Part 2

Dr. Perricone's 7 Secrets to Beauty, Health, and Longevity: The Miracle of Cellular Rejuvenation
by Nicholas Perricone, M.D.

(Page 2 of 3)

The majority of the free radicals are derived from oxygen. Thus, the damage being done by these free radicals is known as oxidative damage. When a cell has a high level of free radicals present, we call this oxidative stress, and oxidative stress leads to the production of chemicals that create inflammation within the cell. This process is a vicious cycle, as free radicals can initiate inflammation and inflammation can initiate the production of free radicals.

The scientists who argue in favor of the free-radical theory of aging must now go beyond this premise if we are to stop and help reverse cellular degeneration. Free radicals exist only for a nanosecond and therefore do very little direct damage to cellular molecules. However, what they do accomplish, in their very brief life, is the initiation of an inflammatory cascade, which can continue for hours or even days. The long life of the inflammatory cascade results in most of the cellular damage that leads to aging and age-related diseases.

Fortunately for us, our bodies already contain certain defenses against free radicals and inflammation. Our bodies can actually make a variety of enzyme antioxidants that suppress or alter free radicals. (An enzyme is a protein that accelerates the rate of chemical reactions.) They are referred to as endogenous antioxidants because they are made internally by the body. Another way of obtaining antioxidants is through our diet or by taking nutritional supplements. We call these exogenous antioxidants because they come from outside of the body. We are all familiar with many of these antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, as well as the multitude of phytonutrients that are available in fresh fruits and vegetables.

Antioxidants are critical in anti-aging medicine because they act as natural anti-inflammatories, giving us protection against the inflammation initiated by free radicals that causes cellular damage. When this damage occurs internally to our vital organs, such as the brain, it results in problems such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, and dementia. It can also damage the lungs, resulting in decreased respiratory function, as well as the heart and the kidneys.

And it is not just our internal organs that suffer. Free-radical damage and inflammation is apparent in our appearance with each passing year. It manifests in very visible damage to skin, resulting in the thinning of the skin, deep lines, wrinkles, sagging, and loss of tone, texture, and radiance. Negative changes in our muscle mass, known as sarcopenia, along with the loss of critical bone mass (osteopenia and osteoporosis), also occur. Each of these changes, whether external or internal, is the initial result of damage on a molecular and cellular level.

Recharging the Mitochondrial Batteries

Now that we know what causes cells to age, we can concentrate on what we need to (1) protect them from inflammatory damage and (2) recharge the mitochondrial "batteries" to keep them up and running with energy to spare. There are two ways to do this: through diet and through nutritional supplements. We'll begin with diet.

The foods we eat are of critical importance because they either create or prevent the free radicals and inflammation implicated in aging and disease, meaning our diet can be either pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory. It is very exciting that scientific breakthroughs and discoveries now allow us to actually rejuvenate and revitalize our bodies on a cellular level-but if our diet is pro-inflammatory, we will undermine the effects of even the most powerful remedies. So the first step in cellular rejuvenation is to establish a firm base, beginning with the foods we eat, thus ensuring the success of mitochondrial and other cellular rejuvenators.

As it turns out, the dietary advice I have given in my previous books has been right on the money-not only for preventing inflammation but also in terms of enabling our bodies' cells to repair themselves. The following six categories of foods, familiar to my loyal readers, each have important and particular properties for maintaining and improving cellular metabolism.

Category 1: Protein (for Cellular Rejuvenation)

Protein plays a very important role in a successful health, beauty, and anti-aging program. It is the basic material of life. In fact, the word protein comes from an ancient Greek root meaning "of first importance." The body could not grow or function without it.

As protein is digested, it breaks down into amino acids, which are then used by the cells to repair themselves. Since the human body can manufacture only 11 of the 20 amino acids that are essential for life, the remaining 9 must be provided through the intake of dietary protein.

Copyright © 2006 by Nicholas Perricone, M.D.

About the Author

Dr. Perricone has a private practice in Connecticut. He is the author of numerous scientific papers that report his research on aging skin. He has his own line of acclaimed skin care products, NV Perricone Cosmeceuticals, which are available at Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue and Sephora.