KEYS TO GOOD SKIN

A Major Cause of Skin

Glucose-Damage

Isn't it interesting to discover that we may have the ability to prevent deep lines in our skin through diet?

by Karen Bowers

There was a time when most of our diet was glucose-free and only contained simple complex sugars. But along with civilization came food processing and a rise in glucose intake. Within the past 50 years research has connected glucose as a major cause of damage to collagen in the skin.

Sugar enters our skin through all forms of carbohydrates—sugary foods, starch, breads, grains and processed food. If the body has an abundance of carbohydrates prior to eating, the protein molecules at the cellular level crosslink with sugar molecules —a process called glycation— creating a different protein/sugar molecule referred to as advanced glycation end (AGE) molecules.

AGE molecules gravitate towards the skin's collagen and elastin. This generates dense, fibrous collagen tissue—deep grooves of wrinkles that remain stiff and inflexible, especially after the sugar-protein molecules have cross-linked for years. AGE also affects surface tissue circulation and compromises cell turnover, reducing the skins ability to quickly rehabilitate and creating a loss of face volume.

We all develop AGE-related problems. Environmental factors such as diet and smoking influence the rate of AGE formation. Fortunately, glycation does not occur mainly in skin before the age of 35; however, after that it progresses rapidly.

(HAVE  YOU  NOTICED  HOW  MANY  "FACIAL  SKIN  CREAM  ADS"  USE  YOUNG  WOMEN….. A  LITTLE  DECEPTIVE,  BUT  YES  STARTING  TO  USE  SKIN  CREAM  ON  YOUR  FACE  WHEN  YOUNG [I  MEAN  TEENAGE  YEARS]  AND  DOING  IT  MORNING  AND  EVENING  ALL  YOUR  LIFE  WILL  INDEED  HELP  KEEP  THOSE  WRINKLES  AWAY  AS  YOU  AGE  INTO  YOUR  50s, 60s, 70s etc.  Keith Hunt)

Nutrition

Supplements that help to prevent loss of tissue due to glycation include carnosine, carnitine, pyridoxamine (a derivative of B6), alpha lipoic acid and a fat-soluble derivative of thiamine 1 called benfotiamine. Research at several universities in Europe have shown that benfotiamine blocks destructive biochemical pathways, preventing AGE from damaging nerves, blood vessels and tissue.

AGE molecules physically impair protein, DNA and lipids and trigger destructive events when they attach to their cellular binding site referred to as receptor for AGE (RAGE). Research has shown that cherries contain extracts of anthocyanins that prevent binding to DNA by 29 percent in the cell.

The University of Georgia researched the effects of fructose-mediated glycation with commonly    consumed fruit juice. They found that the extracts of pomegranate called plincalagin and ellagic acid reduced glycation of the internal organs of mice by 98 percent and protected the skin from glycation modification by 90 percent when applied topically by gel. Other fruit juices consisting of concord grape, apple, cranberry and pineapple inhibited glycation by 20 percent. Clearly, this information suggests that natural-occurring fructose is a great deal better than processed glucose.

Research through diabetes confirms that a diet low in processed sugar has beneficial effects on skin's wrinkling due to glycation. Dietary restriction significantly decreased the levels of glycation in rat and mice skin collagen. Isn't it interesting to discover that we may have the ability to prevent deep lines in our skin through diet?

(IT  IS  A  FACT;  AND  MORE  THAN  INTERESTING.  AS  THE  HEALTH  AND  STRENGTH  MAN  OF  OLD  -  CHARLES  ATLAS  -  OFTEN  SAID  IN  HIS  COURSE [STILL  AVAILABLE]  YOU  ARE  WHAT  YOU  EAT!  YOUR  CELLS  ARE  FOREVER  DIVIDING,  KEEPING  THOSE  CELLS  HEALTHY  MEANS  YOU  STAY  YOUNGER  EVEN  AS  YOU  AGE.  THIS  TOGETHER  WITH  ALL  THE  OTHER  LAWS  OF  HEALTH [7-9  HOURS  SLEEP;  EXERCISING  DAILY;  GOOD  EMOTIONAL  HEALTH;  BEING  OF  A  HAPPY  DISPOSITION;  KEEPING  YOUR  MIND  ACTIVE;  INTERMITTING  FASTING;  KEEPING  YOUR  WEIGHT  CONTROLLED  FOR  YOUR  HEIGHT  AND  BONE  STRUCTURE;]  CAN  KEEP  YOU  LOOKING  YEARS  YOUNGER  THAN  YOUR  BIRTH  AGE  -  Keith Hunt)

Note that the temperature at which food is cooked is more important than the time it is cooked. When meat is broiled at 212 degrees for an hour it has fewer AGEs than meat that is broiled at 400 for 15 minutes.

Skin care

Studies suggest that cumulative damage to collagen may not be readily reversed. When dealing with glycated skin conditions, look for anti-inflammatory ingredients such as L-ascorbic acid, vitamin E, ferulic acid, lycopene from tomatoes, licorice root, horse chestnut,  olive extract,  green tea and oat beta glucan. Avoid heavy, grainy scrubs that may tear thinning skin. Hydrating creams and sun blocks will help to prevent further damage.

There are facial treatments formulated to combat the effects of AGE, and you may wish to incorporate specific treatments to soften deep lines in conjunction with a glucose-free diet and topical AGE serums. 

Karen Bowers, the founder of New Visage Advanced Skin Care and Anti-Aging, has 35 years of international training in natural skin care, www.newvisage.ca 

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AN  INVESTIGATIVE  SLOT  ON  ONE  OF  THE  USA  PROGRAMS  [LIKE  20/20;  60  MINUTES;  DATELINE  -  FORGOT  WHICH  IT  WAS]  SOME  YEARS  BACK,  SHOWED  FROM  SCIENCE  THAT  IF  YOU  WERE  PAYING  MORE  THAN  $25  FOR  FACIAL  CREAMS,  YOU  WERE  WASTING  YOUR  MONEY  AND  DOING  NO  BENEFIT  TO  YOUR  SKIN - Keith Hunt