A scar treatment alone is not the only means of minimizing the appearance of your scar. While it plays a vital role, making healthy food choices is also just as important. Ample amounts of fruit and vegetables in your daily diet not only zone in on scar health, but your overall health for the long term as well.
Citrus
Citrus covers a wide range of fruits such as oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, lemons, limes, pomelos and kumquats. Citrus has a high flavonoid content. Flavonoids are considered beneficial in preventing and fighting cancer. Citrus is also rich in antioxidants that help to protect your heart by reducing the damage done by free radicals. They also supply the important nutrients of potassium, folate and are rich in Vitamin C. Vitamin C strengthens the immune system and aids in scar healing.
Apples
One medium apple, with the skin, supplies almost 20% of the daily fiber requirement and 14% of the daily Vitamin C requirement. They also contain Vitamin A, calcium and iron. Vitamin A is also necessary for scar healing. Apples come in a multitude of varieties, so there is something for every palate from Delicious, Winesap, Grimes Golden and the newer varieties of Fuji, Gala and Granny Smith.
Sweet Potato
If you are concerned about receiving enough Vitamin A in your diet, eat a tasty sweet potato. One medium potato contains 438% of your required daily value. Vitamin A is essential in maintaining a strong immune system and it promotes healthy skin and eyes.
Greens
Zinc is an important dietary trace mineral that helps maintain the immune system, blood clotting and healing wounds. A zinc deficiency can result in low insulin production and worsen diabetes. It is necessary for the maintenance and growth of the human body. Cooked green peas and asparagus are noted as good sources of zinc. Cooked greens are also excellent sources, led by spinach and followed by Swiss chard, collard greens and kale.
Whole Grains, Beans and Nuts
Copper is essential for the maintenance of bone, connective tissue and bodily organs. Many of the sources of zinc noted above also supply copper. Other excellent sources are whole grains, beans and nuts. Just make sure to eat nuts according to the suggested portion size, as many also have a high fat content.
So eat up and reach for healthier food choices that not only help to maintain, or help you lose weight, but that also help your scar heal.
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