What Glycation Does to Your Skin Three Ways to Fight it

This reaction can occur in any tissue in the body and it happens over time. However, the rate of glycation can be accelerated by factors such as high sugar consumption, smoking, increased blood-glucose levels caused by stress, and oxidative stress caused by UV exposure, air pollution, or poor lifestyle habits. 

Oxidative radicals are the most important participants in glycation reactions. Antioxidants protect the protein structure from damage and inhibit the highly reactive precursor compounds of AGEs (carbonyl compounds) that result from sugar chain cracking or lipid peroxidation.

When glycation reactions continue for an extended period, it can undergo further chemical reactions, and the protein molecules cross-link and form Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs). AGEs lead to several health problems, including diabetes complications, heart, and Alzheimer's disease. In recent years, many scientific studies have revealed that advanced glycation end products are among the crucial contributory factors of skin aging.

When sugar molecules bind to collagen and elastin proteins in the skin, such essential proteins cannot correctly support the skin's structure, leading to wrinkles and other signs of accelerated aging. The external signs of glycation start to appear between the ages of 30 to 35. 

Glycation presents the skin as cross-hatched lines and wrinkles. If you think of “normal wrinkles, they are linear and generally parallel to each other in areas of facial movement. Lines created by glycation cross over each other and are often seen over the cheeks and around the chin.

Comprehensive studies have shown that AGEs not only reduce skin elasticity, accumulate pigments, and produce appearance changes such as wrinkles but also destroy the skin barrier, cause the apoptosis of skin-related cells, and induce inflammation.

AGEs are irreversible and difficult to metabolize. As AGEs accumulate year-by-year, the skin undergoes profound changes from the inside to the outside. AGEs affect all levels of the skin, causing inflammation, ageing, yellowing and other issues.

If you regularly cook foods at high temperatures or consume large amounts of processed foods, your AGE levels could be increased. Slow cooking methods, such as poaching, simmering, and braising, can help prevent glycation.

According to our medical advisor, Dr. Suzanne Ferree, MD, FAARM, Human Performance and Longevity Medicine at Vine Medical Associates, it is not just what you eat but how much. Consuming too many calories can also lead to the development of Advanced Glycation End Products.

2. Use anti-glycation products, such as Vitali Skincare with GHK-Cu. This potent regenerative peptide can help your skin in a number of ways by:

• Stimulating the production of collagen and elastin
• Inhibiting the activity of enzymes that break down collagen and elastin
• Neutralizing free radicals and reducing oxidative stress, which can lead to glycation

Another effective anti-glycation ingredient in Vitali products is brown algae. Brown Algae’s antioxidant effect protects against the skin’s firming collagen degradation. It supports cellular energy production, increasing the skin’s oxygen supply. This process positively affects cell renewal and the skin’s overall appearance. An in vitro study on brown algae extract found that the application to cells can protect collagen cells by interacting with collagen inhibitors to preserve collagen. Research shows that phlorotannins from brown algae inhibited the formation of advanced glycation end products by scavenging reactive carbonyls.

3.Consider supplementing with L-carnosine.
Research has shown Carnosine can prevent AGE formations through the reduction of blood glucose, prevention of early glycation, and even reversing previously formed AGEs. Carnosine is a potent free-radical scavenger and anti-glycating agent that inhibits AGE formation and its cross-linked proteins, helping to keep them functioning correctly. While you get Carnosine in your diet through animal protein, supplementing with L-Carnosine can boost you.

Dr. Suzanne Ferree, M.D. recommends that her patients supplement with 1,000 milligrams of L-Carnosine daily.

By following these tips, you can help reduce the effects of glycation and keep your skin looking young and healthy for years to come.