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In the northeastern woods of Japan and the United States grows a ruffly-looking, exotic fungus with exciting possibilities, both culinary and nutritional. Called maitake or hen of the woods mushrooms, their woodsy aroma, meaty texture, and rich flavor have long given them special status in Japanese cuisine. Now, research is showing that maitake have potential [...]

Last month, Madonna, the ageless iconic superstar, announced to the world that she was embarking on a ‘salmon retox’ program to “knock 12 years off of her appearance.”
While it might be ambitious to think we can knock more than a decade off of our looks, think again. If anything can do it, it is the anti-inflammatory diet, nutritional supplements and skin care topicals. This is because inflammation is responsible for many of the internal and external signs of aging.
Madonna’s truly inspiring history of determination and commitment will go a long way in helping her achieve her goals.

This week we’ll look at more about the benefits of the anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle.

Q: My daughter is experiencing severe acne on her chest and back, which is leading to scarring. What can be done to control this? We’ve tried all the body washes and benzoyl peroxide creams, but nothing seems to help. Please help us find a solution!

A: First and foremost your daughter needs to begin the anti-inflammatory diet and nutritional supplements, which I’ve outlined previously in my books. Pro-inflammatory foods are the reason our pores clog up – and a clogged pore is the first step toward a full-blown acne lesion. Make sure that all foods made with flour and sugar, are eliminated from your daughter’s diet; she must also avoid chips, fries and other greasy, starchy foods. There are plenty of tasty substitutes. For example, at snack time, she can try raw, unsalted almonds, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds. Also have her increase her intake of brightly-colored fruits and vegetables. This step alone will make a huge difference in the development of the acne. Also, start her on a supplement regimen rich in antioxidants, and try a topical glutathione treatment on the lesions.

As acne tends to be a greater issue during the stress of the Holidays, it’s a good time to address some of your frequently asked questions about acne. The questions I address in these Q&A posts should eventually cover your specific issue. If you have additional questions, please post them in the comments section.

Q:
I am a teenager with very oily skin and also suffer from acne. No matter how often I wash my face it still feels oily – and I still break out. What can I do?

A:
Excess oil can be caused by hereditary factors or from the production of the male hormone, testosterone. Wash your face gently yet thoroughly twice daily with a non-irritating cleanser. Harsh, drying treatments will actually cause the reverse effect; your skin will be provoked to produce even more oil to compensate for the drying cleansers. Alpha lipoic acid is an ingredient I recommend you look for in your skin cleansing products. It has a normalizing effect on the skin and can help regulate oil flow. The anti-inflammatory diet and nutritional supplements I recommend also normalize oil output, preventing excess oil as well as acne lesions.

Since the initial publication of my book, The Acne Prescription in Fall 2003, I have received a steady stream of letters and e-mails about this systemic, inflammatory disease. (And, make no mistake, acne is a disease that affects young and old, males and females.)

Clogged pores, whiteheads, and blackheads, along with full-blown acne lesions can be successfully treated. The best news is that they can even be prevented from forming in the first place. Most people believe that acne is a scourge of the young, yet in reality, a large number of adults battle acne, too. And, if you are an adult suffering from acne you are particularly vulnerable to scarring – all the more reason to prevent an acne lesion from forming to begin with.

It all begins with the very foods that you eat and nutritional supplements. It really is that simple.
If you are serious about eliminating acne once and for all, follow the anti-inflammatory diet; take nutritional supplements, particularly the antioxidants and Omegas 3 and 6 essential fatty acids; and start a healthful, stress-reducing exercise regimen.

If you faithfully follow the three-tiered program, you will get rid of your acne, and receive the added benefit of preventing many of the signs of aging. You will discover that not only is there a “facelift in your fridge,” but clear, beautiful, acne-free skin as well!

New research continues to unlock the secrets of how foods (and nutritional supplements) influence every aspect of our physical and mental well being or lack there of. A quick example is the following: we have all been told that broccoli and the cruciferous vegetables help prevent cancer. But until now, we didn’t know how or why.

In an outstanding example of cellular rejuvenation, a study at Georgetown University and published in the British Journal of Cancer found that Indole-3-carbinol, a chemical in vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage actually boost DNA repair in cells and may stop them from becoming cancerous.

This is a critical finding because DNA is the material inside the nucleus of cells that carries genetic information.

If we are genetically predisposed to cancer, could this mean that we can repair our cells and thus prevent cancer simply by eating broccoli? Tomorrow we will learn even more about this remarkable family of vegetables.