I wrote an article back in April about your skin and exercising. This post is similar in some ways but I guess it’s more of a reiteration. Here’s my story in more detail for those of you that missed it…

It was around the year of 2008 when my skin problems first started. It appeared in the form of an itchy, red rash and believe me it was bad. My lifestyle around that time was poor, poor as in my diet and lack of exercise. I’d got myself into a bad routine and I knew I needed to change it but sometimes we all need a kick up the back-side now and then. My skin problems were getting me down, I wouldn’t say I was depressed but it was close. There were times when I’d find myself in tears because of the discomfort or because I just didn’t have answers. I was backwards and forwards to the Doctors and I must have tried hundreds of steroid creams. My skin rash came and went over the course of another year but I always felt it was just masking the problem.

It wasn’t until I was referred to my local dermatologistthat I started to get answers. After a few sessions and some wonderful advice it was like I had been blessed with new skin! Everyone’s skin issues will of course be different but what turned out to my problem was a cow’s milk allergy. Basically everything I loved at the time like cakes, cheese and chocolate. I cut it all out for two weeks and I instantly felt better. No more skin problems and no more fatigue, this was another symptom.

So why of all of a sudden when I hit 30 did I get a cow’s milk allergy? Your answer is as good as mine but I do believe my diet and lack of exercise at the time contributed to it. What does it mean for me now? I consume soy milk or soya milk as it’s sometimes known. It took a while to get used to it but I guess I don’t have a choice. I also have goat’s cheese and my local supermarket now has a freefromaisle. You wouldn’t believe the type of things you can get dairy free these days and they don’t taste that bad actually.

As well as my diet change, I hit the gym again. I believe the combination of both of these things, keep my skin issues at bay. I must admit having itchy inflamed skin, did keep me out of the gym as I wasn’t sure if it was a sweat related rash or not. Also, the two showers a day didn’t help either. These days I allow an extra 15 minutes onto my morning routine just for skincare. I get a repeat prescription for two things, Oilatumand a general moisturiser. I couldn’t recommend these products highly enough as my skin feels brand new everyday.

If you’d like more information about your skin and exercising, including all the benefits. Just click the red bold copy you’ve just read. I don’t like to duplicate stuff on here.

Thanks for reading and I hope you find the answers you were looking for.

I wrote an article this morning about the effects of exercise on your skin. In that article I mentioned I have a cow’s milk allergy and that I drink soy milk or soya milk instead. I’m never sure it has an ‘a’ on the end or not! The taste of soy milk is ok in my opinion and it changes depending on which brand you buy. I didn’t realise that more and more people are switching to soy milk because of the added health benefits. I’ve listed a few of them below. A big thank-you to the soya.be website for some of the facts and figures used in this article.

Isoflavones
The presence of isoflavones is the most important and unique benefit of soy milk. Each cup of soy milk contains about 20mg isoflavones (mainly genistein and daidzein). Cow’s milk does not contain isoflavones. Isoflavones have many health benefits including reduction of cholesterol, easing of menopause symptoms, prevention of osteoporosis and reduction of risk for certain cancers (prostate cancer and breast cancer). Incidents of these cancers are very low in countries with high intake of soy products, including soy milk. Isoflavones are also antioxidants which protect our cells and DNA against oxidation.

Allergies
Only 0.5 percent of children are allergic to soy milk, whereas 2.5 percent are allergic to cow’s milk.

Vegetable proteins
Vegetable proteins have a great advantage in that there’s a lower loss of calcium through the kidneys. Research has also shown that a diet rich in animal (and dairy protein) creates a higher risk for osteoporosis.

Diabetes
Although this is not confirmed, some studies have shown an association between drinking cow’s milk in early life and the development of insulin dependent diabetes. This association does not exist with soy milk.

No lactose
About 75 percent of the world population cannot tolerate lactose. Some ethnic groups are more affected than others. For example 75 percent of Africans and 90 percent of Asians have lactose intolerance. As an additional benefit, soy milk contains the prebiotic sugars stachyose and raffinose. These prebiotic sugars boost immunity and help decrease toxic substances in the body.

Cholesterol
The saturated fats in cow’s milk are unhealthy and increase your cholesterol. The protein in cow’s milk has no benefits for the cholesterol. Soy protein can decrease cholesterol levels. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration of US) confirms that soy protein, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may significantly reduce the risk of coronary heart. The FDA recommends to incorporate 25 grams of soy protein in your daily meals.

No hormones
Cow’s milk contains natural hormones (from the cow) but also synthetic hormones, which can influence the good working of our own body. The synthetic hormone rBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone) increase milk production by as much as 20 percent.

If you don’t drink it already, maybe give it a try. If you like it, you could try introducing it into your diet. Try drinking it alongside cow’s milk so you get the best of both worlds.

Enjoy!