HEALTH REPORT
Beauty from within
D o you want beautiful skin? Get your skin-healthy regime started with the best anti- ageing foods and nutrients. It’s true: you are what you eat. Your diet may be the best resource your skin has to help it fight the outward signs of disease and ageing, and also to protect itself against damage from sun exposure and pollution, which can cause the skin to dry out, and cause possible allergic reactions. Unfortunately stress, processed foods, and foods lacking in the correct nutrients are common culprits, resulting in faster ageing of the skin, a greater incidence of skin conditions like acne, eczema and psoriasis, and undesirable lines and under- eye bags. For example, more pronounced wrinkles have been shown to be associated with a higher dietary intake of trans fats, sugar and processed carbohydrates; a diet rich in the antioxidant vitamins A, C and E and monounsaturated fats, on the other hand, was found to reduce wrinkling later in life. Eat yourself beautiful You need not spend a small fortune at the cosmetic counter on a cream that promises the world – you can support and improve
healthy fats, which help control moisture levels, and more of the carotenoid fat lutein, than any other fruit. Brewer’s yeast: A rich source of B vitamins, all the essential amino acids and 15 minerals which give your skin the energy it needs to generate new cells. Dried fruit: These are a great source of iron, which plays a vital role in the formation of the collagen ‘scaffolding’ that keeps your skin taut, strong and resistant todamage. Chooseunsulphured brands of sultanas, currants and apricots. Hemp seeds: Full of the rejuvenating fatty acids linolenic acid and alpha- linolenic acid, which are responsible for the shine in your skin and hair. Soy: In laboratory studies, fibroblasts (the cells that produce collagen) pro- duced more collagen and hyaluronic acid (a structural component of the skin) when they were exposed to soy. Soy’s high concentrations of isoflavones are thought to be the reason.
your skin simply by switching up what you eat. Here are 10 of our favourite skin foods: Acai: This berry has one of the highest ORAC (antioxidant) values on earth, making it a supercharged wrinkle fighter. It also actively fights superoxide, a free radical that damages the collagen and elastin that keep skin smooth and firm.
Strawberries A great source of vitamin C, along with anthocyanins and ellagitannins, phenols that protect the skin’s structure. Avocado: Keeping your skin moisturised from within ensures an even, plump complexion. Avocados contain more skin-
8
ISSUE 58 • 2020
Made with FlippingBook Learn more on our blog