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The Ayurvedic Approach to Beauty: Antioxidant Power
While applying your makeup, you happen to notice another new wrinkle
on your skin. Your first panic-stricken thought is: "Where is that
magazine with the ad on how to turn back the clock and erase fine
lines and wrinkles?" Relax! You don't need to run to the nearest
department store for the newest miracle cure -- the best place to go
is your local grocery store! That's right, ordinary fruits and
vegetables can have a significant impact on your skin because they
are packed with antioxidant nutrients.
Antioxidants help to repair damage on the cellular level of the skin
by combating free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that
cause damage to our cells when they try to stabilize themselves by
stealing an electron from a healthy molecule.
Free radicals are a normal part of life. They are produced naturally
by many of the metabolic processes that occur in our bodies. The
problems start when excess production of free radicals occurs due to
different factors such as pollution, smoking, excessive sun exposure,
processed foods, mental stress, and many other external and internal
factors. When the free radicals generated overwhelm our normal level
of antioxidants, then damaged and aged skin is the result.
The good news is that our bodies can fight back. Free radical
fighters such as enzymes (e.g. Superoxide Dismutase -- SOD) provide
the missing electron to the free radicals and are produced naturally
by our bodies. But our bodies also need help. Herbs, fruits and
vegetables are an excellent way to give your skin the raw materials
necessary for antioxidant power.
How Free Radicals Damage the Skin
At first scientists thought that free radicals only damaged the DNA
of the cell. Then a Hungarian scientist, Irma Nagy, M.D. decided to
examine the DNA of people who were 100 years old. He found that the
DNA from these people replicated perfectly. Since these people were
100, and aging, and yet their DNA reproduced perfectly, he
hypothesized that it was not the DNA which was responsible for aging.
His theory - called the "membrane hypothesis of aging" -- was that
free radicals did most of their damage to the outer lipid layer of
the cell. Once the outer fatty layer is damaged the cell can't let
the wastes such as salts and potassium out of the cell nor can it let
nutrients in. The result? The cell becomes dehydrated and
malnourished. In addition, since the outer layer is denser, the
damage is concentrated because of the availability of more molecules
for the free radicals to scavenge. Another favorite area for the free
radicals to attack is the collagen. Collagen gives our skin its
tautness and structure. Free radical damage to the collagen causes it
to become stiff and inflexible resulting in wrinkles and sagging
skin!
Eating for Your Skin Type
More and more research is showing that antioxidants found in certain
foods such as vitamins, amino acids and herbs help to reduce free
radicals and thereby slow the process of aging. Recently, researchers
in Austria examined the diets of Australians, Greeks and Swedes. They
were comparing the sun damage to the back of the subjects' hands. And
they noticed that those who ate a diet high in antioxidants had the
least damage to their skin. (Journal of American College of
Nutrition, Feb 2001).
Ayurveda has known from the beginning that food has a powerful
influence on our health including the skin. All foods and herbs fall
within ayurvedic categories that can be individualized according to
skin type and imbalances. This tradition of medicine is steeped in
the knowledge of how specific qualities of foods effect our mind,
body and spirit. From the ayurvedic perspective, beautiful skin is
the natural result of eating an ayurvedically balanced diet.
One of the benefits of an ayurvedically balanced diet is that it
increases the power of digestion and absorption in a manner suited to
each individual and supports the proper elimination of impurities
from your system. The secret to eating the right foods for your skin
is to understand your specific skin type, or more importantly your
current skin imbalance.
We are all born with a specific skin type, but other factors such as
stress, our daily diet and routine can result in imbalances that
change the condition of our skin.
Simple Guide to Skin Imbalances
A simple guide to understanding the condition of your skin:
- if you experience excessive dryness, then you have a Vata
Skin imbalance
- if your skin is irritated, red or sensitive, you have a Pitta
imbalance
- if your skin is excessively oily, then you have a Kapha
imbalance.
Eating Right for Your Skin Type -- The Basics
The secret to eating the right foods for your skin is to understand
your specific skin type, or more importantly your current skin
imbalance. We are all born with a specific skin type, but other
factors such as stress, our daily diet and routine can result in
imbalances that change the condition of our skin.
General Foods for the Skin:
All skin types can benefit from the following eating habits:
- Eat lots of fresh, sweet, juicy fruits like pears, plums and
ripe melons.
- Favor green leafy vegetables and carrots.
- Avoid carbonated beverages and ice cold drinks.
- Drink plenty of water.
See basic guidelines for each skin type.
Other Factors
There are of course many other factors which come in to play such as
is how dry is your skin, is it dry only on your forehead or all over
your face? Have you been eating hot chilies and other spices foods?
Are you feeling especially worried about something? Do you live in a
damp climate or a hot, dry climate? For a preliminary evaluation of
your current skin type and imbalances, try the MSpa skin care
questionnaire. For a more in-depth analysis you may wish to have a
1/2 hour ayurvedic beauty care consultation with Vaidya Mishra
($65.00). R. K. Mishra is an ayurvedic dermatologist. He can help you
determine the exact foods, spices, daily routines and herbal
supplements that are best for your skin. For more information on
skincare consultations visit: www.mspa.com., e-mail: info@...
<mailto:mailto:info@...> or call 1-800-361-8332.
Note -- This ayurvedic information is educational, and is not
intended to replace standard medical care or advice.
Copyright -- MAPI, Inc., 2002
For more in-depth information on the ayurvedic approach to beauty and
skin care and for a complete line of dermatologist-formulated
ayurvedic skin care, please visit http://www.mspa.com .
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