Six Essential Nutrients for Healthy Skin
Beautiful skin is nourished from within. There are six vital nutrients that are essential for gorgeous, glowing, healthy skin.
1. Water
Water has a vital role to play in skin health. The lowest layer of the skin is a jelly substance composed of 80% of water. Our collagen and elastin fibres are embedded in this layer, so good water levels are crucial for supporting anti-ageing.
Water is also crucial to maintain a healthy glow in the upper layers of our skin. Enzymes found within the epidermis are activated by water. If water levels get too low, the skin begins to look dull and lack-lustre.
2. Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)
Essential Fatty Acids (EFA) deficiency is one of the most common causes of skin problems. The body cannot produce the Omega-3 and Omega-6 families of fats by itself. They need to be sourced from diet.
EFFs supports our oil-glands to produce oil that flows freely through the pores. This helps to prevent congestion and can even help to dissolve existing blockages. Once on the surface of the skin, this oil forms a protective film. The result? Smooth, supple skin that is moisturised from within.
Food Sources
Oily fish, seeds, grains, almonds and walnuts.
Please note: It is difficult to get an adequate daily supply of EFA’s from food sources alone.
Bestow Skin-Nutrition Boosters
Bestow Beauty Oil and Bestow Beauty Plus Oil are skin-friendly blends of cold-pressed oils rich in Essential Fatty Acids (EFA’s). They moisturise the skin from within and promote clear, glowing skin.
3. Vitamin A
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that occurs in two forms – vitamin A, found in animal-based foods, and pro-vitamin A, which is found in plants. Pro-vitamin A is easily converted into vitamin A by the body.
Vitamin A aids in the growth, maintenance and repair of your skin, keeping it strong and supple. It has an important role to play in cellular functioning, keeping cell membranes healthy helping cells to reproduce normally and supporting healing.
Did you know that 90% of your vitamin A is stored in your liver? However, your liver requires adequate levels of zinc in order to make use of vitamin A. If you are low in zinc therefore, there’s a good chance you’ll be low in vitamin A as well.
Food Sources
Liver, orange vegetables (sweet potato, carrots, pumpkins), orange fruit (mangos, melons, apricots, peaches), dark leafy greens (spinach, kale, collards, swiss chard) and eggs.
4. B-Complex Vitamins
B-complex vitamins play a crucial role in skin health. The body cannot utilise EFA’s without them present. B-vitamins help to ensure that skin oil flows freely without blocking and forms a protective film on the surface of the skin.
Because B-complex vitamins are all water-soluble we need to take them daily. People with diets high in white flour, sugar, alcohol or coffee have a higher risk of becoming deficient. Pregnancy, breast-feeding and prolonged stress also all increase the need for B-complex support.
B-complex vitamins help with mood stabilisation, stress resilience and energy support. Make sure you have an abundant supply of these little wellness warriors in your diet!
Food Sources
Liver, brewer’s yeast, legumes, leafy green vegetables, nuts and whole-grains.
Please note: It is difficult to get an adequate daily supply of B-vitamins from food sources alone. Bestow products help to boost your vitamin B levels.
Bestow Skin-Nutrition Boosters
Bestow Beauty From Beneath capsules provide a wide range of B-complex vitamins in the correct balance for healthy skin.
5. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an important nutrient for anti-ageing. A vitamin C deficiency will result in collagen fibres that are unstable and rapidly degraded, leading to an increase in fine lines and visible wrinkles.
Vitamin C is an active player in the formation of connective tissues and can accelerate wound healing. It also stimulates micro-circulation, strengthens the capillary walls and improves the body’s absorption of iron, which is vital for ensuring the skin receives adequate supplies of oxygen.
Food Sources
Most fruit and vegetables. Vitamin C heroes are red peppers, currants, parsley, kiwifruit, watercress, broccoli, citrus, brussels sprouts and tomatoes.
Bestow Skin-Nutrition Boosters
Bestow Berry Beautiful powder is a skin-friendly blend of fruits and berries rich in anti-oxidants and vitamin C to nourish and protect the skin from within.
6. Zinc
Zinc is a trace mineral that is needed in a wide array of skin processes. These include wound healing, treating acne, preventing stretchmarks, producing collagen and maintaining skin elasticity. A whopping 20% of the body’s total zinc supply is found in the skin.
Unfortunately, most people are deficient in zinc because it is lacking in New Zealand soils.
Zinc is the keratinising mineral that builds the integrity and strength of your skin. Seventy different enzymes in the skin rely on zinc, which means that deficiency can negatively impact on the normal functioning of your skin.
Food Sources
Oysters, liver, beef, lamb, pork, chicken, eggs, salmon, tuna, pumpkin, sunflower seeds, almonds, wholegrains and wheat-germ.
Please note: It is difficult to get an adequate daily supply of zinc from food sources alone.
Bestow Skin-Nutrition Boosters
Bestow Beauty From Beneath capsules provide a source of zinc that can supplement your diet on a daily basis.