Your skin is not only your largest organ, it is also the thinnest. Only 1/10th of an inch separates you from all sorts of toxins. It is highly permeable, allowing what you apply to your skin access to your bloodstream, and thereby to the rest of your body.In light of the above, it is best that you do not put anything on your skin that you would not be willing to eat. The following are some of the pertinent facts about your skin and its composition:- The skin comprises 15% of our total body weight
- It consists of 70% water, 25% protein, 2% lipids, trace minerals
- The skin stores about 15% of the water you drink each day
- It has 90 million cells
- The pores in these cells absorb 60% of everything you put on it
Dermis: The dermis is the middle layer of your skin. It is a mesh of collagen and elastin fibers, connective tissue, sweat and oil glands, hair, and nerve endings. It is here, in the middle layer where the collagen and elastin structure is located and also where wrinkles start.Since this layer is rich in collagen and elastin, it gives youthful skin its suppleness. The dermis also contains blood vessels for hydrating and nourishing the skin.Collagen: Collagen is the structural matrix that provides the rigidity factor in the dermis, and is the foundation for your skin cells. It relates to the degree of tautness or sag in your skin.Elastin: Elastin is a connective protein and provides the elasticity factor in the dermis layer. It represents the amount of suppleness and bounce in your skin.Wrinkles: The skin reflects what is happening inside. Wrinkles on the face and neck indicate that collagen and elastin tissue throughout the body are being destroyed faster than they can be replaced. Adequate vitamin C and the amino acids lysine and proline from quality sources of protein are crucial for the formation of collagen.Wrinkles are a tell-tale sign of aging. A huge industry profits from creams and lotions intended to reduce wrinkling. The better of these contain natural antioxidants, vitamins, and moisturizing factors.However, even the best of these products are of limited effectiveness. They deal with the symptoms of the problem and not its root causes.The underlying causes of poor skin health may include:- Poor diet,
- Nutritional deficiencies,
- Dehydration,
- Sluggish digestion,
- Excess refined sugar,
- Artificial sweeteners,
- Blood sugar imbalances,
- Artificial additives in processed food,
- Pesticide residues,
- Food allergies, and
- Overgrowth of bad bacteria in the gut.
As you can see from the above list, it is not only what you do eat, but also what you don't eat that counts in large amounts when it comes to maintaining beautiful skin with age. Refined sugar and artificial additives are particularly troublesome and should be reduced and then eliminated entirely from the diet.Remember, the skin is nourished from the inside. To remain healthy, glowing, and wrinkle-free it needs at least the following nutrients on a regular basis:- Vitamin A: Growth and maintenance of skin health and structure
- Vitamin C: Especially, for building elastin and collagen
- Vitamin E: Antioxidant and cell membrane protector
- Essential Fatty Acids: For the integrity of skin cell membranes
- Oleic Acid: Contributes beneficial, healing fats
- Protein: Right sources, lysine and proline for building elastin and collagen
- Silicon: Ultra-trace mineral, micronutrient for skin matrix
- Water: Lots of water, binds to collagen to keep skin hydrated and full
To find out how to maintain soft, glowing, wrinkle-free skin, you need to get a hold of the e-book entitled Maintaining Beautiful Skin with Age.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Jim_Safianuk/1196
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