Health and Fitness

Aging Gracefully With Matcha Magic

2011-12-10T01:21:00.001-08:00

Unfortunately, age is something that we all have to deal with. While you may not be able to keep yourself from aging, you can do things to combat the effects of age that won't take a toll on your health. In this article, you'll find tips that will not only keep you younger, but will help you live a more satisfying life. Matcha Magic powdered green tea and the Japanese Tea Ceremony have created a country with the longest life expectancy on planet earth. There are many good reasons for that.

As people age, they often shut down a bit emotionally, worried that expressing their feelings will make them look childish or silly. However it's vital to have outlets for your sadness, frustrations and rage. Bottling up your feelings takes a serious toll on your body and can age you inside and out. Take some time out and enjoy a cup of Matcha Magic Powdered Green Tea, it has an incredibly calming effect, and maybe consider expressing yourself in an artistic manner or finding a group of people with shared interests with whom you are happy to express yourself freely.

Pets can help ease the depression and loneliness commonly associated with aging and will keep you more active and outgoing. Caring for a pet will keep you busy and provide purpose to your life. Pets provide new opportunities for socializing. Matcha Magic powdered green tea has been the foundation of the Japanese Tea ceremony for thousands of years and creates a wonderfully relaxed forum for getting to know new friends. Try taking your puppy to a dog park or attending a club for cat owners. Make some new friends and invite them for tea.

Now, more than ever, it's important to keep up regular contact with those you care about. A study done by the University of Chicago found that loneliness puts you at greater risk for several illnesses, including heart disease. Surround yourself with friends and never spend time alone unless you want to.

Never forget to appreciate your good health. As you age, your health can rapidly decline and reminding yourself that you are relatively healthy is a good way to get some perspective. Realise that even if you are dealing with the physical aspects of aging you do have plenty to be happy about.

Some researchers have described exercise as the fountain of youth! While there's nothing magical about a good work out, it can leave you looking and feeling much younger. One published study found that exercise was able to reduce or totally eliminate nearly every negative effect of aging experienced by mice. Scientists aren't sure why exercise has the positive effects that it does, but you definitely should get plenty of it.

Exercise alone isn't enough to keep your body healthy. A good diet is important as well. Foods rich in antioxidants like vitamin E will help your body fight off aging and omega-3 fatty acids will reduce your risk of developing many diseases. A healthy diet can significantly increase your life span and will leave you looking much younger than you really are. This is where the powerful medicinal qualities of Matcha Magic Powdered Green Tea are so incredibly valuable in all aspects of our physical and mental well being.

No matter how old you are the tips in this article will help you to maintain your youth and zest for life. It's important that you work to be healthy both mentally and physically. Age is unavoidable, but it is just a number. If you apply this advice and embrace the Magic of matcha green tea, you'll only be as old as you feel.

Incontinence Pads For Urine Absorption And Odour Elimination

2011-12-10T01:04:00.000-08:00

Identifying the need to pass urine becomes difficult for a person experiencing bladder weakness. Incontinence pads are a very effective way of managing this condition whilst helping to reduce odour and maintain skin integrity.

Bladder weakness is a medical condition which results in a person being unable to control their bladder which then leads to involuntary loss of urine. As a consequence the person living with this condition can start to refrain from social activities and spending time with family and friends.

Several companies offer incontinence pads which come in several absorbencies and have a waterproof backing. Available for both men and women, these pads come in different styles, sizes and absorbency ranges to suit all conditions. Also contained within the products are odour neutralisers.

Stress Urinary Incontinence
When the bladder sphincter is weakened or dysfunctions because of the weakness of the muscles in the pelvic floor, it can cause stress urinary incontinence. Most commonly affecting women, it is often reported during pregnancy and triggered after childbirth. When the intra-abdominal pressure rises, the pressure on the bladder also increases which overcomes the closure pressure of the sphincter, resulting in involuntary urine loss.

In many cases, hormonal changes during menopause aggravate its severity which can lead to involuntary leakage of urine while sneezing, coughing, exercising, running or even laughing.

Urge Urinary Incontinence
Urge urinary incontinence, the most common type, is involuntary leakage of urine which is immediately preceded or accompanied by urgency. Most frequently seen in the elderly, it can be associated with urinary tract infection, prostate gland enlargement and other physical conditions like diabetes or degenerative diseases of central nervous system.

Over activity of the bladder muscles cause this kind of incontinence. It results in sudden, partial or complete emptying of the bladder. In less severe conditions, the person has a frequent urge to pass urine while having the voluntary control. As the severity increases, the individual begins to lose control which results in incontinence.

Neurogenic Detrusor Over-activity
This kind of incontinence is common to people with neurological conditions. With or without any urge to void the bladder, it results in uninitiated, spontaneous leakage. Another trait of this kind of incontinence is detrusor (bladder muscle) contraction. Spinal cord injury, spina bifida, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke, and dementia are some reasons that may cause neurogenic detrusor over-activity.

Bladder Outlet Obstruction
Is caused by an obstruction to the outflow tract, a stricture or stenosis in the urethra or enlarged prostate gland resulting in difficulties passing urine and the bladder failing to empty completely. Due to this partial blockage in the urethra, large volumes of urine start accumulating in the bladder, over time. Chronic retention of urine worsens the condition by making bladder palpable after the patients pass the urine and causing incontinence that result in constant or frequent dripping.

You can conveniently buy the incontinence pads for men and women over the Internet. With a number of websites now offering incontinence pads within the portfolio of products it is always advisable to purchase from a reliable site which provides high quality products offering a selection of styles, sizes and absorbencies aimed at improving quality of lift and reducing the impact of this condition.

Enjoy Maximum Health By Eating The Carotenes

2011-12-10T01:03:00.000-08:00

Beta carotene and lycopene are 2 health boosting nutrients that form part of the carotenes family. Orange and red coloured vegetables are the best food sources of these natural nutrients. Provisional evidence suggests that they are potent antioxidants and may also have further protective properties in the human body. In this article I will be providing a full breakdown of these 2 carotenes, listing the best food sources and highlighting their key health benefits.

1) BETA CAROTENE:

Beta carotene is mainly found in orange coloured fruits and vegetables. Canned carrot juice (9.3 milligrams (mg) per 100 grams (g)), canned pumpkin (6.9mg per 100g) and sweet potato (11.5mg per 100g) are some of the best food sources of beta carotene.

In terms of health benefits, beta carotene is a provitamin A which means it is used by your body to create vitamin A. Since it is used to create vitamin A its health benefits are very similar. This carotene supports healthy vision and night vision, keeps your reproductive system healthy, keeps your immune system healthy, supports healthy growth and much more.

There are no official recommendations in place when it comes to beta carotene consumption. However, a number of sources suggest consuming between 15mg and 50mg each day to unlock the health benefits of this carotene.

2) LYCOPENE:

Red fruits and vegetables are the richest food source of lycopene. Some of the richest food sources include guavas (5.2mg per 100g), sun dried tomatoes (42.9mg per 100g) and water melons (4.5mg per 100g).

Lycopene is a potent antioxidant that keeps your body's cells safe from dangerous free radicals. Free radicals are dangerous by-products that get released into your body's cells during oxygen related reactions. They have been associated with cancer (a disease where your cells start to grow in a rapid, out of control way), diabetes (a disease where your blood glucose levels reach dangerously high levels) and rapid ageing.

In addition to fighting free radicals, provisional evidence indicates that lycopene might also act as an antibacterial (a substance that inhibits the growth of bacteria), an antifungal (a substance that inhibits the growth of fungal infections), antimutagenic (a substance that inhibits genetic mutations) and antitoxic (a substance that fights harmful toxins). This carotene may also protect against arteriosclerosis (a condition where your arteries harden and lose elasticity), cancer, heart disease and diabetes. However, more evidence is needed before these benefits can be confirmed.

LIke beta carotene, there is no official recommended daily allowance (RDA) for lycopene. However, a number of sources suggest that consuming 6.5mg per day will give you more than enough lycopene.

Skin Medica Dermal Repair Cream Review

2011-12-05T01:19:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for all-in-one anti-aging cream that rehydrates your skin, reduces age spots, firms and repairs the texture of your skin, and contains high amount of antioxidant to combat free radicals, Skin Medica Dermal Repair Cream is the cream that you look for.

This luxurious cream is not like any other cream. Skin Medica Dermal Repair Cream ensures that every single cell in your skin is repaired, improved, and maintained. Your skin will regain its youth and suppleness, and you will also see your skin become firmer and look more radiant.

The secret of this product falls behind its formula and ingredients used. A jar of Skin Medica Dermal Repair Cream can be degraded to as much as 10% vitamin C, 8% vitamin E, lots of hyaluronic acids, and natural extracts, such as algae, aloe, oats, and olives. It is simply a jar full of powerful antioxidants!

We all know that vitamin C and E are free radical scavengers. They fight the aging process caused by environmental factors, such as pollutants, UV rays, and other harsh chemicals. However, in Skin Medica Dermal Repair Cream, these two vitamins are added to not solely help you to fight free radicals. Skin Medica has exclusively designed and formulated these vitamins, so that each of the vitamins they add into the cream also does stimulate the production of your skin's collagen, hydrate and improve the texture of your skin.

With its ability to bind water as much as 40 times their weight, hyaluronic acid is the ingredient that responsible in giving your skin instant smoothness. You will notice any dry spot you have will suddenly be gone! And algae extract, on the other hand, boosts your skin with vitamins and minerals; helps your skin to restore its normal moisture content and suppleness.

However, if you currently have deep wrinkles and lines, and sagging skin, I am afraid that this cream will only deliver fair result. This cream is not designed to principally fight wrinkles and lines, but it is designed to prevent further free radicals damages of your skin that result in the formations of wrinkles, fine lines, age spot, and sagging skin.

Thus, Skin Medica Dermal Repair Cream is a perfect cream for you who have normal to dry or dry skin conditions who also are seeking a cream that can maintain your skin youthfulness, and it is not for you who are seeking for a cream that can help you to make your wrinkles and fine lines disappear.

Still not sure on which beauty product to choose from? I know finding the perfect beauty product for your skin is a difficult task. You can spend hours, if not days, just testing out various products. Even worse, you can end up buying an expensive product that your skin does not really need. You will end up wasting time and money with no results in the end.

If You Cover Your Face While You Tan Does It Still Cause Wrinkles?

2011-12-02T01:20:00.000-08:00

Wrinkles do not develop overnight, but over the course of many years. You don't get wrinkles from sleeping on your face all through the night; neither are you going to get them from staying out with your face towards the sun for several hours. True, these can lead to wrinkle-formation, but they won't happen within a span of only twenty-four hours. Needless to say, taking the necessary precautions can go a long way in delaying the appearance of wrinkles.

Wrinkles and The Sun

Prolonged and unprotected exposure to the sun's harmful UV rays can accelerate wrinkle development. This is because the UV rays are damaging to the skin. They thin out the layers of the skin, depleting it of moisture, and making it more vulnerable to wear and tear, and yes, wrinkles.

But of course, it is not like you will just have to live in the shadows all your life. You can, by all means, enjoy the sun, but always with protection. If you plan to go to the beach to tan or simply enjoy the sun as it is, keep in mind the following sun protection tips:

* Apply sun protection cream generously at least 30 minutes before going out. Use one that comes with organic and natural ingredients to get the most benefits. Remember to re-apply whenever necessary.
* Wear sunglasses with UV protection. There are lots of sunglasses which you can buy at a cheaper price, but be wary of these as these may not come with the protection you need.
* Use a wide-brimmed hat. This helps to protect your face from the sun.

It goes to say that covering your face while you tan is not going to stop the wrinkles from forming. This, along with the other tips, serves to reduce the impact of the sun's rays on your skin and thus help delay the appearance of wrinkles, but they cannot stop them.

Wrinkle-formation is part and parcel of the aging process. You'll have them when the time comes, and when that is going to happen depends on how well you take care of your skin. Wrinkles come earlier for a lot of people, but for those who are wise, wrinkles may not be visible until they are already in their forties or fifties, even.

Delaying The Appearance of Wrinkles

So what does it mean to be wise? You don't have to be a genius in order to delay the appearance of wrinkles. Just follow these tips:

* Be always mindful of the aforementioned sun protection tips.
* Make it a habit to wash your face twice daily.
* Moisturize, preferably with something that has antioxidant properties and which also serves as a humectant.
* Drink lots of water. Water keeps your skin hydrated.
* Make wise food choices. Load up on raw vegetables and fresh fruits. These are rich in natural enzymes that help your body fight aging.
* Avoid anything that is not in the natural form. Eating foods that contain additives, chemicals, preservatives, and the like, damages your internal organs and lowers your body resistance. The toxins from these foods also hasten the aging process.
* If you are a smoker, stop smoking. If you're not, don't start thinking about it.
* Exercise. Exercising regularly boosts your metabolism, helping you get rid of toxins more effectively.
* Avoid stress as much as possible. Stress can make you look old in an instant. Take a break from work in the office or from work at home. Everybody deserves some time to himself/herself. Make time to laugh. Apply stress management techniques and don't let stress take over your life.

Anti Aging Skin Tightening Solutions for Men and Women

2011-12-02T01:18:00.000-08:00

There are many skin tightening solutions available when we begin to show the signs of aging. Although aging is the most common cause of sagging skin, there are others. After pregnancy, surgery, weight loss, etc, sagging skin can become a problem. Sagging jowls, which appear on our face, are generally caused by extreme weight loss or aging. Weight loss can cause loose skin in every part of the body. Sun damage, genetics and gravity can also be a factor in loose skin. As we age, gravity results in drooping skin and our face looses volume. There is a solution regardless of the problem.

Among the solutions available are creams that have been shown to be very successful in tightening the skin. Creams that contain elastin and collagen, will give the best results. Although, creams usually work best on younger skin, such as someone who has had recent weight loss or pregnancy, they can also be used for older skin as well. The skin of a senior may not obtain the same results but should show some improvement. Creams will also assist in evening skin tone, brightening dull skin as well as reducing wrinkles. Research has shown that Latino, Asian and African American skin obtains be best results with a cream.

Another of the skin tightening solutions is in the form of a lotion. These are available for all skin types. Many of the lotions and creams can also be used as a healing agent or to correct dry skin. There are lotions that can be used for the entire body, including face, neck, arms, legs, stomach and buttocks. By using these lotions you can obtain firmer, tighter skin and a reduction of cellulite. They can also be used to moisten and hydrate the skin.

For many years, the only solution to sagging skin was plastic surgery. That can be costly and is not without danger, as with any type of surgery. If the creams and lotions do not give the results you are looking for, there are other treatments available. Injections, such as Restylane, Juvederm, etc. can be used to fill out areas of the face by restoring volume. These usually last for about a year. In addition, there are skin tightening devices used by physicians, such as Thermage or TITAN to tighten the skin. There is also laser skin surfacing. These treatments should always be performed by an American Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. It is best to find one with excellent referrals.

When you decide that you need a solution to your sagging skin, select the treatment that provides the results you are seeking. You should always check with a professional before starting any of these procedures

Is Jergens Face Creme More Effective For Wrinkles Than Coconut Oil?

2011-12-01T01:18:00.000-08:00

When it comes to moisturizing lotions, Jergens is one of those brands you would hear about often. Lots of people have come to love Jergens for one reason or another. Some do because it's affordable and comes with great moisturizing properties. Others use it because it happens to be "always around" every time they do their grocery-shopping.

But, how effective is Jergens in so far as preventing or treating wrinkles? And how does it compare with coconut oil? Let's take a closer look.

Jergens Moisturizing Creams and Lotions

There are different types for facial creams and lotions by Jergens, and all of them basically have one general goal - to moisturize. In a way, this helps to strengthen the skin, making it less vulnerable to wrinkles as one gets on in years.

Some of Jergen's products appear to have age-defying properties. It's Natural Firming Glow cream comes not just with moisturizing agents but collagen and elastin to make the skin firm. It also has Vitamin E and antioxidants to protect the face from skin-damaging free radicals.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil, meanwhile, comes from the coconut fruit, which many refer to as the Tree of Life. From the fruit down to the roots, coconut does have plenty of health benefits and uses. Coconut oil is one of the healthiest oils in the world, loaded with antioxidant and moisturizing properties. It fights age spots, skin discoloration, dryness, and yes, especially wrinkles. It makes the skin supple, firmer, and stronger. Unlike other commercial face creams that are usually water-based, coconut oil is well absorbed by the skin without clogging it. And best of all, it's all-natural.

Synthetic Ingredients in Face Creams

There are plenty of brands coming out today, promising essentially the same thing - flawless, wrinkle-free skin. Many of them do deliver what they promise, but most of the time, not without consequences. Face creams that contain synthetic ingredients are always double-edged. You can not have the best of both worlds, so to speak. Many commercial creams out there contain mineral oil and petrolatum, ingredients that are found to clog the pores and even speed up the aging process. You also have to watch out for Parabens, DMDM Hydantoin, and BHT, which act as synthetic preservative but which pose health risks, among them allergic reactions, weakened immune system, tumor growths, and organ damage.

The Better Choice?

When it comes to choosing skin-aging products, you need to be wise. Just because something is heavily advertised or even endorsed by popular celebrities does not necessarily mean it is the best. You cannot base your choice on the price, either, because a cheap product does not always mean a good deal, and something that's expensive does not always equate to quality.

Among the major factors to look into are the ingredients the product comes with. To be on the safe side, look for organic or 100% natural ingredients in your choice of product. Pure, coconut oil appears to be one of your best choices out there. Pure coconut oil is organic and proven to be beneficial to the body not only to the skin. It contains high levels of natural antioxidants that for me is a very important factor in treating wrinkles and preventing them. I also like the fact that it is not water-based, which means to say that it can bring about long-term effects, not like its synthetic counterparts that offer temporary relief only. Over time your skin becomes younger, more revitalized, and more beautiful with coconut oil.

Anti Aging Vitamins - The Key to Slowing Down Aging

2011-11-19T01:26:00.000-08:00

Aging is a natural process that all of us go through, a process where over time our physical and mental attributes slowly but surely erode. Although aging is a natural part of life, accepting it can be difficult. Fortunately, there are ways to delay the aging process, to slow down the effects that age has on us. A healthy diet and regular exercise are of course important, but the results you get can be improved upon greatly by taking anti aging vitamins. By providing our bodies with the vitamins and minerals that they need, we can help to ensure that they function at the highest level possible. In addition, antioxidants can help to minimize the results of free radicals which will in turn further slow down the aging process. By taking anti aging vitamins on a regular basis you give your body the supplements that it needs to perform at an optimal level and slow down the aging process.

One of the main mistakes that people make when thinking about which vitamins to take is that they don't use them on a regular basis. Using vitamins sporadically simply is not effective. In order to get the most out of your vitamins, it's important to take them daily. Most vitamins will only help your body if they are consumed on a regular basis so that they remain at effective levels. In fact, many vitamins won't begin to show any effect at all for several weeks since it takes a good deal of time for them to build up to effective levels in your body. Another common mistake that people make when looking into anti aging vitamins is that they think they need something different than their normal vitamin. While taking many different supplements can be beneficial, the truth is that the daily vitamin that you may already be taking can be very effective. If the vitamin you are taking is a multipurpose liquid vitamin that contains a combination of the essential vitamins and minerals that your body needs, then it is likely to be just as effective as a more expensive replacement. Liquid vitamins that are highly bioavailable are key.

As we get older it becomes increasingly important to take better care of ourselves. It's important to eat a healthy balanced diet, and to engage in regular exercise. It's equally important to take anti aging vitamins on a regular basis. The combination of diet, exercise, and vitamins can help to reduce the negative impact that age has on us. By taking proper care of ourselves we can live not only longer lives, but healthier lives as well. For many of us, growing old gracefully isn't something that we are willing to embrace. Instead we choose to slow down the aging process as much as possible, we choose to retain our intellectual and physical prowess for as long as possible. Why give in to the effects of aging without a fight? Instead, by taking care of your body and supplementing with anti aging vitamins, you can reduce the effects of aging and live a longer, fuller life.

A Great Exercise for Keeping Us Young

2011-11-16T01:25:00.000-08:00

Back in the day, every bodybuilding expert and would be "Mr..." something recommended working the hamstrings for all the wrong reasons. Because in my humble opinion, too many of those experts looked at the hamstrings as being analogous to the biceps of the upper arm. And who could blame them, or the neophytes among us?

The hamstrings are medically identified as biceps femoris. The front portion of the upper arm is called biceps. Ah ha - the same name must mean they are the same, hence, let's all train them the same.

But it's not the same. Let's be clear that I am not a medical doctor nor am I a licensed fitness guru nor to do I play either of them on TV. Still, I think the main function of the hamstrings is to keep us upright. It is to assist the hips, glutes, and lower back in picking things up. It is to keep our upper body stable as we walk, run, or move forward.

Weak and/or tight hams open us up to lower back injury.

It fights gravity.

As we get older, too many of us tend to stoop. It's as though the weight of the ages are on our shoulders. The young are tall and straight. The sphinx's riddle tells of "walking on all four's in the morning, on two's in afternoon, and on three's in the evening." The elder walk on three's because of the cane.

Yet it need not be so.

And a key to this is having strong, flexible hamstrings.

A great exercise that strengthen and stretches your hamstrings, along with working the glutes, hips, and lower back, is the stiff-legged deadlift. This is not the straight leg variety that locks your legs ramrod straight. A stiff-legged deadlift keeps a bend in your knees that puts your lower back in a stronger position.

This exercise can be done with barbells, dumbbells, or resistance bands. Regardless of what you use, you must remember to keep you back straight and your knees slightly bent throughout the whole movement. Unlike powerlifters, you also do not want to excessively lean back at the top of the movement.

And your hands should not descend more than a few inches past your knees on the downward, end movement. If you keep your back straight and shoulders square, you will not be able to go lower, regardless. The end movement is not to touch your toes but to get a great stretch in your hamstrings and glutes. Keeping your shoulders square and back straight is critical to this.

As for how and when to do them, I would suggest about twice a week along with an overall quad movement like the lunge.

Although I am a big fan of squats, I think as we get older; it may not be the most productive exercise out there. If it works for you, then by all means; you should continue to do them.

But at this point, I think pairing stiff-legged deadlifts with dumbbell lunges make more sense. And, I recommend twice a week. Your objective should be 3 to 4 sets with the repetition range between 12 to 15 reps.

I have always recommended doing squats, lunges, and deadlifts as being the best combination of exercises for legs. For those of us over 50, I think dropping the squats makes some sense. Lunges and deadlifts will get the job done while keeping us out of the injury zone.

SLOW Principles for Supplements and Aging

2011-11-15T01:16:00.000-08:00

Slow solutions are those that can be incorporated into our daily routine. Supplements as a way to support healthy aging are no exception. They are not for whenever we remember to take them, or for lining our bathroom cupboard. They are not for taking in one fad of enthusiasm and then stopping when the fashion changes. This may do more harm than good. For example, antioxidant supplements also stimulate pro-oxidant pathways to balance our systems. This isn't a problem while the antioxidant remains around, but may be an issue if they are stopped. This may be one reason why the best successes are achieved by a diet high in antioxidants, as we are less likely to forget to eat than to take a pill. Sustainability must be a key goal when choosing supplements to support healthy aging especially when compared to dietary changes. One way to get the most of our supplement and aging plan is to establish a routine.

Supplementation as a positive experience
Supplements are not the bitter pill we had to swallow in order to ensure good health, or a punishment for the nutritionally wicked. We will never stay this kind of course. If we are going to embrace supplements, like any relationship, it helps to like what we are hugging.

* Information is important. We need to know as much as we can about our supplement and how it will support a healthy aging process.

* Nothing is without side effects in some individuals. This is especially the case if it actually works. Find out what they are. While we need to be conscious of unwanted effects, we also need to actively take steps to minimize them. This can be as simple as timing and optimizing the dosage, or shopping around for a formulation for healthy aging that sits right with you.

* Introduce supplements one at a time and note any positive or negative changes over a week or two. Pay attention and keep a record. If you feel neutral or good, then introduce a new supplement until you are taking all of the supplements in your plan. If you don't care how you feel, you have to ask why you are taking the supplements in the first place!

* Track the benefits. Make note of any improvements or changes in your health and aging when taking supplements. While this is a subjective measure, it is also one of the best measures of personal health. If the supplement we are taking is for prevention, then we may not notice an obvious change in our own health outcomes. However, there may be changes in our biochemical tests. Ask your health care provider to go over these with you at appropriate intervals.

Don't be exclusive
The best option is never contained in a single pill. Although supplements are often regarded as 'alternative medicines', they cannot be regarded as an alternative to a good diet, exercise, lifestyle or other healthy practices mentioned in this book. This includes cancer screening and lowering of blood pressure and cholesterol levels. In fact these activities are even more important to live long enough to make the most of our supplements. For this reason, it is better to consider supplements as synergistic or complementary therapies used in addition to, and to the advantage of other interventions that underpin healthy aging.

For example, starting any dietary supplements should also be accompanied by a review of our diet plan. We might find that substituting fresh broccoli for pasta is a cheaper and tastier alternative. Or we might identify that there is not enough B12 or iron in our current vegetarian diet that may be more readily corrected with supplements, so dietary changes can proceed at a slower pace or with a different focus (such as weight control).

Supplements can also help us get through periods when our health focus is elsewhere, like work/relationship stress, weight gain or disease. Rather than dropping one ball while trying to pick up another, supplements can give us the time and resilience for more holistic interventions.

Don't go it alone
Don't go it alone when tackling the choice of using (or not) supplements. You will need help learning about the options first.

There are almost too many options available - certainly too many to be covered in any one web site! One place to start is to ask for a little help. There are many professionals out there to offer advice and make practical suggestions. A growing number of doctors and health care professionals are able to offer useful advice about the role supplements can have in our aims for aging well.

If one doctor doesn't understand, find one that does or consider a provider who is knowledgeable in this area. Look to find someone who will be a guide or a coach, rather than one who says you must only do something their way. Shop around. Assess their credentials. Gather information from a variety of sources and evaluate the information carefully. If you know someone who's gone there, ask them about their experiences. Call the provider to request an interview.

It's about you, Goldilocks
No matter what we read on the Internet, everybody is different. So find out about yourself, and listen to the feedback. Follow progress as we go and set new goals as we are doing it. It is important to follow our successes and failures. Keep a log or a journal to follow how we are performing. Use testing to establish your areas of focus and choose supplements at the right dose that will meet that need. Not everything will work. Some of us will not tolerate some of the very concentrated products on the market. Some will not work at the doses we can get in some supplements. Others will fit like a glove. Following Goldilocks, and test what best works for you.

Anti Aging 101: Winter Skin Care Tips

2011-11-14T01:26:00.000-08:00

Dry skin is one of the classic signs of skin aging. As we age, our skin loses its natural oils which help in maintaining the moisture content of our skin. As those oils slowly get depleted, the skin becomes dry and eventually becomes leathery and very rough in texture. Dry skin can happen any time during the year, but it is most common during the winter season. During winter, low temperatures, cold winds and low humidity strips off the natural lipid layer of the skin which prevents the skin from drying out. Furthermore, furnaces and fireplaces also suck out our skin's moisture content. This is why it is really quite a challenge to keep a well moisturized and hydrated skin during this time of the year. With this, let me share to you some tips on how to add moisture to your skin and how to keep it locked in this winter.

1. Avoid bathing in hot water. I know it is very tempting to bathe or dip on a tub of hot water during the harsh winter weather. But, did you know that hot water strips off the skin's moisture? This rule also applies to hand washing as well. It is best to use lukewarm water rather than hot water when taking a shower and washing your hands.

2. Avoid bathing frequently. Water, be it cold, warm, lukewarm or hot can actually dry out the skin, so it is best to take a quick bath once a day. Frequent hand washing can also dry out the skin, but of course you can't limit hand washing so just make sure you moisturize your hands after every wash. This winter, it is all about making your contact with water short and sweet.

3. After pat drying your body with your towel, immediately lather up with a rich lotion so that it gets absorbed by the skin. Your pores are still open after taking a bath so it's important to moisturize immediately so that it can be effectively absorbed by your skin.

4. Drink lots of water. Usually we forget that drinking lots of water during the winter season is as important as drinking lots of water during the summer season. It is very important to drink lots of water during the winter season because the skin tends to get easily dehydrated. Winter air is drier which makes our body lose more water, so drink up.

Choosing Cologne For Men

2011-11-10T01:12:00.000-08:00

A distinct, signature scent is something that every man should have. Not something that overpowers and lingers in the room long after he's gone, but something that makes people (especially women) think "he smells nice!" when you go in for a hug or have a close conversation.

When choosing a cologne, it can difficult to know where to start, because there are just so many different scents to choose from out there. If you are buying cologne as a gift, a great starting point is to consider the hobbies, lifestyle and interests of the guy you are buying for. Cologne and fragrances make excellent presents for men, but start first with a little bit of a personality profile.

For example, is he an academic? You may be able to tell from his taste for bourbon and scotch, his affection for leather bound books, and his adventurous spirit when it comes to trying new foods and international cuisine. The academic man typically prefers rainy days over very hot and sunny ones, and winter over summer. He may even smoke a pipe. If this is the guy you're shopping for, a great match for him will be a woodsy and spicy scent. Look for a fragrance that lists notes such as moss, spice, clove, and patchouli. One that Esquire magazine recommends is Italian Cyprus by Tom Ford. This spicy scent is perfect for the academic man, and also great for winter because of its woodsy warmth.

What about the guy who prefers to be outdoors and on the beach in the summer, in nothing but a pair of swim trucks? This man will prefer a light, crisp scent over something that is spicy and woodsy. Look for a marine-inspired cologne, such as Hugo Element or Acqua Di Gio by Giorgio Armani. The freshness of these light colognes will compliment his adventurous nature. He also may like Jo Malone Lime Basil & Mandarin Cologne, which is a unisex scent that is slightly tropical smelling, or Play by Givenchy, which is very summery and evokes a fun and playful sort of feel.

There are also plenty of good fragrances for the man who is a bit of a romantic. You know the guy. He's the one who goes soft in the knees over cute babies, brings you flowers for no reason at all, and pretends to be annoyed when you put on The Notebook again, but then sits down and watches the whole movie with you. For this guy, choose a cologne that is a little bit sweet and not too overpowering. Look for ones that include notes of citrus, vanilla, herbs such as thyme, and/or flowers such as lily and iris. A good match for the romantic guy is Burberrry Summer, which is slightly musky.

If you have any doubt about what kind of cologne will be best for him, a general rule of thumb is that most men enjoy a woody, masculine and aromatic scent. If you smell a cologne that not only is pleasant to you, but also triggers happy, comforting memories, then this is the cologne you should buy. Good stand-bys that smell nice on just about any man are Guilty by Gucci and Dreamer by Versace.

Even though some colognes are rather expensive, they are worth the investment. Drug store colognes are made of mostly alcohol, and therefore they not only wear off quickly, but they also tend to not smell as nice on the skin as they do in the bottle. Good quality colognes, conversely, smell even better on the skin than in the bottle, as they warm to the wearer's natural body heat, and they are long lasting.

Activities for the Elderly

2011-10-10T01:12:00.000-07:00

The population is getting older. The number of people more than 65 years of age is growing. Soon, the elderly population will be a significant part of the population. Boredom is certainly a problem for many elderly people. Many of the elderly look for a way to spend the endless hours that are now at their command. Research shows that people who stay active during their elder years remain healthier and more vibrant. Consequently, it is vital that the elderly in care homes and living alone learn to use their mind and work their body daily in order to maintain health along with a strong mind. Here are a few activities that provide the required mental stimulation and excitement for the elderly.

Did you know that the brain is like a muscle? It is certainly important to work the mental muscle on a daily basis. Elderly people require plenty of mental stimulation to keep their mind strong and focused. There are lots of fun games around for the elderly to try. Studies show learning a new skill improves brain functioning in the senior. It is never too late to start learning a new language or skill. Puzzle games and maths games also help with the reasoning faculty.

Video games are not just for children. Video Games are a great way for the older generation to get plenty of mental stimulation and excitement. There are video games that simulate bowling or golfing. These games require plenty of mental activity and physical movement. Video games give the senior optimum opportunity to challenge themselves mentally and physically.

Card games are a fun way for the senior to enjoy the company of others and challenge themselves mentally. A good game of Lottery really stresses using the senior's cognitive skills and imagination. This is a game that challenges the imagination and a fun way for senior's to spend time on a regular basis.

Exercise is also very important for seniors. There are large groups of seniors' across the country who are starting walking clubs. The seniors meet at a local park several times per week. They dress in comfortable walking shoes and comfortable clothing and walk around the park at a brisk pace. This gives the seniors a chance to exercise and socialize at the same time.

Gardening is also a fun activity for many elderly people. Gardening is a way to get back to nature, enjoy the outdoors, and get active. This is a great activity to keep seniors active and their mind focused whether they are in care homes or living on their own.

It is certainly important that friends, family, and health professionals encourage seniors to keep active in their elderly years. These ideas are fun, increase activity, and mental involvement with the world around them.

2011-09-24T11:17:00.001-07:00

stopthesiegeongaza

Does Sleeping On Your Back Cause Less Wrinkles On Your Face?

2011-09-10T01:23:00.000-07:00

By now you must know that various factors come into play to form wrinkles. Wrinkles manifest as the result of the natural aging process, but they can develop earlier following a poor skin regimen, poor dietary and lifestyle habits, and prolonged exposure to the sun. Accordingly, sleeping on your face and constantly slurping can also produce more wrinkles than necessary.

Honestly, I was a bit surprised when I came across the idea that sleeping on your back can cause wrinkles. But it looks like this isn't just any old wives' tale after all.

Why Sleeping On Your Face Can Cause Wrinkles

There is, apparently, what experts call "sleeping position-induced wrinkles". These wrinkles are of the type that develops when one sleeps face-down every day. What exactly happens is that when your muscles are pressed on to something for a long time (such as when you are sleeping with your face on a pillow or mattress), they contract or stretch. Normally, the muscles return to their pre-contracted state. Aging skin, however, does not have this capability anymore, and so instead of returning to their normal position, the muscles form lines that eventually develop into wrinkles.

So now that you know that sleeping on your face can cause wrinkles, you just have to make it a habit to sleep on your back, then. This may prove to be easier said than done especially if you have been used to sleeping on your face for so long. And of course, keep in mind that sleeping on your face is only one of the many things that can accelerate wrinkle-formation. Sleeping on your back alone will not have a great impact if you are not mindful or conscious of the other things that cause or prevent skin aging, as well.

Delaying Wrinkle-Formation

Aside from sleeping on your back, there are other measures that can delay the formation of wrinkles, just like:

Having a good skin care regimen. Take very good care of your skin. Keep it young-looking by:

* Washing your face with a mild, non-comedogenic cleanser that works on your skin type. This helps to keep bacteria at bay.

* Exfoliating at least once a week. As they say, "out with the old, in with the new". Dead skin cells have to be sloughed off to reveal new and younger skin.

* Moisturizing. Dry skin makes the skin less elastic, and when it is less elastic the skin tends to be more vulnerable to cuts, blemishes, and sagging.

* Avoiding exposure to toxins, environmental and otherwise. Toxins are our skin's worst enemies. They can accelerate aging by folds! The problem is we are exposed to toxins everyday. They are present in the cosmetics we use, as well as in other everyday products. If we cannot avoid toxins altogether, we will just have to learn to fight them or neutralize their effects with antioxidants. Using products with powerful antioxidants is always a good idea, and so is eating raw vegetables and fruits that have high levels of antioxidants.

* Using sun protection. The sun's harmful rays can be damaging to the skin. When going out, make sure to slather generous amounts of sun screen.

* Avoiding smoking and other vices. Smoking, while it serves to satisfy one's cravings for nicotine, can never make you healthy or even look younger. What it actually does is that it strips your skin of all the essential nutrients.

* Drinking water. One of the best well-kept secrets to staying young is water. Water cleanses the body and helps flush out toxins that get inside our body in one way or another. The recommended intake should be no less than 8 glasses of water every day.

* Sleeping early. Your skin cells need a rest, too. Get to bed early, and make sure to sleep on your back, not on your face.

The Right Treatment for Microtia

2011-09-10T01:12:00.000-07:00

Atresia is a congenital condition where a body cavity or passage is deficient or abnormally closed. It is widespread because it can take many forms such as esophageal atresia, duodenal, biliary or aural atresia and others. The last one is probably the most common and it refers to the absence or incomplete formation of an external ear canal which means that both the external and middle ear may be malformed, but the inner ear and auditory nerve are usually normal. The external auditory canal and structures in the middle ear fail to develop completely and therefore, there might be varying degrees of severity of this condition. In its most severe form, there is no identifiable ear canal and the middle ear and ossicles may be absent or show significant underdevelopment.

Aural atresia most commonly effects just one ear but sometimes it can occur in both ears and it is often accompanied by microtia, which virtually represents the incomplete development of the auricle. Most of the time, the condition is isolated, but in some rare cases, it can be a symptom of a larger syndrome, such as Treacher Collins, Goldenhar, Crouzon's, Alpert's, Pfeiffer, Klippel-Feil, BOR (Branchio-Oto-Renal) also known as Melnick-Fraser, 18-q chromosome, as well as Hemifacial Microsomia.

The effect of atresia depends on whether one or both ears are affected. Obviously, if just one ear is affected, the hearing in the other ear is quite normal, thus the person concerned is able to develop a normal speech. Yet, it is important to evaluate unilateral atresia early and treat it accordingly in order to prevent unilateral hearing loss. When it comes to bilateral aural atresia, thins are more complicated because the effect usually consists in moderately severe conductive hearing loss- aproximately 50-60dB. When a child is born with atresia, he should be fitted with a bone conduction hearing aid as soon as possible.

Aural atresia and microtia represent surgical reconstructive challenge which involve a deep understanding of the evaluation and management of the patients with CAA steams with significant advancements. When it comes to these congenital conditions, there are two main options: auricular reconstruction to restore the visual appearance and form of the outer ear and repair of atresia or application of a Bone Conduction Hearing Solution (BAHA) to restore hearing. The goal of this kind of surgery is to create a normal sized ear canal or a stenotic canal. It is very important to have an efficient communication between the otologist and the facial plastic surgeon, based on a comprehensive understanding of child's needs, in order to establish not only the adequate treatment, but also the right timing of the treatment.

Nowadays, doctors skilled in this area of reconstructive surgery usually use skin grafts and cartilage or bone from other parts of the body to effectively build a natural-looking, correctly-sized ear for both children and adults living with microtia. Usually doctors do not perform such surgeries if the child is under the age of 6 because the reconstruction is a complicated surgery that takes careful planning and may require several surgeries before a final result is achieved. Although a reconstruction is considered to be the optimal and most natural-looking solution, there are other options available which include prosthetic ones that can be glued or snapped on, or artificial implants, which unfortunately, come with the risk of rejection of the artificial part. However, the most important aspect is that nowadays, due to the numerous advancements, patients with aural atresia have the chance of hearing restoration, long-term stability of hearing and a natural-looking ears.

Things That Are Ruining Your Health

2011-08-10T01:10:00.000-07:00

Your body and mind are your most valuable assets so take control of your wellness. You must be aware of the right food to eat and the proper activities to do. At the same time, you must be wary of the things that are ruining your health.

Watch What You Eat and Drink

Alcohol causes dehydration which can lead to other serious health problems. When you drink alcoholic beverages, notice that you are frequently urinating. Alcohol is a diuretic which means it removes water from your body rapidly, and reduces the vitamins and minerals present in your body. Some say that drinking alcoholic beverages is acceptable when done moderately. However, medical practitioners claim that it is still harmful because alcohol contains Tyramine, a known component that raises one's blood pressure. Drinking carbonated beverages such as soda is also one of the things that are ruining your health. Soda overloads your body with sugar. A constantly high sugar level leads to a condition called Diabetes. When this condition is not addressed immediately, it may lead to serious complications like a cardiovascular disease, Neuropathy, Retinopathy and kidney damage.

Aside from alcoholic beverages and soda, another drink you should cut back on is coffee. Too much caffeine could greatly affect the heart, can cause the nervous system to go haywire, and may result to Acid Reflux or Heartburn.

Eating too much fast food is among the top things that are ruining your health. Since fast food is almost always deep fried, you are consuming tons of calories. Also, fast food has high values of Trans and Saturated fats. Too much of these in the body will result to a high cholesterol level and will put you at risk of various heart diseases. Too much salt, additives, and the lack of vitamins and minerals make fast food one of the worst things you can have.

How Taking Vitamins can Do More Harm than Good

Health-conscious people often supplement their health habits with taking vitamins and other supplements. It is one thing to take multivitamins, but it's another thing to take too many of these things. You have to remember that you do not need to take a pill for everything. Overdosing on vitamins can damage your organs like the kidneys. It may also lead to severe neurological and cardiovascular conditions.

Stress

Physical stress ranks high among the things that are ruining your health. Stress increases the rate of aging and makes you weak to fight off other health conditions. Do not overexert yourself, especially when trying out a physical activity for the first time. Always allow your body to recover after a strenuous activity.

Psychological stress can also affect your well-being. Stay calm and relaxed. Stop worrying on the little things. Try to control your anger and anxiety. Excessive mental and emotional stress can lead to serious health issues such as a stroke or heart attack.

Bad Habits

Having a sedentary lifestyle leads to many health problems like obesity. Watching too much television and staying in front of the computer for a long time can easily lead to an inactive lifestyle. In line with this, try to avoid staying up late at night. Lack of sleep increases the rate of aging, weakens the immune system, and keeps your brain from functioning at full capacity the next day.

Last on the list is cigarette smoking. It is perhaps the most crucial item on the list of things that could ruin your health. Smoking causes a host of health problems, including lung cancer and various heart diseases. Smoking is so dangerous that even second-hand smoke can alter a person's health. It is crucial to kill this habit before it kills you.

Paleo Athletes - The Cavemen of Athletics

2011-08-10T01:09:00.000-07:00

Cavemen meals might seem unpleasant to some, especially when you think that cavemen were not thoroughly familiar with cooked food. However, what a lot of people miss is that cavemen were much stronger, thanks to their higher protein, vegetable, and healthy fat intake. If you are an athlete who wants to gain more strength, increase your stamina, or simply boost your confidence by maintaining an impressive physique, then it is best for you to become one of today's Paleo athletes.

Paleo athletes are basically athletes who follow the Paleolithic or caveman diet. This is a diet that promotes and improves health by sticking to meals of lean meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, and nuts. The main principles of this diet are to:

* Focus on meat and fresh produce, which allows the body to absorb nutrients better
* Avoid processed or fried food, high-fat dairy, and too much sugar as they lead to weight gain and even chronic diseases
* Drink a lot of water and prefer it over other liquids (e.g., juice and soda)

The Paleo diet is continuously rising to popularity, gaining recognition from elite athletes and acclaimed medical personalities, as it is shown to produce stunning results. However, Paleo athletes don't always have it easy. For one, avoiding bread, pasta, and other grains altogether can be very tough, especially if you grew up with them consistently a part of your meals. The fact that athletes, especially endurance athletes, are prone to sugar intake for maintaining or gaining strength in trainings or competitions makes it tougher.

Are you an athlete who likes to drink soda pop or has candy bars once too often? If yes, then you might find the Paleo diet a harsh challenge. That is not even to mention that you might also find it restrictive. Yes, you can still eat a lot of different types of meat, fruits, and vegetables. However, this does not take away the reality that you will need to have a strong conviction to succeed.

While it may take time for you to become part of the Paleo athletes' guild, if you are determined, you can be confident that it will bring various benefits to your body. For one, your strength and endurance will be highly optimized. Our hunter-gatherer ancestors were able to continuously run for ten miles a day just to trap their prey. How much better can we get if we are able to achieve the same results today?

Now, some people might point out that a caveman's lifespan was estimated to be nothing more than between thirty and forty years. Here is where the second benefit of the Paleo diet is revealed. Cavemen did not encounter common diseases that plague us like diabetes, heart diseases, or the like. What most of them got were infections, traumas, and other diseases that we have already found absolute cures for. With the Paleo diet, you can guarantee that your body will be a lot stronger and healthier. You will always be in tip-top shape, and you are more likely to avoid the above-mentioned diseases.

Paleo athletes are reaping all these benefits, having embraced the caveman diet, but that does not mean it is only for veteran athletes. It does not matter if you are still aspiring to start a solid career in sports or are already training to become like one of the elite Paleo athletes. By going on the Paleo diet, you are sure to achieve success.

Shared Instrumentation Grant Program

2011-07-10T01:09:00.000-07:00

The National Institutes of Health, often known as NIH, is an independent agency operating inside the United States Department of Health and Human services that's mainly responsible for pursuing many of the country's biomedical and health-related scientific studies.

The mission of the NIH has always been to "seek fundamental understanding of the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce the burdens of illness and disability."

In an attempt to contribute to the realization of this mission, the National Institutes of Health has developed the Shared Instrumentation Grant Program wherein they intend to solicit applications from NIH-supported research proposing to upgrade or purchase a single piece of expensive instrumentation (useful to the industry of science and technology) that at a minimum costs $100,000.

Initially, this program seeks to aid the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) Shared Instrumentation Grant (SIG) Program. The project looks to provide funds to allow NIH-recognized institutions to purchase rather expensive research instruments that can only be justified on a shared-use basis and that are needed for NIH-supported projects in translational, basic, or clinical areas.

The types of research instruments that can be purchased under this program are nuclear magnetic resonance systems, electron and confocal microscopes, mass spectrometers, protein and DNA sequencers, biosensors, x-ray diffractometers and cell sorters.

In most cases, research studies lead to fascinating medical breakthroughs; and the National Institutes of Health intend to contribute to these discoveries by providing researchers and scientists with high-end and top of the line equipment that could potentially make their work more easier and effective.

The minimum cost of the instruments will be $100,000 each, and the maximum amount that will be granted per application will be $600,000.

The institutions and organizations which will be qualified to fill out an application under the Shared Instrumentation Grant Program are the following:

a) Public/State Controlled Institutions of Higher Education
b) Private Institutions of Higher Education
c) Hispanic-serving Institutions
d) Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
e) Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs)
f) Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions
g) Nonprofit Organizations Apart From Institutions of Higher Education

The Department of Health and Human Services, the mother agency that is funding the Shared Instrumentation Grant Program, is the country's principal agency that is generally in charge of preserving the health of all Americans and ensuring the provision of fundamental health and human services to all people needing such services.

Smart Health And Wellbeing Program

2011-06-10T01:08:00.000-07:00

The National Science Foundation, often known as NSF, is an independent agency of the United States federal government that is drastically in charge of financing research and education activities in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering.

The work of the NSF will always be carefully guided by their overall agency mission, which is to "To promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; and to secure the national defense."

In line with this, the National Science Foundation has constituted the development of the Smart Health and Wellbeing (SHB) Program wherein they want to tackle scientific and technical issues that will pave the way towards the transformation of the healthcare process from being rather reactive and hospital centered into becoming preventive, proactive, evidence-based, patient-centered and focused on the wellbeing of the person instead of his/her disease.

The program tries to do this by addressing issues that are connected with sensor technology, networking, information and machine learning technology, system and process modeling, modeling cognitive process and lastly, social and economic issues.

In this regard, the main investigators who would like to participate in this program will have to include research studies that address the following concerns:

1) Digital Health Information Infrastructure - This dimension should include techniques and strategies that will most likely enable the interoperable, distributed, federated, and scalable digital infrastructure, languages, and tools for efficient integration and utilization of electronic health record information, as well as networked applications that can access such information.

2) From Data to Knowledge to Decisions - This dimension is supposed to address the creation of algorithms for the collection of multi-scale clinical, biomedical, contextual, and environmental data concerning every patient which would develop a window towards the establishment of decision support tools that could potentially optimize a patient-centered and evidence-based practice.

3) Empowering Individuals - This dimension will need to include strategies that could help determine socioeconomic and behavioral principles that would influence a patient's participation in healthcare and wellness activities.

4) Sensors, Devices and Robotics - This dimension will include investigative methods that will permit interoperable, temporally synchronized, medical prosthetic and embedded devices to continuously capture, store, and transmit physiological and environmental data.

The program will accommodate two kinds of project classes, the first one would the Exploratory Project, wherein they will award funds ranging from $200,000 to $600,000 with a project length of two to three years. The second project class would be the Integrative Project wherein the NSF will award funds in the amount of $600,000 to $2,000,000 with a project duration of four to five years.

Researchers and investigators will only be eligible to fill out an application for the Smart Health and Wellbeing Program if they are representing any of the following:

a) Universities and colleges including community colleges which campuses are situated in the United States of America.

b) Non-profit, non-academic organizations such as independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and other organizations that are associated with research and educational activities.

Sarcopenia: Are You Wasting Away?

2011-05-10T01:22:00.001-07:00

If you are past the age of twenty-five, you are probably shrinking. Don't celebrate yet. You are not losing weight; you are losing muscle. On average we lose 18% of our muscle mass between the ages of twenty and fifty and an additional 20% between the ages of fifty and eighty.(1) Unfortunately, this does not lead to weight loss. We gain about one pound of fat and lose about a half a pound of muscle between the ages of thirty and sixty.(2) In other words, your increased girth is simply increased fat. Sarcopenia is the term used for the loss of muscle as a result of aging.

Even if your weight remains the same, you may still be overweight or even obese. If you still weigh the same but you lost twenty percent of your muscle mass, guess what happened to the weight? That's right! It turned to fat. Sarcopenic obesity is the term used for people who are not obese by the BMI index but whose body fat percentage makes them overweight or obese.

Why should I care?

The consequences of sarcopenia are substantial. Loss of strength leads to falls, disability, limitations on mobility and fractures. It has been linked to a loss of energy and a decline in cognition. It is also linked to increased mortality.(3) In other words, you risk becoming dysfunctional and a burden unless you find a way to limit your loss in strength and power.

What causes sarcopenia?

While the consequences of sarcopenia are great, the causes of it are still being discovered. However, a few culprits have come to the forefront.

* A decrease in strength may come as a result of a loss of type 2 muscle fibers and a decline in muscle motor units.
* A decline in hormones or the body's response to them may contribute to it.
* Oxidative stress and inflammation may play a role in sarcopenia.
* Finally, a decline in protein synthesis and an increase in protein breakdown may play a role.

Avoiding Sarcopenia - What to do?

All is not lost. You can stop and even reverse the process with a few lifestyle modifications.

1. Exercise limits decline. More specifically, resistance training increases muscle strength, power and mass. Resistance training has been shown to increase muscle mass by over eleven percent and strength by over one hundred percent. Results have been shown in as little as 2 thirty minute sessions a week.(1)

2. Of course, just because you need resistance exercises does not mean you should leave out aerobic ones. Aerobic exercise improves endurance, cardiovascular fitness and reduces body fat. And while it will not increase power, it may increase muscle fibers and mitochondrial volume.

3. Make sure you get enough protein. The recommended amount of protein is.35 grams per pound of weight a day. If you exercise, you should eat more. Don't eat it all in one meal but break it up into twenty-five to thirty grams of high quality protein per meal. Eating protein with the amino acid leucine such as soybeans, beef, fish and beans may be particularly beneficial.(2)

4. Eat foods or supplements with creatine. Creatine may help build muscle through its role in cellular and protein metabolism. It also increases phosphocreatine levels which appear to help increase the intensity of workouts. Beef and other meats are the primary source of creatine in the diet so vegetarians may need to supplement it.

5. Eat foods high in antioxidants. Since oxidative stress may be a part of sarcopenia, reducing it should help limit the decline. Supplements and foods with antioxidants such as beans, berries, apples, and pecans may aid in limiting oxidative stress which will help limit muscle loss.

6. Take a Vitamin D supplement. It aids in metabolism and Vitamin D receptors located on the muscles help with protein synthesis.

7. Consider hormone replacement therapy. Hormones such as growth hormones and bio-identical testosterone may aid in increasing muscle mass and strength. Of course, you should consult a medical professional who is qualified in anti-aging medicine before partaking in it.

You are getting older. Don't let the aging process turn you from an active and productive person to a dysfunctional one. Work to avoid or at least limit sarcopenia and its detrimental consequences. Your future children or grandchildren will thank you for it.

Slow Aging by Losing Fat

2011-05-10T01:22:00.000-07:00

Age management medicine is a new specialty that looks specifically at the aging process and considers how to slow aging and how to make it proceed more smoothly. Aging is normally associated with numerous discomforts and difficulties that people dread and wish to avoid if at all possible as the years tick by. As scientists explore the possibility of managing diseases like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and atherosclerosis more effectively, they are finding some exciting new information about the body and what may actually be the cause of a lot of discomforts and diseases associated with aging. Chronic inflammation at the cellular and molecular level appears to play an important role in the aging process and in creating and facilitating the development of a number of diseases. Scientists and medical professionals are excited about this common link that appears to be so important in age-related disorders and health issues because controlling inflammation may mean controlling the aging process and a number of the diseases associated with it.

Inflammation is the body's natural response to infection as well as injury. Inflammation, in the case of infection or injury is actually positive and healthy. Unfortunately, as the body ages, or under certain conditions when people are younger, the inflammatory response doesn't end when the infection does. Rather, the inflammation becomes chronic and on-going. Chronic, ongoing inflammation can lead to a whole array of different health problems from depression to generalized weakness and fatigue as well as autoimmune diseases like those mentioned above.

Inflammation is mediated by certain substances in the body like cytokines or C-reactive protein. Tissues exposed to these substances become inflamed. Unfortunately, fat cells actually produce cytokines. That means that if you have more fat cells in the body, you have more cytokines being produced and thus more inflammation. Because inflammation has been associated with aging, this means that being overweight can actually cause you to age faster.

Controlling the inflammation process is important if you want to control heart disease or diabetes or any other disease that is correlated with inflammation. Losing weight, particularly fat from the body can have an impact on the inflammatory response. Some individuals maintain a low calorie restrictive diet that is high in nutrients and micronutrients to lower the inflammatory response in the body. This has been shown to get certain disease states under control as well as slow the aging process. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy has also been utilized to help reduce the inflammatory response in promising ways. Hormone therapy helps the body balance inflammation, neither preventing inflammation entirely nor allowing it to go unchecked in the body to create on-going problems. Balanced hormones that can be achieved through hormone treatments can make it easier for individuals to lose fat, thereby slowing the aging process and the inflammatory response in the body.

Though losing weight, specifically fat, is a goal for a lot of people right now, the evidence is growing to support another reason why weight loss is beneficial for you. If you're experiencing the classic signs of aging, it appears that getting rid of some extra fat stores in the body can diminish the momentum of the aging process considerably. Whether you use hormones, a calorie restriction diet, or other methods to get your weight under control and lose fat stores, your health will likely improve considerably from your efforts and the progress of time will impact the way you look and feel less profoundly.

Meditation Is Good For Your Health

2011-05-10T01:08:00.000-07:00

Some people are afraid of meditation because they think it is going to make them become lost in thought and not know where they are. I have heard that some people think that they will put themselves in a trance or shut themselves off from reality. I consider these old wives tales.

Mediating will help you to be more alert, calm, more focused, and you will not worry as much. It is really pleasant. Meditation is good 4 your health.

Some of the benefits you will get from mediating are:

•You will be more optimistic and have more self-worth.
•It will decrease stress, tension, anxiety & depression.
•It improves the immune system and improves your health.
•You will feel more spiritual.

Suggested Meditating Positions

You may sit with your back straight, lay down, or lotus position (sitting with legs crossed) you must be comfortable or it will distract from you meditation. If you sit in a chair, make sure your feet are flat on the floor. Place your hands on your lap palms down. It is very important that U do not slouch down. Make sure your clothes are loose and comfortable and the room is well ventilated. Breath through you nose if physically possible. It is good to meditate in the morning and at night. If you need to meditate in the middle of the day, then do it. It really is up to you.

How To Begin Meditating

Sit comfortably. Close your eyes. Feel your body start to relax. Listen to your breathing. If your mind starts to wander, just concentrate on your breathing and this will bring you back. Try to concentrate on words like peace, tranquility, calmness, love. It is suggested that you meditate at least 20 minutes. If this is not possible, do less. You may need to set a timer when you first try this. As soon as you are done meditating, open your eyes and slowly start moving. It takes time to get used to meditating, so be kind and patient with yourself.

The first time I meditated, I was so tired that my mind wandered so bad that I had to really concentrate on my breathing. I fell asleep and did not realize this until I woke up an hour later. I said to myself, I just won't wait so long to meditate. Meditating is really good for you. I noticed that I had more energy, I felt more hopeful about my life. I had a better outlook on things. I actually slept better. I listen to guided meditation every day now.

I found out there were different kinds of meditation. There is guided meditation, trans dental meditation, mantra meditation, Qi gong, Tai Chai, and the most current one I came across was holosync meditation. Yoga has been mentioned to be as calming as meditation as it has breathing and movements that calm the mind. I will do a separate post on these different kinds of meditation.

Meditation is so good for you that it has been known to help people suffering from allergies, high blood pressure, fatigue, asthma, and cancer. I find this totally amazing.

The Heath Benefits of Turmeric Realized

2011-04-10T01:07:00.000-07:00

The western world is beginning to take notice of the health benefits of Turmeric, which have been known to the east for centuries. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) has been used in Ayurveda and Chinese medicine for a wide variety of purposes. Western medicine has been studying the use of Turmeric, and its active ingredient and antioxidant, Curcumin, for its anti-inflammatory effects, arthritis, Alzheimer's, and uses in treating cancer. Let's look at some of the information that has been made available regarding Curcumin and cancer.

In his groundbreaking book, Anti-Cancer, David Servan-Schreiber writes that inflammation is a key ingredient in the formation of most disease, including cancer. Preventing inflammation is crucial to inhibiting the "terrain" that is conducive to the growth of cancerous cells. The concept of the body as "terrain" that can be either conducive or prohibitive to cancerous cells is a major component of Servan-Schreiber's book. (This book is truly unique, is highly recommended, and can function as a fantastic gift or conversation starter with loved ones who may not grasp the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.) To summarize very briefly, the body can be thought of as "terrain" that can be maintained to be unsuitable for cancers and other diseases through proper diet / exercise, reducing stress, and removing pollutants. The proper diet is especially crucial to creating the right "terrain."

Curcumin has been shown to go beyond simply making the terrain in the body unsuitable for cancerous cells. The American Cancer Society states that, "Curcumin can kill cancer cells in laboratory dishes and also reduces growth of surviving cells. Curcumin also has been found to reduce development of several forms of cancer in laboratory animals and to shrink animal tumors" (1). According to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, "Curcumin induces apoptosis (cell death) in human colon cancer, promyelocytic leukemia cells, and inhibits growth of uterine leiomyosarcoma cells. Curcumin also potentiated gemcitabine action in both in vitro and in vivo studies of pancreatic cancer. Oral administration is well tolerated, but bioavailability is relatively low. Following absorption, curcuminoids are rapidly metabolized. But a recent study in rats shows that bioavailability of curcumin can be increased when coadministered with piperine" (2). The importance of black pepper in Curcumin absorption is frequently overlooked by most people and health professionals alike.

It is well documented that the use of radiation and chemotherapy produces significant negative side effects. Curcumin is believed to cause minimal side effects although the true study of Curcumin's affects on cancers is still in its infancy. Obviously, any person who is currently undergoing chemotherapy or radiation should speak with their physician regarding any use of Curcumin or other herbal treatments to ensure that there are no interactions with their existing treatment, but Curcumin is showing positive results in recent studies.

Water Is Essential for Healthy Aging and Prevention of Disease

2011-03-17T01:17:00.000-07:00

How does water impact healthy aging and prevention of disease?

70% of our body is water. Not drinking enough fluid increases our risk of kidney stones, constipation and other nasties such as hemorrhoids. The resulting bowel sluggishness may also contribute to an increased risk for colon cancer. Skin and mucous membranes also become dry if we don't drink enough, which can lead to flaking, cracking and reduced density. Inadequate fluid intake can also lead to a drop in mental and physical performance, impairing our co-ordination, concentration, and slowing our thinking. There is also some evidence suggesting thirst can sometimes be mistaken for hunger, so under-drinking may contribute to overeating. All in all, if you don't drink water then this will lead to many health issues. Good daily water intake is core to a healthy aging and disease prevention plan.

How much water should we drink?

Most of us should drink at least 2 to 3 liters of fluid (about 8 - 10 glasses) every day. On hot days or after exercise we will need to drink more to make up for fluid lost as sweat. We know when we've got it right when we're making a good amount of clear to light yellow urine with little or no odor.

What sort of water is best for healthy aging?

Water is an ideal drink that is cheap, readily available and contains no calories. There are now many water products on the market that compete with the taps in our homes, on the basis that they 'taste' better, lack contamination or have additional 'health benefits' such as minerals and trace elements. There are also a range of purification technologies which have their own positives and negatives. Certainly high quality filtered water has many merits (like less chlorine and fluoride) that make it more enjoyable to drink and use in cooking. However, tap water quality in most Western countries is excellent, highly regulated and monitored. At the same time, plastic bottles may leach small amounts of toxins (such as phthalates and Bisphenol A) and have an environmental impact as pollution. In the end, the choice of water is largely pragmatic. Choose the one where you will actually drink 8-10 glasses a day. This is more important than the source.

Options to optimize your water intake

* Drink 500ml of water first thing in the morning - take at least 500 ml to one liter of water to flush your digestive tract and rehydrate your system from the overnight dry.
* Drink water at regular intervals throughout the day.
* Set objectives such as drinking before you leave the house, and first thing upon your return, or before you start work.
* Set your alarm so you have a drink every hour.
* Have a glass of water each time you need a break from work.
* Drink before meals (15 to 20 minutes before) or 1 to 3 hours after meals.
* Drink when you are more active - whether that be mental or physical activity.
* For clear thinking or more energy, take a sip of water.
* Keep a bottle on the desk or carry one (preferably made of glass, stainless steel, HDPE or LDPE plastic).
* Add fresh squeezed juice to your water. You may see water as boring but drinking like aging, must be a positive experience, not a chore!

Slow aging is about embracing the aging process in a positive way. The slowagingblog brings together information and news on how to slow aging and prevent disease, so we can live in great health, physically and emotionally for longer.

Does Marksplex Work to Remove Stretch Marks?

2011-03-13T01:24:00.000-08:00

Stretch marks occur in over 90% of women and many of them look for a cream that will help to reduce its appearance. If you are looking for a cream or serum that may help reduce overstretched skin you may want to try using Marksplex. This is a stretch mark cream that has been clinically proven and showed 100% results in reducing the appearance of stretch marks and help to improve circulation in the skin in all of the subjects tested.

Marksplex will work on both the epidermis and the dermis layer of the skin and has been shown to be safe and effective for pregnant women. Skin can stretch on both men and women. There are many different reasons that marks and blemishes can occur; weight gain or loss, pregnancy, medication and health conditions or disease. So finding the right cream or serum is important. You will find that Marksplex has shown positive results, not only in helping to reduce the appearance of stretch marks, but has also showed a significant reduction in age spots, freckles and skin discoloration. Marksplex comes in an easy to use tube and is massaged in a circular motion twice daily. Marksplex can be used during and after pregnancy. Marksplex contains peptides which have been shown to help minimize the appearance of blemishes and may also help to firm and tighten the skin.

Marksplex contains Hexacomplex-12, which is an active formula that contains Regestril-TM, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Emu Oil, Ester-C, Emblica (fruit), Siegesbeckia Orientalis. With these active ingredients it has been shown to help reduce the depth and color of the stretch marks, help firm and tighten the skin, slow down hyperpigmentation and improve the overall appearance of stretch marks and scars.

Marksplexs in an over-the-counter stretch mark cream that can help eliminate the appearance of stretch marks in both the epidermis and dermis layer of the skin. Some products on the market may help to reduce the appearance of new stretch marks. Marksplex will help reduce the appearance of old and new stretch marks safely and effectively in as little as four weeks.

It has also been found that Marksplex is hypoallergenic, dermatologically tested, paraben-free and has been formulated for all skin types. Not all creams work the same and some are not to be used during pregnancy. Most women's skin stretches during pregnancy and they want to find a cream that will help to eliminate their appearance before they begin to show.

So, whether you have old marks or new marks you will find that Marksplex will help to reduce its appearance in as little as four weeks without any itching or burning to the skin. Some products can cause redness or a burning sensation. You will find that Marksplex has been clinically proven to help reduce old and new marks without any possible side effects, safely and effectively. If you are looking for a cream that will work you can purchase Marksplex on-line in the privacy of your own home.

What Are the Easy Eye Care Tips?

2011-03-10T01:07:00.000-08:00

"Eyes are the windows of the soul," it is cliché but it holds truth that eyesight is very important for people that's why there are eye care tips. The eyes are very sensitive organs to light, dusts and even when you accidentally touch it. It is so important that when you lose eyesight, you will feel that you don't have hands and feet, in other words, crippled. A person's everyday life will be difficult. The gravity of its importance requires knowledge of basic caring of the eyes that anyone can apply and use daily without the aid of doctors or eye specialists also called optometrist.

Eye care tips are composed of natural resources hence, without the use of chemicals and the availability of the ingredients are found in the environment. The first tip is increase and constant intake of food that are rich with Vitamin A such as squash, eggs, milk, papaya, cilantro, fish among others. These kinds of food will help the eyes become brighter and the habit of washing them with cold water is helpful.

The eye care tips for stubborn dark circles under the eyes are cucumbers. Sliced cucumbers need to be placed on top of the eyes. This is one of the simplest tips that anyone can apply. No need for purchasing expensive creams that may cause more harm than good. Another vegetable that can treat dark circles under the eyes is potato. Again, you just put potato slices on top of your windows of the soul to get rid of those dark circles.

One of the effective eye care tips is gathering an amla and submerge it in water overnight and the next morning use it in washing your eyes. You can also dip cotton in a basin full of Luke warm milk and after soaking you can get the cotton and cover your eyes for 15 to 20 minutes. For tired eyes, douse cotton pads in a small basin full of cooled milk. After that, put that on your eyes for 10 to 15 minutes. This time you can relax your tired eyes.

Another tip includes closing and relaxing of the eyes and muscles around it and think of beautiful things. Then only look at an object near you. Repeat this exercise 4 to 5 times daily. For red, itchy and twitchy eyes use curd to massage scalp. For puffy eyes, shred the skin of potatoes then put it on your eyes for 20-25 minutes. One of the best eye care tips is washing your face before going to sleep and always remove make-up on your face.

Five Ways to Slow the Aging Process and Ensure Longevity

2011-02-16T01:24:00.000-08:00

There are five essential steps a person can take to slow the aging process. Most harmful habits do not show their results until it is too late. Taking the initiative to eat healthy and treat a body right is going to improve how a person ages.

Get Down to the Basics

A predisposition to have specific diseases may be genetic. Precautionary habits can inhibit the production of some of these diseases. If a person knows a genetic disease may run in the family, than they have a chance to develop healthy habits.

Paying attention to diseases that other family members battle may be a life saving action. If heart disease is common in a family, action should be taken to ensure a healthy circulatory system. Talking to a doctor about family history and performing preventative measures will be the first step to slow the aging process.

Understand Aging

The changes a body goes through during the aging process may turn into an uphill battle without taking preventative measures. As a body grows older, it has a harder time battling normal environmental stress that attacks it each day.

Foods high in antioxidants will fight the free radicals which damage the body. Eating correctly and taking vitamins are necessary to maintain a healthy body. Avoid the introduction of carcinogens into the body in the first place. Smoking and sun exposure can create bigger problems than wrinkles. HGH affects every part of a person's body and may decrease with age. This hormone reproduces naturally when a person sleeps. Getting enough sleep is going to reduce the negative effects of HGH depletion.

Reduce Stress

Stress causes many problems that contribute to the aging process. Counteracting stress at any age is going to provide a healthy inner environment for the body. Having an active lifestyle is going to reduce excessive amounts of stress.

Exercising the body is more than physical health. Exercise helps reduce stress by increasing endorphins in the body. A body fed with a well balanced diet deals with stress efficiently. Getting enough sleep also is an essential release of stress. Having strong coping strategies is going to keep a person from dealing with stress with unhealthy habits.

Age Gracefully

It is not necessary to purchase every anti-aging product on the market. There are some actions that take the place of what the body used to do naturally. In addition to this, taking measured steps to cut out behaviors that accelerate the aging process.

Proper exfoliation and hydration of the skin is the key to a healthy outer appearance. Exercising will control proper muscle tone and weight gain. Eating foods high in antioxidants replaces what the body used to produce by itself. Stop smoking now, as this habit contributes to speeding up the negative aspects of an aging body.

Doctor Check-Ups

Listening to what the doctor has to say is going to make a bigger impact than spending a lot of money on anti-aging cure alls. Doctors can offer advice as to what a healthy body needs. They are going to help provide solutions to allow a person a healthy, well balanced life. Regular doctor visits will also help to prevent debilitating health problems.

People cannot prevent what is going to happen naturally. They can provide the best inner environment for their bodies to age in an optimal manner. Some of the healthiest choices are going to help the body on a cellular level. Benefits of taking an initiative now, before it is too late to reverse damage, is going to enhance a healthy aging process.

Brush Your Face With A Toothbrush And Look Younger

2011-02-13T01:15:00.000-08:00

Would you like to know a really inexpensive way to make your face look years younger? Of course you would! Who wouldn't?

Well, get yourself a two dollar, soft-bristle toothbrush and you'll be on your way. Regularly brushing your FACE (yes, your face) with a toothbrush will help keep your skin youthful. Don't believe me? Tempted to stop reading? I know it sounds nutty, but stay with me. Have you heard of the company Sonicare? They make electric toothbrushes. Guess what? Now they also make a brush for the FACE. It's the same design, just a bit larger. It costs $200. People who have it seem to love it. If you have an extra $200, by all means, buy it. But if you only have an extra $2, I promise you, a regular, soft-bristle toothbrush, properly used, will give you great results. I've been doing it for 15 years now and though I'm well into my 40s, I still get asked for I.D. at the Trader Joe's when I buy red wine. (If you're obsessed with anti-aging, red wine is the only alcohol you should be drinking, by the way.)

Here's what you do:

1. Wet your face and neck with warm water. You may want to open your pores by applying a warm washcloth for a few minutes.

2. Apply the skin cleanser of your choice to your face and neck. If you have dry skin, you may wish to use a moisturizing cleanser. If it's oily, you can use something that treats oily skin. Use whatever is already working for your skin. Apply it all over the face and neck, unless it's an acne formula, then use something less drying for the skin around your eyes. (You may want to do the eyes separately.)

3. Apply the cleanser to the toothbrush. This helps the brush glide over the skin more smoothly.

4. Begin gently brushing in small circles. Where you start is up to you, but I like to begin with the sides of the mouth where laugh lines form.

Brush clockwise and counterclockwise all over the cheeks, chin. On the forehead, you can brush in circles and also up and down. Pay attention to the area between your eyebrows, were frown lines appear. Brush in circles, clockwise and counterclockwise. If you have lines higher on the forehead above, from lifting your eyebrows, brush in circles over those lines and also up and down.

5. Do the eyes last. And be very very gentle in this area. If you've used a drying cleanser, wash it off the brush before you do the eyes and use something more moisturizing. You can even brush with moisturizer in the eye area. Put the brush on the outer part of the eye closest to your hairline, where you may have crows feet, and brush GENTLY in toward the bridge of the nose. When you begin, use just a few brush strokes. Not more than four to start. As you do it more often, you use more pressure and more strokes, but begin slowly.

6. Even with light pressure, your skin is likely going to look red, depending on your skin tone. Don't worry. The redness will subside within several minutes. If it has not subsided after an hour, either you've brushed too vigorously, or this procedure is not appropriate for your skin. Start out with very little pressure and build up over time if you're seeing good results. If your face becomes inflamed or irritated your skin may simply be too sensitive for this.

7. Always, always, always, without exception, follow this with some sort of moisturizer. Use one you've already been using that you know works well for your skin. If you're brushing in the daytime, use a moisturizer with sunscreen, preferably one that has an SPF of 30 or higher. If you're brushing at night, follow with a great night cream.

Nighttime is when the skin repairs itself, so if you do the brushing, following with a night cream designed to replenish and repair, and you sleep, you're going to get an added benefit. This is because the brushing and exfoliating prepares the skin for products to penetrate more effectively.

Do this regularly, a few time as week and you'll soon notice that your skin looks clearer, younger, less lined and more vibrant.

Why is this? A few reasons:

1. Brushing brings blood to the surface of the skin. The blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the skin cells. So, you are helping to "feed," your skin when you brush it. As you do this regularly, you nourish your skin on a regular basis. If your nutrition is good, that further enhances the quality of the blood being sent to your skin tissues. So, eat a good diet and the results will be further enhanced.

2. The exfoliating helps to slough off dead skin cells. When we're young, our skin cells turn over regularly without assistance. As we age, however, that process slows down and old cells cling to the surface longer, resulting in a dulling of the complexion. Regular exfoliating assists the skin in this cell turnover, allowing older skin to look more like its younger self.

3. Exfoliating also draws out impurities from the pores, helping to keep them cleaner and smaller. As we age, our pores begin to look larger. Clearing the pores helps the skin look smoother and tighter.

4. Brushing stimulates the muscles under the surface of the skin, similarly to how they would be stimulated by a face massage. As you're going over the skin, brushing in circles and up and down in certain areas, the tiny muscles under the skin's surface are being stimulated. Blood flow to the muscle is occurring. This stimulation helps to keep these muscles conditioned in a way that they would otherwise not be. If the muscles below the surface of the skin remain conditioned, your face holds up better over time and there is less sagging.

When I began skin brushing, I limited it to a few times a week. This is what I recommend for you as you begin. Each person's skin is different, so you'll find what works best for you. When you start, be sure to use a SOFT BRISTLE toothbrush. Build up slowly. If your skin responds well to the procedure (you can tell by how it looks and feels) it's okay to do it daily or every other day. When I began, years ago, I brushed only a few times a week. Now I can brush every day and my skin loves it.

Murad Resurgence Anti-Aging Skin Care: Reveal Your Youthful Skin!

2011-02-10T01:21:00.000-08:00

I remember, and miss, the days of my youth when anti-aging skin care never entered my mind. Today, however, I am always looking for the next big thing to bring my skin back to that youthful glow I once had. It happens to all of us and all we can do is fight against the developments that getting older brings with it. One fantastic way to fight aging is with Murad Resurgence. This system will give you fresher, healthier and younger looking skin in just 14 to 30 days. These products are designed to work together to restore that youthful glow to your skin. It has been clinically proven to help hormonally aging skin look younger and healthier.

The first product in the system is the Renewing Cleansing Cream. This cleansing cream exfoliates to remove the dead surface skin, protects your skins moisture barrier, and restores radiance.

The second product in the system is the Age Diffusing Serum. Believed to be the most important product in the system, it contains Argireline-3 and Matrixyl. This serum concentrates on firming and toning the skin. It prevents collagen breakdown and increases skin elasticity to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and sagging skin.

The third product to use in the system is the Age Balancing Night Cream. It hydrates and rejuvenates the skin and minimizes the appearance of pores.

This system works well for Individuals with sensitive or extremely dry skin. It does not irritate or sting the face. Within a few days, you will find that even others are noticing how soft and smooth your face looks and feels. Age spots are lightened and sagging skin appears firm and healthy.

After trying this system, you will have smaller pores, the small lines between your eyebrows will begin to disappear, and the deeper wrinkles on your forehead will begin to smooth away. Your skin texture will be smoother and firmer.

Benefits are:

· Lighten age spots.

· Alleviates sagging skin.

· Red blotches.

· Flaking skin.

· Alleviate acne.

· Smaller pores.

· Eliminate lines between eyebrows and deeper wrinkles

· Smoother, firmer skin

This is a very high quality product, so you only need a small amount. You will find that it work as well or better than products that cost twice as much! I know if you try this product, you will be thrilled with the results! You can slow down the aging process that attacks us all.

All of us would like to look as young as we can, as long as we can. If you use Murad Resurgence daily, you will see improvements in the wrinkles across your forehead, the laugh lines in your cheeks, and those crows feet that are starting to surface on each side of your eyes. An added benefit is firm, toned skin.

Artificial Sweeteners Are Fine

2011-02-10T01:05:00.000-08:00

Artificial sweeteners are safe. Despite the abundance of naysayers, there's no reliable, peer-reviewed, scientific evidence that they cause any harm in reasonable quantities. Here's what the Mayo Clinic has to say.

"According to the National Cancer Institute and other health agencies, there's no sound scientific evidence that any of the artificial sweeteners approved for use in the United States cause cancer or other serious health problems. And numerous research studies confirm that artificial sweeteners are generally safe in limited quantities, even for pregnant women.

There are many different kinds of artificial sweeteners and they are regulated by the FDA, which means they must be approved before they can be sold to the public. Any artificial sweetener you buy has been evaluated and tested and approved for human consumption. When new studies show that there are negative effects from the product or that they cause a specific problem that can be identified through testing, the FDA can pull its approval for the product.

This happened with saccharin many years ago when consumer advocates questioned its safety for the public. As a result of this pressure saccharin was required to have a warning label about its potential harmful effects. Later when testing showed that there was no risk, the FDA allowed the warning label to be removed.

Sometimes the FDA declares a substance to be "generally recognized as safe." Substances are given this classification based on scientific data showing that they are safe for their intended use or that they have been used for a long time by the public and their have been no ill effects found. Foods like this are generally considered safe and don't required FDA approval. Stevia is one of those products.

The FDA also establishes what are known as an "acceptable daily intake" for each product they approve. This level is the maximum amount considered to be safe for daily use over the course of your lifetime. They approved daily amount is about 100 times more than what they consider to be harmful.

There are hundreds of reports about this stuff and there is no valid scientific proof that I can find to indicate there's anything wrong with using them. There are plenty of websites and self-proclaimed experts about how bad things like Splenda or Equal are, but none that I can find have any peer-reviewed research to support their allegations. I don't know how much more evidence anyone needs in order to believe that these products are safe in reasonable quantities. After 30 or 40 years you'd think someone would have substantiated the problem by now if there was one.

As for their effect on diet, there is some research to indicate that drinking too many diet drinks can trick your mind and actually cause you to eat more food than you need. Much of this overuse of diet drinks is based on our misguided belief that we have to consume far more water than is necessary.

Before you believe all the stuff you read on the internet, do some research of your own. If you are trying to lose weight, artificial sweeteners are a great way to enjoy food and drink without the additional calories of sugar or other calorie laden sweeteners.

It you don't change your habits, your habits will make sure you never change.

My name is Larry Allen and I spent the last four years researching and analyzing why diets and exercise programs don't work to lose weight and keep it off.

"It's Just A Habit" is an bold, new, easy weight loss solution that enhances your self esteem and confidence by helping you create a better looking you. It provides the support and coaching you need to lose weight and keep it off.

How To Stop Aging: 10 Key Lifestyle Changes

2011-01-18T01:25:00.000-08:00

Whenever I read an article on stopping aging I have to laugh. Sure sometime in the distance future we may be able to stop the aging process either by manipulating genes, cloning, robotics or some other medical procedure. At sixty-five years of age it's a little to late for me to stop aging and to be honest I am not sure I want to stop aging and live forever.

My goal is not to stop aging but to age well. Let's face it at some point even the most healthy of us will succumb to the ravages of old age. Even Jack LaLanne could not stop aging. However Jack lived an active, rewarding life right up to is ninety-seventh year. This then is my goal to live a well, strong and rewarding life to the end, whenever that end may come.

If we cannot stop aging how can we at least slow down the aging process? Fortunately there are simple lifestyle changes that you can take that will help you aging well. Following are the top ten lifestyle changes proven to slow aging.

1. Don't smoke: Now I am assuming that if you are reading this you are a non smoker. I won't repeat all the science behind the dangers of smoking, just don't do it.

2. Be happy: Stress kills; we know that stress the damages to the mind and body have been fully documented by the scientific community. "Don't worry be happy" is a simplistic mantra, but truth be told, filling your life with things you love and getting rid of almost everything else is a great aging well strategy. Practicing stress relieving activities like meditation and exercise, and being grateful should be a daily goal.

3. Eat Your Fruit and Veggies: Yes your mom was right and science backs her up with hard evidence that oxidative damage caused by toxins contributes to the aging process at a cellular level. Foods (veggies and fruit) high in antioxidants seem to protect us from oxidative stress.

4. Throw Out the Sugar!: The sooner you break the sugar habit the sooner you slow down aging. Beware sugar in the disguise of corn syrup is in almost all process foods. Sugar is a direct cause of aging and reducing lifespan in organisms from yeast to monkeys.

5. Eat fish: Some evidence suggests that the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish are particularly beneficial to the skin. Because of concerns about mercury levels in some fish like tuna go for fish like sardines. Also stay away from farm raised fish, it may be less expensive but studies suggest they are a less healthy choice.

6. Get Your ZZZ's: We all know how much better we look and feel when we have a full night's sleep.But more than that getting eight hours of sleep heals and rebuilds your body.

7. Exercise Your Brain: Challenging yourself mentally, doing things like traveling and learning new languages at any age is one of the key elements of slow down the aging process. Go out of your way trying new things and exercising your brain.

8. Check Your Vitamin D Level: Recently my doctor check my vitamin D levels and found It was lower than I should be despite taking a multi vitamin. I now take 1000 IU of D. Current research suggests that vitamin D may be particularly important in slowing the aging process.

9. Strength Training: Pump iron or do body weight exercises like pushups, building strong muscles is the best way to look younger than your years. You lose muscle mass as you age. But anyone at any age can build muscle looks fabulous and feel great.

10. Cardio: Cardio exercise is still important for health. So get moving run, walk, do jumping jacks, square dance, it really doesn't matter just get that heart rate up to 70-80% of your max

We may not stop aging, but we can age well. The above ten key lifestyle changes outlined in this article are by no means the only changes you can make to slow the aging process, but adapting these ten changes will go a long way to improving your chances of slowing aging rate.

Healthy Aging - Fit or Healthy? There Is A Difference!

2011-01-15T01:14:00.000-08:00

The older I get the more I realize how important it is to be fit and healthy. Building a foundation of fitness and health is vital for anyone planning to live a long and active life. But is there a difference between being fit and healthy? The answer is yes! Being fit doesn't mean you are healthy and conversely being healthy has little to do with being fit.

We use various terms to describe health. A person has vibrant health or radiant health. One can be healthy as a horse or the opposite: poor health and failing health. But what is health and how can I tell if I am healthy? Below are some ways to gauge your health.

1. Free from debilitating diseases.
2. Vital signs like blood pressure, cholesterol levels, heart rate are normal.
3. Your weight is within the acceptable range for your height.
4. At your last physical exam the doctor gave you a clean bill of health.

Now let us look at fitness. Of course there are different levels of fitness. There is the Lance Armstrong level and then there is the fitness level of a jogger you runs 5k races. But basically fitness is the measure of being able to perform a task efficiently. Fitness is achieved through physical activity. For example if I want to win a 5k race I have to run on a regular basis, gradually increasing my pace and lowering my time.

A person can be fit and unhealthy. How many times have we heard or seen in the news of a seemingly healthy athlete collapse and die because of an undetected aliment. Even Lance Armstrong when he was at his peak of physical fitness developed Testicular cancer. Fortunately for Lance he beat the big 'C' in no small measure because of his level of fitness. By the same token a healthy person's fitness level maybe at the low end of the scale because he or she doesn't exercise.

In my own case I maintain a level of fitness that most sixty-five year old would envy. I'm no Armstrong, but I am able to perform physical most tasks at levels that would leave a "normal" thirty year old breathless. Despite being fit, I do have some health issues. I have to take statins for my high cholesterol and my blood pressure is slightly elevated. Both problems run in my family so I guess I will blame genetics.

As important as being fit is and as much as I like the feeling that comes with being fit and healthy if I was to chose one or the other I would chose health over fitness. Thanks to modern medicine many health problems can be effectively treated, but of course you can't pick your parents, so genetically you have to live with the cards you are dealt.

However if you are out of shape there's definitely something you can do. Being fit can keep help you stay healthy by building a foundation that will fight off many common aliments such as colds, flu etc. Most people who are fit live a lifestyle that even if they suffer a major health issue such as cancer have a better chance of survive.

Is There Anything That Can Help With Deep Face Wrinkles?

2011-01-10T01:20:00.000-08:00

Wrinkle treatments can range from non-invasive to invasive, affordable to expensive. There are plenty of options for every type of wrinkle and for every budget size. Non-invasive approaches are best for wrinkles that are just starting out, but when the lines on your face have already deepened (even if you are not moving any muscle), more drastic (and expensive) treatments may be required.

Treatment Options for Deep Face Wrinkles

1. Botox injections. Botox involves the injection of a toxin into the folds of the skin to "paralyze" the muscle. By this, lines and creases are eliminated. The effects are immediate, but they don't last for a long time. After two or three months, you'll find yourself needing another shot. So in a year's time you are going to get 4-6 Botox injections, and that can cost you a lot of money.

2. Collagen Injections. Collagen injections aim to reduce wrinkles by filling in the grooves and creases. It's a fairly easy procedure that is done on an out-patient-basis. However, like Botox, collagen injections do not have lasting effects. After two to three months, the effects begin to wane and you will need to have another shot if you want to maintain your youthful glow. Not everyone can be qualified to collagen injections, however. Some people appear to be allergic to the substance, so prior to getting one, make sure your dermatologist have had you properly evaluated.

3. Thermage. A revolutionary non-invasive approach for deep wrinkles and cellulite, Thermage makes use of radio frequency current to increase the production of collagen. FDA-approved, Thermage comes with very few and mild side effects and is well tolerated.

4. Cosmetic Surgery. This procedure entails going under the knife to correct facial imperfections and reduce wrinkle visibility. As it is a surgical procedure, however, special considerations have to be taken. You need to cosmetic surgery a lot of thought. You have to be prepared not only financially but also emotionally, physically, and mentally. Besides it being expensive, it also comes with many risks.

Good Skin Care Regimen For Deep Face Wrinkles

These aforementioned procedures can be expensive. If you are worried about your deepening face wrinkles but are not willing to burn holes in your pocket, your best option is a good skin care regimen using the right product, of course. I would like to emphasize, however, that this cannot and will not erase the wrinkles totally, but it can do so much to soften them, making them less visible. A good skin care regimen has to be done consistently to achieve best results.

A good skin care regimen involves:

1. Washing your face in the morning and in the evening with warm water and a mild cleanser that does not clog your pores.

2. After washing your face, follow it up with generous amounts of moisturizer. Make sure it comes with Vitamins C and E, both potent antioxidants that do more than nourish the skin; they also help repair and rejuvenate the skin. Since you are targeting deep wrinkles, a moisturizer with reflective agents will be a good choice. When applying moisturizer, use gentle pressure with your ring finger. Allow the moisturizer to soak in your face for at least five minutes, and should you wish, you can then apply your choice of eye cream. Eye creams are specially formulated to address crow's feet, fine lines and wrinkles surrounding the eye area, sagging lids, and dark circles. Exfoliate two or three times a week. This is especially recommended when your skin is aging as it removes dead or old skin cells.

Got The Belly Fat Blues And Pilates Exercise Equipment

2011-01-10T01:05:00.000-08:00

Got The Belly Fat Blues

If you stomach is a little too pudgy for your taste, you're not alone. As time catches up with us we're all subject to those body changes that we just can't stand. One of the most common in mend and women is the dreaded "spare tire" or pouch.

Other times we get belly fat even without aging. I know that all the dietary temptation from restraunts, fast food joints and even the grocery store can also add to the problem. Not to mention hormonal problems, lack of activity, etc.

Luckily, all is not lost. You can check out these natural ways tolose belly fat and work at getting a better body.

With a little discipline and know how, you too can have the stomach you've always dreamed of. It definitely takes work and dedication, but I think it's totally worth it to feel 100 times better about yourself.

Learn to get rid of your belly fat blues and you're bound to feel better about yourself and your life.

Pilates Exercise Equipment

Pilates is a great way in improve posture, and flexibility, as well as balance weight. Originally called Contrology and developed by Joseph Pilates sometime during the early part of the twentieth century, it was part of a rehabilitation program for injured World War I war veterans, as well as a holistic approach to health and fitness that encompassed elements as basic as mental control, breathing, and posture. It was originally meant to be performed with Pilates exercise equipment; in particular, Pilates machines called Pilates reformers.

What Is the Pilates Reformer?

The most basic Pilates machine/machines is the Pilates reformer. Developed by Joseph Pilates himself after the WWI era, this particular machine hasn't really changed much. This piece of Pilates exercise equipment is essentially a resistance machine designed for core strength, flexibility, and good spinal alignment.

Since its beginnings during the 1920s, a lot of different forms of Pilates have developed, but all of them retain the same basic principles of core strength, mental discipline, and breathing control. Pilates reformers have evolved as well, to suit the needs of the different forms of Pilates that now exist.

How Does a Pilates Reformer Work?

For the most part, Pilates reformers are composed of a spring attached moveable carriage, two rope pulleys with hand/foot straps, and a foot bar. A practitioner is meant to build strength and flexibility with this machine by pulling or pushing against these moving parts. There are subtle differences for reformers of different Pilates types, but they all share these figures and are really useful for strength and resistance training.

For all of its versatility though, this particular piece of Pilates exercise equipment can best reach its greatest potential when it's being used in conjunction with Pilates exercises. This means that if you want to use this machine well, you should at least understand some of the basic principles of Pilates, like knowing your core and maintaining correct alignment and breathing.

All of its elegance and effectiveness is really wasted if you don't use it correctly. In fact, used incorrectly, you might even end up injuring yourself, so try to take a few lessons in Pilates basics and reformer safety before using this Pilates machine.

Are There Other Kinds of Pilates Exercise Equipment?

The Pilates reformer might have been the first machine developed specifically for Pilates, but there have been a lot of other Pilates machine/machines and Pilates exercise equipment since.

Pilates Mats

Most studios will have their own, but if you plan on doing Pilates at home, a Pilates mat is probably the first thing you should consider purchasing. Most beginner Pilates exercises will involve mat-work, and the mats for Pilates are generally thicker than yoga mats, since there are fewer standing exercises and more rolling exercises.

The Pilates Magic Circle

This particular piece of Pilates exercise equipment is often also referred to as an exercise ring, fitness circle, and magic ring. It's a pretty versatile Pilates machine to use. These pieces of exercise equipment are usually made of flexible metal or rubber, and around thirteen inches in diameter, with pads on either side. They're usually meant for gentle to moderate resistance training, and are lightweight and durable. It's usually a good idea to get a magic circle with pads on both the inside and the outside and to stay away from the ones that are either too "squishy," or too flimsy.