The Real Horrors of Halloween!

Even if you’re well beyond trick-or-treating age, candy is still abundant towards the end of October: bowls of tootsie rolls on the office desk, free cupcake samples at the supermarket, candy-corn flavored lattes at coffee shops. We’re not going to tell you to write off all Halloween sweets, but it is important to be aware of the consequences large amounts of sugar can have on your skin. 

When you consume sugar, your body responds with a release of insulin. This, in turn, triggers inflammation throughout the body. What does inflammation mean for your skin? It produces enzymes that break down collagen and elastin, which causes premature aging. You might not be worried about wrinkles while you’re in your early 20s, but be prepared to deal with the consequences later in life. 

Because acne—even mild cases—is rooted in inflammation, there is some credence to the saying that eating sugar will make you break out. Of course, not all "sugar” is created equal. Simple carbohydrates, like those that make up candy bars, are the worst offenders, because they result in sharp glucose spikes in your blood. This Halloween, balance your Snickers with some complex carbs. Have brown rice and veggies for dinner, rather than three slices of pizza. 

Three Don't Miss Halloween Skincare Tips

With shows like “The Walking Dead,” it’s no wonder that everyone is clambering to be some variety of zombie this halloween: a zombie nurse, a zombie army officer, a sexy zombie cheerleader. For those who prefer something a little less gruesome, the elaborate dia de los muertos getups are also gaining popularity. 

Unfortunately, both of these costumes—and a host of others—require significant amounts of makeup. I’m not talking about a little eyeliner and blush, but layers and layers of thick, cake makeup. Here are a few tips to keep your reflection the next morning from being scarier than your costume. 

1.) Invest in your makeup: Don’t buy the cheap makeup palettes you find at Halloween stores. These products are often “comedogenic,” meaning they clog pores. Instead, purchase higher quality theatrical makeup. It might cost a little more in the beginning, but think of the money you can save on an extra trip to the dermatologist. 

2.) Get a barrier: Before slathering on that thick green makeup base, apply a barrier cream. This will prevent even non-comedogenic products from getting into your pores.

3.) When All Hallow’s Eve is coming to an end, it can be temping to climb into bed, telling yourself that you will wash the pillowcase tomorrow. If you do this, however, you have more to worry about than laundry. Be sure to remove all makeup as soon as the festivities are over to avoid potential irritation. 

4 Foods to Avoid if You Want Good Skin

I know we’ve been slamming sugar and sugary drinks for a while now. We have good reason: sugar has been known to worsen acne because it causes systemic inflammation. To make matters worse, it has also been shown to damage collagen, which means you can expect wrinkles later in life. Compounded by the fact that Americans consume about 22 teaspoons daily--three times the suggested amount--it’s no wonder that our country is afflicted by pimple-filled teenage years.

But sugar isn’t the only dermatological villain. Today, I’d like to look at a few other offenders, some of which might surprise you. 

Milk: You may think that you’re being healthy by gulping down that glass of skim milk with breakfast, but harmful hormones can still be present even after pasteurization. In our bloodstream, these hormones can increase insulin levels, thereby causing inflammation. Stick to organic brands to avoid this.

Chips: Refined carbs that you find in chips and other bagged snackfoods can cause oxidative processes, which damage DNA and collagen. A study put out by the The Journal of Drugs in Dermatology found that these troublemakers are also usually responsible for adult onset acne. Buyer beware.

Smoothies: Sure, if you’re blending up a hearty kale-and-apple smoothie at home, you’re probably fine, but many store-bought varieties come with loads of added sugar--from ice-cream, sweetened yogurt, or syrupy fruit. 

Margarine: Oils and fats are important for adequate skin hydration, but not all sources are created equal. A recent study showed that margarine has the opposite effect: it dries skin out, leading to wrinkles.

Feel like there’s nothing left in the fridge that you can safely munch? Check back next week, when we investigate 4 foods that are good for your skin!

Source: http://www.prevention.com

Meat-Eaters Rejoice! The Importance of Protein

My boyfriend is a staunch carnivore; he could eat filet mignon for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if our budget would permit. That's  why I was shocked when he told me he had made reservations at one of Philadelphia's most popular--if eclectic--restaurants.

"It's called Vedge."

The name was descriptive enough; we were going to a vegetarian restaurant. When we arrived, however, I was surprised to find that, not only was there no meat to be found, the menu also avoided dairy ingredients. That's right, my paleo-pumping boyfriend had booked dinner at a vegan restaurant. 

Dinner was amazing. I've never tasted vegetables with such deep flavor profiles, but this is not a restaurant review. Rather, I want to use Vedge as a counter example. Sure, it's fine to keep a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle for moral reasons, but protein is a complicated nutrient and is inefficiently consumed when a person is eating only vegetables. 

What we call "protein" is actually a collection of amino acids, which are the building blocks of life. Essential animo acids cannot be manufactured by the body and must therefore be consumed through diet. While it is possible to get these through plant sources, animal proteins are "complete" proteins, meaning they contain all 9 of the essential amino acids. This makes things like hardboiled eggs and meat jerkies fantastic pre-workout snacks.

For those athletes who are vegetarians, it's important to get your protein from multiple sources: think tofu, beans, nuts, and quinoa. As long as you're getting those amino acids, the source is of secondary importance!