Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Study Suggests Salt Might Be 'Nature's Antidepressant'


UI psychologist Kim Johnson and colleagues found in their research that when rats are deficient in sodium chloride, common table salt, they shy away from activities they normally enjoy, like drinking a sugary substance or pressing a bar that stimulates a pleasant sensation in their brains.

"Things that normally would be pleasurable for rats didn't elicit the same degree of relish, which leads us to believe that a salt deficit and the craving associated with it can induce one of the key symptoms associated with depression," Johnson said.

The UI researchers can't say it is full-blown depression because several criteria factor into such a diagnosis, but a loss of pleasure in normally pleasing activities is one of the most important features of psychological depression. And, the idea that salt is a natural mood-elevating substance could help explain why we're so tempted to over-ingest it, even though it's known to contribute to high blood pressure, heart disease and other health problems.

Past research has shown that the worldwide average for salt intake per individual is about 10 grams per day, which is greater than the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommended intake by about 4 grams, and may exceed what the body actually needs by more than 8 grams.

Johnson, who holds appointments in psychology and integrative physiology in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and in pharmacology in the Carver College of Medicine, published a review of these findings in the July issue of the journal Physiology & Behavior with Michael J. Morris and Elisa S. Na, UI graduate students. In addition to reporting their own findings, the authors reviewed others' research on the reasons behind salt appetite.


High levels of salt are contained in everything from pancakes to pasta these days, but once upon a time, it was hard to come by. Salt consumption and its price skyrocketed around 2000 B.C. when it was discovered as a food preservative. Roman soldiers were paid in salt; the word salary is derived from the Latin for salt. Even when mechanical refrigeration lessened the need for salt in the 19th century, consumption continued in excess because people liked the taste and it had become fairly inexpensive. Today, 77 percent of our salt intake comes from processed and restaurant foods, like frozen dinners and fast food.

Evolution might have played an important part in the human hankering for salt. Humans evolved from creatures that lived in salty ocean water. Once on land, the body continued to need sodium and chloride because minerals play key roles in allowing fluids to pass in and out of cells, and in helping nerve cells transfer information throughout the brain and body. But as man evolved in the hot climate of Africa, perspiration robbed the body of sodium. Salt was scarce because our early ancestors ate a veggie-rich diet and lived far from the ocean.

"Most of our biological systems require sodium to function properly, but as a species that didn't have ready access to it, our kidneys evolved to become salt misers," Johnson said.

Behavior also came to play a key role in making sure we have enough salt on board. Animals like us come equipped with a taste system designed to detect salt and a brain that remembers the location of salt sources -- like salt licks in a pasture. A pleasure mechanism in the brain is activated when salt is consumed.

So the body needs salt and knows how to find it and how to conserve it. But today scientists are finding evidence that it's an abused, addictive substance -- almost like a drug.

One sign of addiction is using a substance even when it's known to be harmful. Many people are told to reduce sodium due to health concerns, but they have trouble doing so because they like the taste and find low-sodium foods bland.

Another strong aspect of addiction is the development of intense cravings when drugs are withheld. Experiments by Johnson and colleagues indicate similar changes in brain activity whether rats are exposed to drugs or salt deficiency.

"This suggests that salt need and cravings may be linked to the same brain pathways as those related to drug addiction and abuse," Johnson said.

Pinoy Global Store - Philippine  Salt Minerals


Source:
University of Iowa Health Sciences
5141 Westlawn
Iowa City
IA 52242
United States
http://www.uihealthcare.com  

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Hand-in-Hand: Are your hands clean?


“I have two hands, the left and the right.
Hold them up high so clean and bright.
Clap them softly one, two, three.
Clean little hands are good to see.” 


 

The hands are the most frequently used part of the body; shall we say most “handy”, that means they get noticed a lot. How many times have you been impressed by a pretty face, later be turned off by her dry hands and flaked nails?
Hands are also used to communicate like in shaking hands or waving hi. So not only should you take much care of your face, take care of your hands too. Here are some tips on how to take good care of the left and right.

You must…
1. Trim down your long nails.
Have you seen the almost three-inch long nails of singer Mystica? Growing and maintaining long nails can be hard and very demanding. So why not just cut it?

2. Never bite your nails.
Remember Olive Oyle from the cartoon Popeye? When she gets stressed, she starts to trim her nails by her teeth. Yeah, it’s just a cartoon but sometimes you just can’t help to see somebody doing it. What an unattractive sight, right? Plus it only destroys and leaves your nails ugly. So share the info that you better put an end to this unhygienic practice.

3. Cut nails once a week and do this properly.
Do you know the correct way of trimming your nails? Well, if not, then read on. Your nails must be cut square-shaped, so cut the nails straight across, as if you are following an imaginary line from one side of the fingers to the other.

4. Keep your nails strong and healthy.
Nails are healthy if they are sturdy, firm, and pinkish. To attain this, eat calcium-rich foods and green leafy vegetables.

5. Have a balanced diet and drink lots of water.
Your hands tell various accounts just from the way your skin looks. To keep it well, your diet should comprise an adequate amount of fruits and veggies. Taking at least eight glasses of water is also good to keep the skin hydrated.


 6. Keep your hands clean at all times.
It is very essential to keep them clean for the reason that germ-causing infections are easily spread through shaking hands, touching, and the likes. The nails should also be clean because they can be infected too.

7. Bar soap vs Liquid soap.
Bar soaps play a part in the dryness of the hand. Instead, opt for a liquid soap with a moisturizing formula.

8. Take in a lotion habit.
Securing moisture will instantly make hands smooth, supple, and young looking.

9. Keep your hands away from the sun.
It will prevent skin damage causing dryness, wrinkles, and eventually, premature aging.

10. Wash and wear.
It is very important to wash our hands. But too much washing can easily dry the hands also so you’ll need to apply lotion after washes.
You use your hands in everything you do so better take care of them and your body. Taking proper hygienic processes will lead to healthy and fit days. Everything’s in your hands.

FOR QUALITY PERSONAL HAND CARE PRODUCTS CHOOSE HUMAN HEART NATURE PRODUCTS FOR SAFE AND EFFECTIVE CARE PRODUCTS FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. 
Visit www.pinoyglobalstore.com  for more of its organic products!


Source:
April Rose Enerio
Informative Features
First posted on October 11, 2010 

Friday, April 1, 2011

Why use Organic Hair Products?


The “going back to nature” wave has taken hold of many areas of our society. For example, in the beauty world, many are switching to organic cosmetics because many of them claim to have more benefits than their synthetic counterparts. Many organic hair products are sold in the market and they claim different health benefits. But whether or not these claims are actually true is a different question altogether. Are all these benefits scientifically proven and tested?

The answer to this question is that they are. There are studies that are focused on proving the benefits that natural hair products and cosmetics provide. Here are several of these benefits.

1.    Nature provides the best care without being harsh.
Many of the active ingredients in shampoos and conditioners in the market that promise great hair are synthetic. These chemicals may provide you with silky hair, but extensive use of these products can and will damage your hair overtime. Natural hair care products are wonderfully safe and effective to use for your hair. Organic hair shampoos, conditioners, leave on balms and other hair care products contain plant-derived ingredients provide the best care for your hair without fear of irritations and allergies. These products are mild and hypoallergenic so they can be used by anyone, even by those with sensitive skins and scalps.

2.    Organic hair care products deliver!
Many studies on organic and all-natural hair products say that the active ingredients derived from plants are very effective in caring for your hair. Organic ingredients contain natural active components, vitamins and minerals that would do your hair good. Coconut oil, for example, is rich in fatty acids, vitamin E and minerals and so using a hair product with coconut oil will surely amp your hair’s strength and vitality.  Many organic hair products contain aloe vera, shea butter and other plant-based extracts. These ingredients have different effects and benefits and so you can choose the product to use for your specific hair concern.

3.    They are environment friendly!
Since these products are organic, using them wouldn’t harm the environment. The ingredients of these products are highly biodegradable and so you wouldn’t be polluting the surroundings by using them. Synthetic products have ingredients that care for your hair at the expense of the environment.

4.    Organic hair care products are a lot cheaper.
If you compare the prices of the chemical-based cosmetics and products, organic products are a lot cheaper. Why would you pay insane amounts of money for things that would eventually deal damage to your body? Organic products provide care and nourishment to your hair for a cheaper price, and so they can give you the best value for your money.

All the reasons stated above tell you why you should use organic hair products. They give you the best care available for your hair and are hypoallergenic, so you wouldn’t have to use more expensive synthetic and chemically-based products anymore. Because of this, organic hair care products are your best bet for achieving the hair of your dreams. 

Human Nature Hair Care Products
 Source:
 Hub Pages
 http://hubpages.com