1. Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA)
   Alpha lipoic acid, often referred to as ‘the universal antioxidant,” is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory found naturally inside of the energy producing portion of the cell known as the mitochondria. Alpha lipoic acid enhances our ability to metabolize food into energy. ALA is a unique antioxidant because it is both fat and water soluble. This means it can go to all parts of the cell, including the lipid (fat) portions such as the cell plasma membrane, as well as the interior of the cell (known as the cytoplasm) where water soluble chemicals reside.
2. DMAE (dimethylaminoethanol)
   DMAE is a naturally occurring nutritional substance with powerful anti-inflammatory properties; it is found in fish including wild Alaskan salmon, anchovies and sardines. DMAE is important in the production of neurotransmitters, which are essential in the communication from one nerve to another and between nerves and muscles. Taking DMAE as a supplement will not only improve your cognitive function by improving memory and problem-solving ability, it will help increase skin firmness and muscle tone—important for anyone on a weight loss or antiaging program.
3. Glutamine
   Glutamine is the body’s most abundant amino acid. It plays an important role in keeping the muscles functioning properly and helps reduce muscle deterioration. Glutamine literally drives muscle-building nitrogen into the muscle cell where it is synthesized for growth. It is also converted into glucose when the body needs more energy. When the body is in a highly inflammatory state, it breaks down our muscle tissue to get the extra glutamine needed, resulting in muscle mass loss.
4. Carnitine
   Carnitine and its derivative, acetyl L-carnitine, are two of the most important nutrients for weight loss. Carnitine is critical for energy formation and an active metabolism. Carnitine transports the fatty acids from our blood into the cell for this energy production. Thus, for carnitine to have optimum effect, we must have adequate essential fatty acids, such as omega 3’s, present in the diet.
5. Acetyl L-carnitine
   Acetyl L-carnitine acts as an antioxidant, a natural anti-inflammatory that enhances the affects of the other antioxidant systems within the body. These anti-inflammatory properties protect the cell plasma membrane (the cell’s first line of defense) and prevent the conversion of arachidonic acid into pro-inflammatory chemicals. Although exercise will naturally increase our levels of acetyl L-carnitine, if we are obese, over thirty or have other health problems, it will not raise them to therapeutic levels, therefore supplementation is necessary.
6. Coenzyme Q – 10
   Coenzyme Q-10, also called ubiquinone, is a powerful antioxidant/anti-inflammatory with many benefits for treating and preventing obesity. It acts similarly to acetyl L-carnitine in that it assists in energy production within the mitochondria. CoQ10 enhances the metabolism, giving us greater energy and endurance, a greater ability to lose body fat, preventing the energy decline seen in aging cells. CoQ10 also maximizes the burning of foods for fuel, helping to normalize fats in our blood.
7. Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)
   Conjugated linoleic acid is a fatty acid found in many of the foods we eat. At one time, beef and lamb were exceptional sources; however when their diet was changed from grass to grain, levels of CLA dramatically decreased in the meat and dairy products. CLA has powerful antioxidant/anti-inflammatory activity. It decreases body fat, especially in the area of the abdomen and helps block the absorption of fat and sugar into fat cells (adipocytes). It also helps the insulin receptors remain intact, thus increasing insulin sensitivity.
8. Chromium
   Because Chromium is an essential nutrient for normal sugar and fat metabolism, it is critical in our effort to control and reduce excess body fat. Chromium supplementation effectively lowers blood sugar and insulin levels and can also increase levels of the ‘good’ HDL cholesterol. This lowers total cholesterol and triglycerides, thus playing a key role in regulating appetite, reducing sugar cravings, and lowering body fat.
9. Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA)
   Gamma linolenic acid is an important omega-6 essential fatty acid. The average American diet causes a deficiency of GLA because of the large amounts of trans fatty acids, sugar, red meats and dairy products. The body rapidly converts GLA into dihomo-gamma-linoleic acid, the precursor of prostaglandin E1, a powerful anti-inflammatory hormone-like compound that helps to regulate inflammation, blood pressure, and many other bodily processes.
10. Maitake Mushroom Extract
    Studies show that maitake mushroom extract enhances insulin sensitivity for controlling blood sugar levels and may serve as a safe and reliable weight loss supplement—even without additional behavior modifications, such as decreased caloric intake and increased exercise. It is established as a powerful tool in preventing a dangerous quartet of metabolic imbalances that increase our risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes called Metabolic Syndrome. Metabolic Syndrome consists of high blood pressure, elevated levels of insulin, excess weight (especially around the abdomen), and dyslipidemialow, or low levels of HDL (good) cholesterol, high levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol, and high levels of triglycerides. Read more about Maitake Mushroom benefits.

Independent clinical studies demonstrated extraordinary results:

• 100% reported a decrease in the appearance of new brown spots
• 96% reported their skin appeared brighter

How is it unique?
Pigment Corrective is safe and effective. Regular use improves the appearance of brown spots and hyper-pigmentation, while brightening the skin’s appearance with Pycnogenol® and Vitamin C Ester. It also helps tone skin, improves elasticity and smoothes the appearance of lines and wrinkles with DMAE.

The science
Pycnogenol® is sourced from maritime pine trees in the South of France, known for their centuries-old healing properties. It improves skin health and collagen renewal, while providing potent antioxidants to brighten skin.

Pigment Corrective complements any skincare regimen and can be used in combination with your favorite Perricone Products to help reduce the appearance of age spots. The topical cream is most effective when used with Pigment Corrective dietary supplements. Both of these will be made cheaper with Perricone coupons.

The delicate skin around the eyes is one of the first areas to show the signs of aging. To help correct the signs of aging, we need to smooth deep lines and wrinkles, restore loss of elasticity while hydrating the skin to help prevent further damage. High Potency Eye Lift, which is made more affordable with a Perricone discount, dramatically improves the appearance of the fragile skin in the entire eye area.

Independent clinical studies after 8 weeks of use demonstrated Extraordinary Results:

• 90% showed improvement in skin brightness and luminosity.
• 86% reported an improvement in resiliency and elasticity of the skin.
• 86% reported an improvement in the appearance of lines and wrinkles
• 79% reported an improvement in skin firmness
• 79% reported seeing a reduction in the appearance of lines between the brows

High Potency Eye Lift is a unique and proven effective formulation that provides an instant lifted, firm and smoother appearance while delivering long lasting anti-aging benefits.  This innovative anti-aging product contains powerful ingredients, including Dr. Perricone’s  patented DMAE technology and Pycnogenol®, a potent and multi-tasking antioxidant exclusively sourced from maritime pine trees in the South of France, introduced in AGE-Less Face, AGE-Less Mind. Numerous scientific studies attest to Pycnogenol’s® effectiveness in fighting the signs of aging.

The Science

• DMAE – High levels to firm and lift skin that has lost elasticity
• Pycnogenol® – Potent antioxidant; improves skin health and promotes collagen renewal
• Phospholipids – Highly skin-compatible to naturally hydrate and help to repair damaged skin – Patented

High Potency completes any skin care regimen.  It can be applied both morning and evening or used as a morning treatment in complement to another treatment such as Advanced Eye Area Therapy or Neuropeptide Eye Contour used in the evening.  Ceramic Eye Smoother can be applied on top of High Potency Eye Lift for a perfectly finished look!

Be sure to check out Perricone’s latest breakthroughs, Cold Plasma and No Foundation Foundation.

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.

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.

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

A: Massage Phosphatidyl-E creams with tocotrienols into the scar twice daily. At night, after applying the cream to the scar, cover the area with silicone pressure bandages that are made expressly for scars (you can buy these at your neighborhood pharmacy). You do not need to wear the pressure bandage during the day, but do remember to apply the cream.

A: As always, your first line of defense is the three-tiered anti-inflammatory program. It sounds to me as if stress is a major factor in your current acne dilemma. Here are some special tips for minimizing stress in your life:

• Make sure that you get enough sleep.
• Don’t drink coffee.
• Set aside fifteen or twenty minutes a day for meditation or prayer. It is a well- established fact that people who do this have significantly lower cortisol (a major stress hormone) levels.
• Consider learning some simple yoga exercises. Yoga is an outstanding stress reducer.
• Take omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids, which reduce levels of stress chemicals.
• Exercise in moderation.
• Take targeted nutritional supplements, including alpha lipoic acid, zinc, DMAE, and panothenic acid (see Chapter 5).
• Add essential fatty acid supplements to your supplement program, especially omega-6, which is rich in linoleic acid. Acne patients have a low concentration of linoleic acid in their sebum, and acne further decreases the essential levels.

For a list of recommended supplements, please see my Top 10 Supplements post.

A: There should be no problem with continued use of Retin-A, although I always recommend that any prescription treatment be monitored by a dermatologist. In addition to treating acne, Retin-A is great for keeping the skin thick and looking young. Use it every night unless you develop an irritation. During the day, I recommend a DMAE and alpha lipoic acid topical treatment.