Aliments qui aident à améliorer les problèmes de peau

Inflammation

L'inflammation - le mécanisme de défense naturel de notre corps - est excellente pour combattre la grippe. Mais beaucoup d'entre nous souffrent d'une inflammation inutile dans notre corps lorsque notre système immunitaire réagit à une menace perçue, comme le stress. Cette inflammation inutile a été liée à un certain nombre de problèmes de peau, y compris l'acné et psoriasis.

Whilst stress or immune disorders can cause this inflammation, your diet may also be playing a part.

'Aliments avec un high glycaemic index, tels que les glucides transformés par le sucre, les pains, les chips, les biscuits et les gâteaux, devraient être évités, car ils déclenchent l'inflammation,' explique le Dr Suchitra Badvey, dermatologue consultant chez Twenty-five Harley Street.

'Nightshade fruits comme les tomates, les poivrons, les aubergines et les pommes de terre devraient également être évités.'

Happily, other foods can help to bring down inflammation. 'Turmeric and ginger are anti-inflammatory foods and can also help to alleviate psoriasis symptoms,' explains Badvey. 'Foods that are rich in antioxidants should also be an important part of anti-inflammatory diets.'

Balance of fats

These days, we're bombarded with information about food, meaning most of us are aware that the modern diet, rich in processed foods, tends to contain too much saturated fat. But as well as cutting down on 'bad fats', we need to top up our intake of omega-3 'good fats' for a healthy balance.

'Les acides gras oméga-3 sont l'une des plus grandes carences au Royaume-Uni,' explique Laura Clark, diététicienne spécialisée chez Well Aware. 'People are better off if they have a balance, where they don't have significantly more omega-6 (found in vegetable oil) than omega-3s (found in oily fish, nuts and seeds) in their diet.'

Hormonal issues

Anyone who breaks out at their time of the month, or suffered from skin problems during puberty, will be well aware that hormones can affect the appearance of our skin. But did you know your diet could affect your hormones?

For example, diets high in sugar can send blood sugar rocketing, elevating our insulin levels.

'Elevated insulin levels indirectly stimulate the secretion of certain hormones,' explains Badvey. 'This leads to increased sebum production, which worsens acne conditions.'

In addition, when it comes to consuming dairy products, 'there may be an indirect influence due to the hormones produced by cows during pregnancy,' says Badvey. 'These may indirectly stimulate the release of sebum. Some acne sufferers have benefited greatly from reducing their intake of milk and other dairy products.'

Vitamin deficiency

Chances are, if you're eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables that are rich in colour, you're probably getting a good dose of vitamins.

Cependant, certains compléments peuvent être bénéfiques pour les personnes souffrantes si elles sont carencées ou estiment que leur consommation de certains aliments est faible. Les suppléments d'huile de foie de morue ou d'huile de krill peuvent aider à diminuer l'inflammation et avoir un impact positif en réduisant la gravité du psoriasis, eczéma et l'acné,' explique Badvey.

'Il existe des études qui montrent des liens entre vitamin D3 deficiency et l'eczéma et le psoriasis ; par conséquent, prendre un bon supplément de vitamine D3 pourrait aider à améliorer ces conditions lorsque l'on ne reçoit pas assez de soleil,' explique Badvey, qui recommande également aux personnes souffrantes de se faire tester pour des carences en zinc et en vitamine C.

However, popping vitamin pills won't undo the damage done by that lunchtime doughnut. 'Supplements appeal to our uncertainty,' agrees Clark. 'But ultimately, you can't supplement out a bad diet.'

la santé intestinale

Feeling a bit sluggish? Having poor digestion may be wreaking havoc on your complexion.

'Improving gut health in inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema and acne helps to alleviate the symptoms,' explains Badvey.

Adapter notre alimentation pour inclure beaucoup de fibres aidera à améliorer notre transit digestif et également à améliorer la santé de la peau. De plus, les aliments hautement transformés ont tendance à provoquer un imbalance of gut-friendly bacteria,' explains Badvey.

En plus de réduire les aliments transformés, 'prendre un probiotic supplement aidera à rétablir l'équilibre des bactéries bénéfiques pour l'intestin et peut aider à atténuer les symptômes des affections cutanées inflammatoires.'

'Fermented foods such as sauerkraut can be beneficial in helping to balance intestinal flora by providing it with health-promoting bacteria; however; such foods should be taken with caution in eczema patients as they may exacerbate symptoms.'

No magic solution

Let's face it: we'd all like to find that eating a banana a day will cure pesky dry skin, or gorging on dates will improve eczema. However, it's important to remember that while diet plays a part in our health, eating well and ensuring we get enough vitamins won't guarantee problem-free skin. 'It's part of the puzzle,' agrees Clark. 'But it's an enormous puzzle.'

'There is no magic solution - but we are all looking for it!'