Anti-aging foods, nutritional supplements for skin health

Anti-aging foods and supplements are in increasing demand by chiropractic patients in the form of nutricosmetics

Nutricosmetics, which is when you use nutrition and nutritional supplements to improve the health of your skin, and even for anti-aging in general, is something chiropractors can use with their nutritional and cosmetic-focused patients. Dr. Faaria Karim, naturopathic doctor (ND) and licensed acupuncturist (LAc) with Selkirk Naturopathic Clinic and Restoration Health Clinic, knows why skin health is important. She answered our questions about using anti-aging foods and nutritional supplements for skin health.

Why is skin health important?

Our skin is the largest organ of the body. It’s responsible for so many functions including protecting us from bacteria and viruses, regulating temperature, absorbing UV light, and helping to activate the immune system.

What do most people not know about skin health?

The majority of people are unaware that improving their diet can have a huge impact on improving skin health.

If people could take anti-aging foods for better skin health, what would they be?

Drinking bone broth daily is one thing readers could start to do to improve skin health. This is a simple way to support skin hydration and also provide the body with glycosaminoglycans (GAG’s), which support and maintain collagen and elastin in skin.

What are some of the best nutritional suggestions, starting with anti-aging foods and drink, that will help their skin health?

A strong nutritional foundation is the keystone to better skin health. Drinking an adequate amount of water daily keeps skin hydrated, preventing skin from feeling tight and looking dull. Eating a whole foods diet high in vegetables and fruit is the best way to get all the skin-supportive nutrients in, including vitamin A, vitamin C, and zinc. Lean protein and anti-aging foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as flax seeds, chia seeds, walnuts, salmon, and avocados support skin health by providing the building blocks to make healthy new skin cells.

A diet rich in antioxidants is key for healthy aging. Antioxidants protect the skin from damaging free radicals, slowing down the development of fine lines and wrinkles. Citrus fruits and dark colored fruit like berries and beets are good sources of antioxidants, as well as green tea and leafy greens. A quality collagen supplement with hydrolyzed collagen type I and III has also been shown to lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This is because collagen fibers are one of the building blocks for new skin cells.

There are different nutritional supplements that can improve skin health depending on the current concerns. Check in with your doctor for the right kind of support and for the appropriate dose for you. For example, for dry skin and eczema, an omega -3 fatty acid supplement can help heal active dry areas and prevent new patches from developing by reducing the inflammatory cascade that leads to eczema.

For acne, an ACES and zinc supplement (vitamins A, C, E, selenium and zinc) can support healing active blemishes and prevent blemishes by calming inflammation and regulating sebum production. Always check with your doctor to see if a supplement is right for you and to determine the appropriate dosage. Taking more than the recommended amount or taking a supplement for a longer period than recommended can lead to reaching toxic levels.

For healthy aging, a quality collagen supplement with hydrolyzed collagen type I and III has been shown to lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and support skin elasticity. As we age, our collagen production declines. Hydrolyzed collagen peptides signal fibroblast cells in the skin to make more collagen in the skin, improving the look and feel of aging skin when taken for at least four weeks.

Skin health starts on the inside. A strong anti-aging foods and nutritional foundation is the keystone to better skin health.