| Did you know that what you put on your skin is not | | | | who have these problems can't convert the beta |
| nearly as important as what you put on your plate? | | | | carotene to vitamin A, which is the form found in |
| To have truly fabulous skin that is vibrant, glowing | | | | many foods that we normally associate with this |
| and younger looking you need to nourish your skin | | | | vitamin, such as carrots." |
| from within. | | | | The vitamin A in dairy products is the "true A", so |
| The more attention you pay to what you eat and | | | | every body type can use it effectively. Second, to |
| drink, the more youthful and vibrant you skin will be. | | | | Vitamin A is the acidophilus bacteria that is so good |
| You see, the skin require certain nutrients to stay | | | | for intestinal health. Having a healthy gut translates |
| silky smooth and healthy. Starve your skin enough | | | | into having healthy skin. |
| and over time, it's going to show. If your diet is | | | | Red and purple fruits, particularly, blackberries, |
| missing certain nutrients, skin problems can result, | | | | blueberries, black grapes, purple plums and |
| some of them serious. Some skin experts agree that | | | | strawberries are full of what is called antioxidants |
| dietary factors can influence the look and condition | | | | which help counteract free radical damage, preventing |
| of your skin. | | | | fine lines and wrinkles in the skin. In the Journal of |
| Elaine Linker, PhD, biochemist and co-founder of DDF | | | | Agricultural and Food Chemistry, a recently published |
| Skin Care, says a number of skin conditions such as | | | | study showed these fruits contained the highest total |
| acne and eczema may be linked to diet and as a | | | | antioxidant capacity of any other foods. This spells |
| result, can become chronic. | | | | healthy benefits for your skin. |
| Obviously, a balanced diet is the most important key | | | | Essential fatty acids are what keep skin silky and |
| to healthy, glowing skin. Diet provides special treats | | | | soft. Salmon, flax seed, walnuts, avocado oil, grape |
| for your skin that can nourish and moisten, like no | | | | seed oil and some other nut and vegetable oils are |
| skin preparation can. Experts agree that what you | | | | full of protection for the cell membranes, which |
| put on your plate and in your mouth should be | | | | protect the cell against harmful things but also keep |
| nutritious and wholesome. Freshness is key, and being | | | | the cell gateways functioning optimally. Essential fats |
| as close to the foods original state as possible. | | | | also help the cell to manage its water more |
| To get and maintain that glow, experts agree that | | | | efficiently. |
| Vitamin A is one of the most important dietary | | | | In recent clinical trials at Edinburgh University, |
| components. There are actually two types of Vitamin | | | | researchers showed that when levels of selenium |
| A, depending on whether the dietary source is plant | | | | were high in the diet, skin cells were less likely to |
| or animal. | | | | suffer oxidative damage and be susceptible to |
| Vitamin A that is derived from animal sources is called | | | | cancer. Whole wheat bread, muffins and cereals, in |
| preformed Vitamin A. It is absorbed into the body in | | | | addition to tuna and Brazil nuts are excellent skin |
| the form of retinol. Retinol is one of the most active | | | | treats, high in selenium. |
| and usable forms of Vitamin A. Some animal based | | | | The antioxidant capacity of green tea is almost |
| food products include liver, dairy products and some | | | | becoming legendary. The anti-inflammatory qualities |
| fortified food products. The body can convert retinol | | | | contained in the polyphenols are a great preventative |
| into retinal and retinoic acid, which are two active | | | | for ultraviolet light damage to the skin and eyes. |
| forms of Vitamin A that can be readily used. | | | | One of the most important ingredients to overall |
| Plant sources of Vitamin A include colorful fruits and | | | | health is water. When you drink pure, clean water, |
| vegetables such as carrots, red, yellow and orange | | | | particularly alkaline ionized water, skin cells plump up |
| peppers, orange pumpkin and squash, to name a few. | | | | and look awesome. No other liquids count, not even |
| Vitamin A from these sources is called provitamin A | | | | fruit juice, soda or even soup. Lipski says that while |
| carotenoid. These can be made into retinol in the | | | | any good clean water will hydrate the body and feed |
| body. Statistics show that in the US, 26 percent of | | | | the skin, hard water, the kind high in minerals, is really |
| Vitamin A consumed by men and 34 percent, | | | | good. "A water softener may help your plumbing, but |
| consumed by women is provitamin A carotenoids | | | | it's hard water that is better for your health," Lipski |
| from plants. | | | | says. Being properly hydrated, cells are better able to |
| To feed your skin to keep it timeless, preformed | | | | more efficiently move nutrients in and waste and |
| Vitamin A from dairy products are one of the skin's | | | | toxins out, which makes your skin look and feel |
| favorite treats. And, if you happen to be diabetic or | | | | better. |
| have a thyroid condition, Vitamin A rich dairy foods | | | | So pile your plate with skin treats and drink your |
| are even more important. According to nutrition | | | | water. After all, that unmistakable glow cannot be |
| expert Liz Lipski, PhD, CCN, founder and Director of | | | | bought at any price. |
| and the author of Digestive Wellness, "Many people | | | | |