Living from the Inside out: Beta Carotene
Sun Damage. Free Radical Damage. Can we go a minute without talking about the effects of, the prevention of, or the unsightly marks of the dreaded, seemingly inevitable and looming melasma??? More times than not, it is the main concern on a skin care intake form. “Why is it happening? What do I do to get rid of it? Will it come back?”
Of course, from a vanity standpoint, it is the uneven tone of hyperpigmented skin that bothers us most. It ages us, robbing us of the “creamy clear” of a youthful skin. But what about the underlying health concerns? Darkened pigment and uneven spots are the first sign of possible skin cancer.
While there are many wonderful treatments to lighten and brighten skin tone, there is one thing we can do on a daily basis to repair our damaged skin and protect our whole body from the effects of excess sun and toxic exposure: Boost the Beta Carotene.
Bring on the Carrots, Grapefruit and the Green leafy veggies!!!
The Benefits of Beta Carotene and Vitamin A for Troubled Skin*
Beta carotene has been shown to repair sun damage, minimizing redness and brown spots. As an antioxidant it helps to prevent skin cancer and the negative effects of UV rays. To receive the highest level of the benefits of beta carotene, eat raw or lightly cooked food sources of beta carotene as opposed to taking supplements. As a whole food, other phytonutrients are absorbed along with beta carotene, enhancing the potency of this carotenoid.
Vitamin A is a reputed nutrient for skin care as a food source, and topically as a vitamin A skin cream. In the article “Put your skin on a vitamin-rich diet”, Samera Felesky-Hunt says, vitamin A-rich foods are needed for the repair and maintenance of healthy skin, for healing, new tissue construction, and wrinkle protection. Vitamin A, or retinol, keeps epithelial tissue, found on the skin and mucous membranes, moist and in good condition. It is a vital nutrient for the cell growth, and, like beta carotene, acts as an antioxidant, slowing the aging process by preventing free radical damage.
Topically, vitamin A skin cream has been shown to reduce the appearance of fine wrinkles in mature, sun-exposed skin. When applied to the skin, the production of glycosaminoglycan and procollagen – two compounds that improve the condition of the skin by retaining moisture and forming more connective tissue – increases
*Read the entire article by Brenna Coleman @ http://holistic-nutrition.suite101.com/article.cfm/food_sources_of_beta_carotene_for_healthy_skin
Read more at Suite101: Food Sources of Beta Carotene for Healthy Skin: Repair Sun Damage with Carrots and Sweet Potatoes
