CONNECTOR.AE 36 CONNECTOR.AE 37 Health and Wellness Health and Wellness sugar intake and opt for whole, nutrientdense foods to support overall health and skin health.” Impact of Unhealthy Fats On Skin Elasticity And Appearance “Most unhealthy fats in junk food often come with high levels of carbs and sugar, like in cookies or doughnuts. Consuming oxidised fats along with sugar leads to rapid weight gain, acne, and a decline in collagen production,” adds, Natasha Rudatsenko from Health Nag. Dr. Umesh Nihalani from Dubai London Clinic and Speciality Hospital explains how inflammation is connected to oxidative stress in the skin, stating that this process can significantly impact collagen levels. Dr. Umesh Nihalani elaborates, “Skin ageing is a complex biological process that can be classified into chronological ageing and photo-ageing, both influenced by internal and external factors. Maintaining youthful skin largely depends on preserving healthy collagen, a protein crucial for the skin’s radiance, elasticity, and firmness. However, collagen can be damaged by sun exposure and inflammation. Over time, with cumulative exposure, collagen gradually breaks down. Inflammation further accelerates this breakdown. Consuming processed foods, which are highly inflammatory, increases oxidative stress on the skin, leading to premature collagen degradation.” How Can A Healthier Diet And Cutting Back On Junk Improve Skin Health? Now that we understand how junk food impacts skin elasticity and how inflammatory foods contribute to collagen breakdown, accelerating the ageing process, let’s explore ways to reverse the damage and improve skin health. Natasha Rudatsenko from Health Nag recommends focusing on foods rich in vitamin C, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, to slow collagen loss, which decreases by about 1% annually after age 25. Additionally, a protein-rich diet can boost overall collagen production. For optimal skin health, combine a balanced diet high in protein and fibre with a highquality collagen supplement. dressings, which are often high in unhealthy ingredients and sugars. Also, choose whole fruits instead of fruit juices to avoid excess processing.” Hydration Is Necessary Drinking plenty of water helps flush out toxins, keeps your skin hydrated and glowing, and helps control dirt and oil. Aim to incorporate at least three litres of water into your daily routine. Workout And Eat Whole Food Enjoy junk food and sugar in moderation, and balance it with regular workouts to burn off excess sugar. You must also opt for whole foods over processed ones, and choose whole fruits instead of fruit juices to maximise nutritional benefits. Add Antioxidants To Your Diet Antioxidants protect your skin from damage and ageing by neutralising free radicals, which are unstable molecules that harm cells. They also help maintain healthy collagen production. You can get antioxidants from colourful fruits and vegetables like berries and citrus, nuts and seeds such as almonds, and spices like turmeric and ginger. Meanwhile, Dr. Umesh Nihalani from Dubai London Clinic and Speciality Hospital, says, “Cutting back on junk and oily foods reduces oxidative stress on your skin. Lowering your intake of excess salt and sugar can decrease dryness and inflammation. Less inflammation means less collagen breakdown, which slows the ageing process. Additionally, it supports the skin’s inflammatory response and strengthens its immunity, leading to fewer infections. Overall, these changes make the skin more resilient.” What To Incorporate In Your Diet To Fix Skin Damage from Junk Food Say Yes To Cooking Meals Natasha Rudatsenko from Health Nag advises starting by cutting out packaged foods from your diet. Instead, focus on eating homemade meals made from whole, clean ingredients. When cooking at home, choose healthy oils like extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, and grass-fed ghee. Balanced Diet Is The Key Dr. Umesh Nihalani from Dubai London Clinic and Speciality Hospital, “To support healthy skin, aim for a balanced diet that includes a variety of vitamins, minerals, fats, proteins, and antioxidants. Incorporate a multi-coloured salad into your daily meals and use cold-pressed oils rich in good fats for cooking. Opt for whole foods over processed ones, and skip store-bought salad
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