book is about getting and staying healthy, which would include skin
and hair.
Here are some specific recommendations for skin and hair care:
- For sun protection, a number of nutritional substances
can be effective. These are nutrients you can take inter-
nally rather than topically as a sunscreen. Your body uses
up a number of substances rapidly after sun exposure.
These include folic acid, beta-carotene and lycopene.
Tocotrienols, from nuts and seeds, and a part of the vita-
min E complex, can help protect the skin directly, and
limonene, found in citrus peel, can protect against skin
cancer. All the antioxidants also help with sun exposure
since increased free radicals are one harmful effect of too
much sun. In addition, fish oil, by mouth, helps protect
the skin during sun exposure. - Many skin problems are associated with low or deficient
levels of vitamin B2. - Pure shea butter is a unique skin-care product made from
an African nut extract (similar to a coconut) and has been
used for centuries as a beauty product. European studies
have shown that shea butter is remarkably active against
skin blemishes and irritation. It’s also useful as a daily
hand, face or body ointment. As a moisturizer, it is help-
ful against the damaging effects of the sun and also helps
maintain the skin’s elasticity. - Pure coconut oil is also great for the skin.
- The omega-6 fat GLA is perhaps the best remedy for
localized skin problems. Breaking open a gel cap of
black-currant-seed oil and rubbing it into the skin is a
great remedy for dry skin, wrinkles, or even the most
stubborn skin problems, as good if not better than other
expensive skin remedies on the market. It’s also good for
burns, including sunburn, but only after the skin has
been thoroughly cooled.
REAL ‘REAL-FOOD’ DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS • 151