Vitamins are essential to healthy skin. A vitamin deficiency is known to cause dry and itchy skin. Vitamin A has been found to be the most important vitamin for healthy skin. Other vitamins like Potassium, Sodium, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, and Vitamin B are also important for healthy skin. Understanding the vitamins necessary for healthy skin can help you balance your diet properly to avoid and/or resolve skin problems as well as maintain your overall health.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is essential for cell growth especially skin cells. It also helps with night vision, bone growth and the immune system. Not enough vitamin A will lead to skin, hair, nail and eye problems. The recommended dosage for vitamin A ranges from 300mg to 1300mg depending on your health and age. The Beta Carotene is easily absorbed but too much of the retinol form of vitamin A can cause problems such as , dry skin and headaches. Good sources of vitamin A include: Carrots, peas, apricots, kale, spinach, pumpkin, squash, oranges and liver.
Potassium
Potassium is necessary for all bodily functions. It is the most abundant mineral in the body. It is necessary for proper cell growth and function. A deficiency of potassium may contribute to dry itchy skin. In addition to proper cell function potassium helps regulate fluids in the body and deficiency can lead to dehydration and contribute to dry skin. Good sources of potassium are potatoes, Squash, Peaches, Bananas, and Tomatoes.
Sodium
Sodium helps keep the body hydrated and sustain the delicate balance of electrolytes essential to efficient functioning. There is an inverse connection between Potassium and Sodium, when Potassium is high sodium is low and vice versa. A proper balance is necessary for healthy skin and a proper balance is best achieved through a balanced healthy diet.
Vitamin D
Many people have Vitamin D deficiencies because we protect ourselves from the sun which is a primary source of vitamin D. There are foods with vitamin D such as Milk, but most of us do not consume enough vitamin D to make up for the deficiency. A vitamin D deficiency can cause chronic dry skin, If you suffer from chronic dry skin try a vitamin D supplement, the most effective ones will have vitamin D3.
Vitamin E
Antioxidant qualities of vitamin E will protect skin cells from elements that produce free radicals. This is of course important for cells to remain healthy. Vitamin E helps to regulate vitamin A which helps to keep skin healthy. Vitamin E helps keep skin young looking by reducing fine lines and wrinkles and eliminating free radicals which age the skin. Vitamin E helps protect against the harmful effects of sun light and as a result also protects against skin cancer.
Vitamin B
There are eight vitamins in the B complex and several other substances. Vitamin B is important to healthy skin for a number of reasons: it helps maintain healthy skin tone; fights acne; it improves circulation and metabolism which help ensure nutrients get to the skin; it is also an antioxidant.
Conclusion
Making sure you get the right vitamins is essential for healthy skin. If you suffer from dry skin try changing your diet to make sure you get the right balance of vitamins. If necessary take supplements, you might be pleasantly surprised at how quickly your condition clears up.
