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Cindy Moore, MS, RD Responds:
No foods will "magically" erase laugh lines or rub out crow's-feet. However, the nutrients in many foods are vital to healthy skin. Here's how.
Vitamins A and C can help maintain healthy skin and prevent infections. Vitamin A is an antioxidant and helps produce collagen and elastin, which give skin its tautness yet flexibility. Good sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits, bell peppers, strawberries, and broccoli. Vitamin A–rich foods include sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, apricots, and carrots.
Zinc and protein may promote skin-cell growth and repair. Good sources of zinc include beef, pork, poultry, beans, nuts, whole grains, and fortified breakfast cereals.
Dry and itchy skin may find some relief from foods that supply essential fatty acids. You'll find essential fatty acids in canola oil and olive oil, salmon, sunflower seeds, and walnuts.
Antioxidant-rich vitamin E may help slow signs of aging by guarding against damage from free radicals that wreak havoc on body cells and tissues. Good sources include sunflower oil, safflower oil, and corn oil, in addition to nuts.
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Cindy Moore
MS, RD
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