The Free Radical Theory

The free radical theory is the most widely accepted theory of aging.

But what is a free radical and how do we stop them?

In a nutshell, a free radical is an oxygen molecule that has lost an electron. It is an unstable molecule that tries to heal itself by stealing an electron from healthy cells. In the process, more free radicals are created.

Free radicals are the main cause of cellular damage, and therefore, the ultimate cause of aging. They are caused within our bodies by food, breathing polluted air, and stress.... but they are also caused by outside factors like sunlight, cigarette smoke, pollution, chemicals, and toxic skin care products. 

In order to eliminate free radical damage and ultimately slow the aging process we can consume antioxidants in the form of food or supplements, or we can apply them topically to our skin. 

The bottom line is that free radical damage IS reversable.

One of the biggest causes of free radical damage to the skin is sunlight. When sunlight hits your skin, free radicals are activated. These free radicals turn on molecules called transcription factors which go to the centre of the cell and cause inflammatory damage. These transcription factors produce collagen damaging enzymes that can scar the skin. 'Microscarring' is the beginning of a wrinkle.

So sunlight activates the collagen digesting molecules that cause wrinkles.

Look at the difference in skin that has been exposed to lots of sun versus skin that has been protected...

If there is one thing I learned from my grandmother about skin care (she had near perfect skin at age 80), it is to avoid direct sunlight. Protecting yourself from those drying rays really does make a difference in the long run.

Here is a photo of me and my kids. We live within 15 minutes of several wonderful beaches. It's one of the main reasons we chose to live where we do. But I am always careful about setting up camp under a shady tree or using a big umbrella. However, it's really hard to be totally proteted all the time so I generally follow the 80/20 rule.  That means that if we are good 80% of the time, then the 20% we 'break the rules' is not that bad. I also use non-toxic sunscreen, as well as good skin care products to counteract any damage we do in that 20% of the time. It seems to works for us.

And the free radical theory has an up side...

By using powerful antioxidants like alpha lipoic acid, vitamin c ester, dmae, and alpha and beta hydroxy acids topically, we can actually reverse the damage to collagen, and repair or even erase wrinkles!

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