Saturday, July 19, 2008

How to Boost the Production of Collagen

As you age, collagen and elastin production levels in the skin decline. For our next natural anti aging tips, I am going to tell you how to boost collagen levels in the skin naturally. There are several steps you can take to overcome the decline of collagen production as you age. If you are interested in doing everything you can to help boost the production of collagen in your skin read further..

boostcollagenproduction

Collagen is a protein made up of amino acids and is the chief component in the connective tissues in the ligaments,skin, and bones. As we grow older, what leads to wrinkles is that the ability of our skin to replace damaged collagen decreases and this over the years leads to wrinkles in the skin. You need a a multifaceted approach to replenish the declining levels of collagen in your skin.

There are a few easy things you should be doing to avoid destroying your skin. This includes the basics rules of avoiding free radicals, sun damage, smoking and going to see a doctor about replacing your diminishing hormone levels if you are at the age where your hormones have become unbalanced. Hormone imbalance can occur as early as your mid-thirties and getting a hormone panel done by your doctor can identify this problem. I am talking about natural bioidentical hormones here because I am all for natural solutions to fight the process of aging. Supplementing diminishing hormones helps keep your skin young. In addition, drink six to eight glasses of clean water and eating a healthy diet daily will help your skin in looking maintain a youthful texture. To assist in Keeping your skin soft and moisturized, use a daily moisturizer and a night cream every day..

You can also take natural food supplements that you can find at your local health store which you can take that will assist in the production of collagen. Vitamin C and Hyaluronc Acid supplements – are both sold at your local health food store are the two basic supplements you should take to help with the amount of collagen production levels in your skin.


Hyaluronic acid is a glycosaminoglycan , which exists naturally in all human body tissues. It is located in the extra cellular matrix of the skin and in the synovial fluid which moisturizes the joints and cartilage . It gives skin its volume and fullness . As we age, we the amount of hyaluronic acid declines in the body.

Vitamin C is very important for the synthesis of collagen. If you are over 45, we recommend taking 1000 milligram of Vitamin C a day which is also valuable for fighting off the effects of stress and illness. A friend of mine, who is 10 years older, told me she is now taking 1400 milligrams daily. Vitamin C is needed in larger amounts when you body is under stress or fighting off sickness. What you don’t need, meaning any excess amounts of Vitamin C are eliminated. Your best options about Vitamin C intake is to talk to your compounding pharmacist, naturopath or doctor about the exact amount you should be taking.

Another health supplement I find useful after the age of 50 is called “Genacol”, a supplement containing a concentration of enhancing collagen amino/peptides which improves the production of different types of collagen in the body. Genacol is also an excellent supplement for dealing with arthritis problems. You can buy Genacol again, at your local health store.

Another best natural antiagin tip is something we should all be doing regularly to fight off the hands of time. Exercise which includes building up decreasing muscle mass can help the skin in look less saggy and firmer. The antiaging benefits of exercise are wonderful including the physical benefits of firmer, harder muscles, heart health, lowered cholesterol and an increased sense of wellbeing from the resulting production of the “feel good” hormones - oxytocin and endorphins.

You could also look into having collagen injections which plumb up wrinkles and give volume to the face. These are cosmetic procedures which use subtances like Botox and Artecoll which actually increase collagen production in the area of your face that is injected with the substance..

So look into these natural anti aging tips for increasing the collagen production in your skin. Consult with your naturopath and anti aging doctors for their recommendations. This is what is available to you to keep your skin looking great as you age.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Exercise - The Best Natural AntiAging Weapon

antiagingexerciseThe best natural anti-aging tactic to fight aging and the diseases associated with aging is exercise. You will look better on the outside and be able to keep an ideal body weight, but on the inside, exercise does a lot more for your body.

Chronic diseases like cancer, arthritis, and heart disease can be traced to an improper diet and a lack of exercise. To keep your heart healthy, in order to combat the risk of strokes and heart attacks and high blood pressure, one needs to exercise regularly. Habitual exercise will help prevent obesity and also assists in maintaining hormonal balance which is so important as we grow older for both men and women.

For women, estrogen is created and stored in the fatty tissues; therefore, women with excess body fat suffer from insulin resistance and estrogen dominance. The problem with insulin resistance is that sugar is not used by the body properly. Insulin has been found in many studies to play an important role in the aging process. Insulin resistance causes problems with the adrenal glands which affects hormone levels and the reproductive organs. What happens eventually is that the body becomes completely imbalanced which leads to premature aging and the diseases that come with aging.


Regular exercise also assists in fighting certain cancers such as breast, colon, and rectal cancers. Endorphins are produced in the body as a result of exercise. Endorphins are the “feel good” hormones which relieve stress and contribute to our sense of wellbeing. In this way, exercise can also help treat depression and insomnia. The long term benefits of exercise in relieving stress symptoms is that over a long period of time, cortisol levels will be lowered. High cortisol levels are a dangerous situation to have existing in the body. How else can exercise assist? By strengthening the bones and muscles, osteoporosis will be prevented. Osteoporosis is another problem that faces men and women as they age.

How much exercise is needed? Our best natural antiaging tip is that we recommend about 20 to 30 minutes a day, for five days a week. Antiaging exercise can take the form brisk walking, yoga, bike riding or working out with light weights. Find the exercise you love and have fun doing and then stay with it!

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Make Your Own AntiAging Skin Pampering Moisturizers

To pamper your skin, trying making your own anti-aging skin care oils by starting out with a carrier oil to use as a base in order to mix with other essentials oils to lusciously treat your skin. By using organic oils and you can be assured that you are smoothing something good into your skin. Used as a massage oil, oil for the bath or skin conditioning treatment many essential oils have anti-aging properties.

Because many aromatherapy oils are too concentrated to be used directly on the skin, it is important to use a carrier oil as a base. A carrier oil such as sunflower seed oil or apricot kernel oil is best for those with delicate skin,. For dry skin, use a sesame seed oil, a sweet almond oil, or avocado carrier oil. Add several drops of the essential oil into the bigger portion of the carrier oil.

To provide your skin with extra pampering, after a hot shower or bath, since this is the time when your skin will absorb the oils, massage your favorite oil into your warmed skin.




A Guide to Aromatherapy Oils:

• Lavender – promotes cell growth and has a calming effect
• Chamomile – reduces puffiness, calms sensitive dry skin, good for broken veins, assists in promoting skin elasticity and firms the skin
• Geranium – is a calming oil
• Sandalwood – controls itchy skin and nourishes aging skin
• Grapefruit – a stimulating fragrance and oil
• Cypress – reduces for puffiness and water retention
• Neroli - Regenerates skin, good for broken veins, promotes skin elasticity
• Frankincence – firms and lifts skin, good anti-wrinkle properties, stimulates deep breathing and helpful in meditation
• Rosehip – quickly penetrating, rich in Omegas, rejuvenates aged, sun-damaged skin and assists with healing scars
• Argan oil – anti-wrinkle properties and also helps with healing scars
• Rose oil – very pricey but one of the best oils for aging skin. Also excellent for mood enhancement and relief of stress

For starters, try out this recipe for your first own organic anti-wrinkle oil. Rub it gently into the face and neck after washing and feel revived.

1 teaspoon of wheatgerm oil
2 tablespoons of hemp oil
1 capsule of evening primrose oil
4 drops each of essential oils of frankincense and sandalwood

Mix and store in a dark glass bottle, keep in a cool, dark place. Shake before using.

Using organic, healthy products on your skin is vital to antiaging skin pampering care. The best antiagin tips involve the basics – taking care of your skin, diet, exercise and the lifestyle choices you make. I will keep posting tips for best natural anti aging on my blog for you please check back soon.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Eyebrows – Antiaging Tips

As you age, you will begin to notice that your eyebrows are getting thinner and more sparse.

You may have heard about eyebrow transplants. This takes two to three hours in the doctor’s office.

Hair is taken from the back or side of your head and transplanted to the eyebrow area to get back the eyebrows or your youth. However, the problem with this procedure is that the hair will re-grow as long as the hair on your head grows. You will constantly have to trim this hair. A cheaper and easier solution would be to simply use an eyebrow pencil or Use a pencil that is a shade lighter than your own hair color. Use feathery light strokes and fill in the sparse areas. Some brow hairs will grow longer as we age. Simply brush them upward and keep them trimmed. A simple and inexpensive anti-aging solution for you.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Best Natural Anti Aging Tips to Get Hooked on

Healthy habits are good to get hooked on - here are some new anti aging habits for you to help you combat aging. Start today with these healthy habits, get hooked on them and get the benefits of the best natural anti-aging tips here.

• Sleep – regularly find the time to get seven or eight hours of quality sleep per night.

• Do squats – doing squats regularly, helps increase the strength in your leg muscles.

• Cry every so often it will assist you to think more clearly. A good cry will reduce stress levels, strengthen your immune system and lower stress hormones. Rent a sad movie which will bring on the tears.

• Do wear sunscreen – wear it. Over exposure to the sun causes wrinkles and ages the skin.

• Protect your eardrums by turning down the volume – high volumes can permanently ruin your hearing.

• Cut down on caffeine. Make sure that you don’t drink more than 3 cups of coffee a day. Using caffeine as a stimulant to up, means simply put, you haven't had enough sleep. Coffee does help stimulate clearer thinking for us as we get older, but if you’re drinking more – it’s time to reduce your intake.

• For five minutes a day, breathe deeply. Deep breathing de-stresses you and massages your internal organs.

• Get involved with your community by Volunteering – the rewards are satisfying and assist your community.

• Quit smoking if you haven’t already. It lowers hormone levels, ages your skin and all of you, and causes cancer and other nasty diseases. You already know all the facts.

• Keep plaque and dental disease away. Floss and brush your teeth twice a day.

• Buckle up your seat belt. This keeps you safe in your car, and one day might save your life.

• Eat your vegetables. Start eating salads for lunch and dinner. Eating this way will supply you with your vitamins, decrease your appetite and assists with weight reduction.

Exercise your body for a half hour per day. It tones muscle tone, burns calories and fat.

• About every two years, throw out old pillows. Pillows end up being the home to millions of dust mites.

• Have more sex. As a calorie burner, ego booster, and stress reducer by increasing your levels of feel-good hormones (endorphins). It can also reduce headache and migraine pain.

• Every time you stop at a traffic light tighten your abs, tighten your butt - squeeze and release your muscles. This helps strengthen muscles in those areas which are difficult to tone.

• Are you getting the nutrients you require at whatever age you are? Talk to a naturopath who will help you by advising you what supplements you should be taking on a daily basis.

• Examine your breasts regularly to check for lumps.

• Regular washing will help reduce infections and the spread of disease. After wash apply hand lotion to keep your skin moist.

• Incorporate Stretching into your daily exercise routine. The benefits of stretching increase flexibility, helps prevent injury and feels good!

A lot of things you can do to fight aging are within your own control. These healthy habits are habits you can acquire now. These are the best natural anti agin tips you can start with today.