Beauty: More Than Skin Deep

We’ve all heard the saying: You are what you eat — and I haven’t met anyone desiring to be a plump cheeseburger, greasy fries or gooey chocolate cake. For years our mothers told us to steer clear of greasy foods to avoid acne. But now nutritionists and researches have presented startling and contradictory data. Epithelial tissue (aka your skin) is the human body’s biggest organ. Size doesn’t necessarily reflect importance but in this case, this large organ is one that must be taken care of.

Beauty is much more than skin deep. Healthy radiant skin is an outward reflection of your inner health. Many things affect your skin but the food you consume plays the most important role. Recent research indicates that bad foods themselves don’t necessarily cause bad skin, but don’t race for the drive thru yet. It is actually the absence of healthy, nutritious food that creates skin havoc. Feed your face and skin with what it needs to be healthy and glowing. Below are the basic vitamins and nutrients needed, what they do and what foods you can find them in.

We’ve all experienced it: the combination of an upset stomach, body aches, runny nose, sore throat all culminating in the common flu. Influenza, or more commonly known as the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. Flu viruses spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing. People can become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their nose or mouth. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five days after becoming sick.

The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccination each year, with October or November being the best months. About two weeks after vaccination, antibodies develop that protect against influenza virus infection.

The “flu shot” is an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle. The flu shot is approved for use in people six months of age and older, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions. Since the viruses in the flu shot are inactivated, you can’t get the flu but some people do experience side effects such as soreness where the shot was administered, a low-grade fever and body aches. The vaccine contains three influenza viruses, representing one of the three groups of viruses circulating among people in a given year. The viruses in the vaccine change each year based on scientists’ estimations about which strains of viruses will circulate in a given year.

The ability of the flu vaccine to protect a person depends on the age and health status of the person getting the vaccine, and the similarity or “match” between the virus strains in the vaccine and those in circulation. However, certain people should get vaccinated each year either because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications (children, pregnant women, elderly and the chronically ill) or because they live with or care for high-risk people. Some people should not be vaccinated though and they include those who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs or an influenza vaccination in the past, children less than six months of age and people who have an illness with a fever.

Interested in reducing your chances of getting the flu? Contact Vacsera, a government company that distributes the vaccine to pharmacies, or stop in at a local pharmacy and request one of the two kinds of vaccines: Influeback (Dutch produced, LE 36) or Vacsgrip (French produced, 49 LE). et

Vacsera 51, We Zaret El Zeraa St., Dokki 76 11111 or 748-3192/4

According to University of Cincinnati researchers, MDMA, commonly known as “ecstasy,” enhances the survival of dopamine neurons in the brain during fetal development. Discoveries that increase levels of dopamine will be useful in treating problems such as Parkinson’s disease.

Early use of nicotine may affect the hard-wiring of the brain that occurs during adolescence. Nicotine induces molecular and metabolic changes in the brain, which breakdown the nerve cell membranes, causing young smokers to have a higher probability of being life-long smokers.

Popeye isn’t the only one benefitting from spinach. This vegetable may protect your eyes from the leading cause of blindness, age-related macular degeneration. Spinach as well as vegetables like sweet corn and broccoli are rich in lutein, which creates a yellow oil in the retina and protects the macula from loss of central vision.

Vitamin/Mineral	Description and Function	Best Sources
Vitamin A	This fat-soluble vitamin is essential for the maintenance and healing of epithelial tissue, new cell growth, healthy skin, hair and tissues, as well as vision in dim light.	Broccoli, spinach, turnip greens, carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, cantaloupe, apricots, liver, milk, butter, cheese, oysters and eggs
Beta carotene	This chemical substance converts into vitamin A. It accumulates in the skin to prevent and reduce the redness associated with sunburn.	Carrots, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, watermelon, papaya, broccoli and spinach
B Vitamins	B vitamins are a component of the enzymes that maintain normal skin function (including functioning of the oil-producing glands, which keep skin moist and smooth). They help to convert calories into energy for metabolism and are necessary to the nervous system, the building of tissue and proteins and maintaining good vision.	Poultry, lean red meats, liver, kidney, fish, clams, oysters, eggs, bananas, whole grains, Brewer’s yeast, peanut butter, soybeans, peas, legumes, seeds, nuts, broccoli, turnip greens, asparagus, spinach and dairy products
Vitamin C	When taken internally, this antioxidant vitamin helps maintain and build collagen – the underlying supporting structure of skin. It is also important for healthy teeth, gums and blood vessels, as well as iron absorption and resistance to infection.	Citrus fruits and juices, cantaloupe, strawberries, tomatoes, green peas, broccoli, green and red peppers, collard greens, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, lemon, cabbage and pineapples
Vitamin E	Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps slow the aging of skin cells by reducing the production of an enzyme called collagenase, which breaks down collagen, causing the skin to sag and wrinkle. It protects red blood cells and helps prevent destruction of vitamin A and C.	Margarine and vegetable oils (soybean, corn, safflower, sesame, olive and cottonseed), wheat germ, green leafy vegetables, salmon, legumes, extra-lean meat and almonds
Seleium	This antioxidant mineral minimizes the damaging effects of ultraviolet light and reduces the risk for sunburn. It helps other antioxidants such as vitamin E cancel free radicals in the body and has been shown to help with skin problems, including acne, when used in daily doses of around 400 micrograms.	Fish, shellfish, sesame seeds, whole grains, Brewer’s yeast, organ and muscle meats, cereals, Brazil nuts, broccoli, cabbage, cucumbers, radishes, garlic, onions, molasses, dairy products, kelp and wheat germ
Zinc	This mineral helps maintain collagen and elastin fibers that give skin its firmness, helping to prevent sagging and wrinkles. It is need for tissue growth and wound healing.	Seafood, turkey, pork, sobyeans, mushrooms, meat, liver, eggs, milk and whole grains

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