Anti Ageing

The Sunday Times has reported that scientists have for the first time produced a pill that clinically slows down ageing by reducing wrinkles. So can natural supplements for wrinkles really help? Independent testing has found that the oral supplement which contains plant compounds and vitamins reduced the depth of crow’s feet wrinkles on the face by 10 per cent. The supplement is thought to work by increasing the production of collagen, which is a key component in keeping the skin elastic and healthy. This new research could provide a genuine alternative to Botox injections. The ingredients of this supplement were not very surprising however. Nutritionists and natural health professionals have been promoting the use of antioxidants and omega 3 oils for many years. This new supplement contains lycopene, vitamin C, vitamin E and omega 3 essential fatty acids. These are nutrients that have been known to promote healthy skin and also have strong antioxidant properties which help to slow down premature ageing. The study was conducted on a test group of 53 women, and a control group who took a placebo pill. The report concluded a 10 per cent reduction in wrinkle depth in the test group compared to the control group. Further analysis also found increased levels of collagen. As good as these results are, a healthy lifestyle is as important (if not more) than taking any supplement. A balanced diet with plenty of colourful fruit and vegetables can boost levels of antioxidants. Drinking up to 8 glasses of water a day can reduce the effects of dehydration on the skin. Regular exercise and good quality sleep also aide the anti-ageing process. Reducing alcohol intake and cutting out smoking will also have a dramatic effect on the quality of your skin....

Natural Anti-Ageing Tips

There is alot of information on anti-ageing in the media ranging from vitamin supplements to the latest magical creams and lotions. All of this information can seem confusing and overwhelming. There are a number of simple measures that you can take to “age healthily”. Factors that can influence the ageing process are nutrition, exercise, levels of stress and relaxation. Addressing these factors can result in a dramatic improvement in general health as well as slowing down the ageing process. Natural anti-ageing tips are all around, but here is our selection from us at Healthy3. Healthy ageing does not work with a quick fix approach or just supplemneting with lots of vitamins. A healthy lifestyle which includes a healthy diet, regular exercise and the addition of antioxidants is the key to keeping you healthy and young. The following simple tips can help you achieve your target of healthy ageing: Nutrition A diet high in caffiene, alcohol, saturated fat, salt and processed foods is unsurprisingly going to result in unhealthy skin, and will starve the body of nutrients. A diet that is going to help the anti-ageing process should include plenty of vegetables, water, essential fatty acids (from oily fish, nuts and seeds), and fruits. Anti-oxidants are also very important in anti-ageing. There are a number of supplements that are discussed in the article What are anti-oxidants?”. Foods that have high levels of anti-oxidants are garlic, colourful vegetables and fruits, extra virgin olive oil, pink grapefruit, walnuts, almonds, cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli. Alchohol consumption should be kept to a minimum as it causes dehydration throughout the body. This also applies to processed foods, which are high in sugar and salt.  You should aim to drink 8 glasses or 1.5 litres of water a day. Exercise Regular exercise is very important in maintaining a healthy mind and body. Exercise causes an increase of endorphins. Endorphins are the body’s natural mood boosting chemicals and are released during exercise. Exercise also reduces the stress hormones such as cortisol. Several studies have shown that regular exercise can slow down the ageing process. The types of exercise that can be incorporated into a regime should include flexibility training, strength training and a cardiovascular workout. If you haven’t done any strenuous exercise recently, you should consult...

Astaxanthin Supplements

Choosing a good one from the range of astaxanthin supplements on the market should be fairly straightforward as there are few synthetic versions of the antioxidant on the market for human use. However, animal feeds, particularly salmon farm feeds, often contain the synthetic version of the nutrient so it is not necessarily beneficial to eat such animal products as a strategy for boosting astaxanthin consumption. A good quality astaxanthin supplement would be derived from marine microalgae, rather than grown synthetically on fungus, and would have been manufactured using a hexanefree process providing a minimum of 4mg per tablet. Astaxanthin supplements should betaken with a little fat for better absorption, as is with betacarotene supplements, and should not be taken alongside medications or supplements that block fat absorption. Astaxanthin is a strong anti-inflammatory which blocks COX2 enzymes but which does not have the side-effects associated with prescriptions pain medications, such as indigestion and heartburn.  It can help with painful arthritis, menstrual cramps, and even as a supplement to help when headaches strike.   Astaxanthin is also able to help retinal cells fight off free radical damage and, therefore, combat macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and simple eye strain and vision decline.   Supplements for the skin should almost certainly contain astaxanthin as this antioxidant acts like a sunscreen from the inside out, protecting cells from ultravioletA radiation. Anyone prone to sunburn or who has freckles, skin spots from ageing or who spends a lot of time in the sun may wish to include this supplement in their daily regime.   In the future it may be that functional foods can provide all the astaxanthin we need as research has found that tomatoes produce vast amounts of astaxanthin, doing away with the need for supplements to get the health benefits of this powerful antioxidant.  ...

Astaxanthin is an antioxidant that is thought to be more than 6000 times more powerful than vitamin C, but what is it and where can you get it from? As a carotenoid, astaxanthin is a fat-soluble pigment found in marine algae and in animals such as salmon and flamingos where it is responsible for the pink colour of their feathers and scales. Just like fish and fowl we can also benefit from astaxanthin from natural sources and the market for microalgae and synthetic astaxanthin supplements has really bloomed in recent years. This nutrient plays a role in defending your cells against free radical damage. This kind of cellular attack is a key contributor to the ageing process and can instigate changes leading to wrinkles, dementia an heart disease. Astaxanthin is a great candidate for slowing down these processes as it’s fat-soluble nature means it can get to places that other, water-soluble antioxidants cannot reach. Antioxidants like astaxanthin are also able to counteract the free-radicals produced when we exercise, making it possibly helpful for athletes wanting to recover faster, increase endurance, and improve strength and stamina. These benefits have however been both supported and disputed in studies but there are plenty of other reasons to take the supplement while further studies are carried out. Astaxanthin is amongst excellent company with betacarotene and lutein as other examples of some of the more than 700 naturally occurring carotenoids that give fruits and vegetables their amazing array of colours. Purple aubergines, orange peppers, green kale and even the blue colour of blueberries are all caused by the combinations of these protective pigments with chlorophyll and other phytochemicals. However, unlike betacarotene, astaxanthin is only found in a limited range of foodstuffs, namely the microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis and in the animals that eat this algae, such as krill and salmon. In order to ingest enough astaxanthin to be of benefit a person would have to eat huge amounts of high quality salmon or flamingo meat, which would prove both costly and potentially harmful in regards to heavy metal toxicity and the negative effects of such consumption of animal products. Instead, obtaining a dose of astaxanthin from a high-quality supplement can help quench free radical damage...

The rejuvenating and intensive moisturising effect of argan oil has begun to grab the interest of more and more people every day.  Given the wealth of skin benefits provided by this oil, in particular its natural anti-ageing properties, this is one cosmetic gem that definitely shouldn’t remain undiscovered. What is anti-ageing? The human body is able to heal and repair itself naturally when damages occur and although our cells replace themselves on a regular basis, this can happen in one of three possible ways: 1)      The cells are replaced by weaker ones due to a lack of required nutrients.  The continuous process is called degeneration. 2)      The cells are replaced by ones of a relatively similar quality due to a regular and consistent intake of nutrients. 3)      Lastly, the cells are replaced by far stronger ones due to a good balance of essential nutrients being fed to the body.  This process is called regeneration and this is what we commonly refer to as “anti-ageing”. How Argan oil can help diminish the signs of ageing The naturally high levels of vitamin E and saponins contained within the oil help to soften and smooth the skin.  Degeneration causes the skin to lose its elasticity and suppleness but argan oil can help to dramatically reduce these effects. Argan oil also contains phenols which protect the body against free radical damage, one of the major causes of ageing.  In addition, the oil soothes inflammation and stimulates cell renewal. The best thing about this product is that it is completely natural, which means that no harsh chemicals are present.  This allows even those with sensitive skin to use argan oil without worrying about it causing irritation.  The oil is very light and absorbed into the skin completely and so it does not clog your pores. Argan oil is extracted from the fruits of the argan tree.  Known as ‘The Tree of Life’, the argan tree (argania spinosa) has been around for longer than humans.  Although the plant once covered North Africa, it can now only be found in Morocco and has become an endangered species under the protection of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation). How to use Argan oil To achieve...

The popularity and news coverage of Human Growth Hormone (HGH) has increased over the past few years. There are thousands of web sites that claim to sell this hormone, in the promise that it will make you look younger, slow down ageing, speed up weight loss, improve libido and increase muscle mass. These benefits sound too good to be true! But can you really naturally boost HGH? As we age our natural production of HGH drastically decreases. We produce more HGH during childhood and teenage years,and these levels drop off during adulthood. Signs of ageing such as wrinkles,lower levels of energy and reduced muscle mass are all signs of lower levels of this hormone. HGH traditionally was only available as an injection, which had to be prescribed by a qualified medical doctor. By doing a quick search on the internet you will find thousands of companies promoting combinations of HGH supplements that are available to buy. These products are generally very expensive, and the quality is not always guaranteed. The good news is that you can actually increase the production of HGH naturally. Even if you decide to take one of these supplements, you will not get the maximum benefit unless you do regular physical activity. To naturally boost hgh, the best type of exercise is moderate to high intensity. This can include strength or cardiovascular training and an ideal work out is a mix of the two. The trick to increasing your natural production of HGH is to avoid sugar and carbohydrate rich food for a few hours after a work- out. Getting plenty of rest is the other main way of boosting levels of this hormone. The recommended amount of sleep is 7-8 hours every night. Our bodies make HGH during sleep, so it is vital to get enough good quality rest every day. Keeping stress at bay is another way of protecting the production of HGH. Stress causes the release of cortisol which break-down muscle and bone (opposite effect of HGH). Benefits of HGH: Increases bone density which prevents osteoporosis Increases lean muscle mass Promotes growth of all organs Maintains a healthy immune system Supports reproductive system Helps to burn fat The amino acids, L-Arginine and...

A study conducted at Northwestern University has discovered that musical experience has a direct effect on the ageing process. This suggests that age related hearing problems may be avoided with musical training. So can music slow the ageing process? Researchers at the Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory measured the automatic brain responses of younger and older musicians and non-musicians to speech sounds. They found that older musician shad a clear neural timing advantage. Nina Kraus, professor of communication sciences in the School of Communication and professor of neurobiology and physiology in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences said,  “The older musicians not only outperformed their older non-musician counterparts, they encoded the sound stimuli as quickly and accurately as the younger non-musicians. This reinforces the idea that how we actively experience sound over the course of our lives has a profound effect on how our nervous system functions.” These finding suggest that listening to music can have a profound effect on our health and perhaps slow the ageing process through its benefits. Music has also been found to have a positive influence on the immune system. Other studies from the Kraus’Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory suggest that musical training also prevents age related memory loss and hearing difficulties. These are the most common hearing related problems that affect older people. This simple study provides positive news to many people who may be affected by hearing problems. Listening to music has been shown to be good for your health. Think again before during the radio down! We hope you enjoyed our article discussing if music can help to slow the ageing process. Please let us know by rating it...

A new cream that contains the antioxidant, Pycnogenol, has been found to slow the signs of ageing. Latest research has found that this natural remedy, from the French maritime pine, has been shown to improve skin elasticity by 25 per cent and improve hydration by 8 per cent.This could be a break through product as a natural anti ageing cream. The results of this study were published in Skin Pharmacology and Physiology. Twenty healthy women, aged 55 to 68 were treated with the antioxidant, Pycnogenol. The women were monitored for skin hydration and elasticity over a period of 12 weeks. At the end of the 12 week period, the researchers took a biopsy to see the levels of hyaluronic acid. What is Hyaluronic Acid? Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring protein that is found mainly in connective tissue throughout the body. It is also found in the vitreous humour of the eye, and is widely present in the skin. As we age, we produce less HA, which leads to stiff joints and dry and wrinkly skin. HA is often referred to as “nature’s moisturiser” as it has incredible moisturising properties. As well as being important for joint health, HA is vital for the skin. HA works by binding to water, which leads to the skin being wrinkle free and hydrated. This natural supplement retains water in the skin, which contributes to the skin keeping a youthful appearance. As we get older, the body produces less HA, which leads to the skin retaining less water, resulting in wrinkles! The results of the biopsies found that 44 per cent more acid was produced and skin elasticity also improved by 25 per cent. The results also found that skin hydration improved by 8 per cent. Other findings from this study were that wrinkles were reduced by 3 per cent and skin smoothness increased by 6 percent. The study was led by Dr Jean Krutmann, who said, “To date, Pycnogenol is the only natural supplement that stimulates hyaluronic acid production in human skin. And, we are encouraged by the molecular evidence confirmed in this study that shows nutritional supplementation with Pycnogenol benefits human skin”. We hope you found our article about “natural...

Pomegranates have been promoted as a superfood that can help to treat and prevent many illnesses. This fruit has gained a lot of publicity as a natural remedy for the immune system, infertility and heart health. This superfood has been found to contain vitamins A, C and E as well as iron and antioxidants. On the whole, the pomegranate health benefits are many. A recent study has found that pomegranates can slow the ageing process.  A group of 60 volunteers took a daily dose of an extract of the fruit that contained the peel, pith and seeds. The volunteers took a capsule of the extract once a day for one month. Researchers found a significant decrease in a biochemical marker that is associated with cell damage. This cell damage can affect brain, liver and kidney function. Another result of this cell damage is the increased ageing effect on the skin. These powerful antioxidants are found in pomegranate juice, but are mainly present in the inedible rind, husk and white pith. These parts of the fruit have been made into a tablet and drink. The study was led by Dr Sergio Streitenberger and was funded by Pomegreat PurePlus. Dr Streitenberger said, ‘We are very excited about this study which we believe demonstrates that regular consumption of this pomegranate extract can slow down the process of DNA oxidation. We hope you found this pomegranate health benefits article useful. Please let us know by rating it...

Co-enzyme Q10 is a vitamin-like substance that is produced naturally in the body. This natural substance has many health benefits and is also known as ubiquinone. Co-enzyme Q10 is vital for energy production throughout every cell of our bodies. The amount of Co-enzyme Q10 produced in the body decreases with age, so supplementation is very important in people over the age of 50. As well as helping with energy production, Co-enzyme Q10 provides vital antioxidant protection to all of our cells. This has many benefits throughout the body, ranging from cardiac health to preventing gum disease.The powerful antioxidant action ofCo-enzyme Q10 is what gives this supplement is anti-ageing properties.Antioxidants, by nature, work by neutralising harmful “free-radicals”. Free radicals can be formed by factors such as exposure to radiation(including over exposure to the sun’s rays), cigarette smoke, air pollution, exercise, processed foods, household cleaners and stress. The body also produces free radicals through various metabolic processes such as the breakdown of stored fat for use as an energy source. As Co-enzyme Q10 is present in all of our cells, its antioxidant (and anti-ageing) action is that much more powerful. This supplement helps to protect all of our cells from free radical damage, and keep us healthy. Many studies have highlighted the benefits of this supplement of heart health. Co-enzyme Q10 has been shown to protect the heart from damage after heart attacks. This supplement is recommended for people who have a family history of heart disease. Studies have also shown that Co-enzyme Q10 can actually help the heart to repair and rejuvenate to such an extent that surgery was not required in patients with heart disease. Co-enzyme Q10 has also been shown to lower blood pressure. Co-enzyme Q10 is found in high amounts in mackerel, salmon and sardines. It is also present in peanuts and spinach. As this supplement is fat soluble it is best taken with oily or fatty foods. When buying this supplement, look for products that contain a small amount of vitamin E, as this helps to preserve the co-enzyme Q10. The recommended dose varies from 30 to 100mg a day. As a general food supplement, 30mg a day is sufficient, when taken a long side a...

This article highlights a few tips that can help to naturally slow down the ageing process. The following points are not a quick fix, but a change of life style. The process of “staying young” is not just a matter of applying the latest face cream, having a botox injection or taking the latest supplement. It is about changing your diet, incorporating regular exercise, getting adequate sleep, reducing stress and stimulants and also accepting that ageing is not an illness. The following recommendations will help you not to ageing prematurely and improve your general level of health. These tips will also prevent you developing certain illnesses and improve your levels of energy. 1. Eat smaller meals. Rather than eat 3 large meals a day, consume 4 to 5smaller meals. This simple measure will help to control your blood sugar levels and place less stress on your digestive system. 2. Cut down on salt. This tip will reduce your chances of developing high blood pressure and will also improve the quality of your skin. This is because salt has a dehydrating action, and can reduce moisture in your skin. This results in the appearance of prematurely aged skin. 3. Regular exercise. Regular exercise is very important in maintaining a healthy mind and body. Exercise causes an increase of endorphins. Endorphins are the body’s natural mood boosting chemicals and are released during exercise. Exercise also reduces the stress hormones such as cortisol. Several studies have shown that regular exercise can slow down the ageing process. The types of exercise that can be incorporated into a regime should include flexibility training, strength training and a cardiovascular workout. If you haven’t done any strenuous exercise recently, you should consult a person trainer for advice. You should take an antioxidant supplement such as a multivitamin and Omega 3 Oil within 30mins of a work out. This is because strenuous exercise can cause the release of free radicals. 4. Reduce your intake of calories. This simple tip of consuming less calories can make a dramatic impact of your health. Many studies have found that by eating less, you can slow down the ageing process. It is still important to eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, protein...

Selenium is a vital mineral that has many health benefits. It is one of the main antioxidants available to us. Remember that antioxidants are very important as they “mop-up” free radicals that are known to cause a host of illnesses and diseases. As we are continually exposed to these free radicals, for example from pollution, certain foods and stress, taking antioxidants such as Selenium is fundamental for optimum health. It is this antioxidant activity that prevents premature ageing and age related diseases. Many studies have found that this mineral can help to prevent against prostate, lung and colorectal cancers. Two studies conducted in America, over a period of 10 years, found that by supplementing with 200mcg Selenium daily reduced the incidence of prostate, lung and colorectal cancer by approximately 50%. Selenium deficiency has also been linked with heart disease. Supplementing with this mineral has been shown to reduce levels of “bad” cholesterol and improve circulation. Selenium works very well when taken with Vitamin E in helping to maintain a healthy heart and liver. Many companies combine Selenium, Vitamin E and Zinc as a supplement for an enlarged prostate. Historically our soil used to contain high amounts of Selenium, but with the advent of modern farming techniques and the use of fertilisers, the levels have reduced drastically. This may be one reason why certain cancers and heart disease are increasing every year. Selenium is found in the following foods: Brazil Nuts (the best source of Selenium) Broccoli Brown rice Brewer’s Yeast Onions Whole grains Sea Food If you are going to start taking a selenium supplement, a dose of 200 micrograms a day is considered safe for most...