A good diet and exercise can help you look years younger
BY SUZY COHEN Dear Pharmacist
Saturday, October 27, 2012
10/27/12 at 4:27 AM
Dear Pharmacist, I met you at a
book signing and was in awe of how
good you look at 47. What’s your
secret? — L.J., San Diego
Thank you — that warms my
heart because I work at that.
I don’t believe in making
yourself look like a mannequin
with all sorts of shots, plumpers
or designer lotions. Skin
hydration tops my list. I’m
constantly spraying facial toner
(alcohol-free), and I keep a
miniature sprayer in my purse
to spritz myself.
What you eat will either
nourish or damage your cells,
and influence your appearance.
If you consume processed
foods, or smoke and drink
things that are “oxidants,” you
unleash free-radicals that do
one thing, and only one thing:
They rust you! Wrinkling is just
rusting of the skin. This is why
anti-oxidants are beneficial.
Here are my other secrets:
Exercise — Nothing detoxifies
the body like sweating. For me,
it’s yoga, Zumba dance or my
infrared sauna.
Astaxanthin — The “king” of
carotenoids, this natural algae
acts as an internal sunscreen. I
take 12mg daily. Astaxanthin is
proven to support joint health.
Several well-designed studies
conclude that natural astaxanthin
prevents skin damage from
the sun’s ultraviolet rays, and
this reduces signs of sagging,
wrinkles and dryness.
Zinc — I take a 20mg lozenge
every day, for three to four
months each year, beginning
in the fall or winter (because it
also improves immunity). Zinc
is known to help with wound
healing.
Plant oils (or fish oils) — These
“lubricants” add moisture to
your skin, reducing fine lines
and supporting heart health.
Probiotics — You may associate
beneficial bacteria (probiotics)
with digestive health, but
they are extremely helpful for
skin conditions like psoriasis or
eczema, and fungal conditions.
French green or Rose clay — A
great overall cleanser that I do
once a month. Add one drop of
lavender, clary sage and tea tree
essential oil for added benefit.
I use a peel every month to
diminish fine lines and reduce
pores. The product I like comes
in towelettes called “Alpha Beta
Peel by Dr. Dennis Gross.”
info@dearpharmacist.com
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