Balanced diet is important factor for healthy skin

Foods rich in beta-carotene, which can be found in a variety of yellow, red, and orange foods, help to protect against sun damage. Omega-3 fatty acids, which can be found in salmon and various nuts and oils, is useful to prevent inflammation and to protect against damage from ultra-violet rays.

• Clinical nutritionist says all the skin-care and beauty products in the world won't keep your skin looking good if you're not eating the right foods.
• You may even have been tempted to pick up a product that promises to keep your skin looking vibrant and young, wiping away wrinkles overnight.
• But, says Health magazine contributor and clinical nutritionist Samantha Heller, all the skin-care and beauty products in the world won't keep your skin looking good if you're not eating the right foods.
• Clinical studies have found that eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and omega-3 fatty acids can help skin retain its healthy glow and look youthful.
• It's a proven antioxidant, and antioxidants are important because they reduce the risk of several types of cancer and they prevent the formation of harmful byproducts of metabolism called free radicals.
• Free radicals are thought to be responsible for damaging the body's cells, as well as their genetic makeup.
• In addition, studies are showing that lycopene in combination with other carotenoids may help to reduce sunburn and damage to skin from ultraviolet rays.
• And when you protect the cells from damage and disintegration, you also guard against premature aging.
• So in order to prevent damage to your skin, keep it looking younger, and give yourself added protection from the sun, you should include lycopene in your diet.
• It's a form of vitamin A, and is an antioxidant that offers added protection against sun damage.
• Inflammation triggers cells to clog pores, and that can cause acne.
• Omega-3s also offer protection against ultraviolet ray-induced skin lesions, and decrease ultraviolet-induced inflammatory responses.
• Micronutrients in foods can act as sponges to soak up destructive ultraviolet, help protect skin from harmful oxidants, repair skin damage, and modify biochemical skin responses to ultraviolet rays.