The Many Properties And Applications Of Glycerine

Author:  Jo Alelsto

Glycerine, also spelled glycerin, is a kind of organic compound known as sugar alcohol with a chemical formula C3H8O3. It occurs as a sweet-tasting, viscous liquid that is colorless and odorless. It is miscible in water and generally non-toxic. In nature it occurs in form of glycerides. The glycerides are esters of the compound and are fundamental components of lipids.

Various industries see glycerine in numerous applications. It is included in pharmaceutical preparations due to its lubricating and hygroscopic properties. Thus it is found in cough syrups, expectorants, and suppositories. In personal care products it is found in shaving creams, soaps, mouthwash, toothpastes, skin moisturizers and conditioners, and hair care products. The substance is an excellent solvent. It serves as a humectant (moisture-retaining agent) and a softener in candy and cakes, as well as a food preservative.

A molecule of glycerine or glycerol contains three chains of carbon. In each carbon atom a hydroxyl group is attached. The hydroxyl group is represented as OH. The compound owes its high solubility in water and its hygroscopic nature to the hydroxyl groups. A compound that is hygroscopic has the property of attracting water molecules from the air or from the surrounding. When hygroscopic substances are used for the purpose of retaining moisture, they are accurately referred to as humectants. Glycerol melts at 18�C and boils at 290�C under standard conditions.

Today, the production of the compound involves either of the following: saponification or transesterification. Saponification involves a reaction of an alkali, say sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, and a fat or oil. This process forms soap and glycerol. Transesterification is a process whereby a glyceride undergoes a reaction with an alcohol in the presence of a catalyst. The catalyst is either an acid or base. In this reaction, two compounds are formed. One is the new ester. The other is glycerol. In biodiesel manufacture, the hygroscopic compound occurs as a 10 percent by-product and is a result of vegetable oils undergoing transesterification. This process contributes heavily to the amount of crude glycerol in the market. This unrefined liquid may be purified further to remove excess water and chemical residues as a result of transesterification.

The compound is considered a carbohydrate, but it is generally different from sugar in terms of structure and metabolic pathway in the body. Unlike sucrose (table sugar), glycerol does not raise blood sugar levels, thus it has a low glycemic index. The synthesis of triacylglycerols and phospholipids in the liver involves glycerol as a precursor. The source of glycerol is of course stored fats. The body breaks down fats into glycerol and fatty acids. The liver converts glycerol into glucose which powers cellular respiration and metabolism.

The compound has thousands of industrial applications. In medicine and pharmaceutical preparations, the compound is employed as a means to provide lubrication, improve smoothness, and act as a humectant. It is also used as a laxative when used in enema or a suppository. Cough syrups and expectorants also contain the substance. The compound is a good emulsifying agent, keeping insoluble tannins from precipitating in ethanol extracts of plants. This is especially useful in making of tinctures. The substance is a component of nitroglycerin, a known ingredient in explosives, but is also used to treat heart disease.

In personal care products, this viscous compound is used as an emollient, humectant, solvent and a lubricant. An emollient is a substance that soothes and softens the skin. Toothpastes, mouthwash, shaving creams and soaps contain glycerol. Home-made soaps contain larger amounts of this organic compound than the usual comercially produced soaps.

There was a controversy about the moisture-retaining capacity of the substance. Some believed that as much as it draws water from the air, it may also draw water from the skin, inducing more dryness. This, however, remains unproven.

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Disclaimer: The opinion(s) expressed by the contributing author of the article reflected above is the author’s own, and we bear no responsibility for the contributing author’s opinions. We intend to provide readers with news and information. It is not intended to give personal medical advice, which should be obtained directly from a physician. Acting on any information provided herein without first consulting a physician is solely at the reader’s risk.

 

 

Afro Curly Hair and Choosing the Right Products & Accessories

Author:  Eva D.

For over ten years, I would flit like a butterfly to the vast array of products with the bright shiny labels promising drama free styling for my curly coif. Yet, each time I ripped open the lid and applied my creamy concoctions, planets ceased to collide, minds didn't meld and guess what? My hair didn't grow...not immediately anyway because aside from actually working, effective products and accessories should also support three necessary growth requirements for tight curls over time:

Moisture

Products that promote growth really moisturize your curls. Because curly hair is dry, it can break off and be unforgiving when it tangles. Yet when hair is moisturized, its more pliable and easy to manipulate, but without moisture, curls can become knots when being detangled and break. So products that are most beneficial shower curls with the most moisture possible.

Breakage Prevention

Not only do brittle curls cause breakage, but so do certain styling accessories. For years, I used to routinely wear a flat metal clip for a ponytail or bun style and I often wondered why in that exact place, where I snapped the clip closed, this area of my hair was shorter than the rest. At first I thought my hair just grew that way, but one day, I lost my clips (and was too cheap to buy more). So I needed to figure out another style for a while, and noticed my hair started to grow back in that area. Sometimes we can be using accessories that are hurting our hair and because we've always used them, we don't even think about it.

When I transitioned to being natural, there were a lot of styling practices that I carried over from my relaxed hair days. These practices were bad before and even worse now for my natural fro. For example, I didn't cover my hair at night. I thought I didn't have to, because I could sleep on it, and still comb through it the next day, but not so with natural hair. Now, if I don't moisturize, twist up and put a cap on my curly fro for the night, my hair will rub up against other hair and create a beehive of knots and tangles which will not be sorted out by the time I have to get to work the next day unless there is a scissor involved.

Curly Interactions

Effective natural hair products and accessories also reduce curl to curl friction. I know the phrase sounds bizarre, but researchers have found that when a hair's cuticle layers rub up against each other, there can be lifting of the cuticles causing damage. Remember we don't even want to see the cortex of your hair strand. That's not healthy hair.

And curls know this interaction really well, because they just naturally intertwine. When hair isn't set and covered during the night, hair will rub against other hair and your pillow causing knots, damage and the beginnings of fractured hair.

Picking the right products and accessories then using them appropriately is definitely important for afro curly hair growth. While styling products work differently for each curl, I will test some products by integrating them into my current routine and will see what happens. I know that I'd like to try some products like emu oil. My last relaxer involved a chemical burn near the area of my temples and hair doesn't live there anymore, but emu oil may be able to help that. So I think I'll try that one first and share the results

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Disclaimer: The opinion(s) expressed by the contributing author of the article reflected above is the author’s own, and we bear no responsibility for the contributing author’s opinions. We intend to provide readers with news and information. It is not intended to give personal medical advice, which should be obtained directly from a physician. Acting on any information provided herein without first consulting a physician is solely at the reader’s risk.

See How Easily You Can Revitalize Your Hair

Author:  Jane Preeter

Revitalizing shampoos, hair-care products aside, great nutrition is by far the most effective way of getting great-looking hair! Like your body, your hair too needs a balanced, nutritious diet to stay healthy.  Water  One of the most important fluids you could ever have, water makes up one-fourth of the weight of a strand of hair. Moisture makes the hair supple; so ensure you get plenty of fluids. A key point is not to wait until you're thirsty. If you're thirsty, it means your body has already lost more water than it should have, and it's urging you to refill the tank! Water not only hydrates your body, but also helps keep your hair silky and shiny. Ideally, you should drink between eight and ten glasses of water a day.  Protein  Protein is the building block of hair, so a diet for healthy hair contains an awful lot of protein! Protein will give the shaft of your hair more strength, and will reduce the possibility of damage through snapping and splitting. You can get protein from foods like fish, meat, milk, cheese and cereals.  Minerals  In addition to water and proteins, minerals are equally important. Remember, your hair, like the rest of your body thrives on the natural resources.

• Iron helps to carry oxygen to the hair. Without enough iron, hair and its follicles get starved of oxygen. This means that the 'goodness' in the root of your hair is much less effective along the length of the strand. You can increase your iron intake by eating red meat and dark green vegetables, or by iron supplements.
  
• Zinc builds hair protein, which helps to prevent hair loss. Meat and seafood are the foods highest in zinc.
  
• Copper is involved in the pigmentation of hair. You can optimize your natural color with a diet with plenty of copper. Shellfish, liver, fresh vegetables, nuts, seeds and meat are all high in copper.

Vitamins

• Vitamin A will give you a healthy scalp, because it's great for the skin! You can get vitamin A from foods like vegetables-in particular, carrots.
  
• Vitamin B and C is important for good circulation, hair growth and hair color. If you ensure that you have enough vitamin B and C, you'll have strong, supple strands of hair that do not split. You can get these vitamins from eating foods like fruit, vegetables, cereals, eggs, milk and bread.

Just follow this good food guide to healthy and great looking hair. You could do without all the artificial chemicals.

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Disclaimer: The opinion(s) expressed by the contributing author of the article reflected above is the author’s own, and we bear no responsibility for the contributing author’s opinions. We intend to provide readers with news and information. It is not intended to give personal medical advice, which should be obtained directly from a physician. Acting on any information provided herein without first consulting a physician is solely at the reader’s risk.

Skin Care

Author:  Dr Edward F. Group III, DC, Ph.D, ND, DACBN

Your skin is your armor, your shield from the elements. Yet when was the last time you really thought about what you need to do to take care of it? Throughout your life, genetic and environmental factors will cause a lot of wear and tear to your skin. But you are never too young or too old to start taking care of your skin. In fact, skin care and protection should be an essential part of your health, fitness, and beauty regime. If you take care of your skin, your skin will take care of you! If your stuck in a skin care rut, or if you are just looking to learn a bit more about the basics of skin care, read on to learn more about this important step in your daily activities.  The Essentials of Skin Care  The first step to taking care of your skin is preventing damage. Sun, wind, pollutants, and simply aging can degrade the condition of your skin. Common complaints include dry and itchy skin, wrinkles, sagging, color changes, and age spots. There are steps that you can take to keep you skin looking and feeling its best.  Exercise, rest, and good nutrition lay the foundation for beautiful, healthy skin, inside and out. A proper diet is not only good for your overall health, it also helps to ensure that your skin will receive all of the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that it needs to maintain and repair cells. Drinking purified water is another good way to keep your skin healthy. Water helps to hydrate the skin and move waste and nutrients through the system. It is very effective mixing a teaspoon or capful of Organic Apple Cider Vinegar in with your water. Do not drink Tap Water.  The most important way to care for your skin is to protect it from the damaging rays of the sun. Ultraviolet radiation damages the skin and can lead to wrinkles, premature aging, age spots, and cancer. Take extra precautions to make sure your skin is not exposed to the sun�s rays. Use a natural sunscreen, or a moisturizer that contains sunscreen (at least SPF 15) everyday. Your skin does need some sunlight 10-15 minutes of direct exposure daily.  Dry skin is very common, especially with age. Older skin has fewer sweat and oil glands than younger skin. Dry skin may be caused by frequent baths, certain cosmetics or medications. But whatever the cause, there are ways to alleviate the itchiness associated with it. Avoid using harsh soaps when bathing, and if possible, cut back on the number of baths or showers each week. A sponge bath with warm water may help to clean and revive skin without stripping the skin of its valuable moisturizers. When you do use soap, try using a natural very mild soap that does not contain any dyes, parabens or perfumes. Follow up the bath with a moisturizing lotion. A good all natural moisturizer is one of the foundations for a healthy skin care regimen. Continue moisturizing throughout the day to keep skin healthy. Your hands and face are particularly susceptible to daily damage, and may need to be moisturized several times. A Skin Care Routine  A skin care routine does not have to be elaborate in order to be effective. But you should develop some kind of skin care routine based on your skin type, daily activities, and nutritional needs so that you can be sure you are taking the very best care of your skin. Following a daily skin care regime will also allow you to more closely evaluate your skin for abnormalities. Here's a simple routine that you can adapt to fit your needs:

1. Cleanse: Wash your skin thoroughly on a daily basis to remove the dirt, debris, pollutants, and perspiration that accumulates on a daily basis. If you have dry or sensitive skin, use only warm water to wash your skin and use a mild natural cleanser every few days. If you have normal or oily skin, be sure to wash with a gentle cleanser on a daily basis. Be sure to brush your teeth before washing your face, as toothpaste residue can irritate sensitive facial skin.
   
2. Moisturize: Unless your skin is very oily, you will want to use a moisturizer everyday to keep your skin hydrated and healthy. Your skin needs moisturizer all year long as both the indoor winter heat, and summer sun can be equally damaging to your skin.  
   
3. Protect: Use a natural sunscreen when possible, regardless of whether or not you plan on spending much time in the sun. The sun's rays are very damaging and if you get in the habit of applying sunscreen everyday, you will never be left without protection. The suns most beneficial rays occur at sunrise and sunset.

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Disclaimer: The opinion(s) expressed by the contributing author of the article reflected above is the author’s own, and we bear no responsibility for the contributing author’s opinions. We intend to provide readers with news and information. It is not intended to give personal medical advice, which should be obtained directly from a physician. Acting on any information provided herein without first consulting a physician is solely at the reader’s risk.

Honey as Moisturizer - The Secret to Soft, Healthy and Young-Looking Skin Revealed!

Author:  Marcia Kruger


Have you ever imagined using honey as moisturizer in your skincare? It is a little unusual, however, if your skin gets exposed to harsh environmental conditions you need to take a look at honey in a skincare moisturizer.

Environmental factors like chemicals, pollution and smoke, but the sun and wind are the two main reasons why your skin becomes dry and damaged. Because it feels rough and sore, you reach for the closest bottle of lotion and hope it helps.

Did you know that honey as an ingredient is good for you and your skin's health? It not only soothes your skin, it's also an effective skincare aid.

Honey as a moisturizer is nothing new. It has been around for centuries and used in natural skin care. Cleopatra used honey as moisturizer to keep her beauty undamaged.

That was then -- but, let's look at how honey is use as a natural moisturizer for your skin nowadays.

Because of those environmental factors, your skin has a hard time staying moisturized. Over exposure to the sun's damaging UV rays and strong winds diminish skin's natural oils leading to dry skin. Chemical ingredients in soaps also cause skin dryness.

Therefore, protecting your skin from environmental factors is important. Avoid too much direct sunlight, wear a hat and protective clothing and make sure you use mild, unscented soap.

So, using honey as moisturizer helps your skin dryness. But, not a regular honey...a natural substance called Active Manuka Honey which does more than just moisturize your skin.

This particular honey is obtained from the manuka bush thus the name manuka honey. Because of the presence of unique enzymes containing antibacterial properties, known as the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF), it's effective in healing skin sores and blemishes including acne and even more serious skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

This particular type of honey penetrates deeply into your skin to nourish, rejuvenate and to make it look younger and softer. And, because it's a strong antioxidant, it protects skin from damage caused by free radicals found in environmental pollutants.

Using this honey as moisturizer also supports the skin�s own cell renewal process. Because it promotes the production of collagen and elastin in your skin, the two proteins keep your skin firm, elastic and wrinkle-free.

So, go ahead and use honey as moisturizer on your skin. Not only will it moisturize your skin, it'll nourish, heal and keep your skin young-looking and radiant.

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Disclaimer: The opinion(s) expressed by the contributing author of the article reflected above is the author’s own, and we bear no responsibility for the contributing author’s opinions. We intend to provide readers with news and information. It is not intended to give personal medical advice, which should be obtained directly from a physician. Acting on any information provided herein without first consulting a physician is solely at the reader’s risk.

Reducing Cellulite Appearance as a Vegetarian

Author:  Laura Ng

Honestly, you can't cure cellulite because cellulite forms part of your body fat structure beneath the skin. However, you can reduce your cellulite appearance dramatically and make it almost invisible to human eyes even in broad daylight.

Unfortunately, women tend to get the most headaches from this ugly dimpling appearance on their skins, even after they've become a vegetarian. Why women and not men? Have you seen men seeking cellulite treatment thus far?

Let me give you a quick rundown on the difference between men and women in terms of their cellulite structure so that you know how to treat your cellulite problem more effectively when we get down to the natural ways to reducing cellulite appearance.

For women, the connective tissue structure is arranged into large upright cubicles to hold the fat. When poor lymphatic circulation takes place, toxic wastes and fluid will accumulate within the fat tissues, which cause these cubicles to become swollen and start to push up against the skin, forming cellulite appearance.

In men, these fat cubicles are arranged in cross-linked structure that actually limits the quantity of fat stored, hold the fat in better and store them deeper under the skin. Also, men have thicker skin as better cover-ups and generally, their hormones behave less erratically than women.

That's why cellulite bothers women more than men. Now you roughly know how your cellulite comes about. Now, let's see what we can do to reduce the cellulite appearance and make it less noticeable.

How to Reduce Your Cellulite Appearance as a Vegetarian

As I just mentioned, your cellulite appears due to poor lymphatic circulation. So, first thing you must do as a vegetarian is improve your lymphatic circulation by ingesting quality vegetarian diet and cutting back on your processed vegetarian food intake.

Though processed vegetarian food may not be as toxic as meat, it does contain high amount of sugar, salt and bad saturated fat that can impede your blood flow and trigger a metabolic disorder. On the contrary, whole foods like fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes etc provide key nutrients for optimal lymphatic circulation, thus reducing your cellulite appearance dramatically.

Oh, factoring in exercises help to reduce cellulite appearance too by reducing the fat content within the fat structure. Remember, when you fat cells shrink, the push-up effect will be less intense, and the dimpling appearance will subside.

Strictly speaking, you can't remove cellulite completely because it is not an entity in your body that you can simply take it away. Hence, whether you like it or not, you just had to learn to live with cellulite. But good news is, you can reduce your cellulite appearance by applying the aforementioned natural ways.

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Disclaimer: The opinion(s) expressed by the contributing author of the article reflected above is the author’s own, and we bear no responsibility for the contributing author’s opinions. We intend to provide readers with news and information. It is not intended to give personal medical advice, which should be obtained directly from a physician. Acting on any information provided herein without first consulting a physician is solely at the reader’s risk.

Dark Circles Under the Eyes

Author:  Dr. Grossman

Possible Causes:

Black or dark circles under or around the eyes can be caused by many different factors. Most people inherit the tendency for dark circles. The following are the most common causes of those unattractive dark circles.

1. Heredity: Like varicose veins, dark circles under the eyes are usually an inherited trait. If you have dark circles, there is a good chance that others in your family also have them. The skin under the eye is very thin. When blood passes through the large veins close to the surface of the skin it can produce a bluish tint. The more transparent your skin, also an inherited trait, the darker the circles appear.

2. Exposure to the Sun: Even in darker skinned people, exposure to sunlight, especially during the summer months, can cause a higher-than-normal level of skin pigmentation (melanin) under the eyes. People get suntans because exposure to the sun increases the natural pigmentation of the skin and draws that pigmentation to the surface. The same principle applies to the skin under the eyes.

3. Allergies, Asthma and Eczema: Any condition that you have that causes your eyes to itch can contribute to darker circles under the eyes because rubbing or scratching the skin can darken the skin. Hay fever sufferers particularly will notice under-eye "smudges" during the height of the allergy season. Some food allergies can also cause the area under the eyes to appear darker.

4. Medications: Any medications that you are taking that causes blood vessels to dilate, can cause circles under the eyes to darken. Because the skin under the eyes is very delicate, any increase blood flow shows through the skin.

5. Nutrition: The lack of nutrients in the diet, or the lack of a balance diet, can contribute to the discoloration of the area under the eyes.

6. Fatigue, lack of sleep: A lack of sleep or excessive tiredness can cause paleness of the skin, which again allows the blood underneath the skin to become more visible and appear more blue or darker.

7. Pregnancy and Menstruation: The skin can also become more pale during pregnancy and menstruation, which again allows the underlying veins under the eyes to become more visible.

8. Age: If you have a propensity to have dark circles under you eyes, as you grow older, they are likely to become more noticeable and permanent. Excess folds of skin under the eyes will also make dark circles more pronounced.

Natural Remedies

1. TEA BAG TREATMENT

Try applying a cold compress of rosemary tea to increase circulation, which helps reduce swelling around the eyes. Make tea by bringing a half-cup of fresh rosemary and a quart of water to a boil. Steep for 20 minutes, then strain and chill. Soak a washcloth in the tea, ring out extra liquid anal place over eyes for 15 to 20 minutes, once a day, as needed.

2. Acupressure: Another circulation-boosting treatment is acupressure. This is an easy exercise that you can also do every day. Close your eyes and gently press your ring finger underneath one eye, moving from the inside corner to the outside corner. Do this 10 to 15 times. Then repeat on the other eye.

3. Cold compress: Close your eyes and cover them with a cold washcloth for about five minutes, says Dr. Monica. Repeat several times throughout the day. That will help constrict your blood vessels, minimizing darkness, and it may help minimize tissue swelling and eliminate some of the darkness.

4. Moisturizer: To minimize the appearance of bags, plump up skin with moisturizer, one that contains vitamin C, an antioxidant that protects skin cells from damage and supports collagen production; licorice (or fennel) extract, an anti-inflammatory; and stabilized oxygen, a form of hydrogen peroxide that promotes circulation.

5. Freeze some parsley in ice cubes. Use the parsley cubes instead of eye creams to diminish dark circles and puffiness. Parsley is packed with chlorophyll which helps fade darkness, while the ice cubes reduce the swelling.

6. Eating a whole-foods, plant-based diet, drinking plenty of water (eight 8-ounce glasses daily), and avoiding alcohol, coffee, tea and caffeinated soft drinks also go a long way in preventing bags, circles and wrinkles.

7. Spread on the sunscreen. Use a sunscreen especially made for the face with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15, but preferably 20, "all day every day," to keep the sun's rays from darkening the skin under your eyes,

8. Eight hours of sleep is a must for all of us, especially for people having dark circles under their eyes.

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Disclaimer: The opinion(s) expressed by the contributing author of the article reflected above is the author’s own, and we bear no responsibility for the contributing author’s opinions. We intend to provide readers with news and information. It is not intended to give personal medical advice, which should be obtained directly from a physician. Acting on any information provided herein without first consulting a physician is solely at the reader’s risk.