Tag Archive for: vegetables

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What your FACE can tell you about your health

Your face and skin are windows into your health. Skin issues and other undesirable facial flaws are often thought of in terms of how they’re unpleasing to the eye and take away from a person’s natural beauty. But this way of thinking disregards the important fact that circles under your eyes, red cheeks and unusual acne that pops up in places such as your ears or along your forehead can tell a tale about nutritional deficiencies and the health of your organs.

What your FACE can tell you about your health (including spotting if you need to go on a diet based on where your blemishes and wrinkles are).

 

Acne/Breakouts

Adult acne or breakouts can be caused by all sorts of issues, but are most directly related to hormones and stress. Genetics can play a role in adult acne.  Acne can be caused from hormonal changes or imbalances related to birth control, the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and peri-menopause. When stress levels rise the body produces more stress hormones, which cause over production of oil and thus a higher chance of a breakout. Lifestyle choices like exercising and sweating may help to get circulation and blood flow going.

“Chin or jawline breakouts are typically hormonal acne. Try exfoliating more on the chin and forehead and be aware of any hair product that may be getting on your forehead. Always clean your cell phone anything that may touch your chin.  Clean all makeup brushes as to not spread bacteria.”  Dr. Gary Goldfaden

While food doesn’t cause acne, it can attribute to it and make for an unclean, unhealthy appearing complexion. Glycation is the main enemy of skin and the aging process of the body.. The glycation process, which is basically, sugars (from food and alcohol) breaking down the collagen fibers in the skin, which excels the aging process. Foods that feed glycation/cause inflammation in the body/skin are carbohydrates, fried foods, sugar, fatty meats and alcohol.

Puffy Eyes + Dark Circles:: 

Ordinary swelling around the eyes means you have an excessive accumulation of fluids, called edema, in surrounding skin tissue. Because the skin around the eyes is the thinnest skin in the body, swelling and discoloration can be quite prominent. Overconsumption of salt, which causes fluid retention, Allergies Sinus problems, Dehydration, Fatigue and lack of sleep, Stress, Crying, and Aging that can cause inflammation and swelling.

Puffy eyes could also be related to kidney problems, and these should be investigated by your doctor.

Redness:

Blood vessels are more apparent in people who genetically have thin skin, but red skin can also be the result of aging and skin damage. Sun exposure can increase redness, inflammation, and eventually skin cell damage all over the face.

Dr. G says increase anti-inflammatory, cooling and soothing ingredients /foods

  • Red Tea (Rooibos)
  • Alpha Lipoic Acid
  • Green Tea
  • Oatmeal
  • Cucumbers

If excessive redness does happen, try applying a cool compress, splashing your face with very cold water, going indoors and allowing your body to cool off. Wearing a little concealer on areas that do tend to get red can help too.

You are what you eat:

Diet: “Eat a diet high in anti-oxidant rich foods such as leafy greens and berries and foods high in essential fatty acids (salmon and almonds). Stay away from foods that can encourage and cause Glycation. Some people may benefit from cutting dairy products out of their diet.”

“Overall signs of loss of elasticity, fine lines, wrinkles and sagging may be caused by Glycation. The Glycation process (sugars from food and alcohol, that break down the collagen fibers in the skin) speeds up the aging process. Foods that feed Glycation and cause inflammation in the body and the skin are carbohydrates, fried foods, sugar, fatty meats and alcohol. “

“Smoking can attribute to dull and sallow looking skin tone, wrinkles, fine lines, sagging, enlarged pores and an overall unhealthy complexion.” Dr. Gary Goldfaden

 

 

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Healthy (and Delicious) Labor Day Menu

Celebrate Labor Day with these party-friendly, delicious and healthy recipes. 

Dr. G’s Summertime Baked Salmon (incase you don’t have a grill)

2 salmon fillets (can feed 4 people)
1 teaspoons of Peppercorns (black & red)
1 tablespoon of Honey (Manuka for the texture)
1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
Parsley( raw for topping after baked)Preheat oven at 350 degrees.

  1. In a small bowl mix the peppercorns, honey and mustard. Spread evenly across both filets covering all the flesh.
  2. Place filets skin side down on parchment paper inside a baking dish.
  3. Bake for 20 mins or until the middle of the fish is to your liking.
  4. Remove salmon and let it rest for 5 mins then sprinkle sea salt and fresh chopped parsley on top and serve.

Summer Salad

Red Leaf Lettuce – A whole head torn up
Fresh Dill – Chopped and sprinkled throughout.
3-4 Nectarines – Peeled and sectioned
1 Med Cucumber – Sliced very thin
1 Orange halved – To be used for the dressing
(2 tsp) extra virgin olive oil
(pinch) Sea Salt
(pinch) Fresh Ground Pepper

To make the dressing, simply squeeze the orange into a small bowl, add olive oil, salt and pepper and mix vigorously with a whisk. Dress the salad just before serving.

Healthy (and delicious) Fruit Kabobs

1 Large package of strawberries, cut into halves
½ cantaloupe, cut into balls or cubes
2 bananas, peeled and cut into chunks
1 Pineapple, cut into chunks
20 skewers

  1. Thread the strawberries, cantaloupe, banana and pineapple pieces alternately onto skewers, placing at least 2 pieces of fruit on each skewer.
  2. Arrange the fruit skewers decoratively on a serving platter.
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The connection between veggies and glowing skin, Dr. G reports.

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Image via Craft Or DIY

Dr. G: “When we talk about good skincare practices, there are a few important steps to follow –  Exfoliate, cleanse, treat, hydrate and protect, but healthy and vibrant looking skin does in fact also need to come from within. Staying true to a health diet (without sugar, alcohol, excess caffeine, dairy) is essential for obtaining the ultimate glow, even skin tone and radiant-looking skin. Concentrated extracts from cruciferous vegetables line broccoli contain bioactive phytonutrients that can help to reverse and repair a lifetime of skin damage – revealing smoother, clearer and more radiant skin.”

Q: We’re seeing a lot of superfoods in skincare. Lately, it seems as though Kale is the ingredient of the moment. What are the health benefits of kale, and how do those translate to skincare?

Dr. G: “Kale is one of the healthiest foods to eat and definitely shows on the skin. Kale contains lutein which is a carotenoid that helps fight and protect against free radicals. Kale also contains high levels of Vitamin A which helps with tissue repair, Vitamin C which assists in brightening skin and Vitamin K which helps with darkness under the eyes due to it’s coagulation properties.”

Q: Are the concentrations of kale substantial enough to really make a difference? Or do you think some of this is hype?

Dr. G: “The skin is the last organ to benefit from anything ingested as it is the furthest away from the source. So, yes putting kale directly on to the skin could be more potent than eating it , but probably not by much. Skincare products need to have the appropriate delivery system as well as crucial anti-aging ingredients to really be effective.”

Q: In your opinion, what is the most potent age-fighting cruciferous vegetable to be using topically (and ingesting internally)?

Dr. G: “Broccoli has more vitamin C than any other vegetable of its kind. As a concentrated source of this powerful antioxidant, broccoli extract offers outstanding protection from free radical assault. In addition, broccoli contains significant amounts of special flavonoids such as kaempferol and quercitin that help recycle vitamin C, thereby boosting its effectiveness. Broccoli also provides a number of important carotenoids like lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene that also function as key antioxidants to help protect your skin from the effects of premature aging. Along with vitamin E, another valuable antioxidant, broccoli is a rich source of vitamin B and health-promoting minerals like manganese and zinc.”

DIY Broccoli mask

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