Gallery4 Superfoods That Work Miracles on Your Skin
Forget facials! We sat down with Dr. Roshini Raj to discover four superfoods that serve as miracle workers for your skin.
Read the original article on Spa Week
GalleryThe Weird Reason Some People Are Allergic to Fruits and Veggies
By Dr. Roshini Raj
While some studies have linked the rise in food allergies to exposure to particular pesticides over time, it’s very rare to have a true allergic reaction to the pesticide residues that can remain on produce. That said, allergies are very individual, and there’s no harm in trying out certified organic produce—which is free of synthetic pesticides—to see if that does the trick.
If going organic doesn’t help, though, it is possible to be allergic to the fruits and vegetables themselves. Some people have what’s called oral allergy syndrome, meaning they get reactions to certain proteins found in various fruits and vegetables.
For example, bananas, avocados, kiwis, and more can cause cross-reactions in people who are allergic to latex—an allergy you may not realize you have if you’re not, say, a health care worker or someone who wears a lot of rubber gloves. Those who have allergies to birch, ragweed, or grass pollens may react to things like hazelnut, peaches, celery, sunflower seeds, and zucchini, to name a few.
An allergist can do skin or blood tests to see which protein is causing your cross-reactions, and that can help you pinpoint foods to stay away from. Some people find that their symptoms occur only during allergy season or that they can, for example, eat apple pie without an issue but can’t bite into a fresh apple. That’s because cooking with high heat breaks down the problem proteins that cause the cross-reactions.
Itchiness may seem like a minor symptom now, but it’s very important to sleuth out your triggers with your doctor and avoid the ones that bring it on. Even if you’ve had only a mild reaction in the past, in rare cases your reactions could lead to anaphylaxis, a dangerous type of reaction that […]
GalleryShaky Hands? What That Could Mean for Your Health
By Dr. Roshini Raj
I noticed my hands have been shaky lately. Is something wrong?
Most likely, no. Everyone has a slight unsteadiness in the hands, which is called physiologic tremor. These normal vibrations can sometimes worsen, however, if you‘re downing too much coffee or are extra stressed (blame adrenaline). Skipping meals and taking certain types of medication may also exacerbate the shakes.
It’s also possible you have essential tremor, a harmless (but frustrating) condition that can show up in your 40s and 50s. About half of the people with this problem—linked to miscommunications in the brain—have a family member who has it. Prescription medications can help, but many people do fine without them.
Rarely, tremor can be the first sign of a neurological disorder, like Parkinson’s or multiple sclerosis. If you‘re jittery when your hand is at rest and you notice balance or coordination problems, see your doctor for a neurological exam. Barring a serious issue, your only Rx will be to get a grip on stress and cut back on your java intake.
Originally published on Health.com
GalleryStress-Proof Your Body
Tension can go straight to your head – and your back and your belly and… everywhere. Why panic? Dr. Roshini Raj joined TODAY to talk about the simple strategies that keep crazy days from wreaking havoc on your system.
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GalleryWhy Your Boobs Hurt and What to Do About It
By Dr. Roshini Raj
My boobs hurt all the time. Could something be wrong?
Up to 70% of women have breast pain, called mastalgia, at some point in their lives, and there are many causes. The most common one is normal hormonal changes; if this were the root of your aches, though, they would most likely arrive only around your period. Consistent breast pain happens more often after 30 and can feel like swelling or tenderness in both breasts or a sharp burning sensation in one spot. Relieving it sometimes takes trial and error. Rarely, pain is a sign of breast cancer.
Allover pain could signify water retention, which can be diet-related. Some women find relief by taking vitamin B6 and vitamin E supplements with evening primrose oil (which is rich in a certain fat that seems to help). Others feel better when they limit caffeine or salt. But diet changes don’t always work on their own. In that case, try over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin, or talk to your doc about topical meds. The pain should go away within a few months.
Stabbing pain suggests a cyst or fibroadenoma (a benign tumor) in the breast. Either one can feel like a lump, but it might be too deep to notice via touch. Though they’re mostly harmless, fibroadenomas can raise breast cancer risk. After diagnosis via ultrasound or mammogram, cysts can be drained with a fine needle, while fibroadenomas may require surgery.
Roshini Rajapaksa, MD is assistant professor of medicine at the New York University School of Medicine and Health’s contributing medical editor.
Originally published on Health.com
GalleryIs a Gluten-Free Diet for You?
A Consumer Reports article says that a gluten-free diet may not always be healthy and cites a study that found many gluten-free foods caused people to gain weight. Dr. Roshini Raj weighs in.
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GalleryDr. Raj On Eating Clay
Celebrities like Shailene Woodley have been eating clay for its alleged health benefits. Dr. Roshini Raj was asked by Dr. Oz’s The Good Life Magazine to weigh in on whether eating clay is really good for you.
GalleryDr. Raj On Diet Fads
Dr. Roshini Raj joined Better Show to share the skinny on diet fads.
Diet Fads Under Fire
Diet Fads That Can Be Fab
GalleryProbiotics: The New Beauty Superfood
Probiotics are great for your gut, but might they also be the next beauty and skincare miracle?
Possibly.
Listen in as Dr. Roshini Raj discusses how probiotics — both externally and internally — can benefit your skin, as well as other top beauty foods you can use to help improve your appearance.
Just this year, the American Academy of Dermatology called probiotics the new beauty breakthrough for 2014, whether used topically or internally.
What sorts of conditions can probiotics help with?
Studies have shown positive results with eczema, acne and rosacea, as well as for general skin health, including anti-aging benefits, decreased sensitivity to UV rays, and decreased skin inflammation (which is the root of all evil when it comes to your skin).
How do these topical products work? Certainly you can’t just crush up a probiotic supplement and apply it to your skin in a mask… or can you?
The process is a bit more complicated than that. Skincare products that contain probiotics have gone through a process in which the live bacteria has been centrifuged (basically stirred up and released all their good benefits) and then mixed with other elements that are good for your skin, like peptides. Then, this whole concoction is manifested as a cream, serum, moisturizer, cleanser, etc. Essentially, these products have all the benefits of probiotics, without applying live bacteria to the face or other skin areas.
Now, that’s not to say that you can’t use live bacteria to try to achieve the same result. Yogurt is always a great element for a homemade facial.
If you only take probiotic supplements internally, can you achieve the same results as using these topical products?
Studies have shown that yes, they both can have the same benefits, but also that […]
GalleryAsk a Scientist: Can Adults Suddenly Develop Lactose Intolerance?
The Scientist: Dr. Roshini Raj, board certified gastroenterologist and internist, and founder of TULA probiotic skincare
The Answer: Maybe it has happened to you: over time, you notice that after you drink a glass of milk or eat a bowl of ice cream, you’re running to the bathroom the rest of the day. Could you suddenly be lactose intolerant as an adult? It’s possible.
Most people experience a gradual decline of lactase (the enzyme that helps your body digest milk products) activity as they age. Lactase is produced by the cells lining your small intestine, and if they don’t produce enough, the lactose you consume passes undigested into the large intestine. There, it interacts with bacteria and causes all those nasty stomach problems — diarrhea, gas, bloating — that those with lactose intolerance know all too well.
Lactose intolerance could be caused by anything that disrupts the functioning of the small intestine — for example, surgery, an illness such as Crohn’s disease or even food poisoning. Sometimes the intolerance is temporary and resolves itself; other times, it’s permanent. For some, the natural lactase decline happens quicker and more drastically, causing intolerance that was never there before.
If dairy isn’t sitting as well with you as it used to, try this self-test: stop consuming dairy products for five days, and on the sixth day, drink a glass of milk. If your symptoms resolve during the dairy-free days and come back when you reintroduce it, you most likely have developed lactose intolerance. Your doctor can perform some tests to determine if you truly have the condition, and help you find the right medication if you simply can’t imagine a life without dairy. Many lactase enzyme supplements, such as Lactaid, are even available over the counter.
Originally published on YouBeauty