All that abundant sunshine in the summer can cause dry skin and hair, eye damage, and other ailments. Find out which vitamins and minerals can counteract sun damage.Summertime, and the living is easy €" that is, until you notice the havoc all that fun in the sun has wrought on your body. Fortunately, summer also brings an abundance of tasty and nutritious foods, including berries (loaded with antioxidants), tomatoes, bell peppers (good vitamin C source), and protein-filled grilled fish. And by simply choosing the right ones to add to your daily diet, you can help prevent or alleviate the following common hot-weather woes:
Dry or Damaged Skin
What causes it: You sweat more in the summer, so skin is less supple; plus, saltwater and chlorine have a drying effect. Sunburns and bug bites are also saboteurs of healthy skin.
What to eat:Help heal weathered skin with foods like raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries, which are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C. Protein, in the form of lean meats, beans, nuts, and seeds, is also key. Keep dryness at bay by drinking lots of water. Women drink 8-10 cups of water in the summer and men up to 15 cups to prevent dehydration.
Parched Hair
What causes it: Overexposure to sun, saltwater, and chlorine.
What to eat: Make a three-bean salad or other protein-rich meal because hair consists of protein fibers called keratin. Eating foods rich in vitamin B-5 (found in yogurt and California avocadoes), vitamin B-8 (in liver and cooked eggs), folic acid (in fortified cereals and beans), calcium (in yogurt), and zinc (in meat and fish) can reduce hair loss and replace dull hair with shiny hair. Theses nutrients also play a role in maintaining healthy skin.
Muscle Cramps
What causes them: Muscle cramps result from overexertion and dehydration. When you don't have enough fluid in your system, it leads to an electrolyte imbalance that causes your muscles to cramp up. Sodium, calcium, and potassium are the main electrolytes lost through sweating during exercise.
What to eat: Drink water. Potassium-rich foods include, raisins, potatoes, and spinach.
Eye Damage
What causes it: Age-related macular degeneration is the most common cause of vision loss and blindness in people over the age of 55. This occurs when the central part of the retina (macula) becomes damaged.
What to eat: The retina is actually made up of vitamin A. Thus, foods rich in this vitamin €" along with beta-carotene, zinc, and Vitamins C and E €" are beneficial to the eyes. Good sources are dark green vegetables like kale, chard, and mustard greens, plus bell peppers, carrots, and blueberries.
Cold Sores
What causes them: Sun exposure can trigger cold sores in people who are prone to them.
What to eat: The amino acid L-lysine has been shown in some small studies to help, but larger studies are needed to confirm these findings. Deficiency in B vitamins and riboflavin can make you susceptible to cold sores. Taking a B-complex vitamin can help prevent cold sores.
Dr. Vimala Lewis is an alumnus of the prestigious Fr. Muller’s Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Mangalore, India. She graduated in 1991 with a Bachelor Degree in Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery. Thereafter she worked at a Government Homeopathic Centre in Udupi, India for a brief period before joining her alma mater as a tutor for Homeopathic Materia Medica, where she worked for 2 years. She was assigned duties to the outpatient department of the hospital at the same time. Later on she started her own private consultancy in her hometown and practiced homeopathy for a couple of years.
Dr. Eram Mohd Shaikh is an established and highly skilled General Practitioner with strong focus towards Integrative Medicine. Being born and brought up in Dubai, she graduated from one of the leading universities in UAE and was trained in multiple hospitals across the Emirates such as, Sheikh Khalifa Hospital in Abu Dhabi and Al Baraha Hospital in Dubai.
Dr. Asha Jones has many years of broad practical experience in Ayurvedic medicine and treatment in India and in UAE. Since graduating in 1995 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Ayurvedic Medicine & Surgery from India’s highly reputed Government Ayurvedic College in Trivandrum, Kerala, Asha Jones has worked as a consultant in many of the country’s Ayurvedic hospitals and centres. She has been practicing in U A E since 2004. Jones joined Dubai Herbal & Treatment Centre in 2011.
After graduating in 1992 as an allopathic physician from the University of Bonn, Germany, Dr Maria worked for three years in neurology and four years in psychiatry. She had extensive training in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) (acupuncture & herbal prescriptions). Furthermore she has a Master’s Degree in Preventive Medicine from Dresden International University. Dr Maria is licensed as a conventional and as a CAM physician. She is also trained in homoeopathy, naturopathy, and is fluent in English, German and Spanish.
With over 8 years of experience practicing acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in the United Arab Emirates, Shan Xu is highly passionate about functional and integrative medical approaches that honor the concept of holism, which is central to TCM.
Jing Zeng got the medical degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2008 when she completed her 6 years studying at Guangxi Traditional Chinese Medicine University, China. Ever since then she has been working as a doctor of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine.During 2005-2007, Jing Zeng was selected to follow Acupuncture Master Dr Dong Hongtao (a reputed Acupuncturist and Herbalist in China) to learn acupuncture techniques. And during 2008-2010, she worked in the affiliated hospital of Guangxi TCM University. In the year 2010 she became a Member of The World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies, as well as relocating to Dubai to continue her profession. With enthusiasm, Jing Zeng has focused her practice in fertility support, rehabilitation, detox, energy balancing and facial acupuncture by Acupuncture treatment and prescriptions of herbal teas (decoctions).
Yang Yang has been practicing medicine for almost 20 years. She obtained her medical bachelor degree from Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2000 and worked in Dalian hospital as a TCM doctor. She pursued further study at Dalian Medical University and was awarded a Masters degree 2010. She treats her patients using acupuncture therapy combined with cupping, Chinese herbs, moxibustion and lifestyle management to treat both physical and psychological problems, in order to promote health and wellbeing both spiritually and mentally.
Zhiyan Shi completed her Master’s Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2008 at Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine. During her Master’s Degree studies, she worked at the affiliated Foshan Chinese Medicine Hospital. From 2011 to 2015, she worked in the No.181 Hospital of the People’s Liberation Army. Her therapies include TCM consultation, acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, tuina massage and ear point treatment. Zhiyan has focused on fertility support, rehabilitation, detox, acupressure, energy balancing, facial acupuncture by Acupuncture treatment and prescriptions of herbal teas (decoctions). Besides other diseases she is specially trained on treating arthritis, rheumatism, muscle strain, tennis elbow, headache, migraine, immune system diseases, insomnia, neck-, shoulder-, low-back- and leg pain. She joined Dubai Herbal and Treatment Centre in 2015.
Dr. Acharya has five decades of clinical experience and four decades in hospital administration. After seven years in the National Health Services (NHS, UK), Dr. Acharya held the position of Director of Primary Healthcare in the Department of Health & Medical Services, Government of Dubai from 1972 until 2002. During this period, he was also Head of the Dermatology Department and Liaison Officer for WHO. Upon completing his tenure at DOHMS, Dr. Acharya helped to establish the Dubai Herbal & Medical Centre (DHTC) as one of the first truly integrative medical centres in the UAE. From 2002 until 2010, he held the role of Medical Director at DHTC, while continuing to practice integrative dermatology.
Beena Joseph obtained her diploma in Ayurvedic Nursing, Massage and Panchakarma from the Kerala Health Care Centre & Para Medical Institute in 2003. She has more than ten years’ experience in a reputed traditional hospital in India. After obtaining her MOH /DHA License in 2008 she worked as an Ayurvedic Therapist in a Medical Centre in Dubai. She joined DHTC in 2014. She is well experienced in all Ayurvedic Therapies, Ayurvedic Massages & Facials and feel well Treatments.