Chronic stress is the greatest ageing accelerator of all. And far too many of us are possibly speeding up our aging clocks as we sweat it out over the status of the economy.
Women, it seems are particularly vulnerable, because they tend to be more worried than men over financial issues. Women also frown more when we're anxious, and these muscle movements bend the skin like cardboard.
What's worse, chronic stress damages the inner lining of the arteries, causing the vessels to constrict; this, in turn, makes the skin shrivel creating wrinkles. But activities that reduce stress - coffee with friends, yoga, meditation, running, aerobic exercise - certainly can help protect your arteries and keep your skin supple.
Also, wearing sunscreen with zinc oxide and avoiding smoking are key to guarding against wrinkle-producing inflammation caused by too much sun or by tobacco. And getting adequate sleep stimulates growth hormone, promoting the production of collagen and elastin to keep your skin firm and taut.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
Nutrients to fight ageing process
As we age it seems inevitable that poor health follows. However, research in aging shows that by adopting healthy lifestyles and incorporating nutritional and herbal supplements, we are able to influence the ageing process and keep the age-related disease at bay.
Age related disease include impaired vision, dementia, heart disease and osteoarthritis that make us age and die before our time.
A growing body of evidence is pointing to an imbalance of free radicals as the cause of our health woes.
Free radicals are highly unstable molecules produced in our body as a by-product of oxidation. It is estimated that on a daily basis each human cell is subjected to at least 10,000 damaging "hits" from free radicals.
Normally, the body can repair the damage by using its own supply of enzymes and nutrients from the diet, but as we get older, this intrinsic ability to repair our cells is reduced.
Apart from this, our lifestyle factors such as poor diet, stress, exposure to pollutants and toxins, lack of exercise and disease further impair the healthy reproduction and repair of cellular tissue.
Heart Disease
Cardiovascular risk increases with age possibly due to wear and tear. Men are at greater risk of developing heart disase at an earlier age compared to women.
This is attributed to the protective effect of the female hormone-estrogen against heart disase until menopause when the risk becomes the same.South Asians, in particular Indians, have a higher risk compared to other ethnic groups.
Our heart derives at least two-thirds of its energy from fat in the form of free fatty acids. Free fatty acids are the preferred fuel as energy for the heart to pump effectively. In order to utilise this fuel, a transport system is required to usher the fatty acids into the mitochondria (power-house of cells) for burning. This is where L-carnitine, the transporter of fat is needed.
L-carnithine's crucial role is the support of oxidation of these free fatty acids in the mitochondria to improve oxygen utilisation and energy production by the heart muscles.
A deficiency in L-carnithine can cause a lack of oxygen in heart muscle that leads to angina (chest pains) and heart disease.
L-carnithine helps in faster recovery from a heart attack. Studies show that L-carnithine elevates good HDL cholesterol, reduce triglycerides and lowers blood pressure in hypertension.
L-carnithine is a powerful antioxidant and free radical scavenger that prevents cells from damage or death when faced with free radicals.
A powerful antioxidant found in the mitochondria is the enzyme CoQ10. CoQ10 also contributes to the body's production of energy and protects LDL cholesterol from oxidation.
Osteoarthritis
Another distressing problem of old age is arthritis or inflammation of the joints. Osteaarthritis is also known as "degenerative joint disease" where the joint cartilage degenrates, causing pain and stiffness.
The body parts that are more commonly afflicted are the hands, feet, knees and hips and to a lesser degree the ankles. Between the cartilage are sealed cavities filled with synovial fluid, which lubricates the joints.
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that the free radical activity on the lipids of cell membranes causes the synovial fluid to lose its lubricating properties.
Free radicals also promote the release of "bad" prostaglandins, which are short-acting chemicals that cause pain, swelling and inflammation. These pathological changes eventually lead to damage in the joints.
Clinical trials in Britain have found that approximately 80% of arthritis sufferers found significant relief from pain, reduced inflammation and swelling by taking a combination of beta-carotene, vitamin C,E, zinc together with selenium.
Age related disease include impaired vision, dementia, heart disease and osteoarthritis that make us age and die before our time.
A growing body of evidence is pointing to an imbalance of free radicals as the cause of our health woes.
Free radicals are highly unstable molecules produced in our body as a by-product of oxidation. It is estimated that on a daily basis each human cell is subjected to at least 10,000 damaging "hits" from free radicals.
Normally, the body can repair the damage by using its own supply of enzymes and nutrients from the diet, but as we get older, this intrinsic ability to repair our cells is reduced.
Apart from this, our lifestyle factors such as poor diet, stress, exposure to pollutants and toxins, lack of exercise and disease further impair the healthy reproduction and repair of cellular tissue.
Heart Disease
Cardiovascular risk increases with age possibly due to wear and tear. Men are at greater risk of developing heart disase at an earlier age compared to women.
This is attributed to the protective effect of the female hormone-estrogen against heart disase until menopause when the risk becomes the same.South Asians, in particular Indians, have a higher risk compared to other ethnic groups.
Our heart derives at least two-thirds of its energy from fat in the form of free fatty acids. Free fatty acids are the preferred fuel as energy for the heart to pump effectively. In order to utilise this fuel, a transport system is required to usher the fatty acids into the mitochondria (power-house of cells) for burning. This is where L-carnitine, the transporter of fat is needed.
L-carnithine's crucial role is the support of oxidation of these free fatty acids in the mitochondria to improve oxygen utilisation and energy production by the heart muscles.
A deficiency in L-carnithine can cause a lack of oxygen in heart muscle that leads to angina (chest pains) and heart disease.
L-carnithine helps in faster recovery from a heart attack. Studies show that L-carnithine elevates good HDL cholesterol, reduce triglycerides and lowers blood pressure in hypertension.
L-carnithine is a powerful antioxidant and free radical scavenger that prevents cells from damage or death when faced with free radicals.
A powerful antioxidant found in the mitochondria is the enzyme CoQ10. CoQ10 also contributes to the body's production of energy and protects LDL cholesterol from oxidation.
Osteoarthritis
Another distressing problem of old age is arthritis or inflammation of the joints. Osteaarthritis is also known as "degenerative joint disease" where the joint cartilage degenrates, causing pain and stiffness.
The body parts that are more commonly afflicted are the hands, feet, knees and hips and to a lesser degree the ankles. Between the cartilage are sealed cavities filled with synovial fluid, which lubricates the joints.
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that the free radical activity on the lipids of cell membranes causes the synovial fluid to lose its lubricating properties.
Free radicals also promote the release of "bad" prostaglandins, which are short-acting chemicals that cause pain, swelling and inflammation. These pathological changes eventually lead to damage in the joints.
Clinical trials in Britain have found that approximately 80% of arthritis sufferers found significant relief from pain, reduced inflammation and swelling by taking a combination of beta-carotene, vitamin C,E, zinc together with selenium.
How to "Age-Proof" your skin?
antioxidants,crow's feet,There is no denying the fact that we would all rather stay young and look young for as long as possible, even as we are aging day by day. But we know very well that we can't turn back time, or even stop it.
However, there are ways to slow down the aging process and maintain youthful-looking skin. Before that, let's try to understand our skin better by taking a look at the major changes our skin undergoes throughout the years.
At age 30, the renewal of our skin cells begin to slow down and it may cause our skin to look dull.
At age 40, our skin begins to discolour and moles begin to appear. We may notice some fine lines on our face with crow's feet appearing around our eyes.
At age 50, the lines on our skin become more prominent and the texture of our skin become drier.
At age 60, we may discover fat pockets forming under our eyes. The skin on our face loses its elasticity and lines are more pronounced.
At age 70 and beyond, as our skin continues to age, it becomes thinner and more fragile.
There are other factors that cause our skin to age faster, such as sun exposure, stress,lack of exercise, poor diet,dehydration and environmental pollution.
Also, did you know that our skin is actually a reflection of how healthy we are on the inside? This means that the key to maintaining a healthy, youthful apperance begins from the inside.
What we eat affects our skin
It is important that we eat food which is rich in antioxidants so that our cells are kept healthy. Healthy cells are vital in maintaining youthful skin. So the key to "age-proofing" our skin is to adopt a diet that gives us a well-balanced combination of antioxidants such as beta-carotene, Vitamin C and E, lycopene and selenium.
Whole grains, tomatoes, grapes, citrus fruits, vegetables and fish oil are rich in antioxidants that provide optimal cell protection. When we are well nourished on the inside, we will look more radiant and youthful on the outside!
However, there are ways to slow down the aging process and maintain youthful-looking skin. Before that, let's try to understand our skin better by taking a look at the major changes our skin undergoes throughout the years.
At age 30, the renewal of our skin cells begin to slow down and it may cause our skin to look dull.
At age 40, our skin begins to discolour and moles begin to appear. We may notice some fine lines on our face with crow's feet appearing around our eyes.
At age 50, the lines on our skin become more prominent and the texture of our skin become drier.
At age 60, we may discover fat pockets forming under our eyes. The skin on our face loses its elasticity and lines are more pronounced.
At age 70 and beyond, as our skin continues to age, it becomes thinner and more fragile.
There are other factors that cause our skin to age faster, such as sun exposure, stress,lack of exercise, poor diet,dehydration and environmental pollution.
Also, did you know that our skin is actually a reflection of how healthy we are on the inside? This means that the key to maintaining a healthy, youthful apperance begins from the inside.
What we eat affects our skin
It is important that we eat food which is rich in antioxidants so that our cells are kept healthy. Healthy cells are vital in maintaining youthful skin. So the key to "age-proofing" our skin is to adopt a diet that gives us a well-balanced combination of antioxidants such as beta-carotene, Vitamin C and E, lycopene and selenium.
Whole grains, tomatoes, grapes, citrus fruits, vegetables and fish oil are rich in antioxidants that provide optimal cell protection. When we are well nourished on the inside, we will look more radiant and youthful on the outside!
Managing Your Weight
As people age, they often accumulate excess body fat. Weight gain not only create cosmetic problems, but it can also contribute to disorders such as Type II diabetes, heart problems, knee pains, sexual dysfunction and even cancer.
Carrying extra kilos has a profound impact on our health and well-being. The most devastating emotional impact comes from the frustration of continued dieting wihtout success or ending up heavier after a diet. Fortunately, physicists discovered several nutrients that play an essential role in the metabolism of fat and carbohydrates in managing weight successfully.
Essential Nutrient #1 : L-Carnitine
L-Carnitine is an essential nutrient in the fat burning process. It functions like a forklift, picking up fat and dropping them into the energy production factory known as the mitochondria; where fat is burned off to release energy. Without L-Carnitine, fat cannot enter the mitochondria to be burned off. This makes L-Carnitine a crucial nutrient in the way our body metabolizes fat. Wihtout sufficient L-Carnitine, fat will not be metabolized effectively and will be store as body fat.
In the book entitled "The Carnitine Miracle" author Robert Crayhon wrote that 'L-Carnitine is the best nutrient there is for promoting weight loss' and advocates that anyone seeking to lose body fat must include carnitine as part of their dieting program.
Red meat is the best source of carnitine with mutton and lamb having the highest levels of carnitine.
For the body to effectively convert fat into energy, we need to consume at least 1000mg to 4000 mg of L-Carnitine daily.
For anyone who does not want to consume large amounts of red meat - which is the only significant source of L-Carnitine - this makes supplementation a preferred choice.
Essential Nutrient #2 : Pantothenic Acid
Pantothenic acid, most commonly known as Vitamin B5 plays a very important role in the complete metabolism of sugar, starches and fats. Incomplete metabolism of these components will result in it being deposited as fat in the body. For the body to effectively metabolize sugar, starches and fats, it is recommended that we consume at least 40mg to 80mg of pantothenic acid daily either through food or through supplementation.
Food that is rich in pantothenic acids (Vitamin B5) are mushrooms, cauliflowers, brocoli and sunflower seeds. The synergistic effect of taking L-Carnitine and Pantothenic Acid.
To see any significant effect in energy levels and weight loss, a person will need to consume at least 1000mg to 4000mg of L-Carnitine per day and 40mg to 80mg of Pantothenic Acid daily.
Both L-Carnitine and pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5) will work synergistically together to metabolize fat and carbohydrates to energy preventing its conversion to fat deposits in the body.
Carrying extra kilos has a profound impact on our health and well-being. The most devastating emotional impact comes from the frustration of continued dieting wihtout success or ending up heavier after a diet. Fortunately, physicists discovered several nutrients that play an essential role in the metabolism of fat and carbohydrates in managing weight successfully.
Essential Nutrient #1 : L-Carnitine
L-Carnitine is an essential nutrient in the fat burning process. It functions like a forklift, picking up fat and dropping them into the energy production factory known as the mitochondria; where fat is burned off to release energy. Without L-Carnitine, fat cannot enter the mitochondria to be burned off. This makes L-Carnitine a crucial nutrient in the way our body metabolizes fat. Wihtout sufficient L-Carnitine, fat will not be metabolized effectively and will be store as body fat.
In the book entitled "The Carnitine Miracle" author Robert Crayhon wrote that 'L-Carnitine is the best nutrient there is for promoting weight loss' and advocates that anyone seeking to lose body fat must include carnitine as part of their dieting program.
Red meat is the best source of carnitine with mutton and lamb having the highest levels of carnitine.
For the body to effectively convert fat into energy, we need to consume at least 1000mg to 4000 mg of L-Carnitine daily.
For anyone who does not want to consume large amounts of red meat - which is the only significant source of L-Carnitine - this makes supplementation a preferred choice.
Essential Nutrient #2 : Pantothenic Acid
Pantothenic acid, most commonly known as Vitamin B5 plays a very important role in the complete metabolism of sugar, starches and fats. Incomplete metabolism of these components will result in it being deposited as fat in the body. For the body to effectively metabolize sugar, starches and fats, it is recommended that we consume at least 40mg to 80mg of pantothenic acid daily either through food or through supplementation.
Food that is rich in pantothenic acids (Vitamin B5) are mushrooms, cauliflowers, brocoli and sunflower seeds. The synergistic effect of taking L-Carnitine and Pantothenic Acid.
To see any significant effect in energy levels and weight loss, a person will need to consume at least 1000mg to 4000mg of L-Carnitine per day and 40mg to 80mg of Pantothenic Acid daily.
Both L-Carnitine and pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5) will work synergistically together to metabolize fat and carbohydrates to energy preventing its conversion to fat deposits in the body.
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