Leon Metz Southwest Chronicle Edu©Dual Language Leon Metz Bilingüe Without Borders | Page 22

GORGEOUS SKIN

antioxidant activity by the U.S. Department of
Agriculture compared to 40 common fruits and
vegetables. The antioxidants in blueberries protect
you from premature aging.

1. The upper layer of our skin, the epidermis, is
the tough, protective outer layer.
2. Human hair consists of the hair shaft, which
projects from the skin’s surface and the root.

Wild salmon is one of the
best food sources for
omega-3 fatty acids, which
helps keep your skin supple
and moisturized.

This leafy green vegetable is rich
in nutrients and antioxidants.
Spinach is loaded with lutein,
which keeps your eyes healthy
and sparkling. Trade your lettuce
for spinach.

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lean meat, pork,
poultry, oysters.
You’ll get zinc and
iron, minerals key to
skin functioning. Zinc
contributes to cell
production, plus
natural cell sloughing.
Red blood cells need
iron to carry oxygen to
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“Strawberries, citrus skin, helping give you
a glow.”
fruits, red peppers,
broccoli. Vitamin C,
plentiful in this
produce, is vital for
the production and
formation of
collagen, skin’s
support structure and
a strong support layer
helps smooth what’s
on top and prevent
wrinkles.”

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The Southwest Chronicle Edu

Toby Amidor, R.D.

“Let’s talk skin basics. Skin
is essential to a person’s survival. It forms a barrier that
prevents harmful substances
and microorganisms from
entering the body. It protects
body tissues against injury.
Our skin also controls the

“Skin cells and layers. The
upper layer of our skin, the
epidermis, is the tough, protective outer layer. It is about
as thick as a sheet of paper
over most parts of the body.
The epidermis has four layers
of cells that are constantly

like blood and water, helps
us regulate body temperature
through perspiration, and protects us from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays. Without
the nerve cells in our skin, we
couldn’t feel warmth, cold, or
other sensations. Our skin can
also respond to
situations and
emotions: Muscles in the skin
called erector
pili contract
to make the
hairs on our skin
stand up straight
(goosebumps) when
we are cold or frightened —
for insulation and protection.”
—Skin is made up of three
layers: the epidermis, dermis,
and the subcutaneous.

In these four layers are three
special types of cells: Melanocytes, Keratinocytes and
Langerhans. Because the cells
in the epi dermis are completely replaced about every 28
days, cuts and scrapes heal
quickly. Below the epidermis
is the next layer of our skin,
the dermis, which is made up
of blood vessels, nerve
endings, and connective tissue. The dermis
nourishes the epidermis.
Without certain molecules in the dermis, our skin
wouldn’t stretch when we
bend or reposition itself when
we straighten up. These two

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collagen and elastin, help the
skin stretch and reposition
itself when we move.”

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almonds. Are loaded
with vitamin E.
Collectively,
antioxidants act like
an army,
protecting skin from
UV-spawned free
radicals. Aim for 2
tablespoons of hulled
seeds or 23 delish
almonds daily.”

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“Dark orange, leafy green and red veggies.
Squash, sweet potatoes and spinach are full of
the antioxidant beta-carotene. Your body converts it to vitamin A, which regulates cell production so skin’s surface is smooth and carotenoids may decrease skin sensitivity to sun.”

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“Water. Two
parts
hydrogen
and one part
oxygen and
skin cells
contain mostly
water. Water makes
up more than two
thirds of human body
weight, and without
water, we would die in
a few days. The
human brain is made
up of 95% water,
blood is 82% and
lungs 90%. A mere 2%
drop in our body’s
water supply can
trigger signs of
dehydration”