13 Foods You Must Add to Your Diet for Perfect Skin

After all those years of health class, it should come as no surprise to anyone to hear that skin is the body’s largest organ. In that same vein (yep, pun intended), foods that help to keep your body feeling great on the inside will also contribute to helping you look your best on the outside. Add these healthy, delicious foods to your everyday diet, and you’ll be well on your way to looking and feeling amazing, perfect skin included.

Water
You’ve heard it before, but we’ll tell you again: Fruits and vegetables both tend to be high in water content, but it’s always helpful to simply drink more water, particularly with lemon, says Marie Delcioppo, owner of Lush Vitality. Water keeps the skin well-hydrated and “dewy,” and adding lemon to water boosts detoxification and antioxidant intake.

Green Tea
There have been a number of encouraging studies showing the skin benefits of green tea, says Dr. David Bank, dermatologist and Founder & Director of The Center For Dermatology, Cosmetic & Laser Surgery. “Animal studies showed protection from skin cancer [as a result of green tea consumption]. Both animal and human studies have credibly demonstrated that topical green tea formulations reduce sun damage.” He adds, “Green tea appears to exert sun damage protection by quenching free radicals and reducing inflammation rather than by blocking UV rays. Therefore, green tea may synergistically enhance sun protection when used in addition to a sunscreen.”

Coconut Oil
As an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial ingredient, coconut oil will help clear up skin flare-ups, moisturize, and boost antioxidant activity, which slows down the aging process, says Delcioppo.

Pomegranates
To boost the efficacy of your favorite sunscreen, arm yourself with fruits that contain nutrients that can protect from the inside out, says celebrity […]

Extreme Celebrity Health Trends

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TULA Skin Care Review and Giveaway

***See below for a huge giveaway valued at about $200!

I was recently sent some products to try out from TULA which is a line of skincare products. I was sent the Purifying Face Cleanser, Illuminating Face Serum, Revitalizing Eye Cream and the Hydrating Day and Night Cream to try out. I had not heard of this line until now and was excited to try it out.

As I recently wrote about, I have very dry skin and hair. I am constantly using moisturizing products to help hydrate my skin. I drink a lot of water. I take care of myself yet I still always have very dry skin. I was excited to try these products out as they are supposed to help with dry skin. They can also help with fine lines and wrinkles.

 Tula means balance. The concept of this line of products is that we need to take care of our insides in order to look good on the outside. Also that feeling good on the outside can help us feel good on the inside. The co-founder of the line is Dr. Roshini Raj, a gastroenterologist and internist.
This line uses probiotics which I love since I make sure to eat probiotics often (found in yogurt, probiotic supplements, sauerkraut, etc.). Studies show that the topical use of probiotics stimulates the skin’s protective mechanism and improves moisture and the balance of good bacteria on the skin. It can also help to prevent acne and UV damage as well as increase elasticity and produce more collagen. Tula products can be purchased on QVC.

 
As a new mom, I am busy and do not have as much time for myself. Luckily, these products are quick to use and provide great results. […]

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Yogurt Could Be The Solution To Clearing Up Acne

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The solution to clearing up acne may not be in your medicine cabinet, but rather in your refrigerator.

To fight acne, you might get a little help from yogurt.

“Right now I recommend Greek yogurt, Activa yogurt, yogurt with a lot of bacteria — a little thicker,” said Dr. Brian Horvath, with Horvath Dermatology.

Probiotics are the healthy bacteria that live in the digestive tract and on the skin. They seem to quiet inflammation throughout the body, including the kind that causes pimples.

The creamy treat is full of probiotics.

In studies, eating yogurt is also associated with less oiliness of the skin.

“At least 75 percent of the people in the studies were responding with fewer acne lesions after a six-to-eight week course,” said Horvath.

You could try putting it on your face as a mask.

“Probiotics also seem to secrete some substances that kill the bad bacteria,” said Horvath.

But really it works best as a food, due to the relationship between the bacteria in your gut and the bacteria on your skin.

“Most of the studies for acne have focused on live cultures that you swallow by mouth is basically what yogurt is,” said Horvath.

The pill form contains dead bacteria, which doesn’t work as well.

And relying on yogurt alone may not be enough.

“It’s a compliment to other acne treatments,” Horvath said. “People may still need to be on topical medication, maybe even prescription pills. Probiotics can complement the other treatments for acne.”
Exactly how much yogurt to eat and how often still needs to be worked out.

“It’s very exciting, but it’s at the beginning edge of our understanding,” said Horvath.

Originally featured on CBS 

Could a Probiotic Benefit the Skin of Young, Healthy Women?

Is it time to shun the expensive face creams? In a new study, researchers claim a probiotic consumed once a day for 4 weeks proved beneficial for the skin of young, healthy women.
 

 
Researchers say fermented milk developed from a bacteria called Lactococcus lactis strain H61 improved skin health among young women.
The research team, led by Hiromi Kimoto-Nira, PhD, of the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science (NILGS) in Japan, publish their findings in the Journal of Dairy Science.

Past research has indicated that probiotics – defined as live microorganisms, or bacteria, which offer health benefits – may be useful in treating skin diseases. A 2013 study reported byMedical News Today, for example, found that a probiotic called Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 may be effective against psoriasis – an autoimmune disease that causes a red, scaly rash.

Kimoto-Nira notes, however, that very few studies have assessed the effects of probiotics on the skin of healthy individuals.

As such, the researchers set out to determine the skin benefits of fermented milk created using a bacteria called Lactococcus lactis strain H61, which has been widely used in the production of fermented dairy products in Japan over the past 50 years.

The team enrolled 23 women aged 19-21. The women were randomized to consume either H61-fermented milk or conventional yoghurt once a day for 4 weeks.

The study was double-blind, meaning both the participants and the researchers were unaware of which product each subject was consuming.

Blood samples were taken from the participants at the beginning and end of the study. By assessing the participants’ cheeks and inner forearms, the researchers measured skin hydration, melanin levels and elasticity, while sebum content (oil secreted by the sebaceous gland) was measured through assessment of subjects’ cheeks only.

Although […]

Probiotics the Latest Trend in Beauty Products

Probiotics may be the next big thing in skin care treatments, making their way from your digestive system into topical products and onto beauty-aisle shelves near you, thanks to dermatological researchers. The upshot: skin care treatments are popping up on the market with some science behind them.

“We are going to see it in face masks, face washes, creams, serums and more,” says Alexis Wolfer, editor-in-chief of The Beauty Bean and author of “The Recipe for Radiance: Discover Beauty’s Best-Kept Secrets in Your Kitchen.” “The way probiotics helps with your digestion is the same way it will help with your skin.”

Just as they are said to calm stomach inflammation, probiotics are billed as having a calming effect on skin redness and irritation like stubborn acne or rosacea flare-ups. Probiotics send signals that stop your skin cells from reacting to bad bacteria, reactions that cause, you guessed it, acne or rosacea, the American Academy of Dermatology reported this year and the Journal of Clinical Microbiology reported in 2009.

Probiotics in topical products can also act as a protective shield for your skin’s surface, keeping your skin healthy and putting a halt to future breakouts, the early research shows.

“When you apply a probiotic directly it can actually act as a barrier because it’s competing with the bad bacteria from taking hold,” says Whitney P. Bowe, a board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in New York.

“The skin is the largest organ in the body and when it’s compromised, then moisture can get out and bad bacteria can get in,” Bowe says. “Probiotics can help keep the bad bacteria out and the good in.”

7 Seasonal Skin Care Secrets for Glowing Skin All Year Long

We plan our wardrobe around the seasons, so why not our skin care routine? I mean, if we want glowing skin year-round, it only makes sense: Everything from changes in heat and humidity levels to sun exposure play a part in how our skin looks and feels, which means changes have to be made to our skin care routine too.

 

So does this mean you have to overhaul your skin care routine every season? Luckily, no. (Whew.)

“The condition of your skin changes with each season and while you don’t need an entire beauty routine makeover, there are some useful tweaks that you can add to your daily skincare depending on the time of year,” says Dr. Roshini Raj, women’s health expert and co-founder of TULA, a probiotic skin care line.
Fall
1. Focus on hydration
As the temperature drops, so does the humidity, and your once glowing skin starts feeling dry and parched. “During cooler months, you need to pay special attention to thoroughly hydrating your skin,” says Raj. “If you want to keep dry skin at bay, you must hydrate your skin on a daily basis.” The best time to apply your moisturizer is right after a shower, just before your skin is completely dry: “This will lock the water into the skin and will help ensure better hydration.”
2. Consider incorporating a face serum
This is also the time of year you might want to consider adding a face serum that specifically targets skin dullness. Look for a product that contains brightening ingredients like citrus extracts that will even out your skin tone so you can get your glow on.
Winter
3. Add probiotics to keep your skin balanced
“Winter leaves skin vulnerable to variations in the skin’s pH level, which […]

HEALTHY HOLLYWOOD: CAMERON DIAZ’S GUT INSTINCT

No question, Cameron Diaz is one the most naturally stunning woman on the planet. She’s not overly made-up, dresses chic yet casual and seems like she could be every girl’s best friend and every guy’s gal next door fantasy.

At 42, she’s a self-confessed wellness junkie. The actress is diligent about exercise and her nutrition. She even wrote a book on health, entitled “The Body Book.”

One of her go-to tricks is getting a healthy dose of probiotics.

“When I take my probiotics regularly, I feel good, and I feel like I’m helping my body help itself,” Cameron writes in the book.

Probiotics is a big buzzword in the health & wellness industry. Probiotics provide an army of good bacteria that help fight off the bad bacteria in our gut. This, in turn, can lead to a better immune system, less digestive issues and even weight loss.

“They can also aid in digestion, provide nutrients and improve metabolism – they decrease gut inflammation, produce vitamins and help their absorption, and maintain the lining of the intestine,” explains celebrity health expert Dr. Roshini Raj, who is also a paid spokesperson for the probiotic beverage line, GoodBelly.

So, where can you find probiotics? They can be found in unpasteurized fermented foods like kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi or some yogurts.

“Just like the cells of our skin shed constantly, so do the cells of the intestinal lining, which is where the probiotics do their business,” adds Todd Beckham, co-founder of GoodBelly.

Folks interested in adding probiotics into their diet can also look into supplements and drinks enhanced with probiotics.

Another perk: probiotics do a body good on the inside and out.

“In terms of skin health, probiotics secrete anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory substances that help with conditions like acne, […]

Carbs – Their Role in Health & Weight Loss

This week’s post is from Roshini Raj, MD, a board certified gastroenterologist and internist, and one of Lose It!’s advisory board members!

What are carbs exactly?

Carbohydrates consist of starches, sugars, and fibers, and are found in grainy and starchy foods, like bread, pasta, potatoes, and fruit. Carbohydrates are either digestible (sugars, starches), or indigestible (fiber). Sugars and starches provide your body with energy in the form of calories and the fiber has four main roles; it:

Keeps your digestive system healthy: a diet rich in insoluble-fiber can prevent constipation, keep the important bacteria in your gut happy, and reduce risk for colon cancer
Improve Blood Sugar Control: fiber slows down the rate at which glucose (sugar) from food enters your blood stream. This means that your blood sugar doesn’t spike, your body doesn’t have to work as hard to manage a large dose of sugar, and you’re satiated for longer.
Keep you full for longer — foods high in fiber fill us up without too many calories!

How are carbs digested?

Step 1: The Mouth

Unlike protein and fat, carbohydrate digestion actually begins right in the mouth! Your saliva includes a starch-digesting enzyme called “Amylase.” Have you ever noticed that when you chew starchy foods for a long time, they start to taste even sweeter? That’s because this amylase in your saliva is breaking the starches in the food down into simple sugars! From your mouth, the food & amylase go down your esophagus and on to the next step of digestion.

Step 2: The Stomach

Not too much happens to carbohydrates in the stomach. The amylase enzyme from your saliva is deactivated by the stomach acid, and the carbohydrates just sort of hang out there – no digestion occurs here.

Step 3: The Small […]