The causes of wrinkling are many, they include habitual facial expressions, aging, sun damage, smoking, poor hydration, low levels of antioxidants, and blood sugar levels that are too high.
From a Biochemical point of view, there are 2 main villains in the formation of wrinkles. Advanced Glycation End products, or AGEs and Cross Linking.
To some degree, AGE formation occurs with normal metabolism and aging over time, but can be greatly accelerated when blood sugar is not controlled properly, as in conditions that create oxidative stress like hyperglycemia or in patients with diabetes. AGE formation under these circumstances, can be increased way beyond normal levels.
Probably the worst consequence of glycation is cross-linking, which is the formation of chemical bridges between proteins, and collagen in particular. A material that undergoes cross-linking usually becomes harder, less elastic and has a tendency to tear or crack. Cross-linking is responsible for hardening of a rubber mat or a garden hose left in the sun. In the aging body, cross-linking of collagen, contributes to hardening of arteries, wrinkling of the skin and stiffening of joints.
High glucose levels, cigarette smoke, UV-radiation, heavy metals, peroxides, acetaldehyde (a product of alcohol metabolism) are all potent cross-linkers. Free radicals promote and accelerate many types of cross-linking and may also be cross-linkers themselves. This damages collagen, the main component of fascia, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, bone and teeth. Along with soft keratin, it is responsible for skin strength and elasticity, and its degradation leads to wrinkles that accompany aging.
What can be done minimize or reverse cross-linking?
If you smoke, quit.
Consume a low glycemic diet and reduce carbohydrates like sugar, corn syrup, breads, grain and cereals.
Be areful not to burn when you out in the sun and take supplements that protect your skin from UV damage like vitamin D3, A, C, E, Grapeseed Extract, Green Tea Extract, or Astaxanthin.
Keep alcohol levels to a safe level. I recommend no more than 1 or 2 glasses of quality wine or beer, daily.
Remove heavy metals. This can be aided by taking EDTA, Chlorella, and Malic Acid.
Take supplements that increase the production of collagen, like C, Bioflavonoids, the amono acids Lysine and Proline, Proanthocyanidins like Grape Seed Extract and Pycnogenol.
Proanthocyanidins help collagen repair. The breakdown of collagen is what causes our skin to lose its elasticity which in turn causes wrinkles. Proanthocyanidins help keep skin elastic, smooth and wrinkle-free. Proanthocyanidins can be taken as an oral cosmetic to help in the prevention of wrinkles.
Proanthocyanidins also act as an internal sunscreen. Inhibiting the daily effects the Sun's rays have on our skin is our best defense against the aging of our skin.
Treatments and products (including anti-aging creams) promising to reduce, remove, or prevent age-related wrinkles are big business in many industrialized countries. Despite great demand, most such products and treatments have not been proven to give lasting or major positive effects.
The most important thing is to maintain good carbohydrate tolerance. Interestingly, good carbohydrate tolerance is one of the most common metabolic features of centenarians and may be partly responsible for their unusual longevity.
Eat a diet based on low-glycemic foods.
I recommend The Ideal Diet.
Getting younger everyday...
cw
Forget the spa; try the supermarket to look good... The best way to look healthy and attractive may not be inside a $100 jar of cream or under a surgeon's knife. Rather, what you put on your plate may be just as important as what you put on your skin.
An increasing number of studies and clinical trials are underlining the importance of ''beauty foods'' -- super-nourishing fruits, vegetables, nuts, teas and other everyday foods that may replace a trip to the spa with a stop at the neighborhood grocery store.
Why Dermatologists Still Deny the Link Between Acne and Diet ... Almost every dermatologist will tell you that diet has nothing to do with acne. With fervor, many of them argue this and you know they really believe it. In a world of 'evidence based medicine' you would think dermatologists would have strong scientific evidence backing it up.It turns out that the notion 'diet has nothing to do with acne' is just about as scientific as the notion 'the world is flat'. In other words, it's pure dogma with no credible scientific backing.
Christopher Wiechert's Healthblogger is for educational or informational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose or provide treatment for any condition. If you have any concerns about your own health, you should always consult with a health care professional. If you decide to use this information on your own, it's your constitutional right, but I assume no responsibility. The views expressed on this website are those of the health professionals & scientists I list or my own opinions and are not intended to replace any medical advice you may require. The contents have not been approved by the Pharmaceutical Association, the American Medical Association, or the Food and Drug Administration. This website may present views diametrically opposed to the views of such organizations.
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" The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them." Albert Einstein
