The difference between healthy, supple skin and dry, scaly skin can be determined by diet and specific nutritional supplements. The best diet is one that is heavy in antioxidants, flavonoids, and vital fatty acids. However, while most Americans do not consume the minimum five servings of fruits and vegetables each day, nor do they consume enough foods that have the proper mix of essential fatty acids, targeted supplementation is advised.
Nutritional supplementation can benefit your skin by:
- Fighting the signs of aging from within
- Providing essential nutrients that promote the synthesis of collagen and elastin
- Providing antioxidant activity that protects skin from free radical damage
- Nourishing the skin and helping to keep it hydrated
- Improving the integrity of skin, as well as hair and nails
- Optimizing immune function to assist in wound healing
So, are Thorne supplements good? Do they make a difference for skin health?
Let’s take a closer look at the following Thorne supplements to see how they can benefit you:
1. Biotin
Hair loss and scaly skin are linked to a biotin deficiency. Supplementing with biotin can help to strengthen fragile nails. To metabolize fatty acids and sustain healthy skin, biotin-dependent carboxylase enzymes are required.
2. Omega-3 and -6 Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)
Essential fatty acids promote adequate skin moisture as well as help maintain a healthy balance of cytokines in the skin. Essential fatty acids can shield you from the sun’s harmful effects.
The fatty acid EPA helps to modulate the skin’s inflammatory eicosanoids.
The skin balance of eicosanoids in 79 females was changed toward a less inflammatory species after 12 weeks of supplementation with EPA produced from fish oil, which helped protect the skin from the inflammatory effects of UV exposure. Through a variety of processes, omega-3 fatty acids appear to protect the skin from the detrimental effects of UV radiation. Borage oil (an omega-6 GLA source) has been demonstrated to help with skin hydration.
Supplementing 29 healthy senior folks with borage oil, an excellent source of GLA, for two months resulted in improved skin barrier function, as evaluated by a 10.8% reduction in transdermal water loss. Participants in the trial also reported considerable changes in their dry and itchy skin.
3. Oligomeric proanthocyanadins (OPCs)
OPCs reduce capillary permeability, which reduces bruising and “spider veins.” OPCs stabilize collagen cross-linking in skin and connective tissue. OPCs also protect the skin from the damaging effects of the sun by blocking the enzymes elastase, collagenase, and hyaluronidase, which break down connective tissue.
OPCs improve the skin’s natural protection against UV exposure.
The shortest exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light that would cause skin reddening was tested before and after four weeks of daily OPC supplementation of 1.10 mg of OPCs per kg of body weight, and again after four weeks of daily OPC supplementation of 1.66 mg of OPCs per kg of body weight in a study of 21 healthy individuals.
OPCs increased the amount of time it took for UV exposure to cause skin reddening in a dose-dependent manner; for example, a greater dose nearly doubled the amount of time it took for UV exposure to cause skin reddening. The suppression of the protein complex known as nuclear factor-kappaB was thought to be the mechanism of action.
4. Vitamin C
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is necessary for maintaining collagen levels. Collagen cross-linking is improved by bioflavonoids. Antioxidant support is provided by vitamin C and bioflavonoids, which protect the skin from free radical damage. Vitamin C is also an important antioxidant and collagen-supportive nutrient that protects the skin from the signs of aging.
Vitamin C is an essential component for skin health because of its antioxidant properties and function in collagen formation. It is found in large concentrations in both the dermis and the epidermis, although it decreases as one gets older. Vitamin C levels can also be affected by UV light and contaminants in the environment.
5. Zinc
Zinc is required for proper wound healing. Dry, rough skin might be a sign of a zinc deficiency. Zinc is required for a healthy immunological response, which includes skin health. So there is no doubt that for wound healing, zinc is the most significant mineral.
The skin contains the third largest quantity of zinc of all the body’s organs. Zinc plays a crucial part in wound healing due to its favorable effects on DNA synthesis, immunological support, and natural antibacterial activity. Despite normal serum zinc levels, patients with acne, psoriasis, and dermatitis herpetiformis have low epidermal zinc concentrations.
Conclusion
So, we think the answer is quite obvious… Yes, Thorne supplements do make a difference for skin health. The supplements act as a booster for your skin! Have your pick at which supplements you think you need for healthy and glowing skin.
If you’d like to boost your other health functions, we recommend looking into these supplements too: