Beautiful Skin in 2010 Series (Part 1) – Top 5 Skin Supplements
It is a new year and time for that resolution. If your new years resolution is to have beautiful skin by 2011 then this article will get you started. Following this 5 part series will provide you with a tool kit to help you achieve your best skin ever. Other Articles to look for in this 5 part series:
Eating for Beauty
Top 3 treatments for healthy, glowing skin
Skincare for Aging Skin
We will begin the Beautiful Skin Series with my top 5 supplements to help you create healthy, beautiful skin.
My top 5 skin supplements are:
1. Fish Oils - Take the liquid not the pill you get some much more from an oil because you will absorb it quicker and more of it. Look for fish oils that are made up of the smaller fish such as sardines, mackerel and anchoives. You body is able to metabolize the fats from these small fish. When it comes to the superfood salmon I recommend eating the fish not taking the oil or the pill. Fish oils are rich in omega 3 which play a critical role in promoting healthy skin. They help to regulate cellular function and maintain elasticity and suppleness in the skin. Consequently, a fatty acid deficiency will show up as skin problems. Most of us do not get enough of the Omega 3 fatty acids in our diet whereas Omega 6 fatty acids are in plentiful supply. Symptoms of Omega 3 fatty acid deficiency include skin problems like eczema, dandruff, dry and flaking skin and poor wound healing. I highly recommend Nutrasea fish oil.
2. Vitamin C – It is an antioxidant that will fight off age. It is also necessary for the production of collagen, which is the connective tissue that keeps our skin nice and firm. I would aim to take vitamin C throughout the day and great easy way to do that is with those yummy emergen c packets. You can also use vitamin C topically but make sure it is the fat soluble form ester C. Dr. Perricone makes a great topical ester C that your skin will love.
3. B Vitamin Complex – B Vitamins are important for so many bodily functions but we are going to focus on the skin in this article. B-vitamins help to maintain healthy skin tone and are also great to relieve mild anxiety and stress. When we feel healthy our skin will reflect it. The B vitamins all have individual jobs but they must be taken together as to prevent a deficinecy of another b vitamin. You can add higher doses of individual b-vitamins as needed but always remember to take your b-vitamin complex first.
Vitamin B1 aids skin health by helping to keep the circulation normal.
Vitamin B2 or riboflavin deficiency can lead to hyper pigmentation (aka brown spots). Vitamin B6 or pyridoxine deficiency can result in dermatitis or eczema.
Niacin deficiency can also cause an eczema type of skin eruption with brown pigmentation, largely on the face, forearms and legs.
Deficiency of pantothenic acid and biotin can also leads to different types of eczema.
I recommend taking a liquid if you can find one. Praire Naturals makes a great Vitamin B complex in liquid form.
4. Digestive enzymes - Digestive enzymes are proteins that break down food so it can be used by the body. Digestive enzymes are essential for healthy skin because it helps improve skin, hair and nails by increasing the blood supply to the skin and body. When enzyme levels are insufficient, a host of problems may arise. If the food we eat is not broken down properly it may enter the intestines in large masses causing bloating, gas and other digestive discomfort. Large particles of food may enter the blood stream and trigger the immune system to attack. If your food is not being broken down then the vitamins and minerals contained in the food are unable to processed and used by the body causing malnutrition. You could eat all the raw vegetables you want but if your body does not contain the necessary enzymes to break these foods down then you will suffer from digestive discomfort and lack of nutritents. When food builds up in your body it becomes toxic and can lead to systemic inflammation which in turn may cause skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema and also exacurbate these conditions for those suffering from them. Digestive health must be at its optimal level if you want beautiful skin.
To simplify just think of this vicious cycle – food is not properly digested, vitamins and minerals are not absorbed, inflammation increases. This constant internal state of distress is reflected externally with flare-ups of skin conditions.
For more detailed info on the job of each enzyme you can visit http://www.beta-glucan-info.com/digestive_enzyme_facts.htm or http://www.dermaharmony.com/skinnutrition/digestiveenzymes.aspx
5. Silica - Silica is a trace mineral that strengthens the connective tissues of the body. It strengthens our muscles, hair, tendons, ligaments, nails, cartilage, bone and is very essential to have for healthy skin. Silica deficiency can lead to a reduction in skin elasticity and can interfere in the body’s ability to heal wounds. I highly recommend the liquid Silica by the company Naka.
Before beginning a supplement and nutrition program I would recommend consulting with a health practitioner such as a Natural Nutritionist, Acupuncturist, Practitioner of Chinese medicine, Naturopathic doctor or other health care practitioner.
You may also request a health plan (supplement recommendations, food cures following the philosophy of chinese medicine and lifestyle recommendations) online by emailing info@sknclinic.ca. The cost of this plan is $89 canadian dollars. You will be required to fill out an intake form evaluating your health, there will be follow up questions so your health practitioner can collect as much detailed information needed so they are able to provide you with a plan best suited to you. Your plan will arrive via email within 10 days.