The ancient Greeks and Romans have used mustard oil for their hair for centuries.  Now it is commonly used in Northern India for the very same reasons, but few in the West have cottoned on to the incredible benefits mustard oil has to offer our hair.  It is a powerful natural oil that can help you achieve strong, vibrant, and luscious hair that has proven to be so difficult in the past.

Mustard Oil For Hair Growth

The mustard seed, in which mustard oil is derived from, contains a wide range of beneficial vitamins and nutrients for hair growth including, protein, calcium, omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, and vitamins A and E.  This powerful concoction helps keep the hair follicles in good condition, and along with the powerful antioxidants present, this natural oil makes for an effective treatment for hair growth.

• The fatty acids are responsible for conditioning and strengthening the hair resulting in healthy hair growth.
• Mustard oil acts as a stimulant for the hair because of its ability to increase blood circulation in the scalp.  This contributes to the increased rate of hair growth.
• Mustard oil contains high levels of beta-carotene; this is then converted into Vitamin A.  By protecting the hair follicles and maintaining the overall condition of the scalp, vitamin A plays a big part in promoting normal hair growth.

Mustard Oil For Hair Loss

Mustard oil has proven to be an extremely effective treatment for those suffering from hair loss.  Mustard oil contains high levels of selenium and zinc, this is important as studies have shown that hair loss can commonly be a direct result of a lack of these two nutrients.

As we learnt before, mustard oil is a stimulant.  It stimulates the skin on the scalp, creates a warm sensation as blood circulation is increased, and helps eliminate any excess oil build-up on the scalp.  All of these factors are directly related to maintaining a healthy scalp; making hair stronger and ultimately helping to reduce or even prevent hair loss.

Mustard Oil Hair Treatment Recipe

Because mustard oil is not a common form of cooking oil you might need to hunt a little harder and maybe even visit an Indian market to locate it.  Alternatively, you could buy a bottle on Amazon. This Dabur Mustard Oil is less than $10 and is fantastic for your hair. Be warned that when using this treatment that the oil does give off a strong aroma and therefore is recommended that you follow up with a regular scented shampoo.

By using this nourishing mustard oil treatment 3 times or more per week, you will notice your hair becoming stronger, healthier, and faster-growing in as little as 3 weeks.

• Comb hair and create a centre part
• Get a small amount of oil in the palm of your hand and rub together to distribute
• Apply mustard oil onto one side and gently massage into the roots then apply to the other side.  Comb hair.
• Cover with plastic wrap or a shower cap.  Dry hair with a hair dryer for approximately 10 minutes to ensure the oil penetrates into the hair shaft.
• Wash hair thoroughly and rinse out with cold water.

Mustard oil is just one of a number of natural oils that are capable of repairing or improving the health and appearance of your hair. Find out our Top 10 Best Oils For Hair, Hair Growth & Hair Loss and let us know which one is your favorite.

If you enjoyed this post and you’d like to read more from the RevitaliseYourHealth.com blog, then have a read of the articles below.

Mira Hair Oil: Nature’s Miracle Oil For Your Hair
Top 5 Hair Masks For Dry & Damaged Hair
The Benefits Of Mango Butter For Your Hair
The Benefits Of Shea Butter For Your Hair
50 Tips For Ultimate Health, Gorgeous Skin, Beautiful Hair & A Perfect Body 

We all know that to lose weight we need to eat less and move more. Unfortunately that will always be the case, but in this blog post I’m going to reveal five natural fat burners that will help you burn more calories and lose more weight without you even realising it.

1. Essential Fatty Acids

It seems almost wrong to suggest that getting more fat in your body can help you lose weight, but it’s true. Essential fatty acids activate our “brown fat” which is a “good” type of fat that helps to burn more calories.

500g of omega-6 daily will provide you with an adequate dosage of essential fatty acids to keep brown fat active. Rich sources include evening primrose, borage, black currant and hemp oils.

2. Medium-chain Triglycerides (MCT)

MCTs are another fat that have a surprisingly positive impact on our weight. They appear to have a three pronged approach for fat burning. Firstly they have a lower calorie content than other more unhealthy fats, secondly they are less often stored as fat in the body, and finally they have been identified to enhance thermogenesis which contributes to burning more calories. To increase your daily dosage of MCTs consider adding a tablespoon of virgin coconut oil or grapeseed oil to salads or veggies.

Further Reading: How Coconut Oil Can Help You Lose Weight

3. Hydroxycitric Acid (HCA)

When we consume too many carbohydrates, the excess gets metabolised into fats. One main enzyme is responsible for turning carbs to fatty acids, which then get bundled together to make fat. HCAs help to slow down this fat metabolising enzyme. HCAs also stimulates the release of sugar into the blood which can help to suppress appetite.

HCAs are present in the dried rind of tamarind – so buy some tamarind fruit to take advantage of the weight loss properties of hydroxycitric acids.

4. Green Tea

Stepping away from the technical terms now, green tea is another fantastic natural fat burner. Most importantly, it helps to stimulate metabolism so our body naturally burns more calories without us realising. One study published in the American Journal of Clinical

Nutrition found that men given a green tea extract daily lost more weight than men given a placebo. The same study found that for those given the green tea extract, metabolism was heightened by up to 4% over a 24 hour period. Another study suggests that 5-7 cups of green tea daily is the optimal quantity and at these levels of consumption an extra 70 calories can be burned daily.

Aside from the impact green tea has on metabolism, it has also been found to decrease appetite, inhibit fat absorption and help glucose regulation.

Further Reading: Green Tea – Your Questions Answered

5. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

Like Medium-chain Triglycerides, apple cider vinegar offers a three pronged approach to burning fat and losing weight.

Drinking a glass of water with one or two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar around an hour before a meal will help to curb appetite. ACV contains a compound called pectin which mixes with water and expands in the stomach helping you to feel full.

One of the easiest ways to shed weight is to lose excess water. Excess water is often stored due to having too much sodium. ACV, with its high potassium content, flushes sodium from the body which in turn allows the excess water from the body.

Finally, ACV contains acetic acid which promotes the absorption of iron. A high quantity of iron results in a high oxygen utilization which stimulates the metabolic rate.

The above fat burners won’t make you slim overnight, but if you include them consistently in your diet you will start to notice small changes that make a big difference.

If you enjoyed this article, it would be fantastic if you could share it on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and any other social networking website. Feel free to use the sharing buttons below to do so.

Plus, if you’d like more fantastic weight loss tips and advice, have a read of these blog posts from the archive.

5 Ways To Burn An Extra 200 Calories
5 Quick & Easy Cheats To Burn More Calories
7 Smoothie Recipes That Melt Fat
How To Use Essential Oils For Weight Loss
Top 5 Best Herbs For Weight Loss

The benefits of the simple papaya fruit for the skin are endless.  Your complexion will be transformed leaving you looking and feeling like a new person.  By using papaya as part of your skin care regime you will start to see extraordinary results.  However as with all skin care treatments you shouldn’t expect to see results immediately, but if used on a regular basis the wonderful benefits will be everlasting.

Anti-Aging

Papaya is extremely rich in alpha-hydroxy acids; these acids are popular and in demand for use in skin care treatments because of their anti-aging properties. It is packed full of Vitamin C to help in the fight against free radicals as well as beta-carotene which helps protect the skin and restore elasticity.

Papaya works wonders when used as an anti-aging facial mask leaving skin firmer as well as looking and feeling younger.

Anti Aging Papaya Mask

• Mix together mashed papaya, rice flour, and honey.  Apply and leave on for approximately 15 minutes.

Exfoliation

Papaya contains an exfoliate known as ‘Papain’.  This ingredient is very effective in the removal of dead skin cells and impurities, revealing new skin cells while leaving the skin silky smooth. This is a great way to gently exfoliate the skin in a 100% natural way.

This papaya scrub will work wonders for those with oily skin, however is also suitable for all skin types.  For those with oily skin it is recommended that you do not rinse with milk, as this will add more moisture back into the skin.

Exfoliating Papaya Face Scrub

• Mash papaya pulp into a paste with a fork.  Add sugar and oatmeal to the paste and mix well.
• Apply to completely cover the face however be take care when applying around the eyes.
• Gently massage in a circular motion, rinse off using milk followed by lukewarm water.

Rejuvenation

Facial peels are an effective way to help rejuvenate and transform the skin.  Peels are designed to help loosen dead skin cells, restore elasticity, and ultimately improve the overall texture and condition of the skin. Facial peels also help to reduce the size of pores, minimize fine lines and wrinkles, and most importantly stimulate collagen production to keep you looking younger. 

Papaya Peel

The papaya and pineapple contain alpha-hydroxy acids and natural enzymes which assist in the removal of dead skin cells while the honey acts as an effective moisturizing agent.  For best results it is recommended you cleanse face beforehand and steam to open up the pores, this way the peel will be able to penetrate deep into the skin.  

• ½ cup fresh papaya
• 1 cup of fresh pineapple
• 1 tablespoon of honey

Mix papaya and pineapple together to make a puree.  Add honey and mix well until you achieve a smooth consistency.

Apply to face and leave on for approximately 15-20 minutes.  Rinse with lukewarm water.

Face Mask Rescue

This easy papaya face mask will restore life and color back into your face while improving overall complexion. It will help remove dark spots, blemishes, and even out skin tone.

• Mash up papaya, add yoghurt, honey, lemon juice, and egg white.  Mix all ingredients into a thick paste.
• Apply papaya mask to a clean face and leave on for approximately 15 minutes.  Rinse off with lukewarm water.

Papaya – if used in the right way – is another of nature’s wonders that have magical benefits for our skin. Buy yourself a few papayas and try these homemade face mask recipes and see your skin glow.

Or, if making your own face masks isn’t for you but you’d still like to experience the magical benefits of papaya, then pick up a tub of this Alba Botanica Papaya Enzyme Facial Mask from Amazon.

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This is a guest post from Ellie Rose. If you’d like to guest post for RevitaliseYourHealth.com, then please take a look at the Write For Us section.

We all love a visit to the spa, but did you know there are more benefits to be found from natural spa treatments? By using natural products you encourage your body’s natural behaviour and you discourage any extreme chemical reactions which might inflame or irritate your skin.

The known benefits of going natural has risen hugely in the past decade with the rise of pure fruit smoothies, organic meat and food products and even organic make-up and hair products. So why not let the natural way of doing things cross over into your spa habits too?

Salt and Seed Exfoliation

This treatment is usually an all over body treatment concentrating on exfoliating the skin with yummy fruity stuff and salt grains and then after a refreshing shower you have a beautiful massage to get rid of any leftover toxins. If you like long treatments where you can wind down and fully relax then this is a must for you, it gives you time to clear you mind as well as your toxins!

Hot Stone Massage

A hot stone massage is one of the most popular natural treatments. During this process a number of hot stones are placed on your body (the heat helping to ease tight muscles and providing a relaxing feeling). This is perfect for those who are quite athletic and find that their back and shoulders often get tight and achy.

These days you can also get your partner to give you a hot stone massage using this Hot Stone Massage Kit.

Olive Oil and Almond Hair Treatment and Head Massage

This treatment is great for those who find their hair gets a little dry occasionally. Instead of buying a chemical hair mask from a chemist or pharmacy, you can make this remedy yourself at home (or specify it at a spa) – all the while knowing it’s completely natural. The Olive and Almond oil add much need moisture, whilst the smell will be heavenly and let you drift off as you receive your head massage.

In fact, right here on the blog we have discussed the benefits of almond oil and olive oil for our hair. Click the links to read more about it.)

Organic Facial

An organic facial is fantastic for those of us who hate the idea of aging and wrinkles. The organic element of the facial means you’re avoiding putting anything overly harsh on your skin (especially when it is facial skin – as this is extremely delicate). You can ask your Spa representative which organic  blends they have for facials and choose the scent or fruit which you prefer.

Fresh Water Swimming

This is slightly harder to come across at Spa’s but if you find one that offers it, you’ve struck Gold. Fresh water swimming means you avoid the harsh chemical of Chlorine – but as it generally means the pool and hot tub has to be cleaned far more often it is quite rare to come by. If you do find somewhere that offers this though, enquire as to whether they do fresh water massages – as these are great for cleansing  the skin.

About The Author

Ellie Rose is a freelance writer, currently working for http://wish.co.uk. If you’re looking for a relaxing spa treatment, then why not head over to their pamper section, select an option and set the time to relax o’clock!

The skin is such a sensitive and delicate thing and everyday it is exposed to elements such as wind, heat, and cold as well as harmful environmental conditions.  This constant exposure strips away essential nutrients leaving the skin feeling dry, flakey, and itchy.  Keeping the skin hydrated topically should be the number one priority in your daily skin care regime, as the liquids we consume do not actually reach the outer layers of skin.  And this is the very reason why we use hydrating facial masks and exfoliates; they contain specific ingredients that rejuvenate and nourish the skin because of their ability to deeply penetrate.

The ingredients you use for these hydrating face masks all depend on the particular skin type you have.  Keep in mind the following combinations when mixing and matching ingredients. Mint and cucumber are excellent refreshers; oats act as a natural exfoliate; cream softens and cleanses; lemon juice refreshes and tones.  Banana, egg yolk, honey, cucumber, Aloe Vera, and natural oils are typically the most effective ingredients for hydration.  So by adding a few key ingredients along with other pantry items you can create a simple tailor made facial mask.

Following are three of the most effective hydrating facial recipes that will help restore moisture to dry skin leaving a healthy youthful glow.

Egg and Honey Hydrating Face Mask

1 Egg
¼ tablespoon of coconut oil
1 tablespoon of honey

Break egg into a bowl and beat until fluffy.  Add honey and coconut oil to egg and beat well until you have a thick paste. Store mixture in an airtight container and refrigerate overnight.

The following day apply mixture evenly to face and neck. Leave on for approximately 15-20 minutes then rinse with lukewarm water.

Olive Oil and Avocado Moisturizing Face Mask

3 tablespoons of olive oil
1 egg white
1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
1 avocado

Remove the skin from avocado and mash into a smooth paste.  Add vinegar and olive oil and beat together thoroughly.  In a separate bowl beat egg white and then add into avocado mixture until you achieve a consistency suitable for applying. Apply paste evenly to the face and neck and leave for 15-20 minutes.  Rinse off with lukewarm water.

Tomato Hydrating Face Mask

3 tablespoons of yoghurt
¼ of a peeled tomato
¼ of a grated cucumber
1 tablespoon of Aloe Vera gel
3 tablespoons of oatmeal

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl.  Apply mixture to face and leave on for approximately 10 minutes.  Rinse well with lukewarm water.

These face mask recipes are simple to make and can help to quickly restore moisture to your skin leaving your face soft, smooth and glowing. Give these recipes a try and then leave a comment sharing how they worked for you.

Plus, if you enjoyed this blog post, you’ll probably also enjoy these…

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Coconut oil really could be defined as “nature’s miracle”. We’ve discussed it a number of times already on the RevitaliseYourHealth.com blog.

We’ve shared how coconut oil helps promote healthy hair and stimulate new hair growth; we’ve revealed how coconut oil can be used to minimize the appearance of stretch marks and how some savvy individuals are using coconut oil as a healthy weight loss alternative to more calorific oils.

But the real reason coconut oil is held in such high regard by healthy and beauty enthusiasts worldwide is because of the incredible benefits it has for our skin and that’s why in this blog post we’ll be revealing three of the best coconut oil soap recipes from around the internet to cleanse your skin while retaining valuable moisture.

Note: Soap making is a fun, but dangerous craft. Make sure you are properly educated before embarking on any soap making. Pick up a copy of Soap Maker’s Workshop for everything you need to know about making your own soap.

100% Coconut Soap Recipe from SkinCareNaturals.com

This is a fantastic recipe using just three ingredients: virgin coconut du crème, water and lye. You could also experiment by adding some Shea Butter – which is another natural product that is fantastic for skin.

For the full soap recipe, visit SkinCareNaturals.com

Coconut Oil Soap Recipe from SuperSoapMaking.com

This is a slightly more complex recipe but includes extra ingredients that have been found to have fantastic benefits for the skin. This recipe also allows you creative license to include your own fragrance oil so you can experiment for yourself.

The ingredients in this soap recipe include: coconut oil, olive oil, avocado oil (which is fantastic for skin, too), lye, distilled water and a fragrance oil of your choice. The question is – what fragrance would you choose?

For the full recipe, visit SuperSoapMaking.com

Coconut Oil Soap Recipe from Beauty-Soap-and-Bubbles.com

This recipe packs a real coconut-y scent with a generous helping of both coconut oil and coconut milk, but also a few teaspoons of coconut fragrance oil. Close your eyes and take a deep breath in through your nose and you’ll be convinced you’re on a desert island surrounded by golden sands, crystal clear waters and palm trees swaying in the gentle breeze… sorry, I got a bit lost in the moment there.

Anyway, if you’d like to try out this incredible scented coconut soap recipe then visit our friends at Beauty-Soap-and-Bubbles.com

Coconut oil really is an all-rounder when it comes to our health and beauty. Whether you benefit from this miracle oil with these homemade coconut oil soaps, with this coconut oil shampoo or with any other coconut oil beauty products, make sure you make the most of this miracle oil.

There are a number of different brands of coconut oil available. Nutiva is the most popular, but in my personal opinion Nature’s Way Organic Coconut Oil is the best coconut oil for soap making, and the Amazon reviews suggest the same with an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars.

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This is a guest post from Joe Petchonka. If you’d like to guest post for RevitaliseYourHealth.com, then please take a look at the Write For Us section.

There are quite a number of people out there who live with varying skin problems all year round, but these problems seem to increase in potency as the cold weather swoops in.

The most common problems are dry or flaky skin and blemishes like pimples.

How can you fight these annoyances during the winter, when they seem to be at their worst?

Never Cheap Out On Lotion

Lotion is probably your number one combatant against blemishes and dry skin. Getting a quality bottle of lotion will save you weeks of pain and cover up.

While many will get by using basic lotion that costs around seven dollars a bottle, some will need to purchase the heavy-duty lotion to fight dryness. Opinion news says that Eucerin is a brand of lotion that, while being slightly more expensive, is superior to many other brands. While it may cost a little extra, you’ll easily be able to keep the flaky and dry skin to a minimum.

Buy Dermatologist Recommended Soap

A lot of skin problems start in the shower.

If you’ve been purchasing body wash or bars of soap that are inexpensive and cause your skin to shrivel up, you’re creating a circle of dryness that can never be fixed. All the lotion in the world won’t save you, and it’s because you keep drying out your skin every time you take a shower.

Dove has recently been pushing its Men + Care line of moisturizing soap, and not only is it affordable, it also keeps your skin soft and moisturized. Don’t let the name fool you into thinking it’s solely for guys, because it’s great for women, too.

Shield Your Skin with Extra Clothing

Believe it not, but there are many people out there who suffer from perpetual skin dryness and don’t bother covering up to fight it.

If your hands are always dry, wearing thick gloves may help. If your face is always dry, try wearing a ski mask or another face warming article of clothing.

Something as simple as just wearing more clothing during the winter can go a long way to keeping your skin fresh.

Drink Plenty of Fluids and Have Good Nutrition

Drinking a lot of fluids is good no matter what, whether you have dry skin or not. But keeping your body hydrated is the key to healthy and hydrated skin during the winter.

In addition, providing your body with the right food that is filled with beneficial fats and oils, such as oily fish, will help your body retain its moisture.

Following these tips will help keep your skin look and feel refreshed during the brutal winter months.

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Waking up feeling sluggish and what’s the first thing you do? Most of you will probably grab a cup of coffee, or stop at the gas station on the way to work for a tall energy drink. Now, don’t feel so ashamed for your drink of choice, because with the new health benefits that are being discovered, caffeine is making a new name for itself.

A lot of punch in that cup

Researchers suggest caffeine can help prevent cavities, asthma, headaches, and enhance your mood. It is also believed to keep your dopamine molecules up and running, which helps block adenosine. In doing so, you’re slowing buildups of amyloidal-beta (a plaque that’s toxic and known to be paired with Alzheimer’s).

Lab studies in Florida have shown that mice that’ve been injected with caffeine were immune to obtaining Alzheimer’s and helped lessen the syndrome of the disease. After continuous shots of caffeine and steady exercise showed the disruption of precancerous cells. The results have yet to be tried on humans but studies believe that that the results will be the same. For that reason examiners are currently working on a caffeine based drug for Parkinson’s disease.

2 cups seems to do the trick

The theory is that regular caffeine drinkers were over 75% less than likely to acquire Parkinson’s and that two cups of coffee per day can: lower the chances of color cancer up to 15%, show signs of over 75% decrease in contracting cirrhosis, and that coffee will help slice the rate of gallstones in over half.

Your liver can benefit from your enjoyment of caffeine as well. Try to choose the sugar-free flavors though, because the caffeine in your coffee jump starts your liver and gives it instructions to run natural sugar to your bloodstream. That released sugar will help your body in sudden emergencies, like catching your bus or chasing your dog, like in this hilarious video.

Caffeine can help with your heart as well, allowing your blood vessels to relax. Researchers at a college in Brooklyn believe that men who drink up to four cups of a caffeinated beverage brought tolls of 55% lower results of passing from heart disease. Before workouts, (usually 25-50 minutes) if you take 130 to 380mg it’s proven to increase your speed and stamina. Researchers, however, approve of energy drinks or caffeine pills over coffee, for coffee’s caffeine may counteract your impact of your performance.

If you don’t believe what you’re reading, here are a couple more suggested health benefits of caffeine:

- Studies in Japan suggest that caffeine can enhance memory.

- Caffeine has been identified to stimulate hair cell growth.

- Caffeine helps defend against eye spasms.

Even with all of these incredible caffeine benefits, doctors do recommend that you limit consumption to no more than 2 cups per day. Caffeine, after all, is considered a drug, and like any other drug, you can become addicted. So use moderation when planning your day, it is possible to be genetically susceptible caffeine stimulants. Also take into consideration that a cup of coffee will help you with long drives more than a nap at the local truck stop.

About The Author: 

The article is contributed by Davis Miller. Davis is a fitness trainer who loves to blog on fitness, nutrition and metabolic efficiency. Visit his site to know more about kofiemachine kiezen and Koffieautomaten.

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This is a guest post from Meg King. If you’d like to guest post for RevitaliseYourHealth.com, then please take a look at the Write For Us section.

You’ve heard it before: the skin is the body’s largest organ. So, the idea of caring for it properly can be daunting; who has that kind of time? And who has the extra money to spend on expensive creams and skincare products? Well, there’s good news. While many people undoubtedly benefit from the variety of excellent skincare products and options that are on the market, the bottom line is, caring for your skin begins at home. And it’s easy! Below are five simple things everyone can do to make their skin glow:

1. Drink plenty of water

Drinking eight glasses of water per day is truly something we all can do, but surprisingly, most of us come nowhere close to achieving this goal. It’s well worth it, however; while the benefits of drinking water impact nearly every function in your body, it is particularly visible in your skin. Just a week of drinking enough water every day can noticeably clear up skin blemishes, prevent dryness or flaking, and flush away toxins. If you’re finding it difficult to drink enough water, try carrying a water bottle with you everywhere you go or add flavoring, such as a squeeze of lemon or lime, to jazz it up.

2. Sleep

The importance of sleep cannot be stressed enough. Like drinking water, sleep is something that impacts virtually every component of our bodies and our lives. It’s called “Beauty Sleep” for a reason: getting enough sleep reduces stress hormones, which are linked to inflaming the skin and accelerating aging. Additionally, sleep deprivation affects the skin’s ability to keep itself hydrated, which can lead to dullness and dryness. Don’t try to save time by cutting back on sleep; it will only harm you in the long run.

3. Eat Plenty of Healthy Fats

Your fat-free diet may not be doing you any favors. Foods that are high in essential fatty acids (particularly omega-3s and omega-6s) aid the body in creating healthy cell membranes, which, in turn, promotes healthy, glowing skin. So don’t skimp on the fat; instead, seek out the healthy, hearty fat that can be found in olive oil, flax seed, nuts, and fish.

4. Look for Food that Contains Antioxidants

You’ve probably heard about the health benefits of antioxidants by now. Here’s one more benefit to add to the list: they help your skin fight off the damaging effects of the sun and pollution. Since antioxidants are responsible for repairing damaged tissue, they take care of your skin from the inside. An added bonus: antioxidant-rich foods, including berries, avocados, and sweet potatoes, are delicious.

5. Drink Green Tea

The power of green tea is not an old wive’s tail. Green tea performs a variety of favors for the body, due largely to the fact that it provides a healthy dose of the aforementioned antioxidants. It also helps your body rid itself of toxins, which can cause dullness in the skin.

Let these five steps be your first line of defense against unhealthy skin and find your inner glow!

This is a guest post from Alex VanDyke. If you’d like to guest post for RevitaliseYourHealth.com, then please take a look at the Write For Us section.

The brain is like any other part of your body; you have to use it regularly, to strengthen it. It is like a muscle that would atrophy and lose its function altogether, if not constantly “exercised.”  It also needs nutrients to be able to perform its assigned tasks efficiently. A number of people use brain supplements and are not aware that there are amazingly simple foods that improve memory.  Here are just some of the foods that research suggests could help enhance your memory.

Omega-3 Fatty Acid Rich Foods

Unsaturated fats, which are Omega-3 fatty acid rich foods, are excellent foods that improve memory. The brain needs fatty acids to serve as protection and as part of the brain’s bio-membrane. The cerebrosides are a type of fats called glycospingolipids. They are important components of nerve cells, which are vital parts of the nervous system including the brain. When the nerve cells /neurons are functionally well, this would definitely improve your memory.

• These foods come from oily fish, such as mackerel, black cod, herring, salmon, and sardines.

Antioxidants

Fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances that aid in the elimination of waste products from the body. If these oxidants are not excreted from your system, they would cause toxication, which would affect your brain function, rendering it less efficient.  If left untreated, it could lead to eventual death.

Experts, like Professor Andrew Weil, of the University of Arizona, reported that carotenoids, selenium, vitamins C and E would lessen the risk of Parkinson’s disease in people. These are also healthy foods for proper nutrition and wellness.  Some examples are the following:

• Spinach and broccoli prevent memory loss and are believed to delay or prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, because of their quercetin content.
•  Turmeric is believed to have properties that prevent memory loss, as well.

Phytochemicals

Phytochemicals act just like antioxidants; they excrete harmful chemicals and substances from the body. You may want to try the following recommended fruits.

• Blueberries – These are documented to be rich in phytochemicals like anthocyanin, which is a memory enhancer.

• Grapes – These contain also anthocyanin and quercetin, like blueberries. These act as a phytochemical to boost your memory.

Complex Carbohydrates

Complex carbohydrates help to enhance memory and brain function by supplying energy to the brain.  The “thinking process” needs energy in order to stay sharp.  A keen memory could only develop fully if you feed your brain properly. A “hungry” mind cannot recall adeptly as a “well-fed” mind.

• These can come from yogurt, peanuts, oat bran, beans, cereals and whole bread.

The brain is the “mastermind” of the body that is responsible for memory retention. For the brain to be able to perform its biochemical functions efficiently, your whole system should all be functioning well too. You could not isolate one part of your body from the rest.  Hence, a healthy lifestyle should be observed. These include ample sleep; avoidance of drugs, alcohol and cigarette; regular exercise; and –of course- getting your daily dose of these memory boosting foods.

About The Author:

Alex VanDyke a fitness and health enthusiast and also writer and owner of brainenhancingsupplements.com, a website providing information on brain supplements, nootropics, and articles designed to help you remember better, think clearer, and focus faster