Screening Out Vitamin D

The claim: Sunscreen prevents vitamin D production.

The facts: Dermatologists routinely talk of the need to wear sunscreen. However the body needs sunlight to produce vitamin D, a crucial nutrient.

              So is it possible that wearing sunscreen might interfere with the synthesis of vitamin D?

              Yes. Studies have found that by blocking ultraviolet rays, sunscreen limits the vitamin D we produce.

              A few studies have concluded that the effect is significant – a reduction as great as tenfold. However, more recent, randomised studies that followed people for months - and in some cases years – suggest that the effect is negligible. While sunscreen does hamper vitamin D production, these studies said, it is not enough to cause a deficiency.

              That is because most people typically do not apply enough sunscreen to get its full effects, which in turn allows some sunlight through, said Dr Henry Lim, chairman of dermatology at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit and a spokesman for the American Academy of Dermatology.

              Also, according to the National Institutes of Health, it does not take much sunlight to produce adequate amounts of vitamin D: Perhaps as little as 30 minutes of daytime exposure (without sunscreen) twice a week.

              Dr Lim added that rather than cutting back on sunscreen , people concerned about vitamin D should consume more foods rich in vitamin D, like salmon, milk and fortified orange juice.

The bottom Line: Sunscreen can reduce vitamin D Production but probably not enough to have a significant effect. 

- The New York Times 

Secret Knowledge

There have always been legends and traditions about secret knowledge. At the root of most religions is some form of secret knowledge, a gnosis or inner realization that can be attained and may even be promised.

In secret societies and lodges there is another kind of secret knowledge – words, signs, symbols, and lore – all of which may appear in written form, but have additional meaning that is communicated private. Teachings within these secret societies are better described as private rather than secret.

The naïve searcher for secret knowledge might expect to find some magical fact or formula, something specific and objective that can be grasped and memorized. But the prime characteristic of a gnosis is that it cannot be communicated; it is said to be ineffable. It is a realization that cannot be physically transferred from one person to another. Yet it is attainable, and verifiable, by individual discovery.

Moreover, there are methods and programs leading to this discovery. But such teachings are usually venerated and preserved in private, esoteric societies. Tradition usually includes the idea that this knowledge, and any teachings that lead to its discovery, should be guarded and withheld from unworthy persons. Worthy seekers are inducted and led step by step on the path. Initiatory degrees and rituals in such orders dramatize the steps and foster the discovery.

Yet the big secret is that there is no secret, that this knowledge is really not secret at all! It is there for eyes that can see or ears that can hear. In spite of its supposed secrecy, much of it has been spoken and published very plainly – but still goes undetected.

Consider in this light the many cryptic statements in Christian and other sacred scripture. These statements, too are for the initiated. Without the key, without the personal preliminary development, they remain undeciphered. With the key they are stating, bold statements reflecting a radically different realization. So it is secret only in this strange way, protected by its own arcane nature, and by our lack of development.

It is easy (as in these comments) to continue saying much about such secret knowledge, but this is like talking about water – it does not quench the thirst. It is better to be told, “Here is a path to the spring, where you must learn to drink for yourself.”

- Author Unknown 

The Old Fridge

Some guy bought a new fridge for his house. To get rid of his old fridge, he put it in his front yard and hung a sign on it saying: 'Free to good home. You want it, you take it.' 

For three days the fridge sat there without even one person looking twice at it. He eventually decided that people were too un-trusting of this deal. It looked too good to be true, so he changed the sign to read: 'Fridge for sale $50.' 

The next day someone stole it.

A Beautiful Story

A boy and a girl were playing together. The boy had a collection of marbles. The girl had some sweets with her. The boy told the girl that he will give her all his marbles in exchange for her sweets. The girl agreed. 

The boy kept the biggest and the most beautiful marble aside and gave the rest to the girl. The girl gave him all her sweets as she had promised. 

That night, the girl slept peacefully. But the boy couldn't sleep as he kept wondering if the girl had hidden some sweets from him the way he had hidden his best marble.

Moral of the story:

Be honest in your dealings. Keep your part of the bargain, and you will be at peace. You will be able to sleep peacefully. But if you don’t keep your part of the bargain, you will keep wondering if the other person is cheating you too!

This applies to all situations in life. 

Forgive And Forget

Sometimes, when we sit back and retrospect, we will realize that there are many occasions when a little forgiveness on our part will have made a lot of difference.

Forgiveness for others as well as for ourselves; We must exonerate ourselves for the unique decisions we’ve made, for the foolish things we’ve said, for the times we’ve let ourselves down, and for the times we’ve let our friends down.

Having past the stage where the fury and anger had long subsided and where our sanity is not being tempered by the irrational and unreasonable haste and actions, we must stop torturing ourselves for our lack of wisdom when we needed it; for our cautiousness when we should have been bold and for our boldness when we should have been cautious.

We must forgive the times when we’ve lost our temper over trifles, failed to stand up for our rights when we should have, stepped on other people’s toes with our insensitive remarks, given in to the inconsiderate egotism that is so much a part of human nature. We must erase our shame over the petty failures or prejudices in our life. We must recognize that there is great sweetness in forgiveness, for it is the balm for the scars of life. Without it there is no quiet room in our mind to escape to for peace; there is only a room jangling with tension.

We must also realize that no one can live creatively if he cannot forgive his own blunders and imperfections. We must understand that as human beings, we are not without faults nor are we perfect; we must see our successes and cherish them as we must see our faults too and forgive them.

It is only by this pragmatic and sober attitude in forgiving ourselves that we can forgive others. No matter who we are, we have been hurt at one time or another. But we must stop holding grudges. It is evident that too many people waste their time obsessed with hatred for those who have hurt them.

We must learn to forgive a parent, a friend or a loved one, for the errors in the past. We must forgive the hurt they have caused us. Forgiveness is part of a process that begins with a hurt and ends, as its final and long-range goal, with the event of reconciliation. It works only when we become aware of the depths and causes of the anger burning in us so that we can forgive whole-heartedly and ensure an enduring peace.

There is usually a pause between the hurt and the time when trust and love can take root again. The ability to forgive can’t be rushed. We owe it to each other to offer time to confront our hurts, to face our wounds head-on, to vent our emotions. Only then can real healing begin.

In the end, all forgivers do the same thing; they restore self-worth to the offender; they cancel a debt; they experience such peace that they lose the urge to retaliate, and live as freer persons, unshackled by the weight of the hurt.

Ultimately, we must forget all these trivialities by living in the present – in TODAY

“To err is human. To forgive divine.”

- Author Unknown 

Sunset Pics

I never get enough of these sunset photos.

Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you. - Charlotte Whitton

Apples May Have Anti-ageing Effect

Studies show phloretin can help fight ageing of the skin due to sun exposure and help reduce risk of skin cancer.

The adage “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” may no longer apply to apples having the ability to keep just the flu bug away.

              The discovery of phloretin, an antioxidant derived from apples, means that the fruit may also help reduce the risk of skin cancer.

              “Phloretin is a powerful antioxidant found to be effective in protecting human skin from the effects of the sun when applied topically,” said Dr Sheldon Pinnell, founder of SkinCeuticals. He was the leader of the scientific team that made the discovery after five years of research.

              The United States-based skincare brand is the first to combine phloretin with other well-known antioxidants like vitamin C into a single anti-ageing serum call Phloretin CF.

              Early clinical studies showed that phloretin – found both in the flesh and skin of apples, as well as in the root bark of apple, pear and grapefruit trees – effectively fights the effects of photo-ageing.

              Photo-ageing refers to the ageing of skin by ultraviolet (UV) radiation as a result of repeated exposure to the sun over many years.

              A 2006 study published in the Biological And Pharmaceutical Bulletin found that phloretin reduces DNA damage caused by UV radiation by 80 per cent.

              In addition, the compound also inhibits the enzyme elastase, which causes wrinkles and sagging skin.

              Excessive exposure to UV rays causes skins cells to weaken.

              The worst outcome of this damage is skin cancer, where skin cells start to multiply abnormally.

              Resisting this process are chemical compounds called antioxidants.

              Antioxidants guard against photo-ageing by transforming unstable molecules, called free radicals, into unreactive compounds.

              The tricky part, when using antioxidants in skincare products, is combining them with other chemicals such that their efficacy will not be lowered. Vitamin C, for instance, is unstable and disintegrates after some time.

              The development of the patent-pending technology in the formula Phloretin CF, now sold as a skincare product containing a cocktail of three antioxidants – vitamin C, Ferulic acid and phloretin – is the cumulation of over 20 years of work, said Dr. Pinnell.

              However, this breakthrough does not mean that antioxidants can replace sunscreen entirely, he said.

              “At this point, I wouldn’t say that you can eliminate sunscreen,” he said. “Maybe in the future, as antioxidant technology gets better.”

              However, Dr Pinnell recommends the use of antioxidants in addition to the application of sunscreen in a daily skincare regimen.

              “Sunscreen contains a lot of synthetic chemicals,” he said. “It works only on the outside, absorbing UV rays.

              “Antioxidants, on the other hand, work inside the skin and provide long-term protection.”

              Having said that, it is important not to overdo things, added Dr Pinnell. This is because UV rays help our skin produce vitamin D that is vital for calcium absorption.

              “You can be relatively vitamin D-deficient if you use sunscreen and antioxidants very religiously,” he said.

- Poon Chian Hui 

Converting Thought Into Action

The conversion of intelligent thought into action is not an accidental or chance process. Such achievement comes only as the result of vigorous and sustained effort. Any thought, however rich in content and potential in design, must be supported by an active and purposeful endeavour in order to surpass the state of wishful thinking and find expression as a noble realization.

Within themselves, our most inspiring thoughts and noblest ideals are not a sufficient cause of great human achievement. They provide the necessary pattern or blueprint for further active response. Many great and noble thoughts have been allowed to lie dormant and ineffective simply because they were not related to one’s will and supported by an ernest effort.

The surest way to concert a thought into action is to act while the thought is still fresh and vigorous. The longer we confine a thought or impression within limits of theory alone, and fail to give it volitional expression, the easier it becomes for us to live with that thought and, at the same time, hold it in utter disregard. That lofty thought or idea which came to us with such vibrant life and creative potency, when neglected, tends to withdraw from us and will find a more suitable channel for its release. Whoever ignores the opportunity to make thinking creative loses a measure of respect for both the thought he had and for himself.

Great thoughts are much like fruit. When ripe, they must be harvested. This principle of timely action has been recognized and emphasized by leading thinkers of all ages. While they have expressed this concept in different ways, the essence of what they said on the subject was the same. “Whatsoever thou resolves to do, do it quickly. Defer not till the evening what the morning may accomplish.”

The conversion of a thought into action involves personal commitment to all the implications of the process. The thought must be clearly visualized and appreciated. That thought must be supported by a dominant desire to see it materialized. Then, the dominant desire must be backed by a strong and determined will toward action. The whole enterprise will succeed in the exact measure in which the agent involved works in harmony with cosmic forces.

- Author Unknown 

Father Of Her Kids

              A guy goes to a supermarket and notices a beautiful blonde wave at him and say’s hello.

              He’s rather taken aback, because he can’t place where he knows her from, so he says, “Do you know me?”

              To which she replies, “I think you’re the father of one of my kids.”

              Now he thinks back to the only time he has ever been unfaithful to his wife and says, “Oh My, are you the stripper from my bachelor party that I laid on the pool table with all my buddies watching, while your partner whipped my ass with wet celery?”

              She said, “Noooo, I’m your son’s Math Teacher.”

A Parable

              One day, all the employees of a company arrived at the office and saw a big Notice on the door, on which it was written: “Yesterday the person who has been hindering your growth in this company passed away.”

              “We invite you to join the funeral in the room that has been prepared in the gym.”

              Although all feel sad for the death of one of their colleagues, they were curious to know who was the man who hindered the growth of his colleagues and the company itself.

              Everyone thought: “Who is this guy who was hindering my progress? Well, at least he is dead.”

              When the employees reached the coffin, they looked in and saw a mirror in the coffin. Reflected in the mirror was their face. And next to the mirror was a sign that said. “There is only one person who is capable to set limits to your growth. It’s You!”

              You are the only person who can revolutionize your life. You are the only person who can influence your happiness, your realization and your success. Your are the only one person who can help yourself.

              Your life does not change, when your boss changes, or when your friends change, or when your parents change, or when your partner changes, or when your company changes.

              Your life changes when You change, when You go beyond your limiting beliefs, when You realize that you are the only one responsible for your life.

              Examine yourself, watch yourself, handle yourself well in front of others.

              Don’t be afraid of difficulties, impossibilities and losses. Be a winner, build yourself and your reality.

              The most important relationship you can have is the one you have with yourself.

              It is not what happens to us, it’s the way we chose to handle life that makes the differences.