Slowing Down the Aging Process: The Ancient Chinese Art of Rejuvenation

Many people don't mind growing older but they are not thrilled about the outward appearance of aging, i.e., sagging skin, wrinkles, loss of lean muscle mass. Worse still is what we perceive as the inevitable deterioration of our health and an inability to do the things we used to enjoy and take for granted. Subsequently, our search for the "fountain of youth" or at least youthful appearance has been of interest for hundreds of years.
This search for rejuvenation has become a billion dollar industry in the western industrialized world. The business includes both hucksters and those who believe their recommendations will result in the retention of youthful appearance and health. You will find all manner of cremes, lotions, potions, regimes, preparations, operations and exercises all promising to retain youth or reverse the aging process.
This subject has been of interest to me for many years, as it has been to most people as they proceed through middle age. I have been lucky enough to spend my adulthood in excellent health and an above average level of fitness. It has concerned me, however, that the day will come when I am just another overweight, weak, old man in failing health incapable of doing the things that formerly made my life enjoyable. I am cynical of the ads and commercials promoting claims made by those in the youth and health retention industry. I want proof! Looking five years younger than one's chronological age is very nice... but it is not proof. Many people look five years younger than their average age just through the good fortune of genes.
It was my good fortune, when visiting Chongqing, China, on business, that I encountered Tian Yong, a grand master of the ancient Chongqing art of rejuvenation. I'll admit I was intrigued by the "ancient" aspect of the art, but I probably would have been very skeptical if I had not seen Tian Yong. She looked 25-30 years younger than her chronological age, confirmed by her passport. Surprisingly, she was not selling cremes, lotion, potions or pills. Her art was knowledge and understanding of the mind and body. The rejuvenation art is related to Traditional Chinese Medicine, particularly the eight meridians and the flow of "qi" or life force. It is also related to "tai chi" (called "taiji" in Mandarin) as her rejuvenation exercises are very similar to tai chi.
Tian Yong believes the ability to retain health and fitness into old age is must more important than youthful appearance, i.e., living the same life in your seventies and eighties that you enjoyed in your forties and fifties.

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Do Anti-Aging Creams Work? The Best Anti-Aging Ingredients

Consumers are spending more and more money on anti-aging cream products each year. These creams promise the same anti-wrinkle, anti-sagging, and age-defying results as some of the wrinkle-filling injections such as Botox, Juva Derm, or Restalyne.
The bottom line is that if these creams could accomplish the same thing as a medical procedure, they would be drugs and not cosmetics - and that's what you have to keep in mind when deciding whether to try or buy," says Marsha Gordon, MD, Vice Chairman of Dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City.
There isn't sufficient evident to show if the lotions, creams, or vitamin supplements reduce wrinkles or slow down aging. However, some of the ingredients used in anti-aging products have proven to be safe and effective. When looking for an anti-aging cream, look for one that contains small molecules such as Alpha-hydroxy acids, Allantoin, Retinol, and Hyaluronic acid. This is because high molecule ingredients yield no results because they are unable to penetrate the cells found on the outer layer of our skin.
Alpha-hydroxy acids
These natural ingredients are found in fruits and milk sugars. The Alpha-hydroxy acids include lactic, glycolic and citric acids. They are used in creams as an exfoliant, for getting rid of dead skin and allow new cells to grow. They allow the deeper skin layers to come to surface much faster.
Each acid has different effects. Glycolic acid (found in sugar canes) reduces lines and wrinkles on the skin leaving it tighter and velvet smooth while the Lactic acid (found in sour milk) removes the dead skin leaving you with a glowing, healthy skin.
Retinol
Retinol is the natural form of vitamin A. Vitamin A has proven to decrease aging by reducing wrinkles and increasing the thickness and elasticity of the skin. However, it is not advise-able for pregnant women or women planning to get pregnant to purchase any product with this ingredient, because it may increase the risks of child defect.
Hyaluronic Acid
The acid is a gel-like water-holding molecule found in every part of our bodies. HA cushions joints, nerves, hydrates the skin and hair, and fills the eye. It is estimated that by the time we reach 40 years, the HA levels produced by the body is roughly half what is required by the body. Buying creams with this ingredient will increase the HA levels in our aging bodies making it beneficial for the skin, the joints, and eyes. Other benefits of HA include faster wound healing, dry skin relief, higher mental alertness, and improved muscular strength.
Allantoin
This nitrogenous compound comes from the herb called Comfrey mostly found in the UK. The compound helps protect, sooth, and soften the skin. It acts as an inflammatory as well as a cell regeneration stimulant.
Other ingredients that have proved to have high levels of the anti-inflammatory agent include snail slime and sea weed. However, do not be fooled by creams with high levels of stem cells. This is a hoax because stem cells are delicate and wither within minutes of being out of the body.
Depending on the ingredients found in the anti-aging cream, you will be able to see changes in your skin after a couple of weeks of using the cream. The ingredients mentioned about will help prevent lines, wrinkles, and acne. They also help sooth irritated skin, remove dry body cells, and leave the user with a beautiful, tight, and radiant skin.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9289746

Anti-Aging Tips - The Key Is Staying Active

Nobody wants to get old, we all want to stay young forever.After our youthful years, comes the period when our body began to show the signs of aging. In our hearts, we wish we could wave a magic wand, and banish the signs that comes with aging.
Surround yourself with positive things. Socialize frequently with family and friends, and enjoy quality time with things you adore. If you love having animals around, adopt one, if you do not already own pets. Fill your life with positive people and things that matters the most to you.
Daily Exercises for Anti-aging
Aerobics is crucial for a healthy heart. Exercises will help your body perform at its highest level. Maintain your ideal body weight by losing excess fat. You can incorporate physical activities into your daily routine to help your body stays fit and youthful. Constantly moving will keep the years away, and preserve your physique, as you get older.
Exercises will not only help to slow down the aging process, it improves your balance and stamina. Medical research has shown that extra-curricular activities increase the strength of your muscle and bone density. Aerobics blended with other weight reduction programs will help to preserve your youthfulness well beyond your 80's.
Essentially, exercising enforces the heart against coronary health problems. Daily exercises will lessen the effect of age related illnesses such as diabetes, arthritis, anxiety and depression. Strategically planning a workout regimen to follow is essential to remaining fit and ageless.
1. Aerobics will help to maintain a healthy heart.
2. Participate in strength exercise programs to keep your muscles strong.
3. Keep your body flexible with daily stretching.
4. You can prevent accidental falls by performing activities that improves your stability.
5. Weight loss; participate in daily exercise programs to shed excessive weight.
Anti-aging Vitamins
As you age, you should adjust your diet to include more foods that are rich in nutrients, fats and minerals. A diet inclusive of green vegetables, fruits and nuts as well as ground produce, and other vegetables are wholesome and nutritious. Natural and organic foods are rich in supplemental vitamins that are extremely important for your overall well-being.
Most importantly, aging is unavoidable; we simply cannot wave a magic wand and stop the process. However, you can take the necessary measures that will help to combat its progression. It will eventually show up, but you can take extra steps to grow old gracefully. You can use the suggested tips, to maintain your youthful glow, while embracing the process of growing older.

Aging gracefully and remaining youthful is our main worry once we start getting older. Old age signs such as wrinkles, grey hair, diabetes and other illnesses are things we constantly worry about. However, by changing our lifestyle, we can definitely alter the aging process.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9291744

How An Event Can Help You To Live Longer

Anti-Aging Secrets - Look Years Younger by Learning These 4 Anti-Aging Secrets

Whether you're dealing with the first signs of aging, or already battling more advanced concerns, you're ready to take action! We're sharing 4 powerful anti-aging secrets for faster results on even the most stubborn and frustrating skin concerns -- brown spots, loss of firmness, wrinkles and more.
Erase Unsightly Spots
Most of us will deal with brown spots and red marks at some point in our lives (and some of us more often than others). Whatever the type of discoloration, now is not the time for subtlety -- look to super-powered treatments that contain ingredients clinically proven to brighten and fade hyperpigmentation and inflammation. Avoid a re-run of your uneven skin tone by wearing an SPF 30+ every day -- no, really every day -- to keep discolorations from coming back.
Vitamin A and Firmer Skin
Skin loses that coveted firm, smooth look as collagen begins to breakdown -- which is usually the result of unprotected sun exposure, irritating products, bad habits like smoking or a damaged skin barrier. Look to specific types of topical vitamin A for its undisputed MVP status as an anti-aging ingredient, hard earned due to its near unequaled ability to treat multiple signs of aging. Double duty bonus: In some forms this product also works to reduce signs of adult acne, making topical vitamin A one of the best anti-aging secrets! Be careful with your product choice -- only certain forms of stabilized vitamin A will do the trick.
Getting Your Glow Back
If you're not using a daily AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) or BHA (beta hydroxy acid) exfoliant, now is the time to start. Exfoliants are a fantastic anti-aging secret. These gradually remove the layers of built-up skin for a complexion-renewing result. In time, they'll help improve collagen production for firmer skin. Both AHA and BHA exfoliants reduce signs of aging and discolorations, so use these tips to determine which is right for you:
A daily BHA is best for you if...
... you're dealing with clogged pores of any kind-blackheads, blemishes, enlarged pores.
A daily AHA is best for you if...
... clogged pores aren't the issue (lucky you). For those who are only dealing with surface-level concerns-think dry skin and sun damage-an AHA may be all that you need!
Again - there are multiple forms of these products available. To get the best results knowing product facts is imperative.
Do You Need an Eye Cream?
While it's true that no product can "fix" dark circles or puffiness, dry, dull and flakey skin around the eye area adds years to your appearance. A rich, balm-like cream loaded with skin-reparative ingredients will temporarily plump and brighten skin and gives a tired eye area back the moisture it needs to look its best.
For daytime, don't forget that sun protection is needed around the eyes, too. Sun damage is a contributing factor to making dark circles darker, not to mention it is the #1 cause of wrinkles and other signs of aging.
Bottom Line
Patience is a virtue, but patience doesn't know anything about wrinkles. Using the tips above will provide results for your most frustrating age-related skin concerns faster than you thought possible.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9284477