by Alison Williams-Smith | Apr 29, 2022
Magnesium & Omega 3
Do you know that the food you consume, the daily stress you experience, the products you put on your skin, sleepless nights, the environment you are in, and allergens can be some of the triggers for your eczema?
Do you also know that a vitamin deficiency can further trigger your eczema?
Vitamins are substances that your body needs to regularly grow and develop, so it makes sense that a lack of vitamins can also cause a whole host of skin problems, which are merely the body’s way of telling you that something isn’t working the way it should be, within the body itself. After all, eczema, adult acne or many of the other dry skin conditions are often the symptom of another problem.
MAGNESIUM
A magnesium deficiency can lead to dry & cracked skin…and wrinkles, as your skin’s elasticity and moisture are reduced! This is caused by a low level of fatty acids…and your skin loves fatty acids. So it is definitely worth putting in the time to find a good supplement if you don’t believe you are getting enough magnesium from your diet.
Just like some of the previously mentioned vitamins in my other blogs, magnesium helps to protect the body from free radicals, because of its antioxidant properties. It regulates cellular regeneration and helps the recovery of the skin when it has been disturbed by eczema or acne.
Do you know that approximately 70 to 80% of the British population are estimated to have a magnesium deficiency?
Be warned though, you can overdo your consumption of magnesium, which can cause stomach upset, if you take it as a supplement, so always read the directions on the label carefully.
Some food sources include:
- Spinach
- Almonds
- Peanuts
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Cashews
As a family, we take our magnesium powdered supplement at night just before bed, as it helps the body relax and can therefore improve sleep. My investigations showed that it helps because it activates the part of the nervous system responsible for calm and relaxation. You could possibly get a deeper sleep, which means you are less inclined to scratch if you suffer with eczema.
FISH OIL (OMEGA 3)
When it comes to fish oil, research has shown that consumption reduces the symptoms of eczema. The belief is that fish oil reduces Leukotriene b4. Leukotriene b4 is an inflammatory substance that is secreted, it can take from 6 weeks to 6 months to see a difference from when you take fish oils to improve your eczema, so you will need to persevere.
As a family if we are taking a fish oil supplement, we prefer to take a krill oil supplement instead of fish oil or cod liver oil. This is because it is less likely to have any pollutants or contaminants because krill is so small and is from the cleaner less polluted Antarctic Ocean. The body also absorbs krill oil easier than fish oils.
The following fatty or oily fish are a good source:
- Alaskan Salmon
- Sardines
- Mackerel
- Herring
- Pilchards
- Anchovy
An actual deficiency in Omega 3 can affect the skin’s ability to regulate oil production. This can then lead to dry skin, which can possibly result in eczema and difficulty in the skin remaining hydrated.
Dandruff/seborrheic dermatitis, can also be another tell-tale sign of an Omega 3 deficiency. Its actually quite amazing, that as you get better at understanding your body and what it requires, the difference it can make to your skin health and indeed your overall health will have a massive impact to your both physically and mentally.
Alison x
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by Alison Williams-Smith | Apr 29, 2022
Vitamin B & Zinc
Do you know that the food you consume, the daily stress you experience, the products you put on your skin, sleepless nights, the environment you are in, and allergens can be some of the triggers for your eczema?
Do you also know that a vitamin deficiency can further trigger your eczema?
Vitamins are substances that your body needs to regularly grow and develop, so it makes sense that a lack of vitamins can also cause a whole host of skin problems, which are merely the body’s way of telling you that something isn’t working the way it should be within the body itself. After all, eczema, adult acne or many of the other dry skin conditions are often the symptom of another problem.
B VITAMINS
There are about 8 B Vitamins which all contribute in some way to skin health. As a supplement you can purchase a B-Complex supplement, but the most natural way to get your B Vitamins is through food. My kids and I get ours in liquid form but also do our best to have a diet that is rich in leafy green vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, kale, etc.
A deficiency can cause skin rashes, dry flaky skin and transepidermal water loss.
It was a blood test for myself and my kids that revealed we all had a B-12 deficiency and a Vitamin D deficiency. We all suffer with dry skin, which doesn’t sound alarming, but dry skin can contribute toward cracked lips and wrinkles, dry sun damaged skin, hyperpigmentation & skin inflammation.
B vitamins supply antioxidants to the body and skin, which fight free radical damage caused by the sun’s UV ray and pollution.
IT IS FOUND IN:
- SUNFLOWERS
- WHOLEGRAINS
- MUSSELS
- LEGUMES
- NUTS
- SEEDS
- ALMONDS
- SEAWEED
- PEAS
- FISH
- CHICKEN
- EGGS
- ONIONS
- TOMATOES
- BROCCOLI
- AVOCADO
- SWEET POTATO
- ASPARAGUS
- OKRA
ZINC
Zinc is important for fighting infection, producing cells, healing injuries and creating DNA. It therefore makes sense, that when it comes to the skin specifically, an actual zinc deficiency can lead to a rash that resembles atopic dermatitis, open sores on the skin and wounds that won’t heal. Taking a zinc supplement and/or eating foods rich in zinc will help the body produce its anti-inflammatory properties which explains why it is beneficial to eczema inflamed skin.
Zinc can actually help to reduce the secretion of histamine, which contributes to the eczema itch. So, it makes sense why calamine lotion can offer some relief, as zinc oxide is one of the main ingredients in calamine lotion.
The body doesn’t store zinc so you will need to get it from foods such as:
- RED MEAT
- POULTRY
- SHELLFISH (oysters, crab, mussels, prawns & shrimp)
- LEGUMES: CHICKPEAS & LENTILS
- SEEDS (pumpkin, sesame & squash, hemps seeds & flax seeds)
- NUTS (cashew, almond, peanuts, pine)
- DAIRY: MILK & CHEESE (grass fed, pasture raised, free range, unpasteurized)
- EGGS (pasture raised, free range)
- WILD RICE
- WHOLEGRAIN (quinoa, oats, rice, if your ok with gluten = wheat eg spelt)
- DARK CHOCOLATE with 70 – 85% cocoa 100g piece but is also 600 calories
by Alison Williams-Smith | Apr 11, 2022
Did you know that rates of eczema/atopic dermatitis for adults and kids have more than tripled in the past 20 years? Experts believe this massive increase is due to industrialization.
Although eczema is a genetic condition, it is a multi-factional disorder that can be triggered by an overactive immune response to environmental and other factors. As it can be triggered by many different things, then controlling the external factors can help to control and keep eczema at bay.
I’ll explore a handful of reasons of why it appears on the skin of babies, kids and adults.
BABIES
- The foods, drinks, or medications that mother consumes during pregnancy can cause enfant eczema from a very early start.
- Whether a baby is born via birth canal or c-section can make a difference. Babies born via the birth canal pick up the necessary different bacteria from the mother which will help to build the immune system. This isn’t the case for babies born via c-section
- Bottle fed babies can be susceptible to eczema if they have an intolerance to cow milk.
- What the breast-feeding mother is eating or using on her skin can impact her breast milk and therefore trigger eczema on the baby’s skin.
- Antibiotics or any medication given to the baby at a young age can affect the gut or skin.
- Skincare – baby skincare products with fragrance/synthetic chemicals can trigger eczema. One fragrance in a product can have over 30 synthetic chemicals and does not have to be included on the ingredients label.
- Bed linen – synthetic bed linen can cause itching and can cause the skin to become too warm which can trigger eczema
- The flame retardant in/on the mattress and pillow can be a trigger for eczema, as the chemicals are slowly released over the years. You can purchase natural mattresses and pillows.
KIDS
- Food colouring/food dye – These are all known eczema triggers, due to the inflammation they cause in the body and because of their artificial nature.
- Ultra processed /processed foods – these foods are so far removed from their natural food state with added chemicals, that as well as offering very little nutritional value, they cause inflammation in the body, which can lead to eczema
- Inflammatory natural foods – As foods that contain gluten are so far removed from their original traditional origin to what is now just really another highly processed food, more and more people are becoming allergic or intolerant. They are also known triggers for eczema.
- Processed sugar – This is a known trigger for eczema. Unfortunately, more and more of our foods contain sugar to make the processed foods more addictive. Any ingredient that ends in ‘ose’ or is a syrup is also sugar.
- Pollution – This can be both indoor and outdoor pollution. The harsh chemicals in our indoor cleaning products can be a trigger, as well as air fresheners and even our own perfumes. Outdoors, things out of our control such as car fumes and industrial pollution can cause irritation to skin and trigger eczema.
- Skincare and haircare products – You will need to become more label savvy, as the myriad of chemicals that are added to even children’s products nowadays, can trigger eczema and other dry skin conditions.
- Clothing with dyes or synthetic materials – you will never know what chemicals have been added to create the dyes in the clothes you are wearing. If you have already changed your laundry detergent and it has made no difference, then its time to look at organic cotton or other natural materials (not wool though). You should always wash new clothes before wearing them.
- Stress & no sleep – Although we don’t like to believe our kids can become as stressed as adults, they too can have eczema breakouts from stress and lack of sleep. Stress and lack of sleep can trigger the stress hormone cortisol and then can lead to eczema as well as other health conditions.
- Bed linen – Just like clothing the quality of bed linen, natural or synthetic or the dye can make a difference to the comfort of our skin.
ADULTS
- Hair products – As well as affecting the scalp, the shampoo or conditioner can drip onto the neck and body to trigger off eczema on the skin
- Skin products – too many skin irritating chemicals are added to make our products look, feel and smell enticing without doing any actual good to the skin.
- Perfume/ Fragrance in products – As mentioned previously, there can be over 30 separate chemicals in one fragrance.
- Laundry detergent or fabric conditioner comes with a toxic warning on the label for a reason.
- Stress from work – not getting stressed is easier said than done, but it definitely adds to reoccurring eczema.
- Cleaning products – the smell catches on the back of the throat for a reason. And just like many products…if they have toxic warnings, why would you choose to use them? Good old fashioned white vinegar didn’t need that toxic warning when our grandmas cleaned with it. Our grandmas in the 1940’s also didn’t have eczema.
- Bed linen – keep it simple with cotton, bamboo or if you can afford it…silk. Cotton can be drying to eczema but none of these materials cause irritation to eczema unless they are dyed.
Two very important facts with all of these lists is
Don’t be seduced by clever marketing
And
Do your own research.
Alison x
For more information, check our YouTube channel: @ Tigs and Moo Naturals
Eczema: Babies, Kids & Adults
Also check out our Instagram and Facebook @tigsandmoonaturalskincare
by Alison Williams-Smith | Apr 8, 2022
JAMAICAN SORREL/RED SORREL
Jamaican Sorrel is a vibrant red flower, with petals that can be eaten. (not to be confused with another plant also named Sorrel, that is green in colour). It has a sweet, slightly tarty, floral taste just like cranberries but without the strong tarty taste.
Sorrel has been used in traditional medicine for centuries if not, thousands of years and was native to Africa, but made its way over to the Caribbean during the transatlantic slave trade.
Since its first planting on the Island of Jamaica, Sorrel became known as Jamaican Sorrel or Red Sorrel.
In Jamaica, as Sorrel lives and dies in one season around New Year, then you’re more than likely to come across its dried flowers.
The Jamaican Sorrel dried flowers are available in other countries, including the UK or Ethiopia, but as of yet, I have only ever seen it available for sale as a dried flower, so you will need to use your imagination and create a drink with the dried flowers, unless you know someone who is willing to share their homemade drink or recipe. It can be consumed both hot or cold with whatever ingredients you decide to add. I prefer to add a little natural ginger, cinnamon and honey.
Research shows that Sorrel is beneficial for high blood pressure, weight loss, coughs and colds, hangovers and some cancers. It is also beneficial for skin conditions such as acne and eczema because of its antioxidant properties. The powerful antioxidant is called Protocatechuic (PROTO-CAT-E-CHU-IC) acid. It is more powerful than vitamin E and it actually scavenges for free radicals roaming around the body.
As a quick reminder, free radicals are created by the UV rays of the sun, by pollution, the air we breathe, stress, medication, the things we eat & drink, our tap water, etc. These are responsible for our skin damage, skin ageing and collagen loss, which can not only make the skin sag and wrinkle, but also cause the dull, uneven skin tone and pigmentation scarring issues, after our acne has gone.
…And, that’s only the skin.
I didn’t even mention body issues like arthritis!
Did I mention yet that Jamaican Sorrel has anti-inflammatory properties which will benefit your acne further?
I know for myself that when I can feel the acne cyst starting to make an appearance on my face; Sorrel & Ginger tea, as well as Moringa tea, Golden Turmeric Milk with cinnamon, are all my main go-to drinks as they all have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and the added advantage of tasting gorgeous.
Ginger is pretty much always added to Jamaican Sorrel drinks, because as well as tasting nice, and giving your drink that zingy kick, our ancestors knew that by combining the two ingredients, you have a double whammy drink that targets not only inflammation around the body, but also on your skin, and ultimately this will benefit your eczema and acne.
Not only do Jamaican Sorrel and Ginger when combined have extremely high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Individually they are potent.
Sorrel is rich in Iron, Selenium, Copper, Manganese, Chromium and Phosphorous.
- Iron aids in the healing of acne (wound healing).
- Selenium: Hormone balancing, anti-inflammatory, fight infection
- Copper – a deficiency can cause acne by promoting the production of sebum (the skin’s natural oil) and inflammation.
- Manganese – amongst other things it keeps the antioxidant defences performing at their top level of cleaning up those free radicals.
- Chromium aids in the production of collagen
- Phosphorous is responsible for the growth, repair and maintenance of all tissues and cells in the body and it also filters out toxins.
GINGER
There are approximately 30 chemicals in ginger, and they all help to alleviate the inflammation, discomfort and irritation caused by acne and eczema.
Just like Sorrel, it doesn’t just deal with the symptoms on the skin, it also works on the entire body. It stimulates blood flow and can boost the skin’s overall health and can actually help prevent premature skin ageing.
As well as adding ginger to drinks, you can cook with it, or simply take it as a supplement. If you scrub it and clean it well, you don’t have to peel it. I also like to freeze it because I don’t have to defrost it. I just use it straight out of the freezer.
When ingested, ginger can help to fight the acne scars and dark spots caused by our pesky skin issues. But, as with many natural ingredients, as well as being taken orally it can be used topically.
Did I mention that ginger also has antimicrobial properties? In other words, it helps fight the microbes on the surface of the skin, that cause acne.
Of course, everything that I’m talking about is only as good as the work you put in, so if you’re still eating crap then…
CRAP IN EQUALS CRAP OUT!
Considering everything I have said about Sorrel and Ginger, the one most important factor for me is how good they both taste together.
What more can I say?
You’re enjoying a tasty beverage and also getting health benefits from it!
Alison x
For more information, watch our YouTube video: @ Tigs and Moo Naturals
Food & Drinks That Help Fight Acne: Jamaican Sorrel & Ginger
Also check out our Instagram and Facebook @tigsandmoonaturalskincare
by Alison Williams-Smith | Apr 1, 2022
FOODS THAT ARE CURRENTLY CAUSING PROBLEMS WITH OUR GUT
Often, the stuff we eat and see as a treat, is the stuff we don’t want to give up. It is also the stuff that is causing havoc to our gut.
Notice I said ‘Stuff’ and not ‘Food’.
This is because good quality ‘Food’ can help the gut, but nowadays we tend to eat more of the wrong stuff, than the right foods. As a result, we don’t have the correct levels of good bacteria in the gut microbiome. Instead, the bad bacteria are flourishing and winning the battle for dominance, which is why we have a multitude of avoidable health and skin issues.
With a few dietary tweaks here and there, the balance can easily be changed so that any damage to the gut can be prevented, improved, or turned around before you have life changing damage to your body.
I learned this after I had caused irreversible injury to my gut, and I don’t want this for you!
Obviously, we aren’t doing this on purpose, but simply because you don’t know, what you don’t know.
This is why knowledge is power, when you put it into action.
With large companies paying millions to advertisers to use targeted market campaigns that manipulate us into buying their products, it is no wonder that we can be influenced into buying the wrong stuff and ignoring the good beneficial natural foods.
Here is a small list of just a few of the bad stuff and the good foods that have an impact on your gut.
…and here’s a tip…
…You might not even know you’re causing damage until the damage is done; it starts from childhood…and can become irreversible!
THE BAD – HIGH SUGAR & ARTIFICAL SWEETENERS
- Sweets
- Chocolates
- Cakes
- Biscuits
- Sweet Yoghurts
- Shop Bought Smoothies
DRINKS
- Fizzy Sweet Drinks
- Fruit Juice – from concentrate or if it processed to last more than a few days
- Caffeine/Energy Drinks
- Alcoholic Drinks
HIGH GLYCAEMIC CARBS
- White & Brown Bread
- Pasta
- White Rice
THE USUAL SUSPECTS – ULTRA PROCESSED FOODS
- Pizza
- Chips
- Takeaway Foods
- Packaged foods that look nothing like their original state e.g. fish fingers or chicken nuggets
THE UGLY – ANIMAL PRODUCTS
- Meat from conventionally raised animals (have been fed antibiotics)
- Burgers
- Sausages
- Bacon
- Sandwich Meats
- Animal dairy – inflammatory
- Eggs
THE GOOD – NATURAL FOODS
- Whole foods, that are as close to their natural state as possible
- Variety of colourful plant-based foods
- If you eat meat, make sure it is from grass fed/pasture raised or organic fed animals
- If you eat fish; small wild line-caught fish
- Only mussels are self-cleaning farmed fish – no antibiotics have been added to water
- If you eat eggs, make sure they are organic or local free range
- Vegetables, beans, nuts, pulses and seeds e.g., chia/flax soaked or ground, kidney beans, chickpeas, lentils, peas, cashews, brazil’s, pistachios, almonds, quinoa, amaranth, etc.
- Whole fruit naturally contain fibre as well as the naturally occurring fruit sugar.
- Organic; biodynamic where possible; or more local or seasonal fruit and vegetable is best, as they start to lose their vitamins from the minute they are picked.
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY FOODS, HERBS & SPICES
- Vitamins and minerals such as Vitamins A, C, D, E, B complex, Sulphur, Magnesium, Iron and Phosphorus help with inflammation and oxidation in the body on the skin.
- Cinnamon, Turmeric, Ginger; root or powder
- Ashwagandha – helps in production of natural skin oils
PREBIOTIC FOODS – HELP TO FUEL THE GOOD BACTERIA IN THE GUT
PROBIOTIC FOOD/DRINKS & SUPPLEMENTS
- Kefir, Kombucha, Sauerkraut, live plain yoghurts.
- Probiotics – no added sweetener or sugar.
Hope this starts you on your journey
Alison x
For more information, check out our YouTube video;
How Does The Gut Effect Eczema @ Tigs and Moo Naturals
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oReIDGJ2O2A
Also check out our Instagram and Facebook @tigsandmoonaturalskincare
