Beauty will save the world. This phrase is familiar to many. What is included in the concept of “beauty”? How does the quality of health affect appearance? Now let’s figure it out.
Changes to the concept of female beauty
Beauty is a subjective concept. For example, curvy, voluminous hips and legs are still valued in some cultures. Historically, this is due to a shortage of food: ladies with magnificent bodies did not starve and aroused the interest of the opposite sex.
There were historical examples when female beauty was “limited” to the face. In the Middle Ages, to undress and get ready for bed, the lady needed the help of several maids – it was difficult for one to remove several layers of clothes and untie the corset. During the day, it was impossible to make out a figure under such a robe, so the degree of attractiveness of a woman could only be determined by her face.
The periods of “thin people” were also present. The fashion of the last century often focused on girls with protruding bones.
Even though the concept of the ideal of beauty was constantly changing, there were still common signs of it.
For example, hair density. Regardless of what century it was in the yard, lush hair has always attracted the attention of others.
Another nuance in the female beauty recipe is the skin’s purity. The skin tone (pallor or blush), the severity of bruises under the eyes, and the presence of pigmentation were no less important. Many poets, philosophers, and artists paid attention to the smoothness, elasticity, and purity of a woman’s skin.
There were other common features of the ideal female image in history. However, the main condition of beauty is, of course, health.
The role of health in female beauty
Can beauty exist without health?
Failure in the work of the body is reflected in appearance. If the eyes are a reflection of the soul, then the skin, hair, and nails are a marker of the state of the body.
You can cover up dark circles under the eyes daily with tonal means, or you can find the cause of this defect and get rid of it!
The more time you devote to your health, the less attention you will have to pay to beauty.
Skin and detox
If we talk about the secrets of human health and beauty, it is better to start with the largest organ – the skin.
The skin protects the human body from various external influences, such as UV radiation.
The skin performs immune, respiratory, metabolic, and receptor functions. Equally important is its role in detoxification processes.
The very concept of detoxification is closely related to toxins – poisonous substances of biological origin. Detecting, capturing, neutralizing, and removing toxins is called detoxification.
Conventionally, toxins can be divided into true ones, produced by bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites, and conditional ones, which the body creates in the process of metabolic reactions – digestion of food, respiration, and so on.
Most often, intoxication manifests itself in the form of acne, rashes, and other defects associated with the skin.
What foods increase the degree of intoxication? Estimate the amount of pro-inflammatory foods in the diet – lactose, gluten, trans fats, refined carbohydrates, alcohol, fast food, fried foods, and industrial products with a long composition and an abundance of “Yes.” They hide in baked goods, fast food, industrial snacks (chips, crackers), desserts… Then look at the amount of anti-inflammatory, whole foods — vegetables, herbs, berries, seeds, fruits, nuts, fish, eggs, whole grains, and meats. Up to 80% of the diet should be anti-inflammatory foods.
It is not necessary to completely exclude gluten and lactose without intolerance symptoms.
Top 10 foods to support detoxification processes:
- lemon;
- garlic, onion;
- beet;
- radish;
- broccoli;
- Red currants;
- asparagus;
- celery;
- artichoke;
- ginger.
skin and hormones
Another common cause of deterioration in the appearance of the skin is hormonal disruptions.
Hormones control their hydration, the work of the sebaceous glands, and the metabolic processes of the skin and subcutaneous fatty tissue. For example, with an excess of the hormone testosterone, an increase in the level of the hormone dihydrotestosterone occurs, which, in turn, enhances the work of the sebaceous glands. This leads to the expansion of pores and the appearance of inflammation on the skin.
Another important hormone responsible for skin health is estradiol. Softness, elasticity, strength, and healthy color are the main indicators associated with estrogens, particularly estradiol.
Acne occurs when there is an imbalance of estrogen and testosterone.
Key hormone-regulating foods in the diet are:
- Cruciferous and leafy greens.
- Complete fat sources (e.g., ghee, coconut oil, fish, nuts).
- Protein (organ meats, eggs, legumes).
Another important group of hormones that affect skin quality is thyroid hormones. In them, we include thyroxine and its more active form – triiodothyronine. The most common problems associated with these hormones are hyperthyroidism (overproduction of thyroid hormones), which manifests itself in the form of dry skin and uncontrolled weight loss; and hypothyroidism (decreased production of thyroid hormones), which can manifest itself in the form of acne, puffiness, the skin acquires a grayish tint.
For the normal functioning of the thyroid gland, it is necessary to control the level of vitamin D, iodine, and selenium. For complete information, you need to contact an integrative nutritionist and endocrinologist.
Skin and gastrointestinal tract
The condition of the skin reflects the functioning of the digestive system. And the next secret to health and beauty is the maintenance of the functions of the digestive organs.
We have already discussed the toxins produced by bacteria, microscopic fungi, viruses, and parasites. In addition, the gut microbiota and the health of the intestines, stomach, liver, pancreas, and other digestive glands directly influence many of the processes important for skin health.
For example, an excess of yeast, liver disease, or a lack of protein in the diet leads to a lack of iron in the body, which leads to pale skin, dark circles, or even bags under the eyes.
With chronic inflammation and impaired intestinal absorption, vitamin deficiency affects overall well-being, energy levels, skin, hair, and nails.
With flatulence, bloating, and pain in the abdomen, you need to contact a nutritionist who will recommend doing a laboratory and instrumental check:
- blood chemistry;
- HMS, according to Osipov;
- coprogram;
- general blood test with leukocyte formula (KLA);
- analysis for vitamins A and D;
- Ultrasound of the abdominal organs.
Hair beauty and health
Let’s get back to hormonal balance. Several hormones, such as prolactin, testosterone, and dihydrotestosterone, can affect hair follicles. With an excess of these hormones, the hair bag expands, and without going through the full life cycle, the hair falls out. Controlling the level of sex hormones can significantly improve hair density.
Estrogens are responsible for the ratio of keratin, elastin, and collagen. These are the kind of workers that collect your hair, creating a balance between the listed structures. In addition, vitamins and minerals that control growth processes make their contribution.
When thinking about the health and functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, you should be aware of several deviations that affect the quality of the hair. For example, an excess of candida in the gut leads to the release of large amounts of metabolites that inhibit hair growth and can lead to increased hair loss, a process called alopecia. The building material of a healthy intestine and microflora is pro- and prebiotics.
Top 5 products for a healthy microflora:
- almond or coconut yogurt;
- kombucha;
- sauerkraut;
- greens and vegetables;
- homemade kvass.
Another important condition for maintaining healthy hair is the absence of stress. During periods of stress, the number of hair decreases. Excess cortisol levels destroy both the internal mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract and external structures – skin, hair, and nails.
Health and condition of nails
A beautiful manicure is a visiting card for any girl. The beauty of nails begins with the absence of deficiencies, injuries, and infections.
Nails are composed of the protein alpha-keratin. Therefore, it is important to monitor the amount of protein (which consists of amino acids) in the diet because its deficiency or impaired absorption directly affects the strength of the nails. The most important amino acids for the nail plate are cysteine, glycine, and alanine.
Sources of cysteine ​​are fish, oats, brown rice, egg yolk, onions, and garlic.
Sources of glycine are fish, dairy products, cheese, legumes, soy, and cauliflower.
Sources of alanine – meat, seafood, eggs, sunflower seeds, avocados, nuts.
The very shape or color of nails often helps us understand what is wrong with the body. For example, pale nails most often indicate anemia, yellow color indicates problems with the liver and gastrointestinal tract, and bluish nails indicate heart problems.
For the nails to be strong, it is necessary to control the level of vitamins A, E, D, C, group B, calcium, iodine, zinc, and magnesium.
Beauty and health workouts
How much physical activity does a woman need to keep her body in good shape?
The quantity and quality of the load are usually selected individually depending on lifestyle, nutrition, work, and health. Generally, two to three workouts per week are enough, lasting about an hour and a half or a daily 20-minute exercise. If we talk about intensity, it should be noted that the main thing is not to overdo it: an adequate amount of exercise will allow you to look young and positively affect your health. But training for wear will only negatively affect the state of the body.
Why is sport necessary for every girl? Here are four benefits of physical activity:
- Training improves skin quality, as increased blood flow delivers more nutrients and oxygen and improves microcirculation, which benefits skin color.
- Physical activity improves collagen synthesis.
- Properly selected exercise reduces the amount of stress hormone – cortisol.
- During movement, the lymph flow improves – the manifestations of cellulite decrease.
Stimulation of blood flow and increased oxygen delivery to the cells will lead to improved hair and nail quality and metabolism, which will help fight acne and rashes.
Nutrition for beauty and health
A complete diet is one of the main tricks in maintaining beauty and health! The relationship between diet and health is evident. We are what we eat and digest. Food is a source of energy necessary for the normal functioning of all body systems.
It is important to organize and establish a nutrition system as best as possible to improve health and well-being and maintain the beauty of the skin, hair, and nails. Eating the right habits, choosing foods, thinking about recipes, and balancing proteins, fats, and carbohydrates are all essential aspects of a healthy diet. Creating a diet is a complex and painstaking process. Experts in the field of nutrition will help you figure it out.
A few beauty tips:
- Less sugar and refined carbohydrates. The basis of the carbohydrate part of the diet should be whole grains – brown rice, buckwheat, amaranth, quinoa, and lentils. Sweets bring pleasure for a few minutes, and the health consequences will take a long time to correct. Look for a reason for joy in communicating with friends, walking, and watching movies. Sugar damages blood vessels, disrupt the microbiome, and leads to early aging. A high price for a moment of pleasure, isn’t it?
- Fewer dairy products in the presence of intolerance. One of the most common foods that cause inflammation in the body and skin is lactose. It is the sugar present in milk-based goods.
- less refined carbohydrates. Yes, carbohydrates are a quick source of energy, but to balance blood glucose levels and prevent excess weight, carbohydrate levels should be controlled;
- more protein. Lack of protein in the diet leads to early aging. Skin, hair, nails, muscles, hormones – everything is made of protein! Therefore, with its deficiency, the appearance will deteriorate;
- more complete fats. It is the basis of hormonal balance and skin, hair, and nails beauty. Butter, ghee, coconut, olives, fish, and seafood will moisten your skin! When choosing fermented milk products, pay attention to the percentage of fat content – the lower it is, the less useful the product is. Fat-free yogurts and curds contain additional components that improve the taste;
- more greenery. One of the anti-inflammatory foods rich in antioxidants is leafy greens. Cilantro, dill, parsley, and mint are involved in detox processes! In addition, it is food for the gut microbiota;
- get enough sleep! Bedtime is 22:00-23:00. This is the best time for the normal synthesis of melatonin, the main hormone of youth;
- more water. Water is the basis of life, along with oxygen and food. With a lack of water in the diet, edema, digestive disorders, and metabolic processes appear. Drinking at least 35 ml per 1 kg of body weight is necessary.
Results and conclusions
Beauty and health are two components of a healthy lifestyle that need equal attention. Where there is health, there is beauty. Conversely, beauty comes only with health.
