Beauty from Within - Does it Work. If so What & Why?
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free skin care · Fri Jun 01, 2012 8:04 am

I see a lot of chat about the overlap between nutrition and skin science. The whole "beauty from within" concept has merit, but also has some specious notions floating around. I thought it would be worthwhile to try to define what works and why, as well as what doesn't and why.

As examples of what works we can point to the whole world of phytochemical antioxidants like licopene, carnosine, coenzyme Q, bioflavonoids, glutathione, selenium, zinc, , green tea polyphenols, grape seed proanthocyanidins, resveratrol, silymarin, genistein, and others. Here we will focus on UV-induced skin inflammation, oxidative stress, and DNA damage.

On the other side of the coin we can look at the silliness of putting amino acids on skin. Are we expecting them to self-assemble into some useful protein? Sort of a primordial soup approach?

So, in between there is a whole world of ideas and research and theory and such. Let's start with the antioxidants ... maybe even try ti figure out which ones are best, can they work together (networked redox), and the differences between oral and topical delivery.

free skin care · Fri Jun 01, 2012 8:06 am

Here is a good place to start on antioxidants and skin aging.

Dermatol Res Pract. 2012; 2012:

Free Radicals and Extrinsic Skin Aging

Borut Poljšak and Raja Dahmane

Abstract

Human skin is constantly directly exposed to the air, solar radiation, environmental pollutants, or other mechanical and chemical insults, which are capable of inducing the generation of free radicals as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS) of our own metabolism. Extrinsic skin damage develops due to several factors: ionizing radiation, severe physical and psychological stress, alcohol intake, poor nutrition, overeating, environmental pollution, and exposure to UV radiation (UVR). It is estimated that among all these environmental factors, UVR contributes up to 80%. UV-induced generation of ROS in the skin develops oxidative stress, when their formation exceeds the antioxidant defence ability of the target cell. The primary mechanism by which UVR initiates molecular responses in human skin is via photochemical generation of ROS mainly formation of superoxide anion (O2−∙), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), hydroxyl radical (OH∙), and singlet oxygen (1O2). The only protection of our skin is in its endogenous protection (melanin and enzymatic antioxidants) and antioxidants we consume from the food (vitamin A, C, E, etc.). The most important strategy to reduce the risk of sun UVR damage is to avoid the sun exposure and the use of sunscreens. The next step is the use of exogenous antioxidants orally or by topical application and interventions in preventing oxidative stress and in enhanced DNA repair.

Full text: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3299230/?tool=pubmed

free skin care · Fri Jun 01, 2012 9:38 am

Thanks for the excellent reference material DrJ!

free skin care · Fri Jun 01, 2012 10:16 am

I would think that when it comes to antioxidants (among other tings) that internal and external applications are both important. Not just one without the other.

free skin care · Fri Jun 01, 2012 10:18 am

Currently, the supplements I take are: MSM, Vitamin C and Omega Fish oils

Interested in learning more here!

free skin care · Fri Jun 01, 2012 11:14 am

Here is an interesting piece on ORAC values,

Is the future of antioxidants in fighting inflammation?

Antioxidants as an ingredient category have suffered from the “magic pill” syndrome. In the past 15 years these ingredients have soared on promises that remained mostly unfulfilled, and crashed on doubts that were overstated. Where do antioxidants fit today in the palette of functional ingredients?

More than a decade ago information about the damage that free oxygen radicals can do in cells was becoming fixed in consumers’ consciousness. In a society focused on the attainment of eternal youth, free radicals, which had been linked to premature aging, had become the new bogeymen. And new miracle molecules—antioxidants—were coming to the rescue, armed with the powerful weapon of high ORAC values. ORAC numbers (oxygen radical absorption capacity) began to be quoted on package labels. Mainstream publications and consumers were excited by the promise of these ingredients. Sales rose and all was well with the world.

The rest of the article can be found here: http://newhope360.com/antioxidant/future-antioxidants-fighting-inflammation

free skin care · Fri Jun 01, 2012 11:15 am

So, how do we really know which are working, and why?

free skin care · Fri Jun 01, 2012 11:28 am

I don't know why, but whenever my uncle gets case of gout, he drinks a tall glass of cherry juice and the gout goes away quickly.

Something's happening.

Need to dig out my botanical medicine texts. I love to read them, geek that I am.

BFG

free skin care · Fri Jun 01, 2012 11:45 am

Love this topic. Would like to discuss more.

free skin care · Fri Jun 01, 2012 12:17 pm

I would be interested in reading about people's take on collagen supplements and if they've noticed improvements in their skin and what they were.

free skin care · Fri Jun 01, 2012 1:01 pm

Barefootgirl wrote:

I don't know why, but whenever my uncle gets case of gout, he drinks a tall glass of cherry juice and the gout goes away quickly.

Something's happening.

Need to dig out my botanical medicine texts. I love to read them, geek that I am.

BFG

Cherry juice

Many patients have heard that cherry juice is good for gout. But is it? A number of websites that offer cherry products for sale assure us that it is. A PubMed search combining gout with permutations of the word cherry turned up exactly 2 interventional trials. In one study, plasma urate levels declined 14.5% 5 hours following ingestion of 280 g of red Bing cherries following an overnight fast. Other fruits were not effective. The subjects of the study were 10 healthy premenopausal women of normal weight with a normal mean plasma urate level.192 A trial of cherry juice in marathon runners showed a 2 to 3 mg/dL lower uric acid level post-race compared with placebo, but in that particular trial it was unclear if cherry juice enhanced uric acid excretion or decreased uric acid production.193 The baseline uric acid level was also slightly lower in the cherry juice group. Both a hypouricemic effect and an anti-inflammatory effect have been attributed to cherry juice.193,194

The hypouricemic effect of cherries may not be attributable to the vitamin C content. While acerola cherries are very high in vitamin C (4700 mg/280 g), most American varieties contain much less (19.6 mg/280 g for sweet cherries, 28 mg/280 g for tart cherries).195 One cup of raw cherries (with pits) weighs 140 g (sweet) or 155 g (tart).195 A study done in 1950 of 12 gout patients suggested that 0.5 pound (0.2 kg) of cherries (several varieties were effective) or an equivalent amount of cherry juice prevented gout attacks.196 The mechanism of action is unclear. It is unfortunate that there is a dearth of data about such a wholesome and good-tasting potential remedy for gout.

from Int J Nephrol Renovasc Dis. 2010; 3: 145–166. New and improved strategies for the treatment of gout

free skin care · Fri Jun 01, 2012 8:41 pm

Sandoch, I started taking NeoCell Super collagen three years ago and noticed more moisture in my skin, hair that grows like its summer year round, and stronger nails. You can see research linked at the bottom of this wikipedia article

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrolyzed_collagen

My husband started taking Collagen Sport a month ago to help his knee which had been shattered years ago. It brought his knee back to good function, and also he notices hair is growing back on his lower legs!

free skin care · Fri Jun 01, 2012 8:52 pm

7Destiny wrote:

Sandoch, I started taking NeoCell Super collagen three years ago and noticed more moisture in my skin, hair that grows like its summer year round, and stronger nails. You can see research linked at the bottom of this wikipedia article

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrolyzed_collagen

My husband started taking Collagen Sport a month ago to help his knee which had been shattered years ago. It brought his knee back to good function, and also he notices hair is growing back on his lower legs!

Pretty impressive! Any negative results or side effects? If not I will definitely look into adding this

free skin care · Fri Jun 01, 2012 9:05 pm

"......The authors also point out that "surprisingly, the combined application of both tablets and creams containing carotenoids did not reach the satisfying result obtained with the application of tablets only".......

http://inhumanexperiment.blogspot.hk/2011/09/topical-vs-oral-antioxidants-for-sun.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+InhumanExperiment+%28Inhuman+Experiment%29

free skin care · Fri Jun 01, 2012 11:29 pm

7Destiny wrote:

Sandoch, I started taking NeoCell Super collagen three years ago and noticed more moisture in my skin, hair that grows like its summer year round, and stronger nails. You can see research linked at the bottom of this wikipedia article

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrolyzed_collagen

My husband started taking Collagen Sport a month ago to help his knee which had been shattered years ago. It brought his knee back to good function, and also he notices hair is growing back on his lower legs!

Very impressive results! Have you also notice if it's made your hair thicker or seen more hair growing on your head? My hair has gotten thinner and sparcer as I age, so I'd like to see it thicken up a bit.

I definitely am excited to hear about your husband's knee feeling better. My father and mother both have knee problems. I'll have to get them some.

free skin care · Sat Jun 02, 2012 12:07 am

There is rather more to nutrition and dietetics for whatever goal than supplementing. Maybe we should discuss what constitutes a clean/ healthy/ balanced diet first?

free skin care · Sat Jun 02, 2012 4:27 am

For myself, someone who is super busy with hardly a moment to herself, I find it hard to eat as healthy as I should. Sometimes, I come home too tired to even cook. Therefore, I do rely on supplements and I have found that they make a huge difference in my energy level and health. Because it's hard for me to make nourishing meals I try to drink a lot of herbal teas. My favorite are green tea, peppermint, chamomile, and so many others.

But, supplements play a big role. Some supplements that I feel have helped tremendously are flax seed oil, biosil, beta carotene complex, evening primrose oil, seabuckthorn oil, and spirulina. I just couldnt' be without these.

free skin care · Sat Jun 02, 2012 9:42 am

My diet isn't great but I am making small changes I switched to green/white tea, I looked up a list of "superfoods" and try to incorporate them into my diet my worst habit is still the diet coke and I hope that if I manage to ditch that I will improve my skin.

Interesting about the collagen supplements I have considered them there are so many different supplements ones which are specifically marketed for skin,nail and hair health not sure if they are any good.

free skin care · Sat Jun 02, 2012 9:54 am

This article discusses
celery and cherry juice for gout (among other things), explaining the connection.

http://themodernherbal.com/2011/01/gout-home-remedies/

James Duke, the medical botanist (I think that's what you call him) suffered from gout for years until he began taking celery seed extracts and the gout went away and he dropped his prescription meds.

I have a few of his books and they are all invaluable. I realize that for many this is akin to voodoo, but then you must stop to consider the origin of most medicines.

BFG

free skin care · Sat Jun 02, 2012 10:13 am

summer2004 wrote:

"......The authors also point out that "surprisingly, the combined application of both tablets and creams containing carotenoids did not reach the satisfying result obtained with the application of tablets only".......

http://inhumanexperiment.blogspot.hk/2011/09/topical-vs-oral-antioxidants-for-sun.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+InhumanExperiment+%28Inhuman+Experiment%29

I wonder if they kept the same amount of supplement or did they reduce it if the person was also using the cream?

free skin care · Sat Jun 02, 2012 10:27 am

Really looking in to this a lot myself, have recently come across some interesting information suggesting that part of it has to do with PUFAs versus saturated fats- PUFA is bad ie pro wrinkling, aging etc & saturated fat is what helps the skin prevent wrinkling. Yes we all know vegetable oils contain PUFAs and are bad but nuts, vegetables and oily fish like salmon Smile

that we have repeatedly been told "contain essential omega-3 fatty acids" actually contain mostly PUFA and really aren't that good for you and in fact may be harmful.

Watch this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0VofcVk_8I

Did you hear him say PUFAs are in salad? Shock

I found this article on another website:
http://www.mypureradiance.com/new-research-fat-cures-wrinkles/

New Research: Fat Cures Wrinkles
Researchers studied the elasticity and hydration of women’s faces and discovered that those who ate more saturated fat had fewer wrinkles.1

Nagata, C., Nakamura, K., et al. “Association of dietary fat, vegetables and antioxidant micronutrients with skin ageing in Japanese women.” British Journal of Nutrition, Published online by Cambridge University Press 20 Jan 2010.

free skin care · Sat Jun 02, 2012 10:47 am

Quote:

There is rather more to nutrition and dietetics for whatever goal than supplementing. Maybe we should discuss what constitutes a clean/ healthy/ balanced diet first?

I'm game...but admit to being rather lousy at staying on track with it.

I eat only when hungry, and I don't eat junk food. Sometimes, fizzy kids vitamins...they're nice. Biotin for hair...Mg, Ca, what else am I missing?

free skin care · Sat Jun 02, 2012 2:21 pm

DragoN wrote:

what else am I missing?

the gene that encodes for "play nice with others even if they are deep into junk science?" Bad Grin

free skin care · Sat Jun 02, 2012 2:28 pm

sandooch wrote:

I would be interested in reading about people's take on collagen supplements and if they've noticed improvements in their skin and what they were.

Collagen supplements are mainly useless. The common ones are based on cow hide hydrolysates, same as jello, and they just get broken down in the gut to amino acids and small peptides. Some claim to contain "small molecular weight" collagen that can be absorbed, but the amounts would likely be very small. Then there is the problem of getting them to then skin (liver likes to protease them into something else). Then skin delivery (tiny amounts?). Then there is the problem that collagen fragments (so called procollagen) may actually decrease the skin's natural production of new collagen. One thing for sure its that the collagen will not be joined into fibers. Which kind of makes it useless against wrinkles. So, unless injected into the skin, collagen not going to do much.

free skin care · Sun Jun 03, 2012 8:03 am

DragoN wrote:

I'm game...but admit to being rather lousy at staying on track with it.

I eat only when hungry, and I don't eat junk food. Sometimes, fizzy kids vitamins...they're nice. Biotin for hair...Mg, Ca, what else am I missing?

How long is a piece of string ... Depends how much you eat from each food group and in what combinations, health conditions concerns or goals, age, activity level. Every supplement regime should be personalised which threads like this one rarely consider. I don't like individual supplements because they are absorbed and work synergistically or in opposition, a complete multi vitamin/ mineral is safer.

The 'mistakes' I see most frequently in female clients is little to no protein early in the day, little to no oily fish/ imbalance of long chain omega-3s to omega-6s, inadequate intake of mineral-rich foods (nuts, seeds, beans, lentils, wholegrains). Do you eat little meat, fish and dairy?

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