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Author:
Michael Russell

Vitamins and proteins are not the only things people can use in their skin care regimen. All of the nutrients can play an important part as well. Nutrients are the chemical components of food that supply the body with materials that can be transformed into energy including heat and activity; that maintain, repair and build body tissue; and that regulate all body processes. Nutrients are grouped into five classes: vitamins, proteins, (both of which have been discussed in previous articles), minerals carbohydrates, fiber, water and fats. There are some less known nutrients that can play an important part in helping with good skin care. However, it is important to know the two threats that we need to protect the skin against.

Cigarette smoke and the sun are the two biggest threats to the skin. They can cause free-radical damage (damage created when cells oxides) to the skin. People who smoke can wrinkle years faster that people who don't smoke. Smokers can have premature wrinkled skin especially around the mouth. Non-smokers should cut down on their exposure to smoke as much as they can. Smokers should beef up on their intake of Vitamin C to help slow down the free-radical damage to their skin.

The sun has ultraviolet rays that can erode the elastic tissues in the skin causing premature wrinkles. Regular exposure to the ultraviolet energy of the sun can promote free radical in the fats of the skin cell membranes. Years of unprotected sun exposure can cause some skin cancers. Wearing protective sunscreen can help the outside of the skin. A good, healthy diet can help the skin from the inside and reduce the free-radical damage.

The less known nutrients that can help with good skin care are Silicon, Grape Seed Extract, Royal Jelly, L-Cysteine and Gamma-Linolenic Acid. Silicon produces a chemical reaction in the body that hooks collagen and elastin together tightly, which gives them their strength and resilience. Silicon can be found in root vegetables, unrefined cereal products, seafood, chicken skin and whole grains. The daily intake of about 20 mg to 45 mg can be easily gotten from eating the above foods without any extra supplementation.

Grape Seed Extract has the ability to strengthen, cling and protect cellular proteins including the ones found in the skin. It also increases skin collagen resistance to enzyme degradation. Grape Seed Extract is a free radical fighter and can be found in foods like dark grape juice and wine. The active component found in Grape Seed Extract can also be found in foods like cranberries, citrus peels and peanuts. Suggested daily dose is about 150 mg broken down into 3 doses of 50 mg each.

This is only some of the lesser known nutrients. More will be discussed about Royal Jelly, L-Cysteine and Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA), their sources from different foods and their recommended daily doses in the next article.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Skin Care.

| Article Keywords: Nutrient Basics

A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to Nutrient Basics... Some Useful Vitamins That Lower Blood Sugar Certain vitamins and minerals have been found beneficial in lowering blood sugar and thus useful in the treatment of diabetes. Vitamin B complex - Vitamins of the B group are valuable in the treatment of diabetes. Despite and adequate intake of these vitamins, diabetics often have abnormally small amounts of vitamin B in their blood because of high urinary loss of exhibit symptoms of vitamin B deficiency. Marked clinical improvement has been reported in patients of diabetes with only 16000 units of daily supplements of vitamin B complex. Because these vitamins help reduce blood fat and cholesterol, they should be generously supplied at all times. Thiamine or Vitamin B1 - Of the various vitamins of the B group, thiamine or vitamin B1 and pyridoxine or vitamin B6 is of special value in diabetes. Diabetic diet inadequate in vitamin B1, often leads to the development of neuritis, which is relieved as soon as large amounts of this vitamin are given. Vitamin B1 is said to be particularly valuable in preventing damage to the brain during diabetic acidosis. The greater the insulin requirement, the higher is the requirement for vitamin B1, pantothenic acid or vitamin B5 and biotin or vitamin B8. The primary natural vegetable sources of thiamine are wheat germ, brewer’s yeast, the outer layers of rice, wheat and other whole grain cereals, pulses, nuts, peas, lime, legumes, dark green leafy vegetables, banana and apple. Those of pantothenic acid are wheat germ, whole grain bread, green vegetables and peanuts. Biotin is found in brewer’s yeast, rice bran, rice germ, rice polishing and peanut butter. Pyridoxine or Vitamin B6 - When diet is inadequate in vitamin B6 or pyridoxine, and essential amino acid tryptophan, is converted into a substance known as xanthurenic acid. It has...