Latest news with #vitamin
India.com
4 days ago
- Health
- India.com
Nourish and Protect: Body Lotions That Work for Every Skin Type
Beyond hydration, many body lotions now offer added benefits—such as SPF for sun protection, skin brightening agents, or calming botanicals for sensitive skin. Consistent use of a good body lotion helps improve overall skin health, reduce flakiness, and maintain softness throughout the year, especially in harsh weather conditions. From lightweight, fast-absorbing formulas to rich, intensive creams, body lotions remain an essential for healthy, radiant skin. 1. Bath & Body Works – Inspire Love Rose & Vanilla Moisturizing Body Lotion Image Source: Order Now This body lotion from Bath & Body Works combines the calming aroma of rose with the warm, creamy essence of vanilla. Formulated with shea butter, coconut oil, and vitamin E, it provides long-lasting hydration while leaving a soft floral scent on the skin. Its lightweight, non-greasy texture makes it ideal for everyday use, especially for those who appreciate both moisture and fragrance. Key Features: Infused with shea butter, coconut oil, and vitamin E Light floral and vanilla scent that lingers for hours Fast-absorbing and non-sticky formula Leaves skin feeling soft and smooth Elegant packaging; ideal for gifting Cons: Fragrance may be overpowering for sensitive noses Not ideal for very dry skin needing deep repair Premium price point compared to drugstore lotions 2. Vaseline – Healthy Bright Sun + Pollution Protection Body Lotion Image Source: Order Now Vaseline's Healthy Bright body lotion offers a dual benefit of sun protection and pollution defense. Infused with microdroplets of Vaseline Jelly, vitamin C, and SPF 30, this lotion helps protect skin from environmental stress while gradually brightening and evening out skin tone. Its lightweight, non-sticky formula makes it great for daytime use. Key Features: Contains SPF 30 for sun protection Infused with vitamin C for skin brightening Helps fight pollution-related skin damage Lightweight and fast-absorbing Suitable for everyday outdoor use Cons: Not moisturizing enough for very dry or sensitive skin Scent may be too synthetic for some users May require reapplication for full sun protection in high exposure 3. Hoop – Magnesium Sleep Body Lotion Image Source: Order Now The Hoop Magnesium Sleep Body Lotion is designed to promote relaxation and restful sleep while nourishing the skin. Formulated with magnesium and calming essential oils like lavender and chamomile, this lotion helps relieve tension and prepares the body for bedtime. Its gentle, hydrating formula is suitable for nightly use. Key Features: Infused with magnesium to support muscle relaxation Contains calming essential oils (lavender, chamomile) Promotes better sleep and relaxation Hydrates the skin with a lightweight, soothing texture Ideal for night-time skincare rituals Cons: Scent may be too herbal or earthy for some users Not suitable as a primary moisturizer for very dry skin May take time to see noticeable sleep-related effects 4. BoroPlus – Body Lotion Image Source: Order Now BoroPlus Body Lotion is a trusted skincare solution, especially during dry seasons. Enriched with herbal ingredients like aloe vera, milk cream, and saffron, it deeply nourishes and repairs dry or rough skin. Known for its ayurvedic base and antiseptic properties, this lotion is ideal for daily use and suitable for all skin types. Key Features: Contains natural ingredients like aloe vera and saffron Provides deep moisturization for dry, rough skin Ayurvedic formulation with antiseptic benefits Suitable for all seasons and skin types Budget-friendly and widely available Cons: Thick texture may feel heavy in hot or humid weather Scent may be too strong or herbal for some preferences Slower absorption compared to more modern formulations Ultimately, choosing a body lotion should depend on your skin type, lifestyle, and the specific benefits you're seeking—whether it's daily moisture, therapeutic relief, or a touch of indulgence. Regular use ensures skin stays hydrated, nourished, and protected, making it a key step in any effective self-care and skincare routine. Disclaimer: At IDPL, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. It should not be construed as an endorsement to buy. IDPL may make a very small commission from its sale if one chooses to buy the product from any of the links in this article.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Coconut oil or Mustard oil: Which is the best oil to stop hair fall instantly?
Coconut and mustard oils are time-tested remedies for hair fall, each offering unique benefits. Coconut oil deeply nourishes and repairs damage, while mustard oil stimulates growth and fights infections. Combining both oils provides a holistic treatment, addressing multiple causes of hair loss for faster, visible results with consistent use. Hair fall is one of the most common beauty concerns, affecting people of all ages and genders. From stress and pollution to poor diet and harsh hair treatments, several factors can weaken hair roots and lead to excessive shedding. While many rely on expensive serums and treatments, natural oils remain the most trusted, time-tested remedies. Among the many options available, coconut oil and mustard oil stand out as two of the most effective oils known to nourish the scalp and strengthen hair. But when it comes to stopping hair fall instantly, which one really works better? Let's dive deep into the benefits of both and determine which is truly the best oil for combating hair loss. Coconut oil: A timeless hair elixir Coconut oil has long been hailed as a miracle ingredient for hair care, especially in Indian households. Rich in lauric acid, medium-chain fatty acids, and antioxidants, it deeply penetrates the hair shaft, making it one of the most powerful oils for repairing damage and reducing breakage. Benefits of Coconut oil for hair fall Deep scalp nourishment: Coconut oil easily penetrates the hair shaft and nourishes from within, preventing protein loss and strengthening hair follicles. Antimicrobial properties: Its antifungal and antibacterial qualities help keep scalp infections at bay, which are often a hidden cause of hair fall. Reduces breakage: It moisturises and detangles hair strands, preventing split ends and breakage. Improves blood circulation: Massaging coconut oil into the scalp stimulates blood flow, enhancing hair growth over time. Calms the scalp: If your hair fall is linked to inflammation, itchiness, or dandruff, coconut oil can provide soothing relief. How to use: Warm up a tablespoon of coconut oil and massage it into your scalp using circular motions. Leave it overnight or for at least 1–2 hours before washing with a mild shampoo. Repeat 2–3 times a week. Mustard oil: The ayurvedic powerhouse Mustard oil, or sarson ka tel, is a lesser-known but equally powerful hair elixir. Packed with omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, zinc, selenium, and magnesium, it is a strong contender in the battle against hair fall. Known for its heat-inducing nature, it improves circulation and revitalises dull, thinning hair. Benefits of Mustard oil for hair fall: Stimulates hair growth: The natural warmth of mustard oil boosts blood flow to the scalp, waking up dormant follicles and encouraging new hair growth. Antibacterial & antifungal: Just like coconut oil, mustard oil fights scalp infections that could be causing hair fall. Rich in nutrients: High in beta-carotene (which converts to vitamin A), it promotes hair regeneration and prevents thinning. Prevents premature greying: Regular use may delay the onset of grey hair, which is often linked with hair fall and ageing. Adds volume and shine: It gives the hair a thicker, shinier appearance, making it look healthier and fuller. How to use: Slightly warm the mustard oil and apply it to your scalp. Massage well, and let it sit for a minimum of 1 hour before rinsing off. Use once or twice a week. Coconut oil vs Mustard oil: Which one wins? Both oils are incredibly beneficial, but if you're looking for instant relief from hair fall, here's how they compare: DIY hair fall treatment oil: 2 tbsp coconut oil 2 tbsp mustard oil Heat the oils together for a few seconds. Add a few drops of rosemary or tea tree essential oil (optional). Massage into the scalp and leave overnight or for at least 2 hours. Wash off with a herbal or sulphate-free shampoo. Use this blend twice a week consistently for 4-6 weeks for visible reduction in hair fall. This pungent oil can end your skin woes If your hair fall is caused by dryness, breakage, or scalp sensitivity, coconut oil is your go-to. If you're dealing with poor scalp circulation, hair thinning, or dandruff, mustard oil might work faster. However, for best and faster results, combining both oils gives you a powerful, holistic treatment that addresses multiple causes of hair loss. At the end of the day, consistency is key. No oil can work overnight, but with regular use and a balanced diet, your hair will thank you. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Newsweek
23-05-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
This Vitamin May Slow Aging Process—New Research
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. New research suggests vitamin D may help slow biological aging by reducing telomeres shortening, a key marker of cellular aging. Newsweek has reached out to some of the study's authors as well as other experts for comment via email on Friday. Why It Matters Chronological age is a straightforward measure of age—simply put, it's the number of years since a person was born. Unlike biological age, it does not account for health, lifestyle, genetics, epigenetics and environmental factors. Biological age can be determined by biomarkers, epigenetic alterations and physiological factors, among others. In the scientific community, biological age can provide a more nuanced and accurate reflection of an individual's aging process because biological age does not increase at the same rate for everyone. A person holding a multivitamin tablet on November 21, 2016. A person holding a multivitamin tablet on November 21, 2016. Charlotte Ball/PA Wire/AP Images The study measures telomeres length, which are made from DNA sequences and proteins, and serve as a cap, protecting the end of chromosomes. They become slightly shorter every time the DNA is copied to produce new cells, so their length can be a useful indicator of cells' biological age. What To Know The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was part of a larger study conducted by researchers at Harvard-affiliated Mass General Brigham and the Medical College of Georgia, the VITAL trial. It featured 25,871 participants. Specifically, the telomere portion focused on around 1,000 participants, consisting of women aged 55 years and older and males aged 50 and older. The results found that those taking vitamin D supplements experienced significantly reduced telomere shortening than those taking the placebo, as measured at two-year intervals. They also found that taking omega-3 fatty acid supplementation did not have any strong effect on telomere length. Telomeres shorten a little during each cell division, a natural part of aging and can be associated with an increased risk of various diseases. When the telomeres get very short, the cells stop dividing and die. Researchers in the study concluded that vitamin D supplementation prevented the equivalent of nearly three years of aging in telomere terms. However, Mary Armanios, a professor of oncology and director of the Telomere Center at Johns Hopkins University, who was not involved in the research, told Scientific American that the health implications aren't as clear because "It's only at the extremes that telomere length really matters in terms of aging." She noted that the differences in lengths from the trial were within the normal range of human variation and also noted that the study's method of measuring telomere length can be very sensitive. The majority of the study's participants were white, raising questions about diverse participant pools. As of 2024, the Endocrine Society's vitamin D recommendations state, "In the general population ages 75 years and older, we suggest empiric vitamin D supplementation because of the potential to lower the risk of mortality." What People Are Saying Dr. Michael Holick, a specialist in vitamin D research at Boston University's Vitamin D, Skin, and Bone Research Laboratory, told Newsweek in an email: "This observation is very consistent with the observation that improvement in vitamin D status can reduce risk of mortality by as much as 90%." JoAnn Manson, a co-author, principal investigator of VITAL, chief of the Division of Preventive Medicine at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital said: "VITAL is the first large-scale and long-term randomized trial to show that vitamin D supplements protect telomeres and preserve telomere length. This is of particular interest because VITAL had also shown benefits of vitamin D in reducing inflammation and lowering risks of selected chronic diseases of aging, such as advanced cancer and autoimmune disease." Haidong Zhu, first author of the report and a molecular geneticist at the Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University said: "Our findings suggest that targeted vitamin D supplementation may be a promising strategy to counter a biological aging process, although further research is warranted." Purdue University Professor Majid Kazemian told Newsweek last year in an email: "Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with many diseases, and as a steroid hormone, vitamin D impacts many cellular processes, including anti-inflammation and anti-aging effects." What Happens Next The findings offer further insights into the aging process and telomeres preservation. Further studies are needed to better understand how vitamin D affects telomere dynamics and cellular aging in more diverse populations.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Vitamin D May Slow Cells' Aging by Protecting DNA
Vitamin D supplements might slow cellular aging by preventing the loss of telomeres, DNA sequences at the ends of chromosomes that shorten in old age, a new study suggests. The health effects of these findings aren't yet clear. Vitamin D had been touted as a panacea for a number of health conditions, from cardiovascular disease to bone loss. In 2020 a large randomized controlled trial of supplementation instead found benefits only in a few conditions, particularly autoimmune disease and advanced cases of cancer, says the new study's co-author JoAnn Manson, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and a principal investigator of that large trial, called the VITamin D and OmegA-3 TriaL (VITAL). The new study is an analysis of data from VITAL. Its finding could explain the protective effect of vitamin D supplements on these specific aging-related diseases, Manson says. 'If is replicated in another randomized trial of vitamin D supplements, I think this could translate into clinical effects for chronic diseases of aging,' she says. 'We're already seeing that vitamin D does reduce inflammation; it reduces advanced cancers and cancer deaths, as well as autoimmune diseases. This could provide a biological mechanism.' [Sign up for Today in Science, a free daily newsletter] In the VITAL project, researchers enrolled nearly 26,000 women aged 55 or older and men aged 50 or older, and they randomly assigned participants to take vitamin D supplements, fish oil supplements, a combination of both or a placebo. For the new study, published today in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the scientists looked at a subset of 1,054 participants who lived close enough to Harvard's Clinical and Translational Science Center in Boston to have their blood drawn three times over four years so researchers could measure their telomeres. Inside the nuclei of most cells in the human body reside 46 chromosomes, where our DNA is neatly packed. Each time a cell divides, these chromosomes unravel and copy themselves, and the copies coil back into the nuclei of the new cells. Telomeres are repetitive DNA sequences that cap the ends of chromosomes. They stabilize the chromosomes during cell division, though they get shorter each time cells divide. When the telomeres get very short, the cells stop dividing and die. Over time, as more and more of our cells die, the body ages and ultimately stops functioning. Telomeres aren't a perfect clock for health—very long telomeres can increase cancer risk by stabilizing mutated cells—but they're often used as a biomarker for aging. Participants in the placebo and supplement groups had similar telomere lengths at the beginning of the study, the researchers found. But over the four years of follow-up, people assigned to take 2,000 international units of vitamin D per day showed less shortening of their telomeres compared with people in the placebo group. Fish oil had no significant effect. 'Vitamin D supplementation is able to slow down the telomere shortening process, at least during the four-year period,' says the study's first author Haidong Zhu, a molecular geneticist at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. Participants started out with an average of 8,700 base pairs of DNA telomere length, and vitamin D supplementation slowed the loss of length by about 140 base pairs over four years, the study found. The health implications of that number aren't clear. 'It's only at the extremes that telomere length really matters in terms of aging,' cautions Mary Armanios, a professor of oncology and director of the Telomere Center at Johns Hopkins University, who was not involved in the research. The magnitude of difference seen in the vitamin D trial is within the normal range of human variation, meaning it may not equate with aging or youthfulness in any clinical sense. 'Most of us are going to be within this normal range, and there is a wide buffer for how much telomere length can change,' Armanios says. In addition, Armanios says, the study used a method called quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to assess telomere length, and this method can be very sensitive to factors such as when samples were collected and what time elapsed between collection and testing. 'The methodology for telomere length measurement has been compared to others and found to be the least reproducible,' she says. A large study of people aged 60 and older in the U.K. also found that very high levels of vitamin D in the blood were associate with shorter telomeres, suggesting that more is not always better. The participants in the VITAL study were supplemented with a moderate amount of vitamin D, Manson says. Most of the participants in the new study were white, Zhu adds, so the results need to be replicated in a more diverse sample. The researchers are also currently analyzing data from the 1,054 VITAL participants to understand other facets of cellular aging, including DNA methylation, a type of regulation of gene expression. The results are intriguing, says Anastassios Pittas, a professor of medicine at the Tufts University School of Medicine, who was not involved in the study. Vitamin D supplements are now recommended by the Endocrine Society for people aged 75 and older, as well as for people of any age with prediabetes to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes, Pittas says. 'These new findings from the VITAL study lend scientific support to these recommendations, highlighting possible mechanisms through which vitamin D may influence long-term health outcomes,' he says. The findings are leading researchers toward a better understanding of who should pop a daily supplement, Manson says. 'It shouldn't be a universal recommendation to be screened for vitamin D blood levels or to take a supplement,' she says. 'But it appears that selected high-risk groups may benefit.'
Scientific American
21-05-2025
- Health
- Scientific American
Vitamin D May Slow Cells' Aging
Vitamin D supplements might slow cellular aging by preventing the loss of telomeres, DNA sequences at the ends of chromosomes that shorten in old age, a new study suggests. The health effects of these findings aren't yet clear. Vitamin D had been touted as a panacea for a number of health conditions, from cardiovascular disease to bone loss. In 2020 a large randomized controlled trial of supplementation instead found benefits only in a few conditions, particularly autoimmune disease and advanced cases of cancer, says the new study's co-author JoAnn Manson, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and a principal investigator of that large trial, called the VITamin D and OmegA-3 TriaL (VITAL). The new study is an analysis of data from VITAL. Its finding could explain the protective effect of vitamin D supplements on these specific aging-related diseases, Manson says. 'If is replicated in another randomized trial of vitamin D supplements, I think this could translate into clinical effects for chronic diseases of aging,' she says. 'We're already seeing that vitamin D does reduce inflammation; it reduces advanced cancers and cancer deaths, as well as autoimmune diseases. This could provide a biological mechanism.' On supporting science journalism If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today. In the VITAL project, researchers enrolled nearly 26,000 women aged 55 or older and men aged 50 or older, and they randomly assigned participants to take vitamin D supplements, fish oil supplements, a combination of both or a placebo. For the new study, published today in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the scientists looked at a subset of 1,054 participants who lived close enough to Harvard's Clinical and Translational Science Center in Boston to have their blood drawn three times over four years so researchers could measure their telomeres. Inside the nuclei of most cells in the human body reside 46 chromosomes, where our DNA is neatly packed. Each time a cell divides, these chromosomes unravel and copy themselves, and the copies coil back into the nuclei of the new cells. Telomeres are repetitive DNA sequences that cap the ends of chromosomes. They stabilize the chromosomes during cell division, though they get shorter each time cells divide. When the telomeres get very short, the cells stop dividing and die[SP1] . Over time, as more and more of our cells die, the body ages and ultimately stops functioning. Telomeres aren't a perfect clock for health—very long telomeres can increase cancer risk by stabilizing mutated cells—but they're often used as a biomarker for aging. Participants in the placebo and supplement groups had similar telomere lengths at the beginning of the study, the researchers found. But over the four years of follow-up, people assigned to take 2,000 international units of vitamin D per day showed less shortening of their telomeres compared with people in the placebo group. Fish oil had no significant effect. 'Vitamin D supplementation is able to slow down the telomere shortening process, at least during the four-year period,' says the study's first author Haidong Zhu, a molecular geneticist at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. Participants started out with an average of 8,700 base pairs of DNA telomere length, and vitamin D supplementation slowed the loss of length by about 140 base pairs over four years, the study found. The health implications of that number aren't clear. 'It's only at the extremes that telomere length really matters in terms of aging,' cautions Mary Armanios, a professor of oncology and director of the Telomere Center at Johns Hopkins University, who was not involved in the research. The magnitude of difference seen in the vitamin D trial is within the normal range of human variation, meaning it may not equate with aging or youthfulness in any clinical sense. 'Most of us are going to be within this normal range, and there is a wide buffer for how much telomere length can change,' Armanios says. In addition, Armanios says, the study used a method called quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to assess telomere length, and this method can be very sensitive to factors such as when samples were collected and what time elapsed between collection and testing. 'The methodology for telomere length measurement has been compared to others and found to be the least reproducible,' she says. A large study of people aged 60 and older in the U.K. also found that very high levels of vitamin D in the blood were associate with shorter telomeres, suggesting that more is not always better. The participants in the VITAL study were supplemented with a moderate amount of vitamin D, Manson says. Most of the participants in the new study were white, Zhu adds, so the results need to be replicated in a more diverse sample. The researchers are also currently analyzing data from the 1,054 VITAL participants to understand other facets of cellular aging, including DNA methylation, a type of regulation of gene expression. The results are intriguing, says Anastassios Pittas, a professor of medicine at the Tufts University School of Medicine, who was not involved in the study. Vitamin D supplements are now recommended by the Endocrine Society for people aged 75 and older, as well as for people of any age with prediabetes to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes, Pittas says. 'These new findings from the VITAL study lend scientific support to these recommendations, highlighting possible mechanisms through which vitamin D may influence long-term health outcomes,' he says. The findings are leading researchers toward a better understanding of who should pop a daily supplement, Manson says. 'It shouldn't be a universal recommendation to be screened for vitamin D blood levels or to take a supplement,' she says. 'But it appears that selected high-risk groups may benefit.'
