Vitamins Anti Aging

People are worrying more than ever nowadays about their appearance and in particular how the skin aging process can be slowed. The average age of the population in the developed world is advancing steadily, year on year. Ever increasing numbers are reaching retirement age. This together with the fact that people are living longer than ever, means that this section of the populace represent a huge market potential for those promoting products aimed at keeping Father Time at bay. Products on "How to keep fit in retirement", "How to revive your sex life" and "How to keep looking young" are typical examples of the constant reminders that time is running out and that urgent action is required to be taken, before it's too late. Some of the easiest products to promote to the elderly are the various skin care treatments designed to rejuvenate and iron out those wrinkles which are, in most cases, all too evident after the age of sixty. The evidence of skin aging cannot be denied when confronted in the mirror on a daily basis. For many, the anxiety of getting old is further heightened by exposure to the celebrity culture celebrated and trumpeted constantly by the media. Attempting to slow down or even reverse the skin aging process is therefore the fervent hope of those who cannot or will not go with the flow of time. Wrinkles, lines and creases are brought about by a decrease in the skin's elastic properties. This decrease is due to various factors including too much sun, bad diet, smoking, pollution and to internal stress. The protein Elastin, found in the skin, provides the elasticity and flexibility that enables the skin to spring back to it's original form if distorted by pulling or by the exertion exercised by the muscles of the face. Sadly this protein is gradually depleted as we age; the rate of depletion being hugely dependant on the type of lifestyle lived. An excess of ultra violet absorbtion caused through long exposure to the sunlight or too much time spent under a sun lamp can be disastrous to the healthy tone of the skin. Apart from prematurely killing off the protein ,subtle damage to the underlying DNA can occur leading to skin cancer. The body's skin is comprised of cells made up of molecules which in turn consists of atoms.When these atoms lose an electron they become unstable and free radicals are produced.This process occurs naturally enough and free radicals can be produced by the body's immune system when necessary in order to destroy viruses and bacteria. However a flood of free radicals, produced by environmental factors such as pollution and cigarette smoking are very destructive and result in the aging of skin and indeed the whole body. One measure of defence can be employed to slow down and counter this process and that is by absorbing anti-oxidants into the body. Anti-oxidants are found in certain foods such as fresh vegetables and fruit and in the vitamins C, E and beta carotene. Anti-oxidants mop up the free radicals and are therefore capable of slowing down the aging process. Damage to the skin that has occured over the years however cannot be undone.The best beauty treatment of all therefore should begin when young and is best accomplished by avoiding those factors that cause premature skin aging in the first place. However, it is never to late to glean positive results by stopping harmful activities, by the application of moisturising creams containing anti-oxidants and by eating a healthy diet.Prehaps, you have reached your sixties doing all the wrong things and looking as if you were in your seventies. If you get rid of those free radicals now you may reach ninety still looking as if you were in your seventies. Not bad eh? Well maybe!

About the Author

Terry writes on a variety of subjects but takes a particular interest in all things pertaining to good health, you can check out his latest website on air purifiers and his recommendations on the most popular models and their positive benefits to health.