Americans spend billions of dollars each year on trying to look younger. Market research analyst Euromonitor International reports that anti-aging treatments are the largest growth area in the skincare industry, growing 7.7 percent in 2008. As consumers each shell out hundreds of dollars for cosmetic treatments, creams and serums, it turns out that proper nutrition and vitamin intake could have a similar effect.
Vitamin A
"Prevention" magazine calls vitamin A the "best overall age fighter." Vitamin A is converted by the body into the amino acid retinol. Retinol is the active in ingredient in the leading anti-wrinkle topical medications, according to an article in "The New York Times." Retinol restores and retains collagen, the connective tissue gives maintains skin firmness and elasticity.
Vitamin C
The University of Maryland Medical Center writes that vitamin C is one of the most powerful antioxidants a human being can consume. Antioxidants eliminate free radicals, or oxygen molecules which cause cell mutation and tissue inflammation. Free radicals can breakdown connective tissue, advancing the development of wrinkles, fine lines and skin sag. The National Institutes of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements writes that vitamin C is "required for the biosynthesis of collagen." Research has shown that it can actually cause the body to regenerate other antioxidants in the body, including vitamin E.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is highly regarded by dermatologists for its antioxidant and skin repairing power. "Prevention" magazine calls it "the protector," as it kills off free radicals and protects the skin against dryness, swelling and sun damage. Its research reports that ultraviolet light destroys the body's supply of vitamin E and recommends using a sunscreen enriched with it. The American Academy of Dermatologists writes that sun is one of the leading causes of aging.
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