Beauty is more than skin deep - Digestion – the key to health

Your skin is a remarkable reader of your body’s health. Your skin shows signs of what going on in your body such as a red face when hot and sweaty after exercise. It’s not only what you put on your skin but what you eat that affects the skin, as most skin problems are linked to digestion. While an insufficient intake of the right nutrients can affect the health of your skin so can poor digestion and absorption. Whoever said "You are what you eat" is right. However how do you know whether or not your digestive system is working right? The most obvious symptoms of one’s system not working right would be the following: • stomach upset • Bloating • Gas • abdominal pain • rumbling noises • Nausea • Vomiting • Burning sensation after eating • hemorrhoids Another common sign of digestive issues are breakouts along the jawline. If you break out regularly on or beneath the jawline, or red sensitive skin and it is very possible that all you need is to detoxify and support your digestive tract. How does all of this affect the skin? Food that lingers in the digestive tract any longer than necessary will produce toxic by-products. The build up of toxins in an unhealthy colon has been linked to skin disorders such as psoriasis, acne and skin sensitivity to name a few. A speedy digestion is step one to maintaining optimal health and optimal skin health. Here are some suggestions which can get you started. These tips are just the beginning, keep an eye out for next week’s skin health newsletter for Bodytique’s skin detox diet to learn more. Tips: • Filter your drinking water and your shower and bath water, to avoid absorbing the chlorine. Believe it or not, for some people, this completely clears up their skin problems! • Increase your intake of Omega 3 fatty acids which can be found in organic, cold pressed oils and fish. Walnuts, flax seeds and salmon are good sources. • Increase your intake of raw vegetables and fruits, or supplement your diet with enzymes to reduce inflammation and improve digestion. Such as : o Bromelain – found in pineapples and is used reducing inflammation and swelling as well as activates a chemical that promotes the breakdown of fibrin. As a supplement take 500-750 mg per day. You can also add pineapple fresh in your diet because it is rich in fiber and other nutrients. break down proteins, which may help with promoting digestion, states the American Cancer Society Please don’t take without consulting your physicians or health shop consultant. o Serotonin Here are a few of the ways we can develop low serotonin: • Smoking cigarettes • Alcoholic beverages • Too much caffeine • Aspartame and other artificial sweeteners (use stevia or xylitol instead!) • Not enough sunlight • Inactivity and lack of exercise • Digestive problems • A low protein diet Some natural foods that include serotonin are - dates, papayas and bananas or one can take 5-HTP - 50 mg o Antioxidants such as vitamins C, E, and A and beta-carotene can help reduce the damage caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals • Consider supplementing your diet with probiotics (friendly bacteria) to improve digestion and elimination, or with foods such as yogurt and sauerkraut which contain beneficial bacteria. • Avoid or limit sugar and alcohol which deplete the immune system and create inflammation in the body. These are never helpful when you have skin problems! • Don't overstimulate the skin with massage, rubbing or over cleansing. Other things besides diet that can affect skin health: • STRESS: emotional unhappiness, work-related anxiety. • DRUGS: Recreational or prescription reaction, allergies to detergents and household products. • SYSTEM OVERLOAD: especially liver exhaustion, adrenal malfunctions, nervous system, and bowel sluggishness Lastly, remember that when you start making changes to your diet, lifestyle, or skin care routine, you shouldn't expect to see changes overnight. The key is to be patient. It may take three months to a year to really see an improvement in your skin. Please remember that supplements are best taken under guidance of health practitioner. Next week Detox for clear skin.