Anti-Agers

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

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Aging is inevitable. There are some things that we cannot change; like the effect of environmental pollution our skin for example. Then there are some things that we can change, like kicking that smoking habit. We can also add antioxidants to our diet. 

Antioxidants are nature’s defense against the damaging, aging effects of free radicals. As free radical scavengers, they help prevent against prematurely aging skin. 

 

Free radicals destroy cells and are produced by exposure to radiation, alcohol, smog and many other pollutants.

With respect to the skin, free radicals:

- Damage cell function
- Change the DNA in the cell which can lead to cancer
- Activate factors which break down collagen, which causes wrinkles and
- Cause aging which appear on hands, face and neck first.

Antioxidants prevent and repair cell damage that is cause by free radicals. Antioxidants can be found in foods as well as in skin care products. Carotenoids, vitamin E, vitamin C and vitamin E are antioxidant vitamins.

Carotenoids
Betacarotene is a provitamin which converts into Vitamin A in the liver, and prevents against damage to cell membrane. 
Food sources are sweet potatoes, carrots, mangoes, spinach, egg yolk and red, orange, deep-yellow and some dark green leafy veges like broccoli.

Vitamin A
Vitamin A is needed for the formation and maintainence of mucus membranes. It is only found in animal products such as liver, butter, milk, cheese and eggs.
Shout out to all my vegetarians. Get up on your betacarotenes! 

Vitamin E
Vitamin E reduces the ability of LDL (bad cholesterol) to form plaque in the arteries.
Common food sources include margarine, salad dressings, peanut butter, whole grain products, nuts, vegetable oil and mayo. These sources are often high in fat and should be used in moderation. It can also be found in some leafy veges.

Vitamin A and E, as well as vitamin D and K are fat soluble (stored in body fat), and can be harmful when taken in excessive amounts.

Vitamin C
Vitamin C protects against heart disease, cancer and stress.
It is usually found in citrus fruits like oranges and tangerines but is also found in sweet peppers, melon and most berries – strawberries, blackberries and blueberries for example. Vitamin C is water soluble and cannot be taken in excess as whatever the body does not use will be passed out in urine. 

Teas
Tea also contains antioxidants, white tea containing the strongest content of them all. *Muuuuaaahahahahahah*
Coffee and chocolate also contains antioxidants, but of course you have to factor in the effects on your body of caffeine and sugar respectively.
 

Sunscreen (SPF) is an antioxidant that guards skin against damaging UV rays and can be found in quite a few moisturizers and other cosmetic products. 

 

Eat up!

Photo: djcodrin / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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1. InsuranceCompanyCar says:

   March 8, 2010 at 1:45 pm

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   Very well done!

   [Reply]

   

   Supernova Reply:
   March 8th, 2010 at 7:06 pm

   Thanks. We’re just getting started! Do continue to read.

   [Reply]

   Reply

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