Lotions and potions are - of course - important, but what we feed our skin on the inside is just as vital as what we put on the outside.
We’re so invested in this belief that we even created our own, based on some of our customer’s most common skin issues - our Jump Start supplements are a formidable blend of our alkalising silica salt complex, vitamins E and D3, calcium, folic acid and magnesium to create optimal conditions for beautiful skin.
But we also know that everyone’s needs are different, so we’ve worked with expert nutritionist Sara Davenport to create a guide for every skin type, that will be coming out in early 2020. In the meantime, to kick-start our inside-out approach, we’ve compiled a quick guide to some of the most important vitamins and minerals, to help you understand what to add to your diet to help you glow from within.
Getting Started
There are two types of vitamins that you need to be aware of - fat-soluble and water-soluble.
Fat-soluble vitamins are mainly found in fatty foods such as dairy, oily fish and red meats - vitamins A, D, E and K. These can be stored by the body for future use.
Water-soluble vitamins, including vitamin C and folic acid, are in fruits & vegetables and cannot be stored by the body. This means you need to make a conscious effort to eat them more often.
Vitamin A
Too much of a good thing is never good, and this is especially true with Vitamin A. Avoid supplements for this and instead opt for getting it from your food sources. Too much Vitamin A has been known to actually damage the immune system and bone structure.
Good for
- Immune system
- Healthy bones
- Healthy teeth
- Great skin
- Maintaining eyesight
Found in
- Green leafy vegetables
- Orange coloured fruit & vegetables
- Liver
- Eggs
- Oily fish
Betacarotene
The body converts this carotenoid into vitamin A, meaning again it’s really important to get it via food sources rather than risk overrunning the body with it.
Good for
- Immune system
- Healthy bones
- Healthy teeth
- Great skin
- Maintaining eyesight
Found in
- Green leafy vegetables - especially spinach
- Orange coloured fruit & vegetables - especially carrots
- Yellow coloured fruit & vegetables
Vitamin B
Vitamin B is actually a group of water-soluble vitamins which include folic acid. Folic acid is a vitally important chemical for the body, especially in pregnant women.
Good for
- Protecting against birth defects in pregnant women
- Maintaining good hearing
Found in
- Green leafy vegetables - especially spinach
- Broccoli
- Mushrooms
- Dried beans
- Peas
- Whole grains
- Liver
- Oranges
Vitamin C
An all-round wonder, vitamin C has many different functions in the body.
Good for
- Boosting immune system
- Fighting infections
- Helping wounds heal
- Maintaining healthy gums & teeth
- Maintaining healthy bones
- Maintaining healthy circulatory system
- May protect against cataracts
- May improve sperm count
Found in
- Most fruits & vegetables
Vitamin D
Vitamin D promotes the body’s absorption of calcium, which is a vitally important function for normal bodily health. Doctors advise getting your necessary Vitamin D from natural sunlight where necessary, but if the winter months are making that tricky, it’s important to keep yourself topped up.
Good for
- Maintaining healthy bones
- Maintaining healthy teeth
- Maintaining a healthy nervous system
- May lower the risk of colon cancer
- May help prevent multiple sclerosis
Found in
- Oily fish
- Milk
- Liver
- Eggs
- Mushrooms
Vitamin E
Protecting the body from free radicals, which harm cells in tissues and organs (including the skin), maintaining levels of vitamin E is key to keeping yourself feeling fresh.
Good for
- Maintaining skin health
- Maintaining tissue & organ health
- Preventing degenerative diseases
- Preventing ageing
- Boosting brain power
- May reduce risk of cancer
- May reduce risk of heart disease
Found in
- Whole grains
- Green leafy vegetables
- Nuts
- Fish
- Meat
Next week, we’ll take a look at other supplements and how they can be beneficial for your health and wellbeing.
This article is not meant to treat or diagnose. Please visit your doctor for advice about any health concerns you may have.