Our skin often tells the story as to what is going on inside our bodies. Imbalances of the gut always come through our skin and scalp first. From dandruff or Sebborheic Dermatitis to acne, what we put inside our bodies matters more than what we put on our skin. Eating a healthy diet that consists of mostly raw fruits and vegetables and high in Omega 3’s can help hydrate the skin from the inside can help fight signs of aging, such as age spots and wrinkling. While many have spent hundreds of dollars on anti-aging this and that, it may be just as simple by adding these foods into our diets:
Coconut Oil
Not only does this make a great body moisturizer and sunscreen, but 1-2 Tablespoons per day can boost metabolism, it can aid in better vitamin and mineral absorption which can improve acne on one’s face. Other benefits include reduced cholesterol and increased energy.
Sweet Potato
A sweet potato a week can help keep the wrinkles looking sleek. Sweet potatoes are high in vitamin C which improves collagen that helps make wrinkles appear less. Other foods that are high in Vitamin C are kiwi’s, strawberries and yellow peppers.
Super Greens
While it is hard to choose which is best, green leafy vegetables, kale, spinach and mustard greens seem to rank the top in terms of water content which can help cell membrane growth and renewal. This helps skin look more plump which giving it the natural glow you want.
Watermelon and Tomatoes
Both high in lycopene, which gives it the red color, is high in phytochemicals, a rich antioxidant that helps reduce free radicals that can be caused by the ultraviolet rays of the sun. It is not ironic that these peak in the summertime, making these red rubies a must in your daily summer diet.
Raw Nuts and Seeds
Walnuts and flax seeds are high in Omega 3’s which helps to reduce inflammation and redness, while improving hydration in your skin. Almond and pumpkin seeds are high in Vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps improve free radical damage and is a natural anti-inflammatory. Tip, soaking them the night before will release enzymes that improve digestion and increase protein content.
Carrots and Red Peppers
Red peppers has the highest amount of Vitamin A out of all the bell peppers and a half cup of carrots per day contains the daily amount of Vitamin A you need to help clear breakouts. The other bonus to these vegetables, their Vitamin A content helps to decrease your chances of developing skin cancer.
Turmeric
This is a super spice that is being proven to help reduce cancer rates. This spice is an anti-inflammatory and a potent antioxidant which can help treat acne, blemishes, blackheads and dark spots. It is used daily by the women of India and Pakistan as a facial cleanser and exfoliant.
Clean Products
While eating healthy is key, do be careful on what type of products you do put on your skin. Because our skin is very thin, it takes up to 30 seconds for skin care products to be absorbed into our bloodstream and then to the liver. Many products actually clog pores instead of helping them and quite of a few of the chemicals are considered carcinogenic.
Finding skin care products that are free of parfums, parabens, mineral oil, dioxane, sodium laurel sulfate, toluene, and propylene glycol can help keep your insides free of these chemicals as well.
Jasmine Jafferali, MPH is an Lifestyle and Wellness Consultant specializing in gluten free/allergy free living. You can check out her website and/or follow her on Twitter @HealthyJasmine or her Facebook Page.
There is something in this. Now everything is clear, thanks for the help in this matter.