Author Archives: Dr. Perricone

Madonna, Salmon, and The Anti-Inflammatory Diet

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Last month, Madonna, the ageless iconic superstar, announced to the world that she was embarking on a ‘salmon retox’ program to “knock 12 years off of her appearance.”
While it might be ambitious to think we can knock more than a decade off of our looks, think again. If anything can do it, it is the anti-inflammatory diet, nutritional supplements rich in antioxidants and skin care topicals. This is because inflammation is responsible for many of the internal and external signs of aging.

Madonna’s truly inspiring history of determination and commitment will go a long way in helping her achieve her goals.

This week we’ll look at more about the benefits of the anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle.

Is There a Face Lift in your Fridge?

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This is a question first asked of me by Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America upon the publication of my first book The Wrinkle Cure.

The producers put three women on my Three Day Nutritional Face Lift for a two part series. On Monday we appeared in the studio with Diane, met the three women, gave them the diet, shopping list, and so forth.

Fast forward to Friday of the same week; GMA on location in Bryant Park.

The three women returned, radiant, glowing and looking remarkably rejuvenated. We all know that the camera does not lie, and it was with great pleasure that I listened to Diane’s surprise and awe that so many visible changes could occur so quickly.

Even the cameramen were impressed!

As the success of a similar segment that aired live this morning (March 9, 2009) on Fox’s new show Mike & Juliet proves, this is a story that people love. Watch the clips here:

Part 1
Part 2

I think the most important reason is because it gives us a very sense of empowerment. If you do nothing else but change your food choices, you can radically alter your appearance in as little as three days. And, the longer you stay on what I call the ‘anti-inflammatory diet,’ the better you will look and feel.

On today’s show, I introduced the philosophy behind the Three Day and we showcased two great tables—one of the foods to avoid and the other filled with the delicious foods to enjoy. Our guest guinea pig remarked that she had to give up her five favorite foods groups:

Sugar
Caffeine
Wheat
Salt
Wine

If this reads like your shopping list, take heart. At the end of the three days she admitted that she had never felt better. Truth be told she also looked wonderful.

What can you expect from the Three Day Nutritional Face Lift?

In addition to noticing a decrease in fine lines and wrinkles, you will see an increase in skin radiance, greater definition in the face and eye area, smaller pores and decreased puffiness. The high quality protein and healthy fats will also increase energy, mental clarity, alertness and perhaps best of all, significantly improve mood and sense of well-being.

I have had many people, both men and women tell me that by day three, they barely recognize the vibrant, cheerful, energetic and youthful-looking stranger smiling back at themselves in the mirror.

Something to Cell-abrate

The reason the anti-inflammatory diet works so well is really very simple. The right foods and beverages will reduce cellular inflammation in all organ systems, including brain and skin. This means significant changes in how you look and feel. But remember, when we are talking about inflammation, we don’t mean the kind you see from a sunburn. We are talking about invisible, sub-clinical inflammation, which goes on day after day on a cellular level, aging our face and body and increasing our susceptibility to a host of age-related diseases.

To view your copy of the Three Day Nutritional Face Lift click here:

In our next blog, I am going to introduce the foods that will rejuvenate both your face and your body. We are also going to meet the foods that rob you of your youth and beauty—the serial killers of the cellular world.

Without exception, every patient who has tried the Three-Day Nutritional Face Lift has had excellent results and returned convinced that the true fountain of youth can be found by embracing the anti-inflammatory lifestyle.

As an active researcher, I welcome your comments, suggestions, photos and experiences.

Heart Disease And Women

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Take Heart 
February is National Heart month, a time when our thoughts turn to protecting this all-important organ.  

In my experience as a physician, I can categorically state that the majority of my women patients do not realistically assess the fact that they have a serious risk of cardiovascular disease.  There is a very popular, (although completely erroneous) concept, that heart disease is more of a male disease.  

In fact, the opposite is true.  After menopause, the risk of heart disease in women becomes comparable to the incidence in men.  When we consider that the majority of women will spend one-third to one-half of their lives in post menopause, we can see that heart disease is a very serious threat, to health, well-being, and even life itself.

Leading Cause of Death
Heart disease, in its many manifestations, is the # 1 cause of death for woman aged sixty-five and over.  

Conversely, only about one-third of younger women with heart disease die before the age of sixty five.  

However, it is not on most of our radar screens.  Instead, there is a tremendous awareness among women, well-fostered by the media, of the threat of breast cancer.  While this is a threat, it palls in comparison to the mortality rate of heart disease, which kills 10 times as many women as breast cancer.  
Unfortunately, women are at a disadvantage (compared to men) when it comes to treating or even recognizing heart disease.  CNN recently reported the findings of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which stated that women may not be diagnosed or treated as aggressively as men.  
However with proper guidance, a few simple tests and lifestyle changes, we can significantly decrease this cardiovascular risk.  

“C-ing” the Light
Scientists and physicians now recognize that heart disease is mediated by inflammatory chemicals.  This should come as no surprise to Perricone readers, as I have long held inflammation to be at the base of most diseases.   

So what to do? Follow an anti-inflamatory diet, get your antioxidants through diet and supplements, take supplements like Vitamin C ester, Omega-3, and pursue a healthy exercise regimen.

Dr. Perricone Q&A – Milia

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Q: I have whiteheads (but no blackheads), and no matter what I do, I can’t seem to get rid of them. The head of the whitehead is very hard and “packed,” and if I try to squeeze the head to loosen it, I end up bruising my face.

A: It sounds to me that what you are experiencing is a condition known as milia, not whiteheads. Milia are actually tiny, hard, white cysts. They are caused by blocked sweat ducts and can result from the overuse of certain types of skincare products or cosmetics. They can be notoriously difficult to eliminate and may need to be removed by your dermatologist, who may first prescribe and alpha hydroxy acid moisturizer or Retin-A to help loosen them before they extract them. An at home remedy that might help is to gently massage the affected area with a mild cleanser and a Buff Puff. Do not do this with a vigorous motion as you will inflame the skin.

The Anti-Aging Power Of Neuropeptides

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Neuropeptides are tiny strings of amino acids (the building blocks of protein) which act as sophisticated intercellular messengers. As we age, these neuropeptides become less and less abundant.

Pheromones are chemicals produced on the skin that elicit non-detectible odors which affect the behavior of other people around us. The pheromones are known to activate positive changes in the areas of the brain related to cognitive skills and emotional well being.

Special Delivery

Neuropeptides are used to harness the power of pheromones; to deliver pheromones to the brain, similar to those found naturally in the body. Neuropeptides enhance the effects of pheromones by making the receptor sites (known as the vomeronasal organ) in the nose more sensitive. The increased sensitivity of the receptor sites creates a greater impact on the person receiving the odor, thereby enhancing the efficacy of the pheromone compound. The benefits of pheromones in the anti-aging aromatic are many and can personally affect us psychologically and cognitively by increasing our sense of well-being, and enhanced thinking, and socially, eliciting positive emotional responses from those around us.

Because these benefits are physiological as well as psychological there is an anti-aging component to regular use.

Benefits include
• Sharpens memory and mental clarity
• Elevates self-confidence
• Decreases stress and anxiety
• Enhances well-being

Dr. Perricone Q&A – Folliculitis

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Q: I have pimples on my scalp, and wherever my hair touches the skin – my forehead, temples, neck – I have a breakout. I wash my hair every day, which alleviates the situation a little, but I have a lot of acne on my back. I started using your Pore Refining Acne Treatment Gel Cream, and it’s definitely helped. Is there anything else I should be doing?

A: You may have folliculitis on your scalp, and that sometimes requires special treatment. Using DMAE-treated pads on the face and body, and washing your hair daily with a medicated shampoo that contains sulphur or zinc may help. Start a nutritional supplement regimen containing a multi-vitamin, antioxidants (incluing alpha lipoic acid and DMAE), and essential fatty acids. Also, try to keep your hair off of your face, neck, and body. If you continue to use the products you are already using, and follow my tips, you should see a resolution of the problem. To treat this from the inside out, follow an anti-inflammatory diet. It is always wise to see your dermatologist when experiencing any type of skin problem.

Secret #7: Controlling Stress

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Stress actually accelerates the rate at which cells age. Thus, controlling stress has significant anti-aging benefits. Chronic stress raises blood level insulin levels, increases risk of obesity and inter-abdominal fat and accelerates inflammatory gum disease. Elevated stress levels appear to raise cholesterol levels over the long-term.

But stress is something we have the power to control. With the right diet, supplements and exercise, and by focusing on positive emotions, we hold the key to a brighter, happier and healthier future.

Supplements to combat stress
Phosphatidylserine, Vitamin C Ester, Omega 3 Fish Oil, Rhodiola, Ginseng, Gingko Biloba
Stress elevates levels of the hormones insulin and cortisol which then act as inflammatory agents. Many of us suffer an excess of both of these hormones, the first from too many sugars and other carbohydrates in our diets, the second from too much stress and caffeine. Look for foods that are part of an anti-inflammatory diet and supplements rich in antioxidants like alpha lipoic acid supplements to help manage stress.

Dr. Perricone Q&A – Cystic Acne and Hiradenitis Suppurativa

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Q: I am a 47-year-old woman with cystic acne; I’ve also suffered from hidradenitis suppurativa since a very young age. I have tried everything to no avail. Will your program help me?

A: Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic condition characterized by swollen, painful, inflamed lesions. As we know, cystic acne is a systemic inflammatory disease. To treat these two conditions I recommend that you closely follow the anti-inflammatory diet and take a dietary supplement that contains high levels of anti-inflammatories. I also recommend taking high-quality Omega-3 essential oil capsules three times per day. I recommend three brands: Perricone MD Omega-3; Optimum Health International’s M.D. Designs™ Norwegian Fish Oil; and Dr. Barry Sears OmegaRx Pharmaceutical Grade Fish Oil. Do not bother with discount fish oils – buy only the very best if you are serious about your treatment – your health and your looks.

Secret #6: The Anti-Aging Benefits Of Exercise

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The right form of exercise will restore balance, unity and harmony between mind and body. It will not just strengthen our bones and muscles, it will:
• improve and restore physical and emotional balance
• relieve stress
• improve physical, mental and emotional health
• Keep the brain in good cognitive shape

THE POWER OF CHI KUNG (QIGONG)
Heals the Body—Soothes the Spirit—Lengthens the Life
Like Tai Chi, Chi Kung combines movement with a meditative focus and has been proven to restore both physical and emotional balance. Practitioners of Eastern martial arts are known to attain very advanced ages while maintaining their suppleness of movement and a state of perfect mental and physical health.
• Chi Kung can be practiced by anyone regardless of age or physical condition.
• Chi Kung has a calming effect upon the nervous system and is beneficial in the treatment of anxiety, insomnia and depression.
• Chi Kung stimulates the immune system, helping to alleviate inflammatory conditions.
• Chi Kung increases vital energy and longevity, as cellular regeneration is accelerated and the normal wear and tear upon the body is slowed down.
• Chi Kung encourages the revelation and realization of personal potential.

T-TAPP
Fitness expert and author of FIT AND FABULOUS IN 15 MINUTES: Lose 2 Sizes in Four Weeks with the T-Tapp™ Workout, Teresa Tapp has created a cutting edge, at-home workout program that delivers visible results regardless of age, gender or fitness level. Needing only four square feet of space, there is no equipment, weights, music.

By using a combination of sequential movements that gives an aerobic, strength-training and core workout all rolled into one, T-Tapp not only helps people lose inches (fat) and build sleek muscles, it also helps reset the metabolism to burn fat and calories at a faster rate—while boosting the immune system, improving bone density, and boosting mental clarity. In addition to delivering fast inch loss, the lymphatic nature of the workout offers anti-aging propreties and promotes wellness in remarkable ways—such as pain relief from autoimmune diseases, controlling hot flashes and healing other aches and pains from arthritis and chronic back pain to depression and knee pain.

Dr. Perricone Q&A – Body Acne

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Q: I have a bad case of “body type” acne on my inner thighs, and no medications seem to help. It is so bad that I have developed scarring from it, too.

A: Check with your dermatologist because this may not be a case of acne. It sounds like it may be a condition known as folliculitis, a general term that encompasses a group of skin conditions characterized by inflamed hair follicles. This inflammation may be caused by any number of things, including bacteria, infection, yeasts or fungi, and certain inflammatory skin diseases. Your dermatologist can determine the cause, and the best course of treatment. Over-the-counter treatments that might be helpful include topical alpha hydroxy acids containing glycolic acid. The scarring may actually be post-inflammatory hyper pigmentation. Applying a body toning lotion containing high levels of DMAE over the alpha hydroxy treatment may help the scarring / hyperpigmentation to fade.
You can help control the inflammation by on a cellular level by taking antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. For example, alpha lipoic acid (ALA) has powerful anti-inflammatory properties, which make it extremely valuable in the treatment of acne, and helps control both blood sugar and insulin. A rapid rise in blood sugar may produce a burst of inflammation that elevates insulin levels, which then affect many other hormones in the endocrine system, resulting in the formation of new acne lesions, not to mention the exacerbation of existing acne. When blood sugar is stabilized, insulin levels are more easily controlled. Alpha lipoic acid can control blood sugar by both sensitizing the cell to the effects of insulin and allowing the cell to better utilize blood sugar.