Reduce inflammation with the right diet:
Skin inflammation is often caused
or aggravated by the foods we eat. Making the right dietary changes
and choices
can result in relief for inflamed skin.
There are several causes of skin
inflammation. Some sources come from outside the body and create a
reaction in the skin. These are often temporary and are resolved when
contact with the offending substance is avoided. Other sources come
from within the body and can be chronic conditions.
Food sensitivity can be another cause
of inflammation and can be helped through diet. Contact dermatitis is
an inflammation of the skin caused by direct contact with an irritant.
It is generally caused by an allergic reaction to a substance. Soaps,
detergents and household chemicals can be responsible. Other culprits
could be cosmetics, beauty products, and fragrance, latex or plant
sources, such as poison ivy.
Eczema and psoriasis are examples of
chronic disorders causing skin irritation. Eczema is commonly found in
babies. Often the child will outgrow the condition, but it becomes
chronic in many children and nearly all adults. Eczema is common in
people with allergies and asthma. Psoriasis and eczema can be worsened
with exposure to temperature changes, stress, and products such as
soaps and detergents.
In some cases skin inflammation in
conditions such as eczema and contact dermatitis can be caused by food
allergies. The best way to determine if a particular food is causing a
reaction is to eliminate the food and see if there is a change. Foods
such as peanuts, milk and wheat allergies, can be culprits in
inflammation of the skin. Several foods can be eliminated and later
introduced one at a time to determine the source of the allergy.
Skin inflammation can often be
avoided by eating the right foods. While they may not cause
specific allergies, many ingredients in foods can have an inflammatory
effect on your skin. Excessive sugar, saturated fats, preservatives and
chemicals in foods often result in inflammation.
Natural foods from plant sources
are the best choice. Look for foods that are as close to their
natural state as possible, such as fresh or frozen vegetables and fresh
fruits rather than canned or processed food items.
Diets such as the Perricone diet can
help reduce inflammation of the skin. This diet calls for eliminating
inflammatory foods such as watermelon, carrots, bagels, pasta, beef and
pizza. The menus in this diet plan include anti inflammatory foods such
as salmon, halibut, trout, leafy green vegetables, beans, peas, apples
and apricots. Water is the main beverage, for flushing toxins and
hydrating the skin.
The Perricone solution combines the
diet with supplements and skin care products to create a lifestyle plan
for healthy skin. Programs such as the Alpha Nutrition Program seek to
resolve problems of disease and skin inflammation through nutrition
therapy and diet revision. The program starts with identifying the best
foods for the individual. This list of foods will vary among
individuals.
Common foods in this program include
fresh vegetables, fruit, fish and poultry. Natural and organic food
sources are preferred and most foods can be purchased in your grocery
store. The program consists of detoxification and fasting during the
cleansing process and then the use of foods thought to have healing
qualities.
Herbal remedies are available for
soothing inflammation of the skin and digestive problems associated
with food sensitivities. Herbs such as chamomile, peppermint and
ginger decrease inflammation and help in digestion. Echinacea is used
to strengthen the immune system and decrease the inflammatory reaction
in the skin caused by an overactive immune system. Results won't be
immediate, but can be lasting.
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