Fighting Wrinkles
While there are some effective topicals on the market, these preparations can be problematic because what we put ON the body quickly ends up IN the body. Commercial wrinkle creams often contain things like parabens, which are endocrine disruptors believed to be carcinogenic, along with a variety of other problematic chemicals.
Even when they are effective, as is the case with vitamin C topicals, other problems can arise, such as oxidation of topical vitamin C in sunlight which then becomes a free radical generator and actually causes aging rather than fighting it.
Because of this, along with an endless number of wrinkle creams on the market, we’re going to avoid topicals for now and focus on the most effective internals for great skin. The following supplements can dramatically slow the loss of collagen and elastin, and even turn the clock on your skin back 5 to 10 years without breaking the bank.
The Plan
Choline-Stabilized Orthosilicic Acid (ch-OSA)
Ch-OSA is highly bioavailable form of the trace mineral, silicon which has been shown to increase the hydroxyproline concentration in the skin. Hydroxyproline is a key protein for laying down new collagen.Dosage: Take one 5 milligram capsule of ch-OSA twice per day. Allow a few weeks to 2 months for improvement
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a primary component of the extracellular matrix in various body tissues, which is the space in-between our cells, and protects against the loss of elastin by keeping it hydrated. Hyaluronic acid is important for plump, firm skin, and even helps with sagging.Dosage: 100 milligrams of hyaluronic acid twice daily. Allow a few weeks to 2 months for improvement.
Ecklonia Cava
Ecklonia Cava is a brown seaweed algae that contains very powerful fat-soluble antioxidants called phlorotannins. These protect against the degradation of collagen by inhibiting an enzyme responsible for its breakdown. Ecklonia cava also offers potent protection against free radicals, skin damage from high blood sugar, and protects against the breakdown of elastin and hyaluronic acid.Dosage: 160 milligrams of ecklonia cava taken morning and evening. Allow a few weeks to 2 months for improvement.
The Details
As we age, the dermis, which is composed of collagen and elastin, begins to break down and become thinner. This is important because the dermis is the support structure for the skin and when it begins to diminish, the epidermis will sag and wrinkle.
Protecting the collagen and elastin fibers that make up the dermis and increasing hydration will lead to younger skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Choline-Stabilized Orthosilicic Acid (ch-OSA)
This special form of silicon was investigated in a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study where 50 women with sun damaged facial skin were given 10 milligrams of ch-OSA per day for 20 weeks.
The result showed a significant and positive effect on skin surface and skin elastic qualities. There was a 30% decrease in fine lines and wrinkle depth and a 30% reduction in skin roughness. [1]
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a component of connective tissue, serving to hydrate the skin, as well as cushion and lubricate the joints. The water binding capacity of skin is dependent in part on hyaluronic acid, which regulates water transport within the skin. [2] A hyaluronic acid deficiency is usually found in aging skin and its replacement can significantly reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
In November 2000, ABC news featured a story on Yuzuri Hara, a Japanese village that consumes a starchy vegetable called imoji, known to contain hyaluronic acid. It was noted that these Japanese villagers had very smooth and supple skin well into old age, despite frequent sun exposure and smoking.
While it is often believed that injectable hyaluronic acid is the only effective form to plump-up wrinkles, this is not true, oral supplements will absorb into the body and be utilized by the skin.
Ecklonia Cava
Ecklonia cava can protect against a collagen deficiency by inhibiting an elevation of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP -1) expression in the skin due to ultraviolet radiation. MMP-1 is an interstitial collagenase, which is primarily responsible for the degradation of skin in the aging process.
The phlorotannins eckol and dieckol from ecklonia species have been shown to reduce MMP-1 expression in human dermal fibrobroblasts. [3], [4]
References
[1] Arch Dermatol Res. 2005 Oct;297(4):147-53.
[2] Ann Pharm Fr. 2011 May;69(3):135-41.
[3] Biol Pharm Bull. 2006 Aug;29(8):1735-9.
[4] J Toxicol Environ Health A. 2008;71(15):992-9.
Comments (4)
This is an excellent plan as far as internal supplementation goes. I was not even aware of ch-OSA. Its great when you can learn about something completely new. Aside from this I would say balance and tighten the gut so you aren't nutrient deficient (gelatin and probiotics help) and use only natural products as topical agents. Here's a hint...if it can sit on a store shelf for more than a week, there is something inside of it used as preservative, probably parabens and edta. The solution is to make your own topicals at home. Its so easy. Add some water or cream to your blender or food processor and throw in avocado, carrot, honey, maybe some cucumber, some vitamin E or grapeseed oil and that is one recipe for great skin. You could also use shea butter, coconut oil, alpha lipoic acid, and vitamin C for extra power. Keep it refrigerated between uses. Trust me, this turns out to be cheaper than purchasing top of the line topicals that really end up doing more harm than good.
Great article guys!
Great comments spenc, with your advice about the gut you'll like our next article about the top 10 probiotic foods.
If one takes all 3 of these at the age of 25, will their skin remain youthful until death? Also, if an elderly person consumed these supplements, how much in percentage terms would their old, saggy skin revert to youthful skin?
goten574 - Unfortunately, it's not possible to answer accurately. Various environmental and dietary factors play a role. What these agents will do is reduce the rate of collagen breakdown. Based on genetic makeup alone, individuals will retain collagen at different rates.
It's important to note that collagen alone is not the only factor involved in skin aging. Other agents include growth hormone and thymosin-beta4 and will be the subject of future articles.
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