Fascinatingly, the skin is the largest organ of the body. Just a few of its essential functions include protection, sensation, temperature regulation, excretion and absorption.
Equally fascinating is that the skin renews itself. As with all the other organs, it is vital to your overall health as well as being an indicator of what’s going on inside.
by Dr. Karissa Walton, Founder & Medical Director, The Mobile Health Doc
HOW TO MAKE SKIN GLOW:
- Be aware of what you’re putting on your skin. What is applied to your skin is also absorbed into the bloodstream. Just like reading labels for what you will put in your mouth, it is equally important to read the labels for what you put on your skin.
- Nutritional health is key in keeping your skin healthy! The nutrients from foods have a direct effect on the condition of your skin. Optimizing nutrition may also include improving digestion and/or eliminating foods that cause inflammation.
- Drink plenty of water. The good ol’ H20 helps keep every skin cell hydrated. Strive for a minimum of 50% of your body weight in ounces and even more if you’re outdoors or exercising.
- Eat essential fatty acids found in wild-caught fish, nuts and seeds. These nutrients are “essential” because the body cannot synthesize them on its own, but vital for keeping your skin properly “oiled” from the inside out.
- Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, preferably organic to reduce exposure to chemicals that may cause skin irritation or breakouts. Antioxidants found in these foods also help eliminate toxins that lead to clearer, healthier skin.
- Limit alcohol, caffeine, chemical additives, salt, sugar and smoking. These substances can lead to dryness, wrinkles and other common skin ailments.
- Find an integrative health care professional who can optimize supplementation that suits your skin health needs. Some examples include biotin, collagen, EFAs, fat-soluble vitamins and zinc, but it is important to have a skin health protocol that is safe and customized.
The outer appearance of the skin can serve as a window into what may be going on inside your body. If you notice skin issues, seek a health care professional skilled in getting to the root cause and treating from the inside out. Your skin will thank you with a healthy glow when you do!