You Are What You Eat

You are what you eat.
Does this sound familiar? You probably have heard it. And yes, it is true. What you eat affects how well you are and how you look - today and for the years to come.
A balanced diet is needed for optimal health and well being, as well as having healthy skin. However, a balanced diet is primarily set to prevent malnutrition and vitamin / mineral deficiencies. Here are a few suggestions:

Choose foods rich in vitamin A. Naturally occurring vitamin A or retinol is commonly found in fish oils, dairy products and liver. Vitamin A found in plants is called beta-carotene and is commonly found in yellow / orange fruits and vegetables like carrots and cantaloupe. This is essential for the maintenance and healing of epithelial tissues, with skin being the largest expanse of epithelial tissues we have. This diet includes plenty of dark orange (carrots, sweet potatoes, winter squash) and dark green (broccoli, spinach, kale) vegetables -- all of which are high in vitamin A.

Choose foods with plenty of B vitamins like B-2 and B-3. These foods convert calories into energy for metabolism and are components of enzymes that maintain normal skin function. The best sources for these are green leafy vegetables, lean meats, eggs, avocados, fish, brewer’s yeast, whole grains and peanuts.

Vitamin E to protect your cells against free radicals. This is a powerful antioxidant that helps slow the aging of skin cells and promote healthy skin. A powerful antioxidant, it protects your cells against the effects of free radicals, which are potentially damaging by-products of the body’s metabolism. Foods rich in vitamin E include almonds, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, broccoli, wheat germ, peanuts and vegetable oils.