How does diet affect your skin? Beauty through nutrition!
We spend a lot of time on our skin with products and treatments but addressing your diet and what you eat is the best thing you can do for your skin.
Your skin health is a reflection of what is happening internally so regardless how expensive that serum is or number of beauty treatments you have nutrition is the foundation for good skin health. The link between eating habits, health, and physical appearance is becoming increasingly evident and has made some consumers all over the world open to the concept of nutritional beauty.
Studies show that certain nutrients can protect against photo damage and premature aging, and others can accelerate damage and disease.
Foods that damage the skin and leading to premature aging includes processed foods such as sugar laden foods like sweets, soft drinks, baked goods and refined carbohydrates like chips, pastries and white bread. One study demonstrated that glycation which is the binding of sugar molecules to collagen fibers leads to premature aging. Numerous publications have demonstrated acceleration of the aging process by Advanced Gycation End products (AGEs). Exogenous AGEs in dietary foods also trigger organ dysfunction and tissue aging.
Dairy products like milk and cheese contains insulin growth factor 1 which may cause and be involved in the pathogenesis of acne. If you suffer from breakouts and acne it is recommended to reduce and cease dairy intake.
Gut health is also important to consider, this is known as the gut- skin axis. Gut or Intestinal dysbiosis, is a state of microbial imbalance which has the potential to negatively impact skin function. This can lead to acne, dermatitis and psoriasis.
So what foods help skin health and lead to that beautiful health glowing skin?
Foods such as
- Fresh vegetables – broccoli, sweet potato, capsicum, avocados, pumpkin, carrots and spinach.
- Fruits – berries, cherry’s, oranges, kiwi fruit.
- Nuts- almonds, Brazil, walnuts, pumpkin seeds.
- Omega rich foods – oily fish, chia seeds, walnuts and flaxseeds.
- Fermented foods such as yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir, kombucha, tempeh.
These foods can prevent and slow down the aging process therefore leading to youthful glowing skin. Healthy skin comes from within. Once you make changes to your diet, don’t expect an overnight miracle. It takes six weeks for new skin to emerge up to the surface, so the visible benefits from dietary changes will take just as long.
Enjoy the below image, I couldn’t help but add it. Too funny.