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 today’s world, there are so many ways to fight the lines of time. But by far, one of the most popular is Botox.

Botox is basically a neurotoxic protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum.  It was originally used to treat muscle spasms — but in 1997 it earned FDA approval for cosmetic treatment.  The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) reported that there were more than 2.8 million procedures performed with Botox in 2008.  (Just more proof about how wildly popular this anti-wrinkle treatment is.)

A Botox Cosmetic injection can do a few things. It can help soften the overall look of your face and reduce the animation in some of the muscles in the upper part of the face. (This results in a younger, more youthful appearance.) It can also treat facial lines caused by repetitive muscle movement, which we frequently do in my practice. We also use Botox to help prevent new lines from forming. Common injection sites for erasing wrinkles and lines include:

• Glabella (region between eyebrows)
• Forehead
• Outer corners of eyes (crow’s feet)
• Either side of mid-chin, for down-turned mouth
• Neck, for neck bands or visible chords

We also use Botox to treat:

• Facial asymmetry or other facial conditions that result from muscle action; this is called “facial shaping”
• Hyperhidrosis (excessive perspiration); common injection sites are underarms, palms, scalp and soles of feet

Remember — An experienced injector makes all the difference

Today, people often take the wrong shortcuts when seeking facial rejuvenation with Botox and other injectables. If the injector administers too little Botox Cosmetic, the results will not be fully visible. However if the injector injects too much, the appearance can be a frozen or stunned look. On occasion there may be some unevenness, meaning that one brow is higher or lower than the other. This is easily corrected with a touch-up or the patient can wait for the toxin to lose its effect. Usually the patient will look better within a few weeks.

Keys to successful Botox Cosmetic treatment include going to a doctor that injects regularly.  Also, it is important to articulate to the physician your exact goals. For example, if you want your eyes to be more open, to look less tired or to raise your brows, be specific. It is always my advice to seek a more natural look and have some animation.

Alternatives?

In the battle against aging, there are several alternatives to Botox Cosmetic.  One such option is GFX, a radiofrequency procedure that lasts approximately 1 year or more. This is due to ablation of the nerves which cause muscular contraction of the glabella — more commonly known as the region between the eyebrows.  Other options include Reloxin and Puretox — neither of which is FDA approved.

http://www.fda.gov/WOMENS/getthefacts/botox.html

Dr. Neil Sadick is one of the most renowned dermatologists and researchers whose multiple discoveries have strongly influenced and transformed the future of dermatology. He is a Professor of Dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College and President of the Cosmetic Surgery Foundation. Dr. Sadick is author, or co-author, of more than 500 articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals and has contributed more than 75 chapters of medical books. Read more at www.sadickdermatology.com.