Healthy Skin

INTERNAL NUTRITION FOR HEALTHY SKIN.....

Powerful Internal Nutrition For Healthy Skin . . .
Fighting Pre-Mature Aging of the Skin With Antioxidants and Specific
Nutrients

Although age and genetics often impact health of the skin, there are key
nutritional factors to help skin maintain its elasticity and healthy tone.
Skin is built of collagen, a strong connective tissue that helps skin look
firm. As we age, however, the collagen breaks down because of oxidation
caused by free radicals. Free radicals are formed in the body constantly,
and when left uncontrolled can have damaging effects for our body and our
skin. The accumulation of environmental exposure to free radicals from UV
radiation, automobile exhaust, cigarette smoke, pollution, etc., plus the
internal oxidation and breakdown of collagen that occurs with age, can cause
skin to lose its youthful tone and glow. Specific nutritional supplements
can support proper skin structure and optimized cell renewal. Antioxidants
such as vitamins C, E and Beta Carotene, the minerals Selenium and Zinc as
well as the supplement CoQ10, fight off free radicals to help protect skin
from damage. Antioxidants are the skin’s best defense against free
radicals, which cause premature aging.

Antioxidants are powerhouse nutrients that protect our body’s cells. Free
radicals are the damaging oxygen by-products that are constantly being
formed in our bodies. If free radicals are left uncontrolled, they can
cause damage to healthy cells in the body and may contribute to the onset of
certain diseases and accelerate the aging process. Over time, antioxidants
are important for slowing the aging process and valuable to help fight off
wrinkles and the breakdown of collagen in the skin.

Green tea contains flavonoids that contribute to its antioxidant properties
. Grape Seed extract contains flavonoids, such as proanthocyanidins, which
are powerful antioxidants as well. Furthermore, grape seed extract is shown
to improve blood circulation and help to strengthen blood vessels. Grape
seed extract may be helpful for those with vascular (vessel) disorders, and
may benefit from a healthy increase in blood flow.

In summary, assuring daily intake of these valuable nutrients can do more
for the natural beauty of skin than make-up or any cosmetic product!

Grooming Your Cat.....

Most cats like to be brushed or combed. Regular brushing helps to remove old hairs from the coat, which otherwise are likely to be swallowed when the cat washes herself. Though cats can handle swallowing some amount of hair, an excessive amount can form hair balls in the stomach. If hair balls become too large to pass through the digestive tract, the cat may vomit them up. In severe instances, a hair ball can actually block the digestive tract so completely that food cannot pass through.

If your cat frequently chokes or vomits, she may have a hair ball that can't pass through her digestive tract. Your vet can prescribe a flavored ointment that will help the hairball to dissolve and pass through the cat's system. Ordinary petroleum jelly can have the same effect, if you can coax your cat to eat it (some cats actually love the taste). A cat who is prone to getting hair balls can benefit from a small amount of medication on a regular basis as a preventive measure.

Regular brushing or combing can be especially beneficial for long-haired cats, whose fur may become matted without regular care. These mats can grow so large that they bind the skin, causing discomfort or pain. Once this happens, it's best to seek the services of a professional groomer who has experience with long-haired cats.

Your local pet store or vet carries different kinds of brushes and combs for cat grooming and can tell you how to use them. Take care not to pull the cat's hair too hard; if you can make brushing or combing a pleasant experience for your cat right from the start, it will be an easier job every time you do it.

A flea comb is a particularly useful tool. It has tightly spaced teeth that can pick up fleas and their waste when passed through the cat's coat. Using a flea comb is a good way to periodically check your cat for fleas. Once she begins to show signs of irritation from fleas, it's much harder to get rid of them. With a flea comb, you can check her a few times a week during flea season and attack the problem before it gets out of hand.