According to Leslie and Susannah Kenton authors of ‘ Raw Energy ‘, a raw diet makes a woman look 10 years younger with firmer flesh, softer lines, shiny hair and great skin! After 2 years on a raw diet a woman can completely transform her body even to the extent of removing stubborn cellulite. Lots of evidence from other sources can back these statements up and yet we still seem to prefer a diet that is nutritionally deficient. A statement from the ‘ The China Study ‘ refering to the well known Atkins diet says "Perhaps it is a testament to the power of modern marketing savvy that an obese man with heart disease and high blood pressure became one of the richest snake oil salesmen ever to live". Not kind words but at least ‘ The China Study ‘ has plenty of evidence to back up its statements! It seems that if you want natural beauty secrets then look no further than what you feed your body.
From a personal perspective I feel we have become obsessed with short term thinking and results. Diets like the Atkins diet only work because fewer calories are being consumed than are actually needed on a daily basis. The body then takes what it needs from the fat reserves and hey presto you lose weight! But what of our long term health? In one study people on the Atkins diet had a 53% increase in the amount of calcium excreted in their urine. Might this be an indication of why the incidence of Osteoporosis is rising - because we generally consume too many animal products. In the same study, 10% of the volunteers reported hair loss. What other signs of aging might we discover with long term testing? I believe the skin would be in for a rough ride!
Numerous studies throughout the USA and Europe have shown that many people suffer from nutritional deficiencies. One such deficiency of the Western diet is the lack of zinc which is needed to prevent the skin from wrinkling. Also, a lack of vitamin C will effect the health of collagen, the fibrous protein that gives your skin its texture and smooth appearance. Beta-Carotene, found in green vegetables and carrots ensures you get enough vitamin A to regulate the oil balance in your skin and protect your skin against the environment. Eat an abundance of these vitamins in their original form and you can throw away that moisturiser and let your natural beauty shine through!
Many people just don’t get enough of these vitamins in their normal diet and resort to buying them in pill form. The market for vitamins and minerals grows by the year, a sure sign that our normal diet is severely lacking! The fact is, vitamin pills and minerals on their own just don’t make the grade. Natural fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and grains contain all the nutrients you need in the way nature intended. It shouldn’t be underestimated the power of plant food to rejuvenate the skin and that includes their natural water content.
With our obsession for great skin the desire for short term results means purchasing a multitude of potions, lotions and supplements to improve how we look. The reality is, most of these products (with the exception of good exfoliators, unless you prefer skin brushing, saunas or the beach life) do not match the power of natural beauty secrets provided by nature. Just top up your diet with zinc (good sources are Avocado, string beans, peanuts, soybeans and pumpkin seeds), beta-carotene (sources include Peppers, Apricots, Grapefruit, Carrot, Cucumber, Blueberries and Limes) and vitamin C (including citrus fruits, Tomatoes, Water Cress, Celery, Broccoli and Apples). The fact that a lot of these fruits and vegetables also help lower cholesterol is great news for the skin. Good circulation is an essential requirement of great skin and should not be under estimated. Fruits and vegetables in their natural form are also packed with key antioxidants giving you that essential protection. When all is said and done a well balanced diet rich in plant foods with as few animal products (including dairy) as you can is the key to great looking skin.
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