Internal foundations for Skin health

The skin is such a fantastic and skilled partner. It reflects what is inside for us to see with our eyes and thinking brain. It takes in from our environment to both nourish and filter. In this way, we can see how what we do to care for our body impacts our skin and vice versa.

Let’s dive into some bi-lateral care you can do both topically and internally to improve your long term immunity and fight off the things we all want to ideally avoid and also combat collagen loss.

AUTHOPHAGY

Assisting our bodies in cleaning up is a number 1 priority for longevity and a youthful appearance.

Starter Autophagy

To initiate this process, begin gradually by incorporating nutrient-rich foods that promote autophagy, such as green tea, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, ginseng, coffee, garlic, and mushrooms—eliminating the need for strict fasting. A holistic approach to fostering autophagy involves maintaining a well-balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, regular exercise, consistent sleep patterns, avoiding smoking, minimizing alcohol consumption, and practicing strategic sun protection.

Deeper Autophagy

The deepest form of autophagy is achieved through fasting. Begin with daily intermittent fasting for 12-16 hours overnight each day. Once you adapt to this routine, progress to a one-day reset, where you have dinner on Sunday night and nearly the entire day off on Monday for example. Following this, do a committed detox whether that is a 7-21 day detox or an easier Daily detox approach Finally, transition to a quarterly functional medicine detox.

Autophagy benefits:

  • Cell recycling: Autophagy recycles damaged cell parts into fully functioning ones, and removes nonfunctional cell parts. 

  • Destroys pathogens: Autophagy destroys pathogens like viruses and bacteria that can damage cells. 

  • Protects brain health: Autophagy may help protect brain health. 

  • Strengthens immune system: Autophagy may help strengthen the immune system. 

  • Reduces risk of disease: Autophagy may help reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. 

  • Promotes skin regeneration: Activating autophagy can promote skin regeneration. 

  • May help with weight loss: Autophagy can affect hormone levels, which may decrease hunger and promote weight loss. 

  • Improves exercise performance: Autophagy can improve mitochondrial oxidative capacity, glucose regulation, and endurance exercise performance. 

  • Preserves muscle strength: Autophagy can help preserve muscle strength and mass. 

FOUNDATIONAL SUPPLEMENTS

Zinc, vitamin C and Bio-available collagen are gamechangers for long term collagen and + elastin health aka firm, glowing skin.

Zinc is an anabolic mineral aka a rebuilding mineral. Zinc is one of the core minerals that gets depleted naturally through our body responding to stress.

Using a bio-available collagen supplement is one of those items that works slowly over time creating major change. This particular supplement, taken over one year will help with connective tissue regrowth and self-repair of ligaments, tendons and fascia. You know these words well if you have a facials with me! These are the keys to skin vitality (along with lymphatic health) .

HYDRATION

Dr. Dana Cohen is one of my favorite hydration experts with her book Quench. Many of the practices I support such as smoothies, scheduled hydration and eating are all a part of a deeper hydration and detoxification process that is explained well here.

With Love,

Karena

Karena Kalinuk