Anti-aging with Food

We all know by now that what we put in our body eventually shows up on the outside. Our bodies really are miracles and have the ability to heal itself in many ways. So let's feed it what it needs to get the optimum out of it and us.

A study was done with 4000 women aged 40 to 74. Their skin was analyzed by over 100 dermatologists. The women's eating habits, weight, history of sun exposure and if they were menopausal were all taken into account.

The women who had significantly fewer wrinkles had higher levels of vitamin C. These foods would be orange juice, citrus fruits, and tomatoes. Vitamin C is key in the formation of collagen, which repairs damage and keeps skin strong and elastic. Start your day off with a large glass of orange juice, a grapefruit half, or other Vitamin C-rich fruit and continue the trend through out the day. Add a slice of cantaloupe to your lunch or toss some strawberries in your salad; for dinner stir fry some broccoli and red peppers. Your skin will thank you!

Another great anti-ager is linoleic acid because it is protective. This is found in green leafy veggies, nuts and plant based oils. It is known to help skin maintain moisture. The women who had more of this, had less dry and fragile skin. Regular salads in your diet are important and snacking on nuts instead of processed foods will help balance and maintain your skin's youthful dewiness.

The women who had more wrinkles consumed more carbs and fat which speed up the aging of skin. Limiting your intake of processed foods, meat and sugary treats will go along way in keeping wrinkles at bay. Taking care of your skin on the outside is also important but cannot replace the care needed from the inside as well. So eat your berries and veggies and look as youthful as you feel!