Worried about wrinkled hands from all that COVID-19 washing? Pop some almonds
My hands are not looking so great after being washed at least 50 times a day for the past four months. They need help.
So, I immediately registered when I saw a free webinar on skin and diet sponsored by California Almonds. The speaker, Dr. Raja Siramani, is an integrative dermatologist at UC Davis and in his own practice Zen Dermatology. His research focus is the integration of plant and nutrition sciences with principles of Ayurveda.
Siramani opened the webinar talking about the gut skin axis. The gut microbiome communicates with the skin through direct absorption from gut to blood to skin.
The gut also influences skin via the immune system and modulation of hormones. So step one is to be sure and get a good amount of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fermented foods every day for skin health.
He then focused on a randomized prospective study he conducted and that was published last October.
Thirty one post-menopausal women were enrolled and 16 were in the group that received about two ounces of almonds a day. The control group received a non-almond snack of similar calories.
Facial photography was done at beginning, and then eight and 16 weeks. Under photographic analysis, the almond group had significantly decreased wrinkle severity and width compared with the control group at 16 weeks.
Changes in skin barrier function were non-significant. These changes were not observed at eight weeks. Almonds are high in vitamin E, fiber and many other nutrients.
Key takeaways from this webinar are:
▪ Think food synergy not just individual vitamins. Nutrients delivered via food interact in a beneficial way — the whole food is greater than the sum of its parts.
▪ Food is like slow-acting medicine that needs to be taken a few times a day. Don’t expect an overnight change.
“Food choice is how you want to live”- Dr. Raja Siramani
Sheah Rarback MS, RDN is in private practice in Miami .
