Food For Thought by Keeley Lore

The food journey begins in our mouth where enzymes produced by the saliva glands begin to break it down. This is why it is important to avoid drinking liquids that dilute this enzyme 30 minutes prior to and after a meal. Digestion continues in the stomach and broken down particles and fluid make their way to our intestinal track. There, tiny hair like cilia absorb nutrients before the remaining substance leaves the body through the excretory process. If you are eating healthy, you should be eliminating wastes between two and three times daily.

Did you know that the condition of our health can often be seen on our skin?

Youthful and vibrant skin is reflective of what we apply topically. It is also impacted by what we consume internally. Skin represents our largest organ and is continually developing healthy cells to replace damaged ones during the cell regeneration cycle. Exercise, natural and organic skin care products, and a healthy diet are three important factors in slowing and reversing the aging process.

Healthy cells are nourished by foods that provide micronutrients to the body, particularly phyto or plant based nutrients. Phytonutrients can be found in foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, and legumes. These foods should be eaten as close to raw as possible or freshly juiced to maximize the potent antioxidant benefits which can help reduce free radical damage leading to premature aging. Organic pineapple, strawberries and kiwi all contain enzymes and antioxidants that can exfoliate and brighten when applied to the surface of the skin. Avocados nourish and moisturize and cucumbers aid in reducing inflammation or puffiness when applied to the eye area.

Refined, processed and boxed foods, “dead foods,” offer very little nutritional value. These are man-made, pre-packaged, fast food, and frozen foods that have been refined and processed in some way. Dead foods can block hormone receptors, congest the intestinal track and eventually leak toxins into the lymphatic and circulatory systems. This condition is often referred to as “leaky gut syndrome.” Overtime, a leaky gut can impact the appearance of the skin, cause respiratory health problems, and lead to a host of other health concerns.

If you are not eliminating wastes as frequently, you could be experiencing skin conditions like pre-mature wrinkling, distended capillaries, hyperpigmentation, acne, rosacea, dry patches, psoriasis, other congested skin conditions and abrasions. Other contributors to these skin conditions and toxic buildup in the body include insufficient water intake, caffeine and alcohol, environmental pollution, chemicals and synthetics applied topically, ingested or inhaled, genetic methylation issues, vitamin, mineral and nutrient deficiencies, and pharmaceutical drugs. All can block hormone receptors resulting in a state of hormonal imbalance causing the vicious cycle of free radical damage.

Fresh and raw fruits and vegetables are thought to be one of the best ways to maintain healthy release of toxins from the system. The phrase “you are what you eat” certainly applies to the condition of your skin.