Relationship between Food and Skin

The food we eat does not only provide nourishment to our body and help it grow; it also decides how our skin looks and feels as well. People always neglect this fact that our skin is the large organ of our body and it benefits from the same nutrition we get from foods that have a positive effect on our heart and other major organs. New research suggests that eating foods rich in protein and vitamins and minerals might provide valuable anti-aging effects. We need to understand this trick, how our food can be friendlier to our skin.

The simplest way to make sure that the skin is getting optimal nutrition from the foods we eat is to follow the recommendations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Daily Food Guide, commonly referred to as the food pyramid.

a) Choose and eat at least three ounces of whole grain breads, cereals, rice, crackers or pasta everyday.

b) Eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, including more dark green vegetables. Vegetables are preferred in raw form, rather than cooked.

c) Consuming calcium rich foods, such as fat free or low fat milk and other dairy products.

d) Opting for a variety of low-fat or lean meats, poultry and fish.

e) Eat fruit which have nice balance of Vitamin A, C, Iron and Minerals, such as Apple, Orange, Grapes, Pineapple, etc.

Helpful to Skin
Research has shown that the antioxidants in vitamins C and E can protect the skin from sun damage and help reduce damage in skin cells caused by harmful free radicals, which contribute to skin aging.

Vitamin B biotin is responsible for forming the basis of skin, hair and nail cells. It is available in abundance in green vegetables and fruits. Vitamin A maintains and repairs skin tissue. It exists in dairy products, such as Milk and Yogurt as well in fruits. Without an adequate supply of these vitamins, the skin may not be able to sustain its healthy state and its will also directly affect the Hairs and Nails.

A research on skin wrinkling was conducted and they found that subjects with a higher intake of vegetables, olive oil, monounsaturated fat and legumes, but a lower intake of milk & dairy products such as butter, margarine and sugar products had less skin wrinkling in a sun exposed situations. Eating a variety of healthy foods and drinking plenty of water so the skin stays hydrated should help most people improve the appearance of their skin.

Worst for Skin
For the millions of people affected by medical skin conditions such as Acne, Rosacea, Eczema or Psoriasis, eating certain foods could aggravate their symptoms or trigger an unexpected flare up. People affected by these chronic skin conditions should be aware of certain food interactions in order to better manage their treatments.

Contrary to a popular belief that Acne is not caused by the foods we eat. Although numerous studies have not found a link between diet and acne, but emerging research now suggests there may be a link between diet and an improvement in Acne.

The research, “Low-Glycemic-Load Diet May Improve Acne in Young Men,” examined whether male Acne patients aged 15 to 25 who followed a diet which contains 25 percent of energy from protein and 45 percent from carbohydrates (low-glycemic diet) had a reduction in acne as compare to a control group that consumed a diet rich in carbohydrates.

The study found that at 12 weeks, acne lesions had decreased more in the young men in the low-glycemic group than their counterparts in the controlled group whose diet had no consideration for the glycemic aspect. This suggests that there could be a relationship between limiting carbohydrate rich foods in Acne patients’ diet.

On the other hand, some Acne patients have noticed that certain kind foods worsen their symptoms, especially chocolate, greasy foods, soft drinks, peanuts and foods high in fat. So the patients who notice such cause affect relationship between eating certain foods and acne flare ups should avoid those foods.

Eczema, which is commonly characterized by dry, red and itchy patches on the skin. Foods that have been known to worsen eczema symptoms include eggs, milk, peanuts, soy, wheat and fish, while some patients even report that chocolate, coffee, alcohol, tomatoes and sugar can trigger a flare up.

The juices from meats and fruits can irritate already sensitive skin when they come in contact with the skin, and she suggested that eczema patients also should keep a trigger journal as a reference for what foods or drinks may have caused a flare-up.

Bottom line, in order to maintain a healthy glowing skin; one should eat all foods in proper volume. Personal likings toward a specific kind of food category will not be friendly in the long run, and sooner or later the irreversible effects will begin to appear. Keeping close eye on food we eat and its reactions to our body through skin, a person can avoid certain kind of foods which are not acting friendly with the metabolism of ones body. Each individual has different kind of immune system which requires its own kind of dedicated care.

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Tags: Health, skincare

Category: Health