THE MIRACLE SUPPLEMNT: METHYLSULFONYLMETHANE (MSM)

Methylsulfonylmethane, commonly called MSM is an organic Sulfur compound found in green plants, animals, and humans. It can also be made in a laboratory. Biologically active sulfur is one of the most critical nutrients for our bodies to remain youthful and energetic.  As we age, along with a diet deficient in essential nutrients, our bodies become stiff, our cells become rigid, and our overall energy begins to rapidly decelerate. Sulfur is present in many natural unprocessed foods, but it’s quickly lost during the cooking process. 

How does MSM work? MSM supplements supply the body with extra sulfur for creating methionine, which helps in important bodily processes like making other chemicals, forming connective tissue, synthesizing/metabolizing foods and absorbing nutrients to be used for energy.

MSM is gaining a lot of attention due to the recent focus on longevity and anti-aging technologies.  Here’s a list of the impressive benefits that MSM delivers:

1.      It is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent due to its ability to allow metabolic wastes to be removed from the cells. It is because Sulfur needs to be present in order for these toxins and wastes to be removed. Excess weight on the body is inflammation. MSM supplements are also beneficial for helping the body form new joint and muscle tissue while lowering inflammatory responses that contribute to swelling and stiffness. MSM helps repair the rigid fibrous tissue cells in our muscles that become broken down during exercise, therefore helping prevent them from swelling for prolong periods of time.

2.      MSM is highly effective in improving joint flexibility. Research suggests that MSM can act like a natural analgesic, help prevent and treat muscles ache and pains, throbbing and swelling while improving range of motion and mobility.  It’s been shown to help muscle recovery after exercise, injuries and even surgeries.

3.      MSM helps to improve skin health and restore hair growth. MSM has been shown to help boost both collagen and keratin levels, two nutrients we absolutely need to form new hair strands and also rebuild strong nails and skin cells. Sagging skin and wrinkles, as well as dry, cracked skin are all developed through a loss of collagen. MSM works together with Vitamin C to build new, healthy tissues. It’s also highly noted to contribute to exceptional strength and thickness of the hair and nails, which can be noticed in just a couple weeks of consistent use. 

4.      It naturally increases energy. Due to the increased permeability of the cells, less energy is required to deal with the accumulation of toxins. Digestion is the biggest energy requirement of the body (Approximately 70-80% of your energy is spent on digestion each day). MSM increases the absorption of nutrients so that the energy expenditure on digestion is vastly reduced. 

5.      It helps body adapts to stress. Taking MSM before exercising, such as running, seems to reduce muscle damage and other markers of stress. It can also reduce fatigue felt after stressful events and support an upbeat mood, energy levels and normal digestion. 

6.      It helps detoxify the body. One of the most important features of MSM is that it makes your cells more permeable. i.e. it allows toxins and metabolic waste products to easily be moved out of the cells, while essential nutrients and hydration can be moved in.

Also importantly, MSM’s sulfur plays an important role in the production of glutathione, considered to be a “master antioxidant” and an important agent for detoxification.

How much MSM do you need? The FDA doesn’t recognize a recommended dietary allowance for an MSM supplement because there’s no proven symptoms of sulfur deficiency described in medical literature as of now. Therefore, the dosage you’ll want to take depends on what you’re using MSM for and your current state of health. MSM supplement is available in powder form, cream form and capsule/tablet form.

GET RID OF THAT AGE SPOTS!

Age spots are also known as liver spots, sun spots or senile lentigo. They are flat, brown or dark spots on the skin and usually occur on sun-exposed areas of the skin. They have the same texture as the rest of your skin and are painless. It happens as a result of build-up wastes known as lipofuscin accumulation, a by-product of free radical damage in skin cells. Exposure to the sun causes the development of free radicals that damage the skin. People of any age and sex can develop age spots irrespective of the race. However, they are more common in people who have fair skin, history of frequent sun exposure and being older than 40 years old.

Treatment isn’t necessary because they don’t cause any health problems. However, people want to remove it because they don’t like the way they look. There are several medical procedures that can treat age spots but each carries a risk of side effects and complications. They include, laser treatment to destroy the cells that produce melanin, cryosurgery (freezes age spots with liquid nitrogen) and chemical peels to burn the outer layer of your skin allowing new skin to grow in its place. If you want to use over the counter cream, choose one that contain glycolic acid, kojic acid, deoxyarbutin, alpha hydroxyl acid. Cosmetics don’t remove age spots but rather cover them up.

Nutrients like Antioxidants (e.g. vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, zinc etc.) to protect against free radical damage, Lactobacillus (aids in liver regeneration and digestion), Tretinoin (retin A) which speeds up sloughing off of top layers of skin and also removes fine wrinkles can be used for age spots.

Herbs like burdock, milk thistle and red clover aid in cleansing the blood stream. Ginseng and liquorice are also beneficial but is not used to be used for hypertensive patients.

Lemon juice, Apple cider vinegar, Onions, Castor oil, Aloe Vera juice, Olive oil, Papaya, Orange juice, Buttermilk and tomato, Watermelon, Cumin seed, Yogurt mask, Cucumber juice, Garlic, Dandelion and Rose water can all be used as home remedies for age spots as most are powerful source of antioxidants.

You can’t always prevent age spots but you can reduce your chances of getting them by avoiding the sun between 10a.m and 3p.m when the sun rays are most intense, wear a sunscreen every day, apply sunscreen at least 30minutes before sun exposure and wear protective clothing such as hats, long-sleeved shirt, eat a diet high in protein, veggies and fruits, avoid caffeine, tobacco, fat foods and processed foods, cleanse the liver and get rid of toxins from the body etc.

Note: On rare occasions, age spots can make skin cancer more difficult to diagnose. The appearance of age spots can cause emotional distress in some people.

HEALTHY NUTS (1): ALMONDS

Almond nut is the seed of almond fruit. Almonds are off-white in color, covered by a thin brownish skin and encased in a hard shell. They are classified into 2 categories: sweet almonds and bitter almonds. Sweet almonds are edible, usually malleable in texture and wonderfully buttery in taste. Bitter almonds are used to make almond oil; they are inedible as they naturally contain toxic substances such as hydrocyanic acid which are removed in the manufacturing of almond oil.

Almond is often eaten on its own raw or toasted, available in many forms such as whole, flaked or flour. It can also be made into almond milk (can be taken by people with lactulose intolerance as it is not a diary milk), almond oil (used in cosmetics and also for cooking) and almond butter (can be spread on bread instead of margarine)

According to the US Food and Drug Administration reference values for nutrition labelling; in 23g of raw almonds: there is 14.72mcg Biotin, 6.03mg Vitamin E, 0.53g Manganese, 0.23mg Copper and Vitamin B2, 111.32mg Potassium, 61.64mg Magnesium, 2.81g Fiber, 4.88g Protein, 4.98g Carbohydrate, 11.37g Total fat, 0.86mg Iron, 0.71mg Zinc, 162.15mg Potassium, 132.25g Calories and 0.89g Total sugars.

Health benefits of almonds are extensive.

1.      It lowers LDL cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease- it promote cardiovascular health by providing 162mg of potassium (which is essential for maintaining normal blood pressure and heart function. Almonds are high in monounsaturated fats (health-promoting fats which have been associated with reduced risk of heart disease). It ability to reduce heart disease risk may also be due to the antioxidant action of vitamin E found in it.

2.      It provides protection against diabetes- almonds appear to not only decrease after meal rises in blood sugar, but also provide antioxidants to mop up the smaller amounts of free radicals.

3.      It aids brain development- almonds are source of many nutrients which helps in the development and health of human brain. They contain 2 vital brain nutrient: vitamin B2 and L-carnitine which have been shown to increase brain activity, resulting in new neural pathway.

4.      It helps to strengthen immune system- it contains zinc and vitamin E which is a powerful antioxidant.

5.      It strengthens the bone- it contain phosphorus which as a considerable impact on the strength and durability of bones and teeth.

6.      It boosts energy- the presence of manganese, copper and vitamin B2 helps in energy production and metabolic rate.

7.      It is good for pregnancy- it contain folic acid which helps to reduce the incidence of birth defects in newborn. It also stimulates healthy cell growth and tissue formation.

8.      For weight loss- the dietary fiber in almonds contributes to the sensation of being full. Also, the monounsaturated fat contained in almonds satisfies appetite and prevents over eating.

9.      Almonds are high in antioxidants that can protect your cells from oxidative damage, a major contributor to ageing and disease.

10.  In cosmetics, almond oil is used for smooth and flawless skin, relive eczema, psoriasis and skin rashes, to remove dark tan and signs of ageing, for muscle ache and fatigue, to control hair loss and for long shiny hair.

Go nut!!! Take almond!!!