Diet, Skin Aging, and Glycation

For years, dermatologic researchers have been postulating the effects of diet on the skin. Many familiar sayings regarding diet and health abound, such as “you are what you eat,” “eat your way young,” and “junk food in and bad health out.” As a whole, phy­sicians recognize that healthy skin, hair, and nails are an indication of general good health, and the first signs of illness can be visualized in the eyes and the facial skin. When an ill child is examined, the first comment may be that the child looks sick. What does it mean to look sick? In part, it means the patient’s skin does not look good, which begs the question, how does a patient’s health relate to attractive-looking skin? Furthermore, can a certain diet help patients achieve more beautiful skin and a younger appearance? The answer is yet to come.