Aging and Longevity Articles

Every time I see my patient, Eddie*, I always tell him, “Eddie, when I grow up, I want to be like you.” Eddie buzzes with energy. At 88 years old he’s full of life – more healthy and active than many 20-year-olds I know.rn rnEddie says the secret to his vitality is coffee. In my opinion the jury’s still out on whether Eddie’s right here. I’ve known him long enough to know he does a lot of good things for his health that contribute to the spring in his step. But

“If I had know I was going to live so long, I’d have taken better care of myself”. (Eubie Blake, celebrated ragtime pianist, 1883-1983)

In 2003, researchers asked an elderly population in Manitoba Canada what they define as aging successfully. The response was that the senior citizens said that to them successful aging is staying physically fit, being healthy in the body and the brain, and remaining socially active. It turns out that it is exactly these four factors that play the greatest role in aging successfully. Research has shown that not only are these 4 factors important for those of us in our later ye

In Part 1 of this Supplements article I explained strategies for maintaining healthy digestive function as we age by taking supplemental stomach acid (Betaine HCl), Digestive enzymes and Probiotics. When we are young to middle aged, we can take these as need arises, but the older we get, the more it needs to be a daily pattern; HCl and enzymes with meals and probiotics taken at night on an empty stomach. The point being that as we age supplementation needs change, generally increasing as we need to make up for functions of our bodies that are throttling back with time.

Alzheimer's is a progressive disorder that results in the degeneration of the brain. It is often a paradoxical disorder, affecting the minds of individuals whose physical bodies are perfectly healthy otherwise. Alzheimer's slowly and insidiously produces dementia that leaves aging individuals unable to care for themselves, remember their loved ones, or perform the basic activities of daily living. Alzheimer's is a disease that has baffled scientists for many years. Currently,

As we move into the fall, our thoughts turn to getting back into the routine of the year. Remember when that routine included school? It still should. Why? Chances are getting schooled is just the kind of workout your brain can use.

More Antioxidants for Optimal Aging

Wabi Sabi (wah-bee sah-bee) is a Japanese concept of life and art in which beauty is found in things that are weathered, asymmetrical, incomplete, imperfect and impermanent. As I age, my body is becoming all of the above and, therefore, Wabi Sabi has become my new kemo sahbee (faithful friend). I’m learning to see myself as a work of art, not in spite of my flaws, but BECAUSE of them. What a concept! I’ve had a head start with this Wabi Sabi way of seeing myself -- over t

Many cosmetic companies are capitalizing on on our need to fight the signs of aging. Prices for these "miracle" concoctions can run as high as $200 for a cream! So what is in these small jars of hope and promise? Looking through the ingredients and deciphering the scientific names, you may discover that some of the ingredients are derive from fruits and vegetables that we regularly buy in the Produce section of our favorite grocer.nnA simple fruit, grapes, has been used in an

You may have heard about the superfood known as chlorella. But do you know how powerful its unique nutrition is? Let me tell you how chlorella changed one man’s life over 60 years ago . . . At age 54, Hideo Nakayama had just about given up hope. His doctors had given him no more than 5 years to live. His body had been broken down, ravaged by the combination of disease and war. In four years, he had four operations for different health problems. He’d tried every medication

With age comes decreased capacity to repair cellular damage, to digest foods completely, to produce energy in our mitochondria, to recover from exercise, to take in and use oxygen, to circulate blood, repair cartilage, etc. Supplements are a primary strategy for getting around these limitations. (If you are young, before you know it this will all apply to you, so pay attention).

More and more people are having trouble getting a good night’s rest. People are turning to those sleep elixirs that we see at the convenience store registers (in bottles similar to 5 Hour Energy) and sleeping pills. Believe it or not, I know a doctor who drinks Nyquil every night so that she can get to sleep. This is a huge problem and the consequences can be very serious. Look at the lengths that Michael Jackson went to get some sleep. It ended up costing him his life. Every

If you've ever stood in the aisle of the skincare section of your favorite cosmetics department looking for a facecream to help you look younger and healthier, you know how confusing it can be to find a product that will help improve the look and texture of your skin.nnAs confusing as it is, I'd have to admit that science and research has become our best friend in the quest for younger looking skin, and the quest isn't over, there arepromising new studies and clinical tests e

When people think about anti aging, they mainly think about their skin health, however anti aging pertains to the whole body not just its largest organ. Signs of aging appear as we get older and our metabolism slows, our bones brittle and our joints become stiff an achy. Premature aging occurs visually on the skin, internally on a cellular level and ultimately increases the risk for disease. Signs of aging range from wrinkles, and fine lines to weight gain, memory loss, decli

Native to European mainland, lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), is now grown all over the world. It is an easy to care for perennial herb that is part of the mint family. It is sometimes referred to as lemon mint. It has no relation to the citrus fruit lemon or any part of the lemon tree. It often grows to about 2 feet tall and has light green heart shaped leaves. In the summer it has blooms of small white flowers, but it is most often grown for its lemon scented and flavorful leaves.

I want to talk today about the art of Cabaret performance. I need to make an important distinction right now. The concert or stage setting may not be the training ground for performing Cabaret, for I believe that the only way to understand how to connect with the audience is to get closer to ...

I want to dispel the kind of conventional thinking that leads to the creation of aging myths. Since I am a vibrant and healthy person who is about one year from hitting his 70th year mark, there is undoubtedly something valuable I can say about aging, especially compared to someone who is 50 or 60 years of age. My information is coming more from a direction of demonstrable results; it is not a lengthy dissertation and discussion on aging. More on this later, so please stay tuned!

Some of us see turning age 60 as a milestone that marks the beginning of the end and bemoan our lost youth. A big challenge for us -- an adventure even -- is to get across the room to our chair before the paper plate embarrassingly crumples under the weight of our very generous servings of birthday cake and ice cream. As for goals for the year, we may have at the top of our list, getting to more of our grandkids' soccer games, hitting the links more consistently, and losing a

Brain health is today's hottest health topic. While research gives us more and more answers about how we can safeguard our brain health and significantly lower our risk for diseases such as Alzheimer's, the average person has little idea what exactly they can do. Often I am asked what we can do to boost everyday memory and protect our long-term brain health. Here are my top 10 things I think everyone should absolutely know about brain health – and they might just surprise you!

Tendons are bands of tissue that connect muscle to bone and ligaments connect bone to bone. Without them you can’t move. Collagen provides structure and strength while mucopolysaccharides hold them together to allow them to stretch, flex, bend and retain resilience against injury. Both tendons and ligaments are limited and slow in their ability to repair. Unleashing their ability to heal can be done with nutrients. There are substances that cause inflammation of the tendons and ligaments. One of the major culprits is called interleukin 1 Beta which is found to damage tendons and ligaments.

(Image credit: www.pinterest.com/pin/521713938054087250/) The fountain of youth – it’s what we’re all looking for! Not only do we want to live a long, healthy life, we also want to look a lot younger than we actually are. And there is nothing wrong in trying to look fresher and more beautiful as long as it is done in a healthy manner. Several men and women succumb to the temptation of going under the knife to enhance their looks, and smooth out their skin. Of course, do

On stage in front of 500 women at the first Sister GIANT gathering the end of February, Marianne Williamson stood as a radiant beacon calling women to use their power to make Earth a better place for us all. You’d never believe she’s 57. Or even 47. Stunningly beautiful with a trim, curves-in-the-right-places body, Marianne is the epitome of a Baby Boomer who will never be old. Why? For one thing she has no time or patience to absorb the programming and conditioning of old age.

Acne, pimples, zits, blackheads, whiteheads, blemishes, whatever you want to call them, they appear out of nowhere to ruin your day. No one wants acne, especially on ones face. Getting rid of acne is about prevention, treatment and correction. Preventing acne is about keeping your skin and pores clean, protecting your skin from damage, and using the right products. Acne treatments are about using the right products to clean out your pores and reduce the inflammation caused by

The face and the facial skin is the first thing that people see. So when we leave our homes you want to present a clean, clear, beautiful looking face. The facial skin unlike other areas of skin on our body is always exposed to the environment and therefore is easily damaged through sun exposure, chemicals, toxins and pollutants. Taking care of our facial skin is very important not only to stay beautiful but also to avoid increased signs of aging, blemishes, or acne. rn Altho

Today is my birthday! It's my magical day – the day I get to wish for my dreams to come true. Sure, I can wish for whatever I want every day (and I do), but today I get to blow out some candles and grin from ear to ear while my family sings to me. Then I read out loud their hilarious ...

It's a sad day when someone you love can't drive because they can't think clearly. It happens everyday. They say nothing can be done about it. Or, can it? At the age of 68 my mother wanted so much to drive, but my father wouldn't let her. I loved her dearly and felt I could let her drive with me. Her concentration was so poor that she looked everywhere except in front of her. It was a frightening day and very heartbreaking for me, but I decided my father was right. She coul

Do you remember that old movie title 'The Three Faces of Eve?' I think that title (not the movie) is a good one to describe all of us. For we women are forever tripartite beings - three beings in one. This notion of female trinity has been with us throughout history, in many cultures, often ...

Several months ago I posted “There’s a WRONG Way and a RIGHT Way to Set Goals,” which I wrote the week before Christmas. In it I talked about the right ways to set goals for the new year. I enjoyed writing that column and was delighted that so many friends told me they enjoyed reading it. Although that article didn’t cover setting daily goals, after writing it I began setting three goals that I wanted to accomplish each day. At night I wrote in my notebook three specific things that I planned to definitely get done the following day – no matter what.

Two recent news articles announced discovery of 13 gene variants that make us susceptible to developing type-2 diabetes later in life. The point of this article is that you don’t have to be a victim of genetic variants; you may be more susceptible to some disease of aging, but you don’t have to accept it as your fate. The variants discussed are called Single Nucleotide Polymorphism variants or SNPs. SNPs are the simplest variation that a gene can have; only one letter in the code is changed in a place that changes the molecule produced from the gene.

When you push exercise to your aerobic limits, your cardiovascular/pulmonary system improves; it's called the 'training effect'. Your body adapts to the measured stress by becoming more efficient at getting oxygen to the cells, and the cells become more efficient in performing all their various functions. The bottom line is that the perceived effort in climbing a flight of stairs goes down; you don't have to breathe as hard to get to the top, and you recover from being out of breath faster.

Are you looking for the best eye wrinkle remover anti aging cream for your skin? Do you have wrinkles under your eyes or have you noticed dark circles or eye bags? Then this guide is going to show you 3 easy tips to choose the best wrinkle remover for your eyes. It is a fact of life that as the years pass us by, our skin usually does not look the same as it did 10 years ago. Some people accept it and live with it. But there is a surprising good news for you... The good news

The outstanding cosmetic and nutritional qualities of Argan oil can hardly be more diverse: it has an intensive moisturising effect and strengthens the skin’s natural defence. The Argan nut comes from the Argan tree and grows only in the South Western part of Morocco. From these Argan nuts, a very nutritious Argan oil is extracted which is renowned for its antiaging properties. This antioxidant rich oil has become very popular for its use in cosmetics and also for its nutrit

I have tried pretty much all the nutrients available for improvement of mental cognition. The standard fare of well know brain function enhancers like ginkgo, choline, lecithin and DMAE. I have found them somewhat effective, but have never really been all that impressed with any of these nutrients. A year or so ago I was discussing these brain function nutrients with a colleague of mine that represents a major high end vitamin line that I carry. I asked him what he felt was the number one brain nutrient on the market today. He told me that he felt hands down that phosphatidylserine.

THE REAL SECRET TO STAYING YOUNG! By Charlene Rashkow Copyright 2002 While having dinner recently with a group of friends, a question was posed as to whether there could be a genuine secret to staying young. Since most of the world is always on the lookout for the fountain of youth it was an interesting and thought provoking conversation. Each person in attendance had their own unique views about the aging process and each valid and interesting in their own right. But when i

OK. I came into the kitchen for a reason, I just can't remember what it was. Let me look in the fridge. Hmm. Nothing there rings a bell. I wonder if I wanted something out of the cupboard? No... but what about the sink rings a bell? Ah yes, now I remember... it is time to take out the garbage.rn rnDoes the paragraph above describe early onset Alzheimer's or an episode of senile dementia? The answer is, probably neither. Episodes like this are common at any age, but more so in

Is Your Elderly Parent Driving You Nuts? By: Carolyn L. Rosenblatt, R. N., Attorney at Law Care giving can be a beautiful, though difficult experience. We love our parents, and want to help as they grow frail and less able to do for themselves. It is our last chance, at this part of their lives, to show love, to be loved and to help them as they once helped us when we were babies. But can they drive you a little crazy (or a lot) in the meantime? You bet! For those who are car

A Less-than-timely Admission: At the American Heart Association's 50th Annual Conference on Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention, researchers reported that sugar-based drinks actually do contribute to heart disease and diabetes. That confession is about 50 years late in coming.

There is an epidemic afoot called Type-II diabetes.

Before you wear a pair of contact lens , it is necessary to consider some facts. Having knowledge about these things will help you in enjoying positive result afterwards. We all know that contact lenses are more convenient than prescription glasses, but they are also more fragile in nature. They require more care and maintenance. In fact, there is a certain wearing procedure to follow. Or else, you eyes may get affected. There is a particular procedure to follow while wearing

In 2008 a group of researchers in Australia made a surprising discovery about the effects of food on DNA. I’m sure you’re familiar with the fact that DNA is the molecule in every cell of the body that controls how well our bodies function to stay strong and healthy. That’s what makes this ...

Hardened arteries, weak, brittle bones, cancer and heart disease are major contributors of aging. Research suggests that Vitamin K can have an impact of preventing or reversing these effects. Vitamin K, like other vitamins found in nature is really a group of compounds. The different forms or types of Vitamin K come from have specific actions in the body. K 1 otherwise known as phylloquinones are found in green leafy vegetables and are responsible for blood clotting.r

If you have ever worked in a long-term care facility, you have probably thought that there has to be a better way to care for aging adults. Though long-term care facilities once offered relief to families of aging adults, now it has become apparent that individuals who are able to utilize home health care and live at home during their golden years often fare much better than those who end up in long-term care facilities. There are many reasons why staying in the home might be

For Baby Boomer children and their Elderly loved ones who may need skilled home health care services after hospitalization, Medicare has given us access to a tool to help us in our decision making process. This tool is called "Home Health Compare". It helps families and their loved ones compare quality of care in home health agencies.

Resveratrol has age-defying power.₁ It switches on the genes your body naturally uses to extend life under conditions of stress (like starvation).

Just about a decade ago, surgical rhinoplasty was popular because it was the only way to correct the nose and attain a sharper, defined nose. Even though many people desire a sharp, defined nose, they shun away from surgical rhinoplasty because of the long downtime and the potential surgical risks. Fast forward to today, a ‘nose job’ no longer means having to undergo a surgical procedure. A 30-minute non-surgical nose thread lift is all you need to get a more defined, lifted nose.

Less than ten years ago, most folks thought “emu” was a crossword puzzle answer. Today, Emu is the answer to many other puzzles: What to make for dinner? Emu Steak or Emu Burger. What to rub on sunburn to take the sting out? Emu Oil. What to apply to wrinkles to help with anti-aging? Emu oil and Emu oil creams, lotions and moisturizers. This phenomenon is happening not just in the United States, but also throughout the world. The flightless Emu is traveling the globe, acc

Your cat has been your friend for many years. She has followed you around the house and played with every piece of string you have given her. Recently, you have noticed that she is moving more slowly, and more reluctant to chase that string. If you have had your kitty for a while, then she is probably going through a normal aging process. To make her more comfortable, there are some things you can do to help out. Is your cat getting old or is she getting sick? Often, the sig

Why exercise? Inactivity is a fast-growing public health conce that is a major contributor to obesity, heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, frailty, falls, fractures and lack of self esteem. There is an "inactivity epidemic," with tremendous physical and financial costs. -Recent evidence indicates physical inactivity is the leading cause of death in the US and the 4th leading cause of death globally.rn-More than half of adults (56%) do not meet the recommendations for sufficient physical activity.r

Also known as cosmetic tattooing, permanent makeup involves a specialized technique micro-pigmentation. In clear terms, this is a process of putting pigments into the upper layer of skin by using the needle. This procedure is generally painless and is carried out with the due care from the makeup artist. The treatment is ideal for sport persons, swimmers, people with skin problems such as scars, black spots, and discoloration or individuals who work in the heat during hot sum

August is upon us. Now is the time when we revel in the remaining days of summer, and get in our last licks of outdoor fun (bike ride, anyone?). Football season is coming and high school sports practices begin. It’s a great time to learn more about a brain health issue that can affect any of us at any time, no matter our age, gender or athletic ability.