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 […]

Things You Didn’t Know You Could Do With Greek Yogurt

You might be surprised by some of the creative ways to use Greek yogurt

Greek yogurt, a variety made by straining off some of the liquid whey that gives regular yogurt its thinner texture, has become incredibly popular over the past few years. This is due, in part, to its high protein content; a six-ounce cup of Greek yogurt can have as much as 20 grams of protein, the same as about half a chicken breast (conventional yogurt has more like 9 grams).Aside from its nutritional edge over traditional varieties, Greek yogurt is appreciated for its unique texture; it’s much thicker and creamier than other varieties of yogurt, a characteristic that makes it useful for a number of other purposes both in and out of the kitchen.

One of the most important things to consider when choosing Greek yogurt is what’s in the ingredient list; not all Greek yogurts are made the same way or using the same ingredients. Some are thickened with modified corn starches or gelatin and the majority of flavored Greek yogurts have tons of added sugar. But, if you choose a plain, organic Greek yogurt made with milk and live and active cultures as the first ingredients, you can reap the many health benefits this creamy yogurt has to offer.

True Greek yogurt (strained, thickened milk with live and active cultures) has powerful probiotic properties. We often hear about the benefits of probiotics for digestive health (the live and active cultures in yogurt help balance out the good and bad bacteria in our guts) but new research is examining their health benefits of probiotics when applied topically. Though more research is needed, preliminary studies have shown that applying certain strains of “good bacteria” directly to […]

Probiotics: The Newest Trend to Hit Your Beauty Products

From yogurts to ingestible supplements, you might have heard of probiotics to encourage good digestive health. But now the beneficial bacteria is being highlighted for it’s potential skin benefits as well. Thanks to early research that indicates a link between probiotic use and skin treatments for those suffering from acne and rosacea, probiotics are popping up on beauty counters more frequently.

Just as probiotics offer a healthy dose of good bacteria to your gut via substances like yogurt, topical probiotics can also help to reduce inflammation, decrease skin sensitivity and reduce redness, according to some studies from the American Academy of Dermatology. In studies done by Whitney P. Bowe, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in New York, topical probiotics have been praised for forming a protective shield or “bacterial interference,” which means they protect skin and prevent skin cells from “seeing” bad bacteria or parasites that can cause an immune reaction, aka acne or rosacea.
Topical probiotics are also being praised for their antimicrobial properties, which means they are able to create holes in bad bacteria and attack them. Finally, probiotics are said to have a calming effect. Via the American Academy of Dermatology, Dr. Bowe says they can calm the areas of skin cells that trigger reactions when in contact with bad bacteria that causes inflammation. All in all, probiotics seem to have a promising future in the beauty world. Check out some of the products we spotted on the market that contain the powerful ingredient.TULA Probiotic Skincare Discovery Collection, $49, at qvc.com
(Source: QVC)

Created by Dr. Roshini Raj, whom you might recognize from the Today Show and The Dr. Oz Show, TULA […]

Posh Beauty Blog’s Favorite Beauty Products – September

Posh Beauty Blog’s Favorite Beauty Products – September

Posh Beauty Blog’s favorite beauty products for September 2014
By Carla Snuggs
What a wonderful month! This September, Posh Beauty Blog, was able to discover some very incredible beauty products! Here is the latest monthly roundup of the some of the BEST products tried by myself (or contributors) throughout the month in the categories of beauty, health and lifestyle (that were not otherwise featured this month). Here are some favorites for September 2014:

MAKEUP AND NAILS
Spa Ritual Nail Lacquer

It’s fall, so it’s time to switch up your nail color to reflect the season! When, I look for nail lacquer, I try to find a brand that is 5-free. These fun nail colors from Spa Ritual are some of my favorites for the season. Spa Ritual’s nail laxquers are vegan and free of DBP, toluene, camphor, formaldehyde and formaldehyde resin.  Shown here: Tapestry, Idyllic and Hope & Inspiration ($12, Sparitual.com).
Beverly Hills MD Lash Enhancing Serum

I’m so excited to introduce you to Beverly Hills MD products.  I tried Beverly Hills MD Lash Enhancing Serum, a non-prescription treatment that helps lashes look longer, fuller, darker, and denser for a more dramatic look. The Beverly Hills MD Lash Enhancing Serum is great for those who have lost lashes due to aging, hormone changes, or by damage caused by continuous use of mascara, eyelashes curlers, or eyelash extensions. So if you’re looking for a dramatic overall look without false lashes or extensions, give this a try. I have tried eyelash serums in the past that have irritated my eyes so bad, I had to stop using them. This eyelash serum feels great with no irritation and so far has reduced lash fallout significantly, plus my lashes look lush ($85, Beverlyhills-md.com).
HAIR
Nourage

I […]

Help! I Feel Bloated – Yahoo! Beauty

The worst part about being bloated is that half the time, you don’t know why. It doesn’t take a particularly huge meal or the saltiest snack to make you feel extra puffy.
So what gives? We asked gastroenterologist Dr. Roshini Raj to explain the surprising culprits behind belly bloat—and how to prevent it down the line.
“Bloating is typically caused by having too much gas in your system due to foods and drinks,” says Dr. Raj. While most of us are aware that eating broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, onions, and beans can cause gas, you’re probably not on the lookout for sorbital. It’s an ingredient in sugar-free candies, gum, and other treats that almost definitely causes bloating.

Photo: Trunk Archive
Need another reason to kick that soda habit? It’ll blow your stomach right up (so will beer, or anything else carbonated). “People think seltzer or ginger ale will help, but the carbonation can actually make you feel worse,” says Raj. Alcohol irritates the lining of your stomach, so drinking it any form can potentially cause bloating. Another unexpected culprit: things that make you swallow extra air, like chewing gum, eating too quickly, drinking with a straw, sucking on hard candies, and smoking.
Aside from your diet and habits, Raj says bacterial and viral infections and certain medical conditions can slow down the movement of air, gas, or food through the intestines, which creates a bloated feeling. If you have an allergy to gluten or lactose—which can suddenly appear at any age—you may experience symptoms of bloating, as can sufferers of Irritable Bowl Syndrome. (If you have ongoing issues, be sure to see a doctor to make sure you don’t have a serious condition.)
Unfortunately this is one case when flushing […]

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    If Acne Is Still One Of Your 99 Problems, These May Be The Surprising Reasons Why

If Acne Is Still One Of Your 99 Problems, These May Be The Surprising Reasons Why

In the slim chance you haven’t already heard, acne isn’t only a teenager’s problem. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) reported adults in their 20s, 30s, 40s, even 50s can develop the common skin condition, which is to say they grow up to continually struggle with pimples, deep lumps like cysts, black- and whiteheads.

Acne isn’t limited to a person’s face either. According to the AAD, nearly 85 percent of people will experience acne on their face, chest, and back at some point in their life. And if a person’s preferred treatment is still to pop or squeeze a pimple, they’ll increase the likelihood of acne-related scarring.

The age-old advice when it comes to reducing acne is to pay special mind to oily, bacteria-ridden skin — growth of the bacteria P. acnes is a leading cause of the condition — as well as saying no to stress and eating healthier foods. Think less dairy, more vitamin E and antioxidants.

There are other commonly-touted natural solutions for acne, such as tea tree oil, increased daily water intake, and cooking more with the spice turmeric. And of course, there are medications your dermatologist can prescribe.

However, the Food and Drug Administration recently announced that so many of the popular acne treatment medications can cause rare, potentially fatal allergic reactions. So if following all this advice (pre-meds) doesn’t do much for your skin, here are the more surprising sources of acne.
Pillow Cases
Pillow cases get zero afterthought. You put one on, flip it over when it’s not cool, rinse, repeat. Yet they actually double as a sponge for your skin products, sweat, drool, and hair products, Allison Tray, owner of the Tres Belle Spa in Brookly, N.Y., told Medical Daily in an […]

Could Contrave Be New Weapon in Obesity Battle?

Dr. Roshini Raj joins TODAY to discuss an FDA-approved weight-loss drug called Contrave that takes a different approach to one of our country’s biggest health problems.

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

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    Surprising Skin Insights From a Shrink, a GYN and a Gastroenterologist

Surprising Skin Insights From a Shrink, a GYN and a Gastroenterologist

Doctors in fields other than dermatology shed light on the sneaky things that can affect your complexion.
By Grace Gold

By now, you’re probably pretty familiar with classic dermatologist advice: Wear sunscreen daily, cleanse and moisturize your skin, and don’t pick that zit! But increasingly, specialists from other areas of medicine are bringing their unique, science-informed perspectives to the world of skincare. From gastroenterology to gynecology, here’s what other experts can teach you about your skin.
What a gastroenterologist knows:
Your digestive tract protects skin. Probiotics are rich in the proteins, vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates that stabilize the skin’s immune system and help protect against environmental aggressors, says New York gastroenterologist Roshini Raj, who co-founded the TULA skincare line that uses probiotic technology. “Topical use of probiotics has been shown to stimulate skin’s protective mechanism, balance ‘good’ bacteria in skin, guard against UV damage and improve elasticity and collagen production,” she explains. To get your probiotics internally too, eat fermented foods like kefir, kimchi and miso, or try the dairy-free, vegan and kosher GoodBelly probiotic, Dr. Raj recommends.
What a gynecologist knows:
Hormones age skin. Estrogen peaks in our 20s and then slowly declines over the next few decades, causing every woman to age hormonally with texture and clarity changes. “Declining estrogen results in loss of collagen in our skin and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” explains gynecologist Rebecca Booth, a co-founder of VENeffect skincare that implements natural plant-phytoestrogens to improve elasticity in skin. Ingredients are inspired from the reproductive vitality of plants. By stabilizing levels, Dr. Booth says the healthy glow of skin at peak hormonal balance can be restored and preserved.
What a psychiatrist knows:
Stress makes skin more sensitive. Feeling unnerved by your morning commute or that argument […]

Embarrassing Digestive Troubles with Dr. Roshini Raj

Gastroenterologist at NYU Medical Center and author of “What the YUCK” Dr. Roshini Raj joined us live to talk about some of the most embarrassing digestive troubles. People living with common gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, who experience diarrhea, gas, bloating, stomach pain or frequent bowel movements, may attribute this to stress or an improper diet. These people may even sweep their symptoms under the rug and not speak with their doctor for fear of embarrassment but what they don’t know is that they could be living with a medical condition that can be treated.