Summer's approaching and bathroom cabinets around the country are spilling over with an arsenal of lotions and potions to try and stop the oncoming assault of the harsh Ultra Violet rays of the sun. But just one simple ingredient can protect us from both the ravages of the sun and the march of time...good old vitamin C, our secret weapon in the fight against ageing skin!
Gwyneth Paltrow
So, what makes vitamin C so special? One of the UK's expert nutritionists Jacqueline Newson gives us the low down on the lesser known benefits of this wonderful antioxidant and talks about the best way to get vitamin C into your cells… Summer protection Many of us are aware of the benefits of vitamin C during the winter months for supporting our immune systems to ward of colds and flu, but few realise how beneficial vitamin C is during the summer months for protecting our skin. Vitamin C has antioxidant properties that help to counter any free radical cell damage caused to the skin due to toxins like smoking, environmental pollutants and excess sun exposure. This clever antioxidant also has the ability to regenerate other antioxidants, such as vitamin E, giving added protection to the skin. Vitamin C will also come to the rescue if you succumb to sunburn or are unlucky enough to be targeted by mosquitos. It has amazing wound healing abilities and can help to prevent the dangerous consequences of long term sun exposure which can potentially lead to skin cancer.
How does it work? Vitamin C is vital for the synthesis of collagen, which is one of the most abundant proteins in our bodies and an essential component of the connective tissue that holds our skin together as well as a major part of our joints, cartilage, teeth, blood vessels, bones, eyes, heart and pretty much everything in the body! Vitamin C is particularly important because it activates the enzymes necessary for initiating the reactions that create collagen in the body.
Improving your skin's texture As well as being responsible for the skin's suppleness and elasticity, collagen provides the structure for our blood vessels allowing for oxygen, water and other nutrients to be carried to the skin, maintaining that youthful, plumped up, healthy glow. One of the noticeable effects of vitamin C deficiency is that the skin becomes dry and dull and begins to lose its firmness and tone. A recent study showed that Altrient C, the world's first liposomal vitamin C gel supplement, increased skin elasticity and firmness by 61% in just 16 weeks, by effectively boosting collagen production to reduce wrinkles and fight against the signs of aging.
So if you want to have healthier, smoother and younger looking skin - make sure you eat up your fruit and veggies and add Altrient C to your armoury!
To learn more about the benefits of vitamin C and to try the unique gel supplement loved by Gwyneth Paltrow and Suki Waterhouse, Altrient C, visit www.abundanceandhealth.co.uk.
Tagged in Vitamins