hyaluronic acid rich foods and skin benefits

Hyaluronic acid, found abundantly in young skin,  supports skin cell renewal, builds collagen and allows skin to attract and retain water.  As we age, the levels of hyaluronic acid decrease causing our skin to lose elasticity, wrinkle and sag.  But there are certain foods that can help your body maintain and even replenish it's levels of hyaluronic acid (HA).  Recently, Olivia Munn posted her beauty secrets, including the hylarunic acid/skin/diet connection.  She claims her high HA diet has helped her skin look younger.  Since she looks AMAZING, I'll have what she's having!

Here's a few foods to add to your diet to help prevent and even reverse the evidence that we're not quite 26 anymore...

Bone broth:
When the bones, cartilage and ligaments of chicken, beef and other meats are slow cooked in water, the hyaluronic acid (and other valuable nutrients) is released.  Here's a link to making your own bone broth.  You can also buy bone broth and Kitchfix in Chicago makes great beef and chicken broths.  Organ meats are also high in HA.  Be careful to choose organic when eating organ meats as toxins can be found in the organs of non-organically raised animals.

Grapefruit:
Grapefruit is particularly high in naringenin, a natural compound that prohibits the effect of the enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid in the body.  Tomatoes and oranges are also high in naringenin.

Root vegetables and other magnesium rich foods:
The villagers of Yuzurihara, a small town 2 hours north of Tokyo eat a diet high in root vegetables and researches believe it may be the hyaluronic acid stimulating magnesium that's keeping them looking and feeling great well into their 90's (despite much of the population being lifetime smokers). Magnesium is needed to stimulate the synthesis of HA in the body.  Since many of us are deficient in Magnesium due to poor diets and poor quality soil, I would suggest Magnesium salt baths in addition to eating plenty of foods high in Magnesium (like sweet potatoes, green veggies, avocados, nuts, seeds, beans etc.).

Just some food for thought...