Age is truly just a number unless your body tells otherwise. Sometimes, stopping the signs of aging requires changes on the inside and also to what we put into our bodies.

One telltale sign that you are getting older is your skin. Youthful radiant skin (which everyone wants) makes others think that you are younger than you are. On the other hand, skin that is thin, transparent, wrinkled or dry can make you look older than you are.

Here are some tips to keep that skin looking radiant at all ages. Radiant skin signifies that the insides are healthy as well.

* Protection from the sun – This can’t be stressed enough. Not only can too much unprotected exposure to the sun cause skin cancer, but it also can lead to premature wrinkling, leathery tough skin and age spots. Wear sunscreen whenever you go outside, summer or winter. Don’t forget your face and lips.

* Get some sleep – The body uses the sleeping hours at night to repair itself from the wear and tear of the day. When you don’t sleep, the body has to move on without the chance to rest and renew. This can lead to increased stress in the body and illness. Most adults need at least six to eight hours a night. When you are well rested, so is your body.

* Stop smoking – Cigarette smoke contains hundreds of toxic substances that are released into the air and then into your lungs. It reduces elasticity in your vessels but also in your skin. For your face, you get that pursed look around your mouth from holding a cigarette there.

* Reduce stress levels – Stress really can lead to illness. It causes us to eat an unhealthy diet, sleep less, and take up risky behaviors (smoking and alcohol abuse). All of these things have a poor effect on the body. It increases the risk of disease and can give you a body that is years older than your chronological age. Stress increases free radical damage in the body and that includes the skin. Manage your stress so that you can carry on a healthier lifestyle that promotes radiant skin.

* Increase healthy diet – When the body doesn’t get the vitamins and nutrients that it needs, this can lead to external signs: dry brittle hair, dry brittle nails, pale lackluster skin, wrinkles and dry skin. You are missing what you need. Switching to a diet full of whole grains, complex carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables and nuts will slowly rejuvenate your body and the skin.

How is your skin looking today? Maybe you are lacking a nutrient or experiencing too much stress. Take steps to reduce your risk factors and plump up that skin again.

Food not only nourishes our body it also nourishes our mind. Different types of foods can affect how we feel. Comfort foods are so named because of the feelings that they invoke when we eat them. Let’s say that you come home from a hard day and all you want is a big bowl of creamy macaroni and cheese. That macaroni and cheese has the ability to soothe your hurt feelings and also put a smile on your face, indicating that you feel more upbeat.

How foods affect our moods may be connected to how they react or are used in the body. Some food nutrients affect the brain by attaching to cells and causing the secretion of certain neurotransmitters at different times.

So what foods should you eat?

* Whole Grains – Whole grains include cereals, oatmeal, barley, bulgur, bran, whole wheat breads and the like that are used by the body as fuel. These contain high amounts of fiber that are slowly digested. They allow you to regulate your blood sugar which leads to a more even temperament. These grains along with fresh fruits contain zinc, selenium, vitamin E, C and A – all antioxidants. Antioxidants reduce signs of oxidative stress in the body.

* Green vegetables – With busy schedules, we are often run down. To increase your energy, you need to eat vitamins that will help with that. Green leafy veggies and cruciferous veggies like broccoli are rich in antioxidants and minerals like manganese, iron and potassium. Women especially need iron because of their menstrual cycles. Green vegetables with minerals like magnesium may also be able to increase good feelings and clear away the brain clutter. Also try eating bananas and seafood.

* Dairy products – Dairy is not bad, but you will want to eat products that are low in fat for best results in your diet. Try milk, buttermilk, cottage cheese, yogurt and cheese for a start. These can reduce the symptoms of PMS, which include irritability, bloating, mood swings and pain. Dairy products are also good for evening out your mood during the day.

* Meats – We are talking about turkey in particular. Turkey as we know from Thanksgiving is filled with tryptophan. This amino acid may make you feel sleepy but it also works to increase the levels of serotonin in the brain. Increased levels of serotonin are linked to increased mood and good feelings. Other foods that contain tryptophan besides meat are bananas, pineapple, tofu, spinach and sunflower seeds.

Want to help yourself feel better? Reach for a more balanced diet first.

What Is Craniosacral Therapy?

Imagine getting a head massage and feeling the changes all over your body. That is basically what is said to happen when you have a craniosacral massage. It is a gently scalp massage that is used to help heal pain that occurs elsewhere.

Here is the theory behind it. It was developed by an osteopathic physician by the name of William Sutherland. He believed that the bones of the skull still had movement throughout life. When we are born, the different bones of the skull are not fused together. They come together as we age from infancy.

With this therapy, it is believed that there is still a resonance or vibration that can be felt and assessed in these bones. It is referred to as the vital force and affects the movement of cerebrospinal fluid from the areas surrounding the brain all the way down through the spinal column to the tailbone.

By manipulating this rhythm in the bones of the skull, areas of stagnation in the body can be freed up. This in itself doesn’t cure disease but it does restore the flow of the fluid throughout the spinal column. All the nerves that affect the organs and the muscles systems controlled by the brain run through the spinal column. Allowing the congestion to be released allows the body to return to a state of homeostasis and heal itself.

This sounds like magic but it is simple physiology. If there is a problem affecting the nerves, it will manifest itself as pain throughout the body in certain areas. The body learns to compensate when pain prevents certain muscles or other body parts form working as they are supposed to. That alteration in movement is what we perceive as pain.

The technique is best performed by a physician who has been extensively trained in craniosacral technique. A trained massage therapist can also help you.

You are fully clothed for the technique. Manipulation begins with an assessment of the skull to find the oscillation. Manipulating that rhythm is what leads to release. Patients may not feel anything happening at that moment, but may experience changes after as toxins are released and the body can return to normal functioning.

This technique has found success with injuries caused by trauma, sports injuries, chronic pain, ADD and even depression and autism. It may take several treatments to bring about a change in your body depending on the type of pain issue. You can look up craniosacral therapy to try and find a qualified professional in your area.

Tinnitus is very common with one out of five people experiencing some degree of it. At least 17 out of a hundred people around the world have some degree of tinnitus and is most common amongst the elderly and strangely enough, men suffer more than women. The medical world doesn’t place much priority in research of this miserable and often debilitating disorder. Whilst it is a disorder and not an illness, it is usually a symptom of some other problem – usually hearing loss or narrowing of the blood vessels.

A staggering 95% of people suffering with tinnitus who use conventional methods of treatment such as drugs and risky surgery may benefit in the short term but it will usually return within a few months and probably be worse than when they started. However, many natural treatments have shown remarkable success.  Whatever the cause of your tinnitus, it is almost always made worse by stress, which can be physical, emotional or psychological.  

Tinnitus can now be treated in a holistic way without the use of harmful drugs or risky surgery. I would recommend trying this product before using drugs or surgery.

You can’t overcome such a profound internal problem using drugs and surgeries – You can’t fool your body – you have to work with your internal system, not against it – by fixing the root cause – in a multi-dimensional way.

Here is a product that is holistic and a natural remedy which you may find of interest.  You can click here for more information

Technorati Tags: cause, cure, holistic cure, remedy, ringing in the ears, tinnitus

Vegetables are a healthy source of carbohydrates and vitamins and minerals. During the winter, you can get crafty with these vegetables in foods like soups and chowders. But before you do that you need to know which vegetables you are going to be working with.

Cruciferous vegetables are indeed winter veggies. You can enjoy an abundance of broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and cabbage. All of the crunch helps you to chew more and eat less. They also make good substitutes in certain recipes.

An example would be mashed potatoes. If you are trying to cut down on white potatoes, mash up cooked cauliflower and add some sour cream to get the consistency of mashed potatoes but with a healthier twist.

These hearty veggies especially broccoli is labeled a super food. This means that in itself it contains all the nutrients and minerals that you need. Now you won’t be eating broccoli all day but you will get a healthy dose of everything when you eat it. It is also instrumental in lowering your risk of certain cancers, boosting the immune system and increasing antioxidants.

Root vegetables are also popular in winter. These include carrots, celery, potatoes, onions, squash, sweet potatoes, turnips, rutabagas and the like. They require longer cooking times to break them down and soften them but it is well worth it because of the flavors they impart.

Some of these you may have heard of but haven’t worked with before. The winter is the best time to experiment with new flavors and recipes. Here are a few examples of recipes that you can use to help you get the taste of these winter vegetables.

Cream soups – One thing about cream as opposed to broth soups is that they are thicker and stick to you longer for a full feeling. Try using a food processor to blend some cooked squash and potatoes or chopped up broccoli. Add some chopped chives, green onions and other spices along with fat free sour cream to add flavor.

Stir fry – This is a great way to steam and sauté vegetables with very little oil. Water chestnuts, celery, onions and carrots can be used to create an Asian stir fry. Slice them thin or julienne them so that they cook faster. Add seafood, lean poultry or lean beef to round out the meal.

Salads – There are plenty of winter greens that can be used to make flavorful salads. Top with winter citrus fruits like oranges, tangerines and also use pears. The fruit adds flavor without the need to drench your creation in salad dressing.

Winter doesn’t have to be boring food wise. Try those winter vegetables to create new dishes your family will love.

Technorati Tags: eat winter vegetables, enjoy winter vegetables, healthy vegetables

Sometimes seasonal affective disorder is equated with depression but they are two very different things. For one, seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, occurs at certain times of the year, usually when there is limited amounts of sunlight. Sunlight assists in increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain. It is a neurotransmitter that affects mood. When levels drop, changes in your behavior and feelings can result.

The blues can jump the gap and enter into the realm of depression. If you have a history of depression in your family, you are more at risk to bridge that gap. Also, not addressing the reason for the blues or if it lasts longer than the season, that could reflect some sort of further chemical imbalance in the brain at work.

So, how do you know if you have the winter blues? Because it is thought to be a mild form of depression, some of the same symptoms apply. There is irritability, loss of appetite or increased appetite, loss of energy, lack of motivation and sadness.

By using techniques to try and treat your symptoms, you can tell if you are experiencing seasonal affective disorder or a more serious form of depression.

* Exercise – Exercise is not just for weight loss but also mental health management. Endorphins are released during exercise that can elevate your mood. For those who suffer from stress, your enhanced mental state can help you to work through those problems more clearly, reducing your stress level.

* Meditate – When the feelings of sadness hit, try and relax. Take time for yourself and go someplace quiet. Practice deep breathing techniques to increase your oxygen consumption. Listen to music in those moments. Music does have the ability to change the way that we feel simply by using different rhythms, notes and chords.

* Get moving – The winter may not seem so long if you get involved. Try to spend time outside with your kids playing in the snow. Try a winter sport as a form of exercise.

* Use light – The level of natural light available may decrease as you go up in elevation. You may need to use light boxes to simulate natural light. Spend at least 30 minutes a day using it to see if it increases your mood. A therapist can perform the light therapy for you to be sure you get the right amount and length of time.

Are you facing a winter of sadness? There are ways that you can learn to deal with it and come out on the other side.

Technorati Tags: depression, sad, seasonal affective disorder, winter blues

You would think with all the information and products available to us, it would be easy to lose weight and fit into our skinny jeans again.

Dieting and depriving our bodies of certain foods may work in the short term but in the long term it simply does not work.  So, the question is, is there a healthy weight loss program out there?

Our bodies are designed to protect us and one of those ways is to retain body fat. If it thinks you’re on a desert island and there is a shortage of food, it panics and lowers your metabolism to burn fat at a much lower rate and also increases your appetite, so you can see why dieting doesn’t work and who wants to live without ever eating bread or pasta anyway.

Exercise is also another way to help reduce body fat. They tell us that if we expel more energy via calories than we take in then we should be lean and mean in no time at all. But that isn’t always the case. I know of people who spend hours in the gym and although they look OK, they still complain of love handles and stubborn fat that simply won’t go no matter what they do.

And its not just looking good thats important its also critical for our health. 300,000 deaths each year in the US are linked to obesity. Heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure are all very serious health issues that may be caused by being overweight.  Also, did you know that body fat contains 100 times more toxins than in the blood.  So that alone is good reason to lower body fat.

Researchers have now found that genetic factors can adjust your body’s thermostat set-point to a place where, no matter what you do, you’ll not be able to burn off the fat. What compounds the problem is that some people simply have more fat cells than people of normal weight.  The number of these cells can’t be reduced; the amount of fat each cell holds must be diminished….weight loss.

Is it possible it could actually be easier than we think.

Well, the research is in and I’m excited to tell you that there is now a product designed especially for weight loss…..that works!

Dean Tournabene, a former Mr. America has spent several years formulating this very special product and he is thrilled with the results. With just the right thermogenic supplements, you can reset your body’s set-point and increase the speed at which lipoproteins are removed from your body.

This is just a way of saying that in order for fats to leave the body they must attach to certain proteins so they can travel through the bloodstream where they are broken down by the intestines to be excreted from the body. Research has shown that certain ingredients can increase the breakdown of cholesterol and enhance the removal of harmful LDL from the bloodstream, as well as bind bile acids to assist the body in producing the enzymes that metabolize these fats.

So thats a little of the technical stuff, but its important to understand that the body has so many important jobs to do and it needs the right ‘foods’ to do it efficiently. Just starving your body is definitely not the right way to go and does not work long term.

There is no deprivation of food, no eating grapefruit at every meal and no 3 hour sessions at the gym, so I have ordered this product and am anxious to get started, I have about 10 pounds I would love to lose, you know what its like as the years go by, so I will let you know how I get on. Watch this space…

If you want to get started, you can find out more about this healthy weight loss program here just go to the site and scroll down to ‘weight loss’.

Well, I’m back and after a couple of months I can tell you categorically that these tablets do work.  I have been taking them during the two months when eating is quite indulgent, so I definitely have not been limiting my food intake and I have to say that there is a notable improvement. The stubborn fat around the waist and upper thighs have definitely been trimmed. I am so thrilled as this test was done during the holiday season, so now that the ‘eating season’ is over I can now do a little exercise and just monitor my food intake slightly.

Like I said before, you really don’t need to diet – but if you are careful about your calories you will see a definite weight loss, probably a bit quicker than I did.

So there we are, I am very excited and delighted with the results and will continue for another few months into the summer.

Technorati Tags: easy, healthy weight loss, natural weight loss

We, as women have been told that surgery is our only option. That cutting into our body is the only way to get rid of cysts on ovaries.

But what if there was a better way, a way that was beneficial to our body as a whole.  Well, there is, a holistic way.

Not only will this holistic system teach you the only way to prevent the formation of ovarian cysts, you will also learn the only way to cure Ovarian Cysts permanently, without drugs, risky surgery and damaging side effects.

You can’t treat such a complex issue with drugs and surgery.

You can’t fool your body….you have to work with your internal system, not against it.

Your ovaries in particular are too delicate for surgery and indeed surgery does not guarantee they will not return.

Every year there are hundreds of lawsuits filed against the drug companies and doctor malpractice.

So why do it the hard way when there is an easier and gentler way.

If you follow this proven, holistic 3 step system, you will start to notice an improvement in just a few days and elimination of most types of cysts within 8 weeks.

I don’t know about you but I would much rather treat my body gently and with kindness than with harsh drugs and surgery.

The best thing about this system is that it not only treats your ovarian cysts but it treats your whole body, you start to feel happier and energized. You feel like your old self again.

The body is a wonderful thing and should be treated in the best possible way.Below are just a few things you may be interested to know.

An Ovarian cyst is a fluid filled sac that grows on or inside the ovaries and although usually benign, can cause painful and worrying symptoms.

Most ovarian cysts occur during the child bearing years. Post menopausal women can still get them and these could be more serious in nature.

These are some of the symptoms of ovarian cysts.

•    Pain in the abdomen, pressure or swelling

•    Dull ache in the lower back and thighs

•    Pain during your period

•    Abnormal bleeding

•    Breast tenderness

•    Nausea

•    Weight gain

•    Pain during sexYou should seek medical advice right away if you should suffer more severe symptoms such as:

•    Pain with fever and vomiting

•    Sudden, severe abdominal pain

•    Fainting, sever dizziness

Any or all of these symptoms are a sign that something is not as it should be.

We tend to think that these things are normal and put up with the discomfort. But we shouldn’t ignore the signs.

This system will teach you how to rid yourself of these uncomfortable symptoms…..and if you’re not truly 100% satisfied, you get a 2 month instant money-back guarantee…..Nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Don’t neglect yourself another day.

Technorati Tags: cyst on ovary, cysts on ovaries, ovarian cyst, ovarian cyst pain

If you are amongst the 85 million sufferering from hereditary hair loss you will
understand how devastating it feels.  

Hair makes all the difference to how you feel about yourself.  If you have a bad hair day,
chances are your day is not so good either, but when your hair looks good it makes
everything that much better.

So imagine if you have a bad hair day everyday. It is totally devastating.

At the moment, Provillus are offering 2 FREE bottles

When women start to lose their hair, they think it may be because of the
way they have treated their hair, either perms or curling irons. None of these
have anything to do with hair loss. Not even sitting in the sun or hair coloring.

Hormones, emotional or physical stress, poor diet, or illness can also be factors in hair loss.

Childbirth and menopause are times when women could start to lose their hair,
this is also the time when hormones get out of balance and your hair should start
to re-grow when your hormones return to normal.

Thyroid problems, lupus and diabetes can also play a part in hair loss, but you would need to consult your physician in these situations.

Alopecia is an auto-immune condition charaterized by circular patches of baldness and again you should consult your physician.

But….about 95% of female hair loss is due to their genetics.  

In the case of genetic hairloss, there is treatment.

There is a product which is FDA approved which can help re-grow your hair. 

Its a two part system which is very easy and convenient to use. There is a supplement you take twice a day and a solution which you rub into the area you wish to re-grow.

This product works to block DHT a form of testosterone that is repsonsible for much of the hair loss.

Now its not going to work overnight. After all it took a long time to lose your hair, so it makes sense that it will take a few months for it to grow back.

Another word of caution is to mention that there is a different product for both men and women. The testosterone levels are different for the men, so its important not to share your husbands treatment.

Technorati Tags: female thinning hair, women hair loss

Anti aging nutrition for your brain is crucial for Baby Boomers if we want to remain vital and active and live long healthy lives.

Do you know that every seven seconds someone in America turns 50 years old and those born between 1946 and 1964 are turning 60 at the rate of about 8,000 a day. 

That’s a lot of Baby Boomers.  

It’s kind of scary to realize that you have now reached your later years. You still feel vibrant and healthy and certainly not ready to slow down with your slippers warming by the fire.  No, you’ve still got things to do and places to see and why not?  We were intended to live long (about 120 years actually) and healthy lives, not start worrying when we get to 50, that it’s all downhill from here.

Many Boomers have also dealt with aging parents who had less than optimal brain or body function, and don’t want the same for themselves.  We are so lucky really, in this age of the internet, we can find out anything we need to know about our health concerns and I have spent a long time discovering all kinds of wondrous things that can help us live active and healthy lives well into our 60’s,70’s and 80’s, hey even our 90’s. 

We don’t have to go the way our parents did,  if we make the changes, if we feed our bodies with proper nutrition and follow certain protocols, we can stop or reverse the aging process.
In this day and age of diet and expanding waistlines, a whopping 65% of Americans are overweight.

But what about your brain? – is it on a diet aswell. The brain, like the rest of your body requires healthy nutrients and cannot function optimally on anything less.   Did you know that two thirds of the brain is made of fats, the membranes of neurons which are brain cells that communicate with each other are also made up of a double layer of fatty acid molecules.  So if you don’t eat the right fats,  then your brain will not receive the proper nutrition, since what your feed your stomach ultimately travels to your brain.

So make sure you have enough of the good fats – that is Omega – 3 fatty acids, especially DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Wild caught salmon, deep-water fish, organic  grass-fed meat, and eggs from chickens that are allowed to roam freely are all great sources of Omega-3 fatty acids. You could also consider taking an Omega-3 supplement aswell but please make sure it is a good quality product.

Trans fatty acids are another thing completely and are found in processed foods and fried foods and should be avoided like the plague.  These bad fats also find their way to the brain cells where they can change how the brain cells work.

If we don’t have a healthy brain, how can we expect to live into a healthy old age?  This should be a priority and we should do whatever it takes.  What’s the point in knowing what is best for us if we don’t act upon it.  My mother died from Alzheimers, and it scares me to know what this horrible disease does to everyone, especially my poor father, it did eventually kill him as well – from the stress and total devastating torture he went through, so I simply cannot and will not allow it to happen to me or my husband.   I intend to learn and act upon things that we know help keep our brains active and healthy.

I can’t stress enough how important Omega-3 fatty acids or DHA are as anti aging nutrition for the brain.  Whilst our bodies can produce DHA on its own, it is rather limited as we get older, further affected by stress, alcohol, excess sugar, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies.   DHA is instrumental in the function of brain cell membranes.  When the body lacks these essential omega-3 fatty acids, communication can break down between the systems of the body and brain.

But a survey of Baby Boomers showed that the normal cognitive decline associated with aging ranks highest among their concerns about the future.  Like their parents, they don’t want to lose their mental capacity as they grow older.

This is just the beginning, there are other things we need to do to keep our brains healthy, such as eating lots of fruits, vegetables and nuts but also there are things to avoid and I will tell you more in my next post.

Technorati Tags: anti aging nutrition, anti aging solutions, baby boomers, brain foods, food for the brain