Healthy World Digest, February, #23

* Coffee boosts exercise sessions, again

* Fish oil supplements for lower breast cancer, depression

* B vitamins for depression

* A scrumptious herb for wrinkles

* Remedies & supplements for rosacea

* Coffee boosts exercise sessions, again

We’ve been over this issue before. Briefly, using caffeine as a supplement, before exercise can help you intensify your your exercise session. But be careful.

This is not a go ahead to gulp 4 cups of Starbucks Grande. It should not be done by people with sensitivities to caffeine or with cardiac or blood pressure issues or by people who are out of shape and just beginning to work out.

But for most people, the newest research suggests that around a cup of coffee drank ½ hour before a workout can increase power output of muscles. For elite athletes, taking 3 - 4x as much caffeine before competition can be the difference between a gold medal or none.

When I was an avid long distance runner, I used to go for a few cups of coffee about ½ hour before my run. It certainly helped with endurance.

But, I don’t gulp cups of coffee pre-workout anymore because that is just too much coffee for my middle aged body to use well. That and I would have to go to the bathroom real bad during a run.

What I like doing is sipping a workout drink that contains a little caffeine. It helps me workout longer, keeps me alert when the loss of brain sugar usually leads to brain fog and helps stave off hunger until I complete my workout. All good, huh?

FYI, I often use a scoop of GNC’s FastTwitch, and a tablespoon of protein powder in a quart of ice water and sip throughout my workout.

* Fish oil supplements for lower breast cancer, depression

Now, recent studies show fish oil supplements decrease the risk of depression and breast cancer. The recommendation is to take about 6 grams a day in divided doses. On days I eat fatty fish (mackerel, sardines, salmon, tuna), I just skip the supplements.

* B vitamins for depression

Research suggests that increased vitamin B6 & B12 decreased risk of depression for older adults. Recommendation is to take a B50 or B100 tablet. Break in half. Have ½ in morning, ½ in evening.

For Healthy World's other pages on depression visit exercise and depression and dehydration and depression and herbs for depression

* A delicious herb for wrinkles

Red pepper, that's what. Its vitamin C boosts collagen, the breakdown of which causes wrinkles. So many ways to eat. Chopped up in stews or salads, stir fried with garlic, onions and a meat of choice. Yum.

* Remedies & supplements for rosacea

Rosacea is a common skin ailment that affects around 14 million people, roughly 5% of Americans. It usually affects people over thirty years of age.

Characterized by a red flush to cheeks, risen blood vessels on your skin, or notable red blood vessels that branch out across the face, rosacaea can be quite ugly. Luckily, it doesn't threaten health.

You can use a cold compress on affected areas to relieve pain and inflammation.

Two of the best supplements for rosacea are beta carotene & vitamin C.

Natural herbs for rosacea include apple cider vinegar (ACV) and chamomile tea taken orally. Take a couple of tsps of ACV with a tsp of raw honey a couple of times daily. Drink several cups of chamomile tea daily.

A light preparation of ACV, diluted with water and cooled chamomile tea bags, can be applied to skin to help with rosacea symptoms.

Finally, surplus water dilutes toxins and sediment easing elimination of toxins and sediment because it allows more to be eliminated by the liver. So fewer toxins and less sediment makes it to the skin.

For more, visit Healthy World’s targeted pages on rosacea.

Link between rosacea and dehydration

Supplements for rosacea

Home remedies for rosacea

About the Author: