Anti Aging and Longevity

Prescription glasses for less!

2008-11-03T08:46:00.000-08:00

Are you looking for Great Eyeglasses For Less? No need to look further! ZenniOptical is here. Have you seen them on Zenni Optical was on FOX news!? Yes, they been on FOX news because of the good news, that ZenniOptical sells only their own manufactured frames direct to the customer, with no middlemen and virtually no advertising budget, that's why they have low prices.

Oh before I forget, they have a wide selection of glasses and as well as Variable Dimension Frames From Zenni.

Start up with EZUnsecured

2008-10-28T14:14:00.000-07:00

EZUnsecured has helped many business owners secure a Small Business Loans Whether it is a start up loan for a new company, a business loan for a company on the grow, or a personal loan for the busy professional.

Yeah well in fact one of my best friends who is a business owner got her Small Business Loan from EZUnsecured's Small Business Financing and as a matter of fact, I am thinking of getting mine as well at EZUnsecured! Cause with EZUnsecured.com there is NO Time + NO Collateral = NO PROBLEM!

This is a fact: EZUnsecured specialize in helping entrepreneurs or small business owners like myself to obtain the capital that we need for our business to grow. If you happen to look for a star up financing for your business EZUnsecured.com it is!!!

ZenniOptical for LESS!

2008-08-07T13:13:00.000-07:00

I know y'all have heard about Zenni Optical $ 8 Rx Eyeglasses. Did you guys saw Zenni Optical was on FOX news! Cause they have Incredible Stylish New Frames From Zenni this is most specially suited for people who need glasses but do not wear glasses all the time. Why would you spend hundreds of dollars at a local one hour eyeglass store at the mall when you can get the same exact pair at a cost less than your lunch money these days? And if you wear them all the time, it’s good for you too because the selection of frames are unbelievable and ohhh the prices is so unbelievable as well.

6 Anti-Aging Tips to Look Younger Tomorrow

2008-08-04T13:51:00.000-07:00

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and consistent skincare routine can help ward off the signs of aging, but sometimes a quick-fix solution is all you need to get through the day – especially if you’re feeling under the weather or your skin is looking more tired than usual.

While there’s no magic bullet for turning back the clock, there are a few ways to freshen up your skin and achieve a more youthful appearance. Here are just six anti-aging tips to help you look younger within 24 hours:

1: Plump Up Wrinkles with Retinoid Cream

Fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes and mouth can become more pronounced when you’re dehydrated, tired, or stressed. Dr. Susan Weinkle, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of South Florida explains how retinoids can have an impact on the skin. “It’s actually been shown quite beautifully by electron microscopy that the retinoids change the composition of the epidermis”, says Dr. Weinkle, and also recommends “if you can only choose two things, put on a sunscreen on in the morning and a retinoid at night.”. Retinoid-based creams can be found at the beauty counter and drugstore, and may be an ideal overnight treatment – especially after a stressful day. (Source: ExpertVillage.com)

2: Try Natural Makeup

Wearing too much makeup to cover up skin flaws can enhance wrinkles, especially if skin is loose or dehydrated. Wearing sheer or mineral makeup can help you achieve a more youthful look and radiant skin, so skip the heavy concealer and foundation in favor of a lighter makeup application when possible.

3: Drink Up!

Water, that is; dehydrated skin can make wrinkles and fine lines become much more pronounced and can leave you with a ruddy complexion. Drinking at least 8-12 glasses of water per day, and making sure you don’t go to bed thirsty can help keep your skin looking healthy the following day. Refrain from dehydrating drinks such as coffee or alcohol that can have a negative impact on your skin.

4: Hit the Pillow Early

Getting some beauty sleep isn’t a myth; a good night’s rest allows your body to restore itself and recover from the day’s stressors. When the body reaches a state of deep sleep, it releases the hormone melatonin, the essential hormone needed for cell restoration and recovery; this means damaged skin cells can be repaired or shuttled away if needed, and you wake up with healthier, vibrant-looking skin.

5: Eat a Light Meal for Dinner

Eating a heavy, unhealthy meal right before heading to bed can reduce the chances of a good night’s rest. When you don’t get enough quality sleep, you will feel and look tired the following day. Eating a light, well-balanced meal for dinner - one that includes healthy carbohydrate, lean protein and fresh vegetables – can help you relax naturally before bed and enjoy a good night’s sleep. By avoiding overtaxing the digestive system, your body can get to work on other priorities – muscle tissue and cellular repair.

6: Get a Detox Facial

A basic detoxifying facial at the day spa or medispa can help stimulate circulation in the face and neck area, smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, and give you a radiant glow the following day. Detoxifying facials can provide a deep cleanse and exfoliation of the skin, and you’ll see results immediately after the treatment, and the following day. Schedule a facial appointment anytime you need to de-stress and freshen up your appearance.

If you need a quick fix to improve tired-looking skin or liven up your complexion, any of these antiaging strategies can help you enjoy some benefits overnight. From retinoid creams to detox facials, you have options for looking your best – and shaving off a few years in the process.

Learn more about wrinkle treatments in our information guide, or consult with a medispa professional to learn more about simple antiaging strategies that can help you achieve healthier, younger looking skin with ease.

Source: http://www.locateadoc.com/articles.cfm/search/1651

What Type of Skin Do You Have?

2007-11-21T14:02:00.000-08:00

Find out the difference between oily, normal, dry skin
There are five basic skin care types: Oily, combination, sensitive, dry and sun-damaged. Your skin type is determined by how much -- or how little -- oil your skin produces. Genes, diet, stress level, medication and even your skincare regimen all determine how much oil your skin produces.

Rona Berg, in her book, "Beauty the New Basics," details the five different skin types. Here's how to tell what skin type you have.

Berg suggests you take the "skin test." Wash your face, pat it dry, then take a few pieces of rice paper or lens-cleaning tissue paper and press on different spots on your face. If your skin is oily, the paper will stick, pick up oily spots and become translucent. If the paper doesn't stick or pick up any oily spots, your skin is dry. If it sticks in your t-zone (forehead, nose and chin) then you have combination (or normal) skin.

Here are the five different skin types and their characteristics.

* Type 1: Oily Oily skin tends to shiny with enlarged pores, and is prone to blackheads and blemishes. You might experience some tightness.

* Type 2: Combination/normal This skin type has medium pores, a smooth and even texture, good circulation, healthy color, may tend toward dryness on the cheeks while being oily in the t-zone.

* Type 3: Sensitive Sensitive skin tends to be thin, delicate with fine pores. It flushes easily, is prone to broken capillaries, is frequently allergic and can be rashy.

* Type 4: Dry Dry skin feels tight, especially after cleansing. You have a tendency towards fine wrinkles, flaking and red patches. In women of color, skin may appear ashy or dull from dead skin buildup.

* Type 5: Aging or sun-damaged This skin also feels tight with visible wrinkles, slack skin tone -- especially around the cheeks and jawline -- with leathery texture and broken capillaries.

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4 Basic Skin Care Needs

2007-11-21T13:55:00.000-08:00

by Julyne Derrick

The right (& wrong) ways to cleanse, moisturize & exfoliate your skin

You probably learned in school that your skin is your body's largest organ. What you probably weren't taught is how to properly care for your skin. The truth is no matter your age or skin type, the minute you start taking care of your skin -- keeping it clean, nourished & pampered -- it will respond in gratitude & you will reap the benefits. Here I show you tips on how to properly care for your skin, from the right way to wash your face, to the best moisturizers & UV protection.

Before we start with the proper daily 4-step skincare routine, you'll need to know your skin type. How you care for your skin is utterly dependent on the type of skin you have: oily, normal/combination, dry, sensitive or sun- damaged. Check out this article to determine what skin type you are.

The Basic 4-Step Skincare Regimen

* Step 1: Cleansing Simple is key here.

You need to find a good cleanser that your skin responds well to, and stick with it. (I list the best cleansers for skin types in this article ). Avoid soap at all costs. According to Rona Berg, in her book, 'Beauty,'a French cosmetics executive once told her 'soap should only ever touch your skin from the neck down.' Most cleansers contain oil, water & surfactants. The oil dissolves oil on your face, surfactants dissolve dirt & makeup & the water washes it all away. The secret is finding the right mix of oil. Too much on your skin will clog pores, while too little will dry it out. This is why you need to know your skin type.

Most women need only clean their faces at night. In the morning, a splash of lukewarm water is all you need. However, if you apply moisturizer at night, you will need to cleanse in the morning, too. Never wash your face with hot or cold water (both hot & cold water causes broken capillaries) & never go to bed with makeup on, you run the risk of clogging your pores. Also be careful about over-cleansing your skin.

Here's the best way to wash your face: Use warm water to loosen dirt & clogged pores. Use a dime-sized bit of cleanser & gently apply it in a circular motion, then rinse with cool water. Cool water tends to tighten the pores. You'll also want to take off your makeup with a proper makeup remover.

* Step 2: Exfoliate 'The most important thing you can do for bright, glowing skin is gentle daily exfoliation,' Katie Rodan, clinical assistant professor at Stanford University, said in Allure's April 2005 issue. 'Not weekly, daily. Do it in the shower every morning, a routine like brushing your teeth.'

Every 3 weeks, skin cells are replenished, meaning new skin cells make their way up from the lowest level of the epidermis. The secret to exfoliating is to make way for new skin cells by getting rid of dead skin cells. Removing dead skin cells helps give your skin a youthful, fresh appearance not only because new skin cells are fresh & plump, but because getting rid of the dead skin allows your skin to absorb moisturizer more readily. Exfoliation is the step most people skip in their daily skincare routine. But trust me, if you start properly exfoliating your skin, you will notice an almost immediate difference.

So how much should you exfoliate? If you have oily or combination skin, you'll need to exfoliate 4 or 5 times a week, after you cleanse. If you have dry skin or sensitive skin, it's recommended that you exfoliate once or twice a week. You'll actually need to exfoliate more in summer & any hot months because sweat acts like glue & will cause your dead skin cells to stick together and coat your skin. Many women with mature or sun-damaged skin (a sure sign: wrinkles) have turned to different types of hydroxies which act as deep exfoliants. According to Berg, one of the reasons men's skin looks more youthful than women's is because men tend to exfoliate daily when they shave.

Should you use a toner? Some people swear by toners, but many beauty experts do not. Toners are meant to remove all remaining traces of oil, makeup & dirt, but a good cleanser should do this. So go ahead, skip it & save money. Turns out only copy machines really need toner.

* Step 3: Moisturize A basic law of beauty is that everyone, no matter her skin type, should moisturize. Even if your skin is oily, it will benefit from moisturizers. (The only exception is those with acne). Why? Moisturizers attract moisture & draw it into the skin. They also seal in moisture (Berg calls this the 'Saran Wrap effect') & plump skin cells. So how much should you moisturize? Your skin will tell you. When your skin is tight, it's crying out for moisture. Be careful not to overmoisturize -- this can cause pore-clogging. For the skinny on great moisturizers for your skin type, check out this article.

Are eye creams necessary? Well maybe. Some beauty experts strongly recommend eye creams. Why? The skin around the eye contains no fatty tissue and is therefore very thin & susceptible to wrinkles. Special eye creams are formulated to 'thicken' this area & keep it sturdy. Yet others claim your daily lotion works around the eyes just as well.

Step 4: Apply sunscreen The #1 cause of wrinkles is sun damage, so it's important to use sunscreen from your early years on even in winter & on cloudy days. A great trick is to purchase 2 moisturizers: one for nighttime & one for daytime that includes UV protection. Don't use moisturizers with sunscreen at night, the ingredients are not meant to be used 27/7 & can aggravate the skin. When choosing a sunscreen, make sure it contains 1 of 3 ingredients as an 'active ingredient': titanium dioxide, zinc oxide or Parsol 1789 (avobenzene).

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Facial Skin Care Treatment

2007-11-21T13:52:00.000-08:00

To rejuvenate aging skin, start with the basics...
A good facial skin care regime!

Effective facial skin care treatment for aging skin can be quite a challenge. As we begin to see our skin age, we notice that a variety of changes are gradually occurring.

Over time, the changes in our skin's appearance become more and more apparent, even as we seek out a miracle solution that will reverse all those horrid signs of aging.
The signs of facial aging can gradually sneak up on us, rapidly becoming more numerous and alarmingly varied with each passing day.

They can start with that furrow between the eyes that gradually continues to deepen, or the development of the fine lines, or "crow's feet", that begin to radiate out from the corners of our eyes.

The next sign of aging that randomly begins to appear are those brown age spots that seem to blossom in patches. Not to mention the fine lines that resemble an accordion that begin to circle our mouths with those ever expanding "laugh lines" that gradually deepen into significant wrinkles.

The generalized "ruddy" red, splotchy complexion can be another facial aging attribute that can send us all embarking (or stampeding) on an eternal search for the definitive answer to the age-old questions, "What are the most effective treatments for aging facial skin care, and what are the best skin rejuvenation strategies?" Well . . .

The Skin Care e-Learning and Resource Center has come to your rescue!

As it ages, skin gradually undergoes changes that become quite apparent and readily visible in our complexion. As our metabolism slows down and circulation becomes more sluggish the skin gets short changed on the nutrients it needs to stay young and vibrant looking.

Skin begins to sag, becomes much drier and begins to lose its elasticity. As you may have already noticed, aging also significantly slows down the skin's ability to heal itself. Even small blemishes seem to take longer and longer to go away.

Then there are highly charged oxygen molecules called "free radicals", which make a significant contribution to the deterioration of the skin's condition. The presence of free radicals, which typically occur as the result of too much sun, environmental pollutants, a poor diet, smoking and stress accelerates the skin's aging process.

Fortunately, free radicals can be neutralized by antioxidants which are found in many of the components of skin rejuvenation products. But in order to keep free radicals and their adverse effects contained, good facial skin care means that using sunscreen on a daily basis is essential; antioxidants just can't do it alone.

And, in case that's not enough, aging skin is also affected by changes with the gradual decrease in the production of elastin and collagen which adversely affect the skin's plumpness and suppleness. The skin's firmness deteriorates which contributes to the sagging that begins to occur, allowing those dreaded wrinkles to start to appear, seemingly with wild abandon.

Bear in mind that stress, smoking, sun, insufficient sleep, excessive alcohol, lack of exercise, and poor diet all have a profoundly negative impact on the health of your skin. Some of the major characteristics that all these activities have in common is wrinkle acceleration, along with providing an encouraging environment for the birth of brown spots and for the drying and sagging of skin to occur!

Add all these skin damaging factors together and a good corrective action plan is in order, a simple yet effect rejuvenating facial skin care treatment regime.

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Pinay Scandal Revealed!

2007-11-15T14:04:00.001-08:00

Today I am revealing some "Pinay Scandal" - no it's not about me and my adventures/mis-adventures, ohh gosh I got too much scandals already here in my blog.

What Am talking about is "Pinay Scandal" by Marhgil Macuha. Originally it is an SEO contest. I didn’t think it would catch fire until macuha.com according to Pinoy Ambisyoso, many posted comments on his Pinay Scandal post, and are interested to join this campaign. Get started now - this was simply similar to the Viral Tags that went around and got me right at the bottom - before I knew it, my ratings on Technorati and Alexa has jumped 10-fold! This campaign will generate tons of traffic from Pinoys searching for a piece of something.. and guess what? We just changed the Google Trend for this keyword. They’ll find your blog instead!! Haha!

I will make serial updates to this post adding those that will join the campaign. Let’s continue the experiment and see where it takes us… Goodluck bloggers! Let us change the

The Pinay Scandal Hitlist posted below.

1. Wanna know the latest trend about Pinay Scandal? by Dexter of Tech At Hand
2. Pinay Scandal… The Issue by Darang Sisa
3. Pinay Scandal by Almer Viloria
4. Google Suggested Pinay Scandal by Ada
5. Pinay Scandal by Ada
6. Pinay Scandal by Catzie
7. Pinay Scandal by Jehzeel Laurente
8. Pinay Scandals: Earning Big Bucks? by Nika
9. Pinay Scandal by Heart
10. Looking For Pinay Scandals?! by Eli
11. Pinay Scandal by Eligio
12. Pinay Scandal by Stentorized
13. Pinay Scandal by Caryl
14. Pinay Scandal o Iskandalosang Pinay by Kengkay
15. Pinay Scandal by Hazel
16. Pinay Scandal by Baby Face
17. Pinay Scandal Story by Pinoy Ambisyoso
18. Pinay Scandal by Kenneth
19. Pinay Scandal by JoanJoyce
20. Pinay Scandal, Anyone? by MyGlitch
21. Pinay Scandal Here by Jojitah
22. “Pinay Scandal” Idea by Neil
23. Pinay Scandal… In The Mind Of Pinays by Marikenya
24. The Pinay Scandal - Most Outrageous and Raw Scandal by Chuva
25. Pinoy Scandal Survivor No. 1 Proud Filipina: Julie Borje by Marikenya
26. Pinay Scandal by Chuvaness
27. The Best of Pinay Scandals by Rhodilee
28. Pinay Scandal by Che
29. Pinay Scandal by JeanGrey
30. Pinay Scandal Revealed! by Glitchline
31. Pinay Scandal on the Web by Philippine Elections 2007
32. Pinay Scandal, Let’s Play The Trend by Selaplana
33. The Hottest Pinay Scandals by iRonnie
34. Blog About Filipina, Pinay Scandal And Vedio by Allen
35. Pinay Scandal Video by Ronald Mojica
36. Pinay Scandal by Paulyn
37. Pinay Scandal Videos by Mi

38. Pinay Scandals by Rhyannefranz
39. Pinay Scandal Revealed! by Mesothelioma Info
40. Pinay Scandal or Pinay Sex Scandal SEO Project by Lestat
41. Pinay Scandal Here by Ronald
42. Sendal Videos Sell by Blogging Pinay
43. Pinay Scandal / Pnx And Pinay Scaay Scandal: 18 Above Only by Ceefive
44. Pinay Scandal Me by Marlene
45. Pinay Scandal in Baguio City by Reyna Elena
46. Pinay Scandal, Performing In Bubbles by Kotsengkuba

Anti-Aging Therapies

2007-11-15T13:52:00.000-08:00

DISCLAIMER: THE INFORMATION IN "ANTI-AGING NUTRIENTS" IS NOT INTENDED TO REPLACE THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN. ANYONE SEEKING TO TAKE ANY OF THE NUTRIENTS DISCUSSED IN THIS SECTION, OR ANYWHERE ON THE LIFE EXTENSION FOUNDATION'S WEB SITE, SHOULD ONLY DO SO UNDER THE CARE OF A PHYSICIAN OR OTHER HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL.

ANTI-AGING NUTRIENTS is your guide to nutrients which have been proposed to have a positive effect on slowing down human aging. Short reviews of these nutrients are included in this section.

Of the various approaches to slow down the aging process, calorie restriction is considered the gold standard. As the Life Extension Foundation enters its twenty-fifth year, the scientific community, the government, and even the news media are slowly recognizing that our concept of extending life is in fact technically feasible. This change in perception represents an enormous transformation in how humans view their role in the universe. Although none of the therapies in this section have been proven to retard aging, there is suggestive scientific evidence that they significantly suppress damaging free radical and inflammatory reactions that are linked to underlying aging processes.

Anti-Aging Therapies
Table of Contents

* Aspirin
* DHEA
* Melatonin
* Acetyl-L-Carnitine Arginate
* Coenzyme Q10
* Lipoic Acid
* Carnosine
* Green Tea Extract
* Fish Oil

* Folic Acid, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12
* Nexrutine and 5-Loxin
* L-Alpha Glycerylphosphorylcholine
* Pregnenolone
* Testosterone
* Estrogen And Progesterone
* Calorie Restriction

Couple

Aspirin

The most common cause of disability and death in the United States is an abnormal clot that develops inside an artery to cause a heart attack (blocked blood vessel in the heart), or a stroke (blocked blood vessel in the brain). Aspirin has an immediate and lasting effect on blood platelets, making them less likely to clump together and making blood flow smoothly.

DHEA

Muscle DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is an adrenal hormone that is the precursor for steroid hormones such as testosterone and estrogen. DHEA declines precipitously with advancing age in both men and women. In 1981, the Life Extension Foundation introduced DHEA(dehydroepiandrosterone) to its members through an article that described the multiple benefits that this hormone might produce. However, the general public did not learn about DHEA until 1996, when the benefits of DHEA were touted by the news media and in several popular books. DHEA became credible to the medical establishment when the New York Academy of Sciences published a book entitled DHEA and Aging. This book provided scientific validation for the many life extending effects of DHEA.

Melatonin

SleepMelatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland, which is located beneath the brain. Melatonin is a highly potent antioxidant, which has been described as the pacemaker of the aging clock in humans. It is released every night as part of our time-dependent biorhythms to help induce sleep and recuperation from fatigue. Published studies indicate the importance of maintaining youthful levels of melatonin to help protect against age-related degenerative diseases.

Acetyl-L-Carnitine Arginate

The amino acid acetyl-L-carnitine boosts mitochondrial energy production through its ability to facilitate fatty acid transport and oxidation in the cell. Since 1995, Life Extension members have been supplementing with acetyl-L-carnitine and deriving the many benefits this form of carnitine has shown in published studies. With the discovery of acetyl-L-carnitine arginate the benefits of acetyl-L-carnitine can now be greatly augmented. Acetyl-L-Carnitine Arginate is a patented form of carnitine that stimulates the growth of neurites in the brain. Studies show that acetyl-l-carnitine-arginate stimulates the growth of new neurites by an astounding 19.5% (as much as Nerve Growth Factor itself). Acetyl-l-carnitine-arginate acts together with acetyl-l-carnitine to increase neurite outgrowth

CoupleCoenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an essential component of healthy mitochondrial function. It is incorporated into cells’ mitochondria throughout the body where it facilitates and regulates the oxidation of fats and sugars into energy. Aging humans have been found to have over 50% less CoQ10 on average compared to that of young adults. This finding makes CoQ10 one of the most important nutrients for people over 30 to supplement with. About 95% of cellular energy is produced in the mitochondria. The mitochondria are the cells “energy powerhouses” and many maladies have been referred to as “mitochondrial disorders.” A growing body of scientific research links a deficiency of CoQ10 to age-related mitochondrial disorders.

Lipoic Acid

Lipoic Acid is a highly potent antioxidant that counteracts reactive free radicals in the mitochondria, the power plants of cells where energy for all cellular activities is generated. Some scientists believe that mitochondrial free radicals play an important role in human aging, and have theorized that extra amounts of free-radical inhibiting compounds such as lipoic acid may be able to help slow aging. Lipoic acid is also effective in recycling other antioxidants such as Vitamin E back into their original form after they detoxify free radicals. There also is evidence that lipoic acid can reduce glycation damage due to excess glucose in the blood, which may be involved in aging. Lipoic acid consists of two different forms (isomers) that have vastly different properties. The “R” form is the biologically active component (native to the body) that is responsible for lipoic acid’s phenomenal antioxidant effect. The “S” form is produced from chemical manufacture and is not very biologically active.

Carnosine

Carnosine is a multifunctional dipeptide made up of a chemical combination of the amino acids beta-alanine and L-histidine. It is found both in food and in the human body. Long-lived cells such as nerve cells (neurons) and muscle cells (myocytes) contain high levels of carnosine. Muscle levels of carnosine correlate with the maximum life spans of animals. Carnosine levels decline with age. Muscle levels decline 63% from age 10 to age 70, which may account for the normal age-related decline in muscle mass and function. Since carnosine acts as a pH buffer, it can keep on protecting muscle cell membranes from oxidation under the acidic conditions of muscular exertion. Carnosine enables the heart muscle to contract more efficiently through enhancement of calcium response in heart myocytes. Aging causes irreversible damage to the body’s proteins. The underlying mechanism behind this damage is glycation. A simple definition of glycation is the cross-linking of proteins and sugars to form non-functioning structures in the body. The process of glycation can be superficially seen as unsightly wrinkled skin. Glycation is also an underlying cause of age-related catastrophes including the neurologic, vascular, and eye disorders. Carnosine is a unique dipeptide that interferes with the glycation process.

Green Tea Extract

What makes green tea extract such an important nutrient are the large volumes of published scientific findings that validate its multiple biological benefits. The most significant findings involve studies showing that green tea extract helps maintain cellular DNA and membrane structural integrity. Decades of research shows that green tea inhibits the development of undesirable cell colonies. The active constituents in green tea are powerful antioxidants called polyphenols (catechins) and flavonols. Several catechins are present in green tea and account for the bulk of favorable research reports. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the most powerful of these catechins. EGCG functions as an antioxidant that is about 25-100 times more potent than vitamins C and E. One cup of green tea may provide 10-40 mg of polyphenols and has antioxidant effects that are greater than a serving of broccoli, spinach, carrots, or strawberries. Theoretically, the high antioxidant activity of green tea makes it beneficial for protecting the body from oxidative damage due to free radicals.

Fish Oil
Studies on omega-3 fatty acids are so impressive that an agency of the National Institutes of Health published a report stating that fish oil can help reduce deaths from heart disease. The FDA itself states supportive but not conclusive research shows that consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids may actually reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. There are several mechanisms attributed to fish oil’s beneficial effects. The latest government report cites the triglyceride-lowering effects of fish oil on reducing heart and blood vessel disorders. Another beneficial mechanism of fish oil is to protect healthy blood flow in arteries.

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Anti Aging Vitamins

2007-11-15T13:50:00.000-08:00

We probably all know by now that diet plays a pivotal role in health and healthy aging, so it should come as no surprise that science is discovering anti aging vitamins - vitamins that can lessen or slow down the detrimental effects of aging. We usually think of vitamin supplements as something to be taken like a pill, but many vitamins, minerals and other nutrients are beneficial when applied topically to the skin as well.

Anti aging treatment today often includes vitamin and mineral supplements, and skin care products that contain vitamins and minerals, because of the evidence that these things help slow aging. Many of the so-called anti aging vitamins are antioxidants. Antioxidants remove free radicals, byproducts of metabolism that damage cells and contribute to aging and disease. Free radicals are always being produced in our bodies, so a continuous supply of antioxidants is needed to prevent cell damage. Some foods are being identified as potent antioxidants: blueberries and chocolate are two examples. Vitamins and minerals included in the antioxidant group include vitamins A, B-6, B-12, C, E, and selenium.

People have known about essential nutrients for centuries: even the famous captain Cook knew there was something in fresh fruit and vegetables (Vitamin C) that sailors had to have. Given the clear scientific proof, there's no reason to distrust the idea of anti aging vitamins - a body that is getting all its essential nutrients is obviously going to last longer than one that is deprived of them. An anti aging treatment that includes vitamins just makes sense.

The idea of adding vitamins to topical preparations is, perhaps, more controversial and less well supported by science. There is some evidence that topical anti aging vitamins do have some beneficial effect, though it is probably very slight in most cases. These products generally contain a very low concentration of the vitamin, and probably aren't any more beneficial as an anti aging treatment than simply protecting your skin from the sun. Application of lotions containing anti aging vitamins does frequently have an obviously beneficial effect when there are skin problems such as eczema, dry skin, or even sunburn.

It's important to note that Vitamin A actually makes the skin more sensitive to sunlight, so this vitamin should only be used in combination with sunscreen in an anti aging treatment. Vitamins C and E, on the other hand, have some ability to block harmful sunlight and can be considered topical anti aging vitamins on this basis alone (but don't use them instead of sunscreen: their sunblocking properties are no substitute for a good sunscreen or sunblock.)

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What are the anti aging foods?

2007-11-15T13:49:00.000-08:00

Let's learn about anti aging foods...Have you heard that the key to staying young is eating right? Perhaps you've also heard that there are certain foods that have special properties, unique components that make them literally antiaging food. There is a lot of misinformation out there about aging and how to prevent it, but the advice we are receiving about eating well is something we would all do well to pay attention to.

Antiaging food seems too good to be true: could it really be that easy? As scientific research reveals more and more about how the human body works, what foods promote a healthy body, and what foods cause physical stress, it is becoming evident that many of the life threatening diseases experienced by aging people are the result of an unhealthy lifestyle and a poor diet. Viewed from this perspective, any foods that form part of a healthy diet might be considered anti aging foods, but it's also true that some foods in particular seem to have unusual properties.

The largest group of these anti aging foods are the ones that contain antioxidants. Antioxidants are molecules that clear away free radicals, damaging particles that damage body cells and accelerate aging. Free radicals are always being produced in our bodies, so antioxidants are constantly needed to remove the free radicals before they have a change to do damage. Many foods, particularly fruits, vegetables, and whole grains contain antioxidants, while a few are astonishingly high in these beneficial antiaging food molecules. Three of the best are blueberries, red kidney beans, and cranberries.

All of this current information on anti aging foods can be used together to design a diet that is both healthy for the body in general and helpful for avoiding the typical signs of aging. Such a diet would avoid consuming pesticides and other toxins as much as possible (organic foods are best for this), as well as foods that are high in fat, salt, and sugar. Grains should be whole grains because the body converts the sugar in these carbohydrate sources at a slow and steady pace (to learn more about this, read about the glycemic index). Antiaging food stars are the whole vegetables and fruits. Proteins should come primarily from beans, nuts, and seafood, with a minimum of dairy, poultry and red meat products. Healthy fats include olive oil and, to a lesser extent, other vegetable oils - avoid trans fats and saturated fats as much as possible.

Though, for many people, adopting a diet of anti aging foods may seem like a drastic and difficult task, most people quickly discover a feeling of increased wellbeing, and gradually come to enjoy eating these wholesome healthful foods. And they are able to enjoy good health longer into their senior years. Antiaging foods are definitely worth a try. Supplementation can also ensure that you get the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other nutrients you need, as sometimes even the most well-balanced diet is lacking in some essentials.

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What is Medical Anti Aging?

2007-11-15T13:47:00.000-08:00

Not so long ago, the term medical anti aging knowledge was a bit of a misnomer. The medical community regarded aging as an evitable part of human life, and didn't devote much time to figuring out how to slow it down or alter its effects. Those with money could have plastic surgery, but that was about all. Today however, scientific research is revealing many of the processes that cause physical aging as the years pass, and with that understanding comes the opportunity to tinker with and try to ameliorate the aging process.

The timing is perfect: the baby boomers, a huge cohort of affluent educated North Americans and Europeans are moving into their senior years and they want medical anti aging resources. The baby boomers have grown up in good health, with readily available medical care and the belief that every disease can be cured. They believe that medical treatment can keep them feeling young and vigorous as well, while they enjoy retirement. They may be right.

Many professionals with medical training are now involved in researching possible approaches to anti aging medicine. We're learning that many common diseases of old age can be avoided by eating, or not eating, certain foods, keeping our bodies fit, and protecting ourselves from environmental threats. We're identifying genes that predispose people to certain diseases, which allows us to identify and possibly treat those at risk. WeÕre discovering many new drugs in chemistry and nature that help to fight diseases already in progress. And we're discovering that some foods have potent healthful properties that we never imagined were there. Surgical interventions are still available as well, and they are better than ever.

When it comes to medical anti aging products and services however, we still have to be careful. While scientific knowledge has expanded exponentially, there are still lots of vendors making claims that are not backed up by the evidence. These entrepreneurs are poised to make a profit from a vulnerable public - while some simply relieve you of your money without providing any benefit, others may actually be harmful. Before you pay for any new or unconventional medical anti aging treatment, discuss your plans with a medical professional whom you trust, or contact one of the consumer advocate/anti-fraud organizations that can help you verify that you are getting what you pay for.

Whatever you choose, keep your eye on the latest in medical breakthroughs - there are lots of products and services already available that really do help you look and feel younger, and maintain better health. It's a safe bet there will be many more to choose from in the near future, as anti aging medicine gets more and more advanced.

Featured Anti Aging Supplement
About a year ago we discovered a special antiaging supplement called Total Balance, a breakthrough natural formula with special nutrients that can slow down the aging process and promote vitality and wellbeing.

Take a look at this unique dietary supplement and discover how you can prevent premature aging today.

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3 Top Foods for Weight Loss & Anti-Aging

2007-11-13T14:03:00.000-08:00

Hey guys this might be helpful! Enjoy!

How to Make an Anti-Aging Facial Mask: Beauty Tips

2007-11-13T14:02:00.001-08:00

Enjoy!

Beta carotene protects memory in study

2007-11-13T13:59:00.000-08:00

By Will Dunham

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Beta carotene taken as a dietary supplement for many years may protect against declines in memory, thinking and learning skills that often precede Alzheimer's disease, researchers said on Monday.
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The study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, pointed to a protective effect against cognitive decline in healthy men who look beta carotene for about 18 years, but not in men who took the supplements for an average of a year.

The findings indicate beta carotene may be an important weapon in warding off memory problems that may foreshadow Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, the researchers said.

"This is the first trial that has found any way to help your memory if you're healthy. I think it does tell us that we can change how our memory improves or worsens," Francine Grodstein of Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, who led the study, said in a telephone interview.

Taking beta carotene may have risks for some people such as raising lung cancer risk in smokers, Grodstein said.

Beta carotene is one of the antioxidants -- substances that prevent some of the damage from unstable molecules known as free radicals -- created when the body turns food into energy. Some experts think antioxidants can lower the risk of cancer, heart disease and other ailments.

"Beta carotene is an antioxidant vitamin. So the reason we thought it might help your brain is because there is now a lot of evidence that oxidative damage harms your brain. And that may be one of the initiating factors which leads to memory problems," Grodstein said.

In this study, researchers examined the effects of beta carotene on cognitive ability in two groups of men.

Those in a group of 4,052 men were randomly assigned in 1982 to take either 50 milligrams of beta carotene or a placebo every other day. Another 1,904 men between 1998 and 2001 were also randomly assigned to take either the same amount of beta carotene or a placebo every other day.

The men in the long-term group took the supplements for an average of 18 years. The men in the short-term group did so for an average of a year, with the longest being three years.

Men who took beta carotene in the long-term group recorded significantly higher scores on several cognitive tests -- particularly tests of verbal memory -- compared with those who took a placebo, the study found. In the short-term group, the men taking beta carotene did no better in cognitive tests.

In an editorial accompanying the study, Dr. Kristine Yaffe of the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center and University of California at San Francisco sounded a note of caution, saying studies have yielded mixed results about antioxidant supplements and better cognitive outcomes.

"For the clinician, there is no convincing justification to recommend the use of antioxidant dietary supplements to maintain cognitive performance in cognitively normal adults or in those with mild cognitive impairment," Yaffe wrote.

Another study also examined the link between diet and dementia. French researchers, writing in the journal Neurology, tracked the diets of 8,085 men and women over age 65. They were followed for four years, during which 183 of the participants developed Alzheimer's and 98 developed some other dementia.

Risk for developing dementia was found to be lower in those with diets heavy in fish, omega-3 oils, fruits and vegetables.

(Editing by Julie Steenhuysen and Todd Eastham)

Source

An "Ageless Society" with HGH

2007-11-10T06:27:00.000-08:00

And what if you are already suffering the ill effects of aging? Perhaps you could drop 20 years and stay that way to age 100, adding an additional 20 or 30 years to your normal life span.

This could allow you to live long enough to take advantage of scientific breakthroughs yet to come and maybe further extend your healthy life span to 120, 130 years and more.

Details about the ultimate anti-ager can now be found in the book entitled Grow Young with HGH by Dr. Ronald Klatz, President of the Academy of Anti-Aging. Basing his work on the cutting edge of scientific research written up in thousands of reports, books, interviews and double blind studies, Dr. Klatz announces that the "ageless society" has truly begun.

People have always dreamt about the existence of an effective anti-aging deterrent, or a way of reversing age. Since the beginning of recorded time the pursuit of the "Magic Remedy" has taken many forms, ranging from the proverbial fountain of youth, to the more recent, scientifically well researched, Human Growth Hormone (HGH).

Scientists today feel that in the not too distant future the average life expectancy can and will be extended to 100 years of age or more. Some experts even feel that the human body can live well into the 120s and 140s. Reasons for this include better medicine, replacement surgery, nutrition, supplements and now, perhaps most important of all, HGH. Therapies for anti-aging are not exactly new.

Famous clinics such as Ana Aslan's clinic in Romania have attracted tens of thousands for Gerovital H3 injections - many of the rich and famous such as Konrad Adenauer, Gloria Swanson, Groucho Marx plus some 50,000 other patients have been injected with fresh fetal lamb cells at Clinique La Prairie in Switzerland. While these treatments may have merit, none have passed the standards of drug testing such as controlled, randomized, double blind clinical studies. However, on July 5, 1990 everything changed. Dr. Daniel Rudman published in the New England Journal of Medicine his clinical findings on the effects of anti-aging and HGH.

The results were startling to say the least. Working with volunteers aged 61 to 81 at the Medical College of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Dr. Rudman used synthetically manufactured HGH to replicate what is created naturally in the body's own pituitary gland. The initial observed results: Six months of injections reversed the aging process from 10 to 20 years in the patients who received HGH. In the controlled group that didn't receive HGH, the normal aging process continued. Since Dr. Rudman's initial findings, thousands of additional studies have supported the fact that HGH can and does not only retard aging, but also reverses the process as well.

HGH: The Miracle Anti-Aging Hormone that can help you...

Look Younger Lose weight Restore hair growth Regain hair color Reduce wrinkles Improve skin texture Improve skin elasticity Feel Younger Restore sex drive Increase energy Restore bone and muscle mass Reduce blood pressure Reduce cholesterol Regenerate heart, liver, kidneys, lungs

The Ultimate Anti-Ager, Human Growth Hormone (HGH) is washing away the disease of aging. HGH affects almost every cell in the body, helping to regenerate skin, bones, heart, lungs, liver and kidneys to their former youthful levels.

The immune system is revitalized.

Heart attack and stroke risk factors are diminished.

Emphysema patients find their oxygen intake improves.

Osteoporosis is prevented.

Wrinkled skin is restored to youthfulness, diminished sexual organs are restored to former proportions, presbyopic eyes focus properly, hair color is restored…and that's just for starters!

The most effective Anti-Obesity "agent" ever discovered, HGH revs up the metabolism to former highs, selectively reducing the abdomen, hips, waist and thighs while at the same time increasing muscle mass. After six months of usage without exercise, an 8.8% increase in lean muscle mass and 14.4% loss of fat is reported as average.

As a powerful aphrodisiac, HGH restores sexual potency and sexuality in older men. A mood elevator, it restores a youthful sense of wellness and a zest for life along with the deepest levels of sleep.

Called "Cosmetic Surgery in a Bottle," facial wrinkles are smoothed.The skin regains thickness and youthful contours as it becomes more elastic and hydrated. Super healing properties can regrow burned skin and close ulcerated wounds.

Hair growth is improved and restored, nails strengthened, cellulite removed. Some of the latest research indicates that HGH may even hold great promise for Alzheimer's patients; and study after study adds yet another benefit...

In fact, everything that we associate with aging may be due totally, or in part, to the decline in HGH.

What Is HGH?

HGH or Human Growth Hormone (also called somatotrophin) is produced in the anterior of the pituitary gland deep inside the brain, where it is one of the most abundant hormones secreted. It influences the growth of cells, bones, muscles and organs throughout the body.

Production peaks at adolescence when accelerated growth occurs. If growing children have too little they remain as dwarfs, while if they have too much they become giants. HGH is one of many endocrine hormones, like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, melatonin and DHEA, that all decline in production with age. While many of these hormones can be replaced to deter some of the effects of aging, HGH reaches far beyond the scope of any of these hormones. Not only does it prevent biological aging, but it acts to significantly reverse a broad range of the signs and symptoms associated with the aging process.

Ample in our youth, production of HGH falls 80% from age 21 to 61.

Daily growth hormone secretion diminishes with age to the extent that a 60 year old may secrete only 25% of the HGH secreted by a 20 year old. By ages 70 to 80, virtually everyone is deficient in growth hormone, resulting in SDS, or Somatotrophin (growth hormone) Deficiency Syndrome.

Symptoms include loss of muscle and an increase of fat, decreased physical mobility, socialization and energy levels, diminished healing ability, a greater risk of cardiovascular disease and lower life expectancy. In otherwords, the symptoms of the disease called aging.

As you will see from the graph, practically everyone over the age of forty has SDS. The decline of growth hormone with age, sometimes referred to as somatopause, is directly associated with many symptoms of aging, including wrinkling, gray hair, decreased energy and sexual function, increased body fat and cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and more.

Many of these symptoms have been associated with younger adults who have growth hormone deficiency; in a sense, the biological age of these adults has exceeded their chronological age. The good news, however, is clinical evidence demonstrates that by replacing growth hormone we can dramatically reverse these symptoms to restore hair color and growth, regain bone tissue, increase energy and significantly reduce body fat, plus a score of other health benefits.

Turning Back the Biological Clock By 20 Years

In 1990, groundbreaking research by Daniel Rudman, M.D. shook the medical world. (Published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine) with the announcement that 12 men, aged 61 to 81 had reversed up to the equivalent of 20 years of aging in six months with growth hormone injections.

Until recently, growth hormone therapy has only been available in the form of injections that have been prohibitively expensive and difficult to use. The cost for HGH injections in the U.S. runs from $800 to $2,500 a month. Prices may start to drop as more pharmaceutical companies enter the marketplace. Nevertheless, they are still out of the range of most people…not only that some worry about the possibility of side effects of using an injected drug long term.

More interestingly - and within the price range of virtually every "baby boomer" - are the all natural HGH releasers or agonists known as secretagogues. These nutrients are designed to coax the pituitary to release its own growth hormone. Scientists have found that as we grow older we still produce HGH, but tissue levels fall because the pituitary gland does not release it. Secretagogues reverse this process naturally.

These are natural substances that have been well documented to increase growth hormone; and which may for some even exceed the effectiveness of HGH injections. According to researchers, these cutting edge natural secretagogues (HGH precursors) may have the ability to more closely mimic the body's youthful HGH secretion patterns than any other HGH therapies previously available.

Therapeutic Effects of Restoring HGH

Why is there so much focus on growth hormone restoration, and what does all of this mean for those of you who will suddenly have the HGH replacement substances available?

To put it simply, there is no other substance known to man that has such far reaching ability to prevent and reverse the aging process. At first appearance, it may seem too good to be true that a single hormone could have so many far-reaching effects. But as we look more closely at the scientific evidence from human studies and at the physiologic interaction between growth hormone and the body's various symptoms that affect these areas, everything begins to fall into place.

Dr. Daniel Rudman, an endocrinologist from Madison, Wisconsin, pioneered the original peer-reviewed research on HGH in humans. By the time Dr. Rudman began his work in 1985, growth hormone use had already been well established through its use in children with HGH deficiency.

Decades earlier, growth hormone from pituitary extract had been shown to decrease body fat significantly in laboratory rats. Dr. Rudman hypothesized that the changes in body composition which became apparent around age 35 had to do with declining hormone levels, and he began by testing HGH to examine its effects on lean body mass and body fat. Dr. Rudman studied 26 men between the ages of 61 and 81 who experienced significant changes in body composition with age, but who were otherwise healthy. All these men had significantly low levels of growth hormone.

Despite the fact that they did not alter their diet, exercise or smoking habits - the men who were given HGH gained an average of 8.8% in lean body mass while losing 14% of their body fat.

The subjects of the study reversed the parameters of aging by 10-20 years.

They experienced localized increase in bone density and their skin became thicker and firmer. According to Dr. Rudman and his associates the subjects of the study reversed the parameters of aging by 10-20 years. This study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, represented the biggest breakthrough in anti-aging medicine at the time and led to a wide acceptance that, in the words of Dr. Rudman, "The overall deterioration of the body that comes with growing old is not inevitable." Similar dramatic studies show that HGH may reverse human biological aging by:

Restoring muscle mass Decreasing body fat Thickening the skin Reducing wrinkles Restoring lost hair Restoring hair color Increasing energy Increasing sexual function Improving cholesterol profile Restoring size of liver, pancreas, heart and other organs that shrink with age Improving vision Improving memory Elevating mood and improving sleep Normalizing blood pressure Increasing cardiac output and stamina Improving immune function The HGH Study

Perhaps the largest study of the effects of growth hormone on humans has taken place at the Palm Springs Life Extension Institute under the direction of Dr. Edmund Chein, director of the institute, and his associate Dr. Leon Terry, a neuroendocrinologist from the Department of Neurology at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Dr. Chein follows a growth hormone protocol that involves restoring HGH levels for patients who are deficient (IGF-1 less than 350 mg/ml) with low dose, high frequency injections. Dr. Chein, by combining HGH injections with other hormones that are shown to be low, has developed a program that he claims has been 100% effective for all of his patients. He guarantees that his patients will experience an increase in bone density of 1.5 - 2.5% every six months, as well as a loss of 10% body fat and an increase of 10% muscle mass.

These processes may continue until the patient attains the body composition of a twenty year old. Recently, Dr. Terry collected the data of patients who have been treated at the Life Extension Institute and has written up the amazing results. The following assessment figures were derived from randomly selected, self-assessment questionnaires completed by 202 patients during the term of their therapy between the years of 1994 and 1996.

Assessment Effects of Growth Hormone Administration (Low Dose Frequency) in 202 patients. L. Cass Terry, M.D., Ph.D. and Edmund Chein, M.D. Medical College of Wisconsin and Palm Springs Life Extension Institute.

Strength, Exercise & Body Fat Improvement Muscle Strength 88% Body Fat Loss 72% Exercise Tolerance 81% Exercise Endurance 83% Skin & Hair Improvement Skin Texture 71% Skin Thickness 68% Skin Elasticity 71% Wrinkle Disappearance 51% New Hair Growth 38% Healing, Flexibility & Resistance Improvement Healing of old injuries 55% Healing of other injuries 61% Healing Capacity 71% Back Flexibility 53% Resistance to Common Illness 73% Sexual Function Improvement Sexual Potency/Frequency 75% Duration of Penile Erection 62% Frequency of Nighttime Urination 57% Hot Flashes 58% Menstrual Cycle Regulation 38% Energy, Emotions & Memory Improvement Energy Level 84% Emotional Stability 67% Attitude Toward Life 78% Memory 62%

In general, these improvements were reported to occur within one to three months of the onset of therapy with a tendency to continue improving over six months of treatment!

Reversing Aging Naturally

Other studies have established that as the body's own growth hormone releasing patterns are more closely mimicked, so results become more profound and side effects are minimized. Recognizing the importance of restoring growth hormone to physiologic levels in this manner leads us to examine the effects of natural secretagogues.

Natural secretagogues (hormone precursors) may be our best hope for raising growth hormone in an entirely physiologic manner, because they stimulate the endocrine system to release its own growth hormone. In a process called "stacking," that is, packaging the right nutrients in the right proportions and taking them at the right time, you can derive optimal benefits - without using synthetics and needles. This, combined with a program of dietary manipulation and HGH-releasing exercises, offers even greater results.

Among the HGH-releasers listed by Dr. Klatz are the amino acids. He writes, "The smart money says to stack lysine with arginine, ornithine and/or glutamine." Arginine is an essential amino acid, meaning it is not manufactured in the body; it has to be supplied in the food we eat. Claims for arginine include an increase in fat burning and muscle building. Arginine strengthens the thymus gland, increasing its weight and activity, boosting immunity and fighting cancer. It also promotes healing of burns and wounds while generally protecting and detoxifying the body. Finally it enhances male fertility. The amino acid Lysine boosts the effectiveness of arginine and affects growth. On its own it has also been attributed with fighting viruses such as herpes. Ornithine can be synthesized in the body. Similar in structure, it can be made from arginine. It helps to stimulate HGH release. Glutamine is a conditional essential amino acid.

While abundant and one of the most used amino acids, it may not always be made by the body in sufficient quantities in times of stress. The gut and the immune system "practically live on it," says Dr. Klatz. Without sufficiently available levels, the gut atrophies, nutrients are less well absorbed, and muscle and immunity are also lost. GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), one of the most potent stimulators of HGH-release from the pituitary to date, is a precursor to, and breakdown product of, GBH (gamma-hydroxybutyrate). This is a substance that occurs naturally in every cell of the body, including the brain. A neurotransmitter, it is involved in regulating the anterior pituitary - the place where HGH is secreted.

"There is reason to believe combining glutamine, arginine, ornithine and lysine will have a synergistic effect," says Dr. Klatz.

The glutamine-arginine-lysine stack releases insulin as well as growth hormone. Generally when HGH levels are rising, insulin levels are falling. However, if it is possible to raise insulin levels at the same time as growth hormone, it has a very high anabolic effect. That is to say the body builds up muscle and tissue, and carries out cell repair essential to reverse aging. "You don't have to increase growth hormone very much to get a 10% to 20% rise in IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor type 1) levels, which can have a definite effect on the body," adds Mauro Di Pasquale, M.D., world-class powerlifter and one of the most knowledgeable experts in the field of anabolic and HGH-releasing compounds. (Insulin-like growth factor is at the other end of the growth hormone chain. It is the substance that actually produces most of the effects associated with HGH.)

Secretagogue hGH

Secretagogue hGH

Perhaps one of the most interesting differences between HGH and other hormones is that the body keeps making large amounts of HGH right into old age, while other hormones diminish in their production.

The challenge in restoring youthful levels of HGH for most of us is not increasing our production or injecting the hormone itself, but releasing it from its sequestered state. We now know how to unlock the gates that keep HGH from circulating in the body. On the cutting-edge of today's anti-aging research is Secretagogue hGH, an all-natural product, which has produced startling results; and may very well become the basis for increasing the length and quality of our life. Secretagogue hGH was produced after years of research and development, and is the world's first effective, controlled safe dosage, efferves- cent Growth Hormone Release Stimulator. At a price virtually everyone can afford, the product works by assisting the body's own ability to secrete HGH naturally, three to four times more effectively than the direct hormone injections.

For less than $4.00 a day, anyone can now avail themselves of the vast benefits of renewed Growth Hormone levels once reserved for the wealthy, and in a natural, easy to take measured oral dosage. A three-month commitment to the program is highly recommended, although many people will notice an immediate effect. Furthermore, there are no reported complications as opposed to synthetic HGH injections which may cause various side effects, if abused. Secretagogue hGH utilizes an exclusive Growth Hormone Releasing Complex (GHRC) and a proprietary cutting-edge delivery system that addresses gastric absorption, transport through the bloodstream, and attachment to appropriate receptor sites. What is particularly exciting is that only natural substances are used. Early clinical testing with the product stimulated the body's own production of growth hormones with an amazing effectiveness. Additionally, this product addresses the entire endocrine influence on HGH release through insulin regulation, inhibition of somatostatin, stimulation of GHRH, and conversion to IGF-1.

The skeptics said it couldn't be done, but the existence of this miracle product proves otherwise!

Secretagogue hGH is a promoter of HGH-release and IGF-1 formation. It is designed to stimulate the release of growth hormone in males and females, who are prematurely aging due to a HGH deficiency. (Women who have had a hysterectomy with removal of the ovaries, or who suffer from other chronic degenerative diseases, may benefit greatly from this product.) Secretagogue hGH is truly an amazing substance, which is both safe and effective with no side effects.

Secretagogue hGH Vs Injectable HGH

Product Comparison Secretagogue hGH Injectable HGH Product Composition 100% Natural 100% Synthetic Delivery System Taken Oraly 2 Injections Daily Overdose Possibilities None Possible Immediacy of Effect Immediately Several Weeks Ligality in the U.S. Totally (Natural Food) Severely Restricted Reported Complications None Yes with Overdosing Other HGH Compatibility Yes Perhaps Monthly Product Cost $100.00 (approx.) $1,200 to $2,500 Annual Product Cost $1,200.00 (approx.) $14,400 to $30,000

Physician Supervised Clinical Study #1 Secretagogue hGH as a Natural HGH-Releaser/Stimulator (1-22 Day Effects)

Subjects	Pre-IGF-1 Test	Test Post IGF-1	Test % Change	# of Days
Patient #1	73 on 01/14/97	141 on 01/25/97	+93.2%	11 days
Patient #2	21 on 01/14/97	69 on 02/05/97	+228.5%	22 days
Patient #3	110 on 01/18/97	180 on 02/04/97	+63.6%	18 days
Patient #4	357 on 01/24/97	388 on 01/25/97	+8.7%	1 days
Patient #5	167 on 01/24/97	178 on 01/25/97	+6.6%	1 days
Patient #6	242 on 01/24/97	73 on 01/25/97	+12.8%	2 1 days
Patient #7	255 on 01/27/97	269 on 01/29/97	+5.5%	2 days
Patient #8	93 on 01/31/97	127 on 02/05/97	+36.6%	6 days

Overall Average Increase: +56.9% Overall Average Days: 7.75 days

Comments: Patients numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 were patients with low IGF-1 (Growth Hormone Levels). Patients 5, 7, 8 were healthy body builders who were tested to monitor the immediate effects of Secretagogue hGH on physically fit patients. Each patient used the product with juice or water before retiring on an empty stomach. Physician Supervised Clinical Study #2 Secretagogue hGH as a Natural HGH-Releaser/Stimulator (30-161 Day Effects)

Subjects	Pre-IGF-1 Test	Test Post IGF-1	Test % Change	# of Days
Patient #1	106 on 04/18/97	203 on 05/27/97	+91.5%	39 days
Patient #2	115 on 01/31/97	218 on 05/27/97	+89.6%	116 days
Patient #3	131 on 03/15/97	247 on 05/16/97	+88.6%	62 days
Patient #4	229 on 02/01/97	259 on 04/05/97	+13.1%	63 days
Patient #5	183 on 03/21/97	261 on 05/20/97	+42.6%	60 days
Patient #6	36 on 04/08/97	101 on 05/30/97	+180.6%	52 days
Patient #7	97 on 02/28/977	132 on 04/04/97	+36.1%	35 days
Patient #8	142 on 02/04/97	264 on 05/31/97	+85.9%	116 days
Patient #9	189 on 05/09/97	228 on 07/02/97	+20.6%	54 days
Patient #10	112 on 12/17/97	206 on 05/27/97	+84%	161 days
Patient #11	131 on 04/21/97	209 on 05/28/97	+59.5%	37 days
Patient #12	62 on 04/28/97	171 on 05/28/97	+175.8%	30 days
Patient #13	123 on 01/22/97	188 on 03/25/97	+52.9%	62 days
Patient #14	159 on 04/23/97	258 on 06/03/97	+62.3%	41 days
Patient #15	53 on 04/25/97	158 on 05/28/97	+198.1%	33 days
Patient #16	51 on 04/29/97	126 on 06/03/97	+147%	35 days
Patient #17	69 on 04/21/97	223 on 07/07/97	+223.2%	77 days
Patient #18	73 on 01/14/97	206 on 05/27/97	+182%	161 days

Overall Average Increase: +105.8% Overall Average Days: 68.6 days

To date, no other anti-aging research or product has even come close to getting such tremendous results.

Conclusion

Human Growth Hormone (HGH) is important for a number of reasons in older individuals. It slows down and even reverses many of the aging processes that occur in the body. Since aging is now considered a disease and not just a normal occurrence, anyone who wants to maintain their youthful vigor and endurance should include an effective growth hormone therapy as part of their health regiment.

Until now, HGH has only been available by expensive injection for the world's wealthiest people. It has been used in Europe and the United States for approximately 15 years with gratifying results. Finally, after several years in development, PRO hGH, the world's first all-natural growth hormone releasing complex, is now available to those who are interested not only in staying young but also reversing back their biological clocks. Based on numerous studies with Human Growth Hormone, medical science has already proven that it is possible to reverse 10 - 20 years of aging in as little as six months of therapy.

Secretagogue hGH, therefore, represents the greatest and most important discovery in the field of life extension and age reversal; and is our best hope against the "war" on aging. Secretagogue hGH is a food supplement and NOT a drug. It is a synergistic combination of Amino Acids, Protein Fragments and Pharmacological Sugars - all from Natural Plant Sources. It is actually a stimulator of Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1), which is as potent as the actual growth hormone itself.

The problem in the past has been that this insulin-like growth hormone or growth factor has been broken down in the stomach by the bile acids and has not been available for absorption. Secretagogue hGH with its proprietary delivery system eliminates this problem in an all-natural plant based proprietary formula which can be taken orally and may do some of the following:

1. Reverse many of the problems that are caused by aging, such as wrinkled skin, increased body fat, decreased muscle mass, increased cholesterol and blood pressure, decreased stamina and energy, decreased mental function, impaired neurological functions such as Parkinson's and Multiple Sclerosis.

2. Retard the aging process in the body. So here's to the next six to 12 months…may we all become 10 to 20 years younger!

Source

Aging

2007-11-10T06:22:00.000-08:00

Hot Topic: What Is Anti-Aging?
Anti-aging can be a difficult topic to address. A war is currently being fought over the meaning of "anti-aging" (as research, medicine, brand, or simply adjective) and thus even mentioning the term is likely to prejudice many readers. We will try to put this all into context while being as neutral as possible.

Defining Anti-Aging
Like it or not, "anti-aging" now has a number of quite different common meanings and connotations. Each is championed by a particular group or loose coalition of interests, but advocates for these groups have a way of diving into the fray without defining their terms. This makes reading about anti-aging techniques, technologies, medicine, products, and debates very confusing for the newcomer.

* For the scientific community, anti-aging research refers exclusively to slowing, preventing, or reversing the aging process. There is, as of 2007, no medical technology that allows this to be done - although the jury is still out on calorie restriction in humans. Nor is there any currently available method (short of waiting for people to die) to accurately measure the effects of an alleged anti-aging therapy.

* In the medical and more reputable business community, anti-aging medicine means early detection, prevention, and reversal of age-related diseases. This is quite different from tackling the aging process itself, and a wide array of strategies and therapies are currently available. Calorie restriction, for example, is a demonstrated way to lower risk for a wide range of age-related degenerative conditions.

* The wider business community - including a great many fraudulent and frivolous ventures - views "anti-aging" as a valuable brand and a demonstrated way to increase sales. At the worse end of the scale, this leads to snake oil salesmen, "anti-aging" cremes that may or may not make your skin look younger, and infomercials that tout the "anti-aging" benefits of exercise machines. Broadly, and very charitably, we can look at these varied definitions of anti-aging as meaning "to look and feel younger in some way" - which has no bearing on how long you live or how healthy you actually are.

The confusion of most interest is between the first two definitions. Many interventions lengthen life span for individuals by preventing or curing specific age-related diseases that would otherwise prove fatal. For example, ask yourself whether preventing heart disease or diabetes is anti-aging medicine. This would have no effect on the aging process, but it would help many people to live longer, healthier lives. Is this anti-aging research? Scientists say no, some medical and business groups say yes.

Scientists are appalled at what is going on in the anti-aging marketplace. The more reputable businesses in that marketplace are appalled by the hucksters and adventurous branding. Anti-aging is both a valuable brand and important science that all these groups are attempting to control or profit from - in many cases their aims are at odds with one another.

Why Can't They All Just Get Along?
The war over the meaning of "anti-aging" is being fought over money and the perception of legitimacy. It is this perception of legitimacy that determines funding for scientific research and revenues for businesses. Scientists feel, quite rightly, that the noise and nonsense coming from the anti-aging marketplace is damaging the prospects for serious, scientific anti-aging research. If everyone knows that anti-aging means high-priced cream from Revlon marketed to the gullible and brand-aware, no scientist is going to get funding for a serious proposal in aging research that uses the word "anti-aging." Worse than that, people start to assume that real efforts to reverse aging must be impossible - and large scale science requires public support and understanding.

Businesses in the "anti-aging" marketplace make money from the aura of legitimacy whether or not their products perform as advertised, and so a lot of effort is expended to create and maintain this perception of legitimacy. Those businesspeople with working, accurately marketed products carry out their own fight against opportunists, frauds and "marketeers" - businesses that are damaging the market and diluting the brand. Ironically, this is much the same argument used against the more legitimate businesses by scientists.

A common objection to the way in which some anti-aging businesses establish legitimacy is that they cherry pick supportive studies in areas in which the facts are still unsure and scientists are still working towards a conclusion. A few positive studies are not enough to settle any question or recommend any course of action in the complex world of medicine.

The vast amount of money spent on products that claim to turn back the clock demonstrates that people want real anti-aging medicines. The trouble is that these real anti-aging therapies simply don't exist. Or do they? It all depends on how you define "anti-aging."

The concept of "optimizing natural longevity" in useful when trying to draw a distinct line between what you can do now to lead a longer, healthier life, and what will be possible in the future. We can presume that there exists, for each person, some maximum life span - an "optimized natural longevity" - that can reach using modern medicine and appropriate lifestyle and diet choices. You can adopt calorie restriction, exercise, keep up a good relationship with a physician, and spend an appropriate amount on supplements and healthcare. Each of these items will help you to optimize your natural longevity - enable you to live a few years longer and in better health than you would otherwise have done. Does this make them anti-aging, preventative medicine, good maintenance, or merely not damaging yourself quite so much?

If an improved supplement comes onto the market that adds a few years of life for some people through a poorly understood biochemical mechanism, is that "anti-aging?" How about improvements in general healthcare for the elderly that have the same effect? Or a way to cure heart disease? All of these things are clearly going to extend healthy life span by some modest amount for at least some people - but they are not affecting the aging process. We could spend a lot of time arguing one way or another (and proposing further, more ambiguous examples).

We Are Not There Yet
Here is a final thought to mull over: if we possessed medical technologies that could extend the healthy human life span to 150 years (or more) - such as those proposed by biomedical gerontologist Aubrey de Grey in his Strategies for Engineered Negligible Senescence - it's a fair bet that no-one would be arguing about the semantics of anti-aging research and medicine. In large part, these battles over meaning and legitimacy stem from the absence of anti-aging medicine that can greatly extend healthy life span. A year here and a year there are better than nothing, but far more effective medical technologies are possible.

This is why a focus on medical research and funding is vital to healthy life extension. We are simply not there yet. If a tenth of the effort spent on redefining anti-aging, selling junk, or trying to optimize natural longevity was spent on the medicine of the future - like regenerative medicine, repairing mitochondria, gene therapies or nanomedicine - just imagine where we could be by now! The medicine (and lifestyle choices like calorie restriction) that we have access to in the here and now are largely ineffective in the grand scheme of what is possible. Science can do far, far better in the long run, but getting there is going to take work, activism and support. What are you waiting for?

Source

Narcolepsy

2007-11-05T11:12:00.000-08:00

Narcolepsy Symptoms

People with narcolepsy experience frequent “attacks” of sleep, which last from a few seconds to 30 minutes or more. These attacks come while a person is awake and are unrelated to the amount and quality of nighttime sleep. Other symptoms may include:

* Cataplexy: Sudden muscle weakness often triggered by strong emotions such as laughter, anger or surprise. This weakness may cause the head to drop, the knees to give out, facial muscles to sag or even a complete collapse of the body.
* Sleep Paralysis: People with narcolepsy may be unable to talk or move when waking up or falling asleep.
* Vivid Dreams: These dreams often occur when first falling asleep and can be “hallucinogenic” in nature and easily confused with real life.

Causes of Narcolepsy

In narcolepsy, the border between being asleep and being awake can be blurred. A person with narcolepsy tends to fall directly into REM sleep without passing through the normal sleep stages. This may cause the “sleep paralysis” and “vivid dreams” symptoms. Researchers have discovered that people with narcolepsy have a lower amount of a protein called hypocretin that helps keep your awake. Some researchers think that narcolepsy is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system (due to a prior infection or injury) attacks and destroys hypocretin.

Who Has Narcolepsy?

Fewer than 50,000 Americans have been diagnosed with narcolepsy, but it is estimated that between 250,000 and 350,000 people have the disorder in the U.S. Narcolepsy is often misdiagnosed as depression, epilepsy (a seizure disorder) or other conditions. About 10 percent of people with narcolepsy have a close family member who also has it, suggesting a hereditary connection. Narcolepsy symptoms usually begin in young adults or adolescents.

Management of Narcolepsy

Currently there is no cure for narcolepsy, however the symptoms can be managed. A doctor may prescribe stimulants, antidepressants or other medications to treat narcolepsy. Some people find that taking short 15-minute naps several times a day reduces daytime sleepiness. Treatment for cataplexy may include REM sleep-suppressing medication (e.g., venlafaxine, fluoxetine or atomoxetine).

A Narcolepsy Breakthrough?

Researchers studying dogs discovered that a gene can cause narcolepsy. This gene (hypocretin receptor-2) gives the instructions for how to produce hypocretin, a protein necessary for sleep regulation. When the gene is defective, the protein that is built doesn’t function correctly. While this gene exists in humans, it is still unknown if people with narcolepsy have a defective version of hypocretin receptor-2.

Sources

National Institutes of Health; National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Your Guide to Healthy Sleep. NIH Publication No. 06-5271.

National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Understaning Sleep

Nocturia Excessive Nighttime Urination

2007-11-05T11:10:00.000-08:00

Getting up to urinate once or more during a night is called “nocturia.” Normally, urine output decreases during the night. Most people can go between seven and nine hours at night without having to use the bathroom.

Causes of Nocturia

There are many possible causes for frequent nighttime urination. These include medical causes, illnesses and behaviors. Some example includes:

* Drinking too many liquids close to bedtime
* Injesting too much caffeine in the evening
* Drinking too much alcohol in the evening
* Congestive heart failure
* Diabetes
* Kidney problems
* Urinary tract infection
* Medications
* Excessive vitamin D
* Damage to the nerves of the urinary system

Treating Nocturia

Reduce the amount of fluids you drink close to bedtime. If frequent urination continues, talk to your doctor. There may be simple solutions to nocturia, such as taking a certain medication earlier in the day, or treating a urinary tract infection. Other treatments will depend on the cause of the frequent urination.

Sources

National Library of Medicine, Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia

Avoid Falling Asleep While Driving

2007-11-05T11:03:00.000-08:00

Every year, over 100,000 accidents and 1,500 deaths are caused by driver fatigue. Lack of sleep affects our reaction time, judgment and ability to concentrate. This can be especially dangerous if you are driving.

Avoiding Falling Asleep While Driving

Caffeine, stimulants and other tricks may revive you temporarily, but these things are not reliable and do not work for long periods of time. Instead, the best solution to driver fatigue is to avoid being tired. Here are some tips to make sure you are alert enough for a nighttime drive:

* No Sleep Debt: Before a long or nighttime drive, be sure that you have had several nights (in a row) of 7 to 9 hours of sleep. Plan on setting aside this time before you leave.
* Take Breaks: Taking a break during your drive will allow you to stretch, move and wake up.

Plan for breaks and even a quick 20-minute nap.
* Arrive by Midnight: The time between midnight and early morning is when our body most wants to be sleeping. This is the most dangerous time to be driving in respect to sleep.
* Know the Warning Signs: If you are yawning constantly, can’t remember the last few moments of driving or cannot keep your eyes focused, pull over and take a quick nap.

What Not To Do
Many people think that opening the window, playing loud music or talking on the phone will help you stay awake. These are, in fact, dangerous thing to do because:

* They distract you from driving at a time when you need to concentrate.
* They give you a false sense of security and keep you on the road when you should stop.

Instead of using tricks, pull over and take a quick nap.

Sources

National Institutes of Health; National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Your Guide to Healthy Sleep. NIH Publication No. 06-5271.

Jet Lag and Sleep

2007-11-05T10:59:00.000-08:00

Jet lag is a term for changes in the internal daily rhythms of the body (circadian rhythms) that people experience when traveling from one time zone to another. For example, traveling from the West Coast to the East Coast results in a three-hour time change. Your body will remain on the original schedule. So when the alarm clock rings at 8 a.m., your body thinks it is 5 a.m. In the short term, jet lag results in unpleasant tiredness and difficulty getting on schedule in the new time zone. Frequent travelers may suffer from more severe effects of jet lag.

Long-Term Effect of Jet Lag

While not well understood, researchers have found that routine interruption in the circadian rhythms of mice can lead to shortened life expectancy. Researchers placed both young and aged mice on an 8-week cycle of shifts in light exposure.

Jet lag preventionAll the jet lag issues and how to avoid and prevent jet lagwww.nojetlag.com
In one group, the light cycle was advanced 6 hours every 7 days. Another group’s light exposure was delayed 6 hours every 7 days. A third group maintained a constant 12-hour light cycle.

The young mice did not seem affected greatly by the changes in light, but the aged mice experienced marked increases in mortality. Only 47 percent of the first group survived the study, 68 percent of the second group. This is compared to 83 percent of the control group.

Does that mean humans shorten their lives by flying? No. There isn’t enough data about human travel and circadian rhythms to know the long-term effect. But the aforementioned study, along with the known fact that jet lag increases the risk of sleep disorders like insomnia, should throw caution on routine travel that causes large changes in the daily cycle.

Reducing the Effect of Jet Lag

The body takes about 1 day per hour of change to adjust. There are no techniques to speed up that process, but you can ease the transition:

* Light therapy: Through exposure to full-spectrum lights or sunlight, a person can make the adjustment to a new time zone more gradual. This is especially effective when you can get exposure to bright lights in the last few hours of morning sleep.
* Gradual Adjustment: Before leaving on a trip, take 3 or 4 days to begin adjusting to the new schedule. Each day, sleep an hour later (or earlier) so that the change will not be as drastic. For example, if you are going to “lose” 3 hours of sleep, wake up an hour earlier each day for two days before you leave. You will adjust to the new time zone much faster that way.
* Supplements: Melatonin, valerian and other supplements may help people temporarily fall asleep faster. Consult a doctor before taking these.
* Sleep Habits: Establishing good sleep habits will really pay off when you travel. If you have trained your body to fall asleep quickly and stay asleep, you will have a much easier adjustment to the new time zone.

Sources

Chronic Jet-Lag Increase Mortality in Aged Mice. AJ Davidson, MT Sellix, J Daniel, S Yamazaki, M Menaker, and GD Block. Chronic Jet-Lag Increases Mortality in Aged Mice. Curr Biol. 2006 November 7; 16(21): R914–R916.

National Institutes of Health; National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Your Guide to Healthy Sleep. NIH Publication No. 06-5271.

Effects of the Night Shift on Sleep

2007-11-05T10:54:00.000-08:00

Working the night shift can wreak havoc on your sleep. This leads to an increased risk of insomnia and other sleep disorders. Night shift work has also been shown to increase the risk of heart and digestive problems, as well as problems with moods and emotions. Night shift workers are at an increased risk for safety accidents due to tiredness.

The Effect of the Night Shift on Your Body

When you are awake at night and asleep during the day, your body does not receive powerful biological cues from the amount of light in the environment. These cues are necessary to regulate the circadian rhythms that control your sleep/wake cycle. This causes difficulty in falling asleep and getting enough deep sleep.

An additional problem is switching from a night schedule to a day schedule on days off, or during changes in your work shift. This switching causes the same effects as jet lag. The body needs one hour per day to adjust to changes in sleep. Night shift workers may find that impossible.

Dealing with the Night Shift and Sleep

There are a number of things that you can do to make sure you get enough good quality sleep even while working the night shift:

* Bright Lights: While at work during the night, try to be in as much bright light as possible. A full-spectrum light would be best, but any increase in light will help your body to regulate its sleep/wake cycle.
* Dark Bedroom: When you are trying to sleep, make your bedroom as dark as possible. Close the curtains and the door. Some people find that sleep masks help block the light, allowing for more refreshing sleep.
* Increase Your Total Sleep: Add naps and lengthen the hours you spend sleeping to make up for a loss in sleep quality.
* Limit Caffeine: Use caffeine only in the early part of your shift. Try to avoid it toward the end of your shift so you will be able to go right to sleep when it's time.
* Limit Shift Changes: Try to stay on one schedule for as long as possible. Shifting between day and night work is especially hard on the body.

Sources

National Institutes of Health; National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Your Guide to Healthy Sleep. NIH Publication No. 06-5271.

Health and Snoring

2007-11-05T10:52:00.000-08:00

Snoring occurs when the airways in the throat and mouth are partially blocked. The blockage disturbs the incoming air and causes tissues in your mouth and throat to vibrate. These vibrations create the snorts and sounds that characterize snoring.

Causes of Snoring

Snoring can be caused by having larger tissues in the throat and mouth. Tissue size increases with weight; that's why overweight people are more likely to snore. People who take alcohol or sedatives before sleep may snore because the tissues in the throat and mouth relax more. Some people who snore may have sleep apnea, a sleep disorder related to interrupted breathing during sleep.

Snoring can be a Red Flag

While snoring itself does not cause a health condition, people who snore also often have other risk factors.

Snoring has been associated with an increased risk for diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.

Pregnant women may begin snoring for the first time in the second trimester. This occurrence may indicate a rise in blood pressure, which is dangerous during pregnancy. Pregnant women who begin snoring should have their blood pressure checked.

Ten to 15 percent of children snore due to enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Snoring in children has been linked to lower intelligence scores and increased behavioral problems. If a child snores 2 to 3 times a week, he or she should be checked by a physician.

Stopping Snoring

Snoring can be treated through a combination of lifestyle changes and devices including:

* Losing weight
* Avoiding smoking
* Sleeping on your side
* Elevating your head during sleep
* Treating congestion
* Using a mouthpiece prescribed by a dentist

Do-it-yourself Snoring Cures

# Numerous products are available to help you stop snoring as well as a host of at homeremedies. Most of these are harmless and may even help some: Nose Strips: Supposedly you put these on your nose and they help keep your nostrils open all night long. Seems like a sound approach and can help with congestion-related snoring. If the snoring is caused by sleep apnea, being overweight or another reason, these probably won't help much.

# Snoring Sprays: There are over-the-counter sprays you can buy to make you stop snoring. This seems to be a stretch.
# Nose Drops and Snoring Gum: Not a lot of evidence that these are doing much except costing you money.
# Mouthpieces: Unless designed by a dentist for your mouth, these devices are unlikely to help.
# Anti-Snoring Pills: Wouldn't it be great if a pill could make you stop snoring? The marketing team at these companies thought so too.
# Air Filters: Changing the air in your bedroom could help if your snoring is caused by congestion from allergies in the air.
# Mouth Exercises: Mouth exercises to open your throat and unclench the jaw may help some snorers. Australians suggest learning to play the didgeridoo.
# Shaking: There is a belief (perhaps perpetuated by endless Brady Bunch reruns) that shaking a person every time they snore will 'teach' them not to snore. While shaking a person may cause his or her snoring to stop temporarily, this technique does not address the underlying cause of snoring.

Bottom Line: If you want to stop snoring, try changes in lifestyle first, especially weight loss.

Source

Understanding Sleep Apnea

2007-11-05T10:46:00.000-08:00

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which breathing is interrupted during sleep. This interruption is caused by short (10-20 second) blocking of the upper airway. This blockage is caused by the short tissues at the back of the throat relaxing too much. Breathing interruptions can occur from five to 100 times per hour; fewer than five is considered normal.

Is Sleep Apnea Dangerous?

Yes. While a person with sleep apnea cannot suffocate – the brain will wake the person up enough to tighten the muscles at the back of the throat - there is an increased risk of sudden cardiac activity that can lead to abnormal heart rhythm and even death.

How Do I Know if I Have Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea may happen without the person being aware of the episodes.
The main symptom is overall fatigue, lack of energy and tiredness due to these sleep interruptions. People with sleep apnea do not spend enough time in the deeper stages of sleep. This can lead to moodiness, irritability and increased risk of accidents.

Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Often when breathing starts again, a person with sleep apnea will snort or snore loudly. While this is common, not everyone with sleep apnea will make these sounds.

Other Symptoms

Because of the repetitive awakenings and decreased amount of oxygen in the blood during sleep interruptions, a person with sleep apnea may also have some of the following symptoms:

* Morning headaches
* Problems with concentration
* Problems with memory
* Increased release of stress hormones, such as cortisol (which increases risk for stroke, heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems)

Who Gets Sleep Apnea?

Between five and 25 percent of Americans have sleep apnea, with almost 50 percent of those going undiagnosed. Sleep apnea is almost twice as common in men as it is in women, with one in 25 men having some form of sleep apnea (compared to one in 50 women). Three percent of children and 10 percent of adults over 65 have sleep apnea. Non-Caucasians are more likely to have sleep apnea.

Sleep Apnea Risk Factors

Risk factors for sleep apnea include:

* Being overweight, as extra fat tissue around the neck makes it harder to keep the airway open
* Throat and tongue muscles that “overrelax”
* A thicker neck and smaller head shape
* Congestion
* Family history of sleep apnea
* Enlarged tonsils and adenoids

Diagnosing Sleep Apnea

In addition to taking a detailed family history and examining your mouth, nose and throat for enlarged tissues, a doctor may use the following tests to diagnose sleep apnea:

* Polysomnogram (PSG): This test uses a device that records your breathing throughout the night.
* Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT): This test, often done at a sleep center, involves timing how quickly you can fall asleep during the day. If you fall asleep fast, you are probably not getting enough sleep at night. This test is used when the PSG is normal, but the person is still excessively tired during the day.

Treating Sleep Apnea

Mild forms of sleep apnea can be treated by changing the way you sleep and other lifestyle behaviors. These changes include:

* Sleeping on your side to help your airway stay open
* Avoiding any medications, supplements or other substances that affect your breathing or make you too relaxed, including sleeping pills, herbal supplements and sedatives
* Losing weight, which will reduce the amount of tissue that can block your airway

More serious cases of sleep apnea can be treated by using devices that help keep the airway open throughout the night. These include:

* Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device: This device is a mask worn at night that keeps air flowing enough to prevent the airway from closing.
* Mouthpieces: Some people with sleep apnea find that the condition improves if they wear a specially-designed mouthpiece while they sleep. This mouthpiece helps to keep the throat open during sleep.
* Uvulopatatopharyngoplasty (UPPP): This is a long word for “removing the tonsils, adenoids, a part of the soft palate, uvula, and some soft tissue at the back of the throat” through surgery.

Sources

National Institutes of Health; National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Your Guide to Healthy Sleep. NIH Publication No. 06-5271.

Understanding Restless Legs Syndrome

2007-11-05T10:37:00.000-08:00

Restless Legs Syndrome Overview

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sleep disorder that causes a tingling or prickling sensation in the legs that is temporarily eased by moving the legs. People with RLS feel an impulse to stretch and move their legs to stop the pain. This interferes both with falling asleep and with staying asleep. RLS can occur in one or both legs (and is often worse in the calves) and occasionally in the arms.

RLS Symptoms

In addition to painful tingling in the legs, people with RLS may experience several other symptoms, including:

* Difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep
* Periodic limb movement in sleep (PLMS), which are brief, sudden movements of the legs every five to 90 seconds
* Painful sensations in the legs when sitting or lying down for a long period of time (for example, while sitting in a car or behind a desk)

Who Gets Restless Legs Syndrome?

Between five and 15 percent of Americans are estimated to have RLS. The older you are, the greater your chances of having RLS. Approximately 30 percent of insomnia in older adults is caused by RLS. Women are more likely than men to have RLS. Pregnancy, kidney problems and nutritional deficiencies can trigger or worsen RLS. RLS is thought to be a hereditary disorder.

What Causes RLS?

Researchers think that an iron deficiency in the fluid in the brain causes RLS. Iron is necessary for the brain to produce dopamine, which controls limb movement. Testing for iron in the blood does not diagnosis RLS because the blood iron may be normal while the iron in the fluid around the brain is too low.

RLS and High Blood Pressure

Recent studies show that blood pressure may elevate by an average of 22 points systolic (top number) and 11 points diastolic (bottom number) during episodes of RLS. In addition, the blood pressure could spike every 20 to 40 seconds many times during the night. This increases the risk of heart disease.

Managing RLS

RLS cannot be “cured” but it can be managed. In some cases, doctors will prescribe medications that work like dopamine in the body. These help control the painful sensations and impulsive movements. People with mild cases may benefit from sedatives or changes in lifestyle. Avoiding caffeine, practicing good sleep hygiene, stretching, taking a hot bath and massaging the legs before bedtime may help RLS symptoms. Iron and vitamin supplements may also help some people with RLS.

Sources:

National Institutes of Health; National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Your Guide to Healthy Sleep. NIH Publication No. 06-5271.

Understanding Insomnia

2007-11-05T10:27:00.000-08:00

Insomnia is a broad term used to describe difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. The term also includes the situation of a person not feeling refreshed after 7 to 9 hours of being in bed. Temporary insomnia is normal and can be brought on by stress and anxiety. Chronic insomnia is defined as experiencing insomnia symptoms at least 3 times a week for at least one month. Between 30 and 40 percent of adults report some insomnia each year, with 10 to 15 percent saying they have chronic insomnia.

Effects of Insomnia

Chronic insomnia causes a person to feel tired during the day and can lead to moodiness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating and other effects related to lack of sleep. Insomnia can significantly lower a person’s quality of life.

Most cases of insomnia are considered “secondary,” which means they are caused by something else. These causes include:

* Medication Side Effects: These are especially common with decongestants, some pain relievers and steroids.
* Diseases and Health Conditions: Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, asthma, heart disease and many other health problems can cause trouble with sleep.
* Poor Sleep Behaviors: These include drinking alcohol before bed, exercising before bed, drinking caffeine in the evening, poor exposure to sunlight and other behaviors that interfere with the body successfully achieving enough restful sleep.
* Sleep Disorders: Restless legs syndrome or sleep apnea are just two common sleep disorders.

A few people have chronic primary insomnia, which is difficulty sleeping not caused by any other factor. These people may have an oversupply of certain hormones, faster heart rates or other physiological differences that make sleep difficult.

The Insomnia Cycle

One of the biggest dangers in insomnia is known as the “insomnia cycle.” This occurs when a person has difficulty falling asleep one night and then becomes anxious about falling asleep the next night, which makes it more difficult to fall asleep. The more they cannot sleep, the more anxious about sleep they become – which keeps them from sleeping. To break the ”insomnia cycle,” practice healthy sleep habits, such as only going to bed when you are tired, not lying in bed awake for more than 20 minutes and avoiding afternoon and evening caffeine.

Insomnia Treatment

Many of the most effective insomnia treatments involve changing your sleep behaviors and habits, while some require medications and supplements:

* Improving Your Sleep Habits: By changing your habits around sleep you can greatly shorten the time it takes to fall asleep. More exercise, more sunlight exposure and less caffeine are just three examples of habits to change to improve sleep.
* Relaxation Therapy: Some people with chronic insomnia may be directed to practice relaxation therapy, which can involve tensing and relaxing different muscle groups or focusing on deep breathing. Relaxation therapy can help people to fall asleep faster.
* Sleep Restriction: Another effective insomnia treatment involves sleep restriction. This involves limiting sleep to 4 or 5 hours a night and then gradually adding time onto sleep. This can help retrain the body to fall asleep and stay asleep. People practicing sleep restriction should avoid driving and other dangerous activities until they are getting at least 7 hours of sleep each night.
* Sleep Medications: There are many (widely advertised) sleep medications, which are available by prescription. Some of these medications may help you to fall asleep, but you may wake up unrefreshed. Some also lose their effectiveness over time. Sleep medications should be used under the careful direction of a doctor and as part of a comprehensive sleep plan that also addresses sleep behaviors.
* Supplements: Many supplements claim to help with insomnia. The two most popular are melatonin and valerian.
o Melatonin: This hormone is naturally produced by your body and stimulated by exposure to sunlight. Studies have not shown that melatonin is effective in treating insomnia. However, many people claim that taking melatonin helps them to fall asleep. Before taking melatonin, remember that the goal is for your body to produce enough melatonin on its own. Supplements may actually decrease your own production and should only be used in the short-term and under a doctor’s supervision.
o Valerian: This is an herb that is reportedly effective in helping people fall asleep. Studies on valerian have been inconclusive. Valerian comes in many different forms (tea, pills extracts) and is unregulated. Dose and quality can vary widely from one product to another.

Source

Sleep and Aging

2007-11-05T10:21:00.000-08:00

Sleep Needs Don’t Change as You Age

There is a myth that older people need less sleep. That is simply not true. All adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep each night. As we age, it gets more difficult to get a good night’s sleep. That doesn’t mean we don’t still need seven to nine hours. One of the challenges to healthy aging is troubleshooting sleep to ensure that we are getting enough rest for good health.

Sleep Changes in Older Adults

For a number of reasons, older people have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. As we age, we may notice some of the following:

* Taking longer to fall asleep
* Sleep is less deep
* Waking up three or four times a night
* Frequent nighttime bathroom trips
* Sleep is not as restful or satisfying
* Tendency to fall asleep in the early evening and wake up in the early morning

Why Older Adults Sleep Less

As we age, our bodies change. These changes impact the length and quality of our sleep. Depending on your situation, one of more of these factors may apply:

* Hormones: As we age, our bodies secrete less of two important sleep hormones: melatonin and growth hormone.
o Melatonin is important because changes in the level of this hormone control our sleep cycle. With less melatonin, many older adults feel sleepy in the early evening and wake up in the early morning. They also may have more trouble falling asleep.
o Growth hormone is what makes children sleep so deeply. As we age, our body secretes less of this hormone and deep sleep becomes more difficult.
o Menopause causes a great deal of hormonal changes in women, sometimes resulting in night sweats and other symptoms that interfere with sleep.

* Health Conditions: Health conditions can interfere with sleep. As we age, we are more likely to develop a chronic illness. These illnesses result in changes in our body that interfere with normal sleep. By managing your health condition well, you can minimize this effect. Examples of how some illnesses interfere with sleep are:
o Some health conditions (like arthritis) cause pain, which makes it difficult to fall asleep.
o Other conditions (like diabetes or an enlarged prostate) may cause you to use the bathroom frequently during the night, which interrupts deep sleep.
o Heart disease, high blood pressure and other cardiovascular conditions may cause you to wake suddenly due to breathing difficulties or changes in heart rate.
o Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and mental illnesses may cause anxiety that interferes with sleep.

* Lifestyle Changes: As we age, our daily routines change. These changes can affect our sleep. By increasing exercise and time spent outdoors and decreasing napping, you will improve both the length and quality of your sleep:
o Lifestyle Changes Older people get less exercise. Be sure to talk to your doctor and get a healthy amount of daily exercise.
o Sunlight: Sunlight helps your body to produce melatonin, which regulates your sleep cycle. Try to get at least two hours of exposure to bright light each day. If it is difficult for you to get outside, consider using a full-spectrum light indoors.
o Napping: While napping can be great, if you are napping more than 20 minutes a day, you may be interfering with your sleep.
o Alcohol, caffeine and nicotine: These three culprits will wreak havoc on your sleep. If you are having trouble, cut back and be sure not to use any of these within three hours of going to bed.

* Medications: As we age, it is more likely that we are taking one or more medications. These medications can often interfere with sleep. Your doctor may be able to change your medication to one that doesn’t cause you to lose sleep, or possibly change the time of day you take that medication. Some common medications that are known to interfere with sleep include: some high blood pressure medications, antidepressants, steroids, some decongestants and bronchodilators.

What To Do?

The good news is that you can usually greatly improve your sleep by identifying the underlying cause and making changes. If your lack of sleep is due to illness or medication, talk to your doctor about the possibility of changing the medication or the time of day you take it. Follow the above sleep tips and be sure to get some exercise and sunlight every day.

If your sleep does not improve, you may have a sleep disorder. Health conditions that prevent a person from falling asleep or staying asleep include sleep apnea and insomnia. A doctor can help treat these conditions.

Bottom line: Try making changes in your sleep and lifestyle habits. If that doesn’t help, talk to your doctor. Whatever you do, don’t accept being tired as part of getting older.

Source

Top 10 Health Benefits of a Good Night's Sleep

2007-11-05T10:10:00.000-08:00

In the past, sleep was often ignored by doctors and surrounded by myths, but now we are beginning to understand the importance of sleep to overall health and well-being. In fact, when people get less than 6 or 7 hours of sleep each night, their risk for developing diseases begins to increase.

1. Keeps Your Heart Healthy
Heart attacks and strokes are more common during the early morning hours. This fact may be explained by the way sleep interacts with the blood vessels. Lack of sleep has been associated with worsening of blood pressure and cholesterol, all risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Your heart will be healthier if you get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night.

2. May Prevent Cancer
People working the late shift have a higher risk for breast and colon cancer. Researchers believe this link is caused by differing levels of melatonin in people who are exposed to light at night. Light exposure reduces the level of melatonin, a hormone that both makes us sleepy and is thought to protect against cancer. Melatonin appears to suppress the growth of tumors. Be sure that your bedroom is dark to help your body produce the melatonin it needs.

3. Reduces Stress
When your body is sleep deficient, it goes into a state of stress. The body's functions are put on high alert which causes an increase in blood pressure and a production of stress hormones. Higher blood pressure increases your risk for heart attacks and strokes. The stress hormones also, unfortunately, make it harder for you to sleep. Learn relaxation techniques to counter the effects of stress. There are also stress reduction techniques for sleep.

4. Reduces Inflammation
The increase in stress hormones raises the level of inflammation in your body, also creating more risk for heart-related conditions, as well as cancer and diabetes. Inflammation is thought to one of the causes of the deterioration of your body as you age.

5. Makes You More Alert
Of course, a good night's sleep makes you feel energized and alert the next day. Being engaged and active not only feels great, it increases your chances for another good night's sleep. When you wake up feeling refreshed, use that energy to get out into the daylight, do active things, and be engaged in your world. You'll sleep better the next night and increase your daily energy level.

6. Bolsters Your Memory
Researchers do not fully understand why we sleep and dream, but a process called memory consolidation occurs during sleep. While your body may be resting, your brain is busy processing your day, making connections between events, sensory input, feelings and memories. Your dreams and deep sleep are an important time for your brain to make memories and links. Getting more quality sleep will help you remember and process things better.

7. May Help You Lose Weight
Researchers have also found that people who sleep less than seven hours per night are more likely to be overweight or obese. It is thought that the lack of sleep impacts the balance of hormones in the body that affect appetite. The hormones ghrelin and leptin, important for the regulation of appetite, have been found to be disrupted by lack of sleep. So if you are interested in controlling or losing weight, don't forget to pay attention to getting a good night's sleep.

8. Naps Make You Smarter
Napping during the day is not only an effective and refreshing alternative to caffeine, it can also protect your health and make you more productive. A study of 24,000 Greek adults showed that people who napped several times a week had a lower risk for dying from heart disease. People who nap at work have much lower levels of stress. Napping also improves memory, cognitive function and mood.

9. Reduce Your Risk for Depression
Sleep impacts many of the chemicals in your body, including serotonin. People with a deficiency in serotonin are more likely to suffer from depression. You can help to prevent depression by making sure you are getting the right amount of sleep, between 7 and 9 hours each night.

10. Helps the Body Make Repairs
Sleep is a time for your body to repair damage caused by stress, ultraviolet rays and other harmful exposures. Your cells produce more protein while you are sleeping. These protein molecules form the building blocks for cells, allowing them to repair damage.

Sources

Archives of Internal Medicine, 1 2003;163:205-209.

Archives of Internal Medicine, 2. 2007;167(3):296-301.

Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention. Vol. 13, 936-943, June 2004.

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. Vol. 89, No. 5 2119-2126.

Public Library of Science. PLoS Medicine Vol. 1, No. 3, e68 doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.0010068.

Brigham and Women's Hospital Reducing Your Risk for Depression.

NIH Senior Health Sleep and Aging.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Brain Basics: Understanding Sleep

Top 10 Ways to Get a Good Nights Sleep

2007-11-05T10:08:00.000-08:00

Your sleep hygiene describes your sleep habits. By improving your sleep habits, you can increase your chance of falling asleep fast, staying asleep and sleeping between seven to nine hours each night. A good nights sleep has many health benefits. Most importantly, you will feel great.

1. Only Sleep and Have Sex in the Bedroom
The bedroom should be used only for sleep and sex. That means no reading in bed and no TV in bed. Doing these things (or anything else) confuses your body, making it difficult to fall asleep. Give yourself about 15 minutes to fall asleep. If you havent fallen asleep by then, get out of bed until you are sleepy. You can do some quiet reading (pick something boring), but avoid TVs and computer screens. Remember, your goal is to train yourself to fall asleep quickly. Reading a stimulating book, watching TV or doing anything else undermines that.

2. Keep a Schedule
Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. This will train your body to sleep on a schedule. If you can maintain this schedule for several weeks, you will probably find yourself falling asleep faster and feeling more refreshed. Do not sleep in on weekends or stay up late. Your body adjusts to changes in your sleep schedule at a rate of one hour per day. That means if you wake up at 6:30 a.m. on weekdays, but 8:30 a.m. on weekends, you need two days to adjust. You wont be sleeping well again until Wednesday each week.

3. Make a Bedtime Ritual
Create a nightly ritual to signal that it is time to sleep. Start the ritual about 30 minutes before you lie down to help release stressful thoughts and be ready to sleep when you lie down. A little quiet reading (not in bed) or a warm bath can be great. Avoid watching TV, since it stimulates your brain.

4. Exercise Daily
Daily exercise will improve your chances of falling asleep quickly and sleeping deeply. Try to exercise early in the day and never within three hours of bedtime. Exercising too late in the day can make it difficult for you to fall asleep. A daily exercise habit will not only improve your sleep hygiene, but it will also improve your overall health.

5. Get Some Sunlight
Sunlight helps regulate your circadian clock and make you feel sleepy at night by stimulating your body to produce melatonin (a hormone that regulates your sleep cycle). You need exposure to bright light every day. Morning sunlight exposure can be especially helpful. Be sure to open the drapes every morning to let light in.

6. Avoid Caffeine in the Afternoon
Some people are caffeine sensitive and cannot drink any coffee, tea or other caffeinated beverage up to six hours before bedtime. If you are having trouble sleeping, try avoiding all afternoon and evening caffeine.

7. Make Your Bedroom Dark
The contrast between light during the day and dark at night helps reinforce your bodys natural rhythms. By making your bedroom dark at night, you will be able to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Closing drapes and doors can help reduce the light in your bedroom.

8. Avoid Alcohol
That small glass of wine can make it more difficult to stay asleep. After an evening drink, you might fall asleep just fine, but you will likely wake up in the middle of the night. This effect is caused by a rebound in blood sugar and withdrawal from the alcohol after it is metabolized. Try avoiding alcohol before sleep and see if you sleep more soundly. For every drink you have, give your body at least an hour to process it before trying to fall asleep.

9. Don't Smoke
The nicotine in cigarettes is a stimulant that will keep you awake, which is just one of the things that smoking does to your body. If you smoke, many resources are available to help you quit. The benefits quitting include better sleep, a longer life, more energy and saving money. Smokers also may wake up early due to nicotine withdrawal.

10. See a Doctor
Finally, if these lifestyle changes dont help, contact your doctor. You may have a sleep disorder or just may need some temporary help getting yourself in good sleep shape.

Source

Understanding Sleep

2007-11-05T09:59:00.000-08:00

Sleep is a major part of our lives. However, researchers and doctors understand little about sleep and what it does for us. What we do know is that sleep has many health benefits and getting a good night’s sleep is the key to feeling energized every day. Understanding sleep can help you improve your health and may even extend your life.

Sleep Habits

Sleep habits are the key to getting a good night’s sleep. We can either train ourselves to fall asleep quickly every night, or we can train ourselves to lie awake in bed through bad habits. Exercise, caffeine, stress and other factors can influence the quantity and quality of our sleep. Changing your sleep habits can lead to greatly improve sleep quality and quantity.

Sleep Disorders and Sleep Problems

If changing your sleep habits doesn’t help, you may have a sleep disorder.

The most common sleep disorders include:

* Insomnia
* Sleep apnea
* Restless Legs Syndrome
* Narcolepsy

The following situations can interfere with your daily Zzzzs as well:

* Jet lag
* Working the night shift
* Nighttime driving
* Snoring

Sleep Diagnosis and Treatment

You may have a sleep disorder if it takes you more than 30 minutes to fall asleep each night, you are tired during the day and you do not feel rested. If you think you might have a sleep problem, try these three steps:

* Improve Your Sleep Habits: Make big changes in your sleep habits for 2 to 3 weeks to see if you can figure out what is causing you to sleep poorly.
* Keep a Sleep Diary: Track your sleep and other behaviors for several days to make connections between your daily activities and your sleep quality.
* Find a Sleep Center and Doctor: If your sleep doesn’t improve, take your sleep diary to a sleep center or sleep doctor near you for more testing.

Sleep Needs

Each individual’s sleep need varies. For the majority of adults, the daily sleep need is between 7 and 9 hours. Some people need even more than 9 hours and others need less than 7, but this is rare. If you are awake and alert during the day and feel satisfied with your sleep, then you are getting enough sleep.

Sleep and Aging

There is a myth that people need less sleep as they age. This is simply not true: Older adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night. However, good sleep is harder to get as we age because of health conditions, medications and other reasons. Protecting your sleep as you age will give you more energy and better health.

Sleep Myths

Other sleep myths include misunderstandings about the benefit of sleeping in to “catch up” on sleep, sleep in children, the benefits of napping and more. Clearing up these sleep myths will help you to make better decisions about your daily sleep habits.

Sleep Benefits

While we know that sleep makes us feel refreshed, there are many health and other benefits to a good night’s sleep. These include improving heart health, improving your memory and maybe even preventing cancer. Other benefits include improving your skin and helping you concentrate.

Napping

Napping can be a great way to increase your sleep and improve your energy. Napping has been shown to increase productivity and even protect against heart disease. Napping strategies will help you take effective, short naps and then go back to your day recharged.

Sleep Biology

Sleep is a complicated process consisting of five stages. These stages include falling asleep (stage 1), brain slow-down (stage 2), deep sleep (stages 3 and 4) and rapid eye movement (REM). In each stage, the brain and body act differently. During the night, we cycle through all these stages approximately every 100 minutes.

Circadian Rhythms

Throughout the day the body makes changes in various hormone levels. Some of these changes, known as circadian rhythms, control our wake/sleep cycle. By getting enough exposure to bright light and following other behavioral suggestions, we can work with our circadian rhythms help ourselves fall asleep fast every night.

Dreaming and Sleep

Of course, dreaming is one of the strangest and least understood parts of sleep. Dreams seem to be important in creating memories out of the day’s events and solidifying learning. Dreams can be extremely vivid, interesting and potentially meaningful to the dreamer.

Source

Preventing Hearing Loss

2007-11-05T09:57:00.000-08:00

Age-related hearing loss is mainly caused by a loss of the tiny hair cells that act as sounds receptors and free radical damage that "clogs up" tissues that act as sound amplifiers. As many as 50 million people in the U.S. could have impaired hearing by 2050.

Young people are losing their hearing 2.5 times faster than their parents' generation due to more exposure to loud music and noisy environments. That means that when young people today are 40, their hearing ability will be more like a 60 or 70 year-olds' hearing.

Hearing loss caused by exposure to loud noises can be prevented. Here is a list of general tips for reducing your risk of age-related hearing loss and preventing existing damage from progressing:

* Limit the time you are exposed to loud noises.

* Earplugs should be used when you are exposed to firearms, lawn mowers, leaf blowers, jet skies, power tools, loud appliances, snowmobiles, or any other loud noises.
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* If you use headphones to listen to music all day long, do not have the volume up above 50 percent. And never exceed 80 percent, even if you're listening for a short time.

* Do not try to clean your ear canal with a cotton swab or other tool. You may push ear wax further down the ear canal which, over time, can cause it to accumulate and cause hearing loss. Have a health care professional clean your ears when necessary.

* Keep your heart and veins healthy. High blood pressure and problems with circulation could cause hearing loss since changes to your blood supply can affect the delicate structures of your ear.

Sources:

American Association for the Advancement of Science Annual Meeting, 2007. Presentation by Steven Greenberg.

National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders. Presbycusis. NIH Pub. No. 97-4235.

Optimal Breathing

2007-10-30T10:38:00.000-07:00

Clinical Studies and Optimal Breathing

There is so much confusion about healthy breathing. The confusion stems largely due to:

A. Business can not patent breathing. If it could we would be getting junk mail, TV ads and see road signs about it.
B. Scientific research is based on using mice, monkeys, rats, cats and dogs etc. None of which breathe like healthy humans.
C. Education overlooked it - MDs study less about healthy breathing in school then they do about nutrition.
D. Reduction of autopsy rates from 40% in 1940 to 15% in 1999 effectively eliminate longitudinal studying of long term health implications. Cost and so called lack of need was sited. How well developed or deteriorated was the person's diaphragm at time of death? No autopsy makes it far too easy for MDs get to bury their mistakes and miss out on the lessons of post mortem investigation.
"Advances in diagnostic technology have not diminished the value of autopsy. The discordance between the clinical cause of death and postmortem diagnosis was 19.8%. In 44.4% of the discordant cases, knowledge of the correct diagnosis would have altered therapy. Postmortem study can serve as a valuable monitor of quality control in diagnostic accuracy of MICU patients." . CHEST 119(2):530-536, 2001. © 2001 ACCP]
Mounting Evidence
Clinical studies including thousands of participants spanning a 30-year period offer persuasive evidence that the most significant factor in health and longevity is how well you breathe.

1. The Framingham study focused on the long-term predictive power of vital capacity and forced exhalation volume as the primary markers for life span.
"This pulmonary function measurement appears to be an indicator of general health and vigor and literally a measure of living capacity". Wm B. Kannel and Helen Hubert.
These researchers were able to foretell how long a person was going to live by measuring forced exhalation breathing (flow rate) aka FEV1 and hypertension. We know that much of hypertension is controlled by the way we breathe.
"Long before a person becomes terminally ill, vital capacity can predict life span." William B. Kannel of Boston School of Medicine (1981) stated, "The Framingham examinations' predictive powers were as accurate over the 30-year period as were more recent exams." The study concluded that vital capacity falls 9 percent to 27 percent each decade depending on age, sex and the time the test is given. The study's shortcoming was in suggesting that vital capacity cannot be maintained and or increased, even in severe cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Any opera (not necessarily voice) teacher will support the idea that breathing volume can be increased. Yet activities such as singing or sports are no guarantee of optimal breathing. In fact, they can even invite breathing blocks from gasping, forcing the exhale and breath heaving. You don't have to learn how to sing to have a huge pair of lungs. But you DO need to know how to breathe. I maintain that if you train someone to breathe correctly, they will naturally know how to sing. I have never seen it fail.
You can get the complete Framingham study at the National Institute of Health's Database. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed/

REMINDER:
Most of scientific research is and was done with rats and primates who do not breathe the same as humans. Researchers did not seem to believe at that time that one could improve one's breathing. Many still do not believe one can improve one's breathing. This is simply not true. Recommended program ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2. 29 years after the Framingham study, the same conclusions prevail.
Lung Function May Predict Long Life Or Early Death
How well your lungs function may predict how long you live. This finding is the result of a nearly 30-year follow-up of the association between impaired pulmonary function and all causes of mortality, conducted by researchers at the University at Buffalo. Results of the study appear in the September issue of Chest.

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the association between pulmonary function and mortality for periods that extended past 25 years, the limit of previous studies. Dr. SchÃ¼nemann and colleagues also wanted to determine for how long pulmonary function is a significant predictor of mortality.

Results showed that lung function was a significant predictor of longevity in the whole group for the full 29 years of follow-up. "It is important to note that the risk of death was increased for participants with moderately impaired lung function, not merely those in the lowest quintile," Dr. Schanemann said. "This suggests that the increased risk isn't confined to a small fraction of the population with severely impaired lung function."

The reasons lung function may predict mortality are not clear, Dr. Schunemann said, noting that increased risk is found in persons who never smoked, as well as among smokers.

"The lung is a primary defense organism against environmental toxins. It could be that impaired pulmonary function could lead to decreased tolerance against these toxins. Researchers also have speculated that decreased pulmonary function could underlie an increase in oxidative stress from free radicals, and we know that oxidative stress plays a role in the development of many diseases."

Dr. Schanemann said the fact that a relationship does exists between lung function and risk of death should motivate physicians to screen patients for pulmonary function, even if more research is needed to determine why.

"It is surprising that this simple measurement has not gained more importance as a general health assessment tool," he noted.

Schunemann HJ, Dorn J, Grant BJB, Winkelstein W, Jr., Trevisan M. Pulmonary Function Is a Long-term Predictor of Mortality in the General Population 29-Year Follow-up of the Buffalo Health Study. Chest 2000;118(3)656-664.

From Mike: "Surprising" puts it mildly!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3. Decline in FEV1 (breathing volume) by age and smoking status: facts, figures and fallacies. Thorax 1997 52:820-827.

This study shows the importance of longitudinal studies as opposed to cross sectional ones."
This published article focused on a compilation of 83 published reports and clinical studies showing clearly that the primary measurement for lung function -FEV1 - is based on cross sectional data instead of longitudinal data. This means essentially that they include sick people with widely diverse circumstances in their statistics and compile everyone's data for mass diagnosis.
This 1997 research paper points out that; (italics mine) "from one low measurement of FEV1 (forced exhalation volume) in an adult, it is impossible to determine whether the reduced lung function is due to not having achieved a high maximum during early adulthood, or to having an accelerated rate of decline or to any combination of these." "Western medical studies, via cross sectioning, continue to look for role modeling epidemiological "norms" that include the ranks of the ill. Cross sectioning is 60% effective and proven by many to be ineffective over the last 40 years."
The health professional's opinion can have immense personal, social, legal, and economic consequences. When it is based on information colored by sick or otherwise non-optimum healthy or inappropriately chosen individuals, the statistic(s) become weighted in favor of, or excessively influenced by, illness or what is perceived as illness, and may well be in reality, simple mechanical dysfunction. Cross sectional studies can bring the averages down and cause many who do not need the intensity, duration or style of treatment recommended by many health practitioners to be over or under medicated, or inappropriately fed, exercised, massaged or educated.
From Mike:
We need to focus on how to improve breathing, not on how it became impaired. Dwelling too much on problems and pathology gets in the way of creativity and flexibility.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
4. The von Ardenne studies focused on oxygen's relationship to most major categories of illness. When your blood oxygen goes way down, you get sick,
die or at least shorten your life span. This book is a masterful compilation of clinical insights and variations on breathing assessments, cofactors and some techniques of breathing development called Oxygen Multistep Therapy Dr. Manfred von Ardenne was a student of Dr. Otto Warburg. Warburg received
the 1931 Nobel Prize for proving that cancer is anaerobic; it cannot survive in a high oxygen environment. Germs, fungi and bacteria are anaerobic as well. von Ardenne was also inspired by Karl Lohmann who discovered adenosine triphosphate, ATP, which many believe to be the human bodyâ€™s main energy currency. von Ardenne was an electron physicist who in addition to his interest in astronomy, developed quite a good reputation for cancer research . He went on to develop a process he called Oxygen Multistep Therapy. In his book of the same name Dr. von
Ardenne addressed some 150 respiratory and blood gas aspects including elements of what we might call respiratory psychophysiology.

Some studies addressed in the book are:
Dependence of O2 uptake at rest.
The O2 deficiency pulse reaction as a warning sign of a life-threatening crisis, and the lasting remedying of the crisis.
Procedures that influence and measure increases and decreases in arterial and venous O2 blood levels.
The necessary physical exercise to attain a training effect (which is less than you might expect).
Increases in brain circulation during physical strain.
Rate of blood flow in the circulation of the organs.
Various examples in changes of O2 uptake. Heart minute volume and blood flow of the organs decisive for O2 transport.
Relation of ATP concentrations in rat brains as a function of the oxygen partial pressure of the inspired air.
He graphed much of his research. Other cofactors that influence lung volume are airways hyper-responsiveness, atopy, childhood respiratory infections, air pollution, posture, subluxation of the spine, exercise, deep and superficial fascia, nutrition, occupational hazards, abuse and trauma, attitude, and age, height, weight and sex.
The Manfred von Ardenne studies are best obtained by getting his book called Oxygen Multistep Therapy. His material is good but remains primarily within the illness model instead of the wellness model.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
5. OBESITY AND BREATHING
Effects of Obesity on Respiratory Resistance (increased force required to breathe and shortness of breath). Chest 1993 May,103(5):1470-1476. These findings suggest that in addition to the elastic load, obese subjects have to overcome increased respiratory resistance from the reduction in lung volume related to being overweight
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
6. Numerous measurements have shown that the low pO2art resulting from stressful events of following degeneration of the lung heart system (LHS) in old age can be re-elevated up to high values. Manfred von Ardenne - Stress
1981 Vol 2 Autumn.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
7. Self-evaluation of respiratory deterioration was significantly predictive
of death from all causes. Kauffmann F, Annesi I, Chwalow J -Epidemiological Research Unit INSERM U 169, Villejuif, France. European Respiratory Journal 1997 Nov; 10(11):2508-2514 In other words there are ways of your telling yourself how good your breathing is and what you observe is related to how long you may live due to good or bad breathing.

From Mike:
http://www.breathing.com/tests.htm

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
8. Breathe Well Be Well. Robert Fried, Ph D. A strong collection of 18 years working with correlating hyperventilation and its relationship to many illnesses never before linked to poor breathing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
9. Dr. Otto Warburg received the 1931 Nobel price for proving that cancer is anaerobic. It does not survive in high concentrations of oxygen.
MORE HEALTHY BREATHING COFACTORS
HOW IS THE FOLLOWING RELATED TO WARBURG?
An crucially important factor in breathing is the exhale, which is much more than the inhale. But contemporary lung volume measurements are inconsistent and guided by cross sectional criteria instead of longitudinal data and therefore do not adequately predict decline within individuals.
This lack of insight about optimal functioning can cause people to be trained to do forced inhalations that may actually be harmful in long run.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
10. Do you often catch yourself not breathing?
Do you experience shallow, labored breathing; shortness of breath; a high chest; stuck, erratic, or reverse breathing?
Are you unable to catch your breath?
Do you have blue-tinted lips or fingernails; trouble sleeping; more than 6 -8 resting breaths per minute with 3-6 second pauses; heart beat irregularities; poor posture, mild to severe depression; tightness across your chest; excessive stress; asthma or COPD symptoms; constant fatigue; chronic pain; chest pains; anger; anxiety; hyperventilation?
Do you think you can't sing or want to sing better?
For more breathing-relevant studies in a free newsletter or to take the free breathing self tests and see how you compare to others, access www.breathing.com/tests.htm

Source

Can Humans Live Longer? The Missing Anti-Aging Hormone

2007-10-30T10:25:00.000-07:00

Can humans really do anything to prolong life? A recent article by Christopher Wanjek in the Washington Post said "Humans can reap no such benefits from the continuing flood of anti-aging potions and precepts, which are at best naively optimistic and at worst fraudulent and harmful. Wanjeck goes on to say that "every book, powder or pill that promises a fountain of youth..... is just plain wrong."

"There is no intervention that has been proven to slow, stop or reverse aging. Period," says Leonard Hayflick, professor of anatomy at the University of California, San Francisco, a leader in the study of aging. Even New Age physician Deepak Chopra chimed in by saying legitimate anti-aging remedies can only keep a person from dying young, but they don't increase the life span.1

Human growth hormone, widely extolled on radio infomercials across America for its anti-aging properties, may produce side effects including the elevation of growth hormones that trigger the growth of tumors. Growth hormone is more appropriate for very old adults who have lost muscle mass and can't get up out of a chair any longer, not for middle-aged adults fighting the first signs of aging.2

So is there anything that adults can do to lengthen the human life span? Scientists want you to wait (as if everybody has the time) for gene therapy. The latest breakthrough is the so-called Methuselah gene, a portion of DNA that confers healthy old age to those who carry its active form.3 But don't wait around for genetics to prolong life. Gene therapy has yet to cure any disease, is likely to be too costly for the average person to afford and is more likely to be inserted in new genes in the offspring of the next generation.

Why wait for an antioxidant breakthrough?

Thomas Johnson at the University of Colorado-Boulder, is looking in another direction. Johnson found that by tweaking a certain gene in roundworms he could create a super antioxidant gene that would double the worm's life span.4

But while researchers conduct their antioxidant studies on roundworms, what can we do? Actually youth seekers need look no further than the vitamin shelf at local stores for a well substantiated. anti-aging compound – vitamin C. While researchers attempt to make careers out of their research and thus delay any conclusions indefinitely, vitamin C may be the anti-aging miracle humanity can begin to use today. The story is not new, it's just not been widely told.

Humans have the capacity to live for hundreds of years

The good news is that there is scientific evidence that humans have the capacity to lengthen their average life span by hundreds of years. The evidence for vitamin C as a key anti-aging agent is compelling and rooted in the genetic makeup of humans. All humans are mutants. Homo sapiens, guinea pigs, monkeys, bats, some fish and many birds, do not produce their own vitamin C. The rest of the animal kingdom synthesizes their own vitamin C. For them, ascorbic acid is a hormone, not a dietary-acquired vitamin. Animals employ different organs to produce vitamin C. Some birds and reptiles use their kidneys and perching birds and mammals make vitamin C in their liver.5

Humans once made vitamin C in their liver by the production of four enzymes which convert circulating sugars into ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Humans today only make 3 of the 4 enzymes required to convert glucose (sugar) into ascorbic acid. A progressive mutation at some time in past generations deactivated the gene for the enzyme gulonolactone oxidase and slowly as the mutation progressed the synthesis of vitamin C came to an end in humans.

Mammals who make their own vitamin C can live 8-10 times beyond their age of physical maturity. Mammals without this ability have a difficult time reaching 3-4 times. Researchers believe the reinstallation of the gulonolactone oxidase enzyme in humans would extend the lifespan to hundreds of years.

This means that humans at one time in the past, prior to this gene mutation, lived for hundreds of years. This doesn't fit with the current evolutionary scheme of biology which postulates that humans evolved from monkeys and early man lived no longer than 40 years.

Darwinian theory off the mark

In 1966 Irwin Stone, a chemical engineer, theorized that the mutation of the gulonolactone oxidase enzyme in humans had been part of human evolution. There had been a branching of the Prosimii and the Anthropoidea orders of monkeys. The Anthropoidea developed the inactive gene for vitamin C and that branch evolved into humans.6

Health writer Jack Challem in 1997 also hypothesized that either a virus or free radical attack caused the genetic defect that disabled the enzyme necessary for vitamin C synthesis and that this in turn led to mutations that propelled the evolution of monkeys to humans.7

Of course, mutations are destructive and regressive, not progressive advancements of the genome. According to Darwin's theory of natural selection (survival of the fittest), humans or monkeys who could not produce their own vitamin C would have been less likely to thrive. Of course these theories are based upon suppositions which depict branch-like evolution from simple life forms to monkeys and finally humans. With no intermediate species (no missing links), these evolutionary tree charts are still nothing more than cartoons.

According to paleontologists early humans lived for about 40 years and only in recent times has the human life span dramatically shifted upwards. But then again, we have that evidence that humans at one time in the past made their own vitamin C. What evidence do we have, if any, that humans at some time in the past lived for hundreds of years?

When did humans live for hundreds of years?

An examination of the historical records of the Holy Bible reveals that Adam was recorded to have lived for 930 years (Genesis 5:5), and Noah for 950 years (Genesis 9:29). According to the Biblical record the human genome was severely narrowed at that time, down to just eight members of Noah's family as gene carriers. Thereafter the human life span was recorded to slowly dissipate. After the Flood, Bible genealogies indicate Shem lived 600 years, followed by Arphaxad who lived 438 years, and through other generations on down to Abraham who lived 175 years and finally to Moses who lived 120 years (Deuteronomy 34:7). This description would fit the progressive mutation of the gulonolactone oxidase gene. Humans still house this gene, it is just defunct and called a pseudogene. Thus the Biblical genealogies may not be far-fetched fairy tales.

Can the enzyme to produce vitamin C be re-installed in humans?

What if the gulonolactone oxidase gene could somehow be re-inserted into the human genome?

We know that guinea pigs who lack gulonolactone oxidase have been given this enzyme by injection and are able to survive on a diet deficient in vitamin C.8

Scientists have taken the gulonolactone oxidase DNA from rat liver and successfully tranplanted it into the tomato genome.9 The gulonolactone oxidase gene has also been successfully transferred into a teleost fish (Oryzias latipes) via microinjection into fertilized fish eggs.10

With all of the widely heralded prospects for gene therapy there hasn't been a peep about the feasability of inserting the gulonolactone oxidase gene into the human genome. Yet the profound impact of such a development, if successful, would obviously be monumental. Diabetes, blood vessel disease, cataracts, gallstones, to name a few age-related maladies, would be eradicated. The breakdown of collagen with advancing age would be slowed. The world human population jumped from 1.6 to 6..1 billion in the past century, 2 billion of that growth coming since 1960, largely from improvements in sanitation, food fortification and modern medicines.11 Imagine the social, political and medical ramifications if humans could live for hundreds of years?

Does vitamin C supplementation work?

As early as 1984 researchers knew that supplementation of drinking water with vitamin C increased the average life span of mice by as much as 20 percent.12

Nobel prize winner Dr. Linus Pauling suggested humans supplement their diet continually through the day to mimic what the liver would make if the gene for the gulonolactone oxidase enzyme were still active. Dr. Pauling advocated supplementation with mineral ascorbates, the same alkaline form of vitamin C the liver produces in mammals, not ascorbic acid which can sometimes be irritating to the stomach and can even eat away tooth enamel.13

How much vitamin C should humans ingest? If you want to get all your vitamin C from foods, consumption of the recommended 5 to 7 servings of fruits and vegetables a day is likely to provide 200-250 milligrams. A mouse makes about 275 milligrams of vitamin C per day per kilogram (2.2 lbs) of body weight. If a mouse weighed 154 pounds, about the weight of a human, this would amount to about 19,250 milligrams of vitamin C per day. A 160-pound goat produces about 13,000 milligrams per day, and more under stress. A dog or cat will produce about 40 milligrams of vitamin C per kilogram of body weight per day, or the equivalent of 2800 mgs per day if these animals were about the same size as humans. So using animals as a rule of thumb, humans may benefit from consumption of anywhere from 2,000-20,000 milligrams per day. The only common side effect from high-dose vitamin C is a transient diarrhea-like buildup of water in the lower bowel. Government health authorities recommend only about 90 milligrams of vitamin C a day for adults, but that's just the minimum amount to prevent scurvy and promote general health, not to achieve optimal health and longevity. Studies indicate the vitamin C intake for Americans is around 110 milligrams per day, but adequate vitamin C status, even with food fortification, is still not guaranteed. According to one study, about 1-2 percent of college students exhibited true deficiency and marginal deficiencies were found in an additional 12-16 percent of students.14

Can vitamin C prolong life?

Is there any evidence that increased vitamin C consumption can prolong the human life span? A study of 11,000 Americans over 10 years revealed that individuals with the highest level of vitamin C intake, only about 300 milligrams, suffered 35 percent fewer deaths than those with the lowest intake, about 50 milligrams a day. This amounts to about 6 added years of life to those who consume higher levels of vitamin C. Since 300 mg of vitamin C is difficult to obtain from dietary sources alone, the primary group that exhibited increased life span were the vitamin C supplement users.15 A person would have to consume five oranges a day to get 300 milligrams of vitamin C from their diet alone.

There are other corroborating studies that back up the idea of vitamin C supplementation and longevity.

A study over a 12-16-year period showed that males with the highest blood serum levels of vitamin C experienced a 57 percent drop in their risk of dying from any cause compared to males with low circulating levels of vitamin C.16

Among men and women ages 45-79 years, just a 50 milligram increase in vitamin C consumption was able to reduce the relative all-cause mortality rate by 20 percent.17

Another study published in 2001 also confirms a 25-29 percent decreased all-cause mortality rate among adults with normal to high circulating levels of vitamin C.18

It is interesting to note that vitamin C acts as an agent in various models of anti-aging. Vitamin C would be a key antioxidant in the free radical theory of aging.19 Researchers have demonstrated that vitamin C slows down telomere shortening by 52-62 percent in a controlled experiment.20 Telomeres are the end caps of DNA that shorten with many generations and limit the number of replications of DNA.

Is high-dose vitamin C genotoxic?

However, with all of this positive information about vitamin C, the news media recently chose to widely circulate a misleading test-tube study claiming high-dose vitamin C is toxic to DNA which could cause cancer. Researchers recommended vitamin C supplements be restricted to no more than 200 milligrams per day. This report caused the public to temporarily pause regarding vitamin C supplements.21 However, the 200-milligram limit conflicts with government health authorities who recommend consumption of 5-7 servings of fruits and vegetables per day which would likely provide more than the 200 milligram amount. Virtually all evidence from dietary studies confirm the health benefits of foods that provide high amounts of vitamin C. Another earlier study published in Nature indicated 500 milligrams of vitamin C in humans may produce damage to DNA in lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell.22 However, other studies reveal that vitamin C actually protects against DNA damage to lymphocytes but this protective effect is greatly enhanced when accompanied by bioflavonoids which usually accompany vitamin C in nature.23 Bioflavonoids are plant pigments commonly found in citrus, berries, grapes and tea leaves. The better store brands of buffered vitamin C powder (mineral ascorbates) include bioflavonoids. Furthermore, five other subsequent human studies were conducted using high-dose vitamin C up to 5000 milligrams per day and could not find evidence that vitamin C induces gene mutations.24

Then there is the aforementioned evidence from the animal kingdom where animals produce thousands of milligrams of vitamin C daily without evidence this induces cancer. A modern mountain gorilla living in its natural habitat, that produces no vitamin C on its own, would obtain 4,500 milligrams of vitamin C per day from native foodstuffs.25 A 15 pound howler monkey takes in 600 milligrams of vitamin C per day and an 18 pound spider monkey consumes about 744 mg of vitamin C per day.26 There is no evidence that these levels of vitamin C from dietary sources induce any DNA mutations or cancer in these animals.

Furthermore, there are studies which reveal significant health benefits for humans who consume vitamin C in excess of the newly established 90 milligram reference daily intake. For example, human studies reveal that 300 milligrams of daily vitamin C appears to reduce the risk of blinding cataracts, an otherwise inevitable consequence of aging, by 77-83 percent.27 A 500-milligram daily dose of vitamin C has been found to significantly reduce blood pressure among hypertensive patients who previously had to use prescription medications.28

Anyone interested in anti-aging should begin with vitamin C, the missing human hormone.

Part II: What we can learn about anti-aging from mynah birds, fruit flies and leeches

References

1. Wanjek C, Time in a bottle, Washington Post, Jan 29, 2002
2. Riedl M, et al, Growth hormone in the elderly man, Wien Med Wochenschr 151: 426-29, 2001.
3. McKie R, Discovery of Methuselah gene unlocks secret of long life, The Observer, Feb. 3, 2002.
4. Fischer JS, The cells of immortality, US New Online, March 20, 2000.
5. McCluskey ES, Which vertebrates make vitamin C?, Origins 12: 96-100, 1985.
6. Stone I, The natural history of ascorbic acid in the evolution of the mammals and primates and its significance for present day man, Orthomolecular Psychiatry 1: 82-89, 1972; Stone I, Homo sapiens ascorbicus, a biochemically corrected robust human mutant, Medical Hypotheses 5: 711-21, 1979..
7. Challem JJ, Did the loss of endogenous ascorbate propel the evolution of Anthropoidea and Homo sapiens? Medical Hypotheses 48: 387-92, 1997.
8. Sato PH, et al, Treatment of a metabolic disease, scurvy, by administration of a missing enzyme, Biochem Med Metab Biol 35: 59-64, 1986; Hadley K, Sato P, A protocol for the successful long-term enzyme replacement therapy of scurvy in guinea pigs, J Inherit Metabolic Diseases 11: 387-96, 1988.
9. Tsuyoshi I, et al, The American Society of Plant Physiologists, Plant Biology '97, Abstract 1545.
10. Toyohara H, et al, Transgenic expression of L-gulono-gamme-lactone oxidase in medaka (Oryzias latipes), a teleost fish that lacks this enzyme necessary for L-ascorbic acid biosynthesis, Biochem Biophys Res Commun 223: 650-53, 1996.
11. Human population: fundamentals of growth, Population Reference Bureau, 2002.
12. Massie HR, et al, Dietary vitamin C improves the survival of mice, Gerontology 30: 371-75, 1984
13. Pauling L, How to Live Longer and Feel Better, July 1996.
14. Johnston CS, et al, Vitamin C status of a compus population: college students get a C minus, J Am College Health 46: 209-13, 1998.
15. Cowley G, Church V, Live longer with vitamin C, Newsweek May 18, 1992 and Enstrom JE, et al, Vitamin C intake and mortality among a sample of the United States population, Epidemiology 3: 194-202, 1992.
16. Loria CM, et al, Vitamin C status and mortality in US adults, American Journal Clinical Nutrition 72: 139-45, 2000.
17. Khaw, K, et al, Relation between plasma ascorbic acid and mortality in men and women in EPIC-Norfolk prospective study: a prospective population study, The Lancet 357: March 3, 2001.
18. Simon JA, et al, Relation of serum ascorbic acid to mortality among US adults, J Am College Nutrition 20: June 2001.
19. Harman D, Piette LH, Free radical theory of aging: free radical reactions in serium, J Gerontology 21: 560-65, 1966.
20. Furumoto K, et al, Age-dependent telomere shortening is slowed down by enrichment of intracellular vitamin C via suppression of oxidative stress, Life Sciences 63: 935-48, 1998.
21. Lee SH, et al, Vitamin C-induced decomposition of lipid hydroperoxides to endogenous genotoxins, Science 292: 2083-86, 2001.
22. Podmore ID, et al, Vitamin C exhibits pro-oxidant properties, Nature 392: 559, 1998.
23. Noroozi M, et al, Effects of flavonoids and vitamin C on oxidative DNA damage to human lymphocytes, Am J Clin Nutrition 67: 1210-18, 1998.
24. Sardi B, The two faces of vitamin C, Science 293: 5537, 2001.
25. Bourne C, Vitamin C and immunity, British J Nutrition 2: 341, 1949.
26. Milton K, Eating what comes naturally: an examination of some differences between the dietary components of humans and wild primates, Dept. Antropology, University of Calif. Berkeley, 14th Intl' Congress on Anthropological and ethnological Sciences, July 26, 1998.
27. Jacques PF, et al, Long-term vitamin C supplement use and prevalence of early age-related lens opacities, Am J Clinical Nutrition 66: 911-16, 1997.
28. Duffy SJ, et al, Treatment of hypertension with ascorbic acid, The Lancet 354: Dec. 11, 1995.

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Anti-aging and Alkaline Diet

2007-10-30T10:23:00.000-07:00

Anti-aging and Alkaline Diet
by Sang Whang

Mr. Sang Whang is a successful inventor, scientist, and engineer. He explains the health and antiaging processes in layman terms in his book, Reverse Aging. Below is an excerpt from that book.

INTRODUCTION

In order to learn how to get younger, we must understand the process of antiaging and an alkaline diet.

Handling natural health improvement devices developed in Japan a few years, I have witnessed as well as personally experienced many mysterious phenomenon in the reverse aging effect.

Being a scientist, engineer, and inventor, I have tried to understand and explain the phenomenon scientifically, applying the scientific principles of those non-drug, natural health improvement devices. During the course of the study, I came to a realization of what the human aging process is about. The great news is that, with this new theory, the antiaging process can be explained, and ANYBODY CAN GET YOUNGER IF HE OR SHE SO DESIRES.

THE AGING PROCESS

We get old because we are not disposing of all the internally generated wastes and toxins, and accumulate the leftovers within our body.

For our body to function and to maintain body temperature, we burn nutrients within our cells. The main ingredients of all foods, expensive or inexpensive, gourmet or junk, vegetable or meat, alkaline or acid, are either carbohydrates, proteins or fats. And they are nothing but the combinations of four elements: carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen and oxygen.

After these nutrients are burnt (oxidized) in the cells, they all turn into organic acids: carbonic acids, uric acids, lactic acids, fatty acids, ammonia, etc. Fats are acidic even before oxidation. The Chinese word for oxygen is written with two characters, "sahn-so". They literally mean "acid root".

These acidic wastes and toxins are disposed out of the body in liquid form, as urine or perspiration, after first being dissolved into the blood. Every element within our body was place there by the blood and can come out of there by first being dissolved into the blood and then being carried out. If anyone loses ten pounds by any dietary means, it can be said that most of that ten pounds came out through the urine.

Unfortunately, due to our life styles and environments (i.e., too much ingestion, overwork, over indulgence, not enough rest, staying up late, not enough exercise, inadequate water consumption, smoking, pollution, low alkaline diet etc.) the body cannot get rid of all the acidic waste products that it generates within. We accumulate these left over waste products somewhere within our body. This is the process of getting old.

To make matters worse, mixed with these organic acids are inorganic acid minerals such as chlorine, phosphor, and sulfur that come in with most of our acidic foods: meats, grains and root crops. We don't eat enough of alkaline diet (antiaging) foods such as fruits and vegetables that contain inorganic alkaline minerals: calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, etc.

Although the amounts of inorganic minerals are small compared with the organic acid wastes that the body produces, they contribute more towards the acid side. However, one important thing to note is that even if one does not eat any acidic food at all, as long as carbohydrates and proteins are consumed, the body produces much more acidic wastes than the inorganic alkaline minerals can counteract.

We are born with high alkaline blood pH of 7.44. As we get older, the blood pH drops down to 7.35 or below. The blood pH referred to here is the artery blood pH. The difference of 0.09 in pH value seems very small but since pH is logarithmic, the amount of hydroxyl ion (OH-) in 7.44 pH is 1.23 times that of 7.35 pH, because 10=1.2303.

The hydroxyl ion is an oxygen donor while the hydrogen ion (H+) is an oxygen taker. In other words, young people carry 23% more of the oxygen donors in their blood than older people. No wonder they are more energetic.

Uric acid is nearly insoluble in water, alcohol, and ether, but soluble in solutions of alkaline salts. In other words, it becomes soluble in alkaline water. Arthritis and gout are caused by uric acid deposited between the joints, non-dissolved due to the low alkalinity of an older person's blood. Drinking acid free alkaline water will gradually elevate one's blood pH and the gout will disappear naturally. (More about this acid free alkaline water later)

As we live with poor waste disposal systems for a long period of time, some parts of our body build up more acids than others, and they can clog up capillary vessels around those acidic areas. This causes some body organs to function in a sluggish manner. We feel tired and run down sometimes for no reason whatsoever, and adult diseases such as high blood pressure, arthritis, diabetes, asthma, allergies, etc. start to set in WE SIMPLY ACCEPT THESE PHENOMENA AS "GETTING OLD."
Alkaline Diet

In some extreme cases, the build up of acidic elements are so great that it starts to destroy healthy cells around them. Healthy cells must maintain a slightly alkaline pH level. Some cells change their formula in order to survive in an acidic environment. If they are successful, this is the beginning of cancer. Cancer cells are acidic while healthy cells are alkaline. Even if the cancerous tumors are completely removed surgically, as long as the acidic conditions in the area remain, the chances are that new tumors will develop around the same area.

Exactly where the left over waste products are accumulated may very according to every individual. However, the parts of the body where wastes accumulate first may determine what kind of adult disease that individual may develop first. Within one family, the storage places may be similar. This may explain the hereditary effects of certain adult diseases.

THE ANTIAGING PROCESS

Because the accumulation of waste products inside the body is the aging process, helping the body to get rid of the OLD waste products is the antiaging process.

This reverse aging process takes two steps. The first step is to develop a good disposal system and the second step is to pull out the old wastes from their hiding places.

Development of A Good Disposal System

Since, as mentioned before, the waste disposal is done in liquid form by urine and perspiration, it is imperative that we drink plenty of water, When one is going through any diet program, doctors tell him to drink 8 glasses of water a day. They know the disposal is through urine, but they don't tell you what kind of water to drink.

Since all waste products are acidic, the best kind of water is acid free alkaline water. Drinking 4 glasses of this alkaline water is much more effective than 8 glasses of regular, bottled water or filtered tap water. There are devices called water ionizers that split alkaline minerals and acid minerals in regular tap water by electrical means.

A quality water ionizer takes in regular tap water which has both acid and alkaline minerals in it and has a typical pH value of 7. The system then releases water with a pH value of 9 or higher with all the alkaline minerals from the original tap water. At the same time it releases acidic water with a pH value of 5 or lower with all the acid minerals in the original tap water.

Since this alkaline water has twice as many alkaline minerals as the original water but NO acid minerals, it is more than twice as potent as the original water. Inside our body, it will neutralize only acidic elements and discharge them safely out of the body. Drinking 8 glasses of regular water can leach out acidic wastes as well as some valuable alkaline minerals such as potassium. That's why doctors test your blood when you are going through a serious diet program. With this alkaline water there is no worry about losing potassium from your system.

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Superfoods for the active guy: 10 high-powered must-eats, as chosen by our panel of experts - Recipe

2007-10-30T10:15:00.000-07:00

What's the single best food an active guy can eat for fat loss, muscle building and overall health? We put this burning question to 10 nutrition, health and sports-performance experts. Human nature being what it is, each expert had his or her own take, and we ended up with not one but 10 superfoods (and beverages) possessing the most essential nutrients to fuel today's fitness-minded male. No, we didn't forget the importance of a varied diet, and we're not telling you to restrict your eating habits, either. Plenty of other foods could have made the list--chicken breast, rice, citrus fruits, yams, berries, spinach, tuna and legumes, to name a few--but our power-packed choices are often overlooked and are a great place to start. So listen when your body thanks you--then you can thank us.

ENERGY CONVERSION: ASPARAGUS

Hate it if you will, but it's still one of the most nutritionally well-balanced vegetables out there. Asparagus contains a wide range of nutrients, from calcium and potassium to vitamins A and D. "I like asparagus because it's a fibrous carbohydrate, not a starchy one," says Maria Kwiatkowski, Ph.D., exercise psychologist and former assistant strength coach at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. "Asparagus is low in calories, has no fat or cholesterol, and is low in sodium." In addition, asparagus is a good source of vitamin B (thiamin), which helps convert glucose into energy; it's also a necessary component in the synthesis and breakdown of amino acids. As a side dish or a snack, a healthy ration of spears is a premium performance booster.
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IMMUNE STRENGTH: BROCCOLI

Broccoli is a genuine nutritional superstar. "[It's] filled with most of the essential vitamins and minerals that humans need," explains Nancy M. Betts, Ph.D., R.D., professor of nutritional science and dietetics at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. "It is an excellent source of antioxidants, and, being a crucifier, its consumption is related to reduced cancer risk." The high vitamin-C content also enhances your immune system, while the calcium and potassium help maintain strong bones and contribute to healthy connective tissue and cartilage. So despise the dreaded green but choke it down, because it's a nutrient feast.

MUSCLE REPAIR: SOYBEANS (EDAMAME)

In its many forms, soy is becoming more and more popular among active guys. You may know soybeans as edamame, the sushi-bar equivalent of beer nuts, as healthy a munch as you can find. "Soybeans provide soluble fiber and complex carbohydrates for stabilized blood-glucose levels and sustained energy," says Joy Bauer, M.S., R.D., author of The 90/10 Weight Loss Plan. They also supply unsaturated fat--the good type of fat that will keep you satiated for longer and boost your health as well. A source of plant-based protein and phytochemicals, soy will also repair and build muscle while fighting off disease at the same time. As Bauer concludes, "It's a perfect food--protein, complex carbs, soluble fiber and unsaturated fat."

BONE STRENGTH: MILK

For those of you looking for a multifaceted beverage to match your active lifestyle, David Levitch, M.S., R.D., author of Healthy Eating for Busy People, offers up a classic beverage. "Milk is a highly beneficial food that is often overlooked in a man's diet," he says. "One serving provides eight grams of protein and 13 grams of carbohydrates, and the fat content can be adjusted to fit the needs of the individual." In its fat-free state, milk still retains all of its protein and calcium, among other essential vitamins and minerals, making it an ideal substitute for gut-forming drinks like soda and beer.

SUSTAINED ENERGY: MULTIGRAIN

Complex carbohydrates are the key to sustaining energy, whether at work or in the gym, and multigrain breads present a good source. Spreading your PB and J on a multigrain loaf, which has a low glycemic index relative to nutrient-sparse white bread, will keep you going through those long runs and grueling lifting sessions. Mike Houston, Ph.D., department head of human nutrition, foods and exercise at the University of Virginia Tech, explains:

"Bread is a
good source of B vitamins, iron and zinc
[the iron will delay the onset of fatigue,
and zinc helps remove carbon dioxide
from your muscles during exercise].
There is no doubt that [you] can
enhance [your] overall health and
performance by consuming several
servings of grains daily."

GOOD CHOLESTEROL/ COLON CLEANSING: RAW, UNSALTED NUTS

Nuts may be the secret to staying fit and youthful as you grow older. "Plain nuts contain monounsaturated fat, which works to lower `bad' [LDL] cholesterol and raise the `good' [HDL]," says Julie Feldman, M.P.H., R.D., president and program director of Creative Nutrition & Wellness. "Nuts are also high in fiber, which helps to clean out the intestines, especially the colon. And knowing how prevalent colon cancer is among men, the best time to prevent it is early on." Roasted, salted or honey-coated varieties will merely add fat and raise blood pressure, so stick with the plain kind. Unfortunately, the bowl of nuts you chase with the pitcher of happy-hour beer every Friday night doesn't count.

HEART HEALTH/ SUSTAINED ENERGY: OATMEAL

Still eating doughnuts and croissants for breakfast? Oatmeal is the early-morning answer to sustaining a heart-healthy body while providing long-term fuel to get you through the morning. "Oatmeal is an excellent source of water-soluble fiber [which helps reduce the risk of heart disease] and is relatively high in protein, with five grams per half-cup," says Eric Sternlicht, Ph.D., founder of Simply Fit Inc. and a kinesiology professor at Occidental College near Los Angeles. A bowl of oats is quick and easy to make, has almost no sugar (so don't add any), and topping it with nonfat milk will provide calcium and additional protein. If you must satisfy your sweet tooth, garnish your hot cereal with fresh fruit.

IMMEDIATE ENERGY: RAW HONEY

Believe it or not, honey has nutritional value in addition to its palate-pleasing taste. In its natural state, raw honey is an immediate energy source, full of B-complex vitamins, amino acids and enzymes. A recent study performed at the University of Memphis Exercise and Sport Nutrition Laboratory showed that the blend of sugars in honey can significantly increase an athlete's average power and endurance. Interestingly, the honey sold at bee farms (not the commercial kind found at the supermarket) can also be a sweet way to boost your immunity.
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"In a lab study of 345 unpasteurized honey samples [published in the Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology], the majority exhibited antibacterial action against the food-poisoning Staphylococcus aureus," states Ronald M. Klatz, D.O., president of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. "You can also apply unprocessed honey to a cut or wound to provide a natural protective shield." Honey can easily stand in for less healthy, highly processed sugars that are often spread on toast, used in marinades, put in tea, or drizzled over cereal and granola.

FAT-BURNING: SALMON

For a healthy main course and a leaner physique, visit your nearest seafood section. "Adding cold-water fish to your diet at least twice a week will supply you with omega-3 fatty acids--essential fats that are vital to achieving optimal health," says Dixie Stanforth, M.S., lecturer in the department of kinesiology and health education at the University of Texas, Austin. Best of all, omega-3 fatty acids have a potent thermogenic effect, increasing fat-burning while causing a shift in metabolism away from fat synthesis and storage. Salmon is also a high-quality source of protein but is relatively low in calories, promoting a more defined, muscular body.

ENHANCED PERFORMANCE: WATER

We've saved the best for last. "Water serves to cleanse the body of toxins, and assists in maintaining homeostasis in several systems responsible not only for performance, but for sustaining life itself," says Loren Seagrave, a world-renowned speed-and-conditioning coach who consults for many NFL players, Olympians and other elite athletes. "When you have as little as a 3 percent or 4 percent deficiency of water in your system, performance suffers dramatically. Despite a large number of alternatives on the market, water is best consumed in its natural and normal state, especially when exercising in hot, humid environments. The single biggest thing that active individuals can do to enhance performance and increase quality of life is to drink more pure, clean, unadulterated water."

RELATED ARTICLE: BEST-FOODS MEAL PLAN

It's easier than you'd think to fit these 10 foods
into your routine. Take a look at our one-day meal
plan for quick and tasty ways to include more
superfoods in your diet.

Breakfast
Honey oatmeal: Combine 1 cup nonfat milk,
1/2 cup oats and 1 tablespoon raw honey in a
microwave-safe bowl; cook 2 or 3 minutes,
until liquid is absorbed.
1/2 grapefruit or 1 orange
8 oz. water

Midmorning snack
1/3 cup unsalted almonds (or any raw, unsalted nuts)
mixed with 1/4 cup raisins
8 oz. water

Lunch
2 slices whole-grain bread topped with 4 ounces
roasted turkey breast, 1 ounce reduced-fat Swiss
cheese, 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, 1 lettuce leaf
and 2 tomato slices
1 can condensed tomato soup, prepared with 1 cup
nonfat milk
1 cup fresh broccoli florets dipped in 1/4 cup fat-free
ranch dressing
1 banana
8 oz. water

Midafternoon snack
1/2 cup boiled edamame (soybeans) sprinkled with
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 oz. water

Dinner
Soy-glazed salmon: Combine 1 tablespoon honey
and 2 teaspoons soy sauce; brush mixture all
over one 5-ounce salmon fillet. Season with black
pepper. Broil 3 to 5 minutes per side.
6 asparagus spears; steamed in the microwave
for 3 minutes
1 cup cooked brown rice
8 oz. water

Dessert
1/2 cup strawberries or diced melon
1/2 cup fat-free frozen yogurt

Daily total: 2,584 calories, 362 grams carbohydrate,
149 grams protein, 60g fat, 43g fiber

--Robin Vitetta-Miller, M.S.

RELATED ARTICLE: THE 10 WORST FOODS
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From making you fat to being implicated as sources of cancer and heart disease, the following 10 foods (10 of many, unfortunately) offer many reasons to reject them.

Alcohol: "Provides virtually no nutrients and is merely empty calories," says clinical dietitian David Levitch. In men, alcohol has been shown to deposit body fat straight onto the abdomen, hence the term "beer belly." Besides looking unattractive, belly fat is a risk factor for heart disease and diabetes.

Coconut: "With 85 percent fat--virtually of it saturated--coconuts are disease-promoting," says Eric Sternlicht, Ph.D., kinesiology professor. Saturated fat is a major factor in heart disease as well as a contributor to atherosclerosis, adult-onset diabetes and high blood pressure.

Fast-food hamburger: "A four-ounce beef burger has the same number of calories as four veggie burgers," says kinesiology lecturer Dixie Stanforth, M.S. If you're trying to lose fat, cutting back calories is your first priority.

French fries: "Frying potatoes adds a great deal of extra calories as well as trans-fatty acids," says nutritionist Nancy M. Betts, Ph.D., R.D. Trans-fatty acids, found in fried foods and ready-made baked goods, recently replaced saturated fat as Nutritional Enemy No. 1. Besides reducing blood-vessel function and increasing "bad" cholesterol (LDL) while lowering "good" cholesterol (HDL), TFAs also foster cancer-causing free radicals.

Instant rice: "When rice is processed to be ready in an instant, the glycemic index climbs off the chart," says Loren Seagrave, a respected speed-and-conditioning coach. Since most of the fiber nutrients have been processed out of instant rice, it turns into glucose almost immediately after entering your system. This initiates an insulin surge, which tells your body to store calories as fat.

Margarine: "The trans-fatty acids in margarine clog arteries and raise LDL. Your best bet is always [olive] oil," says registered dietitian and personal trainer Julie Feldman.
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Potato chips: Nutrition professor Mike Houston, Ph.D., describes chips as "a scourge, high in fat and sugar and low in essential nutrients." This kind of high-calorie, low-nutrient snack food plays a major role in the nation's climbing obesity rate.

Soda: "Soda is pure sugar, without any vitamin content whatsoever," says dietitian Joy Bauer. Also, drinking your calories does not reduce your appetite, meaning if you guzzle an 800-calorie, 64-ounce Super Big Gulp, you'll still be hungry for dinner.

White bread: "This starchy carb has limited nutritional value and is of little use to a healthy diet," says exercise psychologist Maria Kwiatkowski, Ph.D. White bread can cause a fat-storing insulin spike, and with no fiber it won't satisfy you for very long.

Doughnuts: "The worst," says Tom Seabourne, Ph.D., author of Cross-Training and professor of physical education at Northeast Texas Community College. "It's just a fried, useless waste of calories." What's more, most of these calories--and there are a lot of them--come from trans-fatty acids and sugar.

COPYRIGHT 2001 Weider Publications
COPYRIGHT 2001 Gale Group

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Immunity

2007-10-30T10:11:00.000-07:00

A weakened immune system leaves the body vulnerable to virtually every type of illness and disease, especially when you move between climates, countries and time zones. Even the shift from late summer to autumn is always marked in the health calendar by the arrival of a new generation of viruses causing coughs and colds.

Although the immune system can recognise viral strains it has encountered and beaten off before, it will not recognise a virus which has mutated - and even the smallest genetic change will trick it into thinking a brand new species, for which it has no antibodies, has landed. While a strong immune system will cope with this attack, one that has been weakened by poor nutrition and too much stress will struggle to get you back to good health.

Fatigue, lethargy, repeated infections, slow wound healing, allergies, thrush, colds, and flu are all signs that the body’s immune system is functioning below par. A healthy adult, for example, should suffer no more than two colds a year so if you do succumb more to every passing infection, you definitely need to start supporting your immune system.

Almost everyone has now heard of the best-selling herbal remedy, echinacea, which in Germany, is prescribed by doctors and pharmacists to help fight colds and flu. It is effective, as long as you don’t overuse it, but I find another less glamorous herb even more effective. Goldenseal, which was once used to treat syphilis and gonorrhoea, was first discovered by the Aborigine healers in Australia. It will not only help prevent an infection if you are feeling low, but can reduce the inflammation of mucous membranes once you have a cough or cold.

Most people will also reach for the vitamin C tablets at the first sign of a splutter. A quarter of a century ago, the US Nobel Laureate, Linus Pauling, caused an outcry among medics by claiming this nutrient, taken in high enough doses, could alleviate the symptoms of the common cold. This debate continues but what we do now know is that many of the symptoms of a cold have nothing to do with the cold virus itself, but are caused by the body’s own immune response to that alien invader and it is this secondary problem that vitamin C can help counter.

What happens is that during a cold, the mucous membranes that line the nose become charged with the white blood cells that release large amounts of chemicals designed to destroy the virus. Unfortunately, these substances also attack the cells of the mucous membranes themselves causing a runny nose and other disturbances. So the idea behind giving antioxidants such as vitamins C, A and E to tackle a cold is two-fold. Firstly, these nutrients have now been shown to support the immune system but, just as importantly, they weaken the immune attack on the body’s own tissues.

Poor nutrition is the most common cause of a weakened immune response. Foods that are good natural sources of the immune-boosting antioxidants include kiwi fruits which contain more vitamin C than oranges, Chinese cabbage which is an excellent source of vitamin A and avocado, known as nature’s own superfood because it provides the optimum healthy ratio of fat, carbohydrate, protein and vitamin E. Foods that are rich in vitamin B6, which boost the production of antibodies to fight infection, will also help. These include bananas, carrots, lentils, tuna, salmon, wholegrain flour and sunflower seeds. You also need to step up your intake of dietary zinc by eating more seafoods, eggs, turkey, pumpkin seeds and crabmeat.

How To Beat A Cold & Boost Immunity
*Goldenseal: It tastes vile and will stain your fingers bright yellow, but Goldenseal is highly effective. Take in liquid or capsule form. If you prefer liquid, you can buy 100ml of wild-crafted goldenseal (this simply means it is harvested naturally from the wild, not cultivated which herbalists believe gives it even greater potency).

*Do not self-dose with this herb if you are pregnant or have high blood pressure.

*Antioxidants: The body cannot store vitamin C but must rely on your dietary intake. To prevent winter infections, take 1,000mg a day. To boost the immune system and ward off colds, you’ll find it hard to beat a product called Well-max by Country Life which combines all the antioxidants, plus antibacterial grapeseed extract, goldenseal, Siberian ginseng, astragalus, schizandra, shiitake and reishi mushrooms, plus bee propolis, garlic, echinacea and the liver-supporting herb, Pau d’arco.

*Echinacea: or Purple coneflower, is the top-selling herb in the US. Introduced into medical practice in 1887, modern research into how it supports the immune system began in the 1930s in Germany where, by the mid-1990s for example, it was bring prescribed by doctors and pharmacists 2.5 million times to fight colds and flu. Said to work by increasing the numbers and the activity of white blood cells, it also increases the production of interferon, a chemical that is critical to the immune system response. At the onset of a cold, take 20 drops of echinacea tincture, 3-4 times a day for 10-14 days. To prevent a cold, take three times a day for six to eight weeks but make sure you have “rest” periods or the protective effects will diminish.

*Maitake: One of the more exotic immune-boosting supplements to get noticed in the West is the Maitake mushroom (Grifoloa frondosa) which grows to the size of a basketball deep in the mountains of Northeastern Japan. Highly prized for its immune-boosting properties, it has been shown to stimulate the immune response by activating the T-cells which are the body’s own defence against viruses and cancer cells. Recent animal studies revealed that combining maitake extract with chemotherapy treatment resulted in a 99% tumour shrinkage in just 14 days. Studies in the US, Japan and the UK have also shown that giving maitake extract to HIV patients can help protect the body’s disease-fighting T-cells which the HIV virus normally destroys. Said to improve liver function too, it contains powerful polysaccharides; chemicals known to boost the immune system and is currently in clinical trials with both HIV and cancer patients. The recommended dosage it between 3-7g per day.

*Cat’s Claw: A herb which grows in the rain forests of South America, the active constituents are the oxyindole alkaloids which stimulate immune function. Not to be taken by pregnant or lactating women, it has both anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties making it useful for wound healing. To make a therapeutic tea, boil 1g of cat’s claw root bark with 250ml (1 cup) of water for 15 minutes. Cool, strain and drink three cups a day. Alternatively, take 1-2ml of tincture twice a day pr 20-60mg of standardised extract daily.

*Aloe Vera: A veritable storehouse of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes and numerous other ingredients, aloe vera acts as both an immune-enhancer and a natural antiseptic. Recommended for serious immune deficiency conditions, including Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, drink a quarter of a glass each morning and increase the dosage by drinking the same amount again at the end of the day if you feel a cold or other infection threatening. Find a product that is high in the mucopolysaccharides, which bolster the body’s natural defences.

*Grapefruit Seed Extract: An antibiotic, antiviral and antifungal agent, recommended for stomach bugs, throat and ear infections, you should only take this when you feel ill. If travelling to any country where you are worried about food hygiene, take 75mg three times a day, for a month before you go and another month after your return. The active ingredients are called Proanthocyanidins, a class of nutrients which belong to the flavonoid family and whose primary function is to work as an antioxidant in the body, mopping up the free radical toxic byproducts of metabolism. Available in tablet or better still, liquid form, take 15 drops in a glass of water, 2-3 times a day.

*L-Arginine: An amino acid that promotes wound healing and which supports the immune system. Dairy, meat, poultry and fish are all good natural sources. Levels drop during times of increased stress making supplementation important. It works by stimulating the thymus gland, which in turn stores the disease-fighting T-lymphocytes until they are needed to fight infection. Also used to treat sexual dysfunction in men, the recommended dose if 3-6g a day.

Warning: Some researchers believe it can trigger a herpes infection so avoid if you already suffer from cold sores.

*Probiotics: Beneficial bacteria that help boost immune function are called probiotics. They alter the balance of microflora in the gut by inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria and favouring those which aid digestion and promote a healthy immune response to infection. Frequently used to repopulate the digestive tract after a course of antibiotics has upset this balance, research has shown they can prevent up to 50% of the infections that are common after antibiotic use. They can also be used by travellers to avoid diarrhoea. Found naturally in fermented foods, yoghurt is a traditional source although many products contain no live bacteria at all. Even those products claiming to provide millions of live bacteria may not work since these can be destroyed by the acid in the stomach. Seven Seas has now developed a capsule with an enteric coating, which protects the bacteria through the stomach so they reach the place they are needed - the colon. If you prefer to take a powder, take 8g per day of recognised strain such as Lactobacillus acidophilus.

*Liquorice: Particularly effective when the immune system is suppressed by stress or steroids, this herb has been shown to have an antibiotic effect against throat infections, candida and herpes simplex which causes cold sores. It can relieve a dry, irritating cough and is also a good lung tonic. Only take it when you feel ill; chew one 200-300mg tablet, three times a day, before meals.

*Glutamine: Critical for both normal brain and immune function, this is the natural form of the amino acid glutamine which is amazingly versatile. It is also a component of glutathione, which is the body’s primary antioxidant, present in virtually every single cell. It is often given to burns patients to promote wound healing and is now available in a powerful combination with anthocyans, which also remove the free radical scavenger molecules which would otherwise pollute the body and lower its natural resistance to disease. The new product, Rejuvan Forte is already widely used in Europe. It is a unique combination of two very powerful immune-boosters, glutathione and anthocyanidins. The latter are found naturally in red/blue foods such as red grapes, beetroot and berries, which are also very good for the lungs.

*Herbal teas: You can easily make your own immune-boosting herbal teas. Try ginger and cinnamon, which you can make by putting four large slices of ginger and a small stick of cinnamon into boiling water. Allow to “brew” for 15 minutes. Cat’s Claw tea from the Uncaria Tomentosa plant is another powerful immune system stimulant; drink it sweetened with apple or blackcurrant concentrate.

*Kombucha Tea: The Kombucha or Manchurian “mushroom” is also now widely used to boost immunity. The name, though, is misleading because it is not a mushroom at all but a large, flat, pancake-shaped fungus-like growth that is a combination of health-promoting lichen, beneficial bacteria and yeast that has long been used in Asia as a natural energy booster. It is not eaten either but brewed into a strong antiviral and antibacterial tea after it has been left to ferment for a week or so in a mixture of water, sugar, apple cider vinegar and green or black tea. Widely used to help fight immune-related diseases such as Chronic Fatigue and Multiple Sclerosis, (MS), some devotees claim it can even help reverse the ageing process. Kombucha Tea Networks - they exist in the UK, Australia, South Africa and the US - can get you started with a handbook and starter culture.
US readers can find out more about Kombucha in the United States, including purchasing details, from the following site: www.anahatabalance.com

*Garlic: The use of allicin, the primary active agent generated by garlic, for general well-being is on the increase and its role as an antioxidant has been widely investigated. Health Perception have a supplement called Allimax, which provdes the body with a guaranteed 100% yield of allicin. Each Allimax capsule contains 180mg allicin powder and, because it is absorbed so rapidly, it is unlikely to cause any repetitive odour.

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The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine

2007-10-30T10:08:00.000-07:00

A4M is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization with a membership of 11,500 physicians and scientists from 65 countries, the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M) is an organization that is the sole medical society dedicated to the advancement of therapeutics related to the science of longevity medicine.

Mission:

The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, Inc. ("A4M") is a not-for-profit medical society dedicated to the advancement of technology to detect, prevent, and treat aging related disease and to promote research into methods to retard and optimize the human aging process. A4M is also dedicated to educating physicians, scientists, and members of the public on anti-aging issues. A4M believes that the disabilities associated with normal aging are caused by physiological dysfunction which in many cases are ameliorable to medical treatment, such that the human life span can be increased, and the quality of one's life improved as one grows chronologically older.

A4M seeks to disseminate information concerning innovative science and research as well as treatment modalities designed to prolong the human life span. Anti-aging medicine is based on the scientific principles of responsible medical care consistent with those of other healthcare specialties. Although A4M seeks to disseminate information on many types of medical treatments, it does not promote or endorse any specific treatment nor does it sell or endorse any commercial product.

Objectives:

*
Make available life-extending information about the multiple benefits of anti-aging therapeutics to practicing physicians.
*
Assist in developing therapeutic protocols and innovative diagnostic tools to aid physicians in the implementation of effective longevity treatment.
*
Act as an information center for valid and effective anti-aging medical protocols.
*
Assist in obtaining and disseminating funding for scientifically sound and innovative research in anti-aging medicine.
*
Assist in the funding and promotion of critical anti-aging, clinically based research.
*
Government outreach, education, and advocacy for anti-aging medicine.

Source

Human Growth Hormone (HGH) Anti-Aging Supplement

2007-10-30T10:00:00.000-07:00

Growth hormone (GH) is the main hormone responsible for growth in all mammals (including humans) and is associated with the regulation of such metabolic processes as anabolism and lipolysis. Human growth hormone, commonly called HGH, is a polypetide mixture that is secreted by the anterior pituitary gland in the human body. The main form of HGH can be produced synthetically using a process called recombinant DNA technology. This synthetically produced HGH is used primarily in connection with children and adolescents with short stature caused by growth hormone (GH)-deficiency. Recombinant HGH (a.k.a Somatropin - a prescription drug) is also used in connection with growth hormone deficiency in adults, short stature in association with renal insufficiency, AIDS-related wasting, and short stature associated with Turner's Syndrome.

HGH Levels Decrease with Age

It is also known that growth hormone levels decrease as we grow older. In fact, growth hormone levels in individuals 60 or older are only about half of that in young adults. It is still not clear what role HGH plays in the body or what effect it may have on the body once full growth has been attained but it is believed reduced levels of growth hormone associated with aging contribute to age-related decreases in muscle mass, strength, and lipolysis.

Human

Suggested Benefits of HGH

The following are just a few of the effects associated with HGH decline.*

* In those who have no pituitary function [responsible for HGH production], there is a shift in body composition whereby body fat increases by 7-25 while lean body mass decreases similarly. Muscle strength and muscle mass are noticeably reduced. Bone density studies indicate long bone density and spinal bone density decrease as significantly as if the individual had aged 15 years.
* When HGH levels wane pronounced weight gain of 30-50 pounds can occur. Furthermore, there are negative effects on cholesterol; triglyceride levels increase while high density cholesterol (HDL), 'good cholesterol', decreases.
* Lower than normal levels of HGH may contribute to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease associated vascular wall thickening and changes associated with decreased cardiac output.
* Insufficiencies in HGH levels may contribute to people who have reported a rapid decline in exercise capacity and impaired sense of well-being and symptoms of fatigue, social isolation, depression, and a lack of the ability to concentrate.

The following are just a few of the suggested benefits associated with an increase in HGH levels.*

* Muscle mass can increase, making you stronger.
* Body fat will be distributed differently, making you appear leaner. It has been suggested you can even see a reduction of 14 in weight and body fat over your first six months using HGH without changing your diet.
* Some HGH users report their immune system to be enhanced and their stress level to have dropped.
* Some HGH users have reported improved vision as well as cognitive function and memory retention.
* Reports have indicated increase in lean muscle as high as 9 during their first six months of HGH therapy.
* Other individuals using HGH have reported that their injuries heal faster.
* HGH users have reported feeling energetic and invigorated.

Among its other suggested benefits the belief that supplementing with HGH can retard signs of aging was spawned by a 1990 trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine.1 This six month study of 12 men found that use of HGH injections (at a dose of about 2 milligrams three times a week) increased muscle mass, decrease fat mass, and thickened bone.

Subsequent research has shown that growth hormone injections did infact improve muscle to fat ratio in older people. However, studies did not indicate that HGH treatment would increase strength or improve function.2 In addition, in some individuals growth hormone injections may cause problems such as carpal tunnel syndrome (wrist and hand pain caused by swelling around the median nerve), enlargement of bones, coarsening of facial features, joint pain and leg swelling.

As previously indicated, we believe that the benefits and effects of HGH therapy still are not fully understood. And it is still to soon to tell with any certainty if there are any long-term side effects of prolonged intravenous HGH supplementation.

The Truth About HGH Therapies. Can They Help You?

HGH therapy may be able to help you, although to date there is no sound scientific evidence to conclusively substantiate many of the claims made about HGH treatments, especially those made about over-the-counter, non-prescription HGH supplements.

Pure HGH should be taken by injection, because it is a very large molecule that cannot be absorbed intact (whether taken orally, allowed to dissolve under the tongue, or sprayed into the nose or throat). Unfortunately, HGH injections can be very expensive, costing on the upwards of a thousand dollars or more per month.

Because most people cannot afford authenitic HGH therapy, a host of products have become available on the market that claim to raise HGH levels. These types of HGH supplements fall into four main categories:

* HGH Releasing Agents
HGH Releasing Agents (also called HGH enhancers or HGH stimulators) are compounds which primarily include the amino acids arginine, glutamine, histidine, methionine, phenylalanine, ornithine and lysine. HGH Releasing Agents do indeed appear to produce a temporary rise in growth hormone.3 For more detailed information on HGH Releasing Agents please see the section titled HGH Releasers and Secretagogues below.

* Homeopathic HGH
Homeopathic HGH therapy is an entirely different approach to HGH therapy that involves the use of a homeopathic dilution of real human growth hormone. According to homeopathic theory, a very extreme dilution of a substance given to a healthy person will produce the same effect as the original substance. Thus, a highly diluted dose of HGH should produce the same effects as normal doses. However, most Homeopathic HGH products are so highly diluted that many experts believe it would be almost impossible to absorb enough to produced the desired effect (if any effect at all).

As it happens, even a homeopathic remedy diluted only by a factor of 1030 (a 30X, or 15C remedy) is not realistically going to contain even a single molecule of HGH. Notwithstanding, many homeopathic practitioners believe that some sort of energy or imprint remains, even if no physical substance does. In fact, some have claimed that the higher the dilution, the stronger the effect, and call highly dilute homeopathic preparations high potency remedies. From the perspective of modern science, this doesn't make much sense, and the overwhelming majority of scientists believe that homeopathy (at least at dilutions above 106 or so), will not provide any effect whatsoever.

In general, the better the quality of the study performed on the effects of Homeopathic HGH, the less the effects that were seen.4,5,6,7

* Nanogram Strength HGH
There is a category of HGH supplements that claim to contain a dose of HGH measured in nanograms, such as 4000 nanograms per dose. If you don't know what a nanogram is this may sound like a lot of HGH per dose. A nanogram is only one-millionth of a milligram. To put this in perspective if you to were take HGH via injection you would likely be receiving approximately 2 milligrams which is equivalent to 2,000,000 nanograms. Additionally, most scientific evidence indicates that because HGH is a large molecule it cannot be absorbed by the body when taken orally, as a nasal spray or under the tongue. Nanogram HGH supplements are almost always administered orally, sublingually (under the tongue) or as a nasal spray.

* IGF-1 Enhancers
IGFs (insulin-like growth factors) are polypeptides (crucial blood protein) produced in the liver in response to stimulation by growth hormone. IGFs are very similar in structure to insulin.

Quite often as the level of growth hormone in the body rises levels of IGF-1 also increase. IGF-1 is believed to produce some of the same, though not all, of the effects of HGH. However, even less is know about the possible benefits and risks involved in increasing the levels of IGF-1 in the human body than is know about HGH. Simply put, if scientific community knows little about HGH, they know even less about IGF-1.

In order to enhance their effect, many HGH products (including HGH Releasing Agents) contain colostrum, which contains IGF-1. Colostrum is the substance produced in the breast milk of nursing mothers for the first few days after birth.

Aside from intravenous HGH, of the four main types of HGH products on the market today we believe HGH Releasing Agents merit the most attention. Based on available research HGH Releasing Agents appear to have the ability, as limited as it may be, to actually increase HGH levels in the body. As compelling as the arguments to the contrary may appear, in our opinion, and again based on the evidence, Homeopathic HGH, Nanogram Strength HGH and IGF-1 Enhancers whether administered orally, via nasal spray, or sublingually, provide no observable benefit.

HGH Releasers and Secretagogues

The release of GH from the anterior pituitary gland is a complex process involving multiple regulators. Hypothalamic peptide GHRH (growth hormone-releasing hormone) acts on the cells (somatotroph cells) of the anterior pituitary to release GH. Additionally, GH release appears to be influenced by another, separate mechanism, a growth hormone secretagogue pathway. GH secretagogues, abbreviated GHSs, include small peptides and nonpetides such as L-arginine and many other amino acids.

Again, the best evidence supporting the benefit of HGH supplementation is in reference to intravenous administration. Notwithstanding, oral ingestion of HGH Releasers (GHSs) can have a similar, though less intense, effect. In one study of young adults, administration of 1.5 grams of arginine and 1.5 grams of lysine (both common ingredients in most HGH Releasing Agents) increased growth hormone (GH) levels by a multiple of 2.7.8 In a similar study, two grams of glutamine (another HGH Releasing Agent) were administered daily to study participants ranging in age from 32 to 64. Results of the study showed that HGH concentrations for study participants increased by a factor of nearly 4 and half.9

Supporting Literature

1. Rudman D, Feller AG, Nagraj HS, et al. Effects of human growth hormone in men over 60 years old. N Engl J Med. 1990;323:1-6.
2. Vance ML. Can growth hormone prevent aging? N Engl J Med. 2003;348:779-80.
3. Chromiak JA, Antonio J. Use of amino acids as growth hormone-releasing agents by athletes. Nutrition. 2002;18:657-61.
4.Grabia S, Ernst E. Homeopathic aggravations: a systematic review of randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trials. Homeopathy. 2003;92:92 98.
5.Homeopathy: A Critical Appraisal. London: Butterworth Heinemann;1998:69-97.
6.Dantas F, Fisher P. A systematic review of homeopathic pathogenetic trials (provings) published in the United Kingdom from 1945 to 1995. In: Ernst E, ed.
7.Linde K, Scholz M, Ramirez G, et al. Impact of study quality on outcome in placebo-controlled trials of homeopathy. J Clin Epidemiol. 1999;52:631-636.
8. Suminski RR, Robertson RJ, Goss FL, et al. Acute effect of amino acid ingestion and resistance exercise on plasma growth hormone concentration in young men. Int J Sport Nutr. 1997;7:48-60.
9. Welbourne TC. Increased plasma bicarbonate and growth hormone after an oral glutamine load. Am J Clin Nutr. 1995;61:1058-61.

Source

Exam Results Successful Examinees - 2007 Licensure Examination for Teachers

2007-10-26T07:56:00.001-07:00

Exam Results
Successful Examinees - 2007 Licensure Examination for Teachers

• ELEMENTARY LEVEL (A - D)

• ELEMENTARY LEVEL (E - M)

• ELEMENTARY LEVEL (N - Z)

• SECONDARY LEVEL (A - D)

• SECONDARY LEVEL (E - N)

• SECONDARY LEVEL (O - Z)

Top 10 highest places:

ELEMENTARY LEVEL

1.Angelo Aniag Unay (Philippine Normal University-Manila) Macy Marie Mendoza Valdez (Philiipine Normal University Manila)

2.Mark Gleen Ocasla Cidro (Philippine Normal University-Manila) Ma. Luisa Odi Marcelo (Philippine Normal University-Manila)

3.Gerry Cabrera Areta (Philippine Normal University-Manila) Babylen Abaja Arit (Philippine Normal University-Lopez, Quezon) Grace Ann Sauquillo Estores (Philippine Normal University-Manila)

4.Candy Pearl Nacario Cabag (Philippine Normal University-Manila) Pinky Laser Escalona Ilaga (Philippine Normal University-Manila) Jenny Carlos Paguyo (University of the Philippines-Diliman) Joseph Randolph Pino Palattao (Philippine Normal University-Manila)

5.Jonalee Cataquiz Bandoquillo (University of the Philippines - Diliman) Ruby Rose Rodriguez Briones (University of the Philippines-Diliman) Maria Ursula Gabon Caturan (Philippine Normal University-Manila) Hernilyn Veric Pelarco (Mindanao State University-Gen. Santos City) Raychel Hipolito Punsalan (Assumption College-Makati)

6.Nenita Balando Cabidog (Philippine Normal University-Manila) Phoebe Cesar Ocampo (University of Mindanao-Davao City) Ma. Lovena Veladiez Moneva (University of the Philippines- Diliman)

7.Janess Marie Caberte Encarnado (Holy Name University (Divine Word Tagbilaran) Kristine Frances Alcantara Muni (Universidad de Santa Isabel) Vannie Jill Estrella Samonte (Bicol University-Legazpi)

8.Nowell Santos Torres (Philippine Normal University-Manila) Nympha Dumaya Villanueva (Philippine Normal Univesity-Isabela)

9.Glyna Jamila Acenas (Andres Bonifacio College) Rhodaline Fajardo Escala (Philippine Normal University-Manila) Anita Cua Lim (University of the Philippines-Diliman) Hannah Mia Abrenica Navidad (University of the Philippines-Diliman) Alberto Urmeneta Rañin (Leyte Normal University) Louwell Ted Jayson Sevilla (University of Southeastern Philippines-Davao City)

10.Shiela Marie Perandos Castro (University of the Philippines -Diliman) Anna Renissa Sta Tersa Cuneta (Assumption College-Makati) Arthur Ronald Juinio Dayrit (Philippine Normal University-Manila) Christyn Amargo Escurzon (University of Mindanao-Davao City) Grizchelle Villanueva Odtuhan (Philippine Normal University-Manila)

SECONDARY LEVEL

1.Joel Lising Adamos (University of Santo Tomas) Manuel Tablante Eusebio (University of the Philippines-Diliman) Aaron Dalisay Galamgam (University of the Philippines-Diliman)

2.Virgo Mamaclay Gulan (Philippine Normal University-Isabela) Melissa Elinore Manuel Wang (Ateneo de Manila University -QC)

3.Sherwin Barrete Iñigo (Mindanao State University-Marawi City) Missy Dazzle Molinyawe Olea (University of the Philippines-Diliman) Blessilda Perez Rapoza (Philippine Normal University-Manila)

4.Eisha Vienna Maliksi Fernandez (Philippine Normal University-Manila) Julius Abel Bicos Galpao (Centro Escolar Unversity-Manila)

5.Rommel Ambal Ramos (University of Batangas)

6.Jorge JR Salvador Baclor (Philippine Normal University-Manila) Tom Ng Chu (University of the Philippines-Diliman) Celina Punzalan Sarmiento (Philippine Normal University-Manila)

7.Nestor Gonzales Acala (Mindanao State University-Marawi City) Ferdinand Licup Aguila (University of the Philippines-Diliman) Rachel Edita Oñate Roxas (University of the Philippines-Los Baños) Mona Lisa Pardilla Siacor (Central Philippine University)

8.Gissella Bahoyo Lebron (De La Salle University-Manila) Helma Yusa Mesa (University of the Philippines-Diliman)

9.Agripina Lagasca Arboleda (Saint Louis University) Oliver Garejo Daitol (University of the East-Caloocan) Angeli Soledad Roque Echiverri (University of the Philippines-Diliman) Angelita Profeta Radiel (University of the Philippines-Los Baños)

10.Krystal Dianne Masangkay Dolarte (Polytechnic University of the Philippines-Sta. Mesa) Glaiza David Tarine (Holy Angel University)

Killing Beauty

2007-10-25T09:34:00.000-07:00

How far would you go to be the fairest of them all? In
Elizabethan times, women rubbed lead on their face and mercury
in their lips to achieve beauty. The health problems were
innumerable and serious. During the Italian Renaissance, a
certain Signor Toffano created an arsenic-laced face powder.
This lovely little gimmick was marketed as a way for rich women
to rid themselves of their unwanted husbands. One flick of a
powder puff was enough to see him buried. Today we would baulk
at such a risk but we still happily slather ourselves in
chemicals so strong they are handled with protective clothing
in laboratories. Is it possible the cosmetic industry is still
peddling beauty to die for? How do we know, after all just
reading the ingredient list in a moisturiser seems to require a
biology degree.

Lets start with the ubiquitous sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS).
This chemical is used in almost everything from toothpaste to
shampoos. But its side effects can include eczema, irritated
eyes and skin (with prolonged exposure) and possible
inflammation and infection of the urinary tract and vagina.
Checking children's products to make sure they use the less
harsh sodium laureth sulphate is a good idea as SLS has been
shown to permanently damage children's eyes.

Other dodgy ingredients include EDC's. These gender-bending
chemicals are linked to falling sperm counts in men. Some, like
Nonylphenol used in cosmetics, Butylated hydroxy anisole (BHA)
and E320 (which can leach into cosmetics from PVC containers)
are restricted by the EU with a defined tolerable daily intake.
However, overtime they build up in our body tissues and some
experts consider there is no safe level for use.

Alpha hydroxy Acid (AHA). The cosmetic industrys favourite
discovery AHA and BHAs are fruit and milk sugar exfoliates
respectively. They work by rubbing off the outer layer of skin
to expose the younger-looking? skin beneath. They cannot, as
advertisers suggest, permanently improve your skin. In fact,
they could ruin it. The epidermis (top layer) of skin is an
important barrier protecting the body from UV rays and
chemicals we come in contact with. The body's natural reaction
to having it rubbed away is to create a thicker tougher
epidermis, trapping you into a cycle of exfoliating. If you
choose to regularly use products containing AHA's then you will
also need to use a stronger sunscreen. AHA's have only been
around ten years and their long-term effects are still unknown.

Natural products and extracts show the beauty industry has got
wise to our desire for a more natural life. But too often
"natural" ranges are just repackaged old products with small
amounts of "extracts" added to keep the consumer happy. Really
?natural? products may also need higher levels of preservatives
to keep them from going off, and so end up with the same number
of chemicals found in all cosmetics and toiletries. Finally of
course natural products such as plants and animal extracts can
easily be as poisonous as chemicals.

Baby soft skinBabies and young children are particularly
susceptible to infection, so products for children under three
must have 50 times less microbes then adult products- according
to EU law. This does mean they have many more preservatives in
them- including benzoates. Benzoates can cause gastric
irritation, mouth numbing and urticara and are often used in
baby wipes. Perhaps the best option is to choose products with
the smallest list of ingredients possible, and use baby soap
and water where possible.

Animal magicThe Romans once painted their nails with a mixture
of animal blood and fat. While this would horrify the public
today there are a surprising number of animal products on our
bathroom shelves. If you are a vegetarian this can make life
difficult. Some animal-derived ingredients are pretty easy to
spot other telltale names include:

Tallow, CI 77267, CI 77268, Collagen, Elastin, Gelatin,
Hyaluronic Acid Keratin, Musk, Serum Albumin, Unipertan

Even if cosmetics say they have not been tested on animals, the
individual ingredients are sure to have been tested, but not
necessarily by the manufacturer.

Are you worth it?

Before you get too alarmed remember few people suffer serious
health problems from cosmetics although many find certain
products don't agree with them. Buying simpler products, that
don't make us pay for wildly unrealistic advertising is
probably a good idea. Cosmetics and toiletries can clean us,
make us smell sweeter and enhance our looks but for real health
and beauty, throwing money at the beauty counter is not an
answer.

Boring but true: the only way to make your skin and hair
healthier, and eyes brighter are the old tried and tested
methods of health and nutrition. This means eating a balanced
diet, drinking plenty of water and getting enough sleep. It
also means staying out of the sun, exercising regularly and
quitting smoking. It may not come in the most glamorous
package- but your body and health are definitely worth it.

About The Author: I work with the Green Directory
http://www.guidemeg reen.com and the Ethical Directory
http://www.getethic al.com to promote a greener and healthier
lifestyle. I also promote eco friendly Jobs and Employers at
http://www.jobs. guidemegreen. com

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Anti-Aging Fasting

2007-10-25T09:32:00.000-07:00

Fasting is anti-aging because it rids your body of toxins, which impair your longevity health. In addition, it helps to control your weight, which is often an aging factor.

Fasting is the most efficient and effective way of detoxification.

What is fasting?
Fasting is voluntary abstinence from food and drink, except water, for an extended period.

Fasting is not starvation which is abstinence continued beyond your body's nutrient reserves. In other words, starvation may exhaust your body's stored nutrients to the point of presenting health hazards, while fasting is still "consuming" the nutrient reserves stored in your body. There is a big difference.

Fasting has many therapeutic benefits. Fasting accelerates the self-healing process of your body, thereby enabling your body to recover speedily from any disease. Fasting temporarily stops the continuing work of your digestive system, instrumental in reserving energy for your self-healing. Your body may now utilize the energy for self-healing, which otherwise normally might be expended on secreting digestive enzymes to break down the food for distribution of nutrients throughout your body.

Fasting slows down your aging process by keeping your arteries young (often hardened by cholesterol, fats, inorganic minerals and fibrous tissues). Fasting facilitates the removal of accumulated substances that may damage cell functions, thereby slowing down your aging process and extending your lifespan.

Fasting may alleviate your body pain and rid your body of drug dependence. Remember, longevity is often a drug-free life.

Fasting relieves the burden of not only your digestive tract, but also your liver and kidneys, which have to work extra hard to remove additives and toxins accumulated in your body through improper eating.

Fasting produces powerful detoxifying effects in your body not achievable by any diet, restricted or supplemented.

Fasting decreases your blood pressure by softening your blood vessels.

Fasting activates the immune system in your body.

Fasting removes the cause of any chronic disease you may have by removing the toxins, not just the symptoms, as in the case of medication.

Fasting facilitates you, if you are a smoker, to quit smoking during a fast.

Essentially, there is only one type of fasting: pure water fasting. Juice fasting is not fasting: it is not anti-inflammatory; only pure water fasting is. Vegetable or fruit fasting is not fasting: it is more of a healthful diet. Only pure water fasting is complete and total fasting, which has the capability to break down fat, abnormal cells, plaque, and even tumors. Pure water fasting is the most efficient natural method of detoxification.

How safe is fasting?
Fasting is both natural and safe. Your body system has the capability to fast, and your body has the ability to fast safely. Generally, it takes more than forty days to exhaust all the nutrients stored in your body. That is why in the Bible Jesus fasted for forty days. In general, your body will still have more than adequate reserves of proteins, fats, minerals, and vitamins to maintain its normal function during a fast. In fact, during a fast, your body conserves its muscle and lean body tissues.

For centuries, people have practiced fasting all over the world.

Animals instinctively fast when they are sick or wounded. However, humans in similar situations erroneously believe they need to eat to regain strength, thus making them even sicker and weaker.

To prepare for a fast, eat more vegetables and fruits prior to a fast. Reduce the consumption of meat, and refrain from eating any meat the day before a fast.

During a fast, your body naturally increases mucous production to wash away viruses and infected cells. It may even induce a slight fever to activate your immune system. Your body discharges toxins and chemicals through your skin, mucous membranes, liver, and kidneys. Due to hormonal and metabolic changes, you may feel slightly colder. That is natural and normal. Just keep warm to conserve your energy and to facilitate rapid elimination. One common phenomenon is dehydration through excessive loss of water. Drinking more water is recommended during a fast.

You no longer have any bowel movement after the first day. That, too, is normal.

During a fast, you need less sleep than usual. You are fully refreshed with from three to six hours of sleep. A fast is invigorating.

Remember, the more you fast, the less uncomfortable you will feel. Normal functioning of the body will resume upon removal of all causes of functional impairment.

On the first day, you feel pangs of hunger, and a white coating forms on your tongue. On the second day, you begin to feel gradual dissipation of hunger, and there is more white coating on your tongue. On the third day, you may feel complete disappearance of hunger and the clearance of coating on your tongue.

The first three days of a fast are most challenging. However, once the challenge is overcome, you are well on the way to rejuvenation of your entire body. A clear tongue and clean breath are a good indication that the cleansing is more or less complete.

The length of a fast depends very much on an individual. The following is just a general guideline: a one-day fast, as often as required, preferably weekly, for good maintenance; a three-to-four-day fast for general health and well being, several times a year; a two-week fast for complete internal cleansing, every year or so; and a three-week fast (or even longer) for curing a specific disease, under the supervision of a physician

Always consult your physician first if you go on a fast longer than three to four days. Stop the fast immediately if there is significant increase in physical weakness, or drastic drop in blood pressure.

A one-day fast is ideal for maintenance, but may not be too effective for deep cleansing. Regular fasting minimizes the risk of a disabling disease later in life, and is therefore anti-aging.

Copyright (c) 2007 Stephen Lau

Stephen Lau, a writer and researcher, has spent years in writing research synopses of doctors and scientists in the United States. For more information on health and wellness, visit: http://www.longevityforyou.com . Mr. Lau has also designed a website on golf tips and information. For more information, go to: http://www.golfingsuccessinfo.com

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Cognitive Enhancement

2007-10-25T09:22:00.000-07:00

Memory loss is a state that begins to affect the brain 30 – 40 years before symptoms begin to occur, because of that, it is important that we begin a program for the prevention of cognitive decline early in life. Benefits of beginning a program include improvements in memory, concentration, learning ability, reduced risk of dementia, and an increase in personal awareness that, in turn lead to feelings of being a part of something larger than oneself.
Cognitive Enhancement is known as a multi-systemic approach in prevention and treatment of cognitive decline that is normally associated with aging and degenerative diseases related to aging. As with many degenerative diseases of the mind, memory loss may appear as a spectrum of symptoms, etiologies, and prognosis. Over 55 disease states, many non-progressives can be attributed to memory loss. Dementias manifests in a variety of forms including vascular disorders, Parkinson’s disease, infections including HIV, depression, hypothyroidism, vitamin B12 deficiency, malnutrition, and substance abuse.

Risk factors are many, and they interact with other biological processes in causing cognitive decline. Increased age, family history, genetic factors, head injury, educational level, cardiovascular disease, and chronic stress are only some of the reasons that one may see increased cognitive decline. The pathology of cognitive decline is variable, but what is clear is that the common denominator is the death of the brain cell.

Treatment programs are multidimensional in their approach and seek to improve memory and brain function while utilizing integrated therapies. Programs include nutrition enhancement through dietary modification and nutritional supplementation with elements such as anti-oxidants, Phosphatidyl-serine, CoQ10, and Ginkgo Biloba. Stress reduction through meditation, mind/body exercises, hormone replacement therapy, and the use of pharmaceutical agents are also used in cognitive enhancement therapy.

With the advent of a new series of drugs known as "smart drugs", they too are integrated into the treatment program. Drug that mimic neuro-growth factors and may stimulate development of new synapses are in full use now. It helps in the promotion of inter-hemispheric communication. The uses of pharmaceutical drugs that help remove intracellular debris, the oxygenation of the brain, and in maintenance of the balance of neurotransmitters are said to be a vital part of the treatment. Hormones like melatonin, estrogen, DHEA, and human growth hormone may help to improve memory function.

The human brain is like any muscle in the body. With most muscles, it is either ones use it or it begins its slow decline. Once treatment begins, it may be possible to increase IQ 4-5% in the first year, and perhaps 2-3% per year thereafter. While this may not be enough to make one feel smarter, testing will show a definitive improvement. The most important factor is the increased sense of being in control of your mental capacity and self-knowledge that really solidifies why one should seek out treatment for cognitive dysfunction before one is forced to.

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Wellness Therapy

2007-10-25T09:21:00.000-07:00

In the distant past, the term “medical anti aging” was a bit of a misnomer. The medical community treated aging as a natural part of human life, and didn't devote much time to figuring out how to slow it down- thereby reducing the symptoms and problems that are hand in hand with aging. Those who could, would have plastic surgery, but is not the answer to the problem. Today however, scientific research is revealing many of the “natural” processes that cause physical aging, and the understanding of the opportunities may slow it down.

Timing is everything. Baby boomers who make up a huge percentage of the affluent, educated, and viable demographic who are moving into their senior years want medical wellness resources. They are those who have grown up with good health, with readily available medical care and the belief that every disease can be cured. Their belief is that medical treatment can keep them feeling young and vigorous, while enjoying their twilight years.

Professionals with specialized medical training are involved in researching approaches to the newly minted field of anti aging. Common diseases of old age can be kept at bay with nutritional advice, as well as supplements to replenish hormones and proteins that may have depleted over time. The identification of genes that predispose us to certain diseases, may allows the identification and possible treatment protocol to those at risk.

It’s inspiring to understand that many new drugs and the natural chemistry in nature help to fight diseases that have readily been accepted as natural. Foods have important properties that have never been fully understood as potential age fighters. Surgical interventions are still available as well, and they are more effective than ever.

When premature aging is recognized for the opportunity it presents for one to reassess their life and decide what is causing it, or even better prevented, it is a reality that you can live longer with a higher quality of life without pain, restriction, from age-related disease. If you may help your cells to stay healthy, it is possible to have a better quality of life. In order for this to be achieved, cells require a continuous supply of nutrients as well as the continual removal of waste and toxins.

Anti aging medicine does not promote the possibility of immortality, but maintains that one may not have to experience any of the degenerative conditions, illnesses or deteriorations we commonly accept. General medicine has made us focus only on relieving the symptoms of premature aging, but this is not something we have to accept.

Supplements that begin early in life may give one protection and maintenance for future health. With the senior years many are at higher risk for degenerative conditions and nutritional deficiency, causing digestive problems such as malabsorption, integration problems and slower digestive function. Additional nutrients are therefore even more essential to repair and rejuvenate your body’s cells and help you back to a more youthful and energized you!

With such a revolutionary field comes the need for research and self awareness. It is unfortunate that there are those that will attempt to lure unsuspecting patients in with promises of the fountain of youth, but when their treatment is complete, they may actually feel worse than ever. Before attempting any new or unconventional medical anti aging treatment, discuss your plans with a medical professional whom you trust, or contact one that is highly recommended.

Whatever the decision, keeping abreast of the latest breakthroughs can help in deciding how you will participate in your own future. With the plethora of products and services available- the reality of looking and feeling wonderful is at your doorstep. Research and development in the field are fast moving, so there will be many more options, and hopefully preventative measures we can take to maintain a beneficial quality of life.

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Testosterone

2007-10-25T09:19:00.000-07:00

Testosterone is known as the most important hormone of the male sex hormones, also called the androgen hormone. It is produced in the testes of the male and in very small amounts in the woman's ovaries. This hormone singularly creates the masculinity of the male body. Testosterone is also known to stimulate protein synthesis and account for the muscular development of the male.

Testosterone is responsible for development of male genitalia, the pubic, facial, and body hair, and deepening of the voice. Testosterone is said to most likely be a key component in protecting the brain against Alzheimer's disease. According to researchers, there is an abundance of American men who suffer from low testosterone levels and need to be treated for the deficiency. Symptoms of low testosterone include a decreased sexual drive, depression, increased irritability, fatigue and increased growth of breast tissue.

Testosterone deficiency has not been a recognized syndrome, although it impacts every cell in the human body, and has been powerfully linked to every major degenerative disease recognizable.

People are misinformed about Testosterone Therapy, having been stereotyped, it has lead many to believe that, it could make the individual aggressive and irritable. This has been proven as false, when in reality, it is those with a reduced amount of testosterone that display that sort of aggressiveness.

It is said that are a significant number of men and postmenopausal women who can benefit from Testosterone Replacement Therapy. The andropausal symptoms can be alleviated and even reversed by the right dosage of testosterone. The purpose of Testosterone Replacement Therapy is to aid in the restoration of testosterone to youthful levels in achieving optimal health. Due to the big role it plays in the sex drive, testosterone is well regarded as a supplement that can help in many areas of one’s life. The combination of Testosterone with Human Growth Hormone becomes more effective and has greater effects on the deficient patient.

Hormones are said to be the fuel of youth. In research studies there have been effects of rapid improvement in physical function and also a marked recovery in psychological attitude and mental alertness. Athletes have been known to start the therapy to prevent injury and strengthen muscles, but it aids in the healing process if an injury is incurred. It seems that the key to anti-aging is linked to restoring hormonal levels to what they were in our youth.

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Human growth hormone (HGH)

2007-10-25T09:18:00.000-07:00

Human growth hormone (HGH) is produced in the pituitary gland of humans, and is a hormone that is secreted throughout one’s lifetime. It is effective in promoting growth in children and plays an important role in adult metabolism. Human growth hormone has been responsible for the effects on development, immunity and metabolism. HGH has been known to exert anabolic effects throughout the body favoring the tissues, bones and muscles.

In studies it has been determined that an aging person exhibits lower levels of growth hormone in comparison to a younger individual. This decreased HGH level has significant negative effects on how fat is distributed, one’s immunity and overall energy.
Insulin has a negative impact on the body, if you eat an excess of refined carbohydrates and sugars over a long period of time, the body creates much more insulin than it needs, and adult-onset diabetes can occur. The other dangerous hormone is cortisol, our fight-or-flight hormone, which essentially tears down tissue, including brain tissue. It is in a sense, the opposite of human growth hormone, an anti-aging hormone which builds up the body's tissues.

Human growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) have anti-aging benefits that have been increased immune function, development of lean body mass and development of organs that shrink with age-the heart, liver, spleen, kidneys, thymus, and thyroid. IGF has been shown to improve energy, enhance kidney functions, strengthen bones and lower blood pressure. By balancing electromagnetic fields in the body, it aids in optimizing the body in improving communication between the immune, nervous and hormonal systems.

It is said that HGH and its mediator, IGF 1 may aid in treating aging, by keeping cells in as healthy a state as possible. A cell’s ability to function depends upon the genetic codes for all proteins, hormones, and enzymes that make the cell run. Antioxidant supplements such as vitamin C and E have been known to limit damage caused to the DNA and bolster immunity in the process. HGH and IGF 1 go one step further and accomplish what antioxidants may not be able to. HGH and IGF1 help DNA self heal prior to cell division, initiating the movement of amino acids and nucleic acids into the cell and cell membranes. IGF 1 facilitates the movement of nucleic acids giving it the materials needed to repair damage to the DNA and initiate cell division.

While many hormones can be replaced to ward off the effects of aging, HGH reaches far beyond the scope of any single hormone in not only preventing aging, but in significantly reversing a broad range symptoms of aging. While the growth hormone decreases, the aging process rapidly increases. It has been determined by HGH proponents that one can reach the status of elderly by the age of 35-40.

People who have age related deficiencies of HGH have been known to become fat, frail, and lethargic, losing interest in normal activities, including sex, sleep, concentration, eventually losing their zest for life. HGH is being touted as the silver bullet of life extension.

It is important that in deciding to go with an anti-aging therapy such as this, you discuss with your doctor what your options are. If you are pregnant, nursing, or have a history of cancer, autoimmune diseases, or are undergoing therapy- this may not be right for you. Discuss with your doctor at length about what may be right for you.

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Stem Cell Regrowth

2007-10-25T09:17:00.000-07:00

Stem cell research in relation to anti aging medicine is truly revolutionary. Scientists are saying they know more than enough to get started on the development of working anti-aging medicine - therapies that my slow down or reverse the root causes of age-related degeneration. The science behind it is combining biology, chemistry, and genetics.with ethical and moral constraints that may come into question- this will all lead to a very interesting brand of medicine. Although anti aging medicine has been known to some as a viable sub specialty, it is important to note that until recently stem cell research has been viewed in a skewed manner.

Progress in any one area of the science may lead to therapies for a specific class of age-related illnesses. It is reasonable to expect that over time, researchers will be able to fill in the gaps of stem cell research and where it can be appropriately utilized.
Already Alzheimer’s patients are being promised immune therapies that may address suspected causes of neurodegradation. In age related illnesses, it is thought that the damaged mitochondrial DNA is responsible for the progression of the disease process. In the case of cancer therapy it is believed that manipulation of the telomeres may prevent or treat cancer in the body.

When discussing stem cell research in relation to life extension, it can mean many things. It may be a slow process, and one cannot expect to prevent all diseases at once. Anti aging medicine may be cost effective way of addressing the root cause of the disease, not just treating the disease itself.

There are seven proposed categories of biologic processes that can lead to this type of degenerative aging and age related diseases. Scientists have been able to work with potential therapies in the last two decades that have helped in understanding how stem cells will be able to prevent possible disease in the future. It is thought that tissue loses cells with the advancement of age, such as those in the heart and areas of the brain. Stem cell research and regenerative medicine have been providing very promising answers to degeneration through cell loss.

Elimination of telomere-related mechanisms that may cause cancer- by selectively modifying telomere elongation through tissue typing, this may be the answer to the prevention of cancer. Development of therapies to fix mitochondrial DNA may eliminate the functions that are party to the degenerative aging process. Proteins that are outside the cells, many that are vital to artery walls and skin elasticity, are developed early in life and are never recycled or recycled very slowly. These life long proteins are susceptible to chemical reactions that degrade effectiveness, and researchers can locate suitable enzymes or compounds to break down problem cross-links that they body may not be able to handle.

There are certain cases of cell accumulation, in areas where they are unwanted, specifically in the joints of the body, this is akin to arthritis, and other age related diseases. Stem cell therapy can aid in tailoring the body and the immune system to destroy cells as they become problematic, preventing any related problems.

It is understood that as we age, junk material known as amyloid accumulates outside our cells. Vaccines are currently under development for Alzheimer's, a condition featuring prominent amyloid plaques, and similar efforts could be applied to other classes of extra cellular junk material. There are numerous other diseases that can be treated in the same manner with the same methods when research has developed the appropriate therapies. When junk material builds up within the non-dividing long-life span of cells, thus impairing functions and causing damage, it is hard to ignore the repercussions they may have on the future. The biochemistry of this “junk” is fairly well understood; with the problem lying in the development of a therapy to break down the unwanted material.

With the development of anti aging medicine and the progression of research in the area of stem cells- it is easy to understand how this can truly revolutionize the future. Although there is much to learn about the topic, you may want to discuss with your doctor about how this may impact your future and your life.

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Humans May Stay Young For 400 Years

2007-10-25T09:11:00.001-07:00

'In principle, if you understand the mechanisms of keeping things repaired, you could keep things going indefinitely,' says Cynthia Kenyon, biochemist at the University of California at San Francisco. In her lab she has increased the life span of tiny worms called Caenorhabditis elegans up to six times their normal lifespan by suppressing a single gene. This regulator gene, named daf-2, in combination with other genes, appears to control an entire cluster of genes that direct aging not only in worms, but in similar genetic pathways in flies, mice and, possibly humans. This is the equivalent of people living for 400 years, and the good news is that the worms stay young for most of their extended lifespans.

Diet it seems is a major contributory factor.An experiment with the worms proves that sugar turns on a genetic sequence that increases the amount of insulin produced by an organism, which in turn causes the body to demand more sugar. This increases damage to cells in the body, speeding up the slow degradation of cells that contribute to aging. Red wine and green tea have been shown to help repair cells and contribute to an increased lifespan.

The most significant finding is that the worms remained vigorous till until the very end of their extended lives. In human terms it would mean that a person would remain young for decades, growing old very slowly. It also suggests a radical new method for treating maladies of aging such as Alzheimer's, Huntington's and some cancers, which might be put off or eliminated if youth is extended. 'Age is the single largest risk factor for an enormous number of diseases,' says Kenyon. 'So if you can essentially postpone aging, then you can have beneficial effects on a whole wide range of disease.'

When asked whether it was possible to be immortal Kenyon says 'I think it might be possible. I'll tell you why. You can think about the life span of a cell being the integral of two vectors in a sense, the force of destruction and the force of prevention, maintenance and repair. In most animals the force of destruction has still got the edge. But why not bump up the genes just a little bit, the maintenance genes. All you have to do is have the maintenance level a little higher. It doesn't have to be much higher. It just has to be a little higher, so that it counterbalances the force of destruction. And don't forget, the germ lineage is immortal. So it's possible at least in principle.'

http://www.tagsum.com/news/1739/Humans-May-Stay-Young-For-400-Years
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Statins Reduce Loss Of Function, Keeping Old Lungs Young -- Even In Smokers

2007-10-25T09:09:00.000-07:00

ScienceDaily (Oct. 15, 2007) — Statins are known to be good for lowering cholesterol and maybe even fighting dementia, and now they have another reported benefit: they appear to slow decline in lung function in the elderly-- even in those who smoke. According to researchers in Boston, it may be statins' anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help achieve this effect.

"We hypothesized that statins would have a protective effect on decline in lung function," wrote Dr. Joel Schwartz, Ph.D., professor of environmental epidemiology at Harvard School of Public Health, a lead researcher on the study, the first to examine the relationships between statins and lung function decline.

"The link between lung function and mortality and the reduced levels of lung function in the elderly indicates the importance of a possibility of reducing the rate of decline," wrote Dr. Schwartz.

To investigate whether statins had an effect of loss of lung function, the researchers used data from the ongoing and longitudinal Veterans Administration Normative Aging Study, which began in 1963. They analyzed 803 subjects who had had their lung function measured at least twice between January 1995 and June 2005. Both forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were measured. The study subjects also completed questionnaires on pulmonary disorders, smoking and medication usage.

The investigators found that subjects taking statins experienced a markedly slower annual decline in lung function. In FEV1, statin users lost 10.9 ml on average, whereas nonusers lost an average of 23.9 ml each year--more than twice that of the statin group. Similarly, statin users lost an average of 14 ml a year in FVC, whereas nonusers lost an average of 36.2 ml.

To determine whether smoking status modified that effect, the researchers also divided their subjects into four smoking groups: never-smokers, long-ago quitters, recent quitters and current smokers. "Within each smoking group, those not taking statins were estimated to experience faster declines in FEV1 and FVC than those taking statins," wrote Dr. Schwartz, noting that the size of the effect varied a bit with smoking status.

"Our results suggest (weakly) that long-term quitters and recent quitters may be able to benefit more from statin use than other groups," Dr. Schwartz wrote.

But because of overlap between groups and the lack of randomization and controls in this study, the researchers point out that further data is needed before any definitive conclusions are drawn. Their findings do, however, support the hypothesis that statins reduce the annual loss of lung function that occurs with age.

The researchers suggest that the observed effect may be attributable to statins' ability to reduce inflammation and smoking-induced injury in the lung, as well as their capacity to reduce serum levels of C-reactive protein, which relates to systemic inflammation, and to protect against oxidative damage.

The research adds to a growing body of knowledge indicating the positive effects of statin use beyond its cholesterol lowering properties.

These findings were published in the second issue for October in the American Thoracic Society's American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071012080129.htm
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Enzyme Discovery Could Lead to Life-Extending Drugs

2007-10-25T09:08:00.000-07:00

US researchers have discovered a way of increasing the activity of potent anti-aging enzymes called sirtuins. David Sinclair of Harvard Medical School and colleagues found several biologically active compounds that can more than double sirtuin activity. One of these compounds was resveratrol, the antioxidant that is largely responsible for the health benefits of red wine. When the scientists added some of these compounds to yeast cells growing in culture, the cells produced 70% more daughter cells than normal – the production of daughter cells is a reliable indicator of yeast’s youthfulness. Tests on human cells also produced promising results. Those treated with sirtuin boosters lived long lives in the lab, even after exposure to DNA-damaging ionizing radiation, which normally shortens the lifespan of a cell. Furthermore, preliminary results of ongoing experiments suggest that these compounds can extend the lifespan of a nematode worm known as C. elegans, and the fruit fly. Sinclair says that his findings suggest that sirtuins “serve as guardians of the cell” and “allow cells to survive damage and delay cell death.” Sinclair’s work adds further support to the increasingly popular theory that sirtuins control aging in virtually all living organisms. Therefore, it may be that sirtuin boosters will provide us with a potent class of anti-aging drugs and possibly the much longed for fountain of youth.

SOURCE/REFERENCE: Reported by www.washingtonpost.com on the 25th August 2003.
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Why Do Women Tend To Live Longer Than Men? Biologist's Model Offers New Ways To Study Gender ...

2007-10-25T08:43:00.000-07:00

That tendency holds true in humans and many other mammals as well as in the much-studied fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster.

In genetic studies of Drosophila, Tower and his team have shown that genes known to increase longevity always affect male and female flies differently.

"For a long time, we only did experiments in one sex or the other, depending on what was convenient," said Tower, an associate professor of biological sciences in the USC College of Letters, Arts & Sciences who has studied the genetics of aging in Drosophila for the last two decades. "I thought if it was truly a gene fundamental to the aging process, it would be important in both sexes."

Instead, genetic effects on longevity were highly sex-specific, research by Tower and USC postdoctoral researcher Morris Waskar, as well as a group led by Stephen Helfand at Brown University, revealed. In 1999, Tower's graduate student, Jingtao Sun, showed that a gene for the antioxidant enzyme Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) led to a longer life span in male flies, but had a less dramatic impact in females. In later studies, both Waskar and Helfand's group reported different effects in male and female flies in their work with the p53 gene, which encodes a protein that suppresses cancerous growth but also shortens life span.

Scientists' initial surprise at these results was rooted in the assumption that aging was biologically identical in male and female. It's an assumption Tower began to seriously question about a year and a half ago, eventually deciding to include both male and female flies in all of his experiments. It also made him consider just how aging might differ in the two sexes. Intrigued, he began to read widely, scouring the scientific literature and postulating how it might all work.

"I wanted to figure out a model to explain the sex-specific effects we saw in the antioxidant and p53 gene studies," Tower said.

Based on his work and an extensive review of scientific reports from labs studying organisms ranging from alga to mice, Tower developed a new model suggesting how, on a genetic level, the evolution of aging and sex may be inextricably linked.

Tower published the theoretical model in the September Mechanisms of Ageing and Development, the journal of the British Society for Research on Ageing, and presented it at the 2006 meeting of the American Federation for Aging Research.

The model offers a new way to link the regulation of life span to the biological mechanisms that trigger a fertilized egg's development into a male or female. The model suggests that sexual differentiation may exact a high biological cost -- reduced function of the cell's mitochondria, the energy-producing components of the cell that are of intense interest to longevity researchers.

On a more practical level, the model predicts which genes and molecular processes are most likely to regulate the functional life span of an organism. And, as with any good model, it suggests testable hypotheses and new approaches to explore one of the biggest questions in the field of aging -- why sex matters.

Gender differences in life span "is a topic worth deep thought," said USC's Caleb Finch, a University Professor and the ARCO/William F. Kieschnick Chair in the Neurobiology of Aging. "It's quite remarkable that women tend to survive better than men. It's not only hormones. The differences are present at birth [in humans], with boys more vulnerable to infant mortality up to age 1. There's something really different about how we [males and females] are built from the very beginning. And it's something that is still not well understood."

"With this model, Tower has made a significant contribution by suggesting new avenues to probe the biological basis of sex differences in aging," said Finch, a professor of gerontology, biological sciences and psychology. "He's suggested mechanisms that deserve experimental testing."

Trudy Mackay, a distinguished fruit fly geneticist at North Carolina State University, also finds the work compelling. "I certainly agree with the general argument" outlined in Tower's article, she said. "The two sexes represent completely different environments for expression of genes affecting life span. The challenge for the future is to understand this at a mechanistic level, and John's review is a significant step in that direction."

Looking to the Mitochondria

In recent years, much of Tower's research on aging has focused on extending life span by manipulating genes that produce the cell's most powerful and ancient antioxidants -- the superoxidase dismutase (SOD) enzymes. Antioxidants protect cells from the toxic effects of oxygen free radicals, which are produced when cells burn their oxygen fuel during normal metabolism. Free radicals are destructive to DNA, protein and the other complex, delicate molecules that carry out life's every function.

In the so-called "oxidative stress" theory of aging, biologists surmise that the whips and scorns of time -- arthritis, dementia, cancer and all the rest -- are caused in part by a steady accumulation of such damage.

Anyone thinking about how oxidative stress might promote aging would be drawn to the mitochondria, the metabolic powerhouses of the cell. So would anyone thinking about sex differences and genetics. The mitochondria, thousands of which populate every cell, are the body's largest producers of free radicals. The mitochondria also are unique in that they evolved from free-living bacteria and contain their own complete set of genes, or genome, which has remained distinct from the cell's genome (stored in the nucleus) over millions of years of evolution.

While both parents contribute to their offspring's cellular genetic inheritance, only the female passes on the mitochondrial genome to the next generation. Why, and how, this asymmetrical inheritance happens is not clear, but Tower thinks understanding it may be key to understanding sex differences in aging.

Genetic Battle of the Sexes?

One expected effect of maternal inheritance of the mitochondrial genome, Tower suggests, might be a kind of Darwinian battle of the sexes played out on the genetic level called sexual antagonistic pleiotropy.

Because the mitochondrial genome (as well as the X chromosome) is inherited from the mother, evolutionary pressures might have selected for versions optimized for the female body. If the mitochondrial genome is better adapted to the female environment, the mitochondria in females just may work better, and longer, than those in males.

This, Tower posits, might explain the longevity differences seen in the two sexes.

Tower suggests a novel way this might occur. Mitochondria play a key role in regulating the programmed cell death pathway, or apoptosis. In flies and humans, apoptosis works during normal embryonic development and sexual differentiation, sculpting the body by killing unwanted cells.

But the cell death pathway, in which the p53 gene is a central player, also appears to malfunction more frequently over an organism's lifetime, thereby contributing to aging and aging-related diseases like Parkinson's.

This might happen more often or differently in males, Tower speculates, leading to a shorter life span.

Tower's far-reaching model leads to "a list of predictions," which his lab has already started testing in experiments with Drosophila. One that he's particularly interested in following up on is the idea that the human Xist gene may control sex determination and be very much involved in regulating human life span, he said.

His team aims to find out how manipulating the activity of the analogous gene in the fruit fly, called Sxl or sex lethal gene, influences Drosophila life span.

"If my model is correct, Sxl in Drosophila and Xist genes in humans should be involved in sending a signal to the mitochondria that will make them viable longer and thereby make the organism live longer," he said.

Most scientists who have reviewed the model have been intrigued by the idea that sexual differentiation might limit life span. And, so far, no one has challenged his fundamental proposal describing how the mitochondrial genome has continued to exist independently of the cellular genome. This mechanism, Tower said, may inadvertently result in the molecular processes of aging.

The model, if correct, could alter scientists' fundamental understanding of cancer, Alzheimer's disease and other aging-related maladies.

George Martin, an expert on the genetics of longevity at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, calls Tower's model "very provocative and original."

"[The model] has enough to keep a small army of graduate students busy for many years," Martin said. "Some [predictions] should be quickly amenable to testing, such as the prediction that female life span may be more limited by the insulin-like signaling pathway and dietary restriction, while male life span may be more limited by stresses such as oxidative stress. Some [other predictions]... already are supported by preliminary data."

Tower cautions that only experimental data will determine the longevity of his model. But, he said, "If I'm right, this is big news."

Tower's research is funded by the National Institute on Aging and the Ellison Medical Foundation.

Adapted from materials provided by University of Southern California.

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Does Age Affect A Pilot's Ability To Fly?

2007-10-25T08:41:00.000-07:00

The study's results come as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) considers a proposal to raise the mandatory age of retirement for commercial airline pilots to 65 from the current age of 60.

For the study, researchers tested 118 non-commercial airline pilots, age 40 to 69, annually for three years. All pilots were currently flying, had between 300 and 15,000 hours of total flight time, and had a FAA medical certificate. Pilots were tested on accuracy of executing communications, traffic avoidance, scanning cockpit instruments to detect emergencies, and executing a visual approach landing.

The study found while older pilots initially performed worse than younger pilots, older pilots showed less of a decline in overall flight summary scores than younger pilots, and over time their traffic avoidance performances improved more than that of younger pilots. The study also found pilots with advanced FAA pilot ratings and certifications showed less performance decline over time, regardless of age.

"These findings show the advantageous effect of prior experience and specialized expertise on older adults' skilled cognitive performances," said study author Joy L. Taylor, PhD, with the Stanford/VA Aging Clinical Research Center in Palo Alto, California. "Our discovery has broader implications beyond aviation to the general issue of aging in the workplace and the objective assessment of competency in older workers."

Researchers suggest that pilots with advanced FAA pilot ratings may maintain performance over time due to a mechanism of preserved task-specific knowledge, known as crystallized intelligence, which is similar to what is seen in music or expert chess playing.

The study was supported by the Sierra-Pacific Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, the Medical Research Service of the Department of Veteran Affairs, and the National Institute on Aging.

Adapted from materials provided by American Academy of Neurology.

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Melatonin slows signs of aging in mice

2007-10-25T08:40:00.000-07:00

Research conducted by The Spanish Ageing Research Network, headed by Dario Acuna Castroviejo of the University of Granada in Spain, has found that orally administered melatonin can help delay the effects of aging in mice.

Dr Acuna Castroviejo, of the University of Granada's Institute of Biotechnology, and his colleagues gave mice genetically engineered to age more rapidly as well as normal mice small amounts of melatonin beginning at five months of age when the animals begin to stop producing adequate levels of the hormone.

" We proved that the first signs of ageing in animal tissues start at the age of five months [in mice] – equivalent to 30 human years of age – due to an increase in free radicals (oxygen and nitrogen), which cause an inflammatory reaction,” explained Dr Acuna Castroviejo, who has coauthored a number of studies on melatonin and aging published in the Journal of Pineal Research.

It was discovered that melatonin neutralized aging-associated oxidative stress and inflammation, and delayed their effects. The researchers hope that the finding will be applicable to humans, and aid in the prevention of age-related diseases such as diabetes and Parkinson's disease.

Melatonin is found in small quantities in onions, cherries, bananas, corn, oats, rice, mint, lemon verbena, sage, thyme, and red wine. While melatonin is widely available in the United States as an over the counter nutritional supplement, Dr Acuna Castroviejo noted that melatonin is not currently approved by the Spanish Ministry of Health. "While the substance becomes legalised, humans should try to increase melatonin consumption through food," he recommends.

—D Dye

http://www.lef.org/whatshot/index.html#msso

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The three basic rules of anti-aging

2007-10-25T08:38:00.000-07:00

The three basic rules of anti-aging medicine are:

* Don’t get sick
* Don’t get old
* Don’t die

The longer you live, the better your chances are for living even longer. “Bridge the gap to Immortality”  by taking good care of your physical and mental self, you will be around to avail yourself of the latest biotechnological advancements to further optimize your life and achieve that triple-digit lifespan.

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101 Tips of Anti-Aging Wisdom to Living to a Fit, Vital and Robust Age

2007-10-25T08:37:00.000-07:00

Dr. Robert Goldman, Chairman and Dr. Ronald Klatz, President
American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M)

British novelist Doris Lessing (b. 1919), making reference to the popularization of science fiction in the 1970s, remarked:
What a phenomenon it has been-exploding out of nowhere, unexpectedly of course, as always happens when the human mind is being forced to expand; this time starwards, galaxy-wise, and who knows where next.

WHAT IS ANTI-AGING MEDICINE?

A decade ago, anti-aging medicine was labeled by some as science fiction. Ten years later, many of the insights of anti-aging pioneering researchers and clinicians have become science fact. Today, scientists know much more about the deterioration and vulnerability to disease that typifies the aging process. Many of these discoveries can be attributed to the advent of anti-aging medicine, heralding in a new era for an innovative healthcare model and exciting scientific field of study. Anti-aging medicine is a medical specialty founded on the application of advanced scientific and medical technologies for the early detection, prevention, treatment, and reversal of age-related diseases. It is a healthcare model promoting innovative science and research to prolong the healthy lifespan in humans. As such, anti-aging medicine is based on principles of sound and responsible medical care that are consistent with those applied in other preventive health specialties. Anti-aging medicine is:

* Scientific. Anti-aging diagnostic and treatment practices are supported by scientific evidence and therefore cannot be branded as anecdotal.
* Evidence-based. Anti-aging medicine is based on an orderly process for acquiring data in order to formulate a scientific and objective assessment upon which effective treatment is assigned.
* Holistic. Anti-aging medicine utilizes an organized framework for the head-to-toe diagnostic assessment, and subsequent design of a treatment regimen.
* Synergistic. Anti-aging medicine recognizes that oftentimes, a multi-modal, multi-therapeutic approach (including nutritional supplements) may deliver greater rejuvenative effects than by administering single therapies alone.
* Well-documented by peer-reviewed journals including Aging, American Journal of Cardiology, Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, Journal of the American Medical Association, Lancet, and many others.

Anti-aging medicine focuses on the application of high-tech diagnostic and treatment biomedical technologies for the very earliest detection and most aggressive care of disease. The goal of anti-aging medicine is not to merely prolong the total years of an individual's life, but to ensure that those years are enjoyed in a productive and vital fashion.

THE BENEFITS OF LONGEVITY

Longevity has tremendous payoffs not only for each of us as individuals, but collectively as a society. Kevin Murphy and Robert Topel of the University of Chicago Business School used a value per-life of $5 million (extrapolated from accident payouts by insurers) to calculate what the six years' gain in average life expectancy during 1970-1990 alone were worth across the total U.S. population. Their calculations produced the astounding discovery that the change in life expectancy over the twenty-year period was worth a whopping $57 trillion in 1992 dollars. Converted into a yearly valuation, the Murphy and Topel study assigns a $2.4 trillion a year value on longevity for the U.S. alone.

Focusing in on the potential financial gain if the leading causes of death were to be eradicated, Murphy and Topel estimate that eliminating deaths from heart disease would generate an economic value of $48 trillion, curing cancer would be worth $47 trillion. All totalled, Murphy and Topel argue that reducing the death rate from either heart disease or cancer by 20% would be worth around $10 trillion to Americans -- more than one year's U.S. Gross Domestic Product.

With all that long and vital lives can offer us both personally and as a society, anti-aging medicine has accelerated the pace of advancements in health promotion and prevention, and is the most important new model for health care for this new millennium. By implementing a proactive health program embracing elements of anti-aging preventive medical care for yourself, you increase your ability to live a long and robust lifespan in which you will spend quality and abundant time with your family and its future generations. In this article, we share with you 101 tips in hopes of helping you reach your 101st birthday and celebrate it with style. Bon santé!

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

Today, each American spend[s] more on health care than anyone else in the world. And yet, we aren't much healthier as a people. Consider investing in your fitness instead of in pharmaceuticals. ["Health Bulletin," Men's Health, May 2003, p. 46.] Those "in the know," have known this and are applying the principles to themselves to live longer and more healthful lives:

* A number of reputable scientists have been personally consuming antioxidants for years: at the US National Institutes of Health, Dr. Trey Sunderland, age 50, takes Vitamin E and anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, while he conducts work as the Chief of Geriatric Psychiatry at the Institute of Mental Health into Alzheimer's prevention. At Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland, OH USA), Dr. Craig Atwood takes Vitamin E and drinks blueberry shakes while conducting research commissioned by the Alzheimer's Association to find antioxidant compounds to decrease plaques in brain tissue. Such conduct begs the question: If such nutrients were of no preventive or therapeutic value, why would these experts on aging-related diseases continue to consume them? [Jaffe S., "Scientists test theories on aging and their resolve," The Plain Dealer, Dec., 16, 2002].
* Dr. James Jessup at the University of Florida found that older men and women who exercised regularly and took vitamin E supplements became healthier and significantly decreased their levels of free-radical induced oxidative stress, a known contributor to aging and disease. Remarks Dr. Jessup:
The results of this study suggest that people who are over 40 can benefit from regular moderate exercise and vitamin E to protect … their aging bodies." ["Researcher finds vitamins, exercise may slow harmful effects of aging," Breakthrough Digest, July 30, 2003].
* From the University of Illinois to Ball State University (Indiana), human performance scientists are in universal agreement that the one thing you can to do slow the aging process, and feel good afterwards, is to keep yourself physically active. A landmark study published in 1995 tracked 9,777 men ages20-82 and found that physically unfit men who became fit had death rates 44% lower than those who remained unfit. Exercise experts are now revising their definition of "aging" to reflect that aging for most people equates to inactivity. Today, thanks to high-tech sports medicine and rehab advancements, men and women in their 90s and 100s are regaining strength and mobility from muscle training. The take-home lesson: it's never too late to start exercising, but getting a jump start while you're still agile is best. ["The simple answer for defying age: exercise," Newsday.com, August 20,2003]

In closing, we share a quote from Buddha (563-483 BC): "Your body is precious. It is our vehicle for awakening. Treat it with care."

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Studies find general mechanism of cellular aging

2007-10-25T08:34:00.000-07:00

Three separate studies confirm a gene that suppresses tumor cell growth also plays a key role in aging. The researchers found increasing concentration, or expression, of the gene p16INK4a in older cells; these aging cells worked poorly compared to young cells and remembered their “age” even when transferred from old mice to young mice. The cells of mice bred without the gene showed less sluggishness as the animals aged and continued to function in a manner more similar to cells from younger mice.

Teams from the medical schools at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Michigan and Harvard University observed similar results in pancreatic islet cells and brain and blood stem cells.

The results show disparate cell types share a common aging mechanism and suggest that aging-related diseases such as diabetes result from a failure of cell growth, said Dr. Norman E. Sharpless, co-author on the three studies and an assistant professor of medicine and genetics at the UNC School of Medicine. “The studies indicate that certain stem cells lose their ability to divide and replace themselves with age as the expression of p16INK4a increases,” said Sharpless, a member of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The trio of reports are published online Sept. 6 in the journal Nature. The three research teams are from the medical schools at UNC, the University of Michigan and Harvard University.

The UNC study focused on p16INK4a effects on the function of pancreatic islet cells. Islet cells are responsible for insulin production and secretion. Because p16INK4a stops cancer cells from dividing and demonstrates increased expression with age, the scientists suspected the gene played a similar role in aging. The researchers developed strains of mice that were either deficient in p16INK4a (the gene was deleted, or ‘knocked out”) or genetically altered to have an excess of the protein to a degree seen in aging.

According to Sharpless, islet proliferation persisted in p16INK4a -deficient animals as they aged, “almost as if they were younger animals.” In mice with an excess of p16INK4a, “islet cells aged prematurely; they stopped dividing early.”

“This suggests that if we could attenuate p16INK4a expression in some way in humans, it could lead to enhanced islet re-growth in adults and a possible new treatment for diabetes,” Sharpless said.

Similar results were found in the other studies, which focused on brain stem cells and blood stem cells.

The Michigan researchers, led by Dr. Sean Morrison, examined the role played by p16INK4a in neural stem cells, progenitor cells that can form new neurons and other brain cells. The team showed that p16INK4a increases markedly in those cells with aging. Moreover, p16INK4a -deficient neural stem cells work better and don’t age to the same extent that wild-type (normal) stem cells do, Sharpless said.

Dr. Janakiraman Krishnamurthy, lead author of the UNC study and a postdoctoral scientist in the Sharpless lab, was a co-author of the Michigan report. The Harvard team, led by Dr. David Scadden, studied the role of p16INK4a in hematopoietic stem cells, which proliferate continuously during the adult lifespan and produce massive amounts of new blood cells on an hourly basis. Their results suggest that p16INK4a is the molecular basis for an old-age “signal” previously observed in blood stem cells. The Harvard study also showed that blood stem cells from old mice lacking p16INK4a functioned better than old cells from wild-type mice, suggesting p16INK4a causes aging of these cells as well.

Sharpless cautions that any promise of a potential new aging treatment based on p16INK4a should include two important caveats. “First, even though old mice lacking p16INK4a show enhanced stem cell function, they do not live longer. This is because p16INK4a is an important cancer-suppressor gene, and mice lacking p16INK4a develop more cancers than old, normal mice,” he said.

“Secondly, in all three studies, p16INK4a loss was associated with an improvement in some but not all of the consequences of aging. There are clearly things in addition to p16INK4a that contribute to aging. We don’t yet know what they are.”

However, the gene may prove immediately useful as a biomarker for studies of aging, Sharpless said. “If you were going to calorically restrict yourself or take green tea or resveratrol every day for years in an effort to prevent aging, wouldn’t you like some evidence that these not entirely benign things were having a beneficial effect? Now we have a biomarker that can directly test the effects of such things,” he said.

UNC filed a patent on the use of p16INK4a as a biomarker of human aging in 2004. Co-inventors of the patent are Sharpless and Krishnamurthy. Other authors of the UNC study are UNC graduate student Matthew R. Ramsey; Dr. Keith L. Ligon, pathologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston; Chad Torrice, technician in the Sharpless lab; Dr. Angela Koh, postdoctoral scientist at the Joslin Diabetes Center and Harvard Medical School; and Dr. Susan Bonner-Weir, also of the Joslin Diabetes Center and Harvard Medical School.

The UNC research was supported by grants from the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Foundation for Cancer Research, the Paul Beeson Physician Faculty Scholars in Aging Research Program, the Ellison Medical Foundation, and the National Institute of Aging, a component of the National Institutes of Health.

School of Medicine contact: Stephanie Crayton, 919-966-2860 or scrayton@unch.unc.edu
Lineberger Center contact: Dianne Shaw, 919-966-7834 or dgs@med.unc.edu

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Brain implants relieve Alzheimerâ€™s damage

2007-10-25T08:31:00.000-07:00

Genetically engineered cells implanted in mice have cleared away toxic plaques associated with Alzheimerâ€™s disease.

The animals were sickened with a human gene that caused them to develop, at an accelerated rate, the disease that robs millions of elderly people of their memories. After receiving the doctored cells, the brain-muddling plaques melted away. If this works in humans, old age could be a much happier time of life.

Alzheimerâ€™s involves a protein called amyloid-beta, which makes up gooey clots or plaques that form in the brain. These toxic clumps, along with accessory tangled fibers, kill brain cells and interfere with memory and thinking. The situation has been compared to a build-up of cholesterol in coronary arteries.

â€œDelivery of genes that led to production of an enzyme that breaks up amyloid showed robust clearance of plaques in the brains of the mice,â€ notes Dennis Selkoe, Vincent and Stella Coates Professor of Neurologic Diseases at Harvard Medical School. â€œThese results support and encourage further investigation of gene therapy for treatment of this common and devastating disease in humans.â€

The first published report of the experiments, done by Selkoe and other researchers from Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Womenâ€™s and McLean hospitals, appeared Aug. 27 on the Web site of the Public Library of Science.

The gene delivery technique employed by the research team has been used in several other trials with animals that model human diseases, including cancers. The procedure involves removing cells from patients, making genetic changes, and then putting back the modified cells, which should treat a disease or disability. So far, this approach has produced encouraging results for cancers, blood, muscle, and eye diseases, spinal cord injuries, stroke, Parkinsonâ€™s and Huntington diseases, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrigâ€™s disease). â€œSeveral of these potential treatments have advanced to human trials, with encouraging outcomes for patients,â€ says Matthew Hemming, lead author of the report and a graduate student in Selkoeâ€™s lab.

Another way to do gene therapy involves using a virus to carry the curative gene to target cells. However, two people have died and three contracted leukemia in experiments using this method. The drawback of using viruses this way is that the added gene often mixes with the patientâ€™s genome in ways that can lead to unwanted side effects, including cancer and, possibly, death.

The Harvard team used skin cells from the animalâ€™s own body to introduce a gene for an amyloid-busting enzyme known as neprilysin. The skin cells, also known as fibroblasts, â€œdo not form tumors or move from the implantation site,â€ Hemming notes. â€œThey cause no detectable adverse side effects and can easily be taken from a patientâ€™s skin.â€ In addition, other genes can be added to the fibroblast-neprilysin combo, which will eliminate the implants if something starts to go wrong.

Will it work in humans?

This method worked well in the Alzheimer’s experiments. â€œThe gene that removed the amyloid-beta may not only prevent brain cells from dying, but will also remove the toxic protein that drives the disease progression,â€ Hemming comments.

The experiments proved that the technique works, but will it work in humans? One major obstacle, Selkoe says, is the larger size of a human brain compared to that of a mouse. That difference will require an increase of amyloid-busting activity throughout a much larger space.

One solution might involve implanting the genes and fibroblasts where they have the best access to amyloid-beta, in the spinal fluid for example, instead of trying to inject them into a small target. The amyloid-killing combo might be put into capsules that would secrete neprilysin into the blood circulating in the brain, eliminating the need to hit an exact spot.

This or some other clever maneuver that does not require surgery might eliminate the gooey plaques, but will that improve a personâ€™s memory? And will the change be long-lasting? â€œFurther work is needed to determine if reducing the plaque burden has cognitive benefits over a long period,â€ notes Hemming, â€œbut thereâ€™s a wealth of evidence arguing that it will.â€

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Anti-aging Tips

2007-10-25T08:24:00.000-07:00

Proper sleep ….

For years we have tried to do with less sleep. At least 50% of the American population is sleep deprived, proving that our hectic society just does not give enough value to the benefits of sleep. Recent studies show that even a small loss of sleep has detrimental effects on mood, being accident prone, performance, productivity, gastrointestinal function, cardiovascular and immune systems, and more. Planning for a healthy sleep equals planning for a longer and healthier life.Â Â Â [July 13/98]

Recommended Reading: Power Sleep, by Dr. James B. Maas

NineÂ Eating Tips To Prevent Aging ….

Eating will enable you to have the body you want, to live longer, and to enjoy excellent health that will show up on your skin.

Go ahead — follow theseÂ 9 rules for younger looking skin:

Eat plenty of fiber.

Eat a low-fat diet.

Build your diet around complex carbohydrates.

Eat fresh, locally grown, organic foods.

Keep sugar and salt to a minimum.

Eat more non-animal protein than animal protein.

Give up caffeine. Avoid artificial food additives.

Drink six glasses of water daily.

If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.Â Â Â

[July 6/98]

Recommended Reading: Fifty & Fabulous, by Zia Wesley-Hosford

Defy Age With 2 Easy Moves ….

Research shows that stretching can prevent or reverse the loss in joint range of motion that often occurs as you age. It can also reduce your risk of injury. The most important areas to stretch are the hamstrings, back, and neck. To stretch these areas, try the following:Â Â Hamstring Stretch: Lie on your back with your left foot flat on the floor and your right leg extended. Slowly raise your right leg as far as comfortable. Keep your back flat on the floor. You should feel the stretch in the back of your leg. Repeat using your left leg.Â Â Seated Twist: Sit on the floor with your left leg extended. Place your right foot on the floor next to the outside of your left knee. Then put your left elbow on the outside of your right knee and twist your torso and head back to the right. Place your right hand on the floor behind you for support. Reverse and repeat on the other side.Â Â Do these stretches slowly — to the point of milddiscomfort. Hold for 10 to 30 seconds, release, and then repeat four times. Â

Anti-Aging Therapies

2007-10-25T08:18:00.000-07:00

ANTI-AGING NUTRIENTS is your guide to nutrients which have been proposed to have a positive effect on slowing down human aging. Short reviews of these nutrients are included in this section.

Of the various approaches to slow down the aging process, calorie restriction is considered the gold standard. As the Life Extension Foundation enters its twenty-fifth year, the scientific community, the government, and even the news media are slowly recognizing that our concept of extending life is in fact technically feasible. This change in perception represents an enormous transformation in how humans view their role in the universe. Although none of the therapies in this section have been proven to retard aging, there is suggestive scientific evidence that they significantly suppress damaging free radical and inflammatory reactions that are linked to underlying aging processes.

Aspirin

The most common cause of disability and death in the United States is an abnormal clot that develops inside an artery to cause a heart attack (blocked blood vessel in the heart), or a stroke (blocked blood vessel in the brain). Aspirin has an immediate and lasting effect on blood platelets, making them less likely to clump together and making blood flow smoothly.

DHEA

Muscle DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is an adrenal hormone that is the precursor for steroid hormones such as testosterone and estrogen. DHEA declines precipitously with advancing age in both men and women. In 1981, the Life Extension Foundation introduced DHEA(dehydroepiandrosterone) to its members through an article that described the multiple benefits that this hormone might produce. However, the general public did not learn about DHEA until 1996, when the benefits of DHEA were touted by the news media and in several popular books. DHEA became credible to the medical establishment when the New York Academy of Sciences published a book entitled DHEA and Aging. This book provided scientific validation for the many life extending effects of DHEA.

Melatonin

SleepMelatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland, which is located beneath the brain. Melatonin is a highly potent antioxidant, which has been described as the pacemaker of the aging clock in humans. It is released every night as part of our time-dependent biorhythms to help induce sleep and recuperation from fatigue. Published studies indicate the importance of maintaining youthful levels of melatonin to help protect against age-related degenerative diseases.

Acetyl-L-Carnitine Arginate

The amino acid acetyl-L-carnitine boosts mitochondrial energy production through its ability to facilitate fatty acid transport and oxidation in the cell. Since 1995, Life Extension members have been supplementing with acetyl-L-carnitine and deriving the many benefits this form of carnitine has shown in published studies. With the discovery of acetyl-L-carnitine arginate the benefits of acetyl-L-carnitine can now be greatly augmented. Acetyl-L-Carnitine Arginate is a patented form of carnitine that stimulates the growth of neurites in the brain. Studies show that acetyl-l-carnitine-arginate stimulates the growth of new neurites by an astounding 19.5% (as much as Nerve Growth Factor itself). Acetyl-l-carnitine-arginate acts together with acetyl-l-carnitine to increase neurite outgrowth

CoupleCoenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an essential component of healthy mitochondrial function. It is incorporated into cellsâ€™ mitochondria throughout the body where it facilitates and regulates the oxidation of fats and sugars into energy. Aging humans have been found to have over 50% less CoQ10 on average compared to that of young adults. This finding makes CoQ10 one of the most important nutrients for people over 30 to supplement with. About 95% of cellular energy is produced in the mitochondria. The mitochondria are the cells â€œenergy powerhousesâ€ and many maladies have been referred to as â€œmitochondrial disorders.â€ A growing body of scientific research links a deficiency of CoQ10 to age-related mitochondrial disorders.

Lipoic Acid

Lipoic Acid is a highly potent antioxidant that counteracts reactive free radicals in the mitochondria, the power plants of cells where energy for all cellular activities is generated. Some scientists believe that mitochondrial free radicals play an important role in human aging, and have theorized that extra amounts of free-radical inhibiting compounds such as lipoic acid may be able to help slow aging. Lipoic acid is also effective in recycling other antioxidants such as Vitamin E back into their original form after they detoxify free radicals. There also is evidence that lipoic acid can reduce glycation damage due to excess glucose in the blood, which may be involved in aging. Lipoic acid consists of two different forms (isomers) that have vastly different properties. The â€œRâ€ form is the biologically active component (native to the body) that is responsible for lipoic acidâ€™s phenomenal antioxidant effect. The â€œSâ€ form is produced from chemical manufacture and is not very biologically active.

Carnosine

Carnosine is a multifunctional dipeptide made up of a chemical combination of the amino acids beta-alanine and L-histidine. It is found both in food and in the human body. Long-lived cells such as nerve cells (neurons) and muscle cells (myocytes) contain high levels of carnosine. Muscle levels of carnosine correlate with the maximum life spans of animals. Carnosine levels decline with age. Muscle levels decline 63% from age 10 to age 70, which may account for the normal age-related decline in muscle mass and function. Since carnosine acts as a pH buffer, it can keep on protecting muscle cell membranes from oxidation under the acidic conditions of muscular exertion. Carnosine enables the heart muscle to contract more efficiently through enhancement of calcium response in heart myocytes. Aging causes irreversible damage to the bodyâ€™s proteins. The underlying mechanism behind this damage is glycation. A simple definition of glycation is the cross-linking of proteins and sugars to form non-functioning structures in the body. The process of glycation can be superficially seen as unsightly wrinkled skin. Glycation is also an underlying cause of age-related catastrophes including the neurologic, vascular, and eye disorders. Carnosine is a unique dipeptide that interferes with the glycation process.

Green Tea Extract

What makes green tea extract such an important nutrient are the large volumes of published scientific findings that validate its multiple biological benefits. The most significant findings involve studies showing that green tea extract helps maintain cellular DNA and membrane structural integrity. Decades of research shows that green tea inhibits the development of undesirable cell colonies. The active constituents in green tea are powerful antioxidants called polyphenols (catechins) and flavonols. Several catechins are present in green tea and account for the bulk of favorable research reports. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the most powerful of these catechins. EGCG functions as an antioxidant that is about 25-100 times more potent than vitamins C and E. One cup of green tea may provide 10-40 mg of polyphenols and has antioxidant effects that are greater than a serving of broccoli, spinach, carrots, or strawberries. Theoretically, the high antioxidant activity of green tea makes it beneficial for protecting the body from oxidative damage due to free radicals.

Fish Oil

Studies on omega-3 fatty acids are so impressive that an agency of the National Institutes of Health published a report stating that fish oil can help reduce deaths from heart disease. The FDA itself states supportive but not conclusive research shows that consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids may actually reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. There are several mechanisms attributed to fish oilâ€™s beneficial effects. The latest government report cites the triglyceride-lowering effects of fish oil on reducing heart and blood vessel disorders. Another beneficial mechanism of fish oil is to protect healthy blood flow in arteries.

Folic Acid, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12

Cardiovascular disease, the number-one killer of men and women, claims the lives of almost 40% of the more than 2.4 million Americans who die each year. Today, about 64 million Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease. Homocysteine a nonessential, sulfur-containing amino acid, is an independent marker of risk for the development of cardiovascular disease. Back in 1981, we first recommended that members reduce homocysteine levels by taking folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12. Some researchers consider homocysteine as important a cardiovascular risk factor as low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Homocysteine can make blood clot more easily than normal, increasing the risk of both heart attack and death by heart attack. Inadequate levels of folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12 can lead to increased homocysteine levels.
imageNexrutine and 5-Loxin

Nexrutine and 5-Loxin are natural plant-based substances which can help inhibit the destructive actions of inflammation-inducing enzymes COX-2 and 5-LOX. Research indicates that these two substances are best taken together for maximum effectiveness.

L-Alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine (GPC)

L-alpha glycerylphosphoryl-choline (GPC), a byproduct of phosphatidylcholine, and helps to boost acetylcholine. It aids in the synthesis of several brain phospholipids, which increases the availability of acetylcholine in various brain tissues. The GPC form of choline has been shown in studies to help protect against cognitive decline normally seen in aging.

imagePregnenolone

Pregnenolone is known as the “mother hormone” because it is the precursor of a number of of hormones including DHEA, testosterone and estrogen. Studies have demonstrated that the neurosteroid Pregnenolone has a stimulatory effect on memory.

Testosterone

The hormonal stimulus for sex drive in both men and women is Testosterone, which declines with advancing age in both sexes. Testosterone also plays an important role in maintaining muscle mass and strength and bone density. The hormone is often administered to aging men and women as a topical cream, but also is available in oral and injectable forms.

Estrogen and Progesterone

image The “female” steroid hormones estrogen and progesterone play important roles in maintaining bone density and strength, sexual function, mental function and, in women, in countering the effects of the menopause. Recent studies indicate that estrogen may be an effective treatment for age-associated memory problems.* Both estrogen and progesterone are available in a variety of forms — natural or synthetic, oral or topical. There is considerable interest in the use of plant-derived phytoestrogens, which have weak (but safe) estrogenic activity as a possible replacement for drug forms of estrogen. One product, Natural Estrogen, has been specially designed for this purpose.

Calorie Restriction

Life Span Curves Since the 1930’s it has been known that a diet restricted in Calories, but otherwise rich in nutrients, dramatically extends the life span of experimental animals. Over two thousand studies have confirmed the effectiveness of Calorie restriction (or “undernutrition without malnutrition, ” as Roy Walford calls it) in a wide variety of species. While the effectiveness of this antiaging regimen is likely far greater than others currently available, the difficulty of the regimen for most people is also far greater. Serious life-extensionists should nevertheless consider trying at least a mild version of the diet.

Source

5 Causes of Wrinkles and Aging Skin

2007-10-25T08:13:00.000-07:00

1. EXPRESSION LINES, example, smiling, squinting or frowning.
2. SLEEP PATTERNS, example, sleeping on one side of the face.
3. GRAVITY, example, jowling, deepening lines from the sides of the nose to the mouth corners.
4. INTRINSIC aging is from the inside of the body, sickness, genetic coding, smoking, drinking.
5. EXTRINSIC aging is from the outside of the body, examples, wind, pollution, sun. The worst of all five categories and responsible for 90-98% of aging is sun.

The anatomy of a wrinkle begins in the dermis (second major skin layer) where collagen and elastin provide attachment support for the underlying muscles. When collagen which provides strength and elastin the snap or resilience for skin weakens the surface layer of the skin begins to fall forming a wrinkle. It is important to keep these two healthy to provide support so the surface of the skin can appear smooth.

Courtesy of: 911skin.com

Read the full article hereÂ

Research shows that there are, in fact, two distinct types of aging. Aging caused by the genes we inherit is called intrinsic (internal) aging. The other type of aging is known as extrinsic (external) aging and is caused by environmental factors, such as exposure to the sunâ€™s rays.

Intrinsic Aging

Intrinsic aging, also known as the natural aging process, is a continuous process that normally begins in our mid-20s. Within the skin, collagen production slows, and elastin, the substance that enables skin to snap back into place, has a bit less spring. Dead skin cells do not shed as quickly and turnover of new skin cells may decrease slightly. While these changes usually begin in our 20s, the signs of intrinsic aging are typically not visible for decades. The signs of intrinsic aging are:

*

Fine wrinkles
*

Thin and transparent skin
*

Loss of underlying fat, leading to hollowed cheeks and eye sockets as well as noticeable loss of firmness on the hands and neck
*

Bones shrink away from the skin due to bone loss, which causes sagging skin
*

Dry skin that may itch
*

Inability to sweat sufficiently to cool the skin
*

Graying hair that eventually turns white
*

Hair loss
*

Unwanted hair
*

Nail plate thins, the half moons disappear, and ridges develops

Genes control how quickly the normal aging process unfolds. Some notice those first gray hairs in their 20s; others do not see graying until their 40s. People with Wernerâ€™s syndrome, a rare inherited condition that rapidly accelerates the normal aging process, usually appear elderly in their 30s. Their hair can gray and thin considerably in their teens. Cataracts may appear in their 20s. The average life expectancy for people with Wernerâ€™s syndrome is 46 years of age.

Extrinsic Aging

A number of extrinsic, or external, factors often act together with the normal aging process to prematurely age our skin. Most premature aging is caused by sun exposure. Other external factors that prematurely age our skin are repetitive facial expressions, gravity, sleeping positions, and smoking.

The Sun. Without protection from the sunâ€™s rays, just a few minutes of exposure each day over the years can cause noticeable changes to the skin. Freckles, age spots, spider veins on the face, rough and leathery skin, fine wrinkles that disappear when stretched, loose skin, a blotchy complexion, actinic keratoses (thick wart-like, rough, reddish patches of skin), and skin cancer can all be traced to sun exposure.

â€œPhotoagingâ€ is the term dermatologists use to describe this type of aging caused by exposure to the sunâ€™s rays. The amount of photoaging that develops depends on: 1) a personâ€™s skin color and 2) their history of long-term or intense sun exposure. People with fair skin who have a history of sun exposure develop more signs of photoaging than those with dark skin. In the darkest skin, the signs of photoaging are usually limited to fine wrinkles and a mottled complexion.

Photoaging occurs over a period of years. With repeated exposure to the sun, the skin loses the ability to repair itself, and the damage accumulates. Scientific studies have shown that repeated ultraviolet (UV) exposure breaks down collagen and impairs the synthesis of new collagen. The sun also attacks our elastin. Sun-weakened skin ceases to spring back much earlier than skin protected from UV rays. Skin also becomes loose, wrinkled, and leathery much earlier with unprotected exposure to sunlight.

People who live in sun-intense areas, such as Florida or Arizona, can show signs of photoaging in their 20s. In fact, some people who live in sun-intense areas develop actinic keratoses (AKs) and skin cancer in their 20s.

While it may seem that the signs of photoaging appear overnight, they actually lie invisible beneath the surface of the skin for years. UV photography enables us to see the damage accumulating beneath the surface of the skin years before the signs of photoaging appear. Most people are surprised by the amount of photoaging that the UV camera shows.

Facial Expressions. If you perform facial exercises to maintain a youthful-looking appearance, it is time to stop. Repetitive facial movements actually lead to fine lines and wrinkles. Each time we use a facial muscle, a groove forms beneath the surface of the skin, which is why we see lines form with each facial expression. As skin ages and loses its elasticity, the skin stops springing back to its line-free state, and these grooves become permanently etched on the face as fine lines and wrinkles.

Gravity. Gravity constantly pulls on our bodies. Changes related to gravity become more pronounced as we age. In our 50s, when the skinâ€™s elasticity declines dramatically, the effects of gravity become evident. Gravity causes the tip of the nose to droop, the ears to elongate, the eyelids to fall, jowls to form, and the upper lip to disappear while the lower lip becomes more pronounced.

Sleeping Positions. Resting your face on the pillow in the same way every night for years on end also leads to wrinkles. Called sleep lines, these wrinkles eventually become etched on the surface of the skin and no longer disappear when the head is not resting on the pillow. Women, who tend to sleep on their sides, are most likely to see these lines appear on their chin and cheeks. Men tend to notice these lines on the forehead since they usually sleep with the face pressed face down on the pillow. People who sleep on their backs do not develop these wrinkles since their skin does not lie crumpled against the pillow.

Smoking. Cigarette smoking causes biochemical changes in our bodies that accelerate aging. Research shows that a person who smokes 10 or more cigarettes a day for a minimum of 10 years is statistically more likely to develop deeply wrinkled, leathery skin than a nonsmoker. It also has been shown that people who smoke for a number of years tend to develop an unhealthy yellowish hue to their complexion. Additionally, a study conducted in 2002 showed that facial wrinkling, while not yet visible, can be seen under a microscope in smokers as young as 20.

These signs can be greatly diminished, and in some cases avoided, by stopping smoking. Even people who have smoked for many years, or smoked heavily at a younger age, show less facial wrinkling and improved skin tone when they quit smoking.

For Healthier, Younger-Looking Skin
Prevention. While you cannot stop or even slow down the intrinsic aging process, you can prevent signs of premature aging by protecting your skin from the sun, quitting smoking, and eliminating facial exercises.

Dermatologists recommend comprehensive sun protection to prevent premature aging caused by the sun. Comprehensive sun protection includes:

*

Avoiding deliberate tanning, including use of indoor tanning devices.
*

Staying out of the sun between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., when the sunâ€™s rays are the strongest.
*

Wearing protective clothing, such as a wide-brimmed hat and long sleeves, when outdoors during the day.
*

Applying sunscreen year round. Sunscreen should be broad spectrum (offers UVA and UVB protection) and have a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Sunscreen should be applied 20 minutes before going outdoors to all skin that will be exposed. It should be reapplied after sweating or being in water.

Treatment. If you are bothered by visible signs of aging, a number of treatments are available. Injectable fillers and botulinum toxin are suitable for people with busy lifestyles who do not want the inconvenience of a long recovery. Radiofrequency is a procedure that offers an alternative to the traditional facelift. Dermabrasion, laser resurfacing, chemical peeling, microdermabrasion, and some topical treatments can restore skin, giving it a smoother and refreshed appearance.

Scientific research in the field of anti-aging continues to give rise to new and promising treatment options. A dermatologist can help you sort through the numerous options, including the myriad of over-the-counter products. During a consultation, the dermatologist will examine your skin, discuss your expectations, and recommend suitable treatment options.

References:

American Academy of Dermatology. â€œTurning Back the Hands of Time.â€ February 21, 2005.
Available at: http://www.aad.org/public/News/NewsReleases/time.htm. Accessed June 20, 2005.Demierre MF et al. â€œPublic knowledge, awareness, and perceptions of the association between skin aging and smoking.â€ Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1999 Jul;41(1):27-30.

Fisher GJ. â€œThe Pathophysiology of Photoaging of the Skin.â€ Cutis, 2005 Feb;75(2S):5-9.

Koh JS et al. â€œCigarette smoking associated with premature facial wrinkling: image analysis of facial skin replicas.â€ International Journal of Dermatology, 2002 Jan;41(1)21-27.

Moschella S and Hurley H. (1992) â€œAging and Its Effects on the Skin.â€ Dermatology: Third Edition. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Company.

Oikarinen A. â€œAging of the skin connective tissue: how to measure the biochemical and mechanical properties of aging dermis.â€ Photodermatology, Photoimmunology and Photomedicine, 1994 Apr;10(2):47-52.

How to treat Age Spots and how to spot them.

2007-10-19T11:06:00.000-07:00

Age spots or liver spots are often caused by chronic sun exposure and start showing up around the age of 50. These flat brown patches are called lentigines. Face and hands are common areas of occurrence, but lentigines can also appear on the back and feet.

To prevent further age spots from developing, avoid sun exposure and always use products with sunscreen protection of 15 or higher.

Some over-the-counter creams may help lighten the spots, but to get rid of age spots, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (www.aad.org), the most effective treatments include topical prescription medications, freezing with liquid nitrogen, laser therapies, or chemical peels. Consult your dermatologist for the best treatment option. For more information, see www.aad.org

12 Ways of Preventing Wrinkles

2007-10-19T10:59:00.000-07:00

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the sun is the major cause of wrinkles (www.aad.org). Protecting the skin from the sun and other ways to help prevent wrinkles are below:

12 WAYS TO HELP PREVENT WRINKLES

1. Drink Water: 6-8 glasses per day to keep the skin hydrated.

2. Wear Sunscreen: SPF 15 or higher

3. Wear Protective Clothing: wide brimmed hats and sunglasses when in the sun.

4. Don’t sunbathe.

5. Avoid sun exposure between 10am and 3pm.

6. Moisturize Regularly.

7. Exercise Regularly.

8. Eat Healthy, especially foods high in anti-oxidants.

9. Take Vitamins: multi-vitamins, especially vitamins A, C and E.

10. Limit Alcohol intake.

11. Avoid Smoking.

12. Get plenty of sleep.

The Importance Of Skin Care

2007-10-18T12:47:00.000-07:00

Beauty and skin care go hand in hand, especially for those who want to show off their best with confidence. Starting good skin habits at a young age will contribute to younger looking skin in our not so young years later on. Good eating habits of healthy organic foods too contribute to more beautiful younger looking skin. Besides good daily habits of serious skin care, there is also the very strong advise of skin cancer doctors to never smoke and always use skin protection in the sun. Beauty skin care is not just a facial issue; serious skin care must include all of your skin from head to toes. According to dermatologist MD Dennis Gross, the absolute worst thing we can do to our skin is unprotected sun exposure. Doctor Gross goes on to say that 90% of the skin's wrinkles, dark spots and sagging skin are caused by unprotected sun exposure. This is why doctors highly recommend always wearing SPF 15 sun protection products all of the time. This is especially important to start these habits at an early age for those with the most sensitive skin. The reasons for our skin changes over time, have to directly do with skin collagen breaking down. As already mentioned, there are several reasons why this happens, but there is now ways to change some of the damage done. We can do things to prolong and even make some skin reversals of damage that will take off years without the expensive doctors office treatments. There now are proven products out there with collagen repair that will improve the damage. Retinol and organic skin care antioxidants such as green tea extract and vitamin C are also affordable and proven to bring back your skins beauty without even having to use harsh or expensive products. Aside from beauty skin care repairs; there is also the importance of your daily facial cleansing habits. Most now understand that there are very few soaps properly balanced for facial skin use. Many will dry out our skin and only the soaps or cleansers made just for our facial washing should be used. Over washing is also bad for our face, because of removing to many natural oils that should be there. Luke warm water is recommended too, for reasons of hot or cold breaking down capillaries. One more very important point for serious beauty skin care is once a week exfoliation. A good at home kit is affordable and easy to use for anyone. It is important though to use small-grained exfoliates and not large grained because of large grains being damaging more than helping. With the small-grained exfoliate usage once a week; a glow will come back to you skin. Moisturize is too very important to keep that glow going. It is important to moisturize for all skin types except skin with acne issues. Depending on your skin type, moisturizing will vary on how much or how little you use. Beautiful skin does not take much to get back, but just a few good products and good habits of commitment. So just in time for the warmer weather, it does not take long to start treating your skin with kindness and in return, softness and beauty will be yours to show off. A little effort will go along ways and the glow will show!

Source

The Anti-Aging Diet - Pt.5

2007-10-17T07:34:00.000-07:00

Can what you eat help you age gracefully?
(continued)
Antiaging Recipes continued...

Yield: 3 servings (2 patties each)
Per serving: 369 calories, 26 g protein, 25 g carbohydrate, 18 g fat (2.5 g saturated fat, 9.5 g monounsaturated fat, 5.7 g polyunsaturated fat), 120 mg cholesterol, 2.5 g fiber, 274 mg sodium. Calories from fat: 44%.

Cedar Baked Salmon With Watercress Yogurt Sauce
WebMD Weight Loss Clinic members: Journal as 1 serving of fatty fish without added fat.

This recipe was inspired by chef Judson Simpson, executive chef for the House of Commons in Canada.

1 1/2 pounds salmon fillets, boneless and skinless
2 cedar shingles -- untreated
Canola cooking spray
1 bunch watercress, picked and blanched
1 green onion, chopped
1/2 cup light vanilla yogurt
1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
2 tablespoons light sour cream
2 tablespoons fat-free half-and-half (or low-fat milk)
½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt

* Soak cedar shingles in water for 2 hours. Dry briefly, then coat the cooking side of the shingle with canola cooking spray.
* Place salmon fillets on the cedar shingles and bake at 425-degrees for 10-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon (about 10-12 minutes per inch at the thickest end).
* Meanwhile, chop blanched watercress and add it to an 8-cup measure or medium-sized bowl, along with the green onions, yogurt, dill, sour cream, half-and-half or milk, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, black pepper and salt.
* Serve each salmon filet with a healthy dollop of the watercress yogurt sauce.

Yield: 4 servings
Per serving: 280 calories, 37 g protein, 4 g carbohydrate, 12 g fat, 2.5 g saturated fat, 98 mg cholesterol, .2 g fiber, 269 mg sodium. Calories from fat: 40%.

Fun Fall Snack Mix

WebMD Weight Loss Clinic Members: Journal as 2 tablespoons nuts OR 1 portion medium dessert.

This fruit and nut mixture offers a taste of fall, with the pumpkin spice and dried cranberries.

1 cup diced dried apricots
1/2 cup dried cherries or cranberries
1/2 cup unsalted or lightly salted roasted almonds or sunflower seeds
1 1/2 cup unsalted or lightly salted roasted peanuts
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/3 cup white chocolate chips (optional)

* Add all of the ingredients to a gallon-sized plastic bag and seal.
* Toss the bag around to mix all of the ingredients well.

Yield: Makes 3 1/2 cups or 10 servings (1/3 cup each); or 4 cups if adding white chocolate chips
Per serving (1/3 cup each): 208 calories, 7 g protein, 19 g carbohydrate, 14.5 g fat (1.9 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 3 g fiber, 2 mg sodium. Calories from fat: 56%.
NOTE: If you add the white chocolate chips, it will add 30 calories, 2 grams fat, and 1 gram saturated fat to each serving.

Tangerine Freeze

WebMD Weight Loss Clinic members: Journal a small serving as 1/2 cup low-fat yogurt sweetened with fruit or frozen + 1 portion fresh fruit.

This is a great recipe to try if you're looking for a way to "hide" yogurt. You'll never know there's yogurt in this fruity freeze.

1 cup tangerine or orange segments (mandarin oranges from can or jar, drained, can also be used)
6 to 8 ounces orange-flavored yogurt (light or regular can be used)
1/3 cup orange or tangerine juice (as fresh as possible)
1 cup crushed ice

* Place tangerine or orange segments in a plastic bag or container to freeze for at least an hour.
* Add frozen tangerine or orange segments to blender or food processor along with the yogurt and orange juice. Blend until smooth. Add in a cup of crushed ice and blend until smooth.
* Pour into a tall glass or two smaller glasses and serve.

Yield: 1 tall glass or two small smoothies
Per small serving: 148 calories, 4.5 g protein, 31 g carbohydrate, 1.2 g fat, .6 g saturated fat, 3.5 mg cholesterol, 2 g fiber, 51 mg sodium. Calories from fat: 7%.

Source

The Anti-Aging Diet - Pt.4

2007-10-17T07:33:00.000-07:00

Can what you eat help you age gracefully?
(continued)
What Else Can You Do?

Micronutrients from food and beverages offer a wealth of health benefits. But when it comes to preserving the skin, some work better as topical applications such as creams.

"Drinking 6-10 small cups of green tea daily adds health-promoting catechins … but no matter how much green tea you drink, your blood level will never be high enough to retard or reverse skin changes," says researcher Stephen Hsu, PhD. His research found antiaging benefits when green tea polyphenols were applied directly to skin, and "protected the skin by absorbing ultraviolet light and eliminating free radicals."

A healthy diet and lifestyle may improve your health and keep you feeling young but don't expect wrinkles to disappear. The impact of diet on reversing signs of skin aging is overrated, says Atlanta-based dermatologist, Kenneth Ellner, MD.

"Skin aging is related primarily to genetics and exposure to the sun," he says. "If you want to age gracefully, stay out of the sun, use sunscreen, don't smoke, eat a healthy diet, and drink plenty of water."

To do your best to ward off aging, experts agree that a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise, wearing sunscreen, avoiding tobacco, regular sleep, and a nutritious diet is the answer.

"If you are already engaging in healthy habits, take it a step further and try to fine-tune your diet to achieve added health benefits by adding new foods to your diet," advises Elisa Zied, RD, author of So What Can I Eat.
Antiaging Recipes

WebMD Weight Loss Clinic "Recipe Doctor" Elaine Magee has devised these recipes using foods with antiaging properties.

Salmon Pecan Patties
WebMD Weight Loss Clinic members: Journal as 1 serving "fatty fish with 1 tsp oil" + 1 serving "low-fat crackers" or 1 slice of "bread."

14.75-ounce can salmon (or 1 1/2 cups cooked salmon pieces, firmly packed)
1 teaspoon olive or canola oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2/3 cup cracker crumbs (to make these, add whatever crackers you like -- maybe wheat crackers, or even rosemary garlic crackers -- to a small food processor and pulse until fine crumbs form)
1 large egg (higher omega-3 variety if available), beaten
2 tablespoons egg substitute
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (or 1 1/2 tablespoon parsley flakes)
1 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 cup toasted pecan pieces (toast by heating in nonstick frying pan over medium heat until lightly brown -- about 2 minutes)
2 teaspoons olive or canola oil

* Drain salmon, picking out any pieces of bones or skin, and flake what is left. Add the salmon flakes to a large mixing bowl.
* Add 1 teaspoon oil to a small nonstick frying pan and heat over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook, turning often, until golden and tender.
* Add onions to the salmon in mixing bowl, along with half of the cracker crumbs (1/3 cup), beaten egg, egg substitute, parsley, and mustard and beat on low speed to blend. Add pecan pieces and briefly beat on low speed until mixed in.
* Shape the mixture into 6 patties (about 1/2-inch thick). Press both sides of each patty into the remaining cracker crumbs to lightly coat.
* Begin to heat a large, nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 2 teaspoons of oil and spread evenly in the pan. Cook the patties until nicely browned on both sides.

Source

The Anti-Aging Diet - Pt.3

2007-10-17T07:32:00.000-07:00

Can what you eat help you age gracefully?
(continued)
Food for Healthy Aging

For maximum benefits, experts say, you should load up on a variety of healthy foods.

"We know about antioxidants and anti-inflammatory activities of foods, but we suspect there could be so much more going on beyond attacking free radicals that promote health and ward off disease," says Moores.

Moores suggests adding these foods and beverages into your eating plan for good health and to reduce the signs of aging:

* Fish. Follow the guidelines of the American Heart Association and eat twice weekly, especially the fatty kind that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. This is a powerful anti-inflammatory food that offers a multitude of health benefits.
* Fruits and vegetables are powerhouses of antioxidants. Aim for a variety of colorful produce. Enjoy at least 5 servings per day for the maximum benefits.
* Whole grains provide soluble fiber to help lower blood cholesterol levels, and also have phytonutrient content equal to any fruit or vegetable. Strive for at least 3 daily servings.
* Legumes are unsung heroes, packed with nutrients similar to fruits and vegetables and with very few calories. Add them to your diet 3 to 4 times a week.
* Yogurt has all the benefits of dairy foods, plus probiotics that help add healthy bacteria to the intestines. Moores recommends eating a yogurt with active cultures as one of your 3 dairy servings each day.
* Nuts are a great source of B vitamins that are good for your heart and your brain. The healthy fats in nuts benefit the elastin and collagen in skin, helping to maintaining skin's structure and keep it resilient. Small portions are advised, as nuts are high in calories.
* Water is essential for hydration of the skin, muscles, circulation, and all organs in the body. Enjoy 3-4 glasses of pure water in addition to other liquids and watery foods.

In addition, Perricone suggests these 10 "super-foods," chosen because of their anti- inflammatory activity:

1. Acai fruit (found in health stores)
2. Allium vegetables: garlic, onions, leeks, scallions, chives, and shallots
3. Barley
4. Green foods, such as wheatgrass
5. Buckwheat, both seeds and grains
6. Beans and lentils
7. Hot peppers
8. Nuts and seeds
9. Sprouts
10. Yogurt and kefir

Source

The Anti-Aging Diet - Pt.2

2007-10-17T07:31:00.000-07:00

Antioxidants and Inflammation

Some foods and beverages contain powerful substances called phytonutrients that some believe are capable of unlocking the key to longevity. Phytonutrients, which are members of the antioxidant family, gobble up "free radicals" -- oxygen molecules that play a role in the onset of illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer's disease.

As we age, we become more susceptible to the long-term effects of oxidative stress (a condition where the body basically has too many free radicals) and inflammation on the cellular level. The theory is that antioxidants and other age-defying compounds help cells ward off damage from free radicals and minimize the impact of aging.

Beyond antioxidants, some other compounds in foods can affect aging. They can be classified according to their impact on inflammation at the cellular level, experts say.

"All foods fit into three categories: pro-inflammatory, neutral, or anti-inflammatory," says dermatologist and best-selling author, Nicholas Perricone, MD.

Perricone says you can help to slow aging at the cellular level by choosing foods that are anti-inflammatory and rich in antioxidants.

"Age-related changes may be reversed by consuming foods and beverages that are rich in a variety of compounds, including antioxidants, and are anti-inflammatory, such as cold-water fish and richly colored fruits and vegetables," he says.

On the other hand, foods classified as pro-inflammatory can accelerate aging, Perricone says.

If "we eat large amounts of saturated or trans fatty acids, sugars, and starches, insulin levels surge and trigger an anti-inflammatory response and accelerate the aging process," says Perricone.

While the benefits to eating healthy are many, Perricone notes that diet is certainly not the only factor that affects the aging process.

"Stress, hormones, ultraviolet light, and a weakened immune system also contribute to aging," he says.

Still, making smart lifestyle choices are within your control, and are among the best things you can do to help prevent disease and retard aging.

Source

The Anti-Aging Diet - Pt.1

2007-10-17T07:28:00.000-07:00

It seems we're all trying to find the "magic bullet" that delays the natural aging process. Put an antiaging label on most any product, and it flies off the shelves.

Yet if you're trying to look your best without going under the knife, a secret ingredient might be right under your nose. Some experts say one answer to aging gracefully can be found in the grocery store -- in fruits, vegetables, green tea, and a host of other healthful foods that are rich in antioxidants and other potentially age-deterring compounds.
What Is Aging?

Of course, the signs of aging include not only wrinkles, but also memory loss, decreased brain function, and an increasing risk for chronic diseases such as heart disease, osteoporosis, and cancer. Healthy aging is also defined as living a longer, healthier life. And many studies have documented the link between a healthy diet and prevention of age-related or chronic diseases.

Adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity, adequate rest, avoiding tobacco, and a diet full of healthy foods and beverages can be the best defense against aging.

"Dietary choices are critical to delay the onset of aging and age-related diseases, and the sooner you start, the greater the benefit," says Susan Moores, RD, a spokesman for the American Dietetic Association.

Source

What is Aging?

2007-10-17T07:14:00.000-07:00

Everything in the universe is made up of matter. All matter has a lifecycle. It's created, it develops, it reproduces, it decreases in its functional capacity, it dies. In biological terms relating to humans at the cellular level, aging relates to the cumulative changes in an organism, organ, tissue, or cell leading to a decrease in functional capacity. In humans,anti aging research img aging is associated with degenerative changes in the skin, bones, heart, blood vessels, lungs, nerves, and other organs and tissues.

Biologists have advanced a variety of theories to explain aging, but most of them agree that this process is largely determined by genes. At the cellular level, an important recent finding has been that the life spans of cells in the human body are determined by strings of DNA (genetic material) called telomeres, which are located at the ends of the chromosomes. Each time a cell divides, the telomere becomes shorter; the senescence and death of the cell is triggered when the telomere is reduced to a certain critical length.

There is also a growing number of researchers that believe that aging can be slowed and even reversed. Anti-Aging refers to the delaying or lessening the effects of aging. Anti-Aging is a new emerging medical field, one that is filled with as much fact as fiction. These longevity researchers believe that the body and its cells are damaged by overuse and abuse. Toxins in the diet and environment wear down the organs-liver, stomach, kidneys, skin, and so on. Excess consumption of fat, sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine; by the ultraviolet rays of the sun; and by the many other physical and emotional stresses to which we subject our bodies all contribute to this wear and tear.

Those who understand this theory believe nutritional supplements and other treatments can help reverse the aging process by stimulating the body's own ability to repair and maintain its organs and cells.

Source

Does mesotherapy work for cellulite?

2007-10-16T13:51:00.000-07:00

Mesotherapy injection Mesotherapy has received a lot of attention in the press recently as the latest wonder treatment for cellulite.

Like many women you may be increasingly concerned about cellulite as you get older - those little dimples in your thighs certainly don't help you look younger. If you're thinking of doing something about it - then you could be tempted by the media hype around mesotherapy.

But before you rush off to the nearest clinic - take a while to think about whether anti cellulite injections are really for you.

So - what's involved?

Mesotherapy involves injecting a specially mixed cocktail of chemicals into the area where you have the cellulite. This chemical cocktail could include vitamins, herbal extracts and drugs.

Although these drugs have been approved by the FDA - they haven't been approved for the treatment of cellulite. The FDA has never approved any drugs specifically for the treatment of cellulite.

What you get is what's called 'off-label' drugs - FDA approved drugs used for other purposes. Effectively the treatment you get is not covered by FDA approval in any form.

You might wonder what's in the chemical mixture that will be injected into your thighs or bottom or wherever else you have cellulite. Well..the truth is there is no set forumla - every doctor is free to decide what to include in their own special mixture. Remember - this is a completely non-regulated process.

Generally - your doctor should select active chemicals according to their ability to deal with the main symptoms and causes of cellulite:

* soften connective tissue
* break up fat
* stimulate circulation
* encourage lymphatic drainage

The idea behind the injection is that delivering active chemicals directly to the source of the problem should work better than applying them topically.

That is likely to be true - topical cellulite creams are notoriously unreliable since they fail to penetrate the surface layer of the skin.

So the theory seems to be a good one. The problem is there is no clinical date to show the effectiveness and safety of the results.

Since each doctor uses their own 'recipe' you've got no way of deciding how they all stack up - which Doctor and which mixture will do the job best.

And it's not a cheap procedure. You will probably require around 5-10 sessions each one costing about $150 each. Since it isn't a cure for cellulite - the condition may come back. So you need to build the cost of repeat sessions at a later date.

So while you may be keen to get your cellulite fixed - you may be better advised to wait till the treatment has been properly tested and results are clear. As an alternative - think about a liposuction alternative for stubborn areas of fat and cellulite.

If you do go ahead with mesotherapy - choose your doctor very carefully - or you could end up losing more money than cellulite.
anti cellulite cellulite mesotherapy

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What is Medical Anti Aging?

2007-10-12T08:03:00.000-07:00

Do Anti-Wrinkle Creams work?

2007-10-09T08:32:00.000-07:00

Anti-wrinkle creams could help reduce the appearance of aging. Generally, these creams are not permanent wrinkle removers, but either help remove the dead outer layer of skin or hydrate the skin and plump it up, giving the appearance of removing wrinkles. Some results can be seen after about 30 days. But, once you stop using the product, the wrinkles return, so ongoing product use can become expensive depending on which cream you buy. In addition, the effectiveness of particular brands have not been scientifically studied and published in medical journals.

Given the limitations as to their success, here are some recommended products that have been reviewed:

1. Products with Vitamins C & E: The American Academy of Dermatology at www.aad.org, published a paper, “Facing the Age Old Question…How to Turn Back the Hands of Time.” Dermatologist, Arielle N.B. Kauvar, recommended “over-the-counter topical products with ingredients such as the anti-oxidants vitamins C & E.” However, Dr. Kauvar did not specify any particular brand.

2. Products with AHA (alpha hydroxy acid): According to Dr. Kauvar, products with alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) can “help remove the dead outer layers of skin, leaving the face with a fresh, younger appearance. AHAs are particularly beneficial for wrinkles around the mouth and eyes.”

Dr. Kauvar did not recommend any particular brand, and pointed out that the most important way to prevent aging skin is to protect it with sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays and has an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 15 or higher. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, sun exposure is the number 1 cause of aging skin (www.aad.org).

3. Avotone and Hydroderm: A website that claims to have examined over 17 different wrinkle treatment products ranked the two most effective. Avotone was ranked #1, and Hydroderm was #2. Avotone uses acetyl hexapeptide in their cream and costs about $90 for 1 oz. Hydroderm’s ingredients include collagen and costs about $80 for 1 oz. (see www.wrinkle-treatment-reviews.com)

4. Prescriptives Intensive Rebuilding Moisturizer: The Oprah Winfrey Show (www.Oprah.com) featured a segment on anti-aging. Guest dermatologist, Dr. Karyn Grossman, recommended Prescriptives Intensive Rebuilding Moisturizer, a product that she helped develop. Dr. Grossman says, “the progressive build and fill technology of the product works within the skin to strengthen, firm and lift while it also works on the outer layer of the skin to decrease the appearance of surface line and wrinkles.” This product costs $95 for a 2 oz jar. (For more information, see www.prescriptives.com)

5. Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream with SPF 15: Neutrogena had high ratings from consumers at www.epinions.com and is also recommended by a website that claims to review the reviews at www.ConsumerSearch.com. Neutrogena’s product contains Retinol and a Sun Protection Factor, SPF 15. The cost is about $10 for a 1 oz. tube which is considerably less expensive than the other products listed above.

You could try a less expensive anti-wrinkle cream like Neutrogena rather than spend a lot of money on expensive products whose effectiveness has not been substantiated by scientific studies.

It’s best to prevent aging of the skin by having a healthy lifestyle and protect the skin from the sun. Below are 12 ways below to help prevent wrinkles.

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