If your skin is looking a little dull and tired it could be that your antioxidant level is a little low. Antioxidants have received a whole lot of praise recently for the benefits they have on the skin and also in fighting disease. And there is good reason for us to shout about them!
Antioxidants capture free radicals helping eliminate the toxins that make our skin look dull and sluggish. As if we needed any more reasons to harness their power, they may also help protect us from certain diseases!
Doctor Susan M Kleiner, who is a respected nutritionist based in Seattle, says that the best way to utilize antioxidants for glowing skin is to add plenty of them to your diet.
Antioxidants to increase in your diet are Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Beta Carotene. The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for these are as follows:
Vitamin C: 60mg, which translates to half a cup of orange juice daily. Citrus fruits and tomatoes are also good sources.
Men, as well as women need some life boosting minerals. Vitamin E: 8mg for women, 10mg for men. This translates to 1 tablespoon of canola oil or for a tastier alternative up your intake of nuts, seeds and their oils and fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, halibut, trout and wheat germ. Use canola oil and other vegetable oils in place of butter and margarine when cooking.
Beta-carotene is a great anti-oxidant: although there are no set RDA, doctor Kleiner suggests 5-6mg. One carrot is 12mg. You can also obtain it from orange/yellow and leafy green vegetables such as broccoli, capsicum, spinach and Chinese cabbage.
You can find plenty of supplements that can help increase your antioxidant daily intake but supplements are no replacement for whole foods. If you choose this option be aware that you still need to make these adjustments to your diet to see real results.
With a few changes in your pantry and fridge your friends really will be asking for your secret to younger looking skin!
Melinda J. Ronalora suggests you stay away from harmful ingredients like Talc, Sulfates, Synthetic Fragrances, Alcohol, Petrochemicals, Parabens and Nanos. For the best skincare go visit skincarelove.com because they have the best skin cream.