Choosing antioxidants to supplement your routine skin routine is an approach which have been validated scientifically. A study by French scientists discovered that woman taking vitamin C, vitamin E, and betacarotene had 23% fewer recent wrinkles, and a reduction in existing wrinkles of 8%. Antioxidants stop the breakdown of collagen and elastin by free radicals.
Meals with the highest levels of antioxidants, as measured by the ORAC (oxygen radical absorbence capacity), listed from the highest: prunes, raisins, blueberries, kale, cranberries, spinach, raspberries, brussel sprouts, plums and broccoli.
Beta Carotene is another important nutrient for the epidermis. A deficiency in beta carotene will reduce the effectiveness of skin treatments. Beta Carotene is needed for the normal growth and renewal of skin cells. Our epidermis cells are constantly replacing each other, and recent ones are pushed up to the surface as the old ones slough off. Not just is beta carotene an antioxidant, but it additionally nourishes the weight layer underneath the skin. Beta Carotene keeps epidermis supple, and might prevent epidermis damage.
Symptoms of beta carotene deficiency include dry and rough skin, localized breakouts, fragile epidermis, wrinkle prone skin, poor skin texture, and splitting nails.
One thing to remember with taking beta carotene pills isn't to exceed the recommended daily dose, as it can build up in your body if consumed in excess. Taking 10000 IU per day is fine.
Vitamin C is another important beauty supplement. Not only does it help in epidermis repair by building collagen, but smaller levels of vitamin C in the epidermis are associated with aging and UV damage. Taking 500mg to 2000mg per date, in divided doses, is recommended.
An excellent antioxidant supplement to take is alpha lipoic acid (ALA), especially if you're taking the other antioxidant vitamins C and E, and coenzyme Q10. Alpha lipoic acid is not just an antioxidant in its own right, but it's the capacity to recycle these additional antioxidants. Alpha lipoic acid is and an anti inflammatory agent, and improves insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is associated with obesity and heart disease. ALA increases the speed at which glucose is removed from the bloodstream, and helps the body detoxify metals that want accumulated. Alpha lipoic acid additionally prevents the cross linking of fibers, which leads to aging and the development of wrinkles.
Alpha lipoic acid is produced by the body, but just in small amounts. It's accustomed by the cells in their production of cellular energy, and we only benefit from its antioxidant consequences if how much ALA in our bodies is greater than that which our cells need for normal operating. And, unfortunately, the levels of ALA in our body decline as we age.
One advantage of alpha lipoic acid is that it is both fat and water soluble. This means it can work in all components of our body, causing it very versatile. Greatest antioxidants are either fat or water soluble, but not both. I.e., beta carotene is weight soluble, and vitamin C is water soluble.
Taking about 50 to 100mg of alpha lipoic acid pills a day has been suggested, though this supplement needs not been tested on pregnant or breast feeding females.