Aspects that can influence the skin.
Over the past few weeks we have looked at the functions of the Skin. Externally as well as from an internal or nutritional point of view. In this article we delve further into dietary and lifestyle aspects that can influence the skin and overall appearance.
Looking back in history, humans had no Cosmetics that were manufactured in a production plant, nor did they have any pharmaceuticals.
THE HISTORY OF MEDICINE
- Patient: ‘’Doctor, my tummy hurts’’
- Doctor : 2000 B.C. – “Here, eat this root.”
1000 A.D. – “That root is heathen. Here, say this prayer.”
1850 A.D. – “That prayer is superstition. Here, drink this
potion.”
1940 A.D. – “That potion is snake oil. Here, swallow this pill.”
1985 A.D. – “That pill is ineffective. Here, take this antibiotic.”
2000 A.D. – “That antibiotic is unhealthy. Here, eat this root.”
So called Medicine has done a full circle, and the awareness of keeping it as natural a possible is growing in awareness again and it here to stay. If you just look at some of the uses of Ginger. It has long been used for stomach conditions such as nausea, in tea, and in foods and cookies such as gingerbread man.
If Ginger is in Natural medicine, or in food, it is bound to be in Cosmetics. As proof of this statement: Garnier with Ginger for fighting the signs of ageing!
What is a balanced diet? The recommendation is to eat according to the Food Pyramid to ensure a balanced diet. We are taught to include proteins, carbohydrates, fruit, vegetables, and the food charts used to seem fairly simple.
However, food pyramids have revised (to rather look like a Food Myriad!) in order to guide the ratios of certain food groups based on current knowledge. However, it can be a little more complicated than that! Even within these food groups are other factors that we have to consider. One important thing to note is that even in the modern food pyramid, there is no mention of a highly important nutrient such as Nucleotides!!
Basics of ‘’what to avoid’’
- Sugar & artificial sweeteners – by this I don’t just mean the white granules we put in our coffee, it includes all types of sugar from pastas to bread and more. Sugar attacks the skin cells producing ‘Advanced Glycation End’ products – abbreviated to AGE’s – more about this in the near future!
- Acid foods – can anyone give me an example of an acid forming food? Well the list is long, and includes meat, white breads & other white products, fizzy drinks, fats & oils, and even fruits are acidic or acid forming. Stick to alkaline fruits (lemon, avo, tomato, grapefruit), vegetables, pure drinks, some seeds and nuts, and load up on Sprouts (such as alfalfa, mung beans, raddish, chickpea!).
- Alcohol – limit to a glass of wine per day (red wine contains resveratrol which is a great anti-oxidant!).
- Coffee & tea – limit to 1 cup per day (even caffeine free coffee contains chemicals that are harmful to cells)
- Sweets – SUGAR!! Advanced Glycation End products = AGE’s – more about this in the near future!!
- Chocolates – SUGAR!! Acid! Say no more!
- Dairy – is acid forming, and humans are the only species that consumes dairy after suckling their young.
So what DO we eat if we want to improve our health, and ultimately our skin’s health?
- Water, water, water – Improves kidney function and flushed out toxins from the liver (see for more information on the LIVER Blog – Nucleocell Nutrition)
- Herbal Tea – esp. Green Tea: after water, Green Tea is the most widely consumed beverage worldwide. It’s loaded with AO, polyphenols, and good for the oral cavity and the skin. Remember, no sugar or milk!
- Vegetables – non starchy & raw! When cooked, foods biophoton energy is destroyed, and the biochemical structure of the nutrients could be altered by the heat! Carrots and leafy greens contain Vitamin A which helps hydrate the lower layers of the skin.
- Sulphur rich foods – garlic, onions, broccoli (research does say that heating destroys the volatile sulphur), so heat for as short a time as possible or eat broccoli raw.
- Brightly Coloured foods – such as red & yellow peppers, blueberries, strawberries, contain Vitamins especially Vitamin C, Minerals and AO’s, which help to counteract free radical damage, reduce inflammation and protect DNA (this is true Beauty From Within!).
- Protein – vege source if possible (nuts that have a high content of essential fatty acids and Vitamin E, sprouts, seeds, tofu)
- Protein – eggs, oily fish that is high in Omega 3, Selenium and Co-enzyme Q10. Limited chicken and very limited red meat, with the lowest fat as possible.
In the next articles, we will delve more into what we recommend as you treat your shopping as a Basket of Beauty, and what supplements you can consider to achieve True Beauty from the Inside!