The Best Anti Aging Vitamins

What are anti aging vitamins and why are they anti aging?

Most anti aging vitamins are antioxidants, immune boosters or both. Antioxidants are very special in that they slow the aging process by reducing the free radicals produced by the body during a chemical process within our cells called oxidation.

Oxidation is a very necessary chemical reaction that takes place during the metabolic process that gives our body energy. We can't live without it. Yet the free radicals that are produced can cause damage to other cells in our bodies. When too many cells become damaged by too many free radicals over time (as in aging) we start to see the results in deteriorating body function, aging skin and aging diseases.

This is why it is important to supplement our bodies with antioxidant vitamins which are excellent anti aging vitamins.

We will also talk about anti aging vitamins that have benefits other than preventing free radical damage. Some are very useful for prevention of age-related disorders as you will see below.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an excellent anti aging vitamin. It is an antioxidant but is also helps the body in collagen production. Collagen is a connective tissue that is part of the structure and support of the heart tissues, blood vessels, skin, nails and basically all tissues.
You can see its importance to our entire body!

As we age collagen production slows, so adding a vitamin c supplement could be very helpful to boost collagen production to maintain healthy youthful skin and more.

Vitamin C also helps boost the immune system.

How much should you take? 500-1000mg per day is a dosage recommended by many experts. Some people may experience stomach discomfort and will be better off with a buffered form. Larger doses may cause diarrhea in some people, so start with a lower dosage and work your way up.

Vitamin A-Beta-carotene

Vitamin A is another powerful antioxidant. It is important in the health of the eyes and allows us to see well at night. It is important in maintaining healthy teeth, and skin. It stimulates the base layer of skin growth so is important in maintaining youthful looking skin. Retinol is preformed vitamin A and you may be familiar with it as and anti aging skin care product.
Vitamin A also boosts the immune system and may have anti cancer benefits.

Since vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin the body retains it in our body fat. It is important to only consume the recommended amount as a supplement because accumulating too much in the body can have serious side effects. It is best to look for a supplement that contains both Vitamin a and beta-carotene. Your body must convert the beta-carotene to vitamin a and needs a healthy digestive system in order to do that. Follow the dosing recommendations on whatever anti aging vitamin a product you purchase.

One of the best ways to supplement your vitamin A is with cod liver oil. It also contains vitamin D, which most of us are deficient in these days if we are staying out of the sun to protect ourselves. Cod liver oil is a good way to safely get both fat soluble vitamins without overdose.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble anti aging vitamin with antioxidant properties. Vitamin E comes in different forms. Alpha-tocopherol is the most active form for human consumption. Vitamin E supplements are available in natural or synthetic forms. The natural forms (which are best)are usually labeled with the letter "d" (d-alpha-tocopherol) and synthetic forms are labeled "dl" (dl-alpha-tocopherol).

It is found naturally in oils, nuts, and seeds.

Some evidence has shown that Vitamin E as an anti aging vitamin, may prevent and treat Alzheimer's Disease.

It may be helpful in treating macular degeneration when combined with vitamin C, beta-carotene, and zinc and it may slow the worsening of advanced age-related macular degeneration.

The usual recommended dose is 400IU. Check with your doctor before using if you are taking blood thinners.

Vitamin D3

Vitamin D has been getting a lot of press lately. The evidence is in that most of us are deficient in this important substance. Our body needs sunlight to manufacture vitamin D and since most of us now avoid the sun, especially if we want to avoid sun damage to our skin. So why do we need Vitamin D how do we get it?

Vitamin D is important in regulating calcium and phosphorus in our bodies and therefore as an anti aging vitamin, it is important in the prevention of osteoporosis!

Recent research has shown that vitamin D may be helpful in the prevention of high blood pressure and cancer.

It is shown to be anti-inflammatory, which we know slows the aging process and it boosts our immune system.

The problem is Vitamin D is found in very few foods, mainly fish and fish liver oils (ie.cod liver oil). Small amounts are found in beef liver, cheese and egg yolks which I don't recommend eating in large amounts. So supplementation is important for most people.

Some sources recommend starting with a higher dose such as 2000-4000IU in the form of D3 for a short period of time until your body builds up a store of the vitamin. After this, a maintenance dose would be 400-1000 IU daily. Before starting to supplement with Vitamin D it is best to check with your health professional for guidance on dosing as everyone metabolizes Vitamin D differently and overdosing can lead to side effects.

Individuals with primary hyperparathyroidism (overactivity of the parathyroid gland not caused by vitamin D deficiency) or kidney disease are at increased risk for vitamin D toxicity and should not take supplemental vitamin D without consulting a physician.

Calcium and Magnesium

Although Calcium and Magnesium are not vitamins, but minerals I included them here since they are crucial in the prevention of bone loss or osteoporosis. For women, the recommended dosage post menopause is 1200 mg daily, for men and menstruating women the dosage is 1000mg.

It is best to take a combination of calcium/magnesium since magnesium aids in the absorption of calcium. It is best to have about a 2/1 dose ratio of calcium to magnesium. If you are taking 1200mg of calcium, take 600mg of magnesium. I recommend calcium citrate and chelated magnesium as the best forms to take.

If you have any issues with digestion you may want to take a digestive enzyme along with calcium/magnesium as they are best absorbed in an acidic environment.