{"id":490,"date":"2011-01-10T14:28:22","date_gmt":"2011-01-10T14:28:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.richardfrancissalon.com\/salon\/?p=490"},"modified":"2020-02-18T16:24:07","modified_gmt":"2020-02-18T21:24:07","slug":"are-antioxidants-worth-all-the-hype","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.richardfrancissalon.com\/salon\/2011\/01\/are-antioxidants-worth-all-the-hype\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Antioxidants Worth All the Hype?"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1436454496334{border-top-width: 25px !important;padding-top: 20px !important;border-top-color: #dd9933 !important;border-top-style: solid !important;}”][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_custom_heading source=”post_title” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:40px|text_align:left|color:%23ce6c13|line_height:50px” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]In the never-ending quest for the fountain of youth, antioxidants are the \u201cit\u201d ingredient of the decade.\u00a0 A nutrient that is naturally found in Fruits, Vegetables, Beans and Whole grains, antioxidants are readily being added to everything and including of course, skin care products.<\/p>\n

Sales of antioxidant products are on the rise.\u00a0 In fact, according to Nutrition Business Journal, in 2008, antioxidant supplement sales totaled $4.6 billion.\u00a0 When it comes to skin care, the presence of antioxidants is expected.\u00a0 Those who work in the esthetic industry recommend antioxidant-rich products to their clients daily explaining the science that proves their ability to protect skin health and its appearance.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s consider the science of antioxidants<\/h3>\n

Free radicals are unstable molecules that are missing an electron.\u00a0 Free radicals steal electrons from nearby molecules within the cell turning them also into a free radical.\u00a0 It is a chain reaction that causes damage to the cells of the body.\u00a0 Another word for this is oxidation and it can lead to dis-ease or disease.\u00a0 Free radical oxidation is responsible for every degenerative disease as well as the breakdown of collagen and elastin resulting in the development of fine lines and wrinkles.\u00a0 Luckily, antioxidants to the rescue.\u00a0\u00a0 They are like soldiers for the cells.\u00a0 They shield the cell with armor and sacrifice themselves to the free radicals by providing the electron the free radical seeks.<\/p>\n

Antioxidants and the body<\/h3>\n

There are literally thousands of antioxidants but the ones we are most familiar with are A, C, E and Beta Carotene.\u00a0 As we age, we produce more free radicals therefore it is important to increase the antioxidant intake.\u00a0 Considering that the very best, undisputed method for obtaining antioxidants is by eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains.\u00a0 This is just one reason why the Centers for Disease Control has promoted its \u201cFruits & Veggies- More Matters\u201d campaign.\u00a0 The goal is to keep more antioxidants than free radicals in the body.<\/p>\n

In 2009, a team of researchers implemented a study to determine the effects of skin moisturizers containing antioxidants on total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of human skin.\u00a0 The team found the it is indeed beneficial to use a topical skin care product that includes antioxidants because they increase antioxidant levels in the skin.\u00a0 Another study demonstrated that, when applied properly in topical form, antioxidants such as vitamins A, C and E \u201carm the skin with a reservoir of antioxidants that cannot be washed or rubbed off, a protection which stays in the skin for several days after application.\u201d<\/p>\n

Recommendations<\/h3>\n

Consume a healthy diet.\u00a0\u00a0 A diet rich in whole food fruits, vegetables, berries, beans and grains.\u00a0 If you do consume supplements, be sure they are Whole Food, not synthetic.<\/p>\n

Limit your exposure to oxidative stressors such as, cigarette smoke \u2013 first hand and secondhand- excessive sun exposure, and other environmental toxins, such as pollution etc.<\/p>\n

Antioxidant-rich Foods<\/strong><\/p>\n