Your skin is more than the membrane that holds you together. It is the largest organ in the body and a good barometer of what is going on inside. Just think of those mornings, after a few too many drinks the night before, when your skin is a lovely shade of grey.  Conversely, feed it well from the inside and your skin, hair and nails will really start to thrive.

 “Superfoods”, but what are they and what do they do? …They help increase the overall quality of our diets. They provide us with more nourishment per calorie and being rich in antioxidants, they help combat daily stresses on the body that come from pollution, anxiety and poor diet and are reported to help counter aging, cancer and heart disease. 

Here are some of my favourites:

Broccoli: At least 3 servings a week, steamed, stir fried, in salads or with dips.

- Is loaded with nutrients that contribute to healthy skin, especially vitamin C needed by the skin to help form collagen, the glue that holds our tissues together.  The high fibre content supports healthy bowel function, if you’re not going regularly, the skin as an organ of elimination, takes on some of the load!

Blueberries: Blend in a smoothie, in fruit salad or with yogurt.

- Considered one of natures top superfoods, a powerful antioxidant which strengthens the blood vessels that feed the skin ensuring it gets sufficient oxygen and nutrients to produce healthy hair.

Eggs: Up to 2 a week, poached, scrambled, boiled rather than always fried!

- The mineral sulphur that creates the eggy smell encourages liver detoxification. If the liver is over burdened, it can leave the skin looking jaded.

Green tea: A couple of mugs daily but not near bedtime as it does contain caffeine.

- It’s packed with antioxidant chemicals. Our skin is our external barrier and very susceptible to oxidant damage.

Oily fish: 2 portions a week e.g. salmon, sardines, herring, fresh tuna, mackerel, trout, pilchards.

- Fish is a great source of protein, needed for constant regeneration of healthy skin and hair. Oily fish are a rich source of omega 3 –essential fatty acids, which are incorporated into the skin of every cell, meaning skin will be smoother, softer and keep itself well hydrated. An EFA deficiency can leave your hair dull and your scalp flaky.

Mango: Try and eat one a week.

- Orange foods are brimming with beta carotene which is converted to vitamin A and is crucial for good skin, it also helps control the production of new cells that move up to the surface.

Avocado: A couple a week in salads, dips or simply mashed with lemon juice as a tasty snack.

- Although laden with fats they are healthy fats, like olive oil, that help keep your skin soft and well oiled.  The vitamin E in avocados helps maintain skin elasticity and promotes faster skin healing.

Water: Our body is 70% water…consider your skin a mass of tiny grapes, smooth, plump and firm. Now think of it as shrivelled, wrinkly raisins, not so attractive? Deprive your cells of water and you’ll get a similar result. Dehydration leaves your cells gasping for replenishment, particularly areas of skin exposed to the elements of the outside world. In normal body processes we lose about 1.5 litres of water daily, more on a hot day and when exercising. So try and have at least that amount to ensure you supply your cells with sufficient water to remain like firm grapes and eliminate waste products efficiently.

So as we move into the new year use this opportunity to expand and add some colour to your diet and allow the superfoods to help make a super new you!

Homeopathy

Homeopathic treatment is extremely effective in treating skin and hair conditions and improves your overall level of health. Remedies are safe, non-toxic, non addictive and can be taken alongside conventional medication. Remedies are individually prescribed for you.

Call me, Julia Wilson (RSHom), your local registered homeopath, at Archway House Natural Health Centre, Market Harborough, on 01858 410820, for a complementary chat to find out how homeopathy can work for you.
Disclaimer: nothing contained in this article should be taken as individual medical advice or as a substitute for consulting your healthcare practitioner