Tag Archives: anti-inflammatory diet

The Impact Of Stress On Aging

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We all have heard about the countless negative effects of stress on our health, mind and bodies, but how does stress impact the aging process? Stress weakens our immune system. A compromised immune system makes us more susceptible to disease and inflammation. As inflammation is directly tied to the visible signs of aging, it stands to reason then that stress accelerates aging.

If you think about periods of great stress in your life, you can probably remember that you were not only not feeling well, but perhaps not looking well either.

So what can you do? Stress is not easy to combat, especially during these trying economic times. But here are a few things to consider:

Get some exercise — Exercise is a remarkable tool for reducing stress

Meditate — Even if you can’t find the time to pursue a structured form of meditation, taking 5-10 minutes to clear your head and focus on feeling better is important

Eat Well – Don’t compound your stress by eating foods that put more stress on your body. Fresh fruits and vegetables, cold water fish and other foods rich in antioxidants and essential components of an anti-inflammatory diet are crucial to maintaining good health.

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 – 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.

Dr. Perricone Q&A – Rashes On The Face

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Q: I used to have normal-combination skin (face), with minor problems such as a few monthly breakouts and blackheads in the nose area. However, when I turned seventeen my breakouts increased and my skin became oilier. I tried a product containing 5% benzoyl peroxide and ended up with severe redness. My skin actually looked like it was burned, and I developed a rash of tiny pimples all over my face. So I stopped using everything except cleanser and toner for three days, but the rash and redness persisted. Now, three months later, the redness is gone but I still have the rash – and I’m still suffering from breakouts! To make matters worse, I live in a hot and humid climate, which seems to exacerbate the problem.

Benzoyl peroxide is popular ingredient in many over-the-counter acne medications, but as you have discovered, it can cause intense irritation in some cases. Read labels and avoid this ingredient in the future.
We need to approach your problem from the inside out. A three-tiered program (anti-inflammatory diet, supplements, and topicals) is critical in the fight against acne. Your first step should be to study the list of anti-inflammatory foods on our website and incorporate as many of them as possible into your daily diet. In addition, study the list of “bad” foods and avoid them. In your case, I strongly recommend you follow the Three Day Diet, but extend it to five days. You may find this will greatly alleviate the rash and the breakouts. In terms of topical treatment, I suggest you use a mild cleanser twice a day and DMAE toner pads three times a day. Don’t forget the right nutritional supplements, especially B vitamins and antioxidants (e.g., vitamins C, E, alpha lipoic acid, DMAE, and others available in the supplement section of our website.

Secret #4: Rejuvenate Your Facial Structure

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It is not the fine lines and wrinkles that give the face an aged appearance. As we age, the muscles in the face begin to elongate and subsequently sag. Sagging, drooping muscles are the true hallmark of an aging face. Sugary, starchy foods causes an inflammatory response that results in the glycation of collagen in the skin and all other organs. This lays the foundation for the birth of wrinkles, sagging muscles, and loss of tone, elasticity and resilience.

Eat Your Way to Firmer Skin
What we eat can help determine how young (or old) we look. You’ve heard me speak repeatedly of the anti-aging benefits of a diet rich in antioxidants. Protein is not just an important component of an anti-inflammatory diet is of major importance in stimulating cells to repair themselves. Since we cannot store protein in our body, we must take in high quality protein every day. If our protein supply is inadequate or depleted, the body is forced to feed upon itself, resulting in the breakdown of both tissue and muscle. When we don’t get enough protein, and we combine that with a diet of high-glycemic carbohydrates, our features take on a soft, doughy appearance. This ongoing lack of protein is first notable in the face. The sharp, contoured cheekbones and crisp jaw line begin to lose definition.

Food:
Seafood, tofu, eggs, lean poultry
Anti-Aging Supplements for Skin:
Alpha Lipoic Acid, DMAE, Chromium, Vitamin C, Vitamin C Ester, Silicon