Nutraceuticals and medical foods are used by people for the health benefits they provide. They can be used in accordance with each other to enhance good health and well being. In the United States they can be categorized as a drug, a food, an ingredient within a food, or a supplement to the diet. In addition, many of these products lay down their claims not only to enhance health, but some may profess to slow down aging and to strengthen different functions within the body.
Many people are willing to try a wide variety of possible anti aging products and procedures. Unwanted wrinkles, such as frown lines and forehead lines, are often the reason for people turning to procedures such as injectables for wrinkles and other cosmetic procedures that might slow down the aging process. Nutraceuticals and medical foods are also widely used by those hoping to keep their skin looking young.
Studies show that of all the changes in a person’s skin, whether wrinkling, liver spots, or other noticeable differences, 90% can be traced to exposure to the sun over time. As a matter of fact, people who use a sunscreen every day that has an SPF of 15 or over have 24% less aging of the skin than do those who do not use sunscreen.
Very often fine lines and wrinkles are a result of over exposure to the sun throughout time. Microdermabrasion is a procedure that is commonly used in order to help remove fine lines and wrinkles. It is a non-chemical method of using microcrystals to remove the top layer of dead skin cells, resulting in younger, healthier looking skin. A procedure called dermabrasion is a more intensive way of treating problems such as scars, sun damage and deeper lines in the skin. Procedures like these can be carried out by a dermatologist, a doctor who treats skin problems, or by qualified medical professionals. When it comes down to brass tacks, so to speak, the best way to avoid skin damage from the sun is to cover up and use a sunscreen with at least an SPF of 30 or higher.
Nutraceuticals and medical foods include foods that are as close to their natural state as they can be. People will often eat these in order to keep their health at its peak. These are also referred to as functional foods and are typically consumed without the necessity of taking additional dietary supplements. Because these foods are basically devoid of chemical additives and other preservatives, other sources of vitamins are not usually needed. The foods themselves provide the needed nutrients.
There are a wide variety of nutraceuticals and medical foods that are consumed for a wide variety of reasons. Along with maintaining good health, there are many people who rely on these as a treatment, or at least part of a treatment, for different illnesses or conditions. There are nutrigenomic-based medical foods that will target a particular area of the body in order to aid in support and healing. Chronic skin conditions often respond well to changes that a person might make in their diet, turning from junk foods to more natural, healthier foods. Conditions such as acne and Rosacea will often be aided by a change in the diet.
Acne is a very common, but extremely unwelcome, condition. Statistics show that in 2004 alone, 2.2 billion dollars was spent by consumers on acne treating products. The truth is that some work for some people, while others work for other people. With the millions of acne treatments that there are on the market, it is often a matter of trial and error before customers find the one that works for them. Studies have shown that 85% of individuals will experience some measure of this skin condition at some point in their life. It is most common in teens; however, there are often cases of acne in people who are ages 20 through 50, and anywhere in between. A dermatologist can effectively treat severe cases of acne with procedures and medications that can only be attained with a prescription. In addition, dermatologists will often suggest different types of nutraceuticals and medical foods known to aid in the healing of skin conditions.