Life Extension Vitamins and Supplements – What Should We Believe?

Posted on December 24, 2011 by admin

The field of life extension exhibits much scrutiny, both incoming and outgoing. The debate of whether or not ageing should be considered a disease has been waging for decades and many scientists and doctors have their own different opinions about the issue.

Leonard Hayflick, a Professor of Anatomy at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, argues that ageing is an impending result of entropy. Many other biogerontologists view the anti-ageing industry as a profit-hungry extension of the production of useless, unproven supplements.

On the other hand, those who advocate the idea of categorizing ageing as a disease believe that doctors and scientists need to take further steps to contribute to the field of life extension. Handfuls of studies are being published on a yearly basis, offering new discoveries and findings about how certain vitamins, minerals and other substances offer unique, life extension benefits.

Omega-3 fatty acids attributing to the prevention of heart disease; cruciferous vegetables decreasing the chance of death and the development of cancer; vitamin D lowering the risk of melanoma. Many studies, with raw data, offer some of the most innovative discoveries of our time. Perhaps those who argue against ageing as a disease don’t have anything against life extension vitamins and
life extension supplements, but prefer to view them as life-improving prospects rather than “life-extending”.

It’s no surprise that certain life extension drugs have much trouble making their way to the market. Since ageing is currently not considered a disease, pharmaceutical companies have to jump through hoops in order to introduce new life extension products. Anti-ageing drugs don’t go through the same process that traditional, disease-combating drugs do.

Which side are you on? Do you believe that it is wrong to consider ageing as a disease or would you prefer to see more momentum in the field of life extension?

References:

1. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_extension#Scientific_controversy_regarding_anti-aging_nutritional_supplementation_and_medicine] – Retrieved 2011-7-10.

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Grey Hair Treatment – Why Does Our Hair Start Turning Grey?

Posted on December 12, 2011 by admin

For those out there who are looking for different kinds of grey hair treatment options, it’s important to take note of the fact that the process of hair turning grey is completely natural and unavoidable. People who are under the impression that there is some sort of “cure” for grey hair are very misinformed – the only actual treatment options available today are ones that either delay the greying of hair or hide it. Besides, there’s no real point in running from grey hair anyway. In the long-run, grey hair ends up making men look more sophisticated and is often interpreted as a symbol of intelligence.

So why does our hair start turning grey in the first place? We spend so much time trying to avoid it, but not many people out there really know why it even happens. Let’s take a look…

Grey Hair Treatment – The Method Behind the Madness

An interesting note about grey hair is that your hair doesn’t literally “turn” grey – it actually stops turning your natural color. You see, the roots of your hair are encompassed by hair follicles, which are skin organs responsible for producing hair. At a prime age, these hair follicles contain elevated levels of pigment cells, which generate a consistent amount of melanin.

The key factor here is melanin – it’s what gives your hair its color. As we age, our pigment cells eventually die and become less and less abundant. The result of this is decreased levels of melanin, which means our hair stops turning its natural color. This leaves us with that grey or white look in our hair that so many of us dread.

So, if someone with natural brown hair says that their hair is starting to turn grey, what they really mean is their hair is no longer turning brown. The reason it’s important to know this is because if you are seeking grey hair treatment, it helps to understand exactly what you should be looking for, which is usually something that helps facilitate the production of healthy pigment cells.

The process of losing your natural hair color is far more complicated than this fundamental explanation, so the best way to learn more about it is to talk to your doctor. You can get plenty of more information about grey hair treatment options by seeking advice from someone in the health field as well.


References:

1. [http://kidshealth.org/kid/grownup/getting_older/gray_hair.html] – Retrieved 2011-9-18.

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Grey Hair Treatment – Natural Ways to Prevent Grey Hair

Posted on November 14, 2011 by admin

If you currently have grey hair and are seeking out options to help treat it, then you’re not alone. As you may already know, every single human being on the planet – past, present or future – has or will eventually have to come to terms with the fact that their hair will turn grey. As far as age-related greying goes, it’s not preventable. Furthermore, for those who are experiencing their hair turning grey at an early age due to hereditary reasons, this is also not preventable.

Now for some good news – the greying of hair can be delayed through natural methods. When one refers to “grey hair treatment”, they’re really just talking about delaying it or hiding it. Natural options are always the best ones, so let’s take a look at what’s available to you…

  • Coconut oil. Those who are suffering from grey hair at a premature age may find that a regular usage of coconut oil can help delay the process of greying. This is most likely due to the fact that coconut oil has antioxidant properties that can cultivate the roots of hair and facilitate healthy hair growth. Take note that this method involves massaging coconut oil into your hair and not actually eating it. In fact, consuming large amounts of coconut oil is highly advised against due to the fact that it has high levels of saturated fat.
  • Life extension. There’s no denying the fact that greying is a product of age, so it would only make sense to include life extension methods in the list of grey hair treatment options. However, this is a very touchy subject and the idea of life extension being a standard of health is currently undergoing much scrutiny. Regardless of this, there are all kinds of ways to promote good health that will invariably increase your potential to live a longer, healthier life. If age-related greying is your concern, then you should definitely look into maintaining a healthier diet, getting a consistent amount of exercise and reducing the amount of stress you experience on a daily basis.
  • Acquiring the right amounts of nutrition. This is an easy one, and it somewhat goes hand in hand with the concept of life extension. The key factor here is that a deficiency of certain vitamins and minerals is partially linked to the greying of hair. Vitamin B-12, zinc and copper are some of the more notable nutrients involved in this case and having deficiencies of any of them can contribute to your greying. With this being said, perhaps the most natural grey hair treatment option is to consume the proper amounts of vitamins and minerals on a daily basis.

These are just some examples of the natural steps you can take to help with your grey hair. If you have any questions or concerns about grey hair treatment, it may be best to ask your doctor.


References:

1. [http://learningstuff.necubed.com/2009/10/24/how-to-reverse-gray-hair/] – Retrieved 2011-9-17.
2. [http://www.lifemartini.com/how-to-stop-grey-hair-naturally/] – Retrieved 2011-9-17.
3. [http://www.naturalnews.com/001970.html] – Retrieved 2011-9-17.

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Glaucoma Eye Drops – Are You Seeking Alternatives to Surgery?

Posted on November 7, 2011 by admin

If you are even slightly familiar with the glaucoma disease, then may be well-aware of the fact that the idea of glaucoma eye drops being used as alternatives to surgery is quite enticing. Those who suffer from glaucoma are at an extremely high risk of becoming blind and many are fearful of undergoing surgical procedures, whether it’s due to health or financial concerns.

A Little Background Information on Glaucoma

For those who don’t know about the fundamentals of the disease, here are some quick background facts that may interest you:

  • Glaucoma is a disease that affects 1 in 200 people who are fifty years old or older and it affects 10% of the population over the age of eighty.
  • Glaucoma is currently the second leading cause of blindness.
  • It is characterized by damage of the optic nerve, which is usually the result of the loss of retinal ganglion cells. These ganglion cells include midget cells, parasol cells, bistratified cells, photosensitive ganglion cells and other ganglion cells that project to the superior colliculus.

Who Can Use Glaucoma Eye Drops?

This is a good question. Many misinformed individuals would assume that anyone with glaucoma can use glaucoma eye drops, but this is not true. When making yourself available for such treatment, doctors will usually have you undergo several tests before they deem you a suitable candidate. Some of the more common attributes involved in this approval process include:

  • Whether or not the particular medication could yield adverse effects on heart functions such as heart rate or breathing.
  • Whether or not the particular medication could aggravate pre-existing medical conditions.
  • Whether or not you (or the patient) are currently taking other medications that could interfere with the eye drops.

Other factors come into play here – it’s best to ask your doctor if you are confused about how to become an approved candidate for taking glaucoma eye drops.

What Are Some Types of Glaucoma Eye Drops?

This is another great question. There are several different types of eye drops that doctors will administer to patients, and which one you or someone you may know will receive completely depends on what the doctor believes is most suitable. Here are the most common forms:

  • Prostaglandins
  • Beta-blockers
  • Alpha-adrenergic agonists
  • Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
  • Parasympathomimetics
  • Epinephrine
  • Hyperosmotic agents
  • A combination of many glaucoma medications

If you have any questions about which medication would work best for you, it may be best to ask your doctor. Keep in mind that many glaucoma patients require more than one type of medication, which is why the last item on the list mentions a combination of glaucoma eye drops and/or other medications.

References:

1. [http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/glaucoma-3-treatment.htm] – Retrieved 2011-9-17.

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Grey Hair Treatment – What Are Your Options?

Posted on November 4, 2011 by admin

If you’re currently on the hunt for any type of grey hair treatment, I’m going to assume it’s because you have grey hair. If you don’t, then you’re either trying to write an article about it yourself or you’re just a really good friend of someone who needs a little help. Regardless of your reasons, allow me to assist you with exploring some of the options involved in grey hair treatment and then perhaps you can decide which one seems like the best bet.

The Options in Action

Okay, maybe I can’t show you them “in action”, but that does sound like a pretty cool subtitle, doesn’t it? Anyways, let’s take a look…

  • Wait!

Before we get started, I think it’s best to tell you now that age-related greying is not preventable. There are ways to delay it and even hide it, but in the long-run we all have to deal with the fact that our hair will eventually turn grey. Now, let’s take a look…

  • Dye your hair! Yeah, that’s right stud – if you have grey hair because of aging or hereditary factors, it’s time to get a makeover. If you’ve never dyed your hair before, you can enjoy the learning experience or get someone else to do it for you. Luckily, hair-dying products are quite popular these days so it isn’t very hard to find a color that matches your natural look. If someone at work the next day asks you if you dyed your hair, just act like he/she is an idiot and you have no idea what they’re talking about. Alternatively, you could admit that you did and then ask them if they recently dyed their hair grey.
  • Progressive hair colorants. This is the same grey hair treatment concept of dyeing your hair, except the process is different. With progressive hair colorants, the change of color happens somewhat gradually. In layman’s terms, the process is done with a synthetic substitute that replaces the missing pigment in your hair. It will have to be applied several times before its potential comes to fruition, but it has a couple of advantages over the convenience of hair dye. For one, it offers more control over where it is applied so that you can decide how much grey hair will be treated. Secondly, you’ll find that the change appears to be much more natural than dyeing your hair.
  • Vitamins. Believe it or not, there are some people out there who have grey hair because of vitamin deficiency. Although this is a rare situation, odds are if you have grey hair because of this, it will be blatantly obvious. Why? Because there are many other side effects of vitamin deficiency that far surpass the greying of hair when it comes to severity. For instance, if your hair is turning grey because you have an extreme deficiency of vitamin B, then you’re probably experiencing other symptoms such as chronic fatigue, indigestion, restlessness and more. If this case applies to you, then stop being a poor eater and get your damn vitamins!

Hopefully you’ve found some of this information to be useful. If you have any other questions or concerns, it may be best to simply ask your doctor about grey hair treatment options. As I said before, grey hair treatment only serves as a method to delay or hide greying – it doesn’t prevent it. But you can at least take comfort in knowing that grey hair will make you look sophisticated and wise, regardless if you are neither.


References:

1. [http://www.greyhairloss.com/blog/grey-hair-treatment-options.html] – Retrieved 2011-9-17.

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Glaucoma Eye Drops – Healthy, Natural Alternatives for Treating Glaucoma

Posted on October 28, 2011 by

Many people who have glaucoma or know people who do are aware of the fact that it is most commonly treated by surgical procedures. However, the introduction of a possibility changed the way we view the disease completely – the idea of glaucoma eye drops.

Let’s face it – alternatives to surgery are always important to us. Avoiding a painful, long-term recovery process (not to mention the risks) is why the simpler solutions are far more enticing. Unfortunately, surgery is still maintained as the most efficient way to treat glaucoma, but more options are being explored every day (such as glaucoma eye drops) by the leading scientists and doctors.

Not by much surprise, instead of trying to find the solution, many researchers today are seeking out new ways to prevent the disease in the first place. Let’s take a look at some of these natural steps we can take in order to secure our health:

The Importance of Exercise

You’ve probably heard it more times than you can remember – exercise is one of the broadest solutions for any health issue. In this context, we look to the fact that exercise can help reduce our insulin levels. Since insulin is well-known for increasing blood pressure, it’s not very uncommon for it to also increase eye pressure. Glaucoma is characterized by eye pressure, so having the proper insulin levels in order to avoid such pressure is critical.

Eating Right

Furthermore on the subject of insulin, in order to maintain proper levels we must eat the right foods on a consistent basis. Foods that can greatly help with this are usually the ones packed with healthy carbohydrates, such as bread, pasta, cereal and rice.

Other nutrition that can help prevent glaucoma includes omega-3 fats, lutein and zeaxanthin. Omega-3 because a particular form of it, known as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), is found in elevated levels in the retina of our eyes, which can help decrease the potential of macular degeneration. Lutein and zeaxanthin are both carotenoids that help protect eyesight as well – you can find plenty of lutein in many green vegetables and zeaxanthin in raw egg yolks.

The Advancement of Glaucoma Eye Drops

Exercise and eating right are just some of the natural alternatives to help prevent glaucoma, but those who already have the disease may be dreading the idea of surgery. It’s important to note that surgery is often a safe method of treatment – the majority of surgeries are successful and our developments in technology over the years have helped maintain such consistency. Secondly, the usefulness of glaucoma eye drops is undergoing extensive research and it is projected that it won’t be long before we start seeing some amazing discoveries.

References:

1. [http://preventdisease.com/news/09/031709_glaucoma.shtml] – Retrieved 2011-9-17.

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Carnosine Eye Drops – A Potential Treatment Option for Cataracts

Posted on October 25, 2011 by

Since the only viable treatment option for cataracts is surgery, it’s no surprise that many studies and clinical trials are being conducted in order to assess the worth of carnosine eye drops. As it currently stands, roughly 48% of the world’s blind population is affected by cataracts, which includes several million people. Alternatives to surgery are extremely important to patients who are not interested in the risks.

What Are the Negative Effects and Causes of Cataracts?

To put it briefly, a cataract usually leads to a clouding that forms in the crystalline lens of the eye. This structure of the eye is necessary for focusing light onto the retina and is required for vision. The negative effects of a cataract greatly depend on its severity – minor cataracts often result in slight blockage of light, while a cataract that has been left untreated for a long period of time can lead to complete blindness in the afflicted eye.

Research shows that the root cause of cataracts is the loss of structure of lens protein. Exposure to ultraviolet light and radiation and the negative effects of certain diseases are also known for causing cataracts.

Can Carnosine Eye Drops Actually Replace Surgery?

Surgery has been the most accepted form of treatment for cataracts for many years, but recent research is indicating that there is a possibility that carnosine eye drops can help with treatment and may even replace surgery in the future. A study carried out by researchers at the University of Catania tested the effects of L-carnosine on cultured rat lenses that had been exposed to concentrations of a crystalline compound called guanidine.

A 50 to 60 percent reduction of lens opacification was exhibited throughout the experiment, and since guanidine is well-known for causing cataracts, this finding is nothing short of amazing. The researchers conducting the experiment believe that there is a link between age-related cataractogenesis and a decrease of carnosine in the eye that happens over time.

Although the idea of carnosine eye drops replacing surgery is not yet refined, more studies are being done in order to find out if such a concept is more than just a possibility. We should be seeing additional discoveries in the near future that can help us with moving forward.

References:

1. [http://www.lef.org/newsletter/2009/0721_Carnosine-Combats-Cataract.htm] – Retrieved 2011-7-12.
2. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cataract] – Retrieved 2011-7-12.
3. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnosine] – Retrieved 2011-7-12.

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Life Extension Foundation News – Omega-3 Fatty Acids Helping with Blood Thinning Therapy

Posted on October 18, 2011 by

Once again, the Life Extension Foundation (LEF) has provided us with some more interesting news in the field of life extension. This time, they report innovative findings concerning the use of omega-3 fatty acids. Let’s take a look…

Omega-3 Fatty Acids – Blood Thinning Prospects?

The LEF spotlights an article published in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology. It details the effects of three different omega-3s: polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and how they can benefit patients undergoing coronary angioplasty, which is a therapeutic procedure used to treat the stenotic coronary arteries of the heart found in coronary heart disease.

To summarize, 54 different men and women were randomly given either 460 milligrams of EPA and 380 milligrams of DHA (in addition to the antiplatelet drugs) or a placebo. After four weeks, it was found that those who took the omega-3 fatty acids exhibited a 14.3 percent decrease in the “time needed for clots to break up” in comparison to the placebo group.

You can read more about this experiment at LEF’s website.

What Else Can Omega-3 Fatty Acids Do?

Omega-3 fatty acids are well-renowned for attributing to life extension and there are all kinds of life extension supplements that offer important omega-3s such as EPA and DHA. These fatty acids can offer many different benefits depending on who is taking them. Many other studies have shown that omega-3s can help with heart disease, prevent certain types of cancers, help treat skin conditions and much, much more. The effects of omega-3s are suspected to parallel the benefits of many life extension vitamins.

An important thing to consider is that the body can convert DHA into EPA, but not in the opposite manner. Therefore, if you take a life extension supplement containing omega-3s, you should make sure that it offers more DHA than EPA.

References:

1. [http://www.lef.org/whatshot/2011_06.htm] – Retrieved 2011-7-10.
2. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angioplasty] – Retrieved 2011-7-10.

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Quality Management – What Counts and What Doesn’t

Posted on October 11, 2011 by

In the world of health care, quality management can sometimes be underrated in respect to success and improvement. It’s not always easy to identify what counts and what doesn’t, especially when our judgment can become clouded by financial concerns. However, a recent study conducted by several doctors, including John D. Birkmeyer, suggests that

quality management may play the biggest role of all.

The research measured how much high-volume hospitals attribute to the success rate of cancer resections and cardiovascular surgeries. After gathering data pertaining to patients undergoing one of eight different cancer and cardiovascular operations from 1999 through 2008, it became distinctively clear to the doctors that although hospital volume presents some relevance to the declining mortality rate of these high-risk surgeries, other factors such as technology and

quality management applicationshold more respective merit.

The extrapolation of this conclusion came from the fact that the relationship between hospital volume and cardiovascular procedure success rate is quite insignificant. The mortality rate for all of the procedures fell over the decade, but for cardiovascular procedures, mortality fell between 8% (for carotid endarterectomy) and 36% (for AAA repair), which indicates that other factors may have played key roles (1).

So, what does this mean for quality management? It means that it counts. Near the end of the paper, it is specified that the doctors strongly believe tactics such as “operating-room checklists, outcomes-measurement and feedback programs, and collaborative quality-improvement initiatives” all have a substantial impact on the success rate of high-risk surgeries.

Hospitals and insurance providers need to start emulating a more precise focus on

quality management strategies. Sometimes an abundance of surgeons and cash flow doesn’t always get the job done, so it’s important that the health care industry is able to identify the elements that contribute to prosperity.

References:

1. [http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMsa1010705#t=articleTop] – Retrieved 2011-6-13.

 

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Carnosine Eye Drops – The Many Uses of Carnosine

Posted on October 11, 2011 by

If you’ve ever heard of carnosine eye drops, then you’ve most likely heard about how they can potentially be used to treat cataracts. The possibility of a refined alternative to surgery is a very enticing one and further studies and research is helping us explore the extent of this possibility.

A notable experiment was one conducted at the University of Catania. It was discovered that L-carnosine (administered as a pretreatment) decreased the clouding in rat lenses that had been exposed to guanidine. This alone was a dynamic breakthrough that has changed the way we think of carnosine eye drops today.

What Are Some of the Other Benefits of Carnosine?

In addition to carnosine helping treat cataracts, it yields many other positive effects. Since it’s usually found in the brain, innervated tissues, the lens of the eye and skeletal muscle tissue (1), there’s little doubt that it is an essential component of the human body. It’s become widely accepted as an anti-aging prospect, mostly due to its various antioxidant properties.

According to First Vitality, carnosine can potentially help with the following age-related conditions (1):

  • Neurological degeneration
  • Autistic Spectrum Disorders
  • Asperger’s syndrome
  • ADHD
  • Dyslexia
  • Cellular senescence (ageing) in general
  • Cross-linking of the eye lens (cataracts)
  • Cross-linking of the skin collagen (skin ageing)
  • Formation of advanced glycation end products
  • Accumulation of damaged proteins
  • Muscle atrophy
  • Brain circulation deficit
  • Cardiovascular conditions
  • Diabetes and its complications

Thanks to First Vitality for this information.

So, it’s evident that there is more to carnosine than just carnosine eye drops. Although carnosine is considered nontoxic, it’s always best to consult your doctor before making use of it for any particular reason. If you have been administered carnosine eye drops for a cataract, but are considering discontinuing its use due to side effects, make sure you talk to your doctor before making any decisions.

References:

1. [http://www.1stvitality.co.uk/pdfs/what-is-carnosine.pdf] – Retrieved 2011-8-9.

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