Sugar and Aging: How to Fight Glycation (from Elle magazine)

I’ve been reading a lot about how sugar affects the aging process lately.  A lot of people say to avoid sugar, but this article from Elle Magazine does the best job of explaining the science behind the way sugar affects our cells.

“The science is this: When you have sugar molecules in your system, they bombard the body’s cells like a meteor ­shower—glomming onto fats and proteins in a process known as glycation. This forms advanced glycation end products (commonly shortened, appropriately, to AGEs), which cause protein fibers to become stiff and malformed. Much of what is known about glycation’s ill effects comes from diabetes research: The connective-tissue damage and chronic inflammation resulting from diabetics’ sustained high blood sugar can lead to debilitating conditions, such as cataracts, Alzheimer’s, vascular tightening, and diseases of the pancreas and liver.  The proteins in skin most prone to glycation are the same ones that make a youthful complexion so plump and springy—collagen and elastin. ”

Read the whole article here:  Sugar and Aging via Elle.com

What can you do?  

Drink Green Tea:  stimulates collagen synthesis.  Awesome excuse to switch from coffee!

Stop smoking – or better yet, don’t start!

Have an Emergen-C:  everyone loves the fizzy drink, and Vitamin C is important for reducing the damage from sun exposure, smoking (or secondhand smoke), and pollution.  Red peppers, oranges, and papayas rank highest among Vitamin C rich foods.  Check out this chart!

Take some Vitamin E:  together with Vitamin C, these two superstars protect your skin from sun damage according to the American Academy of Dermatology.   (But stick with less than 400 IUs per day to avoid toxicity).

Get Acupuncture!  Acupuncture stimulates the body’s ability to regenerate, accelerating the anti-inflammatory process, and helping the body remove accumulated toxins from the skin and tissues of the face.  Cosmetic Acupuncture stimulates blood flow, collagen and elastin production through the microtrauma from the tiny needles inserted into the face.                                       O Magazine’s Beauty Editors check it out here!

According to NYC Dermatologist Fredric Brandt, MD, “Anything that stimulates the fibroblasts to build new collagen is going to help eradicate damage.”

And of course getting enough sleep and having good stress management solutions are a no brainer!