This Is What You Need to Know to Combat Inflammatory Ageing

Did you know that you can help your body and skin to stay youthful by reducing inflammation from the inside and out?

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We often associate inflammation with arthritis and cardiovascular disease. However chronic inflammation, which is low intensity, prolonged and can often go unseen, can be the root cause of cellular ageing. I refer to it as “inflamm-ageing” and it can be caused by everything from sunlight (UV exposure), a poor diet, perfumes, cosmetic ingredients, pollution, trauma, stress and bacteria.

These irritants trigger an “inflammation” cascade in the body, with free radicals activating the release of inflammatory hormones and white blood cells along with enzymes known as MMPs (Matrix Metallo Proteinases). These enzymes are designed to break down wounded issue, which is fine if the skin has an acute trauma, but if we are being exposed to low grade inflammation constantly, we will experience a breakdown of healthy collagen, elastin and other connective tissue leading to skin which has lost all firmness, vitality and elasticity!  

It is easy to incorporate measures to reduce inflammation in your daily diet and lifestyle practices. Our recommendations on how to do this best are below:

Eat the Rainbow. Eating an abundance of fruits and vegetables especially the colourful antioxidant rich ones ensures free radicals are kept at bay. Aim for a wide variety of brightly and darkly coloured fruits and vegetables! Our favourites include:

  • Blue/Purple: Blueberries, Butterfly Pea, Plums, Blackberries
  • Red: Pomegranate, Cherries, Apples, Beetroot, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Capsicum
  • Orange: Carrots, Pumpkin, Sweet Potato, Orange
  • Green: Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Kale, Bok Choy, Avocado

The Edible Beauty Native Collagen Powder is a wonderful supplement to boost your antioxidant intake. Containing foods ranking high on the ORAC chart (antioxidant score) including Macqui Berry, Kakadu Plum and Hibiscus, including a daily serve of this powder is an easy way to combat inflammation naturally.

Algae Power. We are often told fish oil is the answer to our Omega 3 supplementation. What we are not often told is that fish oil is highly processed, prone to oxidation and rancidity or contaminated with heavy metals causing more free radical damage than benefit. Instead we recommend eating Omega 3 rich foods such as seaweed, chia seeds, flaxseeds, walnuts, hemp seeds and Sacha-Inchi seeds. If you are wanting an extra boost to your Omega intake by directly supplementing with active forms of Omegas, EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), marine algae is a wonderful way to do this. Algae is actually what fish and krill eat to get their EPA and DHA Omega 3s.

Super Spice. Turmeric is one of the most highly researched and effective spices celebrated for its ability to reduce inflammation. Turmeric is truly a super herb. Evidence shows the active ingredient in turmeric, called curcumin, can suppress inflammation by blocking pro-inflammatory transcription factors, which are bad guys that initiate an inflammatory response in the body. If you are taking turmeric in powder form, be sure to take it with olive oil or a fat along with a touch of pepper which increases its absorption and ability to penetrate through the gut wall.

Proteolytic Enzymes. Enzymes are the unsung heroes of the body and without them life would be impossible. It has been estimated that the human body contains at least 50,000 different enzymes that orchestrate the countless biochemical reactions in our body. They regulate the body’s inflammatory response and also increase the ability for the body to get rid of destructive complexes and proteins. Enzymes are abundant in papaya, pineapples, buckwheat (rich in papain, bromelain and rutin enzymes respectively) – you can also find high quality plant-based enzyme supplements to increase your levels.

Healthy Habits. Healthy lifestyle habits, whilst obvious, can be so important in enabling your body to fight inflammation and reduce free radical damage. Reducing sun exposure, toxins in personal care and cleaning products, getting adequate sleep, minimising alcohol and sugar intake, and reducing stress through meditation and mindfulness can all combat the body’s inflammatory response.

On the Outside.  Our skin benefits from an antioxidant and Omega-3 rich protocol as much as our body does. Feeding the skin with Omega-3 rich oils, has shown to reduce inflammation, locking in skin moisture and providing protection for smooth, firm and healthy skin. The Exotic Seed of Youth Oil is our Edible Beauty “skin food” when it comes to topical Omega-rich oils, including Sacha Inchi Seed, Marula Oil and Sea Buckthorn.

Infusing the skin with anti-inflammatory spices such as turmeric is easy with our booster serum, Turmeric Beauty Latte. This serum contains both Turmeric Root Extract and Oil to assist in reducing inflammation from the outside-in.

Lastly, when purchasing skincare products, ensure they are abundant in antioxidants that work to protect the skin from both internal and external sources of inflammation.  We love infusing our skincare with Australian native extracts including Kadadu Plum, Wattle Seed, Desert Lime and Davidson Plum, which are being researched for their “super-antioxidant” profiles, surpassing the likes of pomegranate, blueberries and resveratrol in their anti-ageing actions.

Want expert skin tips and advice sent straight to your inbox?

Anna Mitsios

Adv. Dip. Naturopathy. Adv. Dip. Nutrition. B.Com (Honours)

Anna is a certified naturopath and nutritionist and founder of leading Australian natural skincare and wellness company, Edible Beauty Australia. Anna has been featured in various publications including Mind Body Green, Women’s Health and Allure. She is committed to the natural transformation of her client’s skin using proven botanicals, nutrients and herbal formulations, both on the inside and out.  

Anna’s career began in the corporate sector, where she specialised in corporate finance and private banking for over ten years working in Sydney and New York for a large Australian bank. Anna’s career change was sparked by her own health journey, following a diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes at 18 years of age.  Her diagnosis triggered her intense study of botanicals and nutrition to manage auto-immune condition and assist others in attaining optimal health. Anna’s naturopathy career has included working as a naturopath within a reputable natural fertility clinic in Sydney, within a pharmacy and health food store and running her own naturopathy practice. 

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