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Vitamin A: Antioxidant Power

"Antioxidant And Antiaging Vitamin"

Vitamin A forms part of a group of compounds, which are essential for our health. The word vitamin comes from a combined latin word: "vital" which means necessary for life, and "amine" which is an organic compound. They were given this name by polish chemist Casimir Funk in 1912. Our bodies (with some exceptions) can't produce vitamins, so we need to obtain them, in small amounts from our diet.

They occur naturally in plants and animals. There are 13 of them identified, which can be divided in two groups:

water-soluble
fat-soluble

Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin. Our bodies can't produce it, that is why we have to obtain it from food. Find out here foods high in vitamin a skin vitamins . Our organism stores this compound in the liver. As an antioxidant it has many benefits:

Its antioxidant power is very important for our eyesight preventing

loss of sight in older people
cataracts
glaucoma

strengthen the immune system, preventing many infectious diseases like:

colds
flu
sinusitis
bronchitis

helps in the prevention of cancer
helps in the prevention of heart related diseases
helps in the development and maintenance of mucous membranes and reproduction

And for those of you who, like me, want to keep an eye in the skin...can this great antioxidant help with . aging skin and skin problems?

I believe it does.

It is essential for our skin because:

It heps to the regeneration of the skin, improving its condition
Helps to improve collagen production, giving the skin a firmer and younger appearance
Many cosmetic companies incorporate this antioxidant to their products, to improve prematurely aged skin and elasticity. This skin care product Leaf and Rusher Active Serum 1 oz has been highly rated by consumers, and is rich in vitamin A and C, helping to improve the skin's texture, tone and firmness. It also stimulates collagen and elastin production. Don't forget to follow the application guidelines to avoid disappointment.
Contributes to healthy hair and nails
It has antibacterial properties, helping to fight off skin infections
Is very good for improving dry skin, and very effective for skin conditions such as: acne, psoriasis, eczema

A lack of it can lead to:

night blindness
infectious diseases
premature death in developing countries, particulary among children

An excess of it can lead to toxicity.

Carotenoids

Have you ever wondered why carrots are orange, or tomatoes are red? Well, this is due to certain pigments called carotenoids. Carotenoids provide red, yellow and orange colours to fruits and vegetables, and can be converted into vitamin A. The most well known carotenoids are:

beta-carotene
alpha-carotene
gamma-carotene
luteinlycopene

I'm sure you have heard some of these names before from health magazines.

There are around 600 identified carotenoids. Some of these are converted into provitamin A compounds, meaning that they are converted to retinol, which is an active form of vitamin A. The most effective is beta-carotene.

Beta Carotene Benefits

Carotenoids have important antioxidant properties, and can help in the prevention of:

cataracts
heart disease
some forms of cancer
cholesterol
aging skin

So it make good sense to eat fruits and vegetables, with a high level of carotenoids.

There is a condition called "carotenodermia" where your skin becomes yellow or orange. This is a consequence of a high intake of carotenoids, but don't worry is totally harmless.

Are you interested in natural beta carotene sources and other related topics? Then, why not subscribe to the free monthly newsletter to receive articles and the latest news about beauty and skin care. Your email address is safe with us, we hate spam as much as you do.

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