vitamins for healthy skin

Vitamin Deficiency and Dry Skin
===============================

From LoveToKnow Vitamins

Vitamin deficiency and dry skin can, quite literally, go hand in hand.
The appropriate dosages of different vitamins and nutrients are
essential for proper health, and inadequate supplies of certain
vitamins can result in dry skin.

Dry skin can be caused by vitamin deficiencies.

Defining Dry Skin
-----------------

Dry skin can be as simple as slightly rough or itchy skin, or it could
be a more severe condition creating cracks, redness, peeling, pain, or
a burning sensation. In severe cases, lesions may appear or the skin
could begin scaling.

While simple vitamin deficiencies are not necessarily the cause behind
severe dry skin, understanding which vitamins are necessary for
healthy skin can help individuals afflicted with skin conditions plan
a diet to keep their skin healthy.

Vitamins Essential for Healthy Skin
-----------------------------------

Several vitamins and nutrients are necessary for healthy,
well-moisturized skin. Vitamin A – both the retinol and beta carotene
forms – is the most essential, but proper skin health results from the
proper balance of several vitamins.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A was first discovered in 1913 and today it is known to be
important for several health issues. Vitamin A not only contributes to
proper cell growth and repair, particularly of skin cells, but is also
essential for strengthening night vision, assisting bone growth, and
regulating the immune system. A deficiency of Vitamin A can lead not
only to dry skin but also to dry hair, broken fingernails, and dry
eyes.

Carrots are rich in beta carotene.

The recommended daily dosage of Vitamin A varies from 300 to 1,300
micrograms (1,000 to 4,300 IUs) based on age and other health factors
such as pregnancy. While the beta carotene form of Vitamin A can
easily be absorbed in much greater amounts, too much of the retinol
Vitamin A can result in nausea, dry skin, headaches, and other
symptoms.

Vitamin A can be found in a number of healthy foods, including
carrots, egg yolks, peas, apricots, kale, spinach, pumpkin, squash,
and oranges. Liver is also a rich source of Vitamin A, and the vitamin
is often added to fortified juices and cereals as well as
multivitamins and other supplements.

More Vitamins for Skin Health

Other vitamins are also essential to prevent dry skin, including:

Potassium

Sources: Potatoes, squash, peaches, bananas, tomatoes

Sodium

Sources: Dill pickles, olives, tuna, saltwater fish

Vitamin D

Sources: Sunlight, fortified milk, cereals

Vitamin E

Sources: Corn, sunflower oil, asparagus, oats, carrots, wheat
 germ

Vitamin B

Sources: Whole grains, liver

Clearly, healthy, moisturized skin depends on a balance of many
vitamins and nutrients, and a nutritious diet should be designed to
meet all of an individual’s vitamin needs to ensure good health,
including smooth, luxurious skin.

Healing Vitamin Deficiency and Dry Skin
---------------------------------------

If a vitamin deficiency is responsible for dry skin, consulting a
dietitian or physician for a proper nutritional analysis is essential.
Adding daily supplements of missing vitamins can dramatically improve
skin condition, particularly if the deficiency is severe. Ideally, an
individual’s nutrient balance and vitamin needs should be met through
a regular, healthy diet. Adding vegetables to every meal and choosing
recipes that include foods rich in Vitamin A can help ensure a vitamin
deficiency does not contribute to dry skin.

In addition to adding the proper dietary supplements to combat dry
skin, topical lotions and moisturizers – especially those enriched
with Vitamin A, Vitamin E, or aloe–-can help heal skin, and drinking
plenty of water keeps skin moisturized from the inside out.

Other Causes of Dry Skin

In many cases, a lack of vitamins may not be the cause for dry skin.
More than 100 different diseases and environmental conditions can
contribute to dry skin, including:

Climate, such as high heat, low humidity, or intense cold

Chronic dehydration

Harsh chemicals, including soaps, bleach, and household cleansers

Sunburn

Thyroid problems or other hormonal imbalances

Diabetes, eczema, psoriasis, and other skin conditions

Drinking too much caffeine or alcohol

Making lifestyle adjustments to compensate for these dry skin causes
as well as being treated for other medical conditions that may
contribute to skin problems can also help heal skin quickly and
easily.

Vitamin deficiency and dry skin can be related, but there are many
other factors that should be considered when seeking a solution for
dry skin. Understanding which vitamins affect skin condition, however,
can help balance nutritional needs to ensure healthy skin.

For more information about skin diseases, products, and skin health,
visit LoveToKnow Skin Care.

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Comments
--------

Why would you drink diet cokes?

-- Contributed by: Matt

---------------------------------------------------------------------

My 9 year old daughter has skin that feels like sandpaper. She takes a
multi-vitamin every day but is also on Remerol for anxiety. Can the
meds be the cause of her dry skin or is it more likely a vitamin
deficiency? She loves fruit and vegetables, but the veggies are
usually from a can (probably losing their nutrients during
processing).

-- Contributed by: Ana

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi Pam,

Many people (myself included) cannot tolerate the chemical sugar
substitute aspartame, also called Nutra Sweet. Symptoms of sensitivity
to Nutra Sweet include headaches, stomach upset, and rashes like what
you've described. Five and six diet sodas a day is a lot of Nutra
Sweet. Try eliminating the diet sodas and switching to water for two
weeks. If the blotches go away, you've found the cause. Dry skin might
take longer to clear up. Good luck!

-- Contributed by: Jeanne Grunert > See All Comments on this article

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