Articles > Health Tip - Health & Beauty & Aging

There is a very strong link between health and beauty in all people. Even those people who have sadly been disfigured from birth or accident will notice the correlation between how they feel and how they look.This link between who we see in the mirror and our health is a very useful one.

Beauty Basics

How we see ourselves tells us about our physical condition and our mental/emotional state.

If we are unhappy in ourselves and we look in the mirror, then even if we have no spots and few wrinkles, we may dislike what we see. So on every level, what we look like is a clear indication of our state of well being and visa versa. When we feel great, we are far less likely to bother about whether our hair is windblown or whether we had time to put on a little make up.

BUT if we feel down it actually does help to take a bit of extra time to primp and care for our looks.

AND if we are aren’t looking our best, then eating well and taking the right supplements can help a great deal. The simple fact is that it is in our hands.

Of course if you hate the size of your nose then you will just have to learn to live with it or get brave enough to have an operation. But for many normal human conditions, looking after your health will improve your looks. And looking good will improve your health. So here are just some of the many things you can do to improve yourselves inside and out:-

INSIDE-

• Drink three glasses of water a day, reduce your caffeine intake and your alcohol intake, and drink semi-skimmed or skimmed milk

• Do try to have three servings of both fruit and vegetables every day. If you are not a salad lover like me, then get yourself a juicer (yes they are expensive, but it is very worthwhile) or make home-made soup regularly.

• Limit the amount of refined sugar you eat. This causes those famous free radicals in your body and they produce signs of ageing!!!

• Cut back on Junk food. Remember that the reason it has gained the label ‘junk food’ is because it contains lots of fat, sugar and chemicals and very little (if any) nutritive value.

OUTSIDE-

• Do wash regularly, and use products that are not abrasive to your skin and hair. If you help your natural hair colour like I do, it is a good idea to get a good conditioner.

• Moisturise your whole body. As a reflexologist many people come to me with dry skin on their feet - and most of those people admit that they never bother to put lotion or cream on their feet...

• Remember that the signs of ageing begin in your twenties, so do take special care of your hands, neck and face. Some of the ‘miracles’ actually are pretty fabulous. Retinol, Vitamin C and Vitamin E have all been proven to improve your skin condition on application. Of course some products will be better than others, and the amount you spend does not necessarily mean quality. Although most of the very cheap ones are just what you would expect.

LIFESTYLE-

• Take regular exercise, relax every day, and take a good supplement. You can always contact me at Ashwhin for support and more suggestions.

Avoid Aging Skin

OXIDATION AND INFLAMMATION

What we call “aging” of the skin -- wrinkles, age spots, etc. -- is not the fault of time. It’s the result of inflammation. In fact, you might say that aging is inflammation... this cell-damaging process is caused by highly reactive molecular fragments known as free radicals.

Ultraviolet radiation from sunlight creates free radicals in the skin. So does air pollution. And so do the natural metabolic processes that the body uses to convert food into energy. Free radicals are especially damaging to the membrane that encases every cell. As each cell membrane oxidizes, inflammation-promoting compounds known as prostaglandins and leukotrienes are created. With its membrane damaged, the cell cannot bring in essential nutrients... or expel wastes.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DIET

Cut back on sugar. Its responsible for 50% of skin aging. Sugar molecules react with collagen, the protein that gives texture to the skin. That makes skin saggy instead of resilient. And each time sugar reacts with collagen, it releases a burst of free radicals. In addition to cake, candy and other sweets, its best to avoid pasta, potatoes, white rice, fruit juices, grapes and cooked carrots. These foods have a high glycemic index -- meaning that they are converted into blood sugar very rapidly. Most fresh fruits and vegetables like broccoli, eggplant, tomatoes and greens are okay because they are absorbed slowly.

Eat more protein. The skin needs a constant supply of amino acids to repair cellular damage. But not all of us get enough of the proteins that supply these amino acids. Protein comes from dairy products, beans and peas, poultry, etc. But from the perspective of skin health, the best protein sources are cold-water fish like sardines, anchovies and especially salmon.

Cold-water fish are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which exert a potent anti inflammatory effect. These fish are also rich in a little-known compound called dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE). DMAE is the raw material used by the body to synthesize acetylcholine, the chemical that carries messages from nerve endings to muscles. By boosting acetylcholine synthesis, DMAE keeps the muscles that support the skin well-toned.

Take supplements. Vitamins C and E, the mineral selenium and other antioxidants work in concert to inhibit free radical activity. Do take a good balanced multivitamin and mineral

SUNLIGHT AND THE SKIN

To get a sense of just how significant sun exposure really is, compare your facial skin with skin on a part of your body that’s always covered. To minimize damage: Use sunscreen every day. SPF 15 is okay for day-to-day sun exposure. Use SPF 30 and a hat and other protective clothing if you plan to be out for an extended period.

THE ROLE OF EXERCISE

Exercise dilates blood vessels, bringing nutrients to the skin. And sweating expels toxins from the skin. Exercise also promotes synthesis of growth hormone. High levels of growth hormone are linked to youthful-looking skin.

Running, brisk walking, cycling or using a stair-climber for 30 minutes, five times weekly should suffice. If possible, fit in two or three days per week of strength training. Concentrate on shoulders, back, arms, legs and abdominals. Each session should last about 30 minutes.

AVOIDING IRRITANTS

Avoid contact with cosmetics, soaps, etc., that cause redness or irritation. Prescription retinoic acid preparations like tretinoin (Renova) are generally okay, though they may cause temporary pinkness. If severe pinkness lasts for more than four weeks, consult a physician.