How to get great skin on a raw food diet

Have you ever noticed how raw foodies have great skin? One of the main points behind a raw food diet is the amazing, youthful appearance that accompanies weight loss and exuberant energy levels. This article will explain some of the reasons why raw foods can lead to youthful looking skin. We’ll also cover the ways raw eaters can risk damaging their skin in the long run.

Mechanisms of skin aging

Skin aging is a complex process. Dermatologists distinguish two types of aging skin: chronological aging and photoaging. These two patterns of aging are usually found at the same time, but have different symptoms. Chronologically aged skin sags due to the breakdown of underlying elastin fibers, while photoaged skin shows wrinkles and hyperpigmentation patches.

Both forms of aging occur due to inflammation and free radical damage to the skin. UV radiation, stress-induced systemic inflammation, and toxin-induced local inflammation are the main culprits. When these forms of molecular damage occur, tissue-masticating proteases such as collagenase are activated to remove damaged material. When this process occurs enough times in one place, a wrinkle forms. So the name of the game in fighting wrinkles is to never allow the damage (i.e. inflammation) to happen in the first place.

Skin care benefits of raw food.

Raw foods are extremely helpful for the preservation of wrinkle-free skin. This admirable feat is accomplished in several ways.

1. Antioxidants Raw eaters consume a much higher load of antioxidants such as vitamin C and phytonutrients than people who eat a cooked food diet. As a result, more free radicals are stopped before they cause damage to skin tissue and lead to inflammation.

2. toxin free Toxins associated with cooking food are completely removed from the diet. A type of toxin derived from cooked foods is collectively known as advanced glycation end products. These sugar-protein complexes get stuck in the system and create local sites of inflammation by disrupting cell-cell interactions.

3. No hormones = no stress By not eating meat and avoiding dairy products, raw eaters reduce the systemic stress caused by handling animal hormones. Raw foodies often report a more peaceful disposition once they have adopted the diet. By reducing stress, one of the main sources of wrinkles is eliminated.

4. deeper sleep When your digestive process is in full swing, your body can focus more on sleep. That energy drain that comes after eating a big steak may seem like you’re resting a bit, but it comes directly from your energy balance. Your body, and especially your skin, repairs itself during sleep cycles. Eating raw foods helps you do that.

Skin Care Raw Food Eaters Caution

While raw foods offer many benefits that balance strongly in the positive direction for skin care, there are some important issues to consider.

1. nutrient deficiencies Raw eaters can be short on key skin nutrients. Among these, omega-3 fatty acids and carnitine are often deficient in the raw food diet.

2. protein deficiencies Proper skin repair requires protein. When you get enough protein, your body can do the important job of filling in the gaps and wrinkles before they become permanent.

3. High Glycemic Inflammation Inflammation-producing toxins, such as the advanced glycation endproducts we described above, can form in the body due to very high blood sugar levels. This is one way that eating too many unbalanced fruits for fiber and protein can, paradoxically, lead to more wrinkles.