Issue #316: Everyone Wants to Look Younger
Good morning. It’s Thursday, March 14th. It’s Pi Day - 3.14…1592653…*
*The world record for digits memorized of Pi is controversial, but according to Guinness Book of World Records the number is 70,000 digits - which took 10 hours to say out loud. Crazy what humans can do.
Stat of the Day
Wait…what? It’s apparently true - men spend 43% more on beauty products than women.
Learn
Everyone Wants to Look Younger
That’s right - us guys spend over $2,200 per year on beauty while women only spend about $1,200. If you’re like me you’re probably thinking there’s no way this is true - but we probably spend more than we think.
I guess just about everyone values their looks - especially as we get older.
It makes sense that looking and feeling good is core to our confidence and creating the person we aspire to be - but it shouldn’t come at the expense of not being happy with the person we really are.
And look - it matters to wash and moisturize your face.
But we’re not here to argue about which skin serum to use in the morning (I guess Vitamin C) and at night (maybe retinol if you don’t have sensitive skin).
Instead, we’re going to talk about the things we can do that get to the root cause of why our skin might look older than we are.
3 Tips That Go Below The Surface
1. More Prebiotic Food - we’ve talked about the benefits of prebiotic fiber and inulin (Issue #274). This is food for our gut bacteria and supports our immune system. Well, turns out there’s also a gut-skin axis too - not just that gut-brain one! It’s true - the gut and skin communicate back and forth and the healthier our gut the healthier our skin. So eat those onions, garlic, and fermented cabbage.
2. Eat Carrots - well not just carrots, any plants with the yellow, orange or red color - including: bell peppers, squash, oranges, apricots, grapefruit, pumpkins, cantaloupe, and mangoes. These carotenoids are not only antioxidants, but also strengthen the skin barrier and make our skin look younger.
3. Limit the Rays - look we’re all about getting sunlight and Vitamin D is absolutely essential. But too much UV absolutely crushes our skin - I can’t even count the number of people I know that have had skin removed for potential or actual cancer.
The danger of the sun on our skin all depends on the pigment in our skin - the lighter the skin the more you have to be careful.
Oh and I doubt this is a thing for most of our readers - but I still see full parking lots here in Florida so I’ll say it - don’t use tanning beds. You increase your chance of developing skin cancer from just one tanning bed session.
When you’ve got to be outside, remember your hat and your non-chemical sunscreen with zinc oxide (see best brands from the EWG here).
Try
Just the Right Amount of Sun
Go for 5-30 min of direct sunlight 3x per week to get Vitamin D (+ other benefits) without too much risk of skin problems.
I know that’s a huge variance - it really depends on your specific skin tone and sensitivity.
BONUS: - check out nitric oxide as a way to give your skin a boost. We’ve highlighted this molecule/hormone before (Issue #253). But it’s not just good to prevent heart disease. The increased blood flow to our skin also has been proven to heal wounds and aging skin.
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Eat
Matcha
Matcha is a type of green tea made by taking young tea leaves and grinding them into a bright green powder. As a powder from the entire leaf, matcha is more nutritious than green tea and a more versatile ingredient across different cuisines.
Other Health benefits
High in Antioxidants: matcha is packed with catechins, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) - this is considered a superfood and something humans have used for hundreds of years to reduce inflammation and improve our health
Brain Function: matcha contains a unique combination of caffeine and L-theanine, which can improve aspects of brain function - increased focus, enhanced memory and faster reaction times
Heart Health: the antioxidants in matcha help prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, a key risk factor for heart disease. Some studies also suggest matcha can help lower blood pressure and triglyceride levels
Metabolic Health: matcha has been shown to increase metabolism and fat burning, both of which are beneficial for weight management
Detox: grown in the shade to increase its chlorophyll content, matcha can help detoxify the body by eliminating heavy metals and chemical toxins
Skin Health: The high levels of EGCG in matcha have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which can help improve skin health by reducing acne and increasing skin elasticity
How to Eat
Serving Size: 1-2 teaspoons of powder (often mixed with 6oz of water)
Time of Day: due to caffeine, go with matcha in the morning or early afternoon
Pairing: pair matcha with vitamin C-rich foods to enhance absorption. Matcha can be added to smoothies or baking for those with dietary restrictions
Specific Types: Ceremonial grade matcha is the highest quality, ideal for drinking, while culinary grade is used for cooking and baking. Also, always go organic since you are consuming the entire leaf
vs. Green Tea: both green tea and matcha offer significant health benefits, with matcha providing a more concentrated source of nutrients and antioxidants due to consuming the whole leaf. Choosing between them depends on personal preference, desired nutrients (matcha has more) and caffeine intake (again, matcha has more: ~2x)
Cook
Matcha Overnight Oats
Kickstart your mornings with these Matcha Overnight Oats! Packed with antioxidants from matcha, fiber-rich oats, omega-3 from chia seeds, probiotics in Greek yogurt, and vitamins from fresh berries, it's a nutritious, easy-prep breakfast. Sweetened with honey and brown sugar for a delicious start to your day.
Pro Tip: these are overnight oats, so remember to let them sit for 3+ hours before eating. Also, feel free to store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
In the News
Mind-Boosting Fiber: A daily fiber supplement improved brain function in people over 60 in just 12 weeks. The study participants excelled on memory tests associated with early signs of Alzheimer's. (Source)
Fearless Fitness: Are you one of the many who feel out of place at the gym or are struggling to start a new workout routine? Take these steps to jump over the mental hurdles. (SELF)
And the Deaf Shall Hear: Several gene therapies aim to restore a protein necessary for transmitting sound signals from the ear to the brain. There has never been a therapy that restores even partial hearing for someone totally deaf until now. (WIRED)
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We’re 40-something dads that felt our bodies and minds start to slow down and we’re not ready for that. We found too much information on every subject. So we started Thrive25 to transform what we’ve learned into something useful for the rest of us to spend just 3-5 min a day to optimize our health & longevity.
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The information in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and may not be appropriate or applicable based on your individual circumstances. Thrive25, Inc. does not provide medical, professional, or licensed advice. Please connect with your healthcare professional for medical advice specific to your health needs.