), and Fusarium spp. (4.3%) were the causative agents of fungal infections. Fungal acne (there is also bacterial related acne), candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by a yeast , various types of skin rashes (athlete foot, ringworm of the body, Jock itch…), Antifungal oregano oil properties: This study found , that carvacrol which is the main active ingredient in Oregano Oil (~20% - 75% ) “...shows strong antifungal activity (more studies that coraborate this conclusion), It is possible that carvacrol is capable to bind to the sterols of the fungal membrane, a fact that results in damage and, consequently, death of the fungus ”. Bacterial infections: Earache (could also be the result of a pathogenic infection ), toothache, bacterial acne, many skin infections as a result of a skin injuries, mouth sores are mostly bacterial related (oral lesions could be caused by a virus), urinary tract infection (UTI) or cystitis , tuberculosis and more. Anti bacterial oregano oil properties: The chart below (Source ) shows the effectiveness of the best herbal plants and their derivatives in assisting our immune system to combat with each of the investigated bacterial groups: Fungus infection and why Oregano oil Bacterial infection and why Oregano oil "The above chart shows the antimicrobial potential of Essential Oils (EO). Results for the agar diffusion assay performed on the six clinical bacterial strains and three environmental bacterial strains are shown. Chloramphenicol (30 μg/disc) was used as a positive control. Each bar of the chart shows the mean of the inhibitory zone obtained for each EO analyzed (1) Staphyloccocus aureus, (2) Listeria monocytogenes, (3) Enterococcus fecalis, (4) Escherichia coli, (5) Salmonella typhimurium, (6) Yersinia enterolitica, (7) Bacillus cereus, (8) Arthrobacter protophormiae, (9) Pseudomonas fragi. Data are represented by means ± 1 SD of 3 independent experiments. *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001 indicate statistically significant differences compared to the control (Student’s t-test)."" The OR (Oregano) and TY (Thyme) used in this study were even more effective than the antibiotic chloramphenicol. Our results are in accordance with a previous study showing that the inhibitory halos produced by the EOs of Eugenia caryophyllata, Origanum vulgare and Thymus vulgaris were larger than those produced by ciprofloxacin". IN CONCLUSION OF THE ABOVE DISCUSSION - OREGANO ESSENTIAL OIL STEAM EXTRACT FROM WILD ORGANIC PLANTS WITH HIGH CARVACROL CONTENT (above 75%) , IS THE THE BEST COMBATANT FOR THESE THREE - VIRAL, FUNGAL AND BACTERIAL RELATED INFLAMMATIONS. Scientific studies have shown that oregano oil, not only that it is a powerful anti-pathogen, anti-inflammation agent when taken orally or applied topically, but it has no side effects, provided that it is taken/applied diluted with a carrier oil to the right ratio (excluding rare instances of allergic reaction).

Plastics (Phthalates) At Home Page Content: Background The Risks Phthalates "Carriers" Removing Phthalates from the Home More about Plastics at Home Related Linked Pages: Microwave and Foods Glyphosate Aluminum Foil Health Risks Rice and Arsenic Danger in Cooking/Baking Bags Back to Prevention Back to Risky Foods... Lectin, Gluten, Phytic Acid, Emulsifiers Background Phthalates are mainly used as plasticizers, i.e., substances added to plastics to increase their flexibility, transparency, durability, and longevity. They are used primarily to soften polyvinyl chloride (PVC). They are found, among others, in plastic products, packaging of personal care products, food products, packaging of medicines, children's toys, paints, certain building materials, adhesives, soaps, electronic products and plastic bags. The additives are not chemically bound to the polymer and can transfer to the surrounding media like air, soil and water within the lifespan of the plastic products, which also changes the mechanical properties of the plastics. As an example, “PVC - amongst the most widely used polymers, contains the highest amounts of additives, with typically about 30% – 35% of phthalates like DEHP (di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate). The additives are not chemically bound to the polymer and can transfer to the surrounding media like air, soil and water within the lifespan of the plastic products, which also changes the mechanical properties of the plastics”. This review consistently observed high Di-2-Ethylhexyl Phthalate (DEHP) concentrations in poultry, cooking oils and cream-based dairy products (≥300 μg/kg) across food monitoring studies. The Risks This study investigated the associations between allergic symptoms in children and the concentration of phthalate esters in settled dust collected from children’s homes in Sofia and Burgas, Bulgaria. Results: "A higher concentration of DEHP (Di-2-ethylhexyl-phthalate) was found in homes of case children than in those of controls (1.24 vs. 0.86 mg/g dust)"! Babies are at the highest risk for phthalate accumulation. Not only do they tend to put anything in their mouths, especially toys and plastic objects, they are also small in weight and any toxic molecule that gets in has a greater effect relative to their body weight. A 2008 study that measured 9 phthalate metabolites in 163 infants who were born in 2000-2005, has found that “Infant exposure to lotion, powder, and shampoo were significantly associated with increased urinary concentrations of monoethyl phthalate, monomethyl phthalate, and monoisobutyl phthalate, and associations increased with the number of products used. This association was strongest in young infants, who may be more vulnerable to developmental and reproductive toxicity of phthalates given their immature metabolic system capability and increased dosage per unit body surface area”. In a 2013 study published in JAMA Pediatrics, concludes: “Women exposed to phthalates during pregnancy have significantly increased odds of delivering preterm. Steps should be taken to decrease maternal exposure to phthalates during pregnancy”. Notice! The researchers found that women who were in the upper quartile of phthalates in their blood had more than twice the risk of preterm birth compared to women who were in the bottom quartile. The study was conducted in a hospital in Boston when most of the subjects were white, educated and non-smokers. Only a minority of them consumed alcohol during pregnancy. (Smoking and alcohol are long known and proven risk factors for increasing the risk of premature birth). The researchers tested the levels of phthalates in the urine of 482 women. 3 samples were taken from each woman during pregnancy. 130 women gave birth prematurely (birth before week 37 of pregnancy). The researchers identified a statistically significant relationship between phthalate levels among all preterm infants and in cases of spontaneous preterm birth. In this 2014 study the authors start by saying: “There is evidence of declining trends in testosterone levels among men in recent decades, as well as trends in related conditions at multiple life stages and in both sexes”. The study explored the “relationships between urinary concentrations of 13 phthalate metabolites and serum total testosterone levels among men, women, and children when adjusting for important confounders and stratifying by sex and age (6-12, 12-20, 20-40, 40-60, and 60-80 y).” Results: "Multiple phthalates were associated with significantly reduced testosterone in both sexes and in differing age groups. Reported In this research: “We found evidence that reduced levels of circulating testosterone were associated with increased phthalate exposure in several key populations, including boys ages 6-12, and men and women ages 40-60,” said one of the study’s authors, John D. Meeker, MS, ScD, of the University of Michigan School of Public Health in Ann Arbor, MI. “This may have important public health implications, since low testosterone levels in young boys can negatively impact reproductive development, and in middle age can impair sexual function, libido, energy, cognitive function and bone health in men and women.” Phthalates "Carriers" Phthalate in medications : This study , analysed US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for the years 1999-2004, of the 7,999 persons with information on urinary phthalate concentrations, 6 reported using mesalamine formulations, some of which may include dibutyl phthalate (DBP); the mean urinary concentration of monobutyl phthalate, the main DBP metabolite, among these mesalamine users was 50 times higher than the mean for nonusers (2,257 microg/L vs. 46 microg/L; p < 0.0001)! Phthalate in cosmetics : This study , examined the association between urinary concentrations of nine phthalate metabolites and breast cancer (BC) in Mexican women, that were exposed to the phthalates “used primarily as plasticizers of polyvinyl chloride and as additives in consumer and personal care products”. They conclude “We show for the first time that exposure to diethyl phthalate, the parent compound of MEP, may be associated with increased risk of BC (breast cancer)”. A study done at the prestigious Mount Sinai Hospital in New York and published in 2010 examined the relationship between the mother's exposure to phthalates during pregnancy and the children's behavioral problems and cognitive function, years later, when the children were 4-9 years old. This study concludes : “Behavioral domains adversely associated with prenatal exposure to LMW (Low Molecular Weight) phthalates in our study are commonly found to be affected in children clinically diagnosed with conduct or attention deficit hyperactivity disorders” Phthalates Removal Use only products that are 100% natural for baby hygiene where the line of ingredients is as short as possible! Do not use synthetic products. Be careful with cosmetics. Purchase organic cosmetics and makeup products. Prefer the purchase of games for children made of wood and not plastic and try to make sure that these are unpainted wooden products or those that have been used with ecological paints. Avoid industrial foods that come packaged in plastic packaging. (also good for other reasons), Try to avoid consumption of dairy products (and especially butter in relation to phthalates). Reduce consumption of meat. When eating meat, it is highly desirable that it be organic meat. As mentioned, animal food products are the main source of exposure to phthalates. Try to “cut down” the use of plastic bowls, plastic plates, kitchen utensils, etc. Limit the purchase of new ones, to ones that are made of stainless steel, glass, wood or bamboo (with the hope that the varnish coating the wood and bamboo products does not contain toxic substances). Limit the use of plastic bags for storage, starting with foods (e.g. foods that you put to the frigidaire). Avoid long duration storage of “things” in plastic bags - Phthalates “leakage” is intensified as the bags grow “older”. More about Plastics at Home Bisphenol A (BPA) - Bisphenol A (BPA) is used in some hard, clear plastics such as water bottles and baby bottles and in the lining of food cans. Bisphenols -A and -S are most widely publicized for, and commonly associated with, causing endocrine disruption in living things both human and animal. Disposable Paper Cups : Disposable paper cups are coated with plastics. This study found that: Exposure of the paper cups to hot water triggered the release of microplastics. Ions were added into the water through the hydrophobic liners of the paper cups. The analysis of the liners indicates the presence of heavy metals in them. Surface properties of the liners deteriorated after exposure to hot water. 4 out of 5 disposable paper cups were lined with HDPE grade of plastic. Mineral Water: A study done in Germany and published in 2009 examined the safety of drinking mineral water that comes in plastic bottles, testing if there is no leakage of the plastic components into the water itself. What were the results of the study ? Increased estrogenic activity was found in 7 out of 9 of the water samples that were in plastic bottles. In contrast , only 3 of the 9 water samples in the glass bottles were found to have increased estrogenic activity. All the water samples that were in the cartons (coated on the inside with a layer of plastic) showed a very increased estrogenic activity. A surprising discovery - out of the 4 springs from which the samples were taken, in 2 springs, the water showed estrogenic activity regardless of the type of packaging (plastic or glass). Background The Risks Phthalates "Carriers" Removing Phthalates from the Home More about Plastics at Home 5.0 1 Ratings average rating is 5 out of 5, based on 1 votes, Ratings Reviews

About Stroke, and a simple recipe to drastically reduce its probability STROKE Page Content: What is a STROKE Quick Tests To Identify A Stroke Ischemic Stroke Inflammation and Ischemic Stroke Hemorrhagic Stroke Stroke Prevention Recipe for Garlic Daily Intake Related Linked Pages: Diabetes Arthritis BPH Back to Age Related Health Issues Stroke is a disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. It is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot (ischemic stroke) or bursts (or ruptures - hemorrhagic stroke). When that happens, the affected part of the brain cannot get the blood (and oxygen) it needs and dies. Blood Clot - Ischemic Stroke Blood ruptures - hemorrhagic stroke What is a Stroke Quick Tests to Identify a Stroke Age Related Skin Issues Quick Tests To Identify A Stroke [REF ] Ask the person to smile - One of the main signs of a stroke is sudden numbness or weakness in the face. This can cause the one side of the face to appear droopy. If you ask the person to smile, it is also likely that the smile will be uneven. Distorted speech - This can take a few forms. It can come across as sudden confusion, trouble understanding, or slurred speech. Sudden arm numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body). To confirm weakness, ask the person to raise his/her arms. If the person is unable or if one of the arms drops down, then this is a sign of weakness. Ischemic Stroke The illustration above shows how an ischemic stroke can occur in the brain. The clot can block blood flow to a part of the brain, causing brain tissue death. Ischemic strokes are usually caused by a piece of plaque or a blood clot that blocks blood flow to the brain. The illustration shows how an ischemic stroke can occur in the brain. If a blood clot breaks away from plaque buildup in a carotid artery in the neck, it can travel to an artery in the brain. The clot can block blood flow to part of the brain, causing brain tissue death The illustration shows how an ischemic stroke can occur in the brain. If a blood clot breaks away from plaque buildup in a carotid artery in the neck, it can travel to an artery in the brain. The clot can block blood flow to part of the brain, causing brain tissue death. When plaque builds up on the inner walls of the arteries, it can lead to a disease called atherosclerosis. Plaque hardens and narrows the arteries, which limits blood flow to tissues and organs. Plaque can build up in any artery in the body, including arteries in the brain and neck. Carotid artery disease is when plaque builds up in the carotid arteries in the neck that supply blood to the brain. It is a common cause of ischemic stroke. Plaque in an artery can also break open and cause a plaque injury. Blood platelet stick to the site of the plaque injury and clump together to form blood clots. These clots can partly or fully block an artery. A blood clot that forms in one part of the body can also break loose and travel to the brain. This type of ischemic stroke is called an embolic stroke. Certain heart and blood conditions, such as atrial fibrillation and sickle cell disease, can cause blood clots that lead to a stroke. Inflammation and Ischemic Stroke Chronic (long-term) inflammation contributes to ischemic stroke. Researchers are still trying to understand this fully. We know that inflammation can damage the blood vessels and contribute to atherosclerosis, however. In addition, ischemic stroke can lead to inflammation that further damages brain cells. Ischemic Stroke Inflammation and Ischemic Stroke Hemorrhagic Stroke The illustration above shows how a hemorrhagic stroke can occur in the brain. An aneurysm in a cerebral artery breaks open, which causes bleeding in the brain. The pressure of the blood causes brain tissue death. Sudden bleeding can cause a hemorrhagic stroke. This can happen when an artery in or on top of the brain breaks open. The leaked blood causes the brain to swell, putting pressure on it that can damage brain cells. Some conditions make blood vessels in the brain more likely to bleed. Aneurysm is a balloon-like bulge in an artery that can stretch and burst. Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are tangles of poorly formed arteries and veins that can break open in the brain. High blood pressure puts pressure on the inside walls of the arteries. This pressure makes them more likely to break open, especially when they are weakened because of an aneurysm or AVM. Stroke Prevention Important Notification! This 2022 study concludes : "These findings may indicate that statins could reduce the risk of recurrence in patients with stroke but have no obvious preventive effect on stroke". On this page we present the importance of diet (KETO) and exercise as good health preventive practices. You may want to adopt a practice specifically targeting stroke prevention. A recommended such practice would be adding garlic to your diet. "Based on current research , garlic favorably affects atherosclerosis, hypertension and diabetes, and helps decrease the risk of myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke". Additionally, "Epidemiological studies demonstrate that regular dietary intake of cocoa polyphenols reduces the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke and is inversely associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease". Note that "Cocoa is a rich source of polyphenols ". Note: "While cacao refers to cacao beans that have not been roasted, what is called cocoa is made of beans that have been roasted". Recipe For Garlic Daily Intake - Garlic with Water: Crush one clove of garlic, put it in some water eight to twelve ounces of water Add a teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil Let this mixture to sit for about 15 minutes before you drink it, to let its phytonutrients to be released from the crushed garlic, and also let the virgin olive oil “absorb” these phytonutrients since they're fat soluble. Hemorrhagic Stroke Stroke Prevention Recipe For Garlic Daily Intake 5.0 1 Reviews average rating is 5 out of 5, based on 1 votes, Reviews Reviews

Glaucoma and Macula - Self healing practices to stop glaucoma and macular eye sight deterioration, restoring the balance of the intraocular fluid, for glaucoma, and the sun exercise for macular deterioration. Glaucoma and Macular Degeneration The Problem: Glaucoma - The Disease That Blinds People! What is glaucoma? It is a common eye disease that causes damage to the optic nerve. Damage to the optic nerve damages the visual field and thus causes a significant decrease in vision. What is the intraocular pressure? The eyeball of all human beings fills and empties to maintain the balance of the intraocular fluid. When there is no balance between the fluid that fills and the fluid that empties, a state of intraocular pressure is created, which in most cases is high and presses on the "walls" of the eye, so that the nerve tissues are in tension and this causes slow and permanent destruction of the optic nerve. Conventional treatment: Lowering the intraocular pressure to prevent a state of visual nerve destruction. Are drug and medical treatments always effective? Medical treatment has always been in the direction of balancing intraocular pressure. This treatment often does not stop the destruction of the optic nerve. This means that despite lowering the intraocular pressure there is still a risk of optic nerve deterioration and severe visual impairment. In many cases glaucoma develops from unbalanced use of both eyes, i.e a gap in the quality and sharpness of vision between the two eyes. Symptoms: "Sand in the eyes" condition, Strong headaches A back pain Many glaucoma cases "show up" at older ages (60+). Patients usually wear eyeglasses for many years, and the problem is accompanied by a sense of "sand in the eyes". Many would also suffer from a decrease in the peripheral vision. Page Content: The Problem Glaucoma treatment practice Glaucoma Increase Blood Flow Macular degeneration Sun exercise practical example The Problem Related Linked Pages: Glasses, Contact Lenses, LASIK Cataract and Eye Floaters Eye Strain Lazy Eye Dry Eyes Back To Eyes Glaucoma treatment Glaucoma Treatment Expected Results: The treatment is designed to reduce intraocular pressure and strengthen the activity of the optic nerve. The purpose of the exercises is to create a balance between the two eyes, increase the field of vision and pump more blood to the optic nerve. Because in this disease the extent of vision is significantly lost, exercises are designed to expand the scope of vision and relieve load and pressure from the center of vision. These exercises have proved to create a rapid and significant change in the case of glaucoma and stop the deterioration of the disease, which in itself is critical. A daily routine could yield intraocular pressure reduction of about 10 in each eye and also a reduced glasses diopter number by 1.5. and improved balance between the two eyes. 5.0 1 Reviews average rating is 5 out of 5, based on 1 votes, Reviews Reviews Glaucoma Increase Blood Flow Glaucoma Increase Blood Flow The state of stress in the eyes requires practice on a daily level of special exercises that are specifically tailored to the state of the eyes. Additionally, coping with glaucoma requires specific body work for muscles in the back, upper back, face and jaw, assuming that the patient visual effort is accompanied by an effort of the entire form of holding and activating the upper body. This effort affects the blood flow to the retina and that in itself creates an intraocular pressure. Increased blood flow to the eyes awakens the optic nerve which is necessary to improve the condition of the optic nerve and consequently the vision. Repetitions: The state of stress in the eyes requires practice on a daily level of special exercises that are specifically tailored to the state of the eyes. 5.0 1 Reviews average rating is 5 out of 5, based on 1 votes, Reviews Reviews Macular Degeneration Macular degeneration is currently the leading cause of blindness in Western countries. It is common among older people but this phenomenon is spreading to younger ages as well. Macular degeneration When a degenerative process of the macula begins the visual acuity and the ability to distinct details is gradually impaired, because the macula is responsible for detailed vision. Intense and strenuous eye focusing for near distance, use of glasses, which reduces the field of vision and especially the peripheral vision, creating pressure on the center of vision and weakens it. On the other hand, healthy use of the eyes stimulates them and maintains their strength! The fact that macular degeneration occurs at old age leads many to the wrong conclusion that it is an age related phenomenon, but it is not age that causes the disease, it is the destructive use of the eyes day after day and year after year that are the cause of the disease. Remember that at any age and in any situation you can work with the eyes and improve their condition, of course the degree of vision improvement varies from person to person and consists of several factors that affect the results. Macular Sun Exercise Example of a practical experience: A patient experienced impaired vision. He would notice movement and transient figures but had difficulty seeing details. Exercises started for several times a week with a lot of special sun exercises to "wake up" the macula and increase blood flow to the head to nourish the retina, under the strong light (the sun exercises should be learned from a therapist only). After two years of practicing, the patient has achieved improved vision, he is able to read letters from a distance of 3 meters, and his vision is improving by the day. The recovery period could be shorter, depending on the general physical condition of the patient. There are cases where the improvement could be greater and faster. 5.0 1 Reviews average rating is 5 out of 5, based on 1 votes, Reviews Reviews Sun exercise practical example

The strong link between the gut and its microbiome and the brain, and what should be done to keep this link healthy and functioning. Brain, Memory and the Guts Page Content: Cognitive Decline With Age Insulin Resistance Myelin Decline Exposure to Toxins Thyroid Problems Medications Smoking Nutrition Physical Exercise Inflammation Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) Shortwave Radiation Encountering the Cognitive Decline Nicotine Methylene Blue Methylene Blue Dosing Suggestions Gut Microbiome And Our Brain Cognitive Functioning Nutritional Supplements Lion's Mane Mushrooms Spirulina Vitamin B12 Cognitive Decline With Age Exposure to Toxins Cognitive Decline With Age -” The most important changes in cognition with normal aging are declines in performance on cognitive tasks that require one to quickly process or transform information to make a decision, including measures of speed of processing, working memory, and executive cognitive function”. There are many factors that affect the cognitive function decline and three pervasive brain illnesses. Two of the three are associated with our memory - Memory Loss and Dementia. The third one is Parkinson. All three of these "diseases" are believed by many to be age associated. Yes age is no doubt a contributing factor, but from the self-healing perspective these illnesses are the result of a prolonged life style with exposure to contributing factors that should have been eliminated at early age, realizing their implications at an older age. Some of these contributing factors we discuss elsewhere on this website (see " Read more" links below) and some we discuss below: Contributing Factors That Affect Cognitive Decline Insulin Resistance - "data from 2021 found that 40% of US adults aged 18 to 44 are insulin-resistant based on HOMA-IR measurements". "it has been implicated in AD (A ltzheimer D isease), with the degree of brain insulin resistance correlating with cognitive decline". "Brain insulin receptor signaling reportedly plays diverse roles in the CNS (Central Nervous System), including regulation of synaptic plasticity [100–106], dendritic outgrowth [77, 107], and involvement in neuronal survival [108, 109], life span [110–114], learning and memory [115–117], and neurological disorders [118–121]. "insulin signaling has been demonstrated to impact on molecular cascades underlying hippocampal plasticity, learning and memory. Here, we summarize the molecular evidence linking alteration of hippocampal insulin sensitivity with changes of both adult neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity. We also review the epidemiological studies and experimental models emphasizing the critical role of brain insulin resistance at the crossroad between metabolic and neurodegenerative disease". Bottom line - Insulin resistance is a major contributor to COGNITIVE DECLINE! Read more here on simple diet changes to avoid insulin resistance. Myelin Decline - " People whose brains have less myelin — the fatty tissue that insulates nerve cells — experience steeper declines in cognition over time (age). According to an NIA study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia". High cholesterol level is essential for myelin membrane growth". Furthermore, research work has shown the importance of LDL (L ow-D ensity L ipoprotein) cholesterol in the formation of myelin sheath. (Read More ). Note: There is a strong drive among "professional" health practitioners to convince their audience to lower their LDL levels below 100 to avoid blood vessels clogging, without providing scientific evidence to the impact of this low blood LDL level on the myelin regeneration process. This 2022 meta analysis titled: "Statins and cognition: Modifying factors and possible underlying mechanisms", concludes that there is "inconsistent results of many studies", and suggests "The bias in the interpretations of studies’ results suggests a possible explanation for the inconsistency in mechanisms underlying the effects of statins on AD (Alzheimer's Disease)". Exposure to Toxins - NIH-funded twin study finds occupational chemical exposure may be linked to Parkinson’s risk. Bottom line - exposure to chemicals, pesticides, herbicides and others - possibly through our diet, is a contributing risk factor to our brain health. Reduce the amount of mercury and aluminum in your diet. Mercury in Fish: especially ones that live for a long time (e.g. Tuna fish), absorb mercury from the water. Larger fish, such as tuna and swordfish, tend to have higher levels of mercury. Aluminum in salt and other powdered additives: There are manufacturers that add aluminum compounds to keep their powdered products from coagulation. In our body, some of these compounds are dissolved into the blood, and the aluminum "finds it way" to our brain. SILVER-AMALGAM TOOTH FILLINGS Silver-colored fillings are usually made with a mercury amalgam, which may break down over time. If you have these fillings, replace them with tooth-colored resin fillings. VACCINES, While the mercury-based preservative thimerosal has been removed from most vaccines, there are still some that contain the controversial chemical, such as flu shots. If you choose to vaccinate, make sure that the vaccine is thimerosal-free! POLLUTION, Our water and air can be a major source of harmful heavy metals. Steer clear of industrial areas when possible, and drink filtered water (reverse osmosis water is a good option). BEWARE OF OLD PAINT, As recently as the 1970s, paint was made with lead. If you live or work in an older structure, there's a good chance of lead-based paint somewhere beneath the most recent layer. Be mindful of places where paint may be chipping, and definitely keep small children from putting paint chips in their mouths. (Read more - Toxins and detoxification ). Myelin Decline Insulin Resistance Thyroid Problems - "It has been shown that a variety of cognitive domains can be impaired by overt hypothyroidism. Several studies demonstrate reductions in attention/concentration, general intelligence, memory, language, perceptual function, executive function, and psychomotor activity. It is indicated that the most consistently influenced domain is memory [62 ], with specific deficits in verbal memory [63 , 64 ]. According to studies, the prevalence of cognitive dysfunction is high among patients with hypothyroidism. Increased age, increased disease duration, and high levels of TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone) are statistically related to cognitive deficits [65 ]". (Read more ) Medications - Many prescription drugs interfere with your memory function , these drugs include anxiety medications (Xanax, Valium, and Ativan), which hinder your brain's ability to transfer short-term memories to long-term "storage." Others include tricyclic antidepressants, statin drugs , beta-blockers, narcotic painkillers, incontinence drugs, sleep aids, and antihistamines (such as Benadryl). Smoking - Smoking impairs the blood supply to your brain , leading to memory lapses. Studies also show that smokers have a more rapid decline in brain function, including memory, than non-smokers, while smoking leads to the accumulation of abnormal proteins in your brain that interfere with processing and relaying information. Nutrition - A compelling study regarding the Parkinson's disease is presented in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience (2014) concludes: “A growing body of evidence suggests that nutrition may play an important role.”. The so-called western diet is rich in saturated fat and refined carbohydrates (e.g. sugar). Excessive consumption of this diet is associated not only with the development of obesity but also with reduced global cognitive function, cognitive decline, and dementia (Morris et al., 2015 ). This Research Topic explores the effects of diet and diet-induced obesity on learning, memory, and cognition in both experimental and epidemiological settings. High fat and high sugar foods are highly rewarding and excessive consumption leads to enduring alterations in brain regions involved in learning, memory, and reward. These changes are proposed to drive over consumption by promoting food seeking behaviors. Moreover, alterations in brain regions essential for learning, memory, and behavioral control induced by this diet appear to be especially profound in the immature brain. (Read more below and Ketogenic diet, brain, memory and the guts) Physical Exercise - Not surprisingly, this meta study : "An umbrella review of randomized control trials on the effects of physical exercise on cognition" concludes that "These findings suggest caution in claims and recommendations linking regular physical exercise to cognitive benefits in the healthy human population until more reliable causal evidence accumulates". On the other hand, this (2022) study concludes: "The results indicated that older adults who engaged in frequent physical activity have greater cognitive functioning than older adults without physical activity after adjusting for various individual, health, lifestyle, and household factors". This association holds true for both older men and older women.It is not surprising because as you an see on this page , physical exercise has numerous versions with a wide range of diversified implications. Just as an example, this study brings significantly different conclusions " An emerging line of scientific evidence indicates that the effects of exercise are longer lasting than previously thought up to the point to affect future generations ". (Read more Exercise ) . Inflammation - "The relationship between inflammation and age-related neurocognitive changes is significant, which may relate to the age-related immune dysfunctions characterized by the senescence of immune cells and elevated inflammatory markers in the peripheral circulation and the central nervous system". (Read more Chronic Inflammation) Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) - " UTIs can cause sudden confusion (also known as delirium) in older people and people with dementia. If the person has a sudden and unexplained change in their behaviour, such as increased confusion, agitation, or withdrawal, this may be because of a UTI. Shortwave Radiation - This meta review brings many studies that showed the damage incurred from shortwave radiation to functioning of many body systems including central nervous system (“impairment was mainly characterized by brain dysfunction”), Cardiovascular system, Endocrine system, and other systems. Thyroid Problems Medications Smoking Nutrition Physical Exercise Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) Inflammation Shortwave Radiation Encountering Cognitive Decline As we age, mitochondrial respiration and ATP production declines significantly - about 10% per decade, associated with: accumulation of mitochondrial DNA damage and mutations, impairing the electron transport chain and reducing ATP generation, and Mitochondrial dysfunction that leads to increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), further damaging mitochondria in a vicious cycle. Add to that the Contributing Factors That Affect Cognitive Decline as we describe above and the need for countering this decline becomes so much more obvious. Nicotine When used properly, nicotine provides substantial cognitive benefits as detailed in this section on the page Nicotine Benefits of this website. Methylene Blue These days (the beginning of 2024), the most promising compound that we could find that could help resolve this hypoperfusion is Methylene Blue . " In summary, inside the electron transport chain in your mitochondria are five complexes, the primary purpose of which is to conduct the electrons generated from food, primarily carbohydrates and fat, in the form of acetyl CoA. Sometimes the electron transport chain gets blocked or impaired, and methylene blue is able to bypass such blockages". Read on this link the most concise and informative description about the action and benefits of Methylene Blue! Furthermore - “When you’re perfectly healthy, low doses of methylene blue will enhance oxygen consumption, mitochondrial respiration and ATP production above baseline, basically optimizing the whole system. So, it acts as a metabolic enhancer and not just an antidote for metabolic poisons and other inhibitory processes" Methylene Blue Enountering Cognitive Decline Nicotine Gut Microbiome And Our Brain Lion's Mane Mushrooms Methylene Blue Dosing Suggestions: Use Methylene Blue Pharmaceutical USP (United States Pharmacopeia) grade 99%+ pure. This is the kind used when injected intravenously for antidote purposes, or used orally. "For an acute treatment, the upper limit is between 3 mg to 4 mg per kg, which is typically the range given as an IV antidote for methemoglobinemia. For nonacute, more long-term treatment, 0.5 mg to 1 mg per kg per day works better."[REF ]. Oral intake is the simplest way to take it, given its high bioavailability (almost 100%). Prepare a water diluted mixture (you may want to watch this video ) and take it in the morning before any meal. Two important notifications: 1. Administrating methylene blue, gives the urine and feces the blue color! 2. The half-life of oral methylene blue is 4 to 6 hours (It is important to consider the half-life issue here when there are missed doses or when increasing the dose to twice or three times daily). Let’s take the example of a 100 mg oral methylene blue dose with a half-life of 6 hours: Imagine you take your dose at 8 am… half-life #1: 50 mg left in your body at 2 pm (i.e., 6 hours later) half-life #2: 25 mg left in your body at 8 pm (i.e., another 6 hours later) half-life #3: 12.5 mg left in your body at 2 am half-life #4: 6.25 mg left in your body at 8 am This means that if you take 100 mg of methylene blue at 8 am, you'll still have 6.25 mg of methylene blue in your body 24 hours later. Even if we assume that the methylene blue half-life is 4 hours, then there would be 3.125 mg of methylene blue left in your body at 8 am the next day. Either way, 100 mg daily methylene blue taken daily will continue to build up in your system , and this buildup could lead to adverse effects, especially when the accumulative dose reaches 3 mg/kg or greater . Gut Microbiome And Our Brain [ Read more on this page ] The guts and its microbiome - referred to by many as our second brain. This scientific study - (as an example) has found that probiotic and prebiotics might improve mental function via several mechanisms ( Read more ). Another scie ntific study has found two strains - Lactobacillus helveticus and Bifdobacterium longum, that have shown to have a calming influence, in part by dampening stress hormones. Other strains may have similar effects, although more research is needed to identify them. Using MRI scans, Dr. Emeran Mayer, a professor of medicine and psychiatry at the University of California, studied the physical brain structure of thousands of volunteers, looking for connections between brain structure and the types of bacteria found in their guts. So far, he has found differences in how certain brain regions are connected, depending on the dominant species of bacteria. A study conducted by Dr. Emeran Mayer , a professor of medicine and psychiatry at the University of California, Los Angeles, concludes : "That the specific mix of microbes in our guts might help determine what kinds of brains we have — how our brain circuits develop and how they're wired." Indeed, the connection between our gut and mental health appears to be so strong that some have proposed probiotics may one day take the place of antidepressant drugs . The accumulating evidence linking bacteria in the gut and neurons in the brain (the microbiota–gut–brain axis) has led to a paradigm shift in the neurosciences. Understanding the neurobiological mechanisms supporting the relevance of actions mediated by the gut microbiota for brain physiology and neuronal functioning is a key research area. Gut bacteria transmits information to your brain via the vagus nerve , the tenth cranial nerve that runs from your brain stem into your enteric nervous system (the nervous system of your gastrointestinal tract). There is a close connection between abnormal gut flora and abnormal brain development, and just as you have neurons in your brain, you also have neurons in your gut - including neurons that produce neurotransmitters like serotonin, which is also found in your brain and is linked to mood. Cognitive Functioning Nutritional Supplements : Lion's Mane Mushrooms We recommend this supplement following unequivocal recommendations of figures whom we learned to appreciate their integrity and professionalism over a prolonged period of time like Mike Adams in this video (on min. 17:00) and Dr. Gundry in this video (on min. 1:28) and a few other of his videos. Their recommendations and some preliminary studies like this one that concludes "Given the current evidence, lion’s mane mushrooms may have the potential to elicit both cognitive and mood effects through various biological pathways", let us to strongly recommend this supplement. Dosage: In this study the dosage of the powder in a pill form used was 3 grams and generally speaking, this dosage is recommended by many other studies and videos. Spirulina: "This review focuses on the role of Spirulina in the brain, highlighting how it exerts its beneficial anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, acting on glial cell activation, and in the prevention and/or progression of neurodegenerative diseases, in particular Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and Multiple Sclerosis; due to these properties, Spirulina could be considered a potential natural drug". The above is the conclusion of one study out of numerous recent studies, all showing the benefits of spirulina to cognitive functioning. Dosage: As a dietary supplement , the recommended minimum amount is three grams daily – one teaspoon of powder or six 500 mg tablets. Since it is a pure and natural food, you may safely take more, to suit your personal health program. Vitamin B12: vitamins including vitamin B12 may slow brain shrinkage by as much as seven-fold in brain regions specifically known to be most impacted by Alzheimer's disease. ( The resea rchers noted : "…B vitamins lower homocysteine, which directly leads to a decrease in GM [gray matter] atrophy, thereby slowing cognitive decline. Our results show that B-vitamin supplementation can slow the atrophy of specific brain regions that are a key component of the AD [Alzheimer's disease] process and that are associated with cognitive decline.". Fresh vegetables are essential - curry, celery, broccoli , cauliflower, and walnuts contain antioxidants and other compounds that protect your brain health and may even stimulate the production of new brain cells. Coconut oil is another healthful fat for brain function. According to research by Dr. Mary Newport , just over two tablespoons of coconut oil (about 35 ml or 7 level teaspoons) would supply you with the equivalent of 20 grams of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), which is indicated as either a preventative measure against degenerative neurological diseases or as a treatment for an already established case. 4.8 4 Ratings average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 4 votes, Ratings Reviews 4.8 4 Ratings average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 4 votes, Ratings Reviews Spirulina Vitamin B12 Methylene Blue Dosing Suggestions Cognitive Functioning Nutritional Supplements

WATER HEALTH Page Content: The Need For Home Water Purification TDS - RO Water Purity Measure RO Systems Filtration Structure Mechanism RO System Selection Tank Or Tankless RO System Tankless RO Systems RO System Selection Criteria Above 95% “Stable Rejection Rate" GAC and CTO Filter's Composition Pure Water Flow Rate Feed and Pure Water TDS Display Filter Replacement Job Self Cleaning Last Phase Filter Feed Water Low/High Pressure Regulating Valves Waste Water Ratio Phthalates and Bisphenol-A (BPA) Free Last phase filter The Need For Home Water Purification TDS - RO Water Quality Parameter The Need For Home Water Purification These days, in many localities, drinking water quality is lacking because of a host of toxins that are potentially dissolved in them. To avoid these contaminants, such as ALUMINUM, CHROMIUM, MERCURY, LEAD, FLUORIDE, HERBICIDES, PASTESIDES, Disinfectants like chlorine, chloramine, and chlorine dioxide. These are contaminants that are destructive to the functioning of many of our body systems - the endocrine system, vitamins and various important fatty acids, the gut microbiome that is so important to our digestive system and more. Additionally, the municipal water may contain infectious pollutants - bacteria and other types of parasites. People resort to two prime purification methods for the removal of these conatminates - distillation and Reverse Osmosis (RO), with the objective of getting PURE DRINKING WATER! Not only that drinking purified water is better for your skin and helps to prevent aging symptoms, but it could also help you to reduce the risk of having major health issues and protect your family from harmful contaminants . Water distillers and reverse osmosis systems are two methods of water purification. There is no doubt that water distillation would produce reliable clean water “While both methods remove contaminants , distilled water is purer due to the boiling process”. Still, there is one unresolved issue with home distillation devices - post distillation cleaning! Just watch this short video and see what’s left after distilling 1 gallon of tap water (min 0:40), and what it takes to clean it. Furthermore, time and again, you have to refill the distiller. The Reverse Osmosis (RO) alternative requires far lower maintenance, and produces a very good quality of purified water at a very low price, provided that the system selection and maintenance are performed with some basic knowledge of the quality and operational parameters that determine the final results. TDS - RO Water PURITY Measure Total D issolved Solids ( TDS ) Level Asking ChatGPT "what measurement is best for water purity" - it brings TDS at the top of the list. Don't be misled by those who claim "The hard truth is, TDS is not an accurate indication of water quality". " A TDS meter will detect any charged ions in the water, which could include positively charged ions such as calcium, sodium, magnesium, and potassium or negatively charged ions such as carbonate, hydrogen carbonate, chloride, sulfate, and nitrate". Don't be confused between water quality (e.g. water enriched with minerals + alkaline) and water purity !!! TDS is a good measure for water purity ! Distilled water has a TDS of 0.5 ppm or less, so to put it simply, the lower the TDS the better the water purity ! Most people who look for home purification systems are motivated by the need to remove potential water contaminants such as MERCURY, LEAD... HERBICIDES, PESTICIDES... This is the hard part (as explained below) because the size of many of the metallic contaminants is in the range of 0.0001 to 0.001 micron. Removing such particles from the water requires a membrane pore size not larger than 0.0001 micron. As an example, the radius of hydrated lead (lead in a form where it is surrounded by water molecules, note that nano-particles are much larger ) is 0.00401 micron, or 0.00426 of hydrated cadmium. We make reference to hydrated radius because "water molecules bind to ions ", be it cations (like metals) or anions (like fluoride). These larger molecules, facilitate their removal by the membrane. This membrane pore size, makes it also very effective in the removal of pathogens such as Viruses that range in size from about 0.02 – 0.5 microns and bacterial cells that are in the range of 1 to 10 microns in length and from 0.2 to 1 micron in width". Mycoplasma genitalium is considered as the smallest parasite sizing about 0.2 micron. Once you get pure water - it's easy to implement the addition of the desired minerals and some alkalinity, as can be found in most water purification systems, most notably RO ones. bottomline - try to get as pure (low TDS) water as you can from the RO purification phase ("behind" the membrane) and then have them enriched with alkaline and mineralizing filters. If your RO system pure water TDS level starts to rise, without a significant TDS change of the input water, it's a good indication that it's time to replace the "pre-membrane" filters and/or the membrane itself. RO Systems Filtration Structure Mechanism RO Systems Filtration Structure Mechanism RO systems are actually built with two water treatment phases: Phase 1 - Water purification , with a membrane filter as its last element. It is a challenge to Keep membranes with pore size of 0.0001 from getting clogged, and still provide the membrane surface area for a water flow at a reasonable rate. That is why quality RO systems come with "Auto Flash/Self Cleaning" mechanisms ( Read more below ). Phase 2 - Water enrichment, adding alkalinity and mineralization. This phase is easily obtained even with some add-on filters. So, how do we know what is the purity of the RO system if the water produced are enriched with alkalinity and minerals? Simple, we obtains the added TDS value of these filters and subtract it from the TDS reading that we obtain from the system's output water. Here is an example of such increase: " This filter (iSpring FA15) is capable of increasing the pH value of the RO water by 0.5 to 0.8. The Alkaline filter compensates for the lost minerals eliminated in the RO process and restores these minerals back into the pure water. These minerals being restored will slightly increase the TDS value, normally between 10-20 ppm" Note , a search on the web for "RO desired TDS level" would bring a wide range - somewhere between 50 to 300 ppm, saying that " TDS level lower than 50 ppm has no nourishing impact on the human body". Others claim that TDS levels in the 50-150 range, are considered ideal, hinting for the benefits of the minerals left in the water. As we explained above all these recommendations ignore the main reason for the installation of the RO system in the first place - getting clean (pure) water. Having a RO system producing output water with TDS level of 100 could leave a large uncertainty about the toxins and pathogens removal capability of that system. bottomline - try to get as pure (low TDS) water as you can from the RO purification phase ("behind" the membrane) and then have them enriched with alkaline and mineralizing filters. If your RO system pure water TDS level starts to rise, without a significant TDS change of the input water, it's a good indication that it's time to replace the "pre-membrane" filters and/or the membrane itself . RO System Selection Tank Or Tankless RO System Contaminants "creeping" problem RO S ystem Selection To start with, you have to decide if you look for a system with or without a storage tank. Tank or Tankless RO System RO system storage tank is added to regulate the water output flow rate, and eliminates the system's dependency on the system's water input pressure, without the need for a booster pump. The storage tank comes with air pressure of 7 - 8 psi which stabilises the flow of the system's output water. The main issues to be considered regarding a RO system with storage tank option are: It takes space that is not always available in the cabinet below the sink, C ontaminants "creeping" problem . This is a problem with both, a tank or tankless RO systems. This creeping is the diffusion of ions (contaminants) through the membrane into the pure water side of the membrane when the system is idle, balancing the contaminates osmotic pressure "before" and "after" the membrane. Avoiding this problem is simple with a tankless system by letting some "pure" water flow to the sink for 5-10 seconds before starting to fill your cup. Understandably, this option is not available if the water from the membrane flows into the tank and mix with the water stored in it. Another option is to have a system that supports the auto flush feature (Read more below ). If there are some pathogens that somehow got through the water purification phase, be it because of inadequate filters or delayed replacement of the purification filters, and if the water remains for a prolonged period of time (9 - 10 days ) without being "changed", the storage tank may become a breeding ground for those pathogens. A different source claims: " The dirty secret is: the inside of a residential reverse osmosis tank accumulates and breed heterotrophic bacteria over time. Heterotrophic bacteria are microorganisms that use organic carbon as food". The growth rate of these pathogens is a matter of "discussion", as revealed by a search on the web using the keywords "how long does it take bacteria to proliferate in RO storage tank". Still, there is no doubt that pathogen growth is an issue with RO systems storage tanks. Contaminants removal effectiveness of filters and most importantly the membrane filter, depends on the feed water pressure - generally speaking, the higher the pressure the higher the contaminants removal. Most "storage tank" RO systems come without a booster pump which makes the effectiveness of contaminants removal dependent on the feed water supply pressure. That is why most RO storage tank vendors would recommend a booster pump if their system does not include one and the feed water pressure is less than 0.2 MPa (2 bar / 29.01 psi). Tankless RO Systems - These systems include a booster pump that generates the right water pressure for a good functioning of the membrane filter and for "sufficient" water output flow rate - which means that tankless RO systems need a power supply to operate. Also, this booster pump and some additional electrical elements needed for its control, make these RO systems more expensive, compared with RO systems with storage tanks and similar daily water output. Tankless RO Systems RO System Selection Criteria Above 95% “stable rejection rate RO System Selection Criteria Note: As explained above, we consider water purification as RO systems most important feature, therefore, we recommend to consider the first two criteria on the list below as the most important ones. The rest of the criteria are "good to have" but their impact on water purity is indirect. Above 95% "Stable Rejection Rate": Water purification capability of RO system is measured by its “Stable Rejection Rate”. This rate refers to the consistent and reliable percentage of contaminants or impurities that the system can effectively remove from its feed water. So if you have a system that provides a 95% rejection rate and if you have a TDS reading of 500 before the RO membrane, your TDS reading after membrane filtration should be around 25. To validate the rejection rate of your RO system you need to measure both - the system’s pure water TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) and the system’s feed water TDS (Pure TDS/Feed TDS X 100). Note : some vendors would rate the rejection rate of their system as “Above 90%...”, or “Up to 99%...” - these are ambiguous ratings. GAC and CTO Filters Composition - it's important that these filters are made from 100% coconut shell carbon, with iodine value of above 1000. Coconut shell carbon in GAC (G ranular A ctivated C arbon) and CTO (C hlorine removal, T aste, and O dor) filters , has many advantages such as high mechanical strength (strong adhesion), and high pore volume. Iodine value of above 1000 - The higher the iodine value the greater is the filter’s adsorption capacity. Coconut shell carbon activated material with iodine value of above 1000 are translated to higher ability to capture and retain impurities, such as organic compounds and chlorine (Chlorine and chloramine are the major disinfectants used in public water systems). Note! some censorship breaking scientific articles [REF 1 , 2 ] show the chlorine destructive effect on our Microbiome at concentrations practices by many municipalities! GAC and CTO filters Composition Pure Water Flow Rate Feed and pure water TDS display Pure Water Flow Rate - The flow rate of systems with storage tank is determined by the storage tank internal pressure and the tank volume, whereas the flow rate from tankless systems is determined by the entire system’s construction and consequently its price. For tankless systems, look for flow rate of no less than 1.5 liter/min. Feed and Pure Water TDS Display - Water purity is greatly affected by the system’s feed water contamination (TDS) level - the higher the feed water TDS, the higher the pure water TDS. Feed water TDS also significantly impacts the replacement frequency of the pre membrane filters and the membrane itself. A rise of pure water TDS, without a TDS rise of the feed water, is a most important indication for a need for filter replacement since most, if not all home RO systems vendors do not specify a predefined replacement period but would rather give a “range” like: “12-24 months or 1300 gallons whichever comes first”. Some systems have indicators that signal when filters need changing but these indicators are activated by the system's predefined usage time rather than the actual effectiveness of each filter . Having a pure water TDS display enables to determine the need for replacement by tracking the pure water TDS level, taking action when you notice a rise in that level, that is not related to a TDS rise in the feed water. A RO system with feed water TDS display will greatly assist you with this determination. Filter replacement job - Read the User’s Manual to see how easy it would be to install the system and later replace the filters, to reduce/eliminate the need for professional help for the system's installation and maintenance. Self Cleaning (also called Auto Flush) this mechanism automatically “power flushes” the membrane upon post installation initial start-up and then subsequently for 10-20 seconds every couple of hours of accumulated output water flow or a period of “no use”. This turbulent water action removes organic and inorganic contaminants from the membrane, thereby extending the membrane efficacy and life expectancy, ensuring consistency of water purity over time, thereby extending the membrane and other filters’ functional life span. Self cleaning mechanism is also important to eliminate (or minimise) the TDS creep problem as we mentioned above. Filter Replacement Job Self Cleaning Low/High Pressure Regulator Valves Waste Water Ratio Phthalates and Bisphenol-A (BPA) Free Feed Water Low/High Pressure Regulating Valves - these valves will protect the system from extreme low and high feed water pressure. Note, many RO systems’ installation instructions would read: “The operating pressure in your home should be tested over a 24 hour period to attain the maximum pressure. If it is above 0.63 MPa (6.3 bar / 91.4 psi), then a pressure regulator is necessary". It’s a good recommendation with one small problem - cost! Most hydrostatic tests cost between $250 to $500. Even if the results of the pressure testing are within the system's pre-specified operating pressure range, there is still the problem of pressure fluctuations, fluctuations that without the regulator valves, could damage the system. Waste Water Ratio - it is the amount of water wasted for every gallon of purified water produced, expressed as pure to waste ratio. Look for an efficiency ratio of above 1:1 ratio. Phthalates and Bisphenol-A (BPA) Free - food grade plastic tubes and components - most of the RO systems are made with plastic materials. Some plastic materials tend to leach toxins such as Phthalates and Bisphenol A, into the water that they come in contact with. Make sure that the RO tubes and components of the system that you want to purchase are made of food grade PE, ABS or stainless steel materials . Read on this page more about Phthalates and Bisphenol A in plastics. Note! This criterion is most important! Most RO system vendors are now complying with this requirement. Still we strongly recommend that you validate that the system of your choice complies with this requirement. Last Phase Filter - in spite of the attention given to this feature, driven by profit motivation, the importance of the minerals added to the pure water with this filter is rather marginal. Even if we assume that a person would consume 4 liters/day , the table below clearly shows that the minerals we acquire from our drinking water is marginal when compared to what we have to acquire on a daily basis from our foods. The most important feature of this filter is the alkalinity that it adds to make the water tastier, and the added minerals are "a small bonus" to that feature. This filter should bring the output water pH to above 8 given that for most people, water with a pH of around 8 to 8.5 tastes better than water with a lower pH as the pH of pure water is around 7. Last Phase Filter

Aluminum Foil Health Risks Page Content: Background Aluminum Health Hazards Aluminum Detoxification Cooking without aluminum foil Related Linked Pages: Microwave and Foods Plastics At Home Lectin, Gluten, Phytic Acid, Emulsifiers Glyphosate Danger in Cooking/Baking Bags Rice and Arsenic Back to Prevention Back to Risky Foods... Background Aluminum Health Hazards Cooking without aluminum foil Aluminum Detoxification Background “Aluminum is the twelfth most common element in the Universe”, found almost everywhere in low background concentrations that do not pose a health hazard. There are also sources of pollutants of human origin from mining sites and the materials industry. The aluminum ion is a very reactive ion, therefore it cannot be found in nature in a pure form but bound to other substances. Generally speaking, all the foods we eat have aluminum from a natural source that comes from the soil. These are average concentrations of less than 5 mg per kg of food in unprocessed foods, and concentrations of 5-10 mg per kg of food in processed foods. But due to the reactive properties of aluminum, we are also exposed to it from other sources. The aluminum foil is a thin sheet made entirely of pure aluminum metal. So thin that it can reach a thickness of 0.2 mm and even a thickness of 6 microns. There is almost no home that does not have this roll of aluminum foil, not even suspecting that this is another one of these products that poisons our food. Wrapping our foods with that foil leads to disturbing results: aluminum ions migrate very easily from the aluminum foil to the food that comes into contact with it! It takes just a little bit of moisture and a chemical reaction is formed that releases aluminum ions which rapidly (depending on acidity, alkalinity, temperature, etc.) react with the organic molecules around them. This 2012 study tested the degree of migration of aluminum from aluminum foil to minced meat that was used to prepare six different food solutions using tomato juice, citric acid, apple vinegar, salt, and spices. The researchers conclude: “Aluminum foil used in cooking provides an easy channel for the metal to enter the human body. The increase in cooking temperature causes more leaching. The leaching is also highly dependent on the pH value of the food solution, salt, and spices added to the food solutions. Aluminum foil is not suitable for cooking, especially with acidic food. It is also possible that excessive consumption of food baked with aluminum foil may carry a serious health risk”. Aluminum Health Hazards “Aluminum contamination of food represents an important issue to find relationships between aluminum intake and certain serious illness such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, dialysis encephalopathy, bone disorder, human breast cancer, and it is also considered to be a neurotoxin; aluminum salts can be accumulated by the gut and different human tissues (bones, parathyroid, and brain). Aluminum is diversely affecting the growth rate of human brain cells . (Read More [1 ], [2 ], [3 ]...). Aluminum Detoxification It was found that Citric Acid is the best chelating agent on the toxicity, distribution and excretion of aluminium. Additionally, to boost this process, it is recommended to boost your meals with polyphenols. Use spices, Cocoa Powder, nuts, Flaxseeds, berries (that are also low in calories and high in vitamin C, and fiber), Vegetables, Olives, Coffee and Tea ( Read more ). This polyphenol boosting is important as It was found that polyphenol molecules encourage the attachment of metal ions and facilitate their removal by the kidneys. Cooking without aluminum foil When baking in the oven - use a Pyrex with a lid, or a pot with a lid, the dish will turn out even more successful. For roasted vegetables in the oven, steam them for a few minutes in order to soften them before baking. 5.0 1 Ratings average rating is 5 out of 5, based on 1 votes, Ratings Reviews

Aloe gel has been used for centuries for hair growth and recovery. Here we offer a most powerful lotion that has been proved by both scientific studies and practitioners. hair growth Page Content: Triggers for Hair Loss Vitamin D Caffeine Biotin Lysine Batana Oil Androgenetic Alopecia How to use citrus peels Collagen and Hair Loss Collagen "Foods" for Hair growth Hormones and Endocrine Disorders Home Made Shampoos Aloe Vera Treatment for Hair loss Aloe Vera Recipe For Topical Application Aloe gel extraction for hair growth Triggers for Hair Loss Given the "popularity" of this subject, there are numerous scientific studies that tried to identify the causes behind hair loss. From an intense review of many of these studies we come to the conclusion - that as with many other health issues, lifestyle, diet and exposure to toxins (read more here ) play a major role in triggering the hair loss process. Androgenetic Alopecia (AA) is a pattern hair loss condition that primarily affects the top and front of the scalp. In male-pattern hair loss, the hair loss typically presents itself as either a receding front hairline, loss of hair on the crown and vertex of the scalp, or a combination of both. This condition affects up to 50 percent of males and females and is characterized by progressive loss of terminal hair of the scalp any time after puberty". Male AA - "The cytochrome p450 alpha aromatase enzyme has also been found to contribute to androgenetic alopecia. Aromatase diminishes intra-follicular testosterone by catalyzing the conversion of testosterone to estradiol. Differences exist in the expression of aromatase in balding and non-balding scalp (54 )". There are three dominant contributors that were found to have a significant impact on hair loss, over and above the lifestyle factors : Vitamin D, Caffeine, Biotin, and Lysine. Vitamin D This 2018 review "A broad literature search of PubMed and Google Scholar", about the relationship between vitamins, minerals, and hair loss, brings one "conclusive" element that has a clear impact on hair loss "Several studies showed an association between AA and low vitamin D levels. Correction of vitamin D deficiency improves AA outcome and enhances response to treatment ". Consequentially , our first recommendation is "use daily vitamin D supplement - 5000-10,000 IU capsules" to slow or stop hair loss! Caffeine Caffeine offers several benefits for hair growth: Stimulates hair follicles : Caffeine prolongs the anagen (growth) phase of the hair growth cycle, promoting thicker and longer hair strands[1 ][2 ]. Blocks DHT : Caffeine inhibits the effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that contributes to hair loss. High levels of DHT can slow down or inhibit healthy hair growth, leading to hair thinning or balding. By potentially blocking DHT, caffeine may help prevent hair loss. helping to maintain hair follicle size[2 ][3 ]. Improves blood circulation : It stimulates blood flow to the scalp, ensuring hair follicles receive essential nutrients and oxygen[2 ][4 ]. Enhances hair texture : Caffeine can improve hair texture, making it smoother, less frizzy, and more manageable[1 ]][3 ]. Promotes keratin growth : It stimulates matrix cells to divide quickly, encouraging faster hair growth and increased keratin production[1 ]][2 ]. Increases hair shaft elongation : Studies have shown that caffeine can counteract testosterone-induced growth suppression and stimulate hair shaft elongation[4 ][5 ]. Strengthens hair : Caffeine fortifies hair strands by strengthening the hair shaft, resulting in reduced breakage and split ends[2 ]. Improves hair appearance : It can make hair look fuller, longer, and more lustrous due to its effects on follicles and the scalp[2 ][3 ] Topical application of caffeine is the best way to use coffee for hair growth, rather than ingestion. Here's why: Direct application : Topical use allows caffeine to be applied directly to the scalp and hair follicles, where it can have the most impact on hair growth[6 ][7 ]. Higher concentration : Drinking coffee would require consuming unsafe amounts to achieve the necessary caffeine concentration in hair follicles[6 ]. Targeted effects : Topical application ensures that caffeine reaches the hair follicles without being distributed throughout the body, as it would be when ingested[8 ]. Scientifically supported : Studies have shown that topical caffeine application can stimulate hair growth and counteract the effects of DHT, a hormone linked to hair loss[9 ][10 ]. Caffeine (or coffee) practice for topical application : Use organic caffeine (or coffee) powder. Dilute 99.9% DMSO with distilled water (80% water, 20% DMSO). DMSO enhances penetration, it is known for its excellent skin penetration properties, which can significantly improve the delivery of caffeine to the hair follicles[12 ][13 ]. Alternatively you may use organic coconut oil or hair oil. Using DMSO solution does not require to wash the hair after the lotion dries out. Mix one table spoon of powder with two table spoons of the diluted DMSO (or the oil) and massage it into your scalp[11 ]. Apply every day or two , for sufficient time: Leave the lotion on the scalp for several minutes to allow absorption[6 ]. Using the DMSO carrier solution, it will dry out in about 30 min. Rinse the hair with natural shampoo that most of its ingredients (above 80%) are organic. Triggers for Hair Loss Vitamin D Caffeine Biotin Biotin (D-Biotin), a water-soluble B vitamin, plays a significant role in hair health by supporting keratin production , which is essential for hair strength and growth. It strengthens hair follicles, reduces breakage, and promotes healthier, thicker strands. For individuals with a biotin deficiency, supplementing with biotin can be highly effective in improving hair growth and reducing hair thinning.(Watch this video for more information ) You might also see biotin referred to as coenzyme R, vitamin B7, and vitamin H. It has several different forms, actually. But only D-biotin is totally active in human beings. So, when you see the word “biotin,” it usually means you’re looking at D-biotin. Our body needs it to carry out specific biochemical functions, like: Creation of fatty acids [1 ] Conversion of amino acids to other useful compounds [2 ] The production of glucose from non-carbohydrates to help supply your brain and red blood cells with fuel [3] Just how does biotin generally accomplish its duties? It simply attaches to certain proteins at specific places in a process called biotinylation. Biotinylation is basically a fancy name for a process that’s routinely used to attach biotin to proteins and other large molecules.[4 ] To keep our body functioning, Biotin production in our body is dependent on a bacteria that usually lives in our guts. So how can we increase production of this important vitamin? Well, you’ve got to get your biotin from biotin supplements, or even certain dietary sources, like [5 ] – Leafy greens (ie: kale, spinach, and Swiss chard) egg yolks Avocado Cauliflower Wild-caught fish Mushrooms Liver If the body doesn’t make enough of the biotin, from the foods intake, a supplement is a good addition. Biotin is considered to be a very safe vitamin. Whether you’re using it to support hair growth or fight various health issues, even super huge doses of biotin fail to lead to adverse side effects given that it is water-soluble, making excess amounts simply pass through the body and are eliminated with our urine. Given the above, it may be important to consider biotin supplements, let alone that biotin is very beneficial not just for thinning hair. [6 ] Biotin Lysine Lysine Lysine plays a significant role in promoting hair growth and maintaining healthy hair. This essential amino acid contributes to hair health in several ways: Collagen production : Lysine is crucial for collagen formation, which strengthens hair shafts and promotes hair growth[1 ][2 ]. Collagen provides the foundation for healthy hair growth and contributes to hair elasticity, allowing it to withstand daily styling and manipulation. Iron absorption : Lysine enhances the body's ability to absorb iron, which is vital for transporting oxygen and nutrients to the scalp and hair follicles[1 ]. Improved iron absorption can lead to better hair growth, especially in women who have experienced hair loss related to iron deficiency. Protein synthesis : As an essential amino acid, lysine is a building block of protein, which is crucial for hair structure and growth[1 ]. It stimulates hair production, resulting in fuller and thicker hair. DHT blocking : Lysine may function as a DHT (dihydrotestosterone) blocker[1 ]. Calcium regulation : Lysine aids in calcium absorption and regulation[1 ][2 ]. Proper calcium levels are essential for maintaining strong and healthy hair, as calcium deficiencies can leave hair brittle and prone to damage. Hair root and volume : Lysine is present in the hair's root and is responsible for the shape and volume of the hair[3 ]. A deficiency in lysine can potentially lead to hair loss. To increase lysine level, one can consume lysine-rich foods such as nuts, beans, dairy products, fish, and meat, or consider taking lysine supplements under professional guidance[1 ][4 ] Batana Oil Batana Oil Batana oil, derived from the nuts of the American palm tree (*Elaeis oleifera*), is celebrated for its nourishing properties that benefit hair and scalp health. While it is rich in essential fatty acids, antioxidants like vitamin E, and carotenoids, there is limited scientific evidence to confirm its efficacy in promoting hair growth or reversing hair loss [REF1 ]. The prime benefits of this oil: Moisturization: Batana oil is packed with fatty acids (oleic acid, palmitic acid, linoleic acid, and stearic acid) that deeply hydrate the scalp and hair, improving shine and strength1 [ REF2 ] . Scalp Health: It contains carotenoids (vitamin A precursors) and vitamin E, which support scalp health by regulating sebum production and reducing oxidative stress [REF3 ] . Androgenetic Alopecia How to use citrus peels Male Androgenetic Alopecia - "The cytochrome p450 alpha aromatase enzyme has also been found to contribute to androgenetic alopecia. Aromatase diminishes intra-follicular testosterone by catalyzing the conversion of testosterone to estradiol. Differences exist in the expression of aromatase in balding and non-balding scalp (54 )". In conclusion, using effective aromatase inhibitors could make a big difference as substentiated by this study (and many others): "Aromatase inhibitors effectively delay epiphysial maturation in boys and improve testosterone levels in adult men". As shown in this study (and many others) there is one herbal product that has been proved to be most effective for aromatase reduction - CITRUS PEELS! How to use citrus peels Dr. Berg's short recipe introduction: "In addition to losing weight with Healthy Keto®, reducing insulin, and consuming cruciferous vegetables, you can try a fantastic natural remedy for an enlarged prostate that involves citrus peel". Dr. Berg's recipe: "Add a whole lemon and a glass of water to a blender, and blend it for about 30 seconds. Then, blend again with about five to ten drops of liquid stevia or 1/2 to 1 cup of blueberries. You can have this at any time of day—enjoy!" Our Recipe : When you eat any citrus fruit (organic of course) - save the peels. Cut the peels to small pieces and store them in the freezer. When you accumulate some 10-15 ounces, defrost the peels with a small amount of water, and grind them in the blender for about 15 seconds, to make a fine pulp. Put it in a glass jar and store it in the refrigerator. Add this pulp to any tasty food that you eat, be it sweet or salty, so that you ingest 2 to 3 tablespoons a day. Expect to notice the improvement in a matter of a few weeks. Collagen and Hair Loss This study found "That stem cell aging results from proteolysis (the breakdown of proteins or peptides into amino acids) of type XVII Collagen...in response to DNA damage in HFSCs (Hair Follicle Stem Cells) and the commitment of stem cells to epidermal differentiation... leading to stepwise miniaturization and loss of hair follicles". In simple words, collagen loss contributes to the hair loss process! Collagen and Hair Loss Collagen "Foods" for Hair growth Hormones and Endocrine Disorders Home Made Shampoos Collagen "Foods" for Hair growth "Only marine collagen peptides have been researched as a hair growth stimulant, and these have only been assessed in animals, not humans [3 ]. So if you’re planning to try collagen for hair, it’s a good idea to start with these — but be mindful that they’re not a proven hair growth treatment". Gelatin is very rich collagen source for collagen so you may want to try this source for hair growth, but note the limited scientific proofs for the effectiveness of this hair growth stimulant. This study concludes : "Type I procollagen immunostaining was substantially increased throughout the dermis in both groups", following the supplementation of aloe vera gel for 90 days taken by participants - thirty healthy female subjects over the age of 45 (low-dose: 1,200 mg/d, high-dose: 3,600 mg/d). Again, in simple words, Aloe Vera gel makes a significant "contribution" to body's collagen production! Still, this is NOT a conclusive evidence that aloe vera gel is the right formula for hair growth! The aloe vera recipes we present below represent a summery of practices collected from the web but are not backed by scientific studies that could substantiate their effectiveness . Hormones and Endocrine Disorders Hair growth, cycling, and density can all be affected by endocrine disorders. This article provides a wide array of hormones that affect hair growth among men and women. Without getting into all the confusing details, it concludes "The hair cycle and hair follicle structure are greatly impacted by various hormones. Hair changes are prevalent in endocrine illnesses and might be the first indicator of underlying hidden endocrinopathy". Bottom-line , learn more on this page about practices that could help to avoid endocrine system disruptions. Home Made Shampoos Given the simplicity and effectiveness of the home made shampoo alternatives we prefer to present here our recommended alternatives without getting into the complexities of the chemicals used and their impact on the hair, the scalp and the environment. The natural, home made alternatives can clean and nourish hair without the exposure to chemicals and striping the scalp and hair from their natural oil. Baking soda (also known scientifically as sodium bicarbonate) is known to be an exfoliating ingredient. Scalp and hair pH are slightly acidic, with the pH of the scalp being 5.5 and the hair shaft sitting at about 3.7. Baking soda is alkaline (pH = 8). To restore the scalp and hair acidity, u se 5%, organic, apple cider vinegar (ACV) to balance your scalps pH levels as explained below: Use 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda and mix it with water until it forms a paste. Wet your hair and scalp and apply it to your scalp and down the length of your wet hair. You can let it sit anywhere from one to three minutes and then rinse clean. Mix between 2 and 4 tablespoons of ACV with 16 ounces of cool water. Tip the head back and pour the mixture over the entire scalp, making sure that the mixture will not come in touch with the eyes. M assage your scalp and let it soak in for 1 to 2 minutes before rinsing off thoroughly. Aloe Vera Treatment for Hair loss The web offers numerous aloe vera "based" hair recovery and growth recipes. We have studied many of those recipes, their preparation and dosage, to bring you the ones that are "substantiated" by trustworthy tradition and contemporary testimonials along with scientific studies that verify their effectiveness. We also looked for aloe gel extraction methods that are simple and their preparation does the least of damage to the aloe's beneficial ingredients (and the beneficial ingredients of the other formula components). Some health oriented sites praise aloe vera and Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV). The following citation is for those who are not aware of the ACV benefits to hair growth: "Every hair has its own oil can. Bottle bacilli can clog these tiny openings. Scales and small dry crusts are formed, resulting in itching and dandruff. The oil-starved hairs either fall out or break off, causing hair thinning and baldness. ACV not only kills bottle bacillus but stimulates the oil cans for healthier activity." ( Read more on ACV and its merits in this paper - page 25 .) The recipe preparation instructions preserve the best of its beneficial ingredients, and its preparation is simple and quick. Important notification! Avoid recipes that their preparation recommends to warm the aloe ingredient. Many recipes recommend heating the mixture that includes the aloe with or without other ingredients, such as oil/s in a pan or in a pot. They do not explain why but scientific studies (read more [ REF ], [ REF ]) show that three of the most beneficial ingredients in the aloe plant - Enzymes, "long" Polysaccharides chains ( made up of tho usands of molecule "beads" ) and Vitamins, are rapidly destroyed when heated to temperatures above 140° F (60° C). Bottom line, avoid heating the recipe if you want to preserve the benefits of the aloe ingredients! Back to aloe hair growth testimonials, Indian, Mexican, Brazilian and many other traditions are rich with aloe vera based recipes that were developed over centuries, all promising renewed hair growth in a matter of a few weeks. Same for Youtube and other social media platforms - all are rich with videos, some with more than 30 million views, claiming quick hair growth recovery. Sorry to say, but it takes months, sometimes 6 and sometimes even longer, to see renewed hair growth, but for many - it is going to work! Aloe Vera Treatment for Hair loss Aloe Vera Recipe For Topical Application Aloe Vera Recipe For Topical Application This recipe adds four ingredients to the aloe gel, each of which with scientifically proven properties for hair growth recovery: Lavender essential oil is added following a study on its effect on hair growth with mice, and the recomme ndation of other " experts " for it's use. Epsom salt - food grade (magnesium sulfate) is added for its magnesium and sulfur content replacing onion and its sulfur content and the numerous testimonials for the purple onion and its sulfur content contribution to hair growth. Popularity and numerous testimonials are the reasoning behind our recommendation for the apple cider vinegar. Jojoba oil - "Its properties as a liquid wax allow the dissolution of sebum deposits within hair follicles due to an ability to penetrate the follicles and remove the comedome, thus clearing the skin". DMSO - food grade (99.9% pure) is recommended as penetration enhancer in topical pharmaceutical formulations [ REF ]. Note: Many videos ( this one for example ) that recommend homemade aloe hair growth recipes, refer to the "inner gel" extracted from the fresh aloe leaves (see image below). In the context of our hair growth recipe FOR TOPICAL APPLICATION, we refer to the gel that is scraped from the leaf including the latex layer that contains the aloin! The aloin is not toxic and contains most of the antioxidants found in the aloe leaf. Antioxidants help improve hair growth in several ways: Increase blood circulation to the scalp, ensuring hair follicles receive adequate nutrients. They create an optimal environment for hair follicles by reducing oxidative stress Research has shown that antioxidants in hair products can reduce shedding and increase fullness in people with thinning hair. Quick and simple preparation using a blender to grind the ingredients (with undesired oxidation of some highly beneficial ingredients): Put the ingredients - aloe gel or the slim leaf section, lavender essential oil, DMSO and the optional apple cider vinegar (to provide the aloe some protection against oxidation). Activate the blending. Avoid prolonged and/or high-speed grinding, to minimize enzymes oxidation (read more ). When done, continue by screening the mixture. Pour the mixture from the blender into a small bowl on which you lay a fine Mesh Food Stainless Steel Strainer or a dense mesh fabric like the one shown in the picture below (a chiffon fabric is another good option) and squeeze the "liquid" out into the bowl (see pictures below). Aloe gel extraction for hair growth HAIR GROWTH RECIPE - Aloe with epsom (or onion) , DMSO and "optional" Apple Cider Vinegar and Lavender - our most recommended recipe : Ingredients: Note - a tablespoon (tbsp) is about 15 grams (or ml). If you want to use a digital kitchen scale of some sort, or change the formula "total output", use this conversion weight replacing the tbsp count, and just make sure to keep the recipe ingredients ratios as specified below: 3-4 tbsp of aloe vera gel scraped extract (see " Aloe gel extraction for hair growth" below ), 1 teaspoon of epsom food grade salt, or preferably - onion juice 2 teaspoons of high quality - food grade (99.9% pure) liquid DMSO , 10 drops of jojoba oil 6-8 drops of lavender essential oil (optional), 1 tbsp of organic Apple Cider Vinegar (optional). Aloe gel extraction for hair growth: Cut off the tip of the leaf and remove the thorns by cutting narrow strips from the sides of the section. Cut and separate between the upper and lower sides of the section. Use a serrated kitchen knife to scrape the gel from the skins, laying the skin on the cutting board and scraping from the center of the skin (of the skin's length axis) to one "end" and then to the other. Pour the scraped gel from the cutting board into a small bowel, add the other ingredients of the recipe. Use a low speed mixer to homogenize the mix and when ready, pour into a small jar with a cap, and keep it refrigerated for up to a week. For longer periods, store the blend in your freezer. 5.0 1 Reviews average rating is 5 out of 5, based on 1 votes, Reviews Reviews Application: Before application, massage the areas of the scalp where you want to apply the lotion with a warm wet towel for about 2-4 min. Mixture stored in a jar: Before use, shake well the jar. Split the hair and apply the mixture by pouring a little bit from the jar into a small bowl, wet your fingers in the mixture, and apply to your scalp. To use it as a hair mask, just rub the hair "against" your (mixture) wet scalp. For long hair, divide the hair into sections, and b egin the application at mid-shaft, working toward the ends, and then continue with the application to the scalp as described above. Then wrap a towel around your head. This helps protect the mask from dripping, but it also helps keep your hair from drying out. Warming up the towel may help the mask have even more of a moisturizing effect. Leave the mask on for 30 minutes. You can leave it on for up to an hour for extra conditioning. Repeat this application process twice a week. Application of the mixture in a spray bottle: Before use, shake well the bottle, split the hair to let the spray reach the roots of the hair, and massage the scalp. When done, wrap the hair with a plastic hat or even a plastic wrap like "cling wrap" (for many it's "Saran" wrap) and the like. Wait for 2-4 hours and shampoo the hair (the longer the better, but 30 min. is a minimum). Rinse the mask out of your hair. Note: Some users leave the mask without rinsing for a prolonged period of time. Remove the hat or the cling wrap, rub the hair with a piece of paper or warm wet towel to remove the oil (and the oily look) from the hair, and let the mask "do its job". Repeat this application process twice a week. For a video, watch: "The Indian secret, 🌿 to grow hair at a rocket speed and treat baldness from the first week " . Pour the liquid into a small spray bottle, and keep it refrigerated or freeze some of it, depending on the amount of liquid that is used for each treatment. Use the freezer to avoid more than a week's time refrigerated storage. Spray Bottle Small Bowl

Eye tension is the prime contributor to eye sight deterioration. The proposed practices contribute to eye relaxation and improved eye sight. Eye Strain Page Content: The Problem How Do Eye Exercises Improve Your Vision? Eye Relaxation Practice - Palming Focus change Blinking Breathing Adjust your reading practices Expected results Eye Relaxation Practice - Palming The Problem How Do Eye Exercises Improve Your Vision? Related Linked Pages: Glasses, Contact Lenses, LASIK Cataract and Eye Floaters Dry Eyes Glaucoma and Macular Degeneration Lazy Eye Back To Eyes The Problem: You have muscles in your eyes just like in the rest of your body. When your eye muscles become "harder" and do not relax as needed for distance vision due to overuse, you cannot see as clearly. The problem is that when people work with digital devices , they do not blink as much. Consequently, this leads to eye strain and poor vision If you exercise your eyes on a regular basis, you can keep your eyes strong and healthy. It has been known for years that prolonged eye tension (over months and months) cause eyesight deterioration . Eye tension could be a contributing factor to other eye malfunctions such as shortsightedness, lazy eye and accelerated "aging" of the eyes with its accompanied damages such as macular degeneration, cataracts and other illnesses. There are many daily activities that trigger eye tension , but the most "common" is reading. Reading is a strenuous exercise for our eyes. We are so fascinated by the abundant information from the pages and computers to our minds that we forget that our eyes are working hard. Biologically our eyes are designed to move flexibly from a near-distant focus, but our reading habits are harmful and incorrect and detrimental to eye health. Symptoms : Sore, tired, burning or itching eyes. Watery or dry eyes. Blurred or double vision. Headache. Sore neck, shoulders or back. Increased sensitivity to light. Difficulty concentrating. Feeling that you cannot keep your eyes open. How Do Eye Exercises Improve Your Vision? Studies show that our modern use of technology causes eye strain. Most of us use a computer, smartphone, or watch a lot of TV. As a result, more and more people are having vision problems, "compensated" by wearing contact lenses and glasses. It is well documented and known, that our eyesight will continue to deteriorate with these "artificial" eyesight correction "tools". But you don’t have to suffer further vision loss. Use the eye exercises listed below to create healthier eye muscles and reduce eye strain. Exercising your eyes is just like exercising your arms and legs. Your muscles will get stronger, you’ll have more stamina, and you’ll be less likely to develop further vision impairment due to eye strain. Palming Relaxation Practice The technique of palming to rest the eyes from all light stimulation was an integral part of Dr. Bates' approach. He concluded from his study and treatment of thousands of eyes that tight muscles actually contort the eyes and restrict circulation. 3.7 3 Reviews average rating is 3.7 out of 5, based on 3 votes, Reviews Reviews Focus change Blinking Breathing Dr. Bates found that palming helps those muscles relax and let go. Palming just a few minutes in the morning, at night, or while at work can be very restful. Many people report clearer vision and a reduction of symptoms such as headaches and dry eyes with regular palming. The palming technique has been used successfully for years. It's one of the most relaxing things you can do for your eyes. How to Apply : Rest your elbows comfortably on a table or desk. Cover your eyes with your cupped palms as shown. Add a pillow under your elbows if more height is needed to keep your back relaxed and straight. Breathe deeply while you palm for a few minutes. Repetitions Do it many time a day for a few minutes (3 -5) each time. It turns out that "palming" is one of the most relaxing things you can do for your eyes. And relaxation is a cornerstone of improving your vision naturally. Palming just a few minutes in the morning, at night, or while at work can be very restful. Many people report clearer vision and a reduction of symptoms such as headaches and dry eyes with regular palming Focus Change: Change your focus from near objects to far objects & blink as explained below. Look to the distance and try to discern small objects in the distance, but not for long, "hop" from object to object. If long distance is not an option, change your focus to something 15 to 20 feet away for three to five seconds. As you change your focus, be sure to breathe deeply and blink. Blinking: Here’s how to perform the blinking exercise: Generally speaking, you have to blink 25 times every minute! Blink every four seconds Once you’ve completed this exercise, you will find that your eyes feel less tired and strained. Breathing: There is a close connection between breathing and eye condition and vision. Inhalation and exhalation create movement in our chest and in our back vertebrae. Vertebrae C1, C2 are responsible for eye function and are located inside the skull. There are different breathing patterns, many of us breathe shallow breaths. This practice intends to break this "breathing pattern". While you take the break, breathe and slowly fill your stomach with air and then your chest. Notice that you are breathing into your abdomen as the entire lower back moves, Straighten up and let the aspiration stretch your entire spine. Imagine as you inhale the movement from the tailbone along the entire spine and into the skull. Repetitions: Every 20 min of close-up look, take a short break of 30 seconds. If your average close-up look is 7 hours a day, it translates to 7 min of your time! Did you know that something as easy as blinking can help you see better? This is because blinking helps your eyes stay moist, allowing you to focus longer. Please note: Each time you shut your eyes, the Meibomian glands produce moisture to cleanse your eyes. Blinking helps your eyes feel refreshed ready to focus again. Because of these factors, this exercise helps. Adjust Your Reading Practices Adjust Y our Reading Practices Reading is strenuous exercise for our eyes. We are so fascinated by the abundant information from the pages and computers to our minds that we forget that our eyes are working hard. 3.0 2 Reviews average rating is 3 out of 5, based on 2 votes, Reviews Reviews Biologically our eyes are designed to move flexibly from a near-distant focus, but our reading habits are harmful and incorrect and detrimental to eye health. The recommendations for proper reading will help for considerable eye strain reduction. How to apply: Read in a light that is not too weak or too strong. Never read in a light that is uncomfortable to your eyes. Occasionally look up from the scripture and look at a remote area of the room. While reading or doing computer work, pay attention to your entire field of vision. Note that the shoulders are not held up or are rounded forward. Remember to take deep breaths from time to time. There is a tendency to hold your breath while reading, as with many other activities that require concentration. Sit upright and comfortably when the neck is not bent. Note that the room is ventilated so that the eyes remain moist in an over-air-conditioned room. Be sure to move from time to time to create better blood flow to the body organs and thus more oxygen will reach the eyes. Take a short break from reading, every twenty minutes. Repetitions : It is advisable to adopt the above prescribed practice whenever you read, or work looking at your electronic devices screens Expected Results: Although many people believe their eyes will naturally get worse, the truth is - they don’t have to. You have muscles in your eyes just like in the rest of your body. When your eye muscles become "harder" and do not relax as needed for distance vision due to overuse, you cannot see as clearly. The problem is that when people work with digital devices , they do not blink as much. Consequently, this leads to eye strain and poor vision If you exercise your eyes on a regular basis, you can keep your eyes strong and healthy. Many people find that they can keep their vision strong longer than those who do not exercise their eyes regularly. We’ve found five amazing simple exercises to improve your vision! Expected Results

MELATONIN Background Melatonin is known as the sleeping hormone. Still, melatonin has a most significant role in the mitochondria ATP production! Melatonin protects mitochondria by scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS), inhibiting the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP), and activating uncoupling proteins (UCPs). Thus, melatonin maintains the optimal mitochondrial membrane potential and preserves mitochondrial functions. Furthermore, "in addition to pinealocytes (the main cells contained in the pineal gland) almost all organs, tissues and cells have the capacity to synthesize melatonin [28 ,98 ]". Producing Melatonin Mitochondria Page Content: Background Producing Melatonin Plants Rich with Melatonin Melatonin usually serves as a chemical expression of darkness since light exposure suppresses its synthesis. The low level of melatonin is associated with a spectrum of disorders since melatonin is a potent endogenous antioxidant; therefore, individuals should avoid visible light exposure at night. However, evidence also shows that near infrared radiation (NIR), which occupies a major portion of the wavelengths of sunlight, promotes melatonin production and the beneficial effects of sun baths or photobiomodulation therapy may be, at least, partially mediated by the increased local melatonin production induced by NIR. Unlike visible light, NIR can penetrate deep into the human body including the muscle, brain, and even the bones, and its effects on human biology remain to be clarified. Thus, the avoidance of light at night and exposure to sun during the day are equally important to improve melatonin production and human well-being. Plants Rich with Melatonin Pistachios are the highest melatonin-containing food that you can find (Video min. 1:24 ), (660 nanograms melatonin per gram of pistachio ) Mushrooms are not far behind with - 100–400 nanograms per gram . of melatonin content, Olive oil and a few other plants are far behind by a factor of 1000 less melatonin content - 71 and 119 picogram/mL, (1 pg = 10⁻¹² grams) Backgroud Producing Melatonin Plants Richwith Melatonin

Rice and Arsenic Page Content: Background How Does Arsenic Get to Rice? Arsenic Contamination in Rice Reducing Arsenic in Rice Watch Other Rice Based Foods Summary, conclusions and recommendations Related Linked Pages: Lectin, Gluten, Phytic Acid, Emulsifiers Glyphosate Back to Prevention Back to Risky Foods... Background Background To answer the question we have to start with arsenic, the toxin element that rice is prone to contain! Arsenic is a heavy metal, very toxic to the human body. There are two types of arsenic: organic arsenic - Arsenic associated with carbon, is mainly assimilated in plants and animals. Inorganic arsenic - found in rocks, in the soil in certain areas, and in some “regions” of the globe - dissolved in water and in drinking water. This is the more dangerous arsenic that causes most of the health damage. It has been known for several years that rice has a tendency to absorb and concentrate arsenic. The main dietary sources through which we may be exposed to arsenic: Contaminated drinking water - in certain areas of the world (mainly South America and Asia) Drinking water is contaminated with non-organic arsenic, which is the most dangerous. Food from the sea - fish and seafood contain significant amounts of arsenic, but it is mostly organic arsenic which is much less toxic. There are some exceptions like oysters and specific types of algae that concentrate inorganic arsenic. Chicken meat - the poultry industry uses growth catalysts and drugs containing non-organic arsenic. The authorities in most countries of the world allow the use of these drugs. Therefore, even conventional poultry could be a significant source of non-organic arsenic. Rice and rice products - it turns out that of all the land crops, rice has a tendency to absorb arsenic from the soil and drinking water, much more than any other crop, most of it non-organic arsenic, which is more dangerous. Wheat, quinoa, buckwheat and all types of vegetables that will grow in the same soil, will not concentrate large amounts of arsenic like the rice. How Does Arsenic Get to Rice? Arsenic Contamination in Rice The degree of contamination of arsenic in rice depends on the area where the rice is grown (whether the soil contains a little or a lot of arsenic) and the water used (water contaminated with arsenic or not). This 2008 study found a “global “normal” range of 0.08−0.20 mg per kg. At the higher range, this result is equivalent to 200 micrograms of arsenic in 1 kg of Rice. (1 milligram = 1000 micrograms). Suppose we ate only 100 grams of rice. (100 grams of dry rice will weigh close to 300 grams after cooking. 300 grams of cooked rice is about 2 cups of rice - a reasonable and average portion. Vegetarians who do not eat a portion of meat or another main dish at a meal, often eating more than that at a meal.) If 1 kg of rice contains 200 micrograms of arsenic, then in a portion of rice prepared from 100 grams of dry rice, there are 20 micrograms of arsenic. Let's say a 6-year-old child, weighing 20 kg, ate this portion for lunch (2 cups of cooked rice), he received 3 times the maximum allowed daily amount of arsenic, above which it was found that there is an increase in the risk of malignant diseases. (For those interested, here is the calculation - a child weighing 20 kg, multiplied by 0.3, which is the level from which it is found in studies that there is an increase in risk, gives 6 micrograms of arsenic. In a portion of 100 grams of rice, as we saw in the example, there are 20 micrograms of arsenic, that is, 3 times the level that he is allowed to be exposed to in a day). If a girl or a woman weighing 50 kg, ate this portion of cooked rice (prepared from 100 grams of dry rice), then in that portion of rice she received 1.5 times the "safe" daily amount of arsenic and if a man weighing 70 kg, ate 100 grams of rice, he received from that portion the “allowed” arsenic daily amount. We put "safe" in quotation marks because the review by the European Food Safety Authority examined only the exposure from which there is an increase in the risk of malignant diseases. It is certainly possible that even at lower doses of arsenic there is an increase in the risk of heart disease, diabetes or damage to the fetus. We do not have reliable and accurate information on this subject. How Does Arsenic Get into Rice? Today, the land and water in large parts of the earth are contaminated with large amounts of non-organic arsenic due to human activity. The main sources that pollute the earth with arsenic are the use of pesticides (some of which contain arsenic), chemical fertilizers for agriculture , preservatives for the wood industry (some of which contain arsenic), industrial waste, mining activity, electricity generation using coal (this is also the main source of mercury in the atmosphere today and in our water sources) and refineries. Why exactly does rice accumulate arsenic? Rice is the most problematic of all because rice is grown by flooding the rice fields with very large amounts of water. No other crop is grown using such large amounts of water. If this water contains arsenic, the rice will be exposed to arsenic far more than any other crop from the water itself, and the soil that nourishes it. Note that exposure to arsenic in food does not cause any symptoms or immediate medical problems. Even occasional random exposure to food containing a large amount of arsenic will not cause any harm. The problem is chronic exposure with high frequency for many years (and we eat quite a lot of rice and rice products...). The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA ) published a comprehensive review on the toxic effects of exposure to arsenic in food and summarized all the scientific data known to science up to that moment. After analyzing many dozens of studies , the researchers write that even with an exposure of 0.3 micrograms of arsenic per kilogram of body weight per day, there is an increase in the risk of skin cancer, lung cancer and bladder cancer. Already from this figure, you understand that children are in the greatest risk group, due to their low body weight. We note that the standard of the World Health Organization (WHO) allows exposure of up to 2.1 micrograms of arsenic per kg of body weight per day. But this is an old standard. After the comprehensive review of the European Food Safety Authority from 2009, the standard that is correct to refer to is the findings of this comprehensive review (exposure of more than 0.3 micrograms of arsenic per kg of body weight already increases the risk). WHO (World Health Organization) concludes that “Long-term exposure to arsenic from drinking-water and food can cause cancer and skin lesions. It has also been associated with cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Early childhood exposure has been linked to negative impacts on cognitive development and increased deaths in young adults.7 Dec 2022” Arsenic Contamination in Rice Reducing Arsenic in Rice Use tested for arsenic rice - Read more Choice of rice variety. From reading studies on the subject done in different countries, it became clear to us that the aromatic rice varieties ( such as basmati rice and jasmine rice ) have a reduced tendency to concentrate Arsen. A lot of water. According to studies, thoroughly washing the rice before cooking can remove 10-28% of the amount of arsenic in the rice (some of the arsenic is from rice grains that have been crushed or were broken and scattered as powder on the rest of the rice grains. Thorough washing will remove this powder and significantly reduce the amount of arsenic. [REF , REF ] This study found that washing rice reduced the amount of arsenic only in basmati rice and not in other rice varieties, so here is another reason why basmati rice should be preferred [REF ]. Not only does it contain lower levels of arsenic to begin with, its washing is also more beneficial than washing other rice varieties. Cooking the rice in a large amount of water can also significantly reduce the amount of arsenic in the rice. It is advisable to cook the rice in water that has undergone quality filtration, such as reverse osmosis. The usual cooking method for rice is 2 - 2.5 cups of water for each cup of rice. The correct and healthy way to cook rice is with a much larger amount of water. About 6 cups of water for every cup of rice and at the end of cooking, pour the remaining water. The studies found that this cooking method can remove together with washing the rice about 57% of the amount of arsenic! [REF ] About half of the amount of arsenic would come out with the water left in the pot and spilled at the end of cooking. The following study found that normal cooking with a ratio of 2 cups of water per cup of rice did not reduce the arsenic level while cooking with a ratio of 6 cups of water reduced the arsenic level by 35-45%! [REF ] This means that while cooking at a temperature of 100 degrees, the rice also knows how to emit arsenic into the water! (but only if there is a lot of water). Of Course cooking in water contaminated with arsenic increases the amount of arsenic in the rice portion. According to the studies, the rice also knows how to absorb arsenic from the water, while cooking! [REF ] That is why it is critical to cook with high-quality filtered water. Watch Other Rice Based Foods Nowadays, we are exposed to rice not only when we eat a portion of cooked rice. Below is a list of other foods that contain rice and of which you should be careful: rice crispies and rice snacks for babies Rice breakfast cereal - rice based syrup - used to sweeten as a substitute for fructose-rich thyroid syrup or other sweeteners. May be found in any industrial product [52] Rice flour (as a product by itself or as an ingredient in products, and in gluten-free pastries) Rice noodles, rice papers for rolling a rice drink (milk substitute) Summary, conclusions and recommendations The diversity of the diet - for people who usually eat a lot of rice, it is definitely worth diversifying their diet and instead of rice, also eat buckwheat, quinoa, amaranth, millet and more. A varied diet will ensure not only the reduction of exposure to one or another poison, but also the supply of a variety of essential substances for health. The type of rice - learn what variety of rice among the rice varieties available to you, is the variety that absorbs the least arsenic. Basmati rice looks like a good start, with the advantage that its glycemic value (the rate of increase in blood sugar after eating any food) is low compared to jasmine rice or other varieties of rice. Washing - be sure to wash the rice well before cooking it with plenty of water. Cook the rice with a lot of water. About 6 cups of water for every cup of rice. This method will significantly reduce the amount of arsenic in your rice. The familiar cooking method - two cups of water for every cup of rice does not reduce the amount of arsenic in the rice! Regarding whole or white rice - we must tell the truth. At least with regard to the basmati rice, which is the cleanest variety, whole rice contains tens of percents higher arsenic level above white rice. We recommend avoiding eating rice crispies. Many people eat rice crispies on a daily basis, as a substitute for bread. The studies show as mentioned that rice is polluting and eating rice products should be avoided on a daily basis. In particular, whole rice crackers should be avoided. Avoid giving babies products based on rice. Prefer buckwheat porridge, homemade almond milk, etc. Avoid rice milk. Prefer to prepare homemade almond milk, or at least soy milk (organic, non-genetically modified and without added sugar). 5.0 1 Ratings average rating is 5 out of 5, based on 1 votes, Ratings Reviews Watch Other Rice Based Foods Reducing Arsenic in Rice Summary, conclusions and recommendations