There are many people who believe the whole “gluten intolerance” “gluten free diet” craze is nothing more than a sham, another diet scam created to market specialized foods to the masses. They are wrong. Unfortunately, many of them will continue to suffer from autoimmune diseases or other chronic conditions and will never admit to themselves that their diet is to blame.

If you suffer from MS or know someone who does, learning how a leaky gut is linked to MS is a vital step toward health.

What Is the Difference Between a Healthy Gut and a Leaky Gut?

When people hear the term “leaky gut” they often imagine the intestines leaking its contents into the body cavity. This is not the case. Healthy gut walls are coated with a biofilm, tightly interwoven cells that provide a barricade between the tissues and the intestinal contents. When the biofilm breaks down and the intestinal walls become inflamed, proteins and other particles that would normally stay inside the intestines pass into the bloodstream. Suddenly the body is flooded with what the immune system sees as “foreign invaders”. The immune system goes into overdrive and often steers off course.

Anyone who has faced the grim reality of an autoimmune disease has been told that their immune system isn’t working right, that it is attacking their body. Unfortunately, it is a rare to find a health care practitioner who can tell them why and how to stop the process. Bottom line, the only way to heal the body is through proper nutrition, detoxing, and exercise. You start with healing the gut. If the gut isn’t working right, you can’t assimilate nutrients. One of the first steps to healing the gut is eliminating gluten.

What Has Caused a Leaky Gut?

The standard American diet, sugar, antibiotics, chemicals, and heavy metals have all combined to destroy the natural bacterial balance in the gut.

Our gut is home to trillions of microbes, many of them beneficial bacteria that live with us in a symbiotic relationship that is vital to our health. These good bacteria help us digest our food, help keep bad bacteria, fungi, and parasites in check, and are even responsible for the production of neurotransmitters.

Antibiotics kill bacteria that are harmful to our health. In the process, they also kill the good bacteria in our gut. When the balance in the gut is destroyed, fungi take over along with the bad bacteria.

Sugar also feeds fungi (along with bad bacteria and viruses). An overgrowth of Candida typically occurs with high sugar diets and antibiotic use. Since sugar weakens the immune system, these two go hand in hand. Sugar also feeds fungi (along with bad bacteria and viruses). An overgrowth of Candida typically occurs with high sugar diets and antibiotic use. Since sugar weakens the immune system, these two go hand in hand. Drink sodas, eat sugary snacks and chemically laden processed foods and then wonder why you get sinus infections and bronchitis. Take antibiotics, break down the immune system more, and you repeat the cycle.

If this wasn’t enough, processed foods are filled with sugar, high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, colorings, preservatives, MSG, and GMOs. And even our produce isn’t safe unless it’s organic. Some fruits have as many as 15 chemicals on and in them. All of these chemicals further destroy gut health and lead to a chronic imbalance of good bacteria, bad bacteria, and Candida.

How Do You Heal the Gut?

There are supplements that can help you get your gut back in balance, but the main way to heal the gut is to eat a truly healthy diet. This means eliminating processed foods and eating 80% fresh, raw, organic produce – more vegetables than fruits and including healthy fats and plenty of pure water in your diet.

The MS leaky gut connection is clear. If you completely eliminate gluten (and that means every condiment and morsel of food that goes in your mouth) and adhere to a healthy diet, you will be amazed at how much better you feel. Many people with MS have found that symptoms return whenever they indulge in foods that contain gluten. To learn more about gluten, gut health, and multiple sclerosis, read Gluten, Candida, Leaky Gut Syndrome, and Autoimmune Diseases and Foods To Avoid With Gluten Intolerance or Celiac Disease.

Recommended Reading:

• Naturally Treat Multiple Sclerosis – Therapies, Diet, Pain Management, Alternative Medicine
• How to Kill Fungal Infections
• How to Cure Lyme Disease, and Virtually Any Other Bacterial Infection, Naturally

This is more than a detox article. This is a lifestyle article. If you want to be disease free, vibrant, and truly healthy, it’s time to develop continuous detoxification habits that you do daily.

A very thorough detox can be expensive and challenging to complete. Some people who are very sick, or otherwise very toxic, need this kind of detoxification protocol, but most don’t, and most cannot afford to spend hundreds, or even thousands of dollars on supplements. The good news is that with the right habits, anyone can detoxify all the time without doing a “detox” that takes up all of your time, energy, and money.

The trick to detoxifying without fasting is to eat foods that help you to detoxify the body, and to drink plenty of water. Even better than water, here’s a recipe to kick off your detoxification protocol.

Reated: How To Heal Your Gut

Cranberry Lemonade Recipe

• Glass gallon jar
• Safe, clean, spring water or distilled water
• 1 cup of unsweetened, organic cranberry juice, not from concentrate
• 3 organic fresh lemons
• A citrus juicer
• Liquid stevia
• Liquid cayenne

Fill the jar to about 85% capacity with spring water (or distilled water). Squeeze the lemons and pour the juice into the water. Add cranberry juice. Add stevia to taste and then add cayenne to taste. The amount of cayenne used is up to you, but the more the better.

Recommended: How To Heal Your Gut

If you don’t have access to a good source for spring water, use other clean, drinking water that does not contain fluoride. If you don’t have access to organic lemons, use conventional. Fresh is best. If there are no fresh lemons, use organic bottled lemon juice. If you can’t get cranberry juice that is not from concentrate, get the reconstituted kind (just don’t get any kind of cranberry juice that has any other ingredients like sweeteners or other juices). If you can’t stand cayenne, don’t use it. No glass jar? Use plastic.

Since it’s cranberry season again, if you have a blender, try whole cranberries instead of juicing them. You can also throw in some of the organic lemon peels, as much as you can stand to taste. (Only organic. Don’t use peels from conventional lemons.) It’s pretty sour, but it has lots of benefits.

If you have powdered cayenne and/or powdered stevia, I recommend using a blender to mix some of the liquid with the powders so they don’t settle later.

The lemon juice will help flush the liver. The cranberry juice will help flush the kidneys. If you drink a lot of it, every day, you will feel an amazing difference in your health and vitality. This recipe is a far better choice for most people than the Master Cleanse.

Salad Recipe That Detoxifies

Produce detoxifies. Fresh, whole, raw vegetables, herbs, and fruits pull toxins from the body, repopulate healthy, beneficial gut bacteria, and give the body the nutrients it needs including enzymes and other phytonutrients that are almost non-existent in most modern diets.

Try to eat a huge salad every day with lots of greens, plenty of other colors, garlic, cilantro, ginger, and more. Check out this salad recipe.

The Salad Base

• Spinach
• Arugula (I prefer baby arugula, mature arugula tastes funky)
• Collard Greens (they’re very bitter; use sparingly)
• Lettuce (mix it up, try an organic spring mix)
• Kale
• Beet greens (the tops of beets)
• Red cabbage (thinly shred like a slaw or a little thicker, depending on the texture you prefer)
• Rainbow chard

Shredded, Grated

• Carrots
• Zucchini
• Beetroot
• Diakon (or other radish)

Chopped or Diced

• Leeks
• Red onions
• Red and yellow bell peppers
• Cucumbers
• Cilantro
• Asparagus (try cooking in a balasmic vinger first)

Extras

• Pomegranate seeds
• Olives
• Raisins or dried cranberries
• Sesame seeds
• Ground papaya seeds and/or ground pepper
• Avocado
• Eggs (try soft boiled)
• Beans (black, pinto, kidney, green, garbanzo, etc.)
• Garlic
• Turmeric
• Chia seeds

It’s not an exact recipe, and it doesn’t have to be. Mix it up. Try new things. My salads generally have about 15 ingredients. Make them big; make them diverse. Just imagine you’re in nature, not modern society, and all you have to eat is nothing but a wide variety of the best, whole, fresh, healthy vegetables and herbs. This is what a big salad a day can do for you: it’s life changing.

I throw in chick peas or a three-bean salad combination. If you’re not vegan, try a sheep feta cheese with this salad, and throw on some eggs. It’s good with meat, too, like chicken or steak.

Don’t ruin it with a crappy salad dressing! All this salad needs is a little balsamic vinegar (apple cider is better, but I don’t like the taste as much in my salads), or some fresh lemon juice or something. It doesn’t take much.

Daily Habits for Constant Detoxification

• Breathe in deeply, fully and properly
• Eat a big salad every day (I make seven every Sunday)
• Drink lots of cranberry lemonade every day
• Bodyweight squats every day.

That last one is more important than you may think. We expel more toxins through our skin and breathing than we do through bowel movements and urination. Get up, sweat, get your heart rate going, and breathe! I recommend bodyweight squats because it’s an important movement in nature (we used to squat a lot!), and it helps detoxify the body as you do them. Practice good form of course, and build up slowly. Start with 20, take a day off, but get up to 100 a day.

Related: Holistic Guide to Healing the Endocrine System and Balancing Our Hormones

Imagine that. 100 squats, a big huge salad, and a gallon (or so) of cranberry lemonade every day. If you can do it, you will reverse and set back disease for many years and feel amazing. When you are detoxifying, stick with the salads, squats, and lemonade. When you’re not, just fill in the rest of your diet with unprocessed, whole foods (organic whenever possible) and you’ll be healthier than anyone you know.

That’s pretty much my secret to good health. I make an 11 cup salad every day, I drink a gallon of cranberry lemonade every day, and I do squats. Sometimes I juice, but it’s done with lots of turmeric and ginger, and it’s not very sweet. I do enjoy an ultra healthy smoothie, and I put in lots of “superfoods” (I kinda hate that phrase, but, oh well), with Total Nutrition Formula.

When I need to go through a serious detox, I typically throw in SF722, Blood Detox, and some probiotics.

If you’re suffering from serious illness, or you know it’s coming soon if you don’t change your habits, this protocol will bring you to another level in health, but at some point you may want to do a more serious protocol that targets all of the elimination organs, and seriously address your gut health.

If you’d like to see some more recipes (and if you want to make your own tinctures and teas for your detox):
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Recommended Products:

• Mother Earth Organic Root Cider – Barrier Island Organics
• Formula SF722
• Floramend-Prime by Thorne
• Shillington’s Blood Detox Formula

Further Reading:

• How to Kill Fungal Infections
• 80% Raw Food Diet
• One Gallon Challenge
• Cheap and Easy Detox Protocols

All nutrients have a role to play in health. When we are found to be deficient in particular vitamins or minerals, it could be that we are not eating enough foods that provide them or our state of health may be such that we are unable to properly metabolize and process them.

Many studies have shown that people with multiple sclerosis have lower levels of specific vitamins and other nutrients, especially vitamin D and vitamin B12.

The Vitamin B12 Connection

Those who have MS have low levels of vitamin B12 in their cerebrospinal fluid, blood serum, or both. A vitamin B12 deficiency is often mistaken for MS.

Studies have shown patients with MS given vitamin B12 supplements have experienced clinical improvements with symptoms. Those with MS are also likely to be low in other B vitamins and should consider a B vitamin complex with extra B12. It is always best to take a complex B rather than taking just one B vitamin for any length of time. B vitamins work together to perform many vital roles in the body.

Foods Rich in Vitamin B 12

Foods rich in vitamin B12 include:

• Sardines
• Salmon
• Tuna
• Cod
• Lamb
• Shrimp
• Scallops
• Beef
• Yogurt
• Milk

If you are suffering from a digestive disease that inhibits absorption such as celiac disease or you are elderly, vegan, or vegetarian it may be difficult for you to reach your daily requirement of B12 without supplementation.

Even if you are not aware that you have a digestive disorder, chances are you suffer from leaky gut syndrome if you have MS or any other autoimmune disease. Elimination of gluten from your diet, treating Candida overgrowth, and repairing your gut will go a long way toward your recovery from MS.

The Vitamin D Connection

The farther away a person lives from the equator, the greater the risk of developing MS, which suggests vitamin D deficiency may play an important part in the development of this disease.

Study after study shows that when people are chronically ill they either are or they were vitamin D deficient. Vitamin D is a hormone our bodies produce after we are exposed to sunlight.

Vitamin D is stored in fat and released as needed, but this does not work right for particularly toxic people or overweight people and most of us in the modern world do not get nearly enough vitamin D in the summer regardless of our ability to store it. We certainly get enough in our diet to make up for our lack of outdoor life.

If you have MS you will likely feel an immediate improvement by supplementing with vitamin D. Avoid very high doses of vitamin D for long periods of time.

Foods Rich in Vitamin D

We can also get vitamin D from the following foods:

• Fatty fish
• Mushrooms
• Beef liver
• Cheese
• Egg yolks

Conclusion

Vitamin D and vitamin B12 deficiencies play a role in MS, but they are not the only causes of this disease. A leaky gut is most certainly a big part of the problem, and diet management is paramount, not only to manage symptoms naturally but also to getting well. To learn more about MS, check out Naturally Treat Multiple Sclerosis – Therapies, Diet, Pain Management, Alternative Medicine.

Recommended Products:

• Vitamin D
• Vitamin B12 Complex

Suggested Reading:

• Gluten, Candida, Leaky Gut Syndrome and Autoimmune Diseases
• Vitamin B12
• Vitamin D and Hypertension
• Naturally Treat Multiple Sclerosis – Therapies, Diet, Pain Management, Alternative Medicine

If you have celiac disease, gluten will damage your body. Even a tiny crouton will set off a chain reaction causing your immune system to go into defensive mode and start damaging the small intestine. According to Holly Strawbridge of Harvard Health, this reaction can “…interfere with the absorption of nutrients from the food, cause a host of symptoms, and lead to other problems like osteoporosis, infertility, nerve damage, and seizures.”

Many people don’t know they are sensitive to gluten or that their health problems are directly related to gluten consumption. The world’s #1 tennis player, Novak Djokovic, changed his entire diet during his career. By eliminating gluten, he experienced a drastic physical and mental change. His energy and concentration skyrocketed, which influenced his abilities on the court, helping him reach the top of his game.

So what are the symptoms and signs of gluten intolerance?

1. Depression and anxiety. Symptoms include a feeling of hopelessness, loss of appetite, anger, sleep deprivation, lack of interest and energy, inability to relax, heart racing, chest pains and other psychosomatic symptoms. Medication is sometimes required to fight off the persistent imbalances, but once gluten is removed from the diet, this mental condition may be resolved.
2. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. This disorder affects both kids and adults. When on a gluten-free diet, you’ll get your kid focused and sitting in one place much easier than before.
3. Fatigue and brain fog. It can be quite debilitating not to be able to think straight, but not every sense of disconnection originates from the head. A 2002 study in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry found that there may be significant cross reactivity of IgG (immunoglobulin G) antibodies to gluten and other different antibodies that could result in mental fogginess.
4. Autoimmune diseases. Gluten sensitivity can contribute to development of other diseases such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, lupus, psoriasis, scleroderma or multiple sclerosis among many other.
5. Digestive issues. Gas, bloating, diarrhea and constipation are usually the culprits. Also, constipation may occur in children after gluten consumption, an obvious indication that they cannot tolerate it.
6. Low immunity. Our bodies have IgA, a class of antibodies that are found in our saliva, tears, and sometimes in our blood and gastrointestinal tract. These antibodies are the first line of defense against any disease, but gluten can diminish their level and consequently make you prone to other illnesses. If you want to stay healthy, stay away from gluten.
7. Hormone imbalance. This protein can cause menstrual irregularities, weight gain or loss, low energy, hot flashes and more. Once women with gluten sensitivity reach pre-menopause, the ovarian output of sex hormones (progesterone and estrogen) drops and serious problems start to reveal themselves. The adrenal gland starts working like crazy causing unstable blood sugar, gastrointestinal tract inflammation, increase in fatigue, as well as body fat and unstable mood swings.
8. Migraine headaches. Millions of people around the world suffer from this condition. Not all causes are linked to gluten; however, if you free yourself of this protein, you may find it was the cause of yours.
9. Body issues. Your teeth, bones, skin, joints and muscles can also be affected by gluten sensitivity and Celiac disease. As soon as you do an elimination diet, you can determine if gluten is the main cause of such ailments. It may take some time, but once you have the diagnosis, you can immediately start treating yourself and discover other delicious dishes that help heal and restore balance to your body and mind.

If you have a gluten sensitivity, do your research. You will need to be vigilant in avoiding obvious as well as hidden sources of gluten. Although this will cut many grains and many processed foods out of your diet, gluten free foods are becoming more popular.

Suggested Reading:

• Gluten, Candida, Leaky Gut Syndrome, and Autoimmune Diseases
• Foods To Avoid With Gluten Intolerance or Celiac Disease
• The Reasons Gluten Intolerance and Celiac Disease Are On the Rise

Source:

• Holly Strawbridge – Harverd.edu
• Gluten sensitivity as a neurological illness – Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry
• How and Why to do an Elimination Diet – Precision Nutrition
• Summer Nutrition Tips for Optimal Health – Care Body Hair 

The gluten free household faces unique challenges. Even though gluten-free products have become more mainstream, they still cost between 2 to 10 times more than conventional alternatives. And even at those hefty prices, gluten free products like pancake mixes are rarely organic.

Until recently, cooking was all but a lost art. For those who wish to take back our health and save money on eating out, cooking from scratch is becoming more popular than ever.

A truly healthy diet consists of 80% or more fresh, raw, organic produce – more vegetables than fruits. (Check out the 80% Raw Food Diet for more information.) But for those of us who are foodies, this still leaves a little wiggle room for variety. Although anything made with sugar should not be a staple in our diet, no one should be forced to live life without pancakes. Even if gluten doesn’t bother you, this recipe should prove far superior to any other pancake recipe, and it even forms a complete protein!

Whenever possible, buy organic. In the case of cornstarch, always buy organic to avoid GMO corn products.

You Will Need

• Organic Rice Flour (brown or white)
• Organic Corn Starch
• Tapioca Flour
• Garbanzo Bean Flour (aka Chickpea Flour)
• Aluminum Free Baking Soda
• Aluminum Free Baking Powder
• Gelatin or Organic Xanthan Gum
• Sea Salt
• Organic Maple Sugar
• Fruit (optional)
• Eggs or Egg Replacer
• Butter or Spread (Cow, Goat, or Earth Balance)
• Buttermilk, Kefir or Yogurt (Cow, Goat, or Coconut)
• Honey or Maple Syrup
• Organic Vanilla Extract
• Optional toppings include up to 2 Cups Fresh Fruit (Blueberries, Strawberries, Bananas and Cherries are all popular choices, but any fruit you like will do) and Whipped Cream.

Dry Pancake Mix (Makes 3 Batches)

First mix up a batch of dry pancake mix. Feel free to double or triple this recipe. Keep what is left over in a closed jar in your pantry for later use. The mix tastes best when used within 3-6 months.

• 3 ½ Cups of Rice Flour
• ½ Cup of Corn Starch
• 1 Cup Garbanzo Bean Flour
• 1 Cup Tapioca Flour
• 1 ½ Teaspoons Baking Soda
• 3 Teaspoons Baking Powder
• 1 Tablespoon Salt
• 1 Teaspoon Xanthun Gum or Gelatin
• 3 Tablespoons Maple Sugar

Pancakes (Yields about 12 pancakes)

• 2 Cups of Dry Pancake Mix (see above)
• 2 Eggs or Egg Replacer
• 2 Cups Milk
• 4 Tablespoons Melted Butter (or Spread)
• 1Tablespoon Vanilla Extract

Combine all of the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl and stir with a whisk, or you can put the dry ingredients in a closed container and shake a few times.

Preheat your pan or griddle (we prefer cast-iron, and we advise against Teflon).

Whisk the eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Add dry ingredients and mix until well combined. (It can still have some lumps).

Add a small amount of butter, or cooking oil to the pan. If it sizzles, it’s ready. We like avocado oil, rice bran oil, peanut oil, or coconut oil. (For this purpose olive oil is a poor choice due to its low smoke point; it burns too easily)

Using a ladle, pour the pancake batter onto the griddle or large pan. Within 2-3 minutes, bubbles will form around the edges of the pancake. Gently slide a spatula beneath the pancake and carefully flip. (The cooked side should be golden brown.) After another minute or two your pancakes will be ready. If not served immediately, pancakes can be kept warm for up to 30 minutes when covered and held in a 200-degree, preheated oven.

Recommended Reading:

• Powerfully Healing Raspberry Cream Smoothie Recipe
• No More Gluten – How I Found Health After MS
• Gluten, Candida, Leaky Gut Syndrome, and Autoimmune Diseases

There was a time when coffee, tea, soda, juice, sugary lemonade, and milk seemed to be the only beverages anyone drank if they weren’t drinking beer, wine, or some other kind of alcohol. No one drank water. Not if they could help it, anyway.

Then bottled water came on the scene and water became more popular. Of course, food companies wanted to cash in so they made flavored bottled water and vitamin water. If you think they couldn’t mess up water, think again. If you need proof, read the labels.

Lately, infused water is all the craze. If you’ve never heard of it, infused water is simply water that contains fruit, vegetables, herbs, or spices. Whatever you put in it will infuse the water with its flavor.

The most interesting aspect to water infusions, is the many choices and combinations to be made. You can use anything from sweet fruits to hot peppers.

There are three ways to make water infusions:

1. Simply add ingredients to a pitcher of clean, pure, water (preferably filtered) with ice. Slice fruits and veggies so they are very thin to increase surface area and increase flavor. When using herbs, squeeze or crush them to release the oils (and flavor).
2. You can make an infusion in a jar and refrigerate it for use days later.
3. Make ice cubes out of the ingredients you want to add to the water. Use the ice with water.

Here are some popular combinations. (Note: Basil is often used and it tastes great!)

• Cucumber
  • With basil
  • With kiwi
  • With citrus fruits and mint
• Honeydew melon
  • With basil! Seriously!
• Watermelon
  • With berries
  • With mint or rosemary
• Pineapple
  • With strawberries
  • With mango
  • With mint
• Berries
  • With any other fruit
  • With mint
• Citrus – oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit, tangerines, etc.
  • Combine or use alone with mint
  • With melon
  • Note: You might want to peel citrus fruits to avoid their bitter flavor.
• Jalapeño
  • With cucumbers and mint
  • With strawberries
• Tomato
  • With celery and bell pepper

Try new and outlandish combinations. You never know what amazing flavors you will create! The best thing about homemade infusions is that you know what is in them. Why not drink flavored water full of nutrients and antioxidants? They are an excellent addition to a healthy diet. To learn more about a truly healthy diet check out the 80% Raw Diet. And if you’ve never tried cranberry lemonade, check out The One Gallon Challenge.

Recommended Reading:

• Symptoms of Dehydration & Benefits of Proper Hydration – Are you Getting Enough Water?
• What’s the Best Water for Detoxifying and For Drinking?
• Eat More Fiber, Drink More Water For Naturally Glowing Skin – Here’s Why

Fiber is such an important nutrient for your body in so many ways, but did you know that it is also crucial for beautiful, healthy skin?

A diet rich in high-fiber foods such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains can have many benefits to your body. It can give you more energy, improve brain health, and reduce the risk of a whole range of diseases including heart disease and diabetes. But did you know that fiber is also really crucial for super healthy skin and hair?

So how exactly does the fiber from your diet improve the health of your skin?

Consuming foods high in fiber along with drinking an adequate amount of clean, pure water helps your body flush out toxins. Without fiber, these toxins can lead to clogged pores, acne, and dry listless looking skin.

Fiber generally comes from plant-based foods. It is a part of the plant that your body can’t digest. Therefore, as it passes through the intestinal tract, it acts like a broom, sweeping out toxins, excess fats, and waste. Fiber is also great for improving your circulation, which is vital for making sure your skin cells get enough oxygen and nutrients. This means softer, more youthful looking skin.

If you eat processed foods, such as white bread, pizza, and other junk food, you are eating food that has been stripped of its fiber. These foods can actually have the opposite effect on your skin; they can cause acne breakouts and other skin problems.

Make sure you are eating organic foods whenever possible and try adding some of these to your diet to bump up your intake of fiber and help your skin to be healthy and look amazing.

• Whole grains such as barley, millet, brown rice, buckwheat, and steel cut oats
• Lentils, chickpeas, and beans
• Brussel sprouts, broccoli, and leafy greens
• Chia seeds and almonds
• Berries such as raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries

Along with having enough fiber in your diet, it is really important to be drinking enough water to keep your skin healthy. The benefits of drinking enough water are often underrated; however, it is very important for your body and your skin! Water helps your body regulate its metabolism, aids in your body’s digestion, and provides the skin with buoyancy and elasticity, which helps to keep you looking great.

Skin cells are predominantly made up of water and as a result, when your skin isn’t hydrated, your skin will appear dry, tight, flaky, and more prone to wrinkling. Drinking water is also a great detoxing agent, which removes toxins out of your body and will have a dramatic effect on the appearance of your skin.

So exactly how much water should you be drinking each day?

Well, it depends on a number of factors such as your body weight, where you are located (hot/cold, dry/humid climate) and your activity level. Generally, you want to drink around half your body weight in ounces of water. For example, if you weigh 160 pounds, then you want to be drinking 80 ounces of water per day. Try and spread out drinking the water throughout the day as the body can only absorb so much water at a time.

Have you noticed the effect of fiber in combination with water on your skin? Let us know how you will incorporate more fiber into your diet. Information is nothing without action, so try adding just one high fiber food into your diet today and build from there to transform your skin!

Sources:

• What’s the Best Water for Detoxifying and For Drinking?
• Inexpensive, Easy Detox – The One Gallon Challenge
• 80% Raw Food Diet
• Natural Remedies for Constipation