Skin Dryness – things that you can do
Expert’s Name: Gail Edgell
Everything seems to be dry as you move into your menopausal years: skin, hair, nails and vagina. Many women describe themselves as a prune. There are some things you can do to combat flaky, cracked skin just by eating the right foods.
• Eat antioxidant rich foods with large amounts of vitamin C and E. Both of these vitamins help reduce free radical damage that contributes to aging skin. So what types of foods fall into high in Vitamin C category? Red bell peppers, broccoli, citrus fruits, mangoes, strawberries and raspberries. Foods high in vitamin E are almonds, sunflower seeds, and hazelnuts.
• Food high in vitamin B biotins which form the foundation of our skin, hair and nails. They include liver, oats, turkey, avocados, bananas, legumes and kefir yogurt.
• Lean proteins such as low fat yogurt or cheese, turkey, chicken, lean beef and pork, and sardines.
• Vitamin A helps to repair damaged skin. Foods that are high in vitamin A are sweet potatoes, carrots, mangoes, spinach, cantaloupe, dried apricots, milk, and cheese.
Water and Omega 3 fatty acids are also keys to having beautiful skin. Omega-3’s can help to decrease inflammation. And proper hydration is necessary to maintain to prevent excessive dryness. There are a couple of theories with regard to blemishes to the skin. One that seems to be taking hold is eating hormone based foods such as poultry, meat, fish and dairy products. It seems that the hormones in the food stimulate oil gland production which can lead to breakouts on the skin. The second theory is the consumption of simple sugars and other foods with a higher glycemic index which create inflammation of the skin and in the body. This can also lead to excessive oil production.
So once again, it proves that eating healthy has another health benefit.
Action Step: Try to buying one of the items above and incorporating it into your diet.
For more information on menopause and a list of great experts go to Menopause and Dryness.
