Beauty Glossary L-Z

Beauty Glossary L-Z

Lauric Acid

Lauric acid is a medium chain fatty acid which is found abundant* in coconut oil. Of which lauric acid is one unique composition of human breast milk. Human breast milk fat includes the fatty acids, lauric acid and capric acid. Lauric acid in breast milk plays a vital role to immune-compromised individuals, protect a baby's intestines from bacterial, protozoal, viral, and fungal infections. 

L-ascorbic acid
L-ascorbic acid is Left-handed Ascorbic acid
Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) exists as L-ascorbic acid (L for levo meaning left) and D- ascorbic acid (D for dextro meaning right). 
L- ascorbic acid is the most important part of ascorbic acid as it is good for skin and body system. It promotes health at the molecular level.
L-ascorbic acid serves as a signal, relaying a critical message to collagen genes to synthesize collagen, as well as being a cofactor for two enzymes important in collagen synthesis.
D- ascorbic acid is not a good part for skin and body system. It promotes drying, itching, and burning.

Nanotechnology

“Nano” is a prefix meaning one billionth (1/1,000,000,000); more specifically, may refer to sizes of ~10-9 meters or to physical objects constructed or processes performed at the atomic or molecular scale.  Nanotechnology is engineering and manufacturing at nanometer scales; any technology related to features of nanometer scale, including fine particles, chemical synthesis, advanced microlithography, and so forth, as well as complex mechanical systems constructed from the molecular level.
Nanotechnology is the employment of molecular machine systems to address medical problems, using molecular knowledge to maintain and improve human health at the molecular scale.
The molecular nanotechnology will help deliver all active ingredients go deeper into target area. Rendering in rapid and high effect of the herbs for desired results.
Liposome promotes absorption of the active components deep into the skin, enhancing active ingredients more functional and effectively.    

Neurobics

Neurobics are mental exercise, brain teasers and puzzles that enhance the brain's performance. Brain exercise to help the brain stay healthy. The term was invented by neurobiologist Dr.Lawrence Katz and Manning Rubin.

Some specific types of sensory stimuli and activities, especially those that involve non-routine actions and thoughts, produce more of those chemicals that encourage growth of new dendrites and neurons in the brain. These are generally non-routine activities. Routines become so automatic that actions are done largely unconsciously (ever get up in the morning and walk to the bathroom before you're really conscious?). Such automated or unconscious actions require less activity in the brain, and exercise it less.


A neurobic activity, on the other hand, should do one or more of the following:

1. Involve one or more of your senses in a new context.
2. Involve your full attention, at least briefly.
3. Break your routine in some significant way.
Neurobics don't need to be complicated, or require that you set aside special times. In fact, if they follow the guidelines above, many simple brain exercises can be worked into your daily life.


Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease of bone that leads to an increased risk of fracture. Bones thin and brittle, with lots of holes inside them like a sponge. Broken bones occur typically in the hip, spine, and wrist.
Osteoporosis is most common in women after menopause, when it is called postmenopausal osteoporosis, but may also develop in men, and may occur in anyone in the presence of particular hormonal disorders and other chronic diseases or as a result of medications, specifically glucocorticoids

Phytoandrogen
Natural substances derived from plants that mimic or boost Testosterone (male hormone). Some known phytoandrogen plant are Butea superba herb (red kwao krua), Eucommia, horny goat weed (Epimedium).

Phytoestrogen
 estrogen-like substances derived from plants. Some phytoestrogens are Pueraria mirifica herb, ginseng, curcuma longa, soy bean etc.

Pueraria mirificaPueraria mirifica Airy Shaw & Suvatabandhu is an indigenous herb of Thailand, locally known as white kwao krua or known as phytoestrogen.
Pueraria mirifica has been found to contain many kinds of estrogens (female hormones) i.e. miroestrol, deoxymiroestrol, daidzein, genistein, genistin, coumestrol etc. Of which these unique substances having similar properties to female hormones - estrogen. Pueraria mirifica posses highest estrogenic activity when compare to other kinds of phytoestrogen due to its similar structure to human hormone. Of which miroestrol are vital for blood circulation, new tissue generation, increase accumulation of water and fat within breasts tissue, then resulting in enhancement and firmness of breasts and improve skin texture to promote youthful looks.

Red kwao kruaRed kwao krua or Kwao krua dang or Red kwao krua is a local name in Thailand for Butea superba herb.

Resveratrol
Resveratrol, an antioxidant found in the skin of red grapes.

Studies show that resveratrol can stimulate expression of sirtuins. Mice placed on high doses of resveratrol improved insulin resistance, prevented weight gain and increased lifespan by 20 percent. When put on a treadmill, the mice were also able to run twice as far and twice as fast than those not given resveratrol.

Sirtuins are found to prohibit the ageing of skin.

Resveratrol is one of the more potent antioxidants on the market (idebenone and coffeberry are others). Resveratrol has become a popular ingredient in anti-aging skin care.
Resveratrol can at least be expected to provide some topical protection against free radical damage.

Sources of resveratrol: grape seed and red wines.


Shea butter

Shea Butter also known as karite butter, is found in the tropics of Africa. A substance made from the nuts of karite nut trees (or shea trees), that grow in the savannah regions of West and Central Africa. Shea trees are not cultivated.  Shea butter is extracted from the nuts of the shea trees which begins to bear fruit after about 15 years and take up to 30 years to bear a quality crop of nuts with a high content of irremovable fatty acid.
Because of its irremovable fatty acid, shea Butter has unique healing properties and makes it far superior to cocoa butter and other vegetable butters.  Shea butter protects the skin from both environmental and free-radical damage. It contains vitamins A, E and F.

Sirtuins
the Newest anti ageing weapon.

Sirtuins are a family of proteins found in organisms ranging from bacteria and plants to humans.

According to Los Angeles plastic surgeon John Gross, MD “sirtuins occur naturally within the human body, and when stimulated they can stop the aging clock.” More specifically, sirtuins are defined as a class of seven different naturally occurring enzymes essential to the survival of cells, regulation of metabolic processes and in some cases even as a biological defense mechanism.


Thermogenesis

The metabolic process which produces energy at the cellular level in our body.  Although thermogenesis has been identified as a key factor in maintaining weight loss, it also play an integral role in utilizing the daily food and nutrients that body consumes. Thermogenesis helps the mechanisms that lead to digestion and subsequent intestinal absorption.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is also known as retinol, a fat soluble vitamin. Retinol is an active form of vitamin A.
Vitamin A comes from animal sources, it is found in animal liver, cheese, eggs, oily fish (such as mackerel), milk, fortified margarine, yogurt and some fortified foods. All of animal sources except for skim milk that has been fortified with Vitamin A, are high in saturated fat and cholesterol.
Carotenoids are dark colored dyes found in plant foods that can turn into a form of vitamin A. One such carotenoid is beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is an antioxidant.
Sources of beta-carotene are carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, winter squashes, cantaloupe, pink grapefruit, apricots, broccoli, spinach, and most dark green, leafy vegetables. The more intense the color of a fruit or vegetable, the higher the beta-carotene content. These vegetable sources of beta-carotene are free of fat and cholesterol.
Vitamin A helps maintain the health of skin, strengthen immunity from infections, promotes good vision in dim light and antioxidant activities.
Antioxidants protect cells from damage caused by unstable substances called free radicals. Free radicals are believed to contribute to certain chronic diseases and play a role in the degenerative processes seen in aging.


Vitamin E

d-alpha tocopherol. A fat soluble vitamin found in nuts, seeds, vegetable and fish oils, whole grains especially. wheat germ, fortified cereals, and apricots.  

Vitamin C

ascorbic acid. A water soluble vitamin foundt in citrus fruits, green peppers, cabbage, spinach, broccoli, kale, cantaloupe, kiwi, and strawberries.

Vitamin C is known as a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants protect skin by neutralizing free radicals, which would otherwise destroy skin and its components. These free radicals are stimulated by ultraviolet light and also occur naturally in the oxygen atmosphere. 
Vitamin C is the only antioxidant that has been proven to increase collagen synthesis. Formation of collagen is essential for body growth, tissue repair and wound healing to maintain healthy skin. Studies show that collagen decreases with aging and that photo-aging accelerates the decrease. L-ascorbic acid serves as a signal, relaying a critical message to collagen genes to synthesize collagen, as well as being a cofactor for two enzymes important in collagen synthesis.

White kwao krua

White kwao krua or Kwao kreu kao is a local name in Thailand for Pueraria mirifica herb.
White kwao krua is an indigenous herb of Thailand.  The herb species is only found in Thailand and at the certain border between Thaialnd and Myanmar.