Articles on Wellness Matters:

Cream Scream

Luxury-price skin care brands will scream, but here's what a study has found - their products don't work any better than drugstore brands. In fact, anti-wrinkle creams are not particularly effective in reducing lines on the face.

That is all according to a survey by United States-based Consumer Reports magazine as reported on CNN.com. A test was conducted in the US recently involving about 20 women aged between 30 and 70 and anti-wrinkle creams of verying prices from different brands. Consumer Reports chose a wide sample of top-rated brands, from mass-market to luxury-price, for its study. The products were bought in retail stores for between US$19 and US$355.

The women used a test product on one side of their face and the lab's standard moisturiser on the other side for comparison. A high-tech optical device was used to detect changes in wrinkle depth and skin roughness.

None of the luxury-price products made a significant difference in the skin's appearance, reported CNN.com. Researchers found that after 12 weeks, top-selling products smoothed out some fine lines and wrinkles, but even the best performers reduced the average depth of wrinkles by less than 10 per cent, a change barely visible to the naked eye.

A spokesman for the magazine said, "The tests revealed that, on average, these products made little difference in the skin appearance and there is no correlation between price and effectiveness.

The survey also ranked Olay Regenerist, priced at about US$19, as the most effective product in reducing wrinkles. Olay Regenerist is also avaialble in Singapore in leading pharmacies and supermarkets. Americans spend over US1 billion a year on anti-wrinkle creams. Singaporeans spent almost $21 million on them last year, a 17 per cent increase from 2004.

Dr Tina Alster, a dermatologic laser surgeon from Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington DC, said it was overly simplistic to conclude from such a limited study that these products did not work. "People would love to believe that cheap products are the same as the more expensive ones, and I may pooh-pooh someone paying US$500 for a cream, but I do see the value of some of the luxury brands which are science-based," she was reported as saying on CNN.com. "But it is a cautionary tale that people should be looking at the ingredients rather than just at the packaging."

Michelle Tay
URBAN
Singapore
23 Dec 2006

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10 Most Common Toxins In The Human Body

Over a lifetime (or in the case of an ecological disaster, an alarmingly short time), the human body assimilates a number of toxins. Some of these are in such trace amounts that we really needn't worry about them, but it is still wise to avoid as many toxins in the diet and the environment as possible. Here are ten of the most common toxins found in human blood and cells:

Free Radicals
These are the toxic waste products of the process of oxidation within our bodies. Oxidation (like rust on iron) is what causes the deterioration of cells, like a bruised apple when it goes brown and mushy. This goes on at a cellular level within the human body and accelerates the aging process.
The effects of free radicals can be reduced by the consumption of anti-oxidant-rich red, orange and yellow fruits and vegetables, along with increasing our exercise and eating less.

Mercury
The commonest sources of Mercury are amalgam fillings and the eating of large marine fish such as tuna. Mercury is implicated in Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, heart failure, irregular heartbeat and even some cancers. There is debate as to whether it is worthwhile to have amalgam fillings removed and replaced. Similarly, the health benefits of eating oily marine fish should be weighed carefully against the risks of mercury consumption.

Sugar
Refined sugar is known as "the white death". We all know it's bad for us, that it contains calories without nutrients. Too much of it can cause insulin resistance, diabetes. The answer is simple; eat less white sugar.

Caffeine
Many people enjoy caffeinated drinks and find that they give them a much-needed "high" in times of fatigue. Don't forget that caffeine is quite a powerful drug and taking yourself off it can cause quite severe withdrawal symptoms. Some people are "allergic" to caffeine and it can cause irrational mood swings and exacerbation of PMS, even heartbeat irregularities. Best to wean yourself off it.

C-Reactive Protein
Perhaps it is wrong to consider this a toxin in itself, but its presence in the blood is an indicator of inflammation in the body. A high reading of C-Reactive Protein in the blood can indicate a propensity to heart attack. It is elevated by infections, inflammatory conditions, insulin resistance, and certain hormones such as those in the contraceptive pill or HRT. It is thought that a preventative dose of aspirin may be effective in reducing the level of C-Reactive Protein.

Cholesterol
A buildup of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) or "bad" cholesterol in the blood is implicated in heart disease via hardening of the arteries. Avoid high cholesterol by eating less saturated fats, exercising regularly, eating supplements rich in plant sterols or (as a last resort) Statins (prescribed cholesterol-lowering drugs).

Cortisol
This is produced by the body at times of worry and stress, therefore it is commonly called the stress hormone. Eliminate cortisol by exercising, laughing, relaxing, enjoying a hobby and not allowing your own personal stresses to fester and thrive within you!

Pesticides
We encounter these in our own gardens (unless we garden totally organically) and on most bought fruits and vegetables. At least trace amounts are probably found in most people's bodies. Either buy organic or make sure you thoroughly wash any fruit and veg you buy.

Dioxins
These are unwanted byproducts of heating processes and can increase cancer risks. They are suspected as contributory factors in diabetes, low sperm counts and behavioral problems. They are everywhere so it is hard to avoid them on an individual level. Buying organic produce and avoiding saturated animal fats (which tend to harbor dioxins) may help.

Homocysteine
Homocysteine is an amino acid. It can contribute to the risks of heart disease, Alzheimer's, furring of the arteries, toxicity in pregnancy, or even birth defects.

Its build-up can be caused by kidney disease, genetics or vitamin deficiencies. Supplementation of Vitamins B12, B6 and Folic Acid may be wise. These vitamins enable the conversion of homocysteine into less dangerous amino-acids in the body.

We are all exposed to toxins in the environment and our food over our lifetimes. Some are easy to avoid, others less so. Clean living and regular detox programs are probably the best we can do to avoid overexposure to toxins.

Sid McCarthy
03 May 2007

Sid McCarthy is a writer specializing in health and nutrition who contributes to a variety of websites including Good Nutrition Center. Almighty Cleanse is a gentle yet effective colon cleansing system that helps eliminate toxins from the body.