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2.27.2012

Healthy fats for beautiful skin!

Healthy fats for a stunning skin




     Have you ever noticed what stunning skin Mediterranean women have? If you weren’t lucky enough to be born with those genes yourself, their glowing complexions have probably left you green with envy more than once in your life.
While genetic factors undoubtedly play a part, it’s quite possible that the Mediterranean diet has something to do with it too.
Renowned for being one of the most nutritious ways of eating on earth, people who eat a traditional Mediterranean diet have been shown to enjoy a degree of protection against health problems (including heart disease) and have a greater likelihood than the rest of us of living a long life.
It’s also possible that the Mediterranean diet contributes to the beautiful complexions of many people from this region.
The diet contains plentiful amounts of healthy fats from olive oil, specifically omega-9 fats, which are also found in large quantities in the Brazilian superfood acai berries. These fats – along with an abundance of antioxidants – have benefits for the skin as well as the rest of the body.
Despite what you may believe, not all fats are bad for your skin.  Some fats certainly are – you’ll definitely want to avoid deep-fried food, saturated fats (found in animal products) and processed fats (especially trans fats, a particularly harmful type of fat found in some commercially processed foods) if you want to show your best face to the world.
On the other hand, your skin cells (along with all the other cells in your body) need some fats in order to function effectively.  Every one of your cell membranes is comprised of a mixture of fats and proteins, and the make-up of those membranes is determined in part by the fats in your diet.
Consuming plenty of omega-9 fats and other healthy oils helps keep your cell membranes fluid and enables them to retain water and nutrients and remain hydrated. But eat lots of saturated fats or trans fats, and the cell membranes may become more rigid and more prone to dehydration.
Making your skin look dreary and lifeless is only one possible consequence. More importantly, a diet containing disproportionate amounts of these ‘bad’ fats could interfere with communication between one cell and another, their sensitivity to hormones and other chemical messengers within the body, and may even pre-dispose you to certain health problems.
For beautiful skin, make sure your diet contains plenty healthy fats, including:
  • RioLife Freeze Dried Acai berries: This delicious 100% certified organic superfood contains a whopping 1.6 grams of omega-9 fats per 5 gram serve, along with large quantities of antioxidants
  • Extra virgin olive oil: another potent source of both omega-9 fats and antioxidants
  • Certified Organic Coconut Oil
  • Oily fish (like tuna, salmon and sardines), which are rich in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats
  • Avocadoes, nuts and seeds
An you use healthy, organic skincare like KORA Organics products, they are rich in essential oils, vitamins and minerals and antioxidant rich.
But steer clear of unhealthy fats, including:
  • Bacon, processed meats (such as salami) and other fatty meats
  • Full fat dairy foods (including cheese, cream and ice cream)
  • Margarine (butter is a better option, in limited quantities)
  • Junk foods (such as potato chips)
  • Processed baked goods (such as sausage rolls and pastries)
  • Deep-fried foods (including fried fish, spring rolls and doughnuts)


Reference:
Murray M, et al. The encyclopedia of healing foods. New York: Atria Books, 2005.
Jayne Tancred
Natural Health Writer
Naturopath, Herbalist.
Kora Organics 





  

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