- With Mayo Clinic dermatologist
Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.
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Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.
Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.
Dr. Lawrence Gibson likens bad health information on the Internet to food poisoning.
Consumers, he said, need to be aware, and will find reliable information at MayoClinic.com.
Dr. Gibson, a Covington, Ky., native, has been with Mayo since 1986 and is board certified in dermatology, dermatopathology and immunodermatology. He is a professor of dermatology at Mayo Medical School and a consultant in the Department of Dermatology.
Dr. Gibson has been director of the Dermatopathology Laboratory since 1998 and chair of the Laboratory Division in the Department of Dermatology since 2000. He is especially interested in inflammatory disorders of the skin and lymphoma affecting the skin.
"Electronic information is becoming a staple in the diet of a health conscious society," he said. "It's important to avoid misinformation and provide a credible source for health information. Using this analogy, it's critical to avoid 'indigestion' or worse yet, 'food poisoning' by the ingestion of tainted information."
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Question
Healthy skin: What role does diet play?
Are some foods better than others for healthy skin?
Answer
from Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.
A healthy diet can help promote healthy skin. In particular, antioxidant-rich foods seem to have a protective effect for the skin.
Good-for-skin foods include:
- Fruits, especially cherries, berries, melons, apples and pears
- Vegetables, especially spinach and other green leafy vegetables, eggplant, asparagus, celery and onions
- Legumes, especially broad and lima beans
- Fish
- Nuts
- Olive oil
On the flip side, some foods seem to be associated with skin damage. For example, a higher intake of meat and full-fat milk can increase the risk of skin wrinkling.
Thankfully, many of the foods that promote healthy skin also promote good health overall. If you're interested in healthy skin, you might simply focus on a balanced diet. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Trade red meat for fish. Choose low-fat or fat-free dairy products. Include nuts, seeds and beans in your favorite meals. Opt for whole-grain breads and pasta. Limit sweets. Strive for variety as you're making healthy choices.
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