Most of us often forget one of the simplest rules of maintaining good overall health. “You are what you eat”. The age-old cliché is actually a fact. When it comes to skin care, it is equally true. The health of our skin is greatly impacted by the foods we eat. Eating healthy, as you may have guessed, is bound to keep us looking more youthful. By contrast, junk food is our skin’s enemy.
“Not only is junk food high in saturated fats, salt and processed ingredients that leave your skin dull and acne prone, junk food hits you like a ton of bricks,” informs Dr. Trevor Cates on TheSpaDr.com, “As your body’s largest organ, your skin will take the brunt of the punishment as you indulge on junk. Breakouts, redness and oily complexion are just some ways your body will protest.”
So which foods give us the healthiest skin?
Avocados.
Aren’t avocados delicious? Widely referred to as a “superfood”, avocados are high in the healthy fats that help our skin to stay flexible and moisturized. According to Taylor Jones on Healthline.com, a study of over 700 women found that a high intake of the healthy fats found in avocados was associated with more supple, springy skin.
“Preliminary evidence also shows that avocados contain compounds that may protect your skin from sun damage,” she writes, “UV damage to your skin can cause wrinkles and other signs of aging.
Berries.
Blueberries, strawberries, cranberries, blackberries and raspberries are part of a special list of fruits. They all provide antioxidants. According to Dr. Cates, anthocyanin is the pigment that creates the blue, red and purple colours of these delicious berries. It works to protect our skin from the damage caused by free radicals in our surrounding environments. Dr. Cates notes that adding just a half cup of berries to your diet each day can help to prevent the premature signs of aging.
“Adding berries to your daily diet is easy as (blueberry) pie!” he adds, “Throw a handful in your breakfast smoothie, add to muffins and other baked goods, or toss on top of your salad with some lean protein or fish for a complete meal your skin will love.”
Fatty fish.
Fish that are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids include salmon, mackerel and herring. “Omega-3 fatty acids are necessary to keep skin thick, supple and moisturized,” says Jones, “In fact, a deficiency in omega-3 fats can cause dry skin. The omega-3 fats in fish reduce inflammation, which can cause redness and acne. They can even make your skin less sensitive to the sun’s harmful UV rays.”
Vitamin C-rich foods.
Not to be outdone by berries are oranges, broccoli and even red bell peppers. In fact, Dr. Cates notes that red bell peppers actually contain three times the amount of vitamin C as an orange! Vitamin C has antioxidant properties via ascorbic acid. They are known to block and reverse photodamage caused by the sun’s harmful UV rays. In addition, vitamin C is “essential for collagen synthesis that can help you turn back the clock and replace wrinkles with pure radiance,” writes Dr. Cates.
You only have a few days left to take advantage of our February special!
Until the end of the month, when you buy a package of 3 Broadband Light (BBL) full-face treatments, you will receive one free neck treatment. That’s a $200 value! If you have any questions or would like to book an appointment, please don’t hesitate to call us at 403-358-5818. You may also email us at amlvc@telus.net.