All of us are well aware of the fact that excessive refined sugar is not doing anything wonderful for our internal health, but do you know what it can actually to do your skin? A recent report claims that consuming high amounts of sugar may actually trigger certain hormonal shifts in the body that would eventually show up on your skin. Dr. Harold Lancer has also stressed on the negative effects of sugar on an individual’s skin in his best seller, “Younger: The Breakthrough Anti-Aging Method for Radiant Skin.”
Simply put, sugar breaks down the collagen molecules that make your skin appear plump, radiant and lifted. Dr. Lancer also asserts that sugar can considerably weaken your immune system, which makes it very difficult for your body to fight against bacterial infections. In fact, bacteria, clogged inside the skin pores, results in skin breakouts, including pesky pimples.
People, who have that ‘sugar face,’ usually have fine lines and unsightly wrinkles on their face, skin sagging beneath their eyes or thin eyebrows.
How Can Sugar Affect Your Skin ?
Sugar face cannot be considered as a medical condition, according to a number of skin care professionals. Generally, your skin reflects your internal health, but as you eat anything, it will be further broken down into various metabolites unlike remaining one single entity.
Many dermatologists emphasize the fact that there are not ample evidence-based studies to prove that sugar itself may drastically change the way a person’s skin appears or feels, and that further research is required to confirm the same.
Many people break out if they consume a certain type of food, but there are no sufficient evidences to suggest that eating something sugary, such as chocolate would lead to more breakouts.
As a matter of fact, the definite association between sugar and the skin stems out from the truth that sugar falls into the carbohydrate category.
If we talk in the terms of glycation, it can be observed that more advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) is found in relatively old skin, especially the skin of a diabetic. There are various laboratory revelations depicting the relation between AGEs and the eventual wrinkle formation. However, it is still not clear that increased sugar intake results in the increased AGEs and the wrinkles.
There are some scientific evidences that indicate that foods with a higher glycemic index or high carbohydrate foods may exacerbate acne, but these remain just a contributing factor.
Dr. Harold Lancer believes that some simple carbohydrates, such as refined sugar, soda and white bread might cause an abrupt increase in your insulin levels that may in turn lead to burst of inflammation throughout the body.
This inflammation is believed to give rise to enzymes that can break down both collagen and elastin molecules. The more sugar you consume, the more you are at risk of developing insulin resistance. Unfortunately, this insulin resistance can lead to unwanted hair growth (hirsutism), and dark patches over the neck and body’s natural creases. Continue reading to know how you can reduce the adverse effects of sugar on your skin.
How To Counteract Sugar’s Adverse Effects On Your Skin ?
Below are a few important tips by Dr. Lancer that may help reduce sugar’s negative effects on your skin.
- Sleep for At Least 7 Hours Each Day: When you don’t get enough sleep, your body releases the stress hormone, cortisol. This hormone eventually mobilizes the sugar stores and results in insulin spike.
- Reduce Your Stress Levels: Stress can significantly increase your insulin levels in a similar way as sugar consumption can. The adverse effects of stress are specifically associated with frequent acne breakouts.
- Eat Balanced Meals : Lowering your sugar consumption does not necessarily mean that you should lower your food intake. If you focus at keeping your blood sugar levels within the normal range, make sure ot have low-glycemic, protein-rich foods every two to three hours to prevent any insulin spikes.
- Prepare Your Food Carefully: Whenever you are cooking starches, such as potatoes and foods that contain wheat, always remember that the high temperatures involved in the cooking process may lead to gelatinization, which may in turn increase glycemic index of that particular food. The best solution is to avoid frying starches in high heat and the ones that are commercially processed.
- Consume Proteins First: Proteins don’t lead to insulin spikes and hence, prevent inflammatory responses when you go on consuming insulin-spiking food items.
- Have Adequate Amounts of Healthy Fats: Try consuming foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids as they can help you have that soft, firm and supple skin.
We hope all these tips by Dr. Harold Lancer would help you achieve the flawless skin that you have always dreamt of.
