Posts Tagged ‘free radicals’

The Most Popular Anti-Wrinkle Home Remedies

Posted in Anti-Aging, Supplements on December 6th, 2011 by Skin Care – Be the first to comment

FruitsWrinkles are inevitable part of the aging process. However, with proper skin care, they can be delayed. To make this happen, it is necessary to identify the factors that may lead to or accelerate the entire process. Awareness on these factors, which include aging, production of collagen, fibrous scleroproteins and elastin, smoking as well as sunlight, is helpful to take the right measures to prevent the early occurrence of wrinkles.  With just small efforts and every day commitment, you can keep your skin wrinkle-free and young.

When you go out, use sunscreen and hat to protect your skin from the sun. Keep in mind that your smooth skin will be destroyed easily as you extremely expose it to the sun. You can avail of a lot of sunscreen that health food stores sell. Sunscreens are made of chemicals that won’t make your skin greasy.

You can apply emu oil to your skin as a means to prevent wrinkles and soften your skin. Emu oil works to nourish your skin better than other oils and creams because they contain triglyceride lipids. Your skin will absorb emu oils easily and will be left looking beautiful, healthy and wrinkle-free. Moreover, you can also take supplements like omega acids which you can get from fish, seafood and nuts. Omega has a high content of antioxidants, which is helpful in removing harmful free radicals. Antioxidants also treat the inner part of the skin.

It is also ideal to form a face mask by mixing equal parts of yogurt and fresh cucumber. Set it for fifteen minutes before your rinse and dry your face. Cucumber is known to have skin cleansing and nourishing properties without stripping the skin of the acids and oils it needs to keep a young tone. Yogurt, on the other hand, contains lactic acid which is helpful in preventing wrinkles and reducing those that are already in your face.

Eradicate toxins from the foods that you consume every day as these will harm your skin and your health generally. These toxins include refined sugar, caffeine, alcohol and tobacco. Drink a lot of water and natural juices that you can get from raw vegetables and fruits. Fluids are helpful in eliminating body toxins that cause skin problems, acne and premature aging. Consuming fresh juice will guarantee that you provide your body with essential minerals and vitamins that it needs to maintain your good health and younger look.

The use of home-made remedies is beneficial to you because they won’t cost you too much. Utilizing them is not the same as going to skin specialists or a beauty salon where you have to use expensive cosmetics to look good. When you apply home-made mixes on regular basis, you can expect to maintain the youthful appearance that you have been wishing for at a price that you can afford. You just need to spend few minutes to apply these preparations and you will see the difference after a few months. Apart from their cheapness as skin treatments, home-made mixes are proven effective in preventing wrinkles and treating those that have started to appear in your skin.

The Best Supplements for Skin

Posted in Supplements on December 5th, 2011 by Skin Care – Be the first to comment

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.

How to Choose Anti-Aging Cream?

Posted in Anti-Aging, Health And Beauty, Skin Care Products on June 15th, 2010 by Skin Care – Be the first to comment

Anti-Aging CreamOne of the first signs of aging is the way your skin changes. This change may be in the form of loss of softness, smoothness and firmness. These losses can be hard to take for you, and it’s natural if you are looking everywhere for a solution. While aging is a natural process and age shows on your face too, you may use creams to make the changes less prominent. These creams can also delay the deterioration of your skin due to aging. So, without delay let’s find out how to choose anti-aging creams.

The thing is that contrary to what advertisers say, not all anti-aging creams work. They are also not made equal and can contain a whole host of different substances which have supposed ‘anti-aging’ properties. So, your choice should definitely be based on the ingredients in a particular brand of cream.

Depending on what they are composed of, creams can:

  • Reduce wrinkles and fine lines
  • Make skin softer and youthful to a certain extent
  • Give you mental satisfaction and lessen your worries to a great extent!

Here are some of the better anti-aging creams available these days:

  • Creams with cooper peptides. Your skin cells have a natural copper content and these creams can complement what skin cells start losing due to aging. Peptides are proteins which also help in repairing ailing skin cells and increasing the formation of collagen.
  • Creams with retinol. Retinol is basically vitamin A1 and is synthesized biologically from carotene. Its action as an anti-aging substance is due to its antioxidant properties. This means that retinol helps your skin get rid of free radicals which expedite aging.
  • Creams with alphahydroxy acids. These acids are instrumental in removing dead cells which give aging skin a dull look. They can also help new skin cells grow faster.
  • Creams with kinetin. Kinetin is a natural element which helps the growth of plant life. Research has shown that kinetin can also reduce wrinkles and eliminate blemishes on your skin which show up due to aging. It is also helpful for the formation of collagen.
  • Creams with coenzyme Q-10. This substance has an influence on cellular behavior and life. It can help reduce fine lines and also prevent skin damage due to sunburns.

These are just some of the best anti-aging solutions and if you trawl the market and the Web you can surely find even more creams to solve your aging worries!

Essential Vitamins for Healthy Skin

Posted in Acne, Healthy Eating, Supplements on May 14th, 2010 by Skin Care – Be the first to comment

Natural VitaminsYour face is your window to the world and what people remember you by even if they do not know your name. One of the important aspects of facial beauty is the quality of your skin. And the quality of your skin in general speaks volumes about your health too! Poor health is easily reflected by inferior skin quality and so, it is often not enough to beautify your skin externally. Skin nourishment is only possible if you provide your body with the right vitamins. In case you are surprised, you surely need to keep reading.

Vitamins are not only necessary for physiological well-being, but can also help you enhance your appearance. Do you know the following facts about skin and vitamins?

  • Lack of proper vitamins can make your skin look dull and lifeless.
  • Ingesting vitamins is as important as nourishing your skin topically.
  • Proper nutrition is the best way to ensure a healthy skin texture and tone.
  • More and more skin care products are making vitamins an integral ingredient.
  • Most people are ignorant about the role vitamins play in ensuring healthy skin.

So, the key is to nourish your skin with vitamins- through both proper diet and beauty products which contain only beneficial constituents. Here is a brief look at the four essential vitamins which can work together to make you skin look better than ever before:

  • Vitamin A protects your skin from damage caused by exposure to pollutants by strengthening the protective tissue. It is also a vital aid against acne, because it inhibits the action of your sebaceous glands and controls the production of sebum. Less sebum means lower chances of having acne. It also repairs tissue that makes up your mucous membrane. Vitamin A is powerful antioxidant which reduces free radicals and flushes out harmful toxins from your body, thus slowing down the aging process and preventing wrinkles from showing up.
  • Vitamin B complex which helps to maintain healthy tone and also fights acne. Sometimes if you are under stress, it shows on your face because your skin suffers. This vitamin helps you reduce signs of anxiety and stress by improving circulation and metabolism. It also strengthens your immune system and helps you produce more antibodies than ever before. These antibodies help you cope with diseases better and enhance the rate of recovery.
  • Vitamin C benefits your skin by acting as a collagen stabilizer. This helps in easier ‘repair and recovery’ for skin cells, especially in case of wounds. In fact if you lack this vitamin, you may find that even scratches take a long time to heal. If you apply this vitamin topically, you can look forward to a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles. And in case your skin has been sun burnt, vitamin C can help you get your natural complexion back quickly.
  • Vitamin E is included in many beauty products because it helps reduce roughness and makes skin softer and moisturized. It is also an antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory properties too.

Hopefully this information about vitamins will help you get healthy and good looking skin like never before. All the best!

Anti-Aging Diets

Posted in Anti-Aging, Healthy Eating on May 12th, 2010 by Skin Care – Be the first to comment

Woman eating anti-aging foodNo matter how hard you try to avoid them, the signs of aging will show up sooner or later. And the problem is not just restricted to wrinkles and fine lines on your skin, but extends to physiological and psychological changes as well. Despite modern medicine advancing by leaps and bounds, there is still no ‘magic pill’ to prevent the aftermath of aging. Diet can obviously play a very important part in deciding how gracefully you age and whether your health remains intact throughout the aging process. But then is there anything such as an anti-aging diet?

Perhaps there is! Some foods and drinks contain powerful components called phyto-nutrients, which are believed to hold the key to long-life. These are actually anti-oxidants which destroy disease-causing free radicals in your body. You may not be aware but these ‘free radicals’ are oxygen molecules which can hasten the onset of diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s.

Other than antioxidants such as these, some other foods also enhance the rate at which you age by causing cellular inflammation. So, an ideal anti-aging diet should consist of foods which are anti-inflammatory and rich in antioxidants.

Therefore such a diet can never include trans-fatty acids, sugars, starches and saturated fats. Ideally you should look at diets comprising of:

  • Cold water fishes such as salmon which are rich in omega 3 fatty acids. This acid offers a multitude of health benefits.
  • Avocado, which is a great source of monounsaturated fat, which is healthy and helps reduce bad cholesterol from your body. It is also a good source of vitamin E which prevents signs of aging from showing up on your skin in the form of fine lines and wrinkles. Being rich in potassium it also helps you keep blood pressure under check.
  • Berries are a great source of antioxidants and phyto-nutrients. All black and blue berries help reduce the number of free radicals in the body.
  • Cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and sprouts which can significantly reduce the amount of toxins in your body. These are best eaten raw or very mildly-cooked so as to keep the important enzymes intact.
  • Nuts, which are not only great sources of minerals but also help you control the levels of cholesterol in your body.
  • Wholegrain foods, which provide soluble dietary fibers and also large amounts of phyto-nutrients.
  • Yogurt which has probiotic elements. These help in introducing good bacteria to your intestines particularly when you have yogurt with active cultures.
  • Whole meal pasta and rice which gives you complex carbs. This helps you stay energetic and beat lethargy, which is a vital sign of aging.
  • Soya which helps stabilize estrogen levels after menopause. Unstable estrogen may hasten aging post menopause and fermented Soya products can help you prevent that.
  • Lots and lots of water everyday. Provided you are drinking clean water, there is better way to flush out toxins from your body and keep your skin fresh and radiant.

It’s not necessary to have all of these as a part of your diet, but you should definitely try to include as many as possible. Remember that anti-aging diets are simple and effective and there is nothing miraculous about them!

Acai Berry for Healthy Skin

Posted in Anti-Aging, Supplements on May 11th, 2010 by Skin Care – Be the first to comment

Acai BerriesMost people desire skin which will make them stand out in a crowd. But very few people manage to acquire such skin. Irregular schedules, unhealthy food habits, lack of exercise and environmental factors deny your skin the radiant and glowing look that you crave for so much. At times your regular skin care regime (you have one, right?) is also not sufficient in cleansing your skin and flushing out dirt from it. Pimples, acne, blackheads and whiteheads keep recurring. Your skin starts aging. Wrinkles appear on your face. If you are looking to avoid these adversities, I would suggest you use acai berry products. They are ideal for obtaining healthy skin!

Acai berry is obtained from the palm acai, a species of palm trees. It is a small round, black purple fruit that resembles the shape of a grape. All over the world, acai berry is employed in several forms of skin care products and food supplements, as it is known to have high quantities of antioxidants. It helps in flushing out harmful toxins out of the body, and enables to cleanse dirt from your skin. It is a good colon cleanser and is very efficient in removing blockages in your colon. As a result, your digestive system improves, your body feels less bloated after meals and your skin radiates a natural glow. The effect of acai berry on skin is attributed to the action it causes in enhancing metabolism as a whole. You feel healthy from inside and look good from outside.

The antioxidants in acai berry also prevent your skin from disintegrating when you start aging prematurely. These antioxidants, smoothen face lines and wrinkles formed when your skin loses elasticity. They also provide energy by burning calories and thus enhance your metabolism.

Let us now discuss in detail some features of acai berry which make it such a sought after ingredient of skin care products:

  • Anti-Aging Benefits: Regenerative nutrients and antioxidants present in acai berry ensure that the cells in your body function to the best of their abilities. They also guarantee that your physiology is not invaded by foreign and harmful bodies which can upset your metabolism. The ability to fight free radicals make acai berry a potent anti-aging aid.
  • Reducing corrosion of skin’s protective coating: The ‘phytosterols’ present in acai berry prevents skin cells from dying a premature death and also fends off harmful invaders. Your skin thus gets benefited because of this dual action of acai berry.
  • Defends against accumulation of premature wrinkles: The ‘phytosterols’ and ‘anthocyanins’ in acai behave as powerful astringents keeping the skin intact and help protect tissues connecting the skin. An elastic, strong skin looks suppler and wrinkles look less prominent.

Some companies are now designing cosmetic products that specifically cater to those regions in the skin, where acai berry is most effective. The chemicals and nutrients in acai berry like antioxidants, ‘phytosterols’ and ‘anthocyanins’ are well utilized to design specific products satisfying specific purposes. Whether it is removing under-eye dark circles, or smoothening wrinkles, or general cleansing of skin, acai berry products are much in demand. So, you can start using acai berry products too because, you want a healthy skin. Don’t you?

List of Common Antioxidants

Posted in Anti-Aging on May 9th, 2010 by Skin Care – Be the first to comment

Vegetables main source of antioxidantsEverywhere you look antioxidants are creating quite a buzz. Such has been their popularity that you might wonder whether they are the only to stay healthy these days! Not only are antioxidants known to help you with diseases such as arthritis, hypertension, asthma and problems such as infertility, they are also promoted as great anti-aging substances. They indeed have some great health benefits and so, it will do you a world of good to know more about them.

Do you know that most of your health problems are caused by the process of oxidation? Due to various reasons such as stress, pollution, poor diet, radiation, pesticides etc, free radicals are released in your body. These are nothing but unpaired oxygen molecules which tend to oxidize cells, enzymes, and tissue by pairing with them quickly.

Continuation of this process and presence of a large number of free radicals can trigger a total physical degeneration. Antioxidants, as their name suggests, prevent this from happening by destroying free radicals effectively. In fact research shows that intake of antioxidants via diet or supplements can significantly increase your chances of living longer and healthier.

In preventing oxidation, antioxidants help you avert diseases such as:

  • Various types of cancer
  • Coronary artery disorder
  • Muscular degeneration and Alzheimer’s.

So, this brings us to the most important question: which are the best antioxidants? Here is a list which will enlighten you in this regard:

  • Alpha Lipoic acid, which is found in abundance in meat. This antioxidant can help you get rid of glaucoma and diabetes.
  • Astaxanthin, which is the substance that imparts a pink color to salmon. It is said to be 500 times stronger than vitamin C as an antioxidant!
  • Beta-carotene, which is found in carrots and tomatoes. This antioxidant can help you treat gastritis and also boost your immune system. You should know that beta-carotene should be taken in natural forms and not as an artificial supplement because the synthetic form has only one active molecule instead of two.
  • Ubiquinone. This substance is found in fishes such as mackerel and sardines and beef. Peanuts and spinach are also good sources. It is usually used for cardiac insufficiency, wherein it helps to strengthen the heart muscles. It can also counter the effect of histamines and so, is quite useful in case of allergies and asthma. This is available in the form of expensive supplements and so, you can try the cheaper fishes to get the benefits of this supplement.
  • Cucurmin. Mainly found in turmeric, this antioxidant can help you get relief from stomach pain and nausea, liver problems related to non-secretion of bile, menstrual cramps. It can also serve as an anti-inflammatory agent for treating arthritis, asthma and eczema. However, this can thin your blood and so; you may want to consult a physician first.
  • Cysteine. This antioxidant is found in eggs and dairy products. It facilitates the absorption of iron in your body and promotes natural healing.

Your best bet is to use these uncommon antioxidants in their natural forms. Supplements may be good, but why go artificial when natural alternatives are available?