"Snail Facials" use slime for anti-aging skin care.

Published on July 18, 2013, 2:39 PM
By: Ryan Jaslow / CBSNews.com




The latest beauty craze may feel slimier than your typical facial at a spa.

TOKYO, Japan
— A Tokyo spa has launched a "snail facial" clinic, The Telegraph reports, in which a therapist places the mollusks on clients' faces, leaving trails of mucus slime.

The slime reportedly contain "proteins, antioxidants and hyaluronic acid, which help skin retain moisture, reduce inflammation and remove dead skin," according to the paper.

For about $245, a visitor to the Ci:z.Labo Clinical Salon in the Ebisu district of Tokyo can get the treatment.

Snails crawls on the face of a woman for the demonstration of a new beauty treatment at the beauty salon 'Ci:z.Labo' in Tokyo on July 13, 2013. / YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

One brave Telegraph reporter even tried the facial herself.

"I am relieved to feel Manami san skillfully monitoring their positions, instantly lifting them off my skin with a little tug to defy the suction whenever they go anywhere near my mouth, nostrils or eyes," she described.

The snails at the spa are fed an all-organic diet of carrots, Japanese mustard spinach, and Swiss chard, according to a Wall Street Journal reporter who also tried the treatment.

Could snails actually have an effect on your skin?

Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi, co-director of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery, told the National Post that "there are no respected scientific studies to prove that it actually works."

There are safer beauty options out there than snails, added Dr. Jennifer L. Walden, a Texas-based plastic surgeon who specializes in skin care and anti-aging, to CBSNews.com.

"Snails have had medicinal uses historically in the past, but I would be wary to use live snails directly on the face for treatment since they carry the risk of harboring parasites that can cause organ damage, meningitis, and other problems," she told CBSNews.com in an email.

Specifically, snails can carry parasitic worms that cause the disease schistosomiasis, Walden points out. The disease can cause health problems like abdominal pains or bloody stools that can persist for years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"There are safer, more purified skin treatments as alternatives on the market today that contain hyaluronic acid and antioxidants," said Walden.

She pointed out her practice even carries products that contain snail secretions tested scientifically before being sold. If snails or their secretions are not your thing, you can always stick to standard facials, microdermabrasions and peels.


source: CBSnews.com

Why the fuss around MSG?

By mDhil  - July 4, 2012 

MSG is a fairly commonly used cooking ingredient used in a variety of cuisines, ranging from Chinese to fast food to ready-to-eat foods. It is also considered extremely unhealthy by some experts, while others deem it safe for consumption. So what’s the truth when it comes to MSG?

What is MSG?

MSG stand for Mono-Sodium Glutamate, also known as Chinese salt or by the brand name Ajinomoto, is the salt of one of the most naturally occurring non-essential amino acids – glutamic acid. MSG is a flavour enhancer that’s used in a variety of cuisines. According to the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), USA, MSG is not considered a food additive, but a flavour enhancer.

The origin of MSG can be traced back to Japan. For many years, seaweeds were used as flavour enhancers in food. One of those was kombu. In 1908, a Japanese scientist discovered that the active ingredient in kombu sea weed that was adding flavour to the food was glutamic acid. Henceforth, its sodium salt, monosodium glutamate, was used. During the Second World War American soldiers realised that the Japanese ration tasted much better. After the war, this flavour-enhancing ingredient was introduced in the food industry.

The use of MSG in cooking

The use of MSG is most commonly associated with Chinese, Japanese and fast food cuisine. When consumed by itself, it has a bitter taste. But in combination with numerous sauces, it enhances the flavour of the food. It also finds usage in soups, canned foods, and processed meats. MSG is present in popular sauces like soya sauce and Worcestershire sauce. MSG works by incorporating a unique taste in food called Umami (pronounced as Oo-Maa-Mee). It is marketed as the fifth taste besides salty, sweet, bitter and sour.

Is MSG bad for health?

MSG has long been a controversial item and numerous studies have been conducted to see what affect it has on humans. The reason why MSG gets its bad reputation is because people who are allergic to MSG or in cases where it is used in excessive quantity, it may have one or more of the following reactions:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Cardiac arrythmias (irregular heartbeat)
• Flushing or excessive sweating
• Rash
• Tingling in the mouth
• Ringing ears

These symptoms were originally termed as “Chinese Restaurant Syndrome”. This was because use of MSG was initially seen in Chinese food preparation and some people complained of these symptoms after eating at Chinese restaurants in the US. However, this terminology and theory have long been debunked.

There are many who believe that MSG is dangerous for health and can potentially damage your heart, and cause learning disorders, Alzhemier’s disease, Parkinson’s disease amongst others. Some studies have even identified MSG as an excitotoxin, a substance that can cause cell damage due to overstimulation of the neurotransmitters.

The final verdict on MSG

The Food and Drug Administration of the United States has given MSG a clean chit and declared it safe for a majority of consumers. However, it is generally not considered safe for infants and therefore should be avoided by children and pregnant women. It should also be avoided by people who are sensitive to it and are prone to adverse reactions after eating it. MSG should not be used in quantities greater than 3gm or half a teaspoon per day.

Written by Misha Sharma, Nutritionist

copyright: mdhil.com