Healthy Skin & Anti-Aging

@RedMountainSpa

By Myrna Beardshear,
Director of Spa & Wellness

As the largest organ in the body, our skin can benefit from the same nutrition we get from foods that have a positive effect on our heart and other major organs. In fact, new research suggests that eating foods rich in protein and certain vitamins and minerals might provide valuable anti-aging effects.

Perhaps the simplest way to maintain a healthy, balanced diet and ensure the skin is getting optimal nutrition from the foods we eat is to follow the recommendations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Daily Food Guide, commonly referred to as the food pyramid.

These include:

• Choosing and eating at least three ounces of whole grain breads, cereals, rice, crackers or pasta.


• Eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, including more dark green and orange vegetables.


• Consuming calcium-rich foods, such as fat-free or low-fat milk and other dairy products.


• Opting for a variety of low-fat or lean meats, poultry and fish.

The most effective natural protector of the body against free radicals is nutrients called antioxidants. Antioxidants prevent free radical damage by completing the free radical with the missing electrons therefore neutralizing the free radical and making it harmless.

Some antioxidants are proteins made by the body, and many are delivered to us in the food we eat. The most important of these are vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, selenium, zinc and some amino acids.

The antioxidants in vitamins C and E can protect the skin from sun damage and help reduce damage in skin cells caused by harmful free radicals, which contribute to aging skin. Scientists have known for a long time that the B vitamin biotin is responsible for forming the basis of skin, hair and nail cells and vitamin A—found in many fruits and vegetables — maintains and repairs skin tissue.

While they are readily available from our foods, our antioxidant defense systems are vulnerable to nutritional deficiencies and many health practitioners believe that supplements are needed to compensate.

As the skin is the largest organ and the organ furthest away from the blood circulation, not all nutrition and antioxidants reach the skin. This may in fact explain why the skin is our fastest aging organ. Thus, it becomes obvious to have the cleanest and highest quality of nutrients such as plant based antioxidants in your skin care products, to support your skin and to protect it from the negative effects of free radical exposure.

[comfort zone], used in Sagestone Spa at Red Mountain, has products such as their Chrono-Reverser Gel that deeply and effectively renew all skin types (even the most delicate) thanks to a synergy of new generation active ingredients reducing wrinkles, hyper pigmentation and acneic conditions for smoother younger, more luminous and vital skin. Containing exclusive formulations that include peptides, amino acid and powerful antioxidants, the range of products has exceptional, exclusive formulations younger men and women in need of lighter rejuvenation to combat acne and retrieve skin luminosity, sensitive skins types and more mature skins in need of more advanced exfoliation and renewal.

Your skin is your best friend. Feed it well and it will serve you with glowing beauty and health for a lifetime!

Sources:
Tufts University: Research on Antioxidants
USDA Research on Berries and Natural Antioxidants
Skin Inc