During the cold winter months our skin goes through a transition. Whether you suffer from teenage or adult acne, eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, or simply red, itchy, chapped, dry, and flaky skin, naturopathic medicine can help. Here are some healthy tips for maintaining firm, vibrant, glowing skin, especially during the winter season.
Poor Diet: Carbohydrate based meals and high sugar foods such as white bread, rice, and pasta, juice, soda, and artificial sweeteners all cause a huge spike in blood glucose and insulin levels which cause inflammation and excess sebum (oil) production, leading to acne breakouts and skin aging. Ensure that you have a balance of protein, carbohydrate and healthy fats. A healthy, nutritious diet containing adequate protein, more fiber and healthy fats is key to eliminating skin problems.
It is also important to eat foods rich in antioxidants to prevent cellular damage and inflammation. Eat more green vegetables and fruits. Green and White tea is loaded with antioxidants that have anti-cancer and anti-aging properties. Ask your Naturopathic Doctor if juicing is a good idea or if you need to add a high quality multivitamin or antioxidant supplement to your regime.
Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency: Nutritionally, people with skin problems have a deficiency in Essential Fatty Acid metabolism. Your Naturopathic Doctor may recommend Evening Primrose Oil, Cod Liver Oil, High EPA Fish Oil, or Flaxseed Oil. Other Essential Fatty Acids that nourish our skin include Hemp Seed Oil, Coconut Oil, and Grape Seed Oil.
Food Sensitivity Testing: If any part of the digestive process is not working properly, this can lead to intestinal inflammation. As a result, our immune system can become over-reactive to other tissues in the body, including our skin. In time this chronic inflammatory process sets the stage for acne, eczema, psoriasis, or dermatitis. I often recommend food sensitivity blood testing to individuals experiencing skin problems, since food sensitivities contribute to overall inflammation. Interestingly, current research on many skin conditions, demonstrate that most people improve when food sensitivities are identified and avoided.
Sluggish Detoxification: The skin, liver, gallbladder, kidneys, lungs, lymph, and intestines are all involved in the elimination of toxins from our bodies. Consider drinking warm water with lemon every morning and adding lemon or lime slices to your water during the day. Lemon water contributes to a healthy and balanced pH level since lemon juice contains alkaline minerals such as magnesium and calcium. Lemons are also rich in Vitamin C, which supports the production of collagen in the skin. Water is essential for the health of our skin. Improve detoxification pathways and skin health with herbal teas. As well, daily exercise is the best way to enhance your lymphatic circulation and removal of toxins.
Hormone Imbalances: Estrogen, Testosterone, and DHEA are known to increase the production of sebum and are linked to acne. However, underproduction of sebum can lead to dry skin and wrinkles. Estrogen maintains skin’s thickness, collagen, elasticity, and moisture. Excess testosterone, in both men and women, can cause acne on the face, back or chest. A healthy Progesterone level is needed to benefit skin elasticity. Growth Hormone is important for skin cell repair and prevention of saggy skin. Cortisol imbalances will promote the aging of skin. DHEA levels decrease with stress, aging and menopause and a healthy DHEA level is needed to improve skin moisture and to create smoother, younger looking skin.
Radiant skin that feels soft and smooth can be yours with the right treatment approach. The most effective solutions will address the root cause of your skin condition.
By Dr. Kristin Caria, B.Sc. (Hons), N.D.
Radiant
Winter Skin
Inns E-Magazine | Fall 2013 | 28