How Can Hoodia Help You Lose Weight?

Hoodia is a cactus-like succulent. I have seen it described as an ugly cactus, but as cacti go, I would say it is about average in the looks department. 

Not that its looks really matter; you will not be going up to it and giving it a loving hug. You might, however, want to give it a little bite, whether out of curiosity, or because you have heard it can help you lose weight. 

The hoodia plant that has recently been associated with weight loss potential is hoodia gordonii, one of a large group of succulent plants called Asclepiadaceae. 

How Can Hoodia Help You Lose Weight? 

Hoodia Gordonii grows in the Kalahari desert in Africa, and has done for thousands of years. It clearly thrives in very high temperatures, but it also takes many years to mature. 

Also living in the same region are the San Tribesmen, or Bushmen. The San are amongst the world’s  oldest and most primitive tribes. 

The San have been eating hoodia plants for thousands of years. Now, I am sure your vision of an African desert tribe would not be anything like obese Americans or Europeans, for whom hoodia has been mooted as a possible weight loss aid. 

In fact, you probably imagine quite the opposite, a lithe and slender people struggling to survive on desert morsels. You would be right. How, then, can the San's inclusion of hoodia in their diet have anything to do with weight loss aids? 

The answer is in the reason they have, for all those generations, been eating the hoodia cactus. Their quest for food in the shifting sands of the Kalahari Desert has always meant going on long hunting expeditions. 

Instant gratification for hunger pangs was not usually on the menu, so with their hunting trips lasting for days, they ate hoodia gordonii because it suppressed those hunger pangs for long periods. 

No hunger pangs meant no overwhelming desire to eat. That made the whole hunting process that much more bearable. 

You are probably now beginning to see how hoodia might come to the aid of the obese and overweight. Those who have trouble controlling their eating urges may have a close ally in Hoodia Gordonii. 

If a dose of the plant can suppress their desire to eat, to stop them feeling hungry at meal times, then surely they will find it easier to cut back on calorie intake? 

That was the theory that sparked scientific studies of Hoodia Gordonii. 

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If you’re looking for a way to conserve electricity, renewable energy may be the answer

If you’re looking for a way to conserve electricity, renewable energy may be the answer. Renewable, or solar energy, uses the sun’s light, along with wind and even certain molecules in plants and animals in order to power cars, turn on lights, and keep appliances working.

 

 

Heat is produced whenever the sun touches something, and solar energy can be used to power almost anything. Natural gas, oil, and coal are all byproducts of solar energy, since the plants and animals used to create these natural resources receive their energy from the sun. However, since coal, oil, and gas are resources that can be depleted from the earth, they should be conserved as much as possible, which is why scientists and environmentalists are conducing progressive research on ways to use renewable energy in every day life. This way, solar energy can be used more often. 

Powering everything with solar energy isn’t possible just yet, since a way to capture enough sunlight to power everything in a home or business hasn’t been discovered. So, many people use solar panels, which can be placed on a side of a roof to attract sunlight during the day that can be used to heat rooms and water. Solar panels can be purchased at a number of retail stores now, as well as online. Panels do a great job of helping families and businesses to conserve energy. Hopefully, solar panels will become a part of daily life, in order to prevent the disappearance of natural resources and to maintain energy conservation.

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This is a small example of the "pajama solutions" now available to ensure you sleep in comfort

If you haven't shopped for pajamas in a while you will be surprised at the choice available out there. Gone are the days where you would only have one pair of pajamas, in cotton, with a collar and turn-ups. 

In recent years pajama ranges have exploded in all sorts of ways to give you more sleeping comfort through ever-newer fabrics and cuts. 

The savvy consumer can get comfort and restful sleep throughout the year, in any climate or temperature by choosing different pajamas that are available and using them in different seasons. 

Most people readily buy special jackets for very cold or hot weather, but are unaware that the same advances are available for nightwear. 

Cold Weather/ Winter Pajamas 

One of the most useful advances in pajama design in recent years in the use of very warm fabrics for extreme cold weather. 

Full fleece or double fleece pajamas give you extra warmth along with comfort in very low temperatures - great for family visits to the log cabin up north. And these brands can come with footed pants or even hoods 

Less extremely warm pajamas are also made in other fabrics such as thick cotton. These keep you warm without your having to be in artic conditions like the double fleece pajama and they are suitable as comfortable winter sleep wear for the home. 

Footed pajamas might not be the sexiest looking pants in the world, but they are great for sleeping comfortably. And they are the complete solution to the "cold feet and ankles syndrome" at night. 

Summer Pajamas 

For summer and hotter climates, silk PJs are no longer just for the rich and glamorous. 

Silk is possibly the world’s best-loved cooling fabric, treasured in hot countries around the world from Italy to Japan. Certainly you should consider trying silk pajamas. 

You don’t have to be rich and idle to sleep in silk and nowadays quality silk pajamas won’t cost you a fortune either. 

But be warned: some people find silk pajamas almost too comfortable and relaxing. 

Bernard Hopkins is the boxer who recently said: "Its hard to get up at 5am (to train) when you wear silk pajamas". Lets hope his PJs don’t damage his career. 

Specialty Pajamas 

There are loads of specialty pajamas being released all the time, especially for kids who have everything from Disney characters, to Barbie and Shrek. There are even flame resistant pajamas that appear in some children's lines! 

There are some great specialty makes for adults too. 

A good example is the new menopause pajamas recently created to serve the needs of newly menopausal women dealing with hot flashes. The special PJs work by "wicking" away moisture in the way that running clothes do. 

So that's it. This is a small example of the "pajama solutions" now available to ensure you sleep in comfort.

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Let's take a closer look at 5 of those branches of yoga

People have used yoga techniques for more than 2,000 years. Over these centuries, yoga has developed into a system of widely varied practices, much like an ancient tree with many branches. 

Each branch of yoga was developed to serve specific human needs. As a general rule, though, they all serve one primary purpose: to bring into equilibrium the human mind and body. 

Let's take a closer look at 5 of those branches of yoga. 

Hatha Yoga 

If enhanced well being is your goal, you should consider the practice of hatha yoga. In addition to meditation, which is a common technique in4 all yoga branches, hatha yoga teaches a series of postures (known in yoga terminology as asanas) and breathing exercises (called pranayamas). Hatha yoga is considered to be one of the primary antecedents of modern physical therapy. 

Karma Yoga 

Another popular branch is karma yoga, which operates under the principle that everything that happens to us in our life is a direct consequence of our past actions. As a result, karma yoga encourages practitioners to eliminate negativity and selfishness from their current lives, to avoid having to deal with future consequences. Karma yoga is practiced throughout one's day, including at work. Activities undertaken with the goal of helping other people, such as volunteering at a soup kitchen, are associated with the karma yoga path. 

Raja Yoga 

A branch of yoga which places an even greater emphasis on meditation is raja yoga. Known also under the name of classical yoga, raja is a more advanced discipline. Practitioners usually start with hatha yoga in order to prepare the body for this advanced training. Studies have shown that people attracted by this form of yoga are generally more introspective and more drawn to profound meditation. Various religious groups devote themselves to this yoga path, which is similar to a monastic or contemplative lifestyle. 

Jnana Yoga 

This branch of yoga is directed mainly to scholars. It involves development of the intellect through the study of yoga tradition, scripts and texts. It is also known to be the yoga of the heart and wisdom. Although it is described as the most difficult of all yoga practices, jnana yoga is also considered 1 of the most direct and rewarding paths. 

Bhakti Yoga 

Bhakti yoga promotes the ideal of devotion. The principle message of this yoga path is the presence of something divine in every form of creation. Hence, it is important to tolerate, accept and respect any form of life with which we come into contact. 

In Conclusion 

These are only a few of the numerous yoga branches and paths. Whatever your needs, you can find a suitable yoga practice and, through it, find equilibrium and inner peace.

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The best way to avoid any Lasik complications or side effects is to choose your ophthalmologist wisely

Lasik eye surgery is for people who are nearsighted or farsighted and have astigmatism. This surgery changes the curvature of the cornea, which is the outermost part of the eye. This allows the person to see without the need for glasses or contacts. 

Most people have no trouble with their vision correction surgery. Less than 1% of people who have this type of surgery done actually experience any side effects. It is done on an outpatient basis and most people can return to work and to their usual activities the day after surgery. As with any surgery, there is always the risk of side effects. One of the possible Lasik complications is having chronic dry eyes after Lasik surgery. This is the most common complaint of patients who have had eye surgery. The reason for this is that vision correction surgery reduces the amount of lubrication that a patient’s eyes normally receive. 

Dry eye problems can run the spectrum from less serious to more serious. A patient can experience itching, redness, and even pain after vision correction surgery. For some the problem is minor and can be solved with artificial teardrops or other types of drops or topical treatments for the eyes. Other people find that taking flax seed oil caplets helps, and that using a humidifier in their home also relieves that dry, scratchy feeling. For many patients, their eyes return to their normal or near normal lubrication levels in the weeks and months following their eye surgery. 

If the dry eye problem is more serious, a tiny plug can be inserted that prevents tears from going to the nose and therefore allows for more lubrication in the eye. This plug can be removed in the future if the dry eye problem is resolved. 

The best way to avoid any Lasik complications or side effects is to choose your ophthalmologist wisely. Make sure that they have the proper credentials and have done a large number of successful vision correction surgeries. Do not be swayed by discount offers on Lasik that seem too good to be true. You should always have a consultation with your surgeon prior to having any kind of surgery. A good surgeon will be able to tell you if you are a good candidate for this type of surgery, and will let you know if you would not benefit from Lasik. An experienced ophthalmologist will also be able to help you if you do experience dry eyes after Lasik surgery, they will be able to help you deal with the problem and lessen your discomfort until the problem is resolved. To get quality vision correction surgery, you need to be willing to pay a competitive price for it and do your homework when choosing a doctor.

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Just as we humans get dry and cracked heels, dogs also experience dry and calloused paw pads

Of course, we humans use shoes to protect our feet. We insist on it! But dogs usually don't have that luxury, and routinely walk over ice, rock, grass, cement and soil on their bare paws. Their paws' thick pads give them protection we don't have, and that's why they're less susceptible to cuts and grazes. But this doesn't mean a dog's paws are indestructible. In fact, the areas between the pads are very sensitive and can suffer from cuts, burns, and other ailments. 

One of the clues to a paw problem is when your dog comes back limping or favoring only one of its legs. The only way for you to narrow down the issue is to check his paw for any visible and physical signs of bleeding, swelling, redness or blisters. 

Some dogs are very protective of their paws and don't like people touching them -- and they'll let you know! Keep persisting. One of my dogs, who just hates having her paws touched, will usually relax when I gently reassure her that I'm only trying to help. Although dogs don't understand many of our words, they do just fine at detecting our emotions, and sometimes intentions, from our actions and tone of voice. 

If your dog has a cut, wash the wound with an antiseptic solution and apply a layer of antiseptic cream. Check the wound again the next day to see if it's getting better. If it looks infected, you should bring your dog to the vet. I was once shocked to discover maggots wiggling inside a paw wound on my dog -- ugh. Needless to say, we went to the vet immediately (she was fine after treatment). 

In certain breeds, hair mats may grow between the pads, which can cause irritation. In these breeds, it's essential to trim regularly between the mats to keep the paws in good shape. Even in other breeds, dogs that run outdoors can get mud trapped between the pads. Again, this will irritate the paw, so it's best that you clean up with soap and water when you see mud between the toes. 

Just as we humans get dry and cracked heels, dogs also experience dry and calloused paw pads. The solution for them is similar to ours -- apply moisturizers. In fact, you can even use your hand moisturizer on your dog! But there's a challenge involved: stopping your dog from licking it away after you apply it. A good trick is to apply the moisturizer right before your dog has his meal. This way, you can allow a little time for the moisturizer to settle in. Otherwise, you can play with your pooch to keep him occupied and restrain him if he starts licking his paws. 

Finally, you probably have seen dogs in dog boots and wondered if these boots would effectively protect your dog's feet. But your dog may be better off without them, as they can easily walk out of these boots -- active, athletic dogs in particular. In the end, your dog will enjoy himself more walking on his own paws, with some occasional care and maintenance from you.

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You can find affordable term life insurance, but you need to establish exactly what you need first

Do you need affordable term life insurance? This seems to be the million-dollar question. When you want to purchase life insurance you often do not know how much you need or if there is such a thing as having too much life insurance. What constitutes affordable life insurance and how much you need is totally dependant upon your own situation. 

Don't be fooled into determining the amount of insurance you should have to what your best friend or neighbour has. Remember, every situation is unique and your needs will be unique. Your need will be determined by what you wish to see happen in the event of your death. You do have to look at the life insurance cost of the premiums and decide how much you can afford from your monthly budget. There is affordable life insurance available at very low premiums and that will help your family out in the event of your death. 

When considering what affordable life insurance is needed in a family situation, you need to do a life insurance comparison. This will help you get the most affordable rates and there are countless life insurance companies able to help you in this regard. 

In order to determine how much life insurance you should have, a number of factors need to be considered. For a person with family needs, these may include such things as: 

• Do you have dependants? If so, how long will they be dependant upon you? 
• Do you have children? If so, how old are they? 
• Do you want to insure your children have a post secondary education? 
• Will your household income be greatly reduced upon your death? If so, how much income do you need to replace so your family maintains their standard of living? 
• How long will you need to replace your household income? 
• What taxes may be incurred upon your death? 
• Do you need to cover debt obligations such as loans or a mortgage? 

When you try to determine whether or not you can afford life insurance, think about whether or not your family can afford to be without affordable life insurance. 

You can find affordable term life insurance, but you need to establish exactly what you need first.

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As with children’s toys, safety should be first and foremost in your thoughts when considering a new toy purchase for your pet

There are plenty of toys on the market to keep your favorite pet entertained for hours on end, but there are also a number of factors to consider when purchasing toys for your pet. As with children’s toys, safety should be first and foremost in your thoughts when considering a new toy purchase for your pet.

Be sure not to give your pet toys that can be broken up and potentially stuck in their throats! Dog toys, like dogs themselves, come in various shapes and sizes. Dog toys should be durable, fun, and safe. Hard rubber toys such as the “Kong” line of products can provide your favorite dog with endless hours of chewing fun.

The “Kong” can also be filled with a mixture of your dog’s favorite treat and peanut butter! Please check with your veterinarian to ensure that it is okay to feed your dog peanut butter. Rope dog toys and rubber rings are always a bit hit with dogs that love to play fetch or tug-of-war. Playing “Frisbee” can also provide hours of entertainment for dogs and owners alike!

Dogs may also enjoy stuffed and furry toys, but be sure your pet cannot get at the stuffing inside as it can be a serious choking hazard. Toy birds and mice have traditionally proven to be very entertaining for cats. They especially seem to like the ones attached to string that you can pull and entice your furry feline to chase about!

They also seem to love simple cardboard boxes, tin-foil balls, and scrunched up newspaper! A recent favorite of cats and cat owners is the laser pointer. Cats never seem to tire from chasing that little red dot around, just be sure not to direct it at their eyes. The feather-and-pole type of toy is also very popular. Scratching posts are excellent forms of entertainment for cats, and they provide your cat something other than your furniture to dig their claws into! Hint: try sprinkling catnip on the post!!

There is also a series of catnip-stuffed toys and pillows that your cat will love. There are literally hundreds of pet toys on the market, just be sure to put safety first!

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I know the drugs work for some people, but they didn't work for me

A drug-free hair loss product, from a surprising source, may be the new answer to thinning hair, alopecia, and male pattern baldness. 

"You have no idea what it's like," says Joe Rice, a 60-year-old professional from Fort Wayne, Indiana. "I started losing my hair in my twenties. It's miserable. It has a way of shaping your whole life." 

Joe's worn a toupee for years. No one sees him without it, not even his closest friends. He's tried "just about everything" to stop hair loss, including Rogaine and Propecia, without success. But deep down, he still holds out hope. 

"I know the drugs work for some people, but they didn't work for me," he sighs. "Just show me one new hair, and I'm a customer for life." 

Joe is not alone. Millions of men and women suffer in silence from alopecia, baldness and thinning hair. And while hair loss isn't fatal, it is a serious condition with profound psychological effects. For many, hair loss brings feelings of shame, despair, and crippled self-esteem. 

Since 1999, a group of scientists in Japan, led by researcher T. Takahashi, has been studying botanical extracts looking for a safe, effective solution for hair growth. After testing over a thousand different extracts, they found three promising natural chemicals. One was from barley. One from Chardonnay grapes. And one- by far the most potent- was an extract from ordinary apples. 

One year later, the scientists announced even more striking findings to the international community. They compared the apple extract, known as procyanidin B-2, Their results seemed almost impossible: in head-to-head tests, the apple chemical proved to be twice as effective in stimulating new hair growth. 

In further experiments on mice, the apple procyanidins, repeatedly produced "extensive hair growth." 

In clinical trials on humans, the results were even more exciting. The procyanidins from apples consistently grew new hair in men with male pattern baldness, the most stubborn form of unwanted hair loss- and without any of the side effects of hair loss drugs. 

Scientists are normally conservative when it comes to conclusions. But the statements from the Takahashi group were unequivocal. "Procyanidin B-2 therapy," they wrote, "shows potential as a promising cure for male pattern baldness." 

For Joe, and 60 million other men and women, this research means new hope. "Of course I'll try it," he says. "Just show me one new hair..."

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Until then, there are some things that you can do to lessen diet pill risks

 

I wish I had a nickel for every weight loss aid and pill on the market. You and I could both retire. Many of these have been associated with serious medical risks, including heart attack, heart abnormalities, tachycardia, stroke, seizures and death. That's pretty scary! 

Most diet pills are appetite suppressants of one kind or another, generally stimulants with effects similar to those of amphetamine. They're okayed for treatment of obesity, where it's considered that the health risks associated with obesity outweigh the risks of the medication. 

But is you have less than 30 pounds to lose, the risks are far less cut-and-dried. Over the counter medications and their risks are not as well-documented as the effects of prescription diet pills. Herbal preparation effects are documented even less, especially those whose makers don't officially make weight loss claims. 

Here's part of the problem. As long as they don't contain a 'new' ingredient, or one that has never been marketed for weight loss purposes, weight-loss aids are not subject to FDA review. Instead, the manufacturer is held responsible for the safety and effectiveness of their products. So a lot of times that means unregulated dosages, unhealthy additives and ineffective ingredients. 

Hopefully, one day all over the counter medications and herbal preparations marketed as weight loss supplements will be labeled and tested by impartial researchers. Until then, there are some things that you can do to lessen diet pill risks. 

Research thoroughly. There's a lot of information out there about drugs and herbs like ephedra, ephinedrine, phentermine and sibutramine. Know what you're taking and what the risks are so that you can watch for side effects. 

Always talk to your doctor before you start taking any drug or herbal supplement. Yes, I know you've heard this a thousand times, but there are good reasons for the advice! Some products interact poorly with other medications, or have an adverse effect on chronic conditions. 

Follow dosage instructions. Overdoses of stimulant medications, which are a component of most weight loss preparations, can be serious and severe. 

Don't take any weight loss pill or supplement for more than a few weeks unless a doctor has prescribed it. 

Ask your pharmacist when purchasing over the counter weight loss preparations to be sure that the ingredients don't interact with other medications you may be taking. Include both prescription and nonprescription medications in your questions. 

There are much more healthy and effective ways to lose weight than taking pills. The potential of serious health problems remains. It's an awful lot of risk for a little weight loss.

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Hectic lifestyles and sedentary jobs all contribute towards tension in the body as well as bad posture

This heading may seem like a contradiction in terms. How on earth is squeezing anything going to allow for relaxation to occur? Surely it will generate more tension, won’t it? 

Well, not necessarily. Indeed, combined with focused breathing it is a great tool to alleviate stress and will help those stubborn tense muscles to let go! 

It is a common affliction for many people to have unnecessary muscular tension throughout their bodies and this becomes the norm. Hectic lifestyles and sedentary jobs all contribute towards tension in the body as well as bad posture. 

This being the case it may sound ludicrous to suggest creating more tension by squeezing. However, it is by initially squeezing that a wonderful physical contrast is created leaving the body feeling more tranquil. Also, once you have experienced the difference it will also encourage you to consciously become less tense and to use less energy when going about everyday tasks. 

Below are some simple instructions that can be instantly used to experience how squeezing muscles and breathing in a specific way can help tension to subside! 

• Sit or stand comfortable. 

• Inhale and squeeze a muscle group. 

• Hold for a second and then, as you release this muscular tension, exhale slowly and fully. 

• Repeat this five to ten times. Note the distinction between how your muscles felt to begin with and now, after having let them relax from a contracted position. 

• Note – If you are looking for a quick way to loose tension all over your body all you need do is, from a standing position, inhale and squeeze your entire body and then on the long slow exhalation release all tension. Try this five times and feel the positive effects! 

Whether you squeeze and then relax one muscle at a time or your whole body you should have the feeling of almost deflating like a balloon and loosing undue tension. 

It is also worth bearing in mind there are no long periods of squeezing muscles and holding the breath! It is not required and is dangerous. 

You can utilise this method whenever you feel stressed, tense, or angry and it will go a long way towards reminding you that a relaxed body is almost always better and happier than a tense one. 

Give it a whirl and feel for yourself!

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Chelation Therapy is definitely the most effective alternative to surgery for Atherosclerotic vascular disease

In our everyday life, our body is exposed to various toxins almost all the time. We are facing toxin attacks in the food, in the water we drink even in the air we breath. Heavy metal toxins like Mercury, Lead and Cadmium gets deposited and builds up plaque in arteries and blood vessels and narrows the passage for blood flow (medically termed as Atherosclerosis). This in turn leads to all sorts of problems and even heart attacks and might ultimately require surgery to bypass the blocked arteries. 

Chelation (pronounced key-LAY-shun) Therapy is the process in which chemicals bond with minerals and toxic metals and remove them from the body. The word Chelation has been derived from the Greek word “chele”, meaning to “claw”. 

The doctors have used chelation therapy for a long time now and the most important chelating agents used by them is EDTA (Ethylene Diamine tetra acetic acid). This is a synthetic amino acid that is highly effective in binding with the harmful metals and releasing them out of the body through the urine. 

Chelation Therapy is definitely the most effective alternative to surgery for Atherosclerotic vascular disease. This therapy when applied properly has considerable effect on patients and thousands of patients have been cured without any need for bypass surgery or angioplasty. 

There are two types of Chelation, classified mainly based on the way they are applied; Intravenous Chelation, where the chelating agent is injected through the veins and Oral Chelation, where the patient takes the chelating agent through his mouth just as any other medicine. Intravenous chelation is comparatively costly and would necessarily require a doctor to assist the patient, however, oral chelation is one of the easiest processes and is comparatively cheap. 

Any oral chelating agent would contain a synthetic amino acid called EDTA along with the other components like Royal Jelly, honeybee pollen, unprocessed honey, natural vitamin C and B12. EDTA is particularly effective in removing heavy metals like Mercury from our circulatory system. 

An Oral Chelating agent becomes more effective due to the presence of components like Royal Jelly and honey. Our body perceives it as food and it gets absorbed in the system very fast where as the EDTA in the chelating agent binds with the toxic metals and removes them out of the body. 

This would help you to remove toxic metals from your blood flow while gaining and maintaining you heart’s health. When thousand s of patients today are adopting this chelation therapy to fight against atherosclerosis and maintain a healthy heart, why should you be left out?

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Adult acne affects people from every ethnicity and background

For a long time, acne was considered a problem for teenagers to deal with. It seems that acne and teens go hand in hand. It is almost a cliché of the teenage years. In fact, adult acne is also a very common problem. Many adults suffer from a variety of skin problems. Pimples are not just a problem of the young. People over the age of 25 have issues with acne, too. While adult acne occurs in both men and women, it tends to be more prevalent in women. The statistics suggest that 50% of all adult women have acne, as compared to only about 25% of adult men. Adult acne affects people from every ethnicity and background. 

There are many causes of adult acne. Since the main cause of pimples is hormones, which is probably why women tend to have more zits and skin problems than men. Other things also cause acne. These can be things like overactive sebaceous glands that allow an excess of oil to be secreted onto the face, clogged pores, etc. For many people, genetics plays a role in whether or not they have acne. Other things that can trigger breakouts are stress and environmental issues like weather and allergies. 

While there are many acne products available to treat breakouts and blemishes, some of the ones that work for teens can be too harsh for adults. It is important to have a good daily cleansing regimen. This alone can help many adults clear up their acne prone skin. Others find that topical treatments can help with their blemishes. For moderate to severe acne problems, some adults may find that a trip to their dermatologist is necessary. A dermatologist can prescribe antibiotics or other ant-acne medications. 

As we age, our skin becomes less able to repair itself due to a loss of collagen. The skin of adults is not as resilient as that of younger people. So adult acne can be a much more serious problem because it can cause easily cause scarring in adult skin. It is a good idea to treat breakouts and not give in to the temptation to squeeze or pop whiteheads or blackheads that appear on the skin. Doing this type of thing can lead to permanent scarring of the skin. 

For both adult men and women, adult acne can have the same effects on them that it does on teenagers. Emotional distress, embarrassment, and low self-esteem due to acne breakouts can be just as big of a problem for an adult as for a teen. Everyone wants his or her skin to look good. How we look contributes greatly to how we feel about ourselves, so having skin issues can be just as serious a problem as other things.

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Placebo effect is a factor in all types of medicine

The ancient Chinese practice of acupuncture has proven to be an effective treatment for tension headache. It not only relieves pain, but also cuts rates of recurrence by almost half, a recent study indicates.

Traditional Chinese acupuncture therapy involves insertion of needles up to 3 inches deep into the body at prescribed acupuncture points, according to licensed acupuncturist Rong Zeng of the New York Good Health Clinic in Manhattan.

However, a new, randomized blind study in Germany involving 270 patients with a similar severity of tension headache has shown that a minimal course of acupuncture works almost as well as the traditional method.

Fewer Headaches After Treatment

Researchers divided the patients into three groups. Over an eight-week period, one group was treated with traditional acupuncture, another received minimal acupuncture (needles inserted only superficially into the skin at non-acupuncture points), and the control group had neither treatment.

The subjects were monitored for four weeks after their period of treatment. Those who had received traditional acupuncture care subsequently experienced seven fewer headaches. The group that had been given minimal acupuncture therapy had surprisingly similar results -- 6.6 fewer headaches.

The control group did not fare as well, with only 1.5 fewer headaches.

Improvements in headache rates continued for months after the acupuncture treatment, though they began to rise slightly as time went on.

Results Subject to Interpretation

Such a negligable difference in results between traditional and minimal acupuncture treatments possibly indicates that the location of acupuncture points and depth of needle insertion do not make a major difference for treatment of tension headache, the authors of the study suggest.

However, they caution that the possibility of placebo effects should not be overlooked.

"Placebo effect is a factor in all types of medicine," Dr. Zeng noted. In western medicine, for example, blind tests may reveal placebo effects that are similar to responses to trial drugs, she explained.

In any case, it is clear that the patients who received acupuncture treatment experienced fewer headaches. The possibility that placebo effect plays a role in acupuncture does not detract from its efficacy.

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