Maintain Your Brain And Prevent Alzheimer's Disease

678 Nuns Participate In Study

Understanding Alzheimer's disease and how to treat it is the goal of many scientists, medical personnel and others who are studying this problem.

Looking For Ways To Prevent Alzheimer's Disease

In progress since 1986, one of the most notable long-term studies on Alzheimer’s disease is funded by the National Institute on Aging. Giving rise to the project’s nickname of ‘The Nun Study”, the School Sisters of Notre Dame in Mankato, MN, are the subjects of the research. This research is a collaborative effort between the nuns there and the University of Kentucky, under the directorship of Dr. David Snowdon. There ae scientists from other universities also participating in this study.

The focus of this study is to determine the causes of Alzheimer's disease and figure out ways to prevent it. To help do this, each of the 678 participants agreed to participate in annual assessments of their cognitive and physical function, plus have medical exams and blood drawn for genetic and nutritional studies. When they die, all the participants in the Nun Study have also agreed to donate their brains for neuropathological studies.

Since everyone in this group are non-smokers, drink little if any alcohol, have the same marital status and reproductive history, have lived in similar housing, held similar jobs, and had similar access to preventive and medical care, it makes them easier to study. Contending with subjects from various backgrounds and diverse environments, medical history and lifestyle makes most studies more difficult. It's easier to figure out the results when all these variable are gone, as they are with the group of nuns.

Research Discoveries

It's already been discovered through this research that traits in early, mid, and late life have strong relationships with the risk of Alzheimer's disease, as well as the mental and cognitive disabilities of old age. The big question is what research indicates YOU can do to prevent getting Alzheimer’s symptoms?

How To Prevent Alzheimer's Symptoms

This leading researcher on Alzheimer's disease, Dr. Yaakov Stern, says, “Individuals who lead mentally stimulating lives, through education, occupation and leisure activities, have reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Studies suggest that they have 35-40% less risk of manifesting the disease. The pathology will still occur, but they are able to cope with it better. Some won’t ever be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s because they don’t present any symptoms.”

You Need To Build Your Cognitive Reserve (CR)

The ability to tolerate progressive brain pathology without demonstrating clinical cognitive symptoms is called Cognitive Reserve. In other words, Cognitive Reserve is how your brain resists any physical changes caused by Alzheimer’s disease so you don’t have any of the usual symptoms like memory loss.

Researchers say the way to prevent Alzheimer’s is build your reserve of neurons, synapses, and skills -- your Cognitive Reserve. But how can we do that? Just what provides good "brain exercise" or constitutes a challenging mental activity?

To be considered effective at building CR, an activity must:

1. Engage your attention.
2. Involve more than one of your senses.
3. Break a routine activity in an unexpected way.

One example of a good way to build your CR is learning a new language. Changing your environment by moving or traveling is another. Taking challenging classes, a job that makes you use your mind, even increased physical activity can all lead to increased neurogenesis (the creation of new neurons), thereby increasing your Cognitive Reserve.

Almost any challenging activity can, in fact, contribute to building your CR. Some activities might make physical demands. Some may have interpersonal demands. Others may have challenging levels of cognitive complexity (thinking and learning). Keep your brain active:Build Your Cognitive Reserve with Brain Games.

Use Your Brain To Keep It Active.

From all the research, it seems that the more you use your brain, the better it continues to function. Even if your brain shows full-blown physical symptoms of the disease, building up your Cognitive Reserve by learning and other challenging experiences increases your chances of never showing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s.

Keep some challenges in your life and prevent Alzheimer's disease!

Exercise Is A Major Component In Anti Aging

Many individuals associate aging with the deterioration of the body and mind but this does not have to be an inevitable consequence. Prevention is the key to living not only longer but living a better quality existence.

Prevention comes in two specific forms, the first is life style choices. Are you eating properly, are you physically active or do you smoke? The second is screening practices to help ensure early detection of diseases or health issues. Do you get a yearly physical, do you get mammograms, do you get checked for prostate cancer, do you know what your blood pressure is, and do you know your cholesterol levels? It is important to stay informed about your health and to listen to your body.

One of the most important lifestyle choices you can make is to stay physically active. It requires a surprising small amount of exercise to acquire huge benefits to your overall health. For instance regular exercise will greatly reduce your risk of heart disease, many cancers, diabetes, high blood pressure, and stroke. By the same token it will increase bone health, muscle strength, joints mobility, and increase balance and stability. Incorporating exercise into your daily life will also translate into fewer visits to the doctor, hospital and decrease your need for medications.   

There are many different names used to describe exercises and physical activities that build muscle including, weight lifting, resistance training and strength training. No matter what you decide to call them the goal is to strengthen your muscles and to stop the loss of muscle mass that comes with disuse and age.

Regardless of your current physical abilities there is an activity that will work for you. Many individuals enjoy lifting weights either at home or in a gym very desirable as it keeps them focused on their goals. If lifting weights is not your thing then there are activities that incorporate strength training such as water aerobics, Qigong, Tia Chi or yoga.

If you choose to try weight training for the first time it would be very beneficial to seek the help of a physical trainer. Most gyms allow you to hire a trainer by the hour and if you do decide to join a facility this service is usually thrown into the deal.  If you decide to go it alone there a few safety tips to keep in mind so that you avoid injury as well as get the maximum benefit from your workout. Do not hold your breath during strength training, the general rule is to breath out as you lift and breath in when you are releasing. Also avoid jerking or thrusting the weights, if you need to do this then they are probably too heavy, try some lighter ones. Your movements should be smooth and remember to avoid locking your joints into place at the top or bottom of your motions. It is normal to feel muscle soreness for a few days after you have worked out however you should not be in severe pain, if this is the case then see a doctor.

For the greatest benefit you should be strength training each of your major muscle groups twice a week and work out should consist of two sets of approximately 10 to 15 repetitions. The key to success is consistency, you have to continually challenge your muscles and your body in order to make them stronger and to gain the benefits of prevention.

Anti Wrinkle Cream - The Perfect Solution For Perfect Skin

If you really want healthy skin anti wrinkle cream, you don't want Neutrogena products.  Read some consumer reviews for their anti wrinkle skin care products and you'll see why.

People say that they cannot believe that a brand name that they have trusted for years would choose to include such hazardous ingredients in what is supposed to be healthy skin anti wrinkle cream.  It comes as no surprise to me. There are safe ingredients that are good for your skin's health, but the big name brands do not use them. They still rely on parabens and other artificial preservatives, even though they are known to cause irritation and allergic reactions. 

Natural vitamin E and grape seed extract are safe and effective preservatives.  Using opaque bottling further protects the ingredients from spoilage and allows them to maintain their effectiveness. 

The technology is available; they just don't take advantage of it.  Cold pressing natural oils, rather than other refining processes, extends their shelf life and prevents rancidity.
Only one company that I know of has a safe and effective line of anti wrinkle skin care products. Their healthy skin anti wrinkle cream includes nourishing compounds that support the skin's natural cell rejuvenation processes. 

Proteins are the building blocks of skin cells and fibers.  Collagen, hyaluronic acid, keratin and other protein complexes are intricately woven together to form the fibrous mesh that covers the outside of your body. Most anti wrinkle skin care products contain marine collagen and hyaluronic acid.  Those proteins can not be readily absorbed and used by the skin's cells. 

Functional Keratin, a patented compound created by the KERATEC Company in New Zealand, is an "active" protein peptide that the cells can easily use to build new fibers.  KERATEC doesn't make anti wrinkle skin care products, but they do sell the compound to companies that provide skincare products.

In clinical research, healthy skin anti wrinkle cream containing that single ingredient was shown to increase skin-cell proliferation, reduce wrinkles, increase firmness, moisture and elasticity.  But, the best skincare creams contain more than just Functional Keratin. Free radicals are produced when you are exposed to the sun and environmental toxins.  Radical production increases with age, for some reason, but naturally occurring antioxidants that would normally prevent them from doing their damage are in short supply.

Anti wrinkle skin care products should contain antioxidants, because free radicals damage collagen and the cellular membrane.  They also cause chronic inflammation and play a role in rosacea. 

They should also contain wakame kelp extract, because it prevents the breakdown of hyaluronic acid that occurs at a faster rate, as we age.  Creams containing the extract have been shown to increase hyaluronic acid levels to that of a much younger person.

Grape seed oil is another effective antioxidant and a wonderful moisturizer.  It dries to a lightweight film that helps lock in moisture, lock out dirt and grime.  If it contains all of the "good stuff" mentioned here, then it is truly a healthy skin anti wrinkle cream.

Discover the best Anti Aging Skin Care Tips by visiting http://TheSecretsOfBeautifulSkin.com.

Tyler Treskin is a health enthusiast and enjoys sharing his experience and research with others on the internet. Visit his site for additional information on this important skin care topic.

Turn the clock back with Laser Skin Resurfacing

Dermatologists can reduce skin discoloration and other signs of aging by removing the outer layer of the skin with laser resurfacing.

Minor lines and wrinkles can be reduced or cleared. Even scars can be mitigated until they are much less remarkable or can be concealed with a light cosmetic foundation.

Laser skin peel improves skin markings and discolorations and also makes the skin more firm and tight. This has the effect of a mild face lift resulting in a more youthful appearance.

The tightening of the skin from laser skin resurfacing will usually persist for several months following the initial treatment. Results do vary between individuals, and some patients benefit more than do some others.

Another big advantage is that the laser procedure also triggers the production of new your own collagen, which helps the upper layers of your skin to become tighter and look younger than before as a result.

Laser skin peel treatment requires specific techniques applicable for the various skin tones, so this type of therapy is best entrusted to a qualified dermatologist.

There are two types of lasers commonly employed and the dermatologist must select the more appropriate - and in some cases use both to target different levels of scarring.

Laser treatment can cause scarring to certain dark complexions, so a competent professional is essential to ensure there is no damage caused by the therapy.

The skin is our natural barrier from infection, so removing the top layers does introduce some risk of infection. To reduce risk of any complications, precautionary medication is usually prescribed. Patients with skin prone to irritation may experience that recovery takes longer; and chances of infection is more likely.

There is always a chance of unforeseen complications from this type of treatment, but the risk is not great and is manageable by expert and qualified professionals. Performed correctly, the results can be very good and "turn back the clock" with rejuvenated skin and more youthful looks.

Look Younger With Anti Aging Antioxidants

anti aging acne

There are many strategies on anti aging skin treatment and antioxidants that have been formulated to prevent aging using antioxidants and often all that is required is to take a pill and hope one becomes muscle-bound and brimming with youthful vigor. While this may sound to be too good to be true, there is also another aspect to it that concerns aging and info on antioxidants, and that is that such methods would quickly empty the pocket and it may also result in harming the body by using unproven products. As it is, scientists have not as yet been able to fully understand aging and antioxidants leave alone what the aging process really is and so finding a magic potion is certainly beyond the horizon in the near future anyway.

The Effect Of Continuous Free Radical Actions Is Faster Aging

When a person consumes food and it's processed for energy, the body will manufacture free radicals that will contribute to the aging process as well as cause other diseases and ailments. Antioxidants are used to neutralize these free radicals with the help of certain vitamins, minerals as well as enzymes that are contained in the food one eats. One simple yet effective method of consuming food rich in antioxidants is to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables. This is a simple yet effective strategy of using antioxidants to prevent aging. According to research, not everyone will age at the same rate and there are many theories that abound concerning aging and antioxidants though two are commonly accepted and these are oxidation reactions and sub-optimal hormone levels.

Oxidation may be compared with what happens in the case of iron becoming oxidized; rust is what happens and this “rust” or aging is what happens to humans when oxidation occurs in the form of free radicals that are the root cause of damaging nearby cells and over a period of time this free radical damage builds up in the body and causes a person to age. Aging and anti antioxidant can complement one another if one takes plenty of antioxidants to counteract and limit the damage caused by free radicals and this may be achieved by having a good and healthy diet along with supplements, if required. Since the human life span is only a reflection of the level of free radical oxidative damage, antioxidant use would help reduce rapid aging and thus cells will be able to survive properly and aging will have been arrested.

Anti-Aging and Phytonutrients

Antioxidants are naturally occurring substances found in most plants and have the potential to help combat heart diseases and fight cancer.

In plants these are called phytonutrients and are able to work together with our body's own nutrients to fight disease. To date, scientists have managed to index almost a 1,000 of these unusual compounds,these protective plant compounds are an emerging area of health and nutrition, with new research reported almost daily.

To date a large number of health giving benefits of these phytonutrients have been found,the anti-aging power of blueberries, the joint pain relieving properties of cherries and a whole host of powerful properties in pomegranates are just a few examples.

Containing less sugar than most fruits, the blueberry can also boast a number of other antioxidant properties too. Fruit juice provides many benefits and is a more pleasurable way to consume this type of food,this will help improve our healing ability and blood circulation.

Phytonutrients can also build the body's ability to fight disease and infection due to they're powerful antioxidants and healthy nutrients. You will also find high levels of these substances in apples which can help to reduce the chance of heart disease.

Even lemons and other citrus fruits are proving very capable at providing useful phytochemicals of their own. The combination of phytonutrients in cherries is proving to have properties that can help sufferers of joint pain and fibromyalgia.

The benefits of vitamins B, C, E and certain other minerals are well studied and widely known.

Phytoalexins, also antioxidants like resveratrol, are found in mulberries, blackberries and blueberries have special properties which prevent infection and viruses.

These compounds can help or suppress harmful body aging processes that often end in heart attacks, stroke, faulty blood pressure, and Alzheimer's disease. Tomatoes too are able to help in the prevention of conditions like heart disease and some cancers. However, the use of concentrated tomatoes in the form of juice, sauces and puree can increase the intake level of this fruit dramatically.

Watermelons, recognized as a refreshing summer fruit also contain some of the most powerful phytonutrients yet found. Now you have the information, are you going to wait to have a serious condition before you start consuming more fruit?

How to slow or reverse the signs of aging

How to slow the aging process

Anti aging and longevity is something we make way too complicated. You don't need 50 clinical studies to prove a healthy lifestyle can slow or perhaps even reverse aging. The truth is, there are no unknown anti aging secrets or supplements. A long life comes from one main factor: The daily care of our health. Here’s the sad truth: Nearly two out of three Americans are overweight or obese. The reasons are not a mystery. We eat too much food and we’re don't exercise enough. However, most of us already know we need to “eat right and get some exercise.”

We just don’t do it.

Why? Well, mostly because it’s easier to forget about our health- until a problem pops up. When we’re nervously waiting the result of a medical test, it’s a little late to think about what we should have been doing.

Let me share what you need to do, then I tell you the most important part: How to do it.

Step: 1 Get honest. You must honestly recognize the habits you need to fix. If you refuse to see them, you can’t change them. I know this sounds simple, but you'd be surprised how many of us wreck our futures by refusing to take an honest look at what we do every day when it comes to the care of our precious health.

Step 2: Eat the foods God made, not the ones man made. You never put anything in a auto you’re going to get rid of someday besides gas because you know you’d ruin it. Then why would you put things in your ONE AND ONLY body it was never designed to run right on?

Step 3: Get your body moving. What's the number one factor in longevity? Aerobic capacity. Your heart and lungs need to be challenged. The same goes for your muscles. Your body gets older faster without use. You will rust out long before you will wear out.

Step 4: Take action. You have to get started doing something NOW. It doesn’t matter what it is. Something is always better than nothing. Nothing is your greatest enemy. "Nothing" will take away everything you have, faster than anything.

Action is the key. Taking action will reveal where you need to change things. Losing weight, looking younger, and living longer is all about one thing: Changing unhealthy habits over to healthy ones. Don't make this more complex than it has to be. To slow aging, you need to eat right and challenge yourself physically. I repeat, it all about changing the habits that shorten your life over to new habits that are PROVEN to slow aging.

I call it getting a new body and a new life. It's as simple as this: When you treat your body the way it was designed to be treated, you will slow or even reverse the signs of aging.

You can't treat your body poorly and expect it to stay strong and healthy as you age- that's impossible. Don't expect to do the impossible. If you honestly want to slow or reverse aging you need to take action and change the habits that are causing you to be apathetic when it comes to the care of your health. Your body has amazing regeneration ability. It can and will heal itself. It just can’t do it by itself.

Here's an honest anti aging secret few people take advantage of: You must have a thought ready that is more powerful than the bad habit that is tempting you. It doesn't matter what that thought is, all that matters is that it works for you. It could be something as simple as thinking you want to be around to see your grandbabies. I repeat, it just has to be a thougt [or thoughts] that are powerful enough for you.

This is how I transformed my life and future. As much as I hate to admit it, I got fat and lazy. Now, when most people see my picture, they think it's fake! They just can't believe a 50 year old can have a body that looks twenty-five. The truth is, I didn't do one special thing. I didn't take any longevity pills. All I did was find some thoughts that were more powerful that my unhealthy habits- and I had a ton of them! Then every day, I ate right and exercised. Soon, I felt just like I did when I was in my twenties. I had a real physical rejuvenation. You can't expect a pill to do this for you.

It wasn't hard or complicated. I never went hungry or deprived myself. I started with a safe and permanent weight loss plan. My diet was natural. First, I gave up junk food. Then I started a sensible exercise plan. And no it wasn't a "special" longevity routine for people over 50 or anything. I started with walking. Then I worked my way up to walking and running. Like I said, there's no special youth enhancing vitamins. It's all common sense actions that anyone can take.

Get started on your new body and life today. One step at a time you can improve longevity and help your body stay younger, longer.

So what’s the hidden “secret” to anti aging? There isn’t one. Youth and vitality cannot come in a pill. There’s no shortcuts. It’s taking action and changing those habits. You can do it. Get started and your new habits will return benefits that you can’t even begin to imagine. To learn more, visit www.MyNewBodyNewLife.com

If a regular and average person like me can do it, you can too! You just won't know the difference it will make in your life until you begin.