1. Wild Alaskan Salmon and other
cold water fish (salmon, sardines, herring, trout, etc.) are great
sources of protein which is necessary to maintain and repair the body-including
the skin on a cellular level. Protein cannot be stored in our bodies. For
optimum health and cellular repair we need to have a good source of quality
protein at each meal.
If we are rating a food group either pro-inflammatory or
anti-inflammatory, we will find that protein, on the whole, is neutral.
However, some sources of protein, such as the fish listed above, provide
powerful anti-inflammatory benefits for two reasons:
a. They are high anti-inflammatory omega 3 essential fatty
acids which keeps skin radiant, supple and wrinkle free, moods upbeat and brain
functioning at optimal levels
b. Wild salmon’s bright pink or deep red color, depending on
variety, owes its pigment to the presence of astaxanthin, a super powerful
carotenoid anti-oxidant with potent anti-inflammatory properties.
2. Green Foods. When we
talk about “Green Foods” we’re referring to a group of foods that includes
young cereal grasses like barley grass and wheat grass. Nutritionally, they are
close cousins to dark leafy, green vegetables, but offer far greater levels of
“nutrient density.” In other words, an ounce of these concentrated green foods
contains much more of the beneficial phytonutrients found in an ounce of green
vegetables. Green foods, such as Green MagmaTM help detoxify the body to keep
skin clear and radiant.
The results of many experimental studies show that green
foods have marked beneficial effects on cholesterol, blood pressure, immune
response, and cancer prevention. These effects are attributed in part to their
high concentrations of chlorophyll.
Chlorophyll, the phyto-chemical that gives leaves, plants,
and algae their green hues, is the plant equivalent of the oxygen-carrying red
pigment hemoglobin in red blood cells. Dietary chlorophyll inhibits disease
bacteria and exerts therapeutic effects on bad breath and internal odors.
3. Beans and lentils. Beans
and lentils are a superfood for a number of reasons in addition to their high
fiber content. When it comes to maintaining beautiful skin and keeping unwanted
pounds at bay, beans and lentils are a body’s best friend. The reason is
because they are very low-glycemic. This means they will not cause a rapid rise
in blood sugar when eaten, the way sugary, starchy food do. Beans and lentils
are anti-inflammatory foods, and will keep your blood sugar stable-key in
preventing dull, dry, wrinkled sagging skin and hard to lose body fat.
4. Olives
and extra virgin olive oil. We need a source of good fats in our diet,
fats that will help us absorb nutrients from our vegetables and fruits, keep
our cells supple, our skin glowing and wrinkle-free, our brains sharp and our
mood upbeat. We also need dietary fat to burn fat. Extra virgin olive oil
contains oleic acid, which helps us to absorb the omega-3s and other vitamins
and nutrients from our foods. Oleic acid is vital in keeping the outer portion
of the cell, known as the cell plasma membrane, supple, thereby allowing nutrients
to enter the cell and wastes to exit.
5. Green Tea.
Green tea contains compounds known as polyphenols which help to eliminate
inflammation-producing free radicals. Recently, researchers have found that
these polyphenols protect healthy cells from cancer causing DNA damage, while
ushering cancer cells to their death.
Another remarkable finding is the power of green tea
polyphenols known as EGCG to reactivate dying skin cells. In fact, researchers
consider this amazing energizing of dying skin cells to potential benefit skin
diseases such as psoriasis, ulcers, rosacea, wounds-and yes, even wrinkles.
6. Blueberries. Blueberries
have some amazing qualities including the fact that are one of the greatest
sources of antioxidants. They also have great anti-inflammatory
properties-remember inflammation is not just linked to disease-it is a major
cause of wrinkling and sagging in the skin. Blueberries also increase brain
power, restore balance and improve memory.
Anything that is good for the brain is also excellent for
the skin because of the brain/beauty connection. In embryology there are three
layers of tissue that develop into every organ system in our bodies. The same
layer of tissue that is responsible for the production of the brain also
produces skin. As a medical student I recognized that when something is therapeutic
for the brain the skin improved.
7. Sour Citrus Fruits. This
includes citrus like lemons,
limes, and grapefruit.
All are rich in antioxidants known as limonoids and limonene’s which offer
their own special benefits:
I. Protect lungs; alleviate chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease.
II. Helps prevent cancer, by boosting the activity of detoxification enzymes in the liver.
III. Lower blood cholesterol levels.
IV. Inhibit cancer in human breast cells, skin, lung, stomach, mouth and colon cancer in laboratory animals.
II. Helps prevent cancer, by boosting the activity of detoxification enzymes in the liver.
III. Lower blood cholesterol levels.
IV. Inhibit cancer in human breast cells, skin, lung, stomach, mouth and colon cancer in laboratory animals.
Lemon bioflavonoids contain hesperidin as well as
proanthocyanidins. Proanthocyandins are defined as a class of nutrients that
belong to the flavonoid family. A study conducted for Bordeaux Médical found
that proanthocyanidins (also found in teas, black currant, bilberry, cranberry,
grape seed, and grape skin) have been shown to strengthen capillaries. They
also play an important role in the maintenance of elastin and the stabilization
of collagen-crucial for healthy, youthful skin.
Article credit to ->Nicholas Perricone, MD, FACN, CNS, is a board certified
dermatologist, award-winning scientist, inventor and the author of multiple #1
New York Times bestselling books.
