7 Ways You Should Tweak Your Diet As You Age

This article originally appeared on CNN
As you get older, it’s important to make small changes to your diet to protect your long-term health. Here are seven nutrients to zero in on after turning 50.

Vitamin D
Why you need it: Scientific journals have been bursting at the seams in recent years with new research about the importance of vitamin D, and according the data, the vast majority of women aren’t getting enough. One recent study found that adults with the lowest blood vitamin D levels were about twice as likely to die from any cause compared to those with the highest levels. Other studies have linked adequate intakes to lower rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, depression, certain cancers, and brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. This key nutrient is also tied to enhanced immunity, muscle functioning, and injury prevention (pretty impressive, huh?). Vitamin D’s nickname is the “sunshine vitamin” because exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays triggers its production in the body, but you can’t rely on the sun as your sole source. Your location, cloud cover, smog, time of day and year, and sunscreen use all affect your UV exposure and vitamin D production.
How to get it: Some of the best natural food sources include wild salmon, whole eggs (the D is in the yolk), and mushrooms, and it’s in fortified foods like dairy, but it can be difficult to eat enough of these foods to meet your needs, so a supplement may be your best bet.
How much is safe: To identify the right amount to take, get your blood level tested. Based on the results, your doctor can recommend the proper daily dose.
Calcium
Why you need it: Bone […]

5 Habits Hurting Your Immune System

This article originally appeared on Bustle.com

The occasional winter cold is to be expected. The air is dry, the weather sucks and everyone else is sniffling, so at least we’re not alone. But now that spring is here (it is, right?!) the last thing we want is to be stuck inside, slurping chicken soup, eating raw garlic and dozing off in between reruns of Melrose Place. So if you’re plowing through sick days and a regular at your local pharmacy, Old Man Winter is no longer a viable excuse — your personal habits may be to blame.

To get the scoop on surprising immunity-busters, we turned to Roshini Raj, M.D., assistant professor of medicine at New York University and author of What the Yuck?: The Freaky and Fabulous Truth About Your Body. Avoid these lifestyle mishaps, and that cold/flu/cough won’t stand a chance.
YOU MISS WORKOUTS
Skipping SoulCycle once in a while isn’t the worst thing in the world, but regular workouts should be a top priority. “Exercise slows down the release of stress-related hormones, like cortisol, which can weaken your immunity and make you less able to fight off viruses and bacteria once they get hold of your body.” Aim to get the CDC-recommended 150 minutes per week and don’t forget that little things like walking and ditching the elevator for the stairs count too.

 
YOUR WINE GLASS IS ALWAYS FULL
Besides speeding up skin aging and screwing with memory (even when you’re sober), sipping on too many cocktails could be the reason you’re constantly sniffling. “Drinking too much alcohol can weaken the linings of your mouth and esophagus, making it easier for bacteria and viruses to attack your body. Alcohol also weakens the protective functions of cells and molecules,” Raj says. This impairment taxes cells and makes it hard for them […]

End Inflammation with the Oligoantigenic Diet

Patients around the world are claiming this controversial diet has cured them of everything from migraines to eczema. Dr. Rosini Raj explains why she believes a highly restricted diet can help calm inflammation and improve your health.

Watch the segment here: Dr. Oz 

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    Dr. Oz: Princess Diana’s tragic death and anti-inflammatory ‘O Diet’

Dr. Oz: Princess Diana’s tragic death and anti-inflammatory ‘O Diet’

This article originally appeared on Examiner.com

Dr. Mehmet Oz discussed the tragic death of Princess Diana, and offered his theories for why she died on the April 10 episode of the Dr. Oz Show. “We are re-examining one of the most intriguing deaths of our time,” said Dr. Oz. “She was awake and talking after her crash but was dead only a few hours later.”

Princess Diana died in August 1997 at the age of 36 after a horrific car accident in Paris. An investigation later revealed that the car Diana was riding in hit a pillar in a highway tunnel while moving at 65 miles per hour. Both the driver of the car and Diana’s boyfriend, Dodi Fayed, died instantly.

Dr. Oz was shocked to learn that Diana had initially survived the crash and wanted to understand why she later died. Dr. Oz’s guest was medical examiner Dr. Bill Manion, a forensic pathologist. Dr. Manion said when emergency workers responded to the scene of the accident, they were surprised to find that Diana was conscious and crying out for help.

Pathologist: Diana Did Not Have to Die

Diana had multiple cuts on her neck and forehead and her arm was dislocated, but she was still alive. Dr. Oz and Dr. Manion used a mannequin to re-enact the crash, and concluded that Diana likely suffered severe internal injuries after being thrown around inside the car. Exacerbating her injuries was the fact that the princess had not worn a seat belt.

Dr. Manion was outraged that it took two hours to transfer the injured Diana to the hospital, and said this inexcusable delay was partly responsible for her death. Manion said Diana’s injuries were survivable, and blamed incompetence on the part of the French […]

Turmeric Magic!

This post originally appeared on Times of India

This humble kitchen essential can do wonders outside too.

Turmeric is easily available and inexpensive but its uses are many. Its not just a kitchen spice but can also act as a natural antiseptic and beautify your skin with its anti-aging and medicinal properties. Read on to know what this yellow powder can do.

Turmeric mixed with hot coconut oil and applied on cracked heels can provide relief and repair the broken skin.

To remove pigmentation on skin, facial or otherwise, just use turmeric powder mixed with lemon or cucumber juice on face and neck everyday for some weeks.

Turmeric mixed with sugarcane juice and made into a paste can solve wrinkle problems when applied on affected areas. Just wash the paste off after 20 minutes and gradually you will see a difference.

Turmeric mixed with sandalwood, made into a paste and applied on face can cure acne to a great extent, leaving you with clear dewy fresh skin. Just let the paste dry off for ten minutes and wash it with plain water.

Pure, white butter or cream when mixed with turmeric and applied on whole body helps remove dead cells and leaves you with fresher, nourished and toned skin.

Studies Question Health Benefit of ‘Good Fats’

Dr. Roshini Raj and Dr. Sampson Davis join TODAY to chat about the latest health headlines, including a new study on fatty acid consumption and heart health.

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

8 Beauty Uses of Oatmeal

 The article originally appeared on: Daily Makeover

We all know that a hot bowl of oatmeal is a healthy and delicious start to your day, but it goes beyond that. Oats have amazing skin benefits that you should be taking advantage of right now.
Face Exfoliator
Dr. Debra Jaliman, dermatologist and author of Skin Rules, says to combine 1 tsp of ground oatmeal, 1 tsp of lemon juice, and 2 tsp of yogurt and apply to the face. This scrub tones and hydrates the skin.
Cleanser
“Oatmeal is great at removing excess oil and dirt from the body and face, thanks to the saponins it contains,” says Dr. Roshini Raj, co-founder of TULA. Their cleansing and exfoliating properties make oatmeal a powerful ingredient in many face scrubs, cleansers and shampoos. You can also use ground oats to eliminate excess oil from your scalp, which will give you an extra day or two between washings. Plus, oatmeal has strong anti-inflammatory properties and can be used to relieve itchy, uncomfortable skin.
Hand Scrub
If you have a sink drain that can handle the roughage, you can make an awesome hand scrub with oatmeal, honey and a dash of olive oil. You can add in your favorite essential oils to make it more fragrant, or just leave as is. It’s great for sensitive skin because it exfoliates gently.
Bath Soak
Oatmeal, best known for it’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits, is especially good for sensitive skin. It can be used in the bath for skin softening and very gentle exfoliation. “Next time your skin is feeling rough from the harsh winds of winter, add a 1/2 cup of oatmeal to your bath with some lavender essential oil. Your skin will feel softer and the aromatherapy effects of the lavender will help you relax and rejuvenate,” says Denise Weaver, owner of Smart by Nature. 

Dry Shampoo
Dr. Marina Paredo says oatmeal works […]

Can Probiotics Give You Flawless Skin?

This article originally appeared on health24.com

We know probiotics are good for your digestive health and weight control, but could this non-digestible food ingredient be the next big thing in skincare?

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that help to maintain the health of the intestinal tract and aid digestion.

They also help keep potentially harmful organisms in the gut (some bacteria and yeasts) under control. Now researchers are saying that by getting a good daily dose of probiotics it can also help clear up problem skin while therapists are starting to use them in skincare products in the fight against problem and ageing skin.

They help the gut, but is there a knock-on effect?

Research studies, including by the British Journal of Dermatology and Journal of Dermatological Science, have discovered a range of benefits associated with p, suggesting that it can help improve the balance of bacteria in your skin the same way it improves the bacteria in your digestive system.

These studies have shown an improvement in eczema as well as acne if you regularly eat products containing probiotics – either through a supplement such as acidophilus or in specially formulated yoghurts or fermented products such as kimchee, keiffer, miso, tempeh, aged cheese, some soy beverages and sauerkraut.

According to Natural Solutions (Jul. 2008, issue 109, p.89), probiotics can clear up one’s complexion. Authors concluded that when the good bacteria enter the body, they strengthen the skin’s acid mantle and protects the outermost layer of the skin from pathogens and free radicals.

Probiotics in skincare 

When you cleanse your face, depending on the product you use, you often strip all the good and bad bacteria off it, leaving it vulnerable. By using a skincare product – cleanser, cream or serum – with a built-in probiotic, you put the good ones right back.

According to the Health & Wellness Trends […]

Are Probiotics The New Beauty Food?

This article originally appeared on Yahoo! Health

Taking a daily dose of probiotics may help you achieve beautiful and healthy skin, suggests early research on the live, friendly bacteria and skin health.

Combined with effective stress management strategies and a healthy diet, oral probiotics may help to reduce inflammation, explains Whitney P. Bowe, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor of dermatology. By promoting a healthier digestive system, probiotics may prevent toxins in the gut from leaking into the bloodstream. In turn, this may help to reduce inflammation throughout the body, including acne and rosacea flares on the skin.

“To maximize the benefits of probiotics, you should try to reduce stress and minimize refined carbohydrates in your diet,” suggests Dr. Bowe. “Eat more complex carbohydrates, more fibre, more deeply coloured fruits and vegetables. All of those things will set the stage for adding healthy bacteria.”

Some probiotics might also be applied to the skin to act as a protective shield, guarding against harmful microbes that can trigger acne, rosacea, and other skin conditions. Dr. Bowe explains that friendly bacteria can produce antimicrobial substances, which kill unwelcome germs. Certain strains of probiotics may also calm skin cells, helping to limit unsightly immune responses, such as inflammation, redness, and bumps.

Probiotics may boost skin health
Much research remains to be done – and probiotic hype may exceed actual health perks. However, investigators have found evidence linking friendly bacteria to healthier skin. For example:

In an in vitro study, Dr. Bowe and colleagues found that the probioticStreptococcus salivarius produced a zit-zapping substance that limited the growth of Propionibacterium acnes, a bacterium linked with acne.

When applied to the skin, two probiotic strains of Lactobacilli helped to protect against skin infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus, report researchers from The University of Manchester, UK. Among […]

Can Probiotics Clear Your Acne?

These days, it seems like there’s nothing bacteria can’t do. It can cure nasty diarrheal infections through a trendy fecal transplant. It can help heal leaky guts. And now, research is showing that it can even clear your skin.

That might seem counterintuitive to anyone who’s been prescribed rounds of acne-fighting   antibiotics by their dermatologist. But some derms are now prescribing probiotics alongside the antibiotics. This pairing can help calm antibiotics’ negative side effects, like yeast infections—but they may also have an unintended benefit for acne sufferers, said Dr. Whitney Bowe, a New York-based dermatologist and researcher.

“After they’d finish the antibiotics, my patients would come back and say they were still taking the probiotics, because they were really helping their skin clear up,” she said.

How do probiotics pack such acne-healing power? Digestion is affected by stress, anxiety, and a low-fiber, high-processed diet, which shifts our inner microbial colonies for the worse.

“When that happens, levels of system-wide inflammation are increased,” Bowe said, including in the skin. “By taking oral probiotic supplements or by eating probiotics in your diet, you can theoretically restore a healthy environment in your gut and keep the skin from getting inflamed.”

This gut-skin connection isn’t a new idea: In 1961, a case report found that of 300 acne patients given a probiotic, 80 percent had clinical improvement. But the notion has captured a lot more attention lately.

Recent studies conducted in Russia and Italy found that probiotics help acne patients heal better and faster. And one small 2010 study published in the journal Nutrition found that acne patients who consumed a Lactobacillus-fermented beverage for 12 weeks produced less sebum (oily secretions) and had fewer acne lesions.

New research is looking at how topical probiotics can have […]