How Your Skin Benefits from Fish Oils

Can dry, itchy skin benefit from fish oils?

As you start to read the beginning of this article you may find yourself thinking of all the different lotions and creams you've used to soften, smooth and moisturize your skin.

I'm sure you'll agree the problem with some skin care lotions is you have to keep applying them in order to keep your skin from drying out.

Is there another way to get healthy, younger-looking skin without slathering greasy lotions all over your body?

Yes, there is.

After reading this information, you'll learn the benefits of using fish oil for skin health. These studies involve the use of fish oils for treating psoriasis and eczema.

Research Proves Your Skin Benefits from Fish Oils

Your skin is an amazing organ.

It's many layers contain blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles, sweat glands and sensory organs.

Skin helps keeps germs outside your body and regulates your body temperature by sweating. Its fat layer helps insulate you from the elements and protects your internal organs from damage. Your skin produces oils and waxes to keep it soft, pliable and waterproof.

Your skin's health is a direct reflection of what's happening within your body. Skin conditions such as acne, eczema and psoriasis may reflect an imbalance in our bodies. Do you have dry, flaky skin? It could be your body's way of telling you something's not right.

Scientists believe your skin can benefit from fish oils. These healthy oils can reduce the signs and symptoms of inflammation and may improve the health of your skin in dramatic ways.

Fish Oils and Psoriasis

Germany - 30 healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to receive 2 different supplements: an anti-inflammatory or inflammatory blend of fatty acids.

The anti-inflammatory mixture consisted of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and alpha linolenic acid (ALA). EPA is found in fish oils and ALA is found in flaxseeds and flaxseed oil. EPA and ALA are considered 'good fats' that fight inflammation in our bodies.

The other supplement contained arachidonic acid, an omega 6 fatty acid and pro-inflammatory fat. Arachidonic acid has been called the 'bad fat' and can found in fatty red meats, egg yolks and organ meats.

Concentrations of inflammatory markers were measured before, during and after the 2 week study.

• Patients taking the anti-inflammatory blend saw an improvement in their skin. They had lower levels of inflammatory markers and increased levels of EPA and ALA.
• Patients taking the inflammatory blend of arachidonic acid increased their levels of inflammatory markers leading to increased redness and scaling.

Scientists in Denmark found similar results when they gave psoriasis patients 30 ml/daily of MAX-EPA fish oil supplements.

• 58% of patients experienced moderate to excellent improvement and 23% experienced mild improvement. Patients showed reduced amounts of leukotriene B4, a substance responsible for causing inflammation in psoriasis.

Other studies found a dietary deficiency of essential fatty acids may lead to increased water loss from the epidermis and an increased risk for skin cell scaling, flaking and thickening as seen in psoriasis. Taking fish oils appears to help manage inflammation and skin scaling.

A study from the British Journal of Dermatology found fish oils were more effective at treating psoriasis than conventional treatment. Researchers gave ten patients 12 grams/day of EPA for at least 6 weeks. 80% of these patients experienced improvements with less scaling and reduced redness.

Can Your Skin Benefit from Fish Oils?

Acne, psoriasis, rosacea, and eczema all involve some level of inflammation of the skin.

Research shows fish oils reduce acne inflammation leading to less redness, peeling, flaking and scaling.

A study from Norway on fish oils and eczema found they reduced inflammation seen in the disease.

Furthermore, scientists believe omega 3 fatty acids help reduce water loss from your epidermis leading to softer, younger-looking skin.

Just think - by using fish oil for better skin health, you'll be feeding your skin the ingredients it needs to become healthier and balanced.

Unlike topical skin lotions that provide short-term relief, fish oils target the primary causes of redness, scaling and peeling. Working from the inside out, you can have perfect healthy skin - naturally.

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