Weight Loss & Saggy Skin

Weight Loss & Saggy Skin:

Weight loss & Saggy Skin- significant weight loss following extended obesity often leaves excess skin. By slowing down the weight loss to a healthy rate can mitigate it. The carnivore diet can provide the nutrients needed for a healthy weight loss journey.

“Journey” shouldn’t be a scary word, it should be embraced as part of a LIFESTYLE. 

Weight Loss & Saggy Skin-The Largest Organ:

Skin is the largest organ of the body and is part if the integumentary system. Its primary role is a protective layer against pathogens (germs, microorganism, infectious agent). The skin comprises seven layers of tissue called ectodermal system. The layers are grouped into three primary layers (Epidermis, Dermis, Hypodermis). 

The three primary layers each contain multiple sub-layers. The outermost layer, the epidermis, contains five layers. The Dermis layer (middle layer) has two layers and the deepest layer (Hypodermis)  has one layer.

Skin-Layers of Protection

Epidermis Layer:

1. Stratum Corneum; Acts as a barrier to the environment, which protects us from pathogens.
2. Stratum Lucidum; Found in areas such as our palms and the soles of our feet (thick skin areas)
3. Stratum Granulosum; Forms a waterproof barrier by excreting glycolipids. (Glycolipids are lipids with attached carbohydrate groups, found on the outer surface of cell membranes)
4. Stratum Spinosum; Contains dendritic cells (Dendritic cells (DCs) are immune cells that initiate immune responses by presenting antigens to T cells)
5. Stratum Basale; This is the deepest layer and is where new skin cells are produced.

Dermis Layer:

1. Papillary; The upper layer where blood vessels and nerve endings are contained.
2. Reticular Layer; The deeper layer with collagen and elastin (Collagen, reticular, and elastic fibers are key components of connective tissue)

Hypodermis:

1. Fat and connective tissue make up the hypodermis, the skin’s deepest layer. It provides insulation and cushioning.

Renewal

Regeneration of skin; This continuous process involves the body’s constant shedding of old and generation of new skin cells. The older you are the longer the process takes. New skin cells are produced in the deepest layer, then eventually move to the outer layer as the old cells shed off.

Collagen

How is Collagen produced? Within the connective tissue throughout the body, Collagen is produced by special cells called Fibroblast. The precursor is called procollagen (the substance secreted by your cell) is synthesized in the cell. Which is then processed further within the endoplasmic reticulum of the cell and then secreted into extracellular matrix. 

Precurser

The procollagen molecules are formed into tropocollagens molecules. Tropocollagens are then formed into collagen fibrils and will later grow to be stronger collagen fibers. Cross linking of thousands of collagen molecules and interatomic linkage  (the strongest bonds that exist between protein molecules) is within each Collagen Fiber.

Elastin

Elastin is a protein that provides elasticity to our skin, among other things, like tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels. Allowing them (tendons, ligaments, blood vessels and skin) to stretch and then recoil back to its original shape.

As we age, elastin production naturally decelerates. This can also be accelerated by environmental factors, such as sun exposure. And by lifestyle, such as smoking and alcohol.

What can we do?

As I mentioned above, if you have been obese for a lengthy time, be sure to moderate how fast you lose weight. You should lose only one to two pounds per week by eating a healthy diet, rich in proteins and vitamins (grass fed, grass finished beef, pasture raised eggs, grass fed butter).

Move

Adding regular exercise to your routine, like cardio and resistance to burn calories and to build muscle. Hydration is a large factor in keeping your skin healthy by drinking plenty of water and bone broth (my home made bone broth recipe). Bone broth has both protein (12 grams per serving) and collagen (9 grams per serving). 

Habits

If you smoke, it should be a top priority to quit. Not only will your skin thank you but also your lungs, heart and arteries will thank you. Sleep is essential for a multitude of bodily functions. Your body releases growth hormones during sleep, which activate muscle repair. This also aids with tissue regeneration, such as skin. 

Routine

Adding a self massage to my carnivore journey has been one of the most therapeutic things I do for myself. I am congested when I first wake up in the morning. My face feels puffy and swollen. To combat the congestion and the aging process, I added a lymphatic facial massage to my routine. The congestion vanishes within minutes. And the massage stimulates circulation and activates collagen production. Afterwards, I feel refreshed and ready for what my day has in store for me.

Each evening I do the BIG 6 Lymphatic Self Massage (now that my body is accustomed to it). The routine of doing the BIG 6 before bed, in part helps me relax to fall asleep and stay asleep longer. It also stimulates circulation and activates collagen production. Not that this is the primary reason for the BIG 6 (it’s to drain all the crap in your lymphatic system) but it’s a significant side benefit.

Patience

Patience is a learned technique for me. I am generally an instant gratification kind of person. However, part of my carnivore weight loss/health journey is to research how and why things happen.

For example,  when exercise yielded one to two pounds of weight gain despite proper eating, discovering the cause to be inflammation enabled me to relax and trust the process. Also, being patient with the weight loss is giving my skin a chance to bounce back (as much as 57-year-old skin will bounce back anyway).

Love

Loving myself was a forgotten tool. I didn’t like what I saw in the mirror. It was difficult to cut myself some slack or to give myself kudos for a job well done. As part of an imagery technique, seeing the “you” that you aspire to be is a powerful tool. Self pep talks, such as “You are getting there. You are worth it! Trust the process!” is another powerful tool.

Share

Sharing your accomplishments and your fails can help you and others. Your accomplishments can pump others up to follow your lead. Sharing your fails can also help others to avoid some pitfalls and most likely the community will come to your aid.

 

Recap 

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