8 Foods To Make Your Skin Glow
Our skin health is an outward reflection of our internal health. Often times, when we desire strong radiant skin, we look for these “silver bullet” skin care products that claim to give us youthful skin. While some products are naturally derived and less toxic than their synthetic counterparts, they still only work superficially.
When we have a lusterless complexion, one that appears dry, inflamed, sagging, and wrinkled, we need to look deeper to restore healthy looking hair, skin, and nails. Skin cells, like all our cells in the body, need nourishment to grow and thrive.
When we adopt a standard American diet (SAD), one that is devoid of whole foods and phytonutrients, and laden with refined sugar & alternative sweeteners, processed and fried foods (synthetic chemicals, neurotoxic food dyes, oxidized vegetable oils), and cholesterol, we create massive amounts of free radical damage in the body.
The oxidative stress induced by these free radicals in turn creates an inflammatory response. Do you suffer from acne? Rosacea? Eczema? Psoriasis? These are just some inflammatory skin conditions that result from “dirty blood,” a result of inflammatory food consumption, stress, and underlying gut dysbiosis.
So, how can we naturally improve our skin complexion? We need to consume more omega 3 fatty acids and antioxidant rich foods. Together, they will give your skin the integrity, suppleness, and glow you have always desired.
Salmon and other cold water oily fish like anchovies and mackerel are high in omega 3 fatty acids which hydrate skin and provide cell structure. The amino acids from these fish are used in collagen synthesis which give that tight and wrinkle free look.
Walnuts and seeds such as flax, sesame, and pumpkin are high in vitamin E, zinc (one of the most important minerals in skin repair and regeneration), copper, and omega 3s
Avocados are high in vitamin E and contain non-sunscreen protection from UV induced damage from the sun (wrinkling)
Olive oil is high in vitamin E protects against oxidative damage. People in the Mediterranean region even apply olive and avocado oil to their skin, many of whom swear is the secret to their youthful look
Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables such as spinach and cauliflower contain high amounts of sulforaphane, a compound high in sulfur containing amino acids. Sulfur is especially important in detoxification. Cruciferous vegetables are also high in Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant to neutralize free radical damage
Sweet potatoes and carrots are rich in vitamin A, C, and carotenoids, all of which can squelch oxidative damage and inflammation
Green tea and its high phenol content, especially EGCG, is one of the most powerful antioxidants known
