Eat Your Way to Younger Skin – How Nutritional Supplements Work
You may already be taking dietary supplements to boost your immune system, reduce your risk of cancer or give you more energy on a busy day.
When your diet is lacking essential vitamins and minerals, supplements can provide nutritional balance; some beauty experts believe that the mantra ‘you are what you eat’ holds true even for your skin.
Supplements containing special ingredients are now available at the beauty counter, promising to be more than the average multivitamin. Capsules and drink mixes containing vitmains and healthy fats may help firm and tighten up the skin, eliminate stretch marks and even reduce the signs of aging. If your skin needs a boost and your diet isn’t up to par, nutritional supplements may be a valuable addition to your skincare regiment.
Healthy Fats and Younger Looking Skin
Ann Louise Gittleman, a nutritional expert who specializes in antiaging and health affirms that eating a healthful diet has significant benefits to both the body and the look of the skin. Essential oils and fats in particular are responsible for a fresh complexion, these may even prevent wrinkles and excessively dry skin. Omega-3 and Omega-6 fats, commonly found in foods such as flaxseed, salmon and olive oil can be taken in supplement form to provide several benefits for the skin and overall health (Source: MyPrimeTime.com).
Skincare Supplements – More Than a Multivitamin
A quick trip to the beauty counter takes the concept of nutritional supplementation to a whole new level. Companies including Murad and Jan Marini feature skin rejuvenation supplements that contain herbal extracts, essential oils and other ingredients designed to build healthy skin and reduce the signs of aging. Priced between $80 - $130+, these supplements are only available under the supervision of a physician or licensed skin care professional.
Key Benefits of Skincare Supplements
Glancing at the ingredients list of many leading skincare nutritional supplements indicates that these formulas are more than a multivitamin. Both Murad and Jan Marini products contain ingredients such as:
Vitamin E – a natural antioxidant, Vitamin E has several anti-aging benefits and plays an important role in getting rid of free radicals in the body. Vitamin E can ward off pollution and reduce the effects of toxins in the environment. It has also been used to treat skin inflammation, scarring, and other skin diseases.
Beta Carotene – another powerful antioxidant, beta carotene can help reduce the signs of aging and slow down the rate of skin oxidation. Beta-carotene is naturally found in carrots and green leafy vegetables, but few people eat enough of these foods regularly to enjoy its benefits for the skin. Ample amounts of beta carotene can make skin stronger and more resilient to protect against UV damage.
Evening Primrose Seed Oil – a valuable source of Omega-6, this oil can reduce skin irritation and inflammation and is often used in the treatment of psoriasis. If your skin tends to be dry and itchy, evening primrose seed oil can help hydrate and moisturize from inside out.
Grape Seed Oil – a natural oil commonly found in massage oil and hand cream, grape seed oil has cell regenerating properties and can help restructure broken skin tissue. It’s especially valuable for aging skin that does not respond well to topical moisturizers.
CoEnzyme Q10 – another powerful antioxidant, CoQ10 can reduce free radicals circulating the body and make cells stronger. It can also speed up the skin repairing process, boosting collagen production and reducing the signs of wrinkles and fine lines.
Vitamin D – a natural healing vitamin, Vitamin D can help repair damaged skin and strengthen it over time. Vitamin D also helps with the formation of healthy bones, nails and teeth.
Alpha Linolenic Acid – an essential fatty acid that can reduce inflammation and alleviate several skin problems such as acne, alpha linolenic acid is a valuable supplement for any diet.
Borage seed Oil – an anti-inflammatory agent, borage oil contains both Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids which can strengthen the skin and speed up collagen production. Healthy levels of fatty acids in the body ensure that skin can regenerate and repair itself regularly.
Skincare supplements are not a quick fix solution and cannot replace a healthy diet and lifestyle. Still, they can be a valuable way to enhance the benefits of a balanced lifestyle, ensuring that skin cells are turning over and repairing themselves on a regular basis.
Learn more about skin rejuvenation and skin management in our information guide, or consult with a dermatologist in your area to develop your healthy skincare routine.
Published: 04/30/2008, Last Updated: 04/30/2008
By LocateADoc.com Medical Staff Writers
Our writers strive to present an objective, upfront and open view of the medical procedures you're interested in. We present you with both the good and bad, and work to represent both doctors' and patients' points of view. Our articles contain facts and statistics from medical associations, medical and surgical journals, and through doctor and patient interviews.
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