Using Nutrition to Get Your Best Skin Yet

It might be a little cheesy... but in each of our orders we send a little card with a quote that inspired us to form Well Labs. Also, if you spend as much time on social media as I do, your life becomes all about inspirational quotes written in pretty fonts (not ashamed). My favorite of these quotes is "healthy outsides start with healthy insides." Although that might not inspire you (my hair is practically standing on end just re-reading it now), it's definitely true! Nutrition can help you get your best skin yet. Let's face it: dull hair, red skin, and cracked lips are the pits. They suck. There's no way around it. So let me fill you in on how to heal your skin from the inside out using proper nutrition.

THE GOODS

Vitamin C

We use vitamin C (combined with protein) to make a substance called collagen. It's a connective tissue that glues our skin together to give it shape and support. Not only that, research shows it can prevent sun damage and keeps your teeth anchored to your gums. So you're in luck, you now know how to prevent hillbilly mouth and have the perkiest cheeks around: High quality protein (grass fed meats, legumes, almonds) in your diet + Vitamin C (citrus fruits, green veggies). High doses of vitamin C through supplements have been shown to be particularly helpful. If your belly has a hard time handling increased amounts of Vitamin C, start small and increase it a little bit daily to build up a tolerance. 200-500 mg is a good place to start for most people. 

Find it at the shop: Power Antioxidants or Power Multi

Probiotics

Probiotics are a total health game changer. We typically think probiotics for belly aches, but they go much farther. This good bacteria is a great place to start if you've got acne. If you're breaking out all over the place it's probably a sign that your gut flora is imbalanced. Gut disorders LOVE to present themselves on the skin. It's just one of the ways they get attention, and it's common in small children with rashes as well. If probiotics don't do the trick, you may want to look into food sensitivities or intolerances. 

Find it at the shop: Probiotic Complete and Belly Boost

Iron

Low iron (anemia) can cause your hair to get thinner, and in severe deficiencies actually fall out. Why? Red blood cells (major iron users) keep hair follicles strong. Save your strands with iron supplements or iron dense foods like spinach and beans. 

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps fight free-radical damage. Free radicals can come from stress, toxicants, smoking, and sun damage. All of those can lead to a 28-year-old's worst nightmare... wrinkly skin. Antioxidants like Vitamin E (found in avocados and olive oil) help fight free radicals. This tiny little superhero may also help men grow thicker, more luxurious hair, and why not get that Prince Eric flow up top? Take Vitamin E with at least 5 grams of fat for your body to best absorb it. 

Find it at the shop: Power Antioxidants

Biotin

AKA B vitamin #7, this nutrient can be found in peanut butter, bananas, and a high quality B supplement. Biotin is best at growing your nails, and research shows that a daily dose can increases nail thickness by 25%. Get the claws out and call me wolverine -- these bad boys will never split again!

Find it at the shop: Methyl B's

MCT OIL

MC what? MCT stands for medium-chain-tryglycerides, and all you really need to know is that it's a GOOD kind of fat. The kind you want in your coffee, your lunch, and (not to be awkward, but...) smothered all over your body. Coconut is the most popular MCT, and has been shown to boost brain power and memory. Zero in on MCT's (like coconut oil and palm oil) if you're experiencing dry skin, eczema, or acne. I personally have a jar of coconut oil in almost every room in the house. A big one next to the stove for cooking, one by the coffee maker for topping off a cup o' joe, 1 in the bathroom as a lotion substitute after my shower, and 1 in my office in case my skin gets dry. My house may look like a grocery store, but dang it I smell good AND feel good!

Fish Oil

Fish oil (omega-3 fatty acids) are naturally anti-inflammatory. Meaning, they're really good for calming red skin and getting rid of those little scaly bumps on the back of your arms. Fatty acids not only helps regulate oil production (keeping your skin from drying out) but also prevents wrinkles by blocking UV induced enzymes (ahem... saggy tanning bed skin).  Omega-3's are also needed for nail health, and can be found in flaxseed, walnuts, and oily, cold-water fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines, or omega 3 supplements.

Find it at the shop: Well Omega, Well Omega Liquid, Fish Tails

Using nutrition to get healthy skin is no quick fix, but we're playing the long game here. We want you to glow at 50, 60, 70, and beyond. 

Remember that supplements are not the end all be all, and you can't out-supplement a garbage diet. You CAN however, use supplements and dietary changes to get a fresh start, a leg up, and go above and beyond. You superstar, you.

 

 

---

---