Eat your way to amazing skin

I don't care how old you are.  If you learn to look after your skin from an early age, it will benefit you all your life.

And no, I don't just mean which creams, cleansers and tonics you should be using.  I'm talking from the inside out.  You see, it may not be visible, but the inside is just as important as the outside.  You've all heard of collagen - the main structural protein of the various connective tissues that gives our skin its firmness.  However, as we get older the production of collagen decreases especially after the age of 35, and wrinkles start to appear and things start... sagging.

However, there are certain foods that you can incorporate into your diet that will give your collagen production a boost:

1.  VEGETABLES:  Love your veggies and they will love you.  The more colorful the better.  The red vegetables such as beets, tomatoes and red peppers are full of lycopene which protects against sun damage and boosts collagen.  Dark leafy greens such as kale or spinach are packed with antioxidants that protect against the free radicals that attack collagen.  Orange vegetables such as carrots and sweet potatoes are high in vitamin A, which restores damaged collagen.

I quite often snack on red or yellow pepper sticks and sweet potatoes are better for you than normal potatoes as they have more vitamins and minerals and less calories.

2.  GARLIC:  Yes well, even though there is a certain "danger" to eating too much garlic (people might not want to get too close during a conversation), garlic is actually very high in lipoic acid and taurine, which rebuild damaged collagen.  It is also high in sulfur which is an essential part of the collagen production process.

3.  BERRIES:  Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries to name just a few.  Berries are bursting with antioxidants that protect against the free radicals that damage the skin, berries also boost collagen production.

A bowl of berries for breakfast is a great way to start the day, or as a snack between meals - but ditch the cream and sugar, you really don't need them.

4.  BONE BROTH:  Just what grandma used to make when you weren't feeling well.  Now this may not sound very appetizing but bone broth is actually cooked collagen.  Eating broth is a great way to restore collagen in your skin and smooth out any wrinkles.  Also the gelatin derived from the collagen in bone broth has the added advantage of healing your digestive tract which will prevent inflammation and aging skin.

5.  FISH AND LEAN, GRASS-FED MEAT:  Fatty fish such as mackerel, salmon and tuna and grass-fed meat are very high in Omega-3 fatty acids.  They protect the fatty membrane around skin cells.  The omega-3s plump up the cells, making them bouncy and full which gives skin a more youthful glow.  These foods provide essential amino acids and reduce inflammation which will keep your skin firm and elastic.


I can help you improve your health.  If you would like to make an appointment with me either in person or via Skype, just send me an email to lucycarr@socialnutrition.com