We’ve all come across people that are just radiating health and vitality. They have clear, fresh and glowing skin. They have this aura and a vibrant energy. They have found the fountain of youth and you would not mind them sharing some of their secrets. But did you know these qualities are so much more than what's going on externally?
The skin is a mirror of what’s going on in the inside. When your skin looks radiant, clear and glowing it reflects that things are working optimally on the inside. Let’s look at some of the things that can impact the health and appearance of our skin and what that also means for the rest of your body.
That glorious life giving liquid we call water.
When you are hydrated your skin appears fresh, plump and smooth. When your skin is dehydrated it can look dry, dull, lifeless, itchy and inflamed. Fine lines can also be more obvious. I use the analogy of grapes and sultanas. Grapes are full of water, plump and juicy and sultanas are all dried up and lifeless. I know which one I would like my skin to look like - and it’s easy!
When your skin is well hydrated, it's good news for the rest of your body. When we are dehydrated we see problems in every system of our body. For example, water is needed for digestion, circulation, muscles, joints and especially brain function. So, when you are feeling tired, concentration is lagging, instead of grabbing that coffee, grab yourself large glass of water instead.
Gut health is key for great skin and health.
From a naturopath’s perspective gut health is the foundation for everything else in the body. When our gut health is on point, we have great digestion, our liver works better, absorption of nutrients increases, we have lowered inflammation, and we are effectively removing all the toxins in the body.
All these processes are vital for healthy and vibrant skin. It also makes sense that this would also affect the rest of the body. The gut plays an enormous role in the functioning of every system in our body. Every. Single. System. From hormonal health, immune health, mental health, skin health, headaches/migraines, allergies intolerances… you name it, the gut is involved.
If digestion and absorption are compromised, then we can’t access the nutrients we need to work optimally every day. Also, if we aren’t clearing toxins effectively then they start accumulating in the body and we feel dull, fatigued and sluggish.
My first point of call for promoting great gut health is to increase the amount of plant foods in your diet. Plant foods are jam-packed with nutrients, antioxidants, phytochemicals and fibre. Also, the more different plant foods we consume, the more abundance it creates and diversity in our microbiome which builds a super healthy gut and the result is, we feel amazing.
Collagen is the scaffolding of our skin and body.
Collagen is the major structural component of skin, comprising about 80% of its dry weight. Skin is affected by many things including aging, sun exposure, hormones, and nutrition. We can support collagen production by consuming nutrients, cofactors, and collagen peptides. This way we can stimulate skin metabolism and counteract the loss of this important framework for our skin.
Building scaffolding in our skin is vital for healthy looking skin, and it’s essential for the rest of our body. Collagen is our main building block in our bodies. It is needed to build muscle, bone, cartilage, hair, nails, connective tissue and so much more. Its important to chose Collagen peptides that are backed by science and are proven effective like the collagen peptides found in GLOWSO. There is also new research showing the benefits of collagen on gut health, healing and digestion. Collagen health is so much more than skin deep.
Zinc the superhero mineral for skin.
Zinc is a powerful nutrient when it comes to skin. Zinc helps with skin healing, prevents acne and promotes scar healing. It’s also an important cofactor for collagen production.
Zinc is a key player of our skins defense squad. It helps protect the skin by preventing damaging free radicals that break down or collagen. Zinc is important to heal and rejuvenate the skin. When you cut yourself, this is where Zinc kicks into action.
Zinc promotes healing in the rest of the body. It’s important for digestion. It’s essential for immune function and there are many studies that are linking zinc deficiency to mental health issues like anxiety and depression. So, having great skin can help your mood too.
Vitamin C the ultimate protector.
Most people have had Vitamin C, but most people grab a bottle of vitamin c when you have a cold or flu, as we know it's amazing for your immune system. But did you know that we have a high level of vitamin c in our skin naturally?
It’s very important for collagen production, helps diminish fine lines, and is essential for firm, youthful skin. It is also an important anti-oxidant that protects our skin from damage like sun exposure. Vitamin C is the ultimate protector when it comes to your skin and your bodies defense.
The fountain of youth is not difficult to achieve with a few simple steps. It makes sense to invest the time and effort into your skin health and look amazing, because this has a ripple effect on how you feel, your confidence, and your overall health.