EAT YOUR SUNSCREEN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With summer in full swing, it’s an ideal time to catch up on some much needed vitamin D. According to a Harvard study, an estimated 1 billion people are deficient in vitamin D. Unfortunately, wearing sunscreen blocks the sun’s ability to stimulate vitamin D production. Not to mention, skin cancer rates are rising despite more sunscreen use and reduced sun exposure. So what’s the answer? Safe sun exposure with protection from the inside out.

Because sunburn is an inflammatory process, eating an anti-inflammatory diet full of antioxidants is a huge part of natural sun protection.

Dr. Ronald Watson of the University of Arizona says “antioxidants in red, yellow and orange foods build up under the skin creating extra UV protection. The effect is so strong, that eating six portions a day for two months will build a natural barrier equivalent to factor 4 sunscreen.”

Include these foods and supplements when EATING YOUR SUNSCREEN:

Astaxanthin

Astaxanthin is such a superstar it deserves its own post. It’s the number one nutrient to include in protecting yourself from sun damage. It’s a member of the cartenoid family. Cartenoids are what give foods their vibrant colors and protects plants and organisms from damage by light or oxygen. When we consume them they give us a similar protective benefit.  Astaxanthin is by far the most powerful cartenoid and is thought to be the most powerful antioxidant. It’s 65 x more powerful than vitamin C and 550 x more powerful than vitamin E.

Astaxanthin is the red pigment that gives salmon and flamingos their pink color. It’s produced by microalgae as a survival mechanism to protect itself from UV radiation, intense sunlight and a lack of nutrients when its water source dries up. When we ingest it, it does the same for us. It acts as a “radiation shield” and works as an internal sunscreen. Not only does it protect us from the sun but it also reverses previous sun damage. It combats all the tell-tale signs, including, brown spots, sunburns, wrinkles, fine lines and skin cancer. Studies have shown that consuming 6 milligrams of astaxanthin per day for 6-8 weeks can significantly reduce crow’s feet and the size of age spots while improving skin elasticity and texture.

In Japan, a study was done in 2002 by Yamashita with women around age 40 who consumed 2mg astaxanthin daily for four weeks. Researchers were surprised that after only 2 weeks, almost every aspect of the women's skin had improved; after 4 weeks, there was even more improvement. Benefits included fewer fine lines, better moisture, increased skin tone and elasticity, smoother surface, fewer freckles, and less under-eye puffiness

Astaxanthin is also beneficial when applied topically. In 2001, a study was performed on hairless mice to explore its topical benefits.

The mice were exposed to UVB radiation for 18 weeks to simulate photo-aged skin. The mice that had astaxanthin applied to their skin demonstrated reduced wrinkles when compared to the control group, as well as younger-appearing collagen. In fact, the collagen of the astaxanthin mice looked as if it had never been exposed to radiation.

Researchers concluded that astaxanthin "can significantly prevent UV-induced collagen degradation, wrinkles, lipid peroxidation, sunburn, phototoxicity and photoallergy."

The same study also discovered that topical astaxanthin can act as an effective "skin whitening agent," which is an extremely popular trend in Asia. Astaxanthin was found to reduce melanin by 40 percent, greatly reducing freckles and age spots.

Perhaps the greatest testimony to astaxanthin working as an internal sunscreen is Dr. Robert Child’s personal experience with it. Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, he was always extremely sensitive to the sun and would burn within a half hour of sun exposure. But once Dr. Childs started taking Astaxanthin, he found that he could go in the midday sun for four hours without burning. Dr. Child’s says that “BioAstin (a brand of natural Astaxanthin) literally changed my life, I am outdoors whenever and for as long as I like.”

Lycopene

Lycopene, another member of the cartenoid family, is an antioxidant which can enhance the skin’s natural defense against free radicals by 35%. All red fruits and vegetables contain lycopene. Tomatoes are a great source, especially tomato paste and sauce. Cooked tomatoes, offer far more bioavailable lycopene than raw tomatoes. A study presented at the British Society of Investigative Dermatology involving 20 people found that participants who consumed tomato paste had 33 percent greater protection against sunburns than participants who did not consume tomato paste. Watermelon is an especially rich source of lycopene, offering 40% more than tomatoes.

Beta Carotene

Beta Carotene, also a cartenoid, is a pigment found in orange and green fruits and vegetables. Similar to lycopene, it is an antioxidant that protects from sun damage. In addition beta carotene also makes people less sensitive to the sun. Sweet potatoes contain the most beta carotene of all fruits and vegetables. Other top sources are carrots, butternut squash and dark leafy greens such as spinach and kale, romaine lettuce and cantaloupe.

Pomegranates

Pomegranates are loaded with antioxidants. According to dermatologist Howard Murad, they can "enhance skin's sun-protective properties by 25 percent".

Almonds

Almonds are one of the best sources of vitamin E, which protects and repairs the skin from sunlight. Almonds also contain quercetin, which has been shown to protect against UV damage and the wrinkle-causing breakdown of collagen. One study found that after participants were exposed to UV light, the participants who took the same amount of vitamin E found in 20 almonds had less sunburn than the participants who did not that amount of vitamin E.

Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG)

EGCG, one of the most powerful antioxidants and the most powerful polyphenol there is, protects against UVA and UVB radiation and can reactivate dying skin cells. Green tea contains high amounts but matcha contains 137 x the amount of EGCG that green tea has.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and protect your skin from sunburn. Wild Salmon, sardines, flax seeds, chia seeds and hemp seeds are rich sources of omega-3’s.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a powerful skin protective antioxidant that protects against sun damage, wrinkles and dry skin. Strawberries, broccoli, citrus fruits, bell peppers and kiwi are rich sources of vitamin C. It is also helpful to supplement with 3,000 mg of Ester C per day.

Vitamin D

Our bodies produce melanin (dark pigment we get when we tan) to shield the skin from further uv exposure. That is why those with darker skin need more sun than those with fair skin to achieve optimal vitamin D levels. When the body has enough vitamin D, it will start producing melanin to keep from getting too much. Supplementing with vitamin D3 will help protect your skin from uv rays.

 

Tips

Stay hydrated. Dehydrated skin burns much easier than hydrated skin.

Avoid sugar and processed foods.

Cutting out grains is an easy way to incorporate more antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables into your meals.

15-20 minutes per day is all it takes for most people to achieve adequate levels of vitamin D. The darker your skin the more time you will need to get enough vitamin D.

The sun is at its hottest between 11-2 pm. If you’re going to be in the sun for an extended period of time or during peak hours make sure to wear a natural sunscreen. Studies show that chemical sunscreens actually cause skin cancer.

Suntegrity is an excellent natural sunscreen that uses 20% non-nano uncoated zinc oxide (important that the zinc is non-nano uncoated) as it active ingredient. It's facial sunscreen also contains astaxanthin.

When taking astaxanthin make sure you purchase a natural form as many synthetic options exist. I highly recommend BioAstin, a natural, Hawaiian astaxanthin.

 

 

 

 

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT

 

 

You are what you eat. Literally. Your body replaces billions of cells every day. Every few days you have new gut tissue. Every 35 days your skin replaces itself. Every six weeks you have a new liver. Over the course of every five to seven years every single cell in your body will renew itself. Your body is making these new cells out of the foods that you eat.

This is why it’s so important to eat copious amounts of fresh organic plant foods daily. Fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices not only act as fuel and building blocks for our cells but they contain information from mother Earth and the heavens. This information talks to our DNA and tells it what to do.

Every time we eat fresh fruits and vegetables we are eating sunlight. Our cells absorb the light and it radiates throughout our bodies and brains, emitting its energy and life force. We are also taking in living, healing water that hydrates our cells better than any glass of water can. In fact, plant foods contain two different types of water. Each type is structured differently, with different information stored within and a separate system for delivering its healing benefits to you. The first type of water is called hydrobioactive water. This water holds life-giving nutrients to support your physical health. It replenishes and hydrates your body, feeds your blood stream and keeps you going. Then there’s cofactor water. Cofactor water contains trace minerals, mineral salts, enzymes and phytochemicals that specifically feed you spiritually and emotionally. It contains information that supports your emotions and restores your soul and spirit.

Eating plant foods keeps diseases away and keeps us youthful by preventing oxidation. Oxidation is the process that ages us and we oxidize a little bit everyday unless we do something about it. The best way to combat oxidization is by eating plenty of antioxidants which you can find most plentiful in fruit. The antioxidants in fruit can even reverse aging.

When it comes to weight management, the closer to nature you eat, the fewer calories it’s going to take you to feel satisfied. Processed foods very often contains low amounts of fiber and water; a high ratio of calories to nutrients and flavorings that overly stimulate the appetite center in the hypothalamus. Plant foods are the opposite. They contain lots of fiber and water, have a high ratio of nutrients to calories and are free of added flavors all of which send signals to your brain that that you are full.

When we eat processed foods we are feeding, pathogens, inflammation and disease. Every time we eat organic plant foods we are eating life, youth and health which shines through or bodies like a beam of radiant light. In 35 days your skin can be more even, youthful and luminous or it can be more dull, pale and sallow depending on what you chose to eat. Eat your beauty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BANANAS

Bananas were once considered a “luxury fruit” and were sold in individual tin foil. Luckily they are widely available today because they are a powerhouse of nutrition. From making you happy to fighting viruses bananas are quite versatile. You can even make ice cream with them! They also make the perfect travel food, arriving “prepackaged” by nature.

Bananas contain high levels of tryptophan and vitamin B6 which are necessary building blocks for serotonin. Serotonin is the neurotransmitter that regulates mood, sleep and is nature’s appetite suppressant.  Eating bananas helps to relieve depression, reduce anxiety, create a sense of calm and improve sleep disorders.

Bananas are a powerful antiviral food. Medical Medium says they are “so powerful, that they have the capacity to repel growth of the retrovirus HIV. He also says not to worry about Candida as bananas “are the ultimate fungus destroyers, removing unproductive bacteria while feeding beneficial microorganisms in the intestinal tract.” Because they feed the good bacteria, they support the production of vitamin B12.

B12 deficiency is quite common and you can still be deficient even if your blood tests show normal to high levels. Vitamin B12 is important for so many functions in the body. It’s needed to make red blood cells, nerves and DNA. It regulates the nervous system, mood disorders and is a necessary component for energy production.

As for its beauty benefits, it’s essential for healthy skin, hair and nails as it plays a major part in cell reproduction. Vitamin B12 benefits skin health by reducing redness, dryness, inflammation and blemishes. It can also reduce hair breakage and help nails to become stronger.

Bananas are great digestive aids and help to stabilize blood sugar. They contain phytochemicals that assist with stress and help to balance weight whether you need to lose or gain.

For those who worry that bananas are too high in sugar, Medical medium says “the sugar in a properly ripened banana is completely different from cane sugar and other processed sweeteners. The fruit sugar in bananas is bonded to critical life-supporting trace minerals such as potassium, which is one of the most critical nutrients for neurotransmitter function. Bananas are also high in amino acids that work side by side with the highly bioavailable potassium as a catalyst for abundant electrolyte production. Rather than thinking of bananas as all sugar, we have to remind ourselves that bananas are made up of fiber, pulp, and water, too and that their fruit sugar content is the very reason bananas have rich supplies of antioxidants, vitamins and other phytonutrients that help us fight disease.”

Medical Medium recommends bananas for the following:

Conditions: 

Colitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), adrenal fatigue, Alzheimer’s disease, bipolar disorder, diabetes, carpal tunnel syndrome, depression, diverticulitis, gallbladder disease, hemorrhoids, HIV, infertility, Parkinson’s disease, arthritis, ADHD, low reproductive system battery, sleep disorders, PTSD, fungal infections, shingles, tendonitis, anxiety, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, edema.

 
Symptoms:

Loss of taste and/or smell, weight gain, weight loss, TMJ, enlarged spleen, blurred vision, fatigue, Candida overgrowth, diabetic neuropathy, bruising, tachycardia, constipation, bloating, diarrhea, headache, apnea, blurry eyes, blood sugar imbalances, food sensitivities, ear pain, jaw pain, muscle weakness, anxiousness, sensations of humming or vibration in the body, abdominal cramping, abdominal pain, Bell’s palsy, back pain, tingles and numbness.

Emotional Support:

Bananas strengthen the core of who we are, encouraging us to peel back our false shields and expose our true selves. They can help reverse a state of mind that’s saturated with fear (eating three or more a day can help reduce PTSD) and they help us express our true desire to be productive, overcoming procrastination and other unproductive behaviors in the process. If you think a friend is holding on to resentment, offer her or him a banana and it will help dissolve the feelings of ill will.

Tips:

• The optimal stage to eat bananas for peak nutrition is peak ripeness.  When a banana’s skin is still green, enzymes prevent absorption of any of the fruits nutrients. And an overripe banana with entirely brown or black skin contains fermented fruit. The safest point at which to eat a banana is when its skin is yellow with brown speckles.

• Bananas are the best food for travel. When you have a trip coming up, buy bananas ahead of time so they will be at just the right stage of ripe when you need them.

• Bananas are also the most powerful exercise food. Eating a banana before and after exercise can replenish the body more than any other food out there.

For more information on bananas and other healing foods, check out MEDICAL MEDIUM LIFE-CHANGING FOODS.

TAKE A MOON BATH!

 

Taking a salt bath is healing and detoxifying anytime but it is especially powerful to take one during a full moon and a new moon.

 

During a full moon, the healing ability of the body is maximized and mineral absorption is at its highest potential. 

 

Under a new moon, cleansing is at its peak, meaning the body's ability to internally and externally detoxify itself is optimized.

 

The best way o take a moon bath is with Himalayan salt crystals.

 

Mined by hand from ancient deposits deep within the Himalayan Mountains; pink Himalayan crystal salt contains more than 80 naturally occurring minerals and is believed by many to be the purest and most therapeutic salt on the planet.

 

Once dissolved in a hot bath, the minerals are able to penetrate the skin and are absorbed in the form of ions. Bio-energetic weak points will be balanced and your body's energy flow will be activated. The organs' functions start to resonate with the natural frequency patterns of the minerals in the salt. This activates the body's self healing ability.

 

Using this unrefined, pure salt in your bath creates a solution similar to that found in a mother's womb. This allows for a decrease in boundaries between our skin and the salt solution, permitting a much higher rate of exchange. Toxins from our body are released into the bath while minerals and energies are absorbed into the skin.

 

Some claim that taking a 30-45 minute Himalayan salt bath has the same detoxifying effect as a three day fast.

 

While normal baths extract moisture from the skin, salt baths help to maintain the natural, protective film of the skin (salt is stored in the upper callus layer of the skin and binds water).

 

Benefits include: increased moisture retention, detoxification, decreased inflammation and skin irritations, balanced pH levels, improved circulation, cellular regeneration, restored energy, and relaxation.

 

Directions: Add approximately 1lb of Himalayan salt crystals to hot bath water. Wait until salt is fully dissolved (approximately half an hour depending on the size of the crystals). The hotter the water, the faster they will dissolve. Soak for 30-45 minutes or less if you become uncomfortable.

 

Full Moon Bath: Healing

 

New Moon Bath: Cleansing

RAW HONEY (LIQUID GOLD)

Raw honey is Earth’s most ancient form of medicine and skincare. In Greek mythology it was considered a food of the gods. They consumed the sweet nectar in order to achieve immortality. Hippocrates referred to it as “liquid gold” and spoke of its nutritional and medicinal properties.

Honey is nature’s multivitamin. It contains 11 enzymes, 14 minerals, 21 amino acids, and vitamins A, D, C, K, and B vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, pyrodixine and biotin). It also contains pre and probiotics and is loaded with antioxidants. One of the antioxidants present, a bioflavinoid called rutin, helps the body to utilize vitamin C and stimulates collagen production.

 

It’s a powerful antibiotic, antiviral, antiparasitic and antifungal. Bacteria cannot live in the presence of honey. In fact, 3,000 year old vessels of honey discovered in ancient Egyptian tombs are still edible today. This is partially due to the hydrogen peroxide present. Honey is also extremely acidic with a pH ranging from 3-4.5. That kind of acid will kill off almost any pathogen. Its hydroscopic nature removes water molecules from bacteria which causes them to shrivel up and die.  But the vast majority of honey’s antibacterial properties come from the defensin-1 protein that is a part of the honey bee immune system and gets added to the honey.

If you’re worried about the sugar, the sugar in raw honey is nothing like processed sugar. Medical Medium says that “the fructose and glucose in honey are saturated with more than 200,000 undiscovered phytochemical compounds and agents, including pathogen-killers, phytochemicals that protect you from radiation damage and anti-cancerous phytochemicals. When drawn into cancerous tumors and cysts, this last class of phytochemicals shut down the cancerous growth process- meaning that raw honey can stop cancer in its tracks. Honey’s highly absorbable sugar and B12 coenzymes make it one of the most powerful brain foods of our time. Plus, raw honey repairs DNA”.

If you need an energy boost, raw honey is predigested so it enters the bloodstream directly producing energy quickly.

Beauty Benefits:

When used topically, honey is the ultimate moisturizer. Because it is a humectant, it draws moisture from the air and into your skin, leaving it baby soft. It also contains amino acids that help skin to retain essential moisture.  

It contains the amino acid proline which is a primary component of collagen.

Bee pollen and propolis present in honey stimulate the growth of new skin.

The antioxidants present reverse damage done to the skin by free radicals by encouraging new tissue growth and healing damaged tissue. Skin appears younger and more radiant.

Raw honey contains mild alpha hydroxyl acids which loosen the bonds between dead skin cells making it easier to shed dead layers. The acids also increase elasticity, balance oily skin, stimulate collagen production and minimize fine lines and wrinkles.

Medical Medium, Anthony William recommends raw honey for the following:

Conditions:

Sinus infections, ear infections, diabetes, hypoglycemia, PTSD, allergies, sties, eye infections, MRSA, staph infections, mystery infertility, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), low reproductive system battery, insomnia, adrenal fatigue, colds, influenza, norovirus, all types of cancer, bipolar disorder, ADHD, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, all autoimmune diseases, parasites, food poisoning, respiratory infections, bronchitis, laryngitis and thrush.

Symptoms:

Sore throat, post nasal drip, inflammation, canker sores, sleep disturbances, bacterial infections in the gut, all neurological symptoms (including tingles, numbness, spasms, twitches, nerve pain and tightness of the chest), body odor, dry skin, cysts, eye dryness, dizzy spells, earaches, ear pain, eye floaters, fever, headaches, hot flashes, joint pain, lack of energy, loss of libido, fatigue, memory issues, memory loss, sinus issues, shortness of breath and stomachaches.

Tips:

• Add raw honey to lemon water to enhance the honey’s bioflavonoids and give the drink an additional immune boost.

• If you feel like you’re coming down with something, take a teaspoon of raw honey before bed. This is also a good remedy to enhance a night’s sleep as honey releases serotonin (a neurotransmitter that improves your mood), and the body coverts serotonin to melatonin.

• Use raw honey in place of all processed sugar and other sweeteners you normally use. Look for wildflower honey, if you can find it.

• Applied externally, honey is great for healing small wounds and revitalizing the skin. Try it on scars when you want to speed up the healing process.

• Consuming honey prior to meditation strengthens the mind and brings about happy sensations throughout the body.

How to buy honey:

When purchasing honey make sure the label says “raw, unheated and unfiltered”. Most of the honey being sold is not honey. A lot of times it’s diluted with high fructose corn syrup and tainted with chemicals. After testing 60 jars of honey, a researcher from Texas A&M University found that 77% of supermarket and 100% of drugstore jars contained no bee pollen and were ultra filtered. Without bee pollen it’s not honey.

Also, the darker the honey, the more antioxidants it contains.

If you’re looking for a super strength honey, try Manuka honey. Manuka honey contains an additional non peroxide component known as methylglyoxal. It makes honey vastly more powerful at fighting bacteria. So powerful that researchers have devised a special rating system (UMF) used to determine the honey’s therapeutic value. When purchasing Manuka, choose a jar with a UMF of 16+ or higher for maximum benefits.

Finally do not cook with honey or heat it above 95 degrees (temperature of a beehive) as the heat will kill the enzymes and the honey will lose its beneficial properties.