Beauty & The Feast
by Ryan Thomas
Photography By Vincent Knakal

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, some 1.2 million people underwent cosmetic surgery last year to look younger and healthier, eradicate cellulite and wrinkles, tighten skin, and clear away blemishes. Tummy tucks, face lifts, ear lifts, forehead lifts, liposuction, and dermabrasion were just a few of the more common procedures.

But let’s face it, not everybody is thrilled about going under the knife just to look a few years younger. Sometimes there are simpler, less invasive methods that will also yield tighter skin and flatter bellies. The most abundant source of anti-aging products exist right in your refrigerator. Yes, food can defy the aging process, tightening skin, toning muscles, burning fat, and improving mental capacity. The trick is to know which ones do which job, and which ones should be avoided.

Brain Food
Different types of amino acids affect the brain’s neurotransmitters. Tyrosine affects the alertness transmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, which affect memory and mood. Tyrosine can be found in soy, tofu, fish, chicken and beef, among other protein heavy foods. Trytophan has a reputation as the sleep-inducing agent in Thanksgiving turkeys. While its drowsy effects are still debated amongst scientists, they do know it is associated with serotonin and melatonin, which affect mood. It is bountiful in chocolate, oats, bananas, dried dates, milk, cottage cheese, meat, fish, turkey, and peanuts. Glutamine, determined to improve memory and aid concentration, can be found in meats such as fish, beans, and chicken. Lastly, serine, which is found in peanuts, wheat, and dairy products, is known to assist nerve transmissions, which help improve memory and learning capacity.

Honey
Researchers have discovered that there is a direct link between honey and the level of polyphenolic antioxidants in the plasma. Such antioxidants help fight the aging process, as well as heart disease and arthritis. Dark honey has more antioxidants than light, with buckwheat honey scoring the highest. Honey has other benefits as well, containing many vitamins and minerals, like Vitamin B and C, calcium, iron, and potassium. Also, honey is a humectant, which means it attracts and retains moisture. Since the time of the ancient Egyptians, it has been used as an ointment for skin, both to retain softness and heal wounds.

Sugar Substitute
The biggest enemy, as everyone knows, is sugar. Sugar attaches to collagen, which results in stiff, inflexible, sagging skin and weight gain. The problem with many sugar substitutes is that they are still relatively new, and long-term effects have not been determined. Of all the substitutes on the market, the FDA seems to have the least problem with Sucralose, otherwise known as Splenda. Though it is a substitute, it is actually 600 times sweeter than sugar. Sucralose is made from real sugar, but it cannot be digested. Therefore, the body wracks up no calories using it. Numerous studies have shown that sucralose does not affect blood glucose levels, also making it an option for diabetics.

Acai
Acai, the fruit of a palm tree from the Amazon, is still relatively new to the Western world. Scientists are calling it a true superfood, since it can provide over 30 times the amount of anthocyanins as red wine and all the fatty acids of olive oil. Anthocyanins prevent blood clots, improve blood circulation, relax blood vessels, and prevent atherosclerosis. Recent studies suggest that the amount of anthocyanins in acai can help prevent cancer, by blocking carcinogenesis on a molecular level and fighting tumor cells. A 100-gram serving of açaí contains only 90 calories, just two grams of fat and no cholesterol.

Vitamin A
Vitamin A is the generic term for a variety of fat-soluble substances including retinol, retinyl palmitate, and the provitamin A carotenoids. The health of our epithelial tissue is directly dependent on the amount of vitamin A in our diet. When a deficiency of vitamin A exists, the mucous membrane cells harden and degenerate into a horny rough surface. Rough, dry skin may be the result of a lack of vitamin A. Foods rich in vitamin A include orange and green vegetables such as sweet potatoes, spinach, broccoli, and carrots.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids play an important role as structural membrane lipids, particularly in nerve tissue and the retina, and influence a wide range of functions in cells. They also reduce the risk of heart disease and arthritis. The problem with Omega 3 fatty acids is that the human body cannot produce them, and must get them from an outside source. The best source of this beneficial substance is through fish oil. Salmon, herring, and tuna are the ones with the highest content. You can also find it in some green leafy vegetables and soy.

Complex Carbs
Though the anti-carb campaign is still in full effect, it is okay to eat a moderate supply of complex carbs. What should be avoided are simple carbs, which cause insulin levels to rise and can cause breakouts. Simple carbs have only a couple of strands of sugar, whereas complex carbs have hundreds of strands of sugar. The body can solve the simple carb equation quickly and turn them into fat very quickly. Complex carbs take a longer time to convert to fat, and therefore can be eradicated quickly with exercise. In fact, they provide many essential nutrients, and provide energy for the body. They can be found in whole-grain bread, brown rice, potatoes, most vegetables, and whole-wheat pasta.

Green and Black Tea
Coffee causes cortisol and insulin in the body to rise, leading to increased appetite and fat cravings, and ultimately weight gain. Doctors recommend green and black tea as an alternative for a slimmer body. These teas — which come from the same plant — contain plant antioxidants called polyphenols, which can prevent cancer from forming, by neutralizing the atoms that change our normal cells into cancer cells. Studies are beginning to show they may also reduce the risk of heart disease.

Antioxidants
Oxygen can create damaging by-products during normal cellular metabolism. Antioxidants counteract these cellular by-products, called free radicals, and bind with them before they can cause damage. If not combated, free radicals may cause heart damage, cancer, cataracts, and a weak immune system. Antioxidants come in a variety of forms, including Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Selenium. Diets rich in antioxidants prevent disease and premature aging. Antioxidants also stimulate the immune system and protect the nervous system and brain from the oxidative damage associated with age-related memory loss. The FDA did a study on which foods contain the best amounts of antioxidants, and came up with a scale called ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity). The study concluded that people should consume 3000 units per day. A complete list is on anti-oxidant.com.

Water
Water is the body’s number one need when it comes to cellular health. Water carries nutrients to organs, and eliminates toxins from of the body. It is the main ingredient in blood and the basis of the juices in your digestive system. Without water — which is lost continually through breathing, sweating, and going to the bathroom — the body loses its ability to regulate the balance of good and bad chemicals. On average, humans lose two to three quarts of water a day, which must be replaced to maintain good health. Doctors recommend drinking between eight and twelve glasses a day to keep water content at an optimal supply.