Food and your Skin
It
is said that your skin is a mirror to your health on the inside, that what you
put into your body is reflected in the wellbeing and youthfulness of your skin.
As a model, it is especially important to watch exactly what goes into your
body, because it directly affects your earning potential!
An important function of your skin is to sweat out your body's waste products. If you're sweating out toxic chemicals, this will affect not only the color of your skin, but your complexion too. So its important not just to eat foods that can improve your skin, but also to avoid those toxic foods that can cause a break-out.
Foods to Improve your Skin
Antioxidants
Antioxidants
are very smart chemicals that protect our cells from both external threats,
such as the sun, wind and temperature, and internal threats, such as
excess oxygen and hormonal imbalances.
So what are antioxidants? They include Vitamins A, C and E and beta carotene. Their specific role is to combat free radicals, unstable cells that become loose and wreak havoc with your skin and cellular structure.
Good sources of antioxidants include cereals, fruits and vegetables. There are, however, certain foods that are particularly rich in these life-saving chemicals. These include berries (blueberry, blackcurrant, cherry), walnuts, sunflower seeds, pomegranate and ginger.
Protein
Protein is a hugely important substance for the body, but not one that we are
usually short of. Today's diets, heavy on meat, tend to provide all that we
need. One group who have to be careful though is vegetarians, who should
supplement their diet with nuts, beans and other sources of protein.
A protein deficiency can reduce the elasticity of your skin. An important protein named Collagen plays a key role in cellular structure, giving it its strength and elasticity. Without it, our skin becomes saggy, wrinkled and aged.
Probiotics
As so often happens, what goes on inside your body is reflected on the outside.
Probiotics are a great way to correct the chemical imbalances that can sometimes
occur in your gut after events like stress or a course of antibiotics.
One
source of antibiotics, a cultured milk named Kefir, has been in the news
recently as a 'superfood'. It contains more probiotics than yogurt, as well as
having a healthy dose of calcium. Its a great option for those of you who may be
lactose-intolerant, as it contains lactase, the enzyme that you are missing.
That's not all though. The latest word is that probiotics applied directly to your skin can reduce sun damage and slow the effects of aging. Although this would certainly not be harmful, we think probiotics are far for effective taken internally.
Omega 3
You may have heard of "good fats" and "bad fats" - well Omega 3 fatty acids are
the "good fats". As well as a host of other health benefits, Omega 3 oils
strengthen the cell membrane and enable the healthy passage of nutrients and
waste products through your skin. It also influences the skin's ability to hold
water.
There are some great supplements containing Omega 3 fish oil, you can find them in any health store. The best natural sources include walnuts, canola oil and flax seed.
Water
Water
is a natural body cleanser and can do wonders for your complexion, but it is
also an important element in keeping your skin young and beautiful. Be one of
the few people to drink the recommended 8 glasses of water per day and you will
notice your skin looking rejuvenated and younger.
When your skin dries out it becomes less elastic and more prone to wrinkles. It also makes it more susceptible to damage from the sun or from smoke. All this means that it is extremely important to keep your skin hydrated all the time, so that it can protect itself against the world.
The best way is to drink lots of water but, failing that, moisturisers are very helpful too. The night moisturisers are an excellent choice as they can work for hours without being rubbed or sweated off.
Foods that can Harm your Skin
Free Radicals
So what exactly are Free Radicals? They are unstable cells that become loose and
wreak havoc with your skin and cellular structure, aging you and causing
wrinkles in the long term.
These free radicals become loose due to a number of reasons - external threats, such as the sun, wind and pollution, and internal threats, such as the consumption of alcohol and cigarettes. Foods to be be wary of are those that are high in fat and sugar.
Alcohol
We
all know that alcohol can dehydrate your skin, leaving it red or blotchy both
during drinking and in the morning. But drinking also has longer term effects on
your skin.
Drinking alcohol tends to permanently enlarge the blood vessels near the skin's surface, causing itchiness, uneven tone and red spots. If you've ever seen the skin of a long-term alcoholic, you'll recognise exactly this redness.