How does the Spleen work for losing weight?

spleen

The Role of the Spleen in Traditional Chinese Medicine

The Spleen dominates digestion and helps with bowel movements
Spleen is responsible for the transportation of the food and the water we digest. If the Spleen is weak or dysfunction occurs, it will affect certain areas of the digestive system including the Stomach, Small Intestines and Large Intestines.This can cause the following symptoms: bloating especially after eating or drinking, constipation, sluggish bowel movements, diarrhoea, irritable bowel syndrome, fatty or sticky stools.

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The Spleen dominates water metabolism and assists with weight loss
Spleen helps to transport fluids throughout our bodies and assists with excreting excessive fluids.

If Spleen is weaker or in disorder, our body will retain more fluids and the following symptoms can occur: Oedema, especially on the arms, legs and abdominal area and puffy face. Gaining weight easily or difficulty in losing weight. cellulite, sagging, Feeling of heaviness in the body.

The Spleen dominates certain circulation issues and assists with quality and circulation of the blood
It is common to see many people with circulation issues resulting from Spleen Qi and Spleen Yang Deficiency. This affects the quality of the blood, and lack of circulation. The following symptoms may occur: Iron deficiency, low blood pressure, scanty periods, pale face,  lips issues, cold hands and feet, lack of energy, pale nail beds, craving sweets.

Spleen

What diet or lifestyle choices assist with Spleen function? What should you avoid to protect your Spleen?

Food and drinks: the Spleen doesn’t like “cold”
Cold temperature food or drinks affect Spleen function. Avoid consuming large amounts of cold fluids or fruit, and salads, especially in the Winter months – this overloads the Spleen which causes bloating and sluggish bowel movements. We encourage clients to drink warm foods and drinks especially in the winter months or cold days. Examples of warming drinks include ginger tea or pu er tea (Chinese tea).

Environmental factors: the Spleen doesn’t like cold and dampness
Coldness and dampness affect the Spleen function (affects Spleen Yang and  Qi), certain symptoms we have discussed can be helped by choosing suitable environments for living – ie sunshine, warm and dry conditions. Ensure you make time each day to exercise in the sunshine, avoiding exercise in the rain or damp conditions and in water  (swimming may not be suitable).

The Spleen doesn’t like over-thinking
When we mentally over-think this will damage the Spleen Qi. Spleen Qi will slow down and this affects our bodies by feeling tiredness, bloating, heaviness. I recommend regular breaks from sitting at a desk and concentrating to encourage physical movement (ie 10-15 minutes every 1-2 hours). Acupuncture is a great source to restore spleen Qi.

Acupuncture therapy - alternative medicine

To induce weight loss, Chinese medicine aims for a balanced Spleen and Stomach. By strengthening the Spleen and Stomach, the body is able to break down and extract nutrients while sending the waste products to the intestines for proper elimination. The speed of metabolism is increased, allowing the body to process and utilize nutrients with greater efficiency while providing energy and vitality. Water transformation is made more efficient; helping the body rid excessive water and harmful toxic accumulations, whilst the regulation of bowel movements creates a balance of consumption against elimination.

Eating a balanced diet in accordance with the principles of Chinese medicine will rebalance the Spleen and Stomach naturally. There are three general groups of foods within Chinese medicine; carbohydrates, proteins and fruits and vegetables. Each group has a specific nutritional value and energetic activity. Generally, carbohydrates are sweet and warm, strengthen the Spleen and build Qi (energy). Proteins nourish Qi, Blood, Yin (Water) and Jing (Essence) and tend to be warmer than carbohydrates. Fruits and vegetables tend to be cooling, clearing and mobilizing in nature, thus providing a balance to the other groups. By varying the proportions, a holistic balance can be achieved, leading to greater water and fat metabolism.

beet-salad

Salads and Juices

In the developed world, a balanced diet has been associated with the European Naturopathic movement’s beliefs in a diet high in raw foods, such as salads and juices. According to Chinese Medicine, too much raw food weakens the Spleen, eventually leading to weight gain. Eating foods that are already at body temperature or higher protects the Spleen and Stomach Qi. Digestive enzymes (Spleen and Stomach Qi) only work at physiological temperatures. The act of cooking actually contributes to the breakdown of foodstuff, thus aiding digestion. This does not mean that all raw food is bad. In hot weather, some raw foods are good at cooling the body down.

The ideal source of raw

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Arugula

 

Watercress

 Watercress

 

spinach

 Spinach

 

Quality of Ingredients

All produce should be of the best quality available. Food should appeal to the senses, being vibrant in color and aroma, bursting with vitality and Qi. It is important to buy fresh produce frequently, from locally grown areas in the correct season.

Timing of Eating

The Spleen and Stomach have their own internal cycle and prepare to receive food at specific times of the day. If food is not consumed at these intervals, internal disruption results, causing weight gain. Generally, carbohydrate rich meals should be consumed early in the day between 7am and 11am. Smaller meals are recommended towards the end of the day as the body slows down, preparing for sleep. It is not advised to eat anything after 9pm.

Eating in a Relaxed State

Energy intensive activities, such as working breakfasts, working through lunch and eating on the run, have a significant negative impact on the function and efficiency of the Spleen, resulting in weight gain.

Overeating – Under Eating

In the developed world we tend to eat too much or too little. Both these imbalances damage the Spleen. It is important to stop eating when you feel you could eat a little bit more, whilst skipping meals or restricting calorie intake can damage the Spleen, leading to weight gain once this practice is stopped.

Acupunctured hand (horizontal)

Acupuncture

More recently, acupuncture has been used to aid weight loss by strengthening the Spleen and Stomach, regulating the endocrine function, reducing appetite, increasing defecation and increasing overall energy and vitality. Following acupuncture, the concentrations of blood sodium and aldosterone decrease whilst the concentration of blood potassium increases, thus improving water and salt metabolism. Further studies have also shown that acupuncture reduces the sense of hunger and slows down absorption in the small intestine whilst inhibiting the hyperactive digestion of the stomach.

 

 An ideal source for full body and mind restoration.

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To purchase the DVD email us at

isabelsbeautyblog@gmail.com

 

 

 






Isabel’s Beauty Blog 9 Steps To Well Balanced Make-up

Iman dark eyes light lips

Steps to well balanced make-up

Start with clean, bare skin

1.Use a moisturizer with SPF on the face, neck, chest and hands.

2. I like to use an eye moisturizer to hydrate the eye area, again less is more to prevent creasing of the eye color.

3. Apply a primer, if it is your preference, keep in mind the more layers the less natural the finish gets.

4. If you are going for a dramatic eye look, apply your eye make-up before you do your face, it helps with unnecessary cleanups. I still apply foundation to the lid.

5. Use concealer where needed, an example under the eyes, around the nostrils, and on any blemishes, discolorations or high pigmentation spots. Personally I use a few different shades as I need it.

6. Apply foundation where and as desired, blending it well toward the hairline and jawbone, neck and towards the ears.

7. I like to either apply a veil of foundation over it or a light very fine noncolor powder to give the illusion of the blush being the natural cheek color.

8. Apply a light sheer noncolor powder to set the foundation and remove the shine, use blotting papers or even a tissue. If you prefer powder blush, apply it now.

9. I like to do lips last so do what you prefer for your design. Use a touch of make-up remover on a cotton swab to correct mistakes. ( preferably not an oil, I use a bit of a light moisturizer )

 

Black girl headeder?

Creating balance

One of the most valued principles of make-up artistry is that most make-up looks are based on a few eye/lip combinations.  This will help you create balance. Trial and error will tell you which combination is the most suited for your individual features.

Light eyes light lips

*Light eyes/light lips: The nude “no make-up” look, is great for every day and is all about creating and displaying radiant healthy skin with eyes and lips softly defined in a gentle neutral palette.

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*Light eyes/dark lips: that is the staple of the vintage look and works well if you consider your mouth to be your best feature of attention.  Keeping the eyes neutral and bringing all the focus to the mouth with perhaps a luscious red, pink or brown lipstick, you should always consider the overall look like skin tone, what you are wearing and the occasion.

TIP:

Make sure you are confident of the look not just because it is “IN”, not all looks are for every body

 

Dark eyes light lips

*Dark eyes/light lips: A long time classic, sexy, and sophisticated nighttime look,( and sometimes for some people is their staple look),with striking defined eyes in smoky colors paired with understated lips or nude lips.

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*Dark eyes/dark lips:  This is a full-fledged look and spells serious high-maintenance glamour – perfect for a special occasion. I don’t recommend it for everybody especially if the person doesn’t have the confidence behind it that can pull it off. I am not referring to confidence as a human being, the statement refers to people like me that likes a more subtle look that suits my personality.

Smokey Greys – Prom / Special Occasion Makeup

 

Kate Moss – Cover Makeup Look – with Guest Artist Charlotte Tilbury

Smokey Asian Eye (Hooded Eye) by Robert Jones

 

Natural Makeup Look with Neutral Colors with Robert Jones

Dramatic Lips Makeup Tutorial Video with Robert Jones




The 9 Effects Of Stress On Your Skin By Isabel’s Beauty Blog

Is-Stress-Ageing-Your-Skin-Hair
It has been said that stress can manifest itself on one’s appearance in many ways, but primarily by making the skin more sensitive and more reactive.

For example, stress maybe linked to psoriasis or rosacea, result in acne lesions that are more inflamed and more persistent, brittle nails and ridging of the nails, hair loss, hives, and excessive perspiration.

Stress also is a known trigger or can be a worsening factor for fever blisters, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis and has even been shown to impair skin barrier function and dehydrate the skin — allowing more irritants, allergens, and infectious agents to penetrate the skin and cause problems.

Beyond the direct physiological effects of stress, people under stress also tend to neglect or abuse their skin. For example, they often lack the energy and motivation to adhere to their skin care regimens, and there also might be signs of stress-related habits — such as scratching, pulling or rubbing — that can exacerbate issues.

On a microscopic level, stress reduction can decrease the release of pro-inflammatory stress hormones and chemicals. For example, release of neuropeptides (or stress chemicals released from the nerve endings) can be reduced with stress management techniques. This often results in skin that looks and functions better.

Stress does a lot more than make us feel awful — it can wreak havoc on your skin. We’re getting some expert insight into just what it does to your complexion and how to reverse the effects.

stress andskin

Acne breakouts

Acne breakouts are stressful enough — especially when they happen the day before a date or other big event, but it turns out stress itself could be causing those pesky blemishes. “Overproduction of the stress hormone cortisol sets the stage for acne flare-ups by promoting oily skin and interfering with your body’s ability to regulate inflammation.” So what’s a girl to do? To calm your complexion, she suggests using an organic skin cream that contains natural anti-inflammatories such as green tea and chamomile, as well as the natural mineral sun block zinc oxide, which reduces oiliness.

Dehydration

Dry skin? All those long (stressful) days at the office could be to blame. “Stress interferes with the ability of the skin to retain moisture.”  If you’ve been dealing with more stress than you’d like — and it shows, switch to a rich cream that contains plant-derived moisturizers such as aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, shea butter and avocado oil.  “These will help hydrate and lubricate the skin, improving not only the appearance of the skin, but also its ability to function as a natural shield against bacteria, irritants and toxins.”

Vulnerable skin www MF fig 2

Reduced collagen production

Stress can also be the enemy of youthful-looking skin, so if you want to turn back the clock, you’ll need to find a way to minimize stress. “Increased levels of another stress hormone, epinephrine, constricts blood vessels, reducing the flow of oxygen and nutrients that skin needs to manufacture collagen.” If you want to combat the effect of stress on your skin, move your face, she advises. “One of the best ways to restore healthy circulation is a program of facial exercises that incorporates aerobic techniques.”

manage-stress

Neglect and abuse of skin

If you’re overloaded with frustrating demands and a never-ending to-do list, you may find yourself going to bed with your makeup on, not bothering to moisturize and even indulging in bad habits like picking at your skin. To get your skin back on track, treat yourself to a professional facial. “Make sure the salon you choose provides a soothing atmosphere and plenty of TLC. With a little pampering to reduce your stress level and a revitalized complexion, you’ll feel motivated to resume a disciplined skin care routine.”

 

Stress Skin picture

Dull and troubled skin

What is happening with your digestion can have a big impact on what is going on with your skin. When stressed, the body’s digestive system can go a bit haywire because the blood is directed away from the digestive system and everything becomes. Unbalanced digestion has been found to lead to problem skin such as dryness, oiliness, blemishes and dullness, or sometimes a combination of all of these issues. Problems such as eczema and dermatitis can occur, too.

Solution:

Boost your circulation with at least three sessions of cardiovascular exercise a week. This will also help you cope better with the stress itself. Include plenty of alkalising foods in your diet, such as apple cider vinegar, which makes a great salad dressing, green leafy vegetables and non-animal protein sources. Remember to chew your food well as this helps to alkalise it further before you ingest it. You can also consider taking probiotics, which can help balance the environment in your gut.

Lines and wrinkles

No one likes to talk about wrinkles, let alone face them in the mirror. Ensure your skin stays smoother, longer by minimizing stress. “Cortisol also causes blood sugar levels to spike. The excess sugar molecules in your bloodstream can bond to the proteins in your skin’s collagen fibers causing them to harden and crack and resulting in loose skin and deep wrinkles.”  To maintain proper blood sugar levels and keep skin looking youthful, Isabel recommends avoiding refined carbohydrates (e.g. white bread, junk food) and eating more vegetables, whole grains and beans.

There are two ways stress contributes here. Firstly, as previously mentioned, stress can cause dry and problem skin, and dryness and dehydration are the leading causes of fine lines and wrinkles. Secondly, the facial expressions that typically come with stress can cause deep, dynamic lines that last far beyond the stressful period. We’re talking frown lines, crow’s feet from squinting at your computer screen and deep lines that run from the nose to the mouth and the chin.

Solution:

Practice mindfulness and meditation. Be aware of the moment you are in. If you feel yourself frowning, or your mouth is turned down, step away from the source of your stress, be it your computer screen, the phone or simply the in-tray on your desk. If possible, take 10 minutes to give yourself a facial massage. Press your fingertips into the middle of your eyebrows and work them all the way around your orbital bones to help relax the muscles that cause the expressions. Relax your mouth by saying your vowels in an overly accentuated manner up to 10 times. This will also help relax your jaw and prevent you from clenching and grinding your teeth. Even if you don’t feel like smiling, force yourself to do it. Research suggests the very act of smiling, even if it’s fake, can improve mood and induce relaxation.

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Lack of sleep

Stress causes sleepless nights. This will directly impact on the appearance of your skin. Just one night of tossing and turning will draw the freshness from your face, and if it becomes an ongoing problem, it can affect your skin’s regeneration functions, resulting in dullness, fatigue, under-eye circles and bags and bloodshot eyes. It will also make you feel less like exercising, which can cause weight gain.

Solution:

Put good sleep practices in place. Save vigorous exercise for earlier in the day, rather than just before bed. Before bed, take 15 to 20 minutes to do some gentle stretches and deep breathing to ease the tension of the day. Make sure you have clean sheets made from natural fabrics, allow fresh air to circulate through your bedroom and remove all devices such as smartphones or tablets. Don’t have a TV in your room – it will stimulate your brain and make sleeping soundly even harder. Avoid caffeine after 2pm. You can also consider playing meditation CDs to relax you.

Bad habits

Stress can trigger the onset of unhealthy habits such as excessive alcohol consumption, smoking and comfort eating. Again, this can make you less determined to exercise and can create an unhealthy cycle, where you rely on these things to help you relieve stress. This can lead to bad skin and weight gain, as well as other health problems.

Solution:

Before you reach for a bottle of wine, cigarette or chocolate, take a walk and get some fresh air. Swap alcohol for a juice made of green, leafy veggies. Practice meditation and keep positive and uplifting affirmations on your office wall or the fridge to deter you from bad habits.

Heavy jaw

Grinding teeth and clenching of the jaw are common symptoms of stress. Unfortunately, these habits can cause the jaw muscles to work overtime. This can result not only in damaged teeth, but also a heavier than usual jawline, as the muscles become larger with the grinding action.

Solution:

Speak to your dentist about wearing a special mouth guard if you grind your teeth in your sleep. A reputable cosmetic or plastic surgeon can also inject a muscle-relaxing product into the muscles to prevent you grinding your teeth. You can also try alternative practices such as kinesiology to help ease the tension. Acupunture is what I use and it works miracles. Chiropractor work is another choice I usually resource to for relaxing, Yoga and Gi Gong one of my favorites.

Graphics of Stress Skin

Detoxifying Your Life: Stress-Detox Secrets By Dr Perricone

Stress is probably the greatest age-accelerating precipitator there is. As a dermatologist, I can also unequivocally state that stress is also the precipitator of a great many skin problems; in fact, these problems often have their very roots in the psyche.

This can include everything from acne to eczema, rosacea to psoriasis and worse. Unfortunately normal day-to-day interactions with our partners and children can be stressful – no matter how much we love them. Of all of the physical conditions we experience, stress is also the most deadly.

Many circumstances create stress in our daily lives. Arguing with family, friends or colleagues, not getting enough sleep, worrying, working too hard, or even playing too hard can all create stress. Weekend warriors, who try to make up for a week of inactivity by spending hours engaged in strenuous physical sports, raise their stress levels to an unhealthy degree. Any activity that is practiced without moderation can lead to a stress response.

To help reduce the negative effects of stress, I recommend following the anti-inflammatory diet and taking targeted anti-inflammatory nutritional supplements. I also suggest implementing these simple strategies:
Make sure that you get enough sleep
Try to minimize situations that create stress in your life
Don’t drink coffee. Coffee contains many organic acids which can elevate our cortisol levels. It’s important to avoid spiking these levels, as it can be toxic when large amounts of cortisol are circulating in our system for prolonged periods of time. It is not specifically because of the caffeine because you can drink a cup of decaffeinated coffee at 8 AM and your cortisol levels will still be measurable at 10 PM –the same effects as a cup of regular coffee.
Set aside fifteen or twenty minutes a day for meditation or prayer. It is a well- established fact that people who do this have significantly lower cortisol levels. Long term benefits include keeping our skin clear, maintaining a healthy immune system and preventing age-related diseases, such as diabetes, cancer or cardiovascular disease.
Consider learning some simple Yoga exercises. Yoga is an outstanding stress reducing discipline and can lower cortisol levels.
Substitute green tea for coffee.
Get out in nature—fresh air, trees, blue skies, all contribute to our physical and mental well-being.

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