Healthy Skin and Anti-aging

Focusing on anti-aging and helpin the skin maintain a youthful appearance often seems to be all-consuming. However, the truth is that the fundamental role of the skin is not necessarily for beauty purposes, but rather to be the interface between the dry air environment and the water-based human body.

The skin is the primary source of protection and keeping it healthy also makes it beautiful.

Every day our skin is bombarded by all kinds of environmental insults that damage it. We do not even realize these insults are occurring. So strategies to reverse visible skin conditions, aging and diseases need to address the foundational issue of repairing this damage - which is quite complicated.

Environmental insults that cause skin damage:
Chemicals in skin care from products and prescription medications

• propylene glycol
• sodium lauryl sulfate
• retinoic acid
• formaldehyde
• quaternium-15
• lactic acid

Environmental insults

• radiation: UVA, UVB and X-ray
• repeated exposure to very dry and very humid climate conditions
• extreme heat or cold
• electrical current
• heavy metals. Particularly, iron, nickel, chromium and cobalt
• severe emotional and/or physical stress
• lipid loweringand chemotherapeutic medicines and nutrients
• high testosterone or low estrogen
• neonatal skin
• elderly (80+)

Fats in the Skin

Lipids are fats within the skin. Lipids give cells the ability to carry out numerous functions.

Fats within the skin make up the cell membrane, encasing water within the cell.

The skin is the body's largest organ and and indicator of health. Incorporating nutrient-dense foods and multifunctional skin care treatments adds the finishing touches to a complete health and wellness strategy.s, proper balance of carbohydrate diet contains a pro

• Ceramides are a major structural component of the skin's outer structure providing a barrier system to inhibit water movement outside the extracellular matrix.
• Phospholipids are a class of lipids that make up a major component of cell membranes. Lecithin is a type of phospholipid. Nuts, soy and eggs contain lecithin.

While looking at ways to improve your health and appearance consider what you're eating, what you're applying topically and the internal and external results produced in the body.

Moderation and balance should determine the approach to diet, exercise, work and play.

A healthy diet contains the proper balance of carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

The skin is the body's largest organ and a big indicator of health. If you're not healthy, your skin won't look healthy.

Incorporating nutrient-dense foods as well as a good skin care regimen provides a complete health and wellness strategy. 

Incorporating

Dietary Fats and the Skin

Fats are the body's most efficient energy reservoir, supplying 9 calories per gram. Dietary fats are called lipids.

The body stores dietary fat as adipose tissue. Stored fat is an energy reserve within the body which:

• cushions vial organs, 
• provides insulation 
• supports nerve conduction and tissue structure.

Fat also plays a critical role in the absorption and transport of fat-soluble vitamins and essential fatty acids.

Fat is an essential macronutrient that should comprise 25 to 30% of a well balanced diet.

Monounsaturated fats have great nutritional value. Foods rich in monounsaturated fats include:

• Avocados
• nuts
• fish
• olive, sesame and canola oils.

Peptides and the Skin

Peptides are short strings of amino acids combined in a specific sequence. they exist naturally within the body. Peptides can be applied topically to nourish and strengthen the skin.

The role that peptides play within the body is becoming imperative.

The best skin care regimen of optimal health and beauty requires a double-pronged approach.

• A diet containing 10 to 15% protein and topically applied peptide-based skin treatments.

The Skin and Protein

Protein contributes to the structure of major organs particularly the largest - the skin.

Collagen is the most abundant form of protein within the skin. In addition to collagen, protein makes up elastin, laminin and fibronectin.

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein that enable collagen's full range of functions:

• Collagen gives structural support as the most abundant form of protein in the skin.
• Elastin gives elasticity to the skin.
• Laminin is the second most abundant in the skin. It supports and anchors the epidermis to the dermis.
• Fibronectin facilitates wound healing.

There are approximately 20 amino acids. Amino acids make up proteins, but not all can be manufactured by the body. Essential amino acids are the variations of amino acids that cannot be produced by the body and must be obtained through a diet containing animal products. Seafood, poultry, dairy products, and red meats are examples of foods that supply essential amino acids. although grains and legumes do not contain all the amino acids, they can be combined to provide complete protein sources.

Moderation is key. Each food group should be proportionately included in a healthful diet.