The SKINTENTIONAL Pyramid, Proteins

The Skin's Pyramid

           We've all seen the USDA Food Pyramid. It's a guideline to help us understand how much of each of the five food groups we should eat each day in order to have a healthy body. Well what do you think about a food for you skin pyramid? So visualize a pyramid with five sections. In these sections we will have the five food elements with which our cells are compiled. Our pyramid will be built with Proteins, Fats, Carbohydrates, Vitamins and Minerals, and Water, because these nutrients are what compose the protoplasm of a cell. Our pyramid will be divided into five categories and arranged on three levels.

Protein

          The three food elements that form the first two levels of our skin's nutrition pyramid are fundamental for healthy skin. 

          The first one is Protein.  Every single cell contains protein. In order for cells to function properly, Proteins are necessary. Proteins are needed to make keratin. You may be familiar with a product that is available in the market, it's called  Hair, Skin and Nails. It's main ingredient is Keratin.  Keratin is found in our skin, hair, and nails. 

           Your nails are made of Protein and Keratin. When you do not have enough Protein in your diet, your nails will become weak and begin to split very easily. Healthy nails, that have an adequate amount of Protein, will grow quickly.

           Our hair follicle is made up of Protein. When you shampoo your hair, is more left on the shower floor than in your scalp? If hair becomes thin from hair loss, this could be a result of lack of Protein. 

           Now, what about your skin? Did you know that collagen is made of Protein?  One of the most valuable Proteins in the body is collagen. Have you ever noticed that when someone has been sick for a period of time that it shows in their face? When sick, most people do not consume foods high in protein. This can cause a loss of collagen, which leads to sagging of the skin. Collagen keeps our skin firm and toned. It keeps our skin from sagging and wrinkling. If you are seeing puffy eyes looking back at you in the mirror every morning, this could also be caused by a lack of Protein.  Retaining fluid anywhere in the body could  be due to a diet low in Protein. 

You are what you eat.

           So who knew how important Protein  was to our skin? It is a building block that is required for our cells to function properly. And we know our skin, one of the systems of our bodies, is made of cells. The base of the skin's nutrition pyramid is Protein, and now you know why.
           There are some weight loss programs that are very low in Protein. Be careful about starting a diet like this. Although there are circumstances where a low Protein diet can be beneficial, its only recommended under a physicians care.
            So have an extra egg for breakfast, a slice of cheese on your sandwich, a cold glass of milk, and order salmon when it's on the menu.

        Me, I think I'll just put on a pot of beans and make a pan of cornbread.