Tag Archives: stress and aging

Environmental Toxins and Skin Aging

January 26, 2015

Environmental Toxins and Skin Aging – Combating Skin Aging

Environmental Toxins and Skin Aging

Environmental Toxins and Skin Aging. Being the visual organ, the skin must be protected at all cost

The beauty of our skin is seriously under threat from the very things around us. Substances like tobacco use are a major factor that contributes to many chronic diseases and reduced life expectancy. Surprisingly the dangers of cigarette smoking is well known by those who uses them yet because of its addictive nature they are just not bale to quit smoking. Studies have established that environmental toxins and skin aging factors causes major skin disintegrations. It has also been confirmed that smoking tobacco damages the skin via multiple mechanisms as well. From this point you realize that being addicted to tobacco smoking is not good for your skin and therefore when dealing with environmental toxins and skin aging problems, the need to have the expert’s opinion is very important. We are going to be talking to doctor Akoury who is the CEO and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center. Doctor Akoury founded this facility up on realizing the rising needs of skin care and the luck of expertise to offer lasting solutions. Therefore this is the place to be if you or any of your loved ones is having any environmental toxins and skin aging related concerns by scheduling for an appointment with her today.

Nonetheless on the molecular level, tobacco smoke produces oxidative stress, impairs circulation, and triggers DNA damaging reactions these effects and many others causes the skin to be more vulnerable to disease and aging. Realistically if you look at the facial appearance of smoker’s they are majorly characterized by;

  • Increased lines and wrinkles
  • Uneven tone
  • Dehydration
  • Dull and frail skin

The good news is that quitting smoking delivers almost immediate and dramatic improvements in the visual appeal of skin, and a more youthful skin appearance in just a few month of post-smoking cessation. In addition to UV radiation and smoking, pollution is a factor in premature skin aging. The epidemiological studies have correlated pollution levels with poor health status. And to be more specific, recent studies have related particler pollution to advanced skin aging. Most notably, skin hyperpigmentation and sluggish skin cell renewal has been observed in both human and animal studies.

Environmental Toxins and Skin Aging – Combating Skin Aging

The skin being the visual organ, the beauty industry’s primary objective is to improve the appearance of skin with sophisticated topical treatments and interventions. However, often overlooked is the need support the health and beauty of skin from within through proper nutrition. In addition to the well-documented role of a wholesome, plant-based diet in maintaining the youthful vivacity of the skin, modern nutritional science is elucidating the relationship between specific nutrients and optimal skin health.

Environmental Toxins and Skin Aging – Macronutrient Composition and Glycemic Load

We have a problem with the kinds of food we eat in most parts of the world today. Like in many other places North American diet contains excessive amounts of simple carbohydrates and saturated fats. This kind of dietary pattern is associated with an increased appearance of skin wrinkles. The glycemic index measures how rapidly and significantly foods cause blood sugar elevations following consumption. It is therefore believed that a high glycemic diet may contribute to inflammatory skin conditions such as acne, rosacea, psoriasis, and eczema as well.

Insulin resistance and inflammation disrupt sebum production, cause collagen malformation, and excite the epidermal growth factor receptor, which is involved in tissue renewal, but can also stimulate inflammatory reactions in the skin cells.

When sugar comes in contact with collagen (a protein), a devastating reaction, called glycation, occurs resulting in the formation of tissue-destroying advanced glycation end products (AGES,). Even though glycation occurs in all tissues of the body, it is also accelerated by a high sugar diet and, within the skin, excessive sun exposure. Remember that protein glycation and AGE formation are accompanied by increased free radical activity in skin collagen, which accelerates skin aging. All of these changes create an environment within the skin that favors degradation of collagen, compromising the integrity and regeneration of skin tissue.

Environmental Toxins and Skin Aging – Fatty acid composition

Within the skin, fatty acids make up an integral component of cell walls (membranes) that help maintain cell structure and function. Clincial studies show that the healthy balance of fatty acids in skin dramatically decreases with aging and increased oxidative stress, such as that caused by chronic sun exposure. Therefore obtaining the right amount (and type) of fats through diet or supplementation is critical to maintain healthy skin as we age. Traditional and non-Westernized diets offer a more balanced intake of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids. Excessive amounts of the omega-6 fat arachidonic acid, found in relatively high quantities in egg yolks, poultry skin, and organ meats from animals fed corn-based diets have a pro-inflammatory effect in the body (including the skin). Conversely, fish oil rich in the omega-3 oils eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids (EPA and DHA) inhibit the production of inflammatory metabolites. Due to their ability to modulate inflammation, long-chain omega-3 fatty acids are effective in the management of inflammatory skin conditions, such as acne, psoriasis, eczema, and rosacea.

Environmental Toxins and Skin Aging – Sodium and Hypertension

The fact that many peoples’ diet relies heavily on over-processed, salty foods, the expert’s opinion is that high sodium intake increases the risk of developing hypertension. It has also been established that those with borderline and established hypertension have significantly lower skin capillary densities than non-hypertensive subjects. Recently in a trial it was proved that by reducing sodium intake in hypertensive subjects, even modestly, microcirculation and capillary densities in the skin can be improved.

Environmental Toxins and Skin Aging – Caloric Intake

Data indicate that calorie restriction (CR) promotes longevity through improving body composition and optimizing metabolic function. Caloric restriction may promote healthier skin aging due to improved skin cell renewal and repair mechanisms as well.

Environmental Toxins and Skin Aging – Optimal Diet for Skin Health

Studies indicate that the Mediterranean diet is linked with improved health and longevity. The Mediterranean dietary pattern centers upon fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, monounsaturated fats like those found in olive oil and a healthy ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids.

It is important to note that the Mediterranean diet has been associated with improved cardiovascular, cognitive, and metabolic health. These unique properties of diet are also of particular interest for the skin. The Mediterranean diet may exert an anti-inflammatory effect due in part to its emphasis on extra virgin olive oil, which is high in compounds that modulate oxidative stress and quell inflammatory reactions. Interestingly, olive oil compound is oleocanthal. This compound has recently been shown to possess anti-inflammatory actions similar to ibuprofen. Finally the environmental effects can be controlled effectively if preclusions are taken in good time. Therefore if you are in anyway suffering from any kind of skin condition, remember to schedule for an appointment with doctor Akoury today and get the best treatment and care from the most experienced professional today.

Environmental Toxins and Skin Aging – Combating Skin Aging

 

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Chronic Stress Can Affect the Aging Process

January 19, 2015

Chronic Stress Can Affect the Aging Process – Aging and Stress

Chronic stress

Chronic Stress Can Affect the Aging Process. The solution is to stop trying to do too many things at once

Stress is almost becoming part of life in the current society we are living in today. It is a condition that cut across all ages and gender indiscriminately. This is happening because of the life situations people go through to make ends meet. Like for instance the young are struggling to establish a career, achieve financial security as they juggle between employment and family demands. While the young are going through these, the old are equally feeling the impact of chronic stress due to failing health, deteriorating finances and to add salt to injury, the body defense mechanisms against stress gradually break down as age sets in. in a midst these difficult situations, it is still important to note that chronic stress can easily facilitate the aging process in your life. Now as the days turn into months and months into years stress will always form part of our lives. This may sound like finding yourself between a rock and a hard place but the good news is that there is hope at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under Doctor Akoury’s care.

Doctor Akoury is a medical professional of over two decades and has been of help to many people across the globe. Many people of all walks of life visit this facility and are taking activities tailored to ensure that stress in brought to a manageable level and eventually eradicated altogether. Some other useful things helpful in managing stress may include the following:

  • Being physically active
  • Staying connected to friends and family members
  • Have adequate sleep

Chronic Stress Can Affect the Aging Process – The stress alarm

Besides the above, stress comes in two basic flavors, physical and emotional and both can be especially taxing for older people. The impacts of physical stress are clear. As people approach their sunset days, the healing process of wounds slows down and colds become harder to shake. A 75-year-old heart can be slow to respond to the demands of exercise. And when an 80-year-old walks into a chilly room, it will take an extra-long time for her body temperature to adjust.

Emotional stress is more subtle, but if it’s chronic, the eventual consequences can be as harmful. At any age, stressed-out brains sound an alarm that releases potentially harmful hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. Ideally, the brain turns down the alarm when stress hormones get too high.

Stress hormones provide energy and focus in the short term, but too much stress over too many years can throw a person’s system off-balance. Overloads of stress hormones have been linked to many health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and weakened immune function. For older people already at heightened risk for these illnesses, managing stress is particularly important.

Over time, the brain can slowly lose its skills at regulating hormone levels. As a result, older people who feel worried or anxious tend to produce larger amounts of stress hormones, and the alarm doesn’t shut down as quickly. The flow of stress hormones can be especially hard on older brains in general.

Chronic Stress Can Affect the Aging Process – Speeding up the clock

Stress doesn’t just make a person feel older. In a very realistic sense, it can speed up aging. Several studies have established that stress can add years to the age of individual immune system cells.

Chronic Stress management – The real fountain of youth

The good news is that we can put what we know about stress and aging to work for us. Learn to manage and reduce your stress load and you have a better chance to live a long, healthy life.

Maintaining a positive outlook is one key for people who feel good about themselves as they get older live about seven and a half years longer than “glass half empty” types. Researchers say the people with more positive attitudes may also deal with stress better and have a stronger will to live.

Staying close to friends and family is an excellent way to cut down on stress. It is important to remember that social support can help prevent stress and stress-related diseases. The benefits of friends and family can be especially striking for seniors. According to an article published in the American Journal of Health Promotion it was noted that social support can slow down the flow of stress hormones in seniors and, not coincidentally, increase longevity. Other studies have found that social interactions can help older people stay mentally sharp and may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s.

Exercise, a proven stress-buster for people of all ages, may be especially valuable in later years. Regular walks, bike rides, or water aerobics can do more than keep a person strong and independent; exercise can actually help block the effects of aging on cortisol levels. A recent study it was established that physically fit women in their mid-60s had essentially the same response to stress as a group of unfit women in their late 20s. In contrast, women in their mid-60s who weren’t physically fit released much larger amounts of cortisol in response to stress.

In the end, anything that reduces unnecessary stress will make the later years more enjoyable and youthful. Different people will respond differently toward managing chronic stress with a view of keeping the glowing appearance. Like for instance:

  • Some people simply need to stop trying to do too many things at once.
  • Others may want to try breathing exercises or other relaxation techniques.
  • Still others may need to talk to a psychologist to find a new perspective on their lives.

Finally whatever the approach you settle on, fighting stress overload is worth the effort. Experts are in agreement that reducing stress in later years can help prevent disabilities and frequent trips to the hospital. And if people end up feeling younger, healthier, and happier, that’s could be the best gift that one can give to him or herself. Like I had said before managing chronic stress is very important for your youthful skin. We know that this may not be very easy to do on your own and that is why doctor Akoury is readily available just on a phone call and you will be able to get an opportunity to get all the solutions about the effects of chronic stress to your skin and beauty in general.

Chronic Stress Can Affect the Aging Process – Aging and Stress

 

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