There are many areas of how and why we need to nourish our skin during seasonal changes and at many overlook how dehydrated we become during the winter. Our water intake may decline as the temperature falls and we are in an indoor environment that can rob of us moisture with forced hot heat being the primary source and a necessity to keep us warm. This combined with the cold weather and wind we lose more moisture which then leads to external and internal dehydration.
Old wives talks tell us to lather on vasoline and socks or moisturizer when we really need minerals to bind water to our skin cells internally and externally. Internal dehydration causes irritability, headaches, muscle cramps and lack of elasticity and tone of the skin which also leads to skin issues. External dehydration often leads to cracks and fissures on our hands or feet and our body feels tight and itchy. Left unresolved this may lead to infection and most definitely feelings of being uncomfortable in our own skin….literally!
An alarmingly low state of nutrition awareness prevails in the U.S. As a population we generally fail to make a direct correlation between our diets and our state of health and well-being. Many of us often deliberately choose denial over proactively learning about core simple issues that, if embraced, could alleviate a great deal of physical suffering, including the acceleration of our aging process.
Minerals are one component of very necessary human nutrition, but how often do we think of minerals for skin health?
We all lose minerals as we age or live in stressful environmental conditions. Certain minerals are needed to hold hydration in the skin. Without them, creams won’t help. Skin can’t be properly hydrated without a sufficient mineral delivery system.
[The information I am sharing should not be viewed as medical advice as we are not medical professionals. I am sharing information and recommendations from and based on scientific publications and studies. As always, when beginning any new program dedicated to health and which is new for you, first consult your physician.]
Certain minerals and trace minerals play an enormous role in maintaining the day-to-day health of our skin as well as providing therapeutic benefits for various skin conditions. We often share with you about our Trace Mineral Drops that are an internal way of adding much needed minerals into our water as we hydrate throughout the day.
We find that even eating a raw diet isn’t enough since research has proven that soils have been depleted in minerals. Therefore, if it’s not in the soil, it’s not in the food. Here’s where taking Trace Minerals every day ensures you are getting a full spectrum of ionic trace minerals
CHROMIUM
One of the most destructive influences on skin health and aging is continual blood sugar spikes caused by eating foods that release sugar into our bloodstream very fast. If excess sugar reaches the dermis, it quickly begins to bond with collagen and elastin and then continues to create cross links between fibers causing the collagen lattice to become stiff. This leads to a loss of youthful elasticity of the skin and acceleration of the process of skin’s aging.
The trace mineral chromium helps stabilize blood sugar levels meaning there will be less likelihood that sugar will be deposited in the collagen matrix of the skin. Broccoli, brewer’s yeast, barley, oats, green beans, tomatoes, romaine lettuce, and black pepper are good dietary sources of chromium.
SELENIUM
The trace mineral selenium is a key player in long term skin health mostly because of its powerful antioxidant activity. Selenium is a cofactor (a substance required for the production of another substance) in the production of another extremely powerful antioxidant known as glutathione peroxidase. Glutathione plays a significant and very vital role in protecting cells and tissues from damage caused by mutated cells or free radicals which are responsible for aging.
Selenium is also anti-inflammatory for the body and skin. Get selenium by eating brazil nuts, shiitake mushrooms, sunflower seeds, whole grains, potatoes, prawns, tuna, oysters and salmon.
SILICA
Silica activates certain enzymes involved in the production of collagen. It rests inside collagen acting like glue between connective tissues. It helps prevents wrinkles, provides a lifting effect, and strengthens and regenerates skin and bone tissues. Silica is a strong carrier of oxygen which helps to give skin a healthy glow. It also assists red blood cells to carry more oxygen throughout the body which, in turn, helps improve skin hydration. It is imperative for healthy youthful skin.
We can derive silica from the horsetail plant as an excellent source and also from cucumbers, watermelon, echinacea root, alfalfa, kelp, bell peppers, leeks, green beans, wheatgrass, apples, berries, onions, almonds, sunflower seeds and grapes.
SULPHUR
Sulphur, the beauty mineral, is one of the most important nutrients for the structure of the skin. It is a key component of proteins and essential for healthy skin. Deficiency symptoms of sulphur are dry scalp, eczema, rashes and acne.
Get sulphur in eggs, meats, fish, garlic, onions, dairy, beans, greens, dandelion greens, celery, cabbage, kale, soybeans and asparagus.
IODINE
Iodine assists in healing skin infections, increases oxygen consumption and the metabolic rate in the skin. It also, importantly, helps prevent roughness and premature wrinkling, and contributes to skin tone. Consume iodine by eating blue-green algae, kelp, barley grass, sunflower seeds, and sea salt.
ZINC
Zinc is a trace mineral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that stimulates the synthesis of collagen and elastin. It is very beneficial for the alleviation of acne and it’s naturally photo-protective. It accelerates wound healing, cell growth and immunity. Zinc can be found in pumpkin, seeds, legumes, mushrooms, spinach, shellfish, nuts, grains, kale, and eggs, to name a few.
Zinc is also delivered to the skin, in particular, when using our Oligo 5 Mineral Spray. In addition, our Earth Element (night) Cream also contains zinc in an appropriate level.
MANGANESE
Manganese is a trace mineral or salt important for everyday skin health as it plays a significant role in collagen production. Manganese is involved in the synthesis of vitamin B1. It acts against free radicals and has soothing, calming and protective properties. It aids in protection of the skin against oxidation and damages caused as a result of exposure to ultraviolet light by functioning as an antioxidant. Manganese is an ingredient in Ageless La Cure’s Five Secrets Serum and Cream Duo for a 3-Week Cure and in our Oligo 5 Mineral Spray. We also formulate our Wood Element (night) Cream with manganese.
Manganese can be found in nuts, beans, legumes, whole grains, green leafy vegetable, pineapple, açai and dark chocolate.
MAGNESIUM
Magnesium is a trace mineral that has the ability to cleanse the skin and detoxify the epidermis. It is quite effective in treating the areas of the skin that are prone to allergic reaction. Magnesium is very effective in reducing wrinkles and fine lines. It helps to combat acne and skin breakouts. It acts on cellular renewal and on the production of energy within cells, because it contributes to glucose transport. It is very beneficial for people who are tired and overworked. As a cellular protectant, it fosters the restoration of cellular magnesium levels, facilitates effective and safe detoxification, provides pain relief, relieves aches, and encourages healthy skin tissue growth.
We’ll want to eat avocados, nuts, seeds, whole grains, legumes, tofu, and dark chocolate to ensure we get magnesium into our bodies and skin. Also get magnesium in our Oligo 5 Mineral Spray. OurMetal Element (night) Cream is also fortified with magnesium.
COBALT
Cobalt is part of vitamin B12, the vitamin essential for producing red blood cells and maintaining the nervous system. The cobalt ion allows the cells to manufacture B-complex vitamins. A cellular deficiency is linked to pernicious anemia among other blood disorders. Together with sulfur, cobalt helps to maintain and repair the myelin sheath(1), transport glucose from the blood into body cells, and manufacture/absorb B-complex vitamins. Cobalt is essential to health and the human cell.
When taken in small amounts such as in a liquid colloidal suspension, cobalt may help ease inflammation and provide antioxidation of free radicals to help counteract symptoms of aging. Too much intake of cobalt may cause enlargement of the thyroid gland (goiter). It can also reduce the activity of the thyroid. Cobalt may also increase blood sugar levels.
“The human health-supporting properties of dietary cobalt are under-appreciated,” say Dr. Michael Glade, clinical nutritionist and Dr. Michael Meguide, professor emeritus of surgery, neuroscience, and nutrition at the Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York.
Get the right amount of cobalt to help counteract signs of aging by using our Oligo 5 Mineral Spray. Our Fire Element (night) Cream also includes cobalt as a key ingredient. Trace amounts of cobalt are also found in vitamin B12 rich foods like fish, nuts, leafy green vegetables, and cereals.
COPPER
Copper promotes healthy skin, supports healthy cartilage and tendon regeneration, and assists the body in the absorption of iron.
Copper may also assist with antioxidation function so necessary for slowing and mitigating signs of aging. Copper is also required for normal iron metabolism and red blood cell formation.
Copper activates many enzymes, including lysyl oxidase responsible for increasing the production of elastin and collagen. Using a topical solution on the skin which includes copper like our Oligo 5 Mineral Spray can help replenish supplies of collagen and elastin, in turn reducing wrinkles. Copper is also an important ingredient in our Water Element (night) Cream .
Playing an important role in the production of melanin, copper is also important for hair and skin pigment and we wrote a blog article on the topic of the use of copper (among other remedies) for grey hair here.
Get copper by eating beef liver, avocados, buckwheat, olives, sunflower seeds, lentils, almonds, dark chocolate and asparagus.
SUMMARY
A good mineral intake is important at any age and the optimum way to achieve this is through a whole foods diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables and other plant-based produce. Rather than worry about what to eat or what not to eat to make sure we’re getting all we need to look and feel younger longer, make consuming a rainbow diet with foods from each of the seven colors of the rainbow the foundation of your meals and snacks and build around that always making the most sensible choices we know intuitively are best for us.
