Monday, November 24, 2008

The Top Anti-Aging Vitamins and their Advantages

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.

Before we discuss the top three vitamins of this type, we need to understand what they are. They are more correctly known as antioxidants. Essentially, antioxidants keep us healthy. They prevent free radicals from damaging our cells and their membranes. Free radicals are the bad guys. They are what cause wrinkles, sagging skin, no elasticity, and bags around the eyes. Some of them occur naturally, with time. Hormonal aging is a prime example. However, outside factors produce the most devastating free radicals. Things like nicotine, alcohol, and the sun's UV rays can all boost the aging process and make it manifest more quickly.

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.

It is easy to find vitamins containing E. You can also get your daily dose from a number of different oats. Vegetable oils, whole grains, dairy products, and some nuts all contain vitamin E. It can also be found in a number of lotions. It is important to have plenty of this anti-aging vitamin because it protects you from the sun's harmful rays.

Finally, there is vitamin C, the most common antioxidant. Vitamin C is very healthy, in all number of ways. It is easily found in citrus fruits and certain vegetables. It can not only repair free radicals, but also keep them from turning into cancer. It can also keep them from speeding up the aging process.

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