Proper Skin Care Includes A Healthy Diet
No amount of purchased skin care products can impact your dermis more than your diet. What you consume as foodstuffs is crucial to the rejuvenation of your skin. Without proper nourishment, the dermis will degrade, losing elasticity and suppleness. From the day you are born, the nutrients you consume provide fuel for your body. Good nutrition enables your body to rejuvenate itself, providing energy and nutrients so that your body can operate efficiently and heal itself. Use the nutritional guidelines below to make a healthy diet part of your skin care routine.
Hydration - Staying hydrated is important for a healthy dermis, as our bodies consist mainly of water. Avoid drinks that contain caffeine as it acts like a diuretic, dehydrating your body rather than hydrating it. Drink six to eight glasses of water a day to keep your body and skin hydrated. If you are extremely active or during periods of peak exertion, sports beverages will help balance electrolytes. Just ensure the sports beverage is not laden with sugar or caffeine. Balancing electrolytes with sports beverages is recommended for people active in sport or during periods of exertion, but make sure they don’t contain sugar or caffeine.
Antioxidants - The best source of antioxidants, which help your body to grow and repair itself, is fresh fruit and vegetables. Your skin can be damaged by exposure to ‘free radicals’ in the environment, which antioxidants help to destroy. The brightly colored skins of fruits and veggies contain myriads of these antioxidants, so don’t peel your apples! Raw or slightly blanched items are best, as cooking depletes the levels of antioxidants in food.
Well-Balanced Diet - The right fuel will make your body work optimally, just as with an automobile engine. Yo-yo weight loss and gain is not healthy - for your body or your skin. When you pick up weight, your skin is stretched and loses its elasticity, leaving you with wrinkled flaps of skin when you lose weight again. Maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle will keep your skin healthy and smooth.
Vitamins and Minerals – In its list of daily requirements, the FDA has set the recommendations for intake of specific vitamins and minerals. As it is very difficult to meet those requirements consistently through diet alone, most physicians recommend a multi-vitamin as part of your daily regimen. Whether you take a supplement or not, healthy nutrition is necessary for a healthy body and skin. You should be eating 5 servings of fruit and veggies, 3 cups of low-fat dairy and 3 ounces of wholegrain foods every day.
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