The Benefits of Healthy Fats: Skin Health

By Lydia Wallie, Nutrition Director

Are you starting to notice fine lines, wrinkles, or sagging skin? Your nutrition can either support healthier skin cells or contribute to a faster aging process which is not what you want for your skin!

Since, “Skin is characterized by active lipid metabolism and fatty acids play crucial roles both in terms of structural integrity and functionality,” (1) it’s important that the fats we consume be high quality.

Instead of highly processed fats, choose fats from whole food sources in the least processed forms possible. Examples include: avocado, olive, sunflower seeds, wild-caught fish, and shockingly enough, grass-fed beef has omega-3 fatty acids! (2)

More research studies show the following:

“Intake of monounsaturated fatty acids has been reported to reduce oxidative stress, insulin resistance and related inflammatory processes and may thus protect from skin photoaging.” Olives and olive oil are a great source of monounsaturated fatty acids! (3)

“Omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids play an important role as human skin barriers, and also have certain effects in the prevention and treatment of skin inflammation.” (4)

Next steps: Take inventory of the fats you’re consuming and decide how to make an upgrade. Need help with your healthy fat consumption and habits? Contact us to set up a Nutrition Session!

Sources:

(1) doi: 10.1016/j.plipres.2012.10.003

(2) PMID: 16500874

(3) doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0044490

(4) doi: 10.3390/nu12030870