| YOUR SKINThe skin is the largest organ of the | | | | other problems. Ascorbyl palmitate applied on the |
| body, and is significantly affected by the aging | | | | skin decreased the level of formation of free |
| process. Estrogen receptors have been detected | | | | radicals*.Vitamin C: Known for its antioxidant |
| on the cellular components of the skin and lower | | | | properties. Photoprotective properties of topically |
| levels of estrogen influence the skin-cell | | | | applied vitamin C have also been demonstrated, |
| metabolism. Changes in the skin collagen leads to | | | | indicating its use in the prevention and treatment |
| diminished elasticity and skin strength. There is a | | | | of skin aging. Topical applications of 5% vitamin C |
| distinct reduction of collagen production after | | | | cream is an effective treatment, clinically shown |
| menopause. Changes in vascularity are found | | | | to improve photodamaged skin.**Vitamin D: |
| following menopause. Dermal blood flow decreases | | | | Vitamin D has been shown to reverse skin |
| significantly in postmenopausal women.Repair | | | | damage, increase wound healing. Vitamin D is |
| functions in skin are regulated by a group of | | | | produced in the body in response to sunlight, and |
| chemicals called 'cytokines.'. Included in these are | | | | has been shown to have a beneficial affect on |
| epidermal cell growth factor (ECGF), transforming | | | | skin repair and hair growth. Vitamin D rarely |
| growth factor (TGF), and angiogenesis factor. AF | | | | requires supplementation, and 15 minutes of daily |
| stimulates the rebuilding of the microvascular | | | | low-sun exposure should stimulate adequate |
| system within the skin. TGF and ECGF stimulate | | | | production of this hormone-like vitamin.***Vitamin |
| rapid cell proliferation for the replacement of dead | | | | E: Vitamin E is a power antioxidant. Experiments |
| or damaged cells.Excessive exposure to UV rays | | | | show that that it may protect against the |
| causes oxidation of the collagen and elastin fibers | | | | degradation of collagen, and prevent skin damage |
| in this skin. This, in turn causes 'crosslinking'. | | | | by environmental insult and aging.***CoQ10 |
| Cross-linking causes the collagen in the skin to | | | | (Ubiquinone): Internal and topical application of |
| become tangled and stiffen. This results in sagging | | | | CoQ10 has a beneficial effect of preventing |
| and loss of skin elasticity, and allow facial | | | | photoaging. CoQ10 penetrates into the viable |
| expressions to put deep lines and wrinkles in the | | | | layers of the epidermis and reduces the level of |
| skin. Some of this UV damage can be prevented | | | | oxidation. Reduction in wrinkle depth following |
| by the use of sunscreens and sunblocks. Some of | | | | CoQ10 application has also been shown in clinical |
| this damage can be reversed by the use of 'peels' | | | | trials. CoQ10 prevents oxidative DNA damage and |
| - where the outer layer of the skin is removed | | | | suppresses the degradation of |
| by the use of mild acidic formulas, which removes | | | | collagen.****References:*Skin protection against |
| the damaged layers and stimulates the production | | | | ultraviolet induced free radicals with ascorbyl |
| of a stronger, thicker layer of skin.Free radicals | | | | palmitate in microemulsions. Jurkovic P, Sentjurc |
| are molecules created by oxidative chemical | | | | M, Gasperlin M, Kristl J, Pecar S. Faculty of |
| reactions within the body. These free radicals | | | | Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, |
| damage cellular DNA and cause mutations of the | | | | Slovenia**Topical ascorbic acid on photoaged skin. |
| skin cells. Free radical damage can be prevented | | | | Clinical, topographical and ultrastructural evaluation: |
| by the use of anti-oxidants, both internally and | | | | double-blind study vs. placebo. Humbert PG, |
| topically. Antioxidants attract and bind these free | | | | Haftek M, Creidi P, Lapiere C, Nusgens B, Richard |
| radical molecules, rendering them | | | | A, Schmitt D, Rougier A, Zahouani H. Department |
| harmless.Premature skin aging can be avoided by | | | | of Dermatology, Hospital Saint Jacques, University |
| preventing excess exposure to sunlight and | | | | of Franche-Comte, Besancon, France.***Vitamin D |
| pollutants, as well as providing with skin with the | | | | enhances mitogenesis mediated by keratinocyte |
| nutrients it needs to repair itself. Provide your skin | | | | growth factor receptor in keratinocytes. Gamady |
| with the building blocks it needs by maintaining | | | | A, Koren R, Ron D, Liberman UA, Ravid A. The |
| adequate consumption of the following | | | | Basil and Gerald Felsenstein Medical Research |
| nutrients:NUTRITION FOR AGING SKINZINC: Zinc | | | | Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv |
| is required for collagen production and elastin | | | | University, Petah-Tikva, Israel.***Age-dependent |
| synthesis, as well as DNA repair. Zinc is required | | | | increase of collagenase expression can be reduced |
| for DNA duplication, which is required for cell | | | | by alpha-tocopherol via protein kinase C inhibition. |
| division. Zinc is required for the production of | | | | Ricciarelli R, Maroni P, Ozer N, Zingg JM, Azzi |
| certain proteins that remove damaged or | | | | A.Institut fur Biochemie und Molekularbiologie, |
| mutated tissue as well as for superoxide | | | | Universitat Bern, Switzerland.****Coenzyme Q10, |
| dismutase, a power antioxidant.COPPER: Copper | | | | a cutaneous antioxidant and energizer. Hoppe U, |
| helps to stimulate the production of collagen and | | | | Bergemann J, Diembeck W, Ennen J, Gohla S, |
| elastin, helps to thicken the dermis, increases | | | | Harris I, Jacob J, Kielholz J, Mei W, Pollet D, |
| vascularity and oxygenation and works to | | | | Schachtschabel D, Sauermann G, Schreiner V, |
| stimulate superoxide dismutase.SULFUR: Sulfur is a | | | | Stab F, Steckel F.Paul Gerson Unna Research |
| component of the protein Keratin found in nails, | | | | Center, Beiersdorf AG, Hamburg, GermanyFawn |
| hair and skin. Sulfur is essential for the production | | | | Bales has studied and practiced natural and |
| of collagen and it is required for the production of | | | | alternative medicine for over 20 years, and has |
| the connective tissues.Vitamin A: The vitamin | | | | also studied aesthetic technology and |
| necessary for healthy skin. A serious lack or | | | | cosmetology. |
| excess intake can cause dry, rough skin, among | | | | |