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| Tuesday, March 24, 2009 |
| Healthy Diet, Healthy Skin |
Are you glowing? If not, it may be what you are eating. Did you know that what you eat can affect your skin? One of the best ways to keep your skin looking great is to eat well and drink plenty of water. Often we hear about staying out of the sun, using sun block, not smoking and using moisturizers to keep our skin looking great. While those are certainly important, diet also plays a big role. You can improve the look of your skin from the inside out. Just a few changes and additions to your diet can make a world of difference for your skin!
One of the most important things you can do to give your skin a healthy glow is to drink enough water. Skin needs water to stay looking young and radiant. Although the exact amount of water needed daily is not known, it is recommended that water, not soda and juice, be your main source of hydration. Try aiming for 6 to 8 glasses a day to help your skin stay healthy. As you increase your water intake, try to decrease your alcohol intake. Alcohol is a diuretic and can dehydrate you and your skin.
Next, limit your intake of refined carbohydrates like white bread, muffins, cookies, etc. Try whole grains instead. Whole grains provide a lot of fiber. Fiber can help eliminate toxins from the body. Whole grains also have more antioxidants than refined carbohydrates. Try adding some oatmeal, 100% whole grain bread, brown rice or bran muffins to your diet.
Another great tip is to increase your intake of healthy fats and decrease your intake of unhealthy fats (saturated and trans fat). Healthy fats like omega-3 and omega-6 can be found in fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines. Omega 3’s have been linked to preventing skin cancer and can help lubricate skin. Most people get enough omega-6’s from their diet. Omega-6 fatty acids can also help lubricate skin. Linoleic acid is another healthy fat that has been thought to decrease dryness and flakiness on skin. Try some safflower, sunflower or olive oil to increase your intake of linoleic acid.
Lastly, increase your vitamin C intake. Vitamin C is involved in the formation of collagen, a protein that binds cells and tissues together. It helps keep your skin looking firm and might help reduce wrinkles. Great sources of vitamin C include kiwi, oranges, strawberries, red peppers and broccoli.
So the secret to beautiful skin may not be such a secret. Analyze your daily diet to see where you can add in some of the recommendations above. If you can make a few healthy changes, your skin could be glowing in no time.
- Jennifer
Labels: healthy eating, Jennifer
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posted by My Sensei @ Tuesday, March 24, 2009   |
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