Juicing for Beauty: Drink to Healthier Skin

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“The Everything Giant Book of Juicing” by Teresa Kennedy is full of recipes for healthy bodies.
“The Everything Giant Book of Juicing” by Teresa Kennedy is full of recipes for healthy bodies.
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If you’re dropping big bucks on creams for your skin, pricey hair products, and weekly manicures, you can pump up your routine by juicing for beauty benefits.
If you’re dropping big bucks on creams for your skin, pricey hair products, and weekly manicures, you can pump up your routine by juicing for beauty benefits.

Millions of Americans don’t get the recommended daily amounts of fruits and vegetables in their diets. The Everything Giant Book of Juicing (F+W Media, 2013) by Teresa Kennedy is packed with 300 recipes for fresh, delicious and easy juices for nutrition on the run. In this excerpt you will learn what to eat and how to begin juicing for beauty. For nutritious juicing recipes for beautiful skin, hair and nails, read 4 Juicing Recipes for Healthy Skin.

You can purchase this book from the Mother Earth Living store: The Everything Giant Book of Juicing.

Juicing for Healthy Skin, Hair and Nails

Every year, people spend a fortune trying to achieve three things: a glowing complexion; thick, shiny hair; and strong, beautiful nails. But the real secret to getting, and maintaining, these things, is nutrition. If you’re dropping big bucks on creams for your skin, pricy hair products, and weekly manicures, you’re missing out on the most effective way to ensure you look great—juicing! Beauty may be only skin deep, but it begins on the inside—with a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables that provide your skin, hair, and nails with the nutrients they need.

Keratin

The fact is, your skin, hair, and nails are some of the most powerful indicators of your overall health. That’s because they have a common building block, a protein called keratin. As keratin cells naturally push upward through the skin, they die and then harden, turning into your hair and nails, or are “shed” as the skin cells are replaced. Healthy bodies will produce smooth nails without ridges; thick, strong hair that isn’t prone to falling out or breakage; and a clear glowing complexion, while problems in these areas can be a signal from your body that you’re not getting the nutrients you need.

Consider also that so many skin care manufacturers are turning to Nature’s medicine chest and substituting vitamins, natural oils, fruit acids, and nutrients in topical cosmetics. Good as those aids may be, it only makes sense to begin your beauty regime from the inside out.

What to Eat

Here are some of the most important nutrients for a glowing complexion, beautiful hair, and strong, healthy nails:

Selenium plays a key role in skin cancer prevention and protects skin from sun damage. If you’re a sun worshipper, selenium could help reduce your chance of burning. Pumpkins are a good source of selenium.

Silica is a trace mineral that strengthens the body’s connective tissues and is found in cucumbers. Too little silica can result in reduced skin elasticity and slower healing of wounds.

Zinc controls the production of oil in the skin and may also help control some of the hormones that create acne. It clears skin by taming oil production and controlling the formation of acne lesions and is found in spinach, grapes, and garlic.

Calcium strengthens not just nails but bones and connective tissues as well. Oranges and tangerines are rich in calcium.

Essential fatty acids, also called omega acids, moisturize and maintain the skin’s flexibility. Without enough of them, the skin produces a more irritating form of sebum, or oil, which dries the skin and clogs pores, causing acne and inflammation. Avocados are a rich source of these nutrients.

Vitamin C reduces damage caused by free radicals, a harmful byproduct of sunlight, smoke, and pollution that destroys collagen and elastin (fibers that support your skin structure) and results in wrinkles and other signs of aging. Citrus fruits are a well-known source of vitamin C as are many other fruits and vegetables.

Vitamin E helps reduce sun damage, wrinkles, and uneven textures caused by sun damage. Strawberries and lettuce both contain vitamin E.

Vitamin B complex, especially biotin, is the nutrient that forms the basis of skin, nail, and hair cells. Without enough vitamin B, dermatitis and hair loss can occur. Apples, Swiss chard, and papaya are all excellent sources of B-complex vitamins.

Vitamin A is necessary for the maintenance and repair of skin tissue. Look for it in raspberries, kale, and cherries.


Excerpted from The Everything Giant Book of JuicingCopyright © 2013 by Teresa Kennedy and published by F+W Media, Inc. Used by permission of the publisher. All rights reserved. Buy this book from our store: The Everything Giant Book of Juicing.

  • Published on Jan 13, 2014
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