Latest news with #Nutritionand
Elle
16-06-2025
- Health
- Elle
This J-Beauty Serum Has Completely Transformed My Skin
Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. Just off the western coast of Japan, the Goto Islands have stunningly blue water, tree-covered hills, and a special plant: the camellia flower. Camellias look almost like a mono-colored kaleidoscope, their petals overlapping to create a perfect circle. These flowers aren't just beautiful, they're also functional, which is why Shiseido has whipped them into skin care. Most recently, these camellias are the star ingredient in Shiseido's new Ultimune Power Infusing Serum—which has made me a believer in the idea that flowers can transform your skin. According to the Japanese skin care brand, the camellia's picturesque environment in the Goto Islands is also what makes them so nourishing. Though these islands are pretty, they also have a semi-harsh climate—they're prone to strong winds and whiplash weather changes. Camellias have adapted, making them resilient. (Hardy plants being used in skin care is nothing new—think about drought-resistant flowers like lavender or calendula.) In the new Ultimune serum, Shiseido used the same fermentation process as Japanese sake makers to boost the camellia's efficacy. 'Through the fermentation, we are able to increase the amino acid volume to 3.4 times higher,' a representative for Shiseido tells ELLE. In your skin, amino acids (the building blocks of proteins, to take you back to biology class) may work to help boost collagen, help repair wounds, and balance your skin's microbiome, according to a 2020 study in Amino Acids in Nutrition and Health. The serum doesn't just use fermented camellia to bolster skin health—it also utilizes the entire plant, from the petals to the stems. The seed oil and extract promote collagen production and boost moisture, while the leaf and flower extracts tamp down inflammation. The serum also has other actives, like reishi mushroom and iris root, which work to protect the skin barrier. Using this serum is a truly sensorial experience. First of all, I'm a sucker for anything red (it's kind of my color), so I already knew the bottle would have a place front-and-center on my vanity. The formula feels like it sinks into your skin instantly and leaves you with a dewy glow. I rarely finish serums—I have so many to test that I barely get halfway done with one before I'm onto the next. I used this serum every day for three months, but it still caught me off guard when I found that I was out of it. To me, actually finishing a bottle of anything is a testament to how good it is. After using the Ultimune Power Infusing Serum consistently, I found that my normally dry skin looked much glowier and plumper, and I even felt like the fine lines and wrinkles on my face looked less pronounced. It mixes well with my routine and never pills under moisturizer, sunscreen, or makeup. In a rare move, I'm planning to open another bottle. It's one of the few products I've tried that has earned a permanent spot in my ever-changing rotation.
Daily Mirror
03-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Counting calories and yo-yo diets could increase risk of depression, say experts
Eating less of a bad diet is not going to boost your mental health unless you change what you eat, research suggests after a study showed men are vulnerable to negative impact of 'restrictive eating' Counting calories and yo-yo dieting could increase your risk of depression, new research suggests. Experts say eating healthy whole foods rather than processed foods might be more important than focusing only on cutting down on calories. The study of 28,500 Americans suggests men are particularly "vulnerable" to the negative effects of 'restrictive eating' due to a lack of essential nutrients. The findings, published in BMJ Nutrition Prevention and Health, contradict previous studies which found low-calorie diets improved depressive symptoms. However researchers said earlier controlled trials included tailored and balanced diet programmes that may not be the same as the calorie counting diets people realistically follow in everyday life which contain the same processed foods. Study author Dr Venkat Bhat, of the University of Toronto, Canada, said worsening depressive symptoms could be caused by a failure to lose weight or "weight cycling" - losing weight and then putting it back on. He said: 'Real-life calorie-restricted diets and obesity often result in nutritional deficiencies - particularly in protein, essential vitamins/minerals - and induce physiological stress, which can exacerbate depressive symptomatology." Canadian researchers analysed data on 28,525 people who took part in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and had completed a health questionnaire relating to depressive symptoms, which gave them a score based on severity. Some 8% of those studied had reported depressive symptoms, while 33% were overweight and 38% were obese. Most said they were not on a specific diet, while 2,206 were restricting calories. Some 859 were on a "nutrient-restrictive" diet, low in fat, sugar, salt, fibre or carbohydrate, and 631 were on diets tailored for the likes of diabetes. Questionnaire scores for depressive symptoms, such as a low mood, low energy and sleep disturbances, were higher among those restricting calories compared to those who reported not being on a diet at all. The research paper concluded: "Numerous studies have consistently focused on 'healthy' versus 'unhealthy' diets. They have shown that 'healthy' diets rich in minimally processed foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, lean proteins and fish have been linked to a lower risk of depression. "In contrast, an 'unhealthy' diet dominated by ultra-processed foods, refined carbohydrates, saturated fats, processed meats and sweets is associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms.' Researchers said restricting calories can lead to deficiencies in protein, vitamins and minerals which puts the body under stress. Professor Sumantra Ray, chief scientist and executive director of the NNEdPro Global Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, which co-owns the BMJ medical journals, said: "This study adds to the emerging evidence linking dietary patterns and mental health, raising important questions about whether restrictive diets which are low in nutrients considered beneficial for cognitive health, such as omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B12, may precipitate depressive symptoms. Scientists explained that a "healthy" diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, lean proteins and fish, is generally associated with a lower risk of depression. An "unhealthy diet" - dominated by ultra-processed foods, refined carbs, saturated fats, processed meats and sweets - has been linked to a heightened risk. Prof David Curtis, honorary professor at University College London, wo was not involved in the research, said: "The reported effects are small and some are scarcely statistically significant, so may well be due to chance. Even if it is the case that people who are dieting have more depressive symptoms, I don't see why we should assume that it is the dieting which causes this. "To me it seems plausible that this observation could be accounted for by the fact that people who are more unhappy with themselves, and with their weight in particular, may be more likely to go on a diet in an attempt to change their situation."
