Carbohydrates in the Skin

All carbohydrates turn into glucose, a form of sugar in the blod. All categories of nutrients are broken down into glucose to provide energy for the body.

The cells use glucose to make ATP (adenosine triphosphate). ATP plays a critical role in fueling the cells with energy.

Carbohydrates serve the skin as water-binding agents. An example of a carbohydrate in the skin is hyaluronic acid which cushions the skin by absorbing significant amounts of water. Hyaluronic acid is contained in many topical skin care products. These topical applications through a proper diet. Diets rich in vitamin C enhance the body's capacity to produce hyaluronic acid.

All About Sugar

Sugar. The ubiquitous sweet substance has positive associations for most of us. Birthday cake, lemonade in the summer, chocolate on Valentine's Day - these are just a few of the many sugar-related traditions that bring up happy memories. But what's the real story?

When you eat, food molecules are broken down into a simple sugar called glucose, which fuels your cells and gives your body energy. But most of the time when we talk about sugar we are referring to added sugar. This is sugar that is added to foods and drinks as a preservative or to provide flavor. These types of sugars - such as sucrose (white table sugar) and high fructose corn syrup (a processed combination of sugars and corn syrup) - are derived from various plants, especially sugar cane and sugar beet. They increase your blood glucose immediately, give you a quick boost of energy, and then cause you to crash.

Consuming a lot of these sugars also contributes to extra calories in your diet and can set the stage for a variety of health problems. Consider that in 1700, the average person ate about four pounds of sugar per year, while today it is estimated that half of all Americans eat one-half pound of sugar per day.

Too much sugar can lead to: Tooth decay. Sugar allows bacteria to grow in your mouth, which causes cavities. Poor diet. If you are filling up on sugary foods and drinks, you are likely missing out on important nourishment from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Weight gain. One of the biggest precursors to obesity is sugar overload, especially from sodas. Cardiovascular issues.

Sugar increases your blood fat levels, which can lead to heart disease. If you have a sugar craving, have a piece of fruit. The natural sugar in fruit (fructose) is combined with good nutrients and fiber, so it doesn't have these negative effects in the body. Limit daily sugar intake to 40 grams at most. Be careful with sugar substitutes, too. Try natural sweeteners such as honey, maple syrup, and agave.

Moderation is key This article is courtesy of Fullerton Cardiovasculae

Fats in the Skin

Lipids are fats within the skin. Lipids give cells the ability to carry out numerous functions.

Fats within the skin make up the cell membrane, encasing water within the cell.

The skin is the body's largest organ and and indicator of health. Incorporating nutrient-dense foods and multifunctional skin care treatments adds the finishing touches to a complete health and wellness strategy.s, proper balance of carbohydrate diet contains a pro

• Ceramides are a major structural component of the skin's outer structure providing a barrier system to inhibit water movement outside the extracellular matrix.
• Phospholipids are a class of lipids that make up a major component of cell membranes. Lecithin is a type of phospholipid. Nuts, soy and eggs contain lecithin.

While looking at ways to improve your health and appearance consider what you're eating, what you're applying topically and the internal and external results produced in the body.

Moderation and balance should determine the approach to diet, exercise, work and play.

A healthy diet contains the proper balance of carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

The skin is the body's largest organ and a big indicator of health. If you're not healthy, your skin won't look healthy.

Incorporating nutrient-dense foods as well as a good skin care regimen provides a complete health and wellness strategy. 

Incorporating

Peptides and the Skin

Peptides are short strings of amino acids combined in a specific sequence. they exist naturally within the body. Peptides can be applied topically to nourish and strengthen the skin.

The role that peptides play within the body is becoming imperative.

The best skin care regimen of optimal health and beauty requires a double-pronged approach.

• A diet containing 10 to 15% protein and topically applied peptide-based skin treatments.

The Skin and Protein

Protein contributes to the structure of major organs particularly the largest - the skin.

Collagen is the most abundant form of protein within the skin. In addition to collagen, protein makes up elastin, laminin and fibronectin.

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein that enable collagen's full range of functions:

• Collagen gives structural support as the most abundant form of protein in the skin.
• Elastin gives elasticity to the skin.
• Laminin is the second most abundant in the skin. It supports and anchors the epidermis to the dermis.
• Fibronectin facilitates wound healing.

There are approximately 20 amino acids. Amino acids make up proteins, but not all can be manufactured by the body. Essential amino acids are the variations of amino acids that cannot be produced by the body and must be obtained through a diet containing animal products. Seafood, poultry, dairy products, and red meats are examples of foods that supply essential amino acids. although grains and legumes do not contain all the amino acids, they can be combined to provide complete protein sources.

Moderation is key. Each food group should be proportionately included in a healthful diet.

Benefits and Uses of Protein

Proteins support many of the body's critical functions. Proteins are a key component in muscle tissue, skin, tendons, organs and bones. Proteins affect our thinking and emotions.

Proteins should be consumed with fats and carbohydrates to meet energy requirements to support critical body functions. Diets with too much protein and not enough fats and carbohydrates force the body to burn protein taking it away from the protein available to serve the body.

Skin Care Tips

Wash with mild cleanser & warm water no more than 2x/day. Gently massage skin with circular motions. Don’t scrub. Over-washing can cause irritation, inflammation and dehydration. 

Don't squeeze. Pimples are caused by sebum, dirt and bacteria in a pore festering. Squeezing pimples can push infected material further into the skin, leading to more swelling and redness, and even scarring. Treat pimple with topical products from a reputable Esthetician and get regular facials with extractions from an Esthetician.

Don't touch with your hands or objects like telephones (do you know where your cellphone has been?). Touching the face can spread bacteria and other organisms causing inflammation and irritation.

Clean glasses (including sunglasses) often to keep oil and bacteria from clogging and infecting pores. This is especially true for those of you who put your sunglasses in your hair.

 . . . . . . more to follow

Can Stress Cause Acne?

Although stress does not directly cause acne, it can aggravate acneic conditions in those who are prone toward acne. Stress increases cortisol. And, long term stress keeps the cortisol levels elevated for long periods of time. Cortisol is a hormone released by the adrenal gland and it:

* Is a diuretic dehydrating the skin.
* Increases blood sugar.
* Weakens the the immune system.
* Creates inflammation of the skin and other organs.

Common causes of adult Acne are:

* Heredity
* Hormones
* Stress (see above)

In my practice, an acne facial consists of deep cleansing the skin, addressing the infection and inflammation and soothing the soul to calm your stress. It's more than just an acne facial.
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What Are Free Radicals and Antioxidants?

Antioxidants are chemicals that break down or neutralize the damaging effects of free radicals - chemicals produced as a byproduct of normal cellular metabolism. Under normal circumstances, there is a balance between the rate at which free radicals are produced and the rate at which they are eliminated by the action of antioxidants. Free radicals are destructive in that they cause oxidative damage to tissues - essentially causing tissues to rust like a piece of iron left outside in the weather. They damage proteins, fat and even our DNA. In fact, damage to our tissues by free radicals is thought to underlie the process of aging, a theory first described by Dr. Denham Harmon in his "free radical theory of aging" proposed in 1956. Indeed, Dr. Harmon laid the groundwork for the whole antioxidant industry when he demonstrated that free radicals are "quenched" by antioxidants.

*Note: excerpted from an article by David Perlmutter, MD, FACN, ABIHM Free Radicals: How They Speed the Aging Process originally published in The Huffington Post on January 25, 2011.

Eczema and Stress

In my skin care practice more and more clients are complaining of chronic itching skin.  This condition is usually medically diagnosed as eczema (atopic dermatitis)  or simply an unexplained rash.

As you've read in my previous blogs, the skin is slightly acidic providing the body protection from outside toxins. So if the skin is in distress your body may be in distress.

The skin, along with the kidneys, liver and colon, is one of the primary organs for releasing internal toxins. So if the body is in distress your skin may be in distress.

Eczema can flare up when you are under stress.

In other words, you may be out of balance somewhere. If you are having trouble ridding yourself of eczema you might want to ask your health care professional to look further.

If you need to relax and de-stress think about a soothing general facial, a reflexology  or reiki session

About the blogger:
Tamara is a state licensed Esthetician and Massage Practitioner located in the Anaheim Hills/Yorba Linda area. You can learn more about her business here.