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.