Every woman wants to look her best and as we get older, we might start to take notice of those ads on TV and social media for miracle creams and quick mini lifts. But there is another way – it’s in the foods you eat. Skin nutrients can make a big difference.
Protect your skin from the sun: The sun is our worst enemy and remains the number one culprit of skin damage. Eating orange and red veggies rich in lycopene and beta-carotene (natural pigments) can go a long way towards giving you the protection you need. Researchers have discovered that beta-carotene can suppress the factors caused by UVA exposure that may lead to aging. Researchers report that people who eat tomato paste burn 33% less than a control group not eating tomatoes. The difference was attributed to the lycopene in the tomatoes.
Suggested fruits and veggies: tomatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, winter squash, guava, watermelon, persimmons and red cabbage.
Give your collagen a boost: Collagen is one of the most basic building blocks of healthy skin. As we age collagen can lose its elasticity and have us reaching for those mini-lift brochures. Before you do that, take a look at your intake of Vitamin C – a vital component your body needs to produce healthy collagen. Try eating red bell peppers – cup for cup they have three times the Vitamin C of an orange. Aim for at least 500 mg of Vitamin C each day.
Suggested fruits and veggies: Kiwis, Papaya, Strawberry, Bell Peppers, Oranges, and Clementines.
Keeping your skin well oiled: Have you ever wondered why the Mediterranean cultures have great skin tone? Their diet is rich in EFAs – Essential Fatty Acids, or the “good” fats. They control our body’s oils and fats which keep our skin soft, smooth, and youthful. Our bodies can’t synthesize EFAs so we have to get them in our diet.
Suggested skin nutrients: Extra virgin olive oil, flax seeds and flax seed oil, walnuts, Brazil nuts, avocados, wheat germ oil, salmon, and mackerel.
Protect your skin’s moisture barrier: Linoleic acid is one of the most essential ingredients to repair skin barrier damage. It is a fundamental building block, rebuilding and strengthening your skin.
Suggested skin nutrients: sunflower, safflower, and canola oils – as well as nuts and seeds.
All these foods are also good for your general health, so while you’re working on that plan to get fit and healthy, include these skin nutrients and put your best face forward.
Find a Nutrition Response Testing® practitioner near you and get tested to discover what nutrients your body needs to attain and maintain optimum health.
