Top 10 natural ways to protect your skin from sun damage

(NaturalNews) The sun is the source of life. It provides warmth, energy and vitamin D. Although the sun is the source of life, it is also a nuclear fire ball that showers the earth with ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Prolonged exposure to the sun can cause brown spots, sun burns, wrinkles and skin cancer — the most common cancer in the United States. The UV rays release free radicals in your body, which damage DNA and lead to the proliferation of cancer cells. While there are plenty of sunscreen products to choose from, eating a diet full of skin-protecting nutrients is the best defense against skin damage from the sun. Protect your skin with these natural resources.

1. Astaxanthin

Astaxanthin is an extremely powerful algae-based antioxidant. The antioxidants come directly from the algae that protect themselves from UV rays whenever their habitat runs dry. It's been repeatedly shown to combat all the tell-tale signs of skin damage from the sun, including brown spots, sun burns, wrinkles, fine lines and skin cancer. Researchers are now exploring astaxanthin as a sunscreen option due to its ultraviolet-light-absorbing properties. Human studies have shown that consuming 6 milligrams of astaxanthin per day for six to eight weeks can significantly reduce crow's feet and the size of age spots while improving skin elasticity and texture. When it comes to protecting your skin from UV rays naturally, astaxanthin is the way to go.

2. Beta-carotene

Beta-carotene is an antioxidant that gives vegetables and fruits, most notably carrots, their color. Once ingested, the body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A. As an antioxidant, beta-carotene protects the body from free radicals, which are often fueled by overexposure to the sun. Studies have shown that people who eat four or more serving of fruits and vegetables high in beta-carotene per day significantly reduce their risk for various cancers. In addition, beta-carotene can be used to make people less sensitive to the sun. It's easy to add more beta-carotene to your diet with carrots, sweet potatoes, red peppers and broccoli.

To learn more ways to naturally protect your skin from sun damage, continue reading at Top10GrocerySecrets.com.