Even Scientists Admit Broccoli Can Cure Cancer

One of the main tenets of natural health is the "food is your best medicine." Now even scientists are backhandedly acknowledging that vegetables can cure cancer though, as usual, they are on the wrong track in trying the apply that knowledge.

The FDA has long frowned upon anyone claiming that vegetables or superfoods cure cancer. It's been okay to say they "prevent" cancer, but a cure is apparently reserved only for the realm of drugs, surgery, chemotherapy and radiation (none of which actually cure anything, in reality). That's why this article is so interesting: it claims that compounds from broccoli could be used in a cure for cancer. And it's not just broccoli, it's other foods, too: cabbage, mustard greens, turnips and more.

Regardless of the FDA's strongly biased opinions, the fact remains that foods and superfoods do cure cancer. Broccoli reverses breast cancer. Carrots help reverse lung cancer. Ginger, onions and garlic shrink tumors throughout the body. These foods are healing foods, and they do in fact reverse serious disease. I've often said that if broccoli could be sold as a precription drug, it would be headline news. That's because it offers a vast array of cancer-fighting compounds, including antiangiogenesis phytochemicals that help "starve" tumors so they die, all without harming healthy cells. Read more

Vaginal Strengthening Exercises for More Powerful Orgasms

Natural remedies are not limited to herbs and foods. Exercise and bodywork are natural remedies too. Svetlana Ivanova at Sex Secrets writes about how vaginal strengthening exercises, sometimes called Kegels, can help a woman have more powerful orgasms.

When a woman has an orgasm, she is exercising her sexual muscles, which play a big part in her orgasmic response and are partly responsible for her orgasmic capacity. If you have weak sexual muscles, you may have a hard time having an orgasm, or, at the very least, you will not have the powerful orgasms that you could be having. To have powerful, intense, and, especially, female-ejaculatory orgasms, you must have strong sexual muscles. The good news is that there are several exercises that can strengthen them. Read more

Vitamin C Gives Staying Power To Green Tea Antioxidants

Adding citrus juices enable to green tea enables more of its antioxidants to remain after digestion.

A study found that citrus juices enable more of green tea's unique antioxidants to remain after simulated digestion, making the pairing even healthier than previously thought.

The study compared the effect of various beverage additives on catechins, naturally occurring antioxidants found in tea. Results suggest that complementing green tea with either citrus juices or vitamin C likely increases the amount of catechins available for the body to absorb.

"Although these results are preliminary, I think it's encouraging that a big part of the puzzle comes down to simple chemistry," said Mario Ferruzzi, assistant professor of food science at Purdue University and the study's lead author. Read more

Remember, though, that adding milk to tea reduces its health benefits.

The Breast-Enlarging Subliminal Ring Tone

A Japanese man has developed a breast-enlarging subliminal ring tone, which was downloaded 10,000 times in the first week alone.

Hideto Tomabechi... claims that his deliciously-titled "Rockmelon" ditty uses "sounds that make the brain and body move unconsciously". Tomabechio calls the subliminal mambooster a kind of positive brainwashing and further reckons that it's "a part of cognitive science". Read more

I'm not sure that the subliminal messages would get through in the environment in which most phone calls are received, but it certainly couldn't hurt to try. Unluckily for English-speakers, I'm sure the subliminals are in Japanese.

Slow Aging with Vitamin D

Vitamin D has been recognized as protective against heart disease and cancer, but it may also slow down aging.

Vitamin D could help slow down the ageing of cells and tissues, according to British researchers.

A study of 2,160 women aged between 18 and 79 by researchers of King's College London published Thursday found those with higher vitamin D levels showed fewer ageing-related changes in their DNA.

The shortening of these strands of DNA called telomeres is one way of examining the ageing process at a cellular level.

[...]

"These results are exciting because they demonstrate for the first time that people who have higher levels of vitamin D may age more slowly than people with lower levels of vitamin D. This could help to explain how vitamin D has a protective effect on many ageing-related diseases, such as heart disease and cancer," Brent Richards, who led the study, was quoted as saying. Read more

Stop Staph Infections with Good Hygiene

The drug-resistant staph infection MRSA has made headlines recently, but it should not trigger panic or irrational fear.

"This isn't something just floating around in the air," Dr. Julie Gerberding, head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told members of Congress on Wednesday.

It takes close contact - things like sharing towels and razors, or rolling on the wrestling mat or football field with open scrapes, or not bandaging cuts - to become infected with the staph germ called MRSA outside of a hospital, she said. But MRSA is preventable largely by common-sense hygiene, Gerberding stressed.

"Soap and water is the cheapest intervention we have, and it's one of the most effective," she told a hearing of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Read more

If you stay out of hospitals, wash your hands, and cover your cuts, you can probably cross MRSA off your list of things to worry about.

Amazing New Uses for an Old-Fashioned Remedy : Vicks VapoRub

People are ingenious about using items they have on hand for new uses. One of these is Vicks VapoRub. I didn't realize it was still even sold, but, not only is it still available, but people have found amazing new uses for this old-fashioned remedy.

Suffering is the mother of creativity. People will do almost anything to relieve their discomfort. Perhaps that is why some folks have tried rinsing their scalps with Listerine for flaky Dandruff. Others have dabbed vodka on their itchy poison ivy.

People reach for what they have on hand, which might account for why common household products show up so frequently in strange home remedies. Who knew you could use Phillip’s Milk of Magnesia as an underarm deodorant instead of a Laxative?

Perhaps the most versatile of all is Vicks VapoRub. This old-fashioned salve has been used for more than a century to ease chest congestion. But there is an astonishing assortment of other uses that people have invented. Read more

Lavender: 10 Natural Health Benefits and Healing Uses

The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. Lavender is considered a natural remedy for a range of ailments from insomnia and anxiety to depression and mood disturbances. Research has confirmed that lavender produces calming, soothing, and sedative effects. Mark's Daily Apple highlights the 10 natural health benefits and healing uses of lavender. Read more

An Introduction to Bach Flower Remedies and Other Essences

Bach Flower Remedies are flower essences introduced between 1931 and 1935 by Dr. Edward Bach. The remedies, or essences, are 38 in number and have proved themselves over the years all over the world. They are called Bach Flower Remedies in England and Bach Flower Essences in the U.S. Together with Herbal Supplements, Schussler Tissue Remedies and where necessary allopathic medication, they form an effective and safe healing system.

read more | digg story

8 Nutrients That Can Improve Your Skin

Top skin and nutrition experts were surveyed and asked which nutrients will help you put your best face forward. Find out the 8 foods or supplements you can take to improve the skin you're in. Read more

Herbalist and Author Susun Weed Interview

Part 1 of a 5-part video interview with herbalist and author Susun Weed. The interviewer is John Gallagher, founder of LearningHerbs.com.

Natural Remedy Tips: Ginger

Ginger can be used to alleviate nausea, migraines, and arthritis pain.

Ginger has long been used in many societies as a healing medicine. The Chinese use ginger to cure many ailments and the ancient Greeks were also known to make use of its healing powers, indeed Pythagorus was known as a great supporter and user.Today, we know that ginger has some extremely useful healing properties.

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Grapes Prevent Prostate Cancer Growth

Another proof that food is your best medicine: an extract of the skin of muscadine grapes prevents prostate cancer growth.

The muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifolia) is distinct from the more common red grapes used to produce red wines, a major source of resveratrol. The chemical constituents of muscadine grapes differ from most other grape varieties, as they are richer in chemicals called anthocyanins. Anthocyanins, which produce the red and purple colors of the grapes, have strong antioxidant activity and have shown several antitumor effects, including inhibition of DNA synthesis in breast cancer cells, of blood vessel growth in some tumors, and of enzymes involved in tumor spread. Muscadine grapes can be found growing wild from Delaware to the Gulf of Mexico and westward from Missouri to Texas.

[...]

Even though MSKE had significant inhibitory effects on the prostate cancer cells studied, it did not alter the growth rate of the normal human prostate cells in the lab, which served as controls. Ongoing studies of MSKE in animals will help to determine the underlying mechanisms of MSKE's inhibitory effects in prostate cancer cells. The researchers hope that the lab effects of MSKE will be reproducible in testing on cancerous and normal prostate cells in animals. Should MSKE move on to trials in humans, Green says that since “muscadine grape products, including grape juice and grape wine, have been used in human studies without reported side effects, they may be relatively safe for use in clinical trials.” Read more

New Cervical Cancer Test: Vinegar Not Vaccine

A new, simple, cheap alternative to PAP smears has been discovered. How soon can they make the test available in a home remedy kit?

A new study published in The Lancet medical journal finds a simple and cheap cervical cancer test.

The test uses common household items: vinegar, cotton gauze and a halogen light. The simple test can be preformed by a nurse or a trained practitioner. And it can save millions of women, particularly in the poor countries where existing tests like PAP smears are to expensive for the vast majority of the population.

[...]

The new test involves simple swabbing of the cervix with vinegar. The cervix is held open with a speculum and simply swabbed with cotton gauze soaked in vinegar. Pre-cancerous lesions begin to turn white after about a minute and can be seen with the naked eye, or under a bright halogen light (or any bright light source). Read more

An Orange a Day Keeps the Wrinkles Away

A new study shows that people who eat foods rich in vitamin C have fewer wrinkles than those whose diets contained little of the vitamin.

British scientists examined links between nutrient intake and skin ageing in 4,025 women aged 40-74 years using data from the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. All the women had extensive dermatologic examinations designed to evaluate skin wrinkling and other aspects of skin ageing and also completed a survey listing all the foods they ate in a particular day.

Ageing of the skin was defined as having a wrinkled appearance, senile dryness and skin atrophy.

The study by nutritional epidemiologist Maeve C Cosgrove and other researchers found that those who ate plenty of Vitamin C-rich foods had fewer wrinkles than people whose diets contained little of the vitamin. "Vitamin C is an antioxidant that has been shown to play a role in the synthesis of collagen, the protein that helps keep skin elastic. Our findings add evidence to a predominately supplement and topical application-based hypothesis that what we eat affects our skin-ageing appearance," according to Cosgrove. Read more

Our Paleolithic ancestors ate a more vitamin C-rich diet than modern humans do. Since vitamin is non-toxic and cheap, taking supplements is probably beneficial or at worst, a waste of a little money.

10 Embarrassingly Obvious Health Studies

Some health studies discover new information that we can use to stay healthy. These 10 studies do not. Among the earthshaking revelations we learn from these studies are that cigarettes cost money, cocaine and alcohol aren't good for your brain, and people are easier to recognize when they are close than when they're far away.

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7 Natural High Blood Pressure Remedies

High blood pressure can cause serious problems, such as stroke, heart failure, heart attack, and kidney failure. It's not a symptom that's safe to ignore. Blood pressure medications are fairly effective if you find the right one, but they often have side effects that cause people not to take them. The following 7 natural high blood pressure remedies can sometimes allow people to avoid medications altogether or, at least, reduce their dosage. Read more.

Is There an Anti-Acne Diet After All?

Previous generations were always told that eating certain foods, such as fried foods and chocolate would clog their pores and make their acne worse. Recently, doctors have been saying that diet doesn't affect acne; it's all hormones, bacteria, and genetics. However, an Australian study suggests that the previous advice about avoiding certain foods was sort of right, but now we know exactly what foods and why we should avoid them.

A research team, led by Associate Professor Neil Mann from RMIT University’s School of Applied Sciences, has discovered a solid link between acne and diet.

"We think we've come across a way to alter your diet in a very healthy way that will alleviate the symptoms of acne and at the same time will make you a lot healthier," Associate Professor Mann said.

The study recruited 50 boys and divided them into two groups. One group consumed a typical teen diet of sugary snacks and processed foods, while the other group followed a more natural diet higher in protein and with low-glycemic index foods such as whole grain bread, pasta, and legumes. The study showed impressive results in just 12 weeks.

"The acne of the boys on the higher protein-low GI diet improved dramatically, by more than 50 per cent, which is more than what you see with topical acne solutions," said Associate Professor Mann.

“A diet high in processed foods pushes glucose and insulin levels higher, exacerbating the problem, but low-GI foods do the opposite. The mechanism and the results are as clear as day."

The study seems pretty definitive, but exactly what is the glycemic index? The glycemic index (GI) is a ranking system for carbohydrates based on their effect on blood glucose levels. Carbohydrates that break down rapidly during digestion have the highest glycemic indices. Carbohydrates that break down slowly, releasing glucose gradually into the blood stream, have a low glycemic index.

Potatoes, rice, white bread, cakes, cookies, soft drinks, and sugary snacks are examples of high-GI foods that elevate blood glucose levels and insulin levels dramatically. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes are examples of low-GI foods. When you hear people talking about bad carbs and good carbs, they're talking about high-GI and low-GI foods.

Before you throw up your hands at the changing scientific advice about acne treatment, remember that a low-GI diet is good for your general health, not just for acne treatment. A low-GI diet can help prevent or treat obesity and type 2 diabetes, both of which are widespread medical problems today. It's the diet that you should be following anyway. Improving your acne is just a bonus!

To find out about a clinically proven, step-by-step system for permanently curing your acne and achieving lasting clear skin faster than you ever thought possible, click here!

Herbal Remedies for Erectile Dysfunction

If you believe all the commercials on television, erectile dysfunction must be one of the most common conditions in America, or, if not the most common, one of the most profitable to treat. However, herbs which improve blood circulation have been used for hundreds of years to help men achieve erection. Medical Health Information discusses some of the most common.

Losing Weight? Go Herbal

These days, there is a great need for overweight Americans to lose those excess pounds. Being healthy would not only lead them to have a healthier lifestyle but it will also literally lighten their load, and improve their overall well-being.

There is a long list of dieting options available. There are exercise programs, exercise machines, dietary supplements, dietary food and drinks, diet pills - there are even soaps which claim to help you lose pounds while you bathe.

One other available option to shed off those unwanted pounds is to go herbal.

Herbal weight loss products have been in great demand for people who want to lose weight the natural way. However, when you take herbal supplements to lose weight, you would have to wait for a longer time for the results because of the more subtle effects of medicines which came from plants and natural herbs.

Here are some herbal weight loss options that you might want to consider:

1) Herbal weight loss products

There are a lot of herbal weight loss products available in the market now. You can check out the Internet and you will find a lot of herbal weight loss pills and products.

Be careful, however, as there are some products which claim to be safe and natural because they are herbal, but some actually have side effects because of non-extensive research on the effects of these products.

Here are some ingredients and chemicals which make up some herbal weight loss products that you should watch out for, as they might have harmful effects to your health:

• Senna. This is an herbal laxative. Senna is a main ingredient in weight loss teas, and it works by stimulation the colon. The downside effect of this herb is dehydration. It can also lead to colon problems and can become addictive. Some people, when addicted, are unable to perform bowel movements without it, so watch out.
• Chromium picolinate. This is a synthetic compound found in herbal weight loss products. Chromium is a nutrient which helps regulate blood-sugar level. However, this ingredient, when taken in high doses, may cause damage in the chromosomes. It can also lead to dehydration.
• St. John's Wort. This supplement increases the production of a chemical in the brain. If not used properly, it may cause eye and skin sensitivity, mild gastrointestinal distress, fatigue and itching.

Although a lot of herbal products claim to be safe and natural, it is better to scrutinize the ingredients and research about the effects of the product itself before going for these herbal dietary pills.

2) Organic food.

In Wichita, Kansas, organic food has found its way to more homes and restaurants. Organic food devotees believe that consuming organic goodies help their bodies as well as the environment.

A person who buys organically raised eggs and vegetables claim to be healthier, and they are not spending money on doctors and prescriptions as these keep them healthier and away from the hospital. This could also be an option for weight watchers, as organic food is known to be kinder to your weight than chemically-processed food products.

3) Green Tea.

Studies show that intake of green tea, or green tea extracts burns extra calories. Also, green tea with caffeine can increase fat burning by up to 40% thereby reducing fat.

This is one good option for those who want to lose weight. In a study done, people who took green tea were found to lose 2 to 3 times more weight than those who did not drink green tea.

These results show that green tea is a natural product for the treatment of obesity. Thus, it also makes for a healthier dietary option, not to mention the good effects that it has on the body as compared to caffeine. A cup of tea gives an emmediate energy lift without the side effects of caffeine.

3) Caffeine.

Coffee provides an energy boost to increase fat burning. Caffeine also provides a likelihood to be active, which in turn increases your rate of calorie burn.

4) Immortality Herb

This herb, whose scientific name is Gymnostemna Pentaphyllum, is known to have the following benefits:

• increases healthy blood flow
• reduces artery blocks
• aids healthy blood pressure
• increases the rate of fat burning

5) Apple Cider Vinegar

There are pills and food supplements whose main ingredient is apple cider vinegar. Here are the benefits of taking this herbal option:

• weight loss
• improved cholesterol level
• improved high blood pressure
• helps prevent rheumatoid arthritis

Natural Vitamin Sources

There are a lot of people who do not have enough natural vitamin sources in their diet and therefore suffer from a deficiency of one or more vitamins. Obviously, it is possible to buy vitamin supplements to help overcome any deficiencies but for the majority of people it should be possible for them to obtain the majority of their recommended daily allowance of vitamins from natural vitamin sources. The key to gaining the correct amount of vitamins from natural vitamin sources is to eat a healthy and balanced diet.

There are certain diets, such as vegetarian, that provide a limited number of natural vitamin supplements and therefore a supplement may be necessary. Also, the intake required of these natural vitamin sources at certain periods may need to be increased and a supplement may be the best option. It is important to be aware of each of the different types of vitamins and their best natural vitamin sources so that a person can incorporate as many of these as possible into their regular diet. Water soluble vitamins cannot be stored in the body and need to be replenished on a daily basis, so it is natural vitamin sources for these vitamins that are the most essential to know.

Natural vitamin B1 sources are brewer’s yeast, whole grains, blackstrap molasses, brown rice, organ meats, egg yolk.

Natural vitamin B2 sources are brewer’s yeast, whole grains, legumes, nuts, organ meats, blackstrap molasses.

Natural vitamin B3 sources are lean meats, poultry & fish, brewer’s yeast, peanuts, milk, rice bran, potatoes.

Natural vitamin B4 sources are egg yolks, organ meats, brewer’s yeast, wheat germ, soybeans, fish, legumes.

Natural vitamin B5 sources are organ meats, egg yolks, legumes, whole grains, wheat germ, salmon, brewer’s yeast.

Natural vitamin B6 sources are meats, whole grains, organ meats brewer’s yeast, blackstrap molasses, wheat germ.

Natural vitamin B7 sources are egg yolks, liver, unpolished rice, brewer’s yeast, sardines, legumes, whole grains.

Natural vitamin B8 sources are who1e grains, citrus fruits, molasses, meat, milk, nuts, vegetables, brewer’s yeast.

Natural vitamin B9 sources are dark-green leafy vegetables, organ meats, root vegetables, oysters, salmon, milk.

Natural vitamin B12 sources are organ meats, fish, pork, eggs, cheese, milk, lamb, bananas, kelp, peanuts.

Natural vitamin B13 sources are root vegetables, liquid whey.

Natural vitamin B15 sources are brewer’s yeast, rare steaks, brown rice, sunflower, pumpkin & sesame seeds.

Natural vitamin B17 sources are whole kernels of apricots, apples, cherries, peaches, plums.

Natural vitamin C sources are citrus, cabbage family, chilli peppers, berries, melons, asparagus, rose hips.

What You Can Do for Scars

Dr. Mercola reviews some advanced strategies on how to heal scars.

Natural Health and the Islamic Tradition

Renowned natural healer Hakim Archuletta asks the question, "Is pleasure compatible with spirituality?"

Natural Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction

According to the National Institutes of Health, a majority of men at some point in their life experience occasional failure to achieve erection. Failure to achieve erection less than 20% of the time is not unusual and medical treatment is rarely needed, but the causes for this minor problem might lead to a permanent condition where failure to achieve erection occurs more than 50% of the time. Once this stage of erectile dysfunction is reached, medical treatment is required to reverse the situation. Approximately 5 percent of 40-year-old men and between 15 and 25 percent of 65-year-old men experience erectile dysfunction on a long-term basis. Western medicine relies on aggressive prescription drugs and surgery to deal with many problems related to sexual dysfunction. Unfortunately, these methods often result in unwanted and even dangerous side effects.

Energy Healing 101: Prana, Tantra, and Reiki

You have probably come across exotic-sounding terms such as “chakra,” “prana,” “aura,” and “tantra” in the course of reading books on spirituality, sex, and healing in the New Age section of the bookstore. But what’s the real scoop behind these exotic vocabularies?

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The Earth’s Medicine Named as Natural Remedy

Taking prescription medication has become the norm for many people in today’s world. As soon as they feel something is amiss within their bodies they run to the doctor and begin popping pills that contain countless chemicals.

Many are realizing the benefits that a bit of research and a trip to the health food store can afford them. Natural remedies offer an alternative to the medical approach that most of us have been dependent on our entire lives.

Natural remedies are available for almost any condition. Everything from migraine headaches, cold sores, athlete’s foot, heartburn, and even head lice can be cured by taking something derived right from the earth. We wouldn’t think that by eating a piece of ginger our nausea would fade, but ginger does effectively settle an upset stomach. Instead, most people would chew a chalky tablet instead of eating something that is not only addressing the medical issue, they are suffering from, but it’s doing it without any ill side effects. Ginger is a natural substance that we use in cooking therefore using it to cure our discomfort only seems natural.

Natural remedies are not just treating pains and aches. They are also taking care of problems that many people suffer from but never seek a cure for. Things like memory problems, and a sluggish immune system. When a person feels their memory slipping the idea of telling their doctor or anywhere for that matter, might feel daunting. They don’t view it as a medical issue just a sign of aging. It can be treated and it can be treated with a natural cure. The same can be said for the immune system. With the ingestion of antibiotics on and off for year to treat common ailments, some people build up a tolerance to them, and their immune system takes a beating. By using a natural supplement to help boost it back to where it needs to be, they are giving their body a natural chance to fight off infection.

Natural remedies are a safe and effective way to build a healthier human being. Without the added stress of clogging our bodies with chemicals in the form of prescription medication, we can live longer and healthier lives. It might be something as simple as a cup of herbal tea each day or taking a vitamin before bed, but it’s a step in a positive direction; that direction being a chemical-free, strong and healthy body.

Edelweiss Extract in the Fight against Aging

Edelweiss extract comes from Edelweiss flowers, which are short-lived perennials. Edelweiss is a German word which means noble and white. The Edelweiss flower is found at altitudes which range from 5,000 feet to 8,000 feet, generally in areas with light soil, good drainage and southern exposure.

In ancient times, the Edelweiss flower was sought after by men who wished to prove their bravery. Because the flower grew at such heights and was often on cliff sides and in dangerous areas, many people were known to have been injured or even killed in pursuit of this flower, which led many men to wear it in the lapel as sort of a badge of honor. Of course, the fact that the Edelweiss flower was the favorite of the Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph and his wife, the Empress Elizabeth, also gave it prestige. The flower became so popular among hikers that the governments of Austria, Germany, and Switzerland took steps to protect it in certain parts of the Alps. Today Edelweiss is grown on many continents and is no longer in the danger it once was. It became even more popular however the 1960's when a song called "Edelweiss" in the popular stage play and film The Sound of Music sang its virtues and beauty.

For centuries Edelweiss extract has been believed to have positive health effects. Edelweiss teas have been popular, as well as the use of Edelweiss extract in hot milk, often sweetened with honey. Diarrhea and dysentery were two ailments that it was believed Edelweiss extract could cure. People also believed that it could help fight ailments such as diphtheria and tuberculosis. Today research by the pharmaceutical industry indicates that there was something to these ancient beliefs.

Edelweiss extract is an ancient folk lore remedy that modern science is making popular once again. They have also discovered that the ultra violet light-absorbing chemicals this plant has developed from high altitude growth makes it a good additive to sun blocks. Pharmaceutical researchers also are interested in the way some chemicals in the plant prevent amplification of oxides, which are tied to the aging process.

The future of research into Edelweiss extract looks as bright as the high Alpine sun, and the popularity of Edelweiss extract as an ingredient in high quality anti-aging and anti-wrinkle cosmetics means the plant will remain popular for many years to come.

For more information about Edelweiss extract and the 3 simple steps you can take to have younger-looking skin, click here.

The 5 Causes of Acne

Acne is one of the most widespread medical conditions in the world. More than 90% of all adolescents, nearly 50% of all adult women, and 25% of all adults suffer from acne, but what causes acne? Contrary to popular belief, acne is not caused by what you eat, how often you wash your face, or work out. The five causes of acne all occur beneath the surface of your skin.

1) Hormones. You already knew this, right? For most people, acne begins at puberty when the body begins to produce hormones called androgens. These hormones cause the sebaceous glands to enlarge. This is a natural part of the body's development, but in acne sufferers the sebaceous glands are overstimulated by androgens, sometimes well into adulthood. Androgens are also responsible for acne flare-ups associated with the menstrual cycle and, sometimes, pregnancy.

2) Extra sebum. When the sebaceous gland is stimulated by androgens, it produces extra sebum. As the sebum moves up the follicle towards the skin's surface, it mixes with common skin bacteria and dead skin cells that have been shed from the lining of the follicle. While this process is normal, the presence of extra sebum in the follicle increases the chances of clogging, leading to acne.

3) Bacteria. Remember that common skin bacteria mentioned above? The bacterium Propionibacterium acnes, (P. acnes for short) is part of the skin’s natural sebum maintenance system. However, once a follicle is plugged, P. acnes bacteria multiply rapidly, causing a chemical reaction we know as inflammation in the follicle and surrounding skin.

4) Inflammation. Speaking of inflammation, when your body encounters unwanted bacteria, it sends an army of white blood cells to attack the intruders. This process is called chemotaxis, or the inflammatory response. The inflammatory response is what causes pimples to become red, swollen and painful. Studies have shown that the inflammatory response is especially strong in adult women.

5) Follicle fallout. Normally, dead cells within the follicle shed gradually and are expelled onto the skin’s surface. However, in those people with overactive sebaceous glands, which includes nearly everyone during puberty, these cells are shed more rapidly. Mixed with a surplus of sebum, the dead skin cells form a plug in the follicle, preventing the skin from finishing its natural process of renewal.

The secret to managing acne is prevention and stopping this condition before pimples appear. Once you find an acne treatment that helps you accomplish this, it's important to stick with it. Even after pimples disappear, you may need to continue treatment to prevent new blemishes from appearing. It's also important to begin treatment as soon as the first signs of acne appear. The sooner you treat your acne, the less likely you are to experience permanent damage to your skin.

To find out about a clinically proven, step-by-step system for permanently curing your acne and achieving lasting clear skin faster than you ever thought possible, click here!