Did you know that 60 percent of our immune system is housed in our digestive tract? So that means that any disruption to the natural flow or balance in the body can vastly affect how the skin and the rest of the body function.

Here are a few foods that can help fight skin inflammation…

• Spices – Certain spices like ginger and tumeric are natural anti-inflammatory agents. They carry the ability to hold back the proteins that lead to gene mutations, therefore decreasing the incidence of inflammation.
• Good fats and oils – Olive oil, nuts, and avocado, amongst other heart-healthy fats, help to regulate cell metabolism and suppress inflammation.
• Salmon – A top anti-inflammatory, salmon and other foods rich in omega- 3 fatty acids (think walnuts, flaxseed and avocado), are necessary for cellular repair.
• Brightly colored veggies & fruits – Not only do fruits and vegetables act as a source of antioxidants, they also contain phyto-chemicals that buffer and regulate gene expression.

And of course…

• Vitamins – Foods and supplements that contain C, E, and minerals can help the body combat damage created by free radicals.

Overall, everyone’s diet can use some tweaking. You may need to limit certain things while increasing others! Check out the list below to see where you fall in the grand scheme of things…

EAT THIS!

• Raw vegetables & fruits – If your body can properly digest raw vegetables and fruits (you don’t experience stomach cramping or bowel problems), eat them with every meal.
• Whole grains – they’re loaded with vitamin B which is crucial for proper cell division.
• High-quality protein – meats like turkey and chicken should be included since they help produce collagen.
• Flax Seed Oil – rich in Omega -3 fatty acid which is essential for healthy skin. It also helps prevent inflammation.

TAKE IT EASY ON THIS!

• Dairy – milk & cheese are full of hormones and antibiotics that can cause breakouts.  Aged cheeses and goat’s and sheep’s milk are thought to produce less mucus than cow’s milk and soft cheese.
• Coffee – keep the # of cups to a minimum since caffeine hinders cells from absorbing and holding water.
• Sugar – Sweets can throw off the balance of the body causing unneeded inflammation.

*content from New Beauty Magazine

Here are a few reasons why you may want to re-think this option…

• Very little or no carbohydrates in your diet can deprive your body of glycogen (glucose).  - when your body lacks glucose, the signs of dehydration can be seen on your skin and especially your face.
• A diet absent of glucose doesn’t give fuel to the muscles and tissues, which can lead to saggy skin that lacks proper tone - says NYC aesthetician Claudia Pinto.
• “Cutting out carbs for long periods of time is horrible for your body – it can lead to osteoporosis, kidney stones and high cholesterol.” - Quote from New York City nutritionist Oz Garcia

Hey we all want to look good “now”, but the long term affects of this diet may not make us look too good later!

So here are a few recommended modifications…

(1) Instead of cutting out carbs altogether, it’s best to eat them in moderation and be wise about your choices.

(2) Replace white carbs (ie. white breads, pastas)  with whole-grain ones, like brown rice.

(3) Also consider more fruits and vegetables.

I’ve had quite a few questions similar to this one in the past, and it seems to be an issue for many men out there.  So I decided to post this question in hopes of enlightening others, with permission of course…thanks Anthony!

Question:

Hey Craig,

I have a question for you.  So, my hair texture has changed and I’m not exactly sure why.  My hair/scalp seems to be a lot dryer now and the hair is straight.  It used to be wavy with a natural-oil texture.  Would you happen to know what may have caused this change, and what I can do to get it back to the way it used to be?  – Anthony Johnson II

Answer:

Hello Anthony thanks for the email.  Well, unfortunately, as we get older the texture of our hair does change slightly over time.  However, there are a few things that may cause a more drastic change in hair texture and scalp conditions:

(1) Diet – the condition of your hair is a direct result of what you may or may not be eating.  Changes in diet, switching or ceasing to take your vitamins, and even starting a new prescription medicine can alter your hair condition.

(2) Controlled Air- whether AC in the summer months or heat in the winter, the increased use of either in your place of work or home can cause an increase in general skin dryness, and this definitely includes your scalp.

(3) Shampoos – certain shampoos on the market (usually the lesser priced products) tend to have more detergent content than others.  Be mindful of this when shopping – higher detergent content can lead to dryer scalp.

Sometimes we don’t realize it, but it is likely all these scenarios are happening simultaneously, which compounds the negative effects even more.  I hope this helps!