Answer:

We know that what we eat affects our skin in the long run, but you can also make radical changes in the short run, too. The following three-day diet, designed to reduce inflammation, can make such a radical difference in your appearance that you should be able to see it in before-and-after photographs.

The diet consists of eating the following meal twice a day for three days in a row, with the remaining meal of the day following the concepts of staying away from pro-inflammatory foods.

Protein: Cell Repair

The first important item in this anti-inflammatory meal is salmon. Salmon is important because it is high in protein, and we need protein to repair our cells. Women in particular tend to not have protein-adequate diets, and this results in accelerated aging.

Salmon also contains high amounts of an essential fatty acid classified as an omega-3 oil. Omega-3 oils are powerful, natural anti-inflammatories that nourish the brain and therefore can alleviate mental depression, nourish the immune system, and help prevent infection and cancer. And essential fatty acids nourish the skin, giving it a radiant and beautiful appearance.

One of the biggest mistakes a person can make is to follow a low-fat or no-fat diet. You must have adequate amounts of essential fatty acids to be healthy. In addition to being rich in fatty acids, salmon also contains the nutrient DMAE. DMAE is known as a cognitive enhancer -- that is, it can improve memory and problem-solving ability. It does so by improving nerve function.

Now, we all know that nerves are not just in our brain but also carry messages to our body -- for example, our muscles -- and therefore, we need healthy nerves to maintain good muscle tone. DMAE, when eaten in larger amounts, can increase muscle tone and therefore decrease the appearance of sagging. As a side note, DMAE can be placed into a lotion form and applied to the skin to decrease sagging and increase tone.

The second portion of this anti-inflammatory meal is a dark-green salad such as romaine lettuce with olive oil and lemon juice dressing. Dark-green lettuce contains antioxidants that act as natural anti-inflammatories and also contain small amounts of essential fatty acids such as omega-6.

Olive oil is recommended because it contains a small amount of essential fatty acid but a larger amount of a fat called oleic acid. Oleic acid helps cells absorb essential fatty acid more efficiently. Olive oil also contains a high level of polyphenols, antioxidants, and natural anti-inflammatories. Polyphenols are responsible for the health benefits of consuming olive oil, indicating that it may decrease our risk of heart disease, too. Lemon juice instead of vinegar has greater amounts of natural antioxidants like vitamin C and bioflavonoids.

The dessert portion of these meals consists of a serving of mixed berries, such as raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries, and a slice of cantaloupe. These fruits are loaded with antioxidants, which act as natural anti-inflammatories, and it should be emphasized that bright, colorful foods contain high levels of antioxidants.

Additionally, berries will not cause a rapid rise in blood sugar that may be characteristic of other fruits such as bananas. Cantaloupe contains vitamin A, which is a natural anti-inflammatory, and cantaloupe also contains a large amount of water, which helps hydrate us.

Speaking of hydration, we must drink eight to 10 glasses of pure water a day. Diet sodas and coffee don't count, though I'm allowing tea (green or black) as part of the 8 to 10 daily glasses. That's because green tea contains substances that help relax us and elevate our mood and counteract the negative effects of the small amount of caffeine that is present.

When this meal is eaten twice a day three days in a row and the other meal consists of a good source of protein, essential fatty acids, and healthy fruits and vegetables that will not cause a rapid rise in blood sugar, there will be a tremendous difference in your appearance and the way you feel. You will also notice mental clarity, an elevation in mood, and energy that will complement the way you look.

When we decrease inflammation in the body, the brain works better, mood is elevated, skin becomes more radiant, dark circles and puffiness under the eyes resolve, skin becomes more toned, and even fine lines can diminish. We must remember that the skin is a reflection of our internal health. Therefore, if our skin improves, all other vital organs also improve. This decreases our risk of every disease from which we suffer.