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    Ask a Scientist: Can Adults Suddenly Develop Lactose Intolerance?

Ask 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 

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 […]

Probiotics: Good for You Inside and Out

Thanks to my recent IBS diagnosis, I have a profound interest in probiotics. Just one little capsule of “good” bacteria a day (along with cutting just about everything fun out of my diet) seems to be making my belly less irritable—and treating my skin to probiotics has been beneficial as well. Since committing to TULA (which means “balance” in Sanskrit) my skin is visibly less red, more radiant and all around in a better mood, just like me.

This probiotic-infused collection initially caught my eye because it’s the brainchild of a gastroenterologist named Dr. Roshini Raj (who obviously understands the effect of probiotics when taken internally). Studies about the effects of probiotics on the skin are a bit harder to come by, but I did a quick Google Scholar search and found research linking them to improvement in eczema and atopic dermatitis, so there’s definitely a connection whether it’s well understood or not.

TULA’s probiotic technology uses these good bacteria to defend the skin against “bad” bacteria (one type of which causes acne… Hmm). In addition to probiotics, the Purifying Face Cleanser, Illuminating Face Serum, Hydrating Day & Night Cream, and Revitalizing Eye Cream are also formulated with peptides, antioxidants and omega fatty acids for an all-around skin-nourishing and anti-aging regimen. All of the products are gluten-free as well, which is nice because I’m gluten-free now, too.

Aside from happy skin, I have to say how much I love the scent. It’s soft and powdery, and I’m not one to underestimate the connection between fragrances and emotions. The cleanser does a great job at removing makeup, the moisturizer is amazingly hydrating without being greasy so it doesn’t interfere with makeup in the morning, and the eye cream […]

Avoiding Cold and Flu: What You Need to Know

INSIDE EDITION was with Dr. Roshini Raj who showed Manhattan mom Lyss Stern some tips that can help in avoiding the  flu or cold this year.

Extreme Celebrity Health Trends

How close to the edge are the stars going to get healthy? Dr. Roshini Raj joins the Better Show to weigh in.

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. […]

5 Ways To Stay Healthy On The Road – Coastal Living

Dr. Raj shares tips on how you can avoid getting sick while traveling.

 

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.”