The skin is one of the most powerful indicators of health. Wrinkles, dry or oily skin, acne, and inflammation all are signs of poor internal health, often brought on by consuming unhealthful foods and avoiding skin-healthy nutrients. To treat skin problems, most people turn to mainstream topical cosmetics, including lotions, soaps, scrubs, toners, and creams. However, treating outer blemishes with expensive, chemical-laden beauty products does little to address the root cause of the problem: poor
nutrition and exposure to toxins in dietary and
personal care products.
"Your skin is the fingerprint of what is going on inside your
body, and all skin conditions, from psoriasis to acne to
aging, are the manifestations of your body's internal needs, including its nutritional needs," says Dr. Georgiana Donadio, founder of the National Institute of Whole Health.
Recent research has shown that the
skin reacts particularly well to certain vitamins,
minerals and antioxidants that nourish the skin, making it appear youthful and healthy. The following
nutrients are among the very best to consume for
healthy, young-looking skin:
Silica:Silica is a trace mineral that strengthens the body's connective tissues - muscles, tendons, hair, ligaments, nails, cartilage, and bone - and is vital for
healthy skin. Silica deficiency can result in reduced skin elasticity and can hamper the body's ability to heal wounds. Food sources of
silica include leeks, green beans, garbanzo beans, strawberries, cucumber, mango, celery, asparagus and rhubarb. In its
natural form, silica is found in the horsetail
herb. Silica is also available as a concentrated liquid
supplement from Eidon Ionic Minerals (
www.eidon.com)
Zinc: The mineral
zinc is an important component of healthy skin, especially for
acne sufferers. In fact, acne itself may be a symptom of zinc
deficiency. Zinc acts by controlling the production of
oil in the skin, and may also help control some of the hormones that create acne. Zinc is also required for proper immune system function, as well as for the maintenance of vision, taste, and smell. Zinc consumption is also strongly linked to a reduction of prostate
cancer.
Foods rich in zinc include fresh oysters, pumpkin seeds, ginger, pecans,
Brazil nuts, oats, and
eggs. Zinc can be purchased in supplement form, in both liquid concentrates and tablets.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Dry, inflamed skin or skin that suffers from the frequent appearance of whiteheads or blackheads can benefit from supplementing with essential
fatty acids (EFAs), especially
omega-3s. EFAs are responsible for skin repair, moisture content, and overall flexibility, but because the body cannot produce its own EFAs, they must be obtained through the
diet.
The typical American diet is overabundant in omega-6 fatty acids found in baked goods and grains, and lacking in omega-3s, found in cold-water fish such as
salmon and mackerel, as well as flaxseeds and safflower oil. Simply balancing the intake of omega-3s with omega-6s can result in smoother, younger-looking skin. EFAs are also available in supplement form - such as
fish oil capsules or evening primrose oil - and are effective at treating a wide range of disorders, from depression and cancer to arthritis and heart disease. Good sources of
omega-3 oils include chia
seeds, flax seeds and, for non-vegetarians, wild-harvested
fish oils. A reputable supplier of fish
oils is Nordic Naturals (
www.NordicNaturals.com)
Selenium: Selenium is an
antioxidant mineral responsible for tissue elasticity. It also acts to prevent cell damage by
free radicals and is will known to be correlated with a reduction of breast cancer risk. It may play an important role in preventing
skin cancer, as it can protect the skin from damage from excessive ultraviolet light.
Dietary sources of selenium include
wheat germ, seafood such as tuna and salmon, garlic, Brazil
nuts, eggs, brown rice, and whole-wheat bread. Brazil nuts are perhaps the best source, and
eating just 3-4 Brazil nuts per day provides adequate
selenium intake for most people. A good source of raw brazil nuts is
www.RawFood.comVitamins C, E and A: Vitamin C is highly effective at reducing free radical damage, such as that caused by overexposure to the sun or pollution. Free radicals consume collagen and elastin - the fibers that support skin structure - and can cause
wrinkles and other signs of premature aging. Vitamin C is especially effective at protecting the skin from overexposure to the sun when combined with
vitamin E. Foods high in vitamin C include acerola (a cherry-like fruit), red and green bell
peppers, guava, kale, parsley, collard greens, turnips, and broccoli.
Wherever possible, consumers are advised to get their vitamin C from a whole
food source, and not to confuse synthetic
vitamin C (ascorbic acid) with the real thing from plants (which is full spectrum vitamin C that goes way beyond ascorbic acid). A good source of whole food
vitamins is Botani (
http://www.alohabay.com/botani/index.html)
In terms of topical applications of vitamin C for your skin, there's nothing on the market that even comes close to a product called
Camu C Serum manufactured by the
Amazon Herb Company (
http://amazondreams.amazonherb.net/Lluvia_CamuSerum.aspx), which is made from Camu Camu
berries -- the highest natural source of full-spectrum vitamin C.
Vitamin E is another powerful antioxidant that reduces the effects of sun
exposure on the skin. When combined with
vitamin A, vitamin E is especially effective at preventing certain skin cancers. Vitamin E also reduces the appearance of wrinkles, and, when applied topically, soothes dry or rough skin. Food sources of vitamin E include
wheat germ oil, sunflower seeds, safflower and sunflower oils, almonds, spinach, peaches, prunes, tomatoes, cabbage, asparagus, and avocados.
Avoid synthetic vitamin E supplements, as they have been shown to actually harm
health. Only consume
natural vitamin E from a reputable source such as the Life Extension Foundation (
www.LEF.org)
Vitamin A promotes proper repair and maintenance of the skin, and deficiencies can result in a dry, flaky complexion. Topical vitamin A treatments are often used to treat acne and other skin ailments. Foods high in vitamin A include
liver, chili peppers, dandelion, carrots, apricots, collard greens,
kale, sweet potatoes, spinach, and cantaloupe.
It's best to consume vitamin A from natural
food sources rather than supplementing it, as vitamin A can be harmful if taken in excessive amounts in supplement form (vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin). You may also wish to consider taking beta carotene, which is a precursor to vitamin A and has none of the overdose concerns of vitamin A.
Proper nutrition is vital for the maintenance of youthful,
smooth, healthy skin. Though lotions, washes, and creams can sometimes help treat certain skin ailments, most skin problems stem from an internal nutritional deficiency easily remedied by altering the diet to include specific nutrients. Before you spend a fortune on expensive
skin care products, try addressing the problem from the inside out.
Also, beware of the
toxic chemicals used in nearly all popular skin care
products, including many of the expensive brands sold in department stores. Most products contain liver-damaging and cancer-causing
petroleum derivatives that pass right through the skin and enter your bloodstream, causing DNA damage that ultimately compromises the health of your entire body. Use skin care products that are truly natural and contain absolutely no parabens, petroleum products or any ingredient you cannot pronounce.
There are many quality skin care product
companies to choose from. I currently recommend Pangea Organics (
www.PangeaOrganics.com) and the Lluvia line from the Amazon Herb Company (
http://amazondreams.amazonherb.net), which are made from rainforest botanicals and contain no artificial or chemical ingredients whatsoever.
FULL DISCLOSURE: I have no financial connection with any of the companies or products recommended here. I earn nothing from the sales of such products. No fees were paid to myself or NaturalNews for inclusion in this article.
About the author: Mike Adams is a natural health author and award-winning journalist with a mission to teach personal and planetary health to the public He has authored and published thousands of articles, interviews, consumers guides, and books on topics like health and the environment, impacting the lives of millions of readers around the world who are experiencing phenomenal health benefits from reading his articles. Adams is an independent journalist with strong ethics who does not get paid to write articles about any product or company. In mid 2010, Adams produced NaturalNews.TV, a natural health video sharing website offering user-generated videos on nutrition, green living, fitness and more. He also founded an environmentally-friendly online retailer called BetterLifeGoods.com that uses retail profits to help support consumer advocacy programs. He's also a successful software entrepreneur, having founded a well known email marketing software company whose technology currently powers the NaturalNews email newsletters. Adams also serves as the executive director of the Consumer Wellness Center, a non-profit consumer protection group, and regularly pursues cycling, nature photography, Capoeira and Pilates. Known by his callsign, the 'Health Ranger,' Adams posts his missions statements, health statistics and health photos at www.HealthRanger.org
Have comments on this article? Post them here:
people have commented on this article.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Email this article to a friend
Share this article on: 
Now Available from 
