To Your Health
November, 2009 (Vol. 03, Issue 11) |
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Beautiful Skin From Within
By Dr. John Maher
Throughout your lifetime, numerous environmental insults work to damage and alter your "sheath," otherwise known as your skin. Indeed, more than 80 percent of the visible changes that age the skin are caused by outside factors like the sun, detergents and pollutants.
Besides minimizing such exposure, we may actually be able to prevent and reverse some of the visible signs by
fighting chronic inflammation and maintaining skin barrier function. To do this, we can rely on an easily accessible, all-natural source: good nutrition.
Researchers recognize that many natural foods have anti-inflammatory properties, mostly provided by healthy fats and antioxidants. Foods containing these skin-healthy fats include avocado, fish oil, flax seed, and olive oil. Olive oil and avocado provide barrier-supporting nutrients, called sterols, and anti-inflammatory monounsaturated ("good") fats. Vitamins E and C, selenium, green and white teas, apples, cocoa and berries are also skin friendly; they supply protective antioxidants. Antioxidants fight off the bad guys (free radicals) to keep us looking young and healthy. Even probiotics, which are the friendly bacteria in our diets, aid in protecting the skin. Experts suggest we get more of the aforementioned foods and less red meat, fried foods, salt, sugar and white flour.
Nutracosmetics are nutritional supplements that produce a cosmetic benefit. Various studies have reported on the "cosmeceutical" value of ingredients like collagen extracts (hydrolyzed gelatin), and peptides and growth factors from dairy colostrum and whey. In one case study, researchers used omega-3 fatty acids to rehydrate skin via nutrition. Approximately 50 percent of women are affected by dry and sensitive skin. Dry skin can be a result of inadequate hydration and a lack of fatty acids in the diet. In one study, supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids (flaxseed and borage oil) resulted in a 12-fold increase in the omega-3 status of the skin in three months!
The other major defense against environmental damage is the antioxidant capacity of the skin. Bolstering the antioxidant defense system of the skin is an important strategy for reducing environmentally induced skin damage. Recent clinical trials in which green leafy vegetables, egg yolks, and marigold flower extracts ( all rich in lutein and zeaxanthin) were administered orally, topically, or both indicated that combined oral and topical administration provides the highest degree of antioxidant protection.
As we age, the essential mesh-like collagen structure of the skin's layers breaks down, causing skin to lose its elasticity. When this happens, skin starts to dry and then lines and wrinkles become visible. Nutritional science suggests it is possible to reverse some of the damage and promote cell rejuvenation. Colostrum, which is the "first milk" of newborn mammals, contains peptides that regulate cell function and stimulate growth of collagen cells. These peptides may be taken as a supplement from bovine (cow) colostrum.
