From the Inside Out

By Jamie Bussin

If you want beautiful skin there are basic choices that you can make, such as protecting it from the sun’s harmful rays, staying properly hydrated and moisturizing. But according to nutraceutical formulator and frequent guest on The Tonic Talk Show/Podcast, Dr. Gordon Chang PhD, if we want to renew and support our skin’s health, we should do so from within. Meaning, we should make sure that we have the proper nutrients. We spoke about this in Episode #88. This article is a digest of that discussion.

Free Radicals: The damage to our skin is as a result of free radicals. The ultraviolet light from the sun creates free radicals that damage our skin. Of course we can cover up or apply sunscreen to block the UV rays. But once the damage is done, the skin will have to be repaired. 

Antioxidants: To mitigate against free radicals, Gordon recommends supplementing with antioxidants that specifically are situated in the skin. Examples include Vitamin E and Omega 3 fish oil (with EPA and DHA). 

Antioxidants are also helpful in preventing acne breakouts. Acne generally occurs when sweat glands in our skin get blocked. Bacteria build up and cause infections and inflammation damaging the skin cells.

Minerals: Silica in colloidal form (meaning that the molecules are small enough to be absorbed by the gut) provides the element of silicon to the body. It together with other minerals such as zinc, selenium and copper are all necessary for the enzymes that regenerate our skin.

Collagen: Collagen is a protein prevalent in our body. It is responsible for the elasticity of our skin. While you can source collagen from the foods you eat, it must be processed by our bodies first. Ingested collagen is broken down into amino acids through digestion, and then our bodies take those amino acids and build the collagen back to be used in our skin, bones, hair and connective tissues.

Hyaluronic Acid: Hyaluronic acid is one of the building blocks of our skin, not just the epidermis (or outer layer) but the underlying layers, too. 

Multivitamins: For the best bang for the buck, take a multivitamin which typically contains many different phytonutrients (another source of antioxidants).

Lastly, in addition to supplementation Gordon recommends the following lifestyle choices to support your skin health:

  • Cover your skin to prevent UV damage
  • Eat a healthy balanced diet which includes fruits and vegetables (a great source of antioxidants
  • Exercise regularly
  • Get a good night’s sleep