Antioxidants from the Inside Out

Starting this journey I knew what antioxidants did for my body but what I didn’t know is what I was missing by not using them on my face and décolleté. For those of you who don’t know, antioxidants play a major role in stopping or limiting the amount of free radicals in our body. What are free radicals? Free radicals are created by oxygen combined with natural chemicals in our body that create oxidation. This oxidation creates changes to the structure of our natural chemicals. After time, they build up and begin to change important structures, like DNA (yikes!).       Scientists say free radicals have a role in the aging process, cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Consuming antioxidants daily will help repair these oxidative damaging cells, instead of letting them build up altered and ready to strike. Here are some ways you can incorporate more antioxidants into your meals.

• Vitamin A is found in milk, liver, butter and eggs.
• Vitamin C is found in most fruits and vegetables. Those with the highest amounts of vitamin C include papayas, strawberries, oranges, cantaloupe and kiwi, as well as bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, tomatoes, cauliflower and kale.
• Vitamin E is found in some nuts and seeds, including almonds, sunflower seeds, hazelnuts and peanuts. It can also be found in green leafy vegetables, such as spinach and kale, and in oils, such as soybean, sunflower, corn and canola oils.
• Beta-carotene is found in colorful fruits and vegetables, including carrots, peas, cantaloupe, apricots, papayas, mangoes, peaches, pumpkin, apricots, broccoli, sweet potatoes and squash. It can also be found in some leafy green vegetables, including beet greens, spinach and kale.
• Lutein is found in green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, collards and kale, broccoli, corn, peas, papayas and oranges.
• Lycopene is found in pink and red fruits and vegetables, such as pink grapefruit, watermelon, apricots and tomatoes.
• Selenium is found in cereals (corn, wheat and rice), nuts, legumes, animal products (beef, fish, turkey, chicken, eggs and cheese), bread and pasta.

What can antioxidants do for my skin?
Vitamin C is beneficial to your skin in 4 different ways!
2. It improves skin by making it firmer and younger in appearance for longer.
3. It reduces premature aging and wrinkling.
4. It reduces dark spots and brightens your skin.
5. It makes your sunscreen even more effective and boosts your skins defense against UV exposure.

Vitamin E is one of the most powerful vitamins that helps your skin to fight free radicals and signs of aging. You probably see it added to skin care products. However, the addition of Vitamin E to Vitamin C creates a more powerful effect than when used alone. When used together, both vitamins give off a stronger antioxidant effect. You will experience smoothing benefits and increased rate of cellular repair!

Stop by our office and pick up some Antioxidants! Your face will thank you!