HOW DO WE AGE?
The most prominent theory accepted by the scientific community has been termed the Free Radical Theory of Aging. Free radicals are mostly oxygen-containing molecules with single electrons in the outermost orbital that are very eager to pair up with anything else that has electrons. These short-lived molecules, with an average life span of one-millionth of a second, are very potent toxins that afflict our bodies. By attacking the cell's DNA, free radicals destroy the cell, causing healthy cells to die prematurely. When we're young, our natural antioxidant defense system functions well by mopping up free radicals before they can cause damage. However, as we age, the antioxidant defense system becomes less efficient through down-regulation of oxidative enzymes. The increase in free radical damage impairs cellular regulation and functioning and triggers aging symptoms as well as many diseases.
HOW DOES THE FREE RADICAL THEORY OF AGING SPECIFICALLY AFFECT OUR SKIN?
You may be surprised to know that every day, each skin cell can be exposed to more than 73,000 damaging assaults. Our skin cells experience even heavier damage because they're a part of an external organ and are exposed to even more harmful elements.
The Free Radical Theory of Aging is particularly relevant to skin cells. The unstable free radical molecules vibrate in the skin, literally poking holes in the collagen fibers (the skin's support structure) of the dermis. After years of this free radical assault, the collagen, which is a critical structural element of skin, becomes weaker, eventually causing the skin to collapse and form wrinkles. The rapid rate at which skin cells divide causes a shorter life span for the cell, and as we mature, the number of skin cells in our bodies decreases. Over time, the process results in our skin becoming thinner and thinner. Essentially, the more skin cells in your body and the thicker these cells are, the healthier your skin will be and the less wrinkles you will have.
HOW DO YOU SLOW DOWN THE AGING PROCESS?
Scientist have come to a realization through many years of study that to prevent accelerated aging and to keep your skin for getting old and wrinkled, you need to protect your DNA from both outside and inside aggressors.
So, if you want to live to 100 or at least improve your quality of life on the way to 100, I have a formula for you. Here's my "inside out" approach to a lifetime of health and beauty: Change to a healthier lifestyle that includes a balanced diet, regular exercise, and a positive attitude. Along with a healthy diet, add daily supplements such as Pharmanex® LifePak® and Tegreen 97® to strengthen your antioxidant defense on the inside.* Protect skin from outside oxidative damage by including the newest generation of antioxidant ingredients such as polyhydoxy acids and alpha lipoic acid, as well as vitamins A, C, and E.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Michael N. Chang
Ph.D., Pharmaceutical Science Advisor
Dr. Chang, chief scientific advisor to Nu Skin Enterprises, has championed the merging of skin care and nutrition. With more than 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, he brings a unique vision to skin care, focusing on nourishing the skin from both the inside and the outside. Dr. Chang is an expert in supplement development and brings vast experience to his role as vice president of research and development for Pharmanex. Prior to his work with Nu Skin Enterprises, Dr. Chang served as director of medical chemistry at Rhone-Poulenc Rorer and as deputy director of medicinal chemistry at Merck. His research has resulted in 35 patents and has been the topic of more than 60 articles published in peer-review journals.