SKIN CARE

Beauty and Vitamins

These are just a few of the nutrients you need to help keep you looking your best. A balanced diet is the best way to ensure that your body is getting all the nutrients it needs to function correctly in addition to looking great.

HAIR: B Vitamins

B vitamins help build a healthy blood supply to get oxygen and nutrients to all body parts, including the hair and scalp.

Deficiency of B vitamins may result in a reduced number of red blood cells and poor nutrient circulation, which contributes to loss of important nutrients.

NAILS: Protein, Iron and Zinc

Protein, iron, and zinc help make sure nail growth and proper circulation to the nail bed occur. Deficiencies of these nutrients can result in weak nails that don't grow very fast.

Protein is the building block of our body - including the nails.

Iron is needed for healthy cell maintenance. A long-term deficiency can cause nails to become spoon-shaped, brittle and thin.

Zinc plays a role in cell reproduction, which is important in helping nails to regenerate and grow.

SKIN: Antioxidants (A, C, E) and Essential Fatty Acids

Antioxidants are substances that help block some of the damage caused by toxins that are released when the body transforms food into energy or fights off infection. The build-up of these toxins over time contributes to the aging process and can also contribute to the development of some chronic diseases.

Vitamin A: Deficiency can lead to loss of cells that help lubricate our skin in addition to infection, irritation and flaky skin. Remember that this is a fat soluble vitamin, so too much is not good, either, since excess will be stored in fat instead of flushed out like water soluble vitamins are.

Vitamin C is necessary for collagen formation, which helps hold the body's cells together. Frequent bruising, loss of skin elasticity, delayed wound healing and reduced production of skin's lubricating oils are all the result of collagen that is poorly formed.

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps slow cell and tissue aging and also helps minimize the effects of environmental pollutants. Vitamin E's actions help prevent wrinkles and keep our skin looking youthful.

Essential Fatty Acids: Fatty acids are part of the skin's structure and are helpful in maintaining skin surfaces. Our body cannot make essential fatty acids (Omega 3 and Omega 6), so the only way to obtain these is through the diet and supplements.