Acne and Lifestyle
The Exercise Connection.
Exercise is good for your entire body, including your skin. It boosts
your blood circulation, which carries oxygen and delivers other
nutrients through your body and to your skin cells so that they can
function properly. Exercise can also deliver immediate results to the
skin's appearance in the form of a rosy, post-workout glow.
Exercise can also help control acne.
A good workout increases sweating, which helps remove toxins, unclog
pores and improve acne-prone skin. Exercise can also reduce stress,
slowing the release of certain hormones that affect sebum production.
Less excess oil means fewer breakouts. Maintaining a regular fitness
routine will make you stronger, improve your cardiovascular health, and
increase your energy level. Not only will your body feel better, your
skin will look better, too.
The Nutrition Connection.
Your skin needs nutrients to help with cell turnover and to protect
itself from damage. When we eat, nutrients are absorbed through the
bloodstream and carried to different cells in the body. Not only do
they affect your overall health, they can also benefit the skin. These
necessary vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and essential amino acids
can be found in healthful whole foods and also through supplements. The
best way to obtain them is by eating a diet rich in fruits and
vegetables in a variety of colors. Following are some of the most
important nutrients for skin health:
- Vitamins C and E
are powerful antioxidants that have been shown to protect against skin
cell damage and premature skin aging. These vitamins help to reduce the
damage caused by free radicals, the molecules that cause collagen and
elastin fibers in the dermis to break down and lead to sagging and
wrinkling. Good sources of Vitamin C include citrus fruits, tomatoes,
broccoli and bell peppers. Vitamin E can be found in nuts, seeds and
heart-healthy mono-unsaturated oils such as olive, canola and sunflower
oil.
- Antioxidants are also found in almost all berries. Certain minerals including zinc and selenium also
work as antioxidants. Green tea contains a potent antioxidant called
EGCG that has anti-inflammatory properties.. Pine bark extract and
grape seed extract are powerful antioxidants that help prevent the
breakdown of collagen and strengthen blood vessels that can act as a
healing agent for capillaries in your skin.
- Vitamin A is important for the repair and maintenance of skin tissue. Vitamin A is found in dairy products and in Beta carotene-containing
orange and yellow fruits and vegetables such as carrots, cantaloupe,
squash, yams, mangoes and papayas. Beta carotene is converted to
Vitamin A by the body.
- B-Complex Vitamins
including Biotin, a nutrient that forms the basis of skin cells and
Niacin, which helps the skin hold in moisture, are also good for skin
health.
- Omega-3 fatty acids,
found in salmon and other oily fish such as tuna, trout and most
shellfish, help to fight inflammation and to produce skin-lubricating
sebum. Protein from fish also helps repair skin cells.
Eating
a well-balanced diet of fruit, vegetables, whole grains (which are
loaded with B vitamins), and lean proteins such as fish and poultry
plays an important part in maintaining a healthy body and healthy skin.
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