Do We Really Need Supplements for Healthy Skin and Body?

AUTHOR - DR. DAVID JACK

We are all aware by now that our skin is actually an organ – the largest organ in our body in fact – and hence the state of our skin can be a great reflection of what’s going on internally.

Skin Care is important, but what we really need, if we are serious about looking – and feeling – good is to take a 360 degree approach to skin health.

As we know, lifestyle, particularly diet, exercise and our emotional/mental state play a big part. Stress wreaks havoc on the skin, as do the obvious additional factors of pollution, smoking, alcohol, sugar and junk food.

So, all we have to do is adopt a healthy lifestyle right? i.e. eat healthily, exercise, get abundance of fresh air, hydration, quality sleep, positive mindset and emotional wellbeing.

Yes, they are all a good start, but there are other things to consider such as underlying health conditions, nutritional deficiencies and hormonal imbalances which can have a big effect on the skin.

The first thing we can do if we are facing skin issues is to get a check up with our Doctor. A full blood count is a good place to start to check for deficiencies and sometimes it might be necessary to get our hormone levels checked too.

Some may argue that we should be able to get all the nutrients from our diet but in reality the soil is often depleted of minerals and our food is mass produced which has led to a reduction in quality.

So should we then ‘just pop a multi-vitamin and hope for the best? Maybe. But what is the quality of the multi-vitamin? Is it full of bulking agents and starches? Is it addressing any nutritional deficiencies you may have? Are you getting the right amount of each vitamin and mineral needed in your specific case? Is your body absorbing the nutrients?

Nutrition is a science, part of biochemistry, and that’s not to overwhelm you but there’s a lot more to it than simply popping a pill.

There are many supplements available – beyond the standard multi-vitamin - that can support your body to perform at it’s best, assist with detoxification if necessary, help to calm your mind or energise you (beyond simply reaching for a shot of coffee!).

Enter Adaptogens

Nature often has the answer. Let's look at Adaptogens, for example, which are receiving a lot of attention these days. Everyone can benefit from these, found naturally in certain herbs and mushrooms (!).

They have a unique ability to adapt their function according to the specific needs of the body, listening to what your internal physiology is telling them. Not only do they address fatigue; Adaptogens have been shown to enhance mental performance, whilst reducing the effects of psychological stress, improving overall wellbeing, reducing anxiety, and helping you to relax. You can find Adaptogens in a few of our supplements such as Relax and Skinshake.

Another important aspect which has also been under the spotlight, is the gut microbiome. This factor was largely overlooked but is critical for immunity and overall health in general. Consider a good probiotic supplement or even better get your microbiome tested to check for imbalances.

‘Even the healthiest diet cannot provide the body with everything it needs,’ says world-renowned, board certified dermatologist Dr Howard Murad. ‘Supplements ensure optimal nutrition by topping you up with the essential vitamins and minerals your body needs.’

Let’s explore some more key ingredients which will get you well on your way towards your beauty and health goals:

Collagen & Hyaluronic Acid, found naturally in the body and skin, get depleted over time and so it can be useful to supplement our diet with these. We added Hyaluronic Acid to our Skin + Hair + Nails beauty supplement

Minerals such as Magnesium, Iron, Iodine and Zinc can be found in our SkInfusion Micronutrient Skin Drink along with a multivitamin and antioxidant blend, best taken during exercise when your skin is flushed to optimize the delivery of the potent blend that your skin needs to optimize your complexion

Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant produced in cells, but can become depleted due to poor nutrition, stress and environmental toxins or simply the ageing process. It works well with Vitamin C which helps to increase levels of Glutathione and takes care of the free radicals and oxidation. We’ve added this to a number of our supplements such as SkinShake to assist with detoxification and to brighten the skin.

As for vitamins many people are deficient in vitamin D and quite often one or two of the B vitamins, especially if you happen to be vegan or vegetarian, then it’s even more important to supplement. You will find Vitamins A,B (the full range including Biotin), C, D, E and even K in our SkInfusion Micronutrient Skin Drink along with minerals, and trace elements totalling 27 micronutrients!

MSM (organic sulfur): This ingredient plays a major part in the production of Collagen, which provides structural support to the skin (along with Elastin which also impacts the flexibility and resilience of skin). Not only that, but it’s been shown to strengthen Keratin (an important protein in skin and hair), and it’s anti-inflammatory. Inflammation can damage skin cells and cause signs of premature aging like wrinkles, so we want to counter this. You’ll find this powerhouse ingredient in our Skin + Hair + Nails beauty supplement