THE SOLUTION TO A SIMPLE, MEANINGFUL, WELL-DESIGNED LIFE /
THE F Ê T E / LIF E PROJECT NO.
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BEAUT Y FROM THE INSIDE OUT Welcome to the Fête/Life Project – a collection of helpful, useful and practical articles that can be applied to life at any time, but especially now. Sourced from the many magazines we have released, our message has never been more relevant or needed by our community today… let’s embrace the simple life and treasure what is truly important – human connection, community, self care and pure acts of kindness. SUPPORT WHEN YOU NEED IT MOST /
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health / W E L L - B E I N G
PHOTOGRAPH / SERAINA SIL JA HÜRLIMANN STORY / DR LIBBY WEAVER
BEAUTY FROM THE INSIDE OUT Beauty really is an inside job. How many of us stop to consider that our outer layer is merely a reflection of inner processes, completely reliant on the health of the 50 trillion cells that you are made of? And the health of those cells is impacted by everything from the food you eat, the nutrients present or missing from your blood and the hormones and messages your body makes based on whether your thoughts are fearful or loving. Really think about that. When most people think about improving
Unfortunately, many of us respond to
The cells then begin their migration
their appearance, they usually focus on
changes in our skin with practices that
outwards to the surface and on their
a product, another ‘quick fix'. However,
may actually assault and injure it further,
way they are transformed into protein-
when we do this it may mean that we
consequently accelerating the aging
producing cells called keratinocytes.
don’t address what has caused this to
process, whether that is visible
Whenever the skin is cut or grazed, the
happen in the first place, which usually
immediately or not. Others may do nothing keratinocytes signal the dermis to produce
requires an inside out approach to address
for their skin, but nonetheless expect
more cells so that the cut can be knitted
aspects of our nutritional status or
it to remain clear, beautiful and youthful.
together and the wound closed quickly.
biochemistry. Optimising inner health has the power to affect your outer beauty by improving the health of your skin, transforming the shape and movement of your body, and allowing you to express a radiance that inspires those around you.
To help people change the way they consider and therefore treat their skin, I find it most powerful to help people understand what it does each day and how best to support its work. Skin is actually made up of three layers, designed as the
The skin is your largest organ, not just a
perfect shield. The outermost layer, which
layer that keeps your insides on the inside.
is renewed each month, is the epidermis
It is a barometer of what is going on inside
and this is the part you can see. The middle
your body and all skin conditions, from
layer is the dermis and below that is the
eczema to acne to the appearance of aging,
foundation layer of the skin known as the
are the manifestations of your body's
subcutaneous layer. All three layers work
internal needs, including its nutritional
together to form healthy skin.
needs. Without great food, nutrients, hydration, digestion, liver, thyroid and kidney function, as well as sex hormone balance, just to name a few, it can be a challenge for our skin to be nourished. The skin performs a multitude of tasks,
The epidermis itself is made up of layers, the top layer being the shield. As soft and supple as the skin can be, it is also a form of armour. Depending on your belief systems you may perceive that it is a tough world out there and that you need
most of which go unnoticed and are
protection from drying winds, rain and
unappreciated by many. It protects us from
dust, as well as harsh words. The skin
disease and our daily exposure to particles
itself can handle all of that and a lot more.
in the air. It cools us when we are hot and
The outer surface of the skin is made of
warms us when we are cold. It heals
dead skin cells that are flat and flexible.
wounds inflicted on it, often without any
They originate at the bottom of the dermis,
assistance from us. It absorbs sunlight and
a region known as the basal layer, and
produces vitamin D, critical to our bones,
are born into an arena where nutrients
teeth and immune function and it keeps
are either present or lacking. This
itself moist, slows its own aging and every
‘information' present influences the health
day attempts to renew and restore its
and appearance of these skin cells. So it
beauty. While skin accomplishes all of this
makes sense that the way you choose to
on its own, it still needs support. With
eat, drink, move, think, breathe, believe
every blemish, rash and wrinkle, the skin
and perceive has an enormously powerful
is asking us to understand its nature and
impact on the health and appearance of
to support its efforts at self-renewal.
your skin.
Isn’t that amazing? When they reach the surface of the skin and encounter air, the keratinocytes die and form your defence shield. After a week or two they slough off, making way for another round of cells that form a new hard surface top layer. The journey from the basal layer to the surface of the skin takes about 28 days, which means that we have an incredible ability to alter the way our skin looks, feels and appears in a relatively brief period of time, simply by taking even better care of what we put into our bodies. In my experience, whenever skin breaks out in pimples, acne, or a rash, the origin of the problem will be found not in the skin itself, but in a waste disposal function of the body, typically the digestive system. When your body attempts to rid itself of excess waste that cannot be eliminated through the channels of preference for the body — mainly digestion, to which the liver is inextricably linked and the kidneys — the skin steps in to assist in elimination. In other words, the skin believes it is helping you to be your healthiest self by getting rid of the waste. So rather than get frustrated at your skin for ‘betraying' you, understand that it is simply looking after you and, through that process, communicating to you that inner processes, such as digestion, liver, and/or the urinary system, need support.
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health / W E L L - B E I N G
Chewing properly helps to support great digestion – it may sound simple but so many people eat as though their oesophagus is lined with teeth! Besides breaking down our food mechanically, chewing also helps to stimulate stomach acid production which is essential for efficient extraction of nutrients from our food – and it is these nutrients that are so vital for the health of our skin cells. In my ideal world we also wouldn’t drink water twenty to thirty minutes either side of eating, as this has the potential to dilute our stomach acid and therefore dampen our digestive fire. As the kidneys and the bowel require plenty of water to function optimally, it’s essential that we drink enough water between our meals (rather than with meals) for efficient elimination and clear skin. Ideally, every cell of your body looks like a grape – this is the case when your cells are hydrated. A dehydrated state means your cells appear more like raisins and this can be the result of inadequate water intake, a lack of minerals, poor adrenal function, often due to chronic stress or trauma, or excess caffeine or alcohol consumption. Supporting the liver to do its critical detoxification work is also key for happy, clear skin. Minimising what I like to call ‘liver loaders’ – caffeine, alcohol, refined sugars and trans fats from processed foods and synthetic substances – is wonderfully supportive for the liver, as is eating plenty of vegetables, particularly Brassica family vegetables (such as broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage and brussels sprouts). Acne and blemishes can also be due to a sex hormone imbalance, particularly if they are along the jawline or on the back. Stress reduction and a real, wholefood way of eating is essential and liver support can be very beneficial, too. There are also some beautiful herbs such as paeonia and licorice that can help to support optimal sex hormone balance, however, if you take any prescribed medications or have any medical conditions, it’s essential to consult with a qualified healthcare professional before taking any herbal medicines.
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TIPS TO NOURISH YOUR SKIN FROM THE INSIDE OUT AMP UP YOUR INTAKE OF
HYDRATE
ANTIOXIDANT-RICH PL ANT
FLUIDS HELP TO FLUSH OUT ANY
FOODS
HARMFUL SUBSTANCES FROM
VITAMINS A, C AND E AND
THE BODY AND PREVENT THESE
SELENIUM ARE POTENT
SUBSTANCES FROM NEEDING
ANTIOXIDANTS THAT HELP TO
TO BE EXCRETED THROUGH
REDUCE DAMAGE CAUSED BY
THE SKIN, WHERE THEY CAN
FREE RADICALS, WHICH ARE
CAUSE DAMAGE. TO KEEP OUR
GENERATED BY MANY PROCESSES
SKIN PLUMP AND YOUTHFUL,
INCLUDING INCREASED
I T’S I M P O RTA N T T H AT WE S TAY
RESPIRATION AND EXPOSURE TO
HYDRATED AND LISTEN TO THE
SMOKE AND POLLUTION. VITAMIN
SIGNS OUR BODY GIVES US
C, FOUND IN LOTS OF FRESH
WHEN IT NEEDS SOME EXTRA
VEGETABLES, CITRUS FRUITS AND
H Y D R AT I O N. S C I E N C E C U R R E N T LY
BERRIES, IS ALSO CRITICAL FOR
TELLS US THAT HEALTHY ADULTS
THE SYNTHESIS OF COLL AGEN,
NEED 33 MILLILITRES OF WATER
AN IMPORTANT STRUCTURAL
FOR EACH KILOGRAM OF OUR
PROTEIN OF OUR SKIN. DARK
BODY WEIGHT. SO A 70 KILOGRAM
GREEN LEAFY VEGETABLES
P E R S O N T H E O R E T I C A L LY
CONTAIN BETA-CAROTENE
REQUIRES 2.31 LITRES OF
(A PRECURSOR TO VITAMIN A)
WAT E R P E R DAY. H OWE V E R, WE
IN ADDITION TO VITAMIN C,
TEND TO FORGET THAT MANY
AND BRAZIL NUTS ARE RICH IN
PL ANT FOODS HAVE A HIGH
BOTH SELENIUM AND VITAMIN
WATER CONTENT, AND THIS
E, MAKING THEM GREAT SKIN
CONTRIBUTES TO OUR OVERALL
FOODS.
ENJOY PLENTY OF ‘REAL FOOD’ FATS
HYDRATION STATUS. HERBAL TEAS AND SOUPS ALSO ADD TO OUR TOTAL FLUID INTAKE.
SKIN LOVES FAT! FAT HELPS THE SKIN TO MAINTAIN ITS MOISTURE BARRIER WHICH HELPS KEEP SKIN SOFT AND PREVENT DRYING. NUTS AND SEEDS, AVOCADO AND COCONUT ARE REAL WHOLE FOODS THAT ARE RICH IN NOURISHING FATS. OMEGA 3 FAT T Y A C I D S A R E PA R T I C U L A R LY HELPFUL FOR SKIN, AND THIS IS THE T YPE OF FAT THAT MOST PEOPLE ARE DEFICIENT IN. O I LY F I S H L I K E S U S TA I N A B L E SARDINES OR SALMON, CHIA SEEDS, FL AXSEEDS AND WALNUTS ARE ALL GREAT SOURCES.
Many other skin conditions can be linked to our inner health, too. If skin is dry, this may indicate an essential fatty acid deficiency, poor skin-care choice, thyroid dysfunction, or poor digestion. Skin that scars easily can be due to inadequate zinc and vitamin C, and dull skin can be a sign of poor nutrition from poor food choices, or poor digestion. If you are experiencing any skin problems, I can’t encourage you enough to get to the heart of these with an inside out approach. Clear, glowing skin is a natural consequence of taking even better care of your body and your
Dr Libby Weaver is a Nutritional Biochemist, best-selling author and speaker. Her book, W O M E N ’ S W E L L N E S S W I S D O M , is available at:
overall health.
DRLIBBY.COM
FETEPRESS.COM.AU / ISSUE NO.23