The saying “You are what you eat” has never been truer, especially when it comes to skin health. Unfortunately, not many people understand how vital it is to eat healthy in order to have healthy skin or understand the correlation between the two.
Fortunately, Dr. Lindsay Clark, a cosmetic dermatology expert, is here to teach her patients about the importance of maintaining a healthy diet for better skin. Below are some key insights Dr. Clark shares, and a few simple ways changing your diet can change your appearance (for the better).
Elasticity, Water, and Chronic Dehydration
Dr. Clark says, “By far, one of the best ways to maintain healthy skin is to drink lots of water. I see many patients struggling later on in life with wrinkles, scars, and otherwise non-elastic skin that could be prevented by drinking water and staying hydrated.” For Americans, staying hydrated is actually tougher than one would think. Recent studies show that 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated, drinking only around 2.5 cups of water per day.
Dr. Clark reminds people that it isn’t enough to simply drink when you’re thirsty since this is already a sign of dehydration. Instead, staying hydrated throughout the day on water and fruits can help your skin stay supple and elastic. Hydration can help prevent early signs of aging such as wrinkles, keep your skin soft and supple, and also help flush out harmful toxins that can impact your skin health.
Antioxidants: Powerful Against Free Radicals
When it comes to skin health, Dr. Clark stresses the importance of eating fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants. Foods like blueberries, oranges, spinach, broccoli, avocado, and other vitamin-rich produce are full of key nutrients that are essential for your skin’s health. Dr. Clark says, “For years, people have been using antioxidant rich foods and natural plants for skin health. But only now do we realize that there’s actually some scientific backing to it, thanks to our research into free radicals.”
Dr. Clark is referring to free radicals, which are cells produced during metabolism that can damage your body and its inner functions. These cells can lead to physical damage, illness, and of course, skin aging. Fortunately, studies now show that antioxidant superfoods are key in eliminating free radicals from the body. Foods containing polyphenols, tocopherols, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, and macromolecules are some of the best sources to use for combatting aging skin.
Probiotics For Skin Health
While you might already see products made of probiotics for skin health, such as topical ointments, did you know you can also benefit from eating a diet rich in probiotics? Studies have shown that probiotics can do wonders in preventing and treating skin disorders such as eczema, atopic dermatitis, acne, and allergic inflammation in the skin. It’s also helpful for people with hypersensitive skin, UV-induced skin damage, wound protection, and healing, as well as other cosmetic uses. Probiotics play a key role in helping to regulate gut health and organs.
These probiotics are tiny microorganisms that live in various organs, including the stomach and the skin. The skin is considered the largest organ, and as such, requires the help of probiotics to help in the healthy aging process. Fortunately, probiotics are super easy to come by and they can be found in most dairy foods. Consider adding foods like yogurt, dairy milk, saurkeraut, and kefir to your diet for some added gut and skin health.
Implementing New Changes To Your Diet
From vitamin-rich and free-radical fighting fruits and vegetables to probiotics for gut health, these are just some of the many foods to consider if you’re struggling with cosmetic issues or want to change your lifestyle for the better. Dr. Clark reminds patients that implementing these changes takes time, and you might need to be patient. “While it’s easier to put on make-up and depend on topical treatments for skin health, changing your diet, staying hydrated, and keeping up with regular cleansing makes more of a difference for skin health inside and out. Your diet and lifestyle are the first lines of defense when it comes to healthy skin and aging, and the best part is you can do it at home with minimal side effects!”
About Dr. Lindsay Clark MD
Dr. Lindsay Clark has a passion for holistic and functional medicine and continues to use her expertise to help patients struggling with cosmetic issues. Dr. Clark attended Santa Clara University where she received a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Art. She received her medical degree from St. George’s University before completing a Residency in Internal Medicine at Highland Hospital and is now a renowned doctor in the world of cosmetic dermatology. She is a member of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine and the American College of Cardiology.
