Here’s a brief synopsis of what research has shown about vitamins, minerals & carotenoids to counteract the effects of sun damage so far:
Vitamins C and E:
Vitamins C (L-ascorbic acid) and E (composed of tocopherals and tocotrienols) have both been identified as powerful skin protectors. While each has been found effective when taken separately, substantial experimental evidence reveals that combining them synergistically is more effective in suppressing sunburn reactions. It turns out that vitamin C protects vitamin E from the oxidation it undergoes during the process of ending ROS chain reactions, so it actually regenerates vitamin E activity without requiring new additional reserves to get the job done.
Both vitamins were even more effective when applied topically to the skin. In terms of protection, regular topical application of a 10% solution of vitamin C just 30 minutes before exposure reduced incidence of sunburn by 30%. This finding has led to the widespread hypothesis that UV damage may be caused in part by the depletion of the skin’s defenses from radiation.
Several studies have documented the photo-protective effects of vitamin E when topically applied to human skin. In addition, the application of vitamin E to the backs of hairless mice immediately after UV radiation reduced sunburn by 40% to 55%.
Selenium
This trace mineral is required for the activity of at least two types of enzymes (Glutathione Peroxidase and Thioredoxin Reductase) and represents a significant portion of cellular defense against oxidative stress in mammals. A number of cellular studies have demonstrated the protective effects of Selenium for UV-induced damage, including DNA damage and lipid (fat) peroxidation.
Zinc
The skin is rich in zinc and it serves as a catalyst for enzymes responsible for DNA replication, gene transcription and RNA and protein synthesis. Several studies with mice showed that zinc can reduce UV-induced sunburn and protect against UV-induced immune system suppression.
Carotenoids
The carotenoids Beta-carotene, Lutein, Lycopene, and Zeaxanthin are potent antioxidants found naturally in green leafy vegetables, carrots, corn, and eggs. Oral carotenoid intake from natural sources or supplements has been shown to significantly reduce susceptibility to sunburn.
In one 12-week study in Germany, two different antioxidant supplements containing carotenoids and selenium were tested for their impact on skin structure and health. Two of three groups of subjects were given different levels of a mixture of beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene, alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) and selenium. The third group was given a placebo. After the 3 months, the results showed significant improvement in the quality of the skin of the groups that took either form of supplementation while there was no improvement in the placebo group. Another study in Germany examined the photo-protective effects of Lycopene in its natural and synthetic form. Both resulted in a decrease in the reddening of the skin of UV exposed participants (idicating protection from UV damage) but the participants who received the natural form experienced a 38% reduction vs. 25% reduction for the participants who were given the synthetic form.
What are your thoughts or questions about using vitamins, minerals & carotenoids to counteract the effects of sun damage?
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