Americans young and old are often concerned with slowing the aging process-and perhaps nowhere on the body is that concern more focused than on the skin.
Skin is the body’s largest organ, its “first-line defense” against disease and one of the most obvious aspects of a person’s appearance. Yet every day, the skin is assaulted by pollutants in the air and damaging rays emitted by the sun as well as artificial light. Over time, this onslaught compromises the cell functioning of the skin and robs it of the natural hydration so important to health and beauty.
Scientific evidence and medical opinion point to the need for a new type of beauty regimen-one that not only takes care of the skin from the outside in through topical preparations, but also from the inside out, through the diet.
A growing body of research suggests that the nutrient lutein, long recognized for its role in promoting eye health, also provides considerable skin health benefits. Lutein, found in dark green leafy vegetables (such as spinach, kale and collard greens) as well as egg yolks, is also available as a dietary supplement.
Taken on a daily basis, lutein...