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Tag: anti-ageing

Can you use regular face cream for your eyes?

January 23rd, 2019 by The Hello Doctor Team

The first signs of ageing usually show up around the eye area. This is because the skin around the eyes is a little different from the rest of the face. It’s much more delicate and fragile.

This begs the question: is the skin on your face and eye area different enough to merit using two separate moisturising products?

All about face cream

While the skin constantly needs protection and moisture, everyone’s skin is different. Your skin also changes over time.

To know what will work for you, you first need to understand your skin type and your face’s skin zones. This calls for an organised skincare routine to help maintain and balance your skin.

Commercially available face creams are packed with moisture-boosting chemicals. A good moisturiser infuses your skin with hydration, which helps to trap the product underneath it to make the ingredients even more effective. Skin-replenishing ingredients enrich the skin’s surface, while drenching it with revitalising hydration.

The lowdown on eye cream

The skin around the eyes is extremely thin, fragile, prone to dryness, and quicker to show signs of ageing and fatigue. It can also be severely stressed by blinking and/or rubbing of the eyes. Squinting and constant movement of your eyes accelerates the appearance of lines and wrinkles, while fluids that collect under the eye cause puffiness and dark circles.

Eye creams can help to address some of these issues, but so can your diet. Fluid accumulation is often caused by poor circulation, so including more vitamin K- rich food in your diet, can help ease this. Healthy options include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, green leafy vegetables, spinach, fish, liver and eggs.

Should you use eye cream?

Eye creams often contain ingredients that offer quick, temporary fixes to the problems mentioned above. They can help reduce puffiness, fine lines, wrinkles and dark circles. The night-time versions usually contain more of these active ingredients that help to repair the skin while you rest.

But these creams aren’t always the magical fix you’re looking for. Don’t forget that the skin is an organ that needs constant maintenance. Because the eye area is so sensitive, it’s best to give this part of your skin a little more TLC before fine lines and wrinkles start to appear. Using a good eye cream is one trick. Remember though, your skin also benefits from gentle, fragrance-free products, including a good cleanser and toner.

Your skin needs will change as you age, and so will your products.

 

Take care of your skin in four steps:

1. Cleanse: Wash your face using lukewarm water and cleanser.

2. Tone: This helps to balance the skin.

3. Moisturise: This hydrates and softens the skin.

4. Eye cream: Apply regularly to give the fragile skin around your eyes the extra protection it needs.

 

References:

Could you have the anti-ageing gene?

July 30th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

A scientific study has found a genetic mutation in the Amish people of the mid-western United States that seems to keep them ticking far longer than people without it. Up to 10 years longer, in fact!

Northwestern University researchers say that the small Indiana Amish community carries a copy of a genetic mutation that holds the secret to their healthy ageing. Those with the mutation also had lower chances of developing diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

This exciting find has seen other researchers join the cause. Scientists in the USA and Japan are testing an experimental drug in the hopes of recreating the mutation in people to help protect against age-related illnesses and boost longevity.

What’s the secret?

According to Douglas Vaughan, a medical researcher at Northwestern University and his team, of the 177 members of the Amish community, 43 were found with one mutated SERPINE1 gene copy.

What this means is that the carriers of these genes can live up to 85 years on average, while those without it in the community tend to live to 75. The Amish people with this gene mutation also showed a good metabolism and lower insulin levels after fasting, with possibly even more flexible blood vessels.

The mutation can happen on one or both copies of the gene SERPINE1. Apparently, when both gene copies are mutated, it can lead to a rare genetic bleeding disorder. The Amish community is unfortunately susceptible to it. This mutation prevents the regulation of a protein called PAI-1, which dissolves blood clots.

A medicine for anti-ageing

Researchers found that these people also had 50% lower PAI-1 levels than average. It’s not known exactly how PAI-1 contributes to ageing, but it does play a role in a process called cellular senescence. This is when cells are no longer able to replicate and they just go dormant. This contributes to the effects of ageing.

The Amish community who have the gene seems to have a desirable form of longevity. They are generally protected from age-related changes from birth. This results in a longer lifespan. Not only do they live longer, but they also live healthier.

Based on the research, the scientists have now developed a drug for humans that involves PAI-1 inhibition (an agent that slows or interferes with a chemical reaction), which is currently in Phase 2 clinical trials. If the trials are successful, they could result in the development of a drug that can be used to slow some of the effects of ageing.

References

How old are you really? Biological age explained.

October 24th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

You’ve just turned fabulous 40 but your body and mind feel decades older. What’s going on? Your biological age may have the answer.

The human body has two different ages: a chronological age and a biological age. Chronological age is the actual time you’ve been alive, measured in years, months, and days from the date you were born. Biological age is how old you seem. It’s a measure of how well your body functions relative to your age on the calendar.

Your chronological age doesn’t always match your biological age. Ageing rates can vary significantly from person to person, even if you share the same birth year. So this means that your chronological age isn’t necessarily the best predictor of how well you’re ageing. Rather, your biological age could more accurately inform you of how healthy you are, and whether you’re at risk for age-related diseases like high blood pressure or diabetes.

How biological age is measured

A lot of things can determine your biological age and impact your longevity. These include:

  • Your lifestyle. Your exercise and eating habits, stress levels, alcohol intake, level of education, amount of sleep, and sexual and romantic relationships.
  • Your gene-pool. In the same way that certain diseases run in your family, so does longevity. If your family members live well into their 70s, chances are you will too.
  • Where you live. The environment you live in is tied to your habits, safety, the foods you eat, and so much more. For example, if you live in an unsafe area, you’re less likely to go out to exercise. This can, in turn, influence your biological age.

How do you calculate your biological age?

Although there are many measures scientists use to determine your biological age, you can get a quick estimate with these 2 tests:

The balance test

Bend your right leg at a 90-degree angle. Place your hands on your hips. Close your eyes. Try to keep your balance as long as possible. The longer you can stay balanced, the lower your biological age.

  • 70+ secs: Age 20.
  • 60-70 secs: Age 30.
  • 50-60 secs: Age 40.
  • 40-50 secs: Age 50.
  • 30-40 secs: Age 60.
  • 20-30 secs: Age 70.
  • Less than 20 secs: Age 80.

The reading test

Place the end of a ruler on your cheekbone below your eye. Place a business card on the ruler with the text facing you. Slide it towards your eye until the words begin to blur. Measure the distance at which you can still read the card. This number is your biological age.

  • 0-9cm: Age 20.
  • 9-16cm: Age 30.
  • 16-30cm: Age 40.
  • 30-60cm: Age 50.
  • 60-90cm: Age 60.
  • 90+cm: Age 70.

Make your body younger

Unhappy with your biological age? Here’s how to turn back the clock and feel youthful again.

  • Quit smoking. According to a study published in Scientific Reports, smoking adds two to six years to your biological age.
  • Get at least seven hours of restful sleep every night. Your body needs sleep to naturally repair and rejuvenate itself. The less you sleep, the more rapidly you’ll age. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, avoid caffeine after 4pm, wind down before you hit the sheets, and keep your bedroom cool and dark for a great night’s sleep.
  • Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, lean protein, wholegrains, legumes, and nuts and seeds to fight harmful free radicals that are known to accelerate ageing.
  • Learn stress-management techniques. Excessive stress places strain on your immune system, messes with your hormones, slows your metabolic rate, and increases your fat storage – all of which are bad news for your biological age. Manage your stress levels and reverse your biological age with mindfulness and meditation. Pilates and yoga are other stress-reducing techniques.
  • Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day. Regular exercise can improve your mood, brain function, and reduce your risk for heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease. It can also help you maintain a healthy weight for your height and age. Overweight and obese people tend to look older.

References:

Collagen: the natural way to youthful skin

August 28th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

Collagen is a complex protein, in charge of giving strength and flexibility to the skin, joints, nails, and hair. It acts as a glue substance that holds your body together. Your body produces collagen all by itself, thanks to taking in foods that are rich in gelatin.

Gelatin comes from collagen, is largely made of amino acid and proline, and can be found in bones, fibrous tissues and animal organs.

As we age though, the body starts to produce less collagen, which leads to wrinkles, saggy skin and weakened joint cartilage. By the age of 60 a decline of collagen production is normal; but women in particular, experience a dramatic reduction after menopause.

Collagen can be broken down, converted and absorbed back into the body. You can get it in a form of capsules, liquid, powder and protein-rich foods. Good repairing of collagen can help reduce the appearance of cellulite, strengthen bones to help prevent osteoporosis and promote nail and hair growth.

Collagen enemies

It is often said that “the skin you have in your 20s you’ve inherited, in your 40s is what you’ve earned and in your 60s is what you deserve.”  The factors that will ultimately determine this fate, include:

  • UV-rays: excess exposure can cause long-term damage to your skin.
  • Too much dietary sugar robs your bones of minerals and weakens your skin’s elasticity.
  • Smoking can cause wrinkling and accelerate ageing, as nicotine in cigarettes can reduce blood flow to organs. This deprives the skin of nutrients and oxygen.

Boost your collagen with food:

  • Fish like tuna and salmon are packed with Omega-3 fatty acids. These will create stronger cells that will be able to support your skin structure.
  • Dark leafy greens like spinach and kale are rich in Vitamin C that can protect your skin from free radicals that weaken collagen. It can help accelerate your collagen production too.
  • Red vegetables like beetroot, peppers and tomatoes have an antioxidant that can protect your skin from the sun.
  • Berries are strong antioxidants that protect your skin from free radicals.
  • Soy products can promote collagen production and help block enzymes that can age your skin.
  • Citrus fruits are loaded with Vitamin C that helps amino acids convert to collagen. They also help neutralise free radicals that are harmful for your skin.
  • Egg whites are a good source of protein that will help support your body’s natural collagen production.
  • Garlic is a source of sulfur which is an abundant and necessary mineral in your body. It also contains properties that can help rebuild collagen fibres that have been damaged.
  • Bone broth: When you cook bones, the collagen inside them is broken down, making it more digestible.

It’s important to note that topical creams claiming to restore collagen are not necessarily credible. Collagen molecules are too big to be absorbed by the skin. So, before jumping on the lotion and potion bandwagon, get repairing from the inside out with a bone broth!

References

Feel younger as you get older

October 22nd, 2016 by The Hello Doctor Team

Creams, lotions, potions, surgery and a million other beautifiers work hard to keep us younger as we get older. But, as research has long pointed out, smart living (that is, a holistic approach to ageing) will do much more for your health – and the way you look! Here are a few tips to look great forever.

Continue reading “Feel younger as you get older”

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