Skin and Bones – Can Diet Help?

Nutrition professionals from around the world recently met in Tel Aviv for a conference focusing on the Mediterranean diet. We know that the Mediterranean diet can help improve health and prevent disease. There were sessions on heart disease, cancer and healthier aging.

Of special interest –

Does the Mediterranean diet help protect against skin cancer? Can it improve bone health?

We all know about the importance of wearing sunscreen to protect against skin cancer. But diet may also help against the sun's harmful rays. Research points to the possible role of antioxidants as "internal" protectors of the skin. And the Mediterranean diet, high in vegetables, fruit, fish, olive oil and red wine, is certainly high in antioxidants.

What about bone health? Most of us are familiar with the role of calcium and exercise in building and maintaining strong bones. Numerous studies also point to a connection between eating lots of fruits and vegetable and good bone health.

Professor Alessandro Laviano from Rome stated it pretty clearly –

"You are what you eat." And for overall good health, the Mediterranean diet makes nutritional and delicious sense."