Essential Fatty Acids for Healthy Skin

We all know that essential fatty acids are beneficial for our overall health, but they play a vital role in healthy beautiful skin as well.

 ”Essential fatty acids are responsible for healthy cell membranes, which is not only what act as barriers to harmful things but also as the passageway for nutrients to cross in and out and for waste products to get in and out of the cell,” says Ann Yelmokas McDermott, PhD, a nutritionist at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston.

Because it is the cell membrane that also holds water in, the stronger that barrier is the better your cells can hold moisture. And that means plumper, younger looking skin.

Also, the same inflammatory process that can harm our arteries and cause heart disease can harm skin cells. Essential fatty acids can offer protection to both.

The best-known essential fatty acids are omega 3 and omega 6, which must be in balance for good health (and good skin). Though we all seem to get enough omega 6, many people lack omega 3s. 

How do we get essential fatty acids?

Healthy Foods: Including foods such as wild salmon, walnuts, dark leafy greens, hemp and flax seeds in your diet will provide essential fatty acids, and thus are key foods for healthy skin.

Healthy Oils: Which oils are the right oils for healthy skin? Look for those labeled cold pressed, expeller processed, or extra virgin. When an oil is commercially processed, chemical solvents are added and the oil is heated to an extreme temperature. Through this and an additional five to six processing steps, important nutrients are lost.  By consuming good-quality oils, you get all the nutrients that are not only good for your skin, but good for your body as well.

Supplements:

Evening Primrose Oil is rich in gammalinolenic acid (GLA) which is essential to good health.  GLA is needed in order for the body to make a family of hormone-like compounds that control every organ in the body including our skin.  Linolenic acid, an essential fatty acid also found in Evening Primrose Oil, reduces many anti-aging problems like sagging skin, dry and rough skin. This oil also shows enhanced results in treating wrinkles and fine lines on your skin, as well as improving hair and nail condition and strength.  For best results, take up to 3 softgels, twice daily.

Flaxseed oil helps nourish the skin membranes by supplying the skin with natural Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids in Flaxseed oil are also essential for the production of prostaglandins in the skin to help reduce inflammation and promote healing.  For best results take 2 to 6 softgels per day, with food, for best absorption.

Reference: http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments