Archive for December, 2009

Anti-aging info and advice

With more and more people living for longer periods, anti-aging is becoming big business. This article looks into what causes premature aging and gives advice on how to keep looking younger for longer.

The latest research shows that around seventy-five percent of skin aging is caused by an over exposure to the sun. This is a huge figure and one that has to be taken seriously for anyone who is looking at ways in delaying the aging process.

In my opinion this is actually common sense as when anything becomes burnt it tends to shrivel up and become all wrinkly. This is what can happen to peoples skin, it may not happen straight away but after maybe thirty years of this over exposure to the sun, wrinkles are likely to appear.

For people who enjoy spending time sunbathing as it makes them feel good and they like looking tanned, I would advise a strong sun cream. This should be used regularly as per the instructions and if you start to feel your body burning up this is the time when you should be looking for some shade or to cover up.

It is also important to ensure we get enough sleep. Research suggests that people who only average around six hours sleep per night will age in looks far quicker than people who average eight hours.

Again this is very logical as if you have a period of a couple of weeks when you do not get enough sleep, bags can appear under your eyes. If you have a really good nights sleep you tend to wake up not only feeling fresh and awake but also looking fresh and healthy. My advice here for people who have developed these bags under their eyes would be to use a good eye cream or to gently massage their eyes every day.

Smoking can certainly speed up the aging process. To quit smoking is not easy however but it is a must for people on a quest to delay the aging process. There are of course many other reasons to stop smoking, therefore be brave and look at ways to quit smoking today.

I have often heard people refer to somebody with a comment such as, he looks as if he has had a hard life. This is often referred to somebody who looks far older than they actually are. They look like they have not been looked after or that they have not had enough love in their lives.

What I think has happened is that they have had a stressful life. What we therefore need to do is to attempt to live as much of a stress-free life as possible. This of course is not that easy. What we need to do is to think in a more positive and pro-active way. We need to start to like ourselves and be happy with who we are and what we have. Thinking in this way will certainly in my opinion help you in your quest of anti-aging.

Anti-Aging Goji Juice

The Fountain of Youth had just been discovered. Imagine, you being healthy and alive, growing old in years, but amazingly looking young and fit.

The Tibetan Goji berry and its juice contain 4 very unique Polysaccharides which are known to be Anti-aging. Besides being loaded with vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants it is these 4 unique Polysaccharides found in NO OTHER PLANT ON EARTH that give Goji its anti-aging ability.

The longest living people on earth consumed Goji in soups, drinks and berries everyday of their lives and they live well over 100 years old and not in a debilitating way but active and vital lives. They also dined on fresh vegetables, fruits and consumed a minimal amount of animal fats. These people had no processed refined chemical foods or fast foods in their diets, living in some of the harshest and remote areas on earth.

The Goji Berry (Lycium Barbarum):

The goji berry has been used in traditional Tibetan medicine for centuries! The plants grow like bushes with vines that reach over 15 feet. The berries are never touched by hand as they will oxidize and turn black if touched while fresh. They are shaken onto mats, then dried in the shade.

Goji berry juice can be used in smoothies or juice cocktails. The Goji fruit contains polysaccharides, which have been demonstrated to strongly fortify the immune system. This same polysaccharide has been found to be a secretagogue, that is, a substance that stimulates the secretion in the pituitary gland of human growth hormone (HGH), a powerful innate anti-aging hormone. It is the richest source of carotenoids, including beta carotene (more beta carotene than carrots), of all known foods or plants on earth! Goji is a powerful antioxidant and is traditionally believed to fortify the body against disease and to provide the energy to overcome difficult obstacles in healing. Beta-carotene can be transformed into vitamin A under the influence of human liver enzymes. Being rich in trace minerals, Goji Juice contains significant amounts of zinc, calcium, germanium, selenium and phosphorus, plus small quantities of many others.

The Goji berry is among the most revered of sexual tonic herbs in Asian Herbalist Forums and has been recognized to increase sexual fluids and enhance fertility. In Mongolia it is commonly used by first trimester mothers to prevent morning sickness. It is a gentle and soothing fruit that is loaded with available vitality.

In several study groups with elderly people Goji was given once a day for 3 weeks, with many beneficial results being experienced. 67% of the patients T cell transformation functions tripled and the activity of the patients white cell interleukin-2 doubled. In addition, the results revealed that all the patients spirit and optimism increased significantly, appetite improved in 95% of the patients, 95% of the patients slept better and 35% of the patients partially recovered their sexual function. The Goji berry has absolutely no toxicity.
However like most fruits, it should not be used if you are suffering from Spleen deficiency with dampness and diarrhea. Goji is now being used in clinical settings for a number of common maladies including the treatment of consumptive disease accompanied by thirst such as early-onset diabetes and tuberculosis, dizziness, blurred vision, and chronic cough. In the treatment of diabetes. 8-10 grams of fruit was steamed and eaten each time, three times daily (steaming softens the fruits). The daily dosage range of 8-30 grams is typical of medical applications being done at this time in several countries. The berry has also been used in a number of recent clinical trials for treatment of bone marrow deficiency conditions (low production of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets).

The Mongolian Institute of Traditional Medicine reported that Goji has been used in the treatment of atrophic gastritis, weakened digestion due to reduced stomach activity. Patients consumed 10 grams of the whole fruits each time, three times daily before meals for two months and longer with excellent results. Goji Juice contains 8 kinds of amino acids (six times higher than bee pollen), of which 8 are indispensable amino acids for the human body (such as isoleucine and tryptophan). 50% of the each Goji berrys amino acids are free amino acids. Goji Juice contain 21 trace minerals, (of which the main ones are zinc, iron and copper) and 500 times the amount of vitamin C by weight than oranges. Goji Juice is loaded with vitamin B1, B2, B6 and vitamin E. Mature fruits contain about 11 mg. of iron per 100 grams, as well as glucose, fructose, vitamin C, beta-sitosterol (an anti-inflammatory agent), linoleic acid (a fatty acid), sesquiterpenoids (cyperone, solavetivone), tetraterpenoids (zeaxanthin, physalin), and betaine (0.1%).

Known to rejuvenate and restore youthful vitality and strengthen health
The famed Li Qing Yuen, who apparently lived to the age of 252 years (1678-1930), consumed Goji berries daily, a most well-documented case of extreme longevity known.

Solutions to Looking and Feeling Younger

From the legendary Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon to the fictional Captain Jack Sparrow in 2007’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End,” the allure of a Fountain of Youth continues to mesmerize. It appears that de Leon never found Florida’s purported anti-aging formula, and we don’t yet know whether or not Sparrow will find the elixir. What we do know is that, today, the science of aging has progressed in leaps and bounds. Indeed, we know a great deal about how each of our physiological systems functions, and the factors that cause each of them to derail and accelerate the aging process.

Free Radicals

Take free radical damage, for example. Free radical damage happens when the body’s cells lose electrons. Just as an old car eventually rusts out, a person’s body ages as it sustains free radical damage. Some people theorize that aging itself is a result of free radical damage, while others theorize that conditions associated with aging arise as a result of free radical damage and together contribute to the aging process.

Reversing the Effects

The question then becomes, how can we reverse the effects of free radicals? Chemically speaking, it’s a matter of ingesting what are called antioxidants. An antioxidant formula can stop free radicals in their tracks, both by preventing the loss of cells’ electrons and by adding or “donating” electrons back into cells. It’s like giving your car an undercoating to prevent rust.

Other Signs of Aging

But what about the other signs of aging? Well, some of them are visible – like the loss of elasticity in the skin, wrinkles, and graying hair – and some of them are invisible – like memory loss, vision deterioration, and hormone imbalances. The right combination of vitamins, enzymes, amino acids, herbs, and minerals can help counteract the aging process. Such anti-aging products not only can stop aging, but also can actually reverse the process.

Anti-Aging Supplement

Although there are a variety of types of antioxidants products in the marketplace, if you’re interested in reversing the aging process, you should consider an anti-aging natural supplement. As opposed to creams, supplements work from the inside out to repair cells and to regenerate healthy new cells. A good anti-aging formula will afford you with a variety of benefits, including improving sleep, increasing energy, initiating fatty acid metabolism, improving memory and mental alertness, increasing circulation, improving skin texture, boosting the immune system, promoting hormonal balance, supporting good vision, and improving joint health. Beyond that, it should facilitate the repair of RNA and DNA.

When shopping for supplements that have an antioxidant formula, you should be sure to select a company that stands behind their product with a money-back guarantee, that is in compliance with FDA regulations, and that doesn’t promise overnight results. After all, the aging process takes time, and so does the reversal process. Finally, make sure that you choose an all-natural anti-aging formula that includes antioxidants.

Anti-Aging Facts & Myths

Every single one of us begins aging the moment we are born –

If youre alive, youre aging – you cant avoid it. But there are a number of things that you can do to keep yourself healthy and active, and to eliminate or at least slow down many of the factors that contribute to aging.

Ever since Ponce de Leon went searching for the Fountain of Youth, people have been looking for ways to slow down the aging process. Medical science has made great advances in keeping people alive longer by preventing and curing diseases, and helping people to live healthier, happier lives. Average life expectancy keeps increasing and most of us can look forward to a much longer life than our ancestors.

Our bodies were actually designed with the ability to fix themselves, as long as you take care of yourself properly. Your body is made up of about 100 trillion (100,000,000,000,000) living cells, which keep themselves strong and healthy with the proper food. Each and every one of those trillions of cells dies off and is replaced with a new cell at regular intervals. Your entire body is literally completely replaced every few years you really arent the same person you used to be!

What happens with your cells is the key to anti-aging –

When a cell dies, one of three possible things must happen:

A) If the cell has not been receiving proper nutrition, its replacement will be a weaker version of the cell. In this scenario, your body is degenerating.
B) The replacement cell may have the same strength as its predecessor. In this case, your body essentially remains in the same place.
C) The third possibility is that the new cell is stronger than the previous one. Now youre actually regenerating the body, and reversing the aging process. This can only happen if you give your cells plenty of the right kind of food energy to work with.

Sometime, usually in our late twenties or early thirties, many of us start noticing those first signs that we arent kids anymore a few gray hairs appearing, facial wrinkles, skin starts sagging. As more time goes by, other signs gradually appear its a little harder getting up in the morning, our vision and hearing arent what they used to be, our sex life isnt as lively as we remember. As we look around, we see the same things happening to our friends and family. Most of us generally accept what we see as an inevitable process of nature.

Youre only as old as you feel –

And if you feel and think that youre getting older well, then you are! Your mindset does influence what goes on in your body. Meanwhile, you see your body getting older, so you feel older, which reinforces the aging processes in your body. It becomes a vicious circle.

You can turn things around –

As you notice your body looking and feeling younger, your mindset will improve, which motivates you to continue your anti-aging practices, which sets up a positive feedback loop, instead of a negative one. And so the process accelerates.

People are living longer than ever nowadays, due to advanced medical breakthroughs, increased awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle, and other related factors.

The human body can take an awful lot of abuse and neglect –

We dont always think about our bad habits, since it may take years or decades for the effects to become apparent. But neglect yourself long enough and you may one day find yourself suffering through the late period of your life with a wide range of ailments and complaints – from difficulty seeing and hearing to cancer, heart disease, brittle bones, and many other problems.

Yet it only takes knowledge and a little bit of work to prevent most, if not all, of these common old-age problems from manifesting. Theres no magic pill or instant cure, and it will take some effort on your part. But the results will be well worth it. How much would it be worth to you to enjoy your final years as a healthy, active adult, able to continue doing many of the things you most love?

Fight Wrinkles From Within

Choosing antioxidants to supplement your regular skin routine is an approach that has been validated scientifically. A study by French scientists found that woman taking vitamin C, vitamin E, and betacarotene had 23% fewer new wrinkles, and a reduction in existing wrinkles of 8%. Antioxidants stop the breakdown of collagen and elastin by free radicals.

Foods with the highest levels of antioxidants, as measured by the ORAC (oxygen radical absorbence capacity), listed from the highest: prunes, raisins, blueberries, kale, cranberries, spinach, raspberries, brussel sprouts, plums and broccoli.

Vitamin A is another important nutrient for the skin. A deficiency in vitamin A will reduce the effectiveness of skin treatments. Vitamin A is needed for the normal growth and renewal of skin cells. Our skin cells are constantly replacing each other, and new ones are pushed up to the surface as the old ones slough off. Not only is vitamin A an antioxidant, but it also nourishes the fat layer underneath the skin. Vitamin A keeps skin supple, and may prevent skin damage.

Symptoms of vitamin A deficiency include dry and rough skin, localized breakouts, fragile skin, wrinkle prone skin, poor skin texture, and splitting nails.

One thing to remember with taking vitamin A supplements is not to exceed the recommended daily dose, as it can build up in your body if taken in excess. Taking 10000 IU per day is fine.

Vitamin C is another important beauty supplement. Not only does it help in skin repair by building collagen, but lower levels of vitamin C in the skin are associated with aging and UV damage. Taking 500mg to 2000mg per day, in divided doses, is recommended.

An excellent antioxidant supplement to take is alpha lipoic acid (ALA), especially if you’re taking the other antioxidant vitamins C and E, and coenzyme Q10. Alpha lipoic acid is not only an antioxidant in its own right, but it has the capacity to recycle these other antioxidants. Alpha lipoic acid is also an anti inflammatory agent, and improves insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is associated with obesity and heart disease. ALA increases the rate at which glucose is removed from the bloodstream, and helps the body detoxify metals that have accumulated. Alpha lipoic acid also prevents the cross linking of fibers, which leads to aging and the development of wrinkles.

Alpha lipoic acid is produced by the body, but only in small amounts. It is used by the cells in their production of cellular energy, and we only benefit from its antioxidant effects if the amount of ALA in our bodies is greater than that which our cells need for normal functioning. And, unfortunately, the levels of ALA in our body decline as we age.

One advantage of alpha lipoic acid is that it is both fat and water soluble. This means it can work in all parts of our body, making it very versatile. Most antioxidants are either fat or water soluble, but not both. For example, vitamin A is fat soluble, and vitamin C is water soluble.

Taking about 50 to 100mg of alpha lipoic acid supplements a day has been suggested, though this supplement has not been tested on pregnant or breast feeding women.

Anti Aging Skin Products

For those consumers looking to invest in anti aging skin products, it is important to bear in mind that no two anti aging skin products are alike. With this fact in mind, it then becomes possible to become a prudent shopper when it comes time to purchase anti aging skin products: when looking for anti aging skin products consumers need to look for specific qualities within the anti aging skin products they are considering for purchase. What kind of ingredients does the anti aging skin products contain? How does the anti aging skin products work? Is the anti aging skin products you want to purchase really worth the money you plan on spending?

You will only want to purchase anti aging skin products that are backed by experts, researchers and other professionals. Dont invest your money in anti aging skin products that throw a pile of promises at you and then never fulfill a one of them. Instead, levitate toward the anti aging skin products that have their claims supported by experts and professionals. Moreover, go for the anti aging skin products that are actually backed by thorough research and testing. View the tests conducted on the anti aging skin products you are considering and see the affects for yourself.

Another way to find the right anti aging skin products is to talk to others that have used the products you are considering. Ask them how easy the anti aging skin products are to use and whether or not they felt that such products were expensive. If you and a close friend are chatting about anti aging skin products, why not ask if they like the feel of the anti aging skin products they have purchased, the scent and whether or not they were happy with their purchase. Chances are, if they purchased a quality product with hydrating qualities and collagen infusion properties, they were more than happy with the product.

Alternatively, you can read reviews about anti aging skin products and thereby see what other people have to say about the product. Read about how other people rate the use of special anti aging skin products and if they felt their money was well spent. Just remember that no matter what anybody says, the only real way you can know for certain if the anti aging skin products you are thinking about really work is to examine the tests conducted on the products and try the product out yourself.

There are truly amazing anti aging skin products that you can use to help you look and feel young again. Researchers have worked diligently to create anti aging skin products that address a number of aging issues, issues beyond the appearance of wrinkles. Whether you want anti aging skin products to improve the appearance of your skin, or you want anti aging skin products to improve the appearance of your lips, there are anti aging skin products that can help you with beauty needs. Further, if you want anti aging skin products that can help you banish under-eye circles or you want to reduce unsightly cellulite, there are anti aging skin products that can address your beauty dilemmas.

Making Your Own Skin And Hair Treatments

The quest for beautiful skin and hair is prevalent among women. You can make inexpensive, natural beauty and hair treatments from ingredients you have in your home that will perform just as well or better than products you purchase in the store.

If you only have one natural beauty remedy in your pantry, make it Olive Oil. It’s extremely versatile and can be used on every part of your body.

Olive oil is excellent for removing mascara. It’s much better than petroleum jelly or baby oil and is beneficial to the skin around your eyes.

Use a few drops of olive oil in warm water for a wonderful at-home manicure. Apply your favorite lotion afterwards to lock in the moisture.

Beeswax and olive oil melted and poured into a small tin makes wonderful lip balm that will keep your lips soft and smooth.

Dry feet can be healed after one night of this treatment. Before bed, rub olive oil into your dry, cracked feet. Do not rinse. Then, put a cozy pair of socks on and go to sleep. Your feet will drink in the moisture and feel much better by morning.

Add a few drops of olive oil to your bath water for the best skin softener you can imagine. And, if you’re feeling extra decadent, then add a few drops of essential oil for a natural aromatherapy bath.

A very small amount of olive oil applied to dry hair will condition and get rid of frizz. This is a great leave-in conditioner.

Olive oil can also work as a shaving cream for men with sensitive skin.

Don’t buy those expensive Sea Salt Scrubs. Make your own. Just add sea salt to olive oil and you’ve got a sea salt scrub that will feel like heaven. Add a drop of essential oils if you’d like your scrub scented.

Please use caution when using olive oil in your bathtub as it will get quite slippery and you don’t want to fall.

It is not necessary to pay a lot of money for beauty treatment products. The things you have in your very own kitchen can often be the best beauty products available.

Massaging The Upper Body

In practice since ancient times, massage is a relaxing experience of hand strokes on the body to rejuvenate the mind and body and eliminate stress. Using hands and fingers, the therapist alleviates any kind of muscular pains and discomforts and relaxes the muscles.

Stress related areas in the upper body are shoulder and neck area. Do not massage the front of the neck area around the throat as it is the most delicate of all.

When the person is lying down, massaging the upper body is easier. If someone has headaches, neck or shoulder pains, start by massaging the upper torso. Rub your fingers in circular motion over the temples, cheek bones and forehead lightly. The massage receiver feels relaxed.

Continue the massage along the cheek bone and jaw line, rubbing softly but firmly. Use gentle pressure around the eye socket area with finger tips. Massage the scalp areas, especially along the base of the head and temple using your finger tips for great effects.

To massage the shoulder and chest muscles, stand in front of the massager receivers head with your fingertips facing their toes. Rub the chest with your hands in flat position, moving your palms up and down and side ways leading to the shoulders.

Cup your hands underneath the shoulders. Use your fingertips to relax the muscles of the arms. This alleviates socket pain and helps to relax more. Move your hands up and down the arms; continue massaging the muscles so that your arms will relax further. Repeat the same with the other arm.

Rub the back in the same manner that you massaged the chest. Standing at the head of massage receiver, press your palms into the back muscles, rubbing it in a circular motion with your finger tips. It will relax the muscles and provide relief from stress and pain.

Living Naturally – Natural Health and Skincare

Today’s lifestyle leaves us open to a daily chemical assault, from the air we breathe to the water we drink, and the skincare and haircare products we use on a daily basis. It is not known what the long-term effects of these chemicals will be, but one thing’s for sure, it can’t be good.

Some people are unaware of the huge amounts of additives in their food, water and personal care products. Some are too busy to care, and others have the attitude ‘ Yes I know, it’s awful, but what can you do?’

The informed, wise people out there though, are taking a different view. Any species that fails to live in harmony with it’s natural environment will eventually make itself extinct. Fact. It’s nature. If human beings carry on the way they are going, they will indeed end up extinct..

For instance, 100 years ago, cancer affected approximately 1 in every 50 people. Now it strikes 1 in 3. It won’t be long before it is striking half the population. It doesn’t take a genius to realise that our lifestyle is the biggest factor influencing this increase.

Diet especially, is of paramount importance when it comes to maintaining good health, but so many people ignore this fact and fill their bodies ( and their kids ) with low-nutrient , chemical and additive filled junk.

When people eat meat, they are consuming the same chemicals and hormones that the animal ate. Obesity is on the sharp increase, and it’s not surprising considering that the majority of obese people are meat-eaters. They eat the meat, the meat is full of growth hormones and chemicals, the growth hormones are absorbed into the human body, so the person gets fatter. Want my advise – if your are overweight and seriously want to lose weight – go on a low fat vegetarian diet.

If your body had a choice, it would ask for lots of fresh organic fruit and vegetables, preferably raw. Your body would choose clean , fresh water ( I mean pure bottled spring water, not the stuff that comes out of your tap at home). Think about how much fresh water you consume in a day, and by that I mean water thats not mixed with squash, tea , coffee or anything else. I bet it’s not much. Do your body a favour, next time you reach for the fizzy drink, reach for the mineral water instead.

Tap water is just another way that we are being poisoned on a daily basis. It contains chemicals, hormones and in a lot of areas it also contains flouride. Yes, sodium flouride , that old favourite. The stuff they put in toothpaste is the same stuff they use to make rat-poison ! Surprised. What people get confused about is calcium flouride, which is the stuff naturally found in water which helps keep our teeth and bones strong. People think this is what goes into toothpaste and the water supply, wrong.

Sodium flouride is a by-product of aluminium smelting and other industries. It’s nothing more than toxic waste. For years it was very expensive to dispose of, until someone decided to make up some rubbish about it being good for our teeth, so they could get away with disposing of it in our water supply. This of course was done without public agreement. Nice, thanks for that, I’ll stick to the bottled stuff.

Sodium flouride builds up in the body over time, and it can cause cancer. It makes bones softer so they fracture more easily, and it doesn’t protect your teeth, in fact it has the opposite effect. Sodium flouride is a main ingredient in anesthetic, hypnotic, and psychiatric drugs as well as military nerve gas.

Sodium flouride promotes mental disturbances. The Nazi’s added it to the water supply at the concentration camps during the war, to help sterilize the prisoners and force them to be calm and submissive.

Sodium Flouride has a poisonous and narcotic effect on a certain area of the brain, which makes the person submissive and less able to resist those who wish to control him. It’s a way of controlling of the masses. Hmmm, makes you wonder what the government have in mind for us today……

When we look at the skincare and haircare products we use daily, most contain sodium laurel ( or laureth ) sulfate. This is a foaming agent which is so harsh that it was first used as engine degreaser! Fancy that, washing your skin and hair in something harsh enough to strip oil off a garage floor. No wonder we’re all spending a fortune on moisturisers! Hmmm, am I just paranoid or do you think there could be some method in their madness……

So they put this SLS in your shampoo,shower gel, bath foam, toothpaste etc, and then add moisturising ingredients to the same products to counteract the drying effects of the SLS. Why not just buy products without SLS? That’s what the smart people are doing. That’s what I do.

Since I stopped using commercial shampoos and skincare products, and switched to all natural, herbal skin care products, and natural hair care products, my skin and hair are gorgeous. My hair that was once frizzy and dry is now curly and shiny.

Since I began using organic, aromatherapy based skin care, my skin that was once so shiny from all the grease and additives from my previous moisturiser, is now so soft , much younger looking, and I don’t need powder or foundation because my skin is great!

I use non-flouride toothpaste, and I take vitamin and mineral supplements every day. I always eat fresh, organic fruit and vegetables, and I always drink bottled, pure water. I am vegetarian so I eat a very natural , low fat diet, that’s full of nutrients. I have never felt so healthy.

If you value your body, your health and your life, as well as your children and other loved ones, you owe it to yourself to change your lifestyle right now and start living more naturally.

A Cure For Skin Problems And Other Disorders

Light therapy or phototherapy is an alternative treatment based on light exposure for various disorders. This procedure, which is also called light box therapy, involves the use of light brighter than regular indoor lighting, but significantly less bright than sunlight.

1. What Can Light Therapy Cure?

- Psoriasis
- Hyperbilirubinemia
- Atopic dermatitis
- Other skin disorders
- Sleep disturbance
- Premenstrual syndrome
- Mental disorders
- Schizoaffective
- Bipolar disorders

2. Treatment

Under the treatment, patients are exposed directly to full-spectrum bright light. The patient either sits down, if a light box is used as the source, or has some degree of mobility if a light visor is used. The duration of the exposure depends on the seriousness of the condition, reduction or elimination of the symptoms and light strength. Depression is one condition that is eliminated through the therapy. The affected individual’s biological clock, or the natural course of one’s waking and sleeping hours, is gradually normalized following light therapy. The process involves gradually increasing the time exposed to a high-intensity fluorescent lamp from about 30 minutes up to about 2 hours every morning – the time when the therapy is said to be most effective. Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression caused by the absence of or limited exposure to sunlight during fall and winter. The use of light therapy has been cited by up to 90% of individuals with SAD as helpful in making them feel better, possibly because the treatment takes the place of sunlight exposure. SAD symptoms could take as long as three weeks before they are relieved through the therapy.

3. Not A Replacement For Traditional Care

Although the treatment is safe, most experts do not see light therapy as a replacement to traditional medical care. However, the approach is considered a good complement to other therapies. Patients should visit their health practitioner if treatment fails to eliminate symptoms of depression, or specially if they worsen, following an extended period of time. As with regular therapy, some side effects have also been observed with light therapy. These include headache, sweating, eyestrain, nausea, and agitation. More extreme and adverse effects include skin damage, eye cancer and skin and genital cancer. Some patients have also reported difficulty in falling asleep, although these are mostly individuals having the treatment towards the end of the day. Relief from insomnia is achieved mainly by reducing light exposure time and having the therapy earlier in the day, or by applying dawn simulation. The therapy is not advisable for individuals with sensitive skin and eyes.

4. Light Booth Studies – Does This Actually Work?

Light boxes, ultra violet booths, commercial tanning beds and related equipment also pose the question of cost. If the doctor being consulted has these equipment in the clinic, the problem would be more of a time issue, or ensuring daily or regular visits. Some companies have light therapy equipment for rent, although insurance coverage may not include these as part of the treatment. Psychiatric research from the Chapel Hill School of Medicine at the University of North Carolina has found comparable results between phototherapy, or light therapy, and antidepressant drug therapy in the treatment of SAD and other mood disorders. The 2005 study applied systematic statistical analysis to earlier clinical literature covering 20 randomized studies. These studies focused on 18- to 65-year-old adults who exhibited mood disorder and were grouped into four treatment classes: bright light for non-seasonal depression, bright light for SAD, integrated bright light-regular antidepressant use for non=seasonal sufferers and dawn simulation.

Scientists found that the elimination of methodologically flawed studies from the controlled set and meta-analysis of the remaining organized material established the efficacy of light therapy for SAD and depression. UNC psychiatry chairman Dr. Robert Golden, who is also vice dean of the UNC medical school, noted that light therapy intervention delivered results comparable to traditional depression treatments as detailed in medical literature. Although the scientists concluded that light therapy is an effective treatment for SAD and non-seasonal disorders, they emphasized that the research did not establish the treatment’s safety and/or negative side effects because of limited related data. Researchers also did not look at the effects of light therapy on the aged, children and adolescents.