Foods that Give Diabetes Dry Skin a Boost

If you have diabetes, you may suffer from dry skin. Diabetes dry skin is one of the most common skin problems among people with diabetes. The culprit is elevated levels of glucose which cause your body to pull fluids from cells so that it can produce enough urine to remove excess sugar. The result is dry skin on legs, elbows, feet, and other areas.

Having diabetes also raises the risk of poor circulation and neuropathy, both of which contribute to diabetes dry skin. Poor circulation reduces the amount of oxygen and nutrients that reach the skin and can result in dryness, flakiness, and a lack of elasticity.

Diabetic neuropathy, a condition where nerves are damaged due to high blood sugar levels over time, can affect the nerves that control oil and moisture in the skin leading to dry and cracked skin.

Keep blood sugar levels in check

It is important to monitor blood sugar levels to keep them in the target range as much as possible. If you start to have diabetes dry skin problems, you want to keep them from getting worse. If you have neuropathy, you might not feel a scratch, cut, or blister, which can become infected and turn into a severe problem.

Foods that aid diabetes skin

What you eat also affects skin. Foods to include in meal planning to support diabetes skin are nutrient-rich and support stable blood sugar levels, while at the same time nourish skin. Here are some tips:

·         Include plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet. Fruits and vegetables promote healthy skin because they are high in vitamins and minerals as well as antioxidants and fiber. While they are a source of carbohydrates, which can contribute to an increase in blood sugar, fruits have a low to medium glycemic index (a value that measures how much a food affects blood sugar level).

Fruits to be included in your diet are blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, plums, grapes, and kiwi. Vegetables are sweet potatoes, carrots, artichokes, kale, peppers, and spinach. [1]

·         Omega-3 fatty acids, which help maintain skin moisture, are in fish, including salmon, mackerel, tuna, trout, and sardines, as well as flaxseed and walnuts.  Omega-3 fatty acids also have anti-inflammatory properties which benefit your skin.

·         Limit sugar and processed foods, which can spike blood sugar and lead to problems with your skin.

Vitamins and minerals for diabetes dry skin

To aid skin repair and protect diabetes skin against damage, foods should also be high in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.

·         Vitamin A: Vitamin A supports good skin health. skin. An inadequate supply of vitamin A can lead to dry, itchy skin. Food sources of vitamin A include eggs, meat, cheese, and milk; and, in the form of beta-carotene, carrots, pumpkin, winter squash, cantaloupe, apricots, spinach, and broccoli.

·         Vitamin C: The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory benefits of Vitamin C are known to improve skin tone and texture, hydrate the skin, and reduce signs of aging. You can get vitamin C in fruits and vegetables.[2]

·         Vitamin E: Vitamin E has anti-inflammatory properties. You can find Vitamin E in certain commercially processed foods such as cereals; salmon and other seafood; broccoli, spinach, and other green vegetables; nuts and seeds; and vegetable oils, including sunflower and safflower. [3]

·         Copper: Copper is an essential trace mineral that is important for the proper functioning of nearly all the tissues in your body, including skin. Copper is in a wide variety of foods, including beef liver, shellfish, unsweetened baking chocolate or dark chocolate, potatoes, mushrooms, seeds, and nuts, with lesser amounts in whole grains and vegetables. [4]

·         Selenium: Selenium is another trace element that supports skin by neutralizing free radicals and reducing inflammation. Whole grain cereals, brown rice, garlic, Brazil nuts, eggs, and seafood are sources of selenium. [5]

·         Zinc: Zinc is an important trace mineral that reduces inflammation and helps regulate sebum production. Sebum is an oily substance that can contribute to skin issues when it is produced in excess. Zinc also promotes wound healing and boosts immunity to help prevent and fight infection. It naturally occurs in oysters, beef, shellfish, beans, chicken and nuts. Since your body cannot produce zinc, it must be obtained through diet. [6]

In addition to the nutritional value of zinc in your diet, diabetes dry skin also benefits from zinc applied topically. EASE-Z Diabetics’ Dry Skin Therapy Lotion and Diabetics’ Dry Skin Therapy Foot Cream are over-the-counter offerings that uniquely feature active Zinc Acetate to relieve and protect dry, cracked skin associated with diabetes. The products cover the skin with a thick protective layer that penetrates to provide real, long lasting-relief.  Learn more about Ease-Z.

Good nutrition for diabetes also means making sure you get enough water every day. Skin needs water to keep it from becoming dry, flaky, and tight. Since your body loses lots of water each day, you need to replace the loss.

Daily skin care regimen for diabetes dry skin

In addition to proper diet and nutrition, follow a daily skin care regimen to prevent diabetes dry skin.

·         Keep skin clean and dry.

·         Take short lukewarm baths or showers (Hot water can strip skin of moisture.) and try not to scrub too hard. Use gentle cleansers and shampoos. Scented products may be harsh if you have sensitive skin.

·         Make sure to dry your skin everywhere after washing. Dry well, patting gently.

·         Check places where water can collect, like under the arms, under the breasts, between the legs, and between the toes, since the extra moisture can cause a fungus to grow.

·         Treat dry cracked heels to prevent infection and non-healing sores.

·         Check your body after you wash for any dry, red, or sore spots that would become infected.

·         Moisturize every day. By keeping your skin moisturized, you keep it more flexible and less prone to cracks that can lead to infections.

Caring for diabetes skin is an important part of your daily diabetes management. Your skin is the body’s largest organ. Keep it well protected since it is one of the first lines of defense against complications of diabetes.