Blog posts of '2021' 'September'

When it comes to getting a decent night’s sleep, there are some obvious rules to follow. Not using your phone or computer right before bedtime, having a regular bedtime routine and having relaxation rituals to wind down before you go to bed are all good ideas. But the foods you’re eating can also have a big impact on your sleep, so if you’re struggling to get eight hours, try making these changes to your diet.

Cut the caffeine

We all love a cup of coffee or tea in the morning, but your caffeine habit could be keeping you up at night. Gradually reduce your caffeine intake throughout the day, and have your last cup of tea or coffee (or other caffeinated drink) no later than lunchtime.

Tea before bed

Since you’ve cut out your afternoon cuppa, replace it with a nice soothing cup of chamomile tea. It contains apigenin, which is an antioxidant that has been linked with promoting sleepiness. In studies, participants fell asleep faster and experienced improved sleep quality.

Eat your evening meal earlier

If you’re eating too late in the day you may struggle to get off to sleep, so try to time your evening meal at least three hours before bedtime. This meal should also be free from starchy carbs like pasta, rice and bread, which can cause a peak in sugar levels and then reactive hypoglycaemia, or a ‘sugar crash’. The resultant release of stress hormones can wake you in the night, so instead, opt for a meal that isn’t too big eaten nice and early.

Melatonin boosters

For that evening meal opt for foods rich in the amino acid tryptophan, which is needed to produce the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin. Nuts such as almonds, seeds, chicken and turkey are all good sources of this. Supplementing tryptophan in the form of 5HTP can also help to boost your levels of this sleep-supporting amino acid.

Magnesium

Magnesium is a natural relaxant as it has been linked to lowering levels of the stress hormone cortisol. It is also a smooth muscle relaxant; so make sure your diet includes foods that are rich in the nutrient. Spinach, kale, avocados, chickpeas, salmon and figs are all great options. It can be tricky to get enough magnesium from our diet alone, so it’s worth considering a supplement.

Say no to sugar

It may seem obvious, but it’s surprising how many people opt for a sugary drink with dinner or have a sugary treat like a chocolate biscuit right before bedtime. Keep your daily sugar intake to a minimum and ensure that it is coming from natural sources such as fruit rather than refined sugars, fizzy drinks and sweets. Swap your pudding after your evening meal for a digestive-aiding peppermint tea for a better night’s sleep.

Notre corps est composé à 60% d’eau. Sans cet élément essentiel à la vie, nous n’existons pas. Alors il faut mettre toutes les chances de notre côté et nous hydrater au maximum, on ne le dit jamais assez. Mais qu’apporte clairement l’hydratation à notre corps, et notamment à notre peau ?

• L’hydratation protège la peau des agressions

En contact direct entre notre environnement et notre corps, la peau est notre bouclier principal contre les agressions de l’extérieur. Elle évite la pénétration de corps étrangers dans notre organisme et est la démonstration de notre bonne santé.

Hydrater sa peau lui permet de se régénérer plus rapidement et de la rendre plus forte contre les bactéries et autres irritations nocives à notre santé.

• L’hydratation au cœur de la beauté

C’est l’eau qui aide votre peau à se protéger de l’extérieur. Plus vous hydratez votre peau, notamment si elle est sèche, et plus vous lui donnez les moyens de lutter contre les agressions environnementales telles que le vent, le soleil ou le froid.

Une peau hydratée sera plus belle, plus lumineuse tandis qu’une peau sèche sera plus sensible et facilement irritante. Aussi pour votre confort et votre bonne santé, hydratez votre peau chaque jour avec un produit adapté.

Quels produits hydratants pour quel type de peau ?

Valable pour tous les types de peaux, le geste incontournable est de boire régulièrement pour renflouer ses réserves en H2O.

Pour une peau à tendance grasse : Préférer une crème moins riche en éléments nourrissants, en addition avec un régulateur de sébum. Cette formule aura pour effet de réguler la production de sébum de votre peau, tout en garantissant une hydratation optimale.

Pour une peau sèche : choisir une crème nourrissante et reconstituant, ou des huiles, qui contiennent plus d’actif gras qui favoriseront le gonflement des cellules protectrices de la peau.

Toutes les peaux sont différentes et nécessitent un traitement adapté. Néanmoins, l’hydratation de l’épiderme est indispensable et garante de votre bonne santé !

Originaire d’Afrique, l’huile de ricin est une huile végétale extraite des graines de la plante du même nom, le ricin.

Ses bienfaits sur la peau étaient déjà connus des égyptiens. L’histoire raconte qu’elle était l’huile préférée de la reine Cléopâtre qui l’utilisait pour se démaquiller.

De nos jours, sa production se situe majoritairement dans les zones tropicales. Elle donne un liquide jaune pâle épais qui, mis en bouteille, fait notre bonheur dans la salle de bains.

Quels sont les effets de l’huile de ricin sur les cheveux ?

L’huile de ricin est riche en acide ricinoléique, réputé comme bactériostatique (empêchant la croissance des bactéries) du cuir chevelu, et fortifiant des cheveux. Complète en acides gras essentiels, cette huile épaisse et visqueuse nourrit et fait briller la chevelure, les cils et sourcils.

Elle est également réputée pour favoriser la croissance des cheveux.

L’huile de ricin, pour quels types de cheveux ?

Les cuirs chevelus qui ont des pellicules vont l’aimer pour son effet reconnu sur les bactéries.

Elle est aussi particulièrement recommandée pour différents types de problématiques capillaires :

• Les cheveux fins, fatigués, mous, qui deviennent difficiles à coiffer.

• Les chevelures en perte de densité due à la chute de cheveux(en cas de chute importante, nous recommandons de voir un médecin).

• Les cheveux abîméssur toute la longueur ou fourchus, voire les cheveux crépus.

Comment utiliser l’huile de ricin sur les cheveux ?

Nous la recommandons en avant-shampooing. Après avoir légèrement réchauffé le flacon d’huile dans un bain d’eau chaude, il faut l’appliquer sur toute la chevelure et sur le cuir chevelu. Pour cela, il faut bien répartir de la racine aux pointes et revenir sur le cuir chevelu en massant, jusqu’à obtenir un effet mouillé.

Envelopper dans une serviette chaude etlaisser poser pendant 15 minutes va permettre aux écailles de la fibre capillaire de s’ouvrir et d’optimiser l’efficacité de l’huile de ricin.

Deux shampooings sont nécessaires pour rincer l’effet gras de l’huile.

A faire une fois par semaine !

Comment choisir son huile de ricin ?

Pour bien choisir son huile de ricin, il faut vérifier deux points principaux :

La pureté de l’huile

Certains produits sont des mélanges d’huiles végétales. Avec la mention 100% pure, il est indiqué que le produit ne contient que de l’huile de ricin, non coupée avec une autre huile de moins bonne qualité et donc moins chère.

De la vitamine E naturelle, le tocophérol, peut y être ajoutée afin de garantir la durabilité de l’huile dans le temps. En effet, cet anti-oxydant puissant, permet d’éviter le rancissement de l’huile.

La pression à froid

Quand les graines de ricin sont pressées par pression mécanique, sans chauffe, c’est ce que l’on appelle, la pression à froid. Ainsi la chaleur ne dégradant pas les actifs contenus dans l’huile de ricin, celle-ci pressée à froid conserve toutes ses propriétés et qualités.

Difficile de savoir à qui se vouer quand de plus en plus de marques se revendiquent biologiques, dans une cacophonie de labels.

Le doute émerge alors dans nos esprits sur les vrais engagements et sur la sincérité de la démarche des entreprises qui se cachent derrière de belles paroles.

Alors si on démêlait le vrai du faux pour vous permettre de choisir en toute conscience ce que vous appliquez sur votre peau ?

De quoi se compose une crème certifiée bio ?

• Une crème certifiée bio contient au minimum 95% d’ingrédients d’origine naturelle :

Parmi ces 95% d’ingrédients naturels, le label bio français exige 20% d’ingrédients bio dans les crèmes, c’est-à-dire des ingrédients cultivés sans engrais chimiques ni pesticides.

• 20% minimum d’ingrédients bio au total :

Si cela vous paraît peu c’est parce qu’une crème est composée en grande partie d’eau (à 60 à 80% en général), qui, bien que naturelle, n’est pas issue du végétal et ne peut donc pas être certifiée bio.

Car si l’on recalcule ce taux sans l’eau, on atteint au minimum 95% de bio ! Les 5% restants sont des ingrédients de synthèse, principalement des conservateurs.

Synonyme d’adolescence, les imperfections ne disparaissent pas toujours à l’âge adulte.

Peaux grasses, excès de sébum, dérèglements hormonaux sont autant de facteurs favorisant l’apparition de petites imperfections qui gâchent souvent le quotidien des femmes adultes.

Même à l’âge adulte, les peaux à imperfections nécessitent un soin particulier. L’erreur à ne pas commettre est de « décaper » l’épiderme à répétition avec des soins nettoyants agressifs. La peau risque de se sentir agressée et produira davantage de sébum pour se défendre. On rentre alors dans un cercle vicieux difficile à casser.

Pour le nettoyage de la peau,on privilégiera les gels lavants doux. Pour le démaquillage, on préfèrera les laits et les eaux micellaires.

Côté crèmes,même pour les peaux à tendance grasse, il faut bien hydrater, quitte à préférer un soin hydratant qui matifie

Between 30-50% of all cancer cases are preventable. Prevention offers the most cost-effective long-term strategy for the control of cancer. National policies and programmes should be implemented to raise awareness, to reduce exposure to cancer risk factors and to ensure that people are provided with the information and support they need to adopt healthy lifestyles.

Tobacco

Worldwide, tobacco use is the single greatest avoidable risk factor for cancer mortality and kills approximately 6 million people each year, from cancer and other diseases. Tobacco smoke has more than 7000 chemicals, at least 250 are known to be harmful and more than 50 are known to cause cancer.

Tobacco smoking causes many types of cancer, including cancers of the lung, oesophagus, larynx, mouth, throat, kidney, bladder, pancreas, stomach and cervix. Second-hand smoke, also known as environmental tobacco smoke, has been proven to cause lung cancer in non-smoking adults. Smokeless tobacco (eg chewing tobacco) causes oral, oesophageal and pancreatic cancer. Nearly 80% of the 1 billion smokers in the world live in low- and middle-income countries.

Physical inactivity, obesity and being overweight

Dietary modification is another important approach to cancer control. There is a link between overweight and obesity to many types of cancer such as oesophagus, colorectum, breast, endometrium and kidney. Diets high in fruits and vegetables may have an independent protective effect against many cancers. Regular physical activity and the maintenance of a healthy body weight, along with a healthy diet, considerably reduce cancer risk. In addition, healthy eating habits that prevent the development of diet-associated cancers will also lower the risk of other noncommunicable diseases.

Alcohol use

Alcohol use is a risk factor for many cancer types including cancer of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, liver, colorectum and breast. Risk of cancer increases with the amount of alcohol consumed. For several types of cancer, heavy drinking of alcohol combined with tobacco use substantially increases the risks of cancer. In 2010, alcohol-attributable cancers were estimated to be responsible for 337,400 deaths worldwide, predominantly among men.

Infections

In 2012, approximately 15% of all cancers were attributable to infectious agents such as helicobacter pylori, human papilloma virus (HPV), hepatitis B and C, and Epstein-Barr virus. The fraction of infection-attributable cancers varied between countries and development status, from less than 5% in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States and select countries in western and northern Europe to more than 50% in some countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Two-thirds of infection-attributable cancers occur in less developed countries. Vaccines are available for hepatitis B virus and some types of HPV and can reduce the risk of liver and cervical cancers, respectively.

Environmental pollution

Pollution of air, water and soil with carcinogenic chemicals contributes to the cancer burden to differing degrees depending on the geographical settings. Outdoor air pollution is classified as carcinogenic, or cancer-causing, for humans. It has been estimated that outdoor air pollution contributed to 3.2 million premature deaths worldwide in 2012 including more than 200,000 lung cancer deaths. Additionally, over 4 million people die prematurely from illness attributable to the household air pollution from cooking with solid fuels, 6% of these deaths are from lung cancer.

Source: World Health Organization

Just like cleansing, toning, and moisturizing, scrubbing also occupies a significant place in our beauty regimen. Exfoliation of the skin can prevent many skin problems. With so many different types of facial scrubs and body scrubs available in the market, exfoliating your skin is not a difficult task at all! In fact, you can also choose to make your own homemade scrubs to exfoliate your skin with ingredients you like best! Just invest in the right kind of scrub, based on your skin type and your beauty needs. Use gentle circular motions and watch your scrub working wonders on your skin!

But how does scrubbing work? What benefits can you expect?

Top 10 benefits of scrubbing your skin

In case you don’t know why you must go for an exfoliation session, at least once a week, here are the top 10 reasons to give you that much needed nudge!

1. For a squeaky clean skin

Scrubbing gives you clean skin, free from dirt, oil, and sweat. Actually, the bottles of cleansing milk, face wash and facial cleansers cannot pull out all the dust that accumulates in the pores of your skin. Scrubbing does this job successfully. Make your own facial scrub with brown sugar and honey and use it twice a week to see the difference.

2. Frees your skin from flakes

Flaky skin looks hideous! It clearly signals the fact that you don’t take care of it the way you should. In fact, flaky skin also gives rise to dry patches. It allows dead cells accumulate over time. Scrubbing your skin can help you deal with flaky skin effectively.

3. Helps in removing dead cells:

Dead cells make your skin look dull and tired. Why let them build up on the layers of your skin? Scrub them off with a gentle scrub.

4. Adds glow to skin:

Exfoliation can actually make your skin glow. Soak rice in milk for two hours. Then grind it into a paste and scrub your face to get glowing skin in no time.

5. Removes dark patches:

Do you know that scrubbing could even help in removing dark patchy skin? Add a spoon of yoghurt to a spoon of crushed walnuts. Use this scrub twice a week to get desired results. It is especially effective on knuckles, elbows and knees.

6. Removes acne scars:

Exfoliation helps in doing away with acne scars. Prepare a basic scrub using two spoons of baking soda and a spoon of water. Make a paste and use it on your face to treats the ugly marks left behind by acne.

7. Prevents ingrown hair:

Ingrown hair is a perennial problem and scrubbing is the solution to prevent this problem. Squeeze out the juice of two lemons and add a cup of sugar to it. Add some water and use this scrub to prevent ingrown hair. You may add a few drops of tea tree oil because it has antiseptic properties. You can use it after 2 or 3 days of waxing for effective results.

8. For smooth skin:

Smooth skin is the key to a more beautiful you. Use a scrub made out of a cup of ground almonds, two spoons of honey and milk cream. This scrub will not only make your skin look flawlessly smooth but will also make it soft and well-nourished from within. If you do not have time to do your scrub yourself, why not try the amazing product of the Filorga range?

9. Improves the texture of your skin:

Scrubbing your skin gives you clean and smooth skin with an improved texture.

10. Promotes Clear Complexion:

As soon as the flakes, dead cells, blemishes, and accumulated impurities are done away with, what do you expect in return? The answer is-clear complexion! And if the scrub has natural skin whitening ingredients, the effect is even better.

Antibiotics are the most commonly prescribed medication for children, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). But while they have saved millions of young lives when correctly used for bacterial infections, they are also often wrongly prescribed for viral infections, against which they are powerless. And the WHO notes that they can cause drug toxicity and harm a child’s gut organisms and enteric immune system. A study in the American Academy of Pediatrics found that around 11.4million unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions are written for children and teens each year in the US. And there’s a similar problem here.

1. Know the risks

Whenever an antibiotic is prescribed, there’s a risk of a reaction: 

• Short term risks are immediate side-effects, such as vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, and anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction). 
• Medium-term risks include developing resistant bacteria, which are harder to treat and may lead to hospitalisation; and an increase in MRSA, a type of staph bacteria that causes skin infection and more serious bone and bloodstream infections.
• Long-term risks arise because children can carry resistant bacteria for a long time and they can be spread within the family. Also, antibiotics affect the child’s microbiome (gut organisms) by killing not just the bad bacteria targeted, but the good. And good gut bacteria are important, aiding digestion, the absorption of calcium and iron, and the synthesis of certain vitamins and even neurotransmitters such as serotonin, the feel-good hormone. They help control toxic substances and keep the lining of the intestinal tract healthy, boosting the immune system. Another long-term concern is that antibiotics may be associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): in a study of a million patient records in the UK, infants given antibiotics had the highest increase in IBD risk.  

2. Know the limits

Antibiotics are effective, but only against bacteria, and when truly needed. Among the serious bacterial infections that require antibiotics are pneumonia, meningitis, blood infection and urinary infection. Viruses, not bacteria, almost always cause upper respiratory infections. Acute bronchitis, too, is seldom caused by bacteria. But it can be hard to differentiate viral from bacterial infections in young babies, especially those under three months of age, and identify if they are at risk of serious bacterial infection, so they are often started on antibiotics, then taken off if no bacterial infection is detected. 

• For ear infections: Antibiotics can benefit toddlers with infections in both ears and severe pain, notes the American Academy of Paediatrics. Symptoms often disappear in a few days, though, and for older children not in too much pain, a “wait-and-see” approach may be better.
• For coughs and runny noses: Antibiotics should be considered only when symptoms are severe, persistent or are getting worse.
• For a sore throat: Children who have swollen tonsils and lymph nodes and a fever should be tested for strep throat, and only if the results are positive should they be prescribed antibiotics.

3. Ask these 3 questions 

• Does my child really need this antibiotic? What are the benefits and the risks of taking it?
• Can you prescribe a narrow spectrum antibiotic that targets just the bacteria causing this infection, rather than broad-spectrum, which kills good bacteria too?
• Can my child take probiotics (capsules or sachets of “good bacteria”) along with the antibiotics?

Gingivitis and periodontitis, also known as gum disease, is very common but can be prevented through good oral hygiene. In simple words, gingivitis refers to gum inflammation and periodontitis is the loss of the bone that support the teeth.

What is gum inflammation (gingivitis)?

Healthy gums are pale, pink and firm. The gum tissue acts as a barrier and fits firmly around the tooth. Healthy gums do not bleed when you brush or clean between your teeth. Red, swollen and bleeding gums are a sign of gingivitis (gum inflammation) and if left untreated, can lead to periodontitis, loss of bone around the tooth. Around 40% of adults suffer from periodontitis – often without knowing it. Gingivitis and periodontitis can develop slowly and often without pain. The sooner the diseases are diagnosed and treated, the better.

What causes gingivitis?

A sticky film called dental plaque constantly forms on your teeth. If you don't clean properly, plaque will be left behind, especially between the teeth and along the gum line. When plaque accumulates in these areas, it causes inflamed gums (gingivitis), with redness and swelling. Inflamed gums may bleed when you clean your teeth.

Prevent gum inflammation

If you suspect that you have gum inflammation, contact your dental professional. Taking note of the advice that your dental practitioner offers is of utmost importance for a successful result, even after treatment is completed. Regular check-ups in combination with your own home care are crucial to prevent the problems from returning.

Signs of gingivitis

• Red and swollen gums
• Bleeding when brushing

Periodontitis

If plaque is not removed, it continues to grow in between the tooth and gums. On the root surface of the tooth, the plaque can harden into tartar which has a rough surface where new bacteria can attach with ease . These bacteria contribute to the loss of bone around the tooth. The gum inflammation has developed into periodontitis.

If plaque is not removed, it continues to grow in between the tooth and gums. On the root surface of the tooth, the plaque can harden into tartar which has a rough surface where new bacteria can attach with ease . These bacteria contribute to the loss of bone around the tooth. The gum inflammation has developed into periodontitis.

Gingivitis can be prevented

You can do a lot yourself to prevent and reverse periodontal disease through proper oral hygiene. Brush your teeth twice a day. Once a day, also clean between the teeth using interdental brushes, Mini Flosser or dental floss. A special toothbrush for cleaning hard-to-reach areas may also be needed.

Click here for a selection of dental accessories. 

Ask your dentist or dental hygienist for advice and instruction.

Until they reach age 3, infants do not have a fully developed skin defense system, which leaves them highly vulnerable to the sun’s rays. As a result, doctors strongly recommend that young children be kept out of direct sunlight. If your activities require your baby to be in the sun nonetheless, be sure to take special precautions to protect that delicate skin! By following a few simple rules, you can preserve your baby’s skin and help maintain his natural defenses against potentially serious sun damage. And since childhood is the best time for learning, if you always follow the same steps now, your child will adopt them automatically in the future.

Rules for sun safety

• Avoid exposing your baby to the sun, especially between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM.
• Always look for shade when the sun is intense.
• Never leave your baby naked or in a bathing suit in the sunlight. Dress your child in loose-fitting clothing made of thick cotton to filter UV rays, plus a wide-brimmed hat and appropriate wide-brimmed or goggle sunglasses.
• Apply a thick layer of a sunscreen product with an appropriate SPF index (50 or above), 20 minutes prior to exposure. Focus on sensitive areas that receive extra exposure (forehead, cheekbones, nose, lips).
• Protect your child even in the shade or cloudy weather: more than 80% of UV rays pass through clouds, and a parasol does not provide adequate protection.
• Avoid potentially allergenic sun protection; instead, use mineral or organic mineral sunscreen.
• Reapply the sunscreen product generously every 2 hours and after the child has been in water.
• Make sure your child drinks regularly, even if he doesn’t ask to.
• Take proper care of your sunscreen products: be sure to close the tube or spray cap tightly, don’t leave products in full sunlight, and never reuse a product the year after you opened it.

Choosing the right sunscreen

Your child has delicate skin that’s thinner than yours and especially vulnerable to sunlight. So it’s vital to choose sunscreen that’s optimally effective against the sun’s harmful rays, but that also respects your child’s delicate skin and preserves its supply of healthy cells.

The right sun protection for your baby should meet the following criteria:

• It should offer SPF 50+ and UVA protection combined with protection of the cutaneous barrier to preserve the skin’s natural defenses and prevent any cell damage that could result from exposure to the sun.
• It should offer a guarantee of high tolerance: the formula should be hypoallergenic, alcohol- and paraben-free and dermatologically tested.
• It should be suitable for a child’s activities: the product should be water- and sweat-resistant and visible when applied, to be sure you don’t overlook any area of the skin.
• It should be appropriate for your child’s skin type: if your baby has very light or sensitive skin, choose a product specially designed for intolerant skin types.