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Science Matters by Reg Block
The skin is your body’s largest organ, functioning largely as
a barrier against unwelcome agents. Without a healthy shell our bodies’
propensity for holistic well being is severely compromised. Not only
is the skin faced with attacks from unwanted micro organisms, pollutants
and the sun, it must maintain integrity by constantly repairing itself.
This is accomplished through both internal and external influences
involving various cellular actions. Ultimately, the skin may prove
to be the best point of entry for medications and nutrition that otherwise
must be absorbed by a less efficient digestive tract. Recent technology
includes an assortment of pharmaceutical skin patches and transdermal
nutrition delivery systems.
An Overview of How the Skin Works
The outermost layer of skin is called the epidermis, from the Greek
words, epi (top) and derma (skin). Like other layers of skin the epidermis
is stratified, each layer possessing unique characteristics, functions
and interactive abilities. The renewal of the epidermis is done by
keratinocyte that makes up 85 percent of cells in the epidermis. It
is keratin, a fibrous protein, which fills the cells as they migrate
up through the strata, gradually flattening until their nucleus begins
to fall apart. When this occurs an adhesive of ceramides, lipids,
cholesterol and free saturated fatty acids is released binding cells
together. This in effect helps the epidermis create a water insoluble,
protective protein barrier in the horny layer or outermost layer of
the skin. These keratin filled anucleate (nucleus free) flattened
cells account for 95 percent of all protein in the epidermis.
Though biologically dead, corneocytes (anucleate cells), provide food
for acid-adapted helper bacterium while other transient bacteria do
not develop due to the unfavorable pH balance present. In the event
that unwanted antigens penetrate the skin, the epidermis has a defence
system in place called Langerhan cells, discovered in 1868 by Paul
Langerhan. Langerhan cells, generated from bone marrow account for
2.5 percent of cells found in the Malpighian layer of the epidermis.
These cells capture antigens and carry them off to lymph nodes in
the dermis (the layer below the epidermis). It is here that an immune
system response is triggered, neutralizing and eliminating the offending
intruder. A process which occurs in cooperation, every square centimetre,
with some 100 sweat glands, 2,500 sensory cells and three metres of
lymphatic and blood capillaries, not to mention 12 metres of nerve
fiber.
The dermis is up to 40 times thicker than the epidermis. It is a supporting
tissue made mostly of water and collagen floating in glycoprotein.
Because the dermis is vascularized it can provide and transport nutrition
to the epidermis and other parts of the body, playing a significant
role in thermoregulation and healing. Additionally, resident nerves
penetrating the epidermis generate senses of temperature, touch and
pressure. The hypodermis, the thickest bottom-most layer of the skin,
primarily stores fat in cells grouped in lobules and separated by
connective tissue. At times the body translates these fats into energy,
distributing them throughout the body by means of the circulatory
system.
Transdermal Delivery Systems
Because of the skin’s propensity for inter-layer cellular
transference, absorption and venous distribution of active molecules
and micronutrients, pharmaceutical companies and the American military
are continuing to research and develop cutting edge transdermal
delivery systems. Although pharmaceutical corporations are primarily
concerned with drug delivery, the military is focused on nutrition.
Recently, Aerotech News and Reviews, a journal of aerospace and
defence industry, reported that the American military is actively
engaged in the development of transdermal nutrient delivery systems.
In a nut shell, Jim Gagamone, American Forces Press Services says,
"the system would dispense micro-nutrients …absorbed
by osmosis through the skin." Army Soldier Center researchers
in Natick, Massachusetts expect the new system could eventually
be a part of every service member’s kit. Gerald Darsch, joint
project director for the DoD combat feeding program at Natick said,
"the current developmental version is about the size of a conventional
adhesive bandage and three times thicker. The idea is to keep the
warfighter’s cognitive and physical performance sharpened
at the optimal level …firefighters, police and mountain rescue
people could all benefit from this concept."
Pharmaceutical application of transdermal delivery systems includes
items like nicotine patch medications that otherwise would be largely
ineffective, possibly producing bowel intolerance if ingested. In
the case of nutrition uptake, most people’s bowels are low
functioning due to pollutants, chemicals and overuse of antibiotics
that destroy friendly bacteria inhibiting the absorption of micronutrients.
Furthermore, allergic reactions and deleterious dietary choices
in concert with nutritionally bankrupt food only serve to foster
further development of transdermal delivery systems. Both pharmaceutical
and natural health manufacturers recognize the immediacy of using
the skin as an access to the circulatory system regardless of bowel
condition or other health problems.
Healing and Repairing
The body is designed to heal itself. All we can do, is create circumstances
by which the body’s own mechanisms can work more efficiently
and quickly. This may be facilitated through the use of sophisticated
pharmaceutical medications, providing necessary nutrition to damaged
areas or a combination of both. Because we live in a drive-through-culture,
we expect fast results. Technology struggles to keep up with our
needs let alone our demands. However, with scientific progress we
build on the past and look for ways to improve what we know, hopefully
leading to more efficient and cost effective use of resources. Huge
pharmaceutical budgets are currently being dedicated to transdermal
delivery research in the hope of developing more widely accessible
and affordable products that benefit the greatest number of people.
The same principle is giving rise to crossover medical technologies
that acknowledge the vital role of nutrition in health and healing.
There is a definite demand for true complimentary medicine. Perhaps
transdermal delivery research will provide the means to join the
best of both worlds.
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