04.12.08
Skin Aging Facts–glycation
Glycation and Skin Aging
I have been talking about glycation and skin aging for a few years now (see The Yoga Facelift, page 118). The Europeans are finally jumping on the bandwagon, with Dr. Maes, Vice-President of global research and development for Estée Lauder, saying in the British issue from November, 2007 of Harper’s Bazaar:
“We now know that between 40 and 50% of skin ageing is caused by glycation - the damage directly resulting from eating sugar. It’s one of the worst skin agers; more than sun, more than the environment.”
Forty to fifty percent seems a bit high, but it is certainly true that glycation, a process whereby the formation of protein-sugar compounds promotes increased production of brittle, cross-linked collagen fibers, does contribute to the creation of wrinkles in the skin. Indeed, Advanced Glycation End-products or aptly acronymed AGES produced by non-enzymatic glycation can wreak havoc throughout the body, not just the skin. Dr. Maes also points out that “Glycation impairs the body’s ability to produce and utilise antioxidants.”
Before you have the symptoms of “sugar scare”—characterized by watering mouth and an overwhelming desire for a Snickers bar– do bear in mind that glycation is a natural process that happens as part of the collagen break-down and build-up process crucial to maintaining healthy skin. The problem lies with non-enzymatic, “spontaneous” glycation that can result, at least sometimes, from eating too much refined sugar and too many high-glycemic index foods.
Well-known skin experts and dermatologists have weighed into the sugar argument from another perspective. Dr. Perricone, my mainstream hero, has this to say: “I believe that inflammation is at the basis of aging in all organ systems, including the skin. One of the reasons inflammation occurs is from a rapid rise in blood sugar, which causes biochemical changes in the cell that result in accelerated aging”…. “Of the internal causes of inflammation, one of the big ones is diet. In addition to biochemical changes, sugar causes damage to the skin in another way: When blood sugar goes up rapidly, sugar can attach itself to collagen in a process called “glycation,” making the skin stiff and inflexible. Losing this elastic resilience of young skin will give you deep wrinkles and make you look old.” Right on, Dr. Nick.
To Counteract Glycation
Topical:
Topical Anti-oxidant products will help counteract glycation by increasing the amount of anti-oxidants available to the body.
Glycation inhibitors like aminoguandine and l-carnosine help prevent collagen destruction. Renaissance, Renaissance ultra and Wrinkle Smoother from Marie-Veronique contain glycation inhibitors and glyconutrients to prevent damage from spontaneous glycation and AGES.
Glyconutrients provide needed saccharides for bio-synthesis of glycosamineglycans like hyaluronic acid, which keeps the skin plumped-up and firm. The correct carbohydrates aid in ensuring that enzymatic glycation proceeds normally. The new MarieVeronique Skin SuppleMent contains colostrum, which is high in hard-to-get glyconutrients.
Diet:
Stay away from refined sugar and high-fructose corn syrup type products. I have found that eating a high protein diet helps stave off sugar cravings. I have also found that if you cut down on the sugar the cravings go away after a week or so. Remember, it’s not you that’s craving the sugar, it’s all the little “bad bacteria” that you’ve built up in your gut that are clamoring for it. Just tell those little buggers to give it a rest. And eating plain yoghurt (not the flavored sugary variety) will help balance the bacteria in your gut so you can get back to normal.
