· By Estefania Jover
Silent Inflammation: A Threat to Premature Aging
Have you ever been thought to be older than you are, or have you guessed someone else's age as more than it actually is? Our skin, especially facial skin, reveals more about us than we might think. A person can appear lean, athletic, with perfect teeth, but their skin can betray them, adding unwanted years. Several signs of aged skin include spots, redness, wrinkles, dryness, etc. These signs can also indicate skin inflammation, which, if it becomes chronic, leads to oxidative stress and, consequently, premature aging. This is because inflammation and aging are interconnected.
Our body operates with the precision of a clock, where all parts must be perfectly coordinated. The human body is no different. When there's an infection, allergens, chemicals, etc., affecting one or several organs, they respond by generating inflammatory processes to combat these damages. Cytokines, signaling molecules whose primary function is to regulate inflammation, are key components of inflammation. It's important to distinguish between two types of cellular inflammation: acute and chronic. Their main difference lies in their duration. Acute inflammation is an immediate response to an aggressive agent, typically occurring within the first two hours. This inflammation helps the body to return to its pre-condition state. Conversely, chronic inflammation, also known as silent cellular inflammation, is a slower inflammatory process lasting over a month. It can occur without injuries and doesn't always end when the injury or illness heals. Moreover, the chronicity of inflammation keeps the body in a constant state of alert, negatively impacting our entire body. The main symptoms of this type of inflammation include insomnia, constant fatigue, body pain, frequent infections, gastrointestinal problems, or weight gain, making chronic inflammation a serious issue.
Silent cellular inflammation can be caused by topical diseases (rosacea, dermatitis, psoriasis, or acne) or harmful external agents (pollution, stress, poor dietary or sleep habits, smoking, sedentarism, etc.). Chronic inflammation damages cells, deteriorating the cellular matrix containing collagen and elastin fibers. Damage to the matrix is a critical factor in skin aging.
Fortunately, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is the best prevention against chronic inflammation. At Youthbites, with the anti-inflammatory components of our product, we aim to help you avoid premature aging.