Causes Of Dry Lips

The Fat-Soluble Vitamin E

Vitamin E, also known as Tocopherol or alpha-Tocopherol, is one of the fat soluble vitamins that are important in the body. The most active form of vitamin E in the body is alpha-Tocopherol. For both men and women 19-years old and older, the recommended intake of vitamin E everyday is 15 mg.

Functions of Vitamin E

Vitamin E, specifically alpha-Tocopherol, primarily acts as an antioxidant in the body. It scavenges for harmful free radicals that causes damage to the cells. Free radicals cause certain cancers and cardiovascular diseases. Although alpha-Tocopherol is an antioxidant, there has not been solid proof that it contributes significantly to the prevention of heart diseases. Vitamin E helps in DNA repair and it also helps strengthen the body’s immune system.

Vitamin E helps keep skin healthy, as well as protect the eyes from diseases. It helps keep moisture in and prevents the skin and lips from becoming dry, itchy or chapped. It helps prevent pancreatic disorders and diabetes. It has been suggested that vitamin E helps prevent the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

It has been suggested that vitamin E can prevent osteoarthritis. It can also help relieve osteoarthritic flares. It is said that the effect of this vitamin is more or less the same as that of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs). Vitamin E has been said to improve mobility in the joints, thus preventing the development of gout and the accumulation of waste in those areas of the body.

Food Sources for Vitamin E

Because the body is unable to produce this vitamin, it needs to be taken in from food sources. Vitamin E is abundant in vegetable oils. Margarine and salad dressings are a good source of this vitamin. Whole grains, vegetables (the green and leafy ones), beans and nuts are also good sources for vitamin E.

Health Risks Associated with Vitamin E

Experts advise not to take in more than 1,500 IU of vitamin E everyday. This is because vitamin E has anticoagulant properties and can increase the body’s risk for bleeding. It is also advised to not take vitamin E supplements for people who are currently taking drugs for anti-blood clotting, like aspirin or warfarin.

Previous studies conducted have also suggested that taking in vitamin E supplements increases the risk of the recurrence of cancer in people who suffered from neck and head cancer. This research conclusion cautions people to get their daily vitamin E supply from natural food sources rather than from supplements. New Deal: How Long Will Consumers be Loyal to the Groupon Loyalty Card? Read more here...

The Causes of Dry Lips

Dry lips are caused by many conditions. For many natural health experts considering dry lips, vitamin deficiencies top the list. Vitamin B12 deficiencies sometimes cause dry lips , especially in people who have deficient stomach acid or people who eat a strict whole foods, vegan diet. Iron deficiency anemia sometimes causes dry lips, as can a deficiency of vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin.

The simple fact is, however, that very few people suffer dry, itchy lips because of iron or vitamin deficiencies. Almost all processed foods are fortified with B vitamins and iron. Older people sometimes have a problem with dry lips when they lose their lips so that the mouth does not close properly. Allergies can cause dry lips, and so can exposure dry air in deserts or extreme cold-winter locations.

The most common cause of dry lips , however, is using Chapstix to moisten the lips! Millions of people suffer a Chapstix addiction. Full of flavors and fragrances most people associate with happy times, Chapstix activates the circuits in the brain that associate a good feeling with a particular taste or smell. Rubbing Chapstix makes you feel good, but the alcohol used to dissolve the essential oils and flavoring agents that make the product so appealing also dry out the skin.

More often than allergic contact chelitis, angular chelitis, angular stomatitis, chelitis exfoliativa, chelitis gladularosa, chelitis granulomatosa, pèrleche, Plummer-Vinson syndrome, yeast infections of the mouth, or any other of the very rare medical conditions that dry out the lips, dry lips result from overuse of Chapstix. The ingredients that make putting Chapstix on the lips pleasurable are the very ingredients that ensure that users need more, more, more.

If you decide that Chapstix is an important part of your life and you don't want to give it up, at least be sure you are aware of the early warning signs of skin cancer so you can get treatment for actinic keratosis. But if you are ready to take control over your Chapstix habit, here are five important tools for becoming Chapstix-free.

2. Avoid any lip balm or lipstick that contains balsam of Tolu, also known as Tolu balsam. It's the common source of contact allergies in the lips.

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