Having glowing skin without using a single product is what we all dream off. Modern techniques are moving away from improving the skin from the outsider and focusing on supporting the body’s ability to improve skin. The skin is a complex organ that massively relies on the inner functioning of the body such as digestion, hormones, and immunity.
Here is how to improve your skin making it glow and full of life…
Hormone Balance
Hormone balance has been a well-known contributing factor to blemish or acne-prone skin and it can cause oestrogen and progesterone to become imbalanced. Your diet and lifestyle can have a big impact on your hormone balance, here are some changes you can make to remain balanced:
- Taking B12, B6, selenium and iodine.
- Keep your blood sugar balanced by reducing sugar intake as well as ensuring meals contain fibre, healthy fats and protein.
- Eat a fibre rich diet as well as trying probiotics
- Eat zinc rich foods to help support normal testosterone levels such as tahini, seafood, sunflower seed and poultry.
- Eat anti-inflammatory superfoods such as turmeric, omegas and resveratrol (studies demonstrate improved protection against sun damage and oxidative stress, to help slow sign of ageing).
Gut Health
The Gastrointestinal tract’s bacterial system has a complex affect with our skin, certain harmful strains can not only cause inflammation in the body but also lower levels of beneficial bacteria in the gut. Low levels can depress the immune system, negatively impacting upon skin health. Imbalanced gut flora and poor digestive functions links with conditions such as eczema, acne and psoriasis. Many women find using antibiotics will worsen their situation or during stressed times.
Our bacteria are sensitive to the environment, antibiotics, the ill, too much sugar, alcohol and lots more of factors, they can all disrupt our skin.
Liver Function/Detoxification
The liver is responsible for removing harmful compounds from the body such as pollution, plastic residues, alcohol and cigarette smoke. They also remove hormones such as stress hormones. The skin is one of the largest routes of removal of toxins from the body and if the liver function is slow it can lead to build up of harmful or toxic detoxification by products which can affect the skin’s health. The liver requires many nutrients to work properly and many come through diet. Some helpers for liver function are:
- milk thistle – been shown in multiple studies to gently support liver function and hormone balance.
- B vitamins, folate (a more natural form of folic acid which isn’t as well recognised by the body)
- Super grasses and berries that are nature’s multi-vitamin – great sources of amino acids, vitamin C and antioxidants.
- Also contains methionine and alpha-lipoic-acid to aid liver function.
There are also many foods you should try to eat for a healthy diet that will positively benefit the liver, these are: cumin, fennel, organic celery, broccoli, cauliflower, leeks, fennel, onions, garlic, brussel sprouts, nettle tea all good detox supporting foods, beetroot, blackberries, blueberries, blackcurrants, pomegranate, red peppers, tomatoes (tinned, fresh, pureed), green leafy vegetables, ginger, salmon, smoked mackerel, green tea, quinoa, pumpkin seeds, tahini, fresh turmeric, butternut squash, sweet potato, egg yolk, raw cacao, all fresh herbs, pretty much all nuts.
You do not have to eat all of the above but a good intake of some of the above will help improve the function of your liver.
Try doing all of the suggested and in the next couple of weeks you will see a vast difference in your skin.
