What can I do to prevent stretch marks?

Example of post-pregnancy stretch marks

"I have 6 weeks left of my pregnancy and have found two tiny little pink stretch marks on my lower stomach. They are only like 1 cm long each but I don't want them to get any worse. I've been taking zinc for the last 6 months and that has helped heaps! I hadn't had any stretch marks (apart from the white ones I already had on my body before I was pregnant) up until now. What do the pink/purple stretch marks indicate I could be deficient in?"

"S"

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Gary:

Skin can be one of the first areas to show a zinc deficiency.  Zinc deficiency has been found in various diseases that involve the skin, such as lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, eczema and psoriasis.

Stretch marks are a good indicator of zinc deficiency.  Since the skin depends upon zinc for its normal integrity, a deficiency allows the skin to tear just below the surface, producing scarring that appears as stretch marks.  Unfortunately these are permanent, so prevention is critical.  

This kind of damage is most common in women and happens during the hormone surge of puberty and during pregnancy, both also made more likely because of rapid growth.  Stretch marks are common in bodybuilders who have high demands for zinc while often being on low zinc diets (chicken and rice).  Zinc and most other minerals are low in the modern diet.

It is important, when trying to prevent stretch marks to realise that zinc and copper are the catalysts for the production of estrogen and progesterone respectively.  If there is a surge of estrogen during puberty, or an excess due to a previous severe viral infection such as Glandular Fever, there will be a surge of copper in the body and this will create conditions of a relative zinc deficiency.  An estrogen or copper IUD contraceptive will cause a zinc deficiency.  We can pick this up with the Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA).

The colour of stretch marks is a good indicator of whether there is an absolute imbalance or an imbalance relative to copper (zinc and copper must be in balance with each other for there to be healthy skin).  If there is an excess of copper relative to zinc, the stretch marks will be silver.  If there is an absolute zinc deficiency, the stretch marks will be purple.  Fortunately, the less unsightly silver stretch marks are more common.  However, all stretch marks are unsightly and best prevented in the first place.  Nobody wants these.

Nails are a good indicator of zinc deficiency as well.  Zinc is required for growth and healing.  If there is insufficient zinc for growth of the nail there will be white deformities in the nail which often coincide with periods of physical stress, such as an infection, an injury, or excessive exercise causing muscle damage.  White spots on nails are from zinc deficiency - not calcium.

Prevention:

In all cases, for prevention and for ensuring the problem does not get worse, I urge you to get a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis done.  Here is the link for the HTMA test.  And here is the link for the consultation to review the report and to work out what to do.

Silver stretch marks

This is due to an imbalance of zinc relative to copper.  Depending on your health history, we may need to take measure to reduce copper in the body.  If you have had a severe viral infection or on medication such as a contraceptive, or anti-depressant it is best you do the works - the HTMA test and consultation with me.  If there are no complicating factors the best action is to increase your intake of zinc.  It is important to take extra vitamin C and B vitamins with the zinc.  Naturopaths Own Daily C is close to the perfect zinc and vitamin C concoction for stretch marks.

Purple stretch marks

Purple means very low levels zinc, usually associated with high levels of copper.  The HTMA and consultation are also recommended.  In the meantime, take a zinc supplement along with the B vitamins.  Vitamin C may be needed but it is best to wait for the test results before taking large doses of vitamin C because vitamin C helps flush copper out of the body and we don't want to do that if copper levels are already low.  However, one teaspoon a day of   Naturopaths Own Daily C is a safe start and then modify things once the test results are in.

For preventing both silver and purple stretch marks

Take silica

Silica is a proven skin beauty product that does not get much in the way of publicity.  I think the only reason why is because the source is really cheap herbs that the mega beauty product corporations can't monopolise and sell at exorbitant prices.  I have been using silica for skin conditions for years and have clients who swear by it and who refuse to stop taking it (its safe to take by the way).  The best product I have containing silica is this one here: Silaplex.  You'll note the attractive price!

Avoid obesity

Avoid getting overweight, especially with rapid gains because this stretches and stresses the skin.  

If there is a zinc problem then bear in mind that skin loses its elasticity, so large weight losses may result in permanently loose, flabby skin.  

The same process happens during pregnancy; but I am not advising avoiding pregnancy!

Sorry - this must be depressing to read!

Keep strong

Strong muscles that keep the belly and thighs trim and tight are one of the most important things you can do to prevent stretch marks, but bear in mind exercise alone is not the full solution.  

Exercise during pregnancy is important and safe to do, so long as you follow some simple advice.  My daughter, Mary-Ann, recently had a healthy baby and has absolutely no stretch marks.  In fact you would never tell from her tummy that she was ever pregnant!  Here is her blog with several articles about pregnancy exercises and diet: http://mazzamoller.blogspot.co.nz/ 

Take extra collagen

Forget about the over-priced pills that you really would need to take heaps of daily for any benefit: Make yourself chicken soup and have a cup or two each day.  Go to your local butcher or supermarket and ask for a couple of chicken frames which you will get for a few dollars each. Boil these up in a big pot, following your favourite chicken soup recipe.  This collagen - rich soup is just what the doctor ordered for your skin, hair and nail - and digestive tract.

Once you have stretch marks

Sadly, there is not much you can do other than to prevent further damage by following the advice earlier in this article about zinc, silica and chicken soup.

It makes good sense to look after your skin with moisturisers.  You can't go wrong with using pure virgin coconut oil as your moisturiser.  Apply it to the skin, let it soak in for a short while then gently dab the excess off.

If you are feeling a little depressed about stretch marks after reading this article, then there is one further piece of advice I can give you; whether you already have stretch marks or not and this is:

ACTION!  

The best response is to act now before it happens, or before things get worse!

About this website 

The advice in these articles is given freely without promise or obligation. Its all about giving you and your family the tools and information to take control of your health and fitness.

Candida and Fungal Infections? Gary Moller recommends you explore this programme: Click Here!

Why do some women bruise more than others, especially as compared to most men?

Have you ever wondered why some women bruise very easily?  This might be caused by a bump against some furniture that leaves a large purple bruise the next day.  Many of the bruises may be from impascts that are so innocuous that they can not be recalled.  When questioned, the woman may reply along the lines of "Its just the way I am?"

My response is that "It does not need to be this way".

Easy bruising is caused by weak collagen.  Rather than being bouncy and elastic like quality lycra fabric, the tissue rips like rotten cloth when stretched, compressed or stretched.  This is not healthy.  Weak collagen means being vulnerable to bruising, muscle, tendon, joint and ligament strains.  Weak collagen also means being vulnerable to infections because the weak cell wall is easily penetrated by pathogens.  Weak collagen leads to stretch marks which are sub-dermal rips of the skin.

Example of oestrogen dominant Hair Tissue
Analysis profile.

Let me explain why women tend to bruise more easily than men.  The reason has to do with the two female hormones, oestrogen and progesterone.  If a woman is oestrogen dominant she will (on the Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis) have soaring levels of copper in the body (copper is the catalyst mineral that the body uses to produce oestrogen).  Copper suppresses zinc in the body (zinc is the catalyst for producing progesterone).

Symptoms of oestrogen dominance (high copper relative to zinc) include premenstrual syndrome (PMS), painful, heavy periods, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, under-active thyroid, depression, eating disorders, bruising, tendon and ligament problems, including scoliosis and even thinning bones.  A person with high copper relative to zinc will tend to suffer frequent sore throats and all kinds of yeast and fungal infections such as candida.

The effect of copper on the balance of the female hormones tricks the ovaries into thinking she is pregnant.  This is how copper works when placed inside a "copper IUD".  A copper bracelet can be equally effective.

Copper and zinc have a number of interesting actions in the body as trace minerals, including regulating the cross-linking of collagen.  Collagen gives structure and strength to the body and is found concentrated in hair, skin, nails, tendons and ligaments.  If there is an imbalance between copper and zinc, strong cross-linking may not happen, leading to tissues that rip, rather than stretch, or tissues that stretch without returning to their original length and shape.  A good analogy is that of a perished rubber band which progressively stretches and cracks, eventually snapping.

If a girl has excessive copper during puberty, she may develop excessively elastic ligaments leading to "double-jointedness".  This ligament laxity is essential during childbirth but not at other times.  Lax ligaments during puberty may lead to a debilitating deformation of the spine, call scoliosis.  Calorie restriction during puberty may accentuate copper retention, as can a severe viral infection, the most common being glandular fever.

Interestingly, copper is an antagonist of vitamin C and many of the symptoms of copper excess (bruising, bleeding gums, viral infections) are symptoms of scurvy (vitamin C deficiency).

If there is excess copper (This is determined by a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis which you can arrange through me) this may be corrected by a number of measures, such as taking additional vitamin C, magnesium and zinc along with measures to support liver and thyroid function.  Steadily plugging away at balancing nutrient levels within the body over one to two years usually brings about a gradual reduction in symptoms of excess copper, including a reduction of bruising.

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About this website

The advice in these articles is given freely without promise or obligation.  Its all about giving you and your family the tools and information to take control of your health and fitness.

Why do your hands go purple when they are cold?

Have a look at my hands in this video which was made in 2007.  I was seriously zinc deficient and it sure did show. Despite being indoors with heating on, my hands have a distinctly purple look about them.  Coincidentally, the skin on the back of my hands was fragile and easily skinned and very, very slow to heal.

Now, have a look at the same hairy hand, today four years later and four years older, outside in freezing weather while the rest of me is bundled up in a fat down ski jacket.  If ever my hands should go purple it is in these conditions.  While there is still some discoloration it is nothing like before.  I have also noted far less tendency to damage the skin and it heals much faster.

I put this improvement down to getting the balance between zinc and copper about right but this has taken several years of trying and still a work in progress.  Zinc and copper are critical for the regulation of many important functions in the body, including fluid flow and collagen synthesis.  If there is a zinc deficiency, tissues will tear, rather than stretch.  This is why zinc deficiency is the cause of stretch marks, slow growth, poor healing and ulcerations.  One characteristic of zinc deficiency is the purple appearance that develops and is most apparent under the eyes and in the skin of the hands and feet.  This purple appearance will show as purple scars and purple stretch marks where there is an absolute deficiency of zinc.

People, such as athletes, who do hard physical exercise need bucket loads of zinc.  Years of "excessive-compulsive" exercise explains my zinc deficiency.  Zinc is in high demand whenever there is tissue damage, be it from injury or just hard exercise.  Zinc deficiency causes a loss of smell and taste and explains the often marked loss of appetite in patients following a severe physical injury or major surgery when zinc reserves are severely stressed.

Merely replacing zinc by way of a supplement may yield less than pleasing results.  This is because there are many other factors at play.  For example, there may be a lack of pyridoxine and/or molybdenum which will prevent the proper utilisation of zinc.  Even the tiniest amounts of lead and mercury interfere with zinc metabolism and excess copper will drive zinc out of the cells.  The best way to determine your nutrient requirements, including zinc is to get a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis completed and use it to guide your diet and supplementation.  Here is a good place to start to get an idea of the power of the Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis.

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About this website

The advice in these articles is given freely without promise or obligation.  Its all about giving you and your family the tools and information to take control of your health and fitness.  Please give me your support by subscribing to my free email updates. Please shop at my Online Store. Please encourage your family and friends to do the same. While we may not always be able to compete with the big operators on price, we aim to more than compensate through personal service!

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Do you have a question?  Email Gary: gary@myotec.co.nz. Include any relevant background information to your question.  Please be patient and be aware that I may not be able to answer every inquiry in detail, depending on workloads (My paying clients take precedence!). I will either reply by email or, most likely, by way of an article (Personal identifying details will be removed before publication).