Skin Food: Pumpkin Seeds
A healthy diet goes hand-in-hand with healthy skin. Take care of your skin from the inside out with 'skin foods' like pumpkin seeds!
Pumpkin seeds contain so many wonderful vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fatty acids that are great for your skin. And they make a tasty snack too! Pumpkin seeds are packed with antioxidants like Vitamin E, Carotenoids (Vitamin A,) Zinc, Manganese, Phenolic antioxidants, and Phyto-nutrient antioxidants. These anti-aging antioxidants protect against harmful free-radical damage and help improve your overall health.
Pumpkin seeds are also anti-microbial and have been shown to eliminate unhealthy microbes from the body, prevent yeast overgrowth and to improve skin conditions and inflammation.
Pumpkin seeds are one of the best sources of Zinc
, which is an excellent anti-aging and acne fighting mineral. Zinc supports cellular regeneration, collagen production and skin elasticity for firm skin, and has been shown to improve acne. The zinc found in pumpkin seeds also helps reduce inflammation inside the body, supports your immune system, metabolism, sleep, mood, hormone production and overall skin, hair, and nail health.
Selenium
found in pumpkin seeds neutralizes free radical damage and protects against inflammation, hyperpigmentation, and damage caused by UV radiation. By protecting skin from UV damage, selenium helps prevent the breakdown of collagen which causes skin laxity, fine lines, and wrinkles. Selenium also supports clear skin by strengthening your body's ability to fight infections like acne, and by reducing inflammation.
The essential fatty acid, Alpha-Linolenic Acid
, regulates oil and moisture levels in the skin. Fatty Acids regulate the cell membrane, keeping nutrients and water inside the cell and filtering out waste and harmful fats. A diet rich in essential fatty acid keep cells moisture levels high which improves the visible signs of aging, as well as acne-prone and oily skin.
Pumpkin seeds also contain Tryptophan
, an amino acid that our bodies convert into serotonin and melatonin. Serotonin is linked to improved moods and social interactions. Melatonin promotes restful sleep and improved mood. A good night's sleep is crucial for maintaining healthy skin, as the majority of cell turnover, or regeneration, occurs in the REM sleep cycle.
