Lifestyle Choices

GLA

The amount of GLA required to have this effect is quite high. I recommend 200-300mg GLA per day, reducing to 150mg after three months if inflammation reduces and symptoms stay stable. Only 9-10 per cent of the oil in evening primrose oil is GLA so that means you need to take 3000mg of evening primrose oil, or six 500mg capsules per day. Borage oil contains a higher proportion of GLA and you can get single capsules which provide 250mg of GLA. One of these a day is an essential part of an anti-inflammatory strategy. Supplementing GLA has been shown to be more effective when the co-factor vitamins and minerals (vitamin B6, zinc, B3 and vitamin C) are also supplied. (more…)

Acne can very often be effectively treated by special cleansers and topically applied formulations. There are four main non-prescription acne medications which alone or in combination with prescription medications are the mainstay for acne treatment. All of these are also available in stronger prescription form.

Salicylic acid .is one of the most effective topical medications. This is a beta-hydroxy acid that is a peeling agent, because it is “keratolytic” and loosens dead surface cells that stick within pores, thereby curing clogged pores at the very onset. Sulfur and resorcinol are not only keratolytic, but also anti-bacterial. They are often mixed as flesh-tinted lotions to cover blemishes (Longevite Concealer). (more…)

Does the performance of alpha-hydroxy acids match the promise? Yes, when formulated correctly, AHAs do indeed exfoliate the outer layers of skin to treat clogged pores and blackheads, to smooth fine wrinkles, and to remove dry surface skin. You, the consumer, however, are confronted with advertising for a myriad of products containing AHAs, all promising youthful, wrinkle-free skin. Not all preparations are effective. When choosing, there are three key factors to consider: (more…)

Dermabrasion is an extreme form of exfoliation. For this procedure, the doctor actually uses a rotating wire brush like a sanding instrument to remove the entire outer surface of the skin. The epidermis and the upper portion of the dermis (about one-quarter to one-third of the thickness of your skin) is usually abraded. (more…)

Known as MAOIs, these drugs are also anti-depressants, but are used less frequently than tricyclics because they are generally less effective, have potentially worse side-effects and are more dangerous.

A comparison of 13 studies showed MAOIs to be more effective than placebo in eight. They are reckoned to come somewhere between placebo and tricyclic anti-depressants in terms of effectiveness, though they may be more effective in particular kinds of depression. (more…)

These drugs can be useful in dark grey, black or white depression. Sixty-one out of 93 different studies have shown them to be more effective than placebo (tablets with no effective drug) in double blind trials (the patients and the doctors not knowing who was taking anti-depressants and who placebos). This is a significant finding, since placebo drugs are themselves fairly effective in reducing almost any kind of symptom. The drug is called “tricyclic” because the chemical structure contains three “circles”. More recently drugs of the same group but with four “circles” have been synthesized, called “tetracyclics”. (more…)

Many factors unique to women may play a role in the development of depression:

1. Adolescence: Studies show that the higher incidence of depression in females begins in adolescence, but do not overanalyse your teen daughter as there are many ‘normal’ behavioural changes that may resemble depression.
2. Stress: Stress can contribute to depression in many women. These stresses include major responsibilities at home and work, single parenthood, and caring for children and ageing parents.
3. Hormonal and reproductive stages: Researchers have confirmed that hormones do have an effect on your brain chemistry.

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