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Saturday, May 12, 2007

Foods for Healthy Skin: What Vitamins and Minerals are Good for Your Skin?



We should start our skin care at the very base of our life. And that is food.
When it comes to our skin, what we eat is very important. Skin is the biggest organ, and it deserves all the nutrition we can give it.

One the most critical elements of skin health is vitamin A, and one of the best sources of this vitamin is low-fat dairy products. As a matter of fact, the health of our skin depends on vitamin A. Low-fat yogurt is high in vitamin A. Other excellent sources of vitamin A include cod liver oil, carrots, leafy vegetables, sweet potatoes and fortified breakfast cereals.

You also need to eat foods rich in antioxidants, such as blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and plums. The benefits of these fruits for healthy skin are considerable. The antioxidants found in these fruits can protect the skin cells. As a result, there is less chance for damage.

This in turn protects against early aging and skin looks younger. Other fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants include artichokes, black, red, and pinto beans, pecans and prunes.

Essential fatty acids are vital to your skin. You should include salmon, walnuts, canola oil, and flax seed. Essential fatty acids keep cell membranes healthy, and allow nutrients to pass through.

We also need healthy oils. Eating good-quality oils helps keep skin lubricated and keeps it healthier overall. Try to find oils that are cold pressed, such as olive or extra virgin oil. Our bodies only need approximately 2 tablespoons a day of healthy oils.

Selenium plays a crucial role in the health of skin cells. Eat foods like whole-wheat bread, cereals, muffins, turkey, tuna and brazil nuts. Latest studies discovered that if selenium levels are high, even skin damaged by the sun will only suffer negligible harm.

Processed and refined sugars can instigate inflammation that may eventually lead to skin break outs. Green tea has anti-inflammatory properties, and it protects the membrane of the cell. Green tea also plays an important role in the prevention of skin cancer.

Water has an enormous effect on the health of your skin. Healthy and young-looking skin is also a well-hydrated skin.


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