My Healthy Head

In a recent FDA report on Lipstick and lead found that most of the 400 lipsticks approved by the FDA tested positive for lead. And according to the independent group – The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics – the world’s largest cosmetics company is putting lead in their goods. Apparently, cosmetics giant L’Oreal has five of the nine highest-leaded lipsticks, the most among the major brand names.

The FDA said in a statement that the levels of lead found were not high enough to raise any health concerns. Still, why accept a toxin like lead in a product as readily ingested as lipstick.

For a better idea of why this is raising concern, please consider: when it comes to American drinking water, 15 parts per billion is the cut off (with a larger goal of keeping it down to nil), and children’s products manufactured in the United States cannot contain any more than 100 parts per million of lead.  The cosmetics industry hopes to alleviate worry by pointing out that unlike water, for instance, lipstick is not intended to be consumed by the user; however, it is likely that throughout the hours of wear, along with the repeated applications, certain amounts of lipstick will be consumed—and when it comes to pregnant mothers, the level of danger is raised even higher

“Lead builds in the body over time, and lead-containing lipstick applied several times a day, every day, can add up to significant exposure levels,” explains Mark Mitchell, co-chairman for the Environmental Health Task Force for the National Medical Association.

What you put into your body has a direct effect on your whole body, but mostly you can see it in your complexion, so feed yourself with foods that will help nourish and continue to nurture your skin.

Dry Skin try adding oils to your diet. Foods like wild-caught salmon, walnuts, and flax seed meal can all add hydration and moisture to your skin cell from within.
Tip Eat foods with high water content to reduce surface dryness (Cucumbers, Celery), these foods penetrate cells better then water alone and help strengthen the cell membrane, which plumps skin cell and reduces fine lines
Avoid caffeine and alcohol, both act as a diuretics.

Oily/Acne-Prone Skin Adding probiotics to your diet will help in establishing healthy flora in your body to fight inflammation and reduce acne. Foods high in vitamin A and zinc, like sweet potatoes, will reduce oil production. Avoid dairy products like milk or yogurt, where hormones are used. (Buy hormone free) Probiotic supplements can be used.

Redness try eating foods that can cool your body from within and reduce inflammation. This includes cucumbers and foods that are high in zinc like almonds, chickpeas and shellfish. Avoid “hot” spices like cayenne, and alcohol(which can dehydrate the skin).

Whatever the color of your favorite tea, drinking a cup provides the antioxidants you need to look and feel younger.

Natural Mint Tea

A cup of mint tea can perk up your complexion by flushing out impurities in you skin.

White tea’s antioxidants prevents the enzyme activity that breaks down collagen and elastin. White tea may reduce the risk of inflammation, which is characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis, as well as wrinkles.

Green Tea is chock full of antioxidants, green tea defends against the oxidative damage that causes wrinkles, discoloration and loose skin. Tea also an anti-inflammatory, it is used to heal wounds, fight blotchiness and improve brain function.

The medicinal benefits of tea have been confirmed in numerous studies and researches, and whether it be black, green, oolong, white or herbal tea, tea has numerous health benefits. Research of the health benefit of tea reveals therapeutic properties for almost every type of health condition from arthritis, heart disease, cancer and liver disease to asthma, tooth decay, stress and weight control. The tea from Camellia sinensis plant (black, green, white, oolong tea all come from Camellia sinensis) provides beneficial effects and health benefits:
• Antibacterial effect.
• Anti-inflammatory effect.
• Contains fluoride and protects teeth.
• Reduces risk of heart disease.
• Controls blood pressure.
• Elevates good cholesterol (HDL).
• High levels of anti-oxidants fights free radicals.
• Increases bone density (green and especially white tea).
• Inhibits abnormal blood clot formation.
• Lowers bad cholesterol (LDL & triglycerides).
• Lowers rates of colon, esophageal and pancreatic cancer.
• Lowers the risk of heart-attack.
• Makes your skin healthy and young.

To benefit from antioxidant rich foods, consume them shortly after purchase. The Department of Agriculture found that the level of immunity-boosting catechins (Catechins flav-onoid phytochemical compounds found principally in green tea. Smaller amounts are contained in grapes, black tea, chocolate, and wine) depleted by more than 30 percent within six months in each kind.

To get the most out of your tea-drinking, look for all-natural tea.