Medicinal Mushrooms - can they cure cancer?

Quick:  the FIRST thing that jumps into your head when I write the words "medicinal mushrooms".....

Vivid colors trailing together and slow-motion talking flying unicorns, right?  Sorry, "Trippy" Reader....  not MAGIC  mushrooms....medicinal!

It's now time to expand your mushroom-awareness.  There are sooo many more mushrooms besides the everywhere white button mushrooms used in omelets and the portabella.  In fact, there's an estimated mind-blowing 38,000 species of mushrooms!  

Medicinal mushrooms are in a class all by themselves and garnering quite the buzz lately for health benefits and...get this...anti-cancer properties.

Medicinal mushrooms include Reishi, Shiitake, Maitake and Chaga. 

These members of the fabulous fungi family are rich in vitamins, fiber, and amino acids and have been shown to boost the immune system and lower risk of cancer.

They all boast the benefit of an improved immune system and each have their specialty, if you will. 

Reishi mushrooms - promote respiratory health and spirituality
   
Shiitake mushrooms - provide high levels of protein (18%)

Maitake mushrooms  - help to regulate blood sugar levels and is specifically recommended for the stomach and intestines

Chaga mushrooms - help stimulate the immune system to fight infection, cancer, and immune diseases

In fact, Chaga deserves more than a on-liner:

Chaga Mushrooms grow on birch trees and look like a large slab of burnt charcoal.  You can find it in Japan, Korea, Russia, East European countries, Northern US and parts of the Carolina mountains and Canada.  It's found that chaga contains anti-mutagenic compounds... compounds that inhibit mutations, which are changes in DNA and RNA sequences. Mutations can cause genetic disorders as well as cancer and degenerative diseases.

Chaga extract was able to inhibit tumor growth, kill cancer cells, and stimulate the immune system to fight cancer.  How HUGE is that?

A compound found in both birch  tree and chaga called betulinic acid shows anti-cancer properties in laboratory studies. Chaga absorbs betulinic acid from the birch tree.  (Hey, maybe we should be drinking birch tree tea, too ?)

Quoting Wikipedia here about the polysaccharides in Chaga:

Recent scientific research in Japan and China has been focused more on the anti-cancer potential and showed the effects of these specific polysaccharides to be comparable to chemo therapy and radiation, but without the side effects. Further research indicated these polysaccharides have strong anti-inflammatory  and immune balancing properties, stimulating the body to produce NK (natural killer) cells to battle infections and tumor growth, instead of showing a direct toxidity against pathogens.

A NATURAL chemo therapy?  Now that IS a magic mushroom!

You can eat these mushrooms, but they are most popular and in their most potent form in teas, powdered mushroom extracts, or tinctures (liquid).

Now, WHERE are you gonna get your hands on Chaga and other mushroom gold?

I found a super-cool site called The Raw Food World that sells all sorts of mushroom and health products.

There's even a fruit-flavored Chaga drink made by Sayan Health that you can find at your health food store or Amazon.com
















Please pass this information along to anyone you know who has been diagnosed with cancer !

Mushroom Madness,

~The Anti-Aging Analyst

Anti-Aging in LA

Can there BE too much anti-aging info out there? 

As if my blog isn't enough, you can also check me out as the Los Angeles Anti-Aging Beauty Examiner!  Just follow this link:

The Anti-Aging Analyst's page on the LAExaminer.com

And please:  SUBSCRIBE to get likidy split emails when I post....or visit me on Facebook!

Anti-Aging Analyst Facebook page

Sharing is cool,

~The Anti-aging Analyst

A cure-all superfood for aging and health?

Here's a superstar superfood  that can be used in, out, upside down and under, and has the longest and most impressive laundry list of anti-aging and health bennies I've ever seen!

It's Coconut Oil!

Now, coconuts can be pretty yummy themselves, and a definite fave in baking, but unless you're as groovy as "The Professor," I'm not sure you're gonna be able to whip up a radio to get rescued off your island.  I AM sure you can make a hip hula bikini top....but  I'm talking about the precious OIL inside the coconut....

Coconut oil comes in a solid form and is available at most neighborhood grocery stores in the cooking aisle.  (I got mine at Ralphs for $8.99.)  Just scoop up a little of the hard oil, and it immediately starts to melt when you rub it between your hands.

Here are some groovy things this health-heavyweight can do for you:

Anti-Age You

Coconuts contain anti-oxidants galore and can help reduce those fine facial lines and wrinkles.  A cheap alternative to expensive creams that's great for moisturizing and softening skin.

De-Frizz, Un-damage, Grow and Shine Your Hair

WOW!  Coconut oil is similar to hair's natural lipids so it penetrates deep into hair's cortex to make it stronger, more flexible and waterproof.  Ditch those $55.00 price-tagged exotic hair oils, ladies.  Apply it to wet or dry hair, let sit for a bit, then do your regular shampoo and conditioner routine.  Leaves hair soft to the touch and gets rid of those frizzies.  It's also said to help in the re-growth of damaged hair.




Smooth Your Skin

Use it as an all-over-body moisturizer for the skin.  Silky sleek, baby!  Dry, irritated skin?  Coconut oil helps sooth and treat skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

Treat Your Ulcer

Coconut oil is packing lauric acid, which fights off fungal infections and lots of times ulcers are caused by bacteria.  A tablespoon a day will keep the ulcer away.

Boost Your Metabolism and Help You Lose Weight

Woah...wanna turbo boost up your metabolic rate by up to 48 percent for up to 24 hours?  Try a daily dose of coconut oil.  It's got medium-chain fatty acids, as opposed to long ones, which are better digested into your system and convert to energy.  119 calories!

Prevent and Treat Your Diabetes

Coconut oil can help stabilize blood glucose levels.  If taken daily, some say that it can even prevent you from getting diabetes.

Treat Infections

The American Nutrition Association says:

The main medium chain fatty acids in coconut oil is lauric acid, a proven antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal agent that is also found in mother's milk. Converted in your body to a substance called monolaurin, it helps you defend against viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens and strengthens your immune system, protecting you from a wide range of diseases.

And now the Elaine Bennes moment where you push the writer with both hands and scream incredulously "GET OUUTTT!!!!!!!!"

(Quoting from The American Nutrition Association site:)

Coconut oil can be wonderfully effective against many diseases involving viruses, e.g., AIDS, Herpes simplex, and Leukemia.   

Yep, you read that right -- even HIV!!!  I've seen testimonials that warts have been cured and peeps are using it for athlete's foot, diaper's rash and more!

Get Your Sanity Back

Amazing.  There have been reports of Alzheimer's sufferers showing remarkable improvement after taking coconut oil.  The Alliance for Natural Health tells us that coconut oil is the "only natural product that has the potential to turn Alzheimer’s around."  How huge is THAT?




Read about the coconut oil/Alzheimer's connection here.

Now, you are probably saying "Hey Lil' Miss Anti-Aging Analyst:  Hold the PHONE!  It all sounds  great, but isn't coconut oil bad cuz of the saturated fat?" and "I heard it was bad from my heart."   Nope, those medium chain fatty acid are quickly broken down in the liver and used as quick energy. It is NOT stored like other fats.

So, what's not to love in your lovely bunch of coconuts?  Dr. Oz recommends 1 tablespoon a day.  Go virgin, organic on this one.

So, get on the Coconut Express !!  The Professor, Ginger and Maryanne were definitely ON to somethin' !!

Shakin' Those Trees,

~The Anti-Aging Analyst

Old Elvis

Elvis may have left the building, but the clock, she keeps on tickin'... come on, clock - "Don't be Cruel!"

Fast forward to the 74 year old Elvis,  courtesy of Photoshop Guru 'mrmo2' and the Freakin' News website.

As for the anti-aging regimen?  It's now or never, baby!  (Still a hunk tho, despite all the donuts, meds and white bread peanut butter sandwiches, no?)

Burning Love,

~The Anti-aging Analyst

St. Patty's Day Beauty Goodie Bag at Beauty 360

What's at the end of YOUR rainbow?  For most peeps, it's that shining pot o' gold.  But gold can come in many different forms....like.....FREE STUFF!!

Sigh...a goody bag with purchase is like a four leaf clover: hard to find and lucky to have!  So when I heard about the St. Patty's goody bag giveaway at Beauty 360 in Palos Verdes/Rolling Hills Estates, I just had to share the green!

If you are chuggin' down your colored beer in the GREEN area of Palos VERDES on St. Patty's Day, follow the rainbow to the Beauty 360 store next to CVS at:

901 Silver Spur Road
Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274

This upcoming Thursday (St. Patrick's Day) from 12:00pm to 5pm, Beauty 360 is having a multi-vendor sale featuring these lines:

Philip B Haircare
IT Cosmetics
Mavala Nail Care
Mario Badescu Skincare

Product line reps and celeb makeup artists will be there.  Make any purchase - remember, on St. Patty's Day only and at the Palos Verdes Beauty 360 only - and get a goody bag from that vendor!

What a great way to check out some new products, get a few beauty/anti-aging tips AND get a little piece of a St. Patty's pot o' gold free goodie treasure.

Beauty 360 is owned by CVS.  In fact, you find them right next door to CVS.  It specializes in higher-end, prestige and niche cosmetics, spa skincare and celebrity makeup artist products carrying names like Paula Dorf, Laura Geller, Vincent Longo and more. 

There are about 25 stores across the country with several in California.  In Los Angeles, there are 4 stores nearby:

Palos Verdes Estates
Manhattan Beach
Yorba Linda
Mission Viejo

If you are too busy drinking, fighting and getting on some serious Irish carousing this green holiday, don't fret!!  All the Beauty 360 stores have all sorts of freebie-with-purchase promotions and events, so hit it up often.

Try THIS on... REWARDS people!  And this is ALL the time:  for every $250 you purchase in a spending quarter using your CVS card, you get a FREE 30-minute facial!  Ahh, time to relax and pamper after all that hard shopping! (A 30-minute facial there is around $50.00 so this is a nice perk.  You can always upgrade it to an hour to REALLY treat yourself.)

This JUST in!  SAVE THE DATES:  March 24th, April 7th, and April 21st.  Go ahead....write it DOWN!  On these days and these days only, use your CVS card, spend $75.00 bucks and score yourself a free facial.  THAT is pretty cool.

So, if you're out stocking up on beauty and anti-aging products for a new look or are simply runnin' on "E",  why not shop at a place that's going to give you personalized service from licensed skincare specialists, special goodies with purchase PLUS a special free facial reward?  I'd call that 360 service!

Magically Delicious!

Erin go "Goody bag"...

2011's Best Anti-aging Products To Date

Not even a full three months into "Twenty-Eleven" (as they say), and already there's a list of the best of the best anti-aging products of the year.  Kinda like an early Oscars.

And the winner goes to....  Well, there's not just one - there's like a dozen.

With some of these anti-agers being seriously cool and under a Jackson, the question then becomes:

"Are YOU using one of the best anti-aging products for 2011?....

well, WHY NOT?"

Check this clip: It's a piece from The Today Show where Linda Wells, Editor-in-Chief from Allure Magazine, shares the love and spills 6 of the 12 best anti-aging products for 2011... (Allure does some serious research for this and give out "best" awards for beauty products too.)

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

1- Olay Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System ( around $30 bucks)





We've all seen this in the aisles of Walgreens and CVS and with similar cleansing systems going for tons more, it kinda makes sense to snatch this one up.  It cleanses and exfoliates your skin and also allows serums to penetrate into the skin deeper because it oh-so-slightly stretches those pores.  Their advertising says it better: "helps maximize the immediate hydrating effectiveness of your anti-aging moisturizer."  Since it has no cords and it's water resistant, it sounds like a great way to save time - do your facial cleansing in the shower!




2 - Rodan and Fields AMP MD system (around $200 bucks for all)



This is the system I am currently using and loving! A roller with 200 micro-needles helps to deliver the products beneath the surface of your skin and creates collagen.

Your own little collagen factory!  A cleanser mask, toner, a night cream, night serum capsules, sunscreen, your roller and little tablets to clean the roller are all part of the system.  Watch for my full review on this soon!






3- Dermadoctor PhotoDynamic Therapy (around $85 bucks)




What in god's creation is a "sunlight-activated lazer lotion"?  Not totally sure, but it sounds RADICAL.  This sunscreen converts the sun's rays into visible red light, a proven energy source for eliciting anti-aging effects on the skin.  That is, something bad gets converted to something good.  SPF 30.  It's like solar panels for your face.  Again, RAD.







4 - Priori Coffeeberry Natureceuticals 100% Perfecting Minerals (around $55 bucks)

This is a makeup powder that they say "protects your collagen" by protecting against both dangerous free radicals and the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays.  SPF 25 and all natural.  Know that OTHER mineral makeup line?  Well, it doesn't have Coffeeberry and it puts their minerals in those little plastic containers.  Shame on them!  Priori is uber-green -- it has eco-friendly packaging made from biodegradable plant plastics—not from oil.  And they say THAT means:

5 - Origins Plantscription Anti-aging Serum (around $55 bucks)




OF COURSE Origins is on the best list -- it's fierce!  This serum features a plant-based product that duplicates the effects of retinals - leaving out any harsh irritations! Go plants!  Get on in to your local Origins and ask for a sample.  Tell them the Anti-Aging Analyst sent ya!









6 - Living Proof Full Thickening Mousse (around $20 bucks)



If you're not using a thickening mousse invented by an MIT engineer, why bother? This mousse is designed to make thin, fine, flat hair look and feel thicker with no 80's sticki-fest.  Have not tried this yet, but HAIL YEA...WANT to!   When I peeked at reviews, gals everywhere are "shouting it out" that this is the best thickening mousse they've ever used.  Pump Up the Volume!








See the full list of The Best New Anti-Aging Products here!   Go ahead, get just one so YOU can say you use the best....you deserve it!!

You're Soooo Alluring,

~The Anti-Aging Analyst

See You Barefoot at the Longevity Now Conference

I love love this video of health-pro David Wolfe. He shares his passionate thoughts about the most destructive invention in the history of human kind.

THAT of course.....is the common shoe.

Watch David Wolfe Blame Shoes For Health & Aging Probs

Attention HARD-CORE Longevity Lunatics!  Now you can see David Wolfe in person.  This video is 
C R A Z Y !! But I've seen some of his on-line seminars and he's super scientific and full of knowledge.  Maybe there IS something to be said about ditchin' those shoes.

Look out for The Longevity Now Conference Friday, April 1st to Sunday, April 3rd, 2011. Over 1,200 health enthusiasts from all walks of life will be gathering at The Orange County Hilton in Costa Mesa, CA to learn the latest cutting-edge strategies in the field of anti-aging and longevity. The topic is Whole Body Balance and Optimal Peak Performance. 

So, if you're on a raw food diet, drink only Spring water, wear magnet rings to bed, HATE shoes and love to visit websites that have BIG RED FONTS and lots of sales lingo, here's the link:

Longevity Now Conference

Tickets are $247...but the longer you live, the steeper the price. It goes up to $297 after Sunday, February 20th.