People with eczema are usually told to wear clothing made of cotton or silk for less irritation to the skin. However. research in the journal Dermatology has found clothes made of merino wool actually improves eczema symptoms. Merino wool's soft breathable fibers reduce irritation and wick away moisture to ease the itching and inflammation caused by eczema flare-ups.
According to NYC dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, M.D., try a lip ointment with lanolin. He says, "It forms a breathable seal that limits environmental aggressors, softens rough skin and hydrated lips. Think of lip balm as a seal between your lips and the outside world, apply it before leaving the house to protect them from harsh winter elements like wind and cold temperatures."
If you are a fan of chicken soup, you may want to eat up! One study found that eating chicken soup may be good for skin elasticity and to decrease facial pigmentation. It is claimed that chicken soup promotes healthy skin because it is rich in collagen and hyaluronic acid. So, if you love chicken soup, enjoy. It may keep your skin beautiful. My take is that more research is needed, but a good bowl of chicken soup is tasty either way.
Since we are basically a week from Halloween, here's another reminder of some benefits of chocolate. Are you one who loves to sneak a little chocolate from the youngster treat bags? There are other posts on this blog about the benefits of chocolate, should you want to know more. Here are a few new mentions:
Today's food as medicine is actually a beverage, green tea. There is a phytochemical known as EGCG. ECEG which stands for epigallocatechin gallate, in green tea. It has been shown to have some anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, it may have some heart health benefits. It is also believed green tea's antioxidant quality may protect the skin from sun damage. Nature does have many ways to protect us and green tea is definitely one of those ways.
Blueberries are healthy and should be somewhere in everyone's diet. There are several posts on this blog that mention benefits of blueberries. I found it interesting recently to discover that researchers at the University of Maine found that eating blueberries, fresh or frozen, on a regular basis, significantly speeds healing of cuts, burns, and other wounds. The reason, blueberries contain antioxidant compounds called phenols that promote the growth of new skin cells and blood vessels to fast-track healing.
According to Dr. Michele Green, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC, the aloe plant is a humectant, which means it pulls water from the air deep into the skin to restore moisture levels. UV rays deplete skin of its natural hydrating oils which leaves the skin parched. Thus, the need to restore moisture to the skin. Aloe also has antioxidants to protect the skin's barrier. Also, it has vitamins, minerals and fatty acids which help strengthen nails. To use, buy a quality Aloe Vera skin lotion and apply to dry skin once a day after showering.
Have you ever thought about how much your skin weighs? Would you be surprised to know the skin of an average adult weighs between six and nine pounds? Actually, skin makes up about 16% of a person's total body weight. If one's skin could be laid out it would cover about 22 square feet. Take care of your skin, it is an important part of your body.
If you are bothered by adult acne, a Taiwanese study may have the answer to your problem. The study suggests dabbing blemishes with a drop of clove oil. They suggest the oils eugenol tamps down the inflammation and speeds healing.
Today's post is about number 12 on the list of healthiest fruits and it is a favorite of many. Grapes are some of the most popular fruits of all ages. No more words are necessary from me so let's get to what the health journal has to say.
"Grapes are high in polyphenol compounds such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, and resveratrol, all of which can help increase heart health and defend against cardiovascular disease. (It's thought that resveratrol may even help prevent skin aging and protect against age-related health conditions.) Grapes are full of nutrients vital to health, such as copper, vitamin K, and B vitamins."
Continuing on the healthiest fruits list from the health journal I picked up in my oncologist office, we are on number eleven today. Number eleven is probably one of the most popular, strawberries. Following is the direct quote from the health journal.
"Strawberries are beloved by both kids and adults, and with good reason. In addition to their luscious taste and versatility in the kitchen, they are incredibly nutritious, providing key vitamins and minerals such as folate and vitamin C that help to maintain your skin and heart health. Eating just one cup of strawberries fulfills your daily vitamin C requirements, which supports the production of collagen and boosts skin's elasticity, volume, and hydration. Studies show that consuming strawberries may also benefit cardiovascular health by improving blood vessel function and lowering heart disease risk factors."
As we continue looking at the healthiest fruits list, we come to number seven, grapefruits. For most people, you either love or hate grapefruits. However you feel about them, read the information below which is directly from the healthiest fruits list from a health journal I picked up in my oncologist office.
"Adding a cup of grapefruit segments to your breakfast will cover nearly 100 percent of your daily requirement for vitamin C, and support the health of your skin, heart, and immune system. Grapefruits are also rich in flavonoids such as naringin and naringenin, which may have anticancer properties."
Following are some facts about the benefits of soy in your diet:
Diabetics are often prone to dry skin, especially if their blood sugar is high. Here are some ways to help soothe that itchy dry skin:
Chocoholics rejoice! According to The Journal of Nutrition dark chocolate is an edible sunscreen. They say eating a half-bar of dark chocolate a day can protect the skin from sun damage. Note: That is only dark chocolate so don't take a box of chocolates with you to the beach. That would be hard on your bikini figure anyway!
Who would have thought that using an aloe vera body lotion could cool you down in the summer heat? Studies have shown that smoothing on an aloe vera rich lotion actually lowers skin temperature on contact. Better yet, It penetrates skin cells 500% more effectively than does water. So it is actually five times more cooling than a cold shower. So invest in some good quality aloe vera lotion and keep it handy during the hot months.
There are other posts of this blog about celery but this is pretty complete.
Did you know that pine nuts are a good source of vitamin E? And did you know that regularly consuming foods high in vitamin E can make your skin less susceptible to UV damage from the sun? Now that is a good reason to include pine nuts in your diet!
Did you know that one of the benefits of eating guacamole is that it helps to reduce the signs of skin aging? Top it with a little tomato-based salsa for wrinkle-reducing antioxidants. Now what a tasty way to be nice to your skin!
The following is a file photo.
