Stretchmarks are largely expected as a pregnancy byproduct. But do you know that it really depends on your skin’s elasticity? With the right care and nutrition, you might just be able to make your skin less susceptible to stretchmarks!

Try these methods:

Eat for skin elasticity

• Add more collagen in your diet

You need to increase collagen to increase your skin’s elasticity. You can do this by eating gelatin, which is severely lacking in our diets today. An easy way to consume more gelatin is by cooking with it! Homemade bone broth is an awesome source. You can drink it every morning with your breakfast, and you can add it to your meals as gravies, soups, sauces, and casseroles. Use it to boil your rice in or use it as the base for arroz caldo!

Gelatin powders are also available. Choose high-quality collagen powders from trustworthy sources.

Consuming gelatin also improves wound healing, sleep, and insulin sensitivity; fights free radical damage; promotes digestive health, and; reduces gut inflammation and joint pain. 

• Consume lots of Vitamin C

The body needs Vitamin C to form collagen and cartilage, and to reduce free radical damage. Ditch the supplements and go for natural food sources, which is the most effective way to get Vitamin C in your system. Load up on red and green bell peppers, guava, kale, parsley greens, turnips, and broccoli the next time you go food shopping.

• Increase your zinc intake

Zinc is a natural trace mineral and one of the most abundant in the body, but many people lack it in their diets. Zinc is also used in the production of collagen and also contains antioxidant properties. Eat more chicken, lamb, beef, eggs, nuts, legumes, and whole grains to increase your zinc.

• Be intentional with your nutrient consumption

For a healthy pregnancy, you need vitamin A, C, and E, and the right balance of omega-6 to omega-3 ratio. This means eating grass-fed and free-range meats and eggs. Consider drinking raw whole milk from cattle that were grass-fed. Try switching to organic and locally grown vegetables. Add fermented cod liver oil to your diet. These habits translate to better health and better skin too.

Keep hydrated

Your blood volume is increasing during pregnancy as you build a water sack for your baby’s development. You need to stay more hydrated than ever. When you are dehydrated, not only do you lose skin elasticity but you can start feeling tired, having headaches, or start lacking in concentration. Dry lips or throat mean you are dehydrated. Ideally, you drink 8 to 12 glasses per day for optimal hydration.

Moisturize your skin

• Apply coconut oil

Coconut oil consists primarily of medium chain fatty acids that do not get easily oxidized, so they don’t cause harmful free radical damage. Apply it on your skin regularly as a super-moisturizing oil to prevent stretch marks.

• Use oil treatments

Look into other effective oils too, like olive oil, Vitamin E oil, Essential oils, and castor oil. Most of these oils have antioxidant properties which reduce free radical damage. 

• Stock up on Shea Butter or Cocoa Butter

Shea butter and cocoa butter are exceptional at keeping the skin moist and hydrated. They have natural fats that stimulate the skin’s renewal process, which in turn can prevent and also help reduce stretch marks.

SOURCES:

10 Easy Ways to Prevent Stretch Marks During Pregnancy

https://thehealthyhoneys.com/10-easy-ways-prevent-stretchmarks-pregnancy/

Pregnant? Prevent Stretchmarks with Gelatin!

https://livingthenourishedlife.com/pregnant-prevent-stretch-marks-with-gelatin/