WATCH WHAT YOU EAT

BT tells you why eating right is important to have healthy skin... Imagine how it would be if someone had discovered the fountain of youth, or a magic wand that could reverse ageing. Every one dreams of eternal youth, but unfortunately, ageing sneaks into our lives without too many warning signs. You may have even realised when you started getting those freckles on your face or when your skin started losing its suppleness. But, fret not. Although ageing is something that you cannot avoid, you can definitely combat the signs of ageing, gracefully. And all this, just by making a few changes in your diet.      "You are what you eat. What you consume on a daily basis has a major impact on the skin and its texture. The biggest problem with our diet is that we worry only about the taste and aroma of the food. To look good, you need to follow a certain diet pattern. Using wrong combinations in the diet will cause faster degeneration of the cells. These days, there are quite a number of blends that have been scientifically designed using the improved concepts of orthomolecular sciences," says Dr Amitabh Pandit, co-author of an antiageing book.      Stress and pollution may be the primary factors affecting ageing, but what about the toxins in our own bodies? "A gentle detox can do wonders for your skin. Be it lemon, turmeric or other food items in your kitchen, they can do wonders for your skin. For a simple homemade blend, take a few black pepper corns, thyme and raisins. Boil the pepper and thyme, and then strain the decoction. Now, add mashed raisins and drink a glass of this blend every day. See the difference. Blends like this will help keep your vital organs healthy," says Minnie Pandit co-author.      Facial rejuvenation, cosmetic surgery and anti-ageing treatments may be the norms today, but according to beautician Kamla, all these treatments have their backs turned on nature. "When we have natural and economical ways to fight ageing, why endure the pain of going through these harsh treatments. Your kitchen will have every thing you  need for a healthy skin," she says.      And people must not wait till they hit their forties to start taking care of their bodies and to combat the signs of ageing. "You start giving milk to your children right from the time they are born. Then, why delay the fight against ageing? Instead of falling prey to external treatments, start taking care of your skin today," urges Minnie.      "Avoid white synthetic sugar and  white flour (maida) in your diet. Your health will drastically improve. And last but not the least, eat and drink right," she sums up. GREEN DIET: Eat vegetables like Arzoo Govitrikar for a youthful glow