Let’s talk about healthy skin. The things we recommend for health in general also tend to help with skin because everything is connected. We’re going to share some of our favorite foods, supplements, strategies, and products for taking care of your skin because it is one of the most obvious tells of your health.
Water
Whenever you’re talking about the skin, the conversation has to start with water. We stand by the rule of thumb “Eighty is greaty,” or 80 ounces of water per day. It’s recommended to drink out of a glass or metal container instead of plastic because plastics contain hormone-disrupting chemicals that could end up doing more harm than good.
Collagen
Collagen is incredible for skin — it’s nature’s botox. You can get it as a powder, such as collagen peptides, or you can get it from bone broth. Collagen also works great in our Boss Coffee recipe, our riff on Bulletproof Coffee. Instead of butter, we combine coffee with collagen (a protein that’s great at restoring gut health), MCT oil (a fat that helps you lose fat), Ceylon cinnamon (balances blood sugar), and a little stevia (for a little sweetness). This combo really gets you going and keeps you satisfied for hours.
What you need:
- 1 cup brewed hot coffee
- 1 envelope collagen protein
- 1 tablespoon MCT oil
- 1/8 to ¼ tsp. Ceylon Cinnamon
- Optional 5 drops liquid stevia
For an iced version, use room temperature coffee and add 1/2 cup of ice.
What to do:
Add all ingredients to a blender. Start blending at a low speed and then crank it up. Pour into a mug or thermos and sip with confidence, knowing you’re starting your week off on a healthy note.
Sea Buckthorn
This bright orange berry is grown in cold climates and is considered an adaptogen. Sea buckthorn is one of the best sources of Vitamin C, and it also includes an interesting omega in it. It’s been used for hundreds of years in Chinese medicine, as well as a traditional treatment in Scandinavia. You can find this in both edible forms and in products you apply directly to the skin.
Cacao
Not only is cacao delicious, but it’s been found to protect your skin. It’s been proven to prevent sun damage and damage from aging as well. It soothes the skin when applied directly as well. This one, with its combination of taste and benefits, really should be getting more attention.
Vitamin C
It’s an antioxidant, it’s also used in the process of collagen production in your body. A lack of Vitamin C can also lead to your progesterone being suppressed which leads to estrogen dominance, and this could lead to skin issues.
Top Shelf Veggies
Broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, kale, brussels sprouts, and cabbage are what we call our “top shelf veggies.” These are all hormone-balancing veggies and they can help to balance your hormones. They are also full of fiber, and bowel movements are our body’s method of detox — so make sure you’re going regularly.
And the Don’ts
The worst thing for our skin is sugar. It raises your blood sugar which raises your insulin which affects your testosterone. Alcohol is also not great for the skin. Dairy can also be really hard on the skin, especially skim dairy.
Your skin is the biggest organ in your body, and everything that you put in and on your body is going to affect it. It’s important that you focus on overall wellness advice and try to upgrade whatever products you are putting directly on your skin because these are going to get absorbed into your body.
Resources:
- brodo.com
- May Lindstrom Skin
- livinglibations.com
- paiskincare.us
- sibu.com
- thevibrantmarket.com
- juicegeneration.com
- Find several of the products mentioned at foodtrainers.com/shop
- Learn more at foodtrainers.com
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