Acne can be determined by a number of things that sometimes we can’t control, such things like: genes, gender and age. However, there is one thing that we can all do to help get and maintain a healthy glow to our skin, and that it’s our diet. Eating the right foods that can balance out our gut microflora, will do wonders for our skin.
If we regular incorporate the following foods into our diet they will help keep your skin clear. And those for you that do suffer with acne will be delighted to know that these same foods also have anti-inflammatory effects, which help you looking younger.
Fatty Fish
Fish like sardines, salmon and mackerel all contain a great amount of omega fatty acids, these help to fight inflammation. These are called good fats as they also help the health of your cells membranes. Meaning the stronger they are, the better they are to keep harmful things at bay and also letting the right nutrients in. Eating these fish at least a few times a week is perfect for your diet.
Fermented Foods
A healthy gut equals a healthy body. So eating things such as Kimchee, sauerkraut and yogurt will balance the microflora in the tummy.
I would recommend eating fermented foods around 2-3 times a week. If you are currently on antibiotics, which can unbalance the good bacteria, eat some everyday.
Yeast.
B vitamins are crucial to your diet to maintain skin health and moisture retention. Although they’re quite difficult to get through in your diet alone, however nutritional yeast that contains the Vitamin B complex, half a teaspoon of that can give you a day’s worth of B vitamins.
Garlic
Garlic is a great one to fight those blemishes. It has large amounts of allicin. Allicin is a compound that has antimicrobial and antibacterial qualities.
Garlic is also full of antioxidants for anti aging and skin smoothing, enhancing blood flow.
Green Herbs
Green herbs like Parsley, Basil and watercress and extremely high in vitamin A. You wont need to eat a lot of them to reap the benefits of them. Simple sprinkle some over yuor food daily is just perfect for your diet.
Walnuts
Walnuts are like the best friend for your skin. Adding a small handful into your diet everyday, in your salad, porridge or even stir fry is perfect and they are very high in omega 3, theses are essential fatty acids that your skin loves.
Green Tea
Drinking 2-3 cups of green tea a day will keep your skin looking healthy as it contains powerful antioxidants that maintain skin cell health.
You can even apply it topically to prevent blemishes and also to soothe those tired eyes.
Zinc
Zinc helps to regulate overactive oil glands. In fact low levels of zinc are usually found is acne sufferers. Food that are high in zinc are fish, lean red meat and poultry. Eat these daily.
Feature Image Credit: Amy Selleck on Flickr
