Americans
are spending more money to have beautiful, healthy skin. Recent
statistics show that sales of skincare products in the country grew by 13 percent in
2018, amounting to a whopping $5.6 billion. While the latest creams,
serums and moisturizers can certainly make a difference in the way your
skin looks and feels, having a healthy diet can also help to achieve a
clear and bright complexion. It’s a well-known fact that foods that
contain Vitamins C and E are all beneficial for skin health, but new
research indicates that certain foods and supplements that contain amino
acids may improve skin in various ways. Here are all the ways that
amino acids can make your skin naturally beautiful.
What are amino acids?
Amino acids come from proteins - it’s what’s left after the body breaks down the proteins that
you’ve consumed. Our bodies make use of these amino acids in different
ways, from repairing body tissue, promoting cell growth, and breaking
down food. There are 20 different types of amino acids, and the body
naturally produces 10 of them, while the other 10 can be found in
supplements and foods, including fatty fish and sweet potatoes. About
half of them are essential to skin health.
Experts claim that certain amino acids can strengthen the skin, improve
hydration, prevent inflammatory acne and diminish the signs of aging.
Lysine for acne prevention
Studies have shown that amino acids, such as lysine, can help to control acne breakouts.
When taken in the recommended daily amounts and combined with a gentle
skincare routine, lysine can prevent acne and even speed up healing. It
is available in supplements that contain amino acids, but it’s also present in foods such as avocados, cottage cheese, chicken and red meat.
Glycine for firmer and brighter skin
Glycine
is another type of amino acid that can be beneficial for skin health.
The body uses this amino acid to make glutathione, which boosts the
immune system and helps to detoxify internal organs. Moreover, it
reduces the production of melanin in your skin, resulting in a
lightening or brightening effect. Glycine is also the main protein found
in collagen, which can help to firm up aging skin. You can get the full
benefits of glycine by taking supplements or mixing glycine powder into
your food. You can also increase your intake of dairy, fish, eggs and
legumes, which are all rich in this type of amino acid.
Arginine for younger looking skin
Arginine is an amino acid that promotes the body’s production of human growth hormones (HGH), which can help to slow down the signs of aging.
It may help to repair skin damage, improve skin texture and elasticity,
making your skin look younger, firmer and clearer. Arginine can be
found in foods such as walnuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds, meat products,
soy beans, chickpeas and seaweed.
Taking
supplements and eating amino acid-rich foods can all help to give you
beautiful and younger looking skin from within. Try adding these foods
to your diet for a natural way to improve skin health.
