Anitoxidants, Beauty and Ayurveda

[Guest guest]

WWW.MAPI.COM

You have permission to post this article in your print or electronic

publication as long as the piece is published in its entirety,

including all links and references, copyright info and resource box.

If you decide to use this article, please send us an e-mail at

mspaskincare.

 

----

The Ayurvedic Approach to Beauty:

Antioxidant Power

 

While applying your makeup, you happen to notice another new wrinkle

on your skin. Your first panic-stricken thought is: "Where is that

magazine with the ad on how to turn back the clock and erase fine

lines and wrinkles?" Relax! You don't need to run to the nearest

department store for the newest miracle cure -- the best place to go

is your local grocery store! That's right, ordinary fruits and

vegetables can have a significant impact on your skin because they

are packed with antioxidant nutrients.

Antioxidants help to repair damage on the cellular level of the skin

by combating free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that

cause damage to our cells when they try to stabilize themselves by

stealing an electron from a healthy molecule.

Free radicals are a normal part of life. They are produced naturally

by many of the metabolic processes that occur in our bodies. The

problems start when excess production of free radicals occurs due to

different factors such as pollution, smoking, excessive sun exposure,

processed foods, mental stress, and many other external and internal

factors. When the free radicals generated overwhelm our normal level

of antioxidants, then damaged and aged skin is the result.

The good news is that our bodies can fight back. Free radical

fighters such as enzymes (e.g. Superoxide Dismutase -- SOD) provide

the missing electron to the free radicals and are produced naturally

by our bodies. But our bodies also need help. Herbs, fruits and

vegetables are an excellent way to give your skin the raw materials

necessary for antioxidant power.

How Free Radicals Damage the Skin

At first scientists thought that free radicals only damaged the DNA

of the cell. Then a Hungarian scientist, Irma Nagy, M.D. decided to

examine the DNA of people who were 100 years old. He found that the

DNA from these people replicated perfectly. Since these people were

100, and aging, and yet their DNA reproduced perfectly, he

hypothesized that it was not the DNA which was responsible for aging.

His theory - called the "membrane hypothesis of aging" -- was that

free radicals did most of their damage to the outer lipid layer of

the cell. Once the outer fatty layer is damaged the cell can't let

the wastes such as salts and potassium out of the cell nor can it let

nutrients in. The result? The cell becomes dehydrated and

malnourished. In addition, since the outer layer is denser, the

damage is concentrated because of the availability of more molecules

for the free radicals to scavenge. Another favorite area for the free

radicals to attack is the collagen. Collagen gives our skin its

tautness and structure. Free radical damage to the collagen causes it

to become stiff and inflexible resulting in wrinkles and sagging

skin!

Eating for Your Skin Type

More and more research is showing that antioxidants found in certain

foods such as vitamins, amino acids and herbs help to reduce free

radicals and thereby slow the process of aging. Recently, researchers

in Austria examined the diets of Australians, Greeks and Swedes. They

were comparing the sun damage to the back of the subjects' hands. And

they noticed that those who ate a diet high in antioxidants had the

least damage to their skin. (Journal of American College of

Nutrition, Feb 2001).

Ayurveda has known from the beginning that food has a powerful

influence on our health including the skin. All foods and herbs fall

within ayurvedic categories that can be individualized according to

skin type and imbalances. This tradition of medicine is steeped in

the knowledge of how specific qualities of foods effect our mind,

body and spirit. From the ayurvedic perspective, beautiful skin is

the natural result of eating an ayurvedically balanced diet.

One of the benefits of an ayurvedically balanced diet is that it

increases the power of digestion and absorption in a manner suited to

each individual and supports the proper elimination of impurities

from your system. The secret to eating the right foods for your skin

is to understand your specific skin type, or more importantly your

current skin imbalance.

We are all born with a specific skin type, but other factors such as

stress, our daily diet and routine can result in imbalances that

change the condition of our skin.

Simple Guide to Skin Imbalances

A simple guide to understanding the condition of your skin:

· if you experience excessive dryness, then you have a Vata

Skin imbalance

· if your skin is irritated, red or sensitive, you have a Pitta

imbalance

· if your skin is excessively oily, then you have a Kapha

imbalance.

Eating Right for Your Skin Type -- The Basics

The secret to eating the right foods for your skin is to understand

your specific skin type, or more importantly your current skin

imbalance. We are all born with a specific skin type, but other

factors such as stress, our daily diet and routine can result in

imbalances that change the condition of our skin.

General Foods for the Skin:

All skin types can benefit from the following eating habits:

· Eat lots of fresh, sweet, juicy fruits like pears, plums and

ripe melons.

· Favor green leafy vegetables and carrots.

· Avoid carbonated beverages and ice cold drinks.

· Drink plenty of water.

See basic guidelines for each skin type.

Other Factors

There are of course many other factors which come in to play such as

is how dry is your skin, is it dry only on your forehead or all over

your face? Have you been eating hot chilies and other spices foods?

Are you feeling especially worried about something? Do you live in a

damp climate or a hot, dry climate? For a preliminary evaluation of

your current skin type and imbalances, try the MSpa skin care

questionnaire. For a more in-depth analysis you may wish to have a

1/2 hour ayurvedic beauty care consultation with Vaidya Mishra

($65.00). R. K. Mishra is an ayurvedic dermatologist. He can help you

determine the exact foods, spices, daily routines and herbal

supplements that are best for your skin. For more information on

skincare consultations visit: www.mspa.com., e-mail: info

<info or call 1-800-361-8332.

----

 

Note -- This ayurvedic information is educational, and is not

intended to replace standard medical care or advice.

 

Copyright -- MAPI, Inc., 2002

 

For more in-depth information on the ayurvedic approach to beauty and

skin care and for a complete line of dermatologist-formulated

ayurvedic skin care, please visit http://www.mspa.com.