Have You Seen our Anti Aging Skin Care Guide?

March 9th, 2010 No Comments »

There are literally dozens, if not hundreds of products currently on the market claiming they can give you younger looking skin. 

 

Which ones really work?  Here we offer you a brief anti aging skincare guide in order to help you have a better understanding of the benefits and hidden dangers of anti aging skincare treatment.

 

90% of the changes that occur in our skin as we age can be directly attributed to sun exposure. 

 

What we are primarily going to focus on in our anti aging skincare guide is exactly how the sun affects the multiple layers of our skin over time. 

 

We will also cover some of the preventative measures that can be used to protect your skin.

 

 Once we learn what works and what doesn’t, we can then come up with an effective regiment of anti aging skincare treatment.

 

Our skin is made up of multiple layers, which can be broken down into three basic groups, the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutaneous tissue. 

 

Each of these layers is affected in different ways by the sun’s rays and the combined effects are what lead to wrinkled, sagging, damaged skin.

 

The UV-A and UV-B rays in sunlight over time break down collagen fiber in the dermis layer of our skin and also causes changes to the elastin. 

 

The changes to the elastin over time further serves in the breakdown of the collagen fibers.  As we age the damage to the collagen and the subsequent further damage from the elastin breakdown make it difficult for our skin to re-build new healthy cells. 

 

The epidermis suffers an overall thinning affect, leading to sagging and wrinkles.

 

Free radicals formed by exposure to high levels of UV radiation cause further damage to your skin.  In worse cases scenarios, exposure to UV rays can also produce skin cancer. 

 

The best anti aging skincare guide will tell you that limiting your exposure to the sun along with wearing billed or wide brimmed hats will help to minimize the sun’s damage.

 

Should you wear sunscreen as a skin damage deterrent?  The jury is still out on that one. 

 

Many of the popular sunscreens contain synthetic chemicals referred to as “SPFs.”   These chemicals are readily absorbed by the pores of your skin. 

 

Although this easy absorption may make SPF use sound as though it is giving you deeper protection from the sun’s rays, the truth is that long  term use of these products can endanger your health for that very reason.

 

 Sunscreen use is minimally effective and an unsafe anti aging skincare treatment in the long run.

 

What you are looking for when looking at anti aging skin acre treatment products is pretty simple once you understand.  You want to find all natural products with no chemicals or carcinogens with the necessary ingredients to destroy damaging free radicals. 

 

You also want a product that will provide deep, healing penetration without actually blocking the sun’s rays.  We obtain most of our vitamin D from the sun, and blocking it out can lead to vitamin D deficiencies and could lead to osteoporosis.

 

We hope our little anti aging skincare guide has helped you, if only just a little bit.

Anti Aging Herbs For Memory

March 9th, 2010 No Comments »

It has been estimated that by the year 2020 senility and Alzheimer’s disease will affect 14 million Americans. With the birth of the baby boomers, and with advancement of medicine within the last 100 years, we will soon have a large portion of our population in the senior citizens age group. Living to a ripe old age is now quite common so now we need to focus on the quality of life.

What good is living to be over 100 years of age if we have lost our minds at 65? Becoming a nation of caregivers for the elderly would not benefit society or the government. Our brain, like any other organ in our body, needs to get proper nourishment, have toxins removed, exercised, and get the proper amount of rest in order to function properly. Some herbs have shown the ability in helping prevent and in some cases treat or even reverse memory loss.

Chief of the US Dept of Agriculture’s Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University stated, because the brain consumes and processes so much oxygen, it produces a lot of free radicals, and is most susceptible to oxidative damage. Free radicals are created during the normal process of metabolism; cells produce unstable oxygen molecules that damage cells. Almost all of the anti-aging products on the market promote the anti-oxidant quality of their product.

Ginkgo.

Ginkgo is also called the duck foot tree and was found in China during the late 18th century. A French study conducted in the 1980s showed that women taking 600 mg of Ginkgo a day showed short-term memory improvement. It is also believed to improve circulation, and helps with sight and hearing loss. Ginkgo is also a blood thinner and anyone taking blood thinners or aspirin should consult with their doctor prior to starting any treatment that uses Ginkgo.

Lycium or Lycii Berries.

The Chinese Herbalists have used lyceum berries, also known as Chinese Wolfberry, since the 1st century AD for improving the circulation, removing toxins from your liver and kidneys. Lycium berries are also rich in antioxidants, which can neutralize free radical by pairing up or binding with the free radical elections thus inhibiting them from damaging cells in the human body. They are also used to treat dizziness, ringing in the ears, blurred vision. The root of the Lycium plant is used to relieve cough, wheezing, high blood pressure, and reduce fever.

Blueberry and Blackberries.

Blueberries and Blackberries contain a large quantity of antioxidants, which may help reduce the effect age related memory problems. They contain a chemical called anthocyanins which are very powerful antioxidants.

Hawthorn.

Hawthorn has an high concentration of anti-oxidants and can help remove toxins in the brain and can strengthens the blood vessels which helps get oxygen and nutrients transported to the brain.

Shilajit.

Shilajit is a powerful antioxidant that is one of the few chemicals that can cross the blood-brain barrier. It has been used for over 3,000 years and has is also called the Destroyer Of Weakness. Shilajit improves memory and the ability to handle stress. Shilajit is found in the Himalayan mountains and has been used by the local residents for centuries. It is not unusually for the people living in that region to live to be over 100 years of age.

Periwinkle.

Periwinkle helps to improve mental activity by increasing the blood flow to the brain.

Rutin.

Studies have shown that Rutin inhibited the oxidative damage in human red blood cells.

Rosemary.

Rosemary stimulated blood circulation and the nervous system and enhances memory and concentration. The ancient Greeks called it the Herb of Memory and they wore a stalk in their hair to increase memory.

Fish Oil.

Fish oil contains omega 3 and fatty acids, which have been shown to stimulate the brain and increase memory and mental awareness.

If you just feel that you need vitamins, supplements or herbs to fight the aging process then find a good health care professional prior to starting any type of home treatment.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.

How to Identify an effective anti aging skin care treatment

March 2nd, 2010 No Comments »

Anti aging skin care treatment is easy to find, these days. It’s a booming business and every cosmetic company wants in on it. The problem is that most of the lotions, creams and other solutions found in department stores and “seen on TV” are mostly ineffective. Some may even be dangerous.

While it is true that the sun damages your skin, on a cellular level, sunscreen does not belong in a daily anti aging skin care treatment. There is too much controversy surrounding their regular use. They may reduce the risk of certain types of skin-cancer, but increase the risk of others.

When exposed to UV radiation from the sun, free radicals are produced. They damage cellular DNA causing fine lines, wrinkles and cancers. A new idea in anti aging skin care treatment is to include antioxidants that destroy free radicals, preventing further damage and helping to repair damage done.

Exfoliating and microdermabrasion have become popular choices in anti aging skin care treatment. They “work” by removing the skin’s top layer of skin. The idea is that the layer underneath will look better, softer and younger.

The problem is that “thinning” accompanies age, so scrubbing or burning is even more damaging. You’ll end up with red, soreness, irritation and inflammation. A better choice for anti aging skin care treatment is a mild daily cleanser and a weekly or bi-weekly deep cleansing mask. The mask should contain ingredients that are nourishing and moisturizing.

When you look for anti aging skin care treatment, you might think that more expensive equals better. In most cases, the price has little to do with the quality or quantity of active ingredients.

COQ10, an antioxidant, is an expensive ingredient, but most companies that include it use the wrong manufacturing process. So, instead of penetrating deeply and destroying free radicals, it sits on the top layer and does little or nothing.

Plus, evaluations of expensive brand name anti aging skin care treatment systems revealed that even though they list an ingredient like COQ10, the amount is not enough to be effective. In fact, most of them contain few active ingredients. The high prices are due to big advertising budgets.

One of the most common ingredients that you will see in an anti aging skin care treatment is collagen. It is derived from cowhide, very inexpensive and it doesn’t work when applied topically.

By using purified water, fragrances and paraffin wax, the average anti aging skin care treatment makes your skin feel moister and smoother initially, but if used on a daily basis, it will strip natural oils and leave it even drier than before.

There have been many advances in anti aging skin care treatment, but the effective ingredients that have been identified will not be found in department store products.

A new form of functional keratin has been found that increases production of collagen and elastin fibers. An extract from a specific type of kelp has been shown to increase natural levels of skin-proteins, so that cell production is increased. An emulsion containing both COQ 10 and vitamin E has been created using a special process that allows it to penetrate through many of the skin’s layers, destroying free radicals and repairing cell damage. If you find an anti aging skin care treatment system that contains these ingredients, then you will have found an effective product.

Is it Safe to Use Anti-aging Wrinkle Cream?

February 21st, 2010 No Comments »

Anti-aging creams are one of the most popular ways to naturally battle the aging process. These creams assist the body in clearing the skin of oils, free radicals, and other damaging toxins and help to return them to a healthy state. In addition, many creams can help to decrease the amount of wrinkles in the skin, helping to preserve a youthful appearance. Although youth is much more than skin-deep, treating your skin right and taking the proper measures is a major key in battling the effects of aging.

A common concern among those looking for natural ways to fight the effects of aging is whether or not anti-aging hand and face creams are safe to use. The easy answer is yes, however be sure to be careful when examining which cream to buy. Some manufacturers have products on the market that can cause undesirable side effects, and these products are not very safe to use. If a product has side effects, it will be listed on the packaging. Be sure to read the packaging and also the ingredients for the product to ensure that it will be safe for you.

Most anti-aging creams are completely safe to use. Whether or not they will be effective, on the other hand, depends on other factors. Your diet, exercise, and what cream you decide to buy are all factors in the success of the cream. No anti-aging cream is the ultimate solution and they are meant to be used in addition to a healthy diet and exercise for helping to combat the effects of aging. In addition, be sure to read carefully about the product you are looking to purchase, as there are many anti-aging products on the market that are completely useless.

In any case, as long as you are careful in researching the product before you buy it, you can rest assured that the product will be completely safe to use. Anti-aging wrinkle cream can be a great way to help to maintain healthy, young-looking skin, particularly when you combine it with a healthy diet full of vitamins and anti-oxidants.

How Are Antioxidants Linked To Anti-Aging?

January 26th, 2010 No Comments »

Antioxidants have been widely praised in the media. Many know they are linked with anti-aging properties. However this is not new, it all began with one man’s theory a half a century ago about how free radicals were associated with aging, and science has been trying to catch up with it ever since.

As Dr. Nicholas Perricone, M.D., states in his 2001 book, “The Wrinkle Cure”: “When it comes to aging, it’s not Father Time that’s public enemy number 1. It’s the very busy, very nasty little molecule called the free radical.”

The Free Radical Theory of Aging was published by Denman Harman in 1956. He theorized that aging is a result of free radical damage of the cells of the body. This is also called oxidative stress.

Today, a great deal of experimental evidence supports the premise that length of life is determined by the crucial balance of antioxidants with free radicals in the body. Oxidative stress is being shown to be at the root of disease and aging.

One example is that the life of the fruit fly was up to 30% longer when it was genetically altered with an addition of enzymatic antioxidants. Not only that, but the altered fruit flies also showed a reduced amount of age-related oxidative damage.

Studies of humans have also shown evidence of free radical damage playing a large part in human aging. One 1996 study compared markers of free radical damage in the blood and found evidence of the highest oxidative damage associated with the disabled elderly, an intermediate amount with the healthy elderly, and the lowest levels with the healthy adults.

The study also found that higher blood levels of antioxidant Vitamins C and E were associated with less disability, and signs of free radical damage were associated with more disability.

We need to rethink our concept of aging. We accept disease, disability, senility, wrinkles, and all the other many signs of aging as natural. Instead, we should view this as ‘unsuccessful aging’ – ie., aging associated with deterioration, disease and disability.

Successful aging is what happens when the human body is able to fight off oxidative stress, and continue to regenerate and repair itself. Successful aging is getting older healthily, without significant pathological conditions.

What the evidence is telling us is that it is crucial we take antioxidants and free radicals very seriously if we want to ‘age gracefully’ and avoid the many pitfalls of ‘unsuccessful aging’.

Even young people can be victims of unsuccessful aging, if they are not providing their bodies with the necessary balance of having have enough dietary antioxidants to fight off the free radicals.

In our modern culture, many of us are guilty of not getting adequate nutrition. It’s ironic, when we are the richest we have ever been that we should be feeding our bodies so poorly.

An interesting example of how a person can seriously damage their body with the wrong diet was seen in the Documentary ‘Super Size Me’ by Morgan Spurlock who ate only McDonald’s for a month. In just 30 days of having a junk food diet as his sole source of nutrition, his health was spiraling downwards and out of control.

The fact that he gained 25 pounds in a month was the least of his worries. He experienced a toxic liver, a significant increase in cholesterol, headaches, depression, a lower sex drive and poor skin. He returned to normal after his experiment ended.

Unfortunately a great many of us continue to do damage to our bodies, by smoking cigarettes, drinking coffee, eating junk food, and not eating our vegetables. When the media began warning us of free radicals, many of us did not understand the massive damage we were causing our bodies or how to prevent it, especially as most of the signs of damage are invisible until it is too late.

Free radical damage is accumulative and spreads like wildfire over time. Do your body a favor. Feed it a diet rich in antioxidant nutrition. Make it a habit, eat your fruits and vegetables, take your vitamins, and try to stop or cut down on damaging bad habits. You will thank yourself in 20 years.

Use antioxidants wisely to age successfully. Maybe like the fruit fly, you too can live 30% longer.

Is It True That Antioxidants Are Anti Aging Agents?

January 15th, 2010 No Comments »

There is so much information these days about anti aging and antioxidants. But what is all the hype about? What are antioxidants anyway, and what do they have to do with aging?

Antioxidants are substances that prevent or slow down oxidation. Oxidation is the process of unstable oxidized particles, peroxides or free radicals, being produced by the metabolism process, pollutants, food and smoking. This oxidation is a major contributor to the aging process. Antioxidants block these free radicals from ravaging tissues and cells, developing multiple health issues, and causing premature aging.

Antioxidants have different functions throughout the body. It is, therefore, important for optimum results to ensure that you consume a broad spectrum of these age defying agents. Their main function is to ensure that the hemoglobin in the cells binding the oxygen. Any lack, therefore, may cause the eventual rupture of the cell walls, causing the hemoglobin to leak out.

To explain how each of them is unique in their function and importance, here are some of the most powerful antioxidants:

Vitamin C: Its main functions are the maintenance of the adrenal glands and the brain, as well as the production of collagen and cellular energy. Even in small quantities, it protects the body from oxidative damage.

Vitamin E: Its job is to keep the body’s fats from oxidization by free radicals. In other words, it will prevent these fats from turning into bad cholesterol, causing clogged arteries and cardiovascular disease. That, together with its skin healing properties, makes it a potent anti-aging agent.

Flavonoids, or bioflavonoids: These are potent immune boosters, fighting off viruses, carcinogens and allergens. They give plants their colorful hues and are mainly found in certain fruits, herbs and vegetables, such as green tea and citrus fruits.

Carotenoids, including beta-carotene and lycopene among others, produce the orange pigment in carrots and red in tomatoes. The beta-carotene in carrots is effective for maintaining and improving good eyesight, and tomatoes have prostate cancer fighting properties. Lutein is a carotenoid found in spinach, and is also great for the eyes as well as helping to prevent lung cancer.

There are several dozen carotenoids in the foods that you eat, mainly in fruit and vegetables, and most of these have antioxidant characteristics. Lycopene is considered the most potent kind.

CoQ10: is your body’s energy production system, and contributes to vital activities, such as muscle contractions and protein production. It helps you fight fatigue, lose weight, and strengthen your immune system.

Turmeric: is used in treating Alzheimer’s disease, memory problems, arthritis, indigestion and cancer.

The B vitamins: are eight water-soluble vitamins that are important for cell metabolism, and promote cell growth and division. They also maintain muscles and skin, and improve both the immune and nervous systems. Together, they help ward off stress, depression and cardiovascular disease.

Folic acid and folate: These are forms of the water-soluble Vitamin B9 found in leafy vegetables, peas, fortified cereal, sunflower seeds and liver. They are necessary for the production and maintenance of new cells, especially during childhood and pregnancy. Folate is required for DNA production, preventing anemia and cancer.

Alpha-lipoic acid: Its main function is to convert carbohydrates into energy. It helps fight diabetes, brain diseases, including Parkinson’s and epilespy.

This list is far from complete, but it will give you an idea of how many antioxidants there are, why they are so important, and why you need to have so many different ones to prevent the onslaught of aging.

There is substantial scientific evidence that vitamins and antioxidants derived from natural sources are more readily absorbed and assimilated by the human body. In other words, compounds that have been chemically synthesized in the laboratory may act very differently inside the human body than those extracted from natural sources.

Colorful fruits, including pomegranate and blueberries, vegetables like carrots or tomatoes, and whole grains are good sources of natural antioxidants. Other common dietary sources of antioxidants include sweet potatoes, spinach, cantaloupe, and mangoes. Red wine, chocolate, green tea, olive oil, bee pollen and many grains are alternative sources as well.

The research is done; the verdict is out! You can now age gracefully and fitfully with a daily potent broad spectrum anti-aging antioxidant cocktail!

Anti Aging Products – Part 1

December 9th, 2009 No Comments »

Aging is a natural process, and it is also true that no one can completely prevent nature. Anti- aging skin products have completely revolutionized the concept of skin care. Anti Aging is the process of delaying the effects of aging, particularly of skin like wrinkles, lines, crowfeet and sags. Many of the anti aging products include ingredients that are risky and have been linked to cancers. Anti- aging skin products prevent general ageing of the skin by providing reinforced protection against daily aggression. These anti-aging products fight both visible and invisible signs of ageing. The best anti aging product is most likely to contain ingredients that fight aging: Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHA), antioxidants, collagen and Vitamins C, D, E and K. Botox is one of the effective anti aging treatments available. Many of these vitamins are antioxidants which fight against free radicals in the body.

Beta-Hydroxy Salicylic Acid (BHA) or its alternative alpha-hydroxy acids rids the skin of dead skin cells through exfoliation. Antiaging Exercise is a natural procedure that often works better than any chemical-based product. Facial tone exercises, including wiggling the ears, moving the mouth in rotation can help minimize or to get rid of wrinkles. Anti-aging skin products are available for both men and women. Anti-aging products for dry skin are available in a variety of forms. Several of the anti aging products we have in the market these days already have added vitamins. Anti-aging products for men are specifically formulated to enhance the texture of a man’s thicker and tougher skin as compared to a woman’s skin that is far more soft and delicate.

Other popular anti aging supplements such as estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, DHEA, thyroid and melatonin are also essential in an anti aging product. These are more commonly as hormone supplements that delay aging. Botanicals such as grape seed extract, soy compounds, green tea and Gingko biloba are relatively new in the market and have gained great popularity in recent years, but their healing qualities have yet to be proven through randomized, placebo-controlled human trials. Vitamin B, though what evidence does exist is promising. Moisturizers have not been extensively researched, but have been shown to improve the hydration and appearance of skin. Vitamin A, or retinols have shown great promise.

Selecting the Best Anti Aging Product

November 25th, 2009 No Comments »

Because of so many anti aging products available in the market today, it is almost impossible to tell which ones are effective and which ones are not. The best way to find out if an anti aging product is worth-buying is by getting acquainted with anti aging product ingredients that are used in anti aging products.

The best anti aging product is most likely to contain ingredients that fight aging: Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHA), antioxidants, collagen and Vitamins C, D, E and K.

Alpha-Hydroxy Acids or its substitute Beta-Hydroxy Salicylic Acid (BHA) clears your skin of any dead skin cells by exfoliating the skin’s surface. The lesser dead skin cells are accumulated on the pores, the fresher, cleaner and the more youthful your skin appears. Albeit alpha-hydroxy acids and beta-hydroxy salicylic acids are widely used in anti aging products, some individuals experience irritation due to the ingredient’s exfoliating ability on the skin.

Antioxidant is another anti aging ingredient. The good thing about antioxidants is that they work below the surface. The antioxidant Coenzyme Q10 promotes cell turnover by restoring and preventing damaged skin from the inside. This antioxidant also promotes natural removal of the skin of its dead skin cells that cause skin discoloration.

Collagen is another anti aging property that moisturizes the skin and protects it from further damage from too much sunshine or too much dryness. Collagen is also responsible for plumping the skin.

Several of the anti aging products we have in the market these days already have added vitamins. These are Vitamins C, D, E and K which are important in preventing deficiencies, as well as in healing wounds, smoothing out scars and strengthening the immune system. Many of these vitamins are antioxidants which fight against free radicals in the body. These free radicals cause the skin to age.

Some ingredients work while there are also some that still has to be proven to work. Vitamin C is one example of this ingredient. It is yet still to be scientifically proven if Vitamin C can truly prevent anti aging or that it has any relation to skin care. This is probably the reason why some Vitamin C creams do not have lasting effects when used as an anti aging product.

So far, the best ingredient for anti aging is the antioxidant. Studies have shown that anti aging products that do not contain antioxidants do not work as effectively as those that contain it. This is because its primary function is to fight free radical which are naturally produced by our body. Since free radical’s unstable oxygen can damage healthy skin, antioxidants keep free radicals at bay, thus, delaying the aging process.

Popular anti aging supplements which have been found to be in one of the best anti aging products are estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, DHEA, thyroid and melatonin. These are more commonly used in hormone supplements designed to retard the progression of aging. These hormones have been known to help libido, improve sleeping patterns, prevent cancer and strengthen the immune system.

Other effective anti aging ingredients include Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), oxytocin, erythropoietin (EPO) and insulin and they are known to be effective to some extent. Human chorionic gonadotropin promotes fertility in humans while oxytocin aids and protects the reproductive system. Erythropoietin treats anemia while insulin is used to treat diabetes mellitus type 1.

Anti aging supplements can have varying effects on different individuals. It is therefore important to consult a doctor before using products containing any of these.

Anti aging Dietary Tips For Eternal Youth

November 22nd, 2009 No Comments »

Fitness, beauty and anti aging are the fastest selling terms these daysand the biggest irony of the modern era. Todays lifestyle is leading us towards the unhealthiest of habits, while craving for that youthful appearance that always seems elusive. The good news is that now there is a way to fight the harmful oxidants and free radicals that attack our bodies each day. Natural anti aging juice and food supplements can leave you looking and feeling better each day.
What is anti-aging?
Everything that is born must die someday. Yes, the fact is that our bodies grow and regenerate for a period of time before our cells and tissues begin to degenerate. Aging is the process of moving towards a phase of degeneration, when our cells and tissues begin their slow process of decay. But before you panic reading all this, you need to know that there are ways to hold the aging process at bay for prolonged periods of time. Anti-aging products are supplements that nourish and bolster our cells and tissues so that they continue to regenerate for a longer period of time than they normally would. The best anti-aging methods are regular exercise, a well balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Apart from this, the markets today are flooded with natural and pharmacological aids to anti-aging. Read on to know the best way to help your body repair itself and continue to look young for longer.
The Anti Aging Diet
An anti aging diet comprises of certain foods that are rich in specific nutrients. Some of these foods include:
Anti-oxidants Green leafy vegetables, fruit juices and especially the Acai Berry juice are effective anti-oxidants.
Sprouted beans, whole grains and other raw nuts like walnuts and almonds
Fresh green vegetables consumed raw or boiled are not only effective anti-oxidants, they provide a high fiber diet that helps cleanse the body of toxins
Anti-aging juices top the popularity charts when it comes to retarding the aging process. Berry juice, like that from the Acai berry, is a nutritional supplement well known for its anti aging properties.
Olive oil is also known to have effective anti aging properties.
Barley greens, aloe vera, primrose oil, broccoli, lettuce, mushrooms, tomato, etc can be added to your weekly anti-aging intake to best results
To maximize the benefits of your anti-aging diet, you need to steer clear of certain foods, such as:
Avoid drinks like tea, coffee, sodas and alcohol.
Dairy products increase cholesterol in the body, which promotes the aging process. So minimize you intake of dairy products
Sugar intake should be minimized as much as possible.
Keep away from complex carbohydrates rich food material, having food rich in Omega3 fatty acids will work for anti aging process.
A protein rich diet should be avoided.
While egg whites are safe, avoid the use of egg yolks in your diet.
The best way to plan your daily diet is to have a heavy breakfast, followed by a light lunch and an even lighter dinner. If you can follow these simple dietary suggestions, you will never need to resort of drug supplements, which usually have harmful side effects, to help your body look and feel young.