The Perricone Diet:
Dr. Nicholas Perricone has a
fabulous diet for age defying skin. It is said
that Jennifer Lopez uses it (she also loves salmon
for Omega-3), and she has very
beautiful skin!
Inflammation is a major reason for
age-related diseases such as heart disease,
diabetes, cancer, auto immune disease cancer and
wrinkled, sagging skin. The wrong foods, such as
sugar, processed foods, pasta, breads, pastry and
baked goods, can increase levels of the
pro-inflammatory peptides.
Sugar is the number one enemy. It causes inflammation that
destroys our bodies and attaches to collagen,
which results in stiff, inflexible, sagging skin.
Controlling our blood sugar level and insulin
levels will improve our health and give us
beautiful, youthful skin.
The anti-inflammatory diet
consists of high quality protein, like that found
in fish, colorful fresh fruits and vegetables, and
adequate amounts of good fat, like that found in
salmon, flax, nuts, seeds and olive oil.
Our skin is a perfect reflection
of our internal health and when our skin visibly
improves from this anti-inflammatory lifestyle, we
automatically reduce our risk of age-related
disease and body weight normalizes.
Hot
peppers can relieve various types of
headaches, such as cluster headaches, migraines
and sinus headaches.
Essential fatty acids are
necessary for elevated mood, beautiful skin,
healthy immune system, increased mental clarity
and normalizing weight (you need to eat fat to
burn fat).
Coffee (and it's not the
caffeine) can result in elevated levels of
cortisol and insulin, leading to weight gain.
Remember, elevated insulin puts a lock on body
fat. If you substitute green tea for coffee, and
do nothing else differently, you will lose 10
pounds in six weeks.
Water
- We must drink 8 to 10 glasses a day to maintain
health and beautiful skin, as all biochemical
reactions in the body take place in the presence
of water.
Ten Superfoods for Age-Defying
Beauty:
The benefits from eating
healthy are endless. And, according to Dr.
Nicholas Perricone, some foods can be eaten to
help you look and age better!
1 Acai
fruit
This little berry is one of
the most nutritious and powerful foods in the
world. It can often be found in juice form in
health food and gourmet stores.
2 Anything in the "Allium
Family"
Garlic, onions, leeks,
scallions, chives and shallots can all help the
liver eliminate toxins and carcinogens.
3 Barley
This can be used as a
breakfast cereal, in soups and stews, and as a
rice substitute. Barley's also high in fiber,
helping metabolize fats, cholesterol and
carbohydrates.
4 Green Foods
Green foods like wheat and
barley grasses can be bought in powder, tablet
or juice form, and offer greater levels of
nutrients than green leafy vegetables. They also
help cholesterol, blood pressure and immune
response.
5 Buckwheat: Seed & Grain
Buckwheat is loaded with
protein, high in amino acid, stabilizes blood
sugar and reduces hypertension.
6 Beans and Lentils
You can reduce cholesterol
while beefing up on antioxidants, folic acid and
potassium. Try kidney, black, navy, pinto,
chickpeas, soybeans, peas and lentils.
7 Hot Peppers
Both bell and chili peppers
contain antioxidants, have twice the Vitamin C as
citrus fruit and work as great fat burners.
8 Nuts and Seeds
You can't go wrong with a
handful of nuts a day: walnuts, hazelnuts,
almonds, macadamia and pistachio nuts contain
Omega 3 fats, which are great for your heart. Raw
and unsalted are best.
9 Sprouts
Numerous varieties of sprouts
are great with any meal. They're a great source of
protein and Vitamin C. Try adding them to any dish
and your immune system will get a boost.
10 Yogurt and Kefir
(personal favourite)
These cultured foods contain
healthful bacteria that aid immune function, and
the calcium helps burn belly fat. Try using them
as a base for a smoothie or as a breakfast
drink.
A Face-lift in Your Fridge:
Dr. Perricone says that
wrinkles and lines can be reduced by what you
decide to put in your grocery cart. Here are some
of his best bets for anti-aging and better
nutrition.
Best carbohydrate choices
Artichokes, avocados,
dark-green leafy vegetables, broccoli, cabbage,
Chinese cabbage, spinach, escarole, romaine
lettuce, cherries, berries (blueberries,
strawberries, blackberries, etc.), apples, pears,
barley, beans (dried and fresh), bean sprouts,
endive, eggplant, cabbage, kale, red and green
peppers, bok choy, celery, cucumbers, kidney
beans, pinto beans, chick peas, cauliflower,
Brussels sprouts, honeydew melons, lentils, bean
sprouts, mushrooms, tomatoes, turnips,
pomegranates, snow peas, slow cooking oatmeal.
Best Protein sources
Wild Alaskan salmon, halibut,
trout, anchovies, sardines, poultry, yogurt, high
EFA eggs, kefir, cottage cheese, tofu.
Best fats
Extra virgin olive oil, flax
oil, flax seed (sprinkle on yogurt), nuts (esp.
almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts and macadamia),
pumpkin, sesame and sunflower seeds.
Beverages
Spring water, green tea, white
tea, black tea.
Grains
Buckwheat, whole oats,
barley.
Spices
Turmeric, ginger, cinnamon,
oregano, basil, thyme, cayenne, (every spice and
herb you can think of are stellar anti-aging
foods).
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www.nvperriconemd.com/