Shea Butter - Skin Health

Shea butter, although a relatively new cosmetic product in the market, has been widely used by African for hundreds of years. It is the yellowish fats obtained from the Shea tree's nut and contain many vitamins such as Vitamin A, B and F which are excellent for your skin.

Picture taken from bellaearth.net

Vitamin A is essential for the rejuvenation of the skin. It also is a very strong antioxidant which combats the free radicals in your skin which helps improve wrinkles and lines on the skin. In addition, it can prevent acne by reducing sebum production.

Vitamin E is another very strong antioxidant which has similar properties to that of vitamin A. In addition, Vitamin E also contains anti-inflammatory, anti-UV, moisturizing properties. Therefore you tend to find it in many sunscreen lotions, cosmetics, moisturizing products etc.

Vitamin F is basically your omega 3 and 6. Its main role in this context is to repair your skin cells and generate new ones. People with Vitamin F deficiency often find themselves having dry skin or eczema.

For people with Eczema, Jin's Health tips recommend that you try Shea butter as your body wash. It moisturizes your skin well and hence prevents irritation of your skin. It also penetrates deep into your skin to keep your skin moisturized for a longer period of time.

Just a tip on choosing your Shea butter. Generally it comes in two kinds: raw or processed. The raw ones are the best but it has a natural smell which might be unpleasant to some. Most people are actually fine with the smell actually. Otherwise you could still try the processed one which is a tad whitish in color. However the more processed it is, the less vitamins you will get.

If you have any queries, please feel free to email Jin's Health tips at tanjinlin@gmail.com

Are You More Cultured Than a Cup of Yogurt?

If you are a lover of dairy products, you will never want to miss this food called the Yogurt. There are a lot of health benefits associated with yogurt and you would definitely want to add it into your grocery list the next time you are going to the supermarket. It provides a very good source of nutrition such as Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12), probiotics and calcium.

Picture taken from wdexpo.org

Here are some reasons why Yogurt is good for you

1) Good for your bones

An average person would require 1,000mg of calcium a day and a glass of yogurt would easily provides you with 30-40% of calcium required for the day. Calcium is an important mineral as it is required for the development of bones. A high calcium diet would allow you to have strong bones. It also prevents osteoporosis especially for the old people. Choose yogurt which contains Vitamin D because it promotes the absorption of calcium into our body.

2) Boost immune system

Yogurt contains probiotics, good bacteria which are good for the immune system. Probiotics such as Lactobacillus casei has been proven to increase the number immune cells, such as T-lymphocytes,which kill unwanted substances in the body. As the number of these cells increase, the body will have a better immune system. It also prevents cancer.

3) Prevents yeast infection

Women, especially those with diabetes are more prone to Candida infection, commonly known as vaginal or yeast infection. Patients with Candida infection have vaginal pH around 6.0. Research has shown that active culture in yogurt helps to reduce vaginal pH to around 4.0 (normal range), hence, discouraging yeast growth.

4) A healthy gastrointestinal system

For people who exhibits diarrhea due to lactose(milk sugar) intolerance. The high lactase (enzyme which breaks down lactose), low lactose yogurt would reduce this problem.

Healthy bacteria such as Acidophilus prevents the conversion of bile into carcinogenic bile. Hence, preventing diseases such as colon cancer and H pylori infection.

Just a tip on how to choose your yogurt. Choose those with active probiotics, low fat and light sweetener.

Ever heard of the phrase "You are what you eat?" If you want to stay healthy, then eat well.

If you have any queries, do feel free to email Jin's Health tips at tanjinlin@gmail.com

Know Your Vitamins - Jin's Health tips

Vitamin A (Retinol)

Functions: Important for the eyes(visual pigments), skin, bones and teeth
Sources: Green and yellow vegetables, dairy products

Deficiency: Night Blindness and flaking skin

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

Functions: Good for the muscles, heart and nerves

Sources: Grains, meat

Deficiency: Beri Beri (nerve problems), heart muscle weakness and edema

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

Functions: Antioxidants

Sources: Green vegetables, organ meats, egg, dairy products

Deficiency: Inflammation of skin and eyes

Vitamin B3 (Niacin)

Functions: Good for the skin, nerve system and gastrointestinal tracts

Sources: Meat and grains

Deficiency: Pellagra (scaly dermatitis and mental disturbances) and nervous disorder

Vitamin B5 (Pentothenic Acid)

Functions: Aids fat and carbohydrate metabolism

Sources: Organ meat, eggs and grains

Deficiency: loss of coordination (rare)

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)

Functions: Important for the production of red blood cells, helps break down amino acids

Sources: Vegetable, meats and grains

Deficiency: Convulsions, irritability and anemia

Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid)

Functions: Important for the production of red blood cells, helps break down amino acids

Sources: Vegetable

Deficiency: Digestive Disorders and anemia

Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)

Functions: Involved in blood production

Sources: Meat and dairy products

Deficiency: Pernicious Anemia

Biotin (Vitamin H)

Functions: needed for healthy skin hair and nails

Sources: Vegetable, Meat and eggs

Deficiency: Mental and muscle problem (rare)

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

Functions: Antioxidant, manufacture of collegen fibers

Sources: Fruit and Green vegetable

Deficiency: Scurvy, degeneration of the skin, bone and blood vessels

Vitamin D (Calciferol)

Functions: Aids in calcium absorption

Sources: Dairy products and fish liver oil

Deficiency: Rickets and skeletal deformity

Vitamin E (Tocopherol)

Functions: Antioxidant and protect cells from being destroyed

Sources: Green vegetables and seeds

Deficiency: Muscle and reproductive disorders (rare)

If you do have any queries, do feel free to email Jin's health tips at tanjinlin@gmail.com