In our last blogpost we talked about the root of all skincare challenges, i.e. inflammation. Inflammation causes aging and free radical damage. 

What is inflammation?

Inflammation is a signal to the body to begin healing any trauma or damage. Without this process infections or wounds would not heal, so far so good. However, when our skin becomes chronically inflamed, the process becomes destructive, and your skin starts showing the signs of aging, i.e. dullness, age spots, lines and wrinkles.

There are many ways to fight (chronic) inflammation of the skin and using the right skincare products are a great place to start. Taking a closer look at what you put in your body is the next step.

Food and drinks that may cause inflammation: 

Eating too many inflammatory foods may cause chronic low-grade inflammation.

While most of us know it’s a good idea to avoid having too much caffeine, alcohol, sugar and dairy, there are also some vegetables that can cause inflammation. 

The veggies we are referring to are part of the nightshade family. Nightshade vegetables belong to the family of plants with the Latin name Solanaceae, they grow at night under the shadows of the moon.

The most commonly consumed nightshade vegetables:

• Eggplants: Also known as aubergines.
• Peppers: Including sweet, bell, chili and others.
• Potatoes: All varieties except sweet potatoes and yams.
• Tobacco: Typically dried and smoked in several forms.
• Tomatillos: A green, tomato-like veggie common in Mexican cuisine.
• Tomatoes: All varieties and tomato products.

While research shows we can eat these foods just fine without immediately causing inflammation it’s important to note that you do NOT want to eat one or all of these in excess.  Keeping an eye on your intake will help your body heal excess inflammation and you can still benefit from the abundance of nutrients these nightshade vegetables contain.   

Please try and limit the intake of sugar, gluten, fried foods, corn, soy, blackened or overcooked foods, soda water/drinks, too much citrus. 

Adding herbs to your diet to fight excess inflammation:

Before venturing into herbs, Jenette recommends adding green tea, zinc, aloe vera, probiotics (fermented food), broccoli, olive oil, blueberries, kelp (chlorophyll), pineapple and papaya to your diet. All of these have been proven to have a positive effect on balancing your immune system. 

Devil’s Claw, also known as Harpagophytum procumbens:  this herb comes from South Africa and is related to sesame plants. Some research has shown it may have anti-inflammatory properties. Various brands are available to purchase online.

Ginger: This has been used for hundreds of years to treat dyspepsia, constipation, colic, and other gastrointestinal problems, as well as rheumatoid arthritis pain. Ginger may be purchased raw at grocery stores or  online in supplement form.

Turmeric: Current research is looking into the possible beneficial effects of turmeric in treating arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, and some other inflammatory conditions. Curcumin, a substance found in turmeric, is being invested for the treatment of several illnesses and disorders, including inflammation. Supplements with turmeric and curcumin are available.

Cannabis: This contains a cannabinoid called cannabichromene, which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, along with many other health benefits.

Jenette recommends doing your own research on this.  She personally supports PrimeMyBody’s NanoEnhanced Hemp Oil.  

Note: Discuss any possible use of herbal supplements with your doctor. Source.

Other supplements to consider are Rutin, Bioflavinoids and Yucca root.

In conclusion, we are all about raising awareness around healthy skin and healthy living and hope to educate our readers on what you can do to get your best skin and live your best life!

More information on sugar as an inflammatory agent: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/sugar-and-inflammation#section1