How olives, green tea, hyaluronic acid, and silicon can make you more beautiful Shiny and vibrant hair, skin, and nails have long been associated with good health. While most people devote themselves to making these things more attractive, the secret to healthy skin, beautiful hair, and strong nails comes from within. And that starts with good nutrition and essential dietary supplements.
A deficiency of essential nutrients (including vitamins, minerals, fats, or proteins) can impair the production of new skin cells. Therefore, a healthy diet is necessary for hair, skin, and nails and their appearance. It is also important to take crucial supplements. Start with a high-potency multivitamin/mineral formula and medicated-grade fish oil – two supplements that balance vital skin nutrients for people of all ages.
anti-wrinkle
Why does the skin appear wrinkled? The main culprits are free radical damage from outside (sun, pollution) and inside (cigarette smoke, poor diet). Over time, the amount of fat stored in the layer just below the skin also decreases, leading to sagging skin. As we age, collagen in our skin loses its ability to hold shape. We can blame the decline in hyaluronic acid production: By age 70, most people will have lost about 80 percent of their hyaluronic acid at age 40. This causes the collagen fibers to become fewer and thinner. The skin becomes thinner and less elastic as the collagen and hyaluronic acid network shrink. The glands that secrete natural oils also gradually disappear, leaving the skin dry and itchy.
To prevent wrinkles from forming, eat a diet rich in antioxidants and do your best to avoid free radical exposure. You can also consider taking innovative dietary supplements to help restore collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid.
Olive fruit extract and green tea
Olive extract and green tea: An antioxidant of concern for skin health is an olive extract. Population-based studies have shown a negative correlation between olive consumption and the development of wrinkles. In other words, a higher olive intake means fewer wrinkles. Olive fruits (but not leaves) contain myriad polyphenol molecules with excellent antioxidant properties for skin health. In studies conducted by Japanese and Italian researchers, standardized olive fruit extracts containing 10% polyphenols (Opextan) have been shown to prevent skin degeneration caused by free radicals — a process that can lead to wrinkle formation and protect the skin from other damage.
The same applies to green tea extract and its primary polyphenol, catechin gallate (EGCG). This healthy cure-all also protects against free radical damage to the skin, mainly caused by ultraviolet radiation.
How many do you need? The dosage of olive fruit extract (or Opextan) is 60 to 120mg daily. The dosage of green tea extract depends on polyphenol levels, with the usual dose ranging from 150 to 300mg daily.
Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid, as a significant component of the skin, is mainly involved in promoting and strengthening the skin’s collagen matrix (or structure). When free radicals damage skin, it becomes inflamed, and skin cells become less hyaluronic acid. This leads to the formation of wrinkles. As mentioned earlier, the amount of hyaluronic acid in your skin also decreases with age.
Hyaluronic acid injections are used in medical hydrotherapy to fill in wrinkles. But taking hyaluronic acid supplements may be a more effective solution. For one thing, hyaluronic acid supplements may have longer-lasting effects than injections. And hyaluronic acid supplements are more natural and provide a minimally invasive way to deliver this vital compound into the skin.
Clinical studies have shown that hyaluronic acid supplements can increase skin moisture content, significantly improving dry and rough skin appearance.
How many do you need? The dose used in clinical trials was 120mg per day. A “highly biocompatible” hyaluronic acid supplement is required.
silicon
Silicon is essential for adequately developing skin, hair, and nails, which requires healthy collagen formation. BioSil is a highly bioavailable and stable silicon that increases hydroxyproline levels, which is involved in collagen and elastin production.
Scientists at the University of Brussels in Belgium conducted a 20-week double-blind study involving 50 women (ages 40 to 65) who showed signs of sunburn and premature aging. Half received 10 mg of BioSil, and the other half received a placebo. In the BioSil group, there was a 30% improvement in superficial fine lines, a 50% increase in skin elasticity, and a significant reduction in brittle nails and hair.
How many do you need? The conventional dose of silicon is 5mg twice daily.
Normal aging
Best-selling author on health and Better Nutrition columnist Michael T. Murray, ND, shares his health tips.
BN: You are 53 years old but full of life. What do you think you look like when you are young?
Murray: I think it’s a result of everything I’ve consistently done over the last 25 years of my adult life: my diet, mindset, lifestyle, and dietary supplement plan. When you look at what causes people to age prematurely, you start to see how everything is connected and why it matters, and you can use that to solve everything.
BN: What are the most critical steps you take to slow aging?
Murray: About eight years ago, I started using PGX supplement, a unique dietary fiber matrix. A critical factor in combating aging effects is increasing the body’s sensitivity to insulin and stabilizing blood sugar levels within a narrow range. Nothing beats PGX in this regard. I believe my muscle mass and body fat percentage were better in my 40s and 50s than at any point in my adult life due to taking PGX supplements.
BN: Are there any other supplements?
Murray: In addition to PGX, I take a high-potency multivitamin/mineral, a “green food drink,” and a medicinal grade fish oil, as well as various specific antioxidants such as CoQ10, alpha-lipoic acid, and flavanone-rich extracts. If you look up the history of longevity, high flavonoid intake is one of the common characteristics.