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New Science: Why Brown Fat is Good and White Fat is Bad

Written by Margit Rüdiger on . Posted in Health & Beauty.

I recently got a strange PR text about a body cream in my mailbox. It was claimed that the new product for belly and hips can turn white fat cells into brown ones. How is this metabolic remodeling supposed to be accomplished with creams alone, I ask myself, when even serious scientists in this field are still largely fishing in the dark. The human body is naturally endowed with two different types of adipose tissue. Brown and white. In this way it is possible for him to react to a lack of food as well as to cold. The white fatty tissue is mainly located under the skin, on the abdomen and buttocks, which is why it is also referred to as subcutaneous because of its location directly under the skin of the abdomen. It’s the fat we feel when we pinch or do sit-ups. Its task is to isolate the body from the cold and to provide the organism with energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate. When there is a high energy requirement, this ATP is obtained from lipids that we ingest with food. If we eat too much fat, it will be stored. In addition, white fat acts as a separating tissue between the organs in the abdominal cavity. Medical professionals then refer to it as visceral fat. Even liposuction cannot help against this fat. Brown fat creates warmth For a long time it was assumed that the body only has brown fat in infancy, which is extremely well supplied with blood and therefore also has the darker color. Adults shiver to keep warm. Babies still have too little muscle mass for this. They get warmth from the brown fat cells on the torso. In contrast to the white fat cells, these do not work as energy stores, but rather burn them in the cell’s own “power stations” (mitochondria) in order to then give them off directly as heat. This unique feature maintains body temperature in newborns. One also speaks of tremor-free heat generation or adaptive thermogenesis. Very little of this plurivascuolar fat tissue can be found in the adult body – under the collarbone, on the neck, in the neck and along the spine. We have only known that for a few years. In 2009, US researchers discovered it when they were looking for cancer cells using computed tomography. White turns to brown If brown fat can increase the body’s energy consumption without muscle activity, wouldn’t it also offer a new starting point for the treatment of obesity and its secondary diseases such as type 2 diabetes?… weiterlesen

Tested for you: 8-Day Cure “OliPhenolia C” with oranges from Fattoria La Vialla

Written by Margit Rüdiger on . Posted in #me.

The “OliPhenolia Bitter” from Fattoria La Vialla has become a regular ritual for me. 3-4 times a year I do a 16-day cure with the liquid dietary supplement. My skin thanks me as well as my immune system. In the meantime, I have gotten used to the bitter taste of the brown liquid. Now OliPhenolia has got competition from In house and in yellow with a big “C”. OliPhenolia with Vitamin C The basis for “OliPhenolia C” is still the olive water extract, which is produced during olive pressing. The supposed waste product is particularly rich in polyphenols, including hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol and oleocanthal. These three phenols, for example, are said to be highly active and demonstrably enhance the healing effect of fibroblasts. These are the cells that play a critical role in repairing damaged skin from injury. “We found that fibroblasts migrate when exposed to the phenolic compounds. This means that they move to close the gap caused by the wound, which favors their healing action,” confirms Lucía Melguizo-Rodríguez, a scientist at the University of Granada. Oranges from Sicily The “C” owes the new Oliphenolia Sicilian oranges (70%). They are a natural source of potassium for a healthy nervous system and normal muscle function. Especially rich in vitamin C, they strengthen the immune system. But vitamin C has many other positive effects on our organism: it promotes collagen formation, which is important for the functioning of blood vessels, bones, cartilage, gums, skin and teeth, and increases the absorption of iron. In addition, it reduces symptoms of fatigue. First stir, then eat However, the yellow concentrate takes a little getting used to. In the small jar is only a little liquid with a semi-solid core from the whole oranges (Citrus sinensis), because the peel of the orange contains three times as much vitamin C as the pulp and juice and four times as much fiber. Those who like to eat “marmalade”, that is the typical English orange marmalade, will be pleased. Tastes so similar. Before you can consume the “OliPhenolia C”, you have to stir it up with a small spoon, but carefully so that none of the liquid spills out. Then you can eat it spoon by spoon. Personally, I’ve never liked orange marmalade, and when I first tried “OliPhenolia C” I immediately made a face accordingly. But the benefits of vitamin C motivated me to stick with it. And what can I say: In the meantime, I have become accustomed to the taste and the small jar is emptied quickly.… weiterlesen

Fattoria La Vialla: Living with Nature

Written by Margit Rüdiger on . Posted in Culture.

Be more than seem – This is exactly what makes the largest company in biodynamic agriculture in Europe very special. The Fattoria La Vialla in Tuscany is one of the exceptions in today’s time, in which a lot is promised and only a few kept. Appearances are all too often deceptive. But everything is authentic here. At first glance, the Fattoria La Vialla is a huge, 1400 hectare site with lots of greenery, with 33,000 olive trees and 33 hidden residential units on it. It’s almost like a small village. The Fattoria La Vialla was founded in 1978 by Piero and Giuliana Lo Franco. It was built on the ruins of derelict farms that have been lovingly restored. The company near Arezzo is now run in the second generation by the brothers Antonio, Bandino and Gianni. Self-catering holiday at the Fattoria La Villa The individual and very cozy accommodations are rented during the season from March to October to guests who want to get to know farm life and the in-house products from biodynamic production of bread, cheese, sausage, lamb, chickens, eggs, pesto, olive oil and wine and want to enjoy Cantuccini. Everyone who lives in one of the “Podere” or the picturesque “Torre” has to take care of himself. You can get the delicious groceries in the farm shop. Freshly baked bread is served every morning from 9.30 a.m. Only what is produced on the farm is sold in the „Hofladen“. If you want to cook yourself, you can book one of the tables in the idyllic courtyard and let yourself be pampered in Tuscan style. You can also order all the La Vialla groceries online. Sustainability in practice The Fattoria La Vialla follows biodynamic agriculture. That is a step further than biological. Organic is the cultivation without fertilizers, natural cattle breeding without hormones in the feed. Biodynamic, however, means that everything is fed back into the natural cycle. The plants are not changed, but supported in their natural way of life. The olive trees from biodynamic cultivation have for example 20 percent more polyphenols than those from organic farming, because they have to protect themselves against attacks from the environment. The more you deal with the concept of the Fattoria La Vialla , the more positively you will be surprised. Living in harmony with nature. Sustainability as a natural consequence of this and not a forced measure as is often practiced otherwise.… weiterlesen

Tested for you: Anti-cellulite Care from Esensa Mediterana

Written by Margit Rüdiger on . Posted in #me.

Anti-cellulite care is a controversial issue. When it comes to products that are supposed to work against cellulite, I am usually very skeptical. Because by now everyone knows that you can not easily get rid of the dimples once they are visible. Preferably they show up on the thighs, buttocks, abdomen, hips and upper arms. Now the problem is not yet so obvious in my case. The experts would call it stage 2. This means that isolated dents are visible. In places, the pinching of the tissue can also be painful. And all this despite the fact that I exercise a lot and drink enough water every day. So what I would like to see, the skin could be a little smoother and more even, the tissue firmer. Anti-cellulite care from Croatia For this reason, I tried two products from the Croatian beauty line Esensa Mediterana. It was founded in 2004 by Ivana Legovic. What many also do not know is that the SPA, wellness, cosmetics brand is represented in over 800 four and five star hotels and high quality cosmetic institutes in Croatia. It is produced in the company’s own laboratories in Istria. What makes the brand special is a combination of phyto-, aroma- and thalasso therapy. Highly active ingredients from nature Esensa Mediterana has two intensive anti-cellulite treatments in its portfolio that are designed to stimulate microcirculation, promote the elimination of toxins and alleviate water retention through a highly concentrated combination of active ingredients including caffeine, mate, guarana and algae extracts: “Lipo Activ Slimmer” is a firming and skin-refining cream-gel serum with papaya extract. In synergy with the active ingredient-rich red algae Rhodysterol, Mate extract and caffeine, fat reduction is activated and the storage of new fat deposits is inhibited. The second anti-cellulite product, the “Coffee Guarana Minceur” is an intensive smoothing, purifying and draining cream-gel. Through a novel combination of active ingredients such as green coffee, guarana and rosemary, it inhibits the formation of new fat cells, fights lymphatic congestion and water retention. More effective as a duo? I wanted to get maximum results. So I was not satisfied with trying out one product after the other, but decided on a combination of both: In the morning, I therefore applied the “Lipo Activ Slimmer” to the thighs, because the cream-gel serum is somewhat lighter in consistency, and massaged in circular motions. It smells pleasantly herbal and can be worked into the skin well and without residue.In… weiterlesen

Proteins – Only For Bodybuilders?

Written by Jan Bahmann on . Posted in Health & Beauty.

Proteins are immediately associated muscle-bound bodybuilders very often who consume protein shakes after an intense workout. Yet the importance of protein goes far beyond muscle building: rather, proteins are a valuable ally for all people who want to lose weight. “Proteins or protein are the best satiator in nutrition there is,” knows fitness trainer and nutrition expert Jan Bahmann. “Not only can it be a very great help in quelling ravenous appetites, but it also automatically gets the metabolism going. Accordingly, proteins play a central role in overall well-being and effective weight control, regardless of fitness level or personal training goals,” Bahmann adds. He explains why protein is crucial to losing weight in this article. Reason 1: Proteins increase the feeling of satiety Proteins play a crucial role in achieving and maintaining a long-lasting feeling of satiety. This property is particularly evident in comparison with fats and carbohydrates. This makes them an indispensable part of a balanced diet. After eating protein-rich foods, people generally feel fuller for longer, which can help reduce total calorie intake throughout the day. This automatically reduces the need for snacks and the likelihood of cravings. This effect is especially helpful for those who want to lose or maintain their weight. In addition, protein has the ability to dampen the release of ghrelin, the so-called “hunger hormone”. When ghrelin levels decrease, feelings of hunger are reduced, which decreases the risk of overeating and cravings. Through this dual effect – prolonging the feeling of satiety and inhibiting hunger triggers – protein assumes an important role for people who strive for a conscious and controlled diet. Reason 2: Stabilization of blood sugar In addition, a protein-rich diet helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Unlike carbohydrates, which cause blood sugar levels to rise and fall quickly, proteins provide a slower and steadier flow of energy. This helps to avoid sudden energy holes and the associated cravings. Particularly when losing weight, it is important to keep blood sugar levels in balance in order to have energy available throughout and not be thrown off track by feelings of hunger. Proteins therefore not only contribute to satiety, but also help to stabilize the energy balance and support the body in fat loss. Reason 3: Protein supports muscle maintenance During weight loss, it is critical to ensure that weight loss is predominantly fat rather than muscle mass. Adequate protein intake can help maintain muscle mass while dieting.… weiterlesen

Summer – Expert Tips For Healthy And Shiny Hair

Written by Nesrin Obermeier on . Posted in Cream.

Summer, sun, beach … stressed hair! The heat, UV light, chlorine and salt water are very hard on the hair. Especially if it is very long, bleached or colored or very sensitive. So that the hairstyle does not look as if you had straw on your head in the summer, or in the evening with dull, flat mane no party feeling arises, you should intervene in time. Summer hair. With the right care tips from the expert, the hair remains healthy, shiny and voluminous even at high temperatures and numerous dives in the sea or hotel pool. Nesrin Obermeier is a professional in the field of hair beauty and has also established herself on the market as a specialist for hair extensions. In her salon “Nesrin Private Lounge” in Munich, she uses her extensive expertise and high-quality care products to give women fantastically beautiful hair. Never without hair protection in summer Everyone knows that you have to protect your skin when you expose it to UV radiation and behaves accordingly. But hair also suffers from prolonged exposure to the sun in the summer, even if you may not notice it immediately. But UV rays damage the lipid layer that keeps hair from drying out. Likewise, the scalp can be affected in the summer and get sunburned or begin to dandruff. You can counteract this with a simple move, by always moving the parting. In addition, you should always apply sunscreen to your hair. Special sprays are available for this purpose, whose ingredients function like a kind of sun protection factor. If you don’t have such a product at hand, you can also use the sunscreen for the skin if necessary. If you’re out and about all day in high temperatures and exposed to permanent UV radiation, it’s advisable to wear a head covering – such as a light scarf knotted into a modern turban, a cheeky cap or a chic sun hat. This way, you play it safe and protect your hair from damage such as drying out or split ends. Prevent damage when hair is wet Whether you bathe in the sea on vacation or refresh yourself in the hotel swimming pool – neither salt water nor chlorine do your hair any good. The salt crystals from the seawater get caught in the hairstyle, get stuck, reflect the UV light and thus intensify the negative effect. Subsequently, the salt gradually removes moisture and fat from the hair, making it straw-like and shaggy-looking.… weiterlesen

Provence – Luxury Resort In The Lavender Fields

Written by Nina Zeller on . Posted in Culture.

Provence is a paradise in Europe. If you’re looking for a vacation destination that can be reached without a ten-hour flight, you’ll find it in the south of France. Just under 50 kilometers from Avignon, where lavender fields meet vineyards and cypress trees, is the five-star Relais & Châteaux Resort La Coquillade. The Provence is famous for its endless blue lavender fields. But it offers much more. For example, La Coquillade. It is a hideaway with German-Swiss roots and the charm of a Provençal village. Thus, it was none other than the grandson of the wellknown German writer Hermann Hesse who had the present hotel built on the former stone settlement a few years ago. Where Cistercian monks once lived, La Coquillade founder Andy Rihs built 68 spacious rooms and suites in light colors and with natural materials. My tip: Number 15 is a particularly nice place to stay, with a large terrace, private Jacuzzi and sauna. Those who like it even more intimate, rent the vacation home Bastide Les Vallats belonging to the hotel with mini spa, XXL pool and six bedrooms. It is located 20 minutes drive from La Coquillade, guests can also use all the amenities of the hotel (in low season: 3 nights for 12 people from about 8,000 euros). By the way, the name Coquillade comes from the Provençal word for the crested lark – Coquilladou. Award-winning spa and own cycling center The Provence hotel La Coquillade opened in 2008; ten years later, sons Tobias and Oliver Rihs took over and have since continued to run it in the spirit of their father Andy. Surrounded by rose-covered vines, ocher-colored rocks and old windmills, the hotel in Provence impresses above all with its award-winning 2,000-square-meter spa. It has won several awards as the best French luxury spa. In addition to a fitness room, a large sauna landscape (including a hamam), and an indoor pool, there are also three whirlpools with a view of the vineyards – wonderful! Don’t forget to book it: The 90-minute Signature Ritual treatment, which combines hot stone elements with classic massage techniques. Lavender oil is used to ensure that the skin is also well cared for. What an experience! For facials, in turn, only products from the Swiss brand Nescens Cosmetics are used. Also part of the wellness offer at the hotel are two huge outdoor pools surrounded by an avenue of cypress trees and bathed in the southern French sun.… weiterlesen

Cold Therapy: A New Trend – Freeze Fit!

Written by Margit Rüdiger on . Posted in Cream, Health & Beauty.

A new cold therapy has recently become very popular with celebrities. British pop star Harry Styles runs his bathtub full to the brim with cold water and a load of ice cubes. US-Model Bella Hadid dips her face into a bowl of ice water. Lady Gaga, Zac Efron, Gwyneth Paltrow, Liam Hemsworth, Oprah Winfrey and Twitter founder Jack Dorsey have also already embraced the ice-cold beauty and wellness treatment. The cold therapy with ice cubes is not a new fitness trend. In many countries with freezing waters, swimming in cold water has been considered a popular sport for centuries. Even Johann Wolfgang von Goethe has ndulged in a cold therapy. It is said to have chopped up the ice in the river Ilm to take a dip in the cold river. The combination of a sauna session followed by a rubdown in the snow has a similar effect to an ice bath. Cold therapy with many benefits A cold therapy at 10 to 15 degrees has many advantages. It clears the head and has a relaxing effect. But an ice bath can also relieve inflammation and pain, improve sleep quality and the ability to concentrate, and boost blood circulation and important metabolic processes. Last but not least, the cold is a booster for the immune system. If you don’t want to do the icy trick right away, you can already do a lot for your immune system by taking regular cold showers. According to studies, cold-showerers are more resistant and healthier. They are 30 percent less likely to call in sick at work or school. In terms of beauty, there is also a lot to be gained from a cold therapy: Unlike hot water, cold baths or showers do not extract moisture and oil from the skin. In this way, dryness and flaking are reduced and the skin regains its suppleness and radiance. And even more: connective tissue is strengthened, vein activity is activated. Last but not least, you are rewarded for shivering with a wonderfully rosy complexion. Ice bathing at home or in the lake Dare to try an ice bath in the bathtub at home. How long must or may it last? For starters, you should not overdo it and only stay in the tub for five minutes. The water should also not be too cold, so that the body can gradually get used to the unaccustomed temperature. Also, don’t submerge yourself completely right away, but hold your feet and hands in the tub first.… weiterlesen

Glycation: Don’t Let Yourself Get Sugared Up!

Written by Margit Rüdiger on . Posted in Cream.

Scientists call glycation the “saccharification” of tissue components. In the skin, collagen and elastin are particularly affected. Stiffened fibers mean that the skin visibly loses tone and elasticity, especially in the areas of the cheeks and chin, and ages more quickly overall. An effective means of reversing this process does not yet exist – although some cosmetics manufacturers promise it. One small consolation: prevention can prevent worse. Glycation? How does it actually occur? Chemically, the body reacts with proteins or lipids and forms so-called AGEs (Advanced Glycation Endproducts). We don’t even have to constantly snack on sweets to do this. We absorb the glycation end products mainly via glucose and fructose, but also in fried, grilled, roasted or baked food. The AGEs are mainly contained in the brown outer layer that forms when food is heated, such as roast skin or bread crust. Even with burnt milk, a reaction of protein and fat molecules with sugar molecules, i.e. glycation, takes place. This was proven by the French biochemist Louis Maillard in 1912. The same process takes place in our organism when excessive amounts of sugar enter the bloodstream. The only difference is that it happens much more slowly than in an overheated milk pot, because our body temperature is also lower. The fact that blood sugar shoots up during an overload of sweets is due to the fact that this excess cannot be excreted via the kidneys. Glycation damages the organism AGEs not only cause the skin to age faster. Hyperglycemia triggers a wide variety of diseases. It promotes cardiovascular disease by clogging the arteries. It is also involved in diabetes, osteoporosis, arthritis and chronic kidney disease. Increased AGE concentrations have even been detected in cataracts and in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. But back to the skin. There, the sugar-protein compounds coat the collagen and elastin fibers. As a result, these structural proteins stiffen and lose their ability to form healthy, new cells. As a result, fine lines and wrinkles remain visible because the skin can no longer compensate for them naturally and also stores less moisture. It looks sallower and overall older, less firm and elastic. The dreaded sagging also sets in much earlier than biologically intended. Check for the glycemic index The WHO (World Health Organization) recommends a daily sugar ration for adults that does not exceed five percent of the total calories. This corresponds, for example, to two apples, or one apple plus 100 grams of berries, 200 grams of whole grain rice.… weiterlesen

From 100 to zero: Detox Crash Course at the SHA Wellness Clinic in Albir, Spain

Written by Corinna von Bassewitz on . Posted in Health & Beauty, living.

If, like me, you live a more or less hedonistic lifestyle – the odd glass of wine, the occasional poultry or steak, three espressos a day – anxiety sets in: Three full days of detox, no alcohol, no caffeine, no sugar, no salt, no animal products. Why a piece of land overlooking Benidorm seems the perfect place for a health clinic is baffling. The dystopian skyline of the towering apartment blocks on the Costa Blanca did not deter owner Alfredo Bataller when he built and opened the clinic in 2008. Since then, the 92 elegant suites, 11 family-friendly villas of the SHa Residences (children are not admitted to the SHA) and over 60,000 square meters of wellness space are almost always occupied throughout the year. The design of the snow-white hotel is bold, and it adds a chic touch to the medical core: a rooftop infinity pool, next to it the chic SHAmadi restaurant, an aqua lab (pools with turbo jets that blow through the body, a waterfall that loosens rock-hard neck muscles), a hair salon, a tea lounge with oxygen bar, a lecture room that serves as a cinema in the evening, cooking classes. Alfredo Bataller, who treated his own health problems with a diet and lifestyle change propagated by the Japanese nutritionist Michio Kushi, built the SHA to encourage his guests to become managers of their own health. Kushi’s name still stands for the most restrictive of the three low-calorie diets based on Mediterranean cuisine and Japanese nutrition. What sets the SHA Wellness Clinic apart is that its principles are rooted not only in the Japanese-Mediterranean fusion diet – which advocates eating whole grains, vegetables, soy protein, seafood and seaweed and avoiding meat and dairy – but in an approach that combines cutting-edge Western science with ancient Oriental therapies. Most participants come for the weight loss, but the sleep recovery and tobacco control programs are also popular. The stress management program to combat burnout is also in demand. Like other clinics, SHA treats people with a mix of Eastern and Western philosophies. I did this crash course in wellness because I wanted to test whether I could sustain such a program, i.e. come down from 100 to zero. Spoiler: I could. Day 1: 9.40 h – General Medical Consultation. Measure blood pressure, palpate liver, kidney, abdomen, determine weight and height. My BMI is perfect, which means no super strict diet.… weiterlesen