Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Do Anti-Aging Vitamins Really Work?

By Lee Dobbins

When it comes to looking and feeling younger, many women find that anti-aging vitamins are preferable. After all, they promote good health and a youthful appearance. Of course there is some debate on the effect vitamins of any kind have on aging and its physical manifestations. In truth, the whole idea of anti-aging is such a controversial one that it can be hard to know if these vitamins work. Naturally it is thereby difficult to find out what they do. So rather than relying on anyone else's information, let's take a look at the most popular ones and see for ourselves how they help.

These vitamins are more correctly known as antioxidants. Those are extremely important. You see, antioxidants provide protection against free radicals. Free radicals are the facts which ultimately cause you to age - or at least to look old. Some of them occur naturally. After all, we all get older so naturally we all look older as well. We have control over many antioxidants though. For example, do you realize that smoking, drinking, and being out in the sun can make you look older? Those are all free radicals. They can lead to dry skin, wrinkles, lines, sags, bags, and a dull, rough complexion.

Selenium is one of the most beneficial antioxidants. It is a mineral and has been known to help your body in several ways. For instance, it can protect you from certain types of cancer, such as skin cancer caused by the sun's radiation. It also protects your skin's elasticity. This keeps your skin firm. In addition, it keeps your skin and its tissues from hardening by slowing down the process of oxidation.

You can look for selenium in oral vitamin form of course. However you can also find it in all different types of foods. For example, it can be found eggs, garlic, cereals made with whole grain, and certain kinds of seafood.

Next up is vitamin E, one of the most beneficial antioxidants to be found. It provides protection to the membranes of your body's cells. In so doing, it also keeps important enzymes safe. There are some studies which suggest it can render free radicals inactive. They have little to no power and thus cannot make you look older.

Vitamin E can also be found in many foods. It can be found naturally in certain oils, grains, oats, dairy, and nuts. You can also apply it to your skin and/or take vitamins. You should always stock up on this. It can even reduce the damage caused by exposure to the sun's rays.

Last but not least, we come to the most well known anti-aging vitamin: vitamin C. It can help prevent everything from scurvy to cancerous cells. In addition, it can block free radicals and stop them from causing damage and exacerbating the rate at which your body ages. You can find it in oranges, lemons, limes, and other types of citrus. Many vegetables also contain vitamin C.

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