As the saying goes “you are what you eat.” Sure, we all know that if we eat too many fried, fattening foods we will gain weight and probably not feel too great. But did you know that by choosing certain foods, you can actually change your appearance from the inside out?  Foods high in phytochemicals, antioxidants and certain fats all contribute to glowing skin, shiny hair and strong teeth and nails. 

For Smooth Skin:
Vitamin C found in citrus fruits, broccoli, peppers and berries activate fibroblast cells, which makes collagen. The healthier your collagen, the firmer and smoother your skin looks. Keep in mind, studies have shown that women who are deficient in vitamin C tend to bruise much easier.  Eat dark orange, red or green fruit and veggies which are filled with beta-carotene, an antioxidant that converts to vitamin A, which is imperative for producing new and young-looking skin cells.

For Shiny Hair:
Fill your plates with lean proteins like turkey, chicken and egg whites. Hair is made up of protein called keratin, so it makes sense that getting enough of it is essential for healthy, beautiful locks.

In addition, the mineral biotin found in eggs, almonds, bananas and strawberries helps to produce keratin, which has also been shown to prevent graying and hair loss.

For Pearly Whites:
Not only does calcium create cavity-resistant tooth enamel, but it also helps maintains the enamel so teeth stay strong. Aim to consume three servings of low-fat dairy products daily, such as low-fat cheeses, yogurt and skim milk. For all you lactose intolerant people, don’t fret — broccoli and strawberries contain as much calcium as their dairy counterparts.

For Nice Nails:
Zinc, more commonly known as “the acne terminator” also helps keep nails strong and prevent white spots. Great sources of zinc are oysters, eggs and nuts. Load up on spinach, broccoli, lettuce and avocado — which are all filled with folic acid. Folic acid is necessary for nail growth and strength.

** Not only does water help to move toxins through and out of your body more quickly, it also keeps skin plump and dewy, and prevents hair and nails from becoming dry and brittle. For an additional bonus, drink Fiji Water which is the only water that contains natural minerals like silica. Silica improves the condition of hair and nails, the texture and resiliency of skin, and is needed to make strong healthy bones and to keep your blood vessels elastic.

Tanya Zuckerbrot, MS, RD is a nutritionist and founder of www.Skinnyandthecity.com.    She is also the creator of The F-Factor Diet™, an innovative nutritional program she has used for more than ten years to provide hundreds of her clients with all the tools they need to achieve easy weight loss and maintenance, improved health and well-being.  For more information log onto www.FFactorDiet.com.

In these uncertain economic times, it is not unusual for many patients to postpone their regular preventive care. Often viewed as unimportant if there are no obvious problems and “nothing hurts,” the routine dental checkup and cleaning are put on hold in the interest of saving some money.

Unfortunately, nothing can be further from the truth. To begin with, the checkup examination can often help you avoid or detect a dental problem early before it becomes painful both physically and financially. Regular dental care helps ensure healthy teeth and gums, which in turn strengthen a healthy oral immune system.

Good oral health is essential to maintaining total body health as research continues to emerge showing a strong correlation between dental disease and many systemic problems ranging from Alzheimer’s disease to pancreatic cancer. If you are a pregnant woman, you have a seven times higher chance of having a pre-term baby. You also have up to a ten times greater chance of heart attack or stroke, and a seven times higher chance of developing type 2 diabetes. Basically, gum disease is a major source of chronic low-grade inflammation which can have ravaging effects on many body organ systems.

Several recent studies, including one completed with 145,000 patients at Columbia University’s dental school, went even one step further. They found that maintaining or restoring good oral health actually reduced total health care costs up to 21 percent for the management of patients with various systemic diseases. A study performed in Japan concluded virtually the same. The actual potential health care cost savings could easily be in the trillions of dollars if this is considered on a large population scale.

So if you’ve considered putting off your last checkup, think again. There’s a lot to be said about being “penny wise and dollar foolish.”  Now is the time to be more preventive and proactive about your health as a healthy smile is also healthy for your wallet.

Dr. Gerald P. Curatola is a renowned aesthetic dentist and pioneer in the emerging field of rejuvenation dentistry, which improves patients’ overall health and appearance by integrating total wellness with cutting edge oral care and restorative procedures. In addition to his private practice, research, and work as a Clinical Associate Professor at NYU College of Dentistry, he is an internationally sought after speaker, author and expert who has been featured widely in print and broadcast media. For more information, go to DrGerry.net

Crooked teeth have been a problem since 50,000 BC according to archaeologists who have found ancient Greek orthodontic appliances—the precursor to today’s braces.

When it comes to modern braces, it’s not just kids anymore.  According to the American Association of Orthodontists, the number of adults opting for orthodontia is steadily increasing each year. Veneers too are on the rise with more than 1.6 million getting that procedure in 2006.  But braces and veneers are not just a cosmetic fix, they also can be key to maintaining a healthy mouth. 

Crooked teeth, in addition to being unattractive, also can increase the chances of cavities and gum disease by creating pockets in the mouth where food can get trapped.  Also, a misaligned bite can be responsible for everything from painful TMJ to eventual tooth and bone loss.

A question I sometimes get is why spend the time in braces when veneers can be done so much more quickly?  The answer once again has to do with the health of your teeth.   True veneers require some filing down of each individual tooth to allow room for the added porcelain layer. (We‘re not talking about the kind that are glued over your existing teeth as these can often cause a problem by over-contouring the natural teeth).  A custom veneer, made of a special porcelain ceramic, is then permanently bonded to the remaining tooth structure creating a perfectly aligned tooth.  This is a wonderful procedure for weak, thin, worn down or damaged teeth because, in effect, it makes them strong and new. But it’s not always the answer.  Because veneers require preparation (filing) of tooth structure and need special care, I don’t always recommend them purely for cosmetic reasons.  

If your teeth are healthy but just out of alignment, it makes better sense (and is often less costly) to opt for braces. Getting veneers for crooked, healthy teeth might be compared to shaving your head and wearing a wig just because it’s a style you like.  If you have one or two teeth that are damaged or discolored, veneers can be done later, after the straightening process is finished.  While braces including removable orthodontic appliances (Invisalign) generally require much more time than veneers, this approach is still the least invasive and most cost effective to insure a healthy mouth.

Regarding veneers, today, we have the technology to ones that look completely natural.  But it’s important to remember that creating veneers is an art as each must be individually sculpted.  If the teeth are too “perfect”, they can look fake (which is why some patients opt to have slight adjustments made to make their new teeth look more genuine.)  Be sure to consult a dentist who specializes in aesthetic dentistry.

Dr. Gerald P. Curatola is a renowned aesthetic dentist and pioneer in the emerging field of rejuvenation dentistry, which improves patients’ overall health and appearance by integrating total wellness with cutting edge oral care and restorative procedures. In addition to his private practice, research, and work as a Clinical Associate Professor at NYU College of Dentistry, he is an internationally sought after speaker, author and expert who has been featured widely in print and broadcast media. For more information, go to DrGerry.net

Last week, I hosted a charity art auction in the Hamptons to benefit United Cerebral Palsy.  In addition to raising funds, this event helped spread the word about what can be done to prevent birth defects.  As the father of three, I know there is nothing more wonderful than a healthy new baby, but unfortunately, not all babies are born that way.   

The good news is that today, there are things that pregnant moms can do to increase their chances for a normal, healthy little one and that means carrying their baby to term.  Pre-term, low-weight babies (PLWB) who are born before their time are at much higher risk for a wide variety of mild to severe health problems because they have not had time to fully mature.  These include everything from minor developmental and motor disorders to cerebral palsy and other problems, some of which can be fatal. 

Most pregnant women know that smoking, alcohol consumption and drug use are risk factors that science has shown contributes to PLWB.  Recently researchers have cited a new culprit –periodontal disease.   Studies show that pregnant women with this condition (which is the technical name for gum disease) are seven times more likely to have a baby that is born too early.   It is thought that periodontal disease

1) Stop using any oral care products that contain harmful chemicals or are alcohol and/or detergent based.

2) Eat healthy with an emphasis on natural foods that have alkalizing, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich properties like salmon, blueberries and other fruits and vegetables.

3) Reduce stress, which can negatively impact both the mouth and body.

4) Exercise regularly, which will help improve circulation, strengthen the