Cranberry Juice Can Stop Staph in its Tracks!

For many years, cranberry juice has been recommended to help prevent and treat urinary tract infections. Researchers have now discovered how cranberry juice works to avoid bacterial infections, such as Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). In urine samples collected from those who drank cranberry juice, the bacteria were not able to link together and form a film or stick to the wall of the container. This process is calld “biofilm formation.” When bacteria cannot stick together, they are more likely to be flushed out during urination instead of creating an environment for the bacteria to thrive.

The bottom line? Future studies may lead to attempts to engineer invasive medical tools such as catheters, cannulae and others to make them more bacteria-resistant.

Antioxidants in Berries Prevent UV Skin Damage, Wrinkles

A study done by researchers at Hallym University in the Republic of Korea shows that the topical application of the antioxidant ellagic acid markedly prevents collagen destruction and inflammatory response—major causes of wrinkles—in human skin cells following the exposure to UV-B. UV-B is the sun’s skin-damaging ultraviolet radioactive rays that accounts for 90% of the symptoms of premature skin aging.

Ellagic acid is an antioxidant found in raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, pomegranates, and an assortment of other fruits, vegetables, and nuts. The study showed that ellagic acid worked to protect against UV damage by blocking the production of MMP (matrix metalloproteinase), an enzyme that breaks down collagen in damaged skin cells and causes coarseness. Ellagic acid also reduces the expression of ICAM, a molecule involved in inflammation.

This study is consistent with the view that topical application of materials containing a variety of berries can be helpful for the skin. This is the basis of the CoffeeBerry product in Stifel’s Revale skin care line since 2006. CoffeeBerry itself is rich in antioxidants and is often recommended over green tea for anti-aging purposes.

Because of ellagic acid’s ability to inhibit skin tumors at various stages their typical life cycle, it may be valuable in cancer therapy or possible prevention in the future. Even if you are feeding your skin a good dose of berries, I wouldn’t skip out on the sunscreen just yet.

Dr. Jason Pozner
Sanctuary Medical Aesthetic Center, Boca Raton
Sanctuary Plastic Surgery, Boca Raton

Dr. David J. Goldberg
Sanctuary Medical Aesthetic Center, Boca Raton
Skin Laser Surgery Specialists of NY/NJ

In the news: Telomere Testing

A recent article by United Press International highlighted some of the cool things going on with telomeres, which we hope to start testing at our practice soon.

The article keys in on a study published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, and found that intensive exercise helps prevent the shortening of telomeres, which are DNA that protect chromosomes from damage.

That's fantastic, but why is it important to prevent that? A good introduction to telomeres is this article from the BBC in 2003. A 20 year study on telomere testing, which first was introduced to the world around then, found that telomere length can determine if one will be likely to live 15+ past the age of 60.

"People with shorter telomeres were found to be at greater risk of developing age-related diseases, and were nearly twice as likely as others to die over the next 15 years or so, especially from heart disease and pneumonia.

A team led by Dr Richard Cawthon, from the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, studied 143 people over the age of 60.

They found those with telomeres in the top half for length lived for four to five years longer than those whose telomeres were among the shortest half. "

So our conclusion is: go exercise!

Dr. Jason Pozner
Sanctuary Medical Aesthetic Center, Boca Raton
Sanctuary Plastic Surgery, Boca Raton

Dr. David J. Goldberg
Sanctuary Medical Aesthetic Center, Boca Raton
Skin Laser Surgery Specialists of NY/NJ