Eating healthy is not only essential for your physical health and size of your waistline, but also for your skin's health. In the Jan/Feb 2011 issue of Health Magazine, the editors asked top doctors for their take on the skin benefits of six popular diets of today, and here is what they revealed:
The Mediterranean Diet - this diet; which is focused around the consumption of fish, leafy greens, olive oil, and fruit, helps not only to protect its eaters from heart diseases but also against the deadliest form of skin cancer: melanoma. The omega-3s from the fish help to keep "skin-cell membranes strong and elastic", and the antioxidants in the leafy greens and olive oil may "protect against ultraviolet light and other environmental assaults that break down collagen and elastin in the skin". Finally, the olive oil, tomatoes, and red wine also have "antioxidants that help block the chemical reactions that lead to sun damage".
The Vegetarian/Vegan Diet - This diet, because of a lack of meat foods, contains mostly fresh produce and whole grains. "The antioxidants in these eats neutralize the free radicals that contribute to wrinkles, brown spots, and other signs of aging," according to Health. These plant based sources of protein may also have super skin benefits, for their zit zapping zinc and decrease inflammation.
The High-Protein, Low-Carb Diet - By cutting back on white breads, pastas, and refined sugars, the secretion of the stress hormone cortisol may also decrease and minimize breakouts. However, it is important to be careful of meat-heavy diets because they can have a lot of cholesterol which can shore up skins cells' protective lipid layer, but too much can result in the production of free radicals that interfere with normal cellular processing.
The Low-Fat Diet - According to Health, "a diet low in animal fat also stems from the production of free radicals that can prematurely age skin." It is important to have some fat in your diet for your skin, especially the good kind (unsaturated) that can be found in nuts and olive oil. Health tells us that "fat helps your body absorb complexion-friendly antioxidants and fat-soluble vitamins, and strengthens cell membranes - and ultimately your epidermis - for a dewier, more supple face."
The Raw Food Diet - People on this diet focus on mainly produce, nuts, and sprouted beans and grains. The idea is to eat the food raw (uncooked) because not cooking the foods will preserve its natural enzymes, aiding digestion, energy, and weight loss. Eating these raw foods has been shown to be good on the skin. "The healthy oils in nuts, avocados, and olive oil help keep the skin membranes strong and pliant", says Health.
The Carb Lover's Diet - This diet is said to help boost your metabolism and keep you fuller longer, which will help steer you clear of skin-damaging foods, such as foods high in fat and sugar. When insulin levels spike in the body, this can lead to an increase in oil production and clogged pores, creating acne. It is important, then, to keep blood sugar levels lower.
Exercise: Today was the first day that I have felt all the way back to normal in a long time! But even still, I did not want to do a workout because I don't want to chance it. If you want to do a workout today though, Tuesday's are swimming days! Either go back to a Tuesday workout I have on here, or else devise a freestyle-focused workout for yourself!
Eat: Now that we have gone through the grocery store basics of the book "What to Eat", the next topic that I will be talking about in my food tips for the next couple of weeks is Fresh Produce. Today I want to talk about why we should eat fruits and vegetables. Cooking Light tells us that fruits and vegetables are actually incredibly beneficial to us for a number of reasons: they are low in calories; high in fiber; packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants; prevent heart disease and stroke; help control blood pressure; ward off certain cancers; protect vision; and help the gastrointestinal tract stay healthy.
Relax: To relax today I got to sit down after work and watch one of my favorite shows ever: The Biggest Loser! It was so nice to just get some "me" time and I highly suggest for you to get some "you" time too!
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