Skin Health
This brief introduction to the health of the skin should be regarded as both confidential and proprietary. This is an important introduction to ensure that we understand close principles of the function, construction and abuse (either directly or indirectly).
Definition of Skin in brief.
Skin is the largest organ in the human body, and although not truly part of the musculoskeletal system, has many structural and functional resemblances to bones and muscles that we need to be aware of. The skin is composed of many of the same connective tissues that occur around bones and muscles.
Most skin growth occurs within the stratum germinativum (basal layer) of the epidermis. Skin replaces itself almost every 27 days – it continually produces a horny protective covering of proteins (via the process of Keratinisation) and continually sheds its outermost layer of dead cells (via the process of exfoliation).
Biological function of Skin.
With regard to the immune system the Skin helps to protect the body from invasion by detrimental microorganisms.
With regard to the nervous system the skin contains receptors for the senses of touch, pain and temperature.
The skin helps to maintain the body’s water balance. It helps to prevent excessive loss of water. Skin has more wrinkles and appears “rougher” when the body is affected by dehydration, it is estimated that 70% of poor skin can be traced to dehydration.
Chemical Composition of Skin
The chemical composition of skin can be broadly considered as;
- Lipids comprise 2% of the Skin.
- Minerals comprise 0.5% of the Skin.
- Proteins comprise 25.5% of the Skin.
- Water comprises 70% of the Skin.
- Other substances comprise 2% of the Skin.
The Aging Process of Skin.
The aging process causes the skin to become thinner and more transparent:
The progression of the aging process (without intervention) causes deterioration of the structural attachment between the dermis (comprising approximately 90% of the thickness of the skin) and the epidermis.
The epidermis is the outermost layer which is further divided into four sub-layers. It is the thinnest layer of the skin (at its maximum it is 1 millimetre thick). The Epidermis is at its thickest (interestingly) on the soles of the feet and the palms of the hands and it is at its thinnest on the eyelids.
The Skin loses its elasticity in tandem with the progression of the aging process.
The skin’s collagen content declines in tandem with the progression of the aging process.
Some Common Substances that are Toxic to the Skin
Alcohol (ethanol) prematurely ages the Skin
Excessive consumption of simple sugars causes cross-linking (glycosylation) of the collagen in skin, resulting in wrinkles. Cross-Linking is believed to be a primary cause of the aging process (due to excessive cross-linking of the body’s collagen). The underlying toxic effect of undesirable Cross-Linking stems from the fact that the cross-linked molecule cannot assume the correct shape for proper functioning.
Simple sugars.
Several chapters could be written regarding the damage these harmful substances produce to tissue.
Simple sugars are implicated to a host of essentially internal tissue compromises reducing proper function. We may very broadly consider these simple sugars to be groups of monosaccharide’s and disaccharides.
Essentially we can consider the most common group of monosaccharide’s found in foods to be as fructose, galactose, glucose, and mannose.
These substances are directly linked and known to accelerate the aging process and cross-linking.
These simple sugars directly negatively interfere with (and in some cases block) the body’s absorption of healthy skin building minerals and vitamins. These simple sugars are intricately involved in the production of harmful free radicals that increase the damage to skin.
There are many additional factors that are common in reducing healthy skin that include;
- Increased exposure to sunlight due to the UV-A form of ultra-violet radiation. Exposure to chlorine both internally and externally.
- Heavy metal exposure.
- Several pharmaceutical drugs such as is the case with the antibiotics and anti inflammatory also directly contribute to skin nutrients being utilised due to poor internal tissue status.
N.B.
Many cosmetic companies make claims that their (topically applied) products that contain Liposomes can retard the aging process of the skin and that they can reactivate skin cells. However these claims are likely to be inaccurate as many researchers believe that topical Liposomes cannot permeate through to the deeper layers of the skin. Correctly produced Liposomes can fuse with cells and thereby deliver their internal load.
The “inner space” of Liposomes can be loaded with nutrients and indeed drugs (i.e. active ingredients) and used as delivery systems to deliver these active ingredients to their target sites. However it is my intention not to get too involved with this type of discussion in this brief document other than to note that the Re-natured nutrients do include several phospholipids both as carriers and as an active.
This document will contribute thoughts that positively contribute to both the direct and indirect health to the epidermis and dermis.
There are several options that we could present to consumers which are based upon the premises that good healthy skin is a reflection of our lifestyle choices. These choices are made both in our “sub-conscious” and conscious processes. We also experience skin dis-ease which is a reflection of deeper imbalance within.
Cleansing and Detoxifying.
The key option for consumers to decide upon is if they are prepared to engage a program of clearing toxins, often referred to (inappropriately as a detox).
The more accurate definition would be to “cleansing”; while essentially these two processes may seem the same they are not.
A cleansing program is a more constructive process as it implies that the focus is to strengthen the body’s immune system to clear harmful substances with help from positive nutrient materials.
A detoxifying program implies that the individual introduces materials that clear morbid matter.
Options
A.
Stage 1.
This is a comprehensive approach that will take effort and time.
The process would start with a 21 day preparation cleansing period with specific supportive supplements.
Look into:
Waste cleansing nutrients internally and externally.
The acid – alkali balance.
Proper hydration.
Key foodstuffs that include juices to create a beneficial environment.
Specific internal supplements to facilitate to removal of harmful free radicals that are created during the “liberation” of toxins. It is important that you are aware that the skin is one of the four main organs of elimination of waste materials and that sometimes blemishes can appear as the toxins are eliminated.
I have absolutely no doubt that when this is explained most consumers that are keen to rejuvenate their skin and other tissue will accommodate.
Stage 2.
This is the process of rebuilding the tissue with a reformed dietary approach that would be a very simple “at a glance” of good and not so good dietary choices. Appendix 1.
This dietary reform would also offer advice of the ideal balance between those foods that are acid forming and those that are alkali forming.
Appendix 2.
Supplements and topically applied substances.
The following is offered as a guide to the potential of the Food State supplements that can be created into valuable internal and topical formulas.
There is no doubt that most people are deficient in several important immune building minerals that promote cell cleansing and strengthen the immune system. It is a very sad reflection that the food of today is deficient in many important minerals. This is not in any way propaganda but factual and the figures can be validated by several NGOs including the UN, WHO and indeed the USA senate and MAFF in the UK.
As an example we know that there are nutritional deficiencies of oral or endogenous substances that (are from peer reviewed papers) which improve the health and appearance of the skin.
By way of a brief outline to these beneficial nutrient groups the following is offered.
Amino Acids
Specific amino acids concentrate in the skin and are essential to improve the structural integrity of the skin. Specific amino acids in the correct form (applied topically) increase the level of vascular endothelial growth factor in the skin.
We know that several of these amino acids are not in sufficient abundance for healthy epidermis or epidermis.
Amino acids are nutrient components in all Food State minerals and most vitamins.
Bioflavonoids
Specific flavonoids bind tightly to skin collagen and increase its resistance to enzyme degradation; In addition specific flavonoids do;
- Improve the elasticity and appearance of the skin.
- Helps to repair collagen.
- Protects the skin’s collagen from attack by harmful free radicals.
- Protects the skin from the toxic effects of elastase and collagenase enzymes.
Bioflavonoids nutrient components in Food State vitamin complexes.
Carbohydrates
Glucans
Glucans accelerate the healing of damaged tissue and wounds of the skin:
Beta 1,3 Glucan (applied topically as well as administered orally) protects Langerhans cells those specialized cells of the immune system that are located in the epidermis layer of the skin) from the toxic effects of ultra-violet radiation.
Beta 1,3 Glucan (applied topically) also increases the elasticity of the skin, increases the thickness of the Skin, reduces redness and roughness of the skin, reduces wrinkles of the skin and improves skin hydration.
Beta glucans are a component of the Food State minerals and several vitamins.
Hyaluronic Acid
We are aware of the debate regarding the body’s Hyaluronic Acid content which declines in tandem with the aging process but this document will not be contributing to this topic other than to note the function. As we are aware Hyaluronic Acid binds to and protects the skin’s connective tissues, holds moisture in the skin and acts as a lubricant between the skin’s cells
The content of Hyaluronic Acid in the dermis of the skin declines in tandem with the progression of the aging process (the dermis of people aged 60 and over often contain zero Hyaluronic Acid).
N.B.
The Hyaluronic acid content of the synovial fluid that surrounds joints becomes degraded and depleted during the course of rheumatoid arthritis.
Carotenoids
As we know Beta Carotene protects the skin from damage caused by excessive exposure to ultra-violet light. Supplemental Beta carotene in the Food State offers unique advantages as an antioxidant and nutrient for the skin.
Lycopene concentrates in the skin (and is destroyed at a greater rate than other endogenous chemicals when skin is exposed to Ultra-Violet Radiation).
Canthaxanthin protects the skin from damage caused by excessive exposure to Ultra-Violet Light.
The Food State Carotenoids are available both as internal or external materials.
Enzymes
Bromelain improves the visual appearance of the skin (by encouraging the rapid turnover of cells, encouraging the formation of new skin cells and dissolving cross-links within the skin). This enzyme needs to be at the correct GDU activity level to impart benefit. It is of interest to note that this enzyme is a very effective anti-inflammatory.
Proteolytic enzymes such as bromelain and papain (applied topically) can dissolve old, highly cross-linked collagen within the skin and cause its replacement with new, young collagen:
Glutathione prevents the cross-linking of nucleic acids, fats and proteins in the skin.
Skin Growth Factors
Skin Respiratory Factor (SRF-TRF) improves the health and visual appearance of the Skin.
For interest applied topically SRF-TRF is documented to alleviate Haemorrhoids, Varicose Veins and accelerates the healing of burns.
The mechanism by which TRF- SRF enhances the health of the skin’s tissues is by attracting oxygen to fibroblasts (those specialized cells of the skin) in the dermis of the skin which in turn boosts the skin’s production of collagen and elastin.
TRF (tissue respiratory – regeneration factor) is a specific Food State substance that can be taken as an internal supplement as well as successfully applied topically
Lipids
As we know Alpha-Linolenic Acid (LNA) improves the visual appearance of the skin (to “smooth” and “velvety”) and allows the body’s biological systems to expel fat-soluble toxins from the skin.
Other lipids are also beneficial to both the skin and brain and these are available in the Food State.
N.B.
There is a reasonable amount of interest regarding Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) which are a component of the cell membranes of the epidermis of the skin. However my research indicates that topically applied exogenous GSLs are too large a molecule to penetrate the skin’s surface to reach the epidermis. Probably good marketing is the beneficial recipient for this fat.
Minerals
The true benefit of the Food State minerals with regard to good skin is profound. The use of mineral salts will not achieve the benefits that Food State nutrients can and indeed do achieve. As a very brief introduction to several of the benefits of the Food State minerals we can consider the following
Chromium concentrates in the skin and the body uses the GTF form better than other salts.
Pale complexion of the skin can occur as a result of Iron deficiency. Food State nutrients are beneficial as internal and topical.
Molybdenum concentrates in the skin and is necessary for proper skin formation and function. In trials it was found that the Food State Molybdenum was 16 times more effective than other salts.
Selenium enhances the health of the skin in many biological processes; it is known that 8 out of ten persons consuming a western diet will be deficient in this mineral. The role of this mineral with cancers is very well documented but in clinical (peer reviewed and published) this form was the form that achieved the beneficial result
Silicon maintains the elasticity, firmness and strength of the skin’s tissue (silicon as we know is often used topically in skin firming cosmetics for this purpose).
Silicon as we know is an essential component of collagen and supplemental silicon increases the collagen content of the skin.
Sulphur concentrates in the skin and provides unique beneficial properties. Correct sulphur levels are known to inhibit the aging process within cells.
This mineral is involved in the integrity of cartilage (the sulphur concentration in damaged cartilage is only 33% of the level of normal cartilage). Approximately 50% of the body’s sulphur content is located in Muscles.
N.B
It is interesting to note that many persons concerned about their appearance may be of an age where several dis-ease process are also common such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Perhaps with a cosmetic program we could also supply specialist supplements that are associated with advancing years.
Sulphur improves the function of the joints and osteoarthritis patients are often found to be deficient in sulphur supplemental sulphur (either orally or via sulphur baths) alleviates the pain associated with osteoarthritis and restores endogenous sulphur levels to normal.
Sulphur alleviates the pain and effusions that occur in rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis patients are generally found to be deficient in sulphur.
Zinc enhances the health of the skin by stimulating collagen formation (and is especially beneficial when combined with an amino acid carrier) – red, greasy, flaky skin at the side of the nose can occur as a result of zinc deficiency. Zinc is involved in the structure and function of cell membranes.
Many acne patients (especially adolescents) have low zinc levels and supplemental zinc has been shown to improve the condition of acne patients in 75% of cases.
Zinc (applied topically) alleviates the inflammation associated with acne and decreases the excessive production of sebum that occurs as a result of acne and which causes the clogging of the skin’s pores that is associated with acne.
Generally, improvements in acne following zinc therapy do not become apparent until approximately 12 weeks from the commencement of zinc supplementation.
Zinc supplementation is a useful therapy for Actinic Keratosis sufferers. While on this mineral it is known that recurring boils are often due to zinc deficiency and people who suffer from recurrent boils often respond to supplemental. Adequate levels of zinc supplementation also prevents future occurrences of boils.
Dandruff can occur as a result of zinc deficiency.
Dermatitis patients are usually found to be deficient in zinc. Dry skin can occur as a result of zinc deficiency.
Psoriasis sometimes responds to zinc supplementation as plasma levels of zinc in psoriasis patients are usually depleted. Approximately 20% of the body’s total zinc reserves are stored in the skin:
A large proportion of the skin’s zinc is stored in the stratum germinativum layer of the epidermis.
Rough or cracked skin can occur as a result of deficiency. Zinc (lotion topically applied) counteracts the ability of Ultra-Violet Radiation to damage the skin.
Zinc is essential for the healing of wounds and accelerates the healing of wounds by up to 40% in zinc deficient persons.
Many people consume zinc supplements but these are often “blocked” by Malabsorption, the Food State supplements are peptide bound and seem to be much better absorbed.
Proteins
Collagen is as we know responsible for the skin’s elasticity and Elastin interweaves with collagen fibres to provide them with more flexibility. Both of these specialist proteins are available as Food State materials.
Vitamins
Available as Food State for topical and oral administration.
Biotin facilitates the growth of skin tissue and does improve the visual appearance of the skin.
Biotin regulates the secretion of sebum by the sebaceous glands.
Biotin deficiency can cause dry skin and a sallow gray complexion.
Folic Acid improves the visual appearance of the skin (pale, washed-out skin is a symptom of folic acid deficiency).
Lipoic Acid (cream/lotion applied topically) improves the visual appearance of the skin and helps to reverse the aging process in the skin.
Para Amino benzoic Acid (PABA) improves the health and “smoothness” of the skin and delays the formation of wrinkles.
Vitamin A improves the growth, repair of, elasticity and strength of the skin (by improving the function of the epithelial cells that form the outer protective layer of the skin and increasing the number of skin cell receptors for epidermal growth factor).
Vitamin B1 helps prevent the cross-linking of collagen and elastin in the skin and supplemental Vitamin B1 has been shown to improve the visual appearance of the skin.
Red, greasy or flaky Skin at the side of the Nose can occur as a result of Vitamin B2 deficiency.
Vitamin B3 is necessary for healthy skin.
Vitamin B5 significantly improves skin appearance after a few weeks of use and alleviates many ailments of the skin. Vitamin B5 is required by the skin to synthesize protective fats that are essential to skin function.
Vitamin C improves the health of the skin and prevents the premature formation of wrinkles (by improving the integrity of collagen and increasing the synthesis of collagen within the skin).
Vitamin E improves various aspects of skin health it increases the elimination of cellular waste from the skin and increases the growth of new skin cells.
This vitamin also protects the endogenous fats within the skin (especially sebum) from decomposition and rancidity (due to its antioxidant properties).
Vitamin E improves blood circulation to the skin and unlike the chemical “natural” vitamin E Food State vitamin E does not increase blood pressure.
Vitamin K (applied topically) improves the visual appearance of the Skin, studies have shown that vitamin K (topically applied 0.1% Vitamin K cream) reduces red blotches on the skin and lightens dark circles under the eyes.
The challenge for us is to decide if we are going to offer “preparations” that are “stand alone” or weave a process that is known to be a TOTAL SKIN health product range with supportive good health guidelines.
Moving forward designing formulas would depend upon the strategy and position of such a Total Skin Health company. It would not be difficult at all to design protocols that reflect the degree of holistic Total Skin health products. The topic of the Quinones and skin health are not addressed in this document.
We are aware that Coenzyme Q10 (applied topically) improves the visual appearance of the skin and inhibits the activity of collagenase in the fibroblasts of the dermis of the skin. It is interesting that if the correct quality of this quinone is used then the substance can stimulate the synthesis of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in the fibroblasts of the dermis of the skin.
The correct quality of Q10 will stimulate the production of Hyaluronic acid in the fibroblasts of the dermis of the skin.
Fasting accelerates the elimination of toxins via the skin, should this information be shared or is it too radical for those wishing to keep their skin healthy as well as those wishing to rejuvenate?
There is also the information of foods that are helpful for the skin and I feel should be listed in a simple booklet (or just interesting “did you know”)examples are;
Bananas (pulp applied topically) cleanse the skin.
Grape (juice) alleviates some skin ailments.
Pineapple (ingested internally or applied topically) accelerates the replacement of old, cross-linked collagen (due to its bromelain enzymes content).
Bee Pollen improves the appearance of the skin and retards and possibly diminishes wrinkles:
Some studies conducted in Sweden have shown that bee pollen was found to deliver more blood to skin cells and to stimulate the growth of new skin tissue and smooth away shallow wrinkles
Cabbage (juice) reputedly clears various types of skin eruptions (according to anecdotal reports).
Carrot (juice) alleviates blemishes of the skin.
Cucumber is claimed to improve the complexion of the Skin and to improve the general health of the skin (due to its high content of silicon). This juice also tightens the skin’s pores and reduces puffiness of the area of the skin around the eyes.
Garlic exerts youth-preserving, anti-aging, beneficial effects on the skin’s fibroblasts.
Lettuce (juice) is claimed to be beneficial for the skin
Potato (juice) alleviates blemishes of the skin.
Tomato (juice) improves the health of the skin (due to the carotenoids in tomato).