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