You lead a busy life – going to work, juggling schedules, caring for family, attending sporting events and usually fixing fast meals. With little time to pamper or pay attention to yourself, you wake up one morning and find yourself staring at a lined, furrowed and spotted person in the mirror. Is that really your face? When did your nails turn into ogre appendages?
Suddenly feeling as old as you look, you try desperately to cover up these telltale signs using cosmetics, a temporary fix that will mask reality until you wash it off. While reaching out frantically for wonder creams may be your first temptation, it may be wiser to address your dietary habits instead. Check your daily intake of vitamins and minerals. Check the fluids – are you drinking enough water? Are you including antioxidants in your routine? Once you’ve performed all these checks, you are ready to stock up on the missing elements and begin your journey to a fresh and youthful you.
Vitamins C, E, A, K and B-complex are fundamental nutrients for the vitality of your skin, and by extension your nails. The nails receive their vitality from the nutrients found in the skin. Exposure to the sun, smoke and pollution – known as free radicals – drains your skin of its moisture content, leading to age spots and wrinkles.
Know Your “A”
Vitamin A compounds containing beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, and Beta-Cryptoxanthin are found in vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach and pumpkins. Meats, dairy and fish contain fat-soluble retinoids that promote healing and repair of skin tissue, and are used in many topical creams.
Know Your “B” Family
Biotin is the “B” that you need for the health of your hair, skin and nails. Eggs, rice, oatmeal are rich sources of this vitamin. Niacin helps your skin retain moisture levels. Lack of it can cause severe scaling and dryness of the skin. Vitamin B12, with powerful regenerative properties, is found exclusively in animal products – meat, poultry, eggs and dairy.
Know Your “C”
Vitamin C helps minimize ultraviolet damage; citrus fruits, strawberries, papaya, kiwi, bell peppers, broccoli, leafy greens and tomatoes are excellent sources. To speed up the process of reversing existing damage, you can use topical Vitamin C enriched creams that have collagen-renewal benefits.
Know Your “E”
Know Your “K”Topical application of this vitamin, especially for the treatment of dark under eye circles, bruises and prevention of scars, produces remarkable results.
Other Important Nutrients
Omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish and flax seeds help lock in hydration, and lycopene contained in tomatoes reduces your chances of sunburn. By consuming foods containing these, and supplementing if necessary, your body receives adequate supplies of food for the skin.
Houston Nail Clinic sees the importance of good nutrition for healthy skin and nails every day. Providing laser toenail fungus treatments, the clinic finds that those who eat healthier are also less likely to develop toenail fungus and other skin conditions. To pay proper attention to your skin and nails, you must pay proper attention to your diet.
