Clearing My Skin Once and For All

Menopause signals the end of a woman's reproductive phase. Unfortunately, it can also signal the end of healthy looking skin. The reduction in the production of important hormones such as estrogen can cause skin to sag, become thinner, and discolor in unwanted areas. There are many things you can do to improve the look of menopausal skin, but the first and easiest place to start is your diet. Here are some foods to add to the menu that may help you achieve skin renewal in your area.

Collagen Builders

One reason why your skin begins sagging during menopause is because your body stops producing as much collagen. Collagen is a protein found abundantly throughout the body. Not only is it one of the building blocks of skin, muscles, and hair, it also serves as a sort of glue that helps connect internal structures together. Unfortunately, as a person ages, the amount of collagen the body produces lessens and existing stores gets depleted, leading to sagging skin. This natural process is often exacerbated by bad habits, such as overconsumption of sugar and smoking.

Changing your diet and adding foods that stimulate collagen production may help protect your skin and stave off the effects of aging. Common foods that contain collagen stimulating agents include:

• Dark green leafy vegetables like spinach, cabbage, and kale
• Bread and butter beans
• Red fruits and vegetables such as strawberries, red peppers, and tomatoes
• Citrus fruits and foods containing vitamin C
• Blueberries and prunes (they contain antioxidants that minimize damage to collagen)
• Flaxseed (contains omega-3 fatty acid that acts like collagen and plumps up skin)

Phytoestrogen Producers

Another thing that affects skin's appearance and elasticity is estrogen loss. This hormone is responsible for regulating a woman's menstrual cycle, but it also has a hand in many of the body's other systems. In particular, estrogen helps with maintaining skin's thickness, smoothness, and moisture levels. Lower estrogen levels during menopause can cause skin to become thin and dry, making it easier to form wrinkles.

Hormone replacement therapy can go a long way towards increasing estrogen levels. However, you can naturally increase the amount of estrogen in your body by eating foods that contain phytoestrogens. This substance mimics the action of estrogen, which can help alleviate menopause symptoms and protect your skin.

Foods high in phytoestrogens include:

• Flaxseed
• Soy products like beans, nuts, yogurt, and milk
• Sesame seeds
• Legumes like hummus and lentils
• Dried apricots, dates, and prunes

For more information about foods that can help protect menopausal skin or beauty treatments that may assist with skin care, contact a dermatologist or cosmetologist.