06 October 2009
A vitamin-rich nutrition is associated with a decreased number of spots and wrinkles in Japanese and Caucasian women, a new study suggests.
In the JAGE study (Extrinsic skin aging in Japanese and German women) the researchers investigated in determinants for skin aging in women from both ethnic groups (1). In fasting blood samples of 39 German and 62 Japanese women with ages between 30 to 70 years, the level of carotenoids and vitamins was measured. Other environmental factors influencing extrinsic skin aging like nutrition and smoking habits were assessed by questionnaire.
The study results showed that nutrition rich in antioxidant micronutrients, such as beta-carotene, lycopene, vitamin A and vitamin E was associated with a decreased number of spots and of wrinkles whereas smoking increased the symptoms of skin aging. The researchers suggested a higher level of carotenoids and vitamins in Japanese women which might be an explanation for differences in wrinkle formation but no explanation for spots. Whether genetic differences are responsible for this effect remain to be evaluated.
Japanese and Caucasians differ in the clinical manifestation of environmentally induced (‘extrinsic’) skin aging. Caucasians develop wrinkles first whereas Japanese develop pigment spots at an earlier age (2). The reasons for this are not known to date and may involve genetic and environmental factors.
10 April 2015
A European-wide study by Food4Me project just released as a white paper provides evidence that personalized nutrition advice is more effective to improve dietary behavior compared to conventional over-simplified, population-based advice.
1 February 2014
The task of the immune system is to protect the organism against harmful external influences, e.g., microorganisms. One consequence of an immune reaction is inflammation, which serves to remove foreign bodies or pathologically altered cells. However, if the immune reaction is not appropriate it may lead to undesirable effects, including increased vulnerability to infections if immune function is diminished, or allergies, autoimmune diseases and chronic inflammation in the case of hyperfunction. To fulfill its many and various protective and signaling functions, the immune system relies on the adequate availability of micronutrients. Potential deficiencies can affect both unspecific (innate) and specific (acquired) immunity.
9 May 2017
Every year, countries all over the world are seeing their populations living longer, with a greater proportion of them living as older adults. In fact, average life expectancy has doubled over the past 200 years
