Rajani Katta's Blog, page 2

The Low Nickel Diet For Chronic Dermatitis

THE LOW NICKEL DIET FOR CHRONIC DERMATITISEliminating Whole Wheat Helped This Patient, But It Wasn’t Because of GlutenOne of my patients developed a severe case of hand eczema, with itchy blisters on the palms of her hands and sides of her fingers. She wondered if gluten might be the problem, because when she stopped eating whole wheat foods, her rash seemed to improve.Food allergies can sometimes be a trigger for skin rashes, but it’s not usually my first thought in cases of dermatitis. In f...

Food Allergies and Eczema

Diet and Eczema: While some dietary approaches may help, there's a lot of misinformation out thereMany of my eczema patients ask me about their diet. What do I think about the latest detox diet? Are there any diets or nutritional supplements that can help improve eczema? Are any of these actually supported by research?The answer is yes, some dietary approaches have shown promise for eczema patients. BUT (and this is a big disclaimer), this is an area that's fraught with misinformation. You ha...

Glycation: The Science Behind Sugar Sag

The following information is excerpted from "Glow: The Dermatologist’s Guide to aWhole Foods Younger Skin Diet" ©Rajani Katta MDFine lines and wrinkles. A deepening of smile lines. A softening of the jawline. These are common signs of aging skin, and they reflect collagen damage. And one of the major threats to your collagen is sugar. Specifically, excess sugar in your bloodstream.Deep wrinkles and sagging skin can be due to glycation, a process that starts with higher levels of blood sugar a...

Why Consuming Too Much Sugar Can Lead To Wrinkles and Aging Skin

Over the years, I've had a lot of patients ask me about their wrinkles. Specifically, are there any creams that can help with deep wrinkles? That's a tough one. There are many options when it comes to treating fine lines and wrinkles. Unfortunately, your options narrow when it comes to deep wrinkles and a sagging jawline.A diet heavy in refined carbohydrates and added sugars can lead to collagen damage, ultimately causing sagging and deep wrinkles.The problem is that by the time you see saggi...

Skin Saving Sweets: Peach Almond Custard Cake

The peaches in this dessert provide a boost of phytonutrients. The eggs and almond flour used in place of white flour help limit sugar spikes (high spikes in blood sugar levels). A Skin Saving SweetI have a sweet tooth, so I'm always searching for ways to satisfy that sweet tooth without doing too much harm.This is one dessert that satisfies without skin sabotage. Eat powerRecipes that make use of fruit are a great place to start. The peaches in this custard cake provide a nice dose of vitami...

Why Prebiotics are So Important for Healthy Skin

We're hearing a lot about probiotics these days. Yogurt, kombucha, kefir: it seems as though probiotic foods are all the rage.But what about PREBIOTICS?You may not be hearing as much about prebiotics, but the evidence indicates that they may be even more important.That's because prebiotic foods are critical for maintaining the health of our GI tract. And in dermatology, research has found a definite link between the health of our gut and the health of our skin. This connection between the gut...

Skin Saving Snacks: Red Bean Mushroom Fritters Provide an Extra Dose of Fiber and Zinc

The main ingredients in these fritters all pack a strong nutritional punch: red kidney beans, mushrooms, carrots, and rolled oats. These fritters pack in 3 vegetables – red kidney beans, mushrooms, and carrots – which means they pack a lot of nutrients in a small package.These fritters taste best when they're served fresh from the skillet. Just like crabcakes, you can serve these on a bed of salad greens, or as an appetizer on their own. A SKIN SAVING FOODEach of these ingredients packs a lot...

Skin-Saving Snacks: 11 Simple Snack Ideas for Healthy Skin

It's 4pm, and your energy levels are crashing. Do you reach for that sugar bomb coffee drink? The crackers from the vending machine? Or could you try a snack that provides a burst of powerful nutrients? If you're trying to upgrade your eating habits, snacks are an easy place to start. The ones in this list require minimal cooking [or none at all], yet they pack a hefty nutritional punch. All of them have demonstrated skin-saving benefits, whether that's due to their high levels of antioxidant...

Skin-Saving Snacks: Roasted Chickpeas

Crispy, spicy chickpeas fresh from the ovenI'm always looking for more ways to add beans and lentils to our diet. Beans of all types are what I consider power carbs: they're a great source of energy-rich carbs, combined with a hefty dose of both protein and fiber. That protein and fiber acts to help stabilize blood sugar levels, which is important for health and skin health.Chickpeas are also a great source of other important vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. For example, they're a sour...