Living Fit, Healthy and Happy

Importance of Immunity in Healthy Aging

Importance of Immunity in Healthy Aging
By Sally Grey

Immunity helps us fight a number of ailments for a disease-free
life. The immune system comprises of tissues, cells and organs
all working together to ward off attacking micro organisms or
external agents. With advancement in age, the immune function
also diminishes in effectiveness, making older people more
susceptible to diseases and falling ill.

From changes in the cells’ chemicals to major alterations in
important organs, age-related immune system changes occur on
different levels. Leukocyte and antibody activity in the elderly
is also reduced. In fact, scientific studies on the process of
ageing continue to make new discoveries and efforts are on to
identify ways in which the immune system of aged people can be
boosted. Until then, you can try some simpler ways of boosting
your immunity.

Exercise

Regular exercise has been known to boost the body’s immunity.
Exercise increases the production of macrophages. These are the
cells that eliminate bacterial growth in our bodies and
preventing spread of infection. Immune cells are stimulated
through the right kind of exercise and circulate better
throughout our body. This reduces risk of bacterial infection in
vital organs. Even if we do catch an infection, the effects are
not very severe if our immune system is strong and the body is
restored to normalcy in the shortest possible time. Exercise
also increases blood circulation, which positively impacts the
immune system. A little bit of physical activity every day will
keep you fit and kicking for a long time.

Reducing stress

The physical effects of stress are not limited to migraines or
hypertension, but stress and nervous tension also reduce the
body’s immunity. As this effect may not be apparent from the
outside, it is often overlooked until the sufferer starts
falling sick very often. You also may have noticed that when
your mental state is not very good, your body starts feeling
weak and susceptible to falling ill. People experiencing
depression often fall ill and ailments like headaches, stomach
aches and common cold are very common in them.

Techniques like yoga, pilates, meditation, music therapy and
aromatherapy are now used to control and reduce stress levels.
Even doctors advice taking up stress busting activities at work
and home. Besides physical exercise, mental exercises can also
be great stress busters - so crosswords, puzzles and other mind
games will not only keep your mind agile, but also your body
healthy. Engaging in external and physical activities are also
great stress busters.

Food

Nutrition plays an extremely important role in ensuring a good
immunity system. Make sure that your food has adequate
quantities of essential immunity builders. Vitamin C, D,
proteins and zinc are all believed to be great helpers in
boosting immunity. Add foods like sprouts, broccoli,
cauliflower, lime, lemon to your regular diet. Colored
vegetables like carrots, beetroots etc go a long way in ensuring
you have a disease-free life in your youth as well as old age.
Citrus fruits like oranges, lemon and others are also said to
boosters of immunity - include them in your diet on a daily
basis.

About the Author: For more information about health and
http://www.insidetoronto.com/what%27son/what%27son/article/881566
Brenda Rusnak, check her out on Inside Toronto.

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Our Skin's Natural Defense Against Aging — Antioxidants!!

Our Skin's Natural Defense Against Aging — Antioxidants!!
By Elizabeth Karen

Free radicals are atoms or groups of atoms with an odd number
of electrons that impact our bodies by disrupting our living
cells and causing cellular damage which in turn speeds up the
aging process and opens the pathway for disease. As we age, we
all accumulate free radical damage, but free radicals are also
increased through outside agents such as pollution, cigarette
smoke, and radiation from the sun and other sources. Our body’s
natural protection against free radical damage are antioxidants
which neutralize free radical damage by donating an electron and
stabilizing the atom, thus preventing cell and tissue damage.
The latest research on aging points to free radical damage as
one of the primary causes of aging and suggests that by boosting
our use of powerful antioxidants such as Vitamin C, green tea,
Vitamin E, and grape seed extract, we can effectively slow the
aging process by slowing the cell damage caused by free
radicals. These powerful antioxidants, featured in several
effective skin care products, are touted for their anti-aging
and anti-carcinogenic qualities.

Vitamin C is one of the most powerful antioxidants available
and is effective in fighting free radical damage and maintaining
cellular integrity and thus fighting the growth of skin cancer.
Research suggests that topical application delivers more Vitamin
C than oral ingestion. Recent studies published by the Journal
of Investigative Dermatology also have shown that topical
application of Vitamin C has a rejuvenating effect on the skin
by stimulating the production of collagen and elastin,
particularly in post menopausal women who typically experience
reduced cellular function.

Research into the antioxidant power of green tea suggests
polyphenols, powerful antioxidants with anti-inflammatory and
anti-carcinogenic qualities present in green tea, when applied
topically or taken orally, have photo-protective qualities as
well. Many skin care companies have taken the cue and now green
tea extract is a common ingredient in many skin care products.

Vitamin E has long been used in skin care products aimed at
reducing scarring and stretchmarks, healing sunburns, and
treating skin inflammation because of its healing properties,
however, Vitamin E is also a powerful antioxidant. It plays a
valuable role in reducing the effects of free radical damage to
aging skin.

Grape seeds are rich in Vitamin E, but even more important are
the flavonoids found in grape seeds, phytochemicals with
important antioxidant properties. Grape seed extract has been
shown in laboratory studies to prevent the growth of various
types of cancer and is now added to both skin care products as
well as taken orally.

The latest skin care research convincingly demonstrates that
topical application of antioxidants is important to any skin
care routine. Not only does the application of antioxidants
reduce free radical damage, but it also has been shown to have a
pronounced photo-protective effect, reducing the damage caused
by UV exposure. Antioxidant application is particularly
important in aging skin as it increases the cellular function of
dermal cells, which tend to degenerate in aging skin.

About the Author: Elizabeth Karen has been studying natural
skin care and antioxidants for years. She believes that with a
good skin care regimen packed with antioxidants one can prevent
premature aging of the skin. One of Elizabeth's favorite brands
currently is Mad Hippie Skin Care - http://www.madhippie.com

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How to Get Rid of Eye Wrinkles Naturally - 3 Steps Eye Wrinkles Treatment

How to Get Rid of Eye Wrinkles Naturally - 3 Steps Eye Wrinkles
Treatment
By Kiam Ming Chin

When one looks for remedies that will help treat wrinkles, you
must firstly nourish the skin before taking any further steps.
There are a number of ways for treating wrinkles; this includes
surgery. But surgery involves a lot of money, which is sure to
leave a big hole in your pockets. If this is the case, why not
opt for the natural remedies?

Natural Herbs
Here are some of the successful and effective natural herbs
that help to fight off wrinkles as well as the signs of ageing"

1) The grape seed oil is one of the most sought herbs that
creates an invisible wall around the skin and retains the
moisture of your skin. Moreover, it prevents the skin from
hanging loose in the area around the eyes and also helps to deal
with stretch marks.

2) The macadamia oil has properties that protect and prevent
the skin from ageing and provides the skin with all the
necessary nutrients that the skin looses throughout the day.

3) The Shea butter is effective in dealing with skin problems
like wrinkles, skin loosening, eczema, psoriasis, etc. This
natural supplement has got anti healing proprieties that fight
off aging and other skin problems.

Lifestyle
There are also points that you must adhere to in your day to
day life:
1) The intake of harmful and fat food accumulates harmful
toxins into your body. This makes your skin look aged, dull and
cranky. You must get rid of the toxins to enable your skin to
breathe freely. For this, you must perform regular exercises and
have energy and green drinks that will provide all the essential
nutrients and vitamins to your skin.

2) Avoid and prevent your body from even the slightest of
stress as this affects your skin. This makes the signs of ageing
visible on your skin. So, you must do only those things that you
are interested in and stay happy and content.

3) To prevent the skin from getting dry and flaky, you must
make use of anti-ageing moisturizer, which contains all the
necessary ingredients like Nano LipobelleHEQ10, Phytessence
Wakame and CynergyTK.

You must also engage in a number of facial exercises to keep
your skin glowing, healthy and young. The facial exercises add
leanness and chiseled features to your face. They remove even
the slightest signs of stress and tension.

Effective Wrinkle Reducers
You must regularly rinse your face with cool water to help your
skin remain fresh and beautiful.

You can also try the effective wrinkle reducers that have been
clinically tested and proven by the medical scientists. Some of
these products are:

1) The Active Manuka honey is an efficient wrinkles fighter,
which help you to keep your skin fresh throughout. The honey
content in this product provides the right amount of collagen
and elasticity to your skin.

2) The Phytessence Wakame is a Japanese product, which
energizes the collagen and elastin cells, thus enabling your
skin to stay firm and strong.

3) Vitamin E is an antioxidant that fights the lines on your
skin and adds moisture therein.

About the Author: Get rid of reduce crow's feet wrinkles around
the eyes by choosing best product at:
http://www.eyecreamproducts.com/ Visit the site and read the
best products review such as:
http://www.eyecreamproducts.com/dermajuv_eye_revolution_gel.html
http://www.eyecreamproducts.com/lifecell.html

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Physically Active Young Women Lower Their Risk Of Dementia In Later Life

Exercising When You're Young Keeps Your Mind Sharp When You Get Older

by

healthy_blogging

Women and teens who regularly participate in physical exercise dramatically cut their chances of developing dementia when they get older, according to a report published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. Scientists have discovered that women who are physically active have are less likely to experience cognitive impairments in later life than people who are sedentary.

Scientists made the discovery after conducting an experiment into the benefits of physical activity at different life stages. To accomplish this, Laura Middleton, PhD of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Canada led a research team that compared cognitive abilities against physically activity at teenage, early 30s, 50s and late life of 9,344 women from Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon and Pennsylvania. 

Women who were reportedly inactive at teenage, 30s, 50s and late life were between 50 % to 100 % more likely to suffer cognitive impairment at each time point. After Middleton's team placed physical activity at all four age groups into a single model wherein they adjusted for diabetes, age, education, hypertension, BMI, depression, and other variables they found that physical activity in teens was the only status to be strongly associated with cognitive impairment in late life.

The data suggested to researchers that women of each age group would benefit from physical exercise, but teenage women will get the jumpstart on preventing dementia and other cognitive impairments disorders.

Women who were inactive in their younger years, but took up exercise when they got older significantly lowered their chances of developing dementia when compared to women who remained sedentary.

Middleton's research stresses the importance of physical exercise to good health in later life. Of the current study she concluded: "Low physical activity levels in today's youth may mean increased dementia rates in the future. Dementia prevention programs and other health promotion programs encouraging physical activity should target people starting at very young ages, not just mid- and late life."

 

What Does This Study Mean To You?

Laura Middleton's current study supports other research that she did on the effects of exercise on the aging brain. Last July we reported on a study wherein Middleton discovered that older men and women who participated in exercise were less likely to suffer cognitive impairment (read my article "Dual Research Studies Show That Exercise Really Is Good For The Aging Brain").

Exercise has been associated with reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer (read my article "Healthy Lifestyle May Prevent Cancer Deaths: WHO"). It stands to reason that since exercise slows the aging of muscles, bones and other organs (read my article "Regular Exercise Slows The Aging Process") physical activity will also help you to maintain a healthy brain. 

The research team at the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre showed that it's never too late to exercise. Leading a healthy lifestyle which includes regular exercise, proper nutrition, and rest can improve the quality and quantity of your life. Talk to your doctor about setting up a fitness program that is right for you. Get your family and friends involved, too.

If you've been a less active person most of your life, now you have proof that exercise will do you good. And if you're already active, then stay active. You'll be all the better for it.

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Article Source

Wiley: Teenage Physical Activity Reduces Risk of Cognitive Impairment in Later Life.  http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/PressRelease/pressReleaseId-77637.html

"Physically Active Young Women Lower Their Risk Of Dementia In Later Life" copyright 2011 Living Fit, Healthy and Happy. All Rights Reserved.

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Dual Research Studies Show That Exercise Really Is Good For The Aging Brain

by

healthy_blogging

The Archives of Internal Medicine published the results of two recent studies which provide further evidence that regular exercise staves off age-related cognitive decline.

The first study was the result of analysis of data from the 1995 Women's Antioxidant Cardiac Study (WACS) wherein scientists from the Foundation of Public Health in Paris, France and Harvard University looked at the relationship between physical activity and cognition in women with cardiovascular disease.

The research team, led by Marie Noel Vercambre, observed that women whom exercised the least had the highest decline in cognitive function. In other words, older women with cardiovascular whom rarely exercised, suffered a loss in their ability to think and reason.

A second study backs up this evidence. This time scientists analyzed data from the Health, Aging and Body Composition (Health ABC) cohort study which involved 3000 American men and women between the ages of 70 - 79 years.

This study, led by Laura E. Middleton, examined 197 people who participated in the larger Health ABC study. Middleton and her team were looking for a link between energy expenditure to self-reported physical exercise and cognitive impairment.

People who expended the greatest amount of energy also had the lowest level of cognitive loss. Put another way, people who exercised more were had stronger cognitive abilities than folks who didn't exercise.

 

What Do These Studies Mean To You?

The answer is simply, really: exercise helps the brain to remain alert. In fact scientists have known about this for a long time. Last March in my article "Regular Exercise Slows The Aging Process", I reported on the results of studies involving the positive effect that physical exercise had on the health of human cells.

Regular exercise slowed telomere degradation, telomeres are intricately involved in cellular health and aging. Exercise helps brain cells because it slows down the gradual loss of telomere length which occurs as a result of mitosis. When you look at the evidence from the studies mentioned in the March 2011 article as well as the two new studies which are discussed above, it becomes harder to dismiss the importance of regular physical exercise.

The Vercambre study looked at the relationship between cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline. That's very significant because cardiovascular disease puts you at greater risk of dementia and other diseases that will rob you of your ability to think and reason. What Vercambre showed was that exercise is a useful method for preventing Alzheimer's Disease and other dementias.

The remarkable and amazing thing about these studies is that you don't have to participate in strenuous workouts to slow age-related mental impairment. Walking for just thirty minutes a day can do the trick.

This reminds me of the World Health Organization's suggestion of one hundred fifty minutes of aerobic exercise each week (which is just thirty minutes per day), lowers your risk of cancer and heart disease (read my article "Healthy Lifestyle May Prevent Cancer Deaths: WHO"). Well, what more evidence do you need?

Make an appointment with your doctor to help you set up a fitness and nutrition program that is suitable to your needs and physical condition. Exercise is good for people of any age, so get started. Your life depends on it.

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Article Sources

Vercambre, et al. Physical Activity and Cognition in Women With Vascular Conditions. Arch Intern Med. 2011; 171(14):1244-1250

Larson. Brains and Aging: Comment on "Physical Activity and Cognition in Women With Vascular Conditions" and "Activity Energy Expenditure and Incident Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults". Arch Intern Med. Published online July 19, 2011. doi: 10.1001/archinternmed.2011.273

"Dual Research Studies Show That Exercise Really Is Good For The Aging Brain" copyright 2011 Living Fit, Healthy and Happy. All Rights Reserved.

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Shortened Telomeres Increase Cancer Risk, Meta-Analysis

by

healthy_blogging

Short telomeres are associated with increased cancer risk, according to a meta-analysis published in the 10 June 2011 issue of PLoS ONE. Researchers in the Department of Epidemiology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center reached this conclusion after sifting through 11,255 cases of telemore genotyping data from nearly two dozen publications for a meta-analysis that found a relationship between shortened telomere length and increased cancer risk.

 

(The image "Telomere caps" via wikipedia)

 

Telomeres are tiny regions of DNA that protect the ends of chromosomes from enzymatic degradation and loss of genetic information. All cells start out with telomeres of a given length, but mitotic and meiotic division causes these protective caps to shorten. Over the course of many cellular divisions, the telomeres become so short that the cell no longer remains viable. 

 

Go Long!

Telomere length has been associated with aging, but studies show that exercise extends their length (read my article Regular Exercise Slows The Aging Process). In a guest post titled Cancer Stem Cells - a new paradigm, which appeared in the 5 March 2010 issue of Living Fit, Healthy and Happy, Dr. Edward Park wrote that telomerase, an ezyme that lengthens chromosomal DNA caps, slows cellular aging.

When you consider that cancer is often a consequence of aging, leading a healthy lifestyle becomes all that more important. Put another way, reducing stress, avoiding alcohol, participating in regular exercise and eating balanced, nutritious meals will help you to live longer and reduce your cancer risk (for more on this read my article Bad Habits Can Kill You).

Healthy living is among the surest and safest cancer prevention strategies available to you. If you're on the fence about where to start, talk with your doctor about setting up a nutrition and fitness program. It's never to late to start living healthy and it can go a long way toward improving the quality and quantity of your life.

 

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Article Source

Ma H, Zhou Z, Wei S, Liu Z, Pooley KA, et al. (2011) Shortened Telomere Length Is Associated with Increased Risk of Cancer: A Meta-Analysis. PLoS ONE 6(6): e20466. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0020466

"Shortened Telomeres Increase Cancer Risk, Meta-Analysis" copyright 2011 Living Fit, Healthy and Happy. All Rights Reserved.

 

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Walking For a Healthy Mind

Walking For a Healthy Mind
By T. Mahabir

Walking has many benefits not only for your body, but also for
your mind. Regular walk is recommended for overall physical and
mental fitness.

Walk to sharpen your brain

Activities like walking increase blood flow to brain. Many
researches have been carried out to study the effect of walking
on brain. The results of a study on people aged 60 years and
above indicate that regular 45 minute walk at the speed of 1
mile/16 minutes resulted in improvement of thinking skills of
the participants.

Results of another study indicate that older adults, who took
40 minute walks three times a week, had less age related
shrinkage of hippocampus. Hippocampus is an area of brain where
memories and emotions are processed. The study also reported
improvement in spatial memory tasks after a year. So take a walk
daily to sharpen your brain.

Walk to maintain mental fitness

Maintaining mental fitness is essential for healthy aging. Most
people think that crosswords or memory games help maintain
mental fitness, not physical activity. But exercise is essential
for mental fitness. The results of various studies indicate that
regular walking can help delay age related cognitive decline and
reduce the risk of dementia.

A simple activity like walking requires your brain to take a
number of decisions about perception, balance and memory. This
helps keep your brain active. It can give hundreds of stimuli to
your brain, for instance, observation of changes on your route,
the feel of sun and wind on your skin and memories triggered by
things and places on your way. All these help in keeping your
brain young and active.

Continue solving crosswords and playing memory games, but take
regular walks as well to maintain optimum mental fitness.

Walk away your stress

A walk is known to be an effective stress buster. It not only
takes you away from the stressors, but also gives you time to
think. A change of environment, fresh air and body movement are
natural and effective stress busters.

Walking helps you combat stress in a number of ways. It takes
you out of the stressful environment and relaxes tense muscles.
Watching trees, flowers and the like have a calming effect on
your mind. Walking also helps burn calories accumulated due to
stress eating. It helps you let off the steam and reduces the
risk of hypertension and heart diseases caused by stress.

Walk away your blues

Whenever you feel low, try to take a walk, you will instantly
feel the difference. Regular walk and exercise is recommended by
most physicians for treatment of depression. Activities like
walking result in release of endorphins, also called body’s
natural happy drugs. The effect is more noticeable in those
walking at a higher heart rate pace. In general, mood
improvement is observed in all walkers, no matter what the pace.

A disturbance in brain chemistry is the reason behind most
depressions. In such condition, drugs that can stimulate release
of endorphins are prescribed. But this can be naturally achieved
by walking. Include walk in your daily routine for a sharp,
healthy, stress free and happy mind.

About the Author: Teisha Mahabir specializes in writing
articles about health, diet, longevity and health specialists
like Brenda Rusnak. Brenda Rusnak is a health care specialist
who writes about http://www.thebestpart.ca/ health-aging and
prevention. For more information about healthy-aging and
http://ca.linkedin.com/in/brendarusnak  Brenda Rusnak, check her
out on LinkedIn.

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Regular Exercise Slows The Aging Process

 

by

healthy_blogging

By now you've probably heard that regular exercise is a great anti-aging tool because it helps the body to remain young and healthy. Even so, you might still be on the fence as to whether or not all the buzz is for truth or just a bunch of hoo-eee. 

Well, the fact of the matter is, exercise really can help to slow down the effects of aging.  In this article, you're going to learn some interesting facts about what exercise does for the cells of your body. Facts that will hopefully get you off the fence and onto your feet.

 

Exercise Extends The Life Of Your Cells

The human body is composed of trillions of cells. You can think of cells as tiny machines that function to support the life and well-being of the whole organism (you). As with any machine, cells need a power source or a battery. Mitochondria is the battery that generates adenosine triphosphate (ATP) an energy source that powers living cells.

They're also responsible for apoptosis or cellular death. If the mitochondria were to become damaged in someway (aging, mutation, disease, etc.) it would cause the cell to become sickly and possibly die.

Aging cells undergo increased genetic mutations, produce less mitochondrial enzymes, and proteins and experience greater oxidative stress than young cells. When this happens on a grand scale, the loss of cellular function leads to decreased health and vitality. So it stands to reason that protecting the mitochondria will protect the entire organism. 

Research conducted on aged animals and humans shows that regular exercise extends cellular life and slows sarcopenia (muscle loss) by muting mitochondrial dysfunction.

One study in particular, that conducted by Simon Melov and his associates, found that elderly adult humans who participated in six months of strength training exercise were able to partially reverse the effects of muscle loss and weakness.

Yes, that's right. Just six months of strength/resistance training exercise was able to reverse the aging of elderly adults improving their strength to levels not far behind that of younger adults. This is proof that exercise is beneficial in slowing the aging process.

 

DNA and Aging

Much of aging can be traced to changes within cellular DNA. Every cell in the body contains deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) which are molecules that essentially act as blue prints that gives the cells their marching orders. The DNA is wound up into tight strands that are organized into chromosomes and on each chromosomes are bead like structures known as genes.

Genes are responsible for passing on information from parent cells to daughter cells. It's also their job to produce proteins that the cell needs in order to survive. Each chromosome has a protective cap or telomere.

Each time a cell divides, its telomere shortens a bit. Shortened telomeres can lead to genetic mutations. If the telemores become too short it can disrupt cellular function causing the cell to die. This is part of the aging process.

But exercise can reverse telomere shortening thereby extending the cell's lifespan. German researchers recently performed an experiment with young and older track runners which showed that telomere length can be conserved with regular exercise.

Older people who have a long history of physical activity (in this case long distance running) can actually slow down the loss of telomere length if they continue exercising. Their cells experienced heightened activation of a special enzyme known as telomerase. This enzyme prevents telomore loss and thus giving it a very important role in cellular aging.  

 

It's Never To Late To Start

Regardless of age, it's never too late to start exercising. Exercise is beneficial to mind, body and spirit. In addition to its anti-aging benefits, regular exercise gives you something to look forward to, keeps you centered and boosts confidence.

Talk to your doctor about setting up an exercise plan that is right for you. If you're not used to physical activity, it would be a good idea to start slowly and gradually increase your activity level as you become more accustomed to exercise.

Get moving, there's no time to waste.

What about you? Have you or anyone you know started exercise after a long hiatus? Or are you someone who has exercised all of your life? What are some of the positive things that exercise has done for you? Tell us about it in the comments.

 

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Article Sources

Werner et al: Beneficial Effects of Long-term Endurance Exercise on Leukocyte Telomere Biology. Circulation 120:S492.

Melov et al: Resistance Exercise Reverses Aging in Human Skeletal Muscle. PLoS ONE. 2007; 2(5): e465.

"Regular Exercise Slows The Aging Process" copyright 2011 Living Fit, Healthy and Happy. All Rights Reserved.

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Dhea Supplements: Possible Benefits Of Maintaining Youth And The Possible Side Effects

Dhea Supplements:  Possible Benefits Of Maintaining Youth And
The Possible Side Effects
By Connie Limon

The most abundant steroid in the human body is DHEA. DHEA is
produced by the adrenal glands. DHEA is involved in creating
testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, and corticosterone. As we
age the production of DHEA declines. By age 75 the body makes
only 10 to 20 percent what it produced at age twenty.

Decreasing DHEA levels are closely associated with a number of
age-related diseases and disabilities. Researchers and
scientists speculate if aging men and women can restore their
DHEA to levels produced in their youth, youthful health and
vigor will also be restored.

Studies have shown:

•Adult men with high plasma DHEA-S levels are less likely to
die of cardiovascular disease
•DHEA increases the body’s ability to transform food into
energy and burn off excess fat
•Anti-inflammatory properties of DHEA combined with
conventional treatment could potentially improve the quality of
life across a wide range of illnesses such as heart disease,
Alzheimer’s disease and certain types of cancer
•DHEA is secreted throughout the body during sex. High levels
of DHEA have beeb associated with several health benefits which
include longevity, building muscle mass, depression as well as
enhanced libido.
•Daily DHEA supplementation remedies some of the side effects
of menopause
•DHEA has been found to reduce risk factors associated with
age-related heart disease and improves blood vessels by
stimulating the linings of arteries to produce nitric oxide, a
substance that relaxes arterial tension.
•DHEA supplementation for men and women, in youth or in older
age, can be considered as a safe, multi-modal anti-aging
supplement, which promotes quality of life and increases the
odds of living longer lives.

Side effects and warnings of DHEA supplements

There have been few side effects reported when DHEA supplements
are taken by mouth in recommended doses. In clinical trials,
acne is a common reported side effect. Patients with HIV
commonly complain of fatigue, nasal congestion, headache and
insomnia. Women commonly complain of abnormal menses, emotional
changes, headache and insomnia. Other side effects may include:

•Agitation
•Delusions
•Mania
•Nervousness
•Irritability
•Psychosis

In addition, high DHEA levels have been associated with
Cushing’s syndrome, but may be caused by excessive
supplementation. Individuals with a history of abnormal heart
rhythms, blood clots or hypercoagulability, and individuals with
a history of liver disease should avoid DHEA supplements.

Other possible side effects due to the fact that DHEA is a
hormone related to other male and female hormones may include:

•Masculinization in women such as acne, greasy skin, facial
hair, hair loss, increased sweating, weight gain around the
waist or a deeper voice
•Men may develop more prominent breasts or breast tenderness
•Men may experience increased blood pressure, testicular
wasting or increased aggressiveness
DHEA supplementation may also alter the production or balance
of various other hormones in the body. These hormonal-related
side effects may include:

•Increased blood sugar levels
•Insulin resistance
•Altered cholesterol levels
•Altered thyroid hormone levels
•Altered adrenal function

Use caution if you are an individual with diabetes or
hyperglycemia, high cholesterol, thyroid disorder or other
endocrine (hormonal abnormalities. Consult with your physician
before taking DHEA supplements. The serum glucose, cholesterol
and thyroid levels may need to be monitored by your physician
and medication adjustments may be necessary.

DHEA supplements are not recommended during pregnancy or
breastfeeding. DHEA is a hormone and may be unsafe to the fetus
or nursing infant.

Source: American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine; Mayo Clinic

Disclaimer: *This article is not meant to diagnose, treat or
cure any kind of a health problem. These statements have not
been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Always
consult with your health care provider about any kind of a
health problem and especially before beginning any kind of an
exercise routine.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.

About the Author: Connie Limon, Trilogy Field Representative.
Visit http://nutritionandhealthhub.com and sign up for a weekly
nutrition and health tip. The article collection is available as
FREE reprints for your newsletters, websites or blog. Visit
http://www.healthylife27.com to purchase an array of superior
quality, safe and effective products inspired by nature,
informed by science and created to improve the health of people,
pets and the planet.

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Resistance Training Workout Routines

Resistance Training Workout Routines
By Dr. Al Parker

What Is Resistance Training?

Resistance training involves activities that use weights,
machines, resistance bands or even body weight to work your
muscles properly. It is also known as strength training. This
can be extremely helpful in achieving a healthier body. This
kind of training we usually associate with athletes who have to
build up their bodies to perform better. Most people would think
that when resistance training is done, the body will grow
bigger. Actually it does not have to. Resistance training is
simply about increasing the strength of the body, not always
it's size. Although we traditionally think that strength
training traditionally for athletes, it can be use by anyone
successfully if done correctly. Reistance training basically
strengthens the muscles, and leans the bodies fat stores. It can
be used by any age group to acheive specific results.

How Does Resistance Training Work?

A resistance training program will include the use of various
exercise equipment and machines like the bench press, dumbbell
or barbell. However, the easiest and most convienent way to
train with resistance for most of us with busy lives is by using
resistance bands at home. When the equipment is used, the
muscles of the body will be pitted against the resistance. The
cells of the body will then adapt to the extra resistance. This
will then result to enlarge and increase the strength of each
muscle cell to help in the muscle perform contractions more
efficiently. Before doing any resistance training, it is ,of
course, best to consult with a doctor. This goes especially for
people who have medical conditions such as heart disease, lung
disease diabetes, kidney or liver disease. You should know the
proper tools and proper exercises for the needs of your body. Of
course, that's whatwww.plantoberipped.com is here for. We can
give you a personalized assessment of what type of resistance
training program is right for you.

One of the best things about resistance training is that it can
be done with little to no expensive equipement and does not
require a large amount of space. Doing push-ups is one good
example. You can do it just about anywhere where there is enough
space for you to move. This time it is your own body weight that
will be pitted against the muscles. So those who are a bit
constrained in the budget can still do resistance trainings.

What Are the Benefits of Resistance Training?

1. Increase Bone Mineral Density-

Bones are constantly remodeling, meaning the tissues break down
at the same time they build up. The peak of remodeling takes
place during puberty. However, as a person ages, our bone
mineral density decreases as the remodeling is not as active
anymore. This is especially a problem to post-menopausal women
and the elderly, but does begin to happen in the early thirties.
Bone mineral density is usually supported by the hormones and
stress placed on the bones. To address the problem of not having
the hormones and less stress, and to maintain the bone mineral
density, physical activity is the next best option. Resistance
training is one physical activity that can put enough stress on
the bones to stimulate remodeling and increase bone density.

2. Increase Strength-

In addition to increase in bone density and strength, muscles
will grow stronger and become more developed as you progress.

3. Increase the Range of Activities-

When your body is strong enough to carry some considerable
weight, then you will also be capable of doing more strenuous
activities. An increase in exercise lifts the mood and you will
be more interested in life and a more active lifestyle. This
will really create a snowball effect on your life and
activities.

4. Reduce the Body Fat-

Using and increasing the muscle mass (even a little bit) will
increase the energy that is required by your body, even at rest.
This also increases the energy needed by your body at during
activities. The more muscle, the more energy is needed to be
broken down to supply you body to function properly. This
translates to more fat calories and fat being burned each
minute. Thus with the decrease in body fat, you can expect the
tone of the body to improve and you will become leaner....and
did I mention sexy??

5. Improve State of the Elders-

For the elderly undergoing a resistance training program will
help improve their health and decrease the risks brought about
by the age. They can be more independent, without needing to
rely on other people for doing simple things. Being able to do
so will also decrease the risk of injuries in the elders

6. Improve Heart Condition-

Regular resistance training can result in a lowered heart rate
and lowered blood pressure, especially after exercise. Thus, the
risk of heart diseases is reduced.

This kind of training however must be properly done. It
requires commitment and consistency. It will have to be done in
a regular basis.

This is the real challenge when it comes to exercise and
improving your health is consistency It's not hard to exercise
for 30 minutes, but its difficult to consistently do this 5 days
a week for 3 or 4 months. That is why you will need
comprehensive plans like www.super-fit.com provides. What is
super-fit.com you ask? Well, it's not yet released, but it is a
website that will automate all of your boring fitness tasks.
Such as finding new and exciting workouts (even with video
download), calculating your calories, and finding tasty recipes.

The best part about this site is that they don't just give you
a list of exercises to do and send you on your way. They provide
every aspect of help that is required to get results. Workouts,
nutrition, motivation, recipes, peer chatting and forums, and
even access to expert advice. The key here is to simply take
your time. Do things one step at a time correctly. As your body
condition improves, then move on to more challenging tasks. The
strength of the body and your health are very easy to improve
with the right tools. Don't work hard, work smart!

About the Author: Dr. Parker is a surgical resident with a
special interest in nutrition, fitness and the improvement of
overall health. He has helped many people, patients and
non-patients, acheive their fitness goals using little to no
equipment and the most time effiecient workout routines
possible. If you would like more information on his fitness
program, go to: http://www.plantoberipped.com

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