Eye Care

Due to the thin and delicate anatomy of the skin around the eye area, dark circles and even dark eyelids are very common. The darkness is often due to the blood vessels that are found beneath the skin's surface. Dark circles, like varicose veins are usually an inherited trait. In darker skinned people, exposure to sunlight can cause a melanin surge, causing the skin to become even darker. Allergies, asthma and the common cold may also contribute to dark circles under the eyes, as people are more likely to rub the area.

Fatigue plays a role in dark circles. A lack of sleep or excessive tiredness can cause paleness of the skin, which again allows the blood underneath to become more visible and appear darker.

Age can also take its toll on the under eye area. As the skin becomes thinner with age, dark circles can appear more prominent. Excess folds of skin under the eyes will also make dark circles more pronounced. In addition to getting proper rest, key nutrients are necessary to maintain blood vessel strength. Attracting water to the skin and encouraging healthy collagen and elastin formation can be done through ingestion of raw, colorful fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants. Eating strawberries, cantaloupe, citrus fruits, goji berries, yams and broccoli, while also taking a Glucosamine supplement to strengthen collagen and elastin are important.

Edema, which shows up as swollen, puffy lids or as under eye puffiness occurs as a result of extracellular water, also known as wasted water. This is water that has leaked from the cells and blood vessels, and has accumulated in the area. Whether it's swollen ankles or swollen eyelids, my theory called The Water Principle® is the answer to turning this wasted, unused water back into the valuable water that should reside inside our cells, not outside our cells, which is what is happening when puffy eyes occur.

Over time, our cells, blood vessels and other areas of our bodies that need hydration break down and become unable to hold onto the water leaving them weakened and less effective. When our cells and blood vessels breakdown water begins to extravagate and then they become inflexible and cannot function at their optimal level. The end result is what we commonly refer to as puffiness. By adding cell and blood vessel strengthening nutrients to your diet, you can reduce the puffiness caused from wasted water accumulation. Eat foods rich in super antioxidants called polyphenols. One of my favorites is pomegranate. Pomegranate can be taken as juice, fruit or seeds, or as a standardized extract in supplement form. The supplement form is ideal as it is easily accessible all year round.

Foods rich in lecithin, a key cell strengthener, are important. In addition to eggs, eat a variety of soy products including tofu, edamame and soy milk. Lecithin granules can be added to smoothies or sprinkled on cereal. Tomatoes, spinach, cauliflower and peanut butter are additional sources. Essential fatty acids absorb water into the cell and will also help to reduce puffiness. Switch to olive oil instead of butter and add raw, unsalted walnuts, almonds and cashews to your diet. Avoid using salt or monosodium glutamate (MSG) which can aggravate puffiness. Try vegetable seasonings to add flavor without the sodium.

Bioflavonoids such as rutin are key and abundant in the rind of citrus fruits. Take supplements rich in bioflavonoids to ensure you are getting proper amounts. Another supplement to consider is Centella Asiatica often referred to as Tiger's Herb. Known to promote venous tone and elasticity, Centella Asiatica provides positive effects for blood flow and circulation. By improving the tone of the vessel, water is less likely to escape and edema or puffiness subsides.

They say the eyes are the window to the soul. The eyes can express a myriad of emotions and speak volumes without ever speaking a word. Because of the delicate nature of the skin around the eyes, it is susceptible to fine lines, wrinkles and premature aging, more so than other areas on the face. Since there are no oil-producing sebaceous glands in the skin around the eyes, there is less natural lubrication. Topical application of eye creams can make a dramatic difference. I recommend formulas that contain antioxidants to ward off damaging free radicals, anti-inflammatories or skin soothers to reduce irritation, and hydrating agents to attract water to the skin and maintain water within the skin.

Internally, ingest foods that encourage a thick, buoyant dermis. As the middle layer of the skin, the dermis is rich with collagen and elastin fibers woven in a gel-like matrix called glycosaminoglycans. Foods that support the dermal matrix include foods that build protein, such as beans, tofu and fat-free and low fat dairy products. Essential fatty acids, are necessary to attract water to the cells and collagen and elastin tissue, include olive oil, flaxseeds and flaxseed oil, eggs and omega-3 rich fish. Glucosamine supplements provided additional insurance to keep the skin around the eyes smooth and wrinkle-free.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids that are vital for healthy eyes and they may reduce the risk of developing cataracts. The best sources for lutein and zezxanthin are green, leafy vegetables—especially spinach. These nutrients are also found in collard greens, yellow and orange fruits, vegetables such as carrots, tangerines and yellow and orange peppers. For optimal eye health, eat a rainbow of nutritious foods, ideally raw and colorful fruits and vegetables. These contain the most pure form of water on the planet, structured water. This is the water that can get into your cells. For added insurance boost your diet with daily intake of a dietary supplement that supports overall cell and blood vessel health.

Water is the essence of life. Without it, we cannot exist. With it, we can repair our cell walls and encourage Inclusive Health®. All it takes is 3 easy steps:

1. Topical Skincare—utilizing topical products that encourage healthy cell turnover plus a mix of antioxidants, anti-inflammatories and hydrating ingredients. These include:

• Antioxidants—Vitamins C and E, Grapeseed Extract, Pomegranate Extract, Goji Berry Extract
• Anti-Inflammatories—Licorice Extract, Zinc, Chamomile and Tiger's Herb
• Hydrators—Sodium PCA, Hyaluronic Acid, Evening Primrose Oil and other plant based lipids

2. Internal Skincare—ingest key nutrients through supplements and foods that repair the cell wall and attract water, plus nutrients that build connective tissue.

3. Emotional Care—caring for one's self through incorporation of massage, aromatherapy, personal interaction and creating a general passion for life. Scientific studies have proven a link between our mental health and happiness, and physical health and hydration. A mini-eye massage or a soothing eye renewal mask encourages relaxation and internal healing.

Dry eyes are a very common syndrome with varying degrees of severity. This condition affects more women than men with research showing 6 million women and 3 million men in the United States having severe cases, up to 30 million people having mild cases. While it is important to see your doctor if you are experiencing severe dryness, there are foods you can incorporate into your diet to ensure you are lubricating the eye internally. A diet rich with Essential fatty acids and Lecithin will keep and attract water in the cells, providing hydration. To increase Essential fatty acids in your daily eating plan add olive oil, flaxseed oil, borage seed oil, and coldwater fish to your diet. Eat eggs, soybeans, tomatoes and peanuts to benefit from the lecithin they contain.

Small red veins within the eye are common, and sometimes they appear overnight. They can occur from coughing, sneezing, eye strain, or rubbing the eye. They are more common in people that take blood thinners and aspirin regularly, or with some disease states. Since the skin around the eye is one of the thinnest on the body, broken blood vessels can also show through the skin, causing the look of a dark circle. Foods high in vitamin c and bioflavonoids such as berries, oranges, grapefruit, and apricots help to reduce broken blood vessels and promote new blood vessel growth. Bioflavonoids are most prominent within the rind of citrus fruits, therefore a supplement containing bioflavonoids is also helpful. In addition to colorful fruits and vegetables, one of my favorite foods is the goji berry. Grown in the Himalayas, goji berries are considered to be one the of the world's most nutritious foods. Ounce per ounce, goji berries contain more vitamin c than oranges, more beta carotene than carrots, 21 trace minerals and 18 amino acids. They are available in dried form and can be found within nutritional dietary supplements. Glucosamine is a super hero when it comes to blood vessel support. This amino acid strengthens collagen and elastin tissue, which is what the blood vessel is comprised of. It is not commonly found in foods; therefore taking dietary supplements are recommended.

• Protect eyes with UVA/UVB/UVC sunglasses.
• Get enough sleep. Fatigue causes undue strain on the eye.
• Close your eyes now and then, for a few seconds to refresh them.
• Blink frequently, especially when doing close work.
• If you are working on the computer, take a break every few hours and look at something green. Green is very soothing for the eyes.