Skin aging

Skin aging

Our skin consists of two main layers: the dermis and epidermis.

The dermis is the inner layer of skin that contains nerve fibers, fat cells, blood vessels, sweat and oil glands, and hair follicles.

The dermis also contains collagen and elastin, two proteins that are responsible for the structure and elasticity of the skin itself.

These proteins are subject to the process of aging. The sweat and oil glands in the dermis protect the outer layer of skin with a thin coating of oil and perspiration.
Scientists now believe that the free radical theory of disease also applies to the aging of the skin.

Free radicals are unstable small molecules generated by an oxygen environment which require stabilization by the body's antioxidant system. Free radicals occur throughout every cell in our body simply by virtue of the fact that oxygen is our principal metabolic fuel.

Strong sunlight readily generates free radicals in the skin. Our hands, face, neck, and arms are the areas usually chronically exposed to light. These parts of the body, particularly the face, are where aging of the skin shows up.

The skin protein collagen is particularly susceptible to free radical damage, and when this damage occurs, it causes the collagen protein molecules to break down and then link back up again in a different way; this is known as cross-linking. Collagen cross-linking causes the normally mobile collagen to become stiff and less mobile.

Science clearly substantiates the role that free radicals play in causing skin aging and the fact that topically applied antioxidants confer significant protection and can even partially reverse some aspects of skin aging. Indeed, various animal and human studies have proven that low molecular weight antioxidants, especially vitamins C and E, as well as alpha-lipoic acid exert protective effects against free radical damage (oxidative stress).

How vitamin C protects the skin

Research conducted at the University of Leicester in England, reported this year in the journal Free Radical Biology and Medicine, contributes to the understanding of the mechanisms involved in vitamin C's ability to help heal and protect the skin. The vitamin is an essential cofactor for the synthesis of collagen, the predominant protein in skin and other connective tissue.

Tiago Duarte, Marcus S. Cooke and G. Don Jones previously reported the discovery of the upregulation of DNA repair in vitamin C supplement users. The current research examined gene expression and DNA damage and repair in cultured human skin cells known as dermal fibroblasts (which play a major role in wound healing) that were exposed to derivative of vitamin C.

"The exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation increases in summer, often resulting in a higher incidence of skin lesions," noted Dr Duarte, who is presently affiliated with the Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biology in Portugal. "Ultraviolet radiation is also a genotoxic agent responsible for skin cancer, through the formation of free radicals and DNA damage."

In addition to vitamin C's well known ability to scavenge damaging free radicals, Dr Duarte's team uncovered additional mechanisms for the vitamin in repairing the skin and protecting it from further damage. "Our study analyzed the effect of sustained exposure to a vitamin C derivative, ascorbic acid 2-phosphate, in human dermal fibroblasts,” he explained. “We investigated which genes are activated by vitamin C in these cells, which are responsible for skin regeneration. The results demonstrated that vitamin C may improve wound healing by stimulating quiescent fibroblasts to divide and by promoting their migration into the wounded area. Vitamin C could also protect the skin by increasing the capacity of fibroblasts to repair potentially mutagenic DNA lesions."

"Even though vitamin C was discovered over 70 years ago as the agent that prevents scurvy, its properties are still under much debate in the scientific community," Dr Duarte added. "In fact, the annual meeting of the International Society for Free Radical Biology and Medicine, which will be held this year in San Francisco, will feature a session dedicated to vitamin C, entitled 'New discoveries for an old vitamin'".

"The study indicates a mechanism by which vitamin C could contribute to the maintenance of a healthy skin by promoting wound healing and by protecting cellular DNA against damage caused by oxidation," concluded Dr Cooke, of the University of Leicester's Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine. "These findings of are particular importance to our photobiology interests, and we will certainly be looking into this further".

Soy isoflavones extend life

Soy isoflavones extend life

Soy isoflavones may activate anti-ageing proteins and lead to an extension of life, suggests preliminary research from Newcastle University in the UK.

Scientists at the university’s Human Nutrition Research Centre and Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences at Newcastle University report that the soy isoflavone daidzein may activate a protein called sirtuin1 (Sirt1), previously linked to the regulation of ageing and longevity.

“The concentration of daidzein that elicited [the Sirt1] response (100 mmol) exceeds achievable plasma concentrations but is not unrealistic with respect to local intestinal concentrations following consumption of isoflavone-rich foods or isoflavone supplements,” wrote the researchers in Nutrition Bulletin.

“The long life expectancy and healthy ageing observed in the inhabitants of Okinawa Island in Japan, who in past years consumed a low-energy diet, is often cited as evidence supporting a longevity effect of energy restriction in humans,” they added.
“It is of interest to note that soya provided the principal source of protein in this diet, raising the possibility that some beneficial effects of the diet relevant to healthy ageing and long lifespan may, speculatively, have been the result of soybean isoflavones potentiating effects mediated through the activity of Sirt1.”

Despite these feasible links, the researchers stressed that “extensive further investigation is required to confirm such effects”.

Less is more

Calorie restriction, while avoiding malnutrition, has already been reported to extend lives and reduce the risk of chronic disease in certain species, including monkeys.
Scientists from the University of Wisconsin-Madison published findings in Science showing that 80 per cent of rhesus monkeys who consumed a calorie restricted diet were still alive after 20 years, compared to only 50 per cent of control animals who ate freely.

Certain compounds found in the diet may also activate Sirt1, with the most focus being on resveratrol, a polyphenol found in red wine. David Sinclair and his team from Harvard reported in Nature in 2003 that resveratrol increased the survival of yeast cells.

Hints towards soy’s potential

Laura Ions, Luisa Wakeling and Dianne Ford from Newcastle University report that early observations from their work indicate that soy isoflavones may share many of the functional properties of resveratrol, “and so highlight the potential for a diet rich in these compounds to promote healthy ageing”.

According to the researchers, isoflavones and resveratrol share a degree of structural similarity. They have also been reported to have effects on DNA methylation.
“A recent report providing evidence that daidzein can increase Sirt1 activity suggests to us that the isoflavones may potentially increase DNA methylation through the same hypothetical mechanism we propose for effects of resveratrol and energy restriction - that is, through the removal of acetyl groups from histone proteins by the activity of Sirt1,” wrote the researchers.

“Our preliminary data lend some support to such a mechanism, but extensive further investigation is required to confirm such effects and to elucidate in detail the underlying mechanisms before giving dietary advice concerning potential beneficial effects of soya consumption outwith its probable cardioprotective effect,” they concluded.

The study was supported by an Alpro Foundation Masters Award (UK) and the BBSRC.
Source: Nutrition BulletinSeptember 2009, Volume 34, Issue 3, Pages 303-308, doi: 10.1111/j.1467-3010.2009.01764.x“Can soyabean isoflavones mimic the effects of energy restriction on healthy ageing?”Authors: L. Ions, L. Wakeling, D. Ford

Resveratrol Anti-Aging Benefits

Resveratrol Anti-Aging Benefits

It seems everyone is trying to find ways to look younger and fight off the signs of aging. There are many products on the market that are made specifically as anti aging tools. These creams, serums and other beauty items may work, but they come at a rather high cost. There is an easier method of natural anti aging. Resveratrol anti aging is a natural approach where you can use nature's own anti oxidant compound to keep your youthful appearance.

What is This Natural Anti Aging Product?

Resveratrol comes from plants and has strong antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are proven to help fight the signs of aging. It is found mainly is the skins of grapes and in other berries. Getting this substance into your diet is not difficult. However, there is some controversy about the best way to get resveratrol's benefits. There are two main ways that you can start to use resveratrol anti aging properties, supplements and wine.

Supplements or Wine?

There is a lot of research going into figuring out how best to get the resveratrol anti aging benefits. The best natural source of the substance is through consuming grapes or drinking wine. It is usually suggested that the best way to get helpful substances of any kind is through the natural source because this guarantees that you are getting a completely natural product that is 100% healthy and safe.

Of course, there are some drawbacks to getting resveratrol through wine. Wine can be expensive. It is not something that you can always have access to. Wine also contains alcohol so it is not suitable for all people.

Additionally, due to the alcohol content it is not convenient to drink wine whenever you want to. There is also concern that getting resveratrol through wine may not allow you get the maximum benefits due to improper absorption in the body.

A supplement form is much easier to take and a more convenient way to get the substance. Supplements also allow your body to absorb more of the antioxidant and therefore, give you maximum benefits that you may not get from wine. Also supplements offer a consistent level of the substance where as the resveratrol content in wine varies widely.

Safe Supplement

Resveratrol anti aging supplements have been shown in studies so far to be safe. They do not have any harmful side effects and have been proven to provide the maximum benefits of its anti aging properties to those who regularly take the supplements.

If you are tired of using creams, serums and special beauty tools to fight the signs of aging then a resveratrol anti aging supplement may just be the solution. You can easily take a daily supplement when you take your daily vitamin.

It is not evasive and it is simple to do. You can fight aging without having to slather your face with anything or use any beauty tool. All it takes is a simple supplement and you are naturally fighting aging and retaining your youthful look.

A glass of wine

Historically, the people of France have had a rich diet filled with dense foods such as meats, cheeses and sauces.

In fact, the traditional French diet is not what modern medical professionals would consider heart healthy.

However, they are also known to have red wine with their meals. And in spite of their rich diet, the French have fewer cases of heart disease than the average for the developed world. It is believed that the wine is a major player in protecting their hearts.

Wine, in particular certain types of red wine, contain a number of antioxidants. There are two types of antioxidants, flavonoids and nonflavonoids. Flavonoids are found in many foods, including apples, tea and cocoa as well as alcoholic beverages such as white wine and beer.

However, red wine has higher levels of flavonoids. Nonflavonoids are also found found in red wine and appear to have heart healthy properties.
The nonflavonoid that appears most promising for heart health and prevention of various other ailments is called resveratrol. It has captured the attention of researchers because of its fat blocking properties, among others. Resveratrol is a phytochemical that some studies link to increases in HDL or “good” cholesterol levels. It may also improve the lining of arteries to reduce the buildup of fat blockages.

While all wine contains some level of resveratrol, certain wines have a higher concentration than the others. The wines with the highest level of this chemical are red wines, particularly Spanish made reds such as Alemany I Corrio Sot Lefriec.

In fact, Spanish made grape juice has higher levels of resveratrol in wine from other parts of the world. Other red wines from around the world contain more of this antioxidant than white wines and some resveratrol rich foods.

Until now, studies of resveratrol in wine has been done primarily on laboratory mice. Research indicates that this chemical may have additional health benefits including reducing the risk of diabetes and obesity, two strong indicators for heart disease. Unfortunately, for a person to receive the same amount of resveratrol as the research mice in these studies, they would have to drink between 100 and 1,000 bottles of red wine daily. However, this important antioxidant may still be effective in smaller doses.

If you enjoy a glass of red wine with your evening meal, this is good news. If not, doctors do not advise that you take up drinking. And, of course, all drinking should be done in careful moderation.

If you do not drink, you can gain many of the same health benefits of resveratrol in wine by eating common foods that also contain this chemical. These foods include grapes and peanuts.

Maintaining heart health becomes more important as you age, so now is the time to start considering your options. Resveratrol in wine form, in food or in supplements is one part of the puzzle.

This puzzle also includes a diet filled with fresh, healthy foods and plenty of exercise. In this way, resveratrol is not a miracle compound. It is simply and important part of the overall picture for maintaining good health.

Weight Loss with Green Tea

Weight Loss with Green Tea

Losing weight has been a worldwide concern today that many are in search for the most reliable and safest ways of shredding body fats and thereby achieving optimum health and great physical conditions.

But since most of the faster commercial ways of losing weight has had known adverse side effects, many individuals are relying more and more on the more natural and safer methods of losing weight.

Drinking green tea is among those tried and tested way, whereby individual dieters can opt to do to achieve their weight loss objective.

Green tea extracts have been found to be an effective agent for reducing weight. Despite its caffeine content, the good polyphenol content of green tea balances the effect of too much caffeine intake due to frequent green tea intake.

Researches conducted about the benefits of green tea tea intake have been carried on worldwide but most specifically in China and Japan. Among the findings of these researches conducted through the years, the beneficial effect of green tea on weight loss has been greatly highlighted.

This weight loss benefits was attribute to the polyphenol contents of most tea leaves. Polyphenol are substance that serve as antioxidants, anticancer and antiviral. In the case of green tea leaves, there is a predominant existence of a polyphenol called catechins, a good substance which triggers the body to burn calories faster which in turn promotes faster reduction of body fats. This weight loss reduction benefits are manifested in various ways and means.

One of the ways by which green tea affects weight loss is by speeding up metabolism. By boosting metabolism, calories are easily burned and most of these calories are not stored in the body as retained fat, hence preventing weight gain.

So even if a person eat high calorie food, and drink green tea afterward, most of these calories can be burned by green tea, hence making sure that ample supply of calories is retained in the body.

Another way by which green tea promotes weight loss is by regulating glucose intake after eating. When glucose intake shoots up after meal, this promotes fat storage. But with green tea intake after meal, fat storage is effectively reduced by regulating the movement of glucose into fat cells. Green tea slows down the action of the enzyme called amylase which is aids in breaking down starches or carbs. Once this starches are active. Blood sugar after meal rises.

Also, green tea affects weight loss by reducing appetite. Since blood sugar is regulated when eating, a person's appetite is greatly reduced because of this. Lastly, many drinkers may have not noticed it, but substituting green tea for their regular caffeine dose through regular coffee, they are reducing their sugar intake and hence freeing their body system with a good amount of calories which are later on converted into body fats.

Aside from these ways by which green tea affects weight loss, it should also be emphasized that green tea is natural product and contains no artificial ingredients. Because of this, our body system will have no problem digesting it and utilizing its nutritional value. The antioxidant characteristics of green tea make it a very beneficial drink for everyone.

Despite these benefits, there are still other non-believers who are worried of the caffeine contents of green tea and think that too much of green tea might lead to caffeine overdose. Luckily for these non-believers, green tea, if taken in moderation and in regular intervals has no side effects on the body, whatsoever. The caffeine content of green tea is offset by its nutritional value and antioxidant characteristics.

So, green tea is a proven safe way and that should be incorporated into everyone's diet. It is good for both the diet and health conscious individuals. Green tea can either be taken in its natural form or through variants such such green tea patches and ready made green tea drinks. But then of course, green tea should just be used as a supplemental aid in achieving diet loss. Proper and controlled diet, coupled with a good regular exercise plan should also be practiced in order to achieve that unreachable weight loss goal.

Health Benefits of Green Tea - The following healthy benefits may be gained from a daily dose of green tea:

Circulatory & Blood Benefits from Green Tea:

Green tea may lower blood sugar levels, high blood pressure and bad cholesterol. Green tea may also reduce the risk of blood clots, strokes, heart disease, and heart attack.

Physical, Muscular & Skeletal Benefits of Green Tea:

Green tea may help prevent arthritis. May increase metabolism and accelerate weight loss. It may also slow the aging process and boost immunity. Green tea may also be useful in fighting infections.

Oral Health Benefits from Green Tea:

Green tea may help reduce cavities and prevent tooth decay. Gargling with green tea may help ward off flu viruses.
Green tea may also help prevent some types of cancers, as well as prevent certain diseases. It truly is one of the superheroes in the Beverage World as we know it.

Finally, green tea - as well as all teas, are natural, calorie free, fat free - as long as you don't add milk, sugar, honey, cream, artificial flavorings - etc. Tea is delicious and makes a great beverage whether hot or cold. And green tea, as well as oolong tea, just might help boost metabolism, burn fat and assist you in dropping pounds

Sprint Workout: Antiaging Fitness

Sprint Workout: Antiaging Fitness

If you are over 30, you are likely experiencing somatopause!
Somatopause is the medical term for the weight gain, loss of muscle, energy decline and wrinkled skin you experience when you hit middle age.
To combat somatopause, medical researchers say people must incorporate anaerobic exercise into their weekly fitness routine.
Anaerobic exercise programs, such as SPRINT WORKOUT, help you release your fitness hormone

Researchers show that high-intensity, anaerobic fitness training makes the body produce anti-aging, anti-MIDDLE-aging, athletic performance improving growth hormone NATURALLY.(Impact of acute exercise intensity on pulsatile growth hormone release in men, 2000, Pritzlaff).

This workout is perfect for time-crunched adults because it only takes 20-minutes.
In the truest form, the Sprint Workout means you progressively run 10 sprints for 60 meters (70 yards) in 8 – 15 seconds with a 1.5 to 2 minute walk-back recovery between the sprints.

Running is just one of the ways you can perform the Sprint Workout.

You can do SPRINT WORKOUT with any aerobic activity: swimming, running, rowing, cycling—you name it. After a three-minute warm-up, start a series of eight 30-second intervals.
Prep your muscles for the pace with the first three, then push yourself as hard as possible through the rest.
"If you can keep charging past 30 seconds, you aren't trying hard enough," says Sprint Workout trainer Phil Campbell.

Between each sprint, slow to an easy pace for 90 seconds, to fully recover for the next one. Finish with a couple minutes of easy work.
For the best results, do a series every other day so your body has time off.
If you don't currently have an exercise routine, Campbell suggests you start with at least three weeks of moderate sprints to strengthen your joints' connective tissue and to prep the muscles for full-bore exertion.

Injury Prevention

It's important to spend at least 6 to 8 weeks progressively building up to the Sprint Workout, and warm-up before every workout. And it's always a good idea to obtain physician clearance prior to beginning a fitness program.

THERE ARE MANY WAYS to accomplish the Sprint Workout.

Dr. Steve Kail and many others, report that the recumbent bike is a great way for those with bad knees to do the Sprint Workout.
It’s a good idea to pedal for 2 minutes to get your rhythm and warm-up prior to the first sprint. Then sprint/pedal hard for 20 - 30 seconds with 1.5 – 2 minutes slow-pedal recovery between the 10 sprints.

Swimming, biking, XC skiing, even power-walking up an elevated driveway will do the job, if it will get you winded. There are many ways to perform the Sprint Workout.

Be creative!

The SPRINT WORKOUT program consists of FIVE minutes of sprint intervals* - broken out into TEN, quick 30-second segments - and 20 minutes of "active rest."

The program includes the following phases:
The warm-up period gradually increases your heart rate, respiration and the blood flow to working muscles. The warm-up is controlled by the user to meet their specific needs.

Interval training starts immediately after the warm-up with a 30-second sprint interval. Nine recovery intervals of one minute and 30 seconds will alternate with the ten 30-second sprint intervals.

The cool-down period helps return your body's systems to resting levels.
Less demand is placed on your heart during recovery if an appropriate cool-down takes place following the exercise.