Just for Women September 22, 2009

Women’s Health Base – www.womenshealthbase.com – is another great new website with interesting articles on all the topics women crave information about. It’s a helpful place to get all your health info – especially for women, including information on diseases and conditions, diet and fitness, beauty, and sex and relationships.

Beauty tips for all ages, weight loss help in all sizes, and relationship advice for the single, dating and married girls are some of the topics discussed, not to mention health information geared specifically towards women.

Also check out their comprehensive vitamin, herbal, and mineral guides detailing the info about supplements that you’ve probably wondered about – myths and facts, safety and effectiveness.

All in a pretty package of a website!

Great New Pregnancy Site! March 30, 2009

Pregnancygirl.com is a great new resource for pregnant girls everywhere!  This just launched sneak peak site (full site coming soon) is a wonderful resource for moms-to-be bringing you interesting information about trying to conceive, getting pregnant, having a healthy pregnancy as well as childbirth, taking care of your newborn and beyond. It offers great tips on pregnancy tests, charting fertility patterns to get pregnant, and gives great information on infertility.

Pregnancy Girl brings you daily updated pregnancy articles and a new full version of the site should be launched in about a month. The new version will have a store that sells everything you want through the stages of pregnancy and beyond. Product reviews will also be there from expert moms to help you choose all the necessaries you’ll want to have while you’re expecting.

There will also be great prizes, giveaways and free stuff for moms (including an orbit baby stroller system)! So don’t forget to sign up for the Pregnancy Girl newsletter – you won’t want to miss what’s coming!

Omega-3 EFA & DHA Supplements – which ones to take that work! August 18, 2008

Tip of the Day

Here are 2 expert recommendations for the best Omega 3 Supplement to take that work!

1. LOVANZA

When I told my doctor that I was supplementing my diet with over the counter quality omega-3 supplements, he immediately had me switch to Lovanza. Even though no one seems to know about these – they’re the best kept secret supplements to take!

Here’s why:

• It blends highly purified EFAs and DHAs – the most active natural components/ingredients in Omega-3s found primarily in fish and shellfish.
• They are the only FDA-approved Omega-3 supplement
• They are developed through a 5-step process that helps remove toxins and fats so it creates a very pure and concentrated Omega-3 supplement and medicine – which reduces your need to worry about mercury, environmental toxins, cholesterol and saturated fat. Now, what can possibly top that!??!
• They have been proven to lower very high triglyceride levels in adults in as little as 8 weeks.

The down side:

• You need a prescription

It’s recommended that you take 2 one-gram gel capsules twice daily (or all 4 at once) every day.

PS – my doctor is also my dad – so I know no one has my best interests in mind like he does. Ask your doctor about it! If your doctor doesn’t know about these – ask my dr! Dr. Lazar Kaganovsky -check out his site for more info – www.oceanmedicalplaza.com.

2. Biotics Research Corporation Biomega 3

If for some reason Lovanza is not for you, try this brand. I used to take these before I switched and they were recommended by an incredible nutritionist who actually participates in conducing many of the latest essential fatty acid research projects.

She always advised me that Biotics is a reputable brand that makes quality supplements.

Check them out! Or tell me what you take! And Tell me what you think!!!

Poly-Unsaturated Fats, Fatty Acids, and Essential Fatty Acids

The Truth About Fat

Fats are broken down into 3 categories:

1. Saturated fats

2. Mono-unsaturated fats

3. Poly-unsaturated fats (this includes Omega 3 and Omega 6 essential fatty acids [EFAs])

Let’s take a look at:

Poly-Unsaturated Fats, Fatty Acids, and Essential Fatty Acids

The key roles that fat plays in your body are in the breakdown for their fatty acids and in energy.

Fatty acids are vital to your health and well being. Fatty acids are the acids that are produced when fat is broken down. Your body uses fatty acids to perform key functions in your body which involve the brain, eyes, heart, lungs, nerves, skin, hair, digestion, and hormones.

Your body also burns fat for energy. The extra energy that is not burned or used in your body is stored in adipose tissue. Adipose then protects and cushions the organs in your body. The “fat” that many people dislike on their bodies (in the form of love handles, big thighs, or flabby bellies) is not fat per se, it’s adipose tissue.

The human body can produce all but 2 of the fatty acids it needs. These 2 fatty acids are linoleic acid (LA acid), which is the “parent” fatty acid to the Omega 6 family) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA acid) which is the “parent” fatty acid in the Omega 3 family.

Essential fatty acids (EFA’s) . When the word “essential” is used in a nutrition context, it refers to something that body cannot make on its own and must find from outside sources – i.e., your diet.

Foods High in Omega 3 include:

• Flax seeds
• Cold water fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel
• Sardines

Foods High in Omega 6 include:

• Sunflower seeds
• Vegetable oils such as corn, sunflower, sesame, soybean, safflower
• Margarine
• Pumpkin seeds

And then of course there are Essential Fatty Acid Supplements in pill form – stay tuned for info on the doctor recommended EFAs to supplement your diet!

The Skinny on Your Fat August 12, 2008

Your body produces new fat cells only until you reach your early teenage years! During puberty, fat cell production ceases and that’s it – that’s the total number of fat cells you are stuck with for life. Then, when you gain or lose weight, your body doesn’t make new fat cells, rather the fat cells that have been produced in your childhood increase as you gain weight or decrease as you lose weight.

When you diet, exercise or use any other weight loss method, your body burns fat for energy – decreasing the size (not the amount) of your already existing fat cells. Extra energy not burned or used in your body (like when you skip the gym) is stored in adipose tissue. Adipose protects and cushions the organs in your body. The “fat” that many people dislike on their bodies (in the form of love handles, big thighs, or flabby bellies) is not fat per se, it’s adipose tissue.

Presently, liposuction is the only FDA-approved way to remove or destroy adipose, i.e., fat cells. Therefore, the best candidate for liposuction is someone who has one or more areas of fat collections (reserves, bulges, rolls, or whatever other unpleasant term you prefer) that are disproportionate to the rest of their body. Any other diet or weight loss method can only shrink the size of your existing fat cells.

Since liposuction physically removes adipose, post-liposuction weight fluctuation – loss or gain, is less apparent in the treated area. However, if you gain considerable weight, those untreated areas may suffer by gaining more fat since there are physically more fat cells there. Therefore, if you remove fat via liposuction – after the procedure you will gain and lose weight proportionally with all the fat cells that are left in your body – in other words, if your weight gain used to go to your thighs and after lipo those fat cells are no longer there – your body will distribute them evenly throughout the rest of the fat cells in your body.

So beware! Weight gain post-lipo may create new and undesirable “problem areas” that you never knew you had!

More Tips of the Day – Diet Grocery Shopping ii August 9, 2008

Chose Heart Health Foods!

• Buy lots of fruits and veggies!

  • Fruits and vegetables are high in dietary fiber, which can aid in lowering cholesterol levels.

• Buy whole grains!

  • Nutrients in whole grains promote heart health.
  • Replace white bread, flour, pasta, and rice with their whole grains alternative.
  • Chose whole-grain breads, whole-wheat pasta, whole-wheat pasta, and brown rice.

• Beware of Energy or Nutritional Bars!

  • Many energy and nutritional bars contain trans fat! Even if they are labeled “trans fat free,” don’t forget to check the label – manufactures are allowed to use this label even when there is ½ a gram of trans-fat or less – that may seem small, but it can add up, especially if the “nutritional” bar has more than 1 serving (your may be unknowingly eating 2 or 3 grams of trans fat in every bar).

• Purchase oil that has processed to a minimal degree.

  • To do this, look for oils that have been “cold expeller pressed” and “extra virgin.” These processes ensure minimal damage.

• Make your own salad dressing!

  • Using pure olive oil instead of buying readymade salad dressings. Many readymade salad dressings are made with damaged, over processed and inferior oils.
  • Or, simply squeeze a lemon as your dressing! Or try a splash of vinegar – red wine or balsamic. That way you will cut out all fat, but still have the flavor.
  • Using lemon is also a great alternative to salt.

• Avoid animal fat. The highest concentration of toxins in animals is found in their fat.

  • If you do buy animal meat products that are high in fat, buy organic. Look for products labeled “organic” as well as products produced with “no antibiotics, no added growth hormones and no dangerous pesticides.” Organic refers to the way foods are produced and processed without chemical pesticides and fertilizers. Since the animal fat has the highest concentration of toxins found in the animal, at least if you are eating animal fat, the toxins you are ingested will be limited.

• Buy organic dairy. For the same reasons as listed above.

• Avoid buying full-fat options if there are reduced-fat, low-fat or non-fat options available.

  • Especially for dairy including milk and cheese.

Tips of the Day for Diet Grocery Shopping

Read Your Labels!

Don’t fall into “cholesterol-free” traps

• Don’t assume that a food labeled “cholesterol free” is good for you. It may still contain bad fats, be high in calories, or high in sugar.

Beware of “trans-fat free” labels!

• In the United States, foods are allowed to be labeled “trans-fat free” if it contains less than .5 grams of trans fats per serving. Even though half a gram of trans-fat may seem small, it can add up, especially if you’re eating more than 1 serving.
• Instead focusing on the “trans-fat free” label, focus on the ingredients. If the ingredients contain partially hydrogenated oils, that is the same thing as trans-fats; so don’t buy it.
• Avoid foods that contain partially hydrogenated oils! The following types of packaged foods at supermarkets often contain partially hydrogenated oils: Chocolate, peanut butter, energy bars, crackers, cookies, cakes, pastries, biscuits, potato chips, imitation cheese, microwave popcorn, other snack foods. Make sure you read your labels and stay away from them if they contain it.
• In general, check the Nutrition Facts panel to compare foods – make sure serving sizes are consistent before your compare similar foods. Choose foods lower in saturated fat, Trans fat, and cholesterol. For saturated fat and cholesterol, keep in mind that 5 percent of the Daily Value (%DV) or less is good, and of course 0 is best.

Christine Chin Perfect Hydrating Crème

Perfect Hydrating Crème

This Perfect Hydrating Creme has a lightweight, dual-moisturizing formula that actually “re-programs” your slightly dry and dehydrated skin to measurably retain more moisture for immediate, long-lasting comfort. 2 OZ costs $39.

It really is a perfect moisturizer. It’s great for oily or combination skin since it’s so lightweight; and if you’re applying makeup afterwards it will glide on, and stay on – flawlessly.

Christine Chin Soothing Hydration Masque

Soothing Hydration Masque

Christine’s Soothing Hydration Mask is a cooling gel of soothing herbs, hydrating panthenol and a calming licorice complex. It brings relief to sensitive, dehydrated or acne-prone skin within minutes. Fragrance-free. 2 OZ costs $34.

When applying this mask, it literally feels as though it has been refrigerated – it feels so so refreshing! And after 20 minutes, once you wash it off, any redness, irritation, flakiness, and dryness is gone from your skin. And it’s not temporary – use it once a week, and the results last that long!

Christine Chin Herbal Blemish Gel

Herbal Blemish Gel

This Herbal Blemish Gerl is fast-drying, invisible gel that helps clear breakouts quickly by forming a film to seal the skin’s surface. You can apply makeup over it within minutes, so your blemish can heal under the seal and be irritated by foundation, cover up and also dirt and environmental irritants. 1.2 FL OZ costs $35