The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that
making it too dry or too oily. Hormone
imbalances also can fuel acne.
those who ate more refi ned carbs had more wrinkles
For instance, Van Raes observes, a
woman with excess testosterone might
and skin atrophy, a culprit in sagging skin.
experience breakouts along her jaw
line. One 2007 study in the Journal of
the American Academy of Dermatol-
ogy found that 43 acne patients who
lower likelihood of wrinkles. So, don’t
create a protective layer that shields
went on a diet low in processed grains
forget to eat lots of leafy greens and
against environmental stresses and
for 12 weeks decreased their pimples
consider chugging a glass of orange
holds in moisture, Van Raes advises.
by nearly twice as much as the control
juice after playing outside in the sun.
Logan adds that these essential
group. Another report that same year,
fatty acids can also quell inflamma-
in The American Journal of Clinical
Tomatoes and green tea: Two other
tion, which can swell tiny red capil-
Nutrition, found that those who ate
nutrients that have earned considerable
laries on the skin’s surface and prompt
more refined carbs had more wrinkles
attention from skin researchers recently
red patches, or hasten wrinkles by first
and skin atrophy, a culprit in sagging
include lycopene, from tomatoes, and
stretching, then shrinking, the skin.
skin.
polyphenols, which are omnipresent in
Too, omega 3 consumption is believed
green tea.
to reduce excess sebum production in Consider allergies: Logan and Van
In 2008, British researchers from
pores, which can aggravate acne. Raes both note that skin problems, such
the University of Newcastle found
Essential fatty acids also are good as itchy rashes, often can result from
that volunteers who took five table-
hormone regulators, moderating the food sensitivities. For instance, when
spoons of tomato paste daily for 12
breakouts that can occur in premenstru- gluten-sensitive people eat wheat, their
weeks, and were then exposed to UVA
al women. Research in a 2007 issue of body becomes flooded with inflamma-
light, had 33 percent more protec-
The Journal of Clinical Nutrition even tory chemicals, called cytokines, which
tion against sunburn than the control
found that higher intake of linoleic can swell skin and promote acne,
group; they also had higher levels of
acid, found in fatty fish, may be associ- redness and wrinkling. According to a
pro-collagen, a molecule that gives
ated with reduced risk of age-related 2006 research review, gluten-sensitivity
skin elasticity.
dryness and thinning of the skin. has been linked with 21 chronic skin
While much of the research on disorders, from psoriasis to hair loss.
green tea has involved topical appli-
Stay hydrated: Drinking six to eight Meanwhile, two recent studies by Har-
cations, some animal studies suggest
8-ounce glasses of water each day vard researchers showed a significant
that ingesting green tea also may help
plumps skin cells, leading to a smooth- link between milk consumption and
protect skin against sun damage. Stay
er look. acne in teens.
tuned for more research. Logan recommends eliminat-

Cut carbs: Experts say a diet of highly ing the suspicious food (be it milk or
Good fats: We’ve all heard how we
refined carbohydrates (think white wheat) for three months and then, slow-
should eat more fatty fish, such as
bread and spaghetti) is often the culprit ly reintroducing it. This can help reveal
salmon, and/or add a fish oil supple-
for an array of skin problems: It spikes if it, indeed, is a culprit that needs to be
ment to our diet. In addition to having
the blood sugar, leading to increased replaced with a skin-healthy option.
antioxidant properties and hydrating
insulin production, which in turn
skin cells, essential fatty acids such as
throws the balance of testosterone and Lisa Marshall is a freelance writer in
omega 3—commonly found in fish,
estrogen out of whack and disrupts Estes Park, CO. Connect at LisaAn-
olive oil, flax seeds and walnuts—help
the delicate balance of oils in the skin, nMarshall.com.
Now can get your message into
the hands of up to 185,000
health-conscious readers in
Michigan each month.
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