Although a good diet doesn’t necessarily guarantee a lifetime of clear skin, some foods can potentially worsen existing problems and even cause illnesses that affect the complexion, according to the National Digestive Diseases Clearinghouse and MSN Health. Also, some popular weight-loss diets can also cause skin problems, according to ELLE magazine.
Misconceptions
No single diet regimen will give you flawless skin. Also, diet products, topical creams and vitamin E applicators might promise a lifetime of blemish-free skin but in reality usually don’t work.
Considerations
Sometimes people who eat foods with gluten suffer from skin problems related to Celiac disease, according to the National Digestive Diseases Clearinghouse. Gluten is usually found in products with wheat, barley and rye. About one in 133 Americans suffer from Celiac disease, which is best diagnosed through a blood test. Some people might suffer from gluten sensitivity and not necessarily have Celiac disease, so women who notice skin breakouts and itching after eating wheat or rye might consider reducing or eliminating such products from their diet while awaiting a medical evaluation.
Types of Foods to Eat
As long as you don’t have a medical condition or sensitivity to foods, you can increase your chances of having beautiful skin and good overall health by eating healthy. Drinking at least eight glasses of water each day is vital toward maximizing your chances of beautiful skin. Foods that all women should eat include fresh berries, broccoli, carrots and whole-grain cereals and bread. The antioxidants in such foods help the body overall and promote clear skin.
Prevention/Solution
Avoiding high-protein, low-carb diets might be a key toward preventing skin problems, according to ELLE. If you want to combat wrinkling in your skin-care regimen, keep in mind that the prescription creams with retinoids such as Retin-A and Tazorac are FDA-approved creams for this condition, according to the Mayo Clinic. Eating plenty of fish and taking daily calcium supplements can also prevent or treat skin problems along with over-the-counter remedies to fight acne.
Expert Insight
Vegans are at special risk of skin problems, as they often don’t eat enough protein to promote a healthy skin tone, notes dermatologist Francesca Fusco in an interview with ELLE. Dermatologist Dennis Gross concurred with Fusco’s assessment. Whether or not you’re a vegan, Gross recommends eating foods such as chickpeas or peanut butter if you want to avoid animal meat. Also, he recommends that women looking for beautiful skin eat salads with a variety of colors of vegetables.
Photo Credit
- brocoli – broccoli image by iMAGINE from Fotolia.com
