Contents
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How a person ages and the rate of change seen in the form of wrinkles or sagging skin depends a lot on him. A healthy lifestyle and proper care contribute to the preservation of youth. The aging process is caused by many factors.
One of them is free radicals. They can damage cells, leading to poor skin condition as well as many diseases. However, you can control their number and reduce the harmful effects.
Free radicals: what is it
Free radicals (oxidants) are described as unstable and highly reactive elements. These are atoms with an insufficient number of electrons in the outer shell. They easily react with other substances, wanting to take their electrons from atoms. In this way, they destroy healthy molecules, resulting in protein or lipid damage.
They not only act on surfaces, but can even destructively affect the structure of DNA. It is worth remembering that the mere presence of free radicals does not pose a threat; on the contrary, it is necessary for the skin. The problem lies in their overproduction caused by the following reasons:
- air pollution;
- stimulants such as alcohol, nicotine;
- presence of stress;
- Sun rays.
Oxygen oxidants weaken, among other things, the structure of collagen fibers and accelerate the aging process. The consequences of their action can also be harmful to health. This contributes to the development of diseases, including atherosclerosis, cancer, cataracts, skin diseases or heart problems.
Causes of facial aging in women
Skin aging can be caused by both endogenous (internal) and exogenous (external) factors. The former include genetic conditions, hormonal changes that have occurred over the years, and the action of free radicals.
External factors, in turn, include environmental conditions such as the degree of air pollution, the effect of weather conditions on the dermis (including UV radiation) and, for example, stress. Over the years, the body’s production of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid decreases. The skin becomes thinner, less elastic and smooth.
The aging process of the dermis often leads to dehydration, which is caused by a decrease in the activity of the sebaceous glands and the effectiveness of the natural lipid barrier of the dermis in its protective actions.
Age-related changes in the skin do not depend on the will of a person, but much can be done in order to slow down this process. Antioxidants are the best neutralizer for the harmful effects of free radicals.
What foods contain antioxidants
In the context of skin care, there is a lot of talk about oxidative stress. It is a condition in which the balance between free radicals and antioxidants that naturally coexist in the body is disrupted. Antioxidants make up for oxidant deficiencies.
What does it change? Thus, they stop interacting with other molecules. Free radical scavengers neutralize their harmful effects, counteract oxidative stress and protect cells from damage.
It is worth remembering that if a person leads a lifestyle that exposes his body to excessive production of oxidants (for example, due to smoking, constant stress), he should try to provide himself with plenty of antioxidants. Where can I find them?
Antioxidants are found in many foods, for example:
- bell peppers, parsley, citrus fruits, cabbage (vitamin C);
- wheat and oat bran, eggs, seeds, buckwheat (contain selenium);
- olive and sunflower oil, berries, hazelnuts, whole grains (vitamin E);
- carrots, cabbage, spinach, peaches, apricots (vit. A);
- meat, milk, eggs, pumpkin seeds, legumes, sesame (contain zinc);
- spices: cinnamon, curry, marjoram, cloves, saffron;
- drinks: green tea, red wine, cocoa, tomato juice.
Proper nutrition should be supported by care, use of cosmetics for the face and body, providing the skin with antioxidants from the outside. In addition to the vitamins and minerals mentioned above, it is worth looking for substances such as:
- coenzyme Q10;
- melanin;
- alpha lipoic acid;
- ferulic acid;
- polyphenols (eg flavonoids);
- resveratrol.
Vitamin C stimulates the activity of vitamin E, so it is advisable to keep them together.
Proper skin care
Naturally, with age, the skin becomes more and more flabby, and wrinkles appear on the face. But with the help of a healthy lifestyle, you can prolong youth and slow down the aging process. How to do it?
1. Make sure there is adequate sun protection. Experts recommend using face creams with a protective filter not only in summer, but all year round.
The sun’s rays damage cells, causing a process known as photoaging. Tanning the body without regular reapplication of the drug with a sufficiently high filter accelerates the aging process.
2. Healthy food! Balanced nutrition and proper hydration of the body are the basis not only for maintaining health, but also for youth.
You need to provide your body with various food groups that will satisfy its nutritional needs. Avoid fatty, fried foods and sugar hidden not only in sweets, but also in drinks and other foods.
3. Don’t forget to move! Physical activity has a great impact on maintaining physical fitness, strengthening immunity, slimming figure and skin condition.
Exercise relieves stress, which weakens the skin’s natural ability to defend against harmful external factors. Stimulates the loss of collagen and elastin, which are important for keeping it smooth and firm.
4. Forget about harmful stimulants. The balance between antioxidants and free radicals is disturbed by stimulants such as nicotine or alcohol. They should be avoided or at least increased the intake of antioxidants due to their excessive use.
5. Provide the body with antioxidants! With the help of certain foods and quality cosmetics.
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