Daily Perricone

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1. Water When you wake up, enjoy a tall glass of pure spring water. All of the biochemical changes in our bodies take place in the presence of water. To successfully get nutrients in and waste out, we need to be well hydrated. A dehydrated body promotes the development of aging, inflammatory compounds; resulting in [...]

One bright, sunny August morning, I had taken a particularly long run. By late afternoon, my face had turned bright red from painful sunburn. It occurred to me that since vitamin C was a powerful antioxidant, perhaps it would also act as an anti-inflammatory to help resolve the burn more rapidly. That night, I made [...]

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.

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.

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

The build up of dead cells on the skin will also exacerbate dull looking skin. Choose a gentle foaming cleanser that is rich in antioxidants such as alpha lipoic acid or vitamin C ester. Next, purchase a small sea sponge at the natural foods market. These natural sponges will help gently exfoliate the skin without being too harsh. The small ones are about the size of a lime, while the larger ones are more grapefruit sized. Reserve the small sponge exclusively for the face. In the shower, dampen the sponge with warm water, add the cleanser and gently wash the face and neck. Rinse thoroughly. Already, you will see a new glow to the skin.