Your skin is a reflection of what is going on inside your body. Beauty products and latest fashions can enhance one's appearance but you cannot discount the importance of taking care of your body - for your skin's sake. Daily food choices, diet supplements, water, healthy, active lifestyle along with cleansing, toning and moisturizing your skin are all necessary to keep your skin healthy.
The Key
Collagen is key to beautiful, youthful skin. Collagen, a protein made up of amino acids, makes up approximately 25% -30% of the proteins found in your body of which about 75% is skin collagen. Collagen helps renew the skin cells and is important for your skin's elasticity, suppleness and firmness.
Collagen is found in the connective tissue and is responsible for giving the dermis its firm structure. Products with hydrolyzed Verisol collagen support skin elasticity and reduce wrinkles.
Your heart helps boost collagen also. When your heart is working hard and improving circulation and blood flow, the added blood, oxygen and nutrient supply that are delivered to the skin help to improve your collagen production.
Eat Your Way
Adequate protein in our diets is essential for healthy skin. A diet low in protein, over time, can cause a loss in skin tone. Your skin may start to sag and wrinkle beyond what is reasonable for your chronological age. Cells need protein to maintain their life so the body uses protein to replace worn-out or dead skin cells. Proteins are required for tissue repair and the building of new tissue.
Healthy protein sources include chicken, fish, tofu, soy and lean meats. And don't forget, healthy meal replacement protein shakes are another great source of protein.
Antioxidants are also important for healthy skin. Deficiencies in nutrients like Vitamin A, C, and E can affect the health of your skin. Antioxidants are essential in protecting the skin from oxidative damage.
(Cellular reactions produce waste products called free radicals. Free radicals can cause damage to our cells if they are not neutralized by antioxidants. Oxidative stress is the state our body is put in when the levels of antioxidants in our body are not high enough to counteract the damaging effect of free radicals.)
Healthy sources of antioxidants include fruits like blueberries, strawberries and apples along with vegetables such as broccoli, spinach and kale. Supplementing one's diet with a quality multi-vitamin is another way to ensure your skin is getting all the necessary antioxidants.
The Link
There is a direct link between your heart and your skin! WOW. When your heart is really pumping it's helping to deliver oxygenated blood and nutrients to the living layers of your skin. Your skin actually has a very intricate system of blood vessels that help transport oxygen and nutrients to the cells that contribute to how your skin looks. When blood flow is improved and oxygen-rich blood is delivered to both your skin and muscles, you experience that awesome post-workout glow.
As an added benefit - getting your heart pumping helps to diminish stress. Lower stress levels help you to relax, sleep better and keep our skin from taking on that brow-furrowed, stressed-out appearance, which can definitely age you.
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