Tag Archive for: sugar

Sugar is Not So Sweet

Sugar is sweet but not when it comes to the health and look of the skin. Eating excess sugar is one of the worst things you can do to your skin. For starters sugar and foods with a high glycemic number (carbohydrates, fried foods and alcohol) trigger insulin which causes inflammation in the body. Inflammation is a culprit for acne-prone skin, eczema, rosacea and psoriasis. Sugar also breakdowns collagen: ie Glycation– when sugar binds to collagen and form AGES (advanced glycation end products ) this makes the collagen fibers hard and brittle which ultimately causes the skin to look old. Glycation equals loss of elasticity and collagen, which equals sagging, dull and aging skin.

Sugar weakens the immune system, dehydrates skin by pulling out moisture, creates a lackluster appearance and can cause breakouts and redness and dryness. So what should you do? Firstly, cut back on your sugar intake. Processed carbohydrates, alcohol and sugar-heavy foods should be limited.

If you’re prone to redness or rosacea and sugar is making this worse, try our Radical Difference serum. This concentrated rehydrating serum helps to rejuvenate the appearance of skin imperfections, illuminate dull skin and reduce the appearance of unwanted red areas to leave skin appearing glowing and vibrant.

If breakouts are your issue, try our Detox collection to get your skin in check and clear. Detox Facial Clarifying AHA Wash is a power-packed foaming cleanser specifically designed to address the appearance of problem skin, by reaching deep into pores and boosting out stubborn dirt and oils. Skin is left appearing smoother, feeling more refined and rejuvenated. Follow with Facial Detox, a purifying mask that works to draw out dirt and pore-clogging debris to reveal skin that looks clear and appears flawless. Facial Detox leaves skin looking even and appearing balanced, cleans blemish-prone skin and minimizes the appearance of pores and soothes and calms appearance.

Learning to balance your sugar intake will assure clean, clear and glowing skin in the future.

 

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Resolutions- Not Only for January

Every January people panic over what type of detox to attempt or foods to eliminate and by the third week, the bad habits are usually back with vengeance. No need to fall off the wagon before February! So this year we decided to implement healthy choices all year long not just for January. We all know that the key to success is moderation. Instead of trying to quit every bad habit cold turkey, we are going to change it up on monthly basis. Every month we will decrease or eliminate an unhealthy habit. Below are a few tips and tricks to get the year started right!

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Photo via Byrdie

Limit alcohol intake to once a week. If your job requires a lot of socializing try to drink 1:1- one water to every one alcoholic drink. This will help ward off dehydration. Drinking extra water will also create the feeling of fullness.

Limit sugar intake to once a week. The trick with sugar is getting it out of  your system. Sugar is the devil and really the worst thing for your body. Start reading labels and thinking about what is in the food you eat. Hidden sugars will derail any healthy diet. If you have a sweet tooth reach for the dark chocolate. Dark chocolate is a good sugar to eat in moderation and you bypass all the gross chemicals in junk food candy.

Switch dairy to a non-dairy choice. There are so many dairy alternatives available now. Soy, coconut milk, rice milk, and almond milk (which comes in many varieties). First and foremost milk is for baby cow consumption not human consumption. Dairy causes inflammation and is acid forming in our bodies. After pasteurization, all enzymes, proteins and vitamins have been destroyed and therefore milk provides no real health benefits.

A fibrous diet is a happy one. If you suffer from constipation or lack of regularity, add a cruciferous vegetable to your diet. Broccoli, Red or Green Cabbage, Cauliflower, Brussels and Kale all contain phytochemicals, vitamins and are very high in fiber. They are all also crunchy and easy to cook with.

Drink as much water as possible. Eight glasses always sounds like a lot, but it really does help the entire body. Your eyes and skin will be clearer and your body will function at a higher level when hydrated.

Exercise is the best cure for the winter blues, a few extra holiday pounds and overall wellness. Exercise allows us to sweat out toxins(salt, sugar, alcohol), increase circulation, increase blood flow and release endorphins. Endorphins make you feel good!

 

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Alcohol is Ruining your Skin

Alcohol is ruining your skin. We realize this is a grandiose statement but it happens to be true. Ever notice how clear non drinker’s skin and eyes are? Take a look next time and you’ll wonder if that happy hour cocktail is really a happy choice after all. While everything in moderation is considered ‘heathy’ (note- Dr. G does not drink) we want to call out all the ways that alcohol is ultimately damaging your skin.

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Let’s start with what is going on inside your cells when you drink alcohol. Alcohol contains sugar whether you add it in a mixer or not. When our bodies break down  alcohol it turns to sugar. When we ingest too much sugar, our protein molecules can cross-link with sugar molecules which causes the formation of new sugar-protein molecules. The body does not recognize these molecules and produce antibodies against them. These antibodies cause inflammation and the onset of Glycation. Glycation is responsible for the breakdown of collagen which causes, sagging skin, wrinkles, fine lines and overall dullness of the complexion.

Alcohol inhibits the production of vasopressin — an anti-diuretic hormone which has the two main jobs to restrict blood vessels and retain water. Your kidneys have to work extra hard to remove excess water which means you’ll be heading to the bathroom more frequently. When your body is deprived of fluids and electrolytes it will start to pull water from other places. This can cause skin to bloat and swell.

Alcohol also depletes your body’s Vitamin A, which is essential for cell renewal and turnover, so it is not uncommon for heavy drinkers to have a dull gray appearance to their skin. Heavy drinkers along with many people who only drink socially, see redness as a common side effect. Alcohol causes blood vessels to enlarge in the face, chest and arms, which makes people flushed and red. If you suffer for Rosace or skin flushing in general, this can make it worse overtime and even bring it to the surface. Someone with a severe alcohol allergy will become extremely red and flushed from even a small amount of alcohol. This can be also hereditary and very common in the Asian culture.

Yes, some alcohol in moderation,like red wine, can have health benefits. But the main issue seems to be people’s definition of “moderation”. Most people over drink and that is where the lines get blurred, no pun intended. If you think you may be suffering from the side effects of alcohol try stopping drinking for a few weeks and see how your skin clears up!

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