It is awesome to have healthy and radiant skin which is free from all sorts of imperfections such as pimples, dilated pores, spots, fine lines and wrinkles. You will look and feel fabulous. In order to achieve perfection, you need to nurture the skin properly. This is best done with the help of vitamins, which are vital nutrients for regulating processes and systems in the body. Find out which ones have the most beneficial impact on the skin and how to get them and use them in the most effective way.
Vitamin A
This is one of the most potent anti-aging compounds that you can find. Vitamin A also known as retinol has been proven to counter the effects of aging. It helps to reduce fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots when applied topically in retinoid form. It makes the skin smooth and glowing. Since retinoid-based topical creams are highly potent skin care products, it is best to use one after consulting a dermatologist especially if you have sensitive skin or a medical condition.
Should you take vitamin A supplements for beautiful skin? There is no need for supplementation unless you have been diagnosed with deficiency. You can readily get this vital nutrient from various types of foods which are rich in it. The list includes fish, eggs, liver, carrots, leafy greens and sweet potatoes. When the levels of this vitamin in the body are normal, this has a positive impact on the health of hair and nails as well as on the skin.
Vitamin B Complex
There are two vitamins from the B group deserving greater attention from those looking to improve skin health and appearance. Biotin is a foundational element for cells in the body. When a person suffers from biotin deficiency, the most common symptoms include itchy and flaky skin, hair loss and brittle nails. The good new is that people can maintain the optimal level of biotin in the body easily through their diet. This is vitamin is found in eggs, whole grains, bananas, rice and almonds.
There is a growing number of research studies producing evidence of the beneficial effects of vitamin B3, also known as niacin, on the skin when it is used in topical form. Its major benefit is that it helps for the retaining of moisture in the skin. This gives the face a plump and healthy younger look. The really great thing is that this effect is achieved fairly quickly. Vitamin B3 has potent anti-inflammatory properties as well. It helps to reduce redness which is a very common skin problem. Another benefit of this vitamin is that it helps to reduce abnormal pigmentation. In this way, it can help you get rid of sun spots and age spots.
Vitamin C
This is one of the most powerful antioxidants. It fights free radicals which cause damage to skin cells. This is an extremely important function since free radicals work to reduce the production of collagen and elastin. As you know, these two compounds are crucial for the health and appearance of the skin. Without them, it loses its smoothness and plumpness. Simply put, vitamin C helps to define aging and its more common signs such as wrinkles and loss of firmness. Free radicals cause cellular damage which may eventually develop into skin cancer. That is why this vitamin is becoming an integral part of modern sunscreen products. Given all this, you have to ensure that the skin care products which you use and especially the ones which are applied in the morning contain vitamin C.
When it comes to vitamin C supplementation, it is typically not required in healthy people. You can get the amount of this compound which your body needs through fruit such as kiwi, oranges and grapefruits and through vegetables like tomatoes, peppers and leafy greens.
Vitamin D
You certainly know that this vitamin is essential for the bones, but this is true for the skin as well. This is because it is responsible for the absorption of minerals such as calcium, zinc and magnesium. These minerals all help to keep skin health optimal. Zinc, in particular, gives you clear spot-free skin. Furthermore, vitamin D helps for the reduction of redness and inflammation especially in patients suffering from psoriasis. The best way to keep the levels of this nutrient in the body optimal is to soak up some sun before ten in the morning. The foods which contain the highest levels of it are fatty fish and mushrooms.
Vitamin E
The health benefits of this vitamin for the skin have been proven by numerous studies. Just like vitamin C, this one is a powerful antioxidant fighting free radicals. It helps to reduce the risk of sun damage and the common signs of aging. For best results, it should be taken orally even if you use a cream or other skin care products which contain it.
The foods with the highest amounts of this compound are sunflower seeds, nuts, spinach, avocado and tofu. It is found in vegetable oils and in fish as well. Still, diet is often not sufficient for getting the health benefits of vitamin E for the skin. That is why you may consider taking up to 400 milligrams of the compound per day. This is the dosage which most studies analyzing the effects of the nutrient on the skin have used. Before you decide to use any kind of supplement, however, you should discuss it with your doctor.
Vitamin K
You may have not even heard of this vitamin, but research studies done by leading medical schools have found that it helps to reduce dark circles under the eyes, bruising and even wrinkles. For defying dark circles and wrinkles, it is usually combined with vitamin A. In general, the role of vitamin K in the body is to support blood clotting. That is why it will not produce great benefits for the skin if it is taken orally.
With the right cosmetic products, diet and supplements, you will get optimal amounts of all essential vitamins for skin health and enjoy radiance and beauty.
Any person alive wants to stay young and live eternally. This is not possible for the time being, but there is massive research done on the causes of aging in hopes that this process can be reversed or at least slowed down. The reality is that no one still knows why we age. Let’s take a closer look at the two main theories intended to explain this natural process and at factors which are considered to speed it up.
The Major Theories
The damage concept is the first one of the two most widely supported aging theories. It states that external factors cause damage to our genes (DNA). Various small changes in our DNA occur over time and build up. This causes cells, tissues, organs and systems to change adversely as well. At one point, the DNA change becomes so big that the body fails completely.
The second concept is programmed aging. It states that each person has a gene or a combination of genes that will determine how long he or she will live. If this gene or gene combination is discovered, it may be possible for it to be modified in the future.
Even though neither one of the concepts has been fully backed by research evidence, it is known that some things in life cause people to age more quickly. These have to do with the risk of increasing cellular damage. It is worth checking out the main ones.
Factors Speeding Up the Aging Process
Substance abuse is one of the main factors speeding up aging and increasing mortality risk. People who smoke a lot, drink too much alcohol and/or take drugs are more likely to get affected by serious illnesses such as cancer and organ damage and failure. If you have any of these problems, you should consult a specialist who will help you deal with it timely.
Stress is among the most prominent factors which make you age more quickly. When you stress out, specific hormones are released into the body. They help you to stay alert forcing all organs and systems to work more intensively. This is a good thing. It is part of the instinct for self-preservation. However, if you are under stress very often, it becomes harder for the body to keep all organs and systems work optimally. This can result in adverse effects such as high blood pressure and weakening of the immune system. Daily stress is one of the major risk factors for heart disease. The best thing which you can do is to find a way to keep anxiety and emotions under control and get sufficient rest.
Long sun exposure without proper protection between ten in the morning and five in the afternoon is another risk factor which is often neglected. Both the UVA and the UVB rays of the sun cause damage to the skin cells. This damage results in quicker aging of the skin. The skin loses its softness and elasticity. Dark spots and wrinkles appear. The damage to the cells can lead to changes in the DNA which cause the formation of tumors. Skin cancer is one of the most widespread types of cancer and it affects a growing number of young people every year. Given all this, it makes sense to wear sunscreen, wide-brim hat, sunglasses and breathable clothes which cover as much of your body as possible when you go out during the day.
High calorie diet is also a major factor which makes the body age faster. One of the most significant discoveries made by pioneering researchers in the field of aging was that the lifespan of lab rats was increased twofold after their calorie intake had been reduced. This does not mean that you should stay on a low-calorie diet to live longer, of course, but you should try to take the optimal amount for your age and gender. One of the easiest ways to reduce your calorie intake is to reduce the consumption of foods which contain the highest amounts of sugar and fat to the possible minimum. The list includes all sweets, junk food, canned foods, fatty foods like red meat, salami and yellow cheese and fried foods.
Low consumption of important nutrients is also something which affects how fast you age. If you do not get enough nutrients, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants from food, you will be at higher risk of various health problems. The way in which you look will be adversely affected too. The best sources of healthy chemical compounds which are essential for the body include fruit, vegetables, legumes, whole grains and fatty fish. Make sure that these are present in your diet.
Sedentary lifestyle has been linked to various medical conditions. It has adverse effects on the cardiovascular system and on the musculoskeletal system. When you work out and do cardio exercises, in particular, the blood flow in the body improves and all organs and systems work more effectively. Just half-hour walk every day can help to reduce the risk of heart disease.
Insufficient sleep also causes the body to age more quickly. You do not have to be a scientist to notice how bad you look after a week with three hours of sleep every night. When you are tired, you cannot do anything as well and as quickly as usual and this causes greater stress. Adults should try to sleep for at least seven hours each night. If you have sleep problems, you should take the necessary measures to deal with them right away.
Poor care for your body can also lead to faster aging. Frequent exfoliation of the skin helps to remove the topmost layer of dead cells and to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. Teeth flossing and washing are essential routines. Regular medical checkups are mandatory regardless of a person’s age. They can help to detect and treat potentially serious problems early on. Similarly, if you notice any bothering symptoms, you should report them to your doctor without delay. It is best to consult your physician when you plan to use any home treatments such as the intake of supplements.
With a healthy lifestyle, you may be able to slow down aging.