Omega-3 Fatty Acids

• Recommended Omega-3 Fatty Acid Dosage
• More About EPA and DHA

Definition and benefits from omega-3 fatty acids

People who are on a diet try to avoid all types of fatty foods in order to attain a quicker change in weight. However, not all fats are bad for the health. One good and beneficial fatty acid is one which is derived from fish and is mostly known as Omega-3 fatty acids.

Fatty fish like mackerel, herring, sardines, tuna and salmon are just a few which contains high concentrations of two important omega-3 fatty acids namely eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). So, it is recommended to atleast eat fish two times a week. Omega-3 fatty acids are also present in some vegetable oils such as canola, soybean, flaxseed or linseed and olive oil. Some nuts such as the English walnuts recorded also concentrates of this acid.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), omega-3 fatty acids make the heart healthy therefore making it important to people who are at the high risk of cardiovascular disease.

In studies, these fatty acids were proven to lower triglycerides, slow down the hardening of the arteries, lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of sudden death, heart attack, irregular heart beat and stroke. It is also recorded to improve the eye and brain development of infants. It is also highly advised for pregnant mothers to start omega-3 fatty acid intake as soon as possible to ensure healthy pregnancy.

Aside from keeping the heart healthy, omega-3 fatty acids are also proven by doctors and researchers to combat autism, low birth issues and some psychological disorders. It is also beneficial to people who are suffering from:

• Diabetes
• Menstrual cramps
• Asthma
• Burns
• High cholesterol levels
• Arthritis
• Allergies due to inflammation

Freckles

• Definition of Freckles
• Causes of Freckles
• Types of Freckles
• Prevention of Freckles

Available freckle treatments:

Since freckles are considered to be hereditary, it is not medically important to seek for treatment procedures. However, there are those who aspire for clearer skin. In order to satisfy their needs, possible treatments were developed while researches and studies about this skin condition are continuously conducted in order to attain maximum patient or customer comfort. The following are the most common freckle treatments up to this time:

• Topical bleaching creams - Most bleaching creams contain hydroquinone and kojic acid which have lightening properties, when applied to the skin consistently help fade away the skin's dark pigmentation over a period of time.Bleaching creams can be purchased without prescription. However preparations containing over 2% of hydroquinone require a prescription.When using bleaching creams, it is advised to use lotions or creams with SPF at the same time to further protect the skin against sun damage.
  
• Topical retinoids - Constant application of products containing retinoids, is also a great way in ligtening freckles after a period of several months.
  
• Chemical peeling - Also known as chemical resurfing, chemical peeling is a type of skin treatment which is aimed to improve the skin's appearance. This treatment peels off the upper layer of the skin to give way to new and healthier skin cells to grow. People with freckles, after going through this process will notice that the freckles are a lot lighter and are minimized.
  
• Herbal green peel - Another skin peeling method which promotes lightening of freckles is the herbal green peel procedure. (further discussed on this link)
  
• Laser treatment - Laser treatment is another common procedure these days in treating and minimizing the presence of freckles on the skin. It effectively and safely decreases the appearance of dark spots by rejuvenating the skin surface.
  
• Cryosurgery - Is a procedure which involves freezing or burning of skin growths and lesions using liquid nitrogen. This procedure is rarely performed on individuals having freckles with very small sizes. Therefore, this process is mostly performed on patients having the lentigo type of freckle since the spots are much larger, more visible and easier to detect.
  
• Intensed Pulsed Light therapy (IPL) - Also known as photofacials is another possible way of minimizing and lightening freckles. The beam of light is contributed on the dermis layer of the skin (the sensitive connective tissue layer of the skin located below the epidermis) while leaving the epidermis (outmost layer of the skin) untouched. The beam targets the melanocytes and reduces its production of melanin.

Freckles

• Definition of Freckles
• Causes of Freckles
• Types of Freckles
• Available Freckle Treatments

Prevention of freckles:

Since the severity of freckles is due to a person’s genetic background, the magnitude of prevention is only aimed in minimizing the amount of melanin production by:

• Avoiding the peak sun hours which are from 10 o’clock in the morning to 4 o’clock in the afternoon (10 a.m.-4 p.m)
• Using sunscreen products. It is advised to atleast use products having an SPF (sun protection factor) of 30.
• Using sun-protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
• Using wide-brimmed hates to protect the sensitive skin on the face.

Freckles

• Definition of Freckles
• Causes of Freckles
• Prevention of Freckles
• Available Freckle Treatments

Types of freckles:

• Ephelis (plural: ephelides) is the Greek and medical term for freckle. This type pertains to freckles which are flat and are tan, slightly reddish or light brown in color. Ephelis occur commonly during sunny months and are mostly found on individuals with fair complexions.Ephelis is considered to be a hereditary trait. Most reddish-haired and green-eyed people are more inclined to this type of freckle.
  
• Lentigo (plural: lentigines) is the Latin and medical term for “lentil” which is referred to types of freckles which are considerably darker in color and sunburn freckles. Unlike the ephelis type which usually fades during the winter season, lentigo is a kind of freckle which does not diminish after the sunny season. This type is also medically termed as “lentigo simplex”.
  
• Liver spots (sometimes related to lentigines) but is also known as age spots. Although called “liver spots”, this kind of freckles is not due to liver illness or liver problems. This type of freckles related to darker skin spots in adults which are frequently produced on the back of the hands. Liver spots are produced over time and are not considered to be a sign of old age. They appear due to continuous sun exposure.

Freckles

• Definition of Freckles
• Types of Freckles
• Prevention of Freckles
• Available Freckle Treatments

Causes of Freckles

Having freckles is genetic. Freckles are formed randomly on the skin after exposure to sunlight. The melanocytes (special skin cells responsible in production of skin pigment called melanin), when exposed to sunlight result to increased production of melanin. Melanin production is the skin’s best way of protecting the skin from the harmful rays of the sun. Melanin builds up in one place resulting to a flat, rounded spots called freckles with a size of about 2-4 millimeter. It may vary in color such as red, yellow, tan, brown, light-brown or black but are always darker than the skin’s natural color. Further exposure to sunlight can even make freckles darker.