Nutrition and the Skin 101
by Liz Quesnelle
At some point every woman has said or heard the phrase, “I can’t eat that. It will go straight to my hips.” But when is the last time you heard someone say, “I can’t eat that. It will go straight to my skin”? The answer is most likely “never,” even though a diet high in processed sugar and partially hydrogenated fats is likely to affect your skin more quickly than your waistline.
Every day scientists are finding more links between proper nutrition and a healthy body. This, of course, includes research on the body’s largest organ the skin. Since many brides change their diet and suffer from increased stress in the months leading to the big day, it is important to consider how your appearance will be affected by what you put into your body.
Rather than go into too much medical mumbo-jumbo, we can personify the skin into, say, a school. This will make understanding the need for nutrition as it affects beauty much less dry and easier to retain.
Nutrient Superlatives
Here at Epidermis University, we pride ourselves on our Essential Nutrients such as vitamins. Simply put, Essential Nutrients are nutrients that the body can’t produce, yet can’t live without. There are many nutrients that benefit the body. The following are the most popular and most important for the skin. Without further ado here are our Nutrient Superlatives.
Most Likely to Succeed
Vitamin A gets an A+
Vitamin A is number one when it comes to wound healing. Since our world is a dangerous place as far as our skin cells are concerned, this vitamin is needed day in and day out. We are constantly exposing ourselves to danger the sun, the cold, the heat, bachelorette parties, the CTA… we are lucky if we don’t damage our skin at least 20 times a day. Most injuries are microscopic, but Vitamin A can always spot the problem and fix it! With Vitamin A, your skin will succeed at looking gorgeous on your day!
A word of caution Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin. It is stored in the liver until it is needed, and even then it is used extremely slowly. Vitamin A is so good that a little goes a LONG way!
Foods rich in Vitamin A:
- Broccoli
- Spinach
- Halibut
- Cod
- Red Bell Peppers
- Cantaloupe
Most Beautiful
Vitamin B!
This sexy sextuplet of B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6, B12 and folate) is known for causing healthy, gorgeous, acne free skin! They are the whole package, too Beauty AND Brains, as they regulate normal cell growth, strengthen the hair, nails and skin and improves the body’s healing process. They are the reason that Beauty begins with B.
Foods rich in B-vitamins:
- Eggs
- Yogurt
- Chickpeas
- Asparagus
- Melon
- Spinach
- Lentils
- Almonds
Most Popular
Vitamin C! Vitamin C!
Everybody loves Vitamin C. He’s the BMIB (Big Man In Body). One of the reasons he’s so popular is that he is captain of the football team and keeps Epidermis U’s rival - the Free Radicals - on the run. As a potent anti-oxidant, Vitamin C stops the “oxidation” of your cells, organs and systems by providing the unstable “free radicals” with a stabilizing atom! When the Free Radicals cross the goal line without this atom, the result to your skin is wrinkles and a serious lack of tone. With Vitamin C on the team, The Free Radicals will surely lose!
Foods rich in vitamin C:
- Oranges
- Grapefruit
- Lemons
- Limes
- Broccoli
- Cantaloupe
- Strawberries
- Tomatoes
- Red Bell Peppers
Most School Spirit
Give me An “E”!
As far as skin is concerned, Vitamin E is really known for the way it boosts the efficacy of Vitamin C. She’s a cheerleader, the captain of the pep squad, pushing the vitamin C to beat the crap out of those Free Radicals. Pssst: Like Vitamin A, this is a fat-soluble vitamin and should be taken judiciously.
Foods rich in Vitamin E:
- Almonds
- Asparagus
- Olives
- Pecans
- Spinach
- Pumpkin Seeds
Most Misunderstood
All Fat is not the Enemy!!
Fat. He’s that big, quiet shop student. He’s so maligned. However, Fat is needed to keep your skin youthful and radiant. He keeps us looking great. People who avoid Fat in the halls often don’t look as good. This is because they lack the fat tissue (the adipose layer) that lies under their skin giving support, protection (like a shock absorber) and it is the source for “sebum,” which is the oil produced by your oil glands and secreted via the pores on to the surface of the skin. I can hear you already..."But I don’t want oil on my skin.” You definitely want some. All the cool kids are digging on some oil. It’s not enough to make you greasy, but enough to provide protection from the elements and to keep your skin soft.
And last, but certainly not least....
Our Foreign Exchange Student!
Chinese Medicine
He came from far away and no one is sure how old he is. Chinese Medicine brings the knowledge that the lungs and the skin are “sister” organs, meaning what affects one affects the other. For example, Chinese Medicine can’t get into dairy. Dairy congests the respiratory system by increasing the production of phlegm. Excess dairy can also create congestion in the skin that can result in Acne. Chinese Medicine hates the acne. It ruins his chances with the chicks.
Therefore, Chinese Medicine urges us to keep dairy intake low and get calcium from other sources, such as broccoli, tofu, or wheat germ.
The best diet is one that is well rounded, with treats ingested in moderation, rather than being strictly forbidden
The Valediction
As any nutritionist will tell you, the best diet is one that is well rounded, with treats ingested in moderation, rather than being strictly forbidden. A petit-four binge at your shower isn’t going to destroy Epidermis U’s chances of clobbering the Free Radicals. However, eating a diet rich with vitamins, minerals and good fats will help your skin to be clear, strong and beautiful on your wedding day and beyond.
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