6 replies to this topic

[snowbell]

Does MSM taken internally as a supplement help with skin anti-aging and offer sking firming benefits etc ? I had taken it along with Grapeseed extract and beta carotene last year and my skin looked the best ever. People used to comment on how young I looked. I stopped taking them because one of them was giving me brain fog and fatigue. It's not beta carotene. It's either MSM or Grapeseed extract I think. Anyone noticed any fatigue from MSM ?

[Luminosity]

It does help your skin. I take the plain powder dissolved in water with vitamin C on the side on an empty stomach. I wait at least twenty minutes before eating. Brain fog or indigestion can happen if you take too much or take it in pill form. I prefer Source Naturals plain powder. I think that may be basically two manufacturers of MSM powder. The OptiMSM, which Source Naturals uses, never has off tastes and smells. Collagen also helps your skin but I take it the same way, only separately. I take Swanson's type II Chicken collagen capsules, only I dissolve the entire contents of the bottle, capsules and all in a clean pickle jar of water on the counter for eight hours, stirring occasionally. Then I keep it in the frig. I also take it with C. Putting cooled green tea on your skin helps. Eating a steamed green vegetable everyday helps. If green tea agrees with you, taking regular or decaf green tea helps. Plain, hot tea is best. Avoiding sodas and cold drinks helps your skin. Some people take pork or beef gelatin which contains type I and III collagen and is cheaper. I find it hard to digest but some people like it. Great Lakes Gelatin is popular. You can buy it on Amazon. It would also be best absorbed dissolved in water. Green Magma, which is dried powdered barley grass juice, may also help you to look younger, if you can tolerate it. Cell Guard or other supplements by Biotech are other options.

Edited by Luminosity, 15 April 2012 - 05:09 AM.

[snowbell]

Thanks so much for the detailed information. Did you ever feel bloated from MSM ? I only take 1000 mg capsule once a day. Would you know if Grapeseed exract or beta carotene are also good for skin ?

[Luminosity]

Yes, I've had gas, bloating and sluggishness from MSM when I have taken the wrong form. Don't know about grapeseed extract or beta carotene supplements for the skin although, of course, foods with beta carotene are important for general health.

After the things I've previously recommended, I would next recommend ginkgo and gotu kola. They are best taken on an empty stomach, especially for the skin. In Asian medicine, if you want something to go to your skin or extremeties, most of the time it is best to take it on an empty stomach to take advantage of the yin, or scattering energy of an empty stomach. There are exceptions. On the other hand, if you run out of empty stomachs, try it another time.

I like to take separate Gaia alcohol extracts of ginkgo and gotu kola together. For an extra boost, add green tea and vitamin C. I don't take the herbs after dinner because they are a little bit stimulating.

Generally, a diet high in natural vitamin C, steamed green vegetables, natural vitamin A, high quality protein, hormone free eggs dairy and chicken (if you eat that), and fruits and vegetables, is good for the skin. Hydrogenated oil is bad for you and your skin. In Chinese medicine, cold foods and drinks are bad for the health and appearance. A hot breakfast with a hot drink is best for your health and looks, in Chinese medicine. I believe that sunblocks may let in some spectrums of light so using hats, visors, long sleeves, sunglasses and seeking shade can help prevent sun damage. My experience is that clothes, even wet T-shirts, have more of a sunblock effect than they say, although they aren't perfect.

If you do get a sunburn, putting fresh aloe vera on it really helps. Taking vitamin C or fresh juice internally helps too. Taking fresh aloe vera juice in the morning helps with some health conditions. Whether it helps with the condition of the skin, I don't know. If you do take it, avoid the peel and area just inside of the peel because it isn't good for you. Some people use black cherry concentrate or grape juice concentrate to mask the taste. Fresh aloe vera gel is rich in enzymes and anti-inflammatories.

The skin and the lungs are connected in Chinese medicine. What's good for your lungs will often be good for your skin.

Here's a thread i wrote about Chinese medicine:

http://www.longecity...inese-medicine/

Edited by Luminosity, 17 April 2012 - 04:01 AM.

[snowbell]

What would be the wrong form of MSM ? Do you mean taking a good brand ? I have tried Doctor's Best and NOW. Are those ones supposed to be good ?

I have tried Ginkgo and Gotu Kola but unfortunately both of them make me dizzy.

[hyper_ventriloquism]

carotenoids can help with skin complexion.

Luminosity, could you explain the rational behind hydrating gelatin before ingestion? I'm confused...it's going to be hydrated in the gut anyway right?

[Luminosity]

Experience shows it is better digested that way. It's a different thing if your stomach acid interacts with dry powdered gelatin versus hydrated gelatin.