Sugar: Your skin's worst internal enemy (and then some)!

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In case you've already made the decision to avoid any sugar in your diet just after reading the title, please be comforted that you do not need to go that far.  Your body does require sugar as a source of easily accessible energy, at the same time, I feel it is important to be educated about the types of sugars we should consume in moderated amounts and the effects of sugar on not only our skin, but overall health. 

1.  Sugar and Aging. Sugar accelerates aging in may ways.  First, inflammation contributes to aging and excess sugar causes inflammation through the fast rise of blood sugars which causes biochemical changes in skin.  These biochemical changes include a process called AGE (how appropriate, right?).  AGE stands for Advanced Glycosylation End and is the process by which excess sugar molecules stick to protein fibers, binds them together and produces harmful waste which welcomes the free radicals.  The glycation process of when sugar attaches itself to collagen also causes skin to be inflexible and can greatly contribute to loss of elasticity and give way to deep wrinkles.  Skin also becomes much more susceptible to the other major contributor of skin aging, UV damage.

2.  Sugar and Acne.  Fluctuating hormone levels often contributes to the cause of acne.  Unlike more complex starches, we go back to how sugar surges the blood sugar levels rapidly.  This causes a big surge in hormones and cells of liver and muscles eventually fill up with these blood sugars.  These sugars are then converted to long fat chains, or lard.  Your system is now not only overwhelmed with hormones, but these excess insulin androgenic hormones kick up your skin's oil glands, which in turn overproduces skin oils.  Add to this mix an excess of blood fats floating around and you have the ideal conditions to aggravate any existing conditions for acne. 

3.  Sugar and Health.  As you are now aware, sugar's dubious reputation goes beyond cavities and obesity.  We know the simple sugars are bad for us, but why is it so hard for us to give up our sweet tooth?  Again, this brings us back to the rapid rise in blood sugar levels that sugar causes.  What goes up must come down, and the down fall is about as rapid as the rise, causing a mood crash that may include depression and the addictive desire of craving more sugar before returning back to normal. 

Sugar also upsets the mineral relationship in your body and reduces defenses against bacterial infections.  Reducing the amount of sugar you intake will not only show on your face through positive changes in the way your skin looks.  It will also reduce free radicals which goes beyond affecting your skin to damage healthy cells and contribute to several disorders and illness of the body.   So mamas, for healthier and less cranky kids, the next time your child does something worth rewarding, please don't perpetuate the cycle by automatically suggesting sweets. Don't let your babies grow up to be junk food addicts.

4.  Free Yourself.  Again, please do not be alarmed into eliminating all sugar from your diet.  Although about 400 years ago refined sugar wasn't even around, it can be quite hard to avoid today.  For many of us, sometimes, it's just emotionally comforting to treat ourselves to the refined, simple sugars with empty carlories (in donuts, cookies,cupcakes or candy bars) once in awhile.  However, it's much more benefical to acquire the sugar your body needs through complex sugars (pasta, root vegetables, corn, rye) as they increase blood sugar more slowly and provide more substained energy.  If you do feel that your skin or mood is out of balance, it may be a sign to try to stabilize your blood sugar levels by eating more proteins.  In addition, you can add more fiber to help It's true what they say that you are what you eat, so please free yourself for your looks and health and keep moderation in mind.   

Please keep in mind, I am not a nutritionist but an esthetician who has worked with many skin conditions.  For a topical solution, look for GAG (Glycosaminoglycans)-infused products such as Tracie Martyn's Firming Serum, to slow collagen destroying enzymes as it works to minimize wrinkles and firm sagging skin.  If you have any questions, I  can be reached at Fez Studio, located at 205 NW 10th Ave  Portland, OR 97209.