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Nutrition plays an important role in skin health and aging, with its complex impact formed by shortages, excesses and environmental factors, as discussed by experts during a Friday afternoon session at the annual American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) meeting of 2025.
Martina Cartwright, PhD, RD and Lawrence J. Green, MD, Faad, both recommend the Mediterranean diet to reduce inflammation and manage some dermatological symptoms. | Image Credit: Fascinadora – Stock.adobe.com
The complex relationship between food and health health
Martina Cartwright, PhD, RD, from the University of Arizona began the session, “the role of skin’s health”, by emphasizing the difficulty in establishing a connection between food and health of the skin as a result of limitations in assessing food. She emphasized the dependence on self-reported data of food questionnaires and 24-hour DEATHERNERNING.
Cartwright also emphasized the complexity of food composition and the variability between individuals, which explains that these factors contribute to the complicated relationship between food and health of the skin.
“Nutrition is not a remedy for most dermatological conditions,” said Cartwright. “Unless the person has an imbalance or shortage, supplementation is generally not recommended.”
Essential nutrients emphasize in water -soluble vitamins (vitamins B and C), in fat -soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D and E) and minerals (zinc, selenium and iron). Cartwright explained that both macronutrient and micronutrients can cause shortcomings.
Conversely, excessive nutrients due to over -consumption can lead to skin problems, such as vitamin A toxicity. Similarly, different food allergies and intolerances can influence skin health, in which immune reactions and histamine releases play a role.
Nutrition and skin health in all phases of life
Cartwright explained that the relationship between food and skin health is developing during the life of a patient. In infants and children, common shortcomings of nutrients iron, vitamin B and malnutrition of protein calories include. There are also common allergens in this group of milk, soy, nuts and food additives.
Concern about excessive intake includes too much vitamin C from juices and supplements, as well as high-calorie over-consumption, which can start in the toddler era when children start to ignore hunger signals. She noted that these nutritional problems can manifest themselves as ulcers and skin rashes, in addition to other symptoms.
As far as adolescents are concerned, Cartwright Calcium emphasized as the most common deficiency, where others are vitamins B, C and D. excess inlet cartridges, include sugar, salt, stimulants and ultra-processed foods. In particular, ultra -processed foods and foods with a high glycemic index contribute to acne.
Moreover, she emphasized the impact of energy drinks, which are popular with this age group. Cartwright explained that these drinks contain a lot of sugar and caffeine, sometimes more than 1000 mg of caffeine, which further influences their diet and health of the skin negatively.
She said that some habits can continue in maturity, with common excess components, including calories, sugar, caffeine, ultra -processed foods and saturated fats. On the other hand, common nutritional disorders in adults include calcium, proteins, vitamin D and omega-3. Even with age, the relationship between the food and health of the skin remains largely the same, whereby the over -consumption of processed foods and sugary drinks worsens the skin conditions in adulthood.
Cartwright was concluded by emphasizing the importance of good nutrition in the lives of an individual to maintain healthy skin. To mitigate some dermatological symptoms, she suggested that individuals accept the Mediterranean diet or the food approaches to stop the hypertension -meal plan. Both diets are largely vegetable and contain healthy fats to combat inflammation.
The role of food in aging the skin
Lawrence J. Green, MD, Faad, from George Washington University, continued the discussion of the impact of food on aging skin and emphasized that it is a complex biological biological process in the long term that can be influenced by genetic and environmental factors, such as ultraviolet light. Although poor food choices can worsen visible signs of skin aging, optimizing food intake can improve skin health.
He emphasized that those who want to slow down the outdated appearance of the skin should increase their intake of antioxidant-rich foods, such as fruit, vegetables and omega-3 and omega-6-rich food. Conversely, he ordered to reduce the consumption of ultra-processed food and items with a high sugar. Just like Cartwright, he proposed the Mediterranean diet to support this food approach.
In general, Green emphasized that aging skin is a complex biological process that is influenced by genetic and environmental factors, where food is ‘only part of the big whole’.
“You can have the best diet, but if you bake in the sun, your skin will not look good,” said Green.
Skin health and successful aging
The discussion about aging the skin took place during a Hireside chat between Aad -President Seemal R. Desai, MD, Faad and Lifestyle expert and entrepreneur Martha Stewart during the inaugural opening ceremony later that night. At 83 years old, Stewart is proud of her good health and skin.
During the conversation she emphasized the concept of ‘successful aging’, that she defined as a professional evolve while giving priority to skin care. She praised dermatologists for helping individuals, such as themselves, to achieve this goal.
“I really think what the world of dermatology is doing extremely useful,” said Stewart. “The average age is becoming older and older. As we get older, I really think you should try to help people look as good as possible, and dermatology is such a large part of it. “
