Anti-Aging Strategies for Health and Longevity
Aging and the Skin
By Steven and Rose Novil

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Aging, as defined in the Encyclopedia Britannica, is the physiological change that takes place in the human body leading to senescence or the process of growing older or decaying, the decline of biological functions and of the ability to adapt to metabolic stress. In humans, the physiological developments are normally accompanied by psychological and behavioral changes, and other changes, involving social and economic factors.

Aging begins as soon as adulthood is reached and is as much a part of human life as are infancy, childhood, and adolescence. Gerontology (the study of aging) is concerned primarily with the changes that occur between the attainment of maturity and the death of the individual. The goal of research in gerontology is to identify the factors that influence these changes. Application of this knowledge is expected to reduce the disabilities now associated with aging.

Physiologists have found that the performance of many organs such as the heart, kidneys, brain, or lungs shows a gradual decline over the life span. Part of this decline is due to a loss of cells from these organs, with resultant reduction in the reserve capacities of the individual. Furthermore, the cells remaining in the elderly individual may not perform as well as those in the young. Certain cellular enzymes may be less active, and thus more time may be required to carry out chemical reactions. Ultimately the cell may die.

How is the Skin a Marker of the Aging process?

The primary age change in the skin is a gradual loss of elasticity. Although this basic change plays a role, other factors, such as exposure to the weather and familial traits, also contribute to the development of wrinkles and the pigmentation associated with growing older. The ability of the skin to take up slack and remain closely adherent to the underlying structures is due to the presence of fibers of the proteins elastin and collagen, keeping the connective tissue flexible.

Besides reflecting various cosmetic imperfections, the skin is the largest organ in the body, and is often referred to as the third kidney. It is the organ that helps us to eliminate toxins through the mechanism of sweating and is very closely related to the kidneys and the eyes, as they have evolved from the same cell group of the embryo. This may mean that when there are skin problems, often the eyes and kidneys are also affected. This concept is part of natural western medicine going back to ancient Greece, as well as ancient Chinese and Oriental medicine.

To determine how responsive the collagen or elasticity of your skin is, a simple test is to pinch the back of your hand gently, holding it for approximately 5 -10 seconds and releasing it. Watch carefully how quickly your skin returns to its normal shape. If your skin returns to its normal shape in a few seconds, this is a good indication of your skin’s elasticity. However, if it takes more than several seconds to return to its normal shape, this may indicate excessive aging in your skin as well as other organs in your body.

What are wrinkles?

Wrinkles are the small lines, crevices or furrows that appear on the skin, particularly the face, as we age. Elasticity is the key to slowing down wrinkles. With the loss of suppleness, the skin begins to show signs of aging. The skin thins and thickens in certain places causing age spots to form as well as wrinkles. Habitual facial expressions such as laughing and frowning do not disappear and in time deepen into wrinkles.

Are liver spots a sign of liver disease?

Liver spots have nothing to do with the liver, and they are not an indication of liver disease. They are more correctly called “age spots” and “photoaging spots.” In medical terminology, they are called lentigines or lentigos. Their typical appearance is light to dark brown (nearly black) flat patches on the hands, face, legs or feet. The edges of the spots are rounded, giving them a resemblance to a large freckle

Exposure to the sun causes the development of free radicals that may damage the skin. Most people who have significant numbers of age spots live in sunny climates or have had excessive sun exposure.

Photoaging may be prevented or moderated by avoiding excessive sun exposure and using an effective sunscreen. There is new research indicating that adding the pomegranate fruit, a very high antioxidant food substance, to SPF protection, or when it is taken as an oral supplement, the SPF protection of regular sunscreen is increased 22.7–28.8 percent (Cosmetic Surgery Times, June 1, 2004).

According to Dr. James F. Balch’s book, Prescription for Nutritional Healing, these brown spots in themselves are harmless, but they can be a sign of more serious underlying problems. They are the result of a buildup of wastes known as lipofuscin accumulation, a byproduct of free radical damage in skin cells. These spots are actually signs that the cells are full of the type of accumulated wastes that slowly destroy the body’s cells, including brain and liver cells. In other words, they are a surface sign of free radical intoxication of the body that may affect many internal structures as well, including the heart muscle and the retina.

Balch further states that factors leading to the formation of age spots include poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, poor liver function, the ingestion of oxidized oils over a period of time, and above all, excessive sun exposure. The formation of lipofuscin is associated with a deficiency of a number of important nutrients, including vitamin E, selenium, glutathione, chromium, and dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE). Consuming alcohol increases liopsuscin formation. One study found that animals fed alcohol over a period of eighteen months had twice the amount of liposfuscin on their brain cells as animals in the control group.

Age spots are not cancerous or precancerous. However, pigmented lesions that may be similar in appearance, but have uneven rather than rounded edges, could be melanoma and should be evaluated by a dermatologist.

Nutritional and Product Recommendations

Drink more purified or distilled water. Hydration of the skin is key to good health. One half a glass of water per hour is enough to hydrate you skin and your body, also enhancing eye and kidney function as well as protecting against wrinkles..

The following products assist in visibly reducing signs of aging skin, assisting the skin and other organs with nourishment at the cellular level. Ageless Secret (skin spray) at www.AgelessSecret.com; Carlson Labs Vitamin E (all natural vegetarian); Vitamin A, Vitamin B complex (Nature’s Plus Brand—all vegetarian); EmergenC Lite Sugar-free Lemon-lime flavor (all vegetarian). Other products to help digestion and elimination resulting in better skin tone are: Tymezyme Digestive enzymes, Kyodophilus digestive acidophilus and bifidus, and other digestive enzyme products.

Through proper nutrition, including eating fresh organic fruits and vegetables as often as possible, proper elimination (which means solid waste elimination two to three times daily), regular exercise, protection from the sun, and good skin care, you can help to slow down aging at the cell level, which includes the largest organ of your body, the skin.

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Steven and Rose Novil are both doctors of nutrition and naturopathy. Steven practices in Chicago and has lectured at international conferences on Anti-Aging as well as locally, and is an advisor to major supplement companies. In addition to her degrees in health, Rose is also a Professor of Library Services, consulting with Steven and researching new developments in the field of Anti-Aging. Their goal is to help people become pro-active and informed partners in creating their own personal anti-aging programs.

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