Review: `Our skin is the mirror of our overall health'
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 18, 2014
Rosi Thomas is a retired nurse from The Midlands, England. She has always had a professional interest and insight into the fascinating subject of skin health/skincare, and how the skin is such a fantastic barometer by which to judge a person's overall health and lifestyle. In her Forward she informs us `you have taken that first all-important step towards achieving and maintaining beautiful, healthy skin without the price tag, without the pain (of costly time-consuming cosmetic treatments such as Botox) and without any hidden "nasties" such as parabens which can dry or irritate the skin in the short or long-term.' And now that she has our attention, let's proceed.Rosi presents a compelling argument that there is a very real connection between diet and health and the appearance of our skin. Or as she more adroitly phrases it, `Serious skincare begins and ends with your diet and lifestyle, period.`She proceeds to offer a fine overview of our integument - anatomically, biologically, nutritionally and in doing so she sets up the principals of skin care outlined in the book that lead to anti-aging results. She discusses the natural processes of the body to produce natural oils that covering with `moisturizers' daily merely shuts down the natural way to keep the skin fresh. She discusses the epidermis and the dermis, the various types of cells there and their needs, moves on to wrinkles and what causes them, the enormous importance of hydration, a fine overview of circulation and the skin -`Poor Diet /Smoking/ Alcohol/ Sun Exposure/ Stress/ Toxins and Chemicals and Lack of Exercise equal Inefficient Circulation which leads to Chronic Inflammation which results in Increasing Health Problems and an Ageing, Unhealthy Skin.' More information about free radicals and anti-oxidants follows and then she tells us the 15 deadly enemies of the skin: smoking, alcohol, bad fats vs good fats, sugar, excessive salt intake, wheat and AGEs (Advanced Glycation End products), toxins/chemicals/synthetic oils, pesticides and chemicals in food, air pollution, weight loss (!), lack of exercise, stress, lack of sleep, chronic pain, and sun exposure - internal health focuses on life style and diet make the transformation.Part 2 of her book addresses the corporate approach to vanity - or the lotions, potions, botox and procedures that have become so popular - insider information that is a bit of an eye-opener. And at the end of this information packed book Rosi simply states, `This really is the only way to go that makes perfect, logical sense, not only to prevent wrinkles but to massively improve the appearance of existing ones, and to give you radiantly beautiful and supercharged skin from top to toe. All this without the need for risky surgeries and procedures, or any astronomical costs - just the right knowledge, some basic lifestyle changes and small amounts of healthy, delicious food!' Rosi Thomas has taken the time to present her studies and views and they are wroth heeding! Grady Harp, June 14