If you are planning your next holiday in the sun, did you know that the pink coloured seafood can help nourish your skin and protect it from becoming sun-burnt? The pink colour which you can see in seafood such as salmon, krill, shrimp, crab, red trout, and crayfish comes from a carotenoid called Astaxanthin – one of the most powerful antioxidants found in nature. It is made by tiny algae as their own protection from UV rays and environmental stress. The algae is eaten by sea animals such as salmon and krill and this is what makes them pink. Studies show that Astaxanthin can counteract UVA induced skin changes, and it also supports healthy skin moisture levels, skin smoothness, elasticity, and even can help reduce age spots and wrinkles.
Seafood such as salmon is also rich in Omega-3s which possess anti-inflammatory qualities. Since inflammation is at the root of most skin troubles, seafood can be one of the most beneficial nutrients for healthy skin.
However, always choose wild caught or organic seafood to avoid environmental toxins and to guarantee the highest levels of Omega 3s and Astaxanthin which will be reflected in the naturally dark pink, almost red, colour. Farmed salmon are usually paler in colour as they are fed a mixture of artificial foods, so fish farmers now add a synthetic form of Asthexanthin to make them a bit more appealing to consumers!
If you don’t eat fish, Astaxanthin is also available in supplement form which can be taken in the summer months.
As the skin reflects our entire internal health, our lifestyle, and dietary choices – drinking filtered water, avoiding excess tea and coffee which may be dehydrating, limiting sugar and processed foods, and even sleeping just a little bit more will all make a difference. For an individually tailored plan on how to achieve this, please email me on contact@magdajenkins.com to book your online consultation.
Magda
Further reading:
Kumi Tominaga et al. 2017. Protective effects of astaxanthin on skin deterioration. Found in https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5525019/
Kaoki I et al. 2018. The protective role of astaxanthin for UV-induced skin deterioration in healthy people—a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Nutrients. Found in https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29941810
