STYLEHealthy Eats! Find Out Which Foods Can Give You Glowing Skin In Time For Summer
April 24 2013, Published 6:15 a.m. ET
We all know the saying "you are what you eat" and that is certainly the case when it comes to having healthy looking skin.
Yes, we can spend a fortune on various beauty products which can be effective, but a lot of the time, the quality of our skin is primarily related to our diet.
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Dr. Ruthie Harper (pictured), creator of Skinshift, the first DNA-based skincare line in America, says our skin is "the largest organ in your body; it is a reflection of your health and wellbeing."
Here are some tips from the Texas-based physician on what foods are great for particular skin problems.
Dark spots and Pigmentation: UV exposure from the sun causes skin deterioration and photo-aging, robbing your skin of a youthful appearance and leading to unsightly pigment changes.
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Foods to Fix It: Capers, chamomille tea and apple contain a very high concentration of quercetin. When consumed, quercetin acts as an antioxidant in the body which helps rid the body of free radicals that damage cells and cause health issues such as heart disease, cancer and premature aging.
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Redness and inflammation: Subtle signs of inflammation include skin sensitivity, redness, irritation, acne, rosacea and eczema.
Foods to Fix It: Foods containing anti-inflammatory agents include kelp, turmeric, wild salmon, shiitake mushroom, green tea, papaya, blue berries, extra virgin olive oil, broccoli and sweet potato. These foods contain a rich supply of polyphenols, flavonoids, and vitamins that prevent inflammation.
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Dull and uneven skin: Free radical damage is one of the leading causes of aging skin.
Foods to Fix It: Antioxidants: Prevent infection and degenerative diseases like cancer or heart disease. Vitamin C and resveratrol are powerful antioxidants which can be found in berries, broccoli, carrots, raisins, peas, and tomatoes, açai berry, green tea, and coffee. Maqui berries, a super fruit from Chile, has been found to have the highest levels of antioxidants in fruits, more so than Acai berries and Goji berries.
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Dry and Thinning Skin: Excess sugar in the body is a primary cause of premature skin aging because of its role in a process called glycation, which causes cracking, thinning, redness and inability of skin to self-repair.
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Foods to Fix It: Polyphenols: These powerful antioxidants are rich in green tea, olives, grapes, onions, chocolate and red wine. Polyphenols help prevent glycation of the skin to prevent the visible signs of aging and protect the heart, kidneys and other vital structures necessary for optimal health.
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And if you want to have skincare made specifically for your skin, you can order the Skinshift DNA test. You basically fill out a survey with questions about ancestry and skin history, take a DNA sample using a mouth swab and once you've sent this back, Dr Harper and ther team will analyze and work out which product most effectively fits your profile.
You can find out more about Dr. Ruthie's skin care products and which of her supplements are best for your particular skin ailment at www.skinshift.com.
What is your number one tip for healthy skin? Share with us below or tweet us @OKMagazine!
