Print Article for : Vitamins And Skin Health

[V144]Vitamins And Skin Health

by Narupon Amoth, Nar

The things we eat do have an impact on our bodies. If we eat too much of everything, we see fats stored in places where we do not want to see them; in our bellies, in our thighs, and in our hips. Foods also have an impact on our health. Some illnesses caused by too much food intake are type 2 diabetes, hypertension, obesity, etc. Likewise, foods also have an impact on our skin health. Because of the things we eat, it affects our skin, making it too oily or too dry. This is the reason why we have to know the importance of food and skin health relationship because, after all, you are what you eat.

Why Should We Know the Relationship

It really is important to know about the relationship between food and skin health. In this way, you can avoid foods that can cause an adverse effect to your skin. By knowing which foods are harmful to you, you lessen the risk of an allergy attack or the exacerbation of a skin condition as there are some foods that can trigger an attack of a skin condition like eczema.

It is also important to know this because, with this knowledge, we know what kinds of food to eat, especially those that are rich in nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that are beneficial to skin health. By eating these kinds of foods, we are assured of a healthier skin and complexion that glows naturally. You can also improve existing skin conditions by knowing which proper foods to eat for your skin disease.

Finally, this saves us money. Having a naturally healthy skin by eating the right diet saves us from going to dermatologists and spending money on medications that we should never have bought in the first place had we only taken care of our skin through proper food intake.

Foods to Avoid

It is best that you avoid foods that are rich in oil. As we all know, too much oil in our diets can exacerbate acne, and the kind of vegetable oil that we should definitely avoid is the sunflower oil. You should also avoid junk foods as they are rich in vegetable oil. Another kind of food that you have to avoid is the processed kind of foods and foods that are high in sugar.

Foods to Eat

If you wan a healthier skin, you should have a diet that is high in antioxidants. An example of foods rich in antioxidants are fruits and vegetables. These antioxidants can flush away the toxins from your system, thus, leaving you a clearer and fairer skin complexion. The added benefit that these antioxidants give you is that they also prevent the development of skin cancer. These foods are also rich in minerals as well as nutrients and vitamins that can nourish the skin, plus, they are rich in fiber, which aids in the elimination of waste products.

Another great beauty secret of people with healthy skin is drinking water, lots of water. Water hydrates your cells and gives you that glowing skin. Likewise, it also helps flush away toxins from your body.

The skin is the largest organ in the body. It defends against disease and infection, regulates temperature and even aids in vitamin production. Keeping skin healthy is crucial for beauty and general health, even if most of us are interested in knowing how to keep skin looking healthy, rather than really keeping it healthy.

The best way to keep skin looking healthy ? young, fair, radiant, supple, soft and wrinkle free ? is to keep out of the sun.

Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun bring about a healthy-looking tan, but do much damage to the skin in terms of pigmentation, sunburn and loss of elasticity. These can lead to premature aging in the form of wrinkles, fine lines, sagging, dark skin, uneven skin tone, loss of translucency, enlarged pores and dryness. Even the best of genetics, topical skin lightening treatments and oral skin supplements would be of little use if one tans mercilessly and regularly.

Keeping out of the sun helps, but if you cannot avoid it, you will have to ensure that you use a sunscreen. This is especially crucial if sun exposure is for an extended period of time.

Assuming that one is already sensible about sun exposure, how can we then further improve our skin condition? We know that certain oral supplements are effective for good skin health, but which are these supplements and how effective are they?

Supplement From Within

The first group would be vitamins and minerals, essential for proper functioning of every organ.

The vitamins and minerals that can affect skin health include the B-complex, especially B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin) and B12 (cyancobalamine). Overt deficiencies of vitamins B1 and B2 are known to cause special forms of dermatitis (a kind of skin inflammation). B12 deficiency is particularly detrimental to neurons and rapidly dividing cells, including skin cells.

Besides the B vitamins, deficiency of vitamin C, iron and copper also affect skin health. All three are important for the synthesis of collagen, a key structural protein in the skin, which fills the skin and gives it tone.

Vitamin A is critical for the normal life cycle of skin cells. Vitamin A deficiency causes skin to become dry, fragile and prone to wrinkles. On the other hand, excessive Vitamin A intake may cause serious toxicity and should be avoided.

Vitamins C and E, and beta-carotene have been touted as anti-oxidants that reduce free radicals. (Free radicals result in skin degeneration and aging.) However, while free radicals and the role of anti-oxidants are beyond doubt, clinical results have not conclusively proved if supplementary vitamins and other micronutrients improve the skin quality and defy the aging process.

Excessive doses can be just as harmful as deficiencies, so it is best to abide by the recommended daily allowance (RDA).

Topical Help

Oral supplements should go hand-in-hand with topical applications ? sunscreen of at least SPF 30, creams (preferably with skin whitening agents) and moisturizer (preferably with skin lightening agents). Compared with topical applications, the effects of oral supplements are slower and more subtle. Consumers have to be realistic about their expectations because results certainly will not be seen in 7 days or 2 weeks.

We recommend a holistic approach to skin health, comprising:

* A healthy balanced diet comprising all food groups as well as vitamins, minerals and micronutrients.
* Keep a happy positive mood. It is well documented that some skin conditions ? such as acne and eczema ? are more prevalent among the stressed.
* If you smoke, quit smoking. Smoke causes free radicals, damages the microcirculation of skin and also causes staining of teeth and other discoloration.
* Minimize sun exposure and use a good sunscreen on a daily basis.

Article Source :

About Author

Both Narupon Amoth & Debra are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Narupon Amoth has sinced written about articles on various topics from . We bring health care to you.Here you'll find everything you need to know about health care.visit our for more information.. Narupon Amoth's top article generates over 880 views. to your Favourites.

Debra has sinced written about articles on various topics from Beauty Tips, Skin Care. Debra Tan is a senior product development consultant at ~SkinWhite Research Labs. Equipped with a team of experienced cosmeceutical researchers, is. Debra's top article generates over 880 views. to your Favourites.