Skin Vitality

Our skin is a beautiful, dynamic protector. Covering our body, preventing pollutants, chemicals and bacteria from entering, regulating our body temperature, helping to remove toxins, absorbing nutrients, manufacturing vitamin D and providing information to our brain through touch. It is constantly growing, breathing and changing.

Our skin can be a good indicator of our internal health and well-being. A diet lacking in nutrients, poor hydration, stress, allergies and inflammation can all bring about different reactions on the skin. Acne, rashes, dullness, dark circles, premature aging can all benefit from adapting eating and lifestyle habits and using natural products to keep the skin healthy.

Over the next few weeks we will cover more about specific nutritional, herbal and lifestyle support for your skin as well as looking at different natural recipes for skin foods, topical creams, cleansers and balms.

Skin Nutrition

Changes in your eating habits can begin to transform the health of your skin within 1-2 weeks. The inclusion of skin-centric foods and nutrients can greatly benefit the health of your epithelial (skin) cells.

Ensuring you eat between 5-7 serves of vegetables and 2 serves of seasonal fruit per day ensures adequate doses of anti-inflammatory vitamin C which can boost collagen production. These nutrient powerhouses also contain antioxidants that can boost skin health and help to slow the effects of skin aging.

Choosing low GI whole grains, nuts and seeds. Oats, brown rice, whole wheat, almonds, walnuts, sunflower and pumpkin seeds all contain vitamin E which has a protective effect on skin cells.

Omega 3 rich oils and foods such as chia, nuts, flaxseed, salmon, olive oil, hemp oil all help with skin inflammation and keeping the skin clear.

Drinking 8-10 glasses of water every day is cleansing for your skin and helps the body to remove any toxins. Adequate hydration is vital for skin health.

Cutting back on processed foods that can contain unhealthy fats, preservatives, chemicals and excessive salt which can add to the pro-aging effects of the skin. Refined carbohydrates and sugary foods can also cause blood sugar and insulin spikes which have shown to be a cause of acne.

Some skin superfoods include:

Avocado

Avocados are high in vitamin E and omega fatty acids which help with inflammation and maintaining the moisture balance of the outer layer of the skin (epidermal layer). Oleic acid also contained in avocado flesh helps to regenerate damaged skin cells which reduces inflammation, redness and irritation.

Cashews, Almonds and Brazil nuts

Nuts and seeds are powerhouses of nutritional substances which are beneficial to the whole body. They contain protein which is used to generate new skin cells, zinc that helps with skin healing, selenium which assists with wound healing and the antioxidant vitamin E which counteracts the damaging effects of oxidation and free radicals caused by UV damage.

Goji Berries

Goji berries can easily be added to breakfasts, salads, soups and pack a powerful antioxidant punch containing the skin loving vitamins A, C and E.

Green leafy vegetables

Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, parsley and lettuce all contain vitamin C. Vitamin C is important in the formation of collagen. Collagen is the major structural protein in the skin. It provides integrity, firmness and elasticity. Degradation of collagen can lead to wrinkles and premature aging.

Salmon and Oily fish

Oily fish contains proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, selenium and iron. Omega-3 fatty acids help to regulate oil production in the skin, keeping it hydrated, preventing drying and flaking. They can also protect the skin from UV radiation damage and are anti-inflammatory.

If you are interested in learning more about your skin health or have skin problems you would like help with please contact us at Vital Living Natural Health 0412 227 726.