Wrinkle Free Skin Care

And studies have shown that Aloe vera reduces the scaliness, itchiness, and extent of seborrheic dermatitis; prompts the remission of psoriasis; relieves poison ivy; assists the healing of chronic leg ulcers; and speeds healing after dermabrasion, a technique used to remove acne scars and create wrinkle free skin.

#5 Recommendation for a Wrinkle Free Face: Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)

EFAs are an excellent way to create moister, softer, wrinkle free skin. The moisturizing effect of these oils has been particularly evident in my younger patients who already have a high moisture content in their skin, so if you are at midlife, it takes a little longer to replenish your moisture content--in some cases, three to six months.

To ensure that you are getting enough EFAs in your diet, eat foods rich in omega-3s, like ground flaxseed (up to 6 Tbsp per day), raw pumpkin seeds, and cold-water fish such as salmon, tuna, or mackerel (up to three times a week). You can also supplement with a high-quality fish oil.

Another form of omega-3s come from krill oil, an EFA complex derived from tiny shrimp called Antarctic krill. Krill oil’s fatty acid and phospholipid content makes it an ideal choice for delivering moisture and hydration to the skin. A clinical study showed that supplementation with krill oil had a positive effect on skin health and appearance, helping to produce wrinkle free skin by improving skin hydration.

I am a big fan of olive oil, not only for its health benefits, but for its beauty benefits as well. But did you know that olives only contain 15 to 20 percent oil? More than 50 percent of an olive is juice…and that juice is a very rich source of polyphenols--amazing antioxidant compounds.

Olive pulp extract is particularly rich in the polyphenol called hydroxytyrosol. Research on people given oral doses of olive pulp extract showed that the antioxidant capacity of their blood plasma increased as the dose increased. And, in animal studies,olive pulp extract has been shown to help prevent UV damage to the skin and help keep skin in its normal, healthy state. I recommend 100 mg of olive pulp extract daily.

One brand you can try is Olivenol from Life’s Vigor.

How did this happen? One day I woke worried about treating the occasional blemish and now I wake up worried about smile lines and forehead creases. When did I switch from needing anti-acne skin care to wrinkle free skin care? (Answer? About three years ago!)

Fortunately, the natural anti aging skin care market is exploding the pure, natural, and effective treatments for anti aging/anti wrinkles. And my two favorite are Organic Natralox and the Revenir system.

What I love about Organic Natralox is that it not only uses safe, naturally derived ingredients, but it is clinically proven to reduce wrinkles 30 to 50 percent in just one month! Plus, it helps minimize the appearance of age spots and other visible signs of aging, protects against free-radical damage, and reduces skin dryness and flaking.

As for Revenir, you can can’t get any more basic and yet high-tech that this. Revenir is a hand-held water device that deliver electrolyzed water solutions to help promote wrinkle free skin. In layman’s terms, you add a solution of pure ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and purified water to your Revenir device to create a powerful antioxidant solution that can penetrate your skin’s barrier all the way to the dermis. This is key, as the vast majority of “antioxidant” creams on the market do not get through even the top layer of your skin, let alone penetrating far enough to reach the dermis, where collagen is produced. Plus, the electrolyzation process used by Revenir increases the strength of the antioxidant solution—up to eight times the normal rate. In other words, Revenir fights free radical damage at the cellular level.

As a result, Revenir has been clinically proven to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, soften rough skin, increase collagen and elastin production, and improve the overall health and appearance of the skin.

Before telling you about the targeted supplements that you should be using, it's good to know what basic nutrients feed your skin from within and keep it looking healthy, younger, and wrinkle free. They include beta-carotene (5,000–25,000 IU daily), vitamin E (400–2,000 IU daily), vitamin C (1,000 mg daily), citrus bioflavonoids (100–300 mg daily), lutein (5–15 mg daily), lycopene (5–10 mg daily), grapeseed extract (25–50 mg daily), and ginkgo biloba (120 mg daily).

These nutrients work together to provide powerful antioxidant protection, collagen preservation and repair, and a protective internal sunscreen. In a study of 80 postmenopausal women, supplementation with these nutrients resulted in significant improvements in skin density; wrinkles around the eyes, the mouth, and on the forehead; blotchiness; and wrinkles, sagging, and dark circles under the eyes.

You can find many of these nutrients in a good, high-potency multinutrient product, and they are also sold separately at most health food stores and vitamin shops.

This past weekend, couples celebrated Valentine's Day. Unfortunately for many women, this day can also be a reminder of one of the most emotional menopause symptoms, a diminished libido.

One of the effects of menopause is that you ovulate less frequently. Without ovulation, you don't produce the androgens (mostly testosterone) that stimulate sex drive. At the same time, your estrogen levels decrease and your vaginal tissues begin to weaken.

The good news is, healthy, enjoyable sex is possible, at any age, you may just need a little help from time to time. Here are Dr. Lark's top recommendations for boosting libido and enjoying intimacy once again.

If you're experiencing...

• Low libido. Try Maca. The herb from South America has been traditionally used to support normal sexual functioning, enhance libido, and promote hormonal balance.
• Lack of arousal and satisfaction. A tasteful personal massager might help.
• Pain and discomfort. A few drops of a natural lubricant can help ease the pain.
• Loss of sensation. Look for a natural response cream made with l-arginine, l-phenylalanine, and l-tyrosine. These are the same ingredients you’ll find in many nutritional supplements that promote potency because they increase blood flow and stimulate the response you want.

• Sodium Lauryl (or Laureth) Sulfate, a foaming agent in many shampoos and skin cleansers. (Sodium laureth sulfate is the alcohol form of SLS.) Many sources claim that SLS contains large amounts of nitrates that, when used in conjunction with other chemicals, can form nitrosamines (a kind of carcinogen). But what we do know for certain is that SLS is associated with eye irritation, skin rashes, diarrhea, hair loss, scalp dryness (like dandruff), and allergic reactions. And, according to the Journal of the American College of Toxicology, SLS damages your hair follicles, actually causing your hair to fall out!

• Alcohols (Ethyl and Isopropyl) virtually destroy your skin’s pH balance by stripping the acid mantle. In doing so, they also strip away your skin’s defensive barrier, leaving your skin and body open to infection. Alcohols also absorb water, while at the same time dissolving your body’s own natural moisturizers. As a result, they can actually contribute to wrinkles and fine lines.

The bottom line is you shouldn’t have to put up with adult acne. These natural skin care solutions can help you enjoy clear, blemish-free skin every day.

#3 Coconut

The third decadently healthy food is coconut.

I can’t say enough about coconuts. You have three amazing options in one complete package — coconut meat (think coconut flakes and macaroons), coconut water (the clear liquid inside a real coconut, coconut milk (created when you puree the meat with the water), and coconut oil. This once-maligned seed (yes, seed not nut) was often passed over by fat- and calorie-counter due to concerns over saturated fat. Research has shown that the fat in coconut is actually a medium-chain triglyercide, which is a fancy way of saying that it doesn’t clog your arteries and, in fact, is quickly metabolized, giving you a great source of energy.

The reason is that half of the fatty acids in coconut is lauric acid, which is also found in breast milk. Lauric acid has been shown to promote normal brain and bone development. Plus, it contains anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-microbial, and anti-carcinogenic.

Plus, coconut water is the perfect sports drink. I used it instead of Gatorade when training for a triathlon and half marathon. Coconut water has the same balance of electrolyte as your blood. In fact, the balance is so perfect that, during World War II, both the Americans and Japanese used coconut water (pulled directly out of the coconut) to give emergency blood plasma transfusions to wounded soldiers. 

Quick note about coconut milk: The milk should be rich and creamy, with a mild coconut taste. When you open the can, you should see the thick cream the consistency of jellied cranberries, with the thinner water at the bottom. Also, don’t buy “light” coconut milk. Not only do you lose much of the flavor, so brands have added flour or other thickener to obtain the look and feel of regular coconut milk.

Crack open a coconut and drink the water with a straw, then indulge on the creamy meat inside. Add unsweetened coconut flakes to any cookies recipe. Use coconut oil instead of vegetable oils when sautéing.

With Thanksgiving just two days away, you’d think that most people have their meals planned out. However, if the phone calls I’ve received from family and friends are any indication, this is not the case.

One of the things I am most frequently asked for are delicious yet healthy desserts that will please even the most finicky of palates. So, to make good on these requests, here are two easy yet delicious treats that will not only help you balance your estrogen levels, but will have your guests begging for more.

Both of these recipes are adapted from Eat Papayas Naked, by Dr. Lark.

Baked Pears
Serves 2

This recipe is perfect for women with estrogen dominance or for those on a natural weight loss plan.

2 large pears, peeled and halved
¼ cup apple juice
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon chopped walnuts

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Core pears and place in a shallow baking dish.
3. Pour apple juice over the pears and sprinkle with nutmeg and cinnamon.
4. Cover dish with tin foil and bake for 30 minutes.
5. While pears are baking, toast walnuts in a skillet coated lightly coated with olive oil. Toast until walnuts are lightly browned (about 5 minutes).
6. Divide walnuts evenly among pears and serve warm.

Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies
Makes 4–5 dozen

Pumpkin contains beta-carotene, which is a terrific natural skin care ingredient. Plus, the fiber from the oatmeal and the sugar-free benefits of erythritol make these treats perfect for women trying to lose weight!

1 cup canned pumpkin
¾ cup erythritol
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups rolled oats
1 ½ cups Pamela’s gluten-free baking mix
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup currants
Cooking spray

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Cream pumpkin and erythritol together until fluffy and well-blended (about 3–4 minutes).
3. Add eggs and vanilla and mix until well blended.
4. In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients (Pamela’s baking mix through cloves).
5. Add dry ingredients to pumpkin mixture and blend well.
6. Add currants and mix well.
7. Spoon 1” balls onto cookie sheet coated with cooking spray, spacing about two inches apart.
8. Bake for 16–18 minutes, or until golden.
9. Cool on wire rack then enjoy!
 

Women with estrogen dominance as well as those who suffer from menopause problems whose diets are high in saturated fats, such as butter and dairy products (especially cheese and ice cream), often stimulate the growth of unhealthy, anaerobic bacteria in their intestinal tract. These bacteria chemically change the breakdown products of estrogen into forms that can be reabsorbed back into the body.

These bacteria split estrogen from the binding substances that inactivate it in your liver. This splitting process causes free estrogen to be reformed within your intestinal tract. As this free estrogen is reabsorbed into the circulation, it increases free estrogen levels within the blood.

To suppress the growth of these unhealthy bacteria, you should not only reduce your intake of saturated fat (which can lead to the problem in the first place), you need to increase your intake of probiotic-rich, fermented foods so you can recolonize your intestinal tract with healthy bacteria. These include yogurt (preferably goat- or coconut-based), kim chee, pickles, and sauerkraut.