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7 signs of aging skin due to excessive sugar intake

7 signs of aging skin due to excessive sugar intake

The packaged juice you had for breakfast, the doughnut you had for snacks, or even the dessert you sneaked in after dinner may have satiated your sweet cravings. Unfortunately, these can be detrimental to your body inside and out in the long term if you eat too much of them regularly. One side effect of too much sugar is skin aging too quickly. Here are a few common signs of aging skin due to excessive sugar.

Skin begins to sag
The skin’s natural plumpness and firmness are because of elastin and collagen. These get damaged due to excessive sugar. This happens because of a process known as glycation that causes the sugar molecules to react with the proteins in collagen and elastin. The glycated collagen accumulates in the tissues, causing the skin to lose its firmness and sag.

Wrinkles and fine lines begin to appear
Due to excessive sugar, the glycation process on collagen and elastin also causes them to become brittle and dry. As a result, they lose their natural strength and elasticity. They start to become stiff. So the skin loses its suppleness and smoothness. This is why fine lines and wrinkles become more prominent on the skin.

Age spots begin to appear
Another sign of aging skin due to excessive sugar is the appearance of age spots. Overeating sugary foods and drinking sweetened beverages can spike sugar levels in your blood. This can stimulate melanin production in your skin. Melanin is the substance that causes pigmentation in your skin. It is responsible for your skin color. If the melanin level is higher than what is natural for your skin tone, dark patches will appear on your skin; these are age spots that give the appearance of rapid aging.

Complexion becomes dull
When excessive sugar is present in regular meals and snacks, the body produces a high level of free fatty acids through the liver. When these free fatty acids go through digestion, compounds are produced that trigger inflammation. Over time, this leads to metabolic disorders and chronic inflammation. Although this inflammation is usually low-grade, it can affect your skin’s complexion. Your skin may start to lose its natural radiance and glow and start to appear dull.

Eyes appear puffy
Refined sugar contained in all sweetened foods and beverages is made up of simple carbohydrates. Overeating sugar will increase the level of these carbohydrates in your body. As a result, insulin levels will also rise in your blood. This causes your kidneys to retain a high amount of sodium and water. The water retention causes the area around your eyes to swell up and appear puffy.

Skin becomes prone to acne
The high sugar intake increases insulin levels in your body. As insulin levels increase, the production of oils in your skin also increases. So the level of sebum in your skin also spikes up. This clogs the follicles and pores on your skin. Also, excess sugar increases inflammation in your body. The increased sebum and inflammation lead to frequent acne breakouts, making skin age quicker.

Skin becomes vulnerable to sun damage
Eating too much sugar breaks down your skin’s natural protective barrier. If you don’t apply sunscreen daily, your skin will become more susceptible to damage due to harmful UV rays. So you may suffer from frequent sunburns, with your skin showing signs of premature aging and hyperpigmentation.

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Understanding arthritis – A common joint condition

The joints are constantly working while we move our limbs, so, understandably, people may develop certain joint conditions that cause pain and compromise mobility, especially with age. One of the common joint conditions is arthritis, which leads to joint inflammation and mild to severe pain. While there are several types of arthritis, the two most common types are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Stages Rheumatoid arthritis has four stages: Stage 1: At this stage, inflammation occurs inside the joints, and swelling, stiffness, and joint pain are the common symptoms. Stage 2: The inflammation of the joint lining, synovium, aggravates at this stage and results in cartilage damage. The affected joints’ range of motion is also compromised, causing pain and discomfort. Stage 3: At this stage, the severity of the joint condition increases, and it leads to bone damage. This results in more pain, loss of mobility, and weakness of muscles. The bones rubbing against each other can cause bone deformity as well. Stage 4: This is the final stage where the joints stop functioning completely. It leads to more pain, stiffness, and swelling, and the bones may even fuse, which is known as ankylosis. Osteoarthritis also has four stages of progression: Stage 1: Wear and tear may affect the knee joints, and minor spur growths on the affected bone can also be seen, but the condition does not cause too much pain at this stage. Stage 2: The bone spur growths increase and cause pain, and the knee joints become stiffer. Stage 3: This stage is characterized by joint inflammation leading to increased pain and stiffness. Walking can also cause popping sounds in the joints. Stage 4: The space between the bones in the joints becomes very narrow, causing the cartilage to wear down. Also, a chronic inflammatory response caused by the breakdown of cartilage aggravates discomfort and pain. Diagnosis of arthritis These joint conditions can be diagnosed using several tests. A physical examination reveals whether a patient has red, warm, and tender joints, and this test also helps examine the fluid around the joints. A rheumatologist can analyze the level of inflammation in the joints to determine the type of arthritis an individual is affected with. Also, blood tests are undertaken to check for antibodies like anti-CCP, rheumatoid factor, and antinuclear antibody. In addition, X-ray, CT scans, and MRI are also performed to check the condition of the cartilage and bones. Prevention of arthritis A family history of joint conditions like arthritis or aging can increase one’s risk of developing arthritis, but making certain lifestyle changes can also help lower the chances of developing the condition. To start with, one should include more foods with omega-3 fatty acids in their diet as these healthy fats are anti-inflammatory. One should also exercise regularly, keep their weight under check, reduce stress on their joints, and try to avoid injuries. Also, if one notices any symptoms of arthritis, they should consult a doctor immediately as early diagnosis goes a long way in managing the condition effectively through timely treatment.

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5 common household items that increase cancer risk

Cancer is a condition where healthy cells mutate and grow uncontrollably, causing damage to neighboring cells as it spreads. Cancer can affect any body part and often goes undetected until the advanced stages. Also, many external factors trigger the risk of developing certain types of cancers among adults. And many common household items, grooming products, and smart devices installed around the home increase the risk of exposure to carcinogens that cause cancer. Cookware Daily use utensils and cookware are coated with compounds that increase the risk of certain types of cancer. For example, nonstick pans, pots, and hotplates are commonly coated with Teflon. At high heat, the Teflon burns, and these pans emit fumes that cause respiratory problems. Repeated exposure increases the risk of cancer. It’s safer to switch to simple cast iron, stainless steel, and even ceramic utensils while cooking regularly on high heat. Even plastic containers used for storing cooked food are not safe. These plastics contain bisphenol and phthalates that can leak into the containers and linger inside the foods and beverages stored. Cleaning products Toilet cleaners, liquid sprays, surface cleaners, disinfectants, and most of the cleaning products used for different surfaces in the house are potentially harmful to health. The chemical composition of these products boasts compounds like phthalates, ammonia, and formaldehyde. All compounds increase the carcinogenic risk when exposed repeatedly. Even mild exposure through skin contact or inhaling fumes from these products should be avoided. Organic cleaners are a safe choice, and one can make many simple DIY home cleaners using ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, lemons, and water to further reduce exposure to carcinogens. Grooming products Many products used for grooming and personal hygiene also carry a carcinogenic risk due to the chemical composition of these products. In recent years, many top brands have recalled talcum powders and skin care products with topical applications due to increasing concerns over the chemicals used. Soaps, shampoos, body washes, and even deodorants are linked to causing or aggravating prostate and breast cancer. It’s safer to switch to organic grooming products that are free of parabens, artificial preservatives, and fragrances. Radiation Extended exposure to radiation from electronic devices such as Wi-Fi routers and signal boosters, and frequent use of cell phones could potentially increase the risk of cancer. These devices emit wireless electromagnetic waves continually when the device is in use. While these waves don't directly trigger cancer, there is a considerable risk of distress among those who are repeatedly exposed to low-level radiation. The presence of many such devices in homes and workspaces can lead to an increase in exposure. It's best to turn off these devices at night and keep cell phones away from the bedside for safety. Home and garden products Air fresheners and scented candles used to eliminate smells contain volatile organic compounds, parabens, artificial fragrances, and phthalates that carry a mild cancer risk. These fumes should not be inhaled directly or used continually, as the chemicals in these products cause problems with respiration. Instead, improve cross ventilation around the home and avoid using artificial fragrances. Even common pesticides and insecticides used in the garden for pest control contain harmful chemicals that should not be inhaled. These fumes increase the risk of cancer that affects the lymphatic system, mainly increasing the risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

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