Dark Circles

Due to the thin and delicate anatomy of the skin around the eye area, dark
circlesand 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.
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Puffiness

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.
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Wrinkles

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.
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Vital nutrients for everyone

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 egetables—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.
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Recap

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:

A. Antioxidants—Vitamins C and E, Grapeseed Extract, Pomegranate Extract,
Goji Berry Extract

B. Anti-Inflammatories—Licorice Extract, Zinc, Chamomile and Tiger’s Herb

C. 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.
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All about eyes

Eye health is a frequent topic with my patients. There are many eye conditions
that are signs of diseased states, including autoimmune disease, chronic atopic
dermatitis, cardiovascular problems plus many more. While this information is
not designed to directly address disease, I have seen improvement in my
patients overall health as a result of following my recommendations. If you have
been diagnosed with any eye disease or chronic condition, please seek the
advice of your personal physician before introducing dietary changes into your
life.

An essential part of eye care is consuming foods that contain the proper
nutrients to maintain eye health. There are many eye problems that can be
avoided, and diseases that can be prevented, by following a healthy eating plan.
My favorite saying is “before there was medicine, there was food.” With this in
mind, I’ve outlined the most common eye concerns, and listed foods and
nutrients necessary for healthy eyes.
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Dry Eyes

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.
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Presbyopia

By age 40, many people start to have difficulty reading up close, this experience
signals the start of presbyopia. It starts with a subtle blurred vision when
reading, writing or working up close. Research shows that an estimated 90
million people in the United States will have presbyopia within the next ten
years. This common condition is an age related process. It is different from
farsightedness or nearsightedness which are related to the shape of the eyeball
and caused by genetic factors, trauma or disease.

Presbyopia stems from a gradual loss of flexibility in the natural lens inside the
eye. As aging occurs, proteins in the lens of the eyes become harder and less
elastic. Muscle fibers become stiffer and the eye has difficulty focusing up close.

Reading glasses are an easy solution, but there are additional dietary changes
that can be made to improve the flexibility and elasticity of eye. Since the eye is
comprised of a large amount of water, it is vital to ingest foods that encourage
cell hydration. In addition to foods rich in Essential Fatty Acids including omega
3, 6 and 9 oils, add olive oil and lecithin granules to your diet. Blend fresh raw
fruits with organic, unsweetened soy milk, add a dash of lecithin granules and a
spoonful of flaxseeds. Ground flaxseeds and flaxseed oil are staples in my
patients’ daily routine. Taking supplements that support healthy, flexible muscles
include amino acid blends of lysine, praline, glycine and glucosamine.
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Broken Blood Vessels

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.
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Additional Eye Tips

1. Protect eyes with UVA/UVB/UVC sunglasses.
2. Get enough sleep. Fatigue causes undue strain on the eye.
3. Close your eyes now and then, for a few seconds to refresh them.
4. Blink frequently, especially when doing close work.
5. 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.

* Disclaimer—if you have any questions or concerns, contact your physician
before making dietary changes. This information is not intended as a substitute
for professional medical advice or treatment.