The Best Supplements for Skin

SupplementsMaintaining a healthy, young-looking skin takes more than just a miracle. You will need to consult with dermatologists, take the appropriate formulations and the most efficient and effective way to provide vitamins to your skin. You will also need to utilize the best supplements for the skin available.

Antioxidants keep free radicals from destroying the walls and structures of the skin as well as the DNA. Free radicals are the products of the oxidation of oxygen molecules; however, they can also be formed through exposure to different environmental factors, ultraviolet radiation and smoking. Free radicals also have the capability to accelerate the aging process.

Vitamin E – This vitamin is the most significant body antioxidant that gives protection to cell membranes and prevents destruction to membrane-related enzymes. This can be obtained from vegetables like sunflower oil, whole grains like wheat germ, oats and brown rice as well as dairy products, meats and nuts. According to new studies, vitamin E is helpful in deactivating free radicals. There are also studies that reveal the potential of the topical vitamin E named d-alpha-tocopherol to minimize sunburn cell production, lessen the production of cells that cause cancer and chornic UV-induced damage. Studies in the past showed that typical vitamin E supplements, consumed together with Vitamin A supplements, were related to 70 percent decreased risk of basal cell carcinomas.

Selenium – This mineral is important to glutathione peroxidase, an antioxidant, that helps protect the body from cancers like skin cancer. Selenium also helps in preserving the elasticity of tissues and slows down the hardening and aging of tissues through oxidation. This mineral can be obtained from seafood, whole grain cereals, eggs and garlic.

When selenium is taken orally every day in 50 to 200 micrograms, this mineral protects the skin from the damaging sun rays.  Latest studies made on animals have revealed that when applied topically through L-selenomethionine or orally, selenium showed protection against excessive and daily UV damage with less exposure to burning. The study also demonstrated a delay in the onset and a reduction in the incidence of animal skin cancers.

Vitamin C – This vitamin is the most abundant antioxidant in the skin. This can be obtained from citrus fruits and vegetables. This also repairs free radicals and prevents them from becoming cancers and speeding up aging.  Topical vitamin C prevents consequences of extreme sun exposure which may lead to cancer of the skin. A study made recently showed that the application of topical Vitamin C to the skin, 15 to 30 minutes after exposing the skin to UV rays, will cause a decrease of sunburn cells and start of repair work on the damaged skin. This vitamin is commonly found in L-ascorbic acid, a highly active form of antioxidant that breaks down instantly when exposed to oxygen. This means that this will easily lose its stability and become less effective.

In recent studies conducted on animals, oral vitamin C was shown to minimize UV-reduced tumors while when it is applied topically, it reduces low-level UV-exposure to mouse skin.

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