With Memorial Day right around the corner, now is the perfect time to think about summer-ready skin tone. When we can no longer hide under layers of winter clothing, it is reassuring to know that Alpha Lipoic Acid Body Toning lotion is just a click of the keys away!

As a dermatologist whose special concern is anti-aging, much of my research focuses on the face, which often reveals the first signs of aging. Because our faces are so very visible, I have made it my life’s work to help us all put our "best face forward."

In addition to affecting the face, dietary habits that accelerate internal aging produce other overt changes, including loss of muscle tone and deposition of body fat: particularly in the abdomen, legs, and arms. This excess body fat is directly attributable to two factors:

• Loss of insulin sensitivity
• Increased production of cortisol—known as the "death" hormone—and a corresponding decrease in levels of the "youth" hormones, including testosterone, estrogen, and human growth hormone.

Fortunately, some simple dietary changes can help. First and foremost, try to be a faithful follower of the Perricone Prescription food recommendations. Poor dietary choices actually cause the loss of insulin sensitivity and the rise in cortisol levels.

For example, coffee and a muffin for breakfast will greatly contribute to an aging face and body. How can common breakfast foods do so much harm?

• The sugars and simple starches in foods like muffins and bread cause a rapid rise in blood sugar levels, prompting an increase in blood insulin levels. High insulin levels cause "glycation"—a process in which the sugar molecules attach to protein-rich tissues like collagen. The result? Wrinkled skin. In addition, high insulin levels cause the body to store fat rather than burn it.
• Coffee raises levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which accelerates aging and disease.

Spices for Life
Who would have thought that by just swizzling a stick of cinnamon in your tea, you could help keep your body healthy and your skin smooth? It turns out that many everyday herbs and spices possess unequalled anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging effects: a story I will tell in greater depth in my next book, The Perricone Promise (Warner Books, October 2004).

For example, in addition to its delightful fragrance, cinnamon exerts powerful anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory effects, while also helping to stabilize blood sugar levels. Just one gram per day (¼ to ½ teaspoon) yields a 20 percent drop in blood sugar, and reduces blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels as well.

This is tremendously important, since one of the keys to stopping the signs of aging on face and body is the regulation of blood sugar.

The seeds of the less well known but equally aromatic and essential herb, fenugreek, also possess wonderful anti-aging properties. A recent study found that an amino acid in fenugreek seeds (4-hydroxyisoleucine) can reduce insulin resistance—a marker and early warning sign of diabetes. In addition, this amino acid improves insulin sensitivity: a very valuable therapeutic effect in diabetes treatment and in an anti-aging regimen. Fenugreek possesses anti-glycating abilities—very important in preventing wrinkled skin on face and body.

In The Acne Prescription, Dr. Perricone describes his breakthough findings—and delivers revolutionary solutions that clear skin quickly while improving overall appearance.