Mailbag! How to Get Youthful Skin from the Inside Out
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted May 3, 2022
My skin has gotten thin and as I’ve aged, and I bruise pretty easily. Do you have any suggestions for taking care of it?
–Tom from Biloxi, MS
Tom,
So many things are attacking our skin that it’s tough to keep it healthy as we age. Sun and chemical exposure (to both the inside and outside of our bodies) damages skin.
Another setback is, our bodies produce less collagen as we age. As you may already know, collagen determines how strong and smooth skin is.
Not only that, genetics play a role in how thin our skin becomes, which means that having good skin can feel like a roll of the dice.
While many people reach for lotion to deal with their thinning skin, I prefer a more holistic approach.
- Balance your sun exposure. Mainstream dermatologists will tell you to stay out of the sun, ignoring the fact that sun is also great and needed for healthy skin. I suggest you get out in the sun in the morning and/or evening, but skip the harsh midday sun.
- Stop inflammation. Too much inflammation can destroy your skin from the inside. You can drop inflammation by avoiding all vegetable oils and eating only butter, olive oil, and avocado oil. Sugar is also a culprit; it creates harmful chemicals called Advance Glycation End products (or AGEs) which can deplete the collagen in your skin. Limit sugar as much as you can.
- Avoid processed foods. Not only do processed foods have a lot of bad oils and sugar (which increase inflammation) but they also contain many other chemicals that are bad for your skin.
- Good fats. Fat is vital to help skin look healthy… but it needs to be the right type. As I mentioned above, butter is good for you, but you also want to make sure you get essential fatty acids like fish oil.
- Vitamins and antioxidants. Skin needs lots of good vitamins including beta-carotene, polyphenols, flavonoids, vitamin C (which is essential to building collagen), and vitamin E.
- Vitamins D and K. These two fat-soluble vitamins are missing from most people’s diet, and are desperately needed.
- Alcohol and smoking. Both alcohol and smoking damage skin.
P.S. Have a health concern that’s worrying you? Click here to submit your questions and get featured in the weekly mailbag!
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Two-Week Diet Switch Transforms Your Health
You know how you feel sluggish and “off” after a vacation filled with fast foods and processed snacks? Well, it’s not all in your head (or merely guilt). When you switch to an unhealthy Western-style diet, there are physical consequences—and they kick in faster than you might think… The Western diet is characterized by ultra-processed...
WARNING—Your Water Bottle Is Hiding a Disgusting Secret
Recently, a few people have asked me if it’s true that their water bottle has more germs than a toilet seat. It’s a shocking comparison that’ll make you think twice about everyday objects you use without much thought. So, is this claim true? Well, I must warn you that you might not like the answer…...
Research Reveals 3-for-1 Brain Protection "Checklist"
Age-related brain diseases—including stroke, dementia, and depression—threaten our quality of life. They can take the shine right out of your Golden Years. But you don’t have to take these threats lying down. While there are no guarantees in life, there are steps you can take to turn the odds in your favor—especially when it comes...
Mailbag: Your “Healthy Diet” Might Leave You Running on Empty
“Do supplements really work?” Hopeful Skeptic Hi Hopeful, That’s a fantastic question! It gets straight to the heart of a vital fact about human biology. Our bodies are incredible machines. But they don’t work in a vacuum. They require outside help to function. For example, they can’t manufacture most vitamins and minerals on their own....
Forgotten 80s Superfood Reemerges as Artery Superstar
Do you remember when vitamin E was the talk of the town? This common nutrient had a surge of popularity in the 80s and 90s. But now I can’t remember the last time I had a patient ask me about it. Well, it turns out this forgotten 80s superfood deserves another moment in the spotlight....
Strokes CAN Strike Twice—This Simple Fix Cuts Your Risk 20%
They say lightning never strikes twice in the same place. But that old adage couldn’t be further from the truth when it comes to strokes. If you’ve had a stroke, you might think you’re out of the woods once you recover. But the reality is far different… A comprehensive study published in JAMA revealed the...
Can Your Diet Defend Your Brain From Aging?
Our brains work hard every day, helping us solve problems, create memories, and connect with loved ones. But as we age, they face new challenges that can quietly chip away at our vitality. One of those challenges? The buildup of iron. Though iron is essential for many functions, too much can harm your brain, contributing...
Common Deficiency DOUBLES Risk of Your Body Attacking Itself
Most of us know vitamin D as the “sunshine vitamin.” And many think of it mainly for bone health as we age. But research now suggests that this nutrient may be just as crucial for supporting our immune system throughout life, beginning as early as childhood. In fact, a lack of vitamin D, especially in...
What Is a Healthy Night’s Sleep? Three Critical Criteria
We’ve all heard the advice about how important getting enough sleep is to your health. Heck, I have even given this advice countless times. But here’s what the so-called sleep experts aren’t telling you—that perfectly uninterrupted eight hours of sleep they keep preaching about? It’s a myth. In fact, if you wake up several times...
Can Your “Poop Schedule” Predict Disease?
We all do it. If you’re alive, you poop. Some of us are so regular that we could set a clock based on our bathroom habits. Others, not so much. And yet, talking about bowel movements remains one of those taboo topics. Even your doctor skims over it during your annual checkup! But the truth...