SKIN AND NUTRITION

“If you are suffering from skin, hair and nail problems, there is a deeper health concern. Find it, treat it with proper nutrition, and it will look and feel better.  Skin is a mirror to what is going on in the inside.”
~Dr. Nicholas Perricone, MD, Dermatologist
 
“The skin is a reporter, a sounding board, a protector and a crystal ball. It reflects the results of both external and internal stimuli. The age-old adage circulating through the ‘dermal’ profession is ‘the skin is a perfect mirror of everything going on inside the body,’” states the chemist of Edimi Skin and Body Care, Inc.
 
I am a facial therapist by profession. One day I was reading a description of ingredients in a skin care product. The ingredients were basically food items. Just then it occurred to me, “Why don’t we just eat better?” Most skin and health issues stem from diet and digestion imbalances. Drinking coffee, fruit juice and alcohol instead of water is a major impediment to optimal health. The lack of protein and good fats and the over-consumption of carbohydrates, grains and sweets make good health and beautiful skin difficult to achieve. Most American diets need an increased amount of water, good fats, proteins and vegetables.
 
It is important to put marketers in perspective. Every product on the market is made to sound good. The magic pill or potion is not in infomercials, which make all kinds of promises, yet do not deliver. The promise is there, but the outcome does not exist. Instead, it is important to nourish and balance each cell in the body with proper nutrients and water to help skin look and feel great. The human body has an innate intelligence; give the body what it needs (not what it desires), and the body will take care of all aspects of its health.
 
The skin is part of the body, and it has many functions. It is the largest organ of the body. It serves as a protective cover, helps to regulate the body’s temperature, defends the body against foreign invaders (through the immune system), and helps the body’s detoxification process. It is also called “the third kidney.” If the kidney’s elimination pathways are backed up, toxins will eliminate through the skin. It is important to examine and incorporate the nutritional foundations.
 
The big idea behind skin care is that it is both an inside and outside process. Dr. Perricone states, “Beautiful skin on the outside begins with good health on the inside.” Skin will suffer dearly from the damage you cause on the inside if you don’t get enough sleep, smoke, drink too much alcohol, do not eat properly, and do not take nutritional supplements. The condition of skin is a direct reflection of our health; what is going on inside the body will be reflected on the outside of the body. Your lifestyle and the kind of dietary nutrients you consume have a big impact on the appearance of our skin. It is important to take care of the body the way nature intends. The body will take care of the rest: a healthy body, more energy and beautiful complexion.
 
How you think about food and health is where it all begins. It may be important to give up some types of food to gain maximum results. Consider that convenience may not be the path to take when considering skin and health. The energy invested in an optimal health program may yield more energy when looking at the long term. The practice of health is a long, consistent examination that needs attention three to five times a day. This can be challenging with a fast paced, stressful lifestyle where a good diet may get overlooked. It may seem overwhelming to make a diet plan and stick to it.

It is easier to find the most convenient foods to prepare, to take the magic pill, be it fast food, sodas, coffee or alcohol to feed your hunger or boost your energy. But this kind of diet will rob vital energy and deplete overall health. Health and skin care need a plan that will work for the duration of a lifetime. The eating habits you put in place today will yield either good or challenged health and skin quality for the rest of your lifespan.
 
Dr. Perricone and Dr. Murad are prominent dermatologists who both have skin care products, vitamin therapy and active practices. Their work incorporates the nutritional foundations. They have made the discovery that to achieve excellent skin, good nutrition and health must come first, and topical skin care comes later. Topical skin care will only give half of the desired results; nutrition is the other half. When nutrition is in order, the skin has a healthy glow. All that may be needed is a mild cleanser and a moisturizer to protect the skin. The most important work will be accomplished by good nutrition and a dietary plan.

The next step is to look at the nutritional foundations independently in order to achieve good health, nutrition and skin. The nutritional foundations are: digestion, blood sugar balance, minerals, fatty acids and, the most important, hydration. It is important to know that all nutritional foundations are interconnected. When they all work together, true results are obtained.

SKIN CARE NOTE: Testing skin care products can help you understand what will work for your skin. The result to look for is skin that is flexible, balanced, and clean and protected, but not stripped. This means the skin is hydrated, feels smooth and soft to the touch and has a glow to it.

About the Author
Leslee Cotlow a Certified Rejuvanessence Practitioner, Esthetician and a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner.  For more information or to make an appointment go to http://rejuvanessencefacialmassage.com or email her at asharose@att.net.

The statements and products shown on this website have not been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.  You should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem.  The opinions expressed here belong solely to the author and are not necessarily those of NTPtalk.com.