Nexus - 0603 - New Times Magazine-pages

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then, between 10 to 15 years, it decreases to adult levels. In aged skin there is a dramatic drop in skin cholesterol content. Cholesterol levels are very low in balding men and women and in people with psori and very low levels are thought to be asso- ciated with skin cancer formation. It has been claimed that cholesterol, in combination with lecithin, linoleic acid and alcohol, promotes the healing of burns, stimulates hair growth and inhibits the growth of the herpes virus. skin there is a dramatic drop in skin cholesterol content. Simple occlusion of the skin (this is putting some sort of imper- Cholesterol levels are very low in balding men and women and in vious covering over it) not only raises the water content of the people with psoriasis, and very low levels are thought to be asso- stratum corneum but also the rate of penetration of lypophitic (fat- ciated with skin cancer formation. loving, water-hating) drugs. No reasonable explanation has been It has been claimed that cholesterol, in combination with offered for this phenomenon. lecithin, linoleic acid and alcohol, promotes the healing of burns, Soaps, detergents and surfactants (shampoos) influence trans- stimulates hair growth and inhibits the growth of the herpes virus. dermal substance penetration by acting on the barrier found with- in the stratum corneum, making it permeable to water and water ESSENTIAL AMINO ACIDS solutes including themselves. Hence, when one looks at complex The dermal barrier also contains amino acids, but most of these shampoo formulas, not only are consumers cleaning their hair and are essential; that is, they must be obtained from dietary sources scalp but they're allowing the penetration of the constituents, as the body does not synthesise them. They include phenylala- which may prove harmful to some people. However, it appears nine, valine, threonine, tryptophan, isoleucine, methionine, lysine _ that a limitation may be the molecular weight of the substance. and leucine. In addition, histidine and arginine are required by Molecular weights of about 500 seem to be the upper limit. children. A second explanation for the contribution of surfactants to pen- Arginine is required for proper repair in the physically trauma- etration is provided by Rieger et al. (1988). They suggest that the tised adult. It is a hot item in the food supplement market- place, for its appeal has been _| Nutrient Specific Component Contribution to Wound Healing fuelled by its ability to burn fat while building muscle. By [Table 1: Nutrients Affecting Wound Healing + Needed for neovascularisation, lymphocyte formation, fibroblast proliferation, collagen synthesis and wound virtue of its unique stimulating Proteins Inmincleciae remodelling. effect upon growth hormone, + Required for certain cell-mediated responses, including which in turn influences the phagocytosis and intracellular killing of bacteria. synthesis of proteins, arginine . + Prevents wound oedema, secondary to low serum has been found to stimulate the Alsumitn oncotic pressure. immune system and produce + Needed for energy requirement of leukocytes and highly activated white cells. It Carbohydrates Glucose fibroblasts to function in inhibiting activities of wound has also demonstrated a signifi- infscuony cant anti-tumour effect in labo- onsalurated fatty acids ° ferve as eee boats for Peseo ne va regulate 2 animals a. Linoleic cellular metabolism, inflammation and circulation. ratory animals. eo Fats b. Linolenic + Are constituents of triglycerides and fatty acids Cysteine, methionine and c. Arachidonic contained in cellular and subcellular membranes. taurine, all sulphur-containing , ——— 7 . de teas ~ + Hydroxylates proline and lysine in collagen synthesis. amino acids, inactivate free Enhances capillary formation and decreases capillary radicals, thus protecting and Ascorbic acid fragility. preserving cells. In diets sup- + ls a necessary component of complement that functions plemented with these amino in immune reactions and increases defences to infection. acids, the life span of the ani- B complex Serves as a co-factor of enzyme systems. mal is increased by the above Pyridoxine, pantothenic + Required for antibody formation and white blood cell mechanism via a participation and folic acids function. in DNA repair and by their Enhances epithelialisation of cell membranes. anticarcinogenic effect. + Enhances rate of collagen synthesis and cross-linking of Cysteine, in combination Vitamins A newly formed collagen. —_ with pantothenic acid, has pro- + Antagonises the inhibitory effects of glucocorticoids on duced very positive effects for celllmembranes: patients suffering osteo-arthritis = Necessary for absorption, transport and metabolism of D calcium. Indirectly affects phosphorus metabolism. and rheumatoid arthritis. Applied topically, cysteine has been seen to increase the E = No special role known. May be important if there is a ‘ i" . fatty acid deficiency. rate of quality healing by up to - = = 50 per cent in conditions such K ears synthesis of prothrombin and clotting factors as grazes, varicose ulcers, dia- betic ulcers, burns, psoriasis, lichen simplex, and to increase + Required for synthesis of calcium-binding protein. + Stabilises cell membranes. ~ : " . Zinc + Needed for cell mitosis and cell proliferation in wound the formation and maturation of repair. collagen. Similar results have > Needed for hydroxylation of proline and lysine in also been noted from other sul- ; collagen synthesis. phur-containing amino acids. Minerals Iron Enhances bactericidal activity of leukocytes. Methionine and taurine are = Secondarily, deficiency may cause decrease in oxygen important regulators in nervous LeMegpaT EETL and muscle systems, in terms of growth and maintenance. C = Is an integral part of the enzyme, lysyloxidase, that opper catalyses formation of stable collagen cross-links. APRIL — MAY 1999 NEXUS - 25 SKIN ABSORPTION