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Essential Fatty Acids Soften, Smooth, Hydrate and Firm Skin

There is a scientific reason behind the ability of essential fatty acids to improve many aspects of skin texture and assist in the management of skin conditions.

The reason is related to the synthesis of prostaglandin hormones within epidermal cells.

Developing skin cells require many elements in order to develop without problems, and live as long as possible.

Slowing the rate at which skin cells age is fundamental to an effective anti-aging skin care treatment.

This is why effective skin care products contain a blend of biologically relevant materials (amino acids, proteins, vitamins, minerals, trace elements and enzymes).

Developing skin cells extract essential fatty acids from the bloodstream. If they are present in inadequate concentrations they will be taken up by organs other than the skin, and the essential fatty acids remaining in circulation will be inadequate for the cells' needs.

Epidermal Skin Cells Convert Essential Fatty Acids.

A variety of different fats are used by healthy skin. The epidermal skin cells convert essential fatty acids to prostaglandins.

Prostaglandin series 2 hormones will render the skin dry, rough and/or scaly.

Prostaglandin series 1 and series 3 hormones will render the skin soft, smooth and moist, generally supporting many of its functions.

Most Diets Produce Excess Series 2 Prostaglandin Hormones

Diets high in saturated fats produce hormones that result in dry, rough, uneven skin texture.

Many weight-loss diets remove all fats from the equation.

A complete anti-aging skin treatment will utilize low-glycemic index foods and actually favor fats high in GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) and the omega-3 fats.

Perfect skin texture and condition has been impossible, courtesy of most modern, Western dietary traditions.

Food Supplementation of Essential Fatty Acids for the Improvement of Skin Texture

A complete anti-aging skin treatment needs a diet with low-glycemic index foods and one that favor fats high in GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) and the omega-3 fats.

A marked improvement in the condition of the skin will take around three months after the implementation of suitable essential fatty acid food supplements.

The rate of skin improvement is determined by the rate at which the epidermis replaces itself in entirety. Depending on your age, this takes anywhere from 45 to 75 days.

Given the time taken to achieve improvement, it is recommended to purchase essential fatty acid supplies three months in advance and to only use the purest and most active essential fatty acid supplements.

Differences Between Essential Fatty Acid Supplements Used in Skin Care and Treatment

• To achieve genuinely young-looking skin, characterized by bounce and turgidity, only the most potent food supplements will be effective, especially in the treatment of more mature skin.
• The diet must already be rich in fish, green leafy vegetables and unsaturated oils in order for the skin to substantially benefit from essential fatty acid supplementation;
• Omega-3 Fish or Flaxseed Oil, Rose Hip Oil and Primrose Oil are the most suitable food sources of essential fatty acids;
• Internal supplementation must be augmented by topical care to get the most out of the physical improvement in skin quality.
• Breast milk is a rich source of essential fatty acids -- the quality of baby's skin speaks for itself.

Factors Inhibiting Natural Linolenic Acid Synthesis into GLA

Factors which inhibit natural linolenic acid synthesis into gamma linolenic acid in spite of excellent skin treatment dietary conditions, include:

• natural aging
• high cholesterol levels
• obesity
• viral infections and their aftermath
• stress
• diabetes
• smoking
• alcohol consumption
• refined sugar consumption
• hydrogenated fat consumption
• UV exposure

Prostaglandins which pose problems for Skin Care and Treatment

There is a category of prostaglandin which is deleterious to the skin's overall condition, with obvious repercussions for its texture, density, overall smoothness and dermal hydration.

Prostaglandin series 2, otherwise known as PG-2 are formed from unsaturated fats (known scientifically as arachidonic acid).

Unsaturated fats are richly concentrated in high-fat meats and dairy products.

An over-consumption of linoleic acid (also an unsaturated fat and present in high concentrations in corn oil, sunflower seed oil, blended vegetable oils and safflower oil ) will further encourage the conversion of prostaglandin series 2 into arachidonic acid, further increasing the body's serum concentrations of this harmful hormone-like substance .

A typical North-American diet is rich in unsaturated fats and linoleic acid, and thus the typical American presents high levels of prostaglandin series 2 hormones derived from systemic arachidonic acid.

Effects of High Levels of Prostaglandin Series 2 on Skin Texture

High levels of series 2 prostaglandins are found in the epidermal cells of people with substantial intakes of unsaturated fats and linoleic acid. The excess synthesis of these substances within the epidermal cells gives rise to:

• A skin texture which is rougher, drier, less firm and typically thinner than would be the case if a diet where series 2 prostaglandins are minimized were to be followed;
• A general deterioration in the overall condition of the skin, and a worsening of skin conditions such as rosacea, psoriasis and eczema.
• A higher incidence of skin inflammation, and faster skin aging;
• A higher incidence of skin cancers

Effects of Prostaglandin Series 2 on Skin Cells

The process whereby arachidonic acids, provided by saturated fats and linoleic acid, are converted into series 2 prostaglandins causes an acceleration of the rate at which skin cells divide, producing:

• Accelerated skin aging;
• A higher incidence of skin cancers, particularly aggressive skin cancers

Effects of Essential Fatty Acids on Skin Cells Affected by Prostaglandin Series 2

Omega-3 and omega-6 fats, derived from evening primrose supplements, rose hip oil and fish oils, slow the rate of skin cell

division, lessening the rate of skin aging and skin cancers, by

enhancing the production of series 3 prostaglandins.

Series 3 prostaglandins will slow the rate of skin cell mutations

and overall skin inflammation even under exposure to ultraviolet light.

Pertinent Skin Facts on Prostaglandins in Summary

• Suitable essential fatty acid supplements will enhance skin texture, dermal hydration, firmness and overall condition;
• Suitable essential fatty acid supplements will prevent or lessen the impact of inflammatory skin conditions such as rosacea, as well as some others, including eczema and psoriasis;
• Suitable essential fatty acid supplements slow the rate of skin aging;
• Suitable essential fatty acid supplements guard against the development of skin cancers, however of course are no substitute for sunscreens.

Combination supplementation of essential fatty acids and anti-aging skin treatment will produce thicker, smoother skin with more resilience and turgidity than would otherwise be the case

Biological Oils are Superior Moisturizers for the Skin