Omega-3s - Your Prescription For Beautiful Skin

The scorching summer sun can do wonders for your tan, but your outing to the beach or the park can leave your skin dry and burnt. Slathering layers of sunblock and moisturizers provide only temporary relief, and your best remedy against harmful effects of sun exposure doesn’t come from topical creams, but from what you eat. A diet rich in Omega-3 essential fatty acids helps nourish your body from the inside out while poor eating habits can make you susceptible to harmful inflammation.

The Healing Power of Omega-3s
Beautiful skin isn’t something that can simply be bought at a drugstore. Radiant skin is a result of healthy, functioning cells and this is fostered by a healthy and balanced diet. Adequate intake of Omega-3 fatty acids facilitates normal cell function; when cell membranes are abundant in Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, nutrients, and neurotransmitters can flow more easily into the cells to do their work.

Omega-3s have been linked to a number of health benefits ranging from oxygen transport from the hemoglobin, anti-cancer effects, and improved cardiovascular health. Additionally, Omega-3s are used by cells to foster prostaglandin production. These hormones help reduce inflammation of skin tissue and influence epidermal health. Prostaglandins produced by Omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs) and Omega-6 gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) are known to be the most efficient and are attributed to glowing skin, lustrous hair, and strong nails.

A Balanced Diet is Key to Healthy Skin
Anti-inflammatory properties found in Omega-3 EFAs are critical to combat the effects of contaminants in our diets and environment. A diet that is too low in essential nutrients and too high in toxins causes our bodies to be at a constant state of alert, causing inflammation. Unfortunately, the typical American diet is lacking in Omega-3s and is too saturated in Omega-6 EFAs. Modern Western diets typically have a 10:1 ratio of Omega-6 EFAs to Omega-3s, a substantial disconnect from the optimal 4:1 or lower.

As Omega-6 fatty acids produce hormones that tend to be more inflammatory in nature, this discrepancy can cause a myriad of diseases and side-effects. Pro-inflammatory Omega-6 EFAs are derived from vegetables and vegetable oils and are commonly found in baked snack items and fried foods, as well as meats and animal-based saturated fats.

Excessive intake of pro-inflammatory Omega-6 fatty acids (such as vegetable oils and processed foods) correlates with disorders such as acne, melanoma, skin cancer, allergic hyperactivity, depression, and a number of other degenerative conditions. Omega-6 fatty acids should not be eliminated from the diet completely, as they are essential fatty acids and are thus vital in promoting good health.

Rather, by maintaining a balance between Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids, we can reap the most benefits. Not all Omega-6 fatty acids are created equal, and not all of them promote inflammation. Foods rich in vegetable oils as linoleic acid are linked to these negative effects whereas plant-based GLA, such as primrose oil and borage oil, are linked to skin and hair health, nail strength, and prostaglandin production.

Your Beauty Rx
Luckily, increasing your intake of Omega-3 EFAs can yield radiant skin, shiny hair, and strong nails. Supplements such as flaxseed oil and fish oil are great sources the anti-inflammatory EPA, DHA, and ALA Omega-3 fatty acids. Borage and evening primrose oils are unique omega-6 EFAs rich in GLA, which have been shown to support skin health. Barlean’s award-winning EFA-rich products provide you with fresh, quality oils – the way Nature intended. Their smoothie-like Omega Swirl supplements are not only delicious, but chock full of vital nutrients to promote a healthy body inside and out. For glowing skin and shiny hair, supplements rich in Omega-3 EFAs and GLA are this summer’s must-have products.

For more information about Omega-3 essential fatty acids please visit www.barleans.com

Article Source: http://www.wellnessarticlelibrary.com

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