Do anti-aging supplements work? Keep reading to find out!
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In this article:
- What Are Anti-Aging Supplements?
- How Do Anti-Aging Supplements Work?
- Which Anti-Aging Supplements Work?
- What Are the Best Anti-Aging Supplements for Skin Elasticity?
- How Can You Start Taking Anti-Aging Supplements?
Debunking Anti-Aging Supplements
What Are Anti-Aging Supplements?
A supplement is a manufactured product which is meant to fill the nutritional gaps in your diet. It usually comes in the form of pills, capsules, tablets, or liquid.
On the other hand, an anti-aging supplement attempts to help reduce the physical effects of aging. Aside from the regular forms supplements usually come in, anti-aging supplements can also come in the form of powders, skin creams, and face masks.
Depending on the formulation of the supplement, it can target certain age-related physiological changes. One study identifies age-related physical changes and these include:
- Lower energy levels and stamina
- Weaker immune system
- Weaker cardiovascular system
- Joint pain
- Weaker bones
- Muscle loss
- Vision loss
It can also try to target different signs of skin aging. One study summarizes the categories of skin aging and they include:
- Rhytides – skin wrinkling
- Laxity – skin sagging
- Elastosis – yellowing of the skin
- Dyschromia – hyperpigmentation of the skin
- Erythema telangiectasia – redness due to photodamage
- Keratoses – abnormal skin growths
- Textures – the quality of skin texture
How Do Anti-Aging Supplements Work?
Studies show that most anti-aging supplements rely on antioxidants to deliver the fountain of youth. These are natural or synthetic substances that help prevent oxidation.
Oxidation is a natural chemical reaction that usually occurs when your body is converting food into energy. This chemical reaction may produce free radicals.
There are also environmental sources of free radicals, such as air pollution, cigarette smoke, and sunlight. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause oxidative stress, which can lead to cellular damage by hampering the cellular repair process.
Many scientists believe that oxidative stress plays a role in skin aging. It may also increase the risk of age-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and certain types of cancer.
Which Anti-Aging Supplements Work?
The following anti-aging supplements have been found to have effective anti-aging properties:
- Vitamin C
- Selenium
- Vitamin E
Vitamin C
This vitamin is an antioxidant and a water-soluble nutrient. The body uses it to make collagen, absorb iron, and boost the immune system.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that vitamin C supplements may help slow down vision loss in older people. On top of that, the NHI also suggests that it may have a positive impact on the immune system—people who take vitamin C supplements regularly may have less severe symptoms when they catch a cold.
A review of the effects of vitamin C supplements presents promising skincare applications. Specifically, taking an oral vitamin C supplement for 90-180 days resulted in:
- An increase in collagen levels
- Better skin elasticity
- A decrease in skin spots and hyperpigmentation
- A decrease in the appearance of pores
- Better skin texture
In the same review, promising results were also found in topical applications of vitamin C. These results include:
- A decrease in the skin’s allergic response
- Increase protection against UV damage
- Decrease in wrinkles
- Increase in collagen levels
- Better skin elasticity
- A decrease in skin inflammation
- Better wound healing
RELATED: How To Prevent Wrinkles With Purple Tea | Anti-Aging Tips
Selenium
Selenium is a nutrient and antioxidant that plays a role in reproduction, DNA production, thyroid function, and the immune system. The NIH reports that people who consume lower amounts of selenium have a greater risk of developing colon and rectal cancer.
They also report that it may also have an impact on the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, cognitive decline, and thyroid disease. Studies also show that selenium supplements may help protect against photoaging and Ultraviolet (UV) damage.
Vitamin E
This vitamin is an antioxidant and a fat-soluble nutrient. The body uses it to boost the immune system and improve blood circulation.
The NIH reports that taking vitamin E supplements may help slow down vision loss in the elderly. On top of that, researchers found an increase in photoprotection when vitamin E supplements are taken orally with a vitamin C supplement.
They also found that topical vitamin E supplements have an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin. Topical application of vitamin E can reduce UV-induced edema, skin swelling, and skin thickness.
What Are the Best Anti-Aging Supplements for Skin Elasticity?
Collagen plays an important role in skin elasticity. It’s responsible for the skin’s structure and firmness.
The more collagen your skin has, the more elastic it is. In fact, studies show that lower levels of collagen lead to a weaker connection between the dermis and epidermis, which may cause the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
In a 2014 study in the Skin Pharmacology and Physiology Journal, older women who took oral collagen supplements for four weeks had significantly higher skin elasticity levels. A review of the effects of oral collagen supplementation shows that it can significantly increase skin elasticity and hydration.
Apart from taking collagen supplements directly, you can also take supplements that help your body produce collagen. The same review on the effects of vitamin C supplements also shows that oral and topical vitamin C supplements help stimulate collagen production.
How Can You Start Taking Anti-Aging Supplements?
Anti-aging supplements can be taken orally or applied topically. However, it’s important to consult your doctor before beginning any new oral supplement.
Taking too much of certain oral supplements may be detrimental to your health. For example, the same NIH report about Vitamin E warns against over-dosing on oral vitamin E supplements because studies show that it may increase the risk of prostate cancer and interfere with blood clotting.
In the meantime, try using topical, anti-aging skincare products, such as the Purple Tea Skin Care line. Purple tea skincare bottles up the amazing properties of the rare purple tea leaf which grow in the highlands of Kenya, Africa.
This special tea leaf is full of antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties too! It contains anthocyanins, catechins, delphinidins, and botanical stem cells which have amazing anti-aging properties.
Aging is inevitable, but there may be ways to help slow down the process. Supplements are a convenient way to sneak in anti-aging nutrients that you may not be getting from your regular diet.
Have you tried anti-aging supplements to help slow down the aging process? Share your experience with us in the comments section below!
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