Foods for Acne

Top Five Foods for Acne

What we eat affects each and every organ in our body. Simply put, the food we consume causes chemical changes that affect our body's condition. Different kinds of food can have different effects on our skin too. In fact, some types of food have been found to make skin healthier and even help with acne. Here is a list of the top five foods for more radiant, blemish-free skin:

Skin Food 1: Green Leafy Vegetables

If we just listened to mom when we were kids, eating more lettuce, broccoli and cabbage would have made our skin look flawless and beautiful. This is because green leafy vegetables are packed with antioxidants that boost skin health, prevent wrinkles and dark spots, and help pimples heal faster. If you're out for the best green veg for your skin, pick spinach. Not only is it packed with antioxidants, it's also rich in other skin-boosting vitamins and minerals like vitamin A, zinc, magnesium, and vitamin E.

Skin Food 2: Berries

The berry family of fruits is another skin secret. Ancient Greeks are said to regularly use a skin clearing mask of crushed berries with milk. And it's no wonder why - berries are very rich in skin-boosting antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Blueberries, in particular, are a good source of fiber, vitamin A, vitamins C, riboflavin, and vitamin E. These nutrients are not just good for the body but excellent for the skin too. Other skin-friendly members of the berry family include raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.

Skin Food 3: Grapefruit

Like most other citrus fruits, grapefruits are rich in the antioxidant vitamin C. Unlike oranges and lemons, however, grapefruits are also packed with vitamins A and B - vitamins known to boost skin health and improve the appearance of both wrinkles and pimples. That is why the lowly grapefruit stands way above its citrusy brothers. And a good reason why you should incorporate it into your daily diet too.

Skin Food 4: Carrots

Bugs bunny may not have known it, but munching on carrots can be one of the surest ways to clearer, smoother skin. This vegetable takes its name from beta carotene, a pigment that is a precursor to vitamin A. Vitamin A is used in many skin and acne products to reduce pimple redness and inflammation, manage hyperactive oil glands, and even reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Other foods rich in beta carotene include squash, pumpkin and mangoes.

Skin Food 5: Water

Okay, so technically water is not food. But it is the best thing you can consume for clearer, healthier skin. Why? Water flushes out all the toxins and impurities from the skin. Skin cells also need water so that they can heal faster, be more supple, and be better protected from infection, damage, and irritation. It also helps that water has zero calories too, and is more beneficial to your body than sugar-laden sodas or alcoholic drinks.

There you have it - the five best foods for acne. For a more complete list, you can read our guide to food and drinks for acne. And remember - managing our diet is just one of many natural treatments for acne you can try.

Yoga An Exercise

Yoga Is An Exercise In Patience

Most of the time when you workout the pace is much faster than in yoga. Cardio is all about moving quickly to get your heart rate up. Strength training is a little calmer than cardio but there's still a sense of perpetual movement. This is true when you work out on your own and even more so when working out to a video or take a class. So, it's no surprise that when you go to do yoga, you have the impulse to move at your usual workout pace.

However, yoga does not work that way. Even when you are moving in yoga the pace is still relatively slow. A lot of the time is actually spent not moving at all. Your muscles are working unexpectedly hard to hold each pose. Being impatient, wondering when it's going to end, and how much longer you have to stay still, does not help. In fact, it makes it much harder.

I knew intellectually that I was supposed to feel centered and calm doing yoga but, I never felt it. I was never able to actually do it. There was always an undercurrent of nervous energy and racing thoughts. The thing I finally realized the last time I did yoga was that I needed to be patient. Being patient in yoga means letting go the need to rush and get it done. It means understanding that what you're doing is going to take some time and you might as well relax and let it run it's course. It means not worrying about what you're going to do next and just paying attention to what you're doing in that moment.

Maybe that's easier said than done, but there are a few steps you can take to help you accomplish this. First of all make sure to set aside enough time for your workout. Before you begin the yoga session, take a few deep breaths. Focus on your breathing and imagine with each exhale that you're letting go of whatever thoughts are nagging at you. Set your intention to be relaxed, calm and present during your yoga session. Then, while you're doing yoga, be patient with yourself when your mind starts wandering and you find yourself stressing over everything you're not doing at the moment that needs to get done. Just gently push the thoughts aside and focus on breathing through each yoga pose. It will take some time to get good at this. So, don't worry if it seems difficult at first.

The practice of yoga has a lot of benefits and can be a good addition to your fitness program. Learning to exercise patience with the process of doing yoga and with yourself will make it a much more enjoyable experience and you will get a lot more out of it. Eventually, you might even find that instead of dreading your yoga workout, you actually start looking forward to it.