SKIN HEALTH AND REFINED SUGARS. Your skin reflects your health.

SKIN HEALTH AND REFINED SUGARS.
Your skin reflects your health. 

Guest Blog by Naturopath Kelli Kolar

As a naturopath and nutritionist, I focus on educating people about the negative effects of refined sugar on our health, including our skin. Consuming high amounts of refined sugar can significantly impact the skin's appearance and health.

Sugar triggers a process called glycation, where sugar molecules bind to proteins like collagen and elastin, causing them to become stiff and malformed. This leads to various skin issues, including premature aging, inflammation, and acne.

Reducing sugar intake can help maintain healthier, more youthful-looking skin and help you prevent the following problems:

Accelerated Ageing: Sugar damages collagen and elastin, essential proteins that keep the skin firm and youthful. Glycation makes these proteins rigid and less functional, leading to wrinkles and sagging skin over time. Have you heard about "sugar sag"?

Acne: High sugar intake increases insulin levels, which can lead to increased production of sebum (skin oil) and inflammation. This combination can clog pores and cause acne breakouts.

Dryness: Sugar dehydrates the skin by drawing water from the cells. This can lead to dry, flaky, and dull skin, making it more susceptible to environmental damage.

Increased Oil Production: High glycemic foods, such as refined sugar, can cause the skin to produce excess oil. This excess oil can clog pores and contribute to the formation of blackheads and whiteheads.

Reduced Elasticity: Glycation affects the skin’s elasticity by breaking down collagen and elastin fibres, leading to a loss of firmness and resilience, making the skin appear saggy and less toned.

Increased Inflammation: Refined sugar can trigger inflammatory responses in the body, which can exacerbate skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis, making them more severe and harder to manage.

Dull Complexion: Excessive sugar intake can lead to a dull and lifeless complexion by affecting the turnover of skin cells and reducing the skin's natural glow. Again, you will look older.

Hyperpigmentation: Sugar can exacerbate hyperpigmentation issues, leading to uneven skin tone and dark spots. This is because glycation can affect melanocyte activity, increasing pigmentation irregularities.

Weakened Skin Barrier: Sugar can impair the skin's barrier function, making it more prone to irritation, dryness, and environmental damage. A weakened skin barrier also means it’s less effective at retaining moisture.

Delayed Healing: High sugar levels can slow down the skin’s natural healing processes. This can prolong the recovery time from wounds, blemishes, and other skin irritations, making them more noticeable and persistent.

By understanding these effects, you can make better choices about your diet and skincare routines and look much younger and healthier.