A Cheap and Natural Way to Healthy Skin
By Wendy Owen
Healthy skin happens when we eats good foods, have
enough exercise, minimize stress and protect our skin from the harsh
environment. Certain foods are especially beneficial to the skin.
Garlic is one such food. It contains sulphur
compounds (which give it its rather strong odor) which are beneficial
to your skin. It also acts as a natural antibiotic and cleanses the
whole system. If you like garlic, eat it as much as you can. If the
smell worries you, chew a piece of parsley afterwards and this will
neutralize it. Odorless garlic tablets are available if this is all
too hard.
Vitamin C is probably the most important skin
vitamin in my opinion. Not least because the human body can neither
make it or store it. This vitamin helps collagen formation which keeps
the skin looking young and plump. This could be why smoker’s skin
can look older than a non smoker’s. Smoking also uses up the oxygen
in the blood. Give it up if humanly possible or at least cut it down.
Vitamin C is best consumed together with bioflavonoids,
the way it is normally found in nature. The two have a synergistic
effect. They can be found in Citrus fruit, berries such as strawberries
and blueberries and vegetables such as broccoli.
Broccoli also contain vitamin A, an important
vitamin for skin as it helps it fight infection from the inside out.
Great for those with acne! Have some every other day if you can.
Carrots are a great source of carotenoids such
as "beta-carotene" which your body converts to vitamin A . Beta-carotene
is absorbed into the skin and can also protect it from the sun's harmful
UV rays. Carrots also contain "alpha carotene" which protects against
free radical damage. Carrots are a great way to get your vitamin A
as excess carotenoids are expelled by the body. Too much vitamin A
is toxic to the body.
Dark leafy green vegetables, particularly kale
and spinach are a good source of zinc and iron. Iron will make sure
your skin gets enough oxygen and zinc is a great pimple fighter. Eat
some every day if you possible can or include some in a fresh juice.
Parsley deserves a separate mention as it is
rich in just about all the skin boosting nutrients. It contains beta
carotene, chlorophyll, vitamin B12, folic acid (great for firm skin),
vitamin C and iron. Parsley can be added to juices, casseroles, sprinkled
over any savory dish or simply chewed by itself. Its great for fresh
breath too. Parsley is easy to grow, pop some in a pot and keep it
near the kitchen door.
Olive oil is fabulous for dry skin and wrinkles.
Use it for cooking - it contains monounsaturated fats and anti oxidants-
or slather it on your skin after a bath.
Flaxseeds and flax oil (also known as linseed)
contain the essential omega 3 oils not found in many foods. (Fish
also contains omega 3). Flaxseeds contain fiber and phytoestrogens
which balance the body's hormones and are vital for younger looking
skin. Sprinkle some on your cereal or use in soups and stews.
Avocados give skin (especially dry skin) a
boost. Although fairly high in fat, its the healthy monounsaturated
kind which makes dry skin supple. Avocados contain glutathione which
is one of the most powerful antioxidants around and will prevent cell
damage in all skin types. They are also high in potassium.
Drink as much water as you can, this flushes
out toxins and helps to hydrate the skin. If you can’t drink eight
glasses a day - I can’t unless its 40 degrees - then just drink as
much as you can without being uncomfortable.
Skin needs sufficient protein to replace and
repair itself. Most of us have plenty of protein in our diets but
a lot of it comes with a lot of fat attached. If you can substitute
low fat items e.g. milk, peanut butter, cheese etc, then do so. You’ll
still be eating the same amount. Lean meat is fine, fish is even better
as it contains natural omega 3 oils which are great for your skin
and your health.
Try and add as many fruits and vegetables as possible
to your diet. If you ‘re a committed junk food “junkie” this may seem
impossible, but if you tackle it in small bites (pun intended!) It
will be easy. Commit yourself to healthy foods on certain days of
the week or drink water instead of soda in the afternoons. When this
becomes comfortable, expand it to every day. Its just breaking old
habits and replacing them with new ones. After a while you’ll be comfortable
with it. And you’ll feel better and loose weight too.
The purists tell us that all vitamins and minerals
can be obtained from foods and there is no need for us to take supplements.
In theory this is true, however the stress of life today probably
robs our system of vitamin B. Smoking uses up about 35 mg of vitamin
C per day.
Added to this, the practice of storing fresh produce
for extended amounts of time, can’t help but deplete the natural vitamins
in these foods. The pollution in our cities and some of our bad habits
like eating junk and smoking (who me?) leads to the production of
free radicals in the body. For this we need an antioxidant which contains
among others beta carotene (a precursor of vitamin A), vitamin C,
vitamin E, selenium, lycopene (found in tomatoes) and zinc.
Healthy skin loves exercise! It doesn’t matter what
kind. Walking, jogging, all types of sport, aerobics, thumping around
in the gym, whatever you enjoy try and fit it in three times a week.
If you don’t enjoy any exercise, find one! Join a group of people
or find a walking buddy, you will get to enjoy it I promise!
Stress is bad for you and bad for your skin. Stress
will slow the circulation of blood to the skin causing a shortage
of oxygen to the cells. It will also deplete certain nutrients from
the body - for example vitamin B. It can ruin your sleep thus preventing
the repair and regeneration of skin cells. It will put worry lines
on your face and will make you look old before your time! Who needs
it? No-one! check out this page on stress to see how you can deal
with this incapacitating disorder now!
As you may have gathered from all this, having a healthy
skin is the same as having a healthy body, it’s worth maintaining
a good diet and lifestyle so you not only look great but you feel
great too!
Like to have better looking skin? http://www.holistic-facial-skin-care.com
will give you detailed information on all facets of skin care. The
author, Wendy Owen has had a lifetime interest in general and alternative
health and skin care.
