Well, most of you probably already know the three main ways to ensure youthful skin – sun protection, don’t smoke and eat a healthy diet. You know that you need to nourish our skin to keep it as healthy and youthful as possible. But are you getting enough of right nutrients from your diet alone? Staying youthful is not only about lotions and potions. Lifestyle and diet play essential roles. Exercises, fruits, adequate sleep and being tobacco free are also a vital key of staying young. A variety of vitamins and antioxidants help to improve the health of your skin and here are a few of the most effective ones.
Omega-3 fatty acids
You probably already know that Omega-3 fatty aides are essential not only for the heath of tissues, heart and brain cells, but also for your skin. It helps to keep the outer layer of the skin strong and intact. Consuming the goodies in their natural state (eating more fish and leafy greens) is the best way. But the question is, why supplementation? Well, what we are consuming today is not the same as what previous generations used to eat. Our modern diet is packed with saturated fats, trans-fats, and even majority of the polyunsaturated fats we consume are the Omega-6 fats instead (which are mainly found in plant oils). Also, some studies have shown that processed foods can be kept fresh longer by removing the Omega 3 oils, and by using hydrogenated plant oils, hence the easiest way to increase your Omega 3 intake is to consume supplements.
Glutathione
It’s the secret in preventing ageing, cancer, heart disease and dementia. Some say it is the mother of all antioxidants; the master detoxifier of the immune system – and yet you’ve probably never heard of it or don’t even know how to pronounce this critical life-giving molecule. The good news is that your body produces its own but the bad news is that poor diet, tobacco, pollution, toxins and stress deplete your glutathione storage. Now more than ever, you need this potent antioxidant to protect your health as you system is increasingly depleted of this life-giving nutrient from all the oxidative stress and pollution in the environment. By topping up your glutathione levels, it helps to strengthen your TRILLIONS of cells, improve your cellular health, increase energy, help with detoxification, repair ageing cells and fight free radicals. To optimise your glutathione levels, eat foods that support its production such as sulfur-rich foods (garlic, onions and cruciferous greens). Exercise is another way to boost your glutathione levels. Another effective way is to take glutathione supporting supplements such as L-Cysteine, alpha-lipoid acid, multivitamins, fish oils and selenium . You may think it would be easy just to take glutathione as a pill, but your body digests protein so you wouldn’t get the benefits if you take oral glutathione.
Colourless Carotenoids
One of nature’s most effective whitening ingredients and skin protector, are scientifically proven to benefit the skin by acting as natural sunscreen against UV rays, photo-oxidation and prevent pigmentation spots and ageing. It is also known for its antioxidant properties that prevent against free radical damages as well as anti-inflammatory properties. Crystal Tomato is a unique supplement to offer benefits for the skin from a unique breed of non-genetically modified white tomatoes that are jam-packed with colourless carotenoids. For additional benefit, it contains L-cysteine, an amino acid that helps to boost liver’s production of Glutathione. Crystal Tomato is indeed the ultimate solution to fairer, youthful and healthier skin. Crystal Tomato is available at The SW1 Clinic. You can find out more about the supplement here.
Vitamin C and E
Taking good care of your skin should be an essential part of your health regimen. It is, after all, your body’s largest organ if you don’t already notice. Many studies have found that Vitamins C and E help protect the skin against sun damage and skin cancer. Some have proven that they can actually reverse some of the discolouration and wrinkles associated with ageing. Experts recommend taking supplements containing at least 1,000 milligrams of Vitamin C and 400 IU of Vitamin E daily to gain most benefit. Like Vitamin C, Vitamin E plays a vital role in skin care as a photo-protector. It has the ability to minimise the damage caused by UV light and hence, preventing premature ageing.
Coenzyme Q10
This natural oil-soluble vitamin-like substance in the body helps cells renewal and protects them from the ravages of free radicals that leads to cancer. Many scientists believe that a drop in the natural levels of coenzyme Q10 that happens in our later years in life is one contributing factor to ageing skin. Also known as Ubiquinone, although relatively new, it is fairly well studied. It is a natural antioxidant that helps to neutralise harmful free radicals which causes ageing. Like Vitamin C, it works synergistically with other Vitamins such as Vitamin E for added benefit. However, there are fewer definitive studies conducted on human skin demonstrating the benefits of the antioxidant since it is relatively new. But, it has shown more promise than many other active ingredients which are saturating the skin supplement arena now.