You have probably heard of antioxidants before, but you may not be sure what all the fuss is about. Nutritionists and other health professionals are excited about antioxidants and are always on the lookout for new sources, due to their potent beneficial effects on cells in the human body.
What is an Antioxidant?
Antioxidants are substances that protect cells from the damaging and harmful effects of free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can cause damage to your body’s cells. Free radicals ‘scavenge’ or absorb the free electron from a free radical and prevent cellular damage. Free radicals stem from a variety of sources including tobacco smoke, radiation and environmental pollutants. Cell damage also happens naturally as you age.
An anti-oxidant can be:
- a vitamin such as vitamin A, C or E
- a mineral like Selenium
- plant chemicals like carotenoids and flavonoids
Flavonoids are a unique group of anti-oxidants with potent anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties and may even play a special role in brain health. Flavonoids can enhance the power of your Vitamin C, protect cells from oxygen damage, protect blood vessels from rupture or leakage and prevent excessive inflammation throughout the body. Foods that contain high levels of this important antioxidant are apples, pears, blueberries, onions and parsley just to name a few.
Antioxidants also offer powerful skin benefits that range from preventing the negative effects of aging to calming inflamed skin. Antioxidants benefit and protect the skin by limiting the production of free radicals, which are our skins worst enemy.
Benefit of Antiodixdants
Here are just a few fantastic benefits of potent antioxidants on the skin:
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that calms inflamed skin giving skin a smooth appearance and thus keeping lines and wrinkles at bay. This is great news for sensitive skin sufferers who usually react with inflammatory reactions to many skin products and treatments.
Anti-Aging Benefits
One of the most desirable effects of antioxidants on the skin are the anti-aging benefits that keep skin smooth and firm and prevent fine lines and wrinkles. Vitamins C and E are especially powerful for providing the skin with collagen and elastin, which gives it that healthy, plumped appearance.
Reducing the Appearance of Scar Tissue
Scarring from acne or another cause can cause you to feel self-conscious so treat it with antioxidants. Many antioxidants improve blood flow to the scar tissue, which minimizes its appearance and helps it to blend in with the development of new skin.
Vitamin Q (Coenzyme Q10) and Antioxidant Benefits
If you have never heard of this wonderful substance, you will be blown away by its potent antioxidant benefits on the skin, which includes energizing your skin, rejuvenating skin, protecting against photo-aging, stimulating collagen production and protecting against oxidative damage. Coenzyme Q10 does it all!
Selenium As a Daily Antioxidant for Healthy Skin, Hair and Nails
Selenium is an important mineral with antioxidant properties that will keep your hair, skin and nails in great condition. If you suffer from dry, thin hair with a tendency towards frequent bouts of dandruff then you might have a selenium deficiency. Selenium helps to keep you looking young and prevent aging by forming antioxidants in the body that fight free radicals, which damage cells and thus eventually lead to aged skin. The best food sources of selenium are garlic, wheat germ, tuna, onions, tomatoes, broccoli, brewer’s yeast, brazil nuts, meat, rice, chicken and whole grains, what a mouthful! You can also opt to take a selenium supplement everyday to make sure your body is getting its daily dose of this special antioxidant.
Spurilina and Broken Cell Wall Chlorella
Saving the best for last, the most researched antioxidants are those contained in Spurlina and Chlorella. These ‘superfoods’ have been labeled as the “healthiest thing on earth” by the World Food Bank. Containing a myriad of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, amino acids and omega-3?s (both EPA and DHA), they’ve definitely earned their title. Try for a teaspoon a day, every day, or a small handful of tablets!
Where to get antioxidants
The antioxidant Rich Nightly Repair Nectar from LaMav contains all the antioxidants you need to truly give your skin a boost and leave it rejuvenated and glowing. Formulated with CoEnzyme Q10 and Vitamin E to protect against free radicals and offer powerful anti-aging properties. Organic Rose, Ylang Ylang and Neroli provide a surge of hydration, the key to younger-looking skin, and Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids improves skin tone and firmness. Additionally, many of the above ingredients are incorporated in their potent bio-available states in all of our organic skin care products!
Which foods are your favourite way of getting in your daily dose of antioxidants? Do you have any DIY antioxidant skincare recipes you can share? Let us know in the comments below!
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