I’m a firm believer in the feed, fortify and finish philosophy and recommend skin specific supplements to clients on a regular basis. There is a growing body of evidence to show that feeding skin from within can dramatically improve its appearance, so I thought I would share my thoughts on some of the objections to supplements.
1. ‘I eat a healthy diet’
Health conscious people are starting to realise that it’s difficult to get all the nutrients they need from their diet. Studies have shown that the nutritional profile of food has decreased significantly decade to decade, due to poor soil and intensive farming methods. Data from The Composition of Foods by McCance and Widdowson suggests that during a 50 year period, potatoes have lost 47 % copper, 45 % iron and 35 % calcium while carrots showed even bigger declines. Broccoli suffered an 80% drop in copper while calcium content was a quarter of what it had been in 1940, a pattern repeated in tomatoes. As an example, you would need to have eaten 10 tomatoes in 1991 to have obtained the same copper intake as from one tomato in 1940, and nutrient levels have continued to plummet in subsequent years.
2. ‘The nutrients in vitamin supplements are ‘flushed out’’.
We excrete water, but that doesn’t mean our bodies don’t need it. It’s the same with supplements. The water soluble nutrients such as Vitamin C or Vitamin B2 stay in our system for a relatively short period of time, they do their job, and by product is removed by the body. We still need to take them every day.
3. ‘I have a good skin care regime’
Skin specific supplements work on the whole body, not just the face. They will provide benefits for those hard to reach places too. Topical application of skin creams only penetrate the upper layers of the skin, whereas supplements work from the inside out.
4. ‘I don’t like swallowing tablets’
This is a harder one, but often supplements are in capsule form and can be opened and sprinkled over food or drinks.
5. ‘I’ll forget to take them’
Supplements are better absorbed into the body when they are taken with food. I take mine with my breakfast and a glass of water. If you try to take them at the same time every day, you’ll soon establish a routine.
The Advanced Nutrition Programme offers a wide range of skin supplements to suit all skin conditions. If you would like to find out more, call 01789 261144 for a free consultation.