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Natural SkinCare With EPA
by: David McEvoy
Incredible though it sounds, fish oil
containing eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA, appears to slow down
the aging process and help us to look younger by protecting the
skin and inhibiting the chemical processes that take place when
our skin is exposed to damage-inducing stimuli, like the sun for
example. Evidence suggests that aside from all the other
documented health benefits of EPA, it can make our skin more
resistant to sunburn, improve skin elasticity and tone and helps
to prevents saggy skin and wrinkles from forming.
Most of us know that UV radiation from the sun is public enemy
number one as far as the skin is concerned. Overexposure results
in premature aging and wrinkles as well as reduced immunity to
disease, and possibly even skin cancer. When our skin is exposed
to a lot of sunlight we produce abnormal elastin that causes the
skin to stretch and collagen fibers begin to break down. In
response to this we produce a large number of enzymes called
metalloproteinases or MMPS. This would normally be a good thing
as these enzymes try to repair the damage, but it is inefficient
and over time, MMPS produced as a result of UV radiation
actually results in a break down of collagen and finally
wrinkles appear.
A study published in 2005 in the Journal for Lipid Research
investigated the effect that EPA had on MMPS arising as a result
of ultra violet radiation from the sun in human skin and found
that EPA inhibited overproduction of MMPS and reduced the amount
of damage to the skin. The researchers Kim et al concluded that
EPA could possibly prevent as well as treat skin ageing. Then
more recently in 2006, Drs Black and Rhodes found that EPA
offers protection against sun-induced damage to skin cells by
making the skin more resistant to the sun's rays in the first
place. Participants taking fish oil showed a higher "minimal
erythemal dose". This basically means that the lowest amount of
radiation needed to produce erythema (an inflammatory effect on
the skin or sunburn) was higher for those taking fish oil. These
studies show that EPA not only protects the skin, it limits the
damage too, but these are not the only benefits of EPA.
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The properties of EPA
EPA is known to have powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic
properties, both of which help to slow down and minimize the
effects of aging and wear and tear on the body. From the moment
we are born, we are subjected to a number of environmental
pollutants that put pressure on our skin. Oxygen-free radicals
from pollution, for example, are everywhere and result in a
process known as oxidation. Oxidation leads to an increase in
inflammatory responses and too much can cause premature aging
and wrinkles as well as contribute to the development of many
skin conditions. The anti-inflammatory properties of EPA can
inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory chemical messengers
responsible for these inflammatory responses.
Increasingly as we grow older, our skin starts to thin out and
stretch as collagen fibers lose their elasticity, the skin
starts to lose its ability to repair itself and can no longer
retain moisture as well as it did. Consequently, many people
begin to rely on external lotions and potions to keep the skin
moist and supple. EPA can help the blood to flow more
efficiently throughout the body and contribute to healthy and
radiant looking skin. It is interesting that a lack of Omega 3
fatty acids in the diet manifests itself most noticeably as skin
problems.
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Signs of Omega 3 fatty acid deficiency
• Dry and flaky skin
• Dandruff
• Hard and cracked skin
• Eczema
• Psoriasis
• Acne
• Poor wound healing
• Dull and lifeless looking skin
Most of us are also well aware that stress and anxiety can speed up the
ageing process resulting in 'worry lines' as well as more serious conditions
and threats to our health. The amazing thing is that EPA has demonstrated
considerable success in alleviating depression, anxiety and stress so not
only does it help us to remain healthy and look younger with better skin and
fewer wrinkles, but it has a 'feel-good' factor too which helps keep those
worry lines at bay.
Conclusion
All this is very exciting, particularly when we consider the amount of time,
money and effort spent on the ever-increasing number of products available
to help keep us healthy, young and beautiful. The implications are that we
can do the same job naturally through diet by taking fish oil supplements
containing EPA and benefit not only from healthy more youthful looking skin
and all the other documented health-giving properties of EPA but possibly
gain a new lease of life too.
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