Wellness Forum by Nathan Kagan

By RealAge

Yummy for Your Ears

Good for you

In a study, people with the highest average intakes of carotenoid-rich vegetables — like sweet potatoes — and vitamin E-rich foods — like almonds — experienced a 47 percent reduced risk of moderate or greater hearing loss compared with the people who had the lowest average intakes of these nutrients. And in another study from the same research team, people who ate a couple of servings per week of omega-3-rich fish — like salmon – experienced hearing protection as well. After 2 years, the fish lovers had a 42 percent lower risk of developing age-related hearing loss compared with the participants who ate much less fish. (Related: Check out these seven steps to turning your grandkid into a healthy eater.)

Free Radical Phenomenon

Bad Radicals!

As we age, a rising level of free radical molecules may damage the inner portion of the ear associated with hearing. But antioxidant nutrients like carotenoids and vitamin E may help fight that dynamic. And there may be something about the anti-inflammatory qualities of omega-3s that helps protect hearing as well. (Related: Did you know? Anti-inflammatory foods may help make your joints comfier, too.)

First, stick with fresh, healthy foods. Shop the outside aisles of the store. That’s where you’ll find fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats and dairy.

Studies from around the world show that eating these “low glycemic” foods promotes clearer, healthier-looking skin. The glycemic index (GI) is the measure of the rate of a blood sugar spike after eating carbohydrates. Low glycemic foods do not trigger a rapid rise in blood sugar, and can be a much better choice.

You should strive for a good balance of nutrients, but certain nutrients are especially good for youthful, glowing skin.

Women with higher vitamin C intakes tend to have fewer visible lines and wrinkles.  So, get plenty of this antioxidant vitamin. You’ll find lots of it in green peppers, strawberries and citrus fruit.

health and beauty.

Every cell in your body needs CoQ10 for energy. It’s your skin’s first line of defense against photo-aging, too.  Plus, it helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  Grass-fed beef, free-range chicken and wild-caught fish are the best foods for CoQ10.

Resveratrol activates an enzyme called telomerase.  This enzyme interacts with cells – including skin cells – to keep them healthy and alive longer. Studies on skin cultures also show resveratrol may be an important antioxidant for your skin.

From Market America web site www.shopwithkagans.com

Primary Benefits of Isotonix® Resveratrol*:

Maintains cell health

Promotes normal cell cycle activity

Promotes apoptosis (programmed cell death) in unhealthy cells

Promotes normal nuclear factor kappa B (NF-Kappa B – protein) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2 – enzyme) activity

Promotes normal activity of the SIRT-1 gene (involved in calorie restriction, fat mobilization, mitochondrial function)

Promotes cardiovascular health (promotes normal platelet activity, helps maintain normal vasorelaxation, provides antioxidant protection of LDL particles).

Superior antioxidant and high ORAC value

Promotes a healthy prostate gland

Helps promote apoptosis in unhealthy prostate cells

Isotonic, which means “same pressure,” bears the same chemical resemblance of the body’s blood, plasma and tears. All fluids in the body have a certain concentration, referred to as osmotic pressure. The body’s common osmotic pressure, which is isotonic, allows a consistent maintenance of body tissues. In order for a substance to be absorbed and used in the body’s metabolism, it must be in an isotonic state.

But it’s hard to get enough resveratrol from foods. It’s one nutrient that’s probably best taken as a supplement. Also, look for resveratrol in skin products because it can also be used topically.

My advise

You can see right away if a person is healthy just by looking at her/his face. So it is a logical conclusion that a healthy person got healthy beautiful skin. So please quit smoking, eat healthy and exercise. And considering today’s food quality don’t forget your supplements.

Summer is here!
Let’s go to the beach. Get some suntan. Most of us like to be tan.
It looks good.
But than the controversy.
Too much sun is bad. Is it? How much is too much?
Is it sun tan or sunburn that is bad?
Or maybe the sun screen lotion?
In my opinion in many cases the remedy is creating more problems that it is solving.
Especially for small kids.

BOSTON — A new study shows many sunscreens may not protect your skin, and some are even dangerous to your health.
NewsCenter 5’s Shiba Russell reported that researchers inspecting nearly 800 different brands of sunscreens found that barely one-quarter of them offered adequate sun protection.
According to the Environmental Working Group, more than half of the products they looked at broke down after minutes in the sun, according to a Boston Herald report.
Some products contained questionable substances, such as oxybenzone, which mimics the hormone estrogen which doctors have linked to cancer. Only 13 percent were found to block UVB rays and not UVA rays.
The study only gave three of the top 10 selling brands good ratings and all were for babies. They included the Blue Lizard Australian Suncream SPF 30/Baby, California Baby Water-Resistant Hypo-Allergenic Sunscreen SPF 30-plus and Aveeno Baby Sunblock Lotion Continuous Protection SPF 55.

Do Chemical Sunscreens Increase Cancer?
Worldwide, the greatest rise in melanoma has been experienced in countries where chemical sunscreens have been heavily promoted  The rise in melanoma has been exceptionally high in Queensland, Australia  where the medical establishment has vigorously promoted the use of sunscreens. Queensland now has more incidences of melanoma per capita than any other place on Earth. (Garland, Cedric F., et al. Could sunscreens increase melanoma risk? American Journal of Public Health, Vol. 82, No. 4, April 1992, pp. 614-15).

Dr. Gordon Ainsleigh in California believes that the use of sunscreens causes more cancer deaths than it prevents. He estimates that the 17% increase in breast cancer observed between 1981 and 1992 may be the result of the pervasive use of sunscreens over the past decade (Ainsleigh, H. Gordon. Beneficial effects of sun exposure on cancer mortality. Preventive Medicine, Vol. 22, February 1993, pp. 132-40). Recent studies have also shown a higher rate of melanoma among men who regularly use sunscreens and a higher rate of basal cell carcinoma among women using sunscreens (Garland, Cedric F. et al. Effect of sunscreens on UV radiation-induced enhancement of melanoma growth in mice. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Vol. 86, No. 10, May 18, 1994, pp. 798-801 :Larsen, H.R. “Sunscreens: do they cause skin cancer.” International Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, 1994; 12(12): 17-19; Farmer K.C. & Naylor, M.F. “Sun exposure, sunscreens, and skin cancer prevention: a year-round concern.” Ann Pharmacother, 1996; 30(6):662-73)
So the short answer-nobody knows for sure. Unfortunately.

An interesting article. Is it really an eye opener?

National Institute of Aging

Regular exercise and physical activity are important to the physical and mental health of almost everyone, including older adults. Being physically active can help you continue to do the things you enjoy and stay independent as you age. Regular physical activity over long periods of time can produce long-term health benefits. That’s why health experts say that older adults should be active every day to maintain their health.

In addition, regular exercise and physical activity can reduce the risk of developing some diseases and disabilities that develop as people grow older. In some cases, exercise is an effective treatment for many chronic conditions. For example, studies show that people with arthritis, heart disease, or diabetes benefit from regular exercise. Exercise also helps people with high blood pressure, balance problems, or difficulty walking.

One of the great things about physical activity is that there are so many ways to be active. For example, you can be active in short spurts throughout the day, or you can set aside specific times of the day on specific days of the week to exercise. Many physical activities — such as brisk walking, raking leaves, or taking the stairs whenever you can — are free or low cost and do not require special equipment. You could also check out an exercise video from the library or use the fitness center at a local senior center.

Here is also a great line of products: http://www.marketamerica.com/annanathankagan/category-1/antiaging.htm

Time January 18 2010

 It was a heretical idea. After all, we have had a long-standing deal with biology: whatever choices we make during our lives might ruin our short-term memory or make us fat or hasten death, but they won’t change our genes — our actual DNA. Which meant that when we had kids of our own, the genetic slate would be wiped clean. Bygren and other scientists have now amassed historical evidence suggesting that powerful environmental conditions (near death from starvation, for instance) can somehow leave an imprint on the genetic material in eggs and sperm. These genetic imprints can short-circuit evolution and pass along new traits in a single generation.
Meet the Epigenome
The answer lies beyond both nature and nurture. Bygren’s data — along with those of many other scientists working separately over the past 20 years — have given birth to a new science called epigenetics. At its most basic, epigenetics is the study of changes in gene activity that do not involve alterations to the genetic code but still get passed down to at least one successive generation Read more: http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1951968,00.html#ixzz0ciX46QXt

Guess what?You actually may be able to prolong your life or to have a better quality life by using Anti-Aging products.

HGH, or human growth hormone, is the master hormone that drives the growth and development of the body. It causes the liver to produce powerful insulin-like growth factors (IGF), which contribute to the maintenance of lean body mass and the health of the bodys vital organs.Research has proven that HGH-secreting cells of the pituitary gland do not die; they maintain their ability to make significant amounts of natural growth hormone. As part of the aging process, less HGH circulates through the body, because the pituitary gland is not stimulating its production. A secretagogue enhancer stimulates the pituitary to naturally produce and secrete HGH, raising the level of this valuable hormone within the body. Ultra Prime serves as a trigger to safely and naturally stimulate the pituitary gland.*

So the product is NOT an HGH. It just stimulates the pituitary gland that produces HDH. Great idea!