Body temperature rises and falls and the body adjusts accordingly, keeping you comfortable and healthy. Sometimes we can stress our body’s temperature regulator without realizing it. Most of the time, the effect is temporary, but it’s still good if you understand what causes your body temperature to fluctuate.

10 Interesting Facts about Body Temperature

Have you ever wondered why a spicy bowl of chili sounds so good when you are cold? Read through these facts and find out.

1. Smoking causes your body temperature to rise.

The temperature at the end of a cigarette is 203 deg Fahrenheit. When you breathe in the heated smoke, you can cause your body to lightly overheat. You raise your body temperature. Often, smoking can cause you to lose the ability to cool your temperature. Once you stop smoking, you temperature usually takes about 20 minutes to return to normal.

2. Your nose gets warmer when you lie.

Spanish scientists from the University of Granada confirmed that the area around your nose and eyes heats up when you lie. This response can be recorded with a thermal scan.

3. A cold heart protects your brain.

A cold heart is not such a bad thing, especially after a heart attack. Physicians from Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore have developed a technique of lowering body temperature to prevent serious damage to the organs. This includes inducing a form of hypothermia after a heart attack.

4. Cayenne pepper warms you up.

Red Pepper not only improves the taste of food but also raises body temperature during digestion. This is why a hot bowl of chili tastes so good on a cold day. Researchers from Purdue University observed that red pepper reduces appetite and speeding up the expenditure of calories. The by-product of burning calories is that it temporarily raises body temperature.

5. Men and women differ.

Men are colder than women.

Temperature responds to changing hormone levels. The body temperature in women varies depending on the phase of their menstrual cycle. A man’s body temperature is often hotter near his testicles.

6. Older usually means colder.

If you have cool hands even on hot summer days, the reason may be your age and circulation. Scientists from Turkey measured body temperature in 133 elderly people aged 65 to 74 years and found that their body temperature was below normal. In the age group 75-84 years, the temperature was even lower, and the lowest was in those older than 85 years.

7. Increased body temperature interferes with sleep.

Body temperature affects the quality of sleep. Scientists from the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience in Amsterdam found that people sleep better when the skin is cool. Survey participants were issued special suits that lowered skin temperature. The participants slept more deeply. Particularly good results showed in elderly participants who complained of insomnia.

8. Body temperature indicates the time of death.

When a person dies, the body temperature decreases by 1.5 degrees per hour. If the medical examiner determines the temperature of the body of the deceased then he can determine the time of death. This fact was first discovered by the English chemist and physician-lover John Davy in the year 1839.

9. A hat does not always help.

Remember how your mom told you that you should wear a hat when it is cold because the heat goes through your head? She was wrong, according to a study published in the medical journal BMJ. When you lose heat, and the temperature drops, it occurs in all parts of the body simultaneously. The amount of heat that you lose through a head depends on many factors: how thick your hair is, and how much energy you spend in the cold. But because the baby’s head is proportionally larger in relation to the surface of their body, children can lose more heat, if they do not wear a hat.

10. High body temperature is not always a bad thing

According to the American Academy of family physicians, you have a fever when your body temperature is one degree more than the norm. A fever can be a good thing. Temperature is a reaction of the immune system and helps the body fights infection. In many cases, the higher the temperature, the harder your body is working to fight disease, however, a fever can cause dehydration and other side effects. If it does not subside after a few days or if the temperature is extremely high, ask for help.

If you want more information on holistic health, contact Illuminari MedSpa. We serve clients in Agoura Hills and the surrounding areas.

Your hands are one of the greatest and most used tools we as humans have for our everyday life. While we all should be grateful for this essential limb, sometimes due to genetics, our hands might be a little pudgier than we might want. Don’t despair! There are ways to lose weight in your hands.

6 Easy Steps to Lose Weight in Your Hands

First, know that many women struggle with extra weight in the hands. It can cause some to be self-conscious about when deciding how to pose for photos or deciding what to wear.

Step 1 – Don’t focus on one area of your body.

Unfortunately, we can’t decide where to lose weight our body does, We can only guide it. There are many consequences to only working out your hands. Symmetry is the best way to work out, If you only focus on one thing, you could cause a strain and no one wants that.

Step 2 – Go interval training at least 3 times a week.

You may be asking what interval training is and why is it better than a normal routine workout for your hands. Interval training is when you have a period of intense fast exercises and then take a short respite. This type of movement and routine is GREAT for burning fat due to the fact that it gets your metabolism going. The effects of your fat burning can last for up to 24 hours after you finish your workout. You should work out all muscle groups and not limit yourself. Do squats, push-ups, and exercises focusing on several small muscle groups at a time.

Step 3 – Lift a weight heavy enough that you can’t lift it more than 8-10 times.

One of the most effective ways to get that fat tissue out of your hands is by lifting weights. Most women may be scared to do this because they think they’ll turn into a bodybuilder if they start lifting. That’s a whole load of bologna. Women’s bodies aren’t designed to be like a male’s, due to the lack of testosterone. So, unless taken to the extreme you have nothing to worry about. The reason you want to lift heavy weights in short bursts is that you build more muscle that way. Muscle replaces the fat that is being burned off. If you can lift a dumbbell 15 times without breaking a sweat then it isn’t going to give you the same results. So, move to a higher weight.

Step 4 – Reduce Your calorie consumption by 100-200 when you eat each day.

Reducing your calories by a small amount each day is one of the most important things you can do. Truth be told you can work out all you want but if you don’t eat right you’ll find it very hard to make progress quickly. Even such a small amount of food reduction will help you lose weight in your hands over the long-term. Plus, you won’t be starving yourself in the process. It’s as simple as counting your calories over the next 3-5 days and adjust your diet accordingly.

Step 5 – Eat protein with each meal.

Protein is amazing! When consumed it causes you to maintain muscle mass and accelerates thermogenesis [A process where your body burns fat to maintain body temperature]. Be careful to only consume between 25-35 grams of protein each meal, as the rest is stored as fat.

Step 6 – The Most Important Exercise!

Perform triangle push-ups and swing backs. Earlier I glossed over this but push-ups, and working your triceps is the best and most effective way to lose weight in your hands. These two exercises were voted by the American Council for Physical Culture as the best exercise for making your hands tone and very lean.

If you want more information on how you can lose weight in your hands or over your whole body, contact Illuminari MedSpa. We serve clients in Agoura Hills and the surrounding areas.

Gorgeous eyes draw people’s attention and thick eyelashes are one of the keys to beautiful eyes. As women age, their eyelashes naturally thin but with a bit of care, it’s possible to rejuvenate thinning eyelashes with proper care and nutrition.

Causes of Thinning Eyelashes

Eyelash growth goes through four stages: growth, resting, shedding and re-growth. Lashes are always in one of these stages. As we age, the eyelash follicles typically slow down on eyelash production.

There are several possible causes for thinning eyelashes:

1. Aging – The aging process triggers a reduction in hair growth over the whole body, resulting in thinning hair over the entire body.
2. Wear and tear – Rubbing your eyes or pulling the lashes contribute to thinning and breakage.
3. Poor makeup habits – Mascara, especially long-wearing and waterproof mascara, is difficult to remove gently. Sleeping with mascara on the eyelashes can increase breakage and dry out the lashes. Do not use old mascara to avoid infections.
4. Eye infections and medical conditions – Vitamin deficiencies and hormone imbalances can cause hair loss over the whole body, including the eyelashes. Eye infections are another culprit in thinning lashes.

Preventative Measures

1. The best approach for better lashes is to be proactive in preserving the lashes you have.
2. Eat right, drink plenty of water, and practice a healthy lifestyle. This is vital for overall health…….and beauty!
3. Condition your eyelashes. You can prevent eyelash breakage by conditioning your eyelashes. Olive oil, coconut oil, and Vaseline are good options for developing stronger and thicker lashes.
4. Practice smart makeup habits. Don’t ever tug on your eyelids or lashes, especially if you use an eyelash curler. Try using fresh mascara and brush out any clumps while it is still wet.
5. Use a makeup remover that gently removes eye makeup. Dab it onto your eyelid and lashes and lightly pat it off.

Proven Remedies for Thinning Eyelashes

If your thinning eyelashes are in need of a more aggressive approach, there are products and services out there to suit your specific needs. Your doctor might prescribe vitamins, hormone replacements, or other supplements to address any medical conditions. Other options for those luscious lashes:

1. Latisse: This FDA approved prescription medication promotes long and thick eyelash growth. It is topically applied, and results are generally seen between one and four months.
2. Eyelash Extensions: These synthetic hairs are glued to existing lashes to plump them up and fill in the gaps. The extensions typically last for a couple of months and are becoming more widely available.
3. Lash-enhancing serums: Several serums are available over the counter. The active ingredient in most of these serums is biotin, a B vitamin. Their effectiveness is argued, but critics agree that it can’t hurt. Though it may not promote growth, it can at least help condition the lashes you have.

Remember, you smile with your eyes, and they are the windows to your soul. Be beautiful!

If you want more information on Latisse or eyelash extensions, contact Illuminari MedSpa. We serve clients in Agoura Hills and the surrounding areas.

Adult acne can be an exasperating thing, but the truth is that breakouts can happen at any age. In fact, as skin ages, it can actually become more prone to breakouts. As cell turnover slows and wrinkles create slight ridges in the skin, dead skin cells can build up and get trapped in pores. For this reason, the treatment of adult acne requires a slightly different approach than that of adolescent acne.

Acne and Lifestyle

When insulin and blood sugar levels elevate, our bodies experience a significant increase in cellular inflammation. This causes acne and other inflammatory diseases to worsen.

Stress, a poor diet, and hormonal fluctuation also aggravate adult acne. Cortisol can stimulate the sebaceous glands to increase oil production and result in breakouts.

When we follow an anti-inflammatory diet, we will see acne decrease in a short period. It is also imperative to eliminate stress as much as possible.

Simple Strategies to Reduce Adult Acne

1. Get plenty of sleep. Most adults do not get enough.
2. Don’t drink large amounts of coffee.
3. Consider learning some simple yoga exercises. Yoga is an outstanding stress reducer, which lowers cortisol levels.
4. Drink plenty of water. Make sure you hydrate your skin from the inside out.

Nutrition

1. Take Omega 3 and Omega 6 essential fatty acids, as they are rich in linoleic acid and reduce levels of stress chemicals. Raw walnuts and almonds are a great snack full of these essential acids.
2. Take targeted nutritional supplements: alpha lipoic acid, DMAE, zinc, pantothenic acid.
3. Detox with a watercress salad.
4. Add fiber to your diet for an efficient colon. Watercress is a great way to detox your body. Add an apple and some walnuts to your salad for the extra fiber. Delicious!
5. Consume plenty of probiotics, such as kefir.
6. Add chia seeds to fruit and yogurt for fiber and an Omega 3 punch.
7. Eat a can of wild salmon for lunch.

Skin Treatments

1. The real culprit behind adult acne is hormones, and the more abrasively you scrub your skin, the more irritated it will get. Wash your face gently with a mild cleanser.
2. Don’t strip your skin of all oils – they are essential to healthy skin. Some oils are good for the skin, such as almond oil.
3. Reduce your sugar intake. Glucose breaks down collagen, which makes the skin less supple and imbalanced. This, in turn, increases oil production.
4. Dab tea tree oil on the blemish before you go to bed.

Medical Approaches to Adult Acne

If you desire a better complexion fast, both chemical peels and ultraviolet light treatments help diminish the effects of acne and also wrinkles. These treatments can erase fine lines, shrink pores, and reduce oil.

If you want more information on services for a radiant complexion, contact Illuminari MedSpa. We serve clients in Agoura Hills and the surrounding areas.

The stimulation of touch receptors under the skin can effectively reduce stress by lowering both blood pressure and cortisol levels. Next time you think, “I really need a massage,” it just might be the truth. Because massage therapy provides relief through a physical and emotional response, as early as childhood, we learn that just a touch can ease our pain. However, massage therapy also offers a multitude of health benefits for all ages. It helps to regulate hormones, prevents injuries, improves the lymphatic system, reduces stress, and it also eases pain.

Benefits of Massage Therapy

 

Massage therapy is an effective practice for soothing sore muscles and removing stress. It increases blood flow and improves circulation to the extremities. There is also evidence that massage therapy can relieve chronic pain. These conditions range from chronic lower-back pain, fibromyalgia, arthritis, migraines, and even anxiety. Here are a few benefits of a good massage:

Anxiety Relief

 

Massage therapy lowers stress levels and the feelings of depression and fatigue that often accompany. Chronic pain can raise the stress levels in the body, and stress increases muscle tension and pain. They go hand in hand, so massage therapy addresses both issues with a single approach.

Infant Development and Diabetes Prevention

 

Massage on infants encourages weight gain, which is vital for premature babies. Massages strengthen the muscle tissues as they grow. Massage therapy helps to control blood-sugar levels, particularly in children. Therefore, it is a recommended practice for adolescent diabetics.

Stronger Immune System

 

A strong immune system can combat a multitude of attacks. It is the body’s “bodyguard” and must be kept in tip-top condition. Massage therapy encourages the body to attack viruses and the effects of free radicals, which keeps us healthy and strong.

Cancer Symptom Relief

 

Extensive massage therapy reduces various issues caused by cancer cells. Therapy can reduce pain as well as anxiety associated with cancer. One study also showed it to reduce anxiety, pain, and nausea by approximately 50 percent.

Sleep Soundly

 

A massage is relaxing, which should not be taken lightly. A body in a state of deep relaxation can slip into a sound sleep, which is necessary to replenish itself from the daily stress it must endure. This is especially pertinent for those with sleep disorders.

Nervous System Health

 

Massage therapy removes tension in the body, aggravating the body’s nerves. It calms the stress and also promotes the proper function of the nervous system.

Healthy Skin

 

Glowing skin is desired by all, especially women. Massage therapy is shown to have positive results in skin elasticity and a youthful appearance.

Increase Circulation

 

Massage therapy helps the blood carry essential amounts of oxygenated blood to all areas of the body. Which is imperative for those with circulatory problems.

Massage Therapy Techniques

 

Massage comes in many different forms.

 

Swedish Massage: This stimulates circulation and includes five basic kneading strokes flowing toward the heart to manipulate soft tissue.

 

Deep Tissue Massage: This variation utilizes deep pressure movements to reach the sub-layer of the muscles and fascia. Deep tissue massage treats chronic muscular pain, aid in injury rehabilitation, as well as to reduce inflammation from arthritis.

 

Sports Massage:  Athletes use sports massage therapy to warm up the body and improve the blood flow to muscles and soft tissue to prevent injuries.

 

Prenatal Massage: Prenatal massage is safe and effective for mother and fetus. Prenatal massages occur with the woman laying on her side. This type of massage therapy can reduce typical discomforts associated with pregnancy, such as leg and lower back pain, and is also a great time for Mom to pamper herself a little!

 

Soft Tissue Massage: This therapy works by carefully positioning muscles and manipulating them softly to stretch them in a specific direction. Which is why it is popular with athletes because it can help prevent muscle tears.

 

Reflexology: This popular type of massage therapy focus on specific pressure points in the feet, hands, and ears. Reflexology focuses on a reflex area to improve blood flow to specific parts of the body like the kidneys, intestines, and the brain.

 

Massage therapy aids in overall well-being and is praised for achieving mental and physical health alike. It is beneficial for all age groups, and Illuminari MedSpa offers a wide array of massage therapy options to cater to your personal needs.

 

We are serving clients in Agoura Hills and the surrounding areas. Contact our trained staff to create a wellness plan that includes our massage therapy services. You will wonder why you waited so long!