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.
Tuesday
Exercise Is A Major Component In Anti Aging
Wednesday
Best Anti Aging Products
As with all we do in life we are drawn to the better and are always on the look out for the best especially the best in anti aging products. Of course there are so many to choose from that it can be mind boggling. The anti aging industry is a multibillion dollar business coming out with new products from herbal remedies, live cell injections, magnetic pads, hormonal therapies, vitamin supplements, skin creams, and fad diets with exercises.
To find the best anti aging products in what is available you must be informed on what each product has to offer and what, if any, are the negatives. Here are a few things that should concern you.
You probably know that some products advertise anti aging hormones (human growth hormones [HGH], DHEA, estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, and melatonin) that will bring back your youth. Studies have demonstrated that by injecting hormones into older patients there has been an improvement in mental acuity, increases in muscle mass, and improves skin elasticity. Yet it can be said the same for a good exercise program with the added benefit of a longer life. Taking hormones may help you to achieve the end result of a youthful look and feel that you desire but so will exercise and the cost may be the deciding factor between the two.
Lately we hear a lot about anti-oxidants and how we need them to fight the "free-radicals" by taking them out of our system before they can do cell damage which leads to aging. Anti-oxidants are vitamins A, C, E, coenzyme Q10, and other enzymes so if you are lacking in one of these vitamins you may be contributing to aging faster then you want. Remember that your body only takes in so much of each vitamin daily and the excess will just be flushed away by your body. Since you can't make up for a bad diet by eating vitamins the best anti aging product to choose will be supplements and a good diet with all the vitamins you need.
Anti aging creams and lotions is by far the most overall choice of products to date. Who hasn’t benefited from one of these miracle products? There are a lot to choose from and the pricing varies as well. But be careful in choosing your product if you have any skin disorder remember first to check with your dermatologist to what the disorder is and if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in your favorite product of choice. The best anti aging products will be the ones you and your body can live with.
Taking hormones, anti-oxidants, creams and lotions are not without their negatives and it is prudent that you investigate each product’s ingredients; supplements can have varying effects on different individuals so have a good knowledge of what you need to improve your body’s health. A healthy body is a beautiful thing and the benefits are enormous. The best anti aging products are the ones that make you feel and look your best!
Phytonutrients Anti-Aging Facts
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?
