Losing Weight Without Gaining Stretch Marks

By the Vteam, Kamau Austin Publisher

Few things can make us as elated as seeing the pounds melt way through our efforts of eating less and exercising more. We gain new confidence and vitality as we watch our waistlines reappear and become reacquainted with the tops of our feet.

But as the weight falls away we can be plagued by a new assault - one we did not see coming - stretch marks.

When the skin is pulled taut against our bodies as is often the case when we are overweight, stretch marks may be there but a lot less visible. But as we begin to lose weight they may become much more pronounced, turning into deep striated craters in some parts of the body.

While not everyone who loses weight will develop stretch marks, it is a condition that affects more than 60% of all women and men. Genetics play a key role in determining who will and won't get stretch marks. If you are genetically pre-disposed to getting stretch marks you may not be able to prevent them but you can do something to lessen their appearance once they do appear.

But before we discuss treatments, let's take a look at other preventions strategies you can employ to avoid developing stretch marks.

While it is exciting, as we noted previously, to actually lose weight it is better for our overall health and for the prevention of stretch marks to lose weight more slowly, rather than quickly. When we lose weight quickly we do not give our bodies the opportunity to create collagen or elastin, two substances that the body produces to keep the skin flexible and supple. When the skin is flexible, it is a lot less likely that stretch marks will form.

We also want to be sure to drink enough water to keep ourselves very hydrated. When the body is fully moisturized from the inside out stretch marks have less of a chance to form. We should be drinking 6 - 8 glasses of water a day. We actually need more than that if we are working out regularly. It is important to remember that coffee, tea, milk sodas and other beverages, do not count in the water total for the day.

Exercise and water together, work to remove toxins from the body. With less toxins present the skin has a chance to breath, expand and contract along with the rest of the body. Be sure to shower after exercising as this will also remove toxins and salt that may have dried on the skin from perspiration. Salt is drying and can irritate the skin.

Use of a good moisturizing cream can also help to prevent stretch marks. There are creams and lotions on the market that are especially formulated to help prevent and repair stretch marks. These creams help to keep the skin hydrated and improve its elasticity, thereby making new stretch marks less likely to form and lessening the appearance of existing stretch marks.

A cream that has come to our attention as one that effectively fights stretch marks is Strevaxl™. Strevaxl™ is available from the better online stores like the BODeStore.com and www.Amazon.com.

So with a little extra care you can lessen the likelihood that you are gaining stretch marks as you are losing that unwanted weight.

This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on a health or fitness program.

Make Yourself More Immune to Bad Health

By the Vteam, Kamau Austin Publisher

Scientists now tell us that over 30% of all cancer could be prevented if we paid more attention to our diets. If we couple a healthier diet with exercise and stress reduction we can knock out cancer before it strikes.

It doesn't need to be stressed that it is infinity easier to prevent most diseases than it is to cure them. Yet the American medical community is not taught the importance of nutrition in combating disease. Fewer than 60 hours in a traditional 4 years of American medical school education are spent on teaching nutrition and its link to maintaining good health.

In the revised food pyramid we are instructed to eat 5 to 10 helpings of fresh fruits and vegetables a day. While that may seem like a lot to consume they may be consumed in different forms, such as juices and mixed together in soups and stews. The more you consume - the better for your health.

But while consuming more vegetables, stay away from rich cream based sauces and heavy cheeses. Vegetables are best in their natural state and the less cooking and preparations, the better they are for you. When it comes to fighting cancer phytochemicals, a natural component of vegetables, appears to interfere with the development of cancer cells; short-circuiting their growth and development.

Diets rich in fruits and vegetables also contain vitamins, fiber, and minerals that are needed for proper functioning of the body's systems and organs. Diets rich in these nutrients are shown to be successful in warding off cancers that strike the rectum, stomach, lungs, mouth, and esophagus.

There is new evidence that a substance found in tomatoes, lycopene can actually reduce men's risk of getting prostate cancer as well as protect both women and men against cancers of the skin, bladder and lungs. It is also shown to protect women from cervical cancer, as well.

Fiber is an essential ingredient in vegetables. It is what gives them their bulking properties, which help to keep the colon clean by moving waste out of the body quickly. For optimum colon health you want to move the food through the colon and out as quickly as possible. Red meat and food choices that have little or no fiber stay in the body longer and have longer transit times. This makes them potentially dangerous to the body as the food ferments and spoils inside the body.

Additionally, fruits and vegetables are usually lower in calories than other food items and as a result of increasing our intake of them we may find our waistlines shrinking. Obesity puts us at risk of developing cancer and it has been shown that it healthiest for us to stay within 10lbs of the accepted weight for our given height.

A strong immune system helps us fight off carcinogens that may be in the food and water we drink. If we use fruits and vegetables as a basis for our healthy diet, we are assured of keeping our immune systems in top-notch condition, ready to come to our aid when cancer causing substances enter our bodies.

To keep your immune system strong, in addition to eating properly, adding immune system supplements, especially designed to boost our immunity will definitely help. It is difficult, even when eating correctly to get all of our nutritional needs met solely through the food that we eat. This makes supplementation of the right kind of immune system booster a great addition to a cancer fighting arsenal.

One such supplement that the makers claim help strengthen our immune systems is Immunitril™. Immunitril™ contains vitamins, minerals, herbs and fruit extracts that may help you boost your immune system. It is available from BODeStore and Amazon.com.

This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on a health or fitness program.

Give Your Immune System a Boost

by the Vteam, Kamau Austin Publisher

Fall is a beautiful time of year. Leaves are changing to the vibrant reds, yellows, and brown that herald in cooler weather. Putting on a jacket will protect you from the cold, but it is just as important to protect yourself against the colds and flu that also accompany cooler weather.

Our immune system is a key component of the many bodily functions that must positively converge to keep us well. Fortunately, there are many things that we can do to insure that our immune system functions at peak level during the colder seasons.

Many traditional cultures respect the change in seasons with rituals and behavioral changes that may seem old-fashioned and out of date to us. But much can be learned from the common sense and wisdom of traditional cultures. And even in modern cultures our own "old wives tales" from the past make sense in the context of the lives we live today.

Just a few years ago scientist "discovered" what moms have known for centuries; that chicken soup actually does lessen the severity and length of a cold or flu. With respect to our immune system it just makes good sense to make adjustments in how we live based on the seasons.

A traditional system of health and well-being from Indian culture is Ayurveda. In the Ayurvedic system we are told that what is needed when the weather changes is that which makes us feel warm and well taken care of. We need to nourish our whole being with good food and a regular routine.

As the days grow shorter we should concentrate on adjusting our personal calendars to allow ourselves more rest and quiet than we were likely to have enjoyed during the busy summer months. Ayurveda is about living in balance with natural laws and rhythms so that we lessen the likelihood that we will get sick. Sickness, in the Ayurvedic system, indicates that we are out of balance with the natural order of things.

But even the most balanced among us sometimes find that the demands of modern life keep us from living the way that we know is most healthy for us. During times of stress, deadlines and demanding schedules we can find help to build ourselves up and bolster our immune systems.

There are many over the counter supplements that can help us keep our immune systems functioning well. They are well worth considering when we are nutritionally compromised due to hectic schedules, improper diet or when we are not getting the proper amount of rest.

When choosing a nutritional supplement to bolster the immune system look for supplements that promise to help increase healthy digestive microflora. Microflora are microscopic organisms that help our digestive systems function at their best. The supplements should also support the functioning of the white blood cells which fight infection and illness. They should also contain anti-oxidants that protect us against damaging free radicals that may be in our systems as a result of over exercising or stress.

One supplement which we have heard provides all of these protective ingredients in a simple form is Immunitril™. The makers of Immunitril™ say that it is formulated to give support to our immune systems to help keep us well. To find out more about this promising product do a search on better online stores like Amazon.com and Bodestore.com.

If we honor the changes that come with the season, strive for balance and use proper supplimentation we will "weather" the seasons in good humor and good health.

This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on a health or fitness program.

Zap Those Stretch Marks After Delivery

By the Vteam, Kamau Austin Publisher

What a joy a new baby is! From before the first kick, we anxiously await the arrival of these "bundles of joy". And once they arrive we are often totally shocked by the love and instant bonding we, as mothers, feel. After months of unseen nurturing, we finally come face to face with these little wonders of the womb.

Their arrival banishes all traces of back pain, morning sickness and swollen ankles that may have accompanied the pregnancy. These inconveniences are but distant memories - not worth mentioning, when compared with what we have just been given.

Eventually, if we are lucky we will fit into our pre-pregnancy clothes. Breast feeding can help us get back to our former size and shape more quickly as it takes an extra 1500 calories a day over our normal intake to make and deliver breast milk to a baby. Additionally, the contractions that accompany breastfeeding cause our stomachs to return to their prior state much quicker than they do in mothers that elect to bottle feed their babies.

One area in which we may need a little help getting back in shape is with stretch marks. Well over 70% of all moms experience some degree of stretching of the skin resulting in stretch marks forming while they are pregnant.

What causes stretch marks? Stretch marks are caused by a stretching or expanding of our skin at a rate that is faster than our bodies can accommodate it. When we grow, as children, it is usually at a rate that allows our skin to adjust and grow with us. But if there occurs a significant "growth spurt" children, too can develop stretch marks.

There are several other instances, besides pregnancy and growth spurts that can cause us to get stretch marks. They also may develop when we gain weigh, start working out, lose weight or develop more muscle mass.

What treatments are available for stretch marks? Some of the most successful treatments for stretch marks are now surgical. Plastic surgeons are now offering cosmetic laser treatments for stretch marks. The laser treatments stimulate the body to produce more collagen. This additional collagen will fill in the stretch mark, from the inner layer to the outermost top layer of the skin.

What effects can I expect from laser treatment? Results from the laser treatment of stretch marks vary from person to person. The results, more than likely will continue to show improvement over time, with most women requiring multiple treatments. The best candidates for laser treatments, are those with fair complexions and more superficial stretch marks. Treatment is more successful with newer stretch marks than those that have existed on the body for a longer time.

But laser treatments are not guaranteed to be effective. Fully 30% of all women treated with lasers say they see no improvement in their stretch marks after treatment.

There are also non-surgical over the counter treatments for stretch marks which are quite effective and are less costly than the surgical alternatives.

What should I look for in a topical stretch mark treatment? Many over the counter creams and preparations claim to be effective in the prevention of new stretch marks and in the repair of existing stretch marks. In addition, you should expect the over the counter cream to help keep the skin soft and supple and to improve the overall look and texture of the skin.

One of the topical treatments that has been getting great reviews from new moms is Strevaxl™. Find out more about how Strevaxl™ can help minimize stretch marks by doing a search on finer online stores like Amazon.com and the BODeStore

This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on a health or fitness program.

Getting Older Can Be a Pain In The Leg

by the Vteam, Health and Fitness Vitality Publisher

Lately, it seems that everywhere you go people are extolling the idea that "fifty is the new thirty". Middle aged people today are in fact aging, significantly slower than their contemporaries of previous generations. We are enjoying a quality of life that causes us to belie our chronological age.

And while we are enjoying longer, fuller lives, there are still some areas in which aging does take its toll. Our bodies may exhibit visible signs of aging that remind us of our true age. These signs can be quite discouraging as we work hard to stay one step ahead of Father Time.

This Baby Boomer generation is the first one to be faced with this problem of, what we consider, premature aging. As a result we are driven to seek cosmetic and plastic surgery in record numbers. All in an attempt to vanquish age spots, discolorations, wrinkles and unsightly sags.

To a large extend we are successful, with plastic surgeons completely, in some cases, obliterating all visible signs of our chronological ages. But the cost of plastic and cosmetic surgery can be high. And we are not always prepared to suffer the accompanying pain that we may have to endure.

There are often less invasive alternatives to surgery which can offer comparable results at a fraction of the cost. Depending on the condition that you are trying to correct, you may find that non-surgical, cosmetic alternatives are a perfect solution for you.

One of the areas that responds quite well to non-surgical solutions is spider veins. Spider veins are similar to varicose veins in that they can affect the legs. Varicose veins are larger and may case the skin underneath them to protrude. They may be bulky with uneven, bumpy ridges which are quite visible through sheer stocking and tights.

Spider veins may cover a larger area of the skin than varicose veins, but they are not as pronounced or visible. They tend to look like spider webs and are small in diameter, and flush to the skin, unlike varicose veins which tend to be raised away from the skin.

This makes spider veins a good candidate for treatments containing Vitamin K, which we know can act as a thickening agent when applied to the skin. Vitamin K can have a dramatic effect on skin, improving its general appearance while working on the texture and appearance of thin skin through which spider veins can show.

There are many creams on the market that claim to promote healing and thickening of the skin through the use of Vitamin K, so it is important to choose carefully, as many of these preparations can be costly.

Some of the benefits that you can realistically hope to achieve with a topical Vitamin K based cream are:

* a reduction in the appearance of the spider veins

* diminishing of redness and any swelling.

* The elasticity and overall appearance of the skin

The general appearance of your legs should improve with a noticeable reduction in the instance of bruises and blotchiness.

We have heard that Veinuderm™ by the Bodestore, has Vitamin K as one of its active ingredients along with Horsechestnut Seed Extract. It also features other ingredients that have proven to be effective in the treatment of spider veins. It may be a topical treatment you may want to look into further. You can find out more about Veinuderm™ from better online stores like www.Amazon.com and the BODeStore.com.

Minimize spider veins and enhance your youthful appearance. With new topical treatments available great legs don't have to be a painful experience -- even as you mature.

This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on a health or fitness program.

Short Skirts are in: Are Your Legs Ready?

Short Skirts are in: Are Your Legs Ready?

By the Vteam

There is a saying that as hemlines rise so does the stock market. If that is truly the case then we are in a great position to cash in on the market, as skirts are indeed getting shorter this season.

While for men this may be a cause of celebration, for many women this news is a reason for some concern. Shorter skirts mean that more of the leg is visible. And while we women are seldom satisfied with our bodies, more women voice dissatisfaction with their legs than any other part of the body.

Varicose veins and spider veins are two problems that can plague our legs as we get older. Over 50% of women and 40% of men over the age of 50 complain of vein problems. The legs are susceptible to these vein problems because they work very hard pumping oxygen-poor blood back up to the heart while the arteries pump blood rich in oxygen from the heart to other parts of the body.

Without getting too technical, there are flaps in the veins that keep the blood from flowing backwards as it makes its way toward the heart. These valves tend to weaken as we get older causing the blood to pool in the veins. This pooled blood causes the veins to enlarge and become what we know as varicose veins.

Varicose veins look thick and rope-like. They cause the skin to protrude and look blue, purple or flesh-colored. They can hurt and over time, do pose some health concern, but they tend to look much worse than they feel. They are certainly the more serious of the two conditions.

Spider veins are thin web-like veins that appear much smaller than varicose veins. They may be purple or blue and unlike varicose veins are thin and may spread across a wider area.

Both spider veins and varicose veins can show when we wear short skirts. We can camouflage them by wearing tights and colored or opaque stockings. But they are likely to show in the more sheer stockings that are a fashion staple of the season.

For that reason many of us are turning to surgical solutions to help with the problem of varicose and spider veins. Some of the surgical solutions are more invasive than others. Most can be performed in the doctor's office under local anesthesia. They vary in effectiveness and long term results and, of course, price.

While these surgeries for the most part, are safe, there is some risk associated with any surgery. If you decide that surgery is not for you, there are also very effective cosmetic solutions available today, especially for the treatment of spider veins.

One of the most effective ingredients in use is Vitamin K which tends to make the skin thicker. This makes spider veins less noticeable and reduces the swelling. Another useful ingredient that may be of help in treating or at least masking spider and varicose veins is Horse chestnut seed.

These ingredients can be combined in a cream and applied to the skin, once or twice a day. The skin responds quickly and most users will see some results in a week or less, with optimum effectiveness occcurring over time.

One preparation that we are told effectively combines these ingredients is Veinuderm (tm). Veinuderm™ is a light cream that can be applied to areas of the skin in which spider veins are visible. It is available exclusive online eTailers like Amazon.com and from the BODeStore.com.