What is vitiligo? Vitiligo is the most common de-pigmentation disorder of the skin, hair and mucosal surfaces, which manifests with white patches as a consequence of the destruction and selective function loss of melanocytes. Melanocytes are very specific cells located at the bottom layer of the skin that, through a process called melanogenesis, produce melanin, a dark pigment responsible for our skin colour. Its function is to protect against UV light; put simply, the darker your skin, the...
Alcohol and cancer - how big a problem is it? It is well known since 1988 that alcohol causes cancer when it was classified as a group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research into Cancer (1). This means there is convincing evidence that alcohol causes cancer in humans. Drinking alcohol can increase the risk of 7 different types of cancer including cancer of the mouth, upper throat (pharynx), voice box (larynx), food pipe (oesophagus), bowel, liver and breast. 4% of cancer cases...
Eczema, breakouts, premature ageing, psoriasis are just some of the signs that your skin is not happy. While the temptation may be to try and fix the problem externally with expensive skin treatments and miracle promising products, the answer, like most things in life, can be found deeper within. The relationship between skin health and the digestive system is not a new one. As far back as the 1930’s scientists suspected a link between gut and skin health, and research has now confirmed...
When we think about treating a skin problem, often our first thought is which products we can reach for. It’s easy to be taken in by adverts and reviews of beauty products that promise to fix all of our skin woes. But, sometimes, we overlook the simplest and easiest fix of all. Food.
What we eat is a huge contributor to the overall health of our skin. So, in this week’s blog, we’re exploring the best foods for maintaining skin health - and there are even a few recipe ideas you can try!...
What if I told you that a certain nutrient makes us live longer by inhibiting inflammation and improving the length of our telomeres - structures at the end of our DNA chromosomes, associated with shortening in ageing? (1) What if I also told you that this particular nutrient is cheap, highly available and we can even make it ourselves? What if it could also prevent acute and chronic conditions, improve vitality and and even prevent osteoporosis? (2) Of course, I am talking about...
Rosacea is a skin condition caused by dilation of the blood vessels in the face. Aside from using make up to cover the skin what else can you do to help your self? Look at your diet to provide clues! Certain foods and drinks will make the condition worse. Alcohol and caffeine can cause the skin to flare up so it's best to limit your intake of these. Spicy foods and citrus fruits release histamine and this causes inflammation so again limit these in your diet. You may wish to try an...
We see many food and fitness trends surface and dip, that we can often forget about our most important and vital lifeline - water. With so much information available, our understanding of our basic needs can become misunderstood. We need water to live, but how much do we need and what are the benefits?
We ask nutritional therapist, Amanda Morris, to shed some light on the importance of staying hydrated.
What do you advise in terms of how much water we should drink each day?
“In terms...
At this time of year, our skin is more exposed to cold and windy weather, central heating and hot showers. So you might find that your skin has become more dry and irritable and you are more likely to suffer from skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and acne. Here are some pointers on what you can do for good skin health:
Eat plenty of vegetables - aim for at least three portions a day and vary what you have. Vegetables that are in season include: beetroot, broccoli, squash,...
For half the year, it is said that a remarkable 90% of the UK is situated too far north of the equator to have enough sunshine for our skin to produce the necessary vitamins. The position of the UK from October to April is believed to have resulted in many of us lacking in vitamin D. Scientists are currently researching low vitamin D levels and the various problems that may be a result of a deficiency.
High blood pressure, diabetes, a weak immune system, depression, chronic muscle pain and...
We all know that consuming too much fat can contribute to weight gain, but what we often overlook is the importance of good, healthy fats in our diets.
While 'bad', saturated fats can increase cholesterol and the risk of certain diseases, Omega 3s, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats can protect the heart and boost overall well-being.
Healthy fats can also provide energy and enhance the feeling of fullness. Research suggests they may even stimulate fat burning in the body.
So to...
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