YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT | 5 Anti-Aging Foods For Beautiful Skin

We are what we eat.

With the current shift in consciousness towards whole foods, the clean eating trend is here to stay. Despite this, our supermarkets remain full of processed foods, and fast food is still cheap and convenient. Choosing to eat healthy food will prolong our lives, reduce our chances of getting sick, give us energy, mental clarity and beautiful, glowing skin.

For an excellent in-depth read on this topic, Dr Libby is the authority on natural health and beauty. Her book 'Beauty From The Inside Out' is invaluable when trying to address our external beauty concerns internally through diet and supplementation.

Fasting: the new anti-aging fix?

Proponents of intermittent fasting swear by its anti-aging effects. Healthy fasting comes in many forms; short fasts between 12 - 18 hours, juice fasts, water fasts and the 5:2 diet (and its variations). Emerging research shows that during fasting, our bodies actually switch into 'repair mode', destroying old, decaying cells for energy.

The BBC documentary 'Eat, Fast, and Live Longer' is a must watch on this new trend.

New Zealand health researcher Jason Shon Bennett is a living example of how life-changing intelligent fasting can be. His personal story has seen him totally eliminate chronic asthma from his life through diet and fasting; despite being told he would need to be on medication for the rest of his life. Alongside these amazing results, Jason looks about ten years younger than his actual age. His talks are compelling and well worth going to if you're ready for a health overhaul.

5 foods for beautiful skin

GREENS.

Upping your intake of leafy green vegetables is one of the best things you can do for your health and skin. Spinach and kale are easily added into smoothies, salads and stir-fries. Try and opt for a big bowl of greens with your lunch and dinner every single day. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower are also excellent for the body, and very filling.

GOOD FATS

Our bodies love good fats. Fats like nuts, seeds, avocado, coconut, and oily fish nourish us from the inside out, assisting with vitamin absorption, brain function, inflammation protection, and heart health. These lovely foods also keep our skin moisturised and looking young. Choose your fats from natural, plant based sources where possible.

VITAMIN C RICH FOODS

Our bodies cannot store vitamin C, so we must consume it every day. Known best for assisting immune function, vitamin C is also essential for collagen production (the fibres that keep skin firm and smooth). Citrus fruits, capsicum, berries, greens, tropical fruits and tomatoes are all excellent sources of this wonder vitamin. Supplementation with a vitamin C powder is also a great way to get an extra boost if you're not 100%. Try Clinicians High Dose Vitamin C Powder.

GREEN AND WHITE TEA

Antioxidants are a hot topic in the health world, and we are encouraged to consume these to limit free-radical damage in our bodies. Free radical damage is basically oxidation, much like the brown colour that a cut piece of apple displays after exposure to air. Ironically, just by breathing we are also aging and damaging our bodies.

Free radical damage also comes from external toxins like smoke and pollution, as well as toxins that end up in our bodies. Green and white tea contain high amounts of polyphenols, antioxidant plant compounds. These have proven health benefits. Swap your coffee, black tea, and soft drinks for green or white tea, and reap the anti-aging benefits.

COCONUT WATER and FILTERED OR DISTILLED WATER

Hydration is key for good health. On average, our bodies are 65% water, and we must work to replenish lost fluids. Purified water is the best bet; consider a water filter or distiller to remove chlorine, fluoride (a known neurotoxin), and other unnecessary chemicals from your tap water. Herbal teas are a great way to get extra water into our bodies; or try a herbal tea bag in your water bottle for something different. Coconut water is a true super food, providing us not only with hydration but with mineral and electrolyte replacement. It is the ideal sports drink, perfect as a base for smoothies, and an effective hangover cure.