As the years pass, ceramide production declines dramatically. Without substantial replenishment of ceramides, the mortar that holds the skin-cell bricks together deteriorates, and the skin moisture barrier becomes greatly compromised. The result is a thinning of your skin—with noticeable wrinkles, dryness, roughness, and even infection. Although ceramides are present in many of the foods we eat, including rice and wheat, they do not naturally occur in sufficient quantities to optimally rejuvenate aging skin.This means that slowing and reversing skin aging requires effective supplementation.
The problem is that a topical ceramide application is not the body’s natural route for infusing the skin’s outer layer with ceramide molecules—that occurs from the inside out. That’s why creams and lotions, applied to the outer surface of the skin, simply can’t match the steady supply of ceramides that naturally comes from healthy, youthful skin.
To solve this problem, researchers turned their attention to oral ceramides. Initially, research focused on identifying potentially useful oral ceramides only from animal sources. Then scientists switched to using a number of different ceramides available in grains such as rice, corn, and wheat. These plant-based ceramides are called phytoceramides.
Phytoceramides are the plant-derived equivalent of ceramides, a lipid that keeps your skin hydrated and plump. Supplements with phytocermides are mostly obtained from wheat. Actually, ceramides are found naturally in many foods, especially wheat flour. Sphingolipids, which contain ceramides, are present in large amounts in dairy products, eggs and soybeans. So you can get ceramides from food and don’t really need to take supplements.
Although phytoceramides have been used in Japan for hundreds of years, they have only recently been picked up by skincare and beauty experts in the West. Since they arrived in the USA, celebrities and skincare experts have been championing them as a miracle skincare solution. Having recently secured FDA approval, phytoceremide products are now available in the form of tablets or capsules which should be taken daily to promote healthier skin. Phytoceramides are best taken orally and when they’ve had time to restore lost ceramides can help with smoothing the wrinkles. Since the ceramides come from plant sources, it’s good to know if you are allergic to gluten. The reason is phytoceramides capsules are derived from either wheat or rice plants. There are supplements that are gluten free, so be sure to verify the source if there are any concerns regarding allergies.
Many ceramides are derived from bovine sources, so it’s understandable that many of us would prefer to switch to plant-based versions. And, as phytoceramides are naturally occurring, there are very few – if any – side effects. That said, if you’re allergic to wheat or have an intolerance, you could suffer the same issues if you take the wheat-based phytoceramides. Stick to the rice or sweet potato versions if you have any problem with wheat. An important thing to be kept in mind is that if you’re pregnant, nursing or TTC then it is best that you do not use phytoceramides and avoid the wheat-based versions if you’re a coeliac or have any kind of negative reaction to wheat.
