Fit and Youthful Life

Guest Author: Jayesh Bagde


A lot of women use wrinkle creams. These wrinkle creams have limitations when it comes to wrinkle reduction capabilities. You need to know the most important facts about these wrinkle creams before buying one to successfully reduce those wrinkles without any harmful side effect.

Skin wrinkles naturally appear as an effect of aging processes such as glycation or temporarily as the result of long-drawn-out immersion in water. Wrinkling in the skin is brought about by regular facial expressions, sun damage, aging, poor hydration, smoking, and several other factors. With prolonged water exposure, the outer layer of skin starts to absorb water. However, the skin does not expand uniformly. This makes the skin wrinkle in certain spots.

Water depletion in your body happens with dehydration. This can also can bring about skin puckering. Chronologically aged skin looks almost identical to normal, non-aged skin where the only difference is the loss of adipose occurring with age. This means we do naturally lose some of the fatty layer beneath our skin as we age, and the skin will tend to sag more.

However, the skin itself looks almost perfect. This means wrinkling and aged-looking skin are possibly caused almost exclusively by the sun. Wrinkle creams will soften the wrinkles and some will, in time, reduce them.

Ingredients of Wrinkle Creams

? Retinol – this is a vitamin A complex and is an antioxidant.

? Hydroxyl acids: these acids are exfoliates that can remove the top layer of the skin, which usually consists of dead cells, and it does this for new skin to develop in its place.

? Coenzyme Q10: nutrients that normalize the energy growth in cell production.

? Copper peptides: these improve the wound healing capabilities of the skin and increase the production of collagen.

? Kinetin: this is a plant growth factor that may improve wrinkles.

Keep in mind that when you do get wrinkle creams, the over-the-counter ones have lower doses of the ingredients above than any prescribed medicine. Consequently, the outcome will not be as fast or long lasting than what you’ll get from wrinkle creams prescribed by your dermatologist. You should determine what you have to look for as far as the ingredients are involved. Here is a list and what they do so you know precisely what you want with your wrinkle cream:

Alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) – this assists in exfoliating the skin and decreasing wrinkles

Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) – this are counteracting free radicals

Argireline – this loosens up facial tension

Copper Peptides – this regenerates’ damaged tissues

CoQ10 – this is an effective antioxidant

Hyaluronic acid – this is a moisturizing agent that can help the skin stay fresh and tight

Matrixyl – this stimulates to help heal

Retinol – this is another antioxidant

Tretinoin – this is for exfoliation.

The components above have been recognized by dermatologists across the globe as helpful agents for reducing wrinkles. This means you should pay attention to these ingredients when buying over-the-counter wrinkle creams. Better yet, consult your dermatologist for advice on the most effective concentrations of such components that correspond to the condition of your wrinkles.

Steps to Prevent Wrinkles

If you’re serious about getting rid of wrinkles, you should stop smoking right now. Cigarettes cause harm to your body. Cigarettes slow down the amount of collagen your body makes to restore wounded skin and repair damaged skin, which can result in deeper wrinkles. In addition, cigarettes hamper your body’s circulation, which indicates that blood may not possibly reach the skin capillaries of your face. This means more dead skin, wrinkles, and less color in your cheeks.

Staying out of the sun is supposed to help you get free of wrinkles. If you’re a sun worshipper, you should be painfully conscious by now about the bad effects the sun has on your skin, especially with the depletion of the ozone layer. You should make it a point to use suntan lotion if you’re going to be around between the peak hours of sunlight (10:00 am – 3:30 pm). Also use sunglasses when stepping outside during these hours to avoid wrinkles that can form around the eyes.

Avoid scalding water and strong soaps if you want to reduce wrinkles. Many dermatologists have reported that harsh soaps can further escalate wrinkle problems.



The Real Youth Potion

Guest Author: steven lin


Most of us realize that growing old is a state of mental as well as physical decline that usually comes on after having reached a stage of sexual maturity. With deterioration in a person’s physiological state one steadily becomes a lot weaker and the immune system too cannot cope with the dangers of ill health, and thus one becomes frail, and also has less ability to function in a mentally sound manner.

The In-Thing Today

The next step could be your last and you will be closer to death than at any other time in your life, which should make you think about delaying the inevitable in as sound a manner as possible. Anti-aging doctors may be one avenue worth exploring and it is certainly quite a fashionable thing to do as well. In fact, people search for an anti-aging doctor both on the net as well as off it.

An anti-aging doctor would be one whose services are dedicated to providing patients the right kind of treatment as well as provide information about the best techniques as well as resources needed to live longer, and to also maintain a healthy life. If you want to source an anti-aging doctor, you could try out the American Board of Anti-Aging Medicine who provides you with the physicians who are accredited by this board, and who are qualified to provide you with proper anti-aging solutions. However, even after sourcing your anti-aging doctor you will still be confronted by their high rates, which means that you must arrive at an informed decision whether you can afford such services or not.

There is however no denying the fact that the best way to prolong your life is to exercise regularly as well as eat a proper diet, and every anti-aging doctor will affirm this as well. In addition, such doctors may also be able to recommend to you some useful anti-aging solutions including detoxification, having enough rest, laughing as well as thinking positively, and also keeping company among friends and family as well as not stressing out too much.

So, your anti-aging doctor will set you on the way to your achieving a longer life as well as being able to combat the ill effects of aging. So, giving these suggestions a go will certainly not hurt you while it may actually considerably help in reversing the process of aging. That is why these anti-aging doctors are able to make a lot of money providing people the kind of help that they are seeking because the very thought of growing old can cause a lot of worry to many people who thus need to be consoled about how to cope with the problem of advancing years.



Longevity and Health Now

Guest Author: Jay Franco


Once you have decided to follow a healthy regime through yoga, the next step is to pick the type of yoga that you want and be acquainted about yoga basics. You can choose a yoga class near by for easy conveyance. Yoga doesn’t need any kind of costly equipment except for loose comfortable clothes and a yoga mat.

Some easy positions of yoga, for beginners-

We all do simple positions in everyday life, like lying down, sitting, standing, prone inverted etc. But with proper practice of the aforementioned yoga postures the beginners can be benefited to great extent. These simple activities are arranged and worked out so that a yoga beginner also gains from them. Medical practitioners find yoga to be therapeutic. They even suggest to make yoga a part of their every day life. With gradual introduction of yoga and its method health benefits can be gained.

As a yoga beginner you can choose moderate style like the viniyoga, kripalu yoga or iyengar yoga. You can choose vigorous forms like the power yoga, asthanga yoga in late stages. The later one will be too dynamic for the yoga beginners.

See that you start yoga gently with 10-15 mins warm up session, as it increases blood circulation and lubrication in joints. The body flexes and it becomes easier to do the yoga asana. Maintain correct erect posture throughout.

Breathing techniques of yoga, for beginners-

Yoga is synonymous with breathing technique. With simple breathing exercises in yoga like the pranayama, kapalbhati, anuloma-viloma, one can improve breathing pattern and lung capacity. This kind of yoga relaxes and eases stress.

Importance of sequence for yoga beginner-

Ideal yoga sequences should not be taxing, especially for beginners. As a yoga beginner you can start with standing pose, followed with sitting posture, Supine postures, twist poses, prone postures, inverted and balance postures, back bends and finishing asana.

Some do’s for yoga beginners-

As a beginner it’s better to inform the yoga instructor that you are new to yoga fitness regime. You can even ask the teacher to help you out in case of need. You can seek the help of other advanced students to demonstrate poses. It’s better to know about basic yoga etiquette and learn some basic yoga poses, this you can do searching online or from books and DVD’s. Start fresh with refreshing bath prior to yoga practice. Always end the yoga session with shavasana.

Some don’ts for yoga beginners-

Avoid taking large heavy meals before any yoga class. Ensure that you have eaten 3-4 hrs before the class. You can have some water before and after the yoga class. Avoid tight fitted clothes, shoes and socks while doing yoga.

Guest Author: John Bradstreet


Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant found in grapes, pine trees, peanuts and other plants. For years scientists have been fascinated by the “French Paradox”, which is the high fat diet that the French have and the low incidence of heart disease. There has been much research on this and it has been concluded that the answer lies in the wine that the French also drink and the high levels of resveratrol found in the grapes that go into producing it.

Researchers at Harvard Medical School and the National Institute on Aging have found that resveratrol in high doses let mice eat a high fat diet and somehow avoid the problems associated most commonly with obesity. The liver and other systems of these mice remained healthy and related deaths dropped by 31%.

Another study showed that mice that were feed high levels of resveratrol along with high fat diets exhibited less weight gain, greater physical endurance and better insulin sensitivity.

Resveratrol also showed the ability to increase the life span in yeast, mice and certain fish.

There are other benefits to resveratrol that are related to the fact that is a powerful antioxidant. It has been quoted as “one of the best free radical scavengers”. Free radicals in the body are produced by naturally occurring environmental stress and damage healthy cells in the body.

Resveratrol shows promise in a number of human age related health studies focusing on diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. A recent 60 Minutes interview highlighted some of the research going on today. There are several clinical trials already underway on this subject. The research being done now is focusing on resveratrol as being a substance which can increase longevity by eliminating some of the diseases associated with growing older such as Alzheimer’s, diabetes and heart associated diseases. To do this, they believe it can slow done the aging process. Scientists have long known that one way to live longer and healthier is to always be hungry. Reduced caloric intake seems to trigger a gene known for its “survival instinct”. This someday may allow a 80 year old man to have the health of a 50 year old today. The ability to prevent or delay the onset of life threatening diseases would have a enormous effect on the quality of human life as you can well imagine.

The American Heart Association doesn’t recommend that you start drinking alcohol just to prevent heart disease or any other illness. Alcohol can be addictive. Too much increases your risk of high blood pressure, high triglycerides, liver damage, obesity, certain types of cancer, accidents and other problems. In addition, even small amounts of alcohol can cause cardiomyopathy — weakened heart muscle — and heart failure in some people. If you have heart failure or a weak heart you should avoid alcohol completely. The safest and most effective way of taking resveratrol would be as a dietary supplement. This gives you the advantages of benefitting from this very important substance as well as avoiding the problems associated with alcohol.

Guest Author: Trevor Mulholland


Needing to enter an exercise regimen, but strapped for cash to sign up for a gym and hire a personal trainer? A free online weight training program is the solution to your problems. All you need to do is log onto the Internet, download the webpages that are relevant to the kind of training you wish to engage in, print them out and take them home with you. Alternatively, if you have a Net-ready computer at home, you could simply visit these pages any time you wish.

You may be surprised to find that things like free online weight training program webpages are in existence. Why would anyone want to offer this sort of information for free? A lot of people want to lose weight. There are some people who want to gain weight, but they, too, would gladly pay for a good personal trainer who could help them get to their weight objectives. A good weight training program in book, audio CD or DVD format would sell quickly!

But, to put it simply: not everybody is out to make money from helping other people achieve their weight goals. Other people who have benefited from sensible weight training regimens without the assistance of professional trainers, for example, would only be too happy to share their methods and experiences with others. Support groups and other organizations of people with weight-related problems may also pool their knowledge in order to create a formidable repertoire of free information on proper exercise and diet techniques.

There’s more to losing weight than eating less, after all. In fact, eating less is not the answer to losing weight – but eating more sensibly is. Some weight training programs don’t focus only on the exercise regimen you need to adopt, but they could also prescribe a diet plan which could help you burn fat faster. People with thyroid problems and other health issues that may affect the metabolism may have an especially hard time losing weight, but there are some specialized guides online that may be able to provide some valuable tips.

On the other hand, there’s more to gaining weight than simply eating more. Some people have overactive metabolisms, or even physical ailments, which ensure that they do not gain weight despite their best efforts. They may be unhappy with their bodies and wish to look fuller, healthier. In such cases, weight training for bulking up certain muscles would be called for.

Muscle weighs heavier than fat, which would explain why some people who exercise rigorously in order to lose weight actually find themselves temporarily gaining it. But additional weight at the onset is not necessarily a bad thing. Sticking to the right free online weight training program would be able to guide you through the right steps to getting the body you want.

Guest Author: Dr. Valerie Rosenbaum


There are some scary ingredients in skin care anti wrinkle cream. Actually, most of our “beauty” aids are really “ugly”. But, when it comes to anti wrinkle creams and lotions, companies tend to use even more hazardous compounds.

Maybe, they think that older people don’t need to worry about their long-term health or appearance. But, most of us want to live long and productive lives, while protecting our appearance, as much as possible.

I have read a number of reviews for skin care anti wrinkle cream and I feel very sorry for the consumers. Most simply report they are ineffective. But, some people develop rashes, redness or pimples and irritation.

In the worst case that I have read, the woman reported the appearance of new wrinkles and blood vessel growth that she felt had “ruined” her appearance. She was very upset and understandably so.

If there is one thing that anti wrinkle creams and lotions should not do, it is cause additional damage. If you want to protect your appearance and overall health, don’t buy anything that bears a warning label concerning toxic or adverse reactions.

If the company advises you to “test” their anti wrinkle creams and lotions on an “inconspicuous spot”, don’t take the risk. Leave it on the shelf. Better yet, stop buying products that you see advertised on TV and stop shopping for them in department stores.

Heavily advertised skin care anti wrinkle cream contains the worst ingredients. The company spends more money on advertising than research and development. So, what you end up with is a pretty bottle with a designer name and a nice fragrance, but few effective ingredients and cheap fillers.

Anti wrinkle creams and lotions that are really safe and effective are not sold in department stores and the companies don’t advertise on TV. They don’t need to. Their products are so good that they sell by word of mouth, alone.

What should skin care anti wrinkle cream contain? The most important component is antioxidants. Dermatologists have found that older skin cells produce more free radicals and contain fewer antioxidants.

Free radicals break down collagen and other proteins, cause damage to the cellular membranes and eventually DNA strands. Antioxidants prevent, repair and strengthen the cells and fibers, while preventing loss of protein.

These processes occur throughout the body. If we eat right and take our vitamins, we help prevent damage. Basically, effective anti wrinkle creams and lotions provide the “food” that the outside of our body needs to look good and be healthy.

Look for coenzyme Q10, vitamin E, wakame kelp, honey, avocado, macadamia, olive oil, grape seed oil and amino acid protein peptides. These ingredients provide moisture, prevent protein loss, destroy free radicals, kill bacteria, provide essential fatty acids and protect.

In other words, they do all of the things that skin care anti wrinkle cream should do, without causing any harmful effects. Your health and safety should always come first.

Guest Author: anonymous


Maybe your doctor, chiropractor, physical therapist, or best friend told you Yoga would be good for you. You have heard so much about Yoga; it seems that Yoga is a “cure” for almost anything. The more you hear, the more confusing it is to understand what Yoga is all about.

Should you go out and buy a Yoga book? What would be the best Yoga book to buy? If you visit the local book store, you see hundreds of Yoga books, CD’s, DVD’s, card decks, and kits. Should you buy a copy of the Yoga Sutras by Patanjali or buy one of the “for dummies” Yoga books?

Below is an overview of Yoga, which may help you decide your path of Yogic study. There is no right or wrong path of Yoga study, but be selective when you choose a Yoga teacher, Yoga book, or Yoga class.

You should first realize that there are many styles of Yoga. There are nine major styles of Yoga; many more styles exist, as well as many sub-styles. The nine major styles of Yoga are Bhakti, Hatha, Jnana, Karma, Kundalini, Mantra, Raja, Tantra, and Yantra Yoga. Each style emphasizes unity of body, mind, and spirit.

The literal meaning of Yoga is “union” or “unity.” If we can unify the body, mind, and spirit in harmony, we can achieve tranquility. One of the main purposes of Yoga is tranquility through improved health due to a holistic approach to life.

India is the birth place of Yoga. There are many written works about Yoga, but the origin of Yoga dates back thousands of years. Yoga is the “mother” of most of the world’s health maintenance systems. Asian martial arts, with an origin from the Shaolin temple, and Pilates, can trace their ancestry back to Yoga.

The “higher forms of Yoga” are said to be Bhakti, Jnana, Karma, and Raja Yoga. Each of these four styles is a complex subject, within themselves, and I cannot do them justice by a summarization.

Hatha Yoga sub-styles are the most prolific outside of India. Most new Yoga practitioners will learn a Hatha Yoga sub-style first. Hatha Yoga, and its many sub-styles, primarily emphasize physical health, which will likely result in improved mental health. Most Hatha Yoga classes, outside of India, do not approach spiritual health.

Nevertheless, Hatha Yoga is seen by fundamentalists as an “export of Hinduism.” In some rare instances, this may be true, but most Hatha Yoga teachers are content to teach improved health for body and mind.

Therefore, when you choose a book, or local Yoga teacher, be aware that the Yoga teacher or Guru is a guide – but you have a right to know which direction you are being guided to. The Yoga practitioner learns to expand his or her mind and make independent decisions “along the way.”

Yoga is non-threatening to religion. If a Yoga instructor teaches intolerance, of any kind, that is not Yoga. Unity is not sectarianism. We have to learn to appreciate diversity, and we should never tolerate prejudice. Prejudice and intolerance are often the cause of crime and wars.

On the “Grand Scale,” the goals of Yoga are the end of suffering, tranquility, and world peace through unity.

Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications



Secret of Youth

Guest Author: Henry Fincher


If you are considering weight training, you may discover that you are overwhelmed by the variety of weight training equipment available.

We will commence with ‘free weight’ equipment.  The term ‘free weight’ implies that there are no corresponding pulleys, lines, pins or weights.  It is advised that you use both machine as well as free weights in your exercises.

Free Weights

An iron bar ranging from 4 to 7 feet long, the Barbell is employed for primary exercises such as bench press, squats & dead lifts.

EZ Curl bars are shorter than barbells and include hand placement areas.  These make it easier to work the muscles at various angles while placing a lesser measure of pressure on your wrists.  These are intended to work the bicep and Tricep muscles.

Tricep bars are comparable to EZ Curl bars yet they differ in that they have two parallel hand positions, which may also be employed for use on alternate body parts.

Many fitness centers will have a variety of benches from the unambiguous flat bench through to the Hyper Extension and Preacher benches.  Every bench is intended to act on a range of muscle groups.

Dipping Bars are parallel bars intended to exercise the chest muscles, shoulders and triceps.

The Chin-Up bar is straightforward but should not be taken too lightly.  Some beginners have frustrated themselves by being unable to lift themselves up as high as they assumed they could.

The second category of weight training gear is dedicated to the lower region of the body.

Weight Machines

Leg Press equipment is commonly set at a 45-degree angle.  The leg press allows you to raise heavy weights safely and puts less pressure on your lower back and knees than squats.

Leg Squat machines let you focus on the quadriceps.  Start with this apparatus to loosen up your quad muscles before moving on to squats or leg presses.

The leg curl apparatus affords premium hamstring exercises.  Your local gym may have a leg curl machine integrated with leg extension built into an individual piece of equipment.

At the gym, you will likely see 2 types of calf machines.

These machines let you execute both the standing and/or seated calf raises.  The lower calf muscle is also referred to as the soleus.

If you have trouble executing an entire chin up, you might prefer the Lat Pull-Down machine.  This piece of workout equipment will still permit you to work your back muscles, even if you are incapable of lifting your individual bodyweight.

Cable and pulley equipment will admit you to implement movements that do well for all of the muscle areas in your body.



Banish Wrinkles Instantly

Guest Author: Amber O’Neal


Despite the increasing popularity of yoga, many women remain skeptical. Some have never felt completely comfortable with the concept because they think it involves the practice of non-Christian religions. However, the truth is that the principles of yoga do not have to be tied to any particular religion. We can all practice yoga in good conscience – no matter our beliefs.

Aside from spirituality concerns, others are cynics because they think yoga involves just sitting in a room doing a bunch of stretching while chanting to new age music, and they want to walk away from the gym feeling like they worked hard. While this type of dry yoga class is certainly a possibility, there are also classes that will leave you dripping with sweat while licking the edge of your empty water bottle for remnants. The point is that there is something for everyone, so if the first class doesn’t meet your fancy, try another teacher, studio or type of yoga. There is sure to be one that fits your personality and goals.

There are many different aspects to the general term “yoga,” but what most of us conjure up is a particular form of yoga known as Hatha yoga. According to the Yoga Journal, Hatha yoga refers to a set of physical exercises known as asanas or postures, and sequences of asanas, designed to align your skin, muscles, and bones. The postures open the main channel of the body, the spine–so that energy can flow freely. Practicing yoga has the potential to provide myriad benefits:

Increased Flexibility – Yoga positions lead to a greater range of motion and over time, you will likely gain flexibility in your hamstrings, back, shoulders and hips. Body Awareness – You often have to make small, subtle movements to improve your alignment while practicing yoga, and this will give you an increased awareness of your own body. This can make you more comfortable in your own skin, leading to greater self-confidence. Detoxification – By gently stretching muscles and joints as well as massaging the various organs, yoga ensures the optimum blood supply to various parts of the body. Muscle toning – Many yoga poses require you to support the weight of your own body in new ways and some require you to move slowly in and out of poses, both of which increase strength and help shape long, lean muscles. Mental Calmness – Yoga is intensely physical, and concentrating so intently on what your body is doing brings an amazing sense of calmness to the mind. Yoga also introduces you to meditation techniques and disengagement from your thoughts, which help calm the mind. Better Breathing - Yoga breathing exercises, called Pranayama, focus the attention on the breath and teaching you how to get the most out of your lungs. This obviously benefits the entire body. Stress Reduction – Physical activity in general is a great stress reliever but this is particularly true of yoga. Your problems and stressors often seem to melt away while doing yoga because of the great concentration the practice requires.

If learning about these yoga basics has put your concerns to rest and piqued your interest, a cute new yoga outfit is always a great way to truly get those yogini juices flowing. Other than that, all you really need to get started is a good yoga mat. Most gyms and yoga studios have mats that you can borrow, but if you plan on becoming a “regular,” it’s usually best to invest in your own mat.

Quick Yoga Tip: Do not eat for at least 2 hours before your yoga class. All of the twisting, turning and posing can make you feel quite unpleasant on a full stomach.



Longevity and Health Now

Guest Author: Ric Hawkins


Ever wondered how this a seemingly standard nutrient can suddenly start being hailed as the most exciting substance ever found for its anti cancer and anti-aging properties? Resveratrol supplements are now in demand, but you have to be careful how you take it, to gain the real benefits.

As you may know, it has been proven to be very effective in the fight against cancer due to it being a powerful antioxidant, helping to mop up the free radicals that can damage or kill our cells.

 Also it is said to be able to reverse the signs of aging, lower your bad cholesterol and even be a potential cure for Alzheimer’s disease. No surprise then, that people want resveratrol supplements!

The best and most effective method is not to take it in a single pill, but to take it in a multi health supplement, where you can benefit from its reaction with the other nutrients.

When these ingredients are put together they create synergy, which means you get the direct benefits of each nutrient and the benefits from their interaction with each other.

For example resveratrol combines well with green tea and olive leaf extract and this interaction is highly beneficial.

You should also ensure that any resveratrol supplements only have natural ingredients, with at least 20mg of the natural 50% trans type, which is the most active one, and will give you the most benefits.

Another very important point is delivery. The very best ones have a natural enteric coating which means that it can get through the stomach acid unscathed and into the upper intestine where the greatest benefits are to be had.

This is not the cheapest form of delivery but absolutely vital if you want to gain all the health benefits to be had. Make sure to check the label carefully.

So to sum up, resveratrol supplements really can improve many aspects of your health, especially when taken as a combined supplement, so research carefully, as it will not only influence your present health but ultimately your long term health as well.

If you would like to learn more about the synergistic supplements which I personally take, including resveratrol, why not visit my website.