We know that a little lipstick and some blush will add a nice pop of color to our face and brighten our look, but how can we get that elusive gorgeous glow sans makeup? The key is looking on the inside. Our appearance is largely a reflection of what is happening on the inside of the body. Everything from our hair and nails, to the looks of our skin and even the clarity of our eyes is tied to how well our body functions.

Based on Chinese Medicine, each of our organ systems is related to an external feature. For example, the health of the hair and nails are related to the kidney. Hair loss and other hair disorders can indicate a kidney deficiency or blood deficiency. If any of the organ systems is not functioning properly, whether due to a nutritional deficiency, infection, or stress, our external features will suffer. Our skin is our largest organ and is always communicating messages from beneath the surface about what is going on within. Outer beauty depends more on the strength of our digestion and metabolism, the quality of our diet and other lifestyle factors rather than on external cleaners or creams.

In order to slow the aging process and help you get your best glow here are some ways to enhance your beauty from the inside out:

1. 1.       Nutrition The age old saying “you are what you eat” is actually true. Eating healthy whole foods will leave you with healthier skin. The main deteriorating effects of aging come as toxins and impurities accumulate throughout the body. These toxins may become oxidized into free radicals in the body which contribute to premature aging in the body. Indulging in processed foods, fried foods, and sweets results can cause a build-up of free radicals. A diet that is high in sugars and saturated fats can increase wrinkles and speed up the aging process. For lasting health and beauty it is essential to avoid and neutralize free radicals to prevent impurities from accumulating in the body. Foods that are high in antioxidants like leafy greens, berries, squashes, and tomatoes can all help reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Cooking with antioxidant and detoxifying spices like turmeric and coriander is another way to bust free radicals. Eating a diet rich in whole foods in general will promote beauty inside and out.
2. 2.       Water The best way to plump your skin and make wrinkles less noticeable is to hydrate well. Water accounts for 70% of our cell’s mass, making water essential to their proper structure. Our cells are similar to raisins, they shrivel when dehydrated and plump when rehydrated, just like our skin. Water is the foundation for beautiful skin. It is recommended that you drink half your weight in ounces of filtered water daily. Also, if you drink coffee, tea, alcoholic beverages or soda it is important to drink an extra cup of water for each beverage consumed.
3. 3.       Almonds Experiencing hair loss? Eat more almonds! Almonds are very high in biotin, which is a water soluble B vitamins that is needed by the body for healthy hair and nails. If deficient in this vitamin, hair loss can occur and the nails become brittle. Include raw, unroasted almonds in your diet for healthy hair and nails. Almond milk is a great way to get your biotin if you are not a fan of the nut.
4. 4.       Wild Salmon or Chia Seeds Skin, hair and nail health are all dependent on nutrition. Omega-3 essential fatty acids are a large component of our cells, and without proper levels the cells become weak and damaged. Essential fatty acids also reduce inflammation in the skin and protect it from sun damage. This is why eating foods rich in essential fatty acids such as wild salmon or chia seeds is so important. If you are not a fan of salmon, try making chia seed pudding with almond milk; it is a vitamin and nutrient rich snack that will benefit your body and is also delicious.
5. 5.       Nuture your middle organs Our liver, gallbladder, kidneys, colon and lymphatic system all play essential roles in eliminating toxins from our body. We over work our bodies so often by staying up late, eating late, not drinking enough water, stress and lack of exercise. We can give back to our organs by taking a break from the grind and engaging in activities that rejuvenate the body and counteract stressful wear and tear. Going to bed earlier is a simple habit but so important for health, longevity and our appearance. Engaging in mindful practices like yoga or meditation that are centered around deep breathing is important for feeding your skin, your organs and your well- being.

Happy Fall Everyone!

-Melanie Campbell, L.Ac

People have been raving about the health benefits of green tea for years but recently there has been mega research which backs some of these claims. I didn’t used to be a big green tea fan but with all the options these days such as green tea with blueberry or pomegranate, I’m now making it my beverage of choice. Green tea does contain a good amount of caffeine so it makes a great coffee substitute. If you are sensitive to caffeine or need to reduce your intake, switch to decaf green tea. While the jury is still out on exactly how much tea to consume each day, most of the research states about one to two 8 oz cups of green tea per day. Drinking green tea is found to be more effective than taking a supplement. Here are some reasons why you should incorporate green tea into your diet:

1. Green tea intake lowers LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol). The NIH recently published a controlled study that found green tea is indeed effective at lowering cholesterol.
2. Loaded with antioxidants, called catechins, green tea has potential to fight cancer and heart disease. A particular catechin in green tea inhibits cancer growth and kills cells that are growing inappropriately.
3. Green tea and its extract have been shown to fight obesity. In a Dutch study, participants who drank caffeinated green tea lost more weight but even those who typically drank the decaf variety saw a decrease in their waistlines and body weight.
4. Studies have suggested that green tea is helpful for diabetes, stress, dental cavities, protection against UV radiation and viral infection.