Acne and food

 Science refutes the myths that chocolate, cured meats, and other foods are responsible for the appearance of pimples. The causes are quite different.

Pimples again! They seem to sprout like mushrooms. I must have eaten too much pizza or too much chocolate. But no. Let's dispel an old myth: acne doesn't depend on what you eat.

It is a much more complex issue. That includes hormonal factors, and stress, and can be made worse by bad habits. But with the appropriate countermeasures, it can practically always heal, even in the most serious cases. Provided you contact the experts in the sector or dermatologists.

Acne appears mainly in adolescence, however, it can also occur in adulthood. In the case of adolescents, we speak of juvenile acne, in the latter of late or late acne. In most people, this pathology regresses around the age of 30, but sometimes it can persist up to 40-50 years.

It can manifest itself in milder or more serious forms and, if it creeps deep into the tissues, it can lead to the formation of cysts or leave very evident scars. It should not be confused with rosacea, a chronic inflammatory disease characterized not only by papules similar to those of acne but also by dilation of the capillaries of the face and a sensation of heat and burning.

In order not to permanently ruin our skin from acne, let's see what its origin is and what its real symptoms and causes are: it will be easier to fight it.

What is at the base of the pimple The dreaded pimples are due to inflammation of the pores of the skin which have been clogged, in part or completely, by sebum and dead cells? The whole of this material constitutes the blackhead, commonly called blackhead or whitehead.

The color varies according to how the opening of the pore looks like: if it remains free, despite the presence of the material inside the pore, you have black points, if, on the other hand, it is blocked because it is completely blocked by the substances that stagnate there, you have white dots.

In both cases, what remains inside the hair follicle forms an excellent substrate for bacterial growth. Bacteria are in fact the real culprits of redness first and then of swelling and pus formation.

Here, in summary, are those small volcanoes that dot acne-prone skin, and which tend to appear in areas of the body where the skin is richer in sebaceous glands: the face (particularly the forehead and cheeks), the neck, chest, upper back, shoulders (especially in males), and chest.

The triggering factors

Various factors are called into question for their formation: first of all the increase in sex hormones, a phenomenon which occurs in a very marked way during puberty (this is why acne prefers teenagers), but which is found also different in adult life, especially in women.

For example during the menstrual cycle or after discontinuation of the contraceptive pill or, again, in the years preceding menopause.

Among the sex hormones to be indicted are androgens more precisely, male hormones which are however also present in the female organism which, starting from these substances, produces the hormones typical of women, i.e. estrogen.

What do androgens have to do with acne? They have something to do with it because they induce an enlargement of the sebaceous gland present in the hair follicle and an increase in the secretion of sebum, that is precisely those alterations that constitute the basis for the establishment of the various forms of acne and favor the proliferation of bacteria.

But hormones aren't solely responsible. There are also individual factors, such as a genetic predisposition, or the intake of certain drugs, such as lithium, barbiturates, corticosteroids and, of course, androgen-based drugs.

Myths to dispel

In addition to clearing some foods such as chocolate or salami, traditionally accused (unjustly) of causing acne lesions to appear, other myths to be debunked concern the responsibilities of hygiene and sweating in the genesis of the disease.

These factors, however, can influence the progress of skin manifestations once established: if addressed in the right way, therefore, they can facilitate the improvement of the symptoms of the disease.

On the contrary, taken the wrong way, they can worsen the situation of the diseased skin.

Facial cleansing is important, but using the right cleansers is even more so. Thinking that energy washes make it easier to eliminate sebum is a mistake. For skin irritated by acne, gentle cleansing is recommended twice a day, avoiding alcoholic tonics, abrasive soaps, masks, and facial scrubs.

Even the use of sponges can cause small traumas on irritated skin (with bleeding) and aggravate the situation. Better, therefore, to spread the cleaning product gently with your fingers and use warm water to rinse.

If you sweat, it's a good idea to wash again, because the stagnation of sweat favors the appearance of pimples.

Furthermore, these should never be crushed: if you are tempted and try to manually eliminate the unwelcome guest, it returns more aggressively than before. Furthermore, taken from the heat, small injuries can be caused which subsequently give rise to the formation of scars.

Some tricks to not irritate the skin more

Other small tricks can improve the imperfections of acne skin. For example, it is good to avoid exposure to the sun and not touch the affected area continuously.

The sun's rays thicken the skin and instead of drying it worsens its conditions, while not teasing the irritated areas with constant contact with the hands which, moreover, are never completely clean, is a strategy that favors a better skin appearance.

Shaving, in men, requires some attention. Small tricks to avoid further irritating the skin consist in rinsing it with warm water before using the razor, in order to soften the hair, and using always sharp razors with a light hand so as not to cause abrasions or cuts.

If you must use cosmetics, apply the make-up only after using a suitable base (anti-acne) and be careful to use strictly cosmetics (including sunscreen, which must always have a high protection factor). oil-free”, i.e. non-comedogenic.

The same goes for gels and other hair products. Even the latter should not be overlooked when you have acne problems. Very oily hair requires frequent washing, even every day, with delicate shampoos.

Fast weight loss: which ones work and which ones to avoid

There are many ways to lose weight today. Of these, however, only a few are really effective, but you always need commitment, perseverance,  and a lot of patience. In fact, weight loss takes time and even if there are solutions that promise to lose weight in a short time, you have to be very careful, because they could be harmful to your health. We must bear in mind that shortcuts can be dangerous and jeopardize the well-being of the body. Slimming drugs can have contraindications that should not be underestimated. In addition, losing weight drastically carries significant risks. Therefore, as obvious as it may seem, the best way to lose weight and have lasting results is to have a healthy and balanced diet combined with some physical exercise. Different speech, however, for supplements. The latter is hardly harmful to the deficiencies in vitamins, fibers,  and other nutrients, due to a more restrictive diet.

Why always seek the opinion of your doctor?

If you are considering taking weight loss medications or supplements, always talk to your doctor first, especially if you have any health problems or are on medications. In fact, your doctor is the only person who can follow you in planning your food plan and keep your progress under control. In addition, your doctor will be able to tell you with certainty any side effects and symptoms to pay particular attention to. Many diet drugs contain several active ingredients that can interact with the drugs which they usually take. If you regularly take medications or herbal supplements, taking weight-loss drugs at the same time can be dangerous.

Slimming substances to avoid

Until recently, there were only two approved weight loss drugs, sibutramine pills and orlistat pills. Sibutramine-based slimming pills were recommended in cases of obesity, as they helped stimulate the sense of satiety and, therefore, reduced food consumption. Furthermore, it increases thermogenesis with a mechanism of action very similar to those of ephedrine, a natural active ingredient useful for weight loss, but no longer marketable. The side effects of sibutramine are various, among these, there are some of cardiovascular nature, such as tachycardia, palpitations, and hypertension. For this very reason, these pills were not recommended for patients suffering from heart or cardiovascular problems. As of January, the drug was once again banned from the market, as the side effects outweighed the benefits. Orlistat-based pills, on the other hand, work by reducing the absorption of dietary fat. Taking these pills can cause flatulence, fecal urgency and oily deletions, especially after meals particularly rich in lipids. There are also other drugs with a slimming effect on the market, but they have not been approved for this purpose. Among these are those based on thyroid hormones such as eutirox and its analogs. Drugs banned for their serious side effects, but still available on the black market, including amphetamines and phenylpropanolamine. In general, all slimming drugs can have important side effects, especially in case of abuse, such as thyroid dysfunction, and pulmonary and cardiac complications. Different speech, however, for supplements, as they can be really useful for integrating your food plan. However, even these can have contraindications. They cannot be taken in case of being underweight, as they could have dangerous effects on health. They are not indicated in case of pregnancy, since in this particular moment for women it is always better to take only supplements following the doctor's instructions. Furthermore, in the presence of certain pathologies or if you are taking medicines, it is always better to consult your doctor first.

The most common side effects were recorded at the gastrointestinal level, such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation, which increased as the dosage increased. The most common were nausea, affecting 24.6 percent of patients receiving the 5-milligram dose and more than 30 percent of those receiving the 10- and 15-milligram dose. Diarrhea also affected about 1 in 5 patients, while vomiting and constipation affected 1 in 10. The scientists point out that the safety profile, with mild to moderate side effects, was “similar to other drug-based therapies incretin approved for the treatment of obesity”. The discontinuation rate due to adverse events was 4.3 percent for the 5-milligram dose; 7.1 percent for the 10-milligram one; and 6.2 percent for the 15-milligram one. The research findings have not been peer-reviewed at this time and will be submitted to a scientific journal shortly. The results of additional studies on the drug's efficacy and safety are expected within the next year. Only subsequently will the approval of tripeptide as a therapy for the treatment of obesity be requested. According to a recent study, almost a quarter of Europeans are considered obese.

Ginger: what it is, how to use it and contraindications

 What is that Ginger?

Ginger ( Zingiber officinalis ) is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to Zingiberaceae, a species that also includes turmeric and cardamom plants.

Originally from the Far East, more precisely from southern China, it has long been widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical belts. It has a fleshy and branched rhizome in which the active ingredients are concentrated and from whose shape this plant takes its name. The term ginger has ancient origins and derives from the Sanskrit srngaveram, which means precisely "horned root".

Many of the properties of the root are due to gingerol, the main oily compound of ginger.

Ginger has a typical, pungent, and slightly spicy flavor, with a taste reminiscent of lemon. Widely used in oriental cuisine, for some years it has also spread to Western and European food. Its rapid spread has made it possible to buy it first in shops specializing in the sale of organic and natural products, up to large supermarkets around the world. Today, finding the ginger root is very simple to find, as is its use in many types of recipes.

It is used for the preparation of Christmas sweets, in particular biscuits, drinks such as cocktails and soft drinks, and in the kitchen especially for fish-based dishes. Candied ginger is used to garnish fruit salads, yogurt, ice cream, and in the preparation of desserts, but it can also be eaten as a snack and can be prepared at home, starting from the fresh root.

In addition to flavoring food and as a flavoring in cooking, it is often added to cosmetics. The various benefits of ginger can in fact also be useful for the skin, helping to control the first signs of aging , and providing natural protection from external agents and excess sebum. It follows that the use of this product has become over time one of the main indications to follow for the daily skincare of many people.

The essential oil summarizes all the properties of the fresh or powdered root, but with more concentrated active ingredients. The essential oil can be used by inhalation, by means of an essence diffuser, or as a base for ointments.

Properties and benefits of ginger

According to Ayurvedic medicine, ginger has numerous healing properties.

Traditionally known as a remedy for digestive problems, it is taken in cases of dyspepsia, colic, and cases of gastric hyperacidity. Furthermore, some studies have demonstrated its antiemetic and antinausea effects, but there is still no solid scientific evidence.

Ginger also displays anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, as well as anticoagulant and cholesterol-lowering properties.

All these benefits seem to make ginger and its root a truly special food, a source of well-being and health for the body. However, like most products of this type, especially if taken in the form of a supplement, it is advisable to use ginger under the advice and supervision of your doctor and nutritionist, who will be able to weigh the choices based on specific needs.

Additionally, ginger is thought to be helpful in counteracting nausea, motion sickness, seasickness, and general motion sickness. In this case, you can drink an infusion prepared with half a liter of water and 5 grams of ginger. Alternatively, it is useful to chew a piece of fresh root. The anti-nausea effect appears to be due to the effect exerted on the walls of the stomach and intestines.

It is therefore not recommended to keep some natural remedies (such as ginger candies ) on hand during a long journey. In this, you can always have a quick and suitable motion sickness remedy available at any time.

Oriental medicine considers it a natural anti-inflammatory, but there are no studies demonstrating its effectiveness in combating mild headaches and rheumatism. The same consideration must be kept in mind for symptoms related to gastrointestinal disorders, such as stomach ache or stomach ache, for which ginger would seem to have a calming action against pain.

A property more recently suggested by scientific studies concerns its action on blood sugar levels. Iranian research, for example, has hypothesized that the daily intake of two grams of ginger powder can reduce the risk of chronic complications of diabetes.

Ginger is also included among the " grandmother's remedies " to fight infections. In fact, gingerol seems to counteract the growth of bacteria present in the mouth, responsible for inflammation of the gums. Even respiratory infections, such as colds, coughs, and sore throats, according to popular tradition, could benefit from its antiseptic and immune system-stimulating properties.

Among the alleged properties of ginger, also the antioxidant one: according to some studies it would be able to counteract oxidative stress and the inflammatory response of the body. For this reason, it is hypothesized that its use may be useful in counteracting cognitive decline and memory loss.

Finally, some studies are investigating the possibility that ginger has a lipid-lowering property, which could be useful for lowering cholesterol levels.

Mechanism of action

The numerous molecules with active action of ginger are responsible for its innumerable, but yet-to-be-demonstrated beneficial properties. One of the principles contained in ginger, i.e. 6-gingesulfonic acid, appears to have an anti-ulcer activity.

The "alleged" antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are probably due to the phenolic compounds contained in the plant. Among the pharmacological activities, in addition to those mentioned above, there are antitumor and antiviral activities.

Undoubtedly, in Eastern countries, ginger has been and continues to be a source of benefit for many people, who still consider it an important remedy to deal with many ailments we mentioned earlier. Often its intake takes place in a simple way, in the form of herbal tea or infusion, so as to enhance its perfume, aroma, and flavor.

How it looks

Besides as a fresh root, ginger is available in other forms. The preparations derived from the root ( extracts and tinctures ) can in fact be purchased in pharmacies and by herbalists. There are many ginger supplements available in capsules (usually containing ginger powder) or tablets.

As far as ginger in the form of food supplements is concerned, the advice of your doctor is not only recommended, but it is essential for a correct risk-free intake, avoiding the "do it yourself" which, on the contrary, could cause side and unpleasant effects.

As for the intake through infusions, herbal teas, and tinctures, it is possible to prepare the latter directly at home and to take them at any time of the day, in the correct dosage and without excesses.

Food supplements: how to best use them?

 What are supplements for?

To feel more dynamic and in better shape, to support the metabolism of athletes and those who are dedicated to fitness, to perform better in their studies, to lose weight or promote the increase in muscle mass, to counteract physical tiredness or relieve mental tiredness, to strengthen the immune system, to protect cardiovascular health and intellectual function, to improve the appearance of the skin and hair or counteract aging, to compensate for a specific nutritional deficiency.

The reasons that can lead to the use of a food supplement in recent years have multiplied in parallel with the number of preparations available, and the diversification of their composition, and formulations on the market.

But is it really so? Are food supplements really useful even in the case of chronic fatigue or just in case it's temporary? When? To who? And what can we realistically expect from their hiring? Here is some useful information to make the most of these health and well-being allies, without letting yourself be influenced by fashions or deluding yourself that you can become beautiful and very efficient with a magic pill.

When to use supplements and for what purpose?

There are many more or less essential micronutrients that can be included in a food supplement and countless possible useful combinations. Depending on the deficiency to be compensated for and/or the physiological objective to be achieved, the manufacturing companies have studied mixtures of compounds capable of supporting specific metabolic reactions and complex organic functions in a synergistic way. Here are the main ones.

• Multivitamin supplements

They are used in case of deficiency, resulting from a poor dietary intake or increased need, of one or more vitamins essential to the health and well-being of the body, such as vitamin D, whose benefits are not limited to bone health. They are useful in the presence of difficulty in eating properly, malabsorption syndromes, eating disorders, restrictive diets aimed at weight loss, or motivated by health reasons, after an infectious disease, surgery or antibiotic therapy. There are also supplements for the summer, which contain important vitamins and minerals this season.

The supplement can be multivitamin or only with vitamin C (or other vitamins as needed).

• Mineral supplements

They are indicated in all cases in which there is a high loss of mineral salts, for example with sweating or an increase in diuresis due to diuretic drugs. Their intake, combined with adequate hydration, is recommended above all during intense physical activity, especially if practiced in hot environments (for example, there are supplements for running or for the gym). The need for mineral salts (especially potassium and magnesium supplements ) is signaled by the appearance of muscle cramps during or after training. Furthermore, mineral salts can support normal intellectual performance in moments of intense study or work stress and can counteract the feeling of exhaustion due to the heat.

• Protein or amino acid supplements

They are indicated above all in those who are unable to take sufficient quantities of protein through food, in sportsmen who undergo intense training aimed at increasing muscle mass, and in those who go through periods of fatigue and psychophysical stress. They provide the substrate for cell and tissue renewal and help replenish the energy expended during physical activity.

For athletes, multivitamin supplements can also be useful. Among the vitamins, for athletes, we mention for example those of group B, such as riboflavin ( vitamin B2 ), which is important for energy metabolism.

• Energy supplements

These are mostly ready-to-use preparations with high sugar content, often associated with vitamin E or with water-soluble vitamins such as vitamin C and group B vitamins (for example niacin, thiamin or pantothenic acid, often also present in supplements for the over the 50s ) and, in some cases, to amino acids. They are used as food supplements by sportsmen before or during a long-lasting workout, as an immediately available source of energy, and in case the diet cannot include bread, jam, biscuits, sweets, cereals, and potatoes due to specific diseases. They also rarely contain polyphenols, which are instead used to protect against damage from oxidative stress.

• Supplements for the musculoskeletal system

In the presence of bone metabolism alterations, such as osteopenia and osteoporosis, supplements based on vitamin D and vitamin K, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium can be recommended, while vitamin C is indicated, as well as for the prevention of colds and flu, also to support cartilage and bone health. If you have joint problems, especially those related to osteoarthritis, glucosamine, and chondroitin sulfate supplements may be helpful.

Supplements for the cardiovascular system

The main allies of cardiovascular health are omega-3 fatty acids , prescribed as a real preventive therapy to reduce the risk of new acute events in people who have already experienced a heart attack. Instead, the integration of vitamin B12 should be carefully evaluated.

• Thyroid supplements

For proper functioning of the thyroid, it is essential to take at least 150-200 µg of iodine every day: a modest amount which, however, many people are unable to take through their usual diet. Iodine can be integrated using iodized salt instead of common table salt, or through supplements that contain it in a calibrated dose. This second option, to be used as an alternative and not in addition to the first, is particularly useful for those who have to follow diets low in salt due, for example, to hypertension, and cardiovascular or renal problems.

• Supplements for the nervous system

There are several micronutrients that contribute to the normal functioning of the nervous system: among the mineral salts we mention, for example, potassium, while among the vitamins, biotin and vitamin B6.

• Supplements for Pregnancy

During pregnancy, the gynecologist can prescribe various important supplements for the fetus's health, such as those based on folic acid (to be taken even before conception). Iron levels in pregnancy should also be kept under control, as during the nine months the need increases, and anemia may occur.

• Supplements for Sleep

Insomnia can negatively affect most daytime activities. To counteract this or other sleep disorders, various supplements are available, such as those based on melatonin.

If, on the other hand, episodes of daytime sleepiness occur, for example during the change of season, how can you get rid of sleep? In this case, supplements based on magnesium and potassium or containing caffeine may be useful, the benefits of which can help maintain concentration during periods of intense study.