Anti-Aging
What If You Could Prevent Your Skin From Wrinkling?
By Mike Okouchi
Apr 24, 2008

My female patients always tell me “gosh, I hate getting old. Feels like my body’s falling apart and these wrinkles are killing me because not only do I feel old, but I look old too!” It still amazes me how much money women spend on cosmetic products just to make themselves look different (I know it’s all men’s fault). But all these cosmetic products only cover up the problem. How do I know? Well, take off the make up and you’re left with how your skin really looks.

The whole reason why wrinkles form is because you lose collagen elasticity as you age due to “oxidative stress” (your body is actually ‘rusting’ on the inside). There’s good news though…you can take some natural preventative and restorative measures to make your skin look youthful and vibrant. Take a look at this study:

Using data from the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES I), scientists examined associations between nutrient intakes and skin aging in 4,025 women between the ages of 40 and 74 years. Clinical examinations of the skin were conducted by dermatologists. Skin-aging appearance was defined as having a wrinkled appearance, dryness associated with aging (senile dryness), and skin atrophy (shriveling or shrinking).

Findings:

* Higher vitamin C intakes were associated with a lower likelihood of a wrinkled appearance.
* Higher linoleic acid (an omega-6 essential fatty acid) intakes were associated with a lower likelihood of senile dryness and skin atrophy.
* A higher than average fat and carbohydrate intake also increased the likelihood of a wrinkled appearance and skin atrophy.
* These associations were independent of age, race, education, sunlight exposure, income, menopausal status, body mass index, supplement use, physical activity, and energy intake.

Dr. Mike’s Comments

So…If you want to decrease signs of aging…

* Elevate intakes of vitamin C (anywhere from 1000 mg - 2000 mg per day)
* Elevate intakes of linoleic acid (about 1.5 g - 2.5 g per day)
* Reduced intakes of fats and carbohydrates
* Healthy dietary behaviors

Technically you can never stop the aging process, because you always get older. But what you can slow are the signs of aging and most people associate the state of your skin to how old you are. If you have a lot of wrinkles, people automatically assume you’re older. Why do you think people spend so much money on the cosmetic industry? Imagine…you could perform your own “natural facelift.”



Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition Vol. 86, No. 4, 1225-1231, October 2007