Achieving Youthful Healthy Skin With Vitamins A,
C And E
by Charlene J. Nuble
We all want healthy skin.
While the main reasons for pursuing healthy skin tend to be
purely shallow and cosmetic in nature, healthy skin is
beautiful and keeps us looking younger than our years and
there are actually some practical health benefits to
maintaining the good health for our skin. The purpose of
the skin is to act as a barrier. It serves to prevent bacteria,
viruses and other contaminants from entering the body and
causing infection, illness and disease.
There are many vitamins and
minerals that help to keep skin healthy and thus be able
to serve its vital role in the protection of the
body.
Antioxidant vitamins such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E
are very important to healthy skin because it is these vitamins
that share in the responsibility of controlling the damage that
free radicals byproducts of energy production within the body
and of environmental contaminants such as air pollution
produce. Among the several types of damage done by free
radicals is the destruction of collagen and elastin which are
fibers that support the skin and keeps it looking supple. As
these are damaged wrinkles and a lack of that youthful firmness
can occur. Vitamin C also plays a part in the production of
collagen making it essential to the function and look of the
skin. Recent studies have found that Vitamin C and E used
together may help to repair sun-damaged skin.
Vitamin A has its own important role in skin health and beauty
in addition to its anti-oxidant properties. In terms of diet
even small deficiencies can negatively affect the skin causing
flakiness and dryness. Dryness can make lines and wrinkles that
are much more apparent. Its primary use however, is as a
topical solution for the treatment of severe acne and the
reduction of lines and wrinkles themselves. Recent research has
showed that a topical solution that contains both Vitamin A and
Vitamin C can in some cases reverse the damage done by the
aging process and by sun-damage.
Deficiencies in the Vitamin B complex can leave the skin prone
to cracking, bleeding and dangerous skin lesions that allow all
kinds of bacteria, viruses and other contaminants to easily
enter the body. But in terms of strictly cosmetic concerns even
a little shortage of the Vitamin B complex can result in scaly
and poorly textured skin. Topical preparations have been found
to play an important role in the hydrating of skin cells
leading to noticeably firmer and healthier looking skin.
Vitamin K has been found to relieve those awful dark circles
under the eyes. Some research has found that creams made up of
both Vitamin K and Vitamin A are more effective than those that
just contain Vitamin K but researchers are still following up
on these results.
Minerals important to the look and to the health of the skin
include selenium, copper and zinc. Selenium whether used as a
topical solution or taken in the form of a dietary supplement
is thought to play a big role in the prevention of skin cancer.
Copper, zinc and Vitamin C work together to form elastin which
helps to support skin keeping it firm and healthy.
Topical solutions and dietary supplements can help to keep the
skin healthy and youthful in appearance. However, it is
important to recognize that these are powerful substances and
using them within the standard guidelines of dosage is
essential to good health. There is such a thing as too much of
abusing such natural healing powers which could then result to
a not so pretty sight. But when used correctly however, your
skin can look better than ever.
About the Author
Charlene J. Nuble 2005. For up to date links and information
about Vitamins, please go to: http://vitamins.besthealthlink.net/
or for updated links and information on all health related
topics, go to: http://www.besthealthlink.net/
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