Risk of Skin Cancer & Infection Greater In Elderly People

Reduced Immunity Amongst The Elderly

“Older people are more at risk of skin cancer and infection because their skin is unable to mobilise the immune system to defend itself, UK research suggests.” The findings by University College London have been published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine. Study leader Professor Arne Akbar said “reduced immunity in older people is well known, but why and how it happens is not”.

Immune Response In Older People

It would appear that the immune response in older people to the presence of cancer related antigens is reduced, but that it will respond to threat when pushed. The research team are now pondering whether there is a survival mechanism at work here reducing, but not inactivating, the immune response to cancer related antigens in older people. Professor Akbar commented that “the question that it [the research] raises … is there a negative reason for having too much immunity in the skin when you get older?” Steve Visscher, deputy executive at the Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council, which funded the research, noted that “the more knowledge we have about healthy ageing, the better we get at preventing, managing and treating diseases that are simply a factor of an ageing body.”

“Let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food”

While there is still so much that we do not fully understand about the human body and its regenerative and defensive mechanisms, it has been acknowledged since the time of Hippocrates [born 460 BC], who is acknowledged as “the father of medicine”, that a good diet provides one of the best safeguards for good health “Let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food.”  A diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables [preferably organic for the avoidance of chemicals] will provide the body with a rich source of vitamins, minerals and other important micro nutrients.

Bio-chemistry of the Skin

Yin Yang Skincare products are formulated with pure botanical ingredients and essential minerals to similarly support the healthy functioning of the skin’s bio-chemistry.  As the largest organ of our bodies and essential for the protection of the inner organs, we are well advised to support the health and efficiency of our skin.