What is Ceramide and Its Ayurvedic Treatment With Herbal Remedies

WHAT IS CERAMIDES?

Ceramides are the fatty molecules which are linked with other vital molecules and promote cellular function. These ceramides constitute about 50% of our skin layer i.e. epidermis (Outermost layer of the skin) and generally found naturally in the skin cells. Ceramides play an important role in the development of the brain and nervous system. But these ceramides are very useful for skin care too and for the purpose these are widely used.

SIGNIFICANCE OF CERAMIDES IN SKIN CARE

Ceramides belong to a lipid class called sphingolipids which is helpful in creating a barrier in order to protect the permeability and lock up the moisture of skin. These ceramides are also helpful in preventing the dryness and irritation in the skin. The lack or absence of these ceramides in the skin can lead to transepidermal loss of water causing dryness in the skin. Fine lines and wrinkles on the facial skin are seen when there is dryness in the skin. Generally dry skin is of two types: Dry alipidic skin and dry dehydrated skin. The person with dry alipidic skin has low serum production causing skin to be fragile or sensitive or reactive and on other hand the person with dry dehydrated skin has very low moisture content, causing the with enlarged pores and with blackheads.

Ceramides are helpful in keeping the skin soft ,supple, decreasing the wrinkles as well as lines by locking the moisturiser because these ceramides have anti-aging properties. These restore the hydration agents in the body, prevent the loss of skin texture and also act as skin barrier from any harm. This protects the outer skin layer i.e. Epidermis from environmental aggressors, UV radiations, environmental pollution, skin care products and extremely hot or cold temperature.

HOW WE CAN GET CERAMIDES NATURALLY FROM FOOD???

• Phytoceramides- Phytoceramides are driven from the ceramides which are present in the foods such as wheat flour. These are rich in dietary food items such as spinach, wheat germ, brown rice, beet root etc. which are helpful in protecting the outermost layer of the skin i.e. epidermis.
• Sphingolipids- Sphingolipids are helpful in boosting up the levels of the ceramides which are present in a high quantity in dairy products, eggs, soybeans etc. This type of diet is very useful in maintaining skin health. The lack of these in diet can do excess loss of moisture from the skin and also disrupt skin barrier. These fatty acids are present in nuts, seeds, avocados and fish oils.
• Antioxidants- Food rich in antioxidants like Kale, carrots, pumpkin, tomatoes etc. are very helpful in providing protection to the skin as well as reverse the damage of the skin too.
• Green Leafy vegetables- Green leafy vegetables such as broccoli, kale, spinach, mustard greens etc. are rich sources of the ceramides and helpful in keeping the skin look healthy.
• Fermented foods- Fermented foods are the main source of probiotics which are helpful in regulating the good bacteria in the gut which is useful in improving digestion too. By improving digestion there is automattic reduction in the endotoxins from the body and make the skin healthy.
• Sunflower oil- Sunflower oil consists of about 78% ceramides and Vitamin A and Vitamin E too which are helpful in promoting skin health. This oil is light and non-greasy, and absorbs easily in the skin. Vitamin A and E work as antioxidants useful in regenerating the skin damage.
• Jojoba oil- Jojoba oil consists about 97% of ceramides in Jojoba oil composition; this property makes this oil stable to oxidation and heat. The phytoceramides of skin are similar to those present in the jojoba oil and are helpful in repairing the skin texture as well as maintaining the skin structure. Vitamin E is also present in high quantities in the Jojoba oil, which plays an important role in skin by acting as Photoprotector which is helpful in reducing the damage to the skin caused by free radicals responsible for the premature aging of the skin.
• Other sources of natural ceramide include Poppy seed oil- 70%, Grape seed oil- 73% , Hemp oil- 60%, sunflower oil- 68%,Wheat germ oil- 55%, Corn oil- 59% , Cottonseed oil- 54%, Walnut oil- 50%, Soybean oil- 51%, Rice bran oil- 39%, Sesame oil- 45%,Peanut oil- 32%, Pistachio oil- 33%, Linseed oil- 15% and Olive oil- 10% ceramides.