Q. Dear Terry, “I have dry skin that has been getting worse since I moved to Nevada. I notice it the most on my face, arms, and legs. I do my best to use lotion on a regular basis, but the effects don’t last that long. Is there something else I can do or take to help my skin?” – Rosalita D., Spring Valley, NV
A. Dear Rosalita, Dry skin is often treated with moisturizers, creams, or other topical treatments. While these topicals can provide temporary relief, they don’t always address the underlying cause. I think the best way to address dry skin is through a nutritional approach that nourishes from the inside out.
I believe sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) could be very helpful. Sea buckthorn oil has been clinically shown to improve the hydration capabilities of the skin and mucous membranes, helping to alleviate dryness, and facilitate skin healing. The seed, pulp, and skin of the sea buckthorn berry are packed with over 200 nutrients, including antioxidant tocopherols, beta-carotene, phytosterols, and omega fatty acids. Omega-7 comprises about 50% of the sea buckthorn berry’s fatty acid content, making it one of the most valuable nutrient sources of palmitoleic acid you can find. However, not all sea buckthorn products contain omega-7 fatty acids. That’s because omega-7 is found only in the pulp of the berry, not the seed oil. I would take 500 mg of clinically studied sea buckthorn that provides 150 mg of omega-7, twice daily.
I think you could also benefit from incorporating more omega-3s into your daily routine. Omega-3s are also anti-inflammatory and deficiencies have been linked with skin conditions, like dry skin and dandruff. I prefer omega-3 fatty acids from salmon, naturally bound to phospholipids and bioactive peptides, as this is much closer to nature and how people were meant to absorb and use these nutrients. This is the way you’d get your omega-3s by eating fish – which means a big difference in stability and ability to transport omega-3s to where they are needed most. I would take 214 mg of a salmon-based omega-3 phospholipid peptide complex in a capsule or 292 mg in a tablet, once or twice per day.
Healthy Regards!
Terry . . . Naturally
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