Ever wondered how diet affects your skin?
Our skin is our largest organ of elimination. It acts as a physical barrier, we release toxins from our pores and sweat glands, and commensal and symbiotic flora on the skin outcompete pathogens and promote immunity.
The skin itself has over 1000 species of various microorganisms that inhabit it unique to the individual.
The health of our skin flora is influenced by so many things, including your gut and liver health, hormones, stress, environmental factors, and underlying conditions that can affect the absorption of nutrients from the diet and the excretion of toxins.
It speaks to us when there are underlying concerns.
It’s important we understand what goes on in our skin can affect our inner health. Read on to find more about proper diet and how certain foods can affect your skin.
How Skin Care and Diet Affect Your Skin
Passive absorption of toxins can occur when we apply various products and can disrupt hormone pathways and healthy immune function.
When purchasing products, avoid additives in them, like dyes, perfumes, fillers, and common food allergens.
Skin Care And Beauty Products For Healthy Skin
What we use topically on our body and face can also be a form of treatment. Different botanical plants and oils can be used to provide vitamins, antioxidants, and medicinal properties.
A deeper perspective is not to just treat the symptom that is presenting, but treats what is the underlying cause within.
Different conditions that affect hormone dysregulation, alter immune function and response and overwhelm detoxification pathways have to be addressed for the skin condition to improve.
How Diet Affects Your Face And Body
One of the simplest, most powerful ways to alter your health is through nutrition. How we eat affects our skin.
Certain compounds and nutrients present in a whole foods diet are vital for skin health, including proteins, omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, zinc, selenium, flavonoids, and antioxidants.
Highly processed foods and those with preservatives have less nutrition and can lead to further inflammation reducing the absorption of key nutrients.
For instance, those with acne prone skin need to avoid low fat foods, dairy products, french fries and junk food and instead should focus on a whole food diet.
Additionally, advanced glycated end products (AGE’s) are formed in the body when we eat fried or grilled foods and can age the skin.
So, what is a whole foods diet?
Whole foods are those that have been minimally processed and free from additives. Examples of whole foods are nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. I
t’s also important to make good choices with well-sourced meat, cheese, and fish, and cook with high-quality oils that are unrefined.
A healthy diet for healthy skin:
Dark, leafy greens: vitamins A, C, E
Fruits: vitamin C, antioxidant
Eggs: protein, vitamins A and E, selenium, zinc
Legumes: protein, zinc, omega 3’s
Avocados: healthy fats, vitamins C and E
Nuts & seeds: omega 3, omega 6, vitamin E, zinc, selenium, antioxidants
Book A Skin Consultation With Us
But, where did the problem come from, to begin with? Our genetics, environmental exposures, and previous infections coupled with a social and cultural milieu of lifestyle factors can be a conundrum to unravel.
Treating the underlying cause always starts from within. For a detailed evaluation and consultation to assess your individual needs, contact us today to schedule an appointment.