Anti-Aging Pills

Got gas?   Pop a pill!

Depressed?   Pop a pill!

Wanna live longer? Feel younger?

It sounds like a schlocky Sci-Fi flick, but YES, you can pop a pill for that too!

Researchers are making giant leaps and bounds in the science of anti-aging - including lifespan extension and treating the diseases of aging.

But is there a "magic" fountain of youth pill out there yet? 

I'll let YOU decide! Here's the 4-1-1 on a few options:

Resveratrol

Got wine?

We've all seen Doctor Oz sing the praises of one or two glasses of red wine each night for the effects of this ingredient - Resveratrol.  It's an anti-oxidant found in the skin of the grapes of red wine (go lushes!) and also mulberries, peanuts, and Japanese knotweed.

What's so hot about Resveratrol?   First off, it can lower your risk of heart disease.   Heard of the "French Paradox?"  That mysterious question:  "Hey, how come those French people are always eating high fatty foods, and they aren't dropping like flies from heart attacks?"  Researchers figured it was something in the wine... Cheers !

Secondly, in lab studies, resveratrol has lengthened the life span of worms, fruit flies, and let mice nosh on super-fatty high caloric food to their hearts' content, counteracting the harmful effects of overeating and cutting the risk of early death in these critters by 31 percent. 

The revolutionary news is this:  resveratrol triggers the gene in your body that controls the aging process -- SIRT1, or Sirtuin.  Sirtuin rejuvenates damaged cells and delays cell death.  Somehow, it's "turned on" by resveratrol.  So, resveratrol delays age-related deterioration too.

Now, don't grab the ho-hos and a case of "2-Buck Chuck" Merlot just YET -- How much wine are we talking about drinking to get these benefits?


The Wine RX would be:  1,000 bottles a day !   Ouch that's an expensive bar tab!  Not to mention the liver transplants you would need...that's where concentrated resveratrol supplements come in.

In a Barbara Walters Interview, Dr. Sinclair, the biologist who made the discovery of the anti-aging properties of resveratrol, stated that in the future, with something like resveratrol supplements,  human lives could possibly be extended by an extra decade or two.  Geez!  (Lifespan is extended through the prevention of disease.)  Resveratrol supplements would thereby virtually eliminate age-related diseases like diabetes and Alzheimers.

Of course, the studies continue...and human studies are in the works as well.

Some doctors say "go for it" with Resveratrol supplements and some say to wait for further research.   If you WANT to take a supplement, there are a flood of options.

Just GOOGLE Resveratrol supplements and you are bombarded with a slew of brands by indi manufacturers.  But watch for  gimmicks!  Nothing's regulated by the FDA so every supplement maker is trying to cash in...

* FREE TRIALS - Careful, it may not really be a FREE TRIAL, it may be enrollment in an expensive auto-ship program which can be impossible to cancel, so, read the fine print.  Just visit the Oprah blog to see how many peeps got scammed in free trials for resveratrol by Resveratrol Ultra!

* On-line articles - Well, sometimes, the article LOOKS un-biased, but after careful review, it's an advertisement!  So, try to get your info from medical reports or reputable medical sites.  And deal with reputable companies you've heard of.  

* Celebrity endorsements - You'll see celebrity photos next to some ads when the celebs have never endorsed the product ! Remember, Doctor Oz doesn't endorse a specific resveratrol supplement, so be careful about misrepresentation.

So, how do you pick a good Resveratrol supplement?

Well, I've heard there are really two parts to the Resveratrol compound - Trans-Resveratrol and Cis-Resveratrol. Studies showed that only the Trans-Resveratrol part has the positive health benefits. So, when you look at an ingredient list you want to make sure you see Trans-Resveratrol. 

Prices range all over the place depending on manufacturer and purity, but start at around $20 and go up from there.

Here's a clip of Doctor Oz speaking about Resveratrol and other amazing extreme longevity techniques which are a blink of an eye away.  (The OTHER thing that triggers Sirtuin, Dr. Oz says,  is a calorie-restricted diet - so horray for Resveratrol! )


Diane Sawyer Dr. Oz interview on Resveratrol and extreme longevity techniques


TA-65 (Telomerase Activation)

This one sounds high tech, huh?

Telomeres are located at the tips of your chromosomes.  The T.A. Sciences website says:

"Telomeres have no genetic function; they are simply stretches of DNA (repeats of base pairs) that protect the rest of the chromosome. These little bits of DNA are critical to healthy cell function and have been likened to the plastic tips on shoelaces because they prevent the chromosome from “fraying.” However, telomeres become progressively shorter each time the cell divides. When they get too short, cells reach replicative senescence and can no longer divide. The result can be the various conditions associated with old age."

TA65 is a molecule in Astragalus, an ancient Chinese herb. It's refined and purified. You can get Astragalus extract in a health food store, however it has little or no TA-65.  Hence, here's this supplement, which claims to activate telomerase in normal cells and increase telomere length, improve functional capacity, and promote the cell lifespan.

Little Miss Oprah Winfrey exclaimed on her show one day "I want longer telomeres" and bam!  Word got around.

For $600 big ones, you TOO can take this supplement...

http://www.tasciences.com

cheaper alternative here:  http://www.antiaginganalyst.com/product/jeunesse-finiti-telomere-lengthening-support-2-bottles-60-capsules-per-bottle/

Your lovely neighborhood Anti-Aging Analyst is NOT a doctor and not telling you to run out and purchase cases of anything of the above.  It's here for your info. What can I say, I like to share :)

Are you an Anti-Aging Junkie who's tried or is using Resveratrol, Protandim or TA65 supplements?
Please comment and share your experience!

Peace out,

The Anti-Aging Analyst

A Star Remedy For The Blotchies...

In a recent interview, Denise Richards and Ali Landry recently spilled their "celeb" beauty secrets.

DO tell....

Both of them dutifully recommended drinking plenty of H20 - but Miss Richards buzzed about a treatment called Cosmelan.  It sounds like a foo foo martini drink, and I haven't heard of it so thought it was worth a post.  It's a treatment for hyperpigmentation and melasma, which is just a fancy- schmancy word for sunspots and the blotchies.  Cosmelan decreases melanin from the skin by inhibiting an enzyme called tyrosinase, which is involved in the manufacture of melanin.  Richards also claims it's great for minimizing pore size.

THIS sounds like the miracle treatment I'm looking for to fight the little brown patches that seem to keep sprouting up !  Minimized pores?  B O N U S !

It's a two step dealy - the first step is a mask applied by your derm doctor.  It's left on for a whopping 4-8 hours ....then the second step, called Cosmalen 2, is a topical cream you apply at home to prevent more brown spots from surfacing.

Cosmelan 1 - Mask (10g) ingredients:

• Azelaic Acid, Kojic Acid, Phytic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Arbutine, Titanium Dioxide

Cosmelan 2 – Maintenance Cream (30g) ingredients:

• Titanium Dioxide, Kojic Acid, Phytic Acid, Ascorbic Acid

Mesoestetic - Hydra Vital Factor K Cream (50ml). This pack includes:

• Hydro nutritional cream for face and neck. Hydroviton, Vitamin K, Vitamin E, Amniotic fluid, Glycerine, Silicone oil.

Hydroquinone (usually used in lightening creams and not so good for you) in my book, is a no-no, and the Cosmelan treatment does NOT have it, so you can use it long-term to even prevent pigmentation irregularities from coming back.  HOWEVER, quoting from a press release, Titanium Dioxide has recently been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as an IARC Group 2B carcinogen ''possibly carcinogen to humans''.  BUT this is based on research that pertains to the Titanium Dioxide DUST (powered) where rats developed lung cancer upon breathing it in.  Crappity Crap....isn't it always SOMETHING?  So best to ask your doctor about any associated risks.

Now get this - Results in most cases start after ONE WEEK with significant results after  2 to 4.  So this is a faboo alt if you are sick and tired of doing that home lemon juice wipe, or if you simply have zero patience to wait the expected 8-12 weeks with other lightening creams.  Or perhaps if you have a birth mark that you really want to clear.

Cosemelan is NOT a chemical peel so it IS milder than a peel, however afterwards, your skin may turn red and look like a mild sunburn.  You may flake a little too, but this skin is replaced by new lighter colored skin.  You may have some burning and itching sensation for up to 48 hours if you have sensitive skin.  After the first 48 hours these side effects disappear for most people.  Way less downtime than a highly acidic chemical peel....

Nothing painful about this treatment...until you get to the price tag.... 600-800 smackers.   But for some of you, if the price point isn't bothersome, it's a super quick, albiet temporary way to remove blotchy spots with limited side effects (redness and itchiness) just lasting two days.

The Cosmelan.org site says:  "For noticeable results, it is advisable to use it subsequent to a Cosmelan treatment. But people may obtain the desired results even by using Cosmelan 2 independently." 


Mmmmmmmhhh - so that brings the pricey tag down a couple pegs to....I dunno.... REALITY ?  You can even purchase Coemelan 2 from Amazon but need to see a dermatologist for the full Cosmelan treatment.















OH, one last pickey note:  The interviewer asked Denise Richards:  "What's your beauty REGIME?"

HELLO, girly, a "regime" is a mode or system of rule or government...what you meant to ask is "What's your beauty REGIMEN?"

I'm just sayin'!!   At least everyone understood the question and it resulted in some advice that gives the following groovy results:

Wicked fast results - and shared and recommended by a Hollywood beauty.... worth a look-see.   Nothing like sharing secrets to spread the beauty wealth...  THANKS DENISE !  And please tell your friends to share too!


If you have a beauty secret you'd like to share, please COMMENT here, or drop a note on the Anti-Aging Enthusiast Facebook Group Page -- we'd all love to know !!

Product Intervention: Is Your Shampoo Sabotaging You?

New Year.  New Looks.  We primp, we crimp, we gussy-up.   We slather, we scrape, we scent.  Wash, rinse and repeat.

You know the drill.

But are the products we use actually HARMING us in the long run?  Even slowly KILLING us?

This is the PERFECT  time for an Intervention - a PRODUCT intervention.

Why do we need a product intervention?  Well, ya wanna be around to see the NEXT holiday, dontcha, girl?

Sister, there are massive amounts of toxins in everyday products!

If you are a regular Anti Aging Arsenal reader, you remember my article on harmful chemicals in sunscreen.  But I've sluethed out, they are in EVERYTHING and ain't nobody regulating this stuff in our good ol' USA.

Welcome to Part 1 of Product Intervention.  Today, I want to focus on SHAMPOO.

So I'm laying in bed at a late hour watching an infomercial for a hair cleanser called WEN.  What's the diff about WEN?  Well, it's expensive as gold, but it contains no Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and is all natural/organic. 

What's the fuss about SLS?  I found out it's a caustic detergent in our shampoo and shower gels and a SLEW of other products... it's ALSO in engine degreasers and in car wash soaps.  All in all, it makes things foam and companies use it because it's CHEAP.   SLS is found in over a whopping 95 percent of our shampoos.

So, the real bad news about SLS is that it's potentially cancer-causing.  You are applying it to your scalp, and then the suds rinse down your body, so it's absorbed into your skin...  not a good thing.
The Western Daily Press says that SLS is a "harsh skin irritant that may also result in the formation of potentially carcinogenic nitrates and dioxins. Animals exposed to SLS experience eye-damage, central nervous system depression, laboured breathing, diarrhoea, severe skin irritation and even death."

SLS has a close relative named Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) which is less irritating to skin, but since our livers can't metabolize it, its effects are even longer-lasting.

What effects are we talking about?

The Natural Health Information Center says that both SLS and SLES are known to have many potentially detrimental effects to health.

Possible dangers include:

Skin irritation/ skin corrosion
Hormone Imbalance
Eye irritation / eye deformities in children
Protein Denaturing - This is damage to existing proteins and new proteins - this can lead to early stages of skin cancer.
Carcenogenicity (potentially cancer-causing.)  SLS is what is known as a "mutagen" - it can damage the genetic material found every cell in your body. Mutagenicity has been strongly linked to cancer.

Of course, put SKIN AGING on this list, but the above hazards kinda out-weigh the aging effects, don't they?

Sorry for the buzz kill......SLS is not only in shampoo -- you can also find it in:

Soaps
Bubble Bath
Toothpaste
Dishwashing detergent
Laundry soap
Hair coloring

Here's The National Institutes of Health "Household Products Directory" List of Products containing SLS.

One step at a time here, folks, let's not wig....but there's more.   SLS is a HUGE concern, but it's NOT the only chemical in our products. 

How about Dove Advanced Car Therapy Shampoo?

This SHOULD be relatively safe, right?  Afterall, it's "DOVE."

Dove rates a score of 6 in the Environmental Working Group's Cosmetic Database.  6 means MODERATELY HAZARD, out of a score of 10, which is WICKED hazard.

Here's a list of chemicals in Dove Advanced Care Therapy Shampoo that were rated a 4 or above, and the related health concerns:

DMDM Hydantoin  - Allergies/immunotoxicity, irritation
Fragrance - Neurotoxicity, Allergies/immunotoxicity
PEG-180 - Developmental/reproductive toxicity, organ system toxicity
EXT D&C VIOLET 2 - Cancer, Allergies/immunotoxicity
METHYLCHLOROISOTHIAZOLINONE - Allergies/immunotoxicity
METHYLISOTHIAZOLINONE - Allergies/immunotoxicity
COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE - Allergies/immunotoxicity, Contamination concerns
SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE - Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Contamination concerns

Read more here:  http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/product/127207/Dove_Advanced_Care_Therapy_Shampoo/

Got kids?  Johnson & Johnson Baby Shampoo has a rating of a 5 out of 10.  Remember, 0-2 is SAFE.
Suddenly, a little baby in a tub with a bunch of suds on her head is not so cute.

I'm still kind of flabbergasted that our governing bodies ALLOW SLS in products.  So, what choices are out there?

* Go to www.cosmeticdatabase.com and type in your brand of shampoo (or whatever product) to see if it has harmful ingredients.

You can type in a product, ingredient or company name.  Remember, you are looking for products with a LOW score -- the higher scores are MORE HAZARDOUS.

* Get an SLS-free shampoo

Some Zero ratings on this database for shampoos are:

Healing-Scents Shampoo/Body Wash
Coastal Classic Creations Vista del Mar Body Wash & Shampoo
Pure Nuff Stuff normal hair cleanser unscented
Poofy Organics Naturally Unscented Shampoo
Jonathan Product Green Rootine Nourishing Shampoo

* Join the movement and go completely "no-poo."

The "no-poo" procedure uses a baking soda and water paste for washing and an apple cider vinegar rinse cut with water.  Users say it takes a bit of time to get the right combo -- the consensus is you might want to try 1 part baking soda to 3 parts water....and one part ACV to 3 parts water first and play around with the combo a bit depending on your hair type.   For example, if you have dry hair, use less baking soda and more ACV.   I haven't tried the baking soda yet but did try the apple cider vinegar rinse and it was an immediate turbo SHINE BOOST. 


* Try an SLS Free hair care line.  My favorite is all-natural Miracle Anti-Aging Shampoo, Miracle Anti-Aging Conditioner, Miracle Anti-Aging hair serum and Miracle Anti-Aging Extreme Conditioner.  This line repairs your hair and grows it longer.  Learn more here:  www.antiaginganalyst.com/shop.

http://www.antiaginganalyst.com/shop/

* You can get involved in the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.

This group is trying to change legislation necessary to eliminate dangerous chemicals from cosmetics and personal care products.  Check them out.

So here we go....I decided to poo poo my shampoo and headed toward Trader Joe's, a store known for it's organic goods.   I picked up Trader Joe's Nourish Spa Shampoo.  DRAT, it's NOT in the cosmetic database!  It has organic rosemary oil, organic valencia orange citrus, organic mango, lemongrass, etc.  $2.99 for a 16.9 oz bottle.  SCORE, right?  Well, after close examination of the ingredients,  I found a couple wild cards and entered them into the search engine.  Cocamidopropyl betaine is one, and the cosmetic database says:

"linked to immunotoxicity, or harm to the immune system, and may be contaminated with toxic impurities, many which are linked to cancer."

This ingredient gets a score of 5.  It also had methylparaben and propylparaben, both preservatives with a score of 6, and believed to be to endocrine disrupters.  Mind you, these ingredients appear at the END of the list, so I believe this Trader Joe's to be a better alternative to what I was using (Garnier) which had a total PRODUCT hazard score of 6.

Alas, all in all, best to stick with the list:  www.cosmeticdatabase.com.

So, dear readers, at the start of this brand new year, I urge you to:   Nix the Nexxus!!  Pitch the Pantene!!  Drop the Dove!!   You can do this.  Let's be smarter, healthier consumers.  And look good while doing it.

We're all in this together.

New Year...New, SAFE products....



The Anti-Aging Analyst
Your Product Interventionist