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Our skin is a direct reflection of our lifestyle – so if your skin has been lackluster lately, it might be what you’re eating – or not eating.  Today we’re Getting the Skinny with Molly on top skin-boosting foods to add – and which to steer clear of – plus 3 supplements that can improve the health and appearance of our skin.  

 

 

BUILD A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR YOUR SKIN:

 

AVOID THESE:

 

  • SUGAR & WHITE CARBS : Pro-inflammatory; accelerate collagen breakdown, making skin more prone to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles.

 

  • ALCOHOL: Dehydrating & inflammatory

 

 

GET MORE OF THESE:

 

  • Antioxidant-Rich Foods: Helps negate skin-damaging free radicals and can help boost effects of sunscreen.  Think the rainbow of red peppers, carrots, leafy greens, blueberries, blackberries.

 

  • Probiotics: Promote skin healing; can also alleviate inflammatory skin conditions like eczema & psoriasis. Think plain Green yogurt and kombucha.

 

  • Skin-Friendly Fats maintain skin’s hydration. Think salmon, nut butters, avocado, coconut oil.

 

 

 

3 Supplements for Better Skin

 

Omega 3’s

  • Supplement with 1,000 daily of EPA + DHA in addition to a diet rich in fish, walnuts & flax
  • Fight inflammation and hydrate skin from within; also help combat dryness and flaking

 

Collagen

  • 2 tablespoons daily, or am & pm (40-45 calories & 10-11 grams protein per serving)
  • Main component of skin, cartilage, ligaments and tendons.
  • Shown to boost density and structure of collagen, and help reduce collagen breakdown.
  • Supplementing with 5-10 grams collagen hydrolysate can improve skin elasticity and hydration.
  • I stir two tablespoons of collagen hydrolysate powder (Great Lakes Gelatin) into morning mix of apple cider vinegar and hot water. Can also be blended into a smoothie, stirred into green juice, or blended with unsweetened chocolate almond milk for a nighttime “snack.”
  • LonoLIfe makes a collagen-fortified coffee (stick packs & k-cups), with 10 grams of collagen.

 

Dandelion

  • Capsule form or dandelion tea
  • Natural diuretic & natural anti-inflammatory
  • Can aid with fluid retention and help boost skin’s appearance

 

As always, check with your health care practitioner before adding any new supplement regime.

 

 

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Want more from Molly?  Click here to sign up for Nutrition Bites, her weekly e-newsletter with links to her Get the Skinny TV segments here on WGNO, and her weekly column in NOLA.com|The Times-Picayune!   And you can follow Molly on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram:  @MollyKimballRD

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