Vitamins and Minerals for Healthy Skin
We
all want healthy skin. While our reasons for pursuing healthy skin
tend to be cosmetic in nature, there are practical health benefits
to maintaining the health of our skin. The purpose of the skin is
to act as a barrier to prevent bacteria, viruses and other contaminants
from entering the body and causing infection and disease. There
are many vitamins and minerals which help to keep skin healthy,
and thus able to serve its vital role in the protection of the body.
Antioxidant
vitamins, such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E are very important
to healthy skin because these vitamins share in the responsibility
of controlling the damage that free radicals (byproducts of energy
production within the body and of environmental contaminants) produce.
Among
the several types of damage done by free radicals is the destruction
of collagen and elastin, which are fibers that support the skin.
As these are damaged, wrinkles and a lack of that youthful firmness
can occur. Vitamin C also plays a part in the production of collagen,
making it essential to the function and look of the skin. Recent
studies have found that Vitamin C and E used together may help to
repair sun-damaged skin.
Vitamin
A has its own important role in skin health and beauty, in addition
to its antioxidant properties. In terms of diet, even small deficiencies
can negatively affect skin, causing flakiness and dryness. Dryness
can make lines and wrinkles that much more apparent. Its primary use,
however, is as a topical solution for the treatment of severe acne
and the reduction of lines and wrinkles themselves. Recent research
has found that a topical solution that contains both Vitamin A and
Vitamin C can, in some cases, reverse damage done by the aging process
and by sun-damage.
Deficiencies
in the Vitamin B complex can leave the skin prone to cracking, bleeding,
and skin lesions, which allow all manner of bacteria, viruses and
other contaminants to easily enter the body. But in terms of strictly
cosmetic concerns, even a little shortage of the Vitamin B complex
can result in scaly and poorly textured skin. Topical preparations
have been found to play an important role in the hydrating of skin
cells, leading to noticeably firmer, healthier looking skin.
Vitamin
K has been found to relieve those unsightly dark circles under the
eyes. Some research has found that creams made up of both Vitamin
K and Vitamin A are more effective than those that just contain
Vitamin K, but the studies are still continuing.
Minerals
important to the look and health of the skin include selenium, copper,
and zinc. Selenium, whether used as a topical solution or taken
in the form of a dietary supplement may play a role in the prevention
of skin cancer. Copper, zinc and Vitamin C work together to form
elastin, which helps to support skin, keeping it firm and healthy.
Topical
solutions and dietary supplements can help to keep skin healthy and
youthful in appearance. However, it's important to recognize that
these are powerful substances, and using them within the standard
guidelines of dosage is essential to good health. There is such a
thing as too much of a good thing, and the results of too much are
not pretty.
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