The Hidden Dangers of Skin-lightening Creams: A Link to Kidney Disease

In recent years, the desire for fairer skin has led to the widespread use of skin-lightening or bleaching creams in many parts of the world. While these products promise to lighten skin tone and reduce the appearance of blemishes, they often come with a hidden cost to one’s health. Research has shown a concerning link between the use of skin-lightening creams and the development of kidney disease, shedding light on the dangers of these products beyond their cosmetic effects.

Skin-lightening creams typically contain ingredients such as hydroquinone, corticosteroids, mercury, and even certain acids like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs). These ingredients work by inhibiting melanin production, which gives the skin its colour. While some of these creams are available over the counter, others may be obtained through prescription or from unregulated sources.

The Link to Kidney Disease

Several studies have highlighted the association between the use of skin-lightening creams and the development of kidney disease. One study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that women who used skin-lightening creams had a significantly higher risk of developing kidney disease compared to those who did not use these products. The researchers suggested that the toxic ingredients in these creams, such as mercury, could be responsible for damaging the kidneys over time.

Mercury is one of the most concerning ingredients found in some skin-lightening creams. Chronic mercury exposure can lead to kidney damage, among other serious health effects. The kidneys play a crucial role in filtering toxins from the body, but prolonged exposure to mercury can overwhelm their ability to function properly, leading to kidney dysfunction or failure.

Other Health Risks

In addition to kidney disease, the use of skin-lightening creams has been linked to a host of other health risks. These include skin irritation, thinning of the skin, uneven pigmentation, increased risk of skin cancer, and systemic toxicity from ingredients like hydroquinone and corticosteroids. Furthermore, the societal pressure to conform to certain beauty standards perpetuates the use of these harmful products, exacerbating the problem.

Promoting Skin Health and Diversity

It is essential to raise awareness about the dangers of skin-lightening creams and to promote healthy attitudes towards skin colour and diversity. Embracing one’s natural skin tone and practicing good skincare habits can help maintain healthy and radiant skin without resorting to potentially harmful products. Additionally, governments and regulatory bodies must enforce stricter regulations on the production and sale of skin-lightening creams to protect consumers from exposure to toxic ingredients.

Choosing a Healthy Eating Lifestyle over bleaching creams

In a world where societal standards often dictate beauty norms, many individuals feel pressured to alter their appearance to fit an idealized image. One common practice is the use of bleaching or skin-lightening creams to achieve a lighter complexion. However, instead of resorting to potentially harmful products, there is a more sustainable and healthier approach to enhancing one’s appearance: adopting a nutritious eating lifestyle.

Nourishing Your Skin from the Inside Out

The phrase “you are what you eat” holds when it comes to skin health. Consuming a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats provides essential nutrients that support skin health and radiance. Nutrients like vitamins A, C, and E, as well as antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, help protect the skin from damage, promote collagen production, and maintain its elasticity.

The Impact of Nutrition on Skin Tone

Research suggests that certain dietary patterns can influence skin pigmentation and overall complexion. For instance, a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that a diet high in fruits and vegetables was associated with a more favourable skin tone, characterized by a healthier glow and less redness. Conversely, diets high in processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats have been linked to skin issues like acne and dullness.

Hydration for Healthy Skin

In addition to eating a nutrient-rich diet, staying hydrated is essential for maintaining healthy skin. Water helps flush out toxins from the body, keeps the skin hydrated and plump, and supports proper circulation, which can improve skin tone and texture. Aim to drink plenty of water throughout the day and incorporate hydrating foods like cucumbers, watermelon, and leafy greens into your meals.

In conclusion, while the quest for fairer skin may be tempting, the risks associated with skin-lightening creams, including their link to kidney disease, cannot be ignored. It is crucial to prioritize health and well-being over cosmetic ideals and to promote acceptance and appreciation of diverse skin tones. By educating ourselves and others about the dangers of these products, we can work towards a future where everyone feels confident and beautiful in their skin, without jeopardizing their health in the process. If you’re struggling with skin issues or are unsure about how to improve your diet for better skin health, consider consulting with a dermatologist or registered dietitian. These professionals can provide personalized recommendations tailored to your unique needs and goals, helping you achieve radiant skin from the inside out.

Instead of risking your health with potentially harmful bleaching creams, consider choosing a healthy eating lifestyle to enhance your appearance naturally. By nourishing your body with nutrient-rich foods and staying hydrated, you can support healthy, glowing skin while embracing your natural beauty. Remember, true beauty comes from within, and by prioritizing your health and well-being, you’ll radiate confidence and self-love from the inside out.

You may wonder why you feel symptoms such as abdominal bloating – a feeling of fullness or swelling in the abdomen, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea and much more. This is known as lactose intolerance and arises as a result of lactase deficiency (the small intestine produces low levels of lactase and cannot digest much lactose) or lactose malabsorption (undigested lactose passes to the colon which is broken down by bacteria and create fluid and gas).

Not all people with lactase deficiency and lactose malabsorption have digestive symptoms. Most people with lactose intolerance can eat or drink some amount of lactose without having digestive symptoms.  Individuals vary in the amount of lactose they can tolerate.

One may ask what lactose is: Lactose is a sugar found in milk and milk products. The small intestine the organ where most food digestion and nutrient absorption take place produces an enzyme called lactase.  Lactase breaks down lactose into two simpler forms of sugar: glucose and galactose.  The body then absorbs these simpler sugars into the bloodstream.

Lactose is present in many food products and in some medications.

• Food Products: Lactose is in all milk and milk products.  This can be added to boxed, canned, frozen, packaged, and prepared foods.  Foods such as milk, dairy products, bread and other baked goods, salad cream or dressing and mayonnaise, biscuits, chocolate, cake, some breakfast cereals, pancakes, cookies, doughnuts, some processed meats such as bacon, sausage, hot dogs all contains little or more amount of milk.
• Medications: Some medications also contain lactose, including prescription medications such as birth control pills and over-the-counter medications such as products to treat stomach acid and gas.  These medications most often cause symptoms in people with severe lactose intolerance.  People with lactose intolerance who take medications that contain lactose should speak with their health care provider about other options. 

TYPES OF LACTASE DEFICIENCY WHICH MAY LEAD TO LACTOSE INTOLERANCE

• Primary lactase deficiency: This is also called lactase non-persistence and it’s the most common type of lactase deficiency. In people with this condition, lactase production declines over time.  This decline often begins at about age 2; however, the decline may begin later. Children who have lactase deficiency may not experience symptoms of lactose intolerance until late adolescence or adulthood.  Researchers have discovered that some people inherit genes from their parents that may cause a primary lactase deficiency.
• Secondary lactase deficiency: This results from injury to the small intestine.  Infection, diseases, or other problems may injure the small intestine.  Treating the underlying cause usually improves the lactose tolerance.
• Developmental lactase deficiency: This may occur in infants born prematurely.  This condition usually lasts for only a short time after they are born.
• Congenital lactase deficiency: It is an extremely rare disorder in which the small intestine produces little or no lactase enzyme from birth.  Genes inherited from parents cause this disorder.

WAY OUT

• Check the ingredients on food labels to find possible sources of lactose in food products.  If a food label includes any of the following words, the product contains lactose: milk, lactose, whey, curds, milk products (cheese, butter, cream), dry milk solids, non-fat dry milk powder. Also, note that some ingredients may sound like they contain lactose but they do not, such as lactic acid, sodium lactase and cocoa butter.
• Change your diet by cutting down on or avoiding food and drink containing lactose and replacing them with lactose free alternatives such as soya milk and yoghurts, coconut based milk and yoghurts, almond milk, rice milk, hazelnut milk and foods with the ‘dairy free’ sign amongst others. This depends on how sensitive you are to lactose.
• Choose lactose free products with added calcium as calcium has several important functions including helping build strong teeth and bones. Alternative sources of calcium include leafy green vegetables, soybeans, nuts, fish containing edible bones – sardines, salmon.
• Always speak with your healthcare practitioner and a dietitian for proper guidance.

1. Make a plan for hydration.

It is crucial to consume adequate fluids, particularly water, on a daily basis to avoid being dehydrated. We’ve discovered that keeping a personal, insulated water bottle with a straw close at hand during the day promotes greater water consumption. Before going to bed, we also like to fill a large bottle with water and place it on our bed stands. In this manner, it’s the first beverage we have when we wake up.

• Make a meal plan.

We eat more wholesome, well-balanced meals, waste less food, spend less money on groceries and takeout and even save time in the kitchen when we plan our weekly menu.

• Set up a reminder to move.

To prevent long-term health issues, it’s crucial to move your body every day, particularly if you have a desk job. As with any other meeting, set up a specific time on your calendar for activity (walking is a fantastic way to get some movement each day).

• Take away any distractions before eating.

When you eat just for the purpose of eating, you will take pleasure in your meals more, feel fuller after consuming less food, and make better decisions. If you find that you eat too many meals while engaging in other activities, this isn’t a good habit and you need to work on it.

Turn off the TV and move your computer and phone away from the table to reduce distractions while eating. Pay attention to the food you’re eating as well as the process of eating. Observe how your meal feels, looks, smells, and tastes in your mouth to awaken all of your senses. We refer to this as mindful dining.

• Aim for more protein in your breakfast.

The first meal of the day is frequently deficient in protein for a large number of people. Among other advantages, eating enough protein can help control hunger, increase muscle mass, and strengthen bones. Additionally, you have a better chance of reaching your daily protein targets when you concentrate on consuming more protein at breakfast. Listed below are some suggestions:

* Incorporate milk into your tea or coffee.

* Build breakfast around eggs, fish sauce, and others

* Add protein powder (plant-based powder such as soybean) to a breakfast smoothie or oatmeal;

* Try tombrown cereal (use code TOMBROWN for 20% off your first order).

• Go outside.

The soul, body, and intellect all benefit from taking in a breath of fresh air. Thinking, reasoning, and other mental skills can all be enhanced by spending time outside and in nature, according to research. Participating in outdoor activities like walking, gardening, and yard maintenance is also encouraged. You can also get better sleep by going outside, even for just ten minutes each day. Take a look outside in the morning without sunglasses if you have problems falling asleep at night. You may increase your body’s natural synthesis of the hormone melatonin (which promotes sleep), in the evening by doing this easy task.

• Laugh more.

Joy is a nutrient, believe it or not. Laughter is also a powerful tool for increasing happiness and joy in life. Has there ever been a time when you wished to freeze the joy you get from laughing? Studies indicate that increasing one’s laughter has numerous immediate and long-term health advantages.

Below are some pointers to help you laugh more often:

* Don’t take yourself too seriously

* Spend time with friends, read books, watch TV shows, listen to podcasts, and surround yourself with hilarious pictures (a funny card or comic strip, for example).

* Don’t take yourself too seriously. Find a way to chuckle at your own circumstances and see your stress start to disappear.

• Unplug from your devices early.

Do you ever feel like you’re constantly “plugged in” to your electronics? It’s recommended by mental health professionals that we disconnect from our devices and spend at least a few hours each day without access to our computers, tablets, and smartphones. Furthermore, because it prevents the body from producing the hormone melatonin, which induces sleep, blue light from electronics has been demonstrated to impair your body’s ability to get ready for sleep.

Establish the healthy practice of unplugging an hour before bed, which also helps to promote better sleep.

• Create a sleep schedule.

Create a routine for yourself before bed, just like you would for your children! When dusk falls outside, begin by lowering the lights in your house to let your body recognize that evening has arrived. Choose a few relaxation-promoting activities and perform them in the same sequence each night as part of your bedtime practice. Putting away workout clothing, reading a book, drinking tea, filling a bottle with water to drink in the morning, or doing a short tidy up of your major living areas are a few suggestions. And lastly, make an effort to go to bed at the same time each night. Maintaining regular sleep and wake times can facilitate both falling asleep and naturally waking up without the need for an alarm.

When it comes to protecting your vision, what you eat may affect what you see. The good news if you’re searching for an eye-healthy diet is this: Your eyes will benefit from the same diet that is good for your heart and overall health. You’ll also have lots of delectable options.

Consuming a diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low in fat will benefit your heart as well as your eyes. This is not unexpected: Just like the heart depends on much larger arteries for oxygen and nourishment, your eyes also depend on microscopic arteries for these things. It is important to note that your eyes will benefit from maintaining healthy arteries.

Nutrients to consider:

1. Orange/yellow coloured Vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables

Vitamin A is arguably the most well-known substance that supports healthy eyes. For the retina to convert light rays into the images that humans see it needs an abundance of vitamin A. Additionally, your eyes cannot stay sufficiently moist to prevent dry eye disease if you do not get enough vitamin A.

One common food that is high in vitamin A is carrots. Vitamin A content is further increased in sweet potatoes (orange-fleshed). “A sweet potato contains over 100% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin A,” Fruits can provide a rich amount of vitamin A, such as mango, pawpaw. Among the vegetable group, okro, pumpkin are rich sources of Vitamin A.

• Vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables.

Eye health depends on vitamin C. Vitamin C functions as an antioxidant, assisting the body in fending off damage from some foods, bad lifestyle choices, and external environments. Free radicals are chemicals that can harm or even kill cells. They are produced by fried meals, tobacco smoke, and the sun. The growth and repair of new tissue cells are aided by vitamin C.

Citrus fruits, such as oranges, grapefruits, tangerines, and lemons, are good providers of vitamin C. The vitamin C content of many other foods is high, such as strawberries, tomatoes, peaches, and red bell peppers. Results from the Age-Related Eye Diseases Study (AREDS) suggest that antioxidants can either completely avoid or significantly postpone cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

• Vitamin E

Vitamin E is another essential antioxidant that supports the health of cells. Seeds (sunflower seeds, chia seeds amongst others), almonds, nuts, and avocados are good sources of vitamin E.

• Omega-3 fatty acids

Consumption of fish and other seafood (especially cold-water fatty fish such as mackerel, sardines, salmon, and tuna), nuts and seeds (flaxseed, chia seeds, and walnuts) may help lower the chance of acquiring eye illness in later life, according to studies. Eating fish may benefit those who suffer from dry eyes since omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial for tear function.

• Leafy green vegetables high in lutein and zeaxanthin

Antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin are present in the pigments of leafy green vegetables and other meals with vibrant colors. The macula, the part of the eye that provides our primary, most detailed vision, is crucially protected by them. These are nutrients that are abundant in kale and spinach. Other foods that are good sources of lutein and zeaxanthin include our locally available vegetables such as fluted pumpkin leaves (ugu), ukazi, bitter leaf, water leaf, scent leaf, Eforiro, Afang, and peas. Additionally, eggs are a wonderful source of these nutrients even though they are not green and leafy.

• Zinc

Zinc is a mineral that may shield your eyes from light-induced damage while also maintaining the health of the retina. Zinc, nevertheless has the ability to reduce your body’s copper levels, which are necessary for the formation of red blood cells. However, you may simultaneously raise both with any type of bean (legume), such as kidney beans, lima beans, and black-eyed peas.  Lean red meat, chicken, oysters, and fortified cereals are some more foods that are high in zinc.