The Official Omega 5 Oil Site

Daily servings of pomegrnates may enhance your health

2009-10-06T09:57:00.000-07:00

8 Ounces a Day of POM Wonderful 100% pomegranate juice may slow progression of Carotid Intima-Media Thickness

8 Ounces a Day of POM Wonderful 100% pomegranate juice may slow progression of Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (CIMT) in patients with elevated cardiovascular disease risk factors, study finds.According to a clinical study released in The American Journal of Cardiology, a daily serving of POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice may decrease the progression of arterial plaque in patients with elevated cardiovascular disease risk factors.

The study was intended to see if POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice may slow the progression of intima-media thickness of the carotid artery (CIMT) in patients with moderate coronary heart disease risk. At 18 months, there was no reduction in the progression of CIMT in the group as a whole. However, further analysis revealed an indication that the rate of CIMT progression slowed in nearly one third of patients, those with elevated cardiovascular disease risk factors.

This study was funded by POM Wonderful.

Conducted at Radiant Research in Chicago, IL, and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, TX, this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial involved 289 subjects at varying degrees of moderate heart disease risk who consumed 8 ounces per day of either POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice or a placebo beverage. The trial's endpoint was the increase in CIMT, a measurement which includes both the artery wall itself as well as accumulated plaque. CIMT measurements were recorded at both 12 and 18 months after the treatment began.

The composite measurement of CIMT showed a significantly smaller value at 12 months in the pomegranate juice group compared to the control group (0.79 vs 0.81 mm, p = 0.022), although this difference was no longer significant at the end of the treatment period (0.79 vs 0.80 mm, p = 0.168). The results from post hoc exploratory analyses, which should be interpreted with caution, suggest that rate of CIMT progression may have been slowed in high-risk subgroups. Specifically, the authors found statistically lower CIMT values within several subgroups of patients with elevated cardiovascular risk factors, including high total triglycerides as well as low HDL cholesterol as compared to total cholesterol and triglycerides.

"This study was initiated based on the compelling results from pre-clinical studies and an initial clinical trial," said lead researcher Michael H. Davidson, MD. "We are excited with the outcome of this larger study because while we did not see a reduction in the group as a whole, there is an indication that the rate of CIMT progression slowed in subgroups of patients characterized by more rapid CIMT progression."In conclusion, the authors call for these preliminary findings to be investigated in future studies, because "consumption of pomegranate juice is very safe; thus demonstration of a benefit on atherosclerotic disease progression, even in a subset of the population, would have important public health implications."The publication of this study is the most recent in series of studies evaluating the potential benefits of POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice on human health. In 1998 POM Wonderful initiated a world class medical research program to investigate the Wonderful variety pomegranate.

To date, POM Wonderful has funded $32 million in research, which has involved a number of top scientists from leading universities around the world, including a Nobel Laureate. So far, 48 total studies have been published in peer-review journals. Primary research areas have included the prostate and cardiovascular, among others.Source Cited:M. Davidson et al., Effects of Consumption of Pomegranate Juice on Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Men and Women at Moderate Risk for Coronary Heart Disease, American Journal of Cardiology (2009)

www.pomega5.com

Reverse the clock with Omega 5 oil anti aging products

2009-10-01T18:17:00.000-07:00

Anti-aging skin cream that helps reverse the clock is something men and women alike are in search of. You may start seeking this as early as your late twenties or not until well into your forties.

We are all growing older, like it or not. And our skin is a reflection of the life we live. Even if you live a healthy life, there are still many factors in today's environment, that you are exposed to, that are out of your control. Exposure to these factors can have a negative effect on your appearance and cause your skin to look older than it should.How do you help uncover that youthful appearance once again?

The first thing people often look for is an anti-aging cream or lotion. We reach for these skin care products for good reason; because the right solution, and combination of ingredients, can have a dramatic effect on the look and feel of our complexion.

To uncover the best anti-aging skin creams it is important to look for natural, effective ingredients in high concentrations. This way you'll get the results you are looking for that will continue to cause improvement long-term.

The following are some of the things you are going to want to look for to tackle those fine lines, wrinkles, and other visible signs of aging.

First, look for natural solutions that stimulate collagen and elastin regrowth.

You also want powerful vitamins, and minerals doing their job. One of the most prized options for this is called Phytessence Wakame. This is a powerful antioxidant and vitamin and mineral solution derived from a Japanese sea algae found to be extremely effective.

The final recommendation today is to be sure your cream includes potent antioxidants such as Omega 5 oil to destroy free radicals. Another on the market today is a form of CoEnzyme Q-10 called Nano-Lipobelle H-EQ10. Omega 5 has the ability to effectively penetrate the skin and go to work deeper for a dramatic anti-wrinkle effect.

So there you have it: Start using skin care products with potent natural ingredients, like the ones mentioned, and you'll get the best results. Uncover a youthful appearance by using the best anti-aging skin creams.

www.pomega5.com

Pomega5 products are paraben free and biodynamic

2009-09-14T07:51:00.000-07:00

Paraben-free, organic, or biodynamic

Just because a product is paraben-free doesn't necessarily mean it's organic—and vice versa.Organic products contain ingredients from natural sources produced in accordance with certain production standards that follow specific regulations.

On the other hand, when a product is paraben-free, it means that the paraben preservatives are absent or replaced with alternative preservatives. Therefore, a paraben-free product may or may not contain organic ingredients; and if an organic product doesn't have the NOP (National Organic Program) or USDA organic seal, it can contain parabens.

All cosmetics sold are required by law to declare every single ingredient, so you can determine what is or isn't in a product by simply reading the label.

www.pomega5.com

Made from pomegranate seed oil

Natural, organic and ultra clean

Greentech companies forced to change business models

2009-09-13T11:25:00.000-07:00

Changing Models: A Trend in Greentech

The tough market conditions over the past year have forced greentech companies to re-examine and change their business strategies.

One of them is Innovalight, which announced today its ability to produce highly efficient crystalline silicon solar cells. The company has been developing its silicon ink technology since 2002, and was set on becoming a solar cell maker.

But the Sunnyvale, Calif.-based private company changed its focus about nine months ago to pursue opportunities that would require lower capital investments and steer it away from a market already facing a glut of solar cells, said Innovalight CEO Conrad Burke.

Innovalight is now licensing the know how to make silicon ink printing tools and selling the ink. The company contracts with tool makers to produce the printing systems. The ink would come from Innovalight's own factory, which currently has annual production capacity of 100 megawatts, Burke said.

Today, it is working with six solar cell makers to incorporate Innovalight's technology into their manufacturing processes. Burke said the customers already have pre-existing production lines, but want to boost their cells' efficiencies by adding the silicon ink. He declined to disclose their names.

Changing its business model often raises questions about the company's ability to grow or even survive. On the other hand, it also could be seen as an agile move to respond to changing market dynamics.

Nanostellar, for example, set out to make catalysts for reducing tailpipe emissions. Last summer, it decided to license its technology to chemical companies instead of manufacturing its own.

ESolar joined forces with a power generation company, NRG Energy, to develop solar power plants in the United States instead of doing it alone. NRG lines up the capital and oversees the project development while eSolar provides the equipment.

In the case of OptiSolar, the strategy was to put the company up for sale.
OptiSolar set out to make amorphous silicon thin film panels and build power plants with them. But the company wasn't able to raise enough capital to do both well. So it sold the power plant projects it had been developing to First Solar for $400 million earlier this year. It then announced a deal in July to sell its manufacturing assets to Allora Minerals for $260 million.

Pomega LLC, the Omega 5 oil greentech company, is also rumored to explore venture partnerships with industry leaders.

We love Pomega5 ultra natural skin care

More products to pomegranate lovers

2009-09-12T19:47:00.000-07:00

NeoCell , a leader in the natural supplement and skin care industries, announced today that GNC is adding three more NeoCell products to its network of stores.

GNC customers will now be able to purchase:

* NeoCell`s new Pure H.A. Blueberry Liquid: Taken daily, this delicious drinkwill support healthy joints, the retina in the eyes and promote smooth-lookingskin.

* Pomegranate from the Seed: Pomegranates are hailed by researchers as having extraordinary antioxidant properties. This product is made from the juice that is extracted from the seeds, which contains the highest level of antioxidants.

* Collagen+C Pomegranate Liquid: This combines the antioxidant power ofPomegranate and Green Tea with the healing benefits of collagen to provide ahost of benefits to joints, tendons, bones, hair, skin and muscle.The three additions bring the total number of NeoCell products in the GNC lineupto seven. Customers have already been able to purchase NeoCell`s Super CollagenPowder and three sizes of NeoCell`s Super Collagen+C tablets.

"We`re excited about expanding our product lineup with GNC," said NeoCell VicePresident of Sales, Darren Rude. "Our products are a great fit for GNC customers- people who are focused on a healthy lifestyle." GNC is the world's largest company of its kind devoted exclusively to helpingits customers improve the quality of their lives. GNC is the largest globalspecialty retailer of health and wellness, sports nutrition and diet products.For the past 75 years, GNC has expanded its worldwide network of over 5,200stores in the U.S. and 44 global markets.

For more information on Pomega5's full line of skin care and nutritional supplements, visit www.pomega5.com.

Pomega5 products are made of pomegranate seed oil
www.pomega5.com

Dynamic women select biodynamic products by Pomega5

2009-09-12T12:28:00.000-07:00

Try outs to become the next biodynamic model

In the early 1920's a group of practicing farmers, concerned with the decline of the soil, sought the advice of Dr. Rudolf Steiner, founder of anthroposophy, who had spent all his life researching and investigating the forces that regulate life and growth. From a series of lectures and conversations held at Koberwitz, Germany, in June 1924, there emerged the fundamental principles of biodynamic farming and gardening, a unified approach to agriculture that relates the ecology of the earth-organism to that of the entire cosmos. This approach has been under development in many parts of the world ever since. Dr. Ehrenfried Pfeiffer, who worked with Dr. Steiner during the formative period, brought biodynamic concepts to the United States in the 1930s. It was during this period that the Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association was founded in 1938.

If the results of the Biodynamic approach may be found in the quality of produce, the health of land and livestock, and the freedom from environmental problems increasingly generated by many modern farming methods, what of the approach itself? What distinguishes it from other agricultural attitudes and techniques?

Essentially, biodynamic farming and gardening looks upon the soil and the farm as living organisms. It regards maintenance and furtherance of soil life as a basic necessity if the soil is to be preserved for generations, and it regards the farm as being true to its essential nature if it can be conceived of as a kind of individual entity in itself — a self-contained individuality. It begins with the ideal concept of the necessary self-containedness of the farm and works with furthering the life of the soil as a primary means by which a farm can become a kind of individuality that progresses and evolves.

The maintenance of soil life is vital also in order to protect the soil from erosion and to create, improve, and augment the humus content. The result will be a fine, crumbly structure containing the necessary organic colloids. This leads to the production of high-quality crops, which in turn means better feed for livestock and better food for human beings.

Soil improvement is obtained by proper humus management — e.g., by the application of sufficient organic manure and compost in the best possible state of fermentation; by proper crop rotation; by proper working of the soil; by protective measures such as wind protection; cover crops, green manure, and diversified crops rather than monocultures; and by mixed cropping so that plants can aid and support each other.

Farm manure and compost are the most valuable fertilizers. They contain organic matter on which the soil bacteria and earthworms can feed and then revitalize the soil. They contain colloids, which absorb moisture and mineral solutions in the ground, form a crumbly structure, and eliminate the danger of erosion. The careful storage of manure in heaps covered with earth, as taught by the biodynamic method, avoids nitrogen loss to a great degree.

Raw organic matter has not yet reached the state of neutral colloidal humus. Complicated fermentation processes must first take place in the manure heap. The biodynamic method produces the right fermentation. Certain biodynamic preparations are inserted into the heaps in order to speed and direct fermentation and preserve the original manure values. The same principles apply to compost materials. Everything that is apt to decompose can be used. These materials are piled up in alternate layers, and the finished pile is treated with biodynamic preparations.

The biodynamic compost preparations play a significant role in this unified approach to agriculture. They are made of certain medicinal herbs that have undergone a long process of fermentation in order to enrich them in growth-stimulating substances. They react like yeast in dough — i.e. they speed and direct fermentation toward the desired neutral colloidal humus. The preparations themselves are, for practical reasons, numbered 500-508. Numbers 502-507 are applied to the manure and compost piles in very small quantities. They have no manuring effect, their sole purpose being to direct the fermentation of any kind of organic matter toward humus.

Two of the preparations, 500 and 501, are used as field sprays. They are diluted in water, stirred for one hour, and sprayed directly on the soil or plants respectively. Preparation 500 stimulates humus formation in the ground and the growth of roots. It is applied to the land mainly in the fall and the spring, before clearing or after plowing and sowing. Preparation 501 is applied in June or later to the green leaves.

Proper crop rotation is also necessary in order to preserve the fertility of the soil. The general rule is that soil-exhausting crops such as corn and potatoes in the fields, and cabbage, cauliflower, etc., in the garden, should alternate with soil-restoring crops such as members of the leguminous family (peas, beans, clover, etc.). Furthermore, deep-rooting crops should alternate with shallow-rooting ones, and crops that require manure should alternate with those that can do without.

Proper working of the soil consists mainly in knowing the right time and the right depth for plowing, harrowing, discing, etc. Skill and experience are needed. Only thoughtful experience, combined with such investigations as the taking of soil profiles, can produce maximum efficiency in soil treatment.

Biodynamic agriculture is a way of living, working and relating to nature and the vocations of agriculture based on good common-sense practices, a consciousness of the uniqueness of each landscape, and the inner development of each and every practitioner.

Common-sense practices include striving to be self-sufficient in energy, fertilizers, plants, and animals; structuring our activities based on working with nature's rhythms; using diversity in plant, fertilizers, and animals as building blocks of a healthy operation; being professional in our approach to reliability, cleanliness, order, focus on observation, and attention to detail; and being prompt and up-to-date in doing one's job.

The concern with the uniqueness of a particular landscape includes developing an understanding of the geology, soils, climate, plant, and animal life; human ecology; and economy of one's bioregion.

Rudolf Steiner presents a notion of science that says we can know things that go beyond what we can weigh, measure, and calculate. Science is the practice of observing phenomena and relating them in a way that correctly represents the phenomena's reality. Agricultural judgments about health, what to do where, and when to do what, best succeed when we begin to rely on a certain wisdom gained through observation and experience and when we perceive consciously and concretely the phenomena that induce life itself.

Biodynamic farming and gardening combines common-sense agriculture, an understanding of ecology, and the specific environment of a given place with a new spiritual scientific approach to the concepts, principles, and practices of agriculture.

POMEGA5 offers biodynamic botanical based products

Check it out at http://www.pomega5.com/

Omega 5 oil technology

Ultra green products

Natural products

Greentech at its best

VC investments in greentech is thriving -- will Pomega5 benefit from this trend?

2009-09-09T17:28:00.000-07:00

2009 Greentech VC, M&A and IPOs

VC investment in Greentech is thriving. After a soft first quarter brought on by recession and low investor confidence, VC in Greentech has been creeping up steadily.

Greentech VC in 2009

Q1 2009 $836 million in 59 deals

Q2 2009 $1.234 billion in 85 deals

Q3 2009 (to date) $923 million in 83 deals (to date)

Q2 was 50 percent more than in the first quarter, and the third quarter should exceed the second quarter – a nice trend. That said, rising investment in greentech is not exactly an indicator of the health of the industry. We need more startup revenue, more M&A, and more IPOs – and that's starting.Some of the biggest VC deals this year have been:

Suniva $75M for high efficiency solarPowerspan

$50M for CO2 capture technology for coal-fired electric power plants.

Imperative Energy $43M for large scale renewable energy from biomasseMeter

$32M for smart grid management software

(I don't believe we can count Synthetic Genomic's $300 million big algae investment from Exxon as VC).

Greentech M&A in 2009

We've seen some M&A trends, highlighted by:

Ongoing consolidation in the solar integrator and installer market

Rising consolidation and land grabs in the carbon dashboard and utlity carbon monitoring field

Vertical integration in solar – Bosch's acquisition binge created a vertically integrated entity from Ersol, Aleo and Johanna Solar

Greentech IPOs

Plenty of chatter but the only SEC IPO registration looking like it might launch in 2009 is A123 Systems, the developer and manufacturer of advanced, rechargeable lithium ion batteries. A123’s product line ranges from 3.6 watts per hour batteries for portable power applications to larger 65 watts per hour batteries for electric vehicles. The company is also developing multi-megawatt battery systems for utilities that can provide electric grid services including standby reserve capacity and frequency regulation.It is reasonable to expect the A123 IPO to come to market in the fourth quarter of this year – reasonable given A123’s revenue, the government and industry focus on smart grid, and the pent up demand for a greentech IPO.A123's long-threatened IPO has the potential to draw the market’s attention to the energy storage sector.

The IPO will also give us a glimpse on how investment banks and institutional investors like underwriters Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs and Lazard Capital Markets will value energy storage firms.A successful public offering could open the floodgates to more greentech IPOs and usher in the dawn of a finance-rich greentech era. Other Greentech IPO candidates would include Silver Spring Networks, Tesla Motors, Nanosolar and Solyndra.

Nutraceuticals are greentech items

Omega5 oil technology fuels a skin care indsutry

www.pomega5.com

There is no artificial shortage in omega 5 oil products

2009-09-01T18:51:00.000-07:00

Sharing Omega 5 oil technology is our vision

If you’ve ever spent a good part of your holiday season wending from store to store seeking out that must-have toy of the season, only to find it sold out everywhere you go, then the following conclusion from new Stanford Graduate School of Business research won’t come as a surprise:

Facing rejection can increase people’s desire to ultimately obtain a hard-to-get object.

Whether they cop to it or not, companies have long been aware of artificial shortages as a way to create desire for new products. However, the research shows that this approach can eventually backfire.

“For many people, wanting and liking are two separate things that can become contradictory,” says researcher Baba Shiv, a Stanford marketing professor, in a press release. “When someone is thwarted from obtaining his original desire, he, in fact, comes to find the attractiveness and appeal of his target to be diminished. Yet, perversely, he may feel he wants it even more. The thrill becomes the chase.”

Shiv’s co-researchers were Uzma Khan, an assistant professor at Stanford, and Ab Litt, a current Stanford MBA student.

Some other notable findings from the study:

The less emotionally a person reacts to rejection, the more susceptible he will be to desiring it more and enjoying it less once he gets it.

People who are more emotional about being denied will more often in turn deny their desire. “Their attitude becomes ‘it’s not so great, and I don’t want it anyway,’” says Litt.

Women were more likely than men to desire something more and like it less once they received it.

All in all, the researchers believe artificial shortages can be a useful marketing tool, as long as they fall within reasonable limits.

“The study shows that this approach will be effective as long as people get the item without a good deal of problems,” says Shiv. “But if they’re constantly frustrated, having to stand in line or return to the store only to find the item still not there, they may desire it more but quickly lose interest in it once they have it. The long-term success of the product will be doomed.”

POMEGA5 -- where supply meets demand

www.pomega5.com

New Greentech investments could support Omega 5 oil technology

2009-08-28T07:26:00.000-07:00

Greentech Investment Dollars About to Flow Again

The greentech funding party, which saw record levels of investment in the first three quarters of 2008, ended abruptly in the fourth quarter of last year, marked by Tesla Motors’ restructuring. But the party looks like it’s about to crank back up again, thanks to both federal funding and what some economists are calling the end of the recession. Reuters inks a long piece quoting a variety of investors projecting it’s just a matter of time, perhaps just a few months, before investments in the green technology sector start to heat back up again.

Anecdotally, from a reporter’s perspective covering funding news, there’s been an increase in company funding announcements over the past few weeks, including Vinod Khosla’s new $250 million greentech fund, with $60 million from CalPERS, the California pension fund, green plastics firm Novomer’s Series B round, BP’s $10 million deal with Martek, and rounds raised by energy efficiency firms Tendril, CPower, and Grid Net. Even greentech poster child Tesla claims it managed to hit profitability for the first time recently, and also earned an investment from Daimler.

Of course, a very large part of the return to life is the government funding for clean power and energy efficiency. That includes loans and grants now starting to reach companies, and also the promise of federal backing, which can ease concerned investors. Investors are certainly trying to take advantage of the new funding opportunities — David Anthony, founding partner of 21Ventures, tasks a fourth of his staff to write DOE grant applications full time. Over 50 companies that we know of have applied for the over $3 billion in funds from the DOE for smart grid technology and projects.

There are also some greentech IPO front runners that are giving investors hope. They include lithium-ion battery firm A123Systems and smart grid networking company Silver Spring Networks, which estimates it will make revenue on the order of $200 million next year and soon be profitable.

Clearly the greentech private investment funding levels won’t hit last year’s record levels in the short term, and the types of firms that end up getting the bulk of the funds this time around won’t be the same as those in the summer ‘08 bubble. Back then, solar and biofuel companies attracted a lot of capital, while these days it’s the smart grid and energy storage makers that are the new darlings.

Omega 5 oil greentech
Pomegranates are the raw material for Omega 5 oil

Pregnancy and natural skin care -- can pomegranate seed oil help with these strechmarks or cellulite problems?

2009-08-19T10:38:00.000-07:00

Natural skincare in pregnancy

The thin blue line! Not the Police, but the Clearblue positive pregnancy test meaning months of anticipation and planning ahead. Everything changes, not least your diet, and how you look after yourself from the outside in is paramount. Yes, pregnancy is an exciting time but seems to come part and parcel with skincare concerns. Myself, I wanted to take the natural route as often as possible, and just try to be more aware of what I'm putting in to my body and therefore into baby. Here are some botanic and organic products for stretchmarks, cellulite and swollen ankles, for when we want to use healthier solutions during pregnancy, from brands that are attempting to redress the chemical nature (that's oxymoronic, isn't it?) of skincare.

Many women are only too familiar with the little c. No matter how much exercise we do or how healthy we eat, cellulite still seems to be there! And this is especially true after you've been pregnant. While sufficient exercise and a healthy diet can assist to counteract the cellulite, improving circulation with massaging the affected areas is the key. The newly developed Dr.Hauschka Lemon Lemongrass Body Oil ($47) is the perfect massage oil to treat these annoying problem areas. It’s fruity, fresh composition of jojoba oil, lemon peel, mistletoe, horsetail and lemongrass assists to firm the skin and strengthen the connective tissue by stimulating circulation and facilitating the skin’s natural rhythms and functions. The divine aroma helps to release your thoughts to relax while strengthening your inner well-being.

What some women don't realise is the stretchmarks can come in AFTER the baby is born, once the skin is slacker. My friend said she had none during pregnancy and then they appeared after the birth. If your skin was stretched a lot during pregnancy -and whose isn't? It's not just your tummy, it's your thighs and bottom too- and if there are signs of stretchmarks, try using Dr.Hauschka Birch-Arnica Body Oil. Extracts of birch, arnica, burdock and nettle help eliminate waste products, stimulate the blood flow in the tissues, remove congestion and make the skin soft and supple.A major problem, commonly known as "cankles" (or calf-ankles) is the accumulation of fluid in your arms and legs. It can even be hard to zip up your ankle boots some days! If your legs feel tense, encourage emptying of the veins by massaging the legs for about 3 minutes a day with a brush, from the toes to the thighs, or splashing them with warm and cold water alternately and then rubbing with Dr.Hauschka Rosemary Leg and Arm Toner.

I have been smoothing Trilogy Rosehip Oil on my bump and it feels very rich and luxurious on the skin. With 80% essential fatty acids (oleic, linoleic and linolenic), vitamin E and the antioxidant lycopene, all well known for their ability to promote skin repair and rejuvenation of skin cells, it is an excellent skin moisturiser (whether you are pregnant or not) and is clinically proven to improve skin moisture by 44%, decrease the visible appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by 23% and improve skin softness by 21% within eight weeks. Certified organic, with no added preservatives, colours or fragrances, it is suitable for both mother and baby. I only need to let it dry for a minute before I get dressed as it doesn't leave an oily residue.

Trilogy Everything Balm is an all-purpose wonder cream in a tub that many mums swear by. It comes in a value large size and a small convenient tub perfect for popping into the nappy bag when you're out and about.

Palmer's Organics Cocoa Butter Massage Lotion and Cream for Stretch Marks (from $16.95) is paraben free, propylene Glycol free, mineral oil free and cruelty free. I smoothed it on after a hot shower and it absorbed well and smelt absolutely divine, and almost edible! The cream had a very rich consistency that felt more expensive than its low price tag. Bio Oil Already well-known as a scar and stretchmark reducing oil, this is great to add to the bath as well as direct to the skin and is well-priced at under $20 a bottle from pharmacies and department stores everywhere.

I used pomega5 products during my pregnancy

They contain no parabens

Pomegranates may boost your immune system

2009-08-18T19:36:00.000-07:00

Battling inflammation through food

Though it's an emerging field, proponents of anti-inflammatory diets point to growing evidence that foods like vegetables and fish can ease an overactive immune system.

By Shara Yurkiewicz
August 17, 2009

If you want to live longer -- avoid heart disease, Alzheimer's disease and cancer -- then pick and choose your foods with care to quiet down parts of your immune system.

That's the principle promoted by the founders and followers of anti-inflammatory diets, designed to reduce chronic inflammation in the body.Dozens of books filled with diets and recipes have flooded the market in the last few years, including popular ones by dermatologist Dr. Nicholas Perricone and Zone Diet creator Barry Sears.

Those who frequent message boards that discuss arthritis or acne trade tips on which pro- or anti-inflammatory foods may help or trigger their symptoms -- urging co-sufferers to try cherries for their rheumatoid arthritis or avoid gluten for their psoriasis.But proponents claim the benefits go far beyond that, fighting not just pain from inflamed joints or skin flare-ups but also life-threatening diseases.

"If your future currently looks bleak because of high levels of silent inflammation, don't worry, because you can change it within thirty days," Barry Sears promises in his book, "The Anti-Inflammation Zone.

"There's still a lot of science to be done. And should you try such a diet, you probably shouldn't expect any 30-day miracles. But there may be something to eating in an anti-inflammatory way."[Chronic inflammation] is an emerging field," says Dr. David Heber, a UCLA professor of medicine and director of the university's Center for Human Nutrition.

"It's a new concept for medicine."The point of an anti-inflammation diet is not to lose weight, although it is not uncommon for its followers to shed pounds. The goal: to combat what proponents call "chronic silent inflammation" in the body, the result of an immune system that doesn't know when to shut off.The theory goes that long after the invading bacteria or viruses from some infection are gone, the body's defenses remain active. The activated immune cells and hormones then turn on the body itself, damaging tissues.

The process continues indefinitely, occurring at low enough levels that a person doesn't feel pain or realize anything is wrong. Years later, proponents say, the damage contributes to illnesses such as heart disease, neurological disorders like Alzheimer's disease or cancer.In general terms, following an anti-inflammatory diet means increasing intake of foods that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. (Antioxidants reduce the activity of tissue-damaging free radicals at sites of inflammation.) The diet includes vegetables, whole grains, nuts, oily fish, protein sources, spices such as ginger and turmeric and brightly colored fruits such as blueberries, cherries and pomegranates.

Foods that promote inflammation -- saturated fats, trans fats, corn and soybean oil, refined carbohydrates, sugars, red meat and dairy -- are reduced or eliminated.It would seem logical that a diet that could dampen an overactive immune system could help prevent or slow diseases that are caused or exacerbated by inflammation. And evidence is certainly mounting that such diseases include heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer's. (See related story online.)Studies with animals suggest that the diet's followers may be on to something."If you feed rodents different diets, you can very strongly modulate inflammation," says Dr. Andrew Greenberg, the director of the Obesity and Metabolism Laboratory at the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston.

"Fish oil, for example, ameliorates inflammation in rodents."Resveratrol, found in grape skin and red wine, has been shown to improve blood vessel function and slow aging in rats.

Pomegranate juice decreases atherosclerosis development in mice with high cholesterol.

Garlic improves blood vessel functioning in the hearts of rats with high blood pressure.And curcumin (an antioxidant chemical found in turmeric) improves ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis and pancreatitis in mice and has anti-cancer effects in the animals too.Curcumin has also been shown to ease the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in people, reducing joint swelling, morning stiffness and walking time.

In India, turmeric is used to promote wound healing and reduce inflammation. But though curcumin's effects are being tested in several clinical trials addressing various diseases, rigorous human results are lacking -- as is the case for most anti-inflammatory foods.Large, careful human clinical trials are expensive and few have been designed to test dietary interventions. Small trials on individual supplements have been done, though. And scientists have learned a lot from studying populations -- chronicling the natural habits of people and seeing what diseases they get and which they don't.

The drug factor

It makes sense that anti-inflammatory methods might help the heart, says Dr. Robert H. Eckel, a past president of the American Heart Assn. and professor of physiology and biophysics at University of Colorado Denver's Health Sciences Center.Statin drugs, for example, are known to cut heart disease risk by reducing cholesterol levels -- among other things, these meds fight inflammation."We don't know how much of statins' effect are due to their anti-inflammatory effects," Eckel says. But, he adds, a growing number of researchers suspect that this property is important.

Fish oil, rich in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids and derived from oily fish such as tuna, salmon and mackerel -- is already recommended by the American Heart Assn. to help prevent cardiovascular disease.

It has been shown to reduce blood triglyceride levels and slightly lower blood pressure, lowering the risk for heart attacks and strokes.There is also reason to believe that anti-inflammatory substances would help to ward off cancers.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have been shown to prevent tumors with people with inherited colorectal cancer, for example.And population studies have shown that people who had been taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory meds for other conditions were less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease.In trials, such drugs have failed to treat already-developed Alzheimer's, but the studies suggest that it might be possible to prevent the disease by reducing inflammation, says Greg Cole, a professor of medicine and neurology at UCLA and associate director of the UCLA Alzheimer's Disease Research Center.But it is not safe to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for years because of harmful side effects, such as gastrointestinal bleeding.

What about anti-inflammatory foods? Several clinical trials, in the U.S. and abroad, have shown that people with mild memory complaints related to aging (not necessarily Alzheimer's disease) showed significant improvement when given the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid, Cole says.

And in an 18-month study released in June sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, treating Alzheimer's disease with docosahexaenoic acid slowed its progression in a subgroup of the study population.There are other trials with positive results for fish oil in early Alzheimer's cases, but they are not large enough to be definitive, Cole says.But, he adds, "the real utility is not to slow the progression of someone who's already demented, but it's to treat before dementia happens.

We'd like to turn off or keep down [the inflammation] with something that doesn't cause gastrointestinal bleeding or other side effects."Cole's laboratory is looking at the potential for Alzheimer's prevention by controlling inflammation with omega-3 fatty acids and curcumin. Other food substances -- such as resveratrol in red wine and flavonoids in fruits -- may have anti-inflammatory effects by acting along the same pathway that curcumin does, he says.Cole suspects that people are more likely to take a supplement or two than to radically change their diets. "Nutritionists, they'll tell you to eat right. It is good, sound advice, but you can't always get people to do it," he says.

"The question is, can you find an easier supplement approach that doesn't require a restricted diet?"Supplements do have their drawbacks. "Many Alzheimer's researchers were prescribing vitamin E [an antioxidant] to all their patients," says Debra Cherry, a clinical psychologist and the executive vice president of the Alzheimer's Assn. of the California Southland. "But some data came out that people had high bleeds and suffered from cardiovascular problems."Dietary revampPerhaps a complete diet overhaul -- difficult though that may be -- would be a better strategy. The Mediterranean diet, named for the region in which it originated, has many anti-inflammatory features.It includes fruits, vegetables, nuts, fish, whole grains, alcohol, and healthful fats like olive and canola oil. It has been shown to lower LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels and reduce the risk of blood clots. Studies have shown that diets high in fish, olive oil and cooked vegetables reduce the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. A Mediterranean diet or elements of it seems linked to reduced risk for a number of chronic conditions, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer's. (See related story online.)

"If people noticed they're slightly overweight, or if blood pressure is starting to creep up, or if blood sugar [increases], and they went on a Mediterranean-type diet, they might be able to decrease inflammation and stop the progression of disease," says Dr. Wadie Najm, a clinical professor of family medicine and geriatrics at UC Irvine who directs an integrated medicine clinic at UCI that focuses on complementary and alternative medicine.Many patients visiting his clinic have chronic inflammatory conditions, including autoimmune diseases such as arthritis and gastrointestinal problems such as Crohn's disease.

Patients begin a specialized diet and exercise, and make other lifestyle changes to decrease inflammation."In three weeks, if [patients] follow the protocol, we see great results in improvement in symptomology and reduction in flare-ups," says Bianca Garilli, a naturopathic doctor at the clinic.Of course, these dietary and other lifestyle changes might help treat pain conditions through the placebo effect -- a belief in a treatment rather than the treatment itself, says Dr. Roger Chao, an associate professor of medicine at Oregon Health and Science University and director of clinical guidelines development for the American Pain Society.

"You're giving something for people to focus on and do something good for themselves," Chao says.At the end of the day, there is evidence to suggest that your best bet at curbing inflammation is to eat a healthful diet -- and keep your weight in check -- without specifically thinking about anti-inflammatory foods."There is no doubt that if you lose weight, inflammation is dramatically improved," Greenberg says. When a person is overweight or obese, body fat breaks down into fatty acids, which circulate in the blood.

These fatty acids promote an immune response in the same way that infection does, increasing inflammation.It will take time to tease apart the effects of anti-inflammatory diets and supplements. But Cole thinks the effort is well worth it. "The alternative to these kinds of things aimed at prevention is to pay for treatments," he says. "And we can't always afford them."

"Nude" wars

2009-08-14T10:18:00.000-07:00

In one of the more bizarre celebrity feuds, fashion desiner Stella McCartney and Bono’s wife Alison Hewson are engaged in a down and dirty fight over the word “nude.”

Hewson, 47, and her business partner Bryan Meehan, 40, founder of organic food chain Fresh And Wild are suing McCartney’s company over the use of the word nude in her new fragrance Stella Nude.

Unfortunately, Newson and Meehan also have a company called Nude Skincare which boasts model Helena Christensen among its devotees.

"Nude Skincare is suing for compensation, not with anything to do with the new scent but because of branding and the use of the word nude,” an insider told The UK Daily Mail newspaper.

“It would be quite funny if it weren’t being taken so seriously – there are other perfumes with similar names after all,” adds the insider.

But the nude theme is a large part of 37-year-old McCartney’s fashion brand and she has already created a collection of designs based on nude flesh tones which will feature models parading in them from head to toe.

A writ has already been issued but McCartney’s company is hoping to settle the matter out of court and with the new scent coming-out in September the bottle is a nude color to go with the theme.

The case will come before the Chancery Division in London which deals in infringement and copyright claims -- let’s hope Sir Paul and Bono can get around the peace table and thrash out a deal before then!

Confused?? stay tuned.

www.pomega5.com

Pomegranates for anti aging and younger looking skin

2009-08-11T17:10:00.000-07:00

It seems as if there's more evidence every day regarding the health benefits of the pomegranate fruit. This ancient fruit has been found to have a variety of beneficial health effects secondary to its high level of antioxidants which can help to prevent cell damage. The many health benefits of the amazing pomegranate fruit include a role in preventing heart disease and slowing down the growth of prostate cancer. Now you can add positive effects on skin aging to the list of pomegranate's amazing properties.

What are pomegranate's skin benefits purported to be? Several recent studies have shown pomegranate's ability to improve wound healing, resulting in faster repair of skin cuts and scrapes. It also appears to play a positive role in the repair of skin damaged due to sun exposure and aging. Extracts of pomegranate are thought to exert their positive effects on skin aging by extending the life of fibroblasts, the cells responsible for producing collagen and elastin. Collagen and elastin are the components that give strength and support to the skin. When collagen and elastin fibers break down, the skin develops laxity, resulting in the appearance of wrinkles and jowls. Fortunately, pomegranate's skin benefits may help to retard this process.

One recent study showed that pomegranate seed oil stimulated the production of collagen, resulting in a mild thickening of the epidermis and dermis of the skin. It also appeared to prevent the breakdown of collagen fibers which are the harbingers of skin aging. This suggests that pomegranate oil may boost the ability of skin to repair itself by regenerating the supporting collagen structure of the skin.

Other studies have shown that pomegranate seed extract applied to the skin may reduce the formation of some forms of skin cancer, suggesting that its antioxidant capabilities may be responsible for some of pomegranate's skin benefits.

Although you can buy creams that have pomegranate extract in them, they tend to be rather expensive. A cheaper alternative would be to use a blender to make a thick paste from the seeds of the pomegranate which could be applied to the face. This would allow you to get pomegranate's skin benefits at a high concentration without purchasing an overpriced cream that probably has very small levels of the active ingredient. You can also use a cotton ball to apply pomegranate juice to your face after cleansing. Pomegranate juice and the whole fruit can be purchased at many organic and natural food markets.

Could pomegranate be a panacea for aging? Further studies will be needed to know how much of a role this fruit will play in maintaining younger looking skin, but preliminary studies look compelling.

POMEGA5 sells omega 5 based products which could be helpful for anti aging and younger looking skin

Raising money for green tech is not easy, but when you reach success, be ware!!

2009-08-10T18:27:00.000-07:00

These are very interesting times. The world seems to be polarized - truly feast or famine. Businesses are going under and the cries of “the economic crisis” ripple through the planet like waves ripple out when you drop a rock in the water. Fear, failure and the world’s obsession with dramatic events blanket the airwaves. It’s almost impossible to ignore.But there’s something else going on - something nobody’s talking about.

On the other side of the fear and failure are people and organizations that are experiencing massive success. Reality television shows make instant celebrities. Business owners with “hot” ideas are growing faster than they ever have before. One in 8 couples are now meeting online.
And they are getting crushed under the pressure of sudden success.

While most people think they want fame, fortune or something bigger, they are wholly unprepared for the emotional, mental and physical skills they will need to manage newfound success. Celebrities deal with this all the time. The late Michael Jackson, undeniably the King of Pop (whether you like him or not) lived a life of emotional trauma, lost youth and low self-esteem. Shia LaBeouf: “I don’t handle fame well,” LaBeouf says. “Most actors on most days don’t think they’re worthy. I have no idea where this insecurity comes from, but it’s a God-sized hole. If I knew, I’d fill it, and I’d be on my way.”

Now you don’t have to be a celebrity to experience the demands of sudden success. Take the business owner who suddenly finds himself or herself leading an organization for which they are ill-equipped to run. They lack the people skills, the leadership skills and emotional intelligence to make things work smoothly. Working hours increase. Productivity decreases. Frustration and overwhelm take over. Anxiety becomes normal. Then personal criticism starts, which begins a never ending cycle of self-doubt and lowered self-confidence.

It doesn’t have to be that way. Here are 5 things you must know if you are experiencing sudden success in any area of your life.

1. Sudden Success Brings out the Weirdos. When you become more visible in your company, publicly or even in your family, weird things can happen. It’s like the old story of the crabs in the pot - whenever one crab almost reaches the top of the pot and newfound freedom, the other crabs pull him back in to die. Expect opportunities to arise, communications to increase and watch out for people who want to use you or ride your coattails. You will need some trusted advisors to put together a system to discern your good opportunities and weed out the dream stealers.

2. You will need to learn emotional intelligence. When success demands more of you, it will demand more of your emotional energy as well. You will have days where you wonder if it’s all worth it, and begin the cycle of self-defeat. Don’t go there. Likewise, you will need to learn to manage your emotional state in every situation to be able to think clearly and react appropriately to things coming at you fast. People will begin to judge you, have opinions about you, and that can make you feel bad if they are negative. With a high level of emotional intelligence, you will understand that people’s opinions of you have nothing to do with you, and everything to do with whatever they are experiencing at the time (if you don’t understand this now, you will. I’ll explain in another post about perception).

3. People skills become VERY important. Most people aren’t trained in understanding others’ personal style, filters, values and perspective. Therefore, communication breakdown occurs more often as teams grow and you need more people around you to handle daily activities. It is imperative that you become a student of people and behavior to be able to hire the right staff, understand their needs and get people to their most productive level. Once of the biggest mistakes people make when hiring people to work for them is the “warm body” approach. They take a person with a certain skillset and try to make them do a job they aren’t good at, and then wonder why it isn’t working. Proactive understanding of people matching to skillsets is a must.

4. You MUST become a better leader. When more demands are placed on you as you grow, the general tendency is to be like a rat in a cage, trying to run faster and faster on the wheel. Worry that things won’t get done, anxiety over whether people are actually doing the work, when will it get done cause many sleepless nights for fast-growing business owners.

Recently, I was hired by a small business owner to help with this exact issue. She was working almost 20 hour days, losing sleep over details and she had people she wanted to work with to build a team but didn’t know how. We restructured her time, I taught her communication and people skills, but most of all, I taught her how to let go without losing control. As a result, we engaged a team of 5 amazing people to help her. She reclaimed 47 hours per month. Doing things right, she hit ALL of her revenue goals within 30 days.

I tell you this because as a small business owner, you don’t always get to see what the big companies do to develop their people. Big companies spend millions on leadership training, communication training and the like just to help people get along and be more productive and have better performance overall. Small business owners struggle, not knowing that a different way is so close.

5. You will learn to say “No”. Decision-making skills are imperative in helping you deal with success. Information, requests, communication will all increase, and your ability to say no to time-wasters, distraction, guilt, frustration and overwhelm will become a skill you’ll wish you had a long time ago. Your goals will become more clear, and so your ability to weed out potentially unproductive opportunities will be heightened as you truly go to that next level.

While there are many other things that go along with sudden success, these are some of the most important. When your focus turns inward to making yourself a better leader, communicator, influencer and visionary, your entire world will change. Your success will be sweet, exciting and manageable.

Nutrition facts and the omega 5 oil benefit of pomega5

2009-08-07T14:32:00.000-07:00

Omega 5 oil technology as part of the evolving greentech economy

2009-08-05T16:18:00.000-07:00

Pomegranates and Arthritis

2009-08-04T19:35:00.000-07:00

ARTHRITIS - THE CLINICAL EVIDENCE THAT POMEGRANATE MAY SLOW THE PROGESSION OF ARTHRITIS

Arthritis and Pomegranate (OSTEOARTHRITIS)

DOES POMEGRANATE SLOW THE DETERIORATION OF CARTILAGE?

In a study conducted in 2005 at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and later published in the Journal of Medicine, it was reported that Pomegranate slowed the progression of osteoarthritis.

In particular, this clinical study of Pomegranate focused on the role of Pomegranate as against Interleukin-1b-(IL-1b), which is a pro-inflammatory protein molecule that plays a major role in cartilage degradation, a key component of osteoarthritis.

The IL-1b protein molecules cause an overproduction of inflammatory molecules that includes matrix metalloproteases (MMP), which are enzymes essential to tissue remodeling. When these inflammatory molecules are manufactured in the presence of osteoarthritis, they further degrade the cartilage matrix which causes joint damage and destruction. This was the first study of its kind directly studying the use of Pomegranate and its role in osteoarthritis. The conclusion is that consumption of Pomegranate fruit extract may assist in protecting cartilage from the adverse effect of IL-1b and the suppression of cartilage degradation.

THE SCIENCE BACKING

THE USE OF POMEGRANATE

During the period from 2000 through 2007, there has been an enormous number of scientific studies investigating the use of Pomegranate for a wide variety of diseases. There are certainly more clinical studies of Pomegranate to date than there have been for Acai.

The flavonoids found in fruits and vegetables have been the focus for their beneficial effects on many health issues. In particular, Pomegranate has been found to have both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The above-mentioned study was the first of its kind to demonstrate that Pomegranate fruit extracts slow the deterioration and destruction of human cartilage.

OTHER BENEFITS OF POMEGRANATE: ANTI-INFLAMMATORY PROPERTIES

In clinical tests, Pomegranate has demonstrated very powerful anti-inflammatory properties which, in and of itself, is important for those suffering from chronic pain and disease, such as osteoarthritis. Less inflammation in your body equals less pain and it is a factor in premature aging.

Pomegranate (Punica granatum) has a long and rich history that dates back for centuries. Today, it enjoys the distinction of being called a superfruit.

NUTRIENTS AND POMEGRANATE

Although Pomegranate is not known as a significant source of nutrients per se, it does have some distinct health benefits that have been found in clinical studies.

Pomegranate provides average adult user 16% of the daily Vitamin C requirements (per 100 ml serving) and Vitamin B-5 (panthothenic acid), potassium, and antioxidant polyphenols.

CLINICAL STUDIES - POMEGRANATE

Clearly, there have been some major health benefits associated with the consumption of Pomegranate. Those benefits cannot be disputed. However, as the growing body of research through official, peer-reviewed studies continues, so will the health benefits.

For your convenience, we have attached a very lengthy review of clinical studies that have been conducted on both Acai and Pomegranate. To summarize some of the clinical studies of Acai and Pomegranate, the following summarizes some of the clinical studies that have been conducted to date.

As with most other clinical studies of efficacy, some studies involved humans and other involved animals. It should be noted that this list is not all inclusive as clinical studies of both Acai and Pomegranate continue.

Linda does not suffer from arthritis

Healing Lifestyles and Spas and Woman's World Magazines cover super natural Pomega5 products, read more about it...

2008-07-16T10:38:00.000-07:00

Category Wars: Despite Economic Dip, Organic Food Sales Soar

Demand for organic products grows despite downturn.

If there's a recession, organic food doesn't know it. Even in a down economy, green consumers have shown a willingness to pay more for organic, natural or environmentally-friendly products, per a study released last week by the Natural Marketing Institute and The Nielsen Co. (which is parent to Brandweek).

The Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability (or LOHAS) consumers are top spenders in many consumer packaged goods categories. "They are less price sensitive, and also have more fully integrated LOHAS products into their lifestyle and are less likely to go back," said Gwynne Rogers, business director at NMI, Harleysville, Pa.

About 20% of Americans make up this segment of buyers. These highly desirable consumers tend to spend 10% more in warehouse clubs as well as buy more cereal, jelly, pasta, produce, soup and ready-to-serve prepared food than "non-green" consumers. Products labeled organic represented $4.4 billion in sales for the 52 weeks ended April 19 (excluding Wal-Mart), per The Nielsen Company. Mintel, Chicago, forecasts sales will grow to $6.8 billion by 2012.Small brands are seeing big growth. Ian's Natural Food's grows 45% annually, per the company.

Nature's Path Foods, meanwhile, grew 30% in the first half of this year and will launch 15 new products by year's end."It's much easier for [organic products]…to get onto shelves today than it was 10 years ago," said John Foraker, CEO of Annie's, in Napa, California. "As big CPG companies give organic credibility, that's made it easier." But once inside the battle for shelf space can be fierce. Annie's natural macaroni and cheese, for example, is going head to head with Kraft's organic offering."There is some brand loyalty [among organic foods] but not as much as you would hope," said Pam Dietz, director at soy milk manufacturer Vita Soy in Ayer, Mass.To compete, smaller brands have beefed up in-store promotions. I

n one program, Nature's Path is co-branding with Organic Valley and Stoneyfield Farm yogurt to include cross-promotional $1 coupons to push joint purchases of organic yogurt and cereal.Annie's and Vita Soy are plucking the cause-conscious heart strings of shoppers with promos that raise funds for school gardens and breast cancer research, respectively. VitaSoy's pink-colored containers court retailers by allowing them to choose the local breast cancer program they prefer to donate to.Nielsen and NMI point out there are also still numerous categories that have yet to be exploited. Its report shows organic noncarbonated drinks, baking mixes, frozen desserts and syrups are "opportunities for CPG manufacturers and retailers seeking to capture LOHAS consumers wallet."

http://www.pomega5.com/

Sephora skin care for men

2008-07-15T21:29:00.000-07:00

sephora skin care for men

ATHENS (Reuters) - Nine British women were facing prostitution charges after being arrested at the weekend for taking part in an oral sex competition in the Greek holiday island of Zakynthos, police said on Monday.

Six British and six Greek men, including two bar owners, were also charged in the incident, which took place at Laganas beach in the south of the Ionian island, which lies off the west coast of mainland Greece, police said.

The women, who came to the popular resort on holiday, had been paid to take part in the competition, which was video recorded and was to be posted on the Internet, police said.

The men were charged with encouraging obscene behavior.

In recent years, Laganas has established itself as one of Greece's most popular destinations for twenty-something holidaymakers and is known for its wild party scene.

Around 15 million people -- a fifth of them British -- visit the eastern Mediterranean country each year, drawn by its soaring summer temperatures, azure waters and sandy beaches.

www.pomega5.com

Pomegranates and antioxidants

2008-07-15T07:34:00.000-07:00

DOES IT WORK?

Pomegranate - and its juice - are a most useful source of antioxidants in a proper, varied diet

POMEGRANATE JUICE has received much attention in the past couple of years, although the fruit remains relatively unfamiliar in much of the west. The fruit grows on a small tree, Punica granatum , that is native to Iran, Afghanistan, the Himalayas and parts of the Mediterranean.
Grenadine was originally made from the fruit, giving it its blood-red colour, though other fruits and flavourings are now used.

The name pomegranate comes from the Latin term for seeded apple. The fruit looks like an apple with a crown where the flower once blossomed. When opened, hundreds of shiny ruby-shaped seeds spill forth in the midst of an intense red juice.

For this reason, pomegranates have long been seen as a symbol of human fertility. Currently, interest is focused on the potential benefits of pomegranate juice in preventing heart disease and cancer.

Evidence from studies

Pomegranate juice contains several compounds belonging to the class called polyphenols. These are important antioxidants. Oxidation is a chemical reaction by which the body breaks down food to release energy.

But if too much oxidation occurs, cells and tissues can be damaged. The body uses a variety of antioxidants to keep things in balance, including a range of antioxidants from the diet. People who don't eat enough fruits and vegetables often get insufficient dietary antioxidants.

A large amount of evidence has shown that people with lower amounts of antioxidants in their diets are at higher risk of heart disease and some cancers. This finding has been part of the reason why much emphasis is being placed on increasing the amount of fruit and vegetables that people eat.

Analyses of pomegranate juice have found that it has a higher antioxidant potency than any other commonly recommended antioxidant drinks. A study released earlier this year found that the order of potency was pomegranate juice, red wine, grape juice, blueberry juice and black cherry juice. Green tea, another commonly recommended antioxidant, was ninth on the list, with black tea tenth.

Different tests are used to calculate this potency, with some of them finding pomegranate juice more than twice as powerful as the second-ranked red wine.

Such findings have triggered a lot of research into whether the antioxidants lead to better health in those drinking pomegranate juice. A small number of studies have shown that people drinking pomegranate juice daily have reduced oxidative levels in their blood.

This is a good sign that their risk of developing some types of heart disease may be reduced. A very small study (with only 19 patients) found that after three months those drinking the juice daily had less narrowing of their arteries compared to those consuming a placebo drink. A few other studies have shown beneficial effects on blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Interest has also developed into whether pomegranate juice might lower cancer risk, with some early positive findings with prostate cancer. Research is at the earliest stages, but such benefits would be in keeping with pomegranate's high level of antioxidants.

Problematic aspects

Studies have not revealed any problems with the juice, although very few people have been involved in studies so far. Allergies to the juice and seeds have been recorded. Concerns have also been expressed about anyone with liver problems consuming large quantities of the juice.
Some studies found benefits when people drank 50ml of juice daily, while others recommended drinking 240ml per day. Anyone being treated for any heart condition should talk to his or her doctor before starting to take pomegranate juice regularly.

Recommendations

The importance of having sufficient antioxidants in one's diet is well established. Pomegranate juice is an excellent source of antioxidants. Being new to the dietary supplement scene, little clinical research has been conducted on the juice. As part of a diet that includes a variety of plants and vegetables, pomegranate juice appears to be a healthy option.

www.pomega5.com
omega 5 oil products

Premium body care products by POMEGA5

2008-07-14T20:26:00.000-07:00

The Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act defines cosmetics as “articles intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, or sprayed on, introduced into, or otherwise applied to the human body…for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance.”

That definition covers a lot more products than just eye shadow and foundation. It includes everything from lipstick and lotion to deodorant, shaving cream, toothpaste and mouthwash. Both women and men regularly use products that are defined as “cosmetics.” The average person uses as many as 25 personal care products everyday, coming into contact with as many as 100 chemicals before breakfast.

Shockingly, the US government is not regulating the safety of these chemicals. The FDA does not test the chemicals in any cosmetic product before it hits store shelves and is not authorized to require recalls of cosmetics that are found to contain toxins. Cosmetics companies are not required by the FDA to register their company, provide information on the ingredients used in their products, or to report injuries related to their products.

The FDA has banned or restricted the use of only 9 of the over 12,000 ingredients commonly used in cosmetics. The European Union, on the other hand, has much more stringent standards and has banned more than 1,000 chemicals thought to be carcinogens, mutagens, and reproductive toxins.

So who is responsible for regulating the safety of cosmetic ingredients in the US? The Cosmetic Ingredient Review, or CIR, established in 1976 and funded by the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association is responsible for this task. Sound a bit inbred? Perhaps. The CIR is also a voluntary program and has reviewed only about 11% of all ingredients used in cosmetics.

This brazen lack of accountability has led to some very dangerous chemicals in our cosmetics. Lead is a major ingredient of many lipsticks and, in the US, it’s a legal ingredient in cosmetics-no matter how high the amount. When California tried recently to ban its use, the beauty industry lobbied against it so hard that the bill was overturned. A proven neurotoxin, lead was banned from use in paints. So while it’s illegal to paint our walls with lead, it’s perfectly legal to paint our faces with it.

Besides lead, there are a variety of other toxic, as well as just plain foul, ingredients commonly used in cosmetics. Phthalates, used often in perfumes and nail polish remover, are a chemical plasticizer and solvent that have even been found in babies’ bloodstreams. Cow placenta and “ethically sourced” human placenta are also sometimes used as ingredients. Ahem…did you say human placenta? Watch out for ingredients such as “placental protein” and collagen if you’re not interested in various human or animal parts in your daily skin regimen.

Cosmetic ingredients are not, however, all dire. There are organic and natural body care companies that have adhered to strict guidelines on the purity of their ingredients for years. Other companies are taking action and pledging to make their cosmetics safer.

In March, Whole Foods began screening products for safety and environmental impact. They placed a Premium Body Care seal on products that are free from synthetic fragrance and that don’t contain about 250 synthetic chemicals that are commonly used in cosmetic products. CVS has promised to remove chemicals linked to poor health from its house-branded products, as well as to increase placement of products that are safer alternatives.

So, what can you do to ensure you’re getting the safest and most environmentally sound body care products?

Start with the products you use every day: read the labels, investigate any mysterious ingredients, and replace toxic products with organic and chemical-free alternatives.

Check the Skin Deep Cosmetics Safety Database where they rate the safety of various cosmetics brands on a scale of 1-10.

Check out the Greener Alternatives list by Teens For Safe Cosmetics and avoid their “Dirty Dozen Plus” list…

Butyl Acetate
Butylated Hydroxytoluene
Coal Tar
Cocamide DEA/Lauramide DEA
Diazolidinyl Urea
Ethyl Acetate
Formaldehyde
Parabens (methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl)
Petrolatum
Phthalates
Propylene Glycol
Sodium Laureth/Sodium Laurel Sulfate
Talc
Toluene
Triethanolamine

www.pomega5.com

Finding beauty with Pomega5 ultra natural skin care

2008-07-13T14:32:00.000-07:00

When people talk about where they find beauty and what is beautiful to them, they reveal whom they love and how they love, and what they love to do.

Listening as people recollect and offer their own beauty stories, I am in awe of the ways that beauty moves in our lives. Everyone who has a family, or loves an animal or a place or a piece of music, has a beauty story to tell. A man reflects on the challenge of keeping Eros alive in a long marriage, a woman speaks of what it was like to grow up with a mother who was a model, another comments on learning how to appreciate her own beauty when compared to a classically gorgeous sister.

As we speak about our personal relationship to beauty and what is beautiful to us, we reveal our longings to be seen, our need for acceptance, the powerful influence of mothers and fathers, grandparents, older siblings, first loves and favorite cousins, our keen ability to remember what embarrassed, confused, and delighted us, our yearnings to stand out and to fit in, our desire to be loved. In our own stories we mark the distinction between looking beautiful and feeling beautiful — the part of us trapped by our culture and the part of us that knows our own value.

A nurse declares that her beauty secret is that the husband who adores her is nearsighted, so when she is close enough for him to see her, is seeing her with the eyes of love. A newspaper story describes how a young interracial blind couple got together when she became attracted to voice, reminding us that prejudice is born in dismissing people because look different, because we see them as exotic and frightening.

“Love is blind,” we say, but perhaps it is more accurate to say love sees with different eyes. Love sees beyond the surface. Love opens the door for beauty. When we see with the eye, we develop the ability to refine, to judge, to discriminate. When we see with the heart, we expand the view of what it is to be human, see the common dream, see the wisdom of friends and neighbours, and see there is no separation between that which is most beautiful and the everyday world. The eye of the heart sees with a wholeness that allows imperfections and idiosyncrasies to coexist with beauty. The eye of the heart knows surface and depth are not opposites. Beauty is a process, a revelation, not a finished state.

Beauty reveals itself over time in relationship. The people I love are beautiful to me. I’m not sure if my eyes are blinded by love or it is love that lets me see their beauty. Knowing them over time, my appreciation of who they are and how they appear increases. Their beauty comes from their liveliness and authentic sweetness, their intention to live lives that make some sense (and some nonsense), the spirited coherence of being who they are.

A teacher recalls sitting in on another teacher’s class and thinking, “Isn’t it strange how ordinary looking, how rather plain these kids are? My students are beautiful.” She sees her students as gorgeous because she knows them well. “When you sit with them or work with them and see them every day and know their moods, they become more amazing, not less so,”‘ she says. “And then, I realized that the kids in the other classroom look beautiful to their teacher, too.”

When a beautician notes, “All my clients are beautiful,” I hear how her awareness of and attention to beauty brings it out in others.

When we are most alive, we are beautiful. When we are in love, we are reminded that we are beautiful. And sometimes when we know we are beautiful, we find ourselves in love. “In love” usually means the romantic sense of being with one other person who in that moment we feel reflects us perfectly. In love, living in the field of love. Sometimes I have felt like I was in love, even when there was no one I was in love with. I couldn’t talk about my lover’s hands or eyes or voice. I couldn’t focus all this love on one other, and it was both confusing and revealing to realize how much we become places for each other to rest in. Alone and “in love” it is easy to feel like you’re making it up. Our songs and movies have told us such great sentimental stories about being “in love,” we forget that being in love can be a state of truth as well as an illusion.

Long-time friends witnessing a friend “falling in love” often caution the infatuated person that being in love is a dizzy, temporary state. I think of this territory not just as a delicious romantic dance, but as a field to which we can travel from many places. There is a way in which being in love with anything — a person, a place, a project — is crossing a border into a country where the ego does not rule, being in a state where essence is honoured. We are both inside and outside our everyday selves. It is always interesting to observe what happens when we return to the land of ordinary life. Can we live with more generosity and trust?

I never want to underestimate the capacity that being “in love” has to change our seeing, expand our vision, and remind us of both human beauty and human frailty. The search for the beloved is full of paradoxes. We want to be who we are when we are our best self, and sometimes because we have met that self when we are in love, we believe that self only exists in the presence of the other. So we hold on to the other and lose ourselves, forget that love is partly of this world and partly of some other place.

An old beau spoke of the danger of trying to make our lovers be God, insisting that we each need our own relationship to the Source. It sounded logical, but I rebelled at his analysis. In this world, one of the ways we glimpse God is when we are in love. Not that the beloved is God, but that God is the Beloved, a tradition as old as the Song of Songs and the ecstatic poems of wandering Indian mystics, the Sufis. One of the most beautiful and accessible ways to address God is as Love.

The Greeks gave us an image of Eros, the unpredictable archer before whom even the Gods trembled. Hindus tell their stories of the Gopi maidens seeking Krishna, the bewitchingly beautiful, blue-skinned god; Krishna with his soft glowing eyes, perfumed hair, Krishna drawing women to him, touching each in forgotten registers of being.

What is done with love is done in beauty to celebrate the God that loves. More and more I believe the messengers of love, the envoys and the couriers of beauty are everywhere. And I wonder how something so clear can also be mysterious. The Indian poet Ghalib writes, “This earth, burnished by hearing the Name, is so certain of Love that the sky bends unceasingly down, to greet its own light.”

I love POMEGA5 products -- how do I become a natural cosmetic chemist?

2008-07-12T12:51:00.000-07:00

If You Want to be a Cosmetic Chemist Here is What You Do

Hi, I’m currently looking in to Cosmetic Science as a career. I will be graduating from uni this year but have no previous experience in the area. I plan to do a diploma from the SCS in Cosmetic Science to start me off. If you have any advice or information I’d be very grateful. Thank you!

We respond:

Heather, how wonderful that you want to enter cosmetic science. This industry, and science based industries in general, need more women. I have always found it amusing/appalling to hear non-make-up wearing, bald men men in our industry blab on about exactly what women want.

Ha!
We often get asked this and similar questions about becoming a cosmetic scientist so we’ll provide a general answer here. Hopefully, some of this information helps you.

Key Moves to Become a Cosmetic Scientist

1. Get a science degree. Unless you have a relative who started the company, you will need a college degree in science since most cosmetic firms require it. Preferred ones include degrees in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering. However, plenty of scientists in our industry have Biology, Microbiology, and even Physics degrees. The specific college or Uni that you attend is less important than which degree you received.

2. Consider getting an advanced degree. True, a 4-year college degree is all you need, but you can improve your chances of breaking into cosmetics by getting an advanced degree. Your involvement with the SCS is a great start in the UK. In the United States, there are only a few advanced degrees offered. These include places like the University of Cincinnati, St. John’s University, Rutgers University, University of Southern California, etc. Check the college’s Pharmacy departments for more information. You can contact the Society of Cosmetic Chemists (SCC) for a complete list. In addition to getting something good for putting on your resume, you’ll get invaluable experience making cosmetic products & meet some great people.

3. Find the companies where you’d like to work. This industry has thousands of companies that employ cosmetic chemists. Where do you find them? If you like, internet searches work, but you can also search trade magazines like Happi or GCI. In GCI, your search can be done by region of the US or world. Of course, you can also look at what company makes a product you like and Google their contact information to inquire about jobs.

4. Figure out what job you want. Speaking of jobs, many different different ones exist in the cosmetic industry for scientists. If you actually want to make formulas, you’ll want a formulating job. People who enjoyed experiments in Organic Chemistry might like these jobs. If you were more interested in Analytical Chemistry than you’ll want to find a job in an analytical lab. You can also find jobs in microbiology, perfumery, and quality control. For chemical engineers, your job search can lead you to process engineering which requires you to figure out how you might scale 1kg batches up to 10,000 kg tanks. Finally, if all else fails you can get a sales job. Raw material suppliers always look for people with technical backgrounds who can sell product. Personally, I think formulating jobs rule!

5. Find a temporary assignment. If it is too difficult to break directly into the industry, you might try finding a job through a temp agency. These companies can place you at big cosmetic companies like P&G or Unilever for a short or longer term assignment. Many people get hired on permanently at companies after starting as a temp.

6. Network with other cosmetic chemists. If you really want to step ahead of the other cosmetic science job seekers, strike up relationships with other scientists that already work on cosmetics. The most popular US association is the SCC and in the UK it is the SCS. For other countries you can contact the IFSCC to find out your local organization. The SCC has chapters throughout the US and you can often visit a monthly meeting for free. If you prefer computers, look on LinkedIn, Facebook or MySpace for chemists who list their affiliation. You can even join our Beauty Brains Forum and get connected with other cosmetic chemists.

www.pomega5.com

Paraben free sun screen by a reader of our blog

2008-07-12T11:16:00.000-07:00

The July 8th article in Live Science "Most Sunscreens Fail to Protect <>" came as no surprise to me. In fact, it seems that most sunscreen companies have been keeping us all in the dark for far too long. Last March, while I was cooking dinner one night and watching my two kids fighting over a toy in the backyard, I got a phone call that would change my life.

It was my dermatologist. She told me that a mole I had removed a few weeks back was melanoma. I was in total shock. After a big chunk of my leg was removed and the lab determined that I was in Stage 1 cancer, the fear of never seeing my kids grow up finally began to dissipate.

I had faced my fear of death. But how was I going to live? I had to figure out a way to do that in our sun-obsessed, outdoor, year-around sunbathing California culture. This meant no more afternoon beach walks. No more family "Surf Sunday" trips. No more trips to Maui to visit friends. No more afternoons at the park with my kids. "Don't be in the sun between 10 and 4," the doctors told me. Well, my misery knew no limits.

Yes, I was going to live, but not in a bubble. I refused. The only answer to my constant question to every doctor I saw was the same - "use a Zinc Oxide SPF 30+ sunscreen, cover up and stay out of the sun." Ok, now I was on a quest. A quest to find the perfect sunscreen. A quest to get my old life back, or at least some sense of freedom. I was driven and determined and probably too obsessed by it, but I found out some pretty scary things along the way.

In my search for the amazing elixir that would banish all my pre-cancerous cells and stop the formation of any new ones, I bumped into some ugly things about our skin care industry. I knew that since I would have to wear sunscreen all over my body every day of the year I began to do some research on what is actually in it. It was pretty shocking. Almost every brand I found contained a preservative called Parabens (menthy, poly, etc.).

I also found out that recently scientists have found topical parabens in human breast cancer tumors. So basically anything with Parabens added to it to preserve the product's shelf life will be absorbed into your bloodstream and act as an estrogen mimicker. Then it will bind to estrogen receptors in your body and create a negative feedback system where estrogen-related tumors can flourish. These chemicals are the "Trans-Fats" of the cosmetic world and they are in everything! Even "all natural" products contain them because they are cheap for the manufacturers to use. For years Parabens have been added to our favorite shampoos, conditioners, lotions, moisturizers, makeup and lipsticks. So now I had to protect myself from skin cancer and end up with breast cancer instead. No thank you!

According to my research, more than 60% of your favorite skin care products are absorbed through your skin, which is the largest organ in your body. This means that chemical preservatives, fragrance, coloring agents, and stabilizers added to almost all skin care products are being introduced into your bloodstream every time you apply a cream or lotion. The thought of this can be staggering when you realize how many products most men and women use each day before 8 am.

I finally found a brand called Pomega5 which satisfies all my needs, the best skin care ever.

And there is Terrain (Vanicream is good too, but a bit thick and hard to apply) that is chemical free, Paraben free and uses 9% micronized Zinc-Oxide as a sun blocker (the best you can use for sun protection). And to my delight, they also made a sunscreen for my kids. It is perfect for the body, but I needed something more sensitive for my face. So I use Elta MD, paraben free and SPF 40 on my face and chest every day. But as for my other skin care products, it was really hard to find a natural substitute for my Dior Show mascara or Aveeno lotion. But it is really worth it. I love the Jane Iredale makeup, Alba lotion (only some are paraben- free, so always check labels), and Alba shaving lotion. And that is about it.

I have tried lots of things, but nothing else seems to fit my high standards and my needs. As for my kids, i am very protective (as you can imagine) about what is absorbed into their bloodstream. Kid's skin is much more porous that adults, so these toxic chemicals affect them quicker and can have more serious side effects. My favorite is still California Baby Shampoo Sensitive and Fragrance free. I use this for all washing (hair and body) and they use Tom's of Maine toothpaste. That's it for them. Kids don't need a lot of fuss or products. Just clean and simple. Another thing i have added to my diet is Calcium D-Glucarate. It bonds with any toxic estrogen (like parabens) in my body and helps to remove it so that it will not build up in my tissues where estrogen receptors are located (like breast tissue and ovarian tissue, just to name a few).

A great site I have found to check out the toxicity level of a skin care product is: www.cosmeticsdatabase.com. Sometimes they don't always have the products listed, but i have found this site very helpful before I buy anything new. Always educate yourself and don't trust manufacturers. They watch out for their bottom line, not for your health. That is your job!

www.pomega5.com

POMEGA5 to file for the next $100 Million beauty brand

2008-07-11T19:04:00.001-07:00

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., July 11, 2008

PRNewswire via COMTEX/ ----Product Partners, LLC announced today that the Breakthrough in Beauty(TM: 90.52, -2.08, -2.24%) 2009 global search is now actively accepting and reviewing submissions. Beauty entrepreneurs can submit innovative beauty products and ideas for consideration to become the next $100 million beauty brand. Up and coming beauty visionaries can submit their products only until August 30, 2008 at www.BreakthroughinBeauty.com. Finalists will be announced in late September and will participate in a two-day "Breakthrough in Beauty" event for a final round of competition to determine the winner of this year's search.

The annual Breakthrough in Beauty search identifies the top innovative new beauty products in the world. After evaluating thousands of promising entries, the winner of the search receives an infusion of resources to vault the winning product from obscurity and into the mainstream. Breakthrough in Beauty invests $3-5 million to launch the product to market, with an additional $50 million in advertising to secure its success. The winning product is then marketed directly to women in an easy to understand, convenient, and affordable format via TV infomercials.

"Breakthrough in Beauty(TM: 90.52, -2.08, -2.24%) represents a new, more personal era in beauty retailing," explained Marina Randolph, Founder of Breakthrough in Beauty. "By continually searching for and accepting only the very best in undiscovered concepts, incubating them and providing them with growth opportunities and guidance, we enable innovators to thrive. Their products become irreplaceable -- and more importantly, accessible -- in women's lives."

This year's search emphasizes color cosmetics products. Products that feature advanced technology as well as anti aging benefits or a natural appeal are also being sought. An esteemed panel of judges representing experts and leaders in the beauty industry will help evaluate submissions and select the final winner. This year's panel will feature a renowned color chemist, a top magazine beauty editor, a nationally recognized dermatologist and a world- class beauty branding expert. All submissions will receive valuable feedback from the expert panelists on the products, which would typically only be available at a premium cost for consultation.

Product Partners Chairman and CEO Carl Daikeler explains the five key benefits of submitting a product proposal for consideration. "Applicants' business proposals will be analyzed by a panel of industry experts and will receive free feedback," he says. "Then, the winning entry will receive funding for product development and testing, as well as advertising and marketing support to create global brand awareness. And, the winning applicant will have the opportunity for endless earning potential."

To submit beauty products for consideration, entrepreneurs need to visit www.BreakthroughinBeauty.com and click on "Download submission forms" link. By submitting a product proposal, the expert panel of judges will analyze the plans, provide specific feedback on strengths and weaknesses, and work with applicants to improve plans.

In two easy steps, the beauty entrepreneur is one step closer to being backed financially by a multimillion-dollar marketing and distribution campaign, according to Product Partners' President Jon Congdon. "In a questionnaire, applicants address their product, how it is unique to competitors, its ability to demonstrate visually, target demographic, product price point, manufacturing details, sales and distribution history if applicable, and other details that will be evaluated thoroughly," he explains.

For more information, visit www.BreakthroughinBeauty.com. To schedule an appointment with a representative from Breakthrough in Beauty at CosmoProf, HBA Health & Beauty America Exposition & Educational Conference or in the greater Los Angeles area, please contact Marina Randolph via phone at 323-904-5600, via email at mrandolph@BreakthroughinBeauty.com or via mail at Breakthrough in Beauty, 8383 Wilshire Blvd. #1050, Beverly Hills, CA 90211.

About Breakthrough in Beauty(TM: 90.52, -2.08, -2.24%)

Breakthrough in Beauty, the fastest-growing business division of Product Partners, LLC, discovers one-of-a-kind breakthrough skincare, cosmetics, and nutricosmetics from revolutionary formulations that use only the highest-performing ingredients, the very best in proven science innovations, and the newest natural trends in the market. Through a global beauty search, they select and nurture groundbreaking products that stand out amongst a sea of ordinary, useless beauty options. The innovative, high-quality products selected are made available to women in an easy, convenient, fun, and affordable way. Timeless Secret was selected as the first Breakthrough in Beauty search winner and will be commercially launched in early 2008.