Vitamins For the Skin

Studies have shown that improving your nutritional habits and health will affect the skin, the largest organ in the body. The news is full of information about moving to a more natural diet and healthier lifestyle. Introducing natural foods into the diet will affect the condition of the skin because natural foods address the existing nutritional deficits. A combination of vitamins will make a difference in the ability of the skin to tolerate environmental pollutants and clogged pores.

Following several studies scientists could not identify just one vitamin that would clear the skin or make it glow. But in fact, there is promise that in combination, vitamins help to improve the nutritional deficits and improve the condition of the skin. This isn’t a new concept since taking one single vitamin doesn’t help any other medical condition either.

Scientists have found that vitamins should be taken together so that they are able to work synergistically. In other words, no vitamin is able to create a healthy environment in the body on its own. It is important, therefore, to eat a well balanced diet and to take a high quality multi-vitamin supplement each day.

Researchers know that vitamins and minerals are powerful antioxidants. In fact antioxidants work to eliminate toxins from the body and play an important role in the health of all organ systems, of which the skin is the largest. One specific factor that has been shown to have a role in the development of blemishes is poor nutrition and the lack of essential vitamins and minerals.

Interestingly, vitamins can also cause an outbreak of acne when they are taken in large amounts and the body cannot adequately disposes the material. The skin may be the largest organ but it is also an excretory organ, which means it is a protective layer against the environment which also excretes or gets rid of waste and toxins. The skin will transport sweat, toxins and wastes into the environment through the pores. When someone takes a specific combination of vitamins in excess the excretion of these vitamins can results in acne.

One vitamin which has been shown to improve skin conditions is vitamin A. It does this by reducing the production of oil and therefore prevents acne and strengthens the protective tissue. Vitamin A is necessary for the repair and maintanence of mucous membranes and will help in the transportation of toxins. (1)

Vitamin B is a multi-factorial vitamin, which means there are several vitamins which fall under this classification. The vitamins include riboflavin, pantothenic acid, thiamine, niacin, and pyridoxine. Each of these plays an important role in the overall health of the body\’s skin. These B complex vitamins also help to reduce and relieve stress and anxiety. This is important because research has shown that stress and anxiety will increase hormonal imbalance and trigger an acne outbreak. (2)

Vitamin B1 will act as an anti-oxidant, fleshing out toxins from the body as well is helping in the digestion and circulation of the blood. Vitamin B2, riboflavin, should be taken with vitamin A in order to improve absorption and will maintain and improve membranes, hair, skin and nails. A lack of vitamin B2 has been shown to lead to acne outbreaks, making it an important vitamin for acne supplementation.

Vitamin B3, Niacinamide, helps improve circulation which is essential for metabolism of fat, carbohydrates and proteins. Vitamin B5, pantothenic acid, is vital to reduce stress and is required for the proper functioning of the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands will regulate some of the hormones circulating throughout the body which will in turn affect the outbreak of acne.

The final B complex vitamin is vitamin B6 or pyridoxine, which is essential for the production and function of the immune system. Without the immune system bacterial overgrowth can overpower the organs of the body causing infections. To a lesser degree, this vitamin can also decrease the protection against skin bacteria leading to increased blemishes.

Another vitamin which can help to improve the success of a clear skin is Vitamin C. This vitamin is a powerful anti-oxidant which helps in the repair of tissue growth, boosting the immune system and protection against infection. (3) Vitamin E plays another role by preventing excess fat accumulation in the body and protects against cell damage through the formation of free radicals. (4)

Although there is no one vitamin that will improve the quality of the skin, in combination and working synergistically, vitamins and natural foods can help to heal the body from the inside out. Since the skin is the largest organ in the body it only stands to reason that the skin will also be affected by the foods we eat and the vitamins in which we are deficient.

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(1) Office of Dietary Supplements National Institutes of Health: Vitamin A

(2) American Cancer Society: Vitamin B Complex

(3) Medline Plus: Vitamin C

(4) Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin E