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Skin and Nutrition
ShareNutritional science is developing new insights into the relationship between your food intake and your health. Research has found that the effects on your skin may prove to be biologically relevant to the health of your skin.
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition states that ‘skin functioning and attractiveness are dependent on nutrition’. They go on to say that ‘this is evidenced by the development of skin lesions in response to nutritional deficiencies. Dietary supplementation with the deficient vitamins, minerals, or essential fatty acids improves skin conditions in these situations.’
Challenges your Skin May Face
UV Light. Exposure to UV (ultraviolet light) are through sunlight and tanning beds. Although UV penetration of skin supports vitamin D synthesis, too much can cause permanent skin damage.
Prevention of skin damage begins with limiting your exposure to UV light. It is not always that practical to avoid or limit sun exposure, therefore there are many photo protective agents that can be used. Sunscreen is an example of a photo protective agent.
Because UV light exposure depletes antioxidant levels in the skin, including vitamins C and E in the diet or as supplementation can increase antioxidant defences in skin cells.
Wound Healing
Good nutrition is important for wound healing, particularly pressure ulcers, diabetic ulcers and those post operative wounds. This means that you will need to avoid or limit processed foods such as convenience foods and increase your consumption of whole foods such as fruits and vegetables.Protein is needed to grow new and healthy tissue. It is therefore very important in the healing process.
- High protein foods include:
- Meat
- Poultry
- Fish
- Legumes
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Tofu
- Protein powders.
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