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Too many of us believe that our rate of aging is predetermined and inevitable. Yet, the truth is that our exact biological age is determined not by our genes, but more by what we eat, our level of stress, the degree to which we exercise, and many other lifestyle modifiable factors completely under our control. Why else, for instance, would smokers observe their biological age visibly reverse 13 years after only 9 months of smoking cessation?
In a nutshell, age-old truisms like "we are what we eat" are more instructive and truer, biologically speaking, than modern tropes like "it's in your genes."
Case in point, a remarkable study published in Clinical Interventions in Aging looked at the effectiveness of a simple dietary intervention using either a rose hip powder preparation or astaxanthin for improving the skin health of subjects, assessed objectively through the parameters of cell senescence, skin wrinkling, and aging.
A randomized and double-blinded clinical study was conducted on a total of 34 healthy subjects, aged 35-65, with crow's feet wrinkles on their faces. During the 8-week study, half of the participants ingested 3 grams of standardized rose hip product (including the seeds and shells of Rosa canina), while the other half ingested 4 mg of astaxanthin.
The study used the following through metrics to evaluate the success of the interventions:
- Objective measurements were taken using the Visioscan, Corneometer, and Cutometer of facial wrinkles, skin moisture, and elasticity, taken both at the beginning of the study, after 4 weeks, and after 8 weeks.
- Subjective satisfaction of both supplements were assessed with questionnaires.
- Finally, the study evaluated the effect of the rose hip preparation on cell longevity by looking at the leakage of hemoglobin through red cell membranes (hemolytic index) in blood samples kept in a blood bank for 5 weeks.
The interventions produced measurable improvements in markers of aging through both interventions. The results of the study were reported as follows:
In the double-blinded study, the rose hip group showed statistically significant improvements in crow's-feet wrinkles (P<0.05), skin moisture (P<0.05), and elasticity (P<0.05) after 8 weeks of treatment. A similar improvement was observed for astaxanthin, with P-values 0.05, 0.001, and 0.05. Likewise, both groups expressed equal satisfaction with the results obtained in their self-assessment. The rose hip powder further resulted in increased cell longevity of erythrocyte cells during storage for 5 weeks in a blood bank.
Mean depth of crow's-feet wrinkles are given for rose hip powder and for astaxanthin.
The study authors concluded the following:
"Results suggest that intake of the standardized rose hip powder (Hyben Vital®) improves aging-induced skin conditions. The apparent stabilizing effects of the rose hip product on cell membranes of stored erythrocyte cells observed in this study may contribute to improve the cell longevity and obstructing skin aging."
Commentary
Rose hips and astaxanthin share a common property: namely, they are potent antioxidants. Rose hips contain significant amounts of biologically active vitamin C, an essential neutralizer of free radical damage to our cell membranes, and astaxanthin is known to be a potent neutralizer of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), which are known to play a key role in damaging our cell membranes.
Antioxidants generally protect the cells of the body from excessive free radical damage caused by both natural metabolic processes, as well as adverse chemical and non-native electromagnetic exposures (e.g. Wi-Fi, cell phone radiation) in our environment, both of which drive premature or accelerated biological aging.
Another unique quality of both vitamin C and astaxanthin is they exhibit potent anti-inflammatory properties which also address the underlying conditions associated with accelerated aging.
While the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of these two substances no doubt contribute to the positive results of this study, their therapeutic properties are wide-ranging and can not be reduced to these two essential functions alone.
For more information on the therapeutic benefits of Rose Hips (and vitamin C), please consult the following two databases on Greenmedinfo.com:
For more information on the therapeutic value of Astaxanthin, consult our database on the subject:
- Astaxanthin: 237 Diseases Researched
Looking for more information on ways to reverse your biological age, and reach optimal levels of health, well-being and positivity in your life?
First, read our related article: Nature's Best Remedies for Skin Aging.
Second, if you are really research savvy, consult our various databases on the subject to dive deep into the primary literature on the topic:
- Aging: 380 Natural Substances Researched
- Skin Aging: 147 Natural Substances Researched
- Brain Aging: 113 Natural Substances Researched
- Neurodegenerative Disorders: 550 Natural Substances Researched
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- Learn how to REVERSE accelerated biological aging in my international best-selling book REGENERATE: Unlocking Your Body's Radical Resilience with the New Biology
- Enroll in my REGENERATE YOURSELF masterclass where you will learn about revolutionary new developments in biology that can be leveraged to help prevent and manage the most common health afflictions of our day: cancer, heart disease, neurodegenerative diseases, and metabolic syndrome. Radical resilience, not disease, is your body's destiny!
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