Your Skin Reflects what you feed it…
…not necessarily how many supplements you consume
I felt compelled to write a simple message considering the current “explosion” of supplement consumption.
I am an advocate of self care and the importance of education cannot be overstated in particular as it relates to nutritional supplements and health concerns.
Patients are coming into clinic with bags of products often unaware why they are taking them. Online marketing and podcasts may have persuaded you to purchase but are the ingredients appropriate for you?
Looking at clean FOOD as MEDICINE is a great first step.
Australia is one of the global epicentres in Health and Wellbeing with a staggering 27% of the the population this year reported to be self directing their supplements. A compound average growth rate (CAGR) target of 5.6% is forecast to 2030 according to Grand View Research.
Recent data from a US study suggests 92% of adults over 50 are deficient in Vit C, Mg, Zn, Vit A, Vit E, and B6, does that mean we should rush out a buy 6 supplements ?
I professionally coach self care, nutritional and lifestyle medicine and functionally embrace evidence based and appropriate supplement supports….with the right support, at the right time, with the right dose, for the right patient following personalised assessments of many factors.
Please remember, like food, each herb or nutraceutical must be digested, absorbed, broken down, detoxified and eliminated. This, although a daily occurrence you take for granted, can be complex and for some puts a burden on organs that may already be struggling with poor function.
“Your can’t out run or out supplement a bad diet..this can be an expensive lesson learned, both financially and emotionally”
Keep it simple with your skin and use quality foods as Medicine first.
Not high tech advice I know but simple and highly effective.
Eating a diet rich in collagen supporting nutrients helps maintain elasticity, strength and a healthy glow.
Focus on seasonal fresh foods high in Vitamin C such as oranges, strawberries, capsicum, kiwi fruit, blueberries.
Focus on foods high in Vitamin E such as almonds, sunflower seeds, spinach.
Focus on foods with quality proteins such as eggs, fish, chicken legumes.
Focus on foods high in antioxidants such as berries, dark chocolate and green tea, pomegranate.
No clinic treatment can match the powerful, combined benefits of natural plant nutrients for the skin and it’s unique community of microbes. These nutrients work together with skin cells and microbes to maintain balance and boost skin strength—something that isolated treatments in a clinic just can’t do, no matter how persuasive the marketing. Combination therapy is always the gold standard.
We are only just starting to gain insights into how certain foods support certain skin microbes, both topically and ingested…. more on this soon.
A reminder that good Liver and detox function is crucial when consuming supplemental supports
As with any substance, too much of anything that does not suit your genetics or your metabolism is not beneficial.
ensure your supplement regime is reviewed with your practitioner every 6-12 months.
check organ health with a simple blood test measuring key liver enzymes to see how well your liver cells work and detoxify, plus kidney function through urine analysis.
ensure you select Australian made brands as our regulator is rigorous.
ensure your practitioner is aware of any pharmaceuticals you are also taking as reactions are common and potentially dangerous. TO IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH AND AVOID SIDE EFFECTS WHEN USING COMMON SUPPLEMENTS and MEDICATIONS TOGETHER.
There are many reports of individuals developing organ injury from excessive consumption of herbal extracts, hence regular, especially liver and kidney function monitoring is recommended.
Remember, we all possess differing genetic variants which give us pre dispositions and capacity for clearing waste products with safety.
More is not necessarily healthier.
Reference:
A-Z Guide tp Drug-Herb-Vitamin Interactions, 2nd edition Alan R Gaby.