Skin savers

Natural Health, Sept, 2005

skin savers                     cautions                   forms

Alpha lipoic acid

This powerful antioxidant       Very safe, though doses    capsules,
protects against free           higher than 100            tablets
radical damage and              milligrams may cause
inflammation, including that    stomach upset in some
caused by sun exposure, says    people.
Nicholas Perricone, M.D.

Vitamin E

This is another potent          There is contradictory     capsules
antioxidant that helps          research as to whether
reduce inflammation in the      vitamin E is safe above
skin and aids in its repair.    400 IU daily. It may
Buy natural or mixed            increase bleeding if you
tocopherols.                    take blood thinners like
                                warfarin or aspirin.

Coenzyme Q10

This vitamin-like substance     Generally safe, though     capsules
protects against free radical   it may interfere with
damage and inflammation, and    diabetes and heart
helps with skin repair and      medications. In limited
rejuvenation.                   cases, it may cause
                                nausea, stomach upset,
                                and diarrhea.

Grape seed extract

A source of the antioxidant     Generally safe, though     capsules
OPC (oligomeric pro-            it's not advised for
anthocyanidin), it fights       patients taking blood
free radicals and               thinners.
inflammation, maintains
blood vessels that nourish
skin, and blocks an anti-
collagen enzyme.

Fish Oil

"It makes skin more resilient   It may cause stomach       gel caps,
to damage,: says Amy Neuzil,    upset. High doses carry    liquid
N.D., owner of Excelon          a very small risk of       tablets,
Health in Austin, Texas.        increased LDL
The omega-3 fatty acids have    cholesterol and, in
antioxidant and anti-           diabetics, elevated
inflammatory properties.        blood sugar.

B-complex vitamins

B vitamins such as B,           Very safe, though high     capsules,
(thiamin), Bz (riboflavin),     doses of some B            liquids
and e3 (niacin) "all play a     vitamins can cause
role in helping to generate     upset; for example,
new skin cells and in           niacin may cause nausea,
protecting against sun          heartburn, and hot
damage," says the ADA's         flashes.
Grotto.

Wheat germ oil

"It provides oils that          Should be taken with       capsules,
lubricate the skin, and that    caution by people          liquids
protect the skin from free      with wheat
radical damage," says           sensitivities.
Neuzil.

Vitamin C

A powerful antioxidant,         Very safe, but in high     pills,
vitamin C fights                doses it may cause         liquid,
inflammation and promotes       stomach upset in some      powder,
the production of collagen,     people. To avoid           capsules
a critical skin component.      irritation, take split
                                doses throughout the
                                day.

skin savers                     dosage

Alpha lipoic acid

This powerful antioxidant       Perricone
protects against free           recommends taking
radical damage and              50 to 100 mg daily.
inflammation, including that
caused by sun exposure, says
Nicholas Perricone, M.D.

Vitamin E

This is another potent          Up to 400 IU per
antioxidant that helps          day; to play it
reduce inflammation in the      safe, ADA spokesman
skin and aids in its repair.    David Grotto, R.D.,
Buy natural or mixed            advises taking
tocopherols.                    no more than zoo
                                IU daily.

Coenzyme Q10

This vitamin-like substance     Take 30 mg daily,
protects against free radical   or up to 300 mg
damage and inflammation, and    under medical
helps with skin repair and      supervision.
rejuvenation.

Grape seed extract

A source of the antioxidant     Take 30 to 100 mg
OPC (oligomeric pro-            daily.
anthocyanidin), it fights
free radicals and
inflammation, maintains
blood vessels that nourish
skin, and blocks an anti-
collagen enzyme.

Fish Oil

"It makes skin more resilient   The labeled dose is
to damage,: says Amy Neuzil,    usually 1,000 mg a
N.D., owner of Excelon          though Neuzil often
Health in Austin, Texas.        suggests doubling
The omega-3 fatty acids have    that.
antioxidant and anti-
inflammatory properties.

B-complex vitamins

B vitamins such as B,           Per Perricone:
(thiamin), Bz (riboflavin),     10-50 mg [B.sub.1']
and e3 (niacin) "all play a     10-100 mg [B.sub.2']
role in helping to generate     200-100 mg [B.sub.3']
new skin cells and in           10-250 mg [B.sub.5']
protecting against sun          50-100 mg [B.sub.6'],
damage," says the ADA's         5-100  mcg [B.sub.12']
Grotto.                         400-8oo mcg folic acid,
                                and 300 mcg biotin.
Wheat germ oil

"It provides oils that          Neuzil recommends
lubricate the skin, and that    taking 1,500 to
protect the skin from free      2,000 mg daily.
radical damage," says
Neuzil.

Vitamin C

A powerful antioxidant,         Per Perricone:
vitamin C fights                1,000 mg ascorbic
inflammation and promotes       acid (water-soluble
the production of collagen,     C) and 5oo mg
a critical skin component.      ascorbyl palmitate
                                (fat-soluble C
                                ester) daily.