Reflections: Eating Pretty

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There are a lot of diets out there, and no shortage of weird ones. A diet invented around the 1930s claims to burn extra fat by adding grapefruit juice or the fruit itself to every meal and limiting calorie intake to 1,000 calories. Yet another mandates the dieter to indulge in a bowl of tasteless cabbage soup at every meal. One of my favorites has one questionable individual swallow a capsule of tapeworms that can live in their body for up to 30 years absorbing nutrients before they do. Interestingly, for as many weight loss diets as there are out there, there are just about as many diets for better skin. The foods named in each of these better skin diets vary, leaving the client, and often the skin care professional, a bit baffled.

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The good news is that the common denominator for all successful diets, skin or otherwise, is the same—eat healthy foods, drink lots of water and everything in moderation. For skin, consuming foods that contain omega fatty acids, antioxidants, amino acids and minerals will undoubtedly benefit the skin. That means vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains and a reasonable amount of meat and eggs are not only good for you, but they’re good for your skin. Don’t believe me? I’ve brought in the big guns.

This issue of Skin Inc. discusses beauty foods, many of which can also be applied topically for visible skin improvement. On Page 30, Lydia Sarfati discusses whole foods that can be consumed (and applied) for beautiful radiant skin such as chocolate, cucumber, almonds and berries. Sarfati takes a particular focus on antioxidants, addressing the skin benefit of two notable bioflavonoids.

The superfood trend is tackled by Annet King on Page 48, where she notes the skin benefits of quinoa, kale, matcha and broccoli, among others. She emphasizes the importance of omega fatty acids and adds that while not superfoods, probiotics should be incorporated into a better skin diet and skin regimen.

To reiterate the opinions of these industry experts, consumption of healthy foods rich in omegas and antioxidants will undoubtedly improve the clarity, firmness and radiance of skin. As Sarfati highlights in her article, “you are what you eat.” Wouldn’t you rather be a nut than a limp piece of cabbage?

Yours in education,

Katie Anderson

Katie Anderson

Senior Managing Editor

[email protected]

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