Why You Should Be Taking Anti-Glycation Supplements
We delve into the science of ageing and what causes AGEs and accelerated ageing to show you the solution for younger-looking skin.
AGEs (Advanced Glycation End-products) is a direct result from the glycation process and one of the main ageing factors on the skin. A buzzword among dermatologists and skin care experts for many years, glycation is what happens on the cellular level to age our skin.
Modern environmental and lifestyle conditions contribute to AGE formation and thereby glycation, which harm the skin at a cellular level and accelerate the breakdown of collagen. When too many AGEs are created or consumed, they accumulate in our tissues and accelerate the ageing process from the inside out.
Over time, skin can become discoloured and dull with more hyper-pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles.
What Causes AGEs?
Glycation is a process where damage occurs to proteins caused by sugar molecules which bond to proteins and deform them so they form advanced glycation end products, or AGEs. The proteins in skin most prone to glycation are the same ones that make a youthful complexion so plump and bouncy - collagen and elastin.
Our modern diet is full of grilled, fried, toasted and roasted foods such as crusted breads, roasted meats, grilled salmon and coffee (so much coffee), yet these foods all produce high levels of sugars, such as fructose or glucose - a main contributor to glycation (or glycosylation). Even the cooking method you choose can release additional sugars in your everyday meals.
A major form of your AGE intake is most likely from the foods you eat. Foods that have been exposed to high temperatures, such as during grilling, frying, or toasting, tend to be very high in AGEs.
In fact, diet is the biggest contributor of AGEs. Fortunately, your body has mechanisms to eliminate these harmful compounds, including those involving antioxidant and enzymatic activity.
Yet, when you consume too many AGEs — or too many form spontaneously — your body can’t keep up with eliminating them. Thus, they accumulate. While low levels are generally nothing to worry about, high levels have been shown to cause oxidative stress and inflammation. High levels of inflammation over a long period can damage every organ in the body.
In fact, high levels have been linked to the development of many diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, kidney failure, and Alzheimer’s, as well as premature ageing.
Furthermore, people who have high blood sugar levels, such as those with diabetes, are at a higher risk of producing too many AGEs, which can then build up in the body.
Short Answer - Sugar is Ageing You!
Collagen makes up 75 percent of skin and helps to ward of wrinkles as we age. But as we age, we accumulate an increase of AGEs (advanced glycation end products) that weaken the elastin and collagen proteins that are responsible for maintaining the support and elasticity crucial for skin health. Smoking and prolonged exposure to UV rays also increase AGEs in the skin, making it more susceptible to damage.
So What Can You Do To Limit The Effects of AGEs?
Using antioxidants and topical moisturisers are a good start to keeping the effects of ageing at bay, but they only go so far. Because AGEs damages from the inside out, one of the most effective ways to reduce AGEs is through good nutritional habits. AGEs are found in many foods that are sugary or processed, so it’s best to avoid these types of products. It’s an age-old tale, but fruits and vegetables are the preferred food choice as they contain iridoids, which are phytonutrients found in certain plants that are known to fight infection, disease and AGEs.
Cooking methods also contribute to AGE formation, with methods such as barbecuing, sautéing or toasting on the forbidden list, while slow cooking, steaming, poaching or boiling is preferred - you want to keep temperatures as low as possible so you don’t destroy the nutrients in the food. It's recommended to reduce your intake of the foods highest in AGEs. These include meat (especially red meat), certain cheeses, fried eggs, butter, cream cheese, margarine, mayonnaise, oils, and nuts. Fried foods and highly processed products also contain high levels.
Anti-glycation supplements are the next level of skin treatments to treat, prevent or reverse skin damage
For many of us though, it can be hard to make the transition above to fit our daily lives. That's why anti-glycation supplements like our S-block, are the next level of skin treatments to treat, prevent or reverse skin damage caused by the accumulation of AGEs. VK6 S-block is formulated with ingredients proven to defend against the skin-damaging and AGE-accelerating factors that we experience every day from sun, stress, pollution, sleep, diet, and climate.
S-block works as an AGE inhibitor, suppressing glycoxidation and reversing AGE cross-linking - providing ultimate cellular repair for a rejuvenated complexion.
Boasting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, S-block contains 13 essential vitamins and minerals including, Chromium, Manganese, Cinnamon extract, Thiamine (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Nicotinamide (B3) and Alpha Lipoic Acid, to name just a few.
S-block is uniquely targeted on preventing and treating the effects of AGEs. With daily use, S-block helps reduce free radicals formed in the body and supports healthy blood sugar to enhance skin regeneration, as well as supporting the growth of healthy hair, skin and nails.
You can find out more about the product, it's benefits and shop by clicking here.
Shop S-block at VK6.com.au