Leslie Losey (pictured above), co-founder of Nashville corporate wellness company Avohealth Wellness Partners, offers some non cosmetic ways to improve your skin health.
Did you know that everything that you put in your body not only affects your internal organs, but also affects your skin? Eczema, acne, rosacea, dry skin, and aging skin are all direct effects of the substances we are putting into our system. Some of the biggest culprits of irritated, unhealthy skin include inflammatory foods like gluten, dairy, and sugar, lack of cell-nourishing foods, environmental toxins that cause collagen depletion, and an over-worked immune system. Here are four, backed by science, ways to get the glowing skin you’ve always wanted; from the inside, out.
Eliminate the Igniters of Inflammation
Some foods are best left untouched, especially if you want to get the natural glow that everyone strives for. Healthy skin comes from a healthy gut, and foods like gluten, dairy, and sugar can wreak havoc on the gut. They can cause widespread inflammation, which directly effects the epidermis as a result of a stressed immune system in the form on acne, eczema, and other unwanted skin conditions. Be careful with honey, coconut sugar and other “natural sugars” as well as gluten-free grains, like oats and rice since they can actually feed the bad bacteria in the gut. It is best to eliminate all forms of sugar, dairy and grains (especially gluttonous grains) during the process of healing the gut and reaching your healthy skin goals.
Feed Your Cells
Your cells need a variety of nutrients to function properly. By eating the right foods, you are not only able to nourish your cells on the inside, but the outside as well. Eating foods like wild caught salmon, organic blueberries, avocado, Swiss chard, and probiotic rich foods like coconut kefir and sauerkraut will ensure that your cells are receiving the nutrients they need to repair and recycle themselves. These superfoods can also aid in helping to nourish your gut back to health in order to finally put the fire out in your overly stressed immune system; resulting in beautiful, clear skin.
Get Friendly with Collagen
Collagen is a protein that is naturally found in our bodies and is responsible for the strong supportive structure in our skin, bones and connective tissue. Things like smoking, stress, and poor diet can negatively affect our collagen production and even cause collagen depletion. Luckily, there are many ways to get collagen into your diet in order to protect your skin from collagen depletion! Bone broth is probably the best (and most delicious) way to get an optimal amount of collagen in your diet and ensure the positive effects it has on your skin due to its gut-healing properties. You may also consider a collagen supplement if bone broth isn’t quite your jam. There are many great varieties of collagen supplements that are available in both powder and capsule form that you can find in most health food stores.
Try Intermittent Fasting
Ah, yet another reason to try intermittent fasting? You got that right! Intermittent fasting is not only great for weight loss, but it can actually help to promote cell regeneration. A new study featured in the Cell Stem Cell shows that during prolonged periods of fasting, the body actually kills old, damaged cells, and creates new ones to take their place. This enlightening discovery is something that everyone can take advantage of at any age. Could this finally be the “fountain of youth” everyone has been searching for? Although more studies need to be done on this subject matter, this particular study does show promising results in essence of new cell growth. Hello beautiful, youthful skin!
About the Author
Leslie Losey is the co-founder of a corporate wellness company in Nashville, TN known as Avohealth Wellness Partners. Avohealth takes pride in teaching holistic nutrition, functional fitness and wellness strategies to employees of mid to large size corporations in the Nashville area. Leslie obtained her degree from Middle Tennessee State University with a focus in psychology, neuroscience, and nutrition. After having struggled with an autoimmune disease most of her early life, Leslie is now on a mission to help others gain their health back through the power of whole foods. In her spare time, Leslie enjoys one-on-one nutrition coaching, spending time with her son, and reading the latest updates in the health and wellness world.
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