Causes of Aging Skin
Below is detailed information regarding the six factors factors of aging. To make this simple, it really boils down to this- the two main factors of aging are stress and sugar. These factors can be completely controlled by us, with proper understanding. We offer simple, viable, scientific methods to address stress and resultant imbalances and to restore balance, and youthful health and well being.
Major Causes of Aging Skin
Stress – The number one factor in accelerated aging and disease is stress. Sugar causes a loss of tissue elasticity and function, and can result in sagging, aging skin. Toxicity is one of the major causes of aging skin. “The difference between the 20 year old you and the 40 year old you physically is that you have accumulated more acidic wastes at 40 than at 20.” Sang Wang, scientist “Dehydration is associated with problems as diverse as scaly, taut skin, superscalar lines and premature aging.” – Dr. F. Batmanghelidj Free Radicals – causes oxidative stress and is a principle cause of aging skin. Acid pH – is a primary cause of aging skin. Excessive sun exposure to unprotected skin.
The Six Factors of Aging
1. Stress – The number one factor in accelerated aging and disease is stress. The experts are in agreement. Just about everyone in research agrees, see the statistics to the right. that 95% of diseases originate from stress. Over the past 15 years this perspective has become universally accepted. The United States federal government has come out publicly in agreement.
Cortisol is released from the adrenal glands in response to stress or low blood glucose. A UCLA study links this stress response to aging and disease. Every cell contains a tiny clock called a telomere, which shortens each time the cell divides. Short telomeres are linked to a range of human diseases, including HIV, osteoporosis, heart disease and aging. The telomere is a kind of molecular cap, made of DNA, that protects the ends of the chromosome from damage. As a cell ages, the telomere keeps shortening until it reaches a finite length. At that point cells stop dividing. The study concluded that the telomere shortening was the result of stress and excess cortisol.
2. Excess Insulin – A Brown University study stated that insulin plays a central role in aging. Excess insulin which can lead to Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, elevated cholesterol and obesity. One does not have to be obese to experience elevated cholesterol. Stress and High carbohydrate, low fat diets are the prime causes of excess insulin. The average western diet of processed foods is packed full of these simple sugars and the rapid increase in diabetes and insulin resistance tells its own story. For this reason, to avoid this situation it is advisable to avoid eating refined carbohydrates and simple sugars as much as possible.
3. Free radicals – Free radicals are unstable oxygen molecules in the body that have lost an electron and searches to stabilize itself by robbing healthy cells of electrons. This thievery results is oxidation. Over time, oxidation causes breakdown of proper function and integrity of tissues and organs in the body. Oxidized cells eventually turn into tumors or some other form of disease. Any excess radical not quenched by anti-oxidants (ie Vitamins C and E which the body cannot produce), will ricochet off other circulatory and cellular components leading to oxidation, damaged cells and aging.
4. Acid PH Balance and Aging – The pH balance recognized by all medical physiology texts as one of the most important biochemical balances in all of human body chemistry. Maintaining a slightly alkaline pH balance is your body’s first line of defense against aging and disease. You must try to maintain a balance between the acid and alkaline in your body at all times to remain healthy. Your Body pH Affects EVERYTHING! Acid pH causes partial lipid breakdown and destructive oxidation cascades. This accelerates Free Radical damage of the cell walls and intracellular membranes structures, which then unravel, killing cells in the process. This is a crucial step toward premature aging, creating wrinkling, age spots, and the following list of degenerative diseases
5. Excess Blood Glucose – Consuming simple carbohydrates and sugar causes excess glucose. Stress causes your body to release cortisol and raises glucose levels. Excess Blood Glucose increases AGE formation, advanced glycosylated end products, which are cross linked products of carbohydrates and protein, a key component to aging and disease. Glucose adheres to the surface of arteries and capillaries and leads to artherosclerosis, blindness, impotence, diabetes, and kidney disease, free radicals and aging.
6. Dehydration – “Dehydration is a major factor in premature aging and is associated with Arthritis, Addiction, Premature Aging, Back Pain, Angina, Insomnia, Headaches, High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol Levels, Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Colitis.” -Dr. F. Batmanghelidj
Six Factors of Aging and Diet
The six factors of aging are interrelated to diet and water intake, when combined with stress represent a powerful force to accelerate aging and disease. Eating too many calories causes excess free radicals. Eating too many calories as refined carbohydrates, sugar, causes an increase in insulin and blood glucose levels. Increased insulin forces the body to produce more cortisol. Consuming acidic foods and drinks causes an acid pH balance. Not drinking sufficient alkaline water contributes to the body to be dehydrated, toxic, acidic and oxidizing.
Next article- how to reverse these aging factors and have beautiful, youthful skin.