The Beauty Diet (36 page)

evaporating at an unusually high rate. Common causes of dry eye include air-conditioning, forced-air heat, cigarette smoke, high altitude, prolonged use of the computer, long periods of driving, wearing contact lenses, and exposure to environmental factors like wind, dust, and allergens. Certain medications—including antihistamines, diuretics, oral contraceptives, and some antidepressants—can cause dry eye, and the condition also can be caused by aging, hormonal changes due to menopause, and different illnesses.

If you find yourself reaching regularly for a bottle of artificial tears to ease your eyes, make an appointment with an eye doctor before the problem progresses. Dry eye may become so severe that reading, driving, working, and other activities become difficult or impossible.

Vitamin A deficiency can cause dry eye. The typical American diet has adequate amounts of vitamin A, but you may

have problems absorbing nutrients from the foods you eat, or you may not be eating enough foods that contain either retinol or beta-carotene. Boosting your consumption of whole, natural foods rich in retinol or beta-carotene will provide your body with plenty of beauty-enhancing vitamin A. Many people take vitamin A supplements, but when it is taken in large amounts, vitamin A can accumulate in the body to toxic levels.

If your dry eyes are accompanied by dry skin and brittle nails, you may not be getting enough omega-3 fatty acids, which help keep your skin hydrated. A study published in the
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
found that a high intake of omega-3 fatty acids protects against dry eye. In the study, women with the highest levels of omega-3 fats in their diets reduced their risk of dry eye syndrome by 20 percent compared to women with the lowest levels of these fats in their diet. Additionally, women who reported eating at least five servings of tuna per week had a 68 percent reduced risk of dry eye, compared to women who ate only one serving of
tuna per week. A higher intake of omega-6 fatty acids, found in many cooking and salad oils and animal meats, may increase the risk of dry eye syndrome.

The night before a photo shoot, celebrities are typically on their best behavior because nothing affects your face like last night's party. Puffiness around your eyes can send a variety of messages, from "I had the greatest night of my life last night!" to "I was just crying in the bathroom; leave me alone."

Puffy eyes can be caused by fluid retention due to a high salt intake or common problems like sleep deprivation, allergies, and nasal congestion. They also can be associated with more serious health problems, such as high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, liver disease, and kidney problems. Women are at added risk for water retention the week before menstruation. Estrogen replacement therapy and the birth control pill also can make your body retain water.

Dark circles under the eyes are unique to each individual. Many people come by them honestly—that is, they inherited them! Pale, translucent skin can make the bluish veins under the eye more apparent, making the area look darker. Sometimes this is part of the natural aging process, but sometimes people are pale because they didn't get enough sleep or they have health problems like anemia. Dark circles under the eyes can also be caused by dehydration, sudden weight loss, and smoking.

When you follow my Beauty Diet, you will boost circulation to your skin and avoid any diet-induced puffiness. People will notice your clear, sparkling eyes—not the bags beneath them!

Here are some tips and tricks for looking bright-eyed and alert—even when you're feeling the opposite!

Most people have puffy eyes in the morning. Usually the puffiness clears up as you stand up and go about your day. If you seriously don't want to wake up with puffy eyes, try sleeping on pillows that keep your head elevated.

To help eliminate dark circles under your eyes, get more beauty sleep.