You’ve likely heard a friend or acquaintance sing the praises of probiotics. Maybe you’ve even taken them yourself or are a kombucha devotee. Now we see probiotics being hailed as the latest hot skincare ingredient. But is there real benefit when used topically?
Have you ever felt beyond bloated or developed a yeast infection while taking antibiotics? This is due to the meds wiping out your helpful bacteria along with the not so good stuff. Doctors often suggest taking a probiotic supplement to balance this out. And, I can tell you from experience, it’s not a bad idea.
Yogurt and some fermented foods, like kombucha and kraut, contain micro-organisms said to offer good bacteria to the digestive system. What works for the gut has to be good for the skin, right? Clean, edible ingredients are a typical cosmetic tagline these days, afterall. It is important to note that not all ingredients that work on our inside perform as well on our skin. But with this particular ingredient, they could be on to something.
Probiotics offer the bacterial balance our system requires to operate properly. These anti-inflammatory effects have some believing these little germs may be good for inflammatory skin conditions like acne, rosacea, and eczema.
A study shows a connection between gut health and skin issues, like acne, and that acne sufferers may benefit from a balanced digestive tract via probiotic usage. This same study suggests there may be probiotic benefits to acne when used topically. When used in skincare treatments, probiotics are believed to reduce inflammation and offer antibacterial effects. Probiotics are also shown to create a barrier on skin, helping to block dirt and bacteria from entering pores and causing futher breakouts.
This barrier means probiotics may be useful in treating other inflammatory skin conditions as well. External elements on the skin irritate and inflame skin conditions like rosacea and eczema. Probiotics could help to protect and calm the skin.
If probiotics are the anti-inflammation wunderkind this could be an important discovery. Inflammation of the skin is linked to premature aging, irritation, redness, and even skin cancer.
I have not tried probiotic skincare myself, but my sister tried two different probiotic skincare treatments a few years apart and broke out in hives both times. This may be an individual case, but until more research has been done on probiotic benefits to skin I would use cautiously. As for rubbing straight up yogurt on your face? The lactic acid will exfoliate dead skin cells, but don’t expect any major probiotic effects.
If you are dealing with an inflammatory skin condition, consult your dermatologist on trying probiotic skincare. Here are some products to try by brands who are committed to safety in cosmetics.
Aurelia is an entire probiotic skincare line.
Eminence Organics Clear Skin Probiotic Mask is spa-worthy.
Acure Organics offers several probiotic-containing products for face and body.
de Mamiel Restorative Cleansing Balm calm while it cleans.
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Image of woman putting cream on face via Shutterstock
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A legal ruling last week in New York City accused GNC stores and three other retailers of selling herbal supplements contaminated with unnamed ingredients and fraudulently labeled. As a result of the recent ruling, GNC has agreed to a massive overhaul of its quality controls and supplement testing procedures. The new controls will far exceed those in place at the federal level.
“This should be a standard across the entire industry,” Dr. Pieter Cohen, an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School who studies tainted supplements, said to The New York Times. “Today we finally have one first step taken by one retailer, and only after the very aggressive intervention by the New York attorney general’s office.”
The upgraded standards at GNC stores will include a number of steps to protect consumers, such as using DNA testing to prove listed plant materials are present and testing for common allergens that could put people at risk—like soy, tree nuts, and wheat. Store signage and posted statements will outline processing procedures, particularly when chemical solvents are used.
“When consumers take an herbal supplement, they should be able to do so with full knowledge of what is in that product and confidence that every precaution was taken to ensure its authenticity and purity,” New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said in a statement released Monday. “When it comes to consumer health, we expect companies to reach a high safety bar. Without tests and safeguards, including those that rule out dangerous allergens, these supplements pose unacceptable risks to New York families. I urge all herbal supplements manufacturers and retailers to join GNC in working with my office to increase transparency and put the safety of their customers first.”
It’s unclear whether other retailers like Target, Walmart, and Walgreens, also included in the investigation, will improve their quality standards. As part of the investigation, officials found plant material listed on the ingredients were often not found in the product, as well as the presence of certain allergens.
GNC will also be required to provide the New York attorney general’s office with a semiannual report of its testing and compliance with new quality standards.
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Dark chocolate. Arugula. Espresso. Citrus rinds. Bitter foods are hotter than ever. Bitter is a surprising flavor that resides on the palate somewhere in the nether region between sour, salty, pungent, savory, and sweet. Today the flavor is enjoying a revival, as adventurous eaters welcome new tastes and textures onto their table. Is there enough bitter in your life?
If you have children, you’ll probably want to save the bitter experiments for grown-up meals only. Kids don’t like bitter foods because they have actually evolved not to. Many poisonous plants and other toxic substances are bitter, and if children went around chowing them down – the human race might not have made it this far. Kids are picky eaters because they evolved to be that way out of protection.
But for adults, the bitter flavor brings a whole new dimension to dinner, not to mention cocktails. Bitter balances rich flavors, and go surprisingly well with sweet. Do you like your pie crusts browned on the edges? That’s because browning produces ever-increasing amounts of bitter – which pairs perfectly with the sweet pie filling inside.
Check out some of our favorite bitter foods below, and how you can incorporate them into your diet.
Dark Chocolate – Go for a bar with at least 70 percent cocoa solids, which indicates a high level of antioxidants. Dark chocolate is packed with potassium, copper, magnesium and iron – so you can indulge without reservation. Eat a small piece alone as slowly as you possibly can, savoring the heavenly combination of bitter and sweet.
Arugula – The darling of healthy eaters everywhere, this bitter green is now a menu staple. Toss arugula with a light vinaigrette in a green salad with Gorgonzola, pear and cinnamon roasted pecans. Add it to a home-baked pizza right after it comes out of the oven, or use it in your favorite soup or stew.
Espresso – If you’re a coffee drinker, then you’re already converted to the wonderful world of bitter flavors. Now it’s time to bring bitter out of the cup and onto your plate. Bitter balances out fatty dishes, like pork chops, beef chili, and burgers. And don’t forget about tiramisu – the classic Italian dessert bursting with cream and coffee flavors.
Grapefruit – This breakfast favorite is a classic bitter masterpiece. If you don’t want to eat it alone (with one of those clever grapefruit spoons), try the juice and slices of its rind in cocktails for a punchy twist. It also pairs well with sparkling wine and ginger liqueur.
Turmeric – Used in yellow curries, this bright gold root vegetable tastes delicious. Even better, it contains curcumin, which has been linked to a number of health benefits, including a lower risk of heart disease, arthritis and cancer. Add turmeric to egg scrambles and frittatas, sprinkle it on roasted vegetables, or add it to rice for color and flavor.
Bitter Melon – This potent fruit contains active substances with anti-diabetic properties that tend to lower the body’s blood glucose levels. Blanch it before cooking, or you may find it too bitter to swallow. It’s traditionally pickled, stuffed or curried, but you can use it in any dish with other strong flavors. Try it in a stir-fry with garlic, chilies, fermented black beans and coconut milk.
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Radishes are the unsung hero of the superfood veggie world. They are one of those vegetables you see sliced and thrown into a salad but are unsure where else they hold value. But while radishes may be a complementary addition to the main meal, the health benefits of radishes are anything but a side note. Here’s a rundown as to why you should incorporate more radishes into your diet, along with a few delicious recipes to get you started.
The radish is an edible root that is part of the Brassicaceae (cabbage) family. It is grown and enjoyed around the world and most often in its raw state as part of a salad. Its taste is sharp and spicy due to its chemical compounds glucosinolate, myrosinase and isothiocyanate.
One cup of radish slices contains 18 calories, 270 milligrams of potassium, 45 milligrams of sodium, 3.9 grams of carbohydrates, 1.9 grams of dietary fiber, .8 grams of protein, 2% of the RDA of calcium and iron, 3% of the RDA of magnesium, 5% of the RDA of vitamin B6 and 28% of the RDA of vitamin C.
The health benefits of radishes are aplenty. They are great detoxifiers, able to purify and the blood and shed toxins and wastes. Radishes contain a special compound known as RsPHGPx, which acts as an antioxidant in the phase 2 liver detoxification pathways. This antioxidant facilitates the elimination of harmful substances from the blood, such as medications, insecticides and cancer-causing molecules. The black radish, in particular, is a strong remedy for inducing bile synthesis and hence detoxing the liver.
The red color of radish skin comes from a red plant pigment called anthocyanin. This pigment operates as a strong antioxidant that is able to stave off cardiovascular disease and improve heart health.
A great source of potassium, radishes can lower blood pressure, decrease the likelihood of developing kidney stones or osteoporosis, prevent diabetes and improve cardiovascular health. As a member of the cruciferous family, radishes contain a unique molecule known as indol-3-carinol, which has been shown to reduce inflammatory intermediates in the blood.
Get the most from the health benefits of radishes by trying out the following recipes:
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There’s nothing more heartbreaking (to your wallet) than spending oodles of money on workout clothes just to have them fall apart once you start washing them. It’s typically not to do with the quality of the garments themselves, but how we wash them. Laundry tips specific to fitness gear are your key to success.
Workout clothes are made of fabrics that are as high tech as they are delicate, so they don’t deal with our (lack of) laundering skills as well as our everyday clothing does. Here are 9 laundry tips to keep your workout clothing looking snazzy:
“I always have time to wash my gym clothes right after a workout,” said no woman, ever. Until you have time to squeeze in a load of laundry, hang your clothes to dry instead of throwing them in a hamper. You don’t want your sweaty duds taking on a life of their own in the form of mold and mildew. Ick.
To avoid that skunky smell embedding into your workout clothes, pre-soak them in one part vinegar and four parts water for about 30 minutes. You should also toss a little vinegar, baking soda or lemon juice into your rinse cycle—you know, just in case.
Not only does doing so keep your colors bright, but all of the sweat and dead skin cells accumulate on the inside of your workout gear, not the outside. Plus, if there are any garment-to-garment snags during the wash cycle, they won’t be visible on the outside of your clothing.
Elastic agrees with extreme heat about as much as we agree with Mondays, so you should always wash your workout gear in cold water. Try your best to avoid washing your part-lycra clothing with rougher fabrics like cotton or wool, as this may cause pilling. Plus, this is one of those handy money-saving laundry tips: No hot water equals saving money on utilities!
And when you do toss them in the washing machine, fasten the hooks first and put them in a mesh washing bag. Don’t put your sports bra in the dryer, which can break down fabric fibers and warp their shape. If laundry day isn’t exactly around the corner, in a pinch you can wear your bra in the shower post-workout, wipe it down using a gentle body wash and let it air dry.
Either wash your grippy socks by hand or wash them inside out on delicate—and never toss them in the dryer. The heat can make the grips become brittle and fall off. Womp, womp.
It sounds counter-productive, but use less soap than you would normally. Because of the sweat-wicking fabric, you need to make sure the solution successfully penetrates the fibers of clothing. More suds will just get in the way of your cleanser doing its thing.
Fabric softener sinks into the weave of the fabric, which means your moisture-wicking fabric won’t be so helpful in that department anymore.
Buy a drying rack, hang on a clothesline, or tumble dry your workout clothes sans heat. Again, the heat will totally eff with the elastic—and there’s nothing more annoying than a saggy ensemble. Because of the moisture-wicking fabric, they won’t take as long to air dry as typical clothing, but if you miss the whole fluffy thing that comes from using the dryer, tumble dry your gear with a rubber dryer ball.
What are your go-to laundry tips for workout gear?
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Image: Workout gear photo via Shutterstock
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