Amino acids and natural hair growth

“You are what you eat” especially when it comes to being physically healthy.
Amino acids, which are essential organic compounds, are the building blocks of proteins. Proteins provide the structure for all living things. Every living organism from the largest animal to the tiniest microbe is composed of protein. It makes up the greatest portion of our body weight, next to water. It makes up the hair, nails, muscles, tendons, glands, ligaments and many vital body fluids. Each protein in the body is tailored for a specific need; they are not interchangeable.
Proteins that make up human body are not obtained directly from the diet. The liver produces about 80% of amino acids and 20% are obtained from diet. The ones obtained from the diet are the essential amino acids while the ones manufactured by the body are non-essential.
Sulphur containing amino acids like cysteine and methionine create the connective tissues found in hair, skin and nails and are of paramount importance when it comes to increasing the speed of hair growth. They are essential amino acids and we need to consume them by eating the right food because our body doesn’t synthesize them. Best food source of methionine and cysteine includes Eggs, Fish, Chicken, Brazil nuts, Sunflower seeds, Cheese, Oat, Peanut, Almond, Corn, Wheat germ, Beans etc. Brazil nuts contain larger amounts of sulphur and should be consumed in a balanced fashion, don’t overdo. Onions and garlic are also rich in sulphur. You can squeeze out it juice and apply on your scalp carefully, leave it for 15minutes and finally rinse off with mild shampoo. The key is to ingest them daily so that your body gets used to having a steady supply of these amino acids.
Having a consist level of methionine and cysteine in your body is what we increase the rate of hair and nail growth and skin rejuvenation. Loss of methionine has been linked to graying of hair; it leads to buildup of hydrogen peroxide in hair follicles and a gradual loss of hair color.
When you make a lifestyle change to include amino acids in your diet, expect your hair to gradually grow faster, it won’t be overnight. In a month, you should definitely see the difference, especially if you are eating one of these foods daily. Keep it up and the result might really surprise you.

World Hypertension Day: know your number

World Hypertension Day is a day designated and initiated by The World Hypertension League (WHL). The day was initiated to increase the awareness of hypertension which is very important because of the lack of knowledge among hypertensive patients. Since 2006, the WHL has been dedicating May 17 of every year as World Hypertension Day. This year’s theme is ‘know your number’.
Everybody has blood pressure but not all has hypertension. Blood pressure depends on several factors: the output from the heart, the resistance to blood flow of the blood vessels, blood volume and blood distribution to the various organs. Pressure is abnormally high in people who suffer from hypertension.
What then is hypertension?
Hypertension also known as the silent killer is a medical condition that often remains undiagnosed until relatively late in the course. It can be explained as blood pressure exceeding 140/90mmHg. Sphygmomanometer is used to diagnose blood pressure. Blood pressure is expressed  by two measurements, the systolic pressure which is the pressure exerted by the blood when heart beats, forcing blood into the blood vessels  when the blood pressure is at its highest and the diastolic pressure, which is recorded when the heart is at rest in between peaks, when the blood pressure is at the lowest.
The condition is often associated with coronary heart disease, diabetes, kidney disorders, obesity, hyperthyroidism, arteriosclerosis and adrenal tumors. Men tend to develop hypertension more often than women, but the risk of women rises after menopause and soon approaches that of men. Women’s risk of high blood pressure also increases if she is pregnant or takes oral contraceptives.
Symptoms of hypertension include headache, blurred vision, sweating, shortness of breath, dizziness, rapid pulse, fatigue and sleeplessness, nausea.
Lifestyle changes and medication can lower blood pressure and decrease the risk of health complications.  Lifestyle changes include:
1. Weight reduction- maintain normal body weight (BMI 18.5-24.9kg/m2).
2. Adopt DASH eating plan- consume a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low fat dietary products. (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension).
3. Physical activity- engage in regular aerobic physical activity such as brisk walking and jogging.
4. Dietary sodium reduction- reduce dietary sodium intake to no more than 100mmol/day (2.4g sodium or 6g sodium chloride).
5. Moderation of alcohol consumption- limit consumption to no more than 2 drinks per day or stop the intake of alcohol.
If lifestyle changes are not sufficient, blood pressure medications are used. Several classes of medications, collectively known as antihypertensive medication are available for treating hypertension. Nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, garlic, selenium, essential fatty acids (flaxseed oil, primrose oil, and blackcurrant seed oil), coenzymes Q10, vitamin C and vitamin E can help to improve heart function and lower blood pressure. Herbs like capsicum, chamomile, fennel hawthorn berries, rosemary, hops and valerian are also useful in calming the nerves. Ephedra and licorice can elevate blood pressure, avoid them.
Recommendations
1. Follow a strict salt-free diet.
2. Keep your weight down.
3. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
4. Detoxify your body.
5. Get sufficient sleep.
6. Eat a high fiber diet and take supplemental diet.
7. Avoid stress as much as possible.
8. Drink steam-distilled water only.
9. Avoid all animal fats.
10. Have your blood pressure checked regularly.
Today is World Hypertension Day; know your number by visiting the nearest pharmacy store close to you. It is free!

Milk of Magnesia: Beyond a Laxative

Milk of magnesia is the trade name for the drug ‘Magnesium hydroxide’. It is used to improve digestive problems and fight stomach acid but it is also worth knowing that it can be applied externally too. So what does a proven laxative have to do with blemished skin? Well, it calms and relaxes the skin much as it calms and relaxes troubled intestines. It is a product that is appreciated in beauty due to its properties, which are great for improving skin appearance and treating certain skin conditions. Come on! Let’s see what other things milk of magnesia do aside being a laxative.
1. It is greatly used to fight greasy skin and its oily appearance by regulating excess sebum. It absorbs oil and shrinks pores. Hence, it is used as a face primer. Apply 2 drops of milk of magnesia onto a cotton pad and wipe it over your face. Always do it on clean skin.
2. It is an effective solution for treating skin with dermatitis because in mild cases it can minimize some of the main symptoms such as redness, itching and irritation. Apply twice a day for relief.
3. It is also effective for treating acne skin because it prevents outbreaks of pimples and pores becoming so easily clogged with external pollution. It also promotes skin cleansing by removing all the dirt and accumulated oil. Dabbing some milk of magnesia directly on an active pimple, leaving it overnight will dry out the zit before it can grow larger.
4. It helps to soothe the burning sensation in the dermis when it is burned due to excessive sun exposure.
5. To alleviate some conditions such as cold sores affecting your lips and also act as natural deodorant, combating excessive sweating and body odor.
6. It has alkaline nature that naturally draws oil away from the surface of the skin. It also has antibacterial qualities that help to kill bacterial on the skin.
But note that it is not suitable for very dry skin as it make it tight and make it even drier. It is essential to apply in small quantities. Do a small test on your hand before using it to check for possible allergic reactions. There are some treatments that are not exactly meant for acne but work well. Milk of magnesia is one such acne cure.                                                

Unfading beauty

There is a beauty that God is looking for in us. It attracts God to anyone that has it. It is the inner beauty of the hidden person of the heart, the ageless beauty of a meek, gentle and quiet spirit. It is the beauty from within, it is incorruptible, not subjected to decay, and it endures forever. This is the unfading beauty. Unfading beauty is of a great price and it is precious in Gods sight.
Somehow, women are generally concerned about their outward look. The desire to look attractive drives many into paying attention to their hairdo, kind of clothes and shoes to put on and jewels to put on. Covetousness has become a stronghold in many lives as they desire to dress as queens. Whereas the wearing of nice dresses, braiding the hair neatly and wearing of gold are not out rightly forbidden by God but a Christian beauty must not be made to depend on these.
Physical beauty can attract the natural man but not God. Beauty in the sight of God is that of the inner man which are the ornaments of meek, gentle and quiet spirit. These are precious much more than gold or silver in God’s sight.
To be meek means to be lowly, gentle and submissive. A gentle woman is humble, submissive and doesn’t struggle for anything even if she is right. She leaves all things in the hands of God, trusting God to defend her. Anyone who manifests a gentle spirit attracts God’s presence and attention. Press on for this inner jewel if you want to make yourself beautiful.
Quietness is another ornament of inner beauty God wants us to cultivate. To be quiet means to be peaceful and unperturbed no matter the situation. It is deeper than being silent. Silence is external and quietness is internal, though it may manifest externally by silence. A quiet woman is a woman that is healthy within and without. She is calm and free from all fears even if she is passing through some difficulties. She is free from moral conflicts. She may not look so beautiful in appearance but beautiful within because of what she possess within. Make it a lifestyle not to worry about anything but pray about everything.
Another ornament of inner beauty is holy life. Holiness is an external manifestation of an inner purity and loyalty to God. It is not ordinarily external. It has its root in the heart. Holy character and service will be produced by a life that is loyal to God. It is not a matter of holy dressing or speaking holy, it is being holy at heart. There is beauty in holiness. It is a life that makes the holy God to make himself manifest. Spend your time and resources to cultivate this.
Friend, have you discovered this unfading jewel yet? Or are you still busy running after the jewel of gold and silver? Gold and silver are good. They are God’s handiwork but they are perishables and are of no eternal value as far as attracting God is concerned. If you must invest your time, energy and resources, invest it first on the inner man, beautify the inner man which is of great price in God’s sight.
“Favor is deceitful. Beauty is vain, but a woman that feareth God shall be praised”.

Earphones and ear health

Technology is improving day by day, but the advancement is leaving many of us trapped in the comforts, imposing multiple side effects on our health. One of such technology affecting our health indirectly is the use of earphones. If you listed the benefits of earphones, you could go on and on. You can use them to listen to music while doing chores, working or even waiting for an impossibly long bus ride to be over. You can as well connect it with your television or computer.
However, no matter how beneficial earphones may seem, they still have their downside of which many people who use them have no knowledge of the kind of health issues they could cause. People using earphones are actually placing their hearing at peril.
The risks of using earphones
1. Hearing complications or hearing loss - One of the main side effects of listening to loud music is hearing loss. While using earphones, the sound reaches the ears directly. This sound should not exceed 90 decibels.  Any volume above this threshold impacts hearing. Ideally, one should not use earphones continuously for more than 15 minutes. There is a threat of hearing loss beyond this point. So if at all you have to use earphones, then make sure that you are giving some rest to the ears in between.
2. Severe pain in the ears - Those who use earphones regularly tend to visit the doctor with a complaint of severe ear pain. You will feel some strange and different sounds buzzing in your ears. You also feel numbness in your ears.
3. Ear infections - It is very common to share your earphones with others, since earphones are made for two ears, but is this practice really safe? No, sharing earphones with others is definitely not safe as the bacteria from other’s ears travel to your ears and cause infections. I advise everyone to avoid sharing earphones. If it cannot be helped, sanitize them before using.
4. Side effects on brain - Earphones produce electromagnetic waves, proven to be dangerous for the human brain. Those who use earphones, Bluetooth and headphones on a daily basis are prone to problems related to brain.
5. Blockage of air passage - There are many companies which manufacture earphones, making sure that the quality of the audio is clear and convenient for those who are using them. In order to get the best out of the earphones you will have to insert these earphones directly in the ear canals and this will result in blockage of air passage. This further result in ear infections, ear wax and finally even loss of hearing.
The key to keeping your ear healthy is knowing how much loud sound you are exposed to.  A “noise diet” can protect your ear from future problems.