Facelift Foods

No need for needless surgery and expensive cosmetic procedures to defy the signs of ageing - nature has bestowed upon us an amazing array of foods to combat wrinkles and to maintain a youthful glow. Every single cell in the body is built, maintained and repaired by the materials supplied from the daily diet. Food really is the ultimate key to healthy, beautiful and radiant skin that defies ageing and quite possibly something that can reverse the signs of ageing. However, making sure that the correct ingredients are supplied on a daily basis can be somewhat of a challenge given the demands of modern living and the endless assault on the skin by the elements, not to mention the modern diet. Luckily, there are many foods that can reverse the damage or prevent it in the first place.
Previously, it was thought that ageing was largely a genetic influence with seemingly very little that one could do to limit or delay that process. The fashionable trend was to resort to cosmetic surgery (at great expense) by a skilled surgeon and a distorted ageing of the face and the rest of the body with time. now, however, the latest research reveals that genetic factors are only a small part of this ageing with a bigger influence being played by our environment (eg. pollution, sun damage), lifestyle factors (eg. smoking, drinking) and diet. Good news for those who are needle shy and lacking in coffers!
I have previously written about free radicals and antioxidants (http://centella-skincare.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/cardinal-rules-for-wrinkle-free-skin_28.html) - they play a large part in how cells age and decay. Oxidisation to a skin cell is like rusting to a car; the slow decaying process caused by reactive oxygen molecules. There is also the formation of wrinkles caused by collagen fibres in the skin linking together, these cannot be undone; the only cure is prevention with a diet that inhibits this 'cross-linking' of collagen.

The sugar connection

There are many studies to support the idea that sugar in the diet is a major cause of wrinkles and skin ageing. Dietary sugars cross-link collagen fibres together in a process referred to as glycation. It is this glycated collagen (Advanced Glycation End-Product or AGE) that causes accelerated ageing. Collagen is responsible for giving skin its firmness, resilience and smoothness therefore cross-linked collagen is a definite no for youthful looking skin. Unfortunately, some foods already contain these AGEs so every time they are consumed, there is an addition of AGEs to the body. Current research shows that even the same food cooked in different ways can become an age accelerator for example, simple boiled rice has an AGE factor of 1 whereas crispy rice cereal has an AGE factor of 220 which is infinitely higher. Lacking important nutrients in the diet could also act as a double whammy to the skin ageing process, for instance, being short on zinc, vitamin B complex can accelerate cellular decay, not to mention the host of deficiency symptoms of all the vitamins and minerals if intake is inadequate.
So what can be done about preventing this ageing or at the very least delaying it? Take a look at the top 10 foods identified to be of most benefit in skin health and anti-ageing.....

Top 10 Facelift Foods

1. apples - very rich in a well documented anti-ageing phytochemical called quercetin. This antioxidant is a flavonoid with research to support its rejuvenating effect on skin cells.
2. mangoes - high in vitamin A, vital for skin health. Also rich in vitamin C which is another key skin nutrient.
3. avocadoes - rich in one of the key skin nutrients; vitamin E which can absorbed easily and readuily into the skin (hence the popular reason why it is included in so many skincare products)
4. hemp seeds - rich in essential fatty acids which boosts skin suppleness by preventing them from drying (and hence ageing from damage and wrinkles)
5. pumpkin seeds - high in the mineral zinc which is necessary in the biological fight against cellular decay. They also contain essential fatty acids and vitamin E, making them a great beauty food.
6. grapes - the skins of grapes contain a very powerful antioxidant called resveratrol which has been shown to be effective in the war against those skin-ageing 'free radicals'. Resveratrol plays a key part in mopping up these free radicals which cause oxidative damage to cells, one of the main causes of ageing at a cellular level. 
7. garlic - the wonders of this herb are too long to mention in this blog alone but suffice it to say that is is incredibly effective as an anti-ageing ingredient. It is high in organic sulphur compounds; sulphur being renowned for its reputation as a beauty mineral. Taken as a supplement, it has also been shown to raise skin-plumping collagen levels (which sadly slows down in production rate with age)
8. spices - cinnamon, cloves and ginger have been shown to inhibit AGE cross-linking collagen which is all good news for keeping skin youthful.
9. nuts - especially brazil nuts, cashews and almonds which are all rich in anti-ageing arginine (an amino acid). Arginine improves the appearance of skin, hair and nails as well as collagen production.
10. cacao - the tastiest of all the anti-ageing nutrient. Raw cacao (chocolate) is very rich in quercetin and arginine (two of the most important anti-ageing molecules.

For more information on facelift foods visit Star Khechara's homepage: http://www.starkhechara.com/