Quinoa: One of Nature's Healthiest Protein-Rich Foods

If you're looking for a truly healthy food that is rich in protein that your body can easily digest and use, look no further than quinoa. Called the "mother of grains" by the Incan empire, quinoa is native to South America, and is naturally rich in all nine essential amino acids - these are amino acids that we humans can't make from other nutrients, and must obtain from our diet.

Quinoa is particularly rich in lysine, an amino acid that is needed for growth and repair of our tissues. In some individuals, lysine is especially helpful in preventing cold sores, especially when combined with intake of natural vitamin C and avoidance of foods that are rich in arginine.

When cooked, quinoa has a slightly nutty flavor that goes well with its fluffy texture. It's gluten-free, and is a good source of a number of micronutrients, most notably iron, magnesium, copper, and phosphorus.

Which is healthiest oil for cooking??

If you're not sure how to choose healthy oils for cooking, it's important that you understand the essential differences between saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Once you understand, you'll know which commonly available oils are good for your health.

Here's a look at the basic differences between the three types of fatty acids that are found in all commonly available oils:
Saturated fatty acids pack together tightly, making oils that contain a large percentage of them extremely stable when exposed to heat and light. Oils that have a high percentage of saturated fatty acids are your best choice for cooking.
Monounsaturated fatty acids do not pack together as tightly as saturated fatty acids do. They are relatively stable when exposed to heat, so oils that contain a high percentage of monounsaturated fatty acids are a fair choice for cooking.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids do not pack together very well. They are unstable when extracted out of whole foods, so oils that have a high percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids tend to produce significant amounts of free radicals when exposed to heat. These oils should never be used for cooking.

So for cooking, it should be clear that oils that contain a high percentage of saturated fatty acids are more stable. Let's look at coconut oil (% Saturated 91.9; % Monounsaturated 6.2;% Polyunsaturated 1.9 ) is by far the healthiest cooking oil. And Palm oil (% Saturated 51.6; % Monounsaturated 38.7;% Polyunsaturated 9.7) is second only to coconut oil in its ability to remain stable when exposed to heat. Next would be Olive Oil: (% Saturated 13.8; % Monounsaturated 75.9;% Polyunsaturated 10.3) Its high percentage of monounsaturated fatty acids makes olive oil relatively stable when exposed to heat. If you have difficulty maintaining your ideal weight, use olive oil sparingly, as its monounsaturated fatty acids are quite long in structure, which makes them more prone to being stored as fat than short or medium chain fatty acids. Believe it or not, butter is less likely to cause weight gain than olive oil because it contains a high percentage of short and medium chain fatty acids!

Peanut oil? Because it has slightly more monounsaturated fatty acids than polyunsaturated fatty acids, peanut oil is relatively stable when exposed to heat. If you use peanut oil, I recommend that you limit use to just a few times per month. While Sesame Oil has almost equal percentages of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids (41.5% & 43.6%) . It shouldn't be used for cooking on a regular basis, and should be used raw only on occasion.

Although Canola Oil contains a high percentage of relatively stable monounsaturated fatty acids, canola oil goes rancid quite easily, and relative to olive oil, forms high concentrations of trans fatty acids. Canola oil consumption has also been linked to vitamin E deficiency and heart disease, especially when a person is not getting enough saturated fatty acids in his or her diet. I recommend staying away from canola oil whenever possible. Same thing happens to Corn, Sunflower, Safflower, and Cottonseed Oils! I recommend staying away from these oils completely. All of them contain large percentages of polyunsaturated fatty acids. They also have high concentrations of omega-6 fatty acids, which can cause a variety of health problems Hemp and Flaxseed Oil: I don't recommend cooking with these oils because of their high concentrations of unstable polyunsaturated fatty acids. If their manufacturers have minimized exposure to heat and light with their processing and bottling techniques, a small amount of these oils in their raw forms can be a part of a healthy diet. But it's healthier to eat their seeds freshly ground. Grape seed oil should also be avoided when cooking. As with most other vegetable oils, it contains a high percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids which produce significant amounts of free radicals when exposed to heat.

Based on the information above, I generally recommend using mainly coconut oil and/or olive oil for cooking.

Hydroquinone~the cure worse than the cause

Consumers should be alarmed to read about recent research relating to hydroquinone, the whitening agent in whitening cream causing cancer. Although hydroquinone creams are banned for use in cosmetics you may be still be giving hydroquinone to your cosmetic table without being aware.

Hydroquinone has been used for many years to reduce pigmentation by acting on melanin producing cells. This action can destroy the pigment making cells (melanocytes) and alter the structure of melanosomes (packets of pigment which are made by the melanocytes and passed to new skin cells as they are formed).

Hydroquinone was banned in January 2001 in cosmetics because of the potential damage it can do to the skin in terms of irritating the skin and creating white areas where no pigment can be made or in some cases turning the skin black. It is still prescribed by dermatologists in hospital but they are gradually switching to alternatives as new safety data comes to light. Recent studies have shown the potential of hydroquinone to cause cancer.

Significant importation of hydroquinone creams still occurs from countries where it is yet to be banned and a strong black market trade exists in the Malaysia (26 products). This is bad enough but more concerning is that companies can still sell products containing arbutin and bearberry legally. Arbutin is the glycopyranoside of hydroquinone, may carry similar cancer risks, although there are also claims that arbutin reduces cancer risk. The German Institute of Food Research found that intestinal bacteria can transform arbutin into hydroquinone, which creates an environment favourable for intestinal cancer. It is known that the body excretes 64-75% of arbutin in urine, and arbutin converted to hydroquinone has an antibacterial effect in the urinary tract, hence the use of bearberry in herbal medicine, but it is not known why this substance plays a role in cancer development.This mouthful means that when this molecule is in the skin it breaks down and releases hydroquinone. Bearberry is a natural source of arbutin. So in fact many people are still effectively getting hydroquinone albeit by a different method. This issue of substitute sources of hydroquinone has been raised with the EEC but they have yet to respond; although they have classified hydroquinone as a potential cancer agent.

Hydroquinone has been shown to cause blood cancers such as leukaemia and kidney damage in animal studies. When applied to the skin it is absorbed into the blood stream and excreted via the kidneys but at a slower rate. This tells us that hydroquinone accumulates in the body. It is broken down in the bone marrow to p-benzoquinone and this is where long term damage may originate.

Hydroquinone creams are routinely used for four to six weeks minimum and many people use it for social lightening of a dark complexion over many years. There is strong evidence now that safer alternatives should be used which are as effective in many cases but without the long term risks.

This information has been brought to light by a recent review by Dr W Westerhof and T J Kooyers of the Netherlands Institute for Pigment Disorders and the Department of
Dermatology at the University on the health risks of hydroquinone and its analogues. They are pleading with the authorities to ban all sources of hydroquinone immediately.

Skin Care ingredient glossary

Looking for most effective skin care? most suitable for your skin needs? oh..you have to know what actually inside your miracle skin care!
Aloe Vera -Helps moisturize, soothe and regenerate healthy skin cells. Effective with acne and wrinkle skin.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids -Are natural, non-toxin substance found in foods and plants. In many skin conditions there is too much thickening of the stratum corneum which is the outer dead layer of skin. Alpha Hydroxy works as fruit acid that soften the "physiological glue" that holds the skin dead cells surface together. Without a build-up of this unused skin surface, the skin can become healthier, youthful, and damage skin can diminished.
Allantoin -A derivative of the herb Comfrey, which is known for its soothing and smoothing properties. This vital "anti-aging" attribute of Kinetin also appears to extend to our skin cells.
Antioxidant- Free-Radical particles cause our bodies to produce nasty-by-products when exposed to the sun, air pollution, smoking or even alcohol and foods. Antioxidants help stop the damage caused by this and also help the skin fight against wrinkles, bad complexion and signs of skin aging. Among the best are: Beta Carotene, Vitamin A, C, E and herbals: Ginkgo Biloba, Rose Hips, Garlic, Grape seed, Bilberry, Green TEA, Pycnogenol and Seaweed.
Buffer AHAs -The first of its kind in AHAs, so advanced that there is a patent pending on this formulation. Buffer is designed especially for maximum results with minimum irritation.
Caprille/Caprie Triglyceride Caprille moisturize the skin, these natural fatty acids are needed to maintain the skins moisture without clogging the pores.
Cocoa Butter -Cocoa Butter is absorbed quickly into the skin to soften, lubricated, moisten and nutrients the skin. Works great to prevent and treat scars, stretch marks, and damage skin
Collagen (protein) -The primary beauty nutrients in the body. Collagen is needed for the strength and support your skin requires to fight wrinkles and retain its youthful resiliency. Chamomile -Chamomile is effective in soothing and healing the surface of the skin. Promotes the regeneration of skin cells

Clove/ Cinnamon- Improves circulation and helps stimulate blood flow.
Comfrey -encourages the growth of new cells and repair of the skin. Helps protect the skin against aging.
Ginkgo Biloba -stimulates circulation, also a powerful antioxidant.
Glycerin -Derived mainly from vegetable fats, it is used as a moisturizer and emollient.
Horsetail -A rich organic ingredient that gives the skin a firmer, youthful and smoother look. Horsetail improves elasticity, giving skin the ability to spring back into shape.
Hydroquinone -is the most effective lightening compound on the market today. Because this is a highly concentrated ingredient can cause irritation on sensitive skin and should be use with caution.
Kojic Acids -This is a natural herb, known for its lightening effects. Because the FDA only allows the use of 2% Hydroquinone in a cosmetic product, Kojic Acid is use to boots the lightenineffects.
Jojoba Oil -Jojoba oil is called "liquid gold" An extraordinary balancing oil, which helps regulate under-active and overactive oil glands.
Liposome -Liposome are advanced natural fatty acids that hold the skins natural moisture in the skin. This is especially important for hydrating dry and aging skin. The lack of moisture is the number one cause of wrinkles and dry skin damage. These fatty acids can come from Lecithin.
Mint-Mint is used for cleansing and stimulating the skin tissue.
Safflower /Sunflower Oil -These natural oils are rich in fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Works as natural lubrication to moisturizer the skin.
Sage -Sage is an astringent stimulating herb, good for circulation to skin tissues. It contains an estrogen-like active ingredient with a tautening effects on aging skin.
Shea Butter -Shea Butter is deep penetrating and long acting. Is needed to restore the skin's moisture balance and prevent visible signs of aging and wrinkles.
Squalane -Derived from olives, uses to keep skin soft and supple.
TEA -Tea is excellent for putting oxygen into the skin tissue. This herb also fights Free-Radicals that are aging and destructive to the skin.
Micellized Vitamins-These patent skin vitamins are small molecules vitamins that were specifically developed for topical application. Smaller molecules vitamins results in greater absorption into the skin than any other vitamins.
Vitamin A -Helps increase skin elasticity to decrease fine lines and bring about healthier, supple skin.
Vitamin C -Vitamin C and/or Rose Hips helps neutralize free radical activity and promotes collagen synthesis.
Vitamin E -Known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant properties. Vitamin E helps trap free - radicals before they can damage skin cells

Eat Collagen supplement or foods promote collagen?

If you wish to know more about the collagen, collagen supplement and more facts regarding collagen, please go to my previous post: Collagen supplement,must or waste?!

Collagen fibers are made from protein, and they are somewhat unusual in having large amounts of two amino acids, called hydroxylysine and hydroxyproline. Unfortunately, we haven't seen any research studies to support the addition of high lysine or high proline foods as a way of promoting collagen formation. Nonetheless, it would seem logical for consumption of foods high in lysine and proline to be potentially helpful in collagen support. Animal foods are the primary source of both amino acids. With respect to proline, egg whites appear to be an especially good source of proline from amongst the animal foods. And we've found one important exception to the animal versus plant proline rule - wheat germ. This plant-based component has much more proline than would normally be expected from a plant food.
All of the lean meats, the low-fat dairy products, and the fish would be especially concentrated sources of lysine. One plant food category would be an exception to the animal versus plant lysine rule - that category is legumes (and particularly peanuts). One final note about lysine, proline, and collagen would involve the importance of vitamin C. This vitamin is required to change proline into hydroxyproline (the collagen form) and lysine into hydroxylysine (once again, the collagen form). While you are trying to support your collagen tissue, you should remember that overall protein intake - both quality and quantity - is important. You may need to go beyond the RDA protein level of 46 grams (for adult women) and 56 grams (for adult men) to achieve this goal. You may also need to include a variety of foods that provide protein. Nuts, seeds, and legumes would all be food categories to consider.
Some of the diseases involving collagen damage have been found to improve with the addition of certain foods or food components to the diet. However, the research in this area tends to involve animals versus humans, and the experiments have often used food extracts or nutrient supplements instead of foods themselves. In this category, however, garlic has been a standout food, and two sulfur-containing nutrients - the amino acid taurine and the organic acid lipoid acid - have also shown the ability to support damaged collagen fibers.
Finally, you may want to consider two categories of phytonutrients as particularly important in a collagen-building meal plan. Those phytonutrients are catechins and anthocyanidins. In the research literature, the catechins found in green tea have been shown to help prevent breakdown of collagen, and for this reason we would definitely recommend that you consider green tea as a potential collagen support food. The anthocyanidins found in deep-colored, red-blue berries and fruits (including cherries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries) have been shown to work in a somewhat different way. These phytonutrients help the collagen fibers link together in a way that strengthens the connective tissue matrix.

We understand that you have no time to read through the bla..bla bla...so the very short list of collagen building fruit would be: Proline: egg white, wheat germ; Lysine: lean meat, fish, legume-peanut; Vitamin C;garlic; catechin:green tea; anthocyanidins:cherries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries.

Osteoporosis~misunderstood health condition

Purpose:To help you identify the essential choices that we must make on a regular basis to minimize your risk of developing osteoporosis. First, get yourself of clear picture of the physical structure and functions of your bones. Well, you can also skept this part and directly go to the ways to maintain the healthy bone....

Physical structure of Bones:
are active organs that are filled with a number of different tissues, the main ones being bone tissue (hardened minerals), bone marrow, specialized tissues that line different sections of your bones (endosteum and periosteum), cartilage, blood vessels, and nerves.

Functions Of bones:Production of blood cells (hematopoiesis).Maintenance of delicate acid-alkaline(pH approximately 7.35 to 7.45) balance within your blood by providing a buffering mechanism. Provision of structural framework and protection. A few to be listed.

Re-modeling of bone:This remodeling process is mainly carried out by two types of cells that exist within your bones according to your needs and circumstances. :
Osteoblasts - Responsible for new bone production.
Osteoclasts - Responsible for removing damaged or unneeded cells.

Hormones that have some effects to bones:

Growth hormone
Testosterone
Estrogen
Progesterone
Thyroid hormones (T4, T3 and their derivatives)
Cortisol
Erythropoietin
At this point, it should be clear that primarily focusing on how much calcium you need to take each day is not likely to ensure that you build and maintain healthy bones.

How to Build and Maintain Healthy Bones
1. Be physically active.
No other facet of your life has greater impact on the health of your bones.
Your body is designed to adapt all of your organs -- your bones included -- to your specific needs. If you are physically active, your body will work to make your bones as strong and flexible as possible with its resources. If you lead a relatively sedentary lifestyle, your body will not work to produce and maintain strong bones since your lifestyle is not signaling a need for such bones.
2. Eat mineral-rich foods on a regular basis.
Your body needs much more than calcium supplements to build and maintain healthy bones. When you consider that your bones are comprised of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, manganese, zinc, iron, silica, and many other trace minerals, it should be clear that eating mineral-rich foods is far superior to taking calcium-based supplements when it comes to providing real nourishment for your bones. Examples are green vegetables and herbs.
3. Consider drinking mineral-rich broths on a regular basis.
Broths that are made by simmering bones and a variety of vegetables for an hour or longer are a fantastic source of calcium and other minerals that can be used to keep your bones strong and flexible.
4. Ensure adequate vitamin D status.
Adequate amounts of vitamin D must be present in your body for calcium in your foods to be optimally absorbed and used.
5. Eat high quality fats and cholesterol.
Consumption of high quality fats optimizes the absorption of vitamins A and D into your bloodstream. And vitamin A is needed to keep your intestinal lining healthy and readily able to absorb minerals in the foods that you eat. For these reasons, it's virtually impossible to have optimally healthy bones and teeth without including healthy fats in your diet.
Here are some examples of foods that are rich in healthy fats:
Extra virgin olive oil
Avocados
Organic eggs from cage-free birds
Soaked nuts and seeds (about a handful per day at most)
Cold-water fish and high quality fish oils
Coconuts and coconut oil
Bone broths
Organically raised red and white meats (should be eaten sparingly if eaten at all - with proper planning, there is no physiological requirement for red and white meats)
6. Learn how to effectively manage emotional stress.
Chronic emotional stress can elevate the level of cortisol in your blood. Cortisol is useful for combating stress, but if it remains elevated in your system over the long term, it can cause the matrix of your bones to weaken. Corticosteroid drugs can also weaken your bones and cause osteoporosis if used in large quantities and/or over the long term.
7. Avoid regular consumption of foods that may cause your bones to lose calcium.
Acid-forming foods are foods that bring the pH of your blood down. Because you cannot survive if the pH of your blood moves outside a very narrow range (7.35 to 7.45), your body must buffer the effects of acid-forming foods to maintain a healthy blood pH level. One of the main ways in which your body buffers acid-forming foods is to take calcium from your bones and use it to neutralize the remnants of acid-forming foods. If your body is repeatedly forced to do this, your bones may be weakened.
Foods that are strongly acid-forming in your blood and should not be staples in your diet include:
Artificial sweeteners
Soft drinks (pop)
Sugar
Cookies, cakes, and pastries made with white flour
Table salt
Alcohol
8. Regularly eat foods that are rich in vitamin C.
Collagen is a long, fibrous protein that is critical to providing your bones with tensile strength. In short, the more quality collagen that you have in your bones, the more physical stress that your bones can tolerate before breaking.
Your body needs vitamin C to synthesize collagen. Please note that there is a big difference between the full vitamin C complex found in real foods and synthetic forms of vitamin C found in many nutritional supplements.

I hope that this article makes it clear that your bones are active organs that are slowly supported or eroded by every food and lifestyle choice that you make. Addressing osteoporosis with a calcium supplement or drug without regard for your overall health will not allow you to build and maintain the healthiest bones that your genetics and upbringing will allow.

Art - The naked Women

The naked women~~my second drawing, i am not specially keen to draw the naked women but i don't how to draw the clothes when they putting on, i meant the natural lines, shadow of the fabric....hai..the facial contour is weird, dont know how to improve. Somebody can teach? or any opinion?

Understanding the skin care product's ingredient list

The vast majority of skin care products have a complete list of ingredients on the label, whether active or inactive, lumped together without any distinction because the law called "The Fair Packaging and Labeling Act," requires all ingredients to be listed with the listing guidelines.

First, you need to figurout the active ingredients that you needed from the list (i will post the active ingredients list later in this blog later).Once you are satisfied with active ingredients in the list, you need to figure out if they are present in sufficient amounts. If you are in luck, the concentration may be stated on the label, but typically it isn't. As per The Fair Packaging and Labeling Act, the listing begins with the ingredient present in the largest concentration (typically water, oil and other vehicles) and moves downward, often ending with trace elements. You shouldn't expect an active ingredient to be in the first or second spot, but if it is near the end of a long list, it is most likely present in a very small amount. Admittedly, some active ingredients, such as estrogens, work in trace amounts, but many require a reasonably high concentration to be effective. The position of the ingredient on the list can give you at least a rough idea if its concentration is sufficient.
There are some exceptions to the rule of descending concentrations in the listing. If one of the ingredients is classified as a drug, then the drug is listed prior to all other ingredients regardless of its concentration. A well known example is Retin A, whose active ingredient tretinoin is classified as a drug.
Patented or otherwise "secret" formulas do not need to disclose the combination of active ingredients but the company must submit an application to the FDA in order to list the alias instead of disclosing the ingredients on the label.
Colors and fragrance are typically listed last, regardless of concentration (although typically their concentration is low anyway).
Sometimes active ingredients are listed separately. For example, this is typical for UV blocking ingredients in sunscreens.
Your final step in investigating the ingredient list is to look at all (or at least the most concentrated) ingredients and make sure they are compatible with your skin. Avoid the ones to which you know you are sensitive, allergic or otherwise individually reactive. If you are prone to acne, take particular care to avoid comedogenic ingredients. Also, some ingredients have significant potential to be harmful to the skin and should be avoided even if you do not have particular sensitivity to them. Look for them at potential harmful chemicals.

my 1st artwork(drawing)

Normally, i meant in our mindset, only the children or teenager willl join the drawing class...well, i joined the drawing class at this old age,at the age people suppose to work hard for their "career"..to fulfill what i wanted when i was still a child. So how do you think about my very first art work? I make them into different colour to represent different mood and character. Life is bored, at least for me, less of determination to complete various pieces of stuffs. Drawing, perhaps can fill some colours into my life, and concentration, to temporarily forget about the soreness in my life. Do peace and cheer re-gain!

炒作保养品 便宜也不能买!

现在市面上的保养产品众多，加之各商家的大肆炒作，我们在选保养品的时候，往往只看广告宣传语，而忽略了很多细节方面的东西。今天我就总结了几条常见的购买误区，希望对大家都有用哦。
陷阱一：声称添加了植物萃取精华，价格又便宜的让人心动
破解：一般植物萃取精华的价格都很贵，如果保养品的价格在30、40元，那么有两种可能，一种是根本没有添加，另一种是一大桶里添加了1滴。如某婴儿品牌产品，也声称加了植物精华，售价却在10-20元之间，加之巨额的广告费用，想的出产品成本有多少，那么添加的东西真的如他所宣传的吗？
陷阱二：声称不含矿物油，价格也便宜的让人心动
破解：大家要先清楚一个概念：矿物油不是含有矿物质的油，而是从石油里提炼出来的油。因为长期使用含有矿物油的产品会让肌肤老化，所以现在皮肤医师都在倡导使用植物油。另外oil-free，不是不含油，而是指不含植物油。无论哪种保养品都要含油，只是含油的好坏、多少有分别。同上，植物油的成本远高于矿物油的成本，如果价格十分便宜，那么购买的时候也要留心了。

陷阱三：标榜纯天然、不含防腐剂，保质期却有3-5年
破解：不含防腐剂？可以做到吗？可以的！自己在家DIY保养品，一般可保存1-3天。此处仍然要清楚一个概念：不含防腐剂，是指不含化学防腐剂。一般含有化学防腐剂的产品保质期相对较长，含量多也可以使保质期延长。保质期在3-5年的产品，基本上都多多少少添加了化学防腐剂。而现在倡导的不含防腐剂，其实是在产品里添加了植物防腐剂，大家都知道有些汉方植物是天然的防腐高手，现在好的保养品就是利用植物萃取来做防腐。这样就不会对皮肤造成伤害了。一般含有天然植物防腐剂的产品保质期在2年以内。
陷阱四：声称不添加香料，可以闻到很浓的水果香味
破解：大家可以想想哦，平时吃的水果，能闻到多浓的味道呢？虽然现在很多厂商很厉害，可以用香料调配出真正水果的味道，但味道太浓就不像是真的了吧。我们即使是把水果榨成汁，也不会闻到很浓的味道。也许加入植物萃取精油会闻的出一些味道吧。
因此，在选择保养品时一定要睁大眼睛哦！不要被表面现象欺骗了！从观察细节入手，选择一款真正好品质的保养品！

Collagen supplement, Must Or WASTE?!!(beauty purpose)

Recently..er...i meant this few years,due to the celebrities effects, many girls are hooked to collagen supplement(pills,drink,or powder), believed can restore elasticity and health of aging skin, reduce the signs of wrinkles and fine lines, help in weight lose bla...bla..bla..., to list a few. Well, is this miracle supplement really miracle? Let's look at the factssss now and wake up girls!

What happens to our body as we age?

-Our teen's /early 20's: abundance of growth hormone; collagen is used as the building protein for this growth. -mid twenties: growth hormone diminishes; collagen (produced by the liver) is used to promote healthy muscles and build existing muscles. -age of 25 above: the amount of collagen produced by our bodies reduces at a rate of between 1 to 1.5% per annum.

What is collagen & why we need it?

Collagen is a fibrous protein found in vertebrates, the major element of skin, bone, tendon, cartilage, blood vessels and teeth. It forms insoluble fibers of high tensile strength and which contains the unusual amino acids hyroxyproline and hydroxylysine. Collagen supports the skin, which is why the loss of collagen results in sagging skin and wrinkles. Collagen also supports the body's natural movements.

Sources of collagen in collagen supplement?

Up until now the most common sources of Collagen have been derived from sharks, chickens and bovine. Plant collagen is very different to animal collagen and therefore has an extremely low absorption rate (sorry for vegetarian~~~i think white fungus will help).

Before further discussing about the effectiveness of each sources of collagen, we have to understanding that there are 3 types of collagen: type I, type II, and type III. Type II is for joint relief while type I and type II are believed to be assist in skin aging.

Shark collagen from shark cartilage tends to be very expensive and although has some merit in cancer prevention, the absorbency rate for humans is still quite low. Collagen from chickens is quite a good source and this type is particularly suited to joint relief. Bovine collagen is the most potent and closest in type to our own. Even though bovine source is the most potent producing capsules by this method, it still only ends up with a product that is 15% bio available (amount absorbed into the body).

OH NO, the facts?

For those who do not have a medical background, it may make sense that If collagen loss leads to skin sagging and wrinkles, then replenishing collagen either orally or through creams should restore elasticity and health of aging skin. But, it doesn't work this way. There's no scientific proof that collagen, applied topically, can penetrate the epidermis. The collagen molecules are very complex and large and would not penetrate, and even if collagen did penetrate, it would not be able to incorporate itself within the complex collagen structure in the skin. There is no evidence at this time that collagen supplements lead to weight loss. The good side is, there is believe no adverse effect on consuming collagen supplement though it may be no beneficial effects on you nor your skin. More research results.

Consumers' review~~~how they said?

90% of consumers said they see no changes in their skin after consuming collagen for 3 months.

10% of consumers said their skin texture improved and looked smooth after taking collagen for 3 months. No doubt, how many percentage are placebo effects or due to other factors.... And there is one joke, stated that you may take gelatin powder and mix with water and drink...they are collagen too and cost RM1 plus....

If you insist to give it a go....Determine accompanying supplements!

Vitamin C's prime function is to make collagen, and Lysine aids in collagen formation. If you cannot tolerate Vitamin C supplements due to gout or other medications, consider the C Ester form of Vitamin C that is known as Ascorbyl Palmatate, it is readily available and is less acidic so the body tolerates it better. If you cannot take Vitamin C as a supplement, look to increase your Vitamin C food intake, as collagen must have Vitamin C to work.

Good luck all.....

Really? increased SPF = better protection?

I stay in Malaysia, well known for its sunny wheather, "Hot! very hot!" are the words we used to shout and complaint about the good wheather. As we, girls, wanted to whiter (skin tone) and brighter skin, sun is our biggest enermy! Dont tell me about the skin cancer, pre-mature skin, ageing bla-bla, we usually seek for sun protecter just because we scare of getting darken skin due to donno what effects. heh! here are some facts you have to know(From The Times, New York)!

Everyone knows that an SPF rating of 60 provides double the protection of SPF 30 — or does it?
Studies over the years have shown that sunscreen with an SPF, or sun protection factor, of 30 blocks about 97 percent of ultraviolet rays. A rating of 15 means 93 percent of UV rays are blocked, and anything higher than 30 remains in the 97 or 98 percent range.
What many people do not realize is that the amount of sunscreen applied plays an enormous role. A study in The British Journal of Dermatology this year found that applying less than two ounces over the entire body at one time can leave people with an SPF rating far lower than what is on the bottle. Some studies have shown that people typically apply just 10 percent of the amount recommended.
It is also important to look for sunscreens that protect against UVA and UVB radiation. SPF ratings apply only to UVB rays, and some sunscreens provide no protection at all against UVA rays, which penetrate the skin more deeply. For broad protection, look for sunscreens with avobenzone, zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, all of which block UVA.

THE BOTTOM LINE
Above SPF 30, the increased protection is minimal.

So, dont invest your money for higher SPF anymore (higher SPF usually costs you more) but pay attention to the quantity and frequency you apply, and is recommended to apply the sunscreen 30 minutes before you go under the sun. And it is better for you to re-apply after hours.

The Sunny Side of Egg~Sharing

The original articles is from Andrew Scrivani for The New York Times and i would like to share some of the points there and also my opinions. The Times’s new “Recipes for Health” feature focuses on eggs, a topic sure to cause confusion for those of us who have been told for years that eggs aren’t a health food.
But most medical experts agree eggs have a healthful place in a balanced diet. As the Berkeley Wellness Letter, from the University of California at Berkeley, reported in March, eggs have an undeserved bad reputation because of their high cholesterol content. Although there are 210 miligrams in the yolk of a large egg, the newsletter notes that for most people eggs don’t raise blood cholesterol. “They may even be good for your heart in some ways,'’ the newsletter reports, noting that eggs have unsaturated fat, B vitamins and other nutrients. In addition, there is some evidence that people feel fuller after eating eggs and that regular egg consumption may boost eye health.

And, as shown in some egg studies, dietary cholesterol causes the body to produce HDL (“good”) cholesterol along with LDL (“bad”) cholesterol in these “hyper-responders,” thus helping offset potential adverse effects. Moreover, the LDL particles that form are larger in size — and larger LDL particles are thought to be less dangerous than small ones. In studies at the University of Connecticut, for example, eating three eggs a day for 30 days increased cholesterol in susceptible people, but their LDL particles were larger, and there was no change in the ratio between LDL and HDL, which suggests no major change in coronary risk.

Converse opinion, or research results on the fact that whether egg is friend or fraud to us, or on anything. As for me, i will not simply believe on one or two research/journals anymore as after years facts will not be the facts anymore, in fact, they might be totally different from what you learnt earlier. Go moderate!

Toxics in Skin Care~~~

Compared to my previous post regarding the paraben in the skin care product, now i would like to share a brief on other ingredients found in everyday skin cara product...and they are toxins...

Methyl Paraben (Preservative)
Risk - may cause allergic skin reactions; possible increase in the risk of breast cancer; irritation to eyes; skin and respiratory tract

Propylene Glycol (PG)
Risk - skin rashes; dry skin; respiratory; immuno and neurotoxicity; delayed contact allergy

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS)
Risk - skin, eye and mucous irritation; dry skin; eczema; mouth ulcers; liver and gastrointestinal toxicity

Triethanolamine (TEA)
Risk - allergic contact dermitits; skin irritation; may react with nitrites to form nitrosamines which are carcinegenic corrosive to the eyes .

The list might go on.

So after go through so many journals/acticles about the negative side of those ingredient, though the theory have not been confirmed, it is clear for me that i would rather go for organic or at least natural products without burning my pocket. However, sad to say so, many minimal choice of organic skin care products available in Malaysia market or those high-end products which we need to share their advertisement budget...

Best Vitamins for weight loss?!

Here are the vitamins for people who wish to lose some weight more effectively and maintain their body weight after weight-loss. they are not slimming pills to "slim" you but providing help.

The most important vitamins and minerals for weight loss are: Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Choline (part of B-complex), Inositol (part of B-complex), and Vitamin C.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): for normal thyroid function and metabolism. Good food sources of vitamin B2 include: Milk, liver and kidney, almonds, hard cheese, eggs, wheatgerm, leafy green vegetables, Marmite.
Vitamin B3 (Niacin): Like B2, vitamin B3 is essential for normal thyroid hormone production. Vitamin B3 is also part of the glucose tolerance factor (GTF) which is released every time blood sugar rises. Good food sources of Vitamin B3 include: Wheat bran, liver, tuna, turkey, chicken, meat, eggs, mackerel, salmon, oats, barley, wheatflakes, cheese, dried fruit, brown rice.
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) :Any deficiency of Vitamin B5 interferes with our capacity to utilise fat. Vitamin B5 also plays an important role in energy production and assists adrenal function. Good food sources of Vitamin B5 include: liver and kidney, meat, poultry, nuts, wheatflakes, wheat bran, wheatgerm, eggs, molasses, oats, barley, beans, wholegrain bread, green vegetables.
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) : Vitamin B6 regulates the production of thyroid hormone and metabolism. Also assist in premenstrual water retention / edema. Good food sources of Vitamin B6, brewer's yeast, wheat bran, wheatgerm, oats, sardines, mackerel, poultry, beef, avocado, bananas, brown rice, cabbage, dried fruit, molasses, eggs.
Choline :A member of the Vitamin B complex, choline is not a real vitamin as it is made in the liver. Choline is needed for efficient fat metabolism. Choline deficiency leads to fats becoming trapped in the liver. Good sources of choline include: lecithin, beef liver, beef heart, egg yolks, wheatgerm, cauliflower, cucumber, peanuts.
Inositol : Like choline, inositol is a member of the vitamin B complex and is also manufactured inside the body. Inositol combines with choline to assist in fat metabolism. Good sources of inositol include: lecithin, beef heart, beef liver, wheatgerm, soy, eggs, citrus fruits, wholegrains, nuts.
Vitamin C : provides a range of health benefits including proper conversion of glucose to energy in the cells. Good food sources of vitamin C include: blackcurrants, broccoli, green peppers, kiwi fruits, Brussels Sprouts, lemons, oranges, strawberries, cabbage.

The information is for myself as well.

legal cheating activity (2) - slimming

I am the member of Hai-O, and so glad that i received the birthday greeting from Hai-O . Inside, there was voucher from Bizzy Body, so called slimming expert, for e-intense body detox slimming treatment worth RMY520, is totaly free!

I went Puchong branch for the treatment , , the consultant cum therapist is May. She checked my body weight, height, % water content, % body fat. BMI is 18, is normal , but she just telling me that i have to lose another few kiloes, bear in mind that my body fat is only 18.9%! ohhh....the problem is my % water content is toooo high, 58% compared to normal 30-40%. So water retention is major problem especially lower part of body. From there i need to reduce that but not the fat. And then she started to explain to body treatment, the detox, to activate my lymph system?! However she is more emphasize on Radio frequency for the partial body treatment, this is charged. RM460 per treatment, per 30 mins, to reduce the cellulite on my thigh. Kept on persuing....

Not to cure the major but go to the monor first, not to meet the customer's need but money first policy, will never success the business.

i rejected to try the radio frequency treatment and then she told me that she will only do the half of the treatment for me? half of the treatment! never heard of such thing before and book for another time for the least. And asked me to try together for Radio frequency treatment the another half! Aha...the purpose...

And what is radio frequency?
Radio frequency (RF) is a frequency or rate of oscillation within the range of about 3 Hz to 300 GHz. This range corresponds to frequency of alternating current electrical signals used to produce and detect radio waves. And normally the frequency in slimming center is 500 Hz.

Principles of Radio Frequency?
By applying high frequency into the tissues of human body, the vibration current energy will be changed into bio-thermal energy without ion movement as the range of vibration is very short. RF has a deep thermal effect that can heat a particular part of the body without any stimulation of nerves, therefore it does not cause pain or any down-time. The biothermal energy increases the tissue temperature and enhance the energy at the cellular level, thus stimulating lipolysis and fibroblast(can you imagine? does it make sense?)

The health risk?
RF fields may affect biological systems. General health effects reviews explore possible carcinogenic, reproductive and neurological effects.

Lastly, you may try if you are rich and dare to take risk!

burnt money to be pretty

I will only spend money for only 2 stuffs--------pretty and healthy! Yet they are linked.
Of course pretty the no. 1 :

Eat to be pretty in the sence of beauty skin and slim + fit body, so i am sooooo choocy about the foods, sacrified myself from my favorite ice-cream, cheesy stuffs, noodles ....and go for tasteless tofo, steamed salmon/fish, mountain of organic vegges, untoasted + unsweeten muesli and cereals, unsweeten yogurt, brewer yeast flakes, flax seed, black sesame...(oopss, i must be crazy..)

Drink to be pretty in terms of antiaging, detox, anti-oxidation, combat the free radicals etc,
wonder what i had drink? yes, i drink sugarless soy drink with wheatgrass juice, spirulina with lemon, fruit and flowers tea, chamolie tea to sooth, green tea for anticancer, ginseng tea for?, natural phyto fibers, pysylium husk, apple vinegar with honey, herbal tong shui with mollasses sugar etc...everything can put into the mouth which believe to be beneficial to pretty then i will get a try...

definitely i will take food supplement such as evening primirose oil, vit. E, Calsium and multi vit and minerals, recently heard about the natural made vit B and i will give it a try as Vit B complex can increase your metabolism rate, means that will burn your energy faster and you will not get fat easily..i tried to take pynocare, collagen and co-enzyme Q10 before but seem no result, how about you guys?

Skin care to be pretty in terms of whiter, more even skin tone, smooth , firmer, silky skin, to lighten up my face, i try alpha arbutin serum + massage, and also the L-ascorbic acids serum alternately. Arbutin is more effective but it is sunlight sensitive/ cause you to be sensitive to the sunlight(the bad thing). Rosehip oil to moisture and smoothe my skin... Hyaluronic acid for hydrating(it can absorb environmental water up to 500 x), i make the mask myself, hyaluronic acid with Avene spring water to hydrate and soothe your skin, soak the mask sheet in the solution will do. And also co-enzyme Q10 moisturiser for firmer skin.

Body? scrub once or twice a week at least, sea salt is believe to smoothen your skin...i mix it with olive oil...Yes, virgin coconut oil is hot, but its due to mid-chain fatty acids body health and is too much to use them in skin care, then lotion them after bath...foot spa, to be cheaper, DIY at home, too much to say...to be women, i take care of myself from hair to toe.

Exercise/work-out to be pretty in terms of toning my body, keep my metabolism rate high, sweating, and to be fit, and fit... haha, these do not need to spend money, emh, at least pair of shoe.

I also do some ridiculous so-called exercise to contour my body and reduce the water retention..
also money saving...

Conclusion, i live for pretty! i work for pretty (to earn money to buy those stuffs!) i burn the money for pretty, i am mentally sick for pretty...who can help me?

亲人因為乳癌過世(胸部保健)

說到女性胸部的保健，
乳癌一直在女性的前十大死因中居高不下。

也有亲人因為乳癌在去年過世，
完全瞒着我们，至到末期， 因為癌細胞擴散，
接受化療两次后，
沒多久日子便過世了。

一个很错误的观念，为何生病了就要瞒着亲人，
觉得不要拖援时间，不要让自己受更多的苦，
别这样，
请让我们知道，请让我们支持你，
请为自己，为我们活下去！

在這裡POST一下乳癌自我檢查的步驟：
乳房自我檢測的最佳時機為月經完3-5天內，停經者則自選每月固定一日檢查。
檢測方式：站立時，雙手自然下垂，站在鏡子前面觀察乳房皮膚、
外觀、形狀、大小，之後雙手往後放在臀部，讓胸部突出，及雙手向上舉起，
觀察乳房皮膚、外觀、形狀、大小。
平躺時，胸後墊小枕頭，讓乳腺撐平，使用指腹以順時鐘，
或從乳頭以放射狀的方向觸摸有無硬塊及異樣。
胸部有硬塊，合併有乳頭分泌物時，惡性乳癌的可能性非常高，

每位女性應對自己的乳房有完整的保健概念，
-(1)減少酒精(one drink a day or avoid alcohol completely)，-(2)维持正常体重，尤其在更年期后(Excess fatty tissue is a source of circulating estrogen in your body. And breast cancer risk is linked to how much estrogen you're exposed to during your lifetime.)，-(3) 让身体保持活跃，常运动。-(4)減少高脂肪、高熱量食物的攝取(Results from study of dietary fat and breast cancer risk suggest a slight decrease in risk of invasive breast cancer for women who eat a low-fat diet. )-(5)更你的医生讨论停止长期服用HORMONE。-(6)每月應-定-期自我檢測之外，
超過40歲以上女性宜每年定期至醫院檢查。特別對於乳癌高危險群的人而言，
建議每半年至醫院作乳房檢查，以確保健康。

另外，除了自我檢查外，強烈建議姊姊妹妹們定期去做檢查，
其實自我檢查真的不夠，當你摸的出硬塊，看的到異狀時，
往往早已是很後期，很嚴重的時候了，希望大家都要注意自己的健康，
沒有健康，不管有多少理想都會只剩下空想跟遺憾的。

Legal cheating activities

Pretty, this word is killing...my money dumped into sea due to ...

Case 1:
Went to the famous hair salon in the town for hair treatment, the hair stylist with the awesome styling sure will ask you: "do you wanna try our better hair treatment? The result is much better than the normal treatment, you just need to pay for another RMXX?" "okay..."as i already budgeted for this, so what's wrong if i was to pay for another RMxx for better result. Guess what...i didnt see any significant result after all, looked less frizzy after blowing~~~after hair washing....'!!

Then, knew one friend, ex-hairstylist of that salon, been told that the so-called advanced treatment actually just using better hair treatment wax, probably RM80-100 per litre, well, to do your treatment they probably just need to use 15ml-30ml, that means RM1.50-3.00/treatment. And the steaming machine...RM120 you will get one! aha....RM80 per treatment for suck...

Case 2:
went to the beauty centre called "Nxx Yxxk Sxxn Sxxxxxxx" for triple masks facial treatment...everthing went well until...."do you want to try our ampoule, is very effective?"..."oh...emh..."<<

(price for ampoule i've been try, very effective, RM15 each---sure not in salon, home DIY to do this, from Australia)

the next day, looked at the mirror, acne(s) poping out over my face, 1,2,3,4,5,6..oh my godness...so scary, i have no acne-prone skin usually, never...angry, get back to there,arguing..they explained:"this is the detoxifying reaction after the treatment, may be this is the first time you use our product!!!!" my darling, this is not my first time to do facial treatment or try new product...

And have to go back to visit the skin doctor for the problem and clear the acne scar...money matter again!

Case3
case4
to be continued...

Fish oil for omega 3 fatty acids?

Omega-3 milk powder, omega 3 eggs, salmon fish oil...you've probably heard a lot through the advertisement and news for their values to your health, but do you really understand what are them, the ways in which they are beneficial to your health and which foods to get them from?

Er...not really,right?

First, what are them?
Omega 3 fatty acids are a family of unsaturated fatty acids that have in common a carbon–carbon double bond in the n−3 position, chemically speaking, meaningless to you right?Ok, let's proceed...Important nutritionally essential n−3 fatty acids are: α-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). They are called essential fatty acid as our bodies cannot produce them through other nutrients.

Next, the key health benefits of including omega-3 fatty acids in your diet:
-help keep your heart and blood vessels healthy. In doing so, they can reverse and prevent high blood pressure, as well as reduce your risk of suffering a stroke.
-decrease pain and inflammation throughout your body.
-help prevent breast and colon cancer.
-help to reverse and prevent depression and other mental/emotional health challenges.

Let's see their relationship:

Dark green vegges,
Walnuts, flax seeds, →→ ALA →→Intermediate →→→EPA ↔↔DHA
Plant foods etc molecules ↑ ↑
↑ ↑
↑ ↑
Cold water fish, fish oil, seaweed, etc

Need fish oil?----not necessarily..
Your body is able to convert ALA into EPA and DHA. So theoretically, if you are in excellent health and eat lots of dark green leafy vegetables, ground flax seeds, and walnuts, your body should be able to produce enough EPA and DHA from ALA to provide all of the health benefits listed above..

Some people who support eating only plant foods raise objections to using fish oil, such as the possibility of omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil turning rancid, as well as the possibility of fish oil containing environmental pollutants like mercury. These objections are valid, as independent studies performed by organizations like consumerlabs.com have found that some brands of fish oil contain rancid fatty acids that can harm your health.

Other Suspected risks :
-Increased bleeding if overused (normally over 3 grams per day) by a patient who is also taking aspirin or warfarin.
-Hemorrhagic stroke (only in case of very large doses, called "Eskimo amounts").
-Oxidation of n−3 fatty acids forming biologically active oxidation products.
-Reduced glycemic control among diabetics.
-Suppression of immune and inflammation responses, and consequently, decreased resistance to infections and increased susceptibility to opportunistic bacteria.
-An increase in concentration of LDL cholesterol in some individuals.

As it is with all of the nutrients that we know of to date, omega-3 fatty acids work synergistically with many co-factors to provide their health promoting effects. In my opinion, I feel that it is wise to eat a variety of foods that are naturally rich in ALA, EPA, and DHA rather than to rely on a supplement that contains just one or more of these omega-3 fatty acids .

Not simply replacement of the one vitamin which you deficient!

I saw my friend, lots of friends are heading to pharmacies for vitamins or minerals simply just because they “think” they are deficient, or they “think” they should consume more of that particular vitamins or minerals, especially Vitamin C, believe in its skin whitening properties. In fact, this is ineffective, or even dangerous.

Whenever we seek for to correct a vitamin or mineral deficiency, we must recognize that nutrients work synergistically, in other words, some other nutrients must have to be present together only our body can absorb and assimilate with that particular nutrient which we deficient of. This means that there is cooperative action between certain vitamins and minerals, which may work as catalysts, promoting the absorption and assimilation of other vitamins and minerals. Correcting the deficiency in one vitamin and mineral requires the addition of others, not simply replacement of the one which you deficient. This is why taking a single vitamin or mineral may be ineffective or even dangerous, and this is why a balanced vitamin and mineral preparation should always be taken in addition to any single supplement.

For instance, vitamin B complex should be taken with calcium,vitamin C and E.
Vitamin C should be taken together with bioflavonoids (phytochemical), calcium and magnesium. To correct the deficiency to Vitamin E, essential fatty acids,manganese, selenium, vitamin A and Vitamin B1, inositol and vitamin C have to be taken together. There are lots of examples to go…..

http://www.wretch.cc/blog/conne85

爱情里究竟谁骗了谁？

爱情里究竟谁骗了谁？

我有个愿望，希望自己可以象巴士里的人一样，很平静，很平静地坐着巴士回家，就象他们一样，那就好了，别让我再困在自己的世界里，孤独、执着、痛苦、无措里了。心好苦，不想再次在巴士流泪了。。。愿望，成真了吗？

不知道从何时开始，爱情只存在于我的生命里，却很少出现在我的脑子里。曾经，它常在我脑海里。或许是因为我有了个很爱我的人。我想，是这样的吧。他愿意付出所有，包容了我的无理要求、无理取闹、甚至是欺骗。他太爱我了，会到什么时候呢？终有一天吧，我不知道，也不去想，就逃避。爱情里，我变得自私了，是自私让爱情不再出现呢，还是他的爱让我不再为爱烦恼呢，还是。。。

曾经，我很爱一个人，就因为爱他，我让他离开了，去追求自己的梦想，或许我也没能耐阻止。就这样，送走了他，一年后，也从我生命中走了，永远。得知，他的生命中已经有了个她。

这里，想向个人说对不起，我欠了他好久，也不懂他在哪里？

算劈腿吗？同时，我的生命里也有了另一个他。虽然他知道他，我们还是开始了。刺激、好玩、新鲜。四个月后，他一直在我脑海里，怀疑、徘徊。这男人能够跟我走下去吗？这时，之前的他回来了，他想回来我身边吗？非也，为了什么我也不懂，到现在也不懂。我以为我还爱他，但一个吻否定了一切。也否定了我与两个他。很土，但真的，人生如戏。

一切都结束了吗？我错了。。。我一直哀求，成了？断了？都没有。我真的如此爱他吗？瞒着我，他有了个她，我的友。这中间，也存在了个左右为难的友，瞒着了整件事。原来如此，友情。。爱情。。

我们这样子也好，爱情不平等了，人也不会幸福。


很多故事被发现了，故事背后的某些部份还是被隐瞒着，不见得光，也包护着某些人。


车祸发生了。。。后来的日子呢？不记得了，有好多人。。。好多人。。。拼命叫我给他爱的人、拼命说会给我爱得人。。。被性侵犯了。匆匆，出现了第三、第四个他。。。

人，在不同的阶段总是会为不同的事情在忙着。终于，遇到了他，给我爱情的人。也停止了我为爱情而忙的阶段。

“WEI，今晚有空吗？出来见个面吧，我好想你” 另一个男人说着。

“好啊 。”


小米

监狱风云

监狱风云

看了EYE ASIA，觉得顶有趣的，就POST了跟大家笑一笑。

撑竿跳戒毒
英国一所青少年监狱为了激励犯人积极改造，在监狱内推出一项撑竿跳课程。第一批的学员共有30人，狱方希望能从中培养出运冠军来。一些吸毒者在练了撑竿跳后，从此解除毒瘾，让负责人喜出望外，认为体育锻炼对于告别毒瘾有显著的作用。然而，附近一些居民却忧心忡忡，担心这些撑竿跳的学员锻炼得太好，会跳墙越狱。狱方则大派定心丸，说监狱的围墙有1。6米，而墙头布满数十俚米高的带刺铁丝网，即使他们练出世界记录保持者布勃卡的6。14室外世界记录，也插翅难飞。

跨国借牢房
比利时监狱人满为患，而邻国荷兰却相反，有许多闲置的牢房。比利时司法部脑筋动到荷兰的牢房去，打算向邻国求援，就近租下这些牢房来使用。比利时司法部发言人说，比国政府已经在兴建新的监狱，但是距离完工还有一段时间，听说过去苏格兰曾经向荷兰租下监狱，他也想比照办理。不过，已被荷兰REJECT了，比利时方面则打算通过外交途径，再度向荷兰求援。如果事成，接下来比利时的囚犯就很有可能在国外坐牢了。

笑一笑，祝福我。

Your Skin Care kills or Cure you?!

Ever heard of the words: methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, benzylparaben, butylparaben.... Then look at your ingredient list of your skin care, body lotion, shampoo, underarm deodorant etc...See them? Ok, fine, and what are them?

Parabens are a group of chemical which are favored as cheap and effective preservatives that hamper the growth of bacteria and fungi (bacteriocidal & fungicidal properties), and yet do not impact/modify the viscosity, colour, fragrance and overall performance of the product they are used in.

And now look at the statements below:

UK scientists' analysis of 20 breast tumours found high concentrations of para-hydroxybenzoic acids (parabens) in 18 samples. Parabens can mimic the hormone estrogen, which is known to play a role in the development of breast cancers. From this research it is not possible to say whether parabens actually caused these tumours, but they may certainly be associated with the overall rise in breast cancer cases.

And i found that the below statement is interesting, not going to conclude anything, and you...think about it!

"One would expect tumours to occur evenly, with 20 per cent arising in each of the five areas of the breast," "But these results help explain why up to 60 per cent of all breast tumours are found in just one-fifth of the breast - the upper-outer quadrant, nearest the underarm."


Parabens are skin deep?

Yes...Previously published studies have shown that parabens are able to be absorbed through the skin and to bind to the body's estrogen-receptors,where they can encourage breast cancer cell growth.

A Danish study found that when a paraben cream was spread on the backs of healthy men, the substance showed up in their blood samples in mere hours.This demonstrates that parabens do indeed penetrate the human skin from cosmetic products

No....Some scientists maintains that the amount of parabens absorbed by the skin is very low and the parabens are "metabolised by the skin cells to produce products that have no estrogenic activity".

Aha...why the studies so controversial?

These studies basically focused on the use of parabens in underarm deodorants and lotions that applied to breast, i'm not so sure whether it is safe to use paraben on other parts of body. But i recommend that women should not use cosmetic products containing parabens until their safety can be established. Try to go for products which are parabens-free , but they are shorter shelf life.