In summer Yes gets old more: the increased exposure to ultraviolet rays in fact it causes a greater production of oxygen free radicals which lead to the appearance of oxidative stress, one of the defendants of the physical and aesthetic decadence. And if it is true that the process of aging it cannot be stopped, much we can do to slow it down.
Starting from what you bring to the table: one diet rich in fresh and seasonal foods, such as fruit and vegetables, accompanied by “good” fats, represents a real recharge of antioxidants also useful for the beauty of the skin. Just think of the polyphenols red wine and green tea, grapes, coffee, soy, olive oil, and dark chocolate. With carotenoids, fatty acids Omega 3 and good hydration can help reduce the signs of aging. Beware of excessive use of carbohydrates in the diet: excessive consumption can trigger mechanisms of glycation which accelerate skin aging.
And when the mere attention to nutrition is not enough, the use of food supplements can help protect the skin.
“Oral absorption of nutrients, associated with the use of appropriate cosmetics, acting directly on the basic molecular mechanisms, it can represent a valid help to protect the skin itself from the main aggressors such as UV rays, air pollution And free radicals helping to prevent the premature signs of aging ”, says Dr. Mariuccia Bucci, Plastic Dermatologist, NutriDermatologist and Scientific Secretary ISPLAD (International-Italian Society of Plastic, Regenerative and Oncology Dermatology). “As is known, the main molecular mechanisms of skin aging that lead to progressive cell damage are mainly oxidative stress, caused by the accumulation of free radicals, the glycation, methylation, DNA repair and inflammation “.
Let’s not forget that the skin, in addition to being our defensive barrier against viruses and bacteria, also helps the body to maintainwater balance, to regulate the temperature and to interact with the environment. The well-being of this organ is therefore essential for enjoying a good overall state of health.
Let’s see together what are the new frontiers offood supplement allies to the health and beauty of our skin.
Antioxidants, against free radicals
The antioxidants administered orally, they exert a strong protective action on the skin. “Those of the latest generation – says the dermatologist – represent a set of functional substances (vitamins, minerals, essential amino acids) which react against free radicals and contain active ingredients such as anthocyanins (Vitis vinifera, Maqui berry,), astaxanthin, hesperidin.
In particular, anthocyanins, pigments with an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action, are multi-active compounds capable of offering a double benefit: reacting with free radicals, thus reducing the damage these molecules can cause to cells and tissues, and also to provide protection against capillary fragility, promoting correct tissue perfusion against inflammatory processes. Aristotelia chilensis extract o Maqui berry, a dark purple plant that grows only in a remote area of Patagonia, unlike other berries (Acai berry and Goji berry), or the pomegranate and blueberry, it contains the highest levels of anthocyanins, in particular the delphinidins ”.
No less antioxidant substances such as nicotinamide which has action of DNA repair, some minerals (such as selenium, zinc, copper), amino acids (such as cysteine) and natural substances contained in foods such as catechins (green tea), sulforaphane (contained in broccoli), resveratrol and lycopene. These are just some examples of substances that can increase the body’s defenses from attack by free radicals.
Supplements that counteract glycation
“There glycation – explains Dr. Mariuccia Bucci – is one of the processes that leads to cellular aging, and which consists of a chemical reaction in which the molecules of glucose, present in high concentrations in the blood, react with proteins giving rise to the formation of malfunctioning and deformed glycoproteins “. The right substance is the carnosine, “A natural peptide that has been shown to protect cells from the damaging effects of sugars and prevent the denaturation of dermal proteins. It is a precious anti-glycating active which also acts for cellular longevity “.
Fight against inflammation with vitamins and omega 3
Also the precious vitamins A, C, E, B5 and Omega 3 (EPA and DHA) which are of great help in the “fight” to inflammation present in cell membranes. In particular, “The Omega 3 – continues the expert – are part of the family of PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acids), which perform two important functions in the organism: a structural role for the function of cell membranes and a role of precursors of activity pro-inflammatory. The beneficial mechanism of omega 3 is linked to their ability to reduce the content of arachidonic acid in cell membranes, which is responsible for inflammation“.
Substances with restructuring action
Finally, functional substances ad “restructuring” action they can help repair skin damage caused by the passage of time. “I’m there glucosamine – concludes the dermatologist – precursor of hyaluronic acid, the ceramides for their strong moisturizing action, the lysine and proline, components of collagen, for the improvement of skin tone “.
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