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Showing posts with label aging. Show all posts
Showing posts with label aging. Show all posts

Sunday, May 20, 2007

Tips for Getting Rid of Cellulite

While not dangerous, cellulite is an annoying and unsightly problem for many women. Cellulite is bumpy skin usually found on the butt and thighs. While there are many theories on what causes it, it’s usually considered to be fat cells bulging out through tight, inflexible connective tissue.

If you turn on infomercials or the home shopping channels, you’ll probably see tons of different products to help get rid of it. The truth is: you can’t get rid of cellulite without expensive surgeries, but there are ways to reduce its appearance. Here are just a few suggestions to bring back your smooth, supple skin.

Get Healthy. While you can’t get rid of the cells that cause cellulite without surgery, you can shrink them down by losing weight and building muscle. While being overweight doesn’t cause cellulite, getting rid of excess pounds usually helps reduce its appearance.

Increase circulation. To loosen tight connective tissue and give your skin a smoother appearance, you should take steps to improve circulation in the area. While there are many products out there that are designed to help (even cellulite reducing pantyhose), the best way to do this is with daily massage. Plus, this can be a nice way to relax at the end of the day.

Use aloe vera. There are many “miracle” cellulite creams on the market, but you probably already know that it’s best to avoid them. Instead, get a good aloe vera cream. This will help loosen up the connective tissue and reduce the appearance of cellulite. Regular use of an exfoliating scrub may help as well.

Get rid of toxins in the body. One theory suggests that cellulite is caused by excess toxins in the body. Having well hydrated cells washes away the toxins and keeps them from building up; so drink plenty of water. Some people have found improvement after wraps and other treatments designed to remove toxins from the skin. You should also avoid adding new toxins to your system; cut back on caffeine, additives, preservatives, artificial colorings, and unnecessary medications.

While none of these suggestions can totally get rid of cellulite, with a few changes and patience, you can have smoother, less lumpy skin.

Monday, May 14, 2007

Anti Aging Tips for Women

Throughout time, there’s been a persistent myth about the fountain of youth. Sure, we all know there’s no spring in Florida that will keep us young forever, but we still chase after pills, crèmes and anything else that will magically make us feel younger or live longer. Nothing can help us live forever or be ten years younger, but there are things you can do to help turn back the clock.

Stay on your diet. You may be on a diet to lose weight, but it has other benefits too. While carrying around extra pounds causes extra wear and tear on your system, a healthy diet also makes all your systems work right. If your organs are properly nourished, they’ll operate more efficiently and won’t get worn out as fast. It’s also a good idea to take a daily multivitamin. You might find other supplements beneficial; just be sure you’re getting enough of the right nutrients and not too much of the wrong ones.

Don’t forget your skin. An important part of feeling young is keeping your organs healthy. Well, your skin is the largest organ of your body. Having healthy skin can make you look younger, which in turn can make you feel younger. In addition to using anti-aging skin care products, be sure to eat a diet that helps improve skin quality. Good choices are fresh fruits and vegetables and foods rich in protein. Keep your skin (and the rest of your body) hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

Get Exercise. Everyone’s heard the old adage “if you don’t use it you lose it”. Well, you’ve probably heard it so much because it’s true. Regular exercise keeps your body working properly. It can also strengthen your heart and help you lose excess pounds that are weighing you down. And remember, exercising your mind is just as important for staying young as exercising your body.

Feel good about getting old. It may seem silly, but people who have a positive view about getting older tend to live longer. Instead of worrying about how hard it will be to get around or do normal things, concentrate on the fun of retirement or other benefits to getting older.

Sure, there’s no fountain of youth, but taking small steps to stay healthy and keep yourself going will go a long way in helping you feel younger and live longer.

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Women Benefit From Soy Protein

Most women have been told to drink a lot of milk and eat foods rich in calcium to stay healthy and strong. Another food that should be included in every woman’s diet is soy protein. Here are just a few ways adding some soy to your diet can keep you healthy and strong.



Hot Flashes
These are a common symptom in women going through perimenopause. Women who suffer from mild to moderate hot flashes can usually decrease their symptoms by getting larger amounts of soy protein. Soy contains phytoestrogens, or plant estrogens, that can mimic human estrogen, reliving these symptoms. Many women have experienced good results using soy protein instead of estrogen replacement therapy.

Bone Health
Loss of bone mass is a serious issue for woman in menopause and perimenopause. If your normal bone mass is not maintained, you’re much more likely to develop osteoporosis. You’ll also most likely to suffer broken bones, which can be devastating to older women. Soy protein contains calcium, along with magnesium and boron; all of these are essential in keeping your bones strong and healthy. In addition to providing these building blocks for your bones, certain chemicals in soy, called isoflavones, may help prevent your bones from breaking down. Getting enough soy everyday is a great way to keep yourself strong.

Heart Health
We all know that high cholesterol is a big risk factor in developing heart disease. And while heart disease used to be considered a man’s disease, we now know that it’s a killer in women as well. If you want to keep your heart healthy, soy protein can help. It has been shown to lower “bad” cholesterol levels. Getting enough soy protein now can not only help you if you have a heart problem, eating it before there’s a problem can help prevent one.

Cancer Prevention
While the previously mentioned benefits mainly deal with older women, soy can be a great benefit to younger women as well. It is suggested that the phytoestrogens in soy can help prevent breast cancer in younger women by preventing high levels of estrogen from reaching hormone receptors. While current studies are inconclusive, they are still promising.

In addition to all these benefits for women, we also know that soy can improve immune system functions for men and women, making you less likely to get sick and improving recovery times.

Since we already know it’s important for women of all ages to get enough soy protein, the next thing to find out is how much. Having too much soy in your diet can actually cause problems rather than fix or prevent them. You should strive to get about 50mg of soy protein a day. While there are supplements available, the best way to get this and any nutrient is through a proper diet. However, some studies suggest that sources such as tofu are better for you than products like soy milk.