Numerous lifestyle factors can negatively impact your skin, such as chronic smoking or drinking alcohol. However, a Frontiers in Nutrition study on the connection between the skin and obesity notes that obesity can lead to complications in skin functions. In fact, research shows that decreased skin mechanical resilience and reduced ceramide levels are often present in the skin of an obese patient. These factors can result in impaired wound healing. But more alarmingly, obesity can cause the development of chronic inflammatory skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and skin malignancies.
On a more positive note, the study shows that these conditions can be improved through a nutrient-rich diet and weight loss interventions, among others. So that said, this article has listed helpful ways to address obesity-driven skin problems.
1. Adopt an anti-inflammatory diet
The foods that you eat can be harmful to both your weight and your skin. For example, a 2021 Clinical Nutrition report on ultra-processed ingredients points out that the likes of sugared breakfast cereals and instant noodles can trigger a higher eating rate, and consequently, result in weight gain or diabetic foot. On the other hand, cured meats like bacon contain nitrates, which are additives that can cause skin inflammation.
All these considered it’s important to adopt an anti-inflammatory diet. As an International Journal of Molecular Sciences article states, foods that are abundant in omega-3 fatty acids, like walnuts and veggies, can lower inflammation and lessen the risk of psoriasis. They can also help increase your metabolism and reduce body fat mass. Similarly, up your intake of foods that are rich in dietary fiber—like beans, citrus fruits, and oats—as they can enhance anti-inflammatory action in your body. By incorporating these ingredients into your meals, you can overcome skin problems caused by your weight.
2. Utilize doctor-approved weight loss medications
Sometimes, consuming foods with anti-inflammatory properties isn’t enough to quell skin problems. This is because certain skin conditions may be developed due to genetics, which can make them tricky to address. For instance, a 2022 Veritas feature on common skin diseases discussed how acne can be inherited. Particularly, acne-related genetic variants can influence the shape of hair follicles, making them more immune to bacterial inflammation.
Similarly, weight loss may be difficult to achieve because of your biological makeup. Luckily, you can opt for a medical weight loss solution, which recognizes that obesity may be rooted in factors like genetics. With this treatment, certified medical advisers take your biology into careful consideration. This way, they can recommend appropriate FDA-approved weight loss medications like Semaglutide, which is a once-weekly injection approved for managing weight. Ultimately, utilizing these products can help you shed those pesky pounds, and hopefully, impede the development of harmful skin issues.
3. Keep yourself hydrated
It’s clear that the weight loss interventions listed in the previous points are beneficial in overcoming skin problems. However, if the occurrence of obesity has resulted in the development of psoriasis, for example, it’s crucial to keep your skin hydrated and manage your weight. One way to do this is by drinking plenty of water. Although it can’t be said for certain that consuming more water can lead to clear and glowing skin, a 2021 Everyday Health write-up titled ‘Can You Hydrate Your Way to Healthy Skin?’ shared that increasing water intake is helpful in maintaining skin hydration levels.
On the other hand, you can boost skin hydration by using moisturizing products like body oils. The one from Herbivore Botanicals is ideal for dry skin, especially since it’s packed with nourishing ingredients such as camellia flower, coconut, and grapeseed. So on that note, complement your weight loss plan with items that can bolster your hydration levels to better combat skin problems.
If you suspect that your weight is the cause of your skin problems, don’t worry. You can successfully improve your skin condition by following the strategies this article has listed.
