Rancho Santa Fe author’s new book focuses on healthy skin choices

A new book by a Rancho Santa Fe author explores the ways people can improve the health and appearance of their skin through diet, nutritional supplements, topicals and medical procedures.

“Nourish Your Skin Right: Your Personalized Nutrition Plan for Radiant Beauty,” by Dr. Mark Tager, aims to provide readers with the latest information to make healthy choices for the health and beauty of their skin. The book, available on Amazon, is Tager’s 11th.

The book asks, then answers, four questions: to have glowing, radiant skin, what should I eat, what supplements should I take, what topicals should I apply, and what procedures should I follow?

The first topic, which foods to eat and which to avoid, takes up about 60% of the book, Tager said.

“I don’t know anyone with beautiful, glowing skin and a crap diet,” Tager said.

Among the foods to avoid or minimize in the diet, Tager said, are refined sugar and dairy products, which research has shown are major contributors to acne. As anecdotal evidence, Tager cited a local college student whose acne cleared up within a week after embarking on a summer trip to Africa and avoiding processed foods.

Other foods to avoid include those containing processed corn and soy oils; favoring instead avocados, olive oil, walnuts and flax seeds.

People should “eat the rainbow,” he said, consuming larger amounts of fruits and vegetables of as many different hues as possible, because each variety offers different nutrients, a he said.

Other dietary advice includes eating foods with fiber because the gut’s ‘good bacteria’ feed on fiber, he said, and selecting leaner fish and meats as protein options. .

“Make yourself comfortable and friendly and fall in love with vegetables and whole grains,” he said.

When to eat is also important, Tager said, noting that people should avoid eating for a 12-hour period each day to allow the body to regenerate and repair itself. He also advises to drink alcohol only in moderation and to avoid consuming too many calories.

About 20% of the book is dedicated to nutritional supplements and helping readers decide which vitamins and minerals are best for their personalized diet. Tager suggested working with a nutrition specialist, through an organization such as the American Nutrition Association.

A consultation with a nutrition expert, which can be done through Zoom or another online portal, will provide valuable insight for those seeking improved skin health and appearance, Tager said.

The last 20% of the book covers topical treatments and procedures to stimulate and rejuvenate the skin from within, Tager said.

The book also delves into the emergence of “personalized nutrition,” which relates to how a person’s genetic makeup best aligns with certain foods and nutritional supplements.

“Explosions in our understanding of genetics are shedding light on the individual variations that lead to premature wrinkles, loss of facial volume, dehydration, excessive pigmentation, and conditions such as rosacea and eczema. Technology to quickly and cost-effectively examine part or all of the human genome can help us “eat right for our genes,” Tager wrote in the book’s introduction. “Our deep understanding of nutrigenomics may explain why a certain diet may be good for one person but bad for another.”

“The skin is your body’s largest organ and the first line of defense between you and the outside world. If you feed it properly — inside and out — not only will it do its job, but you’ll stay vibrant and youthful-looking,” Tager wrote.

Tager graduated from Duke University Medical School and practiced family medicine before developing an interest in wellness and integrated medicine, which he says aims to help patients achieve higher levels of wellness. .

He no longer practices, but writes and teaches other doctors new approaches to beauty and skin health “from the inside out”. As such, it is presented at conferences and universities around the world, Tager said.

Tager is CEO of San Diego-based ChangeWell Inc., an organization that trains and coaches healthcare professionals to improve their presence in person, on camera and online.

For more information about Tager and his latest book, visit www.drtager.com.