Have a sweet tooth? Watch out! Sugar stimulates a spike in blood sugar, triggering a breakdown of collagen called GLYCATION, which ages skin.
As a result of a rapid rise in blood sugar, inflammation occurs which causes biochemical changes in the cell that result in accelerated ageing.
The proteins in skin most prone to glycation are the same ones that make a youthful complexion so plump and springy—collagen and elastin. When those proteins hook up with renegade sugars, they become discolored, weak, and less supple; this shows up on the skin's surface as wrinkles, sagging, and a loss of radiance. Avoiding sugar is a good anti-ageing strategy – wine is sadly essentially sugar, so limiting wine can also help to decrease glycation.
Green tea has been proven to significantly interfere with the glycation process while stimulating collagen synthesis—so if you're using a product containing green tea (or drinking it regularly), you're already protecting your skin.
How to Treat Glycation? Regular gentle treatments that support the formation of new collagen and collagen turnover can help decrease the ravishes of glycation. Using retinols, peptide serums, chemical peels, microneedling all help to regenerate collagen.
What actions can you take to help avoid Glycation? 1. Wear sunscreen 2. Don’t smoke cigarettes & drink too much alcohol 3. Exercise 4. Get good quality sleep 5. Eat fresh produce and foods that have been minimally processed 6. Reduce your consumption of refined and processed sugars.
Glycation can’t be completely stopped, but it can be slowed. Glycation is a normal process and happens to us all as we age, but bad eating habits and lifestyle choices do accelerate the process.