As
the saying goes, you are what you eat. So, it won’t be a surprise that what you
can eat can trigger or keep eczema away. In this post, I am going to discuss
about the relationship between eczema and food.
Eczema
is one of the most common skin problems in the world today. And yet, many
people often mistake it as just an ordinary rash, until it worsens and grows
more persistent.
Eczema
is an inflammatory condition that is considered to be an allergic response to a
certain trigger or set of triggers. It is a prevalent condition that is said to
affect 15% of kids across the world.
There
are different typesof eczemaand
in order to find the ideal and effective eczema treatment, it is important to
determine what is its specific type and its corresponding triggers.
The Link between
Eczema and Food
Despite
the advances of medicine and technology, the exact cause of eczema remains
unclear to this day. And at present, you will not be able to find a permanent
eczema treatment.
However,
researchers have found a strong link between eczema and food allergies. In such
cases, the simple process of eliminating food triggers can be an effective
treatment approach.
The
problem is, too often, it does not only require you to avoid milk and egg or
seafood. Day to day diet also plays a very important role in eczema treatment.
Why?
Most
of the topical creams and steroids in the market today are just formulated to
cure a symptom, but not the underlying cause. This is the reason why most
eczema cases remain persistent and chronic in nature.
With
this in mind, a more effective eczema treatment proposed is to promote healing
from within by eating real, organic and unprocessed food.
Nutrient
deficiency has also been thought as a possible trigger of eczema. Hence, it
cannot be stressed enough the importance of good and proper diet in any eczema
treatment programs.
Maternal Diet
The
diet of a pregnant woman, especially during the last month of pregnancy has
been found to significantly impact the chances of the baby for developing
eczema. The outcome of this can be either positive or negative depending on the
choice of food.
German
researchers found that increased intake of polyunsaturated fats, common in
vegetable oil and margarine as well as citrus fruits can increase the risk of
eczema.
Sugar and
Inflammation
High
consumption of sugar has also been found to have a significant role in the
development and aggravation of eczema. This is because refined sugar is the
most common culprit known to trigger a number of inflammatory conditions.
When
you consume large amounts of sugar, the body is forced to release insulin,
which comes with harmful free radicals that can cause damage to the cells.
This
resulting damage can set off an inflammation response as the body’s immune
system’s respond to fight off the free radicals. This means if you have eczema,
one of the healthiest things you can do is to cut back or try to eliminate
refined sugars from your diet.
Eat the Right Food
One
of the most effective eczema treatments is to consume healthy food. Nuts, fish
and avocados are known to effectively counteract inflammation. In fact, avocado
should be considered as one of eczema’s best defense.
Besides
the 3 particular foods just mentioned, you should consider other fruits and
vegetables which are prime suppliers of antioxidants -- nutrients that help
your body's ability to defend itself from infections and disease.
Vitamin
C, an antioxidant prevalent in colorful fruits and vegetables, may also serve
as an antihistamine and reduce eczema symptoms, according to the University of
Maryland Medical Center.
Fruits
and vegetables particularly rich in vitamin C include strawberries, other
berries, citrus fruits, cantaloupe, kiwi, tomatoes, baked potatoes -- with
skin, sweet potatoes, leafy greens, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and red bell
peppers.
Fatty
fish, like canola and flaxseed oil, provide rich amounts of omega-3 fatty
acids. Since fish oil is a particularly rich source of omega-3 fats, the
University of Maryland Medical Center recommends regular consumption for eczema
sufferers.
Fish
particularly high in omega-3 fats include salmon, lake trout, albacore tuna,
herring, cod, sole, mackerel, sardines, halibut and flounder. Fatty fish are
also exceptional sources of zinc.
In
addition to providing valuable amounts of calcium, vitamin D and protein,
yogurt provides probiotics -- healthy, or "friendly," bacteria that
promote digestive health.
Though
additional research is needed, according to the University of Maryland Medical
Center, probiotics may help reduce children's allergy symptoms, enhance your
immune system function and reduce eczema symptoms. Consume yogurt that contains
"live active cultures" most often for maximum probiotic benefits.
You
can also watch a Video HERE to learn more about the link between
eczema and food as well as the healing foods for eczema.
By Fay Spencer who
is the author of 14 Days Eczema Cure which offers many ideas on how to treat
eczema within 14 days by using readily accessible natural products and applying
them in the right balance.
The 14 Days Eczema
Cure is a comprehensive and holistic approach to curing eczema. This means that
it is safe, natural, effective and 100% drug free. This will help to cure your
eczema for good without any side effects which can happen if you use those
expensive medications, potions or steroids.