anti-aging, anti-cancer, beauty, fitness, health, love, spiritual, Uncategorized, wellness

anti-oxidants and why they matter

Posted by surge on

Most people are interested in anti-aging and attempting to reverse the clock. I know I am. You read about rejuvenation in every fashion and health magazine.  There are many factors that influence aging, some more dramatically than others (stress, diet, exercise, environmental toxins, genetics – all the topic for another days blog).  One process that is especially damaging to overall health and aging is inflammation.  Antioxidants are powerful anti-aging chemicals that can help fight inflammation and can repair and reverse cell damage.

Antioxidants are chemicals that interact with and neutralize free radicals, thus preventing them from causing damage.  Free radicals are highly reactive chemicals that have the potential to harm cells.  The body can make some of the antioxidants that it uses to neutralize free radicals on its own.  But mostly we rely on our diet to obtain the rest of the antioxidants.  Fruits, vegetables, and grains are rich sources of dietary antioxidants and some minerals and vitamins.  Carotenoids like beta-carotene, lycopene, and vitamins A, C, and E (alpha-tocopherol), catechins (found in green tea), grape seed, genistein, niacinamide (vitamin B3), are all powerful antioxidants.

Here is a list of food with high levels of antioxidants:
  1. Goji berries
  2. Wild blueberries
  3. Dark chocolate
  4. Pecans
  5. Artichokespexels-photo-533370.jpeg
  6. Elderberries
  7. Kidney beans
  8. Cranberries
  9. Blackberries
  10. Cilantro
  11. tomatoes, carrots, pumpkin seeds, sweet potatoes, pomegranates, strawberries, kale, broccoli, grapes or red wine (Reseveratol), squash, and wild-caught salmon.
Many  health problems facing us today — including conditions like heart disease, cancer and dementia — have been linked to increased levels of oxidative damage and inflammation.   Oxidation is a chemical reaction that can produce free radicals, leading to other chemical chain reactions that damage cells. 
Anti-oxidants are also powerful for skin rejuvenation – for the same reasons as they are good for the body.  Some antioxidants are best used topically (meaning applied to the skin directly).  Research also indicates some of the benefits of reducing free radicals though antioxidants are; reduced cancer risk, healthy glowing skin, slowing the aging process, longer life span, protection against heart disease and stroke, reducing risk of dementia, and reduced risk for vision problems associated with aging.
1. Vitamin E
 Is an antioxidant that is present in the skin and found in various foods, such as vegetables, seeds and meat.  It helps the skin look younger by enhancing collagen production and reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and age spots. The  skin gets more of its benefits from vitamin E through topical treatments than through oral supplements. Vitamin E is available in two forms: alpha-tocopherol (alcohol-based) and alpha-tocopherol acetate. The acetate form does not penetrate the skin as easily, so make sure you’re reading the labels closely to get maximum benefit of the vitamin E.2. LycopeneLycopene is a carotenoid found in red fruits and vegetables.  In addition to being a healthy choice for your diet it is powerful  for improving skin texture because it promotes collagen production and reduces the DNA damage that leads to wrinkles. To get the most benefit you can either take a daily supplement or look for skin care products that contain it in topical formulas (lycopene is easily absorbed by the skin).

3. Green Tea

Green Tea is almost a cure all!  It does everything from preventing  heart disease and cancer to skin aging and weight gain.  The secret ingredient is likely a chemical group called catechins, which are antioxidants that can evacuate cell damage on the skin and repair wrinkles, blemishes or other impurities. When applied to the skin, green tea can reduce sun damage by reducing inflammation and neutralizing free radicals.  It is a powerful diuretic as well, so when drinking it it can reduce inflammation. It is now found in many anti-aging creams.pexels-photo-461428.jpeg

4. Resveratrol

The antioxidant resveratrol is compound that is commonly found in grapes, nuts, fruits, and red wine.  Topical applications can protect against UVB-mediated cutaneous damage and inhibits UVB-mediated oxidative stress. I am  happy about this one because I like red wine. red-night-drops-wine.jpg

5. Grape Seed

Grape seed is extracted from vitis vinifera and is rich in proanthocyanidins, which belong to the flavonoid family. Proanthocyanidins are potent antioxidants with strong free radical scavenging activities.

6. Genistein

Genistein is an isoflavone derived from soybeans with the capacity to inhibit UV-induced oxidative DNA damage. Genistein, either topically applied or orally supplemented, was shown to effectively protect human skin against UVB-induced skin photodamage.

7. Niacinamide

Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is a powerful antioxidant that has shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory and depigmenting properties. It has also shown to improve the texture and tone of the skin, as well as reduce fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.

8. Vitamin C

Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) is an essential nutrient that can only come from the healthy fruits and vegetables that contain it. Vitamin C is known for its cold-fighting power, but it’s also has impact on  preventing and reversing aging skin.  It is an antioxidant, as well as a booster of collagen formation both of which are rejuvenating.

I try to eat anti-oxidants every day especially on the list of the top ten. How much is enough? I am not sure, but try to eat from the list daily.  I also use Vitamin C oil daily on my face and hands.  More on anti aging skin care  next blog post.
And as for my weight loss – 5 pounds down – 25 to go! belly-body-calories-diet-42069.jpeg

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