The Price Of Beauty: Rating The Best Values In Cosmetic Treatments

If you’re unhappy with some aspects of your appearance, you may be considering plastic surgery, injectables, or dental procedures that can improve your appearance. You may be wanting to look younger, more voluptuous, healthier, or just more normal.

But how do you know which treatments are the best ones to try? It can be hard to compare treatments across many different areas to decide which one might be worth trying.

A Cosmetic Value Ratings System

The independent ratings site RealSelf.com has thousands of users who have rated the procedures they have tried using a simple system: “worth it” or “not worth it.” They also put in the amount they paid for the procedure.

To create a neutral ratings system, we took the price of the procedure and divided it by the percentage of people who considered the procedure “worth it.” This gives a number with the units dollars per percentage satisfied, which can help you assess the cost/risk of disappointment value for many different types of procedures. The lower the number, the less money you’ll likely be spending on a treatment that you’ll be disappointed.

Plastic Surgery Procedures

Plastic surgery can be very expensive, but it can also yield amazing results. Many plastic surgery procedures have very, very high satisfaction ratings.

Mommy Makeover Value Rating: 129.7

A mommy makeover is a personalized combination of procedures to help women restore a more youthful body after childbirth. It commonly includes procedures like tummy tuck, liposuction, and a breast procedure. The procedure has a very high satisfaction rating,but it’s also the most expensive procedure we looked at.

Breast lift value rating: 90.6

A breast lift is a surgical procedure that reshapes sagging breasts togive them a more youthful position and shape.

Brazilian Butt Lift Value Rating:75.5

A Brazilian butt lift is a procedure that transplants your own fat to your buttocks to improve their size and shape. It has a high satisfaction rate, but also a high cost. Butt implants are another option here, but it costs about the same with a much lower satisfaction rate, value rating: 95.4.

Tummy Tuck Value Rating: 84.9

A tummy tuck removes fat, skin, muscle, and other tissue from your midsection to give you a more trim appearance. It is expensive, but also has a high satisfaction rate.

Liposuction Value Rating: 76.3

Liposuction is what it says: using suction to remove excess fat from virtually any part of the body, including the neck, back, stomach, buttocks, legs, and more.

Breast Implants Value Rating: 71.1 or 69.7

For some reason, there are separate ratings for breast implants and breast augmentation. Both listings have similar cost and satisfaction rates.

Comparing Surgical and Nonsurgical Facial Treatments

If you are considering facial rejuvenation procedures, it’s important to know whether you should consider surgical or nonsurgical rejuvenation treatments.

Facelift Value Rating:124.7

A facelift is a surgical procedure that corrects sagging facial tissue by removing and repositioning the skin and muscles. The procedure is expensive and the results are uncertain.

BOTOX ® Cosmetic Value Rating:7.5

There’s a reason why BOTOX ® Cosmetic is the most popular cosmetic treatment in the world. A relatively low cost, high safety, and reasonable satisfaction rate combine to make this a good place to start for facial rejuvenation.

Juvederm Value Rating: 10.1

Juvederm is a facial filler that can restore lost volume to the face to restore a youthful contour.  Cost it similar to BOTOX ® Cosmetic, but the results are less certain.

Laser Hair Removal Value Rating: 15.3

In thisprocedure, a laser is used to selectively burn away unwanted hairs. This is a relatively inexpensive procedure, but it also has a much lower satisfaction rating.

A More Attractive Smile

Teeth Whitening Value Rating: 4.7

Using chemicals to remove stains can make you look much younger. This usually works, and isn’t very expensive, giving this procedure our best value rating.

Zoom Teeth Whitening Value Rating:6.6

This variation gets your teeth whiter in about an hour. It has a lower satisfaction rating.

Braces Value Rating: 49.7

Braces are expensive and a pain to get, but they work very well, giving them a decent value rating.

Invisalign Value Rating: 60.9

Instead of metal wires, Invisalign uses clear plastic aligners to move your teeth. It can be more comfortable and easier to use, but it’s got a lower satisfaction rating than traditional braces due to unpredictability of cases.

Porcelain Veneers Value Rating: 108.1

Porcelain veneers are expensive and by no means sure way to improve the appearance of your smile, making them among the worst investments.

Making the Right Decision for You

This ratings system confirms what you hopefully already know: try nonsurgical procedures first and then seek more drastic options if you’re not getting the results you want. Of course, sometimes only the most invasive procedure will do. If you’re trying to redesign your smile, for example, it’s often only porcelain veneers that can help. But even if you think you may need an invasive treatment, it’s better and safer to try something nonsurgical first.

Dr. Matthew B. Candelaria (PhD, U of Kansas 2006) is a freelance writer with more than 6 years’ experience writing about plastic surgery, dentistry, and other aesthetic topics. He has written for some of the top doctors and dentists in the country.

Health Benefits Of Drinking Fresh Wine

It is most often said that excess consumption of alcohol is dangerous for health. In fact, in case of overconsumption, it may cause damage to the liver, lead to tumors and trigger neurological and cardiovascular diseases. However, it is also proven that moderate consumption of fresh wine can provide great health benefits. Among the many components of wine are substances called polyphenols that are characterized for their antioxidant properties. Polyphenols are molecules present in fruits such as grapes which are considered to be protective against many diseases. There are several classes of polyphenols, among which the best known are flavonoids and stilbenes.

Various studies have been conducted in recent years which have shown the beneficial effects of moderate consumption of fresh wine.

wine drink

On Cardiovascular Disease

Heart diseases (including myocardial infarction, or heart attack) and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries by cholesterol plaque deposits) can be prevented by wine. It seems that flavonoids present in red wine exercise protective action against cardiovascular disease in drinkers who consume moderate amounts of wine with meals. Therefore, drinking a glass of red wine a day is highly recommended.

On Neurological Diseases

Studies conducted to demonstrate the effect of polyphenols on cerebrovascular diseases (such as stroke) indicate their beneficial effect. Moderate wine consumption also has beneficial effects in the prevention of cognitive impairment (dementia).

On Tumor Diseases

Resveratrol is able to inhibit the growth of tumor cells in breast cancer, prostate cancer and leukemia. A recent study has shown the protective role of consumption of one or two glasses of fresh wine a day against lung cancer in smokers. The risk of toxicity to the skin appears to be much lower, according to a recent study in cancer patients undergoing radiation treatment, if they consume one glass of wine a day. Specifically, the risk of significant skin toxicity in them is 75% lower than in nondrinkers.

On Other Diseases

Recent studies have also showcased some beneficial effects of polyphenols on various other disorders such as osteoporosis, cataracts and dental caries. It should be emphasized that these effects have been proven with restrained consumption of fresh wine (one or two glasses a day). It is said that 40 grams of alcohol a day (half liter) for men and 20 grams (1/4 liter) for women are amounts that the body can metabolize efficiently. However, the level of toxicity for alcohol depends on several factors: the age, body and health of the person, and also if he/she has consumed an alcoholic beverage with food.

Wine is extremely beneficial for the human body provided when it is not over-consumed. Our minds have been preconditioned to think that any alcoholic beverage is completely bad and people should religiously abstain from drinking. However, this is not true. An excess of anything is bad, and the same goes for wine. People who like drinking wine can take a lot of heart in the fact that is actually healthy to drink up to two glasses a day (125 cc each glass). As long as you drink responsibly, a glass of fresh wine a day will surely keep the doctor away.

Anthony Robert is a chef who also writes several interesting articles about food and wine. He has featured 2013 promised land shiraz , chardonnay and pinot gris on his blog.

7 Simple Tricks To Get Glowing Skin In Winter

The winter season doesn’t have to be a tough time for your skin. It doesn’t take much for your skin to become dry either. There are many things that you can do in order to get your skin to look its best even during this challenging time of the year as the area tends to be tough.

Use the Right Moisturizer

You can start by using moisturizers that do not clog up the pores in your skin. Avocado and almond oils are very popular for this purpose. Anything that is oil-based works better than water-based stuff as it will work with a strong layer on your skin. This is to keep cracks from developing around your skin’s surface.

Using Sunscreen When Outdoors

sunscreen

You can also use sunscreen when outdoors to protect your skin. You’ll get a better look without worrying about irritation from the sun’s rays. This is especially important as the sun’s rays are just as intense during the winter season as they are in the summer.

Use a Good Humidifier

A humidifier in your home can help you to keep your skin from struggling with dryness. It will get hot moisture moving in the air, thus keeping your skin from being too dry and rigid.

Use Warm Water, Not Hot Water

Hot water might sound sensible in the winter but it actually hurts your skin by keeping lipid barriers from being all that strong. You’ll have to use warm water to relax your skin and to keep it safe and sturdy. This is all to make your skin as strong as possible without creating more of a risk than necessary.

Use Cream-Based Cleansers

A cream-based cleanser will be gentle to your skin and make it easy to manage many problems. It will keep oils in your skin intact. This is important as those oils are vulnerable in the winter and can easily be lost, thus keeping your skin from looking all that strong. A cream-based product will not impact oil levels and will keep your skin hydrated for longer.

Use Lighter Peels

A good skin peel product can improve the look on your skin but you need to use something that’s light in intensity. A product that consists of ten percent glycolic acid is ideal as it will work on your skin and keep its structure intact without putting more of a risk on it than necessary.

This should be used to remove old skin cells that have died off. It’s easier for the skin to develop these cells around its body after a while.

Drink Plenty of Water

Drink Plenty of Water

It’s a simple idea but drinking plenty of water certainly works. Water is needed to help you keep your body healthy and to keep old toxins out. It is a simple step to use but it may work to help you out with handling your body and to keep it hydrated. It’s often easier for your skin to feel its best when it is hydrated internally as it will keep your body from struggling and feeling worn out.

5 Warning Signs Your Teen May Be At Risk For An Eating Disorder

In our current society, appearance and weight have become very real issues. Magazine covers display size zero models that send the message, “Look like this to be beautiful!” to the next generation.

If you are the parent of a teenager, you know just how far these messages go. The impact of what we consider attractive is leading countless young girls and boys to watch what they eat, to constantly weigh themselves, and to be hyper-aware of how they look almost all the time.

burn-fat-fast

When a teenager looks in the mirror and sees something other than the size zero image reflected back, without proper tools and positive messages about self-esteem, a desire to lose weight and to look a certain way can begin to dominate a young person’s life.

Eating disorders are life-threatening illnesses that generally begin with subtle symptoms attributed to a changing pre-teen or teenager, so how can you identify the warning signs of an eating disorder in your son or daughter?

As you observe your teen, ideally in a subtle way, look for these 5 Symptoms of an Eating Disorder:

1. An Emotional Connection to Food or Eating

Does your daughter seem happy or even energized when skipping a meal, saying she already ate? Does your son seem remorseful after eating two plates worth of food at dinner?

Any emotional reactions to what you served for dinner or to the amount of food he or she consumed, either too little or too much for one sitting, can indicate a deeper problem.

2. Communication Cues

Does your teenager make what seem like meaningless comments about his or her own weight, or of the weight or appearance of others? Judgemental or not, communicating an awareness of differences in bodies can demonstrate an eating disorder.

With that, non-verbal communication is important to notice as well. Does your teen see a skinny woman and then seem to shrink a bit, trying to hide or cover up her own stomach, legs, or butt?

3. Excessive Exercise

Has your teen recently taken created a workout pattern that seems out of character?

Exercise is great when viewed as a way to stay healthy, but when running excessively in an effort to lose weight, for example, is taking up extreme amounts of time and energy, it serves as a sign of unhealthy and possibly eating disoder behavior.

4. Changes in Physical Appearance

Yes, your teenager is going through the changes that come with puberty, but also check for less obvious changes like thinning hair, patches of dry skin, yellowing teeth or skin, swollen cheeks, quick weight loss or gain, and brittle nails.

5. The Use of Substances

Laxatives and diet pills offer an easy way to lose weight. Light use can quickly progress to abuse and dependence, or addiction, without warning. To gain control of his or her image, teenagers will even try curbing their appetite with cocaine, Adderall, or other stimulants they hear about through friends.

If you find anything that points toward the use of any drugs, legal or not, seek help immediately. The co-occurrence of substance abuse and an eating disorder can quickly spiral out of control.

If you see any of these 5 warning signs of an eating disorder in your teen, help is available! Find out more now!

Jared Friedman is a quality improvement manager who helps people have their insurance cover treatment at Sovereign Health.

Make the Arms Race Personal

When your arms are impressive, your self-confidence improves and you just begin to feel better about yourself.  It’s important to choose the right arm exercises that work all of the muscle groups that you have in your arms so that you’ll be well-defined and have an attractive physique that you want to achieve.  You must realise that there are no shortcuts to working your arms and developing the muscle mass that you desire but if you use three basic compound exercises, you can add inches to and strengthen your arms a great deal.  It’s important to build your strength and power in your entire body, not just the arm areas and by using these reps you can increase your arm size and your body’s overall physical condition with just a little hard work and sweat equity.

Woman Measuring Biceps

Chin-ups.  This first exercise works your biceps and also increases the strength and appearance of your lats, traps, abs, and rhomboids.  You’ll feel more upper body power and begin to see a difference in your muscles quite soon.  To do this exercise effectively you should:

  • Find a fixed bar, grab it with your hands about shoulder-width apart, and pull up as fast as possible; your goal is to get your head higher than your hands are.  Maintain control and lower yourself slowly to the original position.
  • Do about four sets of these chin-ups.
  • Each set should include about twelve reps. If this is too easy to do, add weights to your waistline.
  • Use a partner to help you at first if you struggle with the reps.

Tricep Pushes with One Leg.  With this exercise, you’ll be working your triceps and begin to feel the burn in your shoulder areas of your muscles stretching effectively.  You’ll also get some workout for your abs on this one if you tighten them as you go through the exercise.  For this exercise you should:

  • Face a cable column and grab the bar.
  • Use an overhand grip at the height of your chest.
  • Freeze your elbows and take your dominant foot off the floor.
  • Pull the bar up to your thighs or higher if you can.
  • Remember that the only part of your body that should be moving is your forearm moving at your elbow.
  • Alternate your feet for a complete workout.

You’ll want to do about five sets of these with twelve reps in each set.  Remember to breathe deeply and stretch your muscles as much as you can.

Dumb-bell workouts.  If you do both curls and presses with this exercise you’ll work your biceps and triceps.  The bonus muscles that receive benefits from this exercise are your deltoids and abs. For this exercise:

  • Stand with your legs shoulder-with apart.
  • Hold dumb-bells at your side fully extending your arms.  Curl them up to your chest and press them over your head.
  • You’ll want to do five sets of twelve reps during this part of your workout.

If you need more help with bulking out, you may want to use kettlebells or a bar-bell to add weight which causes more bulk to your muscles.  Remember to tighten up the muscles that you want to impact for maximum workout.

When you want to make the arms race in your life more personal, use the three exercises above to give you a head start on the competition.

Baba Ramdev Yoga Asanas To Cure Thyroid

Baba Ramdev yoga is one of the most common types of yoga practices to use. Surprised? Keep reading further.

This is a safe and easy to manage style that works wonders for the body. There are many asanas to use in this format that can help your body with staying healthy and strong. These specific asanas, which are also known as poses, may work well for handling thyroid issues.

Kalapbhati

This treatment works in that you will sit in a cross-legged position and breathe and exhale quickly. You should make a sound as you exhale. You must exhale fast but be sure to do this with slow inhalations in order to relax your body and thyroid. This can be done for ten times before you finally release the stress in your body.

Kapal Bhati Pranayam

This pose is similar to the last one but the difference is that the breathing is done a little faster as if you were sneezing the breaths out of your body. Your stomach should squeeze inward in order to get the pressure from the sneeze out of your body as carefully as possible. This can be done for up to fifteen times in a given session to improve the potential for your body to have a better sense of functionality.

Sarvangasana

Sarvangasana

This option is a little more complicated but it may be useful for your body. You will have to lie on the ground with your shoulders flat as you prop the rest of your body upward. The goal is to move your body all the way to a right angle with the legs propped upward in a straight position.

Halasana

You can move from the last pose into the Halasana pose. This is made where you will bring your legs down over your chest while the feet are close to the floor. The legs should be together and in a straight line for this to work. This may be useful if you are aware of what you are doing with your legs and you keep them straight at all times so they may stay sturdy.

Ujjayi Pranayam

This next option works in a traditional cross-legged position while you inhale with a motion where your throat feels stiff. This will create a loud sound as you inhale. You can then exhale by closing one nostril with your thumb. This is used for keeping the thyroid in check and may even work well if you have throat issues in general.

Anulom Vilom Pranayam

This option is made where you will breathe slowly from one nostril while the other one will be closed off. This is used to keep the thyroid relaxed by using a sense of control in the ways how you are breathing. This may be designed with a control where you are able to stop thyroid pains and can be done for ten minutes at time. It can also be done for up to an hour if you actually have the time for this.

8 Of The Best Home Hair Color Products

If you’re interested in covering up gray hair, adding highlights, lowlights, or changing your hair color completely, there are basically two options. Either having the color applied in a salon by a highly trained professional or purchasing a commercial product to use at home. While the basic idea of the two choices are the same, there are several distinct differences.

home hair color

Salon versus At-Home Hair Color Products

The price to have hair colored professionally is dramatically higher than the cost of even one of the best at home hair color products. Another difference is that the vibrancy and shine produced from professional hair color is typically much more impressive than what a person would get from a box. That does not meant that at-home products are worthless and in fact, there are many excellent brands now being sold that produce great results.

Of course, the matter of convenience and time would also need to be considered when choosing between hair color from a salon and the best at home hair color found at the local store. With so many people living busy lives, trying to find two to three hours every four or five weeks to have hair colored in a salon environment is nearly impossible. On the other hand, with an in-home product, a person could change hair color according to the time that best coordinates with work schedule.

By comparing the best at home hair color products sold today with the best products from just ten years ago, it becomes all too obvious just how far this market has come. For one thing, there are many more brands with most coming from companies that have long-term histories of excellence. Even the ingredients used are far superior and along with chemicals commonly found in hair color products, an individual would also have the ability to choose from a variety of natural products.

Top-Rated Brands

Because there are so many different options when it comes to the best at home hair color, we felt it would be helpful to provide a list of examples, products that have received top ratings from actual consumers.

For red and brown hair color, Clairol Natural Instincts wins hands-down. Although this product has a low price tag of just $10, it offers even coverage, produces great shine, and it is made with a fade resistance formula.

Also ranked as the best at home hair color for chestnut reddish brown, L’Oreal ColorSpa sells for around $8. This product works excellent for covering gray and producing the perfect degree of shine. As a semi-permanent hair color product, an individual could experience some level of fading although nothing serious has been reported.

With a price of less than $5, it is hard to believe that Revlon ColorSilk is considered among the best for dark brown hair. This hair color is one of the hardest for hiding gray yet this hair color produced full coverage. In addition, there is virtually no fading after a four-week period with hair still shiny and rich in color.

A person with medium brown hair might look at L’Oreal Excellence Creme, which costs around $9. Color produced is rich and gorgeous, hair is enhanced with beautiful shine, and this product is easy to use. People have claimed only a slight amount of fading but not until the four to five week mark.

Moving on to the red hair, the best at home hair color was reportedly Revlon’s Colorsilk in either the burgundy or auburn shade. Benefits of this product include outstanding gray coverage, long-lasting shine, and only a small amount of fading after time, washing, and being exposed to sunlight. In addition, this brand offers numerous red shades, something hard to find.

Although higher priced, Clairol Nice ‘n Easy Perfect is another great choice specific to shades of red hair. One of the best things about this brand is that just 10 minutes after being applied, all gray hair is covered. Now, when compared to other top brands, shine was not as vibrant but still good and color started to fade at about four weeks.

Moving on to the best at home hair color made for people with blonde hair, at just $8, Clairol Nice ‘n Easy was the winner. For this particular brand, research showed that no matter the shade of blonde chosen, gray coverage was unrivaled. This brand also received top ratings for shine retention, as well as fade resistance.

While not one of the best for covering gray, Revlon’s ColorSilk Ultra-Light Natural Blonde received extra high marks for fade resistance and shine retention. The one downside to this product is that compared to others it produces a somewhat strong odor.

Having worked at many of the top salons across the country, Olivia Winters is as qualified as they come for dishing out beauty and hairstyle advice. Whenever she isn’t working for her clients she enjoys traveling and sharing her knowledge with the world. Her specialty is working with short and natural hairstyles.

Food For The Bones – What To Eat To Improve Bone Strength And Encourage Healing

When too much pressure is applied on a bone, it will break. These kinds of injuries are generally called fractures. An open fracture occurs when the bone breaks the skin. Any kind of fracture takes some time to heal since more than fifty percent of bones are made of minerals. This is why nutrition is very important to those who have fractures and to those who want to strengthen their bones. By eating right, they can accelerate healing and increase bone strength as well.

bone

Diet for Your Bones

— Foods Rich in Calcium

Certain foods, particularly those rich in calcium, greatly help bone restoration since bones are mainly made of this mineral. Dairy products, like milk, cheese, and yogurt, are great sources of calcium. Food items fortified with calcium, including fortified soymilk and juices, as well as calcium-enriched grains, cereals and breads, are also great for bone health.

— Dark Green Veggies

Collard greens, spinach, and kale contain high amounts of calcium and antioxidants that will help you meet the daily nutrient requirements needed to heal bones. There are several ways to prepare leafy vegetables. For instance, you can include them in fresh salads or soups, sauté them, or use them as pasta toppings. Broccoli and other kinds of cruciferous veggies are great choices too.

— Sardines

Sardines are full of amazing nutrients, including calcium, Omega-3 fatty acids, and iron, to name a few. You can enjoy them fresh or canned, and these kinds of fish don’t contain mercury and other toxic substances that often accumulate in marine animals that have longer life spans, like tuna. Moreover, these are affordable, easy to prepare and widely available.

— Foods with High Amounts of Vitamin D

Vitamin D is essential in bone restoration because it attracts calcium in blood and encourages its absorption into the bones. The most well-known source of this vitamin is sunlight. But some people don’t have time to expose themselves under the sun. Hence, they need to include foods rich in vitamin D in their diets. A few options are fortified cereals and soy products, like tofu and milk, oysters, eggs, mushrooms, and cod liver oil.

— Foods Full of Vitamin K

Vitamin K helps in keeping osteoporosis at bay. Osteoporosis, which is the condition wherein the bones become quite brittle and weak, can increase your chances of getting into an accident. If you do get involved in an unfortunate incident which then causes your bones to become fractured, Bob M. Cohen & Associates say that you need to file a complaint so that you can get compensation for your injuries. But going through a legal process can be tedious, which is why it’s best to strengthen bones instead so that these won’t fracture easily. So, start boosting the level of vitamin K in your system by increasing your intake of herbs, leafy greens, including Brussels sprouts and cabbage, and also prunes and cucumber.

— Foods That Contain Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an essential component in improving bone elasticity as this is a main component in the production of collagen. This enhances bone strength and flexibility. Citrus fruits, like oranges, are familiar sources of vitamin C. Other examples are: guava, bell peppers, kiwi, and papayas.

Claire Taylor is a freelance writer who regularly blogs about personal injury issues. She’s also a health buff who likes to share what she knows about having a healthy diet and lifestyle.

10 Foods To Eat For Beautiful, Healthy Hair

What you eat is as important for healthy, shiny hair as it is for your overall health. Protein is the foundation of healthy hair, which helps hair to be strong and grow more quickly. Here are 10 great sources for healthy, lucious tresses.

1. Lean red meat. Red meats are a great source of iron. Iron deficiencies not only cause serious health issues, but people with iron deficiencies will also often experience hair loss or poor hair growth. Women are especially at risk for this. Other good sources of iron include egg yolks, turkey, whole grains, dried fruit, and beans.

red-meat

2. Eggs. They are chock full of biotin, which is a B vitamin that helps with hair growth and maintaining a healthy scalp. Other biotin-rich foods include peanuts and almonds, salmon, avocado and wheat bran.

3. Bananas, beer, oats, and raisins all contain silica, a mineral believed to increase hair thickness. Silica helps hair to be stronger and more durable. With all of the developments in hair-care products, such as curling irons and flat irons, having durable hair is more important than ever.

4. Dark green vegetables. Vegetables such as spinach, broccoli and Swiss chard are jam packed with A and C vitamins. Vitamins A and C help produce sebum, which is a scalp oil that acts as a natural hair conditioner.

Dark green vegetables

5. Oysters. These shellfish contain an impressive amount of zinc, which regulates production of androgens hormones. Low androgens levels can cause hair loss, slow hair growth and dandruff. Other foods rich in zinc include crab, clams, liver, lean beef and wheat germ.

6. Sweet potatoes are loaded with beta-carotene. The body converts beta-carotene to Vitamin A, which moisturizes hair and skin and protects against dull hair and dry skin that can cause dandruff. For additional sources of beta-carotene, be on the lookout for carrots, pumpkin, asparagus, kale and butternut squash.

7. Beans are excellent sources of iron-rich protein. Kidney beans and lentils are good go-to beans; in particular, lentils are key players in general hair maintenance and support.

8. Fruits and vegetables. In general, veggies and fruits contain high amounts of Vitamin C, which helps the body absorb iron. Dry and weak hair can be a result of low Vitamin C levels. Great vitamin C sources include leafy greens, broccoli, citrus fruit, strawberries and green peppers.

Carrots, apples, and celery

9. Salmon. Simply put, Omega-3 fatty acids support a healthy scalp. An unhealthy scalp may become dry, with dull hair as a result. Other great Omega-3 sources include herring, mackerel, sardines, walnuts and flax seeds.

10. Vegetable oil is notorious for helping to restore shine to hair. Just a teaspoon a day of healthy oils, such as peanut oil, safflower oil, or sunflower oil can help do away with dry and lackluster hair.

See? Having and maintaining strong and healthy hair is easier than it sounds. More than half of these foods are likely already in your diet. Just up your intake a bit and your locks will be the envy of all of your friends in no time.

Alison Marth is a freelance writer for a variety of health and beauty websites. She is currently pursuing a degree in cosmetology and enjoys learning about nutrition in her spare time. She recommends the beauty blog of High Maintenance Salon for anyone interested in health and beauty tips.

Top 7 Liquid Nutritional Supplements You Should Consume

There are many useful liquid nutritional supplements that will assist you with getting your body to stay healthy. Sounds complex? So keep reading.

These products come with many nutrients that work with different parts of your body in mind. They’re also easy for the body to absorb as they are liquid in form.

Liquid Nutritional Supplements

Calcium and D3

A supplement with calcium and vitamin D3 are needed to help with keeping your body safe. These are well-known to support bone health and to keep the body from breaking down over time. In addition, vitamin D3 makes it easier for the body to absorb calcium.

Liquid Iron

Iron is a necessity for providing the body with energy. A liquid iron supplement may improve the body’s ability to form red blood cells and to get the body’s immune system to improve over time. This may work best if it is paired with amino acid chelate, a water soluble form of iron that works with GI issues.

Glucosamine

Glucosamine has become prominent in many liquid nutritional supplements because it’s known to support your joints. It helps secure cartilage tissue and makes it easier for the tissue to be rebuilt. Some of these supplements may be paired with chondroitin to support lubrication around those tissues to make them healthier.

Aloe Vera

Traditionally known as a topical material, aloe vera may also be used to support the body’s digestive tract and to make it easier for the colon to stay healthy and to promote regular functioning. Aloe vera is a very safe and easy to manage supplement that works wonders in the body and should be used in your liquid nutritional supplement regimen.

Digestive Blend Formulas

There are many digestive blend formulas for you to choose from. These include products that feature soluble fiber and prebiotics together. Prebiotics are used to support the development of healthy bacteria while soluble fiber is used to promote regularity within the body. These are used to keep the body healthy and steady with plenty of support for keeping its internal functions running as well as possible.

Liquid Iodine

Liquid iodine is a liquid supplement that is used to improve the condition of your skin. However, it is best used by those who have thyroid issues. This is made to promote a sense of thyroid stimulation to keep the area treated right and as steady as possible. This is also made to promote weight regulation and to keep the body energetic. It’s also helpful for those with natural thyroid struggles no may not be able to afford surgical procedures.

EPA/DHA

An EPA/DHA supplement will help your body out by using two of the most important omega-3 fatty acids that you can use. These are made to keep your body healthy and to stop the development of harmful fat deposits in the body and to regulate a healthy sense of blood flow. These are often used to ensure that there are no problems coming with the body as it is to be treated.