Better Health From The Inside Out

The human body has a number of organs that work to maintain your overall health. One in particular is responsible for a number of vital functions, including shielding the internal body from external harmful substances. It’s the body’s largest organ, and it’s the first thing you see when you look in the mirror.

That’s right – I’m talking about your skin!

Your skin is remarkable. It’s the body’s first line of defense from environmental threats, and it also helps to eliminate toxins to maintain your body’s delicate balance. That’s why it’s crucial that we take good care of our skin in order to sustain its protective role, and keep us looking healthy and radiant.

Although there are many harmful toxins and chemicals in the environment that can damage the skin, there are also many natural remedies that can effectively nurture the skin and maintain its health.

With the abundance of skin care products on the market today, it can be overwhelming (not to mention expensive) when it comes to choosing your skin care regime. The good news, however, is that the best skin care may already be in your kitchen!

Skin-friendly foods

It’s vital that our diet contains nutrient-rich foods to support the health of our skin. Food with high water content has high concentrations of vitamins and minerals, which are essential in order to maintain good health and keep the skin looking beautiful.

Vitamin A and beta-carotene work to prevent acne, blemishes, dry skin, and even skin cancer. Foods rich in vitamin A include spinach, bell peppers, carrots and watermelon, to name a few. Vitamin E and Selenium are also important in order to protect the body from free radicals. They both aid in reducing the effects of aging, as well as reducing damage from smoking and chemicals in the environment.

Some sources of vitamin E include nuts, seeds, leafy greens and whole grains. Selenium-rich foods include seafood and eggs. Zinc is another important mineral for the skin as it aids in growth and development, with antioxidant and healing properties. Sources of zinc include eggs, liver, meat and whole grains.

All the B vitamins are also vital to maintaining healthy skin. Vitamins B1, B2, B3 and B6 play a role in keeping the skin healthy and protecting against a variety of skin disorders. In particular, B6 is responsible for cell division and protein synthesis of the skin. Spinach, fish, poultry, eggs, green peas and leafy green vegetables are all good sources of B vitamins. Vitamin C is an antioxidant and is also important in building collagen, a protein that aids in skin formation. Good sources of vitamin C include strawberries, cabbage, lemon juice and parsley.

To keep your skin well nourished, essential fatty acids are important for their anti-inflammatory qualities and their role in maintaining skin tissue. Flaxseed, salmon, trout, walnuts and pumpkin seeds are all good sources of essential fatty acids.

While there are a variety of foods that work to keep your body functioning optimally and your skin looking good, the following superstar foods are specifically recognized for their skin-enhancing qualities:

• Cucumbers are great for the skin. Not only are they delicious, they also contain a high concentration of silica – a mineral that’s an important component of collagen that can improve your complexion. Cucumber also contains a high water content that aids in keeping the skin well hydrated.
• Brussels sprouts are another excellent source of vitamins for the skin. They contain vitamin A and C, which help support overall immunity and enhance the glow and suppleness of skin. Brussels sprouts contain water-soluble antioxidants that protect the skin from free radical damage. These little green gems also contain Omega-3 fatty acid, which also supports healthy skin.
• Sesame Seeds are also beneficial for skin as they contain copper, which is an important mineral for the formation of collagen and elastin, which strengthens the skin and supports its elasticity.

In addition to a nutrient-rich diet containing a range of vitamins and minerals, it’s essential to keep the body hydrated to maintain healthy skin. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day will keep your skin glowing, moisturized and well nourished.

While there are a great variety of beneficial foods and products for your skin, there are also a number of harmful products on the skincare market that may be toxic to your body. Anything we put on our skin absorbs directly into the body, so reading labels is crucial when choosing any substance that comes in contact with the skin.

Some chemical ingredients to be avoided are parabens, fragrances, sodium lareth sulfate and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), to name a select few. These chemicals are used to preserve and enhance the function of products, but each has their own dangerous and possibly invasive effects on the body. These negative effects include respiratory problems, headaches, rashes, allergic reactions, eye and lung irritation, dizziness, hormonal disruptions, and in some cases, cancer. That’s why it’s so important to be mindful of what we put onto our skin, and to understand the possible effects that these chemicals can have on our health.

The skin is an extraordinary organ, working to protect and sustain our health. Do your part by maintaining a whole-food diet full of essential vitamins and minerals, consuming lots of water and being mindful of chemical exposure to keep your skin looking beautiful and feeling great.