There are things one should know about lifelong wellness strategies and health challenges. Here are answers to some of your frequently asked questions.
Is there such a thing as a skin-rescue program?
Yes, there is. But more than just rescue, there is prevention.
You can be ready for a day at the beach protected by sunblock, shades, hat, coverall, towel, parasol.
Believe it or not, that summer umbrella works. This, along with sunblock, can minimize sun damage on your skin. If you are a sun worshiper, these items are a must.
Avoid the midday hours between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. when the sun is at its fiercest.
Keep in mind that vegetables preferred by rabbits like carrots, celery and parsley (along with lime) contain psoralens—natural chemicals that make the skin sun-sensitive.
Some people are psoralen-sensitive, and you could be one of them.
Wear your nutrients. What’s good for the inside will help the outside.
Increase your vitamin C dosage from 300 mg to 1,000 mg. As the most effective skin vitamin, it can minimize sun damage on the skin and speed up the healing of sunburn.
Remember the difference between a suntan and a sunburn. Both mean there has been harm done to the skin, but the degree and severity of the burn varies.
Take selenium (L-selenomethionine)—50 to 200 micrograms of this powerful mineral daily.
These supplements are potent free radical scavengers:
- Argan oil/extra virgin coconut oil, as a topical healing balm after bathing/before bedtime
- Hydration through fresh coconut water and 10-15 glasses of water daily
I’m just in my 50s, and I am losing my sense of smell and taste. Help!
To be deprived of the simplest of pleasures, like smelling the sweet fragrance of jasmine or a freshly sliced orange, can be depressing.
Know that both senses are interconnected, and may deteriorate with advancing age.
See your family doctor or an ENT specialist to rule out a serious medical problem.
And while there are a number of possible conventional treatments, there are some natural approaches.
- Acupuncture—This ancient Chinese natural approach uses the finest of needles that lightly stimulate pressure and energy points in the body’s meridians or pathways of energy. Balance is achieved after several sessions, and relief is felt.
- Zinc—People could be severely deficient in zinc without knowing it. The result oftentimes is the loss of the sense of taste.
Ananda Prasad, MA, PhD, professor of medicine at the Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, warned that even a mild deficiency in zinc can affect the taste buds.
A volunteer study group that spent six months testing a 5 mg-a-day zinc supplementation found that both their olfactory and taste capabilities improved with the medication.
Taste buds are dependent on zinc because the salivary glands make gustin, a zinc-dependent protein which maintains the sensation of taste.
Natural sources: seafood (especially oysters) and meats (veal, lamb, pork, beef)
Supplements: zinc gluconate or zinc acetate.
Strict vegetarians must take zinc supplements to prevent a deficiency.
How do I get rid of varicose veins?
Those blue-green bulges on your legs develop when veins cannot efficiently return blood back to the heart. Blood begins to pool in the veins while dilating them; thus, those unsightly varicose veins.
More than a cosmetic problem, it could lead to a medical situation in the long run.
Nutritional advice: Eat more fiber, drink more water.
Minimize salt intake to prevent bloating due to water retention.
Exercise recommended: brisk walking in order to lose weight (if overweight)
Maintenance exercise: daily walking to keep the legs fit and strong
Supplements: vitamin C, 500-3,000 mg daily
Bioflavonoids, 100-1,000 mg daily
Natural sources: citrus fruits and berries
Vitamin B prevents blood clots. Take 25 mg of vitamin B6 and B12 and 2,500 micrograms of folic acid to help neutralize inflammation and bring down homocysteine levels.
How do I get rid of my bloatedness?
We are all fluid beings containing approximately 60-75 percent water.
People who retain water easily tend to bloat. Others don’t, even if they drink loads of water daily.
Rule out allergies or any possible allergic reaction to certain types of food, prescription drugs or hormones; heart and kidney problems; menstrual cycle issues.
Get rid of bad habits. If you munch on salty chips before bedtime, accept water retention as a consequence the next morning.
Other tips
- Junk the salty junk food.
- Drink more water.
- Avoid alcohol—Although a diuretic, alcohol depletes the body of vitamin C.
- Try natural diuretics like herbal teas, especially fresh parsley tea.
Parsley concoction: In a teapot of boiling water, mix a small bunch of fresh parsley. Allow to steep for five minutes. When you see the water turn a light jade green, it’s time to drink it.
Check your potassium (3,500 mg), calcium (1,000-1,500 mg) and magnesium (400 mg) levels. These minerals play a vital role in maintaining fluid balance in your body.
Today’s affirmation: “The more cheerful I am, the more happiness I attract.”
Love and light!
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