Wednesday, July 31, 2013

How to Tan Safely by Tambi Renee



When the summer comes around, most of us want beautiful, radiantly bronze skin that will linger into the cooler months. Unfortunately, tanning can do a significant amount of damage to your skin, leading to short-term discomfort like burns and dryness, long-term degeneration due to premature aging, and even life-threatening conditions like skin cancer. Tambi Renee founded Body Glo Mobile Airbrush Tanning to give those who want that bronzed look an alternative to tanning beds or lying out on the beach. Here, Tambi Renee offers some of her tips on how to avoid beach tanning, and how to tan safely if you do decide to lay out in the sun.

Avoid Beach and Bed Tanning

Regardless of how careful you are, UV rays will damage your skin if you spend a significant amount of time out in the sun. While you can cut down on exposure with safer tanning practices, beach and bed tanning will never be as safe as airbrush tanning. “Home tanning” has gotten a bad reputation with good reason, as the results are often streaky, uneven, and unnatural-looking. Professional airbrush tanning, on the other hand, offers completely different results, allowing you to look like you just returned from a tropical vacation – without all of the accompanying damage to your skin cells.

Practice General Skin Wellness

If you do decide to tan with UV rays, start off by keeping your skin healthy in general, which will help it repair itself faster if you spend a lot of time outdoors. Moisturize and exfoliate regularly, drink plenty of water, and eat healthy foods to help maintain your skin’s natural oils and protect it against the elements.

Plan Your Tan

Spend time outside during the times of day when the sun isn’t at its absolute strongest. In general, avoid extended periods of sunning between 10am and 4pm. Not only will your skin thank you for it, but you may also be able to avoid some of the beach rush that often leads to crowding and traffic.

Protect Your Eyes, Face, and Lips

Invest in a good pair of UV-blocking sunglasses, as well as a broad-brimmed hat to keep the sun off of your face and neck. UV rays can easily damage your eyes, leading to pain and eventual vision loss, meaning that safe tanning isn’t just about your skin. While you may not think to put sunscreen on your lips, remember that the skin on your lips can burn and become damaged too, so use a high-SPF lip balm whenever you leave the house.

Stick to the Shade

A beach umbrella just might be your best friend. A large umbrella can help shield you from the sun’s rays, allowing you to enjoy the beach and still soak up some sun without being in the sun’s direct line of fire. Beach pavilions and shady areas can serve the same purpose if you don’t feel like lugging around a beach umbrella.

Wear High-SPF Sunscreen

Even with super high-SPF sunscreen, you will still tan. Avoid tanning oils at all cost and, instead, go for waterproof sunscreens that are chemical-free and easy on the skin. Do your first application 30 minutes before you arrive at the beach, not after you get there. Make sure to reapply the sunscreen every two hours, especially if you’ve been swimming or sweating.

Limit Your Exposure

Just a short amount of time outside will cause you to tan, so avoid spending all day outside if you can. Frequent, extended exposure to the sun will only heighten your chances of developing skin problems like premature aging and cancer.

Take Care of Your Skin Afterwards

After you leave the beach, moisturize and apply an after-skin product, such as aloe vera, to cool your skin and help rejuvenate it. Your skin will likely have some healing to do and these additional nutrients and moisturizers can help bring it back to full health as soon as possible.

Seek Out Alternatives

In the end, it’s impossible to have a “safe tan.” While you can make your tanning practices safer, any exposure to UV rays puts you at risk for developing skin illnesses and may cause your skin to look worse rather than more vibrant over time. If at all possible, avoid tanning in the sun and seek out an alternative like airbrush tanning instead.

Tambi Renee founded Body Glo Mobile Airbrush Tanning to give those who want that bronzed look an alternative to tanning beds or lying out on the beach. She offers some of her tips on how to avoid beach tanning, and how to tan safely if you do decide to lay out in the sun.

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Dr. Michael Har-Noy Says Cancer Is NOT A Disease of Weakened Immunity



Dr. Michael Har-Noy of Immunovative Therapies, a biotech company founded in Israel in 2004, says that a common misconception is that cancer is a disease of the weakened immune system.

Dr. Michael Har-Noy explains that when a normal cell becomes a tumor cell, changes occurring in the expression of surface antigens give rise to tumor associated antigens (TAAs) that theoretically could be detected by one’s immune system. Ehrlich, in 1909, first proposed that one’s immune system protected against cancer, a concept adapted in the 1950s by Lewis Thomas and then later by Sir Macfarlane Burnet, who proposed that a patient’s immune system had a “surveillance” mechanism for tracking down and killing precancerous and cancerous cells. The basis of this hypothesis is that tumors constantly arise in one’s body and that one’s immune system must recognize and destroy cells that have TAAs on their surface.

This theory goes on to predict that in cases where the patient’s immune system is suppressed, the surveillance mechanism is then compromised, and the cancer cells grow out of control and clinical disease becomes detectable. This is the theory behind the concept that the patient’s immune system in cancer cases is weak, and that this immune system must be reinforced to attack the cancer effectively.

Dr. Michael Har-Noy and Immunovative Theories believe that there is, however much evidence to the contrary. While a small number of the rarer cancers occur in immune compromised individuals, most human malignant tumors are found in patients with intact immune systems. Also, many cancers, especially epithelial cell tumors, have a significant component of inflammatory cells. This includes diverse leukocyte infiltrates of macrophages, neutrophils, eosinophils, and mast cells, frequently in the presence of lymphocytes. Malignant tumors are typically densely infiltrated with immune cells, which argues against inadequate immune system recognition of TAAs.

Furthermore, many previous attempts to bolster the normal immune response enhanced rather than suppressed growth of the cancer. For example, in mice, a newly induced tumor of both mesenchymal and epithelial origin grows faster if it precipitates a reaction from the patient’s immune system. Highly immunogenic cancers left undisturbed in their original hosts often grow faster than tumors that stimulate little or no immune response. Therefore, the idea that tumors are “invisible” to the patient’s immune system and that this immune system needs to be augmented appears to be incorrect.

The problem may be that the patient’s immune response to the tumor is the wrong kind of response. Dr. Michael Har-Noy and his team at Immunovative Theories believe that in attempting to boost an immunologic response that has already failed to protect the patient against cancer, tumor growth may be enhanced rather than suppressed. This is probably why most immunologic cancer treatments to date have been ineffective.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Zachary Zaitzeff on Choosing Organic and Grass-Fed Beef



As the owner of a small, family-owned and operated restaurant in New York City, Zachary Zaitzeff is experienced in choosing the type of ingredients to use in high-quality dishes. Zachary Zaitzeff, owner of Zaitzeff Burgers, is committed to using local food, organic ingredients, and grass-fed beef in all of his burgers. As a strong supporter of choosing organic products and grass-fed beef, Zachary Zaitzeff provides the following reasons for making the right choice with your food products, too.

·         Healthier Animals: Animals that are raised organic and grass-fed are significantly healthier than factory-raised animals. They do not receive antibiotics, growth hormones, or genetically modified foods, all of which contribute to unhealthy animals, in turn producing unhealthy beef. Furthermore, grass-fed cows are raised more humanely. Buying organic, grass-fed beef supports the humane treatment of animals as well as providing healthier meat to humans.

·         Healthier Humans: The health benefits of organic and grass-fed animals to humans are tremendous. Grass-fed beef is lower in fat and calories. It also contains more “good” fat, omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids contribute to the health of your heart and brain, reducing risk of heart attacks and Alzheimer’s disease. Omega-3 fatty acids may also reduce your risk of cancer. Grass-fed beef also contains another “good” fat called conjugated linoleic acid, or CLA. CLA is also a defense against cancer. Finally, grass-fed beef has high levels of vitamin E, which further protects against cancer and heart disease.

·         Support Small Businesses: Buying organic meat as well as organic fruits and vegetables supports small farms that are often local. Most organic farms are small businesses that are family-owned and run. As the owner of a family-owned and operated business, Zachary Zaitzeff recognizes the importance of supporting such businesses. Zachary Zaitzeff strives to support small, local farms by purchasing food that is local, organic, and grass-fed.

·         Save the Environment: Organic farming also supports the protection of the environment, and buying organic indirectly maintains that protection. Organic farming does not leak pesticides into the water supply, nor does it spray chemicals that pollute the air for humans and animals. Furthermore, not using pesticides helps to stop the problem of pests becoming resistant to pesticides even as we continue to make them stronger and more dangerous. Organic farming is a huge benefit to the environment, as well as the health of humans and animals.

Zachary Zaitzeff is committed to buying local, organic, and grass-fed products for the important reasons above. If you are a restaurant owner looking to improve the quality of your food, consider turning to organic products as Zachary Zaitzeff suggests.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Introducing Natura’s Line of Organic and Natural Bedding Products For Babies and Children



Natura, The Natural Sleep Solution, has an exciting line of organic and natural products made specifically for children and babies.  The line includes kids and baby mattresses, crib bedding and bumpers, puddle pads, sheets, blankets and pillows.

Babies and children spend even more time sleeping than the average adult, so making sure their sleeping areas are safe and secure is part of Natura’s mission.  Synthetic products and mattresses can result in harmful off-gassing from chemicals, glues and fire retardants.  Natura provides safe alternatives without sacrificing comfort or style.

The Natura Organic line offersparents a mattress solution with certified organic ingredients and absolutely no harmful chemicals or off-gassing.  These mattresses  for kids and babies feature all natural latex, 100% organic cotton covers and 100% organic Natura Grow Wool™ to wick away moisture throughout the night. The all-natural mattress line offers parents another alternative to harmful chemical products.  Mattresses made with coconut coir and talalay or Dunlop latex form a hypoallergenic and antimicrobial sleep environment for little ones.   All mattresses feature easily removable covers for simple washing and refreshing.

Along with their innovative mattress lines, Natura features additional bedding options for parents as well.  Their organic crib bedding features100% organic, unbleached cotton sateen and 100% organic cotton fill.  As with the mattresses, organic products are guaranteed to be free of off-gassing, toxins and chemicals.  Granulated latex pillows offeranotherhypoallergenic environment and 100% organic wool and cotton make up the organic pillow. Crib pads and protectors, sheets, blankets and comforters come with many of the aforementioned features, and all lines work together to offer a safe and ecofriendly environment for the whole family.

The team at Natura is passionate about using only the best materials for their product lines.  They gather quality fabrics and items from around the world to meet their high standards, including wool from New Zealand and latex from countries that offer sustainable and renewable programs. All products and product details can be found on the Natura website at http://www.naturaworld.com/.

Source: PRlog.org

Monday, July 22, 2013

The Environment and Women’s Health and Fertility

The sad story from India of the school children dying and sickened from exposure to an insecticide that got into school lunches has reminded us of the dangers of exposure to chemicals.

Not that some of us need reminding. These chemicals are far more dangerous than many people realize. It is often not possible to clean a container, which has held these chemicals well enough to reuse it.

Most chemicals come with use instructions that people never even read.

To illustrate, we were walking in our neighborhood one afternoon and came upon one of our neighbors spraying herbicide/weed killer on the weeds in her yard. She was wearing shorts and flip-flops while she sprayed this chemical.

We generally just let the weeds grow because we feel they are far less harmful than the chemicals. We use a weed-eater to keep a clear perimeter around the house and call it done.

We suggested to her that she wear boots and a coverall that could be cleaned or even thrown away after she was finished.

While manufacturers of these chemicals insist they are harmless to humans even they would expect people to exercise reasonable caution.

It’s not my first experience with people who are too careless with their lives and their children’s lives and yard chemicals.

Another woman we knew, a nursing mother, was also spraying weed killer on her yard while wearing shorts and flip-flops.

An older relative of mine loved to spray weed killer on her yard and gardens. She did it for years without taking many precautions. She now has dementia and began developing it relatively young and atypically from ordinary Alzheimer disease.

Of course these experiences we have had pale by comparison when you consider the chemicals many farmers use. Often they are concentrated and must be diluted before they are applied.

A young farmer dripped just a drop or two of insecticide on his leg and nearly died. He was in a coma for over two weeks. When he finally regained consciousness doctors were unsure whether his poisoning would have long term consequences.

We had a friend whose family story is probably the ultimate as a cautionary tale about herbicides and pesticides.

The family had a farm where they regularly used these types of chemicals. The consequences were severe.

1.       The father died of cancer.
2.       The children…all 4 of them...had cancer at young ages.
3.       The youngest died of breast cancer in her early 40’s.
4.       Of the 4 children…2 boys and 2 girls…only one ever had a child (one).

The consequences made them more likely to develop cancer and mostly infertile, too. Pesticides and fertility don’t mix.

Be careful with that stuff and avoid exposure as much as possible. Those chemicals that are so harmful are the real reason to buy organic foods, regardless of expense.

Our president and everyone who serves in the US Congress and Senate eat organic foods. That’s what they insist on having. What do they know that we don’t?

Resource Box

Georgette and Ron Pauls are lifestyle specialists. You won’t find the usual textbook lifestyle advice on their blog. Learn more about the environment and fertility at Fertility and the Environment.