Archive for March, 2009

New research published in the journal Biology of Reproduction reveals that consuming soy milk and other soy products could reduce hair loss and male pattern baldness. How? When the body breaks down isoflavones from soy products, one of the resulting compounds is equol, which blocks a form of testosterone called DHT that has been linked with hair loss and baldness. The hair loss prescription drug, Propecia, works in much the same way by blocking the conversion of testosterone into DHT.

Naturally, soy milk is far less expensive than prescription drugs, and there are a great number of health benefits derived from consuming products made from soy. But does this latest research mean that men suffering from hair loss should switch to soy milk?

Here’s my take: soy milk may be able to stop hair loss, but that’s only part of the picture. Hair loss also results from premature aging, which is caused by consuming metabolic disruptors in foods and drinks. These are chemical ingredients like white flour, high fructose corn syrup, sodium nitrite, hydrogenated oils, aspartame and MSG that slowly poison the human body. One of the best ways to avoid hair loss is to start choosing healthy whole foods instead of eating the standard junk foods consumed by most people.

Another point here is that soy milk is good for you regardless of whether it helps with hair loss. I consume it on a daily basis and wouldn’t think of touching cow’s milk. Cow’s milk, it turns out, causes chronic sinus infections, asthma, constipation and a whole host of other health problems that all fall under the category of “stagnation.” Giving up cow’s milk and switching to soy milk is a good nutritional strategy for both men and women regardless of their risk of hair loss.

The bottom line? Soy milk may in fact help with hair loss, and that’s one reason to start drinking it, but there are many, many more. And, frankly, it may not stop your hair loss outright, either. But it sure doesn’ hurt to try it and see. Give yourself several months to determine the result.

You would be overwhelmed if you went through the menus offered at most modern day spas. Among the various treatments offered at day spas, facials, manicures, pedicures, scrubs and wraps are the common ones. But have you experienced lymphatic drainage massage, hot stone therapy, shiatsu massage and ayurvedic therapy?

Lymphatic drainage massage is being offered at most day spas and is done by using gentle pressure and pumping action at lymph nodes to stimulate the body’s lymphatic system. It is said to boost immune system and detoxify the body.

The hot stone therapy is very popular and is being offered by more and more day spas. It is done by placing heated stones on the spine along certain meridians or chakra points. This therapy is believed to penetrate deeper than the usual rubbing massage, and stimulates the flow of energy throughout the body.

Shiatsu is a Japanese massage therapy that is becoming popular in day spas. This massage requires you to be fully clothed as the practitioner uses various body parts such as fingers, palms, knuckles, elbows, knees and feet to activate certain meridian points and release blocked energy that is said to cause illnesses.

Ayurvedic therapy is the Indian beauty and healing system that is gaining popularity in day spas. It uses herbal oils and pastes to eliminate toxins, strengthen the immune system and delay ageing. The Shirodara warm oil face treatment is desired worldwide.

Photo facial treatment is done at most medical day spas by using a hand held device that emits intensed pulsed light (IPL). This treatment is non ablative and works below the epidermis to stimulate collagen production, leaving the epidermis virtually unaffected. It is used for reducing wrinkles and also for hair removal.