Your diet for good skin

Beauty expert Shahnaz Husain tells you how to take care of your complexion. 

As more and more nutritional facts come to light, it is being established over and over again that the state of internal health is reflected externally, on the skin, hair, nails and eyes. Unbalanced diets and wrong foods not only create deficiencies, but lead to a build-up of toxins and wastes in the body. This, in turn, hampers the efficient functioning of the various systems in our body, undermining the health.

The condition can be reflected externally on the skin, in the form of beauty problems, like acne, spots, dark under-eye circles, dehydrated skin, and so on. On the other hand, a healthy, balanced diet, supplies the body with the essential nutrients, promotes both good health and beauty. Smooth skin, lustrous hair, bright eyes, slim figures and vitality owe much more to our diets than we realise.

There is enough evidence to show that a deficiency of vitamins and minerals is an important factor in early wrinkling of the skin. Vitamin C, for instance, strengthens the immune system and delays early aging. It also helps to maintain healthy collagen, the supportive tissue of the skin. Vitamin B is important for the formation of healthy new skin cells. Similarly, Vitamin A and E play significant roles in maintaining the softness and smoothness of the skin texture.
Constipation and the improper elimination of wastes can lead to clogged pores and acne. If you have an oily skin that is prone to blackheads, spots and pimples, you should ensure that your diet contains enough fibre. Cut down your intake of sugar, starch and fried foods and increase your intake of raw foods, like fresh fruits, raw salads and sprouts. Stick to whole grains and drink enough water and fresh fruit juices. Take the juice of one lemon first thing in the morning to cleanse the system.

Reduce your intake of fats, sugar and red meats. Increase your intake of whole grains, eliminating refined cereals and flours. You can get all the natural sugar you need from fruits. Honey can also be used as a sweetener. A part of your daily diet must consist of fresh fruits and vegetables, eaten raw, with the skin, as far as possible. Yoghurt is also a wonderful beauty food, while skimmed milk and paneer can be included. Vegetables should be lightly cooked. Take enough green leafy vegetables, like spinach. Fruit and vegetable juices, freshly extracted are ideal. They not only ensure a supply of valuable nutrients, but are assimilated and absorbed by the body very easily.
They also help to cleanse and purify the system and prevent the accumulation of toxic residues. Fruit and vegetable juices are best taken freshly extracted, with the addition of water.


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