Are you hoping to maintain or recapture supple, youthful-looking skin and decrease wrinkles and dryness? While some topical treatments may offer benefits, addressing skin health from the outside can only go so far. For real, lasting and noticeable change to occur in our skin, research reveals we require two critical nutrients proven to stimulate collagen formation and improve skin hydration.
While topical treatments may help, feeding the skin’s collagen structure can provide lasting, noticeable results.
What’s happening?
Moisture loss in the skin begins as early as our 20s, and UV exposure only speeds this dehydration. It is increased again when estrogen levels start to decline during perimenopause and menopause. Skin dehydration is associated with scaly, taut skin, superficial lines and wrinkles, and premature aging.
Collagen, the protein at the base of our skin structure, binds with water, so it helps keep our skin hydrated, supple and smooth. If the collagen structure is strong, tightly bound and able to hold water, the skin appears healthy and taut. If it is weak, sparse and lacking water, the skin appears unhealthy and wrinkled.
Silicon: the lost nutrient
The link between silicon and collagen formation was first noted nearly four decades ago, but recently scientists have reported on its potential to dramatically enhance skin health and appearance. Often lost in food processing, most people have low silicon intake. Silicon levels also naturally decline as we age. Healthy babies have the highest silicon levels, which is why their skin is so smooth and supple. Without adequate silicon, the formation of collagen is stunted and skin health suffers.
Researchers have witnessed the power of silicon in the lab, where they found that enriching tissue samples with silicon increased collagen production by more than 200%. In a recent human trial, 50 women with signs of aging skin, thin hair and brittle nails took 10 ml of a liquid silica gel supplement orally, and also applied it topically to the face daily. Significant improvements were noted (and confirmed by ultrasound) in the thickness of skin, wrinkles and the health of hair and nails.
Sources: J IntMed Res, 1993 Jul-Aug;21(4):209-15; Encyclopedia ofNutritional Supplements by M Murray, ND, Prima: 1996; J Invest Dermatol. 2001 Nov;117(5):1218-24;Proc Natl Acad Sci USA.1981 May;78(5):2879-82; Am J ClinNutr, 2007;86(4):1225-31
