Okay…I’m getting very close to competition-level bodyfat percentages, and I’ve just started tanning to give it the final touch. I’m not going to use those self-tanners, but I’m aware of the risks of the UV rays. Can a good antioxidant stack minimize the risks? I’m taking standardized extracts of bilberry, lutein, and green tea in addition to beta-carotene, C and E. I get selenium out of my multivitamin. (My eyes are getting bad too so that’s why I chose bilberry and lutein) I’d like to find a good blend that has everything together but none of them seem to have potent doses. What about grape seed and/or milk thistle? In an old Poliquin Q&A he said he had his athletes alternate between TL Antioxidant Fuel and Champion’s OxyPro, only I can’t find the ingredients that OxyPro had. Would I be better off alternating the herbals one day and the vit/min the other, at least w. my post-workout shake as I take the C, E and beta carotene daily?
I’m not too up on the effects of anti-oxidants against skin damage (carcinomas), but some good additions to the anti-ox’s that you’re already taking would be pycnogenol (sometimes grape seed extract is marketed as pycnogenol, but in reality the only legit pycnogenol is maritime pine bark extract), and alpha-lipoic acid (ALA). Both work as superchargers for anti-oxidants, and the advantage of ALA is that it works both inside and outside the cells.
Well, I know nothing about antioxidants in relation to sun damage, but they sure couldn’t hurt. I always took extra fish oil caps, it will kep your skin from getting so dry while doing so many tanning sessions.
Syntrax’s Radox
This has nothing to do with antioxidants, but when TC was writing in MM2k, he had an article about a drug called Trioxsalen (sp?) that enhanced the tanning effect. Using it could get you tan without prolonged UV exposure. I did a search on it some time ago but came up with nothing, maybe you’ll have better luck. If you find it, let me know!
Go to www.lef.org . .search for protocols on sun damage/ skin damage and antioxidants . .there will be fully referenced protocols and articles there to answer your needs
All the best
Mike D
If you want to try ALA, you might want to try wiping it on your skin in addition to taking it orally. You could perhaps break open 200 milligrams of ALA capsules (2 to 4) into a small bowel mixed with some simple body lotion and wipe the entire thing on yourself (repeat the “recipe” for every application). Although I don’t exactly do this, I do prepare a smaller version of this ALA-lotion (with DMAE) in a jar and put it twice a day on my face. It’s kept the acne away which shows its has an obvious effect (IMO) in countering inflamation/free radicals on my skin cells.
I have an old (late 80s) mag from a Briotish supplement company (Ultimate Nutrition) that dealt with the subject of nutrition and tanning. - I was just browsing through it the other week while tidying up old papers. I know PABA was recommended, but if anyone’s interested I’ll dig it out out again and post full details.
I think anti-oxidants are a must if doing tanning or outdoor work. Also there is a product called Astaxanthin. It is some form of anti-oxidant that has a study behind it proclaiming that the subjects taking it were able to stay longer in the sun before reddening. Try www.cyanotech.com, I think BioAstin is the product name.