Are you plagued with skin problems? Acne, eczema, psoriasis, dry and flaky skin, aging, sun-damaged skin--do they sound familiar and disturbing? Do you know that you can actually reclaim your troubled skin in a bite? A bite of cold-water fish, that is. Christine Homer, M.D., a nationally known plastic surgeon, asserts, “Food really is our best medicine.”
Eating fish can be the answer to many skin ailments. Why? Fish like salmon, herring, anchovies, mackerel and Tuna are full of Omega 3 fatty acids. And these fatty acids are formidable advocates of good skin. There are 3 kinds of Omega 3 fatty acids. ALA (Alpha linolenic acid) is commonly found in dark green leafy vegetables and algae. Then there are EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid), found in oily fish such as those named above.
To look at how Omega 3 fatty acids benefit our skin, let's consider a few common scenarios:
With age comes wrinkles and lost of collagen and elasticity from the skin.. Blame it on the increased levels of bad Arachidonic acid (AA). They in turn cause the production of pro-inflammatory agents. Numerous researches have found that one of the best ways to fight against aging skin is to take fish oil. EPA helps to retard the production of AA, while increasing the amount of good AA in your body. Increased levels of good AA stimulate the production of structural proteins needed for the formation and maintenance of collagen and elastin.
Are you one of those with poor and dry skin? Why not nourish your skin from inside out?. Fish oil can help promote healthy cell membranes. Healthy cell membranes provide a stronger barrier, holding moisture in. Results? Healthy, younger looking skin.
How about problem skin like eczema, psoriasis, itching, redness of skin, skin lesion and rashes? We can help these inflammatory skin conditions with a good dose of EPA. It is known to reduce inflammation by helping the body to produce anti-inflammatory prostaglandins. These are hormone like substances that regulate cells in our body.
Acne? EPA can curb the production of androgens which are responsible for producing sebum in the hair follicle.
In a nutshell, fish promotes skin health. According to a recent research published in the Journal of Lipid Research, Omega 3 fatty acids can help prevent wrinkles and delay the aging process of the skin. Terribly good news, right? So instead of splurging huge amounts of money on the age-reversing cream, consider adding fish to your diet on a consistent basis. And as we have seen, it helps with other skin problems. Black Homer, a professor of dermatology at the Baylor College of Medicine advocating at least 2 servings of Omega 3 rich fish. If you don't like fish, consider fish oil supplements. Studies suggest they offer the same benefits.
