Natural Ways To Fight Sagging Eyelids

After many attempts to uncover the reason behind sagging eyelids, researchers finally found out that the expansion of fatty tissues in the eye socket is the culprit.

The study was the first to investigate eyelid aging by looking at the anatomy of multiple subjects. Also, this was the first time that a high-power magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to examine facial aging. Forty subjects (17 males and 23 females) aged 12 to 80 years underwent MRI. Radiological images revealed that lower eyelid tissue increased with age, and that fat accumulation was mainly responsible for this size increase.

The American Society for Aesthetics Plastic Surgery reported that there were more than 11.7 million cosmetic surgical and nonsurgical operations performed in the United States in 2007. The number of surgical operations, including eyelid surgery, increased by 8 percent between 2006 and 2007. Notable among these procedures is eyelid surgery, ranking third in the list of most popular cosmetic operations.

Blepharoplasty is the term used to refer to the surgical lifting of sagging tissues in the eyelid for cosmetic purposes. This operation often results to a more youthful appearance. The patient may also look less tired and sad.

Is Fat the Only Cause of Sagging Eyelid?

It’s quite unfortunate that cosmetic surgery is preferred by many despite the availability of natural therapies capable of reversing the signs of skin aging, particularly sagging eyelids.

Under-eye bags are commonly caused by:

• Lack of sleep
• Thyroid dysfunction
• Fatigue
• Too much exercise
• Allergies
• Smoking
• Exposure to toxic substances
• Fluid retention

Oxidative stress is one of the major causes of sagging skin. Oxidative stress is often the result of eating unhealthy or processed foods, which increase cell damaging substances called free radicals. The most obvious effect of this type of cellular damage is manifested in the face in the form of wrinkles, bulky eye bags, and dull and sagging skin.

Oxidative stress and premature skin aging are correlated with high intake of sugary diets. A study published in the “European Journal of Clinical Investigation” shows that people with metabolic disorders are more vulnerable to oxidative stress than those who are not at risk to develop diabetes.

The diabetic figures of the US are quite alarming, 26% of the adult population over the age of 20 are predisposed to diabetes, so are the 35% of seniors aged 60 and above. Not to mention the 8% of the general population who already have diabetes. Like diabetics, obese people also have greater exposure to oxidative stress as compared with their healthy counterparts.

Eating natural foods is the best way to slow down the pace of skin aging. Start reversing the signs of skin aging by replacing unhealthy diet with antioxidant-rich raw foods. This proactive approach is also highly recommended for youths who want to prevent premature aging.

Maintaining Youthful Glow With Vegetable Juicing

With long-term compliance to vegetarian diet, even a 75-year-old man can look as young as a typical 40-year-old. Vegetable juicing is particularly effective in preventing wrinkles despite old age.

Avoiding heat in food preparation will save a lot of nutrients that would otherwise be destroyed by cooking. One-third of an ideal diet should comprise raw foods. So if you don’t have a juicer, you are missing a valuable means to healthy eating. Consider the following health benefits of juicing:

• Full absorption of the essential nutrients from vegetables. As we become accustomed to less-than-optimal diet, the food processing ability of our digestive system weakens. An impaired digestive system limits the ability of the body to absorb all the nutrients from vegetables. With juicing, the digestive system has less workload to handle since the nutrients are somehow “pre-digested.”
• Efficient and optimal consumption of vegetables – Vegetables are easier to consume if they are in juice form rather than in solid form. Just imagine how eating 50 pounds of vegetables becomes less burdensome if all of them are processed into juice. If you are one of those people who want to shift to vegetarian diet but have no appetite for vegetables, juicing is definitely the best solution.
• Diversity in vegetable diet. Many people stick to the same vegetable salads every day. Such lack of diversity in diet increases the risk of developing food allergy. Juicing allows you to combine a wide range of vegetables into a more palatable product.

Choose vegetables that fit your nutritional type. Ideally, you should limit your vegetable selections to organic crops to avoid pesticides and other agrochemical substances that cause oxidative stress. If organic vegetables are not accessible, at least wash vegetables thoroughly.

That healthy diet aids in skin rejuvenation is backed by scientific proofs.  A study published in the “Journal of the American College of Nutrition” supported this claim.

The study, which involved dark- and fair-skinned subjects, confirmed the positive correlation between wholesome, low-sugar diet and skin aging. Australians and Swedish who ate less confections and more raw foods were less likely to have wrinkles.

Among the wrinkle-fighting foods identified by the study were olive oil, green leafy vegetables, and nuts. Researchers also found out that, age and smoking aside, diet still played a role in wrinkling. Smoother skin was common among those who exceeded the recommended intake of essential nutrients.

Foods with high levels of antioxidants are particularly effective in protecting the skin from aging. Foods high in vitamins A, C and E fight oxidative stress and thus prevent skin aging. Olive oil and other foods high in monounsaturated fats also prevent oxidative damage in the same way.

Other anti-aging tips

Ironically, sagging eyelid due to fluid retention can be aggravated by dehydration. Drinking sufficient amount of water helps reduce the bulkiness of eye bags.

Potatoes are actually more effective than cucumbers in treating puffy bags. The skin lightening effect of potato is attributed to catecholase. This substance is also found in some cosmetic products. While resting,  treat each of your eye bag with a slice of potato for about 20 minutes. This will help lessen  the swelling and lighten under-eye circles.

Exercising regularly is another way to maintain youthful and bright skin. But beware that too much exercise can cause wrinkles.

Having a sufficient rest and addressing emotional stresses are also necessary for maintaining or regaining youthful skin. Avoid insomnia by addressing emotional problems.

For more great information and instant updates on healthy lifestyle, subscribe to Healthy Lifestyle Blogzine today. You should also visit Healthy Cooking Recipes for some great healthy treats!

Related Article: