Radiant, Healthy Skin is a Reflection of Optimum Internal Health

By: Shirley's Wellness Cafe

Basic beauty begins with the glow of good health, which shines from within. The skin often mirrors the health of the whole body. A radiant clear complexion begins with proper nutrition, efficient digestion and assimilation of nutrients by the body and regular elimination. Skin problems are a reflection of internal health and are often a reflection of overall body and blood toxicity and/or stomach problems. Almost anything that cleanses the blood or intestines will also show a result on the skin. Skin problems can also be as a result of allergies, hormone imbalances, nutrition or dehydration.

Prevention and Natural Treatment of Skin Conditions

Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman N.D. - "What is your skin trying to tell you? Often the skin is a metaphor for deeper issues and a way for your body to send up a red flag to warn you that all is not well underneath. When our skin is unhealthy it is usually a reflection of the internal state of our bodies, and is often a sign of poor elimination of toxins and waste products."

The skin, sometimes called the third kidney, is the body's largest eliminative organ after the liver. When it functions efficiently, it eliminates two pounds of waste acids daily, so its ability to excrete toxins is of paramount importance; when the skin ceases to function properly, an increased burden is placed on the lymphatic system and other excretory organs. One of the greatest treasures that a woman or a man can have is healthy, radiant skin. A beautiful complexion and glorious body skin are a reflection of our personal life-style practices. The skin excretes, absorbs and protects. If the balanced of the skin becomes disturbed especially through poor nutrition the functions associated with the skin cells cannot act in a balanced manner and can result in dryness, excessive oiliness, and inability to protect against infectious organism. The most rigorously followed healthful living plan necessarily includes a nutritious diet, purewater, regular exercise in the fresh air, adequate rest and sleep, sensible stress management.

Skin Requires Constant Supply of Essential Fatty Acids

One of the biggest mistakes a person can make is to follow a low-fat or no-fat diet. You must have adequate amounts of essential fatty acids to be healthy. Flax seeds oil, black seeds oil, and evening primrose oils (Essential Fatty Acids), are wonderful tonics for the skin and help prevent wrinkles.

Leo Galland, M.D. - "There are numerous health problems associated with EFA deficiencies. These include hair loss, eczema-like skin eruptions, susceptibility to infections, arthritis-like conditions, liver or kidney degeneration, growth retardation and vision or learning problems."

Through his research and clinical work, Dr. Galland has found that essential fatty acids (EFAs) are critical to a healthy immune system. He says "we are in the midst of a nationwide epidemic of EFA deficiencies that is undermining the health of our children." EFAs are essential because your child needs them to be healthy and his/her body can't make them. They must be supplied by the diet. There are numerous health problems associated with EFA deficiencies. These include hair loss, eczema-like skin eruptions, susceptibility to infections, arthritis-like conditions, liver or kidney degeneration, growth retardation and vision or learning problems.

Essential Fatty Acids give you Beautiful Skin from Within

Dr Udo Erasmus - " A lack of essential fatty acids (EFAs) in our diet is the most important factor in our nutritional program for healthy, radiant skin. Most of us either don't eat enough good fats (Omega 3 & 6 Essential fatty acids) in our diet or we eat too much of the wrong fats. The result of this is an imbalance of EFAs and the signs are easy to read: dry skin, dandruff, acne, rough scaly skin. Dry skin is very common in this age of "fat phobia". Most people buy creams and lotions to overcome dry skin that hide the problem but never fix it. Thankfully there is a solution for dry skin and that is to add plenty of healing Omega 3 fats to your diet, which will moisturize your skin from the inside out. Omega 3's make the skin more supple and silky so flaky, scaly, rough itchy skin can be improved by increasing your intake of Omega 3's."

The chia seed is one of the richest source of omega-3 oil and other essential nutrients for a healthy skin. They were the power food of the ancient Aztecs. According to Spanish manuscripts, the Aztecs ate the Chia seeds to improve their endurance - they called it their "running food" because messengers could purportedly run all day on just a handful.

Embarrassed by skin problems

Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman N.D. - " Most of us are embarrassed by skin problems such as rashes, boils or acne, especially in places where others can see our imperfections. The skin is the body's first line of defense against the environment. It has to deal with the effects of weather, sun , cold, heat, dryness, humidity, scrapes, bumps, soaps, detergents, chemicals, perspiration and dirt of all kinds. It is a wonder that our skin stays healthy most of the time! We can help our skin deal with this onslaught by optimizing our general health and by protecting our skin from harsh environmental exposure. Western medicine generally treats skin eruptions with either antibiotics, cortisone, or antifungal preparations. These medicines may alleviate the skin problem temporarily, or occasionally for good, but do not address the source of the problem. Putting a lid on skin symptoms without getting to the root of the imbalance may even result in suppression, that means the imbalance may be driven deeper causing more serious health problems later without ever strengthening the underlying vital force of the person. Fortunately, naturopathic medicine offers a wide vareity of effective treatments for skin problems."

Our skin is the largest organ of our body. No other organ has as much area exposed to the elements as does the skin. It is able to breathe in nutrients and it is able to expel waste. It is the skin which holds our bodies together, and gives us our glow, color and tone. Our skin absorbs what ever we put on it. Have you ever read the labels of your cosmetics and personal care products? Try It! You may begin to understand why your skin looks like it came from another planet. The ingredients certainly do not sound like the language of earthlings. And they do not sound as if they grew out of the earth. We need to take responsibility for what we feed our bodies (and our skin), and help our skin to create that deep Beauty that is “in the Eyes of the Beholder(s).

Healthy Skin with Wheatgrass and Barleygrass Juice

Dr. Howard Lutz. - "Barley grass is one of the most incredible products of this decade. It improves the skin texture and the dryness associated with aging."

Dr. Howard Lutz, who is director of the Institute of Preventive Medicine in Washington, D.C., has said this about barley grass: "Barleygrass is one of the most incredible products of this decade. It improves stamina, sexual energy, clarity of thought, and reduces addiction to things that are bad for you. It also improves the texture of the skin, and heals the dryness associated with aging.

Wheatgrass juice is the nectar of rejuvenation

Most people who have explored the wondrously wide avenues of self-healing have heard about wheatgrass. Wheatgrass juice has been proven over many years to benefit people in numerous ways: cleansing the lymph system, building the blood, restoring balance in the body, removing toxic metals from the cells, nourishing the liver and kidneys and restoring vitality. One ounce of wheatgrass juice has the vitamin and mineral equivalent of 2.2 pounds of fresh vegetables. It contains most of the vitamins and minerals needed for human maintenance, including the elusive B12. Many of the benefits of wheatgrass juice stem from the fact that it is a living food, which is a complete protein with about 30 enzymes and is approximately 70% crude chlorophyll.

Wheatgrass Juice is one of the best sources of living chlorophyll available. Dr.Birscher, a research scientist, called chlorophyll "concentrated sun power." He says chlorophyll increases function of the heart, affects the vascular system, the uterus, the intestine and the lungs. According to Dr. Birscher, nature uses chlorophyll as a body cleanser, rebuilder and neutralizer of toxins. Wheat grass juice can dissolve scars that are formed in the lungs from breathing acid gasses. The effects of carbon monoxide is minimized since chlorophyll increases hemoglobin production. Wheat grass juice helps to reduce high blood pressure as the juice helps to reduce toxins from the body and gives the blood iron which helps circulation. It purifies the blood.

Taking the Fear out of Eating Fats - Wrinkles and Diet

Lori Lipinski is a Certified Nutritional Consultant, lecturer and writer whose articles have been published and quoted in highly respected national and international health journals and books.

"I worked with a client from Mexico who was here visiting her daughter over the summer. The mother was 85 years old, very strong and healthy, and had not one wrinkle on her beautiful face. Her skin was incredible! It was so soft and silky, not at all dry, scaly or wrinkly like the skin I'm so used to seeing with most of my clients. I just had to ask her what kind of fats she eats. Her daughter translated my question to her mother and then replied, "She said she eats mostly lard. I can't believe it! I keep telling her that's not good for her, but she just won't listen!"

"The medical community, junk food industry and the media have done an incredible job convincing the American public that fats are bad for us. Fats have been blamed for everything from clogging our arteries to causing cancer. And fats are definitely the most popular scapegoat for our national health obsessionobesity!" Lori Lipinski more

"Avoid polyunsaturated oils and eat plenty of saturated fats. Consumption of vegetable oils is associated with wrinkles while saturated animal fats and coconut oil help prevent wrinkles. Expose your skin to moderate amounts of natural sunlight or UV-B radiation from a Sperti sunlamp. Avoid stimulants such as coffee, tea and sugar. Never wash your face with soap. Avoid most face creams." Lori Lipinski

Mary Enig, PhD - "One reason the polyunsaturates cause so many health problems is that they tend to become oxidized or rancid when subjected to heat, oxygen and moisture as in cooking and processing. Rancid oils are characterized by free radicalsthat is, single atoms or clusters with an unpaired electron in an outer orbit. These compounds are extremely reactive chemically. They have been characterized as "marauders" in the body for they attack cell membranes and red blood cells and cause damage in DNA/RNA strands, thus triggering mutations in tissue, blood vessels and skin. Free radical damage to the skin causes wrinkles and premature aging; free radical damage to the tissues and organs sets the stage for tumors; free radical damage in the blood vessels initiates the buildup of plaque. Is it any wonder that tests and studies have repeatedly shown a high correlation between cancer and heart disease with the consumption of polyunsaturates? 32 New evidence links exposure to free radicals with premature aging, with autoimmune diseases such as arthritis and with Parkinson's disease, Lou Gehrig's disease, Alzheimer's and cataracts. Vegetable oils are more toxic when heated. One study reported that polyunsaturates turn to varnish in the intestines. A study by a plastic surgeon found that women who consumed mostly vegetable oils had far more wrinkles than those who used traditional animal fats. A 1994 study appearing in the Lancet showed that almost three quarters of the fat in artery clogs is unsaturated."

New Study Reveals that Camu Camu Fights Wrinkles

Great news for healthier, younger looking skin was released earlier this year by researchers at the Hallym University in Korea. Ellagic acid is a nutrient found in the camu camu berry – was found to prevent the destruction of collagen that causes wrinkles and sun spots. It also improved inflammatory response, and helped to prevent thickening of the skin. Based on the research, ellagic acid works to protect skin cells against UV damage by blocking the enzyme that is responsible for breaking down collagen, and by reducing expression of ICAM, a molecule involved in inflammation. This is an important landmark in understanding more about the anti-aging effects of camu camu and its constituents.

On my face and body, I only use organic coconut oil and/or Shea butter from the nut of the Mangifolia tree in Central Africa. The Mangifolia tree can live up to 300 years and has been called the "God Send" to the people of Africa. Found in the African Savannah, the Mangifolia tree gives up its fruit once a year. This is called the Karite nut. This nut is then boiled and the oil is extracted from it and refined into shea butter. Also known as Karite or Shea Nut Butter, it is high in triglycerides and has 5% fatty acids, 8% unsaponifiables, and 7% waxy esters. This natural fatty acid action is felt at the cellular level and contributes to the regeneration process of dry and wrinkled skin and can be used to treat rheumatism and aching muscles. Shea butter penetrates deep into your skin and gives it back its elasticity. It will revitalize, soften and maintain moisture to your skin without greasiness. Shea butter's high content of vitamins A, E and F will provide your skin with all the essential elements it needs for good skin balance.

Proper Nutrition is essential for Radiant Skin Health

Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman N.D. - "Diet and nutritional supplements: Regular consumption of plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, in whole form or juiced, along with legumes, grains, nuts, seeds, and little or no refined, overprocessed foods, fat, sugar, and caffeine will help your skin to stay young and healthy. Pay attention, particularly in the case of hives and rashes, to any foods to which you may be oversensitive. The nutritional supplements that are most of benefit to the skin are Vitamin A (we recommend it in the form of Beta carotene, which is non-toxic, since prolonged use of over 50,000 I.U. of Vitamin A can result in hair loss, skin dryness, and other symptoms of toxicity), Zinc, Vitamin E, and Vitamin C. We suggest these in combination with a mega multi vitamin and mineral containing 25-50 mg of the B vitamins but use higher amount with some skin conditions. Essential fatty acids such as linoleic and linolenic acid are necessary to keep the skin soft and pliable. PABA, often found in sun tan products, helps prevent against damage from the sun's ultraviolet rays."

Man's body is a living organism, made of living cells, which require living food in order to be properly nourished and function well. When we put cooked food into our body, loaded with contaminants, the body starts to break down. It begins in the very young with colic, rashes, colds, earaches, upset stomachs, swollen glands and tonsils. As the child grows older, their may be tooth decay, pimples, the need for eye glasses, etc. Then as we enter adult life there is arthritis, hypoglycemia, heart attacks, strokes, diabetes and cancers. All this and a multitude of other diseases are unnecessary and are nothing but the result of improper diet and lifestyle! Today, most people accept cooked food as the normal means of supplying the body with nutrients, not realizing that the living cells of our bodies do not take nourishment from the dead and artificial ingredients found in cooked food. And so, after a typical meal of cooked meat, cooked potatoes, a cooked vegetable and a piece of cooked bread, followed by a cooked sugar desert, their stomach is full and they think they have satisfied the nutritional needs of their body. In reality, they have given their body practically no nourishment. And thus with a full stomach, they are slowly starving their body's cells.

The fastest way to restore wellness is to stop putting into the body the things that have caused the physical problem to develop in the first place, and then give the body the nutrients it needs to repair and rebuild itself. The body is self-healing when the infraction is stopped and proper nutrients provided.

Dr. James Meschino, DC - "Dietary manipulation and nutritional supplementation has been shown to be of clinical importance in the prevention and treatment of various skin conditions, including skin cancer, wound healing, atopic dermatitiseczema, seborrhea, psoriasis and acne. Eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis and, to a lesser degree, acne are skin conditions that are highly responsive to nutritional management. Skin smoothness can be enhanced, as well, through specific dietary manipulation and supplementation with essential oils, B-vitamins and antioxidants at established doses. Regarding nutrition and detoxification, research reveals that many skin conditions are aggravated by faulty detoxification mechanisms, excess toxicity and compromised liver function. The liver is the main blood filtration plant to neutralize and eliminate toxins from the body. Conversely, a number of skin conditions have been shown to respond favorably when the body's detoxification centers are supported through dietary manipulation and the appropriate use of supplements. Thus, nutritional support is a vital aspect of skin health and appearance, and optimizing detoxification is a primary target in the treatment of a variety of common skin conditions. Although enhancing detoxification is not the only role of nutritional management for skin conditions, it is an often overlooked area of intervention." James Meschino, DC, serves on the board of advisors of the Academy of Anti-Aging Research and is the clinical and research director for the RenaiSanté Institute of Integrative Medicine in Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada.