Hit pause on ageing skin

LOOKS are everything, especially now, where selfie culture is prevalent and first impressions are significant. Regardless of gender, we all share the same priority of ensuring our skin looks smooth, fair and youthful for as long as possible.

However, despite our best efforts, sometimes our skin can age prematurely due to factors such as exposure to UV rays, imbalanced diets, excessive smoking or alcohol consumption, and stress. These factors can negatively affect collagen and elastic fibres in the body, causing skin to sag and form unsightly wrinkles and dark spots.

It is common for us to turn to skincare products and over-the-counter remedies such as medication and steroid creams to prevent our skin from showing signs of ageing. However, skincare products generally tend to treat only the surface symptoms, while long-term use of medication and creams can cause our skin to become dry.

Black ginger (Kaempferia parviflora), also known as

Thai ginseng, is a herb indigenous to South-east

Asia, particularly Laos and Thailand, where it is commonly used as a folk medicine by the locals.

Many studies carried out on this herb have shown that it contains high levels of polymethoxyflavonoids (PMFS). PMFS play a major role in activating SIRT1, a factor that protects cellular DNA from further damage.

In one such study, titled Potent SIRT1 Enzyme-stimulating and Anti-glycation Activities of Polymethoxyflavonoids from Kaempferia parviflora published in 2014 in Natural Product Communications, clinical trials have shown that the Sirt1-stimulating activity of PMFS is five times stronger than that of resveratrol, another powerful antioxidant.

Black ginger can also help reduce visceral fat. This is the fat stored around our internal organs such as our heart and liver, and the greater the amount of visceral fat, the higher our risk of contracting type 2 diabetes and heart disease. In the same study mentioned above, it was indicated that visceral fat accumulation decreased when black ginger was consumed.

This herb can be difficult to procure, so a supplement can be effective, too. Look out for one with more than 15% of all five types of PMFS, such as the patented SIRTMAX black

ginger extract.