I wanted to create a blog based on scientific evidence on What Sugar Is Really Doing to our Skin?
We hear about the effects on the body as a whole, but what about our skin..... our largest organ?
From my readings in medical journals, I can confirm as I was taught in my Beauty teachings that sugar causes crosslinking or glycation of collagen fibers which accelerates the ageing process, sagging of the skin and loss of elasticity and creates AGEs (advanced glycation end-products).
Sugar binds with our collagen and elastin protein and in this process forms AGEs. This process increases inflammation and can activate our immune system.
Macrophages or as I like to call them my immune army (or pacman), go out hunting for these AGEs and bind to them and get rid of them. Unfortunately, this process causes a degree of damage (eg inside our arteries the scar tissue from this process is called plaque)
Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are a complex group of compounds formed when sugar reacts with amino acids. Once these amino acids are linked the skin is unable to repair the crosslink. Structural changes then occur in the skin, reducing elasticity and increased stiffness.
AGEs along with oxidation is accrual of molecular damage which accelerates the ageing process. This happens naturally, but the process can be increased swiftly with the onslaught of additional AGEs that are formed due to diet.
Research has also focused on foods that may be able to inhibit the production of AGEs. These include herbs and spices, such as oregano, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and garlic, as well as substances found naturally in certain fruits and vegetables, such as lipoic acid.
Watching our sugar intake, trying to stick to 25g a day or 6 teaspoons is a start. But what products can assist with fighting the AGEs?
Ingredients that assist with reducing cellular inflammation:
Tocopherol, licorice root, horse chestnut, olive, green tea, and hyaluronic acid.
Products that assist with reducing cellular inflammation:
Skin Matrix Skin Perfection Serum
Skin Matrix HydraCell Moisturiser
Not sure which products are right for you?
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References:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20620757
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/02/22/how-sugar-accelerates-aging.aspx
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