Guest blogger: Anna Mojallali, NTP
Glowing skin is a sign of health. The skin is the body’s largest organ, and it reflects the
overall health of the body. Nourishing the body well helps to create healthy, glowing skin. A nutrient-dense, organic, whole foods diet is the foundation for beautiful skin. In addition, certain nutrients are especially supportive for healthy skin.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that fights free radicals in the body. Free radicals can cause wrinkles and the premature aging of the skin. Consuming foods rich in Vitamin E helps to reduce wrinkles and create youthful skin.
Foods rich in Vitamin E include:
Avocados
Almonds
Sunflower seeds
Spinach
Swiss chard
Vitamin A
Vitamin A helps to thicken the skin, and to stimulate healthy growth in the dermis layer. Collagen and elastin are found in this layer, and are responsible for the stretch and bounce of healthy skin. Vitamin A helps to reduce wrinkles and increase blood flow to the surface of the skin. Vitamin A also helps the skin to heal from sun burns and damage from toxins.
Foods rich in Vitamin A include:
Sweet potato
Carrots
Kale
Grass-fed butter
Liver
Vitamin C
Like Vitamin E, Vitamin C is an anti-oxidant that helps protect the skin from free radical damage. Vitamin C is also necessary for the production and maintenance of collagen. Collagen helps to keep the skin elastic and youthful.
Foods rich in Vitamin C include:
Strawberries
Broccoli
Bell peppers
Papaya
Brussels sprouts
Citrus fruits
Zinc
Zinc is a mineral that helps to boost the immune system and decrease inflammation. In the skin, zinc helps to reduce inflammatory conditions, such as acne.
Foods rich in zinc include:
Oysters
Beef
Lamb
Sesame seeds
Cashews
Garbanzo beans
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids help to create smooth, youthful skin. These fats are necessary for radiant skin, and dry skin is often a symptom of Omega-3 deficiency. Omega-3’s also help to decrease inflammatory skin conditions such as acne and psoriasis.
Omega-3 fats are found in:
Cold-water fatty fish like Salmon, Sardines and Herring
Chia seeds
Flax seeds
Walnuts
Protein
Healthy protein is essential for healthy skin. Animal proteins contain the amino acids proline and glycine, which help to build collagen and prevent wrinkles. To avoid toxins, choose animal proteins that are organic, and ideally grass-fed or pasture raised.
A Healthy Gut for Healthy Skin
When the digestive tract is healthy, the skin will reflect this. Often, blemishes on the skin can reveal underlying digestive issues. For example, dark circles under the eyes may reflect a sluggish liver.
Two key foods that support digestive health are:
Probiotics
Bone broth
Probiotics occur naturally in fermented foods, such as sauerkraut, lacto-fermented pickles, kombucha, and water kefir. Probiotics create colonies of healthy bacteria in the digestive tract, which help to digest foods, excrete waste, and support the immune system. All of these processes are essential for healthy skin.
Bone broth is made from simmering animal bones (ideally grass-fed and organic), and is very rich in minerals, as well as collagen and glycine – two proteins that help to heal the digestive system and support healthy skin at the same time.
A Radiant Skin Meal Plan
Breakfast: 2 eggs scrambled in butter, with broccoli, avocado, and sauerkraut
Lunch: Red cabbage and carrot salad with grilled salmon and sesame seeds
Snack: Strawberries and sprouted almonds
Dinner: Chicken soup with homemade chicken broth, kale, carrots, and onion; with baked sweet potato and spinach salad
Do you have a favorite food for skin health? If so, share below!
Sources
https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/modern-diseases/skin-deep/
https://legionathletics.com/miracle-foods-for-glowing-skin/
https://wellnessmama.com/60867/benefits-of-collagen/
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