5 Products to Avoid for a Healthy Skin

The basic nutrition rules are also valid for the aspect of our skin. Color, texture and tonus of the skin are all the result of constant consumption of vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids etc. It doesn’t matter how many creams and lotions we use if we eat improper. So…what we eat is written on our skin!

Here are 5 of the most damaging products for our skin:

1. Sugar

Sugar makes you look older. It doesn’t only make you fat, but also destroys important elements within our bodies. Most vulnerable to such damage are collagen and elastin fibres, which keep our skin firm and elastic – making it look fresh and young. When we consume food products containing sugar (like chocolate, candies, juices etc.), the sugar molecules in our bloodstream stick to protein fibres (collagen and elastin), modifying their form and properties. When damaged, collagen and elastin transform from elastic fibres to dry and easily breakable ones. Also, such modified molecules can deactivate body’s natural antioxidant enzymes with protect the body from sun damage, which also has an important contribution to skin aging process.

2. Milk

Although this might sound strange, you must know that it is true. Several studies have been conducted to investigate the effects of milk on our skin. One of the most important finding was that there is a positive connection between milk intake (both total and skim) and acne. Researchers believe that this is the effect of hormones and other bioactive molecules within milk. As hormones and other stimulating chemicals are more and more used in the feeding process of cows, this problem will probably persist in the future.

3. Alcohol

When consumed in moderation, some alcoholic drinks (mainly wine) might have a positive effect on our health. Still, another effect of alcohol is blood vessel dilatation in the skin. Excessive consumption of alcohol will lead to a chronic dilation of capillaries causing problems for the skin. It is believed that alcohol also makes acne worse.

4. Processed meat

Such food products contain nitrites, fats, salt and other ingredients that damage the skin. One of the worst ingredient is sodium nitrate (used as a preservative for processed meat) which is also believed to cause several types of cancer.

5. Hydrogenated vegetable oil

Such oil is found in significant quantities in margarine, cooking oil, baked products etc. The hydrogenation process of vegetable oil is responsible for the destruction of all nutritional value of original oil. This process creates a mixture of unnatural fats (most of which are trans fatty acids) with have a devastating effect on our health. Such fats cause heart diseases, cancer, diabetes and also damage the immune system. Also, obesity is another effect, which as we all know if becoming a very serious problem nowadays. Being overweight can cause many serious skin problems due to hormone changes. Some of these problems are: stretch marks due to skin stretching; increased strain of leg veins can cause swellings, varicose veins and fluid retention; the extra weight will cause feet to develop problems like calluses and corns; finally, skin rashes and infections might develop due to the growth of bacteria within the body, which in turn is caused by the extra moisture retained in the body.

All the skin problems mentioned above can be avoided with a healthy life style and a well balanced diet. Some of the most important nutrients that contribute to a healthy skin are:

1. Zinc (found in eggs, nuts, oats, oysters, pecans)
2. Omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish)
3. Silica (found in green beans, mango, cucumber, strawberries etc.)
4. Vitamin C and E (found in: C – broccoli, oranges, lemons, apples, blackberries etc. and E – seeds, tomatoes, asparagus, whole grains etc.)

I hope the information included in this article will be useful for you and hopefully you will not forget that – What we eat is how we look!!!

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11 Tips for Running Outdoor During Winter

It’s difficult to motivate yourself to go outside for a stroll during winter season. Bleak weather, snow and ice, short days, chilly winds and cold temperatures make you feel like staying in bed all day.

But it’s important not to hibernate and stay active during winter, especially after the feasts of winter holidays. If you follow a few basic precautions you can overcome the setbacks that winter season brings to running outside.

1. Check the weather first

A strong and chilly wind could cause frostbite or even hypothermia. Be sure to check the weather forecast. Even if it’s nice and clear now, the weather can change fast. If it looks bad it would probably be best to stay inside. You don’t have to act like a hero and go out into a blizzard!

2. Don’t go out when it’s dark

Besides the temperatures dropping fast after sunset, there is also a problem with visibility. Wearing reflective materials could alert drivers of your presence. The best time to run would be just before sunrise.

3. Use the right shoes

You should use special running shoes for winter, designed for snow and ice with thick rubber soles, rubber cleats or even sharp metal spikes.

4. Dress in layers

Wearing three layers of clothes help insulate your body and eliminate moisture.

The base layer is in contact with your skin and it should keep you warm and dry. Any of the following materials are a good choice: polypropylene, silk, polyester, wool. Cotton however should be avoided as it traps moisture and it stays wet.

The mid layer is for insulation. Materials as polyester, wool and fleece would do the job.

The outer layer should be water and wind resistant and should also allow moisture to escape. Gore-Tex is an excellent material but other options that are not so high tech would still perform well.

5. Protect your extremities

Your hands and feet are the most vulnerable to frostbites so make sure you wear proper gloves, socks and shoes. A scarf and hat that covers your ears are also necessary. Research shows that you can loose up to 30% of your body heat through hands and feet and up to 40% through the head.

6. Avoid icy areas

It is best not to go out running if the ground is too icy or snowy. A fall could be very serious especially if you are alone. A cell phone with full batteries is “a must” for any runner in the winter.

7. Hydrate

Even in the cold you loose water through sweat, so be sure to stay well hydrated.

8. Protect against hypothermia

Hypothermia is defined as a significant drop in body core temperature. It starts with shivering, cold sensations, numbness and confusion and leads to lack of coordination, muscle stiffness and unconsciousness.

To protect against hypothermia you should dress in layers, cover your head and mouth, stay dry, especially at your feet, and hydrate.

9. Don’t wander around

Weather changes can be very abrupt so make sure you have places where you can stop and rest or seek shelter if things get to the worst.

10. Go with a friend

Having a friend beside you not only gives you extra security but the company also takes away the boredom and might increase running motivation.

11. Don’t overdue

If you have certain health conditions it would probably be best to avoid such activities.

If you hate the gym, running during the winter can be a healthy and invigorating experience. Even if nature is against you, it’s the difficulties that make it so appealing.

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