Personal account: which products change your appearance for the worse
In the pursuit of eternal youth, people are looking for a variety of tools to help them look decent at any age. Most often, they rely on proper nutrition. Supporters of healthy lifestyle suspected crab sticks and cream for coffee. They believe that along with desserts and fast food, these foods provoke early aging. Izvestia dealt with experts on what kind of food really worsens the appearance, which helps to "preserve" beauty and how to properly "feed" the skin not only from the inside, but also from the outside.
Why is it useful to drink coffee without cream?
After all, there are no products that age directly - the skin condition is determined by genetics, lifestyle and nutrition, Anastasia Lebedeva, associate professor of the Department of Dietetics at ROSBIOTECH University, emphasizes in an interview with Izvestia. But there really are groups of products that, with regular excess, accelerate the processes associated with skin aging and deterioration of its quality, she adds.
— Such foods include sugar and refined carbohydrates, alcohol, processed meat, ultra-processed foods (fast food, semi-finished products), and excess salt. They are united not by "magical harm", but by their effect on metabolism.: glucose spikes, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and nutrient deficiencies," explains the nutritionist.
The expert advises paying attention not to a single product, but to the frequency of its consumption and the amount eaten. However, it is no coincidence that crab sticks and coffee cream have come into the focus of attention of supporters of a healthy diet. As it turned out, it's really not worth abusing such food.
— These are typical ultra—processed foods, - explains the interlocutor of Izvestia. — There is little "crab" in crab sticks, but there is starch, sugar, flavor enhancers and salt. Hydrogenated fats, glucose syrups, and stabilizers are often present in coffee cream. With regular use, they do not provide the skin with resources for recovery, but increase the metabolic load — hence the "aging effect".
She also recalls that there are several mechanisms for the effect of unwanted products on appearance. Firstly, glycation: excess sugar leads to the formation of end products of glycation (AGEs), which damage collagen and elastin — the skin loses elasticity.
Secondly, oxidative stress: alcohol, trans fats and fried foods increase the amount of free radicals that damage cells. Thirdly, inflammation: processed meat and ultra-processed foods support chronic low—intensity inflammation, which worsens skin condition, - says the specialist.
In addition, when the diet is "full" of empty calories, the body lacks vitamins A, C, E, group B, zinc and omega-3, and these are key elements for regeneration, the nutritionist draws attention.
— As for products that "slow down aging", it is more correct to say: they support a healthy skin condition. Green tea contains catechins, which are powerful antioxidants. Olive oil is a source of monounsaturated fats and vitamin E, and supports the skin's lipid barrier. Fish is a source of omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce inflammation and help retain moisture, says Anastasia Lebedeva.
Kefir and sauerkraut are fermented foods that have a beneficial effect on the intestinal microbiota, and through it on the skin condition. Eggs provide the body with high-grade protein and biotin, which is important for hair and nails. And pearl barley is a source of fiber and trace elements, so it stabilizes blood sugar levels.
— In order for the skin to look healthy and the hair to look strong, the diet should cover several key positions: high—grade protein (for collagen synthesis), omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants (vitamins C, E, carotenoids, polyphenols), zinc, selenium, iron and B vitamins (especially biotin). And it is equally important to have sufficient water intake and an overall nutritional balance," the specialist continues.
A beneficial effect is always the result of systemic actions, and not one "harmful" or "useful" position, the nutritionist emphasizes.
What makes us age
Denis Prokofiev, a general practitioner with the status of "Moscow Doctor," draws attention to a number of factors that influence the fact that one person seems to age more slowly and the other faster. First of all, a lot depends on your genetic predisposition, race, and skin color. In particular, the clear relief of the face depends on the zygomatic bones of the face, which "hold" the so-called triangle of youth, at the base of which are the cheekbones and temples, and the top is the chin. Over the years, for most people, this triangle seems to "flip over", the face loses the clarity inherent in youth. This may affect the visualization of age. Other obvious signs of aging are age spots, wrinkles, and gray hair.
"Absolutely everyone ages, but you also need to age beautifully," says the editorial interlocutor. — The skin is our largest organ, and since everything in the body is interconnected, its condition is affected by any diseases that a person suffers from. For example, the so-called bags under the eyes may indicate a problem related to intoxication or with the kidneys. Dry skin and early wrinkles often indicate hormonal disorders, thyroid disorders, and chronic stress.
He also emphasizes that it is important to control chronic diseases and seek medical help on time.
But even doctors don't have any super-life hacks to combat aging. Nevertheless, modern science has methods in its arsenal that can outsmart nature. First of all, it is the rejection of bad habits in order to preserve youth for a long time or at least not to say goodbye to it ahead of time. According to Denis Prokofiev, tobacco smoke is very harmful to the skin and contributes to the development of recurrent blepharitis, and alcohol consumption leads to dryness of this organ and, consequently, premature aging. Proper self-care is equally important.
— It is necessary to moisturize the skin, because it is its dryness that leads to early aging, — says the general practitioner. — Avoid UV rays and direct sunlight — they can lead to the development of age spots and melanomas. And cooling masks will help to keep the skin toned — their effect is based on the constriction and expansion of blood vessels. The use of low-frequency currents and other techniques to slow down the formation of deep wrinkles are effective. But such procedures should be carried out on the recommendation of a specialist.
How to avoid the formation of wrinkles
For those who take care of themselves, Alexandra Kamyshnikova, a cosmetologist at the Geltek Aesthetic Medicine Clinic, advises them to first understand what is meant by "aging."
— We are talking about two parallel processes. One of them is chrono—aging, that is, the effect of time on the body and skin condition. It starts on average at the age of 25+," the specialist comments. — The second point is photo—aging, which occurs primarily under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. It is most often premature. UV light works against the youthfulness of the skin 365 days a year, even when you are just walking down the street to the subway, sitting by the window in the office or driving in the car.
According to the expert, two types of radiation are most harmful to the epidermis — UVB and UVA. From the first, the skin turns red and "burns", flakes off and becomes dry, and its top layer collapses.
— The type of UVA radiation is insidious because the skin does not feel it and does not turn red. But these rays penetrate deeper into the dermis and destroy collagen and elastin, our guarantors of youthful skin. As a result, wrinkles, pigmentation, and allergies (photodermatitis) are added to dryness and peeling," she explains.
According to the editorial interlocutor, it is possible to protect yourself from photoaging — for this you need to regularly, even in winter and in cloudy weather, apply sunscreens (SPF) with physical and chemical filters to the skin.
— In winter, SPF 30 is sufficient, which blocks about 97% of the sun's rays, and starting in April in our region (Moscow. — Izvestia) it is already possible to use SPF 50 and SPF 50+, which block the maximum possible 98-99% of radiation. It is recommended to update the sanskrit screen every two hours when in the sun, says Alexandra Kamyshnikova.
The cosmetologist considers regular home care, which consists of cleansing, moisturizing and nutrition, as well as prevention of age-related changes, to be the main rule of young, healthy and radiant skin. The main assets of anti—aging cosmetics are peptides, retinol, acids and antioxidants. It is these names that can be searched for "on the boxes" with funds.
—Peptides penetrate the stratum corneum and act directly on the cells, triggering the necessary reactions in them," the specialist points out. — For example, muscle relaxant peptides relax muscles, slowing their contraction and reducing wrinkles, and signaling peptides are involved in the synthesis of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, which is responsible for moisturizing the skin.
Antioxidants, which include vitamins C and E, strengthen the barrier function of the organ, fight photo-aging and participate in the synthesis of collagen and give radiance. And the acids exfoliate dead cells, even out skin tone and fight inflammation.
— The main "friend" of the skin after 35 years is retinol (vitamin A). It stimulates renewal and participates in the synthesis of collagen and elastin," the cosmetologist continues.
From her point of view, the content of the assets that support the appearance may vary depending on age. At the age of 25, when natural aging is just beginning, high-quality hydration is enough. At the age of 35, it's time to work with the first wrinkles and relaxation of turgor, and after 45, the main focus is on lifting.
— Of the salon procedures, it is recommended to undergo a biorevitalization course regularly, at least once a year, or preferably twice, — says Alexandra Kamyshnikova. — This procedure provides deep hydration, increases skin elasticity and triggers the natural production of collagen and elastin. It is usually done in spring, when the sun is not yet so active, and in autumn.
Doctors also recommend taking a biorevitalization course a month before traveling to the south — this helps protect the skin and give it a resource to reduce the rate of aging, the editorial says.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
