Fighting the signs of aging is something of a national pasttime in the United States -- Harvard University reports that Americans spend $1.6 billion each year on anti-aging products. The answer to avoiding wrinkles may lie in your body's ability to absorb protein, however. See your physician if you think you may have protein malabsorption issues.
ABOUT PROTEIN MALABSORPTION
Protein from the foods you eat is normally absorbed in your small intestine, but when something goes wrong with your body, it could cause absorption problems. In some cases, diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, celiac disease and inflammatory or irritable bowel syndrome, could result in protein malabsorption. In other cases, problems properly absorbing protein could be attributed to a lack of enzymes necessary to digest this macronutrient as well as liver problems or intestinal infection or injury. Whatever the cause, the result is that your body does not get the protein it needs to adequately function.
PROTEIN AND PREMATURE AGING OF THE SKIN
Your body ages every day, but one of the most noticeable areas is your skin. Not getting enough protein may influence the look of your skin. Collagen, a component of your skin that helps give it elasticity, is a protein. While other nutrients help build collagen, such as vitamin C, protein malabsorption puts a damper on your body's ability to produce collagen. Without enough collagen, your skin may sag and form wrinkles, which can prematurely age your skin.
PROTEIN MALABSORPTION SOLUTIONS
If you have a disease that causes protein malabsorption, you may need more protein in your diet to compensate for your body's decreased ability to take in this nutrient and prevent premature aging. Foods high in protein include cheese, large beans, such as soybeans; lean veal or beef; and roasted pumpkin seeds. Temporary problems with protein absorption likely do not require nutritional support to decrease your risk of premature aging.
OTHER PROTEIN PROBLEMS AND PREMATURE AGING
There are other things that can go wrong with protein, triggering premature aging. Research available in the August 2009 issue of "Cell Metabolism" indicate that proteins synthesized in cellular mitochondria may become unstable, which can interrupt cell respiration and lead to premature aging. This research was carried out on animal models, so more research is needed to confirm this finding in humans.
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