Beauty from Within

In Summary, the liver processes all food, nutrients, hormones, alcohol, drugs, and any other substance, including chemicals and pollutants, that enters the blood and either allows them to reenter the bloodstream, breaks them down, or stores them.

The Liver’s Role in Humanizing Nutrients
When we eat food the liver has to convert, or humanize, almost all of the nutrients, vitamins and minerals, to forms that the body can use. To accomplish this the liver manufactures around 13,000 chemicals and has 2,000 enzyme systems.

Congested Liver and Unhealthy Skin
When the liver becomes congested from a backed up colon, white flour and sugar, fried foods, bad fats and oils such as margarine and chemically produced polyunsaturated oils such safflower, sunflower, soy and canola, alcohol, recreational drugs, chemicals and pollutants from our water, food, and environment, it will not be able to convert the nutrients and keep the blood stream clean. Any reduction in nutrient conversion will affect the health of the body and the skin. Also, toxins and chemicals that buildup in the blood stream can be released through the skin resulting in boils, eczema, and other unsightly and irritating skin conditions.

Clean the Liver and Colon for Healthy Skin
Besides our health, if we want to have healthy skin we need to maintain proper liver function. Besides eating properly, drinking plenty of uncontaminated water, exercise, and a healthy lifestyle, this would include a program of bowel and liver cleansing at least once or twice a year. I will explain more about liver cleansing in a future newsletter on internal cleansing.

Parasites
A parasite is an organism that obtains its food, nutrition, and shelter by living in or on another organism. People can be a host to over one hundred different types of parasites. In a person with a healthy immune and digestive system most are destroyed and eliminated. But once the integrity of the bowel and immune system is impaired by an unhealthy diet, drugs, lifestyle, sodium fluoride, and chlorine exposure this all changes and parasites can now make their home inside of the body robbing it of nutrients. After the removal of these parasites people are amazed at their improved energy, health, and skin. I will explain more about parasite cleansing in the next newsletter on internal cleansing.

Dysbiosis
We have about four pounds of bacteria living in our digestive tract. In fact, it is considered an organ. In a healthy bowel about 85% of it should be good and 15% bad. This is referred to as symbiosis because of the healthy beneficial relationship between the bacteria and our body. The two primary strains of bacteria are bifidus and acidophilus. From these two the body develops other friendly strains with their particular benefits.

There are many things that disrupt and destroy the friendly bacteria such as processed foods, sugars, sodas, various drugs and medications such as birth control pills, Tylenol, and Aspirin, low fiber diet, antibiotics from your physician and food, alcohol, smoking, stress, chlorine, and backed up rotting food in the intestines. The friendly bacteria are destroyed and reduced down to 15% or lower and the majority now become 85% or more bad. This is referred to as dysbiosis because of the unhealthy relationship between the bacteria and the body.

With the majority of the bacteria being in a dysbiotic, or bad state, there will be reduced digestion and absorption of nutrients from our food and the unhealthy growth of bad bacteria, germs, microbes and other harmful pathogens that will contribute to poor skin health.

Essential Fatty Acids
To have healthy skin, hair, and nails the body requires essential fatty acids. They are called essential because our body cannot produce them. They are omega-6 and omega-3. Other beneficial fatty acids are gamma-linoleic acid (GLA) and EPA and DHA. When there is a deficiency a person can develop weak and brittle nails, dandruff, brittle falling hair, dry skin, lost elasticity, wrinkles, acne, eczema and other skin conditions, and unsightly varicose veins.

Prostaglandins
Essential fatty acids are also required to produce prostaglandins 1 (PGE₁) and 3 (PGE₃), hormone-like substances, that help to control inflammation that can affect the eyes and skin and prevent gall and liver stones permitting the liver to effectively assist in the absorption and digestion of food to feed the skin, hair, and nails.

Cell Membrane Integrity
The wall, or membrane that surrounds the cell, are like gatekeepers that allow nutrients, water, enzymes, essential fats, and oxygen into the cell to nourish it and allows waste material, such as carbon dioxide, to exit. The membrane also keeps out unwanted material that could be harmful. This is called the permeability factor. When essential fatty acids are deficient the cell wall becomes rigid and inflexible as well. Nutrition and other vital elements have a difficult time entering the cell and waste material is more difficult to remove. As a result the cells become malnourished and weak which affects the health of the skin, hair, and nails.

Sources of Essential and Other Beneficial Fatty Acids
Rich sources of plant based omega-3 are flax, pumpkin and chia seeds, walnuts, and dark greens such as kale, chard, and parsley. Since the body converts very little of the plant-source omega-3 into EPA and DHA we can eat fish such as tuna, lake trout, salmon, sardine, anchovy, and pilchard two or three times a week. If you do not eat fish very often, or not at all, you can supplement with fish oil in capsules or liquid such as OmegaLogic™ Ultra Pure Fish Oil. A minimum of 650 to 1,000 mg each of EPA and DHA should be taken daily.

Omega-6, is abundant in whole grains, raw nuts and seeds and other plants, especially dark green ones. There is also some found in fresh vegetables and fruits.

Avoid Processed Oils and Fats
Processed oils and fats consist of the following:
• Margarine (It is far healthier to use real butter, raw if available.)
• Hydrogenated fats which contain trans-fatty acids.
• Fats that have been subject to high heat such as fried food like french fries and chicken.
• Polyunsaturated oils, such as corn, soy, sunflower, safflower
• Canola Oil

Canola oil
Canola oil is actually a variety of the rapeseed plant called LEAR meaning Low-Erucic-Acid Rapeseed. Regular rapeseed is high in eurcic acid which has demonstrated to cause undesirable changes in the organs of test animals, especially the heart, and retard cell growth. In humans it is associated with fibrotic lesions of the heart.

In an effort to reduce the euricic acid Canadian plant breeders in the late 1970s manipulated the genes of the rapeseed plant to produce the LEAR variety. Because rapeseed is a mono-unsaturated fat they wanted to take advantage of the much publized health promoting benefits of olive oil, another mon-unsaturated that has been used in the Mediterranean diet for centuries.

What’s in a Name?
After creating this low-eurici acid oil they named it Canola, The “Can” comes from Canada where the rapeseed is grown, and “ola” for positive promotional phrasing like “can do” or “payola”.

Canola Studies
Piglets given this new oil showed signs of vitamin E deficiency even though they were given E, low platelet count and size, and increased bleeding times. Rats purposely bred to have high blood pressure and stroke had reduced life-spans when include in their diet.

Canola Oil Not Suitable for Health
These studies, and others, demonstrate that canola oil is not suitable for cardiovascular health and is associated with fibrotic lesions of the heart. Also, due to its influence on slowing cell growth, the FDA will not permit its use in infant formulas.

An Unnatural and Unbalanced Fat
Because canola oil is high omega-3 it can easily become rancid and smell when exposed to oxygen and heat. To prevent this it is chemically deodorized which converts most of the omega-3 to trans fatty acids which are harmful to the cells of the body. When testing for trans fats in commercial liquid oil the University of Florida found levels as high as 4.6 percent even though the Canadian government reported 0.2 percent.

Trans Fats Are Harmful
Researchers in a review article published in the New England Journal of Medicine on April 13, 2006 reveal that trans fats are linked with increased risk of coronary heart disease, sudden cardiac death, and diabetes. They create deadly free radicals, promote inflammation, and interfere with normal fatty acid metabolism.

The researchers go on to say, "The effect and magnitude of adverse health effects of trans fatty acids are in fact far stronger on average than those of food contaminants or pesticide residues, which have in some cases received considerable attention.” "Complete or near-complete avoidance of industrially produced trans fats…may be necessary to avoid adverse health effects and would be prudent to minimize risks."

Why Polyunsaturated Oils Are Bad
Polyunsaturated oils are a product of modern technology where chemicals and heat are used to extract the oils from the plants and then chemically deodorized to prevent the smell of rancidity. As a result these oils create free radicals that damage cells of the body, such as skin cells.

Too Much Omega-6
Most people take in too much omega-6 because of eating oils and fats that are processed and animal protein and not enough omega-3. Hydrogenated fats containing trans fatty acids are purposely processed to reduce their omega-3 content while leaving the omega-6. This is done to produce a fat that smokes less at high heat and is less susceptible to rancidity. The trans fats prevent the body from using omega-3 and are harmful to the biochemistry of the body. Also, too much prostaglandin 2 (PGE₂) will be produced increasing inflammation throughout the body including the skin.

Healthy and Safe Sources of Oils
The two oils that are recommended are olive and sesame seed because they have been used for centuries with proven benefits.

Olive Oil
Since olive oil is high in monounsaturated oil, 82%, and low in polyunsaturated oil, 8%, it is more stable against oxygen and heat which causes rancidity. It should be of high quality such as Extra Virgin with an acidity level of 1% or less. Make sure it is 100% pure olive oil as some manufacturers have been mixing soy bean oil in with the olive oil.

Sesame Oil
While sesame seed oil is lower in monounsaturated oil, 46%, and higher in polyunsaturated oil, 41%, an antioxidant naturally found in sesame oil called sesamol protects it against rancidity due to oxygen in the environment. Sesame seed oil should be unrefined and cold pressed and stored in a dark amber bottle to protect it from light. The oil should look dark and cloudy with sediment in the bottom of the bottle that blends with the rest of the oil when the bottle is shaken. It should also have a slightly nutty flavor. Avoid sesame oil that is clear and packed in a clear bottle because this means the oil has been refined.

Both olive and sesame oil can be used directly on your food such as in a salad and for cooking because they are more stable when exposed to heat. However, avoid frying and extreme temperatures, especially above 320oF.

Healthy and Safe Sources of Omega-3 and Omega-6
While too much omega-6 over omega-3 is bad the body still requires it for good health inside and out.
A healthy ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 is 4 -1 or 1-1. Most people are getting 1-20 which is 1 of omega-3 and 20 of omega-6. Good sources of omega-3 with EPA and DHA are seafood. Plant sources of omega-3 are raw walnuts and flax seed.

Flax Seed Oil
I realize a lot of people use flax seed oil but I do not recommend it as it is very sensitive to oxygen and begins to go rancid soon after extraction. It is far better to use the whole flax seed. To derive the most nutritional benefits purchase organic ground up seed or meal. You can also buy the seed in bulk and grind it yourself. You should then store it in the freezer.

By using the whole flax seed you get the benefits of the omega-3 oil balanced with the omega-6, natural occurring vitamins and minerals, fiber, and the lignans. You want use to use between 1 to 2 tablespoons daily.

Lignans
Lignans are phytochemicals found in plant foods like most unrefined grains, legumes, vegetables and fruits. Flax seed is considered the richest source of dietary plant lignans containing 75 to 800 times more than any other plant. People who consume the most lignans have lower risks of heart disease and certain cancers such as breast and prostate. Studies also demonstrate benefits for bone health and assists women with menopause. The major lignan in flaxseed, secoisolariciresinol-diglucoside (SDG), is converted into two other types of lignans in your intestines, enterodiol and enterolactone, which promote the beneficial health effects.

Eating Natural Foods to Obtain Our Essential Fats
By avoiding the man-made genetically altered processed oils and fats and obtaining them from whole natural foods we can promote the health of our body inside and out.

DNA Repair
The human body is composed of 60 to 100 trillion cells with each one containing DNA, which is the blueprint of a particular cell. DNA are continously being damaged but are repaired by the body. This process depends upon certain elements such as B12 and folates, magnesium, zinc, manganese, and specific enzymes. If the DNA of the skin cell cannot be repaired properly it will breakdown aging faster exhibiting signs such as excessive wrinkling. The skin will also be more susceptible to cancer.

Synthetic Folic Acid
The popular synthetic folic acid is used in almost all supplements and added to foods such as box cereals, breads, and other foods produced by food manufacturers. Before the body can use this form it must be converted into the folate tetrahydrofolate, a form that is naturally found in foods such as beans, brewers yeast, rice germ, kale, asparagus, broccoli, brussels sprouts, peas, cabbage, green beans, beet and mustard greens, avocado, fresh spinach, almonds, filberts, pecans, walnuts, oatmeal, corn, mushrooms, dates, and figs. While this form seems abundant many people are still deficient as it easily destroyed by light and heat.

The Problem with Synthetic Folic Acid
Before the body can use folic acid it must be converted to tetrathydrofolate. From here the body converts it to folinic acid and 5-MTHF, required for metabolic functions such as DNA repair, heart and bone health. However, researchers have discovered that about 25% of the population has a genetic defect that prevents them from producing the enzyme required for the conversion process. They have also found that people are not fully converting the synthetic folic acid into tetrahydrofolate. Unconverted folic acid enters the cells preventing the biologically active forms from entering interfering with the repair of the DNA contributing to the breakdown of the skin cells.
Note: Check your multiple and other supplements to see if they contain synthetic folic acid.

The Problem with B12
Most supplements contain the inactive cyanocobalamin. In order to use this form the body has to absorb and then convert it to the bioactive methylcobalamin through the liver. However, many people have a difficult time absorbing and converting it due to mineral and enzyme deficiencies, poor bowel health, and liver problems or weakness. To insure proper support for DNA repair and skin health it is best to use the bioactive form of B12, methylcobalamin.
Note: Check your multiple and other supplements to see if they contain B12 as the inactive form cyanacobalamin.

Mineral Deficiencies
As far back as 1936 a research report revealed to a senate subcommittee that one of the main reasons why so many American’s were suffering from poor health is that they are mineral deficient due to commercial farming depleting the soil of minerals that used to be in the crops they grew. Seventy-one years later mineral deficiencies have only worsened. It doesn’t help when you include America’s consumption of chlorinated and fluoridated water, sodas, coffee, fats, alcohol, sugar, and processed foods.

Food Sources of Minerals
Minerals, especially magnesium, manganese and zinc are required to produce the enzymes to repair the DNA in the skin cell. One way to get these minerals is to eat a diet of fresh, preferably organic, vegetables and fruits, nuts and seeds like almonds, walnuts, sunflower and pumpkin, and whole grains such as brown rice, millet, quinoa, seaweed and sea salt.

Mineral Supplements
Many people take mineral supplements to augment their diet. These minerals should be in forms the body can absorb efficiently and utilize. Minerals such as carbonate, oxide, gluconate, sulphate, chloride and fumerate should be avoided as they are difficult to absorb and contribute to poor absorption of other nutrients because they can block the villi in the small intestine and cause gastrointestinal distress such as gas, bloating and constipation. Minerals should be in a true chelate as produced by Albion Labs, or citrate-malate, citrate, and aspartate.
Note: Check your multiple and other supplements to see if they contain the more unstable minerals in the forms of carbonate, oxide, gluconate, sulphate, chloride and fumerate.

MultiFuel Multiple
If after you have examined your multiple and other supplements and found that they contain the synthetic folic acid, the inactive form of cyanocobalamin, and the unstable forms of minerals and you wish to use a multiple that contains the biologically active forms of folates, folinic acid and L-5-MTHF, B12 as methylcobalamin, and superior forms of minerals, I recommend MultiFuel Multiple.

Chlorella - A Super food for RNA/DNA Renewal
The nucleic acid, RNA/DNA, directs cellular renewal, growth, and repair. This includes the hair, skin, and nails. As people age nucleic acid decreases causing premature aging and reduced immunity. Chlorella is a natural rich source of nucleic acid that can help restore the repair process of the cells and strengthen the immune system. A good source of chlorella is Source Natural’s Yaeyama Chlorella.

Silicon
Silicon is the most abundant mineral on Earth and is found throughout the human body especially the collagen, the glue that holds us together, including the skin. Most people in are deficient in silicon resulting in poor collagen structure and function causing the skin to lose elasticity and firmness, sag, wrinkle excessively, and age more quickly. The hair would also become dull, thin and fall out, and the finger nails would be soft and brittle.

Sources of natural Silicon
whole grains brown and wild rice rice hulls rice bran and syrup buckwheat whole wheat rye corn millet barley oats beans peas celery green cabbage beets and beet greens artichoke tomatoes onions leeks green lettuce asparagus	cucumbers spinach cauliflower turnips watermelon potatoes sweet potatoes kelp horseradish marjoram apples bananas apricots cherries dates black mission figs nectarine plums raisins strawberries sunflower seeds black walnuts pumpkin seeds
For these foods to be effective they must have been raised in nutrient rich soil containing natural occurring silicon.

Organic Alfalfa
One food that is rich in silicon is alfalfa and cultivated by man for thousands of years. The origin of the word alfalfa is traced to a Persian word “asparti” which means horse fodder. In the middle east the Arabs called alfalfa the “father of all herbs”. Man discovered thousands of years ago that this plant was good for their horses making them healthy, resistant to disease and illness, helped them to repair any injuries they might have sustained, and improved their digestion. Overtime man found that alfalfa would benefit their health a well.

My Personal Experience with Alfalfa
I have personally been using alfalfa for years taking it in the form of tablets three times a day after I eat. I take anywhere between 12 to 20 tablets daily. Sometimes more if I travel. Even though I am 55 years old I feel that alfalfa with its high nutritional value and silicon content has helped me to keep a full head of shining hair with my natural color. I also feel that is has contributed to keeping my skin and joints healthy and flexible.

A Word of Caution About Alfalfa
If you are going to use alfalfa as a supplement or food avoid alfalfa sprouts and seeds. Also, avoid any supplement that contains the alfalfa root and stem as they contain an amino acid called canavanine which can contribute to inflammations of immune system diseases such as rheumatoid and systemic lupus erythematosus. Use only supplements of alfalfa made with the leaf as this amino acid is not found in it. A good source is organic alfalfa leaf tablets by Source Naturals. Begin with 2 to 3 tablets or more with meals 3 times daily.

Hyaluronic Acid (HA)
HA is a vital part of the skin. As we age and produce less it will affect the integrity of the skin tissue resulting in excessive wrinkling, reduced elasticity, and premature aging. In an effort to prevent or reverse wrinkles and skin damage people are using some form of a cosmetic or creme with HA in it. While there may be some benefit to this it is far better to make sure your body produces its own HA while preventing its destruction.

Elements required to manufacture your own HA include minerals, especially magnesium, manganese, silica and cobalt (from B12), B-Complex with the bioactive folates, and vitamin E.

Note: The minerals need to be in amounts and forms the body can absorb and use. B12 needs to be the bioactive methylcobalamin, folate needs to be the bioactive forms folinic acid and L-5-MTHF, and the E needs to be in an all-natural form with the proper amount of gamma tocopherol with no added oils or fats to cause rancidity such as E-Logic™. To assist your body in producing its own hyaluronic acid I recommend Flex Naturally™ and MultiFuel™ Multiple Iron Free.

Vitamin C
To produce and maintain healthy collagen levels the body requires sufficient amounts of vitamin C to convert
L-lysine and L-proline into the hydroxy forms. A minimum of 3,000 mg a day should be taken along with at least 1,000 mg or more of bioflavonoids as they assist C with absorption and utilization. High amounts are required as vitamin C gets used up very quickly due to its use as an antioxidant and in combating stress. The adrenal gland in particular uses enormous amounts under stressful conditions. The form of the vitamin C supplement should be non-acidic such as an ascorbate buffered with calcium or magnesiu such as Systemic-C. Another excellent source is Emergen-C. Vitamin C as ascorbic acid is very acidic, especially in high amounts which can contribute to an over-acid pH and diarrhea.

R-Lipoic Acid
While many people have heard of alpha-lipoic (ALA) acid few have heard of r-lipoic acid. ALA is a 50/50 combination natural form r-lipoic and synthetic s-lipoic acid—and the synthetic form may actually block the activity of r-lipoic acid, resulting in a weaker product.

Being all natural r-lipoic acid is better absorbed and safely utilized by the body. It is up to 10 times more effective at producing cellular energy, according to in vitro research, and may be a more potent antioxidant increasing or maintaining levels of other antioxidants that may decline with age, including CoQ10, vitamins C and E, and glutathione.

Lipoic acid decreases with age contributing to less energy production and antioxidant recycling contributing to increased damage to the skin and body resulting in premature aging.

A source for R-Lipoic Acid is Source Naturals R-lipoic Acid .

Water
Without sufficient water in the body the skin will wrinkle, sag, and age quickly. The body is mostly water, around 90%, and any deficit would not only contribute to poor skin health but your whole body would suffer with poor lubrication of the joints, spinal discs would shrink causing back pain, cartilage would dry out and become brittle, and digestion and elimination would become impaired.

How to Calculate Your Daily Requirement for Water
To calculate your water requirements divide your body weight by 2. Example: A 180 pound man divided by 2 equals 90 ounces, or 11 to12 glasses of water.

Even more water is required for smokers, dieters, active people, people living in high altitudes, hot/cold weather, seniors, pregnant women, nursing mothers, babies and school age children, prescription drug users, and drinkers of dehydrating beverages such as coffee, juice, alcohol, sodas, and milk.

Chlorine and Sodium Fluoride
Chlorine and sodium fluoride are extremely destructive and harmful chemicals to the body. They destroy nutrients such as the B vitamins, vitamin C, and enzymes required to manufacture collagen and elastin for healthy skin tissue. Zinc has been shown to become deactivated and many enzymes needed by the body, such as to repair the DNA and maintain the health of the skin, hair, and nails are destroyed. Read Chlorine - “A Crippler and Killer” for in-depth information on the hazards of chlorine. Further information on sodium fluoride a Contributory Factors for Osteo and Rheumatoid Arthritis, Spinal Disc Disease, and Osteoporosis.

Either purchase water to drink that has been properly purified, or buy a water purifier and shower filter for your home that removes these deadly chemicals. The shower filter that I have used for years and many people are happy with is Enviro Products Premium Shower Filter. If you are going to buy distilled water or distill it yourself at home make sure you add the minerals back to the water. Distilled water is devoid of minerals and is basically dead and acidic. I have been adding minerals to my water for years. A good source of supplemental trace minerals is from Source Naturals called Ion Charge™ Ionic Minerals from The Great Salt Lake. These minerals are perfectly balanced and will add life and energy to your water turning it back to an alkaline state.

Face Washing Tip
When washing your face in a sink with water that contains chlorine and fluoride dry it off with a towel. Then take a cotton ball and soak it in distilled water before wiping your face. This will remove any of these chemicals and leave the skin feeling very soft and clean and help to prevent the skin from becoming damaged.

Smoking
Smoking not only destroys many nutrients such as the B vitamins and C, and increases the risk of cancers and other diseases, but it damages the skin causing it to age and have excessive wrinkles.

Alcohol
Alcohol, especially excessive use, also destroys many nutrients and will accelerate the aging process. An occasional drink of a good wine here and there is fine.

Sugar
Sugar is very destructive to the entire body. A good book that everyone should read on the subject is called Lick The Sugar Habit, by Dr. Nancy Appleton PhD. Below are some excerpts from her book.

"Sugar is implicated in a long chain of events in the body that leads to weight gain. The minerals in the body become unbalanced, enzymes don't function correctly, food does not digest properly, and allergies occur. Allergies cause addiction, addiction causes cravings, and overeating is the result."

"Your sugar cravings are a direct indication that sugar is at work destroying your body."

"When you eat ice-cream, for example, you are certainly getting a healthy dose of calcium. However, the sugar in the ice cream alters the phosphorus in the blood, and much of the calcium can become toxic rather than useful. Even if the ice cream contained 400 milligrams of calcium, that calcium would metabolize incorrectly and either become toxic or be secreted in the urine."

"You may never have heard of anyone dying of a milk allergy, but in some cases, the allergy has so worn down the immune system that the body becomes susceptible to other diseases."

"Through the combined effects of mineral imbalance, allergic reaction, and phagocytic suppression, sugar can destroy the immune system and slowly but surely lead to degenerative disease."

"refined sugar, as tempting as it may be in all those cakes, candies, and cups of coffee, is, in fact, more of a pharmaceutical drug than it is a nurturing food. The minerals needed to digest sugar - chromium, manganese, cobalt, copper, zinc, and magnesium-have been stripped from the sugar during the refined process. This, in turn, forces the body to deplete its own mineral reserves to process the sugar."

"Homeostasis is the wonderful balance in the body. When the body is in homeostatsis it is healing. When it is out of homeostasis, through life's indiscretions, it is on the degenerative disease path. Disease is that simple."

"We are responsible for what we eat, think, do and say."

"Foods can definitely change how you function, how you think, and how you feel."

"Sugar is as addictive as any drug."

Sugar Consumption in the United States
In 1900 the average yearly consumption of sugar was about 88 pounds per person per year. By 1970 that grew to 125 pounds. Then by 1996 it climbed to 152 pounds per person per year. Carbonated drinks account for a large part of this sugar. In 1975 the American public drank an average of 292 cans of soda per person a year. But by 1998 it increased to 585 cans. Sugar is also added to such foods as salad dressings, fruit drinks, baby food, canned foods, and hot dogs.

Sugar Breaks Down Collagen, Speeds the Aging Process, and Damages the Skin
One of the many ways that sugar is damaging is its ability to adhere to proteins in the body, a process called glycation, causing the breakdown of collagen. This important to understand because long-term interference with the health of the collagen will reveal itself in the health and appearance of the skin.

If a person wants to slow down the aging process and look youthful and improve their over-all health, all forms of processed sugar needs to be greatly reduced or eliminated. This includes corn syrup, sucrose, and fructose which are hidden in many foods and drinks. Eating as many natural foods as possible will help you to avoid all of this processed sugar and eliminate any abnormal cravings or addictions to it.

Exercise
While exercise is good for use it too can accelerate the aging process if not done properly. When we exercise, especially vigorously and too often without allowing the body to recuperate, the body creates a lot of free radicals from the extra oxygen intake and the break down, or damage, to muscles and any part of our body that is stressed. To reduce this extreme stress we need to exercise within our limits while gradually allowing our body to adapt to the stress over a period of time.

Other Sources of Free Radicals
Besides exercise, our bodies are exposed internally to free radicals, or oxidants, generated by digestion and cellular metabolism, and externally by pollution from car exhaust fumes, other chemicals, and UV radiation. Excessive exposure to these oxidants will damage the DNA resulting in the breakdown of cells including the skin.

Antioxidants
For protection against these free radicals the body can produce antioxidants such as glutathione peroxidase and the two forms of superoxide dismutase (SOD). However, it requires that minerals such as manganese, copper, selenium, zinc, and sulfur be available in sufficient levels.

Further protection from free radical damage we need to make sure that we are taking sufficient amounts of antioxidants such as C, E, A, beta carotene, and CoQ10. We can further protect ourselves by eating a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables that contain phytonutrients. The more colorful and darker the colors the greater the content and activity of the protective phytonutrients. To see how well you are doing in getting your antioxidants Take the Personal Antioxidant Profile Questionnaire.

The End Results
By applying these suggestions you will certainly not only notice a tremendous improvement in your overall health and energy, but you will be quite pleased with how you look on the outside.

References:
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3. Lipski, E., M.S., C.C.N. (2000). Digestive Wellness (2nd ed.). Lincolnwood, IL: Keats Publishing.

4. Totora, G. J., Ph.D. & Grabowski S. R., Ph.D., (1996). Principles of Anatomy and Physiology (8th ed.). New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers Inc.

5. Pitchford, P. (1993). Healing with Whole Foods Berkely, CA: North Atlantic Books.

6. Jensen, B., Ph.D. (1983). The Chemistry of Man. Escondido, CA: Bernard Jensen Enterprises.
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