Environmental toxins in our food and everyday household and beauty products not only impact our health and hormones, but they can also impact our ability to lose weight.

We’ve already discussed how some toxins can mimic our hormones, which prevents our bodies from using our hormones as well as make hormones, but what you might not know is that all this exposure to toxins confuses our metabolisms.

Additives and processed foods with refined sugars and high fructose corn syrup strain our livers and interrupt our detoxifying systems. These additives as well as hydrogenated fats, preservatives and artificial sweeteners do not contain any nutrients; therefore they add empty calories and create a hormone imbalance.

Pesticides in our food are stored in our fat tissue, which poisons our metabolism and prevents weight loss. On top of it all, processed foods increase inflammation in our bodies, which increases demand for cortisol and creates a hormone imbalance (reduced hormone production) with progesterone, estrogen, testosterone, DHEA, insulin and thyroid.

Toxins found in products we use in everyday household products like Bisphenal A, parabens, phthalates are endocrine disruptors and can impact weight loss in a number of different ways. BPA acts like estrogen and contributes to weight loss. Phthalates work against testosterone and are connected to obesity and insulin resistance. If you’re insulin resistant your body stops using sugar as energy and stores it as fat.

By switching to a whole food diet, filtering water, avoiding processed foods and using products that are organic and/or fragrance free, you can reverse the effects these toxins cause.

Your liver and thyroid will function normally, which will restore hormone balance, increase your metabolism, burn more fat and your liver will be clear to release toxins from fat cells so further weight loss is possible.

What is the hormonal impact on our skin?

Did you know that our skin is an organ in our body that depends on hormones too?

The skin has three layers; the dermis, epidermis and subcutis. Cells within these layers actually have receptors for the hormones estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, human growth hormone (HGH), thyroid, melatonin and Vitamin E. This is why hormone imbalance in our bodies can show up in our skin.

Estrogen provides the skin with a number of benefits including improving inflammatory skin disorders and protecting against skin photo-aging from the sun. It has the ability to protect from free radical damage similar to antioxidants like vitamins C and E. Estrogens help to build up the dermis by increasing cell division and growth of the skin. They also hydrate the dermis and epidermis which makes the skin look fuller and reduces wrinkle depth.

There are variations in skin thickness consistent with the variation in our hormones during the menstrual cycle. During menopause, as estrogen levels drop, your skin becomes thinner, drier and less firm with an increase in number and depth of wrinkles.

Progesterone is considered the hormone of wisdom. It tightens connective tissue by remodeling collagen, the tissue that supports our skin structure. Progesterone also stabilizes and regenerates the epidermis which keeps skin looking younger.

On the other hand, testosterone is known as the hormone of power. It tightens skin structures, stimulates the breakdown of fat and strengthens the collagen strands that support the skin. This stabilizes the connective and fat tissues within the skin which creates a firmer looking skin.

So what can you do to protect and improve your skin?

  1. Start with a well-balanced diet supplemented with a quality multi-vitamin. The B vitamins are also good for healthy skin. as well as omega 3’s, Vitamin D, Curcumin, Resveratrol- basically the many cream, serums and products such as Red Light Therapy – all which are offered at the HollywoodBeautySecrets SHOP.
  2. DO not smoke!
  3. Use skin products that contain vitamins and peptides for their antioxidant and age-defying effects.
  4. Use a high quality daily sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.
  5. Stress can lower your body’s estrogen, progesterone and testosterone so try to unwind a little bit.
  6. Get some sleep!
  7. And of course, hydrate your skin by drinking lots of filtered water.

This preceding article was reprinted with permission from Alicia Stanton, MD.
Below are links to additional articles by Alicia Stanton and”All About Hormones”:

 

Lately a lot of events have taken place across the world that could leave anyone, even the most laid back person, a little on edge.

Earthquakes, tornadoes, the war on terrorism; and if that isn’t enough, hurricane season is right around the corner. Having anxiety in times of uncertainty is understandable, but worrying about things you have no control over isn’t doing any service to you either.

Below are some techniques that can help you deal with stress in times of uncertainty. These will keep you physically and mentally healthy.

Deep Breathing Technique – You can do this anywhere (traffic, a tense meeting) and you don’t need any equipment. Take a deep breath through your nose to the count of six. Make sure that your belly distends so the air goes all the way into the base of your lungs. Hold the air in for a count of six. This allows the oxygen to go through your body. Release the air through your nose for a count of six. Repeat 4 to 6 times, at least 3 times per day.

Pay close attention to what is bothering you, and then ask yourself – “Is this my business, someone else’s business or God’s business?” If it is something you truly have control over (taxes), decide what you can do to alleviate the stress and do it.

If it is someone else’s business (a relative’s drug problem), let them handle it. You might ask if there is anything you can do to help. However, if it’s not yours to handle, don’t try to.

Lastly, if it’s God’s business (hurricane, terrorism), realize that there is nothing you can do to control it and that worrying about it won’t improve the situation.

Preparation – You can’t control events like terrorism or natural disasters that are out of your hands, but you can prepare for them. Have a home kit of supplies in case of a disaster or emergency – water, batteries, radio, food, etc. Pick a place for your family to meet in case phones are out of service.

Know your sources of stress – One of the first things that you need to do when you begin thinking about stress management or stress reduction is to appreciate what creates stress in your life. One way to do this is to get out a piece of paper and write headings that correlate with various aspects of your life: your home life, your job, your family, your relationships, your hobbies, etc.

Under each heading, write down the things that create stress for you whether it’s your boss, your commute, not feeling satisfied at work, a family issue or any number of other things. In order to start creating solutions, you have to truly understand what the problems are. As your problems and stressors become clearer, it will be easier to set goals and establish boundaries that will reduce your level of stress.

Gratitude Journal – It is impossible to feel stress and gratitude at the same time. When you stop focusing on what you don’t have and start focusing on what you do have, you will immediately feel more peaceful. That is the beginning of your attitude of gratitude. As you continue to write in your gratitude journal, the attitude of gratitude will become natural to you and you will experience less stress in your life and more freedom.

There is no specific way that you have to write in your journal. You can write long descriptive paragraphs about your activities of the day and what you appreciated about them. You could make a journal that just lists the things your grateful for a year, choose a preset number or leave it open to write as much or as little as you want that day.

Your main goal is to be in a state of mind that reflects gratitude as you write in your journal. The best way to be successful in keeping a journal is to create a schedule and stick to it. The more often you write in your journal, the more likely you are to continue doing so.

 

Calm and Balance, it’s Summertime, and the living is easy, right?

Or so we’re told. But for many of us, this has been a more stressful time than usual.

Tornadoes and wicked storms have been devastating many parts of the country, and watching scenes from Joplin last weekend made us all heartsick. Tornadoes ripped through the town next to mine a few days ago, wreaking havoc on homes and businesses I visit all the time.

Adding fears about how to protect your home and family from situations over which you have little control to an already high stress load can take a toll on your health. And while stress reduction is a theme we address often here, I think it makes sense to offer a few more tips for restoring a sense of calm and balance:

Regain your sense of control. Some of the most common stressors are triggered by a sense that we’ve lost control of something. Beating yourself up over money worries, time management issues, Calm and Balancepoor eating habits, or work challenges can become habitual and contribute to poor self worth.

Empower yourself by working on one challenge at a time, and forgive yourself for letting the other things slide.

For example, if poor eating is an issue, write down what you plan to eat tomorrow (three healthy meals plus two snacks). Prep-make whatever you can the night before, and keep it simple. Tick off all the healthy things you’ve consumed as you move through your day, and praise yourself each time. Not having to think about food gives you a sense of freedom and the ability to focus on other tasks, and keeping your focus on one day at a time helps you avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Claim at least 15 minutes for yourself every day.

Schedule time on your calendar each day to do whatever you want – go for a walk, sit in a quiet spot to meditate, or grab a magazine and curl up in your favorite chair. Make sure everyone in the family knows you are “off the clock” for at least 15 minutes and expect no interruptions.

Enjoying some daily “me time” is one of the most important gifts you can give yourself, and helps you get into the habit of making sure you get to be your number one priority at least once every day.

Have sex!

Way too many Americans who are married or in relationships don’t make time every day to reconnect with the person they love. Complaints of being too tired or too stressed out are common excuses people make – and then suddenly months and even years roll by without their having been intimate with their partners. This, of course, is not healthy and can add tension to a relationship. But couples who make regular sex a priority enjoy a host of health benefits – with stress reduction topping the list. Check out WebMD’s rundown of the top 10 health benefits here.

Remember that stress is something all of us have to live with. Learning how to manage stress instead of letting it manage you is key. Got great tips for managing stress? Share them with us by posting a comment!

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Summer is a great time to put superfoods center stage in your diet.

Superfoods are designated as such because of their powerful antioxidant content and disease-fighting properties.They help boost immunity, reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer, and contribute a host of health benefits to protect and strengthen your system.

Here are a few superfoods that are in season now or make especially good additions to your diet during the warmer months:

Blueberries.

Blueberries are in season right now, and if you can find them, make a beeline for the tiny wild ones. These little blue powerhouses are packed with antioxidants and polyphenols, plus heaping doses of potassium and vitamin C. Wild blueberries are even more potent sources of antioxidants than their conventionally grown cousins, and are readily available in the freezer section of most health food stores and supermarkets. Toss some of these on your cereal or in your morning smoothie, Superfoodseat them out of hand, or combine them with other fresh berries for snacks and desserts. When possible, opt for organic to avoid pesticide residue or be sure to rinse very thoroughly before eating.

Beans.

Humble, inexpensive beans are versatile nutritional superstars. Red, kidney, pinto and black beans are tops in total antioxidant capacity, so be sure to include plenty of these beans in salads, spreads, and side dishes all summer long. Dried are best, so soak a few bags of beans in cold water overnight and then cook up a batch to use all week. Dress them up with herbs and vinaigrettes for a cold side dish, sprinkle them on tacos and salads, or whiz them in the food processor with your favorite seasonings for a tasty alternative to chick pea hummus. (Hummus, by the way, is fine, too!).

Wild Salmon.

Gorgeous, deep pink or coral colored wild salmon can be found fresh in most supermarkets from June – August. Wild Salmon is superior in every way to farm raised in terms of taste and nutritional benefits. It’s an excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acids, which help keep your heart healthy and your skin glowing. Wild salmon also delivers healthy amounts of vitamin D and selenium, a mineral that is increasingly linked to optimal brain function and also protects your skin from the negative effects of sun exposure.  Grill it, broil it, poach it – however you prefer to enjoy this delicious fish, be sure to consume lots of it!

Tea.

Green or black, be sure to drink lots of freshly brewed iced tea to keep you cool and hydrated and amply supplied with antioxidants all summer long. Green tea has a slight advantage in terms of antioxidant content over black, but both pack an admirable free-radical busting punch. Be careful not to go overboard since both green and black teas contain caffeine, and make sure you choose small amounts of healthy, natural sweeteners or fruit juices if you prefer your tea on the sweet side. Adding spices such as ginger and herbs like mint give a nutritional and flavor boost to plain tea. Go ahead and experiment with your own concoction!

Sunflower Seeds.

Heading to the ballpark or an air conditioned movie theater to escape the summer heat?  Bring along a big bag of sunflower seeds (in the shell) for everyone to enjoy.  Sunflower seeds are fun to eat and can keep your mouth occupied for a long time without delivering as many calories as the shelled variety. These little seeds are loaded with vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant, heart healthy Omega-3 fats, and bone building phosphorus and B vitamins.

Getting these foods into your diet each day isn’t hard and will help keep you in top form all summer. Happy Father’s Day to all the dads who make our lives that much more special.

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