Synergy of nutrients for healthy hair, skin and nails

Oxygen in the atmosphere is essential for life-sustaining respiration in humans. About 95% of oxygen is used to produce energy and eventually turns into water, however, the remaining 5% creates compounds known as free radicals or reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are extremely unstable. The skin, the largest organ in the human body, is exposed to air pollutants such as engine exhaust, ultraviolet rays and many other factors that stimulate the production of free radicals. Free radicals play a role in creating balance in the human body, however, their excessive accumulation accelerates skin aging and causes inflammatory processes. The body fights against free radicals with the help of enzymes of its own production or non-enzymatically with the help of nutrients from food such as vitamins C and E.

Oxidative stress is defined as an increased production of free radicals that exceeds the body's antioxidant capacity. Oxidative stress leads to chronic inflammation, which in turn can damage the structure of collagen and collagen fibers, affect the quality of skin, hair and nails, but also contribute to the development of many skin diseases, including skin cancer.

A blend of carotenoids for a stronger effect

Plants are rich in components such as polysaccharides, polyphenols, flavonoids, vitamins, carotenoids and essential oils, which protect them from environmental stresses such as UV radiation, drought and extreme temperatures. It is interesting that these same compounds show similar protective or antioxidant effects on human skin. The basic principle of proper nutrition is to eat a variety of foods, and one of the reasons is the synergy of nutrients that leads to more successful neutralization of free radicals. Namely, nutrients such as carotenoids, polyphenols, vitamins and minerals enter into interactions and their combined effects can have a greater effect on the body than when each nutrient is consumed individually. The effects add up when it comes to carotenoids. Several studies have shown that carotenoids show remarkable efficacy when taken together.In addition to the fact that combining different carotenoids improves their bioavailability, combining for example astaxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin can preserve their stability and improve biological effects.

Selenium, copper, zinc and vitamin C are essential for free defense radicals

Antioxidants are chemically a heterogeneous group of compounds and we need them all because different parts of the skin store different antioxidants which they then use as needed for protection. Antioxidants can be divided according to their solubility into fat-soluble ones, such as vitamin E, carotenoids and coenzyme Q10, or water-soluble ones, such as vitamin C. Antioxidants can be enzymatic, such as superoxide dismutase, which needs copper and zinc to work, or non-enzymatic, such as polyphenols. Defense against free radicals often involves the interaction of all types of antioxidants - hydrophobic and hydrophilic antioxidants or antioxidant enzymes with non-enzymatic antioxidants.

Vegetable oils are a rich source of biologically active substances

Plant extracts and oils, as a rich source of biologically active substances, represent a key group of multipurpose ingredients for skin, hair and nail care. The biological activity of plant extracts, among other things, is manifested by their antioxidant activity. Essential oils are most often obtained from seeds such as borage, argan, millet, wheat and sunflower, but they can also be isolated from other parts of plants such as rosemary leaves. The synergy of various natural compounds such as quality oils, carotenoids and vitamins with antioxidant properties in food or in food supplements ensures greater absorption of active substances, stability and efficiency of all components.

We fight against oxidative stress with diet and quality supplements

Diet has a significant effect on antioxidant status and is among the main factors under our control. A diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables, high-quality fats and vegetable proteins, such as the Mediterranean diet, is rich in fiber, micronutrients and phytochemicals, and thus in antioxidants. Antioxidants support the skin's endogenous defense mechanisms, helping to reduce oxidative damage caused by UV radiation and preventing the appearance of wrinkles, dehydration and aging of the skin, as well as diseases related to oxidative stress.

Spring is the time to start applying targeted oral skin preparation for the sun, preferably with the help of modern food supplement formulations with a mixture of carotenoids, antioxidants and plant extracts, such as your favorite formula Almagea SUNLOVE Skin+. Spring is also the period when our hair, nails and skin should shine after the cold, windy and gloomy winter days. For the purpose of restoring and protecting the skin, hair and nails and for stronger antioxidant protection and preparation for the sunny days we eagerly await, we can rely on the synergy of nutritional supplements Almagea SUNLOVE Skin+ and Almagea SHINE ON+. These two innovative formulations work in harmonious synergy because they contain all the most powerful antioxidants, oils and plant extracts of natural origin and most importantly, all ingredients are in physiologically ideal amounts for the health of the organism.

Literature:

• Nakai K, Tsuruta D. What Are Reactive Oxygen Species, Free Radicals, and Oxidative Stress in Skin Diseases?. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(19):10799.
• Michalak M. Plant-Derived Antioxidants: Significance in Skin Health and the Aging Process. Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(2):585.