How To Eat For Bright, Beautiful & Clear Skin

(MindBodyGreen) By Dr. Alejandra Carrasco

We're all taught that acne is something that happens to teenagers, but the truth is that many adults struggle with this, too.

And it’s frustrating!

The good news is that dietary changes can make a huge difference in your skin. However, for many, the challenge is committing to a long-term dietary approach before throwing in the towel and taking prescription medicine.

Could you say goodbye to milk, refined sugars, and high glycemic index foods to get clear skin?

The most common culprits in acne are dairy, refined sugar, and high glycemic index foods – basically the foods that make up our Standard American Diet (SAD), according to a recent paper published in Cutis.

Stay cool this summer with natural medicine and herbal remedies

As we enter into the dog days of summer, it's easy to keep cool with specific foods and herbs under our belt. Using the wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), we can remain balanced, calm and energetic as the mercury rises. Particular suggestions border on simple common sense, others may be more surprising. But one aspect is certain—when the body is comfortable, healthy and at ease, the delights of summer are far more enjoyable.

The fire element, summer and you

Traditional Chinese Medicine views summer as the season of the fire element and heart. States of joy (or lack of it) as well as over excitement are associated with this time of year. The element rules the small intestine while the heart is home to aspects of consciousness like intelligence, memory, creativity, thought and sleep. Excess heat during summertime can aggravate the fire element in the body - causing lethargy, anger and irritability. However, with a measure of care and attention, we need not become imbalanced and hot under the collar. Instead, equilibrium enhancing food and drink are the perfect antidote to rising tempers.

Israel soon to ban "the most damaging environmental pollutant of the cold war”—Will the U.S. follow suit?

Unlike the United States, which continues to poison its population with fluoridated water, the Supreme Court of Israel has ordered the country to stop adding the toxin to all water supplies by next year. Considering fluoride is linked with decreased thyroid and kidney function, infertility, lowered intelligence, impaired bone strength, heart disease and elevated cancer risk, the Israeli government has taken a major step toward protecting the health of its citizens. Yet, for those who live in one of the few developed nations that insist on fluoridating the water supply, effective measures can be taken to protect oneself.

Water fluoridation unusual around the world

While it might seem downright miraculous to Americans that a country would completely refuse water fluoridation, truth be told, widespread use of the toxin rarely happens internationally. The United States is one of only seven nations that fluoridates more than 50 percent of its total water supply (Ireland, Malaysia, Australia, Colombia, New Zealand and Singapore are the other six). Canada just slips under the radar at 40 percent. Asia and a majority of the European Union have rejected the practice, and for good reason. Christopher Bryson, author of "The Fluoride Deception," classifies fluoride as "the most damaging environmental pollutant of the cold war."