The road to a youthful appearance: forget plastic surgery, focus on your genes

Although many people don’t want to admit it, physical appearance matters to almost everyone. And that’s actually a good thing, because what doesn’t look good on the surface (whether it’s wrinkles, loose skin, age spots or obesity) is in most cases caused by changes that negatively affect the state of our entire body. Therefore, even the pursuit of youthful-looking skin is a desirable thing, but instead of expensive creams and plastic surgery, we should focus on the harmonious functioning of our entire body, even at the cellular level.

Every cell has genetic information in its nucleus – DNA with thousands of genes that provide the cell with information on how to behave. When it comes to skin cells, according to the genes in their DNA, they make proteins that are necessary for their function and regeneration. But only a small part of the genes are active, switched on. The others are “switched off” by several biochemical reactions.

Why does skin age?

In order for everything in the body to work as it should, it is necessary for the so-called epigenetic reactions to take place flawlessly in the cells. These are the biochemical processes that switch individual genes in the DNA on and off.

However, aging leads to negative changes in epigenetic reactions that gradually accumulate. Moreover, the amount of these epigenetic changes is significantly influenced by lifestyle – for example, smoking, obesity, a diet high in carbohydrates and saturated fats, and overexposure to sunlight also play an important role in the case of the skin. On the other hand, regular exercise and a reduction in total calorie intake are positive factors. Lifestyle modifications can therefore significantly slow down ageing throughout the body, including the skin.

Another factor that adversely affects skin aging is the so-called senescent (senescent) cells. These are cells that have lost the ability to divide but have not died. This is why they are sometimes called “zombie cells”. If they accumulate in the tissues, which is one of the symptoms of ageing, this significantly impairs their function and regenerative capacity. More about senescence here: https://www.epivyziva.cz/elixir-mladi-klic-mozna-lezi-v-senescentnich-bunkach/

In addition, the aging process is always accompanied by a deterioration in the function of mitochondria, the cellular organelles responsible for energy production. (More about mitochondria here: https://www.epivyziva.The dysfunction of mitochondria has a major impact on tissues that are very sensitive to energy deficiency – in particular the brain, where poor mitochondrial fitness significantly accelerates degenerative processes (including those related to Alzheimer’s disease). Although the skin is not as sensitive to energy deficiency, as it is the largest organ of the body, mitochondrial dysfunction will also have a significant impact here.

So let’s take a closer look at the most common manifestations of skin ageing, the formation of wrinkles, the reduction of skin firmness and elasticity and the formation of so-called age spots.

Wrinkle formation and skin firmness

The skin has several layers, and virtually all of them play a role in skin ageing. However, this is most true of its two deepest layers. At the very deepest level are the stem cells, which are crucial for the overall regeneration of skin cells. The next layer, the dermis, contains the fibroblasts, which are the cells that produce proteins that are important for skin elasticity, such as collagen and elastin.

With age, the function of fibroblasts gradually deteriorates, resulting in insufficient collagen and elastin production, which results in wrinkles and reduced skin firmness. However, the deposition of calcium compounds in collagen structures, which reduces their elasticity, can also play a significant negative role.

The fight against wrinkles and skin laxity must be fought on all of these fronts: i.e. to regulate the course of epigenetic reactions, improve mitochondrial function, promote the removal of senescent cells, promote antioxidant protection of the skin and its resistance to sunlight, and reduce calcium deposition in collagen structures.

Of course, the most important thing here is lifestyle modification, namely a healthy diet, sufficient exercise, weight loss and non-smoking. However, some dietary supplements can also help:

Resveratrol – a dye found mainly in the skins of red wine is one of the most effective natural anti-aging agents for the whole body. Its positive effect on mitochondria, which is mainly due to the activation of so-called sirtuins, is particularly significant. However, it also has a demonstrable effect on wrinkle reduction. It is mainly used internally, but external application is also possible.

EGCG – a substance that is abundantly contained especially in green tea, is one of the very powerful antioxidants with positive epigenetic effects. In addition, it helps to remove senescent cells from the body and protects the skin from ageing due to excessive UV exposure. It is mainly taken internally, but external application is also possible.

Curcumin, a dye from turmeric root, is one of the most versatile epigenetic agents and is effective in reversing epigenetic changes associated with aging. In addition, it helps remove senescent cells from the body, including senescent fibroblasts, which, in addition to ageing, also increase the risk of skin tumours. It also reduces the course of inflammatory processes (the level of which increases with age in the body), improves the balance of the gut microbiome and supports the protection of collagen fibres.

Quercetin – this compound, found in many fruits and vegetables, is distinguished by its extraordinary senolytic activity (i.e. the ability to remove senescent cells). It is very suitable for combining with other dietary supplements.

Chlorogenic acid – a substance contained in coffee helps to reduce the formation of wrinkles.

Polypodium leucomotos – a tropical fern that improves the ability of fibroblasts to form collagen. It is used as a dietary supplement and as a component of creams.

Genistein – isoflavone from soybeans reduces skin aging due to UV radiation and its epigenetic and phytoestrogenic action also plays an important role.

Wild yam – the root of this plant native to China is used as both a food and a dietary supplement. It has a positive effect on hormonal balance and protects collagen from destruction.

Cinnamon – substances contained in this spice have significant positive effects on fibroblasts. It protects them and stimulates them to higher collagen production.

Vitamin K2 – helps to remove calcium deposits from collagen fibres, thus restoring their elasticity and reducing the formation of wrinkles.

Hops – the extract of this plant is very effective in increasing the firmness and elasticity of the skin, it also helps to reduce stretch marks.

Pigment spots

One of the common manifestations of skin ageing is the increased formation of pigment spots. Sometimes called “liver spots”, they have not been directly linked to liver dysfunction.

The formation of pigment spots is partly genetically determined; several so-called loci (regions of DNA) have been discovered that are linked to their increased formation. The main cause, however, is a disorder in the production of the skin pigment melanin caused by a different production of certain enzymes, especially tyrosinase.

However, there is another factor at play, which is the increased oxidation of proteins and fats that contributes to the formation of dark spots. With age, the activity of the proteasome, a complex of enzymes that can recognise and break down damaged proteins, decreases. This is why it accumulates more and more in the skin as we age.

Agents used to combat these stains are most often aimed at suppressing tyrosinase formation, less often at promoting proteasome activity. Most of these are external agents (components of bleaching creams), but some can be used internally.

Resveratrol – a dye from grapes has a beneficial effect on skin whitening in addition to reducing wrinkles. It can be used both internally and in the form of creams.

Watercress – watercress shoots contain sulforaphanes, which have antioxidant effects, protect the skin from the effects of UV radiation, but above all they promote the activity of the proteasome and suppress melanin production – in some studies they have been able to suppress melanin production by 47% and increase the activity of the proteasome by 71%. They are used as a component of creams, often combined with, for example, genistein from soya beans, and their effectiveness can also be enhanced by eating plenty of sulforaphane-containing foods (e.g. broccoli and radishes, in addition to watercress).

Oregano – a well-known Mediterranean spice is one of the most powerful tyrosinase inhibitors, and thus very effectively suppresses the formation of melanin. It is advisable to combine its internal and external use.

Chalcones – these are dyes found in many fruits, flowers, legumes, etc., which are obtained, for example, from the fruit of the mulberry tree (Morus australis). They are usually used in the form of creams, but the effect can also be enhanced by eating fruits containing chalcones.

Cinnamon – this popular spice contains several substances with a whitening effect, such as cinnamaldehyde, linderanolide or subamolide A. When applied externally, they can reduce melanin production by up to 50%, and for greater effectiveness, this can be supported by internal use.

Licorice – effectively and without side effects reduces the formation of tyrosinase and lightens the skin.

Ginger – some compounds in it, especially gingerols, also inhibit tyrosinase production. It is taken internally.

Kojic acid – found in some Japanese mushrooms, it is a common ingredient in whitening creams.

Chlorogenic acid – a substance contained in coffee also works against pigmentation disorders.