Vitamin B & Zinc
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.
B VITAMINS
There are about 8 B Vitamins which all contribute in some way to skin health. As a supplement you can purchase a B-Complex supplement, but the most natural way to get your B Vitamins is through food. My kids and I get ours in liquid form but also do our best to have a diet that is rich in leafy green vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, kale, etc.
A deficiency can cause skin rashes, dry flaky skin and transepidermal water loss.
It was a blood test for myself and my kids that revealed we all had a B-12 deficiency and a Vitamin D deficiency. We all suffer with dry skin, which doesn’t sound alarming, but dry skin can contribute toward cracked lips and wrinkles, dry sun damaged skin, hyperpigmentation & skin inflammation.
B vitamins supply antioxidants to the body and skin, which fight free radical damage caused by the sun’s UV ray and pollution.
IT IS FOUND IN:
- SUNFLOWERS
- WHOLEGRAINS
- MUSSELS
- LEGUMES
- NUTS
- SEEDS
- ALMONDS
- SEAWEED
- PEAS
- FISH
- CHICKEN
- EGGS
- ONIONS
- TOMATOES
- BROCCOLI
- AVOCADO
- SWEET POTATO
- ASPARAGUS
- OKRA
ZINC
Zinc is important for fighting infection, producing cells, healing injuries and creating DNA. It therefore makes sense, that when it comes to the skin specifically, an actual zinc deficiency can lead to a rash that resembles atopic dermatitis, open sores on the skin and wounds that won’t heal. Taking a zinc supplement and/or eating foods rich in zinc will help the body produce its anti-inflammatory properties which explains why it is beneficial to eczema inflamed skin.
Zinc can actually help to reduce the secretion of histamine, which contributes to the eczema itch. So, it makes sense why calamine lotion can offer some relief, as zinc oxide is one of the main ingredients in calamine lotion.
The body doesn’t store zinc so you will need to get it from foods such as:
- RED MEAT
- POULTRY
- SHELLFISH (oysters, crab, mussels, prawns & shrimp)
- LEGUMES: CHICKPEAS & LENTILS
- SEEDS (pumpkin, sesame & squash, hemps seeds & flax seeds)
- NUTS (cashew, almond, peanuts, pine)
- DAIRY: MILK & CHEESE (grass fed, pasture raised, free range, unpasteurized)
- EGGS (pasture raised, free range)
- WILD RICE
- WHOLEGRAIN (quinoa, oats, rice, if your ok with gluten = wheat eg spelt)
- DARK CHOCOLATE with 70 – 85% cocoa 100g piece but is also 600 calories
