Many factors affect the health of your skin, including heredity, age, climate, pollution, diet, stress levels and fluctuations in hormones. However, changes in your complexion are usually swayed by two major factors: (a) how well your internal eliminatory organs are working, (b) whether or not your body is lacking in vitamins and minerals. And both these factors, in turn, influence each other.
Every day in my clinical practice, I see many people who arrive for the first time looking haggard with dry dead skin, spots, straw-like hair and broken nails. Sure enough, months later, these same patients return looking revived, with beautiful skin, lustrous silky hair, strong long nails. And if you follow my Plan I hope you will see such amazing results too.
TEN GOLDEN TIPS FOR HEALTHY SKIN
- 01 Drink plenty of clean filtered water – at least 6–8 glasses every day, though you might need more during hot weather and on days that you exercise. Adequate water is essential for keeping your skin hydrated and for eliminating toxins through the kidneys and colon.
- 02 Include lots of fibre in your diet. It keeps your intestinal tract regular, and enhances the elimination of waste products from your body. Some people with skin problems suffer from constipation because they fail to feed themselves with good sources of fibre .
- 03 Make sure your diet contains plenty of antioxidants (which help slow down cellular ageing). Fresh fruits and vegetables are the best sources of natural plant antioxidants.
- 04 Food combine. By eating protein and carbohydrates at separate meals, you’ll prevent unnecessary fermentation in the colon and increase nutrient absorption into the blood. See my food-combining programme in Chapter 3.
- 05 While bad fats are detrimental to your body, essential fatty acids (good fats) are vital for healthy skin. You can obtain these from whole grains, seeds, nuts, soy beans, dark leafy green vegetables, cold-pressed oils (especially flax, pumpkin, sunflower, sesame and safflower) and oily fish such as sardines, mackerel and wild (not farmed) salmon.
- 06 On rising, start your day with an early-morning mini-cleanse. This means that you should drink a glass of warm water. Follow this with a mug of nettle tea or hot water with a squeeze of fresh lemon.
- 07 Avoid excessive amounts of caffeine or alcohol, all of which drain moisture from your body.
- 08 Cut down on table salt. Excess sodium in the system leads to skin puffiness and swelling. Try celery seeds, sea vegetables, salt-free soy sauce, or many of the natural salt-free substitutes. Also avoid strongly spiced dishes where possible.
- 09 Reduce foods that clog: the worst offenders are red meat, dairy, refined foods, fried foods and foods that contain hydrogenated oils or fats.
- 10 Externally apply honey three times a week to your face (or any other part of your skin). Leave the honey on the skin approximately 30 minutes. Rinse off honey with warm water (preferably in the shower or bath). You will be amazed by the wonderful results of this simple trick. It will leave your skin soft, supple, young and nourished.
ANTI-ACNE PLAN
Although acne most frequently occurs in teenage years, it can also be commonly seen in adults too. It is often due to hormonal imbalances which stimulate the sebaceous glands to increase oil output. But acne can also be due to poor dietary choices. If traces of sebum become trapped inside skin pores, tissues can attract bacteria, resulting in inflammation and blemishes.
Acne is aggravated by poor internal elimination and a high fat and/or refined food diet. Drink plenty of fresh vegetable juices throughout the day: in particular carrot, lettuce, nettle, watercress, celery and dandelion. Also include vegetables and wholegrains at both lunchtime and evening meals, particularly green leafy vegetables, carrots, onions, garlic, brown rice, millet and live sprouts.
Nutritional supplements
The nutrients I have used most successfully with acne in clinical practice are:
- » beta-carotene (25,000iu)
- » vitamin A (10,000 iu)
- » vitamin B complex 50–100mg
- » pantothenic acid (25mg, four times a day)
- » vitamin B6 (50mg)
- » propolis (500mg)
- » zinc (50mg)
- » borage oil capsules daily
- » vitamin C (1000mg twice a day)
- » Acidophilus with Bifidus (friendly bacteria) to promote colon health and elimination of toxins.
Herbs
Herbs that are beneficial include echinacea, dandelion, yellow dock, burdock root and red clover; all are powerful internal cleansers. These herbs also support specific organs which synergistically work on the skin.
Other treatments
As an alternative or as a complement to the herbs, try the homeopathic remedy Sulphur 6c. For an external treatment, try bathing the skin with a combination of tea tree oil and camomile (two drops of each in a bowl of water) for a soothing, anti-bacterial wash.
ANTI-ECZEMA PLAN
Eczema is a form of dermatitis (inflammation of the skin), characterized by flakiness and itching. Associated with sensitivities to both external and dietary sources and exacerbated by stress, eczema often manifests itself for the first time in new mothers.
Besides cutting out nasty foods in your diet (see Chapter 3), it would be a good idea to keep a food diary, in case you find a link between your food intake and an eczema outbreak. At different times of stress in life it’s quite possible that you may become more sensitive to certain foods that previously caused you no bother. Keep an eye on synthetic allergenic substances such as detergents, solvents, building materials and paints as well.
Nutritional supplements
- » Vitamin B Complex (50mg, twice a day)
- » Vitamin E (400iu, twice a day)
- » Biotin (100mcg, twice a day)
- » Zinc (50mg a day)
- » Plus a source of essential fatty acids (EFAs) such as flax, borage or evening primrose oil.
Skin outbreaks are sometimes caused by faulty fat metabolism. High sources of omega-3 and GLA (gamma-linoleic acid, also known as evening primrose oil) are needed in this case. Rotate the EFAs. So, when you’ve used up the contents of one bottle, switch to a different fatty acid oil. For example, you might take flax oil capsules for one month, and then change to evening primrose oil or borage oil capsules the next month.
Other treatments
Include the homeopathic remedy Graphites 6c where the eczema affects hands and behind the ears; Sulphur 6c where the skin is red, rough and dry and made worse by heat and washing; or Rhus tox 6c where blisters itch more at night but skin feels better with warmth. The topical application of vitamin E and evening primrose oil relieves irritation and promotes the healing process. Calendula cream might also be applied.
ANTI-STRETCH MARK PLAN
More than 80 per cent of women get stretch marks at some point in their lives, either from pregnancy or weight gain/loss, and often due to lowered levels of zinc. And men can get them too, usually from rapid weight loss. Stretch marks can fade over time. What starts out as reddish streaks on the skin of the abdomen, breasts, thighs or buttocks, eventually turns into silvery-white thin scars that will never entirely disappear. Many overweight individuals whose skin is well stretched lose weight without any signs of stretch marks. Nutritional and hereditary factors play key roles. To correct zinc deficiency, see the following list of supplements, and eat foods high in zinc and take the superfood wild blue-green algae.
Nutritional supplements
- » Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) (300mg daily)
- » Vitamin C with bioflavonoids (1000mg daily)
- » Vitamin E (600iu daily)
- » Zinc (at least 15–30mg daily)
- » Vitamins B5 and C are generally good for the health of the skin.
Other treatments
Certain homeopathic tissue cells salts such as Calc.fluor and Silica help keep cell tissues firm, strong, and elastic. Exercise, in the form of vigorous walking, dancing, swimming and stretching, may also help stretch marks to recede.
DR McKEITH’S INCREDIBLE EDIBLE ANTI-STRETCH MARK CREAM
Ingredients
½ avocado (soft, ripened)
6 capsules vitamin E
4 capsules vitamin A
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons aloe vera gel
5 drops liquid zinc or 2 capsules 50mg zinc powder
½ teaspoon blue-green algae powder (optional)
1 teaspoon silica liquid (optional)
Method
Mash a soft ripe avocado until it forms a creamy paste. Open the capsules of vitamins E and A, and pour the contents of these vitamins into the avocado cream. Add all the other ingredients and mix into the paste. Mix well together. Rub the cream into all relevant areas. Allow the skin to absorb cream for 30 minutes each day. It won’t get rid of stretches that are already there, although it may help to lessen their appearance. It also has an incredible softening and nourishing effect on the skin. Your skin will have access to the nutrients it needs to help lessen the future appearance of stretch marks.
Note: Add lemon juice to preserve the cream
ANTI-VARICOSE VEINS PLAN
Varicose veins are weak or broken spots in surface blood vessels that most commonly occur in the rectum, anus (haemorrhoids) or legs. Besides being unattractive, they might be accompanied by a dull ache, and in more severe cases leg sores may even develop.
There are several factors that are associated with the development of varicose veins including: prolonged standing or sitting, lack of exercise, obesity, pregnancy, and poor food choices. Research also suggests that varicosities run in the family. If your mother or grandfather, for example, had a tendency to the problem, then you may be susceptible as well. By being aware of the possibility, you can take the following necessary steps to avoid or reduce their incidence.
It’s interesting to note that in countries where the diet is rich in natural unprocessed foods, varicose veins are virtually unheard of. This is partly due to the high quantities of fibre present in such a regimen and also to the abundance of antioxidant-rich plant foods, which help keep tissues strong and healthy. Avoid eating processed foods. Foods that have an expansive or tiring effect on the cells, such as dairy, sugar, alcohol, conventional tea and coffee, should also be avoided.
AROMATHERAPY VEIN MASSAGE
Add 5 drops of lavender oil and 5 drops of cypress oil to 20ml of carrier oil such as sweet almond or grapeseed. Gently massage into the legs, massaging towards the heart.
Nutritional supplements
Rotate the following. You should not take them all at once:
- » Vitamin C with bioflavonoids (1000mg twice a day)
- » Rutin (500mg twice a day)
- » Vitamin E (400iu once a day)
- » Vitamin B Complex (50 mg once a day)
- » Co-enzyme Q10 (100 mg once a day)
- » Lecithin 1 (19g twice a day)
- » Antioxidant formula (see dosage instructions on packet)
- » Bilberry herbs (500g, 3 times a day)
Herbs
- » Drink 1 cup of nettle in the morning and 1 cup of horsetail in late afternoon or evening.
- » To help ease varicose discomfort, a compress infused with horse chestnut herb can be placed over the affected areas. To prepare the compress mix half a teaspoon of horse chestnut powder with 2 cups of water and use it to soak a sterile cotton cloth.
- » Witch hazel herb is another remedy that can also be applied; a natural astringent, it tightens tissues and reduces pain.
Other treatments
Try the homeopathic remedy Hamamelis 30c (1 tablet daily for up to seven days).
Top Tip – Skin brushing
To improve the skin’s job of getting rid of internal rubbish (over one pound of waste products are excreted through the skin every day), you can help it in its task by regular body brushing. To skin brush effectively, you need a small, firm natural bristle brush. Brushing is best undertaken just before you bath or shower on a dry body. Method: Start at the soles of the feet and work your way up the legs in long, brisk strokes; then up the arms and down the back. Always brush upwards towards the chest and avoid sensitive spots such as moles, warts and broken veins. Never use the brush on your face.