On Being YOUNG One can never stop the passing of time. Hence, aging is inevitable. But being and looking old now seems to be just an option. One can still have the better option, and that is to feel and look young. But what does this ideal really mean? Is it limited to a radiant skin and wrinkle-free skin? Is it just the absence of the torment of arthritis? Definitely not. Staying young encompasses a wide range of ideas and includes more good conditions than the aforementioned. Being young comes from the mind, body, and the heart. Being sharp As people age, they tend to be less smart, alert, and intelligent. Compared to a young grade-schooler, an old person can hardly recite the multiplication table with ease, speed, and accuracy. This is because as they age, neurons weaken and lessens its ability to recall facts and details. To avoid this and be young in the mental capacity, people should do few good things. Meditating, resting well, and getting enough sleep help brain to be at ease. Playing board games like chess, scrabbles, and word factory can help boost your brain. Eating a healthy diet with less cholesterol is helpful. Doing moderate aerobic exercises can produce Brain-Derived Neurotrohic Factor (BDNF) that maintains a healthy neuron. BDNF is a protein that acts on certain neurons of the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS) that aids in the survival of existing neurons. Adding to that, BDNF encourages the growth and differentiation of new neurons and synapses. Being healthy Being young is almost synonymous to being healthy. If one is at his optimum health, he is sure to look and feel good, which is by the way, how many define being young. As we all know, to be healthy is to guard your own body. Eat more nutrient-packed greens, more Omega-3 containing fish, and other healthy stuff like whole-grains, tomatoes, milk, fruits, and water. And of course, less foods containing tons of cholesterol (burger patties, barbecues, fries) and sodium (chips, MSG, salt). Exercising for at least ten minutes a day, avoiding stress, and a regular visit to a doctor are of great help to staying healthy. Being young wouldn't be complete without a healthy skin. As the body's largest organ, it can tell how well your health is and how well you are aging. Eating at least 5 serving of anti-oxidant rich fruits and vegetables, sipping anti-oxidant rich green tea, and drinking at least 8 glasses of pure water a day are of prime necessity. Not to mention, a smile can really deceive others of your age. Being optimistic and vigorous Having an encouraging, dynamic, and balanced approach or outlook towards your individual and collective possibilities is a healthy advantage. Not only does it provide you with better results in what you seek, it also gives your youthful energy a boost. Optimism and vigor shape a huge part in the expansion of your emotional life. If you wish to live well and young, you will have to remove the self-defeating pessimism from your mind, and replace with a constructive attitude. Being young is also being optimistic and vigorous, and that requires more of us than exhibiting a compelled smile and telling yourself, "you can do it." Being young is living your life at full capacity, and we can only go beyond what we think we can if we expand ourselves rather than holding yourself back, and rather than putting you forward. After all, who got blinded by looking at the brighter side of life? Indeed, being young is also skin-deep. And because it is, you should examine a little more within you to know whether you too can feel and look young. And if you will, the inside will radiate a more beautiful being. The Right Water To Stay Young A dry skin is one of the signs of an aging body. As we get old, skin lose sebum, and in turn, lose moisture. Drinking plenty of water is imperative for someone who wants to slow down the signs of aging such as dry skin. Any doctor would say we have to drink at least 8 glasses of water each day. But most of them did not mention what kind of water we should drink. And I guess we ought to know. What does water do? Water cleanses our body. It promotes the efficiency of blood circulation to help expel the toxins out of the body. Water aids the body in swilling out waste from particular cells, keeping them in good state. While it carries away toxins from the skin, water also transports necessary vitamins and minerals into individual cells. The need to rehydrate skin Water comprises 70% of our body. Skin, being the largest organ, has a lot of water in it. But the body consumes and expels lots of water in a day. Because of this, our skin needs regular rehydration. The most powerful moisturizers are not enough to take the place of the element that comprises our body most. Not enough rehydration causes the skin to look dry, tough, and old. Getting old We get older since we are not flushing out of all the generated wastes within our body allowing these toxins and impurities to mount up within our body. For our body to operate and to maintain its temperature, we consume nutrients inside our cells. The chief ingredients of all foods, real or junk, plant or animal, alkaline or acid, costly or not, are proteins, fats or carbohydrates. And these are nothing but the amalgamations of these elements: oxygen, hydrogen, carbon, and nitrogen. After undergoing the digestive and circulatory processes, these nutrients will be oxidized in the cellular level. After this, oxygen, hydrogen, carbon, and nitrogen will all turn into organic acids: fatty acids, ammonia, uric acids, etc. These acidic rubbishes are expelled in the form of urine or sweat after having undergone some processes in the blood. Regrettably, as a result of our lifestyles (i.e., too much stress, not getting enough sleep, not enough workout, too much ingestion, smoking, etc.), the body can't rinse out all those acidic wastes produced in our body. These waste products build up in an area in our body. What's worse is that we don't consume enough fruits and vegetables which are alkaline foods. We get old by this process. The Right Water To reverse aging caused by acidic waste products, we should drink alkaline water. Acid free alkaline water or microwater is created by cleaning a tap water (typically with a pH of 7), and letting it go through an electroanalysis chamber. Alkaline and acid minerals found in a tap water is split b a device called water ionizer. The system would release water with a pH of 9 (alkaline) and another set with a pH of 5 (acidic). Drinking alkaline water is one of the most helpful and trouble-free ways to flush toxins and delay the process of aging. Its effectively lies in the fact that it penetrates deeper than ordinary water. There, it dissolves and transports wastes out of the body. Alkaline water is more than twice as effective as ordinary tap water. In fact, the effectivity of three glasses of alkaline water is greater than six glasses of a regular one. With this alkaline water, 4 glasses is enough to suffice your daily water need, and delay aging, in turn. Say Hello To A Forever Young You As you grow older, your priorities become redirected. Before, the greatest problem you could possibly have is what to wear on your school/ office wash day. Fast forward, the hurdle you're facing is a 2-year old child. Fast forward again, you look in the mirror and realize that all those worrying and "problematizing" finally took their toll on your skin. It's about time that you know yourself more and pay less attention to your outside appearance. After all, what really matters is how you feel inside. A rich man can feel that he still needs to get richer; so in principle, he is not rich at all. However, a poor man can be more contented than a millionaire and at the end of the day, the poor man becomes happier. Let's cruise through what keeps one young by not applying a wonder cream or doing a wonder work-out. MEDITATE The day-in, day-out stress will make you feel like "slipping away" from the things which used to make you happy and things which used to make you feel like a child again. Rekindle these good memories by meditating at least ten minutes a day. Take some time to detach yourself from the world and think. You don't need to philosophize deeply or to draft your next blog entry. Just enjoy some silence and a piece of world peace. Choose a ten- to fifteen-minute break in your day. Just a short while. You have twenty four hours a day. Surely you can find or MAKE time for some productive self-healing. KEEP A DIARY A diary is a very important tool for a writer. However, even if you're not a writer or even if you are not a grammar expert, it is also advisable to keep a diary. A diary is an outlet. It is a friend which will listen, will not judge and handy also. A diary is a tool of letting-go of the bad things that have happened to you which pull you back from moving forward. You need to pass on some of your worries somewhere so you can focus to more important things like the relationships around you and the smallest get-happy detail of your everyday life. Keeping a diary also is like keeping a record of your psychological states. There are people who freak out when they realize that they're starting to age and surely you don't want to be one of them. Don't look at it as a task. Just write whenever you want to. Even in the middle of the night. Isn't it just neat that someone will listen to every detail of your nightmare and not brand you a lunatic? HAVE A DATE WITH YOURSELF The most important person in your life should still be yourself EVEN IF you have aged. Remember when you were younger, when all you wanted was the latest gadget and the in pair of jeans? That's exactly how you should still feel, albeit being more mature. Try not going into the selfish path; that's too much. Watch a movie alone; save yourself from the pains of having to explain to someone how the plot should have gone. Devour your favorite cake alone, go shoe-shopping alone, brim in front of the mirror and say "I'm the king/queen of the world"! Err, please remember to do the last thing alone too. Please. It's for your own good. When you were young, it was all about you. Now that you're older, let it still be all about you. The secret to staying young is all in the mind. You don't even need to get out of your home right? There's no use studying what certain chemicals can do to save your skin while not learning to know, love and embrace your self. Your beautiful, ethereal self. Staying Young is Just Another Meal Away Healthy foods to stay young? Of course, you've heard it before, probably when mom insisted to eat more apples and less burger even when you thought you were too young to age. Indeed, mom was right. You'll never know when you'll start to age until you notice some crumpling and folding on your skin. Premature aging might just be a sleep away. And you never want to see that happen. But it's never too late. You can delay aging now by changing some items on your plates, and it's just another meal away. You Are What You Eat The food and all other things that you take or don't are laying the groundwork for your health and your appearance as well. For example, a person who has a pretty huge room for french fries and beef patties in his stomach may suffer more diseases and may not look age-appropriate. A person deficient in unsaturated fats, on the other hand, may have dry, flaky skin, and eventually look older than he actually is. According to Samantha Heller, MS, RD, a clinical nutritionist at NYU Medical Center in New York City, what you eat becomes the outer fabric of your body. And the healthier that you put in your mouth, the better you will look. Sure, you don't wanna look like french fries, or do you? Then, what should your next meal include? High-fiber foods Whole grains, cereals, black beans, apples, and pears are just some of the foods that are rich in fiber. Fiber found in these foods moves quickly and relatively easily through your digestive tract keeping bowel movements regular. Thereby preventing constipation,-one of the problems that aging people commonly encounter. Fish, walnut, and flax seed oil These foods are among the best sources of Essential Fatty Acids (EFA). EFA especially the omega-3 fatty acids regulate the fluidity or softness of the cell membranes, thus making your cell membranes healthy and hold more moisture. So that means younger looking skin. Deficiency is visible in a hardening of the skin, as with dry skin and acne. And to those who are living in colder climates, you need more EFA for membrane fluidity. Fruits and vegetables Antioxidants from fruits and vegetables fight off free radicals, the byproducts of the body's everyday processes that damage DNA, cells, and tissues. The antioxidants and other phytochemicals lessens the chances of damage to he body's cells. And because you are guarding your cells from premature damage, you are also protecting yourself from premature aging. Whole-grain cereals, organ meats, chicken, egg yolk, and garlic. Selenium, found in these foods, plays a key role in making the skin healthy. It is a sulfur-like mineral that lessens the oxidative damage of skin cells. It also helps in regulating the thyroid hormone and helps prevent hypertension, cancer, and stroke. Selenium is often added to antioxidant vitamins. Easy Move If you think looking younger is difficult, there's not much to worry. The easiest move you can make is to include more fruits, vegetables, fish, and whole grains to your daily menu. Control yourself from eating foods stuffed with much cholesterol, sodium, and calories. What you get is a healthier body and a younger-looking you. Well, if you think it's too early to look old, better think twice. It just doesn't feel good to be called older than you really are. And if you think you're too old to look young, you're never right. You can stop aging right at your plate, and even prove that "looks can be deceiving." Staying Young -- the Japanese Way The Land of the Rising Sun outweighs all other countries with regards to the proportion of the elderly. About 22% of the population in Japan is 65 or older. It has been estimated that by 2020, the ratio of the elderly to the children will be approximately 3 to 1. The Japanese are, in fact, the most long-lived people on this planet. With that said, Nihon jins must have placed a fountain of youth in their backyard. Well, at the dining table perhaps. Healthy food Despite the competitive lifestyle that they have, they still are among the healthiest people in the world- 'coz after a hard work is a healthy meal. It is well-known that a Japanese meal is one of the healthiest among regional diets. Meals include the kind of foods that Japanese eat everyday to stay slim, healthy, and youthful while epitomizing a successful, on-the-go lifestyle. The Japanese have the pleasure of eating nutritious and satisfying foods without guilt, getting, fat, and looking old. Every day they eat at least seven servings of vegetables, including sweet potatoes, dark leafy greens, seaweed, onions, and bean sprouts; at least two servings of anti-oxidant rich fruits; and two or more servings of soy foods. The Japanese also sip several cups of tea every day. They eat a serving of fish, consumed at more than 150 pounds in a year. Who would look old with that kind of meal? Less Disease A research of double Nobel Prize winner Linus Pauling pointed out that almost all diseases and the body's ability to fight them can be directly or indirectly linked to what humans eat or not. Statistics about the Japanese and other nationalities can prove this right. Only six in 100, 000 Japanese women acquire breast cancer. That's about 20 times less than the British women. 96% fewer Japanese men have coronary heart disease than the British male populace. (Breast cancer and heart diseases can be attributed to eating lots of fatty foods.) Statistics show that Japanese have less Western diseases like diabetes, obesity, cancer, heart diseases, atherosclerosis, etc. These are truths about the relationship between diet and disease in Japan. Foods to Stay Young A Japanese diet is the amazing secret of the locals to stay young and become vigorous. Many nationalities even notice that Japanese women in their forties still look like they are in their twenties. Well, you may not need your anti-aging creams, just a discovery of the Japanese fountain of youth. The Meal The sticky, short-grained rice is the main carbohydrate food in Japan. But Japanese eat as much fish that are rich in fatty acids which provide a greater amount of calories for most. Another main source of carbohydrates for the Japanese is the noodles, a quick, easy, and healthy snack. Consumption of brain foods like eggs and seaweeds is also great. Egg consumption in Japan, in the form of omelets, custards, and soups, is higher than in America (40lbs to 34 lbs). Seaweed used in soups and sushi provides a good amount of iodine that is very important for normal functioning of the thyroid gland, which is, in turn, vital for optimal brain function. The Japanese are also fond of eating magic potatoes which have natural anti-aging, life-enhancing components. Tofu is also a distinguishing feature in the Japanese diet. Tofu is one of the best sources of protein with anti-cancer and health-boosting benefits. Contrary to the usual belief, the Japanese have great consumption of milk. They even consume an average of 180 pounds per year. Fruits are the popular dessert in Japan. In general, Japanese people don't like sweet desserts. In addition, most Japanese shun fast, processed, and junk foods. Madonna's Secret Aside from her active lifestyle, Madonna, who still looks young and hip in her 50's, shared that she eats Japanese food most of the time. In fact, everywhere she goes, a Japanese chef is sure to cook healthy cuisine for her. Celebrity Secrets To Staying Young Whether we idolize them or criticize their behavior, there's no denying that celebrities now are the epitome of beauty. But how come they are often mistaken for their age- at their flattery at that. Well, let's find out some secrets why celebrities look younger than they are. Eating lots of citrus and vegetables Greens and citrus like lemons, grapefruit, and oranges are high in Vitamin C, a natural antioxidant. This wonder worker serves as a primary ingredient of collagen, a glue-like protein that binds cells together to form tissues, and makes up about 25% of the whole-body protein content. Collagen production is vital to skin suppleness, firmness and averts the onset of premature wrinkling. Collagen is, in fact, a much-endorsed ingredient in facial moisturizers and hand lotions Therefore, the more citrus and veggies celebs eat, the softer their skin becomes. Avoiding excessive alcohol Celebrities going in and out of rehabs due to alcoholism look worn-out and spoiled. That is why a lot more celebrities keep their alcoholic intake to a minimum. Despite the sparkling delight it brings, alcohol causes skin damage and loss of moisture due to its dehydrating effects. In turn, this will cause sagging and wrinkling of skin. A High School Musical star says its even better to soak one's self o he beach without sun protection that drinking too much of alcohol. Alcohol causes dilatation of the blood vessels in the skin and every time you drink, the blood vessels will dilate and stay permanently dilated until they lose their tone. Abusing alcohol will also deplete the body of Vitamin A, an important antioxidant. Avoiding Coffee Despite its antioxidant content, too much coffee causes skin dehydration, and even causes the body to eliminate needed liquids and minerals. It causes skin to look like crepe paper and have very little elasticity if you pinch it up into a peak. A country music diva even shared that drinking too much coffee stains her teeth and causes little winkles around her eyes to look horrible. Celebrities who drink coffee suggest drinking a cool glass of water after a cup of coffee. Drinking LOTS of Water No one can dispute the role good hydration plays to a healthier skin. If hydration does not come from sodas or alcohols and only from clean water, then it has potentially helpful effects on your skin. Furthermore, water helps cells move nutrients in and toxins out, which leaves skin looking better. Paris Hilton disclosed that she drinks more than ten glasses of water a day cause if not she notices her skin to look dull, vapid, and gray. Limited exposure to sunlight More exposure to sunlight puts the skin at higher risk for aging caused by free radicals. But if you cannot avoid it, use a quality high sun protection factor lotion. A former Mickey Mouse club member uses SPF50 on her neck and face and SPF35 on her body to develop nice brownish tan where she likes. Moisturizers Lastly, for celebrities, using a night time moisturizer is the simplest yet one of the most necessary parts of their beauty routine. They choose a night cream with proven age-fighters like retinol. If applied at night, this will reduce the effect of aging and the environment on your skin. How To Look Younger The first thing you should do to look younger is to acknowledge that there are good things in store for you, and you deserve to have those. So it's all about setting your mind to get to your end. You must value the thought that almost all good things in life are brought into fruition with the right attitude and positive thinking. So now, are you set to defy aging and look young? If you are, then these age-defying tips will surely help you look youthful easily. Tip 1 No matter what you do, whether you have a demanding schedule or just being lazy in your cozy home, make sure you are getting enough sleep- and a good one at that. Your eyes will first tell if you have had enough sleep. A pair of eye-bug-free and sparkling eyes definitely makes you look younger. But how many is the suggested sleeping duration? Perhaps you were brought up thinking that you should sleep at least 8 hours a day. Well, you should not. A new study says that those who sleep 6-7 hours live longer and healthier. Too much slumber is not good for you. In fact, sleeping for five hours is better than sleeping three hours more than that. To have a good sleep, take some natural soporifics. These are substances that can induce sleeping. Milk is a very good example. Sex and a little aerobic may also help you sleep well. Tip 2 Keep you hair short. A long hair puts in more years to your appearance, actually making you look like a tired and worn-down witch. Trying a shorter do can improve your youthfulness. Tell your hairdresser to give you side swept bangs to expose your beautiful face. Adding layers can also make our hair look lively and shinier. A little highlight may also do. Putting on a darker hair (dark brown or black) does not only make you younger, but also coats up those grey hair. Tip 3 Live in a clean environment. People who live older like the centenarians have some surrounding things in common: little stress, unpolluted air, good water, and unspoiled nature. Planting more trees in your area and planting more plants in your garden can help you provide cleaner air. More plants in the area mean more oxygen to breathe. Remember that what we breathe is the exact thing they exhale, and vice versa. Tip 4 Do not put a lot of makeup. Yes, makeup can make you look pretty. But its amount, composition, and its style can make or break you. Keeping makeup light won't make you look like a villain. Use more pastel colors and those with lighter tones instead of the dark antagonistic-like colors. Also try lipsticks with brown shade. These would make you look more natural and a lot of ears younger Tip 5 Take care of your teeth. Ever notice there are a lot of old people who only have false teeth? This is because as we age, our body absorbs and stores less calcium (which also explains why old women are prone to osteoporosis). So avoid losing your teeth permanently. Brushing every after meal is the most basic yet the most helpful habit for a good-looking set of teeth. Use teeth whitening products that can make you teeth white and shiny. Coffee and tea can stain your teeth instantly so a brush after is really helpful. Going to the dentist at least twice a year is very important. And never forget to drink at least two glasses of milk a day, like what we teach to the real young ones. Combat Aging Wisely Suddenly, looking in the mirror is a burden. Suddenly, you don't go out that much. The sight of crow's feet haunts you even if you don't have them. Face it, you're aging. Technically, aging means a process that includes changes in the structure and elasticity of the skin over time. Usually, it starts as early as your late teenage years and may start as late as in your late twenties. Our skin does a lot of things. It analyzes sensations such as pressure, pain and touch. It also protects us from the environment, helps balance fluid and electrolytes and most of all, helps in the regulation of our body temperature. With that said, our skin is clearly overworked. The least we can do is protect it from further harm. Aging is majorly caused by either of these two: normal physiological aging (no matter what we do, we will wrinkle in time) and UV exposure (accounts for 95% of the wrinkles that you might have now). The enemy that we have to combat is the UV exposure. How can we beat it? KNOW YOUR ENEMY There are three kinds of UV rays: the UVA, UVB and UVC. These are graded according to their wavelength. The longest wavelength rage are UVA rays and the shortest, UVC rays. UVA wavelengths are almost harmless. The hazard is not non-existing but it's highly negligible. Sunlight, when passing through ordinary glass contains UVA wavelengths. Short UVA wavelengths are those used for sun/UV tanning. However, this form of tanning is not completely safe. It still exposes your skin to UV rays and hastens its aging. Also, around 50% of skin cancer is acquired through sun tanning. UVA does not damage DNA directly, unlike UVB and UVC. It doesn't cause sunburn but it can penetrate deeply. UVA can produce reactive chemical intermediates which can harm the DNA such as hydroxyl and oxygen radicals. UVA rays damage the collagen fibers of your skin. Next, let's talk about UVB. Your skin can only take small amounts of UVB rarely. Meaning, no matter how small the exposure is, it is dangerous if it's every day. UVB, like UVA, can deplete the Vitamin A in your skin. Unlike UVA, UVB light causes DNA damage directly. It awakens the DNA molecules in the skin cells, causing a modification on the DNA's growing strand. This is a mutation that is commonly found in most skin cancer cases. UVB also causes collagen damage, albeit slower than UVA. UVC is the least penetrating since the outermost portion of your skin, the epidermis, is made of dead cells. This portion protects you from UVC. UVC is quite damaging to living cells and has burning effects. ARM YOURSELF The best that you can do to combat these culprits is to wear sun block/sunscreen every day. The higher the SPF (Sun Protection Factor), the better. Experts suggest wearing sun block/ sunscreen with at least SPF 15 for everyday use. However, if you are at the beach, or biking, or hiking, your sun block should have a minimum of SPF 30. It's like having 15 layers of skin every day or 30 layers of skin when you are heavily exposed to the sun. Don't think that if there's no sun you can steer clear from UV damage. Wear sunblock EVEN IF there is no sun. Remember that the stronger UV rays can penetrate through the clouds and these can still damage your skin. These are the rays that you should protect yourself from. Also, some bulbs contain UV rays, albeit weaker. So even if you're just indoors, it's still advised to wear sunblock. There. That is just everything you need to fight aging. Remember to keep the principles handy. First, learn about your enemy and then arm yourself. It's the "art of war": of beauty war. Escape Aging What if you can escape the inescapability of time and just enjoy the pleasure of looking young? Quite difficult? Definitely not. Looking youthful and chirpy is just a matter of giving extra care for yourself and emphasizing your features, surely bringing out the best of what you got. So start defying your age now with some easy steps. Stopping smoking As early as 1800's, it was already observed that smoking has detrimental effects on the skin. Two centuries later, people became more aware of this because these effects are evident among chronic smokers. Some of these consequences include premature lines and folds stemming from the corner of the eyes to the zygomatic area (in the aging process, wrinkles are a natural element , but smoking speeds this up); dry and leathery appearance of the skin; grey-pallor complexion; a haggard appearance; and some more. These changes are brought about by the processes that a cigar's ingredients bring about to the body. Nicotine, a vasoconstrictor (one that constricts the blood vessels), inhibit the smooth and easy flow of oxygen and nutrients to their destination. Nicotine also causes a diuretic effect on the body which causes a reduction of the skin's moisture level, hereby making it tough and dry. Carbon monoxide, a harmful component produced by smoking, has higher affinity to blood cells than oxygen. That means it reduces the amount of oxygen to many areas. Smoking also contains a large number of free radicals that attack healthy cells and damage normal tissues. Smoking reduces Vitamin A and collagen in the body. Vitamin A is used in the repairing function of the body. Collagen, on the other hand, is a protein that produces new and healthy skin. Proper posture Sitting up straight and putting shoulders back are very important for your health and appearance. A good posture can make you look slimmer, taller, and confident. Many regard people with correct posture as young, happy, and at ease with their disposition. A good posture can even give you an instant weight loss of 10 pounds in the eyes of others. Its benefits, by the way, are not just for the outside. A correct posture primarily puts muscles, joints, bones, and your organs to where they are supposed to sit. It reduces the risk of having back and neck problems, arthritis, and other pains. A proper one too can help prevent the spine from becoming abnormally fixed which can lead to fatigue, headaches, and some problems with organs and functioning. With a proper posture, one can also experience less strain because one wouldn't overuse his muscles. Stretching hourly and practicing the proper posture every hour can help strengthen the muscles that will be needed to hold the body erect. Having sex at least three times a week A 10-year study indicated that couples who are in their 40's who have sex at least three times a week look younger than those who enjoy it less often. The study even indicated that the faces of these couple have less lines and wrinkles, and have smoother and suppler skin. They credited this to the wonders of Oxytocin. It is a hormone released during sex that reduces stress. Having sex at nighttime is helpful, too! It helps you to have a tight sleep so body is more rested. So, what are you planning to do now? Go ahead and feel young. Age Defying Options For Men With the ubiquitous cosmetics designed for women, who says men don't need stuff like such? Covertly or not, men put some effort to make them look good. And staying young, too! As the common notion says, men become vainer as they get old. But a lot are hiding this need as this is not too manly for a man. However, the developments of this generation have helped lessen that masculinity notion. In 2005, more than a million American men underwent skin treatments, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Adding to that is the 44% upsurge in the slightly invasive procedures in which men underwent from 2000 to 2005. Vanity has indeed taken its strike to more men. But what are the exact things men should do and improve for the vanity of looking young to take effect? Age-defying Skin Treatments While diet can be very helpful for men to look young and well-rested, men can also do this by some skin treatments that do not require a needle and a knife. Men may try microdermabrasion. In this procedure, the surface of skin that contains astounding number of dead skin cells are removed with a vacuum suction device. Together with a mild chemical crystal formulation, microdermabrasion aids in revitalizing the complexion, lessen ultra fine wrinkles, help cosmetics to be absorbed more, and make skin glowing young. This 30-minute procedure results to a more evenly textured skin. Men may also use chemical peels. These topical products allow peeling of damaged surface of skin. Chemical peels excite production of collagen making the skin firmer with improved texture and with a reduction of surface lines, wrinkles, dark spots, and sun damage. It makes look more relaxed, energetic, and young. More men tend to seek for light chemical peeling which is by the way one of the most common skin treatments among men. However, this light chemical peeling has to be redone for the effect to last for more than a few months. A medium peel's effects persist about a year. Another skin procedure men may choose is the light skin rejuvenation. This procedure invigorates the face using light-based devices such as noncutting laser beams that send off pulsed energy to the skin. Light or laser skin rejuvenation also fuels the growth of collagen to give a firmer skin. While it does not use of any harsh chemicals, it can reduce lines and help give men a revitalized aura. Despite the fact that it can redden the skin for a little while after the procedure, this procedure requires no extreme aftercare. Really good news for men. Another manly option For a man who is committed to delaying the course of aging, a regular exercise is a must-do. According to the American Heart Association, for a man to build endurance and strength, he should perform eight to 10 types of workouts to be repeated eight to 15 times, and to be done thrice in a week. An astounding number of studies have shown that a regular exercise fights the thrashing of muscle strength, endurance, and the reduction of muscular and bone density that tends to worsen as men age. In addition to its health benefits, a regular exercise can also make a man a magnet among girls, which quite explains why a lot have been going to the gym. Wonder Products For The Skin There will come a time when you will be tired of those creams, those astringents and those drugs that claim to "make you look younger". In your attempt to scratch some years off your skin, the frantic search for the perfect drug become harder. Advertising is everywhere; new products emerge almost every day. Even word-of-mouth is difficult to handle. What you don't know is that the secrets to young-looking skin can be found at the comfort of a very familiar place: your home. HONEY Honey consists two kinds of sugars: fructose and glucose. Moreover, it also contains minerals like magnesium, calcium, sodium chlorine, phosphate, iron and sulphur. The vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5 and C are also found in honey. Taking honey in like your everyday multi-vitamin is heavily encouraged. Honey is the oldest sweetener known to man. It is a good substitute for sugar in your food and beverages. Honey has also a good reputation in the medical field for treating certain diseases. In the Middle East, it is used to treat burns in the skin. Since these areas are mostly war-torn and hot, water is heavily scarce, if not contaminated. Honey is known for its anti-inflammatory effects on the skin. Also , it works as a good moisturizer both for the skin and the hair. This is because honey has the ability to attract water. It is cheap and safe for sensitive skin. Apply honey to your face after washing it with water then wash the honey off with a mild facial wash. If you want to use it for your hair, apply honey to your hair like the way you apply conditioner then wash it off with a mild shampoo. It is important that you wash it off properly because first, it might smell and second, you might attract ants to your face/ hair. And that's really weird. Honey can also be used as a good body scrub if you mix it with sugar. The moisturizing and exfoliating effects are divine. APPLE CIDER VINEGAR Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, was reported having used vinegar and vinegar mixed with honey as an energizing tonic and a healing elixir. People suspected it was apple cider vinegar. How was apple cider vinegar created in the first place anyway? Apple cider vinegar is a hundred-percent natural creation. It is a product of the two fermentation processes. First, the fermentation of apple juice to hard apple cider. After that, the second fermentation to apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar contains ALL THE GOODNESS from which the apple is known for. In fact, after the fermentation processes, it is packed with extra enzymes and acids. Apple cider vinegar is known to smooth sunburns and to heal insect bites. Moreover, it can also be a hair treatment, as it can make the hair shine and treat dandruff. It also cures acne. When using this product to your skin, just apply apple cider vinegar to the area you want to treat evenly. Leave it for 15 minutes then wash it off with a mild facial wash/ shampoo. It also smells a bit, so wash it off the best way that you can. Whether you take in these products or you apply them to your skin, they can really bring out the youngest skin that you can have. Beauty queens and celebrities all over the world swear by these kitchen wonders. Quit all the search for the perfect cream because the potions you need are right in the comfort of your own home! Where To Go To Delay The Aging Clock We don't actually have to mention, but for many, staying young is almost an obsession. But who really cares? Well, these are the avenues where your obsession can best benefit you. And you'd really love to care. First Stop: Hair Salon Alright, we all know that this establishment is a must-stop to look younger. But if it happens that you will go here, would you know what to instruct the stylist for you to look young? Tell your favorite hair artist to give you a shorter do. A long hair for an experienced lady would more or less make her look like a witch. Trimming on the shoulder or shorter boosts up one's vitality. This takes the attention away from a sagging face. You may also have some bangs and layers. Bangs brushed on the side softens the wrinkles on the forehead. Layers make hair more lively and youthful. Or try telling your hairstylist to add some colors on your crown of glory. This increases the volume of the thinning hair brought about by hormonal changes. Not to mention, this also covers up gray hair preventing them from looking ashy. Hairstylists also recommend soft, tender brushes after a shower of emollient shampoo to give bulk to the thinning hair. Next stop: Derma's space Yes, you can look good by yourself, but going to the skin specialist once in a while spells a huge difference. Take the celebrities for an example. Dermatologists give benefits that our bare hands alone can't bring into fruition. Dermatologists may apply some cosmetics like alpha hydroxy acid. This is used to reduce the lines and folds on the face, as a chemical peel, and enhance skin's overall look and feel. When used as a chemical peel, dermas explain that alpha hydroxy acids can change the pH level of the skin to spawn collagen that enhances tonicity of the skin. Collagen, as we age, diminishes in itself, developing wrinkles and pores. Dermatologists may also recommend topical treatments and broad-spectrum sun block lotion that would prevent you from sun exposure. Too much revealing of skin to sunlight causes the largest percentage of sagging, dark spots, and fine lines. We do not notice this effect because it's not an instantaneous one. Best topical prevention includes those that have antioxidants and retinol. Third stop: Spa From massage to facials to jacuzzi, a treatment spa is absolutely a perfect haven for those who'd like to stay young. Visiting it can be the most enjoyable trip ever. A worthwhile massage provides comforting relaxation to treatment to more specific physical problems. It can also relieve stress and improve the blood supply of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues. It can also aid in the recovery of some muscular problems. And at least in part, an hour of it can compensate for lack of workout and muscular contraction. A facial in the spa provides cosmetic therapy of the face. It involves a multiplicity of skin treatments like exfoliation, peels, steam, extraction, and masks. Not only is it soothing but an age-defying remedy as well. The warming and freshening comfort of jacuzzi can transfer your soul to another dimension. A jacuzzi uses colors to further healing not only in the body but also in the mind. Each of these colors has a particular wavelength that affects the release of hormones and other organic materials within the body. This positively changes one's mood, feelings, or emotions. Sweeten Your Home And Feel Good Tough routine brings about stress. Stress brings about (say it!) aging. While the rest of the world is turning out of your hand, you are most likely at home, savoring what's left of your weekend after a looooong week of work. You feel tired, almost suicidal, and then, when you look at the mirror, you stare in horror. You just got hold of the worst news since Hurricane Katrina; you got wrinkles. Be more than a boarder on your home! Beautify it! In this way, you won't be dreading every waking moment in it. Add some spice in your routine. Trust me, it will bring out the young punk in you and you will forget you're not getting any younger (well, physiologically). FILL YOUR HOME WITH GOOD MEMORIES Remember your pre-school picture where you are smothered in dirt and you still managed to flash a toothy grin? Remember your prom picture where you wore make-up even if it's against your will? They actually represent very good memories that can make you feel both nostalgic and cheerful at the same time. Seeing these memories triggers a part of the brain that recalls that memory and connects it with good moods. Everybody knows that good moods bring out the best in us. It helps us become more optimistic through life and become more productive. Come on, you know there's a lot more to think about than having a Botox injection or not. You might have heard a lot of times that to stay young, you must smile all the time. With a lot of good memories haunting your home, what's not to smile about? HAVE AN ARTSY HOME Old = boring. That's how 90% of the world sees it and you can't help but agree. Look around your home. If the dominant color is anything neutral (gray, brown, black or white) then it's about time that you redirect your creativity. Neutral is boring. Pastels, neon linings and bold designs spell F-U-N! If you can't remember the last time that you've been fun then you've really aged. Recollect the atmosphere of fun. However, do not mix a lot of colors at the same time. Consult with someone who is good in interior design or read interior design books to have a guide. This is important because you don't want your home looking like a day care center gone wrong. Next, you can also consider filling your home with really good art. Put up bold paintings of local artists (local is cheaper but not necessarily of less quality). Frame good poetry on a fine quality paper with professional calligraphy. Even 10,000-piece puzzles and sophisticated cross-stitch pieces make good aesthetic treats. Choose carefully the quality of art that you put in your home. If you must, consult someone who finished a fine arts degree or even a college student of fine arts. Lastly, choose the art that you fall in love with. It should be something you can stand (and be happy) to see every single day. HAVE A STOCK OF FEEL-GOOD FOOD There are certain foods that don't feel right when eaten every day. There are also certain foods which have the marvelous capability to make you feel better after eating it. Examples of feel-good food are those which are usually eaten after a break-up, a termination and after failing a subject. Foods such as chocolate, ice cream, cakes are also connected with feel-good memories. Consider stocking up on these foods so whenever you feel like pigging out, do so in your own home and more importantly, do not apologize for it. That's one of the best features of youth. Hmm. Alcohol is optional too. You may not be getting younger, but hey, you can "retire" in your own home every day. Stay young, stay fun and stay passionate about life. Staying Young And Healthy With Nuts Believe it or not, the first created human beings who inhabited this planet, Adam and Eve, already had nuts in their diet. In the Genesis, God provided them fruits that bear seeds that we now know as nuts. After thousands of years, we now understand why God never failed to create this fruit and seed in one. And a handful of it a day would never let you go wrong. A HEARTy Snack Almonds, macadamia, pistachio nuts, walnuts, and hazelnuts are not just for the appetite, they also are great sources of a number of health benefits. The studies of the Seventh Day Adventists during the 1990s first elevated the status of nuts to its consumers. The study of this religious group in Loma Linda, California indicated that those who eat nuts live two and a half years more than those who do not. (The Seventh Day Adventist is a religious group that advocates healthy living by not smoking and dinking, and having a vegetarian diet. Members of this religious domination who live in Loma Linda live 5-10 years longer) Nuts are said to contain Omega 3 fatty acids. These are unsaturated fatty acids that may decrease the risk of acquiring coronary heart disease. People who eat five times or more of it every week had roughly a 50 percent decrease in risk of dying from heart disease as compared to those who eat only nuts once a week. Those who eat one to four times in a week reduced their risk of acquiring the heart disease by 25%. Recent researches also found out that walnuts and almonds can lower the blood levels of bad cholesterol which can lead to cardiovascular diseases. Besides its protective effect to the heart, this fruit have very low glycemic index. In fact, nuts are now being recommended by many dietitians to patients with diabetes mellitus 2.
KEEPING YOU AND YOUR BRAIN YOUNG Usually, what's beneficial to the heart is also favorable to the brain. Nuts are not just a hearty snack but also a brainy food. It helps keep your arteries clear so it lessens the risk of clogging arteries which can lead to stroke. Nuts also promote the production of precursors of serotonin, a neurotransmitter, which improves the mood, and reduces depression. One ounce of nuts is the recommended amount to eat. That is equivalent to 24 almonds or 12 walnuts. Nuts is full of calories so be careful in eating too much of eat. Eating more than one ounce is fine unless you replace unhealthy high-caloric foods in exchange of nuts. Here's the deal: those who eat one ounce of nuts five times a week become 3.3 years younger for the males, and 4.4 years for the females. In addition, you would also live two to three years longer compared to those who don't. WHAT SHOULD YOU EAT? Well, raw, unroasted, unsalted nuts are best for your body. Almonds are nut just tasty but are also beneficial because they are alkaline-formers even though they are high in protein. Having alkaline is good for the body because we need to keep up with the high acidic content of the body (which is the result of the oxygenation of all that we eat). Walnuts are the nuts that have the most abundance of Omega-3 fatty acids. Walnuts are the kind that is beneficial to the diabetics. Staying At Home Is Not Always Equal To Staying Young Exposing At-Home Dangers to Your Skin and Well-Being It's hard to imagine aging when you're always in your home. No sun, no wrinkles. No free radicals, no need for antioxidants. However, if you're still feeling grumpy; grumpy like you're aging and you can't do anything about it, you can use some at-home tips to do wonders. DE-STRESS YOUR HOME Look around you. If there's so much clutter, dust, dirty laundry, these can really ignite your temper. Clean your home and fill it with soothing scents. Ever wonder why a sunset on a really clean bay with the sun glistening on the clear water looks so relaxing? That's it, cleanliness = good mood. Save yourself from some self-nagging. Start picking the broom up and clean your surroundings. Classify the things that you need and not need in your desk. Your working area should also be clean so you can focus on your work faster and focus on your rest longer. Speaking of rest, try putting lavender or chamomile powder on your sheets just before you sleep. These scents induce sleep-sanctifying hormones to help you get the sleep you deserve. You can also add candles, apply scented oil on your wrists and have feel-good books by the bedside table. Stay away from stressing self-help books. Experts advise love/happiness poetry, fast food fictions or even a diary. Keeping a diary is like befriending yourself. You can use an extra friend, right? CHECK YOUR VENTILATION Your pores fluctuate depending on the humidity of the area. If it's cold, your pores will close. If it's warm, your pores will open. The ventilation in your home should be just right so your pores will not be very overworked. Notice that when it's too cold, your skin will also lack the moisture it needs. If your skin lacks moisture, when you get out of that cold area, your skin will overcompensate by producing more oil than usual. Yes, cold weather can breed unhealthy skin too. If it's also hot, your natural oils (moisture) will mix with your sweat. And that's dangerous. Sweat is dirt. Oil WILL become dirt. The equation to acne is actually dead cells/dirt + oil. There are different ways to look young, but to fake teenage acne is surely not the way to go. USE THE "MOST ORGANIC" TOILETRIES Your skin is like a sponge. It absorbs all the things that is placed and applied into it. It is important that you take note of the chemicals that you put on your skin. Read and analyze very carefully. Let's say you use a facial wash, a toner, a moisturizer and a face powder every day. Let's also assume that each of these things contain 20 chemicals. (Actually, that's a conservative approximate. Take a peek at the pack of your facial wash and toners; they contain compounds which you almost cannot read.) So every day, excluding the chemicals that may get to your skin when you go out, you take in at least 80 kinds of chemicals on your skin. It sounds glaring, right? However, the effects are not seen abruptly. The best that you can do is to choose your toiletries right. Choose the most "organic" cosmetics, soaps, lotions, etc. There are a lot of cosmetic / toiletry product lines in the market which swear to be hypo-allergenic, non-comedogenic (won't clog your pores) and were not tested on animals. They may be a tad more expensive but trust me, they're worth it. Staying young involves more than just taking care of your skin and your body. Remember to also keep a happy and optimistic state-of-mind to compliment the glow you have on your face! Resist The Force Of Aging If you're the type of person who would rather watch TV and eat all day long than giving you're muscles a little more stretch, better think twice. Here's the deal: this lifestyle speeds up aging. How? Well, inactivity accelerates aging in two ways: it decreases our muscle strength and gives us extra pounds. Muscle meltdown As we age, the quantity and strength of our muscle fibers diminish. Truth to the matter is, we lose two to four pounds of muscles every ten years. Decreased number and strength of muscles causes our muscles to lose flexibility, losing our usual range of motion and optimal strength. Lack of exercise is to blame. It was found out that not exercising for even just a week weakens our muscles significantly. In fact, if you don't exercise for a month, you will lose almost 50% of your original muscle strength. Some people may not even notice their atrophied muscles because of the fatty buildup in their body. Blame that too to lack of exercise. Gaining extra pounds The simple logic here is that if you are inactive, you gain extra pounds, and extra pounds can age you. But hey, there's a missing link. How does an increase in weight speed up aging? Researchers have recently found out that as people become heavier and became more insulin resistant (a common side effect of being fat and heavy), their telomeres (strands of DNA at the end of a chromosome that protect the tip from destruction and classically shorten with age) shrank more than those of people who didn't increase their weight and developed more insulin resistance, an apparent sign that the aging process was speeding up among overweight. Researchers suppose that the stress caused by increased weight and insulin resistance spawn inflammation and free radicals that damage cells. Simply put, a heavier body ages its own DNA. The Solution But the good news is, you can recover what you have lost and slice off what you have gained. Research clearly shows that a healthy lifestyle and exercise can help keep your DNA younger. In studies, regular exercise has been proven to keep you from diabetes, muscle atrophy, cancer, stroke, Alzheimer's, and heart diseases. Regular workout helps prevent hypertension, reduces body fat, raises High Density Lipoprotein (good cholesterol), lowers Low-Density Lipoprotein (bad cholesterol), improves circulation, keeps the bowel healthy, and regulates key hormones. An anti-aging workout is best for you! This includes consistent cardio, yoga, and weight training. You can do jogging, cycling, walking, and swimming for thirty minutes a day for about five times a week. Doing these of higher intensity everyday can be helpful in bringing more blood and oxygen to our brain. These activities also guard your heart by lowering blood pressure, reducing LDL, and keeping arteries flexible to improve circulation. Lifting weights should also be part of your roster of activities. Weightlifting for 20 minutes a day, twice a week can be of great help in having strong bones, and muscles, which of course includes the heart. For beginners, 3-5 pound dumbbells will do. Doing yoga is one of the best activities to fight stress. It relaxes the body, thereby, keeping stress from burning you out. It also protects the body against free radicals that break down the elasticity of the skin. More Benefits Exercise does not only keep you young, it also helps you sleep, firms you up, improves your mood, keeps you slim, and take note of this, charges up your sex life. Places Where People Live Young In Their Old Age A long life is one of man's greatest dreams. But this dream can never be pulled off by chance. A long and healthy one starts with having good genes, but definitely, it is not your genes alone that can determine if you'll live past the 100 mark. What you take and what you do is a huge factor. But many age-conscious people in the world find very notable places where many inhabitants live long and healthy lives. What then can we learn from these distinct communities? Okinawa, Japan With over a million inhabitants in this southern Japanese island, more than 900 of them have already lived more than a century. There are five more Okinawans who live to be 100 years old or so compared to other places in Japan. And the number of their centenarians is four times as many in America and in Britain. One distinct characteristic of the Okinawans is the ability to be healthy even until their end. Researchers observed that these people tend to age slower than others. They even work as long as they can which grants these people ikigai, a sense of purpose. Okinawans eat low-salt, low-fat, anti-oxidant rich foods such as fish, tofu, soya products, and seaweeds. A wide range of healthy foods like fruits and vegetables are also included in their rainbow diet. Not to mention, the age-defying tea is a mainstay in any meal. But what they don't eat may also be their secret to long life. Hara hachibu is a distinct cultural practice in this place wherein they eat until they are 80% full, consuming around 1, 200 calories in a day. Why this practice makes them young is still not understood that much. Loma Linda, California In this Californian city populated by the Seventh-day Adventists, citizens observe the healthy lifestyle the church promotes -- having a vegetarian diet, and abstinence from smoking or drinking. That is why a lot from this city are living five or ten years longer than their neighboring areas. That practice can well-explain that. However, scientist discovered that this practice is not done by everyone in this area, yet, they still live longer than the average. As many claim, this community's secret is their faith. It really does raise a question if there is something about being spiritual that makes their life longer. Researchers don't fully understand but there's this remarkable fact that makes everyone curious. It's been known for a couple of decades already that people who regularly go to the church, whatever their religion is, live more than those who don't. Some say that those who go to church on a regular basis have considerably lower levels of stress, and perhaps, because of this, these people are able to deal with stress better. Ovvoda, Sardinia This small town in Italy boasts many centenarians among its 1, 700 residents. Even more notably, there are as many men who live longer as women, kicking the trend in the world. Their secret is not only the Mediterranean diet, but also their genes. For centuries, the families in this place lived in isolation, and married only their fellow Sardinian. So, from a genetic point of view, marriage among relatives provides positive results like centenarians. With that said, interbreeding in this place seems to have caused their people to live a longer life. This phenomenon even made some scientist discover specific genes that are associated with long life. Lie Without Saying A Word -- Tips on Staying Youthful Stop waking up in the morning and dreading having to look in the mirror because you look "old". Instead, wake up to a relaxing full-body stretch and yawn unapologetically. Smile afterwards. If maintaining a youthful state-of-mind was as easy as that, everybody could just wake up to a good mood. Well, that can be a start. However, staying youthful means more than just those fancy chemicals advertised on TV promising you a "youthful glow" after seven days or so. If you really want to take it seriously, first, you examine the things and the values which are attributed to being "old". Examples of such are being "no fun", "unfashionable", "irritable" and "weak". Let's dissect these attributes and turn them 180 degrees around. SAY YES TO FUN! Remember when you were a teenager? When the world seemed to lack boundaries and when rules are made to be broken? Feel that rush. I am not suggesting you become a criminal. It's just that when we get older, our priorities become tweaked. Readjust them again and insert some fun into it. Eat street ice cream once again! Have a Big Mac once in a while! Get your nails painted regularly. Hang out with your younger peers -- your nieces count! -- once in a while. It will keep you on your toes about what "the funnest fun" feels like. And trust me, it's a high that no other drug (or anti-aging cream) can provide. STAY UPDATED IN FASHION Fashion is both an art and a discipline. However, it's not as hard as you think. There are general rules like matching your bag with your shoes, not wearing more than three colors at once, etc. There are certain fashion styles that never fade. Jeans, for example, is a worldwide classic. Learn how to use them properly. Read fashion magazines apt for your age, surf the internet for celebrity styles or even chat to your peers about it. TURN THAT FROWN UPSIDE DOWN Smile! Nothing brings more negative vibes than a sulky frown. In case you haven't heard yet, it takes three times more number of facial muscles to frown than to smile. So smile! In fact, studies show that the mere act of curving your lips upward -- even if you're not really smiling -- releases endorphins (the get-happy hormones) throughout your body. If you're trying to score a date, smiling will ease the tension down and makes you look more approachable. Moreover, notice the people in their 40s who always smile. They have an unexplainable, beautiful, youthful aura that works like an invisible halo that makes them always pleasing to the eye. You too, can be like them. It's all about attracting positivity in your life. Start by smiling. GET THOSE MUSCLES MOVING Oh come on! Who says you're bedridden? Get those muscles moving! Take an early morning jog and release more endorphins! Try walking to your destination if it's the sun is not so glaring. It's about time that you get out of your home and welcome the world outside! Experts suggest backyard sports like Frisbee, badminton and table tennis. However, if you seem to not have time for these sports (say, even on weekends) try doing a fifteen minute full-body stretch right after you wake up. It gives you time to meditate and plan your day ahead. Moreover, it also improves your flexibility. Work on it so you don't have to ask someone to get the slipper stuck under the sofa again. It's not yoga, but hey, you will get there. The best thing about this is that you don't have to eat a "special food" or buy "special equipment". You will hate having to eat oatmeal and bananas for the rest of your life and without turning your state-of-mind the way it should be, the treadmill you might purchase will just look forlorn in one corner. Youth is all about embracing life to the fullest. You can make youth eternal. Remember, Sex and the City? Samantha was still steaming hot even when she was fifty. Keeping Your Brain Young One good telltale of our real age is our mental capacity. We expect that as we become grandmas and grandpas, our intellectual performance can never be the same with its prime years. But why does this happen? And what can we do to avoid thinking like we are old-aged already? THE PROCESS OF AGING Our neurons are non-regenerative. That means they do not divide to reproduce more of its kind. Once they die, they can't be replaced with another one. As we age, these brain cells of ours start to reduce in size and in number. This reduces our ability to call to mind some things that we have learned, including those in school, and even those details when we were younger. A neurotransmitter called acetylcholine also declines as we age. This neurotransmitter is directly involved in memory and conveying of messages from a cell to another one. Moreover, because of the stresses that we have, the hippocampus, our memory bank, diminish in function. As we get old also, we develop plaques and tangles that accumulate between and within neurons, respectively. Plaques are proteins that mount up in between neurons while tangles are fibers that grow within the brain cells. Too much of these two are thought to kill nerve cells, like in Alzheimer's Disease, an age-related disease. In addition to this, substances are created as a result of our lifestyle and environmental pollution. These substances called free radicals can damage our DNA and impede the production of energy which can cause early cell death. STAY SHARP To delay the signs of aging with regards to our mental capability, we should make a number of things a habit. As they say, stress is inevitable in everyday life because we need it to overcome large and small obstacles. But, of course, stress has a lot more negative effects than good ones. So, avoid too much stress. According to some studies, stress does not only make you look older, it also accelerates the degeneration of your brain. Those who are easily stressed have higher risks to cognitive impairment than those who are not. You should examine yourself and determine the best ways in which you can cope with the obstacles of the day. Praying is one of the best examples. Planning ahead of time can reduce possible stress. An hour of it can even reduce two hours of your working time. To stay sharp, one must also have adequate sleep. A new research in Massachussetes General Hospital shows that adequate sleep can help you think well. Adequate sleep helps the brain collect different bits of information and have correct interpretation of them. On the contrary, if you sleep less than the required number, you would most likely have a bad performance and mood problems. Another thing we should regularly do to preserve our brain functions is to meditate. Doing it actually improves attention, learning, and memory. Regular meditation can also help you slow down the shrinking of our gray matter. For the younger ones, a thought of it is quite ridiculous because meditating is just for the oldies. But a new study has shown that people who meditate earlier in life have better attention in their succeeding years. One can't end a roster of anti-aging recommendations without mentioning about eating right. It is true when the say that an apple a day can make you okay. Apples are rich in flavonoids that helps protect the brain cells from free radicals. These fruits also contain a good number of antioxidants that do not only make your skin look young, it also raise the levels of the neurotransmitter called acetylcholine that diminishes as we age. Just for review, this neurotransmitter is very important for our memory and the ability of the neurons to transport messages from one to another. Keeping Skin Youthful The young rushing to grow old and the old doing all that it takes to stay young is one of the most observable ironies in life. Well, blame the latter to vanity, or, perhaps, let's be thankful for it. So that this time, it would be vanity's chance to strike 'coz staying young is just a simple routine that would spell a huge difference. And to boost this regimen, some experts share relevant tips for a younger-looking skin. Clean face properly Remove all traces of cosmetics on your face by using cotton balls and moisturizing cream. Using lukewarm water (that also opens pores for deeper cleansing) and a soap-free, non-comedogenic, and mild cleanser, gently rotate your middle and pinky fingers upwards avoiding hard rubbing that could damage your skin. Make sure hands are clean to prevent spreading bacteria and dirt which can worsen acne and other skin problems. Massage face wash on skin for about 60 seconds to wipe away dirt, bacteria, pollutants, and product residue. Rinse at least three times to remove residues that will clog our pores. After patting skin dry, use an alcohol-free toner that preferably contains glycolic acid or alpha hydroxy acid. These acids can educe the size of you pores and can give you instant results. Use soap on select areas To maintain the softness of skin, soap should be applied only on select areas--your face, underarms, feet, groin, and buttocks. These are the areas that need the cleansing effects of soap so other areas won't be unnecessarily stripped off of its natural skin oils. Some experts say that rinsing other areas with water alone is enough to make them clean. Moisturize while you wash Moisturizing after cleansing is absolutely necessary. Washing the face can aggressively remove the natural oil of the skin. Moisturizing after cleansing will replenish the necessary oil that was lost. Use products which contain the leas amount of harsh additives. Pure Vitamin E and aloe vera oil can be applied too for intensive moisture treatment. Just open a capsule and apply directly on skin for that intense moisture you need. Let moisturizer be absorbed well Set moisturizer for at least three minutes before applying makeup. This will let your moisturizer to be completely absorbed and will help our makeup to last all day. Clean a damp face, not a dry one Use cleansers on damp skin. According to Dr. Mary Lupo, a professor of dermatology at Tulane University, cleansers are more likely to be irritating if applied on dry skin. This will also lock in moisture. Splash face with cold water before a makeup This helps shrink pores and is a trick used by makeup artists to help makeup glide on seamlessly. Moreover, smaller pores give little space for pollutants and cosmetics to reside, hence, a more radiant skin. Apply products properly The effectiveness of products depends chiefly upon its penetration unto the skin. For better absorption of ingredients, follow this sequence: toner, serum or treatment products (like retinoids), moisturizer, and sunscreen. This sequence will keep heavy formulas from preventing lighter ones to be absorbed well. Move your sun shade Change the placement of your sunshade in your car. Move this to your left to block UV rays while you are driving. If not, the left side of your face would tend to look older than the other side because of the sun damage. Nevertheless, place a shade wherever you are seated in your car. It does not only protect your skin, but also that of your fellows. Experts have done their share, so now it's time to do yours. Anti-Aging Effects of Blueberries Blueberry season is almost coming. But this sweet, flare-crowned, indigo superfruit is more than just a mouth-watering delight to your craving senses. Would you believe that this favourite has a wide range of micronutrients that do not only protect the body from diseases, but also aging? High Antioxidant Value Blueberries, along with blackberries, strawberries, and plums, have the highest total antioxidant capacity of any food. It is being regarded as one of the "superfuits" having the promising combination of nutrient value, emerging research evidence for health benefits, versatility for manufacturing popular consumer products, and antioxidant strength. Antioxidants are thought to aid in guarding the body against the detrimental effects of free radicals to cells and the chronic diseases associated with the course of aging. The antioxidants present in this fruit can protect the cell, so there is less chance for aging. Blueberries contain 14 mg of Vitamin C and 0.8 mg Vitamin E per 1 cup of blueberries. Blueberries also contain anthocyanins and phenolics that can also act as antioxidants. With this, the effects of blueberries to the skin are copious. Neuron Protection The compound anthocyanin, found in blueberries, is thought to slow down age-related loss in the mental capacity of humans. Those who eat more blueberries are thought to have better functioning in motor behavioral learning and memory. Anthocyanin also gives blueberries their colour and might be the key factor of the blueberry's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. While it is thought that aging can decrease cognitive and motor functions, blueberries can be of huge help to improve mental functioning. Better balance and coordination Blueberries also have positive effects to balance and coordination. In a study by Dr. James Joseph of Tufts University, it was found that a diet loaded with blueberries counteracted poor balance and coordination associated with aging. In this study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, Joseph fed four groups of rats a normal diet. But among these groups were given blueberries, spinach, or strawberries. For 18 weeks, the rats were tested for mental functioning, muscle strength, coordination, and balance. The two groups which were fed with strawberry and blueberry extracts performed well on these tests, but the group fed with blueberries executed the most improvement. Not only that, findings also showed that blueberries improved the neuronal functioning of the rats. Dr. Joseph suspects the findings are a result of blueberries' rich store of flavonoids -- phytochemicals that have an effect on cell membranes. These findings suggest that nutritional intervention can offer hope to those suffering poor balance and coordination related to aging. Prevention of diseases A serving of blueberries provides a relatively low glycemic load while providing a diverse range of nutrients, which also means there are fewer calories (good news for calorie-watchers) in a serving full of phytochemicals and nutrients such as iron, vitamins C and E. Because of the phytochemicals present, the risk of acquiring some deadly diseases may also be prevented. Anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, flavonols, and tannins found in this wonderful fruit may help prevent cancer by inhibiting some cancer mechanisms. These components protect the DNA from damage and disintegration caused by free radicals. At a symposium on berry health benefits, there have been reports that eating blueberries and other similar fruits like cranberries may improve the cognitive deterioration occurring in Alzheimer's disease and other conditions of aging. Blueberries may help lower the damages of stroke. Researches have also shown that blueberries may help prevent urinary tract infections (UTI), hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia that can also lead to potentially fatal heart disease. With blueberries, your tongue, and more importantly your health would get the best out of it. Well, even without all these benefits in mind, who wouldn't die for a serving of blueberries? Hmmmm: Anyone? Age-Defying Hair A lustrous, clean, and lively hair is a subject of envy for many. It is a manifestation of an optimum health and an evidence of youthful glow. While it is a frustration for some, you can transform that dull, grimy, and limp hair of yours to an enviably age-defying one too! How? Shampoo only he scalp If you compare skin care to hair care, shampoo is the soap that gets rid of oils, dirt, dandruff, pollutants and other impure particles that gradually assembles in hair. Just like your soap, your shampoo should also be used only unto select areas to prevent it from stripping out so much as to make hair unmanageable. So when shampooing, remember that your hair is dirtiest and oiliest at the scalp. Shampoo just your scalp and the sudsy overflow would be sufficient to cleanse the rest of you hair without saying goodbye to your hair's natural shine. Remember, too much shampoo eliminates too much oil that actually protects the protein structure of hair from damage, and you're just reversing the end of your purpose. Tsk tsk Know what to use Many commercial shampoos, conditioners, and other hair products can damage your hair in the long run making hair look dull and weary. Choosing the right product does not only make the hair look health and beautiful but also saves hair from destruction. For very dry hair, use mild shampoo and good quality conditioner that contain humectants which holds moisture in the hair. For greasy hair, a good nourishing shampoo should be used, while avoiding too much brushing as this excites oil glands which are already over-active. People with sensitive scalp should use organic or botanical shampoos because they have less harsh chemicals, thus, gentler to your hair. For brittle hair, a conditioner with reconstructor should be used- preferable those that contain hydrolyzed protein that penetrates the hair and strengthens its structure. For people usually exposed to sun or blow-dryers and hair curlers, a shampoo and conditioner with thermal protectors should be used. These shield the hair against excessive heat. Baby shampoos should only be used by babies, of course, as its composition is not enough for the hair of an adult. There's no dispute as to what people with dandruff should use. Condition only the tips Again if you compare skin care to hair care, a conditioner is the moisturizer that helps improve the texture and appearance of the hair. Like shampoo, soap, and moisturizers, a conditioner should only be applied unto select areas. This time, put conditioner only at the ends. This prevents the hair to sit limp at the roots which actually makes your hair look older. Proper blow-drying The nozzle of a blow-dryer should be pointed downward to help close the cuticle, improving the sheen of our hair. For the final three minutes of blow-drying, experts suggested to switch the equipment to a cool setting to fight dry and frizz hair, and flyaways. Have a shorter hair According to beauty experts, long hair can age you and make you look tired and haggard, and they say that shorter hair can give you just the boost you need to look younger. So, be brave to give yourself a better cut. You don't wanna look old with a long hair. Furthermore, tell your hairdresser to add layers as this gives hair fullness and bounce, that, in turn, makes hair look softer and shinier. Make it shine For a shinier hair, some people use a little amount of ale, yes, real ale to the rinsing water. Like a fine lace As a popular hairdresser said before, the hair is like a fine lace. It is a precious item people wear and display anywhere, anytime. In the end, whether your aim is to look younger or just plainly to look more beautiful, you will be held responsible in taking care of a precious lace. Being Young And Healthy With Apricots This delectable yellow-orange drupe is a source of glee to its avid fans. Whether you like it straight from your hand or in a sweet dessert, this pubescent-surfaced fruit surely delivers lots of benefits to the body. As tasty as it is, an apricot is as well helpful to boosting your youthfulness. A younger-looking skin and healthier lives of those who include a couple of this fruit in their daily diet is an obvious evidence of what it can bring. Now let us take a closer look at how this wonderful fruit can be very useful to you. Carotenoids The secret of apricot's power lies in its high-level of a mighty antioxidant called carotenoids. The oxygen-free forms of carotenoids such as lycopene, alpha-carotene, and beta-carotene are the organic pigments helpful to men. Beta-carotene is being converted by the body to Vitamin A which is beneficial to the eyes- it protects the eyes from functional deterioration, lessens the risk of acquiring cataracts, and prevents the eyes from xerophthalmia -- a disease that dries the conjunctival epithelium. Apricots also protect the heart through its famous bright red carotenoid called lycopene. Lycopene protects the heart by reducing the blood levels of Low-Density Lipoprotein (bad cholesterol) which causes formation of plaque in the blood vessels, which in turn, precipitate a number of heart diseases. The Department of Agriculture of the United States says that Lycopene is the most potent antioxidant among other carotenoids as this extinguishes peroxyl radicals that damage the DNA that initiates cancer. Lycopene helps in fighting breast cancer and prostate cancer. Dried apricots are good sources of lycopene. People susceptible to these diseases should include apricots in their diet. Other properties and benefits Velvety apricots are also high in fiber. Apricots are used to prevent and allay constipation and can even induce diarrhea. Three apricots are enough to take effect. This means also that it can help you slash your weight, have a normal digestion, and control high blood levels of sugar. Fiber also keeps the blood vessels from being congested. Apricots are also high in potassium that helps in regulating the blood pressue and the contraction of the heart. The kernels of apricots are equally nutritious. Each kernel has several helpful properties that are proven to assuage cough and helps the respirator system to be toned. But before eating a kernel, the tip of the seeds should be cut off as this contains high levels of laetrile that can upset the stomach. Apricots are also rich in Vitamin C and iron. Apricots also help the body fight Alzheimer's disease, memory loss, and an eye-disease called Age-Related Macula Degeneration. Around the World and Beyond Apricot is a traditional Chinese medicine that helps in restoring lost body fluids (which also prevents dehydration) and in detoxifying the body. Without knowing why they did, the Chinese also ate apricots to improve their fertility. Now we know that this fruit is abundant in minerals that boost the production of sex hormones. In the Hunza Valley in Himalayas, people used apricots as staple food. Many centenarians live in this area. Because of that benefit, Europeans have long thought of apricots to be aphrodisiacs. In fact, William Shakespeare depicted apricot in A Midsummer Night's Dream as such. In The Duchess of Malfi, apricots were depicted as an inducer of childbirth. Three centuries ago, the English used apricot oil to fight tumors and ulcers. Officials of National Aeronautics and Space Administration said that astronauts (in flight) included apricot on their menu for a number of occasions already. In fact, apricots have been on the menu of the Apollo 15 trip. Be Breakfast-Pretty A guide to at-home facials and skin-friendly processes After a stressful day, take some time to relax. Put on some scented candles, put your feet up and tune up Norah Jones on your stereo. Take deep breaths as if they're the last ones you have. Stress is already the second strongest killer in the medical field. Stress can lead to a lot of complications later on. So while it's early, learn to combat stress by feeling good and keeping beautiful. If you know how to cook, you might consider the kitchen "the heart of your home". However, if you're the kind of person who is always outside, it's safe to say your heart is not really in your home. Maybe you're out partying, socializing and (darn!) working. That's not so hard to imagine if your home is usually connected with clutter and some work. Change that image! Start prettifying in your home and make it your own Beauty Mecca. Here are some at-home skin-spoiling masks and creams to help you maintain that youthful glow. EGG MASKS The egg is composed of two parts: the egg white and the egg yolk. You're lucky both can be used as facial masks raw! First, let's tackle the egg white. Separate carefully the egg white from the yolk after you've broken the egg shell. Next, beat the egg white until it's foamy. Spread it all over your face in a circular motion. Avoid touching your eyes during the process. Wait until the egg white hardens on your face. You will feel a tightening of your skin after 15-20 minutes. After that, wash the egg white off your face and pat your skin dry. Also, if you have oily skin, it is advised that you add a few drops of lemon juice into the egg white mixture. It will help minimize the oil on your face. However, if your skin is oily, do not add lemon juice. It will only irritate your skin. Next, let's tackle the egg yolk. The egg yolk is actually very high in Vitamin A. It helps in the "healing" of your blemishes. Just apply the yolk to your face in the same manner that you applied the egg white. Wait for 30 minutes for it to dry. Wash with warm water and pat your skin dry. Though it may smell a bit, many experts actually swear by this technique. Eggs are better off as skin spoilers than food. At least you don't get fat when you spread it on your face! OATMEAL MASK Experts advise using oatmeal for trouble-prone or acne-prone skin. This breakfast wonder is actually famous for its gentle exfoliating features. First, clean your face with water and facial wash. Never use soap as they are not designed for the skin on the face. Next, wash your face with warm water and follow it up with hot compresses (using a washcloth). Moisten pinches of oatmeal until it looks like paste and use it to scrub your face. Again, avoid the area around your eyes. Wash off with cool water to close pores. You may also use the oatmeal as a facial mask. Just repeat the process mentioned in the preceding paragraph but instead of washing the oatmeal paste away, let it stay on your face until it dries. You are highly encouraged to use natural ingredients in taking care of your skin. Remember that our skin is like a sponge. It absorbs everything that we put in it. In this case, if you are confident about the things that you put on your skin, then everything will go just right. There have been countless positive feedbacks about these home-made masks. Try them! Breakfast will mean a lot more than a morning meal to you now! Antioxidant and Its Promise for a Younger You The emerging market for products claiming to slow aging is undeniably astounding. Among these, supplements containing antioxidants perhaps give the best promises to the consumers. Aside from the fact that these are a wound to the pocket, antioxidant products offer a delight to those who would like to look young in a flash. But how does this "free-radical sponge" really work? Free Radicals Defined First identified by Moses Gomberg in 1900, free radicals are molecular species that are highly reactive. These tiny things play a role in chemical reactions including that of the human. As the cells produce energy (for function and survival), the also create oxygen molecules that are unstable because its electrons are unpaired. These unpaired electrons make this thing to be highly labile. In the human body, if these unstable molecules go together with other molecules, they would kill their newly acquainted fellows, thereby speeding up the aging process. Drinking, the radiation coming from TVs and computers, drugs, and cigarette smoking spawn free radicals. If we persistently have stress and do not take them away by way of exercise, we give way to the formation of free radicals. If we don't have a good sleep at least seven hours, we are actually exciting production of more fee radicals. A lot of changes in our body are as a result of the activities of the free radicals. They damage the DNA and impair other vital functions of cells, causing premature death to these cells. Over time, all these damages would mount up and cause our body to accelerate aging. Upon breathing, oxygen induces a process called oxidation. And it is in here where free radicals form. This process is likened to the oxidation of metals. Once oxidized, aluminum turns to be white, iron becomes rusty, and copper transforms into green. In the same logic that oxidation damages metals; free radicals are also detrimental to our body. How Antioxidants Work Antioxidants are molecules that have the capability of preventing oxidation of other molecules (by the name itself: antioxidant). In the light of anti-aging, antioxidants prevent the formation of free radicals. Antioxidants are naturally occurring substances found in plants. If our body has an abundance of antioxidants, we will be able to prevent the harm brought about by free radicals. Benefits of Antioxidants Antioxidants can help you look younger, live longer, and be at your optimum health. Foods rich in antioxidants like fruits and vegetables can give you great protection from coronary heart diseases, and age-related diseases like Alzheimer's disease. Antioxidants can also strengthen our immune resistance to diseases such as influenza and other bacterial and viral infections. These substances also reduce a person's risk of acquiring cancer, an incurable disease. Antioxidants also prevent glaucoma and the age-related degeneration of our macula, the part of the eye that is dedicated for superior acuity vision. Antioxidants also beat down the passing of the aging clock making your skin and other organs rejoice. Carotenoids, zinc, selenium, and the Vitamins A, C, and E are some of the main antioxidants. Glutathione is said to be the most powerful among all forms of antioxidants. They are naturally present in our body since we were young but depletes as we get older. If antioxidant supplements are not your type, you may take some delectable bite of the super fruits such as blueberry and raspberry which are said to contain the most number of antioxidants. So now that you have understood well how these miracle supplements work, you would realize why these wonder tablets cost a lot. May you have a healthily long and young life!
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