IS YOUR DIET MAKING YOU LOOK OLD?

Is Your Diet Making You Look Old?

Have you noticed that diabetics tend to look much older than their age? They have chronic spikes in their blood sugar level, which dramatically accelerate aging in their body. The age-increasing effect of sugar is not just limited to diabetics. It affects everyone who eats the wrong kind of food. Eating too much sugar and processed carbohydrates can lead to damage in your skin's collagen.

Aging is basically a continuing state of inflammation and oxidation. The wrong kind of diet can produce high levels of oxidants called AGEs – Advanced Glycation End-products – that will speed up aging. This is not just about wrinkles. This also affects how well your heart, kidney and other organs will function.

Sugar is the obvious food to avoid. This means you should cut down on desserts, cereals, candy, soda, and other sweets that are contributing to aging you faster. Use coconut sugar or a natural sweetener like Stevia in your daily coffee, tea, in baking, or other sweetening needs. This will dramatically help control your blood sugar level and slow aging.

Cut down on desserts to control
blood sugar level and slow aging.

Keep in mind that some starchy foods like white rice, oatmeal, and white potatoes have significant impacts on the formation of AGEs in your body. These foods are best consumed in small portions, and balanced with healthy fats and proteins to slow the blood sugar response.

Tuna and salmon are loaded with omega-3, which fight inflammation. They are also good sources of protein, just like lentils and beans, and lean meat. Our skin is essentially made of protein, so we should get enough of it to keep our skin healthy.

It is important to eat more vegetables and fruits, and whole foods that are closest to their natural state. They are rich sources of antioxidants, and are loaded with nutrients and fibers. Lettuce, broccoli, spinach, watercress, asparagus, and tomato are just a few good examples. Guava, watermelon, grapefruit, pomelo, and guyabano (soursop), have high levels of vitamin C, a proven antioxidant and collagen builder to help reverse the signs of aging.

Go for moderation and keep a well-balanced diet to help you live longer and look younger.
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This column was published in the Manila Bulletin Lifestyle Section on February 11, 2014 . The author is the CEO of SkinStation. He received the 2011 Outstanding Chemist Award from Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) for his achievements in the field of cosmetic chemistry. Skin Smart aims to clarify facts and myths on skin care. Send your questions and comments to info@skinstation.ph. 

Can Antioxidants Make You Look Younger?

Can Antioxidants Make you Look Younger?

Products with antioxidant labels are now the trend. The more popular antioxidants are extracts of green tea, grapes, and mangosteen. Best-sellers include glutathione, vitamins C & E, a-lipoic acid, and CoQ10. Cosmetic companies advertise antioxidant products that claim to reduce or even eliminate the signs of skin aging. The marketing hype is repeated over and over that it now appears to be the gospel truth. But what really is the truth about antioxidants?

Aging is a complex natural process. It involves genetic, hormonal and environmental mechanisms. Free radicals play a central role in aging. They are highly reactive oxygen molecules that can damage various cellular structures in our body. They are produced naturally through normal human metabolism. They are also formed by environmental factors such as UV exposure, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption.

The body possesses natural defense mechanisms. It produces antioxidants, substances that provide protection against free radicals. As we age, our natural defense mechanisms decreases, while the production of reactive free radicals increases. This imbalance results in accelerated aging. 

Topical application of antioxidants helps neutralize free radicals, and consequently lessen or prevent signs of skin aging. Beyond prevention, many topical antioxidants are also marketed to eliminate wrinkles. However, among antioxidants, only vitamin C can actually treat wrinkles by boosting collagen production through a mechanism other than antioxidation. For other products, their ability to improve wrinkles is either due to swelling or hydrating effects, or to other ingredients, such as the exfoliating retinol, AHA and BHA, and collagen boosters like hyaluronic acid and amino peptides. 

Current research suggests that antioxidants can have synergistic effects and, thus, better efficacy when combined. Examples are Vitamin C and glutathione, and vitamin C and E. Also, an additive benefit may be derived from using a combination of oral and topical antioxidant products. For topically administered antioxidants to be effective, there are two important concerns that are now addressed by advanced nano-encapsulation technology:

1) Product stabilization. Antioxidants are very unstable; they may      become oxidized and inactive before reaching the target. Encapsulation provides a protective layer that can keep the antioxidant as active as when it was blended during production.

2) Skin absorption. Antioxidants must be small enough to be absorbed into the skin, reach their target tissue in the active form, and remain there long enough to exert the desired effects. Nanotechnology converts antioxidants to nano-sized particles to enhance skin penetration.

Bottomline. Antioxidants play a key role in prevention of premature skin aging. However, they cannot undo the damage done by free radicals at the cellular level. Topical and oral antioxidants cannot erase wrinkles and crows feet. They cannot firm up sagging skin. An antioxidant product that claims to make you look younger is either over promising, or has other ingredients that can exfoliate, plump, and hydrate skin. Always look at the ingredients list.

____________________________________________________________________________This was published in the May 22, 2012 issue of Manila Bulletin, Lifestyle Section.The author is the CEO of SkinStation. He received the 2011 Outstanding Chemist Award from Professional Regulations Commission for his achievements in the field of cosmetic chemistry. He can be reached at fred.reyes@skinstation.ph.