Anti-aging and Aesthetic Medicine Conference

For those who say “hogwosh”, we beg to differ: we believe anti-aging is a global concept:

An anti-aging conference entitled the European Congress on Anti-Aging and Aesthetic Medicine (ECAAAM) will be held in Düsseldorf, Germany from September 11-14th, 2008, in partnership with the World Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (WAAAM) and its academic affiliates, the European Society of Anti-Aging Medicine (ESAAM) and the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M).

The intention of this conference is to give European scientists, medical professionals and industry personnel the training and education to handle age-related disease, dysfunctions and disorders.

It will also provide the opportunity for hundreds of global anti-aging suppliers to present their groundbreaking treatments to a European audience of health and wellness personnel and medical doctors.

The conference program will cover the following subjects:
• Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy
• Medical Weight Loss & Nutrition
• Cosmetic Laser & Anti-Aging Plastic Surgery
• Laboratory testing & Diagnostic for Anti-Aging
• Mesotherapy & Facial Rejuvenation
• Stem Cell Therapies and TreatmentRehabilitation / Sports Therapy / Sports Medicine

Interested in attending the European Congress on Anti-aging Medicine? Visit the anti-aging event website. Published by PureAgeless

Anti-Aging Nutrition and Alzheimer's Research

By Dianne M. Buxton

DHA is the omega-3 fatty acid (docosahexaenoic acid) found in fish oil. DHA increases the production of a protein called LR11. LR11 is found at reduced levels in Alzheimer's patients, and is known to destroy the protein that forms the plaques, or protein deposits in the brain associated with the disease.

It is considered by researchers that this protein, called beta amyloid, is toxic to neurons in the brain. High levels of LR11 prevents the toxic plaques from being made, and DHA increases its production, thus omega 3 oils play their part in brain healing, or brain wellness.

Our brains are built largely from fat - but not the junk fats we eat in processed food, and not from excessive amounts of omega 6 oils. Omega 6 oils are necessary for good health, but only in a certain ratio to omega 3 oils.

Especially during pregnancy and the first few years of life, we need omega 3 oils in our diet. Our children's' brains depend on this.

But let's think broadly and realize that we need omega 3 oils in our diet on a regular basis.

Henry Lorin, author of "Alzheimer's Solved" states that in the majority of cases Alzheimer's disease is caused by long-term shortages of cholesterol in the elderly brain. Cholesterol means fat.

Cholesterol shows up in the blood when it is not being metabolized properly. It does not necessarily mean you are eating too much fat - but it does mean your body cannot use it for brain function and other important functions like producing hormones.

The elderly often suffer a semi-starvation due to poor dentistry, insufficient stomach acid, and a poor diet in general. Processed and institutional foods offer poor fats, and fats are essential to the brain. "Essential fatty acids" are those which the body cannot manufacture from nutrients - so we must eat them.

The concerns about having high cholesterol lead most people to go for the low fat diet. This is a band aid. Sure less cholesterol shows up in the blood - but what about your precious brain?

Avoiding contaminants from smoking, alcohol and drugs is a start in preventing any kind of brain damage. But our daily eating habits matter just as much.

Your anti-aging education and your choice of fats (amongst many other nutrients like real whole food vitamins and minerals) that counts. Alzheimer's Disease is scary, and becoming more prevalent - parallel to our bad eating habits. Fortunately, Alzheimer's research is leading us back onto track.

Anti-Aging Medicine

Introduction

Our mission is to help people who care to age gracefully, maintain physical, mental, sexual, and emotional health while restoring their bodies to a younger state than their actual age. Our Anti-Aging program is not a miracle cure or an empty promise...it is a reality! It is for anyone who feels tired all of the time, forgets things, isn't sleeping well, is at risk for osteoporosis or can't lose weight. We are passionate about helping anybody who is ready to put up a good fight against the crippling signs & symptoms of aging!

The Longevity Centre of Houston offers a prescriptive program to counter weight gain, lack of energy, memory loss, wrinkles, decreased sexual drive, shrinking muscle mass, hair loss and a host of other signs of aging. We offer an effective program of Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy based on groundbreaking new medical information which utilizes safe, low dose prescriptions in conjunction with a healthy diet, exercise, vitamin and mineral supplementation.

The physician's of the Longevity Centre of Houston are specifically trained in Anti-Aging Medicine. We have a wealth of information to share with you and take great pleasure optimizing health while preventing/delaying age related disorders & diseases.

Why Consider Multiple Hormone Replacement?

Why Take Multiple Hormones?

The answer is simple. We are not one-hormone creatures. We were given a number of hormones to carry out a multiple of functions in our body. Belgian physician Thierry Hertoghe, M.D., a fourth-generation endocrinologist and a leader in anti-aging hormone modulation, believes that the more hormones you use in a replacement program the less quantity you need of each. The reason for this is that they have a synergistic and overlapping effect in the body. By improving the system with one, you need less of another to make further improvements.

You don’t necessarily have to replace all the hormones described below. The number of hormones you need will depend on your symptoms, goals and blood levels. No matter how many hormones you decide to use, patience, staying in tune with your body’s responses, lifestyle modifications and thoroughly following Dr. Pearsall’s instructions on taking your hormones and natural supplements are the keys to your success.

Why Take Multiple Dietary Supplements?

Some people may think that eating a balanced diet provides all of the vitamins they need. This is simply not so. High potency daily multi-vitamins are the very nutrients the body needs to build its cells and tissues. Do not treat yourself without medical supervision. Natural supplements may have adverse side effects or drug-drug interactions if not taken correctly. Over-the-counter non-pharmaceutical grade supplements may cause more harm than good. For example: Excessive lead amounts were found in 21 formulations of over-the-counter Calcium Supplements. JAMA, Sept 20, 2000 Vol. 284, No. 11

Hormones may be thought of as the body's messengers and nutritional Supplements as the body's building blocks.

Hormonal Confusion

Most men and women are fearful and confused about aging and hormone replacement. In July 2002 millions of American women who took the popular synthetic hormone replacement drug Prempro were suddenly told to stop because of the risk of breast cancer, stroke and heart disease. Luckily, none of our Anti-Aging patients had to endure that shock and abruptly stop taking their hormones. Why? Simple fact: there is nothing in common between the hormones produced in your body and the hormones causing all of these side effects. Both estrogen and progestin which were subjects of the medical reports, showing such bad outcomes are patented, chemically altered synthetic hormonal imposters (such as Premarin, Prempro etc.). Premarin is a synthetic estrogen made to resemble that found in a horse. Horse estrogen is foreign to the human body and has a significant side effect profile. For years Dr. Pearsall has cautioned women about the dangers of synthetic, horse-like hormone substitutes. Instead we emphasize natural hormones that are precise replicas of your own human hormones. We use them to prolong the optimum hormonal balance that you have in your thirties and the results are magnificent.

The first humans roamed the earth approximately 2 million years ago. The average life expectancy was 25 years and remained that way until the last 2 thousand years. In 1900, life expectancy at birth was about 49 years. That means people rarely lived long enough to develop age-related diseases! By 1960, life expectancy had increased to 70 years, and in 1997, life expectancy at birth was 79 years for women and 74 years for men.

One of the crucial hormones, Human Growth Hormone, begins it steady decline around age 30. Other youth sustaining hormones (Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone, and Melatonin) start their decline soon thereafter. It can happen later for the fortunate few and occur earlier in others (i.e. after hysterectomy, chemotherapy, stress, chronic diseases). Very few people are genetically blessed as to sustain relatively youthful hormone levels and escape the deleterious effects of aging. The vast majority of people would benefit from Natural Hormone Replacement.

You may paint your house as many times as you like, but without a solid foundation that house will crumble from the inside out. Likewise, you may have multiple face lifts, tummy tucks…etc, but without a youthful foundation - hormones are your foundation!

General Symptoms of Hormonal Decline:

· Lack of Energy

· Decreased Sex Drive

· Mood Swings & Depression

· Lack of Restful Sleep

· Sagging ·Beer· Belly

· Wrinkled Skin

· Poor Concentration

· Joint Aches/Stiffness

· Excessive Weight Gain

· Memory Loss

· Hair Thinning/Loss

To ensure the highest quality and obtain the most consistent results, the Longevity Centre of Houston only prescribes high quality Pharmaceutical Grade Supplements (as opposed to over-the-counter Food Grade Supplements). We also prescribe chemically identical Natural Hormones. Natural hormones are bio-identical to our original hormones whereas synthetic hormones are not.

Benefits of Multiple Hormone Replacement

The Benefits of Growth Hormone Replacement:

Growth Hormone is produced by the pituitary gland. It determines the ultimate size of the adult body, strengthening it and developing the nose, chin, jaw and shoulders in particular. It also tones and firms the muscles, develops strong bones, keeps the joints healthy and protects the kidneys, heart and other organs, including the digestive system. It keeps the arteries clear and flexible and supports the immune system. Growth Hormone helps prevent obesity and in particular slims the stomach, firms up the thighs and makes the knees thinner. It reduces the severity of heart disease and the risk of osteoporosis and, at least in animal studies, certain cancers. All that, and it keeps the skin from thinning and major wrinkles from forming, too. For all these reasons, Growth Hormone is apparently the most important hormone when it comes to helping you stay looking & feeling young.

The Benefits of Estrogen Replacement:

· Control of mind and mood: "I can think clearly again."

· More stamina: "I can do more."

· Better sleep: "Finally, I don't wake up in the middle of the night anymore."

· Enhanced sense of Femininity: "I care again about my body."

· Weight gain protection

· Reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease, cardiovascular disease, bone loss, and arthritis.

· Maintenance of healthy skin: "My skin has regained its flush."

· Preservation of sexuality: "Sex is on my mind again."

· The breasts remain young and full: "It's as if my breasts got a natural lift."

· Elimination of hot flashes and night sweats: "My thermostat works again."

The Benefits of Progesterone Replacement:

· It protects the breasts, uterus, and probably the ovaries from cancer

· It acts as a natural diuretic: "I lost five pounds of water."

· It produces a calming, anti-anxiety effect: "You don't know how good it feels to be in control of my emotions aging."

· It decreases PMS and menstrual flow: "Now I am the same woman for the whole month."

· It enhances you body's defenses

· It improves the breakdown of fat into energy.

· It cuts the craving for carbohydrates and sweets: "I don't need my M&M's fix anymore."

· It reduces breast tenderness and pain: "My breasts are mine again."

· It contributes to the formation of new bone tissue.

· It increases HDL, the body's "good cholesterol".

· It fights ovarian cysts and uterine fibroids.

The Benefits of Testosterone Replacement:

· It improves your stamina: "My endurance is much greater now."

· Healthier and stronger muscles: "I have more strength in my arms."

· Leaner body mass and less body fat: "I like my new lean cut."

· Stronger bones

· A feeling of security, positivism, and stability: "I just feel safer."

· Increased libido, orgasmic power, and enhanced emotional aspect of sexuality: "I feel like a college kid again."

· Nitric oxide, a naturally occurring substance known to help keep blood vessels dilated, level improvement: "I have sustained and firmer erections."

· Improved balance and eye-and-hand coordination: "I have more balance in my yoga class."

· It helps protect the heart and arteries from cardiovascular disease

· It helps protect against high cholesterol and angina.

· It tightens and tones the skin by preventing dryness

· It increases your ability to withstand stress and reduces levels of anxiety, depression and excessive emotional mood swings.

· It helps you take the initiative and makes you more assertive, audacious and mentally tenacious.

The Benefits of Thyroid Hormone Replacement:

· It energizes all the cells and organs by stimulating the mitochondria, the cells' powerhouse

· It boosts blood circulation, thereby increasing the supply of nutrients, oxygen, water and hormones to cells all over the body

· It helps to keep our skin soft, flexible and warm

· It helps to keep our muscles and joints supple and pain-free

· It helps to prevent dry hair, hair loss, puffy faces and swollen eyelids

· It stimulates fat-burning

· It reduces the risk and severity of heart disease

The Benefits of DHEA Replacement:

· It fights anxiety and depression

· It helps to boost energy levels

· It makes you feel better by acting as an antidepressant and mood elevator

· It reinforces your immune system

· It helps to reverse the metabolic tendency towards diabetes. This hormone is known to decrease insulin resistance

· It helps to increase Testosterone and Human Growth Hormone levels

· It is a potent agent in slowing down degenerative brain disorders such as Alzheimer's Disease

The Benefits of Cortisol Replacement:

· It helps keep you ready for anything and eager for action by freeing up your energy reserves at opportune moments

· It acts as an anti-stress hormone by helping the body deal with stressful situations

· It stimulates the brain, muscles, heart and circulatory and respiratory systems

· It fights jet lag, fatigue, confusion, hypoglycemia, sugar cravings, anxiety, irritability, low mood, burnout, and low blood pressure

· It stimulates the immune system, helping ward off the flu and other viral, bacterial or parasitic infections as well as cancer

The Benefits of Melatonin Replacement:

· It is a powerful antioxidant and captures potentially damaging free radicals. Its antioxidant properties might explain why it might reduce the risk of cancer

· It protects the heart and arteries and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease

· It relaxes muscles, relieves tension, reduces stress and anxiety and lowers blood pressure

· It increases natural killer cell activity. These cells are among the most important immune factors

· It helps to reduce blood coagulation

· It promotes zinc utilization

· It helps to maintain hair color, thereby slows down graying

The Benefits of Pregnenolone Replacement:

· It is a precursor or "Mother Hormone" of all of the adrenal and sex hormones

· It acts as a potent memory enhancer

· It improves alertness

· It makes you fee more focused yet relaxed

Article Source : www.longevityhouston.com

New Idea For How Anti-aging Products Delay Ripening Of Fruit And Wilting Of Flowers

ScienceDaily (May 5, 2008) — When plants encounter ethylene, a gas they also produce naturally as a hormone, the result is softening and ripening in the case of fruit, and wilting and fading in the case of flowers -- all of which ethylene promotes.

To delay these effects, growers spray plants with products available in the market today, such as EthylBlocTM for flowers and SmartFreshSM for fruits and vegetables, that contain a compound that blocks ethylene's action on plants.

But how this compound, 1-methylcyclopropane or 1-MCP, works at the molecular level remains uncertain despite several chemical pathways chemists have proposed in the scientific literature.

Now, in a research paper published in the April issue of Chemistry & Biology, a team led by Michael Pirrung, a professor of chemistry and the holder of the University of California Presidential Chair in Chemistry at UC Riverside, offers a novel pathway for how "anti-aging" products like EthylBloc and SmartFresh block ethylene in plants, delaying the plants' demise and allowing people to enjoy their beauty and products for longer than nature allows.

The authors propose that a chemical reaction occurs between 1-MCP and naturally-occurring copper in plant cells. This knowledge could guide researchers in their attempts to discover new ethylene-blocking chemicals for preserving the freshness of fruits, vegetables and flowers for longer than currently is possible.

Until now, researchers believed that a "complex" -- a chemical structure consisting of molecules that are weakly connected to one another -- formed between 1-MCP and copper.

"A complex is loose and can break apart easily -- something we don't see happening in the case of 1-MCP in plants," Pirrung explained. "A chemical reaction, which is far stronger than a complex, accounts for why 1-MCP is so effective."

How 1-MCP prevents ripening and wilting

Plant cells possess copper-containing ethylene binding sites called ethylene receptors. (An ethylene receptor is a protein that sits in the cell membrane and has a site for binding ethylene on the outside of the cell.) When ethylene comes into contact with the receptor, it binds chemically with the copper, which inactivates the receptor. The inactivation results in the cell breaking down, which, in turn, initiates aging and the death of plant tissues.

1-MCP works by beating ethylene to the receptors. By binding with a sufficient number of receptors chemically and permanently, it forever makes them insensitive to ethylene. The plants do not "perceive" ethylene thereafter, preventing ripening and wilting.

Furthermore, unlike ethylene, 1-MCP does not inactivate the receptors. As a result, the cells do not break down, which prolongs the freshness of flowers and fruit after harvest, extends their shelf life, reduces waste and, ultimately, benefits producers and consumers.

Administering 1-MCP

Because 1-MCP is an unstable gas, growers face a challenge in delivering it to fruits and flowers. Commercially, 1-MCP therefore is complexed with alpha-cyclodextrin, a ring-structured biocompatible molecule formed of six linked glucose units, to produce a stable, water-soluble powder.

When the powder is dissolved in water, 1-MCP is released as a vapor that travels through the air, making its way eventually to plants' ethylene receptors.

Novel pathway can lead to new products

In their paper, the researchers show that 1-MCP reacts with copper to give a highly reactive chemical intermediate. Called a carbene, the intermediate will react with essentially any other kind of chemical group in the area.

"Very few such intermediates are known, and it is mostly difficult to make them," Pirrung said. "Based on the reaction of 1-MCP with copper, we discovered a very easy process to make a carbene. When the carbene is generated by the copper in the ethylene receptor, it is the receptor that reacts, creating the permanent linkage that prevents the receptor from perceiving ethylene."

According to Pirrung, knowledge of a chemical reaction between 1-MCP and copper in ethylene receptors could help researchers design new compounds, such as non-gaseous compounds, that are capable of working as well as 1-MCP but are not as difficult to handle.

"Such compounds would enable much more widespread treatment of fruits, flowers and vegetables to prevent their spoiling," he said.

Next in their research, Pirrung and his colleagues will study in more detail the chemical reaction between 1-MCP and plants' copper-containing receptors.

Pirrung was joined in the study by Yunfan Zou of UCR; Anthony B. Bleecker and Brad M. Binder of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis.; Yoshihisa Inoue and Norimitsu Sugawara of Osaka University, Japan; Fernando I. Rodriguez of BD Biosciences, Puerto Rico; and Takehiko Wada of Tohoku University, Japan.

The American Floral Endowment provided funding for the study.

Adapted from materials provided by University of California - Riverside.

Article Source : www.sciencedaily.com

Anti-Aging and Skin Care

"Delay aging."
"Tone up facial muscles and tighten sagging skin."
"Renew your skin's collagen and reduce wrinkles."

Please take a moment to read this important message as it relates to skin care and your health.
We spend billions of dollars every year on skin care products to fight aging and make us look younger. Large cosmetics companies offer up secret anti-aging skin care formulas that supposedly result in erasing wrinkles, lightening age spots, tightening sagging skin, and eliminating itching, flaking, and redness.

But do these skin care companies really deliver on their promises? Are there really anti-aging skin care products out there that can restore your skin to a younger and healthier condition?
Most anti-aging skin care formulas are nothing but advertising hype in print or on TV, filled with psychological triggers to separate consumers from their hard earned money. In fact, most anti-aging skin care product manufacturers spend more on the product packaging and containers than on the so called anti-aging skin care ingredients inside!

There are a few skin care product ingredients and a few basic principles you can follow to achieve healthier and younger looking skin.

Basic Anti-Aging Skin Care Principles for Healthy Skin

• Sunshine is good skin care?

That’s right, a little of that anti-aging skin care called Vitamin D from sunshine may do wonders for your skin! Sunshine promotes both physical and mental health. Just 5 to 10 minutes per day of sunlight is all you need. If you stay in the sun long enough for your skin to turn color (tan) it is already sun damaged to some degree.

Overexposure to sunlight is a major cause of skin damage and aging. Wrinkles, dryness, and age spots are just a few symptoms of aging skin. As you age, you sweat less and your skin becomes drier. As your skin ages, it becomes thinner and loses collagen and fat. It will look less plump and smooth. Underlying structures — veins and bones in particular — become more visible.

Your skin can take longer to heal when injured so don’t overexpose yourself to sunshine. Although nothing can completely undo sun damage, the skin sometimes can repair itself.

When you must be in the sun for a long time, use a large brimmed hat and long sleeved clothing to limit your direct exposure. You can make your own decision About using sunscreen and sun block products as a part of skin care. There are studies pro and con regarding their use and potential toxicity. Sunscreen can prevent sunburn, but the chemical ingredients are absorbed deep into the skin as well.

• Avoid artificial tanning.

Don’t fall for the promise of safe tanning through the use of artificial tanning beds and booths. Getting an Acapulco glow from a tanning bed may not be worth the EMF exposure from the magnetic ballasts surrounding the tubes and various other concerns.

Tanning beds do release high levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can cause premature aging of the skin, impair your immune system, and increase your risk of skin cancer. They can also cause your skin to be itchy, dry, and red. Continued exposure may result in sagging and wrinkled skin.

Tanning pills and skin dyes are not that safe either. These skin tanning products contain carotenoid color additives, which are responsible for the orange color in carrots. If you don’t want to have carrot-colored skin, don’t make these skin care products a part of your skin care regimen. The canthaxanthin in tanning pills can deposit crystals in your eyes and damage your vision.

• Water is a good skin care product so keep your body well hydrated at all times.

You don’t necessarily have to guzzle down 8 to 12 glasses of water a day. Just be guided by your thirst. Your thirst will signal you when it is time for a refill. Just think of your body as a car. You only refill gasoline when the tank is low, right? It’s the same with your body. When you begin to feel thirsty, it’s time for a refill

Drinking too much water is not healthy either. Besides causing you to urinate frequently, it can lead to a condition known as water intoxication and hyponatremia. Hyponatremia is a deadly condition in the sodium level of your blood is dangerously low. This can sometimes result excessive water intake.

Some say that if your urine has a faint yellow color, you are dehydrated. Don’t be fooled. That is the normal color of your urine! The exception to that is the bright yellow color you experience shortly after taking a multivitamin which includes riboflavin.

• Healthy Skin Care includes Omega 3 Supplements.

Omega 3 fatty acids are a requirement for healthy skin. Most people’s diets lack this healthy fat. I’m not an exception; therefore, I take Omega-3 supplements every day. Adding Omega 3 is an anti-aging skin care practice that helps to regulate skin lipids and avoid cell dehydration. Omega 3 also serves to reduce or eliminate the inflammation present in irritated skin. Symptoms of fatty acid deficiency include dry skin patches, cracked skin on your heels, and more. Some believe re-establishing the balance between Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty acids in your diet can help to prevent skin cancer.

• Antioxidants are essential for good skin care.

In discussions on anti-aging skin care and how to achieve vibrant, healthy younger looking skin, you often hear the terms "clean" and "green." "Clean" refers to cleansing your digestive plumbing to make it work properly. "Green" refers to eating lots of mineral rich, high antioxidant green foods as well as other brightly colored fruits and vegetables.

Free radicals are partially responsible for premature aging and wrinkles. They can damage protein, fats and DNA. Free radical damage gives your skin a dull, drab, grayish appearance with lines, furrows and wrinkling.

You cannot totally eliminate free radicals, but you can offset their results by increasing your use of high quality antioxidants, both inside and outside your body. You should take a high quality antioxidant supplement in addition to high antioxidant foods like broccoli and berries. Raspberries, cherries and blueberries are great. Acai is even better. Acai, from South America is at the very top of today’s best list of super foods.

• Stop smoking!

Cigarette smoke is overflowing with free radicals. Long term smokers often appear as much as 10 years older than their real age.

• Antioxidant vitamin creams and amino peptide creams are good skin care products.

There are two types of anti-aging skin care products that have shown true lasting results that don’t just wash away into your sink when you wash your face.

The first type of anti-aging skin care products to show real results are the Vitamin C and Vitamin E creams and serums. These vitamin creams and serums can provide visible benefits to many.

Vitamin C should be at a 10% concentration and the creams tend to be less irritating than the serums, especially for those with sensitive skin.

Vitamin E, in the form of a d-alpha tocopherol based cream or gel provides noticeable benefits. Do not break open a capsule of Vitamin E oil and spread it on your face as it can cause irritation in those with sensitive skin.

The other proven type of anti-aging skin care product is based on amino peptide creams and lotions, which can rebuild collagen in older skin, thus reducing wrinkles, lines and furrows and enhancing elasticity and thickness. This can result in a much improved appearance without the risks of cosmetic surgery or laser skin resurfacing. Article Source : www.fight-aging.com

Technorati Profile

Anti-aging Food Pyramid

This is the world's most advance Food Pyramid specifically designed for anti-aging. In addition to optimum nutrition for cellular fortification, it curtails sugar imbalance, control oxidative stress, aids in detoxification, and prolong lifespan. It is the best anti-aging diet available, and it has been proven clinically to work. My thanks to Dorine Tan, RD, MPH, ABAAHP , clinical dietitian for her collaboration in this work.

Here is a summary :

1. Start with 10-12 glasses of room temperature pure filtered water a day. Begin in the morning with 2 glasses of water to purify and hydrate your body from the overnight dehydration. Bring a water bottle around with you during the day, and drink water whenever you feel thirsty.

2. Your carbohydrates intake should comprise primarily of whole grain cereal, barley, and oats. These are low glycemic index food that converts into sugar once inside your body at a slow and steady pace. Reduce high glycemic carbohydrates intake such as rice, wheat, bread, pasta, and rice which converts into sugar quickly once taken in and cause a rise in blood sugar level. Sustained intake of high glycemic food leads to obesity and adult onset diabetes and is a leading cause of aging. You don't have to avoid all grains, as it is a good source of energy. The key is to take good grains and avoid bad grains.

3. 8-10 portions of vegetables should be taken. Choose above ground green leafy vegetables. Generally speaking, the more colorful the vegetable, the more anti-oxidant is inside and the better it is for you. Avoid vegetables that grow underground such as potato, yam, and carrots because they behave like high glycemic index type carbohydrates and leads to sugar imbalance.

4. Low glycemic index type fruits should be taken, such as apple or blueberry. Always take whole fruits and avoid fruit juices which are high in sugar and low in fiber.

5. Legumes , organic eggs, and nuts are excellent source of protein. One to two eggs a day can be taken in without significant rise in blood cholesterol if you are healthy.

6. At least 8 oz of cold water deep sea fish such as salmon or tuna should be taken per week. This will provide the body with the necessary omega 3 fatty acid as well as protein. Stay away from fresh water or costal water fish which can be contaminated. Free range chicken is a good source of protein also and can be taken twice a week.

7. Red meat such as beef should be restricted to once or twice a week , together with dessert such as ice cream and cakes. Try to take in beef that comes from cattle that are grass fed instead of grain fed in their diet.

8. Olive or Canola Oil should be used in preparation of food. It contains mono-unsaturated fat . Stay away from polyunsaturated fat that comes after processing, such as corn oil, safflower oil, and sunflower oil. The commercialization processes changes the structure of the fat and makes it harmful for the body. Avoid trans-fat that is found in margarine, cookies, and pastries as much as possible. It is the worse type of fat, much worse than the saturated fat you find in red meat. Article Source : www.drlam.com

ANTI-AGING AND A HEALTHY LIFE

I walked into the hospital room. She lay on her bed with tubes running from her arms and electrodes taped to her chest. Equipment at the side of the room recorded her heartbeat and blood pressure.

She looked up at me and said, “I know you.” I smiled. She studied my face for a few moments. Finally she said, “Yes, I know you. You’re my son Billy!”

That was my mother about a month before she died. She was 85 years old. She had had Alzheimer disease, the most common cause of dementia.

The chances of having dementia rise as you get older. By age 85, about 35 out of 100 people have it1. After watching my mother I hoped I could figure out how to fit into the sixty five percent who grow old with a strong, active brain.

The Brain’s Functions

The brain is your body’s control center. It controls the autonomic nervous system, those automatic activities such as respiration, digestion, and heartbeat. It controls the somatic nervous system which activates your sense organs and muscles. It also controls conscious activities such as reasoning, abstraction, decision making and thought. It defines your characteristics and personality. Your brain controls every activity in your body.

As you age, your brain begins to function at a slower pace. It also takes longer to rejuvenate. Your lifestyle, as well as other external factors, will affect your brain’s aging process. The good news is there are ways to enhance the power of your brain as time catches up with you. The following are four ways to help slow your brain’s aging process.

1. Live a Healthy Life

The second most common cause of dementia is atherosclerosis, or in simple terms, hardening of the arteries in the brain. This is known as vascular dementia, accounting for as many as 40% of cases. Vascular dementia has been linked to high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, heart disease, diabetes and related conditions. Most experts feel that treating these underlying conditions can decrease the odds of contracting vascular dementia or, if a person already has it, can slow its progress. These diseases are often accelerated by smoking, excessive drinking and both prescription and recreational drug use.

Smoking is bad for your health. It is also bad for your brain. A study conducted in the Netherlands followed 7,000 people age 55 and older for an average of seven years. During that time, 706 of the participants developed dementia. Smokers were found to be fifty percent more likely to develop dementia than people who had never smoked or had quit before participating in the study.

Alcohol abuse has been linked to15 to 25 percent of all dementia cases2. Alcohol affects the brain directly as a neurotoxin and is the cause of serious long term negative effects on the central nervous system. Alcohol abuse can lead to malnutrition, vitamin deficiencies and can also cause liver damage. Studies show that these can lead to brain shrinkage and brain damage.

Illegal drugs can also cause dementia. Cocaine affects circulation and has been shown to cause small strokes. Heroin, if taken for long periods of time or in older people, can block the neurotransmitter acetylcholine which is involved with learning and memory.

2. Eat Healthy Foods.

As a general rule, good nutrition for the body is also good for the brain. Healthy eating has been shown to reduce the risk of many chronic diseases such as diabetes, osteoporosis, cancer and heart disease. It also increases your chances of living a fuller, longer life.

To function properly your brain needs top quality fuel. A diet that includes five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, carbohydrates such as whole grain breads, pasta and cereals, as well as fats and protein can provide this for you.

Sometimes called brain food, fish is a rich source of unsaturated fat and protein. A study published in the Archives of Neurology3 found that eating fish at least once a week slowed down the development of
dementia in elderly men and women. Overall mental function declined at a rate ten percent slower in these fish eaters when compared to peers who did not eat fish as often. Mental function in elderly men and women who ate fish two or more times a week declined at a rate thirteen percent slower than those who did not eat fish.

One final portion of a healthy diet that many people overlook is drinking plenty of fluids. A dehydrated brain doesn’t think clearly. Remember, plain old water is the healthiest fluid you can drink.

3. Exercise Your Body

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, consisting of 2257 Japanese-American men between 71 and 93 years old, reported that regular exercise can protect against the development of Alzheimer’s disease. The research from a number of organizations including the Department of Veteran Affairs and the Pacific Health Research Institute, also suggests that it is better to exercise throughout your life rather than trying to make up for an unhealthy lifestyle in your later years.

Exercise helps us feel better both physically and emotionally. It can help improve our self image. It also improves our strength and endurance. It decreases body fat, improves movement to joints and muscles and increases the body’s ability to process oxygen. Regular exercise helps reduce depression while reducing the risks of cardiovascular disease.

What kind of exercise program should you engage in? It depends on your particular likes and your body’s physical condition. If you are over forty five and haven’t exercised in a while, you should check with your doctor before beginning any type of exercise program.

Your exercise program should include both cardiovascular and strength building exercises. Cardiovascular exercises are good for your heart. These include walking, swimming, and bicycling and for best results should be done for at least thirty minutes a day, every day. Strength building exercises build your muscles while helping keep your bones dense, reducing the chance of osteoporosis. This can be anything from calisthenics to weight training.

A favorite exercise of mine is Tai Chi, a combination of slow, circular movements. A study by the Harvard Medical School showed that older women who practice Tai Chi regularly experienced a better fitness boost than walking briskly for three hours per week. The study pointed out that this was due to better oxygen utilization.

Tai Chi can help people suffering from arthritis and even osteoporosis. There is some evidence that indicates that the enhanced mind and body connection resulting from the practice of Tai chi can help protect against dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

Whether it’s Tai Chi or any other type of exercise the most important
thing is to just do it.

4. Reduce Stress

Stress increases your heart rate and blood pressure and can lead to stroke. There are two categories of stress. The first type, acute stress, is also known as the flight or fight reaction where the brain produces
chemicals that tell the body to speed up, making it perform more effectively. This is the type of stress you’ll experience when another car pulls out in front of you causing you to hit your brakes suddenly. This type of stress is normal and short-lived.

The second type of stress is known as chronic or long-term stress. This stress is abnormal and long lasting. There is strong evidence that this type of stress actually damages the brain. It occurs when we don't let go of stress. Chronic stress increases the release of stress hormones. Studies have shown that these stress hormones can actually kill nerve cells in animals and can probably do the same in humans.

One method of reducing chronic stress is through exercise. Stress can also be reduced through meditation. Another proven method is through hypnosis. Using the visualization process hypnosis can help a person learn to remain calm and relaxed even while experiencing an event that had been stressful to them in the past.

Whatever method of stress reduction you choose, it’s important to remember that taking steps to reduce chronic stress will improve your overall health. It will also help you sustain your mental abilities. Article Source : www.inform4free.com

A Disease Called Aging

Aging is a disease that starts at age 25 without any warning sign. This is the beginning of the sub-clinical phase of the disease and will last about 10 years. There are no outward signs or symptoms, but inside the cell, free radical damage has already begun. All regular laboratory tests are "normal". Our current diagnostic equipment and laboratory test is not sensitive enough to measure intracellular changes of age related degenerative disease.

By age 35, a good portion of our cellular protein has been damaged by oxidative stress of pollution, stress, and poor food habits. Significant mutational changes are already well entrenched that eventually may leads to cancer and other degenerative diseases. Symptoms such as glucose intolerance, hypertension, and digestive function imbalance begins to surface as the body starts to de-compensate. These symptoms reflect a body that is in the transitional phase of aging that will last 10 years from age 35 to 45 . Often the laboratory values are "borderline". In reality, the body is entering the transitional phase of the aging process that will last 10 years. Some people will have outward signs and symptoms of age related diseases, while other do not.

By age 45, most people have a variety of outward symptoms commonly accepted as the natural consequence of the aging progress, such as memory lost, decreased energy, hair loss, wrinkles. Laboratory values are now "abnormal", It is not uncommon that clinically active degenerative disease such as heart attack, diabetes, and cancer surface by this time. The body is now entering the clinical phase of aging. A proactive approach must be taken, although it may be late.

By age 55, very few can escape a body free from cancer, artherosclerosis, diabetes, or a combination of the above that account for 80 percent of age related degenerative diseases. Most people are on some form of drugs for symptomatic treatment of degenerative disease like osteoarthritis, Parkinson's Disease, and Diabetes. Many are shocked why there had been little to no "warning" signs, and a desperate attempt is now made to launch a salvage operation designed to rescue the body from a lifetime of damage.

Aging as a disease can be treated if started early, but it is never too late.

Seventy percent of longevity is related to lifestyle and therefore controllable. The remainder thirty percent is controlled by our genetics. Anti-aging medicine is about a medical approach scientifically designed to deter the aging process through a comprehensive proactive anti-aging program focusing on 5 key areas: diet, exercise, nutritional supplementation, hormonal enhancement, and stress reduction.

To deter the onset of the aging process and eradicate this disease, the anti-aging medical specialist employs a multi-discipline approach, incorporating nutrition, biochemistry, genetics, physiology, general medicine, endocrinology, toxicology, physical medicine, preventive medicine, and ortho-molecular medicine etc. as the basis of its study into the aging process.

Therapeutic modalities employed to deter the aging process includes: hormonal replacement therapy, nutritional medicine, chelation therapy, psychotherapy, and others. Drugs and medicine are used in conjunction with non-invasive alternative approach to eradicate age related degenerative disease such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, and hypertension at its root. Article Source : www.drlam.com