Anti Aging Vitamins

Anti Aging vitamins play an important part in slowing down the aging process.

Oxidative stress and its damage to the cells is one cause of aging. Our body can protect and repair itself from oxidative stress when given the right anti aging nutrition.

Vitamins are micronutrients that work on a cellular level in the body. They help metabolize and release energy from the cell as well as repair our cells. Some vitamins have antioxidant power and protect our cells from free radical damage.

There are two sorts of vitamins:

Fat soluble Vitamins

These vitamins are soluble in lipids and stored in the bodies fat tissues. Fat soluble vitamins are A, D, E and K.

Water soluble Vitamins

Water soluble vitamins cannot be stored in the body. The body takes as much as it needs from the food source or supplement and the rest gets flushed out. Water soluble vitamins include vitamin C and B vitamins.

All vitamins are essential to keep our bodies functioning properly and enable us to stay healthy. Poor dietry choices, vegetarian and vegan diets, stress and high intensity physical activity are just some of the factors that may reduce your supply or increase you bodies demand for vitamins.

Vitamins are sensitive to heat, light, processing, milling and cooking so the average modern diet may not provide enough anti aging vitamins for our busy and stressful lifestyles.

To prevent premature aging and to keep our body in top health we need to keep our vitamins at an optimum level. I recommend to take a complete nutritional supplement on a daily basis. Vitamins and minerals work together and their benefits are enhanced and often doubled or trippled when taken together.

Anti aging vitamins must be taken in the right amounts to avoid vitamin-toxicity. A good quality supplement contains the right amounts. Always follow the instructions on the packet or ask your health professional.

The Best Anti Aging Vitamins

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin.

There are two sources of vitamin A. Carotoids or Provitamin A are derived from fruit and vegetables and Retinol which can be found in animal products.

Vitamin A is important for vision and bone growth therefore its one of the best anti aging vitamins. The carrot which is high in Vitamin A content is well known for its benefits for the eyes!

Vitamin A in supplements comes either in the form of Retinol or Beta-Carotine. Beta-Carotine is the safer choice. The body turns the Beta-Carotine into Retinol but only as much as it needs, therefore avoiding the toxic accumulation of Retinol. Excessive amounts of Beta-Carotine however causes yellowing of skin, loose stools and maybe even damage to the liver due to the conversion of Alcohol from Beta-carotine. Beta-Carotine is a more potent antioxidant than the animal derived Retinol. A dose of 7,500IU for adults per day from dietry supplements is recommendend*

Benefits:

• Important for cell division
• Regulates immune system
• Promotes healthy eyes
• Fights off viruses and bacteria
• Prevents skin infections

Found in yellow and orange coloured vegetables and fruit and animals products like meat and eggs.

B Vitamins

The B Vitamins are a group of eight seperate vitamins that are all necessary for life. They are Thiamine (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Niacin (B3), Phantothenic Acid (B5), Pyridoxine (B6), Folic Acid (B9), Cyanocobalamin (B12) and Biotin.

B vitamins are essential for cellular functions from digestion to nerve message transmission and energy production. B vitamins function as enzyme co-factors to help enzymes carry out thousands of molecular conversions in the body. They provide the body with energy by aiding in the conversion of carbohydrates to glucose which the body burns to produce energy; they are vital in the metabolism of fats and protein and are also necessary for the normal functioning of the nervous system, maintenance of muscle tone in the gastrointestinal tract and the health of the skin, hair, eyes, adrenal glands, liver and mucous membranes.

The anti aging vitamins B help towards a greater tolerance of stress which makes them important anti aging vitamins. Stress leads to premature aging and is one of our biggest anti-aging enemies!

B Vitamin recommendations*:

Vitamin B1 50 mg, Vitamin B2 43 mg, Vitamin B3 75 mg, Vitamin B5 75 mg, Vitamin B6 63 mg, Vitamin B12 300 ug, Folic Acid 400 ug, Biotin 200 ug.

Benefits:

• Improves metabolism
• Helps in release of energy
• Helps towards nervous system
• Healthy hair, nails and skin
• Powerful antioxidant

Found in fresh whole foods like milk, brewers yeast, liver, whole grain cereals, rice, nuts, eggs, meats, fish, fruits, leafy grean vegetables.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is well known for its immune boosting effect when suffering from colds and flu's. Vitamin C strenghtens our bodies white blood cells which are the main defence system against bacteria and viruses. Its production of collagen for skin, teeth and bones make it one of the best anti aging vitamins!

Vitamin C also helps to release more energy as it makes it harder for cells to oxidise fats.

Almost every animal can produce their own Vitamin C, except the guinea pig and the fruit-eating bat! Unfortunately we humans cannot produce Vitamin C ourselfs and have to rely on our food sources to get enough of this essential vitamin.

Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin and needs to be taken on a daily basis. It is crucial for several body functions and is one of the most powerful anti aging vitamins and antioxidants.

Its chemical name is ascorbic acid. Most supplements contain Vitamin C as ascorbic acid which is the cheapest form. However some quality supplements use a combination of different mineral ascorbates which have shown to stay longer in the blood serum.

Vitamin C is rated as the safest of all vitamins. Being a water soluble vitamin any excess gets flushed out of the system.

It also helps with the absorption of iron. However, if your iron levels are too high be careful with your Vitamin C consumption. A dose of 2000mg for adults per day from dietry supplements is recommendend*

Benefits:

• Production of collagen for skin, teeth, bones etc.
• Helps with the absorbtion of iron
• Strenghtens the immune system
• Supports adrenal function
• Powerful antioxidant

Found in yellow and orange coloured vegetables and fruit and animal products like meat and eggs. High levels of this anti aging vitamin are found in the Billy Goat Plum, Rosehip, Parsley and Kiwi fruit.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is the most powerful antioxidant and plays an important role in many body functions. It is important for general well-being and hormone balance as well as keeping our heart and arteries healthy.

Due to overly processed foods our Vitamin E intake from our diet is poor. Vitamin E should be taken as part of the anti aging vitamins on a daily basis. Vitamin E in Supplements come in different forms:

Fully synthetic vitamin E, "d,l-alpha-tocopherol", the most inexpensive, most commonly sold supplement form usually as the acetate ester;

Semisynthetic "natural source" vitamin E esters, the "natural source" forms used in tablets and multiple vitamins;

Highly fractionated natural d-alpha tocopherol;

Less fractionated "natural mixed tocopherols"; high gamma-tocopherol fraction supplements; and

Tocotrienol supplements.

The fractionated (natural) forms of Vitamin E are more desirable in a supplement as the body can absorb them better. Read more about Anti Aging Natural Supplements. A dose of 500IU for adults per day from dietry supplements is recommendend*

Benefits:

• Promoting normal and healthy skin
• Stenghtens the immune system
• Antioxidant
• Help for hormone balance
• Heart health, Cardio Vascular

The best source of Vitamin E is found in vegetable oils like sunflower, canola, wheatgerm and olive oil. Its also found in wholegrains, fish and peanutbutter.

Daniela's Tip For Anti Aging Vitamins

I always recommend that my clients take a good quality nutritional supplement for general health and well-being as well as anti aging. I believe this is the basis for all treatments.

For the appearance and treatment of skin conditions I have found the anti aging vitamins A, C and E very useful in anti aging skin care:

Vitamin A comes in the form of Retinol in Skin creams and is excellent for skin-repair.

Vitamin C stimulates the collagen in the skin and is therefore an anti aging skin essential, internally and applied on the skin.

Vitamin E and its use in cosmetics has become controversal in recent times. However, taken internally it can benefit your skin with its skin harmonising effect.

*Recommendations are based on the blended standard from the Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements. Vitamin Supplements should not replace a healthy diet. Use only as directed. Always read the label.

More About Anti Aging Nutrition

Antioxidants are free radical scavengers. You can't get enough of them if you're wanting to slow down the aging process. Our body gets attacked by free radicals at all times. Ironically, even by it's normal metabolic activities.

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