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Newly Discovered Role of Vitamin C in Skin Protection

Scientists have uncovered a new role played by vitamin C in protecting the skin, which could lead to better skin regeneration.

A form of vitamin C helped to promote wound healing and also helped protect the skin cells from DNA damage.

Even though vitamin C was discovered over 70 years ago, its properties are still under much debate in the scientific community. However, antioxidants such as vitamin C are known to counter the damaging effects of free radicals.

This new evidence suggest that, in addition to ‘mopping up’ free radicals, vitamin C can help remove the DNA damage they form if they get past a cell’s defenses.These findings are believed to be of great relevance to the cosmetics industry.

• Eurekalert September 9, 2009

• Free Radical Biology & Medicine January 1, 2009; 46(1):78-87

Dr. Mercola’s Comments:

As mentioned above, there’s much debate in scientific circles about the properties and value of vitamin C, not to mention controversy over whether or not such ingredients can have an actual impact on your skin or not.

In this study, ascorbic acid 2-phosphate (AA2P), a vitamin C derivative, was found to promote wound healing and helped protect cellular DNA against damage caused by oxidation.

Oxidation, caused by free radicals, is associated with premature aging of your skin. Antioxidants like vitamin C may offer protection against this kind of damage, which bodes well for natural cosmetics.

It’s important, however, to realize that since nearly everything you put on your skin is absorbed into your body, you need to investigate ALL the ingredients in your personal care products. The fact that something contains vitamin C is no guarantee that it’s beneficial. Many brands, including so-called all-natural brands, will oftentimes include other harmful ingredients.

But I certainly believe that just as feeding your body with only the best ingredients from nature, you also need to do the same for your skin. This was a major reason for creating my own USDA Certified Organic skin care line.

That said, if you want truly gorgeous skin, you cannot ignore the importance of having a healthy lifestyle.

Donna Gates, author of The Body Ecology Diet offers great advice on how to optimize the look and feel of your skin from deep within.

Cleaning Your Skin From Within

Although advertisers would want you to believe that a beautiful complexion can be purchased in a jar, truly radiant, blemish-free skin is the result of clean, healthy living.

The first step is to make sure your blood is continuously supplying healthy nutrients to every cell in your body. This is no easy task in today’s world. You’re assaulted with toxins from a multitude of sources, so cleansing your body of these dangerous substances while putting in the finest nutrients is essential.

The good news is that your body is constantly in a cleansing mode and was created with the ability to push out toxins as long as you supply it with the energy to do so.

By eating a healthy diet that is suitable for your nutritional type; focusing on whole, bioavailable organic foods, is your number one strategy for helping your body to detox naturally.

Six Organs That Keep Your Skin Healthy

The six organs responsible for providing you with beautiful skin include your:

• Liver

• Kidneys

• Adrenals

• Thyroid

• Large intestines

• Small intestines

Your liver and kidneys are the two organs that filter out impurities on an ongoing basis. If your diet is less than ideal, these two organs can easily become overtaxed.

Sitting on top of your kidneys are your walnut-sized adrenals. Often called the “workhorses” of the body, they make many essential hormones including pregnenolone, DHEA, estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. Healthy hormones are an essential ingredient when seeking energy and beautiful skin.

A well-nourished, energetic thyroid also provides hormones and works closely with your adrenals to create energy.

Dry, flaky, sluggish skin is evidence of a weak thyroid.

Your liver, kidneys, adrenals and thyroid are also dependent on the condition of your small and large intestines. These two organs not only provide nutrients to other organs, but they are also responsible for the removal of waste products from your body. When waste meant for elimination remains in your intestines your skin becomes thick, oily and blemished.

Pure, flawless skin is a reflection of clean intestines.

All of the following items will have a negative effect on your inner organs, and therefore need to be avoided if you want clearer, healthier skin:

• Drugs and alcohol

• Chemicals and heavy metals

• Trans fat

• Refined, processed table salt

• Processed foods

• Pasteurized dairy products

Foods that Promote Beautiful Skin

Green foods that promote healthy liver function include chlorella and dark green leafy veggies, such as:

• Kale

• Spinach

• Dandelion greens

• Broccoli

Other foods known to contribute to healthy skin include raw and virgin fats and oils. Coconut oil is especially good for your thyroid.

You’ll also want to include plenty of mineral-rich foods (dark green leafy veggies, ocean veggies and seafood) and antioxidant-rich foods (black currants, blueberries) in your diet.

Another group of foods worth mentioning are fermented (or cultured) foods.

Fermented foods help promote the growth of friendly intestinal bacteria and aid in digestion. They also support healthy immune function, including an increase in B vitamins, omega-3, digestive enzymes, lactase and lactic acid, and other immune chemicals that fight off harmful bacteria.

By keeping your insides healthy and clean, your skin will have no choice but follow suit and mirror your internal state.

Related Articles:

 

  Simple Glycerin May Help Your Skin

  How Dangerous Are Your Cosmetics?

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Beauty Foods Growing in Popularity

Are people starting to eat and drink their way to a better-looking self? Mintel Beauty Innovation thinks so as the crossover between food and beauty is increasingly apparent. Global food and drink product launches with a `beauty enhancing` claim increased by a staggering 306% from 2005 to 2008.

“One in five US women between the ages of 18 and 25 are interested in trying beauty functional beverages,” notes Taya Tomasello, senior beauty analyst at Mintel. “These numbers really point to an opportunity within this new segment in
the beauty industry.”

While beauty food and drink products have seen significant growth, overall global food and drink product launches have only seen a 35% increase during the same timeframe. This data speaks to the impact `beauty foods` are having on the market. In addition, already in 2009, nearly 300 food and drink product launches with a `beauty enhancing` claim have been launched, surpassing the total number launched in all of 2008.

Kracie Foods, based out of Japan, recently launched fruit snacks consisting of dried mangoes, pineapples, papaya and cranberries coated with collagen. It targets women in their 20s to 40s who are conscious of their skin health.
Another new beauty product launched in Australia is Tea Tonic`s Complexon Tea that claims to help “revitalize each cell of the body within, and is a positive step towards achieving beautiful luminous skin and a fabulous complexion.”

Join Mintel at HBA Expo 2009 for a sample of these products and more…

Once again, Mintel has teamed up with HBA and Happi to sponsor the New Product Innovation Showcase at the HBA Expo from September 15-17. This year, Mintel will showcase the latest innovative beauty products, plus host an Innovation Zone
tour that covers our showcase and the HBA New Products Showcase. In addition, Mintel will host a tasting session where you can see, touch and taste beauty food products from around the world. Visit us at booth #1476 or for more information visit www.hbaexpo.com.

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