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What the Heck are Antioxidants Anyway?

Antioxidants are compounds found in food that help the body fight off free radicals and keep our cells protected.

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If you are like me, then you’ve heard people talk about antioxidants for as long as you can remember. What the heck are antioxidants and what do hey do for my body? Luckily, you are reading this blog, because I’m about to explain this riddle. We have heard that foods with antioxidants are good for you and we went along and bought those foods. Why? What do they do? Should I continue to blindly listen to experts?

According to Lauri Wright, PhD, “Antioxidants are compounds found in food that stop or delay damage to cells.”   Antioxidants are naturally found in plants and food and they help our bodies by strengthening our cells. Our body is completely made up of cells and these cells get damaged or die, as we get older. Antioxidants are natural defenses against cell damage.

 

Antioxidants help cells against “free radicals,” which are compounds that are highly reactive to your cells. These free radicals connect to our cells and damage them and can eventually cause cancer to form. Free radicals can come from outside sources like smoking or toxins but also are products of your body’s metabolism.

Obviously your body is a perfect machine and has built in free radical defenses, but antioxidants are like super chargers for your defense.  Antioxidants are compounds found in food that help the body fight off free radicals and keep our cells protected.

 

Antioxidants roam around your body and look for free radicals to attach themselves to. Once these antioxidants cling to free radicals, the free radicals are no longer able to attach t our cells, thus eliminating the problem.

 

Antioxidants are found in all sorts of foods, and often come in the form of vitamins. All antioxidants are different, so it’s important to understand what each one does.

 

Foods that are high in antioxidants:

Tomatoes are high in Lycopene, an antioxidant that is associated with lowering the chance of prostate cancer.

 

Carrots are high in beta-carotene, which is known to fight breast cancer.

 

Coffee has one of the highest concentrations of antioxidants in general and is known to fight liver free radicals and liver cancer.

 

Oranges are full of vitamin C and are great at fighting influenza and herpes. Keep these handy if you are sexually active and kind of a flirt.

 

Grapefruits are full of lycopene, which has anti-tumor capabilities and fights oxygen born free radicals.

 

Blueberries are a super food and high in anthocyanin, which fight heart disease.

 

Strawberries also contain high levels of anthocyanin, and they are great for your skin.

 

Beans are high in flavonoids, which help stomach issues.

 

Nuts are also high in flavonoids, which lower oxygenized cholesterol in the body’s arteries. Nuts are excellent for anyone with heart issues.

 

Apples contain pectin, which is a very strong antioxidant. Pectin helps lower blood cholesterol and fights heart disease from the inside out.

 

Red Wine is heavy with resveratrol, which is an antioxidant that fights heart disease. That’s why it’s healthy to drink a glass or two of red wine daily, or nightly.

 

Green Tea is loaded with polyphenols, which are supercharged antioxidants. Green tea is one of the best things you can put in your body. Basically if you are sick, drink tons of green tea and your body will do the rest.

 

Kale is a super food that is extremely rich in nutrients. Kale has antioxidants that fight aging, which is super important. Kale is the fountain of youth that we have all been searching for.

 

Spinach and other leafy greens are super rich in antioxidants, so feast on these when you aren’t feeling well.

 

Antioxidants are a great tool for your body to use to achieve symbiotic health.

 

 

 

Photos courtesy of slideshare, fuel running, spark people, everyday health, fitness edge, 

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Lifestyle

How To Have The Summer Of Your Life: Safe Drinking Tips

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As summer approaches, social gatherings, beach parties, and barbecues become the norm, marking the season of relaxation and fun. However, amidst the excitement, it’s crucial to remain vigilant about our drinking habits to ensure our summer memories are joyful and free from regret. To help you navigate the sunny days ahead responsibly, here are 10 tips for safe summer drinking fun, presented in collaboration with the Barone Defense Firm, your ally in promoting responsible and safe drinking practices.

1. Stay Hydrated

Alcohol has a diuretic effect, meaning it leads to increased urination and can quickly dehydrate you, especially in the hot summer sun. Alternating alcoholic beverages with water or sports drinks can help keep dehydration at bay.

2. Don’t Drink and Drive

Perhaps the most critical advice is never to drink and drive. Designate a sober driver, use public transportation, or take advantage of ride-sharing apps. The Barone Defense Firm stresses the importance of planning your ride home before you start drinking to avoid making impaired decisions later.

3. Understand Your Limits

Everyone has a different tolerance to alcohol. Knowing your limits and sticking to them can help prevent overindulgence. Pay attention to how your body feels and recognize when it’s time to stop.

4. Eat Well

Eating a good meal before you start drinking can slow the absorption of alcohol into your bloodstream. Opt for foods rich in proteins and carbohydrates to help mitigate the effects of alcohol.

5. Pace Yourself

Try to limit yourself to one drink per hour. This pacing gives your body time to metabolize alcohol and can help prevent you from becoming too intoxicated too quickly.

6. Choose Your Drinks Wisely

Not all drinks are created equal. Be aware of the alcohol content in the beverages you choose and remember that mixed drinks can contain more alcohol than you might realize.

7. Avoid Mixing Alcohol and Water Activities

Swimming and boating while under the influence can be just as dangerous as drinking and driving. Save any alcoholic beverages for after you’re done enjoying water activities.

8. Use the Buddy System

Having a friend to keep tabs on each other can be a lifesaver. They can help you make safe decisions and ensure you get home safely.

9. Respect Non-Drinkers

Not everyone wants to drink, and that’s okay. Respect others’ choices and don’t pressure anyone into drinking. Offer non-alcoholic options at your gatherings.

10. Know When to Say No

There’s no harm in turning down an invitation or choosing to leave early if you feel uncomfortable with the drinking situation. Trust your instincts.

Know When To Call Barone Defense Firm

Following these tips can help ensure that your summer is filled with fun, safe, and memorable moments. Remember, responsible drinking is not just about protecting yourself; it’s about keeping everyone around you safe too. If you ever find yourself in a situation where you need legal advice regarding alcohol-related issues, the Barone Defense Firm is there to support and guide you through the process, promoting safety and responsibility above all.

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Best Practices for Retailers in Verifying Organic Product Authenticity

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In an age where consumers are becoming increasingly conscious of the origins and quality of their food, it is imperative for retailers to ensure the authenticity of their organic products. Trust is a crucial component in the relationship between consumers and retailers, especially when it comes to organic offerings. Retailers who fail to verify the authenticity of their organic products not only undermine consumer confidence but also risk damaging their brand’s reputation and face potential legal consequences. Here are some best practices for retailers to confirm organic product authenticity.

Keep Rigorous Records

Traceability is key in the organic supply chain. Retailers should maintain meticulous records of all organic purchases, including certificates and supplier documentation. These records demonstrate compliance with organic standards and can be reviewed during inspections or if an audit is requested. It is advised to keep these records for a minimum of five years.

Verify Supplier Certifications

It’s not enough to take a supplier’s word that its products are organic. Retailers should routinely request and verify current organic certifications from suppliers, ensuring they are issued by a recognized certifying body and are in accordance with the USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) or international equivalents like the EU’s Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007.

Regular Inspections and Audits

Conducting regular inspections and audits helps to ensure ongoing compliance with organic standards. Retailers can either carry these out internally or hire third-party auditors. Inspections serve as due diligence and help retailers spot any irregularities or discrepancies in the sourcing and handling of organic products.

Train Staff Appropriately

Employees should be well-versed in organic standards and the importance of maintaining the integrity of organic products. Training should cover how to handle organic products correctly to avoid cross-contamination and the steps to take should they suspect a product’s organic status is compromised.

Foster Direct Relationships with Farmers

Whenever possible, retailers should develop direct relationships with farmers and producers. This direct line of communication allows for a deeper understanding of the farming practices used and can often provide assurance of the product’s organic status.

Utilize Technology

Advancements in technology such as blockchain or traceability software can offer sophisticated solutions to tracking the movement of organic goods from farm to shelf. These technologies create a transparent and tamper-proof record of the supply chain, benefiting both consumers and retailers.

Educate Consumers

Retailers have a responsibility to educate their customers about what defines an organic product. Providing clear information at the point of sale, whether it’s signage or trained staff to answer questions, can go a long way in building trust and loyalty.

Ensure Authenticity

By implementing these best practices, retailers can stand by the authenticity of the organic products they sell and gain the trust of their customers. Retailers are the final link in the organic chain before it reaches the consumer, and it is their responsibility to ensure that authenticity is preserved up to the point of sale.

Ensuring organic product authenticity is not only beneficial for consumer health and safety but also upholds the integrity of the organic market and the environment these practices are designed to protect. Failing to verify and maintain the authenticity of organic products can quickly tarnish a retailer’s reputation and the trust of its customers. In a marketplace where trust and transparency have become currency, it pays for retailers to invest in the authenticity of their organic offerings.

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Beauty

Combining Botox and DiamondGlow in Portland: The Ultimate Anti-Aging Strategy

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Modern woman receives botulinum toxin injections in a cosmetology clinic

A skillful combination of multiple anti-aging treatments can build on positive results and bring you the youthful expression you’ve been searching for. One such combination that works beautifully is that of Botox and DiamondGlow.

The two treatments work differently but complement one another. Learn how each treatment works independently and how you can combine their stunning benefits.

Using Botox to Rejuvenate Your Expression

Botox is an injectable treatment based on the natural botulinum toxin. This medication works on the facial nerves, reducing signals that tell the nerves to move facial muscles.

Today’s Botox application is far more subtle than you may remember from the past. Your face will not lose its natural expression, but the muscles controlling your lines and wrinkles will relax.

Botox is a safe medication that doctors have prescribed for decades. It has not only cosmetic applications but also medical applications. When a qualified practitioner administers the treatment, it has a high success rate and satisfies clients.

Taking Advantage of DiamondGlow’s Strengths

DiamondGlow is an exciting update on the traditional facial. It combines exfoliation, gentle pore-cleaning suction, and custom serum application in one quick step. The treatment removes dead skin cells without the excess dryness caused by some peels and scrubs.

The system gets its name from the diamond tips on the facial wand. The tips come in six different particle sizes, allowing a range of exfoliation from gentle to intense.

DiamondGlow refreshes skin, providing a rejuvenated appearance.

A Powerful Combination

Administered together, DiamondGlow and Botox have an impressive list of benefits:

  • Exfoliation
  • Pore clearing suction
  • Tailored serum application
  • Reduces fine lines and wrinkles, especially glabellar lines (vertical lines between the eyebrows) and forehead wrinkles

Can I Get Botox and DiamondGlow Together?

Sometimes, clients can receive Botox and DiamondGlow during the same appointment. Providers recommend receiving the DiamondGlow treatment first and then the Botox injection. Other patients prefer to split the treatment between two clinic visits.

Other Treatments That Complement Botox and DiamondGlow

  • Dermal Fillers: These valuable medications restore lost skin plumpness and define your jawline. They work well on gaunt cheeks and nasolabial folds, among other cosmetic issues. They use hyaluronic acid, a natural ingredient in healthy skin, to fill wrinkles and lines.
  • Medical Skin Peels: Peels can restore sensitive and normal skin. They can affect sun-damaged areas that exhibit melasma and hyperpigmentation.

Enjoying Your Refreshed Appearance

DiamondGlow and Botox can provide a gorgeous effect that calms wrinkles and rejuvenates skin. These two treatments can eliminate years of aging from your appearance. Discover Botox and DiamondGlow’s advantages by calling a well-respected medical spa like Esthetic Medspa Portland.

Deciding to pursue cosmetic treatments can be difficult. Be reassured that these products are safe, effective, and produce a beautiful effect.

esthetic medspa Portland provides multiple medical aesthetics treatments in southern Maine, including facials, injectable fillers, laser treatments, DiamondGlow, peels, microneedling, dermaplaning, and microdermabrasion. We offer concierge-style service in a luxury environment. Call our Portland, ME office today at 207-618-5792 or contact us with questions or to make an appointment.

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