Good fats: We’ve all heard how we
the delicate balance of oils in the skin, when gluten-sensitive people eat
should eat more fatty fish, such as
making it too dry or too oily. Hormone wheat, their body becomes flooded
salmon, and/or add a fish oil supple-
imbalances also can fuel acne. with inflammatory chemicals, called
ment to our diet. In addition to having
For instance, Van Raes observes, a cytokines, which can swell skin and
antioxidant properties and hydrating
woman with excess testosterone might promote acne, redness and wrinkling.
skin cells, essential fatty acids such as
experience breakouts along her jaw According to a 2006 research review,
omega 3—commonly found in fish,
line. One 2007 study in the Journal of gluten-sensitivity has been linked
olive oil, flax seeds and walnuts—help
the American Academy of Dermatol- with 21 chronic skin disorders, from
create a protective layer that shields
ogy found that 43 acne patients who psoriasis to hair loss. Meanwhile, two
against environmental stresses and
went on a diet low in processed grains recent studies by Harvard researchers
holds in moisture, Van Raes advises.
for 12 weeks decreased their pimples showed a significant link between milk
Logan adds that these essential
by nearly twice as much as the control consumption and acne in teens.
fatty acids can also quell inflamma-
group. Another report that same year, Logan recommends eliminat-
tion, which can swell tiny red capil-
in The American Journal of Clinical Nu- ing the suspicious food (be it milk or
laries on the skin’s surface and prompt
trition, found that those who ate more wheat) for three months and then, slow-
red patches, or hasten wrinkles by first
refined carbs had more wrinkles and ly reintroducing it. This can help reveal
stretching, then shrinking, the skin.
skin atrophy, a culprit in sagging skin. if it, indeed, is a culprit that needs to be
Too, omega 3 consumption is believed
replaced with a skin-healthy option.
to reduce excess sebum production in
Consider allergies: Logan and Van
pores, which can aggravate acne.
Raes both note that skin problems, Lisa Marshall is a freelance writer in
Essential fatty acids also are good
such as itchy rashes, often can result Estes Park, CO. Connect at
hormone regulators, moderating the
from food sensitivities. For instance, LisaAnnMarshall.com.
breakouts that can occur in premen-
strual women. Research in a 2007 issue
of The Journal of Clinical Nutrition even
Your 1st choice
found that higher intake of linoleic
acid, found in fatty fish, may be associ-
for all natural and
ated with reduced risk of age-related
organic food.
dryness and thinning of the skin.
Stay hydrated: Drinking six to eight
8-ounce glasses of water each day
plumps skin cells, leading to a smooth-
er look.
Cut carbs: Experts say a diet of highly
Produce • Meats • Eggs
refined carbohydrates (think white
bread and spaghetti) is often the culprit
Baked goods • Much More!
for an array of skin problems: It spikes
the blood sugar, leading to increased
540-552-6870
insulin production, which in turn
1531 S. Main St • Blacksburg
throws the balance of testosterone and
www.anniekays.com
estrogen out of whack and disrupts
December 2009
11
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