Cholesterol – What Is It and Are You At Risk?

by: Paul MacIver

Cholesterol is a fatty lipid, steroid and an alcohol found in the body tissues and blood plasma of vertebrates. It is the essential part of the outer membranes of human body cells, and it circulates in the blood.

Cholesterol in the human body comes from two major sources. About three-quarters of the body’s total cholesterol is produced within the body, while only one-quarter comes from cholesterol in food.

Higher concentrations of cholesterol are present in body tissues which have more densely packed membranes – i.e. the liver, spinal cord, brain, atheroma, adrenal glands and reproductive organs.

The liver is the most important site of cholesterol biosynthesis. It is secreted from the liver in the form of an acidic secretion known as ‘bile’.

Diets rich in animal fats, meat, poultry, fish, oils, egg yolks and dairy products are a rich source of dietary cholesterol. Organ meats, such as liver and kidney, are extremely rich in cholesterol content, but foods of plant origin contain no cholesterol.

High cholesterol levels in the bloodstream can influence the pathogenesis of certain conditions. Recent studies have revealed that the abundance of protein complexes called lipoproteins, are responsible for the cholesterol build-up in the blood vessels.

Cholesterol gets attached to these lipoproteins. The high-density lipoprotein (HDL) carries cholesterol out of the bloodstream for excretion, while the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) carries it back into the system for use by various body cells.

LDL cholesterol is called bad cholesterol, because elevated levels of it are associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease. LDL deposits cholesterol on the artery walls which leads to the formation of a hard, thick substance called cholesterol plaque. Over time, cholesterol plaque causes thickening of the artery walls and narrowing of the arteries, a process called atherosclerosis.

The levels of both HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol may also determine risk for heart disease; however current medical opinion is that the ratio of HDL cholesterol to LDL cholesterol is much more important than the level of cholesterol.

Methods to control your cholesterol levels:

Lower your consumption of foods containing saturated fats - fried fast foods, butter, cream, cheese, and fat on meat - to help reduce cholesterol. Add more plant foods to your diet – vegetable oils, nuts, legumes, breads, cereal grains, fruits and vegetables. A low cholesterol diet, combined with regular exercise is the best way to lower cholesterol levels.

Medications can also help lower cholesterol levels. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, ‘Statins’, such as lovastatin (Mevacor) and atorvastatin (Lipitor) are the most effective and widely used medications to lower LDL cholesterol. Other medications include nicotinic acid (niacin), fibrates such as gemfibrozil (Lopid), resins such as cholestyramine (Questran), and ezetimibe, Zetia. These medications should be taken after consulting the experts.

About The Author Paul MacIver writes articles on cholesterol and various health related topics. For further information on cholesterol visit http://reduce-high-cholesterol.info or http://howto-lower-cholesterol.info to read about lowering your cholesterol naturally. You are welcome to reprint this article only if this resource box is included, and links are intact.

Natural Ways To Lower Cholesterol

by: Gray Rollins

High cholesterol levels can greatly increase the risk of heart disease including potentially fatal heart attacks. Heart disease can be caused by a number of factors but lowering cholesterol can have many positive effects and reduce risk. High cholesterol causes hardening of the arteries. Blood flow is then reduced to the heart which may result in chest pains or a heart attack. Lowering the possible causes of hardening or blocking the arteries will help maintain a healthy heart.

For severely high cholesterol it is recommended to seek consultation with a physician for the best course of treatment. Traditionally, this is treated with prescription medication. However, the majority of people can lower cholesterol naturally without the use of prescription drugs. Natural remedies are abundantly available. With a few changes in eating habits and lifestyle, one can easily lower cholesterol.

Eating foods that are low in fat will help as well as avoiding those with high fat content, especially foods containing trans-fat. Spreads such as butter and margarine have high levels of trans-fat. Packaged foods and frozen foods generally contain high levels also. Potato chips, crackers, baked goods and fast foods are all types to avoid. Instead concentrate on foods that are low in fat and high in fiber. Foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, and garlic are great to use in your daily diet.

Lifestyle changes are important if you are not leading a fairly healthy life. Smoking can increase the chances of having high cholesterol. Quitting not only will help this but will also reduce several other medical risks. Regular exercise will help promote a healthy heart. Partake in some form of aerobic exercise several times each week.

Vitamin E may help reduce fatty formations on arteries. Artichoke leaf extract helps produce bile while assisting in eliminating cholesterol from the body. Chromium is a proven method of maintaining correct blood sugar levels, which will help control cholesterol. Niacin in high doses has shown benefits for reducing cholesterol. However, if taking other medications, consult a physician as niacin can react adversely to other medications.

High cholesterol is a condition that affects many people throughout the world. It can increase chances of heart disease and potentially shorten life. Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, eating healthy and exercising can reduce these risks significantly. Adding supplements can also help reduce cholesterol levels. Although the risks of high cholesterol are serious, it is easily controlled.

About The Author Gray Rollins is a featured writer for http://www.fixcholesterol.com. To learn more about lowering your cholesterol, visit http://www.fixcholesterol.com/loweringcholesterol/.

Adopting A Low Carb Diet

by: Dana Goldberg

Diets have appeared in many different forms, especially fad diets. Among the problems with these fad diets is that as well as often leaving you feeling very hungry they can also be unhealthy and only work for a short space of time. Research has indicated that the most effective diets are those that can be adhered to over long periods of time. In the case of fad diets, weight tends to be very erratic and while you may lose weight initially it is not unusual to put that weight back on and eventually increase your weight.

One of the huge benefits of a low carb diet is that you do not need to feel hungry. This may seem like it avoids the point of a diet, but it doesn’t. The aim of dieting is not to eat less but to lose weight or eat more healthily. The most famous of all low carb diets is the Atkins diet and this remains popular because it allows you to eat good-sized meals and is proven to help you lose weight.

The basics of a low carb diet are that you can eat as much food as you like until you are full, as long as you only eat the allowed foods. Generally speaking, this includes meat, cheese, fish, eggs and poultry. You are also allowed a certain amount of green vegetables each day. As well as being a healthy way to lose weight, a low carb diet will give you a sustained weight loss meaning you can continue to lose weight even after the initial push and you will keep the weight off once it is gone.

It will also lower your cholesterol and blood pressure as well as stabilize your blood sugar level. You should supplement a low carb diet with multi vitamins because your body will become partially starved of these essential vitamins.

About The Author Dana Goldberg is owner of Lose Fat Advisory, Diet and fitness tips, information, support, and advice for all ages. http://www.losefatadvisory.info

Carb Blocker, A Solution to Weight Loss?

by: Kristy Haugen

Low carb diets restrict the consumption of carbohydrates. The difference between the Atkins and the South Beach diet is within the amount of restriction. The induction phase of the Atkins diet restricts most carbohydrates while the South Beach diet allows ‘good’ carbohydrate consumption. These diets can really put one’s will power to the test. Why?

The human body’s primary source of energy is glucose. Glucose is derived from the breakdown or hydrolysis of carbohydrates that are consumed. Limiting carbohydrate consumption forces the body to use fat or protein as an energy source. Decreased carbohydrate consumption may leave you feeling tired and easily fatigued until the body adjusts to the change.

The word carbohydrate arose because molecular formulas of these compounds can be expressed as hydrates of carbons which yield a basic carbohydrate empiric formula of (CH2O)n. Carbohydrates consist mainly of the combination of two chemistry functional groups: the carbonyl and the hydroxyl group. Carbohydrates exist in different forms such as monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides.

Monosaccharides are usually called simple sugars. These simple sugars cannot be broken down or hydrolyzed into a simpler form (glucose). A complex carbohydrate refers to one or more linked simple sugars that require digestion for absorption.

Oligosaccharides contain at least two monosaccharide units. Oligosaccharides may be referred to as disaccharides or trisaccharides depending on how many units of monosaccharides the compound contains. Maltose and sucrose (table sugar) are considered disaccharides.

Polysaccharides contain many monosaccharide units. In order for the body to use polysaccharides, these compounds must be broken down into a simpler monosaccharide form. Examples of polysaccharides are starch and cellulose (fiber).

Dietary carbohydrate digestion occurs mainly in the mouth and small intestine. During mastication (chewing) the salivary glands secrete the enzyme alpha-amylase which is referred to as ptyalin. Alpha-amylase briefly acts on dietary carbohydrates in the mouth to hydrolyze starch into simple sugars such as glucose. In fact, if you chew on a carbohydrate long enough you may taste sugar. This is a result of salivary amylase hydrolyzing the carbohydrate into a simpler sugar.

Mastication increases the surface area of the food for alpha-amylase to act upon. This allows the enzyme alpha-amylase to work more efficiently in carbohydrate digestion. However, the food does not remain in the mouth for a long time so only a small portion of starch is hydrolyzed there.

Once the chewed food has been swallowed into the stomach, carbohydrate digestion halts temporarily. This occurs because alpha-amylase is inactivated by the high acidic environment of the stomach. However, carbohydrate digestion will resume once the chyme (food mass and gastric juices of the stomach) enters the small intestine.

The acidic contents emptied into the small intestine are neutralized by bicarbonate secreted by the pancreas. The pancreas will then secrete alpha-amylase to continue carbohydrate digestion. Carbohydrate digestion is finished when the mucosal lining of the upper jejunum and duodenum absorb the bulk of the dietary sugars in the form of monosaccharides.

Now that we have a good understanding of what a carbohydrate is and the importance of the carbohydrate in the body, maybe an extreme low carb diet isn’t the answer for weight loss. Extreme diets whether they are low carb or high protein can put the body to the test. Carbohydrates may be a necessary evil, but the body relies heavily on carbohydrates for energy. Instead of testing one’s will power, using a weight loss supplement called a carb blocker may be a better option.

Carb blockers are a weight loss supplement recently introduced into the weight loss world. Carb blockers claim to block the enzyme alpha-amylase. If the enzyme alpha-amylase is blocked, then carbohydrate hydrolysis is affected. By blocking the enzyme, you block the breakdown of the carbohydrate which affects absorption of the monosaccharide. How so? If the carbohydrate is of complex origin, the enzyme must be secreted to break down the carbohydrate into a simpler form for absorption. In theory, the carb blocker should indeed help to block carbohydrates from being absorbed.

Phaseolus vulgaris is the active ingredient in carb blockers that comes from the white kidney bean. Phaseolus vulgaris interferes with the pancreas’ ability to secrete the enzyme alpha-amylase. Subsequent studies do prove that Phaseolus vulgaris does in fact inhibit the enzyme alpha-amylase.

Carb blockers are another option for weight loss. However, permanent weight loss requires you to make changes to your lifestyle. If you do not change your lifestyle then no matter what diet or supplement you choose, weight loss is temporary and short lived. This also means that if you choose a low carb diet, make sure that this diet can be done. Many people fail the low carb diets because of extreme commitments.

Copyright 2006 Kristy Haugen

About The Author Kristy Haugen is a mother and an experienced nurse. She also has a bachelor degree in Biology and Chemistry. She writes to inform consumers about nutrition and health topics. Learn more about weight loss at http://weightlossarticles.vitaminmaniac.com. Learn more about vitamins and your health at http://blog.vitaminmaniac.com.

High Blood Pressure

by: Sharon Hopkins

Poor diet, lack of exercise, intense weight training and some simple activities like public speaking can make your blood pressure jump. The cause for concern arises if it goes up and remains up. It is one of the most important indicator of cardiovascular problems after the age of 65 and hence, it needs to be treated. So if you are suffering from high blood pressure, it is vital that you should be under constant medical supervision. But there is no need to worry. You can take care of this problem without using drugs by making simple diet and lifestyle changes. Go for regular exercise, stop smoking, manage stress and change your diet to reduce alcohol, fat and salt intake.

You can also follow the following home remedies to treat your blood pressure problems:

• Eat celery: Since centuries, people have used celery and its oil to cure blood pressure. It contains a compound which lowers blood pressure by relaxing the muscles lining the arteries. This allows the muscles that regulate the blood pressure to dilate. Just by eating 4 celery stalks a day, you can enjoy the potent benefits of this vegetable.

• Consume garlic: You can easily lower blood pressure by eating just one clove of garlic a day. You can eat the clove either raw or in capsule form. Besides it also helps to lower cholesterol and triglycerides.

• Talk softly: It has been shown that talking loudly and rapidly, increases your blood pressure during a normal conversation. But if you do this during angry conversations -- when you are at your emotional best, the pressure can shoot up still higher. This spikes the blood pressure and if chronic, puts you at the risk of coronary heart disease. However, speaking softly and slowly even when you are angry will eliminate the stress on your cardiovascular system.

• Speak the truth: Always speak the truth. Lying has been shown to spike blood pressure since it takes a lot of brain-effort to lie. The more you lie, the more you are stressed and the higher your blood pressure shoots.

• Go for aerobic not isometric exercise: Though exercise has been shown to lower the blood pressure, it is important for you to choose the right one. In isometric exercises, where you clench and hold like weight training, should be avoided. This is because holding your breath while lifting causes your blood pressure to go up temporarily. Choose aerobic exercises in place of isometric exercises.

• Laughter is the best medicine: To relax yourself completely, choose laughter. When you laugh, your adrenaline and cortisone levels go down, since these are the main compounds which have an adverse reaction on the blood pressure. It is the cheapest therapy that has benefited everyone greatly but more so, the people who are angry, frustrated or unhappy.

About The Author Sharon Hopkins has been managing a number of natural remedies websites, such as http://www.home-remedies-for-you.com, which can be your guide to all the questions you have about high blood pressure. Natural Cure for high blood pressure includes eating celery, garlic, speaking truth softly, laughing etc.

Healthy Heart. Happy Life.

by: Vickie Telbert

Get Your Heart A-pumping

As we reach middle age we're suddenly aware that we're not immortal. In fact, our bodies are very delicate and need lots of TLC. Most of us, however, in our youth don't give things like arteries a second thought. We live life to the full and then we find that we're suddenly overweight, leading stressful lives and not particularly healthy.

The good news, however, is that whatever the state of your body and your general health, it's never too late. By simply looking at three aspects of your life you can radically change your health and, probably, your outlook on life. If you feel lethargic and miserable every day you're not going to enjoy life, you're not going to attract the types of people who you want to be with and who are good for you and life will just be a dull shade of grey. So, take action! Remember that life is short and if you're going to look back and feel that you've achieved something, you need to make every moment count.

1. Start exercising. The heart needs to work hard at least three times a week. Not only will exercise help this fundamental of all your muscles, but it has many side effects like relieving stress, helping sleep and burning calories. Just start by walking briskly and breathing deeply. Depending on where you're starting from will depend how far you go and how fast. Understand when your body tries to speak to you and don't push yourself. If you can feel your heart violently thumping away the exercise isn't doing you any good. Exercise is built up over months and months so don't be impatient. When you can do a couple of miles without being totally exhausted you could move on to swimming or cycling. Alternatively, you could discover the delights of owning a dog and sharing walks with your devoted companion! Animals are also an excellent way of calming yourself and lowering your blood pressure. It's been proved that stroking a gentle pet is therapeutic for both the elderly and for those who have severe psychological problems. In fact, it does us all good to share moments with a creature that never judges and is always pleased to see us.

2. The next thing you have to do is to look at what you eat. You must have heard that there are good fats and bad fats and the bad fats clog up our arteries just like a drain pipe. If you are in doubt, remember that animal fats are basically bad and not necessary to a good diet. There are two camps of vegetarians

About The Author Vickie Telbert is the owner and editor of www.heartofus.com, a premier resource for heart health information on the Internet. For more information following this article please pay a visit. http://www.heartofus.com

Discover The Truth About Eating Too Much Protein

by: Gary Matthews

Lets face it protein is an essential nutrient, and is vital to your health and is used to build muscles, skin, hair and nails. However, many people put their health at risk by eating too much of it.

The typical American diet already provides plenty of protein and there is no point in adding any more, unlike fat cells, there is no place in the body to store protein so the excess is eliminated or is seen as fat rather than muscle.

So what you need to do is to consume just enough protein to allow your muscles to be healthy, perform work and grow. But how much is just enough?

You only use protein for about 15% of your energy use, the majority of energy comes from fats and carbohydrates.

Exercising doesn’t necessarily mean that you require more protein but more carbohydrates to stop your body breaking down protein and using that for energy.

Try to make sure that 70% of your protein comes from sources such as meat, fish, eggs or poultry. The complete protein provided by these foods combines with incomplete protein consumed from other food sources.

So your body makes the best of all the protein that you consume.

If you are consuming too much protein, you are probably consuming too many calories over your maintenance levels and this will show as an increase in your body fat levels.

And with the advent of the latest fad high protein diets, not enough carbohydrates are being consumed so the protein is converted to glucose and not converted into muscle growth.

What is needed for muscle growth is not more protein but high intensity strength training with the required amount of time for rest and recovery between sessions.

Because that major bodybuilding star you saw in the latest magazine requires 300 grams of protein a day doesn't mean that you have to. What he won't tell you is that taking Steroids is behind his muscle gains and not his diet.

High intensity strength training and not food stimulates muscle growth

Consuming excessive amounts of protein is not only bad for your liver and kidneys but also promotes vitamin and mineral deficiencies. It is also linked to osteoporosis and some forms of cancer.

One way to overcome the need to eat large quantities of protein is to increase the consumption of protein in stages until a maximum efficiency point is reached and then to drastically reduce it again.

This obliges the body to over-compensate by increasing the efficiency for the absorption of protein into the body.

An example of a Protein Loading diet is found below.

Week One

• Breakfast: Poached egg on toast, cereal with fruit and milk.
• Snack: Fruit and protein shake.
• Lunch: Chicken, potato, and vegetables. Fresh fruit salad.
• Snack: Nuts, fruit, and biscuits with cheese.
• Dinner: Fish any style, rice, vegetables, and whole meal bread and fruit salad.

Week Two

• Breakfast: Two poached eggs on toast, cereal with fruit salad and milk.
• Snack: Nuts, fruit, protein shake.
• Lunch: Chicken with potatoes and vegetables (any style)
• Snack: Nuts, fruit, biscuits with cheese.
• Dinner: Roast Beef with vegetables, brown rice, whole meal bread.

Week Three

• Breakfast: Three eggs any style on toast, cereal with fruit and milk.
• Snack: Nuts, fruit, and protein shake.
• Lunch: Turkey with potatoes and vegetables, brown rice, whole meal bread.
• Snack: Nuts, fruit, protein shake.
• Dinner: ½ Chicken, potatoes, veggies, brown rice, whole meal bread.
• Before Bed: Protein shake.

Week Four

• Breakfast: Four eggs any style on toast, cereal with fruit and milk.
• Snack: Nuts, fruit, protein shake.
• Lunch: Spaghetti with meat sauce, potatoes, brown rice,
• Snack: Nuts, fruit, protein shake.
• Dinner: Roast Pork, potatoes, brown rice, whole meal bread.
• Before Bed: Protein shake.

After week four of this protein loading diet, move from the max intake of protein to the lowest. So in the fifth week go back to week one menu, in the sixth week, week two menu and so on.

Make no mistake about it this protein loading diet provides a balance of protein, fats and carbohydrates and combined with high intensity strength training will be very effective in increasing muscular bodyweight without the need to ingest large quantities of protein

About The Author Gary Matthews is the author of the popular fitness eBooks Maximum Weight Loss and Maximum Weight Gain. Please visit http://www.maximumfitness.com right now for your 'free' weight loss or muscle building e-courses.

Body Building Basics – Building a better body you can be proud of!

by: Nishanth Reddy

There are as many varied opinions on what “plan” one should follow to build muscle, as there are people who have those opinions. On one thing they do agree, however. You must have a regimen.

· You can begin by defining your objective.

· Why are you interested in body building?

· What do you hope to accomplish?

· What is your ultimate goal?

It’s all about commitment and belief. There is an abundance of information about how to begin and conduct your journey, but without a burning desire to achieve, you are doomed to inevitable failure.

The following tips are not intended to be a “one size fits all.” Take from it what you will. In that light, consider the following list:

1. Before beginning any serious weight lifting or body building regimen, consult your physician.

2. Set your goals. Define what you expect to achieve with your new bodybuilding campaign within a realistic time frame. If you create goals that are unattainable you are setting yourself up for failure. You can become bored, disappointed and disillusioned to the point where you may give up. This is a very sad outcome to what might have been the best decision of your life. Don’t sell yourself short. Set your long-term goals, of course, but also set short-term goals that are achievable. And, don’t forget to reward yourself when you do achieve them.

3. Consider the costs.If you don’t already have a budget, create one. Then, determine what amount of discretionary funds you have available for your bodybuilding program. This will determine whether you can afford to have a home gym or if your needs would better be served by joining a club. Joining a club is still a good short-term introduction before spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on equipment that might not be appropriate for your needs.

4. Don’t forget some of the low cost alternatives to purchasing your bodybuilding equipment. If used equipment is still functional why spend the extra dollars just for a little glitz! Good, brand name used equipment is every bit as functional as something right off a showroom floor.

5. Consider combining a home gym along with a membership in a public facility. Purchase less expensive free weight equipment for use at home and join a gym to have access to the more expensive equipment. You can design your entire workout routines around a combination such as this.

6. Eat healthy! This can’t be stressed enough. The only true bodybuilding aids are good nutrition. Consult a licensed dietician. Watch your local community calendar for free seminars on diet and nutrition. Learn all you can about what nature freely provides that can help you to develop a healthy diet.

7. If you choose to use dietary supplements, make certain that you know what you are putting in your body. Follow the packaging guidelines we outlined above. Ask your physician for his/her recommendations based on the regimen you have selected. No friend, coach or acquaintance can take the place of your physician. In fact, you may even investigate finding a physician who specializes in sports wellness.

8. Be kind to yourself. Yes, it’s important to push to achieve your goals, but it’s very easy to tip the scales in the other direction and create a nightmare for yourself. Obsessive, compulsive behaviors are not conducive to a healthy bodybuilding lifestyle.

About The Author Nishanth Reddy, is an author and publisher of many health related websites. For more information on how to gain mass, build muscle, body builders routine and tips on bodybuilding visit his website at http://www.fitness-wellness-guide.com.

Body Building Supplements For Beginners|Supplementation To Gain Muscles Fast

by: Chris Chew

“Do I need supplements to gain muscles fast?”, “What supplementations are needed for body building beginners?”, “Are the nutrients from my daily meals enough for me to gain bigger muscles fast?”

All body building beginners must have asked themselves these questions. You are reading this article because you would have probably asked these questions yourself.

The answer to these supplementation questions is an affirmative yes. Body building supplements are necessary if you want gain bigger muscles faster. This is because various supplements have their own benefits and they work together complementing each other to support muscle mass gain. You will probably not be getting enough of them through your normal meals and that is the primary reason why you need supplementation.

Since there are so many body building supplements in out there, choosing the correct and effective supplementation to gain muscles fast is a daunting task for a body building beginner.

Well, your anxiety will be solved in this article. As a body building beginner, you need only the basic supplementations to gain muscles effectively. You may need some other supplements when you are at the intermediate or advanced stages of body building.

So what are the basic supplementation to help a beginner to gain muscle mass?

•Protein Supplements – Without protein, you will never gain muscles. Protein is the fundamental supplement for every bodybuilder. You need 1 gram of protein for every pound of your bodyweight per day to faster gain bigger muscles. This is a lot of protein and most people will never get enough of protein from their meals.

•Creatine Supplements - Creatine can significantly increase muscle volume along with protein. It will also improve your weightlifting performances and raise your energy levels so that your workouts are more intensive and this provides for greater muscle gain.

•Glutamine Supplements – Glutamine is a non-essential amino acid, which makes up to 60% of the amino acids in the muscles. Glutamine helps in your muscle recovery after your workouts and also prevents muscle lost due to muscle catabolism.

•Multi Vitamins / Minerals Supplement – Your muscles need many vitamins and minerals for every stage of its function and recovery. Some vitamins and minerals are antioxidants and will also help in protecting muscle waste, help in muscle recovery and mopping up free radicals after your muscles are stressed out and damaged during your gym workouts.

As a bodybuilding beginner, these are the only supplementation you will need to help you gain bigger muscles fast.

About The Author Chris Chew is a fitness trainer of fashion models, actors and international male pageant titleholders. Check out his interesting websites at http://www.sgfitness.com and http://www.sgfitnessonline.com.

Natural Testosterone Supplements

by: Chester Ku-Lea

Testosterone Support Supplements (or Testosterone Aids) are meant to enhance your performance, increase muscle gains and make you bigger. Testosterone is the master male hormone. Testosterone supplementation can increase male sex drive, strengthen bones, muscles, decrease body fat, improve thinking ability, boost energy levels and guard against the onset of depression and heart disease.

Testosterone

Testosteroneis a powerful anabolic hormone that stimulates and controls the development of muscle, bone, skin, sex organs, and most other masculine, physical features. Recently, scientists have discovered that testosterone also aids mental function, enhancing both visual and perceptual skills. Male testosterone is produced in the testes by a group of cells known as the Leydig cells. These cells begin secreting high doses of testosterone during puberty to trigger increased lean muscle mass, sex organ development, bone formation and higher energy levels. Testosterone levels peak during a man's early to mid twenties.

Testosterone in Elderly Men

As a man ages, the amount of testosterone produced by the cells decreases. By the age of sixty, the average man will have lost nearly 50% of his testosterone supply. In addition, other factors (such as stress, lack of sleep, physical inactivity, the use of prescription medication and drinking) can cause testosterone levels to drastically decline. Although there is a growing awareness of the vital role testosterone plays in a man's overall health, the vast majority of men still don't recognize the key symptoms of testosterone deficiency.

Testosterone Deficiency & Symptoms Of

Testosterone deficiency symptoms include depression, fatigue, low sex drive, irritability, loss of facial/body hair, thinning and/or wrinkling of skin, weight gain, and the weakening of both bone and muscle tissue. Eventually, imbalances of testosterone can set the stage for the development of more serious disease. Low testosterone levels can also disrupt the body's blood sugar metabolism, leading to obesity and diabetes. Chronic deficiencies may also promote the early onset of osteoporosis and heart disease.

Benefits of Testosterone Support Supplementation

• testosterone supplements can increase your sex drive

• testosterone supplements increase muscle while decreasing fat

• testosterone supplements improve energy levels

Teknik Pernafasan

Mengatasi masalah gemuruh.

Menarik nafas dari hidung dan keluar nafas melalui hidung.

Oksigen-->masuk--->ke Hidung---->keluar---->melalui hidung

Menurunkan perasaan marah

Menarik nafas dari hidung dan keluar melalui mulut.

Oksigen------>masuk----->ke Hidung---->keluar----->mulut

Untuk mendapat idea-idea baru

Menarik nafas dari mulut dan keluar melalui hidung dapat meningkatkan sel otak dan untuk mendapat idea-idea.

Oksigen---->masuk----->ke mulut---->keluar----->hidung

Mengurangkan kesakitan yang dialami

Menarik nafas dari mulut dan keluar melalui mulut juga dapat mengurangkan kesakitan yang dialami.

Oksigen---->masuk----->ke mulut----->keluar----->mulut

APA KAWALAN UNDANG-UNDANG KE ATAS SYABU? .- PART 5 of 5

Sebelum 29.11.97, methamphetamine dikawal sebagai bahan psikotropik di bawah Akta Racun 1952 (Disemak 1989) di mana pemilikan, penjualan atau bekalan tanpa kuasa atau kebenaran/lesen boleh dikenakan tindakan mahkamah dan jika sabit kesalahan boleh didenda sehingga RM10,000 atau pemenjaraan sehingga 4 tahun atau kedua-duanya sekali.

Pada 29.11.97 methamphetamine diwartakan sebagai dadah berbahaya melalui P.U.(A) 500. Pada masa itu di bawah Seksyen 12 sesiapa yang didapati mengimport, mengeksport atau memiliki methamphetamine tanpa kuasa atau kebenaran sah melakukan kesalahan dan jika sabit kesalahan boleh dikenakan hukuman tidak melebihi RM20,000 atau penjara sehingga 5 tahun atau kedua-duanya sekali.

Menyedari hukuman di atas yang nyata adalah ringan berbanding dengan bahaya dadah ini, Kementerian Kesihatan telah mencadangkan Pindaan kepada Akta Dadah Berbahaya 1952 dan Pindaan ini telah diluluskan oleh Parlimen pada 1.7.1998 untuk meningkatkan hukuman berkaitan dadah berbahaya dan meningkatkan kawalan ke atas dadah peransang jenis Amfetamina termasuk syabu. Akta Dadah Berbahaya (Pindaan) 1998 ini berkuatkuasa 15.9.1998.

Di bawah Pindaan ini -

Pemilik 50g dan lebih methamphetamine dianggap sebagai mengedar dadah dan akan dihukum mati mandatori jika sabit kesalahan.

Pemilik lebih 30g tetapi kurang dari 50g methamphetamine boleh dikenakan hukuman penjara 5 tahun sehingga seumur hidup dan sebatan tidak kurang dari 10 sebatan.

Pemilik lebih 5g tetapi kurang dari 30g methamphetamine boleh dikenakan hukuman penjara 2-5 tahun dan sebatan 3-9 sebatan.

Pemilik kurang dari 5g methamphetamine boleh dikenakan denda sehingga RM100,000 atau pemenjaraan sehingga 5 tahun atau kedua-duanya sekali.

Pengguna yang menggunakan methamphetamine ke atas diri sendiri boleh dikenakan tindakan di bawah seksyen 15 Akta Dadah Berbahaya dan jika disabitkan kesalahan boleh dikenakan denda sehingga RM5,000 atau penjara sehingga 2 tahun atau kedua-duanya.

Rampasan syabu, 1996-2000

Tahun	Berat syabu yang dirampas
1996	1.81 kg
1997	2.09 kg
1998	6.43 kg
1999	5.41 kg
2000 (sehingga Mei)	14.66 kg

Data tangkapan pemilikan syabu

	1998	1999	Jan-Mei 2000
Seksyen 39B	31	48	18
Seksyen 39A(2)	0	7	50
Seksyen 39A(1)	0	56	5
Lain-lain	268	498	395
Jumlah	299	609	468

BAGAIMANA TAHAP PENYALAHGUNAAN SYABU? - PART 4 of 5

Mengikut laporan yang dikeluarkan oleh Pertubuhan Bangsa-bangsa Bersatu pada Sidang Khas mengenai masalah dadah sedunia, 8-10 Jun 1998, terdapat 2,400 kematian berkaitan dengan methamphetamine di Amerika Syarikat untuk tempoh 1991-1995; di Jepun hampir 90% pelanggaran undang-undang kawalan dadah adalah yang berkaitan dengan methamphetamine; di Filipina, methamphetamine adalah dadah yang paling banyak disalahgunakan sejak awal 1950'an; dan di Republik Korea dan Australia, methamphetamine adalah dadah kedua yang paling banyak disalahgunakan selepas ganja.

Kadar penyalahgunaan sebenar methamphetamine di Malaysia tidak diketahui tetapi dipercayai sedang meningkat. Jumlah syabu yang dirampas oleh pihak penguatkuasa didapati meningkat dari 1.81kg pada tahun 1996 kepada 5.41kg pada tahun 1999. Pada tahun ini untuk tempoh 5 bulan pertama sahaja 14.66kg syabu telah dirampas.

APA BAHAYA SYABU KEPADA KESIHATAN? - PART 3 of 5

Penggunaan syabu memudaratkan kesihatan kerana:

• Toleran - kesan toleran terjadi dengan cepat mengakibatkan penggunanya mengambil dos lebih dan berulang untuk meneruskan kesan khayal yang dialaminya. Dalam keadaan tertentu, pengguna tidak makan atau tidur tetapi pada masa yang sama terus menyuntik dadah ini sehingga 1 gram setiap 2- 3 jam dalam jangkamasa beberapa hari sehingga bekalannya habis atau sehingga mereka tidak berupaya meneruskannya. Terdapat juga pengguna yang tahan tidak tidur dari 3 - 15 hari akibat dadah ini.

• Penagihan - Pengguna dadah ini akan mengalami ketagihan dan juga penggantungan psikologi akibat pengambilan syabu. Ketagihan ini akan berada pada tahap kronik dan berulang. Pemberhentian pengambilan dadah ini akan menyebabkan kemurungan, kegelisahan, keletihan, syak wasangka tanpa sebab, sifat ganas dan menagih untuk mendapatkan dadah tersebut.

• Pengabaian diri - Apabila di bawah pengaruh syabu, pengguna tidak makan, tidur dan mengabaikan diri sendiri. Penggunaan pada dos tinggi akan menyebabkan hilang berat badan yang ketara, muka menjadi pucat, pengabaian kesihatan diri dengan perpeluhan , badan berbau, gigi kekuningan, berparut dan luka-luka di badan. Kudis jelas kelihatan akibat pengguna syabu menggaru kulit untuk menghapus bayangan serangga yang disangka berada pada kulitnya.

• Kurang daya tahan kepada penyakit - Pengguna syabu yang mengabaikan pemakanan dan tidur yang sempurna akan menjadi lemah dan kurang daya tahan melawan penyakit.

• Kerosakan pada otak dan sistem saraf seseorang - Penggunaan kronik mengakibatkan berkelakuan terlalu aktif, susah tidur, kemurungan yang teruk, khayal, syak wasangka tanpa sebab, bersikap garang, keganasan tidak terkawal, dan perlakuan psikotik seperti gila. Penyelidik-penyelidik mendapati kerosakan pada sistem saraf dan otak yang bolih menyebabkan gejala-gejala seperti penyakit Parkinson (dengan gangguan pergerakan anggota-anggota badan) dan penyakit Alzheimer (dengan kehilangan ingatan dan kekurangan daya berfikir).

• Gangguan metabolisma badan - dadah ini menyebabkan hilang selera yang ketara, kurang pemakanan, kehilangan berat badan yang jelas, kurus dan lain-lain masalah akibat metabolisma badan yang terjejas.

• Kerosakan pada jantung dan sistem pendarahan - dadah ini menyebabkan degupan kencang, tidak menentu dan tekanan darah meningkat, yang mengakibatkan sakit jantung dan maut. Kerosakan pada saluran darah menyebabkan sakit ahmar.

• Kerosakan pada sistem pernafasan - dadah ini, lebih-lebih lagi jika dicemarkan dengan bahan berbahaya, akan menyebabkan masalah pernafasan.

• Gangguan kepada saluran makanan - Kebuluran berlanjutan sebab tidak makan semasa pengambilan syabu, serta bahan toksik dalam dadah yang dicampur dengan bahan lain menyebabkan gangguan kepada perut dan sistem penghadaman

• Bahaya semasa mengandung - penggunaan methamphetamine semasa mengandung akan menjejaskan pembentukan bayi, kelahiran sebelum cukup tempoh atau keguguran. Bayi yang dilahirkan adalah kecil, terlalu aktif dan mudah gelisah. Dikhuatiri juga bayi ini akan mengalami masalah mental dan masalah tumbesaran .

• Kemalangan jalanraya - pengguna syabu boleh terlibat dalam kemalangan jalanraya akibat kesan kebingungan, khayal, paranoia, keganasan dan kelakuan psikotik.

• Bahaya daripada exploitasi seks dan seks bebas - Hasil penyelidikan mendapati pengguna methamphetamine menjadi lebih berahi. Penggunaan dadah ini sering dikaitkan dengan hubungan seks yang lebih ganas menyebabkan pendarahan dan luka. Remaja terutama gadis-gadis di bawah pengaruh syabu akan terdedah kepada bahaya ekploitasi seks serta hubungan jenis tidak selamat yang boleh menyebabkan jangkitan HIV, hepatitis dan lain-lain penyakit kelamin. Penggunaan methamphetamine dalam jangkamasa panjang menyebabkan lelaki menghadapi masalah fungsi seks mereka.

• Bahaya akibat HIV, Hepatitis dan lain-lain penyakit berjangkit - penyakit-penyakit ini mungkin dijangkiti akibat amalan seks bebas atau tanpa perlindungan semasa di bawah pengaruh dadah ini, dan juga dari penggunaan alat-alat suntikan yang tercemar dan dikongsi.

• Masalah-masalah sosial lain - Semua aspek kehidupan seseorang termasuk keluarganya, hubungan dengan orang lain dan kerja akan terjejas akibat dadah ini. Pengguna akan menghadapi pertelingkahan kerana masalah dadah dan kewangan akibat ketagihan dadah. Di tempat kerja penyalahguna dadah ini akan bermasalah disebabkan sifatnya yang cepat marah, tidak mesra dan kecenderungan kepada keganasan. Pengguna syabu juga mungkin terlibat dengan kejadian jenayah spontan seperti meragut beg bimbit dan serangan untuk menampung ketagihan mereka. Sifat paranoia dan ganas ini bolih menyebabkan pengguna membunuh diri atau melakukan pembunuhan. Di California, terdapat seorang lelaki yang semasa dibawah pengaruh syabu mencuri sebuah kereta perisai milik agensi keselamatan “National Guard” dan merosakkan beberapa kereta di jalanraya San Diego sebelum dia akhirnya ditembak oleh polis.

BAGAIMANA CARA SYABU DIGUNAKAN? - PART 2 of 5

Syabu, seperti Ecstacy, dilaporkan disalahgunakan oleh remaja selalunya di pesta-pesta liar, di pesta tari-menari , di kelab-kelab malam, disko, tempat karaoke dan lain-lain tempat hiburan untuk menaikkan mood seseorang dan daya ketahanan fizikal.

Syabu boleh didapati dalam berbagai-bagai bentuk dan boleh digunakan secara suntikan, dihisap secara merokok, ditelan atau disedut melalui hidung.

Penggunaan secara suntikan atau dihisap secara ' chasing the dragon' mendatangkan kesan segera keseronokan. Penggunaan secara disedut melalui hidung memberikan kesan dalam 3-5 minit sementara jika ditelan kesannya diperolehi selepasa 15-20 minit. Kedua-dua cara pengambilan dadah jenis ini iaitu dengan cara disedut atau dimakan akan menghasilkan “euphoria” -mengkhayalkan tetapi tidak dengan kesan segera. Kesan dadah ini akan bertahan sehingga 4 -24 jam.

Kesan toleran ke atas dadah ini terjadi dengan cepat - iaitu kesan seronok akibat dadah ini lenyap sebelum kandungan dadah berkurangan dalam darah - penggunanya akan cuba meneruskan kesan khayal dengan penggunaan dadah ini secara berulangkali (dikenali sebagai “bingeing”). Walaubagaimanapun, setiap episod kekhayalan ini semakin kurang keseronokannya dan lebih banyak syabu diperlukan untuk mencapai kekhayalan. Pengguna dadah ini yang dahulunya memakan atau menyedut dadah ini akan bertukar kepada menghisap atau menyuntik dadah ini untuk mendapatkan kesan seronok yang lebih dan cepat.

Kesan khayal dan keseronokan ini dipercayai akibat pengeluaran dopamine, penghantar neuro di otak yang mengawal perasaan seronok/gembira.

APAKAH KESAN SEGERA SYABU?

Syabu ialah stimulan yang poten. Pengguna menggemarinya kerana ia memberi rasa “euphoria” - rasa gembira dan menyeronokkan; rasa lebih bertenaga dengan peningkatan aktiviti fizikal, hilang mengantuk, peningkatan tumpuan perhatian, berjaga-jaga dan pengurangan selera.

Walaubagaimanapun, pengguna syabu akan mengalami kesan buruk seperti mulut kering, berpeluh berlebihan, anak mata menjadi besar, menggeletar dan sakit kepala.

Selepas kesan khayal, seseorang itu merasa gelisah, cepat marah, gementar, kebingungan, fikiran terganggu dan boleh bersifat ganas.

Pada dos yang tinggi dadah ini menaikkan suhu badan kepada tahap yang membahayakan, mengakibatkan sawan dan akhirnya maut.

APA ITU SYABU? - PART 1 of 5

Syabu atau nama kimianya methamphetamine, adalah dadah peransang jenis amfetamina (Amphetamine-Type Stimulants, ATS).

Dadah jenis ini dihasilkan pada abad lalu dari dadah induknya amphetamine, yang dahulunya diguna untuk melegakan pernafasan akibat hidung tersumbat. Walaubagaimanapun, pada hari ini kegunaannya terhad untuk keadaan-keadan tertentu seperti untuk rawatan narkolepsi ( satu keadaan di mana seseorang rasa mengantuk dan tertidur secara spontan), sindrome kurang penumpuan perhatian, dan kegemukan yang teruk (untuk kegunaan bagi jangkamasa singkat)

Syabu dihasilkan di makmal haram dari bahan prekursor seperti ephedrine, pseudoephedrine dan phenylpropanolamine. Apabila kawalan yang ketat dikenakan ke atas prekursor, pengilang haram ini mula mencuba resipi baru dengan menggunakan bahan-bahan lain yang merbahaya, seperti asid bateri dan pencuci longkang. Bahan-bahan ini meningkatkan lagi risiko pendedahan pengguna kepada kesan buruk dan kematian .

APAKAH NAMA-NAMA SYABU YANG LAIN ?

Syabu juga dikenali sebagai "speed", "meth", "chalk", dan "china white". Syabu yang dihisap secara ' chasing the dragon' disebut sebagai "ice", "crystal", "crank" , dan "glass" . Syabu gred satu yang berkualiti berwarna putih kristal sementara syabu gred dua warna putih kemerahan dan gred tiga pula rendah kualitinya serta mempunyai rasa yang pahit.

Amalkan kesihatan reproduktif yang baik

Kesihatan reproduktif adalah kesejahteraan fizikal, mental serta sosial dan bukan hanya ketiadaan penyakit berkaitan dengan sistem reproduktif serta proses dan fungsinya

Kepentingan kesihatan reproduktif yang baik dalam keluarga

• Untuk perkembangan keluarga sihat dan interaksi positif
• Untuk mencegah kehamilan yang tidak dikehendaki, penyakit kelamin dan penderaan seks
• Untuk memastikan hubungan seksual yang bertanggungjawab dan memuaskan antara pasangan

Bagaimana keluarga boleh membina kesihatan reproduktif yang baik ?

• Suami/isteri mestilah secara aktif mendorong peningkatan tahap kesihatan pasangan masing-masing
• Pasangan suami/isteri sepatutnya saling hormat menghormati dan menjalin persefahaman untuk mencapai kepuasan hubungan seksual
• Setiap kehamilan perlu dirancang, dikehendaki dan selamat
• Setiap ahli keluarga seharusnya memastikan bahawa ibu yang hamil perlu menerima penjagaan kesihataan yang baik semasa hamil dan bersalin serta selepas bersalin
• Ibu bapa seharusnya membimbing dan memupuk harga diri anak-anak serta menanam nilai-nilai murni khususnya berhubug tanggungjawab perilaku seks
• Ibu bapa patut mengetahui bahawa anak remaja mempunyai keperluan reproduktif yang khusus
• Ibu bapa mesti melindungi anak-anak mereka dari penderaan seksual
• Setiap ahli keluarga seharusnya mengetahui bahawa tingkah laku seksual berisiko boleh menyebabkan penyakit kelamin termasuk AIDS

Natural Herbal Skin Care

by: Jerrick Foo

Natural herbal skin care has been the choice of beautiful women the world over for thousands of years. It has only been recently that cosmetic companies have formulated makeup and skin care products that contain chemicals and artificial additives in an effort to improve on the natural herbal skin care regimens that have been around for centuries.

But today many women have come to realize that these harsh chemicals and artificial ingredients that are so expensive aren’t necessarily good for their skin – in fact, in some cases they can cause drying and stripping of the skin’s natural pH balance and interfere with the body’s natural skin repair process. That’s why so many have returned to the natural herbal skin care routines that are based on some of the same key ingredients that might have been used by legendary beauties like Cleopatra or Marie Antoinette.

Some basic beauty secrets of the ages – natural herbal ingredients for skin care includes essential oils, rose water, crushed almonds, sea salts, rice powder, shea butter and purified water are common. These ingredients are good for the skin as rarely you will encounter any allergy to them. These natural ingredients can help to moisturize dry skin and contains cooling botanicals to promote the healing of blemishes and a complete skin care regimen. The benefits include slowing down the aging process and help to diminish those fine lines and crow’s feet.

Natural herbal skin care can be the answer if you have sensitive skin and are prone to rashes and or break-outs. Many people don’t realize that occasional flare-ups of blemishes or rashes can mean your skin is being irritated by the many chemicals in the soaps, cleansers, astringents and other products your skin is exposed to every day. Add to the list the many dyes, chemicals and preservatives in your makeup and it’s a virtual assault on your delicate skin.

That’s what makes natural herbal skin care so important as a part of your daily skin care routine. Using natural, soothing ingredients can actually calm and soothe your skin, reducing the number of break-outs and rashes. Soothing ingredients like oatmeal for sensitive skin calm itching and redness when rare flare-ups do occur due to environmental stressors.

Most natural skin products are full of natural botanicals, vitamins and minerals and pure anti-oxidants to nourish your skin, and are just as rich and creamy as any luxury department store skin care line. There is a whole range of products, from natural clay masks for acne to healing aloe gels for dry skin. Best of all, these does not contain the harsh chemicals that you can find in some other non-natural products.

By using natural herbal skin care products, you’re improving the condition of your skin and decreasing the likelihood of future skin problems.

Common Ingredients Found in Fat Burning Supplements

by: Chester Ku-Lea

The term commonly used with fat burning supplements is often thermogenics, which as the name suggests, has to do with temperature. These supplements have been shown to help increase the body's temperature enabling the body's ability to burn calories as heat; to be used as energy, thereby preventing them from being stored a fat.

Effective thermogenic supplements are those that contain key ingredients that create a fat burning 'thermogenic' environment by working together and in synergy. Some of these ingredients also aid in reducing appetite and spiking an increase in short-term energy. Such common ingredients are:

Alpha Lipoic Acid

• Prevents cellular damage (from free radicals), reduces oxidative stress, lowers blood sugar

• Increases energy levels

• Powerful insulin potentiator

Banana leaf extract

• Balances blood sugar levels

• Transports blood sugar into the cells and aids in controlling carbohydrate cravings

Cayenne

• Raises the body's metabolic rate

Citrus Aurantium

• A highly effective calorie and fat burner

• Helps to burn fat, and does not affect the central nervous system

• Increases energy levels

CLA - Conjugated Linoleic Acid

• An important fatty acid that has been shown to reduce the body's ability to store fat and increase the body's use of fat for energy.

Coleus Forskohlii

• Accelerates the breakdown of existing fat stores

• Promotes healthy cardiovascular function, lowers elevated blood pressure

• Increases levels of cellular messenger cAMP(cyclicadenosine monophosphatpe) that in turn accelerates the breakdown of existing fat stores

Garcinia Cambogia

• Promotes weight loss and suppresses appetite

• Increases fat oxidation and mobilization

• Promotes glycogen synthesis

• Increases energy levels

Guarana Extract

• When combined with other ingredients it helps to boost their effect

• Has been used for centuries to reduce fatigue and to increase energy levels

Guggul Extract

• Improves thyroid functioning

• Increases fat metabolism

Green Tea Extract

• When combined with the other ingredients it helps to boost their effect to burn fat

• Has been used for centuries to reduce fatigue and to increase energy levels lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels

Hoodia

• The Hoodia molecule, christened P57, fools your brain into believing you are full making it easier to lose that excess weight.

• Pure Hoodia has no known side-effects, it is stimulant free, will not give you the shakes, make your heart race or raise your body temperature.

Konjac root

• is high in fiber, essential for cleaning the digestive system.

• it expands to about 50 times its original volume when used with a large glass of water.

Mucana Puriens

• Improves cognitive function, alleviating depression and improving a sense of well being

• Helps to naturally boost healthy amounts of growth hormone, which promotes lean muscle growth, and in turn a faster metabolism

Naringin

• Extends the half-life of all the other fat burning ingredients, thereby supporting and extending a longer fat burning timeframe

Potassium Pyruvate

• Increases resting metabolic rate

• Facilitates the transport of blood sugar into muscle tissue to increase available energy

Spirulina

• Improves weight loss

• Lowers cholesterol

• Increases energy and boosts mood

White Willow Bark

• The bark of the white willow tree is a source of salicin and other salicylates - compounds

• When combined with the other ingredients it helps to boost their effect to burn fat

About The Author Chester Ku-Lea is a health nutrition consultant and is the owner of www.AstroNutrition.com - a provider of premium health nutrition and sports supplements. chester@astronutrition.com

Acne Treatment

by: Jerrick Foo

Pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, zits - whatever you call them, they're one of the main symptoms of acne, a disorder that affects the oil glands in your skin and causes eruptions and lesions that can affect your appearance and your self-confidence.

If you have acne, you're not alone. An estimated $100 million will be spent this year by people looking for an acne treatment that really works. A major portion of that amount will pay for over the counter acne treatment cremes, lotions, soaps and ointments. Another major portion will pay for consultations with dermatologists (skin doctors) and prescription medications to help control or treat acne. The remainder will be spent on nutritional supplements and oral medications that may have an effect on acne.

Because acne is a complex condition that may have any one (or several) of many different causes, choosing an acne treatment that works for you isn't always easy. A dermatologist can help determine what kind of acne you have, and prescribe the best choices of acne treatment for your particular skin type and acne problem. Dermatologists can be helpful even in mild cases of acne, because a course of treatment that works to clear up acne in one person may actually worsen the condition in another.

When you see a dermatologist, he may prescribe an acne treatment with either vitamin A (retinol) or benzoyl peroxide. These two ingredients have been proven effective in reducing the effects of acne in multiple laboratory and human tests. They each work in different ways to help control existing acne lesions and prevent more.

Retinol is the form of vitamin A most often used as an acne treatment. When it's applied to the skin, it's a mild irritant that encourages your body to shed old cells and generate new ones. It works on the same principle as many forms of acne treatment that use dermabrasion or laser to exoliate and encourage new skin cells.

Benzoyl peroxide is available in over the counter and prescription strengths. Unlike vitamin A, which encourages a change in the skin itself, benzoyl peroxide helps prevent infection by killing off bacteria on your skin and in your skin cells. While dirt doesn't actually cause acne, bacteria can worsen the condition by causing infection.

Many dermatologist now combine both retinol and benzoyl peroxide when treating acne. Most often, they'll prescribe one acne treatment to be used in the morning and the other at night. In additio