The skin is the largest organ of the body, and our overall health is reflected on it. No matter what our age, we can make changes in our lives that will show up on our skin.

Here are 7 steps to beautiful, glowing skin:

1. Avoid Food Intolerances

If you are intolerant to certain foods, it may show up as bags or dark circles under the eyes. Sugar is one of the most aging toxins, since fluctuating blood sugars are highly aging. Cow's milk is linked with acne and poor skin quality. Excess alcohol and other toxins that make the liver overworked can make the skin look overworked. A healthy diet that is filled with foods that nurture is the key to radiant skin.

2. Avoid Free Radicals and Eat Loads of Antioxidants

Free radicals such as house hold chemicals and cigarettes cause aging. The irony is that all of these expensive creams and potions that promise to turn back the years, along with botox and other processes cause free radical damage that will eventually appear on the skin, no matter how much they seem to work in the short term.

But despite our efforts to avoid toxins, we are still going to come into contact with free radicals. Even exercise causes free radicals. Consuming as many antioxidants as possible is the natural antidote. Kale, cabbage, chilli peppers, parsley artichokes and Brussels sprouts are some of the most powerful vegetables. Berries, pineapple, pomegranate, prunes and kiwis are some of the fruits with the highest antioxidant activity. Raw chocolate, bee pollen, goji berries, and spirulina are just a few of the new super foods shown to dramatically reduce aging, as well as most other health issues.

3. Find Your Optimum Weight and Stay There

The endless cycle of losing weight, gaining it back only to go on yet another diet is terrible for the skin, not to mention dangerous for the body and exhausting for the mind. This constant rise and fall of weight can potentially cause wrinkles and saggy skin. Maintaining your optimum weight keeps skin firm and youthful. Cutting out or at least dramatically reducing the amount of "dead" food such as bread, pasta and rice while significantly increasing the amount of living food like fruits and vegetables is a simple change you can make to find your ideal weight and enjoy optimum health.

4. Limit Intense Sun Exposure

Excess sun exposure can cause skin damage. Yet this fact has been taken to the extreme, making people scared of getting any sun at all. The key is to get short bursts of sun so that you don't get sun burned. Eating plenty of antioxidants will actually make you less likely to get sun burned.
On the other hand, sunscreen has been shown to cause aging and disease, so covering up when the skin has had too much sun is far more effective. Research indicates that broccoli sprouts are an especially good natural sunscreen food, and scientists are attempting to create a sunscreen out of them.

5. Moisturize with Nature's Most Perfect Oil

Coconut oil keeps the skin strong and supple, preventing sagging, wrinkled skin. It protects from free radicals and is a natural sunscreen. It prevents dry skin, blemishes and liver spots. It even has the ability to restore and rejuvenate damaged skin. It heals and repairs, leaving the skin radiant and youthful.

Coconut oil has been used for centuries by people all over the world. It is nature's oldest and most popular moisturizer and youth restorer. Who needs botox and toxic skin creams when there is nature??

6. Ensure you Get Plenty of Essential Fats

Omega-3 fatty acids are a key ingredient for beautiful skin. Most people are seriously lacking in these fats that are vital for vibrant, healthy looking skin. Eczema, dry skin, cracked heels and premature aging are all signs of omega 3 deficiency. Omega-3 fats prevent dehydration in the cells so that the skin cells are strong and full of moisture. Fish oil and Alaskan wild salmon are good sources of omega 3. If you are a vegan, you can use hemp, linseed and chia seeds.

7. Relax Your Facial Muscles

Be aware of your facial expressions. If you frown a lot, try to relax the muscles. This is actually a good form of meditation. Go around your face and discover where there is tension or holding. Breathe into the area and feel it let go. Focus on all of the key muscles groups and feel them melting into relaxation.

You can also improve your skin with superfoods. Superfoods are natural foods that are high in antioxidants, packed with age-busting properties and fight cell damage from free radicals. Another great thing is that you can find most of these natural weapons against aging in your local grocery store:

1. Flax Seed - The high concentration of healthy Omega 3 & 6 oils, as well as vitamin E found in flax seed helps the skin look youthful. Even though some fats are high in calories, the oil in flax seed is actually good for you. 2 tablespoons of flax seed contain only 70 calories and can be incorporated into any recipe. It can work wonders for dry skin and help reduce inflammation. For those with psoriasis and eczema, adding flax seed - preferably ground flax seed to the diet - would be ideal.

2. Avocado - can boost moisture levels in dehydrated skin and is great for the fight against wrinkles. The antioxidant properties of vitamin E found in avocado helps in keeping the skin soft and smooth. Avocado also contains sterolins which plays a role in reducing age spots and heals sun damage. The emollient properties of avocado make it the perfect ammunition for skin regeneration.

Tip: Be on the look out for unblemished avocados with smooth shiny green skin, when shopping for fruit and vegetables.

3. Carrots - The carotenoids found in this vegetable when consumed, build up in the skin and provide protection from the damaging effects of ultraviolet rays absorbed by the skin. Nibbling on just one carrot a day will give you your vitamin A needs for the day.

Tip: Buy organic carrots for extra health benefits.

4. Apples - A study conducted by Monash University, in Melbourne, showed a link between eating a Mediterranean-style diet and showing less skin wrinkling than those who maintained a less healthy diet. One of the beneficial foods found to be responsible for fewer skin wrinkles were apples.

Green apples especially, contain lutein that is good for the elasticity of the skin and the strengthening of cell membranes. Apples eaten with the skin on, have more flavinoids which are beneficial to our health.

5. Watercress - This green leafy plant with a peppery taste, is known to improve the complexion of the skin. The iron content in watercress is enough to encourage sufficient blood flow to the skin for a glowing healthy complexion.

Eaten regularly, these super-foods will help you look and feel radiant and youthful. Remember, good nutrition and radiant skin go hand in hand.

Sources:
http://www.naturalnews.com/025493.html
http://kaplinskyreport.com/?p=4160

Many people are aware that eating plant based foods adds much needed fiber, vitamins and minerals to the diet but what is less well known is the many benefits of the phytochemicals that these plants contain.

Phytochemicals come in a variety of forms and different vegetables have higher concentrations of a particular phytochemical than others. In order to get the healing phytonutrients, you must get fruits and vegetables in the freshest form possible - that means no processed food, just raw fruits, berries, or veggies right off the bush or straight from the grocery store.
Some of the main phytochemicals include:

Carotenoids. They may help with cardiovascular disease and have anti-cancer properties. Found in broccoli, carrots, pumpkin, spinach, squash, sweet potato, yams, papaya, tomato, red bell pepper, mango, cantaloupe and avocado.

Flavonoids. They might help with inflammation, help fight cancer and boost your immune system. Found in cabbage, almonds, cucumber, parsley, tomatoes, broccoli, carrots, grapes, papaya, strawberries, orange, blueberries, raspberries,yams, citrus fruit, soy, grapefruit, limes, nectarine, peach, chocolate, and lemon.

Isoflavonoids support your endocrine system and may help to fight cancer and free radicals. They are found in soy.

Indoles. Have beneficial effects on lipid synthesis that could contribute to their potential cardioprotective effect, also helps prevent and slow the growth of cancerous tumors. Found in cauliflower, bok choy, broccoli, cabbage, kale and watercress.

Lignans is a significant natural supporter of breast wellness. Women ingesting significant levels of lignan precursors to promote optimal breast health have reported benefits such as improved mood, and reduced levels of hot flashes, irritability, cramping, bloating, breast tenderness, headache and insomnia. Found in walnuts, flax seeds, buckwheat, soy, mushrooms, sesame oil, oats, wheat, whole grain wheat, barley, beans, and almonds.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids support and help skin disorders, immune, circulatory, skeletal and respiratory systems. Found in walnuts, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, soybeans, honey and flaxseeds.

Plant Sterols. Found in eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, squash, cucumber, cabbage, broccoli, apples.

The list above is only a small segment of the entire phytochemical family which encompasses a very large and extensive range of nutrients.

Benefits of Phytochemicals

Phytochemicals act in numerous ways to assist your body in combating disease and health problems such as:

1) Help to protect the cells by blocking cancer causing compounds that try to enter the cell walls.

2) Helps to fight the malignant changes within cells.

3) Boosts enzyme activity to increase the benefits of the various protective enzymes consumed within the diet.

4) Combines with numerous vitamins to boost antioxidant activity to scavenge free radicals before they can cause damage within the body.

Although it is not important to know the names and benefits of the large range of phytochemicals that exist, what is important is to understand that maintaining a diet that contains a variety of fruits and vegetables will combine the benefits of the phytochemicals and vitamins to help you achieve optimal health.

By reducing your intake of high fat foods and increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables you will greatly reduce your chances of falling victim to the ever-growing list of degenerative diseases which plague the general population today as a result of following a typical western diet.

It is not only the damaging effects of high fat, high sugar foods in the western diet that allow cancer, heart disease etc to develop, but the absence of the protective phytochemicals that are only found in plant foods as well.

By adding plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet you will bring a host of phytochemicals to fight the damaging effects of free radicals and carcinogens and give you a level of health and vitality beyond what you can imagine.

Sources:
http://rawfoodsolution.com/phytochemicals-and-the-raw-food-diet-267.html
http://www.nutrientreference.com/
http://www.naturalnews.com/

Consuming high quality flax seed on a regular basis can help you to stop many of the common health problems. Learn here about amazing benefits that those seeds have to offer.

The omega-3 fatty acids have a balancing role in the diet. They correct imbalances in modern diets that lead to health problems. Nutritionists caution that the amount of omega-3 fatty acids eaten in North America no longer meets our bodies’ needs. You can balance your consumption of fatty acids by adding flax to your diet. Current research shows eating flax seed provides health benefits.

A lower risk for heart disease. Nutritionists advise paying attention to the kinds of fats eaten. They suggest you eat less saturated fat and trans fats, and more polyunsaturated fat – which flax provides. Studies show a diet high in ALA reduces the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol and by preventing the buildup of harmful deposits in arteries. In other studies, where scientists studied large groups of people to find disease trends, increasing the ALA content of the diet corresponded to a decrease in risk of stroke and heart disease.

Prevention of some forms of cancer. The link between diet and cancer is well-known. Flax contains dietary fiber and omega-3 fat in the form of ALA (Alpha Linolenic Acid), which can reduce the risk of cancer. Furthermore, studies showed the ALA in flax slowed inflammation which led to cell growth in cancer. Another study on women newly diagnosed with breast cancer showed a slowing of tumor growth with the addition of flax to their diet.

Treatment of immune disorders. The lignans and ALA in flax help prevent inflammation that affects the body’s immune system. Flax in the diet may be useful in the treatment of such immune disorders as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and lupus.
Also the omega 3 fatty acids are thought to reduce the inflammation of asthma. The mucilage in flax fiber is also good for the lungs.

Diabetes. Studies show flax lowers blood glucose in healthy, young adults. The effect of flax in the diets of people with Type 2 diabetes is currently being investigated.

Colon Problems. Flax provides the perfect blend of soluble and insoluble fiber for the better health of the intestinal tract. One ounce of flax seed meets 32% of the USDA's reference amount for fiber.
Consumed with plenty of pure water, flax seed softens the stool and makes bowel elimination easier, a blessing to those with any level of constipation.
Much of the flax seed health benefit in this area is from the mucilage, the unique soluble fiber that is so soothing and cleansing to the digestive tract. This eases elimination while increasing the volume and soothing irritation at the same time. Also flax gently cleans excess mucus and other debris from the small intestine, improving absorption.
Flax is appreciated greatly by the whole spectrum of those with intestinal problems, from constipation to irritable bowel. Studies in older adults show eating flax helps increase the frequency of bowel movements.

Stress and depression. The Alpha Linolenic Acid (ALA) in flax seed is the source of the Omega 3 fatty acids. A key one is Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA). This fatty acid is crucial to brain function, and is often deficient in modern people.
DHA is important for brain development in children, for calming in the face of stress, for mental acuity, and for memory. Having enough of it makes one calmer and smarter, and it may prevent the development of Alzheimer's disease.

Ways to include flax seed in home cooking:

- Sprinkle ground flax seed on your cereal and salads.
- Substitute flax seed mixture for eggs in home baking such as muffin and pancake (1 tbsp milled flax seed, plus 3 tbsp water = 1 egg). Final products will have less volume and taste gummier
- Include in other recipe when nutty flavor is preferred
- Substitute flax seed oil for other oils

Found at http://www.healingdaily.com/colon-kidney-detoxification.htm

We are living in an age of increased toxicity in our society. Poor digestion; reduced liver function; poor elimination practices through the kidneys, respiratory tract, and skin; and colon sluggishness all contribute to people experiencing increased toxicity in their bodies. Many of the toxins that are invading the human body come from diet, drug use, and environmental exposure. The process of detoxification is the act of either removing or neutralizing these toxins from the body. In this process, often excess mucous and congestion will also be cleared from the body as well.

One key component of detoxification involves lifestyle changes that will effectively reduce the daily intake of toxins. Eliminating chemicals (from both food and other sources), highly refined foods, refined sugars, caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, and drugs will begin to minimize the toxin load that is typically placed on the body.

To begin to detoxify the colon, it is also important to incorporate probiotics into the diet to replenish healthy levels of intestinal flora.

Bowel movements are a good indicator of one's overall health. If one does not have at least one bowel movement each day, the likelihood for future disease is increased. Colon cancer is currently the second leading cause of deaths from cancer in the US. This is why a thorough body cleansing should start with a cleansing of the bowel.

When embarking on a complete cleansing program, always begin by removing the waste from the colon first. If cleansing the liver or the lymph system is attempted without first cleansing the colon, any toxins will just be reabsorbed back into the body.

A standard bowel cleanse will include:

•Fasting with water, juice, and raw fruits/vegetables
•Probiotics
•Flax seeds
•Bentonite Clay
•Salt Water Enema

If there is a constipated system, then this directly correlates to the transition time of toxic wastes to be slowed down. The longer it takes for food to be moved through the intestines, the longer toxins sit in the intestines – possibly fermenting and being reabsorbed into the body. When the body is exposed to this fermenting food in the intestines there is an elevated risk for disease.

The typical place for disease to begin is in the bowel so it makes sense that if one does not have at least one bowel movement per day over an extended period of time, one's health may be seriously compromised.

A healthy colon should weight approximately four pounds. Most Americans have several hardened layers of mucoid plaque built up in the intestines resulting in bowels that weigh far more than this optimal weight of four pounds. The body was intended to slough off excess mucoid plaque. A colon cleanse will aid the body by helping to remove the built-up layers of mucoid plaque.

A typical American who eats a typical diet of refined foods holds approximately eight undigested meals of food and waste in their intestine. A person who eats a high fiber diet typically holds approximately three undigested meals.

The colon's ability to function will be severely affected by the amount of putrefied waste that has accumulated. This malfunction will then affect other digestive organs and glands and will affect how food is absorbed. If the colon is not properly cared for, it will accumulate toxins that will eventually be absorbed into the bloodstream and will be carried throughout the entire body.

To help the body naturally slough off excess mucoid plaque, begin to eat a diet rich in raw vegetables and fruits and free of processed foods. When these changes are made to the diet, elimination will improve and toxins will not continue to build up in the body. Be advised, however, that it took years for mucoid plaque and toxins to accumulate and the process of detoxifying to the point of optimal health may take time. An effective colon cleanse may take up to several months to accomplish.

The typical colon cleanse includes following a cleansing diet and including colon cleansing supplements that:

•Contain probiotics
•Contain digestive enzymes
•Will kill parasites
•Contain herbs to stimulate the liver, gallbladder, and intestines

Kidney Cleansing

Over 300,000 Americans suffer renal failure every year and are forced to undergo dialysis or even kidney transplants.

The kidneys are small organs; however they process about 20% of the entire amount of blood pumped by the heart. The kidneys process approximately 200 quarts of blood every day in an effort to sift out waste products and extra water.

An adequate blood supply to the kidneys makes it possible for them to:

•Regulate the composition of blood
•Maintain the concentrations of ions and other substances
•Maintain the body's proper volume of water
•Remove wastes from the body
•Maintain the proper acid/base concentration of blood
•Regulate blood pressure
•Stimulate red blood cell production
•Maintain calcium levels

The kidneys receive blood and then process the blood by removing the wastes. Then the processed blood is returned to the body and the eliminated substances stay in the urine. Urine flows from the kidneys into the bladder, where it is stored until excretion from the body through the urethra.

A kidney cleanse involves drinking very large amounts of liquid while consuming a healing diet. Often improving one's diet by eliminating refined foods at the same time as increasing one's water consumption will be an effective kidney cleanse. Any fast that involves large amounts of liquid will cleanse the kidneys and a bowel cleanse will also improve kidney function.