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Explanation
What is beauty? Is it the emaciated model
strutting down the catwalk? The muscle-bound man flexing for
the passing females, perhaps? Or the young woman who's overly
made-up face testifies to the falsehood that beauty can be
obtained from a jar?
The adage "Beauty is more than just skin deep"
is, in fact, more than just an old saying; it's truth.
Beauty cannot be obtained simply by slapping
on colors and textures to the skin. It is a reflection of
health. And not just the health of the body, but of the
mind and spirit, as well. In short, beauty is a reflection of
total inner health.
Keeping up a positive attitude, helping
others, and spreading joy has its own rewards. One of those is
the beauty reflected in the countenance of such persons. But
these qualities don't always come naturally, and must be worked
at. Looking and feeling beautiful go hand in hand. Sometimes,
in order to feel more beautiful, one needs to look more
beautiful. Yet some people are unable to look more beautiful
until they feel more beautiful. This can be a real "catch 22"
for some.
There is, however, a way to encourage inner
beauty to the surface. True beauty comes from inner
nourishment. A positive attitude and helping others nourishes
the spirit. Education and higher learning nourishes the mind.
And natural foods, herbs, and supplements nourish the body. In
fact, there are a wide variety of nutrients that can bring out
that inner beauty we all have, and make it shine like a beacon
for all to enjoy.
B's Are For Beauty
Many of the
B vitamins are required by the nails, skin, and hair for
optimum strength, elasticity, and sheen. For instance
riboflavin, or
B2, is involved with an enzyme called glutathione
reductase, which helps maintain glutathione, a key protector
against free-radical damage. In addition, B2 itself
has antioxidant properties. Free radicals are one of the most
damaging compounds known to the body, including the skin. Free
radicals can eat away the elasticity of the skin and hair,
encouraging wrinkles and dull, lackluster hair. Stimulates
health and growth of hair, nails, skin cells. Helps eyes by
bringing oxygen to body tissues. Can help eliminate
dandruff. May aid in preventing hair loss.
Thiamine, or B1, is also needed for the maintenance of healthy
skin. Vitamin B1- a protein builder that helps give hair
shine, volume and good texture. Enhances circulation to bring
nutrients to the scalp and nails.
Vitamin B3 - Niacin
Supports healthy hair, nail and skin by aiding in digestion and
improving circulation.
Pyridoxine, or
B6, is one of the most essential vitamins in the
body. It is a coenzyme which participates in over sixty
enzymatic reactions involved in the metabolism of amino acids
(the building blocks of protein) and of essential fatty acids.
Therefore, this vitamin is required for the proper growth and
maintenance of nearly all bodily functions. A deficiency of B6
results in an extraordinary array of symptoms, the most
frequently diagnosed and well-recognized occurring in the skin
and nervous system. The changes in the skin and mucous
membranes are similar to those caused by other members of the
water-soluble B-complex family. These include seborrheic dermatitis (most
often around the nose, eyes, eyebrows and mouth), acne,
cheilosis, and stomatitis (tiny sores and cracks in and around
the mouth), and glossitis (inflamed tongue). Pyridoxine
supports the growth of red blood cells
that are important for healthy hair, scalp,
and nail maintenance. Helps prevent dandruff. May aid in
preventing hair loss.
Folic acid is another B vitamin member that is essential to
healthy skin, hair, and nails. As it is needed for the
production of RNA and DNA, folic acid is vital to healthy cell
division and replication. This attribute makes it essential for
tissues that grow or regenerate rapidly, such as skin, hair, and
nails, to name a few. May aid in preventing hair loss. With
Pantothenic
acid, may delay graying of hair.
Biotin is another B vitamin that is heavily involved with
the manufacture and utilization of amino acids and fats. Dubbed
"the hair vitamin," laboratory studies have shown that a
deficiency in biotin causes hair loss in rats, and that
supplementation of this vitamin can promote hair growth. Oddly
enough, biotin has also been used to successfully manage
excessive and stubborn cowlicks in children.
Hair is not the only beneficiary to biotin
supplementation; another sign of biotin deficiency is dry, scaly
skin and brittle nails. In fact, recent studies have examined
biotin's role as a preventive and therapeutic agent for brittle
nails. Early research demonstrated that adding biotin to the
diets of horses and pigs resulted in an increase in the strength
and hardness of their hooves. However, a recent human study
conducted by researcher L.G. Hochman and published in Cutis
showed that biotin supplementation can produce a 25 percent
increase in the thickness of the nail plate in human patients
diagnosed with brittle nails of unknown cause, and up to 91
percent of patients given biotin (at a dose of 2,500 micrograms
per day) experience unequivocal improvement.
Seborrheic dermatitis is a skin condition,
otherwise known as cradle cap, that typically occurs in
infancy. It is characterized by scaly bumps which merge to form
large plaques or patches. According to a study conducted by A.
Nisenson and published in the Journal of Pediatrics, this
common skin disorder can be corrected through biotin
supplementation, either by giving biotin to a mother if she is
breast-feeding her baby, or directly to the infant if she is
not.
Pantothenic acid is yet another water-soluble B vitamin
involved with the metabolism of fats and proteins, among other
nutrients. Called the "vitamin of youth and beauty," its
reputation as a nutrient for hair, nails, and skin is
legendary. While pantothenic deficiencies are extremely rare,
clinically-induced deficiencies brought on fatigue, burning
feet, and headache. Laboratory-induced pantothenic deficiencies
resulted in the graying and loss of hair in rats. An
interesting trial conducted years ago on laboratory mice showed
that those in the pantothenic-supplemented group lived 18 to 20
percent longer than unsupplemented control mice. This
well-planned study sparked renewed interest in the vitamin, and
speculations on its youth-preserving abilities were rampant.
However, more studies are needed to confirm these preliminary
findings - particularly human trials.
Pantothenic Acid helps producefull, healthy hair and
stronger nails by stimulating vitamin utilization and releasing
energy from food. With Folic acid, it can help to restore your
hair's natural color and may aid in preventing hair loss.
Preservational Powers Of EFA's
Until recently, fat phobias and the resultant
barrage of lowfat and nonfat food products made the idea of
purposefully consuming fats seem ludicrous, and the decline
in American health was a mean reflection of this vain pursuit.
But in this growing age of information, the importance of
essential fatty acids has finally been realized, and
Americans are now enjoying the health benefits of this new-found
knowledge.
Essential fatty acids (EFA's) offer a broad
range of protection to the body, including the skin, hair, and.
nails. Over the past decade, the importance of essential fatty
acids have been pushed to the forefront of health supplement
industry. The main focus of their importance has been their
immune-boosting, anti-cancer, and heart-protective properties.
But often overlooked is their effect on the external tissues,
such as skin and hair.
Free-flowing, EFA-containing oils - such as
flaxseed oil, borage oil, evening primrose oil, and fish oil
- are essential for healthy skin. Omega 3's make skin soft and
velvety. The skin can suffer from a wide variety of very common
disorders which affect the way we are perceived. Acne, skin
rashes, allergic bumps, eczema, dry, flaky skin, and greasy skin
are often just reflections of what kind of diet we are
maintaining. Adding essential fatty acids to the diet can make
a world of difference in our appearance. This reflection
influences not only how others perceive us, but often how we
perceive ourselves!
Beautiful skin requires essential fatty
acids. When properly nourished with EFA's, the skin becomes
smoother, feels much softer, exhibits fewer of the
above-mentioned conditions, and actually becomes less
susceptible to infection. It also ages considerably more
slowly and remains wrinkle-free longer. In fact, in the
presence of essential fatty acids the skin becomes downright
radiant. Hair, too, benefits from these lipids, taking on a
healthy sheen becoming more silken to the touch.
Other Nutrients, Other Factors
Vitamin C,
vitamin E, and
beta carotene are the "three musketeers" that continuously
come to the aid of beauty by battling and quenching free
radicals before they can harm precious and vulnerable skin.
Fat-soluble beta carotene, for example, migrates to the skin,
where it offers not only protection from free radicals from
within, but from without, as well. It enables the skin to
increase its exposure time to the sun before burning. But for
some people with very sensitive skin can case sun burn.
Likewise, vitamin E helps prevent free radicals generated by UV
rays in the skin from doing their damage. Vitamin C, in turn,
recharges vitamins E and carotene, and also prevents skin damage
due to UV-generated free radicals. Vitamin C supports hair and
nail growth by improving circulation. Useful as treating
dandruff. May aid in preventing hair loss.
Zinc and Selenium are two minerals that are also essential to
beautiful skin, hair, and nails. Selenium has been called one
of the most critical anti-aging nutrients on the planet. It is
a superior antioxidant and free radical neutralizer. Zinc, an
antioxidant in its own right, is also an integral part of enzyme
function and tissue repair.
Chromium is a mineral that is necessary for impaired
glucose tolerance, elevated blood cholesterol and triglyceride
levels, promotion of weight loss, acne, stimulates enzymes in
metabolism of energy, healthy blood circulatory system,
synthesis of fatty acids, cholesterol and protein.
Helps to reduce skin inflammation and improve glucose
tolerance. Some studies indicate that glucose tolerance can be
impaired in some people suffering from acne. Also helps to
reduce infections of the skin
In addition to adding specific supplements to
the diet, there are other factors one should consider when
seeking radiant skin. A diet of whole foods is, of course, a
must. One cannot attain radiant health on processed foods, no
matter how many supplements one adds to the diet. Next, don't
be afraid to work at looking good - literally. Sweating is one
of the best known paths to beautiful skin. Remember, the
epidermis is the largest organ of the body. Sweating rids the
body of toxins that otherwise cannot be eliminated. A good
exercise program may just be what your skin is craving to break
free of its lackluster bonds. Lastly, drink lots of
water. Research has shown that a dry mouth is not a
reliable indicator that dehydration is occurring. Not only does
drinking a minimum of six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water
every day act as preventive and therapeutic agent in numerous
disorders, but the skin is the most immediately obvious
benefactor of this consumption. You will be absolutely amazed
at the difference in your skin if you drink this amount of
water every single day. Not only will fine lines fade, but skin
will feel velvety smooth.
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