Aging is a complex process, which affects every molecule, cell, and organs. The skin is the organ most easily reflect the result of the aging process. With age and our bodies are more exposed to the environment in which we live, the more the biochemical processes that cause changes in our skin, but of course influenced by genetic factors.
Various studies suggest that there are 2 types of aging, the aging first is caused by genes inherited by offspring, the so-called internal aging. And the second type is called external aging, which is caused by environmental factors, such as exposure to sunlight and lifestyle. Basically two types are mutually influencing each other and mutually contribute to the mechanism of aging process. Internal Aging is heavily influenced by age and genetics are sooner or later be experienced by all people without exception. While external aging can be traced from the influence of the environment (pollution, cigarettes, and cosmetics), disease and unbalanced diet. These external factors we can control course with various efforts to make the process slower aging can occur. All these factors in the body triggers a biochemical process that generates free radicals, the number one cause of aging. Free radicals are produced normally by the body as a result of the oxidation process, but if these free radicals are produced excessively in the body,
will cause an oxidative stress is known to cause damage to cells and become a disease in tissues and organs.
What is Oxidative Stress?
Oxidative stress is a condition where the amount of free radical molecules produced by metabolism, the amount exceeds the capacity of the body to neutralize them. As a result of this is the intensity of the oxidation process of body cells that normally become higher and cause more damage. Conditions of oxidative stress leads to oxidative damage from the level of cells, tissues to organs. Condition that cells are eventually destroyed this manifest into disease and cell aging process is faster (premature aging). This oxidative stress can occur due to be triggered by several conditions, but basically this oxidative stress caused by an imbalance between free radical molecules and antioxidants. It could due to a lack of antioxidants or excess production of free radicals by the body. Various studies and research in medicine has shown that more than 50 kinds of diseases are allegedly related to free radical activity, including the stokes, coronary heart disease, diabetes mellitus, asthma, Parkinson’s to AIDS. In our skin, free radicals are produced in excess of oxidative stress will damage the layer of fat on the skin cell membranes, due to loss of skin tension and elasticity, causing wrinkles (wrinkle).
Oxidative Stress Is Preventable?
In essence, everything in life and nature are always created in a balanced way, as well as in the human body. Our body has its own way in tackling the dangers of free radicals is through a series of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH Px), catalase, and non-enzyme compound, which is a small protein glutathione. This is called an endogenous antioxidant that is produced in our own bodies. But the environment in which our daily life, the food we eat, the various kinds of pollution and an increasing number of stressful lifestyle causes the body to exposure to excessive free radicals and the body can not neutralize them. Because it was the work of antioxidants need to be assisted by the endogenous antioxidant intake from outside (exogenous) to the body cells do not rapidly aging prematurely. Modern humans absolutely need this extra antioxidants, due to modernization but has made it easy to live on the other hand also has donated more danger to the health of human body. Air pollution, rapid rhythm of work, not even sports, fast food and various food preservatives in almost every instant, it all became part of the lifestyle most of modern humans.
Exogenous antioxidants can be obtained from the consumption of foods rich in vitamins E and C. In recent years scholars have examined various phytochemical compounds that can be useful as an alternative antioxidant than vitamins E and C, which is called phenolic compounds. Simple phenolic compounds found in many green plants, herbs and fruits. Other compounds that are antioxidants are carotenoids, which can be obtained from the consumption of vegetables and fruits such as tomatoes bright and carrots.
The key is the Healthy Lifestyle!
Aging of body cells can be slowed by having a healthy life habits. These habits include eating a healthy diet rich in antioxidants and balanced, exercise regularly and consistently, not smoking, adequate rest, protect our skin from the sun and the most important thing is to avoid stress to live a balanced and positive thinking habit of viewing every thing. A study conducted by scientists in America say that lifestyle changes are comprehensive, involves a better diet and physical activity more regularly not only physically healthy but also can make dramatic changes in the genetic level. In other words, genetically inherited to us is not a fixed price. Because the healthy lifestyle we can pass on genes for better and more healthy for our offspring.
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