05 October 2015
Diet and Skin
diet, skin, hair,
You don't need to follow any special separate diet plan for the skin. Anything that is good for the body is good for the skin & hair. To keep the body & along with it the skin & hair healthy, follow the food pyramid in the image. Nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins & minerals are derived from various food sources. They are necessary for all. Cereals, pulses, fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, eggs & nuts taken in the right quantities provide all the necessary nutrients to the human body.
Vegetarians who do not consume enough dairy products are at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency is also extremely common, even in India where there is plenty of sunlight. Females should include iron rich food in their daily diet. Iron, vitamin B12 and vitamin D3 deficiency can be easily diagnosed by simple blood tests. Crash dieting, fasting, food fads, excess alcohol consumption, eating excess of packed, processed & junk food causes dullness of skin and hair fall. Dietary supplements help in people with pigmentation, pimples, mouth ulcers, hair loss, psoriasis etc.
Many people with skin disorders give up eating a particular food group completely eg. milk, eggs, sour foods, onions etc. I do not see the need for this unless there is sufficient evidence that that particular food is directly causing harm eg. eating a egg leading to hives. Many people with vitiligo give up citrus fruits completely. One must keep in mind that citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C which is a strong anti oxidant. Antioxidants have a positive role in the management of vitiligo. My advice- no food in moderation can be harmful.
photograph courtesy portableprofessionals.com