Body Wise*

*The information contained herein is not intended to diagnose or treat ANY medical condition.

Food for Your Skin

By Faith Jensen

I recently had the most wonderful facial with a product line made from grapes called ‘d’vine.’ The line is based on vinotherapy, with a scrub made from zinfandel and a mask from Bordeaux. They claim extracts from varietals of grapes, grape seeds, and wine provide the highest concentrates of all active ingredients, packing each product with the richness of powerful antioxidants.

Developed by a licensed doctor with a team of specialists for the spa and medical spa clients, I must say I was impressed. With wine, food and, essential oils, how are they the same and different in regards to how they benefit our skin? And how do we choose what works best for our skin type? Estheticians can always help you find these answers. So let me try to help you find these answers and keep it simple.

I do believe we are what we eat and it is also reflected not only in our bodies but also in our skin over time. Between 60-70% of what we put on our skin is absorbed into our bodies. So what happens with what we put in our mouths over time?

Let’s revisit wine here for a moment. Studies say one glass a day can contribute to a healthy heart. Here are the benefits: wine contains polyphenols, resveratrol and l-tartaric acid, which stimulates collagen synthesis, supports wound healing and tissue elasticity, and acts as an anti-inflammatory. If you can’t drink it, smear it on your skin! The l-tartaric acid stimulates the turnover of new cells in the outer layers of our skin.

Here is what the ‘baby-boomers’ are after for that inside-outside beauty. The number one item is antioxidants, which are found in colorful fruits and vegetables. These include all berries like pomegranate, mangostein, and acai, just to name a few. These powerhouses fight off the free radicals that rob our cells of oxygen. The number two aid is vitamin D, found in leafy greens, milk, soy, egg yolks, herring, and flax. Vitamin D protects our skin without the sun exposure and helps with the absorption of calcium, protecting our bones as well. Omega-3s also fit into this category, giving our skin the protection it needs. Remember that a little sun exposure can help heal eczema, psoriasis and acne. The third thing to look for is coenzyme Q10, again found in oily fish such as sardines and mackerel. This aids in preventing skin cancer. The fourth thing to look for is glucosamine, which benefits not only your joints but also boosts your skin elasticity with the production of hyaluronic acid, which holds onto moisture in the dermis, giving our skin a dewy radiance.

Ongoing studies now reveal food such as bran and peas help protect and repair DNA in our cells that may have been damaged by the sun. In the near future these may be added to sunscreens. For now, just keep eating them and gain the added benefits of fiber and protein!

Green tea is a well-known antioxidant. There are 500 different aromatic oils in the leaves of green tea, along with abundant chlorophyll. In a teacup, it balances our internal and external clocks. This concentrated compound is packed with carotene (a form of vitamin A) and flavonols that boost our immune systems and strengthen our capillaries and is a natural fluoride! Internally, it does a lot more. Most importantly, for the skin, it contains vitamin C and doubles our protection from the sun. It is found in many skin care products today and can be used by itself or under your moisturizer or sunscreen.

Our skin needs nutrition and I found that the following items seem to make the most impact on our skin. These are a delicate balance of vitamins and minerals to prevent or treat inflammation. Mother nature encourages us to support the healthy functions of our skin and not ignore them. I’ve already mentioned a few and to add to those would be the B complex family, which help prevent premature aging and acne and also promote circulation, while healing sunburn and bruises and encouraging new cell growth. The foods to include in your diet here are lean meats, egg yolks, brewers yeast, whole grains, almonds, molasses, peas and beans, just to name a few.

Vitamin C, in the form of rosehips, is my favorite vitamin for the skin. Products containing this oil help produce collagen, speed healing and strengthen capillaries. Foods with vitamin C include citrus, berries, apples, persimmons, leafy greens, currants, and papayas.

Lastly, minerals such as iodine, silicon, sulfur, and zinc add lasting results to the integrity of our skin. Although iodine in the form of salt can aggravate acne, it can also aid in healing infections while increasing oxygen consumption.

Silicon, found in horsetail, blue green algae, nettle, oat straw, burdock root, sunflower seeds, and flax aids in collagen formation and keeps the skin taut, preventing wrinkles.

Sulfur, which is found in turnips, dandelion greens, radishes, string beans, onions, garlic, cabbage, celery, kale, lean meats, fish, and asparagus, helps keep the skin clear and smooth. And finally zinc, which is found in blue green algae, barley grass, yellow dock root, echinacea, kelp, dulse, pumpkin, and oysters, aids in wound healing and when combined with vitamins A and B promotes cell growth and boosts the immune system.

When looking for food for your skin and radiant beauty, look for the high oxygen radical absorbing capacity (ORAC) values in fruits and vegetables. For further reading I highly recommend Awakening Beauty, by Susan West Kurtz.

Faith Jansen, DT, is a licensed esthetician. She is a body care specialist at New Seasons Market, located in Lake Oswego, OR.

REFERENCES: AARP, September/October 2008, Website: www.health.com, April 2008, Diana Rosen, The Book of Green Tea, and Stephanie Tourles, Naturally Health Skin