Botox is very common these days, especially, so it seems, here in Marbella. We all want to look fabulous and feel good, right? Well, I’ll tell you a little secret; There is a lovely natural anti-ageing remedy out there! Here is a little background information on ageing.

Literature tells us that oxidation is a key factor in ageing. But what is oxidation? It is a complicated chemical story and since I’m not a chemist, I’ll try to keep it simple.

All life on Earth is based on chains of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus and sulphur. By sharing their electrons, they bond together and form molecules.

Oxygen is essential to life and conversely, dangerous at the same time. Oxygen is needed to metabolize our food but it also attacks our body tissue by stealing electrons from organic molecules. This process is called oxidation. When a substance steals electrons from other molecules, we call it an oxidant.

Andrew W. Saul Ph.D. gives an example of oxidation in his book Vitamin C: The Real Story ;

“If you cut an apple in half, it will turn brown. The cells of the apple are exposed to the oxygen in the air and the oxidation process will start. The oxygen in the air is pulling out electrons from the surface tissue of the apple which is what makes the apple turn brown.”

You might know that putting some lemon juice on an apple will temporarily prevent the apple from turning brown; That is because lemon juice contains Vitamin C which is an extremely strong antioxidant! In a human body, Vitamin C does the same. It is slowing down the process of oxidation and therefor slowing down the signs of ageing.

Antioxidants also neutralize free radicals in the body. Free radicals also cause oxidation, damage and ageing.

The process of oxidation and reduction are a part of life. But in order to look good and to maintain good health, we need antioxidants. Vitamin C is the most important water-soluble antioxidant for us to consume. Equally important is Vitamin E which is fat soluble. Vitamin A (beta-carotene), selenium and bioflavonoids also help reverse the destructive nature of oxidation and ageing.

So, if you want to grow old, looking good and feeling fabulous, remind yourself to take your vitamins!