Our bodies are dependent on what we put into our systems, enabling your organs and cells to function properly and regenerate in order to create a healthy outer appearance of flawless skin, shining hair and strong nails. Eating your way to beauty is simple and far healthier than consuming a mountain of pills every morning in the hope of seeing a miraculous difference a few days later.
Inflammation
Eat to combat inflammation. This is a big culprit in ageing. Drench the 'fire within' by eating dark leafy greens, leeks, nuts and seeds, ginger, turmeric and cinnamon.
Brain Boosters
Say yes to brain boosters. Improve your memory and keep your mind healthy with ginko biloba and keeping your colon clean.
Omega-3
Make sure you are eating omega-3 fatty acids. Polyunsaturated fats in oily fish, flax and chia seeds have shown to reduce inflammation, help fight heart disease and help keep the eyes healthy. For anti-aging benefits make sure you are taking a good quality omega 3 supplement and also focus on incorporating the good fats in your diet. Avocado, nuts and seeds etc..
Don't Stress!
Beat stress by controlling stress levels. Stress reduces immunity and makes the skin sag! Stressing too much causes too much cortisol to be secreted by the adrenals and may cause unwanted belly fat. (Remember, that the belly fat is the dangerous fat!)
Mediterranean
I love eating like the Mediterranean's do. A diet made up of mostly fresh veggies, fruits, nuts, unsaturated fats like cold-pressed olive oil, quinoa and fish can keep your heart healthy, lower inflammation, and help you stay younger and live longer. Always good to cut back on red meat!
Calories!!!!!
Watch your calories. More than 2000 studies show that by not over eating you will live longer. Experts recommend reducing your calories by an average 20-30 % a day.
Nut and Vegetable oil
An increased intake of nut and vegetable oil is excellent for the skin. Drizzle the following oils over your salad: cold-pressed almond oil, olive oil, grape seed oil, hemp seed oil and coconut oil. Handmade soaps usually contain the good vegetable oils which moisturize the skin. Commercially available soaps may remove the protective acid mantle from your skin and dry it out.
Antioxidants
Food, exposure to sun, excessive exercise (running) and pollution all contribute to aging. They unleash free radical (unstable molecules) that damage cell walls, stop new cells from growing, and destroy collagen as well as the protein fibers that give the skin its structure and flexibility.
Sunscreen is necessary, but you may also want to take a good antioxidant supplement. I love AIM'S Proancynol 2000, it contains green tea extract, rosemary extract, grape seed extract, N-acetylcysteine, alpha-lipoic acid, lycopene, and selenium. Ingredients in skin care products such as alpha lipoic acid, co-enzyme Q10 and green tea are all beneficial to the skin and cells. Foods high in antioxidants are: Berries and cherries, plums, prunes, beans, pecans, artichokes, small purple potatoes, butternut squash, red, orange and yellow peppers and carrots.
Remember, a balanced diet containing certain amount of fats, as well as clean proteins, gluten-free whole-grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables will promote a happy and beautiful healthy appearance keeping you glowing from the inside out!
