You really can eat your way to a younger looking skin. And the even better news is that it doesn’t take long to do it.
While it could take months of working out to change your body, even slightly, your skin is one area where you can make a noticeable difference to the way you look, fast. For most, it takes about two weeks.
So, how do you eat yourself to younger-looking skin? While it could take months of working out to change your body, even slightly, your skin is one area where you can make a noticeable difference to the way you look, fast. For most, it takes about two weeks.
Here are seven simple ways. Possibly some of them have been stated before in other articles here or elsewhere on the internet, but I hope you won't mind hearing them again as it's valuable information.
ANTI-AGING RULE NO. 1:
MOISTURIZE FROM THE INSIDE
Dehydrated skin looks old. Drink water and eat water rich foods to hydrate it; however, H2O alone is not enough. For that young, dewy look, you need to seal this water into your skin. To do that, you need to eat essential fatty acids. Essential fatty acids are extremely beneficial for skin. [SOURCE] [SOURCE 2]
The surface of the skin is protected by a waterproof layer made largely of essential fats. Without plenty of omega 3, 6 and 9, contained in some fish, algae, nuts, and seeds, drinking water is like filling a paddling pool with a hole in it. The water will leak away.
What you need to do: Eat at least one serving of food daily that is rich in essential fatty acids. Try Spirulina, Chia seeds, Hemp seeds or Flax. The body cannot make these fats, they must obtain them through diet.
ANTI AGING RULE NO. 2:
WORK ON THE INFRASTRUCTURE
The skin is more than a sponge that sucks up moisture. Elastin and collagen form the soft skeleton that supports it keeping it looking firm and youthful. These are made from amino acids that come from the protein you eat.
So, if you’re existing on toast and baked potatoes, your face could look puffy and slack. Not eating enough quality protein is also associated with oedema (water retention) and slow wound healing. Not enough protein can make your face look bloated.
What you need to do: Eat at least one serving of a high quality protein daily: Obviously protein is found in animal products, but because I like to promote plant-based nutrition for various reasons, here is a list of high quality protein sources from plants: Tempeh, Algae, Lentil sprouts, Quinoa, Almonds, Sprouts, Beans, Seeds, Nuts, Buckwheat, Pumpkin seeds, Hemp seeds, Chia seeds and Amaranth. Life Time sells an unsweetened quality Protein Powder if you feel you need that.
ANTI-AGING RULE NO. 3:
AVOID SUGAR, THE ULTIMATE SKIN AGER
Sugar has been shown to cause cross linkage of elastin and collagen fibers. [SOURCE] What does that lead to? Wrinkles. So if you want to keep your complexion smooth and young-looking, you need to minimize consumption of sugar, especially processed and refined sugars.
Obviously, this makes cakes and cookies with high sugar a no-no, but smoothie addicts need to beware too. While foods like berries are good for the skin in their whole, raw state because of their high levels of cell-protecting antioxidants, fruit juices, especially from exotic fruits such as banana and mango, are also high in sugar.
What you need to do: Avoid all processed sugar and refined grains which are both high in sugar. Limit fruit juice, dried fruit, honey, molasses, to name a few. Eat low glycemic fruits with the peel on.
ANTI-AGING RULE NO. 4:
DEFEND YOURSELF AGAINST CELL DAMAGE
Much of what we see as aging is actually cell damage and much of this damage is done by free radicals. These are created largely by exposure to sunlight. Antioxidants, found in vegetables and fruits, can protect skin cells from free radical damage. [SOURCE]
What You Need To Do: Eat brightly colored veggies and fruit, dark leafy greens and herbs. Enjoy spices such as cinnamon and turmeric, as they are the highest foods in antioxidants.
ANTI-AGING RULE NO. 5:
DITCH THE AGE ACCELERANTS
Toxins can accelerate the effect of skin aging, by causing rashes, redness and water retention. Toxins are excreted though the skin, often when the body’s main detox organ, the liver, is overwhelmed. Smoking, drinking, coffee, additives and pesticides in food, as well as other toxins will show up in your skin.
The other group of age accelerants are old hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone. Again, the liver is supposed to excrete these. If it doesn’t, the resulting hormone imbalances can show up in the skin as spots around the chin and across the forehead. In other words, keep your liver clean by working efficiently.
What You Need to Do: Eliminate as many toxins as possible. Reduce alcohol, coffee, food additives or over the counter medication, such as headache or indigestion tablets. Try to eat as much organic as possible. Also use food to support liver function. Include brassicas (broccoli, kale, cabbage) and watercress daily.
ANTI-AGING RULE NO. 6:
BUMP UP YOUR AGE DEFYING BACTERIA
If your skin looks a bit blotchy or tired, then it’s a pretty safe bet your colon doesn’t look too hot either. One tends to mirror the other. This is because disrupted digestion prevents proper absorption of nutrients, thus starving your skin of the raw material to keep it looking young. IBS, diarrhea and constipation also create more toxins that are detoxed through the skin, making it looked older.
What You Need to Do: Eat plenty of fiber to move food through your gut more promptly. The best way to boost fiber is with plenty of non-starchy vegetables, such as dark green leafy greens, sprouts, prunes and flaxseeds. Eat fermented foods for the beneficial probiotics.
ANTI-AGING RULE NO. 7:
AVOID AGING ALLERGENS
Puffiness, high color and uneven skin tone are all very aging. One common factor in all of these can be food intolerances. Intolerances are an over-reaction by your immune system. This creates inflammation, which you may see on your skin as redness or puffiness.
What You Need to Do: Avoid or reduce cow dairy foods, including milk, cheese and ice-cream. Try nut milks instead, or goat's milk. Also, consider reducing or completely avoiding wheat (and other gluten grains) as these can be allergenic to many people too. Read this ARTICLE about obtaining beautiful skin by eliminating these two foods.
Reducing wheat, including whole wheat, and grains in general, is probably the most anti-aging action you can take for your skin. Remember, if you must have grains, be sure to soak overnight (and sprout if you'd like), before cooking. As you may know by now, this will help reduce anti-nutrients in the grains. All grains, seeds, beans and nuts should be soaked (an preferably sprouted) before consumption.
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