Hi ! Welcome to Truestar Health.       Log In
   
Truestar Top 10 Nutrition Basics
About our Meal Plans
Top 10 Nutrition Books
The 10 Best Foods
The 10 Worst Foods
Glycemic Index & Glycemic Load
Green Light, Red Light Foods
Tasty Truestar Desserts
Truestar Approved Fast-Food Options
Food Measurements & Conversions
The Truestar Plate
Truestar Top Breakfast
Truestar Top Lunch
Truestar Top Snack
Truestar Top Dinner
Truestar Top Smoothies
Nutrition Article Archives
Food Trakker
Quick Start Instructions
Healthy Holiday Recipes

Important Links
Extreme Natural Makeover

8 simple steps to a more beautiful you!

By Dr. Joey Shulman D.C., RNCP

Do you want all of the benefits of plastic surgery without going under the knife? Luckily, there are ways to eat, drink and even think that can take years off your current look. Whether it’s shinier hair; clear, bright skin; a flat tummy or weight loss you are seeking, following our eight natural extreme makeover tips will help reveal a younger, healthier looking you.

Step 1: Eat antioxidant-filled food
Research has clearly demonstrated that people who consume antioxidant-rich food, such as fruits and vegetables, are at a lower risk of developing diseases, have greater energy and experience less weight gain. Packed full of minerals, vitamins, phytonutrients (disease-fighting chemicals) and fiber, fruits and vegetables counteract the effects of cellular damage (a.k.a. free-radical damage) causing the skin to look brighter and younger. Certain vegetables, such as cucumbers, are effective at reducing under-eye puffiness. Simply refrigerate cucumber slices overnight and place them over your eyes for five minutes when needed. Complete the Truestar Nutrition profile for a personalized meal plan that includes many antioxidant-packed foods.

Step 2: Avoid diuretics and hydrate like crazy!
One of the most popular and addictive drugs today is coffee. From cappuccinos to lattes, North Americans are drinking coffee in massive amounts to get their morning kick. If you love your morning java, keep in mind that one cup of coffee flushes approximately two glasses of water from your system. The body relies on water to detoxify properly and water also essential for supple, younger looking skin and bright eyes. To counteract the effects of coffee, be sure to drink a minimum of six to eight glasses of fresh, clean water daily. Visit your local health food store for spearmint-flavored chlorophyll to add to your water. In addition to its detoxifying and infection-fighting effects, chlorophyll has a wonderful mineral content, including iron, potassium, magnesium and copper.

Step 3: Supplement with fish oils
A majority of the population is deficient in the essential fat called omega-3. In addition to being critical to every cellular function in the body (approximately 60% of your brain is comprised of fat!), omega-3 makes your hair softer and shinier. Although cold-water fish, flax oil, nuts and seeds contain omega-3 and its derivative DHA, it is often difficult to eat enough to cause a noticeable difference in your health. This is why it is best to supplement your diet daily with a high quality fish oil supplement. For more information, visit the Truestar Vitamins and Supplements section for a free, personalized vitamin profile.

Step 4: Dry brush your skin two to three times per week
The skin is the body’s largest detoxifying organ. Unfortunately, due to tight fitting clothing, antiperspirants and heavy moisturizing lotions, it is often difficult for the skin to detoxify properly. Try dry brushing to help your skin breathe and detoxify more effectively: Prior to bathing, while your skin is dry, dry brush your skin with a natural fiber brush (available at most health food stores). Start with your hands, fingers and arms and then move on to your underarms, stomach, back and feet. Avoid sensitive areas, such as your face. After dry brushing your skin, shower and apply a light moisturizing cream. Dry brushing can also be effective at reducing cellulite.


 

Step 5: Get your ZZZZZZZs
In today’s fast-paced world, we often do not have a great deal of time to recover from stress. This is why the quality and quantity of sleep you get is critical to overall health. There is no moisturizing cream, hydrotherapy treatment or facemask that can compete with the powerful healing effects of sleep. When you sleep, the body regenerates and refuels to counteract some of the daily assaults on our health. The Truestar Sleep Tips can make your six to nine hours of sleep more productive and beneficial to your health and your looks—restorative sleep can help remove the dark, puffy circles from under your eyes and keep you feeling refreshed.

Step 6: Do not smoke
Nothing ages the skin quicker than smoking. If you do smoke, make it your number one health priority to get help and quit. The average cigarette depletes the body of approximately 60 mg of vitamin C. Until you are smoke-free, it is best to supplement with vitamin C and to include vitamin C-rich foods, such as citrus fruits and broccoli, in your diet.

Step 7: Be merry!
Laughter boosts immunity and keeps you young! Specifically, laughter increases the number of natural killer cells and activated T-cells, the cells needed to fight off infection or disease. Laughter has also been shown to block pain and reduce stress levels. As the saying goes, “There's not much laughter in medicine, but there's lots of medicine in laughter."

Step 8: Stomach crunches
Flatten your tummy the natural way by doing the proper exercise at home or in the gym. According to Michael Carrera, exercise expert at Truestar Health, “It is best to do two or three sets of 15 to 30 repetitions of abdominal crunches and side (oblique) twists every other day. You’ll know you’ve hit the ‘work zone’ when you start to feel a burning sensation.”

If incorporating an exercise ball into your abdominal regime, it is important to select a ball that is appropriate for your height and weight and to keep your eyes open the entire time to avoid falling. Visit the Truestar Exercise section for personalized exercise programs to get your body in shape today!

> > Back to Nutrition home