Blog - Page 5 of 50

DHA ‘Fish Oil’ Supplements Do Not Appear to Slow Cognitive, Functional Decline in Alzheimer’s Disease

Posted on February 29, 2012 by 6s79T

Joseph F. Quinn, M.D., of Oregon Health and Science University and the Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, Ore., presented the findings of the study at a JAMA media briefing at the National Press Club.

“Several studies have found that consumption of fish, the primary dietary source of omega-3 fatty acids, is associated with a reduced risk of cognitive decline or dementia. Some studies have found that consumption of DHA, but not other omega-3 fatty acids, is associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer disease,” the authors write.However, those studies were observational and did not control who received DHA. Animal studies that used DHA showed reductions in Alzheimer-like brain pathology.

Dr. Quinn and colleagues conducted a randomized, controlled trial to examine whether DHA supplementation would slow the rate of cognitive and functional decline in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.

The study, which was conducted between November 2007 and May 2009 at 51 U.S. clinical research sites, included 402 individuals with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. Participants were randomly assigned to DHA at a dose of 2 grams/day or to identical placebo (60 percent were assigned to DHA and 40 percent were assigned to placebo). Duration of treatment was 18 months. Changes in cognitive and functional abilities were assessed with the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS-cog) and the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) sum of boxes. Rate of brain atrophy was also determined by volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a subsample of participants.

A total of 295 participants completed the trial while taking study medication (DHA: 171; placebo: 124). The researchers found that supplementation with DHA had no beneficial effect on rate of change on ADAS-cog score, with the rate of average change in the score over 18 months being 8.27 points for the placebo group and 7.98 points for the DHA group. The rate of points change on CDR sum of boxes over 18 months was 2.93 for the placebo group compared with 2.87 for the DHA group.

Among the individuals participating in the MRI substudy (102 had MRIs at the beginning of the study and at 18 months [DHA group: 53; placebo group: 49]), an analysis showed no effect of DHA treatment on total brain volume change during 18 months.

“In summary, these results indicate that DHA supplementation is not useful for the population of individuals with mild to moderate Alzheimer disease,” the authors write.The researchers add that “because part of the rationale for the trial was epidemiological evidence that DHA use before disease onset modifies the risk of Alzheimer disease, it remains possible that an intervention with DHA might be more effective if initiated earlier in the course of the disease in patients who do not have overt dementia.”

Editor’s Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, financial disclosures, funding and support, etc.

Editorial: Treatment of Alzheimer Disease and Prognosis of Dementia

In an accompanying editorial, Kristine Yaffe, M.D., of the University of California, San Francisco and Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, comments on the findings of this study.

“This trial adds to a growing literature that treatment with DHA does not improve symptoms of AD. Although several observational studies reported that diets rich in fish or supplements with omega-3 fatty acids were associated with reduced risk of developing AD, most randomized clinical trials for treatment of AD or mild cognitive impairment or in healthy elderly individuals have not found a beneficial effect.” Insight and Advice

source: seniorhomecareinformation.com

Stem Cells and Anti-aging – New Possibilities Exposed

Posted on February 27, 2012 by 6s79T

Eternal-youth seekers have great reason to cheer with the revelations of science about stems cells and anti-aging. Evidence is increasingly coming to the forefront that regenerative properties of stem cells can cure many age-related complications and delay aging.

Stem cells found in our body are non-specific cells without having any tissue-specific structure. They can easily replicate themselves to form specific cells like heart muscle cells, blood cells, sperm cells, nerve cells etc. and perform specific functions. This regeneration property makes stem cells ideal for anti-aging therapy.

With aging, the cells of the body begin to decay. They lose their ability to regenerate and repair tissue. Changes begin to show on the skin; the internal organs such as the heart, the sex glands, the immune system etc. begin to lose their functional efficiency. At this point, you begin to look and feel aged.

Aging also sets in a number of diseases like arthritis, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, heart complications, and even cancer. Most of them can be traced to deficiencies in the cellular level. For example, the beta cells in the pancreas become less effective and secrete less insulin, a condition that triggers diabetes. Again, the nerve cells become weak and harbor Parkinson’s disease.

Research is now showing that stem cells can stall the progress of some of these diseases by replicating into specific cells and replacing the damaged cells in the body and restoring the vitality and functionality of the organs. In fact, stem cells can also be developed outside the body under laboratory conditions and later transplanted in the defective area of the organ to give back the organ its functional efficiency. Because of this stem cells anti-aging property, cosmetic formulations based on stem cell regenerative therapy are increasingly coming to the market to halt the mark of aging on the skin and restore its youthful glow.

Did you know cold showers are among the top anti-aging secrets

Posted on February 24, 2012 by 6s79T

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Did you know cold showers are among the top anti-aging secrets.

One of the best kept anti-aging secrets is how cold showers can keep your skin glowing and radiant looking. The benefits of cold showers certainly don’t stop there. There are health benefits such as increased peripheral circulation as well as improvement to imbalanced mental and emotional states. All of this makes cold water therapy one of the top factors of longevity. Many people cringe at the thought of subjecting themselves to cold water and will go out of their way to dismiss the benefits of such a practice (as well as any practice that pushes the limits of their comfort levels).

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BeFitOverFifty: Exercise & Fitness Programs for People Over Fifty

Posted on February 23, 2012 by 6s79T

By the time most of us reach the age of 50 or 60 we tend to accept the negative effects of aging as a fact of life that we have little or no control over. It is true that we can not stop the calendar from marching ahead at what seems to be a faster and faster pace, however, recent studies have shown that we can alter the rate at which our bodies progress through our life cycle.

We now have a better understanding of why some people tend to age much faster than others

There is a large body of scientific evidence that suggests that we can slow down and even reverse the symptoms of aging. In fact many of us can be in better health in our 70’s than we were in our 50’s.

Recent studies indicate that between the ages of 30 & 70 many of the symptoms & conditions that were traditionally associated with normal aging are in fact the result of sedentary lifestyles.

Evaluating one’s strength, endurance, mobility & cardio-vascular-pulmonary performance before and after a one month period of complete bed rest can be equated to 30 years of aging.

The good news is that regular exercise incorporated into our lifestyle can improve our heart & respiratory function, lower our blood pressure, increase our strength, improve bone density, improve flexibility, quicken our reaction time, reduce body fat, increase muscle mass, and reduce our susceptibility to depression & disease.

Studies have shown that regular exercise by middle aged & elderly people can set back the clock 20-40 years when compared to those who do little or no exercise. Test results show that no matter when a person starts to exercise, significant improvement can be achieved. One of the groups tested had an average age of 90.

Older people can achieve the same percentage gains in performance as the young, according to Dr. H.A. deVries, past director of the Andrus Gerontology Center at the University of Southern California and a respected pioneer in the field.

In one study of more than 200 men & women aged 56 to 87, “dramatic changes” were observed after just 6 weeks of exercising 3 to 5 times a week. Study participants became as fit and energetic as people 20 to 30 years younger.

Dr. Everett L. Smith, director of the Biogerontology Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin has shown that among once sedentary women in their 50’s who participated in an aerobic dance program for 6 years, fitness improved by 23% and they experienced none of the functional declines typically seen with increasing age! This group appears to have stopped the clock at an age when functional declines are usually apparent.

Dr. Smith also compared bone loss among women in their 80’s. With those women that did seated exercises for 30 minutes, 3 times a week for 3 years, bone mineral actually increased by 2.29%, whereas in a similar group of inactive women, bone loss averaged 3.28%.

Various studies have shown that when our bones are taxed from exercise they grow stronger and denser and more resistant to fracture

Dr. Harris from the Center for the Study of Aging at Albany Medical College, found that when nerve cells are deprived of stimuli they atrophy, suggesting that stimulation of the central nervous system by physical activity may retard the loss of nerve cells in the brain and elsewhere. Aerobic exercise has been shown to enhance blood flow to various parts of the brain as well as to increase the speed with which nerve messages travel through the brain.

In a study, at Purdue, among previously sedentary middle aged men who took part in a 4 month exercise & fitness program, a significant improvement was noted in the mental processes controlled by the part of the brain (left hemisphere) responsible for logical reasoning and math. The men who exercised 3 times per week, were compared on 10 tests of mental ability to a similar group of men who remained sedentary.
In a study recently published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, Older adults who exercised at least three times a week were 38 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease, which causes a slow, irreversible decline in brain function. ” The decline the brain experiences late in life is not inevitable. It can be affected by things like habitual exercise,” said lead study author Dr. Eric Larson of the Group Health Cooperative in Seattle. The theory is that exercise not only increases blood flow and oxygen to the brain — it may also reduce the telltale “plaque” in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

Additional Benefits

Aerobic exercise helps control Type II (Late Onset) diabetes because it aids in the metabolism of sucrose.

Aerobic exercise strengthens your heart, helps prevent the build up of cholesterol, improves the functioning of the liver, pancreas & most vital organs.

A recent study at the University of California that evaluated data from more than 5,000 women over the age of 65, concluded that there is scientific evidence that exercise is good for your memory.

Aerobic exercise brings additional oxygen & glucose to the brain, both of which are crucial to brain function. The body responds by forming new capillaries to bring the additional blood to nerve cells and by boosting brain chemicals that protect neurons and strengthen new neuronal connections. Exercise also promotes attention & alertness, both of which are needed to get information into your memory.

Human Growth Hormone and the lack of it is believed to contribute to the aging process. In our 50’s most people stop producing HGH and the aging process accelerates as the rate of cellular reproduction, growth and repair slows. The good news is that exercise also aids in the production of Human Growth Hormone which in turn helps us to maintain and develop our muscles, strength and stamina.

Exercise is clearly the best weapon we have to combat disease, to slow down and or reverse the effects of aging. It is no wonder that the experts in the field believe that exercise is the closest thing we have to a Fountain of Youth.

Research has proven how regular exercise relates to the aging process and how it can improve your quality of life.

At Be Fit Over Fifty™ we realize that in order to reap the benefits we must actually exercise on a regular basis. We also believe that our age appropriate, enjoyable and effective exercise programs will help you succeed because it is so convenient & easy to do. There is no expensive equipment to buy, no membership fees, no drugs, no need to even leave the privacy of your own home. “Be Fit Over Fifty programs are like having a personal trainer at home.”
Our goal at Be Fit Over Fifty™ is to help adults find a safe, effective, and enjoyable way to exercise at home. The Be Fit Over Fifty™ series of exercise tapes & DVD’s are designed to meet the varied needs of the mature adult population. All of the programs are fun to do and easy to follow with a soundtrack of upbeat popular swing music in the background.

When used regularly and in conjunction with a healthy diet the Be Fit Over
Fifty™ programs will help you to control type II diabetes, prevent cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis, lower your blood pressure, relieve stress, and help you to minimize the negative effects that aging can have on the body. You can improve your strength, flexibility, and overall fitness level if you exercise with the appropriate program at least times per week.

If you would like to challenge the aging process and improve your fitness level, Be Fit Over Fifty™ has several programs that can enable you to maintain an active, independent lifestyle. For a description of the programs listed below, just click on the program button.

PROGRAM SUMMARY

The Personal Fitness program is intended for people who prefer a more gentle, seated program due to knee, back or other weakness. It is well suited for people that are not very active, are older, or overweight.

The Interval Circuit Training program is intended for people that are more active & fit than above. It is a very easy to follow, 45 minute, overall conditioning routine which alternates between resistance training, with hand weights, and 2 minute intervals of low intensity, weight bearing, Cardio movements.

The Tone & Sculpt program is an excellent 45 minute resistance training program designed to firm & tone all major muscle groups & strengthen your back. This flexible program allows you to vary the intensity to match your comfort level. It is a good choice for those who prefer to use a walking program or another cardio program on alternate days.

The Cardio-Strengthening program is a 30 min. workout that combines stretching & low-impact aerobics. This is a good weight bearing exercise program for active adults, familiar with aerobics & for those who prefer to use a resistance training program, such as the Tone & Sculpt program on alternate days.

source: www.befitoverfifty.com

If You Can Control, and Stop Inflammation You May Slow Down The Aging Process

Posted on February 20, 2012 by 6s79T

Most of us would like to slow down the aging process, because we fear getting old and sick.

The good news is that research and clinical evidence suggest that if you can control, and stop inflammation you may slow down the aging process and escape chronic diseases.

Most diseases of aging are caused by Chronic Inflammation , including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, Arthritis , allergies, Alzheimer’s, kidney failure, osteoporosis and skin disorders.

It’s important to develop healthy habits when you’re young, and continue them throughout your life.
Follow an anti inflammatory diet , which could also be called a longevity diet.

Eat a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables
Use olive oil, coconut oil and butterEliminate from your diet: corn oil, soy oil, and margarine. These will cause inflammation and accelerate the aging process.
Find a source of grass fed beef, rather than the grain and corn fed beef from the supermarket
Eat nuts and dark chocolate, don’t overdue it because of the fat content, of course
Eat cold water fatty fish such as salmon
Take a quality omega 3 fish oil supplement You won’t get enough omega 3 fatty acids from eating fish alone.
Drink plenty of water This will flush out toxins from your body, and keep your skin looking younger. This is part of a successful longevity diet.
Reduce your sugar intake Watch out for the hidden corn syrup in many commercially processed foods. If you need a sweetener use pure manuka honey this has anti bacterial, as well as anti inflammatory properties.
Avoid corn and grain as much as possible These are two of the most inflammation producing foods you can eat. The problem is they are in most of the processed foods you buy.
Maintain a normal weight Excess fat on your body, especially around your middle, promotes chronic inflammation. This will age you, and make you sick.
Exercise, stay in shape to slow down the aging process If you are not exercising already, start slow to avoid injury.Studies show that exercise will prevent type-2 diabetes better than the most commonly prescribed drug.
Get involved with other people Invite somebody over for dinner, join a club that interests you, or go to a sporting event.
Keep your mind active and challenged Play cards or board games, read, learn to play an instrument.
Reduce your stress level as much as you are able
Learn to meditate Spring Forest Qigong is a great way to learn
Laugh every day If you are alone, watch a funny movie or read a few pages from a humorous book.
Take care of you dental health A gum inflammation can run rampant throughout your body, and could cause serious disease and even death.
If you smoke, STOP You already know the reasons.
Get some sun but, Don’t get burned by the sun. Burning will do damage to your skin, and could cause skin cancer.
Always wear good sunglasses This will protect your eyes and prevent macular degeneration . And maybe prevent some wrinkles around the eyes from squinting.
Get a good nights sleep This is important for overall health, so your body has a chance to rejuvenate, and your mind can shut off for awhile.

Remember, the aging process is normal, but, arthritis, back pain, and chronic disease is not. It’s imperative to stop chronic inflammation to stay healthy.

At your next clinic visit, ask for a simple blood test called a CRP, or C-reactive protein test. This will tell you if you have inflammation. You’re about to discover a safe, powerful anti-aging discovery that improves your health, helps you lose weight and makes you look and feel years younger…

No One Will Believe You When You Reveal Your Real Age. Then Again, Why Not Just Keep It Your Little Secret?

Beauty, Aging And Self-Confidence

Posted on February 16, 2012 by 6s79T

Whether we like it or not, youth and beauty play a part in how we feel at work.

Last week we ran a story, “Beauty And The Boss,” on one touchy aspect of the self-image issue: aging. As we leave our 30s and enter our 40s and beyond, many women struggle with both the physical and emotional issues of getting older.

Writes Vivian Diller, Ph.D., and Jill Muir-Sukenick, Ph.D., both models-turned psychotherapists, and the co-authors of our article and the new book Face It: “Intellectually we understand aging. So why does the first wrinkle or gray hair send us into an emotional tailspin? As smart women we were raised to believe that success and happiness are based on intelligence and accomplishments. Many of us never expected to feel this deeply about a seemingly superficial issues. But let’s face it, we do!”

But once you equate beauty with youth, the authors say, and with professional value–you’re fighting a losing battle. At some point you’ll feel anxious, marginalized and dispensable. Every new employee can represent a threat, and you may become the obsessed victim of your own thoughts or fears.

When we opened the discussion to the ForbesWoman communities on Facebook and LinkedIn, we dealt with some backlash over the subject, but we also heard some very refreshing honesty.

“Let’s just keep the competition over youth and beauty alive,” Sharon Danley says on Facebook. “Shame on you!” Danley’s take is that the more important issues are smarts and confidence, not youth and looks.

But as authors Diller and Muir-Sukenick point out, self-confidence and perceiving ourselves as attractive have more to do with each other than most women would care to admit. They call it the “halo effect”–how we unconsciously equate one trait of a person to every other trait. She’s pretty? Well then she also must be responsible and smart.

“I ‘suffer’ this topic in my life,” writes Linda C. Smith, an artist based in San Francisco, via LinkedIn. “I’m turning 60 this year and have two daughters in their early 30s. They are gorgeous with trim figures and are quite stylish in their fashion choices. Me? I’ve been in menopause for over nine years and have watched it reform my figure from my still-size-10 when I was age 45, to now looking like my grandmother.”

But beyond the “Am I still a beautiful woman?” question, what about feeling threatened by the youth–and beauty–of our co-workers around us? Are we right to shake in our boots when a 20-something enters the office armed with good looks and a strong résumé?

Karen Southall Watts weighs in on Facebook: “Sadly employers do prefer younger workers a great deal of the time, as they are seen to be more energetic and healthier–less likely to use their benefits. Ask any woman (or man) over 40 who has looked for work in the last few years. We do live in a culture that worships youth, beauty and fame.”

“To ask if you’ve been threatened by someone younger and prettier is a more layered issue, I think,” says Amy Pietrasanta on Facebook. “There are also studies that more attractive people are perceived as more confident.”

She’s right. A 2007 study published in the Journal of Labor Economics states that attractive people earn roughly 5% more in hourly pay than their plain-looking co-workers, who themselves earn 9% more than the most homely employees. A Cornell University study recently showed women’s wages dropping as much as 9% as a result of weight gain.

“I don’t think it’s a silly question,” chimes in commenter Ratso Rizzo on Facebook. “We may not admit it but most of us have, at times, been intimidated by youth or beauty either in our personal lives or in business. Whether it’s the ‘I’m not pretty enough’ or the ‘Now how am I going to keep these men focused,’ in our society it IS an issue.”

But maybe the attention or constant positivity associated with being young and attractive isn’t always a good thing. As Facebook fan Erica Gingerich points out, “I think when you are in your 20s and just starting out, you mistake the ‘positive’ attention that male colleagues and bosses give you as their being interested in what your brain has to offer– when they are almost always more interested in what your nether regions have to offer.”

Gingerich continues: “It’s nice being in my mid-30s and not having to deal with that ‘false appreciation’ anymore. It’s been interesting to see this issue from the other side of 30. That is, I now see male colleagues drooling over a newbie in her early 20s and think, She’ll catch on to them sooner or later.”

Lynn Maria Thompson shares her own history on Facebook with being young and beautiful: “Youth tended to work against me in the corporate world; all the men thought I was ‘hot to trot’ because I was young and blonde, and they were the ones in power when I was young. When I didn’t live up to their expectations in that area, I got nowhere. Once I got older, I actually had a younger boss who felt threatened by me because I had more experience and company knowledge than she did … ”

Thompson’s experience puts an interesting flip on this talk of feeling “less than” when faced with younger employees and colleagues. Her younger boss felt threatened by her experience and know-how in the industry. These are traits that, presumably, Thompson values in herself and inspires self-confidence.

Maybe that’s the answer: Confidence in the workplace comes from within, whether it comes from your pretty face, flawless memory or impeccable command of the boardroom. The authors of Face It put it this way: “When you got your job, it was because you were an attractive candidate in all respects. You may be more mature [now], but you’re also more valuable because of your accumulated wisdom.”

Traditional Chinese Medicine: The True Anti-Aging Medicine

Posted on February 15, 2012 by 6s79T

Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) treatments didn’t start out being “cosmetic” but there were unintended outcomes (i.e., “cosmetic” results) of using certain points and techniques. For me, one of the most enjoyable parts of being a TCM practitioner is having the skills and knowledge to help people maintain their youthful appearance without creating any dangerous or potentially damaging side effects. With the use of needling (acupuncture, even shallow needling), herbs, Qigong, and nutritional advice – all basic therapies included in the system of TCM – TCM practitioners can stave off the outward signs of aging. Everything needed is right in the bag of TCM tools. No fancy equipment or “treatments” are needed that our out of their scope of practice. TCM practitioners have the opportunity to use ancient medical practices for more modern purposes.

One of the most important aspects of using TCM for “cosmetic” results is that TCM treats the causes of aging, not just the results of it. This is a huge advantage that TCM has over the practices of many of the modern day cosmetic procedures. One of my favorite things to say about cosmetic acupuncture is that “it is the only cosmetic procedure that actually improves the health of the person while also giving cosmetic results”. So let’s not lose sight of the fact that acupuncture and Chinese medicine focuses on restoring and maintaining good health, even though that aspect of TCM happens to include cosmetic improvements. Think about the causes of aging and wrinkling from a TCM perspective: Spleen Qi Deficiency creates sinking; digestive problems lead to poor skin condition; lung issues prevent the lungs from properly controlling the skin; Blood Deficiency leads to poor circulation; and Yin Deficiency causes dry skin. These may all be addressed with treatments that reduce the outward appearance of aging – even to the point of making fine lines disappear. What could be better than improving your health at the same time as minimizing wrinkling and sagging?

The main goal of TCM is prevention. Prevention includes everything from preventing disease to preventing what some people call the “ravages of aging” … in other words, wrinkles, lines, and sagging. Many people maintain a youthful appearance through the use of TCM treatments. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can create a vibrancy and healthfulness inside that is reflected on the outside.
The results of any acupuncture or herbal treatment can be from subtle to dramatic depending upon the state of the patient’s general health and the skills or perspective of the practitioner.

To find an acupuncture and TCM practitioner near you with expertise in cosmetic treatments go to www.Acufinder.com.

About the Author:
Dr. Lucas holds a Ph.D. in Psychology, is nationally certified in Acupuncture, and licensed by Colorado to practice Traditional Chinese Medicine. In addition to her formal training at The Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, she considers herself blessed to have been mentored in Pulse Diagnosis by the late Jim Ramholz, O.M.D. and bases her treatments on knowledge gained while working with Jim. Additionally Dr. Lucas had internships in Acupuncture & Chinese Herbs with Timothy McGee, L.Ac. and QiGong Medical Massage with Master/Dr. Zhengao Yao.
Lucas has more than 20 years of teaching experience including at the University Graduate School level. She has been described as “a dynamic speaker who keeps her classes engaged and who can explain complex information in an understandable form.”

Can what you eat help you age gracefully?

Posted on February 15, 2012 by 6s79T

It seems we’re all trying to find the “magic bullet” that delays the natural aging process. Put an antiaging label on most any product, and it flies off the shelves.

Yet if you’re trying to look your best without going under the knife, a secret ingredient might be right under your nose. Some experts say one answer to aging gracefully can be found in the grocery store — in fruits, vegetables, green tea, and a host of other healthful foods that are rich in antioxidants and other potentially age-deterring compounds.

What Is Aging?

Of course, the signs of aging include not only wrinkles, but also memory loss, decreased brain function, and an increasing risk for chronic diseases such as heart disease, osteoporosis, and cancer. Healthy aging is also defined as living a longer, healthier life. And many studies have documented the link between a healthy diet and prevention of age-related or chronic diseases.

Adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity, adequate rest, avoiding tobacco, and a diet full of healthy foods and beverages can be the best defense against aging.

“Dietary choices are critical to delay the onset of aging and age-related diseases, and the sooner you start, the greater the benefit,” says Susan Moores, RD, a spokesman for the American Dietetic Association.

Antioxidants and Inflammation

Some foods and beverages contain powerful substances called phytonutrients that some believe are capable of unlocking the key to longevity. Phytonutrients, which are members of the antioxidant family, gobble up “free radicals” — oxygen molecules that play a role in the onset of illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s disease.

As we age, we become more susceptible to the long-term effects of oxidative stress (a condition where the body basically has too many free radicals) and inflammation on the cellular level. The theory is that antioxidants and other age-defying compounds help cells ward off damage from free radicals and minimize the impact of aging.

Beyond antioxidants, some other compounds in foods can affect aging. They can be classified according to their impact on inflammation at the cellular level, experts say.

“All foods fit into three categories: pro-inflammatory, neutral, or anti-inflammatory,” says dermatologist and best-selling author, Nicholas Perricone, MD.

Perricone says you can help to slow aging at the cellular level by choosing foods that are anti-inflammatory and rich in antioxidants.

“Age-related changes may be reversed by consuming foods and beverages that are rich in a variety of compounds, including antioxidants, and are anti-inflammatory, such as cold-water fish and richly colored fruits and vegetables,” he says.

On the other hand, foods classified as pro-inflammatory can accelerate aging, Perricone says.

If “we eat large amounts of saturated or trans fatty acids, sugars, and starches, insulin levels surge and trigger an anti-inflammatory response and accelerate the aging process,” says Perricone.

While the benefits to eating healthy are many, Perricone notes that diet is certainly not the only factor that affects the aging process.

“Stress, hormones, ultraviolet light, and a weakened immune system also contribute to aging,” he says.

Still, making smart lifestyle choices are within your control, and are among the best things you can do to help prevent disease and retard aging.

Food for Healthy Aging

For maximum benefits, experts say, you should load up on a variety of healthy foods.

“We know about antioxidants and anti-inflammatory activities of foods, but we suspect there could be so much more going on beyond attacking free radicals that promote health and ward off disease,” says Moores.

Moores suggests adding these foods and beverages into your eating plan for good health and to reduce the signs of aging:

Fish. Follow the guidelines of the American Heart Association and eat twice weekly, especially the fatty kind that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. This is a powerful anti-inflammatory food that offers a multitude of health benefits.

Fruits and vegetables are powerhouses of antioxidants. Aim for a variety of colorful produce. Enjoy at least 5 servings per day for the maximum benefits.

Whole grains provide soluble fiber to help lower blood cholesterol levels, and also have phytonutrient content equal to any fruit or vegetable. Strive for at least 3 daily servings.

Legumes are unsung heroes, packed with nutrients similar to fruits and vegetables and with very few calories. Add them to your diet 3 to 4 times a week.

Yogurt has all the benefits of dairy foods, plus probiotics that help add healthy bacteria to the intestines. Moores recommends eating a yogurt with active cultures as one of your 3 dairy servings each day.

Nuts are a great source of B vitamins that are good for your heart and your brain. The healthy fats in nuts benefit the elastin and collagen in skin, helping to maintaining skin’s structure and keep it resilient. Small portions are advised, as nuts are high in calories.

Water is essential for hydration of the skin, muscles, circulation, and all organs in the body. Enjoy 3-4 glasses of pure water in addition to other liquids and watery foods.

In addition, Perricone suggests these 10 “super-foods,” chosen because of their anti- inflammatory activity:

1. Acai fruit (found in health stores)

2. Allium vegetables: garlic, onions, leeks, scallions, chives, and shallots

3. Barley

4. Green foods, such as wheatgrass

5. Buckwheat, both seeds and grains

6. Beans and lentils

7. Hot peppers

8. Nuts and seeds

9. Sprouts

10. Yogurt and kefir

What Else Can You Do?

Micronutrients from food and beverages offer a wealth of health benefits. But when it comes to preserving the skin, some work better as topical applications such as creams.

“Drinking 6-10 small cups of green tea daily adds health-promoting catechins â€¦ but no matter how much green tea you drink, your blood level will never be high enough to retard or reverse skin changes,” says researcher Stephen Hsu, PhD. His research found antiaging benefits when green tea polyphenols were applied directly to skin, and “protected the skin by absorbing ultraviolet light and eliminating free radicals.”

A healthy diet and lifestyle may improve your health and keep you feeling young but don’t expect wrinkles to disappear. The impact of diet on reversing signs of skin aging is overrated, says Atlanta-based dermatologist, Kenneth Ellner, MD.

“Skin aging is related primarily to genetics and exposure to the sun,” he says. “If you want to age gracefully, stay out of the sun, use sunscreen, don’t smoke, eat a healthy diet, and drink plenty of water.”

To do your best to ward off aging, experts agree that a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise, wearing sunscreen, avoiding tobacco, regular sleep, and a nutritious diet is the answer.

“If you are already engaging in healthy habits, take it a step further and try to fine-tune your diet to achieve added health benefits by adding new foods to your diet,” advises Elisa Zied, RD, author of So What Can I Eat.

By Kathleen M. Zelman, MPH, RD, LD

WebMD Weight Loss Clinic-Feature Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

Yin And Yang Deficiency and Aging

Posted on February 13, 2012 by 6s79T

It is often said that all of Chinese medicine can be reduced to the fundamental theory of yin and yang. If you practice Asian bodywork therapy, the ability to understand, interpret and apply the concept of yin and yang are essential to one’s practice. All anatomy, physiology, pathology and treatment principles boil down to yin and yang. The beauty of yin and yang is that something so simple can be all-encompassing and profound when examined more deeply.

It is interesting to see that as people age, they naturally start to get low in their gender-related yin or yang energy. For example, as women age and their yin begins to decline, they go though menopause. They may experience hot flashes, night sweats and frequent waking, which are all symptoms of yin deficiency. Their character also tends to become less yin. Some women grow less meek — going out, doing more and standing up for themselves. If they become pathologically yin-deficient, they may become agitated, demanding and shrill. This is all relative, I suppose, based on your perspective or proximity to the person;

The opposite happens with men — their yang decreases and they mellow with age, becoming more yin: easygoing, less confrontational and less combative. It’s a good thing this happens to men, because their partners may be going in the other direction! This certainly isn’t to the point of being pathologically yang deficient; on the contrary, both men and women may feel more centered, balanced and comfortable with themselves and others as they develop more gender-neutral dispositions.

If yang deficiency develops, men may become sexually impotent, thus the multi-million dollar market for Viagra. Getting up at night to go to the bathroom, cold extremities and lower back pain all point to a possible yang deficiency as well. A man’s character may become too mellow, to the point of losing his confidence, becoming listless and apathetic. If he tries to “treat” his boredom with a younger woman, how ironic it would be if he couldn’t “perform.”

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Kidneys

When The theory of yin and yang is used to explain the organic structure of the human body; the physical form pertains to yin, while activities or functions pertain to yang. The physical forms are the material basis for functions, while functions are the motivating power for physical forms. They are mutually complementary. TCM views the kidneys as the center of the body’s yin and yang, the “congenital foundation,” or the origin of life. In other words, the kidneys store the primordial yin and primordial yang (also called kidney yin and yang), which is the place where nutrients are stored and physiological functions take place.

Kidney yin, also called primordial yin, true yin or true water, is the foundation of the yin fluid of the whole body; it moistens and nourishes the organs and tissues.

Kidney yang, also called primordial yang, true yang or true fire, is the foundation of the yang qi of the whole body; it warms and promotes the functions of the organs and tissues.
Kidney yin provides energy for physiological functions while kidney yang promotes storage of kidney yin. Kidney yin and yang are mutually dependent, promoting and restraining each other, leading to an internal harmony of yin and yang, and healthy functioning of the body’s organs. It is the dynamic interaction between the two that maintains the normal life activities. The third chapter of Suwen (The Book of Plain Questions) confirms this by saying, “When yin is stabilized and yang well-conserved, the spirit will be in harmony; separation of yin and yang will cause exhaustion of essence and qi.” This statement implies the mutual relationship of yin and yang.

When imbalance Occurs

When the balance of kidney yin and kidney yang is disrupted, pathological changes take place and illness occurs.

Presentations of kidney yin deficiency include: soreness and weakness of the lumbar regions and knees, dizziness, ringing in the ears, hearing problems, a dry mouth and throat, a hot sensation in the palms, soles and chest, spontaneous sweating, constipation, and seminal emission. The pulse is weak or fine and rapid; the tongue is red and covered with a light coating of fur. Kidney yin deficiency syndrome always produces signs of yin vacuity internal heat.

Presentations of kidney yang deficiency include: soreness or cold sensation in the knees and lumbar regions, aversion to cold, cold limbs, spiritual fatigue, difficulty in urination, enuresis, incontinence, declining libido, or impotence in severe cases; female sterility, and general edema may also appear. The pulse is fine or fine and deep; the tongue is bulky, moist, and covered with white fur. Kidney yang deficiency syndrome always produces signs of yang vacuity internal cold.