Everyone wants to have beautiful hair, skin and nails like Victoria’s Secret angels, and you can. Naturopath Anthia Koullouros shares the nutrients you should include in your diet for healthy hair, skin and nails.
image via pinterest
When asked what beauty means to me I could reply with a very simple answer – health!
Health creates…
• Strong, shiny hair
• Strong, smooth & unmarked nails
• Strong, white teeth
• Clear eyes
• Pink mucous membranes
• Smooth, clear, bright, rosy or golden skin
• Lean and toned
• Radiant, infectious, magnetic energy
And what creates Health?
• Genetics
• Health of mum & dad
• Our upbringing
• Daily choices: thoughts, breathing, hydration, nourishment, posture, movement, sleep/wake, stress, sunlight and environment (link to Modern Goddess article)
Nutrients for Healthy Hair, Skin and Nails
Fat soluble vitamin A
• Acne – Inhibits sebaceous gland activity & suppress androgen formation.
• Promotes cell turnover in skin
• Prevents it from becoming keratinized, scaly rough & dry
• Improves vision.
• Strengthens mucous membranes
• Creates strong bones & teeth
• Sources:
✔ Fermented cod liver oil
✔ Pastured eggs yolks, ghee & butter
✔ Organic Butter & carrots
✔ Pastured organ meats such as liver
Fat soluble vitamin E
• Most abundant fat-soluble antioxidant in skin. Secreted through sebum, roughly 7 days after consumption of vitamin E-rich foods. Important protective factor on skin’s surface
• Anti-inflammatory
• Defends the skin against free radicals
• Helps reduce aging & skin cancer risk from excessive UV radiation.
• Sources:
✔ Organic leafy greens
✔ Organic Sunflower seeds & almonds
✔ Cold pressed extra virgin Olive oil
✔ Pastured organ meats such as liver
Coconut oil
• Boosts metabolism which results in fat loss & energy production. Our body metabolises this fat in the liver, immediately coverting it into energy (fuel for the brain and muscle function) rather than it being stored as fat.
• Supports immunity
• Tips:
✔ Organic
✔ Extra virgin/virgin & cold pressed
✔ Can take higher temperature cooking
✔ Use it topically
✔ Can be used for oil pulling for healthy teeth & gums
Olive oil
• Contains polyphenols which effect the expression of genes that cause age related diseases
• Acts as an antioxidant, reducing oxidation & cell damage, which leads to many degenerative diseases
• Reduces microbial activity & infections
• Vitamin E rich
• Tips:
✔ Organic
✔ Extra virgin & cold pressed
✔ Use in low to medium cooking or stabilize with butter
✔ Purchase in a dark bottle & use within 2 years of pressing
Omega 3
• Anti-inflammatory
• Prevents hyperkeratinization of sebaceous follicles
• Contributes to smoother & younger skin
• Reduces omega 6 found in processed plant & animal fats
• Sources:
✔ Wild Salmon
✔ Sardines & anchovies
✔ Pastured beef, lamb & eggs
Fat soluble vitamin K2
• Deposits calcium & other minerals where necessary. Keeps hard tissues hard & soft tissues soft
• Prevents calcification of our skin’s elastin, the protein that gives skin the ability to spring back, smoothing out lines & wrinkles
• Necessary for the proper functioning of vitamin A- & D- dependent proteins
• Sources:
✔ Fermented cod liver oil
✔ Pastured eggs yolks, ghee & butter
✔ Pastured organ meats such as liver
Vitamin C
• Involved in the regulation of collagen, a structural protein necessary for the extracellular stability of skin
• Improves skin health & faster healing
• Contributes to less skin wrinkling
• Prevents & treat ultraviolet (UV)-induced photo damage by acting as an antioxidant
• Decreases dry skin
• Prevents formation of scar tissue
• Sources:
✔ Gubinge powder (Australian Kakadu Plum)
✔ Organic bell peppers, guava, dark leafy greens, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kiwi, citrus fruits & strawberries.
Zinc
• Contributes to the structure of proteins & cell membranes
• Improves wound healing
• Anti-inflammatory
• Protects against UV radiation
• Acne – interacts with vitamin A as a component of retinol-binding protein, necessary for transporting vitamin A in blood
• Sources: animals sources are better absorbed
✔ Oysters
✔ Scallops & other shellfish, seafood.
✔ Pastured red meat