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bad habits: unhealthy diet
The visible damage
You’ve only got to look in the mirror to see how lacklustre skin appears after a week of indulging in junk food. Poorly fuelling the body equates to poor body function, which results in dry, flaky skin and, potentially, acne. It can also worsen skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Research has shown that some foods have such a negative effect on the body that they create damaging free radicals. Offending meals include hydrogenated oils and charred barbequed food. A high-sugar diet has been linked to premature ageing due to collagen and elastin breakdown, which leads to inflammation and wrinkles.
The deeper damage
It’s not just the mirror that will show up too many takeaway dinners, but the scales, too. Eating more kilojoules than your body can use will not only cause weight gain, it also increases your risk of developing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer, stroke and gout, to name a few. Studies have shown that being overweight can also affect your fertility by impacting on your hormones, which then disrupts your menstrual cycle.
What you can do now
Eliminate refined sugar, caffeine and fatty junk foods. Nutritionist Catherine Saxelby says that you need to include these essential beauty boosters in your diet every day: at least two serves of fruit; five serves of vegies; four serves of healthy carbs like wholegrain bread, brown pasta and rice; one-to-two serves of fish, lean meat, chicken and eggs; and one-to-two serves of yoghurt with probiotics. Good skin also needs a little fat such as essential fatty acids and omega fats to improve its appearance. The best sources are liquid oils (like rice bran, olive, grapeseed, hazelnut and soybean oils), almonds, walnuts, pine nuts, avocado, wheatgerm and seeds such as sunflower, sesame, poppy and linseeds. Dehydration also causes skin ageing, so drink at least eight glasses of water every day.This will not only hydrate the skin, but will help to remove waste from the kidneys and detoxify the liver. Saxelby says that fibre is another good skin tonic, as it acts like an “intestinal broom” that sweeps waste out of the body and keeps your digestive tract healthy. Recent studies have also shown that a low GI diet can help prevent acne. This is related to hormone reactions to food – regulating blood sugar levels and insulin will have a positive effect on the skin.
Key needs: Detoxing, anti-ageing and anti-inflammation.
1. Pro-Collagen Oxygenating Night Cream, $250, by Elemis, 1800 802 036. This night-time moisturiser helps to prevent collagen breakdown.
2. The Cleansing Foam, $170, by La Mer, 1800 061 326. Marine extracts clean impurities while calming the signs of inflammation.
3. Firming Facial Mask with DMAE, $220, by Dr Perricone, 1800 007 844. Instantly firms the skin while correcting discolouration and minimising the appearance of large pores.
Related articles:
Bad habits: smoking
Bad habits: sunbathing
Bad habits: drinking
Understanding food labels
Recognising a good fat from a bad one
Low & high GI foods guide
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