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7 Foods To Make Your Skin Glow

Fighting Pollution Damage From The Inside

Posted: 3:32 pm EDT July 2, 2009Updated: 10:54 pm EDT July 2, 2009

Daily exposure to polluted air may have the same type of damaging effects on the skin as smoking.

According to the American Lung Association, Pittsburgh is the most polluted city when it comes to small particle pollution.

Channel 11 News Anchor Jennifer Abney asked one local expert what to do to help combat the damage.

It turns out it can be as simple as choosing the right foods.

The first super food on our list is the sweet potato.

UPMC Dietician Leslie Bonci says the big benefit from this food is its beta carotene.

"Actually the meat is in the skin. That has the carotinoids in it that are really good for skin health," said Bonci.

Next on the list, the unassuming kiwi. It actually has one of the highest sources of vitamin c and helps form collagen but Bonci said you have to eat it right after cutting because the vitamin C evaporates.

It is well known that certain nuts are good for us, but sunflowers seeds are particularly helpful to the skin because of the high amounts of vitamin E. If you are avoiding all fats, Bonci said your skin can look drier and sunflower seeds help with that.

And what about the healthiest fish?

Bonci said salmon is the first pick because of the omega-3s and the anti-inflammatory qualities.

"With eczema or psoriasis this kind of fish can be beneficial," she said.

The next best catch is snapper because the selenium within the fish is good for your skin.

The last super food may be a surprise -- it's turkey!

"It is very high in zinc. It is good for the elasticity to make sure that our faces don't hang down to our knees," said Bonci.

Bonci recommends working these foods into your diet every week.

The fruits and vegetables should be every day and the fish -- three times a week.