Magnesium & Omega 3
Do you know that the food you consume, the daily stress you experience, the products you put on your skin, sleepless nights, the environment you are in, and allergens can be some of the triggers for your eczema?
Do you also know that a vitamin deficiency can further trigger your eczema?
Vitamins are substances that your body needs to regularly grow and develop, so it makes sense that a lack of vitamins can also cause a whole host of skin problems, which are merely the body’s way of telling you that something isn’t working the way it should be, within the body itself. After all, eczema, adult acne or many of the other dry skin conditions are often the symptom of another problem.
MAGNESIUM
A magnesium deficiency can lead to dry & cracked skin…and wrinkles, as your skin’s elasticity and moisture are reduced! This is caused by a low level of fatty acids…and your skin loves fatty acids. So it is definitely worth putting in the time to find a good supplement if you don’t believe you are getting enough magnesium from your diet.
Just like some of the previously mentioned vitamins in my other blogs, magnesium helps to protect the body from free radicals, because of its antioxidant properties. It regulates cellular regeneration and helps the recovery of the skin when it has been disturbed by eczema or acne.
Do you know that approximately 70 to 80% of the British population are estimated to have a magnesium deficiency?
Be warned though, you can overdo your consumption of magnesium, which can cause stomach upset, if you take it as a supplement, so always read the directions on the label carefully.
Some food sources include:
- Spinach
- Almonds
- Peanuts
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Cashews
As a family, we take our magnesium powdered supplement at night just before bed, as it helps the body relax and can therefore improve sleep. My investigations showed that it helps because it activates the part of the nervous system responsible for calm and relaxation. You could possibly get a deeper sleep, which means you are less inclined to scratch if you suffer with eczema.
FISH OIL (OMEGA 3)
When it comes to fish oil, research has shown that consumption reduces the symptoms of eczema. The belief is that fish oil reduces Leukotriene b4. Leukotriene b4 is an inflammatory substance that is secreted, it can take from 6 weeks to 6 months to see a difference from when you take fish oils to improve your eczema, so you will need to persevere.
As a family if we are taking a fish oil supplement, we prefer to take a krill oil supplement instead of fish oil or cod liver oil. This is because it is less likely to have any pollutants or contaminants because krill is so small and is from the cleaner less polluted Antarctic Ocean. The body also absorbs krill oil easier than fish oils.
The following fatty or oily fish are a good source:
- Alaskan Salmon
- Sardines
- Mackerel
- Herring
- Pilchards
- Anchovy
An actual deficiency in Omega 3 can affect the skin’s ability to regulate oil production. This can then lead to dry skin, which can possibly result in eczema and difficulty in the skin remaining hydrated.
Dandruff/seborrheic dermatitis, can also be another tell-tale sign of an Omega 3 deficiency. Its actually quite amazing, that as you get better at understanding your body and what it requires, the difference it can make to your skin health and indeed your overall health will have a massive impact to your both physically and mentally.
Alison x
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