Beautiful Skin Begins from Within

We are all guilty of it...spending unbelievable amounts of money for cosmetic topicals, injectables, laser treatments, etc. in our on going attempt to keep our skin as bright, and youthful looking as possible.  All the meanwhile skimping on the most important key to maintaining a healthy complexion: our DIETS!  Whether it be our busy schedules, the need to cut back spending, or just the lack of knowledge, most of us are not getting the foods we need to ward of damange and rev of the collagen for our skin.  I've spent some time recently researching the idea that what we put IN our bodies is just as or even MORE important than what we put ON our bodies.  I am passing this on to you.

There are 8 foods that are known to boost collagen and should become essentials in our lives.  Not only will they make us feel better they will help us LOOK better.

WATER-RICH VEGTABLES
KEY FOR COLLAGEN PRODUCTION 
Vegtables like cucumber and celery have a high sulfer content, which is important in collagen production.  Collagen can't be produced if sulfur isn't present.

ORANGE VEGTABLES
RESTORE AND REGENERATE
Vegetables that are orange in color, like carrots and sweet potatoes are rich in vitamen A, which restores and regenerates damaged collagen.

FISH
CREATES STRONGER CELLS
Fish like tuna and salmon are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids.  Skin cells are surrounded by a fatty membrane that protects them.  When the cells are healthy, they are able to support the structure of the skin.

SOY
BLOCKS AGING
Whether sourced from soy milk, cheese, or tofu, soy contains genistein (plant homones that serve as antioxidants), which prompts collagen production and helps to block enzymes, like MMPs, that can age the skin.

RED VEGETABLES
NATURAL FORM OF SPF
Tomatoes, peppers and beets contain the antioxidant lycopene.  Lycopene also acts as a natural sun block, protecting the skin from damage while increasing collagen levels.

DARK GREEN VEGTABLES
REV-UP COLLAGEN PRODUCTION
Rich in vitamen C, dark green vegetables like spinach and kale can rev up collagen production.  In topical products, vitamen C has antioxidizing properties that stabilize the messenger enzymes that break collagen down.  It also protects against free radicals to prevent weak collagen.

BERRIES
WARD OFF DAMAGE
Blackberries and raspberries scavenge free radicals while simultaneously increasing collagen levels.

WHITE TEA
SUPPORTS STRUCTURE
According to research conducted by Kingston University and Neal's Yard Remedies, white tea may protect the structual proteins of the skin, specifically collagen.  It is beleived to prevent enzyme activity that breaks down collagen, contributing to lines and wrinkles.

Although you all know that I believe in the importance of using topical products such as Retin-A, hydroquinone, growth factors, etc., and that I've long been a fan of having the ability to "tweak" with injectables such as Botox, Juvederm, Radiesse, I am putting diet at the top of the list of key steps to ageless skin.  So, that being said, make yourself a priority...Eat Well, Feel Great, and Stay Beautiful!