Most of seem to believe the old adage that a glass of warm milk before bed will have us in dreamland in no time at all.

Well, it seems this may be more of a belief than a reality. It is believed that because milk is high in tryptophan, an amino acid that induces sleep, then it should assist us in sleeping. However, for tryptophan to work it has to cross the blood-brain barrier and unfortunately it is not very good at doing this.

However, insulin helps to make it easier for tryptophan to enter the brain. Foods high in carbohydrates stimulate the release of insulin.

So perhaps the conclusion is that you should have a cookie with that glass of milk before bed.

That’s medicine that’s not too hard to take.

Many people believe that acne is created by dirt. Acne is not created by dirt and is actually a complicated syndrome that involves the hormonal system and the skin’s renewal system. Many skin specialists consider acne to be, in part, a reaction to the hormone called testosterone.

There are a number of things that you can do to manage or prevent acne and to have healthy skin. Here are five tips:

Acne Prevention Tip Number 1 – Remember, acne is not caused by dirt, so there is no necessity to over-wash. Scrubbing and washing your face will not make the acne go away and will just tend to dry out healthy skin and irritate acne-prone area. Over-washing may also stimulate extra oil production resulting in more breakouts. Limit your face washing to two or three times per day.

Acne Prevention Tip Number 2 – Keep your hands off your face. Excessive touching of your face, including rubbing or even resting your chin in your hands, can drive Propionibacterium acnes (the bacteria that causes breakouts) into your pores.

Acne Prevention Tip Number 3 – Drink plenty of water to flush out toxins in your body. This is a good advice even if you don’t suffer from acne. Try drinking four to six large glasses of water per day.

Acne Prevention Tip Number 4 – When you exercise, wash off. Exercise generates heat and moisture which is trapped against your skin. This creates an ideal breeding ground for the spread of bacteria.

Acne Prevention Tip Number 5 – Don’t squeeze or pick. This will tend to inflame your skin and may force bacteria deeper into the skin causing greater infection. You will also damage the surrounding tissue which may leave a scar.

A excellent guide about acne treatment that you may want to examine is written by Chris Gibson. He claims he cured his acne in three days. You can read about how he achieved this at Acne Cure in 3 Days

Moderate exercise is actually good for your skin. It helps you maintain a healthy body and manage your stress levels, too. If you find your acne is aggravated by regular exercise, then you may want to examine your routine. What do you wear? Where do you go? How hard do you work? Exercise-related acne is usually caused by something you put on your body rather something you do with it. Remove these outside factors, and you may put an end to your workout breakouts. Here are just a few things to watch for.

Acne & Exercise – Make-up. When exercising, wear as little make-up as possible. Even oil-free and non-comedogenic (non-pore-clogging) cosmetics can clog pores if worn during heavy exercise. When you’re done working out, wash as soon as possible.

Acne & Exercise – Sunscreen. If your regimen takes you outdoors, always wear sunscreen. While acne may improve slightly after brief periods in the sun, studies show that prolonged exposure actually promotes comedones (clogged pores) and, of course, sun damage. Some kinds of acne medication make skin more sensitive to the sun, so sunscreen is even more important. When choosing a sunscreen, look for products that are oil-free and have a protection factor of at least SPF 15 for both UVA and UVB rays. Like make-up, sunscreen can travel across the skin’s surface and lodge in the pores — so wash immediately after working out.

Acne & Exercise – Clothing. If you’re prone to body acne, avoid garments made exclusively with lycra or nylon. Why? Some synthetic fabrics can trap the heat and moisture against your skin, creating a fertile breeding ground for the bacteria that contribute to acne. For moderate exercise, your best bet is lightweight, loose-fitting cotton, or a lycra-cotton blend. Natural fabrics allow the skin to breathe, and loose garments are less likely to cause friction. If you’re exercising vigorously and working up a good sweat, however, you may want to try some of the new fabrics designed to wick moisture away from your skin.

Acne & Exercise – Equipment. Some people are more likely to get acne or have their lesions aggravated in the areas affected by sports equipment. The best defense against friction-related breakouts is a good fit — make sure your helmet doesn’t slide around on your forehead, or your wetsuit isn’t too tight under the arms. You can also curb equipment-triggered breakouts by lining your helmet with a layer of soft, washable cotton fabric; it’s a great use for those old t-shirts, too. And no matter what the sport, it’s always a good idea to keep your equipment clean and dry when not in use.

Acne & Exercise – Moisture. Mom was right: You should get out of those wet clothes! No matter how you get your exercise — treadmill, trail, tennis court, or whatever — don’t sit around in your sweaty clothes or wet bathing suit when you’re done. If you can, shower off immediately and change into dry clothes before driving home. If this isn’t possible, change into dry clothes and wipe down as well as you can. When toweling sweat off your face, always use a clean towel, and blot gently rather than wipe. Vigorous wiping can irritate your skin, driving make-up and sunscreen deeper into the pores.

Acne & Exercise – Showering. Again, it’s best to shower immediately after working out. You may want to use a medicated exfoliant cleanser, but always be gentle with your skin. Scrubbing harder isn’t going to make you any cleaner, or make your acne go away — and it may actually irritate existing lesions or promote the development of new ones. If you can’t shower right away, you can still curb breakouts by wiping down with medicated pads; keep a few in your gym bag just in case.

So keep up the good work! A healthy exercise program is an integral part of your overall health; and a healthy body is more likely to have healthy skin. Just keep an eye on the various factors that accompany your regimen, and try to remove the acne triggers — you’ll be on your way to breakout-free workouts.

It seems that many people are raving about hoodia gordonii. Apparently it lessens one’s appetite which is good if you are trying to lose weight.

Here are a few facts about hoodia that you might be interested in.

Hoodia supplements were first introduced to the U.S. market in early 2004. You might think that because hoodia looks like a cactus that it is from Florida or California. Well, you’d be wrong. It’s actually a succulent from the Kalahari Desert in southern Africa. Bushmen from the area have been using hoodia for centuries to help ward off hunger during long trips in the desert.

Hoodia gordonii is entirely natural — it is not a drug. Pharmaceutical companies find it so promising, however, that they are trying to isolate the appetite-suppressing molecule, P57, to create a patented diet drug in the future.

Only the gordonii variation of hoodia has appetite suppressant abilities.

Hoodia tricks the brain into thinking you’ve eaten, and makes you feel full.

Hoodia may work right away, or may take several weeks.

Key results of hoodia reported include a reduced interest in food, delay in the time after eating before hunger sets in again, feeling full more quickly, and a general feeling of well-being

Hoodia gordonii is not a stimulant, and has no known side effects.

Hoodia appears to be safe for most people.

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