Vitamins to Get Rid of Oily Skin

A vitamin deficiency may result in oily skin and acne. Some vitamin supplements may treat deficiencies and prevent excess oil secretions by controlling certain hormone levels while others have antioxidant properties that support your immune system. Maintain the recommended dose suggested by the manufacturer or your physician when taking vitamin supplements for oily skin. As well, never substitute vitamin supplements for healthy foods; consult your physician for any adverse reactions between vitamins and prescribed medication.

Vitamin C, known as ascorbic acid is a water-soluble vitamin found in certain foods. It is essential for healthy skin and produces collagen, which repairs and protects the immune system. It also has antioxidant properties that protect your skin from free radicals. Exposure to environmental pollutants such as cigarette smoke, air pollution and ultraviolet sunlight create free radicals that may clog pores and create oily skin. The recommended dose for women is 75 mg per day, for men 90 mg per day.

Your skin cells depend on sebum production. However, an over-production of sebum may attract bacteria and dead skin cells, resulting in blackheads and acne. Omega-3 fatty acids help control the hormone androgen from producing too much sebum. Omega-3 fatty acids also help control flaky skin before the onset of blackheads and acne occurs. Cold water fish such as trout, sardines, salmon and mackerel have high levels of docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, which is used for omega-3 supplements. The recommended dose for adults is 1,000 mg per day.

Vitamin A has antioxidant properties that support the elimination of toxins, reduce oil production and aid in the repair of skin tissue. Retinoid is derived from vitamin A and may relieve excess oil secretion when applied topically, as recommended by your dermatologist. The recommended dose for women is 700 mcg per day, for men 900 mcg per day. Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin therefore consuming too much may be toxic.

Zinc supplements provide antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties essential for oil-producing glands. Zinc is not created by your body, it must come from a dietary source or supplement. You require a small amount of zinc daily. However, a diet deficient in zinc may cause breakouts to occur. The recommended dose for an adult is 40 mg per day. Zinc may interfere with drugs prescribed to treat oily skin such as tetracycline. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking zinc supplements.

Article reviewed by Jenna Marie Last updated on: Jul 26, 2011

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Stress Vitamins: Helps You Alleviate Stress

Many people suffer from high stress. There are vitamins which can make you feel better.

Many people suffer from high stress and are looking for ways to alleviate it. There are vitamins on the market now which can make you feel better.

Our lives get more demanding and stressful on a regular basis. With the demands of family, school, children and work, we want to find ways to combat this stress.

If you are one of these individuals then maybe you should look into vitamins which alleviate stress. It is a negative response to all the things going on in life. If you take extra nutrients, then the body will have added ammunition to fight it. You may want to invest in B-complex vitamins, which are a good way to relieve stress. It is also a way to keep the nervous system working well.

You may want to also look into antioxidant vitamins such as vitamin E and C which work to block free radial damage. They also help to protect the immune system. You can also take more supplements, which help to alleviate stress and protect your body.

If you decide to take vitamins make sure you understand all of the risks and side effects. Make sure you read the back of the bottle of the vitamin very carefully so that you can see all of the active ingredients. Many people would prefer to take vitamins because most are natural and it can definitely be an alternative to taking prescription medication.

However, many of these vitamins can make you sick especially if you are allergic to the active ingredients. If you are unsure, then make sure you go to a doctor who you can trust who can tell you whether to take certain vitamins.

If you take a vitamin and you are still stressed out then do not waist your money. And remember that one of the best remedies of stress is to try and live a more worry free life.

This means you should try and cut out things that may cause discomfort to you. In addition do activities that are less stressful, such as playing sports, listening to music, or engaging in fun activities.

If you are considering taking vitamins, make sure you understand all of the risks and side effects. These vitamins can help you combat it as long as they do not make you sick. About Author

With stress vitamin, fight adrenal fatigue, relieve stress and reduce mental burnout. To know more, visit http://www.goodelements.com

Article Source: http://www.1888articles.com/author-andrew-stratton-4734.html

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Which Vitamins Help Itchy Dry Skin?

Dry skin, also called xerosis, is not a serious condition but can be uncomfortable or unsightly resulting in wrinkles and fine lines. Serious dry skin conditions can cause the skin to to become itchy, inflamed and scaly. There are a selection of vitamins you can take that may help prevent itchy dry skin.

According to KidsHealth, vitamin A helps to promote healthy skin and contributes to the development of skin cell and tissue growth. Vitamin A also helps to produce a natural oil called sebum. Sebum works to keep your skin hydrated and helps to treat dry skin, according to the "Oxford Textbook of Medicine." Good sources of vitamin A include carrots and dark leafy vegetables.

The "Oxford Textbook of Medicine," states that vitamin E is useful in helping to improve your skins texture and shine by keeping it fresh and also works to reduce the appearance of fine-lines and wrinkles. Vitamin E is also important for helping to fight off unstable substances such as free-radicals, which can be harmful to your skin by enhancing the aging process, leading to wrinkles. Corn, sunflower seeds and nuts are good sources of this vitamin.

Vitamin C is needed for your body to ensure that skin tissues grow properly and are repaired when damaged. Vitamin C helps to make skin by helping to produce a protein called collagen, which not only makes skin but also creates scar tissue, ligaments and blood vessels. Vitamin C also protects your skin from sun damage. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, low levels of vitamin C in your body may lead to dry, scaly and rough skin, so its important to consume this vitamin on a daily basis. Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits.

Article reviewed by Libby Swope Wiersema

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What Is the Benefit of Collagen Vitamins?

Collagen is not a vitamin, but rather a type of protein that is used to manufacture your connective tissues, such as skin, ligaments and cartilage. Adequate production of collagen provides numerous benefits, such as firm, healthy skin. Your body makes collagen, but it needs vitamin C, lysine and proline to do so and hyaluronic acid to make it more functional. Collagen-enriched creams are popular within the cosmetic industry and can be absorbed and used by your skin.

Collagen is plentiful in your body, comprising about 75 percent of your skin and 30 percent of your body overall.There are four types of collagen, but type-1 is promoted much more by the cosmetic industry because it is present in your skin, ligaments and cartilage. All collagen fibers are made by your body from two amino acids, lysine and proline, which supply tensile strength and flexibility to the fibers. Vitamin C is needed to convert proline into hydroxyproline and lysine into hydroxylysine, which are the final building blocks for collagen. Vitamin C deficiency leads to connective tissue deterioration, which is particularly dangerous in blood vessels and ligaments, according to "Vitamins: Fundamental Aspects in Nutrition and Health." Hyaluronic acid is needed to bind collagen and elastin fibers together to form collagen bundles.

According to "Biochemical, Physiological and Molecular Aspects of Human Nutrition," collagen helps provide firmness and elasticity to our skin, as sagging and wrinkling occurs without enough of it. Unfortunately, as you age, you lose up to 30 percent of the collagen structure in your skin. Collagen-enriched skin creams are promoted by the cosmetic industry to combat this problem because many people want to maintain youthful-looking skin. Collagen creams are also useful for people who have acne scarring or have had laser tattoo removal.

Collagen is an integral part of cartilage, which is the shock-absorptive spongy material between your bones. Without enough collagen production, vitamin C or necessary amino acids, your cartilage becomes dry, less flexible and more prone to wear and tear, which is an early sign of osteoarthritis, according to "Human Biochemistry and Disease."

Collagen is also an important constituent of blood vessels, especially your arteries. Inadequate production of collagen or lack of vitamin C leads to blood vessel deterioration and hardening, which is an early sign of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.

Because vitamin C is required by your body to produce and repair collagen, consuming some on a daily basis is important. According to the "American Dietetic Association Complete Food and Nutrition Guide," rich sources of vitamin C include rose hips, citrus fruits, strawberries, blackcurrants, kiwis, guavas, broccoli, kale, red and green peppers, Brussels spouts and wheatgrass juice.

"Textbook of Medical Physiology -- Tenth Edition"; Arthur C. Guyton, et al.; 2000"Vitamins: Fundamental Aspects in Nutrition and Health"; G. Combs; 2008"Biochemical, Physiological and Molecular Aspects of Human Nutrition"; Martha Stipanuk; 2006"Human Biochemistry and Disease"; Gerald Litwack; 2008"American Dietetic Association Complete Food and Nutrition Guide"; American Dietetic Association; 2006 Article reviewed by Khalid Adad

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What Vitamins Are Needed for Skin Elasticity?

Skin is the largest organ of the body. It acts as a waterproof, insulating shield and protects an individual's more sensitive organs against extreme temperatures, harmful substances, bacteria and the sun. The skin of a baby is soft and supple but as a person ages, skin loses its ability to retain moisture and becomes thinner, drier and less elastic. Loss of fat, collagen and elastin make skin saggy. Some changes in the skin are natural whereas others occur due to sun and pollution. Diet plays an important role in delaying skin damage and certain vitamin can help.

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps maintain healthy teeth, soft tissues and mucous membranes. It also helps maintain skin. According to the Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery clinic, vitamin A in the form retinol and carotenoids has the ability to protect the skin from UV rays, maintain skin elasticity and repair damaged skin. Vitamin A can be obtained from a variety of animal sources such as eggs, meat, milk and fish oils, and from green leafy vegetables. Vitamin A supplements are available in most pharmacies without a prescription. However, chronic vitamin A poisoning, as per MedlinePlus, can occur in adults who take more than 25,000 IU of vitamin A per day and can manifest itself as dizziness, drowsiness, headache and irritability.

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that is essential for the growth and development of the body whereas vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps with red blood cell formation. Both vitamin C and E have antioxidant properties and can neutralize the free radicals that harm cells, tissues and organs, including the skin. This can significantly reverse the skin damage caused by sun and smoke. Vitamin C also helps build collagen and deficiency of this vitamin can cause loss of skin elasticity and dry skin. Several studies, such as the one published in the January 2004 edition of the Journal of Dermatological Treatment, have found that nutritional supplements that are rich in vitamins C and E can significantly improve skin smoothness and elasticity.

Citrus fruits, tomatoes, strawberries and green leafy vegetables are rich sources of vitamin C, whereas vitamin E can be found in abundance in nuts, seeds, olives and leafy vegetables. Vitamin C and E supplements are also available in most drug stores. However, it is important to follow the instructions on the package or talk to a doctor before taking these supplements as an overdose of vitamin C can lead to upset stomach and diarrhea while chronic over use of vitamin E can cause heart disease.

Vitamin K is another fat-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in blood clotting. According to Vitamin Research Products, vitamin K deficiency has been linked to pseudoxanthoma elasticum, a hereditary condition that causes severe wrinkling of the skin on the face and body. Consumption of vitamin K can lead to an improvement in the elasticity of the skin in subjects with this condition. Vitamin K can be obtained from a variety of sources, including cabbage, cauliflower, spinach and other green leafy vegetables, cereals, soybeans and other vegetables. Vitamin K is also made by the bacteria present in the digestive tract. Vitamin K supplements are available and are well tolerated by most individuals.

Lutein is an naturally occurring pigment that is found in leafy vegetables such as spinach and has been known to maintain eye health. But the results of a study published by Medical News Today in September 2006 show that lutein supplements help increase hydration by 38 percent and elasticity by almost 8 percent. Moderate amounts of lutein are generally safe to use, but consultation with a health professional is always advisable.

Article reviewed by GayleZorrilla 

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Vitamins That Promote Hair Growth: Help Your Hair Grow Faster

Vitamins That Promote Hair Growth: Help Your Hair Grow Faster

There are over 4 million hairs on the average human's head, and these hairs grow over periods of time known as terminal hair growth, or terminal length. The average terminal length of each hair lasts for a 6-7 year period, and then the hair falls out so it can be replaced by a new one. And it's certainly a good thing that these hairs get replaced because they keep your scalp warm – and on other parts of the body – prevent unwanted debris from entering your eyes, ears and nose. With that being said, the hair found on your head is considered to be the most important area of hair on the body!

Unfortunately, many people struggle with hair loss, which robs them of the aforementioned benefits. Thinning hair or going bald is oftentimes a sign of aging, but luckily, hair loss can be slowed or even stopped altogether. If you suffer from hair loss or brittle hair, it may be caused by the improper care of your hair, or a lack of nutrients you are taking in. A person's hair and nails will oftentimes reflect the health of the individual they belong to. Fortunately, there are easier ways of adding the right amount of vitamins and minerals to your diet for healthy hair and nails.

However, before taking any nutritional supplements, it's always best to consult with a physician. This is especially necessary if you are pregnant, or have diseases that could become more serious with improper usage of nutritional supplements. Now that we've established this, here is a list of vitamins you should consider incorporating into your diet for healthier hair, skin and nails.

Your body uses iron found in red blood cells as a carrier pigeon to bring oxygen to all of the cells found in your body. If the body is deprived of iron, you could become anemic, thus causing you to feel tired or weak. When your body is weak, so is your hair, which leads to damage and breakage; so be sure to increase intake of iron after consulting your physician.

Vitamin H is also known as Biotin or vitamin B7. All of the vitamins found in the B vitamin family are crucial to healthy hair growth, so vitamin H is no different. Biotin is responsible for turning carbohydrates into energy that the body can use. You should also know that Biotin aids in metabolizing the fats and protein crucial to enhancing and strengthening hair; you can find Biotin naturally in nuts and egg yolks. Another satisfying fact about Biotin is that it may ward off grey hair and hair loss.

Vitamin A is an antioxidant important for healthy hair because it contributes to the production of sebum (oil) on your scalp. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that maintains and balances out the synthesis of retinoic acid found in your hair follicles. You'll find vitamin A naturally in meat, cheese, eggs, apricots, spinach, fish, liver oil, milk, broccoli, peaches, carrots and cabbage.

Ascorbic Acid, which is a water-soluble vitamin commonly referred to as vitamin C, is great for hair growth because it's able to build and repair tissue. It’s an antioxidant that smoothes out some of the damage which occurs with inevitable exposure to pollutants that make hair and nails brittle. If you’re not getting enough vitamin C, you may experience hangnails and brittle hair. But as always, it’s important not to take supplements without consulting a doctor beforehand.

Zinc is not a vitamin, however, it is found in each and every cell inside of your body. For centuries we have used zinc for its ability to heal wounds quickly, and it works as an antioxidant to cut down the production of free radicals or molecules produced by everyday pollutants. If a zinc deficiency occurs, you will notice white areas on your fingernails; fortunately, this issue is easily solved with a zinc supplement of 8-11 mg. You can also eat veal liver, toasted wheat germ, sesame seeds, tahini (sesame seed butter) and dark chocolate. Make sure to speak with your doctor before adding a supplement to your diet.

By including vitamin E in your diet, you increase your scalp’s blood circulation. Similar to zinc and vitamin C, vitamin E is an antioxidant that can be found naturally in wheat germ oil, raw seeds and nuts, green leafy vegetables, soybeans, cold-pressed vegetable oils or dried beans. For those who have blood pressure problems, it is very important to discuss vitamin E with your doctor since it can increase blood pressure, which causes serious complications.

You’ll be able to find vitamin B5 in a variety of foods including the following: liver, organ meats, egg yolk and vegetables. This particular vitamin is also known as Pantothenic Acid and works in the same manor as vitamin H, and in combination, will create a strong barrier for hair loss. Vitamin B5 fights against grey hair because it contributes to melanin, which is responsible for your hair color.

Again, inositol is not considered a vitamin because it's able to synthesize inside of the body, but it still plays a role in keeping hair healthy. Look for foods like cantaloupe, oranges, and melons to find inositol in its natural habitat. The reason why you want to incorporate these foods into your diet is because inositol helps your hair keep its moisture intact.

Above all, remember that your hair and body go hand-in-hand; both need proper nutrients to function and maintain good health. Keeping this in mind, hair found on the body is mostly made up of protein, which is why protein should always be included in your diet. You can find protein in milk, eggs, soy products, beans and yogurt. Also, find foods rich in lecithin to make hair stronger; some foods with lecithin are wheat germ, yeast and calves liver. Simple changes to your diet such as these can reduce hair loss, and promote hair growth over time.

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Vitamins and Weight Loss

Vitamins and Weight Loss
Vitamins play an important part in the fight to lose weight, but don’t be fooled by "lose weight fast" gimmicks of pills and supplements. The safest and healthiest way is to lose weight through a healthy diet and exercise program, and all of the vitamins that will help you lose weight can be found in a wide range of healthy food choices. Plus, when you lose weight gradually through diet and exercise, you’re less likely to gain the weight back. Here are a few vitamins that will help you lose weight and the types of food where you can find them.

Vitamin B2 helps promote healthy thyroid and metabolic production, which in turn helps you burn calories more efficiently. Foods rich in Vitamin B2 include, milk, eggs, liver, kidney, almonds, hard cheese and green leafy vegetables.

Vitamin B3 also helps regulate thyroid hormone production and also helps your body tolerate blood sugar. Foods rich in Vitamin B3 include meat, chicken, turkey, tuna, eggs, salmon, barley, oats, cheese, dried fruit and brown rice.

Vitamin B5 helps us use fat to burn energy, instead of muscles, and helps in energy production. Foods rich in Vitamin B5 include poultry, meat, liver, kidney, eggs, nuts, wheat germ, beans, oats, barley, and green vegetables.

Like Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6 helps regulate thyroid hormone production and the metabolism. Foods rich in Vitamin B6 include beef, poultry, eggs, sardines, mackerel, dried fruit, cabbage, brown rice, bananas, avocados, wheat bran and wheat germ.

Vitamin C helps the body in a number of different ways, but it helps those trying to lose weight to convert glucose to energy. Foods rich in Vitamin C include broccoli, green peppers, black currents, kiwi fruit, Brussels sprouts, lemons, oranges, cabbage, and strawberries.

While Choline isn’t considered a vitamin, as it is produced by the liver, it does make up a part of the Vitamin B complex, and helps the metabolism work efficiently. A deficiency of choline can lead to a build up of fats in the liver. Foods rich in choline include beef liver, beef heart, egg yolks, cucumber, cauliflower and peanuts.

Much like choline, inositol is a part of the Vitamin B complex and helps the metabolism work efficiently. Foods rich in inositol include beef liver and heart, eggs, soy, nuts, whole grains and citrus fruits.

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