How to naturally whiten eyes

We all notice how young people have spectacularly white eyes, and how each passing year seems to make them a touch more yellow.

There is a chemical reason behind this, and “yellowing” of the eyes can be ameliorated.

Why our eyes change colour with age

A chemical reaction called The Maillard Reaction is responsible for this decolouration. This reaction happens when heat is applied to food, and glucose binds to proteins, forming abnormally tight complexes called advanced glycoxidation end products (AGEs).

This reaction is what gives food its flavour, colour, and texture. For example, the Maillard reaction is what is responsible for plain bread becoming golden-brown toast.

A build-up of AGEs leads to the lens crystallines (the lens situated behind the iris) to become progressively yellow-brown pigmented with age, a result of the Maillard reaction.1

The following foods need the Maillard reaction in order to become their edible forms:

• Toasted bread
• Malted barley as in malt whiskey or beer
• Roasted or seared meat
• Roasted coffee

So, eating too much food containing advanced glycoxinated end-products accelerates the process of our white eyes becoming yellow.

How to naturally whiten your eyes:

• Cut back on refined carbs, and eat more whole grains.
• Do not over-cook your food. Raw, steamed, and boiled is always better than fried and barbecued.
• Choose whiskey and beer less often.
• Cut back on coffee slowly.
• Make sure that every meal has at least 50% raw vegetables and fruits.

Sources:

1. F. Tessier, “Structure and Mechanism of Formation of Human Lens Fluorophore LM-1,” J Biol Chem 274(30):20796-20804 (July 23, 1999)
2. Victoria Boutenko, Author
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maillard_reaction

Sleep in Darkness to Slow Aging

In the anti-aging realm, melatonin is a hormone that has been hailed for its youthful benefits.

Why we love it

Melatonin is secreted at night by the pineal gland in the brain, the retina, as well as other tissues. It regulates our circadian rhythms; that is, our body’s internal clock. A well-functioning circadian rhythm is extremely important for the proper functioning of almost all biological functions.

I recently had a chat with York University Biology Professor Colin Steel, an expert in circadian rhythms, and he noted that researchers are finding that night-shift workers are experiencing much higher incidences of cancer, very much due to the fact that their internal clocks have been disrupted.

Melatonin is also a powerful antioxidant, even more potent than the famous vitamin E. In particular, it protects nuclear and mitochondrial DNA. Of several functions, the mitochondria are linked to aging, the immune system, as well as the metabolizing of energy.

As we age, our melatonin levels decrease, and many biological researchers believe that this is one cause of accelerated aging.

How to get it

Melatonin supplements are still not proven to work, but one sure way to prevent your stores from early depletion is to get a good night’s sleep.

It’s especially important to sleep in pitch darkness because the creation of melatonin is inhibited by light, and facilitated by darkness.

Even low light levels can inhibit melatonin production to some extent, so make sure to either turn off the lights, or slip on an eye mask when you’re getting your beauty rest.

Sources:

• York University Professor Colin Steel
• BBC News
• Hardeland R (2005). “Antioxidative protection by melatonin: multiplicity of mechanisms from radical detoxification to radical avoidance”. Endocrine 27 (2): 119–3
• Brainard GC, Hanifin JP, Greeson JM, Byrne B, Glickman G, Gerner E, Rollag (August 15, 2001). “Action spectrum for melatonin regulation in humans: evidence for a novel circadian photoreceptor”. J Neurosci. 15;21 (16): 6405–1
• Dun-Xian Tan, Lucien C. Manchester, Maria P. Terron, Luis J. Flores, Russel J. Reiter (2007). “One molecule, many derivatives: a never-ending interaction of melatonin with reactive oxygen and nitrogen species?”. Journal of Pineal Research 42 (1): 28 – 42
• Elizabeth Somer, Age-Proof Your Body
• Image from Getty Images

How Chlorophyll Rebuilds Blood Cells

In the sphere of anti-aging, maintaining healthy, clean blood is essential in the effort to prevent disease and the spread of free-radicals.

The molecular structure of chlorophyll is almost identical to the molecular structure of hemin, which is a part of haemoglobin, a protein in blood that transports oxygen throughout the body.

Observe the following two structures:

The only difference between the chlorophyll and the hemin is the fact that magnesium (Mg) is at the centre of chlorophyll, and iron (Fe) is at the centre of hemin.

What’s remarkable is that scientists have observed the assimilation of chlorophyll into the body and found that at some point, the magnesium turns into iron. However, they are still baffled as to how the process works – they haven’t been able to yet pinpoint how the switch is made.

Regardless, this means that ingesting chlorophyll is almost akin to getting a fresh blood transfusion.

Dr Gabriel Cousens, MD, reported that “experiments have shown that severely anemic rabbits make a rapid return to a normal blood count once chlorophyll is administered.”

The benefits of chlorophyll go on:

• Highly detoxifying: removes heavy metals and toxins from tissues and liver
• High in vitamins C, A, Bs, and E
• Source of calcium, iron, sodium, potassium, magnesium, selenium, and zinc
• Contains up to 17 amino acids
• Anti-bacterial
• Restores fertility in some animals (cows, chickens)
• Improves acne, eczema, psoriasis, and other skin conditions
• Facilitates the healing of scar tissue
• Shown to prevent tooth decay and the graying of hair
• Reduces high blood pressure and fasting blood sugar levels

The best way to get chlorophyll is through juiced or blended greens (with fruit, to mask the taste). The darker the green, the more chlorophyll is present.

Here are some great juice or shake combinations:

• Spinach – banana – pear
• Kale – berry – orange
• Romaine – watermelon
• Dandelion – grape – mango
• Wheatgrass shots: wheatgrass is made up of about 70% chlorophyll and contains over 100 essential elements

Sources:

1. Hughes, J H, and Latner, A L. “Chlorophyll and Hemoglobin Regeneration After Hemmorhage,” Journal of Physiology, University of Liverpool, 1936, 86, #388.
2. Shaw, C R, Dabney, B and Dr. Chiu-Nan Lai, “Inhabitation of In-Vitro Metabolic Activation of Carcinogens by Wheat Sprout Extracts,” Nutritional and Cancer Journal, University of Texas, 1978.
3. Dr Gabriel Cousens MD
4. Dr Ann Wigmore
5. GiveItToMeRaw.com

Get Rid of Your Greys, Without the Dye

I’ve always thought that once we go gray, it would be constant trips to the salon in order to cover up. However, I’ve recently met a number of people who have been successful in restoring their natural hair colour. Here we’ll discuss how they were able to do so, and how you can mimic their success.

What Causes Gray?

1.    Genetics – we all know this one.

2.    Depleted Nutrition – When our bodies are depleted of minerals, it takes them from anywhere it can, thus robbing your hair strands of their pigment. Studies show that the majority of us are deficient in essential minerals.

3.    Engaging in Accelerated Aging Activities – This includes a diet with refined white flour, refined sugar and soft drinks, processed and fried foods, and hydrogenated oils. It also includes poor lifestyle habits such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and drugs.

Reversing Gray Completely Through a Raw Food Diet

If some of your grey hair is a result of a nutrition deficiency, and not just genetics, then it is possible to restore your natural pigment. Below are testimonials from people who have done so by eating a diet of raw foods (fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, sprouts, sea vegetables, algae, sprouted or soaked grains and beans) for at least 6 months.

“After 6 months of drinking green smoothies [blended leafy greens, fruit, and water] religiously, Igor’s [my husband’s] beard started to grow in black!” –Victoria Boutenko, Ashland, Oregon

“No more gray hair! When my roots grow out, they’re usually pretty gray…no more!” –Angela, Ottawa, Canada

“My younger brother (not into raw foods) went grey about 8 years ago and as yet I have only had the odd few grey hairs that have appeared when I let my diet slip a bit or when stress gets the better of me. When I turn up the raw heat (so to speak) I have seen my grey hairs completely go away.” –Pete Vincent, United Kingdom

“A couple years ago, I started getting massive grey hair right around my face. Shortly after that, I started making green smoothies [blended leafy greens, fruits, and water] and it just about all went away. I now have two little spots over each temple and that’s it.” Christine Pointeau, Longmont, Colorado

We recently spoke to 86 raw vegans about their lifestyles, and 7% of those people found that when they converted from a North American diet to a raw vegan diet, they unexpectedly saw their gray hair grow back in with their natural colour. Although this number seems small, it’s a remarkable breakthrough that they were able to do so at all.

If you’re not interested in completely going raw, there is still a way to either find partial success, or slow down the process.

Slowing the Graying Process without Going Raw

Some people have had success without going completely raw. Here’s a list of foods that do well to slow down the process, and with time, can reverse a few grays:
•    Organic dark leafy greens (romaine, celery, Swiss chard, kale, lettuce, collard…)
•    Juiced greens and fruits of any kind
•    Sprouts – they contain 10x to 30x the nutrients of organically grown produce
•    Organic berries of any kind
•    Organic radishes, especially daikon
•    Foods high in copper – a copper deficiency can lead to accelerated de-pigmentation of the hair (sesame seeds, cashews, crimini mushrooms, barley, sunflower seeds, chickpeas, and navy beans)
•    Any organic, mineral-rich fruit or vegetable

The more of these you’ll eat, the more success you’ll see.

“My mother, who juices religiously (veggies, greens and fruits), about 1-2 cups per day, has had her hairdresser stop in the middle of his cut, and look all over her head through her hair with his comb for a good several minutes to where she got concerned and asked what was the matter… he stopped and asked what she was doing because her hair was turning back. He said he had never seen this in his years of cutting hair.” –Christine Pointeau, Longmont, Colorado

Admittedly, it’s still easier to buy a box of dye, but a healthier diet will save you money on hair treatments, improve your overall health, and give your hair the most beautiful colour: the one that is naturally yours.

Sources:
•    Dr Brian Clement, ND
•    Elizabeth Somer, RD
•    Victoria Boutenko
•    Christine Pointeau
•    Dr Ann Wigmore
•    David Wolfe, Nutritionist
•    NaturalNews.com