The skin is taken for granted more often than not. Ads for quick-fix lotions and potions and all manner of magical fruits slathered on the skin which will erase fine lines, wrinkles and any signs of aging prevail in our current superficial marketplace.
Promises of eternal youth and going under the knife for beauty, injecting things into our foreheads for smoothness have all become commonplace -- the norm if you can afford it, and something to strive for if you cannot, at least in America.
Of course each woman (and man) is free to make whatever cosmetic decision they feel is in their best interest. The problem is that many times the advertising is more promising than the actual result and can often leave a customer very unsatisfied with the results.
What about eating and drinking in ways that allow your largest organ to breathe, to oxygenate, to renew itself naturally? How about treating your skin the way you would treat your heart or your lungs, your liver or your waistline, by associating the ingestion of healthy and nutritious foods with the effects on your skin?
It seems we often forego the obvious solutions in hopes that something more complex or mysterious will save us from dreading our reflection in the mirror. The truth is, the natural process of eating and drinking and the way the chemicals of food and drink interact with our bodies is so incredibly complex and mysterious in and of themselves that we really need look no further than our daily meals to provide us with an endless volume of information about our internal health and the external signs of that health. For our skin is not only an organ, but also a reflection of what is happening with our other bodily functions.
Hormone imbalances and fatigue show on our skin in the form of acne or dull tone. Dry, chapped skin can indicate dehydration or overexposure to a harsh environment. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can result in easily bruised skin. Dark circles under one’s eyes can show the world that you are exhausted and simply not sleeping enough, or that you may be ill.
If you are a woman and experiencing problems with your skin, check in to see if you are also having difficulty or irregularity with your menstruation. Getting on or off birth control pills can also affect your menstruation and your skin as your skin often reflects profoundly any hormonal imbalances in your body. Seeking the care of a gynecologist as well as a dermatologist can help you get to the root of the problem.
The reason glowing, vibrant skin is so appealing in a superficial, cosmetic way, is because it is an indicator of good health. We are, as mammals, naturally drawn to others who appear to be healthy and fit and while we claim to care so much about our health, we are often drawn magnetically to propaganda which claims to cure the outward appearance and make us “look healthy” but fails to address the actual health issues or nutritional issues which may be causing or contributing to any skin problems we may experience.
Having healthy skin begins with having a healthy, balanced diet. A healthy diet is essentially the following:
• Eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, including lots of dark green and orange vegetables.
• Opt for a variety of low-fat or lean meats, poultry and fish.
• Choose and eat at least three ounces of whole grain breads, cereals, rice, crackers or pasta. Consume calcium-rich foods, such as fat-free or low-fat milk and other dairy products.
Sources:
Science Daily. What To Eat For Glowing Healthy Skin. (Science Daily November 9, 2007) Retrieved from the internet on December 12, 2011
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071109201438.htm
WebMD. Foods For Healthy Skin: You Are What You Eat
by Colette Bouchez Reviewed by Charlotte E. Grayson Mathis MD
Retrieved from the internet on December 12, 2011
http://www.webmd.com/healthy-beauty/features/skin-food
Aimee Boyle is a regular contributor to EmpowHER
Reviewed December 13, 2011
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith