There is no denying that old saying of “You are what you eat”. The foods that we eat have a direct impact how we feel, how we look and even how healthy our skin appears. One UK naturopathic doctor and medical esthetician has taken that idea one step further and developed what she calls the “Four Faces of Aging”. From her years of experience in treating patients, she has noticed that certain signs of aging and lacklustre skin can be attributed directly to indulging in certain foods.
Along with sun exposure, smoking and stress, diet can also contribute significantly to the signs of premature aging. According to Dr. Talib, poor food choices can show up, almost immediately, on our faces. Just as the eyes are the window to the soul, the face has become a map to what we eat and what we shouldn’t.
According to Dr Talib, here are the basic four “faces” and their symptoms:
- Dairy Face: Characterized by puffy eyelids, dark circles under the eyes and blemishes clustered around the chin, Dairy Face can indicate that the body is struggling to process lactose. Most people who are lactose intolerant will notice bloating or mild nausea after eating or drinking milk products. However, there are some who will exhibit none of the telltale digestive problems.
- Gluten Face: If your face shows signs of puffy red cheeks and dark patches and/or blemishes on the chin, you may be a Gluten Face. Those who suffer from rosacea may find that cutting out gluten can improve their condition as their bodies no longer endeavor to process this wheat protein.
- Wine Face: Major symptoms of those who overindulge in wine include deep nasolabial lines, enlarged pores, reddish cheeks and lines between the eyes, an area of the face that Dr. Talib believes to be directly linked to the condition of the liver. And because alcohol dehydrates the skin, fine lines and wrinkles can appear more pronounced.
- Sugar Face: According to Dr. Talib, sugar is the worst offender of the four, resulting in glycation, a process which we have mentioned in our own blog. Glycation occurs when excess sugar molecules attach themselves to proteins which in turn target collagen and elastin (necessary for pump, firm skin), causing them to harden. Too much sugar shows up as lines and wrinkles on the forehead, sagging skin under the eyes and thin skin in general. Throw in painful blemishes and you’ve got classic Sugar Face.
Spending a fortune on cosmetics and creams will only mask or mitigate the problems. And sadly, Dr. Talib says that the four faces of aging are not mutually exclusive: it’s possible to show symptoms of each one. Your best bet? An elimination diet that should help you to pinpoint the worst offenders. Food for thought, indeed.
