Increase Collagen and Improve Your Skin by the Foods you Eat

As we age our skin has less collagen in it. That is why wrinkles appear. Now I don't suppose the wrinkles can be held at bay for ever but there are some simple, natural things that can be done to help. For our body to be able to make collagen we must give it the necessary building blocks from our food.

Foods To Eat

Green leafy vegetables: These contain the antioxidant lutein amongst other vital nutrients. To help your skin stay hydrated and keep its elasticity try eating kale, spinach, asparagus, cabbage etc. These foods help to provide the building blocks for your body to make and use collagen.

Tomatoes: Tomatoes and other red fruits and vegetables are also rich in luetin.

Beans: There is an anti aging element known as hyaluronic acid that is found in the body. It is needed for skin repair, amongst many other functions. Beans contain reasonably high levels of hyaluronic acid can help your body to have sufficient of this nutrient thereby increasing your collagen production. Try butter beans, broad beans, kidney beans in fact any kind of bean.
Try this resource for ideas on how to use beans in your diet regularly. The Bean Bible: A Legumaniac's Guide To Lentils, Peas, And Every Edible Bean On The Planet!

Beetroot: Another nutrient that is used in producing collagen is anthocyanins. This is found in the purple pigments of foods like beetroot and purple cabbage. It is also a good antioxidant.


Vitamin C: Whether you use a supplement or choose foods high in vitamin C. This is an essential nutrient for overall health including producing sufficient collagen. Vitamin C rich foods include strawberries, oranges, kiwi fruit, Brussells sprouts.

There are many other foods that are great for our skin. For a start try adding some of these to your diet regularly. It is better to make changes bit by bit rather than try to make huge changes that are unsustainable.

Have great health

Jocelyn

Kitchen Beauty - Use Avocado for these 6 Skin Conditions

Kitchen Beauty and Collagen

Avocado oil applied to the skin helps the skin to produce collagen. Some studies have found that the use of avocado oil on the skin gives a significant increase in the amount of collagen in the skin.

Collagen increases the strength of the skin and its elasticity. The amount of collagen in our skin decreases with age. It is lack of collagen that causes wrinkles.

Vitamin C and magnesium are necessary nutrients in the production of collagen. These, along with other beneficial to skin nutrients, are found in avocados.

Avocado oil is known to penetrate the skin to a higher degree than many other oils. This helps those nutrients to be transported from the outer layer to the deepest layer of the skin.

It is easy to see how using avocado pulp and avocado oil on your skin can be a help in your beauty skin care routine.

Natural Beauty for Skin Conditions

1. Rashes and rough skin - apply avocado to skin to make it smooth.
   
   
2. Sunburnt skin - rub fruit gently over affected skin for soothing relief.
   
   
3. Age spots, sun damage and scars - softens skin and gives moisturizing effect due to the high sterolin (plant steroid) content of the oil in avocado.
   
   
4. Dehydrated or sun/climate damaged skin - assists in the re-formation and rejuvenation of skin.
   
   
5. Psoriasis, eczema and dermatitis - relieves dryness and itchy, red or irritated areas. Avocado sugars produce an antimicrobial layer over the skin which helps bring this relief. Avocado is easily absorbed into the deep layers of skin.
   
   
6. Small cuts and bruises - hastens healing.

Mash avocado pulp smoothly and use it on any skin that could benefit from it. Alternatively keep some avocado oil on hand and use it on skin conditions as needed.

I usually keep avocado oil in the kitchen because mixed with apple cider vinegar it is my favorite salad dressing. When I use it on my skin it really is a kitchen beauty aid. Remember that avocado oil has a sun protection factor (SPF) of about 6-8.

Enjoy using natural beauty care from your kitchen.

Jocelyn