HOME HEALTH GUIDE

Opunake Times, 2 April 1948, Page 2

HOME HEALTH GUIDE

A GOOD COMPLEXION (By the Department of Health) Many womenfolk long* for a smooth, clear- skin, without trace of pimples or blemishes, and which glows, or has a “bloom” upon. it. The medical prescription for a good, skin can be ticked off on five fingers. First, the rose-pink colour and the bloom on a healthy skin. All farmers know that an animal’s skin responds- to its feeding, the right food putting a glow and sheen on the hair or fur. The health of human skin also depends cu the diet, particularly on sufficiency of minerals and vitamins, so the balanced diet is the first priority lor good skin texture.

For colour, the red bloom corpuscles are responsible, showing through the skin and lips. That red colour comes from iron in the food; milk, cheese, meat, potatoes, and fruit give you some, but more comes from green > vegetables, whole-grain cereals, liver or kidney/ oysters, peas and beans and lentils and eggs. So these iron-rich foods should come frequently-, into the diet. A diet too high in fat makes for un- j healthy skins. So go easy on rich, sweet foods. Second in importance is sleep —adequate sleep is essential for a- clear skin. Thirdly, exercise can’t be done without if you. want skin glands and pores to work well, not get blocked, and not make pimples. Fourthly, sunshine has a specially good action on skin—it helps to make vitamin D and gives it tone. Tone or firmness is in the prescription for a good skin, and the sun is one of the supply agencies. Fifthly, cleanliness—a hath or shower every day removes dirt and germs and dried perspiration and oil. Don’t he afraid- of soap and water on your skin. That’s the medical prescription for a good skin—balanced diet, right sleep, exercise, - sunshine, and a daily hath.