Elastin, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, is a protein found in our body's skin cells that balances the texture, elasticity and strength of the skin. When we age, elastin reserves in these skin cells can be lost over time, thus leading to wrinkled skin. Luckily, many foods are available on the market that contains natural levels of elastin that can help replenish our body's skin cell levels of this protein. Before making any major changes to your diet, be sure to speak to a licensed nutritionist or other medical professional.
Brazil Nuts for Skin Health
One food that you can incorporate into your diet for the purpose of replenishing elastin in your skin is Brazil nuts. According to Healthy-Skincare.com, Brazil nuts contain proteins like elastin and selenium, a substance that can act as a strong antioxidant. Antioxidants like selenium help rid the body of harmful free radicals that can deplete the amount of elastin in your skin cells, thus leading to increased wrinkles and drooping skin. In addition to these skin benefits, Brazil nuts also contains the mineral zinc, which helps with skin inflammation problems, skin cell growth, maintenance of collagen and elastin, and dry skin-related problems such as eczema and psoriasis, according to the website. Since nuts can cause allergies in some patients, be sure to speak to your doctor before consuming this food.
Soy Products
According to WiseGeek.com, foods that contain soy products also contain proteins such as collagen and elastin. As the website states, soy products such as soymilk and cheese contain an element known as genistein. This chemical can help strengthen the skin naturally by increasing the content of collagen and elastin proteins by blocking enzymes and free radicals in the body that lead to wrinkles and loose skin. Used as an alternative to meat, soy products can be found in local supermarkets in a variety of different forms including soy milk, solids and dietary supplements.
Seafodd
In addition to containing small amounts of the elastin protein, eating foods like salmon and tuna can also promote the production of these proteins in your body. As the WiseGeek.com website states, seafood products like salmon and tuna contain omega 3 fatty acids that can stimulate the skin cells to produce higher levels of the elastin and collagen proteins, thus leading to less wrinkles and tighter skin.
