Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Resveratrol For Anti Aging Agent

Researchers at Zhejiang University in China investigated the effect of injections of resveratrol on the central regulation of blood pressure, heart rate, and renal sympathetic nerve activity in animals. Their results suggest that resveratrol powerfully inhibits blood pressure, heart rate, and renal sympathetic nerve activity. This study has tremendous implications for anti-aging therapies.

In the July 26, 2008 Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, researchers addressed the question of the potential chemo-preventative activity of resveratrol against human cancers and its effect on normal cells. They examined the differential effect of resveratrol at physiologically relevant concentrations on nonmalignant and malignant cell lines and compared the underlying mechanisms via cell cycle modulation, induction of cell death, and potential toxicity. They found that 24 hours of exposure to resveratrol was toxic to both nonmalignant and malignant cells in a dose dependent manner. However, nonmalignant cells re-grew 5 times more than malignant cells after 120 hours. Significant alterations in cell cycle kinetics were induced by resveratrol in the malignant cells, but to a lesser extent for the nonmalignant cells. The proportion of cell death was 3 times higher in malignant cells compared to nonmalignant cells.

This research confirms that resveratrol produces a selective action that is able to target malignant cells for destruction while allowing nonmalignant cells to modulate its effect. It is just this type of malignant cell action that chemotherapy aims to achieve. However, the effects of chemotherapy are also toxic to healthy cells.

Apoptosis, July 26, 2008 reports a search for compounds capable of protecting cells against deoxycholate, a bile salt that harms cells and causes disease. In colon epithelial cells, deoxycholate increased generation of reactive oxygen species and caused DNA damage and cell death. Resveratrol and also quercetin were each able to largely prevent the occurrence of cell death in cells exposed to deoxycholate. These findings suggest that resveratrol may be able to undo cellular damage that leads to colon cancer.

The July 9, 2008 Experimental Gerontology reports researchers finding that resveratrol is able to mimic the effects of rigorous calorie restriction in several cytoskeletal maintenance and multiple stress response pathways. This effect is achieved by control of mitochondrial biogenesis and turnover, critical factors in the maintenance of energy production, the prevention of endogenous oxidative stress, and the promotion of healthy aging. Previous research has revealed the healthy benefits associated with daily caloric restriction of between 30 and 50 percent below what is considered today as average. These benefits also occur as the result of fasting. Such diets have been linked to reduction in the risk of age associated diseases and stress, along with a slowing of age related functional decline. In a previous study, this research team found that consuming resveratrol improved the health and survival of obese mice, even while they continued to consume a high calorie diet. Resveratrol showed to have the same positive effect on the livers, muscles, hearts and bones as calorie restriction. Resveratrol has also been shown to extend the lives of yeast, worms, flies and fish.

In another study at Zhejiang University in China researchers investigated the effects of resveratrol on adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation. Compared with the control group, resveratrol inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation and fibrinogen in a dose dependent manner. The accumulation of platelets can form clots which may result in heart attack by lodging in an artery and restricting blood flow to the heart or brain.

About resveratrol

Resveratrol's most abundant source is the grapes used to make red wine, with the highest concentrations being found in the skins. Red wine contains approximately 160 micrograms per fluid ounce. Significant amounts of resveratrol are also found in peanut kernels, with one ounce of peanuts containing about 73 micrograms, the amount also contained in 6 cups of red grapes. It is a component of Ko-jo-kon, an oriental medicine used to treat diseases of the circulatory system, heart and liver. Since wine is the most notable dietary source, it is the primary object of speculation and research on resveratrol, although wine contains many other compounds with biologic effects.

Resveratrol's properties as an antioxidant and anti-cancer agent are rapidly becoming documented, and it is sometimes referred to as an explanation for the "French Paradox", the low incidence of heart disease in the French population who eat a relatively high fat diet. In grape and peanuts plants, resveratrol's role is antibiotic and part of the defense system.

Other documented effects

Results from various research studies have shown resveratrol to be protective against the oxidation of LDL cholesterol in the blood. It is this oxidation of LDL that initiates the deposition of cholesterol in the walls of the arteries that can lead to heart attack. Its hydrophilic and lipophilic properties can provide more effective protection than other well-known antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E.

Research at the University of Illinois in Chicago using resveratrol extracted from grapes found that the threat of cancer was reduced in animals when the compound was used to stop the growth of damaged cells. Had these damaged cells been left to grow, they would have become out of control, resulting in cancer.

The Peanut Institute has concluded that the finding of resveratrol in peanuts may support epidemiological studies from Loma Linda University, Harvard School of Public Health and University of Minnesota that show peanuts may reduce the risk of heart disease by more than half when eaten frequently in small amounts.

Should you supplement with resveratrol?

Research on resveratrol is just beginning to reveal its array of health benefits, and many extracts of resveratrol are appearing on the market that make adding it to your diet very easy. Probably the best choice is to add a glass of red wine or peanuts to your diet. Both red wine and peanuts have been proven to provide very significant overall health benefits. The consumption of red wine is an integral part of the Mediterranean diet, found to be extraordinarily health promoting. It is in red wine and peanuts that resveratrol is found in nature, suggesting that this is how nature intended for us to consume it. When any compound is part of a whole food, it is a part of a complex of balanced compounds that give it an integrity not found when it appears as an isolated extract.

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Miso Soup for Health and Anti-Aging Benefits

Miso is a delicious fermented food that has been eaten in China and Japan for many centuries. Today it is a favorite of health minded people in the West because of its many anti-aging benefits. Miso and other fermented foods and drinks help build up the inner ecosystem and assure the digestive tract is amply supplied with beneficial bacteria. These bacteria help digest, synthesize, and assimilate nutrients so necessary for good health and anti-aging. They also strengthen the immune system, keeping it at the ready to fight infection and cancer.

Miso can raise the nutritional value of many recipes

Miso is a fermented soybean paste with a salty taste, a buttery texture and a unique nutritional profile that make it a versatile condiment for a host of different recipes, and a foundation for traditional miso soup. In addition to soybeans, miso can include rice, barley or wheat.

Miso is made by adding a yeast mold known as koji to soybeans and other ingredients and allowing them to ferment for a period of time ranging from months to years, depending on the specific type of miso being produced. When the fermentation process is completed, the mixture is ground into a paste similar in texture to nut butter.

The color, taste, texture, and saltiness of miso depend on the exact ingredients used and the duration of the fermentation process. Miso can range in color from white to brown. The darker the coloring, the more robust the flavor and saltiness. The six popular types of miso are:

Hatcho miso (made from soybeans only)
Kome miso (made from white rice and soybeans)
Mugi miso (made from barley and soybeans)
Soba miso (made from buckwheat and soybeans)
Genmai miso (made from brown rice and soybeans)
Natto miso (made from ginger and soybeans)

Miso making is complex and is esteemed as an art form in Asia. In the U.S., interest in miso is increasing due to the growing interest in health and the popularity of Asian food culture stimulated by research suggesting it has numerous health benefits.

Prepared miso is widely available in the U.S.

Miso is available at health food stores and many traditional markets, particularly those that stock foods from around the world. Because the lighter colored misos have a more delicate flavor, they are better suited for soups, dressings and light sauces. The darker varieties go best with foods having pungent flavors. If stored in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed container, miso can be kept for up to a year.

Certified organic miso made with sea salt is the best choice if available. Miso should ideally have a fermentation time of between six months and two years.

Miso is a versatile food

Miso-tahini sandwishes are delicious. Spread miso on a piece of bread and top with tahini. Sprinkle on slivered almonds or slivered radishes

Miso can be added to marinades for meat, fish, poultry or game. Use it in baked potatoes after they are cooked and spice them up with some herbs. Add miso and herbs to warm or cold rice dishes.

Combine miso with olive oil, ginger and garlic to make a delicious dressing that can be used on salads, cold grain dishes, or pasta.

Carry dried miso soup packets and use them at coffee break time.

Traditional miso soup is quick and easy to prepare. Its health benefits are legendary, making chicken soup pale in comparison.

Traditional Miso Soup Recipe

Ingredients:

5-inch strip wakame (sea vegetable), or 2 teaspoons dried wakame
1 large onion (about 1 cup)
4 cups purified water
2 to 8 Tablespoons light miso depending on the richness desired

Instructions:

Soak the wakame in water for 10 minutes and slice into 1.5 inch pieces.

Thinly slice onions.

Put water, onions and wakame in a saucepan and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat and simmer for 10-20 minutes, until tender.

Remove 1.5 cups of broth from the saucepan and place in a bowl.

Allow water in the bowl to cool a bit and add the miso, mixing it into the water (the water should be cooled to a temperature of 105 degrees or lower so the beneficial microflora and enzymes in the miso remain in tact).

Turn off heat, allowing the remaining water in the saucepan to also cool to 105 degrees or below. When it has cooled, add the miso broth to the soup in the saucepan. Add chopped parsley, green onions, ginger or watercress for garnish.

This is a vegetarian version of miso soup. Dried bonito fish flakes found in Asian markets can be added to this soup to make a more substantial broth. Simmer one tablespoon of bonito flakes in the soup water for 10 minutes and strain.

Sip miso soup for your health

Many studies have shown the health benefits of miso on humans and animals. Benefits include reduced risks of breast, lung, prostate, and colon cancer, and protection from radiation. Researchers have found that consuming one bowl of miso soup per day, as do most residents of Japan, can drastically lower the risks of breast cancer.

Miso has a very alkalizing effect on the body and strengthens the immune system to combat infection. Its high antioxidant activity gives it anti-aging properties.

Miso helps the body maintain nutritional balance. It is loaded with other nutrients along with its beneficial bacteria and enzymes. Miso provides protein, vitamin B12, vitamin B2, vitamin E, vitamin K, choline, linoleic acid, lecithin, and dietary fiber. Its high content of the amino acid tryptophan makes miso a good choice right before bedtime. Tryptophan is nature's sleep inducer.

Miso helps preserve skin beauty through its content of linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid that helps skin stay soft and free of pigment.

Miso is a good choice for women with menopausal complaints because it is able to fill estrogen receptors and produce some of the actions of estrogen in the body.

The long, slow process of fermentation needed to break down soy requires more hardy bacteria than is used for other fermented products, contributing the special health benefits of miso. Dr. Hiro Watanabe, an expert in developmental biology and cancer prevention in Japan, conducted several animal and human studies using freeze dried rice miso. His goal was the understanding of how miso protects against cancer, radiation and other diseases.

Dr. Watanabe's studies showed that for cancers like those of the breast and prostate, the ideal length of fermentation was between 6 months and 2 years. He found that miso fermented for 180 days is typically a rich color and has plenty of healthy microflora.

According to Dr. Watanabe's studies, the sodium in miso did not produce adverse effects in people with salt sensitivity and hypertension. For cancer, Dr. Watanabe recommended 3 cups of miso a day. For high blood pressure, he recommended 2 cups, and for relief of menopausal symptoms, he recommended 1 to 3 cups per day. His maintenance amount is 1 cup per day. He noted the beneficial effects of replacing the salt used in food preparation with miso.

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Monday, February 9, 2009

Secret Behind Success Anti Aging Treatment

No woman wants signs of aging to be shown on her face. So it is not surprising that many women spend hundreds of dollars on antiaging skincare products and Botox injections for wrinkles, and are constantly on the lookout for the latest anti aging secret.

For many women who are looking for antiaging secrets, the solution seems to be Botox injections. Whilst at first sight it seems to be effective, there are potential side effects.

It is important to keep in mind that Botox injections for wrinkles should only be performed by someone who has a lot of experience. There are possible side effects and also the possibility that this skincare treatment be ineffective. Before trying Botox, be sure to learn about other anti aging treatments.

Personally I wouldn't let anyone near my skin with Botox.

Many women do not realize is that there are simple and effective things which can be done to slow down or prevent the signs of aging that are way better than using Botox. Here are some anti aging secrets that you should know about.

If you are looking for a good antiaging product, one of the biggest antiaging secrets that you should know about is organic skincare products. Organic skin care products, which are made from natural ingredients, are known to work wonders when it comes to reducing the signs of aging.

This is one of the anti aging secrets which has recently gained a lot of recognition as many are trying to live eco-friendly lifestyles and use natural products, both because these products are more effective and more healthy than their pharmaceutical cousins.

There are several anti aging secrets which may seem less significant, but that actually can play a huge role in how quick you show signs of aging.

The first is makeup. For starters, it is best to try to use eye and face makeup products which are all natural. If you have not already tried using organic makeup, then you may want to start. Even more importantly, however, it is necessary to make sure that you remove your makeup with a cleanser before going to sleep at night.

Another simple antiaging secret that you should know about is sun protection. Wearing a good sun block at all times is necessary. Keep in mind that you should wear a sun block while you are driving, as sunburn is known to occur through car windshields.

Whether you choose to opt for Botox injections for wrinkles or an organic wrinkle cream, you should keep in mind that you do not need to show signs of aging. Choose the Botox as a last resort, you should never get to that point if you find a good organic skincare range.

And you can find high quality natural skincare products produced from organic ingredients, but you won't find them in the drugstore.

These are just some of the many, many anti aging secrets that you should know about.

And there's one more. There is one small niche anti aging company that makes superb natural anti aging products, and they work well. However they don't advertise on TV, so I'll bet you've never heard of them.

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Connection of Anti-Aging Skin Treatment And Diet

There is no more profound truth than the above statement. Nutrition plays a vital role in how we look, how we think, how we work and how we live. Thousands of years ago, our ancestors recognized this connection between nature and humans, and had respected its dictates. Today, humans negate most of the wisdom of the past in favor of man-made chemical cosmetics and antiaging skin care treatments.

The Ayurveda of ancient India, the medicine men of Egypt, and the wisdom of ancient China all point in unison to the fact that your diet can keep you young forever. Are you ready to adopt one that will help you to look your best, feel your best and work your best? If yes, then consider adopting several important steps.

Introduce water to diet. The most effective antiaging skin care treatment is plain water. You will need to drink minimum eight glasses daily in order to keep your skin hydrated from inside; anything less than that will promote skin dryness and thereby the start of wrinkles.

Introduce plenty of green vegetables into your diet. Green vegetables that can be eaten raw are the best possible tools for antiaging skin care. There is a wealth of minerals, vitamins, and essential natural resources that will take years away from your age. You would do good to have plenty of vegetable juice as often as you can. Fruits too can make a valuable addition to the diet.

Detoxify your body every six months to one year for healthy glowing skin. There are a great deal of toxins that enter our bodies through the food we eat, the air we breathe, and the liquids we drink. The majority of these toxins are flushed out by the liver, kidneys and skin.

However, a good amount stays back and builds up slowing down the healthy processes in the body and counteracting any antiaging skin care treatments. It is very important that you undergo total detoxification at least once a year to enjoy good health and great skin.

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Find Appropriate Anti-Aging Treatment

Physical appearance usually becomes the innermost reflection of people, their lifestyles, and their personalities today. In a world where physical beauty matters, it's not surprising that more and more people look for products that would maintain or even enhance their beauty.

One of the worst physical flaws people—especially women—consider is the occurrence of wrinkles and other visible signs of aging. And since they are more concerned about their physical appearances, women are more enthusiastic in trying different sorts anti-aging skin care treatments and products.

They are more into using products and availing of treatments that would protect their skin against the aging effects of the environment.

MINIMIZING THE EFFECTS OF AGING

Studies show that the first thing you need to do if you think your skin is being damage by aging is to provide the it with the essential nutrients it needs and take care of it by using proper anti-aging skin care treatments.

Most dermatologists also agree that a person can help minimize skin aging and damage caused by years of being exposed to chemicals, free radicals in the body, and several environmental factors by discovering anti-aging skin care treatment or wrinkle free skin care that can give them younger looking and healthier skin.

With the help of modern science and technology, having a flawless skin is still possible today despite the environment damages the skin endures. Most experts agree that people can minimize premature aging of skin by arming themselves with knowledge about the aging process, its causes, and look for possible natural solutions like going back to healthy living by doing regular exercise, having balanced diet and developing a healthy lifestyle.

But if these natural options can no longer work, various anti-aging skin care treatments and programs are available in the market today. Here are some anti-aging skin care treatments and products that can help you regain that youthful look:

1. Anti-wrinkle creams. The use of anti-wrinkle creams is probably the best anti-aging skin care treatment there is. Various anti-wrinkle creams that have powerful antioxidants prevent premature aging and wrinkling of the skin.

The use of such creams also help protect the skin against harmful free radicals in the body, the harmful effects of cosmetics, environmental damages. By using high-grade herbs and ingredients as major components, anti-wrinkle creams can minimize the spread of existing wrinkles and age spots by tightening the skin.

2. Anti-aging moisturizers. Since the ingredients of moisturizers penetrate deeply into the skin, the use of anti-aging moisturizers will help lessen the visible signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles and sun spots. These moisturizers also all to the skins hydration level depending on the person's skin.

3. Anti-aging sunscreens. With today's global warming, it is a must that people wear sunscreen or sun block to avoid the harsh rays of the sun. If you want to maintain a younger looking skin, look for anti-aging sunscreens that are suited for your skin type.

4. Antioxidants. Antioxidants—through the use of vitamins or by eating foods that have high anti-oxidant content—can help your skin cells bind the free radicals that usually cause aging or death of skin cells.

5. Exfoliants. When you reach the age of 30, the capability of your skin to exfoliate decreases. This is why it is quite important to avail of an external form of exfoliation to keep skin renewing itself.

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