As we grow older, skin cells regenerate more slowly, making it difficultfor the epidermis to repair itself. We also produce fewer hormones with age, causing the skin to thin, leaving it more vulnerable to damage. What’s more, oil-producing glands become less active, resulting in dry, fragile tissue. These effects are exacerbated by environmental conditions such as ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which harms skin proteins and accelerates the visible signs of aging, including blemishes, discoloration, sagging, and fine lines.
While this is the harsh reality, the best way to deal with it is to know how to grow old gracefully. This doesn’t mean fighting aging skin with chemical creams and other unnatural, invasive treatments. A healthier approach to growing old is to exercise, use natural skin care products and to eat right.
Eating right is even more important to aging right than previously presumed. New research shows that a diet rich in certain nutrients may prevent and reverse skin aging more effectively than expensive treatments. A study of more than 4,000 women found a strong correlation between aging skin and poor dietary habits, such as getting too few vitamins. Women with above-average intakes of vitamin C and linoleic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid found in plant-based oils) who ate fewer fats and carbohydrates were more likely to have healthier, youthful skin.
Antioxidants have certainly generated a buzz in the media lately. And for good reason. These powerful defenders give your skin the protection it needs to fight against free radicals on a day-to-day basis.
This protection is exactly what you need to keep your skin smooth and firm, no matter what your age. In fact, antioxidants could be the reason why one 50-year-old woman can have smooth skin and another can have wrinkles that make her look many years older.
Free radicals are unstable atoms that come from pollution, smoking, even overexposure to the sun. And they cause damage to the healthy cells in your body.That’s why antioxidants are so important. Antioxidants are nutrients that come from fruits and vegetables. And they help neutralize free radicals before they have the chance to do damage to your skin.
Fight free radicals with powerful fruits and vegetables.
If you always find yourself grabbing lunch on the go or munching on a power bar between meetings at work, you’re probably not getting enough nutrients from the foods you eat. But don’t beat yourself up. I’ve been there.
The majority of us don’t get the antioxidants we need every day to keep our skin healthy. And without these vital antioxidants, your skin is even more susceptible to damage.
The good news is that cleaning up your nutrition for just a few days is enough to visibly improve the quality of your skin.
Some great ways to give yourself some skin-essential nutrients are through these foods rich in Vitamins A, C, and E:
Carrots
Sweet potatoes
Avacados
Cantaloupe
Spinach
Peaches
Green peppers
Strawberries
Tomatoes
Kiwi fruits
Remember, the brighter and more diverse the selection, the better!
Other great sources of antioxidants include: white tea, rooibos and dark chocolate.
Ubiquinone, also called Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a powerful antioxidant that provides support for cellular energy production and helps maintain normal healthy functioning of the heart.
Preventive measures: Curb your consumption of simple carbohydrates, which include the obvious treats, like soft drinks and candy, but also seemingly innocuous choices, such as white rice, and white bread. These foods are quickly converted into sugar in your body and put your skin on the fast track to glycation. If you need something sweet, a small square of dark chocolate contains antioxidants that can protect you from free radicals, those unstable atoms in the atmosphere that latch on to skin and lead to fine lines. Also, increase your intake of vitamin C as it helps generate collagen which provides the skin with strength, flexibility, and resilience.
How we eat massively affects our skin and how we age. A diet full of healthy, whole foods provides important nutrients and antioxidants to slow the effects of aging and enable cell repair.
In addition to eating right, it’s important to take care of the skin by using a high quality skin care cream that provides nourishment. Make sure to find one that contains natural ingredients and has been proven to be safe for all skin types. LifeCell Cream is scientifically proven to get fast results and nourish the skin using powerful ingredients and antioxidants.