Nutrition
Combatting ageing skin with diet
In this chapter, we will be discussing how we can slow down the ageing of our skin through our diet.
As we age, we start developing wrinkles, age spots and dryness on our skin. The skin also becomes thinner as we lose fat and muscles, making it less plump and smooth and may take longer to heal.
Fortunately, it is never too late to start protecting yourself. Many products, including medications claim to revitalise ageing skin or reduce wrinkles but the dietary aspect has proven to be equal to the task.
Foods to include
• Monounsaturated fatty acid rich foods such as; olive oil, almonds and avocados
• Vitamin C rich foods; oranges, tangerines, lemons, bell peppers and pineapples
• Vitamin E rich diet; spinach, sun flower seeds, pumpkin, peanuts and kiwi
Foods to avoid
• Sodas and caffeine rich drinks
• Red meat and meat products
• Processed foods
Lifestyle modification
Modifying our lifestyle from a predominantly sedentary lifestyle to incorporating exercises like going for walks, jogging, and riding bicycles, as well as cutting down alcohol intake, and cigarette smoking will serve to prolong a healthy, strong and ageless skin.
In summary, it is obvious that there is no fountain of youth to keep us young forever, but maintaining healthy, vibrant skin for many years is not out of our reach. By implementing and including desired fruits and vegetables to our diet, as well as good lifestyle choices, our skin will thank us for generations to come.
The writer is a Nutritionist and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Holistic Health Consult.
“Your diet, your health, your health your wealth.”
e-mail: info@holistichealthconsult.org
By Bernice Korkor Asare