Coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinone, Ubiquinol) – CoQ10 is called the ‘spark of life’. It's a powerful antioxidant found in every cell of the body with higher concentrations in the high-energy organs such as the heart, liver, muscles etc. Declines remarkably with age, corresponding with a rise in illnesses. Studies have shown it to reverse internal DNA damage and topically to prevent many of the detrimental effects of photo ageing of the skin. Only a solubilised formula is readily absorbed by the body and skin.
Alpha Lipoic Acid - a remarkable compound that appears to slow down the process of ageing, improve blood flow, enhance immune function and perform many other functions. It tends to restore levels of glutathione, a protective antioxidant and detoxification compound that declines with age, to those of a young person. It also acts as a strong anti-inflammatory agent, which is relevant to many degenerative diseases. A solubilised formulation will provide greater skin penetration and much higher blood plasma levels.
Ascorbyl Palmitate (Vitamin C) – Ascorbyl palmitate is a fat-soluble form of Vitamin C. Because it is fat soluble, it penetrates the skin very rapidly and intersperses in the cell membrane. It is non-irritating and more stable than regular vitamin C. Furthermore, ascorbyl palmitate is a fat-soluble antioxidant and is at least as effective as vitamin E in protecting the skin from lipid peroxidation (a key type of free radical damage in the skin). Ascorbyl palmitate applied on the skin decreases the level of formation of free radicals and acts as an anti-inflammatory. Studies demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity when ascorbyl palmitate was applied to psoriasis and also showed that it can dramatically decrease UVB induced (sunburn) when applied topically.
Vitamin E (tocopherols, tocotrienols) - Vitamin E has been shown to improve T cell functions in the old. Studies suggest that Vitamin E has the ability to improve the decreased cellular immune functions caused by ageing and that it is also a potent nutrient for promoting health in the aged. A clinical trial conducted by a branch of the US government, showed that vitamin E supplementation, among elderly nursing home residents, significantly reduced the incidence rate of common colds and the number of subjects who acquired a cold. A powerful anti-inflammatory, it has also been shown to be effective in alleviating atopic dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis.
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) - Hyaluronic acid, well-known for its skin care and anti-ageing benefits, is technically a natural polymer that forms in every tissue of the body, though more predominantly in the skin. As we age, our bodies HA content drops, and our skin starts to deteriorate. For example, fifty-year-olds are estimated to have less than half the amount they had in their youth. It is an ideal skin moisturiser, especially when combined with a high-potency Vitamin C, as it helps the vitamin to penetrate easily into the body. Topical HA creams can be quite effective at rejuvenating and hydrating skin and play a critical role in improving wounds.
Vitamin A - Vitamin A is the dominant vitamin of the skin because it has a fundamental role in the activities of skin cells and is of great importance in the activities of the DNA of the nucleus of the cell as well as the mitochondria. Vitamin A is extremely sensitive to sunlight, particularly to ultra-violet light A (UVA) and as early as 1935 it was shown that vitamin A deficiency developed in all areas of the skin that was exposed to the sun. Sunscreens, even with a SPF of 30 or 40, are not able to give sufficient UVA protection. Vitamin A should be applied daily, along with vitamins C and E, which protect it from ultra violet light and also every evening to supplement its daily loss.
Growth Hormone– released from the Pituitary Gland in pulses and mostly at night, it promotes lean muscle mass, breaks down fat, and builds proteins. It is considered to be the Fountain of Youth Hormone. If you have ever wondered why you can’t eat the same food now as when you were in your teens and twenties without gaining an ounce, then this is the reason - the amount of growth hormone released by the pituitary gland decreases dramatically as we age. Without jumping on the low-carb bandwagon, you must know that is easier for our ageing bodies to process proteins. One of my favourite sayings is – "If you eat it, you wear it!"
Thymus Gland – creates T-cells which are responsible for killing off viruses/ bacteria etc. Shrinks dramatically with age leading to decreased immune competence in old age. The deterioration of the immune system with progressive ageing is believed to contribute to morbidity and mortality in elderly humans due to the increased incidence of infection, autoimmunity, and cancer.
Coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinone, Ubiquinol) – CoQ10 is called the ‘spark of life’. It's a powerful antioxidant found in every cell of the body with higher concentrations in the high-energy organs such as the heart, liver, muscles etc. Declines remarkably with age, corresponding with a rise in illnesses. Studies have shown it to reverse internal DNA damage and topically to prevent many of the detrimental effects of photo ageing of the skin. Only a solubilised formula is readily absorbed by the body and skin.
