Friday, March 4, 2011

Home Remedies for Stretch Marks

It has long been rumored that women, or men, who develop stretch marks either have to spend a great deal of money to reduce the appearance of their stretch marks or just live with the unsightly scars.  It is wonderful if you are comfortable with the way your body looks with stretch marks, but there are some of us in the world who would love to reduce or eliminate our stretch marks without relying on costly cosmetic procedures.
Proper nutrition is a good starting point

If your mother and grandmother are anything like mine, they have more than one way to prevent or treat stretch marks.  The best way to prevent and treat your stretch marks begins with a healthy diet.  Plenty of water keeps your body hydrated and keeps all systems working properly.  You should be drinking at least eight 8 oz. glasses of water each day.  Proper hydration keeps your skin elastic and helps keep  collagen production at normal levels.

Adequate intake of Vitamins A, E, C and zinc also provide nutrition for your skin.  Foods that are rich in these vitamins and minerals include fruits and vegetables, fish liver oils, almonds and other nuts, leafy greens, eggs, beans, and fish.  A balanced diet which includes these essential foods can keep your skin healthy and help prevent and heal stretch marks.