Natural skin care with EPA

Incredible though it sounds, fish oil containing
eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA, appears to slow down the
ageing process and help us to look younger by protecting
the skin and inhibiting the chemical processes that take
place when our skin is exposed to damage-inducing stimuli,
like the sun for example. Evidence suggests that aside
from all the other documented health benefits of EPA, it
can make our skin more resistant to sunburn, improve skin
elasticity and tone and helps to prevent saggy skin and
wrinkles from forming.

Most of us know that UV radiation from the sun is public
enemy number one as far as the skin is concerned.
Overexposure results in premature ageing and wrinkles as
well as reduced immunity to disease, and possibly even skin
cancer. When our skin is exposed to a lot of sunlight we
produce abnormal elastin that causes the skin to stretch
and collagen fibres begin to break down. In response to
this we produce a large number of enzymes called
metalloproteinases or MMPS. This would normally be a good
thing as these enzymes try to repair the damage, but it is
inefficient and over time, MMPS produced as a result of UV
radiation actually results in a break down of collagen and
finally wrinkles appear.

A study published in 2005 in the Journal for Lipid Research
investigated the effect that EPA had on MMPS arising as a
result of ultra violet radiation from the sun in human skin
and found that EPA inhibited overproduction of MMPS and
reduced the amount of damage to the skin. The researchers
Kim et al concluded that EPA could possibly prevent as well
as treat skin ageing. Then more recently in 2006, Drs Black
and Rhodes found that EPA offers protection against
sun-induced damage to skin cells by making the skin more
resistant to the sun's rays in the first place.
Participants taking fish oil showed a higher "minimal
erythemal dose". This basically means that the lowest
amount of radiation needed to produce erythema (an
inflammatory effect on the skin or sunburn) was higher for
those taking fish oil. These studies show that EPA not only
protects the skin, it limits the damage too, but these are
not the only benefits of EPA.

The properties of EPA

EPA is known to have powerful anti-inflammatory and
anti-thrombotic properties, both of which help to slow down
and minimise the effects of ageing and wear and tear on the
body. From the moment we are born, we are subjected to a
number of environmental pollutants that put pressure on our
skin. Oxygen-free radicals from pollution, for example, are
everywhere and result in a process known as oxidation.
Oxidation leads to an increase in inflammatory responses
and too much can cause premature ageing and wrinkles as
well as contribute to the development of many skin
conditions. The anti-inflammatory properties of EPA can
inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory chemical
messengers responsible for these inflammatory responses.

Increasingly as we grow older, our skin starts to thin out
and stretch as collagen fibres lose their elasticity, the
skin starts to lose its ability to repair itself and can no
longer retain moisture as well as it did. Consequently,
many people begin to rely on external lotions and potions
to keep the skin moist and supple. EPA can help the blood
to flow more efficiently throughout the body and contribute
to healthy and radiant looking skin. It is interesting that
a lack of Omega 3 fatty acids in the diet manifests itself
most noticeably as skin problems.

Signs of Omega 3 fatty acid deficiency

. Dry and flaky skin
. Dandruff
. Hard and cracked skin
. Eczema
. Psoriasis
. Acne
. Poor wound healing
. Dull and lifeless looking skin

Most of us are also well aware that stress and anxiety can
speed up the ageing process resulting in 'worry lines' as
well as more serious conditions and threats to our health.
The amazing thing is that EPA has demonstrated considerable
success in alleviating depression, anxiety and stress so
not only does it help us to remain healthy and look younger
with better skin and fewer wrinkles, but it has a
'feel-good' factor too which helps keep those worry lines
at bay.

Conclusion

All this is very exciting, particularly when we consider
the amount of time, money and effort spent on the
ever-increasing number of products available to help keep
us healthy, young and beautiful. The implications are that
we can do the same job naturally through diet by taking
fish oil supplements containing EPA and benefit not only
from healthy more youthful looking skin and all the other
documented health-giving properties of EPA but possibly
gain a new lease of life too.

----------------------------------------------------
Dave McEvoy is an expert in EPA with over 20 years
experience; for more information about fish oil and how it
can help come and visit. http://www.mind1st.co.uk
http://www.mind1st.com