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FACE THE FACTS
Our skin is a mirror of our inner health.
Two major influences affect our skin during this Season. First dryness begins now and continues into Winter. And second is Autumn’s female hormone surge - for the girls this is part of our yearly reproductive cycle.
In skin prone to acne both these influences can lead to a period of eruptions and clogged pores that can last for up to one month in the first stages of Autumn.
Autumn’s ruling Earth element has a natural affinity with the inner realms of our body where energy is concentrated for the lean months ahead. As this nourishing life energy moves inside, the body attempts to preserve fat stores, limiting the excretion of oil on the skin. In the lead up to Winter months oil glands slow their production allowing dry Autumn air to dehydrate the outer most layers of the skin.
Like the rest of our body, our skin is affected by what we eat. Natures plan is that we increase our consumption of Essential Fatty Acids (EFA’s) from nuts and seeds, many of which are harvested now, to ensure that we have adequate amounts of this natural lubricant.
In our era of low-fat and no-fat diets, this vital source of nutrition is often neglected leading to dry, clogged and unhealthy skin.
Essential Fatty Acids are vital to lustrous, soft skin, and also support proper thyroid and adrenal activity and play a key role in immunity. They have also received much attention recently for their ability to promote healthy blood and arteries and for their role in transporting and breaking down cholesterol.
A diet poor in Essential Fatty Acids (EFA’s) will leave you vulnerable to the wear and tear of stress and the Winter flu season.
Flaxseed oil has the highest linolenic content of any food. Foods containing Flaxseed Oil are ideal for the heart and to help improve skin hydration and skin glow, especially in the lead up to the Winter months. One tablespoon a day of Flaxseed Oil should provide the recommended daily adult portion of linolenic acid required for good health and beautiful skin.
Alternatively the consumption of foods such as, soybean, pulses, walnuts, or broccoli in your daily diet can assist with increasing levels of this essential food nutrient.
There are lots of other foods high in linolenic content. Try some of these: flaxseeds, flaxseed meal, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, brazil nuts, sesame seeds, avocadoes, some dark leafy green vegetables (broccoli and brussels sprouts), soy bean oil, wheat germ oil, canola oil (cold-pressed and unrefined), salmon, mackerel, sardines, anchovies, and albacore tuna.
Tip: Flaxseed oil used for dietary supplementation should be kept in the refrigerator or freezer, and purchased from a supplier who refrigerates the liquid as well.
Take care of your skin this Autumn with the inclusion of Essential Fatty Acids (EFA’s) in your diet.
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