We'd all love to find an 'elixir of youth' which can keep us looking young. Unfortunately, there isn't one. But antioxidants can help to reduce damage caused by free radicals in cells and this could potentially help to keep us looking young.
What are antioxidants?
Antioxidants are molecules which prevent the oxidation process occurring in other molecules. Oxidation occurs because of chemical reactions in the biological system. This reaction creates free radicals and it is free radicals which are responsible for causing a series of chemical reactions in the body which can cause cellular damage.
According to an article entitled ‘Antioxidants and Free Radicals’ published by Rice University, “Antioxidants are molecules which can safely interact with free radicals and terminate the chain reaction before vital molecules are damaged. Although there are several enzyme systems within the body that scavenge free radicals, the principle micronutrient (vitamin) antioxidants are vitamin E, beta-carotene, and vitamin C.”
So antioxidants play a powerful role in the damage of cells and play an important role in the ageing process. Therefore learning about how to boost antioxidants and reduce oxidation is beneficial.
How to boost antioxidants from the inside
An easy and effective way to increase the level of antioxidants in the body is to eat lots of fruit and vegetables. This can be easier said than done. But including an abundance of raw foods will help to boost your body’s immune system from the inside out.
Good health and beauty work together and this will reflect on your skin. Another great way is to introduce herbal tea into your diet. Green tea is rich in antioxidants – as it contains polyphenols which are cancer-eliminating compounds, which can help to prevent the damage caused by free radicals.
According to the Harvard Medical School, "Tea's health benefits are largely due to its high content of flavonoids - plant-derived compounds that are antioxidants. Green tea is the best food source of a group called catechins. In test tubes, catechins are more powerful than vitamins C and E in halting oxidative damage to cells and appear to have other disease-fighting properties."
There are plenty of other foods and drinks which are meant to be high in antioxidants too and these include grapes, blueberries, salmon, nuts such as pecans, artichokes, pinto, red or kidney beans, goji berries and surprisingly – dark chocolate to name just a few. All of these foods should help you to get more than a significant dose of antioxidants.
Antioxidants in your skincare regime
Nowadays there are lots of skin care products which claim to turn back time and make your skin look younger. Whilst some of them are down to preference, it is possible to purchase creams and serums which provide some of the same benefits as eating foods which provide these nutrients. Some of these vitamins and antioxidants include Coenzyme Q-10 which is an antioxidant found naturally in the body. It is thought to be helpful in allowing cells to grow and offering some protection from cancer.
Other antioxidants include Alpha-lipoic acid which can protect from sun damage and retinoic acid. The latter in particular is thought to “treat fine wrinkles, age spots, and rough skin caused by sun exposure.” According to an article on WebMD, “In a study conducted at the Skin Research Institute in Korea and published in the Journal of Dermatological Science, researchers found that treatment with retinoic acid restored the elastic fibers that keep skin taut, and reduced the appearance of wrinkles.”
So when choosing a skin cream, you might want to consider that it has the elements of Coenzyme Q-10, Alpha-lipoic acid and retinoic acid in it in order to get the finer benefits of antioxidants which can provide added protection against the ageing process.
As mentioned at the start of this article, there is no way to prevent the inevitable fact of ageing. However, you can prevent the ageing process from happening before its time by choosing to factor in a lifestyle which includes a healthy diet – with an abundance of antioxidant rich foods, exercise to increase healthy blood flow (and help to promote cellular growth) and finally, a skin care routine rich in antioxidant ingredients which can help to nature’s powerful face mask to your own skin.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Resource List:
Harvard Medical School; Harvard Health Publications; September 2004; 'Benefit of Drinking Green Tea: The proof is in - drinking tea is healthy, says Harvard Women's Health Watch'
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