|
|
|
Beauty From the Inside Out
By Alisa Ikeda for healthshop.com
Ann Louise Gittleman, M.S., C.N.S., is the former director of
nutrition at the renowned Pritikin Longevity Center and a leading
nutritionist. She is the author of nearly 20 health books, including
the bestselling Beyond Pritikin and Before the Change.
Gittleman lives in Bozeman, Montana.
Speaking at a conference in New York, nutritionist Ann Louise Gittleman looked out at all the young faces in the audience and couldn't help but wish that she'd known at their ages what she knows now: "Protecting our beauty begins in our youth and continues throughout every age and stage of life." That's when the idea for her latest book, The Living Beauty Detox Program, was born.
The great beauty cover-up
Every year women spend
billions on cosmetics in hopes that they will look younger,
smoother, firmer and healthier. “But camouflage isn’t the answer,”
says Gittleman. “True beauty is an inside job!” Beauty problems -
wrinkles, acne, dry hair, splitting nails and cellulite - are simply
SOS signals about inward imbalances. According to Gittleman, if you
take heed, you can balance your body’s checkbook to look and feel
better than ever.
Not so "good" intentions
Still, most of us are
making an effort to stay healthy: we try to eat fat-free, avoid lots
of red meat and protect our skin with lotions and creams. But,
Gittleman explains, our best intentions are often the very culprits
of premature aging. She says, for example, that we shouldn’t wear
sunscreen every single time we’re outside – going without
occasionally allows us to absorb the UV rays necessary for our
bodies to synthesize much-needed vitamin D.
According to Gittleman, most weight gain is related to the
over-consumption of fat-free carbohydrates rather than to too much
fat. “It may go against all you’ve been taught, but trust me: fat is
your friend when it comes to weight loss,” says Gittleman. Essential
fatty acids (EFAs) are necessary for the production of
prostaglandins, which are crucial to the body’s fight against a
variety of conditions including, arthritis,
ulcers, migraines and cancer. They can also help boost the cardiovascular,
reproductive and immune systems, and aid in regulating energy
production and fat metabolism. Oils, including flaxseed
oil, primrose oil, olive oil and sesame oil can also serve as
internal moisturizers for smooth, wrinkle-free skin, and blood sugar
stabilizers for long-term appetite satisfaction.
Beauty 101
Gittleman’s keys to a powerhouse beauty
foundation
- A cleansed, detoxed system
- Purified water
- Lean, mean proteins
- Beautifying and healing oils
- Energizing, immune-boosting veggies and fruits
- Revitalizing vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
- Balanced hormones
Clear out those winter beauty blockers
When you think
of detox and body cleansing, you probably think of fasting. Don’t
despair! Gittleman’s Living Beauty Detox Program, which is
organized by season, includes eating and cleansing your way to
beauty in these cold winter months. Paying particular attention to
nurturing the kidneys and adrenal glands, this season’s detox plan
encourages adequate rest, relaxation and meditation; daily cups of
nettle tea; warm foods (apple-cranberry sauce, stuffed peppers,
organic hamburger); ginger,
sauerkraut and apple cider vinegar; a “Living Beauty Elixir” twice a
day (eight ounces of unsweetened cranberry juice with two teaspoons
of a green superfood mixture); lots of room temperature water;
wearing loose, layered, natural clothing; and light to moderate
exercise for 20-30 minutes at least three times per week.
If you stick to this regime, Gittleman says that in three days to
two weeks, “your skin will clear up, your hair will shine, your eyes
will become brighter, your brain will be sharper, your digestion
will become more efficient and your energy will go through the
roof!”
Gittleman’s Top Ten Tips for Ageless Beauty
- Vitamin C to fight wrinkles and support collagen
- Magnesium for beautiful bones and strong teeth
- Vitamin B-complex to calm nerves and get rid of that washed out look
- Vitamin E to prevent sagging facial muscles, age spots, and provide
skin lubrication
- Iron for a rosy complexion
- Zinc for wound healing and strong hair
- Vitamin D for calcium absorption and strong bones
- Vitamin A for beautiful soft skin
- Sulphur to heal and prevent scars
- Essential fatty acids to prevent nails from splitting, skin from
breaking out and hair from falling out
French artist and sculptor Rodin said, “Beauty is but the spirit
breaking through the flesh.” Gittleman agrees, and she offers ways
to nurture the soul as well as nourish the body. Pamper yourself.
Try St. John's wort or chaste tree berry for depression. Use flower essences to ward off
anger, grief, guilt or stress. Practice connected breathing,
meditation and affirmation. “You will soar through life with a
newfound sense of freedom,” says Gittleman, “and explore the world
of possibilities that are ready and waiting for you.”
To learn more about Ann Louise Gittleman, visit http://www.annlouise.com/.
|
