Vitamin C and beauty

Over recent years, a glance at the ingredients on the back of my face cream has left me wishing I’d done a PhD in chemistry — all those AHAs, nanoparticles and pentapeptides. 

But some good news from the beauty world is that the latest wonder ingredient is something we all know and love. Good old vitamin C.

Look down the beauty aisle of any department store and you’ll see three new products from Origins, Kiehl’s and StriVectin-EV, which feature the old favourite as their key ingredient. Other brands such as Sisley, Vichy, Environ and Philosophy also have vitamin C-based formulas.

The beauty industry has long known that vitamin C — in food and cream form — is vital for good skin. The nutrient helps form collagen and elastin (essential to keep the skin looking plump, taut and young) as well as acting as an antioxidant to protect us from the harsh effects of the environment, such as UV rays, pollution and a bad diet.

In recent years, lowly vitamin C has been left in the shadows as cosmetic companies embarked on a rush to find new (often unpronouncable) ingredients — the likes of acai, glycans and hyaluronic acid. 

‘Yet new technology means we can harness vitamin C in new, more targeted ways — specifically in terms of tackling fine lines and pigmentation,’ says Gillian Barclay from Kiehl’s.

Indeed, dermatologists have discovered that vitamin C is one of the best ingredients to tackle dark spots. It not only brightens the skin but also inhibits the production of tyrosinase, an enzyme that creates pigmentation. 

Scientists have also found that vitamin C is not only an essential building block of skin-plumping collagen and elastin, but it actually kick-starts the body into producing more of these proteins — making it a potent anti-ager.

Look for creams containing Vitamin C. If your skin is sensitive, experts warn you may experience stinging or irritation with products containing the water-soluble form of vitamin C, called L-Ascorbic acid, so do a patch test first. But for most of us it seems our skin would benefit from a vitamin boost.

Do not forget to nurish from within. See my next post on getting vitamin C from your diet.










Source :dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2126926/Can-Vitamin-C-wrinkles.html#ixzz4H1L9yxjJ 

Face Massage For Younger Looking Skin

                                        This facial massage is quick and simple to do

Do This Once A Week.....

Japanese women have enjoyed the benefits of rice for centuries. The secret of their beauty lies in this simple gift of nature.

Rice is an amazing source of linoleic acid and squalene, a mighty antioxidant that stimulates collagen production. It slows the occurence of wrinkles. Squalene also protects skin from sun. Rice is also abundant in vitamin E and gamma oryznol, known for its ability to protect heart and decrease cholesterol levels.

Unfortunately, apart from Japanese, most people are not aware of these facts. Rice does miracles when it comes to skin rejuvenation.

We give you a super simple rice mask that will smooth out your wrinkles and give you a nice skin complexion.
You need:

• 3 tbsp rice
• 1 tbsp milk
• 1 tbsp honey

Preparation:
Boil and strain the rice. Preserve the water. Stir a tablespoon of warm milk into the rice, then add a tablespoon of honey.
Always apply the mask on clean and dry skin. Leave it on until dried. Clean your face and rinse it with the water in which you cooked the rice.
Rice water has strong antioxidant properties. It moisturizes skin and stimulates circulation. Rice water also helps in removing age spots and relieves inflammation. It will make your skin healthy and moisturized. Use it to protect your skin from sun.
For optimal results, repeat this treatment at least once a week. You will be amazed of your complexion in the mirror – you will look 10 years younger.

Source:healthyfoodhouse.com/do-this-at-least-once-a-week-and-your-face-will-be-10-years-younger/

10 Tips To Look Younger

1 Wear Sunscreen

I can't stress this enough. A large percentage of the visible signs of ageing (wrinkles, age spots) result from the cumulative effect of ultraviolet rays on the skin, over time. Wear sunscreen and you'll keep these at bay.

2 Get enough sleep

The whole idea of beauty sleep is not a myth. Your body needs time to restore itself overnight and that includes your face, too. While you sleep, cells are busy repairing DNA damage from the day before, so snuggle down and give them a chance to get on with it.

3 Learn where to put concealer

Dabbing a bit onto the skin between the inner corner of the eye and the nose has the effect of casting light into a notoriously dark spot and brightens up the face of anyone over 30. Sneak a bit around the edges of your nostrils, too, to minimise redness.

4 Drink plenty of water

Particularly hard to do at this time of year when it is so much easier to reach for warming coffee, tea or hot toddies. It won't hydrate your skin directly, but it will improve the way your insides work and good gut health is soon reflected in glowing skin.

5 Take up yoga

It is soothing, de-stressing, improves your posture, helps loosen the knots of tension that we all accumulate in our bodies and can be done anywhere. All you need is the space to unroll a yoga mat. Also, yoga devotees usually look remarkably youthful – and if you can't beat them, why not join in and see if it works its magic for you.

6 Cut sugar from your diet

The body doesn't need it and sugar, according to nutritionists and skin experts, exacerbates a process called glycation, which accelerates ageing in the skin. (I tried this last year and found that two weeks off the sweet stuff made my skin noticeably clearer and brighter.)

7 Add the odd facial into your beauty regime

Regular TLC from a skincare professional will pay dividends in terms of a fresher-looking complexion with more bloom and spring to it. If you feel guilty about treating yourself, ask for one as a present.

8 Revise your make-up

Most of us are guilty of falling into a make-up time warp and ignoring the fact that what suited us five or 10 years ago might not look so good today. Also, cosmetic formulations are constantly improving, so newer products are nicer to use, with better results.

9 Exercise regularly

Whether it's walking the dog, rock-climbing, or scuba-diving, anything that gets you moving will improve your circulation. That in turn will encourage bloodflow to the skin and help give it a healthy, youth-enhancing glow.

10 Give up smoking

Just in case you need another reason to quit. It deprives the skin of oxygen, accelerates the process of skin ageing by hastening the degradation of collagen, which means more wrinkles – faster. Oh, and it's not great for your health, either.

Source:www.telegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/wellbeing/6907147/50-ways-to-look-younger.html

19 Super Foods To Naturally Cleanse Your Liver

Eating the right foods is key, so here is a list of foods you can include in a diet that will promote a wholly natural, and perpetual cleanse of your liver.

Apples contain high levels of pectin, plus other natural chemicals which actually support your liver and facilitate the cleansing operation.

Asparagus is an excellent diuretic. A diuretic is a substance that helps to promote the production of urine, and as urine is the way that you body naturals evacuates itself of any excess toxins, asparagus actively helps to support detoxification.

Alternative grains can lighten the work that your liver has to do. Ordinary grains such as wheat, and flour made from wheat, contain gluten, which can be difficult to digest and is an allergen for many people. Substituting different grains, the likes of buckwheat, millet, and quinoa can make a significant difference.

Avocados are fantastically good for you as a source of nutrition. This renowned super-food also contains a compound known as glutathione, which is essential in helping your liver to extract toxins.

Beetroot (Beets) and carrots are another good source of glutathione that aids your liver to detox. They are also rich in flavonoids and beta-carotene, which both support healthy liver function.

Brussels sprouts are a rich source of the mineral sulfur, and the antioxidant glucosinolate. Both of these substances encourage your liver in producing certain enzymes that can prevent damage caused by both dietary and environmental toxins.

Cabbage facilitates your body’s production of ITCs (Isothiocyanates), another important substance that promotes the manufacture of detox enzymes.

Citrus fruits, and particularly lemons and limes, contain boatloads of vitamin C. This boosts liver function and helps to transform toxins into substances that are them more easily mopped up by water.

Cruciferous veggies such as broccoli and cauliflower also contain the antioxidant glucosinolate, the antioxidant that promotes the production of toxin busting enzymes.

Dandelion root makes a great tea which helps the liver to break down fat. It also boosts the manufacture of amino acids, another substance essential to the detox process.

Garlic s a rich source of Sulfur, (a great detox support agent), plus Allicin and Selenium, both of which are an important aid in helping to cleanse your liver.

Grapefruits are an excellent source of vitamin C, glutathione, and antioxidants, all of which combine to boost the manufacture of specific enzymes that can rid your body of various toxins including certain carcinogens.

Green tea contains a particular type of antioxidant known as catechins which are well known as substances that support healthy liver function.

Leafy green veggies contain certain chlorophylls that have the ability to absorb toxins that contaminate your body from the environment. They also help to deal with various chemicals, heavy metals and pesticides that find their way into your body system.

Olive oil and other cold pressed natural oils such as flax seed and hemp, also support healthy liver function, helping to produce a lipid base that assists with the absorption of toxins.

Spinach is another excellent source of glutathione.

Tomatoes are yet another great source of glutathione, but they also contain a substance known as Lycopene which can help to protect you against certain types of cancer including breast, lung, and skin cancer.

Turmeric is a spice that not only adds bags of flavor to soups stews and casseroles, but that also promotes the manufacture of detox enzymes.

Walnuts are packed with Omega 3 fatty acids, glutathione, and the amino acid, Arginine; all of which enhance the liver’s cleansing powers, and in particular help to rid your body of excess ammonia.

Source:justnaturallyhealthy.com/2015/04/21/19-super-foods-to-naturally-cleanse-your-liver/?c=nsfb

Exercise Keeps Your Skin Soft and Glowing....

A dewy sheen on your cheeks thanks to all the sweat dripping off your forehead may not be the only way fitness keeps your skin young. Researchers at McMaster University in Ontario studied a small group of adults between ages 20 and 84.

The frequent exercisers who were over age 40 had skin that resembled the more supple, elastic skin of people in their 20s and 30s. The difference had nothing to do with sun exposure (which would age your skin faster if you didn't wear sunscreen), reported the research team; they theorized that exercise creates body substances that help slow aging in skin, though they say more research is needed to learn how exercise changes skin composition.

Exercise gives you more vim and vigor

A workout is like nature's energy drink, firing up your brain and body so you feel more alert and alive. "Exercise puts your body in a state of arousal, which translates into more vitality and a greater sense of well being," says Frisch. "Daily tasks become less strenuous and require less exertion." It's the kind of pep in your step that makes you feel like you've peeled off a decade or two.

Exercise improves your posture

Thanks to muscle loss and bone density changes, your posture takes a hit as you age. Counteract this with strength training, which builds muscle and bone health, especially in your core and along your spine, so you naturally stand taller and shave years off your appearance, says Amie Hoff, personal trainer and founder of Hoff Fitness in New York City. Working out also makes you feel more psychologically powerful, so you naturally stop slouching and straighten up, she adds.

Source:abcnews.go.com/Health/ways-exercise-makes-feel-younger/story?id=29961839

The Dreaded Cellulite and Holidays

Yes it's getting to that time of year when I must dig out my bikini and make sure it still fits before baring myself beside the pool.

One of my worries each year, is how much cellulite I have gained over the winter months (aswell as pounds!).

Well this year I have been preparing in advance. I have been walking more (and at a faster pace), to help tone up my legs. Imagine the shock I got when I looked in the mirror and saw that my arms had now been 'blessed' with the dimply stuff, gggrrrr.

So here I am once more with time not on my side. I body brush and vigorously massage a quick 'miracle' cream into my dimpled bits on a daily (well almost) basis. There has been some improvement albeit slow and not quite the results I was hoping for, but on the plus side, it hasn't got any worse.

I needed something a bit quicker and with more guaranteed results that wouldn't cost the earth. After much research, I think I may just have found the answer.

Have a look and tell me what you think.......Click Here

A quick tip you can do whilst laying on the beach, is to gently massage your legs and arms with the grains of sand. This will help to get rid of any dead skin and gently give you a free exfoliation. Be careful not to scrub too hard though and especially not if you have over done the sun bathing. Doing this just once or twice over a week will be enough. It can help prolong your tan by getting rid of dead skin that would shed and take your newly aquired tan with it. Once you have had a gentle scrub, wash off in the sea and blather on plenty of suncream, not forgetting to moisturise all over later on after showering.

Feeling 'young at heart' may increase lifespan

“Feeling young at heart wards off death, scientists find,” The Daily Telegraph reports. A UK study found that people who reported feeling younger than their actual age were less likely to die than those who reported feeling their actual age or older.

The study in question asked almost 6,500 people in their 50s and over how old they actually felt, and followed them up over 99 months to identify any who died. It found that a quarter of people who feel considerably older than their actual age died over the following eight years, compared to only 14% of those who felt considerably younger. The difference remained even if the researchers took into account other factors (confounders) that could affect their risk of death, such as physical and mental health.

Still, the link between how old you feel and your health is likely to be very difficult to remove, even with the extensive efforts made in this study.

So, how do you feel younger? We would recommend staying asphysically active as possible, connecting with others (possibly through volunteering) and trying out new activities, such as yoga (which, by coincidence, was shown today to possibly reduce the risk of heart disease).

Where did the story come from?

The study was carried out by researchers from University College London (UCL). The study in which the data was collected was funded by the National Institute on Aging in the United States and a consortium of UK government departments coordinated by the Office for National Statistics. The researchers were supported by UCL, the International Longevity Centre UK and the British Heart Foundation.

The study was published as a letter in the peer-reviewed medical journal JAMA Internal Medicine.

The media covers this research reasonably well.

The Mail Online helpfully reports the actual risks of dying during the study in both groups (14.3% for the “young at heart”, 18.5% for those who felt their actual age and 24.6% who felt older than their age) rather than the relative difference in risk between them.

Just reporting the relative risk can give a distorted impression to the public on the size of a particular effect or trend.

There are also some minor inaccuracies in the coverage. The Mail Online stating that the report said "maintaining healthy weight helped increase life expectancy” – when the study authors actually noted that weight was not one of the factors assessed in their study – is one example. The Telegraph says that “those who felt younger than their actual age were 41% less likely to have died in the follow-up period” which is not quite right – it was actually those who felt older who were 41% more likely to die in the follow-up period than those who felt younger.

What kind of research was this?

This was an analysis of data from an ongoing prospective cohort study called the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Researchers looked at whether how old a person felt was related to how long they actually lived.

A cohort study is the best way to assess this question. However, as with all cohort studies, factors other than the factor in question (self-perceived age), known as confounders, can influence the results. The researchers in the current study took steps to remove the effect of such factors, but it is difficult to remove their effect entirely.

What did the research involve?

The researchers asked the participants how old they felt they were and then followed them for up to nine years to identify any deaths – specifically, deaths from cancer or heart disease, which are the two leading causes of preventable deaths. They then investigated if those who felt younger than they were lived any longer.

A total of 6,489 people aged 52 and over took part in the study. They answered the question about how old they felt in 2004-05. They also provided a lot of information about themselves and their health. The researchers classed them as:

• those who felt at least one year older than their actual age
• those who felt more than three years younger than their actual age
• the remainder – who felt close to their actual age (from one year older to two years younger)

They recorded those who died up to March 2013 and their causes of death, and whether the proportion who died in the different “perceived age” categories differed. They took into account a range of confounders, which could affect risk of death, including:

• age
• gender
• sociodemographic factors
• depression
• social engagement
• cognitive function
• physical health
• mobility
• lifestyle (smoking, alcohol consumption and physical activity)

What were the basic results?

The researchers found that most people (69.6%) felt younger than they were; 4.8% felt older; and about a quarter felt around their real age (25.6%). Their average actual age was around 66 years, while on average they felt only around 57 years old.

Participants were followed for just over eight years, on average. During the study, 15.9% of the participants died. More of the participants who felt older than their actual age died than those who felt their actual age or younger:

• 24.6% of participants who felt older than their actual age died
• 18.5% of those who felt about their actual age died
• 14.3% of those who felt younger than their actual age died

When they took into account the factors that could affect risk of death, feeling older than your actual age was still associated with a 41% increase in risk of death during follow-up, relative to those who felt younger (hazard ratio (HR) 1.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10 to 1.82). They still found this association if they excluded people who died within a year of starting the study – to reduce the possibility that people who were feeling older than their age were doing so because they were already ill.

When looking at causes of death, feeling older than your age was associated with an increased risk of death from heart disease (HR 1.55, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.38), but not from cancer. After all of the other factors were taken into account, feeling your age was not associated with any greater risk of death, compared to those who felt younger.

How did the researchers interpret the results?

The researchers concluded that self-perceived age predicted deaths in the next eight years from any cause and deaths from heart disease. They say that self-perceived age can change, and that “individuals who feel older than their actual age could be targeted with health messages promoting positive health behaviours and attitudes toward ageing”.

Conclusion

This study has found that people in their 50s and over who feel considerably older than their actual age seem to be more likely to die over the next eight years than those who feel considerably younger. The study was large and collected data on how old people felt in a standard way, which strengthens its reliability.

It seems likely that how old people feel is related to how well they are. The researchers took this into account by adjusting for people’s physical and mental health in their analyses, and also by carrying out an analysis that removed people who died soon after they answered the question about how old they felt. They also took into account a wide range of factors that could affect risk, which also strengthens their results. However, the link between how you feel and your health is likely to be very difficult to remove, and there were some factors that could be having an effect that were not taken into account (such as weight).

The next question to ask is what can be done with this information? The researchers suggest that people who feel older than they are could be targeted for health improvements. They say that they may be able to change how old they feel, with the implication that this could help them live longer.

The findings are likely to need confirmation by other studies to make sure they are correct. Whether there are any longevity benefits of targeting people who feel older than they are would also need testing in a randomised controlled trial.

Making people feel younger is likely to involve social, physical and mental activities, and can improve health – all of which have benefits. However, whether they prolong life is another question.

Source:nhs.uk/news/2014/12December/Pages/Feeling-young-at-heart-may-increase-lifespan.aspx

How to Fight Wrinkles Using Coconut Oil

Good tips

5 Beauty Benefits of Vitamin C

Time and time again, we hear experts sing the praises of vitamin C. Why is it so incredibly essential? Well, Rianna Loving, founder of organic skincare brand ORGO Beauty, says the nutrient is responsible for creating and maintaining collagen—the "glue that holds the body together." Specifically, this antioxidant strengthens blood vessels and gives skin its elasticity and strength.

However, vitamin C is water-soluble. Meaning: Your body doesn't store or accumulate it. That's why daily intake is highly important, says Loving. Not convinced? See how a daily dose of vitamin C can improve your hair, nails, and skin:

It Promotes Hair Health
Vitamin C is one of the most effective nutrients to help grow and strengthen hair, says Loving. To give your locks a vital dose of vitamin C, blend a partially-boiled sweet potato, a half-cup of gooseberries, three strawberries, and half a small red bell pepper until you get a creamy smooth mixture. Then apply it to your scalp and hair. Leave the mask on for 15 to 25 minutes, then rinse it off with warm water.

It Makes You Look (And Feel) More Energized
In your diet, vitamin C plays a vital role in iron absorption—and iron contributes to your overall beauty and wellbeing, says Elisa Zied, author ofYounger Next Week: Your Ultimate Rx to Reverse the Clock, Boost Energy and Look and Feel Younger in 7 Days. "When you deplete your iron stores, you can develop anemia and experience fatigue and weakness," she says. "That certainly won't help you look and feel vibrant or energized."

It Promotes Nail Growth
"Vitamin C helps maintain the integrity of our nails by strengthening our skin, connective tissue, bones, and blood vessel walls," says Loving.

It Helps Prevent Hangnails
Because vitamin C strengthens nails and helps them grow, it can also prevent hangnails. Ingesting vitamin C is the best route for optimal nail health, so be sure to eat citrus fruits often.

It Wards Off Signs of Aging
A 2007 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutritionfound that middle-aged women who consumed more vitamin C from food sources appeared to have fewer wrinkles and less skin dryness. Experts suggest that vitamin C might delay the signs of aging due to free radical damage.

For a vitamin C-rich facemask, blend one kiwi and a half-cup of papaya, and apply the mixture to your face. After 15 to 20 minutes, wash it off with cold water.

Source:womenshealthmag.com/beauty/vitamin-c-benefits

Is Your Beauty Regime Ageing Your Skin?

You may think that your extensive beauty regime stops ageing, but could all the harsh chemicals actually be speeding up the process?

How many products does it take to create you 'ready to meet the world' face? And of those, have you ever looked at the never-ending ingredients lists? Overload your skin and your anti-ageing regime could do more harm than good. Is it time for back to basics beauty?

One of your skin's key roles is to provide a barrier, but that doesn't mean it's impenetrable. In fact, it's estimated on average we absorb almost 5lb of chemicals each year form the cosmetics and toiletries we use. Given that, on average, women use 12 products every day, containing as many as 175 different chemicals, it's no wonder your skin can start to feel and look 'overloaded'. It can't always cope with a constant bombardment by synthetic substances.

Of course, beauty companies aren't in the habit of making their skincare products deliberately toxic and, used in moderation, they won't have any detrimental effect. But if you're using 20 products a day on already sensitive skin, it can result in inflammation, irritation and accelerated ageing. 

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have suggested that over-zealous bathing with harsh soaps and detergents may have contributed to a recent 40 per cent rise in cases of eczema in England.

Keep your skin happy by streamlining your regime, and avoid using two products when one will do. Give your bathroom cabinet an audit and get rid of any unnecessary - and money-wasting - extras!

Source:womensfitness.co.uk/health/484/your-beauty-regime-ageing-your-skin

Facial Exercises To Tighten Chubby Cheeks, Lose Face Fat, Reduce Double Chin, And Tone Skin

These are quick exercises for toning the face. You can practice them as the video takes you through the instructions. I did these and afterwards my face felt warm and relaxed.

It is a good easy exercise to do daily and can easily be done whilst watching TV.

Get Younger-Looking Skin

I like to advocate a natural, non-surgical approach to looking good and improving the skin, ensuring that our treatments work in harmony with appropriate nutrition and lifestyle, so my tips are based on an integrated, holistic and more natural approach to aesthetic medicine. It’s not about a quick injection here or there, but a more thorough approach for better results.

1. Exfoliate – Removing the top layer of dead skin cells instantly brightens the complexion. You can use a simple facial scrub or peel off mask at home, but intensive exfoliation at a professional clinic (using a chemical peel or microdermabrasion) will go deeper and also stimulate the skin’s renewal mechanisms, helping to smooth out fine lines.

2. Stop smoking – skin will improve within days as the oxygen supply is increased. Stopping smoking has a wide range of well publicised health benefits and you know it’s good for you. It isn’t easy, but the NHS produces lots of helpful information, advice and support. If you’re struggling, consider hypnotherapy, which has excellent outcomes in helping smokers to quit.

3. Tackle the eye area – for patients struggling with signs of tiredness, improving the dark circles and opening up the eye area is far more beneficial than targeting frown lines on the forehead. The Eyedealise treatment at ClinicBe is an exclusive combination of treatments to revitalise the eyes.

4. Nutrition – Making big dietary changes to a healthy lifestyle is fabulous, but in reality it’s hard to achieve and maintain when you are stressed and tired. Instead, start with a few simple changes that you can manage - switch chocolate fixes for fruit, swap crisps for nuts, have a salad every day instead of a sandwich for lunch. These simple changes are a great way to get started.

5. Dermal roller treatment – a professional Dermaroller micro-needling treatment in the clinic is a fantastic way to stimulate the skin and kick-start collagen production, but where costs and time are prohibitive, home dermal rollers are a good investment, as they can be used more regularly. Ensure that you get one from a reputable supplier that has been designed for DIY use.

6. Get Outdoors – Take time out of your busy schedule to get outside, even if it’s only a walk round the block at lunch. If you can get to an open ‘green’ area, such as a park, it’s a great way to reconnect with nature. You’ll be breathing fresher air, letting your mind recharge and return to work feeling more relaxed. Daily exposure to the sun will also give a healthy glow, but ALWAYS use a high protection sunscreen e.g. Heliocare SPF50+, which can be applied in the morning under makeup.

7. Daily Routine – get your cleansing and moisturising routine nailed and check you are using the best products for your skin. Consider a daily exfoliating skin wash, such as the Neo Strata Skin Active Exfoliating Wash which lightly exfoliates without over-drying, so that skin can absorb moisturiser or serum.

8. Hydration – many patients suffer from dry skin due to lack of hydration – we can literally see it in the skin. At ClinicBe, we offer all patients Kangen alkalised water, which is the purest way to hydrate and offers a range of health benefits. Reducing caffeine and soft drinks in favour of water will give clearer and healthier skin.

9. Facials – a proper facial by a qualified cosmetologist is a perfect fix for improving the skin. Taking out 30 minutes for a treat is invaluable.

10. Sleep – too many adults don’t get enough sleep. Stress and busy social lives often mean not getting to bed early enough, while young children that wake in the night are an additional challenge. Sleep is a complex issue, but try to understand the problems and face them, whether it’s sleep-training a toddler, cutting out use of tablets and smartphones after 9pm or getting a new mattress, sorting out your sleep will give massive benefits to how you look and feel.

Source: naturalhealthmagazine.co.uk/post/get-younger-looking-skin

You really ARE what you eat

Forget sunbathing, munching just two extra portions of fruit and veg a day gives you a more attractive skin glow than a suntan.

• Eating plenty of fruit and vegetables gives skin a golden 'carotenoid' glow.
• Majority of people rated this yellow glow more attractive than a suntan.
• Carotenoids are important for our immune and reproductive systems.
• Scientists suggest 'carotenoid' glow signals health to potential mates.

You might be lamenting your fading tan as summer becomes a distant memory. But fear not - all you need to do is reach for a carrot or two.

Scientists now say that eating more fruit and vegetables really does lead to a golden skin glow, which signals good health to potential mates and increases your attractiveness.

High levels of red and yellow pigments in vegetables give the skin a yellow glow, whereas tanning in the sun makes the skin go brown.

This is because skin can become coloured either through a process called 'cartenoid colorisation', eating a diet rich in fruit and vegetables, or through a process called 'melanin colorisation', where the skin becomes tanned by the sun. 

Wanting to explore the importance of skin colour in facial attractiveness, the British scientists asked 60 volunteers to rate how attractive they found faces digitally enhanced to show pigmentation caused by ‘carotenoid coloration’ from eating fruit and vegetables, or ‘melanin coloration’ caused by tanning in the sun.

Golden glow: Scientists digitally enhanced images to show the effects of high cartenoid coloration- the golden glow achieved from eating a diet rich in fruit and vegetables (pictured top right)- compared with low cartenoid coloration (pictured top left). This was rated more attractive than images enhanced to show high melanin coloration from the sun (pictured bottom right) compared to low melanin coloration (pictured bottom left)

In the study, published in The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, more than three quarters of respondents (76 per cent) said the yellow glow from eating lots of brightly coloured vegetables was more attractive than the brown glow achieved through a sun tan. 

Carotenoids are antioxidants that help soak up damaging compounds produced by the stresses of everyday living, and are important for our immune and reproductive systems.

So researchers suggest that the golden skin from fruit and vegetables sends a signal of general health to potential mates and increases attractiveness.

FOODS WITH HIGH CAROTENOID LEVELS TO GET THE BEST GLOW 

• Sweet potatoes
• Melons 
• Carrots
• Tomato juice
• Pumpkin
• Spinach
• Broccoli 

The study's co-author Dr Carol Lefevre, from of the Centre for Decision Research, at Leeds University, told MailOnline the research clearly exposes ‘the importance of carotenoid coloration as a cue to current health and attractiveness'. 

'It may be pivotal in mate choices,' she added. 

The research follows on from a previous study which found that eating two extra portions of fruit and vegetables a day led to a noticeable change in skin colour in just six weeks.

Scientists at St Andrews University tracked changes in the diet of 35 students over a 6 week period, measuring natural changes in their diet and skin colour.

Those individuals that improved their diet over the six weeks showed an increase in the desired golden skin tone, while the colour reduced in those whose diet had slipped.

Lead researcher Dr Ross Whitehead, Research Fellow at the School of Medicine at the University of St Andrews said he was surprised how even small improvements in diet produced results.

He said: ‘People who eat more fruit and vegetables have a ‘golden’ skin tone that looks healthy and attractive. Our latest research finds that even small improvements in diet produces visible benefits to skin colour. We were very surprised by how quick the changes were.

Source:
dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2737569/You-really-ARE-eat-Forget-sunbathing-munching-just-two-extra-portions-fruit-beg-day-gives-better-skin-glow-suntan.html#ixzz3BoNXvfqd 

Vitamin C Miracle

Vitamin C is found in fruits, vegetables and herbs. It should be consumed daily for best benefit.

Vitamin C helps support the immune system and has been shown to reduce the duration of a cold. It also contributes to iron absorption and energy metabolism.

It also helps with collagen formation (great as you get older!) and protects cells from oxidative stress.

It helps protect the eyes which are rich in vitamin C, especially the lens and retina. The nervous system function also benefits from it.

Vitamin C helps to protect your brain cells and can help support a high IQ.

What are you waiting for????

Source:
Natural Health Magazine