With these two precious ingredients we enter the dominion of fire. They both are the most pleasant substances in gastronomy, we cannot do without salt, but we do not have to forget that they dry up and burn food. Think of the preservation of food under salt; it is a precious technique, but it will never equal the capacity of the sun in this field. No meat dried under salt will ever have scents and flavors comparable to sun dried meat. No cod under salt will ever compare to fish dried by the air. Also, prosciutto are better when they are produced through adequate ageing, rather than an excess of salt. Salt and vinegar represent the extreme limits in the range of flavors, an analogous extremity, since vinegar also has a salted background flavor. This background flavor is clearly perceived in fish soups with vinegar. In the dish you will not perceive the vinegar, but a salted accent instead.

We use them sparingly

These extreme flavors can be overwhelming to some palates, and to their honor I propose the beef steak with salt and vinegar: grill the meat and dress it with romarin, balsamic aceto, and coarse salt before serving. A good culinary rule of thumb, however, holds that salt and vinegar must be used sparingly. Their flavor should lend strength to a dish, but never dominate it. Too much of either can ruin a meal, so err on the side of caution because you can always add more later. If you feel your dish lacks flavor, use other spices and herbs to help flesh it out.

Salt: fine or coarse

Too often the quality of salt and vinegar are neglected and two different products are assumed to be the same. This is a big mistake. The flavor of salt varies if crude or refined, its yield in a dish varies depending on its grain size. French ocean salt, rather moist, is surely the best one to give flavor to raw dishes, but it is not always easy to find in our stores. To cook instead it is better to use a more refined salt, very dry, since it is saltier and small amounts are enough. On salads less refined salt is recommended.

Salt, a precious good

Salt is one of the most diffused minerals on the planet, but the difficulties connected to supplying it in ancient times, rendered it a precious good to which were attributed symbolic and important meanings. Hospitality, one of the most sacred practices, was made legitimate by the ritual of the partitioning of the salt with the host in all of Mediterranean East, Japan and ancient Greece. Still today it is a widely held belief that spilling salt brings misfortune. A pinch of salt is then thrown over the left shoulder, in order to hit the demons who are behind the back. Leonardo da Vinci painted a salt container turned upside down under the elbow of Judas in his painting, the Last supper.

Vinegar

When speaking of quality, vinegar is the big unknown. The product of wine fermentation, but also of fruit, cereal, malt and honey, vinegar is often made with the poorest raw materials like, for example, wine gone bad. This is a big mistake, especially considering that vinegar is not a necessary food for a balanced diet, but a condiment of pleasant and particular feelings. Therefore it must be of good or excellent quality. It cannot be made with poor wine, since the flavor of the wine remains in the vinegar. Fortunately, some manufacturers have understood it and very good vinegars can be found in the markets. The balsamic vinegars fermented naturally and aged for five years in small barrels of various woods, one for every year of aging; chestnut, cherry, mulberry, ash and often juniper to confer the characteristic scent, are a good example. Other vinegars are based on the extraordinary quality of the starting wine to become true gastronomic wonders. Also interesting are the aromatized vinegars: raspberry, blueberry, apple, scallion, and many the others. To be good these need excellent raw materials, fruits and herbs perfumed, not to be aromatized with extracts, therefore the good ones are relatively expensive. But if you like to use vinegar choose a good bottle, or banish it from your kitchen.

No vinegar on salads

Do not put vinegar on green salad since it cooks it and takes away all of its scent. Abandon this bad habit. Take a tender green salad and season it with a fruity olive oil and you will taste the difference. Vinegar must be used mainly for sauces. Always make it to evaporate well so that the best aroma is felt. In salads vinegar is used when it recalls the flavor of one of the ingredients, as an example only put some drops of a raspberry aromatized vinegar in a salad containing raspberries. Pure acetic acid on a salad or, even worse, on tomatoes that are already acidic in their own right, ruins a gift of nature.

About The Author

David Russo, VMD, PhD

Veterinary Scientist, Gourmet Lover and Amateur Cook

http://www.high-net-worth-gourmet.com

718 8247308

dgrusso@verizon.net

Technorati Tags: extreme aging

Better Aging
 by: Susan Dunn

My friend who retired last year from years on Wall Street tells me, “I have to watch very carefully how I spend my money. I don’t know how to do anything.”

One of the reasons people find retirement challenging, is also the solution to the problem of better aging: we identify with roles in our lives. Worse than that, we enjoy them. They’re what our life is all about or we wouldn’t have been doing them in the first place.

Now my friend certainly knows how to do things. He can cook his breakfast, he’s an attentive father, he knows how to mow the lawn. But to his way of thinking, now that he’s no longer a broker, he “doesn’t know how to do anything.”

Whether it’s being a manager, a doctor, or a mother, a recent study confirms we do best when have control over roles we value, and that this is more important than a sense of control over life itself. ["Role-Specific Feelings of Control and Mortality," Neal Krause, Ph.D., and Benjamin A. Shaw, Ph.D.; Psychology and Aging, Vol. 15, No. 4.]

What does this mean to you and me on a daily basis?

In the study, conducted over 6-7 years, participants were asked to name the roles they valued most in their lives, including such things as parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle, friend, homemaker, provider, volunteer work, church member, etc.

In the follow-up study it was found that participants who were able to maintain a sense of control over the role most important to them were less likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors (smoking, drinking, obesity) and less likely to die prematurely. And, the research found, it was only the most important valued role that correlated with decline, not choices two and three.

By “having a sense of control,” I imagine they mean being able to continue doing that. I also would imagine, unless your life has been different of mine, there’s no sense assuming control over life in general. You’ve learned that by now!

Your most-valued role amounts to why you like being alive, or what makes life worth living. In other words, what matters to you.

The researchers suggest that psychological coping abilities “decline” with age. I suggest they can be bolstered, even increase by studying EQ, and a look ahead is an emotionally intelligent thing to do.

In my coaching work with clients in transition, the “transition” often amounts to the fact they’ve lost or been ousted from a role they enjoyed. Some were fired, some forced into retirement, others lost children prematurely, others are between parenting and grand parenting, and not “needed” by anyone in that special nurturing role.

How can you cope better? While life is about losses, it is equally about gains and wins. While you may be dumb-founded by an immediate loss, with time and Emotional Intelligence competencies, you can make the next step and find a new role. Resilience is one of the many EQ competencies and it means being able to bounce back after loss, failure, and defeat, while remaining hopeful and enthusiastic.

Somewhere there’s a baby crying … a group that needs managing … an account that needs balancing. How you define your role is up to you. It’s personal choice and that’s what EQ is all about. You may no longer run Coca-Cola, but you can run the volunteer department of the local children’s shelter.

We’re so busy when we’re young, and so many of the roles are proscribed, we can forget it’s an open and flexible system.

Lamenting my “last baby,” I was reminded by an older friend that she went weekly to the neonatal unit at the hospital and sat and rocked the newborns.

On a recent flight to Seattle, I met an 80 year old woman with her foster baby. She took newborns to their adoptive parents, usually a plane ride. There she was with infant seat, bottles, diaper bag, and the whole thing. How she did it physically I don’t know. It must’ve been the drive of her heart, the satisfaction she got, and the physical condition she had to be in to do it. The heart will motivate.

Emotional Intelligence involves flexibility and being able to generate new solutions. Just as the teenager must one day have her first job, you will one day have to move into new territory. Re-creating roles is one thing you can do for better aging. If you are “stuck” on a certain definition and in the “yes, but” mode, consider something different.

CLIENT: I miss so much being a mother.

ME: Then go mother someone.

CLIENT: That’s not the same thing. That’s not being their REAL mother.

ME: Says who?

I have had, when working at the children’s shelter, a child tell me, “I know you’re my real mom.” Yes, it’s heart-rending. Yes, that’s part of it. Wasn’t it part of it the first time round?

As a volunteer director, I relied on many people who were starting new roles, and the more they considered it their job, their real job, the more helpful they were to me.

Managing the kitchen of the shelter can be as much a real management job as you make it, and if you think it isn’t “real” and isn’t needed, on what do you base your judgment? Does money have to change hands? There are other things to work for, and other rewards, and if being important is one of them, you will, if anything, be more important, because many volunteers call in at the slightest whim to cancel, or don’t show up at all. They don’t take it seriously. Taking things seriously is a personal decision and totally within your control.

Molly has “adopted” her niece and nephew by-marriage, who are very young and going through some very difficult times. Notice these people are not even related to her. With a newborn in the house, their toddler has been diagnosed with a heart defect, possibly terminal, and requiring lots of care, while one of their parents is also dying. No one told them Molly wasn’t their mother. And believe me, no one asked for her credentials when she showed up at the door of this overwhelmed young couple.

Somewhere there’s someone who needs you in the role you value most, and if you haven’t found them, you’re being lazy. Don’t be lazy. You’re needed. Get out there!

About The Author

© Susan Dunn, MA, Coach, http://www.susandunn.cc. Coaching, Internet courses and ebooks around emotional intelligence for your personal and professional development. For FREE EQ ezine, mailto:sdunn@susandunn.cc with “ezine” for subject line. I train and certify EQ coaches. Email me for information on this fast, affordable, comprehensive, no-residency program.

Technorati Tags: department of aging

Uses and Benefits of Acetyl L Carnitine
 by: Raj Khatri

Carnitine Nutrition can play an important role in promoting brain wellness. The older we are, the more likely we are to suffer from cognitive loss. While some survive into their sixth and seventh decades with good mental function, this becomes less likely as we age further. Decline is almost universal in at least one cognitive area among those over .

Certain nutrients have also undergone examination for their role in promoting brain health in older adults. One of the most extensively researched nutrients for its role in promoting brain wellness is Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR). ALCAR has demonstrated marked positive effects on brain aging, both from a preventive and therapeutic standpoint.

There is also a great deal of evidence that age-related memory loss is cholinergic in nature. Therefore, maintaining healthy acetylcholine levels must be the centerpiece of any brain antiaging strategy. ALCAR levels decline markedly as we age, even in healthy adults. Restoring ALCAR levels to those seen in twenty-year olds may be desirable for older adults. Declining ALCAR levels may in fact be one of the causes of the cognitive decline seen with aging.

What other benefits does carnitine have?

Improved cognitive function – ALCAR plays a strong role in the brain in many ways, and has beneficial effects in many conditions including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Studies in aged rodents show markedly improved memory and learning capacities, , while studies in younger rodents show a variety of promising effects as well. Other rodent studies have shown that ALCAR significantly protects the brain against a variety of stresses, such as ischemia and repurfusion and mitochondrial uncoupling. It also protects against peripheral nerve trauma, “almost eliminating neuron loss, and in vitro neuronal apoptosis. ALCAR also increases levels of dopamine, amino acids, and acetylcholine in the brain, as well as facilitating cholinergic activity.

Cardiovascular benefits – The carnitine have considerable potential in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Rodent studies with L-carnitine have shown decreased triglyceride and cholesterol levels and protection against arrhythmia and ischemia, and a study with ALCAR found a reversal of the age-related decline in mitochondrial function in the heart.

Improved hearing and visual function – Two animal studies indicate a significant reduction in noise-induced and age-induced hearing loss with ALCAR. One measured outer hair cell (OHC) density after three weeks of noise exposure, and found less than a 10% reduction with ALCAR as opposed to 60% with placebo, and noise induced threshold shifts were less than 10 dB in the ALCAR group as opposed to 30-35 dB with placebo. A six-week study with aged rats found ALCAR to improve auditory thresholds by upregulating mitochondrial function and reducing oxidative stress.

Reduced stress and depression – In rats, ALCAR protects against the decreases in dopamine and testosterone that normally occur after exposure to both acute and chronic stress and decreases other markers of stress, and no tolerance develops to this effect. Preliminary human studies in the elderly and those undergoing treatment for certain conditions indicate a reduction in depression and fatigue and an improvement in quality of life.

Are there any side effects?

Carnitine has no toxicity, teratogenicity, contraindications, or drug integrations. There are very few side effects associated with carnitine use, and no serious side effects have been reported (58, 64, 65). Some users report nausea or stimulation, but these tend to be transient and disappear with time (65). There are also many anecdotal reports of more vivid dreams.

Increasing Molecules Needed for Memory

ALCAR increases levels of nerve growth factor (NGF)–an important brain healing compound. In the central nervous system, nerve growth factor (NGF) protects cholinergic neurons. NGF helps increase levels of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), which makes the valuable neurotransmitter acetylcholine. The aging process reduces both nerve growth factor levels and the ability of neurons to bind to this valuable cellular messenger. ALCAR ameliorates these age-related deficits, therefore demonstrating another way it naturally helps create more acetylcholine needed for neuronal transmission, learning, and recall. ALCAR has been found to optimize the response of the NMDA receptors and lessen their decline in number.

In summary, ALCAR has proven itself safe and effective in ameliorating the symptoms of cognitive loss in older adults, relieving depression, speeding stroke recovery, and slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. What are now needed are prospective, randomized trials of ALCAR in subjects who take it from middle age onward to see if ALCAR can prevent the cognitive loss in healthy adults.

Other Benefits of Acetyl-L-Carnitine

Protects and Enhances Mitochondrial Function
Enhances Immune Function and IGF-1 levels
Protects against the loss and reduction in axonal transport of substance P
Reduces HPA axis hyperactivity
Increases hippocampal synaptic contact zones
Protects against stress-induced neuroendocrine changes
Enhances long-term memory
Increases learning capacity
Prevents age-related memory deterioration
Helps maintain a normal number of both axosomatic synapses and giant bouton vesicles
Increases membrane fluidity and counters the increase in membrane viscosity seen both in aging and in neuronal lipid peroxidation
Protects cell membranes from physical stress
Reduces lipofuscin accumulation in neurons
Helps neurons remain energetic by using alternate energy sources such as lipids and ketones
Increases the efficiency of neuronal transmission
Protects against ischemia/reperfusion induced cellular damage and lowers lactic acid levels and speeds recovery from ischemic events
Protects neuronal RNA from damage
Helps maintain cholinergic transmission between neurons
Protects against DNA breakage

We studied the effects of acetyl-L-carnitine on pain in 16 HIV+ patients affected by painful distal symmetrical neuropathy. Patients were treated with 0.5-1 gr per day of acetyl-L-carnitine either i.m. or i.v. for 3 weeks. Pain intensity was measured before and after the treatment by the Huskisson’s analogic scale. Ten patients (62.5%)reported an improvement of symptoms, five patients (31.25%) were unchanged, one patient worsened. The results of this open study show that acetyl-L-camitine can have a role in the treatment of pain in distal symmetrical polyneuropathy related to HIV infection. However, further double-blind, placebo-controlled studies are needed to confirm these preliminary results.

About The Author

Raj Khatri

For more information please visit

http://www.acetyl-carnitine.com

raaj81@gmail.com

Technorati Tags: cognitive aging

Death, Aging, Rejuvenation (Part 4)
 by: Aleksandr Kavokin, MD,PhD

Biological clock

Obviously you need biological clock to time and alarm the point when you need to die and when you need to age. Aging is the same death as in those one-day butterflies, but a little bit prolonged one. Not immediate kill but gradual shut down of protection mechanisms – immunological, genetical repair, and just other necessary functions of proliferation. As soon as those functions turned off – an organism starts to deteriorate and wear off.

Interesting that our organism is not a static thing. We probably replace all molecules in our body within relatively short period of time. Obviously water is replaced completely every couple months. Water is 60% of our body. Other molecules are replaced as well. Thus, human being is just some unstable chemical organisation around genetical information. Molecules swirl and disappear like crazy. DNA in cells maybe is not changed so fast, but the cells themselves change quickly in most of cases. There is no need to age just because of wearing.

Biological clocks are necessary and there is no doubt they exist.

The theories of aging that consider death as a sequence of events caused by external causes – like oxidations and accumulation of genetical errors should anyway include the idea of Internal Biological Clock as well. Simple example is menopause in women. Somewhere at 40-55 all women undergo menopause. Unavoidable. Though there were reports of childbirth at 60 yo but considering one chance in billions, it is just a joke. Males have their equivalents too. All people after certain age change their immunological, hormonal, metabolic levels and so on. Majority of organs decrease their function . Thymus involute. Fat cells overgrow others, muscle cells degenerate etc. The same happens to all other multicellular animals and plants.

Now the real question: Is it possible to break the biological clock or at least slow down and rejuvenate?

Possible methods of rejuvenation.

1. Telomeres lengthening and other genes regulation.

Several genes that might play role in aging described recently. Telomerase encoding genes are the most discussed. In theory, if we lengthen the telomeres (these are the ends of chromosomes that are shortened with each division by very interesting mechanism), we could overcome cell tendency to lose ability for proliferation. Hence, we have “immortal cells”. Hence, immortality or at least longevity is reached – cells divide indefinitely and repair organism. Basically, to restore telomeres length we need to activate production of or to introduce into the cell an enzyme named telomerase. To reach each cell in the body we would use viral vectors or smallRNA. Working with virus production and then cell transduction I would say it is difficult, very difficult. There are too many obstacles to use them efficiently. SmallRNAs would be more promising. In any case, when you go from theory to practice problems rise exponentially. Biggest question: will it work? Immortal cell (cell which is able to divide indefinitely) does not mean immortal body. One of the outcomes would be uncontrollable cell growth and, hence, cancer. Actually scenists discuss telomeres mostly in connection with cancer. They are very cautious saying about the rejuvenation. Mass media extrapolates the findings to possibility of longevity and further rejuvenation.

My guess would be that telomeres are some of the “final cogwheels” in the Internal biological clock. It is useful to divide the clock on intracellular and whole body levels just for understanding. But in reality the levels are not separable, they continue one into another. It is easy to understand that intracellular production of any protein, any enzyme depends on transmembrane regulation. Hormones activate receptors that activate DNA transcription and protein production. Other genes that play role in cellular aging are described recently as well. I do not know how to use this method at present time

2. Hormone replacement.

When I studied in med school, several time I met mentions about hormonal side effects that cause a person to look much younger. Well known for example are: If a woman in menopause suddenly resumes menstrual cycles and looks younger than her age, we might suspect an ovarian Tumour producing excess of estrogen. If a person has thyrotoxicosis – excess of hormone thyroxine – he/she loses weight and looks much younger Persons with manic phases of bipolar disorder look younger, more energetic. Certain hormones – corticosteroids for example – might be increased or decreased in elderly. Couples that look younger were shown to have increased level of sexual relationships. Again, that supposedly should significantly change the hormonal levels.

If we give a person some of those synthetic hormones – estrogen, thyroxine – we can sometime reproduce the younger looks.

It is not the same as plastic surgery or skin creams and massages. It invigorates whole body. Skin as well. There is heavy price – recent debates are waxing and waning – if estrogen replacement increases or decreases risks of cancers (uterine, breast, ovarian etc.) Thyroxine excess takes heavy tall on cardiovascular system. Psychiatric disorders (mania for example) was linked to ceratin changes in neurotransmitter levels. Certain psycho tropic drugs change the ratios. Supposedly they can be employed for rejuvenation. Unfortunately, you would rather receive a psychosis than younger look.

On internet you can find massive information about hormones that rejuvenate you. I saw some websites that list practically any major hormone:

estrogen
androgens
corticosteroids
growth hormone
thyroxine
DHEA
melatonin
and some others as a drug that leads to rejuvenation.

The websites often have references to scientific literature. Most of the websites just sell you those hormones or offer courses of hormone therapy.

My personal opinion would be that blind replacement can cause more harm than lead to any desired rejuvenation.

Useful information that I would extract from the item is that A) Practically every hormone in the body is involved. B) Certain means of rejuvenation are actually documented. That gives hope.

I do not use hormones personally. If I would employ them, I would use them in very small quantities to mimic physiology and in special controlled conditions that I will describe below. The doses that are used in regular therapy are actually way to high compare to the natural levels of a healthy organism.

3. Antioxidant therapy.

As we discussed, in the best case antioxidants are the method for longevity, not rejuvenation. I use mega-doses of antioxidants available over the counter. I use only those that I consider safe. I have a lot of doubts they give measurable effect. Anyway I use them. Would not throw away.

4. Caloric restriction.

I use it as well. 60% of regular meal – is way to much – you would barely move your feet. I regulate it. My opinion: if you increase your activity, you can eat more. Just balance your food and motions. Though I might be wrong.

5. Hypothalamic regulation.

This is scary level. Hypothalamus is the area of your brain that sits on the base of your skull. Why do we discuss hormones above? Well, hypothalamus contains hundred of centres that regulate your metabolism and first of all, hormonal status. Studies of hypothalamus are complicated – mostly there are postmortem studies of brain sections. To perform functional study you need to use micro-neurosurgical techniques (still very rude) and try to register changes in a hundred or so cells out of several billions. Changes would include minuscule production (nano and Pico grams) of poorly defined neurotransmitters. The infinitely small quantities of those neurotransmitters are produced by only few out of hundreds cell connections and exist only several nanoseconds. In general to study this area is more difficult than to look for a needle in a haystack. If you consider that there are only few centres have appropriate expertise, you would understand why the progress is relatively slow. Even fewer labs study rejuvenation. Though there were reports that transplantation of hypothalamic tissue from younger animals to older could result in rejuvenation-like effect.

I mention this level because A) hypothalamus regulates production of bunch of intermediate messengers that in turn activate hypophysis, that activate adrenal glands, ovaries, thyroid gland etc (maybe many other areas in th body) that in turn produce the hormones discussed above. (Full description you could find in a textbook of Endocrinology) B) because of complexity of hypothalamus it is a good candidate were a “supreme cogwheel” of biological clock may reside. One hint would be proximity of epiphysis – small pea-like gland that produce melatonin and regulates circadian rhythms. It would not be surprise that all that is interconnected in the hypothalamus. One of objection – what is about worms? They do not have hypothalamus as it is. But they age and die as well as humans. Explanation would be that worms also have nervous system and some other part of it may play the central role in the biological clocks. Another explanation would be that there is no such centre at all, everything happens on the lower levels.

I was interested in methods of rejuvenation since childhood. Maybe I read too many science fiction. When I was in medschool a saw some mentions of unusual phenomenon in magnetic radiation. To make story short, eventually I found a book – 400 pages of fine script. I found the book in Central Medical Library in Moscow. Even our relatively large library in Russian State Med U did not have this book. In addition I read the dissertation thesis, that were related to that book. Several Russian scientists developed relatively complicated theory, done many hundreds of experiments. Theory is a little bit complex, involves discussion of stress and adaptation syndrome. Obviously hypothalamic area also discussed. I am not big fan of that theory. But result the authors described were striking: they were able to restore menopause in rats, prolong rats life span almost twice and more important repeat it again and again. By the description from the book “rejuvenated rats” looked the same as young, but were just bigger in size. Well, you saw a lab rat, you know that older rats have rare hair, bleak eyes, are in menopause etc. Young rat, in opposite, would have bright red eyes, very sleek hair, menstruations, etc. This is no surprise – all growth of hair, production of oil by skin, production of moisture in lacrimal glands and so on are regulated by the hormones. The same is true for rats as well as for humans. Authors described the methods that they found mostly empirically. Moreover they tested some methods on humans and described treatment of variety of diseases – asthma, gastritis, peptic ulcers, low grade skin cancers (non-melanoma) just to name few. As I understand they did not describe rejuvenation in humans. Though later there were some mentions in literature. Authors describe zones of activation, training and stress. In general the methods are difficult to apply – they require permanent control of organism condition for many months, maybe years. Control of hormonal level and control of blood work. In addition parameter would vary from individual to individual. In modern medicine it is much faster and more reliable to cut out skin cancer with knife or give powerful proton pump inhibitors for a gastric ulcer.

I realized that I used some of the methods described, even before I read that book. Since then I added some more methods for my own use. Mostly I use the methods that I feel safe and efficient. For example transplanting of hypothalamus would be out of question. It is a wacking unsafe procedure. Recently there were reports that DHEA, melatonin or other hormones could make miracles: older people feel as young. I would wait confirmation of the effects. Some authors suggest rejuvenation may be reached by individually designed cocktails of hormones. I would think that any hormone given makes more mess than regulation. Practically every hormone described have loops and pathways that prevent overproduction. If you just replace the hormones by giving the substitute, you wack the production of your own hormones those that injected as well as many others. All hormones are complexly interrelated. Individual cocktails would be better, but the doses described in literature are wacking. Again I might be wrong. Maybe everything is so simple – just get cocktail and you will jump as a newborn bunny.

Considering different information from different sources, I would propose following theory:

To rejuvenate yourself you need to recreate the hormonal and metabolic level of young organism.

This is actually very difficult to reach: your organism have all the means to produce all the necessary hormones. Levels of hormones in elderly are not so far from the levels in youth actually. The difference is several percentages, not several folds. But biological clock switch to underproduction. The idea is to cheat the biological clock and to restore the youth levels. The most difficult part is to get into the window of optimal production. You can not go too low – just wouldn’t have any effect on rejuvenation. You can not go above the optimal level – it will cause stress and even more deterioration. So approach is very individual. There is no quick effect – you can not rejuvenate from looking 50 to looking 30 overnight. You really need a lot of commitment and time. The methods which you choose are not of so great importance. Practically any action toward your body would cause changes in your metabolic and hormonal status. Physical exercise, herbs, yoga, hormones (low doses) etc – we could list thousands.

Personally I used available antioxidants, slight caloric restrictions, herbs (some of substances in herbs like ginseng, Echinacea, etc mimics hormones in their chemical structure), self-hypnosis, neurolinguistic programming (NLP), auto-training, different exercises, lactic bacteria, etc. Important is the ability to adjust the level of treatment – reduce the dose of herbs or increase dose of exercise etc.

Methods of control are of much great importance. The described methods include measurement of hormonal level and of certain fractions of cells in the blood work(that is also regulated by hormonal and metabolic reactions)

If I would have a clinic of rejuvenation therapy I would probably use many of those methods – they are objective and reproducible. But they require blood work.

For individual use there some subjective methods exist. They are described in literature as: If you are in the condition of rejuvenation you feel great energy, hunger, restlessness. Your sleep would be normalised, you are fighting regular infections much more efficiently – inflammatory reaction might be exaggerated, but they last shorter time. Your eyes would glisten as in youth. You will feel constant euphoria and need in doing something. There are some other subjective criteria. Personally, I would add: you will notice that your nails and hair grow like crazy in those conditions.

The biggest problem is how to hold in this condition of rejuvenation for a prolonged period of time. You really can not go overboard – super activation would just wack all your system. You can not go under activation – just no any useful effect. You need to get it is just right. Solution is tight, continuos control. Boy, it’s really tough in the modern stressful environment (would not describe all the junk that I had in recent years), but it is possible. Dedication is your solution. Some formulas to calculate doses of stimuli are described in the literature, but I feel it is easier to go with individual subjective feelings. Below there is an animation that contains some simple elements of NLP and might help to tune a brain a little.

Now, what did I get by using those methods? Well not much, but I hope for more. At present time I am 35 yo I do not really have good control group in my personal experiment. Sometime people asked me if I am younger than my brother (He is younger than me for several years). Maybe it is some sort of control group. When I come into a bar (can not say often, maybe once in a year with friends) waiter often asks my ID. It is funny also because I do not use alcohol. So, to drink a Coke I need to show ID, being 35 yo. Sometime people ask me are you 18 or 19 When I played water polo at Yale, undergrads told me they thought I was freshman (as I guess also 18 or 19). That time I was 33. Teenagers often start to talk to me in the way if I am another teenager. And so on.

So, in general it is really hard to measure rejuvenation. All measurements are mostly subjective. Even in well designed scientific trial you find either some description of biochemical changes (which doesn’t say you anything about rejuvenation as it is) or some subjective descriptions – “patients felt much better, felt rejuvenated and invigorate”. How much rejuvenated? How many years were reversed? It is very difficult to estimate. If I say to a person that I have MD and PhD, he says “aha”. Mentally they immediately adjust and now they say that I am probably 30. OK. Sometime they just say: you look so young.

Again 35 is not the age where you really can brag that the methods worked. I would wait couple more decades to say that there was measurable effect. Unfortunately. You do not have the right for a mistake. If a method did not work , you can not go back and change it. You already are behind for several years.

But my personal, subjective feeling is that the methods do work. I believe that it is possible by tight control maintain the level of younger organism. It just requires a lot of work.

Below there is animation that might help to tune in the desired “optimal rejuvenation condition”. Animation requires Flash file player I use that animation for myself. I doubt that it will necessarily help you. Maybe 1 out of 10. If you are not sure, don’t’ touch it. The animation contains some simple NLP information.

Animation

Basically looking at the animation couple times a week for 5 min should start the tuning process (at least I feel so). You should target at the condition when you feel inexhaustible energy, euphoria, normalized sleep, and some feelings that is hard to describe – like a fine tingling in your fingertips, subjectively it feels like a pouring energy. It is difficult to explain, but when you feel you understand it. If you do not feel anything, it means it did not work, forget it.

So to finish I would say that Rejuvenation is difficult but probably possible to reach – at least in a certain degree. A.K.2004

About The Author

Aleksandr Kavokin, MD,PhD

http://www.geocities.com/aging_rejuvenation/

http://www.geocities.com/usmle_test

aging_rejuvenation@yahoo.com

Technorati Tags: biological aging

The Basics of Anti-Aging Skin Care
 by: Sue Dolan

The very first question most people have when exploring the realm of anti-aging skin care is, “What skin rejuvenation products have been proven to be effective”? Accurate information regarding the multitude of anti-aging treatments flooding the marketplace is the best way to make informed decisions for developing your own skin rejuvenation regime which incorporates the anti-aging skin care techniques, strategies and treatments that best address your personal aging skin issues. The http://www.SkinCareResourceCenter.com explores all facets of anti-aging skin care and skin rejuvenation in the e-knowledge modules of The Skin Care e-Learning and Resource Center.

The basics of effective skin rejuvenation begin with the facts on anti-aging skin care treatments. There are several active ingredients that have been clinically proven to be effective skin rejuvenators. One of the most effective treatments is vitamin A derivatives such a retinol or retinyl palmitate.

The Retin A or Renova vitamin A treatments are the strongest although the most irritating treatments of the vitamin A options and are only available by prescription. If your skin needs major rejuvenation attention, ask your Doctor if you are a candidate for the prescription vitamin A treatment of Retin A or Renova.

If not, including one of the other retinol alternatives in your skin care routine is an excellent strategy. The concentration of over-the-counter retinol products can range up to 1%. The basic rule of thumb is, the higher the concentration, the stronger the treatment. Be forewarned though, read the directions carefully because the stronger retinol products can be quite irritating to the skin. Starting slow and gradually working your way up to higher concentrations will allow you skin to adjust to the treatments better. The vitamin A derivative, Retinyl Palmitate, is the less irritating of the Vitamin A options and is considered to have quite effective rejuvenating qualities.

The next most beneficial anti-aging skin rejuvenation treatment is a chemical exfoliant such as an alpha hydroxyl acid (AHA) or beta hydroxyl acid (BHA) product. The most popular of these acids is an AHA glycolic acid. Glycolic acid should be use in concentrations of 8% to 15% depending on your skin’s sensitivity. Start out with a lower concentration and gradually move up to a 10% then 15% concentration depending on your skin’s tolerance in order to avoid irritation.

The last consideration is including an antioxidant to contain the skin damaging free radicals as well as to encourage overall skin repair. Products containing Vitamin C Ester, Spin Trap, or CoQ10 are all good options to explore. Then, of course, there are other viable anti-aging treatments which can be incorporated into your regime depending on your particular skin rejuvenation needs which include DMAE, Kinerase or Kinetin, and GHK Copper Peptides. Finally, the most critical and essential aspect to any successful skin rejuvenation regime is sunscreen, at least once a day, each and every day!

About The Author

Sue Dolan is a researcher and instructor for the http://www.skincareresourcecenter.com, a Skin Care e-Learning and Resource Center that provides education on anti-aging skin care while focusing on skin rejuvenation strategies, techniques, treatment options and resources for aging skin care issues. All rights protected- Copyright 2004-2005.

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Brain Research Shows That Diet and Exercise are Keys to Living Well
 by: ARA Content

(ARA) – An old adage says that aging is a state of mind, but new research is beginning to prove it.

As brain research advances, experts are finding that some of the physical and mental changes normally associated with aging may not actually be normal at all, but instead, the result of treatable and preventable health conditions. In fact, by some estimates, only 30 percent of physical aging can be traced to our genes. The rest is up to each individual.

According to the AARP Andrus Foundation, developing and maintaining good “cognitive health” is as important to a person’s quality of life at any age as maintaining good physical health. A series of four new booklets, “Staying Sharp: Current Advances in Brain Research,” provides information and tips based on this new research. The booklets were derived from a series of public forums that were conducted in partnership with the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives, and featured the country’s foremost researchers, scientists and physicians working in the field of aging and the brain. These four booklets provide some of the most up-to-date information available.

One of the key findings of this new research is that diet and exercise are crucial not just for physical well being, but also for mental acuity at any age.

The Importance of Diet

The food choices we make throughout our lives can make a difference in the likelihood for many diseases that cause premature death or disability, including heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes. Three long-term studies being conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health have followed 300,000 people and suggest that:

a diet rich in vegetables may help prevent breast and prostate cancer
colon cancer is more common among those who eat more red meat
high-fat diets increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and some cancers
a diet with too many refined carbohydrates increases the risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

Although there are some nutritional changes associated with aging, for the most part, what was considered a healthy diet at 40 will still be a healthy diet at 60 or 70. Health experts recommend a diet that emphasizes whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables as well as other tips:

Drink eight to 10 cups of fluid every day, and make at least five of those water. Limit caffeinated and alcoholic beverages.
Reduce the amount of saturated fat in your diet and replace it with monounsaturated fat such as that in olive, canola, sunflower, safflower and soybean oils.
When snacking, choose fruits, vegetables or whole-grain products.
Make eating fun by sharing dinnertime with family and friends, or joining community functions whenever possible.

The Benefits of Exercise

Many experts believe that regular exercise is the single most important thing anyone can do to improve overall health and well-being. New studies show that aerobic activity increases levels of brain chemicals that encourage the growth of nerve cells, which may be the reason moderately strenuous exercise is associated with enhanced memory skills.

Some ways that exercise can help retain mental capacity include:

reducing anxiety and stress
improving mood and possibly alleviating depression
improving sleep
increasing energy levels
slowing the rate of bone loss
enabling the body to use insulin more efficiently
improving cardiovascular health
controlling weight and preventing obesity

The National Institute of Aging suggests incorporating four types of exercises into your life. Endurance exercise, such as walking, helps increase stamina. Strength exercise, with free weights or resistance weights, increases metabolism and may help prevent osteoporosis. Flexibility exercise, such as stretching or yoga, prevents and aids recovery from injuries. And balance exercises, such as standing on one foot, help prevent falls.

By following these basic tips, as well as any advice from your physician related to any specific health conditions, it is possible to live well in old age as opposed to just living into old age.

The AARP Andrus Foundation’s “Staying Sharp” series can be downloaded from the association’s Web site at www.andrus.org/sharp/sharp_pubs.html. Each booklet covers a specific area: Memory Loss and Aging; Depression; Chronic Health Issues and Quality of Life. The booklets also are available by mail from AARP Fulfillment, 601 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20049, or by phone at 800-424-3410 and ask for series D17561 to get the booklets in English or D17461 to get the booklets in Spanish.

About The Author

Courtesy ARA Content, www.ARAcontent.com; e-mail: info@ARAcontent.com

EDITOR’S NOTE: The AARP Andrus Foundation provides knowledge and education through research which helps find solutions to the challenges of aging as well as approaches to maintaining independence and dignity throughout life. Established in 1968 as a memorial to Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, the foundation is a 501 (c) 3 charitable and educational organization affiliated with the AARP.

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There are a number of anti-aging techniques that people are using these days, but one that seems to be very effective is calorie restriction. This theory, proposed by Dr. Roy Walford of the UCLA Medical School, a well respected gerontologist isn’t fully understood yet, but is definitely worth considering. How does a diet like this help with the fight against aging? While there is clear evidence of it happening, most doctors don’t understand exactly why it happens. Dr. Walford explains that an individual that follows a calorie restriction diet for the anti-aging benefits would gradually lose weight that’s needed to reach a point of metabolic efficiency and optimal health.

Under Nutrition without Malnutrition

Not only does calorie restriction seem to extend life, but it helps delay the onset of disease as well. It is thought that a low calorie, high nutrient diet that lowers the total number of calories consumed will also reduce the insulin the body produces. With reduced insulin production, you will begin to see a reduction in the signs of aging. This is because insulin is known to accelerate the aging process.

When the number of calories that are consumed each day are lowered you will also benefit from lower oxidative stresses. Undoubtedly you’ve heard of the health benefits of antioxidants. When you eat less calories, there’s a lessened opportunity for the “bad” to enter the system, which increases the odds of the antioxidants getting in. This will help increase the overall wellness of your body.

In order to put a calorie restriction diet to work, you should work closely with a dietician to determine which foods you must include and which ones should be avoided. You want be able to cut out everything, but you have to make every single calorie you consume really count. You won’t have any room for empty calories and should avoid meal replacement options since these normally don’t offer the benefits of good, wholesome nutrition. It pays to learn which foods are considered to be super foods; those with low calories and high nutrient levels.

If you decide to use calorie restriction to fight the signs of aging, be sure to consult with your physician. You will want to carefully look at exactly what you are eating, not just cut back on how much you consume. The idea is not to starve yourself, but to replace the bad, high calorie foods, with lower calorie choices that are packed with nutrients.

This calorie restriction diet that has been theorized to fight aging, has years of longevity research and experiments conducted by Dr. Walford behind it. Not only has Dr. Walford emphasized the importance of the high-low diet, but suggests using vitamin and mineral supplementation along with anti-aging exercise. Follow up studies have been conducted, that conclude that moderate calorie restriction can extend the life span. The most notable of these studies were conducted by Dr. Sonntag and a team of researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. For many, calorie restriction is an ideal method for defying the signs of aging.

Leon Edward helps others stay healthy and young at his aging gracefully website through his articles, reports online for anti-aging exercises, health concerns and plans for specific age groups, product reviews and anti-aging resources, visit StayingHealthyAging.com

Article Source:

http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Leon_Edward

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With the flurry of anti-aging skin care creams on the market it is difficult to judge the right one. So it is always advisable that we take the help someone who knows the market in and out like Dr. Oz. In many studies it has been revealed that the creams which have anti oxidants like resveratrol are great for the aging process.

Dr. Oz’s recommendations

Dr.Oz is known for his research in the field of anti aging. Dr. Oz in one of his recent videos, in an interview with Oprah said that the best product to slow down the aging process is Resveratrol food supplement along with Dermitage cream application. He said that attaining a radiant youthful skin is not a big deal if you can control the diet regime and incorporate the Resveratrol food supplement. The steps are very simple:

Step 1 Resveratrol Food Supplement :

You would have incorporate Resveratrol in the diet chart along with a considerate amount of water. Take two capsules daily after the lunch and dinner respectively. Resveratrol content helps you shed some pounds as well. The antioxidant Resveratrol can help you detox the cells and rejuvenate the skin tone.

There are certain effects of these products listed below:

• Helps to fight wrinkles and age marks
• Controlling Aging Process
• The average user will lose around 17 pounds
• Contains many antioxidants Claims to help fight circulatory diseases, cancer, and diabetes
• Provides a boost of energy
• Helps reduce the effects of aging

Step 2 Application of Dermacai:

Dermacai is a cream based compound. One can apply it twice daily. The soothing effect of this cream makes you feel mesmerized about the cream. One can notice the glow it adds to the skin at once after the application. But wait for the actual magic make take a time of one to three weeks to begin. It acts a great agent to lighten the dark circles as well. A prolonged usage of this product would ensure an ever youth skin without any trace of aging.

I have used these both free trial products religiously as told by Dr.Oz; it has changed the way I look the world. I am much more confident now.

You should Check out My Story at http://www.RiyaWrinkleFree.com and Try the Resveratrol and Dermacai

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It is now a scientifically proven fact that we have certain control over the process of aging. And your daily diet is the key. Want to know what food can keep you young? Here are the secrets of anti-aging nutrition.

Modern medicine offers many anti-aging treatments – special antiaging programs and clinics, creams and skin lotions, anti-aging food supplements and vitamins. But your diet is the first and most important tool to defeat age.

What are most important anti-aging nutrients?

As we age, our body slowly looses its ability to process vitamins. So to keep the right level of nutrition you need to consume more of the key vitamins than before. For example, vitamin D is essential in preventing osteoporosis. While we are young, our skin produces enough of Vitamin D when we are exposed to the sun, but with age its production is reduces by approximately 30 percent.

Vitamins of B group are also very important. It is responsible for keeping memory loss and heart diseases out. Most important B group vitamins are B 6, B 12 and Folic acid. You also need more of Vitamin B as your body ages.

How to achieve anti-aging nutrition

To get the right anti-aging nutrition is easier than you think. All you have to do is to increase the intake of vegetables and fresh fruit in your everyday diet. This will also help you to loose weight if you have any extra kilos.

Consuming vegetables and fruits gives you three anti-aging benefits at once. First, most fruits and veggies contain no fat or cholesterol. Second, they are full of important nutritients – most fresh fruits contain Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin E as well as calcium, iron, magnesium, beta carotene and folic acid. All of these are vitally important for anti-aging. And, third, vegetables and fruits provide a lot of fiber which helps keep your digestive system healthy and clean.

Foods that bring most anti-aging benefits are spinach, broccoli, tomatoes, berries, oranges and other citruses, apples, lettuce and onions. But this doesn’t mean that other vegetables and fruits should be excluded from your diet, because almost any fruit if it is fresh contains important anti-aging agents.

Most fruits and veggies don’t provide much protein for your body. As we all know good sources of protein are meat and fish. When it comes to anti-aging diet, lean fish is preferred. It also supplies Omega 3 fats, important for antiaging.

Antiaging diet or antiaging supplements – which is better?

It is better is to use both. As mentioned before, the ability of our body to process vitamins reduces with age. This means you will need to consume more vitamins as you age. It doesn’t make any sense to double your food intake, so antiaging supplements can be very helpful.

There are many anti-aging antioxidant supplements on offer. Some are quite pricy, others are more affordable. One thing you should know is that antioxidant complex is just a fancy name for vitamins and certain minerals. So a quality multivitamin would serve well as anti-aging supplement. Additionally, you can take vitamin C. Most multivitamin pills don’t include enough of Vitamin C, so unless you are in a habit of drinking several glasses of freshly squeezed orange juice every day, a Vitamin C supplement is necessary. According to the Alliance for Aging Research 1,000 mg is an adequate daily dose.

You should be careful not to overdo it with the vitamin supplements. Most Vitamins, with the exception of Vitamin C, are not water soluble, which means that they can accumulate in your body. Too much of vitamins can be toxic. This is the reason; you should not take any supplements without consulting a doctor.

That was anti-aging nutrition in a nut shell. There is no miraculous “anti-aging food”, just a balanced diet rich in vitamins and low in fat is your best anti-aging solution.

Tanya Turner is a publisher of Anti-Aging Skincare Guide where you can find information about anti-aging nutrition, anti-aging supplements, anti-aging treatments and skincare.

Article Source:

http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tanya_Turner

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Eldercare responsibilities typically rise to the surface during a crisis. When an aging parent needs additional care you often don’t know where to turn. The good news is you have a wide variety of caregiving assistance easily available in most areas of the country.

One problem family caregivers need to prepare for when caring for elderly parents is the terrible fragmentation of America’s health care system. The process of gathering information and locating appropriate elder care services will take time. Finding exactly the types of aging/elder care support an elderly parent needs to be well cared for will take time. Be prepared for this disconnection among aging services to be a source of frustration for you.

I’d like to tell you there’s an easier way to find the specific elderly parent care an aging mother or father needs. I can’t. To minimize the stress, understand the problems you’ll face getting the information, your need, get yourself well organized before you make calls, then roll up your shirt sleeves and get to work.

When you don’t know where to start, use these five senior oriented services to find elderly parent care resources near you.

211 – Most major American cities offer the new 211 telephone service. It quickly connects you to critical elder care services available for seniors in your community. While services available through 211 for an older Americans vary by community, you may be able to find information about, and referrals to, services for every day aging needs in times of crisis.

Dialing 2-1-1 connects you to senior support services like food banks, rental and utility assistance, help locating home health care, adult day care, Meals on Wheels, home maker services and respite care.

Agency of Aging – Your local Agency on Aging is an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This agency helps seniors and their families quickly obtain information and resources on a variety of aging-related topics. The Agency on Aging can help you familiarize yourself with the issues affecting your elderly parents and aging services available to care for them. Find the agency in your area.

Senior Ministries – If you either you or your elderly parent belongs to a place of worship, contact their senior ministry. Larger churches and synagogues have senior ministries who are connected to elderly parent care resources. They can also arrange for volunteers willing to help with everyday caregiving tasks. If neither you, your mother or father belong to a worship center, grab the Yellow Pages and look up the names of the largest churches and synagogues in your town. Give each of one a call. You’ll be surprised how quickly you will find direction.

Health and Aging Organizations – Try this online, searchable database maintained by the National Institute on Aging. It gives you one-click access to a list of over 250 national organizations that provide help to older people.

Your Employer – An often overlooked resource is your employer. Many large corporations offer free eldercare guidance through an Employee Assistance Program. Check with your human relations department.

The network of social agencies connecting you to elderly parent care resources changes constantly. Many are non-profit and staffed by volunteers who may not be as well trained as you would like. Be prepared to run into outdated phone numbers, discontinued programs, being left on hold and less than helpful staff. You’ll eventually be able to find help caring for aging parents but it requires patience and persistence.

Caring for an aging parent is no picnic. With the right information you can avoid mistakes and unnecessary stress. Get valuable eldercare insights so you make better decisions faster, with less stress and heartache. Access FREE Weekly Elder Care Tips by visiting http://www.MrElderCareOnline.com.

Article Source:

http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Martin_R._Sabel

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