Face & Diet
Reprinted from Fitness Journal May, 2008
Want that dewy, flawless skin that you see in ads in magazines? One way to achieve that healthy glow may be by improving the food you put into your body.
While it is understood that nutrition plays a key role in normal dermatologic functioning, little was known until recently about the effects of diet and skin appearance. Now a study evaluating the association between nutrient intake and "skin-aging appearance" has offered some insights on this process. (The term "skin-aging appearance" was defined in the study as having wrinkles,-dryness and skin atrophy.)
Using data from the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, researchers observed how diet affected skin aging in more than 4,000 women. The scientists found that high in takes of vitamin C resulted in fewer wrinkles, while more linoleic acid (omega 6) caused less dryness and skin atrophy. On the other side of the equation, too much fat and carbohydrate in the diet increased the likelihood of getting wrinkles and having atrophied skin. These associations were independent of other factors, such as age, race, education, sunlight exposure, income, menopausal status, BMI, supplement use, physical activity and energy intake.
Reporting in the October 2007 issue of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the researchers concluded that "higher intakes of vitamin C and linoleic acid and lower intakes of fats and carbohydrates associated with better skin-aging appearance. Promoting healthy dietary behaviors may have additional benefit for skin appearance in addition to other health outcomes in the population."