Unfortunately, age is something that we all have to deal with. While you may not be able to keep yourself from aging, you can do things to combat the effects of age that won't take a toll on your health. In this article, you'll find tips that will not only keep you younger, but will help you live a more satisfying life. Matcha Magic powdered green tea and the Japanese Tea Ceremony have created a country with the longest life expectancy on planet earth. There are many good reasons for that.
As people age, they often shut down a bit emotionally, worried that expressing their feelings will make them look childish or silly. However it's vital to have outlets for your sadness, frustrations and rage. Bottling up your feelings takes a serious toll on your body and can age you inside and out. Take some time out and enjoy a cup of Matcha Magic Powdered Green Tea, it has an incredibly calming effect, and maybe consider expressing yourself in an artistic manner or finding a group of people with shared interests with whom you are happy to express yourself freely.
Pets can help ease the depression and loneliness commonly associated with aging and will keep you more active and outgoing. Caring for a pet will keep you busy and provide purpose to your life. Pets provide new opportunities for socializing. Matcha Magic powdered green tea has been the foundation of the Japanese Tea ceremony for thousands of years and creates a wonderfully relaxed forum for getting to know new friends. Try taking your puppy to a dog park or attending a club for cat owners. Make some new friends and invite them for tea.
Now, more than ever, it's important to keep up regular contact with those you care about. A study done by the University of Chicago found that loneliness puts you at greater risk for several illnesses, including heart disease. Surround yourself with friends and never spend time alone unless you want to.
Never forget to appreciate your good health. As you age, your health can rapidly decline and reminding yourself that you are relatively healthy is a good way to get some perspective. Realise that even if you are dealing with the physical aspects of aging you do have plenty to be happy about.
Some researchers have described exercise as the fountain of youth! While there's nothing magical about a good work out, it can leave you looking and feeling much younger. One published study found that exercise was able to reduce or totally eliminate nearly every negative effect of aging experienced by mice. Scientists aren't sure why exercise has the positive effects that it does, but you definitely should get plenty of it.
Exercise alone isn't enough to keep your body healthy. A good diet is important as well. Foods rich in antioxidants like vitamin E will help your body fight off aging and omega-3 fatty acids will reduce your risk of developing many diseases. A healthy diet can significantly increase your life span and will leave you looking much younger than you really are. This is where the powerful medicinal qualities of Matcha Magic Powdered Green Tea are so incredibly valuable in all aspects of our physical and mental well being.
No matter how old you are the tips in this article will help you to maintain your youth and zest for life. It's important that you work to be healthy both mentally and physically. Age is unavoidable, but it is just a number. If you apply this advice and embrace the Magic of matcha green tea, you'll only be as old as you feel.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Incontinence Pads For Urine Absorption And Odour Elimination
Identifying the need to pass urine becomes difficult for a person experiencing bladder weakness. Incontinence pads are a very effective way of managing this condition whilst helping to reduce odour and maintain skin integrity.
Bladder weakness is a medical condition which results in a person being unable to control their bladder which then leads to involuntary loss of urine. As a consequence the person living with this condition can start to refrain from social activities and spending time with family and friends.
Several companies offer incontinence pads which come in several absorbencies and have a waterproof backing. Available for both men and women, these pads come in different styles, sizes and absorbency ranges to suit all conditions. Also contained within the products are odour neutralisers.
Stress Urinary Incontinence
When the bladder sphincter is weakened or dysfunctions because of the weakness of the muscles in the pelvic floor, it can cause stress urinary incontinence. Most commonly affecting women, it is often reported during pregnancy and triggered after childbirth. When the intra-abdominal pressure rises, the pressure on the bladder also increases which overcomes the closure pressure of the sphincter, resulting in involuntary urine loss.
In many cases, hormonal changes during menopause aggravate its severity which can lead to involuntary leakage of urine while sneezing, coughing, exercising, running or even laughing.
Urge Urinary Incontinence
Urge urinary incontinence, the most common type, is involuntary leakage of urine which is immediately preceded or accompanied by urgency. Most frequently seen in the elderly, it can be associated with urinary tract infection, prostate gland enlargement and other physical conditions like diabetes or degenerative diseases of central nervous system.
Over activity of the bladder muscles cause this kind of incontinence. It results in sudden, partial or complete emptying of the bladder. In less severe conditions, the person has a frequent urge to pass urine while having the voluntary control. As the severity increases, the individual begins to lose control which results in incontinence.
Neurogenic Detrusor Over-activity
This kind of incontinence is common to people with neurological conditions. With or without any urge to void the bladder, it results in uninitiated, spontaneous leakage. Another trait of this kind of incontinence is detrusor (bladder muscle) contraction. Spinal cord injury, spina bifida, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke, and dementia are some reasons that may cause neurogenic detrusor over-activity.
Bladder Outlet Obstruction
Is caused by an obstruction to the outflow tract, a stricture or stenosis in the urethra or enlarged prostate gland resulting in difficulties passing urine and the bladder failing to empty completely. Due to this partial blockage in the urethra, large volumes of urine start accumulating in the bladder, over time. Chronic retention of urine worsens the condition by making bladder palpable after the patients pass the urine and causing incontinence that result in constant or frequent dripping.
You can conveniently buy the incontinence pads for men and women over the Internet. With a number of websites now offering incontinence pads within the portfolio of products it is always advisable to purchase from a reliable site which provides high quality products offering a selection of styles, sizes and absorbencies aimed at improving quality of lift and reducing the impact of this condition.
Bladder weakness is a medical condition which results in a person being unable to control their bladder which then leads to involuntary loss of urine. As a consequence the person living with this condition can start to refrain from social activities and spending time with family and friends.
Several companies offer incontinence pads which come in several absorbencies and have a waterproof backing. Available for both men and women, these pads come in different styles, sizes and absorbency ranges to suit all conditions. Also contained within the products are odour neutralisers.
Stress Urinary Incontinence
When the bladder sphincter is weakened or dysfunctions because of the weakness of the muscles in the pelvic floor, it can cause stress urinary incontinence. Most commonly affecting women, it is often reported during pregnancy and triggered after childbirth. When the intra-abdominal pressure rises, the pressure on the bladder also increases which overcomes the closure pressure of the sphincter, resulting in involuntary urine loss.
In many cases, hormonal changes during menopause aggravate its severity which can lead to involuntary leakage of urine while sneezing, coughing, exercising, running or even laughing.
Urge Urinary Incontinence
Urge urinary incontinence, the most common type, is involuntary leakage of urine which is immediately preceded or accompanied by urgency. Most frequently seen in the elderly, it can be associated with urinary tract infection, prostate gland enlargement and other physical conditions like diabetes or degenerative diseases of central nervous system.
Over activity of the bladder muscles cause this kind of incontinence. It results in sudden, partial or complete emptying of the bladder. In less severe conditions, the person has a frequent urge to pass urine while having the voluntary control. As the severity increases, the individual begins to lose control which results in incontinence.
Neurogenic Detrusor Over-activity
This kind of incontinence is common to people with neurological conditions. With or without any urge to void the bladder, it results in uninitiated, spontaneous leakage. Another trait of this kind of incontinence is detrusor (bladder muscle) contraction. Spinal cord injury, spina bifida, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke, and dementia are some reasons that may cause neurogenic detrusor over-activity.
Bladder Outlet Obstruction
Is caused by an obstruction to the outflow tract, a stricture or stenosis in the urethra or enlarged prostate gland resulting in difficulties passing urine and the bladder failing to empty completely. Due to this partial blockage in the urethra, large volumes of urine start accumulating in the bladder, over time. Chronic retention of urine worsens the condition by making bladder palpable after the patients pass the urine and causing incontinence that result in constant or frequent dripping.
You can conveniently buy the incontinence pads for men and women over the Internet. With a number of websites now offering incontinence pads within the portfolio of products it is always advisable to purchase from a reliable site which provides high quality products offering a selection of styles, sizes and absorbencies aimed at improving quality of lift and reducing the impact of this condition.
Enjoy Maximum Health By Eating The Carotenes
Beta carotene and lycopene are 2 health boosting nutrients that form part of the carotenes family. Orange and red coloured vegetables are the best food sources of these natural nutrients. Provisional evidence suggests that they are potent antioxidants and may also have further protective properties in the human body. In this article I will be providing a full breakdown of these 2 carotenes, listing the best food sources and highlighting their key health benefits.
1) BETA CAROTENE:
Beta carotene is mainly found in orange coloured fruits and vegetables. Canned carrot juice (9.3 milligrams (mg) per 100 grams (g)), canned pumpkin (6.9mg per 100g) and sweet potato (11.5mg per 100g) are some of the best food sources of beta carotene.
In terms of health benefits, beta carotene is a provitamin A which means it is used by your body to create vitamin A. Since it is used to create vitamin A its health benefits are very similar. This carotene supports healthy vision and night vision, keeps your reproductive system healthy, keeps your immune system healthy, supports healthy growth and much more.
There are no official recommendations in place when it comes to beta carotene consumption. However, a number of sources suggest consuming between 15mg and 50mg each day to unlock the health benefits of this carotene.
2) LYCOPENE:
Red fruits and vegetables are the richest food source of lycopene. Some of the richest food sources include guavas (5.2mg per 100g), sun dried tomatoes (42.9mg per 100g) and water melons (4.5mg per 100g).
Lycopene is a potent antioxidant that keeps your body's cells safe from dangerous free radicals. Free radicals are dangerous by-products that get released into your body's cells during oxygen related reactions. They have been associated with cancer (a disease where your cells start to grow in a rapid, out of control way), diabetes (a disease where your blood glucose levels reach dangerously high levels) and rapid ageing.
In addition to fighting free radicals, provisional evidence indicates that lycopene might also act as an antibacterial (a substance that inhibits the growth of bacteria), an antifungal (a substance that inhibits the growth of fungal infections), antimutagenic (a substance that inhibits genetic mutations) and antitoxic (a substance that fights harmful toxins). This carotene may also protect against arteriosclerosis (a condition where your arteries harden and lose elasticity), cancer, heart disease and diabetes. However, more evidence is needed before these benefits can be confirmed.
LIke beta carotene, there is no official recommended daily allowance (RDA) for lycopene. However, a number of sources suggest that consuming 6.5mg per day will give you more than enough lycopene.
1) BETA CAROTENE:
Beta carotene is mainly found in orange coloured fruits and vegetables. Canned carrot juice (9.3 milligrams (mg) per 100 grams (g)), canned pumpkin (6.9mg per 100g) and sweet potato (11.5mg per 100g) are some of the best food sources of beta carotene.
In terms of health benefits, beta carotene is a provitamin A which means it is used by your body to create vitamin A. Since it is used to create vitamin A its health benefits are very similar. This carotene supports healthy vision and night vision, keeps your reproductive system healthy, keeps your immune system healthy, supports healthy growth and much more.
There are no official recommendations in place when it comes to beta carotene consumption. However, a number of sources suggest consuming between 15mg and 50mg each day to unlock the health benefits of this carotene.
2) LYCOPENE:
Red fruits and vegetables are the richest food source of lycopene. Some of the richest food sources include guavas (5.2mg per 100g), sun dried tomatoes (42.9mg per 100g) and water melons (4.5mg per 100g).
Lycopene is a potent antioxidant that keeps your body's cells safe from dangerous free radicals. Free radicals are dangerous by-products that get released into your body's cells during oxygen related reactions. They have been associated with cancer (a disease where your cells start to grow in a rapid, out of control way), diabetes (a disease where your blood glucose levels reach dangerously high levels) and rapid ageing.
In addition to fighting free radicals, provisional evidence indicates that lycopene might also act as an antibacterial (a substance that inhibits the growth of bacteria), an antifungal (a substance that inhibits the growth of fungal infections), antimutagenic (a substance that inhibits genetic mutations) and antitoxic (a substance that fights harmful toxins). This carotene may also protect against arteriosclerosis (a condition where your arteries harden and lose elasticity), cancer, heart disease and diabetes. However, more evidence is needed before these benefits can be confirmed.
LIke beta carotene, there is no official recommended daily allowance (RDA) for lycopene. However, a number of sources suggest that consuming 6.5mg per day will give you more than enough lycopene.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Skin Medica Dermal Repair Cream Review
If you are looking for all-in-one anti-aging cream that rehydrates your skin, reduces age spots, firms and repairs the texture of your skin, and contains high amount of antioxidant to combat free radicals, Skin Medica Dermal Repair Cream is the cream that you look for.
This luxurious cream is not like any other cream. Skin Medica Dermal Repair Cream ensures that every single cell in your skin is repaired, improved, and maintained. Your skin will regain its youth and suppleness, and you will also see your skin become firmer and look more radiant.
The secret of this product falls behind its formula and ingredients used. A jar of Skin Medica Dermal Repair Cream can be degraded to as much as 10% vitamin C, 8% vitamin E, lots of hyaluronic acids, and natural extracts, such as algae, aloe, oats, and olives. It is simply a jar full of powerful antioxidants!
We all know that vitamin C and E are free radical scavengers. They fight the aging process caused by environmental factors, such as pollutants, UV rays, and other harsh chemicals. However, in Skin Medica Dermal Repair Cream, these two vitamins are added to not solely help you to fight free radicals. Skin Medica has exclusively designed and formulated these vitamins, so that each of the vitamins they add into the cream also does stimulate the production of your skin's collagen, hydrate and improve the texture of your skin.
With its ability to bind water as much as 40 times their weight, hyaluronic acid is the ingredient that responsible in giving your skin instant smoothness. You will notice any dry spot you have will suddenly be gone! And algae extract, on the other hand, boosts your skin with vitamins and minerals; helps your skin to restore its normal moisture content and suppleness.
However, if you currently have deep wrinkles and lines, and sagging skin, I am afraid that this cream will only deliver fair result. This cream is not designed to principally fight wrinkles and lines, but it is designed to prevent further free radicals damages of your skin that result in the formations of wrinkles, fine lines, age spot, and sagging skin.
Thus, Skin Medica Dermal Repair Cream is a perfect cream for you who have normal to dry or dry skin conditions who also are seeking a cream that can maintain your skin youthfulness, and it is not for you who are seeking for a cream that can help you to make your wrinkles and fine lines disappear.
Still not sure on which beauty product to choose from? I know finding the perfect beauty product for your skin is a difficult task. You can spend hours, if not days, just testing out various products. Even worse, you can end up buying an expensive product that your skin does not really need. You will end up wasting time and money with no results in the end.
This luxurious cream is not like any other cream. Skin Medica Dermal Repair Cream ensures that every single cell in your skin is repaired, improved, and maintained. Your skin will regain its youth and suppleness, and you will also see your skin become firmer and look more radiant.
The secret of this product falls behind its formula and ingredients used. A jar of Skin Medica Dermal Repair Cream can be degraded to as much as 10% vitamin C, 8% vitamin E, lots of hyaluronic acids, and natural extracts, such as algae, aloe, oats, and olives. It is simply a jar full of powerful antioxidants!
We all know that vitamin C and E are free radical scavengers. They fight the aging process caused by environmental factors, such as pollutants, UV rays, and other harsh chemicals. However, in Skin Medica Dermal Repair Cream, these two vitamins are added to not solely help you to fight free radicals. Skin Medica has exclusively designed and formulated these vitamins, so that each of the vitamins they add into the cream also does stimulate the production of your skin's collagen, hydrate and improve the texture of your skin.
With its ability to bind water as much as 40 times their weight, hyaluronic acid is the ingredient that responsible in giving your skin instant smoothness. You will notice any dry spot you have will suddenly be gone! And algae extract, on the other hand, boosts your skin with vitamins and minerals; helps your skin to restore its normal moisture content and suppleness.
However, if you currently have deep wrinkles and lines, and sagging skin, I am afraid that this cream will only deliver fair result. This cream is not designed to principally fight wrinkles and lines, but it is designed to prevent further free radicals damages of your skin that result in the formations of wrinkles, fine lines, age spot, and sagging skin.
Thus, Skin Medica Dermal Repair Cream is a perfect cream for you who have normal to dry or dry skin conditions who also are seeking a cream that can maintain your skin youthfulness, and it is not for you who are seeking for a cream that can help you to make your wrinkles and fine lines disappear.
Still not sure on which beauty product to choose from? I know finding the perfect beauty product for your skin is a difficult task. You can spend hours, if not days, just testing out various products. Even worse, you can end up buying an expensive product that your skin does not really need. You will end up wasting time and money with no results in the end.
Friday, December 2, 2011
If You Cover Your Face While You Tan Does It Still Cause Wrinkles?
Wrinkles do not develop overnight, but over the course of many years. You don't get wrinkles from sleeping on your face all through the night; neither are you going to get them from staying out with your face towards the sun for several hours. True, these can lead to wrinkle-formation, but they won't happen within a span of only twenty-four hours. Needless to say, taking the necessary precautions can go a long way in delaying the appearance of wrinkles.
Wrinkles and The Sun
Prolonged and unprotected exposure to the sun's harmful UV rays can accelerate wrinkle development. This is because the UV rays are damaging to the skin. They thin out the layers of the skin, depleting it of moisture, and making it more vulnerable to wear and tear, and yes, wrinkles.
But of course, it is not like you will just have to live in the shadows all your life. You can, by all means, enjoy the sun, but always with protection. If you plan to go to the beach to tan or simply enjoy the sun as it is, keep in mind the following sun protection tips:
* Apply sun protection cream generously at least 30 minutes before going out. Use one that comes with organic and natural ingredients to get the most benefits. Remember to re-apply whenever necessary.
* Wear sunglasses with UV protection. There are lots of sunglasses which you can buy at a cheaper price, but be wary of these as these may not come with the protection you need.
* Use a wide-brimmed hat. This helps to protect your face from the sun.
It goes to say that covering your face while you tan is not going to stop the wrinkles from forming. This, along with the other tips, serves to reduce the impact of the sun's rays on your skin and thus help delay the appearance of wrinkles, but they cannot stop them.
Wrinkle-formation is part and parcel of the aging process. You'll have them when the time comes, and when that is going to happen depends on how well you take care of your skin. Wrinkles come earlier for a lot of people, but for those who are wise, wrinkles may not be visible until they are already in their forties or fifties, even.
Delaying The Appearance of Wrinkles
So what does it mean to be wise? You don't have to be a genius in order to delay the appearance of wrinkles. Just follow these tips:
* Be always mindful of the aforementioned sun protection tips.
* Make it a habit to wash your face twice daily.
* Moisturize, preferably with something that has antioxidant properties and which also serves as a humectant.
* Drink lots of water. Water keeps your skin hydrated.
* Make wise food choices. Load up on raw vegetables and fresh fruits. These are rich in natural enzymes that help your body fight aging.
* Avoid anything that is not in the natural form. Eating foods that contain additives, chemicals, preservatives, and the like, damages your internal organs and lowers your body resistance. The toxins from these foods also hasten the aging process.
* If you are a smoker, stop smoking. If you're not, don't start thinking about it.
* Exercise. Exercising regularly boosts your metabolism, helping you get rid of toxins more effectively.
* Avoid stress as much as possible. Stress can make you look old in an instant. Take a break from work in the office or from work at home. Everybody deserves some time to himself/herself. Make time to laugh. Apply stress management techniques and don't let stress take over your life.
Wrinkles and The Sun
Prolonged and unprotected exposure to the sun's harmful UV rays can accelerate wrinkle development. This is because the UV rays are damaging to the skin. They thin out the layers of the skin, depleting it of moisture, and making it more vulnerable to wear and tear, and yes, wrinkles.
But of course, it is not like you will just have to live in the shadows all your life. You can, by all means, enjoy the sun, but always with protection. If you plan to go to the beach to tan or simply enjoy the sun as it is, keep in mind the following sun protection tips:
* Apply sun protection cream generously at least 30 minutes before going out. Use one that comes with organic and natural ingredients to get the most benefits. Remember to re-apply whenever necessary.
* Wear sunglasses with UV protection. There are lots of sunglasses which you can buy at a cheaper price, but be wary of these as these may not come with the protection you need.
* Use a wide-brimmed hat. This helps to protect your face from the sun.
It goes to say that covering your face while you tan is not going to stop the wrinkles from forming. This, along with the other tips, serves to reduce the impact of the sun's rays on your skin and thus help delay the appearance of wrinkles, but they cannot stop them.
Wrinkle-formation is part and parcel of the aging process. You'll have them when the time comes, and when that is going to happen depends on how well you take care of your skin. Wrinkles come earlier for a lot of people, but for those who are wise, wrinkles may not be visible until they are already in their forties or fifties, even.
Delaying The Appearance of Wrinkles
So what does it mean to be wise? You don't have to be a genius in order to delay the appearance of wrinkles. Just follow these tips:
* Be always mindful of the aforementioned sun protection tips.
* Make it a habit to wash your face twice daily.
* Moisturize, preferably with something that has antioxidant properties and which also serves as a humectant.
* Drink lots of water. Water keeps your skin hydrated.
* Make wise food choices. Load up on raw vegetables and fresh fruits. These are rich in natural enzymes that help your body fight aging.
* Avoid anything that is not in the natural form. Eating foods that contain additives, chemicals, preservatives, and the like, damages your internal organs and lowers your body resistance. The toxins from these foods also hasten the aging process.
* If you are a smoker, stop smoking. If you're not, don't start thinking about it.
* Exercise. Exercising regularly boosts your metabolism, helping you get rid of toxins more effectively.
* Avoid stress as much as possible. Stress can make you look old in an instant. Take a break from work in the office or from work at home. Everybody deserves some time to himself/herself. Make time to laugh. Apply stress management techniques and don't let stress take over your life.
Anti Aging Skin Tightening Solutions for Men and Women
There are many skin tightening solutions available when we begin to show the signs of aging. Although aging is the most common cause of sagging skin, there are others. After pregnancy, surgery, weight loss, etc, sagging skin can become a problem. Sagging jowls, which appear on our face, are generally caused by extreme weight loss or aging. Weight loss can cause loose skin in every part of the body. Sun damage, genetics and gravity can also be a factor in loose skin. As we age, gravity results in drooping skin and our face looses volume. There is a solution regardless of the problem.
Among the solutions available are creams that have been shown to be very successful in tightening the skin. Creams that contain elastin and collagen, will give the best results. Although, creams usually work best on younger skin, such as someone who has had recent weight loss or pregnancy, they can also be used for older skin as well. The skin of a senior may not obtain the same results but should show some improvement. Creams will also assist in evening skin tone, brightening dull skin as well as reducing wrinkles. Research has shown that Latino, Asian and African American skin obtains be best results with a cream.
Another of the skin tightening solutions is in the form of a lotion. These are available for all skin types. Many of the lotions and creams can also be used as a healing agent or to correct dry skin. There are lotions that can be used for the entire body, including face, neck, arms, legs, stomach and buttocks. By using these lotions you can obtain firmer, tighter skin and a reduction of cellulite. They can also be used to moisten and hydrate the skin.
For many years, the only solution to sagging skin was plastic surgery. That can be costly and is not without danger, as with any type of surgery. If the creams and lotions do not give the results you are looking for, there are other treatments available. Injections, such as Restylane, Juvederm, etc. can be used to fill out areas of the face by restoring volume. These usually last for about a year. In addition, there are skin tightening devices used by physicians, such as Thermage or TITAN to tighten the skin. There is also laser skin surfacing. These treatments should always be performed by an American Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. It is best to find one with excellent referrals.
When you decide that you need a solution to your sagging skin, select the treatment that provides the results you are seeking. You should always check with a professional before starting any of these procedures
Among the solutions available are creams that have been shown to be very successful in tightening the skin. Creams that contain elastin and collagen, will give the best results. Although, creams usually work best on younger skin, such as someone who has had recent weight loss or pregnancy, they can also be used for older skin as well. The skin of a senior may not obtain the same results but should show some improvement. Creams will also assist in evening skin tone, brightening dull skin as well as reducing wrinkles. Research has shown that Latino, Asian and African American skin obtains be best results with a cream.
Another of the skin tightening solutions is in the form of a lotion. These are available for all skin types. Many of the lotions and creams can also be used as a healing agent or to correct dry skin. There are lotions that can be used for the entire body, including face, neck, arms, legs, stomach and buttocks. By using these lotions you can obtain firmer, tighter skin and a reduction of cellulite. They can also be used to moisten and hydrate the skin.
For many years, the only solution to sagging skin was plastic surgery. That can be costly and is not without danger, as with any type of surgery. If the creams and lotions do not give the results you are looking for, there are other treatments available. Injections, such as Restylane, Juvederm, etc. can be used to fill out areas of the face by restoring volume. These usually last for about a year. In addition, there are skin tightening devices used by physicians, such as Thermage or TITAN to tighten the skin. There is also laser skin surfacing. These treatments should always be performed by an American Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. It is best to find one with excellent referrals.
When you decide that you need a solution to your sagging skin, select the treatment that provides the results you are seeking. You should always check with a professional before starting any of these procedures
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Is Jergens Face Creme More Effective For Wrinkles Than Coconut Oil?
When it comes to moisturizing lotions, Jergens is one of those brands you would hear about often. Lots of people have come to love Jergens for one reason or another. Some do because it's affordable and comes with great moisturizing properties. Others use it because it happens to be "always around" every time they do their grocery-shopping.
But, how effective is Jergens in so far as preventing or treating wrinkles? And how does it compare with coconut oil? Let's take a closer look.
Jergens Moisturizing Creams and Lotions
There are different types for facial creams and lotions by Jergens, and all of them basically have one general goal - to moisturize. In a way, this helps to strengthen the skin, making it less vulnerable to wrinkles as one gets on in years.
Some of Jergen's products appear to have age-defying properties. It's Natural Firming Glow cream comes not just with moisturizing agents but collagen and elastin to make the skin firm. It also has Vitamin E and antioxidants to protect the face from skin-damaging free radicals.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil, meanwhile, comes from the coconut fruit, which many refer to as the Tree of Life. From the fruit down to the roots, coconut does have plenty of health benefits and uses. Coconut oil is one of the healthiest oils in the world, loaded with antioxidant and moisturizing properties. It fights age spots, skin discoloration, dryness, and yes, especially wrinkles. It makes the skin supple, firmer, and stronger. Unlike other commercial face creams that are usually water-based, coconut oil is well absorbed by the skin without clogging it. And best of all, it's all-natural.
Synthetic Ingredients in Face Creams
There are plenty of brands coming out today, promising essentially the same thing - flawless, wrinkle-free skin. Many of them do deliver what they promise, but most of the time, not without consequences. Face creams that contain synthetic ingredients are always double-edged. You can not have the best of both worlds, so to speak. Many commercial creams out there contain mineral oil and petrolatum, ingredients that are found to clog the pores and even speed up the aging process. You also have to watch out for Parabens, DMDM Hydantoin, and BHT, which act as synthetic preservative but which pose health risks, among them allergic reactions, weakened immune system, tumor growths, and organ damage.
The Better Choice?
When it comes to choosing skin-aging products, you need to be wise. Just because something is heavily advertised or even endorsed by popular celebrities does not necessarily mean it is the best. You cannot base your choice on the price, either, because a cheap product does not always mean a good deal, and something that's expensive does not always equate to quality.
Among the major factors to look into are the ingredients the product comes with. To be on the safe side, look for organic or 100% natural ingredients in your choice of product. Pure, coconut oil appears to be one of your best choices out there. Pure coconut oil is organic and proven to be beneficial to the body not only to the skin. It contains high levels of natural antioxidants that for me is a very important factor in treating wrinkles and preventing them. I also like the fact that it is not water-based, which means to say that it can bring about long-term effects, not like its synthetic counterparts that offer temporary relief only. Over time your skin becomes younger, more revitalized, and more beautiful with coconut oil.
But, how effective is Jergens in so far as preventing or treating wrinkles? And how does it compare with coconut oil? Let's take a closer look.
Jergens Moisturizing Creams and Lotions
There are different types for facial creams and lotions by Jergens, and all of them basically have one general goal - to moisturize. In a way, this helps to strengthen the skin, making it less vulnerable to wrinkles as one gets on in years.
Some of Jergen's products appear to have age-defying properties. It's Natural Firming Glow cream comes not just with moisturizing agents but collagen and elastin to make the skin firm. It also has Vitamin E and antioxidants to protect the face from skin-damaging free radicals.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil, meanwhile, comes from the coconut fruit, which many refer to as the Tree of Life. From the fruit down to the roots, coconut does have plenty of health benefits and uses. Coconut oil is one of the healthiest oils in the world, loaded with antioxidant and moisturizing properties. It fights age spots, skin discoloration, dryness, and yes, especially wrinkles. It makes the skin supple, firmer, and stronger. Unlike other commercial face creams that are usually water-based, coconut oil is well absorbed by the skin without clogging it. And best of all, it's all-natural.
Synthetic Ingredients in Face Creams
There are plenty of brands coming out today, promising essentially the same thing - flawless, wrinkle-free skin. Many of them do deliver what they promise, but most of the time, not without consequences. Face creams that contain synthetic ingredients are always double-edged. You can not have the best of both worlds, so to speak. Many commercial creams out there contain mineral oil and petrolatum, ingredients that are found to clog the pores and even speed up the aging process. You also have to watch out for Parabens, DMDM Hydantoin, and BHT, which act as synthetic preservative but which pose health risks, among them allergic reactions, weakened immune system, tumor growths, and organ damage.
The Better Choice?
When it comes to choosing skin-aging products, you need to be wise. Just because something is heavily advertised or even endorsed by popular celebrities does not necessarily mean it is the best. You cannot base your choice on the price, either, because a cheap product does not always mean a good deal, and something that's expensive does not always equate to quality.
Among the major factors to look into are the ingredients the product comes with. To be on the safe side, look for organic or 100% natural ingredients in your choice of product. Pure, coconut oil appears to be one of your best choices out there. Pure coconut oil is organic and proven to be beneficial to the body not only to the skin. It contains high levels of natural antioxidants that for me is a very important factor in treating wrinkles and preventing them. I also like the fact that it is not water-based, which means to say that it can bring about long-term effects, not like its synthetic counterparts that offer temporary relief only. Over time your skin becomes younger, more revitalized, and more beautiful with coconut oil.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Anti Aging Vitamins - The Key to Slowing Down Aging
Aging is a natural process that all of us go through, a process where over time our physical and mental attributes slowly but surely erode. Although aging is a natural part of life, accepting it can be difficult. Fortunately, there are ways to delay the aging process, to slow down the effects that age has on us. A healthy diet and regular exercise are of course important, but the results you get can be improved upon greatly by taking anti aging vitamins. By providing our bodies with the vitamins and minerals that they need, we can help to ensure that they function at the highest level possible. In addition, antioxidants can help to minimize the results of free radicals which will in turn further slow down the aging process. By taking anti aging vitamins on a regular basis you give your body the supplements that it needs to perform at an optimal level and slow down the aging process.
One of the main mistakes that people make when thinking about which vitamins to take is that they don't use them on a regular basis. Using vitamins sporadically simply is not effective. In order to get the most out of your vitamins, it's important to take them daily. Most vitamins will only help your body if they are consumed on a regular basis so that they remain at effective levels. In fact, many vitamins won't begin to show any effect at all for several weeks since it takes a good deal of time for them to build up to effective levels in your body. Another common mistake that people make when looking into anti aging vitamins is that they think they need something different than their normal vitamin. While taking many different supplements can be beneficial, the truth is that the daily vitamin that you may already be taking can be very effective. If the vitamin you are taking is a multipurpose liquid vitamin that contains a combination of the essential vitamins and minerals that your body needs, then it is likely to be just as effective as a more expensive replacement. Liquid vitamins that are highly bioavailable are key.
As we get older it becomes increasingly important to take better care of ourselves. It's important to eat a healthy balanced diet, and to engage in regular exercise. It's equally important to take anti aging vitamins on a regular basis. The combination of diet, exercise, and vitamins can help to reduce the negative impact that age has on us. By taking proper care of ourselves we can live not only longer lives, but healthier lives as well. For many of us, growing old gracefully isn't something that we are willing to embrace. Instead we choose to slow down the aging process as much as possible, we choose to retain our intellectual and physical prowess for as long as possible. Why give in to the effects of aging without a fight? Instead, by taking care of your body and supplementing with anti aging vitamins, you can reduce the effects of aging and live a longer, fuller life.
One of the main mistakes that people make when thinking about which vitamins to take is that they don't use them on a regular basis. Using vitamins sporadically simply is not effective. In order to get the most out of your vitamins, it's important to take them daily. Most vitamins will only help your body if they are consumed on a regular basis so that they remain at effective levels. In fact, many vitamins won't begin to show any effect at all for several weeks since it takes a good deal of time for them to build up to effective levels in your body. Another common mistake that people make when looking into anti aging vitamins is that they think they need something different than their normal vitamin. While taking many different supplements can be beneficial, the truth is that the daily vitamin that you may already be taking can be very effective. If the vitamin you are taking is a multipurpose liquid vitamin that contains a combination of the essential vitamins and minerals that your body needs, then it is likely to be just as effective as a more expensive replacement. Liquid vitamins that are highly bioavailable are key.
As we get older it becomes increasingly important to take better care of ourselves. It's important to eat a healthy balanced diet, and to engage in regular exercise. It's equally important to take anti aging vitamins on a regular basis. The combination of diet, exercise, and vitamins can help to reduce the negative impact that age has on us. By taking proper care of ourselves we can live not only longer lives, but healthier lives as well. For many of us, growing old gracefully isn't something that we are willing to embrace. Instead we choose to slow down the aging process as much as possible, we choose to retain our intellectual and physical prowess for as long as possible. Why give in to the effects of aging without a fight? Instead, by taking care of your body and supplementing with anti aging vitamins, you can reduce the effects of aging and live a longer, fuller life.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
A Great Exercise for Keeping Us Young
Back in the day, every bodybuilding expert and would be "Mr..." something recommended working the hamstrings for all the wrong reasons. Because in my humble opinion, too many of those experts looked at the hamstrings as being analogous to the biceps of the upper arm. And who could blame them, or the neophytes among us?
The hamstrings are medically identified as biceps femoris. The front portion of the upper arm is called biceps. Ah ha - the same name must mean they are the same, hence, let's all train them the same.
But it's not the same. Let's be clear that I am not a medical doctor nor am I a licensed fitness guru nor to do I play either of them on TV. Still, I think the main function of the hamstrings is to keep us upright. It is to assist the hips, glutes, and lower back in picking things up. It is to keep our upper body stable as we walk, run, or move forward.
Weak and/or tight hams open us up to lower back injury.
It fights gravity.
As we get older, too many of us tend to stoop. It's as though the weight of the ages are on our shoulders. The young are tall and straight. The sphinx's riddle tells of "walking on all four's in the morning, on two's in afternoon, and on three's in the evening." The elder walk on three's because of the cane.
Yet it need not be so.
And a key to this is having strong, flexible hamstrings.
A great exercise that strengthen and stretches your hamstrings, along with working the glutes, hips, and lower back, is the stiff-legged deadlift. This is not the straight leg variety that locks your legs ramrod straight. A stiff-legged deadlift keeps a bend in your knees that puts your lower back in a stronger position.
This exercise can be done with barbells, dumbbells, or resistance bands. Regardless of what you use, you must remember to keep you back straight and your knees slightly bent throughout the whole movement. Unlike powerlifters, you also do not want to excessively lean back at the top of the movement.
And your hands should not descend more than a few inches past your knees on the downward, end movement. If you keep your back straight and shoulders square, you will not be able to go lower, regardless. The end movement is not to touch your toes but to get a great stretch in your hamstrings and glutes. Keeping your shoulders square and back straight is critical to this.
As for how and when to do them, I would suggest about twice a week along with an overall quad movement like the lunge.
Although I am a big fan of squats, I think as we get older; it may not be the most productive exercise out there. If it works for you, then by all means; you should continue to do them.
But at this point, I think pairing stiff-legged deadlifts with dumbbell lunges make more sense. And, I recommend twice a week. Your objective should be 3 to 4 sets with the repetition range between 12 to 15 reps.
I have always recommended doing squats, lunges, and deadlifts as being the best combination of exercises for legs. For those of us over 50, I think dropping the squats makes some sense. Lunges and deadlifts will get the job done while keeping us out of the injury zone.
The hamstrings are medically identified as biceps femoris. The front portion of the upper arm is called biceps. Ah ha - the same name must mean they are the same, hence, let's all train them the same.
But it's not the same. Let's be clear that I am not a medical doctor nor am I a licensed fitness guru nor to do I play either of them on TV. Still, I think the main function of the hamstrings is to keep us upright. It is to assist the hips, glutes, and lower back in picking things up. It is to keep our upper body stable as we walk, run, or move forward.
Weak and/or tight hams open us up to lower back injury.
It fights gravity.
As we get older, too many of us tend to stoop. It's as though the weight of the ages are on our shoulders. The young are tall and straight. The sphinx's riddle tells of "walking on all four's in the morning, on two's in afternoon, and on three's in the evening." The elder walk on three's because of the cane.
Yet it need not be so.
And a key to this is having strong, flexible hamstrings.
A great exercise that strengthen and stretches your hamstrings, along with working the glutes, hips, and lower back, is the stiff-legged deadlift. This is not the straight leg variety that locks your legs ramrod straight. A stiff-legged deadlift keeps a bend in your knees that puts your lower back in a stronger position.
This exercise can be done with barbells, dumbbells, or resistance bands. Regardless of what you use, you must remember to keep you back straight and your knees slightly bent throughout the whole movement. Unlike powerlifters, you also do not want to excessively lean back at the top of the movement.
And your hands should not descend more than a few inches past your knees on the downward, end movement. If you keep your back straight and shoulders square, you will not be able to go lower, regardless. The end movement is not to touch your toes but to get a great stretch in your hamstrings and glutes. Keeping your shoulders square and back straight is critical to this.
As for how and when to do them, I would suggest about twice a week along with an overall quad movement like the lunge.
Although I am a big fan of squats, I think as we get older; it may not be the most productive exercise out there. If it works for you, then by all means; you should continue to do them.
But at this point, I think pairing stiff-legged deadlifts with dumbbell lunges make more sense. And, I recommend twice a week. Your objective should be 3 to 4 sets with the repetition range between 12 to 15 reps.
I have always recommended doing squats, lunges, and deadlifts as being the best combination of exercises for legs. For those of us over 50, I think dropping the squats makes some sense. Lunges and deadlifts will get the job done while keeping us out of the injury zone.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
SLOW Principles for Supplements and Aging
Slow solutions are those that can be incorporated into our daily routine. Supplements as a way to support healthy aging are no exception. They are not for whenever we remember to take them, or for lining our bathroom cupboard. They are not for taking in one fad of enthusiasm and then stopping when the fashion changes. This may do more harm than good. For example, antioxidant supplements also stimulate pro-oxidant pathways to balance our systems. This isn't a problem while the antioxidant remains around, but may be an issue if they are stopped. This may be one reason why the best successes are achieved by a diet high in antioxidants, as we are less likely to forget to eat than to take a pill. Sustainability must be a key goal when choosing supplements to support healthy aging especially when compared to dietary changes. One way to get the most of our supplement and aging plan is to establish a routine.
Supplementation as a positive experience
Supplements are not the bitter pill we had to swallow in order to ensure good health, or a punishment for the nutritionally wicked. We will never stay this kind of course. If we are going to embrace supplements, like any relationship, it helps to like what we are hugging.
* Information is important. We need to know as much as we can about our supplement and how it will support a healthy aging process.
* Nothing is without side effects in some individuals. This is especially the case if it actually works. Find out what they are. While we need to be conscious of unwanted effects, we also need to actively take steps to minimize them. This can be as simple as timing and optimizing the dosage, or shopping around for a formulation for healthy aging that sits right with you.
* Introduce supplements one at a time and note any positive or negative changes over a week or two. Pay attention and keep a record. If you feel neutral or good, then introduce a new supplement until you are taking all of the supplements in your plan. If you don't care how you feel, you have to ask why you are taking the supplements in the first place!
* Track the benefits. Make note of any improvements or changes in your health and aging when taking supplements. While this is a subjective measure, it is also one of the best measures of personal health. If the supplement we are taking is for prevention, then we may not notice an obvious change in our own health outcomes. However, there may be changes in our biochemical tests. Ask your health care provider to go over these with you at appropriate intervals.
Don't be exclusive
The best option is never contained in a single pill. Although supplements are often regarded as 'alternative medicines', they cannot be regarded as an alternative to a good diet, exercise, lifestyle or other healthy practices mentioned in this book. This includes cancer screening and lowering of blood pressure and cholesterol levels. In fact these activities are even more important to live long enough to make the most of our supplements. For this reason, it is better to consider supplements as synergistic or complementary therapies used in addition to, and to the advantage of other interventions that underpin healthy aging.
For example, starting any dietary supplements should also be accompanied by a review of our diet plan. We might find that substituting fresh broccoli for pasta is a cheaper and tastier alternative. Or we might identify that there is not enough B12 or iron in our current vegetarian diet that may be more readily corrected with supplements, so dietary changes can proceed at a slower pace or with a different focus (such as weight control).
Supplements can also help us get through periods when our health focus is elsewhere, like work/relationship stress, weight gain or disease. Rather than dropping one ball while trying to pick up another, supplements can give us the time and resilience for more holistic interventions.
Don't go it alone
Don't go it alone when tackling the choice of using (or not) supplements. You will need help learning about the options first.
There are almost too many options available - certainly too many to be covered in any one web site! One place to start is to ask for a little help. There are many professionals out there to offer advice and make practical suggestions. A growing number of doctors and health care professionals are able to offer useful advice about the role supplements can have in our aims for aging well.
If one doctor doesn't understand, find one that does or consider a provider who is knowledgeable in this area. Look to find someone who will be a guide or a coach, rather than one who says you must only do something their way. Shop around. Assess their credentials. Gather information from a variety of sources and evaluate the information carefully. If you know someone who's gone there, ask them about their experiences. Call the provider to request an interview.
It's about you, Goldilocks
No matter what we read on the Internet, everybody is different. So find out about yourself, and listen to the feedback. Follow progress as we go and set new goals as we are doing it. It is important to follow our successes and failures. Keep a log or a journal to follow how we are performing. Use testing to establish your areas of focus and choose supplements at the right dose that will meet that need. Not everything will work. Some of us will not tolerate some of the very concentrated products on the market. Some will not work at the doses we can get in some supplements. Others will fit like a glove. Following Goldilocks, and test what best works for you.
Supplementation as a positive experience
Supplements are not the bitter pill we had to swallow in order to ensure good health, or a punishment for the nutritionally wicked. We will never stay this kind of course. If we are going to embrace supplements, like any relationship, it helps to like what we are hugging.
* Information is important. We need to know as much as we can about our supplement and how it will support a healthy aging process.
* Nothing is without side effects in some individuals. This is especially the case if it actually works. Find out what they are. While we need to be conscious of unwanted effects, we also need to actively take steps to minimize them. This can be as simple as timing and optimizing the dosage, or shopping around for a formulation for healthy aging that sits right with you.
* Introduce supplements one at a time and note any positive or negative changes over a week or two. Pay attention and keep a record. If you feel neutral or good, then introduce a new supplement until you are taking all of the supplements in your plan. If you don't care how you feel, you have to ask why you are taking the supplements in the first place!
* Track the benefits. Make note of any improvements or changes in your health and aging when taking supplements. While this is a subjective measure, it is also one of the best measures of personal health. If the supplement we are taking is for prevention, then we may not notice an obvious change in our own health outcomes. However, there may be changes in our biochemical tests. Ask your health care provider to go over these with you at appropriate intervals.
Don't be exclusive
The best option is never contained in a single pill. Although supplements are often regarded as 'alternative medicines', they cannot be regarded as an alternative to a good diet, exercise, lifestyle or other healthy practices mentioned in this book. This includes cancer screening and lowering of blood pressure and cholesterol levels. In fact these activities are even more important to live long enough to make the most of our supplements. For this reason, it is better to consider supplements as synergistic or complementary therapies used in addition to, and to the advantage of other interventions that underpin healthy aging.
For example, starting any dietary supplements should also be accompanied by a review of our diet plan. We might find that substituting fresh broccoli for pasta is a cheaper and tastier alternative. Or we might identify that there is not enough B12 or iron in our current vegetarian diet that may be more readily corrected with supplements, so dietary changes can proceed at a slower pace or with a different focus (such as weight control).
Supplements can also help us get through periods when our health focus is elsewhere, like work/relationship stress, weight gain or disease. Rather than dropping one ball while trying to pick up another, supplements can give us the time and resilience for more holistic interventions.
Don't go it alone
Don't go it alone when tackling the choice of using (or not) supplements. You will need help learning about the options first.
There are almost too many options available - certainly too many to be covered in any one web site! One place to start is to ask for a little help. There are many professionals out there to offer advice and make practical suggestions. A growing number of doctors and health care professionals are able to offer useful advice about the role supplements can have in our aims for aging well.
If one doctor doesn't understand, find one that does or consider a provider who is knowledgeable in this area. Look to find someone who will be a guide or a coach, rather than one who says you must only do something their way. Shop around. Assess their credentials. Gather information from a variety of sources and evaluate the information carefully. If you know someone who's gone there, ask them about their experiences. Call the provider to request an interview.
It's about you, Goldilocks
No matter what we read on the Internet, everybody is different. So find out about yourself, and listen to the feedback. Follow progress as we go and set new goals as we are doing it. It is important to follow our successes and failures. Keep a log or a journal to follow how we are performing. Use testing to establish your areas of focus and choose supplements at the right dose that will meet that need. Not everything will work. Some of us will not tolerate some of the very concentrated products on the market. Some will not work at the doses we can get in some supplements. Others will fit like a glove. Following Goldilocks, and test what best works for you.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Anti Aging 101: Winter Skin Care Tips
Dry skin is one of the classic signs of skin aging. As we age, our skin loses its natural oils which help in maintaining the moisture content of our skin. As those oils slowly get depleted, the skin becomes dry and eventually becomes leathery and very rough in texture. Dry skin can happen any time during the year, but it is most common during the winter season. During winter, low temperatures, cold winds and low humidity strips off the natural lipid layer of the skin which prevents the skin from drying out. Furthermore, furnaces and fireplaces also suck out our skin's moisture content. This is why it is really quite a challenge to keep a well moisturized and hydrated skin during this time of the year. With this, let me share to you some tips on how to add moisture to your skin and how to keep it locked in this winter.
1. Avoid bathing in hot water. I know it is very tempting to bathe or dip on a tub of hot water during the harsh winter weather. But, did you know that hot water strips off the skin's moisture? This rule also applies to hand washing as well. It is best to use lukewarm water rather than hot water when taking a shower and washing your hands.
2. Avoid bathing frequently. Water, be it cold, warm, lukewarm or hot can actually dry out the skin, so it is best to take a quick bath once a day. Frequent hand washing can also dry out the skin, but of course you can't limit hand washing so just make sure you moisturize your hands after every wash. This winter, it is all about making your contact with water short and sweet.
3. After pat drying your body with your towel, immediately lather up with a rich lotion so that it gets absorbed by the skin. Your pores are still open after taking a bath so it's important to moisturize immediately so that it can be effectively absorbed by your skin.
4. Drink lots of water. Usually we forget that drinking lots of water during the winter season is as important as drinking lots of water during the summer season. It is very important to drink lots of water during the winter season because the skin tends to get easily dehydrated. Winter air is drier which makes our body lose more water, so drink up.
1. Avoid bathing in hot water. I know it is very tempting to bathe or dip on a tub of hot water during the harsh winter weather. But, did you know that hot water strips off the skin's moisture? This rule also applies to hand washing as well. It is best to use lukewarm water rather than hot water when taking a shower and washing your hands.
2. Avoid bathing frequently. Water, be it cold, warm, lukewarm or hot can actually dry out the skin, so it is best to take a quick bath once a day. Frequent hand washing can also dry out the skin, but of course you can't limit hand washing so just make sure you moisturize your hands after every wash. This winter, it is all about making your contact with water short and sweet.
3. After pat drying your body with your towel, immediately lather up with a rich lotion so that it gets absorbed by the skin. Your pores are still open after taking a bath so it's important to moisturize immediately so that it can be effectively absorbed by your skin.
4. Drink lots of water. Usually we forget that drinking lots of water during the winter season is as important as drinking lots of water during the summer season. It is very important to drink lots of water during the winter season because the skin tends to get easily dehydrated. Winter air is drier which makes our body lose more water, so drink up.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Choosing Cologne For Men
A distinct, signature scent is something that every man should have. Not something that overpowers and lingers in the room long after he's gone, but something that makes people (especially women) think "he smells nice!" when you go in for a hug or have a close conversation.
When choosing a cologne, it can difficult to know where to start, because there are just so many different scents to choose from out there. If you are buying cologne as a gift, a great starting point is to consider the hobbies, lifestyle and interests of the guy you are buying for. Cologne and fragrances make excellent presents for men, but start first with a little bit of a personality profile.
For example, is he an academic? You may be able to tell from his taste for bourbon and scotch, his affection for leather bound books, and his adventurous spirit when it comes to trying new foods and international cuisine. The academic man typically prefers rainy days over very hot and sunny ones, and winter over summer. He may even smoke a pipe. If this is the guy you're shopping for, a great match for him will be a woodsy and spicy scent. Look for a fragrance that lists notes such as moss, spice, clove, and patchouli. One that Esquire magazine recommends is Italian Cyprus by Tom Ford. This spicy scent is perfect for the academic man, and also great for winter because of its woodsy warmth.
What about the guy who prefers to be outdoors and on the beach in the summer, in nothing but a pair of swim trucks? This man will prefer a light, crisp scent over something that is spicy and woodsy. Look for a marine-inspired cologne, such as Hugo Element or Acqua Di Gio by Giorgio Armani. The freshness of these light colognes will compliment his adventurous nature. He also may like Jo Malone Lime Basil & Mandarin Cologne, which is a unisex scent that is slightly tropical smelling, or Play by Givenchy, which is very summery and evokes a fun and playful sort of feel.
There are also plenty of good fragrances for the man who is a bit of a romantic. You know the guy. He's the one who goes soft in the knees over cute babies, brings you flowers for no reason at all, and pretends to be annoyed when you put on The Notebook again, but then sits down and watches the whole movie with you. For this guy, choose a cologne that is a little bit sweet and not too overpowering. Look for ones that include notes of citrus, vanilla, herbs such as thyme, and/or flowers such as lily and iris. A good match for the romantic guy is Burberrry Summer, which is slightly musky.
If you have any doubt about what kind of cologne will be best for him, a general rule of thumb is that most men enjoy a woody, masculine and aromatic scent. If you smell a cologne that not only is pleasant to you, but also triggers happy, comforting memories, then this is the cologne you should buy. Good stand-bys that smell nice on just about any man are Guilty by Gucci and Dreamer by Versace.
Even though some colognes are rather expensive, they are worth the investment. Drug store colognes are made of mostly alcohol, and therefore they not only wear off quickly, but they also tend to not smell as nice on the skin as they do in the bottle. Good quality colognes, conversely, smell even better on the skin than in the bottle, as they warm to the wearer's natural body heat, and they are long lasting.
When choosing a cologne, it can difficult to know where to start, because there are just so many different scents to choose from out there. If you are buying cologne as a gift, a great starting point is to consider the hobbies, lifestyle and interests of the guy you are buying for. Cologne and fragrances make excellent presents for men, but start first with a little bit of a personality profile.
For example, is he an academic? You may be able to tell from his taste for bourbon and scotch, his affection for leather bound books, and his adventurous spirit when it comes to trying new foods and international cuisine. The academic man typically prefers rainy days over very hot and sunny ones, and winter over summer. He may even smoke a pipe. If this is the guy you're shopping for, a great match for him will be a woodsy and spicy scent. Look for a fragrance that lists notes such as moss, spice, clove, and patchouli. One that Esquire magazine recommends is Italian Cyprus by Tom Ford. This spicy scent is perfect for the academic man, and also great for winter because of its woodsy warmth.
What about the guy who prefers to be outdoors and on the beach in the summer, in nothing but a pair of swim trucks? This man will prefer a light, crisp scent over something that is spicy and woodsy. Look for a marine-inspired cologne, such as Hugo Element or Acqua Di Gio by Giorgio Armani. The freshness of these light colognes will compliment his adventurous nature. He also may like Jo Malone Lime Basil & Mandarin Cologne, which is a unisex scent that is slightly tropical smelling, or Play by Givenchy, which is very summery and evokes a fun and playful sort of feel.
There are also plenty of good fragrances for the man who is a bit of a romantic. You know the guy. He's the one who goes soft in the knees over cute babies, brings you flowers for no reason at all, and pretends to be annoyed when you put on The Notebook again, but then sits down and watches the whole movie with you. For this guy, choose a cologne that is a little bit sweet and not too overpowering. Look for ones that include notes of citrus, vanilla, herbs such as thyme, and/or flowers such as lily and iris. A good match for the romantic guy is Burberrry Summer, which is slightly musky.
If you have any doubt about what kind of cologne will be best for him, a general rule of thumb is that most men enjoy a woody, masculine and aromatic scent. If you smell a cologne that not only is pleasant to you, but also triggers happy, comforting memories, then this is the cologne you should buy. Good stand-bys that smell nice on just about any man are Guilty by Gucci and Dreamer by Versace.
Even though some colognes are rather expensive, they are worth the investment. Drug store colognes are made of mostly alcohol, and therefore they not only wear off quickly, but they also tend to not smell as nice on the skin as they do in the bottle. Good quality colognes, conversely, smell even better on the skin than in the bottle, as they warm to the wearer's natural body heat, and they are long lasting.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Activities for the Elderly
The population is getting older. The number of people more than 65 years of age is growing. Soon, the elderly population will be a significant part of the population. Boredom is certainly a problem for many elderly people. Many of the elderly look for a way to spend the endless hours that are now at their command. Research shows that people who stay active during their elder years remain healthier and more vibrant. Consequently, it is vital that the elderly in care homes and living alone learn to use their mind and work their body daily in order to maintain health along with a strong mind. Here are a few activities that provide the required mental stimulation and excitement for the elderly.
Did you know that the brain is like a muscle? It is certainly important to work the mental muscle on a daily basis. Elderly people require plenty of mental stimulation to keep their mind strong and focused. There are lots of fun games around for the elderly to try. Studies show learning a new skill improves brain functioning in the senior. It is never too late to start learning a new language or skill. Puzzle games and maths games also help with the reasoning faculty.
Video games are not just for children. Video Games are a great way for the older generation to get plenty of mental stimulation and excitement. There are video games that simulate bowling or golfing. These games require plenty of mental activity and physical movement. Video games give the senior optimum opportunity to challenge themselves mentally and physically.
Card games are a fun way for the senior to enjoy the company of others and challenge themselves mentally. A good game of Lottery really stresses using the senior's cognitive skills and imagination. This is a game that challenges the imagination and a fun way for senior's to spend time on a regular basis.
Exercise is also very important for seniors. There are large groups of seniors' across the country who are starting walking clubs. The seniors meet at a local park several times per week. They dress in comfortable walking shoes and comfortable clothing and walk around the park at a brisk pace. This gives the seniors a chance to exercise and socialize at the same time.
Gardening is also a fun activity for many elderly people. Gardening is a way to get back to nature, enjoy the outdoors, and get active. This is a great activity to keep seniors active and their mind focused whether they are in care homes or living on their own.
It is certainly important that friends, family, and health professionals encourage seniors to keep active in their elderly years. These ideas are fun, increase activity, and mental involvement with the world around them.
Did you know that the brain is like a muscle? It is certainly important to work the mental muscle on a daily basis. Elderly people require plenty of mental stimulation to keep their mind strong and focused. There are lots of fun games around for the elderly to try. Studies show learning a new skill improves brain functioning in the senior. It is never too late to start learning a new language or skill. Puzzle games and maths games also help with the reasoning faculty.
Video games are not just for children. Video Games are a great way for the older generation to get plenty of mental stimulation and excitement. There are video games that simulate bowling or golfing. These games require plenty of mental activity and physical movement. Video games give the senior optimum opportunity to challenge themselves mentally and physically.
Card games are a fun way for the senior to enjoy the company of others and challenge themselves mentally. A good game of Lottery really stresses using the senior's cognitive skills and imagination. This is a game that challenges the imagination and a fun way for senior's to spend time on a regular basis.
Exercise is also very important for seniors. There are large groups of seniors' across the country who are starting walking clubs. The seniors meet at a local park several times per week. They dress in comfortable walking shoes and comfortable clothing and walk around the park at a brisk pace. This gives the seniors a chance to exercise and socialize at the same time.
Gardening is also a fun activity for many elderly people. Gardening is a way to get back to nature, enjoy the outdoors, and get active. This is a great activity to keep seniors active and their mind focused whether they are in care homes or living on their own.
It is certainly important that friends, family, and health professionals encourage seniors to keep active in their elderly years. These ideas are fun, increase activity, and mental involvement with the world around them.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Does Sleeping On Your Back Cause Less Wrinkles On Your Face?
By now you must know that various factors come into play to form wrinkles. Wrinkles manifest as the result of the natural aging process, but they can develop earlier following a poor skin regimen, poor dietary and lifestyle habits, and prolonged exposure to the sun. Accordingly, sleeping on your face and constantly slurping can also produce more wrinkles than necessary.
Honestly, I was a bit surprised when I came across the idea that sleeping on your back can cause wrinkles. But it looks like this isn't just any old wives' tale after all.
Why Sleeping On Your Face Can Cause Wrinkles
There is, apparently, what experts call "sleeping position-induced wrinkles". These wrinkles are of the type that develops when one sleeps face-down every day. What exactly happens is that when your muscles are pressed on to something for a long time (such as when you are sleeping with your face on a pillow or mattress), they contract or stretch. Normally, the muscles return to their pre-contracted state. Aging skin, however, does not have this capability anymore, and so instead of returning to their normal position, the muscles form lines that eventually develop into wrinkles.
So now that you know that sleeping on your face can cause wrinkles, you just have to make it a habit to sleep on your back, then. This may prove to be easier said than done especially if you have been used to sleeping on your face for so long. And of course, keep in mind that sleeping on your face is only one of the many things that can accelerate wrinkle-formation. Sleeping on your back alone will not have a great impact if you are not mindful or conscious of the other things that cause or prevent skin aging, as well.
Delaying Wrinkle-Formation
Aside from sleeping on your back, there are other measures that can delay the formation of wrinkles, just like:
Having a good skin care regimen. Take very good care of your skin. Keep it young-looking by:
* Washing your face with a mild, non-comedogenic cleanser that works on your skin type. This helps to keep bacteria at bay.
* Exfoliating at least once a week. As they say, "out with the old, in with the new". Dead skin cells have to be sloughed off to reveal new and younger skin.
* Moisturizing. Dry skin makes the skin less elastic, and when it is less elastic the skin tends to be more vulnerable to cuts, blemishes, and sagging.
* Avoiding exposure to toxins, environmental and otherwise. Toxins are our skin's worst enemies. They can accelerate aging by folds! The problem is we are exposed to toxins everyday. They are present in the cosmetics we use, as well as in other everyday products. If we cannot avoid toxins altogether, we will just have to learn to fight them or neutralize their effects with antioxidants. Using products with powerful antioxidants is always a good idea, and so is eating raw vegetables and fruits that have high levels of antioxidants.
* Using sun protection. The sun's harmful rays can be damaging to the skin. When going out, make sure to slather generous amounts of sun screen.
* Avoiding smoking and other vices. Smoking, while it serves to satisfy one's cravings for nicotine, can never make you healthy or even look younger. What it actually does is that it strips your skin of all the essential nutrients.
* Drinking water. One of the best well-kept secrets to staying young is water. Water cleanses the body and helps flush out toxins that get inside our body in one way or another. The recommended intake should be no less than 8 glasses of water every day.
* Sleeping early. Your skin cells need a rest, too. Get to bed early, and make sure to sleep on your back, not on your face.
Honestly, I was a bit surprised when I came across the idea that sleeping on your back can cause wrinkles. But it looks like this isn't just any old wives' tale after all.
Why Sleeping On Your Face Can Cause Wrinkles
There is, apparently, what experts call "sleeping position-induced wrinkles". These wrinkles are of the type that develops when one sleeps face-down every day. What exactly happens is that when your muscles are pressed on to something for a long time (such as when you are sleeping with your face on a pillow or mattress), they contract or stretch. Normally, the muscles return to their pre-contracted state. Aging skin, however, does not have this capability anymore, and so instead of returning to their normal position, the muscles form lines that eventually develop into wrinkles.
So now that you know that sleeping on your face can cause wrinkles, you just have to make it a habit to sleep on your back, then. This may prove to be easier said than done especially if you have been used to sleeping on your face for so long. And of course, keep in mind that sleeping on your face is only one of the many things that can accelerate wrinkle-formation. Sleeping on your back alone will not have a great impact if you are not mindful or conscious of the other things that cause or prevent skin aging, as well.
Delaying Wrinkle-Formation
Aside from sleeping on your back, there are other measures that can delay the formation of wrinkles, just like:
Having a good skin care regimen. Take very good care of your skin. Keep it young-looking by:
* Washing your face with a mild, non-comedogenic cleanser that works on your skin type. This helps to keep bacteria at bay.
* Exfoliating at least once a week. As they say, "out with the old, in with the new". Dead skin cells have to be sloughed off to reveal new and younger skin.
* Moisturizing. Dry skin makes the skin less elastic, and when it is less elastic the skin tends to be more vulnerable to cuts, blemishes, and sagging.
* Avoiding exposure to toxins, environmental and otherwise. Toxins are our skin's worst enemies. They can accelerate aging by folds! The problem is we are exposed to toxins everyday. They are present in the cosmetics we use, as well as in other everyday products. If we cannot avoid toxins altogether, we will just have to learn to fight them or neutralize their effects with antioxidants. Using products with powerful antioxidants is always a good idea, and so is eating raw vegetables and fruits that have high levels of antioxidants.
* Using sun protection. The sun's harmful rays can be damaging to the skin. When going out, make sure to slather generous amounts of sun screen.
* Avoiding smoking and other vices. Smoking, while it serves to satisfy one's cravings for nicotine, can never make you healthy or even look younger. What it actually does is that it strips your skin of all the essential nutrients.
* Drinking water. One of the best well-kept secrets to staying young is water. Water cleanses the body and helps flush out toxins that get inside our body in one way or another. The recommended intake should be no less than 8 glasses of water every day.
* Sleeping early. Your skin cells need a rest, too. Get to bed early, and make sure to sleep on your back, not on your face.
The Right Treatment for Microtia
Atresia is a congenital condition where a body cavity or passage is deficient or abnormally closed. It is widespread because it can take many forms such as esophageal atresia, duodenal, biliary or aural atresia and others. The last one is probably the most common and it refers to the absence or incomplete formation of an external ear canal which means that both the external and middle ear may be malformed, but the inner ear and auditory nerve are usually normal. The external auditory canal and structures in the middle ear fail to develop completely and therefore, there might be varying degrees of severity of this condition. In its most severe form, there is no identifiable ear canal and the middle ear and ossicles may be absent or show significant underdevelopment.
Aural atresia most commonly effects just one ear but sometimes it can occur in both ears and it is often accompanied by microtia, which virtually represents the incomplete development of the auricle. Most of the time, the condition is isolated, but in some rare cases, it can be a symptom of a larger syndrome, such as Treacher Collins, Goldenhar, Crouzon's, Alpert's, Pfeiffer, Klippel-Feil, BOR (Branchio-Oto-Renal) also known as Melnick-Fraser, 18-q chromosome, as well as Hemifacial Microsomia.
The effect of atresia depends on whether one or both ears are affected. Obviously, if just one ear is affected, the hearing in the other ear is quite normal, thus the person concerned is able to develop a normal speech. Yet, it is important to evaluate unilateral atresia early and treat it accordingly in order to prevent unilateral hearing loss. When it comes to bilateral aural atresia, thins are more complicated because the effect usually consists in moderately severe conductive hearing loss- aproximately 50-60dB. When a child is born with atresia, he should be fitted with a bone conduction hearing aid as soon as possible.
Aural atresia and microtia represent surgical reconstructive challenge which involve a deep understanding of the evaluation and management of the patients with CAA steams with significant advancements. When it comes to these congenital conditions, there are two main options: auricular reconstruction to restore the visual appearance and form of the outer ear and repair of atresia or application of a Bone Conduction Hearing Solution (BAHA) to restore hearing. The goal of this kind of surgery is to create a normal sized ear canal or a stenotic canal. It is very important to have an efficient communication between the otologist and the facial plastic surgeon, based on a comprehensive understanding of child's needs, in order to establish not only the adequate treatment, but also the right timing of the treatment.
Nowadays, doctors skilled in this area of reconstructive surgery usually use skin grafts and cartilage or bone from other parts of the body to effectively build a natural-looking, correctly-sized ear for both children and adults living with microtia. Usually doctors do not perform such surgeries if the child is under the age of 6 because the reconstruction is a complicated surgery that takes careful planning and may require several surgeries before a final result is achieved. Although a reconstruction is considered to be the optimal and most natural-looking solution, there are other options available which include prosthetic ones that can be glued or snapped on, or artificial implants, which unfortunately, come with the risk of rejection of the artificial part. However, the most important aspect is that nowadays, due to the numerous advancements, patients with aural atresia have the chance of hearing restoration, long-term stability of hearing and a natural-looking ears.
Aural atresia most commonly effects just one ear but sometimes it can occur in both ears and it is often accompanied by microtia, which virtually represents the incomplete development of the auricle. Most of the time, the condition is isolated, but in some rare cases, it can be a symptom of a larger syndrome, such as Treacher Collins, Goldenhar, Crouzon's, Alpert's, Pfeiffer, Klippel-Feil, BOR (Branchio-Oto-Renal) also known as Melnick-Fraser, 18-q chromosome, as well as Hemifacial Microsomia.
The effect of atresia depends on whether one or both ears are affected. Obviously, if just one ear is affected, the hearing in the other ear is quite normal, thus the person concerned is able to develop a normal speech. Yet, it is important to evaluate unilateral atresia early and treat it accordingly in order to prevent unilateral hearing loss. When it comes to bilateral aural atresia, thins are more complicated because the effect usually consists in moderately severe conductive hearing loss- aproximately 50-60dB. When a child is born with atresia, he should be fitted with a bone conduction hearing aid as soon as possible.
Aural atresia and microtia represent surgical reconstructive challenge which involve a deep understanding of the evaluation and management of the patients with CAA steams with significant advancements. When it comes to these congenital conditions, there are two main options: auricular reconstruction to restore the visual appearance and form of the outer ear and repair of atresia or application of a Bone Conduction Hearing Solution (BAHA) to restore hearing. The goal of this kind of surgery is to create a normal sized ear canal or a stenotic canal. It is very important to have an efficient communication between the otologist and the facial plastic surgeon, based on a comprehensive understanding of child's needs, in order to establish not only the adequate treatment, but also the right timing of the treatment.
Nowadays, doctors skilled in this area of reconstructive surgery usually use skin grafts and cartilage or bone from other parts of the body to effectively build a natural-looking, correctly-sized ear for both children and adults living with microtia. Usually doctors do not perform such surgeries if the child is under the age of 6 because the reconstruction is a complicated surgery that takes careful planning and may require several surgeries before a final result is achieved. Although a reconstruction is considered to be the optimal and most natural-looking solution, there are other options available which include prosthetic ones that can be glued or snapped on, or artificial implants, which unfortunately, come with the risk of rejection of the artificial part. However, the most important aspect is that nowadays, due to the numerous advancements, patients with aural atresia have the chance of hearing restoration, long-term stability of hearing and a natural-looking ears.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Things That Are Ruining Your Health
Your body and mind are your most valuable assets so take control of your wellness. You must be aware of the right food to eat and the proper activities to do. At the same time, you must be wary of the things that are ruining your health.
Watch What You Eat and Drink
Alcohol causes dehydration which can lead to other serious health problems. When you drink alcoholic beverages, notice that you are frequently urinating. Alcohol is a diuretic which means it removes water from your body rapidly, and reduces the vitamins and minerals present in your body. Some say that drinking alcoholic beverages is acceptable when done moderately. However, medical practitioners claim that it is still harmful because alcohol contains Tyramine, a known component that raises one's blood pressure. Drinking carbonated beverages such as soda is also one of the things that are ruining your health. Soda overloads your body with sugar. A constantly high sugar level leads to a condition called Diabetes. When this condition is not addressed immediately, it may lead to serious complications like a cardiovascular disease, Neuropathy, Retinopathy and kidney damage.
Aside from alcoholic beverages and soda, another drink you should cut back on is coffee. Too much caffeine could greatly affect the heart, can cause the nervous system to go haywire, and may result to Acid Reflux or Heartburn.
Eating too much fast food is among the top things that are ruining your health. Since fast food is almost always deep fried, you are consuming tons of calories. Also, fast food has high values of Trans and Saturated fats. Too much of these in the body will result to a high cholesterol level and will put you at risk of various heart diseases. Too much salt, additives, and the lack of vitamins and minerals make fast food one of the worst things you can have.
How Taking Vitamins can Do More Harm than Good
Health-conscious people often supplement their health habits with taking vitamins and other supplements. It is one thing to take multivitamins, but it's another thing to take too many of these things. You have to remember that you do not need to take a pill for everything. Overdosing on vitamins can damage your organs like the kidneys. It may also lead to severe neurological and cardiovascular conditions.
Stress
Physical stress ranks high among the things that are ruining your health. Stress increases the rate of aging and makes you weak to fight off other health conditions. Do not overexert yourself, especially when trying out a physical activity for the first time. Always allow your body to recover after a strenuous activity.
Psychological stress can also affect your well-being. Stay calm and relaxed. Stop worrying on the little things. Try to control your anger and anxiety. Excessive mental and emotional stress can lead to serious health issues such as a stroke or heart attack.
Bad Habits
Having a sedentary lifestyle leads to many health problems like obesity. Watching too much television and staying in front of the computer for a long time can easily lead to an inactive lifestyle. In line with this, try to avoid staying up late at night. Lack of sleep increases the rate of aging, weakens the immune system, and keeps your brain from functioning at full capacity the next day.
Last on the list is cigarette smoking. It is perhaps the most crucial item on the list of things that could ruin your health. Smoking causes a host of health problems, including lung cancer and various heart diseases. Smoking is so dangerous that even second-hand smoke can alter a person's health. It is crucial to kill this habit before it kills you.
Watch What You Eat and Drink
Alcohol causes dehydration which can lead to other serious health problems. When you drink alcoholic beverages, notice that you are frequently urinating. Alcohol is a diuretic which means it removes water from your body rapidly, and reduces the vitamins and minerals present in your body. Some say that drinking alcoholic beverages is acceptable when done moderately. However, medical practitioners claim that it is still harmful because alcohol contains Tyramine, a known component that raises one's blood pressure. Drinking carbonated beverages such as soda is also one of the things that are ruining your health. Soda overloads your body with sugar. A constantly high sugar level leads to a condition called Diabetes. When this condition is not addressed immediately, it may lead to serious complications like a cardiovascular disease, Neuropathy, Retinopathy and kidney damage.
Aside from alcoholic beverages and soda, another drink you should cut back on is coffee. Too much caffeine could greatly affect the heart, can cause the nervous system to go haywire, and may result to Acid Reflux or Heartburn.
Eating too much fast food is among the top things that are ruining your health. Since fast food is almost always deep fried, you are consuming tons of calories. Also, fast food has high values of Trans and Saturated fats. Too much of these in the body will result to a high cholesterol level and will put you at risk of various heart diseases. Too much salt, additives, and the lack of vitamins and minerals make fast food one of the worst things you can have.
How Taking Vitamins can Do More Harm than Good
Health-conscious people often supplement their health habits with taking vitamins and other supplements. It is one thing to take multivitamins, but it's another thing to take too many of these things. You have to remember that you do not need to take a pill for everything. Overdosing on vitamins can damage your organs like the kidneys. It may also lead to severe neurological and cardiovascular conditions.
Stress
Physical stress ranks high among the things that are ruining your health. Stress increases the rate of aging and makes you weak to fight off other health conditions. Do not overexert yourself, especially when trying out a physical activity for the first time. Always allow your body to recover after a strenuous activity.
Psychological stress can also affect your well-being. Stay calm and relaxed. Stop worrying on the little things. Try to control your anger and anxiety. Excessive mental and emotional stress can lead to serious health issues such as a stroke or heart attack.
Bad Habits
Having a sedentary lifestyle leads to many health problems like obesity. Watching too much television and staying in front of the computer for a long time can easily lead to an inactive lifestyle. In line with this, try to avoid staying up late at night. Lack of sleep increases the rate of aging, weakens the immune system, and keeps your brain from functioning at full capacity the next day.
Last on the list is cigarette smoking. It is perhaps the most crucial item on the list of things that could ruin your health. Smoking causes a host of health problems, including lung cancer and various heart diseases. Smoking is so dangerous that even second-hand smoke can alter a person's health. It is crucial to kill this habit before it kills you.
Paleo Athletes - The Cavemen of Athletics
Cavemen meals might seem unpleasant to some, especially when you think that cavemen were not thoroughly familiar with cooked food. However, what a lot of people miss is that cavemen were much stronger, thanks to their higher protein, vegetable, and healthy fat intake. If you are an athlete who wants to gain more strength, increase your stamina, or simply boost your confidence by maintaining an impressive physique, then it is best for you to become one of today's Paleo athletes.
Paleo athletes are basically athletes who follow the Paleolithic or caveman diet. This is a diet that promotes and improves health by sticking to meals of lean meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, and nuts. The main principles of this diet are to:
* Focus on meat and fresh produce, which allows the body to absorb nutrients better
* Avoid processed or fried food, high-fat dairy, and too much sugar as they lead to weight gain and even chronic diseases
* Drink a lot of water and prefer it over other liquids (e.g., juice and soda)
The Paleo diet is continuously rising to popularity, gaining recognition from elite athletes and acclaimed medical personalities, as it is shown to produce stunning results. However, Paleo athletes don't always have it easy. For one, avoiding bread, pasta, and other grains altogether can be very tough, especially if you grew up with them consistently a part of your meals. The fact that athletes, especially endurance athletes, are prone to sugar intake for maintaining or gaining strength in trainings or competitions makes it tougher.
Are you an athlete who likes to drink soda pop or has candy bars once too often? If yes, then you might find the Paleo diet a harsh challenge. That is not even to mention that you might also find it restrictive. Yes, you can still eat a lot of different types of meat, fruits, and vegetables. However, this does not take away the reality that you will need to have a strong conviction to succeed.
While it may take time for you to become part of the Paleo athletes' guild, if you are determined, you can be confident that it will bring various benefits to your body. For one, your strength and endurance will be highly optimized. Our hunter-gatherer ancestors were able to continuously run for ten miles a day just to trap their prey. How much better can we get if we are able to achieve the same results today?
Now, some people might point out that a caveman's lifespan was estimated to be nothing more than between thirty and forty years. Here is where the second benefit of the Paleo diet is revealed. Cavemen did not encounter common diseases that plague us like diabetes, heart diseases, or the like. What most of them got were infections, traumas, and other diseases that we have already found absolute cures for. With the Paleo diet, you can guarantee that your body will be a lot stronger and healthier. You will always be in tip-top shape, and you are more likely to avoid the above-mentioned diseases.
Paleo athletes are reaping all these benefits, having embraced the caveman diet, but that does not mean it is only for veteran athletes. It does not matter if you are still aspiring to start a solid career in sports or are already training to become like one of the elite Paleo athletes. By going on the Paleo diet, you are sure to achieve success.
Paleo athletes are basically athletes who follow the Paleolithic or caveman diet. This is a diet that promotes and improves health by sticking to meals of lean meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, and nuts. The main principles of this diet are to:
* Focus on meat and fresh produce, which allows the body to absorb nutrients better
* Avoid processed or fried food, high-fat dairy, and too much sugar as they lead to weight gain and even chronic diseases
* Drink a lot of water and prefer it over other liquids (e.g., juice and soda)
The Paleo diet is continuously rising to popularity, gaining recognition from elite athletes and acclaimed medical personalities, as it is shown to produce stunning results. However, Paleo athletes don't always have it easy. For one, avoiding bread, pasta, and other grains altogether can be very tough, especially if you grew up with them consistently a part of your meals. The fact that athletes, especially endurance athletes, are prone to sugar intake for maintaining or gaining strength in trainings or competitions makes it tougher.
Are you an athlete who likes to drink soda pop or has candy bars once too often? If yes, then you might find the Paleo diet a harsh challenge. That is not even to mention that you might also find it restrictive. Yes, you can still eat a lot of different types of meat, fruits, and vegetables. However, this does not take away the reality that you will need to have a strong conviction to succeed.
While it may take time for you to become part of the Paleo athletes' guild, if you are determined, you can be confident that it will bring various benefits to your body. For one, your strength and endurance will be highly optimized. Our hunter-gatherer ancestors were able to continuously run for ten miles a day just to trap their prey. How much better can we get if we are able to achieve the same results today?
Now, some people might point out that a caveman's lifespan was estimated to be nothing more than between thirty and forty years. Here is where the second benefit of the Paleo diet is revealed. Cavemen did not encounter common diseases that plague us like diabetes, heart diseases, or the like. What most of them got were infections, traumas, and other diseases that we have already found absolute cures for. With the Paleo diet, you can guarantee that your body will be a lot stronger and healthier. You will always be in tip-top shape, and you are more likely to avoid the above-mentioned diseases.
Paleo athletes are reaping all these benefits, having embraced the caveman diet, but that does not mean it is only for veteran athletes. It does not matter if you are still aspiring to start a solid career in sports or are already training to become like one of the elite Paleo athletes. By going on the Paleo diet, you are sure to achieve success.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Shared Instrumentation Grant Program
The National Institutes of Health, often known as NIH, is an independent agency operating inside the United States Department of Health and Human services that's mainly responsible for pursuing many of the country's biomedical and health-related scientific studies.
The mission of the NIH has always been to "seek fundamental understanding of the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce the burdens of illness and disability."
In an attempt to contribute to the realization of this mission, the National Institutes of Health has developed the Shared Instrumentation Grant Program wherein they intend to solicit applications from NIH-supported research proposing to upgrade or purchase a single piece of expensive instrumentation (useful to the industry of science and technology) that at a minimum costs $100,000.
Initially, this program seeks to aid the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) Shared Instrumentation Grant (SIG) Program. The project looks to provide funds to allow NIH-recognized institutions to purchase rather expensive research instruments that can only be justified on a shared-use basis and that are needed for NIH-supported projects in translational, basic, or clinical areas.
The types of research instruments that can be purchased under this program are nuclear magnetic resonance systems, electron and confocal microscopes, mass spectrometers, protein and DNA sequencers, biosensors, x-ray diffractometers and cell sorters.
In most cases, research studies lead to fascinating medical breakthroughs; and the National Institutes of Health intend to contribute to these discoveries by providing researchers and scientists with high-end and top of the line equipment that could potentially make their work more easier and effective.
The minimum cost of the instruments will be $100,000 each, and the maximum amount that will be granted per application will be $600,000.
The institutions and organizations which will be qualified to fill out an application under the Shared Instrumentation Grant Program are the following:
a) Public/State Controlled Institutions of Higher Education
b) Private Institutions of Higher Education
c) Hispanic-serving Institutions
d) Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
e) Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs)
f) Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions
g) Nonprofit Organizations Apart From Institutions of Higher Education
The Department of Health and Human Services, the mother agency that is funding the Shared Instrumentation Grant Program, is the country's principal agency that is generally in charge of preserving the health of all Americans and ensuring the provision of fundamental health and human services to all people needing such services.
The mission of the NIH has always been to "seek fundamental understanding of the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce the burdens of illness and disability."
In an attempt to contribute to the realization of this mission, the National Institutes of Health has developed the Shared Instrumentation Grant Program wherein they intend to solicit applications from NIH-supported research proposing to upgrade or purchase a single piece of expensive instrumentation (useful to the industry of science and technology) that at a minimum costs $100,000.
Initially, this program seeks to aid the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) Shared Instrumentation Grant (SIG) Program. The project looks to provide funds to allow NIH-recognized institutions to purchase rather expensive research instruments that can only be justified on a shared-use basis and that are needed for NIH-supported projects in translational, basic, or clinical areas.
The types of research instruments that can be purchased under this program are nuclear magnetic resonance systems, electron and confocal microscopes, mass spectrometers, protein and DNA sequencers, biosensors, x-ray diffractometers and cell sorters.
In most cases, research studies lead to fascinating medical breakthroughs; and the National Institutes of Health intend to contribute to these discoveries by providing researchers and scientists with high-end and top of the line equipment that could potentially make their work more easier and effective.
The minimum cost of the instruments will be $100,000 each, and the maximum amount that will be granted per application will be $600,000.
The institutions and organizations which will be qualified to fill out an application under the Shared Instrumentation Grant Program are the following:
a) Public/State Controlled Institutions of Higher Education
b) Private Institutions of Higher Education
c) Hispanic-serving Institutions
d) Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
e) Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs)
f) Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions
g) Nonprofit Organizations Apart From Institutions of Higher Education
The Department of Health and Human Services, the mother agency that is funding the Shared Instrumentation Grant Program, is the country's principal agency that is generally in charge of preserving the health of all Americans and ensuring the provision of fundamental health and human services to all people needing such services.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Smart Health And Wellbeing Program
The National Science Foundation, often known as NSF, is an independent agency of the United States federal government that is drastically in charge of financing research and education activities in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering.
The work of the NSF will always be carefully guided by their overall agency mission, which is to "To promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; and to secure the national defense."
In line with this, the National Science Foundation has constituted the development of the Smart Health and Wellbeing (SHB) Program wherein they want to tackle scientific and technical issues that will pave the way towards the transformation of the healthcare process from being rather reactive and hospital centered into becoming preventive, proactive, evidence-based, patient-centered and focused on the wellbeing of the person instead of his/her disease.
The program tries to do this by addressing issues that are connected with sensor technology, networking, information and machine learning technology, system and process modeling, modeling cognitive process and lastly, social and economic issues.
In this regard, the main investigators who would like to participate in this program will have to include research studies that address the following concerns:
1) Digital Health Information Infrastructure - This dimension should include techniques and strategies that will most likely enable the interoperable, distributed, federated, and scalable digital infrastructure, languages, and tools for efficient integration and utilization of electronic health record information, as well as networked applications that can access such information.
2) From Data to Knowledge to Decisions - This dimension is supposed to address the creation of algorithms for the collection of multi-scale clinical, biomedical, contextual, and environmental data concerning every patient which would develop a window towards the establishment of decision support tools that could potentially optimize a patient-centered and evidence-based practice.
3) Empowering Individuals - This dimension will need to include strategies that could help determine socioeconomic and behavioral principles that would influence a patient's participation in healthcare and wellness activities.
4) Sensors, Devices and Robotics - This dimension will include investigative methods that will permit interoperable, temporally synchronized, medical prosthetic and embedded devices to continuously capture, store, and transmit physiological and environmental data.
The program will accommodate two kinds of project classes, the first one would the Exploratory Project, wherein they will award funds ranging from $200,000 to $600,000 with a project length of two to three years. The second project class would be the Integrative Project wherein the NSF will award funds in the amount of $600,000 to $2,000,000 with a project duration of four to five years.
Researchers and investigators will only be eligible to fill out an application for the Smart Health and Wellbeing Program if they are representing any of the following:
a) Universities and colleges including community colleges which campuses are situated in the United States of America.
b) Non-profit, non-academic organizations such as independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and other organizations that are associated with research and educational activities.
The work of the NSF will always be carefully guided by their overall agency mission, which is to "To promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; and to secure the national defense."
In line with this, the National Science Foundation has constituted the development of the Smart Health and Wellbeing (SHB) Program wherein they want to tackle scientific and technical issues that will pave the way towards the transformation of the healthcare process from being rather reactive and hospital centered into becoming preventive, proactive, evidence-based, patient-centered and focused on the wellbeing of the person instead of his/her disease.
The program tries to do this by addressing issues that are connected with sensor technology, networking, information and machine learning technology, system and process modeling, modeling cognitive process and lastly, social and economic issues.
In this regard, the main investigators who would like to participate in this program will have to include research studies that address the following concerns:
1) Digital Health Information Infrastructure - This dimension should include techniques and strategies that will most likely enable the interoperable, distributed, federated, and scalable digital infrastructure, languages, and tools for efficient integration and utilization of electronic health record information, as well as networked applications that can access such information.
2) From Data to Knowledge to Decisions - This dimension is supposed to address the creation of algorithms for the collection of multi-scale clinical, biomedical, contextual, and environmental data concerning every patient which would develop a window towards the establishment of decision support tools that could potentially optimize a patient-centered and evidence-based practice.
3) Empowering Individuals - This dimension will need to include strategies that could help determine socioeconomic and behavioral principles that would influence a patient's participation in healthcare and wellness activities.
4) Sensors, Devices and Robotics - This dimension will include investigative methods that will permit interoperable, temporally synchronized, medical prosthetic and embedded devices to continuously capture, store, and transmit physiological and environmental data.
The program will accommodate two kinds of project classes, the first one would the Exploratory Project, wherein they will award funds ranging from $200,000 to $600,000 with a project length of two to three years. The second project class would be the Integrative Project wherein the NSF will award funds in the amount of $600,000 to $2,000,000 with a project duration of four to five years.
Researchers and investigators will only be eligible to fill out an application for the Smart Health and Wellbeing Program if they are representing any of the following:
a) Universities and colleges including community colleges which campuses are situated in the United States of America.
b) Non-profit, non-academic organizations such as independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and other organizations that are associated with research and educational activities.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Slow Aging by Losing Fat
Age management medicine is a new specialty that looks specifically at the aging process and considers how to slow aging and how to make it proceed more smoothly. Aging is normally associated with numerous discomforts and difficulties that people dread and wish to avoid if at all possible as the years tick by. As scientists explore the possibility of managing diseases like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and atherosclerosis more effectively, they are finding some exciting new information about the body and what may actually be the cause of a lot of discomforts and diseases associated with aging. Chronic inflammation at the cellular and molecular level appears to play an important role in the aging process and in creating and facilitating the development of a number of diseases. Scientists and medical professionals are excited about this common link that appears to be so important in age-related disorders and health issues because controlling inflammation may mean controlling the aging process and a number of the diseases associated with it.
Inflammation is the body's natural response to infection as well as injury. Inflammation, in the case of infection or injury is actually positive and healthy. Unfortunately, as the body ages, or under certain conditions when people are younger, the inflammatory response doesn't end when the infection does. Rather, the inflammation becomes chronic and on-going. Chronic, ongoing inflammation can lead to a whole array of different health problems from depression to generalized weakness and fatigue as well as autoimmune diseases like those mentioned above.
Inflammation is mediated by certain substances in the body like cytokines or C-reactive protein. Tissues exposed to these substances become inflamed. Unfortunately, fat cells actually produce cytokines. That means that if you have more fat cells in the body, you have more cytokines being produced and thus more inflammation. Because inflammation has been associated with aging, this means that being overweight can actually cause you to age faster.
Controlling the inflammation process is important if you want to control heart disease or diabetes or any other disease that is correlated with inflammation. Losing weight, particularly fat from the body can have an impact on the inflammatory response. Some individuals maintain a low calorie restrictive diet that is high in nutrients and micronutrients to lower the inflammatory response in the body. This has been shown to get certain disease states under control as well as slow the aging process. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy has also been utilized to help reduce the inflammatory response in promising ways. Hormone therapy helps the body balance inflammation, neither preventing inflammation entirely nor allowing it to go unchecked in the body to create on-going problems. Balanced hormones that can be achieved through hormone treatments can make it easier for individuals to lose fat, thereby slowing the aging process and the inflammatory response in the body.
Though losing weight, specifically fat, is a goal for a lot of people right now, the evidence is growing to support another reason why weight loss is beneficial for you. If you're experiencing the classic signs of aging, it appears that getting rid of some extra fat stores in the body can diminish the momentum of the aging process considerably. Whether you use hormones, a calorie restriction diet, or other methods to get your weight under control and lose fat stores, your health will likely improve considerably from your efforts and the progress of time will impact the way you look and feel less profoundly.
Inflammation is the body's natural response to infection as well as injury. Inflammation, in the case of infection or injury is actually positive and healthy. Unfortunately, as the body ages, or under certain conditions when people are younger, the inflammatory response doesn't end when the infection does. Rather, the inflammation becomes chronic and on-going. Chronic, ongoing inflammation can lead to a whole array of different health problems from depression to generalized weakness and fatigue as well as autoimmune diseases like those mentioned above.
Inflammation is mediated by certain substances in the body like cytokines or C-reactive protein. Tissues exposed to these substances become inflamed. Unfortunately, fat cells actually produce cytokines. That means that if you have more fat cells in the body, you have more cytokines being produced and thus more inflammation. Because inflammation has been associated with aging, this means that being overweight can actually cause you to age faster.
Controlling the inflammation process is important if you want to control heart disease or diabetes or any other disease that is correlated with inflammation. Losing weight, particularly fat from the body can have an impact on the inflammatory response. Some individuals maintain a low calorie restrictive diet that is high in nutrients and micronutrients to lower the inflammatory response in the body. This has been shown to get certain disease states under control as well as slow the aging process. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy has also been utilized to help reduce the inflammatory response in promising ways. Hormone therapy helps the body balance inflammation, neither preventing inflammation entirely nor allowing it to go unchecked in the body to create on-going problems. Balanced hormones that can be achieved through hormone treatments can make it easier for individuals to lose fat, thereby slowing the aging process and the inflammatory response in the body.
Though losing weight, specifically fat, is a goal for a lot of people right now, the evidence is growing to support another reason why weight loss is beneficial for you. If you're experiencing the classic signs of aging, it appears that getting rid of some extra fat stores in the body can diminish the momentum of the aging process considerably. Whether you use hormones, a calorie restriction diet, or other methods to get your weight under control and lose fat stores, your health will likely improve considerably from your efforts and the progress of time will impact the way you look and feel less profoundly.
Sarcopenia: Are You Wasting Away?
If you are past the age of twenty-five, you are probably shrinking. Don't celebrate yet. You are not losing weight; you are losing muscle. On average we lose 18% of our muscle mass between the ages of twenty and fifty and an additional 20% between the ages of fifty and eighty.(1) Unfortunately, this does not lead to weight loss. We gain about one pound of fat and lose about a half a pound of muscle between the ages of thirty and sixty.(2) In other words, your increased girth is simply increased fat. Sarcopenia is the term used for the loss of muscle as a result of aging.
Even if your weight remains the same, you may still be overweight or even obese. If you still weigh the same but you lost twenty percent of your muscle mass, guess what happened to the weight? That's right! It turned to fat. Sarcopenic obesity is the term used for people who are not obese by the BMI index but whose body fat percentage makes them overweight or obese.
Why should I care?
The consequences of sarcopenia are substantial. Loss of strength leads to falls, disability, limitations on mobility and fractures. It has been linked to a loss of energy and a decline in cognition. It is also linked to increased mortality.(3) In other words, you risk becoming dysfunctional and a burden unless you find a way to limit your loss in strength and power.
What causes sarcopenia?
While the consequences of sarcopenia are great, the causes of it are still being discovered. However, a few culprits have come to the forefront.
* A decrease in strength may come as a result of a loss of type 2 muscle fibers and a decline in muscle motor units.
* A decline in hormones or the body's response to them may contribute to it.
* Oxidative stress and inflammation may play a role in sarcopenia.
* Finally, a decline in protein synthesis and an increase in protein breakdown may play a role.
Avoiding Sarcopenia - What to do?
All is not lost. You can stop and even reverse the process with a few lifestyle modifications.
1. Exercise limits decline. More specifically, resistance training increases muscle strength, power and mass. Resistance training has been shown to increase muscle mass by over eleven percent and strength by over one hundred percent. Results have been shown in as little as 2 thirty minute sessions a week.(1)
2. Of course, just because you need resistance exercises does not mean you should leave out aerobic ones. Aerobic exercise improves endurance, cardiovascular fitness and reduces body fat. And while it will not increase power, it may increase muscle fibers and mitochondrial volume.
3. Make sure you get enough protein. The recommended amount of protein is.35 grams per pound of weight a day. If you exercise, you should eat more. Don't eat it all in one meal but break it up into twenty-five to thirty grams of high quality protein per meal. Eating protein with the amino acid leucine such as soybeans, beef, fish and beans may be particularly beneficial.(2)
4. Eat foods or supplements with creatine. Creatine may help build muscle through its role in cellular and protein metabolism. It also increases phosphocreatine levels which appear to help increase the intensity of workouts. Beef and other meats are the primary source of creatine in the diet so vegetarians may need to supplement it.
5. Eat foods high in antioxidants. Since oxidative stress may be a part of sarcopenia, reducing it should help limit the decline. Supplements and foods with antioxidants such as beans, berries, apples, and pecans may aid in limiting oxidative stress which will help limit muscle loss.
6. Take a Vitamin D supplement. It aids in metabolism and Vitamin D receptors located on the muscles help with protein synthesis.
7. Consider hormone replacement therapy. Hormones such as growth hormones and bio-identical testosterone may aid in increasing muscle mass and strength. Of course, you should consult a medical professional who is qualified in anti-aging medicine before partaking in it.
You are getting older. Don't let the aging process turn you from an active and productive person to a dysfunctional one. Work to avoid or at least limit sarcopenia and its detrimental consequences. Your future children or grandchildren will thank you for it.
Even if your weight remains the same, you may still be overweight or even obese. If you still weigh the same but you lost twenty percent of your muscle mass, guess what happened to the weight? That's right! It turned to fat. Sarcopenic obesity is the term used for people who are not obese by the BMI index but whose body fat percentage makes them overweight or obese.
Why should I care?
The consequences of sarcopenia are substantial. Loss of strength leads to falls, disability, limitations on mobility and fractures. It has been linked to a loss of energy and a decline in cognition. It is also linked to increased mortality.(3) In other words, you risk becoming dysfunctional and a burden unless you find a way to limit your loss in strength and power.
What causes sarcopenia?
While the consequences of sarcopenia are great, the causes of it are still being discovered. However, a few culprits have come to the forefront.
* A decrease in strength may come as a result of a loss of type 2 muscle fibers and a decline in muscle motor units.
* A decline in hormones or the body's response to them may contribute to it.
* Oxidative stress and inflammation may play a role in sarcopenia.
* Finally, a decline in protein synthesis and an increase in protein breakdown may play a role.
Avoiding Sarcopenia - What to do?
All is not lost. You can stop and even reverse the process with a few lifestyle modifications.
1. Exercise limits decline. More specifically, resistance training increases muscle strength, power and mass. Resistance training has been shown to increase muscle mass by over eleven percent and strength by over one hundred percent. Results have been shown in as little as 2 thirty minute sessions a week.(1)
2. Of course, just because you need resistance exercises does not mean you should leave out aerobic ones. Aerobic exercise improves endurance, cardiovascular fitness and reduces body fat. And while it will not increase power, it may increase muscle fibers and mitochondrial volume.
3. Make sure you get enough protein. The recommended amount of protein is.35 grams per pound of weight a day. If you exercise, you should eat more. Don't eat it all in one meal but break it up into twenty-five to thirty grams of high quality protein per meal. Eating protein with the amino acid leucine such as soybeans, beef, fish and beans may be particularly beneficial.(2)
4. Eat foods or supplements with creatine. Creatine may help build muscle through its role in cellular and protein metabolism. It also increases phosphocreatine levels which appear to help increase the intensity of workouts. Beef and other meats are the primary source of creatine in the diet so vegetarians may need to supplement it.
5. Eat foods high in antioxidants. Since oxidative stress may be a part of sarcopenia, reducing it should help limit the decline. Supplements and foods with antioxidants such as beans, berries, apples, and pecans may aid in limiting oxidative stress which will help limit muscle loss.
6. Take a Vitamin D supplement. It aids in metabolism and Vitamin D receptors located on the muscles help with protein synthesis.
7. Consider hormone replacement therapy. Hormones such as growth hormones and bio-identical testosterone may aid in increasing muscle mass and strength. Of course, you should consult a medical professional who is qualified in anti-aging medicine before partaking in it.
You are getting older. Don't let the aging process turn you from an active and productive person to a dysfunctional one. Work to avoid or at least limit sarcopenia and its detrimental consequences. Your future children or grandchildren will thank you for it.
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