What's Your Skin Trying to Tell You?
By Sara Butler
Your skin is a reflection of what is going on under the surface – and it can be impacted by a variety of things. One of the biggest things that influence your skin is your diet, and how your skin looks can give you signs about what you’re eating. Here are some things you should be on the lookout for to let you know if your diet is giving your body all it needs.
Wrinkles and Fine Lines
Fine lines and wrinkles are a fact of life but if you start to notice them suddenly, then it may be due to your diet. A diet high in alcohol and sugar can cause your body to dehydrate and that can lead to a loss of the skin’s natural moisture. When there’s not enough moisture, the lines on your face deepen and often stand out more.
Blemish Breakouts
If you’re battling a breakout it may be because your diet is too high in refined carbohydrates. Foods high on the glycemic index can cause blood sugar to spike and that can be the culprit behind your skin problems. A study from the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that men ages 15 to 25 that make lower glycemic choices in their diets were less prone to acne.
Dark Circles Under Your Eyes
Dark circles under your eyes may have to do with water retention and are usually a sign that you’re not getting enough water throughout the day. You have to make sure you’re drinking half of your body weight in ounces of water every day – more if you’re sweating a lot and very active.
You also might want to take a look at how much milk you’re drinking. Dairy can cause inflammation in your body due to lactose intolerance, so if you drink a lot of milk, then that might be why. Try cutting back on dairy and see if it makes a difference!
Dry Skin
If you’re battling dry skin, then it might be because your diet has too much sodium in it. Too much salt in the body causes it to hold onto water, effectively sucking it away from your skin. So, it might cause puffy cheeks due to the tissues under the skin holding on to the water but dry, cracked skin on the surface. That’s a terrible combination! Lay off the salt and see if it helps.
Your body is constantly trying to tell you how it's doing. The real question is, are you listening?
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Spartanburg, S.C.