Hyaluronic Acid - Beauty Wave of the Future?Written by Jana Willinger
In our continuing search for fountain of youth, there is a new weapon. Hyaluronic acid (HA), a key component of human tissue, aiding body’s flexibility, mobility and moisture retention, is emerging as a key ingredient in many anti-aging beauty products and as a viable alternative to collagen and related substances in injection procedures. As we age, Hyaluronic acid levels in our body decrease, contributing to appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and dryness in skin. Hyaluronic acid beauty products and injections can decrease appearance of lines and wrinkles by replenishing body’s natural supply of Hyaluronic acid and/or by stimulating body to rejuvenate its own supply of HA.Among exciting new developments in world of Hyaluronic acid products is recent FDA approval of Restylane and Hylaform, facial injections containing Hyaluronic acid. These injections can be administered quickly and with little chance of side effect. According to American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more people than ever are choosing to forgo invasive plastic surgery for less painful, less time consuming procedures. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) predicts that in 2005, Hyaluronic acid (Restylane, Hylaform) will surpass collagen as most popular soft tissue filler for lines and wrinkles. The Society also predicts that additional Hyaluronic acid products developed specifically for facial volume enhancement and for improvement of depressed scars will be introduced.
| | What Colors Are On Your Plate?Written by Meri Raffetto RD
Can colors on your plate tell you what health benefits you are getting?As researchers are learning more and more about foods we eat there is one hot topic that keeps coming up….phytochemicals. You may have heard latest craze for lycopene found in tomato products boasting its heart health benefits. Phytochemicals are biologically active chemicals (not classified as vitamins or minerals) found in foods that our bodies may use as part of their disease-fighting arsenal. A single tomato or orange contains, hundreds, and possibly thousands, of phytochemicals. This is very exciting news for researchers since many of these phytochemicals act as antioxidants and also provide other benefits for cancer prevention. They have also found that color of edible part of our fruits and vegetables can tell us what class of phytochemicals it contains and therefore, what health benefits we can obtain. Finally! Now when your mother says eat your vegetables, their good for you… we can see how they are good for us!
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