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Do Vitamins and Supplements Slow Down the Ageing Process?

The beauty industry is full of hype and advice about the key ingredients we should be putting on our skins to help it stay looking youthful, but what about claims that by ingesting the same core ingredients it can be just as beneficial if not more so. We’ve been doing our research into the latest claims by beauty insiders that by taking ‘beauty supplements’ in either tablet or liquid form it can help your body absorb the ingredients more efficiently and help with slowing down the ageing process.

We’ve also spoken with our surgeons to ask their advice as to whether they feel it really is just ‘hype’ or if taking daily supplements can help.

Elderly couple enjoying life

Can a balanced intake of vitamins and supplements help slow down the ageing process?

Does taking anti-ageing supplements actually work?

There are many arguments within the scientific community both for and against the usefulness of taking supplements to help slow down the ageing process. With genetics and external factors such as diet, smoking, stress, and sun exposure having the greatest impact on how we age, it is difficult for anyone to really determine their effectiveness.

With the vitamins and supplement industry being flooded with promises of a single daily tablet that can help stave off the hands of time only for their claims to be refuted by another scientific body we are all left confused and wondering if it’s actually worth investing in what, can often be expensive supplements.

We advise that you discuss your individual needs with your GP before undertaking incorporating additional supplements into your diet and only take the daily recommended dose.

What are the key anti-ageing ingredients to look for when choosing supplements?

Visual representation of skin changes over a lifetime

Visual representation of skin changes over a lifetime.

Collagen

Almost 70% of our skin is made up of collagen and works as our structural frame work for cell renewal and production. When we are younger our collagen levels are at their highest, which is why our skin is smoother and plumper and why we are more flexible, but by the time we reach our late 20’s the rate in which we produce collagen starts to drop year by year until we reach 40 when our body stops producing it altogether.

As the collagen in our skin starts to decline, the effects of collagen loss begins to take effect, especially in our faces which begin to droop and lose elasticity. It not only effects the skin on our faces, but our bodies too and we start to notice the skin on our bodies sagging and our joints becoming stiffer.

Collagen is hailed as a ‘wonder’ ingredient and is an ingredient found in most anti-ageing creams today. It is also used as an injectable by aesthetics clinic for decades, but the new beauty craze is to take collagen in either a liquid or powder form. Not only does it claim to help your skin appear smother, it also claims to improve the strength of your hair and nails.

There is currently no evidence that proves that ingesting collagen will help slow or reverse the ageing process.

Hyaluronic Acid

It is always scary when we hear the word ‘acid’, but Hyaluronic Acid is actually a powerful humectant (moisture-binding ingredient) which helps to lock moisture into the skin keeping it hydrated and making it appear plumper. Hyaluronic Acid is natural polysaccharide within the human body and there has been a lot of interest in the beauty industry to use Hyaluronic Acid to prevent the signs of ageing, but although we know that putting it onto our skin is beneficial what about ingesting it?

Hyaluronic Acid supplements are often used by people with joint disorders, but there hasn’t so far been any evidence to support the claim that by ingesting Hyaluronic Acid it can prevent changes associated with the ageing process, although there is evidence to support that by injecting Hyaluronic Acid under the skin (see Dermal Fillers), that this will improve the appearance of fine lines.

Vitamin E

There are many health benefits of taking Vitamin E supplements, which include boosting your immune system, preventing stroke-induced brain damage and protecting against certain cancers. When it comes to your skin and the fight against ageing, when placed onto the skin in oil form or as part of your skincare regime Vitamin E oil works to block free radicals from the
body, which play a large part in the aging process. If we can fight off
free radicals, then we can reduce wrinkles and keep the skin looking
more youthful.

Vitamin E is key for strong immunity and healthy skin and eyes. In recent years, Vitamin E supplements have become popular as antioxidants. These are substances that protect cells from damage. However, the risks and benefits of taking Vitamin E supplements are still unclear and can cause toxicity issues if overtaken so we advise you discuss this with your GP before taking the supplement.

Can I not just get the benefits of these supplements from my diet?

Rainbow coloured fruits and vegetables

A well balanced diet of fruit and vegetables can also help slow down the ageing process.

In theory, if you are eating the correct foods then yes, but you would need to research the amount of that particular food you would need to eat on a daily basis to ensure that you are getting the correct dosage of that particular food to reap the benefits. Although the ageing process can be determined by genetics what you put on the inside will have an impact on how you look on the outside.

What about taking supplements to help before and after my surgery?

Generally, the healthier you are before your surgery, the better the outcome you will achieve after your surgery. Anyone that is deficient in vitamins and minerals may suffer from ill health in general and in busy, modern day society we often neglect to take care of our bodies the way we should and this can affect our overall health.


Minerals, vitamins and supplements chart

Minerals, vitamins and supplements and their uses and benefits.

Although, it is not imperative, taking a multivitamin a couple of months before surgery may help with your overall recovery, but what is most important is to eat well and stop smoking prior to your surgery as
recommended by your surgeon.

Medically reviewed by

Amir Nakhdjevan Profile

Amir Nakhdjevani

Last Updated: September 29, 2017

Published On: September 29, 2017

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