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?