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How Your Weight Affects Your Skin

Weight gain and loss, especially if it happens quickly or
repeatedly can have major effects on your skin. It makes sense,
your skin is an organ ? the biggest one you have. The old
saying, you are what you eat applies to your outside as much as
your inside. Fat deposits can cause low-grade inflammation that
may trigger skin disorders like psoriasis or other skin
ailments. Losing weight can not only reduce symptoms of these
skin diseases, but can put sufferers into complete remission
according to recent reports.

On the subject of weight gain ? especially during pregnancy ?
your skin can tell the tale. From stretch marks to breakouts,
your skin is definitely aware of what is happening inside your
body. Stretch marks are caused when the collagen in the dermis
is stretched beyond its natural limits. As the collagen is
damaged, the blood vessels dilate and the result is the reddish
purple stretch marks every pregnant woman prays to avoid. Over
time, the damaged skin actually loses its pigment and becomes
white ? less noticeable on fair-skinned people, but definitely
still there.

Weight gain outside of pregnancy can also give rise to stretch
marks if it happens quickly. But it?s the cause of the weight
gain (normally a poor diet and lack of exercise) that can also
be troublesome for your skin. Typically, such weigh increases
are the result of eating more processed foods (and we?re not
just talking about a Twinkie here and there). Processed foods,
especially when consumed in large quantities, flood your body
with huge amounts of trans fats, sugar and preservatives ? in
other words, lots of stuff you don?t want or need in your
system. For instance, excess sugar in your diet can actually
accelerate the aging process of your skin by attacking the
existing collagen in your skin and also effectively blocking
the production of more. Add that to the stretching going on
and that?s bad news.

On the other side of the equation, rapid weight loss can have
a damaging impact on your skin as well. Particularly in the
case of patients who have undergone gastric bypass or gastric banding, the body shrinks more quickly than the skin, leaving droopiness on the abdomen, thighs, arms and even the face.
Similar results can be seen as a result of extreme use of diet
pills and/or fasting. For these reasons and countless other
health reasons, most doctors are advocates of gradual
consistent weight loss centered on a healthy diet and exercise program.

In fact a lifestyle of healthy eating habits and daily exercise
can take years off your appearance. From the added antioxidants
and vitamins present in a balanced diet to the decreased sugar
intake, the collagen in your skin will be able to repair itself
and continue to manufacture more. The result? Fine lines and
wrinkles can actually fade and your skin can regain the taut
elasticity of your youth. You may also notice a difference in
your complexion. With fewer toxins to be processed and regular
exercise to keep your body?s natural detoxification cycle
moving, your skin will look better and feel better.

For a skin-healthy diet, try including more of the following
foods in your daily menu: fruit, vegetables (green peppers and
tomatoes are good starting points), low-fat protein (chicken or
fish are great choices), low-fat dairy products (milk and yogurt
are great, but watch out for sugar), whole grains (remember
oatmeal?) and good fats (like olive oil, some cheeses, etc.).


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