Superfoods for Super Skin: Getting the Glow

The ingestion of certain superfoods for super skin is attainable by anyone who is willing to invest the needed time and money into such an endeavor. Super skin could obviously be defined in a variety of ways, yet for the sake of this article I mean skin that is free of blemishes, radiant, deeply nourished, functioning optimally, and beautiful!

The reason certain superfoods can produce super skin is because they provide the skin with an abundance of health enhancing and beautifying compounds such as sulfur, zinc, antioxidants, essential fatty acids (EFAs), and vitamins A, B3 and B7, C and E.

A Quick Lesson on the Skin

Human skin is the largest organ of the body and it grows and renews itself faster than any other organ. The 4 main functions of the skin are:

1. Excretion and absorption

2. Providing sensory information

3. Regulating body temperature

4. Protection

Within the skin are two main layers: the epidermis and dermis. The epidermis, or top layer, actually has two layers within it. The lower layer is where new cells are constantly being produced and pushed up to the top layer. These cells produce a tough protein called Keratin which protects us and helps water stay in. Essentially the top layer of the epidermis is dead skin cells that are constantly wafting out into our surroundings.

The dermis, or lower layer, is much thicker than the epidermis and contains blood vessels, hair roots, glands, elastic fibers, fat, nerve endings, and collagen.

Superfoods for Super Skin

In order to support the healthy functioning and appearance of the epidermis and dermis, we need to nourish them and protect them from harmful substances. Let's begin by taking a look at each of the skin enhancing compounds mentioned above and then show which superfoods provide an abundance of each. This will also show why I and others claim that these are superfoods for super skin.

Skin Enhancing Compounds and Superfoods Rich in Each

1. Sulfur:

• Sulfur is a powerful mineral for both skin beauty and skin health. It is an essential component of all connective tissue and assists in collagen production (1). It is also is said to produce a subtle luster and radiant complexion (2).

• Superfoods for super skin that are rich in sulfur: maca, bee pollen, marine phytoplankton, and hempseed (3).

2. Zinc:

• Zinc plays a major role in keeping the skin clear of blemishes (4). It has even been shown that a zinc deficiency can be the cause of acne (5).

• Superfoods rich in zinc: goji berry, maca, bee pollen, spirulina, blue-green algae, marine phytoplankton, aloe vera, and coconut (6).

3. Antioxidants:

• Antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, and E and minerals such as selenium, work to neutralize free radicals that can cause damage to cells and skin tissue. Antioxidants are also effective in reducing the free radicals caused by sunburns and overexposure to UVB radiation from the sun (7).

• Superfoods rich in antioxidants: literally all of them!

4. Essential Fatty Acids:

• Essential fatty acids such as Omega 3 and Omega 6 are known to keep the skin moist and at a balanced oiliness (8). They are also good for reducing inflammation of the skin, and white and black heads (9).

• Superfoods for super skin rich in EFAs: goji berry, cacao, maca, spirulina, blue-green algae, marine phytoplankton, hemp seeds, and coconut (10) (11).

5. Vitamin A:

• Vitamin A deficiency has been linked with dry and flaky skin, lines and wrinkles, and acne (12). By consuming adequate vitamin A in our diet we ensure that our skin has one of the needed components for maintenance and repair.

• Superfoods rich in vitamin A: goji berry, cacao, bee pollen, spirulina, blue-green algae, marine phytoplankton, and hempseed.

6. Vitamins B3 and B7:

• B-complex vitamins such as biotin (B7) and niacin (B3) play very important roles for skin health such as retaining moisture and smoothness. Biotin is one of the nutrients that forms the basis of skin cells. Even a mild lack of biotin can produce symptoms of itchy, scaly skin as well as hair loss! A lack of niacin can produce dry and irritated skin (13).

• Superfoods rich in vitamins B3 or B7: bee pollen (B3), spirulina (B3 and B7), blue-green algae (B3 and B7), marine phytoplankton (B3), aloe vera (B3), hemp seed (B3), and coconut (B3) (14).

7. Vitamin C:

• Vitamin C as an antioxidant can reduce the damage done to the skin from free radicals caused from various things such as sunlight, pollution, and smoke. Free radicals can degrade collagen and elastin, therefore causing the skin to lose its structural support (15). By consuming vitamin C rich foods we can mitigate the loss of integrity of the skin.

• Superfoods for super skin rich in Vitamin C: goji berry, cacao, maca, bee pollen, blue-green algae, aloe vera, hemp seed, and coconut (16).

7. Vitamin E:

• As with vitamin C, vitamin E also acts as an antioxidant to keep the skin free of harmful substances (17).

• Superfoods rich in vitamin E: goji berry, maca, bee pollen, spirulina, blue-green algae, and hemp seed (18).

Superfoods for Super Skin Conclusion

It is clear from the previous data that superfoods contain a wealth of the ingredients necessary to support and nurture the radiant skin that we desire. We can look and feel amazing and enjoy some of the most delicious planets on the Earth at the same time. What a treat!

It is astounding what nature has provided beings with, and now we have the research to verify the foods that are particularly powerful for our health goals.

Superfoods for super skin is yours if you want it.

(2) Ibid.

(3) Wolfe, David. Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the Future. pgs. 258-270

(4) http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/features/skin-nutrition?page=4 Retrieved December 2, 2009.

(5) Ibid.

(6) Wolfe, David. Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the Future. pgs. 253-273

(7) http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/features/skin-nutrition Retrieved December 2, 2009.

(8). http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/features/skin-nutrition?page=5 Retrieved December 2, 2009.

(9). Ibid.

(10) Wolfe, David. Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the Future. pgs. 253-273

(11) http://www.sunfood.com/buy/1/73/491/Cacao+Nibs,+8+oz,+Sunfood+Nutrition%E2%84%A2+%28peeled,+raw,+certified+organic%29/0878.aspx Retrieved December 2, 2009.

(12) http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/features/skin-nutrition?page=2 Retrieved December 2, 2009.

(13) http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/features/skin-nutrition?page=3 Retrieved December 2, 2009.

(14) Wolfe, David. Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the Future. pgs. 259-273

(15) http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/features/skin-nutrition?page=2 Retrieved December 2, 2009.

(16) Wolfe, David. Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the Future. pgs. 253-273

(17) http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/features/skin-nutrition?page=2 Retrieved December 2, 2009.

(18) Wolfe, David. Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the Future. pgs. 253-270

Return from Superfoods for Super Skin to Health Topics