Protecting our skin is something that a lot of us take steps to do every day, but how much do we actually know about skin and the effects of aging? Today we are going to take a look at two terms that are tied in closing with the aging of the skin, free radicals, and antioxidants.
What Are Free Radicals?
Free radicals are produced as a part of the normal functioning of your cells, as energy is produced by cells they create oxygen molecules that are in an unstable state. The unstable state is due to a free electron in the makeup of the molecule and these molecules are known as free radicals. Free radicals move around the body until they bond with another molecule, such as a protein, and cause the molecules they attach to not function properly. When these molecules are not able to function normally they cause problems and prevent the rest of the body from functioning properly. The damage that the free radicals do to the body is known as oxidative stress.
While free radicals are formed naturally in the body, it is possible to introduce them into the body via engaging in a variety of unhealthy acts such as eating junk food, piling on stress, and smoking. At the same time, some of the healthy things that we do can also introduce free radicals such as spending time out in the sun, exercise and taking certain medications.
A theory about free radicals and aging exists, under this theory, it is believed that free radicals are at least in part responsible for the toll on our body as we age. As cells are targeted by free radicals, they are no longer able to function properly and as such we result in age-related damage.
Where do you notice this? The damage in free radicals if often most noticeable in the face with the development of wrinkles and the loss of firmness in the facial skin. Collagen also breaks down as a result of free radicals, further doing damage to your skin. Further, free radicals can also cause changes to the DNA after prolonged high levels.
What Are Antioxidants?
Antioxidants are a substance that can be found in a variety of plants that are believed to absorb free radicals as they enter the body. As they absorb the free radicals, the antioxidants help to minimize the damage to the body caused by aging. This has been seen in testing done with mice in which the mice were found to have a prolonged lifespan by being protected against free radicals.
From what has been seen so far the best way to take in antioxidants is with foods that come from plants. A number of supplements have been created as a way to get additional antioxidants in your diet every day but evidence exists that supplements do not work as well for the intake of antioxidants.
While you may not be able to take an antioxidant supplement to your diet and get the same benefits, there are still natural ways to add antioxidants to your daily intake without having to add additional foods. CBD may be what you are looking for to add additional antioxidants to your diet every day.
What is CBD? How Does it Help Fight Free Radicals?
Cannabidiol, or commonly known as CBD, is a compound that is found in the hemp plant and is only one of many cannabinoids that are found in cannabis plants. CBD is extracted from the hemp plant and can be used in a number of ways to help your body and mind. One of the major ways that CBD (and other cannabinoids) interact with our bodies is with a system known as the endocannabinoid system where they help to control the proper functioning of the body.
A specific feature of CBD is that it has been found to have antioxidant properties but it is important to note that CBD isn’t alone in this feature. Other cannabinoids also contain antioxidant properties that can compound those of CBD if combined. Broad-spectrum CBD is a type of CBD product that brings with it many of the other compounds that are found in the hemp plant, which means that other cannabinoids are brought along with the CBD to maximize the antioxidant nature of CBD.
The difference between CBD and supplements is that the CBD is extracted directly from the hemp plant and is not created in a lab. In other words, you are actually taking in a natural substance without augmentation. CBD comes in a wide variety of forms such as CBD oil products for skin, CBD softgels, and CBD daily creams, you can also bake CBD into baked goods such as brownies and cookies.
Other Antioxidants to Add To Your Day
By itself adding CBD is a large enough source of antioxidants to protect your skin and body, including other antioxidants will help to maximize the positive effects on your body. To help you establish the most protection possible we are going to take a look at some of the other antioxidants out there.
Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate has been shown to have a number of benefits for the body and one of those is antioxidant properties. The amount of antioxidants that are contained in a 100 gram serving of dark chocolate is about 15 mmol, which is more than some of the other antioxidant-rich foods such as blueberries or raspberries.
Blueberries
You probably know that blueberries are both tasty and low in calories but they are also antioxidant-rich. Blueberries contain a fair amount of antioxidants per servings and are an easy food to add to your daily diet as they are small and make a good snack.
Grapes (Especially Darker Grapes)
Grapes are another easy snack food that you can add to your day but they are also rich in other nutrients (i.e. vitamin C and selenium), just like blueberries. Grapes contain antioxidants and other compounds that can help to protect the body and mind. To get the most antioxidants out of your grapes you are going to want to focus on the darker grapes such as purple, red, and blue grapes.
Nuts
Many kinds of nuts contain health benefits that are relatively well balanced, some of these benefits in nuts include healthy fats, proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, and omega-3s. Beyond these healthy nutrients in nuts, they also contain antioxidants. Not only do nuts make a great snack food but they can be added to many of your other foods such as bread, cereal, oatmeal, pasta sauces, and more.
Quality CBD for Antioxidants
One of the many uses for antioxidants is to help protect your skin and as such, one of the most popular CBD options for antioxidants are skincare products such as CBD daily cream. Botanima Organics offers a variety of skincare products that contain CBD along with other ingredients that can help to boost your skin quality and to protect your skin from future damage. This includes summer skincare products that help to protect free radicals that come from exposure to the sun. Anti-aging CBD products are also a popular option and some of the products offered by Botanima Organics are the ultimate firming cream, wrinkle night therapy, intense rejuvenating cream, and many more.
Free radicals build up in our bodies over time and there are a lot of steps that you can take to help protect not only your skin but the rest of your body from the impact that free radicals may do. One of the first steps that you can take to protect yourself is to add CBD to your daily care plan, along with antioxidants you will get benefits from CBD such as its anti-inflammatory nature and to prevent the development of other negative cells in the body. Remember that CBD is not a cure, it is a tool that you can add to your daily care plan.
