Foundation For Good Health

This article is courtesy of Fullerton Cardiovascular Medical Group

A balanced diet of whole, natural foods is the foundation for good health. Learning how to make better choices at home, in the grocery store, and when dining out is a huge, important step. Be proud if you've started to move in that direction. To take it one step further, consider adding supplements to your daily routine. There are countless supplements, and many are unnecessary or even harmful. Take care and always talk with your doctor before starting a new regimen.

Here are a few you can count on:

Probiotics. It turns out that thousands of tiny organisms or "probiotics" needed for good health live in your gut/belly. They help us digest and absorb our food, support our immune system, prevent disease, and treat or stave off diarrhea, gas, and other bowel problems. In addition to supplements, you can get probiotics from a fiber-rich diet full of vegetables, beans, seeds, yogurt, and whole grains. Omega-3s. Omega-3 fatty acids, or essential fatty acids, are necessary for health but your body can't make them. Research suggests that they may decrease cholesterol and blood pressure, reduce the risk for heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers, and help treat depression and anxiety. You can get omega-3s from cold water fish such as salmon, tuna, and halibut, as well as other seafood like algae and krill, some plants, and nut oils, and supplements may contain any of these. If you get a fish oil supplement, it should have both EPA and DHA (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid). Vitamin D. In addition to keeping your bones strong in partnership with calcium, vitamin D is essential for mood and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) improvement, immune system boosting, and blood pressure lowering. Vitamin D is even thought to help prevent cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. In addition to foods like salmon, tuna, milk, and eggs, you can take in vitamin D from direct sun exposure. Most people should take a supplement though, and usually in the form of vitamin D3.

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.

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.