brain aging

People grow older everyday and an old saying says that there is no wiser man than an old man. However, the following question rises now in our minds: Is it true that once you get older you become wiser and smarter too? You might grow wiser but smarter only if you follow some rules.

The research of some scientists has shown that there is a very big chance for your brain to get older once you advance in age. Results indicated that people between 26 to 40 years have a low level of damage. People over 40 years of age show different levels of damage in their brain cells depending on the life style they had.

As expected, the brains of people over 60 years show the biggest level of damage in all categories of age. The results of this study are not very relevant but they must be taken into consideration. The level of damage made to brain cells is not the same on all subjects as it depends on alimentation, lifestyle, the brain functions and subject’s brain repair mechanisms.

Scientists also grew brain cells then simulated stress and aging factors. However, preventing damage and restoring the functions of damaged brain cells by controlling the proteins that stimulate recovery of the brain is only experimental. Until we can benefit on the fruits of this medical research, here is what the doctors recommend for our brain.

Longer life for your brain

To prevent damage and a good brain function, we must take care of ourselves. We must make our lives as healthy as possible. Sport is a good treatment. Physical exercise is becoming a necessary drug for people over 50 years of age. Activities like jogging, aerobics and all sorts of other types of exercises are very good for our aging bodies. There are more links between mind activity and body workout than we can ever imagine. A good exercise produces valuable substances used in brain activity, stimulates creation of new neural bonds and strengthens existing blood vessels that communicate with our brain.

Another good activity for our brain is intense intellectual activity. Mind games, reading and many other similar activities are very efficient in maintaining our brain in good conditions. So read more, do math, do anything to keep your mind busy. Don’t relax the brain too much because it will get used to it and you will start having trouble doing simple problems like figuring how much you have to pay when you buy things. Eliminate the stress factors as much as you can from your life because strong negative emotions can produce brain damage.

EAT HEALTHY! Make sure you have healthy aliments in your daily meals. These aliments must be rich in proteins. Also, be sure you have a good vitamin intake. For example, vitamin E is considered very efficient in maintaining a good brain activity, especially if you are a smoker or you live in a polluted area.

Please consider this advice if you want to have a healthy mind when you grow older. If you are old and you don’t feel like yourself anymore, make an effort and keep an eye on your lifestyle and take into account what you do and what you eat. You will see the results very soon. Everything is for your best.

Read more...

sleep and aging

All doctors advise you to sleep enough; all cosmetics gurus tell you not to forget about your “beauty sleep”; when you were children you were put to bed every afternoon, despite your protests, and your parents were telling you philosophically that when you'll be a grown up, you'll wish to have a chance for a good nap during the day (which of course you considered completely unrealistic). So, is sleeping as important as is said? Do you really have to sleep more than a third of your life?

Actually sleep is as vital as food, water and oxygen. The amount of needed sleep is not the same for everybody: babies require about 16 hours per day, children till 12 years old require 10-12 hours, teens should sleep 8-10 hours and grown ups 6-8 hours. When ageing, the amount of needed sleep is not decreasing, but unfortunately, the capacity of sleeping continuously 6-8 hours is affected by different factors: stress, alcohol and drinks based on caffeine, too much late TV, improper condition for sleeping. Actually the British Sleep Society reports that more then 50% of adults are confronted with sleep disorders and a large number of them have daytime sleepiness that interferes with their daily activities at least a few days each month.

The more we age, the larger the number of the factors that provoke sleep problems because new ones (which you don't have normally in your 20s,30s) appear: problems with the cardiovascular system and hypertension, improper function of your metabolism, stress is usually increased because you don't have to look only after yourself, you have a family to think of too, obesity or diabetes and drugs you may take.

During the sleeping period your whole body is regenerating, most of the organs are functioning (although not at full capacity), part of the energy (which is not available during the awaking period) is redirected by the brain in repairing tissues, healing muscles, processing the day events. Sleep is vital for your mental and psychical health.

You know by now that a little sleep can cause you a decrease of performance and concentration, an increase of memory lapses, behavior and mood problems, accidents and Injuries, you will look apathetic. But you should also be aware of the fact that without enough sleep you'll start ageing faster than normal because: your eyes will have a tired look, your skin will suffer, it will have a dull and lifeless aspect; you'll have circles and bags under your eyes; your muscles will start giving up on you .

So don't hesitate to take what nature has put at your disposal for free: sleep. Take as much as you need it, as often as you can.

Read more...

aging process

The aging process is something that cannot be stopped; it starts when we reach 30 years old and stops when we die. Many people want to slower their aging process by changing their lifestyle, performing yoga or practicing sports. Some specialists have a different theory: they think that our aging process is coded in our genes and we will age at the same rate, no matter what we do. However, different diseases, heart problems, obesity and smoking can lead to premature aging and early death.

A study shows that obese people are more exposed to risks than smokers because every time their cells spawn they lose some of their DNA. The more DNA they lose the more likely it is for them to die early. Smokers who are obese present the highest risk in premature mortality because smoking and obesity attack the same arias especially the ones who reached 50 years or more.

Aging process can also be affected by the environment; for example people who live in polluted areas die younger than people who live in the countryside or non-polluted areas. Another important factor is food and they way it is processed. Most of the products that are on the market contain chemicals that may increase cancer risk; for example food artificial coloring, food additives, aspartame, sulfites, etc. These make the food look and taste better but I think the price our health pays for it, it’s too big.

Smoking also causes premature aging but not only because it leads to cancer. Tobacco can increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart diseases and Alzheimer. Smoking can destroy the skin’s normal functions causing it to be dry and preventing it from regenerating. Also, only exposing your skin to smoke can cause dryness. When you smoke, the cells produce less collagen and collagen is the substance which is responsible for a non wrinkled, healthy skin.

Antioxidant products can significantly slow our aging process. Antioxidants work against free radicals. Free radicals destroy our cells when they come in contact with them in a process called oxidation; they are often produced by sun exposure, smoke, fried food and different chemicals. Antioxidants are contained by green tea, fresh fruits and uncooked vegetables and they do a good job in neutralizing the free radical’s effects. Doctors say that free radicals are most responsible for diseases like: diabetes, all types of cancer, high blood pressure, heart diseases and arthritis.

The aging process also comes with a decreased immune system because as we grow old our immune system fails to function properly. That’s why most old people die of harmless disease which could have been treated with no effort if they were younger.

Scientists always try to find new ways to defy aging and death but all is still theoretical, no age defying pill can work better than a healthy life. Maybe in the future we will be able to make the cells spawn forever but until then we have to try to preserve what we have left of our body and try to be happy with the way we age. After all, aging has its benefits.

Read more...

look younger

Youth is probably the best period of life: we feel free, full of energy, full of dreams, with less worries and problems, anxious to see what life has to offer us. Nobody likes ageing not only because of the end of its process - death, but because we loose the youthful, vivid appearance that helps us think that we can win the whole world.

Here are some tips to help you feel and look younger:

1. Make sure that your body is in a great shape. Exercising regularly will help you remain healthy, will reduce your stress and it will induce you into good character (not too mention that it will keep any extra kilos away from you and a toned, well built body will always look younger than a fat one).

2. Supervise your diet; make sure you eat all the right nutrients. Here are some of the foods that may help you beat ageing and look younger: salmon, tuna, flaxseed and fish oil, whey protein, berries, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, eggs, almonds, pecans and cashews, avocado, yogurt, green tea. And don't forget to hydrate by drinking water (not alcohol or sodas).

3. Treat properly your skin, hair and teeth. Don't exaggerate with the make up and use all the beauty tips shown by experts to create a younger appearance. Choose the hair cut that is to your advantage (normally to look younger a short hair cut or close to shoulder-length for women is recommended).

4. If you can afford it and you are comfortable with the idea, you could go for plastic surgery.

5. You are a grown up, you should know which clothes suit you and which don't. You have already created your own style. Sometimes what you've worn in your 20's is not suitable anymore, it just makes you look foolish.

6. Change your lifestyle: make sure you get enough rest and sleep; stop smoking and try to minimize the stress.

7. Have a royal attitude! Stand up straight and confidently! Love yourself and the others will love you too. Feel good about yourself and this will not go unnoticed.

8. Don't forget to smile and laugh. It makes you look younger and more energetic.

Read more...

reversing the aging process

For as long as the humankind can remember ageing was consider a natural process that always ends with death. While many people accept this as a fact of life there are others who try to find ways to reverse the ageing process and why not, to defeat death if possible.

According to Dr. Deepak Chopra, author of “Ageless Body Timeless Mind”, a person's age is a mixture of three different ages: chronological (your age on the ID card), biological (the age of your body, as a result of your life experience) and psychological (the age you feel you have). While the first age cannot be changed, on the others two it is up to us to influence them.

The biological age is given by the state of our body. In 2005, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) has presented some interesting research at Edinburgh International Science Festival: an active person in his/her 80s can have the muscle strength of a much younger person who is sedentary (inactive). UK experts agree also on the fact that a diet (or supplements) rich in essential amino acids and compound proteins can help strengthen the muscles (after 40 years of age a person starts loosing between 0.5-2% of the muscle).

Exercising is one of the key factors in reversing the ageing process. Another is a positive change lifestyle which includes less stress, more rest/sleep and a balanced diet. Preventing and curing health problems in early stages (especially when talking about cardiovascular diseases, heart problems, cancer) also help us fight ageing. A good skin and hair therapy will also bring positive results.

The psychological age depends a lot on the life's experiences and our attitude toward them. If we are depressed, if we think negative about oneself, if we are overwhelmed by the day to day worries, if we forget to smile, laugh and enjoy ourselves than we will definitely accelerate the ageing process.

Reversing the ageing process is actually about living a healthy life, with lots of sport and a balanced diet and no excesses (wasting nights, smoking and drinking heavily)

Read more...

stop aging

Unfortunately until now nobody managed to stop aging or live forever but specialists are still trying to find the secret to immortality. The only things that managed to “pause” aging until now were: a balanced lifestyle, a healthy diet and good exercise routine. On the other hand the things that can fast forward aging are: smoking, eating a lot of fat, drinking and extreme sun exposure.

Different treatments and pills appear every day; they guarantee us a lot of more years to live than we normally would but are they all that good? One thing is sure: chemicals are not good so opt for natural products. Some natural pills made from herbs bring a great benefit to our body. For example there are lavender pills that replace sleeping pills or act as sedative, garlic pills are also used to fortify the immune system and of course Ginkgo biloba pills which remedy any internal malfunctions.

Our skin covers our body completely. It represents the barrier between the outside world and our internal organs. It protects us from infections, coldness and heat so it is very important to take care of it as much as we can. However, our body ages too and the skin develops wrinkles which are very unaesthetic, especially for people who have a wrinkled face. Some of the factors that lead to an aged skin are: extreme wind, sun exposure, bad diet or smoking.

When we reach a certain age our face starts to show aging sings and it is best that we action fast before those become permanent. People who are 40 years old or more have reached the maximum period of vitality and normal skin function and as the years pass the skins capacity to regenerate will decrease.

The aging process is pretty slow but we must also understand that it is continuous. You don’t have to be worried that when you reach a certain age your look will dramatically become older, the secret is to be careful of what you eat and keep in mind that you are responsible for the way your skin looks.

Your skin ages when it cannot produce enough collagen, the aging signs are dryness and wrinkles. After 40 years of age your body will use less vitamins as its vitamin assimilation function will get slower and you will have to eat more and more fruits and vegetables to compensate for that.

Visiting your doctor regularly will also prevent you from diseases that could increase your aging process.

When you feel that your body ages you have to start doing regular exercises, if you haven’t done them before, because you will need it more than ever; also a low fat diet and less alcohol will also be welcomed.

Sleep is an important age factor as it is the way for your body and brain to regulate their normal functions and keep their energy. As you age you will feel the need to sleep less but don’t let it overcome and try natural methods to assure a good night sleep.

Don’t be scared of aging! Live it and try to enjoy it! It can be delayed easily with a little balance in your life.

Read more...

face aging

Face aging depends on many factors like heredity and the way we treat our skin. The first signs of aging are dehydration and losing skin’s elasticity.

Obviously, each part of our body ages differently but the most exposed areas are the ones which have a bigger contact with the sun and air. Our face is the most exposed part of our body but it also plays the role of a business card so everybody tries to keep it as beautiful as they can.

Face aging can be also influenced by our lifestyle because our face gets easily affected by sun, wind, sleep, alcohol and smoking.

Sun has a very aggressive action on our skin and is the most common thing that leads to premature face aging. Sun radiations increase the production of free radicals which create irreversible damage to our skin so if you want to protect yourself, you always have to use sunscreen.

The first signs of aging can appear even when you only are 20 years old. Between 20 to 30 years your skin will get dehydrated, the protection barriers will get diminished and elasticity will start to decrease. To slow down this process it is necessary to exfoliate at least once a week to eliminate the dead cells on your face and help the skin creating new healthy ones.

When we reached 30 years we will definitely need to pay more attention to our skin. By this time the expression wrinkles appear, especially the ones from the eyes.

Sleeping positions can also influence face aging; a study shows that people who sleep on one side can expect to have more wrinkles on their cheeks and chin while people who sleep on their stomach will develop wrinkles on their forehead. Specialists recommend sleeping on our back because this way gravity’s action will not be so harmful for our face.

Smoking is another thing that makes our skin get older. A smoker’s face is dry, lacks elasticity and gets wrinkles easier. But premature aging in not only connected to nicotine but with other components of tobacco. Smoking takes our skin’s vitality, reduces the collagen levels and it dehydrates it.

Face aging has another ally: stress. Everybody suffers of stress or tiredness but when you forget to sleep enough or at least relax, your skin pays for it. If you can’t sleep reduce the cups of coffee you drink, take some baths and try to read a book before you go to bed. Sleep deprivation is a serious matter so if you have insomnia and you can’t treat it go to the doctor because it not only causes wrinkles but it can even lead to death.

People who follow a healthy diet have more chances to prevent face aging than people who eat junk food all the time. Studies show that you can take care of your skin from inside by taking vitamins, eating more fruits and vegetables and drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day. Also don’t drink too much alcohol because it accelerates the aging process and affects your sleep so you will get even more wrinkles.

We cannot prevent face aging because it is a normal process after all, but what we can do is to live healthy and take care as much as we can of our skin to decelerate that nasty aging process.

Read more...