Acne is a disorder resulting from the action of hormones and other substances on the skin's oil glands (sebaceous glands) and hair follicles. These factors lead to plugged pores and outbreaks of lesions commonly called pimples or zits. Acne lesions usually occur on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders. Although acne is usually not a serious health threat, it can be a source of significant emotional distress. Severe acne can lead to permanent scarring.
How Does Acne Develop?
Doctors always describe acne as a disease of the pilosebaceous units (PSUs). PSUs are found over most of the body, consist of a sebaceous gland connected to a canal, called a follicle, which contains a fine hair (see “Normal Pilosebaceous Unit” diagram). These units are mostly all over the face as well as the upper back, and chest.
The sebaceous glands make an oily substance called sebum that normally empties onto the skin surface through the opening of the follicle, commonly called a pore. Cells called keratinocytes line the follicle.
The hair, sebum, and keratinocytes that fill the narrow follicle might often produce what’s known as a plug. This is an early sign of acne. This plug stops sebum from reaching the surface of the skin through a pore. The mixture of oil and cells allows bacteria Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) that normally live on the skin to grow in the plugged follicles.
Read the rest of this article and many others at Which Vitamins
Editor in Chief
Peter Charalambos
Thursday, 24 January 2008
What Is Vitiligo?
Vitiligo (vit-ill-EYE-go) is a pigmentation disorder in which melanocytes (the cells that make pigment) in the skin are destroyed. As a result, white patches appear on the skin in different parts of the body. Similar patches also appear on both the mucous membranes (tissues that line the inside of the mouth and nose), and the retina (inner layer of the eyeball). The hair that grows on areas affected by vitiligo sometimes turns white.
The cause of vitiligo is not known, but doctors and researchers have several different theories. There is strong evidence that people with vitiligo inherit a group of three genes that make them susceptible to depigmentation. The most widely accepted view is that the depigmentation occurs because vitiligo is an autoimmune disease—a disease in which a person’s immune system reacts against the body’s own organs or tissues.
As such, people’s bodies produce proteins called cytokines that alter their pigment-producing cells and cause these cells to die. Another theory is that melanocytes destroy themselves. Finally, some people have reported that a single event such as sunburn or emotional distress triggered vitiligo; however, these events have not been scientifically proven as causes of vitiligo.
Who Is Affected by Vitiligo?
About 0.5 to 1 percent of the world’s population, or as many as 65 million people, have vitiligo. In the United States, 1 to 2 million people have the disorder. Half the people who have vitiligo develop it before age 20; most develop it before their 40th birthday. The disorder affects both sexes and all races equally; however, it is more noticeable in people with dark skin.
Read the rest of this article and many others at http://whichvitamins.org/TheWhatisSeries.html
Editor in Chief
The cause of vitiligo is not known, but doctors and researchers have several different theories. There is strong evidence that people with vitiligo inherit a group of three genes that make them susceptible to depigmentation. The most widely accepted view is that the depigmentation occurs because vitiligo is an autoimmune disease—a disease in which a person’s immune system reacts against the body’s own organs or tissues.
As such, people’s bodies produce proteins called cytokines that alter their pigment-producing cells and cause these cells to die. Another theory is that melanocytes destroy themselves. Finally, some people have reported that a single event such as sunburn or emotional distress triggered vitiligo; however, these events have not been scientifically proven as causes of vitiligo.
Who Is Affected by Vitiligo?
About 0.5 to 1 percent of the world’s population, or as many as 65 million people, have vitiligo. In the United States, 1 to 2 million people have the disorder. Half the people who have vitiligo develop it before age 20; most develop it before their 40th birthday. The disorder affects both sexes and all races equally; however, it is more noticeable in people with dark skin.
Read the rest of this article and many others at http://whichvitamins.org/TheWhatisSeries.html
Editor in Chief
Sunday, 18 November 2007
The Prostate Gland
What’s the most common health complaint for middle-aged and older men?
THE PROSTATE! (Technically known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
If you do fall into this category then read this!
Statistics confirm that you have a one in three chance of developing a prostate problem at some stage in your life but................
Here’s the good news.
Most serious prostate problems are avoidable! New findings published recently, report that there is a link between consuming a greater amount of folate with a reduced risk of developing prostate cancer. Promising findings aren’t they? In 1999 it was revealed that almost 25,000 men were diagnosed as having prostate cancer and this number is expected to continue increasing.
Reduce the risk by over a third! Folate is the form of the B vitamin – folic acid– that naturally occurs in leafy green vegetables like spinach. Folic acid is essential for the proper synthesis and repair of DNA and therefore for cell division. Although commonly referred to as an essential vitamin for pregnant women, new findings have found that folic acid is just as important for men and can be gotten in a folic acid supplement form.In a case-control study of prostate cancer over a period of 11 years researchers in Italy analysed data from almost 1300 patients. All diagnosed with prostate cancer!
This was compared to 1,451 patients with growths (but not associated with tumours or cancer) who were admitted to the same hospital. Researchers then evaluated over 78 different foods that had been eaten by these patients up to two years prior to their diagnosis or hospital admission. It was found that Folate intake was directly related to prostate cancer risk! A 34% LOWER risk of prostate cancer was found in men who included a lot of folic acid supplement in their diets,
This was compared to men whose intake of folate was considerably lower and based on these findings it was concluded that there is a very strong relationship between a high intake of folate and lower levels of cancer.
So………mum was right all those years ago…
Another Product known to benefit the prostate issue is Saw Palmetto, a product used as a treatment of its symptoms. Many men regularly use both products. It is a folic acid supplement of course.
Studies have shown that it is effective in reducing symptoms associated with BPH. Saw Palmetto appears to have efficiency similar to that of medications like Finasteride. It is also believed to be easier for the body to tolerate and of course it is much cheaper.
There are no known drug interactions with the supplememnt, and reported side effects are minor and rare. No data on its long-term usage are available however. Today, it remains the leading selling of natural prostate remedies, out selling all other herbal products combined. In other words, a safe folic acid supplement.
The conclusion? Protect your prostate by increasing your intake of folate and seriously consider adding Saw Palmetto to your daily supplement intake.
Food information!Foods high in folate include: Dark green leafy vegetables like greens, spinach, broccoli, eggs, orange juice, fortified breakfast cereals and vitamin supplements (in the form of folic acid). The recommended dose for folic acid is 400 micrograms daily, and 2,000mg of Saw Palmetto, both preferably taken at mealtimes.
My Audio Book suggestion for this product is 'Men's Private Parts. Listen to a sample.
Click on Image
Editor
Healthy Living Store
Author:
The information on this site is provided for information purposes and is in no way intended to replace the knowledge or diagnosis of your doctor. Our intention is to focus on overall health issues or strategies. For specific guidance regarding personal health questions, we advise consultation with a qualified health care professional familiar with your particular circumstances. We advise seeing a physician whenever a health problem arises requiring an expert's care.
THE PROSTATE! (Technically known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
If you do fall into this category then read this!
Statistics confirm that you have a one in three chance of developing a prostate problem at some stage in your life but................
Here’s the good news.
Most serious prostate problems are avoidable! New findings published recently, report that there is a link between consuming a greater amount of folate with a reduced risk of developing prostate cancer. Promising findings aren’t they? In 1999 it was revealed that almost 25,000 men were diagnosed as having prostate cancer and this number is expected to continue increasing.
Reduce the risk by over a third! Folate is the form of the B vitamin – folic acid– that naturally occurs in leafy green vegetables like spinach. Folic acid is essential for the proper synthesis and repair of DNA and therefore for cell division. Although commonly referred to as an essential vitamin for pregnant women, new findings have found that folic acid is just as important for men and can be gotten in a folic acid supplement form.In a case-control study of prostate cancer over a period of 11 years researchers in Italy analysed data from almost 1300 patients. All diagnosed with prostate cancer!
This was compared to 1,451 patients with growths (but not associated with tumours or cancer) who were admitted to the same hospital. Researchers then evaluated over 78 different foods that had been eaten by these patients up to two years prior to their diagnosis or hospital admission. It was found that Folate intake was directly related to prostate cancer risk! A 34% LOWER risk of prostate cancer was found in men who included a lot of folic acid supplement in their diets,
This was compared to men whose intake of folate was considerably lower and based on these findings it was concluded that there is a very strong relationship between a high intake of folate and lower levels of cancer.
So………mum was right all those years ago…
"Eat your greens because they’re good for you"
Another Product known to benefit the prostate issue is Saw Palmetto, a product used as a treatment of its symptoms. Many men regularly use both products. It is a folic acid supplement of course.
Studies have shown that it is effective in reducing symptoms associated with BPH. Saw Palmetto appears to have efficiency similar to that of medications like Finasteride. It is also believed to be easier for the body to tolerate and of course it is much cheaper.
There are no known drug interactions with the supplememnt, and reported side effects are minor and rare. No data on its long-term usage are available however. Today, it remains the leading selling of natural prostate remedies, out selling all other herbal products combined. In other words, a safe folic acid supplement.
The conclusion? Protect your prostate by increasing your intake of folate and seriously consider adding Saw Palmetto to your daily supplement intake.
Food information!Foods high in folate include: Dark green leafy vegetables like greens, spinach, broccoli, eggs, orange juice, fortified breakfast cereals and vitamin supplements (in the form of folic acid). The recommended dose for folic acid is 400 micrograms daily, and 2,000mg of Saw Palmetto, both preferably taken at mealtimes.
My Audio Book suggestion for this product is 'Men's Private Parts. Listen to a sample.
Click on Image
Editor
Healthy Living Store
Author:
The information on this site is provided for information purposes and is in no way intended to replace the knowledge or diagnosis of your doctor. Our intention is to focus on overall health issues or strategies. For specific guidance regarding personal health questions, we advise consultation with a qualified health care professional familiar with your particular circumstances. We advise seeing a physician whenever a health problem arises requiring an expert's care.
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