Tuesday, April 9, 2013

What exactly is 3D engraving?


Three-dimensional engraving is the technique of using laser-technology to engrave or mark an object.




3D engraving differs from standard engraving in that through the use of laser machinery the need to use ink or tool bits are completely eliminated. 

Not all materials can be marked with laser technology only laser-sensitive polymers and novel metal alloys can be engraved. 

When it comes to 3D engraving, the objects used are typically crystal or glass to ensure that the images stand out, however there are other objects that can certainly be used as well.

What kind of materials can be engraved?

As aforementioned, there are a variety of objects that lasers can engrave on. If you are interested in 3D engraving it is recommended you work with a design studio (such as 
3DesignCenter) and determine which platform is best for the image you would like.

Objects that can be used include stone and glass as they are not gaseous and can therefore easily be used with a laser.

Other objects include natural materials such as softwood and hardwood. In addition, plastics such as acrylic plastic sheets, standard cast acrylic plastic and other cast resins tend to laser well. 

Jewellery can also be laser engraved (depending on what it is made out of.) Jewellers are using laser-engraving machines to create customised designs for their clients and they are noticing that laser-engraving machines tend to be much more precise than their standard engraving counterparts.

Metal is the most common object for traditional engraving, however when it comes anything that is done with a laser, it cannot be used. 

Laser engraving machines

How a laser engraving machine works is relatively simple. The machine is made up of a laser, controller and a surface.

The laser works similar to a pencil. The beam emitted from it enables the controller to trace patterns onto the surface.

The controller is usually a computer and it controls the direction, speed of movement, intensity and spread of the laser beam, which is aimed towards the surface.

Finally, the surface is picked to match what the laser can act on.  

What kind of images can be engraved?

When you are selecting an image for 3D engraving any image can be used. If you know that you would like a 3D gift, but are unsure of what kind of image you would like, you can simply walk into a 3D design store and browse the artwork they have there.

However, if you have a specific image or photograph you would like to use you can bring it with you to the 3D design company and they can replicate it onto the object of your choice.

In addition, if you have a photo that you would like with a few edits or have ideas you would like incorporated into your image you can create a bespoke design with one of the artists at any 3D design company. 

Monday, April 8, 2013

What to Expect From Finance Software

Finance software can be used for both personal and business applications. It helps to keep all your finances in order and can help you set a budget for each thing you do. Finance software is very beneficial for businesses with more than one department and you want to put each department on a set budget. The software can even alert you when a department goes over their budget or when one of your accounts is approaching a low balance.
The Benefits
Finance software can help you keep track of multiple accounts at one glance. The program will allow you to place limits on certain accounts and will let you know when those accounts have reached a low limit. Businesses like using finance software because it can help them regulate how much money each department spends. This allows them to budget their money better and be more cost-effective. You can use the bill paying feature to help you pay you bill on time so you do not have anymore late fees. The most attractive feature to the finance software is the ease of tax time. Everything is already put into the program so all you have to do is send the whole thing to your accountant with one push of a button.
Finding the Right one
Finding the right finance software for what you want to do with it, will take some research. It should not be hard, but look at all possibilities before you choose just one. Finance software can be expensive depending on which type of program you need. You want to go over everything it can do and if you have any questions then ask someone. You do not want to waste money on buying a finance software program that will not handle everything you need it to. If you are unfamiliar with this, then ask your accountant for some advice. Your accountant probably uses a program and can give you a good idea about which one will be beneficial for you.
Look at all the finance software programs you can before picking just one. You can even find some that will work for both your personal and business applications. There are many fine programs you can choose from, just make sure that it will have everything you need. Also consider how easy it is to use, you want to make sure that it will be something you understand how to use and not need assistance.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Chinese Fridge Game App Makes Learning Chinese Fun

SAN FRANCISCO — A new free mobile game app is making learning Chinese fun and effortless for students interested in the language.
Chinese Fridge” teaches vocabulary in a game environment by rewarding players for correctly pairing Chinese words with their meanings or sounds, including simplified characters, traditional characters and the pinyin phonetic alphabet.
"The app aims to outperform basic flashcard-style memorization with a more interactive and multimedia-rich experience, where learning is a byproduct of having fun," said Ken Shen Robinson, creator of the app and Founder of Little Stars Chinese School.
When users select game pieces to match word pairs, the sound of the word is played out loud to facilitate memorization of words through audible repetition.
The game, available now for iPads and Android tablets, features cartoon-like graphics suitable for young children to keep them interested and engaged. The first release of the game features animals – an easy way to start kids off with a subject they are naturally interested in.
Parents and teachers can also use the Top Scores screen to see how much time the student has played the game and see the top word pairings that were made, allowing them to keep track of their child’s learning progress.
The game starts simple, with only three animal words to find pairs for. As the player advances through higher levels, more animal words are gradually introduced to provide a more rewarding and challenging game experience.
Future releases of the game will include different sets of vocabulary and incorporate more elaborate graphics and game play.
Though the app was designed primarily for kids, the game play is suitable for students of all ages who are beginning to learn Chinese and want to learn new vocabulary or reinforce past lessons.

About Little Stars Chinese School

Little Stars Chinese School was established in 2012 with the goal of making Chinese more engaging and entertaining to learn for children and students of all ages. Founded by a first-generation Taiwanese-American with extensive background in Chinese, communications and the mobile industry, Little Stars uses an innovative approach that leverages cutting-edge technology to make learning effortless and affordable.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Good Sleep Hygiene



These are some important things to consider which enhance good sleep hygiene:
  • Do not consume alcohol near bedtime.
  • Do not consume any caffeine after 4:00 P.M.
  • Do not use your bed for problem solving or doing work.
  • Take a hot bath before bed.
  • Keep your bedroom cool.
  • If your partner snores, sleep in a separate bedroom (after tucking in or being tucked in by your partner) or get a good pair of earplugs and use them. The wax plugs that mold to the shape of the ear are often the best ones.
  • If you frequently wake up to urinate during the night, do not drink a lot of fluids near bedtime. Most pain patients wake during the night because their sleep center is not working properly or because of the pain. Because they also have a full bladder, they think they are waking up because they have to urinate. This is not the case. They are waking up because of their pain syndrome. There is a simple way to remedy this problem. If and when you wake up during the night and you notice your bladder is full, just talk to it (in your mind, so your spouse doesn’t think you’re nuts) and tell it, "Nighttime is for sleeping. We will go to the bathroom in the morning when it is time to wake up." Then roll over and go back to sleep. If you still have to urinate five minutes later, go to the bathroom. Most of you will find that your bladder will happily go back to sleep, and when you wake up in the morning, you won't even have to urinate as badly as you did when you woke up in the middle of the night.
  • Put the bedroom clock out of arm’s reach and facing away from you so you can't see it. Looking at the clock frequently aggravates sleep problems and is frustrating.
  • Have a light snack before bedtime. Hunger and hypoglycemia cause insomnia in all animals, and humans are no exception. For your snack, eat foods high in the amino acid tryptophan, such as milk and turkey, which contributes to sleep.
Sleep Medications
Although I much prefer natural remedies to prescription medications, the sleep disorder in some pain patients may be too severe to be dealt with by natural remedies alone. However, even if you are someone who needs prescription sleep aids, adding natural remedies can be very helpful and usually decreases the amount of medication that you will need, resulting in fewer side effects. In addition, once you come off the sleep medications (usually after 9 to 18 months, although they can be used indefinitely if needed) you may find that all you require are the natural remedies. Whatever treatments you use, though, it is important that they not only increase the duration of sleep but also maintain or improve the deep stages (stages 3 and 4) of sleep. Unfortunately, most sleeping pills in common use (for example, Dalmane®, Halcion&ref;, and Valium®) may actually worsen the quality of sleep by increasing the amount of light stage (especially stage 2) sleep and decreasing the deep stages of sleep even further. You want to be certain that the treatments and medications you use leave you feeling better the next day, not worse.
There are several approaches to sleep when treating pain patients. Some doctors prefer to use a single medication or treatment and push it up to its maximum level. If that works, great; if not, they stop it and switch to another medication. Other doctors prefer to use low doses of many different treatments together until the patient is getting good, solid sleep regularly. I strongly prefer the latter approach. Most of a medication’s benefits occur at low doses and most of the side effects at high doses. In addition, if you combine low doses of a few different sleep aids, each of them will be cleared out of your body by morning—so you won't be hung over. Meanwhile, the effective blood levels that you have during the middle of the night from each treatment are cumulative and will keep you asleep for eight to nine hours of solid sleep each night without waking or hangover. 

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Lack of Concentration, How to Improve Memory Power

Improve your memory and concentration
The memory and concentration are intimately related as part of cognitive functions. Lack of concentration or focus on what we do directly affects memory problems. Memory is not something that aging is the go "spending the battery." It is much more complex and can be prevented by the deterioration suffered by intelligence functions as a whole (language, memory, praxis).

In addition to lead a healthy, active, where practice exercises, eat well and exercise the brain there are psychological implications as personal conflicts also impact. We will emphasize one of the existing treatments to combat memory impairment and improve concentration. This is a natural supplement that rejuvenates the brain chemistry, combat stress and preventing deterioration of neurons.

This product of Ayurvedic medicine helps you to increase the level of acetylcholine. We provide natural treatment that increases melatonin, regulates the increase in growth hormone level, will block the prostaglandins and cortisol, and fights neurotoxins and radicals. 

The main strategy that has this treatment is not only attacking the symptoms of impaired memory and concentration, but that attacks the underlying causes.

One of the things it does is to rejuvenate the dendrites of neurons and increase what you have to do with the generation of acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter). It also helps to activate postsynaptic receptors (connections between neurons that allow communication of them). Monoterpene hydrocarbons that manage grants recycle carbon and energy levels of the connective tissues of the cerebral cortex.

The product stimulates thermogenic response to increase the amount of energy required to maintain an alert status of cognition and optimal. Memory is backed by increasing the generation of nocturnal melatonin and thus achieve an increase regulation of cyclical than has to do with levels of growth hormone. What this does is improve sleep and health.

Another of the benefits of this wonderful Ayurvedic treatment is to optimize the flow of oxygen to the brain as well as nutrients as it strengthens the smooth muscles of the heart. Strengthens blood vessels and blocks the effect of prostaglandin in order to prevent inflammation of blood vessels. Also stimulates peripheral circulation and achieves the modulation of cell membrane in order to ensure absorption of nutrients.

As able to stabilize blood pressure prevents stress and reducing cholesterol, improving appetite and good digestion. Manages to avoid insomnia by inhibiting the production of cortisol. It also avoids the latter preventing obesity, diabetes and heart diseases.

Treatment fights neurotoxins and free radicals in the brain. Achieves thereby inhibit deterioration of the brain. This treatment will achieve more peaceful and relaxing the nervous system and therefore you can eliminate anxiety, stress, depression and irritation.

The result is an improvement in brain chemistry that improves concentration, memory and assimilation to stress.

Fruit Nutrition Facts

Many Americans have little or no information on fruit nutrition facts because most nutrition 'experts' have little to no information on fruit or have bought into false or inaccurate information about fruit.
Let's take a look at real Fruit Nutrition Facts:
De Novo Lipogenesis- The conversion of carbohydrates into fat
There is a common idea in nutrition today that 'carbs' make you fat. I find it hilarious, I always ask people if they complain about the carbohydrates on their hips or abdomens and they look at me as if I've lost my mind.
Do these nutrition guru's really even know how carbohydrates are converted into fat?
No.
Let's find out.
De Novo Lipogenesis is the process by which carbohydrates are converted into fat. A study was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition where the researchers hypothesis was that the conversion of carbohydrates into fat would be higher in obese women indicating that excess carbohydrate consumption leads to obesity. The results were rather interesting:
"De novo lipogenesis increases after overfeedingwith glucose and sucrose to the same extent in lean and obesewomen but does not contribute greatly to total fat balance."
Another interesting quote from this study:
"De novo lipogenesis from carbohydrate is energetically expensive and evidence to date suggests it does not contribute significantly to increased fat balance in persons consuming a typical high-fat Western diet."
Am J Clin Nutr 2001;74:737–46.
Most nutrition guru's do not understand this point:
Conversion of carbohydrates into fat is 'energetically expensive' or in simple terms the body burns 30% of the carbohydrates in the process of conversion! Carbohydrates do not make you fat.
There is a HUGE difference between refined sugar and fruit!
All sugars are NOT created equal!
Lets compare the nutrition profile of regular granulated sugar to the nutrition profile of common fruit.
Table Sugar Nutrition Facts:
3 Tb. of granulated sugar
Calories............146
Protein................0
Fiber...................0
Vit. B2................1%
That's IT!
Here is where the truth lies:
• 146 calories in 3 Tablespoons! That is the same as eating 1 and a half apples or 1 1/2 c. of cheerios!
• No protein, No fiber, No fat
• The second truth is that sugar ALWAYS accompanies fat in recipes.
Sugar Always Accompanies FAT!
When you make cookies, What is the combination you put in the mixer first?
Sugar and Butter
What is in every processed food?
Sugar and FAT
The combination of sugar and fat is a health disaster, blood sugar raises, insulin is released and fat goes directly into adipose stores. Fat is already fat. I know that sounds silly but it should be common sense that fat can easily be stored due to the fact that it is already in the form of fat, where carbohydrates cannot be stored as adipose tissue directly without de novo lipogenesis a very inefficient and energy expensive process.
Fruit Nutrition Facts
I will use 1 1/2 apples because it is about the same calorie content as 3 Tb. of sugar.
1 1/2 Apple
Calories................151
Protein...................1g
Fat.......................1/2g
Fiber.....................7g or 28% daily value
Vit. A...................7%
Folate...................2%
B1.......................5%
B2.......................7%
B3.......................2%
B5.......................4%
B6.......................9%
Vit. C..................18%
Vit. E...................3%
Vit. K...................7%
Calcium................2%
Copper.................9%
Iron...................2%
Magnesium..............5%
Manganese..............6%
Phosphorus.............5 %
Potassium..............7%
Zinc...................1%
Omega 3's..............2%
When you compare sugar to an actual fruit there is NO real nutritional comparison.
Notice the fiber content of the apple vs. sugar
The apple contains 7g of fiber, this fiber regulates the absorption of sugars and provides bulk in the intestinal tract, where as the sugar has no fiber and immediately enters the bloodstream and then causes a subsequent fall in blood glucose levels.
Protein in Fruit
Yes, fruit contains protein. It does not contain a high amount but every fruit contains protein. All whole foods contain a natural balance of carbohydrate, protein and fat the way NATURE designed for us to consume these macronutrients.Fruits are designed to be an easy to digest, cleansing, simple boost of energy food.
Antioxidants: Another Fruit Nutrition Fact
Antioxidants are extremely important in a healthy diet. Antioxidants are found in natures most healthy foods, fruit, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds.Antioxidants protect the body against free radical damage.
What is a free radical?
It is a cell that is missing a molecule, they will scavenge for the missing molecule and cause damage to another cell or destroy another cell to acquire the missing molecule. This may be interesting but it is important to understand that this can damage the DNA structure of the cell which causes it to function improperly, reproduce at a rapid, uncontrolled rate and this sets up a serious scenario for disease.
Free radical damage does not just stop at one cell, it is a continuous series of damaging events that can have serious consequences.
Antioxidants stop this free radical damage and protect the body from disease. Fruits and vegetables are the HIGHEST source of antioxidants!
Vitamin C- This is a well known antioxidant that prevents free radical damage before it even begins.
Vitamin E- Does not stop the damage in the beginning but it will stop the damage from continuing as it breaks the continuation of damage.
Flavonoids - most common and largest group of antioxidants, over 5,000 flavonoids have been identified in plant foods.
Polyphenols - Anthocyanins, apigenin, luteolin, proanthocyanidins, hesperidin, naringin, quercitin, myricetin, resveratrol and thousands of others....1
Studies have shown significant benefits to the consumption of antioxidants or polyphenols
Inhibition of carcinogenesis by polyphenols: evidence from laboratory investigations.
Studies have found that polyphenolic compounds have cancer preventing activities through many different effects. Polyphenolic compounds inhibited cancer cell growth, enhanced the cellular death, reduced invasiveness of cancer, and slowed the angiogenesis process in cancer.

Common Polyphenols or Antioxidants and Food Sources
Lycopene .....Tomato

Beta-carotene .....carrots, sweet potato, squash, pumpkin and red
or orange bell peppers

Lutein .........spinach, kiwi, bell peppers
Co-enzyme Q10- avocado, broccoli, parsley, cauliflower, spinach, peanuts, almonds
Zeaxanthin- yellow corn and kiwi
Tangeritin- tangerines and citrus 2
Luteolin- found in leaves, celery, green pepper, oregano, thyme
Kaempferol- grapefruit, broccoli, apples
This list is short but demonstrates the potent cancer fighting, disease fighting components of fruits and vegetables.
Fruit Nutrition Facts  
Let's review the most commonly consumed fruits and see the specific nutrition facts in each fruit.
Banana Fruit Nutrition Facts
Calories.................121
Protein...................1.5g
Fat ...................... .4g
Vit. A.......................4%
Folate......................7%
B1..........................4%
B2..........................9%
B3..........................6%
B5..........................9%
B6.........................38%
Vit. C.....................16%
Vit. E.......................1%
Vit. K.......................1%

Calcium...................1%
Copper..................12%
Iron.......................2%
Magnesium............11%
Manganese............20%
Phosphorus.............4%
Potassium.............10%
Selenium................2%
Zinc.......................3%
Omega 3's..............3%

Orange Fruit Nutrition Facts
Calories.............68
Protein.............1.5
Fat................ .2g
Vit. A................15%
Folate...............12%
B1.....................9%
B2.....................6%
B3.....................4%
B5.....................7%
B6.....................9%
Vit. C..............110%
Vit. E.................1%
Vit. K.................0%

Calcium..............6%
Copper...............6%
Iron...................1%
Magnesium.........5%
Manganese.........2%
Phosphorus.........5%
Potassium...........5%
Selenium............0%
Zinc...................1%
Omega 3's.........10%

Strawberries 1 cup Fruit Nutrition Facts
Calories..............46
Protein................1g
Fat.................. .4g
Vit. A...................1%
Folate..................9%
B1.......................3%
B2.......................3%
B3.......................4%
B5.......................4%
B6.......................5%
Vit. C................113%
Vit. E....................3%
Vit. K....................4%

Calcium.................2%
Copper..................8%
Iron......................3%
Magnesium............6%
Manganese...........31%
Phosphorus............5%
Potassium..............5%
Selenium...............1%
Zinc......................3%
Omega 3's.............9%

Blueberries Fruit Nutrition Facts
Calories.................84
Protein.................1.1
Fat.................... .5
Vit. A...................3%
Folate...................2%
B1........................5%
B2........................6%
B3........................4%
B5........................4%
B6........................6%
Vit. C..................19%
Vit. E....................6%
Vit. K...................32%

Calcium.................1%
Copper..................9%
Iron......................2%
Magnesium............3%
Manganese...........28%
Phosphorus.............3%
Potassium...............2%
Selenium................0%
Zinc.......................3%
Omega 3's..............8%

Mango Fruit Nutrition Facts
Calories................134
Protein.................1.1g
Fat.................... .6g
Vit. A....................68%
Folate.....................7%
B1........................11%
B2........................11%
B3..........................9%
B5..........................7%
B6.........................21%
Vit. C.....................76%
Vit. E.....................15%
Vit. K.....................10%

Calcium...................2%
Copper..................25%
Iron........................1%
Magnesium..............6%
Manganese..............3%
Phosphorus..............3%
Potassium................7%
Selenium.................2%
Zinc........................1%
Omega 3's...............7%

Pineapple Fruit Nutrition Facts[1 cup]
Calories................82
Protein...................1g
Fat..................... .2g
Vit. A......................4%
Folate.....................7%
B1........................12%
B2..........................5%
B3..........................6%
B5..........................7%
B6........................14%
Vit. C...................105%
Vit. E.......................0%
Vit. K.......................1%

Calcium....................2%
Copper....................20%
Iron..........................3%
Magnesium................6%
Manganese..............85%
Phosphorus................2%
Potassium..................4%
Selenium....................0%
Zinc...........................2%
Omega 3's..................3%

Apricot Fruit Nutrition Facts
2 apricots
Calories...............33
Protein..................1g
Fat...................... .3g
Vit. A...................58%
Folate....................2%
B1.........................2%
B2.........................3%
B3.........................3%
B5.........................3%
B6.........................3%
Vit. C.....................9%
Vit. E.....................4%
Vit. K.....................3%

Calcium.................1%
Copper..................6%
Iron......................2%
Magnesium............2%
Manganese............3%
Phosphorus............2%
Potassium..............4%
Selenium...............0%
Zinc......................2%
Omega 3's.............0

Raspberries Fruit Nutrition Facts [1 cup]
Calories.....................63
Protein.....................1.5g
Fat....................... .8g
Vit. A..........................2%
Folate.........................6%
B1..............................4%
B2..............................4%
B3..............................5%
B5..............................8%
B6..............................5%
Vit. C.........................43%
Vit. E...........................7%
Vit. K.........................11%

Calcium......................3%
Copper......................12%
Iron............................5%
Magnesium..................8%
Manganese.................46%
Phosphorus..................5%
Potassium....................4%
Selenium......................0
Zinc.............................6%
Omega 3's...................14%

Look at the TOTALITY of Nutrients not Individual nutrients
There is a common theme in nutrition today....... reductionism
Eat dairy products for calcium
fish or flax for omega 3's
meat for protein
Oranges for Vitamin C

This reductionist idea has absolutely nothing to do with optimal health or supplying adequate nutrients in the body. In fact, some of these foods have little else to offer us and may not even provide a healthy amount of the nutrients we value them for.
ALL foods contain protein, nearly all foods contain calcium, nearly all plant foods contain omega 3's.
Fruit Nutrition Fact: Fruit contains Omega 3 fatty acids
You probably look at the omega 3 content of these fruits and first, are surprised they have omega 3's.
Why are you surprised that fruit contains Omega 3's?
Because the media and most nutrition 'experts' only tell you about foods that contain A LOT of omega 3's. We don't need a lot of omega 3's. Notice that the cup of raspberries only contains .8g of fat and yet has 14% of your daily value of omega 3's. We do not need much!
The common diet myth is that fat is good and we need a lot of it to get enough essential fatty acids.....not true.
If .8g of fat in fruit can provide you with 14% of your daily value you know you don't need a lot of fat in your diet to get the essential fatty acids your body needs!
Let's make a fruit meal and check out the fruit nutrition facts
Most people think of fruit as a little snack, and may eat an 1 piece of fruit or rarely more than 2 in a day. But what if you made fruit a meal?
Could you get enough nutritional value?
Here is an example of a fruit breakfast:
1 banana
1- 5" round cantaloupe
1/2 c. blueberries
1/2 c. strawberries

You may be thinking that this can't possibly provide you with adequate nutrition, but here is the nutrition breakdown.
Can fruit be part of a healthy diet? Absolutely!
Calories.......... 361
Protein..............7g [15% of daily value for average woman]
Fat ...............1.9g
Fiber.................. 11.5g or 46%Omega 3's .......35%
Vit. A................806%
Folate...............41%
B1...................28%
B2....................22%

B3....................39%
B5....................23%
B6....................70%
Vit. C ...............358%
Vit. E.................7%
Vit. K .................34%

Calcium..............7%
Copper..............44%
Iron..................11%
Magnesium ........35%
Manganese..........62%
Phosphorus .........20%
Potassium............44%
Selenium..............7%
Zinc.....................18%

As you can see, fruit is PACKED with nutrients! If you consume fruit as an actual meal and not just a small apple for a snack you can actually obtain all the nutrition you need. After evaluating fruit nutrition facts I hope you can see that fruit is an extremely important part of a healthy diet.Fruit contains more nutritional value than you probably even realized.
Fruit nutrition fact lists are hard to come by, I rarely see a nutrition 'expert' who really understands the health benefits of fruit consumption or who actually knows the fruit nutrition facts at all. Even worse, some nutrition gurus have false and inaccurate information on fruit nutrition facts.
Many people believe that fruit has little nutritional value and should not be eaten regularly because of the 'sugars' or 'carbs' in fruit. Fruit has is viewed in a negative light due mostly to a lack of understanding of fruit nutrition facts and the difference between natural occurring sugars in natural foods that contain a myriad of nutrients, protein, and a lot of fiber vs. refined flour and sugar.
The reality is that fruit is an excellent food and contains a variety of nutrients, including protein.
Fruit is often over looked, and condemned because of the much feared 'carb' or sugar. All of the benefits of fruit, including the antioxidants are over looked and this is a fatal mistake, literally!
Berries are high in antioxidants, low in sugar, contain significant omega 3 fatty acids and are high in vitamin C. Berries are fruit super foods and should be a regular part of the diet, especially in the summer months. A parfait made with fresh berries and some cashew cream is an excellent way to cool off in the summer.
"Antioxidants, especially those from food sources, have important roles in preventing pathogenic processes related to cancer, cardiovascular disease, macular degeneration, cataracts, and asthma, and may enhance immune function."
Antioxidant Nutrients: Current Dietary Recommendations and Research Update June H. McDermotthttp://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/406705 Posted: 11/01/2000; J Am Pharm Assoc. 2000;40(6) © 2000 American Pharmacists Association
1 http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/how-antioxidants-work12 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_antioxidants_in_food

Brittle Nails – Causes, Symptoms and Healthy Nutrition Tips

Brittle nails are usually not associated with a medical disease. Brittle fingernails are a common condition, occurring in about 20% of people; more women than men develop brittle nails. Brittle nails usually break or peel off in horizontal layers, starting at the nail's free end.

The signs and symptoms of brittle nails include:

• peeling at the nail tips
• easy breaking
• inability to grow the nails out

What Causes Brittle Fingernails?

Everyone has brittle nails to some extent, some more than others. Aging can cause slowed nail growth and dull, brittle, or yellowish nails as the flow of moisture and natural oils to the nail bed declines. A lack of moisture or too much moisture can worsen an already brittle condition. Dry heat, detergents, nail polish remover, or harsh chemicals encourage cracked and dry brittle nails. On the other hand, too much moisturizer, hand lotion and a lot of time underwater leaves nails too soft for tearing.

The nutrition for dry, brittle nails includes the establishment of a healthy diet and ways that continuously enhance the condition of the brittle nails of the person and the increasing desire to stay away from fatty, junk foods.
Dry, brittle nails is a problem that thousands of women face. Nails dry-out in the winter time because of intense hand washing to stay healthful and because of all the dry air that is around generated as a result of heaters. Health Nutrition aids to control your fingernail health and provide a cure for dry, brittle nails. A inadequacy of B-complex vitamins, specifically biotin, will create ridges along the nail bed. A diet deficient in calcium inflicts to dry, brittle nails. Quite a number of vitamins and minerals have been proposed for the prevention of brittle nails.

The nutrition for dry, brittle nails and hangnails through a diet rich in vitamin C, folic acid and omega-3 can be classified into four major elements: the efficacy of the nutrition control and management procedures, the level of involvement of the people concerned, the guidelines and policies for nutrition control and management, and lastly, the control of potential dangers and hazards linked with the nutrition management.

For people with mild or intermittent brittle nails, a cosmetic moisturizer may be enough to keep the skin from feeling dry. Use a glass file or an emery board instead of a metal nail file. Also, make sure you file only in one direction. Therapeutic moisturizers, which have been shown to act as a barrier that keeps water from evaporating from the nails. Calcium-rich foods include all dairy foods, especially yogurt, dark green leafy vegetables, almonds, beans, and sardines.

Refrain from biting your nails. To help, kick this habit keep nails short, and paint them with a dark coloured polish. (Every-time you bite you'll be conscious of chipping the polish).

Nail polish remover. Using nail polish remover more than once a week, especially one containing acetone, can cause your nails to become dry.

Nails, should be neatly filed and shaped on a regular basis. For under the nail cleanliness use a nail brush and for smooth and shining nails use a nails buffer. Try a cuticle softener, for it might prove worthy.