Sugar & Glycation and Your Skin Health

Sugar, and glycation play a large role in overall skin health. 

Skin health almost always comes down to food. The old saying, You are what you eat, still holds valid and often, what you eat, will show up on your skin. Sugar is the big food culprit with skin aging ( well, in many health issues).

Normal sugar physiology begins with eating carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates are typically nutrient-void yet loaded with sugar and, when broken down by our excellent digestive system, will yield glucose. Now glucose is good when in balance, as it gives us fuel, yet, when we have too much in our system, it has nowhere to go, and many things can happen, including glycation.

What is Glycation?

Glycation is the process in which glucose sugars attach to proteins within the body (for example, collagen, which gives skin its firmness) and damages them. With damaged collagen, our skin will lose its integrity. Scientifically, we refer to this process as AGEs or Advanced Glycations End Products. Our skin will appear dry, wrinkly and saggy with damaged skin collagen.

( side note: collagen is the most abundant protein in the body)

The bottom line: the more AGEs occurring in our body, the older our skin will look.

In addition, when other lifestyle factors play a role, like U.V. light and pollution, AGEs formation will be increased.

Bring this into your everyday awareness:

1. Eat more high-fibre, whole colourful protein-packed foods. Fibre-rich foods help fill you up, are packed with nutrients and will not feel the need to bing on sugary foods.
2. Use good sunscreen. Zinc oxide is always the best choice. There are loads of great sunscreens on the market, but look at the ingredients and ensure it has zinc oxide. 
3. Take a multivitamin, nordic natural omega oil, and probiotic daily.
4. Don’t smoke.
5. Exercise to make you feel better and get your circulation moving so your blood can do all necessary critical deliveries.

If you would like to learn more, grab my Safer Skincare PDF ebook.

Let me know if you have any questions!!

xx

dr. heather

Photo credit Anthony Tran from Unsplash