You Are What You Eat

  • Category: Food
  • May 21, 2018

Our skin is the body’s largest organ, so how do we keep it young, healthy, and radiant? Genetics, aging, hormones, and conditions such as diabetes, unhealthful diet, stress, a lack of sleep, not enough exercise, dehydration, smoking, and particular medications can all impact the skin health.

Here are some acknowledged skin healthy foods by research.

Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant that protects the cells in your body from damage. Oral supplementation of coenzyme Q10 may reduce wrinkle severity, according to a 2004 study performed by Functional Food Research Labs.

Tomatoes and red/yellow bell peppers and sweet potatoes contain beta-carotene, lutein, and lycopene which have been shown to protect the skin against damage from the sun and may also help prevent wrinkling.

Cocoa flavanols found in dark chocolate may improve the structure and function of skin. Scientists discovered a decrease in roughness on skin, with better skin hydration. Now you have a reason to eat more chocolate.

Omega-3 found in oily fish, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds or oils such as linseed oil and corn oil may prevent dryness and scaling of the skin. They are necessary to keep skin thick, supple and moisturized, some studies have found that fish oil supplements may help fight inflammatory and autoimmune conditions affecting the skin, such as psoriasis.

Seeds, including sunflower seeds are an excellent source of linoleic acid, an essential omega-6 fat, vitamin E, selenium and zinc, that help your skin stay thick, flexible and moisturized.

Remember also to eat foods with antioxidants. Antioxidants are the best resources your body has to fight disease and aging by reducing damage, wrinkle and inflammation. Focus on the rainbow variety in fruits and veggies as follows:

  • Pomegranates
  • Acai berries
  • Goji berries
  • Spinach/avocadoes
  • Raspberries/blueberries
  • Nuts/walnuts/almonds
  • Seeds
  • Purple grapes
  • Dark chocolate (70 percent or higher of cocoa content)
  • Organic green tea
  • Olive oil

    • (Credit: Nathalie Djabrayan, licensed clinical dietitian at Djabrayan Chiropractic Care & Diet Center)