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Skin aging starts at the cellular level and is characterized by sun or wind damage heightened by life stresses, bodily inflammation and premature cell senescence. These five foods turn on the body’s anti-aging genes and collagen and elastin production. Eat—not apply—them for age-free skin.
Snacking on seaweed delivers alginates that bind toxins including radiation and remove them from the body. Seaweed supplies thyroid-regulating iodine. All of this aids skin clarity. The brown seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum, rich in phlorotannins, applied to the skin alleviates inflammatory markers and increases activity of the anti-aging gene SIRT1 in epithelial cells. These cellular effects are perfect additions to formulations against aging.
The brown seaweed Fucus vesiculosusimpacts gene expression and fibroblast activity, increasing integrin molecules, tightening the skin. A significant improvement in elasticity was measured. The researchers said this could be useful for the cheeks. “These results suggest that the Fucus vesiculosus extract possesses anti-aging activities and should be useful for a variety of cosmetics.”
Pomegranate’s ellagic acid has received a lot of attention for its anti-aging effects and has shown potential to inhibit cancer cells and heart disease progression. Studies demonstrate topical anti-inflammatory potential. A study examined photoprotective effects of ellagic acid on collagen breakdown and inflammatory responses in UV (ultraviolet)-B irradiated human skin cells.ivEllagic acid attenuated the UV-B-induced toxicity and prevented collagen degradation by blocking matrix metalloproteinase production in UV-B-exposed fibroblasts. “Therefore, dietary and pharmacological interventions with berries rich in ellagic acid may be promising treatment strategies interrupting skin wrinkle and inflammation associated with chronic UV exposure leading to photo aging.”
Grapes, Fruits
Resveratrol in grapes, nuts, fruits turns on the body’s SIRT-1 gene expression, an anti-aging gene that increases repair processes. Studies find topically applied resveratrol protects against UVB skin damage and oxidative stress.
Imbibing green tea’s antioxidants and collagen stimulating polyphenol compounds fights skin cancer. But there’s additional impact from topical uses. One team of researchers notes that green tea is “a significant pharmacologic agent for the prevention and treatment of a variety of human skin disorders.” This was made clear in the Archives of Dermatology where a scientific team associated with the Department of Dermatology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, published a monumental report on topical green tea for skin health. “Extracts from green tea have been shown to be remarkably effective at reducing the severity of adverse health effects of overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation,” say the researchers. Science News reports, “Matcha green tea packs the antioxidants. A green tea used in Japanese ceremonies contains much more of a beneficial antioxidant than ordinary green tea.”
In their study, these researchers treated human volunteers with an extract of green tea. Thirty minutes later, the green tea-treated sites were exposed to simulated solar radiation and then examined for UV-induced erythema (redness and inflammation) as well as UV induced DNA damage. Not only did green tea extract significantly prevent redness and inflammation, there were fewer sunburn-damaged cells and reduced DNA damage that formed after UV radiation. Based on this study, the researchers said, “Polyphenolic extracts of green tea are effective chemo preventive agents for many of the adverse effects of sunlight on human health and may thus serve as natural alternatives for photoprotection.”
Turmeric contains curcumin and is thought to be an anti-aging spice that all of us should enjoy more in curries and other dishes to prevent brain deterioration. Although not yet widely adapted into cosmetics, topical application of curcumin significantly inhibited solar radiation damage.
