Eating the right foods (as recommended in articles one and two of the Superfoods series) and getting adequate sleep will help in reversing the signs of aging and preventing premature aging. Your anti-aging efforts go deeper than diet and rest, however, as there are many outside factors that can contribute to sagging skin and wrinkles!

Here are three of the biggest external culprits that will hinder your anti-aging efforts. If you limit your exposure to these factors, you will begin to see a noticeable difference in the way you feel and the way you look!

The Sun

The sun is a great source of Vitamin D, which will boost your energy and happiness levels, but it can also be very detrimental to your health and anti-aging routine, if in excess. Sun exposure is the number one cause of skin cancer, causing 90% of the symptoms of premature skin aging. In fact, many skin changes that are commonly linked to aging (such as ease of bruising or dark spots) are actually a result of prolonged ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure supplied by the sun!

Over time, the sun’s UV light damages elastin, which is the connective tissue found in the epidermis  that keeps skin flexible and elastic (and, therefore, younger in appearance). The breakdown of these elastin tissues causes the aging appearance of skin (sagging and wrinkles) and prevents the skin from retaining the ability to snap back into place after prolonged stretching.

To avoid anti-aging damage caused by the sun, NS-Mart recommends applying sunscreen with an SPF rating of 30 or higher. In addition, avoid prolonged sun exposure mid-day, as this is when the sun is at its strongest and its UV rays are the most powerful.

In addition, our MFIII Bluecell Skin Gel will combat decreased skin elasticity by providing various nutrients to the skin!

Cigarette Smoke

Besides the sun, smoking cigarettes ages skin faster than any other external factor. In fact, the negative effects of cigarette smoking on the skin have been known for an extended period of time, reaching back to a study in 1965 that first identified what came to be known as “smoker’s face,” which is the appearance of wrinkled, pale, grey skin. Today, it is common knowledge among medical circles that regular exposure to the harmful chemicals in cigarettes can add an extra 10-20 years onto your actual age!

The major negative aging effects from cigarettes are from free radicals, which are highly unstable and powerful molecules that cause disease and damage to cell DNA. This causes the skin cells in your body to behave erratically and produce a range of responses that will make your skin age faster. In addition, smoking restricts the blood flow through capillaries near the skin’s surface, which prevents oxygen and useful nutrients from reaching the skin. Smoking also decreases the production of valuable collagen by producing an enzyme that limits production and thereby decreases the elasticity of the skin. Cigarette smoke also reduces the body’s supply of vitamins A and C, which provide natural protection from skin damage and health. As you can see, smoking doesn’t just make you appear older – it actually accelerates the body’s aging mechanisms on a basic, cellular level!

Maintain your youthful vitality and vibrant skin by limiting the intake of cigarette smoke and its aging effects!

Alcohol

Alcohol is yet another external vice that can hinder your anti-aging efforts.

Externally-speaking, alcohol dehydrates the skin, depleting it of moisture. It can also cause broken capillaries on the nose and face, which cause an “aged” appearance and skin spots. Alcohol consumption also produces excess cortisol, providing a negative effect on skin by reducing the rate at which collagen (which is vital for youthful looking skin) is produced in skin tissue. Alcohol is also notoriously dehydrating – it increases the rate at which the body excretes water and limits the absorption of nutrients vital for skin health. Dehydrated skin ages more quickly, so regular alcohol consumption means deeper lines and facial wrinkles. Additionally, alcohol restricts the absorption of vitamins and minerals that are essential for the radiance of a youthful complexion.

Internally, alcohol causes the depletion of calcium and lack of calcium can cause brittle bones and low density mass, which is the common physique that we associate with elderly people. Alcohol also activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (or HPA axis), causing glucocorticoid secretion and thus elevating levels of stress hormones in the body. Chronic exposure to these hormones results in an acceleration of the aging process. Chronic stress and heavy alcohol use causes a similar premature aging effect. In addition, long-term alcohol abuse can damage the frontal lobes of the brain, causing premature aging and Alzheimer-like symptoms.

If you are a heavy cigarette or alcohol user, NS-Mart would recommend minimizing these habits and supplementing your regimen with MFIII PE Advanced Formula Softgels, which contain the collagen that these two anti-aging enemies have reduced from your skin! 

By becoming aware of the affects of your day-to-day activities on your anti-aging efforts, NS-Mart is certain you will begin to feel more youthful and vibrant – and your body will thank you!

Here at NS-Mart, we know staying young is a lifestyle and passion, so we are always looking to provide the latest information and products to keep you informed and up to date. We look forward to being your companion for a future full of adventure, vitality and revitalization! In the meantime, please contact us if you have any anti-aging questions. We are always happy to help!

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Products Mentioned in This Article

PE Softgels Advanced Formula          (30 capsules per box)          Enhanced ingredients!	MFIII Bluecell Skin Gel          (30 ml per bottle)          The ultimate anti-aging skin gel!